Heinz Brand Catch-Up (j/k)

Okay, what have I been up to?

About 5'5" ... same since sixth grade. Har har har ...

But, really, let's see ...

Friday, was a little busy ... Michael got home from work after Bubbles and I were trying to get the house a wee bit cleaner (limited success, though). We finally watched "Home" so we could return it to his cousin. (Very cute. And not just because I think Jim Parsons is funny.)
Then we made sure that our temple clothing fit (and, no, my skirt didn't. I need to lose some inches for sure to get it to fit well).

We picked Bruise and Bucket up from school and took all the kids to Grandma's house (to spend the night. FREEEEEEDOM! Don't get me wrong, I love our kids. But it's nice to have a date-date without any children around) and headed up to Portland.

We stopped by Deseret Book. I got a new temple skirt (elastic waistband, so it's a little more forgiving) and I also picked up a copy of the Teaching, No Greater Call manual, since it's often referred to in the lesson outlines for my Sunday School class. We also saw on a crazy-good sale (nearly 75% off) a book that's by an author that we like (and his wife).
(Sure enough, I was able to find what I was searching for in the hardcopy manual ... so I can be better prepared for my lessons.)

We didn't end up needing to bring our temple clothes, since we opted to do Initiatories for the family names that I had in my bag (What? You don't print out family records, have the baptisms and confirmations done, then carry the uncompleted cards in your purse for a year? *bad great-granddaughter/great-niece*) ... I now have the Initiatories completed for two of my great-grandmothers (both of whom I actually met. One, Betty, died when I was four, but I remember her a little. The other one, Alma, I met the summer before my freshman year of high school ... It was due to that visit that I have a soft spot for reading the World Weekly News. :D). Michael had three names (great-grandfathers and my Nana's brother). I also did five names that aren't from my family ... they were all Hungarian and some of the ladies in the records were nearly 300 years old.

After the temple, Michael and I went to Outback Steakhouse (first time -- he had a gift card). It was good (especially the Coco-berry smoothie). We also tried the Bloomin' Onion. He had a sandwich and I had tacos. Everything was really tasty ... spendy, but good. I couldn't finish what I had ordered, so we had leftovers. LOTS of leftovers.

Saturday, we didn't sleep in ... we grabbed a voucher for Free Museum Day and headed up to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Michael had never been ... and it was a good time to go, since we could get in for free. It's a lot different going there without kids (you actually have time to read the signs, OH. MY. GOSH.) and I was able to lead him around a bit. We looked at nearly everything ... though it took us nearly four hours.

Then we stopped by The Pita Pit (our favorite) on the way to pick up the kids.
After we got home, I was tired and COMPLETELY FORGOT about the General Women's Conference broadcast. Whoops!

However, while Bruise and Michael ran to Target and the grocery store, Bucket and I cleaned out the kitchen fridge. Ew.

Sunday was mostly good. We had church. I taught my second lesson in my Sunday School class ... and was observed by the Ward Sunday School President (no pressure, right?) ... I emailed him later "So ... how'd I do?"

He responded, "How do you THINK you did?" (Can you tell that we're friends?)

I typed back, "Well, if you're judging success on how well we stuck to the lesson outline, abysmal.
"But, the students were participating and asking thoughtful questions ... It felt pretty good."

And he the told me that, yes, EVERYONE was participating (even one student who often doesn't) and that he agreed that it went well. Phew!

After we got home from church, I put on the YouTube feed of the Women's Conference session and took my notes on that. Bucket was ... a bit surly. I'm chalking it up to the fact that the kids and their cousins were up until 11 on Friday night. Because of that, and the fact that Bubbles was SHOUTING due to not wanting to fall asleep, we sent the kids to bed a little early ... where they all climbed into ONE bunk and Bruise ended up getting hit in the face by Bubbles, which caused him to bite his lip and there was BLOOD ... and Michael took care of that because I was on the phone with my mom.

(I'm so helpful. As Michael is steering Bruise to the bathroom, I call after them, "Put a drop of Helichrysum on it. It'll help with the bleeding," and assure my mom that, no, she doesn't need to hang up, Michael's got this, it's all cool.)

Michael and I are now four episodes into Gotham.

Jumping back, Michael took the kids to a baptism (Michael had been asked to give a talk at it) ... Bucket, though grumpy, opted to go Visiting Teaching with me. We met my VT companion there and we chatted while waiting (and waiting) for the sister we'd come to teach. She'd forgotten that we were coming (again ... After last month, where we waited for around 15-ish minutes, I thought that I'd cover my bases by texting her this morning. Apparently, I need to text right after church. Ha ha). she did come home ... 45 minutes later, but that was fine. K and I got to talk books in the meantime, so that was fine.

Bucket, though, had snitched my tablet out of my purse without asking, even though she had brought a book, so I wasn't thrilled about that. I instructed her that she SHOULD ask every time. And reminded her of the fact that she's grounded, so she KNOWS that the answer really is no. *sigh*

But, yeah, that's really most of Sunday.

Today ... I should clean the house.
I also need to run out and pick up milk.
And I need to pick up a card for a (retired) coworker of Michael's. A's wife passed on Friday.
Even though the company will be sending a card, Michael strongly feels that he should also send one from our family. And I agree. A was one of Michael's mentors when he started working at his company. It's good to let him know that there are bunches of people thinking of him.

I also wrote a couple of posts for my Sunday School blog ... I should email my students and let them know that those posts are up for them. And get the other email addresses for my other students. Wouldn't it be nice to let them be involved, too? :P

Then I should get caught up on reading my scriptures and get back in the habit of saying more prayers. And I should read the other manuals and prepare more for my class ... the usual.

And work more with Bubbles on reading and writing and numbers and colors ...

But I'm still loving my hair. ^_^

Monday ... Bloody Monday (Not really. More like "bloody" in the Brit-sense. But not. Since it hasn't been THAT bad or anything. I just don't want to be awake.)

Well, let's start with my To-Do list for today:

Set up VT appointments
Call W Family re: baby here? (For RS ... when will they need meals? Gotta set THAT up!)
Vacuum
Dishes
Laundry
Dinner
[Bubbles]'s flu shot
Face mask
A million sit-ups (Or a hundred. Or ten ... Whichever comes first, right?)
Blog
Listen to conference
Read scripture
Pray
Dust
Buy milk
Target run (Q-Tips! Hairspray! Maybe pantyhose! Or at least, the Sally Hansen Air-Brushed Legs spray!!)
Scrub shower (since it's kinda gross. Not gonna lie.)
Organize makeup (Since it looks rather like that part of the counter got hit with a disaster-area WMD.)

Yeah ... good luck on this, right?
Especially since I didn't put "Feed Bubbles about a million times. Or, like, eight- really. But still" on there.
And I need a shower.

But, even though it's been a mostly-fun weekend ... I am EXHAUSTED.

Let's see, what all's happened?

• Thursday, I was able to whip the house into SOME semblance of order ... at least I got the dishes ALL done. Phew!
  Mom came up.
  We talked about my stepdad's last doctor's visit. (He's been diagnosed with dementia. So has my Nana. Different types, though. Looks like I now will get to read up on that ... so I can be more-than-usually-informed about at least two types of dementia, along with Type 2 Ushers Syndrome. And y. Pestis. But that last one is just for fun. Not because it's in our family (At least, not that I know of ... New goal: Track family history through the plague! ... *sigh* I'll be done when I'm like, 80. And that's ONLY if I have good luck.)

