The Plod Thickens

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

2011-03-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

This book, told from the viewpoint of Enzo the dog, was an awesome read. I normally shy away from dog books because the dog inevitably dies and then I cry. However, this book does not fit that normal description at all. In fact, Enzo tells you he is dying right off the bat so you don't get attached to him before the poor thing's demise. It made it much easier to read because I wasn't waiting for him to get rabies or hit by a car.

Ultimately, this is the story of Enzo's owner, Denny, and his family relationships. It is interesting to read the story of this family through the vehicle of the dog. You aren't always privy to important facts because Enzo isn't allowed to go into certain establishments, and therefore he fills in the blanks with his own assumptions. It is at times gut wrenching to experience what Enzo does, but have no way to give voice to his concerns or revelations. There are also scenes that will make you cheer and laugh and, if you're a dog owner, wonder about the inner machinations of your own best friend. I found myself constantly looking at Gus, our family dog, and wondering what might be going on in his head and if I didn't underestimate his intelligence at times.

Overall, the narration makes this book special, but the characters in the family are genuine and endearing. The plot line is interesting, but maybe somewhat contrived at times. On the whole, this is a great read that is worth picking up, especially if you're a dog lover.

This is sweet Gus. Wonder what he was thinking???

A New Kind Of Plod

2011-03-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

I seem to be the world's worst blogger. I try to keep up, but fail miserably. The reasons for this are many, but the biggest reason is that I struggle with writing about my life in an honest way. However, one of the things that I feel so passionately about that the writing comes easily, is books. So I think I am changing this blog into a book review. I am hoping to post as I finish a book, so I may or may not be posting regularly, it will really depend on how much time I have to read.

Flood 2010

2010-05-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

So... in case you live under a rock or in the desert, middle Tennessee is officially a flood plain. According to News Channel 4, we have experienced 25% of our yearly average rainfall.... IN 2 DAYS!! Rivers, creeks, and lakes are attempting to join into one body, at least that's what it looks like around here.

There have been several deaths and 1,000's of rescues, so needless to say, our neck of the woods could use all the prayer you can give. Our house is fine, and didn't have any damage, but we are in the minority. Please keep all the people that have been displaced in your thoughts and prayers as we literally wade through this mess.

Two year Pics

2010-04-08T12:53:00.001-07:00

Thought you might like to see some of Jack's two year pics. Monique Porter took these, and they turned out fabulously! Let me know what you think.

Random updates

2010-03-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

I recently found out that I was accepted into grad school! Yipee, I think. I am so excited to be past the application process, but now I actually have to do the work. That's a little scary. I am enrolling at Trevecca in the library science program and will be finished by July 2011. The short program is great, but the reason it is so short is that they pack a ton of work into the 15 months you take classes. So, I am a little nervous about how the next year will go and how I'll finish all the work for school, the work for work and raise a two year old. It is definitely going to be a wild ride!

Jack is doing really well. He will be two next week and he is already becoming such a big boy. We just bought him a toddler bed and he has been sleeping in it without a hitch. Nick and I are holding our breath. I'm sure he'll do fine until the night before my first class or a day Nick is out of town. He is gifted you know, and I am sure that he is already capable of plotting my demise through sleep deprevation.

Speaking of kids, I have lots of new mommy or pregnant friends right now. Maybe you thought I was going to now say, "Ah.... I so miss having a newborn." Ummm...... No. But I am so excited for all my friends that are making the leap to two kids and the first timers. Although I have never been great with babies, I love pregnant people and showers and thinking up names and all that stuff that goes along with being preggo. The latest person to enter my "pregnant friend club" is my sister-in-law Amanda. I am pumped about getting to be an official aunt and all the before baby stuff is going to be so fun. So in 2010, I am adding a godson and either a niece or nephew! Go 2010!

I'm trying to win a hat

2010-02-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

So one of the blogs I follow, Fluid Pudding, is having a giveaway for a handmade hat. I don't have a clue what said hat will look like or if FP can even knit, but I think the questions are cool and it will definitely give us something to talk about. Gindy, just write in your predictions for the very near future!

