I've started listening to Christmas music -- I succumb to Bri's praise of Pandora once again.
And, I can't really complain. when they throw in some not-Christmassy music, I can fix it pretty quickly. And, a couple wrong songs (not that they're not GOOD songs ... just not what I want) is a very small song to pay for Bing and Sinatra ... and NO. FRIGGIN'. "LAST CHRISTMAS by FRIGGIN' WHAM!"!
(I declare that if I hear that song once more in my lifetime, I will not be held accountable for my actions. I've heard it THAT. MANY. TIMES. in the last 365 days. Yes, just last year. Oh, my stinking heck ... is that song overplayed!)
BUT, I'm not here to threaten violence due to an 80s song. No.
I have things to share! Nice wonderful things. That make me tear up ... because under my layers of sarcasm and self-depreciating humor, my dears, I am a SAP.
So here goes:
In the spirit of the season, "Shepherds go find the baby Jesus" at Chased by Children.
(*insert me sobbing* "I LOVE the baby Jesus!!"*)
And since I haven't been through anything like this, I really can't RELATE ... but it makes me feel good to know that there are people out there, totally wonderful and compassionate people who are helping to comfort those that mourn one of the hardest losses that I can contemplate: Strollerderby - Capturing Joy During Most Painful Loss.
And then, there's this couple. They're ballet dancers. They're very good. And ... well, she lost an arm in a car accident. He lost one leg during his childhood.
They amaze me. I only wish that we showed such persistence in striving to better the world.
And since I can't have you leaving thinking that I'm all deep and stuff, here's something that makes me laugh. Because laughing is good for you.
The Writers' Strike Version of House, M.D.
*snrk!* I love that.
Now back to my Christmas music. It looks like Pandora is choosing excellently once again. (Thanks Bri!)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Some random videos
This first one makes me miss those school and church dances.
These two are too cool fo' school, dawg. I would totally crush on them if I were about a decade younger.
And here are some guys. I know them from high school.
And now I'm about crying from laughing. And missing them rather badly.
Check out this video: DragonMonkey
Add to My Profile | More Videos
The narrator? I've only known him since second grade.
Dragon Monkey? I first met him in junior high. He's just as hilarious (if not more so) when he's not playing a martial arts character.
And the contender? I still crack up about things that he's said.
I also found that another of my high school friends got together with another mutual friend (his old roommate) and they went surfing together. they also have a video on MySpace.
And, dang if I'm not feeling all nostalgic and crap. What would I do differently? What would I have done the same? How much I miss my old group (Hint: Theater freaks rock so dang much. We didn't need to drink at our parties. We were already a little crazy). ... And then there were my church friends who I never get together with enough, either. *sigh*
Well, I need to actually get productive today. There's a lesson to be planned for the Cub Scout Pack meeting (Even if I sometimes forget that I'm cubmaster, that doesn't mean that anyone else is going to let me get away wtih not having crap planned. Right? Right. So onto planning and executing those plans. ... Now I have a mental image of myself guillotining my Pack Meeting Plans. Ha ha ha.), dishes to be done, books to finish, meals to cook (Okay, who'm I kididng? MEAL to be cooked. I barely cook ... unless I get a strong desire to try something new or to make something that I REALLY want to eat) ... oh, and I need a shower. No denying that one.
So, let's get moving. Fun, fun, fun.
These two are too cool fo' school, dawg. I would totally crush on them if I were about a decade younger.
And here are some guys. I know them from high school.
And now I'm about crying from laughing. And missing them rather badly.
Check out this video: DragonMonkey
Add to My Profile | More Videos
The narrator? I've only known him since second grade.
Dragon Monkey? I first met him in junior high. He's just as hilarious (if not more so) when he's not playing a martial arts character.
And the contender? I still crack up about things that he's said.
I also found that another of my high school friends got together with another mutual friend (his old roommate) and they went surfing together. they also have a video on MySpace.
And, dang if I'm not feeling all nostalgic and crap. What would I do differently? What would I have done the same? How much I miss my old group (Hint: Theater freaks rock so dang much. We didn't need to drink at our parties. We were already a little crazy). ... And then there were my church friends who I never get together with enough, either. *sigh*
Well, I need to actually get productive today. There's a lesson to be planned for the Cub Scout Pack meeting (Even if I sometimes forget that I'm cubmaster, that doesn't mean that anyone else is going to let me get away wtih not having crap planned. Right? Right. So onto planning and executing those plans. ... Now I have a mental image of myself guillotining my Pack Meeting Plans. Ha ha ha.), dishes to be done, books to finish, meals to cook (Okay, who'm I kididng? MEAL to be cooked. I barely cook ... unless I get a strong desire to try something new or to make something that I REALLY want to eat) ... oh, and I need a shower. No denying that one.
So, let's get moving. Fun, fun, fun.
For Bri and Melissa
Bri <3 the LOLrus.
Melissa pink puffy hearts LOLcats.
THIS is the perfect gift. Merry Christmas!
Melissa pink puffy hearts LOLcats.
THIS is the perfect gift. Merry Christmas!
Monday, November 26, 2007
I smell like puke
No, really. I do.
And it's not because Bucket's sick. In fact, she's not coughing today.
It's due to some strange chemical reaction between my yummy smelling bath stuffs (gardenia-scented soap and bubble bath ... and that B&BW Monoi bath milk) and some yaers-old berry-scented lotion.
I smelled fine until I added the berry. Then I ... smell like puke.
That lotion's gone to the big dumpster in the sky. Or the bathroom's trashcan.
Whichever's closer.
I think I'm going to take another shower. So I'll smell like a pretty girl.
Not like a sad, sad airsickness bag.
And it's not because Bucket's sick. In fact, she's not coughing today.
It's due to some strange chemical reaction between my yummy smelling bath stuffs (gardenia-scented soap and bubble bath ... and that B&BW Monoi bath milk) and some yaers-old berry-scented lotion.
I smelled fine until I added the berry. Then I ... smell like puke.
That lotion's gone to the big dumpster in the sky. Or the bathroom's trashcan.
Whichever's closer.
I think I'm going to take another shower. So I'll smell like a pretty girl.
Not like a sad, sad airsickness bag.
Recovering from Thanksgiving
I'll be honest. I'm glad to be home.
It's also honest to say that I'm sorry that our families don't live closer. It's nice to get together.
Still, it's VERY nice to sleep in our own bed and have the kiddos in their own room. VERY, VERY nice. Especially when the kidlets (namely BRUISE) keep getting into things that are not child-friendly. Or when Bruise breaks a glass-fronted nightlight-thing (which did freak him the H out ... which we were a little grateful for. Maybe he'll be more careful next time). *sigh*
Wednesday night, when we arrived at Michael's folks' place, the kidlets didn't go to sleep until ... at least 10 or 11. No clock in our room. I used the term "Dammit" a few times. Kids were awake early.
Oh, and while the kiddos weren't sleeping, they were climbing out of their pack-n-plays onto the bed in "our" room.
Here's a little look to show you why I may be looking more tired than usual:
SCENE: Bucket climbs out of her "crib" directly onto the bed. She steps on my legs. Walks up to my head and flops down between Michael and myself.
*poke* "Mommy's EYE." "*resigned to a night with NO sleep* Yes, baby. That's Mommy's eye. Careful, please."
*poke* Mommy's NOSSSE" "Uh-huh"
*PAT* Mommy's HAAAIHHR" "Yes, baby. Good job. Shhh, please. Go to sleep. You're being a little loud."
"Ssssssssh!!! Daddy S'eepiiin."
(Because, obviously, her VERY cranky mommy is NOT.")
This was after Bruise rifled through all of Uncle D's stuff (whose room we were staying in), which made me just a LITTLE apoplectic.
Also, Bruise would climb out of his crib at dark-thirty in the morning, crawl his way up the bed, and promptly fall back asleep once he was cuddled. Which is rather cute.
Bruise probably ate his body weight in tangerines. I don't blame him. They're good. However, I'll say that they come out (of him, at least) looking VERY recognizable. And smelling much, much worse for the wear.
We didn't buy anything on black Friday. Which was nice ... except for the fact it's because money's tight. But, hey, we'll be ready for Christmas somehow. ^_^ I think we might start decorating today. That'd be nice. I need to find a CD player so I can start pumping in the tunes ... or, you know, I could just use iTunes and my computer. ^_^
Uncle D loved the pumpkin bread that I brought. And I think that the orange mini-muffins went over well. I got to eat pumpkin pie. And peach pie. And pecan pie. And some apple pie. Mom C's stuffing/dressing was really good. People laughed when I said that if I wasn't married to her son that the stuffing'd have me proposing.
Oh, on the way down, we were able to stop by my Nana's. We got custard. (I've always loved Nana's custard. The kiddos really didn't eat too much of it. They mostly wanted to run around and play ... and after driving a couple hours, I can't say that I blamed them. And, hey, more custard for me!)
On the way back, we saw my dad and L. I got L's computer set up. She now can surf the net and we can EMAIL each other! Yay!!!! If nothing else, I can always send pictures of the kiddos. Which makes me very happy.
I have to plan a pack meeting for tomorrow. Wish me luck. ^_^ And I'm dealing with a little girl who's screaming for attention ... and a little boy who wants to deet ALL frackin' DAY.
