CELL PHONES, A CAUTIONARY TALE

I sure hope my sweet baby sitter does not mind my sharing this here...I will not use her name to keep her unidentified and will also add that I have 4 of the best babysitters a mom could ask for that run to the rescue for me all the time now (where were you 4 years ago???). I talked to one yesterday who is sitting for us tonight (got DH tickets to Stomp for his birthday last week). She sounded like she was crying, so I, who loves her babysitters to no end, asked what was wrong. She asked me if another sitter had called. Nope. So she told me.

She was on her way to babysit for another couple (this girl is NONSTOP I tell you) and got lost (my mind went a million miles as to what COULD have happened) and she called her parents on the cell phone (she has a hands free set, so this SHOULD be safe, right?) and while trying to figure out where she was, nosed into traffic and in a split second it happened. She hit a man on a motorcycle.

This, thank God, was not as horrible as it seems. The man was intelligent enough to be wearing jeans, leather jacket and a good helmet (as opposed to the guy I saw on the interstate wearing nothing but overalls, no shirt, no helmet and really not even shoes), she was going at the speed of a slug and God was her co-pilot. Yes, I know that sounds so darned cheesy, but it's true. In fact, her Jesus vanity license plate was the only thing that was "injured" in the crash. The bike was a bit scratched up and the driver scraped his knee, but all were OKAY! What a relief. My sitters mom and dad were there in minutes and the police officer was a Christian man too. He looked at our sitter holding her Jesus license plate and said "is that yours?" When she answered yes he said "you know that is what saved you both don't you?". She totally agreed. (see I told you I have a great babysitter).

SO my cautionary tale is this...even though cell phones are (gulp) necessary in today's world, please don't drive and talk. In a split second 2 lives could have been taken on a dark road in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee on Friday, but by the grace of God they are both okay. I warned my precious sitter that next time, please pull over and call her parents. She said her dad said the same thing. A person talking on a cell phone has a 4 times HIGHER chance of getting in an accident than a DRUNK DRIVER. So please, Hang up and Drive.

On Cabbages and Kings

Get used to the blog in big print, I think I need new glasses. Sad but true.

If you know Alice in Wonderland you get my title..if not, sorry, I'm totally random today.

What is it about kids and bathrooms? MB is very fond of playing in the bathroom (behold the power of water splashing all over the bathroom...dear boy, how on earth did you get the back of the door wet??) Well, today, while I was working I hear MB in the bathroom. He comes out asking to brush his teeth, so I give him the bubble gum toothpaste and his dolphin brush and send him off....

a short while later, while holding by bladder longer than any human should after drinking 3-1/2 cups of coffee and I run to the bathroom....but wait....the door is LOCKED and there is nobody in there. I hear you laughing and urging me to use the master bathroom right? Sure, if we HAD another bathroom. We are stuck w/only 1 bathroom and MB locked and then shut the door. I am happy to say I called daddy at work and asked him how to jimmy the lock and I am potty accident free! LOL...kids. I have now forbidden MB to lock the door which means he will lock it again later today. *sigh*

On a WILD (and just to prove how sick I really am) note, I found BACON bandages. LOL...it's a Band-Aid that looks like bacon. It cracks me up. I really want to get them for MB, but they are a bit pricy. This site http://www.mcphee.com/index.html has a lot of goofy, over the top stocking stuffers I can't wait to get for DH and the boys. LOL>...maybe my stocking will be filled with bacon bandages. It's sick but too funny. They also have a bacon air freshener, but it really smells like bacon and that is just TOO much temptation. At least the band-aids are not greasy or scented. Who thinks this stuff up? I want that job.

MOPs is on Friday and today MB tells me he has a headache. He's been telling me this all morning, so now I know it is real. I gave him some Tylenol about 30 minutes ago and he tells me it is gone now, but MOPs is Friday and I'm in charge of the kiddos. What, pray tell, am I going to do if he is sick? I'm IN CHARGE....
How did I know this would happen.

I know I wanted to tell you more, but worries for the folks in Texas has overshadowed my brain today (not that it was not a bit addled anyway), so I will let you go now.
Here's to hoping Rita mellows out a bit before she gets any closer....

Oh these kids...

1 laptop computer full of educational games ......$750.
1 room full of Little People and other imagination inspiring play toys... $500
1 Geo Trax train set w/about 12 expansion packs ....somwhere in the neighborhood of $300.

1 4-year-old kid who would rather play with Pringles cans at the kitchen table.....Priceless.

Bush and Louisiana and Sheer Stupidity

I read the news everyday and I am really beginning to wonder why. For those of you who are hoping this post is designed to blast President Bush, turn away now, it is not going to happen here. While I may not agree with all that the man does, I voted for him and I respect him and will honor his decisions (though I do not always agree with what or why he is doing them). That being said, I read today with great disdain that the Mayor of New Orleans is pushing to have 1/3 of Louisiana's people back at home by mid week...despite warnings of a new hurricane headed for the Keys of Florida that could dump heavy rains on the already strained levee system in La. My question, Mr. Mayor McCheese is why? Are you so desperate to look like some kind of hero in this whole Katrina debacle that you are again willing to risk the lives of your citizens?

You read me right... a GREAT portion of the debacle is YOUR fault. The buses you used to ship people to the dome...why were they not used to get them out of the city? The dozens upon dozens of school and MT buses that were found floating....floating in the mire were not utilized to MOVE people out of harms way. Why? Simple things that could have gotten a lot of people out faster than stranding them in your own Thunderdome. Yes, I understand that people are silly and think they can ride anything out in simple structures of nails and wood and the occasional brick but you are just as responsible for not utilizing your own resources to get people out of there. Hindsight is 20/20 isn't it.

But wait, there is more. This Mayor McCheese is now COMPLAINING that Bush's FEMA director has set himself up as "the federal mayor of New Orleans". What are you complaining about. They are telling you not to bring people back too quickly because the INFRASTRUCTURE can NOT handle the PRESSURE too quickly. The power grid is not totally back up, the HOSPITALS are not open or are destroyed or are not federally regulated because they can not be ready yet, but they will open where they can because they MUST if you are letting people back in. You are risking lives of the medical workers as well as potential patients by opening too soon. The stores are not open or cleaned. The water...is NOT ready for the demand it will face. AND THE LEVEES are NOT ready to handle a bunch of rain...which you may very well get if you don't get hurricane force winds. FEMA does not want to be mayor, the PRESIDENT has warned you that you do what you are doing at your own judgment and peril.

I really do understand people want and need to get back and assess what it will take to return to "normal" though I am not sure their normal will ever be the same again (it never is after a tragedy) but bringing them back too soon to boost your own ego and chances of "re-election" is stupid and down right dangerous. And I hope, for the sake of those who believe you and return, that they are not the ones to bear the brunt of your ignorance and short sightedness.

Oh, and ex-president Clinton, GIVE IT A REST. Blaming President Bush for the poverty and lack of a disaster plan in Louisiana is like blaming Chelsea that you are her father. She can't help what she had nothing to do with. President Bush is not responsible for every state to have a workable disaster plan. There are guidelines in place and if a state chooses to not drill or make sure their plan works, it is NOT the president's fault. Would it have been your fault if it happened on your watch? You would have been blubbering with the people in the dome but it still would have happened and you still would have had to wake the National Guard and that still would have taken days and days.

I am so sorry for the people of Louisiana who are struggling through this, but please don't rush back into danger. Please listen to the president and FEMA and wait just a bit longer to be sure you will be as safe as possible when you do return. Your meager items left behind, though important and sentimental are NOT worth your life. Your life is your life. Live it responsibly.

A little pepper in there for ya......

I was going to say potpourri, but I know guys read this too. Hehehe.. This one is all over the place updates:

Andrew and Amy: They got to go home from the hospital this morning. Andrew definitely has severe obstructive sleep apnea and has to be on oxygen at night. The good news is that all he needs is his tonsils and adnoids taken out at this point. He will probably also have a G-tube placed so that he can get rid of his NG tube (and we all know how much I hate, detest, despise, and abhor the NG tube in any face for more than 3 months. MB had his for over 2 years and Andrew has had his since he was 2 months old (he's over 2 years w/it now too). So the G-tube will help him eat, talk, etc. and it will be a good thing. I will let you know when they are ready to do that so those who pray can pray for one of my favorite little men.

MB thought of the day: Not really a though for today, but he sure did crack me up with it. In my attempt to raise a logical, linear thinking, self sufficient male, I told MB to turn the light on in his room using the kitchen broom (actually, his toy broom, he loves to sweep what can I say) but he uses my kitchen broom (sadly, probably more than I) and now has dubbed it the "turn on the light 6000" and every time he uses it to turn on the light he THANKS ME for inventing my "turn on the light 6000". This kid is going to make me wet my pants laughing one of these days.

Gila Monster Spit (aka Byetta): Well, finally, I don't get totally sick when I use it. It took a week. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, I'm not sure yet) I can now eat more than when I first started taking it. See, even the magic bullet requires discipline on my part. Nothing is ever easy is it. LOL.

My Scale: My bathroom scale is now officially smoking dope. It says that MB weights 51 pounds. Yeah, with a brick hanging down his back. MB weighed 35 pounds (almost 36) at his doc visit last Thursday....so if he suddenly gained that much weight I'd wonder where he is stashing the brownies and why his pants still fall off. That being said, my weight, according to the drugged out scale, is down 52 pounds. LOL. I guess I will just stay off of it and wait till I get to the doc at the end of the month.

TOYS: Hey, I guess I shouldn't just put it out there, but I'm gonna. Discovery Toys is collecting for hurricane relief. For every dollar donated to the Red Cross through Discovery Toys, we will donate $5 in toys to schools (preschools and public and private schools) in the affected areas. If you want to donate and you know my email, email me and we will work it out. And of course, if you want to do a catalog party for Christmas, we can work that out too.

