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December 27 A Brief Recap and a Quick Goodbye...Hope all of my blog dork buddies had a great Christmas. Mine was good. It was Liv's first Christmas -- so obviously that was very special. And of course, it was a blast watching Kate open gifts and be so in love with the magic that is Christmas.... well, OK.... Santa.
The best part was the Christmas Eve service at our church. She was an angel and she was so sweet up there, I cried. I still cry thinking of it!
I hoped Liv would walk during the break, but so far, she is content with crawling and that's OK! Kate was all over the place walking at this age so it's hard not to compare... I know, bad Mommy!
Santa did really well with an outfit from Banana Republic. The rest, well, after it's exchanged they'll be fantastic gifts. J/K honey! They were all very good and the thought behind them was sweet.
It was chaos at my house while I was the hostess with the mostest. I was wiped out and the place was a wreck. I have a blog for another time, but let's just say I overheard some "pillow talk" of some relatives as I was turning out lights and laying out linens for the next morning and the things said were anything but flattering about me and hubby. Whatever. I was upset for awhile but then I realized there's only so much I can control in life -- to each his own, right?!
I haven't really eaten too much -- maybe too many carbs -- but I've definitely been drinking too much. I feel all gross, too. Yuck.
The reason this is brief and I'm saying a quick good-bye is because I have to head out to west Texas for a few days. I am having Christms with my Dad, visiting my granny who has Alzheimer's in her new retirement home, and then going to the farm with my dad to go through Papa's things and pick out sentimental items I'd like to have. The thought of it brings a lump to my throat, like I'm on the verge of tears. I thought about him a lot this Christmas and this trip to Lubbock is the first ever where he will not be there, waiting for me. No big long hugs. I already miss the smell of his cologne when he would give me those tight hugs and how cute he looked in his suspenders -- he always dressed up for Christmas! It just won't be the same. I wish I could just stay here and do "normal life" but I know that if I don't personally select the items that mean a lot to me that keep his memory alive for me and my girls, then I'll regret if if they get tossed. So we pile in the SUV -- just me and the girls -- tomorrow. On the way back we stop at my other grandparents' house to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary at a big party my mom and her sister are throwing, so that is something to look forward to. Sixty years! Can you imagine?!
And on the way I am getting a rent SUV and dropping my SUV off at the body shop -- finally fixing the dents from my Summer of Fender Benders. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to be more freaking carefulin 2006, esp. when I back out. Geez.
I think my mom is keeping the girls for the weekens so hubbie and I can have a kid-free weekend and have some sort of New Year's, although I can guarantee we'll be in bed at midnight! I'd prefer it though-- away from the drunks on the road! The wine and champagne taste good here too! LOL.
I'd like to say I'll get a lot done around the house while they're gone, but let's be honest, you and I both know I'm going to sleep late, take naps, watch movies in bed, order take-out, eat out at restaurants that don't have high chairs, and go to every movie I haven't seen yet. Yeah baby!
I hope each and every one of you reading this had a great Christmas and that you're enjoying the holidays. I am so grateful for the blog buddies I've met this year and I'm excited about exchanging more stories in 2006 -- so nobody pull the plug on your blog, k? I'm thinking of taking mine a different direction, just need to map it out.
I'll post something "real" when I get back this weekend. Take care and Happy New Year!
j December 22 And Now For Something Completely Different.....I have a mixture of emotions right now. One is relief. I am finished with work until January 3. Yea me! Stories were all finished and the issue put to bed today. I have a tense feeling, too. Company starts arriving tomorrow. I need to clean my house, big-time. Do laundry, menu planning, grocery shop, wrap “Santa” for the girls. It’s a bit overwhelming but it’s just family so if things aren’t perfect, no biggie. Actually, I plan to spend tomorrow wrapping and finishing up last-minute details while the kids are in school so I am more efficient. I’m topping it off with happy hour with my suburban rocker mom pals, so that’s something to look forward to! I thought I’d do something different here and post a survey I recently stole, as well as a list of Small Town Truths. I put my reaction in parenthesis by each statement. It’s pretty funny if you’re from a small town, and those from the big city will probably think I’m lying. But I swear I’m not. You can't make that kind of stuff up! Baby is in bed; oldest daughter is content watching a movie and making a book. (She is SO her mother…. Making a book with paper, tape, drawing the pictures, writing the words she knows, and then “selling” it to me. Go girl!) Hubbie is at dinner with his partners “celebrating” their year. (Please.) I guess it’s time to transform from working girl to domestic goddess and get this show on the road!
