Angel's Cloud

Hoping for better tomorrows

2010-05-24T00:26:00.002-04:00

The one regret I do not have is the choice to break free from my destructive marriage. As I approach in a few days what WOULD have been my 14 year anniversary I have turned introspective. I regret not fighting for the house. I regret not making different decisions in housing once I didn't fight for the house. I regret not being a stay at home mom any more as I can not always be the mom I used to be. It isn't that I don't like to work, contrary, I do like to work. Work gives me a sense of self. It just isn't enough money. But what I do NOT regret is leaving my now ex husband.

I hope to start up this blog again as a form of catharticism and to capture some more funny things my children say. My daughter says a ton of funny things and by rereading some of passed posts and the things they have said and done before has been fun.

So we shall see if I can post more regularly

No kids

2009-04-11T20:18:00.002-04:00

It's my weekend to have the kids BUT it's Easter weekend and S is to have the kids Easter Sunday (being an odd year... according to his legal forms. *rolls eyes*)

I make the most of the time without my babies rejouvenating myself so I am a better mom when I do have them. So M and I are chilling. I had a long day at work. Did the treadmill and am pooped.

Now.... what's for dinner M? lmao.

my cats

2009-04-09T23:10:00.000-04:00

are beating the snot out of each other. wow. Chill out.

photo catch up

2009-04-09T22:43:00.007-04:00

M's favorite picture of S. In his fav hat.

S in her balloon boobs being a 'wooooman'

M likes to put things on my head and take photos. At least this isn't a basket.

Like this.

oh yeah... that's nice too. ugh.

Sugar laying across Flounder on our bed with M in bed one Saturday morning while I was at work... Looks comfy.

S in M's hat. She is sooo cute.

Yet another pic of me with something on my head.

S being a big busted woman in her Steeler garb.

Sugar, new cat #2 at 3 months. We got her Oct. 2008

S's 6th b-day sept 2007 (mid divorce)

S smiling BEFORE losing teeth Jan. 2008 in my new kitchen.

B just smiling. It doesn't happen all the time so it's a precious moment. Can't wait to see him calm down and laugh all the time.

S January 2008 in my new townhouse after the divorce. She likes pink.

Christmas 2007 my son B (in blue stripes) my daughter (red/pink stripes) and my neices K, in the back and J on the right. In my parents house. They just sold their house.

My kids Halloween Oct. 2008. Hannah Montana and Harry Potter of course. 2 plans and a huge pile of candy later they crashed. M and I took them around so we crashed too. LOL

Amber Raye Doo...... passed away March 4th 2009 a few days after a grooming visit gone wrong. Age.... only 4 years old. *sniff*

After my 13 year old cat Epi passed away in November we got flounder. This is him at 3 months old. He is much much bigger now.

Laughter makes the day go by...

2009-04-09T22:40:00.003-04:00

I had lots of laughs at work tonight which is a good thing since I started work at 8:30 am and finished at 9pm. (sure I left from 3pm until 6pm, which is nice) but laughing makes it much much better. I wish the chick that cracks me up wasn't temporarily filling in. Keeping a staff with the hours and pay that are offered in the detailed job we do is hard. We have fun though.

I think there was talk about an uptight person turning coal into diamonds in their a*s and many other (now nonsensical) things that just had me busting a gut. Ahhhh simple pleasures.

Two more days of work for me this week but at least my long days are done for the week.

So I called my kids and said good night and now I am going to curl up with M and relax.

What more could you want?

2009-04-08T23:02:00.001-04:00

I am done with one of my long days. I'm in my jammies and sitting in bed watching tv/surfing the web beside M. What more could you ask for? Ahhhhhhh comfy. Oh yeah, and did I mention he fed me chocolate? yeah. I know.

Rough

2009-04-08T16:05:00.002-04:00

My son is 9 years old and a handful. I love him dearly but there is a lot that exhausts me. Since Kindergarten we have gotten calls from the school about this or that. Through the years they threw the term aspergers at us. Part of the reason for my divorce was because of trying to find answers for my son. I felt my son needed evaluated and some help while my ex felt that my son is perfectly fine because, as he said, my son is just like my ex. (not a winning argument with me as I had many issues with how my ex operated.)

It is a minute to minute, day to day struggle with my son. As it turns out he does NOT have aspergers but he does have ADHD hyperactivity with impuslivity issues. He also has a 132 IQ. (Above superior range they say.)

According to my research:

High IQ & Genius IQ
Genius IQ is generally considered to begin around 140 to 145, representing ~.25% of the population (1 in 400). Here's a rough guide:
115-124 - Above average (e.g., university students)
125-134 - Gifted (e.g., post-graduate students)
135-144 - Highly gifted (e.g., intellectuals)
145-154 - Genius (e.g., professors)
155-164 - Genius (e.g., Nobel Prize winners)
165-179 - High genius
180-200 - Highest genius
>200 - "Unmeasurable genius"

His behaviors mimic aspergers children but are different from what they say. The biggest issue is his short fuse, lack of organization and his lack of understanding critism or changes in his routine. He will throw a knock down drag out body flalling fit.

He just had one. He posed this math problem and wouldn't let me show him my results because he was wrong. He hates being wrong. Instead he ripped the pen out of my hand, threw something at his sister, screamed over me then when I tried to continue to show him he ran out saying I hate him.

Aggggghhhh. What is a mom to do?

Ahhhhhh...... Tuesday nights

2009-04-07T16:35:00.002-04:00

I don't work tuesday nights. It is finish laundry nights. It is enjoy kids nights.

Tonight after homework we plan Easter egg coloring and a project started for my son. I have my Easter Ham in the oven since I work 12 hours Wednesdays and Thursdays. I figure making the ham on Friday would be cruel and unusual punishment.

M is finishing up his second 14 hour work day and I hope to surprise him with the ham. I hope he stays awake enough to eat it. LOL.

Right now we are working to sell my townhouse so we can move in with him. We plan to get married but financially can not do that until we sell or lease my place. He is 7 years older than me and has never been married. He says he wasn't going to settle for the wrong person. I am honored he views me as the 'right' person.

So I'm in comfy comfy clothes and worklaxing.......ahhhhh Tuesday nights.

Life since the divorce

2009-04-07T16:23:00.005-04:00

It has been a year since the divorce was official. I will give a quick synopsis of what has transpired since then.

April 2008 divorce was finalized.

June 2008 won a trip to Puerto Rico through work for a job well done. Took M and had a blast.

Late August my daughter starts 1st grade and my son starts 3rd. My son is trying to be labeled with having Aspergers (the school has been trying since kindergarten.) He received an IQ test last year which ranked him Superior range. I didn't know what that meant then but he was put in the Gifted program. Got new cat named Flounder.

November 2008 my sick 13 year old cat passes away at home. I could have the month wrong but I think it was somewhere around fall that my ex got engaged to Jennifer #2. Got new cat named Sugar.

February 2009 son is professionally tested to NOT have aspergers but be ADHD in the hyperactive variety plus impulsivity issues. IEP meeting set for my son in a few months at his school.

March 2009 got 4 year old dog groomed (saved up for months). Two days later she got really sick and I ran her to the vet. Two days after that she died, much to all of our shock. Cats mourn as do we.

That brings us to today. April 7th 2009.

Holy time flying like crazy

2009-04-07T16:22:00.001-04:00

I blink my eyes and here it is a year and a half later. I doubt anyone I used to chat with on here will be still checking my blog. But I plan to start blogging again. Life has changed so much for me and is still changing. So much still to share about life and especially my growing kids.

Angel's cloud has shifted but is still here.

Where to begin?

2008-10-27T22:55:00.003-04:00

I have been away so long I doubt anyone will read this but still, I am determined to update my blog but where to begin?

Well, I have been working more than full-time trying to make ends meet. Making ends meet got harder when work took away bonuses thus cutting out almost $300 a month. Still I trudge on.

My ex-husband and are are pretty much interacting like we did when we were married only via text and email. Yep, we fight. I am trying to avoid it now for obvious reasons. He is on girlfriend #2 (both named Jennifer, odd.) #2 has been around about 4 months I think (but I guess they met on line after we separated and while he was dating Jennifer #1....hmmmmm.) I had a dream that I was asking the newest Jennifer 'how do you like my house? How do you like cooking in my kitchen?" (Obviously I regret letting go of the house) The next morning I learned she had moved into the house. Weird. They are talking about marriage. Wow.

I could care less what he does or who he dates. All that matters are my children and how many Jennifers and non -jennifers he parades through their lives. I have nothing against her, what did she do? Nothing. The only thing she did was fall for the 'put on a pedestal' initial phase of my ex-husbands way of courtship. In 4 years when she realizes she does 90% of things, that they seem to argue at every turn, that he picks apart every thing she says to the finite word, grumbles about things a lot and has a negative outlook, that he takes staying up late as if you hate him rather than you want to unwind from a long day with kids, where she is watching all football or sports or leaving the room to watch something else, that when she watches something she likes he will ridicule it until she stops watching it and that she goes to bed wondering how she got there and is so miserable, then she and I can talk.

My kids are doing great. My son is doing better in school. My daughter is funny as ever. My dog is good, my old cat passed away a month ago (sniffle.) Marc got us a new kitten who is 4 months old named Flounder. So time marches on.

Marc is wonderful and I have never been happier. It seems odd that things should be so easy but they are. What the future holds it holds. We have talked about the kids and I moving in with him and who knows, there may be wedding bells for us too. We have been dating for a bit over a year now and keeps getting better.

I have discovered the evils of Facebook but have reconnected with a ton of people from high school and college. I have very little free-time so what time I do have I rarely spend on the computer. It's odd because 2 years ago it's all I would do was spend time on the computer. How time changes things.

All I know is that life is never easy but my kids and I are much much happier now that their dad and I are not married and that speaks volumes. My kids love love love Marc and keep asking him when we will marry. I know they don't want to lose him. They have nothing to worry about. He isn't going anywhere but in my arms.

So hello to you all. I see some blogs are gone (good luck to you and I find myself worrying about Rachelemma since hers is gone. Prayers to her family if what I am thinking happened.)

Others have marched on blogging away and living life at the same time. Good for you to find the time. I hope you are all well and I send you all my best.

Happiness is not under rated.

2008-06-14T23:51:00.004-04:00

I just reread a ton of messages I didn't know I had on here and want to thank you all (John, Terry, MLioux, Mike, Angel and whomever else I missed in my dusty rusty memory banks.)

Life has been good.... busy but good. Financially it has been really tough. More than half of my pay goes to my mortgage. I am constantly reminded that I took very little in child support. I certainly could use more to just buy gas or groceries (have you seen the rising costs of that?) but swore I would be a different ex-wife for my kid's sake. I don't want to bury my ex-husband to not be able to make it. It seems in being that way I am burying myself.

That is enough grumbling because life marches on.

If it weren't for Marc I would be in a different place in life. I truly feel I met my soul mate, my missing piece, the man of my dreams. He picks me up in ways every day just by the small things that I can not even tell you all. The way we interact is so easy, so simple and so right.

He is great with my children and my babies adore him. The bad thing is that when the kids spend a long period of time just with their dad they come to me in such a negative mood that it takes hours to pull them forcefully out of that dreary place. Like tonight for instance. Today was the first time Marc went to one of my kids baseball games. I know it upset my ex but to what extent I am not sure. My ex views it that I left him because of Marc. He refuses to see that I was leaving regardless it was just going to take me some time for financial reasons. He refuses to see that his issues and our issues are why we split. So I truly believe that Marc being at the game upset him and that trickled down to my children either by his attitude, his mood or even things he said. It took 2 hours to get my son out of the funk he had come to me in. In the morning at the game my son was in a great mood. In the evening when I got him he was argumentive, moody, non-responsive, full of attitude and so much more. After 2 hours of hugs, kisses, laughing, teasing, joking and then finally saying 'that's enough get out of this funk' he finally relaxed.

Work is going well. The only down side is a staff member I like a lot has put her notice in. She loves working with us but travels far to work every day so the rising gas prices are killing her. So now I am prepping to interview for her replacement. She is a beacon of light at work so finding a replacement will take time.

I must be doing something right because I was top manager out of the three city centers and won a trip to Puerto Rico. There were some meetings to go to but all I went to were fun and easy. I got to take Marc and the weather was great. The only bad thing it was too short. I need a week long vacation one of these times. I will post photos next chance I get.

My life is just 200% better and yes John (and whoever else said it) I am very very very happy. I never realized just how happy I could be until now. Now life is just roses, chocolates and laughter.

May you all know such happiness in your life......

Las Vegas trip pics part 2

2008-04-02T01:21:00.000-04:00

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Las Vegas Trip pics Part 1

2008-04-02T01:19:00.001-04:00

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Busy life, happy woman

2008-04-01T14:25:00.003-04:00

My life is busy. I am working like a dog but loving my life. I can't even put into words what it feels like in comparison for me. This thursday my children are leaving with their dad for a 10 day vacation. I have mixed emotion. Of course the biggest issue for me with them leaving is missing them and worry that I won't be there for them. I know he will take care of them and I even emailed him my concern for my own peace of mind. The flip side is looking forward to having the house stay clean after I clean it up. To not having gum stuck to things, the dog covered in goo, no crumbs thrown about and no drinks knocked over just before leaving for school. I can go to the gym when I want and go out when I want.

It's a mixture of dread and glee and hard for people without kids to understand. (I know my new man doesn't fully get it but he lets me be me so it's all good.)

Well I better get back to work! Take care all!