I'm sure there is more I meant to update you on, but I'm tired, just cleaned out the fridge and need to do dishes and because my chicken is not thawed in time...Chinese is on the way (I did veggie lo mien, thanks for asking!)

Things I never knew about butterflies

We had some overdue books and videos (only 1 day, no fee baby!!!) so though we need gas and are budgeting it carefully, I had to venture to the library today. It's a nice day in Tennessee, sunny and only hovering around 90, not horribly humid but not great window weather. All in all a pretty day.

We get to the library and since MB is suffering from run-across-a-parking-lotitis and I really don't want to spank him (that is a spanking offense in our house) we park next to the building thus no lot to cross to get to the library.

The Horticulture Club of our town does a FANTASTIC job of keeping the library beautiful (maybe I should join so I could learn how to plant a garden, flower or otherwise). The Marigolds are out in full bloom right now at the library and MB LOVES flowers (mostly to pick them, but generally to sniff them). We see a bunch of butterflies on the marigolds. MB asks to pick one. "no honey, those are for all of us to enjoy. Aren't they pretty". "Yes momma" is the awed reply I get. "Will the butterflies be here when we leave?" "I don't know baby, we'll see".

We go pick out new videos and books and head out about 30 minutes later.

The butterflies, alas, have gone. The funny conversation goes like this:
"Mommy, where did the butterflies all go?".
"I don't know sweetie, but if you want to smell the flowers go ahead.".
"Mommy, I can't sniff the flowers!" (insert stop of foot here).
"Why not hunny?"
"The butterflies POOPIED on them!" (turns in disgust and walks away)

I swear, where does this kid come up with this stuff?????

GILA moster spit update

I'm down 100 pounds already! LOL..not really, but I bet it's about 10 pounds. Here are a few answers to crazy things...
1. No, it does not glow green. Though I'd probably like that better, at least it would be my favorite color!
2. It is a shot, I have no idea what it tastes like (unless you count the reflux it causes...it tastes like acid then. ROFLOL and munching Tums).
3. I am gonna guess I have lost about 10 pounds total now because my clothes fit better already and 1 of my 3 chins is gone.
4. I eat about as much as my 4 year old. Any more and I either get wicked diarrhea or a stomach ache that would down a horse. MB actually ate more than me yesterday.
5. I really have NO desire to eat and wish the nausea would let up a bit already (it is supposed to let up soon).
6. No, I'm not anorexic, I'm learing to be careful about what and how much I eat.

I go back to my doc at the end of the month for an update. I feel tired when I feel sick, but other than that, this really has been great. I got a few bruises from the injection, but now I'm shotting in my arm and the needle is so small I don't even feel it...but I know it works because I feel queezy like I ate too much all the time. This is supposed to fade...right.....

any other Gila Moster Spit questions out there....

Oh, I found out that it is a Type 2 diabetes medication so I got to get rid of 1 of those for this. The drug's name, for those who care, is Byetta.
This, along with sensible eating and exercising as tolerated, seems like a good deal for me.
I will updae you when I see my doc again.

Prayers for a special boy

I covet your prayers for a dear little friend of ours. His name is Andrew and he is one amazing kid. His mom, Amy, is amazing as well. MB and I met Andrew in nephrology clinic a few years ago. Andrew, like MB, was born in renal failure and was on dialysis and had an NG tube. Unlike MB, Andrew has some other complications, one in particular called Prune Belly Syndrome. Basically he has no stomach muscles. (He's the cutest little Buddha belly you ever did see!). Kids with PBS don't usually live to see 2, but Andrew has. This kid, as I said, is remarkable. He has been, however, scaring the begeebies out of us for some time now.

I was blessed to be able to help Amy through the dialysis at home, giving her hints about the NG tube and trying to get the kiddos to eat and prayed with her through the transplant (she gave Andrew a kidney last August). We have laughed, cried and complained to one another from the first time I called her to just check in till today.

MB has doctor visits once per month to make sure his kidney (Given by his daddy 3 years ago in August and doing great) is working well, and it is. But because I know Amy and Andrew so well, I can always ask about them and I have permission to get information (thanks Amy). So when we went to the doc on Thursday we found out Andrew was in. In the last 3 months I think Andrew has been out of the hospital maybe 3 weeks total. It is NOT easy to be a hospital mom with a kid that is regularly inpatient (thankfully, and by the grace of God, MB has not been in for about 2 years now I think, maybe one short dehydration visit last winter, but I really can't remember, but before that, we LIVED at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital). SO we went to visit Amy and Andrew after MB's visit.

Andrew LIT UP when MB walked in the room. He can not talk, but he about jumped out of crib when he saw MB. He LOOOOOVVES MB. We bring treats. LOL. He blows kisses to MB and holds hands and hugs him. Awesome stuff.

The prayers for Andrew come in because the last 3 visits to VCH have been because of severe breathing (and one blue baby) incidents. Poor Amy is about at her end of herself (focus on the good stuff girl...the good stuff). They told her yesterday that 2 docs have now walked in on Andrew during sleep apnea events...of the severe nature. They are doing some tests on him and will probably have to do surgery. He also has some reflux issues causing, they believe, fluid aspiration in his lungs (when he has reflux, instead of going back down, it's going in his lungs, not good..causes pneumonia). So he's a sick little boy right now. They are talking about doing 3 potential surgeries on this little guy. Amy is sick, as any mom would be.

SO I ask for prayers for this very precious little guy who has an AMAZING will to live. The surgeries are dangerous because he is immunosuppressed to keep the kidney functioning. These kiddos (mine included) are a heck of a lot more fragile than they appear.

Pray the docs will lead Amy in the right direction.
Pray Amy will KNOW what is right for her son.
Pray Andrew will continue to fight.

Amy was supposed to meet another mom with Prune Belly Syndrome that is 12 years old, but she left before Amy got there. If you know of anybody else who's child has this, please message me if they are willing to talk to Amy. It is through comfort of others in the same situation we find our strength. I sure do appreciate it. And thanks for the prayers.

Gila monster spit.

I have decided to take a detour in my quest to get rid, literally, of half of me. As I posted earlier in my blog, I have been considering gastric bypass as a way to lose weight. Do I think this would be easy...nope. I'm not that naive. But I'm also, it seems, a giant chicken. I have a bad feeling about me and GB and have since I started considering it 5 years ago. I know to lose weight takes discipline and desire 90% the former and 10% the latter. If it were all desire I'd weigh 120 to 150 by now. But I don't. And I am not a happy camper where I am. I can't do simple stuff anymore, but I digress.

Today I started on a new medication. . . Basically it is a chemical in the spit of a Gila monster. Yes, the lizard. It is an injection (just like an insulin injection from the pen for those who have done that) that you take 15 min. before breakfast (or first meal of the day) and 15 min. before dinner. I started it with dinner. I was told the only side effect is nausea. I am thankful that is not what I have experienced. BUT, it does make you feel, rather uncomfortably, full. Like you already ate too much. It is a hormone that re-stimulates the hormone my compulsive over eating has destroyed. The key is to eat till you are full...which did not take long.

We had spaghetti for dinner tonight. I ate less than the 4 year old, which oddly has been my theory all along. If I could eat as much as my 4 year old eats, I would be thinner.

I am VERY Careful when it comes to this kind of stuff. I tried Meridia before, and though it worked, I had some pretty uncomfortable side effects and stopped it immediately. I will do the same again, believe me.

Tonight, I have some hope. I did find out at the docs office that I am 6 pounds lighter than I was 2 weeks ago, so that's a good thing. I have also begun exercises as much as my body will allow first thing in the morning. I know it is going to take time. I have to do this. Thank you for participating in my adventures in weight loss. I would post current weight here, but shame prohibits me from doing that right now. Just know, it's gonna get lower.

What is in a kiss?

I have to tell you, one of the things that I totally LOVE about being a mommy is the accidents. Not the "I didn't make it to the potty on time" accidents, but the "I was running without my glasses on even though you must tell me 12 times a day not to run in the house and because I have no dept perception I rammed into the wall and hit the vacuum cleaner and pinched my finger so now I'm squealing like a piglet being chased by a rabid goose...kiss my finger and make it better" accidents.

Yes, that is the kind of kiss I am talking about. I think I am going to go through some kind of mommy depression when MB gets too old for me to just tickle-kiss wrestle with or when my smootch can make that same smashed finger FINE again. I have administered kisses over Bugs Bunny Band-Aids that magically heal cuts. I have given kisses to a walloped head and made bumps the size of Everest disappear. I have dotted kisses around the nape of a neck and had somebody, mid-hissy-fit break out in laughter and our little line of "mommy can you stop kissing me now?" to which I am obliged to reply NEVAAAAA and dot more smootches around said nape stop the fit cold...well, squiggly and wiggly cold.

What is it exactly that is in that kiss?

In a word. (okay, 2) Unconditional LOVE.

MB knows (I hope) and I am definitely sure there is nothing in a kiss but LOVE and love heals all wounds (well, love, time and sometimes antibiotic ointment). But LOVE tells you that though you didn't listen and ran in the house and whacked the crap out of your hand, you are still loved.

If you did not know that love as a child, I hope you find it in life. If you administer magic smootches, LOVE IT NOW...as the step mom of a 12 and 10 year old, unfortunately the magic does not last, they don't want a smootch.....*sigh*......they want a big ole BEAR HUG.

And as an adult, I LONG to hear a random I love you from my parents still. And sometimes I get one and I didn't even have to whack my hand to get it.

What in the blazes is wrong witth these people

I can not believe what I am reading today now that the NG is getting into the currently "empty" dome. Look, I know it was rough, but WHY IN THE HELL is there a 7 year old girl dead in a refrigerator with her throat slashed. NO hurricane did that, some piece of work who thought somebody owed him/her something did that. OMG...I can not even begin to imagine how the parents would feel. I would die if that happened to my child. What kind of monsters were in the dome? There is NO WAY anybody can blame THAT on President Bush. That is a crime of ignorance and self absorbed animalism that came on somebody LONG before the hurricane.

