Life as a 3 Year Old

Kate has recently become obsessed with taking pictures with my camera and she's gotten quite good. She wanted to show you all some of her favorite things.

This is bunny. Don't ask why she wanted to share bunny, she never really plays with bunny but here he is.

This is Uniqua from the Backyardigans tucked saftely in the baby stroller.

These are all her snuggly things. Snuggly Land is my favorite place to play with Kate. Usually, she makes you be a baby taking a nap while she's the mommy making a cake and doing the dishes. I get 10 minutes to lay amongst the soft things and let someone wait on me for a change. It's heaven!

Today Kate played with her dry erase wall cling. She would like you to meet her friend Kada.

Kada and I had to take a picture together as well.
You'll notice my sweaty brow and running pants. This is a direct result of my daughter holding on to my 2nd most prized possession. I must be ready to run.

Kada is ready for her close up, as taken by Katie

as taken by me.

I've taken the liberty of labeling all her body parts. I did this because my 3 year old told me I had to. She wants everyone to "know all the parts". Who am I to argue with that?

Kate wanted to label the picture with Kada's name. Not bad considering I didn't help her at all.


The simple life. More precious than anything.

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No More White

Ah.. Labor Day.
I've tucked away all my white. Goodbye to my white capris. Farewell to my favorite white shorts. So long white skirts. I'll see you all on Memorial Day 2011. In a sign of blatant disregard for the fashion sticklers, I am keeping my white flip flops fully functioning until first frost. I'm just that kind of rebel.

Kate and I spent a quiet day at home, while Scott went to the home of Mark and Jay'me to spend the holiday with some of his closest friends. Kate was feeling a little under the weather and by the middle afternoon I was too. While it's just a cold we didn't want to infect anyone else with our germs. Staying away was the responsible adult decision. Which is why I'm shocked I made it without hesitation.

Scott reports a great time had by all, after they stopped crying about my absence. Ok, so maybe I made up the last part. Sue me.

Came home from picking up Scott from the party to find two delicious (and huge) slices of homemade pineapple upside down cake on my front step. S12 and Kristin doing their part to fatten me, um, I mean Scott, up. Thanks guys for the tasty treat. We still owe you smores cookies.

Speaking of smores cookies. Remember I talked about them recently. My "friend" Vanessa over at More Is More Mom was on our local midday news program today. Huge congratulations to her. She did a wonderful job. It's a little weird seeing someone you "know" on television. It's my closest brush with fame. Well, I guess other than my parents being Tom Arnold's favorite bartenders back in the day.

To continue to up the shock factor of this blog post, I'm going to share something with you all that you'll find truly amazing. I took the holiday to heart and allowed myself 1 full hour to sit on the couch and read my book in the middle of the day. I know, huge right?!?!? Me sitting alone (only because Kate was napping) in the middle of the day and it didn't involve internet research, bill paying or a heated disagreement on the telephone with the insurance company. A real holiday in this house.

Not what one would typically expect for a holiday celebration but at the end of the day we're all happy. What more can you ask for?

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I Love Me Some Carnies

It's a little known fact that I love a good carnival. It's such a wonderful place to people watch. Stand in a line at a carnival for 10 minutes and just watch the people pass you by, you'll be amazed. There will be every walk of life imaginable right there next to you.
I am a little upset with some of my so-called friends. Why didn't you all tell me that fanny packs were pack in fashion? Seriously. And apparently the more you adorn the fanny pack with cheesy rhinestones the cooler you are. I count on you guys to help keep me up to date with the latest fashion 411, dont let me down again.
People aside, how can you not love a carnival? It's a dentists nightmare though (I would know since we ran into our dentist Kevin while there today). There is all the processed foods, the fried Twinkies, cotton candy, gigantic lollipops, and best of all HUGE caramel apples covered in sprinkles. I'm sure Kevin spent the day thinking of all the money he'll make in the weeks ahead fixing all the broken, cavity riddled teeth that the carnival provided. Except, Kevin isn't like that and he was probably more worried about the tummy distress and tooth aches for all the kids, he's nice like that.
A perfect day for a carnival spent with Grammy, Papa, Scott and Kate.
I left the good camera at home today so I was only to commemorate the activities with a few camera phone pictures.



I had my camera out in full force yesterday morning when Kate and I joined a large group of people outside of S12's house for the Lake In The Hills Parade.

Dentist Kevin was there. Seriously, you can tell he's a dentist (his father is as well). Look at those perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth. Hey Kevin, don't try to pass yourself off as an mechanic ok?

His youngest daughter Q is an absolute hoot. She's the spunkiest little thing. Her older sister G, that I managed to not get a good picture of, is easily one of the smartest and well spoken children I've ever met.

All the kids got plenty of candy. It was thrown at them by the bucket full.

They also got a ridiculous amount of fake tattoo's and water bottles. What's up with that?

Kristin is such a great mom, covering her kids ears for the loud bag pipes.
I just told my kid to deal with it and kept taking pictures. Kristin deserves the real Mother of the Year Award.

Her husband (S12) on the other hand was hell bent on showing me up.

He kept bribing the kids to get them to pose for great photos. Sheesh what a jerk.(kidding, mostly, I think )

Kate's favorite part was the prima ballerina's. They just sat in the car but she LOVED their costumes and their tiaras.

I know you're all shocked to learn that.

