08.31.08
Posted in kids at 7:54 pm by hecticmom
Prissy starts band on Friday. She will be playing the clarinet. While I’m SO SUPER EXCITED FOR HER, I’m also really really not looking forward to listening to her practice. I’m also just not at all sure how we will be able to fit it in with everything else. We ended up buying the clarinet – it was actually cheaper to buy a new student clarinet than to rent a used one. This is assuming that she plays for the whole year. Practices are after school twice a week, and they are free, which totally blows me away (we’ve been paying for EVERYTHING at their previous school.)
So, band… Yeah… Prissy is growing up… I was an orchestra nerd in school (violin player) and I adored it. It was my one and only thing. I definitely wasn’t the best, but I was a good player. It was sort of my identity when I was in high school. I played in the pit orchestra for musicals all over Kansas City (including colleges.) I traveled to Europe one summer and played all over in an orchestra.
But, what if she hates it? Will I be sad? But, holy crap – what if she loves it? I’m not sure we have time for lessons and travel and musicals and recitals and performances! And what if I get all weird about it? Music was sort of my thing – and I’m a bit afraid I’ll get all bossy and pushy and know-it-all-y. I REALLY wanted her to play violin, but it wasn’t an option (however it is for Max in 2 years) – and I think that is probably a very good thing. We put her clarinet together today and I was the only one to make a sound – it was horrible and screechy – but that is about all I could do. If we pulled out a violin, I could play it horribly, but I could still play it. 
So, this is absolutely new territory for me. I will NOT force her to practice. Everything she does will be her choice.
In my mind – I still want her to favor baton twirling (also something I know nothing about.) She is so amazingly good. But, instead of narrowing down – we are stupidly expanding.
However, we did decide that this year would be her last year in soccer. Next year she would rather play winter softball. Which is fine – she’s at least eliminating a sport. (Plus, her daddy is on the softball board of directors – his daughter should at least be playing. )
Argh… and Yay!!! Only time will tell I suppose.
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08.30.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:45 pm by hecticmom
When I’m feeling low, I do google image searches on ugly monkey. You would be surprised at how many ugly monkeys there are. This always makes me feel better about myself – at least I don’t look like an ugly monkey! (Please note, these are not pictures I have taken, nor do I own any rights to them – I f0und them off the web and I take no credit for the awesomeness of the images, but I do very much like them.)
This is my personal favorite. This is a bit what I look like when I wake up in the morning.
This is me with PMS – just ask anyone.
‘least this one looks happy!
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08.29.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:48 pm by hecticmom
Prissy has wanted to be president of the United States since she was 4 years old. I keep trying to talk her out of it. She seems like such a sweet girl and I’m afraid that politics will “turn” her. Maybe Supreme Court Justice? Yeah, she could totally do that.
Anyway, one thing the kid has is perseverance. My wonderful and sweet 9 year old daughter totally and completely enjoyed watching the DNC. Right on!
So, I sent her this link:
Prissy TheAwesome for President (but I used her real name which is quite unique) I thought it was really cool – and as a technical woman, I really had to investigate just how this was done (I’ve since figured it out – but it made me scratch my head for a bit.)
Prissy opens up the link and before she can be told that it wasn’t real, she starts crying tears of joy. She thinks that there is really a news report about her and that people want to vote for her.
Oh.my.gawd… I felt so incredibly horrible. Horrible. I told her that it was a computer program and I thought that she would like it. She was fine, but I still felt like a big sack of crap.
So, put the Mommy of the Year Award on Hold. Oh, I wasn’t even up for it. Well, I suppose that’s all for the best.
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08.27.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:38 pm by hecticmom
Tonight was back to school night. I was running late from work, but got home and headed over to the school. There were cars all over our street, but it was really nice to not have to worry about parking. Usually on back to school night we would have to plan out carpools, babysitters, parking, splitting up the classrooms, and we’d get home at 9:30 totally exhausted.
We walked over there, went to Bubba’s class - I love his teacher. She is so awesome. The kids came too – but they played on the playground with a TON of other kids. Then, we had about 10 minutes before Prissy’s class, and we ran home with the kids and got their bikes and razrs and came back to the school (how cool is that?) I also like Prissy’s teacher very much.
One thing is the resources that a public school has at it’s disposal! There are so many websites the kids can log in to. There are passwords and all sorts of things – but they have their books online and extra assignments and help if they get stuck. It’s amazing!
We now have to decide if Prissy is going to do band. I really really really really wanted her to play the violin, but she can’t because she didn’t start last year. I was an orchestra nerd and I really really liked it. We have a week to decide. But, is it clarinet? flute? trumpet? Oh, the decisions! She is involved in so many other things – and doesn’t have a lot of spare time. I just don’t know.
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08.26.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:09 pm by hecticmom
Click here for song
When I was small, we had a massive black wild dog named Ebony. He was an all black dog and hyper as all get out. He took me for walks instead of the other way around. Well, I found myself singing this song this week and I realized that I have my very own ebony and ivory.