A CHRISTMAS SURVEY 1. Colored lights on a tree/house or white? White, all the way. However, I do make an exception for red or green if they are in a neatly applied pattern, such as alternating red and white on the trunk of a tree which represents a candy cane. Animated objects should be kept to a minimum. However, my neighborhood, which resembles the Vegas strip right now (a carriage is clopping along now, followed by a Hummer limo….) is not a reflection of simplicity. 2. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate occasionally. I don’t really drink egg nog, but a sip or two is kind of fun. 3. Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I just remembered a story where my ex-husband stopped on the side of the road and picked it fresh from a tree where we used to live. I had blocked that out I suppose! I’ve definitely blocked out kissing him under mistletoe or any other circumstance. LOL. 4. When do you put your decorations up? I like to try Thanksgiving weekend b/c of the time off. 5. What is your favorite Christmas dish (excluding dessert)? At Granny’s, sweet rice, but that is in the past now. Sigh. Broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole is pretty good. Mashed potatoes? I guess anything loaded with carbs will do. 6. Favorite Christmas memory as a child: I have a memory right now of being in my grandmother’s house in bed, squinting my eyes shut because I couldn’t tell if it was morning or night. I was afraid it was still night and that if I opened my eyes, Santa would be there watching me and would leave because I peeked. I wouldn’t call it a favorite memory…just a memory. 7. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My dad. It was his weekend and I was going on and on about Santa and how some of my friends said he’s real, some didn’t, mom said yes and he looked at me straight and just said, “Now you know that Santa isn’t real.” I didn’t know that for sure, but I wanted to seem grown-up to him, so I said, “Of course.” And I was sad all day. 8. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve? I remember my step-brother begging to every year. Of course, coming from a divorced family, if we squeezed several Christmases in during a week or weekend, it was inevitable that we would open gifts before, during, and after Christmas. The same holds true today. 9. What kind of cookies do you set out for Santa? I’ve only done this a few years because of my daughter. I think we have set out what we’ve baked. Carrots, of course, too. 10. Snow - love it or dread it? Dread it. Everyone drives like crap, the roads are horrible, it’s too cold and wet to get any errands done, etc. However, I do think it’s pretty to watch it fall and now to watch my daughter get so excited. That’s of course, when it snows here, which is extremely rare. 11. Can you ice skate? No. I would scare off small, innocent children I’m sure. 12. Do you remember your favorite gift? I like the Ebel watch my husband gave me a few years ago, but it’s broken and it costs $300 just to get it examined for the problem, then whatever the cost is to fix it. So, the new is wearing off of that love affair. 13. What's the most important thing about Christmas for you? I love it when I can buy something that someone really loves—something that means something and is the perfect thing. I also love giving to total strangers in need and making them happy, even if it’s just for a moment. I also love remembering the reason for the season. It warms my heart and gives me hope every year. 14. What is your favorite Christmas dessert? Granny’s divinity was pretty darn good. 15. What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Since I can remember, my step-dad always read The Christmas Story from the Bible on Christmas Eve before we’d go to bed. We would gather around him and he’d read it. I get all nostalgic just thinking about it and remembering how close my extended/blended family really is. I remember one year, he even read it in a hotel room because we were traveling. I expect Saturday night will be the same. I hope so. 16. What tops your tree? A grapevine angel that lights up. 17. Which do you prefer - giving or receiving? Giving, honestly. 18. What is your favorite Christmas carol? What Child Is This? O Holy Night. 19. What is your least favorite Christmas carol? I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas – gag me. 20. Candy canes - yuck or yum? I’m with Cori…..Peppermint... yuck. Funky, fruity flavors... yum. But I can never eat a whole candy cane anyway – they make me sick after awhile!
SMALL TOWN TRUTHS Those who grew up in small towns will laugh when they read this. Those who didn't will be in disbelief. 1) You can name everyone you graduated with. (Yes, there were 21 of us. How hard could it be?) 2) You know what 4-H means. (I was in 4-H and competed in a dessert cooking contest – made apple cake! Didn't place--a foreshadowing of things to come I guess.) 3) You went to parties at a pasture, barn, gravel pit, or in the middle of a dirt road. On Monday you could always tell who was at the party because of the scratches on their legs from running through the woods when the party was busted. (See #6.) (We didn’t know there was another place to have a party! And one time, I wiped out big time on a dirt road running away from oncoming parents.) 4) You used to "drag" Main. (Ever weekend… the gas station at the end of town to the only restaurant in town.) 5) You said the "F" word and your parents knew within the hour. (My parents actually taught me in school and were always around, so yeah.) 6) You scheduled parties around the schedules of different police officers, because you knew which ones would bust you and which ones wouldn't. (Of course, or we’d try to psych out Barney by all driving out of town in different directions so he’s get confused.) 7) You could never buy cigarettes because all the store clerks knew how old you were, and if you were old enough, they'd tell your parents anyhow. (That sucked! So we’d still my friend’s granny’s menthols out of her purse!) 8) When you did find somebody old enough and brave enough to buy cigarettes, you still had to go out into the country and drive on back roads to smoke them. (We used to climb up the back of a playhouse in our back yard and smoke off the balcony… but I do remember parking in alleys “across town” to smoke, too.) 9) You knew which section of the ditch you would find the beer your buyer dropped off. (We had a regular hiding spot. He’d drop it off on this dirt road about a mile from my house in this little hole covered by a wood pile. We’d leave our money there and he’d drop it off!) 10) It was cool to date somebody from the neighboring town. (Well, to the girls but to the guys, it was as if we were traitors. In small towns, you “stick to your own kind” meaning only date boys in town, but I rarely did.) 11) The whole school went to the same party after graduation. (Yep. There was always just one … way out in the country, usually around a bon fire. Everyone in school could come or else there’d be nobody there!) 12) You didn't give directions by street names but rather by references. Turn by Nelson's house, go 2 blocks to Anderson's, and it's four houses left of the track field. (I don’t even know any street names, really, in my home town. It’s always by so-and-so’s house.) 13) The golf course had only 9 holes. (Strange we actually had a golf course…but I don’t know how many holes!) 14) You couldn't help but date a friend's ex-boyfriend/girlfriend. (Sad but true. It ruined a lot of friendships but you had to go out with somebody!) 15) Your car stayed filthy because of the dirt roads, and you will never own a dark vehicle for this reason. (My car stayed filthy then and that’s probably why I don’t care if it’s dirty now, much to the dismay of my husband. I’m used to it!) 16) The town next to you was considered "trashy" or "snooty," but was actually just like your town. (Oh yeah, but actually our town was considered the snooty one b/c of the school.) 17) You referred to anyone with a house newer then 1965 as the "rich people. (Yeah, if someone built a new house everyone wondered how they got the money.) 18) The people in the "big city" dressed funny, and then you picked up the trend 2 years later. (Case in point: Parachute pants, Debbie Gibson black hats, rolled jeans, silver accessories, taking the plunge from big crazy hair to straight hair as we entered the 90s…so daring!) 19) Anyone you wanted could be found at the local gas station or the town bar. (No town bar, but the Swift Shop or Village Market – yep. Still true today.) 20) You saw at least one friend a week driving a tractor through town or one of your friends driving a grain truck to school occasionally. (It’s possible, but more often than not, you saw someone riding horse on Main St.) 21) The gym teacher suggested you haul hay for the summer to get stronger. (I wouldn’t know about that one, but sounds likely.) 22) Directions were given using THE stop light as a reference. (Stop light? All we had was a yellow blinking light… one.) 23) When you decided to walk somewhere for exercise, 5 people would pull over and ask if you wanted a ride. (Happened all the time.) 24) Your teachers called you by your older siblings' names. (I was the oldest but my sibs say that’s true.) 25) Your teachers remembered when they taught your parents. (My parents aren’t from there but my parents have taught the kids of former students many times.) 26) You could charge at any local store or write checks without any ID. (Yep, no problem.) 27) The closest McDonalds was 25 miles away (or more). (About 20 to be exact.) 28) The closest mall was over an hour away. (Yep, exactly.) 29) It was normal to see an old man riding through town on a riding lawn mower. (Um, my step-dad on occasion. Golf carts were big, too. Or three-wheelers) 30) You've pee'd in a cornfield. (Oh man! Not exactly a cornfield, but yes…a cotton field!) 31) Most people went by a nickname. (Sadly, yes, and none of them flattering.) 32) You laughed your butt off reading this because you know it is true, and you forward it to everyone who may have lived in a small town. (Absolutely….) Tough times don't last... Tough people do..... December 20 In Case You're Wondering....... what to get the special girl in your life this year for the holidays, here are some ideas.
