The first pic is Ashlyn as goalie - a position she CAN'T STAND, but asked to do anyway. She still became quite "pouty" when no one hit the ball toward her. The second pic is Anna in the middle of all the action - with her shoe untied.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Soccer - Part XIXXIVLMNOP...
I know some of you will get sick of seeing soccer pics, but I just gotta post a few from Saturday's game (which we won 4-0 making our team - The Stars - UNDEFEATED - not that I keep score because it isn't about the score, it is about having fun playing the game, blah, blah, blah...).
The first pic is Ashlyn as goalie - a position she CAN'T STAND, but asked to do anyway. She still became quite "pouty" when no one hit the ball toward her. The second pic is Anna in the middle of all the action - with her shoe untied.
The first pic is Ashlyn as goalie - a position she CAN'T STAND, but asked to do anyway. She still became quite "pouty" when no one hit the ball toward her. The second pic is Anna in the middle of all the action - with her shoe untied.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Letter to Awning-Hogging Drop-Off Man
Dear Sir (or jerk as the case may be),
Not sure if you noticed, but it was raining cats & dogs this morning during pre-school drop off. Well, of course you noticed as you whipped your van carrying your one child right under the awning spot like Dale Earnhardt, Jr. doing a pit stop. I mean why would you EVEN think that those of us hauling 3 children into preschool (we brought a friend's little one with us today) would need to park under there as I can easily get out of the van, run to the back, get everyone's backpacks, lunchboxes, sleep mats & blankets; place backpacks on said 3 children; give them their lunchboxes and coerce them into running to the door to the preschool through the torrential downpour (the animals were lining up two-by-two I tell ya).
Does "drowned rat" mean anything to you? Because if I would have been able to catch up to you then that is how you would have described me to the police when filling out the report to have me thrown in jail for doing a full smack-down on your tail!
So - I STRONGLY suggest you no longer hog one of only two awning-covered spaces next time it rains during drop off. It is very likely you will have your van doused with whatever we mothers (the MAJORITY of those dropping off kids) happen to have in our vans (purell, sunscreen, leftover juice box contents, dirty diapers, etc.).
This is your one and only warning.
Idiot!
Not sure if you noticed, but it was raining cats & dogs this morning during pre-school drop off. Well, of course you noticed as you whipped your van carrying your one child right under the awning spot like Dale Earnhardt, Jr. doing a pit stop. I mean why would you EVEN think that those of us hauling 3 children into preschool (we brought a friend's little one with us today) would need to park under there as I can easily get out of the van, run to the back, get everyone's backpacks, lunchboxes, sleep mats & blankets; place backpacks on said 3 children; give them their lunchboxes and coerce them into running to the door to the preschool through the torrential downpour (the animals were lining up two-by-two I tell ya).
Does "drowned rat" mean anything to you? Because if I would have been able to catch up to you then that is how you would have described me to the police when filling out the report to have me thrown in jail for doing a full smack-down on your tail!
So - I STRONGLY suggest you no longer hog one of only two awning-covered spaces next time it rains during drop off. It is very likely you will have your van doused with whatever we mothers (the MAJORITY of those dropping off kids) happen to have in our vans (purell, sunscreen, leftover juice box contents, dirty diapers, etc.).
This is your one and only warning.
Idiot!
Monday, September 24, 2007
I loves me a good yard sale!
I was in charge of our Homeowners' Associations' Community Yard Sale this weekend. For those of you playing at home, I still can't say "no" to help with things. Actually, I've been serving on the HOA's Social Committee for about a year and it hasn't been too bad. Have even met some great new friends. Now - let's all join hands and sing Kumbaya!
These were just too adorable not to get. They are pretty cheesy actually, but I couldn't pass up anything UK-related. Especially when they only cost $1. Plus, they were both framed professionally - you can't beat that. No clue where I'll hang them, but I'll find a place. There was NO way I was going to let these end up going to Goodwill!
These bins (there's another one I bought too) were actually holding other items this family was selling. I asked to make sure the couple was selling them for $1 each and then promptly dumped everything in the bins to buy them. I did help them clean up the mess I had just made.
I bought two of these - still in the packages. These are small magnetic containers that can be screwed into the wall. They hold smaller items - like scrapbook accessories. Got two of those babies for 50 cents - booyah!
Anyway - most of you know that Chris and I are all about being cheap. My heart truly flutters when I think I might get a great deal, so the prospect of being able to shop multiple yard sales in one morning - all within walking distance about made me pee myself (sorry to be so graphic, but it is true).
I strolled out our front door telling myself I was just going to scope out the sales and remind people of the Goodwill truck that would be here that afternoon for any pickups.
We all know how this turns out - you know I had to buy some stuff. So here's my stash from Saturday.
These were just too adorable not to get. They are pretty cheesy actually, but I couldn't pass up anything UK-related. Especially when they only cost $1. Plus, they were both framed professionally - you can't beat that. No clue where I'll hang them, but I'll find a place. There was NO way I was going to let these end up going to Goodwill! 
These bins (there's another one I bought too) were actually holding other items this family was selling. I asked to make sure the couple was selling them for $1 each and then promptly dumped everything in the bins to buy them. I did help them clean up the mess I had just made.
