Very jumbled and at peace

Lots of things swirling around in my head today, not many of which are very interesting to anyone but me. We had a great week and weekend celebrating KT's birthday. She didn't get pinkeye (thank you for your good vibes!), all the grandparents were here, we cooked, we went out, we let them babysit, she dressed up in all her princess and fairy stuff and was just the epitome of cute, and now they're gone and we're getting settled back into the rhythm of our collective daily life. I need that rhythm. I really missed it, as much as I love having everyone to visit - and I really do, having people to cook for and serve is very satisfying in its own way.

My son continues to delight me -- as the older brother, he was a star at the birthday party of 8 little 2- and 3-year old girls. He let KT be the center of attention, played his role just right, and helps "take care" of her so well on a daily basis. I watched him, this morning, as she whined and fussed for THE FAIRY ONE, an episode of Dora that he couldn't translate to the actual title, to find for her. He wanted to help her so badly, but she kept screaming at him, THE FAIRY ONE THEFAIRYONE, like a 3-year-old does, and he was very patient, up to the point he got tears in his eyes because he couldn't Figure Her Out. Poor thing. He's a great brother. He also READS constantly which is another topic altogether, obviously. This morning I was thinking of a few books I'm anxious for him to read soon: Little House in the Big Woods, Superfudge, Choose Your Own Adventure. Such fun.

DH and I got to attend another concert by our favorite band on Tuesday night. I've seen them 4 times now, more than I've seen any other band (besides a local one I followed in college). It was an amazing night, starting with the spring weather, a just-the-two-of-us chips and salsa, dinner and margaritas... then a pleasant meeting of new "friends" in line before the concert, or at least 2 dudes who also love the music as much as we do (they drove up from Florida)... getting great seats, enjoying the music so much... tweeting about it like a complete dork during the show (me)... taking pictures and just feeling very graced by the art and talent of 4 old-ish guys who can still very much rock the house. I used to not like when the guitars would soar and crash SO LOUDLY, but over the years I've come to really love the dissonance and the roar -- not to mention, I know so many more of the melodies now -- and just marveling at how the musicians are so capable, and clearly love what they do. It's a joy to watch, really. I tweeted, too, that I do love a man playing a bass guitar. I don't know - I prefer watching it to the acoustic, which surprises me because I LOVE the acoustic guitar's sound. Something very intense about the bass, though. Maybe because it's the deep beating heart, sometimes unnoticed, of the song, and that seems romantic to me. I love bass singing voices, too, and very low notes. The lead singer of The Church is a bass baritone for sure.

I laugh because, when I was pregnant with AJ, a suggestion for a name came from DH -- Kilbey, the last name of the very same lead singer. I was pretty sure he was joking, but at any rate, was firmly against it at the time. And still am... but now I at least have a healthy appreciation of WHY he would suggest it for his firstborn son. I respect the inspiration, where before I didn't have a clue. :) I love that we're able to share this years-long music experience as a couple.

Lastly, I've been trying to be more consistent about exercising and so far it's going well. I've logged 3 entire days in a row. Wooo. I will report more on that if and when there is something to report, but I'm feeling good about it.

7 Quick Takes (real quick!)

1. I'm in a hurry because I have lots of Friday tasks, and I want to STAY BUSY today so it will go by quickly. (i.e., not loll around online in G-reader and TweetDeck trying to find interesting things to do/read. NO NO NO!!) Because my parents are here, and DH's parents arrive this afternoon, and I want the weekend to hurry and get here already!


2. One of the tasks I'm supposed to do today is set up our corporate blog. YOU WOULD THINK this prospect would DELIGHT ME, as I have been blogging for 6 years this month. But I have been putting it off for 3 weeks! What gives? I have no idea. Maybe I don't want to sully my love of blogging by making it a work thing? Maybe I'm afraid I won't like Wordpress? But this has been one of MY big ideas/initiatives for the company, since before I even got the job! I'm a champion procrastinator, I guess, and this proves it.


3. I plan to make mojitos for Happy Hour. I bought a mix for DH for Valentine's Day -- kinda lame but we both like mojitos, and our previous attempt to make them with actual ingredients turned out very 'meh.' The mix, naturally, or maybe NOT naturally, tastes like Kool-Aid with lime. :)


4. Mojitos feel very spring/summery to me and it is awesome that we're having summer weather today! I'm not even wearing socks! This gorgeous 70-degree stuff is supposed to last the next five days or so. Yayyyyyy!


5. I have to thank Mighty Maggie for pointing me, last week, to the Paul Haggis vs. Scientology article. Holy (haha, not) barrels of awesome. I don't know WHY I am so fascinated with the cults, but give me the FLDS, the Scientologists, the Moonies, any of them, any day... I will read it. I have theories as to why I like learning about them so much, but that's a whole other blog post. Anyway, I've always wondered what in the heck Travolta and Cruise are all 'het up' about, and I still don't understand it, but at least now I have a vague idea of what they do, and legitimate cause to laugh at them. Bravo, Mr. Lawrence Wright (author).


6. THAT bullet led us in a completely different direction, didn't it?! In other freaky-deaky news, I have had a dream twice now, where I am walking around in some big mall-like building in the Perimeter area of Atlanta, looking for an exit. When I find the exit, I become relieved because I've found Interstate 285. 285 is a giant highway that encircles the main metro area, and my dream-self always says, Oh, good, now I can just walk around 285 to get back to where I need to be. Which I then proceed to do. Last night there was also a giant black tornado cloud spinning over the East side of 285, which I could see from where I stood. And yet, I continued to walk toward it. (I actually live on the WEST side of 285.) WHAT DOES IT ALL MEEEEEEEN? Like I said, I've dreamed this twice.


7. KT's party is tomorrow, provided she doesn't turn up with PINKEYE. There are 2 cases of it at her school (not in her class), and... I fear to tell you... she's been complaining about her eyes and having a tiny bit of morning goop in 'em (sorry). I seem to remember the last time we had pinkeye in the house that it's more of a cold/fever thing, but... well, if I have to cancel the party in order to be the good mom and not infect other children, I will just cry. Especially because all the grandparents made the trip. Frickinfrackin.


Thanks to Jen for hosting 7QT!

On Waking

The big-girl bed has been SO successful in curbing KT's since-she-was-born tendency to wake up in the middle of the night. I'm going to repeat: So Successful! Until last night, she had slept through the night every night since we removed the rail.

Unsure why she woke up last night at midnight, JUST as I had drifted off into a nice little dream and was so cozy and warm in my covers. She showed up next to my side: "MOMMY. [stage whisper] I NEED A KLEENEX for my EYES." She asked to come in my bed for a while and who can resist a little blond birthday girl? All I want to DO is cuddle with her during waking hours, so an explicit invitation to do so, when I'm half-asleep, is an easy (but ill-advised) decision. After an hour of her twitching and kicking and NOT SLEEPING, that was the end of that. Luckily she went back to her bed with minimal complaint. And then got up again at 5:45 while I was in the shower.

I guess she is wise to the fact that she's FREE, and thus we are at the beginning of the next phase: the getting up OUT of your bed at night, which AJ did for a couple of years, and which, my parents will remind you (me), I did myself until I was SEVEN.

Raising a glass to salute, and bid farewell to, these last two uninterrupted weeks. They have been nice.

Good things happening

1. Last night, for dinner, AJ suggested and I made tuna noodle casserole... and both kids cleaned their plates!! Red letter day! I think all the playing outside (thank you, 60-degree weather) had a lot to do with their (KT's) appetites, but can I get a HALLELUJAH on that?!

This week, as promised, DH and AJ created our menu:

S - aforementioned tuna casserole, fruit salad
M - pork chops (Hot-n-Spicy Shake-n-Bake!), field pieas, white rice
T - KT's choice (it's her birthday): burgers and hot dogs, fries, and ice-cream cake
W - dirty rice w/ground beef, salad for me, V8 fusion for the kids
Th - might go out if my parents arrive
F - spaghetti and turkey meatballs, green beans, garlic toast

We haven't had a couple of those meals in a while (pork chops, dirty rice), so that's good. That was my main complaint - being tired of the Same Old Same Old. I'm like a lot of you in that I serve what I want, no matter if the kids like it or not. I do like to serve things they'll eat a few times a week. But I was sick of the 8 or 10 things that fit the bill. I feel good that AJ suggested all of these -- his palette is expanding this year and he's eating a lot more of our family favorites. (Gumbo, and maybe other casseroles, here we come!)

2. We stopped in a sports store on Saturday morning to exchange something, and took a few minutes to check out the bikes. AJ hopped right up onto one with training wheels and rode around the store a few times. He did really well, and more importantly, got EXCITED about it. We've asked him a few times if he wants a bike, and we always get a very lukewarm response. But this orange bike, I think, has him hooked -- now if we can just reel him in. It was $129 so we didn't buy it right away, but I'm thinking birthday. Until then, I'm ready to borrow a friend's - he offered, and I think we should jump on it. I learned to ride a bike when I was six, too. :) Very exciting!

3. I asked for (via Twitter!) and received, a delicous Dark Chocolate Assortment of Godiva chocolates for Valentine's Day. SO simple, and even cliche! But so happy-making. :) Thank, you, honey!

Help me save dinner

I wish there were some sort of “carnival” feature on my computer screen that would only begin to play music, throw confetti and laugh uncontrollably when I logged into WORK-related websites or programs. Maybe that would make it less of a slog? I don’t know, I thought that up in 2 seconds after I opened the text window to type this.

Other things I’m bored with: Our Meal Rotation. Typical Mommy-blog topic, ahoy!! Let me tell you my meals this week, and then you can tell me yours. I’m sure we’ve done this before, but here it is, 2011, and I need some new recipes, dudes.