Trip

2008-04-01T14:24:00.002-04:00

My trip to Vegas with my new man was awesome. I have pics but don't want to post them here unless he agrees so for now just know that it was sooo much fun.

February? Already?

2008-02-08T15:07:00.000-05:00

I am wondering where the time flies. I am still in shock that I am 35 years old.

I am wondering what happened after christmas did I enter a time warp? Holy cow!

Since becoming manager at my place of employment days are whipping by like cars on the audobon.

Update on my life:

Kids = Good. Today is my baby boy's 8th birthday. Again. Where did the time go?

New Man = Totally awesome. His birthday was yesterday and I spoiled him, much to his surprise and delight. Pets = healthy and good and loving my new Man.

Work = busy busy. With my 40+ hours at work, work at home and design work when I am asked what I like to do in my free time I wonder.... 'what is free time?' LOL.

EX = met someone new and has chosen my son's b-day dinner tonight to introduce her to our children.

That last tidbit has my parents in a tizzy. They are pissed off that he put them through hell about his life being over and blah blah blah. He stood in my parents driveway and in front of my parents and children (in August) called me a liar and whore just because I was txting my then client now NEW Man confiding in him my marital issues. My friends all think he met her before (he claims he didn't) and was pushing me out in hopes to make me the bad guy and him the victim. I don't care WHO he has in his life provided #1 they are nice and good to my children, #2 Never confuse their role with mine as their mother. My ex and I have both agreed that they only have ONE mom and dad and shall call no one else by that name. I am guessing he would be the one to break that rule but I could be wrong. I mean he wouldn't let my new guy meet the kids and held me under his thumb until he wanted his gf to meet them. As long as she isn't rebound chick and he won't parade women in and out of their lives I'm fine.

Actually I am ecstatic he met someone. That means he's off my butt with his crap. What I am a bit miffed about is that he picked my son's birthday day and the dinner they will celebrate it at to introduce her. It seems poor timing. Since he always started fights during holidays, birthdays and special occassions I chalk this up to another one of those days and refuse to play into his hand.

So that's me in a nut shell. I can't believe I had 5 minutes to type this. I miss you all very much!

Beautiful flowers

2008-01-31T13:54:00.000-05:00

I love roses. I had rose bushes at the house I can no longer live at. My favorite roses are yellow and second favorite are deep red. I will truly miss the roses this summer.

So last night when I got home from work I was excited because I was going to see M. When I walked out of the garage, into the foyer... there on the bench was a vase full of yellow roses with blood red on the petals tips. 2 dozen roses. Some were laying on the piano displayed deliberately, the rest in a vase. The foyer smelled amazing.

Needless to say I was even more happy. He's so sweet.

related or not?

2008-01-25T16:07:00.000-05:00

Someone from Pittsburgh, PA is reading my blog from time to time. I have a link to a system that tracks where the readers of my blog are from. I'm not sure if it's completely unrelated or if it's my soon-to-be ex or perhaps his new gf reviewing my blog. If it's the last two..... you can go away. cya. bye. later.

If it's unrelated.... welcome.

On the job front

2008-01-24T13:25:00.000-05:00

I like my part-time job. I enjoy the people I work with and the job I do. It isn't a terribly difficult job and I figured out the main system at work within the first 2 weeks. In February I will have been there a year so that is mind boggling for me how fast time flies.

I enjoy my design work and the money is good but it isn't regular like a normal paycheck. I bust my butt for clients and it can take 4 or more months to finish the project. It isn't condusive to paying the regular bills with piece of mind.

My part-time job doesn't pay a ton of money so I was left with a problem. How do I make ends meet?

Well I started putting out resumes. I have interviewed at some architectural firms.

Then last week an odd thing happened. Our new manager, who has been on the job for a few months, got a better offer somewhere else and told me in confidence that fact. He told me that when I went in in the morning and all day I thought, "I wonder if I should inquire about the job." All day I pondered that and even asked M what he thought. I went back to work that night and my manager asked to speak with me. In the office he told me to act surprised when the owner told me of his leaving and that he has recommended me for the manager position. He knew I wanted more full-time hours and that I needed the financial security.

On top of that he told me that I'm the only one in the department that follows through, and also goes out of my way to finish things that are not my responsibility. I was honored and told him that I was interested.

Later the owner pulled me aside and asked me if I was interested. I told him yes. He said he wanted to interview one more person, talk to the co-owner and get back to me. That was last thursday.

Yesterday morning I went in and my manager and the owner pulled me into a conference room and told me the job is mine if I want it. DO I WANT IT? Yes. Abso-freaking-lutely. I would be able to split my schedule so that my kids won't be in day care until summer. I would be making a good regular SALARY (not hourly) AND maybe bonuses. Add to that it's only a 10 minute drive from my home so gas money won't be too high, I don't pay to park and I could still do design work at my disgression.

Hello!? That was a no brainer. I was so excited I almost couldn't contain myself. Now mind you the job will be stressful and I've never been a manager before but I have ideas, I know the staff and I like them all (and as far as I know they like me.)

Only one of my staff knows (my staff.... that is so awesome to type) so tonight I will tell another one. The showroom is mine, hiring, schedules, reviews and the like. Wow. So I know what I could probably get salary wise from my previous managers recommendation (when asked) so hopefully they will agree to it. There will be vacation time, and benefits. I was looking at NO healthcare at all.

I started training this morning and will do more tomorrow morning and a few days next week. But already problems are being handed to me. I hope I do a great job and hope the deparment and showroom do very good under my direction.

Wish me luck!!

On a lighter note

2008-01-22T21:03:00.001-05:00

After the flood gates I got a txt from my new man, M. He told me to relax and that it will all be okay. Can I tell you that his timing was impeccable. His simple words picked me up in a way I can't tell you.

From my previous post please don't think that I regret ending my marriage, I don't. I had to leave and not for any other reason but for me. My kids have benefited it seems by how much better they are doing now.

I have fallen madly in love with M. He is a positive force in my life. In all that was wrong with my ex that is what is right with him. In all that was stressful with my ex, is lighthearted with M. It's odd to say this in light of the ending of my marriage but M is my missing piece. I never thought I would have found a man who suited me so much but I did in him.

So as my day began so down trodden and depressive it ended with a beautiful sunset granted to me by M. Thank you for being my honey bear, M.

An emotional trip

2008-01-22T10:55:00.000-05:00

Okay, I know I'm hormonal so it probably wasn't the best time to go to file for divorce. I had to save up to pay for it and today, while the kids were in school, I drove the 45 minutes to the County court house. As I was driving the heavens opened up and snow began to fall in huge coating flakes.

I was thinking and reflecting on the road that got me to driving to file for divorce. Don't ever believe that just because someone has chosen divorce that they don't feel some regret, some fear and sadness. The leaver feels horrible like the one they left and on top of that I am terrified of making it on my own. So hormonal chick that I was today I parked along the street, clutched my papers after feeding the meter and tromped through the snow in my eskimo coat hoping it won't take long to file the paper work that will end my 12 year marriage, and 14+ relationship with the father of my children.

After finally finding the entrance to the courthouse I emptied my pockets and put all my belongings on the x-ray machine as per the stern guards instructions. He gave me directions to the Prothonotary's office with the same friendly tone. Shaking I got on the elevator to go up, then walked the convoluted hallways to the main courthouse and back down to the first floor.

Then I met the wicked witch of the courthouse in the office that I sought. 'What do you have for us' she asked. I stated I was filing for divorce. After a 'you can't file this way, you need a custody ...blah blah' I showed her we in fact did have a custody agreement. She was quite possibly the most unfriendly person in the world. I mean I don't file for divorce every other day so I am not entirely sure what I was doing.

Lastly she asked for my divorce complaint. Searching through my crinkled folder of carefully crafted paperwork I came up empty. I had to break down and call my soon-to-be ex who is also an attorney to seek out the paper.

By then I was really shaking and totally emotional. I mean who truly wants to be standing in a cold marble covered office with stark white pages of legalize that delineates who gets what from the house and when you get to see your own kids. Not only that you have to pay for it and leave feeling empty.

Needless-to-say, I was missing that one piece of paper. I drove back in a complete snow storm on back roads sliding accomplishing nothing and crying like a baby. Of course that was the perfect time for the song my soon-t0-be ex and I danced to at our wedding came on. Open flood gates.

It has been an emotional morning for me. Sigh.

btw... I will be getting my stuff together and going back tomorrow. Double sigh.

Another good one

2008-01-21T09:11:00.000-05:00

It seems I only post after the weekend. Am I too busy during the week? Maybe... yeah probably.

This passed weekend I spent Friday night with my kids. My son had his first reconciliation. To us Catholics (if you are not one) it's when you confess your since and are forgiven. This must happen before getting your First Holy Communion. It's one of the 7 sacraments in a Catholics life. The church made a much bigger deal out of the Reconciliation then when I was a kid there.

S was there with me and the kids. My niece is my son's age so she is prepping for her communion as well. My older sister wasn't there due to illness of the non-conventional sort but my ex-brother-in-law was there with his fiance(?)

After that the kids and I rented a movie and had a cozy night together.

Another development that I almost hate to write about (so as to avoid jinxing it) is that my new manager is leaving the position and was so impressed with me in the month and a half to 2 months that he recommended me to replace him. I was so excited because I was contemplating inquiring about the position when I learned he was leaving. I'm the only one besides the owners that knows he's leaving thus far. One of the owners did sit with me and talk to me about the position. I hope that my lack of managerial experience doesn't hinder me because I do have some new ideas for how to be more efficient.

He said he would talk to me about the position again which is when I will share an idea or two.

Saturday at work was another wild and busy day. The owner asked me to do a thing here and there which he did I think to test me a bit. If given the opportunity I know I will bust my butt to do well.

After work I realized the other former manager, who is in a new position, walked off with my new tape measure. When she's around things disappear and this was a gift from M so that really set me off. She will find my tape measure or buy me a new one. I harbor sentimentality to animate objects so I would like the one HE bought me back. sigh.

Then M and I went to his best friends house where there was a get-together. We had a great great time together and in his state of inibriation said some of the most amazing and sweetest things to me. I see a long term future with him. It's odd to say that I can see being married to him when I'm not officially even divorced yet. I knew from early on with S that he wasn't my match but at 19 you don't truly know yourself and I felt I would never find another man. Talk about stupid naive thinking and not a good foundation to build a life on. I would say I'd change it if I could go back in time but I got two wonderfully amazing things out of that decision..... my two children.

With M I feel he is the ying to my yang. He balances me. We match. Its almost surreal to say that but I'm saying it. Unfortunately he can't have contact with my children because S has a section in the divorce agreement to make sure we wait 1 year from separation. I just emailed S today to try and change that. It's time that S's control over my life end.

This morning my son woke with a fever and is sitting beside me here. Poor little guy.

A nice weekend

2008-01-14T00:39:00.000-05:00

I have had a nice weekend. It started off after I got off work friday night. M and I went out and it was a fun time. The next day I worked again and after a hard hard day from hell my kids were dropped off at my new place.

We had a wonderful weekend together. They constantly amaze me with their ideas and energy. We made cupcakes on Sunday and went shopping. On the way to evening mass we were almost in an accident while the snow was falling like crazy. Some bozo decided to come into my lane beside me. I swerved into the center lane and was able to pull back into the lane before I would have hit head on into the middle planting area. Thank god we got out of it safe.

And tonight I was able to do some good design work.

I know my writing is lacking it's usual witty luster but it's all I've got right now. LOL Cya.

Country girl in the big city

2008-01-10T11:57:00.000-05:00

I went downtown this morning for an interview with an architectural firm. The idea I have is to keep my part-time evening job and get a daytime job. I'm very very happy with my current employer but the money isn't enough for me so thus the job hunt.

This firm is a long standing firm in the most amazing building downtown.... The photo above is the main tower that actually encompasses a six building system. If you are curious about the city of Pittsburgh and a building there here is a link to it:

http://www.ppgplace.com/

The interview went well and it's anyones guess as to whether I will be offered the position. To put my kids in afternoon daycare it will have to be a very good offer.

The new man

2008-01-09T12:25:00.001-05:00

Last night I accompanied my new man M to an affair he was invited to. It was a lovely evening and I had a great time. Time with him is amazing and not just because it is a new relationship. There is something about how at ease we are with one another. I would get all gushy and detaily here but I think I shall refrain for now.

While pondering our time together while in line to pick up Peanut from Kindergarten I heard a song and it made me think of him and here it is:

I just watched the video and have to say...AHHHHHH CLOWNS! I hate clowns but love the song.

This moment was brought to you by the Peanut

2008-01-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

Driving in the car to pick her brother up at the bus stop by my now former house Peanut and I are chatting about random things.

Then she says to me, "Mommy? Can we get an orange cat that I can name Brownie?"

I start to laugh, "Honey, why not get a brown cat and name it Brownie?"

"Oh yeah. That would be good."

Mom laughing heartily here..... love the Peanut.

Ghost town

2008-01-08T13:00:00.000-05:00

Upon my return I decided I needed to knock on the doors of my old blogger friends and found so many of them have stopped blogging or left blogger.com. I have been removing many from my 'friends' list and it's kind of sad, surprisingly enough.

Even though we are words on a screen to each other I have come to think of many of you as friends. After all I turned to blogger for adult talk when I was feeling captive.

