L(ing)OL

Ok.  I have to laugh.  Talk about being misunderstood!!

:P

My post yesterday was NOT supposed to come across as a pity party.  I wanted to reflect on the impact others have on us, and how we ourselves affect those we come into contact with. 

Quite a few tragedies occured over the weekend~
Two of my friends went through heartbreaking miscarriages this past weekend. 
The niece of another college friend died at the tender age of 3 months.
I lost my "aunt" (actually my dad's cousin) yesterday.... she was a sweet, open-hearted soul.

These all were tremendous losses.  And the fact that so many people were aching shows our vulnerability, the degree to which we became involved in the stories of their lives. It hurts.  A lot.  And there comes a tendency to want to block it all out, to decide NOT to become involved, to NOT put ourselves out there.

That post was meant to discourage such thoughts.
:P

So, thank you to all of the wonderful folks who left some very sweet comments.  I can always do with some affirmation therapy, I won't deny that!  But I am ashamed that I couldn't adequately get my point across.  Almost 6 years of blogging, and I can't convey a simple thought.

UGH.

On second thought, keep those sweet comments coming.  I'm  seriously doubting my writing abilities over here.

:P

More Of Me To Love

So, the countdown is on.  6 weeks to go, and then Little Dude will come screaming into our lives.  I know he will be screaming, because:
(a) Every. SINGLE. one of my children have been colicky... I don't even hold out hope anymore for that elusive "easy" baby, and...
(b) This kid has not stopped kicking me since I hit the 4 month mark.

I am worn and battered, y'all.

I've suffered (?) the usual pregnancy woes... insomnia, vein troubles, stomach growth (ha!), and my newest friend... heartburn.

LOVIN' the heartburn.  No, really.  For once I'm half serious. 

You see, for each of my previous pregnancies, I gained about 60 lbs. And this time around, I was sure that my legs and back would not be able to handle that kind of baggage.  My doctor had been urging me to stick to the recommended 25-30 lb. range. 
*Excuse me while I laugh uproariously* 
You see, once I hit the non-nausea stage, I'm all over food.  Literally.
:P

Except.  Now I've got heartburn.  As in, I simply cannot eat a thing after 9pm.  Especially ice cream, cake, cookies... you name it.  If I want to indulge, it has to be early in the day, with the kids bugging me as to why I get ice cream at 3pm and they don't, and don't I feel like a mean Mama for dishing myself a bowl when they're having peanut butter on bread and...

Yeah.  Forget it.

So, I go to bed dutifully with my glass of ice water, munching away on the melting ice cubes, thus granting myself a night free from the burning in my throat and chest. 

And the payoff?

A pound a week.
Mission accomplished.
:D

Oh, except for the swelling in my ankles...

Now there's a worthy topic.

;P

And Now I Wish I Were A Fashion Designer

After dropping ALL FIVE of my children at this awesome Sports Camp run by an equally awesome family we are good friends with (I owe the parents about a million margaritas.... each) I headed out to the shops, on a mission.

I needed to find a pair of maternity jeans.

Yes, I know it's a zillion degrees here these days.  But I miss my funky jeans.  I used to wear them all. the. time.  Especially in the evenings if DH and I are going out, or if I'm heading to bookclub... they were so versatile, I could really pair them up with anything and head out the door.

I miss them terribly.

I've been to Motherhood, and have been sorely disappointed.  Not only were the jeans way overpriced, but they were too short.  And definitely lacking in the funky department.  Why is it that fashion designers think that pregnant women can't wear flared jeans?  I prefer the looser bottoms, and the dragging hemlines.  I'm tall, so it has to be just the right length in order for me to pull it off.

Today, I made the drive up to Kohls (only 20 min, but still... my time is precious!) and was so mad I couldn't see straight.  Apparently, the buyers there think that pregnant women want to wear gray t-shirts and dark jeans for nine months straight.  And guess what?  Maybe stocking the exact. same. jeans. as Motherhood and hiking the price up by $12 would be a fantabulous idea!

ERGH.

And the tops.  Oy the tops.  I can't stand it.  Either I'm supposed to look like I stepped out of a Victorian painting, or the local high school.  There is no middle ground.  Where did all of the form flattering empire-waist shirts go?  And why are the shirt-sleeves hitting me at the elbow?  It's 98 degrees!