1. When she comes home from work after a long, hard day at the office and just starts ranting and raving about a problem she is having, realize that she is just venting. She needs to vent. Let her. Please do not try to fix her problem or tell her what you would do in her situation. Just listen. If she wants to know what you would do or needs your help, she'll ask. Granted, she may tell you that's the dumbest idea ever, but at least she asked for your response. And a related matter, if you insult her family (even if she is griping about them), it's like you are insulting a part of her, since she is a part of them. Avoid this whenever humanly possible. "Yes dear." "I understand." "Gee, that's terrible." Those are good.....
2. When she cooks you dinner, try it. Even if you are not in the mood for something she offers, try the tiniest bite. For instance, if she makes an entire bowl of salad because she feels bad you've been eating take-out all week, have a little bit of it. "I'm not in the mood for salad" means she just wasted her time as well as a bunch of lettuce and tomatoes. One polite bite won't kill you. That is, unless she poisoned the salad. She probably didn't.
3. Just because she says a certain purchase would be a neat idea doesn't give you license to run out and buy it. "I think some day _____ would be a great thing for us to have." When it shows up at the house the next day, don't be appalled if she is shocked and horrified and scared to death to balance the checkbook.
4. Alone time is not overrated. Most men go out to eat every day for lunch. Most married women, especially moms, use that hour to either catch up on errands or grab a quick bite at the desk so they can leave about 30 minutes early to run even more errands before getting the kids and starting her second job as Mom. Sometimes, sadly enough, even a trip to the grocery store free of kiddos is like a mini-vacation. She will reward you.... handsomely... for the alone time you give her. Bonus? It puts her in a MUCH better mood when she returns from wherever she went.
5. If you see a mess, don't walk by it. Don't think to yourself that she'll pick it up, she'll wash it, she'll fold it away and put it up, or she'll put it in Tupperware. Answer the little voice in the back of your head? Should you? YES!
6. A hug, snuggle, or reaching for a hand now and then doesn't mean she wants to do laundry. (You know what I mean here.) We realize that every other time that's probably how it will wind up. But sometimes, it's nice just to hold hands for a minute or grab a quick hug--all clothes on thankyouverymuch.
7. Think of her. If you see something she might like and you can afford it at the time, get it. Surprise her. If you know an errand needs to be run and she's busy, run it. Tires looking bad? Have them changed for her so she doesn't have to wait in a stinky car garage with weird dudes staring at her. Cold outside? Ask if her gas tank is empty. If so, offer to go fill it up for her. Take the kids with you so she has 10 minutes to re-group. Was she up last night with the kids? At the first cry the next morning, pop up and go get them. Close the door behind you so she gets an extra few minutes of precious sleep.
8. Here's an idea. YOU arrange the dinner, movie, and sitter. Handle all the details. All she has to do is show up. It's not a bad idea if it's a movie she wants to see, either. Or a restaurant she loves. Weekend getaways are 20 points extra! Sometimes, a girl just wants to be pampered. She manages a schedule every minute of her life....managing time off is no fun!
.... and if you're wondering, no this isn't necessarily a note or hint to my husband. He does a great job most of the time. I've just been hearing a lot lately from women about these topics. I read on one man's blog how his No. 1 wish item for Christmas is to learn more ways to make his wife happy. I liked him immediately. He's a smart man and realizes that if she's happy, everyone's happy. There my male blog dork friends, is the secret to a happy relationship.
ALSO A DISCLAIMER: Trust me, I know women need a list from men, too. Myself included. LOL.
And on a side note, I posted a few more pics for some bonus holiday cheer. Enjoy. 'Til next time. December 19 Merry Christmas Blog Dorks!I feel like I've been in vacation it's been so long since I've posted. Our wireless Internet connection has been down for days. I thought I'd see if that was still the case, and well, it popped right up, so who knows! I'm just glad I can post something new and visit everyone again. Strange how I miss you guys! I hope to have some cute new pics up soon we've been taking of Christmas events taking place!
