I'm not dead. I swear!

Okay ... again (like usual), it's been a while since I last blogged.

Which just means that -- hey! -- there's stuff to blog about, right? ... Um ... yeah. Sure.

Okay, so Halloween. Let's start there.
Michael and I were not cool. We didn't dress up at all.
I HAD perused a couple stores to find a decent pirate-hat. No dice.
So, between THAT failure and my gimp ankle, I didn't have the energy or motivation or wherewithal to do anything.

The kids did dress up.
Bruise was a robot-ninja from Power Rangers (No, we don't watch the show. But the costume SPOKE to him. He wanted to be a gold or white ninja -- and we only had red or cobra ninja costumes -- SO.)
Sadly, the mask covered his adorably handsome face, so we think he didn't get AS much candy as previous years.

Bucket opted to be Skelita Calaveras (from Monster High). We did NOT invest in the official costume.
For less money, we got a "white skellington" costume (leggings, long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and wispy grey skirt) AND a pink animal-print skirt (that she can wear as a regular wardrobe item) and I sprayed her hair darker with orange-gel highlights (Instead of dropping another $20 on a wig). And I did her Dia de los Muertas makeup ... which turned out pretty darn well.
(In fact, in all humblebrag, the gal taking pictures at the mall said [and posted on facebook] that they should get me to do facepainting for them ... which kind of freaks me out. Because doing makeup for ONE girl is totally different than doing small bits on MULTIPLE children. Seriously, I got Bucket's hair-and-makeup down to about a half-hour [It'd have been less if I had a stage-type white base. Whenever I'd touch her face (to do eyeliner or anything, I'd have to redo where my finger had been, since the white creme base had rubbed completely off)] ... So, apparently, I need to practice face-painting so I'll have a marketable skill.)

Bubbles was an owl ... in the same costume as last year. And it fit MUCH better.
And she LOVED the trick-or-treating at the mall.
You could just about see her thought-pattern: "What are you telling me? You're saying that if I go up to those strangers with my bucket, they'll just GIVE ME CANDY? Seriously? BEST DAY EVER."
And, since she's a tiny thing, a lot of the folks giving out candy would just hold their bowls out to her and laugh as she grabbed HUGE (for her) handfuls.

So, Michael had come home early from work, which was WONDERFUL. As soon as I had Bucket's makeup done, we skedaddled to the mall. Then we went to a neighbor's house (she ALWAYS has great treats and personally asks us to come by). After that, Bruise and Bucket ran into the house to go through their loot.
We could have gone to a local high school's trunk-or-treat or to a shindig thrown by a local church ... but the kids were happy enough to just go through their candy and eat pizza rolls. So, we did that and watched the Disney version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (complete with bonus Bing Crosby).

Since, as I mentioned, I still have a bum ankle, I wasn't terribly heartbroken that I didn't have to gimp about for the rest of the night. (I'd have sent Michael out with the older ones. Bubbles and I would have just chillaxed and gone to bed early.)

After the kids went to bed, we watched an episode of BBC's Jekyll ... we're now about halfway through it (only six episodes). It's gotten better as it's gone along. (Still there's a bit of language. Which isn't THAT surprising, since it's British ... but, yeah, not for children. Definitely not.)

And that was Halloween.

The next day, Bubbles and I made it to the school assembly (for MOST of the assembly -- Bubbles was NOT HAVING ANY OF IT, cranky girl) to see Bucket receive a Student of the Month Award.
It was much nicer NOT being on crutches for this assembly (as opposed to last month's, where Bruise got a Reading award ... and I was in tears trying to get around. *sigh*).

This assembly was much better organized. (They opted to have the [noisy] Kindergarteners have their OWN assembly. And the 3rd-5th graders had their own assembly in the afternoon in the gym, which is much larger. There were LOTS more places for parents to sit. And the volume level was MUCH better.)

The kids cleaned their room. And they've worked VERY hard to keep it clean. They've made it a WHOLE WEEK. They need to tidy it up today ... but I'm very impressed.

Even though it's been chilly outside, I've been letting them play outside with some neighbor kids most days. Might as well, until it gets too cold, right?

Bubbles isn't very happy about that. I should take her to the play area at the mall, so she can get some wiggles out.

Last week was pretty low-key. We took the kids to a frozen yogurt shop for FHE (Family Home Evening) to celebrate/commemorate Bucket's Student-of-the-Month award (We like to celebrate with ice cream/frozen yogurt).
We cleaned up the house Tuesday. My mom came up Wednesday (and had to leave VERY early Thursday morning). Thursday, I was out late, since I went to a THRIVE (food storage/emergency preparedness supplies) party at a friend's house ... and stayed chatting with her and her friend (now a facebook friend) for about two hours. Good times.
(Seriously, I NEEEEEED to order a #10 can of those pomegranate yogurt bites. Yummmm. And the freeze-dried double chocolate swirl ice cream is rather amazeballs, too. Truly, I was pretty dang impressed with everything I tried. ... So I want to try the freeze-dried asparagus. FOR SCIENCE.)

Friday, Michael and I went out for a lunch date (with Bubbles). Yay for Red Robin (Bubbles LOVES their Sweet potato fries. I can't complain, either! I had the French Onion soup and BTLA (Ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado) Croissant. It's my usual. Michael had a craving for French Dip. So, that's what he got. And onion rings to share. (The bacon aioli sauce? Is pretty amazing. ... Yeah, I know. I could never keep Kosher.)

Saturday, the kids had their Primary Program rehearsal (well, not Bubbles, she's too little). We took Bubbles shopping with us. Michael needed new brown shoes (he's TOUGH on shoes. And clothes) and I was on a mission to find high-top Converse sneakers. Not just because they're awesome, but to support my gimp ankle.

We weren't finding anything good anywhere. Which made me pretty pissy for a bit.

We did (FINALLY) go out in the afternoon (after Bubbles' nap) to a local paint-your-own-pottery place to use Bucket's gift certificate she won this summer. And then we used Bruise's gift certificate to get dinner at a local pizza place (We only had to pay for drinks! Nice!)

After that, we headed back to the mall to check another store for high-tops ... and to get Michael's shoes. And I checked at Ross ... and there was ONE pair of Converse that fit and were $20 less than the others I was THINKING of maybe settling for. But I liked these better anyways. (And I now know what size I need, so I can always order a pair online, too. ^_^) So I have shoes that give me a little more confidence when I walk ... since I CANNOT handle being on crutches again anytime in the future.

The kids had their Primary Program on Sunday. Mom, my stepdad, Mom C, Grandma C, and Uncle D all came up (Dad C somehow hurt his foot/ankle. He had better get back on his feet, so I told Mom C, since there's only room in this family for ONE gimp. And I'm it.).
We impressed a brother in the ward, who noticed that we had four generations on one pew (Grandma C, her son [D, Dad C's brother], Michael, and the kids).
I had to introduce my mom in Relief Society (the women's class).
I, of course, did it with subtlety and restraint: " This is my mom, [Mom's name]. She's awesome. I get my awesomeness from her. It's totally hereditary."
It's a good thing that people at church are used to me.

While we were waiting for the High Priests (older men's group) to get done, Bubbles blew kisses to the brethren in there.
One of them mimed that her kisses hit him enough to bonk him against the door frame. And she (and Bruise and Bucket) laughed and laughed.
(For a nearly-two-year-old, she's got a rather sophisticated sense of humor.)

Mom and C (my stepdad) came over to visit and eat lunch before they had to head back home.
Michael and Bruise went and did some Home Teaching.
Then we had choir (and I sang the solo in practice ... and, oh, it was not my best at all. If you're in choir with me, please accept my abject apologies. Did I mention that I'm fighting the plague? It's not the best excuse ... but it's a legitimate one.) and I had a RS Board meeting afterwards ... and Kim (who was giving me a ride home) and I stopped by a friend's house to return her coat ... and help her put a bedskirt on. And then we chatted for a bit ... since that's what we do.

Yesterday was Veterans' Day. My friend, T, and I FINALLY got together. She brought her son, J, over and we all went to a local parade. She and I made Doctor Who jokes and admired the reenactment/vintage clothing. We ran into her sister-in-law (who had marched in the parade ... She's a drummer in my alma mater's band). It was really fun to get to catch up a bit.
Being a grown-up is haaaaard, since you have to work around work schedules (her), kids' schedules (us), and college classes (her). But it's worth it ... when we can make it happen. ^_^

Bruise-ism of the month:
He and I had sat down to read together (out of MY Childcraft books that I got when I was in first grade. And, OH, I love them. They're my precious and I read them a LOT when I was growing up).
I picked the one about "The World and Space."
And Bruise made the observation, "The planets are like islands, space is like the ocean, and the stars are the reflections on the water."

Yup, my boy is a poet.
He's definitely a boy -- loves video games, LEGO, swords, Star Wars ... but he is so tender-hearted and sweet.

Bucket is often a girly-girl -- She's more into dolls and art and fashion (She's a FASHIONISTA). She can be a bit shy, but she can definitely hold her own around boys. She does enjoy LEGO, but she's more into watching shows and reading. And she loves to laugh.

Bubbles is like Bruise in being a people-person. She LOVES music (one reason she loves to watch Daniel Tiger is that there's so much music.She also loves Baby Einstein. And, for a while, when Michael was watching Star Trek episodes, she'd RUN so she could watch/listen to the opening theme of TNG. And she'd be MAD if she didn't get to hear it.She also is our most adventurous eater. She is not deterred by spicy foods. She also KNOWS that she's adorable -- probably since everyone fawns over her.
And, like her mother and sister, she's very into shoes.
(As we were trick-or-treating, we came up to a display window for one of the shoe stores in the mall. And, as Michael had to point out, she was ENTRANCED. "She's YOUR daughter." ... Though, really, in temperament, she's very like her dad. He was a perfect baby. I was NOT.)

I should read through a ton of library books (a ton = maybe ten). And I should get laundry and dishes done. And the living room vacuumed again. And make that THRIVE order. And read my scriptures, say my prayers, plan my Visiting Teaching, plan dinners, go grocery shopping, stop complaining constantly about my stupid gimp ankle ... Yeah. And I should get a shower today. And take a nap, since that blasted cough kept me from sleeping much (and kept Michael from sleeping as well as he could. *sigh*)

I think that's about everything to report for now. Unless I lose 50 lbs in the next couple days or something. (Don't I wish! :P)

If I could come up with a clever title du jour, I'd do it ...

So, another week's gone by and I'm blogging again.

Let's see ... what's gone on?