Monday – Picante chicken (baked with Pace Picante, brown sugar, Dijon mustard), Spanish rice w/tomatoes, guacamole/chips or, for the kids, corn on the cob. Ice cream for Dessert Night. (Do you know my kids don’t really consider it dessert unless it’s ice cream?)

Tuesday – Sausage/turkey bacon/cheese quiche (made with $5/dozen farm-fresh eggs, I might add—and aren’t I organic and impressive?), fruit salad, and all kinds of toast (some with Nutella).

Wednesday – I have frozen ravioli and sauce. Will likely cut up some bell peppers with it, and serve steamed broccoli on the side. And garlic toast sticks because pasta without garlic bread is a crime.

Thursday – no idea. Maybe we can go out or order pizza?

Friday – Maybe burgers on the grill?

I try to plan menus and usually do a better job than I did this week. But I’m sick of serving turkey hot dogs (this week is the first in a long time that I’m not PLANNING to fix them). Here are the things my kids refuse to try:

Casseroles of any kind – which rules out a HELLUVA lot of good, easy dinner meals (my DH isn’t a huge fan, either, so it’s a lost cause for me, a casserole LOVER)

Related, anything creamy. Beef stroganoff. Fettucine with cream sauce/alfredo. chicken with any kind of sour cream (delicious) sauce. OUT.

Soups/stews that aren’t “Chicken and Stars.” Heck, they pick out the teeny-tiny stars in Chicken and Stars. They say they like it but the evidence does not support this.

Quesedillas/burritos. AJ will MAYBE eat a tortilla with cheese inside. Maybe. If the planets are aligned. But anything else in there touching the cheese? Forget it.

You see, I have considered Ways to Make Dinnertime Healthy and Interesting, but I’m thwarted at every turn. Bah. I don't know. Maybe I'M the only one who's sick of our rotation (don't respond to that, DH). At least I have my freezer aisle. Fish sticks, meatballs, the dreaded chicken nuggets: I'll see you three next week, I guess. SIGH.

Front Row Seats

We sat in practically the front row at Mass on Sunday, something we never do. It was Scout Sunday, though, and AJ was required to be in front with his Tiger Den (looking so adorable in their matching uniforms), so we put ourselves right across the aisle from him. I loved glancing over at him with a wink, and getting a big grin in return. I thought of how strange it is when your kids start wanting to be part of groups other than their family unit. Strange, wonderful, heartbreaking, all at the same time.

Being part of the Cub Scouts had turned out to be a big deal for AJ the day before, because his little Pinewood Derby car – his very first one, that he designed, sanded and painted all by himself, and that his Daddy blindly attempted to properly weigh and align – WON the race. The whole race. His car, which we worried was not as fancy, not as sleek, beat kids older than him who’ve been building cars for several years. We have no idea how this happened, but oh, man, watching your child succeed, and seeing HIM swell with pride and excitement... it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt. I was most proud of his attitude, and those of his fellow Scouts, though. When their own cars weren’t racing, they were cheering each other on. I’ll never forget AJ and his buddy Shane, high fiving each other in the front line behind the ropes, as they watched each race. And Shane, when I congratulated him, telling me, “AJ’s is better!” with a huge smile. With this, and the camping trip success last fall, I'm convinced this group experience is going to be one of the best of his life.

We have floated on the happy fumes of Saturday’s win all weekend. Every time I think of it, I smile again. I’m so glad we were all there to watch it together. DH was visibly moved and in love with being a father, filling me up with happiness and love for him. Even KT was excited for her brother. “He WON!” she said more than once, with an exclamation mark in her voice as she galloped off after him. Sunday morning on my knees in front of the big altar, surrounded by friends and community members going to Communion, I was very nearly overwhelmed with the simplicity and profundity of the gift, and Gifts, of this amazing life.

Poor planning

I am excited about KT's first real birthday party with friends from her class. The girl at the place where we're having it said something about "sparkle sticks and feather boas," and I didn't hear the rest because my mind was going, "SQUEEEEEEE!" Life doesn't get any more GIRLY than that! I hope they'll let ME have a sparkle stick, whatever in the heck one IS.

However, when I decided we should just invite girls, I didn't actually realize that there are only 5 girls in KT's whole class. I could invite a few from other classrooms, with whom she eats breakfast every day so technically they're "friends," but I've been at the school long enough to know that the norm is to just invite people from your own classroom. I can think of maybe two other, non-school friends we could invite. One is a T-ball friend, and the other is, surprisingly, Yatt's daughter. Which doesn't feel quite right since KT doesn't even know the daughter, but on the other hand, she's three -- it's not like she has requested veto power over the guest list, nor is she going to remember half these people anyway.

Let me say that I'm now enjoying a cordial office friendship with Yatt; she hasn't been the Yatt of yesteryear who annoyed the (expletive) out of me.... except RIGHT THIS SECOND as I typeOMG she's telling me about her period!! I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THIS INFORMTION, FOR THE LOVE!!!

Sorry. She also pops her gum.

Party planning. I'm slightly concerned because we had a party for AJ once, and only invited a handful of people, and then only half of them showed up. I want this party to SPARKLE, darn it, not be a sad trumpet.

Guess who got a big-girl bed this weekend?

Guess who is almost THREE, by the way and can you believe? We have been having a heckuva time with this one at night. She wakes up twice a night crying, loudly, usually during the 12-1:00 am hour, and again between 4:30 and 5:30 am. The 2nd time is the most annoying for ME, because my alarm goes off at 5:35. Argh. But the 1st wake-up is probably most annoying for DH, who has just gotten himself into a comfortable sleep (meanwhile, I’m dead to the world and hardly ever hear the 1:00 wake-up). Same story as every other non-co-sleeping mom who ever blogged: we try not to engage her, pat her back to sleep, etc etc. DH figured out a month or two ago that she wants her bedroom door OPEN, so she can see into the hallway and our room, and that seems to help somewhat, but doesn’t solve the problem entirely.

I keep saying that it’s different this time: with AJ, we closed our doors and let him cry. “Man up!” I guess. With KT, I don’t want her to wake up AJ so I caaaaaaan’t let her just cry. (I know I CAN, but I just don’t.)

Saturday night was her coup de grace: Saturday she climbed over the crib rails and THUNKED down to the floor to perform her nighttime shenanigans. I put her back in bed and walked away. She climbed out again. And that, my friends, is not going to work for me. I know that kids will get out of beds that don’t have those handy prison bars, but at least they won’t fall and break their legs in the middle of the night (twice). So Sunday I went to Target to buy her a pretty new Tinkerbell comforter and sheets set, and tasked DH with removing the crib rail for the last time. Ta-da! Toddler bed.

She seems to love it. Dragged her new big-girl pillow upstairs and down yesterday afternoon, and wanted to make and re-make the bed after we put it together. (I also got some new fabric-covered bins for storage, which we both love. Her room has been a gigantic mess for a long time and I hope this will help. We’re practically a Pottery Barn Kids catalog now!)

She stayed in her bed all through last night, but she still woke up crying and stood up, per routine, at 4:55. Bless her heart, though – when it was finally wakeup time this morning, she was hard to rouse, all cozied up under her covers. THAT is the result I’m looking for.

Life is an easy pasta dinner

Or, life should be an easy pasta dinner. I know that because I accomplished it last night along with a good start on one of my so-called Resolutions: A friend came over to eat dinner with us!

She did the easy part by suggesting we get together, and it was easier for me to say, "Sure, come up for dinner!" than to consider getting all of us downtown to her condo. But the meal was simple -- sun-dried tomato pasta with chicken, salad, and french bread -- and the company was so easy. She was my roommate before I got married and one of the best people I know. She's great with the kids (a teacher by trade), so when I start to feel awkward about how our lives have taken such different paths and what are we going to talk about now??... she doesn't mind letting the kids chat her up. She even left early, allowing us to get them bathed and in bed on-time. I'm unsure if she was aware of how helpful that was -- she couched it as "I have to get up early tomorrow," but she may just be THAT considerate. Note for any of you single ladies who visit your friends with kids: it's nice to leave early on a Sunday night.

KT has had a cough now for 3-4 weeks. Mostly at night. I'm almost certain that it's nothing, but that 2% unsure is instigating worries about pneumonia and I wouldn't want to let that sit and percolate. So to the Pediatrician we go, this afternoon. They'll say, "Has she had a fever?" No. "Any other symptoms?" No. Well, yes, nasal stuff 2 weeks ago. "Turn on a humidifier and call us if it worsens." But this is what we have to do.

The usual, plus

I have missed my blog people! I've been in an intense week of work training, and literally in meetings since Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. (That first one was 4 hours in a room with no windows, ack.) I can at least say I'm grateful the training has been with a pleasant person. And we've eaten out at places *I* got to choose, three days in a row, because he's from out of town. But actually I'm happy about getting to have a salad at my desk today. Too much of a good thing, and all.

Meanwhile, the kids went back to school this week after their 10-day snowcation. AJ told me that on Tuesday he got really sad about being back in school and his grandparents going home -- enough that they sent him to the counselor's office. He doesn't know the word "counselor," of course, just that Ms. R. is everyone's friend, and they talked about the snow days for a while, and he felt better. It made me sad in a way, but on the other hand, when I was in grade school... etc. etc. uphill both ways. I'm glad the counselor is available when my sweetie-pie is a little weepy.

Spring t-ball is about to start up, and Cub Scouts (KT calls it "Scub Scouts," and I hope she never corrects that) is intensifying with the actual Pinewood Derby coming up. Never thought I'd be involved in one of those! I'm mostly not, yet - DH is heading up that project. What else? I need to make trips to the dry cleaners, the grocery store, and to get AJ a haircut. Friday is DH's birthday and I'm a little behind on the preparations -- nothing fancy per usual, but I'd like to cook him something he likes, and have a candle, at least. I've also GOT to make plans for KT's birthday in February. I know where I want to have it, but need a reservation STAT. It'll be her first birthday party with Friends, not just family. :)

When I do have some downtime, I've been reading on my Kindle. I started and finished the Carl Hiassen celebrity-stalking novel, Star Island, and I give it a B-. I wanted to finish it and it was a subject I didn't know much about, so I learned (?) something, but it was kinda ucky overall, and not emotionally satisfying at all. Now I've gone back to Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, and it's really starting to pick up. More on that later.

