Loony-Bin
September 22, 2005
Only a month into the new school year and I'm out of lunch ideas.
Two things complicate the choice of what to make for lunch:
1. Emily is allergic to all nuts.
2. She is picky beyond belief.
Honest to god, the two things she usually has are pasta or a cheese sandwich. Every so often the variation fairy will swoop in and she'll ask for a turkey sandwich. This week, the hot lunch program started, but that is only on Wednesdays. At least I get a day off. I've tried chips and salsa (didn't go over well). We've tried yogurt, but no matter what we try to keep it cold, it's warm by the time lunch rolls around and she won't eat it. Don't you dare suggest that I send carrots(or any veggie) and dip. The girl would rather starve. However, I'm tempted to try it to force her to eat it.
You know how sauce can make any food more palatable? One of my friends used to say "Hunger is the best sauce".
I've tried a plain jelly sandwich. No go.
Butter and honey? No.
Crackers and cheese? Eh. The cheese won't stay cold (I got new containers that might fix this problem)
Occasionally she'll have a cheese quesadilla. Unfortunately, we're all out of tortillas and the right kind of cheese.
This morning, I hit my breaking point. Steve is out of town until tomorrow (he left Sunday), I have a test to study for tonight, the laundry is in various stages of completion, the house is a wreck, and I need to go back on my meds. Near the end of summer, we were starting to get some attitude from both of the girls. I was hoping the structure of school and the routine it provides would help with that some. Yeah, not so much.
Emily doesn't lie like she used to, but often I am not allowed to finish a sentence without "NO!" escaping from one of my young daughters' lips. Becca has been whining and gernerally grumpy. Her favorite expression is one of crossed arms and a lound "Hmpfh".
If you think we let the kids walk all over us, you would be wrong. We are pretty dang tough on them, and expect quite a bit. I'm at my wit's end. I need a break, and more than what I get the few hours I'm at school each week.
The mornings are a constant battle between getting the kids dressed. Emily has mastered the art of stealing little snippets of time here and there until we are late getting out of the house. Her sister and I will be waiting, and she'll be doing some dance for the bird while half dressed. It never used to be such a challenge. She used to be easily motivated to get out the door. Oh, did I mention that she has about 45 minutes of homework each night? She's in second grade. That means I get 45 extra minutes of homework every night. Those of you who are single parents and keep it all together, I bow to your abilities.
I have to go. My time out is over, I made us late, and I still need to brush her hair, which is a project in and of itself. After I drop her off at school, I think I'm going to go sit in the corner and cry for a little bit.
Two things complicate the choice of what to make for lunch:
1. Emily is allergic to all nuts.
2. She is picky beyond belief.
Honest to god, the two things she usually has are pasta or a cheese sandwich. Every so often the variation fairy will swoop in and she'll ask for a turkey sandwich. This week, the hot lunch program started, but that is only on Wednesdays. At least I get a day off. I've tried chips and salsa (didn't go over well). We've tried yogurt, but no matter what we try to keep it cold, it's warm by the time lunch rolls around and she won't eat it. Don't you dare suggest that I send carrots(or any veggie) and dip. The girl would rather starve. However, I'm tempted to try it to force her to eat it.
You know how sauce can make any food more palatable? One of my friends used to say "Hunger is the best sauce".
I've tried a plain jelly sandwich. No go.
Butter and honey? No.
Crackers and cheese? Eh. The cheese won't stay cold (I got new containers that might fix this problem)
Occasionally she'll have a cheese quesadilla. Unfortunately, we're all out of tortillas and the right kind of cheese.
This morning, I hit my breaking point. Steve is out of town until tomorrow (he left Sunday), I have a test to study for tonight, the laundry is in various stages of completion, the house is a wreck, and I need to go back on my meds. Near the end of summer, we were starting to get some attitude from both of the girls. I was hoping the structure of school and the routine it provides would help with that some. Yeah, not so much.
