Happy Monday loves. Just wanted you all to know this blog is officially closed. You can catch all things me (weddings, personal life, ramblings, etc) at my new blog home at saneweddings.com.
See you on the flip side!
Musings from a mom of three - a teen, a tween and a toddler - trying to retain some sanity.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Monday, January 14, 2013
10 Favorite Movie Quotes
This week, in order to get out of our real life for a bit, I took on the Monday Listicles challenge from my friend over at Northwest Mommy. This week's topic was your 10 Favorite Movie Quotes.
We love movies in our house. We often speak in quotes of some sort, be it movie, TV, even song lyrics. A lot of times other people look at us strangely, but it makes us laugh so it's all good. I am amused at the list I finally narrowed it down to, and I had a great time on facebook reading through my friends suggestions. It warms my heart that so many of my friends also speak in movie quotes.
It definitely makes it easier to find your people.
Click on the title to see the clips (though some of them I didn't feel needed them).
1. Put. The Bunny. Back. In the Box.
This particular line is at the 20 second mark of the clip. I say this a lot when I am cleaning my daughters toys up - in the same, slow southern drawl. It's a horrible movie, but for some reason this line has stuck in my head for years and it makes me laugh. My husband is rolling his eyes at me right now because I've played this clip four times in the last two minutes, and giggled each time.
2. Well, gosh. Kindof a lot's happened since then.
Embarrassingly, another Nicolas Cage quote. This time from the movie The Rock, which is awesome and one we watch a lot. The link above will take you to a longer video, but just watch the first 90 seconds or so. The quote comes at 1:32, but to set the scene you should start from the beginning. You can stop watching after the line as it really is just the most awesome line ever. I say it all the time. All. The. Time.
3. Honey ... Where's my super suit? and
4. I am your wife! I am the greatest good you are ever gonna get.
We often will banter this whole scene back and forth around the house, kids too.
Awesome.
5. No capes!
Enough said. You can't go wrong with Edna, she is wise.
6. One of my favorite 80's movies is St Elmo's Fire. One of my favorite moments in the movie is when one of the characters has moved into her very first apartment. This scene plays in my head a lot, even all these years later. It helps me relish in the little things.
"Yeah ... you wanna know what's great? Last night I woke up in the middle of the night to make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... and you know, it was my kitchen, it was my refrigerator, it was my apartment ... and it was the BEST peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I have had in my entire life"
7. I'm wiry.
I have very skinny, lanky children. Often when we talk about their size, the husband or I will pull this line out. This is probably one of those "most people won't get it" moments, but this is another of our favorite movies. I can't even hear the word without the expression, and the accent.
8. Hey Goose, you big stud! Take me to bed or lose me forever.
We love movies in our house. We often speak in quotes of some sort, be it movie, TV, even song lyrics. A lot of times other people look at us strangely, but it makes us laugh so it's all good. I am amused at the list I finally narrowed it down to, and I had a great time on facebook reading through my friends suggestions. It warms my heart that so many of my friends also speak in movie quotes.
It definitely makes it easier to find your people.
Click on the title to see the clips (though some of them I didn't feel needed them).
1. Put. The Bunny. Back. In the Box.
This particular line is at the 20 second mark of the clip. I say this a lot when I am cleaning my daughters toys up - in the same, slow southern drawl. It's a horrible movie, but for some reason this line has stuck in my head for years and it makes me laugh. My husband is rolling his eyes at me right now because I've played this clip four times in the last two minutes, and giggled each time.
2. Well, gosh. Kindof a lot's happened since then.
Embarrassingly, another Nicolas Cage quote. This time from the movie The Rock, which is awesome and one we watch a lot. The link above will take you to a longer video, but just watch the first 90 seconds or so. The quote comes at 1:32, but to set the scene you should start from the beginning. You can stop watching after the line as it really is just the most awesome line ever. I say it all the time. All. The. Time.
3. Honey ... Where's my super suit? and
4. I am your wife! I am the greatest good you are ever gonna get.
We often will banter this whole scene back and forth around the house, kids too.
Awesome.
5. No capes!
Enough said. You can't go wrong with Edna, she is wise.
6. One of my favorite 80's movies is St Elmo's Fire. One of my favorite moments in the movie is when one of the characters has moved into her very first apartment. This scene plays in my head a lot, even all these years later. It helps me relish in the little things.
"Yeah ... you wanna know what's great? Last night I woke up in the middle of the night to make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... and you know, it was my kitchen, it was my refrigerator, it was my apartment ... and it was the BEST peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I have had in my entire life"
7. I'm wiry.
I have very skinny, lanky children. Often when we talk about their size, the husband or I will pull this line out. This is probably one of those "most people won't get it" moments, but this is another of our favorite movies. I can't even hear the word without the expression, and the accent.
8. Hey Goose, you big stud! Take me to bed or lose me forever.
If this needs an explanation, we cannot be friends.
Brilliant and hysterical. We often quote this over our seafood dinners.
If you don't know this movie, an angel has lost its wings.
Bonus quote:
Let's show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown.
While browsing online for inspiration I came across this one and decided we need to find a way to incorporate it into our lives. I'm trying to find a way to bring it up in everyday conversation.
Let's show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown.
While browsing online for inspiration I came across this one and decided we need to find a way to incorporate it into our lives. I'm trying to find a way to bring it up in everyday conversation.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The saga continues
We just got back from the doctor to follow up with all the post hospital lab work for the husband. This was supposed to be the appointment that says "yes, you can be cleared to go back to work on Monday."
Instead we got some good news, and some bad news.
The good news: kidneys are functioning back in the normal range. Blood pressure is more or less back to normal. Most of the tests they ran came back in the normal range, so we are heading in the right direction.
