First Attempt At Fondant!

I know it's been a while. At least I feel like I'm not alone in this bloggy funk... As I've been surfing the blogosphere these past few months (yes, yes, I am still reading everyone! lol) I've noticed the theme of lost mojo kind of floating throughout posts, a strand tying many of us together this summer in our absence.

There was one day in particular that TWO of the people I regularly read- Issa and Mammatalk, if you wanted to know- both posted about this phenomenon. I feel semi-guilty for not posting as much as I had hoped... But then I start to think again on who this blog is really for, and I cut myself some slack. If it's been a slow two months, then it has... I'm not going to force my own hand at keeping our memories recorded. When something exciting happens, I know I'll get it in here :) In the meantime, I've decided that everyone's mojo must be off on a tropical vacation together... Speaking for myself, I know my mojo is probably in Hawaii, a place I've always wanted to go, sipping Pina Coladas and getting the tan I can never achieve on a much more gorgeous beach than we have here in New England. I've come to terms with that... I'm just hoping it's considerate enough to bring me back some kind of a tchochke or at the very least "My mojo went to Hawaii and all I got was this lousy t-shirt"...

Now then. Onwards with today's post, I suppose!

Yesterday I was watching Cake Boss- which I actually don't like as much as Ace of Cakes, but you know, that's what was on- and I decided to FINALLY try and make some fondant. I've been wanting to for a while- I love watching these types of shows and have always been amazed at how beautiful the cakes come out- but I've been a little intimidated. It just looks daunting. Rolling it out big enough? Not ripping? Getting the color right? Eeeeeek!

Last night, though, I decided to go for it! I made marshmallow fondant- for two reasons... (1) I had heard it was easier to make, and I had the ingredients on hand; and (2) I have also heard that regular fondant tastes like CRAP. This fondant tastes SUPER sweet, but at least it tastes ok.

We decided on making a strawberry shaped cake (hubby helped me with this! I can't take ALL the credit) since the cake mix I had was strawberry flavored. Yes, I used mix... I wanted to focus my energy on dealing with the fondant, not making cake from scratch. Next time perhaps :)

Here's how it ended up:

Pretty cute for a first try, I think! Will had the great idea of using the mini chocolate chips for the "seeds" on the strawberry. I learned quite a bit from this one time, and I think maybe for Illy's next birthday I'll try something with fondant now that I have attempted it once... I won't be as scared of it as I was anymore!

So, what did I learn, you ask?

(1) Fondant kneading is a WORKOUT. Eep, it took forever to mix those colors in! I think next time instead of mixing the color into the fondant after making the batch, I'll make smaller batches and drop the food coloring in while I'm mixing the batch originally. That way I don't have to mix twice... Although I'm sure it's good for your biceps, if that's what you're going for!

(2) Fondant does NOT like to be red. This color? On my strawberry? Yeah. That was about 3 different doses of the "Super Red" color, which I assume is supposed to look like a firetruck. At least, that's what it looks like on the cap. And then some brown, too, to see if that would darken the color. It didn't. I finally gave up adding color and decided I'd have a pink strawberry and live with it. In the future... Avoid reds. lol!

(3) Don't use frosting as your glue to hold things together. Or, if you do... Use very small brushes, and very small amounts. I ended up with white frosting "glue" coming out at my seams and on the top of the cake, which totally stunk! Grrr...

(4) I also had some issues with ripping- so next time, I'll keep the rolling surface very well powdered (with powdered sugar)... and also cut the fondant bigger than I need it to be. I had a couple areas that didn't look so neat on the edges because the fondant wasn't big enough to "wrap" around the bottom of the cake.

That's all. I have to say, I am proud of myself! It's not perfect, but for a first try... At least it's recognizable as a strawberry! :D

What She Says... The Sequel

*****

Baby girl, you were sick last weekend with the flu.

I came into your room to check on you at around midnight when I was going to bed. All I needed to do was touch your skin to know that something wasn't right- you felt like a little furnace, just kicking heat off your body towards me in waves. I pulled you out of bed and brought you in to our room, so you could sleep next to me and I could keep an eye on you. Of course, this woke you up, and you became a little chatterbox- "Mama, it's dark in here."

Me: "Yes honey, it is dark. That's because it's late and it's night-night time. Let's go to sleep now."

You: "Where's Dada?"

Me: "Right there next to you..."

You: "Is Dada sleeping?"

Me: "He's trying to, babe... Now shhh... Gotta be quiet now. It's bedtime."

*car drives by outside* You: "What was that noise?"

Me: "It was a car honey. Now, shh... Or you'll have to go sleep in your bed."

You: "I wanna sleep in my bed."

Me: "You do?"

You: "No, I wanna sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed."

Me: "Okay, ni-night, now."

*a minute later*

You: "I wanna sleep in my bed."

Me: "Okay, honey, let's go."

I picked you up, and as we were walking back to your room, you started spewing. Everywhere. On the floor, on me, in my hair, on your clothes... Then you wiped your face, and got it in YOUR hair and all over your face.

When you get sick, you like to think that if you could just go back to whatever the situation was BEFORE you threw up- in this case, laying in bed- that you won't be sick anymore. So when you threw up on me at what was by then around 1 AM, you looked at me with your shaky, burning up body and your pitiful little puke face and said "I wanna go to sleep, Momma."

Me: "I know honey, but we need to take a shower and get these yuckies off us."

You: "NO! I wanna go to sleep!"

It breaks my heart when you feel bad like this, and I know all I can do is try to make you as comfortable as possible and then wait things out. Needless to say, I did get you in the shower and cleaned us both up. Your dad, who had been charged with cleaning the floor-splashed puke, was waiting to hug you when you came out:

Dada: "Oh, honey... You feel yucky, huh?"

You: *giving him the hairy eyeball* "Dada, I not yucky... I sick!"

Side note unrelated to what you said about the experience: The one thing you like about being sick? Eating popsicles for breakfast. :)

*****

This is one of your latest tactics in trying to get what you want:

You: "Mama, I want to go outside."

Me: "No honey, not right now... Momma is making dinner, and we are going to eat soon."

You: "Mama, I want to go OUTSIDE."

Me: "No, honey, not right now."

You: "Don't say no, Mama. Don't say no. I want to go outside."

Me: "I'm sorry honey, but the answer is no right now."

