Randomness

So- a two week stint on an all liquid diet proved to provide zero pounds lossed- but lucky for me 6 weeks of non stop nausia has been much more successful. 13 pounds folks! Just a drop in the bucket in the scheme of things- but a silver lining none the less.

I finally scheduled an appointment to see why I am so dag gone sick to my stomach all the time. And do you know what that nurse had the nerve to ask? You guessed it. My answer? "Oh- it can't be that- I'm sure I've had a period lately. I mean- I think I just bought pads last month- right? And I know, I mean, I'm pretty sure I had one in July".

Since I couldn't nail it down for sure, she wanted me to pee in a cup. And for the next 7 minutes, I sat on the edge of my seat. My uncomfortable, plastic doctor's office seat, and waited for the answer. A lot panicked, and a little twinge of excitement.

It was negative, thank you to all things good in this world. I just simply can't add 'that' into the mix right now. I am busy enough- thank you very much. Must be something else.

So a little blood work later- and I was on my way. Whatever is causing the sick-to-my-stomach-itus, I want to offer my sincere gratitude for the weight loss. As long as it's nothing really really importantly wrong, it can hang around for a while longer. I would love to drop some more pounds with virtually no effort.

Come on big money!

Morning has broken..............

8am Dental Cleanings= blech

8am Dental Cleanings and a husband willing to take them there= ahhhhhhh

Another Monday morning has cycled around- and we are ready for another busy yet uneventful (hopefully) week. Work, school, homework, cooking, cleaning, laundry- you know. Oh- but look on the horizon- it's a birthday celebration for my soon to be 10 year old! So this is going to be a fabulous week full of cakes, ice cream, presents, games and friends.

Saturday night we are hosting 6 of Ally's friends for a sleep over- not sure if I am excited or dreading it- probably both! Anyone who has hosted a bunch of girls for a sleepover knows where I am coming from. There will be laughter (good), giggling (good), games (good), movies (good), tears (bad), arguing (bad), hurt feelings (bad), and tons of "Really girls, it is time to lay down and get some sleep" (bad). I'll be interested to see how it pans out.

Here's hoping the dentist has only good reports! So that we can eat cake the rest of the week : )

A good investment..........

For the past week, Sam has been all about one thing............

A small collection of colored beads that I purchased at the dollar store.

I used them in the middle of the tables at the air show dinner. They were cheap and shiny, (like me : )

From the minute that I brought them home- Sam has sorted them, played store with them, lined them up, tossed them,
and bagged them up in his sock. Over and over and over again.

$4. Probably one of the most played with items in our home.

They've provided so much entertainment, that I don't even mind the fact that they are scattered all over my ever living house! much. Scratch that- they are driving me insane how they are EVERYWHERE. but whatever.

It's official..................

I am stupider than my 4th grader. I am no longer able to 'slam dunk' an answer to her homework for her.

I am not even sure what the questions mean- I have to google them.

"Use 'retrospective' as an adjective in a sentence"

What?

I've done lost my ability to be smart. Dag gone.

Looks like I better stick with Emily- pretty sure I can swing the kindergarten circuit.

In a land, not so far away- or is it?

14 years ago today I was 20 years old. I worked as a customer service rep. I was enrolled at IUPUI part time. I was thinner. I was funnier- more light hearted I think. I had super long blonde hair- not the kind that touches your bottom, but long none the less. And I was dating this guy- a really great guy. We'd been going out for 6 months, and I knew that I loved him.

14 years ago tonight, we drove to South Haven, Michigan. And after the sun had set, this guy took my hand and led me out onto the beach and asked me to be his wife. He got down on his knee, and he cried.

I'm still glad that I said yes.

Even though I am surrounded by children who seem to fight and bicker all the time, at TV that is blaring Max and Ruby, and more laundry than it seems humanly possible to catch up- I am still glad that I said yes- and that 14 years ago he chose to do this whole thing with me.

I am room mom, hear me roar............

So there we were, a library full of grown woman cramped into youth chairs around small tables cheerfully adorned with corresponding letters of the alphabet. Like lions lurking in the bushes.

Fake smiles plastered upon perfectly make-up'ed faces (not me, because I have basically run the mom marathon today and lost) scoping out our competition. The 'other' room moms. Wondering what tricks they have up their sleeves. What master genious they are going to produce for their rooms leaving the rest of us feeling inadequate and unworthy. Kids talk, and they'll know who's room they wish they were in. Who had to endure yet another candy corn race while others got to build airplanes out of real wood.

Waiting. Anyone want to share ideas that worked well? Like carefully guarded stock market tips, the best ideas are kept close to the vest. Saved only for 'the day' of the room party- then unveiled like national treasure.

