this just in:  Ok, so I just checked my stats and a gadzillion people found me through searching for Kellie Raspberry's divorce. Hmmmm... haven't blogged about it but I have mentioned Kidd, etc. on my blog b/c I'm a huge fan and have a crush like you wouldn't believe on Kidd Kraddick. AND I really dig Kellie. We get our hair done at the same place and have often sat chair by chair. I've only talked to her once, long ago, but I can't really say we're besties. But it would be cool if we were. I have zero idea what happened, although I have my suspicions. However, it's clear to me that she is going to be fine......... Not everyone would in this situation, but she will. I can just tell. I find it interesting that so many people googled her, yet wound up here....... So, in the words of our dear Kellie, "Now, how'd ya like that?" I heart kkitm.

 

Back to the blog.....

 

Now that's what I call a title.........

 

Alrighty then....... On My Mind.....

 

Winter. Well, it showed up. Big time. Texans are so spoiled. Sure it gets hotter than hell at times but the weather is pretty good most of the time, well except for a tornado here and there. The minute sleet hits the media goes nuts, warning about icy blasts and an arctic storm. It's sleet. Snain. Whatever you want to call it, anything with arctic or blast is quite the exaggeration. Everyone goes into hiding, taking personal days from work, cancelling plans, stocking up on food and water (kidding, well sort of). There's about a wreck a minute because all of these SUV-driving moms (yeah I'm one but I can handle myself on ice) freak out whenever they need to hit the brakes on a slick road. I'll be so glad when this thing blows over and thaws out so we can all get back to normal life in suburbia....you know, being way too into ourselves while driving around in a Mercedes with a little poodle hanging her head out of the window, listening to our kids' pop CDs, and declaring shopping, manicures, and golf as life musts--not luxuries. Man, I think I just thought of a new blog......

 

Bucks. They just seem to fly out of the window this time of year. I know Christmas is coming for 364 days yet I wait until the four weeks prior to buy everyone's gift. It's so dumb. I could budget it out every month but instead I just drop cash all over the place like I have stacks of it. And, um, I don't. I love to give gifts at Christmas, and it's so fun finding just the right thing. However, paying for it all withint a four-week time span isn't exactly genius. Buh-bye bucks.

 

Tis the season.....to get your drink on. Man, I have some serious partying to do in the next few weeks. Well, for a mid-30s wife and mom anyway. Tomorrow is a couple's baby shower with the old crowd from college. A couple who swore they'd never have a baby....well, they crossed over to the other side....the dark side....and will have their own bundle of joy in January. Aren't we warning enough? Crazy people. Anyway, that's the first festivity. Then hubby's company party is Saturday night. My company party is late next week. Then a happy hour with my two gal pals...... a holiday get-together at an old friend's place same night. A get-together for a carriage ride event through out neighborhood with hubby's friends and all their kids -- byob naturally, followed by champagne at mi casa.

 

Yea me. I am going to two way fun events after the first of the year. The big food and wine event I went to last year, where, if you've been reading my blog long enough you'll recall I got sick enough for 10 people and swore off red wine for more than six months...... going again but THIS time, watching it. AND.....drum roll please..... Willie Nelson! I am going to a benefit where he is performing. This time, I am going to meet him and will post the picture to prove it. Just you wait. I am going to try to get tickets to Wicked, coming in the spring, tomorrow when they go on sale. I have no idea who I'm going to bring with me, but I am going. I refuse to miss it, in that I don't see hubby surprising me to a trip to NY any time soon......but that'd be cool if he did. He won't, so any takers?

 

Oh yeah. Speaking of hubby. He lost his wedding ring. Uh-huh. OK. Thing was tighter than a pickle jar lid. It's gone though. Alas........ I don't want to spend money on another one. Maybe next guy we know who gets a divorce can donate his. Again, any takers?

 

Potty. My toddler found her sister's old training potty. She is obsessed with it. She just sits on it forever. She'll move it around, sit. Move it to another area, sit. She gets up and looks in it expecting to find something and gets frustrated nothing is there. She knows what goes in there, just not how to get it there. Little sucker decided to fix that problem. She got a play cup, scooped up water out of her bath, and dumped it in

there and said, "yea!" I can't begin to tell you how much so much of that reminds me of her father......scary. Scary. I'm so in for it with her......

