You Are Here

Or rather, I am there.

I moved. If you're interested in keeping up with my crazy thoughts then you can find me at http://laineypoz.wordpress.com/.

A Start of Summer Wrap Up

So far we haven't done anything spectacular this summer. I felt like I needed a recording of what we HAVE done though so that when The Boys later said that we didn't do anything at all this summer I could simply point them in the direction of this post.

So we have completed 2 weeks of "little people camp". The part-time MDO gig meets two days a week for a few hours just to break up the monotony of summer. My boys are supposed to be positive and help me in exchange for some spending cash of their own. Let's just say we're working on it.

We had the scout cub kart races and The Critter placed in his rank. The Negotiator did well too, but there was much more competition at his level. We also had our scout pool party. We ate and played and played and ate. I swear all of the cubs were growing gills by the time we fished them out of the pool.

Last Friday we participated in our annual Splash Bash with the good people at my work. At first it rained, but then the clouds parted and it was lovely. Darned if we didn't have the whole place to ourselves. My boys got to ride the slide unlimited times and we finally left after 4 hours of interactive pool fun.

Monday we got together with the PTA Officers and planned for the year. It was amazingly productive given that we had 9 children, mostly boys, corralled up in a playroom while we tried to get our work done. Still miles to go before we sleep, miles to go before we sleep.

Yesterday we hung out at Tinkerbell's pool and her hubby grilled for us. Again we were pool side for at least 3 hours. I think I see a theme emerging here...

We tried to mosey down to Six Flags Fiesta Texas today, but were met with torrential rain pour. Even the boys were willing to turn around and come back to try for a later time. Now we're just sitting around being vegetables. You know, lay like lettuce, be like broccoli.

I'm reading this book by Ann Rule. I like it because it's set up as short stories. I can read in between laundry and refereeing the kids. Speaking of books, the boys and I are going to the library once a week. They get to check out what they like and I get to assign a reading time. We're also been pretty good about completing at least one worksheet a day. I find they're more into it if they get to pick, but if they are assigned something they're not as likely to work without complaint.

-E

E-View: H-E-B "Doritios"

Or as I call them Fauxritos.

They're the store brand and they are just grand! Mind you, I don't like all store brands, so I'm not just all about these because of the price. They taste just like that other nacho cheese brand. Try 'em.

After all if you're not really a classy chip kind of person then you've got nothing to lose.

-E

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Have you ever broken up with a friend? I've had my share of friend break-ups, but not in awhile. I'm a little rusty. Still a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Part of me says I should just go quietly into the night. Part of me says I owe her a explanation of my departure.

This is not a quick decision. It's been years in the making. Now seems like a good enough break.

-E

The Fence

This is the fence I have right now...
-

-

This is the fence I would like to have...
-

-
Setting aside the fact in the second picture there actually IS a fence, I like the horizontal slats of the second fence.

We've been without a fence going on about 3 months now. It blew down in a storm and we just haven't put it back up yet. We've had estimates, but Papa and the neighbor with whom we share the lot line haven't moved on a start date. The dogs are loving their new expanded yard and the neighbor has taken to greeting them and I think even feeding them. It seems we now have co-op dogs. Fine by me.

-E

Broccoli

I used to say that I hate broccoli. And I still do. You know raw or steamed. Basically stand alone broccoli oogs me.

Lately though I've found that I like broccoli IN something. My mom makes this fantastic broccoli salad that sent me over to the other side. Before the salad my sister in law made an amazing broccoli, rice and cheese casserole. Good stuff.

So I'm no longer a broccoli hater, but I only enjoy it in the company of others.

-E

Signs of Summer

-
Dang I wanna be my kid! How sweet is it to spend you Memorial Day weekend lounging in a pool? With a drink to boot.
-

-
I think this is the last year we'll be able to pull off this pool. Several of our friends are getting pools this year. The in-ground variety. I'm just not there with space, money or dedication to that big a home improvement project. We have these really large oaks in the back yard and we're not allowed to cut them down without a review from the permit powers that be so I'm not sure an in-ground is even feasible for us. Maybe on one side of the yard that the trees aren't on, but then again the whole money and maintenance issue comes into play. An above ground seems just as easy an answer.
-

-
I like that we have at least this pool to burn off the energy. Summer can be a sedentary time of year. In Texas is gets so hot that people here hibernate like the midwest folks do in winter. Boys cooped up in a house with nothing to do is a recipe for disaster. At least with this distraction they can splash and I can read my current book club selection.

E
-

The Bag Off My Back

-
I think this might be the last I see of my latest bag. Someone at the library offered to buy it right off of me. I decided to make her another one so that I could add a cell phone pocket that is slightly larger since the pocket is made for my wee little phone. The new owner called me to tell me her friend wants to by this bag if I'm making Library Lady a new bag.

Mmmkay.

I'm a bit surprised at all the attention, but these are a labor of love. I have so much fun designing, creating and making the bags. I'm thinking about making a go of it. I must think of a name though. Besides what fun to have a business where you can deduct at least part of your habit? And if it turns even a quasi profit then more's the better.

E
-

How Does My Garden Grow? I Wish!