Still I wish all that have moved on, and those who are still around, nothing but the best in their 'real' lives that they so willingly share with us all. You will always be my peeps! :D

Survivor

2008-01-08T12:56:00.000-05:00

The business I work for part-time is contemplating allowing me to work almost-full-time. They have been so amazing working around my kids and allowing me to take them in with me until their dad can pick them up. I feel great loyalty to them because of how they have been with me.

Still I am looking at what other options are out there. If I could land a very high paying design job I don't know if I could pass it up but that would mean daycare for my kids. I know kids all over the country survive it but I'm talking about ME surviving it. LOL. I was around for my son during his kindergarten year to pick him up all year and play with him and have lunch with him. I wanted the same with my daughter.

Survival, however is important too.

It's not easy. I love the little funny things my daughter says like 'ohhh that's gonna leave a mark' or listening to her sing as she often does. I have an opportunity to explore this week but don't wish to jinx anything by talking about it just yet.

Run in and bed early

2008-01-07T21:27:00.000-05:00

Today was a busy day but my god the weather was beautiful. It helped to put me in great spirits but figuring out an answer to a money question put me in a better mood. I also have another plan to make money so who knows if I can fulfill that dream of making a million before I'm 40. LOL.

I was running today and accomplishing a lot. My parents stopped by to deliver a ton of their food. They are leaving tomorrow to drive to Florida to stay with my little sister and her husband. They will be down there until April or May. I know... holy long time. It will be weird to not just be able to drop by on them. My mom was all misty eyed before she left as was I. We will have email at least.

All I have left in town now as far as family is my older sister, who just returned from Germany, and her girls who she has every other weekend.

After that visit I washed my Cali for the first time at my new home and had some wild glitches like... all the boxes I have to get rid of being in the way in the garage. I have been disposing of a portion at a time but it's amazing how many boxes you have when you move.

Then the hose leaked from a ton of places... what a mess.

Alas Cali got clean but it took longer than expected and as usual I was running late. I went to get my son at the bus stop. For the first time ever he was already there before I got there. Usually I make it in time but not today. I ended up driving up to him and he had stopped in front of my old neighbor's driveway partially (S's current neighbor) who I have known for 5 years.

My son was climbing in when a car pulled up behind me. I didn't recognize it but it was that neighbor but since I didn't recognize him I waved him to drive passed. Well he ended up driving up next to me and making an irritated face and pointing at his driveway.

I waved and pulled away.

After I turned around and left and he didn't wave to me I realized the state of affairs in the neighborhood. Not everyone is treating me the same. I suppose I have been villanized by S. I know Halloween he told that particular neighbor and I'm sure it involved many colorful explanations as to what I did as he has told a few others the same tale. I never got a chance to tell my own side because as everyone knows it's his side, my side and somewhere in between is the truth.

So it seems that someone that I thought of as a friend has proven how fleeting people view friendships and I would love to vindicate myself but realize that if it was that easy for him to believe the whole thing about me and turn on me then there isn't much to save.

sigh

It's amazing the toll that is paid in a divorce. Him insisting he keep the house has caused me to leave the home I knew for 5 years and the people I considered friends. I know it was my choice but it has been a hard road. I'm just very lucky that I have had an amazing support group.

Don't ever think that just because one person asks for the divorce that it isn't hard on them too.

Tonight I hope to get to bed earlier as I was up too late last night....night all.

Awake and frustrated

2008-01-07T01:23:00.000-05:00

I sit here at 1:23 am unable to sleep despite being totally exhausted. I have my beautiful kids and love it but as it is with the nights that I sleep alone I can not sleep. When I don't have the kids I spend the night with M and I fall instantly asleep in his arms without a worry.

When I try to sleep on my own I lay awake fretting as only I can do. I sent resumes out the behind tonight. I have a plan for this month but my part-time job and freelance design work is too ify to give me solace that I can bank on. At this point I need the comfort of a definite paycheck.

I have struggled for so long financially it pisses me off. In 1995 when I graduated from college I was unable to find a design job. I had to settle for any job I could find. During that time S and I were planning a wedding. After the wedding and the bills from that and S's debt he accumulated that I assumed came law school for S. The three years he attended law school I worked and paid the bills on whatever pitance I made.

I worried and struggled then. I paid all the bills and budgeted. We did without and I stressed over it. I would lay awake worrying. After S graduated from law school of course I find out we are pregnant. He had no job yet and I was still the bread winner. When he didn't pass the bar that first time and was a wreck I had to emotionally pick him up despite being 8 months pregnant and scared to death myself.

S did pass and found work. But now I had a beautiful son I didn't want to leave to go to work. S was making decent enough money we figured I could go part-time. I was able to get the firm I was working for allow me to. We couldn't afford childcare so my mom watched our boy. She got ill and left us with no options, to no fault of her own.

Eventually the altered schedule that worked for me didn't work for that firm any more and they 'phased out my position'. Still I was the person who paid out the bills. S always said I was better at it then him. I laid awake stressing as debt mounted.

For the 12 years we were married I begged him for help in budgeting and figuring out the best way out of our situation. Sometimes I would be crying while begging. That would get his attention so he would sit with me in front of the tv as I paid the bills with no real discussion of a better budget and that would last one night. I think 2-3 times a year he would do that the rest of the time I was on my own.

I left S for many more reasons than that but that is one of them. Now S still has our house and half our things. He kept the newer bigger TV while i took our 25" that I paid for before we married however he went out and bought himself a new 40 something inch tv that my son says is huge along with a surround sound system. Do I sound bitter? Yes I am. Why? Because since I was so deeply aware of the financial situation he was in and he took 95% of the debt I stupidly agreed to taking so very little in child support and no alimony. The amount is so tiny that when people hear it their mouths drop open.

Was it the guilt that drove me? Yes. But my friends, sometimes my family and M constantly remind me that I can not even feed my kids on that amount. So this is the first real month on my own and I see the hard road ahead and so here I sit awake despite being exhausted. I'm frustrated that I took so little for myself and that my job doesn't pay a larger amount. Freelance is dependent on your clients paying and accounts receivable sucks butt. So I am seeking a full-time position somewhere praying, hoping and worst of all worrying.

If M was here I would be fast asleep... calm and figuring I would worry about it in the morning. But he isn't and i'm left to my own demons.

I know M... I know I should have gotten at least the MINIMUM child support. I know. Please don't remind me again. :(

All settled in

2007-12-16T23:30:00.000-05:00

After living with my parents for a month and a half I am now in my own place, a townhouse, and settled in. The Christmas tree is up, the kids rooms are mostly painted. I'm busy with design clients and running back and forth to get the kids.

While I know the kids would love nothing more than for their dad and I to be back together, they are dealing with the change far better than I anticipated. They got to choose their room color and their beds. My son picked a loft bed and my daughter picked a bunk bed. I tried to have them take ownership of their room to help make the transition better.

My son was accepted into the Gifted Program at school because he tested in the top percentiles in so many areas. While his behavior issues are not 100% resolved I must say that he is doing far better and I hope to see even better now that I think he will no longer be so bored.

Peanut is doing as I expected her to do in Kindergarten. She is the social butterfly who easily makes friends and is invited to more birthday parties than I can count but who isn't all too worried about the academics of school. She is very smart but doesn't realize it all the time and freezes up when quized or tested. I figure it will take some time to help her work through that and once she does she will take off.

Their dad and I are not officially divorced as I need to save up the money to file. I saved every penny I made for closing costs for this townhouse. Even though I had help with the seller's assist for closing but still I needed a bunch of money. Now I am just stressing as I am facing a mortgage payment alone but can't dwell on it, I must get the work done in my business and collect the money.

Also around 2 weeks ago, during a snow spell here their dad was hit head on in his new (just under 1 year old by only a week) Jetta he had called Wolfie. I believe I had pics on here when he got it. It was a total loss, he walked away from the car and stated he felt like the commercial for the VW Jetta. He is in physical therapy for his back and wrist and has a new car already (another VW Jetta.) That's about all I know.

As for me, I am involved with a new man. He is a former client who is, when looking at the issues I felt I had with my ex, the polar opposite from my children's dad. This guy (lets call him M) is laid back and positive in his outlook. He is an incredible cook and has made me many surprise meals from scratch, the most recent one was Fettucine Alfredo Carbenara. His sauce was incredible. He's funny, quirky and just makes me feel okay to be me. He is bald and while I never thought I'd love that I do. While I could go on and on here I think some things are better left close to the vest so just know that I am the most calm I have ever been and feeling pretty good.

I know living on my own and paying for things myself will not be easy but I know I can do it and will just have no choice but to do so.

For now my Christmas tree is up, I am starting to bake (much to my kids' delight) and I'm kept very very busy.

I hope you are all doing well this wonderful holiday season. May you and yours have a fantastic one!

Missing my peeps

2007-11-09T20:44:00.000-05:00

What can I say, I miss all my peeps on blogspot and I'm sure I have a ton of catching up to do. I will read galore on evenings when I'm in my new home (that is if I'm not busting hump doing work to pay the bills. LOL)

What has happened since I last reported? A lot and nothing if that makes sense. My soon-to-be ex fllipped out on me on Halloween because I washed my car off at HIS house. My parent's neighbor was burning stuff and ash covered Cali. I couldn't wash it at my parents house due to constant ash and never thought it would be a deal to rinse Cali off. Boy was I wrong.

I'm apparently a disrespectful thief on top of the lieing cheating whore he has called me. Later, when discussing my move and previously arranged plans to have my parents watch my kids as I moved since he was supposed to supervise his home as I moved and we didn't want the kids to witness it, he flipped out again. I guess since it's his day on the custody and (unbeknownst to me) did NOT plan to supervise now that he was angry that I CHANGED plans on him again and was taking the kids from him on HIS day. I tried to calmly talk over him as he screamed at me over the phone what a liar I was and how I was a 'lieing good for nothing piece of shit' before I hung up.

It is moments like that that remind me of why I am leaving. His temper, his negative outlook, his controlling nature, his harmful hateful words and more. He still doesn't see why I have left. I just wish I could afford to file for the divorce but I am closing on a new home and need every penny for closing. I probably shouldn't even have went to get my eye's checked today but it has been over 2-1/2 years. I'm glad I went because now I need to have my eye pressure checked with an Opthamologist. I'm only 34 and too young to hear the words 'Glaucoma'. I'm just hoping it's the stress that has affected it but i don't want to mess around.

I'm still at my parents house (and can't get on line often enough) and the teachers at my children's school are still on strike until Nov. 15th (one whole month). I look forward to my own place and school again. A routine, a place a ritual.

My biggest fear is not being able to pay the bills. My design work isn't a guaranteed paycheck so I'm scared to say the least. I plan to send out marketing things but also will prep a resume to architectural firms as a back up plan. I will survive and perservere some how. I'm not a shrinking violet and there is one thing this whole experience has taught me: I am stronger than I ever thought possible.

I hope you are all well and miss you. I can not wait to peek into your blogworld soon. Just know you are all in my thoughts!! I'm outy like a belly button.

I'm alive and okay

2007-10-16T23:21:00.000-04:00

Last saturday I moved out of the house I helped build to my parents 4 minutes away. The custody schedule begins and I purchased a townhouse that I close on in mid November. To say a lot is happening is a mild understatement. The paperwork for my divorce is almost final, I need the notary stamps with my signatures.

To top it all of my children's school is on strike so that is why I have been absent. Busy busy busy. And now that I have to pay my own bills I am focused on my children and on my clients so that I can pay for the roof over my head.

I am sitting in my parent's house, my kids asleep in the other room and I'm updating you all. So I am alive and doing okay. My belongings are still at the house and will move out mid november. I will keep on updating you as best I can. I'm sorry I'm not available more but.... well.... you know.

They are my heart

2007-09-28T08:47:00.000-04:00

My two children are my heart, two large parts of my heart. Never did I think I could love so deeply two little souls but I feel so blessed to have been given them. If I didn't have my babies I would have probably left my marriage much much sooner. I stayed the last 2 years for them and tried for them. I know my husband says I could still stay and he still wants to make it work but for many many reasons I can not find it within myself to endure any more trying and any more failures as well as any more pain. I wish for my children's sake that I could because I love the more than words could ever describe, but that will never change.

I started this blog as a means to connect with people as I was isolated. I also started this blog as a means to try to focus on the positives in my life so that it could perhaps help me to stay. My children were a primary focus of that positive because that is what they are to me, my stars, my sun, my positives.

They are my heart.

The hardest thing

2007-09-28T08:40:00.000-04:00

It was the hardest thing watching the slow deterioration of my marriage.

It was the hardest thing to suggest therapy for 2 years to be ignored.

It was the hardest thing to be called names.

It was the hardest thing to be lifted up with one hand by him but smacked down (not literally) by another and have him not even realize he was doing it.

It was the hardest thing to start working so that I could move on with my life.

It was the hardest thing when he found out I had confided in another man about our marital troubles.

It was the hardest thing to have my kids dragged through our muck.

It was the hardest thing to admit that I do not love him any more.

It was the hardest thing to tell my kids we are divorcing even if it's what I want.

It is the hardest thing to face the vast unknown alone.

It is the hardest thing to remain in this house despite my decision.

It is the hardest thing to realize just how little money I make.

It is the hardest thing to watch 14 years together (11 married) become just a memory.

It is the hardest thing to know that you don't want to hurt any more but by changing that you hurt so many around you.

It is the hardest thing to look at the house I helped build become soon no longer my house.

It is the hardest thing to plan to move back in with my parents.

It is the hardest thing to have my mental status questioned by anyone.

It is the hardest thing to see the pain in my childrens eyes and know I helped put it there.