I bought two of these - still in the packages. These are small magnetic containers that can be screwed into the wall. They hold smaller items - like scrapbook accessories. Got two of those babies for 50 cents - booyah!So that was my haul from Saturday. I saw a few other items, but controlled myself. Chris was quite proud.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
And on the 12th day...
...I finally posted something new. Geez! The time got away from me. The girls have been sick (it is that time of year again) and things have just been crazier than usual.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
Anyway, to make up for my latest disappearance I thought I would entertain you with some video footage of the girlies dancing.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
Monday, September 10, 2007
Our 1st Game!
We won! 3 to 1 - not that we were keeping score....because we aren't supposed to do that....because these are just 4/5 year olds and they are just playing for fun...yeah, right....I'm as competitive as they come and I'm keeping score dang it!
Pics (clockwise): The STARS listening to the coach. Anna fiddling with her jersey. Ashlyn as goalie (Definitely NOT her favorite position). Ashlyn trying to figure out what Anna is doing.
Pics (clockwise): The STARS listening to the coach. Anna fiddling with her jersey. Ashlyn as goalie (Definitely NOT her favorite position). Ashlyn trying to figure out what Anna is doing.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
School days - finally!
No one - and I mean NO ONE - was more excited about Pre-School starting than me. Well - the girls were pretty darn excited too. We have been talking about it all summer. It is mostly brought up as a type of mantra to get me through whatever hell-ish day I might be having with the girls. Don't get me wrong! We have had a great summer, but the three of us are just plain sick of being around each other 24/7. I can literally see the girls' eyes rolling into the back of their heads when I even just open my mouth anymore. Let's just say we haven't had many Hallmark/Mother & daughters strolling down the beach moments these last few weeks.
Anyway, Tuesday was orientation day. Basically a teaser day for mothers as we can't actually leave our children with these wonderful teachers and a day for the teachers to "size up" the new kiddies in their classes (probably just figuring out who to give the sedatives to). Lasts one hour - tops. No biggie, right?
Wrong!
We did this last year. Exact same thing. Very casual. No problems. This year. Different. Story.
There is a short speech from the Director of the Preschool and a couple of the program assistants. Then we march out of the sanctuary (preschool is at a church) room by room as the children's teachers' names are called out. As my girls are in different classes I tend to "float" between classrooms as my lovely children play with their new found friends in their respective classes. That's the plan anyway. I'm a sucker for mapped out plans. I'm actually just a sucker in this story.
We walk into Ashlyn's teacher's room first. All the other (10) children are already sitting at the cute little tables coloring the adorable apple pictures that have their names on them. Ashlyn lurches and is suddenly permanently attached to my leg.
Say what?!?
This is HIGHLY unusual. My kids are the ones that truly want to know where the "party's at" and want to "get this party started" when in new group situations. What the heck?!? I literally can't peel Ash off my leg. And - of course - not to be outdone - Anna decides to join the leg-clutching party. I can barely make it through the doorway.
These 10 kids sitting nicely at the tables? All have at least one parent/guardian there with them. ALL staring at us. Lovely.
I shimmy us into the door hoping my new leg warmers will release themselves and turn into civilized human beings again. No. Such. Luck.
The teacher is continuing with her "welcome" speech and ignoring the three of us and hoping as much as I do that this performance will end quickly.
Then Ashlyn says (in a voice loud and shrill enough for the whole preschool to hear), "I don't like this teacher!" I get sympathetic looks from a few moms and disgusted looks from a few others. Lovely.
At this point, after several minutes of trying to silently pry my children off myself, we decide to shimmy out the door into Anna's classroom - hoping for a miracle. Yeah, right.
Anna - not to be outdone by Ashlyn - behaves the same way in her classroom. Great - another 10 kids/10 parents.
I am stumped. Truly stumped. I know that if I get upset with them that the situation will worsen, but I literally just want to haul their butts out of there - preferably in some sort of time machine that will allow me to delete this whole hour from everyone's memory. So we calmly walk out the door and discuss ALL THE WAY home what happened.
Now - once all of us settled down I realized what happened. Yes - my girls like being a part of the action, but they don't want to be the last ones to show up. We walked into each classroom that was already full of no less than 20 people each. Looking back - it was a bit intimidating and I'm sure the girls were just overwhelmed. I was hoping that was all there was to it.
I promised the girls we would go to school early on Thursday and there wouldn't be near as many people in the classrooms then. We talked about this plan the rest of the day Tuesday, all day Wednesday and Thursday morning. Worked like a charm. It was like Tuesday had never happened. Both girls strode right in and started playing with their new friends. I explained my theory to both teachers (hoping to redeem myself in some way) and both teachers were completely sympathetic and agreed with my theory. Or - they were just lying through their teeth and just wanted me out of their room. Either way works for me.
So - after all that - here are some pics from their first full day of school. Anna is in the Supergirl shirt and Ashlyn is in the Princess shirt.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Soccer - Week 3!
The girls had their 3rd soccer practice yesterday. As always, it was hysterical to watch. The kids are actually kinda gettin' the hang of how the game works, but it is SLOW progress.
Here's some pics. Blogger's video feature isn't working right now, so I'll have to add that in later. Their first game is Saturday and just wait til you see their uniforms.
