So today was a good day overall but when I reflect back on it, I have to crack up.
First, when I was leaving my house this morning, I stepped off my porch weird and twisted my ankle. Now my ankle, knee and wrist hurt.
I ran into the girl who cursed me out at CiCi's (see a previous entry about that tale).
When I got home, I tried to unlock my front door by clicking my car remote. It took me a few seconds to realize what I was doing.
I got paged twice while I was at my kid's school. It's kind of weird to be paged as a volunteer.
I nodded off to dreamland while writing both of my previous entries, a sign to go to bed.
Sweet dreams.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Recommitting to Dinner Time
I am willing to admit my many flaws. One of them lately is cooking for my kids. I feed them, but I admit we eat out a lot. I'm lucky because my kids love salads and vegetables so when we do eat out, they do eat healthy. I keep fresh fruit in my house to balance out our meals out.
The main reason we eat out so much is because dinner time is really hard for me when Kevin is gone. It's when I feel the void so much. Dinner time is always a happy time for us a family, we have our best conversations and giggles there. I really miss Kevin a lot at mealtime.
Tonight when Daniel and I were hanging out, he asked me if I would please start cooking again because he likes my food best. It's pretty powerful when it comes from your kids. I'm grateful for my kids and their simple vision of how life should be.
I admit I've been bad about cooking and have made the decision to do better about it and quit eating out so much. It will go back to being a treat and not an everyday occurrence.
I'm sure this makes me seem like an awful parent but we all have our coping mechanisms.
Daniel and I did some meal planning and so back into the kitchen I go!
The main reason we eat out so much is because dinner time is really hard for me when Kevin is gone. It's when I feel the void so much. Dinner time is always a happy time for us a family, we have our best conversations and giggles there. I really miss Kevin a lot at mealtime.
Tonight when Daniel and I were hanging out, he asked me if I would please start cooking again because he likes my food best. It's pretty powerful when it comes from your kids. I'm grateful for my kids and their simple vision of how life should be.
I admit I've been bad about cooking and have made the decision to do better about it and quit eating out so much. It will go back to being a treat and not an everyday occurrence.
I'm sure this makes me seem like an awful parent but we all have our coping mechanisms.
Daniel and I did some meal planning and so back into the kitchen I go!
The CiCi's Tale
I have referenced a couple times about an incident that happened a few months ago at CiCi's. For those who might not know, CiCi's is an all you can eat pizza buffet. A family friendly (most times) restaurant.
Before I begin my tale, I want to acknowledge that I know the details of this story will shock you. The behavior displayed that evening is so unlike me (okay, I can't even type that without cracking up!)
On to the tale. As I mentioned a few months ago I ventured to CiCi's for dinner with my boys and a friend's son. We had to be at church for choir practice so I figured why not hit up dinner and then head on over. When we walked in and paid, I could hear some kind of disagreement going on over by the salad bar section of the buffet. The buffet is set up in an L shape with the short end where the register and plates are. So I pay for our meals and then we select a table and start to get settled. We approach the pizza section of the buffet which is about 10 feet or so from the salad part portion. Mind you, I have 4 boys with me and there are numerous other children enjoying all you can eat pizza. So I help out the younger boys with their pizza and can hear the disagreement we heard when we entered going from mere arguing to vulgar and crude. The lady was so LOUD we could all hear her. Within earshot were all these kids. Now let me say that I know (and many of the readers of this blog know) that I have been known to speak the Army's main language fluently (cursing if you didn't know, lol). I have gotten soooooooo much better over the years, but I will admit that overcoming that flaw is an ongoing process. However saying that, I am very good about watching my mouth in front of my children and other people's kids.
So back to the lady, she is getting LOUDER and more crude and vulgar by the minute. I'm horrified at some of the words flying out of her mouth and as I look around me, I can see that other parents feel the same way. I take a few steps to close the gap between us and I say nicely, "do you think you can watch what you are saying, there are kids around." I promise I said it nicely, a couple witnesses even acknowledged that fact later. Immediately, the lady turned her anger towards me. She threatened me and called me all sorts of names. One of my other flaws is that I am not afraid of confrontation. I have no problem with it and actually view it as a challenge and rarely back down (I'm working on this too). I responded to her calmly (yes, after reviewing this incident later, I was shocked at how composed I remained). I told her that I'm sure her anger was justified but I would just like her to watch her language. She continued ranting at me about all sorts of things, calling me vulgar names and telling me she as going to beat me. Well me being me, instead of walking away, I stepped towars her calmly and said in a low but firm voice "so do it". I mean seriously don't just run your mouth, if you are going to threaten do it. I admit that it had been a stressful week and I had enough of this deployment so I was in a serious "I don't care" mode.