1. Which expensive electronic device do you most often let your older children abuse or your baby drool on?
None, now. I let J chew up my Palm a year or so ago. I thought it was no biggie since I have insurance. Well, apparently you are not insured if you let your teething baby use your phone as a pacifier. Who knew?
2. How many take-out restaurant numbers do you have programmed into your phone?
Three, but that's a lot considering there are only 5 restaurants in our town!
3. How many hours of television do you so totally not let your kids watch a week?
Who knows, with our addiction to Yo Gabba Gabba. I have been replaced by a wierd guy in an orange full-body jumpsuit.
4. Do you think people who say “we don’t watch television” at play dates but really mean “we just watch DVDs” are lying liars from Liarville?
I like to think they are liars, it makes me feel good to judge them. No really, good for them if they don't but don't try pedaling that crazy at my house!
5. How many miles have you driven with your child and not one device of electronic entertainment in a single car trip?
Around 250, but that was when he slept the whole way.
6. What’s your record for calls to the pediatrician or Ask-a-Nurse in a single day?
Oh help! Too many to count. During the first four months I was sure he was deathly ill all the time.
7. What’s the sexiest thing your partner could text you after a hard day?
What kind of wine do you want?
8. What’s your favorite iPad joke?
What's an iPad?
9. What’s the dumbest parenting tool, gear, gadget or device you ever bought?
A wipe warmer. Please, suck it up kid -- I'm already wiping your booty for you!
10. How many years will it take for your child to become more tech-savvy than you?
I'm sure by third grade he'll have me beat, it won't take much; I can assure you.

So copy this into the comments and leave your answers, or just do it on your blog and link it in the comments. If you answer, you can also put a link in FP's post and be entered to win the mystery hat.

He's not even 2 yet!

2010-01-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

Can't a mama get a break around here? Jack will be 21 months old on the 16th and I believe we have entered the dreaded and much discussed "terrible twos." If every, little thing doesn't go his way you would think the apocolypse had arrived. Today, I lost count of the number of tantrums thrown, but J probably spent more time in 'time out' than out of it.

I feel like a loser mommy, why can't I make him Behave?!

I'm pretty sure Jess is the only person who reads this, so Jess, some advice here? Please? And any advice from your readers would be great too. I'll try anything at this point because at the rate I'm pulling my hair out, I'll be bald soon!

Finally snoozing!

Back on the Wagon

2010-01-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

I was reading my friend Jessica's blog and noticed in the sidebar that I haven't posted on my own blog in almost a year! I was sort of embarassed to even still have one, but this year I am going to try to be more consistent in updating everyone.

2009 Recap
Jack's first new year -- spent at home but with our close friends Bobby, Shannon, and Princess Emma

We celebrated Jack's 1st birthday in April we had cake, cake and more cake. Good thing Nick and I like cake because Jack was not a fan. He would scream everytime the icing touched him.

This summer we took our first trip on an airplane, fun for Jack a panic attack waiting to happen for his mother! The flight took us to Naples and Jack's first trip to the beach! We spent the week with Jodi, Kirk, Kennedy and Oakley. It was a blast and lots of fun for the kids and grown ups.

School and daycare started back early this year because the school calander changed for our county. We went back on July 31st and it was good and bad. I like the routine of work and having a planned day, but I miss having Jack all to myself like I do in the summer months.

In October we took our first annual family vacation with my parents (Hoot and Nanny) and Uncle Chad and Aunt Amanda. Jack really enjoyed the zero entry pool and water fountains. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Halloween was great this year, Jack and Isabella were thing one and thing two from Dr. Suess. They were a big hit and everyone loved their blue hair and red converse.

Thanksgiving and Christmas was a whirl wind this year. It seems like it went by so fast. Jack was hysterical on Christmas morning; the first thing he said was, "What Happened?" Then he told me he didn't like presents because I tried to pry him away from the hot wheel he was playing with. We had a wonderful day with family and great food, now I'm counting the days until next year.

