Monday, February 22, 2010

Musical Monday ... sort of.

As I posted late last week, lately I've been listening to "happy" songs, or songs that remind me of happy times, or songs that make me feel happy.  You get this gist!  Happy Songs.   THOSE songs.  Repeatedly.  Loudly.

I decided today, that I would share those songs (in list form) with you.  Including links to videos, or what have you.  Just because, I'm feeling happy today, for the first time, in a long time - and I'd like you all to be happy too.  In no particular order:

Outside my Window - Sarah Buxton
Out Last Night - Kenny Chesney
American Saturday Night - Brad Paisley
UP! - Shania Twain
Why Don't We Just Dance - Josh Turner
Toes - Zac Brown Band
Poetry In Motion - Johnny Tillotson
My Life Would Suck (Without You) - Kelly Clarkson
Amie - Pure Prairie League
Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
Tennessee Flat Top Box - Rosanne Cash
Fishin' In the Dark - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Faithfully - Journey
Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon
Love of a Lifetime - Firehouse
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Our Song - Taylor Swift
Hot & Cold - Katy Perry
So What - P!NK
Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On - Neal McCoy
I wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston

There are many more, these are the ones I'm jamming to this fine day.  I hope you can find at least ONE to rock out to (I know, Rock out ?? To Country?  But really, Love It!)

Why? You ask, are some of THESE songs on my list?   Well, specifically - Emily - at a birthday party this weekend.  heard "her song" on the radio  

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"Love Story" by Taylor Swift.






Friday, February 19, 2010

The funny thing about TV Shows ...

A lot of parents (and we're two of them) do not like to allow their children to watch an enormous amount of television, for fear that they will become dependent upon it.  There are many things people call televisions, insulting things, silly things, rude things ... all sorts of things.  A built in baby sitter, the boob tube, the idiot box (among others).

Mike & I have tried very hard to monitor and limit the amount of time Emily spends in front of said "idiot box" .. for fear that it will "rot her brain" ... among other horrific fears that parents have, that is our biggest.  That she won't be able to live without TV for a day, an hour .. at all .. that she will learn things we either - don't feel she needs to learn at nearly 3, or things that we wouldn't teach her in "that way".  That being said, there are things we allow her to watch, each day, that amuse us - more than they amuse her.  Call it what you will, for us, it's bonding :)

Now, don't get me wrong, we do not allow her to watch things with violence, curse words, sex, or any of the other things that are not appropriate for a 2 year old to witness.  I admit, I - like many others - have my own set of "guilty pleasures" .. most of those, are reality tv shows, or medical dramas, or crime dramas .. Among Those, in no particular order:   The Real Housewives -- all of them ... The Bad Girls Club ... The Real World/Road Rules Challenges ... NCIS ... NCIS Los Angeles ... House ... Grey's Anatomy ... Private Practice ... Lie To Me ... Desperate Housewives ... and of course, many - many more.  Those shows?  She doesn't watch with us.  Those shows?  We watch together, or I, watch here at my desk - especially on those days where it is way to quiet for me to even think.

Her favorite show?  Phineas and Ferb.
That ---- is also Mike's favorite "Emi show".  We have a few saved on our DVR "just in case" ... just in case there is a day, an hour, or a time when we need something to contain our attentions, just in case we need something to calm us all down, just in case - we need 30 minutes of ridiculous TV that won't harm any of us.

The funny thing about TV Shows?   Sometimes, they have moments of inspiration, of such immense - DUH!! that it strike me immediately upon hearing - or seeing - them ... as huge.  As moments of "Holy cow, you moron".  Usually, all it takes is a moment, and I can generally snap out of a funk ... I have a few examples for my next entry, but today ... I don't have the proper words to describe what I'm thinking of, or how it's making me feel.



... Outside My Window ...

Based on my last post, you all now know my "dirty little secret", (heh, I'm in a lyrical mood this morning it seems) there are things I have been trying to do, to keep myself positive, and focused.
Some of those, include listening to certain songs that ... well, make me want to chair dance.  They make me happy, or touch my heart in a way, I can't ever hope to express properly. 

