Lulufish

Tonight

2011-03-16T20:53:00.000-03:00

Tonight, in an effort to get ahead for tomorrow we are going to:

Empty all our trash and take our cans to the curb before we go to bed instead of racing to try to beat the truck in the morning.

Pack our snacks and drinks in our school bags so we are not frantically searching in the morning. Everyone is going to hang their bags along with their coats on the back on their chairs at the kitchen table so we are ready to go!

We are going to pick out our clothes and shoes so there is no deciding in the morning.

Finally, after a full week of being sick we are looking forward to getting to bed early. (I really hope that we can stick to this one!)

I know other people probably do these things every night but I have never been successful in making it happen. Wish us luck with our plan to be more organized and maybe even on time- we need it!

The End.

2011-02-16T23:00:00.001-04:00

Not one of us (Noah or Piper) fell in the pool today.
That makes it a ~~good~~ excellent day.

I am feeling sad as the end of high school swim season draws near.
Who will entertain me?
Who will make me laugh?
How much will they all grow and change before I see them again?
{sigh}

The end of high school swim season for me is like losing 52 of my very own children. Or sending them on a long trip, during which we will have limited contact. So damn depressing.

A bunch have been asking for my phone number. So...I figure they are either going to call me when the boy/girlfriend breaks up with them OR
they are going to prank call me from some Sophomore slumber party.
No worries. I will love any and all of it.

You see, these kids change my life in a way that I cannot quite explain.
They love unconditionally, they have faith and vision in the future, they are bright and they are the most simple and basic of things: they are HAPPY. I love everyone one of them,
And THAT is why I feel sad that high school swim is almost over.

(My graduating Seniors)

So I joined my Masters team again today.
And then I signed up for three classes.
And then I made Beef Stew.
And sent The Fish off to her swim practice.

I will keep myself busy somehow so I dont have to think about the end of high school season.

2011-02-15T21:43:00.000-04:00

I coach a local high school swim team if you dont already know that.

Today at practice Noah fell in the pool during said high school team practice.

Noah is not on the high school swim team....but you probably already figured that out.

But he does swim better than approximately 1/3 of them.

Kidding.

And now back to my regularly scheduled post.

I am thinking of getting rid of everything. Just purging my house until we are down to just a few things that we love. No, children dont count. If they did, this week I would only have one left, the other to would be purged.

Also kidding...

Your thoughts on my purging idea?

My Valentine.

2011-02-14T14:18:00.001-04:00

Being married to your very best friend is the best Valentine's Day present ever, in my opinion. And even though The MacDaddy is not here (again) to share this day with me, I have our little people here and they are a constant reminder of the man I love.

I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day.

I'm back.

2011-02-11T01:08:00.000-04:00

I have nothing witty to say.
But I'm back.

The MacDaddy has up and left us again and I am feeling like writing.
A little.

It is midnight and I am sitting here alone wishing for a giant snowstorm.
One of those storms where it gets super cold and grey hours before the snow comes.
One of those storms that sends everyone scrambling to the stores for provisions.
Toilet paper.
Bread.
And crafts.

I hate snow.
And here I am wishing for a giant snowstorm that would leave me and my little people homebound and stranded for a week.
A snowstorm that would leave me crying in my own driveway knowing that I couldn't keep up with the shoveling out by myself out.
Its February 11th. I think my chances are limited.
I'm going to bed.

What are you wishing for?

June stuff

2010-06-13T01:47:00.000-03:00

My floors are done, sort of and mostly.

My dining room is GORGEOUS. Even without a table and chairs yet. I love, love, love it. It makes me want to lay down in the middle of the floor and just stare at it.

I scored a birdbath from a neighbor the other day- whooooo hoooooo! - it was headed for the landfill.

I have loved every single minute of working in my yard over the past two months or so.

I taught my 12 year old how to mow with the "little mower". I made sure to teach her how to check the oil, add gas and mow straight. Then I explained that it was my responsibility to raise her to be a "strong woman" because you know you could be left at any moment, like me, without a man to mow your grass. "I know Mom." she said back to me. I know she wanted to say, "Move it sister, before I mow YOU!"

The boy now says MISCREANT! Thank you Ice Age. He also told the girls tonight, when they wouldn't be quiet so he could go to sleep, that they should "Stop the bullshit." Thank you Avatar.

Most importantly, I was reminded today, and I will explain why to you later, that America truly is beautiful.

Our Day in Photos

2010-05-25T22:09:00.000-03:00

Tile Project

2010-05-23T17:12:00.000-03:00

No time to edit the photos so you get 'em like this.

This is the project that has been taking up all of my time, making my house a wreck and driving me insane.

This has been going on since December.

My kitchen, laundry room, powder room and half of my foyer have been done for a while now.

Then we decided to go ahead and tile the dining and living rooms.

To make a long story short, that was easier said than done. We did not have enough material to complete the project and had to order more.

The tile distributor we were dealing with was not exactly, um,

honest, and we ended up with a large shipment of tile that was 1/4 inch larger than the original and unusable for this project.

In these photos you can see where we stopped.

Ugh.

I finally contacted the manufacturer of the tile directly, in Italy, and tracked down

one single distributor in the US who could possibly have the matching caliber tile.

They had a whopping 717 square feet left.

We ordered.

They delivered.

We had it installed.

And here we are.

Almost done.

I had them ripped the ugly chair rail off in preparation for the finishing touches.

I have decided to kick the little kids out of the dining room, which was serving as their playroom.

Today I made The Fish help me move this piece in.

And the I filled it with my white serving pieces.

Its turning out just as I had hoped.

More pictures as soon as I am done.

SO excited! :)

The Goodbye Cake

2010-05-17T05:41:00.000-03:00

We ate a gianormous piece of chocolate cake with whipped cream tonight after dinner in honor of Daddy.

He got it for us before he left and I saved it in the refrigerator for four days before finally deciding to eat it.
I added two scoops of vanilla fudge ice cream.

The kids liked it alot but it didn't make me feel any better at all.

Fatter, yes.
Better, no.

Dear World, I'm Sleeping ALONE! Score!

2010-04-08T23:10:00.001-03:00

Dear World,

Tonight I am sleeping alone.
This may not come as a shock to most of you as you might remember The MacDaddy has been gone for almost six months now.
And I may or may not have mentioned the part about how the little people who reside here sleep in my bed, every night, always have...
But they are exhausting me.
I have not had a decent nights sleep in weeks or more.
The little girl sleeps sideways
And the little boy always has to be touching me.
None of it makes for good sleep.

So tonight I insisted they sleep in their bunkbed.
It's practice, I told them, for when Daddy comes home in a few weeks.
There was, in fact, a little crying
And some sniffle-y begging: "I'm just a little guy you know!"
And then they went to bed.
It was all actually rather uneventful really.

We will see how the night goes.
I will let you know tomorrow, success or failure.

** Update: It is now 3:51am. My insomnia is in full swing and I have been awake since 2:30am when the baby girl came into my room. She is currently sideways in my bed. The boy remains in his bunkbed. Go Boy!

On a random note, I am thinking about visiting a tanning bed. I think I might need to even myself out a little after my very favorite neighbors comment of "Nice farmers tan" left me feeling like a complete loser.

The Finger

2010-03-15T23:32:00.000-03:00

He's NOT giving you the finger!

He's showing you the cut he got today.

Sheesh...

You've just got to stop rushing to judgement.

New Project

2010-03-13T23:45:00.002-04:00

Dear Craigslist,
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...
Well, currently there are 13.
And I will explain more later.
For now, because it is Saturday night, and I am tired I will only show you this.

Project #1 The Chair.
Gross isn't it?

Look at the seat. Remember this fabric?

Circa 1984?

So icky.

And check out the stains.

Eeeeeewwwwww.

And the scratches.

It's pretty beat up.

And wobbly.

And it has that hazy whitewashed color on it.

Can you say yuck?

So I brought it inside and I took it apart.

I tightened up all of its parts and guess what?

It's not wobbly.

Not even a little.

Then I took it to the garage and sanded it with my handy rotary sander.

Thank you handy rotary sander!

Then I primed it.

While that dried I went in and recovered the cushion.

Not perfect, but SO much better.

When the primer was dry I went back and put the first coat of paint on the chair.

We are a long way from being done.

But I would say it's a good start.

Growing Up Quickly.

2010-03-10T00:40:00.000-04:00

This one is growing up quickly.

Very quickly.

In fact, as much as I hate to admit it, I have forgotten her as a baby.

It pains me to admit that I just can't remember it.

She is developing her very own little independent personality.

And she picks out her own clothes.

Yes, they are leg warmers.

She is the baby of an 80's girl.

And, yes, my kitchen chairs are filthy.

I know it.

Recovering project coming up.

Really Pip, it is, coming up.

Don't give me that look.

Every Single Time I Look into Your Eyes.

2010-03-08T08:45:00.002-04:00

The boy said this to me yesterday,

"Every single time I look into your eyes,

it reminds me of how beautiful you are."

Seriously,

Can you possibly imagine the lines he will have by the time he's in high school?

I Finally Have Time

2010-03-06T17:23:00.002-04:00

I finally have time tonight to sit down and whip up some pillow covers for some pillow forms I've been wanting to cover.

Only it's been so long since I have used my machine that I can't remember how to thread it.

I think I am going to order some take out
And take it to my house.
And sit on my couch and eat it and watch all of the TV I have been DVRing and not watching.

We went to a birthday party today.
For my 4 year old's girlfriend.
It was fun. And yummy. There were pulled pork sandwiches. And cole slaw.
And then all of the children chased the pet potbelly pig around the yard.
And I wondered if that pig knew we were having pig for lunch.

It was heaven.

Until some older kids threw my boy off the playset.
Literally.
Onto his face.

can you see it?

It looked like just a little scratch at first.
But now its bigger and more red and it's definitely going to be a big bruise.

When we talked to The MacDaddy on Skype when we got home he wanted to know
what I said when this happened.

And I told him I said nothing.
What am I going to say in a house full of people I have never met before?

And he said that I should have asked
"What the f is wrong with your kids?"

