Avenue Q was hilarious last night. We're dorks, though, and arrived an hour before the show.
Off to a soccer game this morning, Sally's first. Later.
November 30, 2007
Last Day
November 29, 2007
Cop Out Post
2nd to last day of NaBloPoMo and I have a long to do list and very little time left to accomplish the list.
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Husband rocked it last night and hung the lights outside, so that's done. Along with changing the bulb out there.
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Today, I did quite a bit, but looking around, it doesn't really seem like it.
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So you get a meme. Because someone offered it to me and because I am short on time and ideas. Plus my phone is ringing.
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phone....
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Husband rocked it last night and hung the lights outside, so that's done. Along with changing the bulb out there.
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Today, I did quite a bit, but looking around, it doesn't really seem like it.
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So you get a meme. Because someone offered it to me and because I am short on time and ideas. Plus my phone is ringing.
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phone....
November 28, 2007
Day 28: Wordless Wednesday
A 30th birthday party in August with some of our favorite people. You can see here that Husband held on to his beard for a couple months after our beach vacation.
November 27, 2007
Day 27: Pretty sure this isn't going so well
My house looks like boxes exploded everywhere. It is insane - Husband had 5 days off work and insisted that we decorate the house for Christmas, even though we're spending the holiday in Florida - and the girls and I will be there for a few weeks.
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So, all weekend, he was off work. And can you guess when he brought the boxes upstairs? (Last year it was all me, since Husband was already living in a hotel up here and the girls and I were still in Georgia.) Yeah, he brought the boxes upstairs when I was on my way out the door Sunday afternoon. I was not annoyed. Oh, no, I was not. Okay, maybe a little... When I returned, the tree was up and mostly decorated and there were boxes and things strewn everywhere. I spent some time putting some things away and placing some items that we haven't seen in a few years due to all the moving and whatnot. And today is Tuesday. And there are still boxes sitting around, waiting for me to decide what I'm going to do with the contents.
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I will have to take some pictures once everything is done and the boxes are cleaned up. I have broken out the paper, though, and have started a list. We are hosting a dinner party on Saturday, so things must be just so (I can't figure out exactly why we are this way - we want people to feel comfortable and welcome and that we made extra effort for them to enjoy themselves, I suppose). On my list so far?
+Finish decorating
+New window treatments in the living room (the ones I made in the spring look ridiculous for the holidays and winter season)
+New pillow covers for 10 pillows
+shop for dinner party, plus prepare main course
+clean
+rehang the towel bar in the powder room (after I patched the wall yesterday morning, since Bookworm decided to use the bar to steady herself while trying to jump into the pedestal sink a couple weeks ago)
+finish the laundry, including iron the napkins for the dinner
+help girls make birthday gift for Friday afternoon's birthday party
+get directions and make arrangements for the sitter for Friday night, so we can enjoy a night out, courtesy of my sister-in-law and her husband
+oh, start getting ready for being away from home for 3 weeks - yeah, that.
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I better hit publish - it is moments from midnight and I really need to be heading to bed. I watched last week's episode of Grey's tonight (did you know you can watch prime time shows online?) and ohmygoodness. I am totally freaking out. I can't wait til I have a moment next week to see this Thursday's episode!
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Good night.
(by the way, you really only have to put up with my dribble for a few more days - well, actually, you don't have to put up with it at all. And seemingly, there are very few of you who are.)
November 26, 2007
Irony
Tonight, the lead stories on the news:
on one channel: "double shooting in south Baltimore"
on another channel: "International Peace Summit in Annapolis tomorrow."
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Does anyone else find it bizarre that our state is hosting a peace summit 30 miles from a city that can tout a whopping 264 homicides so far this year?
on one channel: "double shooting in south Baltimore"
on another channel: "International Peace Summit in Annapolis tomorrow."
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Does anyone else find it bizarre that our state is hosting a peace summit 30 miles from a city that can tout a whopping 264 homicides so far this year?
November 25, 2007
Blessings
This afternoon, Bookworm and I attended the baptism of a friend. These occasions always make me appreciate the church of my faith. The beauty of the words, the promises... the giving of the child to a life filled with God's presence.... The ritual of anointing, then flowing water, aromatic chrism.... A new life in Christ.
