Karen hates any computer without Photoshop

Seriously. I take Adobe Creative Suite for granted. I'm sorry, Photoshop, but it's true. I do. And I regret every second we're apart.

Okay, so here is a little pic I snapped today. Anyone with an iPhone can attest to how difficult it is to take your own photo on one. There's no way to see the on-screen button you have to tap, and you can't see yourself on the screen. Hence the picture below, which is not just a photo of me, but a photo of me taking a photo of myself. It's like two, two, two pics in one!


And I'm sorry, but those eyebrows are almost too perfect. Hotness.

Night owl

I just realized how much I love to be awake after midnight. For some reason, it's hard for me to go to sleep early. Don't tell me you can't be awake in the wee hours of the morning and not be getting things done. Even if you are just up watching a movie or listening to music, nine times out of ten you will do at least one useful thing in passing, even if it's not on purpose. I don't know if that's why I like it, because it gives me a sense of accomplishment with a harmless hint of childish rebellion... or if it's because it's nice to greet the new day at its very beginning... or if it's that I simply lose track of time most nights.

Looking around, I suppose I could technically describe myself as chilling. Doing a little writing, drinking a beer, listening to some ambient music, running the dishwasher, picking toys up off the living room floor, and tending to a baby who still occasionally needs to be held and burped in the middle of the night. Reflecting a little on the work day, planning a little for tomorrow, and making up a few imaginary conversations in my head. Soon, I'll wash my face, floss and brush, and check to make sure my alarm is set. Maybe I'll try to squeeze in another beer before I decide it's time to turn off the lights. Yes... I think I'll do that. It's only fun being up late if you act like you don't have anything to do once the sun is rising.

Nothing inappropriate will be written here tonight

I will make this short and sweet. All I can think about is sex. I cannot, however, elaborate since my mother is a frequent reader. She is probably already reading this with her hands over her eyes. So... that's the short part. The sweet part is... does anyone know of a reputable gigolo for hire in the Tri-State area? Kidding! Gigolos are gross. I just have prostitution on the brain from this week's Conchords.

Working on getting a decent photo of the new hair. Tomorrow I'm heading back to the office and hoping the kids are finally done getting their germ on at day care. Do I really have, like, nine weeks until Frank comes home? (Mr. Wong cry) A boo woo woo woo...

Between girls and boys

Last week, during the Sick Baby Hold-A-Thon, I took notice of the difference between girls and boys. Here are my thoughts: holding a little boy is like toting around a sack of twigs; holding a girl is like carrying around a giant marshmallow. Cute and cute. Although the marshmallow seems to have an advanced sense of neediness. Cute at first, then maddening once the "aww, she wants Mommy" phase wears out.

Yesterday I fulfilled my own girlish needs by having my brows shaped and my hair cut and styled. Emphasis on the word 'styled'. I'm now rockin' the short bangs. That's correct, my loveys, bangs. Short. Yesss.

Grindhouse Presents

Last night I was flipping channels and caught another installment of Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse. I have seen a few different...not sure what to call them... installments? I'm not really clear on the intended format, whether they're movies or chapters, or if it's one long ass movie I keep catching in different parts. That is something I need to research, but anyway, I love it. Them. Grindhouse. I love me some faux-scratchy old looking Tarantino. It's right up there with the afore-mentioned Sophia and also just about anything Spike Jonze. But I digress.

Forgive me, dear readers, for confessing this but I was completely hottened up by Kurt Russell in last night's GH. At least during the part where he is standing outside the car touching Rosario Dawson's feet. Has my hubby been away too long? Perhaps. And speaking of Rosario, well, all I can say about her is that as of last night, Jackie Warner is no longer my secret girlfriend.

On today's agenda (if I can get appointments) are a haircut and brow clean-up. I'm also going out to get a few things for a care package for hubby. Sorry for my long absence from the blog, the kids have been passing a tummy virus back and forth all week. Trust me, a trip to the salon today is well-deserved.

Teek!

