When you're a grown-up and you get sick enough to have to miss work, it can be hard to catch up on everything you missed. When you're a parent and you have sick kids or, God forbid, you get sick yourself, it seems like you'll never get back to where you were before _______ got sick.
But when you're a middle school-aged kid and you miss an entire week, it's not just overwhelming. It's straight up daunting. And what happens when a kid feels overwhelmed? They have an even shorter fuse.
N picked the best/worst week to be sick. It was the last week of the 6 weeks, so there were several tests, but not a lot of homework since it was primarily review. The hardest part about middle school, looking back, was the new found sense of responsibility and how in the WORLD do you get organized? What is organization?/
I remember missing a week or so of school in middle school and hiding my (failing) Social Studies progress report from my parents for weeks. I'm sure they knew, just like I know when N has fallen behind, but they never said a word and let me fail miserably before they stepped in and told me how things were going to go.
I feel like I can't do that with my kid. Boys are so much different that girls in the organization/responsible department...especially at that age. Like, tonight, as N was sitting at the kitchen table filling in less than half of his 12 Native American tribes for Texas History, he looked at me like "light bulb!" I expected something profound or a new sense of urgency to get it done, but what did I get?
"Hey, Mom? Will you buy me a harmonica? I want to sit on the back porch and play Oh Susanna!"
Laughter spewed out of my mouth before I even knew what was happening. Is that not the most random thought on the planet? And if you actually KNOW my kid, isn't it totally bizarre? But seriously...I might consider it if it meant he would stop whistling. All. The. Time.
I have a low patience level. This is not breaking news. And when I'm mid-semester, I have even less because I'm trying to keep all the proverbial balls in the air. For N, it's whistling, rarely tunelessly, but typically a song like Oh Susanna. It drives me crazy. If it were just a "one and done" situation, I doubt it would bother me as much, but it's like a skipping record player and it never seems to end.
For B, it's clapping. Non. Stop. Clapping. He claps when he's happy, when he's sad, when he wins a round of COD, when he loses a round of COD, when he needs to get someone's attention, when he wants to annoy someone, and...you get the general idea. If it were the soft, air pocket to the palm clap (you know you just tried to do it), that would be one thing, but his claps are the piercing, echoing, "I hear it in my sleep" kinds of claps.
And I just can't. Those noises are the equivalents of nails on a chalkboard in my life. It's so fun.
Now, if only I had someone in my house who liked to stomp or blow across the top of a moonshine jug, I feel like we'd be all set.
Aubs
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Single & Ready to Mingle and other stupid phrases
I don't know what it is about me that says "Hey, let's try cheesy lines on her because maybe she'll be the ONE person to fall for it...ever...in the history of the universe."
I think I blogged about it when it happened, but I can't find the post to link it, so a few weeks ago, my watch battery needed to be replaced, so I went to the same place I always go to in the mall near my apartment. It turns out that the guy who works there is someone I used to hang out with sometimes with N's dad, and as we caught up, he expressed how happy he was that it had worked out for us. When I kindly corrected him, he looked at me, wiggled his eyebrows, and said, "So...are you single and ready to mingle?"
I looked horrified and I know I did because I saw my reflection. And then I laughed because I can't believe that anyone would actually USE that line and think there was a chance it would work. Since then, I've come across a few totally bizarre conversation starters.
At Market Street (grocery store) in the produce section (how much more stereotypical can you get?):
"So...do you come here often?"
Um, yes. Yes, I do. I have two growing boys and they are eating whenever their eyes are open, and sometimes when they're closed, so I do tend to come to the grocery store to get groceries on a fairly regular basis.
"I bet you can't tell I've never been out with a single mom before, right? It's cool though...I think I'd like your kids."
Um, yes. Yes, I can tell you've never been out with a single mom before...mostly because you announced it and also because you came across as super creepy. You think you'd like my kids? For what? A snack? Sheesh. Stay away, far far away. Also, you wear loafers without socks with jeans and you're 20. Bye.
"I'm from Jamaica...I can get you a good deal on rum."
So many things...first things first: If you were smart you'd GIVE me the rum. Second: You're 19. Third: I think that's what you said, but I can't tell because you speak softly and I think you have an accent. Last: I can't even think of what it was anymore because the beads in your hair are clicking together and it's really distracting. It's almost like music...I should dance...oh, wait...no rum. Nevermind.
"So, what do you think about friends with benefits?"
It's the only movie with Justin Timberlake I'd ever watch more than once. You DID mean the movie, right?
"Don't worry...you'll find someone eventually."
Hey, thanks for the vote of confidence...I don't remember saying I was looking for someone or interested in finding someone, but thanks for giving me an ego boost (not that I needed it).
"You've been single for a while...what's wrong with you?"
I'm damaged. Obviously. Super super damaged. SOOOOOO damaged. You're becoming damaged by talking to me. It's like a virus. Hand sanitizer?
"Maybe you're too picky."
Yes. Let me lower my standards right this second and watch all of the men who wouldn't typically make "the cut" flock to me in droves. I'll have my pick of them all...how lucky am I?! I will never lack happiness or fulfillment for the rest of my life if I settle...said no sane person EVER.
I don't know why people seem to think you're broken if you're not a part of a couple. I'm not broken. I'm the whole-est I've ever been. Would I maybe like to share my life with someone someday? Maybe, but it's not the be all end all for me. It's really hard for me to imagine myself married or even part of a serious relationship.
Some days, I REALLY wish I had somebody to come home to...and other days, I wish I lived on a deserted island. And I wouldn't even want a volleyball for company. I'd settle for an unlimited supply of books. Ooooh, and potato chips. Mmmm, carbs!
The hardest part, especially as a mom, is when the boys express their joint desire to have a male influence around here. It's hard being a single mom to boys, and I know it's equally hard for them to only have a mom when they're here. N has been adamantly opposed to me dating, full stop. B has been asking for a stepdad since the dawn of time, or so it seems. In the last year or so, I've found N joining in B's plea, but it's still slightly different. He wants a man who wants to be around and hang out but has no desire to be in a relationship with me. He said if the guy HAS to be in a relationship with me, then it shouldn't be serious.