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Thank you, friends, for inviting us to share in your joy today. And welcome, Charlie! May your life be blessed with rich faith and abundant love.
November 24, 2007
a night with my daughter
Coughing, over and over
fear, bordering on mania
the dark of night brings the most extreme thoughts
as dawn breaks, the imaginings become unreasonable and frightening
a product of sleep deprivation, piled on top of worry
the echo doesn't stop, panicked little face, as she tries to halt the caving and jerking with each cough
bruises under four eyes, as mother and daughter search the face of the other - silently begging for relief, for sleep
three hours in the clinic, two prescriptions, pity chicken nuggets...
Neither one of us can wait for bedtime tonight.
fear, bordering on mania
the dark of night brings the most extreme thoughts
as dawn breaks, the imaginings become unreasonable and frightening
a product of sleep deprivation, piled on top of worry
the echo doesn't stop, panicked little face, as she tries to halt the caving and jerking with each cough
bruises under four eyes, as mother and daughter search the face of the other - silently begging for relief, for sleep
three hours in the clinic, two prescriptions, pity chicken nuggets...
Neither one of us can wait for bedtime tonight.
November 23, 2007
Black Friday
I did not directly participate in this crazy tradition this year. Something to do with everything being different this Thanksgiving? Maybe. The last 6 years, I have braved the chilly weather to get in line for deals on things that were on our gift-giving list - as well as buy some things that were just good deals, even though we definitely didn't need them.
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I did, however, head to C0mp U.S.A. last night (can you believe they were open from 9-12?!) My plan was to get my mother-in-law's gift (a digital photo frame) and they happened to have a great price on an 8 inch frame. I was able to get one of the last two on the shelf and headed over to the audio section to pick up a couple other things. I mutilated the $50 budget Husband and I allotted for each other, by getting him something he really wanted, but doesn't think he'd get. He'll be disappointed he didn't get what he really wanted, though. The check-out lines stretched to the back of the store, so I was relieved the guy at the audio counter was willing to ring up my items. I was back home within 45 minutes.
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This morning, I awoke to piano practicing, so Husband and I were both slightly grumpy (of course, last night I stayed up way too late, copying digital photos for the gift). I had a down day today, but after sleeping all afternoon, I made a Thanksgiving-esque supper with turkey, stuffing, squash, homemade applesauce... And now I'm ready for bed. ha! I actually have to get dressed and run out to purchase sneakers for Silly Sally who may or may not be playing her first soccer scrimmage tomorrow morning, depending on how well she's breathing. (Of course, she picked up a cold this week and now can't breathe - the day before her soccer debut.)
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It's a good thing I've got a husband home for a few days to help take care of the kids. :) We do have lots of plans this weekend, so I'm hoping tomorrow will be a good day.
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Another lame post. I'll try another day.
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Bless you!
November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
Today, I am thankful for many blessings. We have a wonderful extended family, who love us very much - and we miss them all so! Our nuclear family is even better - we are blessed to really enjoy one another and rely on each other in a way that I think can only come when you are separated from the familiar over and over (one of the few advantages of moving all over the place in a short amount of time, I suppose). We have great friends in many states. God has certainly helped us to be happy in every location we've been called.
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We had a good time last night and made some new friends during our pub crawl. Nobody was crawling by the end of the night and the highlight was definitely the place that had cheap beer and open mic and guitar night. It turns out one of our crew is a great blues guitarist, so it was fun sitting there while he played.
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This morning, we went to mass with less than a dozen others in the chapel. We wonder why others don't think of this day of thanks as a "religious" holiday - is the thanks we offer not to the One Who has given all? This afternoon, we'll be heading to a hotel Thanksgiving dinner, courtesy of one of Husband's colleagues - I initially thought that wouldn't be so great, but the freedom not to spend the day in the kitchen (and the subsequent cleanup) makes me incredibly thankful. We are also considering taking the girls to see "Enchanted" today, a way to be "with" our siblings in California who are also flying solo this holiday.
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I wish you and yours a blessed holiday weekend.
November 21, 2007
Before I'm too drunk to post....