Vultures. Clicks. Private conversations. Secret glances.

I could feel my heart racing, knowing I am not good enough for this role of 4th grade room mom.

And then it happened- I approached the other 'mom' who was brave enough to place a star by her name- and my world changed.

She is the mom. The one who has waited her entire life for this role. She's done it for years, fearing her child might get stuck with the lame-o room mom (aka me). She has stepped up to the plate, and she means business. She promised her child she would be room mom, so she wouldn't have to face the possibility of another boring room party.

I saw the heavens open and heard the angels singing.

Our ticket to rockin' room parties= this woman. And I am blessed to have her. I fully anticipate being told what items to purchase and what time to produce them. Room party done.

Ahhhhh.

Pet Day

So, last Wednesday (yes- I am a huge slacker) was pet day at Sam's preschool. Sam's preschool. Huh, no matter how much I say that, it doesn't seem right. Still hard to believe that he has started preschool. Anyway- here is his little class.

And here he is, proudly introducing his guinea pig, Giblet, to his classmates.

Although he didn't want to hold him. No way. He let Emily hold him while all the kids pawed at him.Not that she minded or anything. She was pleased as punch to get to show off her pig to all of the 'little kids' (she is a big bad kindergartener now, you know).What got me about the whole day was watching all the kids line up to file out. Check out Mr. Sam Man there- he's doing it. He's actually doing it. Wow. But notice how his hands are glued to his side? I heard his teacher tell him to keep his hands on his legs as he wouldn't stop wrapping them around the little boy ahead of him and giving big bear hugs. Oh boy, this lady sure has her hands full!

The other pets brought in that day were a dog, a huge bird and a snake. Ick, a snake. Ick Ick Ick. Ick.

Brace yourself...............

Today was a big morning for Allyson (bless that dang orthodontist and his 7:45 AM appointments- uhg!) Today she got her first set of braces off. So she went from this.........To this...............
Granted, they are a work in progress. We still have head gear to wear at night, and obviously a retainer will be involved. And once all the rest of her baby teeth are out, we will get our ticket to set #2 of braces.

But at least, for the moment, she can pass through a metal detector successfully.

Potty Break!

I got a call this morning from the bathroom police, and basically all they could muster to say was "Ewwwww". How rude.

But it did open my eyes to a rather neglected area of my home, actually, it's just one of the neglected areas. Our restrooms. These people who live here are PIGS. Mainly, I blame this on Sam and his new found willy going pee pee in the potty thing. He's horrible at stretching that little thing into the actual bowl- if you know what I'm sayin'.

So I knuckled down and have washed EVERYTHING, scrubbed all counters, washed toothbrush holders, laundered shower curtains and the 'pretty' display towels, polished mirrors- and I even did the unthinkable- I got down on my hands and knees people and scrubbed the floor.

The last of my rugs are in the dryer as I type.

And being I was already sweaty and gross, I scrubbed down the laundry room floor too. Not that it wasn't in need of it or anything.

So- if you are the type who gets out to run errands and then you are all "Oh shoot, I have to go potty- and look there's Mynde's neighborhood. I'll swing by and see if I can use her restroom", today is the day folks. And that is only if you can manage to ignore the entire rest of my home that is desperately in need of cleaning on your way to the facilities. But you better hurry, Sam just announced he's got to go potty, so I am making no promises.

Another gift for me?

As I reached for the Avon book some over achieving saleswoman keeps leaving in our newspaper box, I was greeted by yet another gift today.Can't quite make it out? That would be a squished snake- loving placed there by an unknown someone. See it's head? Oh how disgusting. I have the willies even while I'm typing this.An extremely big squished dead snake.No one will fess up to it, but I have a theory.

On another note, who other than a boy would actually pose with a dead snake so mommy could take their picture?

Kids and their gifts- boy the rewards are just never ending. Makes me a little worried about my birthday................who knows what they will suprise me with.

Goble- party of 153

I'm just not sure how I get myself into these situations.

Yesterday was the annual committee dinner for the air show, and somehow I got to head up the party. Which essentially means, I had to turn this.....................

Into this........................

And then back into this..........................Having a 'hangar party' is one of the coolest things about being involved with this show- in my opinion. It's an experience like none other.

Throwing a 'hangar party' is another.

With the teeniest budget you can possibly imagine, my job ended up being to make sure we had tables, chairs (set up- preferably : ), centerpieces, salad, desserts, beer, wine and sodas. We had someone to do the dinner part- bless him- can you imagine me running around like a freak in heels trying to cook dinner for 150 people in a airport hangar with nothing more than a microwave and salad tongs????

Today I am tired, my feet are ACHING, and I basically feel like crawling back into my cozy bed.

To say that I am glad it's over would be an understatement.

