Sexy Friday

OK, maybe Adam Scott isn't traditionally sexy. That said, I find him absolutely adorable. Sadly, I had no idea that the first project I remember seeing him in is Piranha though I must have seen him in his tv appearances and just don't remember. I really liked him in Friends with Kids and have been absolutely obsessed with him in Parks and Recreation. I just got to the point in the series where he made his first appearance and am flying through the next season where he was made a series regular. Do not confuse him with golfer Adam Scott - though that Adam Scott is also kind of attractive. See below:

Hey! That's two Adam Scotts for Sexy Friday - two for the price of one.

Little Miss's Sense of Self

We can only hope Little Miss's confidence and sense of self stays constant throughout her life. Last Sunday, she had some great conversations with Husband. I only wish I blogged about this closer to the weekend. Apologies for my memory. 

Little Miss: Mommy is pretty, but I'm the beautifulest. 

This next is the end of a conversation about how important and special Little Miss is to us. 

Little Miss: I'm important. 

Husband: You are very important to this family. 

Little Miss: I'm very important to every family. 

Yep, you heard her. Every family.

Sexy Friday

It's decided (well, by me) that Lenny Kravitz can make anything cool and sexy. He wore a purple jumpsuit type thing the first time I saw him. I also got to see him perform once and that was pretty sexy. He hasn't acted in too much, but I thought he was great in Precious and not everyone can pull off gold eye make up like he did in The Hunger Games. He's just the epitome of cool which is quite the accomplishment considering his name is Lenny.

Weekend Update - Hot Hot Hot

Last weekend, we had a lot planned. On Saturday, we babysat Nephew in the morning. Even though it was the hottest day this summer so far, I took the kids on a (very) short walk to the fountains where they proceeded to have a blast and cool off. Then, we took the shortest nap in history before going to the Inlaws' pool. It's too bad because Nephew and I were totally sacked out on the couch for a full 5 minutes before we were asked to move. It was so hot the pool was lukewarm and not much relief. Still, the kids were adorable and couldn't have been happier. Little Miss imitated her little cousin and started jumping under water. Previously, she didn't like getting her face wet. So, big strides in the water this summer. We did take out for dinner and it was delicious.

On Sunday, I drove a friend to another friend's new house. We had planned to see Magic Mike, but it sold out so we saw a substitute. It was a great lunch and relaxing friend time. It's so easy to get busy, and it's nice when we all have time to get together for low-key fun (lunch, movie and ice cream - what's better than that?)

Weekend Update - Fourth of July

This is quick.  Little Miss was picked up on Tuesday and spent four days with my family in Maryland.  She rode the paddleboat, went to the lake, and splashed in the hot tub.  She had a cookout with neighbors and had a great time with my family and her cousin.  

While she was out of town, we went out with friends on Tuesday night.  We did happy hour, dinner and a movie.  We stayed out past midnight.  It was downright crazy (for us).  On Wednesday, we spent time at the pool with a friend which was perfectly relaxing.  On Thursday, I met Sister-in-Law for dinner and then we went to see The Hunger Games at the second-run theater.  Then, on Friday, I picked up Little Miss from my sister.  

We did pretty well being away from Little Miss.  She did great being away from us.  I think, for us anyway, it would have been more difficult if she had been away for a weekend.  Her absence would have been more noticeable. 

Weekend Update - First Weekend in July

The first weekend in July brought a big storm to this area (and others). The wind was out of control. There were trees down everywhere. Hundreds of thousands had no electricity. This also coincided with a giant heat wave so the timing and inconvenience was ridiculous. We were lucky. Little Miss slept through the entire thing. Our power barely blinked. We did lose Internet briefly on and off, but we came out unscathed. The Inlaws lost power. Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law were in the same lucky position we were in. My sister may have lost power, but it was up and running the next day when we visited. My parents were out (and they live around the corner from my sister). So, Saturday, Little Miss had a poorly-attended birthday party to go to. She had a great time seeing some friends from school. Then, we all congregated at Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's pool to try to beat the heat. It was a pleasant day full of pool time. After, Husband and I drove to check out my family's houses and then we did take out for dinner.