Here's some pics. Blogger's video feature isn't working right now, so I'll have to add that in later. Their first game is Saturday and just wait til you see their uniforms.
Ashlyn and her fancy footwork.
Anna playing Goalie! She stopped two balls all by herself. She's a pro!
Anna's fancy footwork.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Anna (left) and Ashlyn (right)Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Finally - Soccer Pics
I remembered to load the memory card into camera before taking it to soccer practice this time. Amazing task for all I've been through lately. Won't comment much as the video and photos speak for themselves. Ashlyn has on the bright pink ponytail holder and Anna has on the "flowy" purple one.
Ashlyn throwing the ball into play.
Anna taking a quick break.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
And now...the rest of the story...
Grab a cup of coffee (tea or other favorite beverage), find a comfortable sitting position and prepare to be amazed by the complete INSANENESS of my last 72 hours.
I could not make this stuff up people - seriously. And while none of it is life-shattering by itself - the fact that it all happened within 72 hours makes it a unique experience.
Little background information - we had the POTATO fall consignment sale this weekend. The day after DH's birthday party, I took over the dining room with all the stuff I wanted to sell and proceeded to tag everything for the next two weeks. I'm also President of POTATO and am training the new Treasurer on how we handle the consignment sale. I worked ALL hours of the sale (2 days worth). The girls were with Nana & Pappy (BIG THANK YOU to them) all weekend and I had planned FOR WEEKS to have Sunday all to myself - no expectations, nothing to do but lay around in my pajamas, watching movies and eating bon bons if I wanted. I haven't had a day - heck not even an hour - where I haven't had to do something or be somewhere for forever.
Friday (1st night of sale) - an error causes us to have to enter all 3,000 cards - AGAIN - at the end of the night. We decided to finish the rest the next morning and leave the sale location around 11pm.
My attitude: Mistakes happen - it can be fixed - no harm, no foul.
Friday LATE - get a call on the way home that new Treasurer has had a BAD family health issue and will not be able to finish her duties for the sale. Have her meet me back at sale location so I can get all her stuff needed for next day's activities.
My attitude: Glad I can help during this crazy time in her life. We've done it with one person processing transactions several times in the past, so am not worried. Lucky I already know how to handle all the Treasurer duties.
Saturday EARLY (6:30am early) - finish tallying cards, prepare for the day.
My attitude: I'm a morning person (annoying, ain't it) and know I can handle whatever comes my way (SUCKER).
Saturday - process another set of 3,000 cards: by myself.
My attitude: Start mentally throttling those sellers that did the cards WRONG. Having fun in my own mind thinking of ways punish said sellers. Involves sharp, pointy things and long hours of Yanni music.
Saturday (noon) - eyes getting very tired from staring at a computer screen for hours.
My attitude: optimistic that we'll balance out for the day. What was I thinking.
Saturday afternoon - no such luck. We don't balance out, so have to start recounting everything: money & cards.
My attitude: Ok - no biggie. We found a couple entry errors that put us back within our limit, but I'll still have to tally cards at home to make sure everyone gets paid what they are owed. I leave VERY tired and NOT very optimistic about having to count cards again.
Saturday evening - DH and I decide to use one of his Birthday gift cards (thanks Mike & Sonia) to a restaurant a couple miles from our house (important to the story). Pretty good dinner, but they mess up our order and take one of our meals off the check. Go out to start the car and nothing happens - literally - the car is dead as a doorknob.
My attitude: Lovely. I start laughing hysterically - because it is either laugh or cry at this point as I am so tired.
Saturday evening (a bit later) - we start walking the 2.5 miles back to our house when I realize I have our neighbor's phone number in my cell phone (thank goodness). Our lovely neighbor picks us up and takes us home.
Saturday/Sunday (sleeping hours) - don't get much sleep. Think I'm coming down with a sinus infection.
Sunday morning - DH helps me tally the seller cards from Saturday. We finish around noon. So much for my "Day of Nothing".
My attitude: Not good. I'm frustrated as I have lost my MUCH ANTICIPATED "Day of Nothing", but figure we might as well get some stuff accomplished since my "day" is trashed anyway.
Sunday morning/noonish - Ashlyn's fish is dying. Anna's fish is growing by leaps and bounds and is literally starving Ashlyn's fish by eating ALL the food given to them each day now. Pitiful thing to watch.
Sunday afternoon - We go to Petco and talk to fish expert (?) who tells us to bring in other goldfish and then get smaller fish that won't attempt to kill each other. As I walk out I step in gum (of course I do).
Sunday evening - toilets are leaking (all 3); go to Lowe's to get stuff to fix toilets. Get something to eat for dinner. Head home. Find Ashlyn's fish has died. Lovely.
Sunday evening - notice house is still making "train sounds" when water is turned on anywhere in the house. Getting a little more worried about it.
Monday morning - DH leaves for work. I have to pick up girls at Nana's (hour drive) at about noon. Hope I can get some things accomplished before I have to leave. Spend part of morning on phone working out POTATO sale stuff while attempting to clean up house. Go to garage to start cleaning out the van. Find water heater is leaking - quite a bit - especially while I'm attempting to wash sheets! Call DH to inform him of leak and we decide on plan of attack that is too boring to list. As I'm on the phone with him a plastic bag that was attached to the side of water heater (full of water) falls off and splashes right in front of me getting pretty hot water all over me.
