Sherbet - Rainbow Flavored

Well, it wasn't *exactly* as I had planned it. And truly, the plans were not that extravagant. We had a hockey game, and then were planning to have a day out with the kids on Saturday. Sunday was going to be a grocery-type, pick up the odds and ends and then home for dinner kind of day. Not outrageous, and not mundane ....

Well, C came ino to our bed at 6:00AM Sat - quite early for that fella. He appeared to be okay, but then at 7:30 AM told us he had a headache. Odd, we thought, so we asked -

"anything else hurt, bud?"
"No, but my head hurts right here." as he points to the very top of his noggin.
Hmmm ... then he proceeds to get up, and begins to walk to his room. "oh, mom, I have to play (hockey) today .... I'll be fine, can I just lay here?"
"Uh, C, I'm thinking we may not be playing ....."
"no, really, I'll be okay ...."

he gets dressed, and gets into the car, all the while telling S that he's fine. He'll be fine when he gets there. Off they went - they took one car to get the team jerseys there for the rest of the kids (we are jersey keepers) K and I left a short while after.

S drives him as he hung out in his seat, falling asleep at one point. S stopped and got him some suspension Advil. (S later told me that C exclaims only moments after the last drop goes in - "Oh, daddy! That was it, I feel so much better!" :O) Crazy child.)

I arrive about 30 minutes later at the rink, head to the locker room expecting to see him fully dressed in his street clothes, wishing everyone well, and heading to the car to go home. Nope. Fully geared up, laughing, talking to his friends.

Huh?

"C, you're playing?!"
"Oh, yeah, mommy, I feel fine ... just like my old self."

Just.like.my.old.self.

And he played that way, too. Looked as if he was perfectly normal. Had a great game.

Okay, this was an odd morning at best.

So, we head back home after the game. Have some lunch, and play outside with the kids for a bit. The cold eventually bites us, and we all head back in to watch some of the Olympics. At around 2:30PM, he tells S that he doesn't feel that great again, sits next to him on the couch, and falls asleep.

At 4:30PM, he wakes up, looks at us, and throws up everything in his body. All of it. 4 times.

Have I mentioned the one thing I cannot handle well? I can do blood, I can do body parts severly injured, I can do lots of icky, unpleasant things.

I can't handle vommit.

Thank god for S. We cleaned together, he took the brunt of the clean up - I got to console the babe. (oh, that was SO MUCH easier) That was the only episode, thank goodness.

I will spare the details, as they aren't pretty. K cried for her brother. It was the sweetest thing. She was so worried about him.

I asked him if he wanted anything to eat or drink. He said no, but popsicles sounded good. Then ...I mentioned sherbet. To my utter amazement, my son, a child of mine, had no idea what sherbet was. NO IDEA. Oiy. I have deprived this kid.

Off S went to get the Rainbow flavored sherbet - magic, medicinal, cool, and yummy sherbet. He ate a bowl, with pleasure. I joined him. :o)

He then slept on and off on the couch, eventually heading to bed at 8:30PM. Not before asking for another bowl of sherbet, of course. "ah, no, buddy, not another one, let's take this slow" He slept through the night, and at 7:15 AM came to our bed again. This time, no headache, but said he was still pretty tired. First question - "can I have a bowl of sherbet?"

:o)

Uh oh, the monster has been unleashed.

He didn't move from the couch too much today. Had three bowls of sherbet, though. And fit in some chicken soup, some orange juice, a slice of toast, and two crescent rolls. Lots of water, too.

I never left the house. I barely left the kitchen area. I cooked a little. I tended to the sick wee one, and I giggled with K.

It was a great weekend. Well, it was a quiet weekend, with a commercial break around 4:30 PM Saturday.

But the sherbet was darn good!

;-O

2 new blogs to share ....

2 MORE friends of mine have a blog they are enjoying. If you get a chance to take a look at the blog, let them know, they are both just catching this "bug" ;o)

looks like we made it!