Here are a few pictures of ebony and ivory. I seriously did not know that two cats could get along so well:
AFFAIR UNCOVERED!
TOUCHDOWN UPSIDE DOWN!
‘dis MY house – you NOT allowed in (or Dealing with Robotic Dinosaur Envy):
Sweet Dreams and Goodnight
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08.24.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:20 pm by hecticmom
I can’t remember if I posted this or not, but two weeks ago when we were camping, my awesome minivan failed to start when we were leaving the camp site. My battery was dead. We got a jump and it kept on running – so my fears that my alternator was on the fritz were discarded. (I have a very sad story about my alternator being broken long long ago and I got caught somewhere I shouldn’t have been at 15 years of age while on a restricted license and I was grounded for an entire month.)
But, today, I was where I was supposed to be and I was being very responsible and I headed out to the grocery store. I went to start my awesome minivan and it wouldn’t start. The battery was dead again. My awesome minivan wasn’t being very awesome.
I took Hubby’s car and went to the store and after I came home I called AAA. Why did I call AAA? Well, they had replaced my battery just under 2 years ago, and the battery they installed had a 36 month warranty. I was going to wait until tomorrow to call, but decided to call on a Sunday afternoon anyway. Fifteen minutes after I called – the tow truck arrived and he did his diagnostics on my not-so-awesome-at-that-moment minivan and determined that there was a bad cell in my battery. So, he replaced it free of charge and went on his merry way.
I have a brand new battery in my now-back-to-awesome minivan. And from the time I called to the time it was all replaced and working – 1 hour. And cost me NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH! I love AAA. (even if they did give me a battery that only lasted 2 years. At least they came out on a Sunday to MY HOUSE to replace it.) While he was replacing the battery I mowed the lawn and did copious amounts of yard work and almost passed out because it was SO HOT!!!!
I should mention – that the entire time that I’m bringing in groceries, putting them away, and getting my car fixed while doing yardwork, hubby and the kids were swimming in the pool. After my awesome minivan was fixed and I was SO HOT I was ready to jump in the pool – the kids were done swimming. So, I got to jump in and float around the pool in total and complete solitude – it ROCKED MY WORLD! Until Bubba came out crying that Hubby wouldn’t let him have a popcicle because it was too close to dinner time (clearly, my cue to go make dinner. )
** 5K training note – Prissy and I started on week 4 of our 5K training plan today. It was tough, but we BOTH were able to do it. I’m so proud of Prissy. We were both totally drenched in sweat when we got home at 9:30 this morning!!!! And, I really don’t like running… I keep thinking if I do it enough I’ll start to enjoy it – it just never happens.
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08.23.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:36 pm by hecticmom
Today was busy – but filled with a bunch of nothing. I am in the process of transferring domains. So, if you find me through hecticmom.com, you might not be able to fnd me for 24-48 hours. Sorry ’bout that. Yahoo raised their domain prices to more than double what I was paying before, so I needed to rehost. But, it’ll take some time.
ANYHOO – Bubba and I went to Taekwondo today, and Hubby went to his football draft. Last night he went to a softball board meeting. Did I mention that he’s on the board for the Rocklin Girls Fast Pitch Softball League? Oh, I didn’t? So, I’m on the board for Prissy’s baton (so much easier than Softball - we have 10 girls as opposed to 500.) And neither of us are any boards for Bubba. The deal is that Prissy LOVES her sports – and Bubba sort of just tolerates his sports. I’m not sure sports will be his thing, he doesn’t really have an excitement or passion for anything yet. Which is ok – I just want him to have his own thing that he really really enjoys.
And, I got a pedicure today. It was wonderful. However, my front yard is currently a disaster – and I should have spent some time in the front yard. Since we no longer have gardener weeds have taken over completely on the postage stamp size of land we can grow stuff on. I have some serious work to do tomorrow… Ugh… But, at least my toes look pretty.
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08.22.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:49 pm by hecticmom
Today – Prissy brought a friend home from school. It’s the first time she’s ever done that. She has been oh so ever excited. I picked up Prissy and her friend from school, I will call her Sweet-Pea, and her mom and we came over to the house.
I’ve been working on cleaning up my house some and it is far far from where I want it, but it’s at least presentable. At least the downstairs rooms.
Anyway, Sweet-Pea and her mom walked in and we were greeted by Jasmine and Oreo. Prissy picks up Jasmine and Sweet-Pea pets and and oohs and ahhhs… Then, Prissy picks up Oreo and Sweet-Pea oohs and ahhs. Then, Sweet-Pea picks up Jasmine and she holds her for a bit and then Jasmine jumps down, but claws her way down. With her claws out. On Sweet-Peas arm. And Sweet-Pea started bleeding. A lot. From a 8″ double scratch down the back of her arm, right where it hurts the most.
O.M.G….
Her mom was right there, which in hindsight was probably better. At least she saw it and knew that it wasn’t a rabid angry cat… Holy shit… They had probably been in the house all of 2 minutes before she was bleeding. I’m the best host EVER!
