Like Sands Through the Hourglass

Week in Suburbia

2008-09-07T13:52:00.003-05:00

We had a fun week. We had my family over for a BBQ Monday. Labor Day is usually reserved for RD's family, but due to some friction in the family, I felt free to make other plans. I used the excuse that I hadn't heard of any plans from his side - which isn't untrue really, we didn't get the invite until days before, but it's just one one of those assumed get togethers. But hating confrontation and awkward encounters, having my family over seemed quite refreshing.

For reasons I can't share (don't you hate it when people do that? sorry!), his sister isn't speaking to us, nor is she speaking to his mom. This is new territory for me. This is family. Family deals with things, right? I'm a total wienie when it comes to confrontation, but family is family, and you work things out. Right? Well...hard to work things out when the parties in question refuse to even take a phone call. So this should make the holidays interesting. Only time will tell...

Let's put the family drama aside...onto the rest of our week. The kids started preschool. Yeaaahhh!! They go two full days and one half day a week. Time to party!! I originally signed them up for one full day and two half days, but given kindergarten next year will be five FULL DAYS, it was recommended to me by several moms to sign them up for 2-3 full days this year to make next year's transition easier. So as much as I'm enjoying my "me time" right now, I'm also very conscious of this being my last year with the kids before the rest of their lives begin. School. Wow. They grow so fast.

RD went to Chicago this weekend for a golfing trip with some old college buddies. My mom and I took the kids to see Disney on Ice Saturday. They loved it. Last time we went to this arena it was for the circus, and we didn't make it past intermission. This time we made it to the end, with the kids wanting more. They're so much fun right now. Stressing me out to all limits still, but they "get" so much more. They're awesome.

Saturday night I went to the pre-party portion of a bachelorette party. It was the fiancee of one of RD's friends. I had already told her I would attend, so when I found out the party bus was leaving at 10 p.m. for FOUR hours, to say I panicked is an understatement. I'm 34, party days far behind me, I have three kids to get up with at 7 in the morning. So when I heard there was a pre-party party, I was all over that. Luckily I got away with attending the 8-10 festivities, then hopping in my mini-van to take my fuddy-duddy ass home. I have to admit, seeing all the girls dressed up in their...ah-hem...clubbing clothes took me back, and just for a second, a quick second I wished I was joining them (not that I have anything in my closet that would put me even close to what these girls were wearing). And if I had RD home to help me with the kids in the morning, I probably would have, but my 2 a.m. nights are over. I think I would've been good until midnight, then I would have been staring longingly at the door, dreaming of my soft bed. When SA came down at 1:20 a.m. asking me to fix his covers (grrrrr), I looked at the clock and just had to smile at myself. Ahhhh...that bed felt good.

Things they say...

2008-08-30T22:26:00.002-05:00

AR has been a bit too honest lately. I had to have a talk with her after having pictures taken, when she pointed out what a big lady our photographer had. Not wanting to make a point of it at the scene (you know a four year old would say, "But, mom, she DOES have a big belly"), I saved the talk for the car. I told her that it's not a nice thing to day and when she asked why, I explained that it could make a person sad...blahblahblah...

Next day in the car I hear AR fake crying, so I ask her what's wrong, to which she replies...

AR: I just told myself I have a big belly. Now I'm sad. Boo hoo hoo!!

Then today, prepping her for a family party we're having on Labor Day...

Me: AR, when we have our party Monday, if someone with a big belly comes over, what are you going to say?

AR: pausing to think...Don't come in.

Me: trying so hard not to laugh...No, AR! No! You don't say anything.

Oh boy.

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SA: Mom...after we borrow (a.k.a. rent) the Spiderman Venom movie, can we borrow the Batman Scratch movie (I don't know what that means).
Me: Sure, honey.
SA: Because I sure love Superheroes. Right, mom?
Me: mmmm-hmmmmm (busy cleaning)
SA: Because I don't like princesses. Right, mom?
Me: Right, hon'.

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I walk out of my room, all dressed and ready for the good ole' family photo...

AR: Mom, you're pretty like me!

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After learning we were just at school to see the room and meet the teachers...

SA & SJ, one right after the other: AW SNAP!

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After cleaning SJ up from an "accident"...

SJ: You're a good mom, mommy.

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Out of regular popcorn, I gave the kids kettle corn for snack...

SJ: This doesn't taste like popcorn. I don't know what this tastes like. I don't like it.

Jon & Kate Plus 8

2008-07-29T21:44:00.003-05:00

I used to be a fan of this show, but I'm finding it hard to watch anymore. Okay, that's not exactly a true statement. I find myself watching for different reasons now. Being the mother of multiples, I was obviously interested in "just how did they do it?!". I can go off on a tangent here on just how they do it...let's see...a personal chef, donated EVERYTHING, free all-expenses paid trips, people to do their laundry, people to fold their laundry, people to mow their lawn, but that's not my beef. First, who knows how much of that is true, and second, you should be allowed some perks when allowing a filming crew in your home to document your family's private moments for all to see.

What gets me is Kate. How she talks to her husband really makes me sick. The whole Mother Hen role really gets under my skin. She pecks and pecks and pecks at every little damn thing Jon does. HE IS A GROWN MAN. YOU ARE HIS WIFE NOT HIS MOTHER. AGAIN, NOT HIS MOTHER. I know several couples that, for lack of a better term, have assumed these roles. Hey, I guess it works for them. I certainly shouldn't judge, but then I'm not tuning into them every Monday evening. And I know, I know...if it bugs me so much, why do I tune in? Um...I don't know. I just do. It's like a car crash. I just can't look away. Did any of you see the Greatest Moments and Embarrassments episode? Every time they called her out for something, she turned it on Jon. Heaven forbid she just suck it up and admit she was wrong. The poor guy had to sit there while she tore him another one. AGAIN. She'd admit she didn't handle it well, but it was his fault...and if he knew better...(and this one she says all the time) if he loved her, he wouldn't act that way. Blech. Poor guy.

And then the kids. The poor kids. Let them be kids! They can't get dirty...she has a massive meltdown if they get anything on their clothes due to the HOURS she says she spends getting stains out (I may only have three, but I find this hard to believe)...she threatened to throw away one of the boy's lovey's b/c he got gum on it, and was SCREAMING, "three year old's DON'T CHEW GUM!!!!!!", when someone else (who also got a speaking to from her) gave it to them while babysitting. I could go on and on, but if you've seen the show, you certainly don't need a recap from me.

Anyway, she's just really getting under my skin. There are a dozen other things that bother me, but you can read them all for yourself. Here is a website Aunt Jodi's (Aunt Jodi being Kate's brother's wife who USED to babysit the kids until they had a falling out recently) sister has started...

"Truth Breeds Hatred"

Again, who knows how much of it is true, but I really wouldn't be surprised.

Here's another interesting website...

Gosselins Without Pity

And the family's...

Six Gosselin's

I know they have spoken out about the back lashing they've been getting lately. They had a message posted to their viewers on their website last week, but it got pulled down after a day or two. I know it's got to be hard to hear people saying negative stuff about your family, and I feel bad slamming them...or her rather...but when you put it all out there for the world to see, you have to know and accept that people will judge. With all the negative press that's been circulating, I can't help but wonder how long the show will last. I know its ratings are through the roof right now, but at some point it's got to be time to send the film crew home and live a normal life. The kids themselves are becoming pseudo-celebrities, and as a mom, I just don't see that as being a good thing. But then...those free trips to Disney, free tram rides through the zoo, and private shows with Elmo sure would be missed.

At least she's learning it somewhere

2008-07-28T19:28:00.003-05:00

Me: Come on, guys. Get your flip flops on, we're going outside.
AR: Yeahh! Guess what's outside, mom?
Me: What?
AR: Literally batting her eyelashes and twirling her hair... Air. And air is so beautiful.
Me: Yes...yes, it is.

And she's only four

2008-07-27T21:52:00.002-05:00

AR sleeps every night with a pink and white stuffed puppy named Penny. As I was tucking her in tonight she realized she didn't have her in bed with her.

AR: Mom, I want to go get Penny.
Me: I'll get her. She's downstairs. As I rush off to get her I hear AR screaming, "I want to get her! Not you!" but in a rush to get her to bed I continue on.

As I hand her Penny...
AR: MOM! I told you I wanted to get Penny! Not you!
Me: I'm sorry, hon, but we need to get you to bed. Trying to divert my sweet Princess' anger... Now do you want to carry her up or do you want me to?
AR: I want to! Mom, I'm so mad!
Me: Here we go... I know you wanted to, sweetie, but I heard Penny calling for me to carry her up. She said she wanted me to bring her to you. The best I could come up with. At least I was trying.
AR: MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Penny is not a real dog! Penny is a toy, mom! A toy! Stomps off to bed..... Mom, I'm so mad at you right now.

Then comes the kicker...

AR: She reaches out, rubs my cheek and says...But I still love you, mommy. I'm mad, but I still love you.

Priceless.

Randomness

2008-07-24T18:42:00.003-05:00

You know what drives me nuts? The space invaders in classes at the gym. You're in your spot, they're in their's, and as the class goes on they slowly make their way into your space, pushing you further and further away from whatever spot you chose...and probably chosen with good reason - under the fan most likely or within good view of the instructor.

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I once read somewhere that 4-year olds ask an average of 400-something questions a day. So I guess that means I have an average of 1,200 questions thrown at me a day. Yea, that sounds about right.

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I've been contemplating getting a cleaning service. I seriously feel like a robot on auto-pilot most days. Not the mommy-part so much, but all the in between, before, and after stuff. Picking up, putting away, laundry, wiping up, dusting off, laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, dishes, laundry...and the list goes on and on. We've been go go go lately, and it's so hard to keep up with the everyday house stuff. Thing is...the kids will be starting kindergarten next Fall ('09), and I don't want to have to stop having a cleaning lady once I have one - and I know once the kids are in school full-time five days a week, there's no way I can justify even to myself paying someone to do what I can do myself. I know...I'm a broken record. If I go back in this blog, I've "contemplated" on getting a cleaning service time and time again. But a girl can dream, right?

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I've fallen into a bad habit that pre-parenthood, I swore I would never do. Separate meals for us and the kids. I'm doing Weight Watcher's and RD works most evenings, so I'll do my Lean Cuisine meal, salad, whatever, and I'll make the kids mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, etc. That I guess is okay; but the nights RD is home and I make a MEAL, I'm usually still making them mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, etc. SJ, God love him will eat usually whatever we put in front of him, but SA and AR are pretty picky, and I usually just don't want the fight, so I give in. I've finally decided enough is enough and I'm trying to stand my ground. I made spaghetti tonight. Kid-friendly, right? SJ, as expected, gobbled it up, and to my surprise SA did as well. AR...forget it. She pouted and repeatedly demanded chips for dinner. Yes, chips. We said no and refused to give her anything else. For the remainder of the evening, and from her bed, she was crying saying she was hungry. She couldn't sleep because her stomach was growling, etc. This killed me. I felt so bad, but I know I need to put a stop to playing the short-order cook. This is night one, let's hope I stay strong in the meals to come.

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I recently joined a book club. There are several of us girls in bunco that are always sharing our thoughts on the books we've read, we finally decided to make an official night for this each month. Our first book is "A Million Little Pieces". I am having the hardest time getting through this book. First, I hate his writing style. It reads like this...

Warren speaks.
How are you.
I speak.
I'm fine.
Are you sad?
No.
Want to go to dinner?
Yes.
We walk.
I'm not hungry, but I go anyway.
We enter the cafeteria and it is crowded.
Even though I'm not hungry, I eat.
I eat.
I eat.
I eat and eat until my stomach is about to burst.

It annoys the piss out of me!!!!!!!!!! Then...it doesn't help that I saw the guy on Oprah and didn't like him. For those that don't know...he wrote this memoir, then it turns out to be mostly fabricated. Oprah called the author (James Frey) out on his overly-embellished stories, and left him stuttering and looking like a complete idiot. That stuck. I went into this book not liking the guy, and knowing he made much of it up, has taken away the shock of the story. I read mostly fiction anyway, so I don't know what it matters, but...it is what it is. Can't wait for our next book!

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I've eaten way too much this weekend. I swear I feel the skin on my ass stretching.

Two Thumbs Up

2008-07-20T16:08:00.004-05:00

Watch out, world, I saw two movies in one weekend! Friday night I went to see Mama Mia and Saturday night, RD and I went to see The Dark Knight. They both far exceeded my expectations.

I was looking forward to Mama Mia, but having never seen the live production, going into it it was just another movie to me. I LOVED it. I'm not a fan of "shows". I've seen Wicked, The Lion King, The Sound of Music, among others, but it's not something I like to make a habit of. I drag my feet the whole way to the door, but admittedly I usually end up enjoying the show.

Mama Mia was funny, touching, and a whole lot of fun. There's a scene where she sings "Slipping Through My Fingers" to her daughter as she helps her prepare for her big day. I challenge any mother out there with a daughter to keep from crying during this scene. Then the next scene is Meryl Streep singing, "Winner Takes it All" to Pierce Brosnan (who is a horrible singer btw, but so gorgeous you just don't care) on the beach, and the waterworks returned. I wish someone would've warned me to bring some Kleenex. Who knew?!

The dork that I am, I rushed out Saturday morning and bought the soundtrack. The kids have been dancing and (mimicking my) singing right along with me. It's been a lot of fun.

Then lastnight was the big night. SA's big night that is. We were going to see The Dark Knight for him. Sure, we wanted to see it, too, but truth be told, it was our duty as Batman's biggest fan to go where he could not. There's been hype for months, and I've gotta say, it didn't disappoint. Heath Ledger was phenomenal in it. Oscar-worthy? I don't know about that. But he did steal every scene. It was long, and it was weird, b/c there were several times it seemed like it was over, then it just kept going. Had it not been for my very full bladder, I wouldn't have minded. And I've promised SA that when he's a big kid like me, I would gladly watch it with him. And sweet boy that he is, he's promised to hold my hand when I get scared. So sweet.

Wasting My Breath

2008-07-16T15:21:00.004-05:00

RD was watching the Homerun Derby the other night, so I should have known better than to speak. I was talking to him, or at him rather, for a few minutes when I noticed he still had the glazed over look in his eyes he gets when he watches anything sports. It's amazing he wasn't drooling. Really. Anyway...I said,

Me: You're not listening to me.
Me: RD! You're not listening to me.
RD: Looking dazed... Wha?
Me: Seriously, RD. I've been talking to you...standing two feet from you...and you haven't heard a word?
RD: I'm watching the game.
Me: Y...e...a...you can still talk. Did you hear any of what I said? How can you not hear me?
RD: If you want to say something to me, you need to say my name first and then I'll know you're talking to me.
Me: BLANK STARE
RD: Returns to game
Me: You're kidding, right? You're the only one in the room! Who in the hell else could I be talking to?
RD: BLANK STARE
Me: Nevermind.

On Today...

2008-07-15T16:25:00.003-05:00

Michael Caine (edited...I originally put Keaton...oops!) and Morgan Freeman were on the Today show this morning promoting The Dark Knight. The kids walked in and saw a picture of Batman (Christian Bale) standing behind the Joker (Heath Ledger) and froze. I had to rewind (gotta love DVR!!) and pause so they ALL could just STARE...

Then, of course, SA couldn't watch without being geared up...

July 18th can't come fast enough!

Shooze

2008-07-15T16:13:00.005-05:00

AR and I went out and bought ourselves some shoes yesterday.

AR's incredible deals from Target.

AR's shoes from Famous Footwear

Mama's shoes from Famous Footwear

We went out to get shoes for her, but I couldn't walk in and not get something for me now could I? ;) I'm loving my new orange sandals!!