 

Smart. Yep, that's me. I just decided to end the torture of wondering what hubby will get me for Christmas. It's always a toss up. Some years he scores; others, not so much. So I made a Christmas list....an extensive one complete with links, photos, prices, etc. It would be hard to mess it up......however......

 

So much to do.....Yeah, I know. What else is new. Addressing cards, wrapping gifts, making plans, getting daughter here, there, here, there....she sings three times on Sunday....parties, remembering everything....oh yeah, and work......And I STILL want to get my picture project done. I really want it done before the 17th. I work well under deadlines/pressure, so I see some late nights in my future.

 

Ex husbands. Yeah, I claim one of those. He's getting re-married in December. I feel really weird about that. Somewhat jealous, but not in a jealous way. That makes no sense, I know...... but it's like The End. We started our relationship when I was just 15. It kind of seems like the game's not over until we both married and moved on. First quarter ended at the divorce. Second quarter ended when I got remarried. Third quarter ended when I had kids and really sealed the deal the second time around. Fourth quarter is about to be over with his marriage to someone with two children. Sounds like game over to me. I'm so fine with that, but it still strikes a strange chord in me way, way down somewhere.

 

Decisions. I really want some "date time" for me and hubby during the break. Movies, nice dinners, sleeping in, lazy shopping, getting stuff done around the house. It can happen, but it means taking the kids to my mom's, knowing she's going to be worn out, knowing the baby won't stay in her crib and will cry at night, going to pick them up, driving there and back, missing the kids....... not sure if it's all worth it. Trying to decide......

 

Blogging. I really miss the blogging days of a year ago. I miss Keith and Cori, Dar (although I visit her on her other site all the time), Miss D, LisaMarie, Cliff and Anna's mom, Frannie, Mandy (although we still "visit" too), Amanda........and there are others. It's still great but for whatever reason, it's harder for me to blog now than it was a year ago. Finding time to really write and post something more than daily drama or lack thereof is hard. I'm going to try to do better though....... I really want to. It feels good to get real entries out there.....carving out time for it though isn't easy.

 

Gotta go. Oldest needs to get to bed; I need to address some Christmas cards; I have a backpack and lunch to prepare; I have a glass of wine to drink..........

 

til next time.....

This screen is blank. (Well, til now.)

 

My mind is blank. (Work deadlines, housework, to-do lists, preparing to leave town.....)

 

My last two entries are now blank. (It's called CYA, people.)

 

....... I can't really think of anything all that clever to write. So I am goling to do a little trick that works for me so that I can remember everything I need to get done. I write it down. In the case, type.

 

Cleaners

Tailor

Grocery store for pumpkin pie stuff.

Make pumpkin pie.

Straighten house before I go.

Finish the laundry.

Remind hubby to get tree out and put it up while I'm gone so that I can decorate it when I get back.

Clean out car and load it up so me and the girls can take off tomorrow around 7 a.m.

Bring stack of magazines to do some Christmas shopping by phone.

Bring mom's bday gift.

Call UPS to redirect wine delivery.

Remind hubby to get expense check processed.

Leave hubby a check to pay the Christmas light guys on Friday when they hang the outdoor lights.

Bring Christmas card stuff to Mom's to assemble and address them.

Buy sticky stuff for cards today at Wolf camera.

Keep looking for lost and favorite silver belt. Where is that damn thing?

If it's a lost cause, shop for one online.

Hunt for hubby's gift idea online.

Mail off bills today - get stamps first. Always a good idea.

Get AL a check.

Call MIL to check on her fiance.

Do abs. This time I mean it.

Order prints from photog./finalize order.

Get snack/activity bag packed for road trip -- kids CDs, too.

Ask mom if she wants that comforter set. If so, bring it.

Remember pack n play.

Find something to pack pies carefully - store?

Realize this list is only about half of everything I really need to do.

