TT - 13 things my daughter has with her in bed

I'm writing this week's list on my laptop while I sit on the floor next to my daughter's bed as she falls asleep, so a list of all the stuff she has in there with her seemed like the obvious choice. Beyond the standard blankets and regular pillow she is snuggled up with:

1. A hot pink Tweety Bird pillow
2. A large turquoise and purple fish pillow
3. A red elephant handmade by someone from the local senior citizens' day center that we bought at last year's children's after-school activities fair
4. A purple beanie baby named Benter (no, I have no idea why Benter either. It's not a Hebrew name.)
5. Mommy Bear - a white bear wearing a ballerina costume complete with pink tutu
6. Idan Bear - a small light brown teddy bear, the brother of the family. He used to have a plaid bow-tie but it's long gone
7. Daddy Bear - a medium-sized dark brown teddy bear
8. A Pink Elephant
9. The Swissair Dog (a stuffed dog wearing a Swissair shirt - a gift from a traveling friend)
10. A small Scooby-Doo. This one used to be her brother's, and is the very last present my grandfather picked out himself for his great-grandson.
11. A blue and white bunny with a rattle inside. Also inherited from her brother (who never really played with stuffed animals).
12. A small dalmatian - this one is a really cheap shlocky carnival midway-quality one. I have no idea where it came from, but she won't give it up.
13. A small plush doll in Native Alaskan costume that my parents sent from Alaska.

There are probably a few others in there that I've forgotten about too. It's a wonder that she can even fit in the bed with all of them.

Hang on, she just fell asleep! I'm outta here!! Zooooooom!!!

Happy Thursday Thirteen everyone.

Where is Thumbkin?

My daughter really dislikes getting her fingernails trimmed. None of the usual song and dance routines worked, she still fought it every time. In desperation one day I decided to try singing a new song and from some under-utilized recess of my mind I called up the lyrics to Where is Thumbkin. And what do you know, it worked! She really liked the fact that each finger got its own verse. By the second time we did it, she was singing along, and when she realized that I'd been cutting faster than I was singing she made me go back to be sure no finger's verse was skipped.

A little thing, but it worked.

Visit Rocks In My Dryer for more good tips, and while you're at it check out the craziness going on over at Bloggy Giveaways - there are more than 600 different bloggers participating in this round of the carnival with an unbelievable assorted of stuff on offer! You can find my tea set giveaway here.

Holy Major Storm Batman

I braved the pouring rain this morning to stick my head out onto the roof (patio - it's a penthouse) to make sure everything was alright. Lucky thing I did, too, since I found that the drain had become totally blocked with leaves and debris and the roof was starting to flood! I quickly took off my shoes and socks (no, I don't own a pair of boots and I didn't want to wreck a good pair of shoes), rolled up my jeans, threw on a jacket and headed out to stand in two inches of icy cold water to clear the drain. (Did I mention it was pouring rain at the time?)

This is the drain guard. Poor thing just couldn't stand up to the sheer quantities of leaves that blew down in the storm. (We had a much bigger flooding problem before we got this, but it can only do so much before it too gets blocked.)

I finally got that sorted out and was about to head back in before my toes got frostbite, when I glanced at the other end of the roof and saw this:

Do you have any idea how heavy a palm tree is? I couldn't pick that thing back up to save my life. It's still sitting there perched on, and probably breaking, my clementine tree. Once Jay gets home tonight I'll have to send him out there.

Oh, and did I mention that the ceiling in the downstairs bathroom is leaking from somewhere, either my roof (which will need to be fixed at my expense) or somewhere on the common roof (not expensive but a real pita to get identified and fixed)?

Anyone have a big mug of mulled whine wine they'd like to share?

Tea for Two - Giveaway Days are Here Again

This is a sticky post and will remain here on top until February 3.

Please scroll down for new content.

It's time for another one of Shannon's great Bloggy Giveaways. I had a great time giving away a few items for breastfeeding moms last time, and even won some adorable zipper pulls for my kids. I'm really excited to be a part of the fun again, and just wait until you see what I'm giving away this time - a gorgeous floral pattern porcelain tea set for two! Perfect for sharing a quiet moment with a friend or for pampering yourself when you need a quick pick me up.

The set includes two mugs, each with a removable strainer, two lids (for keeping that tea nice and hot while it steeps, or if you're anything like me for keeping it hot while you put another load into the washing machine, do the dishes, answer the phone and remind your children that jumping on the couch is not allowed...) and two porcelain spoons. Here, see for yourselves:



I don't know about you, but I feel more relaxed just looking at them.

To enter, leave me a comment telling me your favorite hot drink, and remember to leave me a way to contact you if you win. And while you're here, why don't you help yourself to a fresh cup of tea or coffee and take a look around.

This giveaway is international and open to everyone.

The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, February 3.

Miscellanea

Otherwise known as a post in bullet form...

• Sunday is the start of our work week here in Israel.
• We work from Sunday to Thursday.
• Schools and stores are open a half-day on Fridays, but most adults now have Fridays off
• Giving them, but not their children, a two-day weekend.
• Many parents use that time to run errands.
• Since I work part-time from home, I try to do my errands during the week when it's less crowded.
• My husband and I like to go out to a cafe for breakfast on Friday mornings (another popular use of the time).
• My little suburban city boasts a disproportionately high number of good cafes.
• There are 4 within walking distance.
• There used to be 5, but one has now turned into a generic, mass market Italian place. Blech.
• It is supposed to be COLD and stormy most of this week.
• By the end of the week, it is supposed to get down into the high 30's (low single digits Celsius) by the end of the week - unheard of in Tel Aviv!
• I've had enough of winter already.
• Bring on spring.
• My house is a tip.
• And I have about 4 loads of laundry to do today.
• I also need to get to the gym.
• And work.
• Which means I really need to stop writing this inane list of miscellanea and get cracking.
• Bye.

The object of my desire

There it is. Right there. Can you see it? No, of course you can't. I've hidden it away from prying eyes. Up there. On the top shelf. Behind the baking supplies. And the onion chopper. And the bamboo steamers. In a paper bag. A plain one, not the sort to attract any attention. Move along now, nothing happening here. No reason to linger. That's right, move along now.

But I know it's there. Waiting. Calling to me. A siren song for my ears alone. I have to be strong. To keep the secret. To be caught would mean the end of my dreams. My heart's desire taken from me. Scattered among the masses. Unappreciated. Wasted.

It was hand-carried across the ocean. Meant to be shared, but no. I know that it's true destiny lies with me, with me alone. It is much too precious to waste on those who cannot see its beauty. Feel its magic. Once there were many, but they were squandered by unrestrained lust. This is the only one. The last of its kind. It calls to me from the darkness.

Soon.

Soon it will be night. Everyone will be asleep. Then I will creep stealthily into the kitchen and climb up on the stepladder. There will be no witnesses as I finally succumb to my heart's desire. I have to have it. To possess it. To devour it. To make it one with my whole being.

The very last peppermint patty.

Oh god it was good.


Visit Writers Island to read more about desire.