Merry Crapmas

Millions of presents to wrap and assemble (who bought all this?)
Every inch of my house is trashed
Rush from party to party
Rush from bed to toilet (to puke)
Yes, cherub 1 and I both had the flu

Crap, I am dying of the flu and the presents aren't all wrapped
Help from sisters and hubby in the wrapping dept b/c so sick (Santa must come)
Rats, miss church and can't host Xmas Eve cuz so sick..see a trend here?
I HATE twisty things that EVERY toy is wrapped in
Sweet memories of Xmas (yes there are some)...stay tuned...had to get all this out first
Toy robot breaks in first millisecond, cherub 2 breaks down
Mom, is that it? She got more, cherub 2 cried!
As always kids overjoyed, parents overtired
So glad it is over (I have NEVER said that about Christmas before)

NME

Check out the new Weigh In area of the blog. Down 4 pounds, even with the holidays! Truth be told, I had the flu for a great deal of the holiday. Hey, whatever works...

A Woman of Many Talents (Not Me)

Ok, I am working in front of PBS (cherub 1 home sick, remember?). She is watching Between the Lions and on the screen pops Dr. Ruth Wordheimer. Wha? You remember the famous Dr. Ruth. She was like the sex doctor, right? Well now she is on PBS teaching kids how to sound out words like intelligent. She said 'now close your eyes, take a deep breath, and sound it out'. She used to say things like 'now close your eyes, take a deep breath, and bleep (insert adult advice)'. She uses the same technique for both teaching kids how to read and teaching adults how to...be adults. Hmmm...

In A Remote Hideaway

For months we have not been able to find our bedroom remote control. With one sick in the bedroom (pretty much at all times around here lately) not having that remote has been torture. I have had to run in with the toy room remote to switch channels at each patients whimsy. Hubby has been all over me about that missing remote, as if I hid it amongst my junk on purpose. Today, I randomly opened hubby's night table drawer. Guess what I found? Yup, you guessed it. The very same table he 'looked' in before, was the vacation spot for our remote. Welcome back, we missed you.

Father in law & I have a running joke with hubby. He pretty much needs GPS on all his stuff. The remote sorta proves that. We have an underutilized key rack RIGHT next to the door in the kitchen. Every morning he asks, where are my keys (my wallet, my head, etc- note that he NEVER loses his blackberry)? This morning at barely 6am there was a quiet knock on my door. I raced toward the knock thinking someone was dying if they were visiting that early. Nope, just Dad looking for some keys. Hubby had helped Dad last night b/c he was sick. (Which was so nice...credit given where credit due.) He cleaned off their cars and snowblowed their driveway. However, he took Dad's and Baby Sis's keys home with him. I found their keys, mine and his in his jacket. Yup, he would have gone to work with all four sets! Then who would have been looking for their keys?

5 Yr Old Version of the Nutcracker

Cherub 2 just played school and told all his students the entire Nutcracker story. It had all the characters and most of the story with some added features like school buses. It was adorable! I love sweet moments like that. I actually got that one on video tape (don't faint).

NME

I am way overtired- 2am bedtime isn't cutting it for sleep. I want bad food today. Must resist.

Men and Shopping

Brother in law is typically a man that let's older sister do everything when it comes to the Xmas shopping. He is generally just as surprised on Christmas when someone opens a gift from them because it is the first time he is seeing it too (sounds like many men). You need to know this to understand the story, he also never answers older sister's emails or calls during the day...too wrapped up in work. Today he calls her stalking her at the grocery store on her cell, she probably thought someone died. He wanted to know if she got the postman a Christmas present. Wha? Not, did you get mom, dad, the kids, or anyone else presents. The postman? Not to say the postman isn't important, we always give ours a little treat. His dad was a postman for 400 yrs before retiring, so that is what was in his brain. Yup, Christmas can happen b/c the postman is all set.

Hubby was mad at me yesterday b/c I didn't give him a Xmas list (of things I wanted). Ok, you have been married to me for 10 yrs, known me for like 4,000 yrs, can't you wing it? He was all frustrated with me b/c he couldn't get anything overnted now b/c it was so late. Ummm, ya, why do you wait so long and why is that my fault?? Isn't he the one that waited until 4 days before Xmas again? Actually he is early this year, usually it is the 23rd that he is panicking. Whatever. BTW, he only shops for two, me and the dog. I can see how stressful that can be.

North to South

Cherub 1's flu bug has traveled, down south. I feel like we are plagued. I feel so bad for her because she is missing her play today. :o(

Sleep is so over-rated...

The thing about wrapping is that you have to draaaaaag everything out, wrap for hours, then hide it all away again. At least that is how it is with little kids. If I stuck all the presents under the tree (the ones for our relatives and friends) they would open them in the morning. I know this from first hand experience. That's right, one year I had to re-wrap some gifts. Fun. I have absolutely NO idea how anyone with kids gets any sleep during the holiday season. It is 1:33am and I am almost done cleaning up. I love to give, just not to wrap. I am going to wrap myself up in my cozy blanket and snooze now (for at least 4-5 hours). See ya at the workshop tomorrow night.

Don't yell fire if there is no fire!

This is too funny and far too embarrassing. I work in one town and my kids go to school in another. I received an automated message from the superintendent's office today saying that they 'originally had a delay for school but decided to cancel based on the forecast and the non-working plows'. I was soooo sad b/c my kids are finally healthy and REALLY need to be at school today. The elf in me has ALOT to do.

So I called a good friend of mine who is a teacher in the town my kids go to school in (the one we live it). She didn't know that school was canceled. She didn't get the message. Wha? So, after 4 calls and lots of embarrassment, I realized it was the super. from the town I work in not the town I live in that called. My cherubs had answered that phone call and I didn't catch the beginning of it (the name of the caller) just the message. That would have been important information for me to hear.

I am a schuck, I had people calling all around in a panick. (Yes, we were all panicked b/c we thought our kids weren't going to leave us for the day! Bad mothers.)

Typical me.

Daily NME

"Such a Joiner"
There have been some people that have expressed interest in the NME lifestyle. I welcome the company! A good friend (In the Trenches of Mommyhood) cornered the phrase, 'I am such a joiner'! Anyone else want to be a joiner? I hope it ok, we are borrowing your phrase. :o)

Here are their weights to start them off. I will post their progress weekly with mine.

Drama Girl = 171.4
A.D.D. Boy= 180.0

Daily Thoughts-
9:15am: I am doing great morning 2 but I am REALLY hungry. I am trying to adjust back to eating normally. I am off for a jog on the treadmill. (I wouldn't quite call it a run yet.)

Shopping with Sparky

Cuz the kids were still under the weather tonight my 5pm dinner and shopping girls night with college roomie got canceled. :o(

When baby sister (aka sparky-yes I blew your cover) stopped by at cherub's bedtime and told me she was going to the nearby Joanne Fabrics I couldn't ask hubby fast enough if I could escape. Remember, I have been trapped in the flu house for days!

