Red Pencil Diaries

Last weekend went pretty well. Our cabin won first place in the decorating contest. Zack was the cutest Luke Skywalker… and he got to trick or treat (with our help, of course). There are pics of our weekend and our cabin in the photo gallery on this site.

Just about a week and a half until Zack turns 1. I just can’t believe it. This year has flown by. He’s already a little boy and not a baby anymore. With cute little teeth. And he can wave now and say “bye bye.” And he walks—fast. Almost runs. He climbs on everything. Carries things around. Plays so cute. Tries to talk. Smiles a lot. Cries some. Has a few frustrating fits. But overall, he’s always amazing me.

I went to the Y last night after not having gone for 5 days. I definitely feel it today. My legs even feel tired. But it’s a good feeling. I actually gained just over a pound last weekend. But was eating hot dogs and smores cooked over a campfire… bad…. I was so bad. I also dipped into the candy bucket a couple of times. I need to get myself back on track. So far, so good. Back to eating cereal in the morning, and not eating after 8 pm. And working out at least 3 days per week. I actually sort of missed going to the Y when I didn’t get to go.

Also, last week I went to visit my friend Stef. We went to a small town near Evansville and went to a few shops. We went to this one Home Consignment shop. I really think I would be good at something like that—running my own home consignment shop. I love housewares. I love setting things up. And I love consignment. I think it would do really well around here—I don’t know of one around here really. And I think with proper marketing/advertising, it would do really well. I could decorate it and set up “rooms” to show off furniture and stuff. Hmm…. I need to look into this more. My mind is already racing with ideas…

So our annual family Halloween outing is approaching. I tried to pack up a few Halloween things into a rubbermaid container, but every time I turn around, Zack has unpacked them—or packed some additional unnecessary items. I found his baby blanket and a baby brush in the box last time I went in with a load of stuff. sigh What will the terrible twos be like if he’s already like this now?

I’m nearly finished with his costume. I need to hem the sleeves of his tunic thing. I found him some tan kind of suede like chukka boots to wear—they will have to do. I’ve searched for boots for weeks now and found nothing.

And speak of the little devil, he just climbed into my lap smelling like a dumpster. So I must go change the stinkies. Ugh.

I love Halloween. I love dressing up and being someone I’m not. I love putting on makeup, funky clothes, maybe some scars, some blood, or a wig. But for the past couple of years, I’ve had no reason to dress up. So this year, I’m dressing up my son instead. I’m making him a Luke Skywalker costume. So far, so good. I even sewed him a stuffed “pillow” light saber. I can’t wait to see the whole thing put together on him. This weekend we’re going to the (sort of) annual family thing at the cabins at Jellystone. I’m starting to get excited. Halloween hasn’t been the same the past couple of years. We haven’t even decorated until this year. I drug out the boxes of decorations and hung a few things up this past weekend. I didn’t go all out and get out the lights or anything, but I think it looks kinda cool. I wanted Zack’s first Halloween to be sort of memorable. I’ve already taken a lot of pictures.

So we’ve been members at the YMCA for a few weeks now. I’m really starting to enjoy it. Even the soreness after. I went last night and spent a fair amount of time on the treadmill with it set on an incline and going at a really brisk pace. I was really sweaty—it was dripping off my face and down my back—and it felt good. Dave and I went on Tuesday evening and managed (despite it being kind of crowded) to get in several reps on different freemotion machines. The machine where you did squats was absolute torture. As was the abdominal one. But I keep imagining in my head how much better I will look after having done this for awhile. I do feel better now. I think I have more energy (most days). And I’m very happy that Dave is joining in with me and doing this.

This Sunday the new Target on Veteran’s Pkwy opens. I’m super excited. I know I may sound like a dork, but having to shop at that old, small, dark Target on Lewis & Clark Pkwy was depressing. They almost never have what I need. And it’s just not fun to wander around and peruse the isles for clearance treasures. We’re still wondering when the new Lowe’s across the street from it will open. And the Best Buy too.

Oh, and before I forget. Zack turned 11 months old yesterday. My baby is almost 1! Makes me want to cry. He’s just beautiful and amazing. My little miracle.

Zack doesn’t watch much TV. But he occasionally pays attention to Play With Me Sesame on Nogging. Most days, I turn on Noggin and the shows play and he stops every few minutes to watch, then moves on. But he’s liked the Elmo skits on Sesame for the past few weeks.

Today we were at Target. Dave decided to pick out a trick or treat bag for him. He held up several different bags and Zack pushed them away. But when he held up the big basket that was red and fuzzy with Elmo’s face on it, Zack grabbed it and hugged it. He carried it through the store babbling and singing to it and occasionally slobbering on it. So of course we bought it for him.

He also liked the Elmo party decorations I showed him on the back of a catalog the other day. So I think his first birthday party will be an Elmo party. I’m still considering locations for his party. I didn’t want to make too big of a deal about it. But now… it’s his FIRST birthday party. So I want it to be special.

Today Dave and I went to the YMCA. We took Zack into the child care area. I watched him through the window for a bit. He played so cute. Toddling and walking around the other kids. Picking up toys. Smacking on the small table. He was in there an hour while we worked out. I tried the eliptical machine today. And right now, my legs feel like Jello… and it’s been hours since we left the Y. Tomorrow, I’m gonna be sooooooore. But it’s a good kind of sore.