Link to whatever you posted exactly one year ago (or whatever’s closest), and give your readers an update on that topic. If you haven’t been writing for a year, give us a list of three or four things that are going on in your life right now that you’ll want to update one year from now.

Look who is posting at 6:45 in the AM! This girl! As I type, Joey is sitting next to me on the couch (with his monkey, of course) watching Sesame Street. He's so frickin cute. Anyhoo, back to the topic at hand. Whodda thunk it?! I actually posted ONE YEAR AGO to the day! Guess I'm not as shitty a blogger as I originally thought.

So last year today I posted about our Hallock family Easter adventures. I dressed my poor kid up in a bunny outfit. I'm terrible. But he was so cute. I actually just came across the bunny outfit last weekend in his room. Side note: kids go through clothes like nobody's bizness! I have all the stuff he's outgrown in piles in his room. Mother of the year, I am not.

I'm super excited because the whole Hallock/Germaine/Bernel clan is coming in once again for Easter this year. We'll be doing a "hunch" again for Margaret. Boy, she's gonna be pissed when Joey and Matthew take some of her hunch eggs. Last week, she begged me to put Matthew in the garbage. Last year, she begged us to put him back in "mommy's bagina." Now he's just plain trash apparently. They do get along much better, I swear. But sometimes she's totally over the boys. Although she seems to be quite fond of Joey and believe me, he reciprocates the fondness. He is OBSESSED with her. It's really cute.

Okay, back to topic. My sister no longer lives in the hood. I was for reals when I said she lived in a bad neighborhood. She lived on 17th/Connecticut. Not so desirable. But then she moved to Manchester (super nice!). She is currently living with my parents while she goes through chemo and stuff. So a lot has changed for her in a year.

What will we paint on the easter eggs this year, you ask? I'll have to keep you in suspense on that one. Chew on that, readers! Or should I say reader, singular. Hell, I don't even know if anyone is even out there!

...I'm the last one that should be giving parenting advice, but here goes.

1. Make sure your child eats a complete meal for dinner, ideally including something from each of the food groups. Joey's dinner tonight: cheese, apples and teddy grahams. I failed number 1.

2. Don't give in to your child's tantrums and be consistent with discipline. Again, I pretty much suck at this one. There's only so much crying I can take because he wants to watch "choo-choo" SO BADLY. So after about 18 mins of crying, I put Thomas on.

3. I'm not going to even attempt to give out anymore practical advice. Here's what it boils down to: love your children with all your heart and be grateful they're here. Not all people are as lucky to be blessed with a child and I don't forget for a minute what a gift from God my little guy is.

For BufBloPoFoMonique day, tell me who inspires you. Who is your hero?

Shoooooot, this is a tough one. I can think of several people who I consider heroic. In no particular order, here they are:

• My mom. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2/07, she later suffered a perforated bowel as a result of chemo. Her entire body became infected and she was completely incoherent in the ICU at Roswell for about four weeks. We literally said goodbye twice. It sucked. Watching my dad say good bye to my mom was the hardest thing I've ever had to witness. Somehow, my mom rallied. She shocked everyone. I mean, EVERYONE. Doctors, nurses, family, friends, etc. At Roswell, they call her the miracle patient. It's been almost a year since her near death experience and she's still here kickin. After weighing about 75 pounds, she's back up to fighting weight and living life to the fullest!
• My sister. Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 1/08, she's a-fightin'. She got the girls cut off and just started chemo last week. And she's doing this as a single mom to a four year old and a one year old. And she's doing all of this with the ole Hallock sense-o-humor. Check out her site: http://caringbridge.org/visit/bridgethallock
• Stay at home moms. Oy. I totally thought I wanted to be a stay at home mom but soon after giving birth I think I may have realized it wasn't for me. I still feel guilty that I don't want to be a SAHM all the time. But I'm a better mother for getting "my time" at work. And hey, I can't let my degree in English and Classical Languages do to waste, right? Joey doesn't speak Latin....yet.
• My BFF Lib. At 24, she bought a house on her own. She went back to school and got her MSW. She got one promotion after another at work. And she's now got a sweet gig as a federal employee. Now we just need her to get a transfer to Buffalo.
• My Aunt Linda, may she rest in peace. She always worked at least two jobs. She worked her ass off around the house. She was the sweetest lady every and such a fantastic mother. I miss her every day. And I hate cancer.

