Musings of The Mom Jen

I Owe the World Big Time Positive Karma

2012-01-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

Remember when those flashing lights got me the last time when I was climbing over the back seat?

If you forgot, read this post when I got carded twice in one night, http://www.themomjen.com/2008/07/i-was-carded-twice-in-one-night.html.

So over the weekend we had a MOST relaxing few days up in the sierras with my husband's family.

Eat, cozy by the fire, throw rocks in the lake, nap, repeat.

Glorious.

Well, one of the nights we drove across the stateline to a sports bar for dinner. I was not drinking, hubby indulged in ~~5 glasses~~ a glass or two of beer.

Of course I was going to drive home, and by the time we left everyone including me was exhausted.

The tourist spot was pretty dead everywhere due to the lack of snow, including on the road.

You know how you get in that, "I just want to get the heck home" mode, well that combined with driving over the speed limit was my way to make it happen.

Stupid.

Suddenly, I'm blinded by bright lights and it wasn't from the casinos around me. Red, white, and blue shimmered in my rear view window and my heart fell to my stomach.

Holy Shit!

I don't have my wallet with me.

Panic sets in as the cop approaches my window and asks me for my license and registration, proof of insurance. 2 out of 3 isn't normally bad.

When I tell him I don't have my license I see the look in his eyes. I'm freaking busted.

He then asks me my license number.

Thank goodness for my normally useless knack for remembering numbers.

Hell, I have my MOM's license number memorized for what reason I'll never know.

It's B...9....5...0......DAMN that's my social security number, wait...

I'm freaking out now. He's going to ask me if I was drinking, have me walk the line and put my finger on my nose (or whatever they do) in front of the kids scared in the back seat!!

Suddenly the number comes flooding back to my bloodless brain and spill it to him correctly as he writes it down.

Cold sweat drips from my brow as he says, "i'll be right back."

My husband pulls out his cell phone and giggles as he dials my brother-in-law's number, who was following us and probably drove by laughing.

I hear something like "Jen's busted!" and some more smirking but the heartbeat in my ear is overpowering.

His return to the car felt like hours.

I just want to get back to the cabin and sleep the whole experience away.

I hear, "I'm going to let you off with a warning...." and my first instinct is to jump through the window and kiss this uniformed god!

Oh my goodness, thank you so much comes out of my mouth and I choke on the urge to cry.

I'm sorry.

I drive the rest of the way back just under the speed limit.

I owe the world big time Karma.

This Kid Cracks Me Up!

2012-01-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

You know how I've always documented my youngest's cute words and sayings?

If not, scroll through the posts labeled K-lish, it's her cute little language, err speech impediments, well...they're super cute.

Now that my girl is less than a month away from her 6th birthday she is still saying THE cutest stuff that puts a smile on my face.

**This morning, she was walking around with a puka shell necklace, you know the ones with the teeny shells, and was putting them up to her ear saying, "ooh, ooh, yep I can hear the ocean. It sounds little."

**Last night my husband was sacked out on the couch around 8pm per usual (he's a commuter now) and K says, "listen mom, dad's SNORTING!" Do you mean snoring honey? "oh yah that."

**When watching an upcoming movie trailer involving airplanes/war/bombing she says, "mom, is that about POOL HARPER?!" Who the what? "Where we went in Hawaii....pool harper, the sunken boat?" Ah Pearl Harbor.

**(on a related note) She watched the Ben Affleck movie Pearl Harbor over the holidays with my husband and asked questions incessantly about it!!

**She still says CAH-leats when talking about soccer shoes, which makes DQ laugh.

**Her favorite recent movie is the MUFFETS and wants a MUFFET birthday party. (Muppets)

**Her favorite song is currently "Forget You" by CeeLo but the Chicken version from the MUFFETS. Bok Bok Bok, bok bok, Bok Bok!

**Something new...well we finally came into the 21st century and bought a Wii for Xmas and well frankly our baby is a sore loser. She cries if no one lets her win. I think that's normal. Right?

Just to be clear, at this age My Boy had already been seeing the speech therapist at school, her teacher is not worried in the slightest.

Luckily K just has a cute way about her and is not at risk, in case you were wondering.

Um, About the Christmas Cards on my Desk...

2011-12-27T11:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my friend Ana, she gave me fuel for a blog post.

Last year's photo drama was the last of trying too hard.

I'm letting Christmas photos happen naturally.

And, by naturally, I mean I'm not going to force or bribe the kids to smile in pressured conditions.

And, I'm not going to sweat uncontrollably for one great shot that I won't spend hours photoshopping to make my daughter's smile look real.

This year, the Oahu backdrop was more than ideal.

The kids look natural...minus my son's slight imbalance and trying not to fall into the ocean fully clothed.

I worked with a fabulous company to make a super cool ornament card.

Ouila!

Okay, everything perfect right?!

Nope.

Here they are...

On my desk.

It's December 27.

They're not addressed.

They're not stamped.

They're. Not. Happening.

But, if anyone does want one, I'll leave them on the porch.

Just don't leave me a bag of flaming poop in return.

I Really Don't Hate Christmas

2011-12-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

Wait it was just Thanksgiving, how is Christmas in 4 days?

(insert panic attack here)

Like everyone at this point in the holiday season, I'm gathering the last of the gifts and wrapping like a maniac.

Every year I feel that the reason for the season gets more hidden below the layers of Santa paper and scotch tape.

Every year I say I want to adopt a family to buy for and hope that my kids understand that we have SO much that often goes unappreciated.

Every year I hope that one of my children says, "mom, please take everything you bought me and give it to a family who doesn't have the money to buy it for themselves."

Every year I wish for less stress and it doesn't come.

I'm normal right.

My kids deserve their gifts. They are wonderful kids, bright, loving, hard-working, so good at everything they try, I love getting them things that make their eyes light up with joy.

It's just the crowds, the traffic, the lines, the rush, the last minute, the cleaning, the prepping, the cooking, the build up...it's all so wild and crazy.

Curling up in bed with my iPhone and sleeping until January 1 sounds SO appealing.

Really though, I am blessed beyond words.

My blog has lead to my second blog that's lead to the most amazing opportunities I would have never imagined 10 years ago.

The fact that we will travel to our 3rd and 4th Hawaiian island in less than a year in February is beyond explanation.

The fact that my family is healthy, we have a home, and my husband has a job is a feat of it's own.

How do you feel this holiday??

I Believe I Can Fly!

2011-11-23T10:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Turkey Eve!

Going to get my stuffing on tomorrow, can't wait.

And by stuffing I mean I hate stuffing, so I mean stuffing my face, just to be clear.

Just wanted to post a couple of pics of our fun weekend to Catalina Island.

If you haven't been, it's the CUTEST!

Saw Breaking Dawn in this here old casino...

Oh and did this for the first time, only a year old!

And in action....the strong arms are because I dangled half way on the previous zip over the ravine for about 5 minutes while they RESCUED me.

Me Dangling.

5 zips and I survived and it was freaking cool!

The closest thing to flying.

I Have a TEEN!

2011-11-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

My newly crowned teenager asked me the other day...

"Where's my birthday post on your blog? You did one for everyone else!"

Well, usually she loathes when I speak of her on the blog.

I mean, she reads it, loves it, and laughs at it, but when I talk about her she often storms off in a huff about how I make her look.

Anyone who has had a teen or is in the throes of one now KNOWS what I mean.

We simply can't win as parents.

We love them, we give them their space, we applaud their accomplishments, we *try* to ignore their insults.

It's a slippery slope.

I've had ideas to make a video like I've done in the past, see here for her double-digits birthday.. http://www.themomjen.com/2008/11/in-last-decade.html

But, with the whole time thing, and the tears, and the time, I just didn't.

I did post a cute pic of her at 3 years old on FB on her special milestone 11-11-11 birthday.

"It has to have curls and not be ugly."

We did have a 7 hour party with 10 teens at the house with lots of soda, caffeine, candy, pizza, and Panda Express.

Surprising that no one puked.

We also had a sleepover with 3 girls that gave them 4.5 hours of sleep.

Then we shopped at a cool mall, but their exhaustion turned them into pumpkins at noon and they were zombies.

Then we went to the Cheesecake Factory for (more) soda, appetizers, lunch, and dessert.

Needless to say that the girls passed out cold on the way home.

So, no, I haven't come up with the best post or the baby-to big girl photo post for your birthday my dear daughter, but does this one work?

Maybe we can do that mall day all over again!

You're a beautiful 8th grader sweetheart, we all love you.

Holy crap I'm going to have a HIGH SCHOOLER next year.

Oh the posts will write themselves.

Selling Frogs and Fighting Crime: A Day at the Student Store

2011-11-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

So my tween soon to be teen doesn't care for me to be on her turf.

You know it's not cool to help in the classroom or within a 5 mile radius of it when you're in 8th grade.

Ooh big girl on campus can't have mommy around.

Truth is, I just gots to.

I have to work in some capacity to fulfill my hours at my daughter's magnet school.

It's in the rules dear, ha. I win.

Oh sorry. Childish.

But oh so fair.

Anyhoo. I chose to work at the student store.

Each week on Friday lunchtimes, myself and another volunteer sell Oriental Trading Co. and Windy City Novelties goodies to the young'uns.

It's a friggen hoot I tell you! The stories are hilarious and quick scary too.
-----------------------
--A student buys about 5 dollars worth of plastic frogs, pencils, and bouncy balls, BUSTED--used his lunch money.

--One boy comes each week and asks for free stuff. Dude, sorry.

--One boy prefaces, "it's for my mom" when he buys a pink alligator. Surrrrrre it is *coughcoughGIRLFRIENDcoughcough*

--Each Friday one student asks, "will you be here tomorrow, I'll pay you then...." no, tomorrow is Saturday and you won't be here either.

--Learned last week, "don't sell to the detention kids!" Dang, they're our biggest customers!

--Today a girl bought a second pair of deely-bobber headbands. What happened to first, "oh I sold them for $2 to a guy at the restaurant!" Are you going to sell this pair, "I don't know, maybe" (She bought them for $1! Entrepreneur in the making--I admire that.

--Lady pulls out a $50 bill and is ticked we don't have change. Um we aren't the bank.

--Vampire teeth are our best seller (will kids still wear them for Christmas??)

--We can't keep colored hair extensions in stock!

--We made $174 in a 2-hour spurt a few weeks back.

--Sorry parents, it was the same week as the book fair and um, I'm sure we outsold the library!
------------------------------------------

Then there's the part of the job that we don't care for, breaking up fights.

Today, in my super "used to be a teacher/yard duty/ now a mom" hero mode I ran and got in between two boys smacking the crap out of eachother.

Scary as heck because 1. they are only in 4th or 5th grade, and 2. because they were hitting HARD...oh and 3, my son is that age!!

Yard duty and supervision is minimal thanks to the stinking CA education budgets, so I stood between two crying boys for what seemed like an hour until my co-worked flagged down someone to escort these boys to the office.

I felt sick. One boy had a brace on his arm that has a metal strip through it. He smacked that kid hard in the head/face and I wanted to cry. I'm glad I was there, but if I wasn't who would have been?

Ugh. I hope that never happens again, and especially on my shift.

I'm ready for more funny stories and less drama.

Sigh. Another day at the student store.

For the Love of Baseball

2011-10-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

This.

This is why I love baseball.

It's not who wins or doesn't.

It's not about the cool uniforms.

It's not about the hot dogs and beer.

It's all about the love.

Around Lake Tahoe in the Fall

2011-10-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hwy 88

Granlibakken Lodge, Tahoe City

Truckee River Bike Ride

Lake Tahoe from Tahoe City

Eagle Falls above Emerald Bay

Emerald Bay

Furry Friend, his name is Spike

The Balloon from Chili's

2011-10-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

There are some days when something so small means something so big.

It was a long day.

School dropoffs.

Long week prior.

PTO meeting.

Working at the student store.

Telling kids over and over...

"one line," "two people at a time," "eat lunch before shopping," "if you don't have any money, go out and play," "no, we don't take IOU's."

Typical Friday.

Out of town for brother's baseball practice.

So he can practice on artificial turf for next weekend's tournament.

Long day.

Dinner.

Dinner with friends, relaxing, decompressing, nice conversation, nice time.

We get ready to leave and my baby says, "mom, I want to have a balloon."

Sure, why not.

We ask.

We ask 3 or 4 times.

Our friends ask.

We wait.

and wait.

and wait.

"Mom."

Yeah sweets.

"I'm sorry we have to wait so long, but tonight, I really want this balloon."

I scoop up my youngest child. I hug her. I kiss her.

I know sweetheart. We will wait here until it comes.

What seems like an eternity later, a green Chili's balloon arrives.

The smile is worth it's weight in gold.

Thank you. Thank you for making the day of my baby.

We leave and I smile.

She smiles.

Like she just won a million dollars.

Except dollars don't really mean much to her.

But, this balloon, means so much.

So worth waiting for.

A Letter to My Almost Teenager

2011-10-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Dear DQ,

You are almost thirteen.

Your special 11/11/11 birthday is coming up and I can't believe I'll have an official teenager.

This age is challenging to say the least.

I have been with you from your first breaths and it's getting harder to communicate my feelings to you as I'm sure it is for you..to me.

I want you to know...

1. I Understand. Even when you think I don't. Life is confusing right now, you want what you want and I have to be the boss, that's my job. But, remember I was you 25 years ago, sure I didn't have siblings close in age, but I know how it feels to be a teenage girl, and it's frustrating.

2. It IS Actually Fair. When I was your age I had to struggle and fight and want, now I'm the parent, it's the circle of life. You'll get your chance to be in charge. Let's not forget you were the only one to ever get our undivided attention for 2 years. How fair is that for K and My Boy?

3. I Love You all Equally. Hard to understand, but I have a mom too, and a brother. You all mean the world to me and I want you all to love eachother as I love you. Just because you don't remember when you were 5 or 10, I treated you like I treat your siblings.

4 Yes, K is Spoiled. I will be the first to admit it. She is my baby, my last child. You were my first child and were equally spoiled for that first 2 years. You have that special *first child/first granchild* spot, that's very unique.

5. I have HIGH Expectations for You. And, I always will. You are special, you have so many talents and I want you to always succeed like you do. It's tough being the role model for the other two kids, but you've done a damn good job so far.

6. You are Brilliant. Your mind works in a way mine does not, I envy that, you do well at all you try and things come easy to you. I am jealous ;)

7. You are Talented. I will never be a dancer, I don't have moves like Jagger. You do, you are amazing. Your dedication to your sport is awe inspiring and I can't wait until competition and wish recital was more times per year!

8. You Make Me Laugh. You have a funny sense of humor like Dad. Smiling and laughing are my favorite.

9. You are so much like your dad and you know that I love him with all my heart. I love you with all my heart. That though always makes me smile.

10. You are Beautiful. Your hair, your eyes, your lips, your smile, your body. Again, jealous.

11. Your Siblings Think You are a Rockstar. They always have. Remember when My Boy made you all the pink things in preschool and we worried he liked pink too much but it was all for you. He still admires you and talks highly about you when you aren't around. You know K is your mini-me in every way, she dances because she's always watched you!

12. Golden Rule. Can't be said enough treat those like you wanted to be treated, seriously it's like the best karma.

13. I Thank You. You have always been a faithful blog reader even when no one else has. I see you on your iPod giggling and ask what you're reading. You tell me "your blog" and it's the biggest compliment in the world. I know I may have put up pics you don't like, that embarass you, or said things I should have kept inside my head, but this is my online scrapbook for all of you and I want you to enjoy it.

14. Be Happy all the Time. Being mad, sad, angry wastes life. Find the best and good in everything.

15. Words Hurt. I cry too, say only nice things to me, dad, your siblings. We will do the same.

Most Important: I Love You and I always will, no matter what, even if I take your phone away.

A Thousand Words Thursday 10/13/11 For the Rest of My Days

2011-10-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

A Thousand Words Thursday is back, I started doing this back in 2008 and told myself not to stop doing it, well I stopped and it's time to get back into it! What is it? Check it out here, http://www.themomjen.com/2008/03/thousand-words.html

October, 2011
I get to be with this guy for life. Pretty Awesome Life!

Want to join me in A Thousand Words Thursday, read about it and grab my button from HERE. Place the button in your post and leave the link to your photo in the comments. Don't forget to visit the other links left and give them some comment Love!