Breathe.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I am putting down my weapon today. True, I've carried this weapon for almost six years, fighting my way through a busy, yet full life. Therefore, this isn't an easy decision, because in a way, I became addicted to this weapon. With it, I was determined to not only win the battle, but also the war. I was going to prove wrong all of the naysayers who continually reminded me that "you can't do it all." Press onward, upward, and don't look back........

 

Well, maybe they can't do it all, I'd think to myself, but I know I can. I have pretty much achieved everything I've ever set out to do. Relentlessly trying to be everything to everyone, successful at work, an innovative writer, a good friend, a loyal daughter, a fun and loving sibling, an admirable co-worker, good citizen, proper church member, charitable member of the community, impressive daughter-in-law, and a 'remembering everyone's everything' relative.... and, of course, let's not forget a damn-near-perfect wife and mother......has proven to be more than I can handle. I am exhausted. And I'm only 34. It's been a good fight, and I think I should at least be commended for my efforts. Even so, I surrender. Game over. It is true, you can't do it all.

 

How do I know this? The undeniable proof is all around me in messy piles, unfinished projects, little girls who deserve more of my time, a husband who deserves more attention, a family I should see more often, loose friendships, late projects, missed events, tardy RSVPs, lack of attention to things that really should matter...... the sheer pressure of it all has suffocated me. Did I mention I'm only 34? Clearly, I need to create some breathing room or this proof of a battle, lost will just continue to multiply. Don't believe me? You will.........

 

My kids are going longer and longer between baths. I simply don't have the energy to keep them on a schedule. I spiff them up each morning and pray no one notices that we are way between shampoos.

 

I can't get to all of my oldest daughter's activities. Either I'm running late from work, stuck in traffic, have a school commitment, or like tonight, just can't imagine going through the motions of it all. We have been skipping a few. I feel guilty because it's wasted money, lost time, and a failure to my child because obviously, she can't drive herself there.

 

I struggle to recall the last time we all ate the same time and ate relatively the same meal. I am the perfect example of a short-order cook. The baby gets her meal; the oldest gets another at her request. You can be sure that her meal will not include fruit or vegetables, also at her request. She is skin and bones. I blame myself. Hubby either fends for himself at a drive-through or comes home and makes a sandwich. He knows it's pointless to ask, "What's for dinner?" I have no idea, ever. Lately, I just skip eating altogether at night, or have a few olives and some cheese. Hey, it pairs well with a glass of wine.

 

I am behind on all of my errands -- tailor, dry cleaning, Christmas shopping....the list goes on. I finally made it to the grocery store tonight, but I really had no choice. We didn't have one diaper left, and the makings for the kids' breakfast and lunches were essentially non-existant. When I got there, I couldn't find my list. I just randomly tossed things in a basket while my toddler screamed and my oldest begged for a doughnut. I was on autopilot. It was almost like Christmas when I opened the bags to put away the groceries in that I couldn't remember everything I just bought. 

 

I'm behind at work. I feel like I am treading water. I'm getting it done, but it's harder. The kids' activities, countless doctor and dentist appointments in the past few months for both of them, policing home improvement projects, and who knows what else just eats into everything. It's hard to turn my life off at work since it's the only time I really have to myself. I like to feel on top of things at work, and lately I don't.

 

My husband started smoking again. I was really mad at first, then sort of mad, and then simply disgusted. Now, I am indifferent. I figure if he wants to slowly kill himself, then that is his decision. I don't have the energy to nag at him, or even encourage him to quit.

 

Phone calls. I can think of so many people in my life I need to call--friends and family--and I mean to....but never do. I need to set up lunch appointments, dinners, get-togethers....... and I don't. Time simply runs out. Of course there's email. I am behind on that, too.

 

Sometimes, it takes too much energy to talk to my husband about my day. I have every intention of coming home and exchanging stories about even the most mundane of things. After the commute, a few errands, picking up the kids, grabbing dinner, going to the activity du jour, getting the kids to bed, preparing for the next day......I decide that getting into a discussion takes up too much energy. We turn on the television and veg for about 15 minutes before lights out. Weeks later, I thought I told him something, when in fact I just meant to tell him and never did. Then I feel bad because he has no idea what the hell I'm talking about.