Beautiful Sunday in the yard

2008-07-13T22:33:00.003-05:00

SJ

SA and AR

The Dark Knight

2008-07-13T22:25:00.003-05:00

SA: Mom! Mom! The new Batman scary movie is coming out! Can I see it?
Me: No, honey, it's for grown ups. It's too scary, sweetie. It's not for little kids.
SA: But you know what? You and dad can see it. Then...then you can come home...you can come home and you can tell me all about it. Right?
Me: That's right. We'll do that. I'd like to see it.
SA: Oh good, mom! Oh good! That's great! Are you excited to see the new Batman scary movie?
Me: Oh, yes. Can't wait!

Things they say...

2008-07-12T21:58:00.003-05:00

Me: (For the 10th time) SA, put on your jammies NOW.
SA: Stop it, you crazy egg!

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Driving to school, a brightly painted Charter Cable bus passes us...

SJ: LOOK! The Scooby bus!!!
SA: Hurry, mom! Catch it!
AR: Is Daphne in there? Mom, I want to see Daphne! Hurry!

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SA: Mom, what did you do when you were a kid like me?
Me: I played with toys.
SA: What kind of toys?
Me: Dolls. I loved dolls. And I also liked Hot Wheel cars like you play with.
SA: That's neat, mom. Hugs me. I like that.

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Putting the kids to bed, RD working night shift...

SJ: Mom, I don't want daddy to be at work.
Me: I know, honey, but he'll be back in the morning.
SJ: But he won't be here while we're sleeping. He won't be here to protect me. There's bad guys and monsters...and he won't protect me.
Me: I'm here, sweetie! I won't let anyone get you.
SJ: Looking worried and not at all convinced.
Me: Mommy will protect you. Isn't mommy okay?
SJ: No.

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What's repeated several times a day, every day...

AR: Want to see how beautiful I am?

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AR: I really like those things on your belly.
Me: What things? These freckles?
AR: No, those things (pointing to my breasts).

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SA: Mom, my belly hurts! It's your fault, mom!
Me: MY fault? Why is it my fault?
SA: You let me have two snacks, mom. Now my belly hurts!

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SA: I am vengeance. I am night. I am Batman.
Me: I am scared.

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SJ's first joke...

SJ: Why did the puppy poop on his head?
Me: Why?
SJ: Because he was stinky!!!!!!!!!
All three kids erupt into laughter.

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Me: SJ, you get off that couch now and get your jammies or you're going in time out!
SJ: You send me to time out and I'm taking my shorts off!

Guess How Much I Love You

2008-07-12T15:36:00.005-05:00

Every night since AR was about six weeks old I have sang the same song to her. She was very colicky when she was a baby and required constant holding, constant attention (some things never change!). I would sing different songs to her, but not being to up on my nursery rhymes, I soon made up my own song.

Guess how much I love you, AR, AR
You're so special to me, AR
You are the world, you're a special girl
Oh, how I love you, AR

Guess how pretty you are, AR, AR
The boys are already knocking at the door
Just to see your smile, drives all the boys wild
That's how pretty you are, AR

Guess how silly you are, AR, AR
You got your brothers laughing all the time
Just to see your smile, makes it all worth while
That's how silly you are
That's how pretty you are
That's how much I love you, AR

I have visions of singing this to her at her wedding. I love this song and love that she loves this song. She's sang along snippets of it with me a few times, but has recently been singing it with me start to finish. As she sings, she sits up in bed, closes her eyes, and sways back and forth. It's precious. Then when we're finished she claps her hands and says, "I did it! I did it!".

Well...as you can imagine...the boys ask why they don't have a song. How do you explain to four year olds the requirements of a high-maintenance baby? ha! It's as simple as them just not needing a song; she did. So AR has allowed us to share her song with the boys. Sharing her song to her means, we let them hear it, but I do try to work their names in now and then. :)

Thinking ya missed the point

2008-07-12T15:23:00.002-05:00

As I was putting laundry away in the the boys' room, I hear SJ calling my name from the play room - over and over again. Going in to see what he wants...and seeing RD sitting four feet away from SJ...

Me (to RD): If one of the kids calls for me (which it's always "MOM!!" they're calling for isn't it?) and you're sitting RIGHT THERE, can you please find out what it is they want instead of me having to come from another part of the house to help?

RD: Was someone calling for you?

Me: (He must be joking. Please tell me he's joking.) SJ's been calling for me.

RD: What does he want.

Me: SIGH...He wanted his pants buttoned. You're right there. I'm just saying...it would be much easier.

As I'm walking away...

RD: Well, what are you doing?

Seriously. Keep walking. Just keep walking.

Little Blessings

2008-07-09T19:29:00.003-05:00

I'm feeling a whole lot of love for my kids right now. They're growing so fast. I find myself staring at them, amazed at how much they've grown, in both body and mind. They're so smart, so funny, and so darn cute.

We've got some family drama going on right now and I've been a bit down, but these kids keep picking me up. For all the stop that's...keep it down's...leave her alone's...knock it off's...you're going to time out's...I'm sending you a thousand I love you's.

You kids are amazing and don't you ever forget it!

I'm an idiot

2008-07-02T09:23:00.003-05:00

The kids were all excited wanting to swim in our kiddie pool. I went out right after breakfast to fill it up. I peeked out the window close to an hour later to see how it was filling up (it's pretty big), to see that it was still empty. I hosed all the grass out from yesterday, found the perfect spot to set up, placed the hose in there...and forgot to plug it up. So I was basically watering the yard. Doh!

Soon, kids, soon! I promise!

Bad Habits

2008-07-01T20:04:00.002-05:00

Help me. Help me. Help me. I'm in a size 8. I've been in a size 8 for several months now...I must focus. Must focus. I've come too far to give up now. But with all the summer bbq's, birthday parties, pool parties...I find I'm slipping into many of my bad habits. I'll start back over tomorrow...I'll get back on the program after this weekend's parties...a few bites won't hurt. I've never gotten this close to reaching my goal...EVER. Now these size 8's are getting tighter and tighter...time to snap out of this cycle!

This is going to be a rough summer.

Sunday Randoms

2008-06-28T19:37:00.002-05:00

To the guy behind me at the DQ drive-thru: I was waiting for my change, a-hole, so lay off the horn, would ya? I was stopping for a much-needed chocolate cone to help relax me after a stress-filled day, so thanks a lot for adding to my foul mood. Just what I needed. Jerk.

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A big thank you to the guy at Schnuck's that 'well-helloooo'ed' and winked at me today. Maybe not classy, but seeing that only happens once or twice a year anymore (and that's being generous), I'll take it.

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I just finished reading The Other Boleyn Girl. I LOVED IT. It was so good. I highly recommend it. I liked it just as much, if not more, than another book I read recently and really enjoyed, Pillars of the Earth. These are both books that I would not normally pick up on my own, but after much persuading decided to give a try, and I couldn't put either down once I started them. Excited after reading the book, I rushed right to Blockbuster to rent TOBG movie and was very disappointed. It's a fairly large book, so I realize they couldn't include everything, but the movie seemed so empty. If it wasn't for me feeling vested in the people in this powerful story I had just read, I don't know that just by watching the movie I would've cared what happened to them. But I will say, after reading this book, I can't get enough of Tudor History. There's endless info on-line, and it's addicting. If you haven't read this book, please do. You won't regret it.

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I did it. I was "that person" at step class the other day. I fell. UGH...I FELL. I'm so bad at paying attention. Once I get comfortable with the steps, I'll find myself going over my to-do list or running down my grocery list. We were doing these reverse step maneuvers...everything was going just fine when reversing back the heel of my foot just caught the edge of the step and DOWN I went. Of course when I went down I was half on, half off the thing and the step made this loud clatter against the risers. Luckily I wasn't hurt. My pride was a bit bruised, but other than that, no marks to show for it. That'll teach me to check my lists at the door.

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I got a new minivan a few weeks ago (Honda Odyssey EX-L RES in Deep Cherry Pearl...LOVE IT!). I got my first scratch on it and darn it I DID IT! ARGH! I was leaving Sam's and pulled the cart up to the back of the van so I could unload the kids and goods, when I noticed it got a little too close to my back bumper. So I tried to edge it away carefully when it just moved the wrong way and made this horrible sound against the bumper. It happened so fast, I dont' know what the h*ll I did, but I stewed over it off and on all day. I was wondering...do I get it fixed...ask for touch-up paint to do it myself? It's so small, I know I'm being crazy over such a small scratch that probably no one else will notice. But you know how it is when you get a new car...I've been washing it every weekend, actually carrying our crap in every day - where in my old van you could always count on several empty Diet Coke cans, straw wrappers, candy wrappers, forgotten toys, barretts, you name it. Sigh. I'm sure this is the first of many scratches to come, so I guess I'll let it go for now. Sniff.Sniff.

Wanted: Happy Medium

2008-06-24T19:54:00.002-05:00

Penis is a big word in this house, and all too often on display. Why must kids be so obsessed with privates and poop? It's all bobo's and poo. It's the reason for many sitdown discussions with the kids (SA in particular). Finally...why now, who knows...but finally the "your-penis-is-your-private-area" talk finally made an impact.

But it's starting to snowball...

Now the boy who was so proud to show his boyhood has taken it to a new level. AR was waiting her turn outside the bathroom...creeping in impatiently, as is a constant occurence here, SA starts shouting, "Get out! Don't look at my penis! It's my private area! Get out!!" Then tonight when they were all getting their jammies on he starts crying, shouting, "Oh no! Now everyone's going to see my bobo! They're going to see my private area!" Sigh.

Poor kid. I know it's confusing. You throw all these rules at them, but they're all accompanied with 'but when's'.

Maybe mom needs a book. I need help on dealing with these questions. Oy.

My "Pool Boy"

2008-06-23T19:17:00.001-05:00

Big Bald Guy at the Gym.

That's what I called him. A nice piece of.............eye candy. What inspires me to go to the gym? That Louis bag that is so close, so close - AND - that bald, beautiful trainer with the Carpe Diem tattoo on his calf. YUM-MY.

Okay, I don't go to the gym TO SEE HIM, but it sure doesn't hurt. The guy is sex on legs. I just don't know how else to describe him. The big muscles, the tight "Trainer" shirt, the bald head, gi-normous tat on his leg...the guy's just sexy. He just looks like a bad boy...like...... Okay, I'll stop. RD told me that himself when, yes, I was telling my dear, good-humored husband about the decor (a.k.a. personnel) at the gym.

The problem (not the obvious 34-year old mother ogling the very-early-20-something-year old boy at the gym) is that today while working out, he was working out beside me. I got the unfortunate privilege of hearing him speak. Hearing the 20-something things come out of his mouth to his buds at the gym...the sexy facade is gone. Gone. Darn it. Darn it. Darn it.

LOUIS! LOUIS! LOUIS!

Time Well Spent

2008-06-23T18:57:00.001-05:00

Daddy's on vacation. Need I say more? It's wonderful getting to spend time together as a family. It's wonderful having someone to...ahem...sort of share the everyday responsibilities. It's great having RD around in the evenings to play cards with me. Here comes the big BUT...

Let's just say RD's patience runs a bit thin. And when daddy's crabby, everyone's crabby. Being the primary caregiver, primary disciplinarian...you know what works - or at least try to fake it pretty well. When you're with the kids 24/7, you learn to pick and choose your battles. Is the boys shrieking loudly while they play hide and seek getting on my nerves? You betcha. But you can also bet I find those deliriously happy screams a lot more tolerable than the deliriously angry screams of boys sitting in time out because they wouldn't play quieter. I can list a 101 more examples, but you get the idea. RD is picking at every little thing the kids do.

We were out shopping for a rug (with three kids in tow...who's crazy now?) when RD kept flipping out because the kids wouldn't stay RIGHT-AT-OUR-SIDE. I made a snippit to RD about him needing to keep his temper under control, when I realized I could stand to pick my battles more wisely myself.

It's only a week. It's only a week.

My How Time Flies

2008-06-11T20:56:00.002-05:00

I was bored - or a better way to describe it was...looking for anything other to do other than the obvious (clean, laundry, etc.) - and was playing around on the computer, when I decided to pull up my ole' blog and read back on some of my old entries.

I started it in '04, but man, reading some of those old stories it seems like decades ago. It made me glad to have all those stories in writing. Funny stories of old neighbors, friends, and best of all, silly things my kids did in their first 2 years. It's amazing the things you forget.

I was quoting to RD the things we'd said to each other, the funny things our kids did (and some of the not-so-funny), and reminding him of our crazy neighbors that lived across the street from our old house. He, like me, had forgotten so many of those details you'd think would just stick. But they don't. Some things make you laugh, some make you cry, some make huge impacts in your life, some are forgotten before the day is through - whatever the story of the day is, it's priceless being able to look back and remember when.

I had so many "my children are so wonderful" stories and an unbelievable amount of "I've got the best husband in the world" stories. I was telling him about the latter and he said, "Gee thanks." I asked him why he said that, and he responded, "Well you say that like you can't believe you ever said that." It's not that...it's just...our marriage has its ups and downs like any other, it just made me smile to read so many positive things about him, us, our kids. It made me look at where we are today and appreciate things just a bit more.

Life gets so crazy you forget to do what really matters. At least I do. I need to get down on the floor and play with my kids more. I need to stop saying "In a minute" EVERY time one of my kids tries to get my attention. It's so hard, but I need to try.

Have you heard that new Trace Atkin's song, "You're Gonna Miss This?" It gets me every time. It's so true. All the craziness that goes on everyday...the good, the bad, the ugly...all of it...there's going to come a day when I'm going to miss this.

Reading back on those old entries of when they were babies, I already do.

Just Breathe

2008-06-09T15:28:00.002-05:00

Am I a bad mom? I tell ya...some days I really feel like it. I do my best. I really do. I start my day with all the best intentions, but then they start screaming, whining, crying, hitting...and all my good intentions go out the window. I have prided myself in being a patient mom. A mom who listens. Who thinks before she reacts. Some days I am successful. Other days...I'm waiting for a neighbor to knock on my door to ask if everything's okay.

I think my kids are good kids. I do. But even the best of kids have horrible moments. Unfortunately some days have more moments than others. Some of those moments are...GASP...in public...in front of...GULP...witnesses. Before having kids I remember seeing other people's children have tantrums in public. I did what, let's face it, what most people do...watch and listen to see how "the mom" is going to handle it. Sure you try not to look like you're watching/listening, but it's hard not to when World War 3 is going on right in front of you. I would think two things, 1) My kids will NOT act like that in public. They will know better, and 2) If I was that mother I would have handled that totally different. Well...as I said, that was before I had little monsters of my own. I say monster in the most loving way. Like I said, my kids are good kids. Viewing other kids I often think, "Wow...my kids are so much better behaved than their's." Sounds awful I know, but you get so much negative as a mom, sometimes you gotta throw yourself a bone. As I often do...I'm getting off track.... let's just say I've eaten my words. I handle each moment the best I can. And of course the way you deal with something at home is almost always going to be different than how you would handle something in the middle of say Target or Home Depot. I wonder how many future mom's I've encountered while braving the stores with my three children - how many of these women said to themselves, "I so wouldn't have handled that that way" or "what a brat!" To these women...you just wait.

What's prompted me to post an entry after how many months? I'm tired. Exhausted. At my wit's end. Over-f-ing-whelmed. Maybe it's because it's summer...maybe things will get better once preschool starts again, but I feel like my role as mother has been replaced with the role of Referee, they do nothing but fightfightfight; and let's not forget housekeeper, cook, social coordinator, driver, and wife (you know what wifely duties I'm talking about). I'm spent. I complain to my husband and his basic response is that "don't you think I'm tired?" or something along the lines of "you're doing what every other mom has to do...what makes you different?" He totally misses the point. I'm not saying he doesn't work hard. I know he does, but that doesn't take away from what I do. And I'm not saying I'm the only overworked, underappreciated mom/wife out there. No I'm not in a unique situation, but that doesn't make life any easier.