The Cool House

2011-10-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

I'd always hoped we'd have THAT house.

You know the one where everyone hangs out in?

The one where all your food is gone in one afternoon after a grocery store run that morning?

Where all the kids can hang and not be all, "ew your mom" or "I'd rather be loitering at Target."

Will it happen?

I'm not sure.

Right now, all our afterschool activities take precedent over any hanging.

My oldest turned down a birthday party of a friend and a PG13 movie because of dance.

My son plays Runescape if he has any free time.

All the kids K knows are still in carseats or boosters, so they have to be driven over.

We're not the family with the XBox or Wii or Playstation, or Atari.

....

Oh Atari?! You know that thing with the thingamabob, joystick thingy?

Right? Isn't that it? I don't know, I never actually had one, I think it was for boys.

Nevermind.

We don't have a pool.

Or a hottub (for the future: probably a good thing).

We still have Betamax and VHS.

LOL, no we don't. Just fun to write that.

So I don't know, maybe we can be THAT house when the kids get older?

Do I even really want it to be?

Maybe I just want to be cool to my kids, be that family that's all cool and not totally embarassing.

Impossible?

What do you think?

A Thousand Words Thursday 9/29/11 Monkey-O-Lantern

2011-09-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

October, 2006

But of course all Jack-o-Lanterns have ears!

Photo is NOT of a Baby, but a Baby Tooth and a Big Girl Tooth!

2011-09-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

K: It's coming out!

Oh wait, nope, just blood on my corn [on the cob].

It's SO wiggly!

Oh my GOSH, there's another big girl tooth already there!

SQUEE the Toof Fawwy is going to come to my house!

(pushing the tooth forward with her tongue) Look how far it moves!

-----------------------------
Me: Can we sense the excitement here?

I sure hope she doesn't lose the tooth in her sleep and swallow it.

That won't be a fun search, ahem.

Seriously, when's the last time I looked into her mouth, that big girl tooF is really there!

My baby!

Panic at the Disco Doctor

2011-09-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

At what age do you start the "Oh my god it must be fatal!" thoughts when you get sick?

I mean, i've had a cold/allergy thing going on for about 5 days and my chest/lungs felt tight.

I was tired, felt feverish, and I knew something was up.

But, my mind immediately goes to "omg i'm probably going to need to be hospitalized" and not oh it's just a bug.

I'm known to be dramatic, well inside my head, okay outwardly too.

I've been *trying* not to google my symptoms which all leads to death or cancer anyway.

I mean more anxiety on top of something doesn't help anyone.

Finally yesterday early evening I say to myself, I need to get checked, if it's nothing, fab!

Well, fever was ruled out immediately, good. It's been in the 90's this week, so I was just hot.

Then I sit in the exam room for what feels like 14 days, and debate, oh I'm fine, I should just go, maybe even run out.

Wait, the doctor or nurses will see me, hmm...these windows are thin, but maybe I can wedge myself out.

The doctor will say it's just an anxiety attack and tell me to take a Xanax and chill.

Nope, he comes in, I breath in and out a couple times and bam, "Do you have asthma?!"

Um, no, you're my doctor, it would say, right?!

He hears a rattle in the right lung, bronchioles.

Antibiotics and an inhaler. My first inhaler.

I practice in the exam room and he says, "inhale like you would a cigarette!" Um, probably not the best example to use from a doctor, he laughs and shakes his head, "nevermind."

So I go home having puffed twice and I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin. I guess that inhalers have that effect, heart palpitations.

Something I already deal with.

Oy.

Hopefully this Z-pack antibiotic and crack-puffer deal will kick this bronchitis' ass.

I hate being sick!

Sister Wife Needed to Help with Schedule, Must Cook!

2011-09-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

Being home for the past 13 years, I forget what day it is pretty often.

I've been know to forget minimum day at school and forget orthodontist appointments.

Not because I'm losing my gourd, but because well...you know...everyday is crazy busy and stop judging me, I have no one to talk to all day, let alone look at a calendar.

Tomorrow's Christmas right?

Just kidding. I think, right?!

Anyway, I like to print out my schedule her on my blog so that you can see (and I can remember) everything we have to do all week.

Sure 8:20-2:00 is my time, but I do work online and have house crap to do, so it goes by fast.

Especially when you're watching the Khardashians marathon and get totally into WHY Kourtney has yet to kick Scott to the curb for good. GEESH!

So here's our craziness....

Monday
7:30-8:10 two school drop offs
8:20-12 coffee time then work time
12-2 lunch with the Khardashians (on E! I don't drive to Calabasas daily) and work via laptop
2-pickup K
2:08-My Boy's done
2:10-2:50-Son gets homework started, read to K, snack
3-Pick up DQ
3:15-4:45-finish homework, more snacks
4:50-DQ to dance
5:15-Son to soccer or baseball (both practices same day, same time)
7-pick up DQ and son
Dinner
Bed by 9pm

Exhausted yet?

Tuesday
7:30-8:10 two school drop offs
8:20-9:30 coffee time then work time
9:45-11:15 Kindergarten classroom
12-2 lunch
2-pickup K2:08-My Boy's done
2:10-2:50-Son gets homework started, read to K, snack
3-Pick up DQ
3:15 K dance
4:30 pick up K
4:30 K Soccer practice
5:15-DQ to dance
6:30 Pick up DQ
Dinner
Bed by 9pm

Wednesday
7:30-8:10 two school drop offs
8:20-12 coffee time then work time
12-2 lunch

2-pickup K
2:08-My Boy's done
2:10-2:50-Son gets homework started, read to K, snack
3-Pick up DQ
3:15-4:45-finish homework, more snacks
4:50-DQ to dance
5:15-Son to soccer or baseball (both practices same day, same time)
5:20-Daisy Girl Scouts for K
6-Pick up K
7-pick up DQ and son
Dinner
Bed by 9pm

Thursday
7:30-8:10 two school drop offs
8:20-12 coffee time then work time
12:30-Minimum day for youngest two
3-pick up DQ
6-DQ dance
8 pick up DQ
Dinner
Bed by 9pm

Friday
7:30-8:10 two school drop offs
8:20-12 coffee time then work time
12-2 lunch

2-pickup K
2:08-My Boy's done
2:10-2:50-Son gets homework started, read to K, snack
3-Pick up DQ
3:15-4:20-finish homework, more snacks
4:30 K Soccer
5:15-Son to soccer
7-pick up son
Dinner
Bed by 9pm

Saturday
Anywhere from 8am-6pm two soccer games (in town) baseball tournament (all out of town)

Sunday
Anywhere from 8am-6pm finals in baseball tourney (out of town)
Occasional dance class for Choreography for competition dance (DQ)

I think I may need a sister wife.

Lonely Mama Bird

2011-09-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

People keep asking, "oh my gosh did you cry?" and they mean over K starting Kindergarten.

Um, no, not in the way you think, like saddy pants.

I cried tears of joy that after 13 years of being home, I now have ME time.

Honestly, K has been ready for full time school since birth.

She was so sad to see brother and sister leave each day, she wanted homework, she wanted to have a backpack with school supplies, she wanted the constant activity!

She had no nerves about meeting her teacher, she has embraced early mornings, and comes home so full of happiness and fun stories, I've had no reason to be sad in the boo-hoo sense.

I'm proud of all my kids and how well they do in these life situations, they rock school and great behavior and responsibility.

BUT.

BUT...after 3 weeks, I'm feeling strange.

When I come home from dropoff, I look around and see the dishes piled, laundry piled, the rooms dusty and say, "yay, I can clean."

Yay, I can watch my tv shows.

Yay, I can work uninterrupted for 6 hours.

BUT...it's lonely, and quiet, and empty.

The excitement of my freedom is wearing off.

I miss my little birds.

I feel like an empty nester.

I feel like crawling back into bed at 8:15am and sleeping until pickup time.

Hubby has a new job in a town 30 minutes away, when for 16 years he came home for lunch every day.

That doesn't happen anymore.

Hohum.

It's a phase, it too will pass, right?

...

I think I need a kitty.

Home Alone with a Big Decision to Make

2011-09-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

Home Alone, can you picture me doing that Macualay Culkin face? (0.0)

All 3 kids in school. All day. It's been two and a half weeks and my nest is empty.

I've been catching up on work, chores, using the potty without, "MOOOOOOM!"

It's been nice. Though I'm not without responsibilities.

I am now expected to have grocery shopped and cleaned and ready with a hot dinner each night.

Plus, I still have this school dilemma hanging over my head.

K is on the waiting list for a magnet school for Spanish immersion.

It's a fabulous school, my nephews attend and my 5th grade nephew is fully bilingual and was at 4th grade. It's amazing, clearly.

But, K started her home school and is adapting there. Her teacher is superb, her classmates are also on her soccer team, one also was in her preschool class. It's a block from our house, My Boy also attends, and she really loves it.

Being FIRST on the wait list, she can get the call from the dual language academy any day.

But, it can also be next month, or even February! How long do I wait before it's not okay to pull her from her comfortable surroundings. I'm not doubting her adaptability, she would be fine if she HAD to switch schools, but in this case she doesn't have to move, but it would be a great opportunity.

I'm going back and forth and forth and back. K now says, "I want to stay at MY school." I mean, it's her school, she owns it now.

AHHH The Stress!

Favorite Family Fotos From the Fabulous Fadventure in FOahu.

2011-08-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I was totally going with those F's...

23 Floors High.

We encountered the rarely seen wild Menehune.

We Saved Him...barely.

Tragic.

Smile while you pretend to obliterate that ship.

This is a photo of me. Oh wait, that's just a turtle impersonating me on the beach. Lazy days.

Outrigger Canoe Ride.

The big kids.

Possibly our Christmas Card this year, so act surprised when you see it again in December.

Did we forget to bring Daddy on this trip?

Phew, there he is!

Snorkle Team USA

Aloha, Hakuna Matata, Hang Loose, No Worries Man.

You want to move here?! Me too.

The Elephant Followed Me to BlogHer...(part 2)

2011-08-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

Read Part One...

So the first night of BlogHer, easy peasy.

Sure there were a bajillion people swarming around like bees to honey on the Expo floor, I know, those Kudos boys with hard hats and tool belts were hot!

And I do say boys, because they could be some of our sons..ahem, not mine tho, I'm young.

I handled day one.

Day 2, another story entirely.

Breakfast was fine, met up with familiar faces and took in lots of bacon to get my day started.

Listened to the intro talk from the founders of BlogHer, empowerment, all that good stuff.

Ditched a class because by the time we arrived it was full and the floor was full and we were just full of it all.

More Expo time, then I had a lunch event with McDonalds.

Yes, McD's was a huge sponsor of the event and a select 40-50 dined with the President and company dietician. (Cool beans, and the Asian Salad is yumolicious!)

More classes, then I went back to my room to get ready for my first party.

A company I reviewed for hosted an event off site, so that meant cab or walk. Cabs are $$ so I walked and it was further than I thought.

5-10 blocks, whatever, my bare feet fried, I walked in sweaty and ready for a drink!

Except it was awkward, no one really greeted us, the product was out for sampling, but no formal plan, I found a familiar face and she saved me.

We left together, with our swag bags in tow and a slight idea of where we were headed.

2600 blocks, or 5, later we found her next event.

One I wasn't invited to, but they graciously allowed me to join. My friend stayed a bit, called her husband who also had the car, and we were picked up and off to our NEXT event.

At this point, my anxiety was building. So many faces, so many events, so many people to meet and remind me of why I was attending.

We reached our next destination and I felt tightness in my chest. We got to the event, met a few ladies and my head began to spin, my heart beating a mile a minute, I was in a cold sweat. I can't stay here.

I was talking like I had run 10 miles.

Got back into the car and my ever so gracious friends dropped me off at the hotel.

Two more parties for the night....one in my very hotel.

I ordered room service and put the TV on.

That was all I could do.

(more to come...)

Catching My Breath

2011-08-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

So much to catch up on....

So much to say...

I still haven't finished my thoughts on BlogHer and now I have 1000 photos from Oahu to process...

Tomorrow my baby starts Kindergarten.

As far as we know at the moment, at her home school where My Boy attends.

Though we are #1 on the waiting list for the Spanish Immersion school in town.

We'll see what direction she will go.

Day one is a photo op, but mostly just orientation for an hour and a half for child and parent.

Today means the last of her shots (more ice cream)...and trying to get to bed at a decent hour.

Tomorrow My Boy has a baseball game and soccer practice at the same time...of course he does.

My back (arthritis) is killing me and upon return from our amazing vacation I have a sore throat, cough, and head cold.

Oh to get through Sunday without a hitch...

Heading West to the Islands

2011-08-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

It’s been five years since we last flew with kids.

They bring a lot of stuff.

Backpacks, Barbies, iPods, Nintendo DS’, snacks, food, Sony Readers, crayons, paper, blankets, ….

Okay I guess it’s no different than me.

I have my laptop, my iPhone, wallet, earphones, gum, Seabands for hubby, itinerary, phone charger, iGo charger, computer charger. All in my purse.

So multiply all that junk by 5 and we literally just forgot the kitchen sink.

Plus we checked two large suitcases stuffed full.

Even going to Hawaii, all those swimsuits and skimpy 87-degree weather clothes pile up.

San Francisco airport itself is it’s own entity.

Monday morning crowds are astounding, we were well in the city 2 hours before our flight, but after long-term parking, the shuttle, the check-in, security, and finding our gate, we literally walked straight to boarding.

No coffee, no potty break, no breakfast.

Rush. Rush. Rush.

Then on the plane, everyone wants to empty the contents of their bags to “play.”

Unlike Hawaiian, we have to purchase meals on United and my oldest inhaled a sleeve of salami and a turkey and cheese sandwich in 20 minutes.

Suddenly the tween’s appetite has quadrupled.

My son, a nervous nelly like me stresses and take off, then tries his best to go back to sleep, but can’t.

We’ve all been up since 4:45a.m. our patience, shot.

I look around and see a calm beauty with a BRIDE sweatshirt, JUST MARRIED tee, dutifully writing thank-you notes, skimming her Maui itinerary.

Ahh, the relaxation has already hit her, she simply awaits the islands and her honeymoon.

While I perspire with the five of us tired, disheveled, and obviously ravenous.

2 hours into our flight we’ve spent $65.

I think my next purchase will be a MaiTai and a Xanax chaser.

Did I mention I mixed up Eastbound and Westbound flights, so the movie going over was not RIO, but Arthur with Russell Brand?

Yeah, K was pissed.

Never a dull moment, even on vacation!

Happily we arrived to beautiful Oahu. Aloha!

3599 Women and Me (part 1)

2011-08-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

So I've been at BlogHer for two days now.

How am I doing?

My feet hurt, my back aches, and my head is spinning.

All in a good way.

My stress is gone-ish.

I've seen many great bloggers like Scary Mommy, MamaKat and Heather Spohr, but have been too shy to say hi.

I've hung out with Kelli and Hilary, and said hi to Jen, Toni, Liz, and Catherine.

I had lunch with the President of McDonalds.

I've felt like a face in the crowd.

I've felt on top of the world.

I brought loads of swag from the Expo to my room.

I ate delish room service pizza.

I can see home plate of the Padre's PetCo field from my hotel.

I have a list of parties to attend, and no idea how to get to and from them!

I've cancelled a few meetings and social events for simply the need to decompress, and I'm better for it.

I got lost in the convention center, but ended up meeting a nice woman who asked, "what's a Blogger?!" and filled her in.

In a nutshell, it's cool, but very overwhelming.

I should have started with a small conference for my first one, but alas I'm here, it's happening, and it's working out.

I worried what I'd wear and what my shoes would look like, and honestly no one cares. I see flip flops everywhere (it's San Diego), but also stilettos and lots of wedges.

I ended up shopping in the hotel gift shop to get out of my own heels for flats.

You live, you learn.

Part 2

A Thousand Words Thursday 8/4/11 --Playground Slide Side Effects

2011-08-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

June, 2008--Sometimes static electricity gets the best of you!

Want to join me in A Thousand Words Thursday, read about it and grab my button from HERE. Place the button in your post and leave the link to your photo in the comments. Don't forget to visit the other links left and give them some comment Love!

Double Ice Cream Fix

2011-08-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Some conversations with your children are hard.

Like, "K, you need 3 shots tomorrow, what kind of ice cream do you want afterwards?"

