One of the super-cute kid stories I hadn't had a chance to post due to recent month-long quarantine:
The other day I was in the kitchen--probably making dinner--and Izzy was in there keeping me company and playing with the magnets on the refrigerator. They're cute animal magnets that are split into the front-half and the back-half of the animal (wonderful x-mas gift from Aunt Lynnie). Izzy's supposed to put them together on the base--which will then sing a cutesy song (different song if the animal halves stuck on there are correct or incorrect). Anyway, she was completely ignoring the base for once (which is a relief--she has a tendency to turn it up to the highest level which is super annoying). On this particular day, I wasn't really paying much attention to her as I was busy throwing together that night's dinner of gruel and a crust of bread (and just grateful she didn't have that super-silly song playing at top volume). Izzy's just chattering away, playing with the magnets. Then something caught my attention. Loud and clear, I hear my 2-year old say "Ayudame!" And for those of you who didn't take 4 years of Spanish in high school (and are not fans of Dora), "Ayudame!" means "Help me!"
Sure enough, Izzy's got one animal half chasing the other animal half all over the refrigerator. Not only were the magnets crying for help in Spanish, there were also cries of "I in trouble!" and "Oh no!" Clearly a Hollywood-style chase scene going on--with subtitles--in my own kitchen!
Thank you, Dora the Explorer. My kid is now cute not only here, but also in Mexico.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Recuperation Process
Now that we've been virus-free for a week, you'd think I'd have more time to blog. Nope. Now I've got to get caught up on the huge disaster that my house has become in the last three weeks. And now I'm training a co-worker to do my job (we're switching responsibilities--we do this in the department at least once a year to help with training and back-filling for absences and such). The training has taken up most of my time at work, and I'm running on practically zero clean laundry at home, so the blog has been feeling neglected lately.
And it didn't help that I had a very busy weekend, so the house went from "barely livable" to "CHAOS" (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). And the blog hasn't been touched. Hey, it happens.
Our union and the company finally came up with a tentative agreement. Last Saturday morning I had to go to a Union meeting to listen in on all the changes (and lots of greedy griping) and vote. Fortunately, the Union did not make the membership wait until the end of the meeting to vote (as in contract year's past). I guess they knew they had to be lenient since the meeting was on a Saturday and most people have plans on Saturdays. So I stayed about an hour, voted, then had to rush home to pick up Mary and another Brownie from our Girl Scout troop to go to a Brownie Carnival. Despite a nay-saying campaign, the contract DID pass. Lots of changes (a good portion of which is affecting my day-to-day job duties). Lots of questions. Lots of headaches back here in my "dungeon" of an office (yeah--we're seven chics in a secure, locked-in area--with NO windows).
A few changes ARE for the better and may present me with an interesting opportunity in the next few months. Won't say much more. The way my luck goes, the opportunity will be taken away before I even try to go for it (@#$% seniority), and then I'll have built up all this hope for nothing. So....we'll see what happens.
Sunday John and I dedicated to Mary. Mary's report card came last week, and John and I had a parent/teacher conference last Friday. Our first-born is still rockin' it in first grade. Way, way ahead in language arts, and even doing great in Math skills. So we took Mary (oh, and the other two) out to lunch and to Adventure Landing. It's like a Put-Put and Chuck E. Cheese's combined. Of course, we didn't golf since it was still snowy and freezing from winter's usual, last attempt at a snowstorm that came our way Friday night, but we played tons of games and won tons of tickets to get 4 cheap-a$$ toys. Izzy was the star of the day, though. We put a token in the Spongebob machine, and she hit the button and scored the big win--125 tickets! She grabbed those tickets and ran all the way to the other side of the building to show off to Daddy--the line of tickets trailing around the corners behind her. Mary and I were cracking up.
I also gave Mary a bunch of new earrings and an earring tree. She liked that even better than the trip to Adventure Landing. :-)
Another development after the month of sicknesses: Mary is now afraid of the dark (again). It's MY fault, of course. You see, this last month, we've been watching a lot of movies. After the kids made it through the first Harry Potter with no permanent scars, John decided to go ahead and let Mary watch the second. She seemed to make it through fine. Then one of the days I was home with her, I let her watch the third. I did the same speal: it's a movie; it's pretend; people in costumes; pictures made with computers; dementors aren't real; etc. Well, the last two weeks, we've noticed Mary now doesn't want to walk upstairs (or downstairs) by herself, she doesn't want to be alone while she's in the bathtub, she has started waking us up or crawling in bed with us in the middle of the night again. She hasn't done this consistently like this since we lived in the townhouse. Yes, it's apparently MY fault for letting her watch Prizoner of Azkaban (even though Chamber of Secrets was watched without MY permission). I do feel bad for the poor kid. Last night I made sure she had a flashlight and even gave her Izzy's Glowworm to cuddle in the night. She made did make it through the night. Then Keith rudely woke her up this morning by turning on their bedroom light (Seriously! We do this routine every morning! Why would he forget and turn on the light TODAY?), so I told her she could go ahead and crawl in bed with John. Let's hope we extinguish this fear quickly..... I feel sorry for her, but I need my sleep!
And it didn't help that I had a very busy weekend, so the house went from "barely livable" to "CHAOS" (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). And the blog hasn't been touched. Hey, it happens.
Our union and the company finally came up with a tentative agreement. Last Saturday morning I had to go to a Union meeting to listen in on all the changes (and lots of greedy griping) and vote. Fortunately, the Union did not make the membership wait until the end of the meeting to vote (as in contract year's past). I guess they knew they had to be lenient since the meeting was on a Saturday and most people have plans on Saturdays. So I stayed about an hour, voted, then had to rush home to pick up Mary and another Brownie from our Girl Scout troop to go to a Brownie Carnival. Despite a nay-saying campaign, the contract DID pass. Lots of changes (a good portion of which is affecting my day-to-day job duties). Lots of questions. Lots of headaches back here in my "dungeon" of an office (yeah--we're seven chics in a secure, locked-in area--with NO windows).
A few changes ARE for the better and may present me with an interesting opportunity in the next few months. Won't say much more. The way my luck goes, the opportunity will be taken away before I even try to go for it (@#$% seniority), and then I'll have built up all this hope for nothing. So....we'll see what happens.
Sunday John and I dedicated to Mary. Mary's report card came last week, and John and I had a parent/teacher conference last Friday. Our first-born is still rockin' it in first grade. Way, way ahead in language arts, and even doing great in Math skills. So we took Mary (oh, and the other two) out to lunch and to Adventure Landing. It's like a Put-Put and Chuck E. Cheese's combined. Of course, we didn't golf since it was still snowy and freezing from winter's usual, last attempt at a snowstorm that came our way Friday night, but we played tons of games and won tons of tickets to get 4 cheap-a$$ toys. Izzy was the star of the day, though. We put a token in the Spongebob machine, and she hit the button and scored the big win--125 tickets! She grabbed those tickets and ran all the way to the other side of the building to show off to Daddy--the line of tickets trailing around the corners behind her. Mary and I were cracking up.
I also gave Mary a bunch of new earrings and an earring tree. She liked that even better than the trip to Adventure Landing. :-)
Another development after the month of sicknesses: Mary is now afraid of the dark (again). It's MY fault, of course. You see, this last month, we've been watching a lot of movies. After the kids made it through the first Harry Potter with no permanent scars, John decided to go ahead and let Mary watch the second. She seemed to make it through fine. Then one of the days I was home with her, I let her watch the third. I did the same speal: it's a movie; it's pretend; people in costumes; pictures made with computers; dementors aren't real; etc. Well, the last two weeks, we've noticed Mary now doesn't want to walk upstairs (or downstairs) by herself, she doesn't want to be alone while she's in the bathtub, she has started waking us up or crawling in bed with us in the middle of the night again. She hasn't done this consistently like this since we lived in the townhouse. Yes, it's apparently MY fault for letting her watch Prizoner of Azkaban (even though Chamber of Secrets was watched without MY permission). I do feel bad for the poor kid. Last night I made sure she had a flashlight and even gave her Izzy's Glowworm to cuddle in the night. She made did make it through the night. Then Keith rudely woke her up this morning by turning on their bedroom light (Seriously! We do this routine every morning! Why would he forget and turn on the light TODAY?), so I told her she could go ahead and crawl in bed with John. Let's hope we extinguish this fear quickly..... I feel sorry for her, but I need my sleep!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Feeling Tentatively, Knock-on-wood Lucky
Mary woke up fever-free yesterday. She went to school and actually made it through the whole day without a visit to the nurse!