I always loved that Barry Manillo song ..... hah, did I just strike a nostalgia cord with anyone? Or did you get a hive remembering that one? :o) hehehe

But really, we survived the vacation ... I overheard a mom speaking to another dad yesterday complaining that the week "was the longest week ever, can't wait for Monday .. had enough .." yada yada ... sounding like they had a rough week with the kiddies at home. I felt badly, and couldn't add anything becasue really, we had a good one. I was concerned with the Monday start, but it was a mere blip on the radar screen .... it was all good from there.

Had some play dates here, they went to other kids, and today we may even venture to see a movie. C had a couple of hockey games, and they went well. K had a gymnastics meet that went well. We saw some old friends, some new friends. In all, just a clockwork type of week.

OOO .... moment of pause here ....

just rec'd a beautiful new picture from the artist .... aw, so freakin' cute! Love that she decorates the house with her art. This one happens to be she and I in a meadow-y looking place, with a butterfly above us, and hearts floating. Cutest thing. :o) (again, another reason to have digital, right? ) sigh.

Okay, so a good week.

I actually connected with my oldest and dearest friends from childhood this week, too, for dinner and drinks. I am always amazed at our friendships ... we have been friends, all 6 of us, for 30 years. We got together this week, because one of the *younger* friends, a 35 year old is due in 4 weeks with #2. A boy, to add to her other gorgeous son. That will make the grand total of children with this group 13. One of the younger ones, the other 35 year old, plans one more in the next 2 years, so that'll be another yummy baby for me to hold. It is so cool to see us all chatting about our babes, and our lives as we are today, replacing those chitter chats of boyfriends, and silly girl events. They are funny, chaotic (especially the 2 35 year olds!) and really down to earth. I love seeing them, and love hanging with them. I wish I was able to do it more often .... oh, how I wish for that.

So, I am heading to the movies in a few here, but wanted to check in and as my friend Nat said - Happy Friday! :o)

so ... a couple of things ...

First and foremost, what a great day today! I reconnected with an old friend, and her 3 terrific kids. We became friends from the online posting board that we've been part of for, oh, 8 years or so. Early on when the squirts were younger, we got together for some playdates. and enjoyed each other's company, pretty often, too. The kids really dug one another, too. You see, her three are triplets. How cool is that? Not many people get to say that they know triplets. A select few, I would guess. We are of that select crowd. :o) How neat!

They are beautiful, to put it mildly. In so many ways. Physically, and internally. Polite, friendly, fun, gifted ... the list, it goes on. The kids barely skipped a beat getting to know each other-again. I think I measured a nanosecond of time that passed when the triplets arrived where they all kind of stood around looking at B and I, and each other. Then, one of the boys grabbed a hockey stick and away they went to shoot at the net with C. It stayed that way for 4 hours.... straight. They stopped for lunch which felt like a milisecond of time, and away they went again. K and A, the only gal of the triplets played for a little bit, but being 7 along with C and her brothers, B and J, being an athlete, she preferred the active play that was going on. K hung with B and I doing crafts and coloring, and playing upstairs or elsewhere. She seemed to enjoy the playdate, too, just differently.

But really, what fun that was! I hope that we are able to do it again soon. So, B, if you're reading this .... let's be SURE to plan it! ;O) And thanks for coming over to have some fun today ... hope you did too!

And secondly, the aggravation post from yesterday .... hmmmm.....

My friend, Fransie, a brilliant woman for sure, a woman of perspective, commented on that post, and gave me the perspective that I requested. Not only did she give me pause for the moment, she helped me see some light. Thank you Fransie, I mean it. It has been on my mind all day. And I thought long and hard about the perspective that you helped me gain, and the issue at hand. Really, thank you. (((smoocha)))

No doubt, big-picture: what is the big deal with being inside the house? Really, no harm. And with the information that was given on the "history" between the neighbor and I, it did seem petty, and somewhat mundane to be irritated at such an event. Yes, it did. I agree.