I've had to avoid Twitter for the most part this week, but have been proud of Nicole for moving every day in 2011! Waiting with bated breath re: Jess' babywatch, checking in on Marie Green's snow, relating to Lag Liv's most recent post, and eager to talk more with my friend MB about her new job! Like I said, I miss all you guys! Weekend's coming! See you then!

Three Snow Days in a Row!

Or: This Is Unlikely to Ever Happen Again; Glad We Enjoyed It

Predictions were dead-on over the weekend that we would have a 100% chance of snow and ice overnight Sunday. I dutifully went to the grocery store Sunday afternoon, to procure my bread and milk. (Actually it was my typical weekend trip to the store - I was embarassed to be there with all the other panickers. But in hindsight, I'm very glad about it!) It snowed, and after about 4 inches, it began the sleet/freezing rain combo that made everything crunchy on top. We took Napoleon out at 8:30 pm and it was barely sprinkling. Then at 9:30, looked out the window and everything was already covered.

This is not unusual, I'm sure, to any northerners among my readers, but for us it was strange and unbelievable. :) We woke to a winter wonderland, and even better than that, all schools closed (and even my office, kindly letting us know Sunday night that they'd be closed Monday). The ice-covered roads would make it impossible to drive, since Atlanta, and especially the suburbs, aren't prepared with plows or salters or whatever it is you guys have up there that allow you to live with this stuff all the time!

Around 9 am Monday we bundled up for our 1st snow adventure. The kids enjoyed "Snow Lollipops" (icicles, which they aptly named -- I'd never called them that as a kid); we did our snow angels though it was hard to break the ice layer on top; threw snowballs, got wet; breathed the crisp air. And then our upstate-New York neighbors, bless them, pulled out the sleds. Our street is one lonnnnng hill, and it was solid ice. Some of us had fun -- my kids and I didn't sled, although I kinda wanted to. All the neighbors were out and I love community gatherings like that. Our snowman's name is "Oatmeal."

Turns out my office didn't open until TODAY, so I've had three (five, including the weekend) full days with no responsibility other than my family, and my home. It has been delicious. Like a very extended Christmas break. I've been so grateful for the time, and grateful that my mood didn't ever -- somehow -- turn sour, or get tired of it, or cabin-fever-y. The kids have been great. DH was home with us through Wednesday morning. We've played a ton of board games, watched movies, eaten chili. My parents arrived safely yesterday (for an already-planned visit), and it worked out well because the kids are off school again today.

We'll see what tomorrow brings. The sun is shining now, and all is bright.

Messy

Remember how I said my “life lesson” for 2010 was, “This is life. Life is messy.” Hohoho, remember that? That was funny. Because:

1. We are in the midst of a car-buying process. It started out so well, y’all. We (DH) had heard a lot about Ford’s new Sync system, and since he’s a tech-head, we totally wanted to check it out. We have not driven Fords in YEARS for all the obvious reasons, but the economy… cars re-tooled and improved blahblahcakes, plus: Sync. So we trooped over there dutifully during the last week of the sales year, to get ourselves a Hot Deal. Loooong story short, after we got the numbers we wanted, the color we wanted, and SIGNED everything Wednesday night with wild kids in tow… the car didn’t actually have Sync in it. DH was turning the ignition to drive it home, when this was discovered. We hadn’t thought to ask specifically because we figured all 2011 models would have it, AND there was a “Sync” sticker IN THE CAR. On the dash. “Microsoft Sync.” Purple sticker. Huge. … Anyway, we think we are going to do an easy swap tonight, for a car with Sync like we wanted, but I don’t want to jinx it so I’ll shut up now. We knew everythign had gone too smoothly to be true. This week has been mentally stressful and logistically nuts. And by the way, two kids, after school, inside a dealership for 2 hours, TWICE in one week. Exciting!

2. Something at work went up in smoke yesterday after I had left for the day. Can’t divulge, naturally, but let me say this: If you are in a company who makes things, and you launch new products periodically, IT HELPS to TELL the marketing department when a launch date is being delayed. (cough I sent out an email blast cough for a coughcough product that’s not available yet cough).

3. Our house is a messsssssssss. It’s making DH and me crazy, both of us, but with the car nonsense and the first week back at school, nothing has been done to remove the Christmas tree, for instance, or the layer of dust piling up on our dresser. We’re hopeful that we can get the car situation finalized today and move on to Cleanliness this weekend. Of course the car project is creating additional projects, like rearranging the garage to accommodate the new vehicle (we’re going from a compact Corolla to a not-so-compact SUV class). Rearranging the garage means removing some outdoor toddler toys that are old and not being used… Goodwill or yard sale decisions, etc etc. If I think too much about it, I start getting overwhelmed.

I haven’t worked out 2 nights in a row now, which is just making me pissy. I was determined, dangit. It will all resolve, I know it will, but. Well. Just keep swimming right? TGIF, people.

Reporting in

I love being good-sore. Jillian Michaels' yoga is No Joke. I'm taking a break from it tonight to let my muscles recover, but planning to do a walk with my co-worker. I earned a "You Logged In 3 Days In a Row" badge from Livestrong.com! Hahahaha! Woooooo... go me. This morning I made the grown-up choice and got Starbucks' Perfect Oatmeal with my coffee.

(Tomorrow, however, I am going to try my free Spicy Chicken Biscuit from Chick-Fil-A, and I don't care how many calories it costs me. I'll have salad and water the rest of the day. You gotta live, you know?)

And I flossed. :) How are you all doing with your stuff so far?

Yogurt and floss

I've been so hesitant to post Les Resolutions because on all of mine from last year, I epic-failed. It's embarrassing. Even the non-physical ones, like painting a few rooms in our house, didn't happen. Not entirely my fault, of course, just circumstances and wanting to take a break from the hectic pace of life sometimes. Still. It makes me wary. WARY!

However, I like the idea that I've seen in several places, of making resolutions that are NOT diet-related, and also of resolving to do a couple of little things that should be EASY to accomplish. Why didn't I think of that before?! So let's talk about those, and then we'll move on to the Health Kick portion of our program.

1. In 2011, I will floss my teeth more. I was originally planning to say, I will floss my teeth every day, but no, dumbass, don't set yourself up to fail on the EASY one. And do any of you floss every day? If so, I'm not sure I believe you and also, Good Job. So, floss more. (More often than hardly ever will be easy.)

2. In 2011, I will have at least 2 small dinner parties. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, if you are a good and frequent hostess, but I am decidedly not.

3. In 2011, I will try to develop a taste for yogurt. This is relative to a health kick, naturally, and I think I've mentioned before how I really don't love yogurt, but I try to eat it sometimes because of its Super Food status. Today I actually tried and finished a 5.3-oz serving of Organic Greek yogurt! It had blueberries on the bottom, and I had to eat it slowly but fast -- as in, each bite had several minutes between them, but I licked and swallowed them down as quickly as I could. And I didn't hate it, at the end. I didn't gag a single time. Progress. And organic greek, that's like Bonus Points or something!

I could make a million more resolutions (read more, connect with friends and family better, more prayer, etc), but I think three is a nice, round number and I don't care to make a huge show of it this year. I do believe in the idea of trying to make each year better than the last, I just got so discouraged looking at last year's list. I was temtped to forego this exercise altogether so consider yourselves lucky, if you like reading people's resolutions!

Now, the health kick: As every year, I have America's goals of getting fit and losing weight. 10 pounds would be a nice start, and what I'd really like is for my stinking pants not to be so tight, gahhhh. I have been tracking calories again on Livestrong.com's MyPlate. I like it best because it's fast software, it includes an App for my phone, and it has a pretty cool "Add a Glass of Water" feature which is also something I need to do, drink more water. :)

I'm also determined to try new foods with my family. Tonight we had moderate success with roasted vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, which heretofore none of my family members have liked). AJ reluctantly tried his 2 required bites dipped in ketchup; KT said they were good but didn't want anyone to KNOW she thought so, and refused to eat any more than her 2 bites. DH ate and enjoyed, I think! I loved them and the whole house still smells like them since our oven sort-of stamps and seals the scent from anything we cook over 400 degrees until at least 10 am the next day.

And Jillian and I just had a Yoga Meltdown date. First Monday, DONE. My sister in law gave me the DVD for Christmas - one thing we share in common is an interest in working out, although her follow-through is much, much better than mine! I had visions of starting a "wakeup at 5:00 am every day" plan, because that feels like the only feasible time. A real-life friend and her husband did that in 2010, every single day, they said. I was impressed. But this morning.... ugh. No good when the 2-yr-old wakes me at 4:00 am and proceeds to take up my 1/2 of the bed until the alarm beeps.

Please to send the good vibes this way for exercise mojo and no whammies.

Christmas Memories

Christmas Pajamas


Christmas Dress


Christmas Snow!

p.s. Resolutions to come after I succeed at First Monday...!

2010, All Summed Up

Okay, fine. I'm a sucker for a blogging prompt as evidenced by '09 and '08. I'm also bored at work. I do have some tasks, but... aykm? On Dec 30? Forget it. So here is my 2010 review:

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Hmm. Started going to the office at 6:30 am. And had an honest-to-goodness White Christmas.


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Skip.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nicole! Her 6th! She is amazing. Also my neighbors next-door, across the street, and next-door in the cube! But those 3 are 'close' in proximity only.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Oh, come on.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Lottery winnings.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I think June, because it was the first time AJ went to his grandparents' house all by himself for a week. :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I think making Flex-Time work for us was a big achievement. It's not always easy, but it satisfies one of my wishes, which is to be a little bit more present for AJ as he tackles school and homework and such.