With every threat, I simply responded with "so do it". Finally, after a couple minutes, I walked away and went and joined my kids at our table. They were at our table during this transaction so they couldn't hear me or what I was saying. Another patron of the restaurant went to the manager and explained that the lady had went off on me and all I was doing was trying to protect all the kids. I appreciated that lady. Well a few minutes later Neil got up to go get more food and the crazy lady was standing next to the pasta and she stepped towards Neil. The mama bear in me came out and I called out to Neil and told him to come back to the table. She was smart enough not to say anything to him. Well she turned to the manager and told him this ridiculous story about how I had told her all sorts of crazy things and went off on her and so much other crap. The thing is, she told him in Spanish because of course I look like a white girl so most people don't know that I grew up in a home where my parents spoke Spanish. Anyway, I'm sure she had no clue that I knew exactly what she was telling him. I just tried to ignore her and enjoy my meal with my boys, but she just couldn't leave it alone. She approached my table.
Now, it's one thing to be doing whatever away from me and my kids but do not approach me and my kids. I did not want her or her vulgarity around my kids. When she got to my table, I stood up and asked her to leave. She immediately went into her rant about how rude I had been to her and how I was all in her business and how she was going to beat me down and all sorts of other nonsense. At this point, my adrenalin was flowing because I was upset with her for approaching my kids. I told her to leave again and she kept the word vomit flowing. She again threated to beat me up (what are we in junior high?). I stepped towards her and told her again very calmly "so do it, quit running your mouth and do it or go away". She of course backed away but kept the words coming. I finally sat down and ignored her and she went away.
A few minutes later the manager came to me to apologize. I believe that it never should have gotten that far, he should have controlled the situation the minute she threatened one of his employees (because she had). He told me he was sorry and explained that they had basically walked in, sat down and never paid. When one of the employees called her on it, that was when she exploded and that was when we walked in. She was demanding a refund because she was offended by the "accusation". She was demanding a refund but the employee kept telling her that there was no refund because she had never paid to begin with. That was when we walked in.
After she left, I did apologize to those sitting around me because I felt bad that I had let her suck me into her drama. I just did not appreciate the words that she was using. They weren't your average curse words. The thing that amuses me about the entire altercation was how calm I was. I never raised my voice and I was ready to take on whatever. Not my finest moment by any means but we all make mistakes.
The world is a small place, today when I was out having breakfast with a friend, I saw the crazy lady. She recognized me first (glad to know I'm so memorable) and said in Spanish to her friend "there's that crazy !#$!@# from the pizza place". I winked at her and walked out.
Before I begin my tale, I want to acknowledge that I know the details of this story will shock you. The behavior displayed that evening is so unlike me (okay, I can't even type that without cracking up!)
On to the tale. As I mentioned a few months ago I ventured to CiCi's for dinner with my boys and a friend's son. We had to be at church for choir practice so I figured why not hit up dinner and then head on over. When we walked in and paid, I could hear some kind of disagreement going on over by the salad bar section of the buffet. The buffet is set up in an L shape with the short end where the register and plates are. So I pay for our meals and then we select a table and start to get settled. We approach the pizza section of the buffet which is about 10 feet or so from the salad part portion. Mind you, I have 4 boys with me and there are numerous other children enjoying all you can eat pizza. So I help out the younger boys with their pizza and can hear the disagreement we heard when we entered going from mere arguing to vulgar and crude. The lady was so LOUD we could all hear her. Within earshot were all these kids. Now let me say that I know (and many of the readers of this blog know) that I have been known to speak the Army's main language fluently (cursing if you didn't know, lol). I have gotten soooooooo much better over the years, but I will admit that overcoming that flaw is an ongoing process. However saying that, I am very good about watching my mouth in front of my children and other people's kids.