One of those, is Sarah Buxton's song "Outside My Window" .. it's upbeat, fun, and the words, are perfect ... 

Take a listen:




Outside My Window Lyrics

Outside my window I see a red bird singin sittin on a wire

Wish I knew what hes thinkin outside my window

I see a couple kissin huggin and a-lovin
Man, thats just what Ive been missin

These days when everythin is crazy
Some things are never ever changin

(You) still need stars when youre wishin at night A best friend to set you right, a good laugh, a warm bath

And a beautiful song you can sing along to
Good news thatll make you cry
All the little things that money cant buy
No wars, no more, just a big rainbow outside my window
La la la la la la (outside my window)

Outside my window I see the bluest ocean
Sails in the sunlight rockin in the sweetest motion
Outside my window I hear a church bell ringin
Nobody fightin over what hymn theyre singin

I know Im dreamin like a child
But some things just dont go out of style like

(You) still need stars when youre wishin at night A best friend to set you right, a good laugh, a warm bath

And a beautiful song you can sing along to
Good news thatll make you cry
All the little things that money cant buy
No wars, no more, just a big rainbow outside my window
La la la la la la (outside my window)
(La la la la la la, outside my window)
(Everybody look outside my window, la la la la la la)
(Outside outside)

Outside my window I see a flag thats wavin
Hands joined together, everybodys celebrating, yeah

La la la la la la, outside my window
La la la la la la, everybodys lookin outside my window

(You) still need stars when youre wishin at night A best friend to set you right, a good laugh, a warm bath

And a beautiful song you can sing along to
Good news thatll make you cry
All the little things that money cant buy
No wars, no more, just a big rainbow outside my window
La la la la la la (outside my window)
(La la la la la la, outside my window)
(Everybody look outside my window, la la la la la la)
(Outside outside)



I thank all of my "best friends" who set me right, on a daily basis ... whether you realize you are doing it - or not   Thank You.

Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Seasonal Depression? Yeah, I have that!

I don't know if you - my faithful  readers - have noticed, but I've been slipping in my blogging lately.  For that - I sincerely apologize.

I began a letter to a very dear friend of mine, at 2am on Tuesday morning.  Finished it around 4, 16 hand written pages later - placed it on my night stand, and got 2 hours of restless sleep.  After getting up and ready for the day, dropping Emily off at "school" and coming in to work, I re-read the letter I scribbled (seriously, it was that bad) to my unsuspecting friend, and promptly shredded it.

I was presumptuous, rambling, whiny and in all honesty, completely out of line.  While it was my way of seeking help.  Advice.  An ear.  Of which I know, I have plenty.  It was unsolicited, and in a way, borderline rude.   I apologize, though she knew nothing of said letter, that it was being written, and would have been sent - had I had an envelope and stamp handy, without any real thought or consideration.  

At any rate, I apologize, and I know, you had no idea.   You should feel honored, though, dear friend, that I thought of you in my hours of desperation, depression, and sadness.  I don't think of many friends when I need help, there are a certain few, a collective group of hearts I know would be there, and you, my dear, are at the top of that list.  We may have been separated by years, miles, but together again we are, and hopefully from here, it'll continue to be as if we'd never been apart.

I have come to the armchair diagnosis of seasonal depression.  I have the 'classic' symptoms - fatigue, being withdrawn, loss of appetite, loss of interest in things, and people ... sleeplessness, restlessness ... I've tried journaling, ignoring, talking (in limited amounts) and reading, and going to bed earlier, I've taken a few extra long hot showers, a bath or two in the last few weeks.  It's helping, but not ... taking away my fears, sadness or depression completely.  

It has taken me 3 days now, to write this ... and I can't seem to get the words out, or whatever - and you know, I doubt this will even help.  But at least I'm trying.


Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Quick Update ...

I am so sorry it's taken me so long to update you all on John and his situation.
John is home, he went home on Thursday of last week after his surgery.  He's doing well, and having a little bit of a hard time adjusting to his "new life" ... he is on some restrictions (no heavy lifting, and he can't drive for at least 12 weeks.)  he should be able to get back to work soon - on a very very limited basis.