 

When I do have time for a kind gesture--a phone call to an old friend, remembering to send a card, stopping by to ask how someone at work is doing--it seems like that person doesn't care. Even hubby doesn't seem to notice when I do manage to do or say something really sweet. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother. People have been telling me for years that it doesn't pay to be nice. Still, whenever these actions are reciprocated, it's nice......

 

Church. I love going to church. I feel better when I am regularly attending. I love the thought of my kids being involved in our chuch. Every week, I have the best of intentions. When Sunday rolls around, I find a million reasons not to go. One of the kids has a runny nose, hubby wants to watch football and I don't want to go alone, I need to organize a drawer or a closet. Give me a break. There isn't an excuse good enough. I'm just lazy after a long, hard week. Frankly, getting the girls dressed up and delivered to Sunday School is usually more than I can handle. Tights, dresses, hair bows........We have to get up at the crack of dawn just to get out of the door on time. When I go grocery shopping that day, I feel guilty when I see church-goers pass by me. I always know I should have gone, and I always say "next Sunday."

 

Christmas. Would everyone just calm down? Why do my neighbors have their house lights up already? At Halloween, I saw Christmas trees up in foyers. Tonight, I could see in a neighbor's window and lit garland was beautifully wrapped around the staircase. My 80s radio station has switched to Christmas-only music. Every song at the grocery store tonight was a holiday tune. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Can we at least digest our turkey first? What this does is make me panic: The toys I want to get the kids will be out of stock. There is so much decorating to do and it will be so hard and so messy. We need to call the Christmas light guy to hang the house lights. Heck, we need to figure out what we're even doing or if we're going somewhere or staying home. But before all of that takes place, I have to bake two pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving lunch. So I guess one thing at a time, right? Well it sounds good anyway, but I've never been able to do just one thing at a time. Hell, I multi-task in my sleep and have been known to mentally prepare grocery and to-do lists during sex. Just last weekend, I cut my mom's birthday cake, held my toddler, talked on the phone, and told my daughter "just one piece of cake" all at the same time.

 

My oldest daughter saw a specialist today for her UTI situation. We are postponing surgery for six months to see if we can "fix" her issues without surgical intervention. Essentially, she needs to be on a strict regimen of mineral oil, miralax, benefiber...... a cocktail of sorts to keep her "regular." Apparently, these areas of the body work together and when one is "clogged" so is the other. I know it sounds selfish, but now I need to add something else to my list each day -- drug up my kid until she "goes." And knowing her, this is going to be a challenge.

 

Forgetting. I forget so much these days. Sometimes it's something really minor, and other times, it's something so important that I'm horrified. I get dates and events mixed up. I showed up last week to volunteer at my daughter's school, and it wasn't even my day. I keep telling people to "remind me" because I absolutely know I'll forget, and that's really not like me.

 

Mess. The housekeeper comes twice a month. When she leaves, this place is spotless and gleaming. It looks great for, oh, about three days. And then it looks like she was never here. I can't keep up. Laundry -- everyone's basket is stuffed and overflowing. It's a day's job, but I can't bring myself to get started.

 

Photos. They are spilling out of my photo cabinet. They need organization. I have beautiful, empty frames just waiting to be filled with black and whites and hung on the wall upstairs. I pass by them every day. Nothing changes. However, somehow I managed to watch almost every episode of Dancing With the Stars.

 

Bills. I have always been a stickler about paying them on the 1st and the 15th, no exceptions. Now I am fully using the little grace period that comes with all of them. First of all, there's way too many of them and it's depressing. And second, it takes time and concentration.....two things I really don't have right now.

