Welcome back!
Every few days, I take on the tedious chore of laundry. I divide. I conquer…er, wash. Then, I dry and then I fold. In that order. In fact, I’ve taken to folding laundry in Lorelei’s room as she plays. I’ve heard that if a child sees you doing household chores and doing them enthusiastically, they are more apt to do them. They also say that a baby’s age is like a sponge.
Lorelei, write this down:
“First, you take the article of clothing (I say with a huge fake grin on my face…I’m pretending I’m having loads of fun) and then you fold like so. See?”
She stares at me and then gives me a big toothy grin.
“Exactly. Here, you try.” – I say as I push the laundry basket towards her.
She looks at the laundry basket. Then at me. Then, back at the basket. I can see the wheels working. She reaches into the basket and holds up T-shirt.
“Good job!” I exclaim and clap my hands. “Yay!”
She drops the shirt and her hand goes back into the basket.
“Wait, Lorelei! You have to do this…watch (I say as I try to demonstrate this whole folding process once more).”
I look up. Half the basket is now empty. Wait…where’s Lorelei?
Oh.
There she is.
“Um, I just folded all of those, Lorelei!”
Crap. I didn’t teach her how to do laundry. I just taught her how to undo laundry.
Dang! -So now, who’s going to help me with all the laundry?
Well, dear. If anyone can pull off wearing 4 pairs of pants, 3 tops, and a hat all at once…it’s you.
Shampoo, Body Wash, and Cream Bath Products
Product: Calendula Cream Bath
Brand: Weleda
Size: 6.8 oz
Price: $15.00
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Luxurious cream bath with the spicy aroma of calendula. Perfect for dry, patchy skin. Leaves skin feeling baby-soft, no matter its age. Our only complaint? The scent was a little strong at first, but became less intense after the first use (and opening of the bottle).
Product: Baby Wash
Brand: Nature’s Boundaries – Little Lamb
Size:
Price: $7.95
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Great baby wash with medium skin moisturizing effects. Lathers well and has a great scent – Vanilla with a subtle note of mandarin.
Product: Baby Wash
Brand: Nurture My Body
Size: 8.5 oz.
Price: $16.50
Rating: 9
Comments: Gentle gel with a pleasant geranium-lavender scent.
Product: Friendly Face Wash
Brand: TruKid
Size: 4 oz
Price: $8.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Great face wash, especially for older children. Light citrus scent and great cleansing, without stripping skin of all oils.
Product: Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash
Brand: Weleda
Size: 7.2 oz
Price: $10.00
Rating: 8.5
Comments: Same spicy aroma of calendula as the rest of the Weleda baby products. This product was a good shampoo/body wash and was slightly moisturizing.
Product: Shampoo and Body Wash
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 8 oz or 16 oz
Price: $9.95 or $17.95
Rating: 8
Comments: Comes in Lavender & Chamomile or Vanilla Tangerine scents. Cream-based shampoo/body wash and suds well.
Product: Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Brand: Earth Mama Angel Baby
Size: 5.3 oz
Price: $12.95
Rating: 8
Comments: Foaming shampoo/wash with a subtle citrus (orange) scent. Great for scrubbing clean a dirty baby. This is not a moisturizing cleanser, it seemed to strip the oils off of skin.
Product: La La Baby Wash and Shampoo
Brand: Mama Rose’s Naturals
Size: 6.5 oz
Price: $9.00
Rating: 7.5
Comments: Thinner consistency with little to no scent. Great for skin in good condition that need no extra moisturizing and for noses sensitive to scented products.
Product: Baby Shampoo
Brand: Nurture My Body
Size: 8.5 oz
Price: $16.50
Rating: 7
Comments: Delicate baby shampoo. Scented with marshmallow root and roman chamomile essential oil.
Baby Bar Soaps
Product: Unscented Soothing Soap
Brand: Emily Skin Soothers
Size: 4 oz
Price: $6.00
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Great lather, very moisturizing, and unscented.
Product: Bubbly Body Bar
Brand: TruKid
Size: 4 oz
Price: $6.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Great lather, unscented.