9. What was your biggest failure?
After a decent start in the spring, and even a good idea in the fall, I let my motivation to exercise completely deflate to zero. I've got to reboot, again, in that department. FRICKINFRACKIN.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only minor ones, I guess. That one weird stomach bug during a T-ball game that made me faint and put me down for at least 2 days, in the bed! And asthma returned to my life in November, which is not cool. It's died down for the last few weeks but I should probably look into the better management of that. I.E., get myself to a doctor.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
New inhaler? No, I think all the Christmas presents we bought this year were well received. Kids and adults, alike. We did good!

12. Where did most of your money go?
We replaced one of 2 AC units in our house, so that was a big chunk, and we had to pay for Puppy's surgery, but other than that we didn't have gigantic expenses this year, thank goodness.

13. What did you get really excited about?
The Spring T-ball playoffs were such fun, and I got very excited about our trip to North Carolina in the fall. I'm about to get excited about a new car purchase!

14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
The Phineas and Ferb theme song, I'm sure. Lovers in Japan by Coldplay. The choral Christmas album my sister sent me was really magical for me this year, most especially Veni Redemptor Gentium.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or Sadder: Equally happy
Thinner or Fatter: Fatter
Richer or Poorer: Richer, I think. All my new oil money, heh.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I'm torn because I want to say, "Having friends over." But I'm a homebody and recluse, too. I see other people having little parties -- I attend them -- and I think, "I should do something like this." I need to have our across the street neighbors over very soon, for dinner, and our T-ball buddies as well. So, fine: there are 2 resolutions for 2011.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Aiming bad feelings toward my next door neighbors. But they're SOOOOOO annoying. Sigh. I can't win - I don't WANT to dislike them, but it's oh so satisfying.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
See here.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Modern Family. And even Cougartown!

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Loved The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and loved The Host by Stephanie Meyer. (Hey, another thing to love about the Kindle is it helps you 'remember' what you read during the year!)

21. What was your favorite music from this year?
Already answered that above, I think.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Finally saw Little Miss Sunshine, which I liked a lot. Saw the Twilight series, and enjoyed sharing that with DH. Still haven't seen HP and the Deathly Hallows, if you can believe. Sad about that. Oh, and I mentioned the Princess and the Frog yesterday! We saw a lot this year compared to years before!

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 36 in June. We had pizza dinner at Vincent's, a cute little restaurant nearby, and then cake with a candle at home afterwards. It was lovely!

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? All in all, I think it WAS pretty satisfying. Just the lottery winnings, thanks.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? About the same, heh. Pretty bad, heh. Needs Improvement. I did buy one sweater dress and tights that I love.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
This is life. Life is messy. Just ride along and try not to worry. I feel like that's how I got through this busy, but normal year. Just ride along. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. :)

A transition and phase

KT-pie,

I know it's a long day away from Mama. I know it's hard to be left there in the morning when none of your friends are there yet; Makenzie-Maddie-n-Addie make everything more fun. I know you've had a week off and returning to school is always a bummer. Believe me, I know that. I know it's scary to watch Mama walk out the door and I pray you aren't wondering if I'll even come back, because I will ALWAYS come back for you, at the end of every day. (Or Daddy will, which is even better.)

I also know you love your teachers. I know you turn around 5 seconds after I'm gone to start helping pass out plates and juice, and chattering away in your "little mommy" voice, probably directing your friends which chair to sit in, and saying "We don't spill/hit/bite, okayyy?" which is so darling... So please, I beg you, stop giving me the Oscar-winning performances and pitiful, quiet tears after I take off your coat. I thought we were over that part of our lives--the guilty/sad feeling of leaving you at daycare. I'm sure it's a phase but it's been an unpleasant reminder, this week, of the very earliest days of leaving your brother and you to go to work. Do Not Like. Cut it out. (sniff)

Love,
Mama
(which you're inexplicably calling me again after at least a full year of "Mommy.")

…And we’re not through yet

It was so lovely to have the week off before Christmas. Typically I like to take this week in-between, like most people do, but this way worked out very well. I’m not even too sad to be here in the office this week, because Monday and Friday were/are holidays, and a lot of coworkers are out, so it’s not stressful. Yesterday our daycare was closed in the morning, unexpectedly, so I went to the office to grab my laptop (with the two kids in tow), exchanged “How were your Christmases?” with two work buddies, and worked from home until 1:00. Obviously I babysat the kids with their new DVDs – first The Princess and the Frog, and then Alice in Wonderland (the original cartoon), and it was nice to have that extra half-day with them. We made popcorn.

I couldn’t resist watching the P and the F’s final half-hour, and I must say I loved the whole movie. I thought they did New Orleans perfectly, and the cast was amazing. I made the kids sit through all the credits to see the cast list, because I thought surely there would be some surprise A-listers on it. But not really! Most were people I hadn’t heard of. One of my absolute favorite things to do, movie-wise, is to figure out who voices the animated characters just by listening. Do you do that? The first time I saw Cars, I spent the entire movie trying to place the voice of the female Porche, Sally. Bonnie Hunt!! I had a hard time with that one but enjoyed the challenge. Anyway, in the P and the F I immediately loved John Goodman’s role, and Oprah’s, and… then I was at a loss. I almost thought that the Prince was Sacha Baron Cohen. Glad that turned out to be false.

Did you have a White Christmas? We did. And I need to record it because it may never happen again, or at least that's how it feels. Maybe global warming means it WILL happen, every year, but all I know is that's the first time in my 36 years that I was indoors on Christmas Day, watching big flakes fall out of the sky, and stick to the ground, ALL DAY LONG. We had the warmth of the kitchen as we cooked our 4:00 Christmas dinner, carols playing On the Eights because we kept it on the Weather Channel a good part of the day, and it just felt cozy and beautiful. (Although the floor got dirty as we tracked it in.) The kids loved their gifts. AJ's favorite was, of course, his DSi handheld, but more for the extra features (built-in digital camera and editing abilities). He is also pretty jazzed about the Lego Harry Potter board game and ALL his Ben10 action figures. KT loves playing her Dora Memory Game, and the Barbie swimming pool (without water!). I love leaving the Christmas toys out for a few days and just watching them immerse themselves.

So, after we get through these three days of supposedly very productive work (ahem), we’ll drive down to Savannah for more celebrations with DH’s brother and SIL. They have a new house and a brand-new puppy. I’m excited to see the house and I know the kids are going to go nuts over the puppy. Unfortunately, she is named “Shania.” I am sorry but I think that’s a terrible dog name. How do you create cute little poopie-doopie nicknames from “Shania?” She-She? Nia? Shanny? There’s nothing good.

Other things on my mind here as the year winds up… :: Our family’s overall diet needs to improve in 2011 – as in, more fiber, less crap, especially for my kids. :: We want to scope out and buy a new car this week (deals!) but we can’t seem to find one that we just love –we’re going to drive the Ford Edge today. :: Words with Friends! DH and I are still obsessed with this game. He’s beaten me 2 out of 3 but I’m about to win the 3rd game. :: I got a Buy One, Get One free coupon from Weightloss Wars yesterday and I’m tempted by it – anyone want to do a competition with me? I’ve never done one there but it might be fun and I definitely need to be held accountable. Even without the competition, I have a goal to get fit this year like DH did last year (and I know I say it all the damn time, but such is life). :: On an unrelated note, my parents got me the wine club membership I wanted, and sis got me the stemless glasses! So obviously 2011 is going to be a good year!

Merry

We have done some baking. Sand Tarts, Swistle's Mint-Chocolate Brownies (so good!), and just now my MIL and AJ whipped up some chocolate chip cookie dough, for cookies to be baked tonight. Gotta have plenty for Santa, you know. I actually enjoyed letting her run my kitchen for a while -- I got out the ingredients for her, so she wouldn't have to go digging blind in my pantry, but I know that her normal place during the holidays is in the kitchen, so I'm sure she feels a bit untethered when she's not at her house. I don't think she felt put upon, just something fun to do to pass the holiday time. AJ has become quite adept at the counter, measuring out sugar and Tablespoons and sampling chocolate chips (he's a natural!). He won't crack eggs, but I don't blame him. I have a small fear of getting shells in my cookies, myself.

I got to do a solo shopping trip this morning -- basically I just left, with FIL in charge. Might not have been wise, heh. But I went to Target for stocking stuffers and last minute brainstorms, and then to Publix for sausage dressing ingredients and some more chips. And bread, milk, and potty paper -- did you hear we might have snow? A whole INCH! It's going to be magical and maybe icy, and maybe something will get cancelled if we're lucky.

KT is being adorable. We got her hair cut yesterday before meeting DH at his office and taking him out to lunch (something I hope becomes a tradition). Except when she's refusing to take a nap; that's not adorable. Her go-to line is "I wanna snaaaack" when she's starting to get really tired. I know what she means: she wants something but can't put her finger on exactly what it is, so... it must be food she wants. (Hmm. Might need to address this problem before she gets too emotionally dependent on food like her genes might lend her to be, ahem. And yes, I HAVE been enjoying the cookies, thank you very much for asking.) We suckered her with blankie and Elf with Will Ferrell this afternoon, and she's still out on my bed right now.

DH and I are playing Words With Friends because the App Store has had a 99-cent sale on games. (I also got Tetris! 1995 FTW!) I love it. A tiny little connection and reason to smile about him during random moments in the day. He played the word "S-E-X" today, a ten-point letter and a subtle wink, all at the same time. Hee hee. Technology is keeping us sane for the holidays (as you can see by my typing here).

We're all healthy and happy, and I wish the same for all of you sweet people who keep coming here to read my thoughts. Merry, Merry Christmas, and blessings to fill your heart.

