It's Been a While

It's been quite a while since I've posted anything, and so much has happened that I wanted to write about, but now I pretty much feel like there's no way to catch up. It's been a crazy month or so.

In the beginning of December, G and I were re-married. We renewed our vows, and it was a big to-do. It was a lot of work, and I have no idea how people have great big weddings. It was also pretty stressful at times. The event marked our 10th anniversary, which is something I still have trouble getting my brain around. In all honesty, it's something I was not confident we would achieve. It makes me feel quite old. I feel as though we've moved into new territory...this is a new period for us. We've transitioned into something different; hopefully it will continue to grow and be progressively better. Sometimes there's nowhere to go but up, you know?

Christmas was VERY hectic, this year, since we were largely preoccupied with the re-wedding right before. My sister was wonderful and helped me with last-minute wrapping that a certain someone wasn't inclined to help with (in his defense, he did assemble some stuff that I wasn't inclined to). I actually got done all that I needed to and was able to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but when the day was over, I could have slept for 16 hours. Every year, I vow to start and complete the shopping and wrapping process earlier, but every year, it seems like I'm down to the wire. I really need to change that. This wasn't my favorite Christmas, either. It was very nice, but the actual part with the kids...well, it just didn't go the way I wanted. My middle son seemed disappointed, to some extent, and they all three unwrapped in record time. Next year I think I'm going to have them alternate unwrapping a gift so that it can be more appreciated by all of us. Not to mention, maybe it will make the gifts "stretch", and they won't be left simply wondering what they can open next. I want them to be grateful for what they have and what they get. Anyway, now comes the process of culling the existing toy collection and finding homes for the new stuff. But I really think that this year they got a reasonable amount of stuff. More importantly, they seemed very interested in traditions, this year...which was nice. I hope they continue to appreciate that.

The inlaws came and went without much to-do, which was nice...but not without all the phony-ness and half-truths. I don't know why my mother-in-law can't just say and do what she really feels. I really feel sorry for G in that respect. I'm pretty sure he'll never have a decent relationship with her. She's just not capable of it...and he's got to realize that it's not his fault, and he can't control that. Some people just weren't meant to be parents.

New Year's was uneventful. We had family over, and we all ate and drank and finally watched the ball drop. We let all the kids stay up (which I remember doing every year), so they were ridiculous by midnight. We drank the champagne which someone gave us for the re-wedding (we have no idea who it was from...the card became estranged from the bottle), and gave the kids sparkling cider (which they weren't exactly fond of). We lit fireworks and let the kids bang on pots with metal spoons...a ruckus we quickly distracted them from. Kisses from all my babies and my family was a good way to start the new year.

So, G needs to quit smoking, like, today. I'm not having the $4.70/pack. That's almost $2k/year. Imagine the vacation we could take! Not to mention that he's been smoking for a long time, and promised to quit when I was pregnant with Cameron (um, that was nine years ago). I took one for the team, it's time he did, too. He'll smell better and live longer. Besides, I have no idea how the boy can run the way he does, and smoke the way he does.

My tooth (the one that was root canaled) is bothering me again. The gums around the crown are irritated, and I read about it online last night...I should know better. They described the patient needing something called crown lengthening...very painful, very expensive. Great. I hope to God I don't need that. That is NOT how I want to start the new year.

I hope this finds you well and happy.

The Halloween that Daddy Saved

You can imagine the chaos that is my house, given that I have three children.  That said, when we were ready to put on Halloween costumes, which had been worn a couple of weeks ago for a cousin's party, we discovered that Collin's Peter Pan hat had gone missing.  I initially blamed Cameron, because her room is the most disastrous in the house, and she had taken the bag of costumes into her room and dumped them on the floor.  At any rate, we searched the house, and it is nowhere to be found.  So, in a moment of chivalry and fatherly love, G went to the fabric store to purchase felt, and we made Collin a new hat.  After all, he'd have just been a boy in a green and brown outfit, without that hat. 



The kids had fun trick-or-treating, of course.  Booah was the most entertaining...he frequently shouted, in his two-year-old accent, "OPEN THE DOOR!  I GET CANDY!"  Or, when he was done talking to one sweet elderly neighbor, he promptly (and loudly) told her to shut the door.  Ang and I could hardly stand it.  Pictures will be posted soon.  Mind you, they couldn't wait to go out, so I only got, like, one picture each.

So, I had my root canal re-done yesterday.  Initially, they told me I would need new impressions done for my crown, as the lab didn't like what they got.  When I got in the chair (without valium, mind you), they proceeded to open the tooth back up and clean out the canals some more.  Mercy.  He then told me, more than once, that he was very concerned I would lose the tooth entirely, as it is badly cracked.  My feeling (and I think my dentist's, too) is that the dentist who did my filling a couple of months ago, cracked the tooth when she drilled it.  Why, oh why, did I go to see another dentist?!  Now, it may or may not be her "fault".  It could just be something that happened because the cavity was so deep.  It could have been her inexperience...fresh out of dental school.  I could have been just one of those things.  At any rate, I'm too damn young to have this happen, and I'm praying the reconstruction he did yesterday will be sufficient and sturdy enough to perform well.