I am sick to my stomach as I type this and in tears. If this is the future of our society that seems hellbent on teaching situational ethics and well as narsicicism I really fear for the future of my MB and all the other kiddos coming up behind him.

As if the tragedy of the hurricane were not enough in and of itself, why must men (the universal mankind, but I see no KIND in this situation) insist on making it worse.

I think I need to focus on Mississippi where the whole city was destroyed but no 7 year old girls were found murdered in a fridge, where people are going out of their way to HELP one another not hurt, riot and loot.

Mississippi, my heart goes out to you. To most of Louisiana, what the heck were you thinking. (please note I said MOST).

The innocence of children

Every night at 9:30p I have to give MB medicine. He is usually asleep when I do this. A whisper of "it's mommy" and he opens his mouth and takes his meds without a fight. I don't know what it is about a sleeping child but I have to kiss that angelic face. All sweaty and shiny (the kid sleeps in a 'cave' of blankets, none of which cover him, but surround him on his lower bunk bed like a cocoon). He usually does not wake up when I kiss him. I can not resist the secret kiss between me and God and my precious boy. He does not remember them...I will never forget them. The innocence. The trust. The sheer love.

I am amazed and awed when I think that GOD himself loves to look upon me while I sleep and is filled with such joy for me as well.

God looks down on all of us with the wonder, joy and concern we look at our kids with, and we look at our world with. Even when we have had a bad day, God still loves us and rejoices that we are his creation, fashioned in his image, for HIS glory, to honor and love Him back.

Just like MB sleeping in his cave.

I wonder if God leans over and kisses us and we just don't remember in the morning.

Katrina and other musings..

I am trying to wrap my brain around what is going on costally in LA, MI and AL, but honestly, my brain is not big enough. I have engineering ideas I have no clue how to share to stop the water from flowing in, I am sickened by the animalistic nature that has shown in so many of my fellow human beings and praying there are even subtle acts of kindness and compassion happening that are just not "news worthy" (and shame on the news people for not showing that too). I ponder why water and food were not immediately flown to the stadium where people were trying to have some sort of life while waiting to see what to do next. I am perplexed that our country has forgotten to teach our young men that it IS appropriate that women and children go first and sad that women, in a desperate attempt to be considered "equal" to men, didn't remind men that women and children go first. (again, a blog for another time. Ladies, the world will never see us as equals. They may play like they do, but they will never pay like they do).

The other thing that had me freaked today is the fact that gas in Tennessee is $3 per gallon and guaranteed to go up. After going to 3 gas stations to FIND gas this morning My DH payed $25 for a little less than 1/2 tank of gas, a tank is about what he uses to go back and forth to work in a week, folx, thats $200 per month for gas for 1 vehicle. $200!!!! I don't know about you, but I surly can not afford that. MB does not go to day care because we can not afford the $120 per week for that. Thank goodness I telecommute to my job....but every now and then even I have to go to a doc appointment with MB or myself...and that is all we are going out for now.

BUT...I have a memory...I remember the 70's with Carter as president, an oil crisis, LOOOOONG lines for gas and then being told when we were 3rd in line the station was out of gas. Rising prices for everything and recession.

Is this the market correction we have been waiting for for several years now? I don't know, but we have made it through such crises before and we, the USA will make it through again.

I will do what I can for the gulf coast, including donating blood and whatever else I can spare.
And I will be home for a while because I just can not afford to go anywhere for now.

BUT MOST OF ALL, I will pray because I KNOW who holds the future, and it is worth the living just because He lives.

OH, the perfect ringer to my day...the Rat is dead.

No, tis not a real rat, it's actually MB's hamster. Yes, I did not like the thing, but I took care of it anyway for the sake of MB. Lately it was smelling a bit more than usual, but it's been warm...ratsters smell pretty funky anyway...right.

Well, apparently not. I have trained myself to ignore the sounds of the hamster in his cage, Hammie was his name, by the way. I realized after settling down in my horrible day only to think..hmmmm haven't heard from Hammie at all today. Then it's time to put MB to bed and we happen by Hammie's cage. I did not see him, so I opened the cage, a sound the usually elicits said vermin to the front of the cage for a pumpkin seed treat. Not tonight I'm afraid.
MB is standing right next to me but decides to runn oft. He drinks his juice not 5 feet from dead Hammie and heads obliviously off to bed.

I thought about what to do. Throw the "rat" away and leave the cage open and say Hammire ran off? Just clean it all up and play like Hammie escaped? Get a new hamster (at 9pm on a Tuesday?) before Sam noticed the dead Hammie? We opted for the cold hard truth.

We had to break his peace and his heart and tell him Hammie was dead. This is the first death MB has had to deal with (thankfully) but still. He cried for 30 heart breaking minutes. I tell you what, I didn't like the hamster but to see MB cry like that broke my heart and had me considering mouth to mouth on the "probably been dead all day rate in a cage". 4 should not know that pain.

I think I have him convinced to pray about our next pet. He told dead Hammie that he wanted a hermit crab and a smaller dog that will not die. Oh the innocence of youth.

Maybe someday little boy, but mommy can not handle to watch your heart break again, so no HERMIT CRAB and we will see some day about a small puppy.

When all He** breaks loose

I don't know if it is the weather, hormones, or just a wickedly bad day, but today is probably one of the worst days EVER for me. Seriously bad. It blew in with the hurricane last night, which I am happy to say for us, did nothing but spit some rain on our house, cause a temporary power out (very temporary) and blow a lot of warm air around (a lot like political debate, eventually somebody gets burned).

I started out reading a friend's enthusiastic blog (see Tracy at right here) and agreed wholeheartedly with what was said. I walked into my day happy to be alive and full of vibrant tiredness (yes, we stayed up too late watching Troy, then the weather radio went off at almost 2 and then I had to get up at 5:30a). Tired, but nothing I have not handled before really. I log into work and start typing while half listening the the gut wrenching news from Louisiana and Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama. Wow, I am lucky.

Then my computer will not log into work. (you see, I get paid to type...no typing, no money, no money, no house, car, food, you get the point). So I reboot the computer and try again. Now I log in and start typing (15 minutes later than I should be there). I type a job, a good LONG job and I can not save it to the system. Frantically I call and the problem is on their end. I will, (because I am impatient and hit lots of buttons trying to force the save) have to re-boot again and they will send me the last saved version of my file. Okay....my bad. Half the job is gone and I have to type it again (feel the frustration level rising).

Then MB has a playdate set. We were expecting bad storms ala hurricane Katrina this afternoon so I call N's mom to see if she still wants MB there (he kind of freaks w/loud thunder). Sure. So MB goes to N's house to play. I stop work about 20 minutes before I am supposed to so I can drive him across town to N's house. I head back home thinking I can get some work done. Work slams me into the OBNOXIOUS Hospital to type and I get to do discharge summaries all day. No big deal really, they usually boost line count...unless you get the Horse Whisperer. He is a PA or NP (not sure which, physician assistant or nurse practicioner). The guy whispers his dictations like he is some secret agent and somebody is going to know who/what he is dictating and that would be agains HIPAA regulations. So I'm typing horse whisperer and the power goes out. NOOoooooOOooooo. The cries could be heard across the country if you listened at 11:30 am central time today. No, it was not a mouse in your basement caught in a trap, it was me yelling about losing yet ANOTHER job today.

At that point I figure I'm due some lunch and a cat nap....then, behold the Horizontal alarm goes off. If you missed that post, it is the alarm that goes off in somebody's head while I'm sleeping that "Hey, now would be a good time to call MommaRia." The phone rings 5 minutes after I fall asleep. I get off the phone with DH and go back to sleep. The phone rings again..this time it's N's mom saying MB misses me and wants to come home. REEEEEAAALLY. the kid who tells me he's bored wants to come home. I wonder if N's mom tried to make him eat. SO I run get MB a few hours before I had planned/hoped.

We get home and I log back in to work and am still forced into that Hospital and typing the Horse Whisperer. I get into the swing of him (sort of) and things are looking okay to get a decent line count if I can just keep going. But no, that would be too easy. I'm into a 3:40 min/sec job and the phone rings. It's DH. We have a heated discussion on the phone and for a countless number of reasons including me flat out telling him I did not want to talk about IT now, but he pushed, so I Shoved. I am sorry for that. (sidebar...guys, when we say "I'd really not like to talk about this NOW and over the phone", please please, for the love of GOD believe us). I hung up on DH...no, not the nice way, I flat out hung up on DH. (again, honey, I'm sorry for the hang up, but you were supposed to be working and I was supposed to be working..it really was not the time to have that discussion).

Now I'm really in a bad mood...but wait, there is more.....

I am typing this 3 minute 40 second dictation which ends up being a 1-1/2 hour job. Yes, it took me 1-1/2 hours to type it because 1) it is the Horse Whisperer, 2) He is using a bunch of orthopedic phrases, not my specialty, 3) phone, 4) MB pulling me saying "you gotta see this", 5) my now upset stomach and a headache. All of the worlds combined to somehow make my computer do this anomaly thing where it deletes entire passages I have typed (only on work stuff though) and replaces it with a different passage. NOBODY knows why this happens, but it only seems to happen to me....*sigh*, but I lost the 1-1/2 hour job.....you heard me....LOST IT. In a perfect world (I hear you laughing, stop...you mock my pain!) there is a back up at the work's computer that they can recover for me. I know you ....you are smart enough to know even before I type it what happened next...don't you....yep, you're right. The back up was the anomaly one, not the one I spent 1-1/2 hours typing. Are you as sick as I am right now. I cried. I actually REALLY shed tears while on the phone with the tech guy from work. I was 100% the stereotypical woman and I LOST IT ON THE PHONE. Then I hung up, retyped what was lost and stopped working before I put a sledgehammer into the computer, the wall, yadda yadda.

