Y'all, how are we on October's doorstep already?! And why was it 91 degrees outside today? I mean, I'm not saying I was out in it all day, but I did have to go get the mail. It was a long walk, let me tell you!
N seemed to be on the mend this morning, so he took a shower and was promptly exhausted. Around 1:00 or so, his fever started creeping back up, so he's spending yet another day at home tomorrow. He did a little Science homework, and has been vegging out ever since. His appetite is starting to return, so that's also great news.
While he lounged, I kicked myself into gear and tackled my homework. I've been putting some of it off because I didn't find it as interesting as a couple of my other classes, but I realized that today was the last day of September, and I'm out of time! I submitted my first Econ "homework" assignment (which I really just see as a review for the test, which is tomorrow), my first Texas History essay exam (there are two prompts and you have to choose one...I chose the one my computer auto-saved from a discussion board (my professor's idea, not mine) and now I have a new way to work smarter not harder), and several discussion boards for my early World History class. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it was a whole lot of typing.
And that was the majority of my day, too. With a sicko at home, there's a real limit on activity...so we're just hanging out and I'm steering clear as much as possible because who doesn't have time to catch...anything?
Oh, that's right...it's me.
I should get my book for my 6th class of the semester tomorrow, so I'll be ready to hit the ground running on Monday. Or Sunday. Or whenever October 5 is.
I seem to have lost my sense of reality. Why is this news?
Aubs
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Well, at least it's not the flu...
When N's temperature hovered around 103 for the majority of the night, I knew a trip to the doctor was inevitable. When he woke up this morning with a super-low fever, I almost didn't call to schedule an appointment.
Then he got up to pee and promptly threw up, so I went ahead and made the call. I think that hospitals and doctor's offices have some sort of fever barrier. You can be running a crazy fever (or even just a small one) in the comfort of your own home, but as soon as you cross the threshold of a healthcare related business, the fever barrier goes up and your temp is always normal.
Also, I'll go ahead and go on record about how much I despise the thermometer wand that slides over your forehead. I'm a "thermometer under the tongue" kind of gal, myself. Call me old-fashioned...I'll proudly own it! Anyway, his temperature was normal even though his head felt hot...like 100.9 hot when I took his temperature orally after we got home. He tested negative for the flu, so that's awesome, but not so awesome? Just a virus that has to run its course. He'll be out until Wednesday at the earliest since he's been running a fever for the majority of the day.
Tylenol and Advil combat it just fine, but it always comes back, so I'm attempting to let him sweat it out and move on with our lives. I can tell he's starting to feel a little better; his sense of humor is slightly more funny, although he still doesn't make sense half the time.
I emailed teachers about assignments, and they have yet to get back to me, but I figure it would help to know what we're getting into, what with the 6 weeks ending on Friday.
Oh, and during the weighing/measuring portion of our morning, I text my Seester gleefully because he's her height...and he weighs 120. Which makes him a man-child.
My grocery bill is going to be through the roof. Oh, wait. It already is...
Aubs
Then he got up to pee and promptly threw up, so I went ahead and made the call. I think that hospitals and doctor's offices have some sort of fever barrier. You can be running a crazy fever (or even just a small one) in the comfort of your own home, but as soon as you cross the threshold of a healthcare related business, the fever barrier goes up and your temp is always normal.
Also, I'll go ahead and go on record about how much I despise the thermometer wand that slides over your forehead. I'm a "thermometer under the tongue" kind of gal, myself. Call me old-fashioned...I'll proudly own it! Anyway, his temperature was normal even though his head felt hot...like 100.9 hot when I took his temperature orally after we got home. He tested negative for the flu, so that's awesome, but not so awesome? Just a virus that has to run its course. He'll be out until Wednesday at the earliest since he's been running a fever for the majority of the day.
Tylenol and Advil combat it just fine, but it always comes back, so I'm attempting to let him sweat it out and move on with our lives. I can tell he's starting to feel a little better; his sense of humor is slightly more funny, although he still doesn't make sense half the time.
I emailed teachers about assignments, and they have yet to get back to me, but I figure it would help to know what we're getting into, what with the 6 weeks ending on Friday.
Oh, and during the weighing/measuring portion of our morning, I text my Seester gleefully because he's her height...and he weighs 120. Which makes him a man-child.
My grocery bill is going to be through the roof. Oh, wait. It already is...
Aubs
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Miserable & Puny
By now you have probably realized, if you don't know me personally, that I have 2 children: N & B.
N is 12, plays baseball, loves history and is pretty much an old man trapped in a pre-teen body. He's closing in on me in height and he's stronger than I am sometimes. He knows it, too. It has the potential to be unpleasant. As the oldest by 3 years (and change), he grew up primarily around adults, hence his ease in conversing with them, hence his overall dislike for maturity levels in his age range. I'm not saying he can't join friends on the immaturity bandwagon, because he's been known to on rare occasions, but he chooses not to more often than not. N rarely gets sick, doesn't suffer from any allergies (aside from seasonal crap like the rest of us), and the only time he was seriously sick/injured was a broken arm in 1st grade.
B is 8, loves to play outside and ride bikes, play board games, help in the kitchen (or anywhere really) and is the most joyful child I have ever known. He is just gleeful about life, and his laugh? Well, it's infectious. His laugh can diffuse any situation known to man, and even when things are rough, he can find a reason to laugh. He is the youngest of 4 all together and that has been kind of tough on him. He thrives when he is the youngest in a group because most of the others typically cut him some slack and let him lead. He thrives when he is the oldest in a group because most of the others look up to him and are willing to let him make the rules. He has a hard time with people his own age because they're all on even ground. B has had a rough go of life...he's been hospitalized twice (once with Rotavirus when he was 1, and once right before 1st grade in 2012 when he had to be admitted to the ICU when he accidentally got a whiff of chlorine gas), and has a horrible time with asthma, allergies and strep throat.
N has been sick enough to miss school approximately half a dozen times or so in his lifetime. It just rarely happens...B, on the other hand, missed 2 days last week simply because his allergies were so bad he could barely open his eyes. N's knee was swollen this morning and he felt wobbly and shaky. I figured he slept so hard that he slept funny and he just needed to wake up a little. We planned to go pick apples at his great-grandparents' orchard this afternoon, so we headed that way around lunchtime. When we arrived, nobody was home and all of the apples were gone. BUMMER! We hung around for a little bit, then got thirsty so we headed back towards our house. I stopped to grab him some water, and after he drank a little, he curled up on the passenger seat and passed out.
By the time we got home, he was begging to curl up on the couch and asked for a blanket. As I covered him, I felt his head and it was on fire. 102.2. Super. I'd given him some pain reliever for his knee (it's still pretty swollen, even now) so I had to hold off on any fever reducer until later. His temperature evened out to 99.4, and he swore he'd be going to school tomorrow. I told him to wait for it.
A few hours later, we were back up to 103.4, and we've been hovering around that ever since. He's not nauseated or anything...just achy, fever/chills, and a massive headache. He finally agreed that he should stay home tomorrow, and I informed him that we'd be headed to the doctor as soon as I could get an appointment. The good news is B is with his stepmom this week, so if it IS the flu (my number 1 suspicion), he'll be able to avoid it. I hope.
Because, y'all? We had the flu in February, and it was the worst. Ever. In the history of ever.
Aubs
N is 12, plays baseball, loves history and is pretty much an old man trapped in a pre-teen body. He's closing in on me in height and he's stronger than I am sometimes. He knows it, too. It has the potential to be unpleasant. As the oldest by 3 years (and change), he grew up primarily around adults, hence his ease in conversing with them, hence his overall dislike for maturity levels in his age range. I'm not saying he can't join friends on the immaturity bandwagon, because he's been known to on rare occasions, but he chooses not to more often than not. N rarely gets sick, doesn't suffer from any allergies (aside from seasonal crap like the rest of us), and the only time he was seriously sick/injured was a broken arm in 1st grade.
B is 8, loves to play outside and ride bikes, play board games, help in the kitchen (or anywhere really) and is the most joyful child I have ever known. He is just gleeful about life, and his laugh? Well, it's infectious. His laugh can diffuse any situation known to man, and even when things are rough, he can find a reason to laugh. He is the youngest of 4 all together and that has been kind of tough on him. He thrives when he is the youngest in a group because most of the others typically cut him some slack and let him lead. He thrives when he is the oldest in a group because most of the others look up to him and are willing to let him make the rules. He has a hard time with people his own age because they're all on even ground. B has had a rough go of life...he's been hospitalized twice (once with Rotavirus when he was 1, and once right before 1st grade in 2012 when he had to be admitted to the ICU when he accidentally got a whiff of chlorine gas), and has a horrible time with asthma, allergies and strep throat.
N has been sick enough to miss school approximately half a dozen times or so in his lifetime. It just rarely happens...B, on the other hand, missed 2 days last week simply because his allergies were so bad he could barely open his eyes. N's knee was swollen this morning and he felt wobbly and shaky. I figured he slept so hard that he slept funny and he just needed to wake up a little. We planned to go pick apples at his great-grandparents' orchard this afternoon, so we headed that way around lunchtime. When we arrived, nobody was home and all of the apples were gone. BUMMER! We hung around for a little bit, then got thirsty so we headed back towards our house. I stopped to grab him some water, and after he drank a little, he curled up on the passenger seat and passed out.
By the time we got home, he was begging to curl up on the couch and asked for a blanket. As I covered him, I felt his head and it was on fire. 102.2. Super. I'd given him some pain reliever for his knee (it's still pretty swollen, even now) so I had to hold off on any fever reducer until later. His temperature evened out to 99.4, and he swore he'd be going to school tomorrow. I told him to wait for it.
A few hours later, we were back up to 103.4, and we've been hovering around that ever since. He's not nauseated or anything...just achy, fever/chills, and a massive headache. He finally agreed that he should stay home tomorrow, and I informed him that we'd be headed to the doctor as soon as I could get an appointment. The good news is B is with his stepmom this week, so if it IS the flu (my number 1 suspicion), he'll be able to avoid it. I hope.
Because, y'all? We had the flu in February, and it was the worst. Ever. In the history of ever.
Aubs
Take me out to the ballgame, or maybe just take me out...
N skipped practice yesterday since he was babysitting, so when we got an email from his coach saying we were down to 8 players for our game, he was ready to get there and be a leader. His latest and greatest quest in life is to find an adult-ish wallet since he can't find the velcro Tony Hawk wallet that he lost...oh, two years ago or so.
I have been trying to explain to him how important it is to NOT buy things impulsively. Unfortunately, I also suck at this, even though I fully understand it in theory. That said, I thought I'd convinced him to wait until Sunday to go purchase a wallet. I was mistaken.
My mom came over after the ballgame (we won 7-6, but more on that in a minute), and when she left, N had his shoes on, ready to go. And he's persuasive.
So, he's now the proud owner of a "man" wallet. It's brown leather, and it isn't a tri-fold, so he thinks it's the best thing on the planet. And now he says he needs shorts with bigger pockets so it'll fit better.
It's always something.
SO. The game. N played first for the majority of the game and hit well. On his second at bat, however, he tripped over the first baseman who was blocking him, and slammed his knee into the ground. My heart dropped to the ground as I watched his face twist in pain and hobble toward the bench, calling for a pinch runner. I ran to grab some ice (not knowing they had an ice pack in the dugout already) and took it into the dugout, where N was icing his knee. I told him to elevate it, and he told me I was being dramatic. Dramatic is hobbling off the field, calling for a pinch runner, but whatever. We go with it. He played through the pain and caught for the last inning or so.
Meanwhile, there's a kid on the other team, a "J" who has played with us before...in the fall of 2012. While he was up to bat, he argued with the umpire about how he was calling the game. When the ump called him out, J told him, "You must be high on drugs or something."
Bad idea. The coach heard him and benched him, just as the ump walked over and said he intended to eject him. J threw his helmet, packed up his bag, and left the dugout. His dad was sitting in front of me and we'd been chatting throughout the game. J throws his stuff at his dad's feet and starts griping about how N stole his bat. Wait, what?! My N? I asked J what he was talking about and he seemed to think that N stole his bat 2 years ago, when the bat length was a good 3 inches shorter. I spoke up and asked him which bat he was talking about, then informed him (rather politely through clenched teeth) that I just purchased the bat in question earlier this year. His dad told him to shut up and that he was already in trouble. I told him that there were a lot of those bats this season, so I hoped he was able to find his.
And then I stared while he continued to blame N for the bat theft, I'm guessing since N was the only one on the other team he recognized? I have no idea. Some people...
So, we're spending the evening icing a knee and playing some Red Dead on Xbox. Because we're super awesome.
Aubs
I have been trying to explain to him how important it is to NOT buy things impulsively. Unfortunately, I also suck at this, even though I fully understand it in theory. That said, I thought I'd convinced him to wait until Sunday to go purchase a wallet. I was mistaken.
My mom came over after the ballgame (we won 7-6, but more on that in a minute), and when she left, N had his shoes on, ready to go. And he's persuasive.
So, he's now the proud owner of a "man" wallet. It's brown leather, and it isn't a tri-fold, so he thinks it's the best thing on the planet. And now he says he needs shorts with bigger pockets so it'll fit better.
It's always something.
SO. The game. N played first for the majority of the game and hit well. On his second at bat, however, he tripped over the first baseman who was blocking him, and slammed his knee into the ground. My heart dropped to the ground as I watched his face twist in pain and hobble toward the bench, calling for a pinch runner. I ran to grab some ice (not knowing they had an ice pack in the dugout already) and took it into the dugout, where N was icing his knee. I told him to elevate it, and he told me I was being dramatic. Dramatic is hobbling off the field, calling for a pinch runner, but whatever. We go with it. He played through the pain and caught for the last inning or so.
Meanwhile, there's a kid on the other team, a "J" who has played with us before...in the fall of 2012. While he was up to bat, he argued with the umpire about how he was calling the game. When the ump called him out, J told him, "You must be high on drugs or something."
Bad idea. The coach heard him and benched him, just as the ump walked over and said he intended to eject him. J threw his helmet, packed up his bag, and left the dugout. His dad was sitting in front of me and we'd been chatting throughout the game. J throws his stuff at his dad's feet and starts griping about how N stole his bat. Wait, what?! My N? I asked J what he was talking about and he seemed to think that N stole his bat 2 years ago, when the bat length was a good 3 inches shorter. I spoke up and asked him which bat he was talking about, then informed him (rather politely through clenched teeth) that I just purchased the bat in question earlier this year. His dad told him to shut up and that he was already in trouble. I told him that there were a lot of those bats this season, so I hoped he was able to find his.
And then I stared while he continued to blame N for the bat theft, I'm guessing since N was the only one on the other team he recognized? I have no idea. Some people...
So, we're spending the evening icing a knee and playing some Red Dead on Xbox. Because we're super awesome.
Aubs
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Babysitting and Grandfriends Day
I'm fairly certain I've mentioned this before, but N is super-into maps and flags. Like, it's all he wanted for his birthday, and since then, he's been working with his dad to make money. For what? More maps and flags.
We're running out of wall space, here...he's going to have to start cycling them in and out, perhaps seasonal flag changes? I'm grasping at straws here.
Anyway, he really wanted this vintage map he found on Amazon, so he asked if he could pay me and I could buy it with my Prime account. Okay, no problem. And then, when I went to purchase the item he put in my shopping cart, I found 3 items totaling almost $50 instead of the ONE item we had originally discussed.
Sneaky, but not sneaky enough. I told him I'd be happy to purchase them when he was able to pay me the full amount. And then he asked if he could come with me to babysit so he could make some money.
C & J LOVE him. He plays games with J and talks to C, and reads really great bedtime stories. This time, however, he was cranky. And that doesn't make a great babysitter. He turned it around at bedtime and managed to make some money to buy his flags and maps.
So, I ordered his vintage Betsy Ross flag, his "Don't Tread On Me" flag, and his super-vintage world map.
And I still have no idea where he intends to put it all, so that will be our next adventure.