I'm ready to get back to normal, I think. Or at least as normal as I get. *sigh*
It's also honest to say that I'm sorry that our families don't live closer. It's nice to get together.
Still, it's VERY nice to sleep in our own bed and have the kiddos in their own room. VERY, VERY nice. Especially when the kidlets (namely BRUISE) keep getting into things that are not child-friendly. Or when Bruise breaks a glass-fronted nightlight-thing (which did freak him the H out ... which we were a little grateful for. Maybe he'll be more careful next time). *sigh*
Wednesday night, when we arrived at Michael's folks' place, the kidlets didn't go to sleep until ... at least 10 or 11. No clock in our room. I used the term "Dammit" a few times. Kids were awake early.
Oh, and while the kiddos weren't sleeping, they were climbing out of their pack-n-plays onto the bed in "our" room.
Here's a little look to show you why I may be looking more tired than usual:
SCENE: Bucket climbs out of her "crib" directly onto the bed. She steps on my legs. Walks up to my head and flops down between Michael and myself.
*poke* "Mommy's EYE." "*resigned to a night with NO sleep* Yes, baby. That's Mommy's eye. Careful, please."
*poke* Mommy's NOSSSE" "Uh-huh"
*PAT* Mommy's HAAAIHHR" "Yes, baby. Good job. Shhh, please. Go to sleep. You're being a little loud."
"Ssssssssh!!! Daddy S'eepiiin."
(Because, obviously, her VERY cranky mommy is NOT.")
This was after Bruise rifled through all of Uncle D's stuff (whose room we were staying in), which made me just a LITTLE apoplectic.
Also, Bruise would climb out of his crib at dark-thirty in the morning, crawl his way up the bed, and promptly fall back asleep once he was cuddled. Which is rather cute.
Bruise probably ate his body weight in tangerines. I don't blame him. They're good. However, I'll say that they come out (of him, at least) looking VERY recognizable. And smelling much, much worse for the wear.
We didn't buy anything on black Friday. Which was nice ... except for the fact it's because money's tight. But, hey, we'll be ready for Christmas somehow. ^_^ I think we might start decorating today. That'd be nice. I need to find a CD player so I can start pumping in the tunes ... or, you know, I could just use iTunes and my computer. ^_^
Uncle D loved the pumpkin bread that I brought. And I think that the orange mini-muffins went over well. I got to eat pumpkin pie. And peach pie. And pecan pie. And some apple pie. Mom C's stuffing/dressing was really good. People laughed when I said that if I wasn't married to her son that the stuffing'd have me proposing.
Oh, on the way down, we were able to stop by my Nana's. We got custard. (I've always loved Nana's custard. The kiddos really didn't eat too much of it. They mostly wanted to run around and play ... and after driving a couple hours, I can't say that I blamed them. And, hey, more custard for me!)
On the way back, we saw my dad and L. I got L's computer set up. She now can surf the net and we can EMAIL each other! Yay!!!! If nothing else, I can always send pictures of the kiddos. Which makes me very happy.
I have to plan a pack meeting for tomorrow. Wish me luck. ^_^ And I'm dealing with a little girl who's screaming for attention ... and a little boy who wants to deet ALL frackin' DAY.
I'm ready to get back to normal, I think. Or at least as normal as I get. *sigh*
What's in a name?
I know that, at some point, I should get a nice, decent name/title/THING for this blog. I mean, yeah, I started it in the earlier days of Blogger as a secondary blog (my at-the-time primary didn't host pictures). ...
I mean, I agonize over what to name a cat nowadays. How can I name a blog? Something that is my little vignette that I present to the world. (And, also, how pretentious can I BE? I mean, I just used the term "Vignette!")
Which got me thinking ... My name sometimes makes me laugh. When people say it really fast, (my first and last name), some people hear it as "Monica."
(As an aside, I'm not very much at ALL like Monica Gellar. My house is messy. And I think that I give good backrubs. And, though I do like cooking -- at times -- I'm SO not a chef.)
I feel the desire to rename my blog. But I don't know what exactly I'm going to choose. Maybe I'll just try choosing a different name for it and changing it when I feel that I don't like it quite as much as I would like to (That's the reason my blog's not named "RannaRee" at present).
I mean, Michael and I worked HARD when we were picking out our kiddos' names. Bruise's name ... we had that one picked out. I knew that I wanted my Pop-pop's name in there. Michael wanted our first boy to be named for his Grandpa as well. Bruise's initials were going to be CJB[last initial] ... but we couldn't ever find a C-name that we liked. So I get my little boy named for my Pop-pop. And we had that name picked out before we every got pregnant. I think that I knew I wanted my Pop-pop's name for a boy before I got married.
Bucket ... her name was harder. I originally had a name that I picked out when I was in high school -- the middle names of my Nana and Grandma. As time went by ... and, even in utero, she just didn't seem like that name. So we had to think and work and try to get something that fit and was pretty and that we loved ... since we knew that we'd be saying it for the next fifty+ years.
Since, when we were doing the final namings, we didn't know the genders of our babies, we had to plan for a boy-girl set of twins, a boy-boy set, and a girl-girl set.
I really, really hoped that we wouldn't have a girl-girl set of twins. Not because I would have loved them any less ... but because we still don't have a second girl's name. We have names that we like ... but not a girl's first name-middle name mix that we adore and are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to use.
We do have a boy's name picked out. And it's awesome. Even though we have some friends who've used the same first name for some of their boy children (different families ... it's not like George Foreman, who has all [ALL!!] his children named for him).
The only bad thing about Bruise's name is that it's rather close to that of his eldest cousin's ... who's a girl ... But, since I usually refer to Bruise by his first and middle name when he's getting into mischief, it's not a huge deal.
Besides, when Bruise worked his way out of my uterus, and I saw him for that second ... I KNEW that I chose right. Which was very good, since we had filled out all the birth certificate paperwork prior to their birth. Since we had about a week in the hospital before they made their appearance.
But, now, for my blog? I don't know what to call it. *sigh* Well, either you'll give me some excellent suggestions, I'll have a dream-revelation, or I'll just start trying on names like shoes at Payless. We'll see.
I mean, I agonize over what to name a cat nowadays. How can I name a blog? Something that is my little vignette that I present to the world. (And, also, how pretentious can I BE? I mean, I just used the term "Vignette!")
Which got me thinking ... My name sometimes makes me laugh. When people say it really fast, (my first and last name), some people hear it as "Monica."
(As an aside, I'm not very much at ALL like Monica Gellar. My house is messy. And I think that I give good backrubs. And, though I do like cooking -- at times -- I'm SO not a chef.)
I feel the desire to rename my blog. But I don't know what exactly I'm going to choose. Maybe I'll just try choosing a different name for it and changing it when I feel that I don't like it quite as much as I would like to (That's the reason my blog's not named "RannaRee" at present).
I mean, Michael and I worked HARD when we were picking out our kiddos' names. Bruise's name ... we had that one picked out. I knew that I wanted my Pop-pop's name in there. Michael wanted our first boy to be named for his Grandpa as well. Bruise's initials were going to be CJB[last initial] ... but we couldn't ever find a C-name that we liked. So I get my little boy named for my Pop-pop. And we had that name picked out before we every got pregnant. I think that I knew I wanted my Pop-pop's name for a boy before I got married.
Bucket ... her name was harder. I originally had a name that I picked out when I was in high school -- the middle names of my Nana and Grandma. As time went by ... and, even in utero, she just didn't seem like that name. So we had to think and work and try to get something that fit and was pretty and that we loved ... since we knew that we'd be saying it for the next fifty+ years.
Since, when we were doing the final namings, we didn't know the genders of our babies, we had to plan for a boy-girl set of twins, a boy-boy set, and a girl-girl set.
I really, really hoped that we wouldn't have a girl-girl set of twins. Not because I would have loved them any less ... but because we still don't have a second girl's name. We have names that we like ... but not a girl's first name-middle name mix that we adore and are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to use.
We do have a boy's name picked out. And it's awesome. Even though we have some friends who've used the same first name for some of their boy children (different families ... it's not like George Foreman, who has all [ALL!!] his children named for him).
The only bad thing about Bruise's name is that it's rather close to that of his eldest cousin's ... who's a girl ... But, since I usually refer to Bruise by his first and middle name when he's getting into mischief, it's not a huge deal.
Besides, when Bruise worked his way out of my uterus, and I saw him for that second ... I KNEW that I chose right. Which was very good, since we had filled out all the birth certificate paperwork prior to their birth. Since we had about a week in the hospital before they made their appearance.
But, now, for my blog? I don't know what to call it. *sigh* Well, either you'll give me some excellent suggestions, I'll have a dream-revelation, or I'll just start trying on names like shoes at Payless. We'll see.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
It's always nice to succeed at something.
Even if it's just an online quiz:
As you can probably guess, we managed to get back home safely after our holiday weekend. Michael's already in his before-church (pre-church?) meetings. I need to get showered and dressed, get the kids to nap, get breakfast ... and I know that I'm not going to finish my book this morning. *sigh*
And, I've already read two books to Bucket ... who's just run back to me
"Nuh buhk!" ("Another book!! Paaaaaaa-leeeeeeeees!")
I guess I know what I'm doing. I'll report more later.
