I never had a store bought costume while growing up. My mom would pull out the sewing machine and dad would make accessories like light sabers and wings from wire hangers. I was a clown, Holly Hobby, and a train engineer (fun). When I was 5 one of mom's friends offered to fix me up as a gypsy. With veils, and scarves and EYELINER. Holy crap, I was excited. I couldn't wait, it was going to be the best Halloween ever.
But I was not quite a normal kid, and apparently the week of excitement over the whole thing took a toll. As dress up time approached, my excitement peaked and I..... suffered some "intestinal issues" and spent the whole evening in the bathroom, crying. What 5 year-old gets themselves so worked up over a costume? This was the first of many times my anticipation got the best of me. I bet I was the only bride to take a precautionary Imodium the day of my wedding.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Work? What Work?
Blah, what a week, last week. Maddie has the fever on Tuesday and Wednesday. I stayed home with her on Tuesday and Bud took Wednesday. We got back to normal on Thursday, and Owen woke up at 5:00 am on Friday with a fever. So I was my turn again.
I hate missing work, it is more work to be gone than to be there. I took Owen in with me on Friday morning so I could put out lesson plans. My students get behind and it interrupts my flow. Parents start to get snippy if you are gone. We usually end up missing about 4 days each per year. Bud had a parent get all over him last year when he took off two days when Ellie was born. She sent nasty emails asking why it was ok for him to miss, but her daughter was penalized (make up work) if she was gone. Hmmmm, what could be the difference?
We are just hoping to keep Ellie from getting it, we have become obsessive hand-washers around here. I feel like I am scrubbing in every time I pick her up. But she makes it worth your while.
I hate missing work, it is more work to be gone than to be there. I took Owen in with me on Friday morning so I could put out lesson plans. My students get behind and it interrupts my flow. Parents start to get snippy if you are gone. We usually end up missing about 4 days each per year. Bud had a parent get all over him last year when he took off two days when Ellie was born. She sent nasty emails asking why it was ok for him to miss, but her daughter was penalized (make up work) if she was gone. Hmmmm, what could be the difference?
We are just hoping to keep Ellie from getting it, we have become obsessive hand-washers around here. I feel like I am scrubbing in every time I pick her up. But she makes it worth your while.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Awkward Moments #1
I am home today with Maddie, she has a raging fever, red eyes and a raspy voice. Swine flu? Who knows, Bud is also starting to feel sick, so I am considering taking Ellie to my mom's for a few days to minimize her exposure to the germiness.
For some reason this week I remembered one of the most humiliating experiences of my life, so hey, why not share it?
When I was twelve my parents moved from a biggish city in CA for a tiny town, in a rural state. It was my dad's hometown, and his family is completely nuts. You know the people in Deliverance? they are like that. Seriously. I had an uncle in the same grade as me, and he was very, very weird. Weird like, if I posted a picture of him, you would be afraid his crazy mountain man eyes would see you through the computer screen, and he would find you and eat you. So I won't post a picture. (you're welcome)
Anyway it was tough to make friends when your family was freaky like that. Also I was awkward, and mostly a lot of the girls were bitches. At least that's how I remember it. I was very shy, and for some reason at the end of 8th grade I decided to force myself to do things that scared me. I tried out for a play, and ironically got the part of a very popular girl, ha ha, now that's acting. I also joined the dance team, for my freshman year. Most schools would have tryouts but this school was so small, they didn't have that luxury. I found out there is a reason for those tryouts people. Good reasons!
I practiced our first routine like crazy, I went to all the practices, I went to another girls house to practice. The days before the first performance I spent time practicing at home in front of my mom. (we didn't have tv, so she was happy for the distraction). Our first performance was at the first basketball game of the season. Basketball was huge in this town, everyone came to the games, even people who didn't have kids. There was no movie theater in town, what else were they going to do?
The morning of the big day I woke up sick, my mom gave me some NyQuil and told me to sleep it off. I hadn't taken much NyQuil in the past, and had no idea how it could mess a girl up. I slept for a long time that day. Then woke up in a fog in time to go to the game. Our uniforms were black leotards with white fringe! Sexay hot! We were told to get black nylons, so my dad had pick some up for me. I had never really worn panty hose before so imagine my surprise when I put them on in the dressing room an found that I was suppose to get sheer to waist! Girls were yelling at me that I couldn't wear those, luckily someone had an extra pair. We also were painting our faces half black and half white, naturally I did mine backwards.