At Joanne's 3 weeks ago, I purchased 4 sets of fleece to make blankets at the cost of $140. Tonight, everything was FIFTY percent off and I got 5 sets for $77. What the? I am happy about tonight but can you say I got screwed 3 weeks ago! Then woman who was cutting our fleece told us that we weren't buying enough fleece for each blanket (even though I told her I've made them before, not a novice) and that we weren't picking colors that match. Someone needs to tell her that I have graduated from the 80's when I used to buy everything in different shades of one color. We are hip now and we can match. Even if I was buying BUT UGLY fleece that DIDN'T match...isn't that my business? Isn't the customer ALWAYS right? I asked nicely how much an item was b/c there were no tags. Her answer was, 'there are price scanners all over the store'. Ummm, aren't you at a REGISTER? Wow.

Moving on to Kohl's we got some great deals. Sparky was making fun of me b/c I was so slap happy at the end she said it was like 'Oh, I met a Sally once, I'll buy her a present. Oh, I met a Joe once, we'll get him one too.' We were DYING laughing all the way home, even when we were semi stuck in the snow b/c we were so slap happy and tired! Funny.

Of course when I came home with bags, hubby said, 'I thought you were done?' In other words...thanks for spending more $. Sigh.

Stock Market Tips

Cherub's 1 and 3 are puking now...

So, if anyone is interested, I have been buying soooooo much Gatorade per doctor's instructions for my little flu victims that their stock must be doing well. After I head out to the store to get some more of this miracle beverage, I am calling my investment guy to realign my portfolio.

The vote this morning is that the new favorite colors are blue and red. Before November, if I was asking their favorite color it would pertain to a fruit or vegetable. Now, I am solely referring to what color Gatorade their little bellies can handle. Sooooo sad.

NME

For weeks I have cried every week watching The Biggest Loser. I am 36 yrs old and have spent the past 11 years of my life overweight, with the past 9 in the obese category (umm, yup, obese...not lying). I used to have no trouble with my weight. The combination of not eating much, exercising 1-2 times per day helped. In addition, in my younger days I used to shop to ease my pains in life. Upon running myself into debt (prior to getting married), I watched my hubby and dad cut up my credit cards and started anew. However, without realizing it, instead of accessorizing the pain, I was coating it over with chocolate and soda.

No more excuses. Each day going forward, I will continue to blog about my crazy life but will add a new category NME (no more excuses...for those that didn't get it). I am going to rely on the support of all of my skinny minny friends and family members out there (you know who you are) and of course my hubby who has lost and kept off alot of weight this year (way to go honey).

I am not going on The Biggest Loser and telling the whole world my weight but I am telling 'My World' my weight. It is the only way to keep me honest. Yup, probably more than most of my friends hubbies. I trust that they will keep their fat jokes to themselves if they really love me.

Tune in for the weigh in...each Wed morning.

Today = 187 lbs

1:23pm- Did really well all morning. I didn't realize how much I snacked to combat feelings of boredom. Sometimes the kids play on their own or catch a show (especially when they are sick like today). I have all this nervous energy. Ughhh. No snack. No snack. Sorry, I don't care what anyone says...laundry is not titillating!

Don't Cry Wolf

Cherub 1 told me this morning that her belly hurt. Of course since she had danced all morning to her High School Musical game, ate waffles and got ready for school with no problem, I stuck her on the bus with the old line 'call me later if you don't feel better'. See, at our house, someone is always telling me they have a belly ache. It is their way out of everything. It makes it hard to tell when it is real.

Of course when the school nurse called telling me she was puking at school, I felt like a loser. The cards have been stacked against us in the flu dept. And the mother of year award goes to...

Do You Take Debit?

Trying to run one silly errand today in a neighboring city, my loser cruiser (minivan) started sliding towards the car in front of me who was stopped at a stop sign. Since my breaks were on vacation due to ice, the l.c. was going full speed ahead toward that person. I weighed the options 1)hit car in front of me 2)hit snow bank. I chose the snow bank. Of course that made cherub 3 & I officially stuck (but thankfully unharmed) in a snow bank.

A seemingly nice gentlemen that was walking down the sidewalk with his wife stopped to help push me out of the snow bank. After succeeding he came up to my window, before I could even gush my thankyou's out, he asked me for money for coffee for him and his wife. Shocked, I looked into his eyes and saw they were glazed over. Since he was well clean and neatly dressed, my assumption is that he actually wanted to put a little bailey's into that coffee. Since I live off my debit card, and did not have a dollar on me, I dug out every last bit of change my wallet and car had to offer and apologized it wasn't more. He moved on to the car behind me that had slid into the snow bank avoiding my car (yup, a little chain reaction there). In my rear view mirror, I could see she had dollars in hand ready, obviously witnessing our exchange. I headed to the nearest cop to ask him for help for her. No good deed goes without payment of some sort I suppose.

Hubby Gone Girl, House Gone Wild

Hubby Gone Girl:
I didn't know I was married Martha. Hubby stayed home from our annual friend's (fabulous) Christmas party last night cuz cherub 3 still had the flu. I came home and hubby told me he made me something. A wreath! He made a real wreath out of fresh greens from our xmas tree and then made a bow! The real kind of bows that florist make (which I still haven't mastered). I couldn't believe it! It is really pretty. I asked him if he bought it (cuz I still wasn't sure he could make it) and he told me to check out the back. The wires were held together by duck tape. Yup, he made it. :o) I was touched by the thought.

House Gone Wild:
Traveling to our xmas party last night I pointed out a house to cherub's 1 & 2 that had gone nuts with xmas lights and (annoying) blow up things on their lawn. Cherub 2 exclaimed, 'It is a house gone wild!' I laughed, and had flash forwards to his college days when he might change the word 'house' to 'girls' like the video. Keep them young!

Firsts, Flus and Flakes

First penance, first basketball game. A day of firsts for cherub 1. She is growing up and adorable! She insisted that daddy be the one at her first game today (only one of us could go b/c cherub 3 is sick). I will try not to be offended! Who butters your bread everyday baby?

Cherub 2 is hanging, chomping at the bit to play in the snow, again. He is waiting patiently for daddy, since we are in the house because cherub 3 has the flu, again! Poor child. He was sooooo sick last night.

I went back to penance today, first time in I think 20+ years. Full of sin this one, it had been so long since I had gone it was like being a penance virgin again. Yeah, that is a sacrilegious statement if I ever said one. Left absolved, pure as a baby, yet with a mixture of feelings. You see, as an adult, going to penance makes you first ADMIT your sins, say them out loud, then try to forgive yourself for them. At least God forgave me, even if I am still working on it. It has always been way easier for me to forgive others before forgiving myself.