I have a lot to catch you up on, I suppose, but not a lot of time since I SHOULD be on my way to work right now. We had a fun Christmas party this weekend and I had Girls Night Out Friday which was fun. This is ship week at work, so it will be hectic trying to produce the February issue all while getting last-minute Christmas errands run. Family comes into town starting on Friday, so need to gear up for that and be the Hostess with the Mostest ya know.....
I keep hinting to Hubbie what I want for Christmas.... we'll see if he's picked up on it or not! But in the meantime, I thought I'd share another Christmas list. Not exactly in particular order except for the first two of course!
1. Healthy children. This time of year, with charities everywhere, I am reminded how many truly sick children there are who spend the majority of their time in the hospital. I say a silent prayer every time I realize just how healthy my kiddos are and I pray they stay that way. Of course, I pray for healing for the children who are ill too!
2. Healthy family. I have a pretty big family and knock on wood, no one has ever really had a major illness. Again, I hope it stays that way.
3. To have time to get my photo albums and baby books, scrap books, etc done. I just stuff memorabilia in one of two drawers every time I get a roll of film developed. I scribble my baby's milestones down on pieces of paper, planning on filling in the baby book later. I want to get all of that done, and soon. I'm afraid I'm going to forget something and it's important to me that records are kept. But with so little time, the stuff keeps piling up!
4. That the family we bought Christmas presents for enjoys them. I hope it made their day just a little bit brighter.
5. That I remember families like their's throughout the year....not just at Christmastime and do more things like that year-round.
6. A vacation just for us. Two Disney vacations in two years has made me realize the value of a trip for two. This year, I hope we can go on a quick getaway beach trip and then a week-long trip somewhere. I'm going to make an effort to save for it and plan on it.
7. A right-hand ring. That's my materialistic want. Nothing fancy. Just something simple and pretty to wear every day on my right hand. Hubby, are you reading?
8. A fancy-schmancy window treatment for my formal living area. (I don't see this happening but it's a WISH list, right?)
9. Landscaping front and back this spring. This will probably happen and be the financial reason I don't get No. 8.
10. Remain employed. Please, please Santa.... Please!
11. Peace and happiness to those new to injury or illness who are learning to deal with their fate. I have come across this a lot in the real world and cyber world this year for whatever reason. It has opened my eyes and I pray for peace for these people daily.
12. To finally get my car fixed...... and no more fender benders in 06 would be good too.
13. A gift certificate for free plastic surgery to put back the parts that um "fell" after two babies. Again, this is a WISH list right?
14. More girls' nights out! Oh, and to learn how to make a good extra dirty martini at home for a girl's night in!
15. To see my bff more.
16. That someone in the market for a 67 mustang convertible would come by with the right price and drive off in it. Did I say that out loud? Oops.
17. A magic wand I could wave that would clean the house, take out the trash, keep the SUV clean, have errands run, change poopy diapers, pay the bills, cook dinner, grocery shop, and do laundry so I could spend more time with my kids and lounge around watching Tivo'd Desperate Housewives and Pay Per View movies I've missed b/c of all that stuff..... now THAT's a Christmas miracle!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a stiff drink.....
Cheers!
:)
j
December 13 'Tis the season.... to spin around in circles!First of all, thanks to everyone who has been commenting since my last post way back when. I don't know what it is about this time of year, but it seriously reminds of flipping the hand mixer switch on high. Everything is just loud, spinning, and going crazy. Lately, I feel like I've taken the beater out of the mix while the switch is still on and everything is just flying around me!
In addition to being sick for about a week, I've also had two Christmas parties, a sick baby, deadlines at work, Christmas shopping, volunteer stuff, etc. Like I said, hand mixer craziness!
I posted some recent pictures. I actually have some more good ones to post but they are at hubbie's office. I will do so tomorrow.
The last week or so has been full of observations on my part. Here are just a few, in no particular order.
Germs. Everywhere I go, people are coughing, sneezing, and blowing their noses. Yes, it's that time of year, but let's just all say it together.... ewww gross. The whole idea of what's going on with the germs and how we just keep spreading them around on grocery carts, bathrooms, shaking hands, at restaurants.... it's nasty. I think I'm going to become one of those germaphobes where I have an automatic pass because I'm just too much of a weirdo to shake anyone's hand. And on the topic of germs, do you realize how trusting we are when we go to a restaurant? We have NO idea who is back there whipping up our Oldtimer with Cheese at Chili's or our fettucini at Olive Garden. Then there are the utensils and the tabletops.... I get scared just thinking about it.
Christmas. Why does it have to be so crazy this time of year? I mean, we know it's coming? Why do we rush out and buy gifts all at once and complain we're broke? We could buy one or two every month of the year and be, for the most part, caught up. Why do we complain about all of the parties we "have to" go to? Just don't go. It's just weird to me, all of the hustle and bustle that makes people grumpy when it's really supposed to be a beautiful time to reflect on our blessings. I just see all of these people with the look of dread on their face, the doom and gloom. There is so much depression this time of year, and I find myself every year feeling more and more sad for those who are so depressed due to losses and heartache that have occurred in their lives, and this time of year only makes the sting worse. I hate it that people feel that they have to go into debt to share gifts when it shouldn't be about that. I fall into the trap of it all too but this year I've tried really hard not to. I've just enjoyed it through my daughter's excitement over the smallest things. The only part of it now that is stressing me out, other than my bill at Toys R Us last week, is Christmas cards. Every year, I spend too much money on them. I get tempted by these beautifully crafted cards that will perfectly frame my child/children's sweet faces. Then there are the cost of the prints, the stress getting just the right photo, mailing them, addressing them, the postage, the Christmas stamp.... and you and I both know they're headed straight for the recycle bin on or before Jan 1. But I did it again this year. Alas.....