So half-time starts and we head out in front of the crowd! The gym was packed, you could smell the boys who had just left the court, and the air was humid from the all the people. The music started and I.... couldn't remember a bit of the routine. I stood there, periodically I would try desperately to join in, but was always a full 8 counts behind everyone else. It was the longest three minutes of my life.
Back at the dressing room, the advisor yelled at me. I got dressed and went to wash my face. I sat in the bathroom crying for a long time. Then I decided I was NOT going back into the gym. My mom had come to the game to see me, so I figured I would wait outside by the car for her. Naturally, it was raining. So I sat in the pouring rain, on the ground, crying for the second half of the game. My mom had anticipated me wanting to leave, she was waiting inside by the door. Eventually, she figured that maybe she missed me go back in the gym, so she went in to watch the rest of the game. It took forever for her to find me.
She did inform the advisor that I had known the routine I just panicked. So for the rest of the year I was forced to practice each routine blindfolded a few times. I guess the theory was to make it so automatic that even if I freaked out, my body would take over. I must have learned them well, because for years if I was drunk and trying to impress a boy, I would totally start one of the dances. I am sure I looked totally cool, even without the fringe.
For some reason this week I remembered one of the most humiliating experiences of my life, so hey, why not share it?
When I was twelve my parents moved from a biggish city in CA for a tiny town, in a rural state. It was my dad's hometown, and his family is completely nuts. You know the people in Deliverance? they are like that. Seriously. I had an uncle in the same grade as me, and he was very, very weird. Weird like, if I posted a picture of him, you would be afraid his crazy mountain man eyes would see you through the computer screen, and he would find you and eat you. So I won't post a picture. (you're welcome)
Anyway it was tough to make friends when your family was freaky like that. Also I was awkward, and mostly a lot of the girls were bitches. At least that's how I remember it. I was very shy, and for some reason at the end of 8th grade I decided to force myself to do things that scared me. I tried out for a play, and ironically got the part of a very popular girl, ha ha, now that's acting. I also joined the dance team, for my freshman year. Most schools would have tryouts but this school was so small, they didn't have that luxury. I found out there is a reason for those tryouts people. Good reasons!
I practiced our first routine like crazy, I went to all the practices, I went to another girls house to practice. The days before the first performance I spent time practicing at home in front of my mom. (we didn't have tv, so she was happy for the distraction). Our first performance was at the first basketball game of the season. Basketball was huge in this town, everyone came to the games, even people who didn't have kids. There was no movie theater in town, what else were they going to do?
The morning of the big day I woke up sick, my mom gave me some NyQuil and told me to sleep it off. I hadn't taken much NyQuil in the past, and had no idea how it could mess a girl up. I slept for a long time that day. Then woke up in a fog in time to go to the game. Our uniforms were black leotards with white fringe! Sexay hot! We were told to get black nylons, so my dad had pick some up for me. I had never really worn panty hose before so imagine my surprise when I put them on in the dressing room an found that I was suppose to get sheer to waist! Girls were yelling at me that I couldn't wear those, luckily someone had an extra pair. We also were painting our faces half black and half white, naturally I did mine backwards.
So half-time starts and we head out in front of the crowd! The gym was packed, you could smell the boys who had just left the court, and the air was humid from the all the people. The music started and I.... couldn't remember a bit of the routine. I stood there, periodically I would try desperately to join in, but was always a full 8 counts behind everyone else. It was the longest three minutes of my life.
Back at the dressing room, the advisor yelled at me. I got dressed and went to wash my face. I sat in the bathroom crying for a long time. Then I decided I was NOT going back into the gym. My mom had come to the game to see me, so I figured I would wait outside by the car for her. Naturally, it was raining. So I sat in the pouring rain, on the ground, crying for the second half of the game. My mom had anticipated me wanting to leave, she was waiting inside by the door. Eventually, she figured that maybe she missed me go back in the gym, so she went in to watch the rest of the game. It took forever for her to find me.