You know, because when you're almost 9 and 12 you fully grasp how the world (and relationships) work. After we discussed that, he said, "Fiiiiiiine, date if you have to...whatever it takes to have a guy to throw with and to take me to the cages." I fully understand that he doesn't want me to "infiltrate" that one area. I'm so into baseball and positions and all of that that the batting cages are his "safe zone." Perhaps I should set up an online application for "PRN Male Role Model."
I bet that wouldn't yield creepy results at all...insert eye roll here.
Aubs
I think I blogged about it when it happened, but I can't find the post to link it, so a few weeks ago, my watch battery needed to be replaced, so I went to the same place I always go to in the mall near my apartment. It turns out that the guy who works there is someone I used to hang out with sometimes with N's dad, and as we caught up, he expressed how happy he was that it had worked out for us. When I kindly corrected him, he looked at me, wiggled his eyebrows, and said, "So...are you single and ready to mingle?"
I looked horrified and I know I did because I saw my reflection. And then I laughed because I can't believe that anyone would actually USE that line and think there was a chance it would work. Since then, I've come across a few totally bizarre conversation starters.
At Market Street (grocery store) in the produce section (how much more stereotypical can you get?):
"So...do you come here often?"
Um, yes. Yes, I do. I have two growing boys and they are eating whenever their eyes are open, and sometimes when they're closed, so I do tend to come to the grocery store to get groceries on a fairly regular basis.
"I bet you can't tell I've never been out with a single mom before, right? It's cool though...I think I'd like your kids."
Um, yes. Yes, I can tell you've never been out with a single mom before...mostly because you announced it and also because you came across as super creepy. You think you'd like my kids? For what? A snack? Sheesh. Stay away, far far away. Also, you wear loafers without socks with jeans and you're 20. Bye.
"I'm from Jamaica...I can get you a good deal on rum."
So many things...first things first: If you were smart you'd GIVE me the rum. Second: You're 19. Third: I think that's what you said, but I can't tell because you speak softly and I think you have an accent. Last: I can't even think of what it was anymore because the beads in your hair are clicking together and it's really distracting. It's almost like music...I should dance...oh, wait...no rum. Nevermind.
"So, what do you think about friends with benefits?"
It's the only movie with Justin Timberlake I'd ever watch more than once. You DID mean the movie, right?
"Don't worry...you'll find someone eventually."
Hey, thanks for the vote of confidence...I don't remember saying I was looking for someone or interested in finding someone, but thanks for giving me an ego boost (not that I needed it).
"You've been single for a while...what's wrong with you?"
I'm damaged. Obviously. Super super damaged. SOOOOOO damaged. You're becoming damaged by talking to me. It's like a virus. Hand sanitizer?
"Maybe you're too picky."
Yes. Let me lower my standards right this second and watch all of the men who wouldn't typically make "the cut" flock to me in droves. I'll have my pick of them all...how lucky am I?! I will never lack happiness or fulfillment for the rest of my life if I settle...said no sane person EVER.
I don't know why people seem to think you're broken if you're not a part of a couple. I'm not broken. I'm the whole-est I've ever been. Would I maybe like to share my life with someone someday? Maybe, but it's not the be all end all for me. It's really hard for me to imagine myself married or even part of a serious relationship.
Some days, I REALLY wish I had somebody to come home to...and other days, I wish I lived on a deserted island. And I wouldn't even want a volleyball for company. I'd settle for an unlimited supply of books. Ooooh, and potato chips. Mmmm, carbs!
The hardest part, especially as a mom, is when the boys express their joint desire to have a male influence around here. It's hard being a single mom to boys, and I know it's equally hard for them to only have a mom when they're here. N has been adamantly opposed to me dating, full stop. B has been asking for a stepdad since the dawn of time, or so it seems. In the last year or so, I've found N joining in B's plea, but it's still slightly different. He wants a man who wants to be around and hang out but has no desire to be in a relationship with me. He said if the guy HAS to be in a relationship with me, then it shouldn't be serious.
You know, because when you're almost 9 and 12 you fully grasp how the world (and relationships) work. After we discussed that, he said, "Fiiiiiiine, date if you have to...whatever it takes to have a guy to throw with and to take me to the cages." I fully understand that he doesn't want me to "infiltrate" that one area. I'm so into baseball and positions and all of that that the batting cages are his "safe zone." Perhaps I should set up an online application for "PRN Male Role Model."
I bet that wouldn't yield creepy results at all...insert eye roll here.
Aubs
Starting Anew
N and I watched church from home this morning because yesterday's activities wore him out. That coupled with the open windows and the light breeze that almost made it feel like fall in here caused him to sleep for 12 hours straight. Dead. Sleep. Like, I checked on him by putting a hand in front of his nose to see if he was breathing.
Anyway, I linked up with our church for the latest service (11:30), and turned the volume on my laptop all the way up. During the worship time (as I hummed along while browsing the Sunday Target ad on my phone), N stumbled into the living room and flopped across the couch. Our pastor is starting a new series this week called "Gambling with God." The premise of the message was that we should bet on the House (of God) because it will win every single time. But that wasn't the part that got me.
EY was talking about how we need to look at our friendships and relationships and assess them. We don't need to look at who our friends are, but who are friends aren't. He talked about how some friends are like scaffolding on a large building under construction. They are there to help you through the construction period, but then they are just there...and there is no purpose. And it got me thinking about how many friends I have who are like that.
We don't enrich each others' lives or build each other up. We don't challenge each other or drop everything for one another when we need a helping hand or the great gift of friendship. We co-exist. We keep up with each other via social media. We only show up when we see a news-worthy post or a tragedy hits one of our families.
And I realized I have so much more to offer than that...and I deserve so much more. I really do.
From there, he launched into this thought about how sometimes you have to kick it all to the curb and start fresh. It's not quitting, it's wanting better for yourself and for your family. Sometimes you have to start all over to be successful. That made me think a LOT about my life over the last several years.