This is the first time, apparently, that MB saw me cry. He was all "What's wrong momma?". I told him mommy was having a bad day. He told me he was having a bad day too. Then he insisted on making me watch Baby Einstein while I tried to cook dinner to "make my day better. It's amazing how they help you get over the bad days.

A few baby Einstein minutes later dinner was ready and I had zerberted his tummy and my favorite spot on the back of his neck and felt better.

I realize though my day sucked cheezedoodles, I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a house tonight, a bed, a husband and a son who makes me laugh. I am not 100% okay yet, but you know what....I will be. When you have done all else...Stand. I'm still standing...bruised, battered and feeling like a jerk, but standing.

The Weight of the WEIGHT issue

Well, it has now come to my attention that our insurance company will actually pay for gastric bypass surgery, you know, where they make your stomach the size of a cigar. Well, all of it except the anesthesiologist (apparently they don't cover this in any procedure as I'm still trying to pay one off after having my tubes tied a long time ago). So now the problem.

I have thought about this for years now, had several friends go through the procedure with great weight loss results (all but 1 has kept over 100 pounds off for years now), but all fraught with complications.

My "risks" and problems seem many in my mind and include:

1. What happens if I actually did NOT make it off the table. This is a potential side effect, albeit a wicked and permanent one. What would happen to MB and DH? All this because I'm fat?

2. What about the recovery time (as little as 2-4 weeks for 1 friend and as many as 2 to almost 3 months for another who had a pretty severe complicated infection afterward). No workie=no pay. I'm not sure we can lose my income for that period of time. In fact, I'm sure we can not.

3. Who will take care of me while healing from the surgery? Successful surgery = out of hospital in a few days. Then what? Who will take care of MB?

4. I already have a bad/weird relationship with food, what is going to happen when all I can do is sip water and eat 1/2 a cracker. According to 1 person, you throw up an awful lot if you eat something your body is not ready for. I can already not eat for a day at a time because I 'forget'. Will I plunge myself into a very real anorexic situation? Will I get freaked out by generally harmless food and make myself throw up all the time?

5. Why will an insurance company pay for GB (upward of $50,000 I am told) but not for a gym membership and a lifestyle coach to retrain a person?

I feel horribly selfish as I write these things. I am not sure gastric bypass is the option for me, but something has to happen. Praying has not helped (except to help me realize how weak and needy I really am), the conventional diets I have tried do not seem to help but for a short time and then I gain back what I lost and the additional "hey I failed here too" obligatory 10 pounds. I find myself seriously wondering about things like hypontism. I feel so helpless in this area. I know below several kind ppl said they would help, but you are scattered to the ends of the world since none of you live here and can make me get away from work and walk and put the pie down.

I hate feeling so confused and utterly out of control. Why is it I can help everybody else, but not myself? Sheesh, I can hear Dr. Phil now.

The Birthday Run Down

I know my birthday was a couple of days ago, but I just now finished it in my mind. Yes, now that I'm "old" (ROFLOL) it takes me a while to put it all together in the exercise yard if you know what I mean (if you don't it would take too long to explain).

It started out like any other birthday of mine...a series of BAD things. I started work at the usual 6am and MB decided it would be a good idea to get up at 6:30. NOOOOoooo. So we have that little battle. The night before the birthday was awesome. K in Virginia sent me burgers and potatoes and the first birthday cake since I was a kid that I did not have to bake myself. Yummy stuff too. MB decided that he wanted cake for breakfast, but after the cookout w/J and V the night before, there was no cake left for MB for breakfast (yes, I'm a terrible mother, we will go into that another time). So meltdown #1 of the day (MB, not me).

Then, back to work. Several computer glitches later and lost work (I get paid per line, so no lines no money...disappearing lines, no money).

We were supposed to get the new couch on Monday and I had 2 strapping young men here to move out the old one for me. It was like waiting for the cable guy. They will be there between 3 and 7, so I was told. 8:30 rolls around and WHERE is my couch? They don't have it on the truck and will deliver it on Tuesday (the actual day of birth for me). Alas, no strapping young men to help me. They call on Tuesday and will deliver it before 2. Yeah. okay, 2:30 I call. Um, probalby closer to 3. Sure, I'll buy that one. 3:45, here they are and then they decide to debate me on whether the couch will fit or not. Um...forgive me but it does not take a rocket scientist to MEASURE a space and a couch to make sure it will fit. I KNOW my house is small and not all furniture will fit so of COURSE we measured it. Then Dude cuts his arm on the way into the house and is now bleeding (oh please please please not on the new couch!!!).

I thought it was gonna be another one of "those" birthdays (as a child, it seemed that every year, on my birthday, my mom would go in the hospital. Yes, I know it was not on purpose, but why always MY birthday??? )

Karma? Kismet? Bad Luck? Who knows. But I was all prepared for another "bad one" (not only did I have to work all day but then I had a meeting for MOPS 30 mintues after I got off work, no rest for the weary).

But then the sun shone in. My friend V, who is no longer at my house,( see my whine about my houseguest leaving below) sent me a King Cake from Lousiana. LOL. We had talked about me always wanting to try one, so she sent me one for my birthday. MB, all wide eyed and full of awe after we decorated the cake, said "mommy, I want to eat that" and when I told him it was mommy's birthday cake, he promptly sang Happy Birthday to me and snarfed some cake. It was heaven. Both the cake and the song, silly.

The meeting was uneventful, DH got me 2 of the Willow Creek statues I wanted and overall, it was good, and at my age, what more could I ask for other than many more. LOL.

The Blob.

Do you remember the Baaaaaad B-rated sci fi movie The Blob? I still long to have a bad B-rated movie night and just watch them all, but today I lived the Blob first hand. I know this will probably tick a lot of people off, but this is my blog, don't like it, comment or leave.....anyway, my birthday is Tuesday and DH took me out to buy clothes because I need them and they make a great birthday gift. However, I did not bode so well in the store. I grabbed a few cute outfits that were on clearance and tried them on. I think I need a 3 way mirror in my kitchen because if I had to actually LOOK at myself before I ate, I probably would never eat again.

I am actually a combination of freaked and grossed at what I have become. I was/am a human blob. I know my husband loves me, I know my son adores me, I know my friends like me, but what happens when you don't like yourself? Where do I start to fix this? I feel like Fat B. from Austin Powers "I eat because I don't like myself and I don't like myself because I eat". This is a bitter pill and one I swallow a lot.

I guess I need to try to lose weight again. I really have to do something. This just can not be safe. If you know me, you know I am not a small girl by any means, but I'm the biggest I have ever been and can not stand this.

I am going to try to use this blog to help myself be accountable to somebody about this weight thing. I don't need to lose 1 pound, 10 pounds or 50 pounds, I really need to lose about 120 pounds. Seriously, and then there would still be weight to lose.

So, encouragement and ideas are appreciated. I have high blood pressure and borderline diabetes, and a nasty little arthritis problem, especially in my right ankle, so this does not make this journey easier.

I need some help...any out there?

She's gone home *sniff sniff*

Well after 2 weeks here at the Casa de Mi Familia, our V went home with her DH J. a few mintues ago. It was good to see J again, but I'm sad my V is gone. It's amazing how much she means to me. She, in her short time here at my house, was a wonderful houseguest. She never complained and was gracious in dealing with MB who can be a handful most of the time.

I'm glad she is better, but I will miss her face every day. *sigh*

Funny thing is, she and J will be back on Monday for doc visits and dinner (we promised him a grilled steak when he got home) and a small b-day celebration (thank you K in Virginia, you are AWESOME girl...thanks to you I don't have to make my own birthday cake).

We bawled when she left...it's like losing a limb. V-you are welcome back anytime...and the new couch comes Monday, so we will actually have a BED for our next visitors.

50 things about me (since even I can't think of 100) worth knowing.

I'm bored today and should be working, but I came to take a break and play.
Here are 50 things about me you do or do not know, I won't bore you to death with 100 things about me. LOL...
1. I think I'm pretty abnormal.
2. I LOVE being a mom but wish MB said MOMMY a little less.
3. I think coffee is a food group.
4. I let my 4 year old drink coffee from my cup (if I don't he steals it anyway).
5. I over extend myself all the time.
6. I rarely get more than 5 or 6 hours of sleep per night and it is usually interrupted.
7. I really want to sleep more.
8. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and DO NOT have a southern accent though I live in Tennessee now. (apparently that shocks people. LOL).
9. I miss Chicago a lot.
10. I have not had a vacation since my honeymoon 6 years ago and before that since 1988.
11. I LOVE cartoons and kids.
12. I hate working at home but don't see any way out of it.
13. I have a college degree in Radio, TV and Film.
15. I was a DJ for 18 years.
16. NO, I don't really miss it.
17. I would love to have more kids, but it is not happening.
18. My best friend lives in Bondville, Illinois and I miss her terribly.
19. I love to play with MB.
20. I wish DH and I would play more. We seem to have forgotten how to have fun together.
21. My birthday is Tuesday and today I'm worried because I think I forgot my MIL's birthday.
22. I live in perpetual pain, but try not to be a witch about it.
23. Ibuprofen is my friend *wink*.
24. I LOVE cooking but hate my kitchen.
25. I HATE doing dishes and laundry.
26. I would rather clean a bathroom than a kitchen.
27. No matter how hard I try, I can not bake chocolate chip cookies correctly, though I keep trying.
28. I HAVE to be taking care of something to feel useful in life.
29. I wish I had more time to attend a regular Bible study or could FIND one.
30. I love to be alone though I never am.
31. My favorite movie is the Princess Bride which I didn't even know about until my best friend told me about it when I was in my 20's.
32. I grew up on a "farm"...we raised Bees.
33. I think berries are God's gift to me.
34. We are growing our own pumpkins for Halloween this year.
35. I was in the honor society in high school.
36. I graduated from High School early because I was bored and wanted to go to college.
37. I worked for a CPA when I was 13 years old doing bookkeeping for businesses.
38. I hate math.
39. I dream of being the voice of a cartoon character.
40. I wish I were disciplined in my life.
41. I need a maid. LOL
42. Both of my parents are alive still and I still have 1 remaining grandmother, but she's a bit of a freak. (is that horrible to say?)
43. I really don't hate anybody. There are people I don't want to be around, but I don't hate them.
44. I wish the world was safer and I didn't have to worry about letting my MB go out to play.
45. I wish there were more little kiddos around our neighborhood.
46. I don't want to be the coordinator for Moppets starting next month but will do it anyway.
47. I love the color green, almost any shade.
48. I need more friends in this area.
49. I am really struggling with the area of home school versus public school.
50. I am so glad MB is my son, silliness and all, and that he is a fighter and is so brave.