One of the many gifts

There are many many gifts to being a mother- where is one to start? I will begin with this one, my most recent gift from Sam.What is it you ask? A glass of chocolate milk, stuffed with toilet paper and then frozen solid. Yep- just one of the many gifts of being a mother.

Totally copying................

I literally just copied and pasted this from another blog- but it is powerful and moving so I hope that they will not mind that I am totally copying...............

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'
You say you will never forget where you were when You heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I. I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room With a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I Held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the Peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it Is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed Breakfast to their children. I held her up as she Tried to understand his words and as she realized He wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a Woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been Knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only Believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest Ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He Heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, With every prayer. I was with the crew as they Were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the Believers there, comforting and assuring them that their Faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew Every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me For the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the Smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... This way... Take My hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.I did not place you in the Tower that day. You May not know why, but I do. However, if you were There in that explosive moment in time, would you have Reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey For you . But someday your journey will end. And I Will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may Be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.' I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

I remember waking that morning, turning on the news, and clinging to my then little Allyson as I wondered what would happen next. And I remember running to the grocery with my mom, purchasing powdered milk because that is what felt like the right thing to do. And crying, for all that was lost and damaged that day.

The end of my era...........moving on to the next chapter

So I am noticing something strange. It has to do with my hair, and grey. I have yet to notice grey hairs in my actual hair though- one of the benefits of being kind of blond. I'm sure they are there, but they just don't show. So where are the grey hairs popping up? In my eyebrows.

The first time I noticed one I thought to myself "self- how strange is that- an all white hair. cool". The second time, it hit me. This was not a fluke, it was the grey hair sneaking in. Now I find them kind of regular, and of course I grab a hold of those bad boys and yank them out. Tell your friends to stay home mr. grey hairs- they won't stand a chance here! Until there are more grey than brown- I suppose then I will have a choice to make. Grey eyebrows or no eyebrows??? What's a girl to do.

I've never been one to worry about getting older. I considered by late 20's and 30's to be my prime. In fact, I always really looked forward to that age period. But right now, for some reason, I suppose I am having some anxiety about my age. Probably has to do with a conversation my husband and I had over the weekend.

He brought up getting a vasectomy- BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. Now let's get this straight, I have more than likely birthed my last child. Sam is getting a bit more independent, we're dang near done with diapers (we're down to just at night time : ), meal time is becoming easier, all 3 are now in some form of school, and I get to sleep through the night almost every.single.night. I can see the light at the end of this tunnel (this laundry filled, dirty dish stacked, stained up carpet tunnel). Probably, for all sensible reasons, we are not having any more children.

But see- it's all I've ever really looked forward to me in life. Growing up and having babies. I have no plan for what comes after that. So to slam that giant iron door shut with something so permanent, like a vasectomy, it just way way way more than I can embrace right now.

So I mentioned to Dan that although we will probably will never bring forth a new life through this womb, that I wasn't ready to take such a huge and final step. To which he responded "Mynde, you will be 35 this year"- just like that- like it was the end of my youth coming to a rapid head. It had never occurred to me before that I ever will be too old to have another baby. But in his mind- I suppose I already am.

I couldn't help but to weep the entire rest of the day. Butt head husband and his hurtful conversation.

So I wonder what will become of me. My grey eyebrow having, aging womb, on the verge of 35 self. What will I do with the rest of my life- now that my entire life goal has been reached? Not that I don't look forward to raising these youngins we've been blessed with and seeing where their life will land them. I realize that the world is not coming to an end, and that my job here is not done (after all- who would fill out all the school forms?). I just wonder what my next goal will be, that's all. Seriously- all I ever wanted to do was grow up and have babies (besides that whole singing waitress school teacher thing, that never came to fruition). And now I've had three, and probably will not have another, now what? Pottery, knitting, some kind of club, saving the planet? Time will tell. I just have to find a way to embrace it.

Is this a midlife crisis????????? If so- tell me now. I could go for a two seater convertible!

Bam!

Sam wakes up with a bang. Every.Dang.Day. There is no 'gently awaken and welcome the day' with this boy. His feet hit the floor before his eyes open and he is ready for whatever the world has to offer him. Emily, Allyson and I, on the other hand, wake slowly and gently. We all like to lay in bed for a bit before stumbling from the bed. But I no longer get to do that with Sam, he demands for me to hop up immediately and start our day- which is a struggle.

Yesterday morning, by 9:30 am, he was outside playing with the neighbor kids. To which I had to ask Dan to head out there to supervise as I got ready to leave for work. He was thrilled I tell ya.

By the time I went out to get in my car my neighbor was holding an ice pack on her head and Sam was crying hysterically- declaring that it was an accident and he didn't mean to.

