Summertime!

Yup, Neglectfulness has struck again on the Strafi blog. Whoops. Sorry, Dear Readers. My only excuse is that summer started off incredibly busy, and then yours truly got incredibly lazy. 

My bad!

The summer started off pretty awesome. My sister-in-law (who is awesome) married one of my best friends from high school (who is also awesome) and thus their wedding was...awesome!!! Beautiful ceremony, fantastic guests, and I think it's safe to say, fun wedding party shenanigans. 

(Note to self: you are not 21, and you are a mommy. You can't drink like a fish anymore, darling. Note to all wedding guests: sorry for being THAT bridesmaid!! You know the one:) 

 Your smell like pine needles and your face is like sunshine!!

But it was a pretty good time :) 

So after that, my slightly (err...REALLY) out of shape butt decided to do the Color Run. In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, the Color Run is where a bunch of crazy dedicated people run a 5k and have color packets thrown at them.

Sounds crazy but is totally a good time! Except for that whole exercise part. 

I went with a good friend and we got into all sorts of mischief on the way there (it was about a five hour drive. Long story. No we're not crazy. Really. We're not!) 

Anywho. Here are we absolutely gorgeous after the run:

H-Dogg and Lizzle (Sorry could not come up with a cooler codename!)

So after all that fun in June, July came along with 100 degree temps EVERY FREAKING DAY and it was literally too hot to do anything except swim, and then only in the evening. 

So yeah, that's been my summer. Couple all of the above with Potty Training and you have an idea of how my life has been lately. Burrito's done really well with the potty training but to those people who tell you it can be taught in the day: you are FREAKING LIARS. They LIE, readers. LIE LIE LIE!

Ahem. 

Hope all of you are having a fun summer! Now I'm back to watching Bridget Jones. Who, I'm fairly certain, is me only British and single. Oh dear.

ChechNYA!

Back It Up!

I'm baaack! I bet you thought I was being Neglectful Blogger Momma again, didn't you? Trust me, Dear Readers, I had many ramblings to randomly mention over the last week or so but something bad happened.
My hard drive died.

This is a pretty good depiction of how I felt

Luckily, I was super crazy paranoid that something like this could happen so all the pictures on my computer were also on my husband's computer and our server he has set up, along with a lot of my music (Except for my 80s collection. For some reason The Husband didn't want that on his computer...luckily I can always borrow those CDs from my own Momma). I also had The Book saved on several different flash drives, so I didn't have an emotional breakdown over losing something I had worked on the past two  years.
But.
I didn't back up everything.
All the stories I wrote in college are gone. All the beginnings or random ideas I had thought to one day get around to have vanished. The horribly-terrible-but-taught-me-a-lot-about-writing first book I ever wrote? Bye bye. And my freaking resume that I agonized over to get perfect poofed too. I still have one version in my gmail somewhere, but still. I will have to fine tune it again and who wants to do that?  
I have had a large case of the sads due to those all disappearing.
So my random ramble to you for today is even if you think it is a little thing that you will never look at again, back it up. Trust me. You will save yourself from being stuck in a glass cage of emotion!

Cheer Up, Buttercup!

Last week was kind of a rough one for me for various reasons. Since y'all know by now I love making lists, I decided to create a Five Things That Cheer Me Up to remind myself that lolz are usually the best medicine. (Warning, there is some language ahead!)

1. Grumpy Cats:

Seeing them be so super grumpy helps get my own grumps under control

2. Animals that have Excellent Self-Esteem

 

3. Damn You Autocorrect

4.  Silly videos

Dramatic Reading of "I'm Sexy and I know it":

Girl...LOOK at that body...lololol

Thunderstruck/Ghostbusters Crossover:

Who you gonna call? AC/DC!

The song that is currently on repeat in my head these days:

I just met you...and this is CRAAAZY but here's my number! Call me Maybe!?!

And Burrito's Favorite:

We have the whole song memorized. Sad, but true. And look at the baby monkeeeey!

 5. Last But Not Least: Morgan Freeman Inappropriate Picture

I laugh hysterically EVERY TIME

Hopefully that brought out the laughter for anyone needing it! 

Lazy Saturday

Yesterday we spent the morning outside in our backyard and then went to the zoo before it got too hot. We've only recently gotten to do things like this (I used to work every weekend) and now that we have the chance to hang out together as a fam on weekends it's been a lot of fun. We got a family zoo pass so we pretty much just pop up there when it's nice out and we get sick of our backyard.