At first I felt guilty b/c when hubby asked if he could take her to penance I was snippy and said no. I made fun of the situation and told him that the guy who explains God as 'the man behind the curtain in the clouds' (??? what is this, wizard of oz???) could not represent cherub 1 on her first penance day. I know, that was nasty of me. I spoke before I had coffee. Anyway, when we got home he asked her, 'How was the sin thing?' WHAT? The SIN thing? You mean first penance or confession? Uhhhgggg. That is why I took her, maybe my first instinct was right. It doesn't mean he isn't faithful or prayerful, but 'the sin thing? What a flake.

What's Cool?

You know what would be cool, cherub 3 asked me? To be a grownup and be a Bruins hockey player. Yeah, that would be wicked cool! Here's my future hockey guy!

Not lost in space...lost without it!

I just want to say I have NO idea how my mother accomplished everything at Christmas time without online shopping! I do about 1/2 and 1/2 but I can't even imagine if I had to go to stores to do everything. Thank you to whoever invented the internet! I am not lost in space, I would be lost without CYBERspace.

Joining the Big Kids

Today is the one bless-ed day that cherub 3's preschool has extended day. The kids stay for lunch and games for 2 hours so the parents can scramble for the holidays. Cherub 3 was soooo excited, that after packing his lunch he walked around with his Dash lunchbox for an hour before we left for school. He would not put it down. So proud he was a big kid now! Too cute! Ahhh, almost time for my 2 free hours to wrap!

Lobster and Licks

Since I came in from cleaning up the snow, I started thinking about the summer and how much I miss it. One of my favorite summer memories was from the week we were staying at the beach with my parents and sister. We ventured out for a lobster dinner one night. Cherub 3 became quite attached to daddy's lobster and refused to leave it at the restaurant. Near tears, we let him take it home. On the way home we took the kids for an icecream. Here is a picture of Cherub 2, cherub 3 and Sally the lobster. We parted ways with Sally after cherub 3 fell asleep that night. :o)

Fire and Ice

Hubby is stuck on his business trip because of the snowstorms for another night. I was so proud of myself when I built my very own fire today in our fireplace. I even managed not to burn down the house! It reminded me of our camping trip this summer when we taught the kids how to build a campfire. Every time they built one, they would hold up a stick with a tiny flame on it (I know it sounds dangerous but it was well controlled) and yell out 'ME MAKE FIRE!' and proceed to giggle forever. Well tonight, I turned to cherub 3 and yelled, 'Me make fire!'. He burst into tears and said 'IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WHEN DADDY DOES IT. IT IS TOO SMALL'! My pride shrank a little but it was still there. It was a darn good fire.

Later tonight, while hubby is no doubt eating a 3 course meal in his comfy hotel, renting a movie and getting ready to sleep in his king size, really comfy hotel bed, I learned how to use the snow blower for the first time...since we have 6 or so inches of snow. The first few minutes was fun and empowering but now I am just sweaty, smelling like gas and my hands are still shaking from the vibrations. Could care less about being proud now, I just miss hubby.

SNOW Sprinkles

Happy Snow Day to you,
Happy Snow Day to you,
Sled, smile and eat caaaaake,
Happy Snow Day to you!

We had never just made a cake for no reason. Today, the kids came home from school early b/c we are having a big snowstorm. We celebrated by making a yummy chocolate cake. We wrote the word SNOW in big letters on the cake with jimmies. How fun! We had a blast sledding down Nana & Pop's hill and it was really neat to come in to a warm house and enjoy a tiny piece! The kids were thrilled to eat cake for no reason! It is the little things in life!

No Batteries Needed

In Yahoo news: SKoreans clone cats that glow in the dark.

Here is a different spin on the controversal issue of cloning. Who needs a battery operated flashlight? Just clone your cat!

Putting your Foot in your Mouth

I am up really late making Christmas presents. That's right, the Martha in me is kicking in and I have taken on 6 homemade projects this year. I guess you could say I like a good challenge. So I am watching Everyone Loves Raymond reruns and I just heard the funniest line. Next time you put your foot in your mouth (I do it quite often) you can say 'It is like your mouth is falling down the stairs'. It sounds prettier and it is just as meaningful as 'diarrhea of the mouth'.

Almost in 3rd Grade

• PIMPLES- I start work full time in a month. I am starting to get really anxious. It is pretty obvious because my face resembles that of a 16 year old, no not pure and smooth, full of pimples. It is Dec 12th, 13 more days till Xmas, and 32 days until my expected start date. Yup, nothing like a little stress to make a girl look purty.
• FALLOUT EFFECTS- I am extremely excited to start my new teaching career and jittery about the fallout effects it will have on my family. I am realistic. I am going to rely on my trusty crockpot, grocery delivery service, wonderful daycare lady, my night-owl capabilities, and good old fashioned faith to keep me sane (and some luck).
• GUSHES OF GUILT- I have finally conceded that nothing will really help with the gushes of guilt I have been feeling over the last few weeks knowing that my extra time with my little ones is limited. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I have second guessed my decision to start teaching this year when I still have 2 kids in 1/2 day school. 'Getting out' a little will make me a better mother, wife, and if hubby is lucky, a better housekeeper (who am I kidding). Plus, the money doesn't hurt.
• The cherub's are sleeping now. Time to clean up, do laundry, exfoliate, and sleep.

How many sips does it take?

My new love is Starbucks coffee. Although it takes 2 years to learn how to order your coffee with all their fancy words, I still love it. I have graduated to a Venti, hot brewed, house coffee (I know, I am not really that fancy-but the people in line order all the strange things). I looked up the word Venti, part because I am a dork and part because I assumed it meant extra large. The dictionary says it means 20? So, I am having 20 sips towards a better day.

First Day Don'ts

When hubby travels for business I have a list of first day don'ts.
The first day he is away:
I don't do dishes (I know, groas). I make a nice, neat pile in the sink.
I don't do laundry.
I don't pick up the toys at the end of the night.
I don't make a 'real' meal.

Hubby would probably argue that these are my everyday don'ts but that is not true. I swear. So sad, self indulgence is not doing chores. What happened to a good pedicure?

No shirt, No shoes, No shop

This is what it is like to shop with 3 kids at 5pm on a schoolnight. Cherub 1 is trying on a (much needed) winter coat, I am begging her to stop asking me to buy her sparkly shoes, earmuffs and other things that she can't live without. Cherub 2 (boy) is trying on girl jellies (member the 80's shoes made of plastic that are bendy). The jellies are clipped together with one of those plastic things so you don't steal them, so he is hopping around, falling all over the place and laughing hysterically. I don't care how much of a scene he is causing because he is happy, not whining or hiding under the racks. Cherub 3 is in a shopping cart stripping because he is mad that he is in a shopping cart. He is in a cart because if he isn't, he runs away and hides. Of course, we are attracting unwanted attention. Some random old lady, while giving me the evil eye because I can't control my kids, tells cherub 3 that Santa is watching and he better stop taking off his clothes. She was trying to teach him the no shirt, no shoes, no shop rule. I wanted to teach her the not your business, not your life, not your place rule and remind her that Santa is watching her meddle in my life. I resisted because I know Santa is watching me too. Wicked good time.

