Saintly?

Saintly.

It is not usually a word that I would use to describe hubby. He is an amazing hubby and father, full of life, hysterical, handsome, hardworking, creative, always right (ha, ha), but saintly? However, he recently has change my mind...at least for now.

Last Friday, we went to my high school reunion. As one can attest to, if it isn't your reunion it can be boring. Not having those connections, being introduced 4,000 times, not understanding the old stories. Having said that, hubby was amazing! He was his usual self, meeting people, making the best of where he was (even if he was bored). Here is the proof for his new definition:

*He was the drink fairy. Where ever we were, hubby kept "delivering" drinks. We would be off in the opposite corner of the party talking with an old friend and a beer/glass of wine would appear in our hands. The next day, RLF, H said "how is it that I never spent a dollar but had a drink in my hand all night?" Ironic b/c my money had disappeared from my wallet. (I vaguely remember him taking it all when we first got there.)

*At any given moment he could be seen carrying around H's shoes. He was afraid she would leave them there. Where is the picture of him holding her strappy little sandals?

*First trip home~ At the end of the night, we all decided to go to the local bar. Hubby left to relieve our sitter. He was five minutes around the corner when I texted him to come back (b/c I changed my mind and wanted to go home with him). He got back to the hotel as I said "oops".

*Second trip home~ He graciously said no problem when he heard oops (hey, it took him five minutes to get there...they convinced me to stay again) and left when we told him we decided to stay. He got all the way home to the driveway when I called him and said "oops".

*Third trip home~ He laughed (on the outside) as we rehashed our conversation "honey, we got to the bar and it was closing!". He came back AGAIN to pick up all of us 'over-imbibed' individuals.

So Mr. Shoe carrying, Mr. Socializer, Mr. Gentlemen, Mr. Keep-your-sense of humor...it is a consensus.

You are saintly!

Just a can of Cranberry Sauce

Hubby has officially given me permission to turn it all into a book. Here's an excerpt from It's Just a can of Cranberry Sauce (the title he strongly suggests):

Preparing for our Thanksgiving Feast, I reached for a can of cranberry sauce. With a quick turn, turn, turn, I opened the can with a can opener. Next step, turn it over and tap, tap, tap to the bottom of the can. Realizing I forgot to do my trick (gently run a knife around the cranberry sauce to loosen it enough...making it slide out), I put the can down to get a knife.

SWOOP! In swooped hubby and MIL. To save me of course. Everyone knows that even I couldn't quite possibly know how to open it all by myself. Right? (No, I am not sarcastic at all!)

So...I backed up quietly and watched their little escapade:

Hubby: You have to open both ends. Open the other end with the can opener too.
MIL: (Agrees.)
Hubby: (Tries.)
Cherub 1: Can I help?
MIL: (Uses this as a teachable moment.) Sure, you want to open the other end. Then you'll be able to slide it out.

Hubby & MIL soon discover that the can is rounded on the bottom so the can opener won't work on that second end. (Discussion ensues about how the ends are so different.)

Hubby: Where's the bottle opener? We can poke a hole in it.
MIL: (Agrees.)
Me: (I am thinking, WHA?)

No one can find it.
After watching them struggle (approx 5 minutes worth), I quietly and politely ask MIL if they are ready to give me the can back. MIL nods.

Me: (Grabbed knife, gently go around cranberry sauce. Gently taps the bottom of the can and cranberry sauce slides out gingerly onto the plate.)

MIL: (Laughs.) I guess she knew what she was doing all along.

Later when we were laughing about it, hubby asked me when I was going to accept that they both were the same ...always "having to step in, control the situation and be right" (his exact words~ not mine!). I told him it took me 12 years, but I finally have learned to just step back and let them have at it. It is just easier that way.

After all, it's just a can of cranberry sauce.

(And yes, I still love you both, even if you are always right!)

The Lumps and Bumps of Life

A week and a half ago, my OB found a lump in my breast. There. I said it. This lump made a big bump in our life on the scale for the short time we feared it. Finally today, I got the answer I had prayed for. I am fine.

I always try to make sense of things, trying to figure out why fate has led me down a bumpy path. Trying to figure out the message being sent to me. I have been struggling to find balance in my life lately (like for years). I have been providing and giving, yet not taking care of myself health-wise. I think the bumps in this path jolted me into a clearer state.

So this scale may never be in perfect balance but somehow I will find a decent amount of balance so that I can provide, give and be healthy (so that I can be blessed to continue to provide and give).

Message heard.

Choose the Correct Answer

Why is it the mom's job to be the 'bad guy'? Hubby asked cherub 1 to paint a bookshelf with him tonight. Great idea, bonding, fun, creative. Love it actually!

However, why would you let your daughter use non-washable RED! paint while wearing her BRAND NEW outfit? I notsonicely suggested that he have her change (actually I pretty much barked at him b/c this is the millionth time he has had a cherub painting in NEW clothes).

Choice: does this situation make me mean or him just a glutton for my nagging?

Double Dippin'

In my most recent post, it is mentioned that the tooth fairy didn't come on time (simultaneously when I had 102 fever and was delirious). Once the tooth fairy came (when she came home from ahem, vacation, she left cherub 2 $2 (an extra for the wait). That next morning, cherub 2 woke me to tell me that he lost another tooth and I replied, "Great. That means the tooth fairy will come again!" I watched him do the happy dance all the way out of my bedroom. I fell right back into to temp-a-coma.

The next day, cherub 2 told Daddy that the tooth fairy left him another $2. Hubby asked him if he lost another tooth and he answered, "No, I have no idea why she left it for me. I'm gonna put that tooth pillow under my pillow tonight to see if she'll do it again!" Hubby is relentless! He has not stopped laughing at me.

I guess I dreamt the whole thing in my delirium? $4 a tooth. Not bad.
Hey~no double dippin.

Did You Know?

That when mom has 102 fever, she still made sure:
1)you had your library book
2)had your favorite outfit clean so you could speak at your assembly
3)fed the kids, the dog and the bunny (with some help! Thank you!)
4)gave you your medicine
5)disinfected the house
6)made sure you studied for spelling and did your math
7)tracked down your missing school picture
8)helped you plan your art contest picture
9)gave up and let you play football in the house
10)still loved you even though I couldn't lavish you with hugs & kisses
Most of all, did you know that when mom is sick, she wants her mom too?

PS- Did you know, that even though I had 102 fever and I forgot to 'send the message' to the tooth fairy that your tooth was under your pillow, I still love you? She got the message the next day and whala, $2 instead of $1. Maybe it pays to have mommy sick?

The Transitions

I have been teaching my 2nd graders how to use transition words in their writing: first, next, then, last. Since I have seemingly forgotten how to blog, I will re-learn how to write again, transitions included.

First, I took a job teaching second graders.
Next, life become caotic, sleep became extinct, yet all were happy.
Then, the cherubs became very ill with the H1N1 flu.
Last, hubby & I lost our marbles. Seriously.