We've had a busy week, what with the IKEA shopping, cookie baking, tonight's pub crawl, tomorrow's dinner and a movie, Friday's shopping and possible trip into DC and possible cocktails with friends, Saturday's first soccer games and a college basketball game to attend, then Sunday's baptism and church and dessert reception at a friends'.....
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We are blessed this Thanksgiving. I will be back tomorrow with a properly thankful post.
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Travel safely.
November 20, 2007
Product Review: Clorox
A while back, I signed up on the Clorox site to be a product tester. I received a full-size Clorox Toilet Wand with storage caddy and additional sponge heads to try out first. This was a great product - I like the convenience of having the cleaning product right in the pad. There is enough in there to clean all three toilets in our house with one scrubber sponge. Best of all? I push a button and the icky sponge falls right into the wastebasket when I'm done. I rinse the handle and am done. No mess, no drips. This is a product that I will definitely use.
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A couple weeks ago, I received a small bottle of Clorox Anywhere Spray and I don't quite know what to think of this product. I can't tell it's doing anything, no odor to speak of, it doesn't seem to clean the counters when I use it - at least no different than if I were to use plain water. So, my review is pretty boring on this product - that is to say, I feel inept at saying whether or not I like it. Perhaps it has prevented salmonella from spreading in my kitchen, I just don't know. I am going to get a full-size bottle of it and use it for a longer period of time before I really determine it is useless.
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And yes, I am planning on posting this as my one post for the day. Lame, I know. But, my shoulder is whacked and I need to go put my arm in the sling.
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Did you know baking cookies all afternoon isn't very good for bursitis in one's shoulder? Yeah, me neither. Eating them isn't very good for shoulder bursitis either. That repetitive motion, lifting your hand to your mouth for bite after bite.... Must. remain. strong. I just have to remember how much weight I've lost - and how much more I'd like to lose.
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Maybe tomorrow I will come up with something more fun to read. I don't know, because we're doing yard work tomorrow. happy happy joy joy
November 19, 2007
IKEA, shoppers beware
This place is absolutely scary. I mean, who wants to stroll around unhampered by little hands that want to touch everything (childcare - for FREE!)? Or have lunch for under $10 - that was for all three of us. Or find unbelievable prices on things that you absolutely don't need, but really really want?
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Honestly, I had a fantastic day. Not the least because I got to go to the doctor alone (thanks, friend, for keeping the girls!) and then for spending the day with a friend. And did I mention the shopping? Fun, that was.
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This evening, we had leftovers and then went to drop a couple hundred dollars at a warehouse store, buying Thanksgiving fixings for a family who needs a little help. It feels like too little, for us to bring some bags of food... but I can't think of how I can change that - at least not this week.
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Tomorrow, my cleaning friend is coming over (I love my husband for allowing me this occasional luxury) and I will be at a friend's house baking cookies. Another fun day. And bonus, I will come home to a spotless house (I hope).
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Another rambling post. Eh, maybe I'll have a new poem tomorrow.
November 18, 2007
Day 18: What a louse
I am referring to myself here. Um, let's see.... Rachael's birthday was what, the first week of September? Yeah, her gift is in a box, sitting right next to my desk - it has been buried under piles of, I don't know, stuff. We've got a wedding gift for a couple who were married on October 13 and I have a birthday gift for my brother, whose birthday was 13 days ago.
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Also, I found $85 in checks (payable to US, for goodness sake!). Good gracious, I hope the doctor can help get my brain straightened out. I am completely exhausted and I haven't even finished cleaning off the desk.
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This is why I should do it more frequently than every 4 months or so. And, no I don't think this is very interesting for anyone else to read, but I needed to vent about how stupid I've been lately.
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On a positive note, I have personally earned $80 this week (hand-crafted jewelry orders), so I can go to IKEA tomorrow and happily buy what I've been wanting - a bookshelf and some new wine glasses. Woot!
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(Of course, I can't go do those fun things until I go to the post office and bank....)