I thought I learned my lesson with Little Dear, that I truly do need to buy maternity clothes when I'm pregnant.  They simply fit better.  But this time around, I am perusing the misses' aisles and selecting the longer shirts, the pleated-front tanks, and buying them a size larger than normal.  As my body changes, I find the selection dwindling.  And it's frustrating.

A good friend told me that Gap maternity jeans were probably what I was looking for.  She loved hers, and said that one pair goes a long way. Guess I'll be making another shopping trip.

Not that I mind, really. 


:P

Lost: Best Quote Ever...

Hurley (to Miles): Hey, dude, maybe he'll, like, let you hold 'Baby You', or change your diaper....


We're still chuckling...

:)



Apologies to those not as hopelessly addicted as I am, and therefore have no idea what I'm talking about....

Tote Talk

Nicole has done a few fun memes lately, and while I haven't been tagged for any of them, I'm snitching the ideas and running gleefully away.

In other words, we need a little frivolity around here.

:)

First, an impromptu photo of me. In the interest of full disclosure, I had to take Action Man to a pre-coffee orthodontist app't this morning. So, rest assured that this home schooling Mama rarely, if ever, looks this put together in the morning, and that glaze in my eyes is just me letting the recently consumed caffeine work it's magic:
























Nicole also asked for a post of our handbag. I have two. One for summer, and one for winter. They are fully machine-washable, super easy to throw over my shoulder leaving me hands-free, and really... quite cute.





















My Vera Bradley purse. (warning: clicking on that link will make you rationalize the purchase of a new handbag, no matter how many you already own. resist. temptation.) Also? I never buy full price. Ebay is my friend.

I tag.... Margaret, Elizabeth, Mrs. Bear, Barbara, and Elaine.... actually, anyone who is brave enough wants to to do this!

:)

It's No Wonder We Are Constantly Sick...

This is our projected 10 day forecast.

I'm not complaining about the 70 degree temps, no sir!

I'm just wishing we could get off the roller-coaster and decide what season we're in... mkay? Thx.

:)

Friday Fun... My Band Name!

Thanks to Elaine, this was pretty funky to do....

Band Name : Mohr Rocket

Album Title: Voyage to the Interior
(Journal writing is a voyage to the interior. Christina Baldwin)

Album Art:
















Want to do your own?
Here’s what you do:

1. Band Name: Random Wikipeda Link
2. Album Title: Random quote generator (take the last four words from the first quote on the page ... I scrolled to the end of the quotes and clicked on new random quotes)
3. Album Art: Flickr Interesting Photo (pick one)



:)

Hearted

Barbara is so nice to keep me on her sidebar, I just had to show my gratitude by participating! I'm suppose to answer these questions with one word... which is super hard for me, since I always feel the need to explain everything.

:)

Where is your cell phone? purse

Where is DH? work

Your hair color? multi

Your Mother? Colorado

Your Father? ditto

Your favorite thing? joy

Your dream last night? confusion

Your dream/goal? eternal peace and happiness for all I love

The room you're in? study

Your hobby? writing

Your fear? the next 4 years

Where do you want to be in six years? right here, but holier

Where were you last night? home

What you're not? crafty

One of your wish list items? more children

Where you grew up? New York

The last thing you did? teach

What are you wearing? funky

Your tv? off

Your pet? cat

Your computer? distracting

Your mood? restless

Missing someone? friends

Your car? un-cool

Something you're not wearing? tatoo

Favorite store? Linens-n-Things

Your summer? sunshine

Love someone? deeply

Your favorite color? bright

Last time you laughed? yesterday

Last time you cried? yesterday


If you haven't done this one yet, please do! And then let me know.

:)

Teacher's Compensation

To celebrate the end of the first six weeks!




















Thanks, DH!

:)

Memed

I'm behind on the Meme front. Also on the budget and laundry front as well. But, there's not much I can do about those other things while I'm sitting here at the computer, is there?

:)

Lisa tagged me awhile ago for this fun one:

A is for age: 36

B is for burger of choice: In-n-out, please... animal style.

C is for car you drive: A 2000 Chevy Astro. I am so hip and happenin'...

D is for dog's name: Little Love.

E is for essential item you use everyday: coffee pot.

F is for favorite TV show: Lost. Will I survive the wait??

G is for favorite game: Love watching hockey. I've been converted.

H is for home state: I'm a NYer... in more ways than one.

