I haven’t been keeping up with my blog so my groups are the unfortunate recipients of my anecdotes.
I’m home by myself working on, or rather procrastinating about, getting out Cub Scout den meetings in order. Today was my day to knock it out. I have to inform our parents about the annual plan. Or at least refry the old crap. So what have I done about this task? Very little.
Oh, not that I’ve been sitting around eating bon bons and sipping mint juleps, mind you. I’ve mopped the floors, I’ve walked, taken a shower and put out the garbage. And while these are all very useful tasks, they get me no closer to my ONE goal for the day. As I’m clearing off the dining room table to make room for the books and binders that will allow me to complete this project I come across Papa’s birthday balloon. Weee! I read in my frugal-something-or-other that Mylar is great for wrapping small presents so I decided to take it apart and put it in the gift wrap container. I grab some scissors and cut off the end of the balloon with the string and wait…not all the helium is gone.
I take a hit.
“Did my voice change?” I ask myself in a Minnie Mouse tone.
Another hit.
“La la la la la la” I sing in the same squeaky voice.
Again.
“Near. Far. Where ever you are, I believe that the heart does go on…..”
Yes, I’m singing the theme song from Titanic hopped up on helium. It’s the middle of the day and I have a thousand and one things to do, but I’m amusing myself with this remake for an audience of three dogs.
-E
Monday, August 28, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Golden Cheesecake?
Went out with the moms again. Sort of a gathering of what is left of our sanity after having sent our young off to school. I didn't bring a camera, but if you're really interested in all the broughaha you can check our Crystal and Candy for more information.
I'm going to use my moment to discuss The Cheesecake Factory. Good night their food is expensive. Was it that expensive the first time we went? I was thinking it was a fairly good location for all who would be in attendance, but yee haw it was pricey. For one drink, a shared appetizer and a dessert I shelled out $30. Gadzooks!
I think next time I'm going to stick with Bunco potluck so as to keep the cost of a MNO to a minimum. You can get friends together to eat, drink and chat without having to take out a second on the house, no?
-E
I'm going to use my moment to discuss The Cheesecake Factory. Good night their food is expensive. Was it that expensive the first time we went? I was thinking it was a fairly good location for all who would be in attendance, but yee haw it was pricey. For one drink, a shared appetizer and a dessert I shelled out $30. Gadzooks!
I think next time I'm going to stick with Bunco potluck so as to keep the cost of a MNO to a minimum. You can get friends together to eat, drink and chat without having to take out a second on the house, no?
-E
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Time Junkie
I spent my Serene Sunday crying to my husband of how sick I am of the kids being home and how I can't wait for school to start. I was upset because I didn't have any time to have a consecutive thought or have any sort of order to this madhouse. Then I felt terrible because I felt that way. I'm their mom, for goodness sake! The sound of their noises should be music to my ears, but it just makes me crazy. Not all the time, but enough time over these last 12 weeks that the constant sound it wearing on me. I sound nuts.
My big plan was to start running again, but that hasn't happened. What do I do with the kids as I'm running away the stress? Not to mention in Texas it's just too HOT in August to run except for early in the morning or late at night. There are people out on the trail and in the neighborhoods running so I know my reason is just an excuse. So what I actually have been doing is just giving up. I become Floppy Mommy and let them do what they want so long as it keeps the peace and some semblance of silence in my house. That of course, leads to more disorganization and chaos. At this last week of summer it's become a matter of picking my poisons.
Both of the boys will be in school this year. The Negotiator will be in second grade and The Critter will be in Kindergarten. I've been getting a lot of - probably unintended, but there none the less - pressure to go back to work full time. It's comments like, "I saw a job that you'd be perfect for in our employment listings" or "what are you going to do with all that time once the boys are in school?". Um, that is when I hope to get my life back. I really was considering going back to work to increase our income, but with the stress of afterschool care, summers, sick days, conferences days and the like it isn't worth it to me or Papa. I know he's been able to advance faster in his career (read more income) in part because he IS able to stay later, take on special projects and responsibilities without worrying about the kids. The flip side of that is that a huge portion of the home front responsibilities are on me. That can make for a very squirrelly mom.
I wish I had a longer range goal than getting through the first few weeks of school. I know that I won't work in a traditional job outside the home because of the conflicts we feel it brings to the home for our family. That assessment may just be a matter of habit on our end. People adapt and I'm sure moms that work full time outside the home make adjustments in their own way. This just works for us.
