I decided today should be a "recharge" day, so it was. I opted to take a nap this morning, worked on a little homework in the afternoon, and took another nap while N played Xbox.
All in all, it was an incredibly fascinating day.
N started a new literary circle today, and they Skype with one of the other schools in the district to work on it together. That's pretty much all I've got.
I'm really struggling to come up with interesting tidbits today.
Baby E came over tonight for an hour or so. He was less than happy, so it made entertaining him rather difficult.
Tomorrow, B is riding the bus home with N, and we're going to go to Bahama Bucks for some snow cone fun before he goes back to his dad's for the weekend.
N's last basketball game is tomorrow at noon.
I have to go dress shopping for the wedding sometime this weekend.
I miss my dad and my sister. I wish I could go visit them soon. On the upside, Katie will be up here next weekend, and there's a chance we'll get to see each other. I'm holding onto that chance.
I've never really enjoyed Valentine's Day. I realize it's this Thursday, and that's kind of lame. Parties at school, Valentine gifts for the boys, entirely too much chocolate roaming the planet...yes, I'm one of the "weird ones" who doesn't like chocolate pretty much ever.
There should be a holiday that celebrates the greatness of chips.
That's one I could really get into celebrating...
Aubs
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I really should start sleeping more.
Maybe in some cultures, huge dark circles under the eyes are considered attractive, but I'm pretty sure that's not true in my case. My skin, especially under my eyes is super translucent, so my circles seem more prominent even on a good day. I had been in the habit of getting a lot more sleep; there was nobody turning into a pumpkin around here!
But then, N got sick right after school started again...and his temperature was so high, he was sleeping fitfully and waking up multiple times at night, causing me to also be awake at "dark o'clock" at any given time. I never seemed to get back to my normal routine. Even with him getting better and school starting again for me, it didn't seem to make a difference.
And now, I'm potentially starting a new adventure, where I'll be working during the day sometimes, and occasionally overnight. I can't help but worry how that will impact my life at home as well as the cranky factor. As much as I'd love this opportunity, I also don't want to impact the quality of life in my house in a negative manner. Single parents should definitely work during the day for a reason.
I speak the truth.
After so many late nights in a row and no naps (I love naps), I literally fell asleep in a dress and heels, sitting up on the couch this afternoon. That never happens. Ever. I woke up long enough to change, and was mostly asleep when N walked in the door after school. The next thing I knew, it was 5:17, OU still sucked, and we needed to go to the store for bread and yogurt and juice boxes and uncrustables.
Because, y'all? My 10 year old has been eating nonstop. Yay, growth spurt! He consumed almost half a loaf of bread, slathered with peanut butter, after basketball practice on Monday. And, if that's not enough, B's middle name has been "Hungry" for the last three years or so. I swear, those kids can always eat. Always.
Luckily, they like fruits and vegetables and yogurt and things that are considerably more healthy than not. B's current favorite? Nutri-grain bars. He'd eat them all day long, if I'd let him. He tries to sneak extras in his backpack for his "friends" but he slips up and essentially tattles on himself.
Gotta love kids.
And I have to start loving a little more sleep. I finally watched "Pitch Perfect" this afternoon, and I wasn't really feeling it until the "No Diggity" scene. It was definitely the turning point, and it ended up being a super cute movie.
I'm very (VERY) slowly working my way through my list of movies I want to see. This weekend, while I'm kid-free, I might just take a day (or night) and get completely caught up on my DVR.
I have to say...it kind of sounds a little on the "dream come true" side...
Aubs
But then, N got sick right after school started again...and his temperature was so high, he was sleeping fitfully and waking up multiple times at night, causing me to also be awake at "dark o'clock" at any given time. I never seemed to get back to my normal routine. Even with him getting better and school starting again for me, it didn't seem to make a difference.
And now, I'm potentially starting a new adventure, where I'll be working during the day sometimes, and occasionally overnight. I can't help but worry how that will impact my life at home as well as the cranky factor. As much as I'd love this opportunity, I also don't want to impact the quality of life in my house in a negative manner. Single parents should definitely work during the day for a reason.
I speak the truth.
After so many late nights in a row and no naps (I love naps), I literally fell asleep in a dress and heels, sitting up on the couch this afternoon. That never happens. Ever. I woke up long enough to change, and was mostly asleep when N walked in the door after school. The next thing I knew, it was 5:17, OU still sucked, and we needed to go to the store for bread and yogurt and juice boxes and uncrustables.
Because, y'all? My 10 year old has been eating nonstop. Yay, growth spurt! He consumed almost half a loaf of bread, slathered with peanut butter, after basketball practice on Monday. And, if that's not enough, B's middle name has been "Hungry" for the last three years or so. I swear, those kids can always eat. Always.
Luckily, they like fruits and vegetables and yogurt and things that are considerably more healthy than not. B's current favorite? Nutri-grain bars. He'd eat them all day long, if I'd let him. He tries to sneak extras in his backpack for his "friends" but he slips up and essentially tattles on himself.
Gotta love kids.
And I have to start loving a little more sleep. I finally watched "Pitch Perfect" this afternoon, and I wasn't really feeling it until the "No Diggity" scene. It was definitely the turning point, and it ended up being a super cute movie.
I'm very (VERY) slowly working my way through my list of movies I want to see. This weekend, while I'm kid-free, I might just take a day (or night) and get completely caught up on my DVR.
I have to say...it kind of sounds a little on the "dream come true" side...
Aubs
You know you're old when you can legitimately say you haven't seen someone in 20 years.
When I was a little girl, I lived in San Antonio, and my family was really involved in our church. Because of that, we had several families that we became very close to, and several of us are still in contact with each other so many years later. It's heartwarming, honestly, to know that some of my favorite memories growing up are shared with people that I'm not related to, but still talk to, even now that I'm in my 30s.