She did inform the advisor that I had known the routine I just panicked. So for the rest of the year I was forced to practice each routine blindfolded a few times. I guess the theory was to make it so automatic that even if I freaked out, my body would take over. I must have learned them well, because for years if I was drunk and trying to impress a boy, I would totally start one of the dances. I am sure I looked totally cool, even without the fringe.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Empty(ish) Nest
Bud is out on a daddy furlough this weekend, he is in Denver visiting his brother. They are going to the Cowboys/Broncos game today. This is also a chance for him to meet his niece. She was born the end of February, but she is smaller than Ellie. He left on Friday night and will get back on Monday afternoon.
My mom usually pick Owen and Maddie up on Saturday to take them to piano lessons, then has them spend the night. So this is a nice chance for me to get quality time with Ellie. She is five months old today, my last baby is five months old. We have had a nice day together, I enjoy being able to focus on her, especially since she seems to be teething. She has pooped out of 3 outfits in less than 24 hours, one was so bad I tossed it, so I guess I am focusing on her and her laundry.
I really wonder how single parents manage. This past week I had a kidney stone. If you are looking to spend 6 or 7 hours rolling around on your bed in excruciating pain, while trying to figure out how much lortab you can take without barfing, I totally recommend passing a kidney stone. Bud wanted to take me to the ER, but I am a pain in the ass and wouldn't go. My brother gets them all the time, and according to him, they give you an IV of fluids and pain meds. Well I can do that at home without waiting in a long line. (I can't do an IV obviously, but I can drink a lot and take my own pain stuff) Anyway it seems to have passed, but I kept thinking what would I have done if it had happened while Bud was out of town? What a suckfest that would have been.
Also, if Bud is gone I get totally paranoid. The weather has finally cooled here at night and we sleep with the windows open in our room, but not when he is gone. I am worried about someone breaking in, and also fire. I am scared shitless of fire y'all. When I was 8 my dad caught me climbing out my bedroom window, he started yelling at me for taking the screen out, until I explained I was practicing for a fire. I was even crawling from my bed to the window with my eyes closed in case it was dark during a fire. So....issues...I've got a bunch. Anyway, now I am terrified of not being able to get three kids out by myself. Last time Bud was out of town, we only had the two kids. I was outside at midnight one night figuring out if I could lower the kids from the patio cover outside our window. I have spent time finding different routes to get the kids out depending on where a fire might occur. Do other people do this or am I just completely nuts?
My mom usually pick Owen and Maddie up on Saturday to take them to piano lessons, then has them spend the night. So this is a nice chance for me to get quality time with Ellie. She is five months old today, my last baby is five months old. We have had a nice day together, I enjoy being able to focus on her, especially since she seems to be teething. She has pooped out of 3 outfits in less than 24 hours, one was so bad I tossed it, so I guess I am focusing on her and her laundry.
I really wonder how single parents manage. This past week I had a kidney stone. If you are looking to spend 6 or 7 hours rolling around on your bed in excruciating pain, while trying to figure out how much lortab you can take without barfing, I totally recommend passing a kidney stone. Bud wanted to take me to the ER, but I am a pain in the ass and wouldn't go. My brother gets them all the time, and according to him, they give you an IV of fluids and pain meds. Well I can do that at home without waiting in a long line. (I can't do an IV obviously, but I can drink a lot and take my own pain stuff) Anyway it seems to have passed, but I kept thinking what would I have done if it had happened while Bud was out of town? What a suckfest that would have been.
Also, if Bud is gone I get totally paranoid. The weather has finally cooled here at night and we sleep with the windows open in our room, but not when he is gone. I am worried about someone breaking in, and also fire. I am scared shitless of fire y'all. When I was 8 my dad caught me climbing out my bedroom window, he started yelling at me for taking the screen out, until I explained I was practicing for a fire. I was even crawling from my bed to the window with my eyes closed in case it was dark during a fire. So....issues...I've got a bunch. Anyway, now I am terrified of not being able to get three kids out by myself. Last time Bud was out of town, we only had the two kids. I was outside at midnight one night figuring out if I could lower the kids from the patio cover outside our window. I have spent time finding different routes to get the kids out depending on where a fire might occur. Do other people do this or am I just completely nuts?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A Useful Project
Remember when I mentioned Maddie had lost her kitty? Still no luck on finding another one. What kills me is knowing somewhere out there is a kitty sitting unused in some toybox. I know we have stuffed animals laying around our house and somewhere is a mother desperately trying to find one.
Then I thought "hey there should totally be a place where people can post pictures of animals they are looking for!". Apparently the internets are 10 steps ahead of me. What next? Buying stuff on the internet?