My attitude: Are you kidding me?!?
Monday morning (1 minute later) - turn around to see a black widow spider frolicking (literally doing a Shakira-style dance right in front of me) at the edge of garage door inside garage by the girls' wagon where we keep all the sports balls. Go to other side of garage door (as I see a similar web) and find another black widow.
My attitude: I HATE SPIDERS!!!!! I grab the spider spray (specifically purchased to get rid of a black widow I found outside our front door last year) and nuke the areas where the spiders are. Start looking around for others and keep looking up thinking one is going to "jump me" for killing his family.
Monday morning (30 minutes later) - get car washed and then I vacuum out the insides, don't get allergy shot, don't get oil changed, don't get eyebrows waxed as planned. And the eyebrow waxing was at the top of the priority list as these hairy caterpillars over my eyes are getting CRAZY.
My attitude: ticked because I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, but glad the car is fairly clean and that I was away from "spider central".
Monday noon - drive an hour to pick up girls who cry when they see me because they don't want to leave Nana's. Understandable, but when you've had as crappy of a few days as I've had all you really want is for your kids to hug you and tell you how much the love you. Not, "AUGH!!!!! I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME!!!! DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE!!!!!!"
My attitude: Let's just try to survive the trip home.
Monday afternoon - drive an hour back home and start making phone calls/doing research on water heaters, water pressure, black widow extermination, etc. Girls are fairly good and let me get some stuff done.
Monday evening - DH picks up bug "bombs" at Lowe's to set off in the garage. He mows the lawn (hadn't been mowed for almost 3 weeks, but we have had 100+ temps and no rain which means he really just needed to mow to cut down the weeds as that is all that grows in this crazy type of weather). Anna proceeds to SCREAM/CRY all through dinner. I get her down and settled a bit and Ashlyn says, "Look Mommy - ants!". I look down and my kitchen floor under the table is dotted with about 40-50 ants.
My attitude: HOLY CRAP! I pick up the girls, haul them upstairs to the bonus room, clear the table, move everything out of the kitchen and start a full out attack on the ant farm that has taken over our home. I swear I saw a few of them with small pieces of luggage ready to move in for good.
Monday evening (10 minutes later) - as I'm finishing up my attack on the ants with my vinegar/cinnamon mopping solution I hear Ashlyn yelling at me from the living room saying she has just peed on the floor. She hasn't had an "accident" like that in months.
My attitude: where's the alcohol - drinking alcohol/not the rubbing kind. DH comes in to find me in tears (as I've literally lost the little amount of my mind left) while I clean up Ashlyn's mess and finish mopping the kitchen floor. DH promptly walks right back out the door to find shelter as he knows the sh*t has finally hit the fan.
Monday evening (1 hour later) - we HAVE to get laundry done. The girls have soccer practice on Tuesday and all their gear is dirty. I am VERY timid about using the washer as the water heater started leaking a fairly large amount of water when I ran it earlier in the morning. There is a laundry-mat not far from here so I sort all the laundry and we load up the van. Been a long time since I've been to a laundry-mat, but I'm up for the challenge and am secretly hoping this is a new type of laundry-mat that has a bar in it. No such luck. I enter laundry-mat, unload stuff, put quarters in the 1st washer and realize I have no detergent or dryer sheets.
My attitude: I literally start laughing out loud. I'm talking "crazy" laughter here. Like psychotic laughter. I was scaring the laundry-mat clientelle which is pretty darn scary in the first place.
Monday evening (1 minute later) - I take all the baskets back to the van and start my drive back to the house to get the forgotten detergent and dryer sheets. A raccoon runs out in front of the van. I hit it. Hard.
My attitude: Of course I hit a raccoon. Why wouldn't I hit a raccoon. The day actually would not have been complete had I not hit a raccoon. DH literally thought I was making it up when I pulled up at the house (again, in tears).
Monday evening (another minute later) - I head back to the laundry-mat where I spend the next couple hours doing 5 loads of laundry. At least I could get them all done at the same time.
So - I now wait for the gas company who is coming out to look at the water heater and the water company who is going to check the water pressure coming into the house. Should be another fun filled day.
I could not make this stuff up people - seriously. And while none of it is life-shattering by itself - the fact that it all happened within 72 hours makes it a unique experience.
Little background information - we had the POTATO fall consignment sale this weekend. The day after DH's birthday party, I took over the dining room with all the stuff I wanted to sell and proceeded to tag everything for the next two weeks. I'm also President of POTATO and am training the new Treasurer on how we handle the consignment sale. I worked ALL hours of the sale (2 days worth). The girls were with Nana & Pappy (BIG THANK YOU to them) all weekend and I had planned FOR WEEKS to have Sunday all to myself - no expectations, nothing to do but lay around in my pajamas, watching movies and eating bon bons if I wanted. I haven't had a day - heck not even an hour - where I haven't had to do something or be somewhere for forever.