It is the hardest thing EVER to know that some nights I won't get to tuck them in and kiss their little heads before I sleep. I always swore I would always do that.

First Day of School

2007-09-01T15:54:00.000-04:00

Last Tuesday was the first day of school for my babies. My peanut is now in kindergarten and it hurt to watch her drive away on that big yellow bus. I know she is a big girl and I know it has to happen but it still hurt darn it. It also hurt to see my son go off to 2nd grade. Where have the years gone I ask you? I remember when he was a baby and it seems like yesterday.

Well I'm proud of my little ones and how excited and great they were that day. I'm proud of how much they learn and how fast they do it. I'm proud of their happy and polite personalities and I love them more than anything I could ever describe. They are two pieces of my heart and I adore them.

So here are pictures from that day.

WHAT??!!

2007-08-27T08:39:00.000-04:00

I get a ton of spam, my email filters suck butt. So I got this email this morning that I felt I HAD to share.

"Hi Chaisson
Just imagine huge d*ck in ur pants! Its real! :-)"

First off... .who is Chaisson? Second off... I tried to imagine it and in one way I can and in another way I can not. LMAO. Holy spam batman!!

Reflections, novel and problems

2007-08-27T07:42:00.000-04:00

I started this blog to focus on the good things in my life. I wrote mostly about my kids or things of that nature, if you'll notice. That is where my happiness lies unabated. I'm usually a happy happy uplifting person with a sunshine viewpoint. I'm not just trying to make myself look good, it's what I've been told. My mom has always told me that I lighten a room when I enter it and so I have adopted the motto that I want to be the sunshine and not the rain.

Somewhere along the line my marriage has become the rain and my viewpoint on it is dark and dreary. My husband doesn't view it the same and I promised not to write in detail the issues we face. I do know his intended outcome from all that is happening is different than mine and mine is not sunshine and roses. I've been optomistic for a long time and have great difficulty being so any longer.

Through certain channels I have been asked to read a novel about divorce and its legacy. I call it my huge guilt trip. Let me say this loud and clear I LOVE MY CHILDREN with all my heart. I have wrestled with my feelings of this marriage for over a year and never EVER want to hurt my kids. But I very well may hurt them in the most horrible way possible.... yes the D word.

I am going through a horrible internal struggle right now I know what I wish could happen but is too late to have it be so and I know where I am leaning which won't be pretty. The end of March is when I felt I let go of things here with my husband and so that is where I am.

Thank you to all my blogging friends and their support. Thank you to Terry for the props for the nice blog. I will post about that and recommend someone else in turn. I already have someone in mind. It's nice to know that even though we have never met that I have blogging friends like you all. Blog ya later chickies.

What up?

2007-08-22T13:41:00.000-04:00

Well I have been away and for good reason. Without going into details too gruesome to share let me say that my family situation is in serious turmoil. I have started this blog to focus on the positive here in my home in the hopes of finding my way but I have been unable to.

A lot of changes may be in store here and I will blog about what I can when I can. Just know that I am feverishly searching for my answers. I miss all you bloggers!

Back and busy

2007-08-08T15:25:00.000-04:00

Hey all. Mike's comment reminded me of my slacker status on blogging. Holy slacker batman! We got back late late last tuesday after sitting in the plane for 2 hours with a mechanical problem in Atlanta. For someone afraid to fly it was daunting.

I worked that following evening PLUS all my clients have been chomping at the bit so color me busy.

I have fabulous photos of the beach and sunset and palm trees. Ahh the palm trees. I do have plans to do a 'vacation' post but alas have been far more busy than I like. Last night was the first night I went to bed at 11pm. The rest was 2 am -4am. sigh.

So I'm around and running like a mini energizer bunny but miss all my blogging buddies. Seriously. I do.

And Mike, you should be jelly belly.... the island was spectacular. ;)

Still on vacation

2007-07-27T16:39:00.000-04:00

Here we are on vacation. We arrived in Tampa at my little sis's place late on the 20th and left there on the 22nd to drive down the gulf coast. The temperaturs are in the 90's here and we are on an island only accessible by ferry and everyone has golf carts to drive. With white sandy beaches and a community pool we are getting tan. I didn't know I could even still get tan since I was two shades of transluscent.

But we are here until monday when we drive up the coast to see Hubby's aunt and uncle for a few hours then back up to Tampa. We fly back on Tuesday and I know I will be anxious to see my puppy... LOL. But not to get back to work. hee hee... Talk to you all later!!!

The sunshine state

2007-07-19T23:57:00.000-04:00

We are heading off to Florida tomorrow. A few days with little sister and brother-in-law at their new house and then a drive down the gulf coast to a townhouse on an island. I have busted my rump for so long with design stuff that I need a rum and coke and a nap on the beach. Yep, that's what I need.

I might blog from the trip but I won't be back until August 1st. I know. Our first long vacation. I hope we don't smack each other around. LOL Later gators!

Fistses of Five year old furry.

2007-07-15T11:02:00.000-04:00

Peanut put on the Hulk Hands and my goodness was it funny. I was laughing at the whole picture. Then she turned to her daddy and said, "I'm going to destroy you." We laughed hysterically. She went swinging at her daddy with the hulk noises erupting from the fists of five year old furry hitting her daddy. Funny little grunts emmited from her and even a growl or two. His hands were up protecting his face when she punched him THERE... guys, you know where.

He crumpled and she laughed. Turning to her brother she said, "(insert my son's name here) I punched daddy in the pee pee and that was funny."

Daddy didn't think so but the fight continued. He was covering his area better when she punched him in the face. Then she said, "My fistes are strong!" in a grunty voice that we call her REDRUM voice.

But of course, peanut.

2007-07-11T14:09:00.000-04:00

My peanut was talking to me this afternoon about her stuffed dog. She said it was a wolf, it was a female wolf to be exact. I chuckled.

"Oh yeah? A female wolf?"

"Yeah mommy. Her name is Mrs. Wolfy."

"Wow, that's nice honey."

"And she has a sister. Her name is Mrs. Wolfy."

I tilt my head to the side and look at her with amusement.

"They have the same name?"

She gives me that slight eye roll (they pick that up quickly LOL) and then says, "yes mommy, they ARE twins."

But of course peanut.

Some tea please

2007-07-11T14:06:00.000-04:00

I love iced tea. I have been drinking it since I was a child but it has to be sweetened. I make my own by boiling so no I'm not a sun tea type but I love tea. So when McDonalds finally started having sweet tea I was excited. Yesterday I took my kiddies to McDonalds as a treat for being good on all my errands to the bank, the pharmacy and to a tile store where I got tile for a client AND bumped into an old coworker and friend. We chatted happily for a bit, my that is fun.

So I get the sweetened tea because I try to drink little pop... empty calories is all it is. I get the tea and sit down.

DEAR LORD!!! Is there any tea in there at all? All I tasted was sugar! "Excuse me miss... I'd like some tea with my sugar please."

I added water and that helped but my god, who can tolerate it like that!?

Alive and kicking...

2007-07-05T13:29:00.000-04:00

Tuesday we went to a Pirate game and last night we went to the community park for food and fireworks. I will be downloading pictures in a little bit to share. I'm a sharer. lol

Happy 4th

2007-07-04T11:05:00.001-04:00

Happy Fourth everyone!!

Here I am... once again...

2007-06-30T17:53:00.000-04:00

Rick pointed out my lack of blogging. *sigh* You're right. I have been down right absent from both posting and commenting. The summer weather keeps me running but mostly it has been my job(s).

One particular design client requires more hand holding than I can even begin to explain. I won't even try to because it could sound like whining and very unprofessional. Lets just say when her project is done, I will be doing an Irish jig and I'm not irish. LOL.

Friday I had some recessed lights installed in my kitchen as well as a island light bar. I have befriended an electrician and we are handing out each other's business cards. He does great work and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I know I'll hand out his business card to every one of my clients and hope to help his business. I will post pictures later. My parents are coming over this evening to see how they turned out.

I'm in the midst of trying to plan for something for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary in August so that is just one other thing. They never had a honeymoon and I love them dearly so that's why I'm planning something. I hope they aren't reading my blog right now. LOL. But my older sister might be leaving in August for Germany with her boyfriend for a few months so I'm not sure if my plans will fall through or not. I plan to email her but I know she's melting down right now so that should be fun.

My husband accidentally kicked my knee cap tonight in the pool and so now it's hurting. I played 9 years of softball and quit due to seriously dislocating it. I had surgery when I was 19 but it has been good. I just hope it will remain that way.

Tomorrow the famdamily will be driving to Erie, PA. Hubby's sister will be up there with her husband and two little boys from Atlanta so we plan to go to the Erie Zoo and an amusement park. So that is what has been going on here. :D

I will catch up on all my bloggy pals. I hope you are all doing well. huggles.

Sunday

2007-06-24T18:25:00.000-04:00

It's usually cleaning day but all we had was a few hours to do it all. Hubby had two brothers, one of their girlfriends and hubby's good friend come by for a visit. I threw together a feast with what I had on hand which was pretty impressive. They stayed until early afternoon (so it was L-inner that we ate)

Now I am sleepy. Too bad I hate naps.

Saturday!!!

2007-06-24T18:22:00.000-04:00

I worked a long day, ran peanut to a party after scooping up a last minute gift for a last minute invite. Ran back and forth between my son's last baseball game and then to my parents. At my parents was my little sister and her hubby visiting. I haven't seen them in 6 months and it was awesome to have them back. We had dinner (ribs and corn on the cob...yum) and dessert (oddly enough my mom pulled out my sister's wedding cake top from Sept. is that bad luck? I didn't have any btw.)

A friendly polish/german game of horseshoes commensed. My son thought it was da-bomb. Little sis brought her tiny tiny dog Winka. I had Amber my cocker who wasn't amused by the nipping puppy. They saw my new car and test drove it. We had a bonfire with hotdogs, smores and fireworks. Pictures to follow.

Friday night

2007-06-24T18:14:00.000-04:00

Friday night we went out to a club downtown owned by a radio disc jockey. It's near the ball fields and we slipped in before the cover charge was applied. Hubby and I ordered a free drink and some sandwiches. I got a turkey club, supposedly a favorite at this club. We got our meals, talked with the roar of the crowd growing. I shared some thoughts that the kids being around have prohibited me from doing so. I ate some of my sandwich and then I thought...hmmm something's missing.

I called the bartender over and sure enough... my turkey club was missing.... .the turkey.!!!! I know. I got a new sandwich and a second rum and coke on the house. Hubby's brother and girlfriend were driving in from S. Carolina for the Jimmy Buffet concert (which we were supposed to go to but for my son's last baseball game.) They joined us at the club along with two other people. After getting a bit tipsy a girl ordered a drink beside me. I'm a chatty lady and before long we were talking like we knew each other for years. It was only after an hour that I realized (due to something she slipped out) that she might be trying to pick me up. I think she was bi. It was flattering because she had a very pretty face, a bit fuller figured than me but cute. I let the comment slide and a few minutes later a guy approached us and asked us to join him and his buddy in a drinking game upstairs.

His pitch was a good one. We wouldn't have to pay... we wouldn't even have to drink much (yeah right...lol) that he and his buddy would do it all but the teams had to be coed.

Hubby told me earlier that the guy and his buddy were checking my new friend and I out.

Well, I stated I had to check with my husband and giggled. Obviously hubby didn't let me drink and hang out with some guy at the bar. He got pretty upset. Later we went to the 3rd floor and there was my new female friend and the two guys. I was greeted with 'HEYYYY!! There you are.' I giggled. The guys looked at me smiling and then saw hubby. The guy who approached us and shook hubby's hand 'sorry, man. I meant no disrespect.'

'no problem,' hubby said and we went about our night.

It's still awesome for someone to try and pick me up, is the moral of the story here folks. LOL.

Who's ya daddy?

2007-06-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

To: hubby

From: Your kiddies

Happy Father's Day.

Hubby and kids in Atlanta April 2006

Ignore the flushed woman on his arm... he's the daddy.

The man on the left.

Your kids love you.

Recooperating

2007-06-17T16:43:00.000-04:00

This week has been a tough one for my family with me all sick and stuck on the sofa. Yesterday I felt decent enough to see my son's baseball game and I pushed myself further by going to work for about 4-1/2 hours. I'm glad I did because one guy I had been corresponding with about plumbing items came in. You see he wasn't getting answers from anyone else and was excited that I knew what I was talking about. We had planned to handle the order via fax but he decided to just drive the 5 hours to the center. I know! What if I had called in sick!? This poor guy would have been looking for me and no one would have been able to help him. They would have tried, I know them but I was familiar with what he needed.

Despite my dragging butt I managed to assiste people with flooring questions, along the way a few accidental free design insights slipped off my tongue. They were so pleased and excited. I just love when someone says with a smile 'and what was your name? You have been fantastic, thank you for all of your help.' I had one guy the other day ask for my name and then asked if they send around a comment card thing to say how they were helped. I told him no. He said that is too bad, apparently he thought I helped him quite well. LOL

So between that and how excited CW-Jessie was to see me it made going in worth while (on top of the pay...lol)

But from there I had ground to make up. Sick the week before father's day... eeek! So I was from store to store with exactly what I wanted to get him. It only took two stores and I had it in hand, some Penn State stuff. He wanted a sport chair of his alma mater and I (the kids that is) got him a few other Penn State things. Then a gift card to an electronics store and wahlah. Instant gift.

