Friday Five: New Years Eve

Okay, I borrowed this from Kristy.

1) Big Party or stay at home alone?
Stay at home with the boys.

2) Stay up to watch the ball drop?
Go to bed!!!

3) Will you make any resolutions?
They will be post on here 1-1

4) Is Dick Clark a good host for New Year's Eve?
Yes, buy Ryan Seacrest isn't bad either.

5) Do you know the words to Auld Lang Syne?
The first verse. The rest I'm just mumbling under my breath.

-E

I'll Just Wear A Hat

Lately The Negotiator has taken to wearing hats rather than brush his hair. What is up with that? I tell him to go brush his hair, but he acts like this is just SUCH an imposition on his time. Maybe it is to him, but c'mon, kid, we all crosses to bear.

I'd love to find a compromise, but there doesn't seem to be a middle ground between his idea and mine. I know eventually I won't have a say so, for now anyway, I win.

-E

Puzzling

We got a 500 piece puzzle on Christmas Eve. At first Papa and I weren't all that jazzed about this project, but it was a picture of a train so The Critter's happiness served as our motivation. Well, I'll be damned, but it turns out puzzles are kind of fun! The four of us will sit around for a little while, try to put it together and have sparkling conversation.

So a week later we are still working on this puzzle and it's still fun, but we all want our kitchen table back. We've actually been eating over the puzzle pieces at meal time. This method isn't working anymore.

I am spending the morning cleaning the kitchen and thinking about where to move all 500 pieces in various stages of completeness and NOT send these guys into a tizzy about ruining what they've worked on so far. And where the hell do I store this while they're working on it? I don't want it on the dining room table either, but at least we don't eat off of that one as much as the breakfast table. It seems like it would be a reasonable compromise for the time being.

Of course, they're talking about actually buying a puzzle table. Yeah, right!

-e

Bah Humbug!

It's getting to be that time of year when I'm completely overwhelmed. The irony is that I'm actually at the end of all of our holiday commitments. This is really the time of year I swear, "never again!" Of course, that sentiment doesn't stick.

I will say have have scaled back this year in all things and that despite the busyness of the season I haven't been totally stressed out. I've tried really hard to keep perspective and pray for guideance on what is really important.

Sorry I haven't been around much, but I'm sure you are all just as crazy this time of year. Here is hoping your world slows down a bit also and we can catch up soon!

-e

Which Reindeer Are You?

I am...

You Are Blitzen

Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa. Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying! Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Go find out who you are and let me know!

-e

My First Time

Until today I was an IKEA virgin.

Oh. My. Goodness.

Really, there are no words. My head is so full and my heart sings at the joy that is that store. Two of my friends who had given up their IKEA innocence before me took me to guide me through. We couldn’t get through all of the offerings today. We had to rush through the market place and didn’t get to check out the As Is section. I will furnish the boys room with stuff from IKEA.

My shopping list was so long, but I had to whittle it down to only what I was going to take today. I totally felt the value for my dollar. I can't wait to go back. I want to go back now.

This is my new happy place.

The Mystery of Boys

My little boys are showing their genetics.

Oh my goodness these kids cannot sit still. That is of course unless they are in front of a video game. Otherwise they are perpetual movement. They can't sit still to eat, to do homework, not even to sleep judging by the way they toss and turn to get comfortable.

Yesterday we were at the dentist and they talked her ear off. Apparently they had been saving questions up for her since their last visit. She rocks. She patiently listened and answered all of their questions. She even chatted them up about spit and other good boy stuff. I was horrified. She looked and me and reassured me she understood. You see, she too has boy offspring. We looked at each other knowingly.

They've really gotten to the age where they prefer to hang out with Papa. They love me and want me to take care of them, but the other stuff is all about Dad. They go walking through the parks and creeks looking for bugs and reptiles. They climb trees. They build forts. They have burping contests. All activities of great fun, I'm sure, but I'm going to pass all the same.

I'm reading two books right now that I'm hoping we'll help me understand these male creatures that have invaded my home. So far I'm really caught up in Kids, Parents and Power Struggles. I'm also starting Bring Up Boys. Papa just finished that one and said he got a lot out of it. Any other suggestions?

-e

Visions of Pink

I finished my bag. I have knitted, cast off and felted that BAMF. She is very pretty, but we're still getting used to one another. I will take picture for all of you who have been waiting with reckless anticipation for the finished product.

-e

Allrightee Then!

Two of my "peeps" also have birthdays in November. I wanted to commemorate their special days with a token of my love and appreciation. I picked up a calendar for each of them and brought it to our weekly knit night. In the calendar there was a new pattern for each day of the year. Wow, I thought, what fun to be inspired by yarn and creativity every morning you wake up.

One of the girls opened the packaging to check out the patterns we saw some perfectly lovely projects that we will attempt at knit night or another time. However, it did become painfully obvious around February that the publishers were, at times, reaching to fill up the entire year. The project that led us to that conclusion was a Valentine's knitted thong. Yes, indeed! I have to wonder, what kind of yarn would you use for this pattern? I think I'd have to run screaming from wool on this one. And the novelty fibers would be uncomfortable with all their bumps and glitter, no?