I love my life...it's just...so damn hard sometimes.

Um...thanks...I think

2007-10-16T16:13:00.001-05:00

I'm now down 14 pounds, 25 to go.

So RD and I were lying in bed lastnight when he says, "I can tell you've lost weight. I used to fall into you (demonstrates by rolling into me), now I can just lie next to you without falling in."

Gee, thanks. He's got such a way with words.

The Louis Diet

2007-10-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

For those that have been with me since I started this often dusty blog, my weight has been a constant battle. Many moons ago I set a goal for myself and my husband agreed to treat me to a shopping spree for new clothes should I reach this goal. Well, initially this excited me quite a bit. But the excitement and motivation soon wore off, as buying clothes isn't so much a treat as a necessity. Sure it's fun, but if I need clothes I buy them. I don't need a magic number on the scale to give me permission. I want something, I buy it. So the scale has continued to hover near the numbers I thought it never would. But alas, there is a new challenge. A new motivation.

If you know me, you know I'm not a big clothes horse anyway. I've just recently bought a bunch of new clothes (Ann Taylor Loft is my heaven), but it was strictly out of necessity. My closet was in serious need of help. What I do love is nice purses. I have several Coach purses, a Kate Spade, and a Dooney & Burke, but what I covet is the purse almighty. A Louis-Vuitton. My husband can handle me spending $100-$300 on a purse without going over the edge, but $1,000+, um, out of the question. As much as I love purses, even I know this is a ridiculous amount to spend on...well...almost anything. Yet I want one....SO BAD. My mom had one when I was a child and from then on I always loved them. They're timeless.

RD and I had just bought a new scale and were exchanging our goals over breakfast. He's wanting to gain 20 or so pounds, I'm wanting to lose 30 or so...okay 39 to be exact. He said, "I tell you what. You get to your goal and you can buy your Louis purse, and wallet. You can get whatever you want up to $2,000." Me, "GULP...mmmm'kay!" Now I know my husband still thinks we'll never be spending this kind of money on something so superficial, because he doesn't think I'll ever lose all that weight. But yearning for something so bad...not to mention the size 8 I would so love to be...is a powerful, powerful motivation. And...well...I just love proving RD wrong. heehee!

To update...so far I have lost 9 pounds - 30 to go! Wish me luck! Ahem...again.

Our House in the Middle of Our Street

2007-10-07T09:54:00.000-05:00

I had one of those book parties the other night. As soon as I agreed to do it, I regretted it. I used to do umpteen parties a year (i.e., Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, etc.), because I'm a total sucker when put under pressure, but finally decided to stick to one. One of my best friends is a consultant for At Home America, so for lack of a better term, I give her my business. I went to an Usborne book show a couple months ago and was impressed with the books. It's hard to feel guilty about purchasing books for your kids, so I thought why not. The why not is you have to provide food, invite people who would probably rather do a million other things than go to yet another party, but it was done, agreed upon, so I did it. Feeling somewhat guilty about just having had an At Home party back in September, I didn't invite the whole lot. You get your usual bunch that always comes, the usual bunch that never comes, and of course the ones you never hear from. Given the limited number of people I invited, the usual crew that was set to attend amounted to 7 - and given my track record of inviting people to my house (harhar) - 4 showed up. These four were at the previous party I went to that I signed up to do the party, so the consultant skipped the whole sales pitch and we just sat around, ate food that was too fattening, and talked. All in all it was a good time.

I was looking around at my clean house the next morning - admiring the sparkling cleanliness that surrounded me. Since it was a small party, all the cleaning that went into the party stuck. It was still clean! Yeah! As I was loading my Diet Cokes into the refrigerator - four to be exact, I'm trying to limit my addiction to a reasonable number - I was basking in the joy of only having laundry on my to-do list for the day. Laundry is a given. It's on my to-do list EVERY day. What should happen next? I drop one of the cans on the floor. Dropping a can on the floor is a normal occurence, no big deal. You just push it to the back to let it settle, and grab one from the front. But not this day. No. This day it busts open, spinning in circles, spraying soda ALL OVER MY SPARKLING CLEAN KITCHEN. AR starts crying, totally freaked out by what had happened; the boys think the whole thing is hysterical and take the opportunity to run at lightening speed and see how far this wet floor can send them (which was into the Dining Room btw). So now there's sticky soda on the floor, the cabinets, the fridge, the wall, the pictures on the wall, the couch and coffee table (hearth room), the counters, and the chairs at the island. These are the kinds of moments where you just want to run out the door crying and maybe, just maybe, never come back. But you take a deep breath, stick the kids in front of the t.v., and start scrubbing. Because as always, today is just another day, and this too shall pass.

The Nagging Post

2007-10-01T11:28:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons I stopped blogging before was because all I ever did was bitch about one thing or another, well, that's a great thing about having a blog. All those things you can't say, well just vent away to the anonymous world.

I'm stressed. The kids are three and it is proving to be the hardest age for me so far. They're constantly battling each other, me, RD...my chest is always so tight...I'm always so damn tense. Everything's a test. How far will they let me go? It's driving me insane. I love my children immensely, but I feel like I'm spending too much time not enjoying my children. I feel guilty typing that...I feel guilty just thinking that...but I need to find some sort of balance in my life. I can't keep waiting for things to get easier, because that's not going to happen. Sure, some things will get easier, but bigger challenges still await. I realize that. The only thing I can do is find a way to deal with things better. But how? I don't want to be the mom that looks at this as a job. I don't want to keep going through the motions, you know? Because that's what I'm doing. Going through the motions. I need to find my place. Find my purpose and embrace it. Wow...now I'm sounding a bit dramatic...but damn, I have to do something...

Now for some totally random thoughts that have irked me over the past weeks...

You know what really pisses me off? When I'm putting my groceries on the check-out belt, and the person ahead of me has all their crap spread out, instead of pushed/stacked together. It's nice to get started putting my heaping, overflowing cart of groceries on the belt when I have as much as I do. It's really aggravating when the person in front of you has...let's say...milk, grapes, tampons, cheese all in a line...spread out on the belt, when they could scooch them together so I could start unloading. I'm just saying.

It's inevitable...it's bound to happen, but every time we have a party or holiday at our house it seems nearly half cancel. It's frustrating. Last Thanksgiving we started with 27 planning on attending, come the night before (of course once all the food was bought) we were down to 10. TEN! We had a BBQ this past weekend and had 7 cancel (which 2 of ended up coming anyway). Kids were sick, etc. Totally understandable, and it was still a good turnout, but frustrating nonetheless. Again, it's just bound to happen when you're having people over, but it's my blog and I can still bitch. :)

Why am I such a sucker for house parties? You know...the selling books, house stuff, etc. parties? I'm having a book party this week. It always sounds like such a good idea at the time...you go to someone else's party and they give you the spiel about how you'd be helping this hostess out, you'll benefit as well...sure! Why not?! Then the time comes and I have to ask myself, "Why did I agree to this?" Ugh. I'm such a pushover.

At the gym, there's only a limited number of elliptical machines that have the arm thingies (sorry...don't know correct term) that you use along with the stair-stepper part. That's the machine I like...and it really ticks me off when someone uses it and doesn't use the arm part!!! When there are plenty of other stair steppers w/o the arm thingie if they're not going to use it. I know the arm thingie ones have great fans overhead, but if you're going to use that machine...USE IT!

Okay...I'm done for now. I feel much better. :)

Potty Training

2007-08-24T21:03:00.000-05:00

AR was a piece of cake to potty train. She walked up to me one day and said, "Mama, I want to wear big girl panties and go potty on the big girl potty like you." I put her in big girl panties and she's been in them ever since. That was 8 months ago. The boys on the other hand...not so easy. I've made several attempts, and I KNOW that one of the worst things you can do is to be wishy washy - putting them in underwear, then back in diapers, then back in underwear, and so on - but after cleaning up the pee and poop of two boys for several days, you might consider throwing in the towel, too! We even had to switch schools. The preschool they were registered at (which was where they went for "Mommy's Day Out" last year) has a NO DIAPERS policy. I tried and tried and decided instead of pressuring the boys, I was going to let it happen when it happens, and change schools. Now...I wasn't totally bummed about this because the only school that would take them (other than one that I vetoed immediately after just a phone call...long story) was one that I had wanted all along. But this place is pricey. Crazy pricey. But the kids need some schoolin', right? And we can afford it, we (or I should say I) just need to do some re-prioritizing. It's super close, and several of the kids in the neighborhood go there, so there will be many familiar faces.

Back to the potty-training...the school Director said it is their school policy as well that the kids be potty trained, but she's willing to work with us. Quite frankly, I think they just really want our business, but whatever. She said as long as we continue working with them at home, they will work with them at school as well. She said that she will tell the teachers that she will be responsible for whatever messes there are if it becomes a problem. Sooooo...here we are. They start September 4. SA has made remarkable progress. I'm close to saying he's potty trained, but not quite yet. He's made it as long as two days without an accident; and he rarely has more than one accident a day anymore. SJ on the other hand...has YET to go on the potty. I take that back. He did poop once, but it was only because I left him there so dang long SOMETHING was bound to just happen eventually. It's like he's scared of what will happen. He'll go very willingly to the toilet, but then just sit there. Then he'll go in the other room and piss on the floor. UGH. SO.VERY.FRUSTRATING.

But...all in time, right?

SIGH

Case of the Blah's

2007-07-11T11:13:00.000-05:00

It's been a rough week. My husband's grandmother passed away Friday morning. He was very close to her, as were his sisters and cousins, so everyone was taking it pretty hard. She'd been sick for awhile, and suffered quite a bit, so as hard as it was to see her go, it was definitely her time.

We had a sitter for the visitation on Sunday, but took the kids along with us to the service Monday. All-in-all, the kids did pretty well. It's hard for three-year olds to sit quiet for that length of time; but I stocked up on books, Aqua Doodles, and raisins to help pass the time. One sweet moment - SA started talking loud so RD told him he had to be quiet. SA then pointed to the open casket and said, "We don't want to wake up Grandma?" RD lost it. The tears started flowing. Ahhh...the sweet innocence of a child.

And now I'm getting ready to say bye to one of my best friends. My good friend K and her family are moving to Switzerland - her husband has been transferred there for three years. So the bad news is she will be gone for three years. The good news...she'll be back in three years. At least it's not permanent.

Now tonight RD and I are going to see The Lion King with some of his work buddies. I'm looking forward to going out to dinner beforehand, but I'm not much of a "show" person. I heard it's really good...so I'm sure I'll have a good time. *sigh* Oops...wait...that's tomorrow night. I tell ya...I'm so screwed up right now, I have no idea what day or what time it is.

Lord help me

2007-07-05T19:40:00.000-05:00

This is what happens when you let your kids stay up to watch fireworks. You pay the next day. Boy, do you pay.

The boys were so awful today, I finally put them in their room and closed the door. They eventually fell asleep. When they woke from their nap, they were new children. AR on the other hand, well, sometime's there's just no getting her to do something she doesn't want to do. A nap today was one of those things. Now the screaming and (my) yelling has been so bad, I'm sure everyone within a five-mile radius knows we're having a bad day.

Now I'm bleeding. Yes, I'm bleeding. I'm bleeding because my daughter doesn't want to go to bed. She's so damn tired she's delirious. She refused to brush her teeth, so I had to pin her down...I maybe got three teeth clean. Then I had to carry her into bed...upside down mind you (not on purpose, it's just what happens when a three-year old is kicking and hitting you while being held)...and hold her down just long enough to plan my getaway. During this time she kicked my legs, my left cheek, my arms - and I have numerous scratches over every exposed part of my body.

Please God, make tomorrow a better day.

Oh...they're not mine.

2007-06-27T22:28:00.000-05:00

My kids are at that age now that they truly say whatever is on their mind. We definitely have some years before their censors have formed.

One of my favorite things to read in Parents magazine, and others like it, are the embarassing things kids say. Not so funny when it comes out of your kid's mouth.

We live in what I would consider a diverse neighborhood. You always hear stories of kids seeing someone who looks different from them and making awkward comments in public. I thought, "How great! I don't have to worry about that. My kids will grow up seeing all these different races and nationalities, and they won't even see them as being different because they will be accustomed to seeing them all the time." Wrong. It just means they say these embarassing things sooner instead of later. Like SA, who likes to point and shout out, "Look Mom! A brown man!" Or ask loudly, "Why is that boy brown, Mommy?"

Then there's their grandmother who loves to joke with them about her big belly, among other things. Now the kids love to point out big bellies and say things like, "Look Mom! That girl (woman) has two chins!" Yea, I had a talk with my mom about that one.

And of course I'm the target of most of their observations. SJ rarely goes more than two days without pointing out my big belly. Which BTW, I didn't think I had until he pointed it out. And AR said I have two necks, which I'm pretty sure was in reference to my chin...or chins rather. And don't think you can let a silent (but not so sweet) fart slip out in Target without one of the kids yelling, "MOMMY'S POOPY!!!" No siree, I can't get away with anything.

But neither can you, so suck it in because you never know what small child might be lurking around the corner!

Long-time coming

2007-06-26T19:58:00.000-05:00

I have finally updated my blogroll. A third if not more of my links had sites that were closed down...or about as inactive as I've been.

Wow...look at me! 4 posts in three days! Woo hoo! Is this a comeback?

Please check this out

2007-06-26T15:02:00.001-05:00

One of my good friends has recently started a blog. It's about her experience living with depression, as well as this great idea she has on how to help deal with it.

Please stop by to say hi!

This Crazy Idea

Loosening the reigns

2007-06-26T14:25:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to loosen the reigns a bit with my children. I'm not what I consider an overprotective mom really, but when you have three small ones, my God things can spiral out of control in a matter of seconds. But the kids aren't exactly toddlers anymore, and the need to be watching their every move is no longer necessary, nor is it practical.

Before if the kids went upstairs to play, I went upstairs. I'm a get-down-on-the-floor-and-play-with-the-kids kind of mom, but I would always encourage them to play on their own at times as well...but I was never far. Keeping such a short leash on them has caused many meltdowns - their's and mine. Now they can play upstairs and I'll go about my business downstairs, doing laundry, cleaning, etc., and to my amazement, they've done great. I know this sounds crazy to some, but until you've experienced life with triplets, no judging! ;) You're probably wondering how did I ever get anything done?! It's not that I never just went to another side of the house for awhile, it's just that I'm now allowing more room for trust - within reason, they are only 3 - and I'm giving us all a little more space.

Maybe now we'll all be able to breathe a little easier.

*CRASH*

What was that noise?!

Pass the Pledge, please...

2007-06-24T21:57:00.001-05:00

so that I may dust off this ole' thing.

Wow. I haven't posted in a looong time!! A good friend of mine recently started a blog, and I thought I might stop by my own for a change.

Where I have I been? I guess you could say I got caught up in life. You know...the usual chaos. In the beginning, I was in quite the funk and was so tired of listening to myself bitch about everything, I no longer had the energy to put it into writing. The main reason for my funk was our two mortgages - which by the way, for those that were around way back when, we sold the house!!! We are now the proud owners of not two, but one lovely home. Phew! What a relief!

My other downer is me and my fatt ass. Boy, have I let myself go. I never could understand those people that lose weight in stressful situations. I love to eat. LoveLoveLove food. If I'm sad, I eat...mad, I eat...happy, let's eat! Well, given the past year - the house, the crazy kids - it was just too much. Though I've been good about exercise - almost to the point of obsession - my eating habits could use much improvement. Now that things are looking up financially, I'm working on stuffing my face less.