You: Stomping and screeching at the top of your lungs- "DON'T SAY NO!! DON'T SAY NOOOOO!"

... I have to wonder if you somehow telepathically read my recent "Yes" post. :)

*****

Out of the blue- You: "Dada... We don't eat dog poop. We don't eat dog poop."

*****

There is a new baby at your daycare who is only 3 months old. Carol, your sitter, had set him down in his seat to go do something, and told all the kids to leave him alone. Well, a couple of the other kids went over and were bugging him, so she went to correct them and raised her voice.

You looked at her straight in the eye and said: "Carol! Don't talk so loud!"

*****

Rainy Days...

Good Morning, my Ruggle!

Today is just one of those days. One of those gray, rainy, gloomy, drab, boring days. When I woke up this morning I first noticed that the sun was not glaring into my eyes as per usual- then I heard that telltale pitter patter outside. I love that sound, absolutely love it. Especially when I go to bed- it's nature's lullaby :)

However, a lullaby is not exactly what you're looking for when you're trying to drrrraaaagggg yourself out of bed. We ended up hitting the snooze button and getting up later than usual. I felt foggy and half awake all morning... When you woke up, you didn't want to go to daycare, either. You just kept telling me "No, Momma, I wanna stay home." I wish we could have! These types of days are perfect for lounging around, snuggling, and reading books.

Since we were running behind I didn't pack my lunch (I'll buy today) and we forgot your chocolate milk at home! You were heartbroken. I always feel bad when I leave your drink behind... I imagine what I would feel like if someone else was in charge of my beverage and forgot. I mean, we remembered our own coffees (of course)! We apologized, but you didn't say it was okay. Instead you just glared at us. I don't blame you.

I can't wait to come and pick you up- to see your face light up as your run over to give me and Dada a big hug and say "Momma! Dada! You're HERE!" :) Picking you up is always one of my favorite parts of the day... That hug is the best. I always miss you, and it makes me glow that you get so excited when we come to get you.

Days like this always pass so slowly, don't they, ruggle? But they also make me feel calm, for some reason. I guess it's that same old fact- the beautiful, good days just wouldn't be the same if we didn't have the yucky, ucky wet ones to balance it out. Days like today make me think of the things I'm grateful for...

You had a couple of head bonk incidents this weekend that both landed in the same place... so you ended up pretty swollen, and I was worried. I went in late to work yesterday so that I could call the doctor, and take you in to see her if necessary. Luckily they just asked some questions and then told me you sounded like you were fine, and I could give you tylenol and ice it and then see where you were at. Just the thought of you being hurt badly scares me so much, I don't know what I would do if it ever came down to a serious injury... I guess I just hope your Daddy would be around to be level-headed, because I get so flustered and worried! So yesterday, after speaking with the nurse, I looked at you with your swollen face and your big smile, and my heart just swelled with happiness... I said to you, "I love you so much, girl"... And you looked at me, and you know what you said?

You said "Thank you."

So I asked, "For what, honey?"

"Thank you for loving me, Momma."

No, little girl... Thank YOU for loving me. It's the greatest gift I've ever been given. I'm so grateful.

Life Goes On...

I haven't had a lot to say here in the past week or so. I don't know what's been up, I guess I've just been in a bit of a writing funk... But I did want to post a quick note to you, Bendy Ruggle, about some of the things we've been up to lately.

*****

Your Dad's old friend Duncan is visiting NH from Hawaii right now, so last weekend we went down and picked him up to hang out for a while. He was amazed at how smart you are! You warmed right up to him and let him push you on the swing :) We hope to eventually be able to visit him in beautiful paradise- it would be the first time we ever got to see it in person, and I know you would just love the big flowers, beautiful weather, and fresh fruit!

*****

We also planted some herbs in our pots on the porch last weekend- you are such a good helper! You wore the gardening gloves, put the dirt in the pots with me, and also helped me spread the seeds. The bulbs we planted about two weeks ago are starting to sprout through the ground, and you love counting them with me when we go home and helping to water them. I admit, I'm pretty excited, too! I usually have a black thumb that kills everything, but my plants this year are doing surprisingly well. I think it might be because I have a little helper with the magic touch ;)

*****

The past few days you have started telling us knock-knock jokes, which is pretty hilarious. The funny thing about it is that you don't really *get* that jokes have punchlines. I think that some of the kids at daycare must have been telling these jokes and you picked up the beginning of the jokes from them. So you would start by saying "Knock knock" but then when one of us would answer "Who's there?" you would just seem puzzled and say "Knock Knock" again! I tried telling you a couple of the old ones I remember (banana, banana, banana, banana, ORANGE you glad I didn't say banana? AND boo, boo who? Don't cry, it's only a joke!) and of course you didn't get them, but at least now you TRY with the punchlines. Your latest joke goes something like this:

Bend: Knock Knock!
Mama: Who's There?
Bend: Ilyana is orange banana! *giggles maniacally*
Mama: *giggling too* Ilyana the orange banana who?
Bend: Knock Knock!

*****

Today is your Mommy and Daddy's NINE YEAR anniversary. Nine years that we've been together... Nine years since the day your Uncle Mitchie snuck up the stairs to my room and said sheepishly "Mom wants to know if you guys are going out yet." Nine years since your Daddy looked at me and said "Well, do you want to?" and totally caught me off guard. Nine years since I said yes. Nine years we've been loving each other, struggling through the tough times and sticking it out, nine years we've been leaning on each other, and sometimes fighting with each other but always knowing in the end what matters. Nine years, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Our dreams have started to come true the past few years, with you finally arriving and making this a family.

Nine years, and life goes on... Even when sometimes your Momma can't think of anything great to say about it.

Friday Fill-Ins #20

1. Moving is a big time pain in the butt, but worth it!

2. I have been getting tons of stuff for free. (By using these two blogs- Hip2Save and Money Saving Mom- as my guide, in conjunction with printable internet coupons from coupons.com and sites like it!)

3. My best quality is my ability to be optimistic and look beyond the struggles.

4. Sometimes, you don't want the details.

5. In nearly 10 years, I hope to own a home, have more children, have moved up in my career, and my daughter will be in middle school. YIKES!

6. A pampering spa day is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out to eat with my family, tomorrow my plans include bringing the Bend to Nashua to return my parent's stools (which we WILL finish tonight, I promise!) and Sunday, I want to relax, clean up, do some cooking/ baking and hang around the house! Monday? BBQ with my in-laws at their house! :)

You can view other people's entries, or join in the fun yourself, at THIS LINK.