So back to the lady, she is getting LOUDER and more crude and vulgar by the minute. I'm horrified at some of the words flying out of her mouth and as I look around me, I can see that other parents feel the same way. I take a few steps to close the gap between us and I say nicely, "do you think you can watch what you are saying, there are kids around." I promise I said it nicely, a couple witnesses even acknowledged that fact later. Immediately, the lady turned her anger towards me. She threatened me and called me all sorts of names. One of my other flaws is that I am not afraid of confrontation. I have no problem with it and actually view it as a challenge and rarely back down (I'm working on this too). I responded to her calmly (yes, after reviewing this incident later, I was shocked at how composed I remained). I told her that I'm sure her anger was justified but I would just like her to watch her language. She continued ranting at me about all sorts of things, calling me vulgar names and telling me she as going to beat me. Well me being me, instead of walking away, I stepped towars her calmly and said in a low but firm voice "so do it". I mean seriously don't just run your mouth, if you are going to threaten do it. I admit that it had been a stressful week and I had enough of this deployment so I was in a serious "I don't care" mode.
With every threat, I simply responded with "so do it". Finally, after a couple minutes, I walked away and went and joined my kids at our table. They were at our table during this transaction so they couldn't hear me or what I was saying. Another patron of the restaurant went to the manager and explained that the lady had went off on me and all I was doing was trying to protect all the kids. I appreciated that lady. Well a few minutes later Neil got up to go get more food and the crazy lady was standing next to the pasta and she stepped towards Neil. The mama bear in me came out and I called out to Neil and told him to come back to the table. She was smart enough not to say anything to him. Well she turned to the manager and told him this ridiculous story about how I had told her all sorts of crazy things and went off on her and so much other crap. The thing is, she told him in Spanish because of course I look like a white girl so most people don't know that I grew up in a home where my parents spoke Spanish. Anyway, I'm sure she had no clue that I knew exactly what she was telling him. I just tried to ignore her and enjoy my meal with my boys, but she just couldn't leave it alone. She approached my table.
Now, it's one thing to be doing whatever away from me and my kids but do not approach me and my kids. I did not want her or her vulgarity around my kids. When she got to my table, I stood up and asked her to leave. She immediately went into her rant about how rude I had been to her and how I was all in her business and how she was going to beat me down and all sorts of other nonsense. At this point, my adrenalin was flowing because I was upset with her for approaching my kids. I told her to leave again and she kept the word vomit flowing. She again threated to beat me up (what are we in junior high?). I stepped towards her and told her again very calmly "so do it, quit running your mouth and do it or go away". She of course backed away but kept the words coming. I finally sat down and ignored her and she went away.
A few minutes later the manager came to me to apologize. I believe that it never should have gotten that far, he should have controlled the situation the minute she threatened one of his employees (because she had). He told me he was sorry and explained that they had basically walked in, sat down and never paid. When one of the employees called her on it, that was when she exploded and that was when we walked in. She was demanding a refund because she was offended by the "accusation". She was demanding a refund but the employee kept telling her that there was no refund because she had never paid to begin with. That was when we walked in.
After she left, I did apologize to those sitting around me because I felt bad that I had let her suck me into her drama. I just did not appreciate the words that she was using. They weren't your average curse words. The thing that amuses me about the entire altercation was how calm I was. I never raised my voice and I was ready to take on whatever. Not my finest moment by any means but we all make mistakes.
The world is a small place, today when I was out having breakfast with a friend, I saw the crazy lady. She recognized me first (glad to know I'm so memorable) and said in Spanish to her friend "there's that crazy !#$!@# from the pizza place". I winked at her and walked out.
The CiCi's Drama
So I have to go do PTA stuff but I decided I will have to post an entry about my CiCi's saga from a few months back. Today at breakfast I ran into the lady from the incident. I had a good chuckle, so I will share the story later tonight when I get back home after doing what I need to do.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Danger Zone...uhm I mean CiCi's
Last night after being the mean mom that I am and forcing my kids to get hair cuts, I tried to make up for it by taking them to CiCi's for all you can eat pizza.
We met some friends there and enjoyed our meal. It was almost time for us to finish up and leave when thing started to go down hill. Neil spilled his drink and he got some great distance. He almost hit the lady that as sitting a good 6 feet away with his diet coke. After having that cleaned up by the friendly staff, a little girl was walking by us with a plate of salad and somehow managed to spill the entire thing down the front of her. Poor little girl, she had lettuce leaves glued on by ranch dressing glue. Not even 3 minutes after that, a little boy slipped and fell in the area that the soda had been spilled (although it had been cleaned up by that point).
We all took that as a sign to gather our belongings and leave.
We went outside and there were about 4 emergency vehicles in the street that ran past the restaurant, if that's not a sign to go home and go to bed, I don't know what is.