See how I tried to soften the blow of the news at the end?

THAT is good parenting.

Plus, her shocked little face all scrunched up in terror was so pathetic and sad, I had to do something.

WHY, WHY, WHY do I need the shots?

"Oh, dumb ol' Kindergarten, it's for school! The school is making you do it, not mommy, the school. Bad school."

(THAT is not good parenting).

I don't want to go to school then. I want to stay home, and go to pweeschool again!

"K, I don't think they'll let you in, you're getting too big, then what happens when you turn 6, then 7, then 8?"

Then I'll go get the shots when i'm 8, not tomorrow. Not when I'm 5.

"So remember, mommy said you can get ice cream after. What kind do you want?"

No-shots ice cream.

"How about ice cream before AND after?!"

Okay, dumb Kindergarten!

Sorry in advance Maestra.

Soy una mal mama.

What The Nervous Kids Do to Get Ready for BlogHer

2011-07-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the California Table Grape Commission (Liz and Jim are amazing!), I'm headed to BlogHer in a few weeks. It will be my first blogging conference, and no big deal, only the 3000 top bloggers will be in attendance.

GASP. ((panic ensuing))

I'm a little nervous. If this isn't trial by fire, I don't know what is. I'm going alone, I have no roommates, I only know people that look like 1 inch by 1 inch avatars. If they aren't wearing their blog design on a sandwich board, then I'm going in blind. What is a newbie to do??

Here are things I'm ~~doing~~ writing about in preparation for my upcoming ~~ER visit due to paralyzing social anxiety~~ trip to BlogHer.

1. Make a Google Calendar, bonus if color-coded. I'm trying to keep it together. I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row. By ducks I mean parties. And by "in a row" I mean this:

Some of the things are pipe dreams, you know just because you apply to some parties, doesn't mean you get in. You know, like being left off the cheerleading squad. Oh sorry....nevermind, another time.

2. Over-Book yourself. It's my first time and I'm saying yes to every party invitation I get. I'm excited, I want to network, I want to have fun, but I'll be running amok around San Diego with my little phone GPS crying because I'll be lost for sure.

3. Stalk the Twitter hashtags for BlogHer and pray that someone is more nervous than I am. Oh and there's that word "stalk" again, I'm starting to develop a strange online presence, no? Oh and Nope, I'm still the nervousest.

4. Make up Words. Like nervousest.

5. Look into my closet daily and cry. I only have Hawaii clothes, and that's like almost wearing nothing. I have no style, or no sass in the closet. I'm a mom who blogs, no one cares what I wear, especially me. (insert intervention here)

6. Go to AAA and buy all the San Diego Gaslamp area maps, study them, then still get lost. It'll happen, just watch.

7. Give out your cell # and hopes someone rescues you from your hotel room.

8. Go back to old posts like THIS ONE, and reminisce all those years that I've wanted to go, and didn't. Remind myself, this is my year!

9. Find that one awesome friend or friends you met at non-BlogHer events (Kraft, Lifelock, and Hoover), pray nightly that they're going to BlogHer '11, find out they are, and beg her to hang with you! (Love ya Kelli, Hilary, Toni, and Crystal!!)

10. Get there, put on my big girl panties, and have the time of my blogging life. (Follow up to come!)

A Thousand Words Thursday 7/21/11

2011-07-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

July, 2004--I know where he gets it, lately, every time a camera is pointed at me, I make the dorkiest face possible. He is his mother's son!

Adding Stalker to my Resume!

2011-07-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

We've been on the road a ton this summer, and it's only just begun.

(ah Karen Carpenter....did you automatically think of "We've Only Just Begun?" No, okay..moving on)

So last month we headed down to Coronado and stayed at the famous Del Coronado Hotel.

I know, posh. Stars stay there and I can attest to it.

I stalked one at the pool one day and I'm oh so proud.

So you watch LOST right? No? Who are you?!

Anyway, Nestor Carbonell plays Richard Alpert, the one with the heavy eyeliner looking eyes, this babe...

Yah, you can fall into those eyes and drown.

Anyway, I'm laying out at the pool and the kids are all, "mom watch me do this and that and look I'm swimming without floaties for the first time, MOM!"

And, I see this guy walk by and totally gasp, "WHAT, OH YEAH, GREAT KIDS!" super loud and really wanted to shout out, "LOST, GUY FROM LOST!"

So I'm squinting across the pool at this guy and his family and think that has to be Richard Alpert from LOST.

This hotel is famous, famous people can totally vacation here with commoners like us. So I see a blond with him, his wife. I google her on my iPhone. Yep, she's blond.

I see two small boys head to the spa and I send my oldest over there to investigate. "Let me know approximate ages of them!" DQ gives me a look that was totally "mom, you've really lost it."

I google kids, yep two sons, ages 9 and 6.

DQ comes back and I immediately say, "are they 9 and 6?! Can they be those ages, do they look like My Boy and K's ages?!"

Calm down mom, and yes.

Verified. That is him!

I want to go up and casually ask him if it's really him.

Hubby says to walk by and cough "HaveyouseenJacobortheOtherslately" and I'm like, that is so nerdy.

But, I secretly want to.

Kids, wife in the pool, he's there on a chair reading for like an hour.

Suddenly mom and boys get out of the pool, pack up and head our direction. I fumble for my phone and try to make it look like I'm taking pics of the kids in the water and angle the phone just right.

Holy mother of pearl, he turns and looks right at me as I snap the picture! I sheepishly angle the camera toward the kids in the pool, who have upped and left for the hot tub and good mom that I am haven't noticed.

So apparently I'm taking a picture of water, and I'm totally busted.

Oh, but he is SO gorgeous, so much shorter than I thought he'd be, and he looked at me.

I'm sure, he gets ~~stalkers~~ paparazzi all the time, but dude crack a smile.

I write about this on Facebook and a friend says that her friend is also staying at the Del and confirmed he was there.

I secretly looked for him on the grounds and around town the rest of our trip, but didn't catch sight of him again.

And, thankfully the kids forgave me for not paying attention during my obsession and I thanked them for not drowning.

Forced Family Fun

2011-07-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

Just coming back from a long weekend away, there are things that we deal with now traveling with the kids that can be considered "normal" or "just for the sake of making mommy nutso."

Packing
I have to pack for myself and for the littles. Otherwise my son will wear the same shirt for 4 days in a row, and the same stanky socks.

My tween is the only one allowed to pack her things. Touch her suitcase and a meltdown is sure to ensue.

Bring exactly enough clothes for K, so she will not have a choice. Otherwise it's sweats and long-sleeves in 90 degree weather or her bathing suit in 50. Tell her "this is all that's left in the bag" and hide the dirty stuff, or a meltdown is sure to ensue.

Food/Snacks/Eating Out
No matter how many or what type of snacks you take in the car, they'll want something from a drive-thru.

K will eat 10% of her burger/nuggets/taco/main course.

She will be starving 10 minutes later.

She will refuse to eat the other 90% of her meal and beg for candy/slurpee/ice cream/treats.

Mommy will inevitably forget her headphones for the rest of the remaining 4 hours of the trip.

After 4 days of eating out, you want nothing to do with it and will beg for homemade lasagne, meatloaf, or even cereal.

Pep Talk
It seems that at ages 12, 10, and 5, the FFF (Forced Family Fun) Pep Talk starts every road trip.

"Attention kids: You will have fun on this trip. There will be no complaining, whining, or being bored. Smiling is mandatory and fighting will result in a NO ELECTRONICS penalty.

We are demanding you have fun, even if the 100th train in the museum looks just like the first. Love it. Own it. Remember it. Appreciate it."

Love, Mom.

Activities
The tween wants to go shopping, clothes shopping. A mall is good anywhere.

The boy wants an arcade, skee ball preferred.

The 5 year old wants tickets to buy junky toys that break on first use.

The hubby is happy reading maps of wherever we are.

I can never pass up visiting a pizza place on our trips.

Perfect all our future vacations are to Chuck E. Cheese and we don't have to go further than 15 miles!

Home
Okay after 4 days, even I was excited for my own bed, my DVR'ed shows, and home.

Even if it involves unpacking, laundry, and grocery shopping.

Even groceries are exciting, eating out each meal makes mommy fat.

Precious is that when my little K comes home, she spends a significant amount of time in her room saying hello to her toys. She missed them greatly and told them so. Soon you see her with her toy stethescope and carrying all her stuffed animals to the living room.

"What's wrong honey?"

The animals are sick, their mom left on a plane ride and now they all need medicine!

"Oh then I'm so glad we came home so you can take care of them!"

Me too.

A Thousand Words Thursday 7/7/11

2011-07-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Maui, May 2011--Sunset Cruise aboard the Trilogy IV, doesn't get better than this.

Want to join me in A Thousand Words Thursday, read about it and grab my button from HERE. Place the button in your post and leave the link to your photo in the comments. Don't forget to visit the other links left and give them some comment Love!

Acupuncture: My Mysterious First Visit

2011-07-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

It's always strange going into something for the first time.

Especially when you don't know what to expect.

I met my acupuncturist just a few days ago.

He asked to see my tongue.

And..that's perfectly normal, apparently.

He said my pulse was weak and shook his head.

The language barrier was tough as he asked me my major ailments.

Then I laid flat on my stomach with my head in a hole.

Totally typical Saturday.

I began getting needles tapped into the lumbar area of my back.

"Is this good? Doesn't hurt? Are you okay?" after each needle.

Each one, I was good, no, and yes.

Then a machine was rolled out and he hooked me up via the needles to a power source.

I felt the needles warm up and pulse.

I was staring at the floor the whole time, I wish I could have slid my phone out of my purse for some photos.

I still have no idea what went on behind me, it's so very strange.

A few needles heated up to HOT. I mentioned it, he changed them out. I heard the slight clinking of needles in a jar and the popping of them off or out of somewhere.

Soon the machine was off, there was more clinking and then I was given an massage that was more like slapping up and down my back and legs.

It didn't hurt, but it wasn't very gentle either.

Then nothing for a few minutes. The next thing I knew there was a cotton ball swabbing the inside of my ear, then I was asked to turn my head the other way and again more swabbing.

Something round and small was being taped into my ears that I was later told was medication. I needed to not shower for 3 days and press the "buttons" 3X a day about 20-30 times.

I had some "herbal medication" being spread all over my back, it smelled like Ben-Gay, had a nice cooling sensation.

I then finally turned and was on my back. I brought my knees to my chest and I rocked a bit, getting "aligned" is what the acupuncturist said. I was then to sit up and come back in 2 weeks.

Baffling. Not only did I feel so out of the loop on what I just experienced, I can't explain it when people ask, "how was it?" I felt great for about 48 hours, and now PMS is kicking in and my back is pissed about it.

Sigh.

Normal? I'm not sure. The acupuncturist is a block away from home and inside my general practitioner's office, so it's convenient. I just wish he would have walked me through the process.

A Thousand Words Thursday is BACK!

2011-06-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Maui, May 2011
Here I am, the last time I remember feeling relaxed and at one with the world. I NEED to live there. It's also one of the few pictures of myself that I LOVE. ;)

Want to join me in A Thousand Words Thursday, read about it and grab my button from HERE. Place the button in your post and leave the link to your photo in the comments. Don't forget to visit the other links left and give them some comment Love!

Cee-Lo's Song is on Repeat in My Mind

2011-06-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning hoping it was a bad dream.

Nope.

My husband was in the hall, at the computer, polishing his resume.

No job to go to this morning.

A sarcastic, non-sincere thank you to the economy is in order.

Ceel-Lo's lyrics come to mind.

The original version.

It's been a shitty week.

My heart pounding in my chest as my husband told me, "there's just no work."

Guilt floods me.

I've stayed home for 12 years to raise our children.

He's worked his ass off for 14 so we could make it on one income.

It's a slap in the face.

What can I do?

Teaching is a joke in this state now.

I'll continue to plug away at blogging to bring in the little bit I can.

I'm trying to take the positive route.

People are saying, "it'll get better."

"This will open bigger doors."

"It's in the plan."

Maybe I'll believe that in a week or two.

Today, I believe it to be a big crock of crap.

Grieving process.

Suddenly, it's Summer

2011-06-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

What are your summer plans?

Besides my quest to find natural remedies for my newly diagnosed osteo-arthritis (currently drinking cherry juice (ack sour!), taking glucosamine, and venturing into yoga and possibly pilates)...we're going to do what Californians normally do in the summer time.

Go to the beach and make kelp skirts for the mermaid of the family.

Skim board with the new wooden members of our clan.

Drink fruity summer cocktails (near a pool is optional).

Let the kids swim happily.

And....well, that's basically it.

Happy Summer!

Keep Your Expectations Low

2011-06-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

My husband is generally frugal and simple.

Some would call him cheap, tight-wad, or ridiculous.

He likes to say he keeps things low-expectation.

Lives simply so he can strive for better.

We got on topic of fancy weddings, like at Disneyland or World.

Grand honeymoons like to Italy.

He thinks the bar gets set at an unreasonably high level.

So if life doesn't match or exceed that experience, you will be disappointed.

Consistently.

We began discussing if this is how divorce-ideas start.

Then he began drawing air-graphs with his fingers.

(blogging from my phone, use your imagination here)

In our case, we had a Mission wedding and average reception.

Honeymoon was camping.

And Reno.

Yes, I said camping and Reno.

"It could only get better from there!" he says.

I must say he's right. For us.

After 15 years we made it to Maui.

Another 15 we will be in the Greek Isles.

Maybe.

He does ground me.

"The tv we want will be cheaper in 3 months!"

He is always right , it is.

But, our computer monitor is slowing going to outsize the tv.

Expectations low, only good can come, right?!

Sounds oddly right.

Words of wisdom?

Or just wise-ass words?

Just Call Me Eufegenia Doubtfire, Dear.

2011-06-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

It's official, i'm 80 years old.

Although it's not mathematically possible, my bones say otherwise.

And, yes 80 is a stretch.

Would you buy 50?

The bones in my lower back, are age 50.

I'm 38.

Explains why there are days when I feel that a good scooter chair or cane would help.

I have osteoarthritis and some degeneration going on with my L5.

It's been causing me pain for weeks now, even when we were in Hawaii, which sucked.

I have psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis is a relative that can show up at any time.

Yeah, I hate when that happens literally and figuratively.

So that combined with some bone spurs in my pelvis and pubic bone, I've aged 12 years in less than a month.

Oh and lets not forget, childbirth makes things worse in the old bones down there.

No wonder my labors were bound to split me in two.

How's that for magic Criss Angel?

So this crap sucks.

I'm taking Glucosamine and will be starting yoga.

So let's recap all the geriatric words I've used today:

OsteoArthritis
Bone Spur
Glucosamine
Psoriatic Arthritis
Degeneration
L5

I wasn't really aware where my L5 was until today.

I asked the doctor, "any relation to Maroon 5?!" and he had NO IDEA what the hell I was talking about.

So I'm old.

Older than I thought.

To celebrate my 50th birthday,I'm going to have a tall glass of ~~Ensure~~ Budweiser and watch ~~Lawrence Welk~~ So You Think You Can Dance.

Cheers.

It anyone comments about better being over the hill than under it gets a kick to the ass.

Old Friend, You are Missed

2011-06-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hubby had his annual business trip to the valley, so we tagged along.

School's out for the summer and a change of scenery is always nice.

Plus I promised a hotel pool and a fancy shopping mall, always a plus.

I recently got a change of address card from my oldest and bestest friend from first grade.

She moved back to the CA valley after being away for 15 years.

I shot her an email and she was going to be around, perfect!

When I pulled into the driveway of her house, I saw her and my insides did a happy dance.

She was in tears of happiness.

It has been 10 years since our last quick visit. Her oldest and my middle were just babies.

She looked fabulous, as usual, she was always the hot one.

All the time that had come between us dissolved.

We caught up, we shared about the kids, typical mom stuff.

We talked about our parents, mine were with me, and it was like old times.

Yet, everything was different and so the same.

We promised to see eachother at a local wine event in the fall.

We left on more tears, hers.

I miss her already.

We grew up together, even lived together in college, were in eachother's weddings.

Life is so different now.

But we are only 3 hours apart.

That's doable.

I hope.

I didn't shed a tear on the visit.

My feelings process later, when I try to understand them.

I cry now for the happy memories, and the friendship I've missed.