The bad news: he now has an angry liver. While the kidneys are all "yep, we're feeling good again ... lets just rest for a couple more days and we can go go go" the liver has gotten a little pissy and is puffed up and muttering "fuck you and all the attention you've been getting, kidneys. Pay attention to me."
What does that mean? It means ten more days before he will be cleared for work, assuming the liver has had a chance to chill. No new meds, just more rest. He has to change his eating habits again. He's still sleeping every couple hours and has no energy. But he's starting to get antsy and actually miss work - which is saying something.
It also means we will not see a paycheck for a few more weeks. Which is just awesome as we try and play catch up after Christmas. Fingers crossed the short term disability kicks in in a somewhat timely manner, because the financial stress around here does not help his blood pressure, nor does it help my panic attacks.
Over all, it's good news, what the doctor said. He's getting better. The kidneys are working again. His blood pressure is back under control. The rest of it is just details, right?
For now, what I need from all of you lovely friends out there is some more positive mojo pointed our way. Though we can see the end of this mess, we're not quite out of it yet. Thank you again for all your love and support, it has helped tremendously!!
Instead we got some good news, and some bad news.
The good news: kidneys are functioning back in the normal range. Blood pressure is more or less back to normal. Most of the tests they ran came back in the normal range, so we are heading in the right direction.
The bad news: he now has an angry liver. While the kidneys are all "yep, we're feeling good again ... lets just rest for a couple more days and we can go go go" the liver has gotten a little pissy and is puffed up and muttering "fuck you and all the attention you've been getting, kidneys. Pay attention to me."
What does that mean? It means ten more days before he will be cleared for work, assuming the liver has had a chance to chill. No new meds, just more rest. He has to change his eating habits again. He's still sleeping every couple hours and has no energy. But he's starting to get antsy and actually miss work - which is saying something.
It also means we will not see a paycheck for a few more weeks. Which is just awesome as we try and play catch up after Christmas. Fingers crossed the short term disability kicks in in a somewhat timely manner, because the financial stress around here does not help his blood pressure, nor does it help my panic attacks.
Over all, it's good news, what the doctor said. He's getting better. The kidneys are working again. His blood pressure is back under control. The rest of it is just details, right?
For now, what I need from all of you lovely friends out there is some more positive mojo pointed our way. Though we can see the end of this mess, we're not quite out of it yet. Thank you again for all your love and support, it has helped tremendously!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Waiting for the pet rock to hatch ...
The toddler has a pet rock. She calls it an egg and she is waiting for it to hatch. She is convinced it will hatch into something. She doesn't know what yet, she just keeps telling me the baby is curling up inside the egg and it will hatch soon.
She got up this morning and saw it on the kitchen counter. "Oh man! It still hasn't hatched yet!"
Then she thought for a moment and said, "I think it needs a cage, so that when it hatches it won't run away."
Daddy thought maybe a Tupperware bowl would make a nice cage. "Oh! Yes, give me all the square ones" she says. "And all the lids."
"But what can I use for it's bed?"
"And it will need something to eat when it hatches."
So here we have our new pet. In its cage. With a peanut butter cookie for a snack. She's still working on the bed.
She got up this morning and saw it on the kitchen counter. "Oh man! It still hasn't hatched yet!"
Then she thought for a moment and said, "I think it needs a cage, so that when it hatches it won't run away."
Daddy thought maybe a Tupperware bowl would make a nice cage. "Oh! Yes, give me all the square ones" she says. "And all the lids."
"But what can I use for it's bed?"
"And it will need something to eat when it hatches."
So here we have our new pet. In its cage. With a peanut butter cookie for a snack. She's still working on the bed.
Monday, January 7, 2013
the saga of 2013 and the failing kidneys
2013 can suck it so far. I'm just saying. Having spent the first week of the year in the hospital watching my husband suffer is not the best way to kick things off. Thankfully, looking at the bright side, we had a huge village of people who sent a lot of love and happy juju our way ... the internet is an amazing place!
The fun began in our house the day after Christmas, when he came home from dinner complaining of stomach cramping. He curled up in bed with a heating pad and flu meds, and so began our journey.
Friday (28th), two days later, I had to pick him up from work because he couldn't stand up without getting dizzy, and started throwing up. Eventually we went to the ER because the stomach pain was too intense.
We all assumed it was the stomach flu. However, hindsight being what it is, he only had a low grade fever (under 101), and they didn't confirm it with a flu swab test. Once they pumped some IV into him and the headache and stomach pain and vomiting were controlled via meds, they gave him a CT scan. All looked well; they were seeing a ton of gastro pain in flu patients, so they sent us home with prescriptions for pain and anti-nausea meds and off we went.
Fast forward through a miserable weekend and a very uneventful new years eve (filled with laundry and champagne for one). Tuesday evening (new years day) we ended up back in the ER because he couldn't stand up straight, and had reached his pain tolerance (the pain meds ran out Monday morning). His dad came over to take him, I stayed home to get the kids settled. We all assumed it was just severe constipation, a side effect of the pain meds.
Then, a few hours later, I got the call that he was being admitted because his kidney's were failing and he had a severe viral infection in his upper GI. This is when we realized they hadn't done the flu swab on Friday, because when they did it on Tuesday it came back negative. Also, when he got the CT scan originally, they injected him with iodine to better see things (very normal). However, if you put iodine into a body that is dehydrated (remember, they'd given him two bags of IV), the kidneys pretty much tell your body to fuck off.
Thus began our 5 days in the hospital. Most of you know the up and down drama that entailed - one step forward, a night of vomiting followed. The kidneys were getting better with the meds, but not as fast as they liked. His blood pressure was way out of control. He was in quarantine - we had to gown and glove up to go see him. And they couldn't stop the stomach pains.