Izzy broke her fever Sunday--she really only had it for about a half day--and then was fine and medicine free the rest of the day. I warned my day care provider yesterday to keep an eye on her because I didn't trust my luck. No phone call--the kid was fine all day.
Hmmm....maybe being exposed to the nasty virus for the last two weeks helped her build up a bit of an immunity so that she only suffered for a half a day? Maybe it's teething. 'Cause when there's something weird going on with a baby/toddler's health, and you can't figure it out, you can always blame it on the teething. Hmmm...she did seem more drooly lately than normal....
Even John seems to be lucking out with just a few sniffles. Figures. He should PAY after leaving me with sick kids to go out of town to draft a fantasy baseball team. Hmph!
Perhaps the bug made a run for it while we were at the library the other day. (My desperate attempt to at least get OUT of the HOUSE for a little while. But instead of enjoying a peaceful, quiet time looking for books, I spent that hour chasing Keith and Izzy as they chased each other in the kids' section. Then Keith left his hat there, and we had to turn around and go back and get it. He still doesn't understand why I didn't let him borrow any books...!). Anyway, the virus must have decided it was sick of the Q family for the last three weeks (as I still say I caught this deadly thing from my brother) and decided to settle itself on a book or audio tape for the next non-suspecting kid to pick up. 'Cause you know the only way to rid oneself of the nasty Virus Ring is to take it to a public place where it can have more opportunities to branch out and infect more people. Here's my gift to you, Penfield!
Other folks I've talked to here and there have also had the deadly Virus Ring and report, like me and my brother, that it was the sickest they'd been in years.
Here's hoping that it really is GONE and not hibernating on the door knobs to spring out at the lesser-sufferers (i.e. Keith and Izzy) again....
Watch out! It's coming your way!
Izzy broke her fever Sunday--she really only had it for about a half day--and then was fine and medicine free the rest of the day. I warned my day care provider yesterday to keep an eye on her because I didn't trust my luck. No phone call--the kid was fine all day.
Hmmm....maybe being exposed to the nasty virus for the last two weeks helped her build up a bit of an immunity so that she only suffered for a half a day? Maybe it's teething. 'Cause when there's something weird going on with a baby/toddler's health, and you can't figure it out, you can always blame it on the teething. Hmmm...she did seem more drooly lately than normal....
Even John seems to be lucking out with just a few sniffles. Figures. He should PAY after leaving me with sick kids to go out of town to draft a fantasy baseball team. Hmph!
Perhaps the bug made a run for it while we were at the library the other day. (My desperate attempt to at least get OUT of the HOUSE for a little while. But instead of enjoying a peaceful, quiet time looking for books, I spent that hour chasing Keith and Izzy as they chased each other in the kids' section. Then Keith left his hat there, and we had to turn around and go back and get it. He still doesn't understand why I didn't let him borrow any books...!). Anyway, the virus must have decided it was sick of the Q family for the last three weeks (as I still say I caught this deadly thing from my brother) and decided to settle itself on a book or audio tape for the next non-suspecting kid to pick up. 'Cause you know the only way to rid oneself of the nasty Virus Ring is to take it to a public place where it can have more opportunities to branch out and infect more people. Here's my gift to you, Penfield!
Other folks I've talked to here and there have also had the deadly Virus Ring and report, like me and my brother, that it was the sickest they'd been in years.
Here's hoping that it really is GONE and not hibernating on the door knobs to spring out at the lesser-sufferers (i.e. Keith and Izzy) again....
Watch out! It's coming your way!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
...the horror....the horror....
We are now on day SIX of Feverish Mary. Just at 100, but she's still miserable (and deserves an Oscar for her drama queen performance). Yeah--Mary is NOT the best patient.
But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that Izzy woke up at 2:00am crying--and with a fever of 102. I'm beginning to feel I'm in the "Virus Ring" horror movie. One person gets the nasty, cruel virus, has it for a sickening week, and THEN the bug crawls out of the TV and onto the next innocent to start another cycle.
Keith was the lucky one. He was only sick for a few days--and I'm still not sure how many of his feverish days were due to the shots he'd received instead of the virus. Maybe he was just going through both at the same time. But his ordeal only lasted about 4 1/2 days. That sure doesn't seem fair to his poor 6-days-sick (and apparently still counting?) older sister.
But what about Izzy? How long will HER ordeal last? Will I be employed by the end of the week? (No, my job is NOT accommodating. Bringing Mary to work is a HUGE no-no. But I had no choice in the matter, did I?)
At least Izzy is the best patient of the three--playing and running around and being just as silly now (with her Tylenol/Motrin boosters) as she normally is. Even without the meds and with a fever of 102, the kid can still crack a smile. Mary could learn a lesson or two from her younger sister.
The Virus Ring did seem to change its pattern just a bit here. John's got the sniffles now, too. Perhaps the sickies can all stay home now while I attempt to build back up my good reputation at work.
I'm not counting on my luck.
But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that Izzy woke up at 2:00am crying--and with a fever of 102. I'm beginning to feel I'm in the "Virus Ring" horror movie. One person gets the nasty, cruel virus, has it for a sickening week, and THEN the bug crawls out of the TV and onto the next innocent to start another cycle.
Keith was the lucky one. He was only sick for a few days--and I'm still not sure how many of his feverish days were due to the shots he'd received instead of the virus. Maybe he was just going through both at the same time. But his ordeal only lasted about 4 1/2 days. That sure doesn't seem fair to his poor 6-days-sick (and apparently still counting?) older sister.
But what about Izzy? How long will HER ordeal last? Will I be employed by the end of the week? (No, my job is NOT accommodating. Bringing Mary to work is a HUGE no-no. But I had no choice in the matter, did I?)
At least Izzy is the best patient of the three--playing and running around and being just as silly now (with her Tylenol/Motrin boosters) as she normally is. Even without the meds and with a fever of 102, the kid can still crack a smile. Mary could learn a lesson or two from her younger sister.
The Virus Ring did seem to change its pattern just a bit here. John's got the sniffles now, too. Perhaps the sickies can all stay home now while I attempt to build back up my good reputation at work.
I'm not counting on my luck.
Friday, March 09, 2007
The GERMS are here! The GERMS are here!
Mary woke up Tuesday morning cranky and with a fever of 100. Her only complaint was a sore throat. John stayed home with her, and by the time I got home from work she was at 102.5. Wednesday was my "turn". She was still feverish, and I stayed home with her. By lunchtime, she was feeling and acting fine--and only at 99, so I thought she'd kicked it. FOOL. By six o'clock that night she was back up to 102. Thursday, John couldn't get out of some meetings, so I had to stay home again (my boss took pity on me and "bent the rules" a bit to let me take an emergency vacation day even though someone else was already off. TWO unpaid days in one week is a bit much--er, technically, not much at all!). I took the poor kid (who by now had a cough and the sniffles added to her slowly growing list of complaints) to the doctor. Office strep test: negative. What? The pediatrician gave Mary a handful of sample antibiotics to start just in case the strep test that goes out to the lab comes back positive. (If it comes back negative, she doesn't take anymore; positive, we have to pick up a prescription.) Other than that, there is nothing that could be done for the poor sick girl--whose temp was at 103.6 while we were at the doc's. The doc says she just must have a very, very nasty cold (ring any bells with the crap I had last week?).