Product: Lavender Meadow Soap
Brand: Mountain Girl Botanics
Size: 5.5oz
Price: $6.49
Rating: 7.5
Comments: Great lather with a lavender scent.
Product: Oh! Baby Soap – Calendula Castile
Brand: Oh! Baby by Creating Harmony LLC
Size:
Price: $6.00
Rating: 7
Comments: Unscented, not a great lather.
Product: Baby Bar Soap
Brand: Nurture My Body
Size: 3.5 oz
Price: $5.97
Rating: 7
Comments: Unscented with slight lather.
Other (Bath)
Product: Angel Baby Bath Blossoms
Brand: Earth Mama Angel Baby
Size: 1.5 oz or 3 oz
Price: $7.95 or $12.95
Rating: 10
Comments: An organic herbal bath blend that is naturally comforting – great for fussy babies and/or a distressed mama. Smells wonderful, and soothes sensitive skin as it moisturizes. Comes with a muslin bag for steeping, which can double as a washcloth. Perfect.
Product: Comfort Bath Oil
Brand: Demeter (Eco Beauty Organics)
Size: 3.5 oz
Price: $34.00
Rating: 9
Comments: A lightly scented oil for the bath. Easy to use and great for relaxation and tummy troubles. Another great resource for colicky babies.
Product: Conditioner & Detangler
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 8 oz and 16 oz
Price: $10.95 and $17.95
Rating: 7.5
Comments: Comes in Lavender Chamomile or Vanilla Tangerine. Very thin but creamy consistency. Great for finer hair. Is good for light conditioning, and the consistency is also great for “leave in” conditioner. Can be used and either left in or rinsed out.
Baby Oils
Product: Organic Baby Oil – Mandarin Coconut (scent)
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 4 oz
Price: $10.95
Rating: 9.5
Comments: USDA organic. Vegan, Paraben, Nut, and Gluten Free. Hypo-allergenic. Great lightly scented oil for moisturizing delicate skin.
Product: Angel Baby Oil
Brand: Earth Mama Angel Baby
Size: 1 oz or 4 oz
Price: $5.95 or $12.95
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Oil made from good-for-you ingredients with little to no scent. Great moisturizing oil with no nut oils (so, no worries about about nut allergies). Perfect for sensitive skin.
Product: Birth & Baby Massage Oil
Brand: Mother Love
Size: 2 oz or 4 oz
Price: $8.50 or $14.95
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Little to no scent oil. USDA certified organic. Made with lavender flower and apricot oil. Great for perineal massage during labor or infant massage (because it has no essential oils).
Product: Organic Baby Oil
Brand: Nature’s Boundaries – Little Lamb
Size:
Price: $6.95
Rating: 9
Comments: Wonderfully (yet lightly) scented oil. Works great. However, does contain almond oil.
Product: Calendula Oil
Brand: Weleda
Size: 6.5 oz
Price: $13.00
Rating: 8.5
Comments: Little to no scent. However, does contain almond oil.
Lotions and Creams
Product: Calendula Baby Cream
Brand: Weleda
Size: 2.6 oz
Price: $10.00
Rating: 10
Comments: Lightly scented, Intensive (VERY heavy) cream for seriously dry skin. (Think: heavy cream ointments). Wonderful product for when regular lotions just won’t do the trick.
Product: Angel Baby Lotion
Brand: Earth Mama Angel Baby
Size: 8 oz
Price: $19.95
Rating: 9.5
Comments: lightweight, twist open/close pump, Light vanilla and orange scent. Think Orange Creamsicles. Mmmm…
Product: Organic Calendula Lotion
Brand: Nature’s Boundaries – Little Lamb
Size: 8.5 oz
Price: $9.95
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Great lotion with a medium consistency and wonderful scent with a hint of vanilla and mandarin. Great moisturizer without being too heavy.
Product: Lavender Meadow Body Mouse
Brand: Mountain Girl Botanics
Size: 4 oz
Price: $11.99
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Deeply moisturizing lavender scented body mouse. Feels great! Moisturizing and light all at once? Wow!