UPDATE on the "H" bomb

Well, he did it again last night. He got mad and tired (no nap again) and started yelling that he hates me. But, (thank you Candy Cane...hehehe) I decided to use a different approach to the situation. Last night I picked his little butt up and made him change for bed (him yelling the whole time, me holding on to his shirt and pulling him back toward me when he decided he would run away and yell from the hallway) and tossed his little bottom on his bed, knelt down next to him, hugged him, prayed with him (him yelling the whole time) and kissed him again and told him every time he screamed I hate you at me that I did not care, I still loved him. After about 2 minutes of this, I got up and left his room...him still screaming at me. I turned on his Vivaldi, turned off his light and turned on the hall light (he likes to have it on when he goes to bed. Within in 2 minutes, it may have actually been less) MB was sound asleep. SOUND ASLEEP.

I sighed in relief and went about my night time chores.

This morning MB wakes up all hugs and giggles and tells me he loves me, over and over and over. Then he hugs me again and tells me..."mommy. I thought about last night. I was a bad boy, but you said you loved me. We prayed. I was a bad boy. I love you mommy".

I gave him our usual morning squeeze and told him that sometimes I don't like his behavior but I will ALWAYS love him.

Wow...what a morning...in a good way.

A poem for you written by me.

As a child I saw a bird.
It's wings were fresh and new,
it's desire, flight.
but it lay in the nest shaking,
too young to fly.

I saw the bird a second time.
A little older and wise in my own eyes.
It lay in the nest trembling
afraid to fly.

I saw the bird a final time
Wisdom clasping hands with age.
The bird that had never flown
simply died that way.

-end.

I hear you asking why here and why now? See my post about NOT making my little toy goal and that DH LET me buy toys for Christmas and some to sell (have a little stock on hand) but I am not sure I got the order in on time. I have so many dreams i'm afraid to shoot for right now (not toy related in the least) and I'm trying to work up the courage to try to fly. So I am publically reminding myself that I have got to try.

Nine 2 year olds

Before you think that this is a new addition to the partridge in a pear tree song, nope, I'm a preschool worker/volunteer at church and today, I had 9 2-year-olds, and a 10 year old helper and my 4 year old son masquerading as a helper. I think I need my head examined! LOL...

Let me back up. I attend (and am a member of) a medium sized church (Non traditional Baptist, if you KNOW me you KNOW how funny a mix THAT in itself is). This church obviously has an issue with volunteers, or lack there of. I do not work regularly in the nursery because MB gets sick a lot and I would hate to be the one who calls in every week b/c they can't make it for a sick kid. Since I could not totally commit, I am a sub. I get called literally every week to sub for either Sunday School (which I by no means consider myself a gifted teacher) or a service sub. Usually I say yes, like today.

I got there only to discover that the nursery thinks that if I am working they can naturally assume my DH is coming to help too. Ummmm...never agreed on that, I can not speak for my DH where and what he will do. Normally, he will stay with me (and we keep all the boys in there as helpers, age 4, 10 and 12 so it's pretty helpful...sort of) but today we had one of the older kiddos not feeling well, so it was me and the 4 and 10 year olds.

with 9, NINE, 2 year olds.

Ironically, this was not a problem. I know most of the kids from usually being placed in the "creepers/1's" room but they have all graduated to a bigger (thank you GOD) room with more toys and tables. WE colored. WE read books. WE picked up toys that were tossed out of the room. WE replaced the baby gate at the door every time somebody would pull it down.

But then the seventh level of Hades opened 5 minutes before service ends. I swear I am not lying when I say every child either had a potty accident, pooped or started screaming for their mom. I got a cup of apple juice spilled down my shirt and had one kid running about in his Nemo underwear because he dropped his shorts in the toilet while I was tending to the other kids.

Then my angel came in from the 3 year old room (where they had 3 kids and 2 workers) and changed poopies for me while I rocked the screamer.

I was never so happy to see parents as I was at that moment.

I'm home now and it's funny.....now.

SELLING TOYS

Nope. Didn't make my goal. Not even close. I did suggest to DH that I spend the $200 shortfall on toys I thought I could sell to get the money back he broke out in a fit of laughter.

So, no. I did not earn my kit and have to pay for it myself. I have to admit I'm feeling like a bit of a failure today.

Should I really be selling these toys? Is it worth it? (sigh) I think I will hang on through Christmas to see if it picks up.

Pet Peeves

Has somebody ever done something so annoying that it became a pet peeve for EVERYBODY else who would wonder into that territory? I consider myself (and maybe wrongly so) a very open minded individual (but not TOO open minded, LOL) and allow people their little odd/quirky ways because really, that is the spice of our life.

I have, however, found somebody's spice to be making me nuts. You all know by now that I am a medical transcriptionist that works from home. Not the best job in the world (read as
'can be as boring as a 5 hour lecture on a grain of sand') but it lets me stay home with MB and bring in some income. However, I will NEVER understand why docs feel it is okay to eat in my ears. This is gross. I think one today is actually chewing gum while with a patient. How do I know the patient is there? Well, he keeps talking to the patient while his is dictating ( something he does regularly) and then smacking his gum in my ears.

HOW HORRIBLY UNPROFESSIONAL!!!! to top it off, it is a new patient because this is a "thank you for your referral" letter.

I had one doc that like to eat crunchy things in my ears. I guess it grosses me out because 1)I'm typing at 6 in the morning and the last thing I want to hear first thing in the morning is somebody eating, chewing, belching or releasing gas directly in my ears. 2) It's gross. I have occasionally eaten while on the phone, but I know it is rude and apologize and STOP when I realize what I am doing.

I do understand that life is fast paced and sometimes it is necessary to multi-task, but if you are going to EAT while DICTATING Patient notes, dear physicians, please please please do not SMACK and CHOMP directly into the dictaphone. Pretend your wife/husband or MOTHER is listening to the conversation, would he/she be pleased.

I think not.

That is my complaint for the day.

I now return me to my regularly scheduled duties of typing for said chomper doc.

To spank or not to Spank......

Parenting presents new challenges to me all the time, but lately I am struck and stuck on discipline.

I tried the "hey I was hit a lot and hard as a kid and will NEVER do that to my child" approach. But now we present Mr. Sassy Pants.

So we tried the naughty rug. works sometimes (thanks The Nanny).

We tried time out, yeah, YOU try putting a hyper boy in a chair for 5 minutes.

I have spanked, I DO NOT and WILL NOT ever BEAT my child. That is no way to treat a human being (and why I struggle with the whole spanking thing in general).

So, any parenting tips on how to effectively discipline? I know consistency is important and I try to be persistent, and am for the most part, but man there is a LOT of whining and sassing at my house lately.

Help.

So, how DOES one sell $300 in toys in 2 days???

I realized today that I have 2 days, yes, TWO days to sell $300 in Discovery Toys to meet the expected/projected goal when I started (and earn my kit). I sure wish 2 parties had not been cancelled.

Anybody want to buy a toy?

They're nice toys, educational toys....well made...toys......yeah.

I wonder if I can do this?

Lizards, little boys and the "h" bomb.

The unbelievable happened today, and I have to say, only in my house. I was working at my computer, Sam was falling asleep in his Armadillo Shell (read as couch cushions over his head as he lays on the springs of the couch) and V was resting in the back bedroom. It was quiet, really, for a moment, quiet in my house. Then I saw it, out of the corner of my eye. I thought to myself, "great another mouse in the house". Tennessee is hot and anything with any sense is trying to get into a cooler building. But no, it was not a mouse, couldn't be that simple in my house...it was a lizard. I am so not kidding. It's cute, about 10 inches long tip to tail and it's a fast sucker. It got into the laundry room and under the washer before I could get it. I saw it again later and tried to catch it again but it got behind the pantry. So now I have a lizard in my house.

Back to armadillo boy....he decided not to take a nap today and was vile by 6:30, simply unruly. He did not get his way and screamed ...yes, my innocent beloved angel SCREAMED at me " I hate you. you go away to a meeting out of the house". OUCH. So I did the mommy thing and sent his little throbbing butt (yep, I spanked for that) to bed without supper. Well, I rethought that and he came out and had supper, bribing him to eat with $2 if he would clean his plate ( an easy win for us, if you have a 4 year old, you know what I mean). Well he decides I need to feed him (something I am not proud of but have done for too long) and he pitches a fit again when I tell him no that he is big enough to feed himself. SO the Hate you bomb drops again and again, it's off to bed. He comes out about 30 minutes later (I slipped into his room and dropped a Goodnights pull up on him) freaked out by the pull up and hungry, so I let him have a peanut butter sandwich. He thinks he's gonna get the $2 for that...um nope, that ship has already sailed big guy... and then we have a quiet discussion full of tears about how we don't tell mommy we hate her and wishing she is gone is not a good thing. What if I really left.

So Hubby and I have a loosely devised plan that next time MB has his "hate you" melt down...Mommy is leaving, then and there. DH asks we where I'm going. LOL...wouldn't you like to know. I'm just gonna go for a while to remind MB that mommy here is really a good thing.