On Sunday, I don't think we did anything. I can't remember. I know I spent time on the phone to see how everyone fared. Oh, Husband lost his iPad. He discovered this midnight the night before after we finished running all around. Early Sunday, it turned out that the lifeguard found it at Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's pool. So, we went back to collect that and ran some errands. After, we picked up some lunch and had some family nap time. It was fairly low key though full of stress nonetheless. We were all definitely ready to call an end to that weekend!

Sexy Friday

I've only seen Alex Pettyfer in Beastly (though I look forward to seeing him in Magic Mike). He is kind of pretty, and I enjoy the extra bulk he added for his latest movie release. I didn't find him very captivating in Beastly so I'll have to see if his performance changes my mind in Magic Mike. I'm also going to ignore the fact that, according to IMDB, he's 15 years younger than I am which automatically makes him a little less attractive to me.

Spider Sympathy

There was an itsy bitsy in our car this morning - ON THE INSIDE.  I calmly got a napkin from the glove compartment and squished it.  Little Miss, from the backseat, goes:  "Oh, good, Mommy.  Now you can put it outside where it can remake his web."  

Uh, sure, maybe by way of the trashcan.

At Last

Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors.  I started reading her years and years ago - though to be honest, it was while I was a child and Jill was an author wunderkind so we're not as old as it sounds.  I will admit that I kind of drifted about 5 years ago.  I continued to buy the books, but somehow I didn't keep up with reading them.  Then again, about 5 years ago, I had a baby so I guess I can see that happening.  Anyway, one summer, I read 5 of the books on my shelf in a month and I was back.  It was like seeing an old friend you haven't seen in awhile and it feels like no time has passed at all.  The books make me happy.  Her heroes just get better and better.  

Her last book, At Last is in the Lucky Harbor series.  I will admit that it is very hard to follow up her last book, Lucky in Love, but I loved Matt and Amy all the same.  Of course, this book also left me wanting more, and I'm pleased I don't have to wait too long for Forever and a Day which comes out at the end of the month.  I always recommend Jill Shalvis's books.  These books are in groupings of 3 so you don't have to start from the beginning of the series, but I do suggest starting at Lucky in Love.  

I also got to meet Jill Shalvis in NYC last year.  I tried to meet her in DC, but she didn't make it in time to overlap when I was there.  I only have nice things to say.  The only negative is that her site is banned from my work computer for being porn which is only hilarious because I would say her books are PG-13, not even the most steamy of books that I've ever read. 

Movies Watched in June 2012

1. We Bought a Zoo
2. Mr. Popper's Penguins
3. Glee: The 3D Concert Movie
4. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
5. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
7. Horrible Bosses

That looks busier than it was. I saw the first 3 in 2 nights on cable and DVD. I saw the next two in the theaters over one weekend. Little Miss slept through a bit of Madagascar, but she enjoyed it overall. I only started Buffy. I've seen many episodes, but I've never seen it from the beginning. The less said about Horrible Bosses, the better. We'll see about next month. I've had a DVD at home so long, I may just return it and start over. There's just no interest in seeing it now that it's sitting on the table.

Books Read June 2012

1. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
2. 50 Shades of Grey by E L James
3. Paris in Love by Paris in Love
4. Rock Me by Cherrie Lynn
5. Almost Summer by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.
6. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
7. Club Shadowlands and Dark Citadel by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series. The order can be found here.)

Most of my reading came at the beginning of the month. Almost all were library books. I thought The Book Thief was interesting but it made me cry. I thought 50 Shades was overrated. I thought Paris in Love was adorable although I will warn you that it is a compilation of Eloisa James's Facebook and Twitter posts so if you are a fan of hers, it may be familiar or you may not like the format in general. The last is a series recommended to me because it's supposed to be what 50 Shades should have been (though it's a specialty club and not a rich dude fantasy scenario). Either way, none are for the feint of heart. I'm back on track with sweet little romances which is like a breath of fresh air. Next up will be a mainstream fiction book and a memoir. Keeping it varied as usual.

Sexy Friday

I don't have much to say about Shemar Moore except I find him utterly yummy. I mostly know him from Criminal Minds, but I've recently watched a bunch of clips of him making out with fans on The Ellen Show. I just want the record to state right now that I'm a huge fan of Shemar Moore and if he ever feels the need to make out with me, I'm ok with that.

