i am off the wagon

This is the time of year I love and dread most. I love it because it begins the season of food, I hate it because it begins the season of food. From October 31st till just after January 1st our house is filled with treats, sweets and other things that are not nice to one's waist line. My work place is also infiltrated with things I have no will power to say no to. Now, one would think, as a grown adult, that I would be able to self monitor and not indulged myself on every little sweet that cropped it's pretty little head up in my direction. But I am weak...oh so very weak. I even admit to searching out treats in times of desperation and sugar withdrawal. And if I walk by the counter at work, the one with the beautiful tray of frosted brownies, I hear their pleas. They NEED me to eat them. (Yes I hear them talking and it is what they are truly saying) Even with my current "over the summer" weight loss of the last child's baby fat and the fact that I am fitting back into my old clothes I am still enticed by the wrappers and smells. So off the wagon I have leapt, face first into my son's Halloween bowl. Maybe I can use the left over duct tape from Grady's diaper debacle to stall gluttoness behavior? But I am suddenly having visions of the heavy mustache it may leave behind....scary!

But for fun and giggles this Halloween I have included the in-depth analysis of me answering 5 questions on blogthings. Spooky!!

You Are a Haunted House

You are a deeply complicated and sometimes deeply disturbed person. You can't help but be attracted to the dark side of life - even when it's pretty gruesome. In relationships, you are honest and real. So real that it's definitely a little scary. You don't fake it or play along just to get along. And people either respect this... or deeply resent it Your life is thoughtful, deep, and even philosophical at times. You see the world as it is. You don't sugar coat anything. Facing and fighting your fears is important to you. You believe that too much of life is whitewashed. You're not too morbid... you just believe that you can't enjoy life without exorcising a few demons first! At your best, you are brave, intense, and fearless. Not only do you face the abyss head on - you challenge your friends to do the same. At your worst, you are depressed and morose. If you're not careful, your thoughts take over your mind... and they aren't pretty!

the trip

Ok, for now you will have to read about the trip without pictures. I keep meaning to download the pictures but the sickly child is being a bit demanding AND extremely whiney. If we had taken the "good" camera I would be able to download the pictures at work on my lap top. But.... we did not. We took the older, gently used camera so that if any unforeseen trauma or catastrophe occurred, the new expensive camera would be safe. That and the hubby thought no one in their right mind would want to steal the "old" camera. The problem is that the only place I can download pictures is on our PC which is currently inhabiting the spare bedroom that the older son has partially moved into. So, I can't get in there when I have time because that is when everyone is already tucked in and Drake is asleep! So here is a quick synopsis minus pictures:

It was fabulous!!! The weather was warm and sunny everyday. The beach was the most beautiful I had ever seen or sunk my toes into. The resort was nice though I thought the beds had little to be desired. The staff was very nice but did not speak much English but they also poured their drinks with a heavy hand (the Irish las really liked that). Our excursion into the country side was AMAZING!!

Ironically the first weekend we were in this island paradise was Oktoberfest. It was quite hilarious to see Dominican men dressed up in true German garb, complete with suspenders and pointy hats and the women in German themed dresses. Even better was to watch them try to do the traditional German dances. It was fun to hear "Roll Out the Barrel", in both English and Spanish, while laying on the beach and my husband's new favorite German/ polka song "You Are Too Ugly For Me". Their attempt at German food was scary though. I had never seen a white, like chalk, sausage and questioned exactly what is was made from. Neither of us was brave enough to try the sauerkraut casserole.

I enjoyed the quiet and reading three great books. Hubby's neck is still sore from going to the beach everyday. "Can you see my eyes through my sunglasses?" was a daily question. We even went so far as to rate the women who decided to go topless and laughed at the VERY apparent Americans trying to live like the natives. I decided to keep the girls covered for fear of severe sunburn and to not look like the American that I am. I had thought I had seen it all until our last day when a 50+ year old man stepped on to the beach in a Speedo thong.....wow. Was not expecting that. Even scarier was that he was with his family comprised of older children. I don't think I need to point out that he was not in stellar shape and that his belly covered much of the front of the suit.