November 17, 2007
Day 17: Near Autumn's End - hey! another poem
the first change of leaf brings delight and hope
each dawn brings new hues
deep heliotropes mix with vivid pumpkins and fiery scarlets
still-verdant foliage a sign of continuing growth
as the weeks hie, resplendent russets, vibrant blushes and frivolous golds edge out the green
naked boughs begin to mingle with the colors, sharing their brilliant cover with the ground
forthwith, the trees will be a sign of desolation - loneliness for sunshine and brightly colored life
relish the the year's final pigmented days
November 16, 2007
14o8
Have you seen this movie? It was very scary, but in a much more cerebral kind of way. John Cusack was incredible in it - very convincing.
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If you've seen it, what did you think about the ending? About the tape? Do you think all that's possible? Probable?
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If you've seen it, what did you think about the ending? About the tape? Do you think all that's possible? Probable?
November 15, 2007
Day 15: Boring
That's my writing this week. Good thing I've actually had some intelligent conversations or I'd worry my brain is turning to mush.
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Also, I love this website. It is addictive.
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Also, I love this website. It is addictive.
November 14, 2007
Day 14: Nothing to Say
My headaches have been rendering me absolutely useless. On a positive note, though, I went out for a couple beers with a friend. It was nice just to get out of the house for 3 hours alone.
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Also, Silly Sally started a fire in our microwave this morning. That was fun.
November 13, 2007
Day 13: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, a cinquain
Luncheon
chatting, delicious
friendly, long-anticipated, laughter
two friends finally face-to-face
Tuesday afternoon!
.I am so excited to be meeting Rebekah in the flesh this afternoon. Since she moved less than 30 miles from me, we've found it difficult to jive our schedules. But, today, we meet. I am really looking forward to it. I don't feel anxiety so much about meeting someone I've read for almost 4 years and we've been emailing/IMing for 3+ years - instead, I feel like I'm getting together with an old friend.
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I hope you have something to look forward to today.
November 12, 2007
Day 12: Sad
I was going to write a poem about the migraine I had all afternoon. I'd been simmering all evening, wrapping words around one another, trying to find a good fit. I'd come up with a slightly off-color limerick about it, wondering if it might turn off more folks than would be amused by it...
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And then I got a phone call from an old friend. This is the girl who was my other half from eighth grade on, whose family is my family. [We have not stayed as close as halves of a whole over the years - putting 1200 miles in between your faces does have an effect on a friendship, no matter how much you love one another. We love each other and every time we are together it is as if little time and no distance has passed.] So, she called me this evening.... You know it isn't good when the conversation starts with, "I have some news. But first, you've gotta promise not to freak out."
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Well, I didn't freak out, but I did cry for my friend, who has been diagnosed with MS. She was hospitalized recently after suffering stroke-like symptoms. After many tests and a scan that showed lesions on her brain, she was discharged with a potentially life-changing diagnosis.
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My mind keeps going over and over, thinking "She's too young!", "It's not fair!"... And I am reminded that God is in control. My friend is fortunate, for right now there is great hope she has the better type of MS, with episodes, rather than the debilitating type, which gradually wreaks havoc on your entire system. So, if you pray, please pray for my friend, Missy. That she would remain healthy and well. That she wouldn't suffer another episode for the 5 or 10 years the doctor said is possible.
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I love you, Miss. I wish I could be there right now to give you a hug and just sit and laugh with you. 19 years of laughs aren't enough, so you gotta be up for about 50 more.
November 11, 2007
Day 11: At the Park, a Haiku
laughing children alight
picnic under bright cold skies -
perfect afternoon
November 10, 2007
Day 10: Ads
Since our cost of living is so drastically different here and I intend to write more on this old space even after BlOPing (term totally ripped off from Laid Off Dad), I thought adding advertisements on my blog would be no big deal. And maybe even provide me with money for a coffee every couple months.
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Little did I know that google ads would be putting ads on here for finding l0nely h0usewives or w0man seeking w0man ads. Please know that I do not get money for ads that noone clicks on, so for those potentially offensive ones, I get nothing in return for them popping up here other than a cringe or two.
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So, please note, that not all ads up there are personally endorsed by me. As a matter of fact, I haven't been particularly thrilled with any of them - dating in B-more? men seeking women.... Of course, if they posted ads for woman seeking wine or woman seeking romantic getaway with husband I'd be all over that. Alas, I'm stuck with other things that don't apply to me. I'm hoping, though, that the more I write, the more focused the ads will be. I intend to keep them up for at least a couple months and see if it generates anything at all. And if not, I'll take them down.