Today John is leaving to go to Maryland for his fantasy baseball league. But Mary is still sick with a fever. And I can't have the day off as the only other person in the whole freaking office who knows how to do my job is out of town (unpaid--as we had that other person on vacation this week, remember?). Great. Now what? John took care of Miss Sickly until 12:00, then brought her to work for me. Then when I got my work done, I could go home. Great thing to spring on your boss--bringing a super-sick, possibly contagious kid to work because your husband has to go out of town.
Don't think I'll be getting any promotions anytime soon.
Today John is leaving to go to Maryland for his fantasy baseball league. But Mary is still sick with a fever. And I can't have the day off as the only other person in the whole freaking office who knows how to do my job is out of town (unpaid--as we had that other person on vacation this week, remember?). Great. Now what? John took care of Miss Sickly until 12:00, then brought her to work for me. Then when I got my work done, I could go home. Great thing to spring on your boss--bringing a super-sick, possibly contagious kid to work because your husband has to go out of town.
Don't think I'll be getting any promotions anytime soon.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
What. A. Dump.
I spent the weekend attempting to recuperate from the unbelievably nasty cold I'd picked up either a) from my brother, b) from my aunt, c) from the tons of people to which I was exposed in all those airports/airplanes, or simply d) from the grocery store across the street.
I was so sick last week I actually took a day off on Thursday (and should have stayed home Wednesday as I ended up with a slight fever). I haven't taken a sick day in well over 2 years. The last sick day I took was when I ended up in the hospital while passing that @#$% kidney stone when I was 7 mos pregnant with Izzy (never EVER want to go through that again). Anyrate, I don't get sick too often and don't usually miss work for minor colds. So what I'm saying is: this cold kicked my @$$.
I felt better Friday, but probably should have stayed home anyway. Keith had his physical at the pediatrician on Wednesday morning and (as always) ended up with a 103 fever due to his shots. The fever went down Thursday night but was back in full force Friday morning. If I'd known THAT was going to happen, I would have just mailed it in for the day and stayed home snuggled on the coach with Keith. As it was, John got the duty of picking up Fever Boy from day care and staying the afternoon with him.
Anyway, I actually felt worse Saturday and Sunday than on Friday. Therefore the house is a complete DISASTER. With my being sick last week and then being out of town (and tired from said trip) the week prior, the house has gone from "lived-in" to "scary." The dust! The dirt! The sink full of dirty dishes! The trash that needs to be taken out! The LAUNDRY! OH MY GOD, THE LAUNDRY! Piles and piles of dirty clothes, clean clothes that need to be folded and put away, clean clothes that ARE folded but need to be put away, and oh no, the laundry basket is full again but I can't even get up off the couch to do it....! Yikes!
And then to top it all off, Keith got over his 103 shot fever--to pick up my cold and the low-grade fever that goes with it. Then he was grumpy and whiny all weekend. John was going crazy having to deal with the sick wife and the sick, whiny son.
And despite all this, we managed to get the kids bathed, combed, and dressed up for the annual Christmas-but-oh-dear-now-it's-March pictures last Saturday. Keith cried the whole way, "I don't want to get my pictures taken!" I asked him if we waited until he felt better would he want to get them done then? He solemnly shook his head NO. Well, then we're doing it NOW and getting it done and over with!
Despite the sickly one and the other whiny one who didn't want a bath and didn't want her hair combed (i.e. Mary)--(and then we had Izzy at the other end of the scale being incredibly happy-go-lucky and just made us smile at her never-ending exuberance)--everyone did behave and smile, and the pictures turned out pretty well.
In case any of you are now thinking of calling the CPA on me, I did manage between Sunday night and last night to get SOME of the laundry piles and trash cleared out. I even cleaned the kitchen. Hey, as long as the kitchen's clean, I can fake everything else.
At least we didn't have the stomach bug hit (knock on wood--just THINKING that sets Murphy on the warpath directly to my home).
I was so sick last week I actually took a day off on Thursday (and should have stayed home Wednesday as I ended up with a slight fever). I haven't taken a sick day in well over 2 years. The last sick day I took was when I ended up in the hospital while passing that @#$% kidney stone when I was 7 mos pregnant with Izzy (never EVER want to go through that again). Anyrate, I don't get sick too often and don't usually miss work for minor colds. So what I'm saying is: this cold kicked my @$$.
I felt better Friday, but probably should have stayed home anyway. Keith had his physical at the pediatrician on Wednesday morning and (as always) ended up with a 103 fever due to his shots. The fever went down Thursday night but was back in full force Friday morning. If I'd known THAT was going to happen, I would have just mailed it in for the day and stayed home snuggled on the coach with Keith. As it was, John got the duty of picking up Fever Boy from day care and staying the afternoon with him.
Anyway, I actually felt worse Saturday and Sunday than on Friday. Therefore the house is a complete DISASTER. With my being sick last week and then being out of town (and tired from said trip) the week prior, the house has gone from "lived-in" to "scary." The dust! The dirt! The sink full of dirty dishes! The trash that needs to be taken out! The LAUNDRY! OH MY GOD, THE LAUNDRY! Piles and piles of dirty clothes, clean clothes that need to be folded and put away, clean clothes that ARE folded but need to be put away, and oh no, the laundry basket is full again but I can't even get up off the couch to do it....! Yikes!
And then to top it all off, Keith got over his 103 shot fever--to pick up my cold and the low-grade fever that goes with it. Then he was grumpy and whiny all weekend. John was going crazy having to deal with the sick wife and the sick, whiny son.
And despite all this, we managed to get the kids bathed, combed, and dressed up for the annual Christmas-but-oh-dear-now-it's-March pictures last Saturday. Keith cried the whole way, "I don't want to get my pictures taken!" I asked him if we waited until he felt better would he want to get them done then? He solemnly shook his head NO. Well, then we're doing it NOW and getting it done and over with!
Despite the sickly one and the other whiny one who didn't want a bath and didn't want her hair combed (i.e. Mary)--(and then we had Izzy at the other end of the scale being incredibly happy-go-lucky and just made us smile at her never-ending exuberance)--everyone did behave and smile, and the pictures turned out pretty well.
In case any of you are now thinking of calling the CPA on me, I did manage between Sunday night and last night to get SOME of the laundry piles and trash cleared out. I even cleaned the kitchen. Hey, as long as the kitchen's clean, I can fake everything else.
At least we didn't have the stomach bug hit (knock on wood--just THINKING that sets Murphy on the warpath directly to my home).
Friday, March 02, 2007
It takes all kinds
We've got a local radio station here with a morning show that does a bit called "War of the Roses." It's kind of sneaky. Usually a woman will call the radio station with the suspicion that her husband/boyfriend has been cheating on her. The female talk show host will then call the guy--while on the air--with the front of being a florist. She'll offer the guy a free dozen roses. The catch--to whom does he send the free flowers? Followers of the show come in and tell of these sneaky, cheatin' husbands who NEVER send their flowers to the "proper" recipients. Well, today's took the cake. The woman suspects hubby is cheating on her with his ex--the ex has called the house and has reportedly been seen at his place of employment a few times. He's also been an inattentive husband lately. The radio show host calls, lets out the bait, and the guy falls for it, BUT he requests to split the roses--send six to one girl and six to another! OK, well that's new! Um, to whom are you sending them? To two girls--that the wife has never even heard of! Great! At this point, of course, the wife gets in on the conversation. "Who are these girls?" "None of your business." "What!? I'm your WIFE!" "Who do you think you are putting me on the radio like that?" "What? Why are you not sending flowers to me--YOUR WIFE!" "Because you got fat!" Man continues to berate woman for having the audacity to put him on the radio like that.