In 2009, I found out I had an unfaithful partner, and confronted him about it. He wanted to call it quits right then, but I told him no. I told him we needed to work on this as a family, for the sake of our family, and that we should give ourselves until the end of the school year to work it out or come up with a plan. He agreed...however, he went ahead with his own way of planning.
In 2010, I realized he had begun a new life with someone else prior to the end of our arrangement and made plans to move myself and the boys in with my mother, enroll the boys in new schools (elementary and preschool) and start school myself. The idea (at that time) was nursing. It was my first time in school in over 10 years, and I was petrified. But, I did it.
In 2011, I was sued for custody of B, with the claim that I was unfit and negligent. It broke me because I knew it was untrue, but it made me doubt myself. Could I have been more? Should I have been better? What am I even doing here? Why is this happening? I don't deserve this...
In 2012, after multiple (failed) attempts at mediation and a drawn out legal process, I gave in to the demands which had gone from full custody to shared custody 50/50, which is a draining way to say that he didn't want to pay child support. Also, in 2012, the boys and I moved out of my mom's and into our own place where the boys began school (5th and 1st) in the school district where I attended high school.
In 2013, B's dad became deathly ill, and instead of sharing custody, he spent 3 solid months with me, terrified that his dad was dying and with very little contact from them because they were focused on getting him better. The remainder of the school year, he went over there as much as he could, but we spent a lot of time together. B is still scared, but his dad is on the mend and they're able to spend a lot more time together.
In 2014, I graduated with a degree in Science from a local community college and made the decision to ditch nursing (for now) and pursue a degree in Social Sciences in addition to a teaching certification for secondary education. It is a total change from where I thought I would be, but I'm trusting that God put me in this path for a reason. I'm doing my best to be involved with both boys: I co-room mom B's class, I am the team mom for N's baseball team(s), I serve on the SHAC committee for our school district to improve Student Health and Activity, and I'm starting a 4-week seminar in a few weeks called "Love & Logic" to help me become a better parent. I'm also taking a full (too full?) course load at UNT and substitute teaching whenever I can.
I'm starting anew. I'm giving it my best shot. I'm going "all in," betting on the House. I know I can't fail with God beside me, unless failing is the lesson He needs me to learn. I have learned that I shouldn't be afraid to ask for help, nor should I be afraid to say "no." My family is the most important thing...the rest is just details.
Aubs
Anyway, I linked up with our church for the latest service (11:30), and turned the volume on my laptop all the way up. During the worship time (as I hummed along while browsing the Sunday Target ad on my phone), N stumbled into the living room and flopped across the couch. Our pastor is starting a new series this week called "Gambling with God." The premise of the message was that we should bet on the House (of God) because it will win every single time. But that wasn't the part that got me.
EY was talking about how we need to look at our friendships and relationships and assess them. We don't need to look at who our friends are, but who are friends aren't. He talked about how some friends are like scaffolding on a large building under construction. They are there to help you through the construction period, but then they are just there...and there is no purpose. And it got me thinking about how many friends I have who are like that.
We don't enrich each others' lives or build each other up. We don't challenge each other or drop everything for one another when we need a helping hand or the great gift of friendship. We co-exist. We keep up with each other via social media. We only show up when we see a news-worthy post or a tragedy hits one of our families.
And I realized I have so much more to offer than that...and I deserve so much more. I really do.
From there, he launched into this thought about how sometimes you have to kick it all to the curb and start fresh. It's not quitting, it's wanting better for yourself and for your family. Sometimes you have to start all over to be successful. That made me think a LOT about my life over the last several years.
In 2009, I found out I had an unfaithful partner, and confronted him about it. He wanted to call it quits right then, but I told him no. I told him we needed to work on this as a family, for the sake of our family, and that we should give ourselves until the end of the school year to work it out or come up with a plan. He agreed...however, he went ahead with his own way of planning.
In 2010, I realized he had begun a new life with someone else prior to the end of our arrangement and made plans to move myself and the boys in with my mother, enroll the boys in new schools (elementary and preschool) and start school myself. The idea (at that time) was nursing. It was my first time in school in over 10 years, and I was petrified. But, I did it.
In 2011, I was sued for custody of B, with the claim that I was unfit and negligent. It broke me because I knew it was untrue, but it made me doubt myself. Could I have been more? Should I have been better? What am I even doing here? Why is this happening? I don't deserve this...
In 2012, after multiple (failed) attempts at mediation and a drawn out legal process, I gave in to the demands which had gone from full custody to shared custody 50/50, which is a draining way to say that he didn't want to pay child support. Also, in 2012, the boys and I moved out of my mom's and into our own place where the boys began school (5th and 1st) in the school district where I attended high school.
In 2013, B's dad became deathly ill, and instead of sharing custody, he spent 3 solid months with me, terrified that his dad was dying and with very little contact from them because they were focused on getting him better. The remainder of the school year, he went over there as much as he could, but we spent a lot of time together. B is still scared, but his dad is on the mend and they're able to spend a lot more time together.
In 2014, I graduated with a degree in Science from a local community college and made the decision to ditch nursing (for now) and pursue a degree in Social Sciences in addition to a teaching certification for secondary education. It is a total change from where I thought I would be, but I'm trusting that God put me in this path for a reason. I'm doing my best to be involved with both boys: I co-room mom B's class, I am the team mom for N's baseball team(s), I serve on the SHAC committee for our school district to improve Student Health and Activity, and I'm starting a 4-week seminar in a few weeks called "Love & Logic" to help me become a better parent. I'm also taking a full (too full?) course load at UNT and substitute teaching whenever I can.
I'm starting anew. I'm giving it my best shot. I'm going "all in," betting on the House. I know I can't fail with God beside me, unless failing is the lesson He needs me to learn. I have learned that I shouldn't be afraid to ask for help, nor should I be afraid to say "no." My family is the most important thing...the rest is just details.