And I thought about that and said
"Yup, that is the perfect way to make friends in a house full of people I don't know"

And so now The MacDaddy and I have agreed not to speak to each other for a while.

What would you have said?

Cupcake Tower

2010-03-04T22:34:00.000-04:00

I scored the cutest cupcake tower at Target the other day.
We have been looking for one.
In fact, The Otter has been diligent in heading up the search for the perfect cupcake tower.

Well, we found it.
And this morning I made cupcakes.
With sprinkles.
And right now, at 9:29 pm, there exactly two cupcakes left on that tower.

I made them extra big so there were not too many of them but I will say that the tower holds 18.
And it was full.
And I think I already mentioned that there are only two left.

Oh.
And The Otter had 6 today.
And he wants one more.

And I just want this day to be over.

The Stool

2010-03-02T23:02:00.001-04:00

I did refer, yesterday, to a new stool that The Otter was using while at the sink messing with water.
And today I thought that it would be proper to mention that I am actually in LOVE with the stool.

It puts little people at exactly the right height for hand washing, playing in water or scrubbing dishes at the kitchen sink.

It also puts them at precisely the right height for helping with egg cracking or stirring anything at the kitchen island.

And when they are hanging around the kitchen on the stool while you are cooking something-or-other it puts them at the perfect height for some good conversation with the Mama.

I picked it up for $20 and put it together in mere moments.

You can get one HERE.

Weekend

2010-03-01T23:34:00.003-04:00

I spent my weekend doing alot of this.

And I also had to wash this

because I found it when I cleaned out The MacDaddy's truck and it was STICKY.

yuck.

Then I watched my boy, up on his new stool, at the sink, for what seemed like hours.

That boy is fascinated by the faucet.

Or maybe he was fascinated by the mess he was making.

Then he told me some stories about fighting men and dragons and guns and monsters and stuff.

Little boy stuff.

Stuff about loud noises and smoke and dirt.

I loved it.

The next story was about how after college he is going to come home and marry his friend Lauren.

He is going to leave my house and he and Lauren and are going to live

"alone but together"

and he is going to take his bunkbed and he will let her pick if she wants to sleep on the top or the bottom.

What a gentleman.

I am definitely going to remind him of this later.

And they will have a pet pig

and a really big huge dog!

And when they have a baby, he told me....they are going to "drop that baby off with you mom!"

Great.

After that,

I strung some of these onto some stretchy string stuff

until my eyeballs started to bleed from my straining to see those

little tiny freakin holes!

Not really.

They didn't really bleed.

They just felt like they were going to.

That was my weekend.

Oh, except I forgot to mention the 6

11 year old girls

who spent the night here on Saturday night.

And stayed up until 4:10 am.

Ah, youth.

How was your weekend?

It's Gonna Take Alot!

2010-02-26T15:59:00.000-04:00

So just tonight I was sitting here in front of the computer just perusing the bliggity blogs of my favorite friends when this one crawled up on my lap:

And here's what she wanted to know:

"What's that you're doin'?"

And you're thinking I said, "I'm lookin at the bliggity blogs of some of my friends."

But what I really said is this:

"I'm putting on eye cream."

What?

I know that's what you're thinking:

"What did she say? She's putting on eye cream?

I thought she said she was looking at blogs."

You see, dear Reader, here's how it rolls at my house:

It doesn't get done unless it's in my face or under my nose.

So...

let's back up one step.

You see, I have never in my life bought an eye cream.

In fact, I had never even bought a moisturizer for my face until about September of last year

but for some reason, just the other day, I looked in the mirror and I felt like an eye cream was in order.

Actually, I felt like I had an eye cream emergency on my hands.

So I bought some.

And just to make sure that I will actually remember to use it,

I left it next to my computer.

So fast forward to today.

When I told the baby I was putting on eye cream she asked me,

"Why?"

And I told her,

"I need it because I am getting old and it helps with wrinkles."

And then she looked very carefully at my eyes and thought a minute and said,

"Well, I hope you have more of that 'cause it's gonna take alot!"

The Water Scoopers

2010-02-25T19:43:00.001-04:00

Just the other day it was raining.
We were driving down the road when it started.

From the back seat The Otter began to give directions:
"Make the Water Scoopers go Mom!" he yelled with gusto!

Water scoopers? Water scoopers? I thought.
What the hell?

"Make 'em go Mom!" he insisted "The Water Scoopers!"

And I finally told him that I could not, in fact, turn on The Water Scoopers because I had no earthly idea what the heck he was talking about.

"You know Mom! The Water Scoopers! The Windshield Jumpers! You know! SO YOU CAN SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING! Turn them on!"

Oh...The windshield wipers. I got it. I turned them on. And now they will forever be known to me as The Water Scooping Windshield Jumpers.

This photo has nothing to do with the story except that I kind of think this is what he looked like sitting in the back seat yelling at me.

Sickness.

2010-02-25T13:58:00.003-04:00

I told my mom, just the other day, about how lucky we've been this winter.

"Hardly a sickness here all winter long with three kids" I told her, and I felt luck shining down on me as I said it.

And you know how when you say it, well, you know what happens next.

When you say something stupid like "No one here's been sick."

Well then the big Sick Elephant comes along and stomps all over your happiness and brings some sort of cough-y, snotty, fever-y thing and leaves it right on your doorstep.

And that is exactly what happened here.

As soon as I hung up the phone I turned and looked at the baby and she had snot dripping right out of her nose (I swear - it happened just this way).

Then The Otter had it. And he added hacking and coughing all night long to his sick and snotty nose.

Then he shared it with me. Thank you Otter. And I added a sore throat... and headache just for good measure.

The Otter looked at me yesterday morning after my tenth consecutive sneeze, and said "What's wrong with you Mommy?"

I looked at him through my sneezy watery eyes and said "I have a cold son."

He thought about it and looked back at me and said "Well, I'm sick too you know. Tell me, do I have a cold or a hot?"

And that made me laugh until I felt much better.

Fear This

2010-02-24T21:21:00.002-04:00

5'6'' tall

and 112 lbs of pure muscle

at 11 years old.

Currently destroying the competition

with nowhere to go but up.

Get your Olympic tickets now folks,

there WILL be a line to see this one...

Signed,

One Proud Mama.

OK With Things

2010-02-24T21:02:00.000-04:00

You know, sometimes you just get to a point where you are OK with things.

Things like family who longer has a place for you in their lives, no matter how you have tried.
Things like people who don't worry about your injured babies the way that you do, even though they are the reason that your baby is injured in the first place. Accident or not, you really should just call to check in, even if you don't care.
Things like feeling alone, even though you are surrounded by people, because your best friend isn't around and won't be for nearly another year.
Things like being alone in back to back to back snowstorms, dumping 35+ inches of snow, with three kids and no one to depend on, except the kind lady next door who is no stronger than you are, who helped for hours to shovel out your driveway, only because she wanted to.

I could go on. But why?

I have decided that I am OK with things because maybe that is just the way life is.

Boys Love Guns

2010-02-11T11:35:00.001-04:00

My hubby,

back where he loves to be the most,

with his Marines.

and shooting big guns.

Yes.

2010-02-11T01:33:00.000-04:00

Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear.

Instead, as they arise look at them with the full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. Hasn't He kept you safe up to now?

So hold His loving hand tightly and He will lead you safely through all things.

And when you cannot stand, He will carry you in His arms.

Do not look ahead to what may happen tomorrow.

The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day.

Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you His unwavering strength that you may bear it.

Be at peace, then, and set aside all anxious thoughts and worries.

Francis de Sales

Freakin Weirdos

2010-02-10T05:04:00.000-04:00

More snow

More boredom.

More weird pictures.

This time with the boy.

He is a hambone

And I love him.

That Orange Thing

2010-02-09T21:48:00.001-04:00

"Who lives inside you Pip?" I asked the baby this morning.
She has some sort of odd sense of closeness and knowledge of God and Jesus and I just knew that she would answer with one of them.
"God" she said, "He lives in my heart."
"Yes, Baby Girl, that's right and who else lives there?" I asked.
She didn't hesitate when she answered, "The orange guy."
She means this guy:

The Weight Watchers "Hungry" monster.
Yep, he lives in me too Baby Girl. I can't get rid of him.

Nothin to Do

2010-02-09T01:40:00.000-04:00

It's been snowing alot here and we got bored.

Really bored.

The Light

2010-02-08T18:45:00.000-04:00

Today Nie was talking about The Light.
It's true what she says. Everyone loves The Light.
Everyone craves it.
I know I do.

And in these days of endless diapers and screaming children.
In these days of being tired of cleaning in circles and constant running.
In these days of being sick of being alone and missing my husband,

I can still feel The Light.
Can you feel it too?

Feelings

2010-02-08T01:52:00.000-04:00

Tonight, when I told the baby it was time for her to go to bed, she told me,
"You hurt my feelings when you tell me that."

And I told her that I didn't mean to hurt her feelings but that if I didn't get some alone time I was going to go out and lay in the snow and hope to die of exposure.

"You hurt my feelings really bad Mommy when you say things to me like GO TO BED," she said plainly.

And then I wondered if she knows what feelings are.

"What are feelings baby girl? Where do your feelings live" I asked.

"You know where they live Mommy. They live right here in my hair."

And The Otter piped right up and added, "Yes they do Baby Girl! Your feelings live right there in your hair! That's right!"

Dead.

2010-01-22T21:09:00.001-04:00

My old IBook G4 died.
It wasn't dramatic, just a little beep and then nothing more.
I wrapped the poor thing in a soft blanket andheld it all the way to the Genius Bar at the Apple store in hopes of a revival but alas, no such luck.
I am in deep mourning.
My IBook and I were inseparable companions for all of 5 years and I am not functioning well without him
(or is it her - I never thought of it)
Any way you slice it -it is a problem.

When My Kids Grow Up

2010-01-15T08:53:00.002-04:00

When everyone stops peeing in my bed

and

wearing their dirty tennis shoes while jumping on my bed

and eating their snacks and spilling their juicy cups

in my bed,

I am going to sleep in this:

*photo courtesy of Arhaus Furniture (again)*

'Cept not with that bedding set 'cause I don't like that very much at all.