Since my brain rarely forgets, I have tons of memories of running around with Jillian in her backyard, playing the most awesome clubhouse EVER, and climbing the corners of her fence to talk to the neighbors. I have memories of Hugga Bunch movies, driving her older brother and sister INSANE, and "beach blanket sea parties." Our oldest kids are a month apart, and we don't see each other often, but we still keep in touch on a regular basis.
I have tons of memories or making white chocolate covered, peanut butter sandwiched Ritz crackers with the Carrs while our dads worked on making sure both of our family cars where running smoothly before we did a late-night caravan to San Antonio from Midland. I remember my dad being sneaky and saying something to my mom about how he needed to go get "The automobiles" and it never even registering that he was talking about the family until Clinton walked into the kitchen in his gray sweatsuit with hand painted tic tac toe designs in red and blue on the sweatshirt. I remember playing Super Mario Bros. 2, playing leap frog through the living room, and the three against one fight where us girls forced Clinton to dress up like a girl...along with so many more memories.
But today, and for the last week or so, I've been running through the memories in my brain that have to do with the Matlocks. Amy is one of my dearest friends, and I'm so delighted to be her maid of honor this summer. She's sandwiched between my sister and myself, so when we were kids, they were into the more "girly" stuff, and I hung out with Chris (whom I had always considered "my" person in the Matlock family), the "older man." It's funny to think how ridiculous we were back then; we both obviously had crushes on each other, but were ridiculously shy...like, couldn't make eye contact without consuming large amounts of Mountain Dew, shy. I remember when Mattie was born, too, and how much fun we used to have with him, pulling him around inside a suitcase in their basement. Ahhh, the good old days!
My memories with the Matlocks span the longest, even though they moved away from San Antonio before I did, and I swear (as a kid) I thought their backyard went on for miles. I remember staying with them for what seemed like weeks when my dad was in the hospital with pneumonia. I remember Ms. Becca driving us over to see him, and coining the phrase "Silly Willy Dingdongbell" in the backseat, amidst fit upon fit of giggles. I remember Chris being ridiculously shy, even when we were 5(ish), but still being one of my best pals. We went on a summer vacation together, where we chased fireflies, rolled down grassy hills, and swam in the river.
Another year, we went to visit them in St. Louis, and I think that's really when I became cognizant of Chris being the older, super cute, boy...and when I realized that he was probably just as scared of me as I was of him. Fast forward twenty years, and imagine my surprise when I get a text message from him saying he'll be in Dallas in a week. Do I want to have lunch/dinner? Absolutely!
So, we did. I've seen Amy more recently than any of them, but it was so great to see a familiar face; a face that has changed and grown up, but is still the face I remember as a child/teenager. We caught up over lunch at Pei Wei, and then I went off to prepare for the next doctor's appointment (more about that in a second) while he went off to prepare to give a workshop nearby. After he finished, he came over, met N, ate some beef stew, and we had some more delightful conversation.
It's a shame that it took 20 years to reconnect, but I don't think it will be nearly as long before we see each other/talk to each other again. At the very least, I'll get to see the entire Matlock crew in May/June when Amy gets married! Now that communication has been reestablished, he's not getting rid of me that easily! We have had some similar life changes in recent years: separation, single parenting two children, prioritizing, and realizing that maybe (just maybe) we don't have it all figured out. I can't describe how awesome it is to be able to talk to someone who actually gets where you're coming from. At the very least, I'll get to see the entire Matlock crew in May/June when Amy gets married!
Side note: I realized that almost every single family we spent time with, growing up, had boys my age. I was always friends with boys more so than girls, even very early on...something that typically tends to be the case, even as an adult. Hmmm, strange.
As for the rest of my day...B had an appointment with an allergist this morning, and low and behold, he's still allergic. To everything. His stepmom and I both went to the appointment, and we're both thrilled with the doctor as well as her treatment plan for him. The poor kid had to do the scratch test on his back, and even at 4:30 this afternoon, he still had huge red marks all over his back. I ran him to school after his first appointment, and when he got off the bus, we took off for another appointment, this time with a chiropractor/nutritionist. He giggled and squirmed as he got adjusted, and now we're all set to see the nutritionist.
In a perfect world, changing some aspects of his diet and routine preventative measures will help get his allergies under control. His allergies trigger his asthma, and then everyone's miserable. Ultimately, we're hoping to get him off of all meds permanently, only having to use over the counter allergy meds for crazy flare-ups. It's hard to see the tiny light at the end of this tunnel, but if we can survive the long road ahead, I think we'll get there. No child should have the quality of life (or lack thereof) that B has had to deal with.
N spent the afternoon shooting hoops with his dad and hanging out with Baby E. He came home, snarfed some food, played some Xbox, and hung out with me until Chris came for dinner. I've been tripping down memory lane a lot lately, so he wanted to meet some of the people I talk about. He's met Amy and Jillian, so it was nice to add another face to the mix. He's excited about his last basketball game: partially because it means the season is over, and partially because it's a noon game so he can sleep in.
Man, sleeping in sounds so good to me right now...so does sleeping in general!
Aubs
Since my brain rarely forgets, I have tons of memories of running around with Jillian in her backyard, playing the most awesome clubhouse EVER, and climbing the corners of her fence to talk to the neighbors. I have memories of Hugga Bunch movies, driving her older brother and sister INSANE, and "beach blanket sea parties." Our oldest kids are a month apart, and we don't see each other often, but we still keep in touch on a regular basis.