He was happy, I was happy the kids didn't have to go out with me when I felt like poo and the kids were excited to see just what they got their daddy....lol.

sigh

2007-06-14T14:49:00.001-04:00

Sick.

Fever.

Doctors

Laying down now.

*sigh*

Flies like a bird

2007-06-13T10:25:00.000-04:00

Time flies, doesn't it? It never seemed that way as a child but now as an adult it does. I think that time is relative, and by that time is different for an adult than it is for kids. I don't remember blinking and it go from Christmas to Summer so quickly as a child. I don't remember sitting down to do something and 4 hours go by like nothing before. And yet when vacation approaches it crawls for us adults. Crawls but is full of a million + 1 things to do.

To a child a few hours is like days. Take for instance today. I arranged yesterday to have a play date for my kids here at my home this afternoon. There are a brother and a sister both my kids ages (older brother younger sister and in the same grades in school as mine even!!) who live down the street. Their mom works part time and so I know that I have to schedule play dates. I tried to set one up for yesterday but that didn't work out. I don't work again tonight so I was able to get a play date scheduled for today. I know. My daughter woke up 2 hours earlier today than any other day the last week and a half with excitement.

The questions begin... "When will they be here?" and two minutes later the same question, over and over again. Then after I finally say..."Peanut, it's going to be after lunch now stop asking me." She breaks down and cries. Through tears she says, "But mommy! That will take forever!"

Yeah...3 hours is forever. To me it's a blink of an eye. *sigh*

Peanuts Grand Plan

2007-06-09T19:53:00.000-04:00

We are preparing for a bonfire tonight and I have been doing dishes. Peanut came down with hubby in long pants and a long sleeve shirt. The evening promises to be cool so that's why the long clothes.

Her pants wouldn't snap (incidentally both of my kids grew over a 1/2 inch in two months!!! I know!!) So I tell her to change her pants and she said NO! I then tell her that she has grown out of the pants. Then she tells me her grand plan.

"Mommy, I'm going to have a sale. I'm going to have lots of people there. I'm going to sell lots of things to make a lot of money."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's my plan. Cause I'm smart."

I laughed. That was her answer to her pants not fitting her. Later she was telling her daddy about her plan. Again I laughed. Then *snap!* she got them to snap.

"I did it!!! Welp. I guess I don't have to have a sale after all."

hee hee... off to roast marshmallows and hot dogs on an open fire. Blog ya later.

Bringing up the rear...

2007-06-08T20:10:00.000-04:00

Phew... pant pant pant... Here I am running into the blog world.... What did I miss? Did miss I alot? Holy cow! I did...!!! I'll catch up buddies, I swear!

Life has been a busy and I have been adjusting things with the kids home all day now and the pool open.

I had a new trip to the SPA today. I had a tad more done but still not enough so I might try another spa next time. I like the woman who worked with/on me but this other one offers more of what I want. It's farther away so we shall see.

I'd tell you all about my design clients and how my manager at the center went on vacation leaving some things for me to handle on my day off at home but that would bore you.

What I will tell you is that my son is a little gentlman lately, holding the door open for me and saying 'after you'. His allergies are easing up and he's a happier boy. It helps that he can sleep in now that school is out. But it's the first week off and they are already chomping at the bit to have play dates with friends. He's even looking for school-like things to do. LOL. I bought them eraser boards each that has practice printing and other things on it today. They were in heaven. :D

My peanut is still amusing to me and everyone else. She is starting a bad habit of wanting to use the lawn as a piddle room when in the pool. Right now I'm just glad she isn't piddling in the pool.

Right now we are watching Chicken Run before getting them in bed. I hope to catch up with my peeps later. I've missed ya'll.

Update on my son..

2007-06-01T13:26:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for your support. It has been an up and down thing since kindergarten for my son (I know, just two years but it seems like an eternity.)

I had some advice from a friend who suggested I arrange to get my son to his last day of school, a half of a day, and accompany him. I phoned the principal and explained what I wanted to do. I wanted my son to attend the last day of school with me so he could partake in the festivities, see his friends one last time, end on a good note and most importantly apologize to the kids in question for his actions so he could take ownership of what he did wrong. He needed to stand up and face the music.

Now while my husband doesn't think my son has aspergers (sic) and I might not think he meets the severe form of it I don't think I should just sweep it under the rug. The best thing I can do for my son is have someone meet with him and do a complete evaluation because I would love to avoid this problem year after year if they can direct him properly. I don't want him labeled and he is just like a normal 7 year old boy, in the end if he doesn't have it I can show the school... "see, he doesn't have it... now what?"

He is a pleaser. He loves to make people happy, laugh and smile. He loves to hug and was crying yesterday because he said no one says yes to hugs. I had instructed him to not hug someone without their permission. (These days lawsuits can happen in elementary school, grrrr.) He has a huge heart, a huge vocabulary and a passion for life. All I want is the best for him and I plan to help him in any way I can. He's a part of my heart and because of that I'd go to the ends of the earth for him.

Thanks again everyone! I will keep you updated.

Schools out.... (hair turning grey as we speak!! LOL)

Lowest of lows (I know it could be worst but it fit)

2007-05-31T13:26:00.000-04:00

I'm working away, the sun is shining outside on a beautiful day. I'm trying to get as much done to get peanut in the pool. I make a few phone calls, get a fax.... do some drafting. OHhhh I feel productive. Heck, I even had the dishwasher and washer going. Woo hooo...

Then at noon I get a phone call.

Dum

Dum

Dum.....

It was my son's school. My stomach dropped. Today is his last full day and tomorrow they have a half of a day. The staff I met with yesterday stated that he does well with structure so the unstructured end of they year has messed with him. *sigh*

So this phone call was from the front office stating that I need to get in and talk to the principal. That there was an incident with my monkey and she can't explain the particulars, that I'd have to come in.

My head is imagining it all. I'm grabbing shoes and peanut and we are off. The short 5 minute drive to the school is pure torture, agony. Hubby isn't reachable by ANY phone and I don't know what I'm walking into.

I walk in and my son is in the front office, a ton of stuff in his arms and his backpack on his back. This doesn't look good. I try to get out of him what happened and only got a little before walking into the principal's office.

Now I was NEVER sent to the principal's office as a child. Call me a goodie goodie if you want but I was never sent. I even hated when, in high school, I'd forget to sign into social study hall because that would earn me detention. It was the only reason I ever got in trouble in the 13 years in the school district.

So I'm walking into the principal's office for my son, after a day of glowing reports and complimentary behavior. I'm sick, I'm terrified.

My son pinched another child for no reason and then crawled under the table and hugged another child's legs. For that he was being sent home and I was told that they thought it best if he didn't go in the half of a day either. My son was kicked out of school at age 7. The principal felt that given my son's need for structure that it would be best if he didn't come back the rest of the year.

And then the term Asperger syndrome was thrown out there given his need for structure and problem today. So we took the walk of shame with all of his stuff but I have to go back tomorrow to get the rest. I cried the whole way home because I was embarassed and upset and unable to get ahold of hubby. After exploring what Asperger sydrome is and the key points I know my son doesn't match up with anything but a few things and that's not enough for him to have it.

Still... I feel quite deflated.

Highest of highs...

2007-05-31T13:20:00.000-04:00

Peanut had a birthday party yesterday. We walked in and heard 'oh there she is! The girls have been asking where you were.' So it seems my daughter has found a way to make good friends.

It was a wonderful feeling yesterday.

Another wonderful feeling yesterday was loathing going into my son's school to discuss his behavior, fearing the worst.

What I got was a high ride of 'he's very bright' that he tests extremely high and they want to recommend him for the Gifted program. I was so excited, so proud and so happy that I almost cried tears of joy.

Despite having to work last night and having a morning appointment on the other side of town, and generally speaking a day that was run run run.... it was a good day.

BTW

2007-05-27T23:25:00.000-04:00

Happy Memorial Day!!

Holiday Weekend masochist/curse

2007-05-27T21:42:00.000-04:00

I have been very clumsy the last few days so the day of the bumbles has taken a turn for the worse. My holiday weekend doesn't involve my job or design work but it has involved work, such as most peoples Memorial days.

Our huge task was opening our pool. This is only our second year opening it and last year was a dream. It was clear, clean and just needed chemed up and cleaned.

This past fall we took extra precausions in closing it thinking we were smart. What we didn't count on was the fact that our winter cover we received in our pool package to be... um flimsy. Apparently many holes got in it and that meant a ton of dirt, leaves and yes... many other gross things. That and algae. *sigh* That means more chemicals, more scrubbing and we have to flush the filter after only a few days when normally it would be over a month before we'd have to do that.

Saturday when we put the hoses together for the filter hubby had me help jam them on. This morning I could barely move my hand, it was killing me! *sigh* So the day ahead of us with just my son's baseball game at 6pm we proceeded to finish the pool opening now that the water level was up. Hubby began to work on readying the filter and get me the DE that I needed to measure. I'm not a chemist but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once. hee hee... so I measure out the 4#'s of earth into the filter as it is turned on while hubby realizes the solar heater hoses are leaking. Minor frustrations there. The trees are letting loose tiny white flowers causing us to skim the pool 6 times today. yeah.. fun.

So hubby does something while I start to vacuum the bottom of our now skumy pool....ewwww I'm so upset. I suggest he run out to get the special chemicals for it. We added the shock, the chlorine, the stabilizer and the PH up but we needed something for the skuz. So he agrees and even takes the kids with him. After stating that I should stop if my sore hand hurts to bad he is off. I'm in my bikini and the sun is shining, such a beautiful day. Hubby even left me with a radio playing. Woo hoo.

My Sicilian neighbor had his brick layer over bricking another structure to add to his pizza oven that smoke fills my house. Hello guys.

So I clean clean clean. I'm finally getting sore and only halfway done. That's when I hear the filter running funny. It sounds higher pitched and not right. So I look at it. The pressure is too high. If I don't do something it could ruin the filter. So I could bump it, which is me just turning the filter off, pumping a handle three times and turning it back on. But I notice that the inner chamber that has a basket is full of leaves and junk. So I decide to open it and THEN bump it. It opens counter clockwise and I forgot that it has a shut off valve to keep the water from gushing out. My right hand is so sore but I feel I can open it, grab the basket and close it again. I brace myself onto the lid, squating. I then yank. It gives only too fast and my left hand has it's pinky finger and ring finger smashed between the lid and the valve. I have to turn it the other way to free my fingers which are now slashed and bleeding plus my ring finger is swelling rapidly and turning black. I, luckily took my rings off before this, have the ability to grab the basket and I close the lid before I stumble to the house in emense pain. I make it into the house, light headed and find an ice pack. I ended up on the floor in the family room and that's where my family found me, nearly passing out.

My kids were terrified and calling for hubby because I must have looked so pale. Hubby came up and asked 'what did you do?' After learning of what I did and that I was seemingly okay he headed outside. It took me another hour before the worst of the pain subsided and I could function.

Then we go to my son's baseball game and there I roll my ankle in my thick flip flops and it slices between my toes. Ouch. In the 3rd inning I hobble to the other side of the fence to suggest to hubby that my son stand farther back in the batters box when foul ball nearly hit my head.

Hubby looks at me quizically and says, 'what is with you lately? Did you piss someone off and they cursed you?' I sigh and hobble away.

My bumbles have turned into bandages.

Bumbling

2007-05-24T11:14:00.000-04:00

I am having a bumbling idiot day here. First I wake up late, then I rush rush rush to get ready for an appointment. Peanut gets ready and we are off. I have only a half of a poptart in my tummy and peanut has an hour and a half before having to be at her preschool for her graduation practice / pizza party. She's psyched.

I get to work where my appointment is to be held. I wonder why she isn't there since I was tardy. Looking into my big bag of tricks at my calendar I see that I looked at Friday. *sigh* Bumbles. I don't want to waste my trip so I prep a quote and fax it through for a client and Peanut and I are on our way.

We get home where I have a better breakfast and she draws. I decide to clean up and put the screen in my kitchen window. In doing so I had to move all my plants including a prickly cactus. I cleaned the window while perched on the countertop. Then I put the screen in and put the plants back up. 2 seconds later one of the plants fell spilling dirt everywhere. *sigh* Bumbles.

We then head back the way toward her preschool (which is past my work.) I get her signed in and kiss her goodbye. Holding back my tears of joy and sadness of this being her graduation day. I know folks, she's ONLY in preschool but in my minds eye she was just a tiny baby a few weeks ago and now preschool is over. Slow this crazy ride down!!

Then I came back home and did....

nothing. Bumbles.

Top Down log

2007-05-24T11:12:00.000-04:00

Yesterday and today Cali had her top down. Ahhh such gorgeous weather.

A hodge-podge catch up...

2007-05-23T15:53:00.000-04:00

I have been away. Did you notice? If you did I feel special, thank you. LOL But I don't expect you to be missing me THAT much. :D

I have been bombarded by new clients and completing projects. Spring has sprung and school is coming to an end. My son is getting spring fever and being a bit of a handful. My daughter had her last day of preschool today *sniffle*. Tomorrow she graduates (tomorrow evening to be precise.) In an effort to have my daughter see these kids one last time because they will split up between at least 4 schools, one private and the other three as zoned in our district I hand out my business cards with my home number on it and tell the mom's I would like to have a small pool party in July for the kids. After I did this I thought, 'OMG, what have I done?' LOL. We'll see how big this gets.

This graduation is particularly sad for me because my son went for two years at this preschool and then my daughter so it's a chapter in my life that is closing and that means my kids are growing too fast for my liking. (can you see a tear in my eye? yes... there is one.)