But wait--it gets better. After a while, HIS MOTHER calls in DEFENDING the jerk. "He's a good, sweet man, and she should be lucky she's got him." "Men can send flowers to other women. My boss sends me flowers every week, and his wife doesn't care." "And no one in our family likes his wife, anyway!"
Sure, honey--but does your boss send flowers to women the wife doesn't know? And red roses? I think not! A big fight ensues, where the male radio show host tells Mommy dearest that her son is a total douche bag.
Seriously. You try to defend your stupidity by lashing out at the innocent (well, except for that horrible offense of getting FAT part) and then get your MOTHER to defend you. What a winner. Hope his girlfriends were listening and dumped him, too. Sheesh! Cheating on the girlfriends, too! And to think he doesn't think ONE of them is worth a whole dozen, either!
But wait--it gets better. After a while, HIS MOTHER calls in DEFENDING the jerk. "He's a good, sweet man, and she should be lucky she's got him." "Men can send flowers to other women. My boss sends me flowers every week, and his wife doesn't care." "And no one in our family likes his wife, anyway!"
Sure, honey--but does your boss send flowers to women the wife doesn't know? And red roses? I think not! A big fight ensues, where the male radio show host tells Mommy dearest that her son is a total douche bag.
Seriously. You try to defend your stupidity by lashing out at the innocent (well, except for that horrible offense of getting FAT part) and then get your MOTHER to defend you. What a winner. Hope his girlfriends were listening and dumped him, too. Sheesh! Cheating on the girlfriends, too! And to think he doesn't think ONE of them is worth a whole dozen, either!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Aunts and Uncles and Cousins! Oh my!
My mother helped me find a not-quite-so-astronomical (but still painful!) fare, and so thankfully, I did get to go my grandmother's funeral.
But first, we had to do a super-quick celebration for Keith's fifth birthday (which was Tuesday) before I left. Keith got to open his birthday presents and eat a little bit of cake Sunday night, then John and I spent the whole day with him--and only him!--on Monday. We took him to the Strong Museum and then to see "Bridge of Tarabithia" (slight spoiler alert: it's quite depressing and probably a little too slow for a 5-year old). Our poor middle child definitely needs more two-on-one time like that. Despite the gloomy cloud hanging over my head, it was a good day. I could tell Keith loved spending time with just Mommy and Daddy.
I flew out Monday night and didn't get in to OK City until 12:30 am. I spent the next two days visiting relatives I hadn't seen in years and met many, many cousins and the like that I'd never met before. I got to see my brother (who was sick as a dog with the flu, unfortunately) whom I'd not seen in five years--since he came to visit me after the birth of my son, as a matter of fact.
The funeral was Wednesday, and it was a gorgeous day. 70s and sunny. The service was very nice. Of course, my Aunt Mary had to tell the pastor how my brother and I had dubbed Granny our "vicious grandma"--and he included it in the sermon. Granny was described over and over again as being "stubborn," "fiery", and--my personal favorite--"cranky-ish." Gotta love her.
I flew out Thursday morning on a 6am flight. Cripes! But that was the only flight I could get! And for the first time I actually got nauseous on an airplane while we were landing in Chicago AND while landing in Rochester. Chicago had a lot of turbulence due to high winds and Rochester was cloudy and snowy. I guess maybe that's why? I spent the rest of the day lying on the couch exhausted and with a jittery stomach. Only one hour time difference and I had jet lag?
I feel old.
My poor Granny. She just never seemed very happy in her life--except that she did have a great sense of humor that you got to hear every now and then. She NEVER would smile for a picture. But I got to hear a couple stories from my Great Aunt Imogene (just LOVE that name) about when she and Granny were younger and lived together (Aunt Imogene was actually my Granny's best friend--AND she married Granny's brother). Aunt Imogene said that Granny Cloda used to laugh all the time in the ol' days. Makes me sad that I only got to see glimpses of it from time to time.
My Great Aunt Helen actually found a picture of Granny smiling when she was young. Beautiful picture in black and white--and yet you could still "see" the red in her hair. I definitely GOT to get a copy of that picture. It's too precious.
My brother and I also looked up a couple of relatives from my Dad's side of the family while we were in town. Great Aunt Carolyn and Uncle David haven't changed ONE bit. It was great to see them.
And then, oh my goodness, I just never realized how many cousins my mother had! I guess it only makes sense since her mother came from a pretty big family, but I had just never met them before! Wow.
I'm so glad I got to go to OK City.
Thanks again to all of you who expressed your sympathies.... I really appreciate that.
Oh, and just as a side note, I have a NASTY cold now. Guess it's to be expected since I just spent two days with a super-sick brother and Aunt Mary--not to mention four airplane ride and exposure to three different airports. BOUND to happen.
Ugh.
But first, we had to do a super-quick celebration for Keith's fifth birthday (which was Tuesday) before I left. Keith got to open his birthday presents and eat a little bit of cake Sunday night, then John and I spent the whole day with him--and only him!--on Monday. We took him to the Strong Museum and then to see "Bridge of Tarabithia" (slight spoiler alert: it's quite depressing and probably a little too slow for a 5-year old). Our poor middle child definitely needs more two-on-one time like that. Despite the gloomy cloud hanging over my head, it was a good day. I could tell Keith loved spending time with just Mommy and Daddy.
I flew out Monday night and didn't get in to OK City until 12:30 am. I spent the next two days visiting relatives I hadn't seen in years and met many, many cousins and the like that I'd never met before. I got to see my brother (who was sick as a dog with the flu, unfortunately) whom I'd not seen in five years--since he came to visit me after the birth of my son, as a matter of fact.
The funeral was Wednesday, and it was a gorgeous day. 70s and sunny. The service was very nice. Of course, my Aunt Mary had to tell the pastor how my brother and I had dubbed Granny our "vicious grandma"--and he included it in the sermon. Granny was described over and over again as being "stubborn," "fiery", and--my personal favorite--"cranky-ish." Gotta love her.
I flew out Thursday morning on a 6am flight. Cripes! But that was the only flight I could get! And for the first time I actually got nauseous on an airplane while we were landing in Chicago AND while landing in Rochester. Chicago had a lot of turbulence due to high winds and Rochester was cloudy and snowy. I guess maybe that's why? I spent the rest of the day lying on the couch exhausted and with a jittery stomach. Only one hour time difference and I had jet lag?
I feel old.
My poor Granny. She just never seemed very happy in her life--except that she did have a great sense of humor that you got to hear every now and then. She NEVER would smile for a picture. But I got to hear a couple stories from my Great Aunt Imogene (just LOVE that name) about when she and Granny were younger and lived together (Aunt Imogene was actually my Granny's best friend--AND she married Granny's brother). Aunt Imogene said that Granny Cloda used to laugh all the time in the ol' days. Makes me sad that I only got to see glimpses of it from time to time.
My Great Aunt Helen actually found a picture of Granny smiling when she was young. Beautiful picture in black and white--and yet you could still "see" the red in her hair. I definitely GOT to get a copy of that picture. It's too precious.
My brother and I also looked up a couple of relatives from my Dad's side of the family while we were in town. Great Aunt Carolyn and Uncle David haven't changed ONE bit. It was great to see them.
And then, oh my goodness, I just never realized how many cousins my mother had! I guess it only makes sense since her mother came from a pretty big family, but I had just never met them before! Wow.
I'm so glad I got to go to OK City.
Thanks again to all of you who expressed your sympathies.... I really appreciate that.
Oh, and just as a side note, I have a NASTY cold now. Guess it's to be expected since I just spent two days with a super-sick brother and Aunt Mary--not to mention four airplane ride and exposure to three different airports. BOUND to happen.