I will try and download tonight so I can share some of the sights. Truly is a beautiful country and I would recommend it to everyone. And for now I am back in the Midwest with a swift reality check to the behind. I hate that!

ramblings of a seven year old

Drake - Mom, I can't wear this it is Wednesday.
Me - No it is Tuesday so you can wear it.
D - Oh man!! Are you sure it is only Tuesday?
M - Yes sweetie it is.
D- My schedule must be off again!

finally

Wiping away the last tear as I finally finished the "Deathly Hallows". Not at all what I expected but everything I thought (and hoped) it would be. Now I have to sit in quiet anticipation for the movie...drat!

welcome home??

There is nothing like coming home to chilly weather after a long holiday to a much warmer climate. What makes it even worse is when you come home to a sick child. And not just cold sick, no, my child is of course an over achiever. (He couldn't let my first blog home be about all the fun I had but will post promise!) Grady decided that instead of a cold he was going to get full-blown pneumonia. So first thing this morning we were off to the doctor and then to have chest x-rays and then back to the doctor's office. Luckily it is bacterial pneumonia and can be treated with a course of antibiotics and rest (yeah right). So this post will be short and sweet as I am off to tend to the sick and the weary. The sick being Grady and the weary being me!

blogging of for a while...

...while I am on holiday to the warm and sunny Dominican Republic. I will be back in a week and will post pictures and such. Take care!!

a little sadness

Now this is going to sound pathetic to some but I am still a bit traumatized by this occurrence. Today, while getting ready for work, I saw the glint of something shiny in my mirror as I was finishing my hair. Upon further examination the glint was found to be......my first grey hair. Now I know this is normal and that there is no reason to despair, but it is my first and sadly I am sure, not my last. Please do not think that I am vain or high maintenance in any way. Those who know me will agree I am not about what people think or stereotypes and such. I am who I am and wear what I wear. But this foreign hair atop my head is a sign that yes, the clock is moving forward and my body is starting to show it. Women in my family do not turn totally grey until a very old age (my grandma was in her 70's) So the shock that the transformation is slowly beginning was a bit saddening. Gone are my days of wild youth and careless attitudes. Not that I have officially partaken in those as of late, being a mother and all, but the possibility was always there. Now I will actually show my age on my head along with the deepening creases in my forehead and laugh lines around my eyes. Sigh... guess I knew this day was coming. But hoped deep down that it would be a long ways away.

buckeyes ranked number one

The new rankings are out and Ohio State has jumped into the number one position!!! Now I am aware that all their big games are coming up and they have played teams that were not up to their caliber but many are saying "National Championship" game again this year. While I disagree, of course, with the sportscaster that thinks Oklahoma will go home with the championship, we are all allowed to voice our own opinions. I think the Buckeyes have what it takes to win this year. If not I will once again drown my sorrows in a pint of brewed bliss. Either way I am sure I will enjoy the ride.

four days till holiday...

...but I am not counting by any means. I was startled awake this morning, before the crack of dawn, by the sounds of, "MOMMA!! I am hungry!" 5:00am is an ungodly hour, especially since I was up until midnight partaking in the girlish task of scrapbooking. Grady was most difficult to persuade back to some sort of rest/ sleep as I was refusing to get up and out of bed. After an hour and a half of laying on me, jabbing and flopping around, he was done. We were up, coffee brewing, greeting the new day. I by the way, was greeting it with an edge of crabbiness and overall disgruntledness. I gazed over to my mounding desk and realized that I had to start cleaning before "the mother" arrived in four days. As my previous post hints too, there is much anxiety with the arrival of my mother figure. For reasons beyond explanation (and gigabyte space) this brings me much stress and feelings of emotional unrest. So the cleaning frenzy began and took me through most of the day. I even skipped my soccer game!! It was pouring rain all day, my favorite way to play, but I did not want to risk any sort of sickness that may inflict itself on me before my holiday. So the house is almost sparkling, a few touch ups before her plane touches down, and we will be all good.

