You have got to be kidding me....

Does anyone else find this funny?

I'm feelin' crafty!!!

Well, some things have changed, and if all goes well in the next 24 hours, I'll be on my way to the craft fair on Friday!!! Yay!!!

I'm afraid to read my horoscope today

Geez, I'm all over the place today...I was reading SIL(H)'s blog, and I realized how blessed I am to have brothers and sisters-in-law who truly love my kids. I know you guys are grownups and do grownup stuff (of which I am sometimes jealous), but you make time to do special things for the kids - go to school events, movies, small gifts to tell them you were thinking of them. I appreciate it, and so do they (even if they don't know it yet!). Thanks guys (and gals - yes, I went there).

I don't understand

I've been avoiding looking at this news story but finally couldn't avoid it any longer. Maybe it's because the media dubbed her "Grace" or because she's only a little older than Molly, but whenever I start thinking about it I want to cry. I don't understand how people can do this to a child, a baby. Of course, now that I've seen the article, I can't stop thinking about it, and about all the children being abused that we don't know about. Then I wonder why God would allow these innocent little babies to be hurt like this (and maybe it's the lucky ones who don't survive). And no, I don't want to get into a religious debate, because it's not going to make me understand why He doesn't strike these monsters down with a fury like no other. Why can't our society prevent this? It hurts my heart, and no amount of pain that you can inflict on those horrible people - they're not human, really- can take away the horrible things they did to that child.

Miscellaneous ramblings....

First, let me say, I sure am tired of looking at JoJo_4_ShoSho and Arggggg! - no pressure, I'm just sayin'.

Well, we got it done!!! (no, not that you pervs) We cleaned out the hall closet and Ian's closet. It looks HUGE now!!! So, I think all the closets and garage are finally clean and organized. To paraphrase James Brown - "I feel good! (da na na na na na na) I knew that I would!" The most amazing part is that the trash men took all the trash! We put out at least a dozen bags twice in a week and they took it all!!! (for those of you not living in NO that's a huge deal!!! HUGE, I tell you!) Now, if only I could figure out how to get the grout mold out of the tub - bleach won't kill it and it's making me crazy!!!

The kids are back in school after Thanksgiving break. BB was sick the whole time. She had some kind of cold/allergy and she was sooo sweet while she was sick. She was cute and cuddly and funny and sweet. And she'd be in the middle of doing something and just fall asleep on the couch. I was giving her cold meds but now she's getting Nasonex and that seems to be helping. She told me this morning some kid near her threw up in class yesterday, so I hope that stomach virus will not be making the rounds at my house again! Ugh!!! I don't have a quote of the day from her, but I did find out while watching the Nativity Story with her that the wise men brought the Baby Jesus gold, frankincense, and Merv. Hmmm...maybe that was the name of one of their camels? I'm thinking this year we'll be seeing more Christmas specials than ever before thanks to the writer's strike.

My loving husband has asked for a Christmas List...here goes (in no particular order):
1. mani/pedi from Earthsavers (regular, not ultimate)
2. subscriptions to Cosmo, Glamour, and Elle
3. Chance by Chanel perfume
4. fancy sheets (mmmm...nice)
5. gift card to Dillards b/c I need Clinique!!!
6. some way to play my ipod in my car (can't link what I don't know - in this tech-y family someone's gotta know!!!)

Thanks to SIL(H) for putting her list up too!!! I have some ideas for J which of course I can't post here so e-mail me if you need an idea.

TTFN!!!

Ho! Ho! Oh no!!!

Thanksgiving is over...it's time to start seeing some Christmas wish lists!! To borrow from SIL(H) - Make it happen people.

Happy Birthday Ellie!!!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful sister-in-law!!! Hope your day is wonderful!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!! I'm thankful for each and every one of you, family and friends alike. Thank you all for your wonderful responses to my last post, I appreciate each and every one.

To celebrate Thanksgiving, I'm giving you all a BB's Quote of the Day: BB asked me why Molly's eyebrows are white. I told her people with blonde hair have blonde eyebrows. To which she replied, "no they don't, their eyebrows are brown." (Hmmm...wonder where she got that from???)

