Weekend warriors

We decided at the last minute to take the girls camping Sunday. Some friends of ours already had a huge campsite and had invited us down.

Camping has got to be on my top 20 list of favorite things to do. My dad was an Eagle Scout, and he was also a teacher so he had the summers off, and we would go camping at least 2-3 times each summer. I love the smells, the sounds, everything about it.

LP hates camping.

Well, that's not true. He loves camping, he hates sleeping on an air mattress in a TENT. He'd much rather be in an air conditioned, sound proof cabin. Yeah, you knew he was a bit prettyboy, didn't you? We have yet to come up with a solution, as cabins are muy expensive, and IMO take part of the camping out of camping. Ah but fortunately both my kids love camping so they're on my side, and majority rules, in this situation anyway. A popup camper would be the solution, if we had a tow package on the Minivan, which we do not.

We stayed at a great campground, surrounded by a lot of fun and great people. Some I didn't know very well, but all of us had a fantastic time. There were at least 20 kids total, and there were no fights! A few words, but no real crises. The girls beat the boys in water football, they all took turns on the rope swing (**note...this picture was taken by me, balancing belly deep in water on a log with my digital camera, thus the poor picture quality!**) had a massive marshmallow fight, ate smores and made memories that will hopefully last longer than a few days! And the best part was being pregnant, everyone waited on me even when I didn't want them to. How's that for a quality weekend!

SPF: Not really

I set out to do SPF today, but it ended up sort of half assed. But like Bart Simpson told Homer, "I prefer your half-assed parenting to your over-parenting." So it is what it is folks.

My ground:

This was taken by my 6-year old, when I gave her the camera and said, "GO OUT SIDE. DO SOMETHING." Yeah, the first day of summer vacation. Seriously.

What I'm powerless from:

These two sweet beautiful little girls turning into teenagers. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time. But I can't. I can only try to make them as happy and confident and safe as I can.

Before this turns into a "Very Special Vajana" Show, I wish you all a great Memorial Day Weekend. Be sure to say an extra toast to any soldier you know or have known in the past. And the ones who don't get to take this weekend off. Although I won't be able to toast with alcohol, I will be able to raise up a BBQ sandwich in their honor as I head out to Rib America. (*secret--if you click on that link you'll get an extra special treat of a Rick Springfield pic! Unfortunately he won't be here but still!*)

I'm outta here! Word to yo mutha.

Not Ready To Make Nice

Yesterday I was feeling quite melancholy. I was re-hashing several frustrating moments in my head, and feeling just a little bit like having a pity party. Not for myself, but for society as a whole, because it seems to be like some things are a bit screwy.

So I did what any normal, red-blooded, crabby woman would do. I went shopping.

I had several errands to run, and on my way to picking up some packing tape, I bought the new CD from the Dixie Chicks. And my mood lifted immediately as I slid the disk into my car player.

The Dixie Chicks and I formed an oddball relationship several years ago. I'm not one for country music, not that I will completely admonish it, it's just not a pre-set on my dial. Back in 2000, the only thing I'd heard of the Chicks was that they existed.

The night Rug was born, they stuck me in my room around midnight. Rug was exhausted, she just slept. But me, I was all fired up with adrenalin, who was gonna sleep? I'd just given birth to a human being, and for those in the know, the effort exerted does not equate to brushing your teeth. It's a little higher on the Exertion Scale.

So of course the hospital has basic cable. My choices were: infomercials, QVC, infomercials, reruns of "Renegade" or the Country Music Channel. And while Lorenzo Lamas was just delicious in "Grease", I had no desire to watch him drive his mo-mo cycle and solve crimes. I turned on CMT, and these crazy girls were singing in their wedding dresses, running around. But it was such a sweet song, 'Ready to Run', and I will forever remember that song as part of my stay while having Rug. I bought their CD as soon as I got home from the hospital.

Since then I've gotten every CD of theirs, and I honestly know all the songs.

When the controversy occurred in 2003 regarding Natalie Maines statements happened, the first thing I thought was, "Yeah, this will not bode well in the red states." I probably didn't hear much of the fervor, since I don't listen to country stations, I just listen to their CDs.

