This past weekend was the Annual Maple Fest. We have this down to an art form, with everyone pretty much knowing the routine.
It begins with the girls and I lining up early for the Library Book sale. The same people are always in line, and everyone knows who is going to attempt to show up late and cut to the front. We are all on to them, however, so those old ladies don't succeed anymore. Don't judge. Franklinville is a tiny town, with one big annual event, and this is also the big stock up on books event. Unless you frequent one of our many many bars - which I have not done in many many years - this is what we do for thrills once a year. We try to make it into the library book sale without getting hip checked out of the way by glaring little old ladies who try to cut in line and then stand at the book tables in such a way that no one can get around them.
A few years ago, the people who put on the Maple Fest decided to add a 5k or a 2k race or something along those lines, to the mix. A few friends and I thought about it this year, but, it coincided with the library book sale. And Case Lake hill was part of the race. And I really wanted to see my kids march in the parade. And in my current shape, I was pretty sure of certain death on that hill. Or at least a nice ambulance ride. So. Avoiding elderly elbows in my kidneys at the book sale seemed a safer choice than adding the race to the mix. (Note to self: SERIOUSLY?? There were OLD people running up that hill!!!!! You going to let the previous 2 generations beat you??? But then, there is the whole hair thing and sweat thing, and have the kids at the parade line up by 1030 thing, and no real time to shower in between thing, and I am doing people a favor here.)
On to the parade. Kaila marched in the parade with the School band, proud of being the only kid with a trumpet who had the "Phantom of the Opera" memorized, thus not needing the music to follow along to. That child has had the entire Phantom memorized for years and can sing it backwards and forward in her sleep. Now she can play it, as well. She played it for us, the neighbors, company, the dogs......
Joe marched with the baseball teams. A last minute switch from marching with the Cub Scouts. Mostly, I suspect, because he cannot find his Cub Scout shirt.
The rest of the weekend was spent on and off at the Maple Fest. Joe was signed up to help out at the Scout booth. Which, I found out very last minute, required baking on my part, as they had decided to add a bake sale to it this year. Which involved super mom here baking chocolate chip cookies late Saturday evening, after putting it off as long as possible, while whining about it as much as possible. Bearded Man even went to the store and bought himself a six pack of beer, with which to fortify himself to assist in the cookie baking. But mostly, he sat at the kitchen table with George and played hunting games on the ipad.
Joe threw himself whole heartily into the selling process. As the absolute best and most tireless nagger in the household, sales are a good fit for him. Mostly because he will never, ever give up, until you make him happy and do what he is requesting. He can last for days. Selling candy bars and baked goods was really nothing for him.
"Oh! Hello Megan! I know you are allergic to chocolate, and I am selling chocolate. So. No chocolate for you!" he announced to a poor little classmate, as he snatched his box and spun away from her. You can't have chocolate? No sale, and no time for you.
Also this weekend, was an accidental discovery. We discovered the MOST AMAZING apartment ever, along with a realtor who was determined to sell me something, or at least sell my house.
A friend of mine is opening up a new salon in the village. The girls and I saw large "Open House" signs outside the building the salon will be in, so, we decided to go check it out.
Inside, we found a large empty space, that used to house an art gallery, framing shop, and restaurant at various times through the last 10 years. And two Realtors. We quickly explained why we were there, and next thing we knew, were getting hauled up a flight of stairs, leading to where the art gallery and restaurant portion of things used to be.
Into the most amazing loft apartment space I have ever seen. It was NYC perfect, and would have sold for several million dollars on that "Selling NY" show on HGTV. And it was in middle of nowhere, Franklinville. It still had the wood floors and track lighting from the art gallery, the kitchen and walk in freezer from the restaurant, and just so much amazing space everywhere!
"Oh my gosh, does someone LIVE here?!" I gasped, when I saw a long haired black cat looking at us in confusion.
"Of COURSE!"
"Oh wow. We should NOT be up here, girls." I tried to say, as they walked through in as much awe as I was in.
"Would you like to buy it?" the realtor asked.
"YES!!!!!" Shouted the girls
"NO!"
"You could do so much! Would you like to buy the building?"
"No, thank you, I really only came in because I thought this was Alicia's open house...."
"Would you like to put a coffee shop in here?"
"Ha ha! Ummm, no, no... I don't have the time...."
"You could buy the building and then LEASE it!"
"Really, I really really cannot...."
"Would you like to put a craft store, or a gift shop in here?"
"I REALLY cannot, I am so sorry...."
"Your girls seem to love it! You should really not let such a PRIME piece of property pass up!"
"No. No, I really cannot buy this building, but thanks for the tour..."
"How about your house?"
"WHAT?"
"Your house! Do you own it? Would you like to buy a home? Do you like your house? Your location?"
"What? I do own, I would love an extra bathroom someday, but for right now, half of the town is for sale, and nothing is selling, and we are not interested in moving right this minute. Thanks though!"