Even if it's just an online quiz:
Your Vocabulary Score: A+ |
 Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person. |
As you can probably guess, we managed to get back home safely after our holiday weekend. Michael's already in his before-church (pre-church?) meetings. I need to get showered and dressed, get the kids to nap, get breakfast ... and I know that I'm not going to finish my book this morning. *sigh*
And, I've already read two books to Bucket ... who's just run back to me
"Nuh buhk!" ("Another book!! Paaaaaaa-leeeeeeeees!")
I guess I know what I'm doing. I'll report more later.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Leavin' ... on a Spaceship ... Don't know what to rhyme with "spaceship" ...
Mostly because anything I come up with is a slant rhyme or not very clever or both.
BUT, here's my results for a cute little quizzy-poo:
So, Melissa and I will have to get a bite to eat at the restaurant at the end of the universe.
And I'm glad that one of my tied-for-second options is Serenity. What?? Jayne's lines are totally quotable!
Jayne: She's a witch?
Wash: Yes. She's had congress with the Beast.
Jayne: ... She's in congress??
Yes, yes. I am a bit geeked out.
Now I have to finish getting ready for Thanksgiving (visiting the in-laws). So, I'm needing to bake a loaf of pumpkin bread to bring down, finish the dishes and packing, take out the trash, get the kids to take a nap, take a shower ... Um ... That's most of it. *sigh* wish me luck, since I only have four hours to get everything done.
I think that's it. Maybe. Wish me luck.
BUT, here's my results for a cute little quizzy-poo:
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Which sci-fi crew would you best fit in with? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You scored as Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) You are a light and humorous person. No one can help but to smile to your wit. Now if only the improbability
|
So, Melissa and I will have to get a bite to eat at the restaurant at the end of the universe.
And I'm glad that one of my tied-for-second options is Serenity. What?? Jayne's lines are totally quotable!
Jayne: She's a witch?
Wash: Yes. She's had congress with the Beast.
Jayne: ... She's in congress??
Yes, yes. I am a bit geeked out.
Now I have to finish getting ready for Thanksgiving (visiting the in-laws). So, I'm needing to bake a loaf of pumpkin bread to bring down, finish the dishes and packing, take out the trash, get the kids to take a nap, take a shower ... Um ... That's most of it. *sigh* wish me luck, since I only have four hours to get everything done.
I think that's it. Maybe. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Influence
(Alternate title: OH my holy heck.)
Seriously, though. Whenever I feel like what I'm doing doesn't matter that much because I'm "just a mom," I'm gonna have to remember this.
Yet another reason I need to get a Nerdfighter pin that says "DFTBA."
(For you non- or not-yet-nerdfighters, it stands for "Don't Forget To Be Awesome."
Back to that video ... Wow. Just wow.
Now I have to work on not yelling at my kids as much, huh?
Seriously, though. Whenever I feel like what I'm doing doesn't matter that much because I'm "just a mom," I'm gonna have to remember this.
Yet another reason I need to get a Nerdfighter pin that says "DFTBA."
(For you non- or not-yet-nerdfighters, it stands for "Don't Forget To Be Awesome."
Back to that video ... Wow. Just wow.
Now I have to work on not yelling at my kids as much, huh?
I guess I'm slipping ...
76%
Since I don't watch all those 'R'-rated movies anymore, I'm really losing my grip on the "cool" movie trivia. :P
I still firmly believe that Gladiator was terrible. And that 300 looks about a billion times cooler. Probably because it's written by Frank Miller. And he's pretty brilliant. In a disturbing kinda way ... But still.
FilmCritic.com - Movie Reviews
Since I don't watch all those 'R'-rated movies anymore, I'm really losing my grip on the "cool" movie trivia. :P
I still firmly believe that Gladiator was terrible. And that 300 looks about a billion times cooler. Probably because it's written by Frank Miller. And he's pretty brilliant. In a disturbing kinda way ... But still.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Lately ...
The van's in the shop, being checked out and all. So the kidlets and I are stuck at home for the time being.
I'm trying to get on top of things for lock-in (a cub scout thing). I need to figure out how to decorate our booth and who to borrow rain gutters from ... if anyone has hints/tips, I'm more than happy to hear them!!
I finally gave up trying to "adjust" my wedding set (it's too big and I can't afford to get it resized right yet), so I'm now wearing my mom's set from when she and my dad were married. It's cute.
Finally, after my in-laws remarking so much about how skinny I seem, I finally weighed myself (and it appears that Bruise and Bucket DIDN'T break the scale by putting it in the bathtub that one time) ... Dude, I lost ten pounds! And I didn't know it! What?!?
Not that I'm complaining. So I only have about ten pounds to lose to get to my goal weight (which takes me to a normal BMI).
We watched Meet the Robinsons last night. SO CUTE! Seriously, it was much better than Michael and I expected. There were parts that kids probably won't get (like a certain spoof of martial arts films) ... but I laughed SO HARD! And Michael was thoroughly pleased as well.
I'm caught up on laundry ... but have procrastinated on finishing up the weekend dishes. May God have mercy on my soul. They'll never get done at this point.
I read The Daring Book for Girls. I have to buy it and the Dangerous Book for Boys. They're both excellent.
I got my iPod working. It wasn't being recognized by the computer ... then it was "corrupted" ... then we couldn't turn it off ... so Michael went to the computer store and they reset it (in about a minute) and it works again. Yay!!
So, yeah. Oh, and my MHN (Mental Health Number) is doing much better. Thanks!
Oh, and Kari? You're so totally right about that Sonicare toothbrush. I pink, puffy heart mine. Happy early Christmas to me! I was able to say "buh-bye" to so much plaque. The backs of my front teeth? They're so flippin' SMOOTH!!! And the back of my bottom teeth are looking/feeling tons (metric tonnes, even) better!
Oh, and I made Michael crack up laughing as we moved the carseats into T2's car (which we're borrowing while the van's in the shop ... I can't drive it [stick shift] but it doesn't matter, since Michael drives it to work anyways) and I was getting frustrated. And I referred to a "gorram seatbelt."
And Michael laughed because, hello!! I'm a Firefly geek!! Next thing you know, I'll be swearing in Mandarin. (First, it'd really help if I actually SPOKE Mandarin.)
So, let's hope and pray that we'll get the van back tomorrow. It'd be really, really, REALLY nice. this way Michael can get to work and I can pick him up from work and we can drive the van down to his folks' for Thanksgiving.
So ... yeah.
I'm trying to get on top of things for lock-in (a cub scout thing). I need to figure out how to decorate our booth and who to borrow rain gutters from ... if anyone has hints/tips, I'm more than happy to hear them!!
I finally gave up trying to "adjust" my wedding set (it's too big and I can't afford to get it resized right yet), so I'm now wearing my mom's set from when she and my dad were married. It's cute.
Finally, after my in-laws remarking so much about how skinny I seem, I finally weighed myself (and it appears that Bruise and Bucket DIDN'T break the scale by putting it in the bathtub that one time) ... Dude, I lost ten pounds! And I didn't know it! What?!?
Not that I'm complaining. So I only have about ten pounds to lose to get to my goal weight (which takes me to a normal BMI).
We watched Meet the Robinsons last night. SO CUTE! Seriously, it was much better than Michael and I expected. There were parts that kids probably won't get (like a certain spoof of martial arts films) ... but I laughed SO HARD! And Michael was thoroughly pleased as well.
I'm caught up on laundry ... but have procrastinated on finishing up the weekend dishes. May God have mercy on my soul. They'll never get done at this point.
I read The Daring Book for Girls. I have to buy it and the Dangerous Book for Boys. They're both excellent.
I got my iPod working. It wasn't being recognized by the computer ... then it was "corrupted" ... then we couldn't turn it off ... so Michael went to the computer store and they reset it (in about a minute) and it works again. Yay!!
So, yeah. Oh, and my MHN (Mental Health Number) is doing much better. Thanks!
Oh, and Kari? You're so totally right about that Sonicare toothbrush. I pink, puffy heart mine. Happy early Christmas to me! I was able to say "buh-bye" to so much plaque. The backs of my front teeth? They're so flippin' SMOOTH!!! And the back of my bottom teeth are looking/feeling tons (metric tonnes, even) better!
Oh, and I made Michael crack up laughing as we moved the carseats into T2's car (which we're borrowing while the van's in the shop ... I can't drive it [stick shift] but it doesn't matter, since Michael drives it to work anyways) and I was getting frustrated. And I referred to a "gorram seatbelt."
And Michael laughed because, hello!! I'm a Firefly geek!! Next thing you know, I'll be swearing in Mandarin. (First, it'd really help if I actually SPOKE Mandarin.)
So, let's hope and pray that we'll get the van back tomorrow. It'd be really, really, REALLY nice. this way Michael can get to work and I can pick him up from work and we can drive the van down to his folks' for Thanksgiving.
So ... yeah.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Latest stuff
Bruise likes to point at things and ask, "Whazz zat??" ("What's that" in case you don't speak Bruise.)
Bucket likes eating dried apples.
I made cinnamon rolls. They're delicious. I eat two because one's sooo good. Then I feel a little sick 'cause they're so rich.
Then I wait a few hours to repeat this process. Because, did I mention this?, they're goooood.
And it looks like our transmission is going out. After two months. Yes, never buy a warranty from Ultimate Warranty (which, it appears, might not exist anymore). SO, since this transmission was guaranteed for one-year, they'd BETTER replace it. Since we're still working on paying for that stinking diagnostic and flush that they refused to cover.