Product: Happy Face and Body Lotion
Brand: TruKid
Size: 4 oz
Price: $8.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Fruity scent. Lightweight. Non-greasy.
Product: Lullaby Lotion
Brand: Mama Rose’s Naturals
Size: 6.5 oz
Price: $10.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Thick non-greasy lotion with a lavender scent. Great product!
Product: Face and Body Moisturizer
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 8 oz
Price: $11.95
Rating: 9
Comments: “Fragrance free”, but not unscented. Very thick cream consistency. Scent: Rose. Good for really dry skin, may not be a good everyday moisturizer if your skin is not otherwise really dry.
Product: Calendula Cream
Brand: Demeter (Eco Beauty Organics)
Size: 1.8 oz
Price: $27.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Thick, lightly scented, but highly moisturizing calendula cream.
Product: Baby Lotion
Brand: Nurture My Body
Size: 8 oz
Price: $20.90
Rating: 8
Comments: Lightweight baby lotion with an orange citrus spice scent.
Product: Organic Baby Cream
Brand: Nature’s Boundaries – Little Lamb
Size: 2 oz
Price: $6.49
Rating: 8
Comments: “Cream” is in balm form (solid until you rub it or press it), but is thick all the same. Has the wonderful vanilla and mandarin scent. Great for moisturizing, but does feel a bit oily after applied (like shea butter).
Product: Calendula Lotion
Brand: Weleda
Size: 6.8 oz
Price: $12.00
Rating: 7
Comments: Spicy herbal scent. Thin consistency (like sunscreen), but a little sticky feeling afterwards.
Product: Cherish Your Baby Lotion
Brand: Cherish Your Baby by Green Valley Herbal Enterprises
Size: 5 oz
Price: $5.90
Rating: 6
Comments: Thick lotion with strong earthy scent.
First Aid/ Healing
Product: Sunny Days Face Stick
Brand: TruKid
Size: 0.6 oz
Price: $10.00
Rating: 10
Comments: Light, moisturzing, UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum SPF 30 mineral sunscreen for faces. In a tube. Great product, very convenient, and still that light citrus scent.
Product: Ah Choo! Chest Rub (Eucalyptus)
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 2 oz
Price: $10.95
Rating: 10
Comments: Great salve that helps relieve chest and sinus congestion. USDA certified organic and eucalyptus scented. Great product and I’d recommend it for your medicine cabinet.
Product: Children’s Cold & Flu Essential Oil
Brand: Aromatic Health
Size:
Price: $10.00
Rating: 10
Comments: A great mix of oils to help alleviate colds and the flu the “natural” way. Use this mixture in a bath, massage, or simple inhalation.
Product: Organic Soothing Stick
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: .63 oz
Price: $9.95
Rating: 9.5
Comments: GREAT product! Wonderful for rashes, burns, cuts and scrapes, bug bites, and anything else you could think of. It’s a first aid kit in a stick! Keeps fingers clean, and is packaged perfectly for travel.
Product: Sunny Days Mineral Sun Screen
Brand: TruKid
Size: 4 oz
Price: $14.00
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Love this mineral sunscreen (UVA/UVB broad spectrum with an SPF of 30). It’s light, wonderful, and has a pleasant fruity scent. – Which is great because what good is sunscreen if you can’t get the little ones to apply it?
Product: Soothing Salve
Brand: Emily Skin Soothers
Size:
Price: $14.00
Rating: 9.5
Comments: Works great, wonderful for any skin irritations. Works great for itchy skin, as well. Very earthy smell.
Product: Hero Stick
Brand: TruKid
Size: 0.6
Price: $10.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Great for rashes, cuts, burns, scrapes, bug bites. It’s like a first-aid kit in a stick form! Easy to carry in a purse or bag, and no mess for fingers.
Product: Peaceful Baby (colic or teething)
Brand: Mama Rose’s Naturals
Size: 1 oz dropper bottle
Price:$12.00
Rating: 9
Comments: A great alternative to some of the other mainstream drops for colic and teething. And, alcohol-free.
