Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Famous!
Several of the kids pictures have been bought from the stock site, but we don't usually know how they are used. But, this time the designer sent us some photos! Here is J's billboard in Baton Rouge!! He's the pirate in the front!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
My New Job Title
I have decided to rename my job "Ultimate Cheerleading." Remember when everything was "Ultimate Whatever?" Well, I bringing it back.
I may never be the mother of a cheerleader (then again, I guess I might. . .) anyway--I am STILL a cheerleader. I kind of always thought I would have a daughter and I would have so much fun as she did stuff I used to do, showing her pictures so she could laugh at my cheerleading uniform, sorority party dresses, etc. But, I have boys. So, instead of reaising a cheerleader--I am continuing to be one. Which, as it turns out, is quite fun.
Maybe that is why I always loved cheering instead of playing the sport. . .I was in training for my grown up life! You should see me today. It is soccer day. I am wearing a pink tshirt that says "I love the coach." The "love" is actually a red heart. Then, attached to shirt are 3, count 'em--3, buttons!! All photos of each of the children holding soccer balls. Hilarious! I will try to get someone to take a picture at one of the games today so I can post it.
Anyway--here is a video that I think describes the life I live today. You've probably seen it, but I can watch it over and over and it is still funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM
I may never be the mother of a cheerleader (then again, I guess I might. . .) anyway--I am STILL a cheerleader. I kind of always thought I would have a daughter and I would have so much fun as she did stuff I used to do, showing her pictures so she could laugh at my cheerleading uniform, sorority party dresses, etc. But, I have boys. So, instead of reaising a cheerleader--I am continuing to be one. Which, as it turns out, is quite fun.
Maybe that is why I always loved cheering instead of playing the sport. . .I was in training for my grown up life! You should see me today. It is soccer day. I am wearing a pink tshirt that says "I love the coach." The "love" is actually a red heart. Then, attached to shirt are 3, count 'em--3, buttons!! All photos of each of the children holding soccer balls. Hilarious! I will try to get someone to take a picture at one of the games today so I can post it.
Anyway--here is a video that I think describes the life I live today. You've probably seen it, but I can watch it over and over and it is still funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Clarification
Ok, I am catching a lot of hell for not having any traditions in my family. So, in an effort to prevent my children from being kidnapped by the childhood memories police, I decided I need to clarify a little bit.
We do have traditions in our family. The ones I refuse to create are the ones that end up instilling a more guilt than they do pleasure. The ones that are tied to a specific day (instead of a spirit) and require everyone’s participation exactly right or else they are ruined completely. Just since I wrote that post I learned that not everyone has experienced this. I thought it was a universal thing, but I guess not, so I will explain.
My family had “traditions” when I was a kid. However, our life did not really support those traditions. For example, it was tradition to go to Galveston Island in the summer for a week. Problem was, that according to the custody agreement, my brother and I were to go to the other parent’s house during that time. So a lot of drama ensued. I won’t detail it here, but believe me when I tell you that first of all, kids understand a lot of things that adults think are over their heads. I knew EVERYTHING that was going on, no matter what flimsy excuse was created. Second, how is a 6 year old supposed to process that? Go to the beach or go visit my parent? What kind of stress is that to put on a child? It isn’t even cool to ASK!
Another example—my grandmother has a Christmas party every Christmas Eve. She lives in East Texas. That party is one of my earliest memories. My baby brother was born on December 23rd when I was 2 ½ years old. My grandparents came and got me to go stay with them and I remember the party that year. I remember the dress I was wearing and I remembering wondering what kind of dress the baby would be wearing if he was there (I didn’t realize yet that boy babies didn’t wear dresses). Anyway—I have lots of memories of that party.
But, through the years, I didn’t get to go. Whether it was due to someone being sick, or someone being mad, or someone getting divorced—I missed a lot of those parties. So, that made me sad. Then, when I was old enough to go alone, the guilt entered. My parents would have plans for Christmas Eve, and they would be angry that I was going to East Texas instead of staying with them. It wasn’t MY fault that tradition had been created for me—it was theirs. But, they had changed their minds, so I was supposed to also. Not fair.
Apparently, other families don’t have this issue. Maybe I just have a highly developed sense of guilt. But, I learned early. I guess some people don’t experience that until they go to college and decide not to go home for Thanksgiving. Or even when they get their first job and can’t take the time off or afford the plane ticket home. At least then you are an adult who has life skills and coping mechanisms to handle it. I was 4 years old when I first started feeling that stuff—not a lot of strength of spirit in a 4 year old.
Another reason I don’t want to establish those types of traditions (still guilt related) is that I have 3 boys. Someday, they will all get married. The likelihood is that they will be with their wives on holidays and special occasions. They MIGHT not, and that would be a great bonus—but I am NOT going to set myself up to be disappointed, and I am not going to set them up to live that GUILT!!!!! I am already planning it. There are several possibilities.
My first choice is that one of them marries RMcC. Then we would all be happy because I would just invite me and S right on over to their place for the holidays too! Or, vice versa. It would be ideal. Other options are that they could possibly marry someone who isn’t close to their family or something like that. But, IF they are typical, the wife will want to be near her family. That’s fine with me now, because it is so far in the future—so I am training myself for it to be fine later. My plan is for S and I to make the Christmas holidays our vacation time. We’ll celebrate with the kids when they are available—and it will be GREAT. There is no reason that the Christmas spirit has to be contained in 2 days. It just isn’t logical. If we have Christmas with one of our kids on October 18th, I will still be just as thrilled.
One thing that the Army has gifted to me is the ability to opt out of that guilt sometimes. Although I always THINK I am going to miss home at Christmas or whatever, I generally just feel overwhelming relief that I am not trying to visit 4 houses in 48 hours and still create some kind of merriment for my kids.
Deployments, overseas duty stations, even lack of money for airline tickets has taught me to appreciate the joy of being together—no matter when it is.
So, just to alleviate some of the disappointment some of you apparently have in me for my lack of traditions—here are some we have. Notice that none of them are things that will deal anyone a crushing blow and send them into therapy if they miss them. However, they do bring tremendous fun and joy to my family when we “celebrate” them. THAT is actually supposed to be the true point of traditions, right?
* (a relatively new one) We have KFC for dinner on Christmas Eve.
* We eat in the mess hall on Thanksgiving. (My goal is to never cook a turkey!) If you have never eaten at the mess hall for a holiday, you should try it. The cooks are fantastic and you don’t have to clean. Plus, you share the holiday meal with WAY more friends than could ever fit in one house. (This one is on hold for a few years, because in the navy officers aren’t allowed to eat in the mess hall. Weird, huh?)
* Santa leaves all the gifts out unwrapped and displayed and your stocking tells you where your gifts are. It is a magical feeling when you come in the room—like your own private toy store. . .a good overwhelming!
* Our kids wake up in their own house on Christmas morning. Sometimes, when we've moved at Christmas, we've been "homeless" and had to be somewhere else. The visit is nice, but I want them to have the memory of their own beds on Christmas morning.
* We eat lunch at Chik Fila on Saturdays
* We decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving and we take it down the day after Christmas. We make cookies both days.
* Each of the kids gets a Tshirt everywhere we travel. We also get a coffeetable book and a small “trinket” that goes in a display cabinet to represent that place.