Okay, my eyes are welling with tears. I don't think I can type anymore! Tell everyone close to you what they mean to you.

Today’s assignment was to talk about the BufBloPoFo participant below you on the list over there on the sidebar. Today, if the blogger above you on that list was kind enough to ask you a question, answer it! If not, either find a question that was asked of someone else and answer that or, you know, write a post about, um... soup. Look, these topics can’t all be winners, people.



So unfortunately, I didn't get a question. Too bad because I was looking forward to seeing what Scott had to say in regards to my blog. Truth be told, I started stalking Scott's blog last year during BufBloPoFo 2008. When Mike and I worked together, I remember him mentioning a few times that he shared a double with his landlords, and one of them happens to be Mike's sister's sister-in-law? I think? Anyhoo, I think that Scott is the other landlord Mike spoke of. I may have totally effed that up. I distinctly remember Mike saying he lived below three boys and Scott is their dad I think. I may have totally just creeped Scott out but I swear, I'm not a total stalker. Mike and I just talked and BS-ed a LOT during those two years he was at UB.



Okay, so, soup! I love soup. My dad's homemade lentil soup is the best. He puts prosciutto in it. It's good. Lee makes a mean chili. Soooo good. I don't have tons to say about soup so instead I'll share a lil story.



My parents live in Clarence, I've said it before. Clarence isn't that big of a place. Big enough, however, to have a weekly newspaper. The Clarence Bee is HI-LAR-IOUS. I love the police blotter most of all. We're not talking murders, break-ins, etc. This is more like what you'd see in the Clarence police blotter:



"Salt Road resident dials 911 to report cow wandering in road."



"Spaulding Lake resident reports suspicious vehicle in neighborhood. Police investigated and determined that the vehicle was made in the 90's, which led to the resident's confusion, and belonged to a cleaning service. All vehicles in Spaulding Lake are no more than 2 years old and cost no less than $50,000."



So anyhoo, there is a Winterfest every year in Clarence. During said Winterfest, there is a chili cook-off. This year's judge was a friend of my parents, Tim. Not only was Tim a judge, but he was also entering the contest with some other peeps. Turns out Tim's team won. My dad is a funny guy and "challenged" the results. Hilarity ensued, blah, blah, blah.



Tim wrote a submitted an article for the Clarence Bee regarding the chili cook-off. See article below. Blow it up and read the third paragraph in the second column.

Oh yeah, my dad's name is Dave Hallock. Forgot to mention that.

Okay, now find whichever blog is below yours and talk about that dude. If you know them, tell us how you met. If you don’t know them, talk about something you read on their site. Whichever it is, end your post by asking that person a question. (That last part maaaaaaay be important later on...)

Readers, meet Sarah. I've never met Sarah but I have enjoyed reading her blog this morning. I know she puts a lot of stock in body language and could teach many of you a thing or two. Like me, she loves anything involving cheese and bread. So we got that goin for us...which is nice. She's great at karaoke, improv, writing scripts, and making things with eggs (egg sandwich, omelet, etc.) among many other things. If you are hiring for a high-paid position that involves any of the above items, please contact Sarah.

I think, I may be wrong, but I think she's a Buffalo ex-pat like me. We also share our love of beef on weck. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

So here are a few questions for Sarah. If you could be offered your dream job, what would it be? How did you meet Mike? Have you found anything close to the deliciousness that is a Buffalo wing in your current city?