You speaking as preschool teacher (one of my many hats) I can say I've received my share of flowers and potted plants as thank you gifts. None of them compares to this one though.
-

-
(top view)

-
Those are gift card blooms. The other room parent, J, and I for Critter's class asked all the parents to give a gift card of any amount to any place (we gave a few suggestions). Then J bought a pot and I added silk flowers to the arrangement. We presented the whole ensemble to the Critter's teacher yesterday. She loved it! Of course.

I picked up the boys early on this last day of school. The Negotiator's teacher gave me GC for being room mom. Super sweet and totally unexpected. As I was leaving Critter's classroom his teacher pulled me aside and said, "I've really enjoyed getting to know you better this year and I hope you've come to consider me more of a friend than a teacher." I busted out crying. I am SO sappy.

Summer's on.

E
-

Happy Birthday, Critter!

-
Critter is 6 years old today.

Nothing like a sibling birthday serenade to start off the day. Papa made the Critter's favorite breakfast of eggs, bacon and pancakes. And then Mama sent him to school. No worries though I took lunch for him and The Negotiator and they each got to bring a friend to the guest table. It's the little things that thrill my kids.
-

-
Just a sampling of the gifts Boy 2 got for his birthday. We don't really do friend parties anymore. Just having the family over is a major event by most people's standards. You have to figure though that with Papa as one of SEVEN kids and counting step-sibs on my side we also number seven, the potential for just an immediate family gathering is pretty astounding. Besides if you're not used to a big family - particularly one of the Latino variety - it can be quite daunting. We tend to shelter our unexposed friends from the congregation of our family.
-

-
That there is an ice cream cake and it was delish! Of course we had dinner since our kind of parties aren't about snack food, ice cream & cake. Latinos make a meal when we make a party. There is no other standard by our way of thinking.

If you're so inclined you can take a walk down memory lane from the birthday five.

E
-

Mother's Day and Other Crazy Ideas

When is Mother's Day not Mother's Day? When you have a sick kid. Of course, having a sick wee one is what being a mom is all about. Poor Critter came home with a fever and a headache on Thursday and has been puny all weekend. Turns out many in his class are fighting this bug. I missed the family meal with Papa's side of the family so one of us could represent and one of us could serve as cootie master (that'd be me).

Sunday has been better all the way around. Critter seems to be fever-free and if he can stay that way he'll go to school tomorrow. He's definitely looking better and getting into trouble which is the real sign that he's on the mend.

We were able to go to my mom's house for lunch. GG - Grandpa Golf (that would be my mom's hubby and my step-dad) - made a fabulous lunch and drinks. I got to have a mango margarita, eat chips with salsa and talk to my mom. My mom asked that I make her cookies for Mom's Day.

-

-
Since I got a margarita from them I returned the favor. I cookies are rimmed in sugar crystals to look like salt. Next time I think I'll add a little bit of fresh lime to the icing just to give it a kick.

As for me I got my off the hook new iron/steam generator. One of the Hancock Fabric Stores is going out of business. Their loss is my gain. This is a $150 iron and it was marked for 70% off and the cashier gave me an extra 10%.
-


-
The box was crushed, the machine was dusty and it had been in the back of the store for quite awhile (it was an older model). Still I plugged her in and she fired right up. I walked out the door for about $40, happier than a pig in shit. Papa cleaned her up for me and she is a honey. So that was my Mother's Day gift along with the potted begonia that is really nice. It sits outside my home office and makes me smile.
-

-
Happy Mother's Day everyone!!

E

Trashiness

I'm making my friend, Anna's, trashy candy that she brought to Bunco awhile back. It's this concoction of Fritos, pretzels, peanut butter cups, butter and brown sugar. Rates really high on the heart-healthy foods. Lucky for me "heart" also has to do with comfort and this yumminess totally fits the bill.

-

-

So far, so good. I found I had a hard time with the chopping the pretzels and Fritos in the food processor. I got a bunch of whole pieces combines with snack dust. I'll have to work on that one.

-

-

I didn't have plain ol' chocolate chips so I used the caramel filled chocolate chips I had in the freezer (I'm bought them on clearance after Christmas). The carmel filled chips left the top a little more ooey-gooey than I liked. It made it harder to spread the melted chocolate so it could cool as a solid piece of chocolate. Also I think I undershot the brown sugar with melted butter ratio. It seemed that there was quite a bit of unrestrained corn chip and pretzel pieces about the pan.

This batch went to Papa's work and made a new batch with more butter, brown sugar and real chocolate chips. It was much better.

E

I Have The Mind of a 4-Year-Old

My 8-year-old son just told me not to wait to go potty.

I was on my way to take care of business when the Critter asked me a question. Being the dutiful mom I am I stopped to answer his inquiry. The Negotiator says to me, "Mom, I thought you were going to the bathroom. You really shouldn't wait until the last minute." Hmm, I wonder where he's heard that before...

Earlier today I was looking for trinkets for the treasure box in my classroom. While I was going though some boxes of donated items I found a box of mints.
-





-

I could not stop laughing.

Being the completely mature adult that I am, I waited for my boss to go take care of his business and then I left the box of mints on his keyboard. Tee hee. I went back to my classroom to wait. And watch. I could barely contain my school-girl giggle. When he got back to his desk I saw him smile so I went to 'fess up. He said he knew it was me.

I suppose my reputation precedes me.