* At the end of the prayer before dinner, we go around the table and each of us thanks God for something from that day. (every dinner, not just Thanksgiving day)
* We make our family’s “special” cookies, invented by the oldest child. Brownie bites attached to chocolate chip cookies.
* We each have a different sound that our noses make (not really—it is like our own pretend horn. Mine is honk, honk. S’s is ahhyewga. N’s is beep, beep. Etc.)
* In an effort to not embarrass the kids, I don’t want to say “I love you” in front of their friends. It doesn’t bother them yet, but it will eventually. So, we’ve worked out a “code language.” I say “Don’t get in too much trouble” and they know that means “I love you.” They say “I’ll try not to” and I know they are saying “I love you too.”
* We wave a sign language “T” at each other instead of blowing kisses.
* We watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition together every week.
* We have “my brothers are my only friend” days. This is actually a punishment for being mean to each other, but it has become a tradition.
* We go to In and Out Burger and a movie on Fathers Day.
* We listen to music very loud with the windows down in the car whenever we can.
* The boys play a game they created called “rock, paper, armpit.” (This is the true definition of a male dominated household)
* We go running together frequently. N rides his bike and S pushes the little two in the stroller. I try to keep up—we all have our parts to play. The little boys cheer—go mommy go!
* Many lessons are taught with “Because I want your wife to like me!” Like, “why do we have to rinse the toothpaste out of the sink?” “Why do I need to know how to sweep the kitchen?”
* I get each of the kids an ornament every Christmas with the year on it. I leave them in the package, and they each have a box. When they move out, they will have 18-20 ornaments to take with them. For now, they like looking through them every year and seeing what they have. They also like helping pick out one that represents them for that year.
So, there you have it. The Monkey House versions of traditions. There are more, I’m sure, but I can’t think under pressure! So, please don’t send the authorities to take my children because I don’t know how to make cornbread stuffing!
We do have traditions in our family. The ones I refuse to create are the ones that end up instilling a more guilt than they do pleasure. The ones that are tied to a specific day (instead of a spirit) and require everyone’s participation exactly right or else they are ruined completely. Just since I wrote that post I learned that not everyone has experienced this. I thought it was a universal thing, but I guess not, so I will explain.
My family had “traditions” when I was a kid. However, our life did not really support those traditions. For example, it was tradition to go to Galveston Island in the summer for a week. Problem was, that according to the custody agreement, my brother and I were to go to the other parent’s house during that time. So a lot of drama ensued. I won’t detail it here, but believe me when I tell you that first of all, kids understand a lot of things that adults think are over their heads. I knew EVERYTHING that was going on, no matter what flimsy excuse was created. Second, how is a 6 year old supposed to process that? Go to the beach or go visit my parent? What kind of stress is that to put on a child? It isn’t even cool to ASK!
Another example—my grandmother has a Christmas party every Christmas Eve. She lives in East Texas. That party is one of my earliest memories. My baby brother was born on December 23rd when I was 2 ½ years old. My grandparents came and got me to go stay with them and I remember the party that year. I remember the dress I was wearing and I remembering wondering what kind of dress the baby would be wearing if he was there (I didn’t realize yet that boy babies didn’t wear dresses). Anyway—I have lots of memories of that party.
But, through the years, I didn’t get to go. Whether it was due to someone being sick, or someone being mad, or someone getting divorced—I missed a lot of those parties. So, that made me sad. Then, when I was old enough to go alone, the guilt entered. My parents would have plans for Christmas Eve, and they would be angry that I was going to East Texas instead of staying with them. It wasn’t MY fault that tradition had been created for me—it was theirs. But, they had changed their minds, so I was supposed to also. Not fair.
Apparently, other families don’t have this issue. Maybe I just have a highly developed sense of guilt. But, I learned early. I guess some people don’t experience that until they go to college and decide not to go home for Thanksgiving. Or even when they get their first job and can’t take the time off or afford the plane ticket home. At least then you are an adult who has life skills and coping mechanisms to handle it. I was 4 years old when I first started feeling that stuff—not a lot of strength of spirit in a 4 year old.
Another reason I don’t want to establish those types of traditions (still guilt related) is that I have 3 boys. Someday, they will all get married. The likelihood is that they will be with their wives on holidays and special occasions. They MIGHT not, and that would be a great bonus—but I am NOT going to set myself up to be disappointed, and I am not going to set them up to live that GUILT!!!!! I am already planning it. There are several possibilities.
My first choice is that one of them marries RMcC. Then we would all be happy because I would just invite me and S right on over to their place for the holidays too! Or, vice versa. It would be ideal. Other options are that they could possibly marry someone who isn’t close to their family or something like that. But, IF they are typical, the wife will want to be near her family. That’s fine with me now, because it is so far in the future—so I am training myself for it to be fine later. My plan is for S and I to make the Christmas holidays our vacation time. We’ll celebrate with the kids when they are available—and it will be GREAT. There is no reason that the Christmas spirit has to be contained in 2 days. It just isn’t logical. If we have Christmas with one of our kids on October 18th, I will still be just as thrilled.
One thing that the Army has gifted to me is the ability to opt out of that guilt sometimes. Although I always THINK I am going to miss home at Christmas or whatever, I generally just feel overwhelming relief that I am not trying to visit 4 houses in 48 hours and still create some kind of merriment for my kids.
Deployments, overseas duty stations, even lack of money for airline tickets has taught me to appreciate the joy of being together—no matter when it is.
So, just to alleviate some of the disappointment some of you apparently have in me for my lack of traditions—here are some we have. Notice that none of them are things that will deal anyone a crushing blow and send them into therapy if they miss them. However, they do bring tremendous fun and joy to my family when we “celebrate” them. THAT is actually supposed to be the true point of traditions, right?
* (a relatively new one) We have KFC for dinner on Christmas Eve.
* We eat in the mess hall on Thanksgiving. (My goal is to never cook a turkey!) If you have never eaten at the mess hall for a holiday, you should try it. The cooks are fantastic and you don’t have to clean. Plus, you share the holiday meal with WAY more friends than could ever fit in one house. (This one is on hold for a few years, because in the navy officers aren’t allowed to eat in the mess hall. Weird, huh?)
* Santa leaves all the gifts out unwrapped and displayed and your stocking tells you where your gifts are. It is a magical feeling when you come in the room—like your own private toy store. . .a good overwhelming!
* Our kids wake up in their own house on Christmas morning. Sometimes, when we've moved at Christmas, we've been "homeless" and had to be somewhere else. The visit is nice, but I want them to have the memory of their own beds on Christmas morning.
* We eat lunch at Chik Fila on Saturdays
* We decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving and we take it down the day after Christmas. We make cookies both days.
* Each of the kids gets a Tshirt everywhere we travel. We also get a coffeetable book and a small “trinket” that goes in a display cabinet to represent that place.
* At the end of the prayer before dinner, we go around the table and each of us thanks God for something from that day. (every dinner, not just Thanksgiving day)
* We make our family’s “special” cookies, invented by the oldest child. Brownie bites attached to chocolate chip cookies.
* We each have a different sound that our noses make (not really—it is like our own pretend horn. Mine is honk, honk. S’s is ahhyewga. N’s is beep, beep. Etc.)