• My Nana's moved in with my uncle and step-aunt ... and they've managed to sell both her old house AND their current place. ... So they'll be moving again.
• My dad and (for-all-purposes-and-if-our-state-had-common-law-it'd-be-official) stepmom are still working on getting their other house fixed up (Long story short: RIGHT before they got renters, the plumber TOTALLY screwed up and turned on water and left town for vacation without checking how tight the fittings were ... or, in this case, WEREN'T.
  They've had to pull up subflooring and gut the kitchen ... AROUND the renters. And the worst case is that their insurance is giving them such the run around. The plumber's insurance is a walk in the park in comparison. Still, it's very stressful for them).
• Bubbles' tongue has healed up. Phew!
• I'm able to walk without crutches or a cane. I still am learning to walk without a limp (and I have to make sure that my foot isn't turned out when I walk ... which makes me feel like I'm walking pigeon-toed on that side). I'm not back up to speed. And I don't feel at all graceful ... but it's much better than being on crutches.
• The kids got their costumes: Bruise is a ninja robot (apparently from Power Rangers, not that we watch the show. But whatever makes him happy, right?), Bucket is a version of Skellita Calaveras (from Monster High) -- the Dia de los Muertos make-up is rather fun/challenging to do. Next time I'm going to need whiteface, though, I'm splurging on theater make-up. The white cream facepaint or Wet'n'Wild facepaints make it ... MORE CHALLENGING. Bubbles is wearing her owl costume again (since it still fits and is adorable).
• Michael and I aren't dressing up ... he doesn't care. And I couldn't figure out anything I really wanted to be ... that, and being laid up for the first half of the month makes me feel like I've been in a coma (ala Captain America) and the world has passed me by without my knowing it.
  I did joke with my mom about going as something REALLY scary. I could print out a sign to wear that reads "Crippling Self-Doubt."
• We fed the missionaries. One of the sisters is gluten-intolerant. And, in one dish, I put a seasoning that DID contain MSG ... so I was freaking out that I was going to poison her. Thankfully, she's not THAT sensitive. She just has to avoid BREAD and PASTA and things like that. A little MSG isn't going to kill her. (And, sometimes, she'll eat a burrito and darn the consequences!)
• We carved pumpkins at Mom and Dad C's this weekend. That was fun.
  Bruise opted for a traditional-style Jack-o-Lantern. Bucket carved "Boo!" into hers (almost completely by herself!), Michael carved Jack Skellington's face into Bubbles' pumpkin. I carved a simplistic version of a sugar-skull face into mine.
• At choir yesterday, the soloist for the number we were practising for didn't come ... so I ended up singing the solo. And our choir director said it was very nice ... and that she'll remember to feature me in the future. (Usually the solos go to the youth [those under 18] in the choir ... so I'm quite flattered. Even though you could TOTALLY tell in the first practice that I was nervous. My voice was very warbly and I had to REALLY work on my breathing. And squeaked a little on the highest note. *sigh*) ... So that was new.
• Michael and I are ONE EPISODE AWAY from finishing watching Dollhouse (Joss Whedon) ... We had missed a LOT of Season Two, since FOX kept moving around the schedule. *ugh* ... So there were lots of things that we hadn't seen. And we have just one more episode ... Then we'll have to figure out what to watch on streaming next.
• Also, a few days ago, Netflix had some issue. It was widespread, but not affecting EVERYONE. And we didn't have Streaming for a few hours.
  Did I freak out?
  ...
  Yes. A lot.
• Through a garage sale page on Facebook, we now have an elliptical.
  Once my ankle's a bit stronger, I'll be able to work out ... and catch up on all the episodes of Supernatural on Netflix. And Downton Abbey on DVD. Then the original Upstairs Downstairs.
  And I'll look and feel better, right?
• I'm still battling this crazy cough. It's started to go away. But I wish it was GONE.
  Especially when I cough enough that my gag reflex engages. Yuck. (TMI, I know)
• It's nice to be able to stand enough to do my makeup. That's a nice change.
  I find it hard (aka PAINFUL) to kneel. I still have a bit to go before I'm all healed up. 
• I have a HUGE sinkful of dishes to work on ... That's my goal for the day. That and MAYBE trying out the elliptical, but not doing anything crazy. (I'll wear my ankle brace).

Oh, also, the kids brought home their school pictures. Bruise's is a little wrinkled, since he stuffed it into his backpack. But it'll be fine.
They both look pretty good! Bucket's hair is in good shape, phew! ... Although, goodness, she's growing up too fast. She looks older than seven in her picture (and, with the Halloween makeup on ... Yeah, she almost looks like a teenager. *sigh*). Bruise has this funny, nearly-panicked smile in his.
They both look cute. So, thankfully, I don't have to fret about re-takes this time. PHEW.

I think that's really everything to share. I should get started on housework and get a shower and such.
(Even though, with the cold weather having come in, all I really want to do is curl up with some books, hot cocoa, a warm blanket, the cat, and maybe some period-piece dramas. I'll just have to save that for when the kids are all in school, right?)

Have a great fall! ... Oh, I did that.

So, you're probably wondering the reason for the blog hiatus THIS time.

And I actually rather have an excuse ... and it's a really decent one.

No, I didn't go on vacation or was hospitalized with ebola or was in prison or anything fun/exciting like that.

No ... nothing quite like that.

SO, here's how it started ... Sunday (Sept 29), there I am, getting everyone (except Michael, who's already at church in meetings) ready for church. We're running a couple minutes later than I'd like (which, by the by, is still early, because I'm a freak like that). I make sure to grab the sign-up sheet so that I can be sure to get rides for a sister in the ward. I hold that in one hand (so it won't get wrinkled, since we need to make copies), grab my purse (with my phone and keys), and follow the kids out the door to the van.

I lock the back door and then start to go down the three stairs to the carport floor so I can get Bubbles into her carseat. The kids have already unlocked the van earlier. Bruise is climing into his seat. Bucket is by Bubbles so Bubbles doesn't go running off into the road as is the wont of a nearly 19-month-old.

And ... I miss a step somewhere in there. I don't know if it was that top step or the middle ... but all I know is that I went down. When I'm next totally aware of what's going on, I know that I'm at the bottom of the steps, my purse is next to me, the sign-up sheet (eventually) is on the other side of the railing (slightly mangled), and I'm in a pile at the bottom of the stairs and I HURT.

I thought I heard some pops when I was in my (very short, very sudden) flight ... and I make sure to wiggle my toes. That's a good sign. I try to rotate my right foot ... OW OW FLIPPITYFLIPPITYOW.

I grapple to open my purse and dig out my phone and call Michael to come and get the kids, because I can't take them to church and I'vehurtmyselfandI'lltrytogetintothehouseandithurtsandI'msorry.

I have Bruise close up the car, Bucket take my keys and unlock the house. They usher Bubbles inside and I drag/crawl/hop into the house and get to my computer chair (closest place to sit) and put my foot up on the other computer chair and try not to cry.

Michael got home, got me moved over to the couch, elevated and iced my ankle, printed out a non-wrinkled copy of the sign-up sheet, ran back to the church to get some things done AFTER putting (cranky) Bubbles to nap and getting the kids settled building a LEGO version of Samuel the Lamanite and me into an Epsom salt bath (where I posted a picture of my ankle onto Facebook. ... I'm such a hussy. Those are the only nude pics that'll be online ... and you can only see from my knees down).

Michael got back home and got me to the other couch, so I could be more comfortable and watch TV. And ... well, for the couple weeks, that's what I did -- rested on the couch, keeping my ankle elevated and applying lots of ice and compression bandages.

One friend has lent me her family's pair of crutches. I've gotten decent at using them.

Monday, Michael stayed home and took care of me.
Tuesday, Mom C took Bubbles for the day, since the kids were at school and Michael was at work, so I could relax.
Wednesday, Mom came up and took care of Bubbles and me.
We took Bubbles to her 18-months check-up ... we made quite the parade: Mom, pushing Bubbles in her stroller and me, bringing up the rear on crutches.
Dr. R also took a look at my ankle and pronounced it a good sprain with very little chance of a fracture ... which is what Michael had told me (and he's had his share of sprained/rolled ankles).

Friday, Bruise was receiving an award at a school assembly for reading, so we went, in our same little parade. We had to park a couple blocks away ... and, with the crutches and everything, I was ready to cry by the time they announced that we could take pictures, in the hallway (on the OPPOSITE side of the cafeteria where the assembly was. By the time we got Bubbles, Mom and me HEADED to take pictures, the students were heading back to their seats. ... So I just had Bruise stand against the backdrop curtain hiding the cafeteria prep and took my damn pictures and Mom, Bubbles, and I headed back home.

Later, I took a Percocet (left over from my kidney stone almost two years ago) ... and I felt so good, I tried putting full weight on my ankle.
Bad idea.
Which required more ice, ibuprofen, elevation, and time. Grrr.

I've been really blessed in that the last couple of weeks have been easy, church-wise: We had General Conference (which you can watch/listen to at home), so I didn't have to get dressed up or leave the house at all. I was able to sit at my desk or the couch and take notes/listen/follow the Bloggernacle/TwitterStake.
And last week was our Stake Conference, where we go to church and have a two hour meeting where you don't have to move to any other classrooms (And Bruise and Bucket were pretty darn quiet!! I was pleasantly amazed).

Which brings us to last week:

• Monday - I try to take Bubbles for the day. No go. I can't chase her on crutches.
  Thankfully, Michael's having a really slow day at work and comes home shortly after lunch.
• Tuesday - Mom C comes and gets Bubbles again.
• Wednesday and Thursday - My mom's up and takes care of us until the kids get home from school Thursday.
• Friday - The kids don't have school, so we make do until Michael gets home from work (Friday is the early day) ... And we take the kids to the LEGO KidsFest ... and I get to trade in my crutches for a wheelchair.

The KidsFest was great. Even in a wheelchair.
We would have brought a carrier for Bubbles (who mostly sat on my lap or Michael carried her) and I'd have brought a smaller purse.
We also would have brought a bag for all the freebie swag that Bruise and Bucket got (totally cancelled out the price of their tickets) ... and it was totally worth the price, regardless.

But, yeah, now I know how to use crutches AND a wheelchair.

Saturday, Michael cleaned out the shop/storage shed. The kids lied about cleaning their room ... so they had to do that and are off of Netflix/DVDs/Wii for the week.
As the kids were "cleaning" their room, RIGHT AFTER Michael left for a meeting, Bubbles came out screaming ... and with a mouth full of blood.
Turns out that Bucket "accidentally threw" her into her bed.

My response: "How THE HELL does one 'accidentally throw' someone anywhere??"

So, as it REALLY turns out, Bubbles climbed up into Bucket's (top) bunk and, instead of enlisting Bruise to help Bubbles get down the ladder, Bucket just hung Bubbles over the edge of the bed and dropped her into her pack-n-play ... which resulted in Bubbles biting her tongue BAD.

I did some Google-fu (and called Michael) ... it wasn't bad enough to take her to the doctor's about ... even IF I could drive her there, or IF Michael came home. Seriously, the next day, her tongue only looked like there was a papercut on it. I don't even see any marks as of yesterday.

We had her suck on a wet rag with ice. She had some acetaminophen and a nap ... then popsicles.

But, yeah ... between THAT and her getting stitches a month or so ago (which you can barely see the scar) ... well, combining that with my ankle AND that I was JUST off  my cycle ... It's a wonder that I haven't had a heart attack ... like I ALMOST did when Michael came in Saturday morning and I was running a bath (ALL BY MYSELF) and was about to slide myself into it and then SUDDENLY, without my being able to hear him coming, there's SOMEONE in the room.

Seriously, my heart nearly skidded to a stop.
Then I started to breathe again.