Aubs
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Recovery Baseball
N had a baseball game today, and even though he's been sick/recovering all week, he wanted to give it a shot and play. I knew he wasn't at 100%, but I also know he'd have to dress out and be ready in Athletics on Monday morning, so a baseball game where he can sit out if he needs to seemed like a pretty good idea.
Y'all. They got their butts handed to them. N played first, then third, then first again. He didn't catch after hurting his knee last weekend. There was a wide variety of pitching/catching choices, and the coach literally pulled a catcher mid-inning, which I've never seen before. It was bad. I had high-ish hopes when our team scored 5 in the first inning, but it all went downhill from there, and that's all they scored.
I think we made it through 2.5 innings. It was literally that bad. Final score? 11-5, Durham Bulls. The good news is, N's friend, T, is on that team so his mom and I got to sit and talk and giggle and cheer on our own people instead of the teams we actually belong to. And on the way out, I got to see more friends who had to double-take since my hair was an entirely different color. It was pulled up in a ponytail so it was hard to tell, but I kept hearing, "You just look different."
I think my trip to the fabric store this afternoon, prior to the game, changed me. The fabric store? Well, for the un-crafty like me, it's a life changer. No-sew fleece blankets is about as crafty as I go..and that's if I'm fiercely motivated. I think the boys might get new ones for Christmas, although I'm not sure what direction to go for B's. N is all over the place: Air Force, Navy, his spirit animal (I'm pretty sure he was joking on that one, but who knows...), baseball. I'm thinking Air Force on one side, baseball on the other, but I'll have to see. It's a process. B, on the other hand, will like anything, but I really want him to LOVE it. I miss him. I haven't seen him since last Friday, and I miss him like crazy.
Anyway, the fabric store. Since Christmas is in D-town this year, both my mom and I want to have "puzzle" tables set up at our respective homes. She has a card table, but I just have my kitchen table or a coffee table, neither of which will do. She found an additional card table at a resale shop, but the top is ripped, which is actually pretty okay, because we decided to cover the tops with fabric and vinyl for a personalized "whatever" table. I talked myself out of getting a baseball print because I thought it would be too busy (but it was REALLY cute), and decided on a dark purple with a subtle silver polka dot. I know this is fascinating, but I swear we spent 2 hours at the fabric store (they were having a sale that ended...you guessed it. TODAY) and even now, when I close my eyes, I see row after row of fabric. It's my worst nightmare.
Crafts.
AHHHHHHHH.
We figured out our game plan, and what color we wanted to paint the legs, and by "we" I definitely mean my mom because I'm not allowed to use any kind of tools, including a staple gun. Scissors are iffy. I'm the girl who almost killed everyone when I decided to rewire my dryer from a 3-prong plug to a 4-prong. Or maybe that's backwards. Anyway, I did it in semi-darkness in the garage and ended up having to call my dad to come help and lost track of the ground wire and he had to call someone to talk him through it, and I'm banned from home improvement for life.
It's probably for the best. Also, I digress.
I will have a black legged purple topped card table soon. And I'm excited.
Because sometimes it really is the little things.
Also, I hate 7th grade math.
That is all.
Aubs
Y'all. They got their butts handed to them. N played first, then third, then first again. He didn't catch after hurting his knee last weekend. There was a wide variety of pitching/catching choices, and the coach literally pulled a catcher mid-inning, which I've never seen before. It was bad. I had high-ish hopes when our team scored 5 in the first inning, but it all went downhill from there, and that's all they scored.
I think we made it through 2.5 innings. It was literally that bad. Final score? 11-5, Durham Bulls. The good news is, N's friend, T, is on that team so his mom and I got to sit and talk and giggle and cheer on our own people instead of the teams we actually belong to. And on the way out, I got to see more friends who had to double-take since my hair was an entirely different color. It was pulled up in a ponytail so it was hard to tell, but I kept hearing, "You just look different."
I think my trip to the fabric store this afternoon, prior to the game, changed me. The fabric store? Well, for the un-crafty like me, it's a life changer. No-sew fleece blankets is about as crafty as I go..and that's if I'm fiercely motivated. I think the boys might get new ones for Christmas, although I'm not sure what direction to go for B's. N is all over the place: Air Force, Navy, his spirit animal (I'm pretty sure he was joking on that one, but who knows...), baseball. I'm thinking Air Force on one side, baseball on the other, but I'll have to see. It's a process. B, on the other hand, will like anything, but I really want him to LOVE it. I miss him. I haven't seen him since last Friday, and I miss him like crazy.
Anyway, the fabric store. Since Christmas is in D-town this year, both my mom and I want to have "puzzle" tables set up at our respective homes. She has a card table, but I just have my kitchen table or a coffee table, neither of which will do. She found an additional card table at a resale shop, but the top is ripped, which is actually pretty okay, because we decided to cover the tops with fabric and vinyl for a personalized "whatever" table. I talked myself out of getting a baseball print because I thought it would be too busy (but it was REALLY cute), and decided on a dark purple with a subtle silver polka dot. I know this is fascinating, but I swear we spent 2 hours at the fabric store (they were having a sale that ended...you guessed it. TODAY) and even now, when I close my eyes, I see row after row of fabric. It's my worst nightmare.
Crafts.
AHHHHHHHH.
We figured out our game plan, and what color we wanted to paint the legs, and by "we" I definitely mean my mom because I'm not allowed to use any kind of tools, including a staple gun. Scissors are iffy. I'm the girl who almost killed everyone when I decided to rewire my dryer from a 3-prong plug to a 4-prong. Or maybe that's backwards. Anyway, I did it in semi-darkness in the garage and ended up having to call my dad to come help and lost track of the ground wire and he had to call someone to talk him through it, and I'm banned from home improvement for life.
It's probably for the best. Also, I digress.
I will have a black legged purple topped card table soon. And I'm excited.
Because sometimes it really is the little things.
Also, I hate 7th grade math.
That is all.
Aubs
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Pre-Teen Drama
So, N is officially better. Halfway through the day, he tried so hard to have a fever, but it failed. Miserably. At one point, he told me he was going to be so healthy...he was going to make his temperature lower than 98...like 95 or 96 or lower.