Friday (1st night of sale) - an error causes us to have to enter all 3,000 cards - AGAIN - at the end of the night. We decided to finish the rest the next morning and leave the sale location around 11pm.
My attitude: Mistakes happen - it can be fixed - no harm, no foul.
Friday LATE - get a call on the way home that new Treasurer has had a BAD family health issue and will not be able to finish her duties for the sale. Have her meet me back at sale location so I can get all her stuff needed for next day's activities.
My attitude: Glad I can help during this crazy time in her life. We've done it with one person processing transactions several times in the past, so am not worried. Lucky I already know how to handle all the Treasurer duties.
Saturday EARLY (6:30am early) - finish tallying cards, prepare for the day.
My attitude: I'm a morning person (annoying, ain't it) and know I can handle whatever comes my way (SUCKER).
Saturday - process another set of 3,000 cards: by myself.
My attitude: Start mentally throttling those sellers that did the cards WRONG. Having fun in my own mind thinking of ways punish said sellers. Involves sharp, pointy things and long hours of Yanni music.
Saturday (noon) - eyes getting very tired from staring at a computer screen for hours.
My attitude: optimistic that we'll balance out for the day. What was I thinking.
Saturday afternoon - no such luck. We don't balance out, so have to start recounting everything: money & cards.
My attitude: Ok - no biggie. We found a couple entry errors that put us back within our limit, but I'll still have to tally cards at home to make sure everyone gets paid what they are owed. I leave VERY tired and NOT very optimistic about having to count cards again.
Saturday evening - DH and I decide to use one of his Birthday gift cards (thanks Mike & Sonia) to a restaurant a couple miles from our house (important to the story). Pretty good dinner, but they mess up our order and take one of our meals off the check. Go out to start the car and nothing happens - literally - the car is dead as a doorknob.
My attitude: Lovely. I start laughing hysterically - because it is either laugh or cry at this point as I am so tired.
Saturday evening (a bit later) - we start walking the 2.5 miles back to our house when I realize I have our neighbor's phone number in my cell phone (thank goodness). Our lovely neighbor picks us up and takes us home.
Saturday/Sunday (sleeping hours) - don't get much sleep. Think I'm coming down with a sinus infection.
Sunday morning - DH helps me tally the seller cards from Saturday. We finish around noon. So much for my "Day of Nothing".
My attitude: Not good. I'm frustrated as I have lost my MUCH ANTICIPATED "Day of Nothing", but figure we might as well get some stuff accomplished since my "day" is trashed anyway.
Sunday morning/noonish - Ashlyn's fish is dying. Anna's fish is growing by leaps and bounds and is literally starving Ashlyn's fish by eating ALL the food given to them each day now. Pitiful thing to watch.
Sunday afternoon - We go to Petco and talk to fish expert (?) who tells us to bring in other goldfish and then get smaller fish that won't attempt to kill each other. As I walk out I step in gum (of course I do).
Sunday evening - toilets are leaking (all 3); go to Lowe's to get stuff to fix toilets. Get something to eat for dinner. Head home. Find Ashlyn's fish has died. Lovely.
Sunday evening - notice house is still making "train sounds" when water is turned on anywhere in the house. Getting a little more worried about it.
Monday morning - DH leaves for work. I have to pick up girls at Nana's (hour drive) at about noon. Hope I can get some things accomplished before I have to leave. Spend part of morning on phone working out POTATO sale stuff while attempting to clean up house. Go to garage to start cleaning out the van. Find water heater is leaking - quite a bit - especially while I'm attempting to wash sheets! Call DH to inform him of leak and we decide on plan of attack that is too boring to list. As I'm on the phone with him a plastic bag that was attached to the side of water heater (full of water) falls off and splashes right in front of me getting pretty hot water all over me.
My attitude: Are you kidding me?!?
Monday morning (1 minute later) - turn around to see a black widow spider frolicking (literally doing a Shakira-style dance right in front of me) at the edge of garage door inside garage by the girls' wagon where we keep all the sports balls. Go to other side of garage door (as I see a similar web) and find another black widow.
My attitude: I HATE SPIDERS!!!!! I grab the spider spray (specifically purchased to get rid of a black widow I found outside our front door last year) and nuke the areas where the spiders are. Start looking around for others and keep looking up thinking one is going to "jump me" for killing his family.
Monday morning (30 minutes later) - get car washed and then I vacuum out the insides, don't get allergy shot, don't get oil changed, don't get eyebrows waxed as planned. And the eyebrow waxing was at the top of the priority list as these hairy caterpillars over my eyes are getting CRAZY.
My attitude: ticked because I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, but glad the car is fairly clean and that I was away from "spider central".
Monday noon - drive an hour to pick up girls who cry when they see me because they don't want to leave Nana's. Understandable, but when you've had as crappy of a few days as I've had all you really want is for your kids to hug you and tell you how much the love you. Not, "AUGH!!!!! I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME!!!! DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE!!!!!!"
My attitude: Let's just try to survive the trip home.
Monday afternoon - drive an hour back home and start making phone calls/doing research on water heaters, water pressure, black widow extermination, etc. Girls are fairly good and let me get some stuff done.