 

Disappointment. I feel like I'm disappointing everyone. I can't find time to make a trip to visit my best friend. I don't call friends to get a lunch down on the calendar. I don't volunteer at my kid's school enough. She tells me this week that she doesn't like herself. How did this happen and when? Where was I when her self-esteem plummeted? Am I disappointing her? The baby is almost 2. One year ago, she was still taking a bottle and crawling. Now she's almost a "kid" and not a baby. In two months, I will no longer have a baby, but a pre-schooler of sorts. I feel like I've missed too much. And then there's hubby. I know for a fact I disappoint him, and I know how. I try to make it up to him, but again.....time, energy....... Work. Am I doing a good enough job? I hope so. My family. I don't call or come around enough. I feel like I need to get the kids to everyone, but it's just so hard. I hate disappointing people, but I fear I do it all too often.

 

Tired. Like right now.....I could go to bed and sleep for two days....I just know I could. I'm so tired. I know I should rest first so that I can tackle my to-do list. But instead of doing that and feeling good about the decision, I'll probably go to bed feeling guilty for not being more productive.

 

Productive. That's the problem. I had to surrender in battle today because I just can't be as productive as I want to be. I am always darting through traffic, late. Pushing a deadline at work. Zipping through a drive-through. Telling my kids to hurry. Forgetting to bring this or that. Throwing my hair in a pony tail--again--because there is simply no time to fix it the way it looks best. I just run, run, and run......but don't feel like I get enough accomplished. It's like I'm on a treadmill---going nowhere really fast.

 

So I'm going to try something new. I am going to give myself a break. Missed swim lesson? It probably won't make or break her, and yes, she will learn to swim. Fast food for the kids? It's OK in a pinch every once in awhile. A glass of wine and TIVO instead of making photo albums? Sure, why not? Skipped bath for the kids? Nothing a good face and hand washing won't take care of for 24 hours. And so on....... This sounds good but the question is, will I do it?

 

I hope so.....that weapon was getting pretty heavy. It will be nice to try to go through the life of an over-scheduled working mom with a little less baggage.

OK, I have decided that hate is too strong of a word. But it wasn't until later in the day that I decided this.

 

What a crappy day. It started off wrong, for reasons I won't even BEGIN to get into. Then, I head to my daughter's school to volunteer. I have asked off of work and I'm ready to immerse myself in centers with 20 or so five-year-olds. I check and see that my day to volunteer is not today, but tomorrow. I'm not worried about going back....I'm worried about what my highly sensitive daughter is going to do when she realizes I'm not at centers. What to do.....what to do....

 

I could either find her and tell her the truth and remind her I'll be back at school tomorrow. But then I risk her crying and having to console her in front of everyone. (She's a big crier....). Or, I could just leave. I could have a teacher tell her what happened. I truly had to pick the lesser of two evils---either way, she was going to cry. So I gently went over to her at snack and told her what happend. She was Ok with it for about 30 seconds, and then bam.....here comes the flood. I hugged her and left, feeling like the worst mom ever. What's the point in having a dayplanner if I don't record things in the right place?

 

So I call hubby on my way to work and tell him the story. I ask him to say something to make me feel better....you know, like "Oh honey, you have so much on your plate. Or, how about....These things happen....." Instead I hear, "Well, it sounds like you screwed up."

 

Yeah, that's a lot better.

 

The bright spot in the day was that it was haircut/highlight day. My favorite $200-plus expenditure, lol. I have never, ever been disappointed in my hair at this salon, which is why I don't mind shelling out the bucks for it. However, I now have bangs of some sort. I don't know what Jesse was smoking today, but it was strong enough for him to think I needed some sort of bangs. They aren't short Heidi Klum bangs -- they are just....well.....shorter. I'm not digging them. I am trying to find the silver lining here, which would be that I can now go longer between overpriced hair cuts while this catastrophe grows out. Color looks good though.

 

So I head back to work and hear that yet another person has been fired -- that makes three in recent weeks -- and I hear about two more deaths today. What in the world? Then my friend from Austin calls and tells me another story about the ex husband. It pulled at my heartstrings--not in THAT way--just a sad way.