Ni Hao, I'm not Chinese.

First, I want to say that, when I was younger, I would have been tickled that there was a show with an Asian character. I was happy Disney incorporated Asian mushrooms in Fantasia so that's how little my people were represented. Anyway, then Mulan came and now Kai-Lan. So, I'm happy. Really. See, here's the tiny thing. I'm not Chinese. There are a ton of people who know like one word in Chinese - Ni-Hao. Super, great for them. Really. So, they try it out on every Asian person they see. This has happened to me. A bunch of times. In different states. I'll ignore it if it is by a toddler who probably thinks I am Kai-Lan, but adults should know better. I should just learn enough Korean to respond outraged. Unfortunately, I can't wear my "Does this shirt make me look Korean?" shirt all the time.

Weekend Update - Too Fast!

Last weekend was a blur. I totally have weekend hangover today. On Friday, Nephew came over for a sleepover. He and Little Miss had so much fun, she threw up. I'm not exaggerating. After that, Little Miss got overtired and had a breakdown at bedtime, but after leaving the kids for 5 minutes, they both passed out cold.

On Saturday, I gave the kids a box of cereal and told them to wake me up for Charlie and Lola. They did. I made them an English muffin and then we took a walk to the playground (where all the pictures were taken) and to the fountain behind our apartment. After, Nephew got picked up and Little Miss and I took a nap. I had a bad migraine afterwards, and Little Miss was a wonderful nurse to me bringing me everything I needed and stayed to rub my arm until I felt better.

On Sunday, we head to my parents' pool. Little Miss had a great time in the water. Sister and Nephew met us there. Then, we went to my parents' house to celebrate Dad's birthday and had Thai food for dinner. We all pretty much went home and took it easy afterwards, and I'm still recovering today.

Sexy Friday

I was shocked to see Ryan Gosling has never been a recipient of Sexy Friday. He's never done too much for me, but then he took his shirt off in Crazy, Stupid, Love.. So, now he's on the radar, but he's still not at the point where I'd watch a movie just for him. That said, Crazy, Stupid, Love. is on cable right now, and I watch it quite a bit especially from that one scene forward.

Big Warm Fuzzy Thoughts

This isn't a gratitude post or even a big thank you post, but it's kind of a combination of all the good things I was thinking this morning. Not many mornings start by thinking positive thoughts.

1. Thinking back to when I was pregnant, I thought it was incredibly thoughtful for people to give up seats, hold doors, let me ahead of them in line.  I still get this a lot, and I think it's also because I'm three apples high.
2. I love people who let the woman with the toddler holder herself between her legs go in front of them in the restroom.  Anybody with a potty-training toddler knows how crucial this is.
3. My Starbucks app wasn't installed this morning and taking forever to re-install and load.  In the meantime, I was just prepared to pay cash.  However, the woman next to me offered to cover my breakfast and drink.  I thanked her, but I could cover $3 - if I couldn't, I don't belong in Starbucks to begin with.
4. The other Starbucks note is that, in my technology-challenged state, Starbucks said they could work with me if anything ever happened to my app.  I had the cash so it wasn't a huge deal.  I don't need my little star that badly.  (If you go to Starbucks 15 times, it tracks on the app or your Starbucks card and you get a free drink.)  Still, I love the employees of that location.  They're very sweet.  The Starbucks by my apartment also gets some credit for seeing us run in there with a toddler holding herself and opening the bathroom door ahead of time for us.
5. I love that Buzz Bakery has Splashdown every Wednesday and Sundays where they have a bubble machine, beach balls and cheap food for the kids.  It also has a bar, but I wasn't there for Happy Hour and forgot that it has a bar.  I did buy a Thin Mint Rice Krispie Treat though.  The kid has really enjoyed herself, and it's a nice local thing to do with her.

That's all for now.  I think it's so easy to complain and whine that it's easy to not take the time to be happy or thankful or grateful.  I'll be back to my miserable self soon, I'm sure.

What? What?