* In an effort to not embarrass the kids, I don’t want to say “I love you” in front of their friends. It doesn’t bother them yet, but it will eventually. So, we’ve worked out a “code language.” I say “Don’t get in too much trouble” and they know that means “I love you.” They say “I’ll try not to” and I know they are saying “I love you too.”
* We wave a sign language “T” at each other instead of blowing kisses.
* We watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition together every week.
* We have “my brothers are my only friend” days. This is actually a punishment for being mean to each other, but it has become a tradition.
* We go to In and Out Burger and a movie on Fathers Day.
* We listen to music very loud with the windows down in the car whenever we can.
* The boys play a game they created called “rock, paper, armpit.” (This is the true definition of a male dominated household)
* We go running together frequently. N rides his bike and S pushes the little two in the stroller. I try to keep up—we all have our parts to play. The little boys cheer—go mommy go!
* Many lessons are taught with “Because I want your wife to like me!” Like, “why do we have to rinse the toothpaste out of the sink?” “Why do I need to know how to sweep the kitchen?”
* I get each of the kids an ornament every Christmas with the year on it. I leave them in the package, and they each have a box. When they move out, they will have 18-20 ornaments to take with them. For now, they like looking through them every year and seeing what they have. They also like helping pick out one that represents them for that year.
So, there you have it. The Monkey House versions of traditions. There are more, I’m sure, but I can’t think under pressure! So, please don’t send the authorities to take my children because I don’t know how to make cornbread stuffing!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Blog Issues
Two blog questions. . .
One--does anyone know if I can download my whole blog to my hard drive? I keep thinking that if every blogspot just disappears, so does my blog. It has kind of become a diary for me and a very good excuse to not do scrapbooks, photo albums, baby books, etc. I need to keep it!
Two--is anyone else having trouble with blogspot? I read about 13 blogs. I check in on them every 3 or 4 days. For the last week or so, every time I start trying to go through them, the first two or three are fine, and after that they won't open. What's the deal?
One--does anyone know if I can download my whole blog to my hard drive? I keep thinking that if every blogspot just disappears, so does my blog. It has kind of become a diary for me and a very good excuse to not do scrapbooks, photo albums, baby books, etc. I need to keep it!
Two--is anyone else having trouble with blogspot? I read about 13 blogs. I check in on them every 3 or 4 days. For the last week or so, every time I start trying to go through them, the first two or three are fine, and after that they won't open. What's the deal?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Tagging
Hey--
I just looked at my list and realized that I intended to tag as many of the blogs that I read as I could. Somehow, I missed Roaming Florida Family. . .so if you read this--tag! You're it! Scroll down a couple of posts for the instructions!
I just looked at my list and realized that I intended to tag as many of the blogs that I read as I could. Somehow, I missed Roaming Florida Family. . .so if you read this--tag! You're it! Scroll down a couple of posts for the instructions!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Blinkie Things
Ok fellow bloggers--does anyone know how to design those little blinkie things? I have a few on my blog, but I just get them from other places. I want to make one. Somehow I don't think any of the blog decorator sites have one that says this: "You haven't even imagined HELL until you've looked in my eyes after you hurt my child!"
Can you guess how my week is going?
Can you guess how my week is going?
Monday, October 06, 2008
Interesting Story
In 1986, Peter Davies was on holiday in Kenya after graduating fromNorth-western University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephan tstanding with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Peter approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee, inspected the elephant's foot, and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it.
As carefully and as gently as he could, Peter worked the wood out with his knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Peter stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Peter never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.
Twenty years later, Peter was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Peter and his son Cameron were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Peter, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.
Remembering the encounter in 1986, Peter could not help wondering if this was the same elephant. Peter summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing, and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again,wrapped its trunk around one of Peter legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.
Probably wasn't the same elephant.
This is for all of my friends who send me those heart-warming bullshit stories.
I don't know why I think this is so funny. I LOVE those heart-warming bullshit stories! But, for some reason, this just cracked me up!!
As carefully and as gently as he could, Peter worked the wood out with his knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Peter stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Peter never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.
Twenty years later, Peter was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Peter and his son Cameron were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Peter, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.
Remembering the encounter in 1986, Peter could not help wondering if this was the same elephant. Peter summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing, and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again,wrapped its trunk around one of Peter legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.
Probably wasn't the same elephant.
This is for all of my friends who send me those heart-warming bullshit stories.
I don't know why I think this is so funny. I LOVE those heart-warming bullshit stories! But, for some reason, this just cracked me up!!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Tagged
I was tagged by my friend--
Here are the rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. List 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
This may be harder than I thought, because most of my life is pretty random, so I'm not sure what to write! Also, I don't think I actually read 6 blogs, so I will just tag a couple that I read that haven't been tagged yet. Then we'll see how often they read my blog!
--I sleep with the toes of one foot hooked on the back of my other achilles tendon.
--I can make my eyeballs shake.
--My degree is in Radio/Television/Film, but I never took a radio or film class.
--My favorite part of Christmas is trying to think of the perfect gift for each person. Something that is really "them" even if they haven't asked for it.
--I refuse to create traditions that are connected to a particular day or holiday, because I don't want me or my kids to be disappointed if we can't do it. I'd rather teach them to appreciate the beauty of togetherness--whenever we can have it.
--Every place we have lived since we got married has had either "record breaking" weather or a natural disaster (or more than one) while we lived there. I warned my friends when we got here, and I told them to get their emergency kits ready. Everyone laughed. Until last October when the fires came.
Not very interesting. . .I know. I will probably think of better stuff later, after I've posted this. If I do, I'll change them in a different post.
Ok--tags. . .I was wrong. I read more than 6 blogs. I'm tagging everyone that hasn't already done it because I like to read the answers!!
KB
Itsy Bitsy Me
Watts Up
A Pink and A Blue
Chaotic Cranium
This That & Whatever
Erika
Lewis Logic
Random Ramblings
Funny Farm
Here are the rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. List 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
This may be harder than I thought, because most of my life is pretty random, so I'm not sure what to write! Also, I don't think I actually read 6 blogs, so I will just tag a couple that I read that haven't been tagged yet. Then we'll see how often they read my blog!
--I sleep with the toes of one foot hooked on the back of my other achilles tendon.
--I can make my eyeballs shake.
--My degree is in Radio/Television/Film, but I never took a radio or film class.
--My favorite part of Christmas is trying to think of the perfect gift for each person. Something that is really "them" even if they haven't asked for it.
--I refuse to create traditions that are connected to a particular day or holiday, because I don't want me or my kids to be disappointed if we can't do it. I'd rather teach them to appreciate the beauty of togetherness--whenever we can have it.
--Every place we have lived since we got married has had either "record breaking" weather or a natural disaster (or more than one) while we lived there. I warned my friends when we got here, and I told them to get their emergency kits ready. Everyone laughed. Until last October when the fires came.
Not very interesting. . .I know. I will probably think of better stuff later, after I've posted this. If I do, I'll change them in a different post.
Ok--tags. . .I was wrong. I read more than 6 blogs. I'm tagging everyone that hasn't already done it because I like to read the answers!!