So the official-ish reason for all of this was kidney failure due in part to the viral infection, in part to the iodine. We think. And the high blood pressure, apparently that plays havoc on the kidneys as well. And once the kidneys started healing, the severe cramping was attributed to the lack of "movement," shall we say. A myriad of reasons, that hopefully his regular doctor can help us figure out when we go see him this afternoon. Fingers crossed there are no repercussions from this and life can get back to normal shortly.
With that, I leave with you smiles and happy children cuddling with dad.
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| Gotta love those #nosybitches. Thanks ladies!! |
Friday (28th), two days later, I had to pick him up from work because he couldn't stand up without getting dizzy, and started throwing up. Eventually we went to the ER because the stomach pain was too intense.
We all assumed it was the stomach flu. However, hindsight being what it is, he only had a low grade fever (under 101), and they didn't confirm it with a flu swab test. Once they pumped some IV into him and the headache and stomach pain and vomiting were controlled via meds, they gave him a CT scan. All looked well; they were seeing a ton of gastro pain in flu patients, so they sent us home with prescriptions for pain and anti-nausea meds and off we went.
Fast forward through a miserable weekend and a very uneventful new years eve (filled with laundry and champagne for one). Tuesday evening (new years day) we ended up back in the ER because he couldn't stand up straight, and had reached his pain tolerance (the pain meds ran out Monday morning). His dad came over to take him, I stayed home to get the kids settled. We all assumed it was just severe constipation, a side effect of the pain meds.
Then, a few hours later, I got the call that he was being admitted because his kidney's were failing and he had a severe viral infection in his upper GI. This is when we realized they hadn't done the flu swab on Friday, because when they did it on Tuesday it came back negative. Also, when he got the CT scan originally, they injected him with iodine to better see things (very normal). However, if you put iodine into a body that is dehydrated (remember, they'd given him two bags of IV), the kidneys pretty much tell your body to fuck off.
Thus began our 5 days in the hospital. Most of you know the up and down drama that entailed - one step forward, a night of vomiting followed. The kidneys were getting better with the meds, but not as fast as they liked. His blood pressure was way out of control. He was in quarantine - we had to gown and glove up to go see him. And they couldn't stop the stomach pains.
So the official-ish reason for all of this was kidney failure due in part to the viral infection, in part to the iodine. We think. And the high blood pressure, apparently that plays havoc on the kidneys as well. And once the kidneys started healing, the severe cramping was attributed to the lack of "movement," shall we say. A myriad of reasons, that hopefully his regular doctor can help us figure out when we go see him this afternoon. Fingers crossed there are no repercussions from this and life can get back to normal shortly.
With that, I leave with you smiles and happy children cuddling with dad.
 |
| Quarantine removed - happy face! |
 |
| Dad's home in time to watch the fourth quarter!! Yay!! |
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| Morning cuddles and cartoons. Happy girl. |
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Toddler sharing
Toddler: Can I have a candy mom?
Me: Sure honey, but just one.
Toddler: Okay. Thanks mom!
Later, after she has sorted through what is left of the Halloween grossness ...
Toddler: Here mom, I brought you a brown tootsie roll and I get to have a pink one.
Me: Thank you honey, that's sweet of you to share.
Later, after she has finished her pink one and notices my brown one is still sitting next to me ...
Toddler: Mom, how come you haven't eaten your tootsie roll?
Me: Well, actually honey, I don't really like tootsie rolls.
Toddler: Why?
Me: They just aren't my favorite. I'd rather have a chocolate or something if I am going to have a treat.
Toddler: Oh. *pause* Well, do you just want me to eat it then?
Ever the generous gifter she is. :)
Me: Sure honey, but just one.
Toddler: Okay. Thanks mom!
Later, after she has sorted through what is left of the Halloween grossness ...
Toddler: Here mom, I brought you a brown tootsie roll and I get to have a pink one.
Me: Thank you honey, that's sweet of you to share.
Later, after she has finished her pink one and notices my brown one is still sitting next to me ...
Toddler: Mom, how come you haven't eaten your tootsie roll?
Me: Well, actually honey, I don't really like tootsie rolls.
Toddler: Why?
Me: They just aren't my favorite. I'd rather have a chocolate or something if I am going to have a treat.
Toddler: Oh. *pause* Well, do you just want me to eat it then?
Ever the generous gifter she is. :)
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Sprechen sie Englisch?
The tween and the husband are in Germany right now without me, having a great time. I'm happy for the bonding experience this is providing them. It's an amazing opportunity for the tween (hubs has been there many times) and I know it will be a life changing trip. Travelling Europe will open up the world to him in a way reading history books will not. I am so jealous proud of him and his adventurous spirit. Germany is one of my favorite places in the world, and I'm not there I'm excited for him to develop the same passion.
We hope to move there someday. The husbands job while he is there is to investigate the reality of moving. I'm pretty sure he's more focused on enjoying all that German beer.
The day they left was a little lonely here. The oldest has gone off to college and is having wonderful adventures, meeting new friends and learning how to conquer the world. With the other two boys gone, it left me and the toddler to hang out for a week. That first night was a little pitiful. Oreos and vodka for dinner helped.
Here are some of the pictures they've texted me, so you can see how much fun they are havingwithout me.
From left to right, the tween is enjoying his first schnitzel (omigod yum). The tween enjoying the Rhine river scenery. Hubs and tween in Nürnberg at Zeppelin Field (Hitler's rally grounds) after touring the Documentation Center (now that is some first person history!)
In the above pics they are getting ready to go up the Zugspitze (the highest peak in Germany) in a cable car. The one on the right, you can sort of see a tiny little spec that is the husband, right by the cross.