I have tons of memories or making white chocolate covered, peanut butter sandwiched Ritz crackers with the Carrs while our dads worked on making sure both of our family cars where running smoothly before we did a late-night caravan to San Antonio from Midland. I remember my dad being sneaky and saying something to my mom about how he needed to go get "The automobiles" and it never even registering that he was talking about the family until Clinton walked into the kitchen in his gray sweatsuit with hand painted tic tac toe designs in red and blue on the sweatshirt. I remember playing Super Mario Bros. 2, playing leap frog through the living room, and the three against one fight where us girls forced Clinton to dress up like a girl...along with so many more memories.
But today, and for the last week or so, I've been running through the memories in my brain that have to do with the Matlocks. Amy is one of my dearest friends, and I'm so delighted to be her maid of honor this summer. She's sandwiched between my sister and myself, so when we were kids, they were into the more "girly" stuff, and I hung out with Chris (whom I had always considered "my" person in the Matlock family), the "older man." It's funny to think how ridiculous we were back then; we both obviously had crushes on each other, but were ridiculously shy...like, couldn't make eye contact without consuming large amounts of Mountain Dew, shy. I remember when Mattie was born, too, and how much fun we used to have with him, pulling him around inside a suitcase in their basement. Ahhh, the good old days!
My memories with the Matlocks span the longest, even though they moved away from San Antonio before I did, and I swear (as a kid) I thought their backyard went on for miles. I remember staying with them for what seemed like weeks when my dad was in the hospital with pneumonia. I remember Ms. Becca driving us over to see him, and coining the phrase "Silly Willy Dingdongbell" in the backseat, amidst fit upon fit of giggles. I remember Chris being ridiculously shy, even when we were 5(ish), but still being one of my best pals. We went on a summer vacation together, where we chased fireflies, rolled down grassy hills, and swam in the river.
Another year, we went to visit them in St. Louis, and I think that's really when I became cognizant of Chris being the older, super cute, boy...and when I realized that he was probably just as scared of me as I was of him. Fast forward twenty years, and imagine my surprise when I get a text message from him saying he'll be in Dallas in a week. Do I want to have lunch/dinner? Absolutely!
So, we did. I've seen Amy more recently than any of them, but it was so great to see a familiar face; a face that has changed and grown up, but is still the face I remember as a child/teenager. We caught up over lunch at Pei Wei, and then I went off to prepare for the next doctor's appointment (more about that in a second) while he went off to prepare to give a workshop nearby. After he finished, he came over, met N, ate some beef stew, and we had some more delightful conversation.
It's a shame that it took 20 years to reconnect, but I don't think it will be nearly as long before we see each other/talk to each other again. At the very least, I'll get to see the entire Matlock crew in May/June when Amy gets married! Now that communication has been reestablished, he's not getting rid of me that easily! We have had some similar life changes in recent years: separation, single parenting two children, prioritizing, and realizing that maybe (just maybe) we don't have it all figured out. I can't describe how awesome it is to be able to talk to someone who actually gets where you're coming from. At the very least, I'll get to see the entire Matlock crew in May/June when Amy gets married!
Side note: I realized that almost every single family we spent time with, growing up, had boys my age. I was always friends with boys more so than girls, even very early on...something that typically tends to be the case, even as an adult. Hmmm, strange.
As for the rest of my day...B had an appointment with an allergist this morning, and low and behold, he's still allergic. To everything. His stepmom and I both went to the appointment, and we're both thrilled with the doctor as well as her treatment plan for him. The poor kid had to do the scratch test on his back, and even at 4:30 this afternoon, he still had huge red marks all over his back. I ran him to school after his first appointment, and when he got off the bus, we took off for another appointment, this time with a chiropractor/nutritionist. He giggled and squirmed as he got adjusted, and now we're all set to see the nutritionist.
In a perfect world, changing some aspects of his diet and routine preventative measures will help get his allergies under control. His allergies trigger his asthma, and then everyone's miserable. Ultimately, we're hoping to get him off of all meds permanently, only having to use over the counter allergy meds for crazy flare-ups. It's hard to see the tiny light at the end of this tunnel, but if we can survive the long road ahead, I think we'll get there. No child should have the quality of life (or lack thereof) that B has had to deal with.
N spent the afternoon shooting hoops with his dad and hanging out with Baby E. He came home, snarfed some food, played some Xbox, and hung out with me until Chris came for dinner. I've been tripping down memory lane a lot lately, so he wanted to meet some of the people I talk about. He's met Amy and Jillian, so it was nice to add another face to the mix. He's excited about his last basketball game: partially because it means the season is over, and partially because it's a noon game so he can sleep in.
Man, sleeping in sounds so good to me right now...so does sleeping in general!
Aubs
Monday, February 4, 2013
When I use my children as fashion advisors...
nobody ever agrees. Ever. There is not one common "like" or "dislike" between the three of us. I do, however, appreciate that they still let me play fashion show, and that they are able and willing to speak their own minds.
I wonder where they get that trait from?
Surely it isn't me.
We were debating the merits of certain dresses over others, and they did have some interesting insight. Then, I got "Mom, can we please do something else now?" so I gave in and let them be children again instead of fashion gurus. Ha, gurus they are not. On a side note, N came into the living room right before bed, holding a pair of black & green Nike Elite socks ("THE" thing in 5th grade, apparently) and said (in a super serious voice), "Mom, I need some new green basketball shorts to match these socks 'cause the greens don't exactly match. And I need some really nice shirts to wear with them that also match the socks." I stared for at least a minute, dumbfounded, and then I found my voice. "The greens are fine, and you want really nice shirts? To wear with basketball shorts? Dude. Wear a t-shirt. The end. Oh, and you're wearing 'normal' clothes for pictures on Wednesday, so go ahead and start griping now so we can be done with it. I'm going to be busy tomorrow."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! You never let me choose on picture day. You don't respect my clothing choices."