"I could sell your house, as is, within a few months. Where would you like to move? More than one bathroom..." (The writing begins) "how many bedrooms? In the village or outside the village?"
"I REALLY gotta go now. Thanks again, and, if we decide to sell, we will let you know! Bye!!!!"
I felt like 2 more minutes with those Realtors, and I would have been homeless. The more aggressive of the two was prepared to bring in a motivated buyer THIS WEEKEND! Which is entirely not enough time to properly clean for. We will continue to make due with one bathroom for now, and tell the boys to pee out back under the trees, when the girls are using it.
Also of note, please don't roll your eyes, but, all things "Frozen" has here for and henceforth been banned from the household. I just couldn't deal with it anymore. I did buy the DVD for the kids. And wanted to burn it within the first 10 days of owning it. The kids. All of them. Sing it, or act it out CONSTANTLY. Just the other day in church, George began "Melting" and could not possibly stand, sit, kneel.... Lexi had to make him a flurry. People were watching in confusion, as Lexi began spinning her fingers and hand, as if she was casting a spell in church, while she built a flurry and made George stand up again.
All the throw blankets were all washed. Again. And they were all dragged outside. Again. Used as capes, by not only MY kids, but the NEIGHBOR kids, as well, to act it out, and sing the songs on top of their precious little lungs, while promenading up and down the sidewalk with grand theatrical gestures and stomping feet (You know, to make ice. Just like queen whatshername.) They sung it in bed. And during meals. And every time a door was closed. In the car. Church. Playground. Walking. Running. Showering, bathing, dressing, CONSTANTLY. I just couldn't deal with it anymore. Even THINKING about Olaf made me want to melt the little (ahem) just out of meanness and spite. Then came the parodies. Sent to Kaila by her BFF, Kate, from Michigan. "Do you want to hide a body" became as popular as the rest of the music. I can only imagine what the neighbors thought, as my kids, wrapped in various throw blankets, marched around outside, singing "DO YOU WANT TO HIDE A BOOOODDDDYYYYY???? IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE IN ONE PIECE!!!!!!!!!!" In decibels usually reserved for large helicopters and heavy metal concerts.
I write this in direct hypocrisy of a recent Facebook post, lamenting the rotten things people do and say and write and if there was any decency in humanity anymore. I don't care.
Anyhow. That's life in the household lately. As far as I know, the house is not currently for sale.... but the realtor seemed pretty determined. I feel like there is a decent possibility that I could wake up to a knock on the door, and find myself in the middle of a tour of my home. I guess if the offer is right.......!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
George's Weekend Shenanigans
Easter yesterday, had me feeling all Mary Poppins and Maria VonTrapp, all in one. With maybe a little bit of Matilda's Mom in there, because, that's kinda how I feel I parent most of the time.
Anyhow, the day began with the kids finding their Easter baskets bright and early, and eating candy for breakfast. Approximately 5 minutes before we had to be out the door for 8:30 am Mass, they all decided we should have a proper breakfast right now. And Lexi decided to wash her new shoes in the bathroom sink. By completely submerging them in water. And George ran HIS shoes through gross stuff outside, so THOSE needed to be scrubbed as well. And Joe didn't know where his dress pants were - that child has no end problems with pants, it seems.
We made it to church all in one piece and looking mostly respectable. I wished triplets onto George at approximately mid point during Mass. Not sure if it was before or after he decided to go all Olaf during the singing parts, and, not knowing the words to any of the songs, sang "In Summer" in his best loud opera voice. All long lingering and loud at the end of every song.
"MOM! IS IT TIME TO GO HOME YET?"
"Ssssshhhhh!!!! Not yet. In a little while."
"OKAY. I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK, MAMA."
"Okay. Ssshhhh! We need to be quiet, okay?"
"OKAY. MAMA? WHY DOESN'T THAT MAN HAVE ANY HAIR? THAT GUY, RIGHT THERE IN THE BLUE SHIRT?"
"George! SSSSHHHHHH!!!!! Probably because he was bad in church when he was little,"
"I HAFTA GO POTTY NOW!"
"You absolutely REFUSED to go potty before this started! Are you SURE?"
"YES!!!!!!! I HAVE TO GO NOW!"
"George, you can't hold it for just a few more minutes, till everyone stands up?"
"IF YOU DON'T LET ME GO POTTY RIGHT NOW, I WILL PEE IN MY PANTS, MAMA! AND MY SHOES WILL BE ALL WET!"
"Go. And don't run."
"Mom! George is digging through my pockets! Make him stop!"
"Mom! George is wearing my coat!"
"Mom! George keeps hitting me!"
"Mom! George is trying to bite me!"
"Make him stop growling!"
"Mom!!!! GEORGE!!!!"
"Did you just tell George you wish triplets on him??? In church?? Is that allowed? Can you DO that?"
"Shut up, Jasin, or deal with him yourself."