Product: Joy’s Special Blend Tea
Brand: Cherish Your Baby
Size: 18 bags per package
Price: $4.20
Rating: 9
Comments: Herbal tea made from mint, lemon verbena, nettle, and chamomile.
Product: Spiffy Spearmint Lip Balm
Brand: TruKid
Size: 0.15 oz
Price: $3.50
Rating: 8.5
Comments: Moisturizing with a light spearmint scent and slight “sweet” taste. Great to get children to wear lip balm. No menthol for kids.
Product: Aromatherapy Calming Spray in Lovely Lavender
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 4 oz
Price: $8.95
Rating: 8
Comments: Softly scented “lavender” spray to be used on linens or wherever to help calm baby. Both the spray and the scent are light. However, if you are looking for a true lavender scent (and, lavender alone), you may be disappointed.
Diaper Care (deodorizers, diaper rash cream, etc)
Product: Diaper Rash Salve
Brand: Mother Love
Size: 1 oz
Price: $9.50
Rating: 10
Comments: light – no scent. Great salve, and works great! Can even be used for rashes possibly caused by yeast.
Product: Love That Baby Bum Bum Balm
Brand: Sunflower Hill
Size:
Price: $7.95
Rating: 10
Comments: Balm with a very light, fresh scent.
Product: Sunshine Spray
Brand: Mama Rose’s Naturals
Size: 4 oz
Price: $12.00
Rating: 9.5
Comments: This sunshine spray is unbelievable! Spray on a soft cloth to use when changing baby (as a wipe), spray on diapers to help deodorize, spray on linens, in the air, use on irritated skin (including minor cuts, burns, bites, etc). It really is for everything! Wonderful product – I’d love to see it with more choices for scents.
Product: Diaper Cream
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 4 oz
Price: $11.95
Rating: 9
Comments: Great diaper cream. Goes on well, isn’t hard to remove and helps with rashes.
Product: Silky Dusting Powder
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 4 oz
Price: $9.95
Rating: 9
Comments: This powder was lightweight and had a rose chamomile scent.
Product: Bottom Salve
Brand: Cherish Your Baby
Size: 2 oz
Price: $5.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Salve with a light scent (combination of evening primrose, tea tree, lavender, and rosemary).
Product: Birth and Baby Spritzer
Brand: Mother Love
Size: 2 oz
Price: $8.50
Rating: 9
Comments: little to no scent spritzer. Great for refreshing baby, as a room spray, or for mom while in labor.
Product: Angel Baby Bottom Balm
Brand: Earth Mama Angel Baby
Size: 2 oz
Price: $14.95
Rating: 9
Comments: Works wonderfully for rashes (including diaper rashes), cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites. A little greasy but goes on smoothly and helps to quickly clear up skin. Tea tree oil scented.
Product: Stardust Baby Powder
Brand: Mama Rose’s Naturals
Size: 4 oz
Price: $9.00
Rating: 9
Comments: A light powder with arrowroot and baking soda base with a light and pleasant scent.
Product: Baby Nappy Balm
Brand: Demeter (Eco Beauty Organics)
Size: 3.5 oz
Price: $30.00
Rating: 9
Comments: Lightly (fresh) scented tub of “balm” for baby’s bottom. It’s like a cream and balm all in one. It looks creamy, but goes on smoothly and evenly like a balm.
Product: Oh! Baby Petroleum Free Diaper Balm
Brand: Oh! Baby by Creating Harmony LLC
Size: 2.5 oz
Price: $9.00
Rating: 8.5
Comments: Diaper balm with an earthy scent and a creamy texture. Great for bottoms that need a little extra loving and more moisture.
Product: PU All Purpose Deodorizer
Brand: Nature’s Baby Organics
Size: 4 oz
Price: $11.95
Rating: 8
Comments: Lavender Chamomile or Vanilla Tangerine scented. Works great, removes smell and leaves a light scent. -Great for nursery, bathroom, or anywhere else that needs some odor control.