Work. I've mentioned before that I love my job, and I love where I work. I just turned in a story today--woo hoo RIGHT on deadline. I have multiple projects for the February issue, which we are producing now, and that is the primary reason I haven't blogged much. Today I was walking through the hall and I sort of stepped out of myself for a moment and observed.... stressed faces, rushing, yelling over cubes, talking about each other, whispers, rants and raves about insurance, deadlines, who isn't doing this or that, money, sales, budgets. It was as if everyone was just panic-stricken about whatever their issue of the moment was. I was among them just last night, with a story due and a rude client earlier. I realized at that moment that there is a bigger world out there and there's only so much we can control. So I had a Diet Coke. Ahhhh....
Giving. We just bought the gifts for the family in need from the hurricane. They'll pick them up Saturday. It's the only Christmas they'll have. We spent about as much on them together, all four, as we did one of our kids, but I don't care. I feel good about it. If you don't do something like that, then what's the point of it all? We've received so much this year, it's honestly the very least we could do. I hope they have Merry Christmas and like the gifts we got them!
Oh, and a momentous occasion occured last Friday. Two blog buddies actually met! That would be me and Tina, of JustTina fame. We had lunch at Dar's Castle, Cheesecake Factory. We had a great time. She is really sweet, smart, and a lot of fun. Her baby is due in January--can't wait! It's nice to have another friend in Big D, a tough city to meet people because it's so big and fast-paced.
As for the rest of this blog, I'll once again steal from Darlene!
1. Spell your first name backwards: refinneJ 13. Wanting: To lose 7 pounds and get my pre-baby body back! WAAAAAHHHHH! 14. After this: Get out the Christmas cards. Stare at them and vow once again to do them tomorrow. Then off to bed. 15. If you could get away with it and murder anyone who would it be? I'm a lover, not a fighter. 16. Persons you wish you could see right now: That's easy--my Papa. Just to have a little bit more time with him. I miss him every day. 17. Something you're looking forward to in the coming week: Another rocker mom and her hubbie are having a Christmas party. Alleycat will be there..... no kiddos.... looking forward to it! 18. The last thing you ate: We ate at Chili's tonight. I ate chicken quesadillas. I only ate half and intended to bring the rest home for lunch tomorrow, but I left it there dangit! 19. Something you are moderately afraid of: Jokingly, I really am afraid of scary movies, especially ones with or about ghosts. For real, anything bad happening to my kids or anyone in my family. 20. Do you like the taste of blood? Bloody Mary, yes. Blood actual, eww, wouldn't know thank God. 21. Do you believe in love?: Sure. 22. Do you believe in soul mates? I'm not the mushy kind, really. I think it's possible to really love and connect with many people in your life, but I do believe in commitment, marriage, true love, fidelity and making a life with one person. 23. Do you believe in love at first sight? Heavens no. Well, unless it's a sexy pair of shoes.....then of course. 24. Do you believe in God?: Yes. 25. What is the longest you've ever stayed up?: I'm sure when my babies were newborns..... I try to block it out. 26. Who is someone that you really wish was still around? Papa. 27. Who are your best friends? Sherry 28. How many people have you kissed? Bunches! 29. Are you shy around your crush? I can't even remember crushes! 30. Still have feelings for anyone you've been in a past relationship with? Absolutely NO! 31. Do you know what it feels like to be in love? Yes 32. Would you sacrifice your favorite possession for your best friends? Why that would be necessary, not sure, but I guess so! 33. Where is your favorite place to shop? Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Nordstrom 34. Have any tattoos? Yes, we've been through this one haven't we bloggers. Next! 35. Do you do drugs? No 36. What are you listening to right now? A siren in the background and my daughter yelling at me in the monitor to come upstairs. Sigh. 37. Who was the last person that called you? Sister 38. Where do you want to get married? Hubbie I want to renew vows in Vegas b/c our anniversary is Sept. 11. Anybody want to come with? 39. What would you change about yourself? I want to be taller! I also want to have two kids but not look like I've had two kids! Oh well, those wants are small potatoes compaired to lots of stuff in the world! I'm pretty satisfied! 40. What are essentials in your life? God, Kiddos, hubbie, family, friends... CURRENT: 41. Hair: long, blonde 42. music: Pour Some Sugar on Me -- Def Leppard 43. mood: relieved -- story turned in. Tired -- not enough sleep. Anxious -- too much to do, not enough time 'Til next time
j
December 06 RealityLast night I was able to indulge in some Secret Single Behavior, SSB, and I watched Tivo'd Desperate Housewivs back to back, no interruptions. Oh, the luxury! I even let the laundry just sit there, waiting to be folded. Didn't care.
I made sure to get to bed at a reasonable hour so that I would feel rested today. This is a big deadline week for me, and I have three big projects due Friday, latest Monday. I have to be on the ball. Well, I couldn't sleep. I just kept tossing and turning. Like clockwork, the baby cries at 6. I guess she and I both drifted back off to sleep. I jump up realizing I've overslept and I immediately realize that I have caught the baby's cold. Sore throat, runny nose. Yep. Daycare disease.
So I'm running through the house trying to get myself ready, get lunches made, and remember everything I need to bring to work. Staff meetings are on Tuesday. I actually feed the baby a bottle while changing her diaper and clothes. Now that's talent. All the while, my pre-schooler is asking me no less than a hundred questions ranging from, "Do I have my shoes on the right feet?" to "Is the Grinch real?" The answer to both was no. So as I am switching her shoes I am explaining that The Grinch is a cartoon.
"Well, Mickey Mouse is on a cartoon but you said he was real when we were in Disneyland."
She had me there. She is on the verge of not believing in Santa so I am trying really hard this year to keep the "magic" in all things kid alive for her. She just has so many questions. She even wanted me to show her what God looked like a few weeks ago so that she could ask him some questions in case she ever sees him. Oh dear.