We had firetrucks,

bag pipers,

and marching bands.

The kids had a wonderful time

and truthfully, so did the big kids.


Labor Day weekend, you've been so good to us. Don't disappoint tomorrow please. One more summer hurrah!

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Go Ask Alice.

My younger brother Justin once asked "Grandma" Alice what she did for a living growing up. Alice's response tells you everything you need to know about who Alice was.
She simply replied.
"You name it Honey, I've done it for money."

Today the world lost a wonderful lady. In true Alice fashion she had to go out with as much drama and flair as humanly possible.
I've debated with myself about telling this story and ultimately I think it's a testament to who Alice was and I'm pretty sure it will make all of you chuckle a little bit.

After our visit Friday night where we watched Alice enjoy a nice piece of fish and a diet Coke that Alice seemed to enjoy like you would a $1,000 bottle of wine, Alice started not doing well. Sometime around midnight a priest was called in to give Alice her last rights.
I got a phone call around 7:30am from my mom saying that at 92 years old Alice had passed. Her daughter, Bonnie was with her and she was finally at peace. I quietly said a prayer and spent a moment talking with Kate about some of the fun moments I remember with Alice.
My parents were on their way to the hospital to be with Bonnie and help her make the necessary arrangements. Once my parents arrived what they saw prompted yet another phone call. It's around 8 am when my phone rings a second time. My mother says "Alice was dead but now she's not."

WHAT? Excuse me.

Apparently Alice was too stubborn to stay gone for long. After having flat lined for numerous minutes and being declared dead by the nursing staff, Alice was once again breathing on her own.
The disbelief was overwhelming. We knew she wouldn't rally long enough to get back to a real life, but there was Alice, tough as nails, not going down without a fight. A New Yorker through and through.
The third phone call came in shortly before 9 that once again, Alice had passed. They were sure she was going to stay that way this time.

While, I'm saddened by Alice's passing there is a part of my heart that is rejoicing. Alice is now and forever with her beloved Jimmy and she can finally be at peace. The street smart, savvy, sassy lady that once lit up a room here on earth is now in heaven causing some trouble.

Until the last moments, Alice, you were a fighter. Thanks for showing me how to fight with class, dignity and strength. We'll miss you.

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So What Did You Do Today?

Gee guys, thanks for asking.
I'll share with you.

Today I made these fabulous cookies.

My "friend" Vanessa over at More is More Mom posted them yesterday and I HAD to have them. Like immediately, had to have them.
I gathered my ingredients and started right away. Through an unfortunate accident with an egg and a moving Kitchen Aid mixer I needed to remake the butter sugar mixture.
I realized that I no longer had enough brown sugar to complete my dough. Since this is dough that needs to refrigerate over night my epic fail in the kitchen meant I was going to have to wait until Saturday for a cookie.
Um... hell no! That wasn't happening. A quick Google search and I made my own brown sugar. Yep, that's me culinary genius. Or well, maybe not.

Fast forward to this afternoon and this is a terrible picture from the crime scene.

All is right again in the world.

Scott had his last therapy day today. He's not graduating because he's doing so great, he's leaving because insurance companies are blood sucking, big business, only care about themselves, assholes. I wish I could properly express my true feelings on the subject.

As with most days, I found some inspiration in some beautiful yellow aster that was growing wild in the ditches. So I played for a little bit while K was in school.

Looks like a painting doesn't it. This photo was taken directly out of my camera. There has been no editing at all.

While I'm talking photos, S12 posted a fantastic shot this evening. He even gave this little blog a shout out. So head over to the other blog and leave S12 a comment. Tell him he's great but I'm still your favorite.
I've got to somehow come up with something to follow that photo. I'm hoping the parade and carnival we're going to tomorrow give me some inspiration.

And again, if it's not to much to ask. Send a little love to "Grandma" Alice. Kate and I visited her along with my parents and Bonnie this evening. While things were looking up while we were there, as the night wore on she started getting worse. At 92 that woman is one hell of a fighter. It's that tough Brooklyn spirit.

Sleepy times for Brandi.

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Top 10 Reasons Why I Need a Cleaning Lady

1) Photographic evidence of what happens when I vaccuum





Reasons 2-10 don't really matter.

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Two Months

Eight weeks
61 days
1,608 hours

That's how long we've got until we have to go back to Rush for a vascular visit.
We finally graduated to every two months between visits.
Now the trick will be actually making that happen. If all of you could send Scott a strongly worded message encouraging him to follow directions that would be great.

Obviously, things with Dr. Jacobs went well. He removed yet another internal suture in Scott's thigh. Took a look at Scott's leg and declared it happily ugly. We discussed a few other things but in general, Dr. Jacobs is happy. He would love to see Scott put on about 20 pounds but wouldn't we all.

Kathy tried to help with the 20 pounds and got us some Hot Dougs. Delicious as always. I cannot get over that brat. So fantastic.

It was great to see a few of our friends while we were there. Wish we would have gotten a chance to see everyone but Scott just can't travel as well as he used to. By the time we left he was having trouble breathing and we needed to just get him home and resting.

Sorry guys, we still love you all.

I'm saying a couple extra prayers and sending lots of love to "Grandma" Alice tonight. She's not doing really well and was hospitalized today. I'm hoping she find some peace soon.

Onward with faith, hope and love.

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