Oh...the power of words. It actually hurt (and ticked me off ) that he would say that.

I probably need to change the name of my Blog

It seems I don't post about the guys at all, but me. LOL...I guess this is the only place I can be totally egocentric.

I'm happy today because it seems that we have somehow rung a big bell in the military. A General, yes, you read that right, GENERAL contacted the Family readiness Group in Wisconsin and asked what in the world is going on with our friend V and why is her soldier not home. Hehehee. I have a feeling we caused a little stir somewhere kicking in the water as we have and threatening to go to the media. V talked to the gal at the FRG in Wisconsin and she is reporting back to the General who our stick-in-the-sand is. I am so hopeful this means her J will be coming home soon.

I, honestly, will be sort of sad when he does. It is kind of nice having some estrogen in the house with me and somebody to take care of. I guess I'm sick that way, I need to be taking care of someone who appreciates it, and I know she does (though she probably thinks I'm nutso too).

We had all the boys this weekend so the house is full and about making ME crazy, so I know she's at her wits end too, but the brood goes back to their mom tomorrow and things will calm down to the usual amount of craziness. (And V can attest to anybody who wants to know, it's pretty crazy around here ALWAYS, but at least mutt and jeff will be out of the living room (V's bedroom I'm afraid). It's funny how boys don't think about a person's feelings, they run into the living room, turn on the TV, start the computer up and start yammering at V. The poor girl gets blindsided. I think she and J wanted a boy, but she may be praying when they finally do get pregnant that it will be a girl. LOL. I totally understand V, I totally understand, but I have to admit, I'm a mom of boys from the get go.

Today, pray with us that this is not just another nuisance but real help from the FRG and the General. I could kiss his stars!

Volunteering and MOPS

MOPS, for those who do not know, is Mothers Of Preschoolers International, an organization I Love, support and meetings I attend. Last year was actually the first year I attended for real, I "checked them out" for 2 meetings the year before. I LOVE it. Seriously. I felt relief as I walked in a room with over 40 women with kiddos age 0 to 5. I almost cried. I felt like I was the only mom in Middle Tennessee and it was awful. So I reveled in it.

Now, I think I need my head examined. LOL. They asked me (and I was flattered and honestly afraid) to be in charge of the kids program next year (read that as a school year, which means next month is the first meeting). It's called MOPPETs and it requires a LOT of work, work I am not sure I am ready for.

To date, I have 1 volunteer and NO teachers. I think we may be doing the 1 room school house thing and put all the kids in the hall for a movie.

I'm trying not to panic, but with my plate already overflowing I don't know HOW I'm supposed to find volunteers. NOBODY in the Volunteer state wants to help and I'm at my wits end. We are having a meeting tonight about paying the teachers I don't have at this point. It's my hope we will pay them so I can get somebody to help me.

What have I gotten myself into? *sigh*

HOUSTON, we have a BATHROOM FLOOR, almost.

hahahaa, I got you didn't I. Well the floor, while not technically done, is in and we can almost allow splashing in the tub again (and MB NEEDS a bath let me tell ya, I didn't think it was possible to have a 4 year old smell so badly. ROFLOL).

DH and I laid the tile last weekend and finished it up before our friend came to stay. The 2nd day she was here and "nagged" him about the bathroom sink, I got my sink back. We still need to put down the quarter round trim (apparently I'm painting it, DH is placing it) and seal the seam at the tub.

Then, my friends, after over a month, I will have my bathroom back!! DO you HEAR the angels singing??? I can finally brush my teeth in the bathroom where they should be brushed.

Hey, an added bonus, MB is now potty trained and OUT of diapers. He does wear a pull up for nap and bedtime but we are in our little Spongebob underwear. How wrong is it to think your kid is adorable in underwear. SOoooo happy to be DONE with Huggies. Time to move on to tidy whiteys or boxers...the choice is MB's. Oh, and he learned how to pee standing up.

If I have to hear Mommy, you stand to pee once more I'm gonna split a gut.

The Good Samaritan

I find myself in an odd place, somewhat perplexed really. Apparently some things I do out of a natural desire to help my fellow man makes me some kind of hero. Really I am not ready for any kind of adulation and find myself wondering if my normal response to another human's needs makes me "abnormal". Let me explain a little. You probably heard about our friend V that was hospitalized with a stroke/seizures. Well, she is about to come home from the hospital after an almost 3 week stay. Her 4-year-old daughter is with her grandma right now in another state and V's husband is in Iraq (and we are all doing everything we can to get him home, the sooner the better). V will not be able to drive for 8-10 months because of the seizures and should not be left alone. The only reasonable thing to do was bring her here to stay with us. No we are not family, other than being in the family of humans. We are friends. It is natural for me to do this. My mom protested yesterday and the beautiful women on our message board of mommies is so sweet in calling me a hero, an angel, etc. but I'm confused.

I guess for me, it all goes back to Vacation Bible School when I was about 11 years old. I went one day, seriously, one day, and they told the story of the Good Samaritan. Apparently I was so moved that I decided that THIS was how I wanted to live. Before I began a personal relationship with Jesus, my lifestyle motto was "don't let me catch you hurting kids, old people or animals and you won't get hurt". I still live by that credo, but less violently in my response. Use your imagination, you are probably right. I was pretty mean as a teenager.

Today, my response is the same but again, less violent. I believe God repays good for good. It is TOTALLY natural for me to do what I have done and will continue to do for my friend V (and, honestly, anybody else I could help). I do not do it for attention, for accolades or a title of hero. I do it because it is what I would hope somebody would do for me and to please the One who gave it all for me. I'm just giving it back.

So stop it you gals, you are embarrassing me. I don't know how to respond to your kind words and not sound full of myself or like a martyr...I am neither. I am doing what one human should do for another. I'm just trying to follow Christ's example and parable.

O How I hate to wait

I'm writing this covered in dust...but it's happy dust. I'm sanding the dry putty/filler from the bathroom floor today. I can wait no longer to have my bathroom put to right, so I'm doing it myself. I just wished DH had listened when I chimed over and over that when filling/puttying a floor, less is more. (I went through this before when I laid my mom's kitchen floor when I was 19. Long story, but if you pull up the tile, my brother and I did a wicked War of the Worlds scene on the sub-floor while we waited for dad to get back with the big industrial sander. Apparently my brother and I thought more was better...but I digress).

So today is day what, 30, 40, 50, I have lost count and I want my bathroom back. I have a 4 hour break to "clean, shop, tend to MB" in my day before I go back to work and today I'm sanding a floor and keeping MB away b/c there is a wicked amount of black dust flinging around the bathroom.

Why am I so impatient? I'm gonna pay for this in more than one way I'm sure.

Less you think Monkey Boy is neglected. I did play 2 games of Memory with him before I started...and I was letting him sweep the bathroom floor until he wacked me with the broom he was calling a vacuum and said "oops I vacuumed you mommy"...yeah, right in to head trauma cutie pie.

back to the sanding if I'm gonna get this done soon. Then all dh has to do is lay the latex primer, I will hit the tiles, (that is my speciality) and then he can install the sink tonight.

Could I really have a whole bathroom back by the end of today.

I can hope. or I can finish being impatient and make it so myself.

INTERVIEW ME (interviewed by Tamwill)

1. What was your biggest mistake? Majoring in Communications: Radio, TV and Film. I should have choosen something more productive...like M.D. or at least a nursing degree...or teacher. But NOOO I wanted to be in radio. LOL. The only other thing is I would like to have had children earlier so maybe I could have had more than 1 of my own.

2. What was your biggest embarrassing moment? When I was the M.C. for the Christopher Cross concert in Illinois and I was introducing the new morning show and gave the WRONG name of the new host. LOL...good thing it was only in from of 1200 people. *blush*. Or the time we were doing a contest on air and I said "Bambi the rabbit) not once, but TWICE, during the contest. Needles to say, that was embarassing.. actually, I'm always embarassing myself.

3. If you could be someone else who would that be? Pretty happy being myself, though I wish I were a thinner, healthier me (and wealthier me too).

4. If you could come back after death, what would you want to be? NO way. Once is enough. I know where I go when I shed this mortal coil, why in heaven would I want to come back here??

5. If you could pick your own name what would it be? I actually like my name. If I use a "fake name" for some reason I always say Lisa. Now that I have a SIL named Lisa, no more...gotta think fast enough for a new "fake name".

Ok you know the rules!! GO!

Just remember the rules now. And now, a reminder of the rules:1. Leave me a comment saying 'interview me please'

2. I will respond by asking you five questions here on my blog (not the same questions you see here)

3. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions

Shopping

I went shopping today. Not grocery shopping, but couch shopping. This is an event that TOTALLY freaks me out. I told my dear husband that I was feeling queasy as we packed up MB on the hottest day of the year and went shopping for a sofa sleeper and recliner. The sofa sleeper is for me because we give up our bed when our parents come to visit and sleep on the once VERY comfy couch and living room floor (or previous air mattress which has since deflated and refuses to be re-inflated). I'm too darn OLD to sleep on the floor and fighting over the couch is too much. We tried sleeping in SS#1's bed, but it was worse than sleeping on the floor. LOL..I hope it's not that bad for him.

So, with much frustration and temptation to barf, I went, screaming and kicking into a mall. JC Penny to be exact. From the website (yes, I tried to shop for a couch on the internet...bad idea, yes, I know) JC Penny seemed to have a wide variety on-line, so that is where we started....and where we ended.

I told DH that we would not buy the first thing we saw, but what did I do? I liked the first one I saw, and it was ON SALE!!! What woman who about pukes when it comes to shopping can resist a sale. The couch is for me. The recliner...all DH. He has begged me for a recliner since we got married 6 years ago. I finally let him have one. It was clearanced and matched the couch. The sofa sleeper is comfy, neutral in color and micro-fiber (read fairly easy to clean).