Ugh.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Cloda Dolores Cyphers
My Granny Clody passed away last night. She's about 86 or 87 (we've seen two years reported for her d.o.b., so I'm not real sure--wonder what the death cert. will list?). Granny was one tough broad. She was a spitfire of a redhead; she always told you exactly what she thought and exactly where to go. My brother and I used to call her our "Vicious Grandma". She revelled in the title.
Granny's been sick for many years. She's had several stokes and emphysema--although she was a heavy smoker to the end (even while on oxygen!). We first thought she was about to pass about seven years ago. Her health got really bad, and we prepared for it. Mary was just a baby, and I took her with me on a flight to visit Granny in Oklahoma City. But I got back and nothing happened. Stubborn Granny held on.
Almost exactly three years ago, I got on a plane again. Granny wasn't doing too well then, either. I didn't take any kids with me (Or so I thought. A couple weeks after I got back was when I discovered that I was pregnant with Izzy). Stubborn Granny held on some more.
There have been a few more times my aunt has called and said Granny wasn't doing well. My Mom would usually go, put up with Granny's verbal abuse, then stubborn Granny would pull through. We all used to say she was just too mean to die!
My mother last saw Granny a month ago. My mother's brother Bobby had passed--sad, sad life that guy. Mom went to Oklahoma City for the funeral. She wasn't there five minutes, and she and Granny were having it out. When she called me later, I told her, "Ma, you know she's never going to change! All you can do is laugh about it!" And we did. Good ol' Granny. Still staying stubborn and vicious even after all these years.
It was probably the death of her son--not the youngest (my mother has that title), but definitely her "baby"--that finally wore Granny down. She'd already lost a son 10 years ago, and I think losing this precious one was just too much for her.
I'll miss her. I didn't get to see her a lot in the last several years since I live so far away now (in fact, I probably won't get to go to the funeral since air fare is so astronomical and unbelievable, and it's just NOT FAIR). But I'll always remember sitting there in her tiny house--and later in the nursing home--while she sat and smoked and told us all exactly what she thought--and exactly where to go.
Wherever you are now Granny, I'm sure you're giving 'em hell!
Granny's been sick for many years. She's had several stokes and emphysema--although she was a heavy smoker to the end (even while on oxygen!). We first thought she was about to pass about seven years ago. Her health got really bad, and we prepared for it. Mary was just a baby, and I took her with me on a flight to visit Granny in Oklahoma City. But I got back and nothing happened. Stubborn Granny held on.
Almost exactly three years ago, I got on a plane again. Granny wasn't doing too well then, either. I didn't take any kids with me (Or so I thought. A couple weeks after I got back was when I discovered that I was pregnant with Izzy). Stubborn Granny held on some more.
There have been a few more times my aunt has called and said Granny wasn't doing well. My Mom would usually go, put up with Granny's verbal abuse, then stubborn Granny would pull through. We all used to say she was just too mean to die!
My mother last saw Granny a month ago. My mother's brother Bobby had passed--sad, sad life that guy. Mom went to Oklahoma City for the funeral. She wasn't there five minutes, and she and Granny were having it out. When she called me later, I told her, "Ma, you know she's never going to change! All you can do is laugh about it!" And we did. Good ol' Granny. Still staying stubborn and vicious even after all these years.
It was probably the death of her son--not the youngest (my mother has that title), but definitely her "baby"--that finally wore Granny down. She'd already lost a son 10 years ago, and I think losing this precious one was just too much for her.
I'll miss her. I didn't get to see her a lot in the last several years since I live so far away now (in fact, I probably won't get to go to the funeral since air fare is so astronomical and unbelievable, and it's just NOT FAIR). But I'll always remember sitting there in her tiny house--and later in the nursing home--while she sat and smoked and told us all exactly what she thought--and exactly where to go.
Wherever you are now Granny, I'm sure you're giving 'em hell!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Holp me!
Within the last few weeks, Izzy has been graduating from gibberish baby talk--with a recognizable world here and there--to actual three-word sentences. Even though it's gradual (and I've witnessed this phenomenon two other times), I still can't get over the fact that I can basically have a conversation with the kid now.
I just love this phase--when she is learning something new every day and just gets cuter and cuter. I don't even really mind the temper tantrums--they aren't so many (or, as a "veteran" mother am I just more immune to them?). The learning and cuteness moments outweigh the frustrating moments.
So last night, I'm lying on the couch, and Izzy decides to climb up with me. Not from the side of the couch, mind you, but from over the arm of the couch by my feet. She's struggling and trying to get her one foot over the edge to hoist herself over and just can't do it. John and I are laughing just watching her. She's not listening to my logical "Try it from over here, honey." No, she's determined. Then she looks at me with this pitiful face and says, "Holp me, Mommy! Holp me!" (just LOVE her mispronunciations as she's learning to talk). I reach down, grab her hand, and help hoist her over the edge. She immediately crawls right up to my lap, gives me a big hug, and says, "You save me, Mommy!"
NOW we've created a new game. I have to proceed to "holp" and "save" her for the next 10 minutes. I started to get tired of the game and tried once again to show her the logic of climbing up the short side. Oh, no--can't ruin the game now! She starts crying--but it's so obvious it's fake, I can't help but laugh and "holp" her one more time. Oh, she's a little stinker. She's knows just how to play me.
John keeps saying, "I don't remember the other kids being so cute!" But I do. I specifically remember Keith being a freaking ham (and still is)--causing us to say "oh, let's go ahead and have another." I will NOT fall for THAT cuteness trick again!
I just love this phase--when she is learning something new every day and just gets cuter and cuter. I don't even really mind the temper tantrums--they aren't so many (or, as a "veteran" mother am I just more immune to them?). The learning and cuteness moments outweigh the frustrating moments.
So last night, I'm lying on the couch, and Izzy decides to climb up with me. Not from the side of the couch, mind you, but from over the arm of the couch by my feet. She's struggling and trying to get her one foot over the edge to hoist herself over and just can't do it. John and I are laughing just watching her. She's not listening to my logical "Try it from over here, honey." No, she's determined. Then she looks at me with this pitiful face and says, "Holp me, Mommy! Holp me!" (just LOVE her mispronunciations as she's learning to talk). I reach down, grab her hand, and help hoist her over the edge. She immediately crawls right up to my lap, gives me a big hug, and says, "You save me, Mommy!"
NOW we've created a new game. I have to proceed to "holp" and "save" her for the next 10 minutes. I started to get tired of the game and tried once again to show her the logic of climbing up the short side. Oh, no--can't ruin the game now! She starts crying--but it's so obvious it's fake, I can't help but laugh and "holp" her one more time. Oh, she's a little stinker. She's knows just how to play me.
John keeps saying, "I don't remember the other kids being so cute!" But I do. I specifically remember Keith being a freaking ham (and still is)--causing us to say "oh, let's go ahead and have another." I will NOT fall for THAT cuteness trick again!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Record Breaking
20.6 inches of snow fell yesterday in Rochester. Most snow fall in a 24-hr period in the month of February. Yes, 'cause we've had days in January and MARCH where it was MORE than that.
Yes, our first winter living here, John and I got to witness a huge storm on March 4, 1999. Something like 22.5 inches. That was a crazy year. We moved to Rochester in July. Labor Day weekend there was a huge wind storm that knocked out the power in the city--we didn't have power for five days. Then it was a very dry winter. Here John and I had heard how bad the snow was up here in Rochester and were giving each other quizzical looks over the lack of it. Until we got hit with two blizzards (close to the same size as this one) for two different days in February--and then that day in March. Very, very weird weather.
That should have been our first warning to get the heck out of Dodge. No, instead we stuck around--and had a few kids. What dolts!
Anyway, on our trip home last night, Keith and I counted TWENTY vehicles off the road. It was un-freaking-believable. Especially since the roads were pretty clean and didn't really seem to be that bad. Stupid people driving.