This week, I've started sleeping in again a bit. I've been exhausted ... and it's not like I've been DOING stuff. Maybe folding some laundry. But getting up so early (so early = 5:50ish AM), not napping really, having a crap cough that doesn't let me sleep, plus waking up whenever I want to roll over in bed ... yeah, I'm not getting as much sleep.

So, I started not waking up that early (which I was so that Michael could help me in/out of the shower and get my clothes, help me out to the couch, make sure that I had a phone handset and my bag of stuff (stuff = cellphone, lip gloss, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Vicodin, Percocet [both leftover from that kidney stone incident of 2012 and appreciated during this time ... and I made sure not to take them if I was the only adult in the house, regardless of pain level. So, therefore, I think my future as a junkie is severely limited], Aspercreme,  ACE bandages, my ankle brace, a nail file, a book ... things like that.) ... so that I'd only really need to get up to go to the bathroom.

Eventually, we got me a couple of boxes of cereal bars so that I'd have something to eat during the day on days that my mom wasn't here (or if Mom C didn't bring me a doughnut), since -- on crutches -- I couldn't carry anything.

Bubbles likes to race-crawl me if I'm on the ground.

Yesterday, I managed to take care of Bubbles AND myself for the day. She demanded that I help her unload the dishwasher. I also started a load of laundry. And I overdid it by carrying her to nap ... since I wasn't using crutches for that. Just the ankle brace.

I started being able to walk on Sunday ... I first practiced between the couches in the living room. Then I managed to hobble from bed to the bathroom and back.

I moved with all the grace of a geriatric with a hip replacement post-surgery. And it's exhausting.
Mostly due to the sheer mind-numbing terror when I have to first figure out how exactly do I trust all my (considerable, let's be honest) weight onto an injured, still-swollen joint.

So, yeah, I was hurting again by yesterday afternoon.
Today, I've realized that I don't put on my ankle brace well. If Michael puts it on, that's fine. But when I put it on, I put it too tight or something against a bruised spot on my ankle (right against a bone, even) ... so that makes it HURT to walk.

I've babied it a bit today. BUT I was able to STEP (not HOP on my good foot but STEP), with my weight on my gimp foot, into the shower today. That hasn't happened since the 29th.

I also loaded up the washer, after moving clothes to the dryer. Loaded the dishwasher. Fed the cat and gave her water. My RS President (and friend -- same person) came over and filled my crockpot with a lasagna AND helped me fold (and put away) some clothes.

I am not good at getting myself food for breakfast and lunch. Here, it's nearly 4:30 and I still haven't eaten anything. I've had water. And cough syrup. Maybe I won't totally lose my voice from coughing like almost happened yesterday.

It's rather hard to relearn to walk. Mostly because it can hurt. And I really don't like pain.

In other news, Michael can tell when my drugs (Percocet or NyQuil) kick in.
On Percocent, I just am talking ... then I stop and announce, apropos to nothing, "I really like rosemary. But I can't grow it in this house. It's just too dim. ... Rosemary and firs have very distinctive shapes. They're a little similar ... but not the smell. Not at all."

Yes, I am just that special.
And I'm completely aware that I act strangely focused and quite nerdy when on drugs. 

Another example: I'm sitting on the couch, my foot is elevated on a pillow on Michael's lap. I'm working at rotating my ankle in as big of circles as possible to work on range of motion.

I'm staring at my foot/leg ... "It's no wonder that the Romans called muscles 'muscles.' It rather does look like there's something moving around in there. Might as well be mice. ... I'm glad it's not mice, though."

So, yeah ... that's most of the last two weeks done up in one LONG, rambling (but this is me. What else do you expect, really?) post.

Long story short - I busted up my ankle falling down a couple stairs on the way to church. It looked like a zombie leg, with all the swelling and bruising. It's getting better. I know now how to use crutches and I can navigate with a wheelchair. I'm learning to walk again. And I can actually take care of Bubbles by myself for a few hours at a time (the kids help A LOT when they're home).

I'm really ready to have a leg with NO swelling, bruises, or pain ... but I'm trying to be patient.
I suck at patience ... especially with myself, since usually I'm the one that people describe as "Oh, don't worry, she's stronger than she looks." But this ... this is not something that I can just cop an attitude and stubborn my way through. Or I'd have been walking last week. DEFINITELY.

In closing, here's a joke that Bucket made up:

Q: How does a hamburger fart?
A: WITH ITS BUNS!

You've got to admit, that is a golden joke.

... Does anyone know where to buy Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses? I kind of NEED to try them.

Back to ... as normal as I get.

So, yes ... I'm feeling better and back to normal.

Normal being rather lazy as a housekeeper. And abashed at being petty enough to feel jealous.
But, well, I'm sure that you don't love me because you think that I'm perfect.

(If that's the case, I am so, so, SO, so sorry to have betrayed you. Because I am so far from being perfect that, well, I can't even think of a proper metaphor to describe how far I am from being absolutely perfect.
But, I can attest that, thanks be to the grace of God, I'm perfect enough ... as long as I keep trying and keep my testimony. Since isn't that what the Atonement is all about?)

Well, since I have you here, let's figure out what I've been doing since last time ...

• Mom came up. We talked and I drank a Cherry Pepsi (I know, I do prefer my Cherry Coke. ... But really it's the CHERRY that I like), and we watched a comedy special on Netflix (the guy was funny. Not too much of a potty-mouth. Still, it's weird watching a comic who drops an f-bomb while your mom's in the room. :P I think we're still Jim Gaffigan fans. Along with Bill Cosby and Brian Regan. ... But Mom and I do enjoy us some SNL. As in, if we sit together in Sunday School or RS, we will whisper Church Lady lines to each other. Good times). Also, Mom and I went out and got pedicures. I held Bubbles on my lap the whole time, so I wasn't QUITE as melted into the awesome massager-chair as I could have been. But it was fun.
• Michael and I went to the kids' school's Curriculum Night for Bruise and Bubbles' grade. I jotted down notes, the kids played in the gym, and Michael took Bubbles on a walkabout after she got bored of snacks and the crayons I had stuffed in my bag.
• Today was the kids' school pictures. I think everyone's hair looked good. Even when they came home. PHEW!
• Since it was picture day, the kids had to take the e-receipts for their pictures (I preordered online) to school. I wrote reminders on the insides of their wrists. Bubbles saw me do it and demanded that I write on her wrists (YES, BOTH of them), too. So, Bruise and Bucket have "Picture Pass" scrawled on their wrists. And Bubbles is sporting twin smiley faces.
• I got all caught up with watching Titli's Busy Garden online. Now I'm kind of at a loss for what to do. :P
• I finished the scarf for Bubbles. Now to just use that loom for fun. 
• I need to do dishes and laundry ... like usual. :P
• Mom and I went to Target and shopped around. We got Bruise a puzzle (Star Wars, naturally) and we found (FINALLY) the little stuffed Fluttershy to complete Bucket's collection. (Bubbles got a set of Duplos, which she's loving) ... upon getting home, within five minutes of getting her pony, Bubbles had misplaced her. We said a prayer and looked and looked ... we found her again. BUT, in the meantime, there was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. And I put myself in timeout so that I'd keep my cool in the midst of dealing with that. (And then Bruise and Bucket played with Bubbles' Duplos, which made them happy for the interim.) After Michael got home, though, we renewed the search ... and Fluttershy was found and reunited with the rest of the ponies. The elements of harmony are together again at last.
• Finally watched The Great Gatsby. It was obvious, as we watched it, that it was Baz Luhrmann's work. And, as expected, the visual effects, soundtrack, and costuming were all excellent. I have to agree with Michael that the characters are all pretty tragically flawed ... but it was very pretty.
  (Very reminiscent of Moulin Rouge ... even bits of the score were SOCLOSE to the riff of "the greatest thing you'll ever learn" from Moulin Rouge.)

Besides all that, there's not a whole lot going on.
I don't remember enough of any of my recent dreams to give you any more Crazy Dream Chronicles™.

I printed out a "Read the Book of Mormon in 50 Days" reading chart. Which I need to use, instead of NOT use. 

I got rides for one sister at church for the next month ... which lets me concentrate on getting rides for November. Then December. THEN TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!
(Oh, that last bit was a joke. In case you were worried.)

I have the General RS Broadcast tomorrow. Our Stake is having some classes first. Michael will watch the kids so that I (and my cute toes -- pedicure, remember? I do!) can attend. And the kids will enjoy getting some more "Daddy time." So it's win-win either way. ^_^

I should start dinner so when Michael gets back from helping a gal in the ward move, it'll be ready.
Even though I'd rather just eat ice cream and take a nap (My favorite deadly sins = gluttony and sloth. Every time).

I still have no idea what to be for Halloween. Ugh.

Hey jealousyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ...

So, I came to the realization that the reason why I was so down yesterday and why I'm taking this so hard is that ... well, that friend doesn't seem to be taking this distance that hard.

I know that she's busy and has every right to be happy and have her own friends and a life that doesn't depend upon my friendship being there.
(Only child problem #1: Realizing that it's NOT always all about YOU.)

But, dang it, it sucks for me. Because I have to realize that this isn't all about me.

And that -- as satisfying as it would be for her to look/sound as miserable as I feel -- isn't being at all realistic.

So ... I have to admit to myself that I had more invested into that relationship than maybe I should have.

Not that I've ever BTDT before. Oh no.
(Oh, yes. Like, nearly, EVERY crush I had before Michael. Ha ha ha. Bad habits die hard, right?)

So, yeah. I seem to have lost a sister-friend. And I'm just going to have to put on my (proverbial, not literal) big girl panties and DEAL with it.

Because, I have to face it: there are things in life that suck.
This, apparently, is one of them.

I have other friends who still love me. I have family that loves me. It's not like I'm some friendless orphan without any resources of my own or anything literarily tragic like that.

I can deal with this.
Apparently, it's going to take MONTHS and MONTHS to do it.

BUT. I'm just going to keep telling myself that "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and -- DOGGONE IT! -- people LIKE me!"
(Maybe more or less than I might deserve ... but I'll take it.)

In other news, I woke up feeling a lot better.
(Having a cry while actually ADDRESSING my FEELINGS and managing to put some stupid, tundra-esque storm into words with Michael, who sagely made Firefly-quote proclamations, did help. As did sleep. And prayer. ... I guess I just needed to find a reset button. Crazy body with  its brain full of FEELS.)

I should totally clean up the house. And I'll make an effort ... around a couple errands that NEED running today.
And I might paint Mom's and my toes. Something happy and bright and fun.
If I didn't have Bubbles, who isn't the best as sitting still for an hour or so, I'd take Mom to see Austenland ... if it's still at a local theater.

But ... yeah. I'm going to be okay.

And, obvs, I'm not immune to jealousy or the mean reds or all that.
As much as I'd like to be able to pretend that I'm totes all over that ... but it wouldn't be honest.
So ... yeah.

Today is another (hopefully better) day.

Blah dee dah ...

I know, I know. It's been forever and a day (or, honestly, two whole weeks) since I posted.

And, well, I'm having a rather mentally-crap day.

Don't get me wrong, lots of good stuff has happened. So I can't totally explain this ... not totally.

So, let's see what all has happened since I last posted ...