E

---

What Happens When You Leave Your Digital Camera In The Reach Of Small Children

They take their own pictures. This one for example...



Can't figure out what this is a picture of in this shot?

How about this one?



This is a picture of "Catty". The Caterpillar. Yep, the boys went and found themselves one of God's little creatures and brought it's fuzzy ass into my house. The set up a fishing line for the insect's enjoyment and captured the moment digitally.

Want to know the VERY best part? They put the caterpillar in jar, complete with leaves, twigs and other insect accouterments, and didn't close the top securely. The next morning "Catty" was gone.

We never did find him.

E

The Butterfly Farm

We went to visit our local butterfly farm for a field trip today. Aside from the fact it raining, humid and I ticked off the owner right from the start it was a great trip. I learned a good deal about butterflies and now have come to not loathe flies. I'm sorry, but even knowing their important function in pollination that's still all the respect I can muster up the fly.

How did I tick off of the proprietors you are wondering? In all fairness she was not happy with our group from the get-go after the bus drove up too close to the farm. Apparently we were supposed to schlep through the muddy road with 100 children and leave the busses at the gate. Oopsey daisy. Then when one of the owners was unloading the lunches, she told me to stop with our wagon and, thinking she was another parent, I didn't. I was a bad, bad chaparone. Then I wouldn't allow the Negotiator to go into their education room because they have 5 cats that use that room as a bedroom. There was cat hair all over the floor, you know, where the kids sit. Since I didn't have an epipen or even a toot of Benadryl, my boy was not going inside to go into anaphylactic shock. Sorry.

In the end I did enjoy the trip, but I would have enjoyed it more on a cooler day. At least I get another shot in two years when the Critter goes on this same trip.

E

The Good, The Bad and The Ooogly

First I’m back from Progresso. I had a blast and managed to stay out of any Mexican jails. The house was a mess when I got home, but it’s not like I left it clean so no harm, no foul. I found the boys all healthy, happy and it one piece. We’ll call it good.

Bummer is I lost my cell phone on the Mexico side. I discovered the phone was gone pretty quickly, but you’d be surprised to know there isn’t a general “lost & found” at the boarder. Okay, maybe not. The last I saw my phone I was in a bathroom in a bar and then the phone was gone. My mom thinks someone pick pocketed it. Heck after 2 margaritas and a pina colada I might have traded it for a shirt?

I bummed a phone and called to suspend my service. Thankfully no one had made any phone calls (you might remember that unfortunate incident a few years back when Papa left his phone at the Marie Callendar’s and whoever took it racked up $100+ in international calls toot sweet). Bottom line I don’t have a phone and it’ll take a day or two for me to make my way to Sprint and end my pity party.

I’m doggie-butt tired and the Critter has a field trip out tomorrow that I’m supposed to chaperon. Is it awful that I’m PRAYING for rain?! I just found out that the Negotiator has a field trip to a butterfly farm on Friday and this is the absolute first I’ve heard of it. Why don’t boys communicate these things?!

So there you have it. Love, kisses and all that crap.

Thanks, Bluebonnet

For leaving that bottle of Mudslide at my house from a long-ago bunco.

Last night The Critter nearly took the tip of this finger off playing with a garden tool (we are such watchful parents). He saw Papa using the long-handled branch clippers to cut back some of the branches near the fence we’re taking down. Critter decided to “help” and sliced into his pinky near at the fingernail. Blood was everywhere! We took him to the ER last night, but the blood finally stopped so we brought him home and took him back to his pedi today. We knew his tetanus shot was current and that the finger was still attached so we didn’t stay for the hospital procedure. Critter was so exhausted and totally freaked out by the ER that it was less traumatic to wait for Dr. J and just dope him up for the night.

We got in to see the doctor this morning and she put Humpty Dumpty back together again. It seems like the only time Boy Two sees his pediatrician is when she’s has to patch him up and send him on his way. We had lunch and ran some errands before picking up Boy One with Boy Three (who today is Tinkerbell's son since she has strep throat and Big A is out of town). At the moment all is right and happy in Boyland.

But wait! Fast forward…

You will not believe it, but Critter stepped on a nail this afternoon. He went in the backyard without shoes. The rule is you have to have shoes on so outside so I didn’t specifically tell him that this time. Because it’s every time, you know? He’s running around playing tag with the Negotiator and Boy Three when all of a sudden Critter comes in the house crying. The nail wasn’t actually in his foot, but there was a nice gaping hole from which blood was oozing. Fortunately we know for certain from our visit THIS MORNING that his tetanus shot is current.

God has a wonderful sense of humor. Or this whole “secret/law of attraction” theory everyone is banking on is all a load of shit because I tell myself constantly how careful and cautious my children are and nothin’.

E

WOOT! There It Is.

I finished knitting a scarf. The never ending scarf. I swear I've been working on this for weeks. Months. I made this one for my good friend, Di. She loves lime green and I crocheted some fun pink yarn around the edging . The Critter is modeling the finished product for you.

Now that I've shown it off to the folks in my bubble everyone seems to want a piece of the Knitmaster's work.

-E

Oooh, Look What The Crap Bunny Left Us

My mom is cleaning out her house. Sort of a very long, drawn out flylady process. She's going through this purging phase and so guess who is the benefit of her discards. Right-o!

