Damn. And B-E-AUTIFUL bush, by the way. I miss the snow.

OMG! Am I first?!

That picture just creeps me out.

Very, very cool though.

I wish we had that much snow. In St. Louis it's rarely that fluffy.

How I miss the snow... Moving from Jersey to Georgia has made me realize how much I do miss it... Wait-- did I really just say that?

Yikes. I will keep my rain.

Pretty. Like a princess. Maybe even prettier.

The mini picture looked like a decaying molar.

Damn, wish he had snow too. LUCKY you

Wow! Gorgeous picture.

if you ever get chuck to stop licking the couch, can post how you did it?

Really nice looking shot! I know that by the end of the day I'm sure to see snow covered bushes too.
But Im with Becky, Im all for waking up to a snow blanketed world, just as long as I dont have to deal with it. :-D

[btw... woot for the top 25

All you people who are jealous of the snow are welcome to come shovel the "white pestilence from the sky" out of my driveway. Feh! Once it gets too cold to run naked through the front yard, my year is essentially ruined. Uh, but the neighbors are elated.

"white pestilence from the sky" -- i like that

How pretty! I'm one of the transplanted PA folks down here in SC and lemme tell, I DON'T MISS SNOW!!!! Not one little bit. I do think it can be pretty, but I don't want none 'round here.

sure, it looks pretty now, but wait until february...

Damn all of you to hell with your snow, and the flaunting of the snow. I'm in Dallas and it's going to be 70 friggin' degrees today. Last week we had Ice on our cars everyday. Stupid snow flaunters!

Say the chants, and for God's sake! Don't shoot the Invisible Swordsman!

I'm in Texas also (outside of Waco) and snow like that would close the schools and give me a day off of work...it's raining here- it's going to be 68 today.

Beautiful picture

Oh, my guess from the thumbnail? Another ceramic atrocity.

I am not ready for snow just yet! Nothing is worse then walking in manhattan in a foot of snow!

Dooce, Hope you're back home safe and sound. : )

what beautiful snow. we rarely get snow here in dublin. sometimes i wish i didn't live in a maritime climate. no extremes. neither of cold nor of heat.

Nice picture. I also wanted to make sure you know about this new form of dog torture I discovered over the weekend. Put trouser socks on all of your dog's stinky feet. I'm sure many people have done this before, but I was amazed at how entertaining it was!! I also like to put a sock on her snout, but she pulls it right off.

i'm jealous of your beautiful snow - i live in the mountains - i should have snow, but alas just drippy drizzle and mud.

what's on your christmas list dooce?

i want snow SO BADLY! this is my favorite time of year. the house is decorated, hot chocolate ready to go, a fire in the fireplace -now send me some goddamned snow!

i feel totally silly now... complaining about how cold it was and how my hands were turning purple in the 42 degree LA/socal winter weather.

We just got a nice pile of snow over the weekend. Of course my drive to work was extended from 30 minutes to 50 minutes...

Currently in Edmonton the temp is: -11 °F / -24 °C enjoy your 70F weather people!

I think you ought to compose a long post compiling all of the "I'm first!" comments. The whole phenomenon has taken on a life of its own and would be a pretty funny read. Or not.

You have *definitely* been at your Mom's for a while recently if you're referencing things from the Bible in your heading for pictures now!!! ;-)

Snow definitely makes for some gorgeous pics (like that one!) ... I can't say I enjoy being around it though. It's 25 degrees up here in Boston and I hear snow is on the way. I'm not really all that happy about it.

I can't wait to get snow like that here in Berea,Oh. It's all gray drabby days, but as soon as we get actually get the snow I'll love it for 2.5 seconds and then wish it was 80 degress out....

Lisa: I concur.

Now, if only crack really grew on trees...

Cool figure ground reversal in the thumbnail. Sorry, about the art lingo.

I think the thumbnail is cool because it looks like a crack (absence of matter) but the photo is in fact of a tree branch (matter).

You know, we're all so fortunate to be able to see the snow for ourselves, or even go to the snow. But there are some kids who will never see or play in the snow. Isn't that sad? I don't know how they do it...not seeing the joys of the snow and all. We should create a charitable trust to help them find that joy.

/format

Beautiful. I have a picture of a dancing Moses in my Photobucket account and the title to your picture reminded me of him =)

I feel left out. We've not had one drop of snow yet. :(

I can count the number of times I've seen snow on my hands.

It's a rather humid 70 degrees here. I'm so jealous.

Snow is just a distant memory as I sit here sweating in Kenya, East Africa............Send a little cold my way!!!

Hey Dooce, just wondering, when does the party planning for Leta's 1st birthday start? My son, Aidan, turned one on August 29th, and we started at least 4 months in advance. Pretty neurotic huh? Well it's just that family came out of the wood work and all "had" to come. By the way, beautiful picture!