Truth Hurts*

*or, Big Girls Do Cry

(I haven’t decided if I’m going to keep this post up, so if you visit me again and it’s not here it’s because it was really painful to write and maybe I’m not ready to lay it all out.)

So. J has been getting e-mails about our 20th High School Reunion. For some reason unknown to me, he is very excited about it. I am dreading it with a dread like no other. Don’t want to go. Nope, not at all. Not even a little. There are a couple of reasons for my lack of enthusiasm. I hated high school. I had a small group of close friends and that was it. J, on the other hand, had TONS of friends. I still wonder sometimes how we ever ended up together. He was very popular and outgoing, I was not. The only reason I got invited to a lot of places is because I was his girlfriend. There were a couple of occasions where even that wasn’t enough for an invite. So, while he can’t wait to see old friends, I’m dreading seeing these people who were popular as kids and heading right back into that mode of feeling left out. I know, I know, we’re adults now and it’ll be different, but you and I both know it never is.

Here we get into part of the problem (for me): I have a GREAT life. I have a wonderful husband and children, a job I really love, and a nice house and car. I’m happy. But…. I’m fat. There, I said it. When I go to that damn reunion, those people aren’t going to say anything about me except “did you see how fat Patti got”. Not, “it’s great that in this age of divorce they’re still together”, or “wow, we’re all getting older”, just, “damn, she got fat!” Say all you want otherwise, you all know it’s true, especially those of you who know the people who are going to be at the reunion. That’s part of the reason I didn’t like them in high school – they were petty and mean.

I was at Wal-Mart this weekend, and I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in a while. Nice, nice lady, I really like her and her family. She looked at me, looked at my stomach, and said “are you pregnant?” and when I said no, she asked if I was sick. When I answered no, she looked at me and back at my stomach and asked again if I was pregnant. When I said no, AGAIN, she asked if I was okay. WTF??? Apparently I look much worse than I thought. So:

Today I start WW again. I’m so frustrated and depressed about it in general that I’m going into it knowing that it’s not gonna work but I want to prove myself wrong. Is this a bad time to start? YES. Thanksgiving, Blue’s homecoming BBQ, Christmas, Egg Nog, the Office Holiday Party. But I really want this to work. Drug addicts, rapists, hookers, they can all walk down the street and hide what they are if they want to, but when you’re fat, you’re fat 24/7, you can’t get hide it. And people judge you, 24/7. And even though I have all those great things going for me, in my own mind, all it boils down to is that I’m fat. And I don’t want to be that anymore.

Ch-ch-ch-Chia!!!!

Thank you sooooo much Dad for fixing my internet!!!! As I sit here, at home, on our laptop, connected and happy, I thank you. You are awesome!!!!

J and I cleaned the garage today. It took about 6 hours and approximately 2 truckloads of trash, but it's done (mostly, there are a few things that need to be handled, but for the most part, done). We got all the bicycles, both motorcycles, the boat has nothing that's not boat-related in it, and even a shelf just for motorcycle helmets and such! It's awesome! Now, all I have to worry about is Ian's closet.....the dreaded black hole. If you lean into that closet and trip over something there is no coming back to this earthly plane, you're gone for good. I intend to change all that, probably around Thanksgiving. So, for those who are keeping count, laundry room, hallway closet, my closet, kitchen cabinets, all 3 kids rooms, and now the garage are all clean. To do: Ian's closet and front hall closet. Then, a break. Until it all starts again.....

I'll leave you with this question to ponder. At dinner tonight, Ian called himself a buccaneer (long story) and BB thought he said "f*ckaneer. My question to you is, if that were a word, would that word be an insult or a compliment?

Christmas is All Around

Don't ask me why, but I'm so excited H1 and SILH are getting a Christmas tree! I'm absolutetly beside myself with excitement...again, goofy, but I guess for me it's a telling sign that they are happy and settled into their new life in H-town. The fact that it's a black tree w/black lights just kind of puts "their" stamp on it.

Okay kids, as long as I'm on the subject, any Christmas wishes would be nice. I would like to give you all thoughtful gifts, things that you look at and think "P&J gave us that, they know us so well" but I'm just starting to really think it out and some help would be appreciated.