He knows what happened, he remembers right up until he passed out, and has done exceedingly well adjusting (except a few small things .. loud noises, and what not, they cause his heart to race, and he gets nervous thinking his heart will stop again - though with his defibrillator in place, that won't happen)

John, and his entire family, and friends, are all very thankful, and touched by the thoughts and prayers, and actions, of so many.

I will keep you all updated, as I can, he's keeping to himself a little, and keeping a low profile while he adjusts to life as it is, other than that, he's John.   And that is a very good thing.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Garlic Butter Croissants

Want to "spice up" croissants?

Take 1/2 a stick of room temperature softened butter (your choice - low fat, no salt, salt, whatever you choose) (or the equivalent in margarine ...) add 1 1/2 teaspoons of parsley (fresh or dried) and 1 Tablespoon of garlic (minced) (fresh or jarred) .. however, if you use fresh, you may need less - depending on how strong you want the flavor to be.

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Using a fork, whip the butter in a bowl, slowly add parsley and garlic, to taste - and set aside.



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Open and lay out the croissants, as directed - lightly spread the whipped butter onto the dough triangles - roll as directed, and curve into croissant shape.



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Cook as directed (generally on 375* for between 11 and 13 minutes - middle rack of the oven - or until crispy and brown)



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Enjoy!!! 

Mike and Emily refuse to eat croissants any other way.

What to do .. What to do ..

Since Uncle John has been in the hospital, Emily and I have had a few nights (and most of a weekend day) to ourselves (I do have an update, and will post it - but I think this blog today, is going to be more of a happy fun one.)

There are certain things Emily and mommy enjoy doing together - reading, playing games, coloring, laundry (I wish I was making this up ...) - among those are more, unconventional, activities.  We like playing silly games, pretending to hide, and find one another - while making the absolute LOUDEST noises possible .. see, we're hiding, but not really - this one, she particularly enjoys.  Hmmm I wonder why.

I received a delivery yesterday, from Tastefully Simple (I heart their products - so very much, and WILL be planning another soiree soon - so be on the look out!!) and the bottles were of course wrapped with - Bubble Wrap!  After starting dinner, and putting it in the oven (mmhmm croissant jazzing up recipe, coming soon) and giving Emily a quick tubby ... we needed something to keep ourselves occupied, that didn't include the television ... we're trying to keep tv watching to a minimum .. and so far, it seems to be working!

The following pictures depict what we decided to do, to occupy ourselves, while dinner was cooking:

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Seriously, there was nothing better - after the week we had last week - than hearing those squeals of laughter, and watching her enjoy some plastic bubble wrap.  The dogs didn't entirely enjoy it, but we did ... Here's to more innocent moments of bubble wrap destruction.

Friday, February 5, 2010

"John just had a seizure in the parking lot ..."

If you know anything about me, and if you're reading this - you should - you know that I am as sympathetic as they come.  When someone I love, or care for deeply, hurts, I hurt.  

Wednesday started out as any other day would - rush and hurry to get to daycare on time, make sure the dogs and cat are fed, make sure Emily has clothes on - that fit her constantly growing self - and the other "mundane" every day things a mom/wife takes care of.  The only difference THIS Wednesday, was that we got a really late start.  I don't remember now, in all the rush following, what it was the stopped us for so long - other than Emily dilly-dallying more than normal - either way, we were incredibly late.

Around 8:25am, I received a phone call from Mike.  This isn't an abnormal occurrence, as he calls me every morning, to see how we 'made out' with leaving, and getting Emily to day care.  The difference today, was palpable - he didn't even have to speak, and I knew there was something wrong, something terribly wrong.  (forgive me, here, I'm still trying to find the right words.)

Me:  "Yeaaah?"  (the way I always answer when he calls .. it's a sarcastic thing we do .. seems silly now)
Mike: "John just had a seizure in the parking lot, he's not breathing, I think he's gone ... I don't know what's going on - or what to do, all I know is that I called Jackson, he's calling Hil, and I'm going to need a ride."