I'm proud of them both and all that they have learned this year. My son began to learn how to read more words at the beginning of the year and at the end read a 300+ page Harry Potter book in 10 days so color me the proud mama.

My daughter learned how to write her name proficiently and to work scissors like a pro, not to mention numerous other things.

So the end of august I will have a second grader and a kindergartener on my hands and wondering where did the time go already. I know a lot of you have older kids, some graduating high school even. (;-D) So I am using knowing that as a reminder just how fast time does fly.

This spring has been a different one as I'm not planting annuals this year. I ordered and received mini rose bushes so that I won't plant each spring and pull out each fall. I hope they take. Another interesting thing is we have a robins nest on the beam of our deck and three baby heads sticking out. The daddy bird dive-bombs my dog who is clueless and it's amusing.

Hubby bought a basketball hoop for in the ground and is like a kid in a candy store putting it together. He hopes to have my dad help tomorrow evening putting it up after Peanut's graduation.

I get Sat-Monday off for the upcoming holiday and we plan to open the pool WOOO HOOO!!! I bet I'll lose the last 5-10 lbs in there. I just hope my shockingly white skin doesn't blind passerbys in their cars. LOL

So there is a 'catchup' in a nutshell. After work tonight I plan to catch up on all of your blogs, I've missed you all!!! :D

The poll is closed

2007-05-20T09:08:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for voting! Thank you all for the name ideas. But the poll is closed.

In the end each name got a vote. I did neglect to explain one of the names on the list. Hubby had suggested the name 'Cheetah'. Why? His nick name for me is 'cheetah bear'. Back in college a roommate I had, a female, who was wild and fun used to say, 'lets go Cheetah'. The nickname stuck with me with regards to hubby. So that's the orgin of that name.

So the voting may continue if anyone wishes to vote but as of today (sunday) I am stating that my car shall be named 'Cali', short for Caliente since she's red and red is hot. So there you have it.

Btw... I got to have the top down on Cali yesterday for the first time in a long time. And then it got cold. Grrrr... silly weather.

Some peoples parents

2007-05-20T08:44:00.000-04:00

Friday evening I went to my son's baseball game. I had scheduled off work and while they warmed up I made some phone calls to clients. When the game began we (peanut and I) sat down on the cold cold bleachers. Immediately she befriended two kids, siblings of a boy on my son's team. Hubby was on the field with other dads coaching. The area I live in is pretty affluent. Growing up here the town was like a farm town but in 1991 it began to grow by leaps and bounds given our proximity to Pittsburgh. Now it is the 'place to live' and houses are going up faster and faster. More and more expensive. I've noticed that while these people have money, that doesn't make them nicer.

At his games I talk to other parents and cheer. That day I made some phone calls, left messages to future clients and made one appt for a new client. Then I went to watch and cheer. It was in the low 50's, windy and cold so that made it fun. For an hour and a half my daughter was playing nicely with the two kids, not a problem, conflict or anything. They were playing around a tree as home base. Two VERY rambunctious kids run into the group of kids. The boy with my daughter tries to say that they were there first as does my daughter while the other girl leaves.

I watch from a short distance away figuring that 'play ground' rules apply and will let them handle things on their own. But these kids are all over the other ones, screaming at my daughter as my daughter screams back. She kicks them after they push her and that's when I poise to intervene. My method of choice, after a few more screams from the boys and as I watch as the other two kid's mothers stand by, was to go grab my daughter and pluck her out of the crowd. I carry her crying back to the bench and tell her if they don't want to play with her then don't play with them. Heck on them. That she didn't need to be scratched. I didn't whisper it but I didn't yell it. I was telling my daughter, not the other mom's. I don't want my daughter thinking she needs to take that stuff and was trying to teach her when to walk away. That must have upset the moms. But the boys left. So I let her back down and she ran to the tree.

They came back and ripped the leaf out of her hand that she had been holding, scratching her again. The other moms come swarming... obviously the lone little girl 6 inches shorter than the boys was to blame, right? So I plucked her away and told her again that she didn't need to take that. We sit back down. They leave one more time. I let her get up and I go with her. I stand sentry to her while watching the game. Never once did I say a THING to the other kids or moms. I decide to just remove her from the problems and deal with it without conflict. It seemed to me the better choice but these parents had something else in mind.

After about 10 minutes one of the boys came running over and threw a glove at my head, hitting me. I stood there with a shocked look on my face. What the heck was that all about? I mean which one of the kids (him versus my daughter) is the problem maker I ask you? Who does that to an adult? One of the women's husbands came walking over to retreive the glove and says, 'I'm sorry ma'am.' But THEN ADDED THIS!! "But she WAS kicking them."

WTF!!???

I laughed out loud in surprise with aN 'oh yeah that's mature' look on my face. I can not believe that that was a parent's response to the situation at hand! To drop an insult and gloss over his son's actions. I was in shock. What was this!? I did nothing, she did nothing what the heck was with the attack? I lean down to my daughter and tell her that kicking those boys wasn't a good thing and to not do that but if she has to protect herself then she could do that.

So the game ended and we walked over to my son's bench. As we headed back to the car I began to tell hubby about the interaction. I didn't get to tell him much by the time we get to our car. That's when I realize that one of the bitches was parked next to us with one empty spot between us. My daughter, being the spunky little one that she was, says to the boys 'see you brats' in a sing songy voice. At least I think she did, I didn't hear her because I was talking to hubby. How did I get informed that she had said it? You ask. I was floored when this woman leans into my 35" tall 33 lb daughter and says 'what did you say? Did you call my kids brats?" I looked up from my conversation surprised by the interruption, wondering wtf this lady was saying. That's when I realize she was adressing my 5 year old daughter who was dwarfed by her. She got all disgusted and said 'incredible', shaking her head.

THAT'S IT!!! I remained quiet long enough. I'm done lady.

"What's incredible is two boys picking on a little girl" I retort.

"She was kicking them" she replies.

"And she was corrected for that. But they were all over her." Game on lady.

She makes comments under her breath but turns her back to me. My daughter was crying, my husband stuned because he had no idea what was being said. 'I can't believe it's coming to this,' I say. "Unbelievable.' Now you tell me when it's okay to have two boys gang up on one smaller girl regardless of her standing up for herself or not. This woman kept commenting under her breath. And I finally said in her method of backhanded discussion, 'You did nothing wrong, sweet heart, they are brats.'

After recounting it all that had happened prior to hubby he was pacing at home, he was so angry. They play this team again. I know I shall stay on the side of my teams bench but I need to mentally prepare should these losers decide to pick on a tiny girl and her 5' tall mom and gang up on her 3 to one.

Rambling thoughts in the middle of the night

2007-05-16T01:22:00.000-04:00

It's 1:22 am and I'm tired. I have been sitting pricing for one client that seems to never end. I need sleep.

I had to calm my son down tonight. He finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone in 10 days. Seven years old and read a 300 + page book in 10 days. Well he stayed up too late each night sneaking a read but it just felt wrong to say 'Hey... put the book down and stop reading!' He was craving the next book, the Prisoner of Ascoban (sic) and again it seemed wrong to say "NO! You can't have a book!" And yet I had to in some way for the principal of it that he can't demand things from us. So that was fun.

Peanut is still not 100%. Poor little one. Not only that, she was told for the millionth time "you look like your mommy." Again... poor little one. LOL.

So I'm about to turn in. Please don't mind my ramblings. I'm dopey and tired. One of the well known dwarfs and his second cousin. hee hee (see...I'm loopy.)

Please vote for my car's name and thanks to those who did. I think I'm getting pouty about my lack of readership based on the votes....lol But honored by those who do.

Vote for my Beetle HERE.

My Monday madness

2007-05-14T21:01:00.000-04:00

I was ready to go to work today. Of course this morning I was worried I had gotten food poisoning but I was feeling better, albeit a bit nauseated but better.

Then whatever had hit me hit my Peanut. She was running to the bathroom and was getting feverish. I was torn. Do I head to work? Do I stay? I got my hubby to get home to take over the kids so I didn't have to drag them with me.

Hubby gets home, I had called into work and told my manager about my daughter. She told me to do what I had to. My daughter woke from her nap and said she had to go again. Poor thing. I took her in and she began to vomit. Now it's coming out both ends.

I call the doctor and got what I figured I'd get... fluids, gatorade and such. If she couldn't keep that down to take her to the hospital. I was thinking about leaving for work when she vomitted again. *sigh* Mommy stayed home, Peanut needed me.

She got her bath by me and some loving. She is also keeping down some iced tea (her beverage of choice like her mommy.)

So now I'm prepping for appointments tomorrow, that I hope I can keep, that is, if Peanut is feeling better and can go with me.

Car name poll

2007-05-14T08:41:00.001-04:00

This Poll will be up and running until Friday. I will back link if necessary.

Take the poll

Free Poll by Blog Flux

My Mom...

2007-05-13T11:24:00.000-04:00

*** Special note: Some people have asked... the bride in the photos is my little sister (the one who lives in florida) not me. Just an FYI ***

My mom is an amazing person. I know you can probably all say that about your mom but I still say that my mom is amazing. She lost her dad by age 16 and her mom before turning 18. Alone with an older brother who could care less than her and a younger brother who was her grandmother's favorite she still remained strong.

She had dated my dad for awhile and they had broken up. He was living in CA for some time and returned to visit family when they bumped into each other. He suggested she come out to CA with him and later he sent her a ticket. Before turning 18 she left the only home she knew on a plane by herself. A strong lady following the man she loved.

They eloped and married at a justice of the peace after she turned 18. A year later they returned to PA to marry in the church since it was my grandmother's request.

My mom is all of 4'- 11-1/2" tall and a tough lady. She has endured a ton of things in her life. But she has also made the most amazing memories for me in my life. I remember nothing but happy Christmas's, birthdays and every holiday in between. She baked things from scratch with me watching on eagerly wanting to do what she was doing. Our house was always neat, tidy and organized. Our birthday cakes were the most delicious and amazing looking things you have ever seen. Once she made me a cake that looked just like a pizza with icing shaped and colored like mushrooms, pepperoni and such. It was incredible.

Throughout life she never thought twice about putting us first. She may have needed something but it gave her more joy to get what we needed first. My sister's say she likes to play the maryter role, I just see it as a great and giving mom.

Always seeking to learn more, always there to talk to, always excited about things in our life and cheering us on. Always catching more than one of my kid's soccer and baseball games. Always willing to watch our kids when we are in a bind. Always there for advise. Always giving hugs and encouraging words. Always there to turn to when I have difficult moments. Always gets on the floor to play with the kids. Always fun, smiling and happy. She has always been someone I look up to despite her not being taller than me. She is a strong woman who loves greatly. I have been so honored to know her as my mom and in the last 10 years have been happy to call her my friend as well.

I love you mom!! Happy mother's Day!

Unnamed new addition

2007-05-11T18:04:00.000-04:00

Here she is. The day we got her was sunny and gorgeous. Peanut went with me. We drove with the salesman to the gas station where he said he would do a nascar pitcrew thing where he gased her up while I sat. That was cool, him paying, pumping and he wasn't my husband. Woo hoo! We thanked him, he teased me that I'd be turning heads in it soon and we bid him farewell. Then we pulled over so that I could put the top down. Woo hoo!!! Boy that felt so freeing with nothing but the sky above. Blue with puffy white clouds. The wind blowing and yet we could still talk and hear the radio better than in OSST minivan.

I pulled into my plan of homes just before my son's bus arrived. I pulled alongside the sidewalk to wait for him. He ran off the bus and freaked out he was so excited. We went for a drive to my moms (hubby was home early too, it was a family affair.)

These pics were taken the next day. Every day has been beautiful here and the top has been down each day. I can't wait for a warm night to have the stars above as I drive. Now to name her. I shall have a poll. I have received a good number of names. Some good and thoughtful and some just plain silly. (*cough* mike *cough*) I shall post a poll and you can vote. Hubby even volunteered one. I will do that later and then I have a video of peanut to put up. Blog blog and away!!!

I have more pics of this beauty but I'm having wireless router issues. More to come. If she inspires an idea for a name let me know. Sunday or Monday I'll post a poll for my blogging friends and visitors to vote on.

Ode to OSST Minivan

2007-05-11T17:49:00.000-04:00

So all of my blogging friends know that I have traded my sheek OSST (to those who don't know... it means 'Oh so sexy teal') minivan.

Monday I got the call that I could get my VW (thanks Sally...lol). I had a frustrating time with something that was holding up the handing over of the keys. You see they had to find me a car. There aren't too many salsa red vw beetle convertibles with package one readily available. So the one they found me had Sirius radio (satellite) which I didn't ask for but accepted and planned to pay the difference. Upon prepping the car it was found that the antenae component was not there. Did that mean it would work or didn't have the inner components? They couldn't tell me. They didn't know. The guy who could figure it out wasn't there, corporate wasn't calling back and neither was the dealer they acquired the car from. *sigh* So they weren't ready to hand it over.

In the end they decided to credit me for the non functioning feature and I could pick it up. These pics are of my OSST minivan upon leaving with it. Our farewell journey.

When we bought this old lady she was used, 4 years old and misused. We cared for her and took care of her the best we could. She has left our family due to needing more work than she was valued at. With no heat working, no ac, an oil leak, an over powering odor of gas, it creaked when you turned it and so much more wrong with it we knew she was begging to be put out of her misery. I believe she will be sold for parts. *sniffle*

That's peanut in the OSST minivan on her farewell journey. When we bought her my son was an infant (3 months old) and I had no idea that in 7 months I'd find out I was pregnant again with Peanut. We brought peanut home in this old lady. *sigh* memories.

