Day 30 - NaBloPoMo

Well, after I hit send tonight I will have officially made it. 30 days in a row of posting. Woohoo.

Tomorrow officially starts my Christmas countdown. It's the day the advent calendar will go up and the kids will have to figure out on their own just how many days we have until the awaited day.

Tomorrow also is the official cyber specials day. I have yet two more days off. I could potentially get all of my shopping done tomorrow if I'm really productive. For some reason though I don't feel like spending all of my time in front of the computer.

I've invited my mom--okay, begged and pleaded her to spend the day with me while I check out a few places. After all these years I still need to be reigned in at times and now is NOT the time to break the bank on Christmas purchases. I need someone to talk me out of the deals that aren't quite deals. I trust her to do that.

So, on this last day of November I leave you with this...because as you know from an earlier post I'm a fan and well, Christmas is all about the nativity...

Bolt and other Saturday Topics

I got up this morning to play with my paper. No I still haven't turned it in yet. I'm having a bit of a problem with my Table of Contents. It doesn't want to paginate correctly. I'd like to say I'm an experienced word processor user but apparently TOCs have me stumped. That in itself is cause for grief but then logged in to see that I have two more assignments to do PLUS my final exam. My mom rightly called this the class that never ends. I mean really. I'm supposed to be getting into the Christmas spirit. Supporting the economy. Hmmm.

After mucking around with the paper the family and I went to see Bolt. Awesome movie in 3D. Way cool glasses too! We were surprised the mall wasn't more crowded. We almost never go on Saturday even when it's not prime time for Christmas shopping.

A nice afternoon was had by all.

Oh, and I was perusing the web for a few Christmas crafts to do with the kids and found this site. Hope it might be helpful for those of you who stress out about the perfect holiday. (and make you planners go ga-ga).

http://organizedchristmas.com/

Officially "The" Season

Well, I shopped on the internet today, as planned. My butt was planted firmly in a comfy chair and I didn't look at a school paper once. I chatted with my sister and a few friends, one I haven't seen in years--since she moved far to the other end of the country.

And...
the tree is up.

Can you tell only the kids put the ornaments on?
I'll do a bit of rearranging when they aren't looking. :)

Thankful Thanksgiving

It's the wee hours of the morning and some may still be slumbering. And yet some of you may be trying desperately to de-ice your turkey so your guests will have a bit of protein with all the starch of pies, cakes, potatoes and such.

Hopefully none of you are working to dislodge yourselves from the cavities of a turkey. That would be a bit distressful, not to mention unsanitary. Ah, this does remind me of one of my favorite Mr. Bean episodes.



Now then, on with my Thursday Thankfuls...

First and foremost this week I am thankful that my little brother and his wife and child were spared all but bumps and bruises (and a totaled vehicle) when they hit a patch of ice, slid off the roadway and flipped their vehicle. A big humongous thank you to God for bringing them home safely and in tact.

I am thankful for family to celebrate with. To make memories with. To laugh and love with.

I am thankful that no one in my family has lost their job and that none of us is struggling so much that we can not afford to eat or buy the essentials for our families.

Can I just add that I am thankful the elections are over? I mean really. I am. It's been beautiful not to hear all of the name and character bashing.

I have finished the first draft of the dreaded paper. All just dotting "i's" and "t's" now. To me that is the home stretch. Woohoooo thank you to my heavenly Father for that!

Last but not least and certainly not that I could not post a million more...to my mom because I'm quite sure when I broke down in tears before her this evening, as I fussed on and on about not having any uninterrupted time to work on this paper, she went directly home and got on her knees in prayer on my behalf.

Here's a virtual toast to all for a blessed Thanksgiving with their loved ones.

To Be. Or not to Be.

As I try to finish up my paper I am in charge of entertaining my two youngest while their daddy sleeps. Oh lucky him to have the bed all to himself in sweet slumber.

So, I sit and start to write and inevitably one of them needs something. My kids like to have conversations with me when I am supposed to be working. Like the one the future pilot HAD to have.

TFP - Mom, what flavor is this?
Me - I don't know.
TFP - Mom, it's boobaaarry, taste it.
Me - No thanks (shows gum in mouth put there as a preventative method so as not to snack)
TFP - No, TASTE it.
Me - (tips it to tongue) Mmm.Hmm.
TFP - No! You have to stick it.
Me - ?
TFP - Like this (proceeds to suck on it). Now YOU try it.
Me - No thank you honey, mommy really needs to finish her paper.
TFP - Just stick it. Come on just stick it.
Me - (thinks that is exactly what she'd like to do. Stick this paper and be done with it) Honey, please let mommy write her paper.
TFP - Awwe. You didn't even stick it. It's boobaaarrry.

Between comical interruptions like these and more stressful times of me barking at my kids to stop being so noisy and to let me continue on with my work it's been a rough day. It is 10:55 at night and I now have almost 5 pages. I have a 6-8 page minimum with 5 citings and 3 graphics. I've got enough cites but I need one more graphic. Front and back material is not included in the count so I still need to go back and write an abstract.

My mom has rescued my favorite little girl in the world--she will be spending the night with someone who does not have her nose glued to a computer monitor. The daddy has left for work and about 25 minutes ago there was a favorite first born son sighting. He has kidnapped the future pilot and they are watching "Top Chef" in another room. God bless those that whisk away the helpless.