Anyway this website is pretty cool. You can send in a picture of what you are looking for, and maybe someone has it or has seen it online somewhere. I check every few days to see if I have anything that someone can use. I did have one stuffed animal, and I sent it off a few weeks ago. So if you have a bit of time, go take a look and see if you can help someone out. I will warn you some of the stories are a bit sad. Kids in hospitals and such. Those are the ones I would really like to see found.
Then I thought "hey there should totally be a place where people can post pictures of animals they are looking for!". Apparently the internets are 10 steps ahead of me. What next? Buying stuff on the internet?
Anyway this website is pretty cool. You can send in a picture of what you are looking for, and maybe someone has it or has seen it online somewhere. I check every few days to see if I have anything that someone can use. I did have one stuffed animal, and I sent it off a few weeks ago. So if you have a bit of time, go take a look and see if you can help someone out. I will warn you some of the stories are a bit sad. Kids in hospitals and such. Those are the ones I would really like to see found.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Hot Lunch
Dinner discussion:
Bud: Owen do you want to buy your lunch tomorrow? The menu is tacos, with an apple and a turnover.
Owen: What's a turnover?
Me: It is a crust with fruit inside.
Owen: I have no idea what you are talking about.
Me: Crust, pastry, dough with filling inside maybe apple, or some other fruit.
Owen: What?
Bud: LIKE A PIE! Do you want to buy lunch tomorrow or not?
Owen: Ok
Next day in the car:
Owen: Why didn't you guys tell me I was buying lunch today?
Bud:???????????
Bud: How was the turnover?
Owen: What?
Me: The turnover, how was it?
Owen: There wasn't a turnover.
Me: Then what did you have for dessert?
Owen: There wasn't a dessert.
Bud: There is always a dessert.
Owen: I don't know what you are saying.
Bud: grips steering wheel
Me: *kill me*
Owen: Hey, why didn't you guys tell me there was going to be pie?
Are all 6 year old boys like this? When does it end? Every conversation is like this, he just don't focus. I pity his future wife.
Bud: Owen do you want to buy your lunch tomorrow? The menu is tacos, with an apple and a turnover.
Owen: What's a turnover?
Me: It is a crust with fruit inside.
Owen: I have no idea what you are talking about.
Me: Crust, pastry, dough with filling inside maybe apple, or some other fruit.
Owen: What?
Bud: LIKE A PIE! Do you want to buy lunch tomorrow or not?
Owen: Ok
Next day in the car:
Owen: Why didn't you guys tell me I was buying lunch today?
Bud:???????????
Bud: How was the turnover?
Owen: What?
Me: The turnover, how was it?
Owen: There wasn't a turnover.
Me: Then what did you have for dessert?
Owen: There wasn't a dessert.
Bud: There is always a dessert.
Owen: I don't know what you are saying.
Bud: grips steering wheel
Me: *kill me*
Owen: Hey, why didn't you guys tell me there was going to be pie?
Are all 6 year old boys like this? When does it end? Every conversation is like this, he just don't focus. I pity his future wife.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What a pain in the....
My whole life I have had headaches. I was diagnosed with migraines when I was two. (I don't know how they diagnose that but whatever) I remember leaving my friends house one evening when I was suppose to spend the night because I had a migraine. They have varied in frequency depending on the amount of stress in my life. The last few years I haven't had many migraines. But I do still get wicked bad headaches. (Many people assume a really bad headache is a migraine.....but they are different).
When I had my six week check I mentioned to the doctor that I was getting headaches nearly every day. She told me to see my primary care doctor, which I told her for the last 6 years I have been pregnant or nursing, she IS my primary care doctor. Which she didn't find amusing, if I ever find a doctor with a sense of humor, I will never leave them. So I made an appointment with a new doctor and finally got in last week. Basically I feel like I am falling apart. I have scoliosis, which causes a lot of back and neck pain, which triggers many of my headaches. I also have the tummy troubles. Teaching is not the best profession when your intestines decide liquification is the best option. So I went to the doctor and described all my woes.