Today the winds are supposed to pick up to 20-30 mph. And the wind chill is supposed to be 15 below or lower. Most of the schools were canceled, but Mary still had to go. Happy late SAINT Valentine's Day, kid!
Yes, our first winter living here, John and I got to witness a huge storm on March 4, 1999. Something like 22.5 inches. That was a crazy year. We moved to Rochester in July. Labor Day weekend there was a huge wind storm that knocked out the power in the city--we didn't have power for five days. Then it was a very dry winter. Here John and I had heard how bad the snow was up here in Rochester and were giving each other quizzical looks over the lack of it. Until we got hit with two blizzards (close to the same size as this one) for two different days in February--and then that day in March. Very, very weird weather.
That should have been our first warning to get the heck out of Dodge. No, instead we stuck around--and had a few kids. What dolts!
Anyway, on our trip home last night, Keith and I counted TWENTY vehicles off the road. It was un-freaking-believable. Especially since the roads were pretty clean and didn't really seem to be that bad. Stupid people driving.
Today the winds are supposed to pick up to 20-30 mph. And the wind chill is supposed to be 15 below or lower. Most of the schools were canceled, but Mary still had to go. Happy late SAINT Valentine's Day, kid!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Retail industry feeling the pain
One co-worker has a mom who manages a Hallmark store. She's all in a tizzy since this is one of their busiest days of the year, and now probably no customers will show up due to the small fact that we got a FREAKIN' BLIZZARD going on. Of course, I'm laughing to think of those poor schleps who waited until the last minute to buy their "nearest and dearests" a gift and are now stuck giving her a slim jim and a coke. I wonder how many accidents today will be due to the guys stuck with those high maintenance chicks and are therefore having to brave the elements and their necks to get that "perfect gift" or else check their "package" at the door.
I must remind my husband AGAIN how lucky he is that I am LOW maintenance and could give a rat's ass about SAINT Valentine's Day. (Or I am the worst kind--I AM high maintenance but I THINK I'm low maintenance? No comments on that from the peanut gallery please. I would like to live in my little dream world a little longer, thank you.)
I must remind my husband AGAIN how lucky he is that I am LOW maintenance and could give a rat's ass about SAINT Valentine's Day. (Or I am the worst kind--I AM high maintenance but I THINK I'm low maintenance? No comments on that from the peanut gallery please. I would like to live in my little dream world a little longer, thank you.)
Point of Interest
This is the second "snow day" of the year for Mary. Usually, the school system builds in around 3 extra days just for this purpose. IF this lovely weather continues, and they cancel too many days, it may cause the school year to stretch out longer at the end of the year--which will interfere with the proposed June 21-24 dates for Geekfest.
Hey, I'm NOT missing Geekfest. Mary'll just have to miss a few days at the end of the year--when I'm sure they'll just be playing bingo or hangman or whatever anyway.
...Maybe we'll be lucky and they'll just cut the winter or spring breaks short.
Hey, I'm NOT missing Geekfest. Mary'll just have to miss a few days at the end of the year--when I'm sure they'll just be playing bingo or hangman or whatever anyway.
...Maybe we'll be lucky and they'll just cut the winter or spring breaks short.
I made it in this morning
There was at least 4-6 extra inches on my driveway this morning. I'm grateful most of my drive is on the highway because the roads were pretty clean. The side streets weren't even too bad. Everyone behaved themselves this morning in my path to the sitter and to work--drive was pretty steady and smooth.
At one point I was on a back road behind a snow plow. I had to stay way back. Everything the poor guy was plowing was blowing right back onto the road. And right behind him, I'm driving directly into a big white cloud--visibility negative. Keith thought it was cool.
When I got up this morning at 5:15, I checked the news and Mary's school wasn't closed--Rochester City Schools, but not Penfield. This was really no surprise as even though there was snow on the ground, it didn't look too bad outside. I meant to check the news again before I left, but I didn't get a chance. I left about 15 minutes earlier than normal--and got to work about 10 minutes late. (Not too bad, actually. Darn snow plow slowed me down!) But I get here, and the girls start talking, and then I come to find out that they DID eventually close Mary's school this morning (two of my co-workers have kids in the same school district). ARGH! Quick phone call to John: he's going to stay home with her and try to work from home.
No Girl Scouts tonight. Darn!
We're supposed to get another 4-8 inches before the end of the day. Wonder what the drive home will be like?
At one point I was on a back road behind a snow plow. I had to stay way back. Everything the poor guy was plowing was blowing right back onto the road. And right behind him, I'm driving directly into a big white cloud--visibility negative. Keith thought it was cool.
When I got up this morning at 5:15, I checked the news and Mary's school wasn't closed--Rochester City Schools, but not Penfield. This was really no surprise as even though there was snow on the ground, it didn't look too bad outside. I meant to check the news again before I left, but I didn't get a chance. I left about 15 minutes earlier than normal--and got to work about 10 minutes late. (Not too bad, actually. Darn snow plow slowed me down!) But I get here, and the girls start talking, and then I come to find out that they DID eventually close Mary's school this morning (two of my co-workers have kids in the same school district). ARGH! Quick phone call to John: he's going to stay home with her and try to work from home.
No Girl Scouts tonight. Darn!
We're supposed to get another 4-8 inches before the end of the day. Wonder what the drive home will be like?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Big Storm's A-Comin'
Went to the grocery store on my lunch with a co-worker just to pick up a few things. We're short on milk (um...house with three kids--we're ALWAYS short on milk) and I was craving pot pies for dinner tonight. Wow. The store was PACKED. Not only are we contending with the last minute oh-crap-I-haven't-bought-her-anything-yet-for-Valentine's-Day rush, but everyone is in a panic mode due to the lovely storm heading our way.
As my co-worker and I got headed back to work, she looked down at her gas gauge and realized, "Whoa! I'm in the red!" She dropped me off and headed to the gas station just down the road. Took her over 20 minutes. Each lane was stacked THREE cars. Glad I filled up yesterday.
Anyrate, they are predicting the storm is supposed to hit around 5:00 tonight. If that's accurate, I will have to race to get home before it hits. Nothing I hate more than being stuck in traffic on the highway with the kids in a snowstorm.
Odds are, school will be out for Valentine's Day. And then I would have to cancel our Girl Scout meeting--two meetings in a row. I don't even mind. The weather's been so cold and crappy in general, it's not phasing me to miss a few Girl Scout meetings ONE BIT. :-)
As my co-worker and I got headed back to work, she looked down at her gas gauge and realized, "Whoa! I'm in the red!" She dropped me off and headed to the gas station just down the road. Took her over 20 minutes. Each lane was stacked THREE cars. Glad I filled up yesterday.
Anyrate, they are predicting the storm is supposed to hit around 5:00 tonight. If that's accurate, I will have to race to get home before it hits. Nothing I hate more than being stuck in traffic on the highway with the kids in a snowstorm.
Odds are, school will be out for Valentine's Day. And then I would have to cancel our Girl Scout meeting--two meetings in a row. I don't even mind. The weather's been so cold and crappy in general, it's not phasing me to miss a few Girl Scout meetings ONE BIT. :-)
Monday, February 12, 2007
Date Night
John and I went out on a date Friday night. A real, honest-to-gosh, had-to-find-and-pay-for-a-babysitter, just the TWO of us, night all to ourselves. The world must be coming to an end. John and I haven't gotten a real babysitter and gotten out of the house together for almost two years! I mean, we went to the movies when we were home last November, but I don't count that since the kids were already in bed at Grandma's, so it was more of a "sneak out"--and we didn't have to pay for the sitter.