• My stepdad's birthday. It's always good to have a birthday. Better than the alternative, right?
• Michael helped another family in the ward [congregation in churchspeak] move ... so we didn't have a date-day a couple weeks ago.
• We went to a local renaissance faire. Watched the joust. Ran into some extended family (a couple cousins on my side and one of Michael's great-uncles ... whose voice, it so happens, is VERY like Grandpa C's. So, Uncle B talk makes me REALLY, REALLY miss Grandpa C. A LOT.) and friends (some from church ... and one of my friends that I hadn't seen since he graduated, or thereabouts. But he looks just about the same. And I got to meet his wife and kids, which was very nice.
• Bruise bought a new wooden sword and a shield. Bucket got a "Dragonpet," a plasticky dragon that you can wear like a bracelet, and a cloak. Bubbles was sleeping most of the time, so she didn't get any real souvenirs. Next year, probably.
• I tried haggis.
  Hey, it was an option at the Ren Faire.
  And it wasn't in a "wee sheep's stomach." ... In fact, it was just pretty much ground lamb with brown gravy. Quite good. In fact, Bucket LOVED it.
  I think my Scottish ancestors would be proud.
  (My mom certainly wasn't. *lol* That's because she's not descended from that Scots stock. *nods*)
• We went to some friends' wedding reception.
  One of Michael's past roommates and a friend from church choir years ago got married ... to each other!
  We also got to visit with another of Michael's friends/past roommates and his wife. It's good to see them not JUST on Facebook. ^_^
• Then, after all that excitement, I came down with THE PLAGUE ... well, a sinus infection. I stayed home from church and used a bazillion tissues and rested all day. And I was better in a couple days.
• Since I was still getting better, I missed a PTC (Parent-Teacher-Council) meeting ... and the second one, later that week, was conflicting with the RS (Relief Society) activity. So, yeah, I suck at making it to school stuff. 
• There was a playdate on Thursday that the new Playgroup person (NOT ME) did. Bubbles and I had to leave early to meet another friend ... but it was very fun.
• Earlier in the week, we had a friend over for dinner (She was delicious. KIDDING! We didn't eat her! No cannibalism on MY watch!!). After dinner (and once the kids were in bed), we watched my old VHS of Saturday's Warrior. OLD SKOOL, man. OLD SKOOL.
  It's so cheesy and not totally doctrinally-correct. But, oh, I have a soft spot in my heart for that show.
• Friday, we fed the (sister) missionaries assigned to our ward. It was nice to get to know them. ... And to know that I CAN prepare a gluten-free meal. Go me, right?
• Saturday was our ward's day of service ... Michael helped work on fixing the shed of a member's house. I took the kids over to help move things out of a friend (in the ward)'s garage, since she's moving. With Bruise and Bucket's help, we were able to reach a high shelf. And my friend gave old clothes and sheets and toys to the kids. Very sweet of her.
• Sunday ... was Sunday. Michael takes Bubbles when she has a meltdown in Nursery ... so I got to spend the whole time in RS, which hasn't happened in ... I don't even remember how long.
  And it was nice to get to be able to listen to the lesson and sit by people without fretting that Bubbles is a huge distraction (probably more to me than to them ... but still).
  We didn't have choir, since our choir leader had something else that she needed to do.
• I went to lunch with my friend and Bubbles yesterday. Bubbles didn't have a high chair, so she sat by me in the booth. One of the owners was there and he cooed, "I love you. I love you." to her ... and tried to set her up with his great-grandson. ^_^ Pretty cute.
• I found out where all the weevils that have shown up in the kids' bathroom and the laundry room have come from ... a bag of wild bird seed. So THAT's out of the laundry room. Maybe with the cooler weather, they'll all die (the weevils, not the birds). I can only hope.
• I need to make dinner before we go to curriculum night. I'm about caught up on the dishes. (Not the laundry. Not by a long shot. *sigh*)

I finished my scarf. And one for Michael. And one for Bucket. Working on Bubbles' scarf now. Then maybe a better one for Bucket.

Picture day is coming up. I have clothes set out for Bruise and Bucket. So that's good.

But ... for some reason, I keep coming back to what a friend (who I've had that falling out with ... and I've tried to reach out to her without being overbearing. And ... yeah) said. That I wasn't the kind of friend that she was looking for or needed... because, maybe, she hadn't allowed me to be. (She also said that she wasn't the kind of friend that I was looking for or needed ... so, there's that. But ... yeah.)

It's been a few months. And ... well, it still stings. And I still miss her.
And it makes me realize, a little too often, that I am kind of lonely.
I should make plans with my out-of-town friends. I should pick up the phone.

I know that this particular friend is busy. And I don't want to be overbearing ... she asked for time. And I'm doing my best to give her what she needs.

Still, I really did try to be the best type of friend and to be there when she needed me.
And I don't like feeling (still) that I just couldn't make the bar on that.

I did, a few weeks ago, message a friend out of the blue (he's busy, so we don't always touch bases a lot ... but we're still friends) to ask him if I was overly demanding or a crap friend in general. He did assure me that I'm fine and he's never felt that I had overly high expectations of him (or other friends ... since we have a lot of mutual friends. And he's practically my brother, without all the legal/bloodline stuff).

And Michael and my mom, who love me enough to tell me if I'm being a butthole, have told me that my feelings of frustration and all are not completely irrational ...

Still, it sucks.

It sucks because I can't fix it on my own.
It sucks because that's not the only crap thing going on.
But it is the one that affects me the most personally.
And, for whatever reason, it's the one most on my mind at present.

I have friends that are going through divorces.
I have friends that can't pay their bills.
I have friends that are going through crazy-bad situations ...

and ... I'm fixated on this failure of mine.
Which isn't nearly as terrible as it could be. ... But ... yeah.

But this feeling horrible-ness plus some of the other stuff going on ... it just makes me want to curl up in flannel jim-jams, in a cozy blanket, on my comfy couch with a mug of (rooibos) tea and watch Jane Austen novels-made-into-movies. Because nothing too terrible happens in Austen. There are (mostly) courtly manners and sweet flirtations and men in breeches and vests. There are (usually) some wonderful vistas of gorgeous English countrysides. And the strains from a pianoforte or a spinet. And beautiful dresses.

I mean, as much as I ADORE Jane Eyre, it's got much more suspense than an Austen novel (well, Northanger Abbey might give it a run for its money. I should read that one) ... so does BBC's Sherlock.
Doctor Who might be good escapism, though. ... I've gone off on another tangent. Sorry.

But, yeah, I just want a set time/place where I can just have a good cleansing cry, then coddle myself with Austen movies (or the Anne of Green Gables movies) and (rooibos) tea. Just escape the world and its responsibilities ... and, maybe -- just maybe, then I'll be able to brush myself off and stand on my own feet and handle my life and being social and maybe never repairing that friendship and fixing lunches for the kids and figuring out what to make for dinner everyday and getting caught up on laundry and making it to PTC meetings (which always seem to end up scheduled on the same evening as RS meetings) and cleaning my house and fighting weevils and ants and fleas, oh my.

Oh, in other news, I colored my hair again (medium brown). It took Bucket two days to notice.
Amusing.

This is where you make up an interesting title for me

So, let's see, where did we leave off last?

So, yeah, my emotional distress on Sunday. Because (1) I screwed up. And (2), yeah ... TMI, I'm sure, but about a week before my body does it's monthly betrayal, I go batcrap crazy.

In fact, I was emailing with a friend ... and she'd talked to the sister of the gal who I failed to get a ride for. The sister said that the gal had cried about it nearly all day.
If I had heard that LAST Sunday, I'd have had to drown myself in the toilet for shame and for being the biggest failure in the entire history of the world.

Whereas, I learned it yesterday. And, after calming down a bit, being reassured ad infinitum that it's okay (even by my RS President, who assured me that she wanted me to keep on keeping on in this responsibility and that, no, I wasn't going to be released because I've failed ONE TIME), when I read the email, I just responded, "Yeah, [the gal] wasn't the only one."

Because it was true. I was a wreck.
But I turned it into being a proactive wreck.
I ran it by my RS Prez, who approved my idea of having a sign-up calendar.
I did have to get someone for this last Sunday (thanks to a friend's suggestion, I found someone).
And, with the premiere of the calendar, I have a wonderful lady who's going to be providing transportation for the next two weeks.
I've already created the Calendar for the next month ... and I've asked our RS Secretary to include it in the binders passed to the RS sisters AND a blurb about it in the weekly RS newsletter email.
So, there's that.
And I don't feel like I need to test the edges of the kitchen knives for possible hari kari.
(Apparently, I am in touch with my inner samurai. Or something.)

Besides that, let's see what else has gone on ...

When Mom came up last week, we ran some errands and got bolts for the new kids' chairs that she got (their old chairs were falling apart). And we waited for the kids to come home.
And waited.
And waited.
And realized that, hey, there's not an early release day this (first) week of school.
*sigh*

But they got home safely and it was fine.
And there was a HUGE storm last Thursday. HUGE.
I thought the power might go out ... but, thankfully, it didn't. Or else we'd have eaten ramen with the hot water in our water dispenser. (I had my bases covered.)

Michael and I had a date (with Bubbles along). We went to our favorite little Thai restaurant. Then we went to Target. (Woooo!! We are WILD AND CRAZY GUYS!) We did find the new minifigs (LEGO) and I am the proud owner of the constable. Bucket got the gingerbread man that she really wanted. Bruise got the mountain climber. Michael got TWO -- The yeti and ... the warrior, I think.
Of course, with this bout of minifigs, between the four of us (Bubbles hasn't put in her two cents yet ... but she's more Duplo-sized), we want all the figures.

We also had the Ward (church congregation) social.
I had griped on Facebook about how I was irritated that the dishes were assigned (the SAME assignment ALL THE TIME) ... and that I was rebelling and I'd bring a SALAD.
And I brought a Snicker Salad (chopped up apples and Snickers, Cool Whip, vanilla pudding mix, milk, and some caramel topping). What?
IT'S A "SALAD." SAYS SO RIGHT IN THE NAME.

I think most people supported me just because they find my whining amusing.
But, also, there are some people in the other half of the alphabet who ARE tired of bringing desserts.
So, yeah.

Saturday was the drawing for the city's summer activity.
I assured the kids that, even though they might not win ANYTHING, we still had fun and we had other fun stuff to do.
I shouldn't have worried.
Although not every kid there won something, Bucket won a pack of cards (with scenic Oregon pictures on the back of the cards) AND a gift certificate to a local pottery shop (she can paint something and have it fired).
Bruise got a prize that he's excited about: a gift certificate to a pizza place downtown. (They have a fun little play area that the kids love.)
All in all, great prizes. And they had fun going around to places, too.

Then, after that, we dropped Bubbles off with the grandparents (to be spoiled, since she's too little for all but one ride) and took Bruise and Bucket to a local theme park.
Bruise went through the haunted house again. I let him hold my hand and chatted at him through the whole thing. (It's way creepier and darker than Disney's Haunted Mansion.)
Bucket refused. She said that she might do it again when she's eleven (so, in another four years).

Besides that, they went on all the rides ... most, more than once. Bucket and I went on the log ride a second time. Bruise waited with Michael.

It was fun to spend time with our bigger kids. I think they had a lot of fun, too.