To me though, the highlight of this adventure was today. He spent the night with some family friends (their daughter comes out here for a month every summer, so she's like his big sister), then he got to go to school with one of the boys! He got up with them and took the bus to school (mind you, he doesn't actually speak German, and the boys don't speak very good English) and went to four classes - German, English (he said he was the best student in the English class!), Biology ("mom, they only spoke German, it was pretty boring") and Sport (where they played soccer, yay!). We planned ahead and brought some candy that is very American (thank god it's Halloween and the bags of candy are easily found and cheap) to share with the kids in the English class and they were apparently very much looking forward to having him there.
I just think this is so cool. How many kids get to fly all the way to Germany for a sleepover and a one day adventure in a German school?? What memories!!
I got the picture (below) via facebook once he was all settled in, just to let me know he was happy and comfortable.
I love these two!!
Anyway, my boys only have a couple days left. I'vemostly gotten over the fact that I'm not there with them, and know I will get to go back one day. Plus, they went shopping at the Adidas outlet today (they are in the town that Adidas and Puma were founded!!), so I know they are bringing me some goodies.
That helps.
Well, that and the vodka. Of course.
Prost!!
We hope to move there someday. The husbands job while he is there is to investigate the reality of moving. I'm pretty sure he's more focused on enjoying all that German beer.
The day they left was a little lonely here. The oldest has gone off to college and is having wonderful adventures, meeting new friends and learning how to conquer the world. With the other two boys gone, it left me and the toddler to hang out for a week. That first night was a little pitiful. Oreos and vodka for dinner helped.
Here are some of the pictures they've texted me, so you can see how much fun they are having
From left to right, the tween is enjoying his first schnitzel (omigod yum). The tween enjoying the Rhine river scenery. Hubs and tween in Nürnberg at Zeppelin Field (Hitler's rally grounds) after touring the Documentation Center (now that is some first person history!)
In the above pics they are getting ready to go up the Zugspitze (the highest peak in Germany) in a cable car. The one on the right, you can sort of see a tiny little spec that is the husband, right by the cross.
To me though, the highlight of this adventure was today. He spent the night with some family friends (their daughter comes out here for a month every summer, so she's like his big sister), then he got to go to school with one of the boys! He got up with them and took the bus to school (mind you, he doesn't actually speak German, and the boys don't speak very good English) and went to four classes - German, English (he said he was the best student in the English class!), Biology ("mom, they only spoke German, it was pretty boring") and Sport (where they played soccer, yay!). We planned ahead and brought some candy that is very American (thank god it's Halloween and the bags of candy are easily found and cheap) to share with the kids in the English class and they were apparently very much looking forward to having him there.
I just think this is so cool. How many kids get to fly all the way to Germany for a sleepover and a one day adventure in a German school?? What memories!!
I got the picture (below) via facebook once he was all settled in, just to let me know he was happy and comfortable.
I love these two!!
Anyway, my boys only have a couple days left. I've
That helps.
Well, that and the vodka. Of course.
Prost!!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Can we get a new car?
Toddler: "Mom, can we get a new car? Because I want one that flies."
Me: "Ummm ..."
Toddler: "So we can have three cars, because I need one that flies. Let's go to the new car station now."
Me: "Ummm ..."
Toddler: "So we can have three cars, because I need one that flies. Let's go to the new car station now."
Monday, September 10, 2012
In My Mind
It's World Suicide Prevention Day (you should know, for the record, that I am NOT suicidal). It makes me sad that we have to have a day to acknowledge that this is a horrible thing we must stop. That to somebody, you are everything. It sucks that everyone can't see how important they are.
I am going through some crazy stuff right now and depression and suicidal thoughts are definitely something the doctors are watching me closely for (side effects of the medication - yeah, it's been fun). I've had to check out of my life this last week, which has been tough for all of us. But we'll survive. I am not going crazy. Depression lies. The panic attacks can be managed.
It's all worth it.
Today the bloggess posted this piece, and the picture on the right ... I can't stop looking at it. Click the link. I want to do that, is that weird?
And then the song.
Also, I love her hair. I'm totally chopping mine off.
Hug someone today. Tell someone they are important. Be there, look around, notice the little things. Live in the moments, not the minutes. Because its all worth it.
I am going through some crazy stuff right now and depression and suicidal thoughts are definitely something the doctors are watching me closely for (side effects of the medication - yeah, it's been fun). I've had to check out of my life this last week, which has been tough for all of us. But we'll survive. I am not going crazy. Depression lies. The panic attacks can be managed.
It's all worth it.
Today the bloggess posted this piece, and the picture on the right ... I can't stop looking at it. Click the link. I want to do that, is that weird?
And then the song.
"How strange to see that I don't wanna be the person that I want to be."She speaks to me.
Also, I love her hair. I'm totally chopping mine off.
Hug someone today. Tell someone they are important. Be there, look around, notice the little things. Live in the moments, not the minutes. Because its all worth it.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Mom, I need to clean my thumbs
In the car on the way home from the grocery store ...
Toddler: "Mom, I need to clean my thumbs" as she holds them both up in that "thumbs up" sign.
Me: "Umm, okay. We can clean them as soon as we get home."
A few minutes later, as I am unbuckling her from the car seat, I look closer at her thumbs.
Me: "Are those buggers?"
Toddler: in her sassy, 'duh' voice, "Yeaaah"
Me: "Did you pick your nose with your thumbs?"
Toddler: "Mmm-hmm"
Me: "With your thumbs? Weird"
Toddler: "Well mom, we were in the car."
Me: "You have to pick your nose with your thumbs in the car?"
Toddler: "Duh"
And thus, the life of a mom.
Toddler: "Mom, I need to clean my thumbs" as she holds them both up in that "thumbs up" sign.
Me: "Umm, okay. We can clean them as soon as we get home."
A few minutes later, as I am unbuckling her from the car seat, I look closer at her thumbs.
Me: "Are those buggers?"
Toddler: in her sassy, 'duh' voice, "Yeaaah"
Me: "Did you pick your nose with your thumbs?"