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All this to say, I hope they aren't too annoying to the few who read here and please don't be offended by their content.
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I'm off to clean the house and get ready for company. !!! My favorite days are ones spent with friends, even brand-spanking new ones. (Oops, I hope the spanking reference doesn't get some ads that scream $&M. hahaha)
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Have a beautiful Saturday.
November 09, 2007
Day 9: Relief
A doctor who actually listens is a gift. Seriously.
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Even though my day started with hearing the screams of my oldest daughter, yelling "Earthquake!!!", my day is looking to be good. Mass, then a doctor appointment with a new doctor - and he listened! to me! and believed me! And wants to help me!
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It really does make all the difference in the world. That, and the fact that I came home to newly clean floors, courtesy of my wonderful husband.
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I'm off to enjoy a little time with husband before he goes to work - from 1-11pm today. blech. And then the girls and I are out to lunch with friends and then to market. We're having a group over for dinner tomorrow night before a concert at our church. Hoorah, we're set up for a fantastic weekend.
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Have a fantastic day.
November 08, 2007
Day 8: Respite
We have breakfast, I instruct the girls to put their school books into backpacks. They dress in play clothes and I dress in layers, starting with three brassieres. When I am on my way out the door, I stuff gloves and a snuggler scarf (made by my grandma) into my pockets.
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A day where someone else takes the responsibility of teaching my kids. Aaaaahhhhh...
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I drive along the west-winding National Road, through historic downtown, passing our favorite coffee shop, retail shops, restaurants, the library... A morning on my own. I head out of town, through rolling fields of farms. Autumn-gold leaves scatter across the pavement, tumbling, catching in the long blades of the season's last green along the edge of the dull black ribbon of road. The silence is wonderful, peaceful.
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As I travel deeper into farmland, my excitement mounts, my heart starts to flutter. I turn into the long drive, the towering trees dropping garnet- and pumpkin-colored petals on the windshield. When the farm bursts into view through the trees, a grin spreads across my face, a warmth flowing into my limbs. I greet my mates and we head to the field, enjoying the crunch of fallen leaves beneath our boots. The air is crisp, cold against my face, bringing wetness to my eyes.
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We lead the horses into the barn, hook them into the cross-ties. I groom the mare, pausing to rub her face, her neck, wondering why she seems so much more affectionate with me this morning. A sign of what's to come.
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An hour and a half through the woods, laughing, enjoying the quiet of the world. It is bow season, so we occasionally call out to let the hunters know we are there. The mare eats leaves and stops to drink from the cold stream as we are crossing. She frequently wants to do her own thing, but is kind when I urge her back onto the trail. She is gentle, obedient. Her nature flows into me.
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The laughter trickling back from the riders ahead is a pleasant invasion into my quiet reflection. The light filtering down sparkles on the stream, casting shadows among the fallen logs. A snake's discarded skin clings to the edge of a hole in a hollow, broken tree. The wind whirring through the branches above us is at times as loud as the dump truck that blew by us when we were on the main road.
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The cerulian sky above the fields is dotted as if with puffs of pure cotton, newly burst from their stems. Even the chilly wind can not dampen our spirits. An excellent ride. Hopefully, my first of many.
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When I got ready for bed last night, my cheeks still had a flushed, pink ink upon them - my eyes, still bright from the earlier outing. Even though my seat is ahem sore this morning, I can't wait for next time. Yesterday was a wonderful morning, a much needed rest from the daily, from my normal.
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Thank you, Lacey, for being such a part of the much-needed renewal of my spirit.
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And thank you, friend, for teaching my girls with your clan and for allowing me a few hours to myself this week.
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What do you do for personal renewal? Do you take the time ever? How frequently?
November 07, 2007
Day 7: Guest Blogger Edition
Me: You know that other people want to hear how you are doing, too.... That's the thing about closing up shop with a blog - people wonder how you are. Also, when you don't close up shop, they wonder how you are when you don't post for weeks or months at a time (hello, NaBloPoMo!). So, I had to write something at the beginning of this in order to fulfill my commitment for the month of posting every day. Without further ado, I give you my guest blogger!
