GiST 26-28/365

1. Receiving last minute kisses from Harper, the Morkie, before I left her house for good. (I won’t lie, it made me a bit sad to leave her.)

2. Jack greeting me with fanfare, wags and kisses when I picked him up from my parents house.

3. Darling made us awesome roast beef/cheedar/lettuce sandwiches on toasted whole wheat bread for dinner on Friday night.

4. Lots of girl talk with Darling.

5. Present #1 from Irish: Twlight soundtrack.

6. Having lunch with Little Man’s mom on Saturday for more girl talk and catching up.

7. Little Man, who is 5 1/2 years old and much, much taller than when I last saw him, informing me that I should now call him “Big Man.”

8. Hugs from “Big Man.”

9. Wandering around the mall with J, one of my “newer,” friends, trying on fun fashions and finding a few good deals at Arden B (shocking!)

10. Present #2 from Irish: A Mexican cookbook. We are going to create our own Mexican delights at home! I’m really excited.

11. Present #3 from Irish: A Wii! (It lives at his house so he gets to play it more, but I’m still totally pumped. I love me some Wii boxing!)

12. Fat free taco/seven layer dip that I took to trivia night.

13. Spending Saturday night in a room full of 520 people for a Charity Trivia Night. My table was great: Irish and one of his fun co-workers, J & her fiance, Liz & her man, Darling, my brother & one of his friends. We didn’t win but we sure did have a lot of fun. (Special shoutout to Liz and her man for coming on such short notice and being valuable players. Liz knows her celebrity gossip and her man is a great sports know-it-all.)

14. Breakfast in bed on Sunday.

15. Not getting out of bed until 2pm. You read that right. I fell back asleep after breakfast and it was divine.

16. Playing with the Wii all day on Sunday.

17. Lots of laughs with Irish and my family during dinner at my parent’s house.

18. Returning to my apartment after living like a gypsy for weeks. It is nice to be home.

This is…what my reality show would be

Andhari chose the theme for this week’s “This Is…” and it’s definitely a good one: What would your reality show look like if you could design and star in your own show?

My ideas are:

* Information Technology Reality TV show. I know, I know, it sounds boring, but really it would be a lot like “The Office.” I work in a small place, less than 20 of us total and some of the things that go on and are said are positively ridiculous. I figure we could either angle it as a family business type show, working to take over the market slowly but surely or we could just be a comedy about how silly working in an office everyday can be, depending on how the end-all-be-all editors decide it should go.

* I’ve always wanted to start my own bakery. Mandy and I have joked about starting our own bakery together. How fun would that be? Perhaps a show chronicling friendship, business trials and tribulations and above all, baking. Think Ace of Cakes meets any sort of cooking show combined with Gilmore Girls type banter. (I assume Mandy and I would talk non-stop if we were in the same place.)

* Random Dating Show. If I were single and still in college I’d suggest something more like Real World meets Bachelorette, though my life was never quite that dramatic. I was voted most likely to be on a dating show in college thanks to my peers, and knowing how the dates and etc turned out, I bet the ratings would have been spectacular and the fans would have gotten a laugh out of it knowing they weren’t alone.

* The Normal Nanny Show. I’m a former nanny. If I had video cameras with me then, it would have been like a much nicer Jon & Kate Plus Eight kind of show. I used to nanny for a doctor and his wife: FOUR KIDS. 35 to 40 hours a week. They gave me a car, I stayed over some nights and basically I was a second mom. I had a blast, learned a lot and would love to do it again if I had the opportunity. Maybe America is ready for a nanny-reality show where the nanny doesn’t have to tell the parents how to treat their children, the mom and dad aren’t constantly crazed and running in circles but instead, about the nanny. What she learns with the kids, about herself, her future life and etc.

* Nora Travels. Let’s say I won the lottery. Then let’s also say that I decided to quit work for one year and travel the world with Irish. Mostly Europe, but I’d like to check out Russia, South America, New Zealand/Australia and more of Canada. In my head I’m combining some sort of “where to eat/what to see off the beaten path,” with National Geographic pictures and culture, plus the romance and etc that the Today Show travels seem to show.