And for wanting more but knowing it doesn't always work that way.

I'm Sad and Glad for my Preschool Grad

2011-06-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

How does this happen.

I just had my youngest child.

I remember bringing her home from the hospital and my then 7 and 4 year old just doted on her every minute.

She was the chunkiest little thing and now she's a little woman.

A Preschool Graduate.

Going to Kindergarten.

In two short months.

In school all day.

Everyday.

I don't know if I should cheer or cry.

I'll do both.

Remember my K-Lish posts, her baby talk is slowly getting more and more articulate.

My last baby.

Is growing up.

I have I.D.D.

2011-06-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

June.

2011.

How does this happen.

DQ mentioned I hadn't posted in weeks which isn't right, but yeah, time to catch up.

Got home from the most relaxing, romantic, and dreamy working vacation ever on Sunday.

To cold.

Wind.

Rain.

I am wearing so many layers.

Wearing my Uggs.

Cold.

Whiny.

So not like last week where I was all smiles and never wanting to get out of the ocean.

It's June California, where's the desirable weather?

I sure didn't bring it back from Maui.

I did bring back 3 colors of sand, souvenirs, and lifelong memories.

I want to go back.

I want to live there.

As soon as I find hubby a job, we're moving.

Maybe.

Probably not.

But, ugh...wouldn't that be just amazing.

*zoned out here with daydreams and drooling*

Today's forecast?

Rain and thunderstorms.

I want the sun back.

It's awesome rising atop of Mauna Haleakala at 5:45am.

It's stunning setting over Molokai while on a dinner cruise.

I only wonder how the people that live there concentrate.

I came home with I.D.D.

Island Deficit Disorder.

Dear Kids, About Ditching You Next Week...

2011-05-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Dear DQ, My Boy, and K,

I'm sure you're tired of hearing it, but dad and I are heading to Maui on Sunday.

Although you will not be joining us, I want you to know that we love you.

One day I hope you will love a spouse so much that after 15 years of marriage you want to spend a week alone together in a beautiful place.

In those 15 years we created 3 wonderful children in you and we are nothing but proud.

You are amazing kids, smart, beautiful, loving, and there is nothing in the world we love more.

Don't be sad. Sure you will miss us. But, we wouldn't be going unless we knew you were in the best hands possible that aren't our own.

Grandma and Grandpa love you like we do and will keep you safe while we are away. I know and trust that your needs will be met with more attention and love that we give you during this week, please appreciate that as much as possible.

Don't for a minute think that we won't miss you. We will. I know we will talk about you and think about the next time we visit Hawaii we'll have to show you....x, y, and z.

Moms and Dads like us need this time to reflect on the time we've spent together and how the two of us evolved into wonderful family. We need to remember that it was it was our love that came first and in order for that to continue to grow, we need to nourish the roots.

This week will give us that extra energy, that extra strength, and extra rest that we need to come home and be better parents to you. I hope that this time shows you that dad and I love eachother enough to make our family the best it can be.

Even if you don't understand now, I know you will eventually.

Please give grandma and grandpa the love and respect they deserve. They are so gracious in helping us out this way, we want them to know how much we love and thank them for this opportunity.

They do this for us because they care and want to spend time with you, to know and love you as we do.

Please behave, don't get angry or mad at eachother, consider this a super sleepover. You know grandma likes to spoil you with treats, so earn them. Help them around the house and make us proud.

If you are a little like me when I was a kid, I'm sure you'll make a phone call or 10 to us, just to say hi, hear our voice, and see how our day was. It's okay.

But don't forget about the 3 hour time difference.

We don't want the time to go by too fast, but inevitably it will and we will be home before you know it.

Just think of it like we're at science camp.

Cocktail science camp with a touch of waterfall ecology, and lots of vitamin D therapy integration.

I always wanted to go back to school.

Love Mom (and Dad)

Murphy, If You're Going to Do It, Do It NOW

2011-05-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

So we're 6 days out and damn Murphy.

And his Law.

Hubby is sick.

Fever, chills, the whole bit.

I know we're not leaving for a few days, but good gracious Murphy if I'm going to get sick, let it happen now and not next week!

Of course I don't care for sharing, but in this case, get it over with I tell ya.

I've got 2 bajillion things going on in my head, lists to make, agendas for grandma to print, packing to do.

I don't have time to be sick, but now rather than the alternative.

Should I drink from the same glass as hubby to speed it up?

Maybe a big fat kiss?!

I still need to shop!

....and finish this I started....

Which color says Maui Toes?

Important stuff I tell ya.

Sleepless Nights, Island Daydreams

2011-05-10T23:32:00.000-07:00

Sleep?

What's that you speak of?

Vaguely familiar with the term.

It's no surprise.

All this is coming up....

I'm counting down the days, the hours.

I'm shopping for island wear.

I'm starting to write out the kids' school and activity schedules for grandma and grandpa.

I'm picturing myself in the crystal blue waters swimming with Nemo, Dory, and Crush.

I'm debating whether I'll wake at 2:45am on vacation to drive to Haleakala with my husband to see the sunrise atop a volcano. (I probably will...I think)

I'm anticipating the body wrap I have scheduled at the Westin Maui.

I'm looking forward to gaining 3 hours of precious couple time.

I may possibly be obsessing on how this may turn out like an episode of LOST.

I am afraid of Others.

I hope Sawyer is on my flight, and calls me "Freckles."

I'm hoping and praying and desperately begging that the days are long and the memories are held on forever.

So there are just a few things on my mind.

Probably why I can't find slumber.

I'll sleep on the plane.

Maybe.

Kids Say the Darndest....

2011-05-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

So we're in the car.

I'm listening to my Pandora App and Garth Brooks is on.

I'm singing loudly to the live version of Friends in Low Places.

K from the back seat says, "mom?"

Yeah?

"Is that seenguh from Tennessee?"

WHAT?!

"Is that seenguh from TENNESSEE, can you heaw me?!"

(laughing) Yes, I heard you.

Why do you ask that question?

"He sounds like a farmer."

A farmer?!

Do you mean he sounds like he sings country music?

"Is Tennessee country music?"

Um, kinda.

"Yes."

(giggle) Where did you hear about Tennessee recently?

"Hannah Montana."

Ah.

I'm Inspiring to No One.

2011-05-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

Truth is...

I suck at exercise.

Exercise increases my appetite, thus I eat more.

Then I justify it WITH the exercise.

I love food, especially the comfort-high carb kind.

I hate being sweaty and the feeling of gargling my heart.

Jillian has ruined me.

I have yet to find the balance.

I got through 27 days of the 30 day Shred and then took a week off.

NOT easy to jump back in to.

I'm an inspiration to no one.

At the same time I say I will finish the last 3 days, I also say, "Hawaii's island-clothing theme IS muumuu's"

So when in Rome...

or Maui...

Yes, I'm hard on myself, I'm not actually the size of a house.

Just flabby in the middle.

Only a tummy tuck will remedy that skin-tastic mess.

Thanks un-forgiving skin cells.

I haven't quit. Just looking for that tankini rather than the full-monty bikini.

Or finding that adorable tank to wear with my bikini bottoms.

Or finding an hot skirt to wear with the bikini top.

See, I'm flexible.

Just not into the whole exercise shenanigans.

But, my portions have improved 10-fold.

I feel healthier and my coat is extra shiny.

My last efforts are trying Zumba at the girls' dance studio.

Just got the memo that it's FREE now through July to parents of students.

I can go a total of 5 times before my trip.

....it's worth a try.

I think.

DRINK Every Time they say Westminster Abbey!

2011-04-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

No I did not stay up all night watching the Royal Wedding.

I need my sleep, that's just crazy.

Plus we have a DVR.

Duh, winning!

I taxied K over to preschool, picked up my thematic drink and pressed play at the normal hour of 9:15am.

I'm a sucker for weddings, plus Prince William is just a cutie.

So I made some notes while I watched....

I NEED a hat, preferably cowboy, and some hawt cowboy boots too.

Those feathery, side-head, satillite types are awful.

YES, I'm talking to you Beatrice and Euginie.

Will and Harry had Mickey Mouse hands with those white gloves in the car, their waves made me chuckle.

If you watch at night, you can make a drinking game out of it, "chug everytime they say Westminster Abbey" you'll get royally snockered.

I'm not a Camilla fan. She's a castle-wrecker.

Kate is gorgeous, and her sister Pippa is too, *ahem Harry, she's single*

Harry's on-again-off-again girl Chelsey looked ragged.

Kate was super blinky during the vows.

Will has a sexy deep voice.

Fast forwarding through the ceremony is key.

Fast forwarding through the carriage ride is key.

Lots of FFing to get to the kiss...good gracious!

Love that Kate says, "WOW" when she sees the crowd.

Those kids on the balcony scare the bejeezus out of me.

The kiss was a peck.

I wonder if they'll do the chicken dance or Macarena at the reception!

Will they name their first daughter Diana?

The second kiss was better!

And, now 2 hours of my life have been happily wasted.

Vacation Guilt Already.

2011-04-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

Guilt.

We are going on our first week long adventure next month.

25 days from now.

To Maui.

We will be married 15 years in June and it's our anniversary trip.

We've been together nearly 20 years.

Whoa.

It still doesn't hide the fact that the week we are gone, we'll be missing alot.

A lot of kid stuff.

Like K's last day of preschool.

Ever.

Like all 3 kids went to this preschool and this is our last child's last day there.

Her teachers are like family to us.

We'll miss her graduation program.

Her cute end of the year program where they sing adorable songs and smile big when they see you in the audience.

Maybe a parent in the class can Facetime it to me. If I ever figure out how to do it on my phone.

Then DQ reminded me that it will be the first time in like 6 years that I'll be missing dance photos. Where I stand around while the girls change in and out of their recital costumes and get photographed for about 4 hours.

"Who will do K's hair?! I'll be busy changing, and doing my own hair."

Grandma I guess.

For sure I'll have to buy all those photos now.

Way to guilt me kids.

Coach Hubby and I will also miss My Boy's last scheduled baseball game of the season. One of his assistant coaches, Grandpa T will be missing it too.

Super guilt on who will manage the team, but I'm confident someone will step up. Probably one of the moms!

So sure, we go away and life will go on without us, and it will be just fine.

I hope.

I'll have to drown myself in Mai Tais to deal with the guilt, but I'm sure I will be okay.

Positive.

I mean, how often can you say you rode a bike down a volcano?

Update on The 30-day Shred

2011-04-23T15:34:00.000-07:00

So you know I've been getting myself into shape the past few weeks, I wrote a post about my introduction to the 30-day Shred in hopes I would have to own up to it a bit more.

I completed day 24 today.

I'll pause a minute for the applause.

I hear it in my head.

So, over 3 weeks of daily butt-busting.

It's a new high for me.

I admit to about 2 days off, but I picked up where I left off the next day.

And, when we biked 7 hours through wine country on Thursday, I declared that officially days 22 and 23 of working out.

Because it worked my ass off.

If felt damn good, but it was a challenge to the exercise hater inside of me.

The first week was the hardest, and like the cliches, it does get easier.

But, there are also 3 levels on the workout DVD that get progressively harder. Going from L1 to L2 is like stopping for a month and starting all over.

Day 10 with L2 I had to stop and rest quite a bit and I was sore the next day all over again.

About Day 17-ish I started getting down on myself, looking in the mirror I had hoped to see more of a change.

I follow the #30dayShred hashtag on Twitter and was hearing and seeing befores and afters. My afters were still not drastic. But, I wasn't done, I was midway, but I wanted to look skinnier and I didn't.

It was that night I went to my mom's. She owns a scale. I do not.

I weighed myself, ready to shove a cupcake in my mouth and quit the whole program if I was still the same weight as I started.

I was shocked. I saw a number I hadn't seen in a while. I came out of the bathroom and wanted to cheer, even if it would result in some quizzical faces until I explained.

I was more motivated than ever.

Even now, my husband will get his workout on with me.

I have "called in" one circuit, but I blame my Aunt Flo.

I will substitute more abs for less strength, and I may revert to a simpler cardio once in a while.

I have been cutting back, calorie-wise, but I'm still enjoying an occasional dessert and glass of wine.

But, it's happening! My body IS changing, slowly but surely.

My pants are looser, I feel stronger.

You know that whole "takes....blah blah blah time to put it on, it's going to take at least that long to take it off."

If it ends up taking 12 years, then I'm totally giving up.

But it won't.

29 days until Maui and I want to work that bikini.

Even if it is "mom-of-3-style."

I'm hoping there will be at least one good picture I can post and that I won't want to photoshop.

He Passed Out.

2011-04-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

When you are a mom, life is unpredictable.

Never a dull moment.

Routine things become emergencies in an instant.

Let's take yesterday.

Took My Boy to get his quarterly allergy shot.

Sure it involves a needle, but he's been tough in the past.

He will say, "it tickles" when the sharp metal pierces his skin and fills his body with medication.

Say goodbye to booger-sleeve I think.

Because that and his forty-two sneezes in a row each morning are the tell-tale signs he's due for his next dose.

So we're in the office for the third time.

Because pills, eye drops, and nasal sprays just never did the trick.

We're lucky the shot is every 3 months and not weekly, god forbid.

So this time was a tad different, typically the shot is in his arm.

Laying on his stomach the nurse puts the needle in the gluteus maximus.

Per normal, he giggles. He doesn't appear scared in the slightest, plus cousin T is with us, he's being very strong.

All done, easy right? The nurse has him sit up and wait for a few minutes before letting us go, per normal.

Sitting on the edge of the doctor's table, legs dangling below, his head is in his hands.

I blink and there he goes.

Straight off the table, head first onto the floor.

His 71 pound frame smacks onto the ground with a thud and I gasp and head to scoop him up.

Limbs, dead weight.

I scream, "BUD!" and the nurse and the doctor run in.

They turn him over and his eyes are saucers, huge and scared, he's breathing, I'm crying.

The doctor talks to him calmly and takes his pulse, "he's okay," he says to me.

My legs shake uncontrollably beneath me and I fear I'm next on the floor.

I sit and the nurse asks, "has this ever happened before?" No. "I've never had a patient faint on me." I don't feel relieved.

My son stands with the aid of the doctor and then lays on his back onto the table, he's pale and in shock. They gather the tubes and give him oxygen and an ice pack for the second forehead that is growing below his hairline.

I'm finally thinking clearly and ask the doctor, "is this normal? Is he okay?"

"Yes, needle shock is common, though my nurse should have had him laying down afterwards." He shoots a glare.

He says he'll be back and comes and goes between patients for the next 40 minutes.

Color comes back to my sons cheeks and lips, he looks at me more clearly, he says, "my head hurts."

Tylenol is administered and he says he doesn't feel nauseous or has to vomit. Good signs that he doesn't have a concussion.

I hear the doctor tell the nurse in the hall, "he should have been laying down after the shot."

We're discharged, keep an eye on nausea or vomiting.

I get my son home, he's sleepy and weak, though he does have an appetite, good sign.

Over a treat of ice cream later in the night, I ask, "what happened?"

"The shot tickled, then it hurt, then I fell. It was weird. It scares me to talk about it."

I hug him and say it's okay.

I try to keep from crying. I try to be strong.

Being a mom is hard.

Self-Portrait Saturday

2011-04-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

Yeah.

Not a fan of the self-portrait.

Mainly because I think I'm super un-photogenic.

So then I'm that person who self-sabatoges every photo opp by making an even HORRIBLER expression.

Then the pic comes out uber-duber gross.

Yeah.

I make up words all the time.

Do I look like an English teacher? (Hi Molly)

Anyhoo.

Here I am.

Not smiling with teeth.

Wait, I don't think I'm smiling at all.

This is my smolder.

Mainly because I didn't wear my top retainer when I was a teen.

So my teeth have gone back to their original jacked-up selves.

I was such a rebel.

That's why I had my daughter's retainers cemented to her mouth.

Okay the bottom one the orthodontist did on her own.

The top one we pay her in Red and Pink Starburst to keep on for hours a day.

Those braces aint cheap. (sorry Molly).

People have said to me lately, WOW your hair is LONG.

Yep, my parents made me have the Dorothy Hamil haircut when I was a kid.

AKA...I looked like a boy.

So now my hair is going to grow as long as Rapunzel.

Or until I get it cut and highlighted next month before our Maui trip.

