Everybody Hurts

This past week I have been such an Eeyore regarding my situation. I've been very, very sick and therefore have not slept well. LP was out of town so everything was on my shoulders and all in all I was quite irritating to be around.

I was sent this video today on a Professor's Last Lecture.

I don't think it was coincidence. I'm not a fan of Oprah's at all, but I think this guy has the right idea.

I'll be Tigger from now on.

Why wouldn't I be? Look at the goofballs I live with:

11 Months

This weekend is going to be yet another whirlwind. I stayed up late last week to watch "Click" with Adam Sandler, and although it was very cheesy, I could relate to his mind set. Sometimes I wish I could fast forward through things, but I know i'd end up missing a lot. It's hard to slow down and enjoy!

Biggest news out of this weekend...we're going back to Disney World!!!!!! I could burst. LP and I were discussing doing a 'mini-trip' there next year since we're wanting to go on a cruise just the two of us, but want to do a family vacation also...and then Rug got invited to be on a soccer team in a Disney tournament in January!! It's really exciting. We get discount hotel accommodations and Rug gets to play soccer in the Happiest Place on Earth. What more could a soccer Mom ask for?? I'm already working on my strategy because with a 13 month old along things will definitely have to be modified! I have started to write a list of characters I didn't get to see last time that I'm hoping to see again. Oh yeah, it's for the kids...that's right. Whatever! I have already made reservations for a character breakfast. I know, get a life, right? Well, it could be worse...I could be a Yankees fan.

Monday feels like...Monday

Well we are back from Bettendorf, Iowa with 2nd place for Al in a soccer tournament. Saturday morning Miss M woke up before everyone else so I took her to the lobby so the other SayQuas could sleep. On the table was a history of Bettendorf Iowa.

I read it in 20 minutes! :) Not much going on up there!

But it was pleasant, and they had a SUPER Target, one of which I'd never seen the likes of. I in fact was not aware there was such a thing as "Super" Target, so you could imagine my elation. LP enjoyed the "Dick's Sporting Goods" more, and slid a Columbia jacket into my cart whilst I was in the checkout and didn't know it.

A few hours later, there was a homeless man on the side of the road wearing same jacket. Interesting to note. It was on sale.

Also, on our way home, (approx. 4 hours, lots of corn but very pretty as the leaves are changing) our brains now have burned the image of a very large 200+ pound older woman on the side of the road with her pants off apparently having an episode of...well, let's just say she needed to go real bad...I don't know that we shall ever speak of it again.

And last of all, I will leave you with a joke I heard that made me chuckle:

What did Jesus say to the Cubs?

"Don't do anything until I get back"

Not the One and Other Things I am behind on

So disappointed in my house. It was supposed to be the One!! It was by far the worst and cluttered-est floor plan we've seen to date. 5 bedrooms in a ranch is usually not a good idea, especially if you take space from the kitchen to do so. It was awful.

I did not feel defeated however. I know that if it's meant to be, it is meant to be. Both LP and I felt this as a sign that maybe, perhaps, we should stay put. Attempt to rotate the girls sharing a room, since Miss M will be big enough to be in a bed by next year. I asked Al if she thought she could take it, sharing with Rug until Miss M turned 2, and she said 'as long as I don't have to find Caprisun wrappers in the corner every day'. Spoken like a true woman.

We are going to go ahead as planned with trying to sell the house though, after we fix a few more things (such as the drywall). But if more things keep popping up, we will drop it altogether. We are going to give it until March. If Al survives living with rug that long.

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Al has recently been obsessed with Harry Potter. When it first came out, she was little so it meant nothing to her, and of course I was chasing a punk baby around so I never read the books. Now Al is reading all the books back to back, and then watching the movies as well. It's all Harry Potter, all the time around here. We are not one to be to date with the trends, people.

Now some boys at school have told her about the Potter Pals, and for days my kids have been belting this nice ditty out 24/7.

It's no wonder I'm slowly losing my marbles.

If that is not enough to satiate your YouTube viewing for the day, you can always check out The SNL Harry Potter skit with Lindsay Lohan. Hee-larious.

I'm outta here this weekend...but be sure that I'll be watching SNL with the Foo Fighters Saturday night...regardless of what time zone I might be in. :)

Lyrical Gangster

My mom gave me the pics from my Yee Haw birthday. Note Bud sign and no shoes on the bambino. Could I get any more Britney? Yes I could...I didn't get my license renewed for over a week after it had expired.