After church, the children were all given donuts to keep them occupied while Easter Eggs were hidden outside. It was with quiet kids and me feeling all relaxed and not stressed, that the head of Religious Ed approached me. She asked if I could please please please teach the 7th and 8th grade Sunday School class next fall. It seems the current teacher is quitting after the end of this year, because the kids are for the most part, absolutely dreadful. Jasin was told he could help out (Which was the way we say "Provide threatening looking security, to keep the little dears in line for the good of their blessed little souls for an hour and a half every week during the school year") and George can sit in, too. I imagine that should go well. Not sure who is going to learn from whom, actually.
The Easter Egg hunt was just perfect. The Church lawns and gardens are just beautiful, and seeing all the parish kids dressed up and running through spring flowers was really one of those moments that you wish could be captured forever. It was like living in a story book for about 10 minutes.
The rest of the day, once we arrived home, was spent outdoors. The weather was the best it's been this year, and we had no specific plans. We took the kids up the road to Case Lake, and flew kites, played on the playground, and ran around for a few hours. We took them on a long bike ride all over the village. (Rode by a little boy and his Dad "Daddy? Why are there all these people riding bikes? Is there a parade today?") The puppy chased bubbles, and was hauled around the block on numerous walks all weekend. He was completely happily exhausted. We had the first cookout and dinner of the year on the back patio, and just all around had a really amazing day.
No indoor chores were done all weekend. Which really isn't a good thing, as, my scrub situation is dire. And, with the house looking the way it does, there is almost guaranteed company. Therefore, cleaning and laundry is on the docket when I get home from work tonight. And, aside from leftover macaroni salad, there is nothing planned for dinner tonight, because I completely forgot about it. Which should go over well with Joe. Who is pretty sure I am deliberately trying to starve him to death anyway, and who (you guessed it!) hates macaroni salad.
Also this week, I need to undo all George's stuff from this weekend. He apologized long and heartily, but, I honestly couldn't even speak. Saturday, he went around looking for worms and ants, and over tuned and moved every single garden boarder I have. Last summer, it was all my solar lights; this year, it's the garden boarders. My poor gardens don't seem to stand a chance with that child.I need to go through (With his assistance) and put them all to rights again. He did try to put them all back together again though. So there is that.....
My vehicle now has several scratches all over the hood, and a muddy footprint on the windshield. It seems he discovered how to climb onto the hood of my truck. With his sneakers on, with stones in the treads. And dance. I imagine my diva of a vehicle is not pleased, and I can only imagine the issues I will now have with it over this indignity. You think I'm kidding?? It KNOWS things.
Anyhow, that's the weekend, and the plans for the week. God Bless the teachers today, who have to deal with the overtired, sugar infused, just off of Spring Break children of yesterday. Good luck, keeping them all cooped up after every kid in town spent the last several days outside.... You have my thoughts and sympathy today!
Anyhow, the day began with the kids finding their Easter baskets bright and early, and eating candy for breakfast. Approximately 5 minutes before we had to be out the door for 8:30 am Mass, they all decided we should have a proper breakfast right now. And Lexi decided to wash her new shoes in the bathroom sink. By completely submerging them in water. And George ran HIS shoes through gross stuff outside, so THOSE needed to be scrubbed as well. And Joe didn't know where his dress pants were - that child has no end problems with pants, it seems.
We made it to church all in one piece and looking mostly respectable. I wished triplets onto George at approximately mid point during Mass. Not sure if it was before or after he decided to go all Olaf during the singing parts, and, not knowing the words to any of the songs, sang "In Summer" in his best loud opera voice. All long lingering and loud at the end of every song.
"MOM! IS IT TIME TO GO HOME YET?"
"Ssssshhhhh!!!! Not yet. In a little while."
"OKAY. I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK, MAMA."
"Okay. Ssshhhh! We need to be quiet, okay?"
"OKAY. MAMA? WHY DOESN'T THAT MAN HAVE ANY HAIR? THAT GUY, RIGHT THERE IN THE BLUE SHIRT?"
"George! SSSSHHHHHH!!!!! Probably because he was bad in church when he was little,"
"I HAFTA GO POTTY NOW!"
"You absolutely REFUSED to go potty before this started! Are you SURE?"
"YES!!!!!!! I HAVE TO GO NOW!"
"George, you can't hold it for just a few more minutes, till everyone stands up?"
"IF YOU DON'T LET ME GO POTTY RIGHT NOW, I WILL PEE IN MY PANTS, MAMA! AND MY SHOES WILL BE ALL WET!"
"Go. And don't run."
"Mom! George is digging through my pockets! Make him stop!"
"Mom! George is wearing my coat!"
"Mom! George keeps hitting me!"
"Mom! George is trying to bite me!"
"Make him stop growling!"
"Mom!!!! GEORGE!!!!"
"Did you just tell George you wish triplets on him??? In church?? Is that allowed? Can you DO that?"
"Shut up, Jasin, or deal with him yourself."