What am I gonna do with all this stuff? Really do I, a mom of two small boys, need delicate little etched wine glasses? My mom gets these baubles at thrift stores because she thinks they look pretty, and they do, but it causes her to take leave of her practical senses. So alleviates her guilt of purchase by passing them on to me. On my door step without telling me.

Sneaky.

So I leave the house on my way to meeting last night and found a basket of these "treasures" sitting there waiting for my attention. They're still there because it's easier to carry them to the back of my car to take them to the GW.

E

---

Generational Gap

I signed up for myspace.

I have to admit I feel a little like a middle aged woman wearing a miniskirt. Even if she can pull it off it doesn't seem quite right. You know?

I'm enjoying customizing my profile and all dat, but the whole process feels a little clunky. Or maybe I'm just used to blogger? I've tried to move to wordpress before and I came back. I am a creature of habit.

I also can't help but wonder how I will keep up with this on any sort of a regular basis. I sort of see two different audiences with blogger and myspace since I use some identifying information on myspace, but have it set to "friends only". Still if I post here and then post there won't they get bored?

As usual, my carrying on is much ado about nothing.

E

BUSTED

I was putting some of the Critter's worksheets in a bag for the recycle bin and he caught me.

"MOM! You're going to recycle my projects?!" he cried.

"Of course not! I was putting it in a bag for safe keeping until after everyone has come to dinner. Then I was going to let you tell me all about it!"

Papa and The Negotiator looked at me knowing I was lying like a rug, but Critter bought it. That's all that mattered.

Not Your Mama's Minivan

Or any one's minivan for that matter.

I got to take this bad girl out for a spin around town.



Our PTA was raffling off a weekend with a BMW Z4. The dealership let us take a car for a visual and I got to show her around.




And because I'm such a good mommy I took the boys out for a spin. Later someone mentioned that kids in a convertible is not a safe idea. Whatever. The Critter is in his booster seat so it's all good.





I can tell you that it's really hard to go from this kind of ride back to my Sienna minivan. Of course spring in Texas is hard to beat in any car. I'm sure I'll appreciate my minivan and her air conditioning come May.

E

Spring Break In Pictures

I meant to post these earlier, but well, you know...




The Negotiator earned his archery belt loop at Cub World. All the cubs and dads went to a District sponsored event. I can rest easy knowing Boy 1 can bag a water buffalo in a famine.




Spring Break isn't a break without a carnival. We opted out of the official rodeo carnival for the rag-tag outfit about a mile from the house. We didn't have to pay for parking and the wrist bands were only a $1 more than at the Texas Star event. Neither boy noticed the difference so who are we tell them?




I love that they are each other's best buddies. They fight, but they do have a great time with one another. Makes my job much easier - and much harder.




We planted spring flowers. Our yard looks like doo doo. Papa and the boys spent some time getting the weeds out and adding a little color. I'm hoping to add more, but they were worn out with just the clearing stages.

E

About Me

I got this from my genxjackie who has no blog. She must get one.

Place an (X) by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones you haven't. This is for your entire life!

Smoked a cigarette. (X)
Drank so much you threw up. (X)...Everclear is NOT my friend
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. (X)
Gone on a blind date.
Skipped school. (X)...but don't tell my mom
Seen someone die.
Been to Canada
Been to Florida (X)...honeymoon
Been to Mexico . (X)
Been on a plane. (X)
Been lost. (X)...I could get lost in a box
Been on the opposite side of the country. (X)
Gone to Washington DC.
Swam in the ocean. (X )
Felt like dying. (X) after the aforementioned Everclear
Cried yourself to sleep. (X)
Played cops and robbers. (X)
Recently colored with crayons. (X)
Sang karaoke. (X)...at our last bunco game
Paid for a meal with only coins. (X)...how else do you eat in college?
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't. (X)
Made prank phone calls. (X)
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose. (X)
Caught a snowflake on your tongue. (X)
Danced in the rain. (X)
Written a letter to Santa Claus. (X)...I'm still waiting for my Ken doll
Been kissed under the mistletoe. (X)
Watched the sun rise with someone you care about. (X)...my husband when our sons were sick and we were up all night cleaning up poopie and vomit
Blown bubbles. (X)
Made a bonfire on the beach. (X)
Crashed a party. (X)
Gone roller-skating. (X)
Gone Ice-skating. (X)
Any Nicknames - Lainey, E, Mom,
What is your favorite drink- unleaded-Coke Zero, leaded-margarita on the rocks with salt
Tattoos? - Soon, on my 40th birthday I'll get something
Body piercing? (X)...Ears
How much do you love your job? Define love. Define job.
Birthplace: Austin
Favorite vacation spot? Mt. Hood, Oregon
Ever been to Africa ? No
Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes
Ever been on TV? Yes
Ever steal any traffic signs? Yes *hanging my head in shame*
Ever been in a car accident? Yes
Was it your fault? Hell, no
2 doors or 4? 5 - I have a minivan
Salad Dressing? Ranch
Favorite pie? Boston cream
Favorite number? 7
Favorite movie? Fools Rush In
Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
Favorite desert? Cream puff with custard in the center, not whipped cream
Favorite food? Mexican
Favorite day of the week? Saturday
Favorite brand of body soap? Target or Dove
Favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy
Toothpaste? Crest Pro Health
Favorite smell? Cinnamon vanilla
What do you do to relax? blog, knit, read, scrapbook, watch tv
How do you see yourself in 10 years? Working full time, still living in the same house with a fabulous new kitchen, driving something other than a mom mobile.
What do you do when you are bored? watch TV
Furthest place you will send this message? You tell me, where are you?
Who will respond fastest? Beth

E

Regalos

I am on a board about budgeting and someone was asking what was one of the strangest gifts I've received. I was thinking it was this crazy cat garden stake, but then one of the gals was talking about towels and I must revise my answer.