(Yes, that's really the reason that we got so behind on money. Instead of paying only the $100 deductible, we had to pay another $250 for crap that you HAVE to do to make sure that this stuff works and will work. Yet another reason --besides their obvious *snide* STELLAR */snide* customer service [which entails managers telling my husband that, oh yeah, they don't care. This is the only stuff that they cover. Tough for you. *cue evil laughter on their part and the grinding and gnashing of teeth on our part*]-- that it should be called "Ultimately Crap Warranty" ... and if you don't believe me, go read what they say about Ultimate on RipOff Report.)
So, seriously, start telling everyone that you know that Ultimate Warranty is ... not all that Ultimate. Refusing to pay for necessary stuff, using junkyard parts ... Like I said, not so Ultimate. Once this is done, I'm so posting this story to Consumerist.
On another note, I have an overdue book. I'm finishing it today. I have to. So I can turn it in. Since between the last time I checked online and YESTERDAY there were three holds put on the two copies at the library. *sigh*
So I'm going to sign off.
But, really, for good news ... Bruise is talking. His diction needs work. But he has down the cadence of adult speech. If you listen really hard, you can often make out what he's saying.
Bucket impressed her Auntie T1 with her extensive vocab and knowledge of animal sounds (T1 and Bucket were reading books when T1 dropped by. It was really nice, since I had T1 to distract the kiddos while I rolled out those cinnamon rolls.
And did I mention how good they are??
'Cause the totally are.
Bucket likes eating dried apples.
I made cinnamon rolls. They're delicious. I eat two because one's sooo good. Then I feel a little sick 'cause they're so rich.
Then I wait a few hours to repeat this process. Because, did I mention this?, they're goooood.
And it looks like our transmission is going out. After two months. Yes, never buy a warranty from Ultimate Warranty (which, it appears, might not exist anymore). SO, since this transmission was guaranteed for one-year, they'd BETTER replace it. Since we're still working on paying for that stinking diagnostic and flush that they refused to cover.
(Yes, that's really the reason that we got so behind on money. Instead of paying only the $100 deductible, we had to pay another $250 for crap that you HAVE to do to make sure that this stuff works and will work. Yet another reason --besides their obvious *snide* STELLAR */snide* customer service [which entails managers telling my husband that, oh yeah, they don't care. This is the only stuff that they cover. Tough for you. *cue evil laughter on their part and the grinding and gnashing of teeth on our part*]-- that it should be called "Ultimately Crap Warranty" ... and if you don't believe me, go read what they say about Ultimate on RipOff Report.)
So, seriously, start telling everyone that you know that Ultimate Warranty is ... not all that Ultimate. Refusing to pay for necessary stuff, using junkyard parts ... Like I said, not so Ultimate. Once this is done, I'm so posting this story to Consumerist.
On another note, I have an overdue book. I'm finishing it today. I have to. So I can turn it in. Since between the last time I checked online and YESTERDAY there were three holds put on the two copies at the library. *sigh*
So I'm going to sign off.
But, really, for good news ... Bruise is talking. His diction needs work. But he has down the cadence of adult speech. If you listen really hard, you can often make out what he's saying.
Bucket impressed her Auntie T1 with her extensive vocab and knowledge of animal sounds (T1 and Bucket were reading books when T1 dropped by. It was really nice, since I had T1 to distract the kiddos while I rolled out those cinnamon rolls.
And did I mention how good they are??
'Cause the totally are.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Silence ...
My blogging silence is not because I've ritually disemboweled myself due to the stress and shame of the last weekend.
No, I've been a little busy. My mommy's visiting! She goes back home tomorrow, so I've been taking advantage of the time we have together ... even though I did spend a good deal of today at the computer, catching up on blogs, as she completes Sudokus in the rocking chair.
AND!! She bought me moisturizer. Because she loves me.
AND!!! I roasted a chicken. AFTER I brined it. And it was beautiful and tasted really good. And I made mashed potatoes from scratch.
When I asked Michael if he had any suggestions, his response was: "More often??"
Yup, I'm all domesticated. I rule.
The kiddos have new winter hats that fit. (I chose them out at Target while the kidlets and Michael held down the fort. Mom tried not to snicker too loudly as I tried on toddler-sized hats. And then a REALLY cute little girl's Nordic-style hat (with TASSELS!!).
So, now I'm brewing a chicken corpse for broth. It should be good. ^_^
In case you were wondering about that last thing that I was freaking about (the possibility of offending/uncomforting that one awesome girl), I called her Saturday. If she was offended, she was totally cool. She told me that, no, we're fine and that I shouldn't worry at all about it.
(Hello!! I TOLD you she was cool. ... And she knows that I think she's cool. Since I only told her like, oh, THREE times. So maybe she's scared that I'm a total stalker.)
(But I can totally handle that. Because my friends and I love that Garrens Comedy Troupe cover of "Happy Together." The one that reworks the lyrics so it's TOTALLY a stalker's song. And it's excellent.)
And the parade went well. Even though the people were punks and DID NOT JUDGE OUR FLOAT. They told our driver (Since I wasn't there. I was able to hang with the family and take some pictures. Woo-hoo!) that he should have gotten there on time for the judging.
HELLO?!? He was there when registration STARTED. Looks like it's someone else's screw-up. Don't pass the buck onto us. We're Cub Scout-people. We're HONEST and crap.
Oh, and I saw my cool mentor-teacher (not the one that had me stressed enough that I was puking daily and wishing to die. NO. This was the sweet, funny, wonderful one). And I was able to introduce my mom to her. And K (since that's her first initial) told me that once I want to start subbing or anything to let her know. And she was totally thrilled for me to be able to be a SAHM.
See why I LOVE that woman? She's totally sweet and lovely. And she and I GET each other. And did I mention that she's so nice?!? Because she totally is. I could start a fan club.
I should. If it wouldn't be too stalker-esque.
But, yeah. Things are going better. I should get the booth for Lock-In totally planned out. And then totally plan the Blue and Gold Dinner. And then I can take a breath. Before having to TOTALLY plan the Pinewood Derby. And then all the other stuff. *phew*
Yeah. And I'm still going to try and keep my mouth shut more often while visiting teaching.
Just in case.
Yeah.
When I'm not trying to keep my kidlets from getting into trouble. Or stealing my cell phone.
No, I've been a little busy. My mommy's visiting! She goes back home tomorrow, so I've been taking advantage of the time we have together ... even though I did spend a good deal of today at the computer, catching up on blogs, as she completes Sudokus in the rocking chair.
AND!! She bought me moisturizer. Because she loves me.
AND!!! I roasted a chicken. AFTER I brined it. And it was beautiful and tasted really good. And I made mashed potatoes from scratch.
When I asked Michael if he had any suggestions, his response was: "More often??"
Yup, I'm all domesticated. I rule.
The kiddos have new winter hats that fit. (I chose them out at Target while the kidlets and Michael held down the fort. Mom tried not to snicker too loudly as I tried on toddler-sized hats. And then a REALLY cute little girl's Nordic-style hat (with TASSELS!!).
So, now I'm brewing a chicken corpse for broth. It should be good. ^_^
In case you were wondering about that last thing that I was freaking about (the possibility of offending/uncomforting that one awesome girl), I called her Saturday. If she was offended, she was totally cool. She told me that, no, we're fine and that I shouldn't worry at all about it.
(Hello!! I TOLD you she was cool. ... And she knows that I think she's cool. Since I only told her like, oh, THREE times. So maybe she's scared that I'm a total stalker.)
(But I can totally handle that. Because my friends and I love that Garrens Comedy Troupe cover of "Happy Together." The one that reworks the lyrics so it's TOTALLY a stalker's song. And it's excellent.)
And the parade went well. Even though the people were punks and DID NOT JUDGE OUR FLOAT. They told our driver (Since I wasn't there. I was able to hang with the family and take some pictures. Woo-hoo!) that he should have gotten there on time for the judging.
HELLO?!? He was there when registration STARTED. Looks like it's someone else's screw-up. Don't pass the buck onto us. We're Cub Scout-people. We're HONEST and crap.
Oh, and I saw my cool mentor-teacher (not the one that had me stressed enough that I was puking daily and wishing to die. NO. This was the sweet, funny, wonderful one). And I was able to introduce my mom to her. And K (since that's her first initial) told me that once I want to start subbing or anything to let her know. And she was totally thrilled for me to be able to be a SAHM.
See why I LOVE that woman? She's totally sweet and lovely. And she and I GET each other. And did I mention that she's so nice?!? Because she totally is. I could start a fan club.
I should. If it wouldn't be too stalker-esque.
But, yeah. Things are going better. I should get the booth for Lock-In totally planned out. And then totally plan the Blue and Gold Dinner. And then I can take a breath. Before having to TOTALLY plan the Pinewood Derby. And then all the other stuff. *phew*
Yeah. And I'm still going to try and keep my mouth shut more often while visiting teaching.
Just in case.
Yeah.
When I'm not trying to keep my kidlets from getting into trouble. Or stealing my cell phone.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Possibly Offending People One Word at a Time
So, my VT companion emailed me. I may have made a sister we teach feel uncomfortable.
And I've been beating myself up about it. Because that's what I do.