The mom left and the girls (and Bubba) had a good ole time just playing and playing and playing.
I will be you $5 she’s not allowed to come over again. I feel horrible…
BTW – Sweet-Pea and her mom are both extremely extremely nice. I’m glad Prissy made a nice friend…
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08.21.08
Posted in kids at 7:53 pm by hecticmom
This week has been really stressful. I’ve been working from home, while juggling the kids and their new school (which is going fabulously by the way.) My house has been a disaster, tornado-style, and not having a regular schedule is making me totally and completely a little crazy. I’m pretty much one of the most “schedule” oriented people I know. It takes a real effort on my part to step out of a schedule and just be… I can do it – but with effort.
So, this week has been totally different than “normal” – I’ve had my schedule down pat for the past 9 years. I know EXACTLY how long it takes me to get ready, to get the kids ready, breakfasted, lunches packed, school stuff packed – I know EXACTLY what time I have to be out the door in order to get the kids to school on time so I can get myself to work on time. I know which roads to take given the time I have left. I know which ones will be trafficy given the time of day AND the time of year. I have it down to a total and complete science. OCD anyone? I also know what my traffic will be like depending on when I leave between 4:30 and 5:15. If I leave at 4:30 I can get home close to 5:30 (assuming I was picking up the kids at their old school.) If I leave at 5:15 it’ll probably be 6:30 or 6:45 before I get home.
I knew how to get the kids to soccer, baton, taekwondo, and baseball. I knew which sports I had to have the kids change clothes in the car for. I had it down. I was a master of the schedule (as damn hectic as it was.)
Now, it’s all new – and significantly easier and harder
- Before: School starts at 8:00am – must be out of the house with EVERYTHING by 6:50
- Now: School starts at 7:50 - must be out of the house by 7:43. Forget something - that’s ok, go back and get it.
- Before: School gets out at 3:30, after school activities at the school. They need to be picked up by 5ish.
- Now: School gets out at 1:20 for Bubba (really, 1:20?!!) and 2:20 for Prissy. But, I just walk over and pick them up. The walk takes me 3 minutes. But, what about work?
- Before: To get to a 5pm soccer practice, I had to leave work early at 4pm and RACE to get the kids, have them change in the car (and pray I didn’t forget anything) and RACE to the practice. Afterward, we’d run home and cook dinner and the kids would have to start their homework and we’d eat and they’d finish homework and complain because they were tired.
- Now: For a 5pm soccer practice, the kids finish up their homework before hand, get a snack. Clean their rooms, do their weekly reading, at 4:45 get their cleats on and head to practice. Come home and eat dinner and relax a little bit..
So, it’s easier. But, what I’m not sure how it’s going to work when I’m not working from home. The kids get out of school at 1:20. I’m an hour away. Hubby is planning on working from home some. And I’m sure everything will be fine – but it is causing me A LOT OF ANXIETY… I will need to also work from home some in the upcoming weeks as well.
Oh, but on a cool note. Prissy is bringing home a friend to play tomorrow after school. She’s never ever ever done that… Never. Because all of her school friends live an hour away and that’s a huge pain for everyone. Now, her friend lives down the street, and she’s coming over tomorrow… I think we’re all giddy with the idea.
So, with all of my schedule chaos – I needed some sanity and I started to “declutter” my house this evening. Already, it feels SO MUCH BETTER… I feel less stressed out because my desk isn’t piled high will bills and other grossness. My kitchen island is CLEAR – No major piles of papers of crap I need to take care of. I have a long long long way to go, but at least it’s a start.
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08.19.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:25 pm by hecticmom
Today the kids went back to school. Prissy was really really nervous. Bubba was very excited. We dropped them off just as they were lining up to go into their classrooms.
I went home and was SO FREAKING BUSY with work. I blinked and it was lunch time. I went and got some lunch, blinked again and it was time to pick up Bubba. Blinked a third time and it was time to pick up Prissy. I almost got everything I needed to get done done today – but, I was juggling about 3 or 4 things at a time. (IMing someone, while emailing someone else, while trying to get a snack for a child… Ugh.. )
Anyway, here are some recent pictures. (actually, here are my standard first day of school pictures – same place every year.)
Here is Bubba – he just looks so big in this picture:
Here is Prissy looking very nervous:
The kids had an awesome first day of school. Both kids made a new friend. Prissy’s new friend looks JUST LIKE HER! It’s almost freaky. They walked out of the classroom just chatting away like they’d been friends forever. I’m really happy for her. Bubba also made a new friend and he is also really excited.
I can’t tell you how many parents I talked to (so even _I_ made friends. )
So, they are both excited about tomorrow.
And just because – here are a few pictures of the kitties taken from over the weekend:
Pure Love (Oreo and Jasmine absolutely adore each other):
AHHH!!! IT’S ROLLING OVER ME!!! (not really – it’s a little kitty house and her body is inside of it. )
Prissy and Jasmine
Bubba and Jasmine
“Hey – there is a kitty in this bag!”
Bubba and Oreo
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