I wish I had time to tell you of the many adventures in House-getting-ready-to sell-but-not-quite-there-yet but it would just take too long and I think you may laugh your sides off. And sides keep you together.

Let me put it to you this way. Even Tim the Tool Man Taylor wore goggles when he drywalled. LP does not. Eye flushing was a huge part of our weekend.

last week my realtor sent me a new listing and I had a feeling about it. I drove out to see it, and it is my house. It is a new build, but we are still going to see the inside tomorrow night. The drywall isn't even up yet. Hopefully THEY wear goggles when they put it up.

So give me all your good Mojo Jojo because I want this to be THE ONE.

I promise to even put shoes on the munchkin.

Total Mom Post

Miss M has been a pretty good sleeper, albeit a light one. For awhile all I'd have to do is plop her in her crib at 10 a.m. for her morning nap, switch on the Aquarium and she'd be out in 30 seconds flat.

Now that soccer has begun, our schedule is totally out of whack on the weekends, so it usually takes her until Wednesday to get back into it. Not so good. Also, LP has a thing he has to do every night, that is, rock her to sleep. Every night. Therefore, Princess thinks this is the way it should go all the time.

Sorry, but Mommy's busy. You know, looking at houses, checking up on blogs, natch.

Today I stuck her in at 10:45 hoping for a miracle. The Aquarium's batteries are dead. I told myself I'd give it until 11:00 and I'd rescue her from her misery.

10:57 she was out. Woo hoo!

Also, I had to do the Heimlich maneuver on her this morning. She choked on a penny. Great. She has in addition, discovered how to UNLOCK the screen door and get out. I found her halfway across the back patio the other day.

This is what they call 'testing me'.

Um, what the hell?

A kid my daughter's age gives birth????? WTF???

What I did this weekend, Haiku style

Friday Wal-Mart trip
I still forgot to get bread
My life is so lame.

Fell asleep at nine
Long ago Friday meant bars
I like to have sleep.

Pancakes for breakfast
The weather is so pretty
Ran out of syrup

Soccer games galore
Al has handball in the box
Bad call but they win

Clean up the basement!
The realtor is coming soon
Polly Pockets gone.

Yay I get sushi!
Which roll do I like the best?
Mmm I'd say lobster.

The Landing is nice
Drinking wine and watching the
Bachelorettes get drunk

Sunday more soccer
The parents are so crazy
They are only 10!

Time to wind it down
Read Olivia to Rug
That girl is so fun!

Life can be a bore
I'm so glad that there's haiku
Appreciate more!!!!

Pet Peeve #5,328

When I have been obviously scouring the house clean all morning, having already made breakfast, bathed baby, started, switched and folded laundry, took out the trash among several other things not meant for Sunday mornings, say to me,

"I need you to do me a favor."

And then expect a jovial and compliant response as opposed to a sarcastic one in return.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

Strange Times

well I was supposed to be in Kansas City tonight watching David Beckham play soccer. But since he is now in the DL list, that was not going to happen. But today apparently his dad has had a heart attack and he had to fly to the UK to see him. Hope he is OK. Heaven knows if I see video of David crying, well, that will be all that is left of me.

Guess what I did for my birthday? Oh my goodness. My parents wanted to take me out to dinner and suggested something that ends in "Roadhouse". Now, being a child of the 80s, first thing that popped into my head was, Patrick Swayze doing hot shirtless yoga. Uh, yeah, not so much. This was a peanuts on the floor, loud Toby Keith playing, roadhouse. I was not happy. Plus my mother insisted on telling the cowgirl waitress it was in fact my 34th birthday and she replies that all birthday cowgirls have to ride the saddle.

Excuse me?

The table next to us was also having a birthday, and to my HORROR, I saw them wheel a saddle in front of the table and force the woman to ride it and shake a napkin in the air, while she announced to the crowd it was "Charlene's ____ birthday let's all give her a rowdy YEE HAW!" and of course, like cattle do, the place erupted in a sing song "YEE HAW" for poor Charlene.

Bonus for me though. I have a 7-year-old daughter who was more than willing to substitute saddle riding for me. Unfortunately, my mother insisted I do the napkin waving. YEE HAW!!!

All this, and I realize that the guy I had a super crush on in high school was the manager of the joint, watching me the entire time.

On the way home, it occurs to me I have not had cake. So I make LP stop off at the gas station so I can at least have some chocolate, for Pete's sake (yee haw).