Listen to me! I'm always justifying staying home! And to whom? Not to Papa. His mom stayed home so this is the way it *should* be to him. Okay, back to what I was saying, I would like to find a way to do something creative that could be parlayed into additional income (and the tax benefits of self employment). So far I can't even manage to get the few things I have to sell off a few of the things I have put aside for Craigslist and eBay.
*sigh*
I'll let you know if it gets easier once they are both out of the house for several hours at a clip. You know the crazy thing about time is that the more you have, the more you crave. I used to have a few hours each week when The Critter was in MDO, but now I want more, more, more! I'm a time junkie looking for fix.
-e
My big plan was to start running again, but that hasn't happened. What do I do with the kids as I'm running away the stress? Not to mention in Texas it's just too HOT in August to run except for early in the morning or late at night. There are people out on the trail and in the neighborhoods running so I know my reason is just an excuse. So what I actually have been doing is just giving up. I become Floppy Mommy and let them do what they want so long as it keeps the peace and some semblance of silence in my house. That of course, leads to more disorganization and chaos. At this last week of summer it's become a matter of picking my poisons.
Both of the boys will be in school this year. The Negotiator will be in second grade and The Critter will be in Kindergarten. I've been getting a lot of - probably unintended, but there none the less - pressure to go back to work full time. It's comments like, "I saw a job that you'd be perfect for in our employment listings" or "what are you going to do with all that time once the boys are in school?". Um, that is when I hope to get my life back. I really was considering going back to work to increase our income, but with the stress of afterschool care, summers, sick days, conferences days and the like it isn't worth it to me or Papa. I know he's been able to advance faster in his career (read more income) in part because he IS able to stay later, take on special projects and responsibilities without worrying about the kids. The flip side of that is that a huge portion of the home front responsibilities are on me. That can make for a very squirrelly mom.
I wish I had a longer range goal than getting through the first few weeks of school. I know that I won't work in a traditional job outside the home because of the conflicts we feel it brings to the home for our family. That assessment may just be a matter of habit on our end. People adapt and I'm sure moms that work full time outside the home make adjustments in their own way. This just works for us.
Listen to me! I'm always justifying staying home! And to whom? Not to Papa. His mom stayed home so this is the way it *should* be to him. Okay, back to what I was saying, I would like to find a way to do something creative that could be parlayed into additional income (and the tax benefits of self employment). So far I can't even manage to get the few things I have to sell off a few of the things I have put aside for Craigslist and eBay.
*sigh*
I'll let you know if it gets easier once they are both out of the house for several hours at a clip. You know the crazy thing about time is that the more you have, the more you crave. I used to have a few hours each week when The Critter was in MDO, but now I want more, more, more! I'm a time junkie looking for fix.
-e
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Thoughts From The Front Door
Have you ever walked up to the front door and try to open it by pressing the unlock on your car access? I think this is a great idea for a home improvement gadget. How many times have I walked up to the front door with an armload of sumthin or other and stood there helplessly? The boys just dance on the front porch not offering a bit of help at all.
I was in a hurry to get somewhere today and scooted out the door full of purpose. I turned around after locking the door and met head on with a bill poster (those rodents who leave ads on your doorknob). I screamed. Not just a little "eeek" mind you. A full-on-neighbors-looking-out-their-front-window sceam. She seemed to be just as startled and told me no one has ever screamed before. Good. Teach you to leave that crap on my door.
-E
I was in a hurry to get somewhere today and scooted out the door full of purpose. I turned around after locking the door and met head on with a bill poster (those rodents who leave ads on your doorknob). I screamed. Not just a little "eeek" mind you. A full-on-neighbors-looking-out-their-front-window sceam. She seemed to be just as startled and told me no one has ever screamed before. Good. Teach you to leave that crap on my door.
-E
Friday, August 11, 2006
School, Car Crap and a Little Hanging On By A Thread
School is about to start around these parts. We've been spending our time getting supplies together, cleaning out our wardrobes, and filling in the blanks. I started back to stuff with the PTA and Scouts already. Makes the actual start of school seem almost anticlimactic. Well, no, there is still the pure joy of having both the boys in school and a house to myself for at least 3 days a week. I can finally tend to those piles that I am putting off until "someday". It seems "someday" starts Tuesday.