Monday evening - DH picks up bug "bombs" at Lowe's to set off in the garage. He mows the lawn (hadn't been mowed for almost 3 weeks, but we have had 100+ temps and no rain which means he really just needed to mow to cut down the weeds as that is all that grows in this crazy type of weather). Anna proceeds to SCREAM/CRY all through dinner. I get her down and settled a bit and Ashlyn says, "Look Mommy - ants!". I look down and my kitchen floor under the table is dotted with about 40-50 ants.
My attitude: HOLY CRAP! I pick up the girls, haul them upstairs to the bonus room, clear the table, move everything out of the kitchen and start a full out attack on the ant farm that has taken over our home. I swear I saw a few of them with small pieces of luggage ready to move in for good.
Monday evening (10 minutes later) - as I'm finishing up my attack on the ants with my vinegar/cinnamon mopping solution I hear Ashlyn yelling at me from the living room saying she has just peed on the floor. She hasn't had an "accident" like that in months.
My attitude: where's the alcohol - drinking alcohol/not the rubbing kind. DH comes in to find me in tears (as I've literally lost the little amount of my mind left) while I clean up Ashlyn's mess and finish mopping the kitchen floor. DH promptly walks right back out the door to find shelter as he knows the sh*t has finally hit the fan.
Monday evening (1 hour later) - we HAVE to get laundry done. The girls have soccer practice on Tuesday and all their gear is dirty. I am VERY timid about using the washer as the water heater started leaking a fairly large amount of water when I ran it earlier in the morning. There is a laundry-mat not far from here so I sort all the laundry and we load up the van. Been a long time since I've been to a laundry-mat, but I'm up for the challenge and am secretly hoping this is a new type of laundry-mat that has a bar in it. No such luck. I enter laundry-mat, unload stuff, put quarters in the 1st washer and realize I have no detergent or dryer sheets.
My attitude: I literally start laughing out loud. I'm talking "crazy" laughter here. Like psychotic laughter. I was scaring the laundry-mat clientelle which is pretty darn scary in the first place.
Monday evening (1 minute later) - I take all the baskets back to the van and start my drive back to the house to get the forgotten detergent and dryer sheets. A raccoon runs out in front of the van. I hit it. Hard.
My attitude: Of course I hit a raccoon. Why wouldn't I hit a raccoon. The day actually would not have been complete had I not hit a raccoon. DH literally thought I was making it up when I pulled up at the house (again, in tears).
Monday evening (another minute later) - I head back to the laundry-mat where I spend the next couple hours doing 5 loads of laundry. At least I could get them all done at the same time.
So - I now wait for the gas company who is coming out to look at the water heater and the water company who is going to check the water pressure coming into the house. Should be another fun filled day.
Monday, August 27, 2007
ARGH!!!!!!
I....ugh....argh....(profanity)...gotta be kidding me...(shake my head)...AUGH!
...to be continued...
...to be continued...
Monday, August 20, 2007
Bend it like...?
Not really sure what we're "bending" while playing soccer, but I guess we will all learn soon enough as the girls met their soccer coach this weekend and we spent their college fund on soccer gear. College is overrated anyway and I'm sure they'll get a soccer scholarship since we are starting this sport so early. What's that you say? Kids start playing soccer at age 2? Great! We're such slacker parents.
Well, I still have no doubt our dainty flowers will have no problem catching up with the kids that have been playing before they could even say the word "ball". We're pros already I tell ya! David and Victoria have already been in our home to check out our soccer prodigies (ok - slight exaggeration - I just watched part of their reality show so - technically - they really were in our home).
We'll keep you posted on their games. Their first practice is tomorrow. I can assure you we will have lots of action shots (or maybe just pics of them picking daisies from the field as the ball goes whizzing by them).
Friday, August 17, 2007
Nana must be loaded!
Actual conversation in the van today:Ash: Mommy, I want a new house.
Me: A new house? Where do you want to live?
Ash: I don't know. I just want a new house.
Me: How are we going to get a new house?
Ash: Nana will buy it for us.
That's my girl. Except Nana has been trying to get us to move to her town (about an hour away) and I'm beginning to wonder if she is starting to brainwash the girls into convincing us to come down there. Hmmmm.....
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Scarlet "B"
And "B" doesn't stand for beautiful - let me assure you.
Dear Mrs. Snobby Mom *itch,
I had no beef with you when I arrived at the Brentwood YMCA pool for the second time today.* I knew I was not from your 'hood and this was apparently obvious to several people that had already arrived at the pool. I literally was searching for the "Not a Brentwood Resident" sticker that had apparently been stuck to my butt. I did find a small group that was extremely friendly and let me use two of the lawn chairs next to them (thank you ladies).
Anyway, I kept quiet in my little section of the kiddie pool area. I watched my children from the comfort of my chair and played with them when they wanted me to come in. I had had a crappy morning, but was trying to let the heat melt that attitude off me (not hard at 100 degrees).
My girls were whiny! Extremely whiny. All day. Nothing met their insane expectations. I know - shocking for 4-year-olds. That happens - and as a Mom you deal with it. I had already dealt with it for 6 1/2 hours prior to our interaction.