Also, today was Grandfriends Day at B's school, where a special friend/grandparent comes in for an open house type event, then cookies and lunch with their student. It's always a lot of fun, and this year was so much better than last year. Last year, our class was coping with the loss of a classmate that passed away the night before at the age of 6. Today was the one year anniversary of her death, and although everyone was having a great time with their special friends, I know I wasn't the only one who was thinking about her and her family. It's sobering and puts life in perspective. We are never guaranteed a specific number of days, so we need to cherish them all.
My mom usually comes for Grandfriends Day because she's the only local grandparent. This year, B hadn't seen his stepmom in 3 weeks (It was my week, then his stepmom was out of town and his dad wasn't feeling well, so I got a second week, and then B got sick and it was my week again), so she asked if she could be his surprise special friend. My mom agreed, so stepmom came to surprise B...and she brought her mom (B's step-grandma, I guess?), too. They asked if they could take him home after lunch instead of having him stay the whole day, so B had a SUPER short week this week, since he missed Monday and Tuesday and left early on Friday.
I miss him already. He's over there all week, then back with me for a few days before I head out of town to see my dad for a long weekend. I can't wait!
Aubs
We're running out of wall space, here...he's going to have to start cycling them in and out, perhaps seasonal flag changes? I'm grasping at straws here.
Anyway, he really wanted this vintage map he found on Amazon, so he asked if he could pay me and I could buy it with my Prime account. Okay, no problem. And then, when I went to purchase the item he put in my shopping cart, I found 3 items totaling almost $50 instead of the ONE item we had originally discussed.
Sneaky, but not sneaky enough. I told him I'd be happy to purchase them when he was able to pay me the full amount. And then he asked if he could come with me to babysit so he could make some money.
C & J LOVE him. He plays games with J and talks to C, and reads really great bedtime stories. This time, however, he was cranky. And that doesn't make a great babysitter. He turned it around at bedtime and managed to make some money to buy his flags and maps.
So, I ordered his vintage Betsy Ross flag, his "Don't Tread On Me" flag, and his super-vintage world map.
And I still have no idea where he intends to put it all, so that will be our next adventure.
Also, today was Grandfriends Day at B's school, where a special friend/grandparent comes in for an open house type event, then cookies and lunch with their student. It's always a lot of fun, and this year was so much better than last year. Last year, our class was coping with the loss of a classmate that passed away the night before at the age of 6. Today was the one year anniversary of her death, and although everyone was having a great time with their special friends, I know I wasn't the only one who was thinking about her and her family. It's sobering and puts life in perspective. We are never guaranteed a specific number of days, so we need to cherish them all.
My mom usually comes for Grandfriends Day because she's the only local grandparent. This year, B hadn't seen his stepmom in 3 weeks (It was my week, then his stepmom was out of town and his dad wasn't feeling well, so I got a second week, and then B got sick and it was my week again), so she asked if she could be his surprise special friend. My mom agreed, so stepmom came to surprise B...and she brought her mom (B's step-grandma, I guess?), too. They asked if they could take him home after lunch instead of having him stay the whole day, so B had a SUPER short week this week, since he missed Monday and Tuesday and left early on Friday.
I miss him already. He's over there all week, then back with me for a few days before I head out of town to see my dad for a long weekend. I can't wait!
Aubs
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Stupid Purple Dinosaur
Mine may drive me absolutely insane sometimes, and we may not always get along or see eye to eye on...well, anything, but family is awesome. It reminds me of a song I used to sing when I would babysit those precious children who loved that horrid purple dinosaur:
"A family is people,
A family is love.
That's a family.
They come in all different sizes
And different kinds,
But mine's just right for me, yeah!
Mine's just right for me."
My family is perfectly imperfect. My "nuclear" family is sometimes volatile (like today when we all just took a page from Alexander's book and had terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days) but, man...they sure are precious when they're sleeping. I know some people will totally relate to that. Or most of you. Even if you don't want to admit it. I won't judge.
My "nuclear" family when I was growing up was also imperfect. My dad traveled a lot and my mom got to deal with the brunt of our anger, hostility and hatred. Three females? And a female cat and dog? If I had been my dad, I would've been gone all the time, too! It wasn't his fault, but it was his job. When he'd come home from a week of traveling, he'd want to chill and relax, and we'd be raring to go. I can't imagine how difficult it was on him, but he took it all in stride.
My extended family is rather large, however, most of us don't keep in touch. There was a "core" group of grandkids on my mom's side: My sister and me and then my mom's sister's daughters...there were (eventually) 4 of them. We grew up in the same neighborhood and lived around the corner (or a few of them) from each other. Four of us are stairstep cousins: I have a cousin a year-ish older and a year-ish younger, who's a year-ish older than my sister. They have two sisters who complete our stairsteps, too. We have very few male cousins, so they get to put up with a lot from us. Or at least they used to...like I said, we don't get to keep in touch nearly as often as I'd like.
The great thing about being a grown-up (there's just one? Womp womp!) is that two of the cousins in our staircase live less than 5 minutes from me, and one of them came to my house tonight to pick up a book for her book club AND some potato soup, too! She's my "Pal," which requires an explanation: Right before I turned 7, we moved from our home in San Antonio to Norman, Oklahoma. When we'd come back to SA to visit (which was quite a bit because I had an ill grandparent), we'd inevitably spend at least one night with them. Each time we'd leave, our stairstep cousins (L & Z) would run down the sidewalk in their cul-de-sac, waving their arms and jumping while yelling, "YOU'RE STILL MY PAL!!!!!" It was tradition...a tradition that we still do in some way/shape/form on a regular basis.
My Pal and I had a blast catching up, and she helped with my Spanish class because, let me just say...the textbook we're using is awful. We busted out Guess Who and I described the characters in Spanish, while inserting my own words like "Alfred son...d-bag?" Needless to say, there were lots of laughs. I love that I have cousins I'm close to on my mom's side of the family. On my dad's side, family members don't really keep in touch at all, but I have two cousins that I absolutely adore! They don't live close, and I haven't seen them in 6 years, but thank Jesus for Facebook! It's so wonderful to be able to keep up with each other and chat whenever we have a free moment.
Let's face it...it's not that often, but it's one of those things where you take the time. And I'm glad I took the time with L tonight because...man! I haven't laughed that hard in a while!
YOU'RE STILL MY PAL!!!!
Aubs
"A family is people,
A family is love.
That's a family.
They come in all different sizes
And different kinds,
But mine's just right for me, yeah!
Mine's just right for me."
My family is perfectly imperfect. My "nuclear" family is sometimes volatile (like today when we all just took a page from Alexander's book and had terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days) but, man...they sure are precious when they're sleeping. I know some people will totally relate to that. Or most of you. Even if you don't want to admit it. I won't judge.
My "nuclear" family when I was growing up was also imperfect. My dad traveled a lot and my mom got to deal with the brunt of our anger, hostility and hatred. Three females? And a female cat and dog? If I had been my dad, I would've been gone all the time, too! It wasn't his fault, but it was his job. When he'd come home from a week of traveling, he'd want to chill and relax, and we'd be raring to go. I can't imagine how difficult it was on him, but he took it all in stride.
My extended family is rather large, however, most of us don't keep in touch. There was a "core" group of grandkids on my mom's side: My sister and me and then my mom's sister's daughters...there were (eventually) 4 of them. We grew up in the same neighborhood and lived around the corner (or a few of them) from each other. Four of us are stairstep cousins: I have a cousin a year-ish older and a year-ish younger, who's a year-ish older than my sister. They have two sisters who complete our stairsteps, too. We have very few male cousins, so they get to put up with a lot from us. Or at least they used to...like I said, we don't get to keep in touch nearly as often as I'd like.
The great thing about being a grown-up (there's just one? Womp womp!) is that two of the cousins in our staircase live less than 5 minutes from me, and one of them came to my house tonight to pick up a book for her book club AND some potato soup, too! She's my "Pal," which requires an explanation: Right before I turned 7, we moved from our home in San Antonio to Norman, Oklahoma. When we'd come back to SA to visit (which was quite a bit because I had an ill grandparent), we'd inevitably spend at least one night with them. Each time we'd leave, our stairstep cousins (L & Z) would run down the sidewalk in their cul-de-sac, waving their arms and jumping while yelling, "YOU'RE STILL MY PAL!!!!!" It was tradition...a tradition that we still do in some way/shape/form on a regular basis.
My Pal and I had a blast catching up, and she helped with my Spanish class because, let me just say...the textbook we're using is awful. We busted out Guess Who and I described the characters in Spanish, while inserting my own words like "Alfred son...d-bag?" Needless to say, there were lots of laughs. I love that I have cousins I'm close to on my mom's side of the family. On my dad's side, family members don't really keep in touch at all, but I have two cousins that I absolutely adore! They don't live close, and I haven't seen them in 6 years, but thank Jesus for Facebook! It's so wonderful to be able to keep up with each other and chat whenever we have a free moment.
Let's face it...it's not that often, but it's one of those things where you take the time. And I'm glad I took the time with L tonight because...man! I haven't laughed that hard in a while!
YOU'RE STILL MY PAL!!!!
Aubs
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Talk Talk Albert
When I was in Kindergarten, there was a boy in my class named Talk Talk Albert. For a good part of the year, I was convinced that was actually his name. That was a super fun year. We took turns chasing each other on the playground and made some really awesome glasses out of egg cartons with patterns cut out of the bottom and covered with blue cellophane. I also got in trouble when I asked to take my shoe off after stepping in a fire ant pile when my foot was practically two times it's normal size. Ahhhhhh, the joys of Kindergarten! I went to a private Christian school, and I was constantly reciting the Lord's Prayer...so much so that my sister would tattle on me for saying it: "Mooooooooom, she's saying the Lord's Prayer!" Oh, I was such a rebel...
Today, I was Talk Talk Albert. I have no idea what was so important, but I swear I feel like I've been talking all day long. I spent the morning talking to AT&T about what options N had if his phone could not be found. I spent 3 hours at school, talking about Spanish and about what I didn't like about the new curriculum they started this semester. I spent 20 minutes talking at the grocery store. I spent from 3:15 until 8:45 talking practically non-stop, whether it be to my children, to neighbors who are moving away, on the phone to each of my parents and finally, reading the boys part of our Magic Treehouse book before bed.
I am all talked out. And I think that also means I'm all typed out. 'Cause man!
Aubs
P.S. I was looking for pictures of me from my first day of Kindergarten, but I have no idea where they are. I know I have at least one because I've seen it recently...but instead I got caught up at looking at pictures from a couple of years ago, when I was way skinnier. And I realized I need that kind of motivation. So, here I go. Maybe.
Today, I was Talk Talk Albert. I have no idea what was so important, but I swear I feel like I've been talking all day long. I spent the morning talking to AT&T about what options N had if his phone could not be found. I spent 3 hours at school, talking about Spanish and about what I didn't like about the new curriculum they started this semester. I spent 20 minutes talking at the grocery store. I spent from 3:15 until 8:45 talking practically non-stop, whether it be to my children, to neighbors who are moving away, on the phone to each of my parents and finally, reading the boys part of our Magic Treehouse book before bed.
I am all talked out. And I think that also means I'm all typed out. 'Cause man!
Aubs
P.S. I was looking for pictures of me from my first day of Kindergarten, but I have no idea where they are. I know I have at least one because I've seen it recently...but instead I got caught up at looking at pictures from a couple of years ago, when I was way skinnier. And I realized I need that kind of motivation. So, here I go. Maybe.
I called it!
B was a bundle of energy today. He was argumentative and he ignored half of what I said...both clear indicators that he is feeling much better. We did get some snuggle time in this morning, so I was grateful for that. It just ended entirely too early for me! We spent most of the day lounging around; B played solitaire with a deck of cards (my mom taught him, and he LOVES it), and after I finished some homework, we played a lively game of Go Fish, where I lost 10-3. It was embarrassing.
We made a quick run to Target to grab a few things I needed to make cookies for Grandfriends' Day on Friday, and while we were out B asked, "Is this really what you do all day, or are you torturing me on purpose?" He's full of it, friends...the kid loves Target almost as much as I do. It's genetic.
Speaking of genes/jeans, we had a great conversation about that on the way home from Target. He was giggling up a storm, which quickly turned into maniacal chipmunk and had me cracking up, too! His laugh...oh, how I love it!
When N walked in the door, he was in a foul mood. And it went further downhill when he realized his phone was missing. We turned the house upside down, I called the bus barn, sent him to the apartment office, and finally had him email all of his teachers...so far, no phone. He's had it for over a year and only had one other mishap, so I'm pretty proud of him for being responsible. I keep telling him I really think it's in his locker, but he begs to differ.
And if you've never been able to reach out and physically TOUCH hate, well...you should've been in my house today. That sweet boy of mine was full of it. And it was rough. But we got through it because....well, even if we don't like each other all the time, we're a team.
So my heart spilled over tonight when B announced he was cleaning the table (without being asked) and he worked so hard. They played nicely together and begged me to read a chapter of a Magic Treehouse book, and I was glad to do it. Days like today can be hard, and they can take a serious turn if you allow yourself to give in to the madness and the hate.
But, today? Today we chose to have joy. And I have to tell you...it felt WAY better than all of those other days where we've chosen the alternative.
It'll take some getting used to, but I'm going to try my hardest to choose joy a whole lot more.
You should, too.
Aubs
We made a quick run to Target to grab a few things I needed to make cookies for Grandfriends' Day on Friday, and while we were out B asked, "Is this really what you do all day, or are you torturing me on purpose?" He's full of it, friends...the kid loves Target almost as much as I do. It's genetic.
Speaking of genes/jeans, we had a great conversation about that on the way home from Target. He was giggling up a storm, which quickly turned into maniacal chipmunk and had me cracking up, too! His laugh...oh, how I love it!
When N walked in the door, he was in a foul mood. And it went further downhill when he realized his phone was missing. We turned the house upside down, I called the bus barn, sent him to the apartment office, and finally had him email all of his teachers...so far, no phone. He's had it for over a year and only had one other mishap, so I'm pretty proud of him for being responsible. I keep telling him I really think it's in his locker, but he begs to differ.
And if you've never been able to reach out and physically TOUCH hate, well...you should've been in my house today. That sweet boy of mine was full of it. And it was rough. But we got through it because....well, even if we don't like each other all the time, we're a team.
So my heart spilled over tonight when B announced he was cleaning the table (without being asked) and he worked so hard. They played nicely together and begged me to read a chapter of a Magic Treehouse book, and I was glad to do it. Days like today can be hard, and they can take a serious turn if you allow yourself to give in to the madness and the hate.
But, today? Today we chose to have joy. And I have to tell you...it felt WAY better than all of those other days where we've chosen the alternative.
It'll take some getting used to, but I'm going to try my hardest to choose joy a whole lot more.
You should, too.
Aubs
Monday, September 22, 2014
Sick Day
I had B stay home today, and (luckily) he went right back to sleep when I moved him from his bed to mine so N could get ready for school. N's dad was supposed to come by and grab him for breakfast, but that didn't pan out at the last minute so I was stuck. Also, I never made it to the grocery store this weekend, so we were out of food. Literally.
I gave N all the cash in my wallet and got him to school on time. My ultimate goal was to climb in bed and snuggle with B until a mid-morning doctor's appointment, however, when I called and they said, "Can you be here at 8:30?" I (mentally) sighed and said, "Sure!"
Prognosis? Really bad allergies with a viral rash. He can go to school tomorrow as long as he hasn't started running a fever. Fast forward to 2 hours later, and guess who's febrile...yup! I emailed my professor about bringing B to my Spanish class, and never heard back from her. SO, since I'm the student who can do no wrong (hahahaha), I loaded him up with my laptop and some Chick Fil-A, and for an hour and 20 minutes, I did not hear a peep from him.
It's how I knew he legitimately didn't feel well...I won't lie. After class, he was feeling crappy, but I knew we had to go to the grocery store. I told him to curl up on the bottom thingy and we zipped around Market Street, grabbing everything we needed (mostly) in less than 20 minutes.