I'm not a happy camper. I waited so late to post because I had hoped I'd have a 'ya-ay' I'm done to announce. Maybe tomorrow it will be among my "list of thankfulness". I refuse to go to bed until it has been completed.

Facebook

I've seen a few posts on the blogs of others about Facebook. It's funny but I never wanted anything to do with it. I mean I have a publicly accessible blog all about me and my family but I didn't want to be associated with Facebook. At all.

About two months ago two friends practically brow beat me into joining. I was freakish about it but I signed up. I still don't know what I think about it except the chat feature is cool. I'm fairly certain this is how my sister and I will connect up as we internet shop on Friday. That is IF she is still joining me. I mean I have a paper due so I've been doing everything BUT the paper. I took a break this morning. I mean who was I kidding? I knew all I was going to do was stare at the screen all day in between my catering to the future pilot's every whim. Why waste the day. So we went to Target and put near bought them clean out of everything. Not really but I'm certain I tipped my Target purchasing scale.

So back to Facebook. You write on people's walls. Share pictures. Network. THAT part I get. The parts I don't get are the gifting, and snowball throwing, and cause joining. Don't ask me why but accepting or joining anything sent my way just makes me a bit leary. So here is what I have so far avoided (not ignored--because if you do that I'm thinking someone gets told you dissed them)...

-1 glad we are friends request. I'm very touched. Really.
-5 snowballs--seriously guys. My feelings are way hurt that I would have not one but FIVE snowballs thrown at me while my back is turned.
-1 Christmas tree request. Um can I JUST enjoy Thankgiving a bit longer?
-1 birthday request. OK FINE I'll tell you when it is when you promise you need it because you are going to send me a NON-virtual gift. :) Sorry that's greedy but hey I'll give it a whirl.
-5 drinking requests. My word, is someone like in need of a girls night out????
-1 coca cola request. Sorry deary. My dentist said ixnay on the odasay. (or oppay if that is what you prefer to call that corrosive liquid that is very very bad for your tooth enamel)
-2 kidnap requests. TWO! Sheesh I sure hope you intend to take care of my family. I mean who would feed them? Do their laundry? Pick up after them? On second thought, let me just grab a few things and let's be off!!!!
-3 cause invitations. Um hmmm. Does anyone else care to try and guilt me this holiday season? I mean I have address lables coming out the wazoo. This is very sad since my husband assures me we ARE moving and I won't be able to use my current address labels even if I send 200 Christmas cards a year for 3 years.
-1 gift invitation. Hmm...can I open it at Christmas? :D
-1 smile request. Sheesh if you have to ASK me to smile then I'm really sorry. I usually do try to be a happy person.
-3 nicest person awards. Please talk to the person who sent the smile request. I don't think they know how nice I am.
-1 secret agent war request. Um, love not war comes to mind. Oh and if I respond and ask who I'm fighting is that when you tell me you would tell me but you'd have to kill me?
-2 bumper sticker requests. Um. I haven't put a bumper sticker on anything in years. Too much work.
-1 shots, shooters request. Again, I think someone needs a night out.
-1 american accent request (and yes it was NOT capitalized) I mean sheesh if it's not important enough to capitalize my country then I am not going to speak in twang-ese for you.
-1 hug me invitation. Um. Hmm. Well, maybe I can, I mean should accept this one. Lest the 3 people who nominated me for the nicest person award find out I won't even hug someone and retract their nominations. I mean after all. There might be prizes involved!

If anyone has suggestions for me on how to handle these or can allay my fears in getting involved please comment.

Oh, and one of my favorite bloggers, Jennifer, had a very way cool post yesterday. Check it out. All about Thanksgiving and the true meaning.

3 Pages Down...

at least 3 to go. For a paper that WAS due this past Sunday it sure is taking it's sweet time getting finished (sounds like I'm expecting it to finish itself doesn't it?). I think I've finally concluded that I am a procrastinator. What I don't understand is how this happens.

Last week when I figured out I just wasn't going to stress and I pulled an all nighter and worked until I got the papers completed. In that night. This paper I felt would be no different. I mean I had researched it. I just now need to write it. Then the instructor posted the assignment late (3 days late) and though I had an idea what I was doing I still figured I'd crank it out Friday into Saturday and still have an entire two days to proofread it. Then the instructor extended the due date to NEXT Sunday.

I took the week off to decompress and get my house in order. Social services need only set one foot in to see that everything about it is neglected. I was really hoping to have a mammoth list of projects and organizing extravaganzas completed as well as to be able to settle in a comfortable chair on Black Friday and internet shop with my sister. This has become an annual event. She in her home me in mine. Together, via chat, we peruse the stores. The big difference is that we have no worry of being mugged, our heels bitten by strollers, or harried sales folks or rude customers. Oh and no rushing to that mobbed store for that one item, of which there are only 3 when in actuality a number of folks much larger than 3 just so happens to be in search of. So, I want to be done with this report. Now. I mean YESTERDAY at the very latest.

Do I sound crabby? I guess I am a bit. Even though I have just 3 pages to show for it I have been in front of this computer daily. Friday was an all nighter. I finally called it quits at 4am. Why I do that to myself I do not know. Every day since it has been me being determined to get it done. So far I have not.