* And lastly, I’d like to have a workout reality show. I love the idea of The Biggest Loser but what about those of us who just want to lose a few pounds, have a limited diet thanks to allergies and try to maintain a normal balanced life? We still struggle too! There has to be a reality show in that somewhere, right??

I don’t think I could handle cameras in my face all the time, and I certainly wouldn’t want them interfering with my sleep, alone time nor family/friend/Irish relationships which is why I’m leaving them out of all of the above ideas.

I think my three favorites would have to be the Bakery Start-Up, Nanny show or Nora Travels.

What would you want your reality TV show to be?

Facebook Much?

I use Facebook the way I think most people do: casual “stalking,” status updates, photo sharing and the occasional stay-in-touch with old friends things. It seems that as of late the “25 Things About You,” meme/post has been going around on FB. Rather than do it on Facebook where no one would read it, much less care, I thought I’d share 25 more random things about myself with the BlogWorld, with the friends that may really care.

1. I cry at the Kay Jeweler’s commercials. Doesn’t matter the time of year or the gift the girl receives, I get tears in my eyes each time.

2. This is the first year in four years I am NOT a Bridesmaid in any friends weddings. I have three (and counting) to attend but not a one requires me to stand at the altar. It’s refreshing and also slightly unnerving. I don’t quite know what to do with my extra time.

3. I worked in a BBQ restaurant for a year during my sophomore year in college. The coworkers were drug dealers and addicts and while I didn’t fall prey to their vices, I did find myself partying three or four times a week which lead to me giving up alcohol for Lent that year. I quit working at the restaurant shortly thereafter.

4. When I saw “The Ring,” I couldn’t look in a mirror for two weeks post-movie viewing.

5. I can’t go to the 20SB Meet-Up in June anymore due to work. It stinks.

6. Starting at age four I danced: ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary classes. I stopped my freshman year in college. If I could do it over again I never would have quit. I won’t say I regret it but I would certainly change it.

7. Ipledge a sorority for a month in college. I de-pledged when the sorority president told me I had to choose between the sorority and my grades. being pre-law at the time the decision was easy for me. School.

8. I am terrified of flying. I pray the entire time during take-off and landing.

9. In 2004 Darling & I took my Gram to London, England for her 80th Birthday/Girls’ Trip. We took a double-decker bus to the outskirts of town accidentally. It was one of the most glorious accidents I’ve ever been on.

10. TDH’s family owns a golf course. I have never golfed in my life. Frankly, I don’t think I want to.

11. In sixth grade my friend had a birthday party at a horse ranch. My horse decided to run wild off the path and through the forest. Insert fear of horses for several years after.

12. Also in sixth grade I managed to break my left ankle in three spots at sixth grade camp (a mandatory week at camp in my school district). I had to wear a cast the entire summer which ruined pool parties for me.

13. Amanda Peet really gets under my skin. No clue why.

14. I feel sexier when I’m tan.

15. I haven’t been to a beach in over 16 months and I’m craving it. I need the beach.

16. At any given time I have at least four different lip glosses in my purse plus two tubes of Burt’s Bees chapstick

17. I could tell you exactly what TDH was wearing on our first date.

18. My younger brother is 20 and we are finally growing closer. It makes me infinitely happy.

19. Killing insects makes me feel bad.

20. Taking the trash out to the dumpster is my least favorite household chore.

21. Thin Mints are my favorite Girl Scout cookie.

22. I was a nanny in college and at one point the mom accused me of stealing her husband’s iPod. It was the end of our business and personal relationship and it broke my heart to leave those kids but to accuse the person who spent 35 hours a week with her kids of taking an iPod? The money she paid me would have paid for several iPods in one month.

23. I can’t sleep at night when I’m in hotels, most especially if I’m alone.

24. I think the world would be a happier place if we had Christmas lights up year round.

25. Putting together a list of 25 random things about myself is much harder than I thought it would be.

Conversations with a not-so-Little-Man

I haven’t seen Little Man since his birthday party in July at which time he let me hold him in my lap, even though he as he pointed out he was five and much taller.

He started kindergarten in August and there are drastic differences. Here are some highlights of my conversations with my not-so-Little-Man. (Well, he’s not “mine,” but he’s pretty fantastic as far as kids go and I hope that I have one like him some day!!)