So, the history part between us - well, F, my dear, you mentioned the rules thing, and if kids are expected to follow rules at homes even if the rules are different, it would be okay. {I think you said something like that, right?} Well, therein (is that a word?) lies the issue .... bigger than the first issue.

There are no rules at this house. None.

Really.

That, in a nutshell, is the gripe. And it is my gripe. My issue to sort through. My issue to consitently and repeatedly explain why we "do _____ this way at our house, and other people do things differently at their house". It is what makes the world go-round for sure. Differences are what does that. Of all the people in the world, I know that. No rules works for them, I guess. It does not for me.

I embrace physical differences, sexual preference differences, religious differences, heck even (sometimes) political differences ;o) , but expected behavior differences, and appropriate child-like behavior differences are hard for me to swallow. And children function well with rules. Period. ALL children. Not iron fist, ruling with no room for leway rules. Not mean over-the-top Hitler-type hard fast rules ... boundaries, expected behavior rules, polite and gentle rules, indoor and outdoor behavior differences rules, don't jump on the furniture, please do not eat in the living room ..... Rules.

I did mention the whole philisophical difference thing, right? Very big differences they are. Again, good people, I've known for years (far longer than the two years we have lived here ... FAR longer. Like, 22 years or so.) Just doing things differently. But not just opinion differently. Child-rearing, thought process, discipline, behavior - type differences.

So, because of all of these things, I think there was some fuel to my fire. I left some details out (and not intentionally, but don't want to paint the wrong picture - again, wonderful people, just differing philosophies. AND THAT IS OKAY. I know that.) But I need to sort through some things, and gain more comfort with explanations. F, you are so right ... they are not toddlers anymore. They (my kids) can abide by rules, and recognize that authority and adults are the boundary keepers. But what if said adult, one with whom mommy and daddy have stated is "safe" to be respected yada yada, is the adult that has no rules?

Then, well, then I have a conundrum, don't I?

{sigh} It is one of those things with this parenting thing that is forcing me to think. To re-think, and to act. I have an opportunity here. A teaching opportunity for learning, for growth, and for understanding. I can open that door and walk through it, and my kids, and we will be better for it. If I choose not to wrap my arms around it and teach, we will all lose. My neighbor, her kids, S and I, and our kids.

The aggravation is gone ... the perspective has arrived. Continuing to teach differences as a part of life. That is the take away here.

We're all just doing this parenting thing to the best of our ability. I am not judging or accusing. I will stay the course. Our course, and hope that what we teach sticks.

For what it's worth - it seems to be. :o)

Thanks, Fransie, my friend. My friend with perspective.

I've linked my friends! :o)

In my link section (oh, I feel so official, now!) I have added three really great links to some "old friends" of mine. Take a look, Fransie, Natalie, and Kim have amazing ways of entertaining as well as informing. They are really neat people, with simply magnificent kids. AND, they all share some interesting things in common .... ;o)

Take a look ..... and please be sure to leave a note or two that you've been there!

oooooo .... a little aggravated

Okay, I need some perspective. I need some valium too, apparently. ;o)

The morning, this morning, the first one of the winter vacation break, was going *so* well. For approximately 32 minutes. :-I was readying the K-gal for a piano lesson that had been rescheduled for today, it was an early one, so we had to shuffle slightly, and meet the 9:00AM timeframe. We were getting dressed, I had showered, she was dressing - it went down hill from there. She ramped up in pure K fashion - FAST - about the shirt she was wearing not *feeling good* so we discussed as we ususally do. It ended poorly, and the two of us were frustrated.

Then, the phone rang, the piano teacher had overslept (damn 20-something's and their sleep ;) so we had to reschedule. This was not the first time, and truthfully, I was irritated.

