My Girl is GROWING!

Today Ruby had another visit with our family doctor
& man is my girl GROWING LIKE A WEED!

Her current stats are:

Weight: 26 lbs
Height: 34"
Head Circumference: 18"

Now, according to the American Growth Charts, she falls into the following percentages:

Weight: 50%
Height: 75%
Head Cir: 12%

Man, we make some big babies here in the good ole' USA if that's where my little girl falls into!

Now, according to the CHINESE GROWTH CHARTS, her percentages are:

Weight: 90%
Height: 75%
Head Cir: 25%

I must say that I do find it odd that on BOTH charts, her height is in the same range of 75%.

She did so well today & was such a good girl that Momma treated her to a special treat at The Learning Express store. Check out her new little Microwave complete with 'beeping' buttons, rotating turntable and WORKING LIGHT!



hee hee My girl LOVES TO PUSH BUTTONS OF ANY KIND
(even her Momma's emotional ones from time to time)
so she was just THRILLED to PIECES to get this little number!



Momma loves you baby, even if you didn't nap at ALL TODAY & fell asleep for the night at 6pm. LOL

Let's hope she doesn't wake up at 3am raring to go... *fingers crossed*

Night Night Ruby, blow Momma kiss-kiss...

Awww thanks sweetie, Momma LOVES YOU SO MUCH!

World's BEST BIB EVER!

In all my years of being a Nanny (16 & counting...) there is ONE BIB that has always been my absolute FAVORITE!

BUMKINS SUPER BIBS


They're lightweight, easy to spot clean spills & they DRY SUPER FAST for 'SAME DAY USE' !!!

Cloth bibs get dirty & wet & then need to be machine washed, NOT THESE BAD BOYS!

And they're so super light, Ruby never even knows she's got one on... no tugging at it to yank it off etc.

Ruby & I give them 4 thumbs up!
hee hee

Practice makes perfect...

... BUT, practicing my JUMPING WITH NONNO
makes for some serious SILLIES!

hee hee

LET'S DO IT AGAIN NONNO!

ITALY 2006 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

AND THIS ITALIAN FAMILY COULD NOT BE PROUDER!!!

Left to right: Ruby's Nonno (my Dad), Ruby's Zio Adam (my younger brother) and Ruby's Zio Vito (My Uncle & father's younger brother...)
ps. Zio = Uncle in Italian.

Members of the Italy team pose with the World Cup Trophy after their World Cup 2006 final soccer match against France in Berlin July 9, 2006. Italy broke their penalty jinx, winning 5-3 on shootout over France for their fourth World Cup triumph after tying 1-1 in 120 minutes. (Xinhua photo)

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro lifts the World Cup Trophy after the World Cup 2006 final soccer match between Italy and France in Berlin July 9, 2006. Italy broke their penalty jinx, winning 5-3 on shootout over France for their fourth World Cup triumph after tying 1-1 in 120 minutes. (Xinhua photo)


BERLIN, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Italy broke their penalty jinx here on Sunday, winning 5-3 on shootout over France for their fourth World Cup triumph after tying 1-1 in 120 minutes.

It's the first world title for Azzurri in 24 years after they last lifted the trophy in 1982, though the Italian side entered Sunday's match with a formidable resume featuring three World Cup titles and five appearances in the final.

"I have to say thanks to the players. This is the most satisfying moment of my life," said Italian coach Marcello Lippi.

"I dedicate the victory to my family. The players have unlimited heart, character and personality. Winning the World Cup is the greatest satisfaction that any coach or footballer can ever feel."

"I've had the fortune to win the Champions League and lots of Serie A titles, but I've never felt anything like this," he added.

Being one of soccer's traditional powers since the tournament began in 1930, Italy only other stamped their superiority in the event's Stone Age of 1934 and 1938.

Sunday's game has been regarded as the best chance of the Italians to again put hands on the top glory of the soccer world after decades.

Azzurri made the semifinals on home soil in 1990, only being stopped by Argentina on penalties. Four years later they reached the final in the United States and lost to Brazil again on penalties.

At the 1998 World Cup finals, the penalty shootout duck continued to harass them as they advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to hosts and eventual winners France on penalties, again.

In 2002, Ahn Jung-hwan's golden goal sent Italy home after only the second round, although the defeat to South Korea was blamed on Ecuadorean referee Byron Moreno.