Now, onto some movies. Here we tackle the debate of pea vs. ball. It's been plaguing mankind for ages. Joey just joined the fight.

Remember how I mentioned he loved that monkey? See below.

Today's topic: Tell me about your first home away from home. Tell me about the first apartment you had that wasn’t under your parents’ roof. A dorm? A loft? A cardboard box? Give us a tour.

First place not with Kath & Dave was 137 (I think) Wehrle Hall, Gannon University. Oy, that was an experience. My roommate had turret's...seriously! We did NOT get along. She was mean. And super clean. I, however, am not super clean. It lasted one semester. It wasn't all bad; I met my darling husband in Wehrle. He lived the floor above me with Dan the Tuba Man.

Second semester was in Finegan Hall.

Sophomore year was in Lubiak. I roomed with Jaimie and we were total slobs. My parents came up for a lax game and I distinctly remember my dad saying "the health department would close this place down if they saw it."

Junior year was 324 West 6th. Nothing too noteworthy.

Senior year was 238 West 6th "by myself." Lee was actually there every night but my parents didn't know. At least I don't think so.

After graduation, we moved to 919 West 9th and stayed there for a little over two years until we were told we had to move because our landlord's daughter needed somewhere to live. We were PISSED!

So then we moved to Lovell Place which was pretty sweet. We only stayed there for six months and then we moved back to Buffalo - yay!

We lived right across the street from the zoo on Amherst. It sounds nice but it kinda sucked. The place was really small and my car was broken into.

Then we bought our house in Clarence. Four years later and now we're living in Rochester. I will move ONE MORE TIME and then that's it! I swear. I loathe moving. I'm over it.

This was a very boring post; I'm sorry. I'm not feeling so hot. I did get an Rx from the Dr. today so hopefully I'll be on the mend soon.

Tata for now.

I tried to make this blog private last fall but looks like I was unsuccessful. I thought I was tech-savvy but guess not. Anyhoo, it's goin private, for reals this time. Because I put so many pics of my lil one in here, I'd prefer it be private.

Don't fret! You can still get your dose of me. Just post a comment with your email address and I'll add you to the readers. You have until Friday, March 27th.

Who would play me in a movie? And who would play Mike?


In junior high, people oft said I resembled Blossom. Not exactly a freakin compliment, mind you. Okay, so I may have occasionally worn some ridiculous hats, and my nose was (is) kinda big. But I don't really see the resemblance. Do you?

I don't think she'd be available to play me anyway. I heard she's in a conservative Jewish choir and got a Ph.D. She's moved on from Six, Joey and the gang. Too bad.

If I had my choice, ummmmmm, I guess I would hope that my fave would be available: Tina Fey!

Okay, I did post yesterday but it was only to fulfill my daily obligation. I literally left my house at 6:30 am and got home at 10 pm. Today I was up at 4:30 and I got home not too long ago. I'm pooped. So I didn't really address yesterday's topic, which was to brag about something. In no particular order, here are some of my brag-worthy items:

• I took my road test on a stick shift. I know, I know. I've said that like 361 times. But I'm super proud of it.
• I can watch me some TV like nobody's bid-ness. I LOVE watching TV.
• I was an all-American lacrosse player in high school and college.
• I was voted "Always Seen Eating" of Clarence High School's Class of 97. Usually, I can still always be seen eating.
• I'm generous to a fault. I'd spend my last dollar on a gift for someone else. I love giving things to other people.
• I'm kinda tech-savvy. At least peeps at work think so. Need a population selection? Call me. Need some kinda newfangled design done in publisher? I'm your gal.

I'm too tired to think of anything else. So I won't be bragging about my blogging abilities today.

Okay, it's 6:30am. I'm waiting for Gretchen to meet me at my house so we can head to the Buff for the NACAC fair. I prolly won't get home until after 10pm tonight so this just might have to suffice for today's entry!

