A Vent and a Hurrah

First the vent because I would like to end on a positive note!

Vent on!* Running errands = hell. I almost broke down crying in the post office today because of how bad the boys have been treating me when we go out to stores. I get so stressed out when I have to run errands like going grocery shopping or to the post office. Connor is fine as long as I can strap him in the stroller or cart. But the older boys are constantly after eachother, swinging their arms by glass, chasing eachother, running down the aisles . I've had it. I feel like people are staring at me going "Can't she control her kids?!"

I've gotten some good advice related to the above. Obviously if leaving them with Jason or a baby-sitter was an option, I'd choose that! Things get accomplished so much faster when it's just me. I could grocery shop at 2am. I could bribe 'em with snacks or a quarter ride. I could forgo the shopping altogether and send Jason but a family cannot subsist on Cheetos and Dr. Pepper alone. Aarrggghhh. My boys used to like shopping and now they are convinced it's some form of torture. I say "shop" and the whining commences. *Vent off.

Now for the really good stuff. Jason got a raise. All because of 1 test question being overturned! He took a test back in April to do broadband tech placement. He placed as a broadband technician 3, just one question shy of placing as a level 4. Well he found a discrepancy with one of the questions so he typed up a letter and gave it to his supervisor and it went all the way to corporate and the higher up mucky-mucks and well, turns out he was right! So he gets a raise, the title of broadband technician 4, and backpay for all the time he's worked since April! I'm so proud of him. Hurrah! With that note, I better go get some sleep. Tomorrow is a soccer day.

The 2,996 Project

That's how many people perished tragically on 9/11, 2001. 5 years later, on September 11th, 2006, bloggers have a chance to step up and be a part of something meaningful, a tribute to each and every one of those lost. If you should choose to join me, you can sign up HERE. You will be assigned one person to pay tribute to on your blog. How great would it be to honor each and every one of the victims by means of blog? At the time I am typing this, 1945 (65%) of 2996 Victims Are Still Available for Tribute. Please join me and honor the lives lost. We won't forget...

Karma Surrounds Us

Karma can be creepy. Is there such a thing as creepy in a good way? I got goosebumps today because of karma. Jason and I walked up to the ATM in the mall to get cash out to go to a movie. The person before us left the screen on "Do you want another transaction?" and Jason pushed no. I said to him how that was good karma on his part. He kept that person from getting money stolen from their account. A matter of mere seconds later we went by the photo booth and I happened to glance down and see a $5 bill. That was karma thanking us for doing the right thing.

The Weekend in Photos, July 21-July 23

Why you shouldn't confide in a 6-year old

Children can't keep secrets. It's like giving a child a shiny quarter as you walk by a row of trinket-filled quarter machines and telling them it is not for spending. You tell them something thinking maybe they'll forget but they don't. They just don't make for very good confidants. Weston just informed me that my Mom told him she'll be moving back in with the boyfriend. I guess she felt it was ok to tell the boys over strawberry lemonade and post-4th-of-July pop-its in the driveway. I heard him all excited making plans to play in the pool and practice his new swim skills so I reminded him that Grandma doesn't have a pool and that's when he spilled the beans. I don't understand but that's nothing new when it comes to Mom. Why didn't she just stay in the first place? Maybe she wanted Weston to break the news to us because she doesn't have the ovaries to tell us herself? The mystery that is Mom never ceases to disappoint.

I'm Telling You

Thanks Linda for lifting this idea from Elisa's blog so I could in turn do the same. It's clever!

List up to ten things you want to say to ten different people. Do not state who these people are. Do not confirm or deny any comment speculation.

1. I wish you'd make more of your life. Get out in the sunshine, live and love again.

2. I love you to the moon and back.

3. Know your role.

4. Let me back into your life.

5. When I said I was happy for you, I lied.

6. I always knew you could do it. Don't screw it up this time.

7. She is nothing beyond materialistic.

8. I like cheese and I'm upset my birthday plans are ruined.

9. There's always laundry to be done. Why can't it be mine?

10. What you are waiting for will happen. When you are on your last threads of hope, walk on mine. I have more than enough to hold you up.

Husband's Nightmare...

Coming home to a housewife who is PMSing and out of chocolate and 9-volt batteries. Aaaagghhhhhhh!!

Bargain High

Ok I admit it. I'm addicted to a good bargain! When I find a good deal on something, I like to stock up. It's so much fun looking at your receipt afterwards and seeing you saved 25% or 50% or even 98%! Sometimes, it's pleasure in seeing the look of shock on the cashier's face after presenting a stack of coupons that leaves you paying mere pocket change and walking out with bags full. Sometimes it's combining coupons with a sale and getting items FREE. It's certainly addicting. Check out some of my fun recent deals!


4 Huggies travel wipes cases
10 boxes Huggies wipes
4 boxes Huggies washcloths
1 Huggies bodywash
1 Huggies shampoo
____________________
FREE


20 single-serve Kellogg's cereal cups
10 bags M&Ms (9.4 oz)
2 Coke 2-L
2 bags Cheetos
____________________
$1.39


2 cans Banana Boat spray sunblock

B1G1 FREE
$5 rebate
$3 rebate
$1 coupon
____________________
<$1.00 for 2


2 boxes Claritin 10 ct. Reditab

$5 rebate
(2) $4 coupon per box
____________________
$6.98 for 2


2 bottles Aveeno moisturizer

$2.49 on sale
(2) $1.00 coupon per bottle
$5 skincare rebate
____________________
+2.00

Adoring You

Sitting on the hood of your Ford.