At dinner on Sunday, Little Miss was telling us about the fountain she went to with Husband.  She evidently made friends with a little baby who followed her everywhere.  Little Miss told us how good she was with babies and how helpful she is.  She then went onto say that she was all ready and was going to be a big sister soon.  I think Husband's and my necks still hurt from whipping around so quickly.  She went onto say she wants a little brother.  This is new.  She's been asking for a sister for 6 months or so, but this is the first time she's asked for a brother.  Also, this is the first time she's informed us that it's happening soon.  I won't burst her bubble, but it's not happening soon.

Father's Day

I read this article this morning on how dads can be good parents to their daughters. It reminded me of the many things Husband does to be a good father to Little Miss. In grand tradition, she does have him wrapped around her little finger and knows just how far to push him to get her way - and she also knows just when to stop before he loses his patience. Of course, this doesn't mean she stops at that line, just that she knows where the line is. 

Anyway, while I was out yesterday, Husband and Little Miss had a great day. When I came home, I also saw that Husband braided Little Miss's hair in two, very cute, almost even braids. Unfortunately, Little Miss was uncooperative so no one got a picture, but trust me when I tell you she was adorable.

Weekend Update - Crazy June is Half Over

June is always a busy month for us.  It's Husband's birthday, my birthday, and my dad's birthday.  It's Father's Day.  Plus, there are a variety of other things that happen here and there.  Anyway, this weekend was no exception.  It was nice because it wasn't overpacked though.  I didn't take many pictures, but the above is from my phone taken on Saturday.

As usual, Friday is a quiet night.  We didn't even do grocery shopping, just hung out.  On Saturday, Little Miss and I woke up and hung out.  After brunch (we do breakfast late in our house), Husband dropped us off at the movie theater for a class playdate.  A good amount of Little Miss's class showed up (with parents and siblings) for a movie.  The kids all had a great time.  They acted like it's been years since they've seen each other - though, for toddlers, I'm sure 2 weeks seems like years.  After, the two of us walked through the little arts and crafts fair in Courthouse and then took the Metro home.  We had a little fast food lunch and a trip to the bakery before heading home for naps.  

On Sunday, I met a friend for lunch and a movie.  Husband stayed with Little Miss.  The two of them went to a local bakery where they let the kids run through the fountain, and give out balloons and stickers.  Little Miss made some friends and had a hot dog.  We called both fathers for Father's Day.  Then, Husband made dinner.  It is one of his and Little Miss's favorites.  We had a family dinner and called it a weekend.

Sexy Friday

For new people, you may not remember Sexy Friday. So, for awhile, on Fridays, I would post a sexy individual or two and dub it Sexy Friday. You can find the full list here. It's not a weekly event anymore, but I like to bring it back every so often as new people catch my eye. Today is Michael Fassbender. He never did much for me, but his last GQ spread made me sit up and notice. I prefer him clean-shaven, but I love how he has such a different face when he smiles and has such an intense gaze when he is not. Anyway, he is a very welcome addition to Sexy Friday.

Weekend Update - The Weekend That Was My Birthday

Last Friday, I took a half day from work to meet a friend at Celebrate Fairfax. The Legends of Hip Hop played featuring Young MC, Rob Base, DJ Kool and Digital Underground and hosted by Flavor Flav. I had a lot of fun. Little Miss spent the night at Sister's house with her and Nephew. On Saturday, we woke to a call from Sister. Little Miss was sick so we rushed out to Fairfax to bring her home. She spent most of the day on the couch with me. Later, she had a small meal and went to bed. The next day, we planned to go to the fair if she felt better.

On Sunday, Little Miss woke up literally bouncing into our room. So, we went to the fair to meet Sister, Nephew and friends.  Little Miss rode as many rides as she could. Then, we saw The Legwarmers perform. On the way back, Little Miss rode some more rides. I had a teensy bout of heat exhaustion so there was a bit of dramas as a vendor, 2 volunteers and the firefighters of Falls Church came to tend to me. After some water, ice packs and sitting in the air conditioning, I was free and clear to go home. However, because of the drama, I had to miss out on seeing some friends which was sad. After, we went to Sister's house so Little Miss could take a quick bath in case she fell asleep on the way home - which she did. So, big weekend had by all - ups and downs.