I remember that when Papa and I got married someone gave us two tweety-bird-yellow towels. Our colors were Burgundy and green so I'm not sure where they got the idea to give us yellow towels. Thankfully they only gave us two and they became the cat's towels and then eventually they became the car's towels.

What is the weirdest gift you've ever received?

-E

My Volunteeritis Is Acting Up Again

Our school carnival is this Saturday. We're getting down to the wire for volunteers, donations, and organizing. I keep thinking that since people aren't helping out that I must. Bad habit.

I have committed to baking dozens of cookies, cupcakes and brownies this week. I will sell tickets, arrange baskets and make phone calls. I will do this in addition to hauling The Negotiator to Cub Scouts, both boys to soccer games at different places, handling all the end of the month accounting at work and maintaining the household.

In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

E

Buggin' On This

You know, sometimes there are people that bug me. This bothers me. I want to like, be liked and get along with everyone. Sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.

There is one mom who is currently driving me bonkers. What's even more frustrating is that I can't put a finger on why she bothers me so much. She's nice enough. Polite enough. I do feel that she's a little inconsiderate. I know there may be a reason why she seems to be completely oblivious to the people and circumstances around her.

What's more is I love one of her kids. I would love to have my boy play with hers, but I don't because then it would lead to the inevitable mommy talk that has to ensue during playtime. I don't want to talk to her. So I avoid.

I'm just really up front that way.

-E

Can You Spot The Killer?

Another one of those crazy quizzes.

I got a 7/10. "Pretty good; it seems you know your JavaBeans from your fava beans, your slashers from your slashdotters."

What did you get?

E

Children. Wild. Help. Me.

OMG! The my school kids were bonkers today! They wouldn't listen, they were ornery to one another. A few even - gasp! - talked back to me. We all remained calm and collected (but did do petty things out of their view) and knew this too would pass.

It better pass.

I know it's hard to get readjusted after being off a week and then whole time change, but get over it, kid. We all have issues.

Am I not the embodiment of maturity? Is it any wonder I teach 3-years-olds? I seem to have not progressed mentally past that state.

E

Dr. Who?

I'm constantly amazed how Papa can manage a staff of many, the business and administration of a medical office and the politics of government yet be so forgetful at home. It cracks me up the things he forgets. For example, the other day he was making a doctor appointment for himself. I hear him talking on phone and then I hear the shuffle of feet coming into the dining room where I'm reading the paper.

He frantically asks me, "who's my primary care physician?"

I reply, "you don't know?"

"I can see his face in my mind, but I don't remember his name" Papa answered.

Mmkay.

I tell him and he walks happily away to complete his appointment.

-E

Stupid.

From today's local paper:

10 EMS employees disciplined for viewing porn while on duty

By Tony Plohetski Thursday, March 15, 2007, 11:15 AM

Ten Austin-Travis County EMS employees have been disciplined for viewing Internet pornography on city computers while on duty, officials said today.

Officials said three paramedics resigned instead of being fired.

Two district commanders were demoted and suspended for two weeks; two other paramedics were suspended for 96 hours - tantamount to two weeks - and three were suspended for 48 hours, which equals a week.

---

Gawd! How STUPID can people behave?! I know these are not stupid people, but their actions sure do give me pause for thought. No doubt their good judgement comes into question, but now our city is three paramedics fewer when there is already a shortage.

What kind of tits and ass could possibly be worth this outcome?

I’m sorry, but what defect in these people’s personality leaves them to believe that viewing, porn PARTICULARLY in the workplace, is acceptable? Has the office setting changed that much since I’ve been at home?

E

Taking A Step Down on The Coolness Ladder

We did it.

We joined the minivan nation. (Is minivan one word or two, see I don't even know this which further proves maybe I'm not the minivan type).

I'm learning to love it, but I'm so panicked about having a new-to-me vehicle. We traded in the Suburban which was dangerously close to expiring on us. The Sienna isn't new, but it's got really low miles and, hell anything would have felt new to us. The payments are manageable and now we have a good, reliable vehicle. Safety first, you know.

I'm sorry, when did we take this detour into suburban hell?

I love my life, but every once in awhile I look around and go whoa! As a child of the 80's I thought I was going to be a corporate woman having power lunches, not play dates. I had visions of Madison Avenue, not Sesame Street.

The boys run to tell anyone who will listen "we got a new minivan!" I don't have the heart to tell them it's not what the cool kids are driving. At the dealership they told Papa they could see about adding some sort of sports upgrade. Yeah, right, he says. It's a minivan.