After church, the children were all given donuts to keep them occupied while Easter Eggs were hidden outside. It was with quiet kids and me feeling all relaxed and not stressed, that the head of Religious Ed approached me. She asked if I could please please please teach the 7th and 8th grade Sunday School class next fall. It seems the current teacher is quitting after the end of this year, because the kids are for the most part, absolutely dreadful. Jasin was told he could help out (Which was the way we say "Provide threatening looking security, to keep the little dears in line for the good of their blessed little souls for an hour and a half every week during the school year") and George can sit in, too. I imagine that should go well. Not sure who is going to learn from whom, actually.
The Easter Egg hunt was just perfect. The Church lawns and gardens are just beautiful, and seeing all the parish kids dressed up and running through spring flowers was really one of those moments that you wish could be captured forever. It was like living in a story book for about 10 minutes.
The rest of the day, once we arrived home, was spent outdoors. The weather was the best it's been this year, and we had no specific plans. We took the kids up the road to Case Lake, and flew kites, played on the playground, and ran around for a few hours. We took them on a long bike ride all over the village. (Rode by a little boy and his Dad "Daddy? Why are there all these people riding bikes? Is there a parade today?") The puppy chased bubbles, and was hauled around the block on numerous walks all weekend. He was completely happily exhausted. We had the first cookout and dinner of the year on the back patio, and just all around had a really amazing day.
No indoor chores were done all weekend. Which really isn't a good thing, as, my scrub situation is dire. And, with the house looking the way it does, there is almost guaranteed company. Therefore, cleaning and laundry is on the docket when I get home from work tonight. And, aside from leftover macaroni salad, there is nothing planned for dinner tonight, because I completely forgot about it. Which should go over well with Joe. Who is pretty sure I am deliberately trying to starve him to death anyway, and who (you guessed it!) hates macaroni salad.
Also this week, I need to undo all George's stuff from this weekend. He apologized long and heartily, but, I honestly couldn't even speak. Saturday, he went around looking for worms and ants, and over tuned and moved every single garden boarder I have. Last summer, it was all my solar lights; this year, it's the garden boarders. My poor gardens don't seem to stand a chance with that child.I need to go through (With his assistance) and put them all to rights again. He did try to put them all back together again though. So there is that.....
My vehicle now has several scratches all over the hood, and a muddy footprint on the windshield. It seems he discovered how to climb onto the hood of my truck. With his sneakers on, with stones in the treads. And dance. I imagine my diva of a vehicle is not pleased, and I can only imagine the issues I will now have with it over this indignity. You think I'm kidding?? It KNOWS things.
Anyhow, that's the weekend, and the plans for the week. God Bless the teachers today, who have to deal with the overtired, sugar infused, just off of Spring Break children of yesterday. Good luck, keeping them all cooped up after every kid in town spent the last several days outside.... You have my thoughts and sympathy today!
Friday, April 18, 2014
Jelly Bean Anxiety
Easter weekend! Good Friday and all that.The resident Easter Bunny has yet to purchase so much as a jelly bean. Easter morning is going to be interesting, if I don't get moving in the seriously near future here.
Yesterday evening, I decided to come home from work, feed my children marginally nutritious food, and then take them to Holy Thursday Mass. Which began right about the time the kids normally begin getting ready for bed. Because, obviously, my brains were MIA yesterday.
George is a handful on Sunday mornings, to say the least. (Refer back to a recent Facebook comment I made, indicating George may benefit from a nice little exorcism....). Take that boy to church near bedtime, and, Mama starts to look at the wine chalice in a completely different, almost desperate light....
We made it through in one piece, however, and, the priest at the new church hasn't requested we leave him at home yet. (The last one did.) So, there is that. We did have an uncomfortable moment or two when I reached over to pull George away from tormenting his brother - again - and George began to scream on top of his precious little lungs that I had hurt his head, and he was no longer able to see, and probably blind, followed by some pretty convincing tears in the throes of what looked like the worst, most tortured pain EVER. One "Mom" look, and the show magically stopped, so, no authorities were called.
In other news, baseball season begins tonight. Which means that, I will no longer have the obligation to drag the kids to Good Friday Mass after work, and George will have an entire playground to run around in, and torment his babysitter sisters. They mentioned that their prices for watching him during baseball season have gone up this year. We are still in negotiation stages.
This week we had a meeting at school, regarding the Washington DC trip that only 10 kids in the school were picked for. Kaila being one of them. It seems that the trip begins on Mother's Day, and will require a 4 AM wake up time, in order to get the child out the door and on the bus by 5:15 AM. Happy Mother's Day!
I completely suck as a good parent. Kaila and I were all "You are going to see SO MUCH, and have SO MUCH FUN! And meet NEW PEOPLE!!" and Kaila was all "I KNOW!!! I am so EXCITED! I can't WAIT!!!!"
And the other moms were all "We aren't so sure about the safety of this trip....."
I look at it as: supporting my kids, and encouraging them to be independent, confident productive people. They will never leave the house, and I will never have two minutes to myself EVER, if I carry on as if terrible things will happen every time they leave me.