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Guest Blogger: THANKS HOLLY for letting me do this!!!! heheheh
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Howdy all!!! Guest blogger here! Since people are raving about pictures, flickr, etc - how about a picture montage???
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Who's cute....
Who's excited?
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Howdy all!!! Guest blogger here! Since people are raving about pictures, flickr, etc - how about a picture montage???
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Who's cute....
Who's excited?
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And who has a bun in the oven??
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The proud "Chef" and "Oven" for Halloween :) Becca and Matt along with Big Sister Rachael are excitedly waiting for their June 2008 arrival!
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Yep - by the last picture you could tell perhaps that it's your old friend, former blogger Becca from Vocational Trinity. I miss blogging, but my life has just been growing and growing (great pun!). I'm a SAHM and part time WFHM now since May, and loving every minute of it!! We felt it was time to help make Rachael become a big sister, and we feel really blessed and appreciative to have a chance to.
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We're super excited, and I'm feeling great. I do get incredibly tired and sick feeling, but otherwise feel good. Matt's b-day is next week, and his present is an ultrasound! I can't wait to share pictures! We know its still early, but we want to celebrate the life within no matter how early - and I'll be 8 weeks next week.
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Thinking of you all, and lurking often! Thanks for being such a part of my life. It is still amazing to me who I've met this way and how blessed it has made me. I can't get over it!! All of our families are so amazing, and to read about them is so special. Thank you all!
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Much love! I'll keep Holly updated :)
Becca (Matt, Rachael, and Baby)
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Thinking of you all, and lurking often! Thanks for being such a part of my life. It is still amazing to me who I've met this way and how blessed it has made me. I can't get over it!! All of our families are so amazing, and to read about them is so special. Thank you all!
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Much love! I'll keep Holly updated :)
Becca (Matt, Rachael, and Baby)
November 06, 2007
Day 6: 9 Years
Happy Anniversary, my love. It has been an incredible 9 years of marriage.
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I'm happier than I'd ever dreamed of being. Our family is more than I could have imagined those years ago when we pledged our devotion to one another. You are more than I'd imagined. Even I am more than I'd imagined.
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Thank you for putting up with me through my lows. May we celebrate as many years together as your grandparents have (64 and counting!).
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I love you.
November 05, 2007
Day 5: I bet you wish this were the guest blogger post
Instead, it's just a meme from me. It was one of the more fun ones I've seen lately and since I'm working with one hand here, I thought copy and paste would shorten my actual composition time. I have a doctor appointment on Friday, though, so hopefully I can get a cortizone shot or something to bring down the swelling.
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1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Tizzy Quest
2. GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Butter Pecan Thin Mint
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME:(first letter of first name, first three letters of last name) H Boo (strangely, when I was about 10, a friend called me this)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav. color, fav. animal) Green Dog (I am painfully aware that this is name of a clothing company)
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Marie Lawton
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Booho
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd fav. color, fav. drink) The Purple Wine (I coincidentally love purple-ish wine)
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Ernie Whitey
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Susan Allan
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Bowlby Baltimore
12. SPY NAME: (your fav season/holiday, flower) Autumn Rose (This also doubles as my stripper name - hahaha - or porn star name)
13. CARTOON NAME: (fav fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) McInstosh Pantsy (not to be confused with "pansy")
14. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Oatmeal Palm
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Sewing Shower Tour
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Okay, now you know with certainty, I am a total dork. I promise I'll post SOMETHING better tomorrow. I promise. Really. REALLY.
November 04, 2007
Day 4: cop out
My shoulder is killing me and I've had pain all day shooting down my arm and into my neck (pinched nerve, via bursitis). It hurts to type, as it requires the slightest motion. Typing one-handed is an option, but it has taken me 40 minutes to peck out two paragraphs. So, the meeting story will have to wait.
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I'm back to icing my shoulder and waiting for Husband to return from his trip.
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Good night.