Weekend Update - The Weekend That Was Not My Birthday

Two weeks ago, it was not my birthday.  On Saturday, I feel like we did something in the morning, but I don't recall what that was.  In the afternoon, Husband, Little Miss and I went to the driving range where Husband taught Little Miss how to putt and hit the golf ball.  She liked putting because the ball went into the hole, but she liked the driving ranged because the ball went really far (well, hers didn't, but she did get to whack it hard at least).  After, Husband went out to the driving range with grown ups while Little Miss and I had an evening at home.  I actually cleaned which was badly needed.  Then, I watched a couple of movies and relaxed.  Little Miss collapsed into bed.

I made Little Miss carry her own clubs, but it didn't last long. They're a little big, but I wanted the picture. At first, she didn't take instruction well, but with a little positive reinforcement and then followed by a little break, she did very well.

On Sunday, Husband went golfing again for his birthday.  Little Miss and I met him out in Fairfax so we could celebrate Nephew's birthday and Husband's birthday.  We met my parents at my sister's house where we had some dinner, cake, and hung out.  It was a good night.  Then, it was the end of the weekend!

Above are the birthday boys!

Above are the kids looking happy and cute and humoring me for "one picture".

Movies Watched in May 2012

1. The Change-Up
2. Life As We Know It

Slow month. I am still watching Parks and Recreation on Netflix Instant Play. I did continue to watch Sherlock as series 2 started (and ended) on PBS. However, as for new movies, kind of a piddly little month. The less said about May’s viewing, the better.

Books Read in May 2012

1. The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of the Inn Boonsboro trilogy. The order of which is The Next Always, The Last Boyfriend, and the upcoming The Perfect Hope.)
2. Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery
3. The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
4. Wicked Games by Jill Myles
5. Taken by Selena Kitt
6. Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Lucky Harbor series. The order can be found here as well as on her website.)
7. Power Tools series by Jane Rylon (NOTE: This is part of the Power Tools series. The order can be found here.)

Most of the reading came at the beginning of the month, and it started strong with Nora Roberts and Susan Mallery and then a decent book club book. Then, I just skimmed a bunch of erotica until Jill Shalvis's release. This may be one of my favorite Jill Shalvis books and hero. I'm really enjoying the town of Lucky Harbor. I have a lot of books from the library that I'm hoping to make it through, but we'll see. I'll have to kick it up a notch to get all the reading done in the first part of June.

Hilarious Game

So, you print out these sheets. There are instructions on how to make it all fancy on card stock and purchasing a container for all the cards, but the game is simple. You pick a small group of friends and hand out the white cards. Then, you choose a black card. Everyone picks the funniest, most clever answer out of his or her white card choices.  Hilarity ensues.

You can see an example here. It explains visually what I cannot with words.

Silliness over a Peach

I bought a peach over the weekend.  Little Miss has always enjoyed them.  So, I remembered it last night and said she could have it.  I cut it into slices, and we all took a piece.  Little Miss asked for the skin to be peeled off.  I told her the skin, with peaches, is very important because peaches are delicate and need the skin.  So, she promptly ate the peach like an orange slice - around the skin.  I told her that was fine.  Whatever she does, DO NOT EAT THE SKIN OF THE PEACH.  What did she do next?  She ate the peel.  She looked at me and said, "Mommy, did you see what I did?"  After every bite, I gave her mock horror as she ate more and more of the peel.  She ate it all, but instead of constant whining, the evening was filled with giggles.

Weekend Update - Lazy Weekend

Last weekend, we spent the majority of it at the pool. On Saturday, we met Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, Nephew and friends at the pool. The kids had a blast. My friend's daughter is a year old and Little Miss (who spent very little time with her) has talked about nothing else and keeps saying seeing her was the best part of the weekend.

On Sunday, we repeated Saturday. The picture above shows Nephew napping and Little Miss having some quiet time. She can take or leave a nap, but she definitely needed a time out (as did the adults). We spent the evening with Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew. The kids had a bath together and then had dinner. Eventually, both fell asleep on the couch. It was a nice, relaxing day.

On Monday, we needed to get back into a routine. I actually wasn't feeling well so I spent the morning with the doctor and getting a prescription. In the afternoon, we took a Family Nap which is one of my favorite activities except then I couldn't sleep last night which is a bad occasional side effect to the late afternoon nap.