KB
Itsy Bitsy Me
Watts Up
A Pink and A Blue
Chaotic Cranium
This That & Whatever
Erika
Lewis Logic
Random Ramblings
Funny Farm
Funny Words
I know you aren't supposed to "encourage" your kids when they say words wrong. We don't use baby talk with them, and all of our kids talk like they are teenagers. They've never had speech issues, which is why I think it is SO CUTE when they get a word wrong. I don't use their new versions, but I don't exactly correct them either. It happens so rarely anyway!
When N. was about 3 he asked for a tee tora to eat. I couldn't figure out what he meant, so he got one out of the refrigerator. It was a flour "tortilla!" I loved that. He also said cicle pop instead of popcicle.
I get stuff mixed up like that sometimes, usually words that have an "n" and an "m" in them. I usually say cimannon instead of cinnamon and I sometimes say aminal instead of animal. Maybe I feel a connection to the kids when they do it too!
Anyway--R hasn't ever really done that. I think there was something similar, but I didn't write it down. . .so out it went from my brain.
So, today, J. said his. He won an ice cream coupon at the Barn Dance on Friday. Today he asked me where his conpoo was. I couldn't figure it out until he went and got it. He mixed up the syllables. Cracks me up. I actually did try to tell him the right way to say it, but I didn't try very hard. It is so funny! He keeps asking when he gets to use the conpoo. I'm not sure how to answer that!
When N. was about 3 he asked for a tee tora to eat. I couldn't figure out what he meant, so he got one out of the refrigerator. It was a flour "tortilla!" I loved that. He also said cicle pop instead of popcicle.
I get stuff mixed up like that sometimes, usually words that have an "n" and an "m" in them. I usually say cimannon instead of cinnamon and I sometimes say aminal instead of animal. Maybe I feel a connection to the kids when they do it too!
Anyway--R hasn't ever really done that. I think there was something similar, but I didn't write it down. . .so out it went from my brain.
So, today, J. said his. He won an ice cream coupon at the Barn Dance on Friday. Today he asked me where his conpoo was. I couldn't figure it out until he went and got it. He mixed up the syllables. Cracks me up. I actually did try to tell him the right way to say it, but I didn't try very hard. It is so funny! He keeps asking when he gets to use the conpoo. I'm not sure how to answer that!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
It's Too Hot
It is hot here. We have air conditioning, but I am so proud of having never turned it on, that I don't want to ruin my record (we actually tried to use it last year, but it was broken and by the time they fixed it, it was cooled off again.)
I'm sure that actual HOT places would not consider it hot here. It was in the high 90s today. But, right now, it is about 84 outside. It is about 75 inside, but the thermometer is downstairs, and it is much warmer up here. I think the boys and I are going to sleep downstairs (S. is TDY).
I wouldn't normally write about the weather, but it just seems weird to compare my weather with my friend E's. She is WAY up north, and has snow on the ground. That just seems strange to me!
Seasons are really not meaningful to me. I don't like cold--at all. I have always said I wanted to live somewhere that was 75 degrees year round and near the water. Incidentally, S always told me it would never happen because the Army doesn't have places like that! Ha! I knew this assignment was like winning the lottery!
Anyway--for the first time, I've noticed in myself a LITTLE bit of yearning for cooler weather. Not much cooler, just a little. My favorite clothing ensemble here is to wear jeans, a Tshirt and flip flops. That is basically a fall and spring wardrobe here. I love that. I have been wishing for that lately, but it is still too warm. I wore pants to run in yesterday and I felt like I was on fire.
Well, much like what always happens to me when S is out of town, I am rambling. . .going to sleep now!
I'm sure that actual HOT places would not consider it hot here. It was in the high 90s today. But, right now, it is about 84 outside. It is about 75 inside, but the thermometer is downstairs, and it is much warmer up here. I think the boys and I are going to sleep downstairs (S. is TDY).
I wouldn't normally write about the weather, but it just seems weird to compare my weather with my friend E's. She is WAY up north, and has snow on the ground. That just seems strange to me!
Seasons are really not meaningful to me. I don't like cold--at all. I have always said I wanted to live somewhere that was 75 degrees year round and near the water. Incidentally, S always told me it would never happen because the Army doesn't have places like that! Ha! I knew this assignment was like winning the lottery!
Anyway--for the first time, I've noticed in myself a LITTLE bit of yearning for cooler weather. Not much cooler, just a little. My favorite clothing ensemble here is to wear jeans, a Tshirt and flip flops. That is basically a fall and spring wardrobe here. I love that. I have been wishing for that lately, but it is still too warm. I wore pants to run in yesterday and I felt like I was on fire.
Well, much like what always happens to me when S is out of town, I am rambling. . .going to sleep now!
Monday, September 29, 2008
New Background
I know this background is completely inappropriate for my family. I write about the kids mostly, and none of them would approve of the girly-ness of it. But, that is the reason for it. I never wore pink as a kid, and I'm not much of a girly-girl. Lately, though, I find myself more and more drawn to pink. Even things I wouldn't normally get in ANY color other than neutrals (like sunglasses). I think as the boyness grows and grows around here, I am trying to find ways to assert the fact that there actually IS some estrogen here!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Photos
Soccer Photos. . .
J. gets to play a little. . .he still has no idea he's not really on the team!
Who says soccer is a non-contact sport?
Barn Dance Cowboys!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Where Have We Been?
Well, we've been lots of places. I have been so busy since school started that I actually had a screwed up heartbeat last week. I noticed all day that my heart seemed to be beating extra hard, but I thought it was because the football game was such a crusher (that ref!! Good grief!!) Anyway--that night when I went to bed I noticed it again. I started counting and every third beat it would skip, and then it would beat extra hard the next time. . .to make up for it, I guess. I don't know. I couldn't go to sleep for about 4 hours, because I was so scared. (S. paid attention for a grand total of 3 minutes, and then fell asleep, so I worried alone.) Anyway--the next day I decided that I had to make one of my famous lists. I was so overwhelmed by the stuff I needed to do, that I was freaking out about it. I needed it written down by deadline date, because I kept thinking I was doing something that could wait, and something that needed to be done right away was getting skipped! It was making me freeze and not do anything!
So, this weekend is my first event as the PTA Family Nights Chair. I do not think it is going to go well. I have only presold about 73 tickets. I was hoping for about 300 people to attend, so I'm not excited. We'll see what happens. That has been consuming a lot of my time. Every time I think I am going to sit down and blog, I feel guilty because I should be doing SOMETHING to get ready for this silly thing! But, Friday at 8:30pm it will be over--good or bad, so that is nice.
I have also been having a sort of crisis with my house. I think it is because we have been here so long (2 1/2 years!!) and I am feeling like we are filling up our house with all kinds of useless JUNK. Usually we clear things out as we are packing out, or at least when we get to the next place as we are unpacking. Since we didn't leave this summer, that didn't happen, and I am tired of all the stuff. So, I am going room by room and putting my hands on EVERYTHING in this house. Opening every drawer, looking at every paper, etc. I have thrown away mountains of stuff, and have a huge amount of space in the garage filled with stuff to get rid of at a garage sale or as donations. I don't know when I am actually going to HAVE the garage sale. I don't want to set a date until I am finished with this purge, because then I will rush through to get stuff out of here, and I'll end up a few months later looking at things and saying "I should have gotten rid of that too!" And, we have soccer every weekend between now and Thanksgiving, so that will put the garage sale off for a while too.
