My hobby

(Scroll down to see the other post you missed too!)

Per request from Tiff--some of my favorite scrapbook pages!! It's my favorite hobby, but unfortunately one that I haven't figured out a way to make much time for! The problem is that I love scrapbooking with a partner, not a big fan by myself! So I don't find a lot of time to just do a page or two. If you live near me and want to scrapbook, I'm always up for it though!

All about me....

I have to catch up with 2 posts today since I didn't post yesterday! So much for my birthday week challenge!

So, to top the icing on the cake with my weird stories this week--here's another one that happened yesterday. (Seriously people, censor your speech!!!!!)

My name: Ehlan
Origin: Native American. (which I am no more than about a pinkie nails worth) My parents claim they found it in a book. I don't believe them.
Meaning: Friend
Pronounciation: A-Lawn...I tell people it's like the grass in front of their house.
Mispronounciations I frequently get: Ellen, Alen, Alan (seriously?), Elaine, Eelen, Elan

Story from yesterday: I went to valvoline to get my oil changed...for those of you who live in my town, I do not particularly like Valvoline. First, it's near Walmart, which I can't handle...and I think that the employees at Valvoline are just a little much for me to handle some days...don't talk to me, just change my oil please. :) (I really am a friendly person, just don't always enjoy small talk during chores) Anyway....
So the guy scans my number, and says "Thompson?" Me: Yes. Him: How do you pronounce your first name? Me: A-lawn
Him: Huh, that's a weird name.

Yeah.

The strange but true...

Why do people feel the need to say weird things to me? I shared the story a while back about my neighbor who said I was chunky for a while (sigh)... Then there was the time I was at the grocery store and amidst my FRUIT & VEGETABLES, MEAT, and DAIRY I bought pop-tarts and chips...the checkout girl said to me, "wow, lots of junk food huh?"....well, no, but thanks for pointing that out....

Or the time when I was pg with Olivia and I was on the treadmill at the gym, a lady probably in her 60's came up and sat on the treadmill next to me and just stared for a while...finally she said, "Um, does the baby like that?" Me: "Well I don't really know." Her: Doesn't it kick you? Me: Not right now...must be sleeping. Her: (I think I'll just sit and stare and this pg lady for another 10 min)...seriously. THEN THE SAME DAY: An employee of the gym came up and asked how far along I was... Me: 7 mos. Her: Oh, I'm pregnant too, but I'm only 4 months. Me: Oh, congratulations! Her: You can't tell I'm pregnant like you because I do pilates. Me:(OR BECAUSE YOU ARE 4 MONTHS PG AND I AM 7)....thanks lady.

Then there was today--it doesn't quite rank up there with the previous comments, but weird none the less....I was walking to my car in the clinic parking lot, pushing Olivia in her stroller. I was about to turn into "my lane" to get to my car when I car was turning in, I waved him on, but he waved me ahead so I started to go. A man's voice came from over my shoulder: "It's okay, you can trust him. He's a man."

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to go into a feminist rant about how I would much rather trust strange females than a strange male, or about how I did not appreciate his insinuation that men are better drivers than women, or about just please don't talk to me! But I didn't. I looked at him and gave a polite laugh. Then was irritated all the way to my car. But don't worry, He's a man!

Happy Blogiversary!

Today is the one year anniversary of my blog. Just thought you'd like to know!

I am alive!

I deeply apologize for my lack of blogging lately. I have so just NOT been in the blogging mode for whatever reason.

So, here's my blogging challenge for this coming week: Saturday the 21st is my birthday, so each day for the week leading up to my birthday I want to blog about ME! So tell me, what do you want to know about me? Past, present future...quirks whatever you want to know! Let me know so I can blog about it starting Saturday!

October 21

Hopefully none of you wish to make plans with me on October 21.

Because I am already busy.

What will I be doing, you ask?

Hmmmm......something truly FANTASTIC!!

Going to the New Kids on the Block concert with my friend Mara!


Seriously--it's pathetic how excited I am. :)

Nipples??

For those of you who don't know, I am a therapist who works with kids, adolescents, and families. I'm finishing up my licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist--hopefully within the next 9 months or so. I know what you are wondering...how do nipples fit in?

Well, in my office I have a lot of toys. Most of the toys have been passed down or collected by others and are in my office. I have a drawer FULL of barbie dolls. One day last week one of my little girl clients wanted to play with the barbies and, of course, undress & redress them. That's when I noticed it. One of the barbies had NIPPLES!!!!! WHAT!!! I mean, I think barbies are horrible enough--completely mysoginistic...although I totally love playing with them and will probably allow Olivia to play with them...but not without some serious feminist dialogue first. BUT NIPPLES!! That is absolutely outrageous. I tried to tell if the barbie was older or new, but couldn't. Maybe I'm just out of date with my barbie playing, and this is the latest thing, but I was outraged. I'm going to throw the barbie away.

Catch-up...ketchup...

I feel like this may have just been the longest, yet fastest, week of my life. First, I have zero motivation this week to get anything done. Great. I did manage to wash the floor today (amongst a few other things, but that was the big accomplishment). Now for the rest of the house...

Not too much to report in Olivia-ville. This past weekend she had the worst fall of her life when we were up at the cottage--all the way down the wooden staircase. It's a big staircase. She went all the way from the top, head over heels, to the bottom. I thought she was going to break her neck. It was horrible. Our friends, Sarah & Dave, Annika, and Sofie were visiting (although Dave and Ryan were out fishing) and unfortunately the ladies witnessed the whole thing. Poor Sarah felt so bad--and I sure wasn't much fun the rest of the evening! Reliving the moment and freaking out that my little Lula may have a concussion!! She's perfectly fine though, not even a bruise! Crazy!

Otherwise all is well in our little world!

Schedule?

Olivia has had a cold this week, one which I might add, she was generous to share with me! Thank you! :) Anyway, for the past 3 or so months she has been consistently taking one nap a day, usually around 9:30-10:30 (to lay down) in the morning and then she will sleep for 2-3 hours. Most naps have been closer to 3! It has been wonderful! Well, the past 2 weeks have been different--maybe because of popping a tooth last week and a cold this week, I don't know. It is so frustrating though, that just when you are really enjoying the schedule and getting to depend on it...she changes. Aaah!
This morning--very weird--by 8:00 she was crying "nigh-nigh"--I thought she was crazy, but indulged her and put her in her crib. She went right out! WHAT! It will be interesting to see how long she sleeps being that it was so early...although she was up at 5:45. Thanks a lot, cold.

:) Have a happy Memorial Weekend!

Excited much?

I was browsing through some pictures today and found this one of Olivia's cousins meeting her for the first time. Do you think they were excited?? (Raegan (back), Morgan, Maren)