For New Year's we went to Gatlinburg with Nick's parents (Pop and KiKi), Uncle Ryan and Jessica, and Great Grandma Dean. We took Jack to the aquarium and did some shopping, but most importantly we continued to feast on the wonderful meals that Pop cooked up for every meal, including my personal favorite, belgian waffles...yum.

Overall, 2009 was amazing for us! I'm hoping all the things to come will be just as good in 2010!

My School is Cool

2009-03-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

The channel 4 Cool Schools was a huge success at Merrol Hyde. I was a little worried that some of the kids would just skip that day, but almost 100% of the high school students showed up at 4:30am ready to rock. I am so lucky to work with a group of kids that just enjoy being where they are in life and don't think they're "too cool for school." (that pun was totally intended)

As I predicted, it was one of the best pep rallies we have ever had! It was really chaotic with the live coverage slowing things down and then speeding things up, but the students really took everything in stride and made it fun. We had people dressed up as the sun, deer, the king of the sea, warriors, etc...

So basically I just want to say Ha Ha Ha, my school is cooler than your school! okay, I'm sure your school is incredibly cool, but I really love my kids here, and well, I just don't see how anyone can be as great as they are, but don't tell them I said that.

Should I Stay or Should I Go, Now?

2009-03-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

One upside of the crappy economy is the great deal you can get on real estate right now. I have been thinking of this and how it affects me for a few months, on and off. Nick and I are quickly outgrowing our current abode and I am trying to convience him to upgrade. This is not turning out to be an easy feat. I am listing my reasoning for wanting to move and his reasons for saying we should stay. Weigh in if you have some knowledge on this topic, life experience or just a personal opinion.

Pro Move:
- low interest rates
- low prices
- our jobs probably won't afford us much larger salaries in the future
- we are bursting at the seams of current house
- we need to pay off our "forever" house before I can retire
- want a better neighborhood

Con Move:
- have to keep the house clean everyday :(
- stress
- possible higher payment
- won't make much off current house in this market
- what if we don't find the perfect place (we don't want to settle)

Okay, this is my list for now. I may add or delete as things change. Let me know if you know of any good listings in G-town!

More Trash Talk

2009-03-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

So.... I haven't received any money or word from my first consignment sale. Does this mean no one loved my stuff enough to pay 3 dollars for it!?

I am questioning my taste level, maybe there is something to sailor suits and Strasburg??

Still waiting, and hoping for now.

Sickos and other crazy nonsense

2009-03-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy week! Monday started out great, it was 80 degrees and beautiful, but I got a phone call from daycare saying Jack was running a 102.5 fever! Therefore, our week was off and running from then on.

We are fortunate to have family members that were happy to step in and care for Jack on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Thursday we split the day with Nick working in the morning and me working in the afternoon. This worked out really well and we think that his bronchitis is on the mend, Thank God!

Friday was wild, I had my gallbaddler removed and Jess and Gindy took great care of me. I am still stubbornly saying that I will be at work on Monday. Hopefully, Jack will be back in daycare. He hasn't had a fever all day so I think all will be well.

However, this week looks to be pretty crazy as well. Merrol Hyde is being featured as the "Cool School" on channel four this week, so we will be crawling with cameras and displaying how "cool" we are on Tuesday. Then the biggie is Friday. All of the teachers and students are showing up at 4:00am to have a huge pep rally that will be filmed live and shown on that morning's broadcast. I, personally, think it will be fun, especially since we get to leave at noon! My bet is, it will be the best pep rally we've ever had, delierium is so much fun to watch! Anywho, pray for my sanity. I'll post pics of the event later.

Help!

2009-03-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

I, as I have mentioned in previous posts, cannot figure technology out. So if anyone can help me with fixing Jack's pic on the top of my blog, let me know. Thanks!

One Mom's Trash

2009-02-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

So I have branched out into the world of children's consignment! AHH!

I don't know if I can do this.