One more thing I forgot to mention...my middle boy Collin was just in a taping for some kids' songs!  Yep, he's gonna be a local star (ok, not really, but he will be on On-Demand kids' programming, which is pretty cool).  He was shy, but not his usual head-in-the-sand self.  He actually did rather well, considering how standoffish he usually is.  He is absolutely in love with Christine, the musician he was "working" for.  She's his new girlfriend, and he gets a funny look on his face when he talks about her.  Unfortunately, he didn't show them his breakdance skills, which we were really hoping for.  I hope he gets the chance to do another video in the future, and he'll get to do it then...but then he'll be older and it won't be quite as cute.  Oh well, it was something fun to do, and he enjoyed it...that's all that matters. 

Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Happy Halloween

I know I'll be too busy tomorrow to say it, so Happy Halloween.  I have costumes to wash, school to get to, kids to wrestle into costumes, makeup to apply, treats to pass out, kids to cart around, and candy to haul.  But it will be fun. 

We carved pumpkins last night, and fought.  The usual...who does more, who is inconsiderate, who doesn't understand.  It was loads of fun.  G actually carved his pumpkin with a jig saw. 

 

I guess it made quick and fairly precise work of it, but I wouldn't say it's for everyone.  In the end, he got a nice, mean-looking pumpkin, which is what he wanted.  I won't comment any further. 

 

 

 

So anyway, tonight is his volleyball night.  Last night, he complained that he was missing the game...I guess because he was carving his pumpking.  As though that was an obligation.  Nevermind the fact that I carved three kids' pumpkins, in addition to my own.  Back to volleyball.  Tonight was an extra-long night, because he had to "call lines".  That means I did dinner and herded the bunch to gymnastics myself, as usual.  I had to wrangle the two boys while we watched Cam's last "showcase" class (and I did two other showcase classes today, as well).  That was a little less than fun, although she did a great job.  She seems to be really built for gymnastics, and has always enjoyed it.  I put up a couple of new pictures, if you're interested.  Then, after VB, he's going to call and ask if I mind if he goes to this cool little tequila bar they've been going to.  He doesn't even like tequila, and suffice it to say that I'm pretty jealous, and pretty peeved.  I'm home with the kids, drinking wine by myself again.  Speaking of kids, they've been running amok since we got home.  I tried to coerce them into eating the dinner they balked at earlier...potstickers, garlic lo mein, and fresh squash sauteed in garlic & olive oil.  What's wrong with them?  Anyway, I guess I should go bathe them now, and put them to bed.  A good mom would do that.  I'm so going to Mexico again next year.

Complaining is My Hobby

Well, this has been a busy week. My oldest baby turned eight yesterday, and I have already proclaimed my disbelief. She wanted breakfast for her birthday "dinner", and pumpkin pie rather than a cake. Sunday, we had her party, and yesterday we had the immediate family dinner. I made apple crisp, too, just because the smell and thought of pumpkin pie was so intoxicating that I had to elaborate on its fall-ness.
G was in Boston for three days, so I was here with the kids. Okay, two and a half days, but in such instances you always round up. But you know...three days of dealing with them, baths, meals, and running around. It takes its toll. I know I really have no cause to complain, because there are plenty of single moms who would love to have a little bit of help, but I am just feeling left behind. And tonight? Yeah, he's playing volleyball with his friends. His younger friends. You know, the ones without spouses and kids. He needs to get with some family men, because I'm tired of drinking wine by myself every night.
Tomorrow we may or may not have house guests, which my mother-in-law has invited to stay at my house. Yes, you read that right. She invited them. Man, I love her. First she invited herself, her brother, and her best friend...now she's not coming, but has assured the other two that we won't mind if they still come. We have not heard from them, so I'm not sure whether they'll still come or not. She has always used our home as a hotel for whenever she's in the area. And, now that we have three kids, there is no more guest room. There is a bed in the basement, and the couch...and the basement is a disaster of toys, computer stuff, and my sewing stuff. I'm really not in the mood for a stash & dash cleaning session. Nor am I in the mood to have a perfect stranger stay in my already busy home. Do y'all have a MIL like mine?
This weekend is the last RenFest already. Just seems impossible, what with all this warm weather we're still having. It's supposed to be downright chilly by now...the bees are supposed to be gone, and you're supposed to drink mead in order to help stay warm. Oh well, I'm going anyway. Can't believe I haven't been yet this year, but that's par for the course. G is sad that I'm going to miss his volleyball double-header. Gee, which would you pick?
Happy weekend!

It's Just a Dream

Last night, I dreamt of kissing a Siamese twin. One of them, anyway. I woke up before I could move on to the other. So, I'm combing all the dream interpretation websites to try to figure out what it might mean. Such things are not what usually melts my butter...I mean, I don't get off on the odd. I'm not keeping the midget porn industry in business or anything. Dream Moods says:

To see twins in your dream, signifies ambivalence, dualities and opposites. It also represents security in business, faithfulness, and contentment with life. It may also mean that you are either in harmony with or in conflict between ideas and decisions.