Still it was really nice to spend a little less than $40 on a fill up as opposed to nearly $100. I'm actually thinking that with gas prices we might be less in the hole than we thought given we now have a car payment. The thought gets me through the night anyway.

E

Daylight Savings, Smalight Savings

I get so frustrated with Daylight Savings time. I'm so glad it's happening during our spring break. My kids (both MY kids and the kids I teach) are absolute monsters when the time changes. I'm hoping my kids at school will get their internal clock reset before we get back to class.

I'm sure moving daylight savings ahead 3 weeks makes sense for other parts of the country, but it's a total PITA.

E

Decaf, Please

When am I going to learn to order decaf? I'm usually pretty good, but lately I've been slipping. So here I am at what seems like the middle of the night trying to type off the caffeine.

Damn!

Still the Cinnamon Dolce latte was SO worth it!

E

Tastes for Two

Why can my boys like the same thing?

It seems I'm usually making two different "somethings". One will want a burger and the other chicken nuggets. One will want fresh fruit and one will only drink smoothies. I know I should put stuff out and too bad, so sad if you don't like it. Still I'm a mommy and seeing my kids NOT eat goes against every fiber in my body.

I'm trying a different approach. I'm sending the boys to cooking camp over spring break and maybe they can learn to cook for themselves since they seem to have such different tastes. At the very least I hope to get some help in the kitchen.

E

My Sentiments Exactly!

A few months ago there was a woman on The Ellen show who cracked me up. Supposedly this 80 year old woman called in and had some advice for Ellen on her set. What made me laugh the most was Ellen! She nearly came unglued! Whether or not this whole thing was real or made up is a source of some debate, but no matter, it's funny!

I think there is a Gladys trapped inside of me.

E, who also loves Jesus, but does drink a little

Family Pride

My cousin was just deployed to Iraq. He arrived safely and so far is just fine. J is the one in the first row, third from the right.

Y'all keep him in your prayers and I'll keep you up to date on his progress.

E

Gets My Toes Tapping

I love the GMC commercial that is out right out. The techno version of "Hail to the Chief" makes me want to put on my dancing shoes.

E

Missing The Clothes Boat

I hate it when I miss the season on my boy's clothing. I put away The Negotiator's spring clothes last year for The Critter this year. When I pulled them out The Critter had already outgrown them. How could he?? Moving on.

So I purged The Critter's closet of no-longer-fits clothing and got a bag ready for the clothing pantry at Papa's work. I know all the clothes there go to great new homes and I'm glad. It gives me incentive to keep purging, and believe me I need it since it feels like we are drowning in stuff.

E

Teacher Talks

We had our conference with The Critter's teacher today. She says he's doing great. From what I can tell at the student-led conference, the teacher is correct. He can maneuver the computers like nobody's business. He's whipping through those math manipulatives. He seems to be inclined towards reading and is already at the 1st grade level.

It's all good with The Critter.

The Negotiator has made great strides. His reading has shown remarkable improvement and he's reading slightly above grade level. Whew! As much as we valued the teacher's input we decided to take our own way of helping The Negotiator along with his reading. We started out with us reading to him from chapter books. He had to understand that all those random letters pulled together to make a word and those words in the correct sequence made a story. Once he made that connection he started challenging himself to read more.

This time we didn't meet formally with The Negotiator's teacher, but she sent home a progress form. He kicking mathematics booty. As I said, reading is rocking (a very special thanks to the Harry Potter books). We are told there still a bit of a disconnect with writing, which isn't about handwriting at all, but rather showing your reading comprehension through writing.

I don't think I'm gonna worry about that one. First he's a boy and the physical part of writing is just too hard for them at this age. Moving the brain, the language arts muscle, the hand for actually writing and bringing them all together in concert is a lot to ask. He'll get there eventually. I know he's comprehending the material because he can answer the questions verbally even if he can't write them down in his allotted time. Writing, in the case of this evaluation is, in my opinion, just another bullshit bench mark that only serves to make parents panic about their kid's progress. Which is exactly what I did, panic that is, when I got the little note. Then after further reflection it occurred to me that he's just like me. My mom was told I should repeat Kindergarten and that I was possibly dyslexic because I kept flipping my letters or some such nonsense. So at The Negotiator's age I couldn't show my comprehension through writing either. Today I can say that I've written for the news media (radio, television and print) for a mid-sized market in addition to the many other written documents I've produced over the years.

He'll be just fine. Trust me, teacher, I didn't turn out half bad.

E

From The Spin Cycle

When will I learn that little boys with pockets and laundry do NOT mix?

I got out to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer and what to my eyes appear? Why little tubes of balloon goop. You know the kind that comes with straws and you blow up big plastic-like bubbles? I found yellow, blue, green and red at the bottom of the washer, thank God, still in tact.

Can you imagine what all of clothes would have looked like with the psychedelic goop on them? It's bad enough that I've already had to have the washer serviced because of those damned little playground rocks. Yeah, I know they're safer for kids, but they play hell on my floors and appliances.

E

Hang Up and Bond

I was so frustrated today at lunch. We were at a fast food joint and there was only one other family there in the dining room. A mom and 3 kids were eating quietly while dad was on the phone talking business.