We rush out of the house and I make my deliveries--that would be the baby at her babysitter then run across town to drop the pre-schooler off at daycare. Whew! I skipped breakfast so the older child and I jump out at Starbucks for a Chai Tea for Mommy. Heaven on a sore throat. I realize at that point I'm late for my meeting but I don't care. Get her dropped off and weave my way with wreckless abandon down the Tollway, arrive 5 minutes late for meeting, sit on the floor b/c chairs are taken. The rest of the day is interviews with clients for last-minute articles thrown on me last week, typing in notes for a story (I can't read my own handwriting after about two days), and shovel down some bizarre Indian food a client brought for lunch. Stomach ache. Sore throat. I start to get that icky "feverish" feeling. Great.
Hubbie is out of town for work so it's up to me to drop off and pick up kids. I weave my way once again with wreckless abandon up the Tollway and stop off at the Mall to run two errands -- faster without kids. The lady at MAC is rude and won't help me so I throw down my Teddy eyeliner and tell her I'll purchase it at the MAC counter at Nordstrom's. I pick up my jacket at Ann Taylor that was on hold. (I bought the pants at a location that didn't have the jacket....long story), and then I get sidetracked at Neiman's by these adorable stuffed animals that are about the softest things ever. The designer/artist is there personalizing them and signing them. These are girly-girl sweet "huggies" as my daughter calls them. I just had to have them, esp. since the designer signs them and personalizes them for you. A bit overpriced, but a great Christmas keepsake. Late again, though.
Pick them both up, all the while feeling worse. Drive through Chick Fil A on the way home. Cooking is out of the question. When I come in the door of my house, I have the baby in her carrier, two fast food bags, and a glass of tea. I reach to turn off the alarm and hit the wrong buttons. The alarm goes crazy. It is so piercing and loud that Kate starts running around in circles with her hands over her ears saying "Turn that off Mommy!" And the baby is crying and freaking out. I am punching all of these buttons trying to get it to turn off but all that happens are more sirens and sounds. The phone rings. I assume it's the alarm company. No, it's mom. "Not now Mom." Hang up. Screaming, crying, cussing...... Finally, it's off. I dry the tears, put the Chick Fil A on the table. Then I go outside to turn on the Christmas lights we paid an arm and a leg for. They don't turn on. We've blown a fuse. Great.
"Mommy, what's wrong with our lights? Why can't you fix it? When's Daddy coming home? Can he fix it? Why are we the only ones on the street with no lights? Will they ever come back on?"
Just as I'm trying to avoid electrocution I hear a crash. Yep, it's the baby. While I'm fixing cords, she knocks down an iron candle holder. It barely misses her head. She screams. I slam a chicken sandwich while looking through the mail. Nothing good. Only stressful bills and the house tax statement. Why did we buy this house again?
I see the first yawn from the baby. I know to act quickly so again, I feed her the bottle while changing her. Rock her a bit and just as I'm putting her to bed... the door to the nursery opens. It's Kate. "Mommy, there is this awesome commercial on t.v....."
Baby hears her sister's voice and wakes back up. Great.
"Kate, don't come back in here unless it's an emergency."
Two minutes later..... door opens. "Mommy! Can you help me get this chocolate out of that calendar thing Grandpa Jim brought me? It's an emergency because I can't get it out myself."
I give up. I put the baby in her crib. She fusses for a second, and she's out. Get the chocolate out of the calendar, clean up the fast food mess and high chair, sort the mail, check voicemails, hide hubby's Christmas presents before he gets home tonight, sweep crumbs from baby's dinner off of floor, wash bottles for tomorrow, try to fix lights one more time to no avail....."
Hubbie's home. He recaps his trip. I listen. He asks how it's been going. I start to tell him everything with full description, then I say.
"Oh, the usual."
I ask if he will put Kate to bed. That's what they're doing now. I JUST NOW took off my shoes and then realized I still had my sunglasses on top of my head. It's 9:30.
Throat still hurts. Runny nose. Lights are still broken. Laundry still isn't folded. Story still isn't written.
This is my reality. Another reality is that it is time for bed.
'Til next time......
December 05 OK, I'm officially spooked...I just got home and was doing a quick blog walk. I thought it was funny and sweet how you all chimed in to get me to the 10 mark.
Notice I said I needed 177 page views today to get there.
Um, I just now checked my stats. Page views today: 177
I have to go think about how weird life is for a bit.... I'll be back.
Yep, I'm official.... a true blog dork!
December 04 177Alright blog dorks, this little blog of mine that I started just to see where it would go has almost hit a milestone.... gthe 10,000 hit mark. Granted, many of those hits are my own, but let's ignore that for now and celebrate the moment, shall we?
After 177 more comments, I'll be at 10,000 hits.
So, um, yea for me.
Aright Dar.... pour a drink or two and just hit my link from your blog 177 times and we're done.
;)
For Those About to Rock.... We Salute You!Helpful Note: To enhance the experience of reading this oh-so sentimental blog, please visit the second photo album labeled The Good 'Ol Days. Peace out.....
