Napless

We've had some trouble over the past couple of days getting Relia a nap at the right time. Some of this has been sickness and some of it family scheduling. In any case, she's been off the right time. That has meant tough bedtimes.
We went grocery shopping late this morning and Relia fell asleep during the ten minute car ride. The FP Gal told me that she fell asleep while she was running errands a little bit after that. So we expected that she'd go down easily for a nap this afternoon.
Not even a little bit. Screams of bloody murder and pounding on the door. So we decided to let her just stay up and fight with me about watching football. We got the TV viewing figured out but it became clear that she was fighting tiredness.
After dinner she bounced back and forth between us in her usual fashion. She wanted graham crackers and medicine (child vitamin). Then she climbed up on me and settled down. She rested her head and a minute later she didn't respond to any of my questions. The poor thing was out.
I don't remember the last time she fell asleep on me on the couch. I don't think she has since she started walking. It was very sweet.

(Don't know if it was worth the fighting this afternoon...)

NaNoWriMo, well, no...

Nope, it didn't happen this year. I got to about 13,000 words before giving up. Just had too much trouble finding a rhythm and routine. Or a story that I liked. And a healthy enough patch early in the month. Let's just say that there were too many obstacles.
I feel kind of bad about this. I'm now 3 for 4, which isn't too bad. But once you break the string on something like this it's much harder to jump back on the horse and actually finish. I'm sure that next year, with an additional child will be easier somehow. Ha!
There are a few other ideas kicking around in my head. Maybe something else to kind of make up for this...

Thanksgiving, part 2

Today we had Thanksgiving dinner with the FP Gal's family. That meant that my lovely wife left our house at around 8a to help prepare the afternoon meal. Relia and I dealt with her absence with aplomb. I tried to get her a late morning nap as dinner was scheduled for the exact time of her usual afternoon one. Limited success.
The meal was very good. Due to continued overcoming of colds on Thursday, it was our first actual sit down Thanksgiving style dinner. During the planning process, the FP Gal and I requested extra stuffing. It's our favorite. Relia's favorite (without question) was the cranberries. She had to be bribed with it to eat other foods.
Now we're both stuffed. Relia still has room for cheese and crackers, of course. The ladies are sitting drowsily on the couch watching 'Toy Story' and barely staying awake. Life is good.

Another Pixar Question

Years from now when my children are older and stumble upon an episode of cheers, who will they associate with Cliff the mailman?

Have a Great Friday

Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for (the obvious stuff)...

• My wonderful wife and child(ren)
• The rest of my family. I wish I could spend more time with you.
• My circle of friends.
• The new technologies that make keeping in touch with all of the above easier.
• House, job, health and all of the other things that I take for granted on a day by day basis.

Also thankful for

• Cheap second-hand books.
• Easy access to movies.
• Football and baseball for nearly the whole calendar year.
• The patience of my wife who is understanding about the above point.
• My daughter's sense of humor and growing vocabulary.
  
• Bedtime.
• Yummy cheeseburgers.
• Two lovely kitties.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We're Feeling Better

Just an update from last night's post. Illness seems to have passed quickly and we're on the way!

Sick baby

Nothing too serious, just some throwing up. Still, it might cause us to cancel our trip to Austin tomorrow. Which would be a huge bummer.
There is a particular helplessness to having a sick child. She really can't communicate what's wrong. Just kind of holds her stomach and puts her hand near her mouth. If I remember my childhood, she's probably scared too. Poor thing.
We're hoping it's nice and short term. That would be very nice.

A Monday Picture

Flin Flon

Anyone have any idea what Flin Flon is? Is it...

• the most popular candy in Spain?
• the next hot wedding dress style?
• a hero to children everywhere who teaches teamwork and politeness?
• an obscure Chinese martial art whose time has finally come?

Actually no, it's none of those things. Flin Flon is a small Canadian town on the border between Manitoba and Saskatchewan. I mention this only because I ticketed some travel to there today. When I first saw the reservation, airport code YFO, I wondered if it was some weird joke destination. (True story, a few years back I ran across an airline created Test City code, FSG. For just a moment it felt like I could see the Matrix.)
And who, you may ask, flies to Flin Flon? Who else, Calm Air. Isn't that a peaceful airline name? (Much better than Fiery Plummet Air.) Speaking of airlines, there really is only one good choice for first time fliers. And speaking of small Canadian airlines with fun names, I've been told at work that I can't call Bearskin Airlines and ask if they have clothing optional flights.

(I'm not sure what the point of this post was. I had one when it started but . . . I seem to have lost it somehow. Anyway, you learned a new town name, isn't that exciting?)

Overheard

Relia: "Triangle, triangle, little star. I . . . wonder what you are. Triangle, triangle, little star."