Emily doesn't lie like she used to, but often I am not allowed to finish a sentence without "NO!" escaping from one of my young daughters' lips. Becca has been whining and gernerally grumpy. Her favorite expression is one of crossed arms and a lound "Hmpfh".
If you think we let the kids walk all over us, you would be wrong. We are pretty dang tough on them, and expect quite a bit. I'm at my wit's end. I need a break, and more than what I get the few hours I'm at school each week.
The mornings are a constant battle between getting the kids dressed. Emily has mastered the art of stealing little snippets of time here and there until we are late getting out of the house. Her sister and I will be waiting, and she'll be doing some dance for the bird while half dressed. It never used to be such a challenge. She used to be easily motivated to get out the door. Oh, did I mention that she has about 45 minutes of homework each night? She's in second grade. That means I get 45 extra minutes of homework every night. Those of you who are single parents and keep it all together, I bow to your abilities.
I have to go. My time out is over, I made us late, and I still need to brush her hair, which is a project in and of itself. After I drop her off at school, I think I'm going to go sit in the corner and cry for a little bit.
September 15, 2005
I was so tired this afternoon. No wait. Not tired, exhausted. Hmmm, that doesn't quite grasp it either.
Dead on my feet is pretty close.
Anyhoo, I decided to take a little nap at 1:45, and I set the alarm for 2:15 so I could pick up Becca and a neighbor girl from school (Em had Brownies). Guess what time I woke up.
2:35
After school already let out.
I jumped off the couch and into the car, still half asleep. I think at 4:30 my mind finally cleared a little bit.
And this morning I woke up with a start from a dream that I forgot to pick up the neighbor girl and didn't realize it until her mom came to our house to pick her up at 8:00 pm. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy (almost).
I need to sleep in this weekend. I think My brain is full, it can't hold any more info.
Dead on my feet is pretty close.
Anyhoo, I decided to take a little nap at 1:45, and I set the alarm for 2:15 so I could pick up Becca and a neighbor girl from school (Em had Brownies). Guess what time I woke up.
2:35
After school already let out.
I jumped off the couch and into the car, still half asleep. I think at 4:30 my mind finally cleared a little bit.
And this morning I woke up with a start from a dream that I forgot to pick up the neighbor girl and didn't realize it until her mom came to our house to pick her up at 8:00 pm. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy (almost).
I need to sleep in this weekend. I think My brain is full, it can't hold any more info.
July 06, 2005
You look forward to going to the grocery store.
Alone.
Alone.
July 05, 2005
We made it through the weekend in one piece. The family picnic was very pleasant and we were blessed with fantastic weather. There were fewer people there than usual so it was fairly low key.
Sunday we went downtown to visit Steve's aunt and uncle who were having a party. They have a beautiful condo off Lake Shore Drive. The girls swam in the pool a bit and we were off to another party at the father of our best friend.
His 4th of July weekend BBQ is a family tradition. We visited, the kids played, and after nightfall the guys set off fireworks. They bought some fantastic ones this year. Almost as good as the professional fireworks. And more illegal too, but I wouldn't know anything about that. Becca loved them, but Em was absolutely terrified. She said she was scared of them coming down from the sky on top of her. We left around 11 pm and I ran to the store to get what I needed for her party.
Sunday we went downtown to visit Steve's aunt and uncle who were having a party. They have a beautiful condo off Lake Shore Drive. The girls swam in the pool a bit and we were off to another party at the father of our best friend.
His 4th of July weekend BBQ is a family tradition. We visited, the kids played, and after nightfall the guys set off fireworks. They bought some fantastic ones this year. Almost as good as the professional fireworks. And more illegal too, but I wouldn't know anything about that. Becca loved them, but Em was absolutely terrified. She said she was scared of them coming down from the sky on top of her. We left around 11 pm and I ran to the store to get what I needed for her party.
May 21, 2005
I can't sleep because I miss my husband.
In that way.