Then we went back over to Michael's folks house. I chatted with Mom C a lot. She didn't know that my mom was from such a large family ... or that she's the older (surviving) sister.

Dad C talked us into staying and helping make dinner. (They liked my pasta sauce. Woot!)
I really am blessed to have married into a family that accepts me (because, face it, I'm kind of a weirdo. I know it) and loves me.
I hear and read about awful in-law relationships ... and I can't relate (which makes me 99 percent glad, but also a little guilty) at all.

Last Sunday, like I said, I DID have someone to bring the one gal ... so that went well.
We dropped Bubbles off in Nursery (the class for 18 months- 3 year-olds) and watched Bruise give a scripture in Primary. Then we got to go to Sunday School. And I went to Relief Society ... but I got pulled out halfway through, since Bubbles had a breakdown.

She was REALLY tired. She had conked out about ten minutes before Nursery started. And we woke her up for that. The Nursery leader told me that Bubbles would remember that Michael and I weren't there and go to the door ... but they were easily able to distract her again. Until a little boy pushed her.
Then she just wailed.
Enough so that I could hear her out in the hall.

So I grabbed my purse and took her to the Mother's Lounge to rock her until she was calm.
She ALMOST went back to Nursery. Then she wanted to go into Primary. Then she was mad that I wouldn't let her RUN into Relief Society ... so I just carried her around in the hall for a bit until church was over. Then I got the calendar sign-up sheet, collected Bruise and Bucket, and found Michael so we could all drive home (where we watched a Miyazaki film). Michael did some Home Teaching and, after that, we went to Choir.

Yesterday, I got caught up on the dishes (EXCITING! Next installment: Watch Allanna get caught up on the LAUNDRY! Whooo!!!! Then, watch Allanna clean the kids' room! Since OBVS they're not going to do it! Maybe Allanna will even clean HER room and the master bathroom, so it won't look like those rooms vomited the contents of all their cupboards/closets and then a hurricane blew through!!!) and the house looks a lot cleaner after the kids helped clean so that I could sweep and vacuum.

I also went out to lunch with a friend who's working in town. She and I talked books most of the time.
It's very lovely to talk books with someone who adores them as much as you do. ^_^
We have plans to meet up in a couple weeks and talk books again. ^_^

Today, I was able to get Bubbles's WIC appointment rescheduled to the morning, so we wouldn't be late after snatching the big kids JUST as they get off the bus and hightailing it over there. There had been a cancellation, so Bubbles and I had a much better time of it.
She's doing well ... a little low in iron (so I can work on that). Got her vouchers.
Then, I remembered that I needed to run by the craft store for something (which, of course, turns into "a few things").

But I got the iron-on fusing that I needed (because I like to be able to fix the puzzles so that I can, someday, hang them up -- We've got quite a collection now. And, of course, all of them have special finishes, so you can't just buy the puzzle glue and smear that over the fronts. Naturally.) and some needles and some white thread (what is the world coming to when I start to run out of white thread???) and some yarn for a scarf for Bucket (after I finish mine. I finished Bruise's ... and then I should make one for Bubbles).

Good times, good times.

But, yeah, the kids will come home in a couple hours ... and Bubbles is asleep. I want to work on my current puzzle while I have time.

Back to school and other stuff

Wow ... I'm sure that you were all waiting, on the edge of your seat, with bated breath for the latest installment of my crazy.

Well, sorry to keep you waiting for a little over two weeks ... apparently, I'm busy and/or lazy.

Let's see ... what all have I done SINCE then?

A bit. Sort of a lot.

My mom came up and watched the kids while Michael and I borrowed his dad's trailer and headed down (after his workday) to my Nana's house (now on the market) to load up furniture.
We got a couch (that almost exactly matches the throw pillows that I had bought about a year ago), an end table, a rocking recliner chair, some pictures, and the coffee table that my Great-grandpa made (So now I have a jewelry box that he made and gave me when I was little, a box that was my dad's, a tray he made, a clock that he made -- he made matching ones for Nana's three boys, and Dad gave me his; and the coffee table that was in Nana and Pop-pop's house for as long as I can remember.  So, yeah, it's crazy how much more MATURE our house looks as we collect real furniture.

I managed to get a few bruises and scratches.
And, while cleaning out the old couch so that we could get the green couch in, I managed to stick an upholstery staple through the vein on the back of my hand.
With Michael's help, I got it wrapped up. Once the bleeding was under control, it was fine ... though it was quite sore. And the back of my hand had a gnarly bruise. Fun times, fun times.

There was a sale on bookcases at Target, so we traded out our crappy bookcases in the front room for some taller, nicer-looking ones ... Again, our house looks so much better now. I have to paint the frames for our family pictures ... and then hang them up somewhere else ... but it looks much nicer and open now.

The kids had a fun time at the mall's kids' club activity. A local wildlife center brought in some birds that they're rehabilitating. Bubbles wasn't really into sitting quietly and watching, so I took her into Bath and Body Works where we shopped a bit, got a bit more of a present for my mom.

My mom had her birthday, but didn't come up until a couple days after (My stepdad needed her around for Monday). Bubbles had her stitches out, she's healing quite nicely.
The kids finished their swim lessons ... they didn't pass this level this time, but they were quite close.
They kept improving every day, which is important ... and, probably more important, they had a good time.

I took the kids to the first PTC meeting of the year. Bubbles was TIRED and that made it hard to concentrate ... thank goodness for another mom (mom of one of Bruise and Bucket's good friends) and her foster daughter, who took Bubbles around and kept an eye on her.
Thankfully, the other parents, teachers, staff, and the principal at the meeting all think that Bubbles is pretty cute. Phew.

My aunt and Mom came up to celebrate her (Mom's) birthday. I took the kids to Mom C's ... and Ju (my aunt) and I took Mom out to lunch at a local tea room ... and then we looked around downtown a bit.
There's a carousel museum, which they really liked. Hopefully, in a couple years, they'll have the money (the city, that is) to build the carousel.

After Michael got home, we took Mom and Ju out to dinner and picked up an ice cream cake. Good times.
I made waffles (Ju's request, since Mom and the kids weren't picky) for breakfast.
Ju approves of my skills with making jams (I'm scared to try canning things ... which I need to get over. I've managed to get over my spider phobia ... now to get over my fear of the sewing machine and canning). I made a peach butter (with a hint of ginger), raspberry jam (it WAS syrup, but thickened already), Strawberry-vanilla syrup/jam (which, while cooking, smelled like cotton candy), and a blueberry-lavender butter with a hint of vanilla.
So, yeah, I should start actually CANNING things. It'd be a nice thing to do.

We took the kids to a local art festival and hot-air balloon lift-off. And we went to the aquarium with Michael's folks.

I donated blood ... and, while waiting to do so, got to chat with a friend from high school. She and I have both lived in the same town for YEARS ... but we only run into each other randomly. Like at Target or something ... but this was the first time that we really had time to chat and catch up. That was really nice.

Also, the guy who drew my blood was great. We talked about music and food.
And I almost didn't feel the needle go in, so that's a definite plus, too. ^_^

I got together with my Visiting Teaching companion (who I used to Visit Teach before the kids were born), and we visited a gal and her daughter. We talked books a lot. I love talking about books and getting suggestions. ^_^

We went to the kids' school's open house ... but one of their teachers (the one that we hadn't met) wasn't there, since she was sick. But we had a nice time chatting with their other teacher.

We finally made it over to the outdoor pool to use our coupons that the kids got from their summer reading program. Bruise went down the slide at least four times. Bucket went once. Bubbles is too little ... she mostly clung to Michael and me.
After that, we went to get ice cream from a place that's been around since Michael can remember. I think his dad, when he was younger, also went there for ice cream.

We had a BBQ over at Mom and Dad's ... got to visit with some of Michael's siblings.
And we went back, the next day, for dinner again ... mostly so that we could visit with his baby sister and her family, who live out of state.

Apparently, and this is probably TMI, I was a hormonal wreck on Sunday. I was tired, fasting makes me cranky, Bubbles was cranky, I only realized AFTER I was at church that I had failed to make transportation arrangements for a gal in the ward (mentally-challenged), AND ... on top of all that ... It was announced that the ward potluck social DID have assignments for dishes.

COULD THEY NOT HAVE MENTIONED THAT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO?
Because, here's my grief ... they ALWAYS assign dishes by last name.
And they ALWAYS assign A-M (where we fall) a salad/side dish.
NEVER a dessert.
And I LIKE to make desserts.

So, I had taken Bubbles home so that SHE could nap and that I didn't have to be at church, looking like I was THISCLOSE to tears (because, well, I was already crying. Stupid hormones). And I went onto Facebook and just put out my rant.

And, GOLLY, did I get tons of comments. It was crazy and hilarious.
I think that everyone supported my idea that desserts are more fun and that I should just bring one anyways.

So, I'm walking the line ... I'm gonna bring a Snickers Salad.
What? It's totally a salad. There are APPLES in it.
And chopped up Snickers bars, Cool Whip, pudding mix, and caramel ...
But there's FRUIT, so it's TOTALLY a salad.

And, apparently, there are other folks in the ward, who'd like the dish-assignments to be switched around a bit. So, yeah.
Then there are the people who just like desserts a LOT more.

Of course, before we were in this ward, apparently there was a potluck where TONS of people brought desserts ... and some people complained that there weren't "enough" healthy options.

Seriously, who is going to a church potluck for HEALTHY FOOD?
Yeah ... I'm kind of insane.

But, yeah.

In other news, Bubbles is starting to say some words.

• "Hi"
• "Hi dere."
• "Fisssss" (fish)
• "Duhhee" (duckie)
• "Jeehuss" (Jesus)
• "MEHH!" (Amen)
• "Cheehhz" (cheese ... which she did a LOT so Mom C would take her picture. A LOT. My little ham.)
• "Bye!"
• "Kiihee" (kitty)
• "Ehhs" (yes)
• "No."
• "Peehs" (please)

That's most of it. And she's babbling a lot more. She loves to talk on toy phones. It's great. She'll talk ... then she'll take it from her ear, turn it over, and put it by her thigh (since Michael and I both keep our phones in our pockets, for the most part). Cracks me up.

Bruise got a haircut ... we did it ourselves ... over the course of a weekend. Because, well, it just takes me that long to get a cut that I'm satisfied with. :P

He also is quite the comedian.

A couple weeks ago at church, this is how things went down (a.k.a., this is why I suck at being reverent)
Be aware, all conversation is whispers:

I play with his hair and make tiny ponytails.Bruise: Mom, stop. I don't want to have girly hair.
Me: But, [Bruise], are you saying that all men with long hair have girly hair?
Bruise: YES.
Me: [Bruise], are you saying that JESUS has girly hair?
Bruise: No. Because I LOVE Jesus.
Me: But he has long hair ... why would you say that he has girly hair?
Bruise: *right IN. MY. FACE.* BECAUSE. HE. DOES.

A couple minutes later:
Bruise is wearing very short black socks. His suit pants have ridden up, to expose most of his lower legsMe: Bruise. Get your pant legs down. I see your chicken legs!
(It's true, you know. This boy is skinny. I could build a accurate model of him with pipe cleaners.)
Bruise: *slides so that he's in my lap* Mom. I see your chicken legs, your chicken arms, your chicken face, your chicken nose, your chicken lips, your chicken hair, AND YOUR CHICKEN BODY.