Toddler: "Mmm-hmm"
Me: "With your thumbs? Weird"
Toddler: "Well mom, we were in the car."
Me: "You have to pick your nose with your thumbs in the car?"
Toddler: "Duh"
And thus, the life of a mom.
Kidlet gems
Tween: "Mom, do we have anything we can pawn?"
Obviously we've been watching a lot of Pawn Stars, Auction Hunters and Storage Wars.
Toddler: "Moooom, I don't have to eat dinner! I'm just going to eat junk food and get fat."
Me: "What do you guys want for dinner?"
Tween after a lengthy list of ideas that I shot down: "How about drumsticks?"
Toddler in her exasperated, 'duh' voice: "Those are for playing Rockband."
Tween: "Hey, can we do this to our barbecue?"
Its on my bucket list to go to the shooting range and fire some guns, so there have been a lot of conversations recently about the various aspects of when and what kind of gun. During the Olympics, we were discussing the shooting competitions.
Me: "I'm really fascinated watching these events, I can't wait to shoot a gun."
Tween: "I want to shoot a bow and arrow."
Toddler: "I want to shoot an animal."
WTF?
Obviously we've been watching a lot of Pawn Stars, Auction Hunters and Storage Wars.
Toddler: "Moooom, I don't have to eat dinner! I'm just going to eat junk food and get fat."
Me: "What do you guys want for dinner?"
Tween after a lengthy list of ideas that I shot down: "How about drumsticks?"
Toddler in her exasperated, 'duh' voice: "Those are for playing Rockband."
Tween: "Hey, can we do this to our barbecue?"
Its on my bucket list to go to the shooting range and fire some guns, so there have been a lot of conversations recently about the various aspects of when and what kind of gun. During the Olympics, we were discussing the shooting competitions.
Me: "I'm really fascinated watching these events, I can't wait to shoot a gun."
Tween: "I want to shoot a bow and arrow."
Toddler: "I want to shoot an animal."
WTF?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tik Tok
I can't stop watching this. And I'm not even a big Trekkie. Take a moment, please, and enjoy it with me.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
What a week!
It's been a hell of a week. Full of emotional ups and downs, tears of joy and of pain ... I'm exhausted and it's only Wednesday.
The fun started Saturday night. First there was this:
Watching, from the comfort of the upper deck, a wedding at a venue that friends of mine own. Isn't that an awesome campfire pit? Once the wedding was over, we went down and roasted marshmallows ourselves. Awesome.
Then it was time to go home. As I was walking back down the stairs, I tripped. And now, this is how I spend my days:
With a broken foot.
We spent Sunday morning in the ER (because I refused to go when I got home Saturday night). The orthopedist doesn't want to see me until next week, to let the swelling go down. That's all I know. It sucks. But the pain is lessening, so that's good.
So then Tuesday rolls around, and this happened (as you may have seen on facebook, twitter, yesterdays blog post, or even the Times):
which was pretty freaking amazing. I feel I've gone on quite a lot about this in various forms of media, so you all get the drift there.
Not to be out of the spotlight for long, the tween had his own way of getting attention. After two eight hour days of intense soccer camp, he came home Tuesday afternoon not feeling well. We'd stocked him up, we thought, with Gatorade and water and the right kind of foods (this is not our first rodeo folks), but he was clearly dehydrated. We were on him the rest of the night about drinking more fluids, but at that point it was too late. About twenty minutes after he went to bed he started violently vomiting and off he and hubs went to the ER.
Which, by the way, just about killed me. Damn broken foot.
So today, recovery for him looked like this:
.jpg)
Follow up doctor visit. No camp. Note the messy hair, bags under his eyes, and the two ER bracelets on his wrist. Conclusion - either a stomach bug or dehydration. Presents the same. Treats the same.
Quite a week. Let's hope it settles down a bit. I'm not sure how you top watching your kid meet the President. And let's not even think about how it could be worse - we just know that it is possible and hope the good mojo stays and the bad juju goes far away.
Cheers folks. I'm ready for bed.
The fun started Saturday night. First there was this:
Watching, from the comfort of the upper deck, a wedding at a venue that friends of mine own. Isn't that an awesome campfire pit? Once the wedding was over, we went down and roasted marshmallows ourselves. Awesome.
Then it was time to go home. As I was walking back down the stairs, I tripped. And now, this is how I spend my days:
With a broken foot.
We spent Sunday morning in the ER (because I refused to go when I got home Saturday night). The orthopedist doesn't want to see me until next week, to let the swelling go down. That's all I know. It sucks. But the pain is lessening, so that's good.
So then Tuesday rolls around, and this happened (as you may have seen on facebook, twitter, yesterdays blog post, or even the Times):
which was pretty freaking amazing. I feel I've gone on quite a lot about this in various forms of media, so you all get the drift there.
Not to be out of the spotlight for long, the tween had his own way of getting attention. After two eight hour days of intense soccer camp, he came home Tuesday afternoon not feeling well. We'd stocked him up, we thought, with Gatorade and water and the right kind of foods (this is not our first rodeo folks), but he was clearly dehydrated. We were on him the rest of the night about drinking more fluids, but at that point it was too late. About twenty minutes after he went to bed he started violently vomiting and off he and hubs went to the ER.
Which, by the way, just about killed me. Damn broken foot.
So today, recovery for him looked like this:
.jpg)
Follow up doctor visit. No camp. Note the messy hair, bags under his eyes, and the two ER bracelets on his wrist. Conclusion - either a stomach bug or dehydration. Presents the same. Treats the same.
Quite a week. Let's hope it settles down a bit. I'm not sure how you top watching your kid meet the President. And let's not even think about how it could be worse - we just know that it is possible and hope the good mojo stays and the bad juju goes far away.