I think I'm going to lose my mind with frustration.
And? I can't believe that I just told the whole internet.
In that way.
I think I'm going to lose my mind with frustration.
And? I can't believe that I just told the whole internet.
April 22, 2005
How wrong is it that I had to turn the heat on when earlier this week, the air conditioner was running?
April 06, 2005
Well, I ruined my perfect manicure last night by sliding down the stairs. We have carpeted stairs and I have big feet, so if I step just a little too far to the edge of the tread, I go sliding down feet first with no hope of recovery.
Despite that fact, I still was grappling for the railing to try to stop my high speed descent. It was during this futile attempt at deceleration that two of my acrylic nails snapped off.
Seriously, if I go more that two days without falling down (or up) the stairs, or jamming my foot into a doorway or corner I consider it a blessing.
Is anyone else this clumsy? Are you willing to admit it?
I'm gonna be such a fun old person, when the accidents can cause more damage.
Despite that fact, I still was grappling for the railing to try to stop my high speed descent. It was during this futile attempt at deceleration that two of my acrylic nails snapped off.
Seriously, if I go more that two days without falling down (or up) the stairs, or jamming my foot into a doorway or corner I consider it a blessing.
Is anyone else this clumsy? Are you willing to admit it?
I'm gonna be such a fun old person, when the accidents can cause more damage.
April 05, 2005
So I'm in my nail salon today getting my nails prettied up when all of a sudden this STRONG smell of natural gas comes wafting in.
A couple of the girls run to the back to see whats up, while the rest of us sit there relatively unconcerned. Sort of like "Huh, that's interesting".
Within a couple minutes the fire department showed up to investigate. The smell dissapated within about 10 minutes and in usual fashion, us women weren't in any rush to leave the premises. Hell, we care so much about our looks we are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice in a roaring ball of flames if that's what it comes too.
I found it humorous that we didn't even bat an eye when a fireman (and oh what a man) comes in to ask where we smelled the gas.
I answered "All over". He was carrying that little gieger counter like thingy that measures the amount of gas in the air and he said everything looked ok where we were.
We never did find out exactly what happened, but we think it had something to do with the new chinese restaurant they are building a few doors down in the strip mall.
The utter lack of concern for our own safety was comical.
A couple of the girls run to the back to see whats up, while the rest of us sit there relatively unconcerned. Sort of like "Huh, that's interesting".
Within a couple minutes the fire department showed up to investigate. The smell dissapated within about 10 minutes and in usual fashion, us women weren't in any rush to leave the premises. Hell, we care so much about our looks we are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice in a roaring ball of flames if that's what it comes too.
I found it humorous that we didn't even bat an eye when a fireman (and oh what a man) comes in to ask where we smelled the gas.
I answered "All over". He was carrying that little gieger counter like thingy that measures the amount of gas in the air and he said everything looked ok where we were.
We never did find out exactly what happened, but we think it had something to do with the new chinese restaurant they are building a few doors down in the strip mall.
The utter lack of concern for our own safety was comical.
As much as I love the fact that we are currently having a wonderful Spring here in the Chicago area, and windows can be opened to air out the house, I'm distressed at the other things Spring brings besides sunny days and warm weather.
I'm talking about bugs.
The spiders seem to be unusually active. And juicy. The kids no longer want to go into the basement because invariably, one particularly huge arachnid will be scuttling out of their toy box.
Then there are the ants. Last night I killed about a dozen big black ants, all on my kitchen counter. For the life of me I can't figure out where they are coming from, and I'm thinking of getting ant traps today.
Also, mosquitoes have already hatched (don't deny it, I've seen them) and little gnats have found miniscule gaps in which to invade my house and drive me nuts by flying around the kitchen lights.
Somehow, I conveniently forget about the great bug awakening that occurs as the weather warms up. To be followed in the Summer by wasps trying to make nests on the kids playgym, and crawling into the weep holes in my windows.