Time has literally stopped at this point, and my immediate response is ... 
"Wait, what?  John?  As in John, John?"
"Yes, Johnny C.  Amy I don't think he's going to make it - Jesus what do I do ..."
"Take a deep breath, calm down - and start over .. I'm driving here, I still have Emily with me, so I need you to start again --- What Happened?"

He begins to repeat what he had said before, this time a bit slower.  I start to slowly process the words I'm hearing, and my brain kicks into action.
"OK, What do you need me to do?  Who do you need me to call?  Where do you need me to go?  What do you need from me?"

To which I'm told, nothing - drop Emily off, Hilary is being notified, and I'll be called and updated as much as I can be.  Like any normal girl, I call my mom - immediately upon hanging up with my husband, my first call is to my mom.  
Me:  "Hey, sorry to bother you, I really am so sorry to bother you - but I have, umm, sort of a question?"
Mom: "What's wrong?"
Me: "Um, Well, John collapsed in the parking lot at Eastern?  And they don't know if he's going to make it.  I need to know what to do."
Mom: "Why do you need to do anything, where's Mikey?"
Me: "Mikey said he'd need a ride, I don't know from where, or when ... and what do I do about Hilary?" (Editors Note:  John is Hilary's brother) "Do I call and tell her that I'm available to watch her kids ... AM I available to watch her kids - what do I do?"
"Well, If Mikey can get his work truck here, he can take the van - that's done, now, you can absolutely call Hilary and offer to sit with the girls.  But other than that, there isn't anything you can do."

After dropping Emily off at daycare, I called Hilary - she sounded calm, cool, and completely together ... I offered anything she needed and hung up.  I then called Mike.  Fighting tears, he told me they were "working on him now" (meaning John, of course) and that Mike was 'with' the ambulance.  They were heading towards Frisbie Memorial Hospital, once they got him stable.  It would be hours from this point, before I either heard anything, or before they even knew anything.  Then, this is what I was told - around 7:15ish that night:

"The police got there before the ambulance, and shocked him 2 times to get his heart going in the parking lot, and an additional 2 times in the ambulance to get his heart beating normally, and kick it out of the arrhythmia.    Mike went with him in the ambulance to the first hospital, and after they did a few tests, they transferred him to another hospital.

They had him on a ventilator, until around 6:30ish, and removed the tube - he was breathing on his own, and talking, joking, conscious, but understandably confused.  He has short term memory loss - because of the trauma his body went through.

They're saying his potassium dropped so low, it caused his heart to stop, and are talking about adjusting his medications ... but that's just preliminary, they don't have many answers."

John is 31 years old, married, and the father of 4 beautiful young girls, ranging in age from 13 years (Madison, his step daughter) to 8 (Skylar) to 4 (Sydney) to 9 months (Reese) ... he has 2 older sisters, who each have beautiful daughters, ranging in age from 9 to 18 months old.

So far, the prognosis is good, and he seems to be doing better with each passing hour.

On top of that, my best friends husbands grandfather was found unresponsive in his bathroom first thing Wednesday morning, by her father in law - he passed away sometime Tuesday Night.

AND THEN, I got a phone call that Mike's cousin was in a car accident, and totaled her van.  She is ok, she reinjured her back, but - is doing well as of today.

Please, if it's something you do, keep us in your prayers, and John and his family too .. we could use the help!

I apologize for rambling, and if this makes no sense, it's what I could come up with -- and it's taken me all day.

Hold your loved ones dear, you never know ... you just ... never know

<3 RIP Chey, you will be missed.  Give Carol love from your family here, and know you both remain in our hearts <3

Thursday, February 4, 2010

You're Not Coming To My Party --- Part 2

I know I've been writing about my minion a lot lately, I can't seem to help it ... she never ceases to amaze me, in new and different ways, every single day.  Nearly, each time I look at her even.

Yesterday was a really hard day (I'll get into that tomorrow, when I can further grasp what has happened, or continues to happen ... I'm not sure I can even put it into words at the moment.) and to get me through times like this, I often look at pictures of Emily, or watch videos I've taken, or even remember moments that have happened recently that have made me laugh, smile or just completely flabbergast me.