Friday, we got the kids off to school on time ... even though my alarm on my phone didn't go off.
Mom and I went shopping and got presents for Bri's lingerie shower.
(FOOTIE JIM-JAMS FOR THE WIN! ... No, really. Bri LOVED them. ^_^)
I made a card to go with the pajamas.
I was able to catch a ride up to P-Town for Bri's Bachelorette party.
We went to Darcelle XV's ... which is ... well, it's a Drag Show Review.
It is NOT family-friendly. I mean ... okay, I thought that I'd heard a crapload of profanity before. I was, really, quite the potty-mouth my Sophomore year of High School (Yes. Between that and wearing belly-shirts and strappy tank tops ... and thongs [but people didn't get to see THAT], that was most of my rebellion. Yeah. I know what you're thinking ...

Yup. Totally ... Though I do use the term "bad-heinie."

• While we were there, one of the girls had ordered a Strawberry Daquiri off the Non-Alcoholic menu. As she ordered it, the server (who, since we didn't know his name, we referred to as "Bedazzled" as we talked amongst ourselves), asked, "The regular kind?" "Um ... yeah."
  Well, turns out the regular kind is the one with alcohol.
  She took a sip. "I think this tastes weird." Bri took a sip and before she could warn me, I had a sip.
  OH MY WORD. My mouth was on fire and then went numb and I almost threw up.
  I know that some people love them their drinks ...
  I also know that I have relatives that are alcoholics ... I know now that that's NOT going to be an issue for me.
  "Do I need to talk to the Bishop?!?" was my question.
• Michael, when I got home and told him, responded, "Did you do it on purpose?"
  "No."
  "Are you going to do it again?"
  "NO."
  "I think you're alright."
  
  We escaped (well, most of our party) before the strippers came out. Because, let's face it. I have seen enough man-parts in my life. Especially since I had a toddler boy (who's grown into a sweet child who doesn't run about in his nudiepants. At least not nearly as much). Just sayin'.
  
  Bri, H, and I waited for the rest of our party outside, then texted that we'd meet them either at the car (while Bri and H changed out of their heels. I was wearing my Toms ... so, though I didn't have a cute, Girls-night-out outfit, I was totally able to walk for miles, if need be. But I'm glad it wasn't.) or at Voodoo Doughnuts.
  I got a Bacon Maple Bar there. SO. FLIPPING. GOOD.
  
  Then H and I drove back while the other girls took Bri out dancing.
  Oh, H and I did get a random high-five from a nice guy while we walked to Voodoo.
  Bri was bummed that he didn't give HER a high-five, so we shared our high-fives with her.
  Good times.
  
  I didn't get home until 2:30 in the morning. Michael waited up for me, bless him.
  Then Bubbles woke up at around 5 AM. *ugh*
• Saturday (and Sunday, too) was General Conference.
  I did a CRAP job of listening. I didn't even take notes, like I usually do.
  Michael got a nap on the couch, then headed out with Bruise and bought a (push) lawnmower.
  I colored my hair (since I had this weird ombre thing going on. It wasn't a cool-ombre ... because it went dark roots--blonde(-ish) inch-or-so--brown(ish)-six-inch-remainder.
  If my roots had been the lightest part, I might have left it alone. However, since it was this weird Neopolitan  it had to be changed. So, now it's a mostly-uniform dark golden brown.
  Which will still look good with my dress on Thursday.
  I did get a nap in the afternoon, while Michael was at part of the Priesthood session of Conference (He came back half-way through, so I could make it to Bri's lingerie shower).
  It was fun to see so many friends at Bri's party. C (the maid of honor) has an amazing knack for decorating and planning parties. (Must be a nice talent to have. I mean, I can host Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners ... since I can cook, apparently. But cute decorations? ... That's not my forte at ALL.)
  There was a Pure Romance party, too. I got Pink Cupcake-scented Body Dew. I smell delicious when I wear it. I did also pick up some massage oil and a heated massage pad. (They were on SALE, y'all!! If you need one this month, while the sale's going ... let me know. I'll give you the consultant's contact info.)

In full disclosure, I know that I could never be a Pure Romance consultant. Mostly because I have the sense of humor and propriety of a twelve-year-old boy.
I mean ... Michael and I were going through the online catalog (see if there was anything that we couldn't live without) ... and, well ...

Me: "I obviously don't know or remember how to be sensual at all. Why are you even married to me?!?!??"

Him: "Don't worry about it. Let's go watch zombies."
(Since we had one last episode of The Walking Dead to watch).

We are so, so romantical.
I can't get through a catalog, due to punny names without snickering like a loon.
So we snuggle and watch a group of near-anarchists blast away rotting corpses.
(I don't blame them for being near-anarchists ... the whole infrastructure has fallen apart. They TRY to establish some rules. But it's HARD.
This is why Michael and I do plan on what to do if the Zombie Apocalypse ever occurred.
He knows how to make a flamethrower.
He will use a shotgun and a longbow.
I will man a crossbow, a machete, and ... well, I'm better with a rifle, since there's not as much kick-back.
(Seriously, as we watch this, I ask questions like, "Can you use the other end of the gun? Like for blunt-force-trauma? ... Without bending the barrell?" ... Yes. We are so, so special.)

The other bit of excitement yesterday was when I was wearing my new heels (for Bri's wedding) around the house.
Bucket tried to turn off a lamp and ended up unscrewing the switch. I strutted over there, screwed the dratted thing back in, and during my dismount from the arm of the couch, entangled my heel in the straps of Michael's drill's bag.

Since these heels are HIGH, it was all TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMBERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
I glanced my cheekbone against Bruise's tough cranium and landed on my knee.
I rubbed Arnica cream into my cheek and knee and used an ice pack on my cheekbone ... I look fine. Phew.

I also had a burst of energy last night ... got rid of a TON of old magazines in the bathroom. It looks a lot more open/neat in there. Now to just get my make-up and stuff all organized. Then it might look like a bathroom and not like a make-up counter exploded. >.<

But, now, I REALLY need to get a shower. And Bubbles woke up from her (SHORT) nap.
So, I should feed the girl, get her settled safely, get a shower, and then get on completing the rest of my list.

Even though ... I really would like a quiet day. Reading and napping and watching shows/movies sounds lovely.
I'll get that someday ... like when Bubbles is in kindergarten, right?

Random Ramblings

Freyja-cat seems much happier now that she's back in our good graces.

(By "she's back in our good graces," I mean "we don't make her sleep in the laundry room. Or, at least, last night we didn't. And we awoke to find that she hadn't revenge-peed on anything." Good kitty.)

Michael and I had a date night last night.
We went out for Thai food. We had the same entrees as last time. And they were just as good.
(I had the Pad Thai. Michael had the Drunken Noodles.) We also split an appetizer of Chicken Sate.
And we had dessert. I don't remember PRECISELY what it's called, but we shared a plate that boasted eight fried wontons filled with shredded coconut and banana surrounding a scoop of coconut ice cream, topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a cherry.

YUM.
Even though I couldn't appreciate it as fully as normal since my stupid seasonal allergies are in full force.
Oh well.

Then, since we're wild and crazy (and there weren't any movies that we wanted to see playing locally. We already saw The Hunger Games and, sadly, there's still another week until The Avengers comes out.), we went searching for a new laundry room hamper.
There was a nice one at Costco. But we also looked at Wal-Mart ... and there was a decent one for about $20 cheaper. ... AND I found Piggy Paint polish there.
I'm rather excited about it ... since I can try it out by painting Bubbles's toes! ... And Bucket's, too.