My heart nearly stopped.

Turns out, our neighbor allowed Sam to join in their game of baseball. After pitching the ball to Sam, he managed to hit a line drive- right to her eye. She hit her knees, crying from the pain in her head as her eye began to swell- instantly.

Guess he probably won't be invited to any more of their front yard ball games.

Nickeled and Dimed to DEATH

There is one true indicator, besides the new sneakers and the school bus each morning, that signifies school is back in session............my empty checkbook.

I am all for helping the school to have what it needs to do their job. Afterall, I believe that the job they are doing is one of the most important jobs in the world. I believe special tutors are necessary, teachers aides fill a special and significant role, and activities in school build character. That being said, let me add that I AM DYING OVER HERE.

First- we forked it up for book rental (X 2 this year). And the school supply list. And a new back pack. And then shoes. Granted, shoes was optional and something we just chose to do. The school didn't tell us to. But they can't go barefoot, or can they?

Then- we received the 'extra' list. It said kind words like, for those who are able and if you would like to. They needed things like sanitizing wipes, zip locks, etc. So we did, because we were able to and would like to.

And- now we got the third 'extra' list. It thanked those of us who contributed to the second list, and asked for other stuff like extra markers and rice for the play table.

Kindness Corner- please take a slip and donate the listed item to help our room. Not a big deal, but another $4 or so.

Not to mention- they sent home, the second week of school, an overpriced ($10 higher than last year) coupon book for us to purchase and sell. So that we can pay for a reading tutor. $30 per book people- ridiculous in my opinion (the price, not the reading tutor).

In addition- the neighborhood kids are banging down the door with their sausages and wrapping paper. $10 here, $12 there.

Due next week- each 4th grader needs to send in $4.50 for their annual magazine subscription.

Guess What- field trip, be sure and send in your permission slip and your money.

School Phone Books- only $3 each due now.

Don't forget- registrations for all the after school activities- soccer, choir, clubs.

Smile- picture day is coming up, be sure to reserve your $543 package today.

Your account is low- please send in more lunch money.

Allow me to introduce myself- I'm your room mom, pay $10 and don't pass go.

Mark your calendar- PTO is sponsoring a skating party.

Pick Pick Pick Pick Pick Pick Pick.

All in all, none of this is going to break the bank but DANG PEOPLE. Hang it up, we are dying over here! We've only been in school for 2 weeks and I have written more checks to the elementary this year than I write to the electric company in a whole year. I consider Dan and I to be a fairly normal family (not tons of money but we do okay), and what it feels like is that we are being ambushed from every direction.

I remember Allyson's first year in preschool- I was so disappointed that there wasn't a 'supply list'. All we needed to send was a backpack. I was bummed, how I longed to take her shopping. Now I am singing the praises of preschool. I just fork over $60 a month and provide my blonde boy with a backpack strapped to him and the rest is all taken care of. Not to mention, when they do ask for us to fill the snack bucket, we are allowed to home make the items.

At the elementary, everything has to be store bought and prepared. Nothing from home. Which basically boils down to paying 400X per cupcake what it would cost me to slap them together in my kitchen.

Notice to the school- the well has run dry. You can stop now.

A growing problem

Sam was on a rampage yesterday. Some days are like that for him. He's either into EVERYTHING or he behaves beautifully. I promise you, I never had days like I have with him when the girls were little. They were just different. He is mischevious and into something all the time. This is one phase, the omigoshwheretheheckissamandwhyishesoquiet phase, that I will be more than happy to put behind us.

Yesterday alone, he managed to:

Paint the hall bathroom with water and a toilet brush (can you say disinfectant time?)

Take all of the DVD's we own out of their cases

Pour 1/2 a bottle of kids shampoo out into the bathtub

Use a pair of kid scissors to cut a GIANT HOLE out of emily's favorite pink chair (while I was sitting right in the same room with him- how did I miss this?) I then, with a crying emily, got to try my hand at sewing it back together.

Unroll an almost entire roll of florist tape and drape it from the stairs

Then- this morning while trying to hurry and get Allyson ready for school and hunt down her missing sneaker- we discovered where he sat in the living room and unlaced the whole dag gone thing! Nothing like trying to quickly relace a high top shoe in a huge hurry not to miss the bus!

I know what you are thinking, he needs toys. Trust me, we own them- tons and tons of toys. He plays with them too, sometimes. And a beating you say? Yeah, I beginning to think so too.

He is just constantly into something, it seems like. He's driving me to insanity. INSANITY I tell you. Promise me that you will visit me in the psych ward, oh small blonde boy, as I would seriously miss you (but not your messes).

RED ALERT!

Trust me, this is reason for panic at our house.