But the bed? Yes. I like that bed VERY VERY much.

And I am going to fill it up with white sheets and blankets

and a big fluffy down comforter and tons of white pillows.

And then I will probably just lay in it and wonder where everyone is.

The Sofa

2010-01-14T12:31:00.000-04:00

OK - so you liked THE SOFA too.

It's normally like $3499.
On SALEY for $2499.

WHATCHATHINKABOUTTHAT?

Really. Look at the picture, and then tell me, is $2499 reasonable.
Not sayin' that I have $2499 but I just wanna know...is it reasonable?

Here's what else they say about it:

Our Club sofas hard wearing textural mix of cotton and eco cotton fabric is only the beginning. Because beneath this extraordinary exterior lies and even more extraordinary interior-brimming with environmentally-friendly materials such as sustainable timber and recycled steel- for a collection that appeals to your sense of style as well as your sense of social responsibility.

So, if I actually had the sofa in my home, I could constantly, in conversation, use words like "environmentally-friendly materials" and "sustainable" and "eco" because normally we just use words like PLASTIC and DISPOSABLE and EASE-OF-USE and such. It would be like a whole new life.

OpInInIons pLeAse.... and thank you

i'm in luv... {insert sigh}

2010-01-13T22:14:00.002-04:00

behold:

*photo courtesy of Arhaus furniture*

I want it. period.

oh, and it's on sale.

Volleyball

2010-01-09T11:09:00.000-04:00

The Fish has decided to try volleyball.
She has never played before. Well, maybe she played a little in gym class. I don't know.
Today she is going to a three hour clinic to learn a little about the game.
I give her credit for wanting to try something new.
And I worry about her getting damaged before her next swim meets.
Don't get damaged, Fish.

Snow Days

2010-01-08T06:56:00.005-04:00

We woke this morning to barely a dusting of snow.
School was closed.
I went back to sleep.
Thankfully.

Swimmy Happiness

2010-01-07T14:01:00.001-04:00

Here are my high school swim kids.

They have made the last couple months so much fun.

They are hilarious, hardworking and sometimes a little wacky and it all keeps me coming back for more.

Pasta party at my house tonight (with no floors)

and big meet tomorrow night!

Go KRHS swim team!

A Happy (& unbelievable) Photo

2010-01-06T10:00:00.001-04:00

So here they are!

My hubby and my bloggy buddy, Amy , after they met by accident (or was it?) all the way across the country in a random California hotel breakfast area.

HEY WAIT! That doesn't sound random! Do the two of you have something to tell us?

Hey lady! Get your mitts off my man!

Kidding.

Amy's husband was the kind soul behind the lens of the camera taking this great picture -

because if we didn't have the picture

you would never believe

this ever could have happened !

I am still not sure I believe it.

Focus on the Funny, or You Will Lose Your Ever-Loving Mind.

2010-01-05T20:21:00.000-04:00

We are not going to talk about how the day has gone.
We won't talk about waking to find that The Otter had peed my bed right down to the mattress because I forgot to put a diaper on him last night before bed.
And we won't talk about how the tile people called me today to let me know that the tile for my kitchen floor, yes, where we just tore out all that hardwood, yes, that tile will not be available for 10 weeks.
And we certainly won't talk about how the dogs tried like crazy to get at a piece of sandwich I had carelessly left sitting on the new kitchen table today while we were at swim practice, leaving my new kitchen table looking like this:

Yes, I thought about killing them.

No, we are not going to talk about those things because they are not HAPPY THINGS or THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR and they are not things that are fitting in with how this new year is SUPPOSED TO BE GOING.

Darn it all to heck.

We will talk about happy things. Things that will make you smile.

Like today when The Otter announced that he is "The Greatest Wonder of the World"
I agree completely.
I wonder about that child all the time.

Or this:

Her Highness made a statement: "I have a bad feeling."

About what, I asked.

"I have a bad feeling that Daddy is NOT home"

This is true. Daddy is not home.
Don't get excited folks, she is not psychic, only accurate.

Then she started singing,
"Gotta get get,
Gotta get get"

(To the tune of the Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" please)

"Mommy!
You gotta get get,
gotta get get,
me a granola bar!"

So this is how my day has gone.
So funny it will make you cry.
And funny, my friends, is something to be thankful for.

Thanks for Chance Meetings

2010-01-04T21:03:00.001-04:00

You may want to pay attention here. This is a doozy.

The MacDaddy is in California, same place he has been for months.

This morning, like most mornings, he phoned home.
We chit-chatted about the usual.
I miss you.
I miss you too.
It's cold here.
It's warm here.
What are you doing today? Working.
What are you doing? Changing diapers.

This morning he added a story about breakfast.

"I really miss the kids," he said.
"This morning (at his hotel) I met a woman and her children in the restaurant.
The kids looked about the same age as The Otter and Her Highness so I asked her about them."

They chit-chatted.
They talked about kids.
Somehow they mentioned that they were both from Virginia.

Other small talk was made.
Her husband is with the Marine Corp.

They parted ways.

As he told me the story he added, "She's pregnant."

And I thought "It's all so familiar."

"It's my friend Amy ", I told him.

See I have some bloggy friends that I adore. Women I have never met in real life but who have become my friends through our blogs and long email conversations. They are some of the very best friends I have. They have supported me through the worst of days and laughed with me through the best of times. Amy is one of those girls. Though we have never officially met in real live life, it's like I have known her for years.

I quickly went on line and looked at her blog. Could it even be possible that she could have run into my husband 3000 miles away at a continental breakfast at some randomly chosen hotel?

And then I saw this:

I did complete these two little gems on Thursday (when I should have been cleaning and packing, more on that in a minute.)

and this:

3. A cross-country flight with 2 toddlers.

We left this morning to come to California with my husband for work. We are going to be gone for 3 weeks and it should be a lot of fun! The flight was good - my kids were good, and I even got to sleep and read! I was stressing big time about flying with them, but having my husband along made all the difference. He and I haven't flown together in years.

As soon as I read it I knew it was true. It was her. And somehow they all ran into each other all the way across the country, unplanned and unknown. What are the chances?

I guess Amy is right. She says it was "meant to be. We are real friends now"

I have given her the task of 'GETTING A PHOTO' of the all of them together since they will be in the same hotel for a week. I'll post it when I get it!

Demo

2010-01-03T20:41:00.000-04:00

Today I am thankful for demolition.

What do you do with your husband when he is home for only one week and then you aren't going to see him again for months?

You put him to work silly!

While the MacDaddy was home for his brief Christmas break we tore out all of our hardwood flooring.

It took most of two entire afternoons.

And 4 trips to the dump.

I so heart the dump.

I was so thankful to get this project started.

I tried to begin myself, before he got home, but I just wasn't muscle-y enough.

You would think that taking the floors out would be easy but it really was hard work.

All that bending and pulling and breaking and staple and nail removing is tough!

My hammies were SCREAMING the next day!

See all these nails?

We had to take every one out by hand.

Can you say nightmare?

I am still finding staples.

Can't wait until I find one in my foot.

The other part I didn't anticipate was the dust.

It seems that builders don't bother to clean or vacuum before they lay that hardwood.

Oh boy is it dusty. And splinter-y.

Everyone has to wear their shoes at ALL TIMES.

Yuck.

Oh, and I didn't anticipate this part either.

They probably won't be able to start putting the tile in until the 25th.

I thought it would be the 11th.

Three weeks of dust and splinters.

But still I am thankful.

We are halfway there.

Small White Bowls

2010-01-02T16:00:00.000-04:00

Small things can make you happy right?

Today these are making me happy.

As my favorite Pottery Barn dishes that I have had for.ev.er

seem to be breaking on a daily basis, I have been starting to look for new dishes.

I have decided on white but I never like an entire set that anyone sells,

so,

I will be buying things that I like as I see them.

I liked these.

And they cost me barely pennies.

They hold just over a cup of whatever but I think that whatever should be ice cream.

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-01T15:44:00.000-04:00

A post a day for 365.
That is my goal.
With one happy thing or thankful for in each in every post.

Starting now.

Happy thing.
Little girls who can stay up WAY past the New Year's Eve ball drop.
I took this with my phone when she finally passed out on the couch around 1:30am.
Nice effort party girl!

Yes, He Came Home

2009-12-31T19:23:00.002-04:00

Ok, yes, for all of those wondering, my hubby DID, in fact, make it home for Christmas.
He was three days late, but home just the same.

It's funny how being apart for two months can make you feel.

I stared at him and smiled all the way home from the airport.

We had 7 glorious days of catching up and just being together.
Seven days, in case you are wondering, are not even nearly enough.
We read the Bible out loud and had a wonderful Christmas with our children.

Everything I ever thought about him being my best and greatest friend was reaffirmed in the past week.

Now he is once again gone.
This time for twice as long as before.
And my heart is truly broken.

Finally.

2009-12-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

The snow finally seems to be tapering off.

I am just in from shoveling in the moonlight. No one else was out. It was nicely, strangely, calmly quiet. It is slightly but silently, windy and the snow that is still falling was driving directly into my face but I didn't mind.

I thought I was making major progress but when I stepped back to look at my work I realized that I have barely begun. At the rate that I and my weak back are progressing I figure I should be out by Tuesday, late.

I made several dozen chocolate chip cookies this afternoon. The Otter ate 5. Then he didn't eat dinner.

I didn't accomplish much else today except that I yelled at The Fish, then I felt bad for yelling. And I took some pictures of The Otter.

When I was done taking his picture The Otter looked directly into my eyes and said to me,

"You really like my butt cheeks don't you? 'Cause they are really squishy and you like to squish them?"

Yes, it's true. They are very squishy and I do like to squish them.
Don't tell anyone.

20 and counting.

2009-12-19T17:03:00.000-04:00

Last night I went to bed early. Very early. It has been weeks since I have gotten a decent night of sleep. Last night seemed like the perfect night to catch up. I snuggled down deep in my bed next to the warm and cuddly bodies of my babies.