As I was attempting to gather the bazillion items we had brought with us so we could head home, my daughter started freaking out about the three grains of sand that had attached to her beloved orange beach ball. I explained that Mommy would be more than happy to clean off the ball as soon as we got to the van (didn't want her to get near the water again as it would be another battle getting her out of the pool). Daughter continued to whine - not a loud whine - just a typical tired, cranky child whine.
That's when you - obviously a MUCH better mother than me - decided to step in and offer your exceptional assistance (I'm using EXTREME sarcasm here - just in case you missed that). As I was literally burdened with over 80 pounds of cooler/beach bag/towels, you took the ball from my daughter, washed it off in the pool, handed it back to my daughter, grinned at me and said - with us much disdain as you could muster - "see, now that has been taken care of".
Excuse? Me?
Now - let me assure you little Miss-$150-UT-orange-bathing-suit-wearing, full-make-up-on-a-100+-degree-day, wouldn't-touch-the-water-with-10-foot-pole, snotty-*itch - if I had not been raised right I would have knocked you flat out with the 40 pound cooler slung over my left shoulder.
Let that serve as a warning. But - I can assure you I will not set foot at that pool again so the chances of us meeting again are slim. What. A. Pity. I wouldn't suggest you head over to the Y on my side of town though. My "peeps" have been warned about you and they are ready for a smack down.
Sincerely,
TJ-Maxx-bathing-suit-wearing, mascara-only-on-a-good-day Mom
*We showed up originally at 10:15 am as the pool was supposed to be open at 10am. We were then informed by a man in his early 70's that "as of today" the pool would not open for children til noon. This poor man was only telling us what he had been told to tell us, but he was not prepared for the onslaught of nastiness about to come down on his senior citizen self by me and two other mothers just a furious. Let's just say it was not "Be Nice to Senior Citizens Day".
Dear Mrs. Snobby Mom *itch,
I had no beef with you when I arrived at the Brentwood YMCA pool for the second time today.* I knew I was not from your 'hood and this was apparently obvious to several people that had already arrived at the pool. I literally was searching for the "Not a Brentwood Resident" sticker that had apparently been stuck to my butt. I did find a small group that was extremely friendly and let me use two of the lawn chairs next to them (thank you ladies).
Anyway, I kept quiet in my little section of the kiddie pool area. I watched my children from the comfort of my chair and played with them when they wanted me to come in. I had had a crappy morning, but was trying to let the heat melt that attitude off me (not hard at 100 degrees).
My girls were whiny! Extremely whiny. All day. Nothing met their insane expectations. I know - shocking for 4-year-olds. That happens - and as a Mom you deal with it. I had already dealt with it for 6 1/2 hours prior to our interaction.
As I was attempting to gather the bazillion items we had brought with us so we could head home, my daughter started freaking out about the three grains of sand that had attached to her beloved orange beach ball. I explained that Mommy would be more than happy to clean off the ball as soon as we got to the van (didn't want her to get near the water again as it would be another battle getting her out of the pool). Daughter continued to whine - not a loud whine - just a typical tired, cranky child whine.
That's when you - obviously a MUCH better mother than me - decided to step in and offer your exceptional assistance (I'm using EXTREME sarcasm here - just in case you missed that). As I was literally burdened with over 80 pounds of cooler/beach bag/towels, you took the ball from my daughter, washed it off in the pool, handed it back to my daughter, grinned at me and said - with us much disdain as you could muster - "see, now that has been taken care of".
Excuse? Me?
Now - let me assure you little Miss-$150-UT-orange-bathing-suit-wearing, full-make-up-on-a-100+-degree-day, wouldn't-touch-the-water-with-10-foot-pole, snotty-*itch - if I had not been raised right I would have knocked you flat out with the 40 pound cooler slung over my left shoulder.
Let that serve as a warning. But - I can assure you I will not set foot at that pool again so the chances of us meeting again are slim. What. A. Pity. I wouldn't suggest you head over to the Y on my side of town though. My "peeps" have been warned about you and they are ready for a smack down.
Sincerely,
TJ-Maxx-bathing-suit-wearing, mascara-only-on-a-good-day Mom
*We showed up originally at 10:15 am as the pool was supposed to be open at 10am. We were then informed by a man in his early 70's that "as of today" the pool would not open for children til noon. This poor man was only telling us what he had been told to tell us, but he was not prepared for the onslaught of nastiness about to come down on his senior citizen self by me and two other mothers just a furious. Let's just say it was not "Be Nice to Senior Citizens Day".
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Voice from the past & a little personality insight
I was going through some old CD's and came across one of my faves - Jonatha Brooke. She has that folky sound to her - very soothing voice and a great songwriter. This is actually one of her newer songs. Just makes me happy.
And this is a personality test I took online.
And here is an interesting quote:
No wonder I was such a nerd in school.
You can learn more about my personality traits as an ENFJ here. And take the test for yourself. Let me know your results.
And this is a personality test I took online.
And here is an interesting quote:
"Rated by psychologists among 2 types least likely to have trouble in school. "
- ENFJ Facts (discoveryourpersonality.com)
- ENFJ Facts (discoveryourpersonality.com)
No wonder I was such a nerd in school.
You can learn more about my personality traits as an ENFJ here. And take the test for yourself. Let me know your results.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Happy Birthday Chris!