Got a BB moment for ya: I'm getting ready for work Friday, and she comes into the bathroom and says, "Mom, I accidentally said a bad word." Well, I was running late and told her it was okay, it was an accident and I'm sure she'll never say it again. Later in the day, I'm thinking, "wow, we really need to tone it down w/the cursing. If stuff is starting to pop out of BB's mouth, maybe it's worse than I thought." So last night, I asked her what the word was. "Tell me the first letter" I said. "H." Hmmm, okay, "hell", right? No, "helly" was the word. She was rhyming and that came out. What a goofball!

House update: dryer fixed, poopy done except for Molly, internet almost done - just need to hook up a new router, J is home. Life is good once again!!!

Undercover Brother

Yeah, that's right, I'm avoiding work. My eyes are about to pop out of my head from proofing docs and I need a break. Take that around the corner and sniff it. (I have no idea what that means)

ChiaPop and I were talking last night about SIL(H)'s blog entry yesterday (or was it the day before, my mind is all boggled) and about how much H1 makes us laugh. H1 has a tendency to make you laugh when you don't expect it - he's undercover funny - that's right, I said it, he's my Undercover Brother. (Solid!)

BB's been up to some funny stuff but I can't remember any of it... Ian's having a rough time at school but I think he's finally figured out a way to get a handle on his academics... Molly's favorite words are "that" and "hmmm?"

After this week, J has only one more week at school. He graduates Dec. 7 - yay!!! His ring is really nice. Maybe we should have a party? His graduation day is the day before my work Christmas Party, so H1 and SIL1 will be in town that weekend...do I see a celebration coming on?!! Let that simmer a bit and I'll get back to ya'.

I am so sick of looking at poo.

So. My house should have a biohazard haz-mat cover over it. Everyone has been sick over the past 1 1/2 weeks. Molly's diapers are overflowing. BB's pants are overflowing. I can barely get out of the bathroom long enough to clean up Molly's puke. Of course, a house full of pseudo-ebola virus wouldn't be complete without a broken dryer. So, I've been doing laundry and dragging my sick ass over to Chia's or (last night) KenEllie's house to dry clothes. Sorry Dad and KenEllie, my deepest apologies for breaking the quarantine and bringing that messed-up virus over yonder. Of course, all of this is going on while J is out of town. Granted, he was sick before he left - then he escaped (bastard). Yes, this virus must have a P.R. person because everyone is talking about how bad it is. 3 kids out of 5 (not including Molly) are out b/c of the virus. My co-worker has been out for 3 days. This sucks (technically, I guess I should say it blows).

Take a picture, It'll last longer!

Jerrod just unknowingly proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he loves me. How, you might ask? Well, let me tell you. We were driving to the store this afternoon, and he said "I'm still feeling a bit off (he's been sick) but let me show you what's been keeping me going all day" and pulled out his phone. He hits a few buttons, and voila! There's a picture of my ass he took this morning while I was asleep. He loves me!!!!! After 15 years and a gaggle of kids and more pounds than I'll ever admit to, he still wants a picture of my ass on his camera. What a guy!!!


As an aside, here's an Ian mention: He started what is becoming a common expression in this house: "Molly ahoy!" Everytime she leaves the room you are in and goes into another room you yell "Molly ahoy!" and the other person says okay. It's very cute and everyone likes to say it and even Molly laughs.

It's time to change my name to Methuselah*

Leave it to BB to once again make me feel ancient. Tonight we were in the car and the Sir MixALot song came on - "Baby got Back" (I'm not gonna link it for you - if you don't know the song then you're too old to know how to navigate a computer and therefore can't possibly be reading this). There's a bunch of "scratching" in the song, and BB mentioned it sounded like a zipper going up and down (damn, she's perceptive). I told her it's the DJ scratching the record.

"What's that?"...........

Flashback to when Ian was about her age, and we had just replaced our microwave. I was admiring the newness and mentioned to him that I remembered when ChiaMomandPop got our first microwave when we were kids. "Really?" he replied, "how did you cook before that?"

Back to BB... So, I explain to her what a record is and describe it for her. "Oh," she says, "one time at HNM a magician came and he brought one of those!! He put it in the thing (I believe she's referring to the sleeve) and it came out pink, then blue, then it was gone! I like records!"