Topic: tell me what you think you do right. Walk me through a process. Give me the step-by-steps. Can you make damn good baba ganoush? Can you tie a bow tie? Can you pour the perfect Guinness??? Teach me how, perfesser.

I am totally struggling with this one. Could it be that I'm a jack of all trades, expert of none? I can't think of something I can do that most people can't. Geez, I'm pathetic. Okay, I'm thinking, I'm thinking, I'm thinking.

I can drive stick shift like nobody's business. I even took my road test on a stick. Too bad. Most of my blog readers (if anyone actually reads this blog) can do the same thing. And so can all of Germany.

I make a good chocolate cake...out of the box. Damn.

I do a mean impersonation of just about anyone. But I can't really explain how to do that in my blog.

Eff! I can't think of anything.

Okay, how about this. I will teach you how NOT to write a shitty college admissions essay.

Do NOT start off your essay by saying "I feel that I'm a good fit for RIT..." if you are applying to Brockport.

Don't put any effing smiley faces in your essay. I hate those.

Capitalize, bitches! You're not IMing me. We're not BFFs. I'm going to decide your future and I have no problem black balling you if you never capitalize I.

Your = your. You're = you are. Learn it.

Avoid being cliché when writing your college essay. Believe me, we know that going abroad changed your worldview and made you more open to diversity. We know that indigent and downtrodden people can be good and happy people and we know that you learned that lesson on a mission or service trip. We know that when an injury prevented you from participating on your sports team your senior year you learned the value of teamwork and cheerleading. If I can tell you what the rest of your essay says after reading the first paragraph, that's not a good sign.

I don't care how football changed your life. Just sayin.

If you're a white upperclass kid say from...Clarence, don't write about how you overcame disadvantages. Believe me, I know better.

I have lots more ideas, but it's 12:58pm and I should get back to work. I'll conclude with some of the worst college essay titles:

• How I learned the difference between murder and Manslaughter
• I was granted parole, now grant me admission
• Why my mom thinks I should be accepted

Toodles!

BufBloPoFo Topic for Day 2: If you had the power to put together the most perfect, end-of-the-universe, nothing-better-was-ever-made repast, using whatever ingredients you want, and with whomever you’d like as your co-diners, what would you want? Tell me about one little bit, or all fourteen courses. Tell me about venue, about background music, about which box of wine goes best with which flavor of ramen noodles.

This is a tough one for me. I think I eat pretty well but I can't think of what my last meal would really be. Some of my faves include: homemade mac & cheese, coffee ice cream with hot fudge, cheeseburgers (remember this?), anything from Brodo, Lee's twice baked potatoes, etc. Also I love me some hot dogs from Ted's. Even though ROF is inevitable after Ted's, right Amanda? :) I'd say the best restaurant meal I've ever had was at Left Bank with Lib. O. M. G. It was melt in your mouth good. We started off with the fondue for two and then I had twin Angus beef tournadoes w/ a rich mushroom ragout, applewood smoked bacon and horseradish cheese. I'm still thinking about that meal and it was a year and a half ago. I gotta get there again.

Sadly, I rarely go out to eat these days. Joey at restaurants? HELL. He's 17 months old. He's a boy. He runs everywhere, won't sit in a high chair, you name it, he does it. A big meal out for me these days is when I pick up Panera to go. Joey and I used to go to Panera every Sunday but even that is tough these days. I'm hoping he grows out of this phase sometime soon.

I will say I miss Buffalo food. Namely Bocce pizza, Jim's Steak Out, Ted's (ROF and all), Brodo, Le Metro, etc. Sniff. I do get back to Jim's about once a month but I miss it being right around the corner.

Okay, my kid just filled his pants and the smell of his diaper has permeated my incredibly stuffy nose. I shouldn't have given him chili and a garbage plate last night. I kid, I kid! But he does smell. Toodles!

mmmmk, so here goes day 1. I really hope I can blog for two weeks straight because I reaaallllly want a little graphic made by Mike to put in my sidebar.