I whine to Michael, "Can't I just never talk? Why do I have to talk?"
then I wonder if maybe, because I'm such a hermit nowadays ... if, because most of the people I talk to are people who know me and love me and accept my eccentric behaviors and, um, my-honest-myself-no-holds-barred conversation ... if maybe because of this I just have lost my social skills. Maybe I just am not appropriate for social appearances.
I'm going to call the sister in question and apologize, JUST IN CASE. Maybe my companion read the situation wrong. Maybe it's no big deal.
But this girl is one who seems cool. And I'd like her as a friend. But what if she doesn't like me?
(P.S. Dianne, I'm so glad that you are so cool and invited me over. I feel a little less like a social pariah. ^_^)
I stress about stupid things: money, possibly having maybe offended or uncomforted someone, this dang parade float (which, in -- oh -- maybe five hours or so, will be completely over. So, instead I can freak out about Lock-In and the Blue and Gold Dinner and the Pinewood Derby. Yay. :P)
The other day I saw a funny T-shirt. It read "Yes, I am silently judging you."
I thought it was funny. I wouldn't wear it because it's not describing me. I try not to judge people.
I, obviously, need one that says something more like: Possibly, maybe, probably running off my mouth again and not being socially-savvy enough to realize that I might be offending you. And, if I do, I'm really, really sorry and I apologize in advance. And will continue to kick myself in the head about it once it's brought to my attention ... even after I do apologize in person.
And then on the back it could say, "Please pet my hair and tell me that I'm darling and that it's okay."
But really, I'm ready to not leave the house. And maybe to take a vow of silence.
After I apologize to the girl.
Gah.
*headdesk*
*headdesk*
*headdesk*
And I've been beating myself up about it. Because that's what I do.
I whine to Michael, "Can't I just never talk? Why do I have to talk?"
then I wonder if maybe, because I'm such a hermit nowadays ... if, because most of the people I talk to are people who know me and love me and accept my eccentric behaviors and, um, my-honest-myself-no-holds-barred conversation ... if maybe because of this I just have lost my social skills. Maybe I just am not appropriate for social appearances.
I'm going to call the sister in question and apologize, JUST IN CASE. Maybe my companion read the situation wrong. Maybe it's no big deal.
But this girl is one who seems cool. And I'd like her as a friend. But what if she doesn't like me?
(P.S. Dianne, I'm so glad that you are so cool and invited me over. I feel a little less like a social pariah. ^_^)
I stress about stupid things: money, possibly having maybe offended or uncomforted someone, this dang parade float (which, in -- oh -- maybe five hours or so, will be completely over. So, instead I can freak out about Lock-In and the Blue and Gold Dinner and the Pinewood Derby. Yay. :P)
The other day I saw a funny T-shirt. It read "Yes, I am silently judging you."
I thought it was funny. I wouldn't wear it because it's not describing me. I try not to judge people.
I, obviously, need one that says something more like: Possibly, maybe, probably running off my mouth again and not being socially-savvy enough to realize that I might be offending you. And, if I do, I'm really, really sorry and I apologize in advance. And will continue to kick myself in the head about it once it's brought to my attention ... even after I do apologize in person.
And then on the back it could say, "Please pet my hair and tell me that I'm darling and that it's okay."
But really, I'm ready to not leave the house. And maybe to take a vow of silence.
After I apologize to the girl.
Gah.
*headdesk*
*headdesk*
*headdesk*
Friday, November 09, 2007
Overheard around the Bloggosphere
Okay, one's from my inbox, but still ...
But, have you ever been just surfing along the internet tide, reading along and suddenly there's one of the greatest things EVER SAID, right there in front of you?
Yeah, me neither. No! I was just asking a hypothetical-situation question ... *shifty eyes*
Well, I was reading "In the Dark," the movie newsletter by Eric D. Snider (and, yeah, I'm kinda a fan girl for him. He's hilarious!) ... but it's also in the movie review on his site, too!
AND I was faced with, "He isn’t creepy so much as pathetic, screaming and ranting in a way that is (unintentionally) hilarious and that isn’t the least bit intimidating. It's like being menaced by Tobey Maguire." (Emphasis mine.)
Seriously, did you NOT watch Tobey Maguire being all emo in Spiderman 3?? I totally almost wet my pants laughing. It's like ME, Miss Princess of Laughter and Sunshine and Unicorns trying to sing angsty Alanis Morrisette songs.
(Really, it's vair, vair pitiful ... "You Oughta Know ... that I like puppies." would be the best way to describe my performance. If I ever was very drunk and needed to to a karaoke number to make terrorists laugh or else the world would end, THAT would be the song I should perform.)
And, on Mir's last post, one of the comments was SO good.
In Mir's post, her kids were talking and got on the topic that boys can't kiss each other. "Well, no, they can." "Oh! I know what that's called!! MORMONISM!!" "Um, no."
Now, Mir isn't a member of our church ... but a lot of her readers are. And one had the BEST comment. (It's not often that someone's comment can make me laugh more than a post of Mir's, but Meg's comment sure did.)
she was talking about her son (who seems to be like me -- in how we hear lyrics) and how he had really gotten into the Transformers cartoon ... the one from the 80s.
The real lyrics are:
Transformers: More than meets the eye.
Transformers: Robots in disguise
What he hears:
Transformers: More than beats me eye
Transformers: Mormons in disguise."
*wipes tears of laughter away*
Needless to say, Michael LOVED that last line.
Yup, I am rather easily amused.
But, have you ever been just surfing along the internet tide, reading along and suddenly there's one of the greatest things EVER SAID, right there in front of you?
Yeah, me neither. No! I was just asking a hypothetical-situation question ... *shifty eyes*
Well, I was reading "In the Dark," the movie newsletter by Eric D. Snider (and, yeah, I'm kinda a fan girl for him. He's hilarious!) ... but it's also in the movie review on his site, too!
AND I was faced with, "He isn’t creepy so much as pathetic, screaming and ranting in a way that is (unintentionally) hilarious and that isn’t the least bit intimidating. It's like being menaced by Tobey Maguire." (Emphasis mine.)
Seriously, did you NOT watch Tobey Maguire being all emo in Spiderman 3?? I totally almost wet my pants laughing. It's like ME, Miss Princess of Laughter and Sunshine and Unicorns trying to sing angsty Alanis Morrisette songs.
(Really, it's vair, vair pitiful ... "You Oughta Know ... that I like puppies." would be the best way to describe my performance. If I ever was very drunk and needed to to a karaoke number to make terrorists laugh or else the world would end, THAT would be the song I should perform.)
And, on Mir's last post, one of the comments was SO good.
In Mir's post, her kids were talking and got on the topic that boys can't kiss each other. "Well, no, they can." "Oh! I know what that's called!! MORMONISM!!" "Um, no."
Now, Mir isn't a member of our church ... but a lot of her readers are. And one had the BEST comment. (It's not often that someone's comment can make me laugh more than a post of Mir's, but Meg's comment sure did.)
she was talking about her son (who seems to be like me -- in how we hear lyrics) and how he had really gotten into the Transformers cartoon ... the one from the 80s.
The real lyrics are:
Transformers: More than meets the eye.
Transformers: Robots in disguise
What he hears:
Transformers: More than beats me eye
Transformers: Mormons in disguise."
*wipes tears of laughter away*
Needless to say, Michael LOVED that last line.
Yup, I am rather easily amused.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Just streaming my consciousness ...
I know this is totally beating a dead horse ... BUT ... what is the big deal about breastfeeding in public?
I totally am very blessed in the friends that I have. They put up with the fact that I feel breastfeeding is important ... and that I enjoy it. That I'm an extended breastfeeding mama.
I know that there are people out there who don't feel that children who can ask to be nursed should be nursed. And ... well ... I used to be one of them.
And then I became a mother. A mother who enjoys nursing her babies.
Even when they got older.
Even when they got teeth. (I consider myself VERY lucky that I only got nipped a few times. ...I still get nipped once in a while. However, I like being needed and adored.)
I'm not sure how to wean my munchkin brigade, even if I wanted to.
Part of it is that I'm kinda lazy. It's so dang easy to feed and offer comfort this way.
And, really, I can't find any downsides.
My children love me.
They know that I love them, that I will provide all I can for them.
I've lost weight.
My chest is getting smaller (For me, this is a HUGE plus!!!!).
My children rarely get sick.
I've never had to deal with an ear infection. I've dealt with a few colds, Bucket's case of croup, and the flu. Still ... when I hear that there are moms of singletons out there whose children get cold after cold after cold, I consider myself extremely lucky.
It's frackin' CHEAP. I mean, really. I've probably saved at least a thousand dollars (that we DEFINITELY don't have to spare) on f0rmula.
Now, I'm not a person who's easily offended much. (I usually rise up for a sec, being all, "Whatchoo SAY??" ... and then back down. I'm not into confrontation. And, more often than that, I usually just feel HURT that someone thinks that I'm not doing what's right/smart/ethical/whatever.)
But ... I can get a little worked up about breastfeeding. I guess it's my thing.
Maybe I'm a breastfeeding NerdFighter. Well, at least a breastfeeding NIT. (Nerdfighter-In-Training for those of you wondering what the Helen I'm talking about.)
I do have to say that I think it's a little crazy/hypocritical/whack that in our society, breasts are fine if they're in a push-up bra or selling cars ... but if someone has the audacity to sit on a bench in the park or mall and nurse their child ... Oh, help! I think I have a case of the vapors!