Oh, and who can forget the ladybugs. I'm not talking about the sweet red ones. It's the orange ones we've come to loathe, as they crawl in our clothes and bite.
Remind me again why I like the summer? Oh yeah the beach. Except that the lake is always cold (always), and the biting sand flies give you no option but to stay in the water or become their dinner.
Gah!
At least we don't have palmetto bugs in this part of the country. Seriously, I think I would die if I had to deal with those.
I'm talking about bugs.
The spiders seem to be unusually active. And juicy. The kids no longer want to go into the basement because invariably, one particularly huge arachnid will be scuttling out of their toy box.
Then there are the ants. Last night I killed about a dozen big black ants, all on my kitchen counter. For the life of me I can't figure out where they are coming from, and I'm thinking of getting ant traps today.
Also, mosquitoes have already hatched (don't deny it, I've seen them) and little gnats have found miniscule gaps in which to invade my house and drive me nuts by flying around the kitchen lights.
Somehow, I conveniently forget about the great bug awakening that occurs as the weather warms up. To be followed in the Summer by wasps trying to make nests on the kids playgym, and crawling into the weep holes in my windows.
Oh, and who can forget the ladybugs. I'm not talking about the sweet red ones. It's the orange ones we've come to loathe, as they crawl in our clothes and bite.
Remind me again why I like the summer? Oh yeah the beach. Except that the lake is always cold (always), and the biting sand flies give you no option but to stay in the water or become their dinner.
Gah!
At least we don't have palmetto bugs in this part of the country. Seriously, I think I would die if I had to deal with those.
March 21, 2005
I know relating dreams isn't the most exciting blog post, but this was too bizarre to pass up. Details are a little fuzzy but I'll give you the synopsis.
Ok, in the dream I found out I was pregnant and I posted a very witty entry to my blog about how pregnancy seems to be infectious lately in certain blog circles. Then there was this big party with bloggers that showed up. Dooce was there, along with Beth and her beloved. There were others but I can't recall who at this time.
Somehow at 12 weeks I was already into maternity clothes and when I dug out my old clothes, the other gals decided that I needed to go out and update my wardrobe. As Dooce put it, "You are NOT wearing those pants out of the house, are you?"
This was all so bizarre on so many levels. First, my husband underwent a procedure to ensure that no unexpected offspring will occur. I admit to having a little "baby fever" lately, probably due to the fact that my youngest is no longer a baby, having just turned 4. However, that in no way means that I have had any "pregnancy fever" or "childbirth fever", or even "breastfeeding fever".
In fact, I would not want another baby, as I'm starting to rebuild my own identity outside of being a wife and mother, and don't want to stray off course.
Secondly, how crazy is it that I am having dreams about bloggers AND blogging? The little voice inside my head is screaming "Get a life!".
Maybe I just missed you guys this weekend since I wasn't online at all.
Ok, in the dream I found out I was pregnant and I posted a very witty entry to my blog about how pregnancy seems to be infectious lately in certain blog circles. Then there was this big party with bloggers that showed up. Dooce was there, along with Beth and her beloved. There were others but I can't recall who at this time.
Somehow at 12 weeks I was already into maternity clothes and when I dug out my old clothes, the other gals decided that I needed to go out and update my wardrobe. As Dooce put it, "You are NOT wearing those pants out of the house, are you?"
This was all so bizarre on so many levels. First, my husband underwent a procedure to ensure that no unexpected offspring will occur. I admit to having a little "baby fever" lately, probably due to the fact that my youngest is no longer a baby, having just turned 4. However, that in no way means that I have had any "pregnancy fever" or "childbirth fever", or even "breastfeeding fever".
In fact, I would not want another baby, as I'm starting to rebuild my own identity outside of being a wife and mother, and don't want to stray off course.
Secondly, how crazy is it that I am having dreams about bloggers AND blogging? The little voice inside my head is screaming "Get a life!".
Maybe I just missed you guys this weekend since I wasn't online at all.