I told him that's called hypothermia.
I had to run a couple of errands today, so I left him at home. First on the list was going dark. Every October, I dye my hair dark to commemorate my mom's first real treatment battling her cancer. In October in 2009, the chemo she was taking for her stem cell transplant made her hair fall out, and I volunteered to shave my head with her, but she declined. Secretly, I was glad (sorry, Mom!), but I would've done it. Solidarity is huge, you know. Instead, she suggested I do something different (she also doesn't really remember this, but I'm an elephant, so I do), so I went out and dyed my hair dark. It was a dark brown with red undertones and it was beautiful. I loved it! And then, several months later, my hair was STILL red. And for 2 years, I worked with my hair girl to try to remove the red. It was a long process.
But, every year, without fail, I dye my hair dark during the second week of October in honor of my mom and her ongoing battle with cancer. And then, I keep it dark until the spring when I experiment with all sorts of colors found in nature while returning to my natural dark blonde color. It's what I do. And I had to do it a little early this year because I will be in Houston hanging out with my dad and Seester and brother-in-law (Oh, and Stella!) next weekend because the boys have a long weekend from school (4 days) and they will be elsewhere. We're going to a hibachi place for Stella's birthday on Thursday, so I have to make sure I'm there by 5:00 or I'm missing out.
I. Am. Not. Missing. Out.
After I stopped by my mom's office to show off my newly darkened hairs, I headed home to assess the situation. What I saw was a kid who did the absolute minimum of work sent to him by his teachers. And I was mad. So I blew up. Loudly. And then he blew up equally loudly and might have said, "Oh, there you go...you're back to being mad mom 'cause I'm not sick anymore. Shocker."
It was not his finest afternoon/evening. It ended with ugly crying and a whole lot of spewing...venom, hate, the whole nine yards. To recap, I'm the bad parent, the worst mom in the history of forever, and he will never want to be anything like me ever in his life.
Fast forward 20 or so years...he'll be kissing the ground I walk on. I'm not worried.
Been there, done that.
Aubs
I told him that's called hypothermia.
I had to run a couple of errands today, so I left him at home. First on the list was going dark. Every October, I dye my hair dark to commemorate my mom's first real treatment battling her cancer. In October in 2009, the chemo she was taking for her stem cell transplant made her hair fall out, and I volunteered to shave my head with her, but she declined. Secretly, I was glad (sorry, Mom!), but I would've done it. Solidarity is huge, you know. Instead, she suggested I do something different (she also doesn't really remember this, but I'm an elephant, so I do), so I went out and dyed my hair dark. It was a dark brown with red undertones and it was beautiful. I loved it! And then, several months later, my hair was STILL red. And for 2 years, I worked with my hair girl to try to remove the red. It was a long process.
But, every year, without fail, I dye my hair dark during the second week of October in honor of my mom and her ongoing battle with cancer. And then, I keep it dark until the spring when I experiment with all sorts of colors found in nature while returning to my natural dark blonde color. It's what I do. And I had to do it a little early this year because I will be in Houston hanging out with my dad and Seester and brother-in-law (Oh, and Stella!) next weekend because the boys have a long weekend from school (4 days) and they will be elsewhere. We're going to a hibachi place for Stella's birthday on Thursday, so I have to make sure I'm there by 5:00 or I'm missing out.
I. Am. Not. Missing. Out.
After I stopped by my mom's office to show off my newly darkened hairs, I headed home to assess the situation. What I saw was a kid who did the absolute minimum of work sent to him by his teachers. And I was mad. So I blew up. Loudly. And then he blew up equally loudly and might have said, "Oh, there you go...you're back to being mad mom 'cause I'm not sick anymore. Shocker."
It was not his finest afternoon/evening. It ended with ugly crying and a whole lot of spewing...venom, hate, the whole nine yards. To recap, I'm the bad parent, the worst mom in the history of forever, and he will never want to be anything like me ever in his life.
Fast forward 20 or so years...he'll be kissing the ground I walk on. I'm not worried.
Been there, done that.
Aubs
Friday, October 3, 2014
Oh, hey...we're still sick over here.
N has turned the corner, but he still has a fever. The good news is it's much lower and more manageable. The bad news is he's starting to be a pain in the rear. Obviously, he's totally on the road to recovery.
I know the make-up work load is going to be enormous, so I'm trying to get all of my homework out of the way sooner rather than later. Today I wrote a 2200 word essay on Ancient Greece. Do I particularly care for Ancient Greece? Not really, but...I mean, they're the guys who invented the Olympics, so I think that's pretty awesome.
The assignment was a web report, which, in retrospect, is a lot easier than the majority of major writing assignments I have this semester. I had to find websites about a certain topic and compile the information into a report OR I could find a website that had a lot of information about the topic and write a review of the site. So, I did that. And bye the time I had written my introduction and a synopsis of one of the EIGHT tabs, I was already at 700 words. Easy peasy. I finished 2200 words in a little less than 2 hours and sent my dad a text declaring that he should be so proud of his daughter who is, in fact, a genius. I waited for him to ask me if I was referring to my sister, which would have warranted a punch when I go visit him this coming weekend, but it has been blissfully silent around here.
Speaking of silent, N has been pretty quiet...and not because he doesn't feel well, although his head really hurts fairly frequently. No, it's because he's taken it upon himself to watch the entire Psych series during this bout of viral whatever. The silence is interrupted every once in a while by giggles, and I will admit that some of them are mine coming from the other room when I hear Shaun or Gus make some ridiculous remark. That show is pretty fantastic. I'm sad that it ended.
It rained super duper hard today, and I think that contributed to feelings of restlessness and stir-crazy-isms. N will stay home tomorrow, too...but I think I might try to get him out of the house a little bit. I've been going nuts. I can't imagine how he feels!
Aubs
I know the make-up work load is going to be enormous, so I'm trying to get all of my homework out of the way sooner rather than later. Today I wrote a 2200 word essay on Ancient Greece. Do I particularly care for Ancient Greece? Not really, but...I mean, they're the guys who invented the Olympics, so I think that's pretty awesome.