 

Nope, day's not over yet. I hit the tollway to get both kids, grab dinner on the run, and head to swimming lessons. There is a major traffic jam. I wind up picking up my oldest daughter 30 minutes before swim starts. We run to the house to get her swimsuit, which I forgot. Then we fight even more traffic to get the baby. By that time, swim starts in five minutes. I almost think of ditching it and then remember how much money these lessons cost. I punch the gas and demand that the swimmer in training don her swimsuit in the backseat. She whines. I yell. She cries. I apologize. Everyone is hungry but there is no time to eat. I am 30 minutes late getting the baby. Not that big of a deal, except I was 20 minutes late yesterday. We zip through yellow lights to the swim school so that my daughter can have a 15 minute swim lesson. By the time I sat down and got comfortable, it was over.

 

Then the begging for chicken nuggets begins. I am not waivering. Hubby brought chicken nuggets to my oldest at school today to cheer her up and because it was Thanksgiving feast day, which she won't eat. Also, last night she had chicken nuggets after gymnastics. That is two more times a week than she normally gets them outside of the school lunch. I had to stand my ground. No. I just turned up the radio to drown out the begging from the back seat for bits of saturated fat and mounds of sodium disguised as chicken.

 

We pull into the garage and the kids are starving like wild dogs. They immediately dig into a bag of cheese cubes. Calcium. OK. I make dinner for each of them -- different dinners b/c I am a sucker/short order cook -- and then remember that the granite guys are coming tomorrow to rip up the countertops. I start to clear all of the decor, etc. off of them. I know it's bath night for the kids, but I can't even fathom the thought. They're not THAT dirty, right? I start to ponder the most important question of the day......red or white?

 

Just about the time I declare early bedtime for all in our little village, hubby walks through the door to the sounds of "Daddy! Daddy!" Oh, the hero.......

 

Turns out, he kind of is.

 

First of all, he has a bag of Pei Wei in his hands -- take out. Beautiful. Next, he promptly goes to the wine cabinet and pulls out a red and pours me a glass first. He's catching on. And the finale.....

 

High School Musical. For those who don't have young girls, this is the modern day version of Grease without the sex, drugs, and rock n roll. It's just a cheesy teen musical that has pre-teen girls swooning. It also has 5 and 6 year olds dancing around their living rooms and memorizing every lyric to each track. It's a harmless show, and my daughter happens to love it. When I say love, I mean LOVE. She is into it....never bores of it.

 

Long story short, I heard High School Musical is coming to town for a one night only show in the big arena here. A friend tells me about it and I mention that if a bunch of people get tickets to let me know. She didn't so I searched on my own. Sold out, except for the very top, top, top, top rows where binoculars are a must. I was not going to pay that amount of money for my daughter to complain for two hours that she can't see. No way. So I decided to skip it. A few days later I get an email from this friend saying how she was so excited because she got tickets -- but none for us. Her daughter and her "cheerleader team friends" (who are 5) are all going.

 

Aw, how nice. ARGHAGHEAHGH!!!!!!!!!!

 

I mention to hubby to keep an eye out on ebay for these tickets. He does and tells me that there is no way we can go for any less than $300 -- that these things are going through the roof. I decide to just forget it. I even tell my daughter that it's not going to happen -- maybe some other time.

 

Right about the time he opens the edamame, he lets me know that my daughter and I are now the proud owners of two first level, front row seats to High School Musical for the face value of the tickets. The only upcharge was shipping. He found them on ebay from someone who just wanted to get rid of them. They are on their way in the mail now. Yes, redemption indeed.

 

So........ Pei Wei, red wine, musical tickets, helping me clear the countertops.....and what I hope is about to be a great neck rub..... I suppose all is forgiven.

 

Like I said, marriage..... ain't it grand?

Outside of a few choice men in family who are 80 or older..... and of course, some of my favorite male bloggers....:)

 

At this moment.

 

I hate men.

 

OK, now that's off my chest.....how about a bowl of cereal?

 

That is all. Carry on.

 

 

Every night I have these grand plans to update my blog. And every night, right about 9 when the kids are in bed and the last to-do has been done.... I walk straight by the computer and have a date with TIVO. It's not that I don't have anything to say.....as you well know, I can write pages about nothing. I really have no excuse. Busy? Sure. But what else is new?

 

So, to play catch up.....