Sassy Lawyer

What happened to the good ol' days when kids did NOT talk back. Sassy little daughter that I have is going to be a lawyer b/c she can wear me down on ALMOST any point. No sorry, little lady, you are NOT wearing short sleeves today. It is 12 degrees out. NO, I don't care that best friend wore a short sleeve shirt yesterday. Best friend isn't my daughter. Great, it is only 8am and I am quoting my mother.

Here, There, Everywhere

One thing I have learned quickly is that there isn't many places I can go without seeing one of my students, student's parents, former students or friends of my students parents (did you catch that one?). Yup, everyone knows everyone and it doesn't matter where, grocery store, dance studio, bball game, you name it, they are there. This means a couple things: one, must shower or at least be sure to look like I did and two, always know who you are talking to. Different town, different state, 'they' are everywhere.

It never fails either, when cherub 2 or 3 is acting either psycho or spoiled in public one is sure to pop up and check out the whole hairy situation. Today at cherub 1's dance class, cherub 3 was acting like a lunatic and there I was trying to have a somewhat normal conversation (who am I kidding!) with one of my new student's moms. Embarrassed by the chaos, I gave the half hearted joke of how I can run a classroom like a well oiled ship but my own house and kids are crazy! She giggled (but really thought to herself 'oh crap, who is this teaching my son'.

Sigh. I guess I will wait another 3 or so years to go in public with my boys.

Intervention

Hubby's sis is sleeping over tonight and we have had many giggles. Hubby helped fold laundry tonight (don't faint). He makes pilez. That's right, lots and lots of pilezzz. So you can picture it, he makes like 5 piles per person (underwear, shirts, pants, sweatshirts, pjs-each with their own pile). Work it out, that is 15 piles for the kids alone. He needs a map to find the pilez and starts new ones when he can't reach the old ones.

So sis decides to have an intervention. When all the laundry is folded and he is surrounded by approximately 20 piles, she points to them and says "This is your brain, it is like piles of crap. Don't get me wrong, you work really hard and I think you do a great job but you need help with your organization". She admits that he can have an opposite intervention because she is over the top when it comes to being organized and making plans. Member how Vavo has curtain day? Well, sis has her week planned too. She knows exactly when she will grocery shop and clean her car each week and has been known to turn down plans to meet hubby and cherubs to do these scheduled tasks. She will check to see if the stove is turned off 3 times before bed even though she doesn't cook.

Hubby, polar opposite of sis can't organize or make a plan to save his life. He refuses to makes plans more than 2 hours in advance (is he afraid he is going to miss something?), can't find his keys, wallet or kids at any given moment and is completely spontaneous. We determined that I am somewhere in the middle. Middle child, even in marriage.

Gift Mountain

What an amazing sight to see, presents stacked taller than us down in our church hall. Each year we participate in the Giving Tree service project. We pick a tag off the tree of our church and make someone's Christmas wishes come true. It was a wonderful way to share the spirit of giving with the cherub's. We wrapped up puppets and dress up clothes for a 9 year girl who hopefully will smile on Christmas morning even though her everyday life may not be so fun and easy. I feel extra thankful today for my cherub's, hubby, family, friends, food on our table and roof over our heads.

Twirl the Night Away

The Nutcracker

Cherub 1 and I joined her Brownie troop tonight to see The Nutcracker. I haven't stopped smiling. Cherub 1's favorite part was watching Clara dance and mine was the Snowflake Dance. Pure magic. I had always wanted to go to the ballet with my kids. I am so glad we could share this night together. I looked over at one point and cherub 1 looked mesmorized by the dancing and music. I will never forget tonight and I hope she holds it close to her heart too!

The Perfect Afternoon

Yes, it does happen! The perfect 1/2 day of school yesterday. Picked up the cherubs, headed to lunch with cousins and friends. Ok, I think I spent half my lunch in the bathroom taking shifts with the kids but they had fun chatting with alll the kids. Why is going out to eat fun with kids, remind me?

After, we had a magical train ride (in the mall but the kids LOVED it) and enjoyed a precious moment of Christmas magic when my 3 cherubs and my 3 nephews all sat with Santa for an AWESOME picture. SIX kids, all smiling, that is a Christmas miracle and oh what a memory! No matter what anyone says, that tingly feeling of anticipation you feel after you whisper your wish to Santa is magic. Sweet memory.

Afterwards, my cherubs had some friends over and they sledded down Nana & Pop's hill for a loooong time and giggled the entire time. All 3 cherub's fell into bed happy and healthy.

Pondering

Does anyone want the real answer when they ask how was your day or how are you? Even if it is your loved ones, isn't it easier to tell them the good news? That is how it seems to me. To my loved ones and best friends, I always want to hear the truth, not just the niceties. Maybe I am a dinosaur. Again, why was Lynette crying alone at the ball field on Desperate Housewives? If she had told anyone her real feelings, even if someone was listening, would they have 'heard' her? Here's a question for us all, are we all out in left field when it comes to friendships and relationships or is anyone really hitting a home run?

Nighty Night

I sub'd yesterday for my class that I will be taking over in Jan. It was awesome and challenging. I really love teaching. I officially was just like the 3rd graders I taught though, I was SOOOOO tired at the end of the day that I was in bed at 8:15pm! People don't realize how exhausting it is to teach. You are 'on' the whole time. Ahhh, superb night sleep though. I feel fantastic today! I can't wait to start full time in January (except for the guilt over my kids...we'll talk about that later).

Shock Waves

During breakfast yesterday, cherub 1 asked me if I thought Santa is real (in front of her two little brothers). After picking myself up from a dead faint, I responded back that 'absolutely, of course I think he is real'. She explained that 3 of her little friends (that are boys) in her class told her otherwise. I suggested she hang out with the girls during recess and expressed my disbelief how they could say such a thing about Santa. The spirit of Christmas must persevere!

Compartments

Hubby can not do two things at once. He can't check his email and listen to anything in the house at once. Not necessarily his fault, his brain is set up into compartments (that is my theory). The listening one, the email one, the football game is on one, etc. You get the drift. He is currently 5 ft away from me checking his email on his blackberry. I asked him a quick question and he ummm'd and said hang on. The whole two things at once, it trips him up. My solution, I sent him an email. At least I know he will get my question. Talking is overrated.

I'm a Super

Did you know I wear a cape? In any given hour I can accomplish a mega list of jobs while balancing kids activities, whining kids, and the unexpected. We are having a national tradegy today b/c I have misplaced my cape and no matter what I try to accomplish, it is not getting completed. It is like I have developed adult ADD (or my hubby's disease- unfinished projects). :o) I am a Super, just like the Incredibles, I am super insane mom!

I Want Daddy Too!