I walk in and there is a cute, waifish girl searching the candy section. She says to me, "My boyfriend told me I have to come out with either candy or liquor." I told her it was my birthday and I didn't get cake. We met eyes, feeling sorry for each other simultaneously.

As I walked out with my Reese's peanut butter cups, she wished me a happy birthday. It was the nicest gesture I'd had all day.

Yee haw.

So today...

Today is International Tool day. Feel free to make any jokes there you want.

George Gerswin was born on this date.

So was Olivia Newton John.

And Serena Williams.

And me!!!!!

Wild weekend

Well, she figured out how to move the gate. So we finally moved the cat food downstairs. I was worried that the cats wouldn't get it, and it's still confusing them quite a bit but I think they will get a handle on the situation shortly. They're cats, it's food, they will figure it out.

The Italianfest was this weekend, and though there ain't a spot of Italian in either LP or myself, we got our drink on. In the Midwest, you really don't have to have a reason to drink, but we like to make up reasons to celebrate. I so love Blue Moon. Deelish, but will hit ya hard. There was a drunk gal in the bar we ended up with, wearing a tiara and apparently drinking alone, and she insisted on dancing with all of us. I like those kinds of gals. Especially when she is belting "Love Song" by Tesla at the top of her lungs, while normally would be unacceptable, in that setting is welcomed with open arms.

It's the week of my birthday and I will be having sushi by the weeks' end! Hopefully red velvet cake, too. That would be great for the anniversary of my 29th birthday.

makenna10monthold

makenna10monthold
Originally uploaded by Vajana

So we are going TODAY to get one of those big gates to keep from the cat food. It was funny at first, not so much anymore. Especially when we are late for a soccer game and you have dumped the entire cat water bowl on your face.

I love how no matter how crabby you are, Patty Cake will send you giggling in an instant.

Mommy chews a lot of gum, I know, and you find it fascinating. You stick out your tongue in hopes I will do the same, so you can see the amazing wad of stuff i'm gnawing on. Gum, it is quite a wonder.

You laugh all the time. Except when someone is trying to take expensive pictures of you.

10 months is far too close to one year. I'm not ready to give up my baby just yet. So don't get too mad when I'm still cradling you when you're 12.

On Your Shelf

I was listening to a song this morning on the radio by Pearl Jam and the lyrics alluded to meeting a person from your past. It resounded with me...it said:

"Me you wouldn't recall, for Im not my former Its hard when youre stuck upon the shelf"

It has just stuck with me...people who I knew still have the same image of me as they did, and I am completely different. Some I have met I'd like to have them preserve me on that shelf, others I'd much prefer them to take that former me off the shelf and experience the new me....either way I wonder what version of me is sitting there, and if they think I'm a tired knick knack or a precious heirloom.

In other thoughts, I realized today that my name would be great for crossword puzzles.

Trying to Digest it all

A post has been swirling around in my noggin for awhile now, and it is still cooking up there. I'm still here, and still visiting everyone, cept for my own blog.

The weather is beautiful here, so why would I want to sit in front of a computer and type? The leaves are about to change, and with them I'm hoping to change too.

A friend called me the other day to tell me a girl I knew from the gym had killed herself. I was stunned. This girl was a vision of perfection, beautiful, sweet, had a gorgeous kid and great job. It completely blind sighted me.

The visitation was packed. I waited over an hour in line to give my condolences to her family. Her mom said to me, "If only we could have had these people line up to tell her how great she was when she was alive."

So true.

House Hunting and Other Lame Adventures

There is an episode of Seinfeld in which Jerry and Kramer are talking about marriage and Kramer says, "Oh no Jerry, you don't want to do that. You can't just sit on the couch and watch TV while you're eating dinner. You have to sit at the table. And you know what you have to talk about? You have to talk about your day. 'How was your day today?' 'I don't know how was your day today?'

That is my life. Or, for another comparison, "time to make the donuts."

The house hunting is ALL we do. "Did you like that house?" "I don't know, did you like that house?" Over and over and over again.

If we don't find a house by March, we're staying put. And saving up to build. We'll just have to put the baby in the laundry room, because the whole sharing a room for Rug and Al is NOT working out so great.

Next week is LP's birthday and I hope to get some sushi. Then my birthday is the week after that, so that means only one thing...more sushi.

And we will be eating it on the couch. In front of the TV.

Nine Months! Already!