I know I sound melodramatic, but seriously, I am so not a domestic goddess. Until Jess helped me to actually hang things, I had been just throwing all the things Jack out grew into large hefty bags. It took us hours to hang and pin everything according to "the rules". Apparently these consignment people are like nazis, everything has to be hung a certain way and pinned a certain way and don't get me started on the cards. I would have totally gone over the edge if I had to hand write those things. The nazis do provide this nefty website to type the cards in to, but even as an English teacher, I was really feeling the pressure to describe everything perfectly. Then you have to wait and see if your trash gets approved, it has to meet the nazis standards of quality trash. Hopefully all the other mom's will not judge my wrinkled, poorly described baby clothes and I will make enough to counter what I spend. We'll see, more on this when I get the check...unless I don't get a check, which means no one wanted my trash (I mean Jack's precious baby clothes).

I don't know if I can handle this amount of pressure.

Tuesday

2009-01-30T20:34:00.000-08:00

If you read my previous post you should know that Tuesday passed away today. Please say a prayer for her family during this time.

Amazing Connections

2009-01-30T13:41:00.000-08:00

In the technology age, I am so far behind that I still marvel at the idea that I can talk on the phone and my voice goes through a wire to anywhere I want! When you are not so adapt in the techie world, it can be seriously frustrating to try to figure out how so many things work. That is why I have two songs on my playlist and the slideshow I attempted to make only showed different ways to write Google.

I digress, the point of these meandering thoughts is that sometimes I have to shake myself and say 'See how wonderful this can be?!' The new technology we have today has enabled me to be closer to old friends and to find new ones. Even though I don't understand it all the time, it truely amazes me.

One of the people I have learned about through this blog is a little girl named Tuesday. She is suffering from cancer and her parents have recently received bad news about her condition. Many people follow her mom's, Jessica Kate, blog, go blog yourself. In an attempt to help another mom blog, the extraordinary ordinary is doing something pretty cool. The extraordinary ordinary has a post about Tuesday called, have a little help from my friends. For every comment left on that post a dollar donation will be given to Tuesday. Readers don't have to give any money, just comment. This is a really easy way to help a little girl in need, so if you feel so moved, check out the extraordinary ordinary (there's a button on my sidebar) and leave a comment. If you feel really moved, post a link on your blog so more people can help Tuesdays cause. And PRAY, God works miracles everyday, I'm praying Tuesday will be one of those miracles.

Half A Decade

2009-01-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

As of Saturday, January 17, Nick and I have been married for five years. I know those of you who have made it past this milestone can understand how great this feels. In today's world, where there are marriages that you can literally record in minutes, I feel so blessed to have a husband that loves me and is dedicated to our marriage and family. It doesn't seem possible that it has been 5 years since our wedding.

So much has happened in those 5 short years.

-renting a house (with a roommate!)
-buying a house
-births (carter, emerson, kennedy, oakley, max, lainey, faith, harrison, emma, eli, isabella)
-deaths (bob, rena, kim's dad, baby one)
-weddings (randy and alysa, lori and evalds, brittany and george, wesley and ashley, shannon and bobby, brock and andrea)
and so many other moments that we have shared with other people

We are so fortunate to have so many friends and family members around us to support us and love us.

This past year we have been especially blessed because Jack Henry was born on April 16. We have been planning for this child since before he was even a thought! I can't tell you how much better my life is because of him, and my marriage is stronger too. Watching Nick as a dad is the single greatest joy of my day. I am so blessed to have such wonderful boys in my life; I get to live the embodiment of love everyday!

Look at me GOOOO!

2009-01-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

Jack's 9 month pictures

2009-01-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

I had Jack's 9 month pictures taken this weekend. You can check them out at www.nickersonphotography.com/brosche9

We have to pick one for the panel, what do you think?

2009 Resolutions

2009-01-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I am attempting to make resolutions that I might actually be able to keep this year. So... I am not going to say that I will meet my goal weight or stop all my bad habits immediately. I am going to stop excessive spending and update my blog more than every 3 months, or I'm going to try.

As 2008 turned into 2009, the Brosche family was wide awake. Jack suffered through a double ear infection and URI this holiday season. He is finally on the mend, but we did have a few sleepless nights before it was all over.