Then we came home in time to feed Bubbles.
And she actually slept really well last night. Nearly five whole hours.
I slept better, too. Since I made sure to take some Benadryl before going to sleep.
(Nothing like waking up and having to fumble in the dark for an antihistamine. FUN!... NOT. ... THAT was what went on the previous night. *SIGH*)

What else went on?

I still haven't seen ANY eggs or lice in Bucket's (or anyone else's) hair. PHEW.
Still have the last shampoo and comb-out to do tomorrow. But then it should be done.

Mom and I watched a few more episodes of Burn Notice (we got her started on it. She's almost done with Season Two. I think we're up to the end of Season Four). Then we got the kids and went to the bread store (a bread company outlet) and then to a kids' consignment shop.

In related news, Bruise and Bucket wore their new Beaver Gear (OSU wear) to school. They both have shorts. Bruise has a long-sleeved shirt. Bucket has a hoodie.
They're so excited about their Beaver gear, since one of their BESTEST FRIENDS at school is a Beaver fan (as is his whole family).
We did not get Bubbles any Beaver gear (though she got some CUTE new clothes) since she isn't old enough to vocalize which school she prefers.
(I have a cousin whose family LOVES the Ducks. ... But she's at OSU since U of O didn't offer the major that she wanted. It makes me laugh.)
Michael and I still maintain our stance as Platypi fans.
Michael has some loyalty to OSU.
Me? I have no loyalty to either. Mwhahaha ... I didn't attend either of those colleges.
And the college that I did attend (besides a summer term at the local community college)?
I never attended any sporting events.
I did see a concert, a play, and a musical ... but that's not at all the same thing.

... What else ...?

I completed my Visiting Teaching today. And it's not QUITE the end of the month (yet).

Bubbles's eyes are getting lighter. And she's showing off two dimples. One by her mouth, the other up on her cheekbone. Both on her right side.

I solved an issue with my phone (NO, not the weather/clock app. I assume that one's still messed up.) ... But the Amazon App Store wasn't downloading new apps. (Since I usually download the "Free App of the Day" ... And most of the last week's I haven't cared for. ... But I have a LOT of "bought" apps in the list.)
So, today, since I really wanted to try out today's offered-for-free app (an Audubon's bird guide), I needed to fix the issue.
Somehow.
So, I went into settings, and into Applications. I erased the history (or however you say it).
Then I opened the Amazon App Store, signed in, and BAM! I got my bird guide (normally $9.99, btw. So you see WHY I NEEDED to get it. ^_^).

Also, Bubbles is smiling more. LOTS more. It's adorable.

Yesterday, at the consignment store, I did find a book that I wanted. (In fact, it's on my wish list at Amazon ... well, a newer edition is. But that's no big deal.) That was a nice surprise. Especially seeing as how I picked it up for just a dollar. Yup! That made me happy.

I did some crunches today. ... Yeah. If only that gave me a bikini-ready body. NOW.
(I don't have to WEAR a bikini to appreciate the possession of a body that could rock one. Just sayin'.)

I think that's really all I have to report for today.
So far.

Here's a blog. Hope you're happy.

Yeah, it's not my best moment at present.

I woke up about six to Bubbles spitting up ALL OVER MY CHEST. Yum! (Not. Not at all "yum.") So I jumped in the shower and Michael put her in the swing.

Since then, she's spit up all over a CUTE outfit ... and had her first blow-out in another cute outfit.
So, now that I have her in a NOT CUTE outfit, I'm sure that she'll be as clean and fresh as an ocean breeze.

However, she was very sweet and happy when she woke up and during her bath this morning ... so there's that.

Dad and L came and visited yesterday. That was nice. I managed to get things cleaned up (with LOTS of Michael's help the day prior).
Our house was smelling weird. I assumed that it was dishes or under-the-stovetop or the sink in the laundry room.
Nope. It was that Freyja-cat peed on the unfolded, clean laundry that was taking over the old couch.
UGH.

So THAT'S been re-washed. And ... yeah.

Last week was our first week with me running solo during the day.
Monday was Bubble's two-week appointment.
She's gained over a pound since we went home. That was nice. And she's healthy. Always a plus.
Bruise and Bucket were very well-behaved.
We also found out what's causing Bruise's skin issues ...
He's got this condition ... wait for it ... DRY SKIN.

Yes, that's the official diagnoses. His skin just doesn't produce enough oil to keep it moisturized. So, hey! My rubbing almond oil into it? Perfect! Yay for trusting my instincts!

The kids brought home their report cards. Everything's looking good. They do need to put more effort into PE ... but, besides that, things are looking good.

Michael and I celebrated our anniversary (can you believe it? 11 years!) this weekend. Mom C watched the kids ... well, Bruise and Bucket. She would have watched Bubbles as well ... except that I wasn't aware that was the plan that she and Michael had made. So I didn't have anything to feed her while we were out (that would have been about 7 hours. Yeah ...), so we didn't go see The Hunger Games.
Instead, we went to Target. And Red Robin. And Safeway. And Baby Depot.
Yup, we just go CRAZY WILD.
Also, we had stopped at home ... and while Bubbles slept, I pumped some more milk. Now I have, like FIVE ounces saved up. Yeah. That's not much at all, really. Because I usually am just too dang tired to sit for 20 minutes and hand pump with the Medela attachment that I got last pregnancy. Yeah.
(Also ... WHY THE CHICKEN are electric pumps so crazy expensive? Just wondering.)

I know that we did stuff on Saturday ... but I really don't remember WHAT. No idea. Oh well.
Sunday was the usual ... get up, get dressed, church, come home, chillax ... and a frenzy of cleaning there while I had ANY amount of motivation.

I finished my library book yesterday night. Since I thought it was due yesterday. It's due today. YES! I finished it (BARELY!) before its due date. Go me!

Then, like I said, Dad and L came to visit yesterday.
Then I jetted the kids over to the pediatrician to check out Bucket's eye.
(She had a BIG, spontaneous nosebleed at school Friday. And again (but not as bad) late at night. AND one eye was all RED. Looked like pink eye, which I treated on Saturday. Just to be sure she wouldn't be contagious to the kids in Sunday School.)
Dr. R pronounced that her eye looked good ... and we could stop the eye drops. AND I got a prescription for another bottle ... so that, if we EVER get it again, we have medicine on hand. (Last year? Bruise caught it from the cousins at Grandpa C's funeral. And then Bucket came down with it the next day ... as did I. Then I caught it AGAIN the next month from one of Michael's brothers at another family function. *sigh* No, I'm not bitter ... I just really, really, REALLY hate pink-eye.)

By the by, I DID treat Bucket's eye with a squirt of breastmilk. And I got Bubble's eyes, JUST IN CASE.
Bubbles didn't get it at all ... and, really? Bucket's eye did drastically improve within 24 hours. Yay for lactation!

We're two days into Spring Break ... and Bucket was eating (dry cereal) on the couch. When she could totally see and hear the TV from the table. So I blew up and told her to finish eating and go take a nap for time-out. And that I REALLY didn't feel like making her any more food today, since I couldn't trust her to eat it where she was supposed to.

... AAAAAAAAAAND, apparently, I'm a liar.
Bubbles JUST spit up all over herself. In the not-cute outfit.
I look at her, in the swing, and she's got spit-up all over one shoulder and down her arm.