We are going to spend our Thanksgiving week at Disney. We are all very excited. This is very much in keeping with my philosophies of NOT establishing traditions that are locked to a specific day or holiday and not ever cooking a turkey. I would much rather eat cotton candy and ride a roller coaster, and I think my kids would too.
The kids have been playing soccer for the last few weeks. The second week, N. got kicked in the side at warm up time. (Did I already write about this?) No--I just checked. I haven't. Anyway--he played the first half of the game, but was still holding his side (he made some AMAZING saves, by the way!) At halftime, he was still complaining. He started the second half as a forward, and about 3 minutes in, started asking for a sub. He NEVER asks to come out of the game, so I knew something was up. By the time he got to the sideline, he was crying and saying he couldn't breathe. I asked if he wanted to go to the doctor (always my trick to see the seriousness) and he said "Yes, and I want to go right now!"
That freaked me out, so I snatched him up and took off. I didn't have my purse, so I took S's military ID and off we went. It turned out that he had a bruised kidney, and he was quite interested to learn that there was blood in his urine. For some reason, that seemed completely bizarre to him. It took about a week to get over and then he was fine.
THEN--the next week, he fell out of a swing and broke his arm. Both bones. Fortunately, they were both fractures (one hairline and one "mushroom"). It didn't have to be set, but it is in a cast. He is out for 3 weeks. He is NOT happy about it. It happened last Thursday, so Saturday he was still in a lot of pain. Now he is not, and has already asked what our league's rule is about playing if you have a cast. Apparently, if you wrap it in bubble wrap it is ok, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I am at least making him sit out one more week. We'll see about next week.
J. is doing a lot better at school. He doesn't cry anymore when I leave him. He likes his class, even though he doesn't really play with any of the other kids. I don't really see any of them play together, so I guess they are still in that "tandem play" stage. He sometimes says things like "They are mean to me" but I know that isn't true, so I think he is just thinking he doesn't want to go. But, once he's there, he is fine.
He has gotten bored with soccer, which is good. S was letting him play with R's team, but now we have 2 new kids, so there really isn't time for him to go on the field. Although, most of the team gets sick of the game WAY before it is over, so I guess J will be able to play if he wants to. He pays much better attention that several of the boys, and he is definitely big enough and coordinated enough to play with the 5 year olds. I've decided that for baseball, I will sign up to coach Tball, so I can have him on R's team. He just wants to be a part SO BAD, so if I can make that happen, I'm going to do it!
R. is playing fantastic. He is really aggressive and has scored several times in each game. That is really cool for him. He is also AMAZING in school. I am shocked. I really expected him to have trouble paying attention since he is so "easily distracted" at home. But, he is a model student. He sits perfectly still at carpet time and listens and participates. He sits at his table and does his work without ever ever getting in trouble. He has even gotten a citizenship award, and got a prize from the principal. When he gets home he is basically spinning in circles, but we are cutting him a lot of slack because he must have it all stored up inside from being so good at school!! It is very important to him to give me a whole rundown of the day's events, behavior wise. He tells me who lost their playtime, who earned it back, who got a citizenship award, who is friends, who is fighting, and who had to switch tables because they can't be quiet.
He still talks like he is 15. My friend Cathi was doing his class's "reading assessment." She showed him a book and said "R, this person's name is blah blah. Who do you think that person is?" He said "Well, it could be two people. It could be the author--which is the person who writes the words of the book. Or, it could be the illustrator, which is the person who draws the pictures of the book. Does this book have pictures?"
She then showed him the first page and said "R, what would you say if I asked you what this first page says?" (They don't want to say "Do you know what this says?" or "What does this say?" so they don't put the kids in a spot of having to feel like they've failed at something.) Anyway--he said "Well, I would say 'I don't know how to read yet, Miss Cathi!' " He is hilarious!
He loves to quote his teacher, Ms. D. Her word is basically gospel. He tells us the rhymes she says for learning to write letters and all the different things she teaches them. The other day he said "There was way too much chit chat at the green table, so Ms. D moved James over there to see if he could provide a little bit of leadership for that situation." I don't know if he even knows what that means! He knew that James wasn't in trouble, but I think that might be as far as he got it!
Anyway--I will get some soccer pics on here soon, but the camera is downstairs, and I'm just too tired to go get it and download photos. I guess I better do that before Friday, so I can try to remember to take pictures at the barn dance. We'll see!
So, this weekend is my first event as the PTA Family Nights Chair. I do not think it is going to go well. I have only presold about 73 tickets. I was hoping for about 300 people to attend, so I'm not excited. We'll see what happens. That has been consuming a lot of my time. Every time I think I am going to sit down and blog, I feel guilty because I should be doing SOMETHING to get ready for this silly thing! But, Friday at 8:30pm it will be over--good or bad, so that is nice.
I have also been having a sort of crisis with my house. I think it is because we have been here so long (2 1/2 years!!) and I am feeling like we are filling up our house with all kinds of useless JUNK. Usually we clear things out as we are packing out, or at least when we get to the next place as we are unpacking. Since we didn't leave this summer, that didn't happen, and I am tired of all the stuff. So, I am going room by room and putting my hands on EVERYTHING in this house. Opening every drawer, looking at every paper, etc. I have thrown away mountains of stuff, and have a huge amount of space in the garage filled with stuff to get rid of at a garage sale or as donations. I don't know when I am actually going to HAVE the garage sale. I don't want to set a date until I am finished with this purge, because then I will rush through to get stuff out of here, and I'll end up a few months later looking at things and saying "I should have gotten rid of that too!" And, we have soccer every weekend between now and Thanksgiving, so that will put the garage sale off for a while too.
We are going to spend our Thanksgiving week at Disney. We are all very excited. This is very much in keeping with my philosophies of NOT establishing traditions that are locked to a specific day or holiday and not ever cooking a turkey. I would much rather eat cotton candy and ride a roller coaster, and I think my kids would too.
The kids have been playing soccer for the last few weeks. The second week, N. got kicked in the side at warm up time. (Did I already write about this?) No--I just checked. I haven't. Anyway--he played the first half of the game, but was still holding his side (he made some AMAZING saves, by the way!) At halftime, he was still complaining. He started the second half as a forward, and about 3 minutes in, started asking for a sub. He NEVER asks to come out of the game, so I knew something was up. By the time he got to the sideline, he was crying and saying he couldn't breathe. I asked if he wanted to go to the doctor (always my trick to see the seriousness) and he said "Yes, and I want to go right now!"
That freaked me out, so I snatched him up and took off. I didn't have my purse, so I took S's military ID and off we went. It turned out that he had a bruised kidney, and he was quite interested to learn that there was blood in his urine. For some reason, that seemed completely bizarre to him. It took about a week to get over and then he was fine.
THEN--the next week, he fell out of a swing and broke his arm. Both bones. Fortunately, they were both fractures (one hairline and one "mushroom"). It didn't have to be set, but it is in a cast. He is out for 3 weeks. He is NOT happy about it. It happened last Thursday, so Saturday he was still in a lot of pain. Now he is not, and has already asked what our league's rule is about playing if you have a cast. Apparently, if you wrap it in bubble wrap it is ok, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I am at least making him sit out one more week. We'll see about next week.