Virus, as expected

My special snowflake is properly diagnosed, and he's fine enough today to go to school. I didn't take his temp but he didn't feel abnormally warm like he has the last 3 days. So, Tylenol, brisk clap, you're going to school, Mister. Especially since the next 2 weeks are holidays. He's gotten smart enough to WANT to stay home "sick" now: Ferris Bueller syndrome, uh-oh. Good thing our thermometers are "instant-read" these days and he doesn't have time to dunk it into his hot chocolate while I'm not looking!

I only have 3 more days of work until my own Christmas break! Realizing this today has made me happy. I think my in-laws arrive on Wednesday next week (or maybe Tuesday), which will help with the entertaining of the kids - as will my neighbor's offer of a play-date with her son. Woo! I'll have a few additional shopping tasks to complete, and some dinner menus to stress over, but other than that, I'm looking forward to some one on one time with my Kindle. Book Club chose a very fluffy Carl Hiassen novel (Star Island), which should be Perfect. I've never read him before but it sounds like just what I need.

All that comes AFTER the Company Christmas Party this weekend, however. Ughhhhh. Do you hate your Company Christmas Party, too? No matter what, I think, they are destined to be LAME. Good thing I have a few good friends at work, and that we've made a pact that no one sits down until ALL of us have arrived. Last year I made that mistake, thinking a random table would be "A good opportunity to GET TO KNOW more people." Wrong-o. DH and I small-talked our way through about 7 minutes of our meal and then got up "for drinks" and never went back. Boring people! Also drunk and unappetizing (one couple were plotting their escape to the hotel room they'd booked, and having a dress rehearsal for what they were planning to do in said room FTLOG). Our friends finally got there and as soon as we could, the 4 of us booked it to the hotel bar. I also WILL NOT participate in the Electric Slide this year, no matter what anyone says!!

Sick days

I'm feeling anxious this morning. AJ has had a fever now for 2 days, hovering between 100 and 102. It started Sunday afternoon, when he said he was tired -- something he NEVER says -- and slept through dinner. Later that night *I* was the one running to toss my cookies (you're welcome), so we both stayed home yesterday (Monday). My third sick day w/a child in the last month-ish. AJ felt fine all day yesterday, although I couldn't get his fever down with ibuprofen or magic. I figured he'd be completely righted by this morning, just a little 24-hour thing, until he came into my room and asked for some Sprite, because his tummy hurt. He was laying his head down on the table at breakfast. Still eating, which I thought was a good sign, but clearly not feeling great. Still a 101 fever.

This is where it gets harder as a 2-working-parent family than if one parent stays home, or even works at home. Of course, DH immediately said he would stay home with him today, which we always do. Switch off, I mean. He probably went to bed last night knowing that might be his fate today -- but I still feel guilty that I'm not there (it's a Mom thing, right?) and I'll feel bad about my work if I have to stay home with him again tomorrow (although I'll take my laptop home, obviously), and my mind's not focusing on all my catch-up work here at 6:50 a.m., not to mention an email that was waiting in my Inbox indicating I'm not completing one of my job-tasks the right way.

It's bad timing, too, since I've already requested off all next week for Christmas. I realize this is why they give us sick days, but when they're all close together like this it's uncomfortable. My boss is kind and I know she would/will say, "Take care of your son and get some rest," but still.

I'm sure I've written this very same post before. And with 2 kids, I'm sure I'll write it again in a couple of weeks when KT gets the germ. Sigh.

I wonder what this weird fever is, that won't go away? DH will take him to the doc today, and gosh, I hope they say, oh, his body's just trying to keep warm in this strangely cold winter we seem to be having, no biggie. But somehow I doubt it.

More Arts, Please

I am enjoying your lists of traditions (see below); keep 'em coming. :)

Today, though, I want to document a couple of things. I've always loved the arts. And... hee, hee, the crafts. They've both been on my mind.

The Arts, because this season is filled with music, and mine has been speaking to me profoundly. My sister's chorus (oh look! there she is, right on top of their webpage!) recorded an amazing Christmas CD. I've been listening to it daily, but only as much as I can stand, because it's so emotionally moving I can only do one or two songs at a time. I'm amazed by the power that one chord, or, in "The Friendly Beasts," (a song I usually don't care for, btw) ONE NOTE at the lower end of the piano honestly moves me to tears. I've been wishing that I could fill my every HOUR with music and make a living from it. I don't know that that's my calling, but oh, what a joy it would be. I'm ever grateful for my own small part in the world of Music -- like last night, I got to cantor at the Immaculate Conception vigil Mass. Although it took me away from my home and family for yet another hour, I was truly lifted up by being allowed to sing. Even humble little ol' "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman." So, so grateful.

And The Crafts, because yesterday I went to the fabric store to buy grosgrain ribbon and barettes. I'm making KT a few hairbow stocking stuffers all by myself, and the idea of getting out my glue gun and attempting a new thing was surprisingly exciting for me. I don't have time for big craft projects anymore, but even a tiny trip into that side of my creativity gives me a little boost. I need to remember that, and find things I like doing, and DO THEM. Creativity is good! Crafts are okay!

Holidays are Here

We put up our tree this weekend and got the house decorated with minimal trouble and fuss. I mean, there’s always nonsense when you’re asking a six-year-old and a two-year-old to calmly (ha!) put the ornaments on, one at a time please (ha!), and no, don’t take them off againDon’tTOUCHTHATONE (ha?)… but mostly we got it done in under 2 hours. Then Sunday I got the other inside decorations up (stockings, garlands, candles) while DH vacuumed. The kids just wandered around behind me looking at all the new things. It was peaceful. I do remember them both getting sent to their rooms for throwing things at one point. But usually I stress about the whole ordeal, and get overwhelmed when I see ALL the plastic tubs of Christmas decorations we’ve collected over the years. Yesterday I didn’t, though. We have too much stuff so I don’t even attempt to put everything up anymore. I think the house looks lovely, and wow, is it CLEAN! Cleaner than it’s been in a long while, I’m sad-but-happy to admit.

All that’s left is for me to display the Christmas china. One of my favorite things.

Tradition is a big deal for me, so our Elf on the Shelf is making his daily appearance, which the kids love. Aside: AJ had to do a Social Studies project yesterday about a family tradition. I didn't want to do the Elf because it's so common around here. I couldn’t really think of a great holiday one. I mean an Event. We haven’t ever adopted something like a Wintery Walk around the Neighborhood to look at lights, or a Christmas Pajamas and Photo on Christmas Eve tradition. I felt kind-of weird about that, but had to put something – I told him, ‘How about our summer tradition of a family reunion at the beach?’ It IS something we do every year, after all. Is that lame? I don’t know. I could have said Christmas Cherries Jubilee (see below), but we haven’t exactly done that every year. I guess we’re a young-ish family, and traditions will develop eventually And I’d rather they develop organically and not be forced. Anyway, the Elf: We suspect AJ has an inkling about the Truth, and KT is slightly afraid of Pepper, understandably, but it’s still a fun thing to do every year. We had a little festive snack after decorating the tree, as we do (tradition). This year it was pumpkin bread (from a mix) -- a HUGE hit. I’d like to make some Christmas cookies one weekend, as well. There are so many kid-friendly recipes from which to choose!

We’ll be home for Christmas, and DH’s parents will be with us. I’m singing with the choir at Midnight Mass, but I think we’ll take the kids to an earlier one and fight for parking with everyone else. I usually do some kind of soup (like baked potato) for Christmas Eve dinner, and then a festive breakfast on Christmas morning. I haven’t decided what to make, exactly, for Christmas dinner, but I am requiring myself to include my Mom’s sausage dressing, so that probably means turkey, and I want cranberry jelly from the can and I want Cherries Jubliee, even though my Mom won’t be here to light and stir the fire. Oh! I think I also want to make her bread pudding at some point this year. Lots, lots to do. :)

The grumpies, some links and Christmas Shopping!

I’m in a grumpy mood, for, um…. lunar reasons, as well as my kids being growly monsters to me this morning, AND S’bux not having Christmas Blend available to drink, only to purchase as beans or grounds. Boo. I wanted to taste that today and feel cheery.

In an attempt to turn the tides, let me now talk about Things I Like. Nicole suggested I do this, as did my Darling Husband, because then my Christmas wishes would be out there for the people who need to see them. I have an Amazon wish list, but every time I go to ‘shop’ for my own list, I start feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus. For some reason writing down What I Like in a Word document is easier.

I like Wine. Swistle suggested this as a gift for people who don’t want anything, and I agreed with her! It’s slightly expensive-ish, but when you’re trying to develop a wine project, it’s an investment, am I right?? I'm concerned about delivery - someone said they ship "Signature required," and I'm never home. But I like the idea of a 3-month subscription, delivering 1 Red/1 White, every other month. (Seems rude to get so specific. I want I want I want.)

I like wine glasses (but not my cobalt blue ones). I want some stemless ones, even though they’re not “in” anymore, according to my home décor and entertaining sources. Our “thing” this year has been Netflix and wine, when we remember it and I’m not half-dead-asleep on the couch on a weekend night, and it’s uncomfortable to hold a stemmed glass when you’re trying to snuggle under a blanket in the dark.

I like Purses. I love purses, in fact. I haven't bought as many this year as usual. I've never had a Vera Bradley (and this one's on sale), so it would be a fun, new look for me. And naturally I like Coach, but they are not in a very jolly price range so I wouldn't ask anybody to buy one for me. Still, fun to look!

I like Jewelery. I say this every year, but I can never have enough new earrings. When you wear an accessory every day, it’s nice to have plenty to rotate around, you know? Even cheap ones from Target are a welcome gift for me, because I rarely buy myself new ones (except I DID buy a pair the other day, on clearance, and that was FUN)! I prefer silver as a general rule, but gold is making a comeback and I don’t have anything NEW in gold. I need a long, bangly necklace of some sort (cheap), too.