Or until I get a CAH-RAZY idea and do THIS again, http://www.themomjen.com/2008/08/short-and-shorter.html

So there. Me in a photo. It won't happen again for a long time.

Or until our Maui trip.

The One Where I Marry My Phone and Instagr.am is the Maid of Honor

2011-04-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

So I've been addicted to my iPhone.

It doesn't leave my side.

It has it's own blankie.

I treat it like it's a egg in my pocket.

Like a newborn.

One without dirty diapers or colic.

Yeah, disturbing, I know.

Plus i'm addicted to Instagram.

It's like Photoshop, but funner.

It's social media meets photography, meets daily life, meets, blogging, meets Godzilla.

Or something like that.

And it's for iThings (Touch, Phone, Pad....)

I love taking pictures, I love photo editing, and I love my phone, which can do it all.

*give me a moment while I marry my phone*

Some of the fun I've been having:

Puffy white cotton.

Rainbow dreams.

Daddy/daughter pedicure time.

Pitching practice. Alternatively titled, "man that field has a lot of trash on it!"

But dad, I'm tired and hungry and want all your attention and I don't know why i'm crying but WAHHH.

Happy Haircut. Alternatively titled, I can't keep crumbs of my lips.

My new shirt.

On that boob. I mean note. I'm out.

Shred+Donuts=Motivation

2011-03-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

For the last 4 days, I've been getting my BEHIND kicked.

No, I haven't been mouthing off in the school parking loop.

In a good way.

But a sore, "ooch my thighs burn when I do the potty squat" kind of way.

Do you know this woman?

She's mean.

She doesn't like resting.

She's a drill sargeant.

And...she looks kinda mannish, no?!

Jillian Michaels and the 30-day Shred have been my FRENEMIES for the past 4 days.

I admit, heading into day 5, I don't loathe her as much as I did on day one.

But, she's still a meanie.

With totally awesome abs.

Sigh.

My support system Ana got wrangled into doing the workout with me.

By accident.

She replied to my Facebook comment about wanting and needing the program before my Maui trip in May.

I don't think she knew what she was getting in to. She hates exercise. She likes donuts and burgers and pizza.

Hell, so do I.

So what are two moms who would rather be eating doing each morning at 9:30am?

Getting out butts kicked into shape.

I don't do gyms. I've started and quit 3 times in my life already, there's no point.

I'm actually getting close to saying, "I'm good, I'll embrace my extra tummy skin, thank you DQ, My Boy, and K!" (grr)

I'm close to bowing out. This is the hump I need to get over.

I'm clear on my way to something good for my body, my esteem, and my Hawaii photos.

I can't give up.

But, it's easy to say, "ah, I'll get back to that Monday" as tomorrow is the start of the weekend.

But, I can't.

And Ana won't let me.

I won't let her quit either.

After day one, we went to the donut shop.

We walked, but we still had a treat.

We have to do that tomorrow again as well. So I don't fall off the wagon.

Plus I miss my abs.

They've been missing for 12 years.

Kind words of support, if you will?

Momma's Gotta Brand New Toy

2011-03-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

New toys are fun.

Not like Pokemon and LalaLoopsy.

Those are weird and have funny names.

And, what does that LalaLoopsy doll do, just flops around.

I don't get it.

Anyway.

Toys for moms.

And gutter minds can save it, because I'm talking Apple products.

No, not the fruit.

Follow me here people!

Apple, as in iPad, iPod, iPhone.

My job requires this, I'm sure of it...

Plus, this is satisfying my need for a new kitty, puppy, or baby.

I'm good, I'm set.

I'm logged in, logged on, online.

It's so awesome, how did I live without it for so long?

Need new app ideas.

Changed my password protect, the kids figured out my last one.

They are SO SMART.

I see their drool when they look at my toy.

But it's hands-off, seriously.

I WILL teach it to bite.

It's a smart phone, it can learn anything.

I feel smarter just owning it.

She needs a name.

A "smart" one.

Suggestions?

I'm addicted already.

I can check-in anywhere.

The hall bathroom, the liquor store around the corner, the freezer section at Safeway.

Okay, I'm not sure about that last one, but I bet I could try.

I'm in love.

Again.

The Week in Review.

2011-03-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those odd weeks.

Where things happened out of the ordinary.

All good things, happily.

Like my new friends that I visited twice in Chicago on my press trips were in California on a business trip.

After their love and hospitality for me, my family (brother's family and my parents included) hosted them for the weekend.

Poker, Mexican food, meeting my hubby and kids for the first time.

Then a yummy breakfast together before they went off to wine taste.

We also hosted a birthday party at our house over the weekend, although it wasn't for any of the five of us.

It was for my nephew who will be moving here from Arizona in June.

It was a "getting to know your local cousins/happy fourth birthday party."

Relatives that don't always join us on our immediate gatherings were here, the kids all got along great.

Love it.

Then there's the chance I may step into the 21st century and get my first smart phone.

I know, I'm all growed up.

And by growed up I mean, we got some money all-a-shuffle.

Some doors close, others open.

And, by close I mean DQ slamming the door shut on ballet class and pre-pointe.

7 dance classes between the girls has now become 5.

It was a tough decision, but to be honest, she is happier for it.

Not because she won't be on the competition team anymore, but she feels happier.

Long story, maybe another day.

Then there's that realization that we have no more free weekends until August.

Good ol' baseball.

Good thing I love it.

And the girls... love the snack bar.

Here's to another great week.

When 3 Strikes is Completely Awesome.

2011-03-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

My son had a bowling party for his birthday.

14 kids, hot dogs, bowling, and arcade.

It's a 10 year old's paradise.

Did I mention fruit punch, orange soda, and ice cream cake?

Boy-fuel.

Something got in that boy's veins because look what he did! (top score)

DUDE!

Not only did his second frame boast a spare where his friends were hooting and hollering...

But, then he bowled a STRIKE.

The good kind in this sport!

Then, who knows how? ANOTHER!

Seriously, I know the kids have bumpers, but a ricochet off the side of those metal bouncers most often will not produce a strike.

Plus, he's completely distracted by all the other bowlers, playing DS, and high on life that he isn't really concentrating on making this happen.

His next turn...a THIRD STRIKE.

Nope, he's not out baby this ain't no Tigers baseball game.

A flippin' TURKEY.

Who is this kid, and why isn't he in the PBA, ~~I could~~ he could be making millions.

He ends up bowling a 126 to my piddly 98.

Embarassing.

He's his own party trick.

Happy 10th buddy, hope it rocked.

Dreams and Reality.

2011-03-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

I had a horrible dream last night and it's clear why.

As we were settling in for the evening I saw "earthquake" and Japan in my Twitter feed.

My emergency alert antennae were activated and I immediately turned CNN on and was floored.

Not only was the earthquake reported at EIGHT POINT NINE off the coast of Honshu, but I was watching near live footage of a tsunami flooding the island like some horror movie.

I was literally watching lives being lost and the destruction made me nauseous but I was so captivated I couldn't turn away either.

I watched Twitter and CNN and Facebook and the NYTimes website all night, I couldn't sleep.

Then when I did, I was a top a hotel in San Diego.

The kids were swimming in the ocean and I was watching them from the roof.

Then the earth shook, the hotel shook.

In circles.

Like when you swirl wine in a glass.

The ocean turned into a tsunami and I watched the kids taken inland with the rush of water.

The hotel I was on collapsed and I am sure I was going to die.

I didn't.

I landed inside the hotel restaurant where I saw my brother playing poker.

I was frantic searching and looking and crying and shrieking for my kids.

I don't remember seeing my husband there, but I heard his voice.

I found a pool where there were people who were rescued, but my children were not there.

I felt empty and alone.

Then I woke to K giggling and my son singing, "one more day to my birthday, one more day to my birthday!"

Then I heard the SLAM of the bathroom door as my oldest does best.

Everyone was okay.

My husband snoring softly beside me.

It was 6am.

I remember the dream so vividly and was so depressed.

Yet so incredibly happy it was only that. A dream.

The Japan quake and tsunami not a dream.

News back on, Twitter feed rolling.

Warnings for Hawaii and the West Coast.

We are safe.

Though so many are not.

Bad dreams suck, but real life sometimes sucks more.

I Think I Need to See a Vet for This.

2011-03-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've had baby blues lately.

You may remember.

Now I have them again.

For this:

ohmygodisn'tthatthecutestthingyou'veeverseeninyourwholdwidelife?

Isn't it??

DQ's friend just got a puppy that looks just like this.

I dropped her off at the house and told her, "nah, I don't need to go in to see the new dog."

I hate dogs.

Normally.

But, then the mom beckoned me in.

And, I saw this little guy.

It wasn't love at first sight, but the little guy grew on me.

Then I picked him up and cuddled.

He didn't pee on me.

Then, I loved him.

I stayed and stared at him and everyone was talking around me, but they just sounded like that teacher from the Peanuts cartoon.

I couldn't think.

I couldn't hear.

I couldn't make a coherent sentence.

But, I know when I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about him either.

I mean HE IS SO CUTE.

He looked like a little bear cub.

He peed on his little pee pad.

He nibbled on his chew toy.

He crunched his lunch with those little puppy teeth.

When he whined it sound like, "Awwww..." like he was saying, Aw man don't put me down, I promise I won't pee on you!

It was fricken adorable.

Again, nope, not interested in babies of the human variety.

Been there, closed that shop up for businees.

But, these teeny tiny little furry creatures are YANKING at my heartstrings.

Do you take cold showers for this kind of thing?

My Husband is 5 Years Old, Apparently

2011-03-04T10:41:00.000-08:00

Seriously.

My husband is weird.

I love him and all, but often I do not follow his line of thinking.

The other day we were watching televsion.

Someone got all excited about something.

Hubby comments, "He's so excited I can see his sticks!"

WHAT THE WHAT?

My husband is known for saying strange things, but this worried me.

His sticks?

That sounds dirty.

What are you talking about babe?

"His sticks, you know like Kermit?"

Um frog references, those of the Muppet variety are completely lost on me.

"You know, the way they animate him, with the sticks?"

Have you been drinking?

"NO! It's noon. But, remember on Seasame Street or the Muppet Show, Kermit would get all excited and then he'd get all flail-y and his sticks would show?!"

OH. Yeah!

You are weird sweetie, but I love that about you.

"Remember when Fozzy used to....."

Really? More Muppet references?!

Please go talk to the kids about this.

"Aw." (pouts)

The Things We Endure for Disney

2011-02-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

K needed to meet Rapunzel.

We saw the movie.

Her birthday was of the "Tangled" theme.

Having the t-shirt alone won't do.

We have the doll.

We will get the DVD.

She knows all the words to the soundtrack and sings it her sleep.

As do I.

But, we need to MEET her.

In person.

At Disneyland.

With a bajillion other fans.

The wait was a painful 90 minutes.

60 minutes just to see the clock strike 12 noon.

Then "30 minutes from this spot" in line.

Through crying.

And whining.

And patiently pleading (by me) to stop the crying and whining.

Then there were the small $1.79/each bananas and the off-brand chips that no one would eat.

Plus the 90 minutes wait time at the Princess Faire only to leave 30 minutes in without seeing anyone but other people in line.

Then a $30 doll I bought to chase away the tears.

Then.

it.

Happened.

Star struck.

Then she was bossy.

"I don't want Flynn in the picture."

It's your call.

"Mommy please stand next to me."

Absolutely.

Cheese.

Totally worth it?

She thinks so!

Keeping Busy

2011-02-22T22:45:00.000-08:00

Just coming off a 4 day girl's getaway, we're on the road again.

Going to the Happiest Place on Earth.

No, not Chuck E. Cheese.

No, not Target on the day after Christmas.

Disneyland.

It's something to get my mind off missing my best girlfriends.

Having spent a long weekend with my sistas that have since moved about the country, originally from my home town, it's usually hard to say goodbye.

Especially when the Y& T concert and NetiPot were a few of our highlights of the weekend.

((Inside Joke))

You'd be surprised how crazy 5 moms can get.

It had been a long 18 months since we'd last seen eachother, normally it's only 12, but with 13 children between us, life gets in the way.

Good thing we'll be back together this fall, I can't see enough of these ladies, who I always wish lived next door.

Not like that pit bull who really does live next door.

Dogs scare me.

Anywho.

Disney. Happiest Place.

K is going to FLIP OUT when she realizes that Rapunzel graces the theme park now, the newest princess has a meet and greet event and personally I'm excited too.

I know if there's a karaoke machine nearby, I will be belting out "Mother Knows Best" because god only knows that I know all the words to every song on the Tangled soundtrack.

That we listen to about 52 times a day in the car.

Every day of the week.

So Disney tomorrow.

California Adventure tomorrow.

2 parks, one day.

Universal Studios Thursday.

Distracted.

With constant activity.

I think I'll be sleeping Friday through April to recover.

Will Be-Head for Twizzlers.

2011-02-17T00:53:00.000-08:00

Decapatation.

By Bat.

For Candy.

Poor Rapunzel.

My Valentine's Day Wish

2011-02-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

Today is Valentine's Day.

I sent two of 3 children off to school with store-bought cards and Pixie Stix because, frankly, the other moms do too!

At the preschool level, there is a pre-arranged menu of healthy treats and milk, no need to show off your baking skills or lack there of.

I'm in the lacking department anyway so PHEW.

My son doesn't even know if they had to bring cards, so I'm thinking no big party at the 4th grade level.

So again, I'm not missing out trying to bake brownies in the shape of cupid covered in sprinkles, only for them to turn out looking like a pile of cupid's poop.

Double PHEW.

The kids nonetheless come home with ginormous bags of candy and cards, that sometimes are not even signed, and are way more interesting than krispy treats with googly eyes.

K and My Boy will do a candy trade, while DQ whines that being a middle schooler gips you on all the candy-related holidays.

Which it does.

But, to get even she'll go "oooooh, she loves you!" to all the cards My Boy gets from females in his class.

He'll then throw an open Pixie Stix at her, sugar will get in her eye, and then I declare all the candy is mine, the kids will all cry themselves to sleep at 6pm, and hubby and I will enjoy the Bachelor with a bottle of wine and all the candy we can eat.

Happy Valentine's Day to US!

Well, at least I hope it turns out that way.

The Many Aromas of Hawaii

2011-02-09T23:20:00.000-08:00

I don't have too much time to write.

I have to exercise.

I have to get bathing suit ready.

We are heading to Hawaii.

The island of Aloha.

Paradise.

Where you can walk around with no bra and a sarong and call it dressy.

I can smell the hibiscus, the plumeria, the mai tais.

Once before we landed in Kauai, the garden isle.

This time for our 15 year anniversary we will visit the big island.

Volcano island I call it.

Hot molten lava bubbling before your eyes, can you imagine?!

I now smell sulfur dioxide.

*inhale, exhale.*

Black sand beaches.

How 'bout them apples?

And, I thought earthquakes were the wildest thing I've experienced.

Wait, Hawaii has both!

All I know is that my husband and I are already booked for the Volcano Bike Ride and Wine Tasting.

Because those things go well together.

I think the wine is in those backpack hydration kits.

Did I mention we're going alone?

Sans kiddoes?

Sans is a fancy word for without.

With. Out.

For a week.

Kona is where we're headed. The birthplace coffee, probably. I'm not a history buff.

But, mmmm...the smell of coffee. In Paradise.

There's a snorkling cruise and BBQ I've already booked too.

Again, because having a grilled burger is what I always crave after seeing Nemo.

Paradise I tell you.

Par.a.dise.

Goodbye Baby- and Toddler-hood.

2011-02-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

Today my youngest turns five.

My baby.

Is 5.

Next week I will register her for Kindergarten.

In May I will bid farewell to the preschool that she has gone to for the past two years.

The same school DQ and My Boy went.

This time I won't say, "see you in a few years!"

This milestones says goodbye to the baby and toddler years.

Hello school aged child.

My last child.

My baby.

Is five.

Please Don't Ask to See My I.D.

2011-02-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

My driver's license is hideous.

I mean it's no Nick Nolte.

Give me some credit.

My Hawaiian print is contained to a sarong and I look hot in it.

But, how fair is it to ask a nine month pregnant mother to pose for any photo?

I mean, I may have chubby-ish cheeks already, but baby bloat just happens to some people.

Don't mind the hair in a ponytail to make my face appear 10x wider.

And WHAT was I thinking when I wore a one piece catsuit with spaghetti straps at my size and weight.