Now that we are all happy and healthy, Jack is making small attempts to walk. He will take a few steps to get to the couch, but if he can hold on to something....Watch out! He is on the move! It is so much fun to watch his development, I can't believe he will be a year old soon; it is going by too quickly.

Captain Jack Trick or Treats

2008-11-06T13:26:00.000-08:00

Halloween with a 6 month old, need I say more? Jack was a pirate this year and we went everywhere. He appropriately looted his G, B, Joe, Aunt P, Granny Tina, Gran, Pip and Papa. He even got to catch up with his own personal parrot. (Isabella was a bird!) We had a good time and everyone agreed that Jack's costume was a hit.

Nick and I had planned on going to Jess' for a grown up party, but we had to crash because we were so exhausted from the evening. We went home in a candy coma. At the end of the day, I am really glad we went everywhere and people got to see His Cuteness. How will I top that outfit next year?

Operation: Get less fat

2008-10-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

I have lost 3 pounds. However, I must be honest, I have no idea how. I haven't even gone grocery shopping in over a week. Not grocery shopping generally leads to some sort of grease pit, which inevitably is eaten after 9:00pm when Jack goes to bed. At that point, in my normal life, it would do me just as much good to smear the food directly on my butt. So I am theorizing about the missing 3 pounds.
Maybe it's The Secret, I want to lose weight and think positively about losing weight and bingo! I lose weight. Wouldn't that be a better world to live in?

Jack's 6 month pictures

2008-10-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

We had Jack's 6 month pictures taken last weekend. They are really adorable, if I do say so myself. You can check them out at www.nickersonphotography.com/brosche

Feel free to let me know which you like the most, or which you think we should use for Christmas cards. I don't know how I'll ever decide, so input would be greatly appreciated.

I like to move it, move it...

2008-10-17T06:37:00.000-07:00

Jack is offically on the move. He must have decided to get up and go all at once. In the past two weeks, he has started crawling, sitting up by himself, and is even trying to pull up on things he can reach! We are very excited to see him developing, but a little of me is a very guilty mama. A lot of this development has started since I went back to work and Jack started daycare full time. He is in an in home care situation, but all the other kids are toddlers. I think he gets very frustrated that he can't do what they do and play with them. Maybe this has spurred his sudden advancement. Am I rushing his babyhood, because I am not at home with him? They grow so fast and it is amazing to watch, but a part of me is sad too, because he'll only little once and for such a short time. Am I really ready for him to be crawling away so soon? No, but hey, maybe if I'm chasing him all over the place operation get less fat will be completed sooner!

Operation: Get less fat

2008-10-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

So sometimes I think I have a very distorted body image. Most people see themselves as fatter than they are, but not I... I have this weird feeling that I'm skinner than I am. Alas, my bubble was burst recently when I saw my picture on a friend's blog. OH MY!
So today I signed up for Weight Watchers, the dreaded diet. My first goal is to lose 10% of my body weight, but then I'll still need to lose to get down to my "healthy weight".
I hope my friend doesn't take down the aforementioned picture; I have already looked at it twice today to gross myself out. It did indeed keep that donut out of my mouth!
I plan to keep track of my losses and gains on this blog, that way I am responsible to anyone who reads it. I certainly don't want anyone to think I plan to remain fat and lazy, only that I was fat and lazy before.

My life

2008-10-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

My life is currently crazy, but really whose isn't?
I have been married for almost 5 years to Nick, and our story is a long and winding one. The short version is, we have gone to school together since 4th grade, but didn't meet until we were Seniors in high school. We had two different sets of friends and interests. We started dating near the end of our Senior year and through the summer thereafter. In the fall, I went to college and we broke up and got back together too many times to count. Eventually we tired of that and just got married! We have a great life now, which is only made better by how different we are. Recently, we combined our differences in the form of our little monster, Jack. We watch with the appropriate adoration at everything he does. Parenthood is the new frontier and I am sure most of this blog will be devoted to His Highness.

Life doesn't get much better than this!