On my hair, which I recently dyed black
I noticed him staring intently at my head.
Nora: What’s wrong, buddy?
LM: Nothing, really.
Nora: Are you looking at my hair?
LM: Yes. It’s blue. I don’t know if I like it.
Nora: Well, okay then.

On how tall he is
Nora: LM, you have grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you!
LM: Really?
Nora: You bet! You’ll be as tall as your dad in no time.
LM (goes to stand in front of me): Look how tall I am! (stands in front of his dad) Daddy, I’m almost as tall as you!

On Hurricane Ike:
Nora: What do you know about Hurricane Ike?
LM: It damaged Texas all up. A road is ruined. A hotel is ruined… the Walden. The hurricane is going to be in Texas forever and ever and ever until the dinosaurs come back.
Nora: The dinosaurs are coming back???
LM: Yes, when humans don’t live, the dinosaurs will come back.
Nora: I didn’t know that. It’s good information to know.

On learning math at school:
Nora: What kind of math are you guys learning?
LM: Astronaut math!
Nora: No way, that sounds super cool. What is astronaut math?
LM: I do not know about that.
(Note: he used to just shrug but now I get complete sentences. Much cuter.)

On reading… to ME!
LM: I will read to you.
Nora: I am very excited. Please do! (I settle into his bed.)
LM: Are you ready to go home and go to bed?
Nora: Not really, but a nap would be great.
LM: If you fall alseep here I’ll have to wake you up and you’ll have to go home to your house to sleep. Okay?

On our bedtime tradition
Nora: Where is Puppy? He needs to give you kisses!
LM showed me where.
Nora: Here come Puppy Kisses!
LM, giggling: Puppy, stop it! Nora needs kisses, not me!
LM grabs Puppy and gives me kisses thus proving though the words he uses are bigger, that he’s got a better grasp on world events and he’s a good two inches taller, he’s still the same Little Man I started watching over three years ago.

Little Man and Cuddles

Last night I was fortunate enough to have a date… with Little Man, my favorite little boy to baby-sit in the world. Until last night I hadn’t visited him in about three months. Upon my arrival, I asked Little Man for a hug and he practically jumped up and into my arms, spying the books that I brought him as a present.

Little Man will be five in a few short months and will be celebrating by having a party at Chuck E. Cheese’s. Before I turned out his lights last night in his super-cool new room, he told me he’d add me to the list of people to invite.

There weren’t as many funny quotes this time, but it’s evident he’s very knowledgeable about new things such as:

* Recycling: Only plastic cotainers with a 1 or 2 on the bottom of them can go in the recycling bin.
* The snazzy new trash can: wave your hand over it, and it opens automatically so you can plop your trash into it.
* Satellite TV: he doesn’t necessarily know which channels he wants to watch but he navigate a Direct TV guide like nobody’s business.
* Star Wars Lego Video Game: he’s entered the phase of making very accurate kicking/punching/shooting sound with his mouth (something girls pretty much suck at) and can clearly describe who is who, why they are battling, what a “droid,” is and so much more that I’ll admit I’m still in the dark about.
* Brown Dog: for the last two years Brown Dog “kisses,” Aaron after books and quiet time. (Brown Dog kisses are facilitated by me, and Aaron just laughs and laughs. Seriously, little kid laughs are one of the coolest things.) Last night, Aaron had Brown Dog “kiss,” me. Totally corny sounding, but it made my night.

*******

I’m at the ‘rents house this weekend, plotting out where my furniture will go, what I need to start packing, tossing, etc etc and now that I have the running bug, I can’t stop. I headed out into the steamy, early summer StL heat for a ridiculously ambitious run and was rewarded on my way back by seeing the two little girls in my neighborhood that I watch from time to time. Despite my obvious sweaty appearance they both ran out onto the lawn and hugged me. The youngest one, Cuddles (nicknamed as such because until about a year ago she asked that you cuddle her until she fall asleep) couldn’t talk fast enough to tell me about her dance recital, summer school, plants, Disney Princesses and so much more. They know I’m moving home now and can’t wait for some fun outings and movie nights.

*******

If only being a nanny paid as much as my current job….