I dreamed all night of today when we would go to the airport to pick up my very best friend. It has been nearly two months since we have been all together and I was so happy.

This morning I woke up and saw this.

I am not a fan of snow and I am especially not a fan of snow when The MacDaddy is supposed to be coming home.

It is 4pm now and it is still snowing.
No one is going anywhere.
The airports are shut down.

Finally I went to start shoveling the driveway.
When I opened the door I saw this.

I started shoveling the driveway but it only made me sad to be alone.
20 inches and no end in sight.

Maybe cookies will help.

The Fatti-Fattness Again

2009-12-18T08:39:00.000-04:00

It's been a year since we have discussed The Fatti-Fattness.

Do you remember my attempted quest last year to lose a few pounds which ended in failure, disgust, and yes, a few tears shed quietly and alone in my closet, clutching my very favorite size 2 Abercrombie jeans?

Well, I didn't tell you, but I have been trying again.

I started the day after Halloween. It has been about 6 1/2 weeks and I have now lost about 18 pounds. My clothes are more comfortable. I can wear things I haven't worn in, well, a while. I feel better.

I am going for a few more pounds which should put me right back into those very favorite jeans of mine. I keep them hanging in my bathroom right next to the shower with my very favorite form-fitting Izod polo which I am also hoping to wear again. They are a constant reminder of my goal.

What changed since last year? What has motivated me?

#1 My diet.

#2 I didn't want my husband to come home to a fat me after two months away.

#3 I have a picture of me and my husband at our wedding on our refrigerator. When my neighbor was visiting back in October she looked at the picture and said something like "look! you were skinny!" It shocked me and stayed with me. I knew I had to do something.

Humungous Fungus

2009-12-18T08:23:00.000-04:00

Yesterday the boy called to me from the back of the car.

"Mommy!" he called.

"Yes Boy?" I replied.

"You are a Humungous Fungus!" he shouted, followed by a silly giggle.

"Thank You!" I said.

Then I wondered.
Humungous fungus.
It rhymes. It's cute.
My son just called me a giant mushroom?
Or maybe he just thinks I don't shower.
Sometimes I think the same thing.

My Nose is Wet.

2009-11-03T18:52:00.001-04:00

When I woke up this morning I was laying on my back.
This is news because I am a stomach sleeper.
The bigger news is that when I did wake up there was something very close to me licking my nose.
That Thing was either this Thing:

Or this Thing:

I was groggy and really can't remember which Thing it was but I do remember this:

I asked the Thing that was licking my nose why it would do such a thing and it replied to me,

"I wanted to see if you taste sweet like you are."

These days are few.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T21:44:00.001-04:00

You know you've been off your blog too long when you forget your own password...

How was your Halloween?

Ours was spooky.
And scary.
And frightful...

Just the way it's supposed to be.

The Bus.

2009-10-03T21:21:00.000-03:00

The end of the month was busy for me. I left for work very early one morning and offered The Fish a ride to the (very close) bus stop.

It was a chilly morning and I thought she might want to sit in the slightly warmer car.

She didn't want to.

"I'll stand" (in the cold) "with my friends - thanks", she told me as she climbed out of the car.

Drat.

So she stood there with her friends and I sat in my car.

She stared at me and I smiled widely back at her. I am obnoxious like that...

"You can go" she told me plainly.

"Nope. I'll stay." I said, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. You see, It's still kind of not really daylight when they get on the bus and I know, although few and far between, people DO, in fact, take innocent and beautiful, unsuspecting children from bus stops. I have SEEN the news reports.

I waited. I looked back at The Fish. Her eyes got BIG and she motioned for me to GO.

I held my ground...

"Mommy!" she said, kind of urgently, "Puh-lease GO. I AM FINNNNNNEEEuhhh!"

"Fine" I said. Then I gave her the Mommy-Death-Stare and, contrary to my intuition, I drove away.

And let me just say that: after I left the bus picked up my child it promptly broke down and they had to sit there until someone came to fix whatever-the-hell was broken and I could have just driven her to school except NOOOO, I was told to leave...

Fast forward to Friday:

When...

The Fish's bus was hit by an oncoming vehicle that ran a red light. I was in the shower when the phone calls came from frantic neighbors. My Mother-of-the-Year award IS COMING NON-BELIEVERS! It is! How was I supposed to know that I am NOT ALLOWED TO SHOWER AT 7AM FOR FEAR THAT A SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR!

The Fish is fine after her ordeal. It was MUCH less traumatic than when my friends sons bus FLIPPED OVER on the way to school last year. MUCH LESS TRAUMATIC...

Note to all. The school bus is not always the way, it is not always safe and you do not have to leave when told.

Name Change

2009-09-26T20:48:00.000-03:00

I am thinking of changing my name is hopes of losing the black cloud that follows me around.
If it doesn't know who I am, it should not be able to find me.

I am thinking Cate.
Except for that darn Kate from Jon & Kate Plus Eight.
Maybe the C instead of the K is enough to distinguish the two of us.
And her hair is blonder.
And shorter.
And reverse mullet-y-er.
And her teether are whiter because they got that free teeth bleaching.
And she has WAY more kids.
I am off track here.

Ok, name change. To avoid aforementioned black cloud.
How about... Catesby. (kates-bee)
Too strange?
Too....weird?

Why can't the black cloud find another victim?
Maybe Eeyore is a more appropriate name change.
If it fits, I should wear it.

Ugh.

2009-09-26T19:04:00.000-03:00

I was trying to change the look of my blog. While experimenting with those terrible Blogger templates it seems I have now messed everything up. All of the stuff that was on the side is now at the bottom.

Yuck.

Stayed tuned for further technical difficulties.

Friday Morning

2009-09-04T09:31:00.000-03:00

Good Morning World.

If you are happy and you know it try to break your crib by jumping in it as hard as you possibly can.

This morning:

My computer is functioning beautifully on its last legs.

I love am trying to figure out the new editor on blogger which probably isn't new at all but its new to me and I LOVE the strikethrough feature. Get ready. I will be using that ALOT.

I am using The Fish's computer. Yes Fish, I am using your computer while you are away at school.

The Fish's computer is stinky way better than mine. Love that strikethrough.

In other news, a note from Olivia's room:

Dear Olivia,

This is your room. I am a mess. Please clean me.

I am not even going to mention the bathroom. Disgusting.

Love,

Your Room

Happy Friday People.

Outback Baby!

2009-09-04T00:06:00.003-03:00

One of my very favorite and dearest friends - even though she moved away and abandoned me - Ashley - just became the Proprietor of her very own Outback Steakhouse Restaurant!

I spent several years working for (and loving every minute of) an Outback Steakhouse here in Virginia. That's where we met. Ashley reminded me tonight that I was the one who interviewed and hired her when she began her career! Yeah me! I can pick 'em can't I!

So years after I left, Ashley remained with Outback and pressed onward and upward.

Now she has been rewarded with her very own store!

Ashley, I am so very proud of you! You deserve this more than anyone I know. Outback is lucky to have you as I know you will give it everything you've got every single day. Wish you could have gotten a store in Virginia, closer to me, but please know that I am so VERY happy for you!

Please come to Virginia soon to visit us. We'll let Noah "LOVE YOU UP, GIRL!"

XOXO Karen

The Bus is Coming!

2009-09-03T23:16:00.003-03:00

It's 10:21 pm.
I am eating half of a sandwich that I am not even hungry for.
I am also eating a little bit of potato salad.
I am not hungry but it is so very good.
I know that I would regret not eating it if I allowed it to spoil to the refrigerator.

So I am sitting here eating even though I am not hungry.

As I was sitting here, I started thinking about The Fish.
Yesterday morning The Fish was running a little late and I was running a little late right along with her.
I didn't have to go into work until almost noon and somehow I forgot that I still needed to get up at 6:15 to take care of getting The Fish off to school.
Oh Alzheimers! Release your stubborn grip on me! Medically speaking I am still a young person!
Anyway, The Fish woke me up and I sprang out of bed.

Oh my God we're late!
Somehow, someway we got The Fish ready.
Dressed.
Brushed.
Fed.
Lunch Packed.
Happy.
Smiling.

I heard the bus.
Out the garage door we went.
She no longer lets me walk her to the bus stop. That stopped on the second day of school.
Now I am allowed to stand on the driveway.
Except for yesterday.

As she walked down the driveway I looked down at my outfit.
My "sprung right out of bed outfit."

Black clingy running pants.
My nightgown, hanging to my knees, with flowers.
A ratty black sweatshirt.
Crocs...
With socks.
My hair was everywhere.

"I love you Fish" I offered as she strode down the driveway.
The Fish looked back at me. "I love you too Bird!" she said.
Then she looked at me again.
"Please go inside now."

"Why?" I asked looking down at my own outfit, "are you embarrassed?"

"Mommy, PLEASE! Just go inside before the bus comes for me."

I went inside as ordered.

I can't wait until The Fish has her own kids going to Middle School. Then I will be visiting as Embarrassing Grandma. Except then I will refuse to go inside. I will blame it on the Alzheimers of course.

Pay Attention People

2009-09-01T21:47:00.005-03:00

Do you smell that?
It's Fall and it's trying to creep in.
You weren't paying attention were you and now it's here.

Maybe if we all just ignore it it will go away and we can go on with our endless summer.
I could stand a few more months of shorts and pools and sunburns. I like all of those things.
Yes. Let's all just ignore Fall together.
Let's pretend it's not cooler outside already.
Go now and scoop up those few leaves that have already fallen and quickly toss them into the trash before the green ones see them, turn brown and follow the others to the ground.
Do you know what will happen next?
The days will get shorter. The light will disappear. It will be dreary.

Come and join the BOYCOTT FALL CLUB.
If you don't join my club I will blame you entirely when fall turns to winter and there is three feet of snow on the ground.

Some. Times.

2009-09-01T07:00:00.004-03:00

"Some. Times."

"Sometimes what Pip?" I asked as I sat on the toilet looking down at the small, broken plastic container she brought me.

I can never go to the bathroom alone. It is wrong, but it is truth.

"Some. Times. Kickets (crickets) poop in here." she explained and then off she toddled.