Although Belle and Burrito do love the backyard

The kiddo loves monkeys, so it was pretty easy convincing her to get off the slide and go to the zoo. There's an older chimpanzee named Suzie that's usually sitting by the window so we stop by there first and say hi.

We also stalk the peacocks. Burrito thinks they're yelling "help!" when the squawk, so if you happen to hear her yelling help she's actually trying to imitate a peacock.

We ended our zoo trip at the little park, which I knew probably wasn't a good idea but we let her play anyway. After half an hour she was hot and tiring so we plucked her up to take her home. It didn't go over too well, but I had been expecting that. The good news was she stopped crying rather quickly. The bad news is, she a few minutes later she lost it again in front of a group of people coming into the zoo, so their first exhibit of the day was an angry two-year-old demanding to have her sunglasses.

Luckily, they laughed and by the time we got to the car everyone was all smiles. 

Okay, this is earlier in the day. 

But when we left the zoo we were all hot and sweaty and in no mood for pictures! 

It's Official...Our Family Is Funny!

For the past several years in Manhattan there has been a Last Laugh comedy competition in Aggieville, and my step-dad has entered with his Singing Gutterboy act. It's pretty funny stuff and each year he's been better and better.
And last night, he won :)

This was super special for several reasons. First, because my step-dad is awesome and is a pretty funny dude. (Hopefully all this "I'm the funniest guy in NE Kansas" doesn't go to his head TOO much, otherwise we'll be stuck with fart jokes all year just because he can...)
And second, last night was also my Mom's birthday. So it was a super fun night to be out and watch him win and hug my mom on stage all happy and stuff. ;)

I can't talk about his act too much because some of it's R-rated stuff. And some is about stuff grownups do, but I always tune those songs out and think he's singing about fluffy bunnies.

This is him singing the fluffy bunny song. 

If you want to know what the actual songs are like, feel free to browse his website. There's a CD you can buy or a section where you can listen to a few songs. 

http://www.thesinginggutterboy.com/

Anyway, congratulations Pat! We're all so happy for you!

Oh, Crap

You know the phrase, "Monkey See, Monkey Do?" Around here lately it's been "Monkey Hear, Monkey Say." It's good because Burrito has quickly picked up new words this way, but (as I'm sure every parent knows), that's not always the best thing.
Recently a Modern Family episode (another obsession of mine that I forgot to add to the list..I'll have to do another post and add things I forgot!) made waves when they had the toddler on the show, Lilly, say a bad word.

Of course, look at what she's wearing. Can you really blame her?? 

Well, the actress just said cheese or something and they bleeped it on the show to make it seem like she cussed but she never actually did. People freaked, saying the show was horrible. Honestly, I thought the episode was great. It made me feel better about being a parent. I have no idea what people were so up in arms about, because let's face it. Kids say the darndest things. And sometimes that includes a bad word.
Or in our case, a bad phrase.
Or two.

I'm expecting my button any day now

It started innocently enough. I had my Mom on speakerphone one afternoon and realized I had double-booked us for two birthday parties that weekend. When I realized the mistake, I said "Oh crap." And what did the little one in the backseat say to that?

"Oh, crap."

Nana thought it was hysterical and immediately burst out laughing, which made Burrito say it about ten more times. I admit, it was funny but horrifying at the same time. After I stopped reacting to it, Burrito forgot all about her new phrase and I thought all would be well in the world.

Then we went to Nana's for dinner the next evening. 

After dinner Burrito was playing with her toys when we heard this little phrase pop out.
"Shut up! Shut up!"
The room went dead silent. This is pretty much how I felt:

Joey is shocked. Shocked!

Now, I know I need to watch my language, (especially while driving and people cut me off). But we don't ever say that kind of thing in front of Burrito due to you know, scarring the kid for life and being bad parents. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out where she would have heard that phrase. So after Daddy and Burrito had a chat about why that was inappropriate and things like that hurt people's feelings she apologized to everyone and we went home. 

Then we discovered the culprit. 

Remember how I said we have snuggle/movie time before bed?? Well a week ago I checked out the movie Rio from the library and it's been Burrito's current favorite thing. (It's a good movie! Bright colors, fun songs and is just plain cute). But for some reason I was paying closer attention to it that night than any other night, and I realized that during the "bad birds" evil song he says a certain phrase to the other birdies. 