You're damn right, darling son of mine...When you stop trying to wear multiple plaid patterns together just because they MUST match because they're all plaid (like a 78 year old man), then we'll talk. Until then, mom trumps kid. Also, life isn't fair, so build a bridge and get over it.
After the boys got home from school, B climbed on the foot of my bed, dangled sideways, took off his shirt, and twirled it around his head like a lasso. I'm not sure where he came up with it, only that I was trying really hard not to laugh so I wouldn't encourage him to continue down this path at the ripe old age of 7. He headed off to his dad's, and N and I headed over to Nana's for a little bit.
I spent the majority of the time on the phone with my Amy Damy, who's going through some stuff I've been through recently. I'm not sure how much I helped, if any, but I wish I'd had someone around to talk to me through it instead of plowing through it on my own. Love her, love her family...they're like my own somehow.
N had his last basketball practice tonight! YAY! I ended up outside the gym for the majority of the practice, catching up on the 83 phone calls I received tonight (who knew I was so popular?!) and text messages and assorted other things. Have no fear...before I went outside, I clued another parent in to the coach's shenanigans, so he was my lookout. The last game is at noon on Saturday, and wouldn't you know that I almost wish it were an early game so we could be done with it? Kudos to N for sticking it out and playing the whole season. Granted, he didn't really have a choice in the matter, but he's done so with minimal complaints.
I have been quite the busy bee today. I had a ton of errands to run, kind of a precursor to my crazy busy day tomorrow. Today was a huge sense of accomplishment, and tomorrow, for the most part, will just be busy with a whole lot of fun. I'm super excited to spend some time with a guy I haven't seen in way over half my life, and that's stacked between doctor's appointments for B with his stepmom and myself. It should be fun...
And, like most things in my life, always an adventure!
Aubs
I wonder where they get that trait from?
Surely it isn't me.
We were debating the merits of certain dresses over others, and they did have some interesting insight. Then, I got "Mom, can we please do something else now?" so I gave in and let them be children again instead of fashion gurus. Ha, gurus they are not. On a side note, N came into the living room right before bed, holding a pair of black & green Nike Elite socks ("THE" thing in 5th grade, apparently) and said (in a super serious voice), "Mom, I need some new green basketball shorts to match these socks 'cause the greens don't exactly match. And I need some really nice shirts to wear with them that also match the socks." I stared for at least a minute, dumbfounded, and then I found my voice. "The greens are fine, and you want really nice shirts? To wear with basketball shorts? Dude. Wear a t-shirt. The end. Oh, and you're wearing 'normal' clothes for pictures on Wednesday, so go ahead and start griping now so we can be done with it. I'm going to be busy tomorrow."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! You never let me choose on picture day. You don't respect my clothing choices."
You're damn right, darling son of mine...When you stop trying to wear multiple plaid patterns together just because they MUST match because they're all plaid (like a 78 year old man), then we'll talk. Until then, mom trumps kid. Also, life isn't fair, so build a bridge and get over it.
After the boys got home from school, B climbed on the foot of my bed, dangled sideways, took off his shirt, and twirled it around his head like a lasso. I'm not sure where he came up with it, only that I was trying really hard not to laugh so I wouldn't encourage him to continue down this path at the ripe old age of 7. He headed off to his dad's, and N and I headed over to Nana's for a little bit.
I spent the majority of the time on the phone with my Amy Damy, who's going through some stuff I've been through recently. I'm not sure how much I helped, if any, but I wish I'd had someone around to talk to me through it instead of plowing through it on my own. Love her, love her family...they're like my own somehow.
N had his last basketball practice tonight! YAY! I ended up outside the gym for the majority of the practice, catching up on the 83 phone calls I received tonight (who knew I was so popular?!) and text messages and assorted other things. Have no fear...before I went outside, I clued another parent in to the coach's shenanigans, so he was my lookout. The last game is at noon on Saturday, and wouldn't you know that I almost wish it were an early game so we could be done with it? Kudos to N for sticking it out and playing the whole season. Granted, he didn't really have a choice in the matter, but he's done so with minimal complaints.
I have been quite the busy bee today. I had a ton of errands to run, kind of a precursor to my crazy busy day tomorrow. Today was a huge sense of accomplishment, and tomorrow, for the most part, will just be busy with a whole lot of fun. I'm super excited to spend some time with a guy I haven't seen in way over half my life, and that's stacked between doctor's appointments for B with his stepmom and myself. It should be fun...
And, like most things in my life, always an adventure!
Aubs
Super Sunday
Apparently, there was a major football game this evening. I watched the last 5 minutes just to say I watched some of it...you know, because I'm an American. I also missed ALL of the commercials, but so many of my friends had running commentary on Facebook, that I don't really feel like I missed out all that much.
I have no desire to cry over a beer commercial, however, I am intrigued, so I'll probably end up "youtube-ing" it. I'm so weak.
Instead of watching football, I found an "Anne of Green Gables" marathon, and I've been rocking that pretty much all day. I have the first two memorized, thanks to a childhood of watching them on the Disney channel and the invention of video cassette tapes. It's so funny what we remember from our childhood. Most remember poignant pieces of their lives. I remember recording "Anne of Green Gables" on the Disney Channel...amongst other things.
So many other things.
While watching my Anne marathon today (and folding umpteen loads of laundry), I saw a commercial for the HurryCane, and I cracked up laughing. See, the other day, a friend of mine (who is significantly older than I am...) text me, asking if I heard creaking sounds when I walked. The text was accompanied by a picture of a cane. It wasn't a HurryCane, but I probably should've come back with some comment about whether or not he needed a walker.