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesdays #23- Rain Dance

Rain, Rain...




Go Away...





Come again another day...





Ilyana wants to play...

Rain, rain, go away.

You can see other participants' entries in Wordless Wednesday or join in yourself at THIS LINK.

And since I didn't totally follow the rules this time (I put the words to the song), here also is the link to the MOSTLY Wordless Wednesday headquarters. I followed her rules! ;)

Random Tuesday Thoughts Numero Tres

You can participate in Random Tuesday Thoughts by visiting Keely at The Un-Mom and signing her Mr. Linky. Or not, since today it's broken. You should just leave your link in the comments, like she told you to. Don't you read directions?!?

You should also visit Kia at Good Enough Mama and say hi, since she's the one who turned me on to this meme. Or you could just stop by and fling some poo, since she's going on vacation this week and we're not. And that is shiteous. It makes me a little green with envy, to be sure.

BUT- she's going to Florida and not to Disney. So that makes me a little less jealous. I can forgive her for her vacation as long as she's not going to that most magical place on earth that I have been feening to go for months, where everything goes right and you smile all day and everyone tells you to "have a magical DAY!" and goes out of their way to make you happy.

Now then. On to more randomness.

*Over the past few days, Ilyana has taken to saying "Oh MY GOOODDDDNESSS!" at the most random of times. I am pretty sure she heard me say this at some point and it stuck in her brain. It's the cutest thing when she says it, though. I am just thanking my lucky stars that she didn't pick up one of my less-PC phrases. I'd probably shrivel up and die if we were out shopping and she said "Dada is a dinknose." OR "HAHA, MOMMA TOOTED!"

...Yes, I've said both of those things. And?

*I am becoming coupon-cutting crazy. I can't stop. But please, no interventions. I figure any addiction that actually allows me to shop AND saves my family money is a blessing in disguise. Last weekend I stocked up on cereal, and I still have more to buy. We had to convert our extra hutch into a pantry to hold all the reserve food I was able to snag! Boo-YAH!

I have even gotten things for FREE! It's crazy. There are two blogs in particular that I follow to find the BEST deals and internet printable coupons- they are

Hip2Save
and
Money Saving Mom

But if you do decide to check them out, don't say I didn't warn you. You will most likely end up at the sites multiple times per day. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I even found a deal from Hip2Save that got me a pair of $65 LEATHER flip flops for this summer from Deckers and only paid $12 with FREE SHIPPING! They came yesterday and they rock. Oh, and they have a lifetime warranty, so if they ever break, they'll be replaced. Yeah, I could go on about the deals. They are great. Just check the sites. You won't be sorry.

*I am seriously looking forward to Memorial Day weekend. I think we are just going to hang around the house and plant things and clean and catch up on rest, but a relaxing LONG weekend at home sounds fantabulous right about now. I think it's been MONTHS since I had more than two days at home in a row.

*It's Ilyana's birthday party (well, actually, parties) this weekend. I am so not as organized about it as last year, but I'm thinking that's okay. I'm not doing a meal this year, like I did last year, I'm just going to have snacks and cake and ice cream and balloons and all that regular birthday jazz. She's really excited about it, though :)

*I got to finish my shopping for her party last weekend. It was amazing. A beautiful day out, and I got to borrow my Mom's convertible to drive around in, since my brother was supposed to take a look at my brakes for me... Driving around all day, top down, shopping, BY MYSELF?! Nirvana.

*I just love my family. They are wonderful.

Couples Meme

I stole this from Issa over at Issascrazyworld, who stole it from Mothergoosemouse, who stole it from someone else, who... Yeah, things get stolen a lot around this 'sphere. But it's always with permission! :)

THE COUPLES MEME:

What are your middle names?

Mine is Paige, and his is... Irving. He would hate that I told you that, but I think it's sweet, since it's after his grandfather.

How long have you been together?

Since June 4, 2000. Got married last January, but I don't count that as our anniversary...

How long did you know each other before you started dating?

Erm, not that long. We had met previously, but he wasn't interested. I think it was like a month later that we actually started "going out".

Who asked whom out?

He asked me. Actually, it was brought on by my little brother... Who kept coming upstairs and bugging us when we were hanging out in my room. He finally came up and said "Mom wants to know if you guys are going out yet." I was MORTIFIED! But Will looked at me and said, "Well? Do you want to?" (I know, he's articulate. heh.) And the rest is history.

How old are each of you?

He's 28, I'm 25.

Whose siblings do you see the most?

Depends on the month really... We see his brother a bit, because he only lives about 20 mins away, and we get along well with him and his wife... Plus his son is two days younger than Ilyana. But we also see my brother Mitch a lot :)

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?

I would probably say financial stuff is the most consistently hard on us. Doesn't everyone fight about that crap? Especially lately?

Did you go to the same school?

Nope, not even in the same state!

Are you from the same home town?

No. I was born in Dover, NH. He was born in Nashua, NH.

Who is smarter?

I'd say we are equals... We are each smart about different things, and we keep each other balanced. :)

Who is the most sensitive?

hahaha ok... Well I am the most sensitive about things going on in our life, I think... But he gets teary-eyed over a LOT more than I do on TV and stuff... I think it's because he has to be all manly-man in his life, so that sappy emotional TV is how he lets it all out. lol.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?

hahaha, what's THAT? Eating out as a COUPLE? lol. For real though, I don't know if it is the place we go the most, since it's not close by, but Silo's in Merrimack, NH is our FAVORITE place to eat.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?

Disney World in Florida.

Who has the craziest exes?

I don't think either of us has *crazy* exes. We have a couple of exes who have done crazy things... but since we've been together since I was 16, there aren't too many exes.

Who has the worst temper?

He does. I nag more, and yell more probably. But he is the one who gets more pissed when it comes down to it.

Who does the cooking?

Me.

Who is the neat-freak?

I care more about neatness than he does, for sure.

Who is more stubborn?

Hmm... I am, I think. I have the hardest time admitting I'm wrong. In fact, sometimes I'll just sit and stew because I KNOW I'm wrong, but I can't bring myself to say it. What can I say, I can be pigheaded...

Who hogs the bed?

Neither of us hogs the bed, we pretty much stay on our sides... but he TOTALLY hogs the blankets! I always have to wake up and YANK my portion back over to my side.