I grew up in a super-small town in west Texas. When I say small, I mean one yellow blinking light, one cop, one school building for all grades, and not even one real restaurant. We felt big-time when we finally got a grocery store. Of course, a loaf of bread would cost about $3 there but still at least you didn’t have to drive 20 miles to get a loaf of bread, as that was the nearest town with a grocery store. There was little to nothing to do in this town. We had to create our own fun. No movies, no skating or bowling rinks, nowhere to shop. It’s not surprising that the teen pregnancy rate in my hometown and surrounding small towns was sky-high. I mean, for most, there wasn’t a whole hell of a lot else to do! For the most part, people in this town just stayed there. They stayed there, then their kids, then their kids, and so forth. Most were involved in working in the oilfield. In fact, our school mascot was the Roughneck. (Yes, it’s OK to laugh now.) The reason my mom moved to this town when I was only 4 was because she got divorced and found a great job as a music teacher at the school. This is no ordinary school. Because of the rich oilfields around this town, the school was considered a “rich” school district, even though the kids that went there were anything but. It’s the one place where teachers were actually paid very well. We didn’t have to pay for our school lunches or any school uniforms. You didn’t even have to buy your own instrument if you were in the band. The school housed an Olympic-sized indoor heated swimming pool. Everything we had, from buses to uniforms to the school facility itself was first-class. Needless to say, since my mom and my step-dad were teachers, this was the place to be. Not only for their salaries, but also for their kids. I went to this school, in the same building from K-12. This is a town where everyone literally knew everyone. You knew where most neighbors kept their spare house key, and it was no big deal to run in and grab a drink of water when you were playing outside as a kid, even if the neighbors weren’t home. We roamed the town all the time as kids. There were no fears of kidnappings, murders, rapes, or any such horrible thing. The whole town was essentially our playground. And your friends’ parents were like a second set of parents. That’s just how it was. Well, it was also boring. Especially as we got older. Being a teen-ager in this town was trouble because of one thing – boredom. Because there was nothing to do, and we didn’t ride bikes around the neighborhood anymore, we made up our own fun. Normally, we’d “drag main” on the weekends after a football game and gather at the bank parking lot to just hang out. That was it. If someone had beer, we’d head out to the country to some obscure spot where the one cop wouldn’t find us and start a bonfire and drink. We’d steal street signs, toilet paper or shoe polish if we could get away with it, get in fights, flirt with boys we didn’t even like, make fun of each other…..and we snuck out at night a lot. Sometimes, we’d just go to Main St. and lay down right in the middle of the road and talk all night. Yep, that was our biggest thrill. Sad, but true. The one thing almost all of us had in common was 80s metal. You would think this would be a town where country music ruled. Not so. Maybe it was the decade, maybe it was the dire need to be bad in a town where you had to try really hard to be bad, but the louder and more shocking the band, the better. At least for the guys. For me and my gal pals, it was hair bands. Guns N Roses, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Winger, Warrant, Tesla, Def Leppart, Poison, Ratt, Cinderella, Whitesnake, White Lion, L.A. Guns….. we knew every song and went to every concert when they came to the nearest big city, which was Lubbock, Texas. Somehow, we’d find out whose mom was going “into town” that weekend and we’d give them our cash for a ticket. On concert day, if we weren’t driving yet, we’d find some saint of a mom to take us. I have to admit that even though on the outside I was Miss Cheerleader/Homecoming Queen, nothing in the world was more exciting than going to a heavy metal concert and being as bad as I could get away with. My first concert was Quiet Riot in the seventh grade. Loved it. The longer a boy’s hair and the more “mysterious” he was, the better. And flirting with all of those long-haired boys at the concert….. it just couldn’t be beat! My partner in crime at these concerts was my best friend Sherry. We actually met when I was about 4 or 5 at the babysitter’s house. She was the “rich kid” I guess you could say. She had every toy imaginable. I thought she hung the moon. She taught me how to blow a bubble, gave me my first soda (a Sprite), and first put make-up on my face. While she was just passing the time at the babysitter, I thought she was the coolest. As time went on, we went our own separate ways in school. She was a year older than me and definitely hung out with the cool girls. Most everyone emulated what she said, did, and wore. We were friendly, but definitely not friends. There was even a time when we didn’t like each other at all. Well, that all came to an end when I was a sophomore and she was a junior. Her boyfriend dumped her suddenly, as did mine. The crowds we ran in because of these boys dispersed. We were left alone to commiserate. It was as if from one day on, we were inseparable. I guess if misery loves company, then we were quite the pair. We were both in the middle of some sort of drama, and it seemed at the time that the whole school was against us. See, in small towns, a boyfriend/girlfriend break up is much like a divorce. The whole school and town for that matter, takes sides. We most definitely shared a passion for the bad boys. Our pastime consisted of finding someone to buy us beer while we cruised the drag in nearby towns. I mean, hello, we had become too good for our own small town. We went to concerts, stayed in hotels in Lubbock just to get our of our dead-end town, dated out-of-town guys just to cause trouble…. the list went on. On school trips, we stuck together, ignoring everyone else. We just “knew” we were on our way and this place was just a stepping stone. Funny though, outside of one semester of summer school in college we didn’t even attend the same university. We each had our own lives, yet we talked every week, if not every day. It was never a question that someone else would take our best friend status. From the day we became friends through today, nothing has changed. We even sign our emails and cards “bff” – just like we did our notes in high school. We have inside jokes that crack each other up immediately. We can hear the same song and know exactly what the other is thinking. I call her almost every day on the way home from work. She lives in San Antonio, is married, and has two little boys. It’s like not a day has passed since high school, yet I haven’t seen her in over a year. Actually, that’s rare because we usually (before my second child) saw each other several times a year. When I go home, people ask about her. They just assume we’re still best friends, and they’re right. When I hear a cheesy 80s metal song, I go straight back to a time with her. Most likely, a concert comes to mind. Maybe a kick-ass party. Definitely some cute boy. We can remember each other’s outfits, hair styles, boyfriends, college stories, dark secrets, and biggest joys. And without a doubt, some drunken memory is a part of a lot this. These phrases will mean nothing to you, but if she reads this, I bet she laughs out loud: Pot scrub Take care of you. Heff from Jail Ready to go Joe? Right Mike! Oh my! Watch out for that maroon bar! Everything with you is better, we’ve got it good as long as we’re together….. ‘Cause Earl had to die! MGD Light! Black and Blue All Fired Up! It's Odessa hot!