Cheers folks. I'm ready for bed.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Chatting up the President
Holy hell you guys! Tonight I sat on my couch (with my broken foot elevated ... more on that later) and watched my son, on live TV, shake the presidents hand and talk to him.
You guys!! My son. Met. POTUS!!
Who does that?
My son. The teenager. Did I mention that?
He got to watch Air Force One land at Boeing Field. Then he got to walk onto the tarmac (!!!!) and wait at the bottom of the stairs (!!!!) as Obama debarked. He shook his hand, chatted a bit, laughed. They had a moment.
Here is some raw video footage, he's at the 1:20 mark. The angle sucks, I'm waiting for another news channel to post with a better angle. But still. Holy hell.
And what, you may be asking, did they say to each other? From his facebook page:
Sweet!
I don't remember the last time we were all together around the tv, watching something. Okay, granted one of us was actually ON the TV, but it counts as a significant family moment. The toddler kept waving at the TV, calling his name. The tween actually wished he WAS his brother (um, wow). Hubs and I held hands. I choked up a bit.
Eek!!
What a surreal day.
PS I'm trying to buy a copy of the above picture, it's the best one I've found online (though I've seen lots). I'll probably want multiple prints, so don't be surprised to see it as a magnet on the side of my car. Or on the back of my t-shirt. Maybe as earrings. Ooooh, on my flask even!
You guys!! My son. Met. POTUS!!
Who does that?
My son. The teenager. Did I mention that?
 |
| From the Seattle PI footage |
He got to watch Air Force One land at Boeing Field. Then he got to walk onto the tarmac (!!!!) and wait at the bottom of the stairs (!!!!) as Obama debarked. He shook his hand, chatted a bit, laughed. They had a moment.
Here is some raw video footage, he's at the 1:20 mark. The angle sucks, I'm waiting for another news channel to post with a better angle. But still. Holy hell.
And what, you may be asking, did they say to each other? From his facebook page:
I thanked him for his support of marriage equality. He told me absolutely, that it was a "priority issue."You may also be asking HOW he got to be part of this group. It was a thank you from the Obama for America (OFA) campaign for all his hard work - the whole group on the tarmac were campaign volunteers.
Sweet!
I don't remember the last time we were all together around the tv, watching something. Okay, granted one of us was actually ON the TV, but it counts as a significant family moment. The toddler kept waving at the TV, calling his name. The tween actually wished he WAS his brother (um, wow). Hubs and I held hands. I choked up a bit.
Eek!!
What a surreal day.
PS I'm trying to buy a copy of the above picture, it's the best one I've found online (though I've seen lots). I'll probably want multiple prints, so don't be surprised to see it as a magnet on the side of my car. Or on the back of my t-shirt. Maybe as earrings. Ooooh, on my flask even!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Guessing games with the toddler
Today on the way to the parade, the kids decided to play "Guess That Animal". It was the toddler's turn to give the clues.
"I have no legs and I stand up like a scarecrow."
Ummm ...
Any guesses?
You're wrong.
She was a walrus.
"I have no legs and I stand up like a scarecrow."
Ummm ...
Any guesses?
You're wrong.
She was a walrus.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Running a half marathon
Last weekend I ran a half marathon. And when I say ran, I mean it in the same way that I say "I'm going to run to the neighbors to see if they have any vodka."
I am not a natural runner. I like to run the occasional 5k, but mostly because
1. it's usually for a good, charitable cause that I believe in
2. I can wear a tu-tu
3. I like people standing on the streets cheering me on as I run by. It motivates me.
I've said it before and I will continue to preach this message - if my neighbors would all come outside in the morning as I run by and cheer me on, I would TOTALLY become a more active runner.
But they don't. So mostly I hit the snooze button, then curse myself the rest of the day for not getting my exercise out of the way earlier. It's really all my neighbors fault.
When this whole running 13 miles thing came about, it involved a few glasses of wine, as most poorly made decisions do. My friend was talked into it and decided it was something we should suffer through together. Conveniently, she fractured her foot a few weeks before and wasn't able to run the race.
I did actually train for this run. For months. I got out at least three days a week, more often five or six. I recruited friends to run the race with me. I found other friends to cheer me on from afar, offering me advice and tips as the event got closer.
On the day of the race, I ended up running the entire damn thing alone. None of my friends were able to make it, for a variety of reasons. The people I caravaned with ended up in "corrals" closer together, and farther from me. But listening to them all talk about how they hadn't trained at all, I felt like I could probably catch up to them at some point.
I was in corral 45. Of 47. Which meant that, though the "competitive runners" started at 7:00, my corral didn't get to cross the start line until after some of the half marathoners had FINISHED. The first runner finished in 1:06 (for real!!! That ... I just am amazed). I didn't get to start until after 8:20 (which, for those of you bad at math, would be about 15 minutes after the first runner finished). I had cooled down by that point; I had mentally psyched myself out in completely the wrong direction.
But I managed to cross the start line with a smile, and not much trepidation. When I hit the 5k mark, I was feeling pretty good. Even at the 10k mark I was doing okay. By the 15k mark, not so much. I took a picture of the 15k sign, texted it to my friend (the one with the broken foot, the one who started this whole damn thing) with the message 'I hate you'.
About the 11 mile mark my iPod died. Physically, I was hurting. I could barely lift my legs. Emotionally I was spent, I was my own worst enemy, telling myself I couldn't do it. I didn't have anything left in me. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Then I'd watch a marathoner run past me, and feel like a complete failure for wanting to give up.
When I crossed the finish line, I was expecting some sort of euphoric high. Angels singing, the clouds parting, some sort of weight lifted off my shoulders. Maybe even a pinata filled with little bottles of liquor.
Nothing.