Some of my favorite moments, happen "accidentally" or completely unprovoked.  To keep my mind occupied I've, as I said, been paying attention to those moments.  

For the past 2 weeks, or more, Emily has been refusing - FULL ON REFUSING - to go to bed at her normal time, we have the same routine.  We get her in her jammies, play a game, brush her teeth, her hair, wash her hands and face, read 1-5 books, tuck her in and leave her in her room to "read herself to sleep".  She would much rather go to the top of the stairs and holler down "mooooommmmaaaa, whatchaaa doiiiin?"  or "you caannn't catch me" .. or her new favorite "I'm out of beeedd, DUH (I'm not saying duh to you momma, I'm not really.)"

It's hard to get angry with her, for the first hour or two, but after that, it's hard to NOT get angry.  Whenever I feel myself slipping to the angry place (as she calls it) I break the tension with a silly quip, or something.  Even if it only gets ME out of that place, it's worked.

Now, the routine (when she gets out of bed) is to go upstairs, not say a single word, take her by her little hand and place her back in her bed.  Cover her up, hand her Mahhhhvin, kiss her face, hug her and head out the door.  No matter how many times we have to do this, we've vowed to never spank her, or scream at her, for getting out of bed.  Unless she's being incredibly naughty, and then she'll receive a swat on her rear.

Last night was an incredibly hard night for Emily.  She hadn't seen daddy since first thing in the morning, and knew mommy was having a rough day.  Though I tried to shelter her from what was happening, she could tell I was frustrated, sad, and scared.  We made a quick stop at the grocery store, where she got yet another book, and we picked up a few 'must have' items.  Just in case we had to do some quick dinners for the rest of the week.

After fighting with her, (term of endearment, really), for well over 2 hours, I finally laid her down in our big bed, and snuggled with her as she calmed down.  After approximately 35 minutes of her cold little feet finding their way into my belly, followed by her bony little knees, I put her back in her own room and listened to her bawl her eyes out for an additional 45 minutes, until I got her to calm down enough, and we snuggled again, in our big bed.  She finally fell asleep around 11.  After being put to bed at 7:30pm, it literally took THAT long to get her to calm down enough to relax, and finally fall asleep.  I fell asleep for a few minutes shortly after, waking up when Mike finally got home.

She was so funny this morning though, you'd think she had a solid 12 hours of sleep - instead of being up at 5 after merely 6 hours of sleep .. absolutely bouncing off the walls, and sharing EVERYTHING daddy missed the night before.  She even read him some stories, while he was trying to catch a little more sleep.  She tucked him in and started reading him stories - and really --- it was just 3 different book versions of "The Little Mermaid" ... the little booger.

In times of crisis, undeniable depression, scary moments, moments of unknowing, moments of sheer panic - I have the worlds most adorable "reality check" ... I call her Monkey Face, she calls me Booger Brains.   That's love right there.

I promise, I WILL blog about what's happened this week, yesterday specifically, but again, I don't have all the details, and I still can't seem to wrap my mind around any of it.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Rabbit Rabbit ...

And so begins another month.  Another Winter month.  In New England.  Normally, that would have me relatively excited - I've survived to see the sun rise another day, we've survived another month, and will hopefully, make it through this one unscathed as well.

However, this Winter, Mike has had significantly less over time, which means, significantly less wiggle room.

WE DO have a plan in place that makes it easier, especially when times are tough.  And we seem to be doing Smashingly With It!

February is a short month, but all at once it's an extremely busy month - Taxes, Hockey Games, Dinner Engagements, Fundraisers .. The Super Bowl (which I'll sleep through and catch the commercials on the news the following morning) .. And hopefully a girls dinner, or a girls day .. just what I need :)

OK now, the title of my blog ... The First day of Every Month ... Robin Roberts of Good Morning America, starts the broadcast with "Rabbit Rabbit" ... it's supposed to be good luck, or indicative of a good month to follow.  I had never heard of this practice, before I saw her do this.  Now, I've been researching this, and have found a few interesting tidbits.   I thought I'd share them here with you - while waiting for the computer guy to come here, and take my girl away (I fear she is sick ... and needs some new parts).

