Thought I may take a stab at this blogging thing again. Maybe it will help with this looming "Blah!" hanging over my head. You may say it is the storm 12+ inches and still coming down. Possibly, I used to love snow it meant fun, snowshoeing, skiing, sledding etc. Now I have an 18 month old. I haven't skied in almost 3 years. I even have a brand new ski outfit I purchased when I didn't know I was pregnant with her. Hopefully it won't go out of style before it is worn. Snowshoeing, hardly, that takes time and my sweet husband is never around(January is the worst month for a self-employed, divorce/bankruptcy attorney). I just feel plain old blah. I don't want to put the effort into projects for the preschooler and toddler to do so, T.V. it is.
Now to make matters worse I just received notice that my 20 year high school reunion is this summer. Really?! 20 years? Great, now I feel blah and old. I know, I know, this too shall pass. It the words of Annie "The sun'll come out tomorrow... " Or will it? This is winter in Utah.
My husband, ever the attorney. Not much for spontaneity these days and that's ok.
I glance over from my perch on the sofa and what do I see? He and the Menace are working on a sketch/plan of the snowman they plan to build tomorrow. Pretty stinking cute.
We are dabbling a bit in the art of potty training. Of course we aren't having great success, but we aren't pushing the issue at this point. The Menace is not quite aware when he needs to tinkle. Yet, he definitely know he when he needs to poop. He will be playing then suddenly says, "I need to hide. I gotta go to poo corner." Delmar and I decided we will beat him to the punch and put his potty in poo corner. He is not so sure about our idea. Nonetheless I did my best not to laugh. I found the situation all too funny.
Yes, I had to sit there and read books. He wouldn't have anything to do with it otherwise.
Now doesn't this tale make you think of the "sweet" Kenny Loggins song: "Pooh Corner". Every time the Menace announces his location the annoying song runs through my head.
My sister came to visit a few days ago. Let's call her "Trixy". While The Menace was showing Trixy some of his toys he paused, looked at her with a serious look, and the following conversation began:
Menace: Trixy you don't have a pee pee right?
Trixy: (trying to keep a straight face) No, your right. I'm a girl. I don't have a pee pee.
Menace: Well, you need to get one.
Trixy: Where do I get one?
Menace: (in a matter of fact tone) You get it from the pee pee box.
Trixy: Where do I find the pee pee box?
Menace: From the Pee Pee Store!
Trixy: Oh, well how would I put it on.
Menace: You just use scissors.
I sent them out to build a snowman.
Needless to say, I think I need to hide the scissors. 
My little Menace loves trains. When I say loves trains I don't mean he just likes to play with "Choo-Choo's" as many toddlers might say. He knows many different types and styles of trains. He can name almost every Thomas and Friends train available. He really loves trains.
Today we decided we must do something as our trip to the Arches failed. Trip to the arches you say? I never told you about the trip? Well, that trip was just too much drama to even bother posting. Just imagine endless drama and we'll move on.
Anywho, we decide to travel north to a local train museum. We showed the Menace a few photos online and he was committed. Before leaving we decided to call Delmar's mother to join us. She grew up in a small train town and was raised by a train engineer step-grandfather. She showed up early for our departure time. This fact is important as to understand her excitement, she is not the arrive early type. This little adventure did not disappoint. Before we could even park the car the Menace had spotted the engines parked outside and was shouting for joy. We spent over 2 hours at the joint and the Menace still didn't want to leave. It was fantastic. Aside from the Menace and his joy it was nice to see the nostalgia in my mother-in-law's face. We don't spend a great deal of quality time together and this trip will be logged into our memories forever.
I believe things happen for a reason. I have no doubt our planned adventures failed in part to give us this "Traintastic" opportunity.
(Don't mock the made up word I hear it daily on a Menace train cartoon)
Oh, we have had quite the week.
I'll begin with nice news. We are finally approved and on the adoption list. Now we must wait for a birth mother to pick us. Some people say that is the worst part. For me it feels like it will be better than all the paperwork and waiting for the caseworker to get on the ball. I might change my tune after a bit. I don't think so. I have done all I can do for now and that is good for me.
Now for the interesting stuff. Delmar, The Menace and I decided to take a little 2 day jaunt to the mountainous town we live by. We loaded up and just needed to make one quick stop in the big city on the way for Delmar to drop off some legal paperwork to an opposing attorney. That quick stop turned into a nightmare. Literally.
True to his word Delmar dropped the papers off quickly and was back in the car in less than 5 minutes. As he re-entered the automobile we notice commotion just to the passenger side of our vehicle. Two guys look as if they are goofing around. But, they are not goofing. One has a knife and slashes the throat of the other. The slashed throat guy (who is a drunk street dweller) stands there screaming at the other who has run off. Blood is spraying from his mouth as he shouts while more blood is spurting from his neck with every heartbeat. Now blood doesn't usually bother me. This event however leaves me completely ready to vomit.
Delmar calls 911 and is giving details. The slashed throat guy still screaming punches another guy who tries to help and stop the bleeding. Punched guy nearly slams into my automobile. Police begin to arrive. Delmar exits the car to give 911 further details. I pull out of the parking stall to get The Menace away from the events (thankfully he fell asleep on the drive to the big city) and avoid getting trapped in by the arriving emergency vehicles.
Just wait it gets better. Delmar is detained by the authorities because as slashed throat guy is transported he is believed to be near death by paramedics. Delmar must now give a second report to homicide detectives as they believe it will now be a murder. I am stuck driving around town and trying to keep The Menace from screaming for over 2 hours. Delmar is not allowed to leave the watchful eye of the officers even to pick up his wallet from me so he might ride public transportation home as our vacation is beginning to look dismal. Some adventure huh?
We were finally able to retrieve Delmar from the authorities after 10 p.m. We made it to our vacation and into our hotel beds by 12:30 a.m. Our 2 day getaway was quickly dwindled to 1. We did our best to make the most of that one. I think that we now need/deserve another vacation??
Last we heard slashed throat guy was on the mend and will be back on the street in no time. Not sure though. Here is the news report in case you don't believe me.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=11381957
The Menace loves the song "Jingle Bells". When I say loves I mean loves. He always wants to sing it. Around the end of March I'd had my fill with "Jingle Bells". I told him he couldn't sing it until we had a lot of snow again and it was Christmas time. This morning he looks out the window and notices the 2 inches on the lawn (note: it is May 24th). He shouts out "SOWN". yes he puts the n in the wrong spot. Before I know it he is singing: "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All Way. Oh Good fun it is to ride in a horse sleigh, Hey!" What do you do? He followed my directions and waited until it was snowing again, he has no clue when Christmas time is. I am beginning to doubt if I do either.