B is the type of kid who rarely acts as bad as he might actually feel. It's just not in his nature. Even when he had the flu in February and was running 104, he was still bouncing around and asking for snacks and to play video games. I wish I could be like that when I was sick.
Since he did run a fever this morning and again this afternoon, I've decided to keep him home tomorrow, too. This will ultimately be my downfall, I can feel it in my bones.
Aubs
I gave N all the cash in my wallet and got him to school on time. My ultimate goal was to climb in bed and snuggle with B until a mid-morning doctor's appointment, however, when I called and they said, "Can you be here at 8:30?" I (mentally) sighed and said, "Sure!"
Prognosis? Really bad allergies with a viral rash. He can go to school tomorrow as long as he hasn't started running a fever. Fast forward to 2 hours later, and guess who's febrile...yup! I emailed my professor about bringing B to my Spanish class, and never heard back from her. SO, since I'm the student who can do no wrong (hahahaha), I loaded him up with my laptop and some Chick Fil-A, and for an hour and 20 minutes, I did not hear a peep from him.
It's how I knew he legitimately didn't feel well...I won't lie. After class, he was feeling crappy, but I knew we had to go to the grocery store. I told him to curl up on the bottom thingy and we zipped around Market Street, grabbing everything we needed (mostly) in less than 20 minutes.
B is the type of kid who rarely acts as bad as he might actually feel. It's just not in his nature. Even when he had the flu in February and was running 104, he was still bouncing around and asking for snacks and to play video games. I wish I could be like that when I was sick.
Since he did run a fever this morning and again this afternoon, I've decided to keep him home tomorrow, too. This will ultimately be my downfall, I can feel it in my bones.
Aubs
Blech
I knew when we went to bed last night that it was going to be a crappy day for B. His allergies are killer this time of year, and when he went out to play with a volleyball on Thursday, his quality of life took a nosedive. Then, when we went to practice on Friday, he ran all over creation and played his little heart out. He looked like a punching bag, but he felt fine and he couldn't be stopped.
Saturday was even worse, but with Benadryl and a quiet day, he was mostly himself. But at N's game, he sat still and played cards and wrote cursive and tried to keep score (we had a scoreboard malfunction which was very distracting). He lost interest and began to run around towards the end, but he was extremely still...even for him.
So when he woke up today, I knew we weren't doing anything. I watched the sermon at church from my laptop while B watched "The Patriot." I worked on homework while B played solitaire. We played endless rounds of Go Fish, and I finally convinced him to play the "close your eyes on the commercials, open them when the show comes back on" game. I just muted the tv so he'd have no idea in an attempt to get him to nap.
I failed.
I also failed to go to the grocery store, so I know that breakfast and lunch-making will be incredibly interesting tomorrow. Oh, and dinner...we had grilled cheese. Or B did, with the last of the bread.
My cupboards are bare, and I've already decided he's going to stay home tomorrow so I can take him to the doctor. I'm sure it's just allergies, but with the red/crusty eyes (delightful mental image, right?), I can't be too careful. He's supposed to see his dad sometime this week, but his dad is still considered post-corneal-transplant, and that would be an epic disaster.
He doesn't know he's staying home yet, so that will be a thrilling revelation for him. N? Not so much!
Aubs
Saturday was even worse, but with Benadryl and a quiet day, he was mostly himself. But at N's game, he sat still and played cards and wrote cursive and tried to keep score (we had a scoreboard malfunction which was very distracting). He lost interest and began to run around towards the end, but he was extremely still...even for him.
So when he woke up today, I knew we weren't doing anything. I watched the sermon at church from my laptop while B watched "The Patriot." I worked on homework while B played solitaire. We played endless rounds of Go Fish, and I finally convinced him to play the "close your eyes on the commercials, open them when the show comes back on" game. I just muted the tv so he'd have no idea in an attempt to get him to nap.
I failed.
I also failed to go to the grocery store, so I know that breakfast and lunch-making will be incredibly interesting tomorrow. Oh, and dinner...we had grilled cheese. Or B did, with the last of the bread.
My cupboards are bare, and I've already decided he's going to stay home tomorrow so I can take him to the doctor. I'm sure it's just allergies, but with the red/crusty eyes (delightful mental image, right?), I can't be too careful. He's supposed to see his dad sometime this week, but his dad is still considered post-corneal-transplant, and that would be an epic disaster.
He doesn't know he's staying home yet, so that will be a thrilling revelation for him. N? Not so much!
Aubs
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Stupid Boy
NTB is no longer on my "good" list.
When I went in to get my battery replaced (I KNEW it was the battery!) the poor, unfortunate soul (PUS-haha, that makes me laugh) behind the counter tried to tell me I needed about eleventy other things. Our conversation went like this:
PUS: Okay, so you need a new engine air filter, a new battery, a new ac belt, a new serpentine belt, and wiper blades.
ME: I think you might've forgotten to include the kitchen sink in that list.
PUS: Huh? (Already he loses points for not having a sense of humor)
ME: Okay, write up an estimate, and I'll tell you what I choose to do.
PUS (Eyes rolling): Okay, I'll get on that right away, Ma'am.
ME: Thank you.
Meanwhile, I step outside to call my dad to report my findings, and we agree that replacing battery and belt(s) are the way to go.
PUS: Here's the estimate. For the air filter, the battery, the battery install, the two belts, and the labor, it's $430.
ME: What about the wiper blades? And the kitchen sink?
PUS: Huh?
ME: I'm going to call my dad and discuss. Please excuse me.
Now, when I say that, I expect him to give me some personal space because he was all up in my hula hoop, and I was NOT looking adorable, so I know it wasn't because he thought I was something. I called my dad and repeated the list. He got irritated as did I and when I said:
ME: Yeah, the labor for the belt install is $153.
PUS: No, that's for the 2 belts.
I looked at that PUS (who was still very much inside my hula hoop while I was sitting at a table) and I stared. B looked at that PUS and HE stared. I put my hand in the air in "talk to the hand" fashion and pinched my fingers closed like they were a mouth. And then I glared. And when I hung up the phone, I said:
ME: Just the battery, please.
PUS: Ooookaaaaaay. (walks into the back yelling) SHE JUST WANTS THE BATTERY!
I stared, dumbfounded, and when the manager came in, I complained. And this is where it gets REAL good, y'all. The PUS gets called into the manager's office for a meeting and when he comes out, he gets all up in my hula hoop again and this happens:
PUS: Um, I'm sorry for whatever you think I might've done.
SAY WHAT?! Is that supposed to be an apology? So, I did what any other person would do...I ripped him a new one like he'd never seen before:
ME: Was that supposed to be an apology? Whatever I think you might've done? How about invading my personal space? How about correcting me while I was on a personal phone call on MY phone? How about yelling in a way that was entirely unprofessional? How about offering a half-assed apology, because let me just say...even my children know better than to interrupt an adult on a phone call. Even my children know better than to stay out of someone's personal space (this is only half true, but how would he know?) and even my children know how to offer up a heartfelt apology or at least make it seem heartfelt. You could learn a thing or two from this 8 year-old right here.
B (bless him): Yeah, that's pathetic! (I have never loved my sarcastic streaked children so much)
PUS: Yeah. Well. Whatever.
ME: No, not whatever. Take your "apology" elsewhere. You've lost my respect and my business.
Meanwhile, the assistant manager is biting every single part of her mouth in an attempt to not laugh. But, to be fair, this dude had it coming. He was SO rude to everyone and I'd had it. So, I had my battery replaced "because it's the one thing I need to get out of this place" and I went home and made an appointment at Pepboys. For less. And an oil change. Still for less. And the guy on the phone laughed his ass off when I told him about PUS at NTB.
After that, N had a ballgame, which ended up being quite the spectacle. They won (surprisingly) 14-6. N hit a line drive to the center field wall and scored on the same hit. He thought something should be a strike and the ump disagreed. Loudly. Then N got a dressing down from the ump which was well-deserved and apologized to him. Then, when the other team's catcher was behind the plate (I think he was new to the position) the same ump said, "Look, son...you're gonna have to start trying to catch these at some point..." The kid was trying, and I snorted. Not long after that, a pitch hit him right in the knuckle and he hopped around the field yelling some pretty choice words. I couldn't help it. I laughed so hard, right then and there. Karma, friends. It's real.
We stayed to watch the second game because we have friends on both teams and made a pact to get our team back together even if it meant bribes. Okay, maybe not...but maybe so...I've already put some feelers out. I'm not above that if it gets our team back together. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing Spring Ball was to our family. Seriously. It's little league...and it's rec ball...but it's so much more than that. It's a family.
Aubs
When I went in to get my battery replaced (I KNEW it was the battery!) the poor, unfortunate soul (PUS-haha, that makes me laugh) behind the counter tried to tell me I needed about eleventy other things. Our conversation went like this:
PUS: Okay, so you need a new engine air filter, a new battery, a new ac belt, a new serpentine belt, and wiper blades.
ME: I think you might've forgotten to include the kitchen sink in that list.
PUS: Huh? (Already he loses points for not having a sense of humor)
ME: Okay, write up an estimate, and I'll tell you what I choose to do.
PUS (Eyes rolling): Okay, I'll get on that right away, Ma'am.
ME: Thank you.
Meanwhile, I step outside to call my dad to report my findings, and we agree that replacing battery and belt(s) are the way to go.
PUS: Here's the estimate. For the air filter, the battery, the battery install, the two belts, and the labor, it's $430.
ME: What about the wiper blades? And the kitchen sink?
PUS: Huh?
ME: I'm going to call my dad and discuss. Please excuse me.
Now, when I say that, I expect him to give me some personal space because he was all up in my hula hoop, and I was NOT looking adorable, so I know it wasn't because he thought I was something. I called my dad and repeated the list. He got irritated as did I and when I said:
ME: Yeah, the labor for the belt install is $153.
PUS: No, that's for the 2 belts.
I looked at that PUS (who was still very much inside my hula hoop while I was sitting at a table) and I stared. B looked at that PUS and HE stared. I put my hand in the air in "talk to the hand" fashion and pinched my fingers closed like they were a mouth. And then I glared. And when I hung up the phone, I said:
ME: Just the battery, please.
PUS: Ooookaaaaaay. (walks into the back yelling) SHE JUST WANTS THE BATTERY!
I stared, dumbfounded, and when the manager came in, I complained. And this is where it gets REAL good, y'all. The PUS gets called into the manager's office for a meeting and when he comes out, he gets all up in my hula hoop again and this happens:
PUS: Um, I'm sorry for whatever you think I might've done.
SAY WHAT?! Is that supposed to be an apology? So, I did what any other person would do...I ripped him a new one like he'd never seen before:
ME: Was that supposed to be an apology? Whatever I think you might've done? How about invading my personal space? How about correcting me while I was on a personal phone call on MY phone? How about yelling in a way that was entirely unprofessional? How about offering a half-assed apology, because let me just say...even my children know better than to interrupt an adult on a phone call. Even my children know better than to stay out of someone's personal space (this is only half true, but how would he know?) and even my children know how to offer up a heartfelt apology or at least make it seem heartfelt. You could learn a thing or two from this 8 year-old right here.
B (bless him): Yeah, that's pathetic! (I have never loved my sarcastic streaked children so much)
PUS: Yeah. Well. Whatever.
ME: No, not whatever. Take your "apology" elsewhere. You've lost my respect and my business.
Meanwhile, the assistant manager is biting every single part of her mouth in an attempt to not laugh. But, to be fair, this dude had it coming. He was SO rude to everyone and I'd had it. So, I had my battery replaced "because it's the one thing I need to get out of this place" and I went home and made an appointment at Pepboys. For less. And an oil change. Still for less. And the guy on the phone laughed his ass off when I told him about PUS at NTB.
After that, N had a ballgame, which ended up being quite the spectacle. They won (surprisingly) 14-6. N hit a line drive to the center field wall and scored on the same hit. He thought something should be a strike and the ump disagreed. Loudly. Then N got a dressing down from the ump which was well-deserved and apologized to him. Then, when the other team's catcher was behind the plate (I think he was new to the position) the same ump said, "Look, son...you're gonna have to start trying to catch these at some point..." The kid was trying, and I snorted. Not long after that, a pitch hit him right in the knuckle and he hopped around the field yelling some pretty choice words. I couldn't help it. I laughed so hard, right then and there. Karma, friends. It's real.
We stayed to watch the second game because we have friends on both teams and made a pact to get our team back together even if it meant bribes. Okay, maybe not...but maybe so...I've already put some feelers out. I'm not above that if it gets our team back together. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing Spring Ball was to our family. Seriously. It's little league...and it's rec ball...but it's so much more than that. It's a family.
Aubs
Friday, September 19, 2014
Frenzied Friday
I babysat last night (which was so much fun) so it made for a late night and that meant I didn't have enough time to get to the grocery store before lunch-making began today. How do you solve that problem? (I must admit, I started singing "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" from Sound of Music just now. You're welcome.)
It's simple...you take both boys to the store BEFORE school and proceed to build lunches in the aisle. It was quite a show, let me tell you. And while building N's rather skimpy lunch, I told him he would be starving this afternoon after school. He told me I was wrong. If anyone cares to guess who was right, I hope they picked me.
We slowed down enough for N to spill out then went around the block to park in the less crowded parking lot. B and two friends came with me to set up my room and the day began. Today was similar and entirely different all at the same time. Instead of lunchtime duty, I had recess duty. I had forgotten how hard it was to be 5 and told the worst possible phrase in the Kindergarten dictionary:
"You can't come to my birthday party!"
Oh, see? It's still funny. These two girls were butting heads yesterday over goldfish and they were bffs on the playground until one said something the other didn't like and then, BOOM. The kiss of death. No birthday party for you!
The whole class was present today, and we did some taste testing with different jelly beans to finish out the week of the 5 senses. Watching them all spit jelly beans in the trash was awesome...and I wondered why they were so hyper since they didn't actually consume them. Sheesh! Jelly beans must give off some potent fumes. (Please note that I didn't plan this experiment, but was following the teacher's lesson plans.)
I had parent loop duty while B and friends ate every snack they could find, and when N walked over from his school, we were out of there. I wanted to fall into a chair and sleep for hours, but no...we had baseball practice. Before we left, I added a healthy dose of Bailey's to my iced coffee and felt much better about the whole scenario.
Until we tried to leave practice and it took 10 minutes for my car to start. Oh, the joy I felt...you can't even imagine. Picture me calling my dad, attempting to explain the sound, and dumbfounded silence on the other end...yep, that's pretty accurate.
I'm headed to NTB in the morning which really means the afternoon because I plan to do nothing until 12:30. NOTHING. In fact, I've already drifted off twice and it's only 9:36 (and OU still sucks).
Okay, then. Goodnight, y'all!
Aubs
It's simple...you take both boys to the store BEFORE school and proceed to build lunches in the aisle. It was quite a show, let me tell you. And while building N's rather skimpy lunch, I told him he would be starving this afternoon after school. He told me I was wrong. If anyone cares to guess who was right, I hope they picked me.
We slowed down enough for N to spill out then went around the block to park in the less crowded parking lot. B and two friends came with me to set up my room and the day began. Today was similar and entirely different all at the same time. Instead of lunchtime duty, I had recess duty. I had forgotten how hard it was to be 5 and told the worst possible phrase in the Kindergarten dictionary:
"You can't come to my birthday party!"
Oh, see? It's still funny. These two girls were butting heads yesterday over goldfish and they were bffs on the playground until one said something the other didn't like and then, BOOM. The kiss of death. No birthday party for you!
The whole class was present today, and we did some taste testing with different jelly beans to finish out the week of the 5 senses. Watching them all spit jelly beans in the trash was awesome...and I wondered why they were so hyper since they didn't actually consume them. Sheesh! Jelly beans must give off some potent fumes. (Please note that I didn't plan this experiment, but was following the teacher's lesson plans.)