But when I got her CD and listened to her songs, it was obvious she had become quite disillusioned about the situation, and was still struggling to deal with...well, I'd like to say the abandonment of her fan base, but from her song it sounds like she had to deal with much, much more:

How in the world can the words that I said

Send somebody so over the edge

That they'd write me a letter sayin' that I better shut up and sing

Or my life will be over

I plan on listening to their CD a lot, and any more that they continue to make. I'm glad they did't back down. Several reviews of their CD I read said something to the effect of, "Couldn't they have just let it go?" Like let's just move on...if your kid was threatened with their life, could you just 'let it go'???? But in the end, it's their music I love, and it makes me happy. It seems to me that some people need a little more of that, happy.

P.S. I was going to post more, but I read kerrianne's take on it, and it's far better written.

Stupid Girls

I just love that song by Pink. I hope I can raise my daughters to think for themselves. Pink is such a great role model, in my opinion. Doesn't take crap!

Every morning I have woken up thinking, boy I need to blog. I have solidified myself as never becoming a writer, cuz jeebus if I can get writer's block from a BLOG, a novel would give a breakdown.

Here is something very anti-soccer mom: WE DO NOT HAVE SOCCER FOR A MONTH! YIPPEE!!!! I am so elated I could cry. Not only that we don't have practice and games to shuffle to, but all the politics and gossiping that the soccer 'world' emanates. It amazes me the B.S. people create for themselves about the most ridiculous things. I am just as glad to have the girls out of school. There is a few girls in particular in the 3rd grade that I will be looking forward to my daughter getting a break from. Remember when Al stood up for herself the other day? Well, it was over who was sitting by whom at lunchtime. There is a certain girl who sort of 'monopolozies" her, and does that whole "If-you-don't-sit-by-me-you're-not-my-friend" bit. When Al finally stood up to her, it came back to her that allegedly this girl told everyone she wished "her mom would have a miscarriage." Al came home with this information, totally distraught, naturally. I was STUNNED that something like that would occur!! I had to call the mom, and it was just this whole nasty business that I am glad to be done with. Bring on the summer!

Although, I cannot count with one hand how many times my kids have already told me they are bored. I'd have to use my toes too!

Clarification

Hm, apparently "RMP" is not widely known, maybe it has a different name?

Basically you draw a circle on a notebook page, on the top write the letters "RMP", meaning 'rich', 'medium' or 'poor'.

Then ask the other person to name 3 people they want to marry. Write the names on the right side of the circle.

Next ask them 3 cars they want. Write them on the bottom.

Finally, the type of house they want to live in, and the 3 answers on the left of the circle. This one was usually the goofiest, as I always wrote I wanted to live in a hut, or a treehouse, or a pyramid, in which none made sense, since I was going to be a mermaid in the future, after all.

Make the person close their eyes, and start drawing tag marks in the middle of the circle until they said 'STOP'. Count the lines, and then count around the circle, crossing out the name you land on once you counted to that number. Continue doing so until all but one choice from each category remained, and Wah-LAH! Your future has arrived, on a piece of notebook paper.

Had this truly worked, I'd be rich, living in a treehouse with C. Thomas Howell driving an I-Roc.

ode to thee, Promethazine

I finally got my new prescription filled last night. I took it right before bed because the pharmacist insisted it would make me 'very, very drowsy.' So I guess no front axel on this medication.

Woo wee he wasn't kiddin. I slept like a dead Bigfoot I did. I woke up and for once I did. not. feel. nauseous. I shall say no more, do not want to jinx it, because I'm 12 and I still believe in that crap. I also believe in the game 'RMP' and if you don't know what that is, tis a sad thing.

Today my 3rd grader is having a 'Chocolate" party at her school, and I am partaking by bringing ice cream and chocolate syrup. But I will be known as the cool mom because I also bought 'Magic Shell' and as everyone knows, that's just the coolest. Al's mom has got it goin' on. Yes ah do.

I have to go shower now, but I shall leave you with two things. A top 5 list, and a picture of what I got for Mother's day. It shall from this day forth be dubbed the "Guilt Ring", as in, my wife is throwing up every single day and I feel bad cuz I can still eat an entire blooming onion in front of her so maybe if I get her this she might feel better. And yes, I DO.

Top 5 foods I have been unable to keep down in the past 3 months:
5. Bran flakes. Oh hell no.
4. Miso soup, actually, any soup.
3. Chocolate. Well, I haven't even tried. Even looking at it makes me sick. It's so sad.
2. Whole wheat toast. Why? White toast is fine.
and the number one thing I cannot keep down?

1. Any type of burgers from anywhere but McDonalds. Do you know how sick this is? I loathe McDonalds. But for some odd reason, they comfort me. Very weird.