Then, I came downstairs to check in on C who had told me he was playing hockey out front. No where to be found. Called him, nothing. Looked accross the street in neighbor's house - same neighbor who has been asked REPEATEDLY not to have C or K in her house at 9:00 AM, especially when they have been telling me they were outside, and her kids are in the pajamas. Ugh. Again, I have to go and seek out my kid. Again, I have to ask why he is in there. (mind you, I have no problem with my kids in her house, or playing with her kids ... wonderful people, but different philosphies on parenting. I gave direction NOT to go in to her house, to stay outside, or come back to me and let me know where you are - not difficult, right? )When you're seven, and in the heat of the moment, and the friend says 'c'mon in, we've got _______ to show you!' It is next to impossible to remember those words that your mother said. I know. {sigh} When you're seven and really excited to see the kids you haven't seen in oh, a day, you can't recall the words. You just can't. oiy. I know this. But honestly, an adult to another adult, a mom to another mom. I ask for rules to be followed, for my rules to be respected, and even with that seven year old forgetfulness, in-the-moment breathing, I feel like it can be remembered if you're, oh, say 34.

I walk over accross the street, and with each step I am more aggravated. He (my son, C) opens the door, and says, but mom, Miss Tina said I could come in, and I say but I said you couldn't. Miss Tina comes to the door, and says , "I tried to call you, and you were on the phone, so I just said c'mon in, and go upstairs, the boys are up there" by now, she's laughing, not at me, but at the situation, so I say, but Tina, I don't want him in there this early, I don't want him in there when he tells me he is going to be playing outside" she says "but mine aren't outdoorsy kids, they like to play in the pj's all day, and play with their figurines, we don't mind that it's 9:00AM, we're up at 6:00 anyway" and I come back with "I know, that's fine, we're up early too, and we love to play too, but mine asked to be outside, and play out there, when they come over don't let them in, instead tell yours to meet them outside... please, he needs to listen to MY DIRECTION, and time and time again I have asked him to please NOT go in when he is asked to go in, because it is my wishes that he not do that. " She continues with the same thing she always says - "I don't mind, I really don't..." I then, turned and walked back home, visibly frusrated, and visibly NOT heard by her - she says, okay, I'll send them out.

UGH. SO not the point, sending HER kids out, I could care less if the boys even go outside EVER. I just want my kid to be forced to LISTEN to his mother, follow HER directions. Not be coerced into someone else's ideas, or what works for them "as a family" because they are up early, and like to spend time in their jammies. How is this so hard to understand as an adult??? I follow the rules. I respect other parents. I make sure kids call, and ask kids if their mother knows they are at my house. I follow their rules. I don't coerce. I play fair. And most of all, I am an adult that doesn't let the kid hear all of this chatter that is opposite of what the rules are. (C was standing *right* under Tina when she was but..but..but-ing me prior to me walking away)

I came home, angry, and frustrated. More frustrated than I had been already from the morning activities.

Then, the pain of the guilt for being an angry parent, an angry neighbor hit. I felt awful. :o(

I called her, and tried to explain yet again. I started with "I'm sorry I turned and walked away ...." and we discussed again. I tried with every ounce of my being, to get her to completely and utterly understand the requests I have. I just don't want the kids to come in because it is convenient to come in. 9:00AM is too early. Period. It's not polite. *I* don't want kids to feel like they can go into anyone's house at 9:00AM because it is convenient. If I set a rule, they should be my rules, he is my kid. I know you are kind, I know you are easy-going, and to you, letting him in is "no problem" with you. I know you're up early, and the kids enjoy playing inside. I know that C and the boys enjoy one another. I just really, reallllllly want him (and K) to understand that when they go to someone's house that our rules STILL apply. I just want that. I know all of these things, and I hear your side.

Can you hear mine????

So here's the question.

Am I being unrealistic? Am I being a royal bad neighbor? Am I just asking too much? Am I just being a pain in the a$$?