Little Miss also had trouble falling asleep last night due to the long nap, but at least it's her first day of vacation.

Weekend Update - School's Out

Last Friday, it was Little Miss's last day of school. There was a little concert during which the kids recited the Pledge of Allegiance, did the sign of the cross, and sang some songs. After, there was a reception where snacks were provided and then the class went to a nearby park.

Little Miss actually participated during the concert though she spent the first half looking for us all in the audience. The In-Laws came with Nephew.  After she found us, she was all about performing. She really had a great time at school this year (though I should mention she's also transitioning well to vacation).

At the park, the kids mostly ran around like they have never seen wide open space or fresh air before in their lives. Lots of screaming and running and running and screaming. All of the parents were talking about getting the kids together over the summer, too. It was such a great, great class. Everyone got along so well, and many will be back in Little Miss's classroom next year which is also great.

Weekend Update - Hockey and Graduation

I'm playing catch up so my memory may be a little fuzzy. Last weekend, we had a quiet Friday. On Saturday, Little Miss and I went to the library for the Truck Petting Zoo. Basically, all sorts of trucks and emergency vehicles gather in the parking lot. Kids can climb in and around them (firetruck until it was called away, police car and tank, army jeep, tow truck, crane, back hoe, garbage truck, cement mixer and bus). Little Miss pitched a fit and we abruptly left after a few minutes.

After a non-nap, we went to Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's apartment for Brother-in-Law's graduation party (he graduated grad school the day before) and to watch a hockey playoffs game. One of us had a lot of fun. One of us had to drive home.

On Sunday, I had plans so Husband pulled himself together and had a good day with Little Miss. I met friends at the mall for a lovely lunch and light shopping. I found a nice pair of pants that fit which is always super exciting for me and my incredibly short legs.

Mistaken Identity

People often call me Amy.  I also get Rachel a lot.  I guess either start or sound similar, but I think it's funny that I've consistently gotten one or the other.  Well, actually, in grade school, my principal called me Kim, but that is a whole different issue all together.  I don't know if I look like an Amy or Rachel (or an April for that matter).  I guess the bigger question is why I don't correct anyone when he or she gets it wrong.

Hope There's No Confusion

I saw A Million Shades of Gray today at the elementary school book fair. I hope no one gets it confused with Fifty Shades of Grey. Or thinks that if fifty shades yields that kind of book, that one million shades must be off the hook. 

For those who don't know about one or both of the books, one has this summary from Publishers Weekly:

...shows that truth has as many shades of gray as an elephant in this emotionally taut survival story, set in war-torn South Vietnam. After American troops leave his village, Y’Tin, his family, and his neighbors are left to fend off their enemies themselves. But Y’Tin’s mind isn’t on war. It’s on his pet elephant, Lady, and his dreams of opening an elephant-training school. His hopes vanish when North Vietnamese soldiers devastate his small village (Y’Tin helps dig a mass grave at one point). Y’Tin manages to escape into the jungle with a friend, where he reunites with Lady, but separated from family and friends, his thoughts grow dark. As the days go by, he becomes angrier and less trusting, wondering “if he would ever feel safe again or if safety was gone from his life forever.”

Illustrating the wisdom of Y’Tin’s father’s words—“The jungle changes a man”—Kadohata delves deep into the soul of her protagonist while making a faraway place and the stark consequences of war seem very near. Y’Tin’s inner conflicts and changing perception of the world will haunt readers.

The other has this summary:

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him.

Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Slightly different. Though I haven't read either so I'm not an expert.

Weekend Update - The Lost Weekend

I lost a weekend in here. Last weekend, Little Miss and I stayed over my parents' house to spend time with Nephew and my grandparents. My parents had to say goodbye to their cat that day so it was very sad. I included some of my favorite pictures of Toby.  I don't have my favorite of Toby putting up with a Santa hat on his head though.  He was probably the softest cat I've ever felt.  He was a good boy and very good with the kids.  Little Miss did get on his bad side a couple of times, but she also poked him the eye so I call it even.  It helped to have the kids play together though as our Nephew was pretty upset.