Last night though, as promised, the kids and I "camped out" out in the family room. My favorite little girl in the world spread out our "sleeping quarters" and we turned out the lights.

Our large gracious windows allowed for a bit of star gazing--and no one got cold in the process.
(those really are stars you see, not specs of dirt. Honest.)

The kids slept much longer than I thought they would. Shows you how young and resilient their little bodies are.

My favorite little girl in the world (and Watson--who apparently NEVER sleeps. Just look at those big alert eyes of his).

The future pilot (and Pooh Bear and Bwanky).

See that pillow in the middle? That is were this old tired girl slept. I was so danged comfortable I slept for 4 hours. Ugh. Still. The kids slept and awoke happy. Oh and in her bedtime prayer last night? My favorite little girl in the world thanked God for her best mommy in the world. :) So to me it was worth the cricks and lack of sleep. She thinks I'm the best and that's what I strive to be to my kids.

Where Did That Little Girl Come From?

So, here I sit. Working on my paper. Again. The house is a little cleaner. Why? Because when I have stuff to do, like a school paper, I do everything BUT work on what I am supposed to be working on.

Last night I was sure I was going to buckle down and finish this nightmare of a a paper. I have had to write yet has NOT been considered a nightmare. You see I like to write but not when I'm being graded. I don't do well under pressure.

Nonetheless the house is cleaner. I vacuumed. Scrubbed the toilets, reserving two for my daughter who INSISTED I let her clean them. I am all caught up on laundry, save one load that must yet be folded. I helped my favorite little girl in the world straighten her room. We have much to accomplish there but we are making headway.

I have noted a few places that I myself need to tackle. Saving the pictures for a later post. When I get more serious--and the paper is done.

So, here I sit, working on the paper once again. My sister has just announced she has written 50,000 words in some novel marathon writing thing for the month of November. If this wasn't school I'd most certainly be commandeering her to write this for me too. The big show off. Just kidding OLDER sister. I remember you are bigger than me and do not wish for you to hit me.

My favorite little girl in the world is rubbing my feet. It was a bribe to me. Last night I told her we could have a sleepover in front of the fire tonight if I finished my paper. She knows I most likely won't finish so she told me she'd massage my tootsies if I would agree to us all sleeping down here tonight. So, I'm in. We shall sleep here tonight. This is Daddy's last week of midnights so we have a bit more time to have a chaotic schedule anyway. I may not move my butt off the couch for the rest of the night--well unless this water I'm guzzling dictates I do.

I'm trying to figure out where this little girl came from though. She has asked me to please add massaging my feet AND cleaning the toilets to her list of weekly chores? How stinking blessed am I? Oh and lest you get any ideas. She's NOT for hire. On account of I can't afford a maid so I don't want her worn out. I do think I may need to restock the treasure box with some better choices. If she keeps this up she will have greatly earned it.

Quick Post...

I'm a sucker for blog contests. It's an addiction you might say. Anyway, I dropped the ball and didn't see this one until late. It's for a good cause so if you haven't seen it already stop by and look at what MckMama's up to.

I'll post more later. Just had to get this out here before it's too late.

Cheap Entertainment

Sometimes we just luck out and the kids are so easily entertained.

New coloring books...
1 dollar.

Going through last year's hats, gloves, and mittens...
free.

The Muppets Beaker...



priceless.

Funny thing about Dr. Bunson HoneyDew. It just so happens to look very much like my childhood pediatrician (the guy you see on the right).

He Mends Us.

Ever since I was a little girl I have had a soft spot for frogs and butterflies. When me and my brothers and sisters were young we had a record that had this song on it called Bullfrogs and Butterflies by Barry McGuire. It talks about how both have grown and been reborn. It kind of stuck with me. If a frog or toad should dart in front of my vehicle in the rain--yes, I dodge them. If a butterfly drifts into my path and feels the brute force of my car I feel a small tug at my heart.

Yesterday I heard a story on the radio. It seems a woman in New York found a damaged Monarch butterfly with a broken wing. Some would have passed that small wounded creature by without a thought. But not her. She took the butterfly home and splinted it's wing. She went a step further and helped this still flightless creature hitch a ride to Florida to start it's journey to Mexico. You can read the story here.

I loved this story. Mostly because it reminds me of how God does this with us. Picks us up when we are too tired to continue on. Mends us when we are broken. How He takes the time to care for us when to Him we are so small. And when to some we are not worth the effort He sees our potential and believes in us enough to move us forward.

Thankful Thursday

Ah, what a week it has almost been. Yet still so much to be thankful for...


- Kids who know how to rub feet
- A husband who rescues me when I REALLY need him
- The warmth of a cozy fire
- Work at a job that pays
- Work at home that rewards

and most of all?

Not having to go to work, after tomorrow, for eleven whole days!!!!

Spa Day?

Did someone drive me to the spa and not tell me? Seriously, I normally can NOT stand to have my feet touched. Ask Lil Sis. She'll ask her husband and I'm quite certain he will show you his battle scars immediately.

I have very sensitive feet and they are very ticklish. My kids have just removed my shoes (seriously I am giving you a play by play) and are proceeding to massage them with lotion. I so did not ask them to. I'm not one to force this kind of labor on anyone. I am sitting quite comfortably on the recliner end of my sofa and my kids are just massaging away. The future pilot even just asked me if I would like something to drink and let me know they have a refrigerator AND a bathroom here! How convenient!