{sigh} help. I am feeling this awful pain, this thing in the pit of my tummy.

bleck.

This is the stuff that doesn't ever sit well with me. I hate conflict with those that are close to me ... be it proximity, or just in spirit.

help.

Athlete

What does it mean to you?

It means so many things to me. I consider myself one. Well, a former one. One that enjoyed every.last.drop. of the game. And what I did was not even a game. I was an individual sport athlete. In that sport, there were relays, and team scores, and of course, the team won and lost, but the bottom line was at the blocks when the starter shot the pistol, it was you. You against them. Period.

I was competitive, not fiercely, and not nonchalantly either. I loved to better my own time, to be the athlete for me. I loved to be with the team ... the rah, rah. The atmosphere was what did it for me. The love of the "game" but never the win of the game. It was cool to win, don't get me wrong, I even love it now. (and I am no fan of losing, for sure!) But the win was less important to me than others.

He, that little 7 year old spit fire of a 50+ pounder that I am partial to, HE has it. He has the spirit. The grit, the love of the win. The desire to be the best he can be. The rah rah is ALL he wants to be a part of. He loves athletics. He thrives in the atmosphere. S and I are so similar in that we won't force, never will we force. We support and encourage and provide the road, C walks the road. As so many do, but we are that type of parent - the type that has been there, and done that. We are not doing this because we missed out on something, or we fell short. We are here, and with him as support for him. He guides us. He fuels the fire. We literally sit back and enjoy the love from his heart and his eyes. It is his game to develop, and his game to enjoy. It is his time.

I've learned so much from the spirit and the energy from my squirts. I love that they are teachers for me, as I am a teacher for them.

K is so different than he is. Athletics are so fun, and so entertaining, but they are sport for her. They are not the very fiber of her being. Oh, she has gymnastics, and she'll be doing softball this summer, and she certainly finds her way into any and every "game" she can. She is our artist. She is not competitive. She is not about the team. She is not interested in the win - or the loss. She is not remotely involved in the outcome or the possibilities. She just wants to see what colors there are, or the pattern there is. She wants to pair the outfits, or the magical and pretty music to the movements.

It is the most amazing thing to have two only 20 months apart be so phenominally different.

It is so apparent too. Tonight, for instance. We have a hockey tournament this weekend, and after the second game (an ugly game, at best) we ( S, myself, my parents) all ventured out with the head coach, his wife, and another parent. All the kids - 6 in all - were awesome together. Playing games, outside (a mild 50 degree day here ...) and also some bowling and video game inside. But the two youngest, mine and the head coach's, were gleefully creating masterpieces on the high top table with K's colorful pencils, and multitude of papers. Ignoring the games until well into the night. K would look at them, and ponder a thought or two, then, return to her work. That was the first 2 hours or so. Then, when the play began after dinner, outside, they (the youngest two) joined them with their stuffed toys as props, pretending to be a family while the football game ensued between the 4 left.

I watched the scene, and wondered how two kids bred the same way, exposed the same way, developing in similar fashion, and living in the same home, can be so very different - and so very similar.

I cannot help but wonder what my future holds for these two marvelous creatures.

I find it impossible to imagine that they have only been a part of my world for 7 and 5 years. I don't remember the life that I had before.

I don't want to.

Athlete.

What does it mean to you?

The Job to have

POSITION :Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION:Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities.
Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stam ina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

yep. sign me up.

I have seen this a thousand times, and it was so fitting to receive it on email yesterday.

ah, mommy-dom. A place I love to be. :o)

A super surprise for you, mommy!

Unreal.

I don't think I will see ONE of my kids teeth fall out of thier heads. I swer they may be doing this on purpose.

K lost a tooth Tuesday, Valentine's Day. I called home (I was traveling overnight for business) to say good morning, and have a good day, and how was your night kind of things ... I was greeted with an exuberant "mommy, I have got a SUPER SURPRISE for you!"

me: "really? what?!"