Oh, by the by? I don't know if this child will take a bottle ... which makes it just as well that we didn't leave her with her Grandma. Michael tried to give her a bottle (with water) to tide her over while I was out visiting a friend ... She (Bubbles, not my friend. My friend doesn't need a bottle. Nor would Michael feel impressed to try to administer one to her) was NOT impressed. So, yes, they were both glad to see me when I got back home.

But, yeah. We need to go to the library. There are books that I want there. And I have holds. And I need to turn in my book. And the kids want to check out DVDs ... But, goodness ... I'm so tired. Even though Bubbles did sleep for nearly five hours last night. I still am exhausted.

And the kids REALLY want to go to play at the park. ... So, of course, the weather report says that it's going to be rainy ALL WEEK LONG. Joy.

But, something I get to look forward to ... I ordered nursing bras. I hope they arrive soon. And that they fit well. So I'll have a couple cute and completely functional bras. That'll be nice. And I got them on sale, even. Yay for coupon codes!! ^_^

But, yeah, if you need me, I'll be changing my youngest's clothes. AGAIN.
And doing laundry.
And wanting a nap. Oh, so badly.
And trying not to yell. Ugh.
Sometimes, it'd be really, really nice to have a pinch hitter during the day.
(When Michael's home, it's so much easier. I DO have the opportunity to take a nap or go soak in the tub or something. Oh well. Not so much tonight, since he has a meeting. But it shouldn't be terribly long. Thank goodness!)

Decade

So, Wednesday was Michael's and my tenth anniversary.

Seriously, that's like seventy Hollywood years! How crazy is that?? :P

Mom came up and we took the kids to McDonald's. And I picked up the kids' immunization records (for registering for KINDERGARTEN) and volunteered at the library ... and I picked up the book I had accidentally turned in THERE and a note attesting that I DID turn it in before its due date ... then took THOSE over to the local library where my fine was waived. ^_^

And Michael was home early ... so we left the kiddos with Mom (who fed them dinner and got them in bed) and had ourselves a romantic date night.

Me: Wow, people are going to be all, "What did you do for your tenth anniversary?" And we'll be all, "Oh, we walked around the mall, bought washcloths, and went out to dinner."
Michael: OR "we spent time together."

Yeah, he says that he has no heart ... but then he says stuff like that. ^_^

We also drove around and looked at houses on the market. Just to keep our options open.
And we went to dinner at Carino's. We splurged a bit. We got the Italian nachos, Italian sodas (Michael had Cherry-Vanilla. I opted for Peach-Raspberry. Yum!). Michael was happy with the Five Meat Tuscany Pasta. I decided to try something new. I got the Chicken Picatta (fettuccine and chicken with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and capers in a lemon basil sauce) ...Yeah, I didn't eat a whole lot of it. I would have been happier with the Rosemary Chicken or something in a marinara sauce.
But I figured that, hey, we've been married for ten years. I'll celebrate and be adventurous.
And we ordered a mini turtle cheesecake for dessert. SO GOOD.

Then we went back to the mall and picked up the last two Pirates of the Caribbean movies (on a good sale. $17 for them both), then drove over to the next town to visit the places in our history:

• First date - Where we saw "Galaxy Quest" back in April 2000 ... now a parking lot for a bank.
• First impression of me - The Institute Building (a crazy game of Wink'Em.)
• First kiss - A friend's carport
• First "I love you"s - A local school's playground (Also where our wedding invite pictures were taken. It's since been completely redone.)
• Our first apartment together - Where we spent the first half (thus far) of our marriage together and became college graduates and parents. ... We joke that we'll drive by there in another ten years and they still won't have painted. (It was dark, so it's hard to tell if they did. The colors are still the same.)

We just drove by these places. After walking around the mall for so long, our feet HURT.

Then we went back home, chatted with Mom, and we all went to bed. And Michael and I FELL ASLEEP, we were both exhausted. Heh.
I apologized in the morning ... and he told me he was just as exhausted. So, phew! I didn't have to feel guilty.

But it was a nice way to celebrate our decade of being husband and wife. The first of many, many decades more to come.
At the same time, though it feels like we've been together since FOREVER ago, it's hard to believe that it's been TEN YEARS.
This means that I've been married for one-third of my life!
It seems kinda crazy! Ten years? That's a LONG TIME!
But, hey, the math doesn't lie. We've made it.

And we keep forbidding each other to die. Because we LIKE each other.
And we do NOT want to go back to the dating pool. Oh HECK no.

Michael appreciates that I get his sense of humor.
And I'm grateful that he understands me, makes me laugh, and keeps me calm.

I know that it's all cliché to say that I'm married to my best friend.
That doesn't change that it's true. (And I still have girl besties, too.)
I have a husband and friend that loves, trusts, amuses, and inspires me.
It's pretty awesome.

I hope that everyone can be so happy.  

It also made me laugh that, last weekend, my aunt remarked that Michael and I don't fight or yell at each other all the time. What's wrong with us? Ha ha ha. (It was facetious.)
But she was impressed with our marriage. Which is quite sweet of her.

Yes, I'll get frustrated (with situations) and snap at him. And he forgives me.
He's better than I deserve. I'm fully aware. ... and that makes me want to step it up.

Speaking of, I should clean up the house a bit, get dinner started, and finish that dang RS lesson for Sunday (give me strength).

Still, if you're married, I hope you and your spouse are as content as Michael and I are.
If you're single, I hope that you find the spouse that will make you feel complete.

You deserve it. And so does your spouse. ^_^ I hope you find/have found it, too.

30 Day Challenge - Day 20

Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future

At first, I thought this would be the STUPIDEST entry. (Well, besides the "who would you want to trade lives with.) Because, you see ... schmoopy as it sounds, I've found and am with the one person that I want to marry and be with in the future.

It's really true. 

When I was in my teens (probably around 15 or so), my mom had me make a list of the attributes that I wanted in my future mate. And I made a list. And misplaced it for years. After I married Michael, I found it again. And I was glad that my mom had me put into words all that I had been looking for. Because he fit EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

• Worthy Priesthood holder
• Would take me to the temple
• Returned Missionary
• Intelligent (I desperately wanted someone smarter than I am.
  And, regardless of what he claims, I really did get it. ^_^)
  (It's a bone of contention, really. We both claim that the other is more intelligent. But we KNOW that I'm right on this one. I don't have to talk down to him on most subjects. Which is lovely.)
• Taller than me
• Tolerates cats
• Good kisser
• Likes music
• Handsome
• Would take me dancing
• and a few others

Really, and I know it sounds all hokey, but I have the perfect man for me. He loves me -- in spite of my myriad failings, gives me what I need, is a wonderful husband and a terrific father to two adorable and smart children (see?? He's got AWESOME DNA). 

He's ... perfect for me. And I really can't imagine life without him.
So I've forbidden him to die before me. And he's agreed.

Well, here's pictures of us. Because ... well, ... it's my blog and if I want to plaster gushy stuff about my man, I can.

"For you see, each day I love you more

Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow."

Rosemonde Gerard

"kisses are a better fate than wisdom."
e.e. cummings

 "Anyone can catch your eye,
but it takes someone special to catch your heart."

Unknown

"You don't marry someone you can live with -
you marry the person who you cannot live without."
Unknown

"If I had a single flower for every time I think about you,
I could walk forever in my garden."
Claudia Ghandi

 "We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."
Unknown

"What I need to live has been given to me by the earth.
Why I need to live has been given to me by you."
Unknown

"I've fallen in love many times...always with you."
Unknown

"Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."
Rose Franken

"Are we not like two volumes of one book?"
Marceline Desbordes-Valmomre

"Grow old with me! The best is yet to be."