A day late, and a dollar short, I suppose... I'm pretty sure retaliation is imminent. You've been warned.
The boys played so well together today. I was really impressed with how kind and friendly they were to each other. They played video games for the majority of the day, while I continued on my cleaning spree, so I'm fairly confident that their brains will be sufficiently rotted for school tomorrow morning. When I had them turn OFF the Xbox, they started playing their own version of Halo with Star Wars guns and forts and who knows what else. I'd be going about my business, and hear, "Wait! No, don't go in! Watch out for the grunts!"
Those boys are insane.
B came into my room to ask me if he could have some graham crackers for a snack. I said he could, and then mimicked his voice, saying, "Can you open this for me?" seconds before he said it. He looked at me, and said, "Why are you so sassy like that?" I just stared at him, willing myself not to laugh, and he said, "Are you going to blog that?" He knows me entirely too well, that B. Someday, he'll thank me for taking the time to record all of his hilarity. Maybe. Maybe not.
They got really quiet for a while, and I went in to check on them. They were spread out across their beds playing something together on their Nintendo DS'. I noticed they were both a little flushed. A few minutes later, the thermometer confirmed low grade fevers. I would probably go insane if they were both sick at the same time. Luckily, it seemed to be a total fluke; they were both fine by bedtime.
Thank goodness for that. I have a busy week ahead. I'm pretty sure if I have 20 minutes a day to sit down and do nothing, I'll be impressed.
Then again, I'd rather be crazy busy than sitting here staring at my reflection. 'Cause really? Let's face it. I'd really rather not EVER do that.
Also, there is now a mirror hanging opposite of my bedroom door, and I've scared myself half to death at least a dozen times so far.
I never said I was a brave one. I can't even watch "Tremors," and I've even tried...once...20 years ago.
Aubs
I have no desire to cry over a beer commercial, however, I am intrigued, so I'll probably end up "youtube-ing" it. I'm so weak.
Instead of watching football, I found an "Anne of Green Gables" marathon, and I've been rocking that pretty much all day. I have the first two memorized, thanks to a childhood of watching them on the Disney channel and the invention of video cassette tapes. It's so funny what we remember from our childhood. Most remember poignant pieces of their lives. I remember recording "Anne of Green Gables" on the Disney Channel...amongst other things.
So many other things.
While watching my Anne marathon today (and folding umpteen loads of laundry), I saw a commercial for the HurryCane, and I cracked up laughing. See, the other day, a friend of mine (who is significantly older than I am...) text me, asking if I heard creaking sounds when I walked. The text was accompanied by a picture of a cane. It wasn't a HurryCane, but I probably should've come back with some comment about whether or not he needed a walker.
A day late, and a dollar short, I suppose... I'm pretty sure retaliation is imminent. You've been warned.
The boys played so well together today. I was really impressed with how kind and friendly they were to each other. They played video games for the majority of the day, while I continued on my cleaning spree, so I'm fairly confident that their brains will be sufficiently rotted for school tomorrow morning. When I had them turn OFF the Xbox, they started playing their own version of Halo with Star Wars guns and forts and who knows what else. I'd be going about my business, and hear, "Wait! No, don't go in! Watch out for the grunts!"
Those boys are insane.
B came into my room to ask me if he could have some graham crackers for a snack. I said he could, and then mimicked his voice, saying, "Can you open this for me?" seconds before he said it. He looked at me, and said, "Why are you so sassy like that?" I just stared at him, willing myself not to laugh, and he said, "Are you going to blog that?" He knows me entirely too well, that B. Someday, he'll thank me for taking the time to record all of his hilarity. Maybe. Maybe not.
They got really quiet for a while, and I went in to check on them. They were spread out across their beds playing something together on their Nintendo DS'. I noticed they were both a little flushed. A few minutes later, the thermometer confirmed low grade fevers. I would probably go insane if they were both sick at the same time. Luckily, it seemed to be a total fluke; they were both fine by bedtime.
Thank goodness for that. I have a busy week ahead. I'm pretty sure if I have 20 minutes a day to sit down and do nothing, I'll be impressed.
Then again, I'd rather be crazy busy than sitting here staring at my reflection. 'Cause really? Let's face it. I'd really rather not EVER do that.
Also, there is now a mirror hanging opposite of my bedroom door, and I've scared myself half to death at least a dozen times so far.
I never said I was a brave one. I can't even watch "Tremors," and I've even tried...once...20 years ago.
Aubs
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Routines
We all have them...some of us are just better at keeping them than others. Whether it be diet, exercise, lunch dates, movie dates, or any number of other activities, people in general tend to be creatures of habit. We have our preferred morning routine and our daily routine of how we wind down before bed.
One of my regular routines used to deal with my abdominal muscles...muscles that I think I might've lost in the past few weeks when I decided to channel the Barcelona Olympic Games and show the boys my mad skills. I feel fluffy, and I hate feeling fluffy...
But easing back into a routine you were once used to is not always an easy task. The rest of me is so ready to get back down to business, but the left side of my body keeps screeching, "PSYYYYYYYYYCH!" as it runs its imaginary hand up past its imaginary head. You know you know what I'm talking about, and if you don't, we probably aren't really friends. Some days it seems to be more willing than others...until it abruptly halts my routine when I realize my normal "power through it" mentality might do more harm than good.
Being a responsible grownup sucks sometimes.
N had his last early game today, and I couldn't be more thrilled that there's only one game left. OH! So, remember how the coach told them to cheat while they were lined up for free throws? One of the kids did it today...and got caught. It went a little something like this:
Ref (blows whistle): Violation, Red. Moved before the ball hit the rim. One additional shot.