J. is doing a lot better at school. He doesn't cry anymore when I leave him. He likes his class, even though he doesn't really play with any of the other kids. I don't really see any of them play together, so I guess they are still in that "tandem play" stage. He sometimes says things like "They are mean to me" but I know that isn't true, so I think he is just thinking he doesn't want to go. But, once he's there, he is fine.
He has gotten bored with soccer, which is good. S was letting him play with R's team, but now we have 2 new kids, so there really isn't time for him to go on the field. Although, most of the team gets sick of the game WAY before it is over, so I guess J will be able to play if he wants to. He pays much better attention that several of the boys, and he is definitely big enough and coordinated enough to play with the 5 year olds. I've decided that for baseball, I will sign up to coach Tball, so I can have him on R's team. He just wants to be a part SO BAD, so if I can make that happen, I'm going to do it!
R. is playing fantastic. He is really aggressive and has scored several times in each game. That is really cool for him. He is also AMAZING in school. I am shocked. I really expected him to have trouble paying attention since he is so "easily distracted" at home. But, he is a model student. He sits perfectly still at carpet time and listens and participates. He sits at his table and does his work without ever ever getting in trouble. He has even gotten a citizenship award, and got a prize from the principal. When he gets home he is basically spinning in circles, but we are cutting him a lot of slack because he must have it all stored up inside from being so good at school!! It is very important to him to give me a whole rundown of the day's events, behavior wise. He tells me who lost their playtime, who earned it back, who got a citizenship award, who is friends, who is fighting, and who had to switch tables because they can't be quiet.
He still talks like he is 15. My friend Cathi was doing his class's "reading assessment." She showed him a book and said "R, this person's name is blah blah. Who do you think that person is?" He said "Well, it could be two people. It could be the author--which is the person who writes the words of the book. Or, it could be the illustrator, which is the person who draws the pictures of the book. Does this book have pictures?"
She then showed him the first page and said "R, what would you say if I asked you what this first page says?" (They don't want to say "Do you know what this says?" or "What does this say?" so they don't put the kids in a spot of having to feel like they've failed at something.) Anyway--he said "Well, I would say 'I don't know how to read yet, Miss Cathi!' " He is hilarious!
He loves to quote his teacher, Ms. D. Her word is basically gospel. He tells us the rhymes she says for learning to write letters and all the different things she teaches them. The other day he said "There was way too much chit chat at the green table, so Ms. D moved James over there to see if he could provide a little bit of leadership for that situation." I don't know if he even knows what that means! He knew that James wasn't in trouble, but I think that might be as far as he got it!
Anyway--I will get some soccer pics on here soon, but the camera is downstairs, and I'm just too tired to go get it and download photos. I guess I better do that before Friday, so I can try to remember to take pictures at the barn dance. We'll see!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Weirdness. . .just plain weirdness!
I seriously should not be alone with my thoughts. A few days ago I posted my strange self conversation. I have had even more weird thoughts like that lately.
Here's my most recent one. Why are things in the universe so backwards from what would be easy?
For example--why don't brownies taste like broccoli and broccoli taste like brownies? Part of the reason I used to weight 220 pounds is because I ate too many brownies and not enough broccoli. But, if they had tasted the OPPOSITE of what they do, I would probably be a size 2!!
Another example--running. You can tell (or I can anyway) a big difference in your run when you lose about 7 pounds. So, here's the problem. When you are WAY overweight, it is really hard to run. You are out of shape anyway, and you are carry all that extra weight. And, you are out of the habit and it is hard to get motivated. But, when you lose a lot of weight, it is easier to run. You are carrying less, and you are in better shape and you are in the habit of doing it. In shape people can probably carry the heavier weight better--but they don't have it. It would be easier to exercise for out of shape people if they didn't have so much to carry, so they would be a little more motivated!
Yet another example--kids. You would think that having two kids in school and only one at home would be less work for me, right? WRONG! That one needs full time attention because his playmate is gone! So, more work with less kids here.
Weirdness, I tell ya! Backwards and crazy weirdness!
OH!!! I wasn't going to blog about this, because I have been pretty whiny lately, but it actually fits as an example for this! So, here it is:
The saddest part of being lonely is when you don't have someone to talk to who understands it. Right now, I am lonely--even though I know lots of people here, and my husband is not deployed. But, none of them are really FRIENDS. Just acquaintences. So, I can't really talk to any of them about it. And, it doesn't really do much good to talk to S. about it, because he doesn't get it.
When I try to explain this issue to S. he would LIKE to be helpful, but he just looks at me with this blank stare and can think of absolutely NOTHING to say, because all that comes to his mind is "she is completely nuts and I have no idea what she is talking about" but he's been married to me long enough to know NOT to say that.
Anyway--if I had a friend who understood what I was saying and how I was feeling that was here and I could just talk about it, that would really help me feel better! But, since that is what I'm sad about, if they were here, I wouldn't be feeling it, and would have no reason to need to talk about it!
See--crazy!!!!
Here's my most recent one. Why are things in the universe so backwards from what would be easy?
For example--why don't brownies taste like broccoli and broccoli taste like brownies? Part of the reason I used to weight 220 pounds is because I ate too many brownies and not enough broccoli. But, if they had tasted the OPPOSITE of what they do, I would probably be a size 2!!
Another example--running. You can tell (or I can anyway) a big difference in your run when you lose about 7 pounds. So, here's the problem. When you are WAY overweight, it is really hard to run. You are out of shape anyway, and you are carry all that extra weight. And, you are out of the habit and it is hard to get motivated. But, when you lose a lot of weight, it is easier to run. You are carrying less, and you are in better shape and you are in the habit of doing it. In shape people can probably carry the heavier weight better--but they don't have it. It would be easier to exercise for out of shape people if they didn't have so much to carry, so they would be a little more motivated!
Yet another example--kids. You would think that having two kids in school and only one at home would be less work for me, right? WRONG! That one needs full time attention because his playmate is gone! So, more work with less kids here.
Weirdness, I tell ya! Backwards and crazy weirdness!
OH!!! I wasn't going to blog about this, because I have been pretty whiny lately, but it actually fits as an example for this! So, here it is:
The saddest part of being lonely is when you don't have someone to talk to who understands it. Right now, I am lonely--even though I know lots of people here, and my husband is not deployed. But, none of them are really FRIENDS. Just acquaintences. So, I can't really talk to any of them about it. And, it doesn't really do much good to talk to S. about it, because he doesn't get it.
When I try to explain this issue to S. he would LIKE to be helpful, but he just looks at me with this blank stare and can think of absolutely NOTHING to say, because all that comes to his mind is "she is completely nuts and I have no idea what she is talking about" but he's been married to me long enough to know NOT to say that.
Anyway--if I had a friend who understood what I was saying and how I was feeling that was here and I could just talk about it, that would really help me feel better! But, since that is what I'm sad about, if they were here, I wouldn't be feeling it, and would have no reason to need to talk about it!
See--crazy!!!!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
American Warrior
I have loved Kid Rock for a long time. I know it is out of character for me. . .but hey, I'm full of surprises (ha ha!) Anyway--I really wish he would put his music on Itunes, because there are a lot of his songs that I would like to run to! Check out this video: http://www.nationalguardwarrior.com/
I think you have to click "Play video" when you get to the main page. It is cool.