SERIOUSLY, Y'ALL. Can you BLAME me for being distracted in Sacrament meeting????

In other news, we braved the home improvement store again.
In the near future, we'll be replacing a couple light fixtures (one above a kitchen counter. The other's the back porch light) and replacing the dimmer switch in the dining room. I also now have the bolt needed to repair the swinging bench on the front porch ... once I sand that sucker down, refinish the wood, and spray the metal ORB (as the Petersiks at Young House Love refer to "oil-rubbed bronze"). It'll look nice when it's done. Which means that I need to DO IT.

Also, we bought Michael some new clothes yesterday. And I was feeling a little down, since *I* like new clothes. But a friend had me come over and look through clothes that she and her daughter were going to donate. So, guess what? I have new clothes, too. Good times.

So ... now Bubbles is asleep. Bruise and Bucket are at school. Michael's at work.
The house is quiet and I don't quite know what to do with myself.

Except for the whole crapload of chores and the never-ending to-do list, right? :P
And there's a crapload of shows on Netflix that aren't going to watch themselves. :P

Catching up ... again ....

Okay, goodness, I suck at blogging rather regularly.

Partly because I've been reading more. Nothing wildly exciting ... but it is enjoyable. Especially when one has insomnia. ;P

Okay, so what's gone on since I last updated y'all on my exciting, exciting (/sarcasm) life?

Watched some more Doctor Who (the kids and I watched "Blink" together yesterday morning. My little Whovians). And another ep of Once Upon a Time.
Along with SYTYCD. And a few DVDs. (Finally watched "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" and "Lincoln.")

We celebrated Dad C's 60th birthday. And I finally went to Jason-head (my brother-in-law)'s house for the first time since he moved. (Usually, while I'm in town there, he's at work. Or we see each other at Mom and Dad C's house.)
I impressed him by not only KNOWING what a toy piano is (he has one) but also correctly identifying her concertina (it's like an accordion, but without piano-type keys). BOO and YEAH. Point to me.
Apparently, my music appreciation class in college and general geekery has paid off.

We visited my Dad and L, my Nana, my Uncle M and Aunt I, and Mom and my stepdad.
The kids had fun swimming in Dad and L's pool (aboveground pool).

The missionaries (we have sister missionaries in our ward) came by and chatted. It was nice to get to know them.

Mom and Dad C had their anniversary. So did Mom and my stepdad ... just over a week apart. Isn't that cute? And coincidental?

My Aunt J came up and we went, the next day, to a cousin's baby shower (she's my first-cousin-once-removed ... her dad's my mom's uncle, you see. But we just call each other cousins to keep things simple. Especially since she and her siblings and I are close in age. Her dad and my mom are about the same age, too. So he can brag about how well his niece/my mom would read stories to him when they were five).

It was really nice to see most everyone. My mom wasn't able to make it (she had my stepdad's family reunion). But I hadn't seen Uncle B and Aunt M since before the kids were born. And I hadn't seen any of my cousins for longer than that. Cousin T was with her folks at my reception. And that was quite a while ago.

After the shower, Michael, the kids and I went to IKEA. Bruise and Bucket got to play in Smaaland (or whatever it's called) ... Michael and I picked up a few things ... like new lights for the bedrooms. WOW. We were able to move where our lights hung (since they were originally fixtures that hung on hooks anyways) and have a large, round Chinese-style lantern in each bedroom. ... Both rooms seem SO much brighter and more open. And it wasn't that much work or money. Phew!

We had church and choir ... there were, what, FIVE of us that showed up. And we'll be performing on the 25th, so that's ... terrifying.

Monday, Michael wasn't feeling well, so he came home early. Really early. He got home RIGHT before I was taking the kids to swim lessons (with BOB, only their FAVORITE of ALL TIME instructor. Who remembered them from swim lessons a couple summers ago). So, he stayed home with Bubbles. Which let me pay TOTAL ATTENTION to Bruise and Bucket's lessons.

And, I can be honest ... they showed REMARKABLE improvement by the end of that lesson.
Since, at the beginning, their swimming strokes put on in the mind of JAWS. But without the blood.
(I mean, really, there were legs and arms flailing around and splashing galore! It was ... interesting.
But they're getting better each class. Phew!!)

After swim lessons on Monday, we went home and the kids showered. They also changed Bruise's sheets. And, during that, Bubbles was traipsing over his mattress and fell JUST SO ... resulting in us taking her to the doctor's office ... where she received two stitches in her forehead, over her eyebrow.
Except for having to be held down/still for getting anesthetic and the stitches, she was pretty dang chipper through the whole thing.
And now we've met ALL the doctors (and the LNP) at the practice. And I can truly vouch that they're all very wonderful.

And, honestly, I don't LIKE that I broke my record of not having to have my kids get stitches ... but I do feel vindicated that I made the right call in taking her in.
And I'm SO GLAD that Michael was there to help hold her still. I held her body and arms (and, therefore, could get at her hands to give her kisses and try to soothe her as best I could) while Michael held her head still.

I didn't cry ... but I was VERY AWARE of when my adrenaline rush ended.
Mostly because I felt like melting into a puddle on the floor after being wound so tight and keeping it together.

By the by, Bubbles has been pretty awesome about not picking/pulling at her stitches (unless she's REALLY tired). And she gets to have a bath today. So that'll make her happy. ... The stitches get taken out Monday. So, yeah. That should go quickly. And her regular pediatrician is doing that, so he'll get to give her a lookover.

Michael and I also got to help prepare for the funeral/memorial service of a man in our ward. So it was nice that he was home --- we jetted over to the church so he could unlock the building and help set up tables and chairs. I swung by a couple hours later to help decorate and drop off a dish. Bucket accompanied me and helped out while Michael watched Bruise and Bubbles. It was nice to get some one-on-one time with Bucket, since we were early getting there.

Okay, I should go do another load of dishes, clean the counters, and try and finish laundry. And make something for dinner.

But, yeah ... stitches and all. And we'll be helping to clean out bits of my Nana's house (due to health and other reasons, she's not going to be living alone anymore. So she needs to sell her house. And we need to help clean it out.) ... But yeah. We're keeping busy. Busy enough.

It's been one week ... since I blogged ...

Okay, time to catch up ...

Mom didn't come up last week ... which made the whole week seem a little off.
She's coming tomorrow ... so I'll be working at trying to remember that tomorrow is TUESDAY, not Wednesday.

The kids and I have gone to nearly all the places for their "passports" ... we just have two more places.
1 - A summer festival, which we have to WAIT for.
2 - The visitors' association ... which would be best to do at the very end.

The Orkin man came by again last week ... and good thing, too. Ants were swarming in the kids' room. Now it's reduced to a trickle.
Michael also trimmed back trees and cleaned out the gutters ... so the ants should REALLY ease off on the attack.

I got some Visiting Teaching done ... mostly by email and phone. We got new routes ... So, since I have a master list of who all is assigned to whom (so that all the ladies in the ward SHOULD get visits and know who to focus on), I let the gals that I wouldn't have anymore know who their new Visiting Teachers are. And I got in contact with the new gals on my route ... and it turns out that the new routes start in August. Still, I'd rather make sure that everyone knows that they're being thought of. So it's all fine.

I took the kids to a historic grain mill. BY MYSELF.
I wore Bubbles in her Moby wrap. Bruise and Bucket were really well behaved. We were the only people there (except for staff and volunteers), which was pretty cool. Then we headed downtown and got most of the rest of the stamps for the aforementioned "passports."

I also took the kids on the paddleboats ... Last year, Michael took them while I watched Bubbles. This year, we switched. And, since Bucket had a shoe that fell off last year, they were VERY trepidatious. Instead of being out there for about a half-hour, it was MAYBE 15 minutes. But, goodness, I got a good workout, peddling that boat.

We also went to a baseball game. The kids really wanted to catch a foul ball ... but that didn't happen.
They did love running the bases after the game was over.
Our team won, which was nice. And we got new hats for our "collection," since we opt to go on the free cap night.

We went out for pizza the next night. After Michael and the kids got the front rooms cleaned up.

I haven't been sleeping very well. I should take melatonin or something.
But I've gotten through some of my library books. Which is good, since I have a lot of holds that have all come in.

I should get caught up on the dishes and the laundry.

And watch that last episode of Season Two of Upstairs Downstairs. And I should finish Season One of Gilmore Girls, since that's a library one. *sigh*
And I should just go watch the rest of ALL the seasons of Doctor Who on Netflix (Just finished "The Lazarus Experiment" the other night with the kids, my little Whovians).

Not to toot my own horn, but I'm getting pretty good at picking out who's playing different characters.
As Michael and I were watching the previews for the next few episodes, I focused on one voice...
"That's Mad-Eye!!"
Michael was impressed, since the actor was done up as a giant cat-person.
Even in the preview for "The Lazarus Effect," I was struck by one actor ... "Mycroft!"
(Michael WAS impressed at that one, since in that episode, the guy is so BLOND-HAIRED.)

And, I also totally called another actor. "It's the COOK!! From Upstairs Downstairs!!"

Michael, checking IMDB the other night as I was watching Upstairs Downstairs, "Hey, she's been on Doctor Who."
"Yeah, I TOLD you I recognized her!"
"Oh. That's what you were talking about. ... Nice."
"Thank you."

I am nothing if not insufferable.

Also, yesterday, I was calming down Bubbles by putting music videos on for her.
Bucket came up as we were watching Adele's "Rolling in the Deep."

Bucket: Why is she sitting in a dirty house?

That, my dears, is a question for the ages. It's a question I often ask of myself, about myself, daily.

With that, I should go do more dishes, some laundry, and maybe organize some cupboards.
And grocery shopping or something.

I should be cleaning ...

The goal is to have the house clean before the Orkin man comes for a check-up on the house this week.

We'll see how that goes.

Now, what all has gone on since I posted last?

• I visit taught a friend over at the park Wednesday morning. Good times.
• My mom came up to visit.
• Michael had a meeting with the Bishop.
• Thursday, mom went home.
• We went to the park for Art at the park. The kids played and made some crafts.
• We went around Downtown and got some stamps for their "passports."
• We tie-dyed scarves.
• I went to a Relief Society activity in the evening.
• Friday, we went to the Fair -- rode rides, bought some dip mixes, looked at everything.
• The kids stayed with a sitter while Michael and I went back to the fair and went to the Collective Soul concert. (They sound just like they do in the recording ... except that the lead singer left a few years back. The new lead singer is very good, though.)
• Saturday, we went to the farmers' market, got a couple more stamps in the kids' passports, walked around a park, cleaned the house a little ...
• While I was coloring my hair (nothing exciting -- just back to my root color), Michael went to cook up the steaks we had marinating.
  And, well, the grill caught on fire.
  And, since it was next to a window, the glass got hot.
  And cracked as it cooled.
  So we need to replace that window.
  Good thing -- It's a double-paned window, so the kids aren't cutting themselves or anything.
  Bad thing -- The window (ALL THE WINDOWS, apparently) are an irregular size.
  So we have to custom order a new window. *sigh*
  And we missed the Stake Activity. Oh well.
• Sunday, we went to Sacrament
  Before we left (right after Sacrament meeting), we got to see some friends.
  Looks like some are going to be moving back! That's awesome!
  Then we went home, changed, and headed over to my family reunion.
  I had to have people point out everyone (out of, what, 25 people??) that were there, since I never remember names. Ugh.
  Then we went home, Michael got a nap, and we cleaned up the house a bit.
  I ended up going to a friend's house after putting the kids to bed. Got back late. Michael waited up for me. Sweet man.