I had parent loop duty while B and friends ate every snack they could find, and when N walked over from his school, we were out of there. I wanted to fall into a chair and sleep for hours, but no...we had baseball practice. Before we left, I added a healthy dose of Bailey's to my iced coffee and felt much better about the whole scenario.
Until we tried to leave practice and it took 10 minutes for my car to start. Oh, the joy I felt...you can't even imagine. Picture me calling my dad, attempting to explain the sound, and dumbfounded silence on the other end...yep, that's pretty accurate.
I'm headed to NTB in the morning which really means the afternoon because I plan to do nothing until 12:30. NOTHING. In fact, I've already drifted off twice and it's only 9:36 (and OU still sucks).
Okay, then. Goodnight, y'all!
Aubs
Subsitute Teaching
Last night, around 6:00, I got a call for substituting at B's school. As I was listening to the information, I pulled up the potential job assignment to see who it was and what grade. It was Kindergarten, and it was a multi-day job, meaning I'd be in her class for the remainder of the week.
I took the job, and B was super-excited about that possibility of seeing me in the hallways at school. It's the little things, really. It also meant that I had a lot of homework I had to figure out how to complete since I would be busy for the 8 hours that I would usually spend working on homework and other things...like cleaning my apartment. You have no idea how much it needs a good cleaning and how little desire I have to do it. We're talking negative numbers here...
I woke up a whole hour earlier than I normally do, and by the time the boys woke up for school, I was already halfway through drying my hair. I made lunches, drank coffee, packed a bag of stuff, and at the last minute, I threw in a package of Starbursts. Teach 'em young, I always say... N had to be at school early to re-take a quiz, so we dropped him off at 7:00 and were at a total loss when it came to how to spend our time for the next 30 minutes. I realized I hadn't made MYSELF a lunch, so without telling B where we were headed, I drove to CFA for a chicken bagel. He was THRILLED! He scored some hash browns and chicken minis, and his Thursday was totally made.
When I got into "my" classroom for the remainder of the week, I was ready to go. Little people, at least mass quantities of them, kind of freak me out. I can handle a few small children at one time, but it's been a LONG time since mine were that age, and I was a little more than a little apprehensive. There had been a substitute the day before as well (I didn't know this), so there weren't any plans left. And then there were plans, but they were only have right. And then there were more plans to decipher. This sweet lady's mom got sick and she rushed off to care for her, so I can totally relate. It's her mom. You have to be there for your mom. How many times did she drop everything for you?
We made it work. We had lots of laughs, lots of tears over ridiculous things, and I even survived solo lunch duty! Score! I went home, thoroughly exhausted, and ready to make dinner at 4:00. I babysat for my two favorite kiddos (aside from my own) tonight, too, so it was a late night for me. They were awesome, per usual, C asking me "What were you thinking?! KINDERGARTEN!?" when I told her what I'd been doing all day. As a seasoned first grader, she just couldn't believe what I put up with. Have I mentioned that I adore her?
I did manage to catch up on some homework while I was there, so in addition to story time and some giggles, it was a fantastic evening. My mom pulled babysitting duty of her own so I could spend some time with C & J and so the boys wouldn't have a super late night. And I'm pretty sure, in the quiet stillness of a house where everyone's asleep except me, I can hear those 19 little Kindergarten voices talking over each other and giggling and tattling on each other.
Oh, the voices...
Aubs
I took the job, and B was super-excited about that possibility of seeing me in the hallways at school. It's the little things, really. It also meant that I had a lot of homework I had to figure out how to complete since I would be busy for the 8 hours that I would usually spend working on homework and other things...like cleaning my apartment. You have no idea how much it needs a good cleaning and how little desire I have to do it. We're talking negative numbers here...
I woke up a whole hour earlier than I normally do, and by the time the boys woke up for school, I was already halfway through drying my hair. I made lunches, drank coffee, packed a bag of stuff, and at the last minute, I threw in a package of Starbursts. Teach 'em young, I always say... N had to be at school early to re-take a quiz, so we dropped him off at 7:00 and were at a total loss when it came to how to spend our time for the next 30 minutes. I realized I hadn't made MYSELF a lunch, so without telling B where we were headed, I drove to CFA for a chicken bagel. He was THRILLED! He scored some hash browns and chicken minis, and his Thursday was totally made.
When I got into "my" classroom for the remainder of the week, I was ready to go. Little people, at least mass quantities of them, kind of freak me out. I can handle a few small children at one time, but it's been a LONG time since mine were that age, and I was a little more than a little apprehensive. There had been a substitute the day before as well (I didn't know this), so there weren't any plans left. And then there were plans, but they were only have right. And then there were more plans to decipher. This sweet lady's mom got sick and she rushed off to care for her, so I can totally relate. It's her mom. You have to be there for your mom. How many times did she drop everything for you?
We made it work. We had lots of laughs, lots of tears over ridiculous things, and I even survived solo lunch duty! Score! I went home, thoroughly exhausted, and ready to make dinner at 4:00. I babysat for my two favorite kiddos (aside from my own) tonight, too, so it was a late night for me. They were awesome, per usual, C asking me "What were you thinking?! KINDERGARTEN!?" when I told her what I'd been doing all day. As a seasoned first grader, she just couldn't believe what I put up with. Have I mentioned that I adore her?
I did manage to catch up on some homework while I was there, so in addition to story time and some giggles, it was a fantastic evening. My mom pulled babysitting duty of her own so I could spend some time with C & J and so the boys wouldn't have a super late night. And I'm pretty sure, in the quiet stillness of a house where everyone's asleep except me, I can hear those 19 little Kindergarten voices talking over each other and giggling and tattling on each other.
Oh, the voices...
Aubs
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Bite the bullet
I've been avoiding two of my classes so far this semester, and today I realized that the first major deadline is quickly approaching. I need these classes to graduate (my days of taking classes for fun are over...at least for now), so I need to get busy and get focused.
The only problem is, I'm finding it super difficult to do that. We all have classes that aren't our favorites. Growing up, I despised math. A math whiz, I was not, and I'm still not. In fact, I get really proud of myself when I can help my 7th grader figure out what's going on with HIS homework. Last night it was subtracting negative numbers and I literally explained it to him by saying, "It's like in English when you, God forbid, use a double negative and it becomes positive." He replied with, "You mean like 'there ain't no way I'm doing my math homework?'" I cringed as I told him that was the general concept, however, "ain't" isn't a word. Blech.
I can handle the basics when it comes to math. I have no desire to be an engineer, so I will never use College Algebra for anything. Ever. Luckily, I finished my math requirement last semester, so I don't have to deal with that anymore...however, I do "get" to take Economics. I'm not a fan. There's no real rhyme or reason for it. I just don't like it. And when I took it in high school, my teacher (also a football coach) specifically said, "Econ is not my favorite, but we'll muddle through it as best we can." See? I was destined to dislike it.
The other major class I just don't like is International Relations. I'm pretty sure I've complained about it before...like every single day. It does have its interesting points, don't get me wrong, but the man loves to hear his own voice. The lectures (via YouTube) are long and tedious and full of brief pauses as he takes a drink or collects his thoughts. I find these less irritating in person because when you're only listening, you hear every "gulp." And that's gross.
I have 3 lectures and 3 discussion boards to finish by Monday, and that's just for this class. Usually by now I have my juggling act firmly in place, but I feel like I'm floundering this semester. I bit off a lot, and it may be more than I can chew, but I'm determined. Will I get the best grades of my life? Probably not, but I will do everything in my power to make sure that I pass. I have a lot riding on this, and so does my family...both immediate and extended. I have a lot of people in my corner, helping me out while I strive for better for my boys and for me. And I totally have something to prove. It's not really about that, but there are a lot of people in this world, people I'm stuck with speaking to on a regular basis, that have voiced their (unwanted) opinions about how there's no way I can handle this or the pressure or the workload or any number of other things.
And you know what? Yeah, I get a little crazy sometimes. There's more than enough chaos to go around, but you know what? We still manage to have fun. There's plenty of time for that, if you plan for it, but sometimes you just have to be spontaneous...like tonight when the boys were outside playing with a volleyball and got it stuck way up high in a tree. They started throwing things at it to try to knock it down and succeeded in getting EVERY. SINGLE. THING. stuck in the tree. We laughed so hard at each other and our feeble attempts to knock the following items down:
- Volleyball
- Shoe
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Super Soaker attachment
- Mini 4-Square ball
- Mini foam basketball
Eventually, a neighbor took pity on our exhausted arms and took a turn. I'm happy to report that he was able to get everything down, earning exuberant cheers with the return of each item. We were sweaty and hoarse from yelling and laughing, but you know what?
It was totally worth it. And now I need to bite the bullet and start another lecture. Oh joy. Oh bliss.
Aubs
The only problem is, I'm finding it super difficult to do that. We all have classes that aren't our favorites. Growing up, I despised math. A math whiz, I was not, and I'm still not. In fact, I get really proud of myself when I can help my 7th grader figure out what's going on with HIS homework. Last night it was subtracting negative numbers and I literally explained it to him by saying, "It's like in English when you, God forbid, use a double negative and it becomes positive." He replied with, "You mean like 'there ain't no way I'm doing my math homework?'" I cringed as I told him that was the general concept, however, "ain't" isn't a word. Blech.
I can handle the basics when it comes to math. I have no desire to be an engineer, so I will never use College Algebra for anything. Ever. Luckily, I finished my math requirement last semester, so I don't have to deal with that anymore...however, I do "get" to take Economics. I'm not a fan. There's no real rhyme or reason for it. I just don't like it. And when I took it in high school, my teacher (also a football coach) specifically said, "Econ is not my favorite, but we'll muddle through it as best we can." See? I was destined to dislike it.
The other major class I just don't like is International Relations. I'm pretty sure I've complained about it before...like every single day. It does have its interesting points, don't get me wrong, but the man loves to hear his own voice. The lectures (via YouTube) are long and tedious and full of brief pauses as he takes a drink or collects his thoughts. I find these less irritating in person because when you're only listening, you hear every "gulp." And that's gross.
I have 3 lectures and 3 discussion boards to finish by Monday, and that's just for this class. Usually by now I have my juggling act firmly in place, but I feel like I'm floundering this semester. I bit off a lot, and it may be more than I can chew, but I'm determined. Will I get the best grades of my life? Probably not, but I will do everything in my power to make sure that I pass. I have a lot riding on this, and so does my family...both immediate and extended. I have a lot of people in my corner, helping me out while I strive for better for my boys and for me. And I totally have something to prove. It's not really about that, but there are a lot of people in this world, people I'm stuck with speaking to on a regular basis, that have voiced their (unwanted) opinions about how there's no way I can handle this or the pressure or the workload or any number of other things.
And you know what? Yeah, I get a little crazy sometimes. There's more than enough chaos to go around, but you know what? We still manage to have fun. There's plenty of time for that, if you plan for it, but sometimes you just have to be spontaneous...like tonight when the boys were outside playing with a volleyball and got it stuck way up high in a tree. They started throwing things at it to try to knock it down and succeeded in getting EVERY. SINGLE. THING. stuck in the tree. We laughed so hard at each other and our feeble attempts to knock the following items down:
- Volleyball
- Shoe
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Super Soaker attachment
- Mini 4-Square ball
- Mini foam basketball
Eventually, a neighbor took pity on our exhausted arms and took a turn. I'm happy to report that he was able to get everything down, earning exuberant cheers with the return of each item. We were sweaty and hoarse from yelling and laughing, but you know what?
It was totally worth it. And now I need to bite the bullet and start another lecture. Oh joy. Oh bliss.
Aubs
Monday, September 15, 2014
Why can't we just skip Mondays?
I usually don't put any stock into Mondays being the worst day of the week, but today I totally get why people loathe, despise, and abominate Mondays. (That's a "Meet Me in St. Louis" reference, only it's about money, not Mondays...you know, in case anyone else likes that movie besides me.) When I woke up this morning, I thought to myself, "Oh boy...this is going to suck."
I didn't disappoint myself. From boys who took too long in the shower because they were just standing there, staring off into space, to boys who conveniently forgot to tell me their dad was coming to take them to breakfast before school, to forcing a kid to ride the bus just because it had only been an hour and I was already over my day...we ran the full gamut before 7:15 a.m.
My head was trying to give me some signals that it fully intended to debilitate me with a massive headache and it was starting to rain, so I laid down for a short fall nap. Only it sucked because I dreamed about being robbed at a walk-up atm with both boys present. It was totally bizarre and not worth the 45 minutes I gave it. My email refreshed and I had an email from my Spanish professor saying that class was canceled for the day due to her daughter having a stomach virus.
I get canceling because you have a sick child. Lord knows I've had to bail on tons of things because my kids (okay, usually just one of them...poor B) get sick, but so far this semester, we've missed 1/3 of our scheduled class meetings. And, to top it all off, we have our first test tomorrow. I'm not complaining, but well...it definitely isn't opportune.
Life never is. In other classes I'm totally caught up or getting there. I've put off my economics and political science classes because they are, by far, my least favorites, but I figured I should bite the bullet and get moving since Exam 1 Review has already been released. YIKES!
Monday continued to kick me in the face when B ran out to the car after school, totally thrilled about some greenish-white slime he had in a ziploc. He ate a snack and ran out to play with some friends. He came back in at the right time (points for him!), then promptly spilled said greenish-white slime all over the carpet, only by now some of it was in liquid form. Hello, roof! I'm so sorry I hit you...
I came unglued, and it pretty much snowballed until bedtime tonight. I was able to complete one of the five assignments due for my econ class, so now I only have three to go...and they aren't due until the end of the month, but this is one of those classes where I can totally get ahead if I just make myself sit down and complete it. It's not hard, I'm just not interested. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know I should be, but it's way down there on my list of priorities.
N had batting practice tonight, so while he was in the cages, B walked the length of the practice fields, doing his nightly reading homework. I was cringing, waiting for him to get whacked by a rogue baseball or softball, but he managed 30 minutes of reading totally unscathed. I'd call that pretty impressive... While we were out there, we ran into some DCE friends, so that was the icing on the cake for B. He sure misses being in the same class as his "quesadilla" this year.
I can't wait to go to sleep and wake up to Tuesday. It's 9:30, and I'm already debating doing one more assignment or going ahead and calling it a night...
Aubs
I didn't disappoint myself. From boys who took too long in the shower because they were just standing there, staring off into space, to boys who conveniently forgot to tell me their dad was coming to take them to breakfast before school, to forcing a kid to ride the bus just because it had only been an hour and I was already over my day...we ran the full gamut before 7:15 a.m.
My head was trying to give me some signals that it fully intended to debilitate me with a massive headache and it was starting to rain, so I laid down for a short fall nap. Only it sucked because I dreamed about being robbed at a walk-up atm with both boys present. It was totally bizarre and not worth the 45 minutes I gave it. My email refreshed and I had an email from my Spanish professor saying that class was canceled for the day due to her daughter having a stomach virus.
I get canceling because you have a sick child. Lord knows I've had to bail on tons of things because my kids (okay, usually just one of them...poor B) get sick, but so far this semester, we've missed 1/3 of our scheduled class meetings. And, to top it all off, we have our first test tomorrow. I'm not complaining, but well...it definitely isn't opportune.
Life never is. In other classes I'm totally caught up or getting there. I've put off my economics and political science classes because they are, by far, my least favorites, but I figured I should bite the bullet and get moving since Exam 1 Review has already been released. YIKES!
Monday continued to kick me in the face when B ran out to the car after school, totally thrilled about some greenish-white slime he had in a ziploc. He ate a snack and ran out to play with some friends. He came back in at the right time (points for him!), then promptly spilled said greenish-white slime all over the carpet, only by now some of it was in liquid form. Hello, roof! I'm so sorry I hit you...
I came unglued, and it pretty much snowballed until bedtime tonight. I was able to complete one of the five assignments due for my econ class, so now I only have three to go...and they aren't due until the end of the month, but this is one of those classes where I can totally get ahead if I just make myself sit down and complete it. It's not hard, I'm just not interested. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know I should be, but it's way down there on my list of priorities.