K: "it fell out .. you know, that tooth that was loose? Daddy was helping me get dressed, and my shirt had a button that daddy didn't see, we didn't undo it, and the collar was small and bumped into my mouth and knocked it right out!" (I am not kidding *that* was exactly how she said it ... sometimes I think I am speaking to my 15 year old niece, not a 5 year old!)

me: "you have GOT to be kidding??? That is so cool, and so funny that I wasn't there!"

K: "I know, mommy, I said that to daddy ... I told him that you haven't seen ANY fall out yet, but that's okay, cause you knew it was reallllly loose, and it was going to fall out soon"

me: "yeah ... {sigh} it's a good thing they fall out all by themselves ...."

Ah, time - it just keeps moving regardless of what you're doing. That quote that John Lennon has in the song, Beautiful Boy - 'life is what happens while you're busy making other plans' . So true. So true.

I want to be part of the plans for a long time to come, and live the life too.

Here I sit, however, feeling really good about the work I have been doing this week. I have had a rockin' week with a number of my accounts; there appears to be amazing potential in front of me, and I am really motivated to kick some serious tail. :o) I am in a beautiful place right now, the Inn I am staying in is just gorgeous, and the scenery is magnificent, the people are so kind, and so happy to have people here in their town; it's warm and welcoming to say the least. I am planning some more trips here in the near future just because of the beauty.

At least *all of that* makes me feel less guilt for not being home for the second tooth.

A little.

I have been talking to the kids all week, on the phone several times a day, but tonight ... well, tonight, when I spoke with C he sounded so ... grown. He and S went to a college basketball game, and sat right behind the team on the floor. In a word, C was totally enamored. He detailed every minute to me on the phone, and described the game with such intensity. "mom, mom, what a game! they didn't win, but it was so great! they were down by 13, they tied it up but still couldn't win, it was such a good game, mom!"

Oh.my. Where have the babes gone?

Then, after I hung up, I checked email and we had gotten an email from a hockey coach who has asked C to be on a select team this summer for kids his age; he needed to know when C's next games with his Mite team are so that he can come and watch him play. He was told of C by another coach that knows C well, and feels strongly that he belongs on that select team. A select team. The child is 7. I can hardly believe this is already beginning. I knew it would happen ... there was little doubt in many minds. I just thought it was *years* off still. heh. How wrong. ;o) But it is such fun. So cool to know it's my kid. :o) Even more cool that he loves every last driplet of the sport ... well, any sport, truly, but hockey holds a special place for him. He breaths it.

Gosh, I love this mommy thing. I got a great email from my cousin today with a mom's job description on it. I will post it soon. It is fitting, on target, and an amazing read. You'll enjoy it.

I know you will.

cheers!

snow, friends, hunkering down, and the O's!!!

Yep, we've been blasted by the Nor'easter of 2006. So far we have about 8 inches out there, and they are expecting and predicting another 5 or so. I don't mind, really, I don't. It has been the mildest of winters here, hardly a flake in sight for weeks on end. So, I really think this was just a make-up event. Of enormous proportions! But let's face it, all of the flakes have been waiting patiently to fall. Housed up there, behind the clouds just hanging out, waiting for the call from 'ole mother nature to drop on down for a visit. She called today - for sure! It is pretty, but so windy it's hard to enjoy the way one would a normal Sunday snow storm - you know, sledding, snowmen, snowball fights ... the works. The kids were out for about 30 minutes. That was the longest they could stand the wind. They tromped in all red-cheeked, and winded looking to play knee hockey in the basement with the neighborhood friends. As is the case most days here, this house swells with little people playing. They dart from activity to activity, floor to floor. Right now, the knee hockey game is paused for a commercial break of PS2 hockey. 5 kids right now, huddled together by the tv for the next 10 minutes until the next idea explodes in their heads for the next fun activity. :o) It can be loud, and certainly high energy, but for the most part they are great friends. Sure, spirits test one another, and sport competitions glitter the air. Sometimes there is tension, but for the most part, there is laughter, and little people chitter. K is the only gal right now. One little gal is still too young next door, but she'll be there soon enough. K has no idea how lucky she is. :o)