You'd really think I was giving birth to Shamu, yet my son was only 6lbs 8 oz.

It looks like i'm wearing my bra OVER my shirt.

Sigh.

Of course now when I'm buying alcohol, cashiers give me that quizzical look.

I have glasses now.

My hair is mostly down.

I DON'T weigh 110 lbs anymore. (I'm SO leaving that on there for like-ever!)

I'm not pregnant.

I have better taste in clothing than I did in 2001.

I think.

Okay.

Are you ready.

I'm so dang embarassed.

Don't laugh.

Okay laugh.

I deserve it.

Even my brother in law saw it recently and said, "dude, what the hell?!"

Scarring me, for pretty much...LIFE.

I'm so changing this photo.

Even if I have to camp at the DMV overnight to be first in line.

Double sigh.

I Want a Baby!!

2011-01-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

Kitten.

Bad.

So I write this letter to my dear sweet husband.

Dear Hubby,

Isn't this the cutest??

Since Maggie died, I have thought about her so much and so has K.

K asked you the other day where they put the shot in Maggie (when they put her down).

You answered, "her arm."

I had to giggle just a tad, cats don't have arms.

But a kitty would be such a good addition to our household.

Look this one sucks it's thumb like K.

Okay, I know, cats don't have thumbs, but follow me here.

One would make such a fun companion.

When the kids go to sleep at night it can cuddle up with us on the couch.

When we get done with our wine, we can train the kitty to do this...

No? Too far?

Okay, but look how sweet they are when they sleep.

Oh and they are so much easier than having another child.

No stretch marks, we can leave them home alone, and we don't have to pay for their college.

Come on, pleeeeeeaaaaassssse!

I promise I won't turn into those weird cat-lady-hoarders.

And, I won't put clothes on it, or carry it in my purse.

Love your wife.

P.S. Did I mention how great you look today? Are you working out?

The Bulge in His Pants

2011-01-21T09:54:00.000-08:00

My Hubby freaks when he loses anything.

Especially his keys.

Like freaks out, cusses, sweats, runs amok around the house on a rampage.

He's done it twice this week.

Between him and the tween, I'm trying to stay out of their way.

This morning he's getting dressed for work.

Can't find his keys.

I see him mentally going over in his head where he's been this morning.

Bathroom, bed.

Last night...basketball, home, car.

I hear him go outside and check if they're in the car door or front door.

Comes back into the bedroom mumbling and thrashing around his bedside table.

I hear him pat his pockets twice.

Man he has a lot of change in there.

Again, back through the house stomping about, the kids waiting for their ride to school.

Comes back in, by the bed opening and closing drawers.

He's on the floor, shuffling shoes and clothes about.

Under the bed, pulling out boxes and papers.

He pats his pocket again.

"Are they in your pocket?!"

He pats it yet again, slides his hand in and to his amazement and my eyeroll, there they are.

I'm going crazy he says.

Thank god.

Phew. I thought I was the only crazy one in the house.

Remind Me, Why Do I Bother?

2011-01-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

Today I had a migraine. It sucked.

Yesterday though I was the picture of domesticity.

I woke early and eager to head to the grocery store.

First sign I was coming down with something.

No. Really. I strolled through the store with plans of meals in my mind.

I wanted something new, something exciting, something different.

I found chicken, and veggies, and craved a good hearty soup.

Something warm and filling and that the whole family would eat.

I wanted Minestrone, but started simple with Chicken Noodle soup.

Every kid eats it, with or without those Spongebob or Princess noodles.

Foolproof, right?

I made it in the crockpot. 8 hours and it would be done. The smell from the kitchen was lovely. I even marinated the leftover chicken for an upcoming night...and made muffins.

I was freaking Betty Crocker if I do say so myself.

K said it smelled good. But she's short.

I say that because she couldn't see the crock pot like my son did when he got home.

"Why is it green? It looks like vomit!"

The greenish tint was due to the herbs and seasonings, and it did NOT resemble puke, thank you very much my loving overly-honest son!

My excitement waned.

When dinner was ready and I wanted to dip my sourdough bread into the delciousness without hearing anymore grief.

My once skeptical son said, "it's good, real good mom!"

Told ya so!

My girls....

Hated it.

"This chicken sticks to my teeth!"

"I don't like this soup!"

"I don't like cooked carrots!"

My heart sinks.

I don't say a word. I hate trying something new, feeling good, and like a good wife and mother, then getting let down.

I try hard to remember the days when I was too a picky eater.

But, come on, chicken noodle soup?!

I didn't make a second meal. Like I do often to appease the naysayers. I let Hubby handle it, which didn't end up well. Daddy and Mommy dearest left the meal on the table for the girls all night, yet they didn't eat another bite, just bread and juice.

You bet they were ravenous this morning for breakfast.

Me, well, I'm over it. Until the next time.

So much for being domestic. PFFFFFFFFFT!

Californians, the Weather, and Earthquakes

2011-01-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Only in CA will you find a boy walking to the high school in short sleeves and shorts on a 47 degree morning, I'm sure he's betting on at least a high of 55.

Only in CA will my little almost-5 year old ask on a clear, sunny, crisp 57 degree December day, "Can we put the pool out, I'm hot!"

Only in CA will you get Californias all excited when an earthquake hits, then hits again, then hits again all in 24 hours!

Only in CA do we throw around numbers in conversation like 3.7, 2.0, 4.1 and we're not talking grade point averages!

Yesterday we were shaken awake by one of those 4.1's. Earthquake that is. Normally something you go "WHOA!" and then fall back asleep to. But, all the kids woke. Mainly because DQ was freaking out. A few things fell from her bookshelf and she doesn't like the sound of walls moving around her uncontrollably.

I don't blame her.

It can be scary.

I was driving a driver's education car in the Loma Prieta quake of 1989. Trying to remind myself, the right pedal is the gas, the one to the left was the break and trying not to drive with two feet. My teacher marked me down when I did that.

Just as soon as I reached the stop sign, a rumble passed beneath the car. I don't remember running over a bear, but that's kinda what it felt like.

I looked across the street and saw a facade of the building where my hairdresser worked fall straight down to the ground.

It was surreal. The car was bouncing, people were running from buildings, my driver's ed teacher was yelling at me!

"Turn around! Wait, get out, let me drive! We need to get back to the school. I need to find my kids!"

When the rocking and rolling and shaking stopped, we flew down the street, the teacher mentioning to us to never run stop signs and speed as he was doing to get back.

Only a few blocks from home, I walked from the school to find our backyard soaked like a rainstorm had hit. The swimming pool had sloshed water about and I ran inside to see what else was amiss.

The kitchen floor was covered in broken dishes and nerves were shaken. News of the quake and how hard it hit the bay area was on the radio as the World Series was going on at the time and was suddenely interrupted.

7.1 was the initial report, though I think it was reduced to a 6.8 later on.

I told DQ that story last night after we were hit with 2 more shakers that registered 3.7 and 4.5.

She was even more scared and has permanently left a blanket and pillow on the floor in our room, just in case she has to run in there and sleep in the middle of the night.

Now I'm scared.

Tough Lessons to Learn

2011-01-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Last month I blew up.

DQ was invited to a Christmas party and it was a gift exchange.

We gave some thought to a gift and sent her on her way.

When we picked her up, she had a light saber in her hand.

"What the heck is that?"

Well it was her gift in the exchange.

It wasn't random, each girl drew another girl's name, so why a seven year old boy's gift? Ridiculous, I was fuming.

"Who picked your name?"

Like a tween, I got a shoulder shrug and an "i'm fine with it."

I'm sure she wasn't fine because she tried pawning it off on her younger siblings and even they didn't want it.

I facebooked about it and found out via the friend grapevine that my daughter said once in passing that she WANTED a light saber for a gift. As a joke I'm sure, but someone was listening and that's what she got. While other girls got nice gifts like cozy blankets and necklaces.

Be careful what you wish for, Lesson One.

---
Last night we went out to Chinese food.

DQ does not like Chinese unless it's from Panda Express.

We didn't go to Panda Express, so her plate was left bare while we ate and she read on her iPod.

We get home and after an hour of complaining she was starving, she decided on Easy Mac.

It says right on the container, EASY.

She was so flustered and hungry and god forbid she was having a conversation with me at the same time, she put the mac in the microwave and waited.

A minute in she yells, OMG THERE'S SMOKE COMING FROM THE MICROWAVE!!

We go into the kitchen and stop the timer and what do you know.

The container and the macaroni was melting in the microwave, smoke immediately poured throughout the house.

Between hacking, we ask what happened.

Oops, forgot to put the water in the cup.

Don't skip steps when cooking, especially when starving. Lesson 2.

More drama ensued when the only thing left for her to eat (because she's picky) is Spaghetti-O's.

Last time she saw spaghetti-o's was in the toilet after she threw up from the stomach flu.

"I'm sure it wasn't the food that made you sick, you just had a virus!"

After plenty of whining and screaming, she ate them.

And didn't vomit.

You'll eat anything if you're starving enough and it most likely won't make you sick. Hopefully. Lesson 3.

Sigh.

I don't ever want to relive the tween/teen years again.

It's hard enough being an adult, learning how to deal with the lessons the tweens learn.

Bring It Twenty-Eleven!

2011-01-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2011.

Almost back to the routine.

The CA school system is wrecked and budget cuts added more days off for the kids, so they don't go back until Thursday.

But, as we enter a new year, we have so many wonderful things to look forward to!

-K's FIFTH birthday! Not sure how that happened so quickly. She's already planning her princess party with crowns and a jump house. (could be dangerous)

-My THIRTY-EIGHTH birthday. Oh, now I see how K is getting older, because I am too. I can't believe I'm pushing the forty mark.

-Annual Girl's Trip to Vegas, BABY! So last year was a bust and all our competing schedules didn't allow it. So we're making it up in Sin City. Sorry, but what happens in Vegas, doesn't get blogged, you know the old saying!

-My Boy's TENTH birthday. Double digits is huge. He's already planning his party and it has nothing to do with jump houses or princesses, I promise that!

-Baseball season. Goodbye weekends...again.

-Kindergarten registration. GULP. Not my baby already?!

-Hubby and my FIFTEENTH wedding anniversary. *insert special husband and wife, no kids vacation trip here*

-SIL/BIL and family move to CA from Arizona! Holla!!

-K starts KINDERGARTEN....hold me.

-My Boy starts FIFTH grade.

-DQ enters EIGHTH grade. Holy crapola!

-Hubby turns THIRTY EIGHT. Ha ha, you're old too. *smooch*

-DQ turns THIRTEEN. Hold me tighter. Oh dear hormone gods save me. The special date...11-11-11. How awesome is that?!

-I go crazed over the holidays, like every year. It's on the calendar.

Wow, what a year huh!

I'm excited, exhilerated, and ready, bring it ELEVEN!

On the Road Again (Alternatively titled, "Shoot Me Now, Border Patrol")

2010-12-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

Just about 24 hours in the car will make anyone rummy.

Like a total car zombie that wants to jump out at any moment just to rid themselves of the straight-jacket of seatbelts, static-y radio stations, and the smell of feet and corn nuts.

Though today, we drove through our first ever Border Patrol checkpoint, and walking aimlessly on the highway might have put me in a Mexican prison.

That's totally not offensive either.

I'm Mexican.

And, we were within a stone's throw of the border.

The BORDER of the US and Mexico.

Did you know there's this black fence that keeps us from our southern neighbors.

I really wanted to touch the soil just beyond that fence this morning, but my husband suggested otherwise.

"See that mountain, it's Signal Mountain. That's Mexico. Just LOOK at it, we're close enough."

Oh well. I did SEE Mexico today. A first.

Plus a lot of other little towns like Calexico, El Centro, Yuma, and Holtville.

My husband's old stomping grounds when he drove tomato harvester in his youth.

Oh and I did see the Colorado River, twice this week.

We went to Arizona to spend a second Christmas with my husband's family.

It was very nice.

Arizon's housing is incredibly inexpensive, "from the $118,000s and 3-4.5 car garages!"

Not to mention there's a Walgreen's, Home Depot, and Dunkin' Donuts on every street corner.

Plus lots of rocks, brush, and cacti that look like they're flipping me off.

My SIL's family is moving back to CA next summer, so this was the last hurrah for the family to enjoy the holidays there.

Looks like we'll never have to drive further than 30 minutes to spend holidays with our family.

Thank goodness, because this road trip may be the final straw that broke The Mom's back.

If I hear "are we there yet one more time...."

I'm going to fly for the rest of my life.

Happy New Year! Here's to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011.

Oh Christmas Cow...Oh Christmas Cow...

2010-12-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

HOW.Is.It.December 23?

No, really, because it was just my 37th birthday, February, we were on a wine tour in a limo.

I got my favorite toy in the world as a gift, my iPod Touch.

I blinked.

Now it's almost 2011.

I'm almost 38, and we have a MAJOR road trip planned on Christmas day.

You hear that??

It's the thumping of my heart.

As it races at about 150 beats per minute.

Clearly not normal.

At least we did get a Santa visit in.

She was invited into his lap, but looked at me with her "oh hells no" eyes and I said, she's in just the right spot.

10 minutes prior to this she was a star in her preschool Christmas play.

By, star I mean she was a cow.

But the CUTEST ONE that ever graced a manger.

See, told you!

No lines, just stood there, looking adorable.

My Boy was the InnKeeper in this very same play 6 years ago.

His one line about there being no room at the Inn was dazzling.

DQ was Mary. No lines, but the "lead" no less.

Good thing we're done having kids.

I'm not sure there's anything lower than a cow in the program.

Well maybe the hay beneath baby Jesus.

Though we moved down the acting ladder this year, it was definitely a darling production.

Now that the big day(s) are just hours away, I'm rushing about looking for those last minute presents, trying to find all those hiding spaces I stashed gifts, and hoping they don't get shaken and then guessed before opening.

Where's the surprise in that?

From my family to yours, we wish you the happiest of holidays, travel safe, and remember those diets can all start after New Year's!

Dreaming of a White Christmas

2010-12-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

So we get to Tahoe.

It looks like this...

The view from our deck is this...

And K falls in love with the snow, like this...

Then my nephews have these...

So the kids do this all weekend...

The biggest kid even does it, risking popping his shoulder out for the 24th time...

Best weekend home and front yard...EVER.

Did I mention the biggest snowball...EVER?!

She's asking Santa for a sled for Christmas.

And a hill of snow for her front yard.

Not sure that second thing is going to fly.

But, you have to agree, it's a sweet dream.

Sand, Snow, Cactus.

2010-12-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

I love where I live.

You can be at the beach one weekend.

Strolling the sand, planning our next skim-boarding trip.

Then the next weekend you can head to the mountains.

Suit up in the warmest of clothing.

And, play in the snow.

That's our plan this weekend.

Snowmen. Sleds. Snowshoes. Bitter cold.

With dreams of heading back to the beach after Christmas.

San Diego.

With a hint of the desert (Arizona) in between.

Tis the season.

For fun travel.

Have a great weekend.

Liquid Encouragement

2010-12-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

Friday was my mom's last day of working.

Ever!

She's retired now and some of her coworkers, friends, and I took her out for a night on the town.

And, by the "town" where we live, it's biker bar-sports bar-karaoke bar.

We live in hicksville.

Anyway, we started out at the biker bar.

My mom slammed two Patron shots to my one girly Cosmo.

MY MOM.

Patron.

Shots.

Okay, after I got over that shock, high-fived moms, I had cosmo two and three.

Next we walked down the street to the sports bar and had mozzarella sticks and burgers.

And, I took in 3 Coors Lights.

Let's remember we started early. It was after work, 4:30pm...by now, we're closing in on 8pm.

Our last stop was to go hit up the karaoke bar.

Laugh, drink some more, and possibly snicker at the monotone lady singing, "Splish Splash."

Seriously, you have to have some range when you sing that song!

3 more Coors Lights later, I have the microphone in my hand and I'm singing "Honey I'm Home" by Shania Twain.

Apparently I signed myself up.

I hear the singing, but I can't believe the sound is coming from me. I hit some high and low notes and my mom and friends are all cheering me on.

I kinda rock at this.

I think.

I really hope I wasn't like Mrs. Monotone.

Was I nasally?