The assignment was a web report, which, in retrospect, is a lot easier than the majority of major writing assignments I have this semester. I had to find websites about a certain topic and compile the information into a report OR I could find a website that had a lot of information about the topic and write a review of the site. So, I did that. And bye the time I had written my introduction and a synopsis of one of the EIGHT tabs, I was already at 700 words. Easy peasy. I finished 2200 words in a little less than 2 hours and sent my dad a text declaring that he should be so proud of his daughter who is, in fact, a genius. I waited for him to ask me if I was referring to my sister, which would have warranted a punch when I go visit him this coming weekend, but it has been blissfully silent around here.
Speaking of silent, N has been pretty quiet...and not because he doesn't feel well, although his head really hurts fairly frequently. No, it's because he's taken it upon himself to watch the entire Psych series during this bout of viral whatever. The silence is interrupted every once in a while by giggles, and I will admit that some of them are mine coming from the other room when I hear Shaun or Gus make some ridiculous remark. That show is pretty fantastic. I'm sad that it ended.
It rained super duper hard today, and I think that contributed to feelings of restlessness and stir-crazy-isms. N will stay home tomorrow, too...but I think I might try to get him out of the house a little bit. I've been going nuts. I can't imagine how he feels!
Aubs
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
I don't have a life and I don't date, so I watch tv.
I'm a procrastinator when it's convenient, which mostly means that it's usually highly inconvenient, but I thrive on chaos and looming deadlines, so it works for me. I love the spring semester because it's filled with spring baseball for my boy (I'm hoping that both boys will play this spring, which would be even more chaotic, but it's the only season they'd be in the same place at roughly the same times, so I'm crossing my fingers) and I can study poolside. I love the fall semester because it's filled with fall baseball for my boy (see above) and I can study poolside (we DO live in Texas after all), but fall semester wins, hands down. Why?
FALL PRIMETIME TELEVISION.
Okay, so not only is there NCAA football which makes my heart happy, but there is a show every single day in the fall that makes me happy...and sometimes there are multiples. Here are few of my hands down favorites, some new and some not-so-much.
Sunday:
Revenge. Y'all, I love this show so much, and I know I'm not alone. It's dark and twisty and Madeleine Stowe and Emily VanCamp are ruthless. There have been so many plot twists and turns during the past couple of seasons, but it's really getting twisty now. I keep holding out hope that Emily Thorne will eventually find her way to Jack Porter forever and for always. You know. Because Revenge is totally a real-life scenario.
Monday:
The Blacklist. This one is one of the newer ones, and I just adore James Spader. I watched Boston Legal religiously (man, I miss that show), and LOVED the relationship between James Spader and William Shatner. That, however, is not the point. I love the wit and creativity of the plot, how each blacklisted bad guy is somehow tied to Reddington and what's up with his serious overstepping into Elizabeth Keen's (Megan Boone) life. I mean, I have my suspicions, and I'm sure pretty much everyone is thinking the same thing, but I'm counting on a totally bizarre turn, perhaps as the season finale? I can't wait!
Tuesday: There are three, which should really only count as two since one is a spin-off.
NCIS/NCIS: New Orleans. I jumped on the NCIS bandwagon several years ago, and I own most of the seasons. I think forensics is fascinating, and I love the cast and their quirks. I cried huge crocodile tears when Kate left the show and again when Ziva did, but I'm warming up to the new characters. Plus, who doesn't love Mark Harmon's little smirk? Seriously. It's always something new, which is pretty impressive in and of itself. I never got into the LA spinoff, but the New Orleans spinoff is something I could get behind. I like the chemistry between the main characters, so we'll see. So far, any NOLA episodes have had characters from the original with guest roles, which is enough reason to watch.
Forever. This one is new, and have I mentioned how much I love medical-y shows? Another favorite somewhat related but no longer airing new episodes is Dr G. Medical Examiner. Anyway, the gist of this show is that, for whatever reason (I can't wait to find out why), there's this M.E. who's been alive for well over 200 years. Each time he dies (and there have been some pretty interesting deaths so far), he comes back in water and naked. The first episode had him come back to life naked and in the Hudson. He and his cop counterpart have a great dialogue and he's a genius! His assistant in the M.E. office is hilarious, too. Also, he has a best friend who is much older, but it appears that M.E. (Henry is his name) rescued him as an infant circa WWII and has raised him ever since. Now "child" is elderly and caring for parent who still looks like he's in his 30s. It's a great show and very engaging!
Wednesday: Again, there are a couple. (Also, I have a couple of episodes of Red Band Society on my dvr, but I have yet to watch them, so stay tuned for an update if I deem it a keeper.)
Law & Order: SVU. Again, I've probably seen every single SVU episode ever created. Twice. Or more. I miss Elliot Stabler like he's a legit person, and I follow Chris Meloni on Facebook. I keep hoping that he comes back in some capacity, and I might've squealed with glee when he said something about coming back as Benson's baby daddy. The cast has kind of had a revolving door, but it seems to be pretty solid, and Mariska Hargitay is a tough broad. There are a lot of similar cases, but each one is just a LITTLE bit different, and it never gets old. It DOES however get hard to watch sometimes.
The Mysteries of Laura. Debra Messing is hilarious as a mom of twins and a cop. And Josh Lucas is her ex-husband and now her boss? Oh, please...can it be me, except we can remove the "ex" from the equation. I adored him in Sweet Home Alabama, WAY more than Patrick Dempsey's character. And the ex-protester turned babysitter? LOVE! This show may not make it, but in my single mom with two boys' eyes, it's a total keeper. It's funny and creative and I can totally relate to the majority of the mom issues she has. Forever.
Thursday: Sigh... (A new series called Gracepoint is starting on Fox tomorrow, and I have my eye on it...)