N had batting practice tonight, so while he was in the cages, B walked the length of the practice fields, doing his nightly reading homework. I was cringing, waiting for him to get whacked by a rogue baseball or softball, but he managed 30 minutes of reading totally unscathed. I'd call that pretty impressive... While we were out there, we ran into some DCE friends, so that was the icing on the cake for B. He sure misses being in the same class as his "quesadilla" this year.
I can't wait to go to sleep and wake up to Tuesday. It's 9:30, and I'm already debating doing one more assignment or going ahead and calling it a night...
Aubs
The Presence
I consider myself to be spiritual and religious. I grew up in a church in San Antonio where everybody was like family. In fact, I still keep in touch with a few of the families that I've known since I was a toddler. Almost all of them are former members of our church family, which is kind of awesome when you think about it. These people were around when I made the decision to accept Jesus into my heart when I was 5. They witnessed me being baptized AND my blue flowered panties when the pastor picked me up after I'd been "dunked" showing them off for all the world to see. They greeted us with friendly smiles and warm hugs when we'd go back and visit.
When we moved to Oklahoma, we also became seriously involved with a church. We did AWANAs and VBS and Sunday School and church every weekend, without fail. It was our "home." And we loved it. I don't keep in touch with anyone from there, but that doesn't mean they don't pop into my mind every once in a while.
When we moved to Kansas 4 years later, we kind of fell off the wagon. We never took the time to find a church we really loved, and although we visited several churches, there were never any real "return" trips. I often wonder what life would have been like if we'd stayed involved. By the time we got back to Texas (again, 4 years later), church was a distant memory. We went through life, my parents eventually divorced and my dad started looking for a church again. I had my first kiddo and we started going to church with my dad almost every week. I looked forward to going, but then I just stopped again.
I don't think we're meant to be "stop & go" Christians, but I think that's how a lot of us operate when we're trying to find our way back to the right path. For 6 years, I turned my back on everything and everyone in an attempt to make a family work. In hindsight, it was the dumbest choice I've ever made, but it was one I think I needed to make to get me where I am today. Sometimes it's hard to get back into a groove, but once you find it, it's so worth it.
N has been going to church with his dad (when he's with him on the weekends) for as long as anyone can remember. He's grown up in this "superchurch" that's in between our houses. In the past, I'd attended this church on major holidays because, man...they really know how to go big on a Christmas Eve service. One year, they even flew in ice and had ice skaters and a snow machine on the stage! Last fall though, right around mid-October, they went in a totally weird direction for me, where they opened the service with "Thriller" and zombies and people in gas masks and haz-mat suits, banging on haz-mat barrels. I looked at N and said, "Um...yeah...I want to go somewhere else."
We went to another local church, much smaller, and found a pastor that we could relate to...and it was an entirely different environment. N told me he loved it, and I agreed. It was like home. His dad was not appreciative and somehow (although I don't think it was intentional) convinced N that he should come back to the only church he'd ever known. I disagree with this chain of events in its entirety, however, I'm learning to choose my battles, and you know what? At least my kids want to go to church. It may be entirely unconventional and totally off the wall, but they want to go. They both do.
So, we do. And it's caused me to step outside of my comfort zone on multiple occasions, but I have to admit...there are sermons that speak directly to my soul. And today, while in the middle of a praise & worship song, all of a sudden the music seemed to get louder, the intensity on the stage fiercer, and the voices amplified. I looked around me and there were people doing the same...and I can't describe it other than to say I fully felt the presence of God in that sanctuary at that precise moment. It brought tears to my eyes...and then, as the song finished, a large man in a football jersey looked at me and said, "Did you feel that?" and all I could do was nod.
And it may not be where I want to worship, but I fully recognize that it's where I need to worship. And I will. Because God is in control of my life, and I know He knows what's best.
Sometimes I forget and try to run things, but it's pointless because He knows the exact number of hairs on my head and what I'm going to do before I do it and what the outcome will be.
Aubs
When we moved to Oklahoma, we also became seriously involved with a church. We did AWANAs and VBS and Sunday School and church every weekend, without fail. It was our "home." And we loved it. I don't keep in touch with anyone from there, but that doesn't mean they don't pop into my mind every once in a while.
When we moved to Kansas 4 years later, we kind of fell off the wagon. We never took the time to find a church we really loved, and although we visited several churches, there were never any real "return" trips. I often wonder what life would have been like if we'd stayed involved. By the time we got back to Texas (again, 4 years later), church was a distant memory. We went through life, my parents eventually divorced and my dad started looking for a church again. I had my first kiddo and we started going to church with my dad almost every week. I looked forward to going, but then I just stopped again.
I don't think we're meant to be "stop & go" Christians, but I think that's how a lot of us operate when we're trying to find our way back to the right path. For 6 years, I turned my back on everything and everyone in an attempt to make a family work. In hindsight, it was the dumbest choice I've ever made, but it was one I think I needed to make to get me where I am today. Sometimes it's hard to get back into a groove, but once you find it, it's so worth it.
N has been going to church with his dad (when he's with him on the weekends) for as long as anyone can remember. He's grown up in this "superchurch" that's in between our houses. In the past, I'd attended this church on major holidays because, man...they really know how to go big on a Christmas Eve service. One year, they even flew in ice and had ice skaters and a snow machine on the stage! Last fall though, right around mid-October, they went in a totally weird direction for me, where they opened the service with "Thriller" and zombies and people in gas masks and haz-mat suits, banging on haz-mat barrels. I looked at N and said, "Um...yeah...I want to go somewhere else."
We went to another local church, much smaller, and found a pastor that we could relate to...and it was an entirely different environment. N told me he loved it, and I agreed. It was like home. His dad was not appreciative and somehow (although I don't think it was intentional) convinced N that he should come back to the only church he'd ever known. I disagree with this chain of events in its entirety, however, I'm learning to choose my battles, and you know what? At least my kids want to go to church. It may be entirely unconventional and totally off the wall, but they want to go. They both do.
So, we do. And it's caused me to step outside of my comfort zone on multiple occasions, but I have to admit...there are sermons that speak directly to my soul. And today, while in the middle of a praise & worship song, all of a sudden the music seemed to get louder, the intensity on the stage fiercer, and the voices amplified. I looked around me and there were people doing the same...and I can't describe it other than to say I fully felt the presence of God in that sanctuary at that precise moment. It brought tears to my eyes...and then, as the song finished, a large man in a football jersey looked at me and said, "Did you feel that?" and all I could do was nod.
And it may not be where I want to worship, but I fully recognize that it's where I need to worship. And I will. Because God is in control of my life, and I know He knows what's best.
Sometimes I forget and try to run things, but it's pointless because He knows the exact number of hairs on my head and what I'm going to do before I do it and what the outcome will be.
Aubs
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Coffee Dates and Fall Ball
I'm a pretty tough parent. I don't let much slide, and I always mean business. My boys tell me that I'm mean and they hate me on a fairly regular basis, and guess what?
I don't care. I'm not here to be their friend...oh, no. I'm here to be their parent. I'm here to scare them into submission if necessary and show them I mean business. Yes, there's definitely a level of mutual respect that has to be maintained for any household to be successful, and I do respect them as individuals, but when they start trying to talk to me as if we're equal, well, that's when it really hits the fan.
Today, I had made plans to meet one of my friends from my Texas high school days (I spent all of middle school and 9th grade in Kansas and transplanted back to my home state right before my Sophomore year.), and I was pretty excited about it. We haven't seen each other in 15 years, but we keep up fairly regularly on Facebook, so it's almost like we've never been apart. (Insert eye roll here) We always say we're going to get together when she's here visiting her mom/dad/sister/niece/nephew, or when I'm in Houston visiting dad/sister/brother-in-law, but it just never works out. This weekend, however, we were determined to make it work.
So, we did. And much to the dismay of my boys, we headed to Starbucks. Okay, so they actually tend to LIKE Starbucks (it's a rare thing for them...slightly less rare for their mom who often forgets to push the button on the Keurig, thus ruining her day), but the idea of sitting there for at least 30 minutes while I caught up with a friend was not really high on their "to-do" list. Not only that, but N had two baseball games scheduled for that afternoon, the first games of the season since the game last week was "rained" out without any rain, lightning, or soggy fields. We got there first and got drinks and cake pops ordered (I am NOT above bribery for things like this), and they were sitting outside when my pal and her hubs showed up.
What a site for sore eyes, seriously. Although there have been monumental changes in both of our lives, it was like we saw each other last week. I love friendships that stand the test of time. She teaches AP Human Geography in the Houston area, so we had a lot to talk about since that's what I'm working towards these days. It was a wonderful session of catching up and getting to know her husband (who is as sweet as can be) in between a series of interruptions from my blessed 8 year-old show stealer. We made plans to meet up in Houston on my next trip down there, sans children, and for me to observe her class for the day, too! I'm super excited to be able to reminisce a little bit more. For those of you who don't know me personally, I have a mind like a steel trap. I remember everything, even the most insignificant details...it makes tripping down memory lane really entertaining sometimes!
When we went our separate ways, I thanked the boys for being mostly patient while I reconnected with my friend. I reminded them that our lives are so busy with what they have going on that it was really nice to take an hour and talk to someone I haven't seen in...well, longer than either of them have been alive. N replied, "Mom, you really do do a lot for us, and it wasn't our favorite thing to do, but you never do much for yourself, so it was fine. I was just bored and B was annoying." B took a slightly different approach when he said, "You're welcome, Mom! What's our prize?" Um, how about just knowing you did a nice thing for your mom, there, kiddo? He wasn't impressed.
On to baseball...
I knew it was going to be rough. This team has only practiced together one time, and the gap in maturity levels as well as ages makes it tough. The first game was against the special needs team, and I don't know what I was expecting, but in some ways, I was very pleasantly surprised. They fielded the ball and threw it to each other and cheered the players on as they ran the bases. That part was awesome...and the reactions of those kids when they batted and started running? Totally priceless. I always spend those games (they're an hour at most) with a lump in my throat. It's just such an amazing experience. HOWEVER. When our team was up to bat, it all went downhill. When the players hit the ball, they wouldn't run to first base, they'd practically walk so they could get thrown out. Some of them never even made it on base, hitting against our OWN pitcher, and they were actually trying...I think. On the other hand, some players (or maybe it was just mine) took the opportunity to bat opposite, not because they are super successful at it, but because when they do connect, they hit the ball shorter distances and with less speed. Overall, it was a good experience, but the walking to 1st base thing really hacked me off. Hopefully the next time we play them is better.
During the 2nd game, all the stops were supposed to be pulled and we were supposed to play some serious baseball. The other team run-ruled us in the first inning, so spirits were pretty low. In the 2nd, N was behind the plate. After warming up around the field, he yelled, "Balls in, coming down!" which means that everyone needs to throw the balls to the dugout, and when the pitcher throws his last pitch, N will fire it up the middle to the second baseman who will then return it to the pitcher. Only, when N yelled it, nobody went to cover 2nd. I started to giggle silently, as N yelled "That means somebody cover 2nd!" and then that giggle got a little louder as three boys ran to cover 2nd, prompting N to say, "I only need one of you!" By that time, I'm laughing, so is my friend (from the opposing team), and the ump behind home plate? Well, he's DYING laughing. It was hilarious...and that pretty much set the tone for the evening. We lost by 4, and it would have been a whole lot less (we might have won, even) if there hadn't been a ton of wild throws and cut-off throws to 2nd that actually ended up in left or right field depending on who was throwing and from what position. There were pitchers who balked (right after I reminded the coach that they call balking in this league) and indignant "I didn't know you called balking! Can we have a warning?" coaches who blatantly...well, anyway. If N wanted to quit, I'd consider letting him, but I think it's a good opportunity for him to be a leader and an example.
To his teammates and to his coach, apparently.
Aubs
I don't care. I'm not here to be their friend...oh, no. I'm here to be their parent. I'm here to scare them into submission if necessary and show them I mean business. Yes, there's definitely a level of mutual respect that has to be maintained for any household to be successful, and I do respect them as individuals, but when they start trying to talk to me as if we're equal, well, that's when it really hits the fan.
Today, I had made plans to meet one of my friends from my Texas high school days (I spent all of middle school and 9th grade in Kansas and transplanted back to my home state right before my Sophomore year.), and I was pretty excited about it. We haven't seen each other in 15 years, but we keep up fairly regularly on Facebook, so it's almost like we've never been apart. (Insert eye roll here) We always say we're going to get together when she's here visiting her mom/dad/sister/niece/nephew, or when I'm in Houston visiting dad/sister/brother-in-law, but it just never works out. This weekend, however, we were determined to make it work.
So, we did. And much to the dismay of my boys, we headed to Starbucks. Okay, so they actually tend to LIKE Starbucks (it's a rare thing for them...slightly less rare for their mom who often forgets to push the button on the Keurig, thus ruining her day), but the idea of sitting there for at least 30 minutes while I caught up with a friend was not really high on their "to-do" list. Not only that, but N had two baseball games scheduled for that afternoon, the first games of the season since the game last week was "rained" out without any rain, lightning, or soggy fields. We got there first and got drinks and cake pops ordered (I am NOT above bribery for things like this), and they were sitting outside when my pal and her hubs showed up.
What a site for sore eyes, seriously. Although there have been monumental changes in both of our lives, it was like we saw each other last week. I love friendships that stand the test of time. She teaches AP Human Geography in the Houston area, so we had a lot to talk about since that's what I'm working towards these days. It was a wonderful session of catching up and getting to know her husband (who is as sweet as can be) in between a series of interruptions from my blessed 8 year-old show stealer. We made plans to meet up in Houston on my next trip down there, sans children, and for me to observe her class for the day, too! I'm super excited to be able to reminisce a little bit more. For those of you who don't know me personally, I have a mind like a steel trap. I remember everything, even the most insignificant details...it makes tripping down memory lane really entertaining sometimes!
When we went our separate ways, I thanked the boys for being mostly patient while I reconnected with my friend. I reminded them that our lives are so busy with what they have going on that it was really nice to take an hour and talk to someone I haven't seen in...well, longer than either of them have been alive. N replied, "Mom, you really do do a lot for us, and it wasn't our favorite thing to do, but you never do much for yourself, so it was fine. I was just bored and B was annoying." B took a slightly different approach when he said, "You're welcome, Mom! What's our prize?" Um, how about just knowing you did a nice thing for your mom, there, kiddo? He wasn't impressed.
On to baseball...
I knew it was going to be rough. This team has only practiced together one time, and the gap in maturity levels as well as ages makes it tough. The first game was against the special needs team, and I don't know what I was expecting, but in some ways, I was very pleasantly surprised. They fielded the ball and threw it to each other and cheered the players on as they ran the bases. That part was awesome...and the reactions of those kids when they batted and started running? Totally priceless. I always spend those games (they're an hour at most) with a lump in my throat. It's just such an amazing experience. HOWEVER. When our team was up to bat, it all went downhill. When the players hit the ball, they wouldn't run to first base, they'd practically walk so they could get thrown out. Some of them never even made it on base, hitting against our OWN pitcher, and they were actually trying...I think. On the other hand, some players (or maybe it was just mine) took the opportunity to bat opposite, not because they are super successful at it, but because when they do connect, they hit the ball shorter distances and with less speed. Overall, it was a good experience, but the walking to 1st base thing really hacked me off. Hopefully the next time we play them is better.