Closer to 27 Dresses

Wedding #5, which required two dresses, bringing me to dress #5 and #6 is complete. The weekend was a whirlwind and I have slept very little since Wednesday but Siri & Jas are married and in St. Lucia as I type.

I have many things to share that are both wedding & non-wedding related and need to find the time to get it written and posted.

I shall start with a few things I learned about Indian Culture over the last few days:

• Mehndi (aka henna tattoos) takes only a short amount of time to apply but for best results should stay on as long as you can stand it. You can’t use your hands as the paste (think chocolate icing combined with puff pant) needs to dry and sink into your skin. Applying lemon juice & sugar water keeps the paste on your hand and makes the color darker.
• Eating with your hands is expected. Siri’s mom mushed up my food and fed me while I had the mehndi drying. I tried hard to be respectful and grateful for this, but someone else’s fingers mashing up my food and putting it in my mouth didn’t jive so well for me. (Enter HB: he brought me a chocolate shake and held it so I could drink it. Very sweet).
• Mehndi started out as a way to protect yourself against germs. The plant root has many anti-bacterial properties and was applied to the hands and the feet when women worked outdoors in India. Now it is more of a ritual for fun and beauty. There are books and books of designs for the hands, arms, fingers, toes, and feet. It’s all very beautiful.
• Mehndi can last for seven to ten days, unless you use harsh chemicals
• Indian culture doesn’t allow the color black or white in sarees at weddings; white is worn for mourning  (rather than our traditional black) as it’s supposed to be calming and peaceful, working to bring the family and mourners to terms with the death.
• Indian wedding ceremonies vary in length depending on which Indian State you come from; they will last anywhere from ten to 2 hours.
• Indian women are constantly cooking and encouraging you to eat. Much like any Italian family I know, there is food… everywhere. All the time.

Conversations with Little Man: Part One

Little Man is almost five. I can sense the shift in his excitement when he sees me, how much he needs me as his babysitter and more…

Our dinner conversation:

LM: We wear uniforms!
Nora: Really? That sounds fun. Where do you wear uniforms?
LM: At school. Boys wear belts. Girls wear jumpers.
Nora: Do you like your uniform?
LM: Yes. My pants are golden. We have pockets. Girls have pockets too.
Nora: Very cool.
LM: My pockets are golden… (pause)… I don’t know what color the girls pockets are.
Nora: Golden pockets must be fun. (In my head: thank GOD you don’t know what color this girls’ pockets are.)

While playing a game of Sorry with all of my pawns still in the “start circle,”"

LM: I’m sorry you are still stuck in Start. Those are just the rules. Not my fault.
N: I know! It’s okay.

… a few minutes later I have pawns out on the board. He kicks my butt anyway.

N: Good job, LM! You won.
LM: That is not what you are supposed to say to me.
N: Oh, I’m sorry. What do your parents say?
LM: Daddy says “Good Game, LM!” and then he does this (LM high-fives me).
N: Okay, let’s try again… “Good Game, LM!” Now, should we play again?
LM: No.
N: I’ve never played before. Just one more game?
LM: okay. I go first though.

… this time I have my guys out of “Start,” first.

LM: I should have gotten my pawns on the board first. I won the last game.
N: I agree, but the cards are being difficult. Look! There you go, a card that gets your guys out.

… I proceed to win (not on purpose, I promise, as you know Sorry is a game of cards more than anything). LM gets up to walk away from the table.

N: Where are you going?
LM: I told you we shouldn’t have played another game.
N: Are you going to say anything to me?
LM (with his head down to the floor): Good Game, Nora.

(This is where I see his attitude shifting. Not bad, but definitely more grown-up, struggling with being a good sport. It was pretty darn cute, let me tell you.)

The one that didn’t change? Since I’ve been watching him for over two years (right, Little Man’s mom? At least that, I think) every time I tuck him into bed, I use one of his stuffed animals to give him kisses. I make the ridiculous, overzealous kissing noises as the stuffed animal showers his face with kisses. Little Man loves it. Laughs hysterically. I thought maybe this last time he wouldn’t want me to do it, so I didn’t… and he reminded me of it. Sometimes the best date a girl can have is getting her butt kicked in Sorry, taught the correct way to use a Lightsaber and getting a hug from a five-year old.