Girls, Happy Birthday and I hope you do like your calendars. If you decided to knit that thong be sure to bring it to the next knit night for show and tell.

-e

It Ain't A Holiday Until Something Gets Broke

You know when you combine family all in the same house for extended period of time no good can come of it, right? I honestly thought this would be event that sent someone to the ER, but it wasn't. One of Papa's brothers broke the corkscrew while trying to remove the cork from a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Hmm, how do we get the cork out now? Oooh, this seems like a fine family project! NOT. So two minutes later, pliers in hand, the boys (let their ages in the categories of 20 to 40 make no never mind here, they are behaving like boys) set out to rescue this bottle.

Surprisingly they did get the cork out with nary a broken bone or dish. Honestly I so could have lived without that bottle of wine. I'm a White Zinfandel gal myself.

Not to let this holiday go without incident my 3-year-old niece is the one that ended up with the tribal markings. She was running out the door as The Negotiator was opening the door and when door meets forehead, well I think you know the rest of the sad, sad tale. She ended up with quite a gash on her right eyebrow and I got to relay the story of the scar on my forehead given to me by my cousin when I was her age.

Everything comes full circle.

-e

You Say It's Your Birthday? It's My Birthday Too! Nah Nah Nah Nah!

I think I'll just get it out in the open that today is my birthday. I'm okay with it. Maybe I'm trying to convince me more than you?

Since it's a school holiday I'm home with my beloved children. Yep, they've promised to behave and be nice to each other all day in honor of my birthday. Too bad that proclamation went out the door at 9:00 a.m. when they came to fisticuffs over an action figure.

*sigh*

I'm off to Best Buy to exchange the car charger that the shithead clerk in the the cell phone accessory area said would work with Papa's Samsung phone. It does not. Oh, correction he did not actually say it would work, that would have been too much trouble. Rather he wordlessly handed me the package and walked away. Don't you love the customer service?

-e

Family!

Yep, it’s getting to be that time of year again when I get to grump about my family. Mostly I love having so many relatives around, but holidays are when the rubber meets the road. Everyone seems to be sideways with one another.

What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving? We aren’t completely sure yet. My mom is having dinner at her house and all my in-laws are supposed to come here for lunch. All this hullabaloo for one day?

I think next year we’re having pizza. Or did I say that last year?

-e

8 Years Ago

Today is the anniversary of my last day at a RPJ (Real Paying Job). I was put on bed rest when I was almost 8 months pregnant with my first boy. Since then I've been mostly a stay-at-home-mom. A few years ago I started teaching at a Mother's Day Out program, which is super part time care for moms who are at home, but need time to run errands, visit the chick doctor, go to therapy...whatever. I teach 2 days a week for 4 hours a day. Not exactly paying the mortgage, but Starbucks loves me and my babies got to go to the class for free. I love most of the people I work with and it's fun for me. It's been good.

Lately though, now that both boys are in school all day, I've been thinking about what to with myself. I want to do more than sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Wheels on the Bus". Not that painting and Play Doh haven't been oodles of fun, but I got this whole student loan thing going and I sort of feel like I should put that degree and the experience of my past RPJs to good use. Papa and I talked about me going back to work full time and he wasn't all that amped about me and a full time gig. Let's face it, I do most of the house and kid stuff (which is not to any way minimize his household contribution - he totally steps up, he's just not the coordinator) and taking that on for him his akin to a root canal. Besides what a total stress worrying about what to do with the kids when school is out like it will be for 5 days next week. I see parents that have two full time working outside them home jobs lose years of their life worrying about where to stash the kids and how much extra it will cost.

My friend Candy has been leading me in to the VA business for quite awhile and I'm taking the plunge. I'm really excited! I've got the business name, secured the domain name and I'm looking to get my logo done. I'm doing the set up for my website, but I might have someone actually build it for me. I love the idea of owning my own business. We have before, but it didn't work out. Still I learned a ton about running a business and I think it will serve me well this time around. Most importantly for us, Papa is good where he is at and I don't have to worry about bringing in income to eat. I just want to have something to build and improve my quality of life.

So on the anniversary of the day I left a job I start a new adventure. I'll let y'all know how it goes!

-e

Phooey!

This seriously made CNN breaking news? Am I the only one that feels this information should be reserved for entertainment television and not "legitimate" news sources?

I mean it's voting day! Why does this information merit breaking into my e-mail retrieval experience?

-----Original Message-----
From: BreakingNews@MAIL.CNN.COM [mailto:BreakingNews@MAIL.CNN.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 3:09 PM
To: TEXTBREAKINGNEWS@CNNIMAIL12.CNN.COM
Subject: CNN Breaking News

-- Britney Spears files for divorce from her husband Kevin Federline, citing irreconcilable differences.

Phooey! Double Phooey!

-e

Critter On The Weather

This morning as The Critter is preparing to go to school he puts on a fleece pull-over. Papa tells him "son, I think it's going to be too warm for that" to which The Critter responds, "Dad, it's almost time for Christmas! It's time for the freezing weather!"

Hmmm. I guess he is seeing too many commercials if a) he thinks it's close to Christmas and b) he assumes that the weather in the commercials set in the Midwest/Northeast have any bearing on our climate in Texas.