But in Sunday's final, the first all-European World Cup since 1982, the Italians faced down the penalty jinx with courage and skills, and they eventually made it.

Andrea Pirlo, Marco Materazzi, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Del Piero and gennaro Gattuso all converted their penalty past French keeper Fabien Barthez, while David Trezeguet turned out to be the one to blame for France's loss.

The veteran striker, 29, came as the second French player to the spot, driving the ball to hit the bar before it bouncing out of the goal line.

Les Bleus, overcoming a slow start and criticism of aging, has reached its second tournament final in three World Cups by playing soccer reminiscent of its 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships triumphs, carrying a more impressive list of victims Spain, Brazil and Portugal, comparing to Italy beating Australia, Ukraine and Germany.

Zinedine Zidane, who had lifted his team more than anybody, ruined his career at the final match before retiring from international football, committed a ugly sending-off in 20 minutes of the extra time on Sunday.

The Real Madrid midfielder clearly head-butted Italian left-back Marco Materazzi in the chest in 109 minutes.

Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo was finally notified why the Italians were furious and decided to flash Zidane a red card to reduce France to ten men, while Malouda was also booked for complaining.

Materazzi headed in an equalizer on 19 minutes to atone for giving away the 7th minute penalty, which gave France an earlier chance to open the scoring.

The Inter Milan left back jumped high to meet Andrea Pirlo's corner and powered a header beyond French goalie Fabein Barthez for the equalizer.

Earlier, Materazzi had clipped down Florent Malouda on the 6th minute and French skipper Zinedine Zidane was on the spot to convert it in the next minute to put France ahead.

I'm IT! *damn you Lee-Anne*

Ok, so I'm officially 'IT' having just been tagged nearly this very moment, LOL!
So, here goes nuttin:

7 things I would like to do before I die:

1. Watch Ruby grow up to be a happy, well adjusted & successful adult with a family of her own.
2. Be a size 10, just once.
3. Marry my soul mate.
4. Learn how to Sail Scott's boat.
5. Visit Ireland
6. See a cure found for MS
7. Become a published children's book author

7 things I CANNOT do:

1. Anything with heights, thanks but I'll pass
2. Wear a bikini
3. Bring back Ebenezer... *sigh* Sorry buddy, I SO WISH I COULD! =*(
4. Remember anything
5. Knit anything other than scarves & blankets
6. Eat funky stuff with eyes still on or heads attached ( that's ALL my father!)
7. Play Piano (maybe someday...)

7 things I CAN do:

1. Sculpt
2. Knit
3. Draw
4. Write
5. Drive a stick shift (automatics are for wussies!)
6. Make people laugh
7. Curl my tongue & roll my belly (like belly dancers do) and NO I won't show you!

7 things that attracted me to my boyfriend Scott:

1. His eyes
2. His smile
3. His laugh (we're always laughing together!)
4. His honesty
5. The way my hand fits perfectly in his
6. The way he makes me feel loved
7. The genuine way he cares for me unconditionally without reservation. (I'm extreemly lucky!)

7 things I say most often:

1. I love you Ruby
2. I miss you Ebenezer
3. I love you Scott
4. Helllllloooooooo!?!
5. Wicked Kewl
6. Ya know what I'm sayin'?
7. Not so much!

7 books I love:

1. Anything by Elizabeth Berg (check her out if you haven't, trust me you'll be HOOKED!)
2. Anything by Anita Shrieve
3. All the Harry Potter books
4. Room On The Broom (Ruby book)
5. Maisy books (Ruby books)
6. Every Eric Carle board book
7. I Love You Like Crazy Cakes

7 movies I love:

1. Failure to Launch
2. Animal House
3. Tommy boy
4. Stripes
5. So I Married an Axe Murderer
6. What About Bob
7. Dumb & Dumber

Ok, now I have to 'tag' 7 people... but I'd rather just tag EVERYONE, pick whichever list of these 7 things you like best & comment on them here & share with us ALL won't you? =)

One guess where I was tonight...?

THAT'S RIGHT PEOPLE, EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
THIS SINGLE MOMMA SAW THE IDOL CONCERT
WHICH MEANS I SAW ONE VERY SEXY,
VERY TALENTED,
VERY DELICIOUS,
CHRIS DAUGHTRY
IN ALL HIS BALD GLORY!!!!
*drool*

Excuze me while I go curl up & have some very sweet dreams!
hee hee

A Great Big THANK YOU to Ruby's Uncle Steve for getting the tickets for us, I LOVE YOU COUSIN!