Coach (yelling): Guys! How many times do I have to tell you not to move before the ball hits the rim?
Player: That's not what you told us at practice on Monday...
Total silence, as the coach hangs his head and shakes it sorrowfully. I, on the other hand, am doing everything in my power to not burst into the loudest laughter ever. I manage to hold it together, but I catch N's eye, and I can tell he's trying not to laugh, too. Those moments are priceless. Also, that kid deserves a parade (or at the very least, a medal) for being honest. I'm sure he didn't realize what he was doing, but it was totally worth sitting in a freezing cold gym for that 30 seconds alone.
After the game, N left to go throw the baseball and hang out with Baby E and his dad, and B and I went to go get my hair cut. I have the sweetest girl who cuts/colors my hair. She was supposed to go to New Orleans this weekend to go to the Maxim party, but she ended up staying here AND she fit me in. I'm notorious for calling her last minute, but she always figures out a way. It's one of the reasons I adore her. Another reason? She always knows what's in my brain, even if I do a horrible job of explaining what I want, and she does whatever it takes to fix it if I'm not happy. It's not uncommon for her to text me a few days after a change to see if I like it or if we need to fix it...and that, my friends, is how you get clients for life. Unless she moves somewhere crazy far...and even then, I might consider going to her.
I like her a lot.
B and I went home after that and did some more cleaning. Correction: I cleaned, while he played Xbox. My mom came over to help hang some pictures I've been meaning to hang for months, but I'm probably not the best person to use a hammer on walls that don't technically belong to me, so she graciously stepped in to help. My room still looks like a bomb went off, but it's only my room. That's progress. Each time I'd think we were done, I'd find something else to hang. 75% of the things we hung today came from my sister. She's so helpful; she always sends me stuff for birthdays or holidays or just because, and it's always exactly, perfectly "me."
What has your Seester done for you lately? I rest my case.
B and I had to run out and get a few things: light bulbs, sawtooth thingies for the back of a couple of picture frames, and things for lunch for next week. We ended up going a few other places and trying on clothes. I'm always up for increasing my "spring/summer" wardrobe (I practically live in dresses/shorts from April-October), especially when that dang Phil has decided we aren't really going to get any kind of winter this year...you know, except for those three or four days we already had.
I think Phil's a liar. There, I said it.
B is the BEST shopping companion because he always says things look great. Tonight, he kept saying, "Oh, Mom. Oh, yeah. Get that one. You look great. I just love you, Mommy." I could hear the other people around us giggling as he repeated it over and over and over. Then, "Uh, no, Mom. I think that would be a poor choice in judgement." Hahaha, my sentiments exactly, kiddo.
We came back home, put away our groceries, and now I suppose I should be clearing off my bed so I can go to sleep...but instead, I'm coming up with eleventy other things that are obviously more pressing.
Like a load of laundry (nah, it's too late), vacuuming (nah, too late again), or maybe a bubble bath.
I think we have a winner. If you need me, I'll be under a bajillion cherry blossom bubbles...don't need me.
Aubs
One of my regular routines used to deal with my abdominal muscles...muscles that I think I might've lost in the past few weeks when I decided to channel the Barcelona Olympic Games and show the boys my mad skills. I feel fluffy, and I hate feeling fluffy...
But easing back into a routine you were once used to is not always an easy task. The rest of me is so ready to get back down to business, but the left side of my body keeps screeching, "PSYYYYYYYYYCH!" as it runs its imaginary hand up past its imaginary head. You know you know what I'm talking about, and if you don't, we probably aren't really friends. Some days it seems to be more willing than others...until it abruptly halts my routine when I realize my normal "power through it" mentality might do more harm than good.
Being a responsible grownup sucks sometimes.
N had his last early game today, and I couldn't be more thrilled that there's only one game left. OH! So, remember how the coach told them to cheat while they were lined up for free throws? One of the kids did it today...and got caught. It went a little something like this:
Ref (blows whistle): Violation, Red. Moved before the ball hit the rim. One additional shot.
Coach (yelling): Guys! How many times do I have to tell you not to move before the ball hits the rim?
Player: That's not what you told us at practice on Monday...
Total silence, as the coach hangs his head and shakes it sorrowfully. I, on the other hand, am doing everything in my power to not burst into the loudest laughter ever. I manage to hold it together, but I catch N's eye, and I can tell he's trying not to laugh, too. Those moments are priceless. Also, that kid deserves a parade (or at the very least, a medal) for being honest. I'm sure he didn't realize what he was doing, but it was totally worth sitting in a freezing cold gym for that 30 seconds alone.
After the game, N left to go throw the baseball and hang out with Baby E and his dad, and B and I went to go get my hair cut. I have the sweetest girl who cuts/colors my hair. She was supposed to go to New Orleans this weekend to go to the Maxim party, but she ended up staying here AND she fit me in. I'm notorious for calling her last minute, but she always figures out a way. It's one of the reasons I adore her. Another reason? She always knows what's in my brain, even if I do a horrible job of explaining what I want, and she does whatever it takes to fix it if I'm not happy. It's not uncommon for her to text me a few days after a change to see if I like it or if we need to fix it...and that, my friends, is how you get clients for life. Unless she moves somewhere crazy far...and even then, I might consider going to her.
I like her a lot.
B and I went home after that and did some more cleaning. Correction: I cleaned, while he played Xbox. My mom came over to help hang some pictures I've been meaning to hang for months, but I'm probably not the best person to use a hammer on walls that don't technically belong to me, so she graciously stepped in to help. My room still looks like a bomb went off, but it's only my room. That's progress. Each time I'd think we were done, I'd find something else to hang. 75% of the things we hung today came from my sister. She's so helpful; she always sends me stuff for birthdays or holidays or just because, and it's always exactly, perfectly "me."