Who wakes up earlier?

We usually wake up at the same time. We commute together.

Where was your first date?

We went to see "Road Trip" at the Strand in Dover with my brother and best friend Merry. Our first "date" alone was at my house, we watched "10 Things I Hate About You".

Who is more jealous?

Me.

How long did it take to get serious?

It just kind of happened, I don't know when... He claims in the beginning he didn't think it would last, but he had moved in with my family after a couple months of us being together...

Who eats more?

I don't know... I think about the same? He eats more than I do at night, but he never eats his lunch, and I eat mine. :)

Who does the laundry?

Me. If I waited for him to do it, I'd walk around nekkid.-- I second that, Issa. And though he probably would want me to always walk around nekkid, that's not something I'm planning on doing. heh.

Who’s better with the computer?

He is. He knows all kinds of code and programming and more photoshop than I do, and web design. He wants to work with computers... And I just want to play on them.

Who drives when you are together?

I do. All the time. He just sits in the passenger side and tells me what I'm doing wrong. lol.

ETA: Of course, any one of you who would like to grab this meme and play along is welcome to! I would love to read about you and your hubbies- or wives, for those guys out there! Let me know if you do and I'll be sure to pop on over and comment :)

Random Tuesday Thoughts, Second Edition

* * * * *
I have an eye appointment on Thursday. I want to get my contacts back, but I've pretty much given up on that, since the last THREE kinds they have given me have started irritating the CRAP out of my eyes within a few months of starting to wear them. Feels like I have sand in my eyes constantly, and when I rub them it feels like my corneas are slowly being gouged out with a salad fork. So now I'm wearing my glasses, which not only do I hate to wear because of looks, but they make me break out around my nose (yeah, totally unbecoming) and make my face greasy, AND they are actually from the year BEFORE last, so they're not quite the right prescription. And they're from when we were broke- whoops, I mean even more broke than now- so they are the fugly low-end option ones. I'm going to my eye appointment, but I'm sort of in anxiety over what I will actually DO to correct my vision. I guess get new glasses. But that is seriously a hard pill to swallow. Did I mention I hate wearing glasses? And that they make me break out? And they make my face greasy? Oh, I did? Okay then...

* * * * *

We are considering switching our babysitter, but I am kind of up in the air.

The woman we use now lives over the border in VT, and it's actually about 15 minutes PAST my work to get to her. She is older (I think 60's?), and was a teacher for many, many years so she is good with the kids, but sometimes the age worries me. She also lives alone and I don't believe she has a cell, so sometimes I think- what if something happened? What would she do with all of the kids there? Plus, most of the kids at Ilyana's daycare are a couple of years older than her and will all be starting full-day kindergarten in the fall, so she will lose a lot of playmates then. There's one girl who is around her age, but she just recently cut back to only going there three days a week, and the only other one who is there all the time is a baby, so Illy can't really play with her. Our current sitter takes four weeks' vacation, two weeks in a row in April (she's on vaca now) and then two again in October, of which we pay for two. Her house is very nice and she is great with the kids, but these things have me wondering if this new woman might be better...

She is younger, around my age, and is licensed by the state and first aid/ CPR certified. We are using her this week because she was willing to watch Ilyana on short notice since our sitter is off now. She seems like she is more interactive with the kids she watches (does more activities- the other woman basically lets them do their thing all day) and she provides snacks and breakfast, which my current sitter doesn't. The new one is in my town- so we'd save on gas- and she only takes one week vacation, which is in July, so it's a better time for me to take a week off with the Bend. The kids are all a lot closer to Ilyana's age. Plus, I have to consider (even though it's not right around the corner, but still) that since she's in our town, when Illy does go to school, it won't be near as big an issue to get her to and from school... I think if she was still going where she does now, we'd most likely be forced to switch sitters at that point anyway because she's so far from our town (about 25-30 mins total).

The problem, the rub, is this- do we switch from a good thing now, when we've only used this new girl for a few days, but it seems like overall it would work better for us? I'm leaning that way, but my hubs is worried about it- he's not saying he doesn't want to, but he's worried about that old adage- "If it 'aint broke, don't fix it." What do you think? What would you do? I'm concerned that if we switch and for some reason it doesn't go right (I don't even really want to go there in thinking what could go wrong... you know all the daycare horror stories) we'll have burned our bridge with our current sitter and will feel guilty and awful about whatever it is that happened. Am I just being an overly worried Mommy? HELP! Sorry for the rant. Obviously this is on my mind, and I can't stop thinking of it, and I don't know what to do... *sigh*

* * * * *

Illy has been on a DADDY kick the past few days. When I try to help her with something, she tells me, "NO! Want DADA do it!" Not too great for the ego, let me tell ya. Although I am glad that she has a good relationship with him. I guess it's something to be happy about, when so many kids out there miss out on having a good relationship with their Dad. But it still smarts when I go to pick her up and instead she says, "NO! Want DADA get me!" Meh.

* * * * *

My brother needs to do my back brakes. He promised he would. In fact, he did my front brakes just a couple of months ago, and I TOLD him I thought the back ones needed to be done too, and he insisted that they didn't. They last longer, he said... OH? Then what's that SQUEAKING whenever I slow down? Oy vey, boy! Now I feel bad because I have to make him do it a second time, when if he would have just listened to me...

* * * * *

I think I'm making burgers for dinner. I don't really want burgers for dinner. But I don't know what I do want for dinner that has ground beef, and since that's what I took out for dinner... Guess I'm having burgers. :P

* * * * *
Now that we have storage space, we need a freezer so I can stock up at BJ's. I like being stocked up. We also need to set up Deuce a run. I ordered one today. I don't know where I'm going with this. That is all.

* * * * *

The Bend has been very fascinated with Birthdays lately. All the time she's asking, "Momma? Is it your birthday?" and when I say no, she says, "Dada, is it YOUR birthday?" and when he says no, she says "It's ILYANA'S birthday!!" She's not quite right on that one, either... but it IS coming up, and I need to get cracking on planning that she-bang, now that she's actually going to understand it... And has been building it up in her mind for the past month or so. I wonder what she even thinks a birthday entails? Does she really know, or is she going to be totally weirded out and overwhelmed when the day comes? I doubt that last bit, though... My girl is pretty fearless.

