Walking Backwards

I really want to have an organic yard and garden. I really, really do. But, I've been weeding the front yard for over two hours over the last few days and I'm not even remotely close to being finished. There is no way it is going to be done without some sort of weed killer. I may be able to get the beds done, but the yard was so neglected by the previous owners that we have more weeds than grass. Pictures and more details will be added to my garden journal tomorrow, but for now I can complain here.


I got my hair cut yesterday and I really like it. I am afraid, however, of the work that is required in order for it to be "cute". I have to use a flat iron on the ends. Cross your fingers for me because I have never used one of these things before. I hope I don't end up toasting my hair or my ears or anything else it comes close to. I was just tired of it being drab and long. Cutting my hair was just a culmination of an altogether girlie week. I went dress and shoe shopping with my mom earlier in the week and went clothes shopping with Joe on Wednesday. Next thing you know I'll be wearing make-up everyday. I don't know what has gotten into me. I want to be a girlie-girl. Frightening thought.


My mother's trip here was not without its downfalls. She was only here for three days and I had hoped that we could refrain from our usual mutual irritations in those short days, but, alas, I fear not. The main point of contention among us is my son. She thinks he is a monster with no discipline. He isn't the best behaved thing around, but I know that he is just being an average toddler. When we are at restaurants for over an hour and a half (twice a day), please forgive me if I need to take the baby to the garden to run around and play. He is not just going to sit in his high-chair and remain enthralled in adult conversation. Especially when everyone is acting as if he isn't there. We also went out to eat on the last day when she was here and he was feeling sick. He cried and screamed the entire time. My mother kept telling me I should be embarrassed, that my son needs to be put on Ritilan. No wonder Nico is terrified of her. I really hope we can just avoid her until the baby is in grade school. She doesn't seem to like the role of grandmother and I don't want her attitude around us. It is too negative.


Speaking of disciplining my child, we have run into a roadblock. Last week when Jon put him in the corner for not helping pick up his books, which were all over the floor, he got upset at first. Then he realized what a great game it was. All night we had to keep going into the front room to take him out of the corner. All he wanted to do all night was stand in the corner and pick at the wall. He has been going back and standing in the corner all week. Crazy child. We did find an alternate method of punishment. Even though it isn't what we want to do, it is quite effective. We have started to leave Nicholas alone in our room for two minutes when he is disobedient. Those are two very long minutes, but we are at our wits end with a child who seems to enjoy every punishment. He laughs at our "loud" voice and then copies us. Sheesh.


Uh, other things that happened this week that I don't have time to talk about - Nicholas went to Reygan's birthday party at ToysR'Us and had a blast, I got three new (awesome) Cds, I skipped all of Nicholas' classes this week, I gave Joe a spa treatment, I got in all of my Body Shop at Home stuff, and I've watched a lot of television.


Until next time . . . (theme music)