Product: Magic Touch Baby Balm
Brand: Mama Rose’s Naturals
Size: 2 oz
Price: $12.00
Rating: 8
Comments: Diaper Rash Salve with an earthy scent.
Product: Mountain Baby Butt Balm
Brand: Mountain Girl Botanics
Size: 4oz
Price: $15.99
Rating: 8
Comments: Salve with an earthy scent. Easy to remove from baby’s bottom (it just soaks in, no residue). Would have received higher rating if unscented or had a more pleasant scent.
Product: Calendula Diaper Care
Brand: Weleda
Size: 2.8 oz
Price: $10.00
Rating: 8
Comments: Cream diaper rash ointment in spicy Calendula scent.
Product: Linen Spray
Brand: Cherish Your Baby
Size: 2 oz.
Price: $4.00
Rating: 7.5
Comments: VERY strong lavender scent. Could be great if diluted a bit.
Product: Hemp Bum Butter
Brand: Aromatic Health
Size: (30G)
Price: $12.00
Rating: 7
Comments: Product is balm based with a light earthy scent (not overpowering). Goes on smoothly. It comes in a tin with a loose lid (the type of container chosen, not defective), not good for traveling, purses, or bags.
Product: Powder
Brand: Cherish Your Baby
Size: 5.8 oz
Price: $6.50
Rating: 6
Comments: Scent – a combination of arrowroot, lavender, and tea tree oil. Nice consistency, but low marks for the scent.
We finally got our new flip video cameras, and have had a little bit to play with them. Here’s my video, us just being goofy:
Okay…I’m so going to copy on this one. Kim over at Jogging in Circles posted some pretty drool-worthy guys on her blog for her Thursday 13. And, I wanted to share a few of my…um…celebrity crushes.
These are the guys I drool over think are pretty darn sexy (try not to drool over your computer screen too much —Oh what do I care, it’s your computer!):
First up, Jensen Ackles. What dreams are made of, mine anyways. *sigh*
Patrick Dempsey. Yummy.
Justin Timberlake. Day-um.
Ryan Phillipe…..RAWR.
David Beckham
Brad Pitt
Chace Crawford
Justin Hartley
Eric Dane
Huang Xiao Ming
David Boreanaz
Josh Holloway
Timothy Daly
Woohoo! I reached 13! Okay, that was a bit harder than I thought. Anyways, I hereby declare all of these men eye-candy-worthy. So, ogle all you want. 
I’ve just sent out the e-vites for Lorelei’s 1st birthday party! Woohoo!
Now, everyone is starting to ask what she wants for her birthday…or what we want for her.
So, here’s a list.
She HAS 2-3 Riding toys, a ring stacker, lots of books and dvds and music- ranging from French to Spanish to sign language to good ol’ English, shape sorters, baby dolls, and LOTS more. She also has TONS of 12 Mos. clothing for spring/summer. So, for the most part, I’d love for her to either get things that can be used as she gets older and/or larger items (and we know that she’d get less of these since it’d mean multiple people going in on items, and that’s okay with us!)
Here we go (click on pictures to see more product info and how to buy these):
The classic pull along toy. I liked this one from Sevi. It’s made of wood, is cute, and very gender neutral. Approx. $20 (Click above) – Oompa
Water Wheel Play Station. Because it’s cool, and um…water. Lorelei {hearts} water. Approx. $30 (Click above) – Amazon
Swing. Approx. $23 (Click above) -Amazon
Approx. $22 (Click above) –You can find it at Toys R Us
Baby needs some shoes…or at least, cute little sandals. Approx $34 – See Kai Run (Click Above)
Okay. I love these “every day” shoes. And, I take back what I said about velcro being for “old man van shoes” (the two strapped velcro reminds me of old fat bald men who drive the ugly square-ish vans) just this ONCE. I do like these. Alot. And Lorelei would like them too. $36 – See Kai Run (Click Photo)
How could you not love these? Seriously. $36. – See Kai Run (Click Photo)
Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy by SwimWays. For the pool. (Click Above). Approx $19 – Amazon
InStep Quick N EZ Bike Trailer (Gold/Gray/Black). (Click Photo) Approx $87 – Amazon…So we can go on bike rides. And get skinny. 