And to Karen, I hope you were able to hear some Chris Daughtry's beautiful singing
via my cell call.
I'm not sure what, if anything, you heard but hope it was enough to weet your whistle!
*grin*
(Don't hate me because HE'S BEAUTIFUL!)
HEE HEE

BJ's NEWEST MEMBERS!

That's right, you're not seeing double... there's two heads in that photo.
I figure it's not every day that one gets their VERY FIRST BJ'S MEMBERSHIP CARD!
I mean, really- I've mooched off my mother's membership for YEARS
and Ruby & I thought it was high time we took matters into our own hands.

Now of course we could NOT be official members unless we were BOTH in the photo...

...AREN'T WE SO CUTE!?!?!!

(Check out Ruby's shades that she REFUSED to take off the ENTIRE time in the store!)
LOL

New Shoes!

Are these the CUTEST little shoes or WHAT???

Ruby has the exact same pair that her Nanna got her
during a recent trip to The Children's PLACE.

Ok, so you're probably wondering why a new pair of shoes that Ruby already owns?

I'll tell you why, because they're not for her, they're for her sweet friend GWEN!
That's right, these little numbers, along with a HUGE BOX full of "hand-me-up's"
will be on it's way to her shortly.

Surprises are fun, aren't they?

ENJOY THOSE SHOES GWEN!
(& Mommy, be sure to take a pic or two of her wearing them
and send em' our way, k?)

My newest indulgence...

OMG THESE Riesen ARE SO GODDAMNED GOOD, YOU MAY POSSIBLY DIE ON THE SPOT ONCE YOU POP ONE IN YOUR MOUTH!
*DROOL*

Captured moments from Nanna & Nonno's camera...

Scott got me this niffty new wagon and Nonno pulls me in it around the driveway!
IT'S SO MUCH FUN!!!


THANK YOU SCOTT FOR MY WONDERFUL WAGON!
I LOVE IT!!!

AND THANK YOU NONNO FOR ALWAYS PULLING ME AROUND SO FAST
& MAKING ME GIGGLE!


Nonno got a special sprinkler just my size... isn't it neat?

Thank you Nonno for always making sure our back yard is full of
FUN THINGS for me to play with!

TI AMO NONNO!

Tea for 3...

Exciting things are happening as we speak:



It seems as though an impromptu' visit from Mr.& Mrs. Spud
to see their good friend Bear is cause for celebration!


Bear suggested a fancy 'Tea' at this local joint he frequents, called: "Ruby's"
The decor is extreemly simple & sweet but the tea is to DIE FOR!


Blanket for 3 please...
Oooh, and if we're lucky, Miss Ruby HERSELF will serve us!

WHAT FUN!

Fourth of July a'float...

This is me enjoying myself on Scott's sailboat...

This is me snuggled up next to Scott, aren't we so CUTE TOGETHER??
hehehe...
(I make HIM look GOOD!)



... and now, the FIREWORKS:

Pretty funky, huh?

Hope you all had as much fun last night as I had... it was a magical night!

*grin*

Storytime...

... with a few close friends.

HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE!!!!

May you all enjoy a happy, healthy & safe holiday weekend!!!!

Love,

Ruby & Bear
(& Momma too)

Room on the Broom...

Ruby's current favorite 'before bed' read is:
Room On The Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

It's funny, most books she just wants me to flip through the pages for her & will almost never sit for the whole story... but this book? NO WAY! SHE SITS STILL THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THIS BAD BOY WITHOUT FAIL EVERY NIGHT! And the best part? The BOON at the end! *grin* (That's Moon for you non Ruby speaking folk...) hehehehe

I don't know what it is about this book, but my girl LOVES IT, and it's really a cute story too... not to mention that I do all the voices & have a fun routine when reading it, that never hurts. ;)

Tuesday Night CANCELLED Club...?

...Ok, CBS- what GIVES?
Tuesday Night Book Club was just YANKED from the air without warning. My TiVo didn't even know what hit it!
Scott & I had planned to curl up every wed night to catch the previous night's drama.
Granted we've only just started this weekly ritual, but when they've only aired the first two eppisodes, they really didn't give us much choice but to have JUST started to enjoy it, correct?