Now, I understand that some people may feel jealous that someone can easily nurse her child ... there are quite a few ladies out there who have had problems breastfeeding.
And, yeah, it would be hard to see someone doing something that you've had problems with ...
But that doesn't explain why the vociferous anti-nursing males of the population are so against it. Maybe they're jealous for another reason? *broad wink. nudge, nudge*
Still ... what is wrong with a baby (or small child) getting food from mammaries? I mean, why else do we have breasts?
And, I have a strong inkling that it's not to sell cars or Victoria's Secret.
Now, since my little leeches are not the most ... sedate ... of nurslings, I usually try not to nurse them in public anymore. Especially since now I can carry around such wonders as Goldfish crackers or fruit snacks.
But ... for kiddos less than a year to 18 mos old, those things aren't an option.
I think it's insane that people want to demand that a nursing mum shouldn't have the right to leave the house. Because, oh the horrors, they'd have to WATCH. HER. NURSE.
Now, let me get this straight. Your rights are being infringed upon because a baby needs to eat ... and you, as an adult, cannot of your own volition AVERT. YOUR. EYES.
Wither the Fries?!?!?
I believe that the baby has as much, if not MORE right to eat in public.
And all this talk about "discrete?" ... That's what a nursing mom TRIES to do. I'd like to see these people try to keep a wet cat/octopus-chimera attached to their chest without flashing some skin.
*sigh* Yeah, I get caught up in this. And I talk and talk and talk about it.
Also, the whole argument that men, upon seeing a breast (even one with a baby attached) will lose control of their thoughts and all ... I don't think that we're trusting our men enough. I believe that they can control their thoughts.
And that it's not my job to do it for them. They are adults. And it's not my brain.
It's like blaming the rape victims for not wearing pants/a longer skirt/saying "no" forcefully enough/being a little flirty/changing her mind/etc.
Which brings me to the whole topic of accountability. And I could spend another week on this (if not longer).
Which would bring me to talk about my stance on elective abortion (I feel it is not needed in our society. We have very good contraceptives. We have many families that would love a child to lovingly raise. And, really, if one cannot accept the fact that no form of "safe sex" is 100% safe ... then maybe that one shouldn't be playing roulette that way. And yes, I know that it's totally not-PC to think that people might not have sex ... but really ... Even I know that one can do many things that don't carry the risk of pregnancy or STDs ... and a good bunch only involve one's self.) (Yes, I have read some smut, thanks. I'm not a complete innocent that way.)
*sigh* See what happens?
And in case you're wondering, since I'm obviously going to bring up all the controversial topics that I can think of now -- I circumcise. Well, I don't do it myself ... but I have had my son snipped.
Not for religious reasons ... but partly because I think it's more aesthetically pleasing (and I'm the one who has to change over 75% of his diapers) and easier to clean. (And, hey! One of the nurses at the kids' pediatrician's office was SO glad. In her experience, she's dealt with so many little boys with painful UTIs. And the common link? Not snipped.)
And yes, I DO know that there IS probably something wrong with me that I cannot fully appreciate the beauty and wonder that is the uncircumcised penis.
But you know what? I also prayed about it. And I don't feel guilty.
(And yeah, when a commenter on a blog that I had commented on regarding my reasons for snipping said in their comment that I was wrong to think that my son's penis wasn't beautiful and perfect as-is [pre-snip], I was a little offended. ... Then immediately I stepped back and thought, "Dude, what do I care? okay, so they think I'm messed-up and crazy. Who cares? I'm the one who's changing diapers and seeing it everyday and having to clean it. And also, why do I care what this complete stranger thinks about me??" [Which, if you know me ... I'm a bit of a people-pleaser. I want everyone to like me. And I'll beat myself up for not achieving this. Usually. Not this time.])
So, yeah. I refuse to feel guilty about that.
Just like I refuse to feel guilty for not having a string of lovers, for not drinking or smoking, for not swearing like a sailor (anymore) ... for accepting some things on faith, for trying to see and think the best of people (well, I TRY. I never said I always succeed on that one).
Seriously ... I have lots of other issues to beat myself up over ... I'm not going to feel guilty over enjoying breastfeeding my kidlets, circumcising my male offspring, or being against abortion. Or big tobacco.
Like not having my kidlets already potty-trained. Or spending too much time on the computer and not teaching them their 123s and ABCs. Or not spending enough "QUALITY" time with Michael. Or not always studying my scriptures (it's more of a skimming. Not good enough). Or not having a firmer bum. Or not having the house in good Feng Shui Chi order.
Now those are things I can feel some guilt over.
Wallow in it.
Let my skin get all pruney.
I totally am very blessed in the friends that I have. They put up with the fact that I feel breastfeeding is important ... and that I enjoy it. That I'm an extended breastfeeding mama.
I know that there are people out there who don't feel that children who can ask to be nursed should be nursed. And ... well ... I used to be one of them.
And then I became a mother. A mother who enjoys nursing her babies.
Even when they got older.
Even when they got teeth. (I consider myself VERY lucky that I only got nipped a few times. ...I still get nipped once in a while. However, I like being needed and adored.)
I'm not sure how to wean my munchkin brigade, even if I wanted to.
Part of it is that I'm kinda lazy. It's so dang easy to feed and offer comfort this way.
And, really, I can't find any downsides.
My children love me.
They know that I love them, that I will provide all I can for them.
I've lost weight.
My chest is getting smaller (For me, this is a HUGE plus!!!!).
My children rarely get sick.
I've never had to deal with an ear infection. I've dealt with a few colds, Bucket's case of croup, and the flu. Still ... when I hear that there are moms of singletons out there whose children get cold after cold after cold, I consider myself extremely lucky.
It's frackin' CHEAP. I mean, really. I've probably saved at least a thousand dollars (that we DEFINITELY don't have to spare) on f0rmula.
Now, I'm not a person who's easily offended much. (I usually rise up for a sec, being all, "Whatchoo SAY??" ... and then back down. I'm not into confrontation. And, more often than that, I usually just feel HURT that someone thinks that I'm not doing what's right/smart/ethical/whatever.)
But ... I can get a little worked up about breastfeeding. I guess it's my thing.
Maybe I'm a breastfeeding NerdFighter. Well, at least a breastfeeding NIT. (Nerdfighter-In-Training for those of you wondering what the Helen I'm talking about.)
I do have to say that I think it's a little crazy/hypocritical/whack that in our society, breasts are fine if they're in a push-up bra or selling cars ... but if someone has the audacity to sit on a bench in the park or mall and nurse their child ... Oh, help! I think I have a case of the vapors!
Now, I understand that some people may feel jealous that someone can easily nurse her child ... there are quite a few ladies out there who have had problems breastfeeding.
And, yeah, it would be hard to see someone doing something that you've had problems with ...
But that doesn't explain why the vociferous anti-nursing males of the population are so against it. Maybe they're jealous for another reason? *broad wink. nudge, nudge*
Still ... what is wrong with a baby (or small child) getting food from mammaries? I mean, why else do we have breasts?
And, I have a strong inkling that it's not to sell cars or Victoria's Secret.
Now, since my little leeches are not the most ... sedate ... of nurslings, I usually try not to nurse them in public anymore. Especially since now I can carry around such wonders as Goldfish crackers or fruit snacks.
But ... for kiddos less than a year to 18 mos old, those things aren't an option.
I think it's insane that people want to demand that a nursing mum shouldn't have the right to leave the house. Because, oh the horrors, they'd have to WATCH. HER. NURSE.
Now, let me get this straight. Your rights are being infringed upon because a baby needs to eat ... and you, as an adult, cannot of your own volition AVERT. YOUR. EYES.
Wither the Fries?!?!?
I believe that the baby has as much, if not MORE right to eat in public.
And all this talk about "discrete?" ... That's what a nursing mom TRIES to do. I'd like to see these people try to keep a wet cat/octopus-chimera attached to their chest without flashing some skin.
*sigh* Yeah, I get caught up in this. And I talk and talk and talk about it.
Also, the whole argument that men, upon seeing a breast (even one with a baby attached) will lose control of their thoughts and all ... I don't think that we're trusting our men enough. I believe that they can control their thoughts.
And that it's not my job to do it for them. They are adults. And it's not my brain.
It's like blaming the rape victims for not wearing pants/a longer skirt/saying "no" forcefully enough/being a little flirty/changing her mind/etc.
Which brings me to the whole topic of accountability. And I could spend another week on this (if not longer).
Which would bring me to talk about my stance on elective abortion (I feel it is not needed in our society. We have very good contraceptives. We have many families that would love a child to lovingly raise. And, really, if one cannot accept the fact that no form of "safe sex" is 100% safe ... then maybe that one shouldn't be playing roulette that way. And yes, I know that it's totally not-PC to think that people might not have sex ... but really ... Even I know that one can do many things that don't carry the risk of pregnancy or STDs ... and a good bunch only involve one's self.) (Yes, I have read some smut, thanks. I'm not a complete innocent that way.)
*sigh* See what happens?
And in case you're wondering, since I'm obviously going to bring up all the controversial topics that I can think of now -- I circumcise. Well, I don't do it myself ... but I have had my son snipped.