Melissa and Doug 3 Little Pigs Soft Toy (Click Photo). Approx $15
Approx $21. For playing on the beach (lake). (Click photo)… Any baby lounger with built in umbrella would do though
A trike with a handle (for us to push). (Click photo). This one is approx $160. ALTHOUGH, you can find MUCH cheaper ones that are very similar (trike with handle) LIKE at Learning Railroad for *cough* $60 *cough* on our *cough* registry.
I know I write (a lot lately) and poke fun at my husband. But husband, I swear I do love you (I do love him!). And, I say it all in fun.
I might even let you in the door if you did show up without the hammer. Maybe.
But, I wanted to dedicate this to you:
I still hate Stevie Wonder’s music, and listening to it really does make me want to claw my eyeballs out and my ears bleed. Still. But, I know you love it. So, this is for you.I love you.
Ashley
Interesting. That’s been my day so far.
I think I’ve decided to switch from cloth diapering half-time…to 97% of the time. I woke up again this morning to baby L’s diaper (disposable) off. And, get this – de-fluffed. Remember all of those bad chemicals I mentioned before? Yeh, they were all over her and her bed.
I didn’t stop to get the camera. I whisked her off to the bathtub. And, after I got HER clean (my top priority), I put a CLOTH DIAPER on her (because they won’t poison my sweet child…or defluff into the bedsheets) and then tackled the dirty mess. Actually, there was no tackling. I was trying my best not to touch it by picking up the fluff with a plastic bag and then only touching dry edges of the sheets. Threw it all into the hot water in the washing machine I’d just run…and there we go.
As I was waiting, I figured I’d try and put together Lorelei’s (early) birthday presents from her Mimi and Gramps : a shelf from Lowes. All I needed was hammer and screwdriver. Everything else was included. Easy enough. I have both.
So, I put baby L into her play pen and sat outside of it so we could chatter back and forth. Opened the box, and began pulling things out. Check, check, check. It’s all here. Scanned the directions. Looks easy enough. Project time: 20 minutes. Perfect.
Glory, our stupid little dog, was going nuts with all of her yapping. Which, was making me nuts. So, I got up to ring her neck…um…I mean…figure out what she wanted. (Which was not to be held…by her neck). I decided while I was in the kitchen, I’d grab the screwdriver and hammer. I open the drawer. What? Where’s the crazy hammer that’s all bent? Where’s MY screwdriver with the magnetic heads? WTC?
I search a few places. Nothing.
So, I ransack Steven’s handy dandy tools. What the crap is this stuff? What the hell am I supposed to do with this? I found the handle. I found the little head. Now, how do I make them go together? After about 10 minutes, I decided to move on. I’m going to use his new Christmas tools – the ones he hasn’t even used yet. Screwdriver. Check.
Now…about that hammer…
I decide to do what I can without the hammer. I sit back down, get the boards situated and start screwing.
Lorlei starts screaming. It means “naptime.” And, the sheets aren’t dry yet. I re-situate the toys for her, and she’s happy again.
Ahhhh…. Thank God.
I go back to what I was doing, trying to figure out what the heck these little pieces here and there are for. I figure it out and am back to work. Oh oops. I was supposed to use the hammer for THAT. I unscrew the 2 screws I had so victoriously screwed in.
Laundry is finished. I take a “break” and go back to Lorelei’s room to redress the crib. I grab Lorelei and put her down for her nap. Phew. Okay good. Now I can work on this thing. It’ll be finished in time for Steven to come home and Lorelei to wake up. That will be perfect.
I remember that I need the hammer. I check the garage. Nope. Puzzled, I check a few more drawers. Nope. I call Steven…”Hey hon, what did you do with the hammer?” “Huh? Oh. I have no idea.” – he says. I’m about to ban him from ever touching anything in the house again, and then he says, “Oh. Here it is.” I freeze. Confused. “What? There? With you? At work?” My brain is unable to comprehend why he’d need a hammer for his WEB DESIGN job.
