What You've All Been Waiting For

I'm so over it

Yeahhhh... So its been a frustrating day.

Our neighbors "don't smoke." But it is amazing that right now as I blog to you, I have a massive headache due to the cigarette smoke billowing through our heater. I went over and asked them if they knew anything about it and of course, they are stumped. It is also a phenomenon that their house reeked of smoke when she opened the door.

Eliza today has decided that instead of Tuesday, it is Shriekday. All day every time something doesn't quite go her way... yup, you got it. I think that also might be contributing to the head problems.

Finally, I was massively disappointed by one of my formerly favorite blogs. I'm just going to put it out there. All my conservative friends can say what they like, but the last thing that I want to hear is Sarah Palin's expert opinion on the economy. She has no education to merit such. My friend, Frieda can be quoted on the economy. She is a stock broker and has a degree from Penn in business. My friend Ben can be quoted on the economy. He is getting a PhD in Economics at UCSB. Even I could be better quoted on the economy. I have an MBA and worked in banking and audit for quite some time. Sarah though... I don't think a degree in journalism qualifies you to tell the American people that we are going back to the Great Depression. Sorry.

I'm making chili and cornbread for dinner... maybe this day will get better.

Fun, fun and facials

So, it has been taking all of my restraint to prevent myself from putting up political messages on my blog. I just finished watching the debates.... ugh! Anyway, in other news... I got a facial today! Thank you, Jamie Olsen! You are awesome. Really, ladies, you should go see her. Thanks to Rileigh for watching La. I also did laundry. I know... my life is really exciting.

So, here's what Eliza's been up to. She talks.... a lot. She even says sentences. She doesn't have many verbs, but mainly she uses "go" and "did." Her favorite TV show lately is Wheel of Fortune. She loves to yell the letters at the TV. She's convinced that all of the puzzles have the letters "B," "G," and "A." She still loves her car and the swings. Her favorite place is the pool. It is actually warm enough to swim in the ocean here. It is odd that the ocean is warmest in September.

So, here are some pictures:

Whoa! BofA is taking over the world

As many of you know, I previously worked for MBNA who was the largest independent credit card company. Well, literally days after I left MBNA for Deloitte, it was bought by Bank of America. Making BofA a MAJOR player in the credit card market.

This year BofA also bought Countrywide, the largest mortage broker in the US. Today, they announced that they bought Merrill Lynch. All I can say is WOW! I can't wait to see their quarterlies. I wonder how much of the "assets" that they have bought are uncollectable. I'm also curious to see how their stocks open on Monday.

I wonder whether they'll buy AIG and Lehman too. I'm also surprised that the SEC is commenting further. There are no Sherman anti-trust concerns? They are a huge part of the financial services sector now.

P.S. Yes, I know that I am dork.

New Blogs and Toddler Madness

I have started two new blogs. The links are on the tab to the right. One is to document my cooking. The other is for the playgroup of mommies that I attend. Check them out.

As for the "Toddler Madness." It has been an interesting week. First, Eliza decided that Claron's phone would work better for the fish and gave it to him. Yes, Eliza dropped Claron's cell phone right into the fish bowl. All fair though because Claron was "watching" her at the time. This isn't all though. On Thursday, we had the missionaries over for dinner. Eliza had a late nap and awoke midway through dinner. When Claron brought her down she had something on her face. I kept looking at her but for the life of me could not figure out what it was. After they left, I gave her a more thorough inspection and discovered it was purple nail polish. During her nap, she somehow managed to reach my makeup bag from her crib. She opened it and had some fun with nail polish. Amazingly though she only got nail polish on her face and dress. There was not a drop in her crib, on her wall, on her hands or in her hair. The joy of toddlers!

The camera battery is dead. I need to recharge so that I can pull the pics. So, more pics some time this week.

What a trippy video!

Eliza is in love with this video. It kind of reminds me of the Quizno's subs rats. She loves to dance. I warn you though, it is an earworm of the highest order.

I like cake!

South Carolina!!!

Hey y'all! Greetings from the South. We are preparing to depart the east and have had a great time. Right now though I'm sick, sick, sick, but the important thing is that we've been having a blast! We went to SC with my parents and have been visiting with Claron's family as well. Eliza is being ridiculously spoiled and I'm not sure if I will convince her to come home with us. But for now, here are the pictures:

In the words of Eliza...

"Uh-oh!" I can't find my camera. I'm going to tear the house apart now. I'm sure my toddler has found an innovative place for it to rest-- like in the back of the plant, the oven or under the couch. *sigh*

Nursery and other fun

So, I've had a few people ask, "What is nursery? I thought you weren't sending her to daycare yet." Well, nursery is not daycare. It is a church thing on Sunday. Eliza goes and hangs out with other kids her age for two hours while Claron and I are in church. She loves it. Thankfully, we have great nursery leaders.

In other news, Eliza has pink eye. I think I have it too. How great! At least it will be over by the time we go to South Carolina on 8/23.

No, we're not dead... just busy.

So, what a busy summer we are having. Since I've last checked in here's what's happened.
-Eliza is now officially in Nursery! She loves it. We have great leaders.
-We went to the east coast and back. Lots of great pictures (on my parents camera. Ours was on the fritz!)
-We had an earthquake. It was quite minor. Nothing really.
-My sis-in-law (aka twin wife) is pregnant!! We are so excited. Eliza will have a 1/2 sister or brother. No, Claron hasn't been cheating on me. If you don't understand, e-mail me and I will give you a full blown genetic breakdown. (Claron and Clark have an idential genome. Blah. Blah Blah.)
-Eliza has started to potty train. I know I will be sorry. Yes, I know, but she has been begging. And yesterday was the last straw. She took off her diaper and pooped in her crib. You would think I would be furious, but I thought it was absolutely hilarious.
-Eliza is super tall and has a great tan (even though I slather her in sunblock every five minutes. Go figure!)
Here are the pictures:

Pretty gnarly, huh? This was the smoke from the fire.

Very Armageddon-ish.

Eliza will be glad to write you a parking pass.

Eliza eating crepes at the French festival.

Eliza having fun with Dad, Mike and Shayna. Three of her favorite people.

Eliza and Shayna with Mike in the background.

Eliza and I.

Eliza and Aunt Lilly.

Eliza was prepared.

Picking shoes. She is not the best at matching.

She loooooves shoes.

I like this picture.

Our new pet. The "kitty"

Swinging. She is so fierce.

She loves the swings.

Eliza's first day in Nursery.

Eliza and dad on the plane.

Eliza on the way to church.

Looking fierce again.

This is the look for the boys.

Smillllleeeeee....

Eliza in the pool