True Dat Pip. True Dat. I wish my life were so simple as to have the time to ponder where crickets poop.

Not Currently Under Consideration

2009-08-31T21:46:00.002-03:00

I was on the computer this afternoon.
The Fish came by.
"What are you doing Mommy?" she asked, plopping onto the couch next to me.
"I am just checking on some jobs that I applied for." I told her.
I showed her how I could check on my applications online.
I showed her how I could tell which positions had already been filled.
I showed her which jobs were on hold due to budget cuts.
I paged down to where it showed the most recent jobs I have applied for.
One showed the status of "Not Currently Under Consideration."
"See that Fish? I asked. "Not Currently Under Consideration. It doesn't say that I will not be under consideration at some point in the future. It says that I am not CURRENTLY under consideration. I could really, possibly be under consideration again at any moment. I am trying to remain positive. Remaining positive is key."
The Fish pondered my words, processing my wisdom and positiveness.
"You aren't going to be Under Consideration Mommy. You know that right? That means they aren't going to hire you."

Yes Fish I know. But thank you for reinforcing it for me and making things crystal clear.
Please don't bother me again while I am in my happy place.

Sign Language Names

2009-08-24T22:43:00.002-03:00

Tonight we made up our own Lehmann Family Sign Language signs for ourselves and some other people we know.

There was alot of cracking up involved.

What is a sign language sign for a person you ask?

Ok...

The LFE sign for MOMMY is: The Crazy Sign - you know the finger around the side of your head in a circle. hmmmm... maybe I need to add a tutorial.

Noah's (The Otter) sign is two fingers on each hand (like two peace signs) - I made this one up - It's Noah - like the Ark - two by two.

Piper's sign (Her Highness) is making a crown over your head with your finger in the air.

Olivia's (The Fish) sign is a shark fin over your head with two hands - wiggling - like it's swimming.

The sign for The MacDaddy is a signature sign that you have surely never seen before.....we will have to have a photo for that one...

Yes, I do feel a tutorial coming on. Then you can make a sign for every member of your own family.

We also have some signs for other people we know. But we cannot politely share those. They are a Lehmann family funny.

Middle Schooler

2009-08-24T11:26:00.000-03:00

In case you can't read it, the last photo says "Mom, PLEASE stop taking my picture now. The bus is coming and my friends are going to see how weird you are."

I was also the only parent who went to the bus stop this morning.
I don't care how embarrassing I am.

Seeing Stars

2009-08-24T07:00:00.001-03:00

So today, on the Fish's very first day of middle school, I have decided to tell a Fish story.
Right after she reads this I will probably will be dead.
I will be dead because she will undoubtedly kill me.

When the Fish was a little girl we went to the beach.
I am not sure of how old she was but I know she was reading.
She was at that point in time where little kids like to look out the car window and read things passing by,
McDonald's, Stop, Elm Street, Dry Cleaner.
You know the drill.

Well, while we were driving along in Ocean City, Maryland that summer, I looked out the window and saw a little motel.
The sign on the side of pale blue building announced the CONSTELLATION MOTEL, the words accentuated with accompanying stars painted in a complimentary silver tone.

"Look Fish!" I said "What does that say?"

The Fish looked.

"CONSTELLATION" she said clearly.

"And what does that mean?" I asked, certain that she would see the stars and answer appropriately.

Instead I heard, "CONSTELLATION, it means you can't poop!"

A New Beginning.

2009-08-23T22:13:00.002-03:00

Tomorrow marks the beginning of another chapter of LIFE here at the LFE.
The Fish is beginning middle school.

This week we reassured her, no fewer than 100 times, that she won't forget her locker combination and she won't get lost.
We purchased, packed, and double checked the one million pounds of necessary new school supplies.

Tomorrow morning right before 7am the bus will come, the door will open and my first little one will step on. Off she will go, onto a whole new adventure. I know she is ready. She might not realize it at this moment, but she is.

Goggles

2009-08-21T21:27:00.005-03:00

I have to write this quickly. The children and seated and quiet on the sofa happily munching their after dinner cookies and watching Supernanny. It will be mere moments before someone needs me for something. Juice. Another cookie. A butt wiping.

Sometimes I think they like to watch that show because they can get tips from those really out of control kids and then they can spring some of those fits and tantrums on me later. In fact, I think Her Highness takes notes.

Kidding.

Actually, sometimes I watch Supernanny to convince myself that my children are really, really good.

In other recent news, Her Highness almost drowned herself at our end of year softball party last weekend.

My little kids don't swim completely on their own yet so we make them wear Speedo swim vests. We went to our friends for the pool party and BBQ last Saturday. I put my chair next to the pool so I could watch them swim. They swam and swam and then got out, took their vests off and headed off in search of food. While I was engaged in a short conversation catching up with one of the coaches, Her Highness came and asked me to put her goggles on for her. I thought nothing of it. My kids wear goggles all the time. In the pool, in the house, it doesn't matter, they like goggles. I put them on her and off she ran.

I kept talking.

Then something bothered me. "I need to go check on the baby" I told the coach. Something told me to go check on her. I heard it clearly in my head.

I walked the fifteen feet past the pool house, turned, and looked into the pool.

There, smack in the middle of the pool was my baby. As I looked at her I could see her little arms and hands just below the surface of the water, madly paddling. I could see her eyes clearly behind the goggles. They looked huge. But they always look huge.

Time stopped and then began again in slow motion.

I knew something was wrong but it didn't occur to me that something was wrong. Does that make any sense at all? Something kept me looking at her. Something kept me from walking away.

I waved at her. "Hi Pip!" I called

Something looked wrong. No matter how hard and how fast she seemed to paddle she wasn't gaining any upward momentum.
The water was covering her mouth and nose. It was up to the bottom of her goggles. I moved closer to the pool.

I still didn't realize she was in trouble. I mean, yes, I sensed, I suppose, that something wasn't completely right, but I wasn't panicked.

"Swim over here to me Pip!"

She didn't move. She just kept paddling.

I ran to the side. I dropped my camera on the pool deck and tossed off my flip flops. I still don't know why I took my shoes off. I was fully clothed. No swim suit. I jumped down onto a step in the pool and reached my arm out to her.

"Come to me Pip!" I demanded, now panicking.

She didn't move. She just kept paddling.

I jumped into the water.

As soon as I had her in my arms she grabbed onto me for dear life. I hugged her tight and that's when I felt her little body in only her swimsuit. She had on no vest. When she had asked me to put on her goggles it was because she intended to go swimming. It never occurred to me that she didn't have her vest on. Had I been a few moments longer I have no doubt that she would have drown in that pool.

I have had nightmares every night since. Pip comes to me in my dreams. Paddling, paddling, paddling - her eyes huge behind those goggles, begging me to save her. I have thought about it every day since. What if I had not been told to check on her? I would certainly have lost my baby.

Thank You God for saving my girl.

Vampires and Butts

2009-08-18T18:17:00.002-03:00

I watched Twilight two days ago.
I said I would never watch it because it's not my thing.

Mistake.
It is totally my thing.
I loved every minute of it and have watched it two more times since.
And I bought the book which have already been stolen away from me by my 11 year old.

Damn.

I can't wait until the new movie comes out
11.20.09
How crazy is it that I know that?
Me.
The person who was not even remotely interested.

In other news...

I am almost done with the first portion of my Certified Nursing Assistant program.
When I am done with the clinical portion and after I successfully sit for the boards and demonstrate my skills I will be licensed to wipe butts, feed people and give baths.
I knew it was the perfect job for me because that is exactly what I have been doing for the past 11 years.
I am an excellent butt wiper.

Really, it is all a means to an end.
Having a job within the health care field will give me some extra points toward getting into nursing school in the spring.
Hopefully.

I was going to include a photo of me wiping a butt to give you a visual of exactly what I am talking about but that just seemed wrong.

A Two Part Quiz

2009-08-15T12:45:00.001-03:00

Guess what's back?

Guess who loves Adam Lambert?

Duck and Deflect

2009-08-11T21:00:00.004-03:00

Something has caused me to gain 6 pounds in the past week.
I think that something is called stress.
I have no idea how to get rid of this extra 6.
I think I will try a laxative. Then an enema.
If all else fails I will just stop eating altogether.
That sounds like a plan that will work.
No food. Just water and laxatives until I am smaller.
Yes.

Last night I was sitting on the couch with Her Highness and The Otter.
The Otter has been extraordinarily sweet lately, still he has managed to piss off Her Highness.
I heard The Otter say something.
I saw Her Highness furrow her brow.
She raised her tiny little arm and I saw her little fist in a ball
I must have looked scared because she looked at me and said, "Not worry, I not hit you Mommy!"

Then she began to wail away on the poor little Otter.

I would bet that this will not be the last time this will happen.
Learn to duck and deflect Otter, it may be your only chance for survival!
That girl has a mean left hook.

Just Another Day at the Office.

2009-08-08T23:44:00.003-03:00

After spending my entire week at my new nursing class that I haven't told you about, I spent today at my job at the hospital that I haven't told you about either.
I will eventually get around to boring you to tears with the details of both.
Today was a new adventure at the hospital, helping the Physical Therapists with their wound care duties. I learned about tunneling and debridement, Mepilex, wound vacs and the rainbow of assorted colors that pus and dead skin can come in. I also was educated on wound measurement, cleansing, packing and rebandaging. I watched as they repacked a wound (two holes in a human body in fact) with a foot of "packing tape." Wound care packing tape looks almost identical to white, 1cm wide grosgrain ribbon and I attentively observed as the PT carefully and slowly pushed the tape down into that infected hole to absorb some of the yuck and help that thing to heal from the inside out.
It was fascinating.
Then I studied some staples down the leg and over the knee of a gentleman who had just had surgery after a leg fracture.
It was truly a great day.
And then I went home and had a sandwich.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

My Fave Book of ALL TIME.

2009-08-08T16:49:00.003-03:00

Tarzan.
by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Hands down my absolute favorite.
Really it is.

I think I will read it again this week.
And you should read it for the first time if you never have.
It's a true delight.