November 03, 2007
Day 3: Insomnia
Why is it that when Husband isn't here, I can't sleep? I was awake past 2 am, in spite of being very tired and worn out (three days with 7, 6, 5 and 4 will do that to you). The girls (minus Silly Sally, who was in bed with me) were having a slumber in the family room. Until 6:30 this morning when I was wakened by the sound of someone in the bathroom.
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It was Bookworm. She had an overnight accident and needed a bath, if you catch my drift. So, yes, after not sleeping during the night, I have been dragged from bed, kicking a screaming like a petulant 3 year-old with the necessity to scrub the carpet in my family room. Ugh.
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12 more hours. I swear I can make it.
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Maybe.
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I promise you: Tonight, after I drop 6 and 4 at their house, I am going to come back here, put 7 and 5 to bed and drink a glass or 4 of wine. I'm only half joking. Or not.
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Hope you have a beautiful Saturday. I'll come back tomorrow with coherent thoughts - I'll tell you something fun - like how even my high school principal told me I should stop dating losers.
November 02, 2007
Day 2: We Are Family
So, someone specifically asked to hear about my nuclear family. We are great, actually. I really think that aside from Husband's work woes, we are the best we've ever been.
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As I said a few days ago, we've traveled a lot this year, we've been to Ohio 3 times, New York state (for a baptism), Philadelphia (for an afternoon and evening), Kitty Hawk, NC for a week at the beach... Plus out-of-state visitors - 6 times this year? So, we've been busy. Throw homeschooling with a new school this year and that's quite enough to keep us occupied almost every day.
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We have an active social life. I know that those of you who know me at all are incredibly surprised by this one. No, seriously. We've become quick friends (really, I am telling the truth here) with a particular family and have done a lot of socializing with them. It's a shame, really, because I invited them for something next weekend and they already have plans (they are more social than we, but then they've lived in this area from birth and have a ton of friends). I think I need to make another good friend or three so we don't end up in this spot again - wanting to invite a group and only able to come up with two people in addition to us. There's a concert next weekend at our church and we've heard fantastic things about this guy (from our folks in FL, even) and we'd like to have a group at our house for a casual dinner before the time at church. So, making a couple closer friends is now on my agenda. This shouldn't be that complicated for me, but I am feeling panicked.
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The girls are good. They are both doing well with their schoolwork this year. It's nice to have girls who like school, it makes it easier to teach them. They still take piano lessons and are eager to have a recital, which their teacher doesn't do (??!?!?!) in preparation for Festival, when they go before judges in February. So, I'm working on getting the piano tuned at a local nursing home so the girls (and possibly some of the other homeschoolers) can do regular recitals for the residents there.
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Silly Sally has taken her last riding lesson (of the year?), since she's agreed to branch out (and free up our extra-curricular funds). She'll be starting indoor soccer soon. She's still hilarious and goofy. Also, sweet.
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Bookworm is taking a sewing class for a couple Saturdays (she's been wanting to for months, but she's still not quite at the age they allow - they are making a one-time exception and we'll see how she does). She is unnaturally excited about it. Also? What the hell happened to my sweet and compliant girl? Since she turned 7, she's become this lying, disobedient, disrespectful thing to her immediate family members. To outsiders, she may still appear to be sweet and kind, but when it's just us, she's someone else entirely. I have no idea what to do - I've tried soap in her mouth, hot pepper sauce, taking away priveledges... The kids seems immune to punishment all of a sudden. And I am losing my mind. I never thought I'd see the day when Silly Sally was the obedient one. Not that I expected her to be disobedient her whole life, I just didn't think her sister would not be obedient.
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So, Husband and I are sufficiently stumped. Things are going well, no life changes this year... And yet, we can't figure out how to parent our seven-year old. This could become a problem as in about a year and half, we will have another seven-year-old and I am worried that 7 is the new 13 (though Bookworm is certainly not acting like a teenager in anything other than her mood and 'tude). Any ideas?
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Husband is good. Well, better. Job is going better than a few months ago, though this market seems to be weird as far as people caring about the quality of work they do, so it makes it hard for him to hire managers. He's still playing drums every other week with a band at a neighboring church. And this weekend, he's flying to Florida to see a UF game and spend Sunday with his parents and grandparents.