We had a taste of no kids at home last Sunday. Most of the kids went to a neighbor's house to play, and Kaila took to her room with a book. Suddenly, there was this crazy sound, and this odd feeling. I wandered through the house in confusion, trying to figure it out. I found Bearded Man on the porch, and together we figured out that; the kids were all gone and the weird sound was silence. We began to count, and came to the conclusion that it won't be too long before they really ARE all gone, and out in the world on their own. Within the next 10 years, three of them will have graduated from High School, and George will be 14! Not sure how I felt about that sobering thought, I decided to ignore it for now, and take a nap.
My sister's wedding plans continue. In the last few weeks, I may or may not have threatened to strangle her, after a 6 AM text telling me to go pour myself a nice Captain Morgan, as plans had changed. Again. I am hoping after this wedding that sanity is returned to all parties involved, myself included. I do not have the spine to tell her that, even after an exhausting search this past weekend; I cannot find the type of dresses she and Nicole from Sears have requested my girls and one other girl, wear. The problem being that one girl is 6 years old, one wears kids' size 14, and one wears a women's size 4. Finding matching or even semi matching dresses has proven pretty difficult..... I don't know what kind of miracle I am hoping for at this point, to save me the inevitable reaction I will get from my sister. And, I haven't been able to go tanning, either. I told her maybe I would, after being told that I was too pale for the wedding pictures. I cannot even think about the reaction that trotting my unmatched daughters down the gazebo wedding path would garner from my sister and Nicole From Sears right now. Ah well. we still have a month. I may be able to pull off the miracle of decorating her wedding, making centerpieces, and matching my kids, without strangulation or Captain Morgan involved. My poor sister. This wedding is making her crazy.
I think that's about it. I need to make up a shopping list. This year for Easter, we are taking advantage of the fore casted amazing weather, and having a cookout, in lieu of the traditional ham. Burgers, deviled eggs, macaroni salad, and iced tea, out on the patio. Not one item of which is currently on the premises of my home at this time.
Happy Easter, everyone!
Yesterday evening, I decided to come home from work, feed my children marginally nutritious food, and then take them to Holy Thursday Mass. Which began right about the time the kids normally begin getting ready for bed. Because, obviously, my brains were MIA yesterday.
George is a handful on Sunday mornings, to say the least. (Refer back to a recent Facebook comment I made, indicating George may benefit from a nice little exorcism....). Take that boy to church near bedtime, and, Mama starts to look at the wine chalice in a completely different, almost desperate light....
We made it through in one piece, however, and, the priest at the new church hasn't requested we leave him at home yet. (The last one did.) So, there is that. We did have an uncomfortable moment or two when I reached over to pull George away from tormenting his brother - again - and George began to scream on top of his precious little lungs that I had hurt his head, and he was no longer able to see, and probably blind, followed by some pretty convincing tears in the throes of what looked like the worst, most tortured pain EVER. One "Mom" look, and the show magically stopped, so, no authorities were called.
In other news, baseball season begins tonight. Which means that, I will no longer have the obligation to drag the kids to Good Friday Mass after work, and George will have an entire playground to run around in, and torment his babysitter sisters. They mentioned that their prices for watching him during baseball season have gone up this year. We are still in negotiation stages.
This week we had a meeting at school, regarding the Washington DC trip that only 10 kids in the school were picked for. Kaila being one of them. It seems that the trip begins on Mother's Day, and will require a 4 AM wake up time, in order to get the child out the door and on the bus by 5:15 AM. Happy Mother's Day!
I completely suck as a good parent. Kaila and I were all "You are going to see SO MUCH, and have SO MUCH FUN! And meet NEW PEOPLE!!" and Kaila was all "I KNOW!!! I am so EXCITED! I can't WAIT!!!!"
And the other moms were all "We aren't so sure about the safety of this trip....."
I look at it as: supporting my kids, and encouraging them to be independent, confident productive people. They will never leave the house, and I will never have two minutes to myself EVER, if I carry on as if terrible things will happen every time they leave me.
We had a taste of no kids at home last Sunday. Most of the kids went to a neighbor's house to play, and Kaila took to her room with a book. Suddenly, there was this crazy sound, and this odd feeling. I wandered through the house in confusion, trying to figure it out. I found Bearded Man on the porch, and together we figured out that; the kids were all gone and the weird sound was silence. We began to count, and came to the conclusion that it won't be too long before they really ARE all gone, and out in the world on their own. Within the next 10 years, three of them will have graduated from High School, and George will be 14! Not sure how I felt about that sobering thought, I decided to ignore it for now, and take a nap.