I pretty much just wanted to dissolve into a puddle. The group I was with, they had all finished about an hour before me (remember, they started way before me too, in an earlier corral). They were chatty and sort of recovered and ready to go. So off we went, to lunch. I was still shaking.
In the car, we all got our times (via text, they'd been posted online). All of them, this group that hadn't trained, beat me by at least 30 minutes, if not more. I was feeling pretty bad about myself.
When I finally got hold of my husband at lunch, I dissolved into tears. I cried in the shower when I got home. I cried again, trying to find the energy to get dressed after my shower. This surprised me the most, all this emotion oozing out of me. All day long (actually, from about mile 10.5), I kept saying to myself, and everyone who asked me, "I will never do this again."
In hind site, I was obviously not ready. I should have listened to myself, more than my crew of people telling me I could do it. I should have done more research on the effect a distance run has on you, I was totally unprepared for that. It pretty much sucked.
So I learned a few lessons that I want to share with those of you crazy enough to want to run a (half) marathon.
1. Marathoners are serious runners. No tu-tus. Bummer.
2. Bring a protein bar or two to eat during the race. About mile 8 I ran out of energy and started to shake (I have hypoglycemia, this should have occurred to me). Afterwards, I heard from many runners that they felt the same way, but had brought their own snacks in their fancy little running belts. Who knew those were for a purpose.
3. Do the math. If you are in corral 45, and the race info says they will be starting in waves, wake up, warm up and eat accordingly. You will not be starting at 7:00, there is no need to get up at 4:30, to be at the race by 6:00. And also, if you have asthma, take your inhaler accordingly. Asthma attacks along the course are not cool.
4. Do not run a distance race alone. It sucks, and you turn into your own worst enemy.
5. Make sure you have a posse of people to hug you as you cross the finish line. You will need some love. You will need that moment to relish in what you've just done.
6. Make sure your iPod will keep a charge for several hours.
7. The serious runners discard their clothing along the way. Seriously. People come along with garbage bags to collect all the clothing and donate them to charity. Apparently, marathoners also have lots of money, because running clothes are freaking expensive.
So that's it. It's over now, and though I still don't have that sense of pride I expected, I have happily checked "distance run" off my life list.
Now I am on to the next race - a nice little community 5k. A race with crowds of people lining the course, runners in crazy outfits, and people not so intent on the competitive aspect of running, as much as the community aspect of being together and doing something good.
I'll be in a tu-tu, of course.
I am not a natural runner. I like to run the occasional 5k, but mostly because
1. it's usually for a good, charitable cause that I believe in
2. I can wear a tu-tu
3. I like people standing on the streets cheering me on as I run by. It motivates me.
I've said it before and I will continue to preach this message - if my neighbors would all come outside in the morning as I run by and cheer me on, I would TOTALLY become a more active runner.
But they don't. So mostly I hit the snooze button, then curse myself the rest of the day for not getting my exercise out of the way earlier. It's really all my neighbors fault.
When this whole running 13 miles thing came about, it involved a few glasses of wine, as most poorly made decisions do. My friend was talked into it and decided it was something we should suffer through together. Conveniently, she fractured her foot a few weeks before and wasn't able to run the race.
I did actually train for this run. For months. I got out at least three days a week, more often five or six. I recruited friends to run the race with me. I found other friends to cheer me on from afar, offering me advice and tips as the event got closer.
On the day of the race, I ended up running the entire damn thing alone. None of my friends were able to make it, for a variety of reasons. The people I caravaned with ended up in "corrals" closer together, and farther from me. But listening to them all talk about how they hadn't trained at all, I felt like I could probably catch up to them at some point.
I was in corral 45. Of 47. Which meant that, though the "competitive runners" started at 7:00, my corral didn't get to cross the start line until after some of the half marathoners had FINISHED. The first runner finished in 1:06 (for real!!! That ... I just am amazed). I didn't get to start until after 8:20 (which, for those of you bad at math, would be about 15 minutes after the first runner finished). I had cooled down by that point; I had mentally psyched myself out in completely the wrong direction.
But I managed to cross the start line with a smile, and not much trepidation. When I hit the 5k mark, I was feeling pretty good. Even at the 10k mark I was doing okay. By the 15k mark, not so much. I took a picture of the 15k sign, texted it to my friend (the one with the broken foot, the one who started this whole damn thing) with the message 'I hate you'.
About the 11 mile mark my iPod died. Physically, I was hurting. I could barely lift my legs. Emotionally I was spent, I was my own worst enemy, telling myself I couldn't do it. I didn't have anything left in me. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Then I'd watch a marathoner run past me, and feel like a complete failure for wanting to give up.
When I crossed the finish line, I was expecting some sort of euphoric high. Angels singing, the clouds parting, some sort of weight lifted off my shoulders. Maybe even a pinata filled with little bottles of liquor.
Nothing.
I pretty much just wanted to dissolve into a puddle. The group I was with, they had all finished about an hour before me (remember, they started way before me too, in an earlier corral). They were chatty and sort of recovered and ready to go. So off we went, to lunch. I was still shaking.
In the car, we all got our times (via text, they'd been posted online). All of them, this group that hadn't trained, beat me by at least 30 minutes, if not more. I was feeling pretty bad about myself.
When I finally got hold of my husband at lunch, I dissolved into tears. I cried in the shower when I got home. I cried again, trying to find the energy to get dressed after my shower. This surprised me the most, all this emotion oozing out of me. All day long (actually, from about mile 10.5), I kept saying to myself, and everyone who asked me, "I will never do this again."
In hind site, I was obviously not ready. I should have listened to myself, more than my crew of people telling me I could do it. I should have done more research on the effect a distance run has on you, I was totally unprepared for that. It pretty much sucked.
So I learned a few lessons that I want to share with those of you crazy enough to want to run a (half) marathon.