All I know is today was one of those days. Work was grueling and tense. I think the future pilot described it best last night. You see he let me know he had a headache in his butt. (The learnings of toilet training will do that to you if you get my drift) Work was like that today though. A bit of headachey in the butt. And long. Eleven hours. Yuck.

Somehow though the pain of the day is wearing off and after the initial tickle-itis this is actually feeling pretty good. Now then let me see, just where did I put that lemon spritzer and warm robe?

Favor

Favor. I pray for my family to have it every day. With everyone they encounter. I think my family has been pretty well blessed to have mostly positive run ins with people. Today I had favor. With my husband.

You see, I work 45 minutes away from home. He is still burning oil on the midnight shift. I phoned him today an hour and a half after I usually leave work to tell him that I could not find my car keys. I seriously do not know where I could have left them.

I tried to retrace my actions. Parked the car. Exited the car. Locking it via the side panel. Oops forgot my workout bag. Used the remote to unlock the car. Entered the passenger side and re-locked the door via the side panel. Went to the office. Worked. Went to the gym and walked sweaty, smelly, and cold to my car. No keys.

I dug around in my gym bag for a bit but no luck. Mortified I walked back to my office--it's closer than the gym and I thought surely I must have left them on my desk. I really didn't want to do this. Read--sweaty, smelly and cold. Oh and in workout clothes. (I have a limited amount of time to work out so I safe time by going home as quick as possible and getting unsweaty and smelly.--Don't judge)

So. There I am. Stuck. No way home. I didn't want to call my husband to come get me but I really didn't have a choice. I was worried I'd get a bit of grumbling but you know what? Not a peep. Not a hint of annoyance. Not at all.

Two hours later he was there with the kids. The future pilot was sleeping soundly. My favorite little girl in the world was beaming. So, after thanking my hero properly I asked if I could take her with me.

I love spending time with my girl most days. Tonight we decided to go look for gloves, a scarf, and ear muffs. You will never guess what color she HAD to have.

I'm sure you guessed it. Green. Did I mention I had changed my stinky sweaty self back into my work clothes--complete with heeled boots? So we went to store number one.

And.

We...

found these!!!!!
Ya-ay!!! The very first store. I was like so totally doing the happy dance.

After a bite to eat we stopped for hot chocolate. Yea, bye bye all of you burned up disintegrated calories. I'm certain that work out was rendered fruitless. However, for my friends (all two of 'em, whom I know happen to LOVE LOVE LOVE ginger)...I must say this to you, "Get thee to a Borders Cafe immediately and beg, plead whine for their Ginger Chew cookie--and request it warmed up."

I'm not a huge fan of ginger cookies but have noticed they satisfy the sweet tooth and I don't tend to eat as much of them. These cookies had real ginger in them. I KNOW because I chewed very slowly counting the bites. Oh so gingery.

Visitors

If you are not a lover of cats please don't read any further. You will likely become bored. And possibly not as tickled as my kids were.

This morning as I was getting ready to run some errands with the future pilot I let out Mr. Pee-Diddly er um I mean RC. This cute little guy was sunning himself on my front porch. I thought about grabbing the camera but figured I'd probably scare him off. So I tiptoed back inside and snuck the future pilot to the front door with me so he could take a peek.

I was sure when we got back he'd be long gone. He was still there. And so was his friend.

This is Thing One...
and here is Thing Two

Aren't those just the prettiest blue eyes you ever saw?
Apparently the word on the street is we give free vittles. Because they were here snacking on RC's food.
I'm not really sure what to do about these cute little balls of fluff. I'm fairly certain they came from the farm just down the road. I don't think RC is particularly fond of sharing his eats but, well, he's basically an outdoor cat so that is where he gets fed. If we put his food in the house Dora might eat it and though I've heard cats are okay to consume dog food I've heard quite the opposite about dogs consuming cat food.

Hopefully there's no harm in a community bowl. The kids are sure enjoying watching them from a distance.

Candy Nightmares

I just got home from a birthday party. There was a pinata. Oh and candy. Ugh. My kids still have Halloween candy left and it's been torture trying to stay away from that.

I have my final measurements to be taken Tuesday and I really don't want to blow everything I tried so hard to achieve during those 5 weeks of Boot Camp. So I have two questions for you.

First, what is your favorite candy? I mean if you could only have one piece of candy in the world left what would it be?

Second, what is your secret, if you have one, for resisting candy? I need all the help I can get here.

J-j-j-j-i-i-ive Talkin...

Well, I have great news for my instructor, and my husband--oh and my kids.

I....Have....Finished...the two papers I had due this weekend! Fantabulous right? Well it is to me. Mostly because this means I have time to concentrate on the humondo one that is due NEXT Sunday.

Something about staying up all night--that's right. I haven't been to bed yet. Something about staying up for over 24 hours makes me get a little cooky. At one point the creative juices were waining and I took a 5 minute blog break. Well this lady HAD to go there. She had to have some link to John Travolta and that dance 70's stuff.