 

Work is busy. Again, what else is new? I am about to start on two big stories. I hate getting started on a story. Once I'm into it, I'm good....but starting them.... not my thing. Paranoia of complete failure slows me down, I suppose. A few people have been "let go" at the company as of late. The sounds of whispers amongst cubicles is louder these days, and everyone has a look of panic in their eyes, wondering who will be next. I say a silent prayer almost on the hour that it won't be me.

 

My oldest finally has her appointment with the pediatric urology specialist this month. I will be so glad to know whether or not she really needs surgery, and if so, what type. Speaking of my oldest, I feel like every day I am at the store buying something for this or that random project going on--bones for abandoned huskies, toothbrushes for kids in Iraq........ Then there are book fairs, turkey dinners, box tops, family book night...... Can't a kid just go to school and then come home?  Next topic with this kid.....birthday parties. She received an invite for a party at 5 p.m. on a Saturday. What an awkward time! I didn't want to go, but she begged me. So we did. This was one of those inflatable jump places...the kind with loud music and kids going wild all over the place. I didn't know a soul at this shin-dig, so I plopped myself on a bench and decided to just wait until after the cake was cut, and then we'd make a break for it. I kept waiting to watch my oldest come down the slide. She never did. I wind my way through the giant blow-up slides and find her in hysterical tears screaming that she's trapped. I realize that no, she isn't trapped at all. She just can't climb up and over the wall to get to the slide. I wouldn't exactly say that my daughter is gifted with any sort of athletic ability. (I have no idea where she gets that from....wink, wink). Whatever the case, she either couldn't, or was afraid, to climb the wall, essentially leaving her stranded. I figure out a way to walk her through the slide and get her down. She sees a group of friends on another inflatable, so she wipes her tears and presses on. I go back to my bench and within minutes, I realize she's no longer on the inflatable where I left her. I walk around the corner and see a group of kids and adults huddled around her on the ground. She is shrieking, holding her head. Turns out, a boy (about age 11) bounced her off of the inflatable right at the point where you enter and exit. She literally flew off and landed....on her forehead. I would be shrieking, too.

 

I gather her up and examine the damage. Goose bump, but that appeared to be all. It pretty much knocked the breath out of her. I quickly realize that no one seems the least bit concerned about this, and the parent of the boy is nowhere to be found. I ask Kate if she wants to go home; she says yes. And we leave...........That place had a bad vibe, as did the people there. I seriously doubt we'll return.

 

OK, onto the next kid..... Things are about the same with her. She's wild....wild, wild, wild. Smart as a whip, though. However, just like her older sister, she is starting to decide she doesn't like milk. I keep giving it to her, and she keeps throwing the sippy cup right back at me. Darnit! What is the deal with my kids and milk? Their bones are going to crumble into a pile on the floor...... ugh.

 

Had the kids Christmas card photos done on Saturday. We went to an outdoor location with a waterfall, etc. I have no idea if we got anything good. My wild child rarely looked at the camera and spent most of her time wandering off collecting leaves and getting dangerously close to the creek. I'll be lucky if I get one good shot out of the bunch. We'll see.

 

My sister was in town for a few days job hunting. It was nice to have her here. On Thursday, we started off with a glass of wine, which turned into sharing two bottles. We were having the best time watching Dancing With the Stars and Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders show....just laughing and relaxing. Oh, and we watched the weight loss Oprah Show from Thursday. Did any of you see that big omentum? I will diet just to avoid having that disgusting thing in my body. Nasty! Anyway, hubby gets home and I immediately see a look of sheer pissed off cross his face. As it turns out, the bottles of red I selected from the wine fridge were his special stash from California. He had a friend hook him up with these vintages from a wine club. I had no idea. There were three or four bottles in there so I figured it was OK, as he usually buys moderately priced wines in bulk. He promptly lets me know that we "plowed through $60 worth of wine" and goes to the bedroom. I couldn't believe that he was more concerned about his wine that saying hi to me or my sister. Later, I went in the room to talk to him and he was furious with me for waking him up. He yells, "Never again do you wake me up under any circumstance other than the house being on fire!" Alrighty then, at least I am aware of two new house rules -- don't drink his wine and don't wake up him. Strange after seven years of marriage I wasn't aware of these rules. I found the wine online and ordered some to replace what we drank, and now I know that if his eyes are closed, I am sleeping in the guest room. I am not taking any chances. Marriage....ain't it grand?