I picture him in a long black trenchcoat, storming into his boss’ office…with a hammer?
“Dear…why do you have the hammer…there.”
“Because I needed it.”
Oh. Well that just explains everything.
“Well, bring it home. And, don’t forget. In fact, don’t bother coming home tonight if the hammer isn’t with you.”
NEW PLAN:
Tonight, I will slam back a few shots of vodka, as STEVEN puts together the shelf for Lorelei, as I laugh at him and in his general direction.
Hammer at work. Pbbtt.
Oh…where to start?
Last night, I suddenly realized that I had an appointment marked down in 2 of my calendars (the one I carry in my purse and the one on my laptop), both were for the same appointment – just, different days. Go Ashley. Sunday night, everything is closed. Go Ashley. So, I wake up this morning WAY TOO EARLY and call as soon as they open (and they didn’t open on time). I found out the appointment was for today. What the heck – I scheduled an appointment for Monday? So, I roll out of bed…very very slowly…and sludge off to the bathroom to stand under the steaming hot downpour to take a shower.
The appointment was to see a therapist. Nah, I didn’t go off my rocker – there are just a few things that need working on in my life (who doesn’t have those?) And, I wanted an “expert’s ” opinion – preferably BEFORE I made any choices for the HUGE decisions that are now sitting in front of me, and figuring out “where to go from here” from this hand I’ve been dealt.
So, I went. Today.
And, it sucked. Bad.
Seriously, if I wanted to sit and talk to someone as they do nothing but take notes and nod, I’d have set up some stuffed animals. I mean, if all I want is to vent…I can scream into my pillow, use my art (or any other outlet), I can blog, or call any of my wonderful and great friends. What I WANTED was an expert to put my options in perspective for me and give me the usual “homework”. That’s what is SUPPOSED to happen. I’ve only had a few years of college in the subject, but even I KNOW this. GAW.
So, I talked. She listened. That’s ALL she did. I tried digging and I ended up feeling more like the therapist, but all she’d give me was open ended answers. “I can’t tell you that” and “The answer lies within”. Well you know what? BULL SHIT lady. Lucky for me, I didn’t pay $100/hr. I’m still short of the cash I did have to pay…and that’s a good 45 minutes I’ll never get back of my life (supposed to be an hour, but you can only listen to a talking magic 8 ball for so long).
She decided I don’t need any more “treatments.” Praise the Lord, I’m healed! I needed guidance. I received….silence…and a bill. Spiffy.
Afterwards, my lovely husband meets me to eat at one of my favorite restaurants (it’s only one of my faves because it actually has something non-greasy on the menu. You know…vegetables…without butter and tons of salt.) So, we eat and then we end up back at my SUV.
Time to say goodbye.
But, he wants me to come to his office with Baby L. Okay. Fine.
He tends to cut all over the place on roads I’m not very familiar with. So, I remind him as we leave “Make sure I can follow.”
He nods.
That’s about the last I see of him.
I manage to stay behind him for a few minutes. Then, he starts taking turns that if I were to follow him, it’d mean playing chicken with vehicles about 3x my SUVs size. I look back and the baby’s sleeping. Shit. Can’t wake her up. Guess I’ll wait.
Then, he’s gone.
Wonderful. I’m not in a good area of town. And, I’m not positive which way to go. If I turn the wrong way, I could meet some more “jiggas”… You know, the thugs. Last time I was in this part of town, I made the mistake of asking for directions…and a dude tried getting into my car. Lucky for him, he didn’t. He almost rode on my window back to town…but he decided to let go of my door. Lucky bastard.
So, by following nothing but intuition, I figure it out. Daddy would be so proud. I found his work. And, I drove right past. Should’ve waited for me butthead, Ashley’s NOT having a good day.
Now, I’m gonna crawl into bed and sleep (maybe, if it’s okay with Lorelei. If not, I guess I’ll do whatever she says.).