Papa and I are sharing Scout duties this year. He did a great job last year, but I am definitely the planner and organizer of the two. He is by far the better executer of tasks. We will each go with our strengths and have a kick-bum den. That's the plan anyway.
I took my truck in for her wellness stuff. Let me say the down side to not having a car payment is having repairs. Still and all, the damage to my wallet was much less than a new car so I'm okay, once Papa talked me down from my invoice-shocked ledge. My truck is purring like a kitten and I'm going to get her a bath today. She'll be all ready for school too.
I am ready for my kids to go back to school. I know, I work with kids, and I'm really excited to start back with them. I'm ready to get a break from my own kids. Y'see as a teacher I get the best of the little darlings. They listen, they don't back, the follow instructions (for the most part) and the follow rules (again, for the most part). To my own kids I am mom and I do not get the benefit of adoring students. We have spent a lovely **voice dripping with sarcasm** past eleven weeks enjoying each other's company. I think it's all time we made friends our own age. Do you know how much I miss being able to just run into a store? The battle of "can I take my gameboy in to the store with me?" every time we go anywhere is about to undo me. Not to mention during the summer I work less and spend more so my budget could do with getting back on a routine too.
-E
Papa and I are sharing Scout duties this year. He did a great job last year, but I am definitely the planner and organizer of the two. He is by far the better executer of tasks. We will each go with our strengths and have a kick-bum den. That's the plan anyway.
I took my truck in for her wellness stuff. Let me say the down side to not having a car payment is having repairs. Still and all, the damage to my wallet was much less than a new car so I'm okay, once Papa talked me down from my invoice-shocked ledge. My truck is purring like a kitten and I'm going to get her a bath today. She'll be all ready for school too.
I am ready for my kids to go back to school. I know, I work with kids, and I'm really excited to start back with them. I'm ready to get a break from my own kids. Y'see as a teacher I get the best of the little darlings. They listen, they don't back, the follow instructions (for the most part) and the follow rules (again, for the most part). To my own kids I am mom and I do not get the benefit of adoring students. We have spent a lovely **voice dripping with sarcasm** past eleven weeks enjoying each other's company. I think it's all time we made friends our own age. Do you know how much I miss being able to just run into a store? The battle of "can I take my gameboy in to the store with me?" every time we go anywhere is about to undo me. Not to mention during the summer I work less and spend more so my budget could do with getting back on a routine too.
-E
Friday, August 04, 2006
One Big Catching Up Post
*Whew*
It's been a crazy two weeks. I've been getting ready for all the back to school to do. For my boys, but also for me and my program. The behind the scenes stuff that goes on to get school in session is crazy. Then on the PTA Board at my boy's school we start working a month earlier than school goes into session. As a Scout leader we get ready two weeks before school starts. I wear so many hats it's silly. Still I love it! I love that my boys love it. It's a busy, crazy, happy time that will pass far too quickly. I must admit though, I'm looking forward to having my time back when everyone is off doing his thing.
Onward...
Papa's cousin got married a couple of weekends ago. This wedding was Murphy's Law and then some. The decorators left business cards on every table as form of advertising. Can you say tacky? I doubt the happy couple even knew that wasn't supposed to happen at a wedding, unless of course the decorator was, in fact, paying for the wedding. The cake person dropped the big bottom tier of the cake when they were setting up and assured the bride they'd come back with a replacement. They didn't. So the happy couple was short on cake and ended up running out to buy some cheesecakes for the guests. The margarita machine froze on them and the D.J. left early for another gig. About the only thing that was missing was the bride tripping down the aisle.
All and all it was very fun just hanging out with family at another rite of passage. Here is a picture of The Negotiator, me and The Critter. I didn't even bother to take the sunglasses off the top of my head at a wedding reception. Damn, I'm classy!
Last weekend we went to a baby shower for two of our really good friends. Eight years ago Papa was the best man and I was the maid of honor at their wedding. Rae and I have the same birthday, but I'm a year older and Papa and Pepo are brothers from different mothers. Once Papa and I had the boys we didn't see our friends as much as we did before because, well that happens. Still they hold a very special place in our hearts. We love these people like family and are SO excited about their baby girl. The shower was great because we got to catch up with friends we hadn't seen since Before Kids. Our kids are now old enough that we can dump...uh, entrust them to friends and family while we take some time to be grown ups again.