The other reason I've stayed away, is as boring as my calendar is, I've been so damn busy. The kids! The kids! The kids! As many people say in passing when they see us on the street, "Yes, I have my hands full!" Raising three 3-year olds is exhausting. Fall-on-the-floor-and-moan exhausting. Then to top it off, we moved in this huge house that I'm somehow expected to clean (okay, that's a battle all my own), I feel there's little time for me. Waahhh-waaahhh-waaaah! Didn't I say I was tired of listening to myself bitch? Okay, I'll stop.

Anyway, that's where I've been. I'm not going to say I'm going to post more and be better about stopping by all those blogs I used to frequent, because I just can't say. I could have all the best intentions, but then a month or two later...oops! Wasn't I going to blog more? Wasn't I going to call my grandma? Wasn't I supposed to return that book to Jen? Wasn't I going to clean out the car? My mental to-do list is neverending. But I can say, I will TRY. :)

Title Schmitle

2007-02-14T22:50:00.000-06:00

I might as well close this. I never post anymore. Maybe I will if things start to look up, but right now I don't see that happening any time soon. And quite frankly, I just don't care.

I'm in a low place right now. We still haven't sold our other house. What the hell were we thinking? What the hell was I thinking? It's my fault. RD never would have bought this house if I wasn't in such a panic over having to move out of this neighborhood.

Aside from all our money woes, I'm just worn out. Stretched to my limit. The kids are wonderful and so much fun at this age...yet so much work. They're easier in so many ways (they'll be three in less than two weeks!), yet so damn exhausting. I'm just going, going, going. Always. I'm a big day dreamer. I could sit on the couch and daydream for hours. Seriously. But I've found I can't even sit through one thought. I'm up, down, up, down...running here, running there. "Mom...Mom...Mom...Mommy!!!!" is all hear all day. Our kids narrate the entire day, which is wonderful, it really is, but then I want to scream, "Just STOP TALKING. Just for a minute. Please!!" Isn't that awful?

I'm tired. I'm crabby all the time. RD and I have never fought this much.

Then there's this house. Why in hell did we have to buy such a huge house? I love it. I really do, but it's so much work. I'm cleaning constantly. It never ends.

I'm tired. Wait...I said that already. Well...anyway...I need some hope. I know I need to just be thankful for our health and all that crap...blahblahblah...I am...but damn it...this is just so hard.

So she says mom can't interpret forever

2006-11-13T21:50:00.000-06:00

Our 'Parents as Teachers' lady came today. We again had the "the-boys'-speech-is-not-where-it-should-be talk". We had this talk 10 months ago or so, then they 'caught up'. Now here we are again.

At this age, which is 32 months 17 days to be exact, children progress at warp speed - where improvement is needed things often just fall into place, and other times a little guidance is needed. Again, as we did 10 months ago, we wait. Wait and see what progress they do or don't make in the months ahead then re-assess. As a mom I can't help but ask myself what am I doing to help...or hinder...the situation. I'm doing my best, but I can't help but wonder is my best good enough? I know I shouldn't put this on me...they're triplets, it's common...they're boys, again it's common...I just hate it when things are out of my control.

But as it seems with most everything, you worry and worry, and things just have a way of working out. Our PIT had a good point, she said, "Just when you get seriously concerned and take action, they get it - and you wish they would just STOP TALKING. haha"

Not because I'm a mom. I just like classy.

2006-11-12T12:41:00.000-06:00

We get it people! You're skinny!

This drove me nuts when Janet Jackson lost all that weight, now we have to go through it with Britney Spears. It is possible to look skinny without going around half naked. It is possible to look SEXY without baring it all...or without your boobs pushed up to your chin (that's a Janet-thing).

Because you know what, Britney? You may be skinny, but you still look like trash.

Could they be any cuter?

2006-11-09T21:06:00.000-06:00

Me (to AR): I'll take the snacks, let's go get your brothers.
AR (grabbing my butt): I'll take your bobo, mommy.

------------------------------------

SJ (to SA): Holding tissue up to SA's nose...Blow, SA.
SA: blows into tissue
SJ: Again. (copying how I do each nostril by applying pressure to the other)

------------------------------------

SA: As I'm changing his diaper... Bye-bye poo poo. Bye-bye!

------------------------------------

AR: I'm sad, Mommy.
Me: Oh, AR, why?
AR: You sad, too.
Me: I am?
AR: Yes. Reaches over to give me a big hug...squeezing really hard.
AR: I better, mommy.
Me: Oh good!
AR: You better, too. Big smile.

-----------------------------------

SA: Pointing to rear of man who came to fix our shower door. Nice bobo. Man bobo.
Me: Searching this guy's face for any sign he heard what my crazy, adorable child just said - luckily finding none.

-----------------------------------

SJ: I stink.

-----------------------------------

Me: I walk into AR's room to find her completely naked, poo all over her bed. GASP!
AR: Mouth falls open, mimicking my gasp...What did I do?!?!

-----------------------------------

Me (to SA): How old are you?
SA: Two
Me: How old am I?
SA: Old

-----------------------------------

Me: I farted.
AR: Pointing to my rear...Mommy poopy

----------------------------------

Me: I fart once again.
SJ: Mommy, you stink. Yes, I have a gas problem.

Happy Halloween!

2006-11-02T22:21:00.000-06:00

Halloween was a blast! SA was a monkey, SJ was a chicken, and AR was a ladybug.

It was hilarious...all night they were referring to each other as their characters - "Hey monkey, come here...Get back here, chicken." It was their first go at trick or treating and they caught on real quick.

I have to say though, candy is evil. Other than the damage it's doing to my hips, it's brought out Bad Mommy. AR was having a raging tantrum on the floor. There was nothing I could do to calm her down. Lightbulb..."AR, want a piece of candy?" Fit over. I'm so bad.

First Day of School

2006-09-14T11:25:00.000-05:00

The kids started preschool yesterday. Amazingly, they did great! I don't know why I was surprised. I guess I just didn't know what to expect. They gave us a kiss and sent us on our way. They ran to the craft table as soon as we entered, so watercolors win over mommy every time. ;)

SJ gave them a little trouble at naptime, but AR and SA went down immediately. Their teacher said not to expect such a happy experience everytime. She said in her experience the second and third week is always harder on the new kids, because by then they "get" that mommy is leaving for a few HOURS.

For now, I'm happy, they're happy, all is good. I had some reservations going into this - worried that I was starting them too soon. After seeing them playing and interacting with the other kids, I know this will be a great experience for them. I think this much-needed me-time is going to do mommy good, too!

Heaven Help Me

2006-09-11T19:39:00.000-05:00

I truly believe God gives mothers super human powers - powers that keep them from strangling their children on days like this.

Bloody awful. My children have been bloody awful. One more awful than the others. AR. What happened to my sweet little girl? Sure my kids do some highly-annoying two-year old things, they act up, they scream - but they're two, it's expected. But overall they are really good kids. They say please, thank you, they give each other kisses and hugs throughout the day. They mind...most of the time.

Now they're starting school in two days, and some sort of evil spirit has taken over my daughter. This has been one of the worst days I've had in a long, long time. She has been hitting her brothers all day - sometimes with her hand, other times with a hard toy. She threw her crayons off the table as a signal she's done; tossed her food off the table as a signal of her disapproval of meal choice. I've taken toys away, she marches - no, skips - to time-out, I've spanked (something I do only when at the very, very end of my rope), nothing works.

Then *WACK*, she hits SA over the head with a plastic bird house. What do I notice in her other hand? Her most-prized possession - her Dora doll. Finally a toy she really cares about. I've got something now. I swipe Dora out of her hand, stoop down to tell her what she did wrong...blahblahblah...then put Dora in AR's crib - where she can't reach her. "Dora is going to bed because you've been mean. She's staying there until you go to bed. Which will be early the way we're going."

This was about 30 minutes before bedtime, and she repeatedly kept asking for 'My Dora.' When I would say no and explain again why Dora was sleeping, AR would reply, "Ohhhhhhhhhhh," with her bottom lip out. I can't describe exactly, but she did this so cute, I was thankful to have something to laugh at finally.

Now the boys are sleeping and AR's still in her bed screaming her lungs out. I'm so done. What a long, awful day.

Thank you, Lord, for the powers you have given me.

On a scale of 1-10, I'll give it an 11

2006-09-07T21:58:00.000-05:00

That scale being the Cheese Factor.

I'm talking about the "Grey's Anatomy" MUSIC VIDEO that played after tonight's episode. You don't get more cheesy than that. THAT BEING SAID, yes I thoroughly enjoyed it. I even teared up not once, not twice, but THREE times. I am truly, truly a dork. What can I say? I haven't loved a show this much since "Sex and the City" - may it rest in peace.

Feeling Randy

2006-08-26T23:16:00.000-05:00

Okay...so I haven't exactly been posting regularly as promised, but I do have an excuse! Maybe not a good one, but I do have one. Since we are carrying two mortgages - thank you by the way to the people who have labeled us as brave, I think RD and I would probalby choose another word - we are cutting back wherever we can. Even the little things - like Internet service. Obviously, we still have access, but we have just the basics; meaning, painfully slow. It makes it painful to browse the Internet, much less try to post anything. I've even been by many of your sites, but have given up on trying to post comments until it stops resulting in my wanting to throw my keyboard out the window. So for now, I'll just post a bunch of random crap.

--------------------------------------

As you can see above, we still have not sold our 'other' house. Interest has picked up, so we haven't thrown ourselves into total despair just yet. One couple keeps showing up at open houses, making appointments with their againt, and have gone as far as to take measurements...yet still no offer. We need someone like me and RD to come look at the house - someone who takes all of an hour to decide this is where they need to be for the rest of their life, or the next few years anyway - and make an offer. *sigh* Keep wishing.

---------------------------------------

Since we're on the topic of our house, or houses rather, I have been forced to "chill the 'F' out" as I've been told many times. When we moved into our last house, I swore that we would never buy a house any bigger because it was already too much to clean. As you may or may not have read in prior posts, cleaning is a bit of an obsession of mine. To give you an example, I've even rubbed off on one of my sons. If he spills some food, he immediately starts screaming, "Mess! Mess!" until someone cleans it up. Sick, I know. I think we all could use some sort of therapy. No my children are not neglected by my obsession, so you can spare me the hate-mails telling me I need to stop cleaning and start spending some quality time with my children. I save most of my cleaning for nap time or for after the kids go to bed for the night. Besides, doesn't Oobi count as quality time if mom needs to get a few things done. ;) Anyway, the house we have moved into is about 900 square feet bigger than our last house, which was already more than I could manage. But instead of driving myself mad trying to keep Swiffer in business, I've finally said, "Fuck it." Yes, for those who know me, I really did just say fuck. Gasp! I can't possibly keep up unless we hire a cleaning service, which we obviously have no money left over to do, so that's right, fuck it. I actually went almost two weeks without mopping our floors. Really! Look out world, she's carefree and she won't even care if someone stops by unannounced before the lunch dishes have been cleared. We'll see how long this carefree-attitude lasts.

---------------------------------------------

The kids...my wonderful kids. They just keep getting cuter and it just amazes me how much they are learning everyday. Our Parents as Teachers lady came by the other day. Based on her observations and screenings, our three are all where they should be now in the area of speech. This was a concern of our's for awhile, but it seems they have really made great progress since her last visit. I was anxious to hear what she had to say, because it's hard to make an accurate judgment when you're with the kids 24/7. It was nice getting her feedback after she went a couple months without seeing them. They start school in a few weeks. Not really school, but they'll be in a program called "Noah's Nook," which is a Mother's Day Out program, two days a week. As excited as I am for them to start - excited for them to learn - excited for ME TIME - I know it's going to be hard for me. I know the kids will have a blast minutes after I walk out the door, but AR in particular, is going to have a complete meltdown when it's time for me to leave. I can already see myself bawling in the car after I drop them off. It's a big step for all of us.

You know you're a Mom when...

2006-08-17T21:50:00.000-05:00

www.noggin.com

I'm sitting all alone, flipping through the channels and stop on Oobi when I quickly notice, "Hey! I haven't seen this one before!"

Buckle Up! It's going to be a b-b-b-b-bumpy ride!

2006-08-14T09:50:00.000-05:00

My weight is a roller-coaster ride on crack. You may see me one day and think, "Damn, she's lost a lot of weight...looking good," then a month or two later think, "What the hell happened to her?" It's a neverending cycle with me. I get fed up with my weight. Fed up with nothing in my closet fitting my fat ass, so then I, for the zillionth time, get back to my Weight Watcher's diet...lose a lot of weight...start feeling good about myself...good enough to feel like it won't hurt to have a burger or two...then before I know it I am right back where I started. Then I get fed up and the cycle starts all over again.

I was doing so well with exercising regularly, then I got a cold, got off track, and never went back. Bye-bye firm thighs. Okay, so my thighs weren't exactly firm, but if I were to jump up and down, there definitely were fewer jelly jumps. Now...I don't even want to talk about it. I'm disgusted with myself.

One of my biggest problems is finishing up whatevever the kids don't eat. And let me tell you...these kids love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but so do I, and they always leave just enough for me to get my peanut butter fix. I'll eat my healthy turkey on wheat sandwich, then polish off their pb&j's.

I need an intervention.

We're In!

2006-07-24T15:21:00.000-05:00

We've been in our new house two weeks now. It's amazing how fast it felt like home. Maybe because we were never surrounded by boxes. This house is only two streets up from our old house, so we didn't "pack" anything; we loaded up extra-large Rubbermaid tubs with stuff, came and unloaded everything, then took the tubs back to be filled again. Talk about an easy move! Maybe it's because, already living in the neighborhood, we never had that "new family on the block" feeling. Whatever the reason, I think we're going to really like it here. We now have a nice, big yard for the kids to play in, and overall I like the set up of this house better. I loved our other house, but this house just seems to be a better fit for our family.

Speaking of the other house...it still has not sold. eek! We have had SO many close calls. So many potential buyers that I just *knew* were going to make an offer...then nothing. I'm still optimistic that it will happen, I just wish it would hurry up already. It sure would be a big load off our backs. As much as we love this house, I don't feel like we can enjoy it until that house sells. It's definitely going to make for a hard year, but we both agreed that ten years down the road (Lord, let's hope sooner), we will look back and know that it was the best decision we could've made. This is where we're meant to be.

Enough of the house drama. The kids. They sure grow fast, don't they?! Let's see....I don't even know where to start. They've grown and changed so much since I wrote of them last. Their speech is definitely improving. They're all three speaking in sentences, though it's not exactly "conversation-style" yet. AR is right where she should be, or at least close. The boys, mainly SA, are very hard for other people to understand. I can understand most of what they say, but other's for the most part have difficulty understanding them. But they are definitely making progress.

Now that we're all settled, I should be more regular again. AND, more importantly, I can finally catch up with everyone else! Whew!

New House

2006-07-19T10:51:00.000-05:00

We are now the stressed out, freaked out owners of two houses. Do you feel sick? I do.

We closed on the new house this past Monday.

It's big, beautiful, gorgeous...it's everything I've always wanted - my dream home. BUT...until we sell our current house, I don't feel like we can enjoy it. We would have written a new contract with another contingency on the new house, but there was another couple just waiting for our deal to fall through so they could get the house. So we knew if we really wanted this house, we had to go for it. So now we're carrying not one, but two big mortgages. Now for the task of cutting back.

We had planned on getting a new van next month when the current lease would run out, but have decided to extend the lease on the one we already have. At $288/mo., that can't be beat. We switched over our phone, tv, and Internet service to AT&T. It's amazing what deals you can get when someone REALLY wants your business. And of course just your everyday stuff. So long to my exciting trips up and down the aisles of Target. I think it's best that I just stay away from there for awhile. Until we sell this house, it's back to basics. That place is dangerous for our checkbook.