I is for instruments you play: The guitar. Just call me Hippie-mama.

J is for favorite juice: Fuzzy navel. Hey, it's got orange juice in it!

K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: Depends on what idiotic world-view op-ed I read...

L is for last restaurant at which you ate: Dunes... yummy kebobs and baba ganoush.

M is for your favorite Muppet: A toss up between the Sweedish Chef and that serious eagle dude.

N is for number of piercings: 3.. one in each ear, plus an extra on the top of my right one.

O is for overnight hospital stays: One for each of my peanuts.

P is for people you were with today: My peanuts... the littlest of whom had a fever yesterday, so we'll be a hermitage again for awhile.

Q: is for what you do with your quiet time: Read, blog, garden.

R is for your biggest regret: Starting this meme when I have so much to do today? (kidding!)

S is for status: Happily married.

T is for time you woke up: 7:45 a.m.

U is for what you consider unique about yourself: Oh, I don't know... that I have 5 kids, play soccer, am a devout Catholic, listen to rock music, wear jeans and love to bake in my new apron? An oxymoron, that's what I am. Most of all though? I'm a loyal friend. Once you've got me, I'm there for keeps.

V is for vegetable you love: Cooked spinach.

W is for worst habit: Thinking I have to be the perfect wife, mom, friend, cook, gardener, writer... etc.

X is for x-rays you've had: Dental only.

Y is for yummy food you ate today: My coffee. Yes, it was that good.

Z is for zodiac sign: Taurus.


This one is a month old. If you haven't done it, consider yourself tagged, and let me know!

:)

My Trip to the Mall...

...became a trip down memory lane.






Originally, I went to the mall to stock up on some cute clothes for my cherubs. Alas, the styles and prints just weren't appealing to me. So, off I went to my old standby.



Um. When did we rewind ourselves 20 years?!?



I shuddered my way through aisle after aisle, desperately seeking something...cute.



I mean, I was out, on my own, FREE. I was looking forward to bringing home tons of deals for the kids and myself, what with a somewhat favorable exchange rate and all. Yet, I came home sorely disappointed. Because, while I may have grown and changed and matured... apparently, the styles hadn't at all since the last time I set foot in a mall.



It's a good thing this stay-at-home, homeschooling Mama of 5 doesn't need to be hip or anything, because those 80's styles? They will forever remain on the pages in my yearbook...

:)

Writers' Block

That's what I'm gonna call it.

Although, I think there may be a more accurate name to convey my state of mind these past few days.

But I'd need a blog post to describe it.

Bingo!

Ever since the contract on our house fell through, I've been in a panic, scared to death that a phone call from the centralized showing service was going to find me in my pj's at 10:30 am, hair in curlers, teeth unbrushed, coffee in hand, and of course, house a disaster.

And so, the computer beckons, but I soundly ignore it and turn my attention to more important matters like using old toothbrushes to shine the fixtures in the bathroom.

Besides, I think. What in the world will I write about? Do people really care that I was in a bad mood yesterday and the only therapy that worked was running the lawn mower for over an hour, mowing our and our neighbor's lawns... defeating the mower since it ran out of gas before I did? Or, how about, is it really worth blogging that since I neglected to take my progesterone last cycle, I am now ekeing out every last ounce of sanity I possess just to make it to the "proper" time of the month before I can shoot up again? Or my homeschool prep? Which is still in the "needs to be done" stage... how organized I am feeling right now. What a slacker mom...

Or, here's the icing on the cake... how about the phone call I got from DH this morning, about the people who may want to buy our house and would like to know... could we move out by the end of the month?!?

As in... this month.

August.

8 days from now.

Yes, I have a lot on my mind right now. And I am praying and trying to trust. Just like all of us do everyday.


:)

Sorry, I can't help it....

But.

Mah goodness. Who ever thought being a nerdy rock star could look so good?

Except, of course, if it were DH. But he's not nerdy, or a rock star.... hmmmm.

Anyhoo... I just Love the way his wedding ring is so visible. A true family man.

:)

(Btw. That's Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies... yes, the one that smiled at me. Too bad he's so darn liberal.)



eta: As Elaine pointed out in the comments, Yes, I do believe he is pouring that glass of wine just. for. me.

:)

So, should I change my name?

Your Hippie Chick Name Is:

Timber

Hippie Chick Name Generator

Your Rapper Name Is...