Robert Browning 

"True love stories never have endings."
Richard Bach

Love quotes found here: http://brainz.org/101-best-valentines-day-quotes/

Bruise and Bucket's Fifth Birthday Party EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! (Part Two -- The CAKES!)

(If you find yourself bored by all the talking, just jump down. There are pictures. I won't be offended. Promise!)

We try and let the kids choose each year what kind of cake they want.

Bucket and Bruise have known for a couple MONTHS how they wanted their cakes decorated: Hello Kitty and Captain America's shield, respectively.

I also ask for their input on what kind of CAKE they want. You know, chocolate, yellow, pink, white ...

I think that Bucket's opted for a Funfetti (white with rainbow sprinkles) nearly every year!

Friday morning, I realized that Bruise still hadn't decided on a cake flavor! And the party was tomorrow! And I needed to bake his cake today!! (So we could decorate it after getting home from another party!!)

I wasn't WORRIED, per se. I can (and do, on occasion) bake cakes from scratch. I actually prefer to. It's not like they're HARD or anything. If you have all the ingredients. And I try to ALWAYS have ingredients on hand for basic things.

"So, Bruise," I asked him. "What kind of cake do you want?"

"CAPTAIN AMERICA'S SHIELD!" He declared.

"... Yeah, I know that. ... But what KIND of cake do you want? To eat ... Chocolate? White? What?" I pressed.

And then ... then he said...

Those fateful words ...

"I want a BLUE cake."

"Oh. Okay ..."

And then I had to find a way to make my firstborn son a blue cake.

So, I did what any loving mother would do.

I turned to THE GOOGLE.
And I was inspired to Google "Blue Velvet Cake."
Since a RED Velvet cake is a real cake. I've even eaten it before.
Maybe a BLUE Velvet Cake really existed.

And *ding-ding-ding*, IT DID!
Paula Deen has made one! And so have some other bloggers!
So, I printed out a recipe (Not Paula Deen's. Hers was my second choice) and got to work.

I mixed up the boxes of Bucket's Funfetti cake and baked those in my GIANT glass dish.

Then I started mixing stuff for Bruise's Blue Velvet Cake ... and I used EVERY. LAST. DROP. of blue food coloring in the batter (so Michael and I had to run by the store on our way back home that night so we'd have coloring to make the frostings).

And it was a BLUE CAKE. (It could have been blue-er ... but it made my Bruise-boy a happy little man. Which is what I strive to do.)

Of course, Michael had requested that I bake Bruise's cake in the springform pan, to make its removal easier, so Michael could decorate it.

(NOTE TO SELF: Put the springform pan ON a cookie sheet. When the batter is first in there, it's not firm enough to stay in there on its own. So, yeah, I got to clean my stove later. But it was just a minor failing. It DID turn out fine in the end. ... I learn this by experience so YOU don't have to. You're welcome. :P)

SO, after Michael and I got home and put the kiddos to bed, we got to work decorating the cakes.

Bucket's was rather easy. I frosted it with storebought frosting (Vanilla, of course). I BAKE the cakes, Michael decorates. It's a system that works well for us. (He doesn't get as easily frustrated as I do. And he's tapped into all that artistic talent. Bucket does NOT get it from me. I can't take credit for it at all. *sigh*)

Michael put a crumb coat of homemade cream cheese frosting on the trimmed blue cake. Then I just had to add food coloring to storebought cream cheese frosting so Michael could pipe (and smooth) the stripes and the center circle.

And I also got the bright idea (I call it TOTAL INSPIRATION) to make marshmallow fondant (which, it so happens, is really easy. I should know. I never made it before. And it IS really super easy).

The fondant became a star, a bow, and a little yellow nose.

Of course, my hands were stained with blue and yellow spots. And then looked like I committed some foul murder from all the red coloring that I kneaded into the white fondant. (Hello Kitty's bow was more PINK than RED ... but Bucket was still VERY happy. Phew!!)

I used a cookie cutter for the star. I freehanded the nose. Michael had to do the bow.

When I start cussing a la Firefly ("GORRAMIT!! Stupid piece of GUSSAH!" (No, I cannot spell it.), that's Michael's cue to shoo me away and make it look pretty.

We're such an awesome team. :P

But, within a couple hours, we had the piping done and fondant placed. Then we put the finished cakes in the other fridge (where there was room. And so the icing would firm up a bit.)

In the morning, the kids came out and peered over the counters to see their cakes.

I had cleaned up only a little (saving it for the morning, obviously. Since, thankfully, spending the last week or so cleaning the house DID get it into some semblance of order. Phew!) , they found only a little bit of our handywork on the counter.

On a plate were the trimmings from the blue velvet cake and three balls of colored fondant (red, white, and yellow).

"Is this our cake??" Bucket finally ventured.

"Yes, THAT is your cake." Michael quipped. (They say not to use sarcasm with your kids. But it is, on occasion, HILARIOUS.)

"... ... Wow." They said and looked QUITE disappointed.

Later, as I cleaned, I put the fondant and trimmings into the garbage. Bruise walked in and, aghast, gasped, "Mom??!? Why did yoo put my cake in da GAH-BAGE???"

I laughed. (I COULDN'T HELP IT!) And I told him that THAT wasn't his cake. His cake was fine and was somewhere else.

And we brought the cakes out before guests started coming.

And the kiddos were pleased.

Here they are, in all their epicurious glory!!

*drumroll, please!*

...

...

...

Voila!

Bruise's Captain America's Shield

Bucket's Hello Kitty
(modeled after a REALLY CUTE laptop sleeve.)

Witness the blue interior!!

When you turn five years old, it's MANDATORY to have cake for breakfast, right?

Okay, okay, so it was WAFFLES for breakfast.
Cake was for lunch.

No, I'm not joking.
(Sorry, Michael! You still love me, right? It's what they WANTED for lunch! And it was their BIRTHDAY!)

I'm blogging a second time in a week?? Whaaaaaaaat???

This post will have bits of TMI. Just warning you.

So, like I mentioned, Thursday featured me getting out of the house, sans children. (If was after their bedtime, anyways). I had a great time with a few friends, including one who's moving. D: ... Still, a great time. It was small and not planned much in advance.

I had posted on Facebook that I had a great time at the Girls' Night Out, and gave credit to the two gals who had hands in the idea for it.
One mututal friend had posted that she was sad she wasn't cool enough to get invited. She was joking. Another friend (on vacation) also posted that she wished she could be there.
One of the friends who planned it commented that she was uncomfortable calling it a "Girls' Night Out," since there were people feeling excluded.

I, being on my period -- read: being a hormonal mess, really--, suddenly went through a cycle of self-doubt, self-pity, and general crapishnessessence.

So I deleted the original post about how much fun I had ... and posted one about how I felt stupid because I referred to a spur-of-the-moment gathering of gals outside our homes as a Girls' Night Out, but I'd been told that it wasn't. And that I seem to specialize in alienating and offending people. And that I don't have a social life. And I started crying. And Michael comforted me, telling me that I'm not offensive or alienating; that I wasn't trying to hurt anyone's feelings; that I needed to concentrate on the fact that I did get out of the house and had a good time.