What has your Seester done for you lately? I rest my case.
B and I had to run out and get a few things: light bulbs, sawtooth thingies for the back of a couple of picture frames, and things for lunch for next week. We ended up going a few other places and trying on clothes. I'm always up for increasing my "spring/summer" wardrobe (I practically live in dresses/shorts from April-October), especially when that dang Phil has decided we aren't really going to get any kind of winter this year...you know, except for those three or four days we already had.
I think Phil's a liar. There, I said it.
B is the BEST shopping companion because he always says things look great. Tonight, he kept saying, "Oh, Mom. Oh, yeah. Get that one. You look great. I just love you, Mommy." I could hear the other people around us giggling as he repeated it over and over and over. Then, "Uh, no, Mom. I think that would be a poor choice in judgement." Hahaha, my sentiments exactly, kiddo.
We came back home, put away our groceries, and now I suppose I should be clearing off my bed so I can go to sleep...but instead, I'm coming up with eleventy other things that are obviously more pressing.
Like a load of laundry (nah, it's too late), vacuuming (nah, too late again), or maybe a bubble bath.
I think we have a winner. If you need me, I'll be under a bajillion cherry blossom bubbles...don't need me.
Aubs
This is what happens when you oversleep...
(Please note the Saved By The Bell theme song has been running through my head all day)
When I woke up this morning, 47 minutes late, I totally jumped out of bed like a ninja...then I laughed at myself, tripped over my shoe, banged my side on the post of my bed, and yelled, "SHIT!" as I stubbed my toe. I'm pretty sure, had there been anyone around to witness this, there would be a lot of hysterical laughter. Unfortunately, it was just me, and I did not see the humor at first.
Points for N: He got up and did what he needed to do and left me to run around in circles, trying to get what I needed for my class. As I'm getting ready, I get a text from B's stepmom, telling me she needs to meet me when she drops B off at school so she can give me the meds the doctor gave them yesterday. It's perfect...because I have so much free time on my hands this morning, and I'm not at all rushed.
I drop N off with 12 minutes to spare, meet her, and head off towards where my class is being held. I punch up the volume on my XM and am delighted to find that I'm spending my morning with Cypress Hill. Who wouldn't love that? My morning was way more than a little insane in the membrane, so I felt I could relate.
As the chaos of my morning dissipated (I love that word), I realized that I was going to be sitting in class for 3 hours, and I had not made any coffee. I had barely managed to grab a bottle of water...and I needed a stapler.
Those exact thoughts. That exact order. Einstein probably thought a lot like me. It explains so much, if you really think about it. No wonder I'm so misunderstood... These issues needed to be remedied, so my first stop was Target to get a cute little mini stapler that came with about eleventy-fifty-three staples. I opened the box to add some to the stapler so I could staple my paper, and the box promptly exploded.
Probably, you're all pretty lucky that I was wearing sunglasses at the time. I bet a staple to the eye would've ruined my life enough to where I couldn't provide these fascinating breakdowns of my daily activities. There should be a parade for my sunglasses...I'm just not sure where they are at the moment.
After that, I was going to go to the coffee shop across the street, but it was across the street, and I felt like that was too much effort. I knew the Starbucks up the street would be a nightmare at 8:17 on a Friday morning, so I opted for getting out of my car at Tom Thumb. Obviously, THAT was way less effort than driving across the street, but I don't understand my own logic sometimes. I don't expect you to get it either.
Tom Thumb was a poor choice. Although there is a Starbucks inside, there were 14 people in line. Okay, so there were two in front of me, but one of them was reloading her Starbucks card and giving all these instructions, even though the woman behind the counter was referring to her by name and (after every command) saying, "So, you're saying you want your usual? Coming right up!" I was still crabby, so I was contemplating slamming somebody's head into something...just not mine 'cause I don't need anymore dents.
That's right. Dents. I actually don't think I have any dents in my head, but my brain was not in a happy place.
And when they made my latte wrong and it was so sweet I almost gagged on it, I didn't even go back in. I drank it as fast as I could, and then downed my water. I'm hardcore. Also, I just inadvertently made up a new word. "Bandwagong."
I'm totally sensing a breakthrough here. You heard it here first...bandwagong.
Anyway, I appreciate that my three hour class is divided into three segments. I also love that my professor is a hardcore Republican, an older gentleman who uses words like "new-fangled contraptions" and "teeny-boppers." It makes me laugh, and I find him completely endearing. I don't have any grandfathers that are alive, so I might adopt him.
After class was over, I ran around and did some stuff that I wanted to do without the boys this weekend, and then I headed home to wait for the bus. As I got in my car to head home, I was thinking/singing in my head, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..." and when I turned on my car, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HEARD?!
Closing Time. I can't even describe how excited I was.
Before the bus pulls up, I get a phone call from N who, for some reason, missed the bus and was hanging out with the after school program kids. I started singing Kriss Kross, "I Missed the Bus" because it's one of my dad's favorites. True story.
B and I go pick N up and they eat a snack while I drag our Christmas stuff to the front door to take it to my mom's to store in her garage. We load my car, and I turn it on...and do you know what song is on?!
Freak Nasty. Da Dip. My life was complete at that exact moment. It was on the chorus, so B started breaking it down in the backseat, just rockin' his little heart out. I reluctantly changed the channel, simply because I didn't think it would be easy to explain to him what, ahem, Mr. Nasty was "singing" about.