I thought kids were supposed to make you feel young!

*I new he was supposed to be the oldest man in the bible, but I did not know he was Noah's grandfather. Hmmmm, I guess you really do learn something new every day!

This one's gonna make you feel old...

J is watching VH1's top 100 of the 80's, and Kiss' song, "I wanna rock-n-roll all night (and party every day)" on, and the kids started singing at the top of their lungs. "Wow", I thought to myself, "I've got pretty hip kids" (yeah, I know, "hip", right?). I asked BB how she knew that song. Her answer...

wait for it....

"Tooth Tunes"

Growing Pains

Poor Ian, he's right in the throes of teenagerhood (yes, that's a real word, even if it's not an "official" word). I feel like all we do is yell at him. Even if it starts off innocently enough, it ends up with us yelling at him. It would help if he would lose the 'tude. I don't understand, he's a smart kid. If he would just ACT like he's paying attention it wouldn't be so bad for him. I love him, but sometimes I feel like everything we're doing with him is wrong. I'm afraid we're going to mold him into some weird serial killer or a bizarre fetishist (yes, that's my word too) because he's afraid to do anything at all at home for fear of getting yelled at. This is supposed to be his time to learn how to be a man, right? I don't know. I just don't know. He just keeps getting in trouble for his attitude which gets privileges taken away, so I feel like he never gets to do anything. But if he'd just do what he's supposed to, he'd be able to get out and do more. I don't know. I just hope we're doing it right. I guess you don't find out until they're grown, huh?

Life is like a box of chocolates*

Wow, two GREAT weekends in a row!!! I can honestly say, terriffic weekends. Life is good.

In a nutshell: Last weekend we went to the D-Day Museum for J’s birthday. It was great and I highly recommend visiting. There is something for everyone to find interesting. J laughed that I ran past all the weapons and stuff but I couldn’t get enough of the personal items (letters, clothing, etc.). BB liked it but she was sort of bored, Molly fell asleep. I would go back again w/o the kids to see more of the stuff that I was interested in.

This weekend I took the girls to the zoo for Swampfest. We went with one of BB’s friends (and her mother) that we don’t see as often as we should. BB made a wooden toy boat at the Home Depot tent, we rode the train and the carousel, and just generally had a good time. Then we came home to J’s BBQ and had a quiet night catching up on a few shows that we missed last week.

I guess part of the reason for my great weekends is that besides doing fun stuff I’m also getting stuff done. In the last two weeks I cleaned (and I mean cleaned - got rid of the kids for a few hours and tore into it) Ian’s, BB’s, and Molly’s rooms, cleaned out the pantry and laundry room, and worked on the dining room. Next, I’d like to tackle the hall closet and the pots/pans area in the kitchen – ugh! (What I’d really like to do, though, is the back yard, however, there is no dump to speak of in NO right now so we are stuck with all our crap in the back yard and no where to put it.) But, when I’m done with the house I’ll feel like I’m ready for the holidays.

Speaking of holidays – this is the first year I won’t be going to the craft fair in about 8 years or so and I’m a bit bummed about that (I assume Mom is too, although I’ll understand if she goes w/o me). I just can’t take that Friday off like we usually do b/c I’ve missed so many days due to babysitter woes and J works that Saturday so he can’t stay with the kids (I refuse to go with a stroller ever again), then that Sunday is a BBQ for our friend Blue who will be visiting (haven’t seen him in years – lives in Ohio, I think) and also BB’s friend M’s birthday party (out of all of her friends, this is the one we can’t skip – gonna have to figure out how to balance with BBQ on same day). So, since all these various obligations are working against me this year, I’ve decided there must be some reason that I am not privy to that I am not meant to go.

BUT, the following weekend is the Holiday Party. I hear it’s all about drinks and fun, so I am looking forward to that. A little bird told me I’ll be seeing an out-of-town coworker (and her wonderful spouse) there.
Also coming up is the American Heart Assoc.’s Heart Walk, which we are going to walk w/KenEllie – I enjoyed the BreastWalk, so the HeartWalk should be fun, too. That is also the first day of Thanksgiving vacation for Ian and BB (jealous!).

*and I'm gonna eat every one!!!