That's pretty cool.

Burning Bush, huh?
Ok, Dooce, where's George W?? Is he under that shrub-thing with the snow on it?

Re: Aaron's point..

Don't despair for the children that grow up without snow. I grew up in the midwest, so I'm no stranger to it - but I moved to south TX and married a native.

The first time I took him to see snow, he checked it out for awhile and then came in the house to exclaim 'get me the fuck out of here! It's COLD!'

The native southerners aren't missing a damn thing, for sure. ;o)

http://wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65912,00.html

a dooce mention :)

Sensual pic!

That bush must be freezing!

Cold, white, heartless bush.

Hey...look closely. Is that an image of the Virgin Mary in the bush? It's odd how I contemplate these things as I am munching down my grilled cheese.

Hmm, interesting picture. I thought the mini-image looked like a stuffed Tigger giving a kiss to another stuffed animal. Guess I need to get out more.

Yes, mns - I think Danielle suggested we also have a category
D. for Requests

(And for those who didn't see this post - assinine was referring to moi.)

Does the bush, umm, match the, umm... boughs on the trees?

A turd left behind is better than two in the bush.

Girl.A--Yowza!

Sheryl--

The word's asinine, not assinine.

And you're most certainly NOT.

I'm just excited that Dooce put "Christmas-y" stuff in her new masthead, because we all know what that means: a NEW masthead after the holidays pass in a few weeks!!! Wooohooo! Methinks she should consider something with the other two favorite subjects in her life: Jon and Leta. She's already had Chuck, a poop-related masthead, cowbells, etc. Time for Leta, or maybe GEORGE!, or perhaps even a tribute to the Avon World Sales Leader. Maybe a snub to the "No Parking Neighbors" or the "Really Creepy Cool Realtor." Who knows where this could go next!!! ;-)

I'd love to see a pic of the Avon World Sales leader on a masthead, she reminds me of my own dear mother who used to sell Mary Kay cosmetics faster than a drug dealer could sell crack.

and the bush comments start!

Whoo hooo!!

I guess it's just me, but I thought the thumbnail looked like a close-up black and white shot of a hand holding some sticks or herbs. Now, go scan up *real* quick and look at it. Do you see it, or am I fucking crazy? (Not that the two are mutually exclusive [hee! I love that term].)
I think it's a purty picture. And I am desperately fighting the urge to make any bad "bush" jokes. Two different subjects of jokes... and I have a real bad one just aching to come out.
Okay, you twisted my arm. Maybe just one.
Too bad we can't really burn Bush, eh? HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAA. Sorry. That was lame. And not funny. Je regrette.

Sarcastic Journalist-

That's an awesome picture. I was digging through my old pictures the other day and found one of me pregnant with my last child and thought, "Oh thank you lord for hooking me up with a guy who's fixed!"
I swear I looked like I had been stung by some seriously pissed off bees.

the thumbnail looks like the top of a molar after someone ate an oreo.

Wondered when the Bush comments would start. It was of course my first thought...you said...bush. Heh.

it took nearly 100 comments to get to the bush jokes? geez. you people are slipping.

So, when Leta was screaming just for screaming's sake, and you finally had enough, and yelled, "SHUUUUUUUUUT UUUUUUPPPPPPP!!!" ...

...did she get very very quiet, and look at you like YOU were the crazy one??

Mine did.

Your letters to Leta make my heart ache, they are so beautiful!

it's hard to believe she screams like a banshee when you show us such beautiful happy pictures of her wonderful face. surely you exagerrate. just kidding.

When Leta is thirteen, and even worse than she is now, just remind her that you once published close-ups of her (baby!) thighs on the internet and that you can do it again. Of course, maybe she'll just scream.

Leta is such a cutie pie!!!!

Please---a picture of a screaming Leta!!!!

I love the picture of Leta as a kewpie doll (the one where you are washing her hair).

Her eyebrows are red! Do you think she'll be a redhead?

By the way, I love today's picture. I have never seen real snow.

Mrs. DoF, if THAT's verbal abuse, Social Services would live at my house. You should see the looks I get when people hear me tell my kids, "I don't really care what you want" or (to my daughter, who hates to go to watch her brother's karate lesson)"Well, nobody WANTS to go to karate, but we have to, and that's that."

Ok I'm sorry if this posts again, but something weird happened when I tried last time.

dooce- I know I am repeating what you have heard many times, but you take beautiful pictures. Especially of your daughter (and of bushes). I think your camera knows how much you love Leta and it comes out in those pictures.

Your monthly newsletters are always my favorite updates. I love watching Leta grow into a (beautiful, opinionated) little person.