We let him go in his fleece. He'll get hot soon enough and put it in his backpack. I sure admire his vision and belief though.

-e

Political Poop

I hate the time right before an election. The mass mail outs, the computer generated messages and the advertisements. I wish there was a way to opt out or at least them know that I voted early and their wasting their precious "get out the vote" time on someone who already got out and voted.

C'mon Tuesday and the then bring on the silent airwaves on Wednesday!

-e

Thirteen Thursday: Holiday Worries and Wonders

Today is the day we offer up 13 things about ourselves in order to get to know one another a just a little bit better. Krisco started this train of thought so pop on over and let her know you're on board.

It being November and all I've started my official holiday worrying. Here are some things that are on my brain:

1) Crafts - I have to think of fun, easy-to-do and appropriate or adjustable for ages 7, 5 and 3 crafts for the month of December and three holiday parties. Yes, I plan to use Oriental Trading Company for some of them, but not all of them since those crafts come with lots of pieces. Why is that important? Because if it's too complicated then mommy/teacher ends up doing the project and that's not really the goal.

2) Presents - I've started buying for the boys, but everyone else is being thrown under a bus at this point. I don't know what people want. Hell, I don't know what I want. This time of year seems so commercialized and hum bahg-y that I'm starting to dread it sooner and sooner each year. I love the season and the tradition, but the gift giving makes me crazy.

3) The Teacher Gifts - It's the time of year to hit up parents for money to buy the teacher a gift. It's not hard and I don't mind doing it, but there seems to be a sense of expectation that as co-room parent we're supposed to also be everyone's personal reminder service. I'm sorry, but there is nothing that bothers me as much as being told "remind me". Um, no. Write a little note and remind yourself. I got enough to keep up with all on my ownsome.

4) Parties - There are at least three to be organized. Crafts, goodies to eat, goodies to take, time, place and so many other details.

5) The Politics of Family - It never fails that we are expected in multiple places at the same time. We've managed to get Christmas pretty well worked out, but even after 16 years of togetherness we're still struggling with Thanksgiving.

6) Flu Shots - I've got to get my older, asthmatic child a flu shot. The pediatrician's office says they'll call when their in, but I haven't heard. I'm afraid to keep calling them fearing they'll place me on "stalker status".

7) Food - It's always so busy this time of year that we end up eating out way too much. I've done a lot of prep work on several meals so we're not tempted to drive-thru. The cost of eating out just kills me.

8) Weight - And of course, there is the extra baggage we take into the new year in the form of added pounds (and time with our family).

9) Exercise - Both for my sanity and the aforementioned weight, I need to walk. I must create time. I love that my days are free, but I feel like there is a lot of pressure to spend time with people during the hours my kids are in school. In order to walk I have to put me first. Not exactly the spirit of the season, no?

10) Me Time - I get very little of this despite my mostly-stay-at-home status. I think some people have the impression that since I don't clock into a 9 to 5 every day that I'm available at a moments notice. Not so. My day is pretty much set the night before and I'm not really good with being flexible. I mark out my 5 priority goals before I go to bed and work really hard to get them done so I feel that I've accomplished something. Once those 5 things are checked off I do something for ME. Frankly, that happens very little because I'm constantly getting waylaid into meeting someone else's need. Other women have talked to me about this problem. I've heard Oprah, but for me, the problem persists.

11) The Cars - Both of them need oil changes, but we can't make the time for auto-wellness. Very bad.

12) The House - It's a disorganized mess. I'm trying. I can't promise it will get any better over the holidays.

13) Cards - I have every intention of sending out timely, creative and personal cards this year. Last year I took a picture of the boys, uploaded to Snapfish for cards to be delivered to my house and called it done. It's looking like a repeat performance.

Okay, share your stuff or make up some Thirteens of your own!

-e

Just Wondering

How many times do you invite someone to a recurring event that is a schedule conflict for that person before it is considered annoying? And then when you stop inviting them, but others are talking about it, is that rude? It's one of those fine line things. You want to invite the person because you don't want them to feel like you don't want them there, but they never come so why keep extending yourself? You feel me? I mean if that person came every once in awhile I could see maintaining the invitation, but if they consistently decline isnt' it time to move on?

-e

Knitting Night

It's that time of week again! It's my night to knit with the ladies. It's group therapy for the price of a cup of coffee, albeit Starbucks, and a skein of yarn. Can't beat that! Tonight I worked on the bag I'm someday going to felt. I say someday because I ran out of yarn and my comadre bought the goods at a little fiber store on the other side of town and I have no idea what the color and lot number is to duplicate it. I may give it a try soon, but in the mean time I'm working on my soft lime green scarf that will have yummy bling at the ends.

This is where I'm at so far on the bag. Do check back soon to see my progress.


-e

October Pack Meeting

This month's Pack meeting was on fire safety. All the hot firemen came to give a presentation to the cubs on what to do in th event of a fire. I have to admit this is a meeting that I always enjoy! Our den was in charge of the cake raffle, but neither of the boys won this time. Two of our brother wolves won and that was just fine.

-e