From Wikipedia:

“Rabbit rabbit white rabbit” is a common superstition. The most common modern version states that a person should say “rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit” or simply "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" upon waking on the first day of each new month, and on doing so will receive good luck for the duration of that month.

Origins and history

The exact origin of the superstition is unknown, though it has appeared in print at least as early as 1954 in Bromley, Kent where it is most commonly said to have originated, though some reports place its origins even earlier, into the 1800s. Today it has spread to most of the English-speaking countries of the world, although like all folklore, determining its exact area of distribution is difficult. This superstition is related to the broader belief in the rabbit or hare being a “lucky” animal, as exhibited in the practice of carrying a rabbit's foot for luck. Some have also believed it is representing a jumping into the future and moving ahead with life and happiness.

Variations

As with most folklore, which is traditionally spread by word of mouth, there are numerous variant versions of the “rabbit, rabbit” superstition, in some cases specific to a certain time period or region. There are hundreds of variants, some of the most common of which include:
  • When the words, "Rabbit, Rabbit" are spoken to any person on the first of the month, for the rest of the month the speaker receives the luck of all who heard the phrase.
  • "In some parts of Lancashire and the adjacent counties, it is considered unlucky by some to shoot a black rabbit. This is because they were once believed to be ancestral spirits returning in that form. In Somerset, white rabbits are said to be witches. That anyone really believes this now is improbable; nevertheless, white rabbits are not popular as children's pets, and they are sometimes left alone and not shot. A luck-bringing custom found all over Great Britain is to say 'Rabbits' or 'White Rabbits' once or three times on the first day of the month. It must be said early in the morning, before any other word has been uttered, otherwise the charm loses its force. In some districts it is considered necessary to say 'Hares' or 'Black Rabbits' when going to bed on the night before, as well as 'Rabbits' or White Rabbits' in the morning. If, however, the speaker becomes muddled and says 'Black Rabbits' on rising, bad luck will follow. The looked-for result of all this is variously given as general good luck during the ensuing four weeks, or the receipt of a gift within a few days."
  • It is believed that saying "Rabbit Rabbit" on the first day of the New Year will bring yearlong good luck.
  • The converse: instead of believing that saying it will bring good luck, believing that not saying it will bring bad luck.
  • Being the first to say "rabbit rabbit" to a person on the first of the month will bring good luck. Once someone says rabbit rabbit to you, you are no longer allowed to repeat it to anyone, thus having bad luck for the next month.
  • Instead of saying “rabbit, rabbit”, saying just “rabbit”, or “rabbits”. Some also extend it to three rabbits: “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit,” which has some of the earliest written references.
  • The earliest referenced usage may be to saying “rabbits” three times before going to sleep the last night of the month, and then “hares” three times first thing upon waking, though just two years later, it was three “rabbits” in the morning with no “hares” at all.
  • Alan Zweibel used a variation as the title of his book, Bunny, Bunny, which recounted his friendship with Gilda Radner.
  • Using the night of the new moon (traditionally the first day of the lunar month) instead of the first night of the month.
  • Another variation is "bunny bunny hop hop"
  • Saying “black rabbits” the night before, and “white rabbits” on the morning in question.
  • Believing that the effect is stronger on one's month of birth.
  • Referring to the first day of each month as “Rabbit Day”.
  • Various ways to counteract forgetting to say it, most commonly saying it backwards (“tibbar, tibbar”) before falling asleep or saying "Moose Moose" upon waking on the second day of the month.
  • A different but related practice of saying “Happy White Rabbit's Day” to someone in order to bring good luck.