My sister's wedding plans continue. In the last few weeks, I may or may not have threatened to strangle her, after a 6 AM text telling me to go pour myself a nice Captain Morgan, as plans had changed. Again. I am hoping after this wedding that sanity is returned to all parties involved, myself included. I do not have the spine to tell her that, even after an exhausting search this past weekend; I cannot find the type of dresses she and Nicole from Sears have requested my girls and one other girl, wear. The problem being that one girl is 6 years old, one wears kids' size 14, and one wears a women's size 4. Finding matching or even semi matching dresses has proven pretty difficult..... I don't know what kind of miracle I am hoping for at this point, to save me the inevitable reaction I will get from my sister. And, I haven't been able to go tanning, either. I told her maybe I would, after being told that I was too pale for the wedding pictures. I cannot even think about the reaction that trotting my unmatched daughters down the gazebo wedding path would garner from my sister and Nicole From Sears right now. Ah well. we still have a month. I may be able to pull off the miracle of decorating her wedding, making centerpieces, and matching my kids, without strangulation or Captain Morgan involved. My poor sister. This wedding is making her crazy.
I think that's about it. I need to make up a shopping list. This year for Easter, we are taking advantage of the fore casted amazing weather, and having a cookout, in lieu of the traditional ham. Burgers, deviled eggs, macaroni salad, and iced tea, out on the patio. Not one item of which is currently on the premises of my home at this time.
Happy Easter, everyone!
Friday, April 4, 2014
I Have no Pants, Mom
Our normally healthy happy household is under yet another illness. Upper respiratory. Give me vomit any day. I hate respiratory as a nurse, and I hate it as a Mom. There is nothing worse than watching a patient or your child struggle to breathe. Ventilators always made me nervous when they would alarm at the hospital. The stories I could tell, about Ventilator patients and the reasons for their constant alarms. As a nurse, I hated running into a room, and seeing a purple or gray faced patient who couldn't breathe.
Anyhow, last Sunday, George woke up, unable to breathe. The horrendous noise he made, as he tried to drag breath in and out, was truly terrifying. I had him on his nebulizer in moments, and watched his fingertips change from blue/gray to normal again. back to the Doctor's he went, where he was diagnosed with a left ear infection and given more albulerol for his nebulizer. I have had that nebulizer for almost 9 years, and never once used it before this year. Thank God we had it on hand.
George seems fine now, as in; he can breathe, but, we seriously need to kick whatever bug that's hanging around our household.
Yesterday morning, the bug caughtup to me. I've been relatively healthy all winter, but, the sore throat and cough hit me. By this morning, it hurt to breathe in or out. Because of this yucky feeling, the housework I had faithfully kept up with and onto a schedule, fell apart. All my family needs is 4 hours with Mom out of commission, and, we are back to square one.
This morning, Joe wandered downstairs dressed for school in a too big pair of pants, and a shirt tucked into them.
"Joe. Un-tuck the shirt... that's not really a 'tuck in' kind of outfit, bud."
"I cannot. My pants will fall down."
"Where is your belt?"
"Turbo ate it."
"You should really put on something else, then."
"I cannot. I do not have anything else." (NOTE: I skipped ONE LOAD of laundry this week. There is no way that all his pants were in that one load sitting next to the washer.)
"Joe. Try looking in the drier. I didn't fold the laundry last night; you might have a pair of pants in there."
"There is not."
As I ran out the door for work this morning, I saw the little martyr loading the washer with the laundry. Someone, someplace, has probably heard about my neglect today. However, it did dawn on me, that this now makes three children capable of doing the laundry, and I really need to exploit that....
Illness aside, it's been pretty busy around the old homestead. And, with somewhat better weather, the kids have been outside more, doors and windows have been opened, and, the quest for a paint color has finally come to an end. I have decided for sure, what the colors will be for the exterior of the house.
This week, I had to be up in Buffalo for 2 days for training. (Shout out to all my friends from 8-D/5-C!!!! I MISS YOU GUYS!!!!) Anyhow, on the way home, tucked into some trees, is this beautiful house. I LOVE this house. I have coveted it forever. Well, ever since I noticed it after driving to Buffalo several times a week, when I worked there full time, anyway. Some day, that house may come up for sale, and I will probably not be able to afford it, and then someone else will buy it, and I will be all devastated.
I love this house. And the colors. And everything about it. And, I decided that I REALLY loved the colors enough, that they would look wonderful on MY house, too! I went to Lowe's. I went to the Home Depot. I tried to "guesstimate" the colors, but was never quite sure.
Awhile back, I put it out on Facebook: Is it okay to stop and ask, or not? And people seemed to think it would be okay. (It wasn't THEM getting the police called for suspicious activity....)The first day this week, I ALMOST stopped, but, lost nerve. I had to get home, anyhow.
The second day I had to drive by it, I stopped. And, before I could lose the spine, hopped out of my vehicle, tried not to look threatening, suspicious, or psychotic, and look all mom, nurse and respectable.