Later, I'm chatting with a friend and she mentions Stevie Nicks and I'm not real familiar. Pretty soon, the microphone is back in my hand and I'm singing "Stand Back" really trying to focus on the words that I barely know! More cheers and hoots.

How was I singing that song, oh that friend was too shy.

I look around and not to many laughs or people pointing in horror.

Pretty soon I'm texting my husband and friends, "OMG I just sang Pink's "Get this Party Started" and "Man I feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain.

Who am I?

How am I doing this?

Is anyone else singing, am I hogging the microphone, did I bring my own?

What is the DEAL?

I only sing in the shower or when I'm alone.

Or in the car, alone.

Not in front of people, especially drunk strangers.

ALONE.

Oh right, it's my liquid courage.

Man, I sorta wish someone would have had a video camera.

Next time for sure!

I mean, when my friends are singing.

Right.

I think.

Death and Life

2010-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

I recently heard about a death of someone we knew.

She was a first cousin of my dad actually.

So my second cousin, though we weren't very close.

She worked for one of my doctors, so I did see her annually, at least.

Around town, she was always friendly, always asked about my family and my parents.

Smile on her face, always.

She passed away the day after Thanksgiving.

Unexpectedly.

Only 47 years old, two kids, grandkids.

It's bothering me.

Mortality bothers me.

I can't shake the feeling of doom for days after hearing things like this.

It's the holidays, no one should be experiencing a death in the family.

There's no good time of year though.

It's just not fair.

Makes you stop and revisit all those stupid little things that we're all worried about, complain about, obsess about.

Life's too short.

Embrace what you have.

I know that I have to take my own advice.

....

On the flip side, one of my friends just got engaged.

She SO deserves the lucky man she is with!

They both have daughters that are friends with DQ, they are already like sisters!

I'm so thrilled for them!

I needed to hear this blessing after a tragedy.

The 'ol circle of life.

Hug your loved ones tight today!

The Xmas Photo Drama

2010-11-28T22:01:00.000-08:00

WHY?

Oh why is it so hard to get one....

JUST ONE...

Nice family photo?

Once a year.

That's it, that's all I ask.

I don't think it's too much.

We live in the most gorgeous area in the world.

We go to the beach in 30 minutes and this is what we get...

Mom it's freezing! (it was)

The wind is blowing my hair! (it did)

Why do we have to do this? (because we live in the most gorgeous place and I want a damn cute Christmas card!)

My oldest daughter, near tears.

It's too hard.

This...faces too dark, not a natural pose, all I see is fingers.

This one, great, but so much sun on the eyes, the squinting. Son's hands in his pocket so they don't freeze up and fall off.

We get our coats on, back in the car to warmth, give up and decide to try again at Thanksgiving.

Poor K, she's holding up great, but um...honey where are you looking??!

Seriously, K has been doing so well, she just wanted to climb into my lap by this time....and HONEY, seriously, camera is OVER HERE!!

For the love of all that is holy.

I give up.

Good thing I know a thing or two about Photoshop.

It's going to be a cut and paste Christmas!

My Robe.

2010-11-23T21:16:00.000-08:00

I've been wearing my robe for a week and a half straight.

I feel eighty years old.

Last week it was the stomach flu. After that I really wanted to burn my robe, but I settled for washing it.

This week, I'm wearing my husband's old robe he hasn't worn since '94.

He's not a robe kinda guy.

But, this week, I'm just plain cold.

I don't know if I sloughed off a fat layer with my illness last week, but I can't get warm.

The weather dropped about 40 degrees from a few short weeks ago.

There's cloud cover. Rain. Wind.

It feels like the Pacific Northwest, in the Pacific...West.

The mailman, UPS guy, FedEx lady, and all the other delivery people just smile, roll their eyes when I open the door looking all schluppy.

I don't care, I'd be in bed all day if I didn't have to pee. And eat. And cook. And shower.

It's time to put the good ol comforter over our sliding glass doors in our bedroom for a extra layer of warmth, because our heating bill will be through the roof in no time, and the kids you know, want Christmas presents and stuff.

The only downfall to the comforter trick is that it lets NO light in.

I love it, it's like a cave.

My husband on the other hand does have a job he has to go to.

And slapping the alarm every 8 minutes for 2 hours isn't enough to wake him.

He needs daylight to rise to.

Anyway.

Hope my mom doesn't mind I wear my robe to Thanksgiving dinner.

More room to stash rolls in the pockets.

3rd serving of candied yams here I come, just loosen my belt a little.

I'm determined to make my robe a new fashion statement.

Like Hef's.

Only cuter, and younger.

Are We Still Talking Puke?

2010-11-19T11:19:00.000-08:00

Yes.

Fortunately, it wasn't me despite spending the last 4 days in utter pain.

Stomach flu, but after blood work and an ultrasound ruled out stones and bacterial infections.

Unfortunately, it was my son.

When did this occur? THAT is a mystery!

Last night DQ asked for an extra blanket for her bed.

My ever-sweet son offered one of his comforters since he runs hot at night on the top bunk.

As I pulled the white blanket off his bed, I saw it.

A smear of orange-ish, tan-ish gunk spread over the corner.

I froze.

I knew immediately what it was and I wretched.

WHAT.

IS.

THAT?!

Though I knew, I rapidly calculated days in my mind and tried to come up with when the last time My Boy had the pukes.

Nothing came up. K was sick last month. I was just sick, but the worst kind where you're nauseous all day but can't or won't throw up.

No one else sleeps in that bed.

Oh I know. When we went camping. That was the last time. But, this blanket didn't go.

It looked new. It wasn't.

Why I thought touching it was going to be okay, I did and it was like that plastic fake-vomit. It was like crystallized in its original form.

I heaved.

I gagged.

My husband had to take it from me to put in the washer.

The smell was overwhelming.

My Boy says, "No WONDER I've had a headache the last few days!"

??

Had he gotten sick in the middle of the night, and then fellback to sleep?

And, when?

How could we have missed this?

Baffling. Disgustingly baffling.

Struggle.

2010-11-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

If you've ever had a panic attack, you know it sucks.

The whole elephant on your chest, the heart palpitations, the full blown anxiety that makes you want to jump out of your skin.

I remember the first one I ever had sent me to the ER.

They mimic the feeling of a heart attack. I think. So I hear.

Fingers are tingly and cold.

Dizzy.

I remember the doctor told me that all the tests came back normal. There was nothing wrong.

I begged to differ.

Well there wasn't anything wrong with my heart.

My mind...another story.

I guess this is where being a lifelong worry wort doesn't help matters.

I've had a few big attacks since.

They come on often with no rhyme or reason that I can put my finger on.

Ultimately there is buried worry, stress, fear. But on one occasion, my husband and I were headed to a weekend away, no kids, to the coast. It was going to be phenomenal. On the car ride over I was perspiring, heart racing, I remembered that feeling and asked WHY? Why now of all times?

The kids were in great hands as always with my parents.

We were going to have much needed 'couple time.'

We were going to the beach.

Here I am again. Feeling that elephant squeezing the life out of me. What are we doing this weekend? Heading out to a wonderful weekend at a resort in San Diego. Just hubby and I. On a much needed getaway.

It's like my body doesn't want me to slow down and catch my breath.

I don't get it.

I'm popping a(nother) Xanax and I'm going to lay down.

Ever happen to you?

No Boys Allowed

2010-11-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

Just as soccer is coming to an end, the days are getting more flexible and schedules aren't choking us with carpooling, enter mid-November.

What, only the 10th. Well, it's almost the middle.

Tomorrow is my daughter's 12th birthday. TWELVE, going on thirty.

How does this happen?

Oh yeah, time.

It flies.

I feel it every day as my aging body rebels.

So ten girls, my house, and no plan.

It makes me kinda wacky.

I'm so used to being in control of parties, food, activities, jump house, pinata. Done.

Two hours in and out.

Not now. My daughter wants a 6 hour party, her own random activities, food, pizza, and cake.

"I just want to hang mom."

Hang for 6 hours. With 10 others, in our small house.

STRESS.

Plus I have to pawn off K and My Boy to grandma's because the tween doesn't want distractions.

Like farting noises and screaming toddlers.

I actually understand that, thank goodness tomorrow's a holiday and grandma is off work. (Thanks Gran and papa, you rock!)

So amid the party planning, there was a slight detour.

DQ wanted to invite 3 boys to the party.

Of course it's not a sleepover, duh, that would be an automatic HELL TO THE NO! But, my daughter has attended birthday and holiday parties with friends that included boys. Sure, fine. BUT...

But...this is our house and we say no.

But...3 of these boys may or may not be "boyfriends" of some of the girls attending.

And by may or may not, I mean heavy on the MAY.

No.

Can you imagine the drama of just the 10 girls aged 12 and 13?

Let's NOT throw 3 boyfriends into the mix, i'm not ready to be patrolling the hallway to make sure doors aren't closed.

Oh I think I have to take a xanax just thinking about this.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a trust issue. It's just not what we're going to do. We're not going to support it. Enable it. Encourage it.

Plus, DQ doesn't know it yet, but she will attend the high school prom with her dad. No dating until you're 25 darling. Sorry.

Now, off to buy candy, popcorn, and Mountain Dew.

Can you believe I've never had a Mountain Dew, we've never bought it for our household, yet it's a staple for most tween parties.

Wish me luck.

Vertigo on the Golden Gate

2010-11-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

On the way home from our weekend trip up the coast, we strolled through SF.

Okay, there is no way to stroll anywhere in SF, it's got streets that run miles toward the ocean and you feel like you'll never get there! If you stroll you may be hit by:
A: a trolley
B: a street car
C: a wired bus thingy
D: tour motorized cart thingys that look so unsafe
E: all of the above.

We drove on a street with no left turns for miles and I started to feel claustrophobic. Trapped. Like I could not find my way out of the city and we just wanted to go see the Golden Gate Bridge for pete's sake.

So we saw the Bridge at one point. Then we detoured and dipped our toes at Ocean Beach, Seal Rock.

2 hours later we navigated in and out of 19th Street so many times, I think the city uses the same street name all over town to make you go crazy and feel more trapped and lost.

Finally, the big red guy.

This shot gave me vertigo.

The rivets, simply....riveting.

Alcatraz Island

The kids were whining they were afraid of heights. Me, just afraid of falling to my death at heights like that. "When can we turn around?" "You know the farther we walk the farther we have to go back." Ooh reciprocal property! See we're doing math, it's like homeschool. Plus you're looking at an Engineering marvel, look how excited dad is!

Ah, the city. So beautiful outside the fog. But, man, my head is still spinning from those heights.

Halloween Hangover Complete with Sour Patch Puke

2010-11-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

I say down with the whole "Halloween gives you the pukes" theme of the holiday.

Every year, one of the kids takes in just one too many Sour Patch gummies and out it all comes the next day.

Not to mention our dryer died, so any pukey laundry I do, I still have to deliver it in wet form to my moms to dry. Glorious.

Luckily, the sad state of schools has our district closed today, I'm at least spared toting a 4 year old all around town for dropoffs/pickups and activities.

K was a darling Barbie Fairy Princess.

My son went as a GI Joe Ninja and oldest was a dancer (really big stretch).

Over the weekend we did finally get to a pumpkin patch, albeit 2 hours away in Half Moon Bay. The city has a pumpkin patch on every corner!

Though she settled for a mini pumpkin in the end, a rare smiling shot!

Love pumpkin patches with all the extra fun stuff.

Face painting.

This pony was named Bingo.

The slide jumper was the biggest hit.

Despite the candy hangover, it was a great weekend, and bonus points that the Giants are leading 3 games to 1 in the World Series!

Is This Week Over Yet??

2010-10-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Is it Thursday already? It's been a strange week.

I'm all out of whack. Monday, K's soccer practice was cancelled due to soggy fields. Didn't stop husband and my boy from having their practice (different coaches, different theories on "how wet").

Tuesday, I played worker/commuter mom and headed to Safeway headquarters for a blogger event. Dressed and ready and on the road by 8am in light traffic for an hour. Heard about the Just for U program (check it out at Safeway.com) that launched this week in No.Cal, went on a shopping spree, then back in traffic for an hour-20 home.

Hello road rage. I bow down to anyone who has to commute daily, that messes up the mind. And I only did it once!

I get into town to visit my youngest at ballet/tap class. It's observation- and Halloween week, so she's dressed in her Ariel costume.

I expected smiles, but I had a daughter with a very concerned look on her face as she did her batmas and ron de jons.

I noticed 2 things: daddy didn't brush her hair at ALL that day, and that her costume was pinned up. Yeah, I knew it was a little long in the fin.

But, that was bothering her. When we got home, she CRIED her costume was too big and she needed another one, TODAY!

A cookie to soothe the crying, we moved on to My Boy's dilemma. He needed a full-topographical map of California due Thursday. He tells us this on Tuesday. Everyone else's in his class are done.

Has a complete meltdown with dad that he needs to start is ASAP, here's the recipe for playdough for the model, and GO!

Lucky for my son, his dad helped him make every valley, mountain, and lake on that model, helped him mix the paints and sent it off to school today.

Wednesday-coldest day this fall, the heater kicks on. I can't warm up for the life of me all day.

Luckily it's beer and pizza night for the Giants/Rangers World Series game 1. Win-Buzz-Warm.

So now it's Thursday. I'm awoken to the alarm going off because someone (I won't mention her name) left the house and put it on the setting as if no one was still in bed with a toddler kicking her.

Coffee and then computer time finds me SYSTEM RESTORING the whole laptop due to a blue screen repeating something like "i'm a virus and i'm going to eat your blog" a million times.

It worked, so thank you husband for teaching me one way to fix everything on the computer.

What will Friday bring? Hopefully the start of a fresh new week.

Bandwagon Fan, and Proud of It

2010-10-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Matt Slocum/Associated Press
As a California resident and a few hours from SF, I'm so excited that the Giants are going to the World Series.

Last time they were there, Hubby was in the hospital. Well, in and out, and back again.

2002.

Before that, I was driving on the back streets of town in a driver's ed car just as the Loma Prieta Earthquake hit.

1989.

My parents have been lifelong fans.

I like baseball, I do!

Never thought I was as competitive as I am until my own kids got into sports and I'm on the sidelines jumping and screaming and stressing.

Same thing these last few weeks with the torturous division series, then the league championships.

I was on pins and needles watching the games, giving myself a small ulcer.

One day I walked the soccer fields back in forth in a small wi-fi area to get the play by play on my iPod.

It's been so exciting, local team makes it.

I don't have to be a season ticket holder to enjoy a good baseball team.

We've been to one whole game this year.

Come Wednesday, me like half the country will be rooting for the Giants to win.

For the first time as a San Francisco team, they can bring the title to my little pocket of the world.

We're considering giving my son a mohawk for the series, it worked for his little league team a few years ago.

Hub may grow his beard and dye it black.

I can not wash my hair for a week and Hub and I can go as Wilson and Lincecum for Halloween.

ooh good idea me!

Phew, No Hugging the Toilet Last Night

2010-10-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Drive-thru restaurant playlands give me the heebes.

Yesterday a very sweet neighbor invited my son to lunch at a local establishment and also play on the equipment.

Out of the 3 kids, I think only my oldest has had the opportunity to do this under my care.

Only because it was before I learned places like that harbor every germ known to man.

They should put antibiotics in the kids meals, ick!

After a few trips with DQ and 2000 ear, sinus, and stomach infections later I swore I would never take my children there again.

I've held up my end of the promise. Though I cannot keep friends and family to take them unbeknownst to me.

When the invitation came yesterday, I sucked up the urge to scream, HELL NO and allowed my son to head into infections-r-us.

I did have to give my 2 cents by saying, "oh I'll hose him down when he gets home!" to the neighbor's grandma who probably thought I was joking.

The other kids were even shocked I allowed it.

"No Fair!" they exclaimed while I answered, "I'm saving you from hugging the toilet tonight, you're welcome!"

2 hours later when he came home probably ready to sprout hand-foot-and-mouth, I directed him straight to the shower.

The smile when he came out of the bathroom went from a huge-relief-smile to a scowl in seconds.

He was wearing the same clothes he had on before.

His head was wet.

I heard the water running just minutes before.

"What's up dude? What are you wearing."

Well I didn't wash my hair, but I did soap up.

"Um, WHAT?! Small animals can still be alive on your head! And, what's the deelio with your clothes, I think I see a bed bug on your shorts!"

Mom you're overreacting.