I think you have to click "Play video" when you get to the main page. It is cool.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Response to Myself
I rarely forward emails with quotes and stuff like that. It has to REALLY make me laugh to forward it, and even then, I am selective about who I send what to. Anyway--I got this today, and in light of what I moaned and whined about in my earlier post, I had to put it here.
"One day a long, long time ago, there lived a woman who did NOT whine, nag, bitch, moan or complain.
But this was a LONG time ago--and it was just that one day."
I'm sure I should be insulted by this. But it just made me laugh SO HARD!!!!
"One day a long, long time ago, there lived a woman who did NOT whine, nag, bitch, moan or complain.
But this was a LONG time ago--and it was just that one day."
I'm sure I should be insulted by this. But it just made me laugh SO HARD!!!!
Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
So--today I decided that I would do an experiment. I know that I talk too much all the time. I also know that it is because I am afraid that if I don't talk to other people, no one would ever talk to me. Today I thought I'd test that.
When I picked the kids up at school, I was the first one to arrive in the kindergarten/1st grade pick up area. I know a lot of people at the school, but I don't know if I actually have any "friends." I guess when I consider my definition of friend, I really don't. Maybe one. Anyway--since I was already standing by myself, I decided to wait and see if anyone approached ME as opposed to the other way around. Answer: No. Several people I knew walked up and promptly formed little circles that did not include me. As the kids were coming out of the building (about 20 minutes later) one woman (I'd say she's an aquaintence) actually came over to say hi. What she actually came over for was to relay a story.
Her neighbor (I don't know her name. Let's call her Jane) had just told her this story and she thought she'd share it with me because it was funny. I don't see the humor. Jane is quite small and always has been. Apparently some other random person (let's say Sally) had approached Jane and made all kinds of comments about how great she looked and how it had been so long since Sally had seen Jane and Jane had lost so much weight and looked so healthy etc. Apparently, Sally thought that Jane was me. Apparently, my friend found it humerous because Jane and I do not look at all alike. She is blond, very tan, very southern californian. I, obviously, am not.
Here's the thing. Did Sally think that "I" looked so different from recently or from a long time ago? If it was from 2 years ago, great. If it was from last school year--what the hell? Does that mean I am fat and unhealthy looking? (and apparently should bleach my hair blond.) I don't get it. And, I don't find it funny.
I feel very sorry for myself today, as you can see. I have always had the feeling that I didn't fit in. I can't remember a time or place in my entire life where I felt like I actually "melded" well with the rest of the people in the group/area. That's why I am always desperately trying to include myself, because I know that otherwise no one will include me.
I always envy people when they turn down an invitation. Like, if I call someone and invite them to go to lunch and they say they've already eaten or they have errands to run or their baby is asleep. First of all, my feelings are hurt, which is ridiculous. They aren't rejecting me personally, they have other commitments. But, the more important thing is, they are secure enough that they don't feel a need to seek whatever time they can find with another person.
I am not this way. If I had already eaten a full 7 course meal, and someone invited me to lunch--I would go. Because, I am desperate to have a connection to SOMEONE! Truly pathetic.
When I picked the kids up at school, I was the first one to arrive in the kindergarten/1st grade pick up area. I know a lot of people at the school, but I don't know if I actually have any "friends." I guess when I consider my definition of friend, I really don't. Maybe one. Anyway--since I was already standing by myself, I decided to wait and see if anyone approached ME as opposed to the other way around. Answer: No. Several people I knew walked up and promptly formed little circles that did not include me. As the kids were coming out of the building (about 20 minutes later) one woman (I'd say she's an aquaintence) actually came over to say hi. What she actually came over for was to relay a story.
Her neighbor (I don't know her name. Let's call her Jane) had just told her this story and she thought she'd share it with me because it was funny. I don't see the humor. Jane is quite small and always has been. Apparently some other random person (let's say Sally) had approached Jane and made all kinds of comments about how great she looked and how it had been so long since Sally had seen Jane and Jane had lost so much weight and looked so healthy etc. Apparently, Sally thought that Jane was me. Apparently, my friend found it humerous because Jane and I do not look at all alike. She is blond, very tan, very southern californian. I, obviously, am not.
Here's the thing. Did Sally think that "I" looked so different from recently or from a long time ago? If it was from 2 years ago, great. If it was from last school year--what the hell? Does that mean I am fat and unhealthy looking? (and apparently should bleach my hair blond.) I don't get it. And, I don't find it funny.
I feel very sorry for myself today, as you can see. I have always had the feeling that I didn't fit in. I can't remember a time or place in my entire life where I felt like I actually "melded" well with the rest of the people in the group/area. That's why I am always desperately trying to include myself, because I know that otherwise no one will include me.
I always envy people when they turn down an invitation. Like, if I call someone and invite them to go to lunch and they say they've already eaten or they have errands to run or their baby is asleep. First of all, my feelings are hurt, which is ridiculous. They aren't rejecting me personally, they have other commitments. But, the more important thing is, they are secure enough that they don't feel a need to seek whatever time they can find with another person.
I am not this way. If I had already eaten a full 7 course meal, and someone invited me to lunch--I would go. Because, I am desperate to have a connection to SOMEONE! Truly pathetic.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First Day of School
At home, before we left on the first day
Third Grader!!
Kindergartener!!
Kindergartener!!Preschooler!!
Riding to school (so far, we've walked every day!!) N. doesn't wait for us. I didn't get a shot of him riding his bike. He probably wouldn't have let me if I'd have tried!
Going into the classrooms!
(My little kindergartener--R. going to class alone for the first time!!)
(J. is still not sure he wants to go to preschool!)
(I wasn't really invited to walk N. to class--I snuck this photo!)
With the new teachers!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Walking Alone
I always thought I liked for S to go with me on walk/runs because it made me go faster. I like to go with friends too, to talk. And, apparently, I even prefer pushing 110 pounds of stroller/kids/snacks/entertainment more than being alone--I guess even that is a distraction. I don't seem to enjoy having time alone with my thoughts.
I went alone today, because it was J's first day of school alone. (More on that later--I just have a few minutes right now before heading to soccer!)
Anyway--I was going a lot faster than normal (due to the 110 pound absence) but I had some very weird conversations with myself. I could actually hear my own voice, and once or twice I might have said something out loud. As I said, it wasn't something I enjoyed (although it might have been necessary).
At first, I was just analyzing and working through my reactions to all of the kids' first days (again more on that later). But, at some point, I decided I might shorten my route so I could have time to get my eyebrows waxed before picking up J. That's when the arguing began. Here's what happened in my head. Since they're both me, I won't bother to label who was speaking. But, there were two voices--they are separated by paragraph.
If I turn here I can finish with enough time to get my eyebrows waxed.
Why don't you just go the whole route and go faster?
Why don't you shut up?
I'm just saying--which one really needs to be thinner, your ass or your eyebrows?
Well, that's pretty rude.
Rude? Maybe. Valid? Definitely.
Didn't I tell you to shut up?
Yes, and that was rude.
Fine, I'll run the whole route.
Good idea.
Of course YOU think it was a good idea. It was YOUR idea.
It was yours too.
Thanks a lot.
You're welcome.
I hate you.
The good news is that I DID do the whole route and still have time to get my eyebrows waxed, but still--isn't that the ODDEST thing????