During the 2nd game, all the stops were supposed to be pulled and we were supposed to play some serious baseball. The other team run-ruled us in the first inning, so spirits were pretty low. In the 2nd, N was behind the plate. After warming up around the field, he yelled, "Balls in, coming down!" which means that everyone needs to throw the balls to the dugout, and when the pitcher throws his last pitch, N will fire it up the middle to the second baseman who will then return it to the pitcher. Only, when N yelled it, nobody went to cover 2nd. I started to giggle silently, as N yelled "That means somebody cover 2nd!" and then that giggle got a little louder as three boys ran to cover 2nd, prompting N to say, "I only need one of you!" By that time, I'm laughing, so is my friend (from the opposing team), and the ump behind home plate? Well, he's DYING laughing. It was hilarious...and that pretty much set the tone for the evening. We lost by 4, and it would have been a whole lot less (we might have won, even) if there hadn't been a ton of wild throws and cut-off throws to 2nd that actually ended up in left or right field depending on who was throwing and from what position. There were pitchers who balked (right after I reminded the coach that they call balking in this league) and indignant "I didn't know you called balking! Can we have a warning?" coaches who blatantly...well, anyway. If N wanted to quit, I'd consider letting him, but I think it's a good opportunity for him to be a leader and an example.
To his teammates and to his coach, apparently.
Aubs
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Indoor Baseball Practice
So, today? It was 64 degrees. In September. In Texas. It's unheard of. Seriously. And it was glorious! It rained most of the day, so it was no surprise that the practice fields were closed due to soggy conditions. Our coach called for an indoor team meeting instead. At McDonald's. In the PlayPlace. I didn't even want to tell N because I knew what his reaction would be. And, for the record, I was spot on.
When we got there, the coach announced N as the team captain. He also said N would be helping in the dugout and calling the plays on the field. You know, but no pressure. He IS just a 12 year-old kid, after all. He went through the plays and signs, repeatedly telling the boys how they were going to be sneaky and the signs were designed to trick the other teams who might have players who'd been on his teams before. Like, if there's a "thumbs up," it doesn't mean steal, it means to stay put. You know, because they won't pick up on that pretty quickly. Sigh.
One of the other things on the docket for the team meeting was discussion about the Challengers games. The Challengers are a group of special needs kids who want to play baseball. Part of playing U12 baseball is the privilege of playing games with this team. N was the only one at the meeting today who had played against them before (he's played against them for 2 seasons now), so the coach gave N the floor to tell the team what to expect. What I didn't expect was for one of the boys to snort and say, "Seriously?" He got death stares all around. N told them the point was to have fun, that it was their privilege to give back to our community, and that it served as a way to get some extra fielding practice in while making the other teams' day. Then the coach turned it over to some of the boys on our team who have special needs of their own.
Listen, I am absolutely not discounting dyslexia, because I know it can be extremely debilitating and totally mess with a person's self-confidence. It's a legitimate problem and I fully believe that those who suffer from it are in need of help to get through it and overcome it. HOWEVER, the kids on this particular team suffer from things like Cerebral Palsy or Down's Syndrome. They require help batting and running the bases and each of them have a caregiver out on the field with them when they're fielding. It's entirely different. And then, once the "heavy" stuff was over and the coach declared the meeting complete, three of N's teammates asked if they could go play on the playground. N stared at me, dumbfounded, and said "We need to leave...NOW." Because he's an 87 year-old man trapped in a 12 year-old's body.
The Challengers though? It's something that I know needs to be discussed with kids and parents because some kids get nervous and uncomfortable with stuff like that, and what do we, as humans, tend to do when we're nervous or uncomfortable? We laugh.
And these players and their families sure as heck don't deserve that.
It makes me REALLY nervous for tomorrow.
Aubs
When we got there, the coach announced N as the team captain. He also said N would be helping in the dugout and calling the plays on the field. You know, but no pressure. He IS just a 12 year-old kid, after all. He went through the plays and signs, repeatedly telling the boys how they were going to be sneaky and the signs were designed to trick the other teams who might have players who'd been on his teams before. Like, if there's a "thumbs up," it doesn't mean steal, it means to stay put. You know, because they won't pick up on that pretty quickly. Sigh.
One of the other things on the docket for the team meeting was discussion about the Challengers games. The Challengers are a group of special needs kids who want to play baseball. Part of playing U12 baseball is the privilege of playing games with this team. N was the only one at the meeting today who had played against them before (he's played against them for 2 seasons now), so the coach gave N the floor to tell the team what to expect. What I didn't expect was for one of the boys to snort and say, "Seriously?" He got death stares all around. N told them the point was to have fun, that it was their privilege to give back to our community, and that it served as a way to get some extra fielding practice in while making the other teams' day. Then the coach turned it over to some of the boys on our team who have special needs of their own.
Listen, I am absolutely not discounting dyslexia, because I know it can be extremely debilitating and totally mess with a person's self-confidence. It's a legitimate problem and I fully believe that those who suffer from it are in need of help to get through it and overcome it. HOWEVER, the kids on this particular team suffer from things like Cerebral Palsy or Down's Syndrome. They require help batting and running the bases and each of them have a caregiver out on the field with them when they're fielding. It's entirely different. And then, once the "heavy" stuff was over and the coach declared the meeting complete, three of N's teammates asked if they could go play on the playground. N stared at me, dumbfounded, and said "We need to leave...NOW." Because he's an 87 year-old man trapped in a 12 year-old's body.
The Challengers though? It's something that I know needs to be discussed with kids and parents because some kids get nervous and uncomfortable with stuff like that, and what do we, as humans, tend to do when we're nervous or uncomfortable? We laugh.
And these players and their families sure as heck don't deserve that.
It makes me REALLY nervous for tomorrow.
Aubs
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Where were you...
I get pretty emotional about certain things...patriotism is one of them. I remember going to the gas station to await the special edition newspapers when the Twin Towers were hit. I remember waiting for hours, the television in the gas station (behind the counter) turned around so all of the patrons could watch the footage in absolute horror.
And while I was watching the reports and recollections and as I was reading the articles, I was struck by just how much technology has changed since then. I know, it's a weird thing to get stuck on when there are much bigger things to remember. I read Ari Fleischer's tweets of what he was doing on 9/11/01, and how things are so much different now, and I hadn't even thought about how iPhone hadn't even been invented yet.
Whoa.
It doesn't matter if it's the anniversary of 9/11 or another random day in the year...but the brave men, women and children who lost their lives that day pop into my head all the time, and I have to swallow hard past the large lump that forms in my throat. When I re-read the stories of loved ones lost in the towers or the Pentagon or that random field in Pennsylvania, tears fill my eyes. Even now, as I mull over what I want to express, I find it hard...and we all know that coming up with words is NEVER an issue for me.
There were 10 pregnant women who died that day, and 10+ babies who never got to experience life in the real world. I never realized there were that many...and that made me so sad. 10 men didn't just lose their wives/significant others that day. They lost their unborn children, as well. It's a pretty sobering thought. Even though my knuckleheads drive me crazy sometimes, I couldn't imagine never having the opportunity to meet them here on this Earth.
So, we spent our Thursday loving each other a little more and spending a little more time together and while that may not seem like a whole lot, it was something. We talked about what today commemorates. We talked about the heroes and pride and patriotism. When the boys left for school, I watched the moments of silence and prayed for the families of those who lost their loved ones. And then I realized that it's been 13 years. Some of these children never knew their fathers, never got to feel what it was like to get a hug or give a high-five...and that made me want to vomit.
I hate there are people who lost their lives thanks to some cowardly terrorists. My Facebook post says pretty much all I need to say:
"We will never forget. Cowards took countless lives that day, and changed not only the American people, but the scope of our entire country. Families were ripped apart as people lost their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, children, aunts, uncles, cousins in the Twin Towers and the resulting aftermath. People watched in shock, outrage, and fear as our worst nightmare unfolded right before our very eyes. Families shared last phone calls with their loved ones before they crashed into the Pentagon. And a group of true American heroes on a plane in Pennsylvania figured out what was going on and made the conscious, collective decision to not go down without a fight. They struggled and they fought against the evil on board their flight, and they succeeded in thwarting the terrorists' plans. Two years ago, I stood at a wall filled with names of heroes, erected in the exact place where the plane made impact in that Pennsylvania field and began to slide. As I stared at the names on that wall, tears streaming down my face, I felt nothing but immense pride and gratitude for these true American heroes. They knew they were going to die that day, and yet, they chose to die fighting for our country...average American people. They didn't sign up for this, nor did their families, but they are heroic and brave and always deserving of our recognition. To all of those who lost someone they love on that fateful day, 13 years ago, we salute you. We will never forget, and their memories will always live on. God Bless the United States of America."
Aubs
And while I was watching the reports and recollections and as I was reading the articles, I was struck by just how much technology has changed since then. I know, it's a weird thing to get stuck on when there are much bigger things to remember. I read Ari Fleischer's tweets of what he was doing on 9/11/01, and how things are so much different now, and I hadn't even thought about how iPhone hadn't even been invented yet.
Whoa.
It doesn't matter if it's the anniversary of 9/11 or another random day in the year...but the brave men, women and children who lost their lives that day pop into my head all the time, and I have to swallow hard past the large lump that forms in my throat. When I re-read the stories of loved ones lost in the towers or the Pentagon or that random field in Pennsylvania, tears fill my eyes. Even now, as I mull over what I want to express, I find it hard...and we all know that coming up with words is NEVER an issue for me.
There were 10 pregnant women who died that day, and 10+ babies who never got to experience life in the real world. I never realized there were that many...and that made me so sad. 10 men didn't just lose their wives/significant others that day. They lost their unborn children, as well. It's a pretty sobering thought. Even though my knuckleheads drive me crazy sometimes, I couldn't imagine never having the opportunity to meet them here on this Earth.
So, we spent our Thursday loving each other a little more and spending a little more time together and while that may not seem like a whole lot, it was something. We talked about what today commemorates. We talked about the heroes and pride and patriotism. When the boys left for school, I watched the moments of silence and prayed for the families of those who lost their loved ones. And then I realized that it's been 13 years. Some of these children never knew their fathers, never got to feel what it was like to get a hug or give a high-five...and that made me want to vomit.
I hate there are people who lost their lives thanks to some cowardly terrorists. My Facebook post says pretty much all I need to say:
"We will never forget. Cowards took countless lives that day, and changed not only the American people, but the scope of our entire country. Families were ripped apart as people lost their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, children, aunts, uncles, cousins in the Twin Towers and the resulting aftermath. People watched in shock, outrage, and fear as our worst nightmare unfolded right before our very eyes. Families shared last phone calls with their loved ones before they crashed into the Pentagon. And a group of true American heroes on a plane in Pennsylvania figured out what was going on and made the conscious, collective decision to not go down without a fight. They struggled and they fought against the evil on board their flight, and they succeeded in thwarting the terrorists' plans. Two years ago, I stood at a wall filled with names of heroes, erected in the exact place where the plane made impact in that Pennsylvania field and began to slide. As I stared at the names on that wall, tears streaming down my face, I felt nothing but immense pride and gratitude for these true American heroes. They knew they were going to die that day, and yet, they chose to die fighting for our country...average American people. They didn't sign up for this, nor did their families, but they are heroic and brave and always deserving of our recognition. To all of those who lost someone they love on that fateful day, 13 years ago, we salute you. We will never forget, and their memories will always live on. God Bless the United States of America."
Aubs
What a day...
It has been a day, friends.
N fell asleep at 6:45 last night and slept until I woke him up this morning, and even then it was reluctantly.
As he took For.Ev.Er. showering, I had a discussion with B about being my "joy" boy, and how much I loved his optimism. He often speaks negatively about himself, calling himself dumb or stupid or annoying, and it breaks my heart. Yes, he has his moments, but those moments where he's cackling with glee or the happiness is literally radiating from his pores more than make up for the not-so-good moments.
I spent the majority of the morning working on homework for a class I would have to miss that afternoon. In fact, when I realized I was going to miss class, I spoke with my professor to see if she wouldn't mind going over the lecture portion with me prior to the class beginning since I needed to head out right around when class began. She was thrilled that I asked to make it up instead of just letting it go, further cementing the fact that I am her favorite student.
We spent a good 45 minutes discussing the lesson and life in general and then I scurried off to my meeting. I sat for an hour, waiting for my name to be called, then another 30 minutes in the office waiting for the other party to show. They didn't. So now, there's more waiting. Super! I'm the most patient person on the planet, so that should be easy peasy.
Oh, right.
I rushed back out to my "bubble" to pick B up from the Y (I swore I'd only leave him in after-school care for the shortest amount of time humanly possible...and he was impressed that it was only 15 minutes), after making a quick trip to the grocery store because we needed eggs. I know this because I made a scrambled egg for breakfast this morning and ate one bite before I threw it in the trash. Oh, hello expiration date of August 2. How YOU doin?
The boys were at odds on what to have for dinner tonight: B wanted bean & cheese tostadas (we're very fancy) and N preferred some breaded cod. I told them they had to agree because I wasn't "a short order cook" and B looks at me glumly and says, "I'll be your joy boy...and we can have cod, but will you make mac and cheese?" I cannot even begin to tell you how my heart overflowed with love for that precious boy at that exact moment.
Our night was mostly uneventful: the boys played Xbox, I did homework, and I totally missed the Presidential Address. I fully intended to watch, but sometimes killing zombies is just more important. I marveled over the sheer number of people who are considering keeping their children home tomorrow because it's the 13th anniversary of 9/11. And I have some thoughts.
ISIS has probably had cells in America for forever. The cowardly executions of journalists is only bringing our attention to the fact that we've been co-existing for years without knowing.
Trouble is brewing. It always will be when you're the greatest nation in the world. The "bad" guys will always want to try to knock you down or bring you to your knees.
Terrorists don't want to ride the coattails of another terrorist group. The likelihood of ISIS attempting an attack on the United States on 9/11 is pretty dang small. If they did, they'd always be known as "those guys who copied al-Qaeda."
Then I read on kera.org that Dallas has been voted the number 1 skyline in the world, and I though, "Oh, bleep!" I was just declaring (via Facebook, of course) how Dallas was but a teency blip on the terrorist radar, and then that. Womp womp!
We are a nation of strength and determination. We do not cower. We may not always get it right, but we are a nation, under God. So perhaps if we just trusted in Him and put it in His hands, the world would be a much better place.
I will not live in fear of terrorists, or anything else for that matter...except maybe ankle-slitters. I will trust in God because He brought me into this world and He knows when I will make my exit. He holds the cards as well as my trust.
Aubs
N fell asleep at 6:45 last night and slept until I woke him up this morning, and even then it was reluctantly.
As he took For.Ev.Er. showering, I had a discussion with B about being my "joy" boy, and how much I loved his optimism. He often speaks negatively about himself, calling himself dumb or stupid or annoying, and it breaks my heart. Yes, he has his moments, but those moments where he's cackling with glee or the happiness is literally radiating from his pores more than make up for the not-so-good moments.
I spent the majority of the morning working on homework for a class I would have to miss that afternoon. In fact, when I realized I was going to miss class, I spoke with my professor to see if she wouldn't mind going over the lecture portion with me prior to the class beginning since I needed to head out right around when class began. She was thrilled that I asked to make it up instead of just letting it go, further cementing the fact that I am her favorite student.
We spent a good 45 minutes discussing the lesson and life in general and then I scurried off to my meeting. I sat for an hour, waiting for my name to be called, then another 30 minutes in the office waiting for the other party to show. They didn't. So now, there's more waiting. Super! I'm the most patient person on the planet, so that should be easy peasy.
Oh, right.
I rushed back out to my "bubble" to pick B up from the Y (I swore I'd only leave him in after-school care for the shortest amount of time humanly possible...and he was impressed that it was only 15 minutes), after making a quick trip to the grocery store because we needed eggs. I know this because I made a scrambled egg for breakfast this morning and ate one bite before I threw it in the trash. Oh, hello expiration date of August 2. How YOU doin?
The boys were at odds on what to have for dinner tonight: B wanted bean & cheese tostadas (we're very fancy) and N preferred some breaded cod. I told them they had to agree because I wasn't "a short order cook" and B looks at me glumly and says, "I'll be your joy boy...and we can have cod, but will you make mac and cheese?" I cannot even begin to tell you how my heart overflowed with love for that precious boy at that exact moment.
Our night was mostly uneventful: the boys played Xbox, I did homework, and I totally missed the Presidential Address. I fully intended to watch, but sometimes killing zombies is just more important. I marveled over the sheer number of people who are considering keeping their children home tomorrow because it's the 13th anniversary of 9/11. And I have some thoughts.