Today is DH's birthday! I won't tell his age, but just know he is WAY older than me (at least 3 months).
We've been trying to plan a vacation for months and it just hasn't been working out too well. That's made us a bit sad so I decided to do his party in a tropical theme. Thought that might boost our spirits a bit. It did.
We had a great time with family and friends. As there are TONS of pictures (I'm such a camera slut), I decided to use do a slide show again. You can just roll your mouse of the photo to see the caption.
And - to my wonderful husband - I hope you have an outstanding birthday. You are a fantastic husband and a phenomenal father. Thanks for putting up with me on a daily basis. I love you.
We've been trying to plan a vacation for months and it just hasn't been working out too well. That's made us a bit sad so I decided to do his party in a tropical theme. Thought that might boost our spirits a bit. It did.
We had a great time with family and friends. As there are TONS of pictures (I'm such a camera slut), I decided to use do a slide show again. You can just roll your mouse of the photo to see the caption.
And - to my wonderful husband - I hope you have an outstanding birthday. You are a fantastic husband and a phenomenal father. Thanks for putting up with me on a daily basis. I love you.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Fug Thursday - NOT
This is my first time participating in this popular blog activity brought to all of us by Kami. I have often seen individuals wearing things that would qualify, but have never had my camera readily available. Last Sunday I was ready! The Ice Cream Crankin' brought out many people and - even though we were in a fairly prominent area of Nashville - I knew I would find a few unfortunate souls dressed badly. I was right. Unfortunately, my prime Fug candidate came around after my camera battery died (picture black leotard top, black tights, cut off jean skirt and not really the body to pull it off - it would be like me wearing it - AUGH!), but my husband had been informed of our "mission" and quickly yelled, "There - take a picture of her!" I turn around to find him pointing and staring (so stealthy of you hubby) at this gorgeous young woman in a precious black sundress. Yeah, right. He says (sarcastically), "Take a picture of her - she looks awful." Mmm-kay. But, knowing I could use this as a blog post to get my revenge on my hubby's eyeball infidelity I quickly obliged.
Even though I missed out on my perfect first Fug Thursday entry, I decided to tell my story of my husband's quick wit instead. Good one honey (as I roll my eyes).
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Brought to you by the flip-flop wearin' Queen of the North.
And the little tassels at the bottom of the coats? Those are from the flapper costumes they have on underneath their coats. We've been doing a little dancing this morning on the newly mopped (and slick) floors.
This Wednesday TKW challenged us to show something starting with the letter "R". So here are my Ridiculous daughters. It is 102 degrees in Nashville today with a heat index over that, but my girls are taking the phrase "think cold thoughts" to new extremes. These crazy chicks demanded that I help them put on their winter coats and hats. They are just not Right!
And the little tassels at the bottom of the coats? Those are from the flapper costumes they have on underneath their coats. We've been doing a little dancing this morning on the newly mopped (and slick) floors.Monday, August 06, 2007
Popsicle tongues and gorging on ice cream
As I've been a slacker in blogging the past SEVERAL days, I thought I had better provide a good story and some pictures.
Yesterday we went to the Martha O'Bryan Center's Ice Cream Crankin' in the Brentwood area near Nashville. We've been the past several years (other than the one year they decided not to have it - I'm still suffering from ice cream withdrawals from that year) and have had a great time. This year was a bit different.
1. The admission price was $8 per person - including our 4-year-old kids. Holy crap! That is one expensive outing for us. I know it all goes to charity, but geez - give us poor people a break. The fee used to be $5 per person and kids under a certain age were free. Not anymore folks. "Welcome to our fundraiser - give us your wallet."
2. The setup was different. We were used to a certain "flow" to our ice cream indulgence, but we were thrown off our dairy axis on this one. Luckily, my hubby's keen ice cream instincts led him right to all the ice cream stations. His goal is to try every ice cream possible. He fell short this time - slacker!
3. The heat! Oh, the heat! I felt the sweat running down my back the minute we got out of the van (lovely visual - I know). It was right at 100 degrees. Nothing like a field full of ice cream on a scorching hot day. I literally thought I was going to ignite. This is not really different from other years as the event is always in August, but the older I get - the more susceptible I am to heat. Must mean I'm getting close to the "hot flash" stage of my life. Lovely.
The best part of the day was actually the popsicles. Purity Dairy is the main sponsor of this event and they bring out tons of popsicles. Plus, there is a Mayoral election run-off going on and both candidates had plenty of popsicles to pass out. Not sure what it is about popsicles, but they were WAY more refreshing than all that sweet, sticky ice cream being passed around. And to prove that we all enjoyed our fair share of popsicles, here are a few pics of those family members that joined us for the afternoon's activities. Gene Simmons - eat your heart out!
Ash (L) & Anna (R) after their 3rd popsicle.
Uncle Travis & Yayoi
Nana & Pappy
Friday, July 27, 2007
SPF: Rainbow
Brought to you by Random & Odd...
It is pretty drab and cloudy here today, so not much of a chance of a rainbow showing up. However - I did remember that I took pics of some of the girls' artwork from preschool last year and just knew that there was a rainbow in there somewhere. I was right.
Let the bidding begin...I'll even give you a deal if you buy both.
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