Well, it just was really peppy, and I was really tired. And. And. Well. The whole house was asleep--even the dog! So, well, I did what any 40 year old would have done in my shoes. (I mean bare feet.)
I mean you have to confess right along with me that after 24 plus hours of being awake you dance too. Right? I'm not alone. Right? (Please tell me I'm not)
I mean it was like music I could actually keep up with. That isn't because I'm getting old is it? I mean you wouldn't tell me that right?
Okay. Maybe you would but just for today...I'm going to pretend I don't hear any of you. So there.

I have 3 minutes...

to post before I've broken my blogging streak. So. This is all you get. Nothing more. Just this el lamo post so I can say I blogged today. Are you just so upset with me? Hmmm...maybe if I threw in a good picture.

How about this one...

Now boarding...

Thankful Thursday

Mostly because I have no pictures ready and very little time I'm going to create a new theme. Maybe it will catch on. Thursdays are now going to be filled with thanks. I've got much to be thankful for to be sure.

So, today I'm thankful for

- "libraries" aka Barnes and Nobles/Borders. Where else can I have the latest publishings at my fingertips for my soon to be due papers, music piped in, AND be able to sip on Starbucks or Seattle's Best? (didn't today by the way. got lost in the books--goldmines people books are pure gold)

- IBuprofen. I'd seriously be at a loss without this. 35 minutes on the elliptical yesterday sent my old legs into serious stiffness. Or was it the lack of proper stretching that did that to me?

- 1.99 gasoline! Yes folks, that is what I paid for it today. Woohooo!

- last but not least heat because it's seriously starting to get seriously chilly out there.

BRRRRR...

What a chilly day to go shoe shopping for my favorite little girl in the world. Unfortunately my daughter has been wearing crocs for like all summer long and really doesn't like to part with them- even when the weather turns cold.

Because she has managed to catch a cold and I don't want the entire school faculty to think I'm a neglectful parent we began searching the net for the perfect pair. She only had two small requirements. They must be green and they must be strappy--aka no laces to tie.

Let me tell you I'm pretty certain we searched EVERY shoe place on the net--aside from e-Bay. Tonight I broke down and took her out to the mall. 15 stores later these are the ones she just HAD to have. And YES she was certain.
Isn't that just the prettiest shade of green you've ever seen? (Sigh)

With Everything Else...

I have on my plate right now my daughter hands me this...
Disregard the straw. It's just there to cover up my favorite little girl in the world's name. With tears in her eyes she asked me when we can go see him.

I can understand why. I mean she and this guy have known each other for several years now. Since before they were this little. They are cousins after all.
So how do you explain you just don't have thousands of dollars to take a plane to where he is "across the pond"? Jake, as you lay your head on your pillow please know how very much you and your brothers are missed by one very sad little girl.

I Want My Mommy...

or maybe I just need a secluded place free of other responsibilities for a couple of days--make that weeks. You see I diligently continued to research my paper Friday night and here it is late Monday and I've not been back to it until today. I'm getting no where I tell ya. This is what I have to show for it...


I do have the profound gift of procrastination in me but I also think I have focus problems. I was off today but I'm extremely tired. The poor future pilot is not enjoying the weather change. He was coughing so much last night that he threw up all over the bed. My bed. I had to change the sheets and comforter and then two hours later as he tried to sleep he threw up again. This time he missed the bed but was himself a bit of a mess. I'm working on minimal sleep and T-I-R-E-D.

Mondays are my volunteer day at my daughter's school and the future pilot was supposed to go with my mom while she got her hair done. This was supposed to be a nice little outing. Her hair dresser has a very friendly Jack Russell Terrier and the future pilot loves to play with him. The future pilot was cranky and not wanting to budge to go anywhere and honestly I totally understood. So my wonderful husband got up, after less than an hour of sleep and cared for his needs until I got home. Needless to say this has thrown our schedule off a bit because at 7:43pm my husband sleeps and I am planted on the couch with writer's/researcher's block.

If you are praying people please send a few up for me. I'm stressing bad--really bad. I now have less than a week to pull off a working bibliography with at least ten cited works. I also have a two page progress report to turn in--both are due Sunday. ARGHGHGHGH. And. Then. There. Is. The PAPER. Two weeks. -Open mouth insert thumb, grab blankie-

Seasons Change...

and when they do my kids get all sniffly and coughy. I know...my browser tells me neither of those two adjectives are actual words but it's going to have to do because well, I just feel like it.

Until I had my girl back in '01, actually maybe not until she was a little over a year old, I really had no experience with asthma. My oldest was very healthy and rarely even got colds. My younger two have the perpetual stuffy/runny noses. Neither one has had to carry an inhaler around--for which I'm very thankful.

My daughter hasn't had to be nebulized for at least two years but the future pilot is in that stage. In case you've never had the misfortune to have to force misty air up a small child's nose let me tell you it's no fun. Especially when they don't really understand why you are doing it.

The future pilot is getting better at it. I think he knows it enables him to breathe better. That and it he thinks the mask looks a lot like a pilot's oxygen mask.

Drunk

Severely intoxicated I tell ya. Not on alcohol or cleaning products either. I spent a bit of time in the car today. The beauty of autumn just fascinates me every year. I can't stop staring and I think, "Wow, is it getting more beautiful? Was it this beautiful last year?" I don't think it is more beautiful. I think my eyes are just focusing a bit differently as I grow older. This isn't necessarily a bad thing either.