Cherub 3 is in a phase where if he doesn't get what he wants he starts screaming, mouth wide open, "I want DAAADDDYYY!" Me, too, kid. Me, too.

Legwarmers and Lights

We are resurrecting the 70's. During our festive day yesterday, we brought up all the Xmas boxes from the basement to start decorating the trees. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Slam on the breaks, stop right there. Are those BIG lights for the tree? I haven't seen those since 1975 and I wasn't sad about that. My hubby was (rudely) insistent that we were hanging them on the tree, even mil had a scared look on her face when hubby was flippin on me when I tried to say they may look better outside (like in the back yard on the pool fence?). Realizing after that cherub 1 had picked them out (why didn't he just say that in the beginning) I gave in and cheerfully tried to keep them on. Hubby threw a tantrum taking them all off, which put cherub 1 in tears and us in a fight (all in front of the inlaws. :o) I firmly said (while he was taking them off) "no we are leaving them on, using both and we are going to have FUN!". So far, not so much. Mil laughed and repeated 'we are going to have fun' (yup, that was me, demanding fun). So breakout your legwarmers and gouchos b/c we have brought the 70's back and we are having FUN!

Picture: Cherub 3 hanging the angel on top of the tree. It was really hard to get him to the top with a vertically challenged dad, really tall tree and lots of laughing. We thought we were going to lose them both into the tree. After, he successfully hung the angel he exclaimed, "Can you believe I got it way up there?" So cute!!!

Tree Tops and Traditions

Each year our little family enjoys going to a tree farm and cutting down a beautiful Xmas tree. This year, mil and fil joined us and we had a ball. Boys running through the acres of the farm, especially cherub 2 in his Santa hat enjoyed running up and down the hills. Cherub 1 picked out the perfect tree and all three took turns sawing it down. Somehow, it is magical each year to experience this. Wonderful memories with Grammy and Grampy!

Funny: When (vertically challenged) hubby found a tree and asked me if it was tall enough (our family room ceiling is really high). I politely mentioned that he could reach the top. He laughed and said good point!

The Woodsmen

Ar, ar, ar, my hubby felt like a man, swinging an ax yesterday chopping wood for our new fireplace. Chop, chop, chop. Bonding with the boys, teaching them to use the ax.

Zoom, zoom, zoom, fil enjoys bonding with the boys, teaching them to use the electric wood splitter. Cherub 3 especially loved helping Grampy, both are true outdoorsmen at heart.

Wishing we captured this on film, mil and I giggle as we watch the two men, each having fun, each chopping wood, next to their 'pile'. Hubby so proud, with each pound of the ax, he added to his pile of shavings, while fil's pile grows leaps and bounds of chopped wood. Ar, ar, ar, verse zoom, zoom, zoom.

What are you worth?

There has got to be an easier way to clean the grout on a tile floor. Yup, down on my hands and knees de-crudding it. Simply groas. If anyone out there is looking to invent something that will clean grout with no hassle or pain, I would pay ALOT for it. Sadly, no one here is jumping on my bandwagon to hire a cleaning lady. Bummer.

I once saw an Everyone Loves Raymond episode where after Ray (the hubby) insinuated he was worth more b/c he brought home a paycheck, Deborah (the wife) made an itemized list of her jobs around the house and how much she was worth. Cleaning lady $90 a week, chef, laundry service, homework tutor, childcare, etc. She was worth more. Trust me, I am worth alot around here. Let's just say, I'd be rakin in the cash if I was getting paid. :o) Breaks over people, back to the grout.

Are you a wannabe?

I am pms'ing and I definitately do not feel great. I am going to a holiday party and what cheered me up was my little bout of creativity. I am bringing assorted cookies and I wanted to present them in a neat way. I purchased an adorable handpainted flower pot with Santa's chubby face. I lined it with tinfoil (so noone ingests paint and dies) and lined it again with a festive holiday towel. I gently filled it with a mixture of cookies and covered it with a matching festive holiday towel. It is SOOOOO cute! Just call me a Martha wannabe.

1-800-Santa

Tonight, cherub 3 asked for a rocket ship toy set for Xmas. I told him we should write it down on his Xmas wish list for Santa. He confidently replied, "No, Mom, we'll just call Santa on his cell phone and tell him about it." Times have sure changed.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

The Good: Favorite part of the day- painting xmas tree ornaments with the kids. It was a blissful, giggly hour that involved smiles, songs and no whining. :o)

The Bad: Least favorite part of the day- 3:30-5:30pm. Whining seemed to be the way my children had decided they were going to communicate with me tonight. Can you say early bedtime?

The Ugly: Grey's Anatomy is a repeat! Isn't it like November? Why are there repeats on?

A 5 Star Rating

Hands down, one of the best afternooons and evening in a looooong time. Right off the bus, the kids were playing joyfully with each other. They all wanted to play the same thing, they settled differences (on their own) like champs and had a ball. My favorite part was when the four of us cooked a new recipe all together. We always laugh hysterically while we cook! They all at least tried and almost all loved the new food. We had soooooo much fun together. I am thankful for these moments. 5 Star Day!

Not a Convert

I have been forced to the other side. My cell phone broke and my hubby insisted that I take his old blackberry. It is great, I will internet and everything. Simply put, I am afraid to be sucked in and become addicted to this little machine as everyone else is. My thought, is it really that imperative that everyone be able to reach me all the time on email? I think not. I am just not that important of a person. Daily slogan...blackberry not crackberry.

My Cup Runneth Over

Cherub 1 drew a sweet picture of 'Mom' and 'God' at CCD and labeled it 'Two people that love and protect me'.

Cherub 2 asked me if I could sit with him while he fell asleep tonight because he wanted to 'just hold my hand'.

Cherub 3 pointed at the Barbies in Toy Story 2 and said 'Mom, they are beautiful like you'.

It doesn't get much better than this. I am a very lucky mom.

Redefining the Work Day

My hubby called tonight at 6:20pm and asked if I minded if he worked late tonight. My answer, "it is already late". He sounded stumped. When did we let it happen? When did we make it ok for all the companies around the world to expect our partners to work crazy hours, carry blackberries to answer emails at all hours, and basically do at least a little work 7 days a week? I am thankful, don't get me wrong. My husband has a wonderful job, excellent pay, very nice bosses etc. However, when did coming home 'on time' get pushed to 6:45-7pm? I think we have all been brainwashed. Cherub 3 wanted to wait to say grace at the dinner table until Daddy got home. Let's just say, we didn't wait.

Dad Avoids Meltdowns

After cherub 3 ate every last morsel of his cocoa puffs today, he asked me if I could put the leftover really chocolately milk in a cup so he could drink it. Huh? I told him to just tip the bowl if he wanted to drink it. Meltdown ensued. I asked who does that for you, Daddy? The teary eyed blondie looks at me and shakes his head yes. Not that another cup is a big deal but, hello, who does that? That is how Dad avoids meltdowns in the am. Does he know they are old enough to tell me his tricks?