She served us well and I thank her for hanging on to trade-in day.

This is at the dealership waiting for my new ride. Farewell girl. We will never forget you. *kiss* And I never got to do that whole Tawny Kitaen thing on your hood. Still you rocked, you rocked out loud.

Have I?

2007-05-11T17:45:00.000-04:00

Have I been tooling around in my convertible? Sure. Have I been doing that instead of blogging? No.

So what have I been doing? Design work. Design work for ONE client. She has me hopping. I'm hoping to get her pricing done for her budget that's tighter than a rhino in a tutu.

I'm about to post some pics.

Productive and a question

2007-05-07T10:09:00.000-04:00

This morning I got some information out for a client who has a fast moving project. I will be working on more of it today. I have two clients on the cusp of completion and will be contacting them with pricing, selections and a surprise color board. LOL.

Also, I FINALLY got the car dealership locked down on a time. Today at 1:30pm (eastern Standard time) I will be at the dealership signing my life away and speeding off in my new car.

That brings me to my question. I plan to name the car. I need help. I had one suggestion from my bff Lioux at Damn You Dan for 'Bugsy' and I love it. But I feel I need to explore all options. So please click on my email link in my profile if you have a name suggestion. After getting some suggestions that I like I will make a poll for everyone to vote on the best name and the list will include 'Bugsy' for sure.

Lastly... let me say: "HOLY GREAT WEATHER!" I am loving this .... what do you call this stuff? Oh yeah... SUNSHINE! Crazy warming stuff that makes me smile more than usual. I am loving the warm weather and sunshine. It makes me want to skip out on my design work and run barefoot in the grass. Also, the grass is looking great with Scotts help. I haven't heard hubby complain about weeds or anything. Could this be a great summer? I don't know but not hearing about clover and his griping would make it be so! LOL

Later gators!

Sergeant frustration... and

2007-05-06T18:07:00.000-04:00

Major let down.

*sigh*

No I'm not cruising in the beautiful sunshine today (and yes, it is a beautiful sunfilled day today.) I got a call at work Saturday from the car salesman. I was excitedly waiting to confirm the time to get my beautiful car. It seems they were not going to get it ready in time for Saturday pick up and would be closed on Sunday.

So..... I will be getting it tomorrow or someone will be hurting at the dealership from a size 6 womans boot up their butt. I might be small but I'm full of attitude. LMAO.

I'll update you all with photos of my OSST minivan, who was granted a temporary stay (as I was told it would only be worth parts *sniffle*.. wait, am I sniffling?) and of my new beauty. I will also be asking for assistance from my blogging buddies. Until then... blog ya later!

MY CAR MY CAR MY CAR!!!!

2007-05-04T22:05:00.000-04:00

I was approved by MYSELF!

I have secured the car!!

They are bringing the car in TOMORROW (Saturday)

I might get it by the end of the day TOMORROW!!

I can't breath I'm so excited. I got my car! I got my car! *breath... deeply*

Okay.. it's a bit sad to say goodbye to the OSST minivan since I brought the peanut home in it but I will totally be loving this.....

The Children's Museum

2007-05-02T15:36:00.000-04:00

Today Peanut and I went along with all the other 4-5 year old preschoolers in her school plus their parents on big yellow school buses to the Children's Museum in the North side of town. My daughter thought the school bus ride was "tool" (which is cool in peanut language.) She rode in the seat next to me going down and insisted on holding my hand the whole time. I was looking out the window and watching her expression. But eventually I looked down at her tiny hand in mine and thought how I should just look at it and enjoy her wanting to hold my hand. It will be all to soon that she won't want to any more. *sniffle* So I lived in the moment right then and basqued in the joy of my daughter.

The museum was full of other nursery schools and such and was a bustling place.

We enjoyed Mr. Roger's Neighborhood exhibit, some climbing things and she did some artwork in the studio section. There was a kids climbing thing that we mothers joked looked like a giant aunt farm. Peanut climbed like a champ and didn't get scared.

They had a section that my son would have loved, which was called the garage and in it were inventions: Things like a car with parts and pieces and you could see how a circuit worked. They had a system where you pulled the ball up and tipped it onto a section of a two wire track that led around the whole ceiling (which we tried) They had slides and rope ladders.

After lunch with her friends and their parents we went to the floor that had the water play area. She didn't want to go but I talked her into checking it out. After all I lugged a complete change of clothes she should at LEAST look at it. In the end she LOVED it. I took tons of pictures and some videos that I'll put up later. I'd like hubby to check them out first.

On the way home Peanut sat with a girlfriend of hers and I sat with the little girls mom and I smiled to myself remembering the fleeting moment she held my hand. I'm glad I enjoyed it. The two little ones giggled and talked the whole way home. Some kids fell asleep but not my peanut, she is high energy all day like her mom. LOL

We got back to the school with a future play date discussed between the two girls and climbed into the OSST minivan (which might be gone in the next 2 weeks...dare I hope?) Peanut looked at me and said, "why didn't I get to see the dinosaur bones?"

"Well honey, that's at the science museum. I'll take you there another day."

All in all it was a great day, with great weather.

I got home and hubby was home early and the kids are now outside playing as kids should. I don't work tonight like last night and I'm loving it.

I hope you all are having and enjoying a beautiful day and enjoying the fleeting but wonderful moments found within them.

What having kids has made me realize

2007-05-01T13:57:00.000-04:00

Having children changes a ton of things as all of you fellow parents know. Last night I took a bubble bath that I felt I richly deserved and listening to my mp3 player. My mind wandered and I found myself thinking about my children and how they have changed my life.

Here is a list of 15 (among hundreds I'm sure if I sat long enough) things that having kids made me realize:

#1. Saturdays are no longer to sleep in or sleep off a hangover.

#2. Your worst fear of someone laughing at you when you're naked comes true. (no matter how great you might look kids always laugh at you if they accidentally see you naked.)

#3. You get to say things you always hated to hear when you were a kids like: "If Eric jumped off a bridge would you?" or "Turn off the lights this isn't the electric company" or "I don't care if it isn't fair, life isn't fair, deal with it." Ohh I could go on and on.

#4. You find out the places that you knew playdoh shouldn't be placed or stuck in ones home or body and a few that surprise you.

#5. You forget what you did in your free time before you had kids.

#6. At night you learn the true sound of ..... silence. And you are almost affraid to talk to your spouse to ruin it. LOL

#7. You know where every bathroom is in every restaurant and store in your area because you have one child or more that ALWAYS has to go even if you asked them 100 times to go before leaving the house.

#8. In some instances you learn how to change a toddlers diaper while they stand up because of no changing stations or dirty facilities. (It's been some time for me but I remember vividly. LOL)

#9. You work to teach your kids the proper way to pronounce things but are sad when they stop mispronouncing them. (are we ever happy?) ie... Peanut used to say hostibal instead of hospital now she says it correctly and I'm sad. She still says aminal instead of animal so I'm clinging. Hee hee.

#10. If you have more than one kids you probably have one that sleeps well and one that doesn't. Or one that eats well and one that doesn't. I call my kids my ying and yang so when one is giving me problems the other soothes me. LOL

#11. You are willing to do stupid dances and voices for them that you wouldn't do for anyone else on the planet just to hear that laugh again.

#12. You get to see birds, flowers, the sandy beach, the ocean and the changing of the seasons for the first time again as your child does. You get the wide eyed wonder of innocence that makes you stop and smell the roses. I love that part.

#13. Spanking them really does hurt you as much as it hurts them. :(

#14. You see your own parents through different eyes and apologize for some of the things that you did as a child.

#15. You realize that your heart really can overflow with love. That you can love someone more than words can say and that you can't imagine what life would be like without them.

Fire stopper

2007-04-30T22:06:00.000-04:00

Today was my 'putting out fire's' day. Both at home and at work. I ran around running errands I put off and then at work I got to sit right next to the boss who was finding problems that needed resolved. I'm not against resolving them, so don't get me wrong it was just a 'put out fires' kind of day.

Peanut and I went to a few stores and she is so much fun to shop with. She is a girly girl and says things like 'ohhhh mommy I love that. That's so pretty' and models in the mirror with hats and sunglasses on. She wants what mommy buys (remind me not to have her with me when I buy underthings. LOL)

My son is obsessed with reading and a thing that is going on at school is furthering that desire. If the school reads for a combined reading time of a million minutes the principal does something funny. He's obsessed although reading just as much as usual. He will sit for at least 30 minutes a day with books and is learning by leaps and bounds.

Tomorrow my son goes on a field trip to the city zoo and aquarium with his class and is so excited.

Wednesday peanut and I go on a field trip with her preschool to the children's museum with all her classmates and their parents. She is excited as well, especially since we ride down in a big yellow school bus. Fun fun. Apparently they have some water interative thing there and I was advised to take a complete change of clothes for her (down to her shoes, even.) So this should be interesting.

I have a new client I meet with tomorrow evening, one demanding client who hasn't signed a contract and pay me my retainer which is highly irritating my lawyer (aka hubby.) I also have two more clients that I hope to complete tomorrow or at least this week. It would be exciting to finish up. Lastly the guy I made the color board for posted earlier hasn't paid (again irritating hubby.) Isn't working independently grand? *sigh*

Tomorrow I will be visiting another car dealer. I should be getting my beetle convertible very very soon. :D

Things heard at my house this evening

2007-04-28T23:21:00.000-04:00

My daughter and Hubby:

"ohhhh peanut... was that you?"

*giggle* (from my daughter) "yes"

"Ohhh my god, something died inside you."

"A goose, a goose died in me daddy." *giggle*

~~~~~~~~

"Rahhhh!"

"Rahhhh!"

*giggle*

*chuckle*

(we were jumping out and scaring each other and then laughing hysterically. My daughter wasn't much of a hider since she giggled in anticipation so you knew she was there. LOL)

~~~~~ moments later I had hurt my back goofing around with my daughter and fell to the floor in pain.

My daughter came down and asked me what was wrong and I told her.

"I'll help you mommy," Now picture her blowing on my face a few times.

Hubby is now laughing as am I...

My son saw her and said, "Mouth to mouth education mommy!"