Wednesday, Bruise got really frustrated in trying to memorize the Fourth Article of Faith.
I tried to get him to laugh (instead of cry).
I ended up with him cradled across my lap.
Bubbles, obviously, was VERY CONCERNED with her big brother crying.
She crawled into HIS lap and alternated between patting his shoulder and poking at his tears.
And I told Bruise that I loved him -- even when he got frustrated; even when he cried; and that I'd always love him.
"Because we're family," he sniffled.
And Bucket wrapped HER arms around the three of us and proclaimed, "I LOVE MY FAMILY ... But I HATE my FARTS!!"

And we all dissolved into laughing.

And she choked out, "BECAUSE THEY'RE SO STINKY!!!"

Then she had to go out to my mom and tell HER what she'd said.

That girl.

But, yeah.

Also, yesterday, Michael and I were looking at house plans ... for the future, when we have money. Because, everyone can figure this out -- a family of five doesn't really fit so well in a two-bedroom house.

The kids were looking with us.

As we're looking, I liked some houses. I really would like at least four bedrooms. And if the guest bedroom had an attached bathroom, so much the better!!

But the kids and Michael really liked a three-bedroom one. And one of those bedrooms would probably be an office (hence why I'd like FOUR bedrooms).

Me: Well, it only has three bedrooms. And if we have that room be the office, where will Mom sleep when she comes to visit?
Michael: We'll have Bruise bunk in with his sisters.
Bruise: OR, if we had an attic, I could sleep up there.
(Note: NONE of the houses we've looked at have an attic. Or a second floor at all.)
Me: *sarcastically* Or we could just shove you into the cupboard under the stairs!
Bruise and Bucket: JUST LIKE HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!
Michael: Nerd family.

Yup, that's how we roll.

And now I should go finish dishes or cleaning the bathroom or the bedroom or vacuuming or the laundry. *sigh*

Gracious, people will think that I've died.

Yes, yes, I know it's been a little while.

Things are going better with the one friendship. We're chatting a bit. So that's good. Makes me feel better.

The kids (well, Bruise and Bucket) liked soccer. They liked it enough that I think I should get them enrolled on a regular basis.

The Orkin guy was supposed to come today. But, well, whoever did the scheduling SPACED that they have mandatory meetings on the third Tuesday of the month. And, since he's about a hundred miles away, that appointment has come and gone. He'll be by ... SOMETIME ... tomorrow. So, well, we'll be hanging around the house then.

I was going to take the kids to the library to pick up some Summer Reading Program Swag, and then around town to get some stamps for a summer-passport-activity. But Miss Bubbles was a cranky mess ... so we scrapped those plans to give her an opportunity for a nap. Joy!

I've cleaned up a little ... since the Orkin guy will be IN and OUTSIDE the house. Ha. Yeah, and I'm already out of motivation. Whatevs.

(Can you tell that it's T minus seven days until shark week commences? Yeah, I can too.)

The kids finished up their swim lessons last week. Passed! On the first try!

We have them signed up for more swim lessons, in a few weeks ... since it was the only time their FAVORITEST OF THEM ALL swim instructor is teaching their level.

We made it to Free Slurpee Day last week ... and I managed NOT to get into an accident in the cramped parking lot (always a fear. Especially since a LOT of cars just ZOOM in. Yeah. Got my adrenaline going.)

Michael and I took the kids to his folks' on Saturday and we went to the temple (it's been a while). We did initiatories (washing and anointing, by proxy, for people who have died. And, like the baptisms for the dead ... or ANYTHING done for those that have died, in the temple, it's up to that person [who's died] to choose whether or not they want to accept it. So don't be giving me grief for doing something like that. Just putting it out there. I've heard too many folks telling me that we baptize corpses and that no one has any choice in it. ... And, well, I'm a little testy/hormonal. So, yeah.)

Of course, any day that involves the temple is, by default, a good day.
We also went to Deseret Book ... yeah, I got some books. OF COURSE.
And we also had lunch at The Olive Garden (Srsly, that Strawberry-passion fruit-lemonade-sparkling water drink? IT'S GOOD. Where can I get passion fruit pulp around here??)

It was our Stake's temple day, so we got to attend a chapel session ... which I always enjoy.
(Maybe because I can actually PAY ATTENTION to the speakers? Also, truly, because I love hearing from our temple president. He gave a great talk about unity -- not just within the church, but unity with those of other faiths. LOVE IT. Total proof that we [Latter-Day Saints] love you, no matter what religion you are.)
But, yeah ... our current temple president, he has a sense of humor. Which, naturally, makes me like him just a wee bit more (if possible).

Of course, the one BAD thing was that, as we dropped the kids off at Michael's folks', we realized that no one had grabbed the diaper bag ... with the kids' swimsuits.
Mom Cox has a little wading pool on the back porch/patio ... and both kids refused to go in it in (1) their clothes, which she'd run through the dryer or (2) their skivvies, which she could ALSO run through the dryer.

So, upon returning, Bucket greeted me with a "YOU'RE BACK?? ... *hysterical* WHY DID YOU FORGET THE DIAPER BAG?!?!??? I WANTED TO GO SWIMMING!!!!!"
And I gave the rebuttal, "Did you remember to grab it? No? Then you don't get to give me grief about it."

And, yes, I've started giving her a bad time of, when she's done something/forgotten something, "YOU'RE RUINING MY LIFE!!!!" ... Because, well, I CAN. And also, I might as well show her how dumb we sound when we do that, right?

Our order (school clothes) we got from The Children's Place came in.
And BOTH shipments (with EVERYTHING we ordered) are on their way from Zulily ... After the last couple orders where at least ONE thing from EACH "store" didn't ever ship ... including an order where there was JUST ONE ITEM in the order ... Yeah. I mean, it's nice that they refund the money and give a $10 credit as apology ... but, goodness.
When you order matching outfits for your girls and they only send ONE of the two?
Or when you order three bras and they only send two?
Or, in Mom's case, you order ONE pair of shoes and it get cancelled?
Yeah, I was getting annoyed/worried.

I'm just REALLY glad that the rest has shipped -- especially since it has pirate costumes for the kids. And Bruise and Bucket are REALLY excited about those.

Bruise-ism from last night:
(Back story -- As you know, we're a weird family. I joke about pinching the kids' posterior regions. Often. And I do, sometimes. Because they find it funny.)
Me: [Bruise]! Can I pinch your buns??
Bruise: No.
Me: *plaintively* Why not??
Bruise: Mom! They're FRAGILE!!

After I stopped laughing, I demanded to know where he learned that great word.
Turns out, it's from boxes ... My online shopping habit has certain benefits, no?

We missed church choir last week ... I don't know if it wasn't happening. It wasn't announced. And, when it was time to go, Bubbles was napping, Michael had a headache, I was curled up with a book ... things just weren't going.

Besides that, we've been cleaning up the house ... it never ends.

There may be some other stuff that's been going on ... but I'm not really remembering it. So ... yeah.

Title goes here ... whatever, Blogger.

Things are getting better.

The friend that I was worrying about has texted me a bit. So that's ... well, AWESOME.

And, since I am crazy, I did go and message one of my friends (that I haven't seen for YEARS, sadly, but he and I keep in touch) and begged him to tell me if I was a jerk or too demanding or anything.
And he told me that, nah, I shouldn't stress about it. If it's meant to work out, it'll work out.

And, well, I did hear from the friend that I was freaking about losing ... so, yeah. I'm freaking a lot less.

About eight more weeks until my munchkin gets to go to Nursery.
I'm kind of excited ... since it'll be nice to spend more than about 10 minutes in Relief Society ... since she hates to sit still (because she's fighting a nap).

I put Bubbles' hair up today ... two little pigtails in the front, the back was left in its usual curls. She looked cute, of course ... but, well, it's so different to see her hair up. It makes her look older (In fact, when she finally crashed for a nap, she looked a LOT like one of her cousins).

Bucket gave a talk in Primary today. She talked about how families are part of God's plan for us. She did a good job. Especially since she kind of, well, HATES public speaking.

Bruise is ... just himself. His hives have all cleared up ... and he's careful not to touch latex things. Good for him. I hate that (1) he has such a sensitivity to such a common thing and (2) that he had to learn this lesson ... still, DUDE, who sleeps with an athletic band wrapped around one's neck like a rubbery scarf??
(Apparently my son, that's who.)

He's really silly. And it's not really on purpose ...
He came back into the chapel from the bathroom ... and his suitcoat was tucked into his pants. ... What??
He's ... He's my little man. Crazy little man.

Now, let's see ... what else have I not told you yet? Um ...

Okay, Independence Day (or July 4th for you non-Americans), we went to Michael's folks for a taco feed and fireworks. I was assigned to bring desserts. So I bought a cheesecake from Costco and baked a double batch of the bestest brownies. I woke up the morning of the fourth wondering if I should also make lemon bars ... Mom C assured me that, no, what I'd already prepared should be fine (there were also cookies and an angel food cake).
So, we hung out with family and watched a lot of fireworks in the street.
Bubbles had fought a nap for a LONG time. She finally fell asleep around 7 (about an hour or so before her normal bedtime. I woke her up around 10:30 PM for fireworks. She was back asleep on the way home, though. So that was fine.

Michael took Friday off (he brought work home so that he COULD take the day off), which I enjoyed very much. He was able to watch the kids' swim lessons (for the first time). We also went and took the kids (even Bubbles) to Monsters U. Good show ... and Bubbles did okay in it. Phew!

Yesterday (Saturday), we worked on cleaning the house. Michael got the water cooler onto a board and in a better spot. The kids worked on their room (and have finished it today, I think). I cleared off the junk counter (mostly ... I have my purse and diaper bag on it, so it looks cluttered again). And I threw a load of laundry in the wash and started the dishwasher again.
We also did some little odd jobs around the house: replaced a (broken) shower head, Put some covers on light switches that need to stay on, put up new house numbers (so when I order take-out in winter, the drivers can find our house) in a better spot, installed the kids' LEGO nightlights by their beds, got the kids' DVDs organized (AGAIN), got a box for Bubbles' shoes, put one couch on cinder blocks so that it MIGHT be the right height for my mom when she comes to stay (we'll see), put Michael's grilling tools onto S-hooks so they can hang off the side of the grill ... I think that's most everything.

Today was church. Of course. Bubbles doesn't make it totally easy ... but we were there! And I stayed until the end, too. Made it back to Relief Society (after leaving RIGHT after the lesson started to go rock Bubbles to sleep in the Mothers' Lounge) JUST in time for the closing song. ... Yeah.
And I had been late to RS, since I went into the Young Women's class to make an announcement (starting a list of YW who want to babysit ... so that parents have an idea of who to call. Inspired, no? Yeah, it's nice to be inspired.)