Well maybe, maybe his immune system is better than I thought.

Maybe I should get over this phobia.

Time to push the kids out of their bubbles into the real world.

...

...

...bedtime arrives and I hear mom, my stomach hurts!

"SEE, the germs have gotten you. I told you so! Had you burned your clothes and shampooed that hair you would have been fine!!"

Luckily he went to bed and no midnight buckets were needed.

No camping by the toilet was necessary.

But, sometimes there's a span between infection and breakout.

Tell me, I'm not overreacting. Please.

Of Pyros, Clouds, and Prayers

2010-10-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy the show in the sky.

Camping, the only blue we saw...

well I saw it, no one else was paying that much attention I think.

They were busy being pyromaniacs.

Fire is fascinating to kids.

I'm pretty sure they burned everything they touched in the fire ring, p.s. plastic bakery containers reek when afire.

I kept my focus in the sky.

Plus, the impending rain both scared and excited me.

I don't pray often in the biblical sense (long story).

But, this day I had just wished that it wouldn't pour in the middle of the night, then drip through the tent and soak us...it happened before!

Then I looked up in the sky and had a feeling I was being heard.

A small wish, granted.

Forget the Cake...

2010-10-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

Of course after 2 weeks of a late summer and 90 degrees it rains on our camping weekend.

No big deal, drizzles in the evening and then rain at checkout, just make for some muddy and sandy clothes, we have to do laundry anyway.

Hubby's birthday is actually today 10/18 and he is 37.

Finally caught up to me, I like having a younger man, ha by 8 whole months.

I've baked some triple chocolate brownies for him, as well as prepped the enchiladas he requested.

Of course we still have 2 hours of soccer and 3 hours of dance to get through, and I'm starved the kitchen-- smells yum.

Last year we were in Tahoe and my husband was battling pneumonia, so we're doing well this year.

I even did the dishes...his comment, "whoa, is it my birthday or something?"

Yes, yes it is.

Don't get used to it.

He never asks for anything, but I still quiz, "what would you like for your present?"
A HITCH FOR THE CAR!

No pause, no "oh nothing, I don't need anything, I have everything I need" b.s, straight and to the point.

You see our current car took all of us plus a friend camping and we overloaded the roof and the kids were buried by sleeping bags.

Time for a change.

With this hitch we can attach a trailer and then wheel the whole gizmo straight into the campsite.

And we can acutally breathe in the car.

And not risk losing our cooler on Hwy 1.

Makes sense.

He also said, "No cake, brownies."

Well then, triple chunk is the new cake.

I can handle that...though I'm worried a bit my husband's getting a little more high maintenance.

It's old age.

I'm sure of it.

Because I'm the same way.

Goofaloop.

2010-10-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

Oh my youngest.

Such a girly girl.

She doesn't go to a soccer practice without a dress or skort.

I have to talk her out of wearing her tutu, but that is her favorite!

It's just how she rolls.

Most of the time.

Sometimes she is just plain unique.

Like when she made her own shoes out of hair ties and wood blocks.

Genius or weird?

Silly Bandz made their way in our house, they've gotten stuck in the vacuum and have turned into rubber band weapons.

Even the cute Strawberry Shortcake ones.

Which are way cooler to wear as a mask.

Or as a scruncher when all the hair ties are on your feet.

The Cowboy Boots Saga.

2010-10-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

I may never hear the end of it.

The cowboy boots saga.

It all started with a garage sale planned and executed by DQ and held at grandma's house last weekend.

My husband likes to call it Laundry Day because often we drive by homes having garage sales, but it clearly looks like they just didn't want wash clothes so they throw them aimlessly onto the driveway in hopes someone will give them money for them, clean or not.

I have to say, yes we did have clothes (gently worn by DQ and clean) but many other outdoor toys, books, DVDs, games, home decor,shoes, makeup and more.

Most often we take bags of stuff like this to GoodWill and call it good. Someone will benefit in the long run.

This time DQ was desperate to purchase electronics and wanted cold hard cash for her goods.

To her delight grandma and grandpa donated their sales to the cause...minus $10 that I gave to grandpa.

See there were a pair of cowboy boots he brought out to sell. He goes on to say he spent $125 on them and wore them only once due to be uncomfortable.

AND that he is not a cowboy, nor does he work where cowboy boots are needed or warranted.

We are not cow-people.

So anyway, grandpa heads to the store to bring us all donuts, and per usual comes back 3 hours later.

"Oh did my boots sell?"
Me: Yes!
"How much did you sell them for?"
Me: Two bucks.
(near passing out) "WHAT?! Do you know I spent $125 for those? ARE YOU KIDDING, I could have kept them for that....(grumble, curse, stomp)"
Me: You never gave me a price and you were gone forever.
"You owe me at least $20 for them."
Me: Yeah right.

You see, people in our town and probably everywhere do not care how much a product was paid for new, they want bargains. They will bargain you down until you crack. It's all about power and saving money and I think I still have 25 pennies in my pocket because I didn't give up a book for free, serves me right I guess.

Often my motto is, if someone asks you a price about anything, make sure they leave with it, make a deal or it will end up being put right back into the house when it doesn't sell.

A few hundred dollars later my daughter is happy, we all survived and we settled up with grandpa for 10 bucks.

Seriously, cowboy boots dad?

Just be careful what you bring over when we have sale #2 in a few weeks.

No, that's not my Butt.

2010-10-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

K still enjoys a bath.

Nothing more fun to a kid then a tub filled with water and a ton of random toys.

I'm not a bath fan...stewing in dirty water, not my thing.

Not really healthy for girls in general, but anyway.

So I was thrilled when K started wanting to take showers.

Most have been alone, some with me.

Those with me are always a buzz kill.

"Mom, why is your tummy so floppy?"

Hush and wash your hair!

"What are those? (pointing to my stretch marks)"

Your fault, wash your pits.

"I can see your boobs!"

HUBBY!!! Come get YOUR DAUGHTER out of here now!!!!!!!

"(Giggling) I can see your butt!"

That's not a butt, and you can shower alone from now on!

Nothing like getting your parts laughed at to start the day.

And why is it that when you go to rinse shampoo off of said child's hair they open their mouth and eyes and put their head down so it all flows into their face and then begins the screaming.

"MY EYES! EW DIS SHAMPOO TASTES BAD!"

I told you to look up at the ceiling.

"I can't dare is soap in my eyes and my mouff!"

Tomorrow you are getting a bath!

Did I say I was thrilled?

I lied.

One of THOSE Days.

2010-09-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

Last night I was thumbing through our alumini university magazine and got depressed.

Towards the back you have an update on what all the former students are doing now.

About a third of them were all having babies, that's fine, I've done that, not too envious of that.

Another third are getting married, just found a job, or bought a home, been there done that.

But it's that last group that just hit a nerve...

"Joe Schmoe ('95) just received his Ph.D in molecular razzamatazz and is being published in every important spot possible" "Jeff Schmoe ('96) was just honored for discovering a cure for goober's disease..."

You know the BIG stuff.

It's not that I'm jealous that they've done those things, more power to them, awesome, kudos, great work!

I could have gotten a Ph.D in something if I really wanted to.

um yeah I could have!

I just get kinda cranky that my little blurb would say this: "The Mom Jen ('95) went on to get her teaching credential and worked for TWO WHOLE YEARS before giving up her income and sacrificing her sanity for the next 12, all to have people look down at her and not appreciate the HARD WORK that goes into raising children into respectful, capable, smart, determined adults. Just because she's not currently enrolled in night courses online and trying make something more of herself, people stopped reading this blurb about 45 words ago. Whoopdifrickendoo! Joe Schmoe is so much cooler!"

--PS her parents are probably pissed she wasted all that money on college.

I could have gone to college for another 8 years, not have gotten married or had kids and focused on my studies, research, fancy schmancy stuff just to have my name in the alumni magazine.

But I didn't.

I'm not regretting a THING I've done since college.

I'm just entitled to one of those days when you feel like you're invisible, not important, not significant, not successful enough, not appreciated, not looked up to (unless you're shorter than 5'1").

Today's my day.

Wedgie.

2010-09-25T01:28:00.000-07:00

Duh, why didn't I think of this before.

Instead of loafing about playing on my iPod during soccer practice, why not get off my ass and walk?

Not that speed-walking though.

I don't want to look crazy pumping my arms, and I always get like off-rhythm and look like Phoebe running in Friends.

Just walking at a brisk pace to get my heart rate up.

Burn a few Halloween Oreos.

(is my poop going to turn orange? that dye is dark!)

So I tried it one day at K's practice and I got a bit huffy puffy.

You know because my body is all, "what are you doing, shouldn't you be in bed playing Words with Friends eating Oreos at noon?"

And I was all, yes, but my muffin top is out of control and my pants hurt when I wear them.

So alas, I walked, a few laps around the field.

Last night we walked after eating Chinese food so I could drink wine without guilt while watching 30 Rock.

Today, another practice and 5 laps. Barefoot.

My shins are crying, but I felt good afterwards.

Minus the inner thigh chafing.

Note to self, wear longer shorts or you'll have to constantly dig them out of your wedge-ical area.

It's not very lady-like.

I know i'm late to the party when it comes to staying fit, but this is a huge baby step for me.

I've joined and quit the gym like 3 times.

And, I'm officially banned from buying Ab-rollers from informercials at 2am.

This is decent, I can do it, and I'm getting less huffy-puffy at it.

Stay at home moms don't get much in the way of pats on the back, so this is my own self-patting.

And after 12+ years at home, I need all the patting I can get.

So to recap: When your kids are in activities, burn calories so you can eat empty ones with wine and watch TV afterwards without guilt.

See and you thought you had to pay $60/month for a gym membership. You're welcome I just saved you money.

The End.

The Eyes Have It (and the Teeth Do Too!)

2010-09-22T10:40:00.001-07:00

Last week, DQ got fitted for contact lenses.

It was her dream come true.

She's complained about her glasses since day one, and I don't blame her, she's at that age where looks are everything.

Hopefully now, dodge ball won't be as embarassing.

She was beaming all week.

Yesterday, she had more hardware removed.

Braces off after nearly FOUR (I miscalculated and added a year previously) years, my tween can see her teeth!

Oh the gorgeous-ness.

Where did my baby girl go?

Something to Look Forward To.

2010-09-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

I'm distracted.

Something is preventing me from sleeping lately.

It's not a good feeling when at 4 am you are up, eyes wide, and the quiet is deafening around you.

Your head spins with stuff.

Bills. Deadlines. Appointments. Schedules.

You want an "off button" but the switch is broken.

I turn on the iTouch, the light is blinding even on the lowest brightness.

I surf around on Twitter, Facebook, email.

Nothing helps.

It's too early to get up.

I would hate to wake a kid and have them up, cranky, and sharing in my insomnia.

It's the time of year that I would have gotten away for a long weekend with my girlfriends for a recharge.

That isn't happening.

I need recharging.

I begin to plan in my head the trip that I've been waiting to take for years.

My hubby and I celebrate 15 years married next year.

We need to get away. Just the two of us.

For a week at least.

To recharge.

Maybe that's it. I lack something grand to look forward to.

Aside from the holidays that are creeping in.

Ready for something all about us. Remember US. Came before the kids. Gets lost in the shuffle most often.

US needs to get away.

.....

Forget sheep, I need to count palm fronds to lull me back to sleep.

Hammock in the sand.

Mai Tais.

Waves crashing.

Warm ocean water.

Just him, just me.

Us.

Something to dream about...

Futbol, 2010

2010-09-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

Soccer mom X2.

That's me.

I can say I am enjoying soccer a tad more this year.

K started and she is loving it.

A natural.

She loves the social part too of course, lots of cute little friends and a very nice coach.

She loves the activity and especially the "snack."

My Boy has moved up to playing goalie this year. Last year he'd tie his hands behind his back to NOT volunteer, he didn't like it. Now he's more confident and his skills have improved dramatically!

"I was bored...no one was near me the whole time!"

That's good remember! Our defense was doing it's job!

"Oh yeah!" So we'll see how long his new position lasts.

....and Forever to Go

2010-09-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

Almost 19 years ago my hub and I met.

In college.

On one occasion he came into my dorm room with two other guys.

They were going around meeting (read: scamming on) all the girls on the different floors.

It was kinda slimy, yet intriguing. He was cute.

On another instance we were both in the elevator, I lived on the 5th floor, he on the 4th. Elevator meet ups happened a lot.

Him: So you live in _________?
Me: Yeah, so.
Him: Well I live in _________, and I don't have a car. You do. You can give me a ride home some time.
Me: (thinking this is the worst pickup line ever) Yeah, okay.

I was dumb.

But, I sorta enjoyed all the attention.

Did I mention he was cute?

Flash forward 19 years.

Maybe he wasn't good at small talk, but My hub has always had a knack for writing.

I have a box full of letters he wrote to me over the years, birthday and anniversary cards I saved.

Mostly were Snoopy cards, WHAT?! Snoopy rocks.

But, the sweetest thing was that at the end of all his writing, before he signed his name, he'd write the length of time we were together and the following words

___ ...and Forever to Go!

Whether it was our 4 month dating anny or this year's 14 year wedding anniversary the ...and Forever to Go hits me deep in the heart every. single. time.

Special. Personal. Sweet. Our Thing.

A few months ago, my favorite jewelry maker held a contest.

The rule was "design my next necklace and win it!"

My favorite saying had to go on this necklace.

What an honor it would be to win and wear this and retell our story over and over.

I won.

The gorgeous necklace comes adorned with a June crystal signifying our wedding month.

It's precious and I wear it with much love.

Thanks Kristen!

Thanks Hubby for the past 14 years 3 months and forever to go!

Man vs. Tossed Underwear

2010-09-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

After back-to-school night, my son was heart-set on heading to Ace Hardware.

He'd seen a Swiss Army Knife there for a great deal, and with our upcoming camping trip, needed to have something to whittle with.

So it was a lovely 80 degree evening and we decided to walk the couple of blocks.

Now this walk has us walking past a neighborhood as well as an open field.

As you can imagine there is random stuff in the gutters, like a half-full box of Mike and Ike's that I had to pull my husband away from.

NO that's not free candy!

We walk a little further and my husband is picking something up. STOP!

Now no, we're not in the slums or anything, I mean, he wasn't reaching for a needle or crack pipe or anything, but still EW, don't pick up garbage.

"Cool, Croakies!" You know, those stretchy glasses straps that are made of wetsuit material.

Really? You NEED that?!

Even further down the street, I glance over and see a pair of men's underwear.

Men's underwear, tossed in a field behind my home.

Who? Why? What the?

How do you just lose your underwear?

This field is near a 4 lane road, I don't see anyone gettin' it on in these parts without looky-loos.

So Hubby cracks a joke about how next time he's going to bring his backpack to collect all these treasures.

Who are you?

Then suddenly he has a new idea for a reality show...like Bear Grylls in Man vs. Wild, but in town...

Urban Bum Survival.

(imagine this is my hub's worst australian accent) First you take you Croakies band and wrap it around the men's underwear, and tie it on your head in the midday heat. If you get hungry, Mike and Ikes will get you through until the McDonald's garbage cans are at capacity!

Sometimes I wonder about that man.

Sometimes.

Now I'm Craving Cookies.

2010-09-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

Ah, next week is the beginning of 3-day-a-week Preschool.

...wait...I think I just heard angels singing.

Come on, give me a break, it's been a long summer with my 3rd strong-willed child.

She no longer takes no for an answer.

It's our fault, as the third and last of our brood, she's spoiled rotten.

Oh but she's so cute!

But, rotten comes back and bites us in the tush.

Anyway, tomorrow is her school orientation and we had this sweet little discussion in the car recently.

K--Mom, what's OREOtation?

Me--I think you mean orientation. It's where all the kids and parents come and meet the teachers and eachother before school starts.

K--But we already know the teachers.

Me--I know, but we may have new kids in the class this year, it's mostly for them. We just get to go and say hi to our old friends.

K--I can't wait.

Me--Me either!

K--So, will there be cookies?

Me--(giggle/smile to myself--the OREO part of oreo-tation remember?!)...

K--SO WILL THERE BE COOKIES? (YELLING)

Me--Um, I don't know honey. I hope so!

Yikes, I think the kid will throw a fit tomorrow if there's not.

Mommy will be buying double-stuffed, for sure.

See, spoiled.