Any time Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is on, I watch it with Olivia. We both love it. Sophia is my favorite filmmaker. So I was feeling very Marie Antoinette this weekend when, each time Nico pointed to one of the two plates of cake in the kitchen and said, "Teek!", I responded with a resounding yes. That's right. When it comes to my son, I say, "Let him eat cake!" He does not discriminate when it comes to sweets, it turns out. Carrot cake, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, whatever. Give him some and he's a happy kid. He even goes so far as to point to the cake and say, "Happy!" So, really, how can I say no to that? It's just cake. So let him eat it.

She'll have to call you back, she's in a meeting.

Tomorrow morning I have my first official business grown-up people's meeting. I'm going into the city with one of my bosses to meet with one of our big clients. We got bumped up from Monday to tomorrow, which should be exciting but instead makes me a little nervous. Not about the client -- I pretty much know who's who and worked with many of them before -- but about being far from the kids.

Today Olivia was clearly suffering from the stomach virus going around among babies her age. Well, suffering is an exaggeration. She was as pleasant as ever, with just a little throw up and diaper messiness. Hopefully everything has worked itself out of her system. For now all she wants to do is sleep. In the morning she should be ready to giggle again, the little sunshine that she is.

I'll be praying that I don't get a mid-meeting call from day care asking me to pick up the baby. Because a) I dislike the thought of my baby being ill and feeling poopie; b) it would be nice to get the experience under my belt; c) I will be the one keeping track of all the work we'll be getting; and d) there is the possibility of a post-meeting lunch out. Fingers crossed!

Day of the deaf

It has been a banner 24 hours for my poor ears. Last night Nico had an hour long bout of inconsolable screaming and crying. This morning, I was nearly put to deafness by the security alarm at work. It was my first time disarming the damn thing, and all I can say is that things did not go quite as well as I had hoped. The situation was made all the more pleasant by one of those cops who thinks they are such hot shit until they check your driver's license and realize they're younger than you.

Tonight on the way home, Olivia cried the whole way. Wait, she did take a short break, during which time Nico and I discussed how it was dark outside. Then more crying. We arrived home, and it was a screaming madhouse for about twenty minutes. I really need to make that elusive dentist appointment. I'm in danger of grinding my teeth into dust.

Otherwise, it was a great day. My hands are still in shock from doing actual drawing (with a pencil, even!) at work. That's right, evidently artists still draw. It was refreshing, and, dare I say it... fun. Tomorrow I will probably get to the office early again, but if the door is locked, I am SO waiting in the car until someone else arrives to do the deed. I'm-a scarred!

Down side

I've just noticed one down side to working outside the home. I really have to watch what I eat. Note to self: do NOT bring the leftover rice and beans for lunch tomorrow.

Good week

Nothing much new to tell. Just woikin'. I did make a notable change in the morning routine. Instead of dropping the kids at day care, then returning home to get ready alone, we're all getting spiffed up and starting our days together. It worked out so well this morning that I think we'll do it this way from now on. I actually got to the office 20 minutes early. I know, right?!

Tomorrow our bosses are taking us all out to lunch to celebrate Lauren's last day before she leaves for maternity. I'm looking forward to the weekend and spending two straight days with the babies. Nico has learned a noticeable amount during this first week at day care. He is expanding his vocabulary already, and adding some impressive moves to his dance routine. Don't even get me started on the matching of the animals with the correct sounds. Livi is cruising like crazy, drinking from a straw, and trying to talk non-stop. Frank made it to South America safe and sound.

So things are good and good. Bueno.

Still awake

WTF am I doing up... it's 1:15 in the morning. At 11:30 I thought it would be swell to make some chicken salad. Then I got sucked into watching a movie. After that, I remembered Livi's day care schedule needed to be fine tuned. That brings me to where I am now, which is feeling like not washing my face and just going straight to my room. This cannot go on, but it kind makes sense when the kids weren't asleep until around 9:00 tonight. By the time I prep for the following morning, all I want to do is close my bleary eyes.

So far, so good with everything, though. Nico hits a rough patch when it's time for me to leave him in the mornings. Livi is a little too young to act like she cares, which is fine by me since I simply would not be able to hold it together with two criers. Work is going well. Hubby should be landing in Lima at 5 a.m. Sitting here typing isn't getting me to sleep any quicker, though, so... night night. Or should I say, good morning?

Survival!