I like Coffee. My Mom always gets me Starbucks gift cards and I LURVH her for that. But coffees for my home use, or VIA instant flavored packets, would be rilly cute in a stocking! A friend has been giving me her Vanilla Gevalia coffee, and it’s delicious. Really, any pretty flavored coffee gift set would suit me just fine.

I am surprised to find I like Aprons. It's the one Amazon browsing success I've had. They seem to be making a comeback, and my husband will tell you that I am a MESS in the kitchen. I’ve ruined plenty of white blouses while cooking spaghetti. Dumb. One apron that I think is cute is this one at C&B. (Aside: I love red. It’s been my favorite color since childhood. Is that odd? Never changes. None of the other colors in the rainbow sparkle, for me, like red.) I also totally love this one, even though it is decidedly NOT red.

Can’t you just see me, decked out in my apron, with new silver earrings, and a stemless glass of red wine in-hand while I cook? Me too.

A is for Aladdin, B is for Belle…

Once you start looking, you realize that Disney basically owns the entire known universe, especially the commercial parts. ESPN, the Herbie movies, both old and new, the Three Little Pigs for heaven’s sake, and ABC News. They may even station a glittery Tinkerbell over the A-B-Cs, themselves, one of these days. I wouldn’t be surprised.

You kind-of want to dislike them for that. For commercializing everything and charging an arm and a leg for it. For playing that incessant song on the Ride That Shall Not Be Named for your earworm convenience (on the boats, with the dancing dolls). For putting Princess stuff EVERYWHERE from the time your girl babies are born, including on diapers and underwear. And for making you feel like you WANT to pay an arm and a leg when you’re there at the parks, because it’s MAGIC. They have conned you! There’s nothing magic about it, it’s just the savviest of savvy businessmen getting ready to hear the ka-ching.

But, in fact, it IS pretty magical.



KT meets Princess Aurora by running up to her and promptly telling her all the things she knows, about her friend MacKenzie, and school, and going to the fair, and cake, and Dolly… like she’s just met her BFF in person for the very first time. I cried.


And AJ, seriously committed to his appointment to the Jedi Academy at Disney Hollywood Studios. He learned his moves and especially made his Daddy proud (near to tears, I hope he doesn't mind if I mention) by fighting Darth Maul. In a Jedi robe! All I can say is CUTE! And BEWARE, Dark Side.

We had a wonderful, magical time this Thanksgiving. Thank you, Mom and Dad, and thank you, Walt Disney. I'm grateful for you, too!

November: Lists, Drugs, Cone-heads and Mickey Mouse

Has anyone seen the month of November? I know it was here, but somehow it got away from me and I’m looking over my shoulder, side to side... nope, gone. What happened?!

In related news: I’m not ready for Christmas yet!! I did, however, get an Advent calendar, about which I'm unreasonably excited. I got a paper one so I wouldn't have to come up with 25 days' worth of non-candy treats. Usin' the ol' noggin.

DH and I have done some shopping for the kidlets – he handles the action figures and I handle the pink stuff. I think they’re both going to have a nice Santa spread, but not extravagant. I still need to get a few small things to round it out, and stocking stuffers. The stressful part for me is shopping for family members and friends. Don’t you agree? My main issues are thus:

• Distance -- We don’t know from seeing them daily what kinds of things they like, or already have.


• Wish Lists – Agh. Have I whined about this before? We typically exchange “gift ideas” with each other, but I’m completely bored by it. It feels more like business and not like we give because we love the recipient and are thoughtful and creative. I struggle with this every year. Of course everyone wants to receive things they like, and sometimes coming up with ideas out of thin air is hard (see: Distance, above)... but some people in my family insist, “I need your lists!!” and there’s all this pressure, and I want to say, “Just go to Pier One and pick something pretty! Like a candle because it’s consumable and won’t stay in my house for the next 40 years. Or better yet, a tin of hot cocoa.” Why does it have to be so hard? I guess we don’t all want a pile of Hostess Gifts, but on the other hand... why not?? They’re lovely.

I don’t mean to complain. Mostly my sis-in-law was very persistent about wanting our lists this year. In AUGUST. I don’t think I ever sent her one so she’s going to have to figure it out. I’m anxious to get myself in gear for them, and for all our parents, friends and neighbors. My failsafe: I bought extra Cub Scout popcorn in yummy flavors so the neighbors might be taken care of. ;)

LISTS!

...

November has been asthma awareness month. By the end of nearly every night I’m sighing REAL LOUD and my lungs kind-of ache. I got a doctor's appointment as soon as one was available (Nov 30) and then went to the Little Clinic for a new inhaler that is not expired.

And speaking of drugs. I’m one of three of us family members on antibiotics at the moment, for the vague issue of "sinus trouble" (HATE). Frankly, the humidifier seems to have helped more in the last 2 days than 7 days’ worth of horse-pills, but whatever. AJ had strep so he’s on teh juice, too, and Napoleon the dog is also medicated. I hadn’t told you about that but long story short, he had some surgery after a difficult decision about whether or not he could handle the anesthesia. Happy to report that he handled it just fine, and we’re glad to have him back, and have him available for cuddling and patting. He is no longer a smelly cone-head, and I am no longer wiping down his reverse lampshade collar every day with a Lysol wipe. Thank GOD. Blech.

...

Let’s end this month with a flourish – we’re off to Disney World tomorrow. The Happiest Place on Earth, during The Busiest Week of The Year (a fact about which I was not aware). Could be our least favorite trip there, but somehow I think it’ll still be awesome. Happy Thanksgiving!

Seven Quick Verbs for the Weekend

1. Read: I can’t wait to do some reading this weekend. It is now 5 days before my next Book Club meeting, and I’m finally dialed into the book. (The Host, Stephanie Meyer.) And oh, man, do I want to read it A LOT this weekend. I’m going to have to carve out unique times for reading, though, because prime time is OUT. I fall asleep nearly immediately once my friend, A$$, meets my friend, Couch. Especially if their buddy, Afghan, comes over. Watch out. Yesterday I read for an hour and a half in the late afternoon, outdoors, while AJ played with our neighbor friend. It was heaven. (KT was still at school which, I’m sorry to say, makes a huge difference.) Maybe I’ll get up before the kids this weekend and make my coffee, and read for an hour. HA. I said maybe.

2. Sing: We sang the first of our Christmas music last night at choir. I’m supremely excited because 1.) I haven’t sung at a Midnight Mass in YEARS because we were either traveling or I was on a choir-break. This year, I’m IN choir, we’re staying HOME for Christmas. Win win! AND 2.) we have an excellent director who’s chosen some of my very favorites (Still, Still, Still – in English, not German, but …still (heh), it’s a great piece, and In the Bleak Mid-Winter, with a soprano solo that I WANT I WANT I WANT).

3. Hike: Did I mention I hiked yesterday? Am So Proud Of Self! The best news is the Cub Scouts have a “Go See It” planned for Sunday, at “my” mountain! Avec hike! I’m excited to share this family activity. Built-in exercise for the win!

4. Wash: Laundry, of course. I shamefully let a load sit in my dryer for 3 days this week. Just folded ‘em last night. I am a terrible laundress.

5. Choose: We’ve been saying we’re going to repaint the walls of our kitchen/living area. It’s been on the goal list forever. “This year,” I’ve said. “THIS YEAR we’re going to do it.” I had October in mind. ...Whoops. Anyway, tomorrow’s only got one planned activity at lunchtime – maybe we could at least go to the paint store and choose the colors. Bring home a test pint, or something. It’d be nice to have it done for Christmas.

6. Sleep. OBVS.

7. Charge: my iPod nano. I have to go down to the basement to plug it into my now old G3 iMac (or, wait, is it even an “i” Mac? Or just a plain ol’ Mac? I can’t keep up) because this iPod is synced there, instead of our family-room laptop. But I have some great music on there for the kids, and I can’t continue to listen to the Disney Halloween CD in the car every time they shout, “Halloween music!” October is PASSED. I’m ready for some new Tunes.

What’re you doing this weekend?

More Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Monday, Accompli

Hiked today: 20 minutes. Yesssssssss. *fist pump*

Not Hiking, and Camping

I guess it’s sinuses. I woke up yesterday with a ridiculous headache, right behind my left eye. All morning I was worried it would devolve into a migraine. I don’t really know how migraines work, but I have had them thrice in my life, and it felt like yesterday was on a migraine trajectory -- even AFTER taking an Extra-Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcap, which was recommended to me by my nurse friend. Four hours and several snotty Kleenexes later, I took a generic brand ibuprofen, and finally got some relief.

I’ve been having these “allergies” now for 3 weeks. I think they may not be allergies? Ahem. Sadly, they are also involving a good bit more asthma than I would like. Once, in my 20s, I was diagnosed with a very mild case of it. After it passed, I really haven’t had any “episodes” in a long time. Until lately. Nearly every night, when my 24-hour Claritin wears off, I’m having to medicate with the leftover Albuterol inhaler that was prescribed to AJ in 2005 (I know – I feel shame about using a probably expired, not prescribed to me, inhaler. But it helps).

Yesterday I made telephone calls. First to the insurance company to initiate the process of changing my primary care doc. Next to the new doc to see if they have any appointments this week. (They don’t.) Next up: Find a minute-clinic and see if I can get a proper Albuterol Rx.

It’s all very sad and tragic over here, isn’t it?!

So I didn’t hike. OBVS. Why would I have posted about it, without the express knowledge that some minor roadblock would certainly derail my plans?? That’s what ALWAYS seems to happen. It's like the universe Reads Blogs. However, my coworker and I did our 15-minute walking video, which helped clear my head, and then after putting the kids to bed I did my slated-for-Tuesday yoga. It also helped a bit. I will have to hike Thursday and Friday this week, but dangit, I am HIKING.