Take Five

How is it that kids go from being down and out with the flu to starring in their own Rocky movie right there in the vets office. That is right. I am trying to listen to the vet about how our dog needs ear drops and all I can see and hear is my boys punching each other. Go to your corners and take five (before I level you both...j.k.). My friend J is right, there is something so cute about how they are so loving when they are sick. Cuddly, nice, not fighting. Not that I want the flu back, just the quiet that came with it.

It's 16 to 3, any chance of a comeback?

While the Patriots are throwin passes and goin on with each win, my little team here is throwin and goin a different way, and we are not winning. We are behind 16 to 3. That's right, in 16 days, we have managed 3 healthy ones. Our team medic actually called us at home today because he is so concerned, how is that for service? The doc was overjoyed to hear that cherub 3, plagued with the flu for 14 nights seems to be cured. I drafted him to the master suite hoping the change of venue would cure him. It may have done the trick. No such luck for cherub 2 and myself. We spent the better part of the day tanking the teams score. Now that I am feeling a little better and not dizzy when I stand, what is the first thing I did? Laundry, of course. The team must continue to play.

The Side Effect of the Flu

I am loopy from the pukey and the poopy.

Easing into the Week

Gotta love this world. Sitting in my tie dye fleece pj pants while enjoying Desperate Housewives, I reviewed my cookbooks, made a weekly menu plan, and grocery shopped online. For a mere $6 the local grocery store will bring my weekly order to the door tomorrow. It was easy, peaceful, I didn't have to hear 'can we buy poptarts and fruit snacks' 100 times, which face it equals $6, and did you catch that...I was in my pj's? Too bad I can't order a chef too. :o)

Taste the Good Old Days

One of the best things that happened to me this fall was that our McDonalds burnt down. Seriously. It wasn't even that we were going there for food all the time but I was addicted to their Coke. Something about a nice, cold, fountain Coke on ice. I always said that if you could put me on an island without Coke or chocolate I would (die) lose weight. Anyway, I have lost weight since the no Coke rule got real with no McDonald's to run to. But giving it up was giving up one of my stress relievers. I know, it doesn't make sense. But whatever. Anyway, tonight my hubby is at the Patriots game so I took the kids to the new Bee movie, the playground and McDonald's as a treat. Now they are all in bed and I am savvvvvvoring my Coke. Yes, I need serious help (or a life).

Alien Abduction

Cherub 2 asked if he could clean the toy room tonight. Ummm, sure. Who stole my son?

Can A Duck Wattle?

My husband is what Dr. Phil calls a right fighter. He will argue any point until everyone knows that he is right (or we finally give up and let him think he is right). Tonight my husband was insistent that a turkey's wattle was spelled waddle. Cherub 1 informed him that wattle had two t's and was different from a duck's waddle that had two d's. I had to look it up on the internet to prove her right. He receded, with a quiet 'really?' look on his face. I think he has finally met his match. She loves proving him wrong as much as he loves proving me wrong. This makes me smile.

The New Restaurant in Town

If you can't use your sense of humor to get you through the tough stuff, your in deep doodoo (yup I spend too much speaking toddler). For exactly 14 nights, cherub 3 has struggled with night vomiting. He has had blood work, neurological exams, CAT scans, and 3 doctor visits (all with no results). We are stumped, the doctors are stumped and I feel totally helpless. On Monday, if he isn't better he will have more blood tests and then we will determine where we go from there. I am trying really hard to stay calm and trust that he is ok. So here is where you have to laugh, otherwise your ship sinks. On Thanksgiving, all the kids (my 3 cherubs and my 3 nephews) were playing restaurant. Because puke has been such a big part of our lives lately, cherub 2 came up to us at the 'restaurant' and said to his customers, "if you are angry, you're out of the restaurant, if you are happy, you are out, if you puke, you are out". We all burst into laughter. Not good when your little ones start playing puke.

Thanksgiving Hangover

My friend & I started Black Friday with the rest of the females in the land by awaking at an ungodly hour, slipping on Xmas socks (that was me), grabbing our caffiene and heading out to the stores in hopes that we could catch a few Christmas bargains. We were surprised to be greeted by swearing drivers, grumpy shoppers and long lines. My dear friend hit the nail on the head, we think people forget what they are out doing in the first place. After the first two stores we were giddy when we we finally found nice sales people (Xmas miracle in itself around here), no lines, and sales at our least favorite store, KB (b/c it is so small and crowded). We felt guilty b/c we were just bad mouthing the store. Never again!

After arriving home I was told by my hubby that 'I am disgusting' because my car was a pit. The car should be condemmed after the week we had, however, I am positive that it has seen worse days and that there may have been a nicer way to say it (he agreed). Following that, my daughter (exhausted from staying up late on the holiday) told me she didn't want to live in our family anymore because we were all selfish and rude. Hmmm. What happened to the thankfulness, cheer and peace we experienced yesterday on Thanksgiving Day?

Caribbean Girl

Cherub 1 was out to lunch with my sister, cousins, and some friends the other day. She was chatting with her little girlfriend and my sister overheard her say 'My dad has a workshop in the basement. I wish he would clean it out and make it into a tanning salon.' Whaaaaat? Not such big tanners, my hubby and I, we wonder, where does this stuff come from?

5 Little Turkeys

5 Little Turkeys, one leaves everything on the floor
She waddled off, and then there were four.
4 Little Turkeys, one hits his brother and decides to flee
He waddled off, and then there were three.
3 Little Turkeys, one paints the wall blue
He waddled off, and then there were two.
2 Little Turkeys, one works a ton
He waddled off, and then there was one.
1 Little Turkey, cleans up, come what may
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.

Just give em' a Smack!

No, I am not doing anything illegal. Ha ha. When you need a pick me up. Hand out the pillows and take wack. (No hitting each others in the head is the rule.) You will be amazed how much you can giggle in the middle of a pillow fight with your cherubs! Ready, set, smack!

Homophones in 2007

We, found the Wii! My Lesley girls will appreciate this as a modern example. We could have used this one to study for the dreaded MTELs! We, Wii. Two words that sound the same yet are spelled differently and have different meanings. Times have changed. It reminds me of the first spelling test I ever gave to 3rd graders. One of the words was 'cell'. I started to use it a sentence, 'our bodies are made up of trillions of tiny cell(s).' The students were baffled. One of them raised their hands and asked 'Isn't it like a cell phone?' Get with the times, I thought to myself while stifling my laughter.

Ground Hog Day

Our life is the movie where you live the same thing each and every morning. Everyday for almost a week, cherub 2 has asked me, "Is it Thanksgiving today?" It is funny how time is one of the hardest things to teach. Each day I tried to explain how many more days were left until the big day. To no avail. His answer was always, "It is taking forrrrrrever!" Today, I wrapped up our homemade corn muffins for him to bring to his Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast . He exclaimed, "yeah, it is finally Thanksgiving!" I don't have the heart to tell him we will celebrate Turkey Day 'again' this week on the real day. This is sure to confuse him.