But man, it was still the best 45 seconds of the day. After we dropped the stuff in my mom's garage, we were going to go get my car washed/cleaned because it so needs it, but I forgot I told Justin that E could come over for a while if they needed him to, so we had to hurry home to mini-sit. It was less than an hour, so after E left, I made a list of things that we were going to do to clean up, and get rid of all the crap they (we) keep collecting for no apparent reason. Then I made them start. And they griped some, but their room, bathroom, hallway, and the laundry room are so much better. Tomorrow, in all the free time we have (which is minimal until after 3:00), B and I are going to tackle some more and N's going to run as soon as his game is over.
I'm not a betting girl, but I'd win that one any day of the week...especially Saturday. You know, 'cause that's when he has basketball games.
And, just in case you were wondering how to end a day full of the best 90s songs ever...it ends with Baby Got Back.
Shake that healthy butt...or don't. I can't see you. But I bet you did.
Aubs
When I woke up this morning, 47 minutes late, I totally jumped out of bed like a ninja...then I laughed at myself, tripped over my shoe, banged my side on the post of my bed, and yelled, "SHIT!" as I stubbed my toe. I'm pretty sure, had there been anyone around to witness this, there would be a lot of hysterical laughter. Unfortunately, it was just me, and I did not see the humor at first.
Points for N: He got up and did what he needed to do and left me to run around in circles, trying to get what I needed for my class. As I'm getting ready, I get a text from B's stepmom, telling me she needs to meet me when she drops B off at school so she can give me the meds the doctor gave them yesterday. It's perfect...because I have so much free time on my hands this morning, and I'm not at all rushed.
I drop N off with 12 minutes to spare, meet her, and head off towards where my class is being held. I punch up the volume on my XM and am delighted to find that I'm spending my morning with Cypress Hill. Who wouldn't love that? My morning was way more than a little insane in the membrane, so I felt I could relate.
As the chaos of my morning dissipated (I love that word), I realized that I was going to be sitting in class for 3 hours, and I had not made any coffee. I had barely managed to grab a bottle of water...and I needed a stapler.
Those exact thoughts. That exact order. Einstein probably thought a lot like me. It explains so much, if you really think about it. No wonder I'm so misunderstood... These issues needed to be remedied, so my first stop was Target to get a cute little mini stapler that came with about eleventy-fifty-three staples. I opened the box to add some to the stapler so I could staple my paper, and the box promptly exploded.
Probably, you're all pretty lucky that I was wearing sunglasses at the time. I bet a staple to the eye would've ruined my life enough to where I couldn't provide these fascinating breakdowns of my daily activities. There should be a parade for my sunglasses...I'm just not sure where they are at the moment.
After that, I was going to go to the coffee shop across the street, but it was across the street, and I felt like that was too much effort. I knew the Starbucks up the street would be a nightmare at 8:17 on a Friday morning, so I opted for getting out of my car at Tom Thumb. Obviously, THAT was way less effort than driving across the street, but I don't understand my own logic sometimes. I don't expect you to get it either.
Tom Thumb was a poor choice. Although there is a Starbucks inside, there were 14 people in line. Okay, so there were two in front of me, but one of them was reloading her Starbucks card and giving all these instructions, even though the woman behind the counter was referring to her by name and (after every command) saying, "So, you're saying you want your usual? Coming right up!" I was still crabby, so I was contemplating slamming somebody's head into something...just not mine 'cause I don't need anymore dents.
That's right. Dents. I actually don't think I have any dents in my head, but my brain was not in a happy place.
And when they made my latte wrong and it was so sweet I almost gagged on it, I didn't even go back in. I drank it as fast as I could, and then downed my water. I'm hardcore. Also, I just inadvertently made up a new word. "Bandwagong."
I'm totally sensing a breakthrough here. You heard it here first...bandwagong.
Anyway, I appreciate that my three hour class is divided into three segments. I also love that my professor is a hardcore Republican, an older gentleman who uses words like "new-fangled contraptions" and "teeny-boppers." It makes me laugh, and I find him completely endearing. I don't have any grandfathers that are alive, so I might adopt him.
After class was over, I ran around and did some stuff that I wanted to do without the boys this weekend, and then I headed home to wait for the bus. As I got in my car to head home, I was thinking/singing in my head, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..." and when I turned on my car, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HEARD?!
Closing Time. I can't even describe how excited I was.
Before the bus pulls up, I get a phone call from N who, for some reason, missed the bus and was hanging out with the after school program kids. I started singing Kriss Kross, "I Missed the Bus" because it's one of my dad's favorites. True story.
B and I go pick N up and they eat a snack while I drag our Christmas stuff to the front door to take it to my mom's to store in her garage. We load my car, and I turn it on...and do you know what song is on?!
Freak Nasty. Da Dip. My life was complete at that exact moment. It was on the chorus, so B started breaking it down in the backseat, just rockin' his little heart out. I reluctantly changed the channel, simply because I didn't think it would be easy to explain to him what, ahem, Mr. Nasty was "singing" about.
But man, it was still the best 45 seconds of the day. After we dropped the stuff in my mom's garage, we were going to go get my car washed/cleaned because it so needs it, but I forgot I told Justin that E could come over for a while if they needed him to, so we had to hurry home to mini-sit. It was less than an hour, so after E left, I made a list of things that we were going to do to clean up, and get rid of all the crap they (we) keep collecting for no apparent reason. Then I made them start. And they griped some, but their room, bathroom, hallway, and the laundry room are so much better. Tomorrow, in all the free time we have (which is minimal until after 3:00), B and I are going to tackle some more and N's going to run as soon as his game is over.
I'm not a betting girl, but I'd win that one any day of the week...especially Saturday. You know, 'cause that's when he has basketball games.
And, just in case you were wondering how to end a day full of the best 90s songs ever...it ends with Baby Got Back.
Shake that healthy butt...or don't. I can't see you. But I bet you did.
Aubs
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