If the road that led to home had a shoulder I'm sure I would have stopped every quarter mile just to take a picture. If my camera was a bit better caliber I'd be able to really show you what I mean but here are a few samples of my AWEsome day.

Oh, and after my awesome afternoon my very fun sister-in-law invited me over for some of these.

Isn't that the most beautiful blue ever? Come on Home Depot THAT's the color I want for my walls. (and maybe that green for the trim)

Guess what I'm doing tonight?

Well, while some of you are undoubtedly out to dinner, curled up on the couch, playing checkers, with your loved ones I am doing this...
Please if you see my instructor, I think he lives in Texas, let him know I'm being a good student. I'm working hard tonight. I've even found a few good sources for my paper. Hallelujah! I truly mean that too. I tend to stress over school work. I think my maniacal side developed long ago because it seems like ever since I can remember the mere mention of a "paper" sends me into diabolical shock. I simply can not cope with the impending shadow of doom that looms over me until I have turned it in.

It's funny I don't even stress so much about the grading process. It takes me forever to "let go" of the paper but once it's gone I resign myself to the simple fact that what's done is done. I have two weeks to churn this paper out. I say churn because it makes me think of smooth and that is how I want my paper to be. Smooth and flowing. I am grateful that the paper is due BEFORE Thanksgiving so I can enjoy my family dinner. Procrastination is my middle name after all.

It's late here and I've much to do. So, a blog break...


and a snack...
Mmph, I umph cravfed this umph -chomp- Havarti cheese all day at work. Good stuff people. Way good. The crackers aren't too bad either. Fiberous. Flavorful. It does a body good.

Have a wonderful evening.

It's (sniff) Over...

Boot camp ended today. I'm a bit sad. I got butterflies approximately 30 minutes each time it was time to pack up at work and head to the field. I whined when I was tired and sweat was dripping in my eyes. I muttered, "You have GOT to be kidding me." When the exercise was not doable. But I had fun. I mean I worked hard. But I had fun. Every single time.

I shaved almost two minutes off my run time. I was able to do TWELVE girlie push-ups today. That was twelve more than I could do when I started. I'm down a total of four pounds. It might have been more if those darned sinful Girl Scout cookies had not come in mid-training. Oh and if I had any will power.

I am proud of myself nonetheless. So since this is my blog I'm tooting my own horn. A)Because I want to remember that I CAN achieve if I try and B)Because I'm unofficially NaBloPoMo'ing. Yes I said unofficially. Mostly because I'd be insane to actually put that on paper. I just can't promise anyone but myself. I needed a post in a hurry so this was it.

I will have a follow up post on this when I get my post assessment test done. To me that will be the true test of what this camp has done for my 20 year old body. What? You say I'm not 20? Um they say 60 is the new 40 so that makes me 20. Do the math. :)

GET OUT!!!!!

Okay, so the week has been busy and it's only Wednesday. Sad right? But Monday. I think it was Monday. Yes it was MONDAY. I received this!!!!
Let me tell you I am in shock and awe! I got this way cool blog award from Jennifer. My very first one. I'm going to virtually frame it. Somehow. So, Jennifer, she has a nice wholesome blog and there are some similarities that make me think we'd be good coffee buddies. She hooked me with her honesty when talking about her age (close to mine but younger), and being a little cranky with the kids one day. I know it happens to all of us sometimes but hey, she wrote about it and it made her real to me. I think she's awesome.

That someone reads my every day ramblings and thinks I'm special is just. Well, shocking. So I think I'm supposed to do something. I mean after all I have manners. (and instructions)

1. Five things I love, my God (He's big enough for both of us if you want me to share Him), my family, friends, lazy afternoons when the snow is falling and I have time pick up a good book and hunker down in a comfy chair, and places with babbling water and trees all around--especially in the fall.

2. Blogs I love (no particular order)...
Mud and Coffee I only recently found this one but her perspective on things is just well, pretty awesome.
Snobound Hopefully I won't freak her out. I've never commented on her site but I've poked around and she's pretty spunky and she provokes thought. I also saw at least two recipes that I really really want to try.
McMama I found this one through another site (mentioned next) and of late she has chronicled her miracle baby. I have to say I was on pins and needles and praying daily for her little guy. It's amazing to me the impact bloggers can make on folks.
Bring the Rain I'm talking real God given strength here folks. Nothing else I can say. She amazes me.
Roy and Brenna I found this one while googling someone. Yea, I do that. Sorry to share. Anyway, she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma while pregnant with her baby. Talk about scary. She is free now and her baby is just sooo adorable.
Technology and MSG I used to work with this guy. He was the person I consulted when I first thought of blogging. He's my subject matter expert and runs on the cautious side so I trust him in telling me what NOT to do. Thanks buddy.
Noticing Life this is my sister's blog. She's been blogging since before I even knew what blogging was and apparently had stopped until she found out "I" as blogging now. I gotta keep up with her blog to keep up with her. Busy busy busy that one.

I tell a lot of my friends about PDub. I think a lot of people have been linked because of her blog. She's funny, real, a great cook, and well an interesting read. If you haven't checked her out yet do it. I'm pretty sure she won't ever know I referenced her because she has a gazillion readers but still I read her so I gotta tell ya. Rules folks. I follow the rules.