Vocab Words of the Day

Clarity- when a doctor tells you to send your 4 yr old for a CAT scan to 'rule out' something really wrong it is the most frightening feeling in the world. Clarity makes your head and heart instantly reach out to what is important. Simply, those that you love. We were lucky, as it turns out, serious the problem is not.

Guilt- the emotion that takes the most out of me and constantly rears it's ugly head. I had my parent/teacher conferences yesterday and today. I love teaching, it feels right. I love the children, celebrate their successes, thrive on the challenges, and feel guilty that my love for my career takes me away from my own family. I once told my Dad that woman's lib is totally unfair. Woman are so blessed that they have choices now, however, those choices can be heartwrenching at times.

Confessions of a Holy Roller

That is right. With this post, I will be sure to make someone mad, disappointment, sad, thoughtful, possibly even faint. I of course am talking about my family (but it might shock my friends who for the majority think I am a holy roller). So please, sit down and read with an open mind.

My daughter is now going to CCD weekly, we have been trying to be faithful about church, and I am trying very hard to show my kids that faith is something that is there if they want to take hold of it. I am trying to provide them the opportunity to combine our family's faith with our values (and not feel like I am jamming it down their throats).

Every summer, my kids go to our church's Vacation Bible Fest. They combine our faith with fun! It is an amazing week in which they learn about our faith, sing (sing, sing, sing, sing), and do lots of fun stuff (face painting, outside games, etc.). Everything is brought down to their level and they love it. Really. I even love it! Last year I was one of the teachers and it was awesome. It is the one week a year, that our religion totally makes sense to me!

So, why are our weekly masses so boring? They are rarely inspiring. Ok, I have said it out loud. Now I have guilt (guilt is a post all of it's own). However, the question remains, is the guilt because we chose not to go today or that I actually feel bad b/c I didn't look forward to it enough?

To be clear, I am not questioning my faith or my values. I am just questioning why it can't be enjoyable like camp? Let's forgo some of the hand waving, wordy readings and longggggg drawn out speaches and replace it with inspiring sermons. Words to literally carry you through the week until you come back next week for more! I have been to some masses like that. They leave you happy, tingly almost. You leave with an understanding of how the teachings of the religion reflect our very own values. We could connect our everyday lives to our faith. Let's make some changes. Amen.

It gives new meaning...

When most people say 'it's five o'clock somewhere' they are justifying that they are pouring their favorite weekend beverage just a tad early. My husband told me last night, "Since I have been in Canada all week, you have been up with 3 kids with the flu by yourself all week, and I have to work on Saturday, I will be home at noon on Friday to give you a break." An 1hr and a 1/2 past when he should have been home, he called from work and said "I am leaving now". My response, "it's noon somewhere".

Emergency!

"Mom", cherub 3 exclaims, "my thumb is turning red!" I check out his raisin like thumb to find it is in fact red. I determine and explain to him it is because he just had 'magic' gatorade (red color) and then sucked his thumb. Hence, the red. He looked at me and said, "Mom, it is not from the gatorade. I think my insides are on fire."

Ding Ding Ding

I haven't been posting much about cherub 1 recently. She is going through some growing pains. She thinks her brothers are out to get her and tells them constantly she hates them. She thinks my husband and I are 'unfair' and that we favor the boys, which we NEVER play favorites-honestly. This morning, she put all her feelings aside and made a get well card for cherub 2, who came down with the flu in the middle of the night (that is right we are on night 9 of the flu). It was a precious thing to see her demonstrate her empathy and love for her brother. I am sure when she comes home from school today they will back in their corners of the boxing ring for another round. In the meantime, I am going to bask in the sweet intermission filled with their cute little love.

How much can you carry?

Ok. I tend to be a stress eater. You can imagine what 3 kids, 1 husband, 2 families, and going back to school for my Masters did for my waist line. I recently cut out a magazine article titled 'No, Thanks, I'm Trying to Lose a Bald Eagle by Christmas!'. Huh? It tells us pounds are so limiting. Instead of 'I need to lose 12 pounds, say I need to lose a bald eagle'. It is actually gross and it puts things WAY into perspective. If you need to lose 20lbs, you actually need to lose a 'standard vacuum cleaner'. If you are me, you need to lose a midsize microwave oven (36lbs). Imagine carrying around a microwave attached to your belt everyday (who am I kidding about a belt). I have the article hung on the outside of my cabinet. So to get to my 'needsomethingtoeasethestressfood' I need to see the table of pounds vs. items and so far it is working. For Christmas, I want a belt from Santa. :o)

HO HO HOld the Phone...

"Santas warned 'ho ho ho' offensive to women" is one of the headlines in today's yahoo news. A very bored group of people with much too much time on their hands thought of this one. What is next, we can't call 'Barbie' Barbie because within her name is the word that represents an adult establishment? Come on people, it's Santa!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071115/wl_asia_afp/lifestyleaustraliachristmasoffbeat

Night Olympics

Many of my friends have heard me refer to our nightly going-ons as the night olympics. You know the drill. You have finally headed to bed after all the laundry, clean up and a quick peek at your favorite show. Upon entering REM, their are two BIG eyes right next to you. You can't see them, but you feel that they are there. Mom, I have to go to the bathroom (ok, honey, go). Mom, I had an accident (ok, honey, lets change you and the bed). Mom, can I sleep with you (sure, b/c I am too tired now to argue). Now add 7 nights of the flu to the night olympics. Here is how you start to talk when you have no zzz's...

NoREMatallduetoBIGeyes,accidents,coughs,poops,pukes,laundry,bedchanging,can'tthink,
loseabilitytoreason,stopmakingsense,loseyourmind,winthegoldmedalforsurviving. :o)

Sweet Addiction

Since the flu has been running rampant in our house for days, I have not been able to steal time away at the grocery store. I ran out of my coveted Diet Sunkist TWO days ago and can not believe how much this affects me. I am starting to wonder, is my pride too high to go next door to my parents house and BEG for a tonic? Pleazzzeeee can I have something with caffeine so I can function? (Yes, it's tonic in our New England world even if it is not tonic water.)

Tall Man

Sitting in a circle with the boys this morning, we were singing 'Where is Thumpkin?' Cherub 3 was having trouble with tall man. Tall man did not want to voluntarily stand on his own without me helping(it is hard to keep the other fingers down). The three of us were laughing hysterically but secretly all I could think of as I forced my son's middle finger up was, at what age will Tall Man be not only standing on his own but be directed at someone in particular? Ahhh, the innocence. Can we keep them free from the big bad world forever?

A Man's Job (Rated R for Content)

After composing himself from the shock, my husband thanked me last night because the house, including the dreaded tile bathroom, was spotless. We started talking about house jobs and he suggested I make a schedule of jobs (Monday- bathroom, Tuesday- dust etc). I told him I resist the schedule (remember my earlier post of a friend that had 'sheets day'). He laughed and told me his Vavo (Portuguese Grandmother) even had curtain cleaning on her schedule. Are they really supposed to get cleaned weekly??