On a completely different note, Drake had the game of his life yesterday against the Jaguars. He decided to branch out Saturday and play defense as well as offense. Obviously this is where he is meant to be. He sacked the quarterback and caused four fumbles! Very bummed I had to miss it but got the play by play via text messaging and cell phone. Can you believe there is so much action in a tackle football game for kids four feet tall? Ok, I am now off of my bragging box, yet again. But it is so hard not to comment on the excitement of it all!!

Off to have words with the never ending pile of laundry. Till next time.

she is quickly approaching

Frustration mounts to an apex of anxiety, never able to fully release it's strength. Sent to the depths of an eternal abyss to sit and smoulder among the vast emptiness of emotions. Eternally forsaken by its maker to live a life of sadness and destitution. Never able to experience the full happiness of life.....or is there?

infliction continues

Intestinal infliction still continues and is now being shared with other family members. Will not elaborate with details, don't worry. I will silently suffer in my world of malodorous funk and diaper piles. Have begun to fervently pray infliction does not attack the maternal figure as we are only one week away from our holiday. Jes, bet you are so happy there was no play date Monday aren't ya?!?

the many reason i was late to work today

1. After dressing the two year old in a new little fall ensemble, he decided to take that moment in time to have a diaper blow out. Oh yes, it was a good one. Out the sides, out the bottom, it was everywhere…and I was already running a little bit late. Begin frantically searching for another fall outfit.

2. At that moment my seven year old bellows from upstairs, “Mom!? Did you pack the cookies for the Dragon Dash??” CRAP!! I forgot I signed up to bake for the annual PTO fundraiser. After checking his assignment notebook I then remembered why I signed up and cursed at myself for forgetting. I initially signed up because I knew I had off on Columbus Day, yesterday, and would have time to complete my maternal duties. Yeah well that was before I scheduled two doctors appointments and ran a gazillion errands in between. I proceeded to quick turn on the oven and pop some pre-made cookies on a tray.

3. THEN serious head trauma occurred. While coming down the stairs after brushing his teeth, the two year old takes a header into the wooden banister base, which leaves a lovely hole and imprint. Screams, tears and possibilities of a concussion ring in my ears. The imprint, though still there, quickly begins to swell and turn a rather nice shade of eggplant. I quickly slap, or shall I say gently place, an ice pack and pray his teacher does not call DCFS.

4. Finally everyone is off to their place of education, including me. Until the department of transportation decided to close 2 of the 3 lanes of 94 into Illinois. HELLO! It is rush hour and there are no lanes open. Did I mention I am late?? By now I am an hour late and don’t quite care at this point. What are they going to do… fire me? Yeah, we know that doesn’t happen where I work. Oooops! Did I just say that?

Hopefully my trek home is a lot less involved.

heinous hygenist

I just had my routine dental check up with the hygienist from hell. Obviously I have wronged her in another life and she was taking out her vendetta against my innocent teeth and gums. I got the "You need to take out your tongue ring" lecture (again) and then the "You REALLY need to floss EVERY day" lecture. I am sure she did not appreciate my rolling of the eyes after she repeated told me all the detrimental things that could happen if I kept in my piercing. I know all my teeth can fall out, I know it can get infected, I know someday my tongue could fall off, but I like it and I am keeping it. She was not impressed with my answer and tried to have the dentist gang up on me as well. Much to her dismay I replaced my barbell before leaving but after much blood shed and pain in my oral cavity. I pride myself on taking extra good care of my teeth and do not quite fully comprehend how she found so much plaque and such when I have never had problems in the past. Then, she had the audacity to rinse my mouth after brushing and cleaning with warm water. While some might find it nice, I do not. I had visions; none of them good, of what the warm liquid may or may not be. It was just the wrong temperature. I prefer a cool rinse, not a piss warm one. Ok, enough bickering for now. I am off to sooth my gums with a cool vanilla bean coffee. I am sure it will cure all that ails me today!!

friday fun

This cracks me up every time I watch it so I had to share. Sadly, I also say about 80-90% of those "Mom" sayings. Enjoy and don't make me come down there!!