I rang the doorbell, and waited nervously. Until a lady came out, holding a bag of Craisins, and inquired as to my presence, and then I opened my mouth, and began to babble. She kept popping craisins into her mouth, as I rambled on this entire convoluted story about how much I loved her "Freaking house" and how mine looked like a dilapidated, run down, haunted ruin, how I USED to work in Buffalo, but now I work in Olean, but I live in Franklinville, and the drive is much shorter now, but I really really missed Buffalo, and oh my gosh, listen to me, but, anyway, I really really think you have the most beautiful house ever, and it's not like I am asking to BUY it or anything, I mean, really! HAHAH! Anyhow, if you don't think I am a psychotic monster - which i am not! Oh wow! - do you know the names of the colors you used, and can I take a picture?" I babbled for what seemed like forever. Just everything. I spilled everything but my dress size and social security number. And she just kept eating craisins, and listening with her head tilted and her eyebrow raised. She told me the color of the body of the house, and allowed me to take pictures. (Which turned out awful, and, funny enough, I had just spent TWO DAYS learning how to take decent pictures, so I could be qualified to do dermatology telehealth...) and then I just about ran back to my truck, thankful to have the entire humiliating experience over with. When I Googled the color, it popped right up. And that is the color it will be.
I am not announcing it however, as I do not want anyone telling me it's wretched, like the last time I produced color swatches. (I would like to take this moment to point out that, the person who pronounced the last color selection as "wretched" was my older sister. Who is getting married next month, and who picked her wedding color from the color of her manicure......) So. At the end of the day, I just need the weather to stay decent and clear, and the resident person in the midst of a Beard Identity Crisis, to be motivated, and to go buy paint, and then maybe my home will start to look pretty again. One can only dream.
In less than two months, one sister and one brother are getting married. (Thrown in there is also Joe's First Communion, Kaila's trip to Washington DC, Kaila's 13th Birthday, and Joe's 9th Birthday...) I am the Matron of Honor in my sister's wedding. My poor sister. What began as a casual back yard affair, has turned into a formal shindig at a park, and not even a shadow of her original plans. I asked her once, if this is even what she wanted, and she just wailed "I am just trying to keep everyone happy!!" Poor thing. The groom's side of the event has been there assisting her with everything, and thus far, my presence has only been requested for bridesmaids dress shopping. It was pretty traumatic for everyone. Not one of the people involved wanted to try on dresses in front of anyone else. Words were said, tears shed, and tension was high that day.
Tomorrow is "Gather in the park and decide on decorations" day. There is this lady, introduced as "Nicole from Sears" who seems to have become unofficial wedding planner. Her husband, it seems, is in the wedding party, and she is not. Something she pointed out (A. LOT.) on dress shopping day - I think Nicole from Sears wanted to be in the wedding. Since she is not, however, she is the reason we went from casual to formal. She said she saw my sister's dress, and decided that there was no way a casual wedding would work with that dress. Since my sister is still a trifle aggravated over the Dress Shopping Fail, tomorrow had better be full of happy bridesmaids (The other two don't like each other...) and better attitudes all around than Dress Shopping Day. My own, included. Admittedly, I was also not thrilled about trying on dresses in front of half a dozen people I had never met. Asking a group of women to display every insecurity they have by trying on clothes in front of each other - women that have either never met or hate each other - is a recipe for disaster. Since no undressing is required tomorrow, I am hoping for the best.
Last time we were all together, Nicole from Sears didn't like many of our ideas for decorating, so hopefully she has lots of ideas and things progress smoothly tomorrow.
That's all the excitement around here for now. Have a great weekend! I am headed home to fold laundry and find my poor neglected kid his pants.
Anyhow, last Sunday, George woke up, unable to breathe. The horrendous noise he made, as he tried to drag breath in and out, was truly terrifying. I had him on his nebulizer in moments, and watched his fingertips change from blue/gray to normal again. back to the Doctor's he went, where he was diagnosed with a left ear infection and given more albulerol for his nebulizer. I have had that nebulizer for almost 9 years, and never once used it before this year. Thank God we had it on hand.
George seems fine now, as in; he can breathe, but, we seriously need to kick whatever bug that's hanging around our household.
Yesterday morning, the bug caughtup to me. I've been relatively healthy all winter, but, the sore throat and cough hit me. By this morning, it hurt to breathe in or out. Because of this yucky feeling, the housework I had faithfully kept up with and onto a schedule, fell apart. All my family needs is 4 hours with Mom out of commission, and, we are back to square one.
This morning, Joe wandered downstairs dressed for school in a too big pair of pants, and a shirt tucked into them.
"Joe. Un-tuck the shirt... that's not really a 'tuck in' kind of outfit, bud."
"I cannot. My pants will fall down."
"Where is your belt?"
"Turbo ate it."
"You should really put on something else, then."
"I cannot. I do not have anything else." (NOTE: I skipped ONE LOAD of laundry this week. There is no way that all his pants were in that one load sitting next to the washer.)
"Joe. Try looking in the drier. I didn't fold the laundry last night; you might have a pair of pants in there."
"There is not."
As I ran out the door for work this morning, I saw the little martyr loading the washer with the laundry. Someone, someplace, has probably heard about my neglect today. However, it did dawn on me, that this now makes three children capable of doing the laundry, and I really need to exploit that....