So we got them. Well, not really. The recliner DH will pick up after work tomorrow. I, however, have to wait over a month. Apparently they have to go kill a few trees and MAKE my couch (though the sales lady told me it was in stock). That's okay, no company, that I know of, between now and then.

So, without hyperventilating, we now have a couch and rocker/recliner. I'm exhausted and have a bit of buyers remorse (as I always do spending anything over $200 on anything) and am wondering if our age shows by the furniture we buy. This is a style my parents would buy. Am I becoming my mother (I ask myself rhetorically).

I will let you know how the couch sleeps....around the holidays. Is it too late to get that protective plastic stuff grandma used to have on her couch....where do you find it these days?

A NEW GAME OF TAG

Here are my answers, add yours or give me a link to your Blog if you have already done it.

What was I doing 10 years ago:
10 years ago I was watching my mother fight (and win) a battle with breast cancer. I worked for a Christian radio station in a multi-role position, playing with my best friends children in Illinois and figured I would be single for the rest of my life, and adjusting to that fact.

What was I doing 5 years ago:
Well, our 6 year anniversary is coming up, so I was getting adjusted to this thing called marriage, working part time for a light rock radio station in Tennessee and for a heating and air conditioning company. DH and I were looking for a house instead of the tiny duplex in a questionable neighborhood. And I was trying to be a good stepmother.

What was I doing 1 year ago:
Wow. Changing diapers on my then 3 year old, rejoicing that he is alive and such a smart thing. Wondering how we would pay the bills. Thinking "I have to get a different job".

Yesterday:
Dreaming of a nap, any nap...horizontal is gooooooood. Trying to figure out what to cook for dinner and why I am so cold when DH complains he is hot. Trying also to figure out how you motivate a man to help around the house. Ha!

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Ice Cream, generally coffee flavored or chocolate w/chocolate and more chocolate.
2. pie....I love PIE. go figure.
3. Coffee...hey to those of us who love it, yes it is a snack.
4. Ginee's chocolate chip cookies...can I get a care package???
5. Fresh fruit...blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, yummmmm

5 songs I know all the words to:
Working in radio for 15+ and considering all music poetry with background sounds, I have an unfair advantage.
1. Dear Friends by Charlie Peacock.
2. I want to be a Clone by Steve Taylor
3. All and any Daniel Amos songs
4. Pretty much any Margaret Becker song.
5. Most pop/light rock songs.

5 things I'd do with $100 million:
1. Tithe.
2. buy (pay cash) for a bigger house with 2 side houses on opposite sides of the property for my parents and my DH's parents.
3. Buy houses for our family.
4. Set up a fund for educational scholarships.
5. 3 words, National Kidney Foundation! (if they'd use it for pediatric research).

5 locations I'd run away to:
Wow, if I answer this then disappear are you gonna go looking for me here?
1. California (big state, good luck finding me)
2. England.
3. Italy.
4. Illinois (yep, I'd be at your house eating cookies Ginee ;-) )
5. Ireland.

5 bad habits:
Bad habits, me???
1. Over eating.
2. Under exercising.
3. Never sleeping.
4. Coffee.
5. Expecting too much.

5 things I like doing:
1. Sleeping.
2. Swimming.
3. Playing with Monkey Boy.
4. Hanging out w/other moms
5. Taking care of people.

5 thinks I'd never wear:
1. a binkni. I'd be arrested!
2. short shorts.
3. a collar and leash...get over it kids, it's not cute- it's sick.
4. a vial of blood around my neck ala angelina jolie.
5. open toed sandels.

5 TV shows I like:
1. CSI, the original, not the knock offs.
2. Green Wing (though BBC America says they are not carrying it anymore...it made me laugh out loud)
3. Robot Chicken (I can't believe I'm admitting this)
4. Family Guy
5. Forensic Files

5 Biggest joys at this moment:
1. Monkey Boy is napping.
2. our refinance is going through on Monday.
3. I see a new couch in my future.
4. God is alive and well and living here on planet earth!!!
5. All of this is temporary and we have an eternal home!

5 Favorite toys:
I love toys...this is a dangerous question
1. Discovery Toys' discontinued Peeks the Clown. LOVE him.
2. DT's Rush Hour, fun toy in the car.
3. Does my carpet cleaner count???
4. My dishwasher.
5. The gas grill.

5 Things I dislike:
1. Housework (I supposed if I didn't have to work full time I may feel differently here).
2. Potty training a child.
3. mean people/stupid people/the military (at this moment).
4. being FAT.
5. being broke.

TAG, you're it.

Bathroom floor update...

Day 25 and counting, if my math is correct. I will give him a break b/c of emergency friend situation, but come on now.....I need a bathroom floor w/tile. I'm tired of worrying about splashing. Now he wants to change the sink out. I don't have a problem with this except it was not in the budget and I want/need a new couch ( and I can not decide what I want for a vanity. ..for under $300. I found one for $1250 that I liked, but come on....for a bathroom sink? No. Besides....we REAAAALLLY need a couch (preferably a pull out sofa, we get a lot of company). I would post a pic of our couch, but it is deplorable and you would probably send child protective services out...not that it was not MB and SS1 and SS2 who destroyed the furniture in the first place. Now, I notice a new tear (make that 2 irreparable tears now) in the big yellow comfy chair. *sigh* and I wanted a house of boys. I need concrete furniture.

Today, I thank God for the small things in life...mainly today, the cordless telephone. Today I spent, literally, 15 minutes on hold waiting for a customer service rep to cancel an internet thingie that we did for a friend that ended up not working (long story, I'll spare you the details). I went to the compay's on-line site where it told me I could cancel the service. NOPE. no such link. So I had to *gasp* pick up the phone and call. There began the waiting.

The patience of Job I do not have, though I consider myself a somewhat patient person (stop laughing Ginee!) so I waited. And wondered....and sent MB to the bathroom...and surfed in another window...and checked the boards I hang out on...and started cleaning the kitchen...and took another phone call...and thought about cleaning the hamster cage...and cleaned MB who decided today he would poop in his pants to see if mom would be consistent in her making him sit on the couch w/o television, toys or music...and then, finally, somebody answered the phone.

I heard the singing of angels in his voice, or was that the Muzak being killed in my ears (which sounded like a mariachi band...nobody should be forced to listen to Mariachi music unwillingly for 15 mintues). Anyway customer service was finally on the line...or were they. The person said his name, asked me why I wanted to cancel the service and then .............silence........... The kind of silence that makes one thing one has been hung up on again by a less than stellar customer service department. "hello?" I question. He is still there.....apparently the computer was S L O W so he could not address me by my name...ROFLOL.. I don' t care if you don't know my name...breathe or something so I know you are on the line.

So, the service got cancelled. I used my 15 mintues "wisely" and gained patience in the process. Anybody else I should call today, I really need to wash the kitchen floor...and for some reason, I feel like Mexican for lunch...Ole!

Today I'm stuck

I'm stuck in between loving and being bored to death in my job. I love that I can work at home which allows me to be here for Monkey Boy, but I am BORED to death typing today. I woke up (Still dizzy by the way) and the first thing I saw was the room moving, but still, it was 5:30 and time to get up, get MB his medicine and start typing. Now, typing is not a bad thing, but docs, when dictating, do some pretty silly stuff like take phone calls, joke w/nurses and my pet peeve, eat. I suppose it could be worse. I have friends who have had docs burp, release gas from the southern boarder, sing opera, and one (I kid you not) had narcolepsy and would flat out fall asleep dictating and start snoring. I laugh mostly at that one because maybe I should be typing him becuase I have fallen asleep typing some docs.

I really really really really need some adult conversation that is not medical based before I flip out totally. I tell you what, I feel like one of the most boring people on the planet anymore. What DO grown ups talk about in the real world. Myplaymate is 4 now...and cars and Marble Works are about all we talk about...oh and spongebob.

I LOVE that I can wear my pj's all day, no makeup and, with the excpeption of offending MB, I don't have to shower until late in the day. LOL. Laziness and workaholism all in one package.

But today, it is hard to type, i'm tired, have a headache and am desperately waiting for the antibiotics to kick in so I can drive again and get MB out of the house into the 100 degree heat....mabye we will stay in after all.

BEHOLD the power of muffled

Huh? I hear you asking what the heck is she talking about. Today, I can not hear properly. I knew I had an "ear thing" happening this week, the dizziness tells all. Rooms spin, guts about spill forth from orifices used to speak....You know what I mean if you have EVER had an inner ear infection. In fact, sitting here typing this now, the room has already spun twice.

I did not realize "THE ear" had gotten this bad until a wicked storm rolled through this morning and Monkey Boy and I opened the front door so mommy could tell if he dropped something in the back of the house or that was thunder that shook the entire house. It was disturbing to me to discover it was really the latter of the two. Okay, I can not hear clearly right now for the fluid build up in my ears. It is really kind of funny (again, if not for the dizziness).

MB jumped out of his Spongebob Underwear when the thunder shook the house again...but alas, it sounded like a muffled grumble of a stomach from across the room.

Thank goodness my WONDERFUL, LOVE YOU GIRL, physician knows about "THE ear" issue and prescribed me an antibiotic to kill the germies who live in THE EAR and torment me every few years. This time, I hope to avoid the cellulitis in my ear....really, lets not do that again.

but for now, I will enjoy my muffled silence and LAUGH that I finally hear DH in a normal tone and MB's yelling and jumping have no affect on my head.

Behold the headache free day today b/c I can not hear! ROFLOL..... hear ya in 3 days!

Have you ever been so tired that

All you could think about was sleep, when, where and how long. Would it be interrupted or would you get to sleep through the night or nap w/o interruption.

My friend's medical drama continues and the powers that be at the military still do not see fit to send her husband home to help her/love her/improve her help.