 

Anyway........ I am trying to help my sister figure out how to start her own business. This is going to sound weird, but it's one of the hottest things happening in LA right now..... exotic dance classes. As in pole dancing classes. No, my sister has never professionally danced on a pole..... but after Terri Hatcher went on Oprah explaining that this is how she is so thin, this form of "exercise" has become wildly popular. YOu can find out about it via The S Factor....the studio in LA. Another one, which my sister is consdering is Pole Addiction or something like that. (OK, I can count on about 1,000 random visits after typing those words in). Point is, it's a hot thing right now. And my sister is somewhat of a hottie and would be the perfect person to teach this/open a studio where she lives. This is a random thing to be writing about, but strangely, I think it could work.

 

OK, next topic...... my grandaddy was put in the hospital last week. I think he's going to be OK, but it brought to mind again how little time I have left with my grandparents. That's just reality. I hate thinking about it. HOpefully, I will see him next weekend when we have my mom's 60th surprise party. I ordered a bunch of custom wine labels for the party and am going to use them on all of the bottles we serve. The plates are cute ....and the cake sounds delish -- chocolate chocolate chip with cream cheese icing. I hope she enjoys it and doesn't mind the surprise and onslaught of visitors.

 

I have another training session tonight. My arms have been so sore from Wednesday's training session. I don't look like Denise Richards yet, though. Is it too early to demand a refund? :)

 

Have I blogged about the wine country? I don't think I have. I will post pics soon but to sum it up, it was divine. It was so much fun. I loved it. I got silly drunk almost every day. The weather was gorgeous, the wine was wonderful, and I ate olives every day. Yea! Two moments that stand out...OK, three..... 1. Sitting at a restaurant, sipping a glass of champagne and munching on olives, looking up at the sun setting over the CA mountains. 2) Sitting on a hill at the Chandon vineyard....... sipping champagne and laughing with our friends. It was beautiful. 3) Riding a gondola over the Sterling Vineyards winery. Some of the most beautiful scenery ever. I can't wait to see what sorts of wine and champagne start showing up at our door. In our drunken stupors, we signed up for tons of wine clubs. It will be like Christmas every day!

 

Christmas! Oh my goodness..... I have neighbors who are already putting up their lights and yard displays. My pumpkin is still on the front porch! What the hell!

 

Oh, yes...Halloween. Man, I haven't blogged in awhile! My oldest was an Asian princess and the youngest was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Cute as can be. Anyway, I saw something I never could imagine in my wildest dreams......My daughter went to trick or treat at one of the prettiest homes in our neighborhood....... The house is always decked out at Christmas. The couple answers the door together. I get a peek inside--WOW--but more than that, they have the candy laid out perfectly organized on a silver tray. And these aren't the miniature candy bags....These are the FULL SIZE candies, as in a whole pack of M and M's or a full Hershey bar. They would bend down and offer the tray to the kids and let them take two pieces. On a SILVER TRAY. Then, as we passed the window, I look in and they have a Christmas tree up. It's completely decked out with Halloween decorations. What the hell is going on? People...... strange. And rich! My favorite costume of the night? A pregnant Brtinney and K-Fed. They looked straight out of the tabloids -- it was greatness.

 

Let's see....what else. Looking forward to: Granite being installed next week. Going to the Nutcracker ballet with my pal Alleycat and our daughters. Upcoming Happy Hour with two of my buds. (Hopefully) getting tickets to High School Musical. Seeing the proofs from the photo shoot. Thanksgiving with MY family this year.  (Yea! About time....) Finding some spare time to shop this new fashion web site my sister turned me on to. I can't remember the site but if it's good, I'll let ya know. Borat, if we can ever get to a theater. Christmas in general, except for spending too much money. Hmmmmm..... that's all I can think of for now.

 

I am going to try to get out of sorry blogger mode and update more this week. Promise.

 

Peace out peeps.