Today was a success on all levels. Kids? Happy. Mommy? Happy. Daddy? Happy (mostly because he got a complete vacation day).

Oh, I forgot to tell you all my ha-ha-funny New Year's Eve story. As my mom, Herb, Frank and I were tearing the house apart looking for my just-expired driver's license and my brand new license, both of which Mom had handed to Nico, who in turn hid them in my laptop's CD drive, I got a text from our tenant (The Dude!) telling me she had locked herself out and had to break a window to get back in. A whirlwind of excitement, I tell you.

Now, off to enjoy a glass of red and some sort of healthy snack. And then to enjoy a night of uninterrupted sleep, as the children are completely worn out from a full run of day care-type activities.

p.s. I seem to have a new thing about saying I'm off to enjoy some fantabulous night of sleep, when usually I wind up staying awake until after midnight. Then one of the kids wakes up somewhere between 5 and 6 a.m., and by the time he or she is back to sleep, the other one is awake anyway. So don't be jealous. Last night I got a whopping four hours straight, then a broken-as-hell 45 minutes, and at 5:25 a.m. I was up for good. So, yeah. You can't see my dark circles because I started wearing make-up again, now that I'm, you know, working and all.

Caution. Peligro. (Danger.)

Last full day with hubby until April 1. Very sad. In danger of bursting into tears at any moment. Holding off on showering until later tonight so that I may wash all the salt off my face at once, rather than doing it periodically throughout the day. Already missing the babies. Had three "late for work" dream last night. Still fighting the head cold I picked up from the kids on Wednesday.

My biggest concern is Frank's absence. I want to go to work, and the kids will be fine at day care. Even though he keeps reassuring me that he's going for us, so that we can have a better life, it is not easy to see him looking around for his passport. I half way hope he doesn't find it.

Today will be mostly about organizing for the week ahead. Then a good night's sleep, and we're off!

Toddy, hot

Last night I was joking about the whiskey, but tonight it's toddy time. Num!

Muchisimas gracias

Thank you so much, everyone, for propping me up and giving me a lot of support over the past couple of weeks. Every time I feel so crummy and my eyes are welling up over feeling pre-lonely (which is dramatic, but still hurty in the heart area), I get a nudge in a happier direction, and it has been making a world of difference. So thanks.

This afternoon it became clear that I have to wipe out any plans I had made for tomorrow. The kids have been nursing colds since Wednesday, and this morning I realized that I, too, am germ-infested. Yay for that. Tonight there will some hot tea sipping and, yes, more cookie eating. Since I am without health insurance for the time being, I am relying on the placebo effect for an all-around healing and bringing-on of wellness. And if that doesn't work? Whiskey!

Brrr...

Really feels like winter outside right now. Chilly bones, I tell you. I ought to be sleeping right now. I can never figure out exactly why I stay up too late most nights. I think tonight's reason is that I'm just enjoying sitting next to Frank while we both do computer things. But I should be sleeping.

Literally speaking, my nights are about to get a whole lot colder. Nobody next to me to keep me warm in the wee hours of the morning. A big empty space on one side of the bed. Kids roaming the house looking for Daddy. Right now I'll do just about anything to stick with this one day for as long as possible. What if I just announced that everyone else should go on with business as usual, but I'll be right here in Friday morning until further notice? Wishful thinking, I know. But a girl can dream.

Commercials followed by strings and a stiff drink

Can someone please explain to me the reason, in this day and age, for watching television commercials? Especially if you have TiVo or some regular old variety of DVR. I can see watching them here and there, just to see what's out there in Consumerville. Or stopping the fast forward when you see something catchy and/or hilarious. Watching all commercials during every program, however, is something that just doesn't need doing.

Another thing that could be left undone, as far as I am concerned, is the Mummers parade. We are mocking my mother for her obvious enjoyment of the festivities. Not that she cares, and not that she'll change the channel. There's a lack of focus accompanying the blaring string band ruckus behind me as I type. I can't take it any longer, so I'm cutting this post off here and making a bee-line for the liquor cabinet. Sapphire and o.j., lots of ice. In the spirit of the parade, of course.

Mom just walked by me and uttered the words, "Struttin' my stuff." Make that gin and juice a double.