Miss M. Can we talk about your obsession with the cat food? Not a day has gone by that you haven't invaded the cats property with them staring at you in disgust. I know they are planning a revolt. Even when I give you a bowl of Fruity Tooties (cuz I'm too cheap for the real thing) you just throw them around like they're confetti and head straight for the cat bowl. I cannot imagine Purina tastes better than Fruity Tooties, but what do I know...I do not eat cat food.

Recently you have begun pulling up on my desk chair while I am working, leaving me completely at your mercy because if I remotely swivel the chair, you will get knocked out. Or you prefer when you sit on my lap and type your own medical terminology. I'm sure somewhere someone has had a cholecsssssssssssssssdoodfiaiucystectomy.

Now that your sisters are in school, picking them up is the joy and highlight of your day. Absence certainly makes the heart fonder. I won't tell them what you do in their room while they are gone.

You and Daddy have a ritual every night, he rocks you to sleep. He adores the heck out of you. I adore getting a half an hour of peace.

I can't believe you've been alive as long as you were in my belly. I prefer you outside.

Love you Kenner!

Calm Before the School Storm

School starts tomorrow. And though my house will be cleaner, the "do-you-have-everything" factor of school stresses me the hell out. And dioramas. Whatever teacher came up with that, well, a bane on them.

Met the new teacher. he was extremely nervous but he looked pretty easy going. Al does not have a lot of high energy kids in her class this year so I think it will be a good year for her. I just hope this guy is prepared! How do you get a week to prepare for a whole year of 5th grade? I don't know. They say he's strong in math though, which is great because then I won't have as many awkward moments when she realizes that my math skills barely go beyond 5th grade. I have a hard time giving change at the yard sales we have every summer.

Speaking of, I had two sales in a row the last two weekends, and made almost $200 and got rid of a bunch of stuff. Note to those with no children: DO NOT BUY A DIAPER GENIE!! Just a waste and no one will buy it at your sale. I begrudgingly also sold 3 Build-A-Bears (approx. value $25 apiece) for $2 apiece. But they are no longer In. My. House. And that is most important. No real crazies this year, as yard sales tend to exhibit, unless you count the lady telling me about her ex-boyfriend needing a restraining order and her ex-husband wanting to kill him, etc. etc. Very interesting tale, had my daughter not been standing there.

The house hunting is not going well. I have found my dream house, unfortunately it is really far in the country. I do not want to hear my in-laws and parents complaining about how far we live from them. It would seriously drive me nuts. I'd rather live in a less wonderful house than have to hear about it. Oh, but this house. It's on 4.5 acres and has all the modern sinks and fixtures and it's just gorgeous. We've decided that if it's still on the market in March, we're going for it, angry grandparents be damned. At least we're not moving to California, which became a surprise option last week when LP got a job offer. That's still not been taken off the plate, though highly unlikely.

I still love sushi

Two weeks ago, Al found out she got the teacher she was hoping to have for 5th grade. I couldn't get the past the fact she was going INTO 5th grade, so I was just happy for her.

A week later, that teacher quit. Right before school starts! Ah!

So they quickly hired a new graduate. It's a BOY.

Al is very excited, yet apprehensive. She is hoping he'll be as good as the other male teachers at the school.

I'm just hoping he's good lookin'. More incentive for me to volunteer, yah?

Anyway.

Lots of crossroads and decision making going around in our house. There is a blanket of indecision that is covering us. As well as 105 degree temperatures, which certainly is not conducive to proper decision making.
Mostly it's about school, and our kids becoming 'public schoolers'. I just can't get behind some of the stuff they're teaching up at their 'private' school, either inadvertently or in the curriculum...because it seems to me that tolerance is something that is pretty important in life, at least to LP and I, and I haven't seen much of that, between the parents or some of the 'officials'...I'm also a bit singed on the fact that my 2nd grader will have 26 kids in her class with no aide, but 3rd grade will have 28 kids and an aide because of 'politics'. Okay I'm just rambling here at this point, but bottom line is I want what is best for my kids, and this no longer looks to be it.

We are trying to save up money for the new house, so that means I don't get to eat sushi for awhile. This makes me sad. But I certainly don't want to attempt discount sushi again, I learned my lesson. I've seen some ridiculous campaigns for money on the internet (remember the chick who asked people to pay off her credit cards? Sorry lady but I'm not going to pay for your Jimmy Choo shoes when all I can afford is Payless!) so maybe I should start a Sushi fund. It's a thought.

And my air conditioning broke on Monday, but $140 later and it's still cool in here.

Miss M is in her room right now, talking and playing with her toys, waiting for someone to come in and welcome her to the new day. I think I'll accept that job.