And my dear friends (including some of you) did comment and tell me that, no, what I had gone to did fit the definition of a Girls' Night Out. Which does help me feel a bit less socially-awkward and stupid.
(Though, I'm REALLY good at feeling dumb. And I'll confess that I did cry a little as I typed this whole stupid incident out. I should go take some Valerian. And my fake Zyrtec.)

But, yeah. So, that's that. Now I just need to overcome my tinge of Agrophobia a bit more and plan a Girls' Night Out and make sure to invite a few more people. Sometime after Girls' Camp.

-----------------

In other news, we're battling fleas. Diana-cat had a bath, is back in her flea collar (removed for that bath), and we sprinkled the carpet with Natural Defense carpet powder, which does smell kinda nice/kinda funky. And has removed any lingering odor from when Diana decided that peeing on the dining room carpet was the BEST. IDEA. EVER. (It wasn't. At ALL. *glowers*)

Since that, we keep finding some baby fleas on Michael and the kids. I think there's been ONE on me. Two on Bucket, three on Bruise, and about a gazillion on poor Michael. (He is a sweet man. Even though he's rather heartless. Never cries at movies or anything. Seriously. I've been married to him for nearly a decade. He's cried ONCE. ... If he didn't laugh and have a great sense of humor and all, I'd worry that he might be a psychopath. :P [Love you, Honey!] ... But, yeah, the fleas swarming him is total proof that he's really a sweet man. ^_^) SO, I'm pretty sure that this is the new generation of fleas hatching. Grrr. I HATE fleas.

-----

So, I've vacuumed almost all of the house. I'm getting caught back up on the dishes (and, once those are done, I'll clean up the rest of the kitchen) and the laundry. The bathrooms are nearly clean. I'm feeling rather productive. ... Oh, AND I'm getting books finished!! ^_^ (Some of them. There are others that are due and I haven't even cracked open. D: ... *sigh*)

Bruise did his cutting and pasting work that my mom brought up for him last week. And he wrote his own name. That was pretty awesome. And he's getting lots better with the scissors.

-----

Found a teacher from high school on Facebook. My old Biology I teacher. I knew that he had moved to this area about 15 years ago. He's still around. Which makes me happy. Especially for his current students. He's a really awesome teacher. ... As you can tell, since I still am very fond of him ... and it's been over a decade. ^_^

------

I helped the kids organize their boxes of toys. Again. After THEY had cleaned their room well. It does look much better in there. Phew.

I also got some songs back on my iPod. That'll make driving nice.

-------

The kids have a birthday party tomorrow. We have a present for that. Thank goodness. ^_^ And we need to buy another present for their cousin's birthday this weekend.

Michael and I get to go to the temple. It's been a while. When it's been longer than a month, I really lose track of when I last went. ... One of the things I miss from the pre-kid days is going to the temple once a month. (Well, that and not having to vacuum under the dining room table. Or wonder WHO didn't flush the toilet. Or going out and buying books every payday. ... Oh well. They're worth it. Really.)

-----

I think that is everything that really is pertinent.
It's nice sitting in a mostly-clean house.
It's nice that my kids love each other.
It's nice that Bruise did his cutting and pasting with a minimum of whining (this time) ... and that I was able to unload/reload the dishwasher as he did it.
It's nice that Bucket is not such a picky eater. She asked for a cracker/nut mix. Specifically, "the one with the little green balls in it."

Those "little green balls?"
WASABI PEAS.
That's my girl. ^_^

Now, if Michael's back heals up quickly ... and if we get more money ... life will be pretty darn perfect.
For the most part, anyways.

That and if I can stop kicking myself in the butt for things that aren't totally and completely my fault.
Even though I'm really, really good at it. :S

Okay, how SAD is it that I have to look at my blog to remember what I have and have not posted?

... Maybe I don't want you to answer that.

---------------------

Let's see ... I'm still crazy and hormonal (THANK YOU, MOTHER NATURE ... NOT! ... And if I were not a Christian woman, I'd tell you EXACTLY what I think of her at this exact point in time.).

This manifests in FUN ways (yes, that was sarcasm). Like when the DVD player decides not to work, I treat my dear children to a LOUD lecture on how to press the freaking STOP button on the DVD player before taking the DRATTED DVD OUT of the player!!!!

(However, once we restart the DVD player just shy of a zillion times ... okay, like, THREE times ... it will work again.)

Once it started working again, we watched Disney Earth (GOOD) and the NOVA (PBS) documentary on bees. Which the kids both enjoyed. And so did I.

(Truly, it's SAD how rarely I sit with the kids when they're watching a show. They've watched DVDs that I've been in the room for ... but have paid no attention to ... I know, I'm such a LOSER!)

Another way that my PMS manifests is ... well, here's the story.

Last night, Michael's telling me about an employee at work. Who, while trying to do something for the company website and signed into Michael's Gmail account, CHANGED HIS PASSWORD AND TRIED TO CHANGE HIS USERNAME.

It sounds kinda funny and really pitiful. But, my sakes, I was IRATE. I was ready to go and give this individual a *****-slap or something.

Michael took it in stride, let me know his new password (since we often sign each other in and out of accounts as we share his laptop) ... worked at calming me down.

(And the calming down process finished around 10:30, after I browsed through the Coldwater Creek catalog. Yes, the prices are WAY OUT OF MY LEAGUE ... but some of the pieces they offer are pretty nice. If I had them, I'd wear them.

Yeah, so that's that. Seriously, if anyone ever tries to reset one of my passwords, looks like I'll probably go apoplectic on that person. So, yeah, just be forewarned.

(AND THAT IS NOT A CHALLENGE. DO NOT TAKE IT AS SUCH, any aspiring hackers out there. Please. I'm asking nicely.)

Gosh, paranoid much? Me? NOOOOOOoooooooooOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!

Where'd you ever get such a preposterous idea?? *shifty eyes*

Here's a little vignette from this morning:

Scene: I am checking Facebook before I study for my class. Bruise pops out of his room and sees me at the computer.

Bruise: *whispers* Is Daddy s'eeping?
Me: No, Daddy's not sleeping, sweetie. He's at work today.

Bucket: *hisses at Bruise from their bedroom* I TOLD YOU!!

Yup, that's what goes on in this household.

OH! Speaking of what a total failure I am as a mother, I hadn't even THOUGHT of teaching the kids racial tolerance or anything until one of my friends posted an article about it on Facebook.

And so, I pulled Bucket up on my lap to ask her about people with different colored skin.

And, oh, my jaw dropped for a bit. And I was VERY QUICK to correct her that people of ALL skin colors are just as smart and kind and everything as we lily-white palefaced honkies.
(Okay, maybe I didn't call us Honky folk, but it was implied.)

And I showed her pictures of my Pie (as I can refer to her, my token Black friend) and her kiddos ... and we talked about Princess Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog) and how cool and smart and wonderful these people are ... And I think it sunk in a little.

(Now we watched videos about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Brown vs. The Board of Education and discussing "Separate but Equal" -- note that I can't refer to that travesty without putting it in quotation marks -- and we started talking about other cultures [like the Maori with their AWESOME Haka. Love it!!] and things. And I think that they're starting to get it. Phew!!)

So, tomorrow night is my last radio class. Next week is the test. Then I'll have free Wednesday nights again ... to watch GLEE!!!!!! (Not like I'm at all excited. ... Truly, I've been really crap about watching television. Even DVDs. How sad is that? Oh well.)