Sure there's other things on tv to watch but I kinda liked this show. Sure it's title has nothing to do with what it's actually about, these women wouldn't know what it's like to pick up a book & read it through to the end if they're life depended on it, however...
They were real.
They were interesting.
They were trying so desperately to be 'perfect' when truly, perfection doesn't come in the form of a syrringe filled with botox.
Despite their high powered jobs, their access to money, the flashy cars matching an even flashier lifestyle they all had underlying issues:
Emotional Drama: the common denominator that connects us all
on the most basic of human levels.

No matter how wonderful your life may seem to the outsider, chances are that behind every closed door, there's a tear being shed, or a fight just moments from exploding,
or some tragedy about to spin your life right up on it's ass.
Things aren't always what they seem & these women, exccentric though they may be, were brave enough to let cameras follow them, follow their lives, their families, their drama for a national audience... at the very least, they get kudos for that.

I wanna know if anyone else out there started to watch this show & was giving it a chance just as CBS yanked it abruptly like an infected tooth?

I left the following Comment on tvsquad.com in regards to CBS's sudden removal of the show:

"My boyfriend Scott & I had plans of curling up on the
couch every
tuesday night to tune in, but then last night- Nothing. It's sad that
there was no warning, no reasoning why, just pulled hard & fast, like
an infected tooth. It's sad really, because not only did we enjoy the
show, but it was our time. Our time to snuggle, to watch these women,
trophy wives they may be, but still REAL to the core. Under the botox
and lack of actually reading the books they selected, were real issues
unfolding & tears shed for things that no drug or fancy car can fix. I
agree that it wasn't properly showcased beforehand. I never even heard
of it until I think the night before the show, so I TiVo'd it, what
could it hurt, if it sucked, I cancel the recording... but it was
interesting and we both enjoyed it. I very much would like to see the
remaining eppisodes aired, if not on tuesday nights, maybe on a 'not
so must see' night just for those of us who WANT to SEE WHAT HAPPENS
NEXT! I think I speak for that small percentage of people who tuned
in... please let us finish what we started... otherwise it's all too
reminicent of my childhood & the neighborhood 'indian giver' kid who
I still loathe to this day. Don't be that kid CBS... "

It seems as though Scott & I were in the minority concerning 'T.N.B.C.", I googled it this morning & came across several articles that were slightly harsh, this one in the The Arizona Republic, another one here at The Hollywood Reporter.com and even another at tvsquad/BLOGGING TELEVISION.

I want to know what you all thought, I guess at the most basic of levels, I'm a voyeur... I mean really, who wouldn't want to be a fly on the wall of someone else's life?
Sign me up!
All it really does is make the problems in our own lives seem trite,
if only for those 60 minutes every tuesday night.

Guess now I'm gonna have to go back to knitting scarves & watching old reruns of FRIENDS.
*sigh*

There's Nothing Like...

... FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER!!!

And there's nothing better than FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER when cooking!
And when it's coming from this gorgeous Handmade Exotic Wood Pepper Mill crafted by Bert Hamblin, it's EVEN BETTER!

This little beauty is located on Page 4 and is an 8" Pepper Mill #734.

It's made of four different types of wood: Maple, Beech, Mahogany and Cherry!

I know it's costly but it's an item I'll only ever buy once, and I cook ALOT and only EVER use Freshly Ground Pepper so I know it'll get used EVERY DAY in this house!

Once in a while, it's nice to treat yourself to something you not only love but will absolutely use every day & appreciate. My kitchen will be better for it.
*grin*


PS: The talented gentleman who makes these amazing Mills only started doing so three years ago. I spoke with him this morning on the phone & he was friendly & pleasant with a great attitude towards life. He suffered his second heartattack five weeks ago & is happy to be back up & working again. Hell, a guy in his 80's who is this skilled & talented who discovered his gift so late in life?
In my eyes, worth every penny!
Makes me wonder what fun things I might be able to do when/if I make it to my 80's, right? =)
Thanks again Bert, I look forward to 'Oscar' arriving here
to his permanent home, right in my kitchen!
Many wonderful meals await...

True Love...

... a Girl & her Bear.

Saturday Morning Sillies...