I went alone today, because it was J's first day of school alone. (More on that later--I just have a few minutes right now before heading to soccer!)
Anyway--I was going a lot faster than normal (due to the 110 pound absence) but I had some very weird conversations with myself. I could actually hear my own voice, and once or twice I might have said something out loud. As I said, it wasn't something I enjoyed (although it might have been necessary).
At first, I was just analyzing and working through my reactions to all of the kids' first days (again more on that later). But, at some point, I decided I might shorten my route so I could have time to get my eyebrows waxed before picking up J. That's when the arguing began. Here's what happened in my head. Since they're both me, I won't bother to label who was speaking. But, there were two voices--they are separated by paragraph.
If I turn here I can finish with enough time to get my eyebrows waxed.
Why don't you just go the whole route and go faster?
Why don't you shut up?
I'm just saying--which one really needs to be thinner, your ass or your eyebrows?
Well, that's pretty rude.
Rude? Maybe. Valid? Definitely.
Didn't I tell you to shut up?
Yes, and that was rude.
Fine, I'll run the whole route.
Good idea.
Of course YOU think it was a good idea. It was YOUR idea.
It was yours too.
Thanks a lot.
You're welcome.
I hate you.
The good news is that I DID do the whole route and still have time to get my eyebrows waxed, but still--isn't that the ODDEST thing????
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
New Life
Well, it is 10am and I have finished my run/walk, and I am not rushing to shower so I won't be late to pick up R. He is there all day long now. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I am really struggling with that. For some reason, the idea of him being somewhere else for lunch EVERY DAY really bothers me.
Both boys had a fantastic first day. They loved their teachers and are satisfied with their classmates (for now!). Although I felt like I got punched in the stomach when they posted the class lists, I am recovering now. I know that it sounds like I didn't like the teachers, but that wasn't actually the issue. I just don't want to write what it was because I'm not sure who all reads this! ANyway--I have a plan for each boy, and it seems to be working well so far--hope for the best!
I stayed with J. for the first day at his class (parents had to stay) so he's real first day will be tomorrow. Wish us luck. He doesn't usually do well when I leave him anywhere. He's just so used to having R with him everywhere. They are always with a babysitter together, they are in the same sunday school class, they were in gymnastics together. . .Even though he knows the preschool classroom, since he went there to drop off and pick up R for 2 years, and the teacher is my friend, so he spends lots of time with her at her house, our house, etc. We'll see. . .
I will post pictures of the first day later, because I haven't been able to get a pic of each kid with their teacher yet. I like to do that on the first day of school and the last day of school just to see how the kids change over the year.
J and I are trying to adjust to our new schedule. When we left yesterday after his class was over, he was in a panic that we were leaving without R. He couldn't understand that R stayed all day now. Today is even harder. Last year, the entire time R was at preschool, J would say "Can we go get R now?" and now he's home all day without him. For a while, we will just try to settle in, because two days a week of class with be an adjustment. But, I may have to find something soon that the two of us can do on Wednesdays. Maybe a class or something. The gymnastics place doesn't have a class on Weds that fits his age group, but maybe the aquarium or zoo or something. Unfortunately, the library kids time is Tuesdays, so that doesn't work. That would have been great since it is close and free!!
I've decided my schedule will be to work in R's classroom on Tuesdays and N's on Thursdays. I will only be in the rooms until 10:30, which gives me an hour and 15 minutes to run. That is plenty of time, as long as I start from the school and end there to pick up J, so I'll just take my workout clothes and change in the teachers bathroom. Then I can run sometime during the weekend--it will vary based on soccer games, etc. I'll lift weights and do other cardio stuff Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I will probably only take 4-6 clients, so that I work for 2 hours M/W/F. That is at home, so I don't have to take J anywhere or have a commute time. Including my own workout, I should finish by noon each day. I'm focusing on that, because it gives me something that I can control!
I have to get to work on the schools' Family Fun Nights, which I am the chair for this year. We are having the first one on September 26th, and I have done NO preparation. It is going to be a barn dance, so I think once I have a DJ, the rest will be easy. We already have lots of decorations, and I just need to do a time schedule of "advertising" and selling tickets, etc.
Well, I'm not sure why I am putting my to do list on my blog. I really meant to write about the fact that I miss R so much while he is at school, but apparently I am even better at blocking than I realized!
Ok, even though I'm in no rush to shower--it really must be done. So. . .off I go. Hey--maybe all this extra time means I can even shave my legs!!!
Woo hoo!!!
Both boys had a fantastic first day. They loved their teachers and are satisfied with their classmates (for now!). Although I felt like I got punched in the stomach when they posted the class lists, I am recovering now. I know that it sounds like I didn't like the teachers, but that wasn't actually the issue. I just don't want to write what it was because I'm not sure who all reads this! ANyway--I have a plan for each boy, and it seems to be working well so far--hope for the best!
I stayed with J. for the first day at his class (parents had to stay) so he's real first day will be tomorrow. Wish us luck. He doesn't usually do well when I leave him anywhere. He's just so used to having R with him everywhere. They are always with a babysitter together, they are in the same sunday school class, they were in gymnastics together. . .Even though he knows the preschool classroom, since he went there to drop off and pick up R for 2 years, and the teacher is my friend, so he spends lots of time with her at her house, our house, etc. We'll see. . .
I will post pictures of the first day later, because I haven't been able to get a pic of each kid with their teacher yet. I like to do that on the first day of school and the last day of school just to see how the kids change over the year.
J and I are trying to adjust to our new schedule. When we left yesterday after his class was over, he was in a panic that we were leaving without R. He couldn't understand that R stayed all day now. Today is even harder. Last year, the entire time R was at preschool, J would say "Can we go get R now?" and now he's home all day without him. For a while, we will just try to settle in, because two days a week of class with be an adjustment. But, I may have to find something soon that the two of us can do on Wednesdays. Maybe a class or something. The gymnastics place doesn't have a class on Weds that fits his age group, but maybe the aquarium or zoo or something. Unfortunately, the library kids time is Tuesdays, so that doesn't work. That would have been great since it is close and free!!
I've decided my schedule will be to work in R's classroom on Tuesdays and N's on Thursdays. I will only be in the rooms until 10:30, which gives me an hour and 15 minutes to run. That is plenty of time, as long as I start from the school and end there to pick up J, so I'll just take my workout clothes and change in the teachers bathroom. Then I can run sometime during the weekend--it will vary based on soccer games, etc. I'll lift weights and do other cardio stuff Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I will probably only take 4-6 clients, so that I work for 2 hours M/W/F. That is at home, so I don't have to take J anywhere or have a commute time. Including my own workout, I should finish by noon each day. I'm focusing on that, because it gives me something that I can control!
I have to get to work on the schools' Family Fun Nights, which I am the chair for this year. We are having the first one on September 26th, and I have done NO preparation. It is going to be a barn dance, so I think once I have a DJ, the rest will be easy. We already have lots of decorations, and I just need to do a time schedule of "advertising" and selling tickets, etc.
Well, I'm not sure why I am putting my to do list on my blog. I really meant to write about the fact that I miss R so much while he is at school, but apparently I am even better at blocking than I realized!
Ok, even though I'm in no rush to shower--it really must be done. So. . .off I go. Hey--maybe all this extra time means I can even shave my legs!!!
Woo hoo!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