Tonight is our ward's YW New Beginnings ... where I get to tell about and pass out the new ribbons that girls have earned. So, yes, I should put on some make-up today. ^_^

Looks like we're missing storytime today, since the kidlets didn't get their mess picked up in time before we prayed and did a little scripture story this morning (Look! I'm putting forth an effort! Yay!! Now if I can just keep it up, right?????). Oh well. More time to fold some laundry, do a load of dishes, read a book (for me) and to read together and watch a show (for the kids).

I got one package in today -- one of the books that Mom and I ordered -- Kabumpo of Oz (the 15th in the Oz series. This is the second by Ruth Thompson) ... We had a devil of a time getting a copy with illustrations. This one is a library discard. There's a hole in one page, so I'll be guessing a little on what words are supposed to really go there. But I'm glad that it has the awesome John R. Neill, "Royal Illustrator of Oz" drawings in there. ^_^

Oh, you might laugh at this ... Sunday night, as Michael and I were getting ready to go to bed, he had been reading my newest copy of Mental_Floss magazine (which I haven't gotten to yet) and remarked about Bing cherries ... how he didn't know before this where they were first grown. And he made me guess. I got it wrong (I guessed California ... it's really Oregon) ... and when he told me the right answer, I was all "*gasp!* Oh, that's right! There was that fruit orchard! And Bing isn't the name of the owner of the orchard, it's the last name of the Chinese immigrant who worked his farm. The owner named it for him, since he worked so hard on the orchard! That's right!" (And it is. *preens*)

Michael: How do you know this?!?

Me: I read it. .... I don't recall where exactly. But, I was reading it a while ago.

Michael: Why am I not surprised?

So, yeah ... I guess there really is a reason why one of my friends has told me (time and again) that, if she ever is on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," I'm the friend that she'll be phoning.

It's nice to be good for something. ^_^

My poor, poor neglected blog ...

I apologize that I haven't been writing a whole lot lately. Mostly I don't think about doing it ... or I somehow run out of time ...

Yes, I do have books sitting on my nightstand and shelf (and in the car), waiting to be read. That's a usual. My house could be cleaner ... but here I am, making time for YOU, my dear little blog.

Sooooooo ... last blog was *gasp!* TEN DAYS AGO?!? Yep, I shall account for (what I can recall) my doings. ... Let's see ....

Michael's getting us into some better financial shape. One credit card is all paid off. So that's REALLY good. We've almost got the kids' hospital bill from when they were born all paid off. BIG PLUS. If we're very good (and we're trying to be), in a couple months, we'll just have the car load, his school loan, and the mortgage as our debt.

(Anyone else find it a little strange that mort = "death" ... and it's in the word for house loan? ... Maybe it's just me. *shrugs*)

But, yes. So that's one BIG thing. I try not to freak out about money. I hate not having money. I have not having ENOUGH money to pay all the bills (i.e., stay caught up on all the bills) and have enough left over that I can think, "Okay, self, let's put some of this away into SAVINGS ... and, well, let's go buy something fun. And get a pedicure or something decadent!"

We're not quite there yet. But, oh, I'd love to be. I'd love to be FUN again. To enjoy shopping not just for "what can I afford to buy that won't make me feel like a giant, blubber-butt WHALE ... if I can FIND anything like that?" To be able to find a cute purse that will work for me ... not just something that'll get me by until we have enough money again to afford something that makes me happy (And I'm NOT talking about holding out for something by Louis Vuitton or Burberry -- I had to look up the proper spelling for both of those! :S ... Though they do make some very pretty-pretty handbags.) (Also: HOLY FLIP! I think the Burberry bags are gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but MY WORD!! Some of them are more expensive than our monthly house payment! Even the ones on sale! AAAAACK!!!!!)

But enough about that ... what else is up in my life?

We took the kids out for a weekend of culture. There was a Youth Theater production of Cinderella over at one library ... and they kids did well (though, I think they did enjoy the production of "Willy Wonka" better the week before. The next day was a special ballet production at the local library. A local ballet studio did a lite version of "Coppelia." Bruise actually clapped for it. Bucket LOVED sitting on the floor for a first-row view.

Later on Saturday, when Michael was heading out (taking the van) for a meeting, Bruise called out to him as he left, "Don't crash the car!!"
(WHAT??? It was really funny, though. )

I started playing a came on Michael's iPhone -- Zombie Farm. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, it's seriously fun. It's (mostly) free. It looks like there's no way around paying money (99 cents) for one game item to let you use the blue zombies. :( Oh well. I don't get to play it a whole bunch, since Michael has the iPhone with him all day at work.

Tuesday, he took the day off of work so we could celebrate our anniversary. Mom came up to watch the kids for us ... and we took off for the day. We went to the temple, then we headed down to watch a movie. We saw Alice in Wonderland in 3-D, which is always fun. We also bought candy (for the movie) at the Dollar Tree (since we're SUCH big spenders! ^_^) and browsed at Borders (I did buy the latest copy of Mental_Floss with some of my birthday money. The first thing I've REALLY wanted to buy with my little stash. I'm so protective of it!)

Oh ... Saturday, after we had gone to the library, we went to Target to return a gift Michael had bought me (The thought was nice ... and he's right, I can be hard to shop for). So, in exchange for a yoga mat and bag (I have a yoga mat ... which I don't use all that often. THOUGH I SHOULD. And I've never needed to carry it anywhere. But he did pick out cute ones!), we got new tension curtain rods for the living room -- to replace the terribly twisted ones that have seen MUCH better days (just regular cheapo curtain rods. And when the kids have played with the sheer curtains, they've gotten in SUCH bad shape).
Soooooooo .... Michael took the kids to the park, since my PMS-FREAKOUT was starting, and I set to work putting up the rods (instead of reading or taking a bubble bath or anything). ... And, of course (I say "of course," when I really should say "it figures," but bear with me!), as I get the first tension rod set up so it'll be long enough to stay up in the window, I manage to cut the back of my hand. And start bleeding.

Now, do I really freak out? Do I call Michael's cell and beg him to come home and patch me up?

No. Why would I do that? I skitter off to the bathroom, grab some tissue to blot the blood and start applying direct pressure until I can use up the last of one roll of medical tape to awkwardly wrap my hand so I can finish putting up those bleeping curtain rods. Because DAMMIT I'm ready for my living room to look NICE.

And, by the time that Michael and the kids got back, I had the rods up (he did have to tweak the length on one. But that's fine) and had my hand properly bandaged. (It's healing well. No infection or anything. Aren't you proud?) I think I had also finished a graphic novel or something.

I got a 94% on my quiz in my HAM radio class last night. My test is in two weeks ... can you believe it? I think that I'll do fine. I should be fine. Just have to study a little more and I'll be ready.

FUNNY STORY: Monday, since the kids had worked hard to take a nap, I rewarded them with a trip to the library to play (in the children's area. Since it was rainy). Bruise was tapping on the window as I got in the car. And I asked him not to do that.

"Wook, Mom! Sweepeeo tapped on my window!!!"
"WHAT? Who?!?"
"Da shiny wobot!"
"OHHHHHH! C-3PO!! OHHHH! *laughs*"
(Bucket) "Mom, why are you laffin'?"
"*between snickers* Because I thought that [Bruise] said that SLEEPY PEOPLE were tapping on his window!"
"No, sleepy people wouldn't tap on your window. They'd TAKE A NAP on your window! But only in a movie or a story!"