* * * * *

Speaking of fearless, did I mention she FELL DOWN THE STAIRS last week?!?! Oh my god, I felt so terrible! I knew it was inevitably going to happen, since we've never had stairs in our house since she learned to walk and we just moved to a place where her room is upstairs... Luckily she wasn't hurt- I think she actually only fell down a couple of them- but now she's scared to go down by herself, even on her bum with us sitting right there next to her. So we need to work on stair safety and being calm and slow going down them. But other than that? She's pretty fearless.

* * * * *

It was gorgeous out here on Sunday. We all went for a walk together, and it was breezy, balmy and around 70. We actually saw some wild flowers! First ones of the year up here, I think... It made me smile a little on the inside. I'm really sick of dreary weather, it was starting to bring me down.

* * * * *

Did I mention our new house is SO MUCH nicer than our old house? As in, I actually WANT to come home, and I don't mind cleaning up, and I hate to leave in the morning? It's so refreshing to feel this way :)

* * * * *

You can join up with Random Tuesday Thoughts over at The Un-Mom's Blog.

AWOL

We interrupt the regularly scheduled blogging for one intense move and a few days of recoup, organizing and unpacking. I apologize for my absence, but I am at least keeping up with my blog reading, and I swear I'll be back soon... Next week most likely :)

In the meantime, if you get bored, feel free to check out some of MY recent favorite blog-reads:

PostSecret

Pacing The Panic Room

Pioneer Woman

The Creative Junkie

The Journey

Pistols and Popcorn

In Through The Back Door

Her Bad Mother's Basement

Good Enough Mama

There. That should keep you busy until I get back! :)

Friday Fill-Ins #18

1. Why do we have to drive places? Could be rephrased as... Why can't we teleport like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

2. Checking my Facebook and Twitter are now habits.

3. I have tons to do, but not a lot of time! HELP! ;)

4. I had never heard the phrase "it really twerks my butt" and it sort of caught me off guard when my boss said it to me! lol...

5. I'm gonna go with the flow and try to have fun, the way I always do.

6. How was I to know that we'd have to cancel Will's appointments to go to our niece's birthday party this weekend? Oh yeah, that's right... I wasn't supposed to know, because when I asked HUBS when the party was, his response was "Oh, sometime in April, I'll ask him later..." Then we came home to a note on our door the other day saying it was this weekend! LOL! Not that I'm complaining, Chuck E Cheese sounds a lot more fun to me than sitting in the waiting room anyway! :)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to heading to Manch- for an interview Will has, shopping, and dinner- then to Mom's overnight, tomorrow my plans include party for our niece in Manch and Sunday, I want to visit my Dad's family, see Nana for the first time in months, then rush home to prep for the week, make muffins, and pack! AHHHH! This is definitely going to be a PACKED weekend!

You can see other participants or join in on Friday Fill-Ins HERE.

PS: Happy FIRST DAY OF SPRING, everyone!! :) Hoo-RA!

My little girl keeps growing...

Whether I want it or not, whether my heart aches for each moment I wish I could have frozen in time... For that little, chubby-cheeked, drooling baby girl who popped out of me almost 22 months ago now...

She just keeps getting bigger. Learning more. Helping more. Wanting more. More opinions. More love. More laughter. Yes, some days I miss that little baby... But most days I am just amazed at what she has become, and how beautiful, how intelligent, how wonderful she is.

You grow, baby girl.

Oscar Meme

Oscar Meme on a Monday...

I stole this from MamaDawg, who stole it from MAW. I guess there's been a lot of snatching of this meme going on.

Here's the idea. You bold (or color differently, or italicize... however you roll) the movies that you've seen. Of those listed. Which are all ones that won Oscars. Get it? Got it. Good.

Let's see how I do. I claim I love movies... Hmmm....


1980. Ordinary People, Coal Miner’s Daughter, The Elephant Man, Raging Bull, Tess

1981. Chariots of Fire, Reds, Atlantic City, On Golden Pond, Raiders of the Lost Ark

1982. Gandhi, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Missing, Tootsie, The Verdict

1983. Terms of Endearment, The Big Chill, The Dresser, The Right Stuff, Tender Mercies

1984. Amadeus, The Killing Fields, A Passage to India, Places in the Heart, A Soldier’s Story

1985. Out of Africa, The Color Purple, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Prizzi’s Honor, Witness

1986. Platoon, Children of a Lesser God, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Mission, A Room with a View

1987. The Last Emperor, Broadcast News, Fatal Attraction, Hope and Glory, Moonstruck
1988. Rain Man, The Accidental Tourist, Dangerous Liaisons, Mississippi Burning, Working Girl

1989. Driving Miss Daisy, Born on the Fourth of July, Dead Poets Society, Field of Dreams, My Left Foot

1990. Dances with Wolves, Awakenings, Ghost, The Godfather Part III, Goodfellas

1991. The Silence of the Lambs, Beauty and the Beast, Bugsy, JFK, The Prince of Tides

1992. Unforgiven, The Crying Game, A Few Good Men, Howards End, Scent of a Woman

1993. Schindler’s List, The Fugitive, In the Name of the Father, The Piano, The Remains of the Day

1994. Forrest Gump, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Pulp Fiction, Quiz Show, The Shawshank Redemption -Guess this was a good year for me! lol...

1995. Braveheart, Apollo 13, Babe, Il Postino (The Postman), Sense and Sensibility

1996. The English Patient, Fargo, Jerry Maguire, Secrets & Lies, Shine

1997. Titanic, As Good as It Gets, The Full Monty, Good Will Hunting, L.A. Confidential

1998. Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, Life Is Beautiful (La vita è bella), Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line

1999. American Beauty, The Cider House Rules, The Green Mile, The Insider, The Sixth Sense

2000. Gladiator, Chocolat, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Erin Brockovich, Traffic

2001. A Beautiful Mind, Gosford Park, In the Bedroom, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Moulin Rouge!

2002. Chicago, Gangs of New York, The Hours, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Pianist

2003. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Lost in Translation, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Mystic River, Seabiscuit- I put Master and Commander in green because I never finished it. We thought it sucked- hard- and shut it off about a half hour through. I don't know if that counts or not... haha

2004. Million Dollar Baby, The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Ray, Sideways

2005. Crash, Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Good Night and Good Luck, Munich

2006. The Departed, Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, The Queen

2007. No Country for Old Men, Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood

2008. Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader


Not too bad... Considering I was a young'un for most of these years... Born in '83, so really you can't fault me too much for missing a lot of those early ones.