In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed that we sell SOON!! *sigh*

Been Awhile, eh?

2006-07-06T22:55:00.000-05:00

I know I've been gone a long time. I've been under much stress lately and just couldn't find the energy to think of a post to write. Dramatic enough for you?

There is so much to say, but it's late and again, have no energy, but I promise I will be writing again soon.

To give you a snippit, we are getting ready to move. YES, AGAIN. Once all the details are figured out I'll pass them on, but for now...if you're reading this...THANKS FOR COMING BACK!! I'm looking forward to getting caught up with with all of you!

Mind of a Man

2006-05-19T12:25:00.000-05:00

RD: My shoulder hurts. I need a blow job.

Me: A blow job would help your shoulder?

RD: You wouldn't understand. sigh

LATER THAT NIGHT...

Me: How's your shoulder now?

RD: Better...but I think I might need a couple weeks of therapy.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2006-05-14T22:14:00.000-05:00

I hope all you mommies out there had a wonderful day! I had a pretty good day. The morning started out a bit crazy. We went to my sister-in-law's for brunch this morning, so I was rushing around trying to get the kids (and myself!) up and ready then get dessert made...all on my own because RD worked late lastnight, so I let him sleep in. Just once I'd like to sleep in on Mother's Day. sigh

My friend, P, called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day, and I told him that it's not so much a day for relaxing as it is a day for moms to showcase their true abilities at multi-tasking. That said, I do have a wonderful day of pampering ahead of me - RD...I mean the kids...got me a "Mom's Day Away at the Spa" package. It includes a waterfall massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, hair wash and style, and lunch somewhere in between. Ahhhhh...finally a day just for me! You can bet my cell phone will be OFF! Okay, maybe not off, but on vibrate. I'll let RD know he's only to call in the event of a true emergency. Meaning, what channel is Noggin on and where are the wipes are not true emergencies.

Totally off topic...did any of you watch "Grey's Anatomy" tonight? WOW! I swear that show always has the best last five minutes of any show ever. Love it. LOVE that show!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see the finale tomorrow night!

I hope everyone had a great day!!!!

You know you live in Missouri when...

2006-05-12T12:32:00.000-05:00

You have the a/c on downstairs and the heat on upstairs.

Damn my kids are cute

2006-05-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

AR directing SJ where to put puzzle pieces:

AR: Good! Good! Here...here...ok, ok...here...Good!!! Pats his hand then claps.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Well-Educated

2006-05-08T14:40:00.000-05:00

We try as parents to make the best possible decisions for our children. Then once we make the decision, we question ourselves on whether or not it was the right one. In this case, only time will tell.

Pre-School.

Well, it's not so much pre-school, but a Mommy's Day Out program. The kids will be attending two half days a week. After many calls and many referrals, I toured and observed classes at two schools. One is a Methodist church in the area that comes highly recommended by a good handful of neighbors - and might I mention at a modest price. The second is this amazing, impressive, nationally-recognized facility for those who expect the best out of life and don't mind paying the equivalent of three car payments for two HALF days a week. This second place also comes at the recommendation of many neighbors as well.

My mistake was looking at the second school mentioned FIRST. I walked in and breathed in and thought, "Wow." Everything about this place was simply amazing. It definitely gave me that feel-good feeling. The problem was it cost more per month than the monthly mortgage of our last house...for TWO HALF DAYS!! I came home and gushed to RD about this place (he was home watching the kids). He looked slightly sick when I told him the cost, but said if I felt this was the best place for our children, we would make it work.

I did a small victory dance in my head, but knew it would take some serious sacrifices to make this place doable. Are the sacrifices worth the Mercedes-Benz of pre-schools? Is it really THAT much better?

I told RD I had to at least go look at the other school. It was a quarter of the cost and had raving reviews from many of the parents in the neighborhood. Even with this school's praise, I felt guilt as I was driving, thinking, "How sick am I as a parent to try to get a deal on my children's education." I know...I know...you're rolling your eyes saying, "This is pre-school, lady." I agree, but isn't it natural to want what's best for your children?

I let out a sigh and reluctantly walked through the door, already noticing the glitz and fanfare that was missing, what was shouting out at me at the last school. I was immediately greeted by the Director, and within minutes I felt my premature judgment fading away. I spent about two hours there, asking questions, observing classrooms, watching the relaxed parents dropping their happy children off for the day, and we ended our meeting with me registering my precious three for Wednesday and Friday mornings starting in the Fall.

It's a decision that we can't truly appreciate until the kids start their classes, but right now I feel really good about the choice we've made.

Now excuse me while I have a moment.

Kids just grow up way too fast. My babies...

Monday Mash

2006-05-01T17:11:00.000-05:00

I was looking forward to Spring and Summer so we could get out of the house, and so far, the season is not disappointing. We've had birthday parties, BBQ's, outings with the kids, and projects in the yard galore. It's been great, but damn I'm tired!

We took the kids to the circus Saturday morning. All in all I would say it went pretty well. We left at intermission, only because it was cutting into lunch and nap time, but I think we stayed for about as much as three two-year olds can take anyway. AR was mesmerized the entire time; pointing out and naming all the animals. SA clapped and (happily) screamed the majority of the time, until he decided he needed to take some laps with dad around the arena because he had his fill of staying in one spot, no matter how exciting the view. SJ...SJ...oh SJ. He didn't care for the whole experience. He was excited up until all the lights went out and the show officially started. Then it didn't help any when people started clapping and cheering. He had enough. He wanted to go home. We kept offering him pretzels and juice in efforts to bribe his compliance, which helped just enough to make staying until intermission worth the occassional meltdown.

I had my second laser-tattoo removal treatment this past week. Kind of glad they didn't mention at the first visit that they would be upping the energy with each treatment. Did I mention there could be up to ten of them? YIKES! Well...the Betty Boop on my shoulder now looks like a monkey tripping on acid, so I don't think I can stop now.

I have a busy few days ahead of me. Tomorrow morning I am touring and observing classrooms at a daycare/pre-school in my neighborhood. They're not ready for pre-school, but I'm wanting to enroll them in some sort of "Mommy's Day Out" program. I think it would help them with their speech and interaction with other kids, as well as give me a much-needed breather. It's only two days a week, 9-1, but still quite pricey. I'm still not sure I can sell RD on the idea, but I'm going to see what they have to offer anyway.

Speaking of money - and spending it faster than it comes in - we're getting two bids from irrigation companies this week. RD spends an unbelievable amount of time in the yard watering - a job I have to do when he's working long hours (which is quite often), and we've decided it's worth the chunk of change to have a sprinkler system put in. I CAN NOT WAIT.

Wednesday I'm getting my oil changed and while I'm there I'm going to test drive a 2006 Honda Odyssey. My lease is up soon (2004 Odyssey), and I need to decide between the Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. I've been really happy with my Honda, but the Toyota has several options I'm wanting that the Honda doesn't (moonroof, rear passenger windows that go up and down, etc.).

Okay...it's starting to storm pretty bad here, so I better get off the computer before I get zapped, or even worse, lose power and lose everything I've typed! eek!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Home Improvements

2006-04-26T12:44:00.000-05:00

We've been touched by Spring Fever and we've been making additions and changing things up around the house. Here are some pics...

New tables, lamps, and framed print in living room

New chair in living room

New lamp and art in family room

New swingset

New fence

We've done some landscaping and got more furniture...but my camera battery pooped out on me. I'll get the battery recharged and load some more pictures.

I had a garage sale this past Saturday and made $346.00!! WOO HOO!! Quite exciting considering the last garage sale I had only four people showed up. Not kidding! I'm putting it towards some new furniture for our bonus room. We have this huge entertainment center that I can't stand, so we're replacing it with a small t.v. stand, and our huge, ugly desk is falling apart, so we'll be getting a new desk as well. I'm going to Garden Ridge this afternoon to see if I can find some art to put above the couch. Once I've started...I can't stop!

Easter Recap

2006-04-19T15:52:00.000-05:00

This is a little late, but who cares, right? We had a great - and VERY busy - Easter. We had RD's family over Sunday morning for brunch, and everything turned out wonderful. The preparations were a bit chaotic to say the least because RD had to work late the night before, but I somehow managed to get everything done.

Saturday night, I was pretty miserable. I had a buttload of cleaning to do, a casserole to make (Sausage and Egg Casserole...had to sit overnight....YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was downright amazing. Let me know if you want the recipe!), and eggs to color. All this had to be done while I limped around with fat-old-man's disease. Gout. I had gout on my left big toe. It's still sore, but has healed up quite a bit. The pain was excruciating. By the time I got everything finished, it was past midnight. I was beginning to question why I get so excited at hosting parties, but in the end, it's all worth it.

I got up at 7:00 a.m. and ran to Walgreen's to pick up a bag of shredded cheddar cheese. I ALWAYS, ALWAYS forget SOMETHING. Thank heavens for Walgreen's being open on holidays! Whew! I got home, took a shower, then ran downstairs and popped the casserole in the oven. Then 8:30-ish, I got RD and the kids up and dressed. I dressed the kids, RD dressed himself. ;) Then while RD made the kids breakfast, I made company potatoes and monkey bread (Whoa! Another YUMMY YUMMY recipe! I could've eaten the whole thing!).

Everyone got there around 10 a.m. and we chowed down right away. Everything was wonderful. I got a Honeybaked Ham, Petit-Fours from Susie G's Bakery, RD's sister brought fruit salad and his mom brought croissants. We were stuffed silly.

Then it was time for the egg hunt. It was so much fun. The kids had a great time. We really didn't think the kids would get the whole egg-hunting thing, but they picked up on it immediately. They would get so excited with each egg. They'd gently put it in their basket and run off for the next one. So sweet.

So even thought it was a lot of work, I'm glad we did it. It's always a plus having it at your own house, because as soon as naptime hits, we just take them upstairs. There's not the usual rushing home to beat clock.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter...or weekend if you don't celebrate Easter. Off to break up a fight! These toddlers can be vicious!

What's the rush?

2006-04-18T19:57:00.000-05:00

What is it about being ''the mommy'' that always has us in a hurry? It seems everything I do is rushed. Gone are the days when I can do whatever the hell I want at my leisure.

I rush through grocery shopping so that I can make it home and get all the groceries put away before the kids get up from their naps. I do this when RD is home, so you think I could take my time, but I can always count on two to three calls at a minimum while I'm out, "Are you almost done? The kids will be up soon." The same goes for any other errands to Target or wherever.

Let's not even get started on trips out with the kids. Just getting out the door is a big production. There's diaper checks, loading of the diaper bag, socks, shoes, sippies, snacks, and depending on the weather, jackets. During this entire process there is usually one, if not two, of them forcing me to play a game of hide and seek. As soon as we get in the van, the requests for Elmo start. I usually *treat* them with a video on the way home if they've been good, but that doesn't stop them from chanting for it the second they get in the van. Then the ERRAND. Running errands with the kids...HELL. What happened to my well-behaved children? They used to be so great when we went out. I would see moms with screaming kids and think how lucky I was to have these awesome kids that never fussed...HA! Those days are long gone.

Even cleaning is rushed. If the kids are up, I'm rushing so that I can get back to them, or at least sneak peeks at them to make sure they're not starting fires. If they're sleeping, I'm rushing through so that I can get to the "me time." Thoughts of, "I WANT TO SIT DOWN. I WANT TO SIT DOWN. I WANT TO SIT DOWN." are rushing through my head, urging me to get through the task at hand as fast as humanly possible.

Want to hear something really awful? I tell RD if he has any hopes of getting some action, he better move fast, because any hesitation on his part and he can forget it - I'm out. Give me too much time in bed to unwind, and it's snooze-time for me, baby.

And things are just getting started. I can't even imagine what it will be like with three kids in school...all the sports, projects......and so on...and so on.

*Deep breath*

Hey...isn't Mother's Day coming up? Hmmm....a day to put my feet up! Oh wait...no. That's not right. We get to get together with the family and wait on "OUR" mothers. Aw geez.

Okay, I'll stop bitching now.

I am such a dork

2006-04-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

I have been trying UNSUCCESSFULLY to post for days now. I've been searching the "help" articles with no luck whatsoever. Why? Because they don't have any articles titled, "Click here if you are a dumbass and are entering an invalid username and password."

I thought I was having technical difficulties, but no, I was just totally clueless to my own stupidity.

Anyway...here's the post I was trying to enter.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Don't Feed the Animals

2006-04-11T15:05:00.000-05:00

We've had quite the day so far. Our plan was to go to Grant's Farm to let the kids pet the animals, but once there we discovered they don't start their season until TOMORROW. ugh. Oh well. We got back on the road and headed for the zoo.

Due to our re-routing and already-late start, we didn't have much time, so we headed right to the Children's area of the zoo and let the kids pet the animals. THEY LOVED IT!!!!! SJ went from goat to goat, making sure he pet each one; AR went from goat to goat shouting, "GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAT-ah!"; and SA jumped up and down squealing with delight, and even took time to kiss one surprised goat right on his rump! I got a lot of fun pictures. It was a great time. I love that the kids are getting older and we're getting to go out and do a lot more activities. They're finally able to participate, as opposed to sitting in their strollers watching from a distance.

Maybe we'll try to hit Grant's Farm next week. SA's got a lot of kisses left!

Absentee Blogger

2006-04-07T16:50:00.000-05:00

I know I've been a bad blogger lately. We've just been so busy - and I imagine it's going to stay busy for awhile. I don't even know where to start.

Things are going well. I'm...dare I say...happy right now. The weather has been wonderful, so we've been spending a lot of time outside with the kids. I've made such wonderful friends in the neighborhood, so I'm keeping busy. It seems someone's always here or I'm there. Though the kids are included, having a social life in any way outside of the kids had been missing for awhile. On the downside, now RD's feeling left out. He likes my new friends...but has yet to meet the husband's. He's going through a bit of what I was going through before - yearning for a life outside of (work and) the kids. I keep urging him to call some of his friends to get together, but guys are just wired different than we are. It seems he'd rather just sit around and mope, waiting for the phone to ring. Men.

On a not-so-happy note, the kids Ped and Parents as Teacher lady have both recommended the kids make an appointment with a speech therapist. Not totally unexpected - speech delays are fairly common in multiples. Now we're going through the endless paperwork, trying to figure out what all is covered by our insurance and figuring out how far we want to go. They're only mildly behind. They're not at the point of being eligible for any of the state-funded programs. They know an endless number of words, but almost all are not understandable to anyone but me, and they're not putting words together to make sentences. They make some progress almost every day, so who knows, maybe by the time we get all the logistics worked out they'll be talking.

As many of my blogs end...I smell poop, so I'm off to change a diaper. Hope all is well and I'll try not to be such a stranger!

We've got to talk

2006-03-28T15:22:00.000-06:00

That's what I told RD when I called him this afternoon.

For the past several days I thought I was pregnant. REALLY thought I was pregnant. I told RD, "This would be horrible." I had been urging him for months to consider taking on the responsibility of putting an end to the growth of our family - you guessed it - SNIP SNIP.

So why was I so sad when I started my period this afternoon? Not the relief I was looking for, but truly sad.

Oh RD...we need to talk.

Plug this

2006-03-22T21:50:00.000-06:00

I'm always falling in love with different products...AND FOOD...so I thought I'd share! It's been awhile.

Weight Watcher's Snack Cakes - These are so good AND if you're counting, they're only 1 POINT each! My favorite is the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. DELICIOUS!! They come six in a box and I usually end up eating a box at a time...so even though they're only 1 point each, it's usually a 6-point snack for me. eek!

Healthy Choice Zesty Gumbo and Fiesta Chicken Soups - Again with the WW points, they're great tasting soups and they're each only 2 points a can!