more ramblings of a seven year old

The scene: We are trying to all get in the car to go and get ice cream as a special treat, John's idea. He shared with Grady that we are getting ice cream, wouldn't that be fun? Grady only heard "ice cream" and became hysterical at the fact John was trying to put him in his car seat...he wanted to eat ice cream right then and right there. He did not want to voyage neither near or far, he wanted his ice cream NOW!!! I sat in the front seat, made a big sigh and shook my head at the sight of the car seat battle that was ensuing.
Drake - Mom, aren't you glad Grady wasn't a fourthlet?
Me - A what??
D - A fourthlet, you know like if you had four of him.....twins, triplets, fourthlets....four of him.
M - (Stifling hysteric laughter) Yes, I am VERY glad Grady is not a quadruplet. One is more then enough.
D - It's not fourthlet?
M - No honey, if you have four babies they are called quadruplets.
D - Hmmmm....yeah one IS enough (as he covers his ears)

new obsession

Darn seven year old got a polar bear Webkin. He has been asking for one forever. Now I have become obsessed with taking care of the silly thing online. You have to feed it, play with it and of course, earn money to buy it things. We have been having a rough stretch at home with some issues concerning listening and attitude, so computer time has been almost extinct. Then he throws out...."What about Icey?? How will I feed him?" The tears begin to well up and I am forced to check on this bear every day and make sure he is healthy and fed. And unfortunately they have this cool game, very similar to Tetris, and a tile game that is just like Mah Jong. So here I sit, playing away on my lunch break, and avoiding all human contact. Just to ensure my son's pet polar bear is loved and, truth be told, so I can earn enough money to buy him a cool pirate bed or new home addition!! Darn kid...

lacking motivation

Well, our trip is two weeks away and I received my new passport yesterday. The new passports are now actually quite cool and have different state landmarks on every page. Of course, because my trip is quickly approaching, I am becoming more and more unmotivated to do anything work related. Though I have been quite busy typing up a four page survival guide for my mother to help her navigate through my daily life while we are away. You would think after raising her own children she would be fine, but alas, that is not the case. I have to microanalyze every possible situation that could occur and provide the appropriate solution, all in writing. I also have to break down each child's day and what is required to get through it. This is probably why we have not been away alone in seven years!! I guess pretty soon I am just going to have to cross my finger and hope for the best. All I can hope for is that the kids are still alive and in one piece when we get home. I haven't even begun the shopping list of all the things I am going to have to get for our trip and for the house while we are gone. Guess I will have to save that for another day!

no sleep for this lassie

Yesterday my husband was kind enough to go and pick out more cold medicine so we could both get a good night sleep. Our house has been infested with germs and we keep recycling the same cold/germs amongst ourselves. So we are basically both huge snotty messes. Throw in some coughing and hacking and a few good sneezes here and there and you will have the perfect picture of our sick selves. As I was brushing my teeth my husband was also nice enough to open the two Tylenol pills for me. I was exhausted from a long weekend of grunt work and a very physical and exciting soccer game. I drearily took the pills, popped them in my mouth and chased them down with a shot of water. As I climbed into bed I was almost asleep upon hitting the pillow. A few minutes of pre-sleep chatting and I was off to dream land. Until... 15 minutes later when all of a sudden I was jolted wide-awake. I felt fine and I was WIDE-awake.... why?? Oh well now let me tell you. I was wide-awake because my loving husband purchased extra long lasting, non-drowsy day formula of Tylenol cold. He might as well have slipped me an upper because there was not one ounce of drowsiness in my body. He on the other hand, was fast asleep. His years of dabbling must have made him immune to the speed like effects of the Tylenol. Not to worry!! Every once in a while I would give him a good jab or shove to remind him that I was WIDE awake while he lay there sleeping like a newborn babe. I am hoping my continued coffee buzz will get me through another soccer game tonight in the cold damp weather...yuck! We do get to play under the lights which is a bonus and reminiscent of days of old. Pretty fitting since I would often play games back then without much sleep too.