P.S. Camping went well. AJ is one of only 2 kids in his Den who braved the cold and received a Polar Bear patch – for those who camp overnight in less than 27-degree weather. (!!!) They were tired and smelled of campfire when they got home, but full of memories.

Hiking and Camping

Last week I made a Health Kick decision adjustment goal wish. It was based on the fact that my husband has been so successful this year, working out FAITHFULLY at least 3 days a week at his gym. He has, in 11 months, shaped up and done good things for his heart and his muscles, and I’m really, really proud of him. I want that kind of consistency for myself, SO BADLY. So I decided that I need to do things that I ENJOY, otherwise I won’t stick to them.

You know what I enjoy? Hiking. I mean, I haven’t ever done a LOT of hiking, but I’ve always preferred to take my walks on some sort of nature trail, rather than on the streets of my boring ol’ subdivision. And there’s a mountain right near here. I mean, RIGHT near – less than 7 minutes’ drive from work and home. So Monday, at my lunch break, I went to the mountain. I was wearing work clothes (not fancy ones, just khakis and a long-sleeved t-shirt) but I put on my walking shoes in the parking lot and began my trek. And it. Was. Awesome. Just adding an incline to my 20-minute walk boosted my energy and my heart so much! I was somehow surprised by that. I went very slowly, but the blood was pumping. And the view was lovely, of course, and it was a beautiful day.

So I put in my calendar to do this on Mondays and Fridays, at lunch. I don’t want to jinx it by declaring all the working out I’m going! To! Do! But… I’m planning for Tuesdays and Wednesdays to be yoga days after dinner, because the other thing I enjoy? Yoga. And it's not so strenuous. I should, in fact, think of it as RELAXING time. Thursdays = choir practice, which is a workout in itself. And one day of the weekend, I want to get up early and do a kickboxing video, because I liked kickboxing, too, back in the day. (I think my only video is a VHS, however. Hm. Might have to remedy that first.)

Anyway, hiking! Today!

The boys’ camping trip looms. Yesterday DH and I became Lifetime Members of REI during our lunch break. Ha! We are definitely not REI-types. But we needed to rent some Varsity-level sleeping bags for them, and that was the cheaper way to do it. Temps are predicted to be in the 20s where they’re going. It may snow. Ay-yi-yi. I’m praying for them to have fun and not be miserably chattering their teeth. I made sure to also buy thermal underwear and new gloves for AJ. They leave at 8 am tomorrow morning, and return on Sunday at noon.

Menu-Plan.. Tuesday

My darling husband did the shopping Sunday for me, based on this list. I love him so. Getting a break from my weekly Publix, as much as I do love Publix, was a very welcome gift.


Monday: Brinner! Breakfast for Dinner, for those of you who didn't watch Scrubs when it was funny. Pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. *hallelujah chorus*


Tuesday: chicken nuggets (over salad for me). Corn or green beans on the side.


Wednesday: pizza and salad


Thursday: Chili, mmm. Served with saltines.


Friday: Crock-pot Buffalo Lasagna, courtesy of the Fabulous Stephanie O'Dea. Tried this recipe out a year ago (or more), and it was a hit.


Saturday: Who knows, because KT and I are having Girls' Night! Daddy and AJ will be on their 1st Cub Scout camping trip if all goes as planned, and I predict Beauty and the Beast will be on our TV while they're gone! Perhaps some nail polishing activities will take place. :)

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Anyone keep an Advent calendar? I like the idea of the pretty ones from Pottery Barn and C&B, with the little drawers, but what in the world do you put in the drawers, if not candy? I also want a way to make it Advent and not Christimas, i.e., relative to the Church season. I suppose I need to go online but thought I'd ask you smart people first.

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I volunteered to sing today at the noon Mass for All Souls' Day. Why did I do that? I don't have time to do that. I mean, I'm perfectly happy to tkae a 1.5-hour lunch, but ...sigh. Department of "Can't Say No."

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Another project on my list is to take a whole bunch of clothes to this kids' consignment place nearby. I SO want to do that, but it will involve a full day's worth of organizing and laundering first, I think. Argh. However: They pay cash and I have some CUTE stuff worth selling. These Difficult Economic Times... anyone else do consignment sales?

Important Shift re: Working

Honestly, I could post all day on the topic of working moms. In fact, if WorkIt, Mom offered me a full-time job (that paid the bills), I would consider it heaven.

I found this comment from Moxie's post particularly fascinating, although it shouldn't be a surprise, it's not NEWS, really. Our modern-day version of SAHM-dom is a totally new concept. I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but I think it's true, the idea that we can run a household all by ourselves, be directly involved with our kids in scheduled, engaging activities, pursue our own interests on the side, etc., is distinctly different from the way our grandmothers did it (i.e., with help). My fascination with the evolution of feminism and the economy continues. If I were very smart (and not working, ha), I'd write something intellectual about it with sources and citations and theories.

I often talk about my Mom being a SAHM. Well, I need to clarify that. She was a SAHM when we were infants and toddlers, but went to work as a teacher the very DAY my little sister started Kindergarten, and worked all the way through until she just recently retired at age mumblemumble. I want to give her ALL the props she deserves for raising two productive members of society as a WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME Mom! Shout it from the mountaintops! She was a role model to me in that way, though I'm only just now realizing it. She went to graduate school, and so higher education and a career were just something I assumed would be part of my life, and they now are. (Well, not a master's degree, but a career anyway.) And her income was significant to our family operation, as is mine. Thank you, Mom! Also: Solidarity!

As my babies grow up and I move away from that often painful, biological desire to be with them every minute of the day, I'm coming to an end of my jealousy toward the moms who stay at home. (Which was always tempered with, "I don't know if I could even handle that, myself.") I'll never get the time back, I guess, but it's easier to reconcile at this point than it was when my parenthood journey began. I'm grateful as ever for that emotional shift.

It's almost comical to talk about whether or not daycare babies will be affected -- of course they're going to thrive. We had AJ's first grade parent-teacher conference last week. Um... I don't want to brag, but... he seems to be turning out just fine. According to the report and the "results" we're getting so far, I wouldn't change a single thing. ;)

I love this from Ask Moxie

I'm not having working mom angst lately, but it pops up perennially for me, and I think for nearly every mom who kisses her babies goodbye on weekday mornings during their toddler years.

Her response to a new WOHM was awesome:

From "Guilt guilt guilt:"

Being a mom hurts in all sorts of ways, big and small, transitory and lasting, and from all sorts of things, doesn't it?

Before we go any further: You are not damaging your son by working. He will thrive,
because you are his mother and you come home to him every day.

I wish that we all had jobs we loved and feel are worthy of our time, but earning the money to support our families is honorable and right. You are a good mom. You were a good mom when you were home with him, and now you're a good mom because you work.

With Bruises on Both Knees

So far, what I know about the Cub Scouts is that it’s very loud and the kids have plenty of time to chase each other around the school cafeteria. That’s the basic gist of the Pack meetings I have attended thus far. They do try to use that “2 fingers in the air” trick to quiet the boys down, but it does nothing, I’m afraid, to quiet the talkative parents, and that is a shame.

I’ve always thought that trick was pretty ingenious, myself. I’m a shusher, admittedly. Sometimes I kind-of horrify myself because I’ll shush a group of adults as if they’re children (in the choir loft before Mass starts, for example). But my goodness, people, SHHHH! There are microphones, and no choir needs to be heard as they gossip about the parishioners or chatter about yesterday’s college football games! Yi-yi-yi. Shh. As soon as I do it, I’m embarrassed for being the goody-goody, but on the other hand… *two fingers in the air*

Anyway, the Cub Scouts. Last night was their Halloween party, so they were extra excited. Costumed kids – I saw a Billy Idol, a Shaun White, several white-masked, black-hooded ghouls and the 6-year-old store-bought superheroes -- played some toss-the-ghost-into-the-pumpkin games for candy and pencil prizes. It was like, the best night of their LIVES. (No, I take that back: the first meeting, when they “built” “rockets” out of construction paper and then LAUNCHED them into the night sky with one of those air pedal thingys – THAT was probably the best night of their lives. But this was a close second.)

In other words, Cub Scouts is going exactly as it should be. :) Boys, snips, snails, etc. The first camping trip coming up in two weeks. I am incurably romantic about the boy-and-his-father bond, relative to scouting. The dads who are den leaders just warm my heart, wearing their uniforms and saluting with the boys as they introduce and then retire The Colors. Lovvvvvve. Respect and Good Citizenship: I am FOR. I am very eager for DH and AJ to share this overnight experience. I hope it will be fun for both of them, and I’m mildly jealous that I can’t be a fly on the tent wall, but I imagine AJ being nervous when he hears the nighttime noises of the forest, and DH being the strong, calming presence. I also imagine there will be some silly camping antics, throwing of rocks into the fire, the requisite lesson on peeing in the bushes, and all that other boy stuff.

It starts with blue blankets, then dinosaurs and trains, and then progresses to this stage, and I don't know if it's just all so NEW for me, as a girl who grew up without any brothers, but I still just really love having a little boy.

Two links you've got to see

In case you've missed this, clickclickclick right now! So funny:

http://mompetition.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-i-cant-make-mom-friends.html

And from the comments on that video, a about being a "good enough" parent (AMEN):

http://www.informedparent.com/article.html?thegoodenoughparent

Sad, sad tragical people

Yesterday AJ and I were a couple of sad sacks at the monthly skating party his school puts on. Neither one of us had any friends to play with. There were plenty of girls from his class, but none of the boys he plays with – in fact, only one other boy from his class at all. So he bumbled around the indoor-jungle-gym area, climbing up and sliding down kind-of aimlessly, and coming over to sip on his drink at my table more often than he normally would. I felt sorry for him.