Lavender While Toileting

2009-08-08T09:43:00.001-03:00

The Lavender once so beautiful and fragrant in my bathroom now looks like weeds.

I just noticed this a minute or so ago when I was sitting on the toilet.

There's a mental picture for ya.

Anyway, I guess I should throw it away and go pick more.

Yup. That seems like a plan.

I could take the children and photograph them like I did last year. Yes! That's a great plan!

Only... Wait.

The Fish is gone. My camera is God-knows-where. And I think the Lavender season is over.

Crap.

Crickets Have To Go Home.

2009-08-07T22:00:00.001-03:00

When I got home today from getting my hair "extra blonded,"
The Otter had a cricket.

We took it into the house and he put it in a small plastic container with holes in the top.

I think Mimi made the holes in the top the last time she was here so that the caught bugs would have some sort of chance at survival. Nice going Mimi.

The Otter studied that cricket.

Yes. He shook it...but just a bit.

When he was done with the studying and the little bit of shaking, he came to me.

"I am going outside" he told me.

"To let this cricket go before he dies. He needs to go home to his mother." he said.

He took it outside and he let it go.

And because of this. This one simple event - the fact that he realizes that the cricket needs to be let go - now I know that my son will grow up to be OK.

The Fish is Gone.

2009-08-07T21:02:00.003-03:00

The Fish is gone. Again.

Of to NJ this time. Off to better times than I can currently offer.

Boardwalk. Great Adventure. Water Park. Life must be grand for an eleven year old who's summer goes like this:

Michael Phelps. Katie Hoff. Bob Bowman and a host of other Olympic Coaches who think you are "wonderful" and "sweet"
Followed by:
A week in a dorm, sans any parents & with a great friend at one of this country's most beautiful public ivies. I would like nothing more than to spend a week in a dorm with a friend at UVA. sigh. The Fish has the best life.
Followed by:
A better than FANTASTIC showing at her summer swim league. I think I definitely saw a SWAGGER from my girl after she snatched up the coveted "Most Points Earned" award at the end of summer award picnic. You do need to understand that this girl is NOT one to brag EVER so seeing her get this award was OH SO rewarding. (and I guess that I should, in fact, note that I did not actually see the award being given to The Fish. Nope. I was in the bathroom with The Otter who announced, right on cue, that he, in fact, needed to "POOP! Right NOW!" And off I went to attend to POOP and to wipe said butt.) geez.
All of this was followed by:
Softball camp and the "Best Attitude" award. Then...
A week of nothing but swimming at Mimi's house in Florida. Out of the bed, into the pool. Every.Single.Day. The pool was followed by plates upon plates of fresh fruit and an every single day trip to Dairy Queen for a Chili Dog and Blizzard. Then more pool. Life was grand.
We returned to our hum-drum life in VA and now The Fish is gone, on to better things.
Then:
The American Idol Concert with her best little friend from all the way back in Montessori school. Oh, how I hope for that relationship to stand the test of time.
Now, New Jersey where she will be treated like a princess for the next 10 days. Did I mention the Boardwalk, Great Adventure and Water Park? Yes? Ok. How about the trip to New York City and the Broadway show.
Yes. The Fish has THE BEST LIFE.

I wonder if she misses me, right at this very moment, the same way that I miss her.

Just Smack Me

2009-08-06T17:32:00.002-03:00

So I got the email SMACK from my friend Lisa today.
Yup, that girl smacked me right back into blogging reality with this message:

Girl, I know it's tough, but I'm pretty sure your fingers didn't gnarl up and fall off due to grief over the camera. I'm thinkin you could still type - talk to us - we miss you! We'll understand if there aren't pics for a while. JUST TYPE!! :)

xo

Do note the "xo" at the end. It is important to send the "xo" after you give the reality SMACK.

I guess I was feeling lost without the camera. I don't know why because the writing was what drew me to the bliggity-blogging world in the first place.
Then I felt like I had nothin' left to write about.
I tried to refocus.
I tried to think about how to take my blog in a new and more interesting direction.
I got nothing.
So...I am back. I am going to plow through this bloggy block. I can't promise more than the rambly-rambling that you are used to.
But maybe that's OK.

Thanks Lisa! A back-to-reality SMACKDOWN never hurt so good! And after all, isn't that what friends are for?

Don't Get Excited Before You Hear the Whole Message.

2009-08-05T22:48:00.003-03:00

The lady from the camera store called today.

She left me a message.

She sounded really excited.

Which, in turn, made me really excited.

I listened to the message waiting anxiously for the part where she was sure to say "So just come right on in any ole' time and pick up your camera!"

Instead I heard, "Your camera body is on its way back from Nikon! And your lens....well...I don't know...um, yeah, yup...yes, that's right, I am NOT sure about the lens... but you WILL be able to pick up your camera body in the next couple days!"

WHAT?

Seriously. Do you want an award? What the hell am I going to do with the camera without the lens?

I would take a picture of the steam coming out of my ears right now but I CAN'T because my CAMERA IS NOT BACK AND EVEN IF IT WAS IT DOESNT HAVE A LENS!

argggghhh.

In other news, The Otter got up from bed last night, came downstairs and informed me and The MacDaddy very matter-of-factly that he would not be able to sleep until we made his bedside fan oscillate.

OSCILLATE.

Really. He's three and he's talking about oscillation. Where does he come up with this stuff?

It's Amazing What You Miss...

2009-07-24T00:52:00.004-03:00

when you don't have your camera.

Dear Nikon,

Send me back my beloved camera soon. I promise to never let anything happen to it ever, ever again.

From,

Me

ALSO...

Dear Nikon Camera That I Love So Dearly,

I am sorry you were treated badly.

It was accidental not purposeful and for that reason alone you should consider a quick return. You have been gone but a month and it seems as though it has been forever since we have been together.

You have missed so much - half of our trip to Baltimore, especially the good parts, since they came at the end. Our trip to UVA and The Fish's first stay in a real honest-to-goodness dorm room (with no air conditioning...in June).

Just today you missed The Otter swimming his first little swimy swim strokes without his little swim vest. You know how I like a good swimmer so today was very difficult without you.

There's loads of other stuff you're missing so here's to hoping that Nikon can fix you up and get you back to me before the wee ones head off to college.

I would take a picture of me crying for you now and post it but I can't.

Love,

Me

I am not Dead.

2009-07-21T23:00:00.002-03:00

Just busy.

Being summery.

Details to follow. So much stuff that I will probably forget to tell you. But, that's just the way it goes I suppose.

I am reinventing myself into a whole new person.

Or not.

I am still really missing my camera and feel like I can't be a very good bloggy person without one.

Working on a book, among other projects.

Would you like to read a snipet?

Damn

2009-07-06T22:28:00.001-03:00

I miss my camera.

Taking Care of Baby

2009-07-02T10:29:00.003-03:00

The Otter is having breakfast while Her Highness takes her baby "to the beach". She has a pail dangling from her baby stroller containing everything necessary for a good beach trip. There are hairbands and naked Barbies, Lilo and Stitch figurines and a bungee cord, for what kind of beach trip could you actually expect to have without a bungee cord.

The Otter examines her beach stuff. "You know you can't take all that stuff to the beach, " he says matter-of-factly.

"I can!" Her Highness retorts angrily. "It's MINE!" And off she goes. To the beach.

Her Highness has spent the last several days caring for her baby, now named David.

"My baby crying, " she tells me.

"My baby hungry, my baby needs juice."

"Love him up," I tell her. "And he will be better."

And she does.

I can hear her whispering to him in her little two year old whispery voice. "I love you" she tells him. "It gonna be OK, mama's here" she says as she pats his little back and rubs his little head.

"It will all be OK."

She spends hours making little beds for him and changing his clothes. She takes him EVERYWHERE. Just like a little mama.

I like to think that, although you are born who you are, certain things about your personality already decided, maybe much of who you are and who you turn out to be is formed by how you are raised. I am hoping that this nurturing, loving thing I see in her is something I did right.

Idols and Dreaming.

2009-06-24T12:55:00.008-03:00

I am just back from Baltimore where I dropped the Fish off at swim camp.

She is spending her week swimming with the one and only Michael Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman at the NBAC camp at Meadowbrook. I had the little kids with me on our journey as well so after we checked The Fish in I took the little ones over to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for a walk-around and some lunch by the water. I would show you some photos of our adventure but my camera bag somehow dropped off the hook on the back of the rest room door at McCormick's and when I later opened the case I discovered that the lens was totally broken off of the front of my (practically brand new) Nikon D90. Damn.

Off to Nikon it goes. That'll cost me I'm quite sure.

I went back to check on Olivia after lunch. I just wanted to make sure that the she was comfortable and happy. Have you ever seen your kid experiencing the very best moment of their life? I saw it yesterday. When I found her in the pool I mouthed the words,

"Are you OK?" She looked back at me with the happiest little face I have EVER seen and said,

"Do you see HIM Mommy? HE's right THERE!"

I turned.

And he was.

Right... There... Behind me.

Michael (freakin') Phelps.

(the greatest swimmer of all time. right.behind.me.)

I collected myself, gave The Fish the thumbs up and scurried back out to my car.

Goal.

Score.

I AM the Mother of the (freakin') Year.

My kid met her idol.

I WILL get my award.

Katie Hoff is also at camp (as Meadowbrook is also her home pool) along with her former coach, Paul Yetter, who was delightfully entertaining and enthusiastic as I watched him coach Olivia's backstroke group yesterday.

Olivia was a little worried about being put into Katie's group while wearing her Michael Phelps shirt. "Mommy, what if I get put with Katie and she sees my Phelps shirt? Will she be mad? Will it hurt her feelings?"

I assured The Fish that wearing a Michael Phelps shirt is probably perfectly acceptable to Katie Hoff . I have a sneaking suspicion that she understands. In fact, I am thinking she has probably encountered this very situation on at least one other occasion in her lifetime. The Fish still worried. It didn't end up mattering one single bit as she was put into the Phelps group right away, first day. They probably saw the shirt dontchathink?