  • Making “rabbit, rabbit” be the last words said on the last of the month and the first words said on the first of the month.
  • One variation involves an element of competition: Saying “rabbit, rabbit” to another person on the first of the month entitles the speaker to the luck of the listener for the duration of the month.
  • Another variation is that the first person to say "rabbit, rabbit" on the last day of the month and "tibbar, tibbar" on the first day of the month wins bragging rights for the duration of the month.
  • Traditions also extend to saying on the first of each month: “A pinch and a punch for the first day of the month; white rabbit!” White rabbit is declared to be the “no returns” policy on the “pinch and the punch” the receiver felt. Origins of this saying is unknown. A small concession exists, for recipients of the "pinch and a punch," where white rabbit declaration (no returns) is not made. Recipients may in this case reply with "A flick and a kick for being so quick." In some areas, it is simply, "Pinch, punch, first the month, no returns back!" Additionally, there is a way to defeat the white rabbit/no returns declaration. This is by introducing .magic mirror glue. The following is an example of such a play, Person 1 Hey X, a pinch and a punch for the first day of the month; white rabbit! Person 2 Not Happening Y, I declare Magic Mirror Glue, today's punches and kicks's bounce of me and stick to you! Person 2 is then free to pinch/punch/kick said instigator.
  • Saying "White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits".
  • A more modern variation is to say “rabbit, rabbit” to someone on the first day of the month, and whoever says it first wins. The idea of luck is not involved.
  • Some couples have a tradition that the first to say rabbit rabbit on day entitles the sayer to a gift.
  • Saying "white rabbit, white rabbit, white rabbit" as the first words of the month, before getting out of bed -- and the speaker must first reverse position, so that speaker's head is at the foot of the bed & vice versa.
  • Harold Nicolson, the politician and diplomat, often said "Rabbits" not only on the first of the month, but as a general talisman in his long-running diary, held at Balliol College, Oxford.
  • Around 1920 the following belief is common in many parts of Great Britain, with local variants: To secure good luck of some kind, usually a present, one should say ‘Rabbits’ three times just before going to sleep on the last day of the month, and then ‘Hares’ three times on waking the next morning.
  • The band Jawbreaker makes reference to the superstition in their song Jinx Removing.
  • Another variation brought about by the Polish is the phrase "Bunny, Bunny"
  • Chick McGee from "The Bob & Tom Show" says "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit," on the air, at the beginning of each month for good luck.
  • In the early 1990s, Nickelodeon had a segment called "Nick days," which had an event for every day of the year. The first of every month was "Rabbit Rabbit Day." According to the segment, the phrase "rabbit rabbit" must be the first thing said after waking on the first day of the month.
  • In some areas of the Southern United States, such as Tennessee and Mississippi, campers will say "I hate white rabbits" in response to campfire smoke blowing into their face, hoping the smoke will go elsewhere.
  • In Ireland, children traditionally say "coinín bán" (Irish for "white rabbit") the first time they meet someone on the 1st day of any month.
  • The podcast, Smart Mouths, has caused a phenomenon where listeners say and tweet 'rabbit rabbit' the first day of every month. It reached Twitter Trend status in June 2009
  • In some areas in Georgia, particularly in the Atlanta area, many people have begun saying "wabbit wabbit" as another variation.
  • In central Pennsylvania, the custom is to say "Rabbit" last thing before going to sleep on the last day of the month, and to say it again first thing on the first day of the month.
A folk law version of Rabbits 19th C - For luck, must be spoken before 12 noon on the first day of the month. "Rabbits Hot, Rabbits Cold, Rabbits New, Rabbits Old, Rabbits Tender, Rabbits Tough, Rabbits I've had enough." Origin UK, possibly London, Hampshire or Derbyshire