What about you? Have you seen a lot of Oscar winners?

Friday Fill-Ins #16

1. I'm funky, I'm fresh, I can blog just like the best!

2. Why do I have a Scion and not a family car?! (I ask myself this every time I have to HOIST that little girl up into her seat while the front seat slides dangerously back into my legs and butt, almost taking me out. It's not a lot of fun. But I know the answer... Because I chose it, and now I'm stuck with it! At least for a while... *sigh* At least it's a reliable car, and cute, to boot.)

3. How does this silly document protection crapola work, anyway? (I ask myself as I try and complete some more training for work...)

4. Every morning, I put perfume on my body... Clothes were such the obvious answer, I had to think of something else.

5. I consider myself lucky because after eight and a half years, my husband is still my best friend, we are still in love, and we are blessed with an amazingly intelligent and beautiful little girl, who completes our life.

6. One day we’ll see Europe on a dream getaway together.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe stopping by a friend's house to say hi and then going home to chill, tomorrow my plans include working out, cleaning, dancing with my girl and starting to pack and Sunday, I want to do more of the same!

You can find other Friday Fill-In participants HERE.

Wordless Wednesdays #18- Around The Park Plaza Hotel...

You can find other Wordless Wednesday participants HERE.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

...You know, because I'm not random enough as it is. Ha. Ha.

...oooh man, I crack myself up.

*Illy is going through a phase right now of discovering her emotions. She has been doing a lot of the fake whiny-whiny lately. The kind where she sits in the backseat (or next to you on the couch, or hanging off your leg) and goes "ehh.... weeeeehhhh.... meeeehhhhh...." until you look at her and ask, oh so nicely, "Honey, what's wrong?" And then she has nothing to say. Or tells you something like "The train stopped." ...Uh... Really? No way.

*She hit her elbow the other day and hurt it, so I called her over and said, "Come here and let Mommy kiss it and make it all better"... So she came over, I kissed it, we agreed it was all better... Then she ran over to her Dora trike and slammed her elbow down on it again. "Ouch Momma, ouch, make it better" and came back for more magic kisses... and again... and again.... and... yeah... you get the point.

...Not that I am complaining about any of this. It's pretty cute to see her figuring these things out. Although, the fake whiny whiny? I'm not a big fan.

*I am baffled at her verbal prowess. Yes, you read that right. She has prowess. Of the verbal sort. She blows my mind all the time, coming out with words I didn't even know she knew yet, making whole sentences. The other day she said to me in the morning as I was busily packing lunches- "What you doing, Momma? You makin' the foods this morning?" Did I mention she's not even 22 months old yet?!?! Is it too early to declare my child a genius?

She also came home from day care the other day singing Mary Had a Little Lamb, which we didn't teach her. Of course, she did learn "Boom, boom, aint it great to be- CRAZY!" From me. Cuz that's how I roll.


*I need new undies ass covers and bras tit slingers. Thanks for reminding me, Kia....

*We went to give our new landlord our deposit for the duplex. They are soo nice and they really like Illy. I have a really good feeling about this place... I hope for this to be the last time we move until we buy our own house :) That would be so nice. Moving ever year (or more) is really no fun. Seriously.

*Our new TV came. Boo-yah. And I actually don't feel guilty for treating ourselves to this right now, even though it's not the best time... Because we just spent thousands paying back debts we've owed for years to improve our credit scores. So I think we deserved it.

*My husband does feel guilty. They just laid off two more people at work. The same day our TV came. He said he felt like a shmuck, even though he knows he shouldn't, because it's not his fault... and we did need a new TV and deserve one. It's just hard to enjoy something special like that when (a) you're worried how much longer before it's your job being let go and (b) you know there are TONS of people out there right now just worried about making ends meet.

*I have a banana today, but I forgot my peanut butter. I don't think I'm going to eat it. Plain bananas are not nearly as exciting as PB ones.

*My little tweet-bird (yes, another nick name for her, I know) didn't want to let me go this morning. She was clinging to my legs and hugging me with all her might... she didn't even want to get down and play with her best friend or go to her Dada. It made my heart break into a bunch of little heart-shards. :(

That's all I got right now. If you liked this, or have some random thoughts of your own to share, visit The Un-Mom to grab the button and play along!

This Valentine Made Me Giggle

SO. Who are you, Peggy or Viola?? Tell the truth... :P

#100 Already?!?!

So, here I am. My 100th post.

I almost can't believe that it's been so many already.

I started this blog last year as a substitute for the scrap booking I no longer really had the time- or the energy- for with a baby girl. By the time she would be tucked in at night (I mean, let's be realistic- who can scrapbook with a baby grabbing all those eensy pieces?!?) I was just so exhausted, I never wanted to lug out my bag filled with findings, glues and papers and start piecing my life together.

Blogging has become so much more for me than just a substitute.

I enjoy doing this much more than scrapbooking in a lot of ways. It's quick, which is good for my impatient side. I enjoy the instant gratification of clicking *post* and seeing my words, my photos, my WORLD, right up there on the page looking all spiffy. I love that blogging has gotten me more interested in- and better at- photography, which is something I have always admired, but never quite known how to go about improving. I love that this is a somewhat permanent record of our lives as Ilyana grows... I hope that someday she'll look back and be able to see what we were doing, know what I was thinking (even if sometimes it's wacky!) and find the exact dates of many of her milestones.

And then there are my friends. You guys.

I always feel so silly calling you friends, because we have never met in real life. But what else do you call someone who is always there to listen to you bitch, to cheer you up if you need it, to look at that 2,876,756th picture of your kid, to pass along crazy memes and give you awards and just all around make you feel special? I don't think there's another word for it. I am so grateful to have found a group of bloggers who I fit in with... You make me laugh, you make me cry, you let me know I'm not alone. Your posts make me feel like I am peeking into your world... but not in a creepy-peeping-tom kind of way, more like a crazy sister with permission kind of way.

In a time when old friends have mostly scattered across the country- in some cases, even further- and it's near impossible to find friends IRL that you can be as close with, I am glad to have found a new way to have friends. Thank you all!

So here is my 100th post. I am going to go ahead and answer a few questions, which were posed to me by Aubrey, first:

(1) Why did you start blogging?