The little ones and I made ourselves scarce until later in the afternoon when it was time to retrieve The Fish from the pool. When we did return she was all aglow with happiness. Over the moon I tell you. She babbled on about watching HIM swim and that HE was there all afternoon and then came the big news - "Mommy! HE was IN MY LANE!"

Michael (freakin') Phelps and my kid in the same swim lane. Unbelievable. I silently wondered how she didn't drown in his wake. While I was wondering, she continued, "And when I came to the end of the lane, I popped up and there HE was, taking a break."

My heart raced. My kids idol...right there in front of her...three, literally three feet from her sweet little face.

"Fishy, did you say hi to HIM?"

"NO!" she shouted back, "I was too nervous! He's Michael Phelps!"

So that was Monday. Tuesday he was back. He, Katie Hoff, Bob Bowman & Paul Yetter spent an hour talking with the kids and getting photos taken. Then we all got to watch them practice for an hour. The Olympic coaches have been taking turns coaching, teaching dryland and leading lectures. Michael Phelps has been wonderfully nice to everyone. He seems to be a very down-to-earth and humble sort. I appreciate that - it makes my kids' experience so nice and all of it so very worthwhile.

I came home Tuesday afternoon.

The Fish phoned late with more reports on Phelps.

Today she phoned with a more casual account of the day, "He was there all afternoon." Just like hanging out with her idol is part of everyday life now.

Meadowbrook is a magical place full of positive people who feel that anyone can succeed. They encourage kids not only to dream but they show them that it is possible to do the things that are seemingly impossible. It has been one wonderful experience. I know The Fish would agree.

I am ready to move to Baltimore, Olivia, anytime you are.

Since my camera is broken I only snapped a few quick photos with my IPhone.

IPhones don't have very good camera so it isn't a very good shot but that's HIM.

(and the girl bending over to his right in the orange/pink suit is Katie Hoff but you probably wouldn't recognize her from that particular angle) :)

A Little Catch Up?

2009-06-23T22:35:00.000-03:00

So...I guess it could be said that I have not been feeling the bliggity-blogging thing as of late. My one year bloggy anniversary past without a word. Days and days go by and I have not a single thought of writing anything what-so-ever.

I haven't even missed it. Maybe I just needed a break...

But now I am feeling like I have some things to share so just get ready *WARNING* I might just be ready to throw up the entire contents of my brain right on this very site real soon.

Don't say I didn't tell you so.

Sweet Little Events

2009-06-18T23:21:00.004-03:00

Today was the last day of school.

Today marked the last day of the fifth grade for The Fish and her crazy classmates, and the very last day of their elementary school experience.

We are on to middle school.

Please God, save me.

The Fish had a wonderful year filled with flag raising and Honor Choir Presidenting (yes, that is a word). She made straight A's for the year and received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence. She was especially excited to know that President Obama had held that piece of paper in his very hand and personally signed her certificate. Oh, how that little bubbleof happiness shattered when I had to inform her that it was indeed a stamp and not, in fact, an original signature. To tell the truth, I scrutinized that signature for a while myself and it was so well done I can't be sure that it is not an original.

So Fish, I say this to you:

If it makes you feel good to think of the President himself signing your certificate of grand achievement, I say go with it, it is a nice sort of thought.

And here's another nice sort of thought:

Remember Cora?

Sweet little Cora lost her brief and tragic battle with Neuroblastoma (Cancer) early this year. I was so touched and consumed with the story of Cora and her family that I have continued to follow their journey.

And guess what?

Cora's mom and dad are having a new addition in January!

How exciting!

How great for them!

Cora was their only child and not even a year old when she passed.

I don't know that I would have survived.

I still have a hard time thinking about Cora without crying.

So here's to hoping for a healthy baby for these nice people who suffered this terrible loss.

I am sure that little Cora will be watching after all of them from up above.

Some Tuesday Randomness for Ya.

2009-06-16T10:38:00.003-03:00

The Fish forgot her lunch this morning. I'll bet she is sitting at school right this minute worrying about it.

The Otter and his trusty sidekick, Her Highness, are wrangling Boxers. By wrangling I mean chasing while screeching at the top of their lungs. I also mean that the dogs are alternating being dragged around by their collars and chasing the aforementioned children around the kitchen island and through the family room. There have been several near misses as the dogs try to scramble under the power cord that leads to this very computer. I see disaster in my future.

I am trying to study for my exam tonight. Philosophical Ethics and I are not friends. He is not my type. Can anyone tell me what Descriptive Relativism is anyway? It sounds to me like a situation where someone is trying to explain why their husband is also their first cousin. Yup, Ethics may not produce my best grade. Maybe class participation will count for a large portion of that grade. I am very good at class participation. I like to talk.

Fauquier Freeze 10U Travel

2009-06-15T00:29:00.002-03:00

I set up a little blog for Olivia's travel softball team.

You can see these talented ladies in action here:

Fauquier Freeze 10U

P.S.

Aren't they all just beautiful?

Of Roads & Lizards.

2009-06-12T22:12:00.005-03:00

Tonight we took a long walk down a quiet, shady gravel road near our house.

It was good together time for our little family.

When we got home we let The Otter wear his Dragon on his head.

Maybe everybody needs to wear a Dragon now and then.

It seems to bring alot of happiness.

It's 2:25am

2009-06-10T03:23:00.002-03:00

It's 2:25am.

I couldn't sleep.

It's hot in my room and everyone else fell asleep before me. Sometimes when that happens, when I am the last one laying awake, my awake just keeps on going.

So I migrated to the kitchen.

I thought I would do some of my schoolwork but I am actually wandering around the internet while listening to the happy sounds of my nocturnal hermit crabs scooting around the sandy bottom of their little wire world.

The dogs are all sleeping. I hear them sigh their big Boxer sighs occasionally as they sleep.

Even when I just dropped a chip onto the floor, they kept right on sleeping.

I guess the first one up will be the early dog that gets the chip. Like the early bird who gets the worm, but it's a dog. Understand? oh, nevermind...

So here I sit. At 2:25am and I am up. In my happy little mouth are a few Kettle chips. Tomorrow I will be sorry. When I step on the scale I will probably cry. Right now, though, I am glad.

What About Me?

2009-06-06T10:52:00.005-03:00

So the MacDaddy and I are back to trying to get healthy.

This week he decided that a fiber supplement was in order.

Every day we now mix a heaping spoonful of gritty fiber whatever into some sort of liquid and bravely slug it down.

OK, sometimes maybe I am not so brave.

Fine, yes, in fact, just moments ago The MacDaddy mixed my supplement into a glass of Ruby Red Grapefruit juice producing a substance that was thick like tomato juice but that tasted like Grapefruit juice mixed with dirt from the softball field. I promptly threw most of it up in the sink and had to start over again.

As we were drinking our fiber we discussed the details of our day.

The MacDaddy and The Otter will be mowing the yard while The Fish, Her Highness and I go to get new swimsuits for The Fish's upcoming swim camps. We girls will then trek to the mall for a new pair of shorts for mama! On the way home we will stop by Borders Books where The Fish will be able to use a gift card she has been saving (hoarding).

The MacDaddy listened carefully to our plan for the day. Then he said, "How come everyone in this family gets something new but me?"

The Fish said, "That's not true. You got something."

The MacDaddy: "What did I get?"

The Fish: "You just got Fiber."

"And, " I added, "Soon you'll get poop. So really, you got two things."

On a wheel.

2009-06-02T08:09:00.003-03:00

The Otter is my early morning companion today.

He is happily munching on some fresh strawberries while I type this, prepare to make lunch for the Fish, start the laundry and generally contemplate the duties of the day. He is also talking. Alot. To me...but I have no idea what he is saying because I am paying no attention. He is random. I wonder where that comes from.

I need to lose weight. Summer is here.

I have another job interview at 9:30am this morning. In this interview I will attempt to talk a woman into giving me a job that I have no qualifications for. I hear there are several other applicants. Let me see if I can turn on all of my persuasive charm.

Before I leave I think I should spend at least a little time looking for Ruby. We didn't look too much yesterday. It is likely that she has fallen through a crack in the boards of our deck. I love her but I am NOT going under there to try to find her. Who knows what lurks under there. Maybe I will just look in the yard. I fear for her life. Alone and small in the world, she may not survive. (sigh)

I will be weeding and mulching again by lunch time. And splitting plants. Splitting plants is one little trick that the garden nurseries are not going to share with you voluntarily. Every time I split something the 2 new plants double in size seemingly overnight. Splitting is a sure way to fill your beds and gardens on a budget.

Soon everyone will be up. The day will begin and I will try to keep up. I am like a hamster on a wheel. By this evening I plan to find myself just as far behind as I was when I got started today.

We interrupt this post for a special news bulletin: I have just been notified that The Fish has the stomach virus. Let the puke fest begin! Hamster on a wheel. Hamster on a wheel. Hamster on a wheel.

Some June 1st Randomness

2009-06-01T23:42:00.002-03:00

We are down one hermit crab tonight. Ruby, our smallest, and thus, our favorite, flew the coop this afternoon. Or maybe she crawled the coop. Anyway, she's gone. She's probably halfway back to Florida by now. She's a fast one, that Ruby. I will miss her cute little self.

********

I am losing yet another good friend to a move. My friend is leaving soon and invited me over to check out some stuff she wants to get rid of before she goes. We had a drink and did some talking and before I left I was bequeathed a desk, some outdoor furniture, a picnic table, a swing, three glass top tables and a few plants. I may have also talked her into giving me her 3 piece entertainment center. Cross your fingers folks. Hmmm, I may have to go back tomorrow with a bottle of wine and see what else I can get that girl to give up. Maybe when she realizes that she won't have any furniture left when she gets to where she's going, she will just decide to stay.

*********

I painted the mesh top to our firepit today with a can of black high heat resistant spray paint. It looks brand new.

********

I am going in search of tile for my kitchen this week. Does slate come in brown tones?

********

The MacDaddy complained alot about getting a new coffee pot when his broke a few weeks back. I finally bought one for him at WalMart last week. I even took it out of the box and set it on the counter. It still hasn't been used.