On Saturday, the kids woke up at an ungodly hour. They had breakfast and then played. We left a little before lunch time. Then, Little Miss area giant lunch and took a very long nap. In the evening, I met bookclub for drinks and dinner. I got home in time to see the NY Rangers win Game 7 against the Washington Caps.

On Sunday, I got to sleep late for Mother's Day. Then, Husband and Little Miss made me breakfast and gave me a pretty and sparkly necklace and matching earrings. Later, Little Miss and I took a long nap, ate lunch, and then went to the playground. Dinner, bath and bed to end the weekend.

My Annual Purple Post

Every year, I jokingly post a massive amount of items in preparation of my birthday though, every year, someone always gets me at least one thing on my list - so I'm going to keep doing it!  My birthday is June 11 so you still have plenty of time.

First, I really like the above top. I may have to break down and get it myself because it's a sale item and may sell quickly in my size and color (XS/purple). We'll see. I like that it's different from all the other purple tops I own though I'm not too happy with the hand washing care instructions.

Everything else pictured (and then some) can be found on my Amazon wish list though I do buy my books through Barnes and Noble just because I'm a loyal customer like that.

Weekend Update - Busy Busy

Last weekend, we had a quiet Friday of cleaning and preparing for our annual Kentucky Derby party.

On Saturday, Little Miss had a sleepover at her grandparents' house with her cousin. She was so excited. We had friends over and had a great time. I won our little informal pool which was exciting.  Time seemed to go by so quickly.  Lots of food and drink for all.

On Sunday, we put the place back together, went grocery shopping and then Little Miss and I drove out to my parents' house because my grandparents were in town. She got to play with each of them and then with Nephew.  Then, we went home for dinner, homework and bedtime. It was a Greg but quick weekend!

Maurice Sendak

“Children do live in fantasy and reality; they move back and forth very easily in a way we no longer remember how to do.”

More Maurice Sendak quotes here.

Sad Day

RIP Maurice Sendak. 

From my earliest memories, Where the Wild Things Are has been my favorite book. I still have the copy I was given for my fifth birthday. Throughout the rest of my life, I always had that one and a second copy so my original would stay pristine (though, to be honest, it's a bit faded). I won't go into how much I enjoyed the book, but it was a lot. The news of Maurice Sendak's passing this morning has made me incredibly sad. Despite the fact that he was 83 which is not young, it always seems too soon.

The caption above says:  "Inside all of us is a Wild Thing.  'And Max, the king of all wild things, was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all.'"

Quote of the Day

Little Miss:  I don't like insects.  I like doggies, cats ... and babies.

I don't think I've ever considered those items as equal, but there you have it.

Doctor Who Gripe

I've been watching Doctor Who since earlier this year.  I've watched all the episodes from the Ninth Doctor to the last episode through Netflix Instant Play.  For fun, I started recording the BBC America episodes and rewatching when time and inclination allows.  I've noticed that the tv versions cut out full minutes of footage which sometimes isn't noticeable and sometimes is.  So, now I don't know if I should even watch the show when it's back on television.  

Yes, I know that's ridiculous.  We all know I'm going to watch when it's back on television and then again when it hits Netflix.  Still, it's annoying.

Makeup

NOTE:  I used some old photos - some oldies but goodies.  I also should mention that, in both photos, Little Miss took the makeup out of my purse and, each time, that was how I found her.  I now keep my makeup locked in a cabinet and keep very little in my purse. 

I never wore makeup as a kid.  Maybe it's because I had little desire to.  I wore it for dance recitals and don't have fond memories.  Little Miss, however, is all into the makeup.  I don't let her wear too much (part of the reason is below).  She knows she can't wear any eye makeup and can't wear any lipstick that's too dark.  She'll pick up a tube and ask "is this color for little girls or is it too dark?"  She's really only allowed to put on a clear gloss (mostly because she still puts on lipstick like she did in the picture below).

So, every morning, she has to put on her makeup with me - lip gloss, blush (which is really dabbing the brush in the blush and dotting her cheeks with practically empty brush) and powder.  I rarely wear powder so I think it's funny she has to literally powder her nose before we leave for preschool.  On the weekends or special occasions, I will put a little shimmer/glitter on her, but that's for parties or Halloween.  It's true.  They grow up so quickly.