Not for religious reasons ... but partly because I think it's more aesthetically pleasing (and I'm the one who has to change over 75% of his diapers) and easier to clean. (And, hey! One of the nurses at the kids' pediatrician's office was SO glad. In her experience, she's dealt with so many little boys with painful UTIs. And the common link? Not snipped.)
And yes, I DO know that there IS probably something wrong with me that I cannot fully appreciate the beauty and wonder that is the uncircumcised penis.
But you know what? I also prayed about it. And I don't feel guilty.
(And yeah, when a commenter on a blog that I had commented on regarding my reasons for snipping said in their comment that I was wrong to think that my son's penis wasn't beautiful and perfect as-is [pre-snip], I was a little offended. ... Then immediately I stepped back and thought, "Dude, what do I care? okay, so they think I'm messed-up and crazy. Who cares? I'm the one who's changing diapers and seeing it everyday and having to clean it. And also, why do I care what this complete stranger thinks about me??" [Which, if you know me ... I'm a bit of a people-pleaser. I want everyone to like me. And I'll beat myself up for not achieving this. Usually. Not this time.])
So, yeah. I refuse to feel guilty about that.
Just like I refuse to feel guilty for not having a string of lovers, for not drinking or smoking, for not swearing like a sailor (anymore) ... for accepting some things on faith, for trying to see and think the best of people (well, I TRY. I never said I always succeed on that one).
Seriously ... I have lots of other issues to beat myself up over ... I'm not going to feel guilty over enjoying breastfeeding my kidlets, circumcising my male offspring, or being against abortion. Or big tobacco.
Like not having my kidlets already potty-trained. Or spending too much time on the computer and not teaching them their 123s and ABCs. Or not spending enough "QUALITY" time with Michael. Or not always studying my scriptures (it's more of a skimming. Not good enough). Or not having a firmer bum. Or not having the house in good Feng Shui Chi order.
Now those are things I can feel some guilt over.
Wallow in it.
Let my skin get all pruney.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Overheards
Now, things that go on in our house .... never quite "normal."
Bucket still won't say her name. She talks pretty dang well for an anklebiter ... here's what she calls people:
"Boos" = herself or Bruise
"Daddy" = Michael
"Mommy/ Daddy-Mommy" = me ... that second one is when she's feeling silly.
HOWEVER, she uses the first-person personal pronoun really well!
"I read." "I deet" (Remember, our word for breastfeeding?) "I get door." (That one was yesterday. I was impressed. It's totally a full sentence!) "I got toes!"
Bruise is talking a little more. Which is great. Usually, it's still one word. My little troglodyte. Adorable. He's coming along.
Whereas, you'd expect that the one of us who reads and is a college graduate would say ... profound things.
Not so much.
Like last night after the kiddos were asleep. Michael and I were chilling on the couch watching an anime (and, in my case, reading a book).
Me: "After dinner and Cocoa-Roos, my mouth tastes like wet dog smell."
Michael: I'm ... happy for you?
Yeah. Brilliancy = me, huh?
Sign me up for that Nobel prize. Maybe the Pulitzer, too.
But, on the bright side, I'm getting through my library books! Yay!! And I'm even (*gasp!*) able to say, "You know, I'm just not into this book. I'm reading something else. This one ... maybe in a year or so. If ever."
AND my mental health number is doing WAY better. (Maybe my freakout had something to do with my painters coming in ... or else the painters came BECAUSE of the freakout ... hard to tell.)
Oh!! I must defrost bread dough for tonight!! Thanks for reminding me!!
(Now you're probably scratching your head and saying, "huh??" ... Just accept that you've helped me remember to prepare for dinner. Yay!!"
Bucket still won't say her name. She talks pretty dang well for an anklebiter ... here's what she calls people:
"Boos" = herself or Bruise
"Daddy" = Michael
"Mommy/ Daddy-Mommy" = me ... that second one is when she's feeling silly.
HOWEVER, she uses the first-person personal pronoun really well!
"I read." "I deet" (Remember, our word for breastfeeding?) "I get door." (That one was yesterday. I was impressed. It's totally a full sentence!) "I got toes!"
Bruise is talking a little more. Which is great. Usually, it's still one word. My little troglodyte. Adorable. He's coming along.
Whereas, you'd expect that the one of us who reads and is a college graduate would say ... profound things.
Not so much.
Like last night after the kiddos were asleep. Michael and I were chilling on the couch watching an anime (and, in my case, reading a book).
Me: "After dinner and Cocoa-Roos, my mouth tastes like wet dog smell."
Michael: I'm ... happy for you?
Yeah. Brilliancy = me, huh?
Sign me up for that Nobel prize. Maybe the Pulitzer, too.
But, on the bright side, I'm getting through my library books! Yay!! And I'm even (*gasp!*) able to say, "You know, I'm just not into this book. I'm reading something else. This one ... maybe in a year or so. If ever."
AND my mental health number is doing WAY better. (Maybe my freakout had something to do with my painters coming in ... or else the painters came BECAUSE of the freakout ... hard to tell.)
Oh!! I must defrost bread dough for tonight!! Thanks for reminding me!!
(Now you're probably scratching your head and saying, "huh??" ... Just accept that you've helped me remember to prepare for dinner. Yay!!"
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Crazy Dream Chronicles, Part ... Um ... Whatever
So, I dreamed that I was back at school. College-school.
And I was just, like, crashing classes after being absent for so long, since I've had kids and all. So my name wasn't on the roll. At parts, I was with ... it had to be a friend from high school -- who I offered a ride home to, but I couldn't give it to her since the van was blocked in. When I went back to class, I had Michael with me.
The History teacher was so like an English teacher I have had in real life ... and she described how I smelled. Like cornflowers, a fresh breeze, summer and laundry.
Random Llanna-trivia: I worry about how I smell. Almost OC worrying. Which is really sad.
In other news, even though we had an "extra" hour, I did not. Kiddos were awake at 6 A.M. I wanted them to sleep in a while. No such luck.
*sigh*
Other, other news, I made oatmeal for the kiddos. One of Bucket's favorite words (for any type of fruit) is "apple."
I had dehydrated apples in our food storage, so in they went! I asked her if she liked them. Sure enough, she nodded and smiled and ate more bites.
Bruise seemed to enjoy the liberal sprinkling of brown sugar I put on top.
I don't know if I really care for instant oatmeal that much. But, hey! It's healthy. The kiddos eat it. Not bad!!
Now, just to get into the habit of cooking other meals. And to get into the habit of cooking meals during the day for the kiddos. (See, that "Too Lazy to Bottlefeed" shirt I want?? It's TOO TRUE!!)
And, Kari, don't worry about getting emotional about people's stories.
This morning, after Signing Time, Rachel, the gal who does it, was talking about how her daughter, Leah, is deaf. Leah's cousin was born when Leah was a few months old. Alex (the cousin) and Leah both learned sign language so he could communicate with Leah.
THEN, she mentioned another girl who's featured in segments on the show. It's her other daughter. Who has spina bifida. And she was able to learn to sign, talk, and sing.
There I am, with Bruise and Bucket, holding back tears ... and being so dang thankful that I have healthy little kidlets who can walk, talk, run, and dance ...
Yeah, I had to work to not burst into tears. Because Michael would wonder what's possessed his wife THIS TIME.
And I was just, like, crashing classes after being absent for so long, since I've had kids and all. So my name wasn't on the roll. At parts, I was with ... it had to be a friend from high school -- who I offered a ride home to, but I couldn't give it to her since the van was blocked in. When I went back to class, I had Michael with me.
The History teacher was so like an English teacher I have had in real life ... and she described how I smelled. Like cornflowers, a fresh breeze, summer and laundry.
Random Llanna-trivia: I worry about how I smell. Almost OC worrying. Which is really sad.
In other news, even though we had an "extra" hour, I did not. Kiddos were awake at 6 A.M. I wanted them to sleep in a while. No such luck.
*sigh*
Other, other news, I made oatmeal for the kiddos. One of Bucket's favorite words (for any type of fruit) is "apple."
I had dehydrated apples in our food storage, so in they went! I asked her if she liked them. Sure enough, she nodded and smiled and ate more bites.
Bruise seemed to enjoy the liberal sprinkling of brown sugar I put on top.
I don't know if I really care for instant oatmeal that much. But, hey! It's healthy. The kiddos eat it. Not bad!!
Now, just to get into the habit of cooking other meals. And to get into the habit of cooking meals during the day for the kiddos. (See, that "Too Lazy to Bottlefeed" shirt I want?? It's TOO TRUE!!)
And, Kari, don't worry about getting emotional about people's stories.
This morning, after Signing Time, Rachel, the gal who does it, was talking about how her daughter, Leah, is deaf. Leah's cousin was born when Leah was a few months old. Alex (the cousin) and Leah both learned sign language so he could communicate with Leah.
THEN, she mentioned another girl who's featured in segments on the show. It's her other daughter. Who has spina bifida. And she was able to learn to sign, talk, and sing.
There I am, with Bruise and Bucket, holding back tears ... and being so dang thankful that I have healthy little kidlets who can walk, talk, run, and dance ...
Yeah, I had to work to not burst into tears. Because Michael would wonder what's possessed his wife THIS TIME.
Friday, November 02, 2007
A bookish post
Bruise, Bucket and I made it to storytime for the SECOND WEEK IN A ROW!!
Yeah, who da man??
Yup, I da man. ... Or as Michael will answer me, "You da WO-man."