Well, I sort of already answered that one above. Mostly as a substitute for scrap booking, and a way of keeping a journal for my daughter.

(2) And the name, Bendy Ruggles, where does that come from?

LOL. Well, to understand this, you have to know that my mom loves to make up words- and by proxy, we all do. We are always coming up with new, sillier, ways of saying something. When Illy was a baby, she had all kinds of names- Lulu the Ladybug, Suzy Roncine, Rosie McGee, Silly Illy (that one is still around), and, yes, Bendy Ruggles. Bendy is the only one not related to her real name that stuck- it came up because one day, my Mom was trying to hold her and she kept bending this way and that, trying to wiggle away. We were already starting to call her the Ruggle (who knows why) and that's the day she became the Bendy Ruggle(s). :)

(3) What are your blogging pet peeves?

I don't know if you mean when I am blogging, or when I visit people. For myself, I would say it's just the pressure I put on myself to post. It's a little strange, but even when I was younger and would keep a journal I would set these goals for myself, liek number of pages I had to write in that week, or how many entries, and I would totally beat myself up if I didn't reach them. I guess that's why I feel that way now...

For others? I don't like it when I feel I am being preached to, or they are trying to convert me. I also get annoyed if someone starts acting like their way is the only way in life... I think everyone has their own path. Essentially, if I feel like the blogger is judging the readers (including me) too much, I won't go back.

(4) What keeps you going back to someone's blog?

I think it's different with each blog I frequent. A lot of you I feel like I just clicked with, and I loved hearing about your families and just felt like if I knew you in real life, we'd be friends. If I feel an initial connection with someone like that, I usually add them to my blog roll. This includes you, Aubrey, as well as Issa, Nikki, and Karyn.

Some people I visit because I love what they do, and am fascinated by it, interested in getting more into it, or both. I frequent a lot of photography based blogs, one on jewelry, and one on decorating... They include Tabitha, Jewel Street Designs, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Daily Focal Point, and Dr. Cason.

And others are just amazing writers, people who make me laugh a lot, or those with great stories to tell. These include Kyla, Woman In a Window, Michele, and Project Mommyhood.

And, of course, there are the blogs of people I know in real life and just want to keep up with, including my cousin Vickie and my Dad and Stepmom.

Now, I had a suggestion from Issa that I think I am also going to do... Don't worry, you can come back later (or not!) if you get bored. tee hee.

Issa: You could always do the 10x10 thing I did. Ten things about ten random things. It was easier than listing 100 things.

True enough! Here goes...

About me and my hubby- LIST 1

(1) We have been together for 8.5 years, since I was 16 years old. I get asked a lot if I feel like I missed out on my teen/ college *fun* because of it... But my answer is always- what did I miss? Dating a bunch of asshats trying to find the *right* guy? Drinking too much beer at frat parties and barfing all over myself? Being used? Nah, didn't miss it. :P
(2) He proposed to me at the Olive Garden.
(3) We have been through more in our eight years together than a lot of people have in their lives. If you knew us IRL, you'd know why I say that. I promise it's not cuz I'm conceited and think we are better in some way than other people.
(4) We are married, but we still haven't had a wedding for financial reasons. We're hoping to throw some kind of a bash/ celebration for it on or around our tenth anniversary, 6/4/2010.
(5) We have had seven apartments together.
(6) He moved into my Mom's house when I was 16. Thanks again for trusting me, Mom! I knew we'd last...
(7) We want to have another baby as soon as it is realistic for us financially and health-wise.
(8) We couldn't live without our internet!
(9) We are both Momma's girls/ boys. :P We've always been close with our Moms and are always making fun of each other for just how much we talk to them on the phone.
(10) But neither one of us really likes talking on the phone much, other than to our Moms. heh.

Stores I love- LIST 2
(1) Old Navy
(2) Origins
(3) Target
(4) The Christmas Tree Shops
(5) Body Shop
(6) Big Lots
(7) Dollar Tree
(8) Marshalls
(9) TJ Maxx
(10) Avon for cosmetics/ nail stuff

Ten Things I Would Get Myself Right Now if I Could- LIST 3
(1) Pedicure/ Manicure
(2) Fix our Jeep
(3) Massage
(4) Some more time off!
(5) New bedding
(6) A house... this should really be #1, but I wasn't thinking in this direction at first...
(7) Vacation to Disney for the fam
(8) A teleporter so I wouldn't have to drive places anymore!
(9) Shopping Spree at the above stores...
(10) Super Mario Kart for Wii :)

Ten Vacations I Would Love to Take Before I Die- LIST 4
(1) Hawaii- we have a friend who is living there, and I would LOVE to go!
(2) Amsterdam, or more precisely, the Cannabis Cup. It would be a once in a lifetime thing... So much fun!
(3) Disney, disney, disney (again)! I've already been twice, but I can't get enough!
(4) A cruise of some sort... Preferably to the bahamas.
(5) Ride the mono rail thing around Europe- to Italy, to France, Germany, and Spain.
(6) Mexico
(7) African safari! I love animals, I'd love to be thisclose to some real, wild, saharan desert type ones...
(8) Japan
(9) Australia
(10) England... but only if my friend Merry was still there. If not, I'd sub it out for Alaska. Just cuz.

Ten Of My Favorite Games- LIST 5
(1) Scrabble. I seriously rule though. You wouldn't want to play against me ;)
(2) Capture the flag
(3) Word Whomp
(4) Life
(5) Shanghai
(6) Rummy
(7) Bones/ Dice
(8) Cranium
(9) Good old fashioned TAG!
(10) Clue

Ten Of My Pet Peeves- LIST 6
(1) Slow/ idiotic drivers (I am a yeller when it comes to driving...)
(2) Being judged
(3) Being preached to or attempting to convert me
(4) Strangers at the door
(5) Dealing with customer service reps on the phone
(6) Muu-muus
(7) When my hair gets frizzy and just won't quit
(8) Having to drive to visit people all the time... I like the visiting part, but HATE the driving.
(9) Defrosting meat. I just have a thing about it. I'm way less likely to make a good meal for dinner if the meat isn't already thawed.
(10) Bad pics of me! EW!