Oh, as a side note, for those who may remember my last experience at CiCi's, I want you all to know that I behaved very well and minded my own business!
We met some friends there and enjoyed our meal. It was almost time for us to finish up and leave when thing started to go down hill. Neil spilled his drink and he got some great distance. He almost hit the lady that as sitting a good 6 feet away with his diet coke. After having that cleaned up by the friendly staff, a little girl was walking by us with a plate of salad and somehow managed to spill the entire thing down the front of her. Poor little girl, she had lettuce leaves glued on by ranch dressing glue. Not even 3 minutes after that, a little boy slipped and fell in the area that the soda had been spilled (although it had been cleaned up by that point).
We all took that as a sign to gather our belongings and leave.
We went outside and there were about 4 emergency vehicles in the street that ran past the restaurant, if that's not a sign to go home and go to bed, I don't know what is.
Oh, as a side note, for those who may remember my last experience at CiCi's, I want you all to know that I behaved very well and minded my own business!
Monday, February 23, 2009
No More Fuzzy Heads
Mom couldn't take it anymore. All of you who knew I wouldn't make it to hippie hair, give yourself a pat on the back, gloat, whatever will make you feel better. I couldn't take it anymore and took the boys in for haircuts. It was too much work to try to make their hair lay down and look somewhat take care of. And I'm sure it has to do with the fact that I've been around the Army too long and have grown accustomed to clean cut meaning military style. I just like my boys to look like clean and taken care of. Neil and Daniel have very thick hair and it just wasn't going to grow how they'd like it to.
So yes, I caved and finally made them cut their hair.
They weren't very happy with mom at first but they got over it after I took them out for all you can eat pizza!
So yes, I caved and finally made them cut their hair.
They weren't very happy with mom at first but they got over it after I took them out for all you can eat pizza!
It's Just Tacky
So today I received an IM from someone who I don't even know. I've never her met her in person, but we were in an online message group. I don't even know how she got my email but nonetheless I am on her contact list. I haven't spoken to her ever really and certainly never had any type of email transactions with her. I'm sure she's a nice person, but like I said I don't know her. She IM'd me to tell me about her cousin's website that has bracelets for sale.
I use her as an example because I get different emails from people I have never met but somehow ended up on their contact list and everytime they have a new adventure as an independent consultant of some type I am lucky enough to hear about it.
Don't get me wrong, I like an invite to this or that but seriously, if you don't know a person why spam them? I just think it's tacky. Yes, I know I can just delete the email and I do but why should I even have to be plagued by such nonsense?
That's not to say I don't like the invite to parties of people I actually know (unless you went down the ward roster, have never spoken to me but thought I might like an invite to something you are hosting...that falls in the same tacky category). If I know you, we have had a conversation or two (or many) by all means invite and trust me I am brave enough to say no if it's something that doesn't interest me or I can't make it.
That's my rant of the day.
I use her as an example because I get different emails from people I have never met but somehow ended up on their contact list and everytime they have a new adventure as an independent consultant of some type I am lucky enough to hear about it.
Don't get me wrong, I like an invite to this or that but seriously, if you don't know a person why spam them? I just think it's tacky. Yes, I know I can just delete the email and I do but why should I even have to be plagued by such nonsense?
That's not to say I don't like the invite to parties of people I actually know (unless you went down the ward roster, have never spoken to me but thought I might like an invite to something you are hosting...that falls in the same tacky category). If I know you, we have had a conversation or two (or many) by all means invite and trust me I am brave enough to say no if it's something that doesn't interest me or I can't make it.
That's my rant of the day.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Missing Him
It's weird to sit here and not know what to blog about. I'm always thinking about things I could blog about and am often writing blogs in my head while driving down the road. I'm in a slump right now.
It's been a rough week. It's amazing how one event can knock you so far off center in your life that you struggle to get back in place. I'm doing good, I'm getting there.
I think I'm just in a slump. Kevin has been gone almost 9 months and we really need to be together. I miss him and I think that it's just too long to go without seeing each other. It was our choice to wait this long and in many ways I am happy we did. I'm just ready to see him and hold him again.
For some reason watching the rest of 1st Cavalry leave was really hard. Maybe it's because I knew how each of those families were feeling. I went to a 4th Infantry Division Homecoming and that was just weird. I was happy for all those families but it took me back to our last Homecoming. I can't describe what you feel. I wasn't welcoming my Soldier home but I was almost as emotional as I would be if I was.