Yes, you're evil. We get it. Did you have to teach my toddler the phrase "Shut up?" 

Wait. Quit glaring at me...

So now Mommy has to fast-forward that part of the "Birdie Movie." Hopefully she forgets that phrase too. It's due soon anyway and when she's a bit older and completely understands that that's not a nice thing to say we'll check it back out. 

In the meantime, Mommy is definitely going to work on substitute words when she gets road rage.

Obsessions

Okay, so those who know me well know that when I discover something new and awesome I have a *slight* tendency to get obsessive about it. Like Pinterest. Or Harry Potter. Or looking at Harry Potter pins ON pinterest....
Yes, I know. I have issues.
Anyway.
My most recent obsession is Game of Thrones. You guys. This show is SO GOOD. There are bad guys and good guys and swords and chicks that are bad a** and cute boys and direwolves and zombies and dragons and my little fangirl heart can hardly take it!!
Ahem. So basically every Sunday The Husband and I are glued to the TV with a giant bowl of popcorn. It's one of my favorite times of the week :) Of course, he yells at me if I dare open up Pinterest while watching so I have to wait til it's over to fuel that addiction. But it's all good :)
So since i seem to be in List Mood today here are some of my top Obsessions. Don't judge too much, and feel free to add yours in the comments if you dare!
Without further ado, here are

Heather's Top Ten Obsessions:

1. World of Warcraft. 

I haven't played as much recently due to being addicted, er, interested in other things. But when I get into the WoW groove I stay up way too late and spend my Friday evenings playing the game after Burrito goes to sleep.

Sadly, I have yet  to become a NightElf Mohawk

2. Harry Potter. 

Yup, still obsessed. If it's Harry Potter marathon weekend on ABC Family, I will watch it. Even though I own all the DVDs. Even though I own all the Blu-Rays. Even though I own all the books. Even though I'm currently in the middle of buying all the e-books. (Please remember not to judge too much!!) I freaking love JK Rowling and the world and characters she created. And even if her new book is horrendous, I will still love it. Because it's JKR. And JKR DOES NO WRONG.

Nothing will ever live up to them. But that's what rereading is for!

3. Game of Thrones 

...but we already talked about that!

Dani has dragons. Dragons are awesome.

4. Nora Roberts. 

Ah, Queen Nora. You are a close second to JKR. My bookshelf is pretty much ALL Nora Roberts paperbacks. It's a comfort thing. I read her books before falling asleep every night. No clue why. She just released her 200th book (TWO freaking hundred. Talk about making you feel a little lazy!) Anyway. I've always loved La Nora and try to snatch her new books at work before anyone else can!

Even Stephen King says she's cool. You don't ignore Stephen King.

5. Pinterest. 

It's a great way to pass the time and look at a lot of crafts I'll probably never do and find recipes that look delicious. (I actually HAVE made several of the recipes. Go me!)

Where Pinterventions begin

6. YA books. 

(No, not mother trucking Twilight. Vampires don't friggin sparkle. I like the books but will never get past that. Vamps may be sexy, but they are EVIL. They stalk and kill, not look constipated and glisten)

You will think about it every time you see him now. 

*Ahem* Moving on... 

YA books are great. My most addicted series are Hunger Games (obvs) and anything by Rick Riordan. Rachel Hawkins, Kiersten White, and Marissa Meyer are all current obsessions

7. Lost. 

Oh man, I loved that show (Not the ending. We pretend that doesn't exist) Before the Ending That We Don't Talk About Brian and I watched this show all the time. We got hooked when I was pregnant. Watching four seasons in two months was a good way to sit on my pregnant bootie and forget how much my feet hurt. And I seriously miss the beginning with the dude going "Previously, on Lost..."

Crazy things happen on a crazy island....

8. Vampire TV shows. 

Specifically, ones where no one freaking sparkles.

Although they seem to glisten too. Hmm. Lestat would not approve

9. Bad 80s music. 

(Remember, no judging!) I blame my mother. But if I'm running or on a car trip?? Def Leppard, baby

 Armaggedon it!

10. Friends 

I couldn't keep my favorite Friends off the list! It's been off the air for years but I can still quote every episode. And like Harry Potter, I will watch over and over and over and over.

So no one told you life was gonna be this way...(you know you clapped)

 Aaand that's my list!! Apparently I am a big, big nerd. But that's okay. All the cool kids are :)