First of all, c'mon dude, you can't put away the phone for one FAST food meal? Your family is sitting there not interacting so that you can take your call. That's just wrong. So okay, maybe it is a matter of life and death that you take talk to this person. I'll give you that, but you can't take it outside so that at least the remaining family members can have a conversation?

Ugh.

Double ugh.

E

Bah Lovebug!

I finally finished knitting Papa that scraf he asked for in the fall. Ooops. Well, mas tarde que nunca. I got it to him just in time for Spring.

Since I think Valentine's day is a crock of you-know-what I gave it to him the day after. I refuse to give in to the whole commercialization of the day. I get cards for my boys and try to do something a little extra to show them I love them, but I ain't buying JACK.

I'll celebrate that the day is about love and not just about the romantic kind of love. I love all my boys, I love my family, I love my friends and I love the Lord. So here I am basking in the glow of all kinds of love.

I hope the same for you!

-E

Is It Bad?

I made all of these chocolate covered stawberries for Papa to take to his office. I became very particular as to the quality of my work on this project. Any strawberry that did not meet strict standards was booted to the reject pile.

Of course all those yummy chocolate covered strawberries couldn't go to waste just because they weren't visually pleasing so I had to eat them. I think I made myself sick on "rejects".

E

What's In A Word?

Have you ever looked at a word and just made yourself all confused?

I was reading the word "flower" and for some reason my mind just couldn't process it. I thought FLOW-er? FLO-er? Of course if I had read the word even a little bit in context it would have made total sense without me resorting to moving my lips while I read.

And yes, the irony that my most recent post was in fact about a flower was not lost on me.

E

A Flower When I Grow Up

When I was kid someone once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said either a lawyer or flower. I never became the lawyer, but I think I still have a good shot at the flower position.

Both my kids have been in school since fall. During this time I have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to decide what I will do next. It doesn't help that some people keep asking when I'll go back to work. I know it's expected, but if I'm honest I'm not ready to do it yet. I sort of feel like I deserve a little "rest" time.

Then I wonder what I could do to put my education and experience to work and I feel guilty that I'm not doing whatever that is. The thing is I don't know that I want to do that anymore. I'm slowly coming to the realization that I may have a different calling. One that I would have never predicted so I'm having a hard time accepting it. I actually like working with kids. I feel that I'm doing something worthwhile even in the few hours a week I spend with them. I just never saw myself in that capacity, especially after my own kids were no longer able to benefit from my program. Still I'm here and I'm happy to be here.

Once again, God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called.

E

March To State

This year's March To State Parade was even colder than last year. Still the boys had a great time and one of the benefits of being a Cub Scout is that you get to experience a real live parade from the inside out.



Our Pack gets to use Army vehicles to ride in the parade. The trucks are bumpy ride, but the ride is much better than the poor fellas who have to walk the whole time! At least the truck provided a little protection from the wind.




Here are the boys inside the vehicle. The parade watchers watching the boys watch them. Too funny!

E

The Oven Man Commeth

Damn! Damn! Damn!

It was going to cost nearly $400 to get that MFer fixed. Yeah, right. Thanks, but no thanks buddy.

We went to Sears and got a new oven which will be delivered on Saturday. I'm so tired of cooking on the stove top and in a crock pot. I want to heat a frozen pizza in the oven just like all the other kids on the block get to do.

Our appliances are white, but we decided to switch to black. So all the other majors will still be white until they go to the big appliance house in the sky. I wish we could afford to replace everything at once (but hell, if we could afford *that* we would have gone with all stainless).

E

Party...Scout Style

Tonight we went to a Den Meeting/Birthday Party. OMG it was so much fun. I mean we did the usual Scout thing - Pledge of Allegiance, Cub Scout Promise - and then we were served an authentic Philipino meal. It was YUMMY!

I think we should do that more often, you know have people over to experience different foods and cultures. We have a very diverse little den. We could do it.

The cake was as chocolate as chocolate could be so no complaints on that front. The boys got to do a treasure hunt for their goodie bags. One of the best parts of the evening was the adults (okay, me and Papa - some of the parents could stand to loosen up a bit) sang karaoke. We rocked.

E

A Boy's Life

My goodness what a great Saturday. Papa took the boys fishing all afternoon. They came home smelling of dog and lake water. Doesn't get much better!

They're really enjoying casting. Not necessarily fishing, but getting that bobber right where they want it is such great fun they can hardly stand it. I guess it's a guy thing.

I stayed home and organized my craft room.
Different strokes...

E

Light A Candle For My Oven

The damn thing has died. It comes in three's so first the dog, now the oven. What is next?

We've had the oven for nearly 9 years so I have a feeling we have to get a new one. I think it could be fixed, but they're probably going to tell me some laughable number to get it running again.

Any ideas for stove top cooking until the Sears guy can get here NEXT week?

E

A Little Bit of Irony

I'm looking for a Bible cover for the Negotiator. He wants a very specific kind. He wants it to be camoflauge and say something about the Lord's Army. So I enter this information into Amazon.com and I get not only the Bible cover I'm looking for, but also this little gem.

What a giggle.

Or maybe it's just me.

E

Dangerously Crafty

This crafting business is dangerous. It can turn your head around like in that Exorcist movie.

Every time I get an e-mail or a catalog from a craft related business I get all gung-ho on a hobby. Now I'm a scrapbooker through and through, but I sure am a fickle woman when it comes to other crafty arts.