Tonight I watched a movie on HBO called Taking Chance. I cried the entire hour and a half. I don't know why I made myself watch it, but I did. Maybe I just needed that good cry. Google it if you want to know why I would cry over it.
I think I just miss my love.♥
It's been a rough week. It's amazing how one event can knock you so far off center in your life that you struggle to get back in place. I'm doing good, I'm getting there.
I think I'm just in a slump. Kevin has been gone almost 9 months and we really need to be together. I miss him and I think that it's just too long to go without seeing each other. It was our choice to wait this long and in many ways I am happy we did. I'm just ready to see him and hold him again.
For some reason watching the rest of 1st Cavalry leave was really hard. Maybe it's because I knew how each of those families were feeling. I went to a 4th Infantry Division Homecoming and that was just weird. I was happy for all those families but it took me back to our last Homecoming. I can't describe what you feel. I wasn't welcoming my Soldier home but I was almost as emotional as I would be if I was.
Tonight I watched a movie on HBO called Taking Chance. I cried the entire hour and a half. I don't know why I made myself watch it, but I did. Maybe I just needed that good cry. Google it if you want to know why I would cry over it.
I think I just miss my love.♥
Thursday, February 19, 2009
12 Months
We got told our tour has been shortened to 12 months. We are excited of course. That's conditional, since we are still on orders for 15 months, that could still change but no one is expecting it to.
Kevin should be home on his R&R in about 5-6 weeks which will be nice. He won't have much time at all when he goes back, about 6 weeks or so. We are so ready for this deployment to be over. Still not sure what lies in store for us as far as a new assignment but we are ready to move on to a new zip code and new adventures (maybe one that doesn't involve sand for a bit).
Kevin should be home on his R&R in about 5-6 weeks which will be nice. He won't have much time at all when he goes back, about 6 weeks or so. We are so ready for this deployment to be over. Still not sure what lies in store for us as far as a new assignment but we are ready to move on to a new zip code and new adventures (maybe one that doesn't involve sand for a bit).
Monday, February 16, 2009
To My Love
I miss you my love. I'm blessed to have you in my life. I can't imagine my life without you, I don't even want to try. I'm grateful for the Lord's protection and timing.
I love you.
I love you.
random pics 2/16
Daniel checking out his tokens
The boys with their dog tags daddy sent them.
Michael and his buddies practicing first aid skills, (he's in the litter)
Getting some love from "Miss T", who was home from Iraq...too much fun!
Welcome Home 4th ID! (we miss being a part of that division)
Mommy and Neil at his last Cub Scout pack meeting
Doesn't he look so enthused?A New Calling
As I mentioned in a previous entry that there were changes to come in the new year for us as a family and individually. The changes began yesterday at church when I was released from the three callings I was serving in.
I was serving as Cubmaster, 12/13 year old Sunday School and I did our Ward Program every week. I admit when I was called in and told that they wanted to release me I was a bit sad. The Bishop was kind enough to hand me a box of tissues, lol. I really love my callings and the people I get to interact with through them. But I have served in Scouting off and on the past 5 years. I have served as Sunday School teacher for over 2. I suppose the Lord thought it was time for a change. I have been called to work with the Young Women in our church. I would be lying if I told you I had a clue about what this calling entails but I don't. Because we didn't join the church until we were adults, I never went through the youth program. I'm excited and ready to learn and grow more.
I already know the girls since they were all in my Sunday School class, so at least that isn't intimidating. Just not knowing the material is kind of overwhelming since I'm one of those people who like to know what I'm getting into.
So that is the latest change coming from the Albrecht home.
I was serving as Cubmaster, 12/13 year old Sunday School and I did our Ward Program every week. I admit when I was called in and told that they wanted to release me I was a bit sad. The Bishop was kind enough to hand me a box of tissues, lol. I really love my callings and the people I get to interact with through them. But I have served in Scouting off and on the past 5 years. I have served as Sunday School teacher for over 2. I suppose the Lord thought it was time for a change. I have been called to work with the Young Women in our church. I would be lying if I told you I had a clue about what this calling entails but I don't. Because we didn't join the church until we were adults, I never went through the youth program. I'm excited and ready to learn and grow more.
I already know the girls since they were all in my Sunday School class, so at least that isn't intimidating. Just not knowing the material is kind of overwhelming since I'm one of those people who like to know what I'm getting into.