(To make more sense, we had discussed with the kids earlier that some things that happen in movies or stories would NEVER happen in real life. So you don't have to worry about, say, an alligator suddenly appearing in your car and EATING YOUR HEAD. Just so that's cleared up. )

But, yeah, life with my kids is not a boring thing.

Like when Bucket comes running, screaming ... "What's wrong? What happened?" "The wall hit me!!!" "Huh? Like it just JUMPED out and hit you? What?" "No! Come with me! I'll show you!" ... and she proceeds to explain that she was standing on a soccer ball, looking out the window. And she went to reach about two feet over and the soccer ball shoots out from underneath her and she, apparently, banged her head on the window sill.

Yes, we DID discuss that we don't stand on balls. They're not very secure.

--------------------------------------------

One more story that I've forgotten to share. And, um, if you have a weak stomach, you probably shouldn't read it. Just to warn you.

Saint Patrick's Day, I made the kids egg-in-a-hole for breakfast. And I scrambled the eggs with green food coloring before I cooked them in the bread. They were GREEN. Like, EMERALD GREEN.

Bruise and Bucket snarfed them down. AFTER they had eaten lots of dried apricots. LOTS of dried apricots. Then they had a peanut butter cookie each.

We (Mom, the kiddos and I) go to storytime. And then, about 3/4 through, Bruise, in my lap, has a burp-that's-more-than-a-burp ... if you know what I mean. So I clap my hand over his mouth, pick him up so he's straddling my other arm, and rush him out of a closed room in the swinging door of the ladies' room where he (are you ready for this? Really?) BARFS ALL OVER THE FLOOR.

Thank goodness it's a tiled floor. Instead of the carpet that we were on in the storytime room.

So, I try to get him to go throw up anything left in the toilet. But the boy's so efficient that he's emptied his stomach in one go. So I try to keep him out of the HUGE puddle o' puke ... and I'm working at cleaning it all up with paper towels and water. And not slipping and falling on my butt in the middle of it in the meantime.

So, we change our plans from taking the kids into the next town while I go volunteer to having the kids and my mom stay at the house (and get McDonald's to go instead of eating at McDonald's) ... which is a double-good thing since the boy ended up having, um, "Revenge of the dried apricots" in his pants. If you know what I mean. .... And I think you do. ... Or you could easily figure it out.

But my mom's much better about cleaning up THAT than cleaning up vomit (she's got a wicked-weak gag reflex) ... so we called ourselves even over that. Oy.

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Okay, THAT story's over. And since I mentioned it (when it happened) on Facebook, my librarian-ladies at my library knew all about it (three of them have friended me) ... and, bless their hearts, but they think it's rather hilarious. And, it is ... in a gross way.

The joys of motherhood. ^_^

Okay. About 30 minutes until my Visiting Teachers come over. My house is ..... um ..... decent.

And, after they're here, I think I might try and take a nap. Or read. Because I'm beat. Between cleaning a bit, baking brioche (did I mention that? I should have!), going to the temple, going out with my husband, shopping with my mom, hanging up curtain rods (and injuring myself in the process), my HAM radio class, playing games on the computer, reading, staying up too late ... well, I'm pretty beat. Thank goodness our weekend has arrived!

Of course, I want to spend part of tomorrow working on our yard. Rain or shine. Which is going to be GREAT with my hay fever. *rolls eyes* But those blackberry vines that keep encroaching in our little yard? They're SO going down.

Blahs

Seriously, what is up with me ... I've just got a case of the blahs.

The kiddos haven't quite taken their naps yet. Wish they would ... and I'm having troubles tearing myself away from the computer. Again. (I really, REALLY should jump on the treadmill. And do, like, a gazillion crunches if I'm going to be in Mer's wedding. ... But I lack motivation.)

I need to unload/reload the dishwasher. I did re-tidy the laundry room. I should fold and put away some laundry. I emptied the cat box (thank goodness. SMELLY cats). I need to pick up (or make the MESSY CHILDREN pick up) the living room. And their bedroom. And I need to clean MY bedroom. 

I'd much rather run a warm bath and read. And maybe watch BOTH versions of Pride and Prejudice that I picked up at the library today. And maybe Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility and Emma ... just for good measure.

Oh, hey. Just so you know ... and you're probably SMARTER than I am ... home-waxing? Rather painful. I've JUST about gotten the lover half of my calves done. And my armpits (is there a DAINTY way of saying that area? No?) are  ... less gross-looking. But it's rather difficult.

It's hilarious in a few ways, though. I bought the box of Nad's. I even have leftover strips of paper/fabric/whatever from the LAST time I've utterly failed at home-waxing. (The first time? I was a teenager. And I tried the COLD WAX STRIPS. ON MY BIKIKI LINE. ... I thought I was GOING TO DIE. Never have tried those since. Just sayin'.)

But, for waxing, you first have to let the hair grow long enough to wax. That is a difficulty for me. I'm OCD about my hair. Michael thinks it's hilarious and strange that I try to shave daily. He thinks it's even MORE hilarious and OCD that I try to shave when we're camping. (This is why *I* get to choose the campgrounds. I choose the ones with running water and showers!)

Michael only noticed a few days ago that I hadn't shaved for a while. When I was complaining that I could see hairy bits around my cap sleeves. (And, really, *I*'m the only one who examines my arms closely enough to see it ... so it's not like random strangers are thinking that I've completely let myself go ... or am European or a hippie (who dresses like a wannabe yuppie.))
And, let me tell you, dear ones, Michael was impressed. As he said, "I didn't think you had it in you."
(Really, I don't. BUT I want perfectly smooth pits/arm recesses/something that doesn't sound gnarly!!! ... DEODERANT RECEPTACLES! THERE! That's better! ... So I have hair happening.)

At least, like I've said, the bottom half of my calves don't look all like teen-boy legs. Ugh *shudders* Hey, it's okay when teenage boys have legs looking like that. It's NOT so okay when it's ME.

And, what's even stranger ... when I was waxing one of my legs, I guess that the hair roots came out ... just not all the way? So one of my legs looks like I had a small area of ... rash? Chicken pox? Infected flea bites? It looks funky, to say the least. BUT It's mostly hairless!

And, gosh, I need to buy another pair of tweezers, I'll tell you. (and I'm SOOOO sure that you wanted to know.)

Michael just looked at me and asked, "And women do this, WHY? It looks painful ... and you have sores."

"And I'll have perfectly smooth legs ... and won't have to do it again for a couple of weeks, at least!"

"How much would it cost for you to have it done professionally?"

"Well, it depends where I have it done. But this little tub of wax-stuff is just $20! If I went to the spa down the street, it'd be $75 for just my legs. I'm saving money! ... Now, can you help me get my armpit? It makes me dizzy to look at it this closely. Please?"

"Um, honey? You're bleeding." 

"Oh, it's just the roots. They're unhappy.  ... Oh, wow. I thought it'd be just a drop. Hmm. Let's give that side a rest and try the other side."

Oh ... also? You'd THINK that you'd just have to apply the wax and the paper strip-thing and you'd get ALL the hair in one spot.

HA!

Not so much.

This is why it's taking me SO LONG to get my legs and armpits de-hairified. Oy.

SO, yeah ... It's supposed to give you up to 8 weeks of not needing to wax/shave/whatever ... I'm hoping that I FINISH before that 8 weeks is up ... *sigh*

But, hey! I blogged. AGAIN! For the second day in a row!

Also, gave Bruise a haircut. He went from resembling Shaggy in Scooby-Doo to looking more like he's getting ready for basic training. He's totally handsome.