I once yelled "Shuuuuuut Uuuuuuup" into the large food court at the mall, much like you did in the car. It was almost soul cleansing.
That second photo of Leta in the sink had me in tears.
Bee-yoo-tee-ful.

i think she looks like a cupie doll! she's sooo cute! her eyes are so deep and dark in the tub pics. Too cute for words..:)

Heather will you be my mom and update everyone on my life, ok ok so I am 40 something but I don't scream that often. Dr.

Mrs. DoF: “Your co-operation is anticipated and appreciated” That is just hilarious.

My favorite picture is the mohawk in the sink. So fitting!!

It sounds like Leta is becoming a little person and that is so wonderful. You sound like me and all the moms I know. Don't think you're doing anything wrong or anything mothers have not done before. You are a great mom. And Leta is a beautiful, sweet, wild little girl. Perfect!

MrsDoF: Yeh, I got written up today for daring to suggest that the principal's comments had nothing to do with the topic at hand. There were so many factual errors in the writeup itself that I could only laugh.

Cool shot. But I'm not missing the snow. And Leta is a total cutie pie.

I've never commented before - but LOVE your monthly letters to Leta. I'm the mother of a 7-year old boy with Type I diabetes, and a 5-year old boy with mild autism. The honesty, love, humor, and integrity (YES integrity!) with which you approach your letters to your daughter move me. Mothering is more difficult than I ever imagined and even more gripping than I ever imagined. I adored (continue to adore) these boys, yet am able to laugh about the obvious craziness. Thank you for your candor... and more than anything, thank you for your love.

BTW when I look at the thumbnail, I see the nose of a bear (the triangle), all tucked up next to his paws and poochy belly.

I know so well how kids like only those things that belong to you, are crucial, like keys and wallet and etc. I had an idea but don't know if this would work. But a fake set of keys and a fake wallet with monopoly money in it. You could pull these out first and when she screams immediately hand them to her, then surreptitiously get out the REAL wallet/keys. Leta sounds like she'd be smart enough to catch on and not allow this, but you never know!

you are all bullshitting kissasses

That is one adorable kid.

Okay...so this is a little gross, but I have to share this with as many people as possible, and Heather, I thought you might find it entertaining.

Exhibit A: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001HCI5M/sr=1-23/qid=110...
(rattlesnake)

Exhibit B:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002BV05Q/ref=pd_sbs_gf_1...
(ground lion)

Be sure to read the reviews.

Oh Leta Leta Bo Beeta....

SO. STINKIN. CUTE.

Heather - you rock. I've written letters to Thomas every month too and it will be such a lovely gift one day.

My mother once gave me my grandmother's antique creamer filled with little notes of things she remembered about my childhood....I bawled. Leta will too hun. You have such a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing with us every day.

Hugs,
Karen

As a mother to 3 I INSIST you learn to say the word NO!!!!!! Something they can grasp, learn in time... Yeah, have heard all the catch phrases I should have used "No XXX, that is NOT APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR and all that. Save it for when they can understand the idea.

NO. Every mother needs this word, heck, I can't imagine life without it!
NO! Do not chew the dogs tail.
NO! No crayons up the nose.
NO! Leave the tv channel as it is.
NO! Do not run your hand through your shitty diaper..
NO! Stop pulling the plug out of the tub... and so on..

And sooner or later you will get to the stage I am at with my 3. NO, because I said SO! ;)

No... it is a GOOD word...

I gotta Say I love me some nekkid baby bath pictures!

Well, Leta just gets cuter as she gets more frustrating, doesn't she?

And you just keep on making me cry, Heather. Stop it. Now!

Dooce,

It becomes increasingly hard to distinguish which posting is about Chuck and which about Leta. Take for instance the 'How to Annoy Me' about the wet nose and the blow dryer... Chuck or Leta?

Jaap, I thought the wet puppy nose reference was about dooce (herself) kissing Jon.

this phrase caught my eye:

"you go in to kiss your husband"

Chrisy - You are a powerful woman to not only deal with a 7 month old with Diabetes but also a child with Autism. you must be a saint!

I get up early in the morning for once and there is still the picture from yesterday.

It still makes me wish I had snow.

My mother used the word "unnecessary"when I was a child. She also used "inappropriate", "circumstances", and so on and so forth.

Fast forward to my two year old check up. My doctor was taking blood and had taken quite a few vials only to come back and start poking me, again. According to my mother I shot him a look over my glasses and said, "Under the circumstances I don't think that is entirely neccassary. You have enough blood today, Sir."

So, use whatever words you want to use, Lena will catch on.

Oh, and as crazy as this sounds, this month's newsletter just made me want to hug you. You are an amazing person. Thanks, again, for sharing.

Love that picture! And your newsletters to Leta are inspiring. I have a two year old (well, almost) and a 4.5 year old and I say NO all the time. It is unpleasant at best.

Um, excuse me? Are babies really allowed to be THAT cute?!