Hmm. That's pretty accurate. There was also a storm...the most ominous looking storm I have ever seen. But, I was in a strong building, so I wasn't worried. This is what they said about storms:

To see a storm in your dream, signifies overwhelming struggle, shock, devastating loss and catastrophe in your personal affairs. The storm also represents unexpressed fears or emotions, such as anger, rage, turmoil, etc. On a more positive note, the storm signifies the rising of spirit within.
To dream that you take cover in a storm, foretells that whatever disturbance or problems is occurring in your life will quickly blow over. Consider also the phrase "weather the storm", which suggests your ability and strength to withstand whatever comes.

Yeah, that's pretty accurate, too. Apparently, there's a lot going on in my little brain, and it wants to surface, one way or the other. What do you think?

Nothing New

I went to the gym again today...it's only my second time ever. We got kicked out (you know, because they were closing). It's kind of a good feeling to get kicked out of a gym. On the other hand, they were closing because they close early on Saturdays. You know, because most people have a life, unlike me.

G and the rest of the fam are in West Virginia, at Ralph's house, so it's strangely quiet here. I'm sipping my last glass of sangria, debating about going to get some more. Why can't they have delivery liquors? I guess that would be a bad idea.

So, my baby girl is about to turn eight. I know it sounds cliche, but I swear to you that I don't know where the time has gone. I cannot get my brain around the fact that she has been here for eight years...and that I'm eight years older than I was when I had her. When I consider how much I have changed since then, how my life has changed...it's just astounding. We are having a party for her next weekend, so I will be busy, busy this week. I remember being her age-birthday parties were so important. She really wants a hamster, but her father has forbid it (since, well, her room looks like a place that the county would likely condemn). Her frog recently died, too, so that makes me really want to get her the hamster...but you know, that would just be one more thing for me to take care of. Not to mention that it would cause strife between me and G. And can you imagine the two boys letting it out, giving it a haircut, or feeding it M&Ms? Yeah...

Oh yeah, and they're cutting our peaktime hours at work. I'll lose 4 hours per pay period. You know, that doesn't really hurt my feelings, because I'm pretty tired of working there. It used to be a great place to work, but my branch is subject to ridiculous politics these days. On the other hand, I guess I will miss the money. Especially since Comcast is not going to take over Millennium, and therefore I will get no free cable. SIGH. The price of everything is going up, but my salary is going down. I know, I know...I sound really old. It's because I am.

Happy fall...who's in on a Halloween fire?

They're Gone

So, my bastard wisdom teeth that have sabotaged my body for some time now, are finally gone. The drugs have not worn off yet, which is the only reason I'm capable of writing. I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel like hell later on tonight. You know, just in time for not being able to sleep. Who knows, maybe MJ will have one of her sleepless nights and I can talk her ear off (or, mumble it off).

So, here's the best part. I was anxiously awaiting my appointment, and G was getting ready. To go to work. I asked him why he was dressing in khakis and dressy shoes, knowing full well what was up. I said, Do I have to drive myself to the dentist? You know, because one is not supposed to drive after taking Valium. The instructions explicitly said, you must have someone drive you, stay with you, and take you home. He said, Am I supposed to be staying home today? Hmph. At once, I expected it, and was astonished. I made the appointment, what, a month or more ago? I told him I would need a ride, and that the dentist recommended I have help with the kids for a WEEK. In fact, today they told me to lift no more than 5lbs for 7-10 days. Now, I didn't expect him to stay home for a week, just a day or two. G, in all his dental expertise, told me I only needed one day (the day of). He told me he figured I'd made other arrangements, you know, that my mom or someone would take me. I guess he figured they'd be taking care of the kids, too. It blows me away that after supporting someone for ten years, after "holding his hand" through all of his trials, when I need something, I'm just someone else's problem (or my own prolbem). Mind you, he did stay home--what else could he do? It's a little late to stray off course, an hour before the appointment. I could have called a cab. Probably should have. He has also informed me that he will be going to work as planned tomorrow. Nevermind that I will be taking oxycodone and motrin, a steroid, and an antibiotic. Nevermind that kids will need to be lifted, changed, bathed, fed, etc. So, I sit here spitting blood, and my feelings are hurt. He's going to feel it's a betrayal that I wrote this, if he ever does read it...but oh well. It's therapeutic to document my life. I understand that he has things to do. He has deadlines, he has appointments. But people-family-are the only thing in this world that truly matter. We used to be on the same page about that, or at least I thought.

At any rate, I do have an excellent dentist. He did a great job, and he was fast, gentle, efficient, and comforting. I'd recommend him to anyone. I will admit that I was a wuss about it, but I tried to be brave. He assured me that I would be fine, and I am. Now I just have the hard part...the healing, while having to run a house and take care of three kids. Please God, no dry socket. Work is going to give me hell if I call out after my sick leave, but right now, I really don't care. The best part about this whole thing is, I never have to do this again. Thank you Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and all the Saints. And thanks to my mom and my sister (my blood sister, and those who are not related), because they always pull for me. No nachos for me for a while, but with any luck, I'll be relatively normal in a couple of days. Good times, good times.