South Beach Diet Peanut Butter Cereal Bar - No, I'm not on the South Beach Diet, but I have tried several of their food products, and I've liked all of them so far. My favorite is the Peanut Butter Cereal Bar (WW = 3 pts.). It comes in chocolate as well - also yummy!

Elizabeth Arden's Prevage - Very pricey ($150 for 1.7 oz. bottle), but well worth it if you can afford it. I started taking care of my skin way too late in life, but better late than never. I've been using this product a little over three weeks and have already noticed considerable changes in my skin. I started using it after I saw my MIL's results. We had her over for dinner awhile back and I noticed how great her skin looked. She honestly looked ten years younger. I asked her if she'd been doing anything different and she mentioned this product. I'm so glad because I love it!

Method Products - I couldn't find a link to any of their products. I think they're a Target-brand, but I'm not sure. That's the only place I remember seeing their products. Two of my faves are their leather-cleaning wipes and their stainless steel wipes. Whether it's cleaning everyday messes off the couch or getting little finger prints off the fridge, their wipes work wonders. And it's so easy! I also like their marble-cleaner for the shower. It's the only all-natural cleaner I could find that I knew for certain wouldn't harm our marble. I just bought a lavender plug-in air freshener for our masterbath and am loving it so far.

Half.com - I read one or two books a week and it sure can get expensive. One of my friends directed me to this website. It's affiliated with Ebay, but it's not run as an auction. You can buy USEDUSED books for as low as 25 cents or books like new for just a few dollars. I've bought many books from them and have had all positive experiences.

Family Fun Magazine - I just recently subscribed to this magazine. I've kind of grown tired of Parents magazine, only because about only a third applies to me right now. Most of it is baby stuff, then the rest older kid stuff. What I do like in Parents is the craft and game ideas. That's what this Family Fun Magazine is all about. Front to back it's all fun craft, game, and recipe ideas for all ages. I would say I have about 80% of each issue dog-eared so far. Great mag for parents!

That's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I'll think of many other things while lying in bed tonight. If I do, I'll post them tomorrow.

Have a great night! Remember...chant with me now...SNOW SNOW GO AWAY! (okay...the snow is gone, but it's still damn cold)

Winter Blues

2006-03-21T20:33:00.000-06:00

It's the first day of Spring and wouldn't you know this morning we were greeted with three inches of SNOW. blech.ugh.glach. I'm itching for Spring like you wouldn't believe.

Now I know I shouldn't complain. We had quite an easy winter. A few snows - just enough to get my snow-fix. Only one snowfall did I have to shovel the driveway...and I probably could've gotten away with not doing it at all. I was just that bored. Hard to imagine, isn't it? There were many days this winter that we took the kids for a walk, ate out on the deck, played outside. Maybe that's why I'm yearning so bad for the Spring. So many little teasers.

Last week we had the kids out in the yard playing on the new swingset. I made excuses to run to Lowe's just so I could check out all the new plants and flowers they're setting out. RD and I have been circling the yard, exchanging ideas for what we'll plant where. It hit me - that rush of excitement I get every year at this time. I was cleaning out drawers and closets. Doing something with all the crap (mostly pitching) I had stashed away when we moved in, not knowing what else to do with it. I started cleaning out the basement, making way for the play-area we're going to set up for the kids so they can run in and out during nice days. I painted the laundry room a nice sunshine-color and RD put up cabinets - making it feel like an actual room now. And while doing all this, I had the windows open, breathing in the fresh air, listening to all the kids in the neighborhood playing outside. I'm ready. Loving the projects. Taking in the energy a new season brings.

Then snow. NO!NO!NO! Snow, snow go away! How quickly I fall back into my winter slump. I tell ya I'm getting cabin fever being cooped up in here like this. I want to feel the warm sun on my skin (gooped up with sunscreen of course because I'm a walking Melanoma waiting to happen). I want to run with the kids. I want to go to the park. Have a picnic.

I'd like to come on here and talk about how wonderful everything is instead of bitching. Oh wait. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. sigh. Patience never was my strongsuit. Spring will come. Until then, I think I'll kick back with some hot chocolate and sit by the fire. Might as well make the best of it.

Stay in the game

2006-03-13T15:50:00.000-06:00

Going to parties just isn't the same when you have three two-year olds in tow. It's so much work we sometimes find ourselves asking each other why we bother going out in the first place.

We went to a birthday party Saturday (first of two that day - joyjoy) and of course the kids wanted to play outside with all the other kids. The other kids ranged in age from three to ten. Our little toddlers thought they could do everything the big kids did - this kept RD and I on our toes intercepting one fiasco to the next.

As we're taking turns minding the madness, sweat beading up on our brows, it's hard not to wish we were back in the comforts of home. It's always easier on the hometurf, right? But that's what you do. Stay in the game I guess. Reach out to all friends for that small chance of adult interaction. Throwing out reminders that we're still among the living. Don't forget us, we hint! Yes, our kids can be terrors, but we're still fun!

Of course other parents are more than eager to point out that three is harder. "Just wait," they say, "You think it's bad now, wait until they're three and talking back." "Bring it on," I say. It's not the attitude that challenges me when out at parties, it's the constant supervision that a two-year old requires. Correction - the constant supervision that THREE two-year olds require - three two-year olds going in three different directions. I know the supervision never really STOPS, but you can let a three year old play in the backyard and watch from the deck. You have to physically be IN the yard when the two-year old is out playing. You have to be ready, always ready, always ready. I just want to relax. I can't wait until I can let them out to play and be able to turn my back for even a minute. Sigh. I can't wait to go to a party and actually eat an entire plate of food while the food's still warm. Okay, that might be years off maybe, but it's got to get a wee-bit easier, right?

But there will always be challenges. Once you get over one hurdle, there's a new one to face. Ah...the joys of parenting.

Spanx Me

2006-03-10T19:31:00.000-06:00

If you like my body and you think I'm sexy, c'mon baby let me know. dadadadadadada. If you really need me just reach out and touch me...

Okay, I'll stop now.

What am I singing about now? Spanx. Yes, Spanx. What is Spanx? Glad you asked! I could get into all the details on how it's made, what it's made out of, who made it, but let me just sum it up for you real easy - it's something that makes you look SUPER SKINNY! Lovin' it!

At my girls' trip to the lake last October (or was it November?) my cousins were going on and on about this new girdle that doesn't feel like a girdle and works wonders and hides your love handles and conceals your cellulite and pantyline and makes you look all svelte and beautiful and...and I forgot all about it once I got home. Then watching The Ellen Show, she was raving about it all week. Glad to have the reminder, I went right to the computer before the invention called Spanx once again escaped me. I bought the "Higher Power" panties - one in nude and one in black.

My package arrived today and I rushed to the bathroom to try one on. Lookin' goooood, girlfriend!

So if I'm looking extra svelte, sshhhhhhhhhhh, it's our little secret! ;)

How do you use your Noggin?

2006-03-07T15:49:00.000-06:00

You've heard this all before. I might as well go back to an earlier post and copy and paste to save me some time.

Life.... Life.... Life is just crazy. The house is a mess, there's laundry in piles in nearly every room, the kids are out of control, there is cat puke stains EVERYWHERE, we're almost out of diapers but the thought of dragging these three crazy toddlers to the store right now is enough to make me break out into a sweat. SERENITY NOW!!

I'm stressed. I'm tired. So why does everybody keep commenting on how amazingly calm and relaxed I always am? Things aren't always as they appear, dear friends. It's either put on a brave face and bottle things up or risk acting out on these emotions raging inside and face the possibility of being locked up in a very small cell. "Your house is always spotless," they say. It's spotless because I'm constantly cleaning during every spare moment because when things spin out of control like they do today, my efforts to catch up might just be the straw that breaks me - so I do little bits each day. I have not the time nor energy to spend a day or more catching up on what I've put off in the days preceding.

Some days I feel like Superwoman - thinking I am truly awesome to accomplish what I do each day. Then other days I think I'm not only fooling everyone else, but I'm fooling myself. It's so hard to keep up. So hard to stay focused - focused on what really matters. I'm just so drained...and I CAN'T GET LAURIE BERKNER'S SONGS OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!! I just can't stop singing these damn songs. I'm a Googlehead. Shake your Noodlehead. I'm a Googa-Googa-Googa-Googa-Googlehead, too.

Yes, folks, I think I might have officially lost it. Deep breath. I may have temporarily gone a wee-bit insane, but I promise I'll be back on track tomorrow. Okay, maybe not tomorrow, but surely it'll happen soon, right? I can't stay like this forever. Can I?

I'm not perfect. No, I'm not. I'm not perfect, and you know, I like it that way.

Blippity Blab

2006-03-04T19:51:00.000-06:00

Due to my total procrastination in getting my butt to the pharmacy, I have been off my happy pills for over a week now - and boy does it show. Poor kids. I even scare myself. eek! Let's move Go to Walgreen's to the top of the list tomorrow. Wait...I don't have a list. First up, make a list.

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I have been one gassy broad lately. I don't know what my deal is. And it's not just little let-em-slip farts, these are the stankiest things I've ever smelled. Even I think they stink, and that's saying something. I've almost driven poor RD out of the house. Anyone ever try that Beano stuff? Does it work? Maybe I should try Maalox or something. I better try something before I'm living in this big ole' house alone.

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I'm pleased so far with the tattoo-removal process. You don't get immediate results with each treatment; the tattoo fades progressively during the weeks following the treatment. Black is supposed to be the easiest color to get rid of - most of the black outlining has disappeared. Unfortunately the colors most difficult to treat are green, yellow, pink, and purple. Wouldn't you know Betty Boop is wearing a purple nightie and holding a rose with a looong green stem, and the daisies are purple with yellow centers. Of course. You know I think the hardest part of the whole healing process is what the adhesives from the Band-Aids are doing to my skin. YAACK! My tattoos don't look irritated at all, but the skin surrounding the tattoos are red, swollen and starting to blister. Ah...the price one pays for the comfort of sleeveless shirts.

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Our yard is becoming a more kid-friendly zone. Our fence was installed today and their new swing set is being installed the week after next. We were planning on waiting awhile to get the swing set, but Rainbow was having a big sale last month, so we thought we better jump on the pre-season sales while they lasted. I was thinking we better wait awhile before we let the kids go at it - thinking they're too young yet - but I've been told time and time again that I'd be surprised at how fast they figure it out. Big Sigh...let it out... I keep seeing visions of trips to the ER...let's hope it's just my overactive imagination and not a taste of tomorrow's reality. Fun times. Fun times.

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There are four homes for sale in our subdivision. Our subdivision is just a bit over a year old! I guess it's fairly common. I know the one on our street has been relocated to Florida, and the others are the build-to-sell houses. People that build then sit a year and sell to make a buck. I don't see how they do it. I HATE, HATE, HATE moving - to do it as a job. Ugh. That takes some drive. The good thing is that these houses are asking $100,000+ over the original sales price. We're not planning on moving for quite some time, but it's good to see the property value rising. Well let's hope anyway. I guess I should wait and see if these houses actually go for these high dollars.

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The diet's going well for me. I've hit a plateau at 7 pounds, which doesn't sound like much, but I'm definitely seeing results. Even though I haven't lost a whole lot, I've gone done two sizes and people are finally starting to notice. Woo hoo! Maybe I'm gaining muscle from working out...maybe my weight's just shifting...I don't know. Either way I'm hanging in there. Our anniversary is this month and we're going away for a night. I've been talking pretty big about our night, so I better keep working out if I want to have the guts to stand behind all this big talk. teehee

No Pain No Gain

2006-03-03T20:53:00.000-06:00

YOWZA!!!!!! I'm not one to dish out unsolicited advice, but lend me your ear if you will. If you wish to get a tattoo, you better be damn sure it's something you're going to be happy with for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Let me repeat...THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!! When people questioned me at eighteen years of age on whether or not I would like Betty Boop when I'm say...oh, I don't know 32, my answer was, "Of course!! I looove Betty Boop!!" Well, I'm now 32 and could give a rat's ass about Betty Boop. I could also give a rat's ass about the ugly purple daisies on my right ankle. That's why I had my first round of laser-tattoo removal. Everybody say it with me now, "PAAAAAAIIIIN." The woman said it would hurt worse coming off than it would going on. She said it would be intense. The woman did not lie.

This was excruciating pain. My only saving grace was that it goes super fast. She lasered both tattoos in under 10 minutes, probably 5 really. The kicker is that it will take up to ten treatments or more to totally get rid of them AND I need to wait six to eight weeks between each treatment. I need six to eight weeks to get the courage to go through this torture again. But it will be worth it. I haven't worn sleeveless shirts for years because I hate this Betty Boop tattoo so much.

The cashier at the grocery store, noticing all my x-tra large bandages said, "Someone get hurt?" Always one to share my every personal detail to anyone who will listen, explained what I was having done. She seemed genuinely surprised that I would do such a thing. Why...she has Eyor (sp?) on her back and she's quite sure she'll never tire of him. I smiled at her innocent 18-year old face and said, "I'm sure you'll love Eyor forever."

*Little Disclaimer for all tattoo-bearing folk: I have nothing against tattoos. In fact I have one on my foot that I am keeping that I still really like. So spare me the slams. ;)

Guess what Dorothy's thinking about today

2006-02-28T20:44:00.000-06:00

Okay. I've gotten excited over some pretty silly things, but yesterday my complete giddiness was probably a bit over-the-top. I was standing at the t.v., remote control in hand, waiting to see what Oprah was about. If it didn't catch my fancy, the kids win, they get to watch Elmo. Mommy won.

What was Oprah about? Faces behind the famous names. Who's face was I so excited about seeing? Kevin Clash. Yep. The voice of Elmo. How pathetic that a grown woman would get so excited over seeing this guy.

Just as Kevin predicted in his interview, I expected to see a little, wirey, white man with glasses. It was a tall, 45-year old black man - with a deep voice no less.

So silly as it sounds, it made my day to find that he was a nice guy. Heaven forbid mom doesn't like the face behind Elmo. That would just be awful.

Speaking of Elmo...who do you like better - Mr. Noodle or Mr. Noodle's brother? For me...Mr. Noodle's brother hands down. Yes, I'm bored today.

It's been awhile, eh?

2006-02-27T14:53:00.000-06:00

It's been a stressful few weeks to say the least, but things are starting to settle down. We got a call a few weeks ago that Grandpa was going downhill fast, and he passed on the 19th. We've been busy with the funeral, family gatherings - and on a more positive note - the kids' birthday party.

My little two-year old Princess (TWO?! Where has the time gone?) is wanting up from her not-long-enough nap, so I've got to tend to her now, but I promise to be back SOON.

Thanks for checking in on me!

This is the song for the lonely*

2006-02-08T22:14:00.000-06:00

GRRRRRRR...so frustrating.

I'm starting my sixth week of Weight Watchers and I've lost only 5 pounds. I'm not so much bummed about it being only 5 pounds, but I'm bummed that I didn't lose ANYTHING this past week. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I have a weird pattern going on...First Week - I lost nothing, Second Week - I lost 2 pounds, Third Week - Nothing, Fourth Week - 3 pounds, Fifth Week - NOTHING. I sure hope this means I'm in for a loss of two or more next week (I weigh myself every Wednesday). I'm not going to let it get me down. I know. I know...be patient. My clothes are getting looser. My jeans are falling down. I'm still mushy, but I am smaller. It's just that I feel like I've lost more, ya know? Oh well. As long as I can see and feel (if that makes sense) progress, I guess that's all that matters.

*If you're wondering what the heck my title has to do with my post...it's a line from the Cher song in the Weight Watcher's commercial - which by the way, my kids love. I'm not sure if it's the big ladies or Cher, but that commercial stops my kids in their tracks every time.