We spent our night of "freedom" at a concert at the armory. Let me say, Rusted Root kicks ASS in concert!!!! We weren't sure how to conduct ourselves without the kids. We walk in and are accosted by a security guard armed with a marker and the question, "Are you folks planning on drinking?" No! Wait! Uhhh, I don't know.... John??? Well, no, I guess not. Thankfully, the guy figured out the uncertainty on our faces and said, "Well, if you change your mind, just show your IDs to buy your beer tickets," as he marked a big "X" on our hands. Not ten minutes later, John's craving a beer. Well, DUH! So I went up and got a "beer stamp" on my hand and bought two $5.00 beers. I only drank half of mine and got to feeling fine (absolutely no tolerance anymore after all the years of pregnancies and nursing and therefore no drinking), so John got a little bonus beer. Then the groupie standing behind us kept filling John's cup, too.
I didn't even feel real ancient as there was quite the age span there--from 16-year olds to some very "mature" hippies. The groupie standing behind us (he goes to ALL the Rusted Root concerts, man!) was at least late 50s or early 60s--and quite "lit." As were ALL the folks standing around us. I was beginning to think John and I were the only ones in the whole place not lighting up.
I must say again, Rusted Root was AWESOME. Spot on and just incredible live. I may have to go out and buy their live album now. The opening band was pretty good, too. Can't remember their name, but they had a fiddler and a pretty good sound.
The kids behaved for the sitter (of course--they are always angels around others). The only mishaps was some spilt hot chocolate (Keith does it EVERY time--no surprise there) and Izzy waking up right before we got home crying and looking for us. The baby sitter managed to calm Izzy down and get her to back to sleep (oh, she's a keeper!).
So we thoroughly enjoyed our night sans children and are hoping to repeat it sometime before another two years go by. Let's hope!
Rusted Root tickets: $47.00
Beer: $10.00
Babysitter: $30.00
A night without children: oh--you know the rest. :-)
We spent our night of "freedom" at a concert at the armory. Let me say, Rusted Root kicks ASS in concert!!!! We weren't sure how to conduct ourselves without the kids. We walk in and are accosted by a security guard armed with a marker and the question, "Are you folks planning on drinking?" No! Wait! Uhhh, I don't know.... John??? Well, no, I guess not. Thankfully, the guy figured out the uncertainty on our faces and said, "Well, if you change your mind, just show your IDs to buy your beer tickets," as he marked a big "X" on our hands. Not ten minutes later, John's craving a beer. Well, DUH! So I went up and got a "beer stamp" on my hand and bought two $5.00 beers. I only drank half of mine and got to feeling fine (absolutely no tolerance anymore after all the years of pregnancies and nursing and therefore no drinking), so John got a little bonus beer. Then the groupie standing behind us kept filling John's cup, too.
I didn't even feel real ancient as there was quite the age span there--from 16-year olds to some very "mature" hippies. The groupie standing behind us (he goes to ALL the Rusted Root concerts, man!) was at least late 50s or early 60s--and quite "lit." As were ALL the folks standing around us. I was beginning to think John and I were the only ones in the whole place not lighting up.
I must say again, Rusted Root was AWESOME. Spot on and just incredible live. I may have to go out and buy their live album now. The opening band was pretty good, too. Can't remember their name, but they had a fiddler and a pretty good sound.
The kids behaved for the sitter (of course--they are always angels around others). The only mishaps was some spilt hot chocolate (Keith does it EVERY time--no surprise there) and Izzy waking up right before we got home crying and looking for us. The baby sitter managed to calm Izzy down and get her to back to sleep (oh, she's a keeper!).
So we thoroughly enjoyed our night sans children and are hoping to repeat it sometime before another two years go by. Let's hope!
Rusted Root tickets: $47.00
Beer: $10.00
Babysitter: $30.00
A night without children: oh--you know the rest. :-)
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
I must be a Superstar....
...or at LEAST a "hair" model. That's the impression the stylist tried to leave me when I finally broke down yesterday and got a haircut. Yes, due to the time constraint that is my life, it's been about six months since I got a haircut. (And thankfully, I have the type of style where I can pull that off!) Part of the problem is that we moved, and I haven't been brave enough to try new stylists out where we live. I loved my beauty shop in Scottsville--local ladies with local gossip (one girl sends her son--who is only two months older than Izzy--to the same daycare) and reasonable prices. Not really knowing where to go out in Penfield, and not really having time on the weekends to go anyway, I decided to take the plunge and get my hair cut at the mall yesterday during my lunch hour. I've had issues with Regis in the past--those girls never seemed to listen to what I wanted--so I was brave and went to JCPenny's.
What was I thinking? First off, this is a "SALON", not just a beauty shop across the street. That word should be spelled $ALON. I knew I was in trouble the second I walked in and heard my stylist selling products to the client trying to get out the door. Great. Can I really afford to be in here?
Well, heck with it! It's been six months since my last hair cut! I think that merits a real salon-type cut!
That's when the fascination began--of my stylist with my beautiful hair. I shouldn't complain--it's not often I get someone throwing that many compliments out to me like that. But then the "selling" began. While she washed my beautiful hair, I got chastised for using a certain brand shampoo because it has plastics in it--and therefore damages it and wears it down. (I'm not sure if she recognized my wry smile when later during my beauty treatment she was recommending a product to me which is made of silicone.) Yes, I got a nice, detailed description of every product she used in my hair--I counted at least seven from wash to blow dry. But I got to give her some credit. She wasn't really nagging at me to buy these things, she was just telling me about them in great description--you know, just in case I might want to buy them.
I had her dry my hair since it was negative temperatures outside with the wind chill. She dried and straightened my naturally wavy hair into a very sleek style (with help of said silicone-based product). I must say, I looked great. I was kind of embarrassed to have such a nice coiffure when I was wearing a sweatshirt, jeans, and my snowboots--just didn't fit! Not to mention having to put my hat on such perfect, beautifully-styled hair, so I could get to the car without my head freezing off.
Yes, I enjoyed my little foray into the world of superstar models. Too bad the modeling agency or movie producer wasn't footing the bill for me, though. What do they do--charge you $5 for every product they use? No, I shouldn't complain. I know of a few girls at work who pay more than I did (silly, silly women!). But I really do need to start talking to some of the moms I'm running into to find a decent stylist that I can afford. *sigh* It was fun while it lasted.
What was I thinking? First off, this is a "SALON", not just a beauty shop across the street. That word should be spelled $ALON. I knew I was in trouble the second I walked in and heard my stylist selling products to the client trying to get out the door. Great. Can I really afford to be in here?
Well, heck with it! It's been six months since my last hair cut! I think that merits a real salon-type cut!
That's when the fascination began--of my stylist with my beautiful hair. I shouldn't complain--it's not often I get someone throwing that many compliments out to me like that. But then the "selling" began. While she washed my beautiful hair, I got chastised for using a certain brand shampoo because it has plastics in it--and therefore damages it and wears it down. (I'm not sure if she recognized my wry smile when later during my beauty treatment she was recommending a product to me which is made of silicone.) Yes, I got a nice, detailed description of every product she used in my hair--I counted at least seven from wash to blow dry. But I got to give her some credit. She wasn't really nagging at me to buy these things, she was just telling me about them in great description--you know, just in case I might want to buy them.
I had her dry my hair since it was negative temperatures outside with the wind chill. She dried and straightened my naturally wavy hair into a very sleek style (with help of said silicone-based product). I must say, I looked great. I was kind of embarrassed to have such a nice coiffure when I was wearing a sweatshirt, jeans, and my snowboots--just didn't fit! Not to mention having to put my hat on such perfect, beautifully-styled hair, so I could get to the car without my head freezing off.
Yes, I enjoyed my little foray into the world of superstar models. Too bad the modeling agency or movie producer wasn't footing the bill for me, though. What do they do--charge you $5 for every product they use? No, I shouldn't complain. I know of a few girls at work who pay more than I did (silly, silly women!). But I really do need to start talking to some of the moms I'm running into to find a decent stylist that I can afford. *sigh* It was fun while it lasted.