Oh and if I left you feeling left out I didn't mean to. I read a ton but I'm not sure you would want me to post every one I have in my reader. It could get a little time consuming and I've got kids to bed down sometime tonight and myself too. Thanks again Jennifer!

PS Can you tell that I'd be the type pushed off the stage if given an Oscar? Wow. I'm so good at rambling.

Home again home again jiggity jig...

or so I had hoped. Today was one of those days that if I had to do over again I'd try to plan better. To me that's comical too because I planned it as best as I could. It was supposed to go like this.

1. Get to work at 6am.
2. Go to boot camp at 330pm
3. Stop at Chik Fil A around 530pm because I know I will be starving and I just crave their chicken strips and oh I can have just 3 for dinner and not have fries. I can be strong.
4. Go vote 6ish
5. Go home and spell my hubby so he can get ready for work--hopefully by 7pm

This is how the day really went...

1. Got to work at 615--not bad actually
2. Started logging off my computer to go get dressed for boot camp. Phone rings. It's my favorite first born son. He wants to know where is the best place to go vote. ??? Ok. Stop. This IS his first time voting. I have to stay calm and realize that. Of course its 315 and if I'm not "on deck" at 330pm other people suffer. Because boot camp is tough like that. I don't like to be responsible for other people's pain.

3. Calmy asked a co-worker how to find that out and when we weren't able to help him I told him to call Grandpa because he has his finger on everything and HE will KNOW. That's his job.
4. Went to boot camp--327pm--don't ask me how. I think it was the mom powers (almost too sore to type mind you)
5. Skipped Chik Fil A because actually I'm feeling pumped and I'm sure I can zip in and out of the polls and be home to have the delicious chicken barbecue I've been simmering in the crock all day
6. Voted--527pm
7. Got accosted by a tiny girl scout--that just happened to be in my daughter's troop and hit up for girl scout cookies.

(this is where things go strangely off course)

You see my girl's troop was supposed to be at a different location. I didn't sign up to help with this one because my schedule was screwy as it was and I was assured I'd be waiting hours in line to vote if I went at the time I did. I was in and out in five minutes and I seriously am not kidding you.

So, I chuckle and call the girl by name and say, "Hey, I know you. I'm (my girl's) mom!" She starts looking at me like, "Really? Hmmm." Oh now see this was another part I left out. I totally could understand how she didn't understand. Like I said it was boot camp day. I looked, well, I looked like I was praying hard to God that I would not see a soul I knew. I didn't smell so good either.

I walked over and although sales had been great those poor tired girls and the troop leader had been there, in the chilly damp air since noon. I felt terrible. That is when my "Just can't say no" guilt-ridden conscious kicked and my mouth opened up and said I'd stick around if they needed help.

I'm all for helping but I felt just a bit guilty about calling home to "ask permission". I was sure I'd get the slightly miffed side of my husband. I waited for about an hour before calling. Thinking surely I can "pretend" it took me all this time to vote but I'm not a good liar or story maker upper. So I called. He wasn't happy but I helped and I feel better about it. I have to say though I don't recommend a smelly--just left the gym--too sweaty for her shirt mom as a cookie sales person. I kept testing the air to make sure I stayed downwind.

830 Home in time to get a shower, thank you hunny bunch for letting me do that before settling down with the kids.

The most important thing I did today was this....

I hope you had the opportunity to do that as well. We live in America and we have choices. Regardless of who wins tonight (I'm praying it's the one God would have picked) we still have this privilege and for that I'm thankful.

New Song Tonight

As I scraped the leftover roast from the pan tonight my kids were singing to me. A song they were quite giddy about. It went like this.

"I loooooove you Mom, I loooove you."
"I looove you tooo, Mom."

What did I do to deserve this song? I'm not quite sure. It wasn't because I volunteered in my daughter's class today because there has been some confusion so far I've only been able to help out once. I didn't really get to help because there ended up being a clueless substitute who didn't know what if anything I was supposed to be doing there.

It wasn't because my diet has been going splendidly and I'm turning into super buff mom. In fact I polished off an entire sleeve of Little Brownie Baker Thin Mint cookies this afternoon out of shear boredom. In fact if truth be told I should adjust my "loss" total in the sidebar because, well, I've gained back the only three pounds I had lost.

I spent my day having lab work done, picking up a few things from the grocery store, a bank run to square away checks so I could turn in cookie money for my Brownie. The future pilot tried to talk me into going to his favorite pizza joint but I just wasn't up for that today and by the time we contemplated on a different restaurant he had decided he would just rather go home.

I did put about eight of my daughter's favorite CD's on her iPod as well as a couple of TV shows she enjoys. That made her happy.

I carted them around while we dropped off a table for Girl Scout cookie sales tomorrow, drove another 20 minutes to deliver some cookies, back to the G.S. leader's home to pick up additional cookies ordered, over to my little brother's home to deliver cookies, and a drive-thru to get the kids a bite to eat then over the my husband's mom's to deliver a few more cookies. They were giddy when we left. Screaming shrilly actually. But happy.

Then we got home and well the singing began. This post is actually one of the hardest I've ever written and not emotionally but physically. I'm okay with it though. Because the future pilot is laying in my lap with his thumb in his mouth with Pooh Bear and Bwankie in his grasp. My favorite little girl in the world is tapping me with her toes. Touches of love I tell you--and it isn't even annoying me.