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I'm doing well. I've got some health issues bothering me, and am in the process of trying to find a doctor who will look at the whole picture and help get things under control. Other than that, I'm just busy busy busy. I've lost more than 30 pounds so far and would be making further progress if not for the aforementioned issues, which have halted my downward trend. But, I'm wearing clothes that I haven't been able to wear in at least a few years, which feels fantastic.
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I don't have time for pictures right now and am still counting down the hours - only 36 hours left of 7,6,5 and 4. I don't know that I will make it, but at least it's only 36 hours. I finally find a reason to be grateful for at least a couple of our miscarriages - I was NOT cut out to have a slew of kids so close in age. Even for a few days. :) Really, the girls have been delightful, if loud and giggly.
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Guest blogger, are you ready???
November 01, 2007
Day 1: Why on earth am I doing this again?
Well, I looked on the National Blog Posting Month website and they have some cool new features for this year, including new group forums. I saw a forum for writing prompts and thought I should check that out and start getting some ideas for what I shall write about over the next 30 days.
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One possible topic for today is why am I choosing to participate in NaBloPoMo in 2007? And well, I must say.... I am not exactly sure why. Perhaps it is because I did it last year. And I think I can do better. I can say this because I just went back and read those posts from a year ago. And can I just say, I am a total lame-O. Really. Except this post was pretty funny, and true.
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So, why try this again? To give myself a reason in one year to look back and have a daily snapshot of my lameness? I hope not. But, the reality is, that's probably exactly what will happen. I'm going to try it anyway.
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A couple of you in commented on my last post that you'd like to hear from me every day in November. Anything you're particularly interested in hearing me spout on about? I'm pretty much an open book and pretty open-minded, or is that empty-minded? Hmph.... Anyway...
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Day one. Thirty days doesn't seem very long. Except that for the next 70 hours, I will be the primary caregiver to 4 girls, ages 7, 6, 5 and 4. What on EARTH was I thinking?
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Seriously, what, if anything, would you like me to write about this month? The only subject off limits here is politics. It isn't that I'm ashamed of my politics, only that I am a total nimwit when it comes to expressing myself intelligently and I do not want to injure any particular party or candidate by my lack of having the right words. See? Right there, I couldn't think of the word, so I used the phrase "having the right words". Perfect example of why politics are off-limits here.
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Oh! I forgot to tell you that there will be at least one post this month from a guest blogger. If you've been around to know me for a couple years, you'll be super-de-duper-excited to catch this post, so check back often. Guest blogger, you know who you are, I hope you are close to ready to post... I'm going to need topics this month. hint hint
Name: Holly
Location: Free State, USA
"Celebrate we will/'cause life is short but sweet for certain..."
Location: Free State, USA
"Celebrate we will/'cause life is short but sweet for certain..."
Amy - Against the Grain
Arwen Elizabeth
Imperio
Jen - Searching for Me
Julia - Here be Hippogriffs
Kelly - The Woman Wonders
Linda - Indigo Girl
MP - Chick Chat
Megan - Charm Bracelet
Mercy Me
Nino - Cease, cows, life is short!
Rebekah - Boundary Lines
Sandi - Mom of 2 Boys
Shannon - Rocks in My Dryer
Sue - Living Upside Down, Down Under
Other blogs I read:
Laid-Off Dad
PostSecret
The Shape of a Mother
Sweet Juniper
My Homeschool Experiences
There's Grace in the Little Way
If you'd like your link included on my blog,
please let me know!
Take my button & link to me!Arwen Elizabeth
Imperio
Jen - Searching for Me
Julia - Here be Hippogriffs
Kelly - The Woman Wonders
Linda - Indigo Girl
MP - Chick Chat
Megan - Charm Bracelet
Mercy Me
Nino - Cease, cows, life is short!
Rebekah - Boundary Lines
Sandi - Mom of 2 Boys
Shannon - Rocks in My Dryer
Sue - Living Upside Down, Down Under
Other blogs I read:
Laid-Off Dad
PostSecret
The Shape of a Mother
Sweet Juniper
My Homeschool Experiences
There's Grace in the Little Way
If you'd like your link included on my blog,
please let me know!
COMING SOON!