But, yeah ... we're about to head to dinner at a friend's house.
I made dessert ... I'll have to let you know later how it turned out, since it's a new recipe.

The kids have swim lessons and soccer this week. It should be fun.
And Free Slurpee Day is on Thursday (7-11, get it? But, no, it's REAL). So that's always nice.

Yeah, I should get going ... but ... things are going better.

And I gave myself (fake) feather extensions.
Best use for needle-nosed pliers yet. (Unless I start doing some beading.)

So, yeah. Things are a lot better. Phew.

Why I love my mom (among many other reasons)

So, as we were driving the kids home from swim lessons this morning, we were talking about words and ... well, that different families use different words.

Me: And that's why, in their house, they don't use the word "stupid." But in our house, you can ... as long as you're not calling a person stupid. You can use it to describe someone's actions or a situation ... or Congress.

[Silence from the kids]

Mom: [leans a little toward me] Don't worry, honey. I got it.

Me: Thanks, Mom.

Yeah. What would I do without her?
My sense of humor is often wasted on the under-14 set.

Improvement

So ... I'm feeling better. A bit more at peace.

And very humbled by your love. Thank you for that.

Because, you don't have to say that I'm a good person or anything. But you did.
And I appreciate that.

Because, well, I know that I can be sarcastic, snarky, demanding, and petulant.
And I try not to do that too much.

And so ... thank you for being able to tell me. I appreciate it.

And, really, if I DO become a jerk and a bad friend and all of that, PLEASE TELL ME.
I might be miffed (at first), but I know that you all have my best interests at heart. And that I know you wouldn't tell me something like that unless it (1) was true and (2) you knew that I needed to hear it to improve.

Michael does say that maybe I had rather high expectations for this friendship (which may or may not be over). But, well, ... it's true. I might have had too high of expectations ... However, I'll offer that am I doing anyone a favor by offering lower expectations than I'd ask of anyone else that close to me?
(And, part of that, I know is my upbringing -- we're taught, as educators, to demand high expectations. Because our students WILL rise to the challenge. It's not doing anyone any favors to do otherwise.)

But, yes, there are a lot of other factors going on. And I tried to go about it gently ... for around a year, even. But, well, things did come to a head (which sounds like I'm talking about some huge zit, ew.) ... and ... well ...

I'm sad that I might be losing a friend that I love dearly. I don't usually let this happen ... not without something kind of big happening (like a "friend" that started being rather rude. And treated another friend with more than a little derision ... and, well, I had to take a bit of a side. And I don't know that that not-as-good-friend really knew what had occurred. We're still in contact ... but we don't talk as much. And I don't think that s/he is awful or anything. Just not a person that is someone that I'm willing to invest quite so much time and energy in as I used to).

I'm still sad, though. And it still sucks.
But, well ... I ... I just don't know.

But ... well, I have to handle it. I'm a big girl and I have to put on my big-girl panties and DEAL.
But I'm not about to throw any parties about it.

Though, I'll admit that my period stopped earlier than expected.
Which I'm attributing to having less stress from repressing frustration.
But, still, it's not a great thing regardless.

In a perfect scenario, my friend will have less stress and we can put this all behind us and be friendly again.
And I'll know whether I should comment on his/her facebook status updates. And when I come across something online (like an article/blogpost/.gif/whatever) that makes me think of my friend, I could pass it on to him/her.

So ... yeah. It's a little lonely.
Especially since my mom had to go home, so I don't have her to advise me in person/distract me from all this.
And I'm sure that Michael's more than bored with me asking if there was anything more that I could have done or done differently this last week to have avoided all this.

And, really, I feel like a drama-llama whinging about it.
But it's nice to have a place to dump out all my feelings. And, well, I respect your opinions.

But, yeah ... with kids to take care of, I can't just go and bury myself in books or movies as some type of escapist method of dealing with this. Though it is tempting.

But, I know that, as time passes, I'll stop staring into space. And I'll stop tearing up randomly. And I'll be able to function like a person that doesn't feel like a complete heel for maybe losing a really great friend.

But, in other, better, news: It's really nice that another gal, from another ward, has her kids in swim lessons at the same time that Bruise and Bucket are swimming. It's really nice to get to talk ... and laugh ... with someone. Which makes me realize how much I've rather lost the ability to be social. I should work on that. And sooner, rather than later.

I know that things will get better ... overall. Maybe this friendship is broken, completely. Maybe it'll be fixed and it'll be as tight as before. I don't know. But, eventually, it won't feel as sucky all the time.

Until then, I should get off my duff. I need to clean the house ... and I should make dessert(s) for tomorrow.
Plying extended family with baked goods is always a great way to ingratiate myself to them, right?
(I know that they love me regardless ... but it's always nice to cement that. And I do make a mean batch of brownies. ... But can I feed nearly 20 people on just brownies?? I think I should make some more stuff. JUST IN CASE.)

And I need to make something for dinner. And I should do the dishes. And the laundry. And the floors could use vacuuming/sweeping/mopping. And the house should be dusted and aired out. And the bathrooms should be decontaminated ...

None of which is going to get done if I keep sitting around, now will they?

That boy of mine ...

You know how I was recently complaining that I usually never remember the hilarious things that Bruise spouts?

Well, he gave me a doozy today, bless him.

As Mom, the kids, and I are all headed home from swim lessons, Bucket announces that she has to go to the bathroom. About halfway home (not very far), she asks me, "Mom!! What can I do to help me not have to go pee right now??" (Since, around a week ago, I had her pinch the webbing near her thumb as a distraction in nearly the same situation.)

I tell her to pinch at the webbing. And she says that it's too soft (since her skin is a little waterlogged). So I tell her that maybe she can pinch the skin on the side of one of her fingers, or maybe an eardrum.

And Bruise pipes up, "Since I'm not a girl, sometimes I could pinch my weenie so the pee doesn't come out!"

WHAT. THE. WHAT.

I don't know where this "weenie" business came from. I'm a proponent of calling one's body parts by the real name ... although, I do refer to private bits with epithets, mostly out of boredom.

But, yeah, we all had a good laugh about that.

That's my boy.
Who I now can tease by calling him  Mr. Weenie ... I'll make sure to tell this story when he starts bringing girls home in another ten years or so. Mwhahaha.

Insert some pithy title, please. Thanks.

I keep remembering (or mostly remembering) things that Neil Gaiman said that I hadn't yet written down ... and, well, he was so amazing that I do want to share more!

(Truly, if I'd have thought that a cell-phone video would have turned out at all well, I'd have been sorely tempted. ... But then I couldn't clap, could I??)

But, due to wonderful sales, The Ocean at the End of the Lane bumped Dan Brown's Inferno from the New York Times' Best Sellers #1 spot.

And what did Mr. Gaiman have to say about that?
"Curse you and your intricately-crafted Renaissance [fantasy/fiction/ ... Neither Michael nor I can remember the EXACT word. But it was darling]."

And he knew, around the age of ten, that he wanted to be a writer. He knew that if he did not at least try writing, he would die. And if he tried and failed? That'd be okay. And he go into hotel management or something else.

Truly, I'm a little jealous of people who KNOW what they want to be.
I'm in my early 30s (when did THAT happen?!??) and I still don't really know what I'm doing.
I mean, I'm a mom. I'm a wife. I take care of the house. I cook. I read lots of books. I try not to be boring. I try to be kind and compassionate and understanding. I try to love everyone. I try to love myself. I try to live my religion ... Maybe that's what I am. I'm a TRY-er.
At least, when you're a try-er, it's not like you can really fail.
Just leave Yoda and his philosophy out of it. I don't want to hear it right now.

Besides that, Bruise had some sort of allergic reaction ... on his FACE (and earlobes and neck and a couple little spots on his arms). It appears that he got SOMETHING on his hands and touched his face. I only noticed it last Wednesday. Friday, when it wasn't getting better, I started giving him some Benadryl. It's looking lots better. (And the chlorine-water this morning seems to have helped, too).
It doesn't itch or cause him discomfort ... it just looks ... well ... odd.
At first, I thought it might be acne ... except for the fact that he's NOT nearly old enough to start puberty like THAT.
But he's doing fine ... my shaggy-haired little man.

Bucket ... even though there are times that she knows just which buttons to push ... she is really a VERY sweet and compassionate girl.
I'm, well ... I'm in a bit of a rough patch.
To say much more feels like a drama-queen thing.
But, let's just say that I've really questioned what kind of person I am.
(My mom assures me that I'm not a terrible friend. Michael assures me the same. Does anyone who doesn't have such a vested interest in me want to weigh in? If I'm a terrible person and an awful friend, I'd much rather prefer to know ... so that I can improve my quality of friendshipness-essence.)
And, well, since I broke down in tears again (and I don't like crying in front of my kids. It feels ... unprofessional. They have enough work figuring out who they are. I should be able to hold it together and not stress them out too much) ... and Bubbles had just woken up.
As I changed her diaper, Bucket told me, "Don't worry, Mom. We'll take care of her. You go take a rest."

She is her father's daughter. (Except when she's infuriating ... then that's ALL me. I can admit it.)

And I did take a rest ... and I felt a bit better.
Not ready to take over the world or anything ... but not quite so vulnerable to cry at the drop of a hat.
(At the same time, let's please don't take any chances ... Keep your hat-dropping to a minimum, if you don't mind.)

In other news, the kids started swim lessons today. And they had a great time. Even if I brought them there over a half-hour early. Whoops. (Better early than late, right?)
We got to sit and chat and watch the swim team practice and a class of older ladies exercise.
And Bucket and I talked about how it's not really important if one is "fat" or "skinny." But that being HEALTHY is most important. I hope that sticks.

And a gal from our ward, before the wards' boundaries were all reorganized, has her two sons in swim lessons at the same time (different classes), so it was very nice to get to chat with her. She's a friendly gal and is very fun to talk to. (Which makes me hope that I haven't lost all social skills ... I mean, I can write a great business letter ... maybe I just suck at being personable? But, no, another friend likes me plenty ... so ... well, maybe it's not that.) But I get to look forward to chatting with her for another eight days.  So that's nice.

I don't really know what to make for dinner. I have a pot of rice nearly done.
Not that 2/3 of the children really care for rice. And what should I serve with it?
I'm sure that I'll figure out something.
(Oh well, I was going to have Michael swing by the store on his way home and grab some sausage ... He's obviously listening to the radio and isn't picking up the phone. Oh well.)

Well, I think that's about everything that I can think of to write ... I'm finding myself staring off into space. Not the best use of my time ... and, well, if I'm not that interesting to MYSELF, I feel awful for you reading this blog.

Good news, my mom'll be coming up. I've been missing her. She had put her back out ... and then was having dizzy spells. Neither of which lend themselves well to driving for a few hours to visit (enthusiastic) grandchildren.
So I'm glad to be able to see her. I've been missing her a lot.

I should clean up the house, though. It'd be a nice idea, right?

And I called and set up pesticide service. It's not doing well in our battle against the ants. Ugh. Hate those insects. Why can't they just stay outside?? Whatever. They'll be sorry. In a few weeks. Mwhahaaaa.