Why? Why is this pure delight for me? Well, because lately they are just seeming so grown up to me that I'm having a hard time letting them. The future pilot has announced several times in the past few days he is not my baby anymore. He is a big boy. Oh my but that is hard when I know he is my last. Yet I know it's true. I see it more everyday. I asked him today what I was going to do when he went off to Preschool next year and I was all alone on my one day off. He told me, "You can come with me!" He was totally serious. I won't be surprised if I spend my whole day up there. Look out school. Here I come!

Midnights- 6 Weeks to go...

My husband started midnights last night. He'll get two days off a week for the next six weeks. He picked Thursday and Friday. A, it makes child care cheaper, and B it means he will be home and possibly coherent for Thanksgiving. For me it means I will have to find places to shuttle the kids on the weekend so he can sleep sans rambunctious voices.

Today was round one of getting the future pilot out of the house. I had an agenda that could not be changed. I had nursery duty at church. I don't like to trick my kids but my pilot is the home body sort and given the choice he'll stay home with Daddy on Sundays. It's a major event to get him to church. I don't believe in beating my kids into Jesus' or He into them. Sometimes though I gotta be there and he has to come.

I got him showered. Major feat--he fears cleanliness. I got him in the car to "go for a ride". I know. I wasn't exactly truthful. Hey, I didn't lie. We DID "ride". Thankfully we had a time change so we were ready way ahead of time. So we headed down the road.
I asked him where we should go on our ride. Would you believe he wanted to go here?
No really. I didn't coerce him. HE wanted coffee. Me? I had the Vivanno. With Matcha. Hey, I needed to prepare for the possibility of baby duty!

So off we went. To Starbucks. People. It was decaf. It was kid temp. It was tall--which means small. If you've ever had a White Mocha with whip you know that it's more sweet that pow. I also poured most of it in his sippy cup for AFTER church. I'm not an unkind parent. I do know that teachers don't need children who are hopped up on sugar.

After we left Starbucks we had time left still. So we went to his favorite place in the world. The airport. God blessed us with not one but TWO take offs!

All from the comfort of our car while the future pilot sipped on his delectably warm beverage.
I used this time to explain to him that Mommy had to be in nursery and asked him for suggestions on what to do with him. We discussed it and he decided he should go talk to his fellow class mates about airplanes. Thank you God that this went well. We got to church and he announced he was hungry. We were there in time to go to the fellowship hall where he was able to pick out a small donut and some grapes. He sat in the nursery with me while he ate them acting very grown up. My main concern was bathroom breaks. I haven't mentioned it yet--I should have since it's so astounding to me, but the future pilot is potty trained now! He made the decision on his own and he's been great. Fabulous. I wasn't sure how he'd do in the company of strangers but he was dry when I picked him up I was ecstatic. Oh and he had a great time there. Me? We didn't have any babies. They've all graduated to the toddler class so I got to go hear the sermon. I needed that.

We had lunch at the airport. Not really the airport mind you. The restaurant near it. His favorite pizza joint. There were no cheese container licking incidents this time. He did belch really loud about four times though. THAT I do NOT know how to stop. He gets it from his father I'm sure.

Two potty breaks and some pizza crust later we were out the door. Just in time to see two more take offs!
It was a beautiful ride home. A good mommy/son day. One that I will be relishing for days. Oh and the scenery. God ROCKS!

The Day After Boo

As a kid I looked forward to Halloween and it's promise of endless candy. It also seemed as if we were allowed to stay up just a wee later so we could hit all of the houses of folks we knew. I remember beaming when they complimented us on our costumes--even the years when they were less than creative.

When I had my oldest I made the decision not to celebrate "Halloween" but the Harvest. I had my reasons. One of them being the knowledge of some "sacrificed cats" in my friend's neighborhood the year before. It was then that I realized that this day is, to some, a bit more evil. It took me a long time to get over that. I don't know why. Unfortunately it's a fact of life. There are two sides to everything--sometimes more but really just two.

Over the years I have relaxed a bit about this. After I got married and my daughter was born my husband was more excited about dressing her up than anyone I knew. He wanted to take her around and show her off. For the first few years we did Harvest parties. We don't live in a neighborhood so to speak. There are wide spaces between us. Enough that we don't really know them. Well, unless you count my mama and papa. They live right behind us. Blessings I tell ya. Blessings!

Last year we started taking the kids to my husband's mom's neighborhood. He had grown up there and still knows most everyone that lives there so it was a place we could be comfortable with. Our kids only hit about ten houses total and that was plenty for them. We had a blast.

Our first stop was my parents' house.

Ringing the bell...
Playing with Grandpa...
Notice my mom's candy basket. You have to understand the care she takes in everything she does. My kids were her ONLY trick-or-treater's and yet the basket was still adorned with a nice linen towel. Just for show.

Well shiver me timbers it's a Pirate!!!
Restless children and a headless husband...
Once home again the daughter curled up on the couch to watch the "Munsters" marathon. The pilot's favorite word became "No" so instead of snuggling up with my daughter I was off to bed with the grouchy pilot. Not all bad I tell ya. I was tired! I hope the night was safe for all of you.