Grey's Anatomy. I know, I know, so many people have jumped off the Grey's train, and I fully understand why...but when you catch the first few seasons on Lifetime during the day when you're supposed to be doing your homework, you find yourself hooked all over again. I sobbed when Cristina left at the end of last season. I adore how Alex's character has evolved. I miss Mark Sloan and Lexi Grey all the time...and Addison? Oh man. I think there are some super plot twists headed our way this season, and I wonder what will happen when it's revealed that Weber's love child with Ellis Grey is now battling head to head with Meredith, aka her sister. I mean, she already embraced one half-sibling, and look what happened. I will be with Grey's until the end.
How to Get Away with Murder. Viola Davis is a tough-looking broad. I love law-related shows like nobody's business (again, Boston Legal was a serious favorite of mine, as was Harry's Law with Kathy Bates), so when I saw this one was going to be a real "thing," I as super excited. And, y'all? The first episode did NOT disappoint! I can't say too much about it yet, but I'm already hooked, and this new group of actors looks super promising. Besides, it's Viola Davis! She's fantastic!
For the record, I am NOT on the Scandal bandwagon. I never have been, and I'm sure I'd love it if I had the time, but I'm trying to limit my procrastination to two shows a night. I'm responsible like that.
Other Shows: These are either canceled or not on right now, but coming back later this fall or this spring or this summer. Whatever. I don't have a life and I don't date, so I watch tv.
Glee: Yes, I know...it's run out of steam, but I love to see what songs they'll come up with next. the plot is not the best, but the songs are pretty fantastic.
White Collar: Oh, it comes back in November for its final season, and I'm so thrilled/heartbroken. I love the Matt Bomer/Tim DeKay banter. And Mozzie? Oh, I love him to pieces.
Covert Affairs: Piper Perabo has come a LONG way since Coyote Ugly. I love her as a spy and a total badass. She's known to go rogue...and so am I.
Royal Pains: My boys HATE that I love this show because they always walk into the room right as Hank is using some random household object as a medical tool. I, on the other hand, find it totally fascinating.
The Americans: Keri Russell as a Russian spy? Okay! I also love that this one is set during the Reagan administration, so it's like when I was a little bitty. It's interesting to see an entirely different perspective, and it's super dark and bloody...but totally awesome!
Sister Wives: Y'all, it's the train wreck I can't stop watching. I'm so ashamed...only, I'm not. How in the hell can they afford to have that many children even with a hefty stipend from TLC? Sheesh!
Graceland: I love USA television. A home where agents from multiple agencies live and coexist and get in the way and totally mess things up but still find a way to make it work? It's like they're at my house only without the agency part.
Who Do You Think You Are: I love history. I love watching these celebrities find out about their ancestors. It's moving and heartbreaking and I cry every single time. It's incredible.
Mistresses: I may have to quit this one since Alyssa Milano is rumored to not be coming back for season 3 since producers are moving the filming location, but let me just tell you...these 4 women friends are totally damaged but 100% there for each other. I wish I had girlfriends like that.
Hollywood Game Night: Jane Lynch. Drunk celebrities. Trivia. Hilarity. I laugh so hard every single time.
Believe: This one canceled after a season, which is a shame because N and I really liked it. It was about a girl with crazy mind powers and her dad (who didn't know she was his for a long time) trying to help her escape from some creeps who were trying to exploit her powers.
Burn Notice: Also canceled, but it was a fantastic show. I came in towards the end of the show and adored Michael Weston from the very start. I fully intend to watch from the beginning. Someday.
Psych: Another family favorite. We started watching in December 2013, and each time we finished a season, we'd get the next one from Amazon. We waited until the show was over to watch the last season, and I cried. Whatever. Plus, James Roday and Maggie Lawson are totally together in real life so it will never really end. And we make Psych references on a daily basis around here. It's also been N's go-to since he's been home sick all week.
I know there are others I'm forgetting, but now I've just proven to all of you that I really and truly DON'T have a life. I don't watch all of these all the time, but I cycle them with the appropriate seasons. And it's a great break/distraction from the mountains of homework that I have.
By the way, for the record, I am totally caught up at this time. Until midnight. Sigh.
Aubs
FALL PRIMETIME TELEVISION.
Okay, so not only is there NCAA football which makes my heart happy, but there is a show every single day in the fall that makes me happy...and sometimes there are multiples. Here are few of my hands down favorites, some new and some not-so-much.
Sunday:
Revenge. Y'all, I love this show so much, and I know I'm not alone. It's dark and twisty and Madeleine Stowe and Emily VanCamp are ruthless. There have been so many plot twists and turns during the past couple of seasons, but it's really getting twisty now. I keep holding out hope that Emily Thorne will eventually find her way to Jack Porter forever and for always. You know. Because Revenge is totally a real-life scenario.
Monday:
The Blacklist. This one is one of the newer ones, and I just adore James Spader. I watched Boston Legal religiously (man, I miss that show), and LOVED the relationship between James Spader and William Shatner. That, however, is not the point. I love the wit and creativity of the plot, how each blacklisted bad guy is somehow tied to Reddington and what's up with his serious overstepping into Elizabeth Keen's (Megan Boone) life. I mean, I have my suspicions, and I'm sure pretty much everyone is thinking the same thing, but I'm counting on a totally bizarre turn, perhaps as the season finale? I can't wait!
Tuesday: There are three, which should really only count as two since one is a spin-off.
NCIS/NCIS: New Orleans. I jumped on the NCIS bandwagon several years ago, and I own most of the seasons. I think forensics is fascinating, and I love the cast and their quirks. I cried huge crocodile tears when Kate left the show and again when Ziva did, but I'm warming up to the new characters. Plus, who doesn't love Mark Harmon's little smirk? Seriously. It's always something new, which is pretty impressive in and of itself. I never got into the LA spinoff, but the New Orleans spinoff is something I could get behind. I like the chemistry between the main characters, so we'll see. So far, any NOLA episodes have had characters from the original with guest roles, which is enough reason to watch.