So for the last two days, we have hunkered down in the house. Fires lit, food cooking, blankets on with warm fuzzy sweats, and socks covering us. The Olympics have begun, and for me, the non-tv watcher in the family, I can be found glued to the set catching up, cheering, emotionally tied to the "kids" that are there. FOr me, *this* is sports. The love of the game, the love of the journey, the pinnacle of sports. Olympics. EIther one, winter or summer - it is 2 weeks of tv for me. Love it. And this weekend, it was guilt free with the weather, and the anticipation of the events. Ahhhhhhh ..... delicious! :o) It makes no difference what the event is, either. I watch them all.

Oh, and I've posted some photos, and they definitely need some help getting in better position. I am hoping my friend Kim, oh ever-gifted phenom on the computer will have mercy on my inability with these techie things, and guide me. ;o)

Enjoy, and I promise to get better at getting them up more often.

off to watch a game or two ..... :o)

the face of one happy 7 year old off to see the Patriots in a LIMO! 

what a 5 year old looks like after "the loss"  

2 of the reds in the life I share 

quiet.

on many levels.

ahhhhhhh .... the house to start with. S is at an overnight conference. the kidlets are snoozin' safely in their warm and comfy beds, and the two 4 legged creatures are snoozing on theri warm bed behind me.

me. I'm quiet after days of unrest within. It seems that it passed. The uglies. The anxious internal organs that clearly had made some bad decision to be recognized. ( and F, my Netherlands friend ... oh, dahling, you have no idea how delicious it would be to have coffee, and chill with you ... and then have the wine, of course .... that made me want to just get a pot on, and also uncork the bottle, and call you up to 'come on over' :o)

duties. I have completed the work for the night, and am able to power down the laptop. quiet laptop after an evening of catch up work while the man was away.

I am feeling so much better. Back to me. I looked in the mirror and actually remembered that face of mine. She smiled back at me, instead of growled, and that was nice. It all passed, and no one got hurt. ;o)

Truthfully, there may have been a small, ever so teensy silver lining to that gap of time that I was posessed by the demons - I had some KILLER workouts. I was determined to feel better, and pushed myself to the limit. My heartrate was moving, and my sweat glands were open. That was a positive. That was good karma for the gym. Lifting was endorphine enducing, and cardio was energizing. So, perhaps, a small silver lining.

At any rate - I witnessed an unusual event tonight. Unusual in the sense it was not an event *I* had requested to take place.

C and K were creating some masterpieces at this fun family night crafting table at the small restaurant I took them to for dinner with their friend for a treat. While creating, there was a territory battle over the scissors (and why not, they didn't belong to either one of my kids - they were the restaurant's - clearly primed for WW7865432 ...) and they both had them in their hands, C being a smidge stronger, pulled and K received a small, but still painful to the ego as well as finger, cut on her hand. After I got the tears dried (and the trace of blood that accompanied it) C reached over with a downturned mouth (frown like) and grabbed K to hug her around her neck, and says in this really sweet, really soft voice "I am so sorry K, I really didn't mean that, I know that hurts, we can get the bandaid at home together, k?"

:o)

She, as always, tells him "that's okay, I know it was an accident". And life resumed to creating aforementioned masterpieces.

Although sad that the scissor battle had happened at all, I was able to see through that and be really proud of the way he handled the apology. They did not have another negative thing to say through the night, nor was there even the slightest bicker, battle, or bossing around all the way to bedtime. It was as if they knew to be kind and gentle to one another. That was nice.

Really nice.