(Hang in there...I am landing the plane soon...this one is a long one.) He said if I made a schedule even he would adhere to it for his jobs (right! he doesn't even remember to put out the recycling on odd weeks...imagine the pileup when you miss a week). He asked me what I thought was a man's job. I started listing (I admit an 'old fashioned but how I feel' list of chores) "taking the trash out, cleaning the garage, shoveling, changing light bulbs (we have those really high up, ugly, ceiling lights)". He interrupted my rambling and asked "why is changing the light bulb a man's job, because it involves screwing?" Funnnnnny.

Crackin Up

Hey mom, cherub 2 asked, "did you know your eyes are crackin" (while pointing to the skin around my eyes)? He continues, "did you know that means you are getting older and older and older"? I guess I am crackin up-literally.

Cuddle with Me

Cherub 2, normally wild at the library, was cuddling on the couch with me reading story after story. Thinking I was finally living the fairytale (and we weren't going to be scolded by the librarian for running, screaming, etc.), we read for a while. Eventually we checked out and went home. That was when I realized... he had a fever. I am going to pretend that we were the Hallmark commercial, no matter what the cause of the cuddle. :o)

Meet me at the Ball Field

Thank you to my very good friends that helped me through my Lynette moment today. You know, fellow D.H.W. followers...when Lynette loses her marbles (actually, unlike me, she was addicted to riddlin) and runs away from her kids and hides at a ball field. All moms NEED good friends to laugh, cry, (drink wine with) and remind them that it is normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Thank you to all my friends who picked me up from my 'ball field' this morning. Please know, I will return the favor tenfold when you are having a bad day too!

Nothing a night of leap frog, dancing and a crisp walk around the block didn't cure. I wore them out with fun and now my cherubs are sleeping. They look so peaceful! Thank you!

Later

"Honey, we will talk about 'it' later."
"Mom, I will pick 'it' up later."
"We don't want to come (to dinner, the bath, inside etc.) now, how about later?"
If everything is going to happen later, than why do we have a now?

Two Types of Forget Its

FORGET IT #1- Why is it that no matter how hard I try and how many millions of things I do remember, I still forget something? I went to the store today to stock up on bday party items for my daughters party. I filled my cart with her 'friend' bday party stuff and food for the house. How is it that I forgot that our families are staying for dinner after? (Take out anyone??) Forget it, I'll never remember everything. Mind as well stop pretending I can. PS-If one more smart alek gives me (the unwanted and unrequested) advice that I should 'use a calendar and make a list because that works for me' I will actually scream I DOooooooooooooooooo!!!

FORGET IT #2- My OB told me today, in onelongmeanspiritedmonotonecoldheartedsentence to forget about having another baby. He said 'I wouldn't, you run the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure b/c of being overweight (I only need to lose 25 pounds...FINE 30) and you have coagulation (blood clotting) issues'. I think he FORGOT his bedside manners, he could've:
encouragedmetoloseweight&thencomebackandtalktohimaboutcontrolling the coagulation?

Perspective is everything...

I was all proud of myself b/c I sucessfully had three kids ready early for school today. (This is an olympic event in the real world of moms...most of the time we do not place with a medal.) Lunches, snacks, homework, library books, pumpkins, crazy hair day stuff, and costumes ready to roll for their school Halloween celebrations. So... when I was looking for my witches hat and scarf to join in the fun I found that it wasn't where I left it? (Shocked, as my house is SOOO organized.)

I thought one of my cherubs (the little thieves I live with) may have played dress up with it so as I searched I asked over and over 'have you seen my witches hat, have you seen it, did you use it?' My husband, sick of my search and my babble, went in my closet pointed at it and said 'you should write on your blog how you yell at everyone else to find something that YOU lost'.

Signed,
Humbled on Halloween

Criss Cross Applesauce

This catchphrase has always been reserved for our little cherubs sitting dutifully in the classroom. I myself have used it in the classroom as a teacher. My image has been forever altered when I witnessed my two prince's laughing hysterically tonight while 'criss cross applesaucing' together at the toilet (yes, their pee made an 'x'). I am so proud.

40 Years of Perfect

Forty Years of LOVE.
It is my parents 40th wedding anniversary today. I am (almost) speechless to this amazing testiment of love.

Love each other through EVERYTHING, good and bad.
Over the years.
Very blessed: health, happiness, friendship, 3 daughters, 2 soninlaws, 6 grandcherubs.
Every day they laugh, cry, live... TOGETHER.

As my hubby said at their anniversary dinner the other night, "If we could all be so lucky as to have half as much love as they have had during these forty years we would be very lucky."

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad. We are blessed to have you as parents and we are so thankful that you are both well and can share this special day.

Forty Years of PERFECT.

Strike?

Leaving our Red Sox Nation (family room) my husband greets me as I return home from my much needed girls night out with my Lesley girls. He asked 'Are you on strike or something'? Translation= I have no clean clothes and the house is a bomb. I walk away, don't speak, and spend 1 1/2 hours (fuming) folding and putting away laundry. No, I should of said, but this chic was: 'Suburban Mom Goes On Strike, Pickets Own Home'. http://kdka.com/watercooler/watercooler_story_153195751.html

You think he would be more worried about Matsuzaka's ability to pull off a strike in two days. Go SOX! Red Sox 2, Rockies 1 in game 2 !

Sock Box

Ironing is overrated. That is what I remind my husband as he tears his closet apart each day looking for an appropriate, wrinkle free work outfit. Must I remind you that June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) did not have the option of buying 'wrinkle free' shirts. They are mandatory in our house. If you buy the old fashioned kind, you are on your own.

I actually have a very good friend who still celebrates 'Sheet Day'. That's right, every Thursday she changes all the sheets in her house. My husband would probably settle for 'Clothes in the drawer day'. Come on, you know what I am talking about. On any given day, two to three laundry baskets FULL of clean clothes that haven't been folded or put away (hmmm, see where wrinkle free comes in handy?) are lined up in our bedroom.

I actually think I am doing pretty good. After years of dedication, I finally surrendered my 'socks box'. A few years ago, my m-inlaw was babysitting and she asked cherub 1 'where are your socks'? My daughter innocently replied, as if EVERY normal child had one, 'they are in the sock box'. When my m-inlaw questioned my (inefficient) organizational practice of keeping all of our socks (not matched up) in one basket, a.k.a. 'The Sock Box', I shrugged her off. After wasting many (zillions) of hours and practically missing the bus many times in search of 'the other sock', I finally have matched our socks and filed them appropriately in drawers. I am all grown up!

Moment: When cherub 1 opened her drawer for the first time (after I surrended the box) and said 'Mom, look at all these socks!'.