L.A. Boogie

What's Your Rapper Name?

What do you think?

:)



(aka L.A. Boogie)

It's all in the way you see it...

Me to DH as I slog my way through the (literally) hundreds of posts sitting on my bloglines: I know it looks like I'm not doing anything. But I'm actually letting my fingernail polish dry.


*More stories and news to come, promise. Y'all were so prolific while I was gone. It's going to take some time for me to get my bearings.

8 Random Facts Meme

The veracious* Margaret has tagged me for this meme. As if I don't report enough useless nonsense around here...

:)


“For this meme, each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.”



* I just found, in our front closet, one of our carry-on bags from our last trip. As yet, unopened. Hmmm. Maybe I should just chuck the whole thing in the garbage and call it good.

*I love to chat on the phone. I can easily do an hour of yakking. (Right Matilda?) (watch out, Margaret.... I'll indoctrinate you yet!)

* In sixth grade, I won the spelling bee for three school districts. Misspelled words are a huge pet peeve of mine. People misspell my first and last names all. the. time. God has a sense of humor.

* I love to read. I must have a book going at all times. And I must be in the mood for that particular genre or it's no good.

* In a group setting, I am extremely shy. Extremely. I'm working on this. One-on-one? I'll chat your ear off.

* I've lived in (upstate) NY, California, Vancouver (Canada) and Texas. Three are beautiful places to live. Why am I still here? The people. Darn it though, these southerners are something else.

* Sports Fan and Little Dear are "Irish twins". They are exactly the same age for two weeks, much to Little Dear's delight, and Sports Fan's dismay.

* There is a huge box of hockey vhs tapes under our computer desk, waiting to be converted to DVD. DH's project. Along with the bathroom and many other tasks. Maybe I should move the tapes... eh?


And now for 8 people to tag:

Portia, Sephora, ALVY (hello?!?), Mrs. Bear, Teresa, Simcha, Michelle H, Suzanne D.

Have fun, folks!

:)

*as in, perpetually seeking truth. NOT "voracious" as in, craving or consuming large quantities of food. Just to be clear.

Present for Nutmeg (future reference category)

Came across these last night:

Beautiful, eclectic..... aprons.

Yes, you read that right.... A-P-R-O-N-S.

As you've probably already guessed, I am severely apron-deprived. Most of this is by choice. As in, I choose to get my wardrobe covered in flour, egg mush and roast pork spittings on a weekly basis.

I do own an apron. It is currently covered in midnight blue paint since I used it to cover my clothes while painting the master bedroom with DH a few years ago.

Doesn't everyone use their aprons as painting shirts?

Oh, and I also use it when I'm giving haircuts.

Anyway, I think I need an upgrade for my cooking endeavors.

Check these out, specifically.

*And why is it that most of these are described as flirty as well as eclectic.... is that saying something about me? Hope not!

:)

Random House Rules

Besides the usual house-rules of no jumping on the couches or throwing knives, we have a few rules that are unique to our home alone.

And so.

To any visitors, young or old, that may dare to venture inside the confines of the Nut House, here a few extra rules you must keep in mind:

1. No singing at the table during meals.

2. No singing songs with your sibling(s) name(s) incorporated into it in any way, at anytime.

3. Swords-on-swords, no swords-on-people.

4. You may only shoot people who are armed, or agree to be hunted.

5. If you do not want to be chased, stop running.

6. No climbing up the walls, you are not Spiderman.

7. No socks outside, unless you also have shoes on.

8. Shoes or barefeet only when going outside.

9. If you're going to jump off the top bunk, make sure there is sufficient padding on the floor.

10. You may interrupt Mama only if there is blood. Otherwise, wait until she is off the phone.



And I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of them right now.

I have to go wipe some footprints off the wall.

:)

Inanity

Besides my usual daily duties of dishes and laundry, there are always a few tasks that threaten to drive me right into a straight-jacket permanently.

This is one of them:
















Every. flippin. time. I enter the kitchen, this little chore awaits me.

No, it's really no big deal to pick up the box of band-aids and place it back in the cupboard where it belongs, then deposit the remainders in the garbage.

No. big. deal.

But after the 50th time, it starts to grate on me.

Just a bit.

:)

And yes, we do buy our band-aids in bulk from Sam's, why do you ask?


(I'll spare you the photo of my chore every time I enter the bathroom....)

Any other inane occupational hazards out there today?