Tensions are Mounting
Contract negotiations are NOT going well--at least that's the impression my Union is leaving us. And, yes, my particular work group's job is certainly one of the "bargaining chips." Just since Monday we've lost our work and then gained it right back! It's causing quite a stir here in the office as management and union members are getting catty and pointing fingers. Not good. I try not to get swept up in all the hype, as I know that up to the midnight hour of negotiations, any kind of proposal can be thrown on the table and accepted or declined. All I know for 100% sure right now is that our one-week contract extension runs out at midnight tonight--and the company and the union are no where NEAR tackling most of the main issues. Hopefully, they will extend again (for a more reasonable period of time than a week!) and get the ball rolling. Until then, I'm keeping in mind one of my acquaintance's sayings, "There are two good jobs: the one you're leaving, and the one you're going to." Getting laid off or a huge pay cut may just be the kick in the pants I need to make some much-needed changes in my life!
Monday, February 05, 2007
WOO HOO!
Yay! Colts won!
Of course, the second half of the game was so boring, I dozed off on the couch when there were five minutes left. Not even the commercials kept my interest. Pretty blah event, but I'm still pretty psyched that the Colts did it. And Prince was pretty cool.
I'm sure I would feel the hype more if we were living in Indiana, but the fact is, I almost forgot this WAS Super Bowl Sunday. Inexcusable, I know.
Bitter cold here. Most of the schools were closed today. Not Mary's, though. Most of the kids at her school are bussed, so I guess they didn't feel the need to close. Of course, Mary has a very long walk from her stop to her sitter's house. John decided to pick her up from school instead (I did find out when I called that her sitter WAS planning on meeting Mary at the stop in the car; just too far to walk in this cold). BRRRR!!!!
We let the older two kids watch the first Harry Potter this weekend. Now, I'm pretty sure that we let them see it last year--but with the disclaimer, as always that this is just PRETEND with guys in costumes and animation and such--no REAL monsters here! Now I'm thinking maybe it was only Mary we let watch the movie. Anyway, they watched and enjoyed it thoroughly. Keith needed constant reminders of the "just pretend; guys in costumes" as he seemed to get nervous while watching it. Mary was fine--until the movie ended. Then it was time for bed, and I swear I kept expecting her to wring her hands she was so anxious that she might might have nightmares. All the calm, blue-in-the-face assurances of "fake, NOT real, PRETEND, GUYS IN COSTUMES" etc. did nothing to appease her. I think she actually worked herself into being scared. Next thing I know, she's crawling in bed with me (yeah, I was an exhausted wimp Saturday night and went to bed at 9:00).
Sunday Keith and Mary spent almost the whole day playing "Harry Potter." Keith was in his element playing Harry and Voldemort (complete with pretend "face" on the back of his head). No more anxious behavior from Mary. She did ask when she could see the second movie. Well, I guess when she gets through the first one without ending up in my bed kicking me all night! Anyway, now I'm sure we've started a trend. I'm expecting to see the "Harry Potter" game being played every day for the next three months. Wouldn't surprise me if Keith wants to be Harry the next Halloween...
Of course, the second half of the game was so boring, I dozed off on the couch when there were five minutes left. Not even the commercials kept my interest. Pretty blah event, but I'm still pretty psyched that the Colts did it. And Prince was pretty cool.
I'm sure I would feel the hype more if we were living in Indiana, but the fact is, I almost forgot this WAS Super Bowl Sunday. Inexcusable, I know.
Bitter cold here. Most of the schools were closed today. Not Mary's, though. Most of the kids at her school are bussed, so I guess they didn't feel the need to close. Of course, Mary has a very long walk from her stop to her sitter's house. John decided to pick her up from school instead (I did find out when I called that her sitter WAS planning on meeting Mary at the stop in the car; just too far to walk in this cold). BRRRR!!!!
We let the older two kids watch the first Harry Potter this weekend. Now, I'm pretty sure that we let them see it last year--but with the disclaimer, as always that this is just PRETEND with guys in costumes and animation and such--no REAL monsters here! Now I'm thinking maybe it was only Mary we let watch the movie. Anyway, they watched and enjoyed it thoroughly. Keith needed constant reminders of the "just pretend; guys in costumes" as he seemed to get nervous while watching it. Mary was fine--until the movie ended. Then it was time for bed, and I swear I kept expecting her to wring her hands she was so anxious that she might might have nightmares. All the calm, blue-in-the-face assurances of "fake, NOT real, PRETEND, GUYS IN COSTUMES" etc. did nothing to appease her. I think she actually worked herself into being scared. Next thing I know, she's crawling in bed with me (yeah, I was an exhausted wimp Saturday night and went to bed at 9:00).
Sunday Keith and Mary spent almost the whole day playing "Harry Potter." Keith was in his element playing Harry and Voldemort (complete with pretend "face" on the back of his head). No more anxious behavior from Mary. She did ask when she could see the second movie. Well, I guess when she gets through the first one without ending up in my bed kicking me all night! Anyway, now I'm sure we've started a trend. I'm expecting to see the "Harry Potter" game being played every day for the next three months. Wouldn't surprise me if Keith wants to be Harry the next Halloween...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Raw Chicken Conspiracy
All you mothers know what I'm talking about here. It's the phenomenon where you've just come off a quasi-vegetarian diet, so you decide to actually fix chicken for dinner for the first time in well over a year. Forgetting the conspiracy, you nonchalantly open the package of chicken breasts, take 'em out, put them on the cutting board, and get your hands all over their sliminess while cutting off all the gnarblys (as co-worker calls them), and paring them into more manageable, kid-friendly pieces. Suddenly, elbow deep in salmonella and other funky bacteria juices, you hear the call/scream from the other room. ONE of the children has just gone poopy and needs you to wipe, or he/she ran around the corner WITH SCISSORS, banged into the armoire, and has an open, gushing wound OR more simply, your hair tie falls out and suddenly all your hair falls in front of your face--you can't pull it back due to the sliminess, but you can't leave it DOWN, either, 'cause then you're getting HAIR in your dinner!!!!
AUGH!!!!
The first event happened to me last night. I completely forgot about the conspiracy. And even worse, I KNEW the kid was on the potty. I kept checking and checking on her, but after no go for several minutes, I thought "Oh, I'll just start dinner while I'm waiting for her." Oh yeah. There's a REASON you don't want to start dinner until AFTER potty time. 'Cause Lord help you if you leave that kid sitting there for more than 15 seconds after they've gone. Not only does their butt get stuck in the butt insert, but then they start freaking out and might, just might, start viewing potty training as a scary, freaky event, stop doing it, and then not re-learn it again for another six months! It's a precarious time! You CAN'T screw it up!!
My friend Sybill had the second event happen to her. I completely forgot her words of foreboding and how she now wrangles every kid (she now has four) into one small circle and barks, "Whatever you do! Don't move! I'm touching the chicken now!"
Yes, I fell victim to the conspiracy again. But I remember now. I'll be more diligent now.
AUGH!!!!
The first event happened to me last night. I completely forgot about the conspiracy. And even worse, I KNEW the kid was on the potty. I kept checking and checking on her, but after no go for several minutes, I thought "Oh, I'll just start dinner while I'm waiting for her." Oh yeah. There's a REASON you don't want to start dinner until AFTER potty time. 'Cause Lord help you if you leave that kid sitting there for more than 15 seconds after they've gone. Not only does their butt get stuck in the butt insert, but then they start freaking out and might, just might, start viewing potty training as a scary, freaky event, stop doing it, and then not re-learn it again for another six months! It's a precarious time! You CAN'T screw it up!!
My friend Sybill had the second event happen to her. I completely forgot her words of foreboding and how she now wrangles every kid (she now has four) into one small circle and barks, "Whatever you do! Don't move! I'm touching the chicken now!"
Yes, I fell victim to the conspiracy again. But I remember now. I'll be more diligent now.
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