ISIS has probably had cells in America for forever. The cowardly executions of journalists is only bringing our attention to the fact that we've been co-existing for years without knowing.
Trouble is brewing. It always will be when you're the greatest nation in the world. The "bad" guys will always want to try to knock you down or bring you to your knees.
Terrorists don't want to ride the coattails of another terrorist group. The likelihood of ISIS attempting an attack on the United States on 9/11 is pretty dang small. If they did, they'd always be known as "those guys who copied al-Qaeda."
Then I read on kera.org that Dallas has been voted the number 1 skyline in the world, and I though, "Oh, bleep!" I was just declaring (via Facebook, of course) how Dallas was but a teency blip on the terrorist radar, and then that. Womp womp!
We are a nation of strength and determination. We do not cower. We may not always get it right, but we are a nation, under God. So perhaps if we just trusted in Him and put it in His hands, the world would be a much better place.
I will not live in fear of terrorists, or anything else for that matter...except maybe ankle-slitters. I will trust in God because He brought me into this world and He knows when I will make my exit. He holds the cards as well as my trust.
Aubs
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
What is wrong with me?!
Okay, so that's a loaded question, if I've ever written one...but seriously. I am so "off" these days, and it's really starting to irritate me.
I either sleep really well or I don't sleep at all (or so it seems). I have that kind of sleep where you keep thinking you're on the verge of falling asleep, but maybe you're really just dreaming it because enough time has passed to where you've obviously been asleep. Does that make sense? Well, it does to me.
I slept like a rock last night, but by the time I'd dropped B off at school and made my way back home to work on homework, I could barely keep my eyes open. A short snooze would surely get me back on track, right? Just like last week...five hours later, I woke up in a panic, realizing I'd wasted the entire "child-free" part of my day, and rushed to make up for it. I read until it was time to pick B up from school and then came home from that, exhausted once again.
It's not just me, either, which is oddly comforting. N was in a Mood with a capital "M" today, and flat out refused to eat the dinner I made. Turkey tacos are usually a big hit, and I only made those because I didn't have any ground beef that wasn't frozen solid. Tonight, though, he refused, so I told him to take it or leave it. He left it, but with such an attitude that I sent him to his room at 6:30. He almost immediately fell asleep, and I can pretty much guarantee that I won't hear another peep from him until tomorrow. 7th grade is kicking his butt...or maybe it's the growing/hormones/puberty. Or maybe a combination of all of the above. All I know is my 12 year-old has a mustache...and it's not on purpose. It creeps me out, y'all.
I almost fell asleep on the couch earlier, and I doubt I'll make it to 10:00 tonight. I have absolutely zero energy, and I've already been trying to think of all of the reasons I might be so lethargic without resorting to WEBMD with a list of my symptoms, because I just know it will tell me I have a tumor.
All symptoms always lead to tumors on WEBMD.
B is the only one, bless him, that is being as sweet as can be. I realized that he really is my "joy" boy, the boy that is always quick to find the good and bounce back from the not-so-good with immeasurable optimism. He is just joyful. His giggles and his smile and his love for all people and things is just such a privilege to see...even when he's a crankpot sometimes! We all have our days.
I'm going to force myself to get a little more reading in, and then I'm crashing AGAIN for what I hope is a super-restful night because I'm totally going to need it tomorrow.
Aubs
I either sleep really well or I don't sleep at all (or so it seems). I have that kind of sleep where you keep thinking you're on the verge of falling asleep, but maybe you're really just dreaming it because enough time has passed to where you've obviously been asleep. Does that make sense? Well, it does to me.
I slept like a rock last night, but by the time I'd dropped B off at school and made my way back home to work on homework, I could barely keep my eyes open. A short snooze would surely get me back on track, right? Just like last week...five hours later, I woke up in a panic, realizing I'd wasted the entire "child-free" part of my day, and rushed to make up for it. I read until it was time to pick B up from school and then came home from that, exhausted once again.
It's not just me, either, which is oddly comforting. N was in a Mood with a capital "M" today, and flat out refused to eat the dinner I made. Turkey tacos are usually a big hit, and I only made those because I didn't have any ground beef that wasn't frozen solid. Tonight, though, he refused, so I told him to take it or leave it. He left it, but with such an attitude that I sent him to his room at 6:30. He almost immediately fell asleep, and I can pretty much guarantee that I won't hear another peep from him until tomorrow. 7th grade is kicking his butt...or maybe it's the growing/hormones/puberty. Or maybe a combination of all of the above. All I know is my 12 year-old has a mustache...and it's not on purpose. It creeps me out, y'all.
I almost fell asleep on the couch earlier, and I doubt I'll make it to 10:00 tonight. I have absolutely zero energy, and I've already been trying to think of all of the reasons I might be so lethargic without resorting to WEBMD with a list of my symptoms, because I just know it will tell me I have a tumor.
All symptoms always lead to tumors on WEBMD.
B is the only one, bless him, that is being as sweet as can be. I realized that he really is my "joy" boy, the boy that is always quick to find the good and bounce back from the not-so-good with immeasurable optimism. He is just joyful. His giggles and his smile and his love for all people and things is just such a privilege to see...even when he's a crankpot sometimes! We all have our days.
I'm going to force myself to get a little more reading in, and then I'm crashing AGAIN for what I hope is a super-restful night because I'm totally going to need it tomorrow.
Aubs
Ooey Gooey Love Stuff
I love a good rom-com as much as the next girl, but when you've been single for as long as I have, they seem to start losing their appeal. I mean, none of that stuff happens in real life, and if it does, then the other person is probably over-compensating for something.
Years and years ago, a friend of mine had found what seemed like the "ideal" partner. He watched all of the girly movies she wanted to watch, performed over-the-top romantic gestures, and totally put her on a pedestal. They married and began their happily ever after, only something was off. It started to go downhill, gradually then landslide-ish...and then she found out he was addicted to porn.
Yeah, porn. Sadly, she's not the only friend I've had who has lost a spouse/boyfriend/partner to an addiction they had no desire to control. And, yes...for the record, I totally see porn as an addiction. My own ex (one of them, anyway...maybe two) was addicted to it, too. He joked around about it all the time, but I started to see that, although he was joking, there were still tons of porn sites popping up in our browser history. He wasn't so good at hiding it...or anything for that matter, but that's an entirely different story.
I watch movies like "The Holiday" and a tiny part of me thinks, "Wouldn't that be great? Wouldn't it be so nice to fall in love in a Hollywood-esque fashion?" But the much bigger part of me knows that's not even remotely accurate. Love is messy and complicated and ugly at times. It's raw and real and sacrificial. It's selfish and selfless all the same time WHILE it's emotionally fulfilling and aggravating. Oh, and maybe a tad on the confusing side, just for funsies.
I make it sound like I've been in love multiple times in my life, but honestly? It's just been once. Once upon a time, I was in love. Oddly enough, this man was never anyone I had a relationship with (although I did consider it from time to time), and I am absolutely one who has chosen to settle. Twice. Three times if you want to be TOTALLY technical, but I choose not to be...it's not worth it.
I know life and love aren't like a Hollywood movie script, or overly sweet like one of those dang Hallmark movies that get me...every.single.time. I know they aren't, but sometimes I just wish they could be, just for a minute or two, but not during the beginning stages. Everybody puts their best [romantic] foot forward at the beginning. I'm talking about in the middle of it; smack dab in the middle of the "no make-up, same sweats for days, cold and flu season, can't move off the couch nor do I want to" stage. The "you've seen me at my worst...just kidding, here's some more so see if you can handle THIS" stage.
'Cause love during those stages? That's what really counts.
Aubs
Years and years ago, a friend of mine had found what seemed like the "ideal" partner. He watched all of the girly movies she wanted to watch, performed over-the-top romantic gestures, and totally put her on a pedestal. They married and began their happily ever after, only something was off. It started to go downhill, gradually then landslide-ish...and then she found out he was addicted to porn.
Yeah, porn. Sadly, she's not the only friend I've had who has lost a spouse/boyfriend/partner to an addiction they had no desire to control. And, yes...for the record, I totally see porn as an addiction. My own ex (one of them, anyway...maybe two) was addicted to it, too. He joked around about it all the time, but I started to see that, although he was joking, there were still tons of porn sites popping up in our browser history. He wasn't so good at hiding it...or anything for that matter, but that's an entirely different story.
I watch movies like "The Holiday" and a tiny part of me thinks, "Wouldn't that be great? Wouldn't it be so nice to fall in love in a Hollywood-esque fashion?" But the much bigger part of me knows that's not even remotely accurate. Love is messy and complicated and ugly at times. It's raw and real and sacrificial. It's selfish and selfless all the same time WHILE it's emotionally fulfilling and aggravating. Oh, and maybe a tad on the confusing side, just for funsies.
I make it sound like I've been in love multiple times in my life, but honestly? It's just been once. Once upon a time, I was in love. Oddly enough, this man was never anyone I had a relationship with (although I did consider it from time to time), and I am absolutely one who has chosen to settle. Twice. Three times if you want to be TOTALLY technical, but I choose not to be...it's not worth it.
I know life and love aren't like a Hollywood movie script, or overly sweet like one of those dang Hallmark movies that get me...every.single.time. I know they aren't, but sometimes I just wish they could be, just for a minute or two, but not during the beginning stages. Everybody puts their best [romantic] foot forward at the beginning. I'm talking about in the middle of it; smack dab in the middle of the "no make-up, same sweats for days, cold and flu season, can't move off the couch nor do I want to" stage. The "you've seen me at my worst...just kidding, here's some more so see if you can handle THIS" stage.
'Cause love during those stages? That's what really counts.
Aubs
Monday, September 8, 2014
Knock down, drag out
N and I were at war today. I won't even go into it because it was a drain on my life.
Long story short, he has a very skewed idea of what family is and who cares about him, and when I tried to point out the people who do, he shut down anyone whose last name wasn't the same as his.
Including me. 'Cause my last name is different.
In other news, I didn't need eye makeup remover tonight because I cried it all off.
I think he and I are finally to where we can agree to disagree.
And when he left with the "real" family, I was able to get a lot of homework done. Not enough, but it's a start.
And now I think I will curl up in my bed with "The Holiday" starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, and Jude Law because it's one of those that makes me laugh and cry...and all the while wistful even though I'm pretty dang sure I don't have time/need/want that.
Or maybe I do.
Stupid emotional day.
Aubs
Long story short, he has a very skewed idea of what family is and who cares about him, and when I tried to point out the people who do, he shut down anyone whose last name wasn't the same as his.
Including me. 'Cause my last name is different.
In other news, I didn't need eye makeup remover tonight because I cried it all off.
I think he and I are finally to where we can agree to disagree.
And when he left with the "real" family, I was able to get a lot of homework done. Not enough, but it's a start.
And now I think I will curl up in my bed with "The Holiday" starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, and Jude Law because it's one of those that makes me laugh and cry...and all the while wistful even though I'm pretty dang sure I don't have time/need/want that.
Or maybe I do.
Stupid emotional day.
Aubs
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Rainout minus the rain
So after we got home from the ballgame last night and N was sufficiently clean, he came and crawled onto my bed for a back scratch and some Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'm pretty sure our arrangement was a back scratch and then he'd head to his own bed for sleepytime, but he didn't even last 5 minutes before he was sawing logs.
And then he slept until 11:30, totally blowing the plans I'd made for the day, but that's okay because he obviously needed his sleep. And I needed that time to think about reading the assignment that I knew I wasn't going to read until it was due on Sunday.
So we hung out and relaxed for the majority of the day, and then I told him to get dressed for baseball. Hello, attitude! He's still adamantly opposed to this team, despite the opportunity for him to be a leader and an example. And he hates the Dodgers. And Dodger blue. And white baseball pants. And the hat. Lord help us on the hat...
My guilt trip about the pictures from last night worked because as he walked out onto the porch and noticed the overcast skies, he said (rather grumpily) "I hope it rains every single weekend." Then he looked at me and I know for a fact my eyes were dancing because he said, "NOOOOOOOOOO!" with a huge grin on his face because he knew what I was thinking.
Selfie!
I apologize for the horrid selfie. It was so dark we tried to use the flash and then that was worse and then N tried to impose a 3 strikes you're out limit on selfie taking. He doesn't know who he's messing with, apparently. So I tried to lighten it up with all the tools on my picture taker software stuff on my phone.
Bottom line? I am not a photographer.
I am not a fair-weather fan. I love the Rangers (and I'm devastated about Ron Washington, although I have a sneaking suspicion I might become an Astros fan in the near future...which still counts as loyal because, hello?! Texas!), but I also love to embarrass my child by wearing the same team he's wearing each season. I tell my baseball mom girlfriends that they're welcome to shop in my closet if they need a Marlins (old school), Giants, Rangers (times a lot), Iron Birds, Cardinals, Red Sox, Astros, or Dodgers shirt to represent. I may or may not have one for each team (major and minor) by the time this is over.
I might be exaggerating. Anyway, we got to the fields and everyone was milling around instead of playing because the games before us had been called due to lightning. The umps said, "We're out" and then the lightning alert thingy signaled an all clear so we could resume play, but the umps refused and left speedy-quick because they just don't get paid enough to want to stay, and I don't want to listen to a cranky ump although they can be hilarious.
So N and I went home and changed out of our *ew* Dodgers gear and celebrated the first rainout (even though it never rained or thundered or lightninged after that) with a trip to TGIFriday's because I had a gift card. That I couldn't find when it was time to pay.
Because I'm awesome.
Aubs
And then he slept until 11:30, totally blowing the plans I'd made for the day, but that's okay because he obviously needed his sleep. And I needed that time to think about reading the assignment that I knew I wasn't going to read until it was due on Sunday.
So we hung out and relaxed for the majority of the day, and then I told him to get dressed for baseball. Hello, attitude! He's still adamantly opposed to this team, despite the opportunity for him to be a leader and an example. And he hates the Dodgers. And Dodger blue. And white baseball pants. And the hat. Lord help us on the hat...
My guilt trip about the pictures from last night worked because as he walked out onto the porch and noticed the overcast skies, he said (rather grumpily) "I hope it rains every single weekend." Then he looked at me and I know for a fact my eyes were dancing because he said, "NOOOOOOOOOO!" with a huge grin on his face because he knew what I was thinking.
Selfie!
I apologize for the horrid selfie. It was so dark we tried to use the flash and then that was worse and then N tried to impose a 3 strikes you're out limit on selfie taking. He doesn't know who he's messing with, apparently. So I tried to lighten it up with all the tools on my picture taker software stuff on my phone.
Bottom line? I am not a photographer.
I might be exaggerating. Anyway, we got to the fields and everyone was milling around instead of playing because the games before us had been called due to lightning. The umps said, "We're out" and then the lightning alert thingy signaled an all clear so we could resume play, but the umps refused and left speedy-quick because they just don't get paid enough to want to stay, and I don't want to listen to a cranky ump although they can be hilarious.
So N and I went home and changed out of our *ew* Dodgers gear and celebrated the first rainout (even though it never rained or thundered or lightninged after that) with a trip to TGIFriday's because I had a gift card. That I couldn't find when it was time to pay.
Because I'm awesome.
Aubs
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Discussion boards and emails and quizzes...oh my!
I hit the ground running this morning, friends. I woke N up late, as originally planned, but we ran out of time for his homework, so he swore up down and sideways that he'd finish it before 7th period.
As I was working on homework this morning, I received a series of text messages from N at the end of 1st period (Athletics): "Mom, I talked to Coach. He said if I want to play [football], he'll get me a helmet, but I need cleats and a jock strap or something whatever that is and I need to be there before 6:00 am on Monday so I told him we were in. I hope that's okay. Okay bye!"
If you felt the Earth move around 8:32 this morning, that was me...slamming my head into the coffee table. I emailed the coach for clarification of what was needed, and I'm waiting with bated breath for his reply. So far, it hasn't happened yet...