********

The Fish is still unsure about the Dragon. She has no interest in holding him at all.

While we studied the tiny little thing last night through the top screen on his cage, I filled her in on some things I had read about Dragons. (It is important to this story that you know this: One of our dogs, Murray, used to love to attack her when he was younger.)

"Their personalities are described as being almost doglike," I told her in reference to the Dragon's temperament.

"So they will attack you?" she asked, looking alarmed.

I laid on the couch and cracked up. The Fish was annoyed.

********

Today I found the six pounds I lost during last weeks stomach virus episode. Almost unbelievably, they turned up in the exact same place that they were before I lost them.

********

I held the Dragon today. He sat calmly on my hand for about 14 seconds. Then he ran up my arm and onto my back. I could feel him but I couldn't reach him. The MacDaddy had to come retrieve him.

Surprisingly, I didn't freak.

********

I spent the better part of this afternoon weeding and mulching my front yard. The Otter came out with some Fruit Snacks. The Fish asked him how his Fruit Snacks were.

"They are damn good." he answered and never cracked a smile.

********

It's kinda warm in my house tonight and I have been sitting here for long enough that now the back of my legs are sweaty, stuck and probably molded pretty good to the wicker stool I am sitting in. This is bound to hurt when I get up.

Evening.

2009-05-29T21:53:00.003-03:00

The children are in bed.

The hermit crabs are happily climbing around their wire cage, their vacation spot, their beach place...

The Dragon has been fed his mealworms and every Boxer has a new knuckle bone to chew on.

Its a good end to a good day.

The Center of the Earth.

2009-05-29T00:29:00.003-03:00

Yesterday was a day of errands.

By mid-afternoon The MacDaddy was starving and close to death.

We stopped for a taco.

The Otter and his little sister had already eaten and The Otter was a bit miffed about having to sit.

Her Highness, on the other hand, was perfectly happy to eat again.

At the point where The Otter was whining, bothering the people behind us and generally starting to act out because he was tired of sitting, the MacDaddy said this to him:

"If you don't stop I am going to take you in the bathroom and give you a spanking."

This is a general threat that The Otter knows will never happen.

"There is no bathroom here" replied The Otter, unshaken.

"Yes, there is" said The MacDaddy, pointing at the restroom door, "It's right there."

"That's not the bathroom," laughed The Otter, "That's the doorway to the CENTER OF THE EARTH!"

We all cracked up.

Fifteen minutes later I was violently ill and we headed home.

I spent the next 14 hours with a horrible stomach virus, you know, the kind where you lay on the bathroom floor and hope for death.

The morning I am feeling weak but better...and 6 a whole pounds lighter!

More About Boys & Critters...

2009-05-26T23:32:00.005-03:00

The Otter spent most of last weekend hunting frogs or carrying around the frogs that he had captured.

He spent a good amount of time studying the frogs and "loving them".

"Loving them", just so we're clear, means carrying the little frogs around, for hours on end, firmly grasped in the palm of his little sweaty Otter hand.

He spent hours and hours letting them "escape" and then happily re-capturing them.

I don't know exactly why but I am DELIGHTED by this boy behavior.

Nothing makes me smile more than seeing my little guy all crouched down studying some insect or amphibian in a pile of dirt. It's like heaven.

Problem: The MacDaddy announced that the cute little frogs that The Otter was finding in the yard were not, in fact, frogs. They were toads. And I have now since learned that The MacDaddy may be a fan of many things, but he is not, in fact, a fan of toads.

So...I, in my infinite wisdom, suggested that a trip to our local pet store was probably in order to see about a frog or two that could live in a small terrarium in the Otter's room.

Sidenote: I have thought since the moment I knew The Otter was a boy, that he should have a long narrow table of sorts in his room where he could house various species of turtles, frogs and lizards.... That vision, along with my boys true love of anything amphibious, is now coming to fruition.

Great plan. Small problem. It seems that a frog is not really a pet that likes to be handled. As The Otter likes something that can be handled we asked the pet shop critter expert what might be appropriate. That is a stupid question to ask and here is why:

It is a stupid question because you end up with Toby.

I know, what is a Toby?

This is a Toby:

Meet Toby.

He is a Bearded Dragon.

Yes. I said DRAGON.

And the real deal is this:

We now own this Bearded Dragon. He lives with us. In our house.

He is a baby. He is about 3 inches in length.

Now don't tell anyone this next part:

He is just about the cutest little thing I have ever laid my eyes on.

He responds to your voice, he likes to be held, he is really quite beautiful...

Now for the kicker:

He will grow to be about two feet long.

Yes. I said TWO FEET. Oh, and they live 10 to 15 years.

Dear God in Heaven. What have I agreed to?

of boys and critters

2009-05-25T10:17:00.006-03:00

I heard Noah early this morning talking to someone in the hallway.

That someone was this little frog.

There is just something about a little boy and a little frog that just seems so...appropriate.

Friday Night

2009-05-22T23:40:00.004-03:00

The MacDaddy was next door this afternoon trying to help our friends with a driveway project.

Somewhere along the way we all decided that dinner of some sort was in order.

Burgers and dogs on the grill seemed a better option than trying to wrangle two two-year olds and a three-year old at any restaurant on a Friday night.

Oh, the neighbors are also expecting a new little one at any (and I mean ANY) moment so it doesn't seem smart to stray too far from home.

so...

The MacDaddy made burgers on the grill.

We sat on the deck.

We talked our disjointed and constantly interrupted conversations.

It has always been this way and we are all used to it.

We managed children.

and...

The best part of the evening?

I got a goodbye hug from this guy:

Seriously. Do you want to eat him up or what? I have played it cool for a very long time with this guy and it finally paid off. I got my hug. And he actually squeezed my neck with those cute little arms. Could you die? I could.

6:45am

2009-05-22T07:42:00.003-03:00

It's 6:45am and I am busy preparing for yet another day at the New Job.

The New Job is far better than I had anticipated.

In fact, it is far better than they described to me in my interview and it is way FAR better than they described it to be in the job description. (That's my fifth grade description - way far better - it is right up there with using Awesome! seven times in any one paragraph).d

Instead of being stuck in the one location that I thought I would be spending my days in, I get to venture around.

To date I have seen:

A double knee replacement - walking in just a day. Amazing.

A total hip replacement - also walking.

Numerous other back surgeries, knee replacement surgeries, and other interesting cases have crossed my path.

I have seen the Medivac helicopter bringing someone in and a prisoner with shackles and armed guards. I watched as they wrapped the wound of a newly amputated leg.

I have worked on every floor, in every department, been in ICU, the ER and the Operating Room Recovery area.

I am loving most every minute of this.

Seems I may have found my spot.

I wonder what I will see today.

I Am a Work in Progress

2009-05-12T21:45:00.004-03:00

I am a continual work in progress.

I am far from the perfect mother that I would like to be.

I don't possess the patience I probably should have.

There are so very many things in this big wide world that I want to do.

Everyday I add something to my "I should do that list."

That list is getting REALLY long.

I saw this post recently on Princess Lasertron. I love the photo of her and her mom together. I love where she says this to her mom:

Thanks for your patience. Thanks for staying at home with me and my brother and playing with us all the time.

And this:

Thanks for letting me be myself even when I disappointed you. Thanks for letting me make my own mistakes and never leaving me to struggle alone.

I am a work in progress. Yes, this is true. And there so very many things that I want to do. This is also true. But for now I am moving this to the top of my list:

Be the very best mom you can be. Stay home with your kids and play with them everyday. Tell them how you love them. Guide them, but always let them be themselves even when they disappoint you. Never snuff out their creative independence. Let them make their own mistakes but never, ever leave them to struggle alone.

If I take care of the little people in my life, the other stuff will find its place. I am very sure of it.

There Are No Mother's Day Surprises Here.

2009-05-09T22:50:00.004-03:00

Today was the last day of my spring class.

It was a computer class.

I might have mentioned this previously.

I could say here that I was disgusted by the rampant and obvious cheating that went on.

I could also say here that I was offended by the amount of "extra time" given to students who chose to not complete their weekly assignments or exams.

I could say all of this and more, but I won't.

I will say this: I worked hard and I got an A. I got the only A that I know of in my class. I also got the highest grade on the exam given today. The average was 46. I got 86, which, in my book, stinks, but it was, in fact, the highest in both classes, today.

I am proud of me and sometimes that is OK.

So after class today I caught up with my lovely little (loud) family.

They waved to me as I pulled up and then they ran to kiss me and tell me just how much they missed me.

I missed them too.

It often amazes me how just a few short hours away can leave you ready to deal with the madness again.

We sat and had dinner and The Otter again provided entertainment.

"Did you have a nice day today Otter?" I asked, making conversation.

"Yes! I did!" The Otter replied.

"Did you and Pippi have fun with Daddy?"

"We did!" The Otter shouted. "We went to the grocery store!"

"And they ate every free sample they could get their little hands on." reported The MacDaddy "I didn't even have to feed them lunch!"

I guess that makes for a good day in The MacDaddy's eyes.

Then I asked The Otter this question: "Did you get anything good at the grocery store?"

"Yes! We got you CANDY!" he said.

"Oh!" I said. "Will I like it?"

"No," said The Otter, "You won't like the candy, but we got you some shoes and a birthday card and you WILL like those!"

So much for a Happy Mother's Day surprise. I hope my shoes didn't come from the grocery store.

Thank you Fish, Otter & Your Highness. I love you all to pieces. Even if you can't keep a secret.

Pip

2009-05-09T00:43:00.008-03:00

Learning.

2009-05-08T10:00:00.003-03:00

Her Highness is learning about talking in sentences. "It's mine? You buy it for me?"

This weekend I will be learning about weed whacking.

Today The Otter is learning, against my better judgement, about Playdoh.

Busy.

2009-05-07T11:24:00.001-03:00

Sorry.

I don't have time to blog right now.

We are on our 8th or 9th consecutive day of rain

and

I am busy constructing my ark and gathering my animals.

Happy Birthday to Lu.

2009-05-04T00:07:00.007-03:00

Happy 11th Birthday Olivia.

You are still my sunshine.