So that is the latest change coming from the Albrecht home.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Friday Night Randomness
So I've been told that I've been a bit cranky lately, at times spiteful. I agree that I have been a bit off center. I do still have my sense of humor though. I promise it's still there even though at times it might not appear to be. So that being said, here are a few random thoughts for you.
This week, I have been busy filling out candy grams for a PTA fundraiser. I'm so sick of suckers and hearts. It was interesting deciphering the order forms. The funniest one we got was from a 5th grader who ordered three candy grams and sent in $11. She had a note attached to her order form that said, please make change. Since this was the child of someone I know well, I called my friend up and asked her if she could ask her daughter why she sent in a $10 bill and a $1 bill for three candy grams. Her very serious explanation to her mother was that the $1 bill was for one candy gram and the $10 bill was for the other two and could I make sure I sent back her change. We all had a good giggle over this logic.
Yesterday I had lunch with a friend who is home from Iraq. We had a great time chatting, maybe a little too great a time since we were at the restaurant for over 3 hours. When we walked out of the restaurant, I had the door open and an older couple walked in. They were pretty much all the way in when I released the door. I thought the door would close slower and when I realized it was going faster then I thought I tried to catch it but not before it tapped the lady. If looks could kill I would not be typing this entry. I even apologized but seriously if looks could kill.
I was having a conversation with an Air Force wife earlier today. She told me I was lucky that my husband got to come home in the middle of his deployment. She said it sucked for her because her husband was gone for four months straight with no break. I'm just going to leave that one alone.
I'm a difficult parent. I get that look when I walk into Michael's middle school. If sticking up for my kid when someone is treating him with disrespect just because they are an adult and think they have the right makes me a "difficult parent" I'll gladly wear that title.
It's the little things in life that make me happy. I finally remembered to call in the work order to have my carport light fixed. Every time I drove into it at night, I had images of being mugged next to my own house flash through my mind. Now it's fixed and it makes me smile every time it comes on when I drive up.
I love fruit roll-ups. I wish I could find some that didn't have some crazy design on them. I still eat them, crazy design and all but I just want a plain fruit roll-up.
I was buying the 792 suckers for our candy grams at the store the other day. The guy behind me asked me if I was doing some kind of special event. I told him no, I just loved these special suckers that only got sold around Valentine's Day, so I stock up every year so I can have two a day until the next year. I think he believed me.
I can't wait for Tuesday when I can buy High School Musical 3!
Okay, that's enough randomness. Sweet Dreams!
This week, I have been busy filling out candy grams for a PTA fundraiser. I'm so sick of suckers and hearts. It was interesting deciphering the order forms. The funniest one we got was from a 5th grader who ordered three candy grams and sent in $11. She had a note attached to her order form that said, please make change. Since this was the child of someone I know well, I called my friend up and asked her if she could ask her daughter why she sent in a $10 bill and a $1 bill for three candy grams. Her very serious explanation to her mother was that the $1 bill was for one candy gram and the $10 bill was for the other two and could I make sure I sent back her change. We all had a good giggle over this logic.
Yesterday I had lunch with a friend who is home from Iraq. We had a great time chatting, maybe a little too great a time since we were at the restaurant for over 3 hours. When we walked out of the restaurant, I had the door open and an older couple walked in. They were pretty much all the way in when I released the door. I thought the door would close slower and when I realized it was going faster then I thought I tried to catch it but not before it tapped the lady. If looks could kill I would not be typing this entry. I even apologized but seriously if looks could kill.
I was having a conversation with an Air Force wife earlier today. She told me I was lucky that my husband got to come home in the middle of his deployment. She said it sucked for her because her husband was gone for four months straight with no break. I'm just going to leave that one alone.
I'm a difficult parent. I get that look when I walk into Michael's middle school. If sticking up for my kid when someone is treating him with disrespect just because they are an adult and think they have the right makes me a "difficult parent" I'll gladly wear that title.
It's the little things in life that make me happy. I finally remembered to call in the work order to have my carport light fixed. Every time I drove into it at night, I had images of being mugged next to my own house flash through my mind. Now it's fixed and it makes me smile every time it comes on when I drive up.
I love fruit roll-ups. I wish I could find some that didn't have some crazy design on them. I still eat them, crazy design and all but I just want a plain fruit roll-up.