I feel uber responsible here. I want to help so much and feel I should being the closest friend she has. A group of amazing women from a message board have been helping as much as they can too, but really I feel like my son's hamster in a wheel. You can go round and round and make it spin really fast, you make a lot of noise, but in the end, nothing is really accomplished except you are tired. That is where I am at today.

I can not imagine what would possess a man to deny another man access to his sick wife. This is making me crazy. I feel worn out and have no idea what to do now.

anyone have an idea?

Have you ever...

Have you ever been a part of something you knew was beyond your scope of understanding and well beyond you capabilities. This happened to me this week and the story continues on. I was on hand along with my DH and MonkeyBoy (MB) when a friend of ours had a medical emergency. This had to be, by far, the scariest moment of my life and I have had a few scary moments. I heard V, my friend, call out my name and arrived in her room in time to watch her collapse into a horrible seizure on the bed.

I have dealt with a LOT of medical drama in my life from my mom diagnosed with blood clots on my 16th birthday, my dad in a wreck that fractured 3 of his vertebrae, my mom and dad being diagnosed with Cancer, my brother with Hepatitis, my own near death experience from a pulmonary embolism and my son being born in renal failure, being on dialysis and then going through a kidney transplant. I am here to tell you, watching somebody you really care about, knowing her husband is in Iraq and her daughter is in a daycare you don't know where be taken to an ambulance after what looked like a horrible seizure will put you into a panic immediately. I never prayed so hard in my life. There are details of things I saw that will never leave my memory and I pray nobody has to see. But there was PRAYER (and 911).

Some other friends have talked about the uncanny timing of all things in this situation, but if you, dear reader, have not read others, let me tell you. The situation was SO out of my comfort zone but so in God's that I still get heebed out when I think about it. Right after V was taken off in the ambulance her husband messaged her from Iraq...and I was there when the computer "rang". I jumped on and told him the scary news and found out were baby K was. I also remembered the nickname K has for her grandma and called V's mom and got her ready to come down and help too. I was able to get baby K and get to the ER and check on V.

WE are nowhere near done with this situation. WE are all (and there are more ppl doing this than I can mention now) fighting the military to get J back from Iraq, V is improving, but she has a long road ahead as it turned out she had a small stroke and, thankfully, baby K is oblivious to what is happening, as far as I can tell.

I freaked when it happened and my natural response is to run from God because it is scary to me the ways he chooses to use me (this is not the first time I have been in a situation, placed by God, that I am totally uncomfortable in, I bet it will not be the last). I, in my flesh, have to fight the desire to sin, rationalizing that God will not use me if I sin...silly huh.

I look at this as a "paying it forward" situation. I was able to use all of my own medical issues, my families medical issues and my knowledge to help a friend in dire need. But this was done for me too. You see, back in 1996 I had a blood clot that turned into the Pulmonary embolism and if it were not for my friend Doug who was visiting me to check on my ankle (sprained it slug hunting, that is a story for a much later time) when the PE moved and I suddenly could not breath. He rushed me to the hospital and saved my life. Doug, I am sorry for the fear and trauma I put you through and THANK YOU for saving my life that I could save anothers.

HAMMIE

How is it that something as small as a hamster can smell up the whole of the house.

Off to clean a cage....but not in the bathroom less I splash *wink*.

New Bathroom Floor, Day 11

So 11 days ago a neighbor whom I now adore (and need to pay appropriately) came over and helped DH rip out our rotting bathroom floor. Apparently I am to be grateful I was not here to see just how rotten the wood subfloor really was because I would have totally freaked. (If you know me, you know it takes a bit to make me freak...so I too am grateful I did not see because the rotten wood was under the toilet. We had a rocking toliet for a while till I nagged enough! LOL). So T the neighbor and my DH tore out the old wood and put down new sub-floor with extra supports and then a layer of leuan (however you spell it). That is, unfortunately where it seems to stop. You see, T is no longer in the picutre and DH must finish the job himself (T volunteered his help, he goes to church with us and DH (at my nagging again) asked him for help since he has never fixed a floor before). Now, my husband is never very energetic, but REALLY, lets wrap this beast up. His first stall was to ask if I wanted to paint the bathroom. Of course. If we put this much work into it, lets get rid of the white wall issue. So he tells me before the tile is laid that I have to paint. So I get the primer on...then I get the Oops paint from Home Depot (full gallon of Behr paint for $5, LOVE the oops paint!!) in a BEAUTIFUL cappicino color that MB and I got on a date night. (Sidebar...MB asked to go to Home Depot for our date. LOL..raising a handyman ladies...get in line with your daughters he will be a hot ticket! *wink*). So now I have painted the bathroom (DH helped, I have to give him Kudos for that, the bathroom looks good so far.

However, day 11 and I still have no sink in my bathroom (wash hands in the tub or kitchen sink) and I want my bathroom BACK.

The kicker is I am the one to lay the tile...but he got a special sealant at HD and it is Latex which means I can not breath it. I am, you see, highly allergic to latex. When I pained the primer on the wall, latex, I got stupid and could not function (or breath properly) for the remainder of the afternoon, not good considering I did it while I was on break from work. So I have to wait for him to putty the floor, fill the screwheads and level it out and seal it to apply the tiles.

I WANT MY BATHROOM BACK, in it's entirety and soon. NOBODY is allowed to splash in the bathroom while the wood is exposed making for a frustrated 4 year old and a fussy wife.

*Sigh* I wish I could just do it myself, but for this one, I have to behave and wait....the hardest thing to do when this should have been a 2 or 3 day job tops.

T...can you come spark a fire under DH's butt???

What happened to the 4th of July?

I really don't know when it started, but I no longer enjoy the 4th of July. Don't get me wrong, I love what we are celebrating, freedom (which I do understand is not free) and the awesomeness of this nation that will help any country, even when help is unappreciated by a small but vocal minority. We prayed for our president, our country, our men and women on duty protecting us and their families left at home.....I love our freedom and celebrate it, quietly.

I think my dislike of the celebration happened when I realized that fireworks were being sold as early as June 1st and my little redneck neighbors like to blow things up beginning June 2nd. Then there is the problem of heat. Since I moved to Tennessee from my frozen northern abode I have discovered that it's bloody HOT here on the 4th of July. Not just "wow it's hot today" but step outside and feel like you are in a shower because it's so hot you can't breath and you are SOAKED instantly hot. If you have been in Middle Tennessee on the 4th you know what I mean.

This year I tried to make it good for the kids. I went to the store, last minute, and decided on a cookout for supper. I got hamburgers, chicken legs and chips. Sodas were already at the house (and a fav for them all). While I was shopping I picked up water balloons. No sprinkler or pool at our house right now (that is a horrible nightmare of a post which will probably come later too) so water balloons it was to cool them off and get 3 teenage (or nearly so) boys OUT of my house for a few minutes (I need a bigger house at 1200 sq feet and too many boys!!). Got home, filled the balloons and sent them outside in the rain (LOL) with buckets of water balloons. (tangent warning...why is it that they FREAK and run from a water balloon in the rain??). So they had fun, ate food cooked in the steaming heat from the grill ( did I mention I am the family grill cook) and then, time for fireworks right? Well, again, being so darned HOT here and the fact that monkey boy can not get dehydrated (well, he can but he shouldn't) not to mention he FREAKS at loud noises, we forego the town fireworks (which are pretty lame anyway, sorry). I thought about driving into Nashville, but really, who wants to drive over 30 minutes to spend $20 on parking to walk several blocks if not miles to a cramped stadium to watch fireworks.....that MB will freak about anyway. So we forego the fireworks display for the simple joining of the rednecks at blowing them up in the front yard. I have a confession here...I stayed inside and shampooed my living room carpet while they did the fireworks thing. It saves on potential strokes or heart attacks. MB ran in crying b/c it was too loud, even with ear plugs.

SO my boys all had fun, as a child should, with the 4th of July. No watermelon seed spitting, they don't like watermelon. No parades, nobody does the good old fashioned parades here. There is a kid bike parade at the park, but again, heat and crowds are not good for us.

I feel like an old fuddy duddy when it comes to the 4th of July. *sigh* maybe I AM getting old.
But what REALLY tweaks me about the 4th of July is the neighbor who gets drunk and blows fireworks till 2:30 in the morning. I swear...if the 4th of July does not end soon here I'm gonna find the fool and blow a bottle rocket up his/her butt! I get up at 5:30, have a kid that freaks with fireworks...and it's the 6th now. Do you think you have been patriotic enough yet? I wish I had another year to warm to the idea of a grand 4th of July, but I have a sick feeling I will be reliving it again tonight. It's like the movie Groundhog Day..only louder and in the middle of the night. Maybe I'll take some Benedryl tonight.

The horizontal alarm

As promised, here is my theory on my horizontal alarm. Before you go of on a tangent, it is so not about sex. Just the opposite, it's all about sleep...or the lack there of. If you read the post below, you see I keep a wild schedule in my universe which leads me to spend the better part of my life wondering and dreaming up when I can lay down for a nap...not even a long Sunday afteroon, after church, while Nascar is on, before supper, before children kind of nap, but 20 minutes to 1 hour of blessed, uninterrupted, nobody calling my name SLEEEEEeeeeeep. I'm dreaming of one now just minutes before I have to get back to work (2 to be precise, I better get to my point).

My point is this. No matter what time of day or early evening I attempt to take a cat-nap, within 2 minutes of falling asleep the phone will ring. I wish I were overstating it, but it is true. My phone will not ring all day or night, but let me go horizontal and the phone RINGS.... like C.S. Lewis' brother Warnie said "Ring ring ring, jump up and answer me, now now now....blasted contraptions these telephones are". I love having a phone and, quite honestly, love getting phone calls, but why oh why am I only on people's minds while I'm trying to quite my mind and rest my weary head.

There you have it, work is at bay and I'm sooooooo tired, no attempted naps today, I have 4 boys ages 4 thru 15 in my house right now and napping is definately out of the question, so if you need to call me, why not call me now.