Sun reflecting radiant highlights in my hair.

Legs intricately intertwined.

Sipping wine coolers.

Adoring you.

Sitting on the front porch.

Sun glimmers on soft golden brown hair.

Stretching like a lazy cat.

Sipping Diet Coke.

Adoring you.

Sitting in the porch swing.

Sun catches glimpses of silver dancing in my hair.

Aged hands embraced, resting between us.

Sipping coffee.

Still, adoring you.

I wrote this poem for Jason, back when we were dating. I was imagining the progression of time in our lives. Even then I knew I wanted to grow old with him. I love the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiles. I love how he once dressed as an old man for Halloween and was just too cute. I love how he told me he'd wear a newsboy cap just for me. I love how he told me he'd walk me around the neighborhood if I have to be in a wheelchair someday. I love how we see ourselves spoiling our grandkids every chance we get. I love that no matter what, he will be my side. Because of that, I have many reasons to look forward to getting older.

Dependent

She's going back. Physically, she doesn't live there but mentally, she cannot leave him.

I know I haven't brought my Mom up for a little while because I just wasn't sure what to say. She will be 49 next month and she's living with my Grandma. She moved out of the house she'd set up with her boyfriend. Well, I can't say she moved out. More like she was kicked out but she packed up and put her material possessions into a mini storage before said boyfriend returned home from a vacation. Sick of playing house so soon?

She's looking really skinny. I hear tell that she's lost 8 lbs. which for her already petite frame certainly worries me. She looks tired and old and well, sad. I see genuine hurt in her eyes but for the last couple years I failed to look at her too closely. Afraid to burst into a big ball of tears I suppose, seeing someone I once thought a content soul creating such an uproar of her life and managing to barely get by. I refused to accept that she really loved this other man, but I see it clearly now- when she's without him. I know that feeling all too well but my story has a happier ending.

It's hard to depend on someone when they are lost. Sadly, I think she has a lot of soul-searching to do before I will be able to rely on her as the rock that was once my Mother. Her relationship with the other man has been on and off, vaguely reminding me of my junior high years when as emerging teenagers we played silly love games with eachother, fighting for eachother's hearts before we even really knew what true love was. Some were consistent in seeking out detrimental relationships, and by that I mean a relationship with someone where we knew the other person would hurt us again and again and again but hell, the good times were really good, right? My guess is probably not so much. We learn to shield ourselves from the hurt. Some move on. On again, off again really can't last forever because it hurts too damn bad.

Their relationship is at standstill right now. Mom clearly is affected by the loss of the relationship as it was, but she has some things to work out on her own. If she is able to do those things before giving in to the comfort of dependency then she stands a chance of getting back on her own two feet. If the other man is by her side through it, I may even have a shred of respect to spare for all he's put up with. She needs to realize that she comes first and I'm hoping my Grandma will help her remember this, then she needs to redefine the relationships in her life including, but not limited to, those with her children and grandchildren.

We're all going to be here to celebrate when it happens. I might even break out the cookie sheet.

The Minnow and the High Dive

He was not the youngest but he was the runt of the Minnows beginning swim class. While many of the Minnows stuck out half way above the water in the deep end of the kiddie pool, Weston was up to his armpits. He stood a measly 3 feet, 6 inches tall. In fact, he'd always been on the small side, following the 5th percentile growth curve for most of his life. He caused his Mother to worry and fret constantly about how much he was eating. Here though, frolicking in the highly chlorinated public pool water, it was not size that mattered, it was heart. And that he had indeed.

The Minnows swim class was to end after 2 weeks of daily swim sessions. The last day was deemed Friday Fun Day. With guidance from an instructor, the Minnows could visit the big pool and even attempt the diving boards. Little Weston had his heart set on the high dive. He'd mastered going underwater and bobs and even the ominous back float. Today was the day he would jump off the high dive.

He donned a smiley-face-yellow life jacket. First, his instructor stood on the lower diving board and assisted as 2 Minnows gave it a try. Weston sprung off the edge and splashed into the shimmering water. But he craved more. The little man was scared of no thing and was bound and determined to show that to everyone at the pool. No other Minnow thought to attempt such a daring feat as the high dive. They looked on in awe from the kiddie pool.

His little hands pulled his little body up rung by rung. He grinned at the top. Here he was on top of the world! Here is where he towered over the people. Without hesitation, Weston marched forward. He took one look over the edge and where most Minnows might pause with fear, he plunged over the end of the board and made a not-so-small splash in the water below. His eyes gleamed with pleasure as he swam to the side. He'd done it! He was the only minnow to conquer the high dive.

We're so proud of the kid. He's feisty and fearless. If people tell him what he can't do, it motivates him to try harder. Always remember my little Minnow, look before you leap but when the water's nice you jump right in and show 'em how it's done!