1. Marathoners are serious runners. No tu-tus. Bummer.
2. Bring a protein bar or two to eat during the race. About mile 8 I ran out of energy and started to shake (I have hypoglycemia, this should have occurred to me). Afterwards, I heard from many runners that they felt the same way, but had brought their own snacks in their fancy little running belts. Who knew those were for a purpose.
3. Do the math. If you are in corral 45, and the race info says they will be starting in waves, wake up, warm up and eat accordingly. You will not be starting at 7:00, there is no need to get up at 4:30, to be at the race by 6:00. And also, if you have asthma, take your inhaler accordingly. Asthma attacks along the course are not cool.
4. Do not run a distance race alone. It sucks, and you turn into your own worst enemy.
5. Make sure you have a posse of people to hug you as you cross the finish line. You will need some love. You will need that moment to relish in what you've just done.
6. Make sure your iPod will keep a charge for several hours.
7. The serious runners discard their clothing along the way. Seriously. People come along with garbage bags to collect all the clothing and donate them to charity. Apparently, marathoners also have lots of money, because running clothes are freaking expensive.
So that's it. It's over now, and though I still don't have that sense of pride I expected, I have happily checked "distance run" off my life list.
Now I am on to the next race - a nice little community 5k. A race with crowds of people lining the course, runners in crazy outfits, and people not so intent on the competitive aspect of running, as much as the community aspect of being together and doing something good.
I'll be in a tu-tu, of course.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Graduation, and other stuff.
Last week was a crazy blur of activity and emotion. The teenager graduated from high school (with a list of honors, because he's awesome), that pretty much overshadowed all of everything. But there are other kids in the house, and they did their best to hold their own. So for all of them, here is our week in pictures.
At school, the tween's class had their first annual international day. There are so many different cultures in his class; all the kids got to bring in something traditional to their families, the parents were invited, and we all got a most fabulous lunch. Brilliant idea, I hope we can do it again next year!
.jpg)
The tween is playing premier soccer this year, so we live and breathe soccer at our house. Last week, at keeper training, the toddler found some tackling dummies to keep her busy (she also did some laps with one of the girls teams on the field, they pretty much loved it).
My cousin sends his daughter from Hawaii to spend a few weeks in the summer with her grandparents. I got to steal her away for a couple days, because the kids love love love her.
The big moment of the week, the one we've been counting down to for months, finally arrived. The teenager has officially graduated from high school. Holy cow, so much emotion. Look at that smile!!
And because it was a big day for us too, the four of us parents congratulated ourselves for surviving the last 18 years, together. Yay us, we did it too!!
Not to be outdone by her big brother, the toddler had her first ever dance recital. She loved getting dressed up, loved going on stage, and she LOVED sitting in the crowd with us after the intermission to watch the big kids dance. It was pretty much the epitome of cuteness.
At school, the tween's class had their first annual international day. There are so many different cultures in his class; all the kids got to bring in something traditional to their families, the parents were invited, and we all got a most fabulous lunch. Brilliant idea, I hope we can do it again next year!
.jpg)
The tween is playing premier soccer this year, so we live and breathe soccer at our house. Last week, at keeper training, the toddler found some tackling dummies to keep her busy (she also did some laps with one of the girls teams on the field, they pretty much loved it).
My cousin sends his daughter from Hawaii to spend a few weeks in the summer with her grandparents. I got to steal her away for a couple days, because the kids love love love her.
The big moment of the week, the one we've been counting down to for months, finally arrived. The teenager has officially graduated from high school. Holy cow, so much emotion. Look at that smile!!
And because it was a big day for us too, the four of us parents congratulated ourselves for surviving the last 18 years, together. Yay us, we did it too!!
Not to be outdone by her big brother, the toddler had her first ever dance recital. She loved getting dressed up, loved going on stage, and she LOVED sitting in the crowd with us after the intermission to watch the big kids dance. It was pretty much the epitome of cuteness.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
15 Things to Give Up
I saw this on facebook today and it struck a chord with me. I've been struggling a lot with stress and depression and anxiety for some big personal reasons, but I do my best every morning to start my day on a positive note. It's not always easy, it doesn't always last, but I try. We all have our baggage, everyone has a story. And these days my story has been particularly challenging.
We ALL have a story. We have all survived, or are in the process of surviving, something.
So I saw this today and it made me smile. And I think I might want to post this on the fridge for the next few weeks, just to remind me of ways to find the happy on those more challenging days.
I'll put it right next to the vodka bottle.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Time to Change Your Attitude
I wish more people understood this.
"Each day may not be a good one,
But there’s something good in every day.
The difference is usually our attitude.
Look for the positive.
You’ll find then the positives will shine through.
They will act as sign posts to navigate through the dark times."
Thought of the Day: Time to Change your Attitude
"Each day may not be a good one,
But there’s something good in every day.
The difference is usually our attitude.
Look for the positive.
You’ll find then the positives will shine through.
They will act as sign posts to navigate through the dark times."
Thanks to the ISS blog for posting this! I felt it was timely and pertinent, and a good reminder for all.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Recapping the Presidential visit
At the event itself, the teen didn't get to meet the POTUS, but it was an amazing day, and to watch his teacher experience such a monumentous event ... he was a bit like a proud parent. It wouldn't have happened without his intervention, without him interviewing her in the first place. Talk about a proud parent ... he was this catalyst to a once in a lifetime experience for her. Holy wow.
He took a bunch of pictures and left the files on my computer. So I stole a few to share with you all. Enjoy.
 |
| Yeah, that would be Dave Matthews. Singing before the president comes on stage. |
 |
| A very fitting picture of Sue Black, she has a lot of energy. |
 |
| Holy cow, she's hugging the president! So cool! |
 |
| Press craziness! |
What a crazy adventure! So proud of this "kid" and all that he is experiencing!!
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