So, the peace and calm of the afternoon, and evening led to the quiet of the night. Now it's snoozin' time for me, too .... and the quiet will be delicious!

hormonally charged

I am.

This sucks.

My doctor said it would happen ... she said, ahem, "as we age, (oh, that started the conversation off well) our bodies change hormonally for sure. Your cycle will be rather unpredictable, you'll feel more wiped out"

I also feel:

evil
edgy
grouchy
short-tempered
unlike ME
selfish (cause I want to run away from me, from them, from life)
plain 'ole unfriendly

but the good news is this: it's going away now. after 4 freakin' days. :o
I.cannot.do.this.every.month.

if I don't get "shot" by someone (could be anyone really, I seem to have distant effects) I just might take myself out of misery. icky.

I never had swings like this, I never felt off kilter, or different than ME. Cramps, and some general discomfort, but only lasting a day or two ~ tops. I'm planning a call to the MD just to let her know I had this happen, just to be sure I'm not missing something; or maybe just to get some validity to the rumor that age does this. ;o) This was the first time it was *this* bad, but I had one other where I felt - odd, so I 'spose it's worth the call.

My sister always had mood swings when we were younger, and even now a bit, but I never got close enough to her to ask about it when she was 'down in the deep valley'. ('cause that's where it feels like you are) Perhaps she can give me some insight into the valley.

The worst part is this: I lost my temper too fast with the kids. I know, I know, we all do it, and we all feel badly. I hate that I was like that. Things have been so good lately. So fun, and energetic, and exciting, and silly, and ... and. And then monster mom came to visit. :o( I apologized to the kids, and told them that mommy lost her temper too fast, and sometimes adults do that, but it's not okay when it happens. Mommy needs to use words just like they do, and all that better-way-to-handle-oneself-advice jumbo. But you still feel like a rotten mom, regardless if you humanize it all.

{sigh}

It is a new day tomorrow, and things will be brighter. I guess I am human. I guess I can be miserable. I just don't like the feeling of feeling like I cannot get out of my own way.

bleck.

Life. Real life.

all the channels.

Tomorrow will be here soon.

Tagged! :-)

Well, now I am officially part of the blogging society of selected individuals! ;o) My friend Kim, tagged me to answer a few questions, and far be it from me to ignore this request ... fun stuff! Thanks Kim!

WHAT WERE YOU DOING 10 YEARS AGO?

I was living in Maine with the love of my life (now the husband and love of my life) enjoying the idea of possibly getting married, and starting a family.

WHAT WERE YOU DOING 1 YEAR AGO?

I was just starting a new job after 5 years with the old company, completely excited for the opportunity, and completely re-energized to find myself again. I had started working out again, and also found a new vision with focusing my energies.

5 FAVORITE SNACKS:

1. peanut/almond mix
2. crackers/pretzels and cheese
3. sunflower seeds
4. power bar/protein bar
5. fruit

5 SONGS TO WHICH YOU KNOW ALL THE LYRICS:

anything James Taylor
anything Melissa Etheridge
anything Janet Jackson
anything Indigo Girls
anything U2

5 BAD HABITS:

1. eating too many carbs
2. internet surfing
3. organizing/cleaning to a fault (not quite ocd, but sometimes I wonder)
4. losing patience too fast
5. setting expectations of others too high


5 THINGS YOU LIKE DOING:

1. palying with my kids/hanging out with them
2. reading to my kids
3. scrapbooking and blogging
4. socializing with my husband and friends
5. working out

5 THINGS YOU WOULD NEVER BUY, WEAR OR GET AGAIN:

1. short, short miniskirts
2. really baggy clothes
3. super short hair (as in buzzed)
4. a competitive bathing suit
5. lost in my work and avoid more important things like LIFE. ;o)

5 FAVORITE TOYS:

1. my kids
2. my husband (for all the right reasons ....)
3. my computer
4. any board game
5. life and the spirit of fun. :O)

That was really fun!

I'll be back soon ......