Illness aside, it's been pretty busy around the old homestead. And, with somewhat better weather, the kids have been outside more, doors and windows have been opened, and, the quest for a paint color has finally come to an end. I have decided for sure, what the colors will be for the exterior of the house.
This week, I had to be up in Buffalo for 2 days for training. (Shout out to all my friends from 8-D/5-C!!!! I MISS YOU GUYS!!!!) Anyhow, on the way home, tucked into some trees, is this beautiful house. I LOVE this house. I have coveted it forever. Well, ever since I noticed it after driving to Buffalo several times a week, when I worked there full time, anyway. Some day, that house may come up for sale, and I will probably not be able to afford it, and then someone else will buy it, and I will be all devastated.
I love this house. And the colors. And everything about it. And, I decided that I REALLY loved the colors enough, that they would look wonderful on MY house, too! I went to Lowe's. I went to the Home Depot. I tried to "guesstimate" the colors, but was never quite sure.
Awhile back, I put it out on Facebook: Is it okay to stop and ask, or not? And people seemed to think it would be okay. (It wasn't THEM getting the police called for suspicious activity....)The first day this week, I ALMOST stopped, but, lost nerve. I had to get home, anyhow.
The second day I had to drive by it, I stopped. And, before I could lose the spine, hopped out of my vehicle, tried not to look threatening, suspicious, or psychotic, and look all mom, nurse and respectable.
I rang the doorbell, and waited nervously. Until a lady came out, holding a bag of Craisins, and inquired as to my presence, and then I opened my mouth, and began to babble. She kept popping craisins into her mouth, as I rambled on this entire convoluted story about how much I loved her "Freaking house" and how mine looked like a dilapidated, run down, haunted ruin, how I USED to work in Buffalo, but now I work in Olean, but I live in Franklinville, and the drive is much shorter now, but I really really missed Buffalo, and oh my gosh, listen to me, but, anyway, I really really think you have the most beautiful house ever, and it's not like I am asking to BUY it or anything, I mean, really! HAHAH! Anyhow, if you don't think I am a psychotic monster - which i am not! Oh wow! - do you know the names of the colors you used, and can I take a picture?" I babbled for what seemed like forever. Just everything. I spilled everything but my dress size and social security number. And she just kept eating craisins, and listening with her head tilted and her eyebrow raised. She told me the color of the body of the house, and allowed me to take pictures. (Which turned out awful, and, funny enough, I had just spent TWO DAYS learning how to take decent pictures, so I could be qualified to do dermatology telehealth...) and then I just about ran back to my truck, thankful to have the entire humiliating experience over with. When I Googled the color, it popped right up. And that is the color it will be.
I am not announcing it however, as I do not want anyone telling me it's wretched, like the last time I produced color swatches. (I would like to take this moment to point out that, the person who pronounced the last color selection as "wretched" was my older sister. Who is getting married next month, and who picked her wedding color from the color of her manicure......) So. At the end of the day, I just need the weather to stay decent and clear, and the resident person in the midst of a Beard Identity Crisis, to be motivated, and to go buy paint, and then maybe my home will start to look pretty again. One can only dream.
In less than two months, one sister and one brother are getting married. (Thrown in there is also Joe's First Communion, Kaila's trip to Washington DC, Kaila's 13th Birthday, and Joe's 9th Birthday...) I am the Matron of Honor in my sister's wedding. My poor sister. What began as a casual back yard affair, has turned into a formal shindig at a park, and not even a shadow of her original plans. I asked her once, if this is even what she wanted, and she just wailed "I am just trying to keep everyone happy!!" Poor thing. The groom's side of the event has been there assisting her with everything, and thus far, my presence has only been requested for bridesmaids dress shopping. It was pretty traumatic for everyone. Not one of the people involved wanted to try on dresses in front of anyone else. Words were said, tears shed, and tension was high that day.
Tomorrow is "Gather in the park and decide on decorations" day. There is this lady, introduced as "Nicole from Sears" who seems to have become unofficial wedding planner. Her husband, it seems, is in the wedding party, and she is not. Something she pointed out (A. LOT.) on dress shopping day - I think Nicole from Sears wanted to be in the wedding. Since she is not, however, she is the reason we went from casual to formal. She said she saw my sister's dress, and decided that there was no way a casual wedding would work with that dress. Since my sister is still a trifle aggravated over the Dress Shopping Fail, tomorrow had better be full of happy bridesmaids (The other two don't like each other...) and better attitudes all around than Dress Shopping Day. My own, included. Admittedly, I was also not thrilled about trying on dresses in front of half a dozen people I had never met. Asking a group of women to display every insecurity they have by trying on clothes in front of each other - women that have either never met or hate each other - is a recipe for disaster. Since no undressing is required tomorrow, I am hoping for the best.
Last time we were all together, Nicole from Sears didn't like many of our ideas for decorating, so hopefully she has lots of ideas and things progress smoothly tomorrow.
That's all the excitement around here for now. Have a great weekend! I am headed home to fold laundry and find my poor neglected kid his pants.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)