About my Doggie- LIST 7
(1) Name: Deuce
(2) No, we didn't name him after a crap. *ahem* I gave my hubby the Greek Mythology book and told him to pick a name he liked... It was Deucalion. So we kept it and shortened it, and didn't think about how much our friends would laugh when we told them...
(3) Breed: Shiba Inu
(4) Birth date: 4/17/2005
(5) Coloring: Red and white
(6) Best friend: Duh, Ilyana!
(7) Naughty habit: Getting in the trash! GAH!
(8) He got away this weekend! But we got him back... quickly, thank god.
(9) Sleeps: In our closet. So we put his bed in there, so it can at least be a little bit comfy. He also sleeps on the floor next to Illy's bed a lot.
(10) Favorite activities: Playing catch (though he doesn't give the ball back very well... lol) and going for walks.

Ten Munchables That I LOVE- LIST 8
(1) Tea
(2) Ice cream
(3) Eggs of all sorts. We've been eating a ton of eggs lately.
(4) Cheese
(5) Chicken
(6) Quesadillas
(7) Falafel
(8) Greek salad
(9) Hollandaise
(10) Fruit- especially berries

Random Things About Me- LIST 9
(1) I still bite the skin around my nails. I never broke that bad habit.
(2) I love to cook, especially bake.
(3) I love to burn tarts around my house- they make it smell so yummy!
(4) My favorite seasons are autumn and spring.
(5) My nail polish is chipped right now.
(6) I actually enjoy doing my budget each month. It makes me feel less stressed knowing what we have, what we need to pay, and when...
(7) My family means more to me than anything else in the world.
(8) Christmas is my favorite holiday.
(9) I want four kids. Someday.
(10) I can't wait to be a homeowner and be able to do crafty projects around the house!

Ten Random Things About My Work- LIST 10
(1) I work in a hospital.
(2) But for a college.
(3) An Ivy League one, to be exact.
(4) I really like my boss, she's great.
(5) Not so much the person above her, though.
(6) I am an Administrative Assistant. A lot of people would scoff at that, considering I have a BA in Sociology, but I am grateful for my job and enjoy it.
(7) We work with researchers, so I sometimes get to hear about up-and-coming medical technologies. It's really amazing, some of the work they are doing...
(8) I am the first point of contact for visitors, and I answer the phone.
(9) I hope to stay with the College for a long time... But I'm hoping to move up in my position soon.
(10) My work is about to lay off at least 60 people, and it has been stressing everyone out around here!

PHEW! I did it! Are you still with me?? No?? Okay, I'm going to take a nap now. :P

ROCK That Runway, Ruggle!

Many of you don't know this, but my Mom works in media and as of late has been intensely involved in (and mostly in charge of) the development of a new upscale magazine out of North Andover, Massachusetts called- what else?- The Andovers. It's a great resource for people living in the area to get in the know on what's going on, who's hot (like in the Andover's hottest bachelor contest!), and even get fresh ideas for dinners, decor, and de-stressing. So guess how excited I was when she asked me if the Ruggle could pose for some pics in the magazine this coming spring??

That's right.

SuperexcitedyesofcourseshewouldlovetoandIwouldloveherto! heh.

You heard it here first. You are now watching the making of a mini-model.

So what else could she do but begin to practice? I mean, she changes her clothes all the time anyway... granted it's usually because she spilled some kind of something on herself, or she leaked splody poops on her pants... but still... still...

Okay, really, it's just another great big excuse to show off some new pics of the girl. Humor me please, and leave comments about how darned cute she is and how she will someday be famous and take care of her mummy who loved her and coddled her and made her head big and took way too many pics of her when she was young.

Note: These aren't the pics from the photo shoot for the mag. We haven't done that yet, but I'll be sure to let you know when we do.

****************************

The room is dark. Your chair is uncomfortable. You hear the crunching of secret chocolate wrappers stashed in purses, snuck into the no-food-ever venue by PMS'ing photogs and buyers for name brands. A strobe rises up and a hush falls over the crowd as the famous Bendy Ruggles is revealed in silhouette:

You never thought you would actually get to be thisclose to a real, live, up and coming model, now did you?
It's okay, feel free to gasp. Also, feel free to rearrange your buttcheeks on the seat if it's too hard. God knows Bendy loves her some wiggling. In fact, just the other day, she wiggled her own self right off the edge of her seat. No joke. So don't feel like you need to remain in humble quietude for her benefit. She'd prefer you **get your sillies out** just as you normally would in your own home. Oh, better hush up, here she comes on her first jaunt down that runway!

Uh-oh, better focus that camera! Don't want to miss any more important shots. Too bad you missed that one in her fuzzy jacket and hat. It was cute. Really cute.


Here she comes again, modeling the latest and greatest in puffy-jacket outerwear for the 2009 season! Every girl needs a truly warm coat, wouldn't you agree? According to the toddler digest, green and purple are. seriously. in. this. year.

Whoops, looks like she found someone's stash when they snuck out to change their tampon! Now you know... Even models need chocolate breaks. I think the choco-face goes perfectly well with the multi-colored polka dot outfit.

HEY! You! YES, YOU! No flash photography backstage! Now GIT OUTTA HERE! Before I have to unleash my faithful furry friend on you...

Now comes the nationally acclaimed Bendy Ruggles in her signature Abby Cadabby pantsuit with skirt attached! Of course, one could pair it with nothing LESS than knockoff Uggs. Puh-lease, people. You didn't know this was the new trend?

Back on the runway in a stunning cherry dress with matching shirt and heart-embellished tights, it's BEEEEEEENNNNDDDDYYYY RUUUGGGGLLLEEEESS! Notice that she has realized the beaded rainbow bracelet does NOT match and has tossed it to the side. But the sippy, that matches. Sippies match with everything, right?


Ignore the legs in the background, please. That's just the janitor, come to clean a spill... SOMEone got chocolate all over the runway. And yes, men's winter outerwear is also making an appearance on the toddler fashion circuit this year.

Remember this face, for one day it will grace magazines far and wide. Or at least as wide as North Shore, Mass. Which is essentially the same thing, right?

Thank you for joining us tonight for the first ever Bendy Ruggles fashion show! Please help yourself to the buffet of leftover nuggets and de-crusted PB&J sandwiches on the way out, and don't forget to enter the raffle..........

....for.......
a brand-new.........

POTTY seat!
That's right! You, too, could be the proud owner of a cushioned ducky seat by the end of the night! Don't miss out!

Any media inquiries about the Ruggle must be directed to Mama Ruggle at the Ruggle agency, inc. Thanks!