I would have felt sorry for myself, too, at the table all alone, except that I had my Kindle app and a new book to read. But the other moms were definitely cliqued up, in an “our girls have already spent the night together” way. They’ve bonded since we all started Kindergarten last year. For one thing, Daisy Scouts starts in Kindergarten whereas Cub Scouts doesn’t start until First Grade for the boys, so they’re a year up on us in extra-curriculars. Whatever. They were perfectly nice, just didn't make much effort toward me. But it was no big deal – as I said, I had a book to read and bought myself a carby soft pretzel. No good socializing, but a fine way to get some “quiet” me-time while the music played loud and the crazy lights created my backdrop. AJ managed to get some exercise, I guess, and did play with the girls as much as he could stand. But when we left, he was definitely bummed out.

And then KT. She is a JOY when you pick her up from school – telling you all about her day, talk-talk-talking, asking for gum (her new favorite thing).... But the minute she comes in the house and sees me (DH picks her up most days), she morphs into the whiniest, want-i-est pitiful baby. Nothing to say about it, I suppose – she’s two – but man, does it make me weary. I cringe when I think of how little I am able to SMILE when she’s like that. I get that weary sound in my voice, and I act like it's a chore to DEAL WITH IT, which it IS. That usually bleeds over into AJ’s mood, too, and then no one in the entire FAMILY is able to smile. And forget about doing fun projects after dinner, or about anyone having dessert – when the kids are whiny and we’re directorial, they clearly won’t want to eat their dinner or behave at the table. And somehow I can't *brisk clap!* and shake it off and get everyone to about-face back to Happy (Dammit)!

Seriously, my one great wish, even if it were just for the weekends, is that we could do something fun, something together, that makes us laugh and just ENJOY each other for goshsakes.

Do you have any suggestions that aren't "Go out for ice cream?"

Things that didn't take

We didn't make it to the apple orchard; our friend who planned the outing got sick and bailed. It was too hot, anyway -- not very fall-like -- and I found out later that our neighbors went apple picking the same day... so then I was glad. I would not really have wanted to run into them. Shame on me, but we see them nearly every day.

We're in another night-waking phase with KT. I'm sure it's teeth. It's always teeth. And I have seen some little molars in the back of her mouth, poor thing. She wakes up and wants to come into our bed. Uh... no. Sorry. Co-sleeping doesn't work for us. For one thing, we have a queen-sized mattress. We've brought her in a couple of times and it has usually been a mistake. (Despite that one tender moment when she patted my cheek.) So we cover her back up, doze in her rocking chair for a few minutes, leave her door open as requested, and cross our fingers on the way back to bed. I've never had trouble falling back to sleep after these episodes, until now. It's at least half an hour these days. And last night, I had some song in my head -- one of the kids' songs -- and THAT was annoying. And then I had the weirdest dreams about random people from my high school years. (Some of whom I couldn't find on Facebook this morning -- because of course, after dreaming about them, I had to look! Who isn't on FB?? ComeON.)

South Beach Diet didn't really take. A person can only go so long without a carb at breakfast -- and I'm not talking about a whole-grain healthy starch. I'm talking about a CARB. A delicious, white-bread fattening carb, preferrably with some cheese and bacon or butter and jelly. Mmmmm. I'm still going to TRY -- Canadian bacon with lo-fat cheese and V8 this morning, but I'm extremely bored with it. NOT to mention, it's about to be Gumbo season (serve over rice). I'm ready to pick a weekend to make a big pot of it.

Of course, THAT won't take with the kids. How do you get little kids to like Gumbo? It has okra and is spicy; I'm sure it'll be a no-go. But somehow all of us kids with Cajun heritage learn to love it... Maybe get them interested in the fun of dipping French bread in the broth? Hrm. A challenge for me in the years to come.

1. excited to be on the 1st grade Halloween party committee
2. Godiva coffee
3. time to plan holiday vacation days!
4. happy to continually be carried through these days
5. grateful for my loving, little kisses marriage

7 Quick-Takes Blessings to Count

It's your lucky day -- I have not 5... not 6... but 7 things for which I'm grateful. :)

1. Fri-hi-hi-hi-day. THANKFUL is not all-caps enough to explain how happy I am that THIS work-week is over. It wasn't hard or terrible, just full. Yesterday and today, especially, we've been hosting a consultant in my department. He is easygoing and very nice, and the meetings aren't hard -- they're just talking! -- but it's no fun to have to be ON a full 8 hours.

2. 8:30 am T-ball practice tomorrow. I know you're scratching your head -- she's thankful for this? -- but I am. I love the morning, and hardly ever get to be outdoors that early. I like the crisp air, the angle of the sun, wearing a hat, and most of all the dark cherry mocha that goes so well with it all.

3. Apple-picking. We're going to an apple orchard this Sunday for its fall festival, something I've wanted to do for YEARS but am too lazy to plan myself. So thank goodness for friends who are resourceful about those kinds of things. They suggested it, and I'm jumping on-board. Very excited -- they have a petting zoo, bobbing for apples, a tractor-pulled "hayride," and... the best part... a "Moonshine Museum," whatever that is!

4. Anyone watch "The Office?" last night? I'm very grateful for funny television. I laughed out loud several times, cringed a few others -- it was a very entertaining episode with a musical theater performance, to boot! Sometimes a good laugh is very good medicine after a long day.

5. Grateful for music, even when it's hard. Choir practice kicks my butt most of the time, and definitely did last night. It's physically demanding, and mentally even moreso. I'm not so grateful for the pitch problems in our particular choir, but as our director put it, it improves our prayer life, in order that we get through it! Ha! What a... gift. But really... music is sometimes just amazing. 16th-century harmonies? Can't beat that for beauty. I read this about music recently -- it is long, but very worth it.

6. I am so, so grateful for every hug, smile, and kiss that I receive from my husband and sweet kids. They are my whole reason for everything.

7. The little blessings of working for a good company. Free lunch today, early "dismissal" on Fridays, kindness and goodness of our people, especially regarding one employee in need right now, and the blessing of doing good work that actually means something to people. All that really helps when I'm feeling whiny about the daily grind of databases and proposals and content plans and blah-blah.

XOXO, Sweetsies.

More quick takes here.

Mind you...

To clarify: I am not feeling especially stressed this week. But I find it funny that when I clock in at work, especially on Mondays, it takes a long while before I transition the mind from home-manager to work-manager. If it ever transitions at all.

We turned the heat on last night. Yay! Fall! However, my eyes are suffering the effects of the dry air being pumped in (even though they were closed the majority of the time it was on). They don't want to be open AT ALL this morning. My babies were sleepy, too -- our T-ball game lasted longer than we thought it would, and then a lot of us gathered at the Dairy Queen for ice cream slash dinner. It was such fun -- all the kids, including little KT, the only girl among those big, rowdy boys, gathered in one big circular booth. Us parents hovered in booths nearby. There was talk about our end-of-season party (hooray, it's almost end-of-season!). There were Dilly Bars! (KT ate nothing but sugar last night. Some applesauce, Skittles at the game -- I was the Mom corrupting all the other toddler siblings, and I could feel the dirty looks coming my way, as other kids whined that they wanted some Skittles toooooo! WHOOPS -- ketchup, and ice cream.) I think it was a memory-making moment for the kids. :) And well worth it.

But we got home late. I told DH we would have broccoli smoothies for dinner tonight, by gosh, and the kids will be in bed early. And on we go.... !


1. cool weather, enough for a jacket
2. small pleasures, like Skittles :)
3. AJ played so well - it's fun to be proud of your kid working hard
4. a warm home and bed to go to sleep in
5. a job to come to in the morning.

As expected, October:

Today is the Blessing of the Pets at AJ’s school. It’s at 2:30. I wish I could go. I remember when my elementary school had Blessing of the Pets. Luckily, AJ’s school lets kids bring a photo of their pet. So that will suffice. I grabbed one off the fridge this morning on the way out the door. I hope there are lots of other kids with photos in lieu of actual animals.

Tee-ball tonight. I hope AJ’s uniform isn’t balled up at the bottom of his hamper. Six o’clock game, so it’s another fast-food dinner. Dislike. I’m going to attempt Subway. (That way at least I get some vegetables.) Thank goodness it’s a 6 o'clock game, so we can get home at a decent hour, and thank goodness we took baths last night. After they go to bed, I get to attach the patches onto AJ’s Cub Scout uniform. Nothing like leaving it until the last minute! I’ll be thinking of my Granny, who had to sew the patches on for her FOUR boys. Thank goodness for “Badge Magic.”

I have to remember to pay for “Fun Food” this week, as well as sending in a form to order ground coffee (they’re selling it to earn a portion of the cost for the school).

Friday, I’m helping with the school’s annual picnic by making a trip to Costco with another volunteer, to buy burgers and hot dogs and buns, and whatever else they ask us to buy. I’m told we’ll need two cars to transport all that food back to the school. Yipes.

What night can I make peanut butter chicken? What night do I need to do KT’s laundry? Are the kids going to get sick this week? (Please no.) AJ’s class had a streak of strep last week, and KT already has the sniffles and her signature cough. Please don’t let it get worse. Please don’t let the ½ tsp of Dimetapp be really bad for her, even though the label says “not for kids under 4.” Was DH’s sickness this weekend just a 24-hour thing, or part of his chronic thing? When do I have time to go shop for long-sleeved t-shirts and Halloween costumes? Maybe today at lunch? Thank you, God and reflexology, for my lovely (Mother’s Day) massage yesterday.

These are the things I’m juggling in my brain this morning, trying to sort out. (Not the eleventy-umpteen things I have on my To-Do list at work – 7 new articles to post, new lists to compile, a new system to learn, a big contest to launch, 4 traffic reports to construct, some headlines to compose -- although those things probably need to be given some thought. At some point.)

1. massage
2. massage
3. choir sang a capella at Mass yesterday, and we didn't sound abyssmal
4. massage
5. beautiful Fall weather