Oh and p.s.? Culver's will now officially be known as the First Public Place I Had to Hurl. (the port-a-potty doesn't count, at least no one could hear me! Eww!)

Happy Mother's Day

Not just for the mothers out there, but to everyone who has taken the time to encourage someone else and look after another person or even animal.

This weekend I got to do my favorite thing about mothering...warping my children. I made them dance to "My Sharona" and "You're too Good to Be True" (I love you babeeee and if it's quite alright I need you babeee....). I also made them watch The Muppet Movie and sing Rainbow Connection as loud as they could.

They are in the den right now watching "Midnight Madness". Yes, the warping, it is fun.

Next up is "Rubin & Ed." Because my cat can eat a WHOLE watermelon.

you gotta fight

Yesterday my eldest stood up for herself.

She had been dealing with a girl who insists they are best friends, when in truth, she is a bully.

She's one of those "if you don't sit by me, you're not my friend" kind of girls.

My daughter and I practiced the night before what to say if that happened again.

And she did it. And she came home and said, "Mom! I am so proud of myself, I stood up for myself and it felt SOOOO good!!!"

I am so happy for you, babe. Maybe this way your best friend won't sleep with your boyfriend like mine did in 10th grade. Dammit!

p.s. there is a whole other sad, sordid part to this story, and it almost hurts me to talk about it, but this morning the guy at walgreen's was singing when he checked me out and made me smile, and he will never have any idea how he absolutely restored my faith in humans by that one gesture.

And I will do SPF later when I'm feeling better!

Recoup Monday

We left Friday afternoon to go to Champaign Illinois for a soccer tournament and were gone all weekend. It was a really fun time, and LP got to see his alma mater, University of Illinois. I enjoyed getting to see where his ex-girlfriend's sorority house was, and also the library where he worked! It was like a "This is Your Life" tour. Such fun.

I did get to eat Jimmy John's twice too, in its intended format, which is in a college town. Jimmy John's just tastes better when you are surrounded by students with laptops studying. Or those just waking up from partying the night before at 1 in the afternoon.

I learned several things:

1. Tequila still has the same effect on LP as it always has.
2. Garbage trucks do not care who is sleeping at 5:30 on a Saturday morning.
3. Throwing up in a Port a Potty is a very, very bad experience.
4. Not all soccer parents are as psycho crazy as the ones in our area **seriously I was SO thrilled by this, the other parents were friendly, and non-psycho. We had a game yesterday as soon as we got home again, and it was right back to psycho soccer parents. Weird. It must be this area.**
5. 1 in 2 college students wear their iPods like it's oxygen.
6. I'm gettin' real old.
7. Central Illinois is pretty boring.
8. It's difficult to tell one of your friends that her child is evil and she believe you.
9. Get up early, that continental breakfast doesn't get replenished!
10. LP rocks even if he stayed out too late Friday night, he did all the laundry when we got home, so that totally makes up for it.

I still however, have to figure out what is worse: being in a small hotel room after my husband has had a night of debauchery (I'm sure you know the stench I speak of), or walking outside to get fresh air only to breathe in a nice hefty dose of marijuana remnants from the fiesta our neighbors had for Cinco de Mayo! Muy bueno!

Guess what?

I got to hear the baby's heartbeat today!!!




Oh my gosh.

haven't done this in awhile so I thought I would...

Top 5 Favorite Candy Bars of Mine*

* This is in tribute to the fact that I have had absolutely no chocolate since being preggers. Not by choice mind you, the thought of it just makes me hurl. By the way, the toilet and I have gotten so close, we shall announce our engagement soon.


5. Mr. Goodbar
4. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (not really a bar, per se, but)
3. Butterfinger
2. Twix with peanut butter

and my number #1 favorite candy bar:

1. Take Five Oh my gosh the goodness of this candy bar! Why did someone not think of these sooner?

Speaking of candy bars, there was a hotel near my house when I was little that allowed the neighbor kids swim in their pool for a nominal fee. This is the same place where some stupid teenager stepped on my head while I was underwater. Anyway, they had a snack stand and I would always get this candy called Oompa Loompas. They were somewhat of a precursor to Reese's Pieces, but bigger and much better. I so did not make this up. Does anyone remember these besides me? Yes! I was not imagining them!!

Anyway. My favorite candy memory is going to the wholesale candy store down the street from our house and the gigantic boxes of that sugary sweet Rope Gum. That stuff rocked. Man do I miss that store. But do you know I never got a cavity until I was 25? Mmmm. Candy.

Anyone else have good candy memories??