This morning I caught a glimpse of my sewing machine and tackle box of sewing supplies. Then I received an e-mail about Simplicty patterns being on sale. Then yet another e-mail containing a coupon for material. I think to myself, I really should get back into sewing.

They saw me coming, didn't they?

E

Brrrr

Holy. Crap. It's. Cold.

I'm a Texan and I'm not used to this weather. I don't know how you people in the North and Midwest deal with this shitty weather for months at a time. I would be on mega doses of Prozac if I had to deal with this more than a few days.

I'm tired of being in the house. I'm tired of being cold. I'm tired of the break in my routine. This cozy cold weather was fun, but now that I'm made all my cold weather food, I'm pretty much done.

The kids like that they've had two snow days. They'll be plenty ticked in May when they realize that just means school goes a little longer in Spring. I'll wait for the school to deliver that piece of bad news.

-E

The boys are catching snowflakes on their tounges. Que cute!

That's me and my good sense getting the hell out of the cold. The only good thing about this weather is that I finally get to wear my pink Uggs.

In Memoriam

Zoe

April 1, 1995 - January 13, 2006

The dog died. This was the last picture taken of her before we took her in to the vet. We knew she had been struggling with The Big C, but she'd been content. This morning she couldn't walk, couldn't eat and couldn't drink. We knew it was time to let her pass.

My Cheating Heart

I'm being a lazy blogger and posting the answers to one of my emails. Feel free to steal it, but if you do, let me know so I can peek in on your answers!

It's all about Friends...

1. What is your occupation? Wife, Mom, MDO instructor/coordinator.

2. What color are your socks right now? White.

3. What are you listening to right now? The damn dog barking.

4. What was the last thing that you ate? Penne pasta with pesto sauce, grilled chicken, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Burnt orange ;)

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Mandi.

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Very much.

9. How old are you today? 36

10. Favorite drink? Coffee, coke zero

11. What is your favorite sport to watch? football

13. Pets? Zoe, Chula & Hurley all mutt-Chihuahua mix

14. Favorite food? Chips & salsa

15. What was the last movie you watched? "Tortilla Soup".

16. Favorite day of the year? The first sweater-weather day of the year.

17. What do you do to vent anger? talk, walk, write nasty e-mails that I never send

18. What was your favorite toy as a child? My tea set from England (I still have it).

19. What is your favorite -- fall or spring? fall

20. Hugs or kisses? hugs

21. Cherries or Blueberries? cherries

22. Do you want your friends to email you back? Of course

23. Who is most likely to respond? Diane

25. Living arrangements? With Papa, two boys and 3 dogs.

26. When was the last time you cried? Tuesday because my husband did a really sweet thing for our boy…Good daddy!

27. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes

28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? I don’t know.

29. What did you do last night? Went to my knitting group and talked about toilet planters.

30. Favorite smells? The smell of coffee brewing, the smell of my sons after they’ve been playing hard.

31. What inspires you? The Word.

32. What are you afraid of? Missing out on my kids growing up.

33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Oooh, spicy!

34. Favorite dog breed? Dachshund

36. How many years at your current job? 15, 8, 4 respectively

37. Favorite day of the week? Friday

38. How many states have you lived in? 2

39. Favorite holidays? Cinco de Mayo

-e

Excitement

Today is my anniversary.

It's been 15 years of marital bliss, but it feels like 5 minutes.

Under water.

-e

Happy Birthday, J-Boy

He turns 8 years old today.

It's just not possible! He was just born, wasn't he?

Time is passing so quickly. I love the independence that having a growing child brings, but I am missing that baby boy! -E

I Made It Myself!

In light of the new year and doing our best to keep things tidy, The Critter has taken to cleaning his own room. Today he came to me all excited that he made his own bed. I guess a little more practice is in order.

-e

New Years Goals

I've decided not to do the whole weight resolution. I'm just not there yet. Still I have so many other things I can resolve to do so here goes...

1) To stay on budget. Last year I created a budget - what a concept! This year I resolve to manage our money and be good stewards of what has been given to us.

2) To ride my bike. I finally got a helmet so I can set a good example for the kids so now I have no excuse. Of course, I haven't committed to a specific time or place to ride so I'm not so sure how this resolution will go.

3) To scrapbook at least once a week. I have tons of materials and tools and I need to use them. To that end I will not buy any more supplies (see resolution #1) until at least April 1 (Q2). I hope to get some friends to scrapbook with me during the day while the kiddos are in school, but we shall see. Either way I will commit to getting my pages caught up.

4) To have people over to our house. This goes to making relationships in the real world. As much as I value the people I "know" online I have to make an effort to keep in touch with the people in my world. There are people I'd love to get to know better and that means face time. It is inconvenient to create relationships, but no mom is an island so I gotta reach out.

5) To work on feathering my nest. I have a list of goals and projects I want to accomplish. I have little line item in my budget and Papa and I have identified one home improvement project a quarter. The first goal is to replace 2 light fixtures and add an outlet to the front of the house.

6) To drink more water. I'm really bad about living on coffee and diet coke so I must make this change!

Allrightee! There's my plan in blog. Anyone else want to share their resolutions?

-e