So There you have it ... The Tidbits I've found, regarding "Rabbit Rabbit."

A Day Late, and Through a Blog - I wish you all a Rabbit Rabbit Month!

Monday, February 1, 2010

You're Not Coming to My Party!!

I have the worlds most irritable toddler.  Is she a toddler still?  I say yes.

I have the worlds most adorable toddler, call me partial.

I have the worlds most hysterical toddler.  It's True.  And I Can Prove It!

Emily has these --- ISMs --- that she insists on using.  Phrases she made up, learned or .. just likes the sound of.  No, it's true, she's a little out there (but then, she's mine, so ... that makes some sense) in todays installment, I shall share with you - some of her .. Isms.  And you will laugh, because, it's impossible NOT to.

This took place this morning, around 7:55am - every Friday, Emily and I have a routine - if that routine is thrown off, so is my child.  We get up, get ready for the day (shower, get dressed, etc) and head out the door early to hit the ATM to ensure we have the cash to pay for daycare for the following week, I suppose if I were running late, I could always drop it off during the day, it is cash, and I know she wouldn't mind --- TOO much.  We have a specific route we take.  if we don't - the devil child appears in place of my cute, adorable little girl.

We drive down Governors Rd, onto Chestnut Hill Rd, which we follow ALLLLL the way down behind the high school - when we arrive there (something like 7 minutes after leaving the driveway) she says "hey, that's Jenny's school, and I (dramatic pause, eye roll, 2 1/2 yr old flair) Went there - ONE time - did YOU know that momma??" -- of course I did you small goof nugget, I DROVE you there, and to school afterwards.  We continue through town, passed the court house, because if we don't - a melt down is almost guaranteed.  Because it wouldn't be "the right way to gooooo Mooooooooooom" (I thought attitude came in the teens?) ... This morning, as we're rounding "the corner" by the court house, from the back seat I hear:

"Jenny, Anyone?  Jenny?   Jenny, Anyone? Do You Have Any Sixes?  Go Fish.  Jenny, Anyone?"  in a .. rather male voice.  I have a daughter.  ... . Apparently a Daughter that can make her voice rather manly.

We have no idea where Emily heard that particular phrase, but it made me laugh, and when I shared it with Daddy, he almost spit his coffee out of his nose, and her Teacher appreciated it much the same.  Jenny, Anyone indeed!   We do, however, play Go Fish with her routinely, and that added in her "new voice" was hilarious.

Some of her other isms include "we no say that" or "That not nice Momma" or "dadddaaaaaa I saiiiiidddd Noooooo" which, aren't entirely isms, but more - of her favorite phrases.

And most recently - we attended 3 birthday parties, in a matter of 6 days.  There would have been a fourth, in 7 days, but we had previous plans, and couldn't make that one.  Ever since then - her response to being told no, being told (or asked as the case may be) to do something, or if she is told something she doesn't like ... "You're Not Coming to My PARTAYYYYY" as loud as her little lungs and vocal chords can project.  Which, again, since she's mine is rather impressive at such a small age.

She, rather shockingly, knows the words to quite a few songs we've heard on the radio - and can generally pick out a song she likes (or we like) within the opening tunes of said songs.  "Chicken Fried" by The Zac Brown Band is "daddy's song", we're not sure why.  "Whatever It Is" by The Zac Brown Band is "mommy's song" because I love it, and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, is Emily's song - because she sings right along with it, knows every word, and enjoys it immensely.   So much so that when it comes on the radio - all talking must cease, and she bops along in the back seat.  

She sings "I'm Alive" by Kenny Chesney too.

:) ahh, my well rounded girl.

At 2 years old, she knows her ABCs, she can count to 20, she knows her Full Name (Emily Grace Mayo) and also what her nickname is (Uhhh I'm Emi), she knows what my name is, and daddy's name .. though his middle name, and Junior suffix confuse her, she knows he's Mikey.  She know our address, if pressed, but off the top of her head we live in the white house, on the dog road.  Close.  We're getting there.

She knows when her birthday is, and that Erma and Bampy are my parents, making them her grandparents, and that Beammie and Bupa are Mike's parents, making them her OTHER grandparents.  She can even tell you who her grand fathers are (grandmothers too.)  She knows my sisters, Katie (Geekie - pronounced GEE-KEY) and Kelly are her aunts, and that Bryan (Kelly's hubby) and Adam (Katie's soon to be) are her uncles.  Though we have some very good friends that are adopted aunts and uncles, that have been there for us since before her birth.

I love my mini me.   I really do.  There are days, when I could just eat her up and revel in her brightness, her cuteness and her individuality.  However, there are days, when I swear the devil has taken over my sweet child, and I wonder when I'll get her back, or if she'll survive long enough to COME back.

To prove this transformation, she has shown us that she can be a ghost, a robot, a dog, and a cat - respectively.  Sometimes, combining two or three of those at one time.  It's one of the most ... hypnotizing things.

The Devil In Pigtails ... That's what I have.  <3  She's Just Like Her Momma, which means, I am so screwed.