Forever. This one is new, and have I mentioned how much I love medical-y shows? Another favorite somewhat related but no longer airing new episodes is Dr G. Medical Examiner. Anyway, the gist of this show is that, for whatever reason (I can't wait to find out why), there's this M.E. who's been alive for well over 200 years. Each time he dies (and there have been some pretty interesting deaths so far), he comes back in water and naked. The first episode had him come back to life naked and in the Hudson. He and his cop counterpart have a great dialogue and he's a genius! His assistant in the M.E. office is hilarious, too. Also, he has a best friend who is much older, but it appears that M.E. (Henry is his name) rescued him as an infant circa WWII and has raised him ever since. Now "child" is elderly and caring for parent who still looks like he's in his 30s. It's a great show and very engaging!
Wednesday: Again, there are a couple. (Also, I have a couple of episodes of Red Band Society on my dvr, but I have yet to watch them, so stay tuned for an update if I deem it a keeper.)
Law & Order: SVU. Again, I've probably seen every single SVU episode ever created. Twice. Or more. I miss Elliot Stabler like he's a legit person, and I follow Chris Meloni on Facebook. I keep hoping that he comes back in some capacity, and I might've squealed with glee when he said something about coming back as Benson's baby daddy. The cast has kind of had a revolving door, but it seems to be pretty solid, and Mariska Hargitay is a tough broad. There are a lot of similar cases, but each one is just a LITTLE bit different, and it never gets old. It DOES however get hard to watch sometimes.
The Mysteries of Laura. Debra Messing is hilarious as a mom of twins and a cop. And Josh Lucas is her ex-husband and now her boss? Oh, please...can it be me, except we can remove the "ex" from the equation. I adored him in Sweet Home Alabama, WAY more than Patrick Dempsey's character. And the ex-protester turned babysitter? LOVE! This show may not make it, but in my single mom with two boys' eyes, it's a total keeper. It's funny and creative and I can totally relate to the majority of the mom issues she has. Forever.
Thursday: Sigh... (A new series called Gracepoint is starting on Fox tomorrow, and I have my eye on it...)
Grey's Anatomy. I know, I know, so many people have jumped off the Grey's train, and I fully understand why...but when you catch the first few seasons on Lifetime during the day when you're supposed to be doing your homework, you find yourself hooked all over again. I sobbed when Cristina left at the end of last season. I adore how Alex's character has evolved. I miss Mark Sloan and Lexi Grey all the time...and Addison? Oh man. I think there are some super plot twists headed our way this season, and I wonder what will happen when it's revealed that Weber's love child with Ellis Grey is now battling head to head with Meredith, aka her sister. I mean, she already embraced one half-sibling, and look what happened. I will be with Grey's until the end.
How to Get Away with Murder. Viola Davis is a tough-looking broad. I love law-related shows like nobody's business (again, Boston Legal was a serious favorite of mine, as was Harry's Law with Kathy Bates), so when I saw this one was going to be a real "thing," I as super excited. And, y'all? The first episode did NOT disappoint! I can't say too much about it yet, but I'm already hooked, and this new group of actors looks super promising. Besides, it's Viola Davis! She's fantastic!
For the record, I am NOT on the Scandal bandwagon. I never have been, and I'm sure I'd love it if I had the time, but I'm trying to limit my procrastination to two shows a night. I'm responsible like that.
Other Shows: These are either canceled or not on right now, but coming back later this fall or this spring or this summer. Whatever. I don't have a life and I don't date, so I watch tv.
Glee: Yes, I know...it's run out of steam, but I love to see what songs they'll come up with next. the plot is not the best, but the songs are pretty fantastic.
White Collar: Oh, it comes back in November for its final season, and I'm so thrilled/heartbroken. I love the Matt Bomer/Tim DeKay banter. And Mozzie? Oh, I love him to pieces.
Covert Affairs: Piper Perabo has come a LONG way since Coyote Ugly. I love her as a spy and a total badass. She's known to go rogue...and so am I.
Royal Pains: My boys HATE that I love this show because they always walk into the room right as Hank is using some random household object as a medical tool. I, on the other hand, find it totally fascinating.
The Americans: Keri Russell as a Russian spy? Okay! I also love that this one is set during the Reagan administration, so it's like when I was a little bitty. It's interesting to see an entirely different perspective, and it's super dark and bloody...but totally awesome!
Sister Wives: Y'all, it's the train wreck I can't stop watching. I'm so ashamed...only, I'm not. How in the hell can they afford to have that many children even with a hefty stipend from TLC? Sheesh!
Graceland: I love USA television. A home where agents from multiple agencies live and coexist and get in the way and totally mess things up but still find a way to make it work? It's like they're at my house only without the agency part.
Who Do You Think You Are: I love history. I love watching these celebrities find out about their ancestors. It's moving and heartbreaking and I cry every single time. It's incredible.
Mistresses: I may have to quit this one since Alyssa Milano is rumored to not be coming back for season 3 since producers are moving the filming location, but let me just tell you...these 4 women friends are totally damaged but 100% there for each other. I wish I had girlfriends like that.
Hollywood Game Night: Jane Lynch. Drunk celebrities. Trivia. Hilarity. I laugh so hard every single time.
Believe: This one canceled after a season, which is a shame because N and I really liked it. It was about a girl with crazy mind powers and her dad (who didn't know she was his for a long time) trying to help her escape from some creeps who were trying to exploit her powers.
Burn Notice: Also canceled, but it was a fantastic show. I came in towards the end of the show and adored Michael Weston from the very start. I fully intend to watch from the beginning. Someday.
Psych: Another family favorite. We started watching in December 2013, and each time we finished a season, we'd get the next one from Amazon. We waited until the show was over to watch the last season, and I cried. Whatever. Plus, James Roday and Maggie Lawson are totally together in real life so it will never really end. And we make Psych references on a daily basis around here. It's also been N's go-to since he's been home sick all week.
I know there are others I'm forgetting, but now I've just proven to all of you that I really and truly DON'T have a life. I don't watch all of these all the time, but I cycle them with the appropriate seasons. And it's a great break/distraction from the mountains of homework that I have.
By the way, for the record, I am totally caught up at this time. Until midnight. Sigh.
Aubs
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