Hubby and I are now busting out laughing. Ahhh my kids.

~~~~~

"Ahhhh" (from hubby after taking a swig of his beer)

"What?" I asked.

"Beer just splashed up into my eye!"

"Ewww."

"Yeah, it actually burned."

"I bet. Those hops are bitches." (yeah, I'm a goof. It made hubby laugh hard.)

Our trip.. a synopsis

2007-04-26T13:35:00.000-04:00

I thought about a play by play recount of our trip but I tend to be long winded and shall spare your eyes from exhaustion.

Destin was gorgeous. The white sands were magnificient. We didn't roll in until late and the start of our only day together as a family was great. Don't ask me how it progressed because it is not as much fun to share. Needless to say we got a bit too much sun and the kids and I enjoyed ourselves.

We got to see in the first hour a pelican dive bomb into the water 10 feet from us and dolphins 30 yards from us cresting only later to jump out of the water farther out. I'll you tube the video I got later. Here is a photo of one...
The second day (friday) was a mix of a baptism, picnic and rehearsal + rehearsal dinner. I didn't have to be a part of the actual rehearsal and the kids and I enjoyed time alone. The rehearsal dinner showed my in-laws in true form unable to pay for everyone so we had to pay for ourselves. Typical. Let me just say that when I'm with my inlaws I feel in 10 minutes like they sucked all of the happiness out of me. I consider myself a positive person most of the time. Sure I have my down moments as anyone will but they are very negative so it made things difficult

Here is me holding my new nephew at his baptism with my two monkeys. As you can see their sunglasses didn't help my kids eyes as they got burnt. Don't ask me about it because that's a point of contention for me with hubby.

Here is me holding my other nephew. He looks like he's dangling but I have his bottom in my hand and he's not being squeazed silly. LOL. Next to me is my BIL and hubby's sister is holding the other cutie next to hubby.

Peanut looks good in any hat... I'm jelly belly. LOL

The boy.. who is in perpetual motion. :D

Angel says... "Another picture? Crap... please don't! *suck in tummy*" lol As you can see I never lost those lbs I sought to lose. Grrrr.

After the baptism we had a picnic at a park that had beach access. We were run run run... rest... run run run.. rest. LOL

The day of the wedding (saturday) I was sporting an odd burn that is visible in the photo of me in my dress. LOL The wedding was nice but as in any beach wedding you couldn't hear a thing but the wind and waves (although that was nice too. LOL) I was on cloud nine by evenings end because I got compliments on my dress by a handful of guys and was checked out as I drove there down the main street by a few young guys even with the kids in the car. So woo hoo to the ego. LOL

Hubby and a bridesmaid. One of his brother's is in the backgroud.

The bridal party on the beach. Hubby is the oldest of 8 and all but one was at the wedding (long story) But there are 5 boys in the family (now men, loosely used for some) and all 5 are in a line there. Directly in front of the camera are two of the three sisters (you can see the back of their heads...the blonde and brunette.) Me and my fam-damnly

I showed the brides step mom how to do the electric slide moments before she electric slid into her grandson. Poor thing. In the end I found that in the group of the inlaws hubby and I are the glue that holds things together.... that's scary.

We got back to the gorgeous condo and packed up a bit before going to bed late. The flights there and back were nerve wracking for me since I am terrified to fly but I survived and my kids were non the wiser. Thank goodness for Lorazapam. I'm not one who medicates often but I have a healthy fear of flying (among a few other things.)

The view from our condo.

I guess I did a play by play in the end. And you asked for pictures... so don't go yellin'. LOL

Color Board

2007-04-25T23:13:00.000-04:00

Here is one of the many design things that has been keeping me from blogging. Freakin' design clients. LOL j/k This is for a commercial client. It took 4 meetings and many hours of research to get this with paper attached to the back listing each product and related pricing.

Hey all!

2007-04-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Well I'm back ladies and gentleman. Aren't you excited? Didn't you miss my goofy face? Awww admit it you did. LOL j/k.

Anyway, I plan to play catchup with all my peeps through out today (after a seminar at work *sigh*) We arrived back in town around Sunday evening and Monday was a mass of chaos that if I blogged about it I would not only exhaust my fingers but bore you to tears. I will blog later with a synopsis of our trip to the beach for my BIL's wedding with photos.

Blog ya later! :D

Well.... my peeps!

2007-04-17T22:57:00.000-04:00

I am off to pack and travel. Wish me luck! I'm nervous about flying. I'm stressed about work, I'm NOT taking my laptop because Angel needs some time away from all the hairpulling stress. I only got out of work at 9:30 pm tonight to make sure I left all well at the center. I have tons of stuff to do so I'll say now... see you next week!

Weekend recap

2007-04-15T19:18:00.000-04:00

I had a post I started Sunday. Luckily I saved it to draft because I just reread 2 sentences and fell asleep. Holy snooze fest. I'm glad I spared all of your retinas from such boredom. LOL It read more like a list of what I've done and not a real enjoyable post. Am I slipping? Maybe, just maybe.

So my weekend recap. Fun was mixed with work. There... one sentence covered it. LOL. Actually my son's soccer game was awesome. They won. Two kids bumped chests after a goal. 7 year olds!! It made me giggle.

Apparently I amused both a coworker AND a member who belongs to the club where I work (yes, the design place is for members only.) Both men were laughing and saying I was amusing which was heard by one of the owners. I am happy that I can spread laughter. Life is too serious some times.

Speaking of serious. My 'to do' list is serious like a heart attack. Too much to do in too little time. *sigh* I did manage to send out our local taxes. Why so late? Because we owe hubby's and why should they get it too early, right? And I almost forgot. *phew*

It seems I'm always running out the door and peanut and I are about to do just that this morning. A few things to do today. Hopefully I can dodge design work rain drops when I get back to post another addition of the psychology of color. I know you are all thinking... 'hey, what about that color? I mean when is she going to post about that already!?' *rolls eyes*

Blog ya later peeps!

Freakin' forecast on both fronts.

2007-04-13T16:35:00.000-04:00

My little sister gave me the news that they are expecting a cold spell in Florida next week. A FREAKIN' COLD SPELL! Yeah... she said in the 70's. I know that would still be super hot to me living in the great white tundra up here with snow knocking on our doorstep with tales of record snow falls Sunday - tuesday upcoming. But still people. I have a bikini. I have sun screen. I have delusions of grandeur. I have thoughts of losing the reflective quality of my bright white skin. I have thoughts of warm gulf waters and warmer pool waters and closing my eyes on the beach and feeling the sun on my face. All of it was centered around warm 80 degree days.

She goes on to say that they are in the 90's THIS week. THIS FREAKIN' WEEK! *sigh, shoulders slumping* I would let this get me down. I WOULD... but I won't. I have/will shell out about $2,500.00 for this 4 day freakin' wedding excursion. It will include the four of us, 4 flight numbers, layovers in Atlanta both ways... that's 4 take offs and 4 landings people... and I don't have enough meds to keep me calm with my fear of flying. Plus countless number of bags because when it's snowing it seems wrong to pack a bikini and sunglasses so I'm sure I'll plack pants too somewhere in there.

I will not let the news get me down. I WILL NOT! I will use my unyielding powers of hope. I hope that the over paid, over quafed weather men/women who get paid to be wrong 89% of the time have used all their powers of being right and that the warmth will be as I wish it to be. Yep... that's what I'm doing folks and you can't stop me!

I have not slept through....

2007-04-12T15:22:00.000-04:00

Yes the pillow is good, no I am not still sleeping. LMAO.

I had a ton of research to do for a client and a new appt today w/ a new client. I work tonight and tomorrow I have off..... phew. But I do have an evening appt with another new client. yes... I'm busy but busy means money and that means good stuff for my family.

I got a new laptop bag today (business expense.) It's red and beautiful. It's huge but on wheels. It cost a lot but is worth it and I deserve it ... right? Right.

I'll blog ya later. I have catchup to play with a ton of you tonight! [[[hugs]]] to you all!

Spinning head and no time...

2007-04-10T10:20:00.000-04:00

I am going grocery shopping with both monkeys in a few minutes for the first time in a long time (due to Spring break... yeah snow on spring break.. what a joke.) Then they get to join me at a meeting where I work. Follow that up with a trip to Costco (dear god don't let me spend a fortune) and a few other stores. I plan to buy a pillow. Yep. I woke with neck pain and a headache again and to that I say 'NO MORE!' LOL

And even though hubby dinged the car he has asked me to schedule the repair. He preceeded the request with 'I hate to do this to you because I know you're busy'. Yeah, the understatement of the year. I have 5 clients all wanting their stuff yesterday, office meetings, kids, shopping, bill paying and cleaning plus laundry. You wanted me to do??? what??? *sigh* Okay. Of course.

Sunshine, where for art thou sunshine?

2007-04-09T10:04:00.000-04:00

It seems I need a new pillow. I have been suffering from more frequent headaches stemming from my neck and my mom has pinpointed my pillow. I know we need a new mattress since ours is 11 years old and has been two moves and a whole lot of... um wear and tear. hee hee. But I hadn't thought about my pillow. I love those grandma pillows with feather and down while my hubby likes his Subakowa (sic) pillow. Mine is still fluffy but I'm willing to try a new pillow if it can help.

It might have to wait for me to get all the items on my list before we leave for florida in a little over a week. The temps down there better go up again because this transluscent body will be seeking some rays. (with 50spf sunscreen to keep from becoming a painful lobster.) I have a new bright yellow bikini to wear and I'm ready to escape this freezing, snowy area (and it's April for the love of Pete!) for some fun in the sun! Ohhh I can't wait.

Unfortunately it's too far away from my sister to visit her but we are looking into a vacation for over a week in florida in late July (around hubby's birthday) where we'd visit my sister and her husband for a few days before driving to a beach house a coworker owns. We'll see. I just need a pool, the sound of waves and sun. Yep. I need time away. LOL

Happy Easter!

2007-04-08T14:02:00.000-04:00

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

We went to mass today and the place was packed. It felt good to get back there and I hate that we've become 'those' people who go to mass on holidays. We plan to change that. But the kids behaved pretty well (probably because we didn't allow them too much candy this morning) but they are running around like the energizer bunny due to NOW eating candy. LOL

My parent's house awaits and we shall decend upon them to enjoy the ham feast that is being prepared. We will be hamed out due to having it all week as well. I guess (to sort of steal from Dennis Leary) we have been knitting ourselves a ham sweater from our colon to our esophagus. hahahahaha.

Happy easter to all my peeps!

What not to say

2007-04-06T22:38:00.000-04:00

What not to wear. Have you ever seen that show? It's where a dark haired girl and a guy belittles someones wardrobe, makes them throw it away and then has them go shopping on the shows dime. They try to spruce these people up by humiliating them.

Well tonight the star of that show has another show and she was on discussing shoes from a particular designer and I came to realize that no amount of lighting flatters her.

I looked at hubby and said, "What not to wear? How about that face?"

Harsh I know. It's the Captn talking. He and coke go well together but mix them up in my tummy for my brain and it's a regular vulgar party.

Busy and early night

2007-04-06T22:08:00.000-04:00

I can't believe how busy I've been and I HATE how it cuts into my blogging. Don't these people who want me to do design know that I need to blog. Sheesh.

I'm feeling better now, thank you to all the well wishes. I hope to visit you all this evening for a moment. I worked last night and tonight. Tonight I got in and found out I'd be home a whole hour earlier due to it being Good friday. The funny part is I still work all day tomorrow. How does that make sense? I don't know either but I got home before my kids were tucked in so woo hoo to that.

Unfortunately my kids were high on sugar, despite my warning hubby that it wasn't a good idea to feed them it. I called home around 6:30 and he told me he was trying to calm them down. I speculated that it was the caffiene FULL pop he gave them and he agreed it wasn't a smart move. *chuckle* I find out at 7pm I'll be coming home early but don't call home.

7:30 a girl in the phone room asks coworker Jess if I'm nice. Jess says yes, she is nice. The girl says I'd wanted to say hi and tell her that I think she's pretty. Ummm that's a first for me. This girl is very attractive, cheerleader like. Now it's a great compliment but is it normal for a girl to want to tell you she thinks you're pretty? Ummm am I getting hit on or crushed on from afar by a girl.

(btw... in between this all I AM doing work with placing orders, problem order work and follow up stuff, plus helping members find things. I'm a doer. LOL)

8pm I am being urged to quit working so we could all go home. Geez. I pack up and head out. i call hubby to tell him and he's surprised that I'd be home early. The kids are still up, he says. So I back into the driveway and open the garage door... then pull wolfee into the garage. Climb from the car, bags in hand I lumber up the stairs and as always my pooply pup greeted me. But then appears my daughter in tears.

Apparently my kids were being more than a handful and were frustrating hubby. They were pushing the limit. So when the garage door opened peanut said, "mommy's home?" hubby replied that no I wasn't, it was the nanny who came because they were being bad and she was going to spank their butts. That scared the crap out of her enough that she went running and hiding in the closet crying, terrified. When she heard me say hi to the puppy she came to find out if it WAS me.

I was oblivious to hubby's tactics. In fact, I disapproved of it. He scared her in all the wrong way and made me look like a scary monster. I got her calmed down and realized that my son had hid also. Daddy... what were you doing? For 20 glorious minutes I got to sit beside my peanut, who said, "Will you sit by me?" then my son sat on my lap. The greatest 20 minutes of my day......

Now I will tell hubby that if they have nightmares he gets them. :-/

Better and off and running...

2007-04-04T21:33:00.000-04:00

I am not 100% but definitely better. Tomorrow night I work. Today and yesterday I lined up 2 new clients and another one on the hook. It seems my design services are taking off.

My peanut is sick now and today we pal'd around and I pampered her even though I'm not 100% but SAH'ers can't be sick, right? Tons of laundry enemies were vanquished and more to take down. Some other cleaning was done and I'm a happy woman.

Unfortunately the weather has turned to poop but most of you in the states west of me found that out way before me (ahem Drama and Finished last.) So today, knowing the next for days held cold and snow I liberated my daffodils and hyacinths from their bases and brought them in clipped and in vases. My house smells like spring and we are just loving it. Why let them die without fully enjoying them?

Now my daughter said, "I want to take a flower to....*insert name of boy she likes*" and my son jumped in wanting to give his lady a flower. NO not JUST a flower. He said he wanted to 'impress her' he said and three would do the trick. He wants to give her a bouquet. So mommy found tissue paper for each child so we can wrap the daffodils properly (No hyacinths they are too short and smell heavenly.)

I said at dinner, "I can foresee my son clipping my rose bushes some day for girls in the future." And he just smiled. At bath time he said, "You know mommy, I'll need a bouquet of flowers for my first date." Awwwwwww.... my little man is going to be a sweety and who ever gets my boy better not mistreat him or watch out for the lioness. LOL

Functional

2007-04-03T22:52:00.000-04:00

I am still feeling under the weather but I'm functional. I went to the doctors today but waited 2 hours in the waiting room (holy crap that sucked!) before finding out I have a virus. Hubby urged me to go to make sure I didn't have an infection.

The weather was gorgeous today but is going to go down hill soon. :(

Tomorrow is laundry day, I need to get caught up....woo hoo! Join me in dancing around for joy.

Nighty night....

2007-04-02T22:04:00.000-04:00

No work. 2 hours of feeling somewhat okay due to aspirin the wonder drug. I'm off to bed now.

Nighty night night all! *sniffle* *shuffle shuffle*

What to do?

2007-04-02T10:54:00.000-04:00

One pretty high fever.

One body racked with aches from dancing made worse by what ever is causing said fever.

One sunny day that usually makes me dance but now makes me want to nap (and I NEVER nap.)

One migraine that the prescription isn't touching.

And I'm supposed to work tonight but I can't get off the loveseat. *sigh* I hate calling off and haven't done so yet .... hoping I'll feel better. What are the odds of that?

April Fools Day!!!

2007-04-01T10:45:00.000-04:00

I woke this morning to a rubber spider on my pillow. My son wanted to 'get' his mom. LOL. Mommy came down stairs and said, " what are you doing? We're late! You need to hurry up, eat and get dressed! You've already missed your bus! Move it!" The look on his face was of utter bewilderment. I had him. "But mommy, it's Sunday."

hahahahaha...... "April Fools!!" hee hee. My son chuckled.

Do I REALLY have to?

2007-04-01T10:40:00.000-04:00

We promised my son that on a Sunday if it rained we'd take him to see TMNT. To those who don't have kids or boy kids that is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie. So it's raining today so you know what that means? But the kids are not behaving well. Grrrr.

There will be NO movie if they don't shape up. :D