Boring Play-by-Play

2006-02-07T10:51:00.000-06:00

Nothing too exciting this weekend. RD and I planned on having a few friends over, but everyone we called already had plans, so it was just the two of us. I didn't really care because I'm not a football fan, so SuperBowl parties are usually just a bad excuse for me to eat a bunch of fattening foods, so no loss here.

While RD watched the game I went upstairs and did my Billy Blanks Boot Camp video. Don't laugh! It is a good workout, and like the box promises, I got results in seven days. Can't beat that!

Friday night was fun. I went out to dinner with some of my new friends from the neighborhood. We were at the restaurant close to four hours gabbing away. The waitstaff was circling our table, wanting to close down our section. We didn't care. It was a great time and I'm really happy that I've made some great friends.

I was supposed to take the kids over to K's (neighbor) today, but SA woke up with a fever and he's all congested, so no playday today.

Speaking of the kids, I've got a rumble to break up.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Tuna...is that chicken or fish?

2006-02-05T12:25:00.000-06:00

SJ was flipping through my Us Weekly that was sitting on the floor. He came to a picture of Jessica Simpson and said excitedly, "Mommy!" Then he carried the magazine over to my mom, pointed to the scantily-clad Jessica and said with great happiness, "Mommy!"

Thanks, kid! Hey, I'll take what I can get!

Bad Mommy

2006-02-03T09:51:00.000-06:00

I've given in to Teletubbies - and quite frankly, I just might leave the dang t.v. on all day. I just don't feel like asserting myself today. You know those days you would wake up and just not want to go into work? Even though you feel totally fine, you want to find a reason to call in sick? Well today is one of those days. I'm not crabby, feel fine, just a bit tired and not wanting to do anything.

I folded two baskets of laundry that had been sitting in the laundry room for three days, and that took every bit of energy I had in me. They would have continued to sit there had RD not asked me if I knew if they were clean or dirty. He knew they were clean. That was his attempt-to-be-subtle way of telling me it's time to do something with the damn clothes already.

Yawwwwwwn. Can't wait 'til naptime. Mom needs a snoooooze.

Photos of....well...not much

2006-01-31T22:21:00.000-06:00

I said a while back that I would post some pictures of the kiddos, so here goes. I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of their faces...privacy reasons...all that...might be silly...but anyway, this is the best I can do. How exciting can shots of the backs and tops of kids' heads be? Well, the answer is not very, but here they are.

AR, SA, and SJ

AR...looks real safe playing like that, huh?

SA getting into trouble. BTW, those are MY Elmo slippers in the background. We had a problem with the kids all in a battle to get them off my feet, so they've been put away for awhile.

SJ - I think this was Christmas morning.

Thumbs Up

2006-01-30T12:45:00.000-06:00

Because I can't think of anything else to say, here are a few movie reviews - some old, some new.

Walk the Line - Pretty good flick. The acting was amazing and the story very interesting. I had to go to the bathroom about ten minutes into the movie, but was sitting in the last seat of a long row with only one exit. There was no way I was stumbling over a long row of people unless I was about to lose my battle with my bladder, so I held it till the end. I guess it goes to show it's a good movie when I could go several scenes without thinking of how uncomfortable I was. And Joaquin Phoenix...mmm-mmmmm. I don't normally find him very attractive and never found Johnny Cash attractive, but Joaquin AS Johnny Cash...yummy. Out of a 10 I would give it a 9.

The Family Stone - I heard mixed reviews on this so I didn't know what to expect. It probably helped that I didn't go in expecting a great movie. Being a die-hard Sex in the City fan, I think I was hungry for some Sarah Jessica Parker. It was way predictable and had several roll-your-eyes-like-that-would-ever-happen moments, but all in all it was good. Out of a 10 I would give it a 7.

Taking Lives - Older movie, but new to me. Bleh. Way too predictable, but I was extremely bored and there was nothing else on, so I made it to the end. I was more focused on how gorgeous Angelina is and how huge her lips are more than the actual story. I really don't want to like her, but I got to hand it to her, she is beautiful. Out of a 10 I give it a 5.

War of the Worlds - Mmmmm...I liked it. Didn't love it, but thought it was pretty good overall. I can't stand Tom Cruise and I sometimes have a hard time getting past that when watching a movie, but I got over that about 30 minutes into the movie. *SPOILER ALERT* I did think there were a few ridiculous scenes, but what do you expect for a sci-fi movie? You can't exactly expect it to be anywhere near realistic. When the madness first started and Tom was rushing around watching the streets crumble, his kids were back in his house. No mother would leave her kids by themselves while she was outside checking out the aliens. Wouldn't happen. But this was a movie. And his son? Of course we all knew he would be alive and well waiting for them in Boston. How did we know that? Duh. And when they got to Boston, it looked like it hadn't been touched. His ex-in-laws looked like they were dressed in their Sunday best. But again, I know I'm overanalyzing. It's just a movie, right? Out of a 10 I give it a 7-1/2.

Husband's Say the Darndest Things

2006-01-29T16:33:00.000-06:00

The other night my husband said, "I don't see why we can't have sex everyday."

Now, someone please tell me, how did he make it through four years of college, four years of med school, and four years of residency and come out saying something stupid like THAT?

Random Rubbish

2006-01-25T15:16:00.000-06:00

First I want to thank all my friends here for all your thoughts and prayers for my Grandpa. I've really "met" a lot of great people out here in BlogLand.

Grandpa...well...it doesn't seem right to say he's better really. They said he'll probably make it two to three weeks as opposed to the original few days to a week prediction. The end result is still the same, so I guess all we can do is be thankful that we have a few more days with this wonderful man.

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I'm not wanting to make a big deal about it, because making a big deal of something has seemed to have set me up for failure in the past...but...I'm doing Weight Watchers again and so far I am pretty happy with the results. The scale isn't so impressive - in three weeks I have only lost two pounds, but my clothes are all fitting better. And...didn't I hear Oprah say once that you shouldn't go by the pounds lost but by how your clothes fit? And she also said you shouldn't weigh yourself the first two months of a diet. I'll go with what she said. :)

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I'm getting out two nights in a row...then again this Saturday. Stand back! This woman's wild! Tonight I'm going to a Pampered Chef party down the street. Yes, another one. I don't know that I could possibly fit another Pampered Chef product in my kitchen, but I'm excited to get out nonetheless. Then tomorrow night I'm going out for dinner and a movie with a few of my cousins. Saturday night RD and I are going out to dinner. I left a message with our regular sitter down the street, but haven't heard back from her. No worries though, my mom, crazy old bat that she is, was kind enough to offer to watch if our sitter can not. So we've got a date! Woo hoo!

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The kids? They're doing well. Cute as ever. Mischievous as ever. They're sitting around in a huddle eating Cheerios off the floor as I type. They're growing so fast. I do believe I owe y'all some pictures, don't I? I'm sure I have plenty of 'anonymous' shots of the kids I can post. I'll to see what I can dig up.

I might not be around for a few days

2006-01-18T10:56:00.000-06:00

My grandpa is being moved to a hospice today and they don't expect him to last much longer than a week. I'm just not in the mood to gab on here right now.

I'll be back soon.

Five Weird Habits I Have

2006-01-13T15:30:00.000-06:00

The first player of this game starts with the topic "five weird habits I have" and people who get tagged then write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don't forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says you have been tagged? (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.

I type what people are saying 'in my head' as people are talking or while I'm watching something on television. Sometimes my fingers will be going through the motions while my hands are resting on my lap. It's very strange and I have no reason why, it's just a weird thing I started doing years ago. Maybe that's why people are always telling me what a great listener I am...little do they know I'm transcribing what they're saying in my head.
While I'm trying to get to sleep at night, I'll usually play out some event that's coming up in my head (e.g., holiday party, some random get-together, etc.). And usually, no always, in this play-by-play fantasy, I'm prettier, much thinner, and dressed to kill.
Now this I shouldn't share. It's gross and weird, but weird IS the point of this whole thing, right? I like the smell of my own gas. But...doesn't everybody? Not mine I mean, but their own.
I always salt my food before tasting it. I love salt. LOVE IT. This frustrates RD to no end that I won't at least taste it first, but I can't not do it.
When reading a book, before I get into it, I have to have a face for each character. It sometimes takes me awhile to get started because I'm trying to find the right face for the characters. I have to have a mental picture of each person. I usually use famous actors or actresses, but more recently I've used neighbors or friends.

I tag Christine , Mommy D, Girl, Terri, and Grace.

I married a good man

2006-01-13T15:19:00.000-06:00

Just a little sweet something I want to throw RD's way. One thing I really love about him is that he doesn't hesitate to tell me he loves me while he has an audience.

When he calls me from work I can hear the hustle and bustle going on around him, but he always tells me he loves me. Not softly, not in a whisper, never holding back.

It may seem silly, but that little something really makes me smile.

Mommy's turn to say no...

2006-01-11T10:57:00.000-06:00

...and why is it so hard?

Never in a million years would I guess this would be a hard thing for me to do. My whole life I've dreamed of being a stay-at-home mom. Now I'm living my dream and...on most days...enjoying it. So why do I get a pang of sadness when my old workplace calls and offers me a job and I have to say no?

I miss adult conversation. That's number one. I miss having a reason to get dressed in the morning. A reason to fix my hair. Getting out of the housePERIOD. And I really liked my job. I didn't like it right away. I came from a great workplace where I had great friends, but I was burned out - and my job performance showed it. I just didn't care anymore. I had no respect for my "bosses" and I wasn't challenged in the least. I looked at work as a place to gab with my girlfriends, not a place to climb the corporate ladder. I just didn't care anymore. So when I went to L, it was quite a change. I worked on my own. No bosses hovering over me to make sure I was doing my job. The first year was pretty blah. It was a new position, so when I asked for my job description, what was a typical day, they would look at each other and shrug. They didn't know. All they knew was that the big shots of the company wanted an assistant. What this assistant was to do, no one knew, but what they did know was that these guys wanted someone at their beck and call. That's where I came in. It took awhile for me to feel comfortable in this role, working for these men that everyone else in the company felt incredibly intimidated by, but it didn't take me too long to find my niche. These guys with the big bucks put their pants on the same way we do every morning, what's the big deal? By not showing fear, by not being a 'yes-person,' I earned their trust and respect. I grew to love my job and love the people I worked for.

So my old boss (HR-VP...the big wigs paid my salary out of their pockets, but didn't want to be my go-to person for all the little crap) called me this morning and said she wanted to offer me a job. They were looking for someone like me, a stay-at-home mom that would be interested in working 15-20 hours a week. It wouldn't be doing what I did before, I know that much, and we didn't get into details since I felt it was pointless. I knew I couldn't do it, so why bother. But now I feel a bit of sadness wishing I could have said yes. Why does that make me feel so guilty?

Silly, I know. I couldn't wait to "retire," and now I'm sad I can't go back? I would like to work part-time eventually. Maybe when the kids start kindergarten. I'll want to do something at that point, but right now it doesn't make sense. I'd have to find daycare for the kids for what? I don't need the paycheck. We're fine if I never went back to work again, but that's not the point. Ugh.

I'm rambling. Probably not making much sense, I just needed to vent. Thanks. GrumbleGrumbleArgh

Let me guess...

2006-01-10T21:41:00.000-06:00

No?

Everything, and I mean everything out of our kids' mouths lately is no.

"Do you want your milk?"

"No."

"Cover your mouth when you cough."

"No."

"Come here."

"No."

"Lie down like a big boy."

"No."

"Do you want more?"

"No."

"Give mommy a kiss."

muh-wah!

Thanks for throwing mom a bone!

"Let's go upstairs."

"No."

"Give that back to your brother."

"No."

"(To AR) My goodness you are the cutest thing ever."

AR nods rapidly in agreement with big smile.

Damn I love my difficult, challenging, authority-phobic children.

Bathroom's Done!

2006-01-07T21:41:00.000-06:00

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's really hard to tell what the color looks like in the picture, but you sort of get an idea. They plastered it first, so there's a nice texture to the wall. It looks khaki in the daylight, then at night you can see an olive tone to it.

I finally have my sanctuary back! The overall experience sucked so bad though that RD has sworn to never hire anyone else to do something for us again. We're big do-it-yourself people, but thought we'd hire out for this one. In hindsight, not the best decision. We are happy with the foyer, and in the end we are happy with the bathroom, but it was just not a pleasant experience.

First the bathroom turned out awful. I should've taken a picture to show you the yuck on our walls that he called Venetian plaster, but it made me sick to even bother. Then when he drops this girl off to apply the plaster (for the 'do over' job), she starts asking me if it looks okay because she's never done this before and isn't sure what it's supposed to look like. Mmmmm-kay, so you're telling me we're spending a totally unnecessary large chunk of money to have this so-called professional do something that we could've just as easy of done ourselves? Irk. Gack. Damn it. Hind sight...it's a bitchbitchbitch. Oh well. It's done. It's over. We're happy. So glad it's finished.

Week in Review

2006-01-03T15:14:00.000-06:00

I know I've been MIA. Even though the holidays have passed, it's still been busy around here.

My birthday came and went. I swear as soon as I hit 30, birthdays went downhill for me. My 30th birthday I was in the hospital with the flu, pregnant, while RD was in Denver for a wedding. My 31st birthday RD worked and the kids and I were sick. This year RD worked AND didn't even remember it was my birthday until the day was half over. Nice. Real nice. He did bring me flowers when he got off work, but hating to be such a "girl," it really hurt that he forgot. He didn't seem to think it was a big deal, but then I'm the one that gets all crazy excited over birthdays and holidays; he could care less. But since I care so much, isn't that exactly why he should try harder? That's my theory anyway. He doesn't seem to agree. Boo hoo. Oh well. Moving on.

My birthday gift...LOVE IT. Before the hubster gets slack for what he got me, let me first say that he didn't ask me what I wanted, I told him what I wanted AND went out and bought it before Christmas because I just couldn't wait until December 27. And the 20% off coupon I had expired December 26, and who wants to go shopping then? Not me! I got the Dyson DC14 Animal vacuum. The first night I had it I vacuumed at 10 o'clock that night because I was so excited. What does that say about me? All I can say is...whoa. RD got off late that night and when he came to bed he said, "Our carpet's amazing. I didn't even turn the lights on and I could feel it all fluffy under my feet." Yea. We're both sick.

New Year's. Eh. RD had to work at 11 p.m., so nothing planned. We made prime rib for dinner. It was delicious. 6 pounds was the smallest size Sam's had, so we've been eating prime lib for lunch, snacks, breakfast, you name it. We just finished it up lastnight.

Christmas stuff is down. It was actually hard for me this year. I don't know if it's the new house, the kids, or what, but I hated doing it. Not the actual act of it, but hate it being gone. This is strange for me because in the past I was always one who wanted it all down, all sign of Christmas gone December 26. This year was different. It just seemed to come and go too fast this year.

One big thing...for me anyway...is I've been catching up with an old friend. Someone I hadn't seen or talked to since my wedding. It deserves a whole post in itself, so that will have to wait for another day.

Well the kids are screaming, so naptime's over. I hope everyone's week is going well!

Visions of Sugar Plums

2005-12-26T15:32:00.000-06:00

Well Christmas is over, but wasn't it fun? Yesterday was the longest day ever, but that's not a bad thing. It was a lot of work, but it was priceless seeing the kids so happy. I had so much fun, I couldn't sleep lastnight. I just kept replaying the day's events in my mind.

We have lots and lots of pictures, but we need to download the new program that comes with our camera, so until we do that, I won't be able to download the pictures.