….. there’s a ton more, but I’d fill up pages. But isn’t that the best part of having a best friend? That you could fill up pages with your story and all of the “inside” things that only the two of you get? We are both in our mid-30s now. That means we’ve been best friends for more than 15 years. There is little to nothing we don’t know about each other, which is amazing because we hardly see each other anymore. If she walked through my front door right now, it would be like not one day has passed since I saw her last. When the compilation CD, Monster Ballads, came out several years ago we both jumped right on it. That was our youth compiled on one CD. For awhile, we tried to catch “reunion” concerts just for the heck of it, but now that we’re mommies we don’t really get to do that anymore. But I can guarantee you that if either one of us spot a cute long-haired guy or hear a rockin’ guitar rift from an 80s hair band, our mind goes right back to 1988 and we smile, remembering big permed hair, peplum skirts, Keds tennis shoes (no laces of course), Stiff Stuff hair spray, rolled jeans, and ginormous earrings. So, here’s to you bff….. take care of you! December 01 Waiting for a Breather.....I wish I had something enlightening or funny to write about. But it’s just been so crazy lately that I can barely keep up with what I have to do, much less what I want to do, like write a new blog. I have three stories due by the end of next week, a zillion Christmas presents to buy, at least three more holiday parties, company coming this weekend….. AGH! So I’ll do some more of the random, On My Mind stuff. Here we go….
1. I scratched my eye. Or, well something like that. My baby decided to wake up the entire Dallas area last night with a wail so loud it almost broke my good china. Seriously. I jump out of bed, run up the stairs, and then she’s all of the sudden quiet. Now granted, I had a drink or two at my company party earlier that evening, but I’m pretty sure I wasn’t dreaming up that noise. So I confirm with Hubbie. Yep, it was her. Maybe she had a dream that she saw the total in Mommy’s checking account or something. Or maybe she dreamed about the two out-of-the-blue, due-in-a-week assignments I got this week. If so, scream on baby! But, the point is, somehow I managed to scratch my actual eye ball in the process of this madness. Not sure how. But since then, blinking is quite painful. And, everything in my right eye—including this screen—is blurry. So, well, that’s a bummer. 2. I live on the Vegas strip. So I’m driving home and turn the corner onto my street. I had flashbacks of Las Vegas—seriously. I knew that this subdivision is known for its holiday light display but, oh my, this is something else. There is this eerie, space alien kind of glow coming through my blinds…… the glow is from Santa and Mrs. Clause staring at us with really creepy, almost maniacal smiles. We have lights up, two moving deer, and an ice skating snowman. We look like “the other side of the tracks” compared to these guys.
3. I am in love with my housekeeper. Yes, the secret is out. I have a passionate crush on someone other than Hubbie. That would be Ivonne, my housekeeper. Oh how I’ve missed her so. She returned yesterday. It was the reunion of the century. I was so happy, I almost cried. She got here at 8 in the morning and left around 5. Now that’s some serious cleaning. She said she wanted to be thorough the first time around. Yep, here I go again, crying with joy just thinking about my clean baseboards, a sparkling refrigerator inside and out, gleaming hardwoods, and squeaky clean showers. I think I actually see gleams of light popping off of things it’s so clean in here. I really hope this relationship works out because it would be hard to get over her again!
4. Good buddies. Dallas is such a huge city. I think I heard something, like, 20,000 people move in and out of the city every few months. Let’s just say that it’s really hard to make friends here if you didn’t grow up here. I moved here in 1997. I have had pretty good co-worker friends and am social friends with Hubbie’s friends’ wives. Essentially, it’s been rather lonely because these friendships are just the occasional chats. Through Kate, I made friends with some of her friends’ mom’s. They are all working mom’s too and we have lots in common. We also have a great time together when we hang out. It’s been such a fun addition to this year, and I feel so fortunate to know them and to be able to call them friends. I’m attaching a picture of something in my house that reminds me of this good fortune on a daily basis. AL gave me the pot for the plant. It was part of a housewarming floral arrangement at one time. Kim gave me the plant. It was part of a Halloween housewarming gift. The two now sit together on my sink. Pretty cool. So a shout out to AL and Kim!
5. Speaking of good buddies, I am composing a soon-to-be-released blog honoring my longest friendship with my bff, Sherry. This will come complete with historic, never-before-seen (well, by you anyway) photos of our greatest hits. This is one you won’t want to miss, especially if your partying days took place in the late 80s. I think you know where I’m going with this…… so stay tuned my fellow blog dorks.
6. By request, I have been asked to recap my company party last night. It’s funny. This company, being a magazine, hosts some of the city’s hottest parties all year long. So when it comes to the company Christmas party, we’re pretty low-key. I mean, by December, we’re partied out. In fact, it’s at our publisher’s home, so it has to be low-key. It’s just pretty basic. No one gets too wild. I mean, if you do, you’re in your boss’ house so, well, that’s awkward. The worst thing that happened to me was that I was holding a plastic cup that contained a mighty tasty margarita. Said cup cracked and it leaked all over my publisher’s floor. I sucked the rita down as fast as I could but it was still a little messy. Could’ve been worse I guess. I wore my funky skirt that I got in L.A. I’ll have to post a picture of it b/c it’s THAT cool. Oh yeah, and they read statistics from the year. In one year, I wrote ore than 400 pages of copy, which is the equivalent of three magazine issues. I also assisted more than 1,600 advertising clients. Oh yeah, and I had a baby and moved into and renovated a new house. Guess I’ve been kind of busy lately. But most importantly, I started a blog and met all of you crazy nuts….. awwwww.
………So I have an 8:30 dentist appointment tomorrow. That’s reason enough to stop typing and get to bed. Do you have any idea how hard it will be to get me ready for work, two children off to two DIFFERENT daycares, and to the dentist by 8:30? It can be done if I wake up at 4, so hasta manana amigos. |
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