After that excitement, I finished a quiz, yelled at myself for only getting 80/100, and threw the ingredients for French bread into the bread machine. My mom has been feeling kinda crummy after this cycle of her clinical trial (She has Multiple Myeloma and is doing great...except a little less great when she's on the "off" week of her trial), so I figured some freshly baked bread would be a great pick-me-up. I started the machine and retook the test (curse you 80/100 AGAIN!), and ran to Sports Authority. The SA near our house is going out of business next week so everything is a zillion percent off. Unfortunately, nothing I was looking at was a zillion percent off, so that was a worthless venture.
I checked my watch and had just enough time to stop by Sonic for a cherry sprite and pick up the freshly baked bread from my apartment before it was time for B's lunch. He's been with his dad for a couple of days and I miss the stinker, so I surprised him with a lunch visit. This means nothing to him except he was able to sucker me into a popsicle. This means little to me except that he eats so dang slow that I ended up with half of a popsicle. And it was delicious. Haha!
On my way to deliver the bread, I text N's stepmom to remind her about our baseball team builder tonight at the Rangers game, and found myself volunteering to babysit E so she could work this afternoon. He came over and fought a nap forEVER until his "No wah! Pweeeeeeease!" became more and more faint...and then he was out. N was so surprised when he walked in the door, which was (thankfully) much quieter than yesterday when he walked in singing "Oh Susanna!" at the top of his lungs.
7th graders are weird.
When we got to the game, N refused to take a picture to document our arrival. He also refused to take one in the car, so E and I took one without him. I didn't let E see his face, so a smile was a lot more difficult than originally anticipated.
E, N, and I had a good time at the game, all things considering. N may be a year or two older than some of his teammates, but his maturity level is easily 80 times higher. They were all annoyed that he didn't want to go running around at the top of the ballpark, screeching with delight. As soon as it was socially acceptable, we moved down to right behind the bullpen and enjoyed the game much more, even without the breeze.
Then we ran into a couple of B's friends, which always seems to happen when he's not with us. He's going to be so bummed that he missed them!
The whole way home, I shamelessly guilt tripped N into taking more pictures with me. I get that he hates taking pictures, but someday he'll want the memories. We laughed and cracked jokes the whole way home. I gave him relentless grief about Robinson Cano. When he was announced, N was like, "What's the big deal about him? So there's a book...so what?" I stared for a minute while the wheels were turning and said, "You mean Robinson Crusoe? Not the same person." He saw me holding back a life and said, "Whatever, you knew what I meant."
I love nights like that with my biggest boy...It makes my heart happy.
Aubs
As I was working on homework this morning, I received a series of text messages from N at the end of 1st period (Athletics): "Mom, I talked to Coach. He said if I want to play [football], he'll get me a helmet, but I need cleats and a jock strap or something whatever that is and I need to be there before 6:00 am on Monday so I told him we were in. I hope that's okay. Okay bye!"
If you felt the Earth move around 8:32 this morning, that was me...slamming my head into the coffee table. I emailed the coach for clarification of what was needed, and I'm waiting with bated breath for his reply. So far, it hasn't happened yet...
After that excitement, I finished a quiz, yelled at myself for only getting 80/100, and threw the ingredients for French bread into the bread machine. My mom has been feeling kinda crummy after this cycle of her clinical trial (She has Multiple Myeloma and is doing great...except a little less great when she's on the "off" week of her trial), so I figured some freshly baked bread would be a great pick-me-up. I started the machine and retook the test (curse you 80/100 AGAIN!), and ran to Sports Authority. The SA near our house is going out of business next week so everything is a zillion percent off. Unfortunately, nothing I was looking at was a zillion percent off, so that was a worthless venture.
I checked my watch and had just enough time to stop by Sonic for a cherry sprite and pick up the freshly baked bread from my apartment before it was time for B's lunch. He's been with his dad for a couple of days and I miss the stinker, so I surprised him with a lunch visit. This means nothing to him except he was able to sucker me into a popsicle. This means little to me except that he eats so dang slow that I ended up with half of a popsicle. And it was delicious. Haha!
On my way to deliver the bread, I text N's stepmom to remind her about our baseball team builder tonight at the Rangers game, and found myself volunteering to babysit E so she could work this afternoon. He came over and fought a nap forEVER until his "No wah! Pweeeeeeease!" became more and more faint...and then he was out. N was so surprised when he walked in the door, which was (thankfully) much quieter than yesterday when he walked in singing "Oh Susanna!" at the top of his lungs.
7th graders are weird.
When we got to the game, N refused to take a picture to document our arrival. He also refused to take one in the car, so E and I took one without him. I didn't let E see his face, so a smile was a lot more difficult than originally anticipated.
E, N, and I had a good time at the game, all things considering. N may be a year or two older than some of his teammates, but his maturity level is easily 80 times higher. They were all annoyed that he didn't want to go running around at the top of the ballpark, screeching with delight. As soon as it was socially acceptable, we moved down to right behind the bullpen and enjoyed the game much more, even without the breeze.
 |
| We ended up right behind Michael Choice and next to the bullpen! |
Then we ran into a couple of B's friends, which always seems to happen when he's not with us. He's going to be so bummed that he missed them!
The whole way home, I shamelessly guilt tripped N into taking more pictures with me. I get that he hates taking pictures, but someday he'll want the memories. We laughed and cracked jokes the whole way home. I gave him relentless grief about Robinson Cano. When he was announced, N was like, "What's the big deal about him? So there's a book...so what?" I stared for a minute while the wheels were turning and said, "You mean Robinson Crusoe? Not the same person." He saw me holding back a life and said, "Whatever, you knew what I meant."
I love nights like that with my biggest boy...It makes my heart happy.
Aubs
Friday, September 5, 2014
When you have a ton to do, but it never gets done
This is my life. I overload myself with things to do and then get pissed at myself when I don't get them all done. I have SO much work to do with the senior level classes I'm taking this semester, but I just keep putting it off. After my accidental 6 hour nap yesterday, you'd think I'd be all caught up on my rest, but no.
I'm to the point where I'm contemplating consulting WEBMD with my symptoms, but I'd just end up diagnosing myself with a tumor or something, so I resist. Barely.
I was just reading over the requirements for this huge research paper that's 13% of my grade, and I'm feeling vastly overwhelmed. He mentions that he will look very kindly upon a certain topic (and I'm all about being a suck-up in this scenario), so I emailed him for direction. If I can get started on this now while I still have some drive, I'll be better off. Maybe.
My "ton of stuff to do" isn't just limited to schoolwork, either. I need about 8 of me in order to get everything done that I need to, and I'm horrible when it comes to prioritizing. I give each thing equal importance. I have to, otherwise nothing will ever get done.
Oh, wait..it doesn't anyway!
Today was a waste of a day, especially when I discovered I was reading all the right chapters, but in the wrong text for that particular subject...and it was a good thing they weren't the right ones in that particular text because MAN! Talk about boring.
After N got home from school, I let him play Xbox, and then we took off for Target (I feel like I haven't been there in AGES!) and then to hang out with the Clemens'. N is in major need of some organizational tools. He told me while we were walking through Target, "I wish I could just go back to 6th grade so I could have Mrs. P. again." What?! Something in 6th grade turned out to be awesome? Who knew?!
At the Clemens', early bedtime rules were strictly enforced so we sped through a game of Yahtzee and off to bed they went! N neglected to mention any homework that he might've had (AHEM, MATH!), so he lounged/dozed on the couch for the rest of the evening while I suffered through my reading assignment (right chapters/text this time) with the maximum number of breaks I could justify.
When we got home, I sent him straight to bed (since he snored the whole way home) and transferred his school stuff into his new binder/dividers. That was when I discovered the homework, and rather than wake him up and make him do it (I seriously considered it), I went into his room and turned off his alarm. I think he needs an extra 30 minutes in the morning.
And then I'll ream him. Cheers!
Aubs
I'm to the point where I'm contemplating consulting WEBMD with my symptoms, but I'd just end up diagnosing myself with a tumor or something, so I resist. Barely.
I was just reading over the requirements for this huge research paper that's 13% of my grade, and I'm feeling vastly overwhelmed. He mentions that he will look very kindly upon a certain topic (and I'm all about being a suck-up in this scenario), so I emailed him for direction. If I can get started on this now while I still have some drive, I'll be better off. Maybe.
My "ton of stuff to do" isn't just limited to schoolwork, either. I need about 8 of me in order to get everything done that I need to, and I'm horrible when it comes to prioritizing. I give each thing equal importance. I have to, otherwise nothing will ever get done.
Oh, wait..it doesn't anyway!
Today was a waste of a day, especially when I discovered I was reading all the right chapters, but in the wrong text for that particular subject...and it was a good thing they weren't the right ones in that particular text because MAN! Talk about boring.
After N got home from school, I let him play Xbox, and then we took off for Target (I feel like I haven't been there in AGES!) and then to hang out with the Clemens'. N is in major need of some organizational tools. He told me while we were walking through Target, "I wish I could just go back to 6th grade so I could have Mrs. P. again." What?! Something in 6th grade turned out to be awesome? Who knew?!
At the Clemens', early bedtime rules were strictly enforced so we sped through a game of Yahtzee and off to bed they went! N neglected to mention any homework that he might've had (AHEM, MATH!), so he lounged/dozed on the couch for the rest of the evening while I suffered through my reading assignment (right chapters/text this time) with the maximum number of breaks I could justify.
When we got home, I sent him straight to bed (since he snored the whole way home) and transferred his school stuff into his new binder/dividers. That was when I discovered the homework, and rather than wake him up and make him do it (I seriously considered it), I went into his room and turned off his alarm. I think he needs an extra 30 minutes in the morning.
And then I'll ream him. Cheers!
Aubs
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
I have bullets in my...say what?!
A couple of months ago (or maybe more), I stumbled upon this fantastic custom jewelry page via Facebook...
Now, let me preface this by saying that camo is not my favorite color. I have never shot a gun, and I don't keep one in my home (come on, burglars...bring it!). I love country music and I don't mind getting dirty, but one would hardly look at me and think, "She's about as country as they get." Because I'm not. I just play one on tv.
No, really. I love the idea of living in the country, away from it all, in a farm house or a super-cute log cabin...maybe out in the Hill Country somewhere, just far enough away from everything, but close enough for when I feel the need to be in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You know, as long as there's an internet connection and some sort of phone signal/WiFi. I'm not picky. It would be so nice to get away, but I'm not sure I'd want to live there, so let's make it a "vacation" house of sorts. Yes. I like that idea. Now...who's going to purchase said dream for me? Any takers? No? Bummer.
I digress. Anyway, I found this page via Facebook where all of the jewelry is made out of...bullets! I looked at their entire inventory, thought about it, walked away, and kept coming back. Finally, after reading the description of my hands-down favorite (you'll see why in a minute), I emailed their customer service department to ask a question. See, even I know that bullets are typically brass, but a lot of their stuff was silver-ish because it had been dipped in nickel. That's a big no-no for me...my ears can spot nickel a mile away and I can usually tell within 10 minutes of wearing something if the posts really are stainless steel or sterling silver. Or gold. I just don't wear a lot of it because it's not my favorite. I prefer plain ol' sterling silver. (I just made whatever man who may feel compelled to date me in the future real happy...). Also, I'm not the world's biggest jewelry fan. It makes me feel too fussy and busy. I stick with a watch, studs in my ears and, if I'm feeling REAL fancy, a necklace and maybe a ring. MAYBE. (And I just made imaginary boyfriend real happy again because I don't want/need a lot of it. At all. Ever. Although, it does make gift giving more difficult because a level of creativity is involv...I'm doing it again).
Back to my point. I emailed Karen asking about the nickel and she suggested making the pad behind the bullets (where the post is attached) a little larger so the nickel wouldn't come into contact with my ears. She had the team make a sample so she could show me (JUST FOR ME!), and I said, "DO IT!" So, now I'm the proud owner of a set of bullets that I wear in my ears. And it makes me feel THAT MUCH MORE country-ish. I have a closet full of plaid shirts, a favorite pair of boots, and bullets. I'm totally ready to go. Oh, except I still have to find the right pair of jeans, but let's just focus on one thing at a time. Bring on the bonfires and falling leaves and cooler temperatures...you know, in February because that's when they usually kick in. BUT, when they do, I'll totally be ready.
One
of the things I love most about this company is that right in their
"Core Values," the first thing they list is "Put God first in all that
we do." I'm thrilled to support a company who wears their faith on
their sleeve(s) and who goes the extra mile to help every customer have a
satisfactory experience. I'm already scoping out a Christmas gift that
B wants to get N...he was looking with me and said, "MOM! That would
be awesome for N!"
Now, let me preface this by saying that camo is not my favorite color. I have never shot a gun, and I don't keep one in my home (come on, burglars...bring it!). I love country music and I don't mind getting dirty, but one would hardly look at me and think, "She's about as country as they get." Because I'm not. I just play one on tv.
No, really. I love the idea of living in the country, away from it all, in a farm house or a super-cute log cabin...maybe out in the Hill Country somewhere, just far enough away from everything, but close enough for when I feel the need to be in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You know, as long as there's an internet connection and some sort of phone signal/WiFi. I'm not picky. It would be so nice to get away, but I'm not sure I'd want to live there, so let's make it a "vacation" house of sorts. Yes. I like that idea. Now...who's going to purchase said dream for me? Any takers? No? Bummer.
I digress. Anyway, I found this page via Facebook where all of the jewelry is made out of...bullets! I looked at their entire inventory, thought about it, walked away, and kept coming back. Finally, after reading the description of my hands-down favorite (you'll see why in a minute), I emailed their customer service department to ask a question. See, even I know that bullets are typically brass, but a lot of their stuff was silver-ish because it had been dipped in nickel. That's a big no-no for me...my ears can spot nickel a mile away and I can usually tell within 10 minutes of wearing something if the posts really are stainless steel or sterling silver. Or gold. I just don't wear a lot of it because it's not my favorite. I prefer plain ol' sterling silver. (I just made whatever man who may feel compelled to date me in the future real happy...). Also, I'm not the world's biggest jewelry fan. It makes me feel too fussy and busy. I stick with a watch, studs in my ears and, if I'm feeling REAL fancy, a necklace and maybe a ring. MAYBE. (And I just made imaginary boyfriend real happy again because I don't want/need a lot of it. At all. Ever. Although, it does make gift giving more difficult because a level of creativity is involv...I'm doing it again).
Back to my point. I emailed Karen asking about the nickel and she suggested making the pad behind the bullets (where the post is attached) a little larger so the nickel wouldn't come into contact with my ears. She had the team make a sample so she could show me (JUST FOR ME!), and I said, "DO IT!" So, now I'm the proud owner of a set of bullets that I wear in my ears. And it makes me feel THAT MUCH MORE country-ish. I have a closet full of plaid shirts, a favorite pair of boots, and bullets. I'm totally ready to go. Oh, except I still have to find the right pair of jeans, but let's just focus on one thing at a time. Bring on the bonfires and falling leaves and cooler temperatures...you know, in February because that's when they usually kick in. BUT, when they do, I'll totally be ready.
 | |
| Can you see them? |
 | ||
| How about now?! |
Okay,
well, it's a lot harder to see than I thought, but this Texan-born,
Texan-bred (and when I die, I'll be Texan-dead) girl is wearing Texas
Magnum 44 bullets in her ears! They will totally be my new go-to
everyday earrings...I wear pearl studs a lot and thought about getting a
small peal put in the middle, but opted for the clear crystal. If
y'all want to look at what they have (There are some super awesome gift
ideas, and they're not even remotely that expensive...turnaround time is
great, too!), then check out their website:
If only all shopping were that easy...seriously. B is such a huge fan that today, when his stepmom came to pick him up and was in a rush, he told her to stop and look at my earrings because they were awesome. He also thinks this necklace is pretty great, too.
 | |||
| "Sterling Shot Through the Heart" Necklace |
If you're not singing Bon Jovi right now, you're Un-American...and you give love a bad name.
Aubs
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