One of the games (and ordinarily I'm not a fan of shower games, but you give me 3 frozen margaritas and I am quite the sport) was to see who could diaper the doll - no, mom, it's an action figure, as The Critter would tell me - the fastest. Even though both of our boys have been potty trained for the better part of 3 years, Papa still managed to prove he's fastest diaperer in the Lone Star state. He spanked the competition and taught the Papa-to-be how it's done!
And speaking of Papa I totally have to give him props. Everyone has to have a creative outlet and Papa's is breakfast. He got up early to make the boys a special meal before he headed into the office. It was so cute I had to share it. He'll probably roll his eyes knowing I shared it with ya'll, but you won't tell him , right?
He calls it Airplane Waffles with Sunshine and Clouds. I guess the breakfast taco is supposed to be a mountain. How cute is that??
We also managed to hit Fiesta Texas again. Yep, we took our own food. Nope, we didn't let the kids buy anything at the park. I think it's criminal how much amusement parks charge for things and I refuse to give in to the machine.
Then on our way back from San Antonio we found out we were expected for dinner at the family house. Nothing like driving for 4 hours, smelling like sweat and river water to then be a part of a birthday surprise, but indeed we were. It's all about being a family.
-E
It's been a crazy two weeks. I've been getting ready for all the back to school to do. For my boys, but also for me and my program. The behind the scenes stuff that goes on to get school in session is crazy. Then on the PTA Board at my boy's school we start working a month earlier than school goes into session. As a Scout leader we get ready two weeks before school starts. I wear so many hats it's silly. Still I love it! I love that my boys love it. It's a busy, crazy, happy time that will pass far too quickly. I must admit though, I'm looking forward to having my time back when everyone is off doing his thing.
Onward...
Papa's cousin got married a couple of weekends ago. This wedding was Murphy's Law and then some. The decorators left business cards on every table as form of advertising. Can you say tacky? I doubt the happy couple even knew that wasn't supposed to happen at a wedding, unless of course the decorator was, in fact, paying for the wedding. The cake person dropped the big bottom tier of the cake when they were setting up and assured the bride they'd come back with a replacement. They didn't. So the happy couple was short on cake and ended up running out to buy some cheesecakes for the guests. The margarita machine froze on them and the D.J. left early for another gig. About the only thing that was missing was the bride tripping down the aisle.
All and all it was very fun just hanging out with family at another rite of passage. Here is a picture of The Negotiator, me and The Critter. I didn't even bother to take the sunglasses off the top of my head at a wedding reception. Damn, I'm classy!
Last weekend we went to a baby shower for two of our really good friends. Eight years ago Papa was the best man and I was the maid of honor at their wedding. Rae and I have the same birthday, but I'm a year older and Papa and Pepo are brothers from different mothers. Once Papa and I had the boys we didn't see our friends as much as we did before because, well that happens. Still they hold a very special place in our hearts. We love these people like family and are SO excited about their baby girl. The shower was great because we got to catch up with friends we hadn't seen since Before Kids. Our kids are now old enough that we can dump...uh, entrust them to friends and family while we take some time to be grown ups again.
One of the games (and ordinarily I'm not a fan of shower games, but you give me 3 frozen margaritas and I am quite the sport) was to see who could diaper the doll - no, mom, it's an action figure, as The Critter would tell me - the fastest. Even though both of our boys have been potty trained for the better part of 3 years, Papa still managed to prove he's fastest diaperer in the Lone Star state. He spanked the competition and taught the Papa-to-be how it's done!
And speaking of Papa I totally have to give him props. Everyone has to have a creative outlet and Papa's is breakfast. He got up early to make the boys a special meal before he headed into the office. It was so cute I had to share it. He'll probably roll his eyes knowing I shared it with ya'll, but you won't tell him , right?
He calls it Airplane Waffles with Sunshine and Clouds. I guess the breakfast taco is supposed to be a mountain. How cute is that??
We also managed to hit Fiesta Texas again. Yep, we took our own food. Nope, we didn't let the kids buy anything at the park. I think it's criminal how much amusement parks charge for things and I refuse to give in to the machine.
Then on our way back from San Antonio we found out we were expected for dinner at the family house. Nothing like driving for 4 hours, smelling like sweat and river water to then be a part of a birthday surprise, but indeed we were. It's all about being a family.
-E
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