So here we go. Today's pre-assigned topic is: Let's start it off easy. Hi! How're things? Remember me? Remember when we were blog friends? What's new whichu? For your first day of Blufporbfofoing, tell me the three biggest things going on in your life right now. If you have fewer than three things going on in your life right now, then your assignment is to come over to my house and pack. (Ahem *slacker* cough...)

I kinda already did this in my last post, but I'll rehash.

1. Joey. This kid is hilarious! He's running everywhere. As I type, he's on his batman four wheeler ramming it over and over into my feet. He had surgery two weeks ago to insert tubes into his ears. Poor little lamb. Anyhoo, this kid has never had a pacifier, a blankie, a "lovie" or any other comfort item. But when we checked him into the hospital for his surgery, the nurse brings out this brand new stuffed monkey. He immediately starting hugging and kissing the monkey. He is now OB.SESSED with his monkey. It's really cute. Mike, I thought you'd enjoy my son's mutual love for monkeys.

2. My Clarence fam. Cancer, plane crash, more cancer. That's what's going on. Bridget is recovering at Kath & Dave's. Kath is doing pretty well but has an appt at Roswell next week to make sure the big C hasn't come back. My dad is pretty much always taking care of the kids. There is nothing left to the plane crash site. Yet people still continue to drive up and down the street. I don't know what they're looking at?!

3. Hmmmmm, what else? How pathetic is it that I can't think of something else. We almost bought a big house but Lee decided against it at the last minute. Sigh. I really wanted it. But at least I'll have central air this summer now that we're staying put. So I got that goin for me....which is nice.

This was kind of a pathetic start for me. The pressure to be witty is tough and I've obviously failed miserably! Oy, I have 13 more days to work. it. out!

I'm a bad blogger. No excuses. I didn't think anyone actually read this until a few of you told me you missed my blogger wit! With BufBloPoFo right around the corner, I gotta stay limber. That's right, if all goes well, you should be hearing from me for 14 days straight! Chew on that!

Anyway, let me provide you with an update since we last spoke.

• Joey is still effing adorable. He's running everywhere and talks. A. LOT. He's really into giving hugs, particularly to Margaret, Matthew and Finn.
• Christmas. That happened too. I still haven't sent out my thank you cards. I feel super guilty about that but hopefully I'll get to them one day soon.
• My mom got pneumonia and was hospitalized. She's doing better and is back home. She goes to Roswell in a few weeks for a check-up. Hopefully all will be clear.
• The day my mom went into the hospital, a PLANE CRASHED ON THEIR STREET. For reals. Seven houses down from Casa Hallock. It's nuts. I have some pics but a) I don't know if it's kosher to post them, and b) I can't find my camera cord.
• In January, my sister Bridget was diagnosed with breast cancer. I know. What the eff?! Someone is peeved at the Hallocks. Turns out my sister and mother (and several other people on my mom's side of the fam) carry something called the BRCA gene which pre-disposes you to breast and ovarian cancer.
• There is a 50% chance I have the BRCA gene. I went to a genetic counseling appointment at Strong a few weeks ago and I go back on April 4th to find out if I have the gene. If I have the gene, I'm getting the girls lopped off.
• Bridget had a double mastectomy and is living with my parents while she recuperates. My dad has his hands full with my mom, Bridget, Margaret and Matthew.
• Lee and I almost put an offer on a great house but then Lee decided he wanted to wait more. I'm super bummed. I really wanted to be in a neighborhood this summer so I could just walk outside with Joey and play.
• Remember when I talked about post-partum depression? Well, when I was in the thick of it, I went on some meds. I'm currently trying to ween myself off those meds and it kinda sucks. I'm somewhat of a hot mess. But it's not too bad.

Okay, I'm done for now. I got laundry in the washing machine and my lil one will be waking up any minute. Toodles!