Bucket did just about all the hand motions to "The Wheels on the Bus." I was impressed.
Bruise had fun going up to Dana (the AWESOME Children's Librarian at our library). At one point, I looked up from doing hand motions with Bucket on my lap and there Bruise was, bouncing around on Dana's lap. ^_^
Bruise even got a stamp on his hand. A little purple cat to go with the witch tattoo he got trick-or-treating.
Before I picked up my holds, I took the kiddos over to the kids' books. They each got a board book. They were REALLY ENGROSSED in the books this week.
Usually I choose between 4-7 books and they don't seem that into them until after we get out to the car.
This time ... Bucket, who was exhausted, kept her Elmo book open on her lap, even after she was nearly conked out.
Yes, she is my daughter.
One of the staff let me know that there's a circ desk opening.
It's tempting ... but, especially with twins, ... well, with the transportation and the childcare ... I'd be lucky to break even.
Maybe after mom retires ... but that'd be a LOT of time that she'd have to be away from HER home ...
I don't feel that right now is the time for me to go back in the work force. I want to be here to see my kidlets grow ... and I miss Michael too much as it is.
*sigh*
Okay, okay. This post has gone from "bookish" to NOT bookish at all ... Bringing it back around:
Bucket loves her Elmo book. Bruce very much likes the Corduroy book I picked for him. I'm in the middle of a Laura Lippman mystery ... for more books that I'm reading or considering reading in the near future, you can always check the GoodReads widget to the side.
I should get offline sometime so that I can finish my books. Sometime. ^_^
Yeah, who da man??
Yup, I da man. ... Or as Michael will answer me, "You da WO-man."
Bucket did just about all the hand motions to "The Wheels on the Bus." I was impressed.
Bruise had fun going up to Dana (the AWESOME Children's Librarian at our library). At one point, I looked up from doing hand motions with Bucket on my lap and there Bruise was, bouncing around on Dana's lap. ^_^
Bruise even got a stamp on his hand. A little purple cat to go with the witch tattoo he got trick-or-treating.
Before I picked up my holds, I took the kiddos over to the kids' books. They each got a board book. They were REALLY ENGROSSED in the books this week.
Usually I choose between 4-7 books and they don't seem that into them until after we get out to the car.
This time ... Bucket, who was exhausted, kept her Elmo book open on her lap, even after she was nearly conked out.
Yes, she is my daughter.
One of the staff let me know that there's a circ desk opening.
It's tempting ... but, especially with twins, ... well, with the transportation and the childcare ... I'd be lucky to break even.
Maybe after mom retires ... but that'd be a LOT of time that she'd have to be away from HER home ...
I don't feel that right now is the time for me to go back in the work force. I want to be here to see my kidlets grow ... and I miss Michael too much as it is.
*sigh*
Okay, okay. This post has gone from "bookish" to NOT bookish at all ... Bringing it back around:
Bucket loves her Elmo book. Bruce very much likes the Corduroy book I picked for him. I'm in the middle of a Laura Lippman mystery ... for more books that I'm reading or considering reading in the near future, you can always check the GoodReads widget to the side.
I should get offline sometime so that I can finish my books. Sometime. ^_^
My Mental Health Number
Now, Joshilyn Jackson (or "Joss," as everyone calls her) will, every so often, talk in her blog about her mental health number.
Like one's blood pressure, it is the aim to have a LOW MHN (mental health number).
My mental health number? It's not been that low.
To be completely blunt, we're strapped for cash. I don't like this situation. To me, security = not having to worry about affording groceries. Security is not feeling the pinch when we pay our tithing. Security is not counting the cents before an overdraft appears.
Security is being able to buy a book or two a month. Being able to buy new clothes at least once a season. Being able to go out to eat a couple times a month. Going out to the movies every couple of months. Buying gas without secretly screaming inside in regards to the price (Well, that one STILL might happen).
I'm usually super closed-mouth-ed about our finances. But, I'll let slip that this is the major reason for the huge elevation in my MHN.
So ... if you know any rich benefactors who are looking to sponsor a family ...
JOKING!
(but, really, if you do have an in with Bill Gates ....)
Yes, I do joke ... because it's better than getting an ulcer.
Michael doesn't like it when I worry to the point of stressing.
This morning, I felt terrible ... tight and tasting of bile.
I'd felt this way before. I has to ask myself when that was.
It was that last term of student teaching.
That term that had me throwing up daily or just not eating much more than one meal per day so that I WOULDN'T throw up.
So I prayed.
Yes, I know that things are going to be tight. For at least another paycheck.
BUT, I also now know for sure that we will get through this.
That I am loved.
I mean, yes, I do know these things ... but it's like I'm able to REALIZE these facts more.
Prayer is good. I should do it more often.
So, my MHN is still a bit elevated. But it's WAY better than it was the last 24 hours.
Thank God. Literally.
Very literally.
Like one's blood pressure, it is the aim to have a LOW MHN (mental health number).
My mental health number? It's not been that low.
To be completely blunt, we're strapped for cash. I don't like this situation. To me, security = not having to worry about affording groceries. Security is not feeling the pinch when we pay our tithing. Security is not counting the cents before an overdraft appears.
Security is being able to buy a book or two a month. Being able to buy new clothes at least once a season. Being able to go out to eat a couple times a month. Going out to the movies every couple of months. Buying gas without secretly screaming inside in regards to the price (Well, that one STILL might happen).
I'm usually super closed-mouth-ed about our finances. But, I'll let slip that this is the major reason for the huge elevation in my MHN.
So ... if you know any rich benefactors who are looking to sponsor a family ...
JOKING!
(but, really, if you do have an in with Bill Gates ....)
Yes, I do joke ... because it's better than getting an ulcer.
Michael doesn't like it when I worry to the point of stressing.
This morning, I felt terrible ... tight and tasting of bile.
I'd felt this way before. I has to ask myself when that was.
It was that last term of student teaching.
That term that had me throwing up daily or just not eating much more than one meal per day so that I WOULDN'T throw up.
So I prayed.
Yes, I know that things are going to be tight. For at least another paycheck.
BUT, I also now know for sure that we will get through this.
That I am loved.
I mean, yes, I do know these things ... but it's like I'm able to REALIZE these facts more.
Prayer is good. I should do it more often.
So, my MHN is still a bit elevated. But it's WAY better than it was the last 24 hours.
Thank God. Literally.
Very literally.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Happy All Saints Day!! (Since that is what the day after Halloween is called ...)
Okay, so the kids (and I) are coming off of a bit of a sugar high. (Though, to be completely honest, I'll probably get back on that sugar high as soon as they're down for a nap.)
(Yes, I'll admit that I'll glean some of their candy. I'll even feel a modicum of guilt!)
(What?? They're not even 30 pounds each! [At least, they weren't the last time they were weighed.] It's not like they need the cubic tons of candy that they received! And I, as their mother, DO need the candies. They make me happy.)
Here are the Halloween pictures:
Bucket (or as she now calls herself, "Monkey") is the adorable primate. She looks more like a New World money to me ... but I'm not a primateologist. (Yeah, Jane Goodall has NO reason to worry.)
Bruise (sporting a bruise on the forehead *sigh*) is our Elephant.
(Dianne: Again, THANKS for offering the costume. On a scale of one to ten, YOU are an ELEVEN!)
And yes, since Bruise was an elephant, I did make some Joseph Merrick jokes. But only ones when Bruise was walking around with the elephant head over his own and you couldn't see his sweet face.
Dont' get me wrong! I think that Joseph Merrick sounds like such a lonely soul. He needs a BIG hug.
Or he would if he were still alive.
Here is a picture of the kidlets in the balloon pit at a local party:
And a video where you can witness my real-life cackle of a laugh:
(Yeah, I got really into filming, didn't I? But, like I said, it WAS only a balloon that hit me. ... Another instance that proves that if round objects -- like BALLS -- are around, that they WILL hit me in the face.)
And one that shows how adorable my children are. And how much they LOVE slides:
(Yes, I'll admit that I'll glean some of their candy. I'll even feel a modicum of guilt!)
(What?? They're not even 30 pounds each! [At least, they weren't the last time they were weighed.] It's not like they need the cubic tons of candy that they received! And I, as their mother, DO need the candies. They make me happy.)
Here are the Halloween pictures:
Bucket (or as she now calls herself, "Monkey") is the adorable primate. She looks more like a New World money to me ... but I'm not a primateologist. (Yeah, Jane Goodall has NO reason to worry.)
Bruise (sporting a bruise on the forehead *sigh*) is our Elephant.
(Dianne: Again, THANKS for offering the costume. On a scale of one to ten, YOU are an ELEVEN!)
And yes, since Bruise was an elephant, I did make some Joseph Merrick jokes. But only ones when Bruise was walking around with the elephant head over his own and you couldn't see his sweet face.
Dont' get me wrong! I think that Joseph Merrick sounds like such a lonely soul. He needs a BIG hug.
Or he would if he were still alive.
Here is a picture of the kidlets in the balloon pit at a local party:
And a video where you can witness my real-life cackle of a laugh:
(Yeah, I got really into filming, didn't I? But, like I said, it WAS only a balloon that hit me. ... Another instance that proves that if round objects -- like BALLS -- are around, that they WILL hit me in the face.)
And one that shows how adorable my children are. And how much they LOVE slides:
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