We got up at 7 a.m., took our showers, ate some breakfast, then got the kids up at 8 a.m. We took them straight to their presents. The first present they opened (all together!) was the two-set Elmo - Check-up Elmo and Potty Elmo. The second gift they opened was this thing called "Learn Through Music." It has a moving screen with Elmo singing about some scavenger hunt. Once the boys saw that, they were done. AR opened the rest of the presents herself. And she got the hang of it pretty quick!! She dug right in! We got her a Cabbage Patch baby that looks just like her, and she's been unable to part with it from the moment they met. :)

Then RD and I opened our gifts from the kids. The kids got him tickets to see George Strait in February and they got me a CD/Stereo to be mounted under our kitchen cabinets. Yeahhh! Win-wins for all!

We made hash brown casserole, then headed to his mom's around 10:30 a.m. for brunch. We ate, then once again dug into presents. Between our presents and the kids', RD and I were opening gifts for close to an hour. I can't complain...we got a lot of neat things!

We headed home around 12:45 p.m., put the kids down for a nap (yea right, they had other plans) and got the house, food, etc. ready for my family to come over at 3:30 p.m. It was my first turn at hosting and it was a lot of fun. Everyone always complained in year's past about how much work it is, but I didn't think it was so bad. Other than not a single person in my family helped me clean up after we ate...but that's a different story. Thank God I have such a wonderful MIL. She's the best!

The last guest left around 7:30 p.m. RD and I did a fast clean-up around the house, then plopped ourselves down on the couch by 8:30 p.m. to veg out in front of the t.v., then were in bed by 9:30 p.m. It was a great day.

I expected the kids to be bloody awful today. We had been running, running for two days straight, and they were allowed to go wild (within reason :)) and eat their weight in cookies during this time, so I thought today we would pay the price - but they've been pretty good. I've been assembling their new toys ALL DAY, so they've had plenty to keep them occupied.

Now it's time to go play. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! I'll post some pictures soon!

Almost There

2005-12-23T15:24:00.000-06:00

Can you believe it's only two days until Christmas? Given the 60-degree weather around here, I sure can't! This weather is amazing. Once I hit the streets to get my groceries for Sunday, the time of year couldn't be denied. The traffic was horrendous! But I got most everything I needed. I forgot only one thing, which really is a good thing. I always forget something. ALWAYS. This time it was the rye bread for the rye bread pizzas. And actually, I didn't forget it, I just bought the wrong thing. It looked like the little rye bread loaf, but it was honey wheat or something. So it looks like I'll be braving the crowds again before the day's over.

SA gave me quite a start to the day. I walk in the boys' room and nearly gagged at the heavy stench of poo. Not out of the ordinary. But what was a surprise was to look at SA, totally naked, standing in a pile of poo. Poo smeared all over his face, his mouth (which yes, means I think he was having a good ole' nasty time eating it), and hands. I was planning on letting RD sleep in this morning since he has to work tonight, but I quickly dragged him out of bed since I had to take SA straight to the bath. How nasty. Ugh. I can't wait to share this story with him someday. "Let me tell you about the day you ate your own poo." Just lovely.

And to top it off, the kids have been acting like wild animals. Why is it after kids are sick they feel the need to act like maniacs once they're well? Are they making up for lost time? Please tell me my sweet babies will be back for Christmas!!

I don't know that I'll have time to get on-line until after Christmas, so Merry Christmas everyone! Have a wonderful time enjoying your family and friends. I can't wait to hear how you spent your holiday!

STAY WELL STAY WELL STAY WELL

2005-12-21T21:54:00.000-06:00

We've recovered. Now the goal is to stay well until Christmas. December 26, if the bugs must come, so be it, but please, please keep us well until then.

Tonight was Bunco night and a couple of the ladies were saying they could feel something coming on, so (since we're all handling the same dice of course) I would wash my hands each time before I went to the food table. Yes, I'm that paranoid. It's not just that I love Christmas THAT MUCH. I do, but since we're hosting, it's added pressure.

I've been eating like crazy, as I do every holiday season; and as much fun as it has been, I'm ready to get back to some healthy eating. It sounds strange to have this thought come out, but I'm sick of all this wonderful gooey butter cake, cookies, and ordering out left and right. There's always a little bit more of me to love each Christmas. The treadmill is waiting for me, but why rush? My birthday is two days after Christmas, so I'll start being good December 28. Sounds like a good plan to me!

The kids...as crazy and destructive as they have been, they are so much fun right now. The new words never stop. And they're so sweet and loving to each other. They hug each other. Kiss each other. Hold hands. It's the sweetest thing. If one of them is getting into something, all I have to say is, "Mommy needs a kiss," and they come running over. My babies. So precious!

Well, speaking of gooey butter cake, I think I better go have a piece. Yes, right before bed. Sometimes it's good to be bad...

Serves me right I suppose

2005-12-16T20:25:00.000-06:00

Be careful what you wish for. Here I was bitching on here about how busy I am...and whattayaknow? Two of the kids and I get sick, so I cancel the sitter and RD goes to his work party alone.

He's only been at this job since July, so I was looking forward to meeting all his co-workers. There's always next year, right? *smirk* Hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow so I can go to A's party. RD said if I'm okay, he'd stay home with the kids if they're still not feeling well. I might do that anyway - I would feel awful getting someone else's kid(s) sick right before Christmas. I can be careful to wash my hands and not touch any of their things...but my kids? Well...try telling them hands off. I don't think so.

The Parents as Teachers lady came this morning. She did the Denver Screening with AR. She did above average on everything but the fine-motor skills. This was very frustrating to me because the kid stacks everything - her carrots, her Bologna, her crackers...EVERYTHING. But when she's getting "scored" for her actions, forget it. Oh well. No biggie. I know my girl rocks. :) She'll do one of the boys next month, then the other the next.

Other fun news, we bought a new camera! Our old camera finally went kapoot, so it was time to get a new one before the picture-taking frenzy starts next weekend. It's scheduled to arrive Tuesday. So be ready for a bunch of pictures of anything and everything!

Mini Vent

2005-12-15T19:19:00.000-06:00

You're about to get a taste of just how crabby I am right now, so feel free to skip this post.

For the record, dear family and friends, I do not like e-cards...I do not like links to sites that show horses singing the twelve days of Christmas...I do not like PowerPoint presentations with kittens and puppies telling me how much I need to smile. I DON'T LIKE THEM! I usually just hit delete or skip, but every time they sucker me in, they boot me out of my e-mail or off the computer all together. For the love of God, just stop!

Wrap it up

2005-12-14T22:15:00.000-06:00

Things are slowing down a bit...sort of. Well...maybe not. I got all our Christmas cards out last week. All our Christmas presents (w/the exception of one that RD is picking up tomorrow) are bought, wrapped, and under the tree. It's so nice not to have that last-minute rush of wrapping the days before Christmas. We're going to have so much going on from now until Christmas, I wanted to be sure to get as much done as I can.

The painter is coming over tomorrow to help us figure out what the next step is for our bathroom from hell, and we have a fence guy coming to give us an estimate on a fence. RD's going to some trivia-night thing tomorrow night, so again, he won't be home (he's been working all evenings/nights lately). Friday morning we have the Parents as Teachers lady coming to visit with us and the kids, then another fence guy in the afternoon, and RD's work Christmas party that night. Saturday morning my mom is coming over to watch the kids while I run RD's mom's gift to her house (coffee table/storage unit we want her to have before Christmas, since she's hosting), then we're going to A's Christmas party that evening. Sunday...ugh...Sunday. Now...I know we have something to do on Sunday, but I don't have my planner in front of me, so for the life of me I can't remember. Monday, another fence guy. And, again, I know we have something almost every day next week, but my brain's so fried, I'm drawing a blank. To make things crazier, my neighbor behind me called today and I told her I'd bring the kids over one day next week for a playdate. It adds to the craziness a bit, but at least it's something fun - something to look forward to.

I won't even get started on the day of and days surrounding Christmas. Besides...I know I'm preaching to the choir. Who isn't busy right now? So let's all take a deep breath and remind ourselves to enjoy this busy, crazy, stress-filled time of year. It's Christmas!

Blah Blah Blah

2005-12-12T15:03:00.000-06:00

I'm just feeling blah. Down about my weight. Stressed over the bathroom. Tired.

How do you like the new look? I'm happy with it. I loved the other one, and I think this one will take some getting used to, but I was ready for a change.

I really need to finish up our Christmas shopping. RD doesn't go in until late tomorrow night, so he mentioned us going out to get the kids' stuff tomorrow. We'd have to take them with us, but they'll be clueless. We could probably get away with not getting them anything (they're young enough not to know, and they'll get lots of presents from family), but we didn't get them anything last year, so I'm really wanting to get them gifts this year. We need to do a complete overhaul in here anyway. They have so many "baby" toys - we need to clean a lot of this out and bring the new stuff in. Like last year, I think I'll be more excited over their new toys than they are. Even if they're not sick of these same 'ole toys, I am.

One of my neighbors brought her girls over to play today. E is four years old and M is 20 months old. The kids had a lot of fun playing with each other and I had a lot of fun chatting with someone my own age. I really like her a lot. I'm excited at the thought of having maybe met someone in the neighborhood I could be good friends with. There are a lot of friendly women in the neighborhood, but we seemed to really click. The next step is seeing if the husbands get along just as well. ha!

I know I've said this before, but damn I love Grey's Anatomy. I really enjoy that show. Unrealistic, sure, but it's pretty entertaining. RD and were both laughing out loud lastnight, and if he's laughing out loud at something, you know it's good. I love the Dr. Shephard (a.k.a Dr. McDreamy)/Addison/Meredith love triangle. As much as I wanted him to pick Meredith, going back to his wife was the right thing to do (a-hem...FOR NOW), because it sure adds to the drama watching the dynamics between the three. I couldn't stand Addison in the beginning, but I've found myself really feeling sorry for her, watching her in pain vying for Derek's love and forgiveness. Enough of my obsession with this show. But I just had to say again...love it!

Sample Unseen

2005-12-08T15:26:00.000-06:00

Yet another lesson learned during this whole faux-finishing/painting ordeal. Number one priority...get a sample before letting the painter start, because what you have in mind and what he has in mind might be two different things.

One word.

UGLY

I'm talking hideously ugly. Nasty. Looks like you wiped your ass on the wall ugly. We were shooting for the plaster look...textured-sort-of-Tuscan look. What we got was a bunch of slop on the wall. Nasty stuff. So...now the painter is going to just paint over the whole mess. It is impossible to get our walls back to their original condition - they'll never be the same. Nothing we can do about that now. Ugh. Crap. I wish I could just hit rewind.

On a brighter note, my new template's ready. Mia said she's going to install it sometime tomorrow.

I'm off to mope now.

Christmas Party

2005-12-05T10:13:00.000-06:00

The Christmas party was a lot of fun. We don't get together with our friends enough, so it's always a treat when we all get together. The last guest left around 12:30 a.m., then there was clean-up, so of course Sunday RD and I were both walking zombies. We spent the majority of the day lying on the floor with the kids crawling all over us, begging them to stop bouncing on us.

Here comes the "back in the day" speech...

I remember years ago I would go out until the bars closed, then be at work at 8 a.m. I was tired, but knew my bed would be waiting for me at the end of the day for my much-needed nap. I just can't handle missing out on sleep anymore. Ahhh...those were the days. But it was all worth it. It was great seeing everyone.

It's going to be a fun month. We've got a party to go to next Friday, then Friday and Saturday of the next weekend. Watch out, we're party animals! Then we'll need the whole month of January to recover. I joke...but there's a lot of truth in that statement!

It looks like the final changes have been made, so Mia will probably be installing the new template in the next day or two...I hope. Can't wait!

Foyer's Done!

2005-12-02T21:46:00.000-06:00

Dave finished the foyer and it looks GREAT! I'm really happy with how it turned out. And other good news, as far as I can tell, it doesn't smell.

He said he'll be back Tuesday to do the bathroom and touch up the door trim in the foyer. Just as he was walking out the door, AR stuck her hand right on the wall, leaving an imprint - so I yelled out to him and he came back to fix it. I can still sort of see it, but in a way I like it. It's not something that would be noticeable to anyone but me, and I can just picture myself looking at that small outline of her hand years from now and smiling. Memories. They're everywhere.

Since I downloaded pictures off my camera, I thought I'd go ahead and show a few just for fun.

Our New Chair

Our New Kitchen Curtains

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Down to the Wire

2005-12-01T10:32:00.000-06:00

I will be so happy when this painting is all done. Good news is the base coat is finished, so we no longer have to deal with mullet man (mullet man being the man with the one-liners), but we still have to deal with the main guy, Dave the painter. He does the faux finishing. This has been going on forever. We signed the contract back in September sometime saying we'd like it to be done by December 2 (the day before our Christmas party). Now it's December 1 and he hasn't even started on the faux finishing yet. He was supposed to start this morning, but called and said he'll get started this afternoon and finish tomorrow. Talk about cutting it close.

I'm so frustrated because one, I don't want it stinking of paint in here for our party, and two, I want them done and out of here so I can get the house cleaned up. I hate all the last-minute scrambling to get everything ready the day of a party, so I was wanting to get as much done tomorrow as I can. It'll all come together, it always does, but why can't anything go as planned?

Lesson learned...don't give them a date and expect them to be done ahead of schedule just because you give them 2 or 3 month's notice, expect it to be done by THAT DATE. I guess I can't ask for much more. Lesson learned. My fault.

Some exciting news...Rick Springfield has returned to General Hospital! Okay...I don't watch General Hospital anymore, haven't since 8th grade, when I gave it up for Days of Our Lives, but back in his day, DAMN he was sexy. Remember that movie, "Hard to Hold"? I sat in that theatre seat, butterflies in my stomach, gazing at the screen, wishing he would jump off the screen and...and...you know...reach back in time and remember those teen-year fantasies you had about your favorite rocker. I wanted to do it all and more. This was the 80's folks, my fantasies consisted of some heavy necking and maybe a feel-up over the blouse. Do they still use the term necking? Do they still say petting? Ew. Anyway, I still won't be watching, but I'm excited he's back.

I'm waiting on some changes from Mia for the new look. Hopefully soon!

Too Many Paint Fumes?

2005-11-29T11:00:00.000-06:00

Quips from our painter...

"Are all three of them twins?"

"I have more respect for murderers and drug dealers than thieves."

"I'm taking this with me (pointing to our toilet paper)."

"I've got a bed like that, 'cept mine has mirrors on the top."

"Dang! That's the biggest bathroom I've ever seen!"

"(Referring to his boss being a Jehovah's Witness) What does that mean? Does he believe in God and stuff? You can tell me. I promise I won't tell him you said anything."

Turkey Turkey Turkey

2005-11-28T14:43:00.000-06:00

My first turkey venture was a success. It could have been taken out a little sooner, but overall, everything was delicious. Along with the turkey, I made stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, and sweet potato casserole. Then Saturday, we did it all again, but our friends were kind enough to bring the side dishes, so all we had to do was the turkey and stuffing.

The baking of the turkey turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would, but it's such a time guzzler that I think we're going to do a ham instead of a turkey for Christmas. We're hosting Christmas at 3:30 p.m., eating around 4:30; we'll be at his mom's for brunch in the morning, so that doesn't leave us much time to visit and get home in time to get the turkey in the oven. We might fry a small turkey to have alongside the ham, but that's it.

We got our Christmas decorations up this weekend. I've been wanting to take some pictures, but our digital camera has been on the fritz, so it looks like a new camera might be in our future. We need to do something quick so we can get a photo to use for our Christmas cards this year. That's always fun...and stressful! Getting three kids to cooperate for a fun, family photo just isn't the jolly good time you dream it to be.

Mia is going to have some mock-ups for me this evening, so my new look should hopefully be up in the next day or two. Keep your fingers crossed!