For the stomach she suggested probiotics, less fatty foods and GASP cut out my three beautiful Pepsi's each day. So she sucks. But maybe has a point. I love my soda, it is a bright spot in my day. I love the taste, the caffeine, but mostly the carbonation. So I need to find something bubbly, but less harmful to the belly. Sigh
For my head, she gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant, which should reduce my neck and back caused headaches. I mentioned the breastfeeding and was surprised by her response. She was very "breastfeeding is nice, but you need to take care of yourself, and take medication that YOU need to feel good." Which is odd, because when you are pregnant doctors don't really give a shit about you, just the baby. So that was totally weird, but she did prescribe something that should be okay.
So I took one Friday night, and maybe went into a coma, Bud said he kept checking to see if I was still breathing. I didn't even wake up when Ellie woke up in the morning, Bud got up with her. I think I slept for 9 straight hours, which is amazing for me. I usually wake up a lot with my back hurting, or to go to the bathroom, or because I one of the children's breathing changed rhythm. Then I can't fall back to sleep, and I lay there for an hour or two. So the sleep was great but I don't think I can take them on school nights. Unless I got to bed at 8:00.
I didn't take one Saturday night and woke up this morning with a horrifying headache. I realized I only had one soda yesterday, so some of it was caffeine withdrawal. So I took a few excedrin migraine(worthless), took a nap, then I finally took part of a lortab (they make me sick so I only take half), and drank two Pepsi's (apparently pain in the head trumps pain in the belly)
Anyway, I am thankful I don't get migraines like my SIL. She starts projectile vomiting for hours. One afternoon she called me when one started. I got to her house 15 minutes later to take my nephew for her. She had left a trail of vomit throughout her house. I really wanted to be the awesome SIL who cleaned it all up for her so she wouldn't have to deal with it later. I really tried, but finally gave up, because it was bad and I figured my brother could handle it. She gets them once or twice a month, she has tried a variety of medications, but hasn't had a ton of luck. So I count myself lucky.
When I had my six week check I mentioned to the doctor that I was getting headaches nearly every day. She told me to see my primary care doctor, which I told her for the last 6 years I have been pregnant or nursing, she IS my primary care doctor. Which she didn't find amusing, if I ever find a doctor with a sense of humor, I will never leave them. So I made an appointment with a new doctor and finally got in last week. Basically I feel like I am falling apart. I have scoliosis, which causes a lot of back and neck pain, which triggers many of my headaches. I also have the tummy troubles. Teaching is not the best profession when your intestines decide liquification is the best option. So I went to the doctor and described all my woes.
For the stomach she suggested probiotics, less fatty foods and GASP cut out my three beautiful Pepsi's each day. So she sucks. But maybe has a point. I love my soda, it is a bright spot in my day. I love the taste, the caffeine, but mostly the carbonation. So I need to find something bubbly, but less harmful to the belly. Sigh
For my head, she gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant, which should reduce my neck and back caused headaches. I mentioned the breastfeeding and was surprised by her response. She was very "breastfeeding is nice, but you need to take care of yourself, and take medication that YOU need to feel good." Which is odd, because when you are pregnant doctors don't really give a shit about you, just the baby. So that was totally weird, but she did prescribe something that should be okay.
So I took one Friday night, and maybe went into a coma, Bud said he kept checking to see if I was still breathing. I didn't even wake up when Ellie woke up in the morning, Bud got up with her. I think I slept for 9 straight hours, which is amazing for me. I usually wake up a lot with my back hurting, or to go to the bathroom, or because I one of the children's breathing changed rhythm. Then I can't fall back to sleep, and I lay there for an hour or two. So the sleep was great but I don't think I can take them on school nights. Unless I got to bed at 8:00.
I didn't take one Saturday night and woke up this morning with a horrifying headache. I realized I only had one soda yesterday, so some of it was caffeine withdrawal. So I took a few excedrin migraine(worthless), took a nap, then I finally took part of a lortab (they make me sick so I only take half), and drank two Pepsi's (apparently pain in the head trumps pain in the belly)
Anyway, I am thankful I don't get migraines like my SIL. She starts projectile vomiting for hours. One afternoon she called me when one started. I got to her house 15 minutes later to take my nephew for her. She had left a trail of vomit throughout her house. I really wanted to be the awesome SIL who cleaned it all up for her so she wouldn't have to deal with it later. I really tried, but finally gave up, because it was bad and I figured my brother could handle it. She gets them once or twice a month, she has tried a variety of medications, but hasn't had a ton of luck. So I count myself lucky.
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