I was buying the 792 suckers for our candy grams at the store the other day. The guy behind me asked me if I was doing some kind of special event. I told him no, I just loved these special suckers that only got sold around Valentine's Day, so I stock up every year so I can have two a day until the next year. I think he believed me.
I can't wait for Tuesday when I can buy High School Musical 3!
Okay, that's enough randomness. Sweet Dreams!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Impulse Buying
Have you ever been in the check out lane at the store and been drawn in by the variety of goods staring right at you. It's almost like they speak to you. Daniel is always drawn in by the cheap toys and Michael the gift cards. Neil is a sucker for the different trading cards. We can all admit to purchasing some random item that spoke directly to our souls.
That's the whole point of these racks in the checkout lane. The impulse buys as they call them. I've seen quite a few things in these aisles but I have to admit that I have never seen pregnancy tests hanging out in them. Tylenol, yes. Tampons, yes. Pregnancy test, no. Does one stand in the line, patiently waiting, radar in on the pregnancy test and think, "oh man, I should get one of those!" Now, maybe people do, but I found it odd. Maybe those who are trying to get pregnant stock up. I guess that could make sense. Maybe I should have asked the cashier what the statistics were for the pregnancy test purchases.
How's this for another question...is a Dollar Store (where everything is $1) pregnancy test as accurate as one that costs almost 10 times more???
That's the whole point of these racks in the checkout lane. The impulse buys as they call them. I've seen quite a few things in these aisles but I have to admit that I have never seen pregnancy tests hanging out in them. Tylenol, yes. Tampons, yes. Pregnancy test, no. Does one stand in the line, patiently waiting, radar in on the pregnancy test and think, "oh man, I should get one of those!" Now, maybe people do, but I found it odd. Maybe those who are trying to get pregnant stock up. I guess that could make sense. Maybe I should have asked the cashier what the statistics were for the pregnancy test purchases.
How's this for another question...is a Dollar Store (where everything is $1) pregnancy test as accurate as one that costs almost 10 times more???
Monday, February 09, 2009
Mission Complete! Good Job Michael!
Michael did a great job with his service project collecting beanie babies. His final total was 1818 (I posted 1768 originally but didn't add in ones we have already sent and then found a few extra strays hanging around). This project grew far bigger then we imagined and we thank so many of you for contributing and helping him. I know we have great friends but your generosity and support was humbling! Now I'm off to the post office (my back already hurts, lol).
Thanks again!!
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Saturday Randomness
I really should be in the extra room working on it instead of sitting on my bed blogging. But my husband is online and I'm chatting with him. I'm also ignoring my kids who are bickering while they are cleaning. They are getting things done so they can continue arguing for all I care as long as the tasks that have been assigned get done.
As I was checking out my bank account this morning I noticed some weird charges from places I didn't recognize. It's so frustrating when I pay for something and then it comes up all weird on my bank statement. It makes me feel like I'm crazy when I can't recognize a place. If I pay for it at ISTA why does it have some weird thing on my bank statement.
Anyway, there also was a weird charge for some place I have never heard of and I have not spent exactly $19.95 anywhere. So I call the bank and they give me a 1-888 #. The customer service was CRAP. The girl was rude as soon as she picked up the phone. I don't understand that. I always call people sir or ma'am and thank them for their time (even though they are getting paid for that time). But this girl was just rude. I got that situation resolved and hung up.
I also had to call nascar.com to take care of a subscription issue. Their customer service was fabulous! They even gave me a couple free months on one of my subscriptions. So it was nice to have a great customer service experience.
Daniel might get a big spanking today. He is being a big brat and will be punished accordingly, no DS this weekend, boohoo Daniel too bad you can't be good.
Michael's teenage hormones are driving us all nuts. He's getting that "teen attitude". He may also lose some privileges and we will boohoo him too.
Neil is good so far, he shampoo'd the stairs, he likes things like that. He did accidentally dump all the dirty water on the bathroom floor but luckily it was the bathroom floor and not the carpet he just cleaned. The worst part about that was both of our skull pajama bottoms got wet.
Kevin had an organizational day in Iraq today. He was the cook, he always ends up the cook. The 1SG was busting on him because he always feels the need to sample his work. Those are unwritten rules ya know. The 1SG doesn't understand.
I'm watching Nascar practice and I have no idea who is who, so many cars are different this year with new numbers. Hmmm, I better do some research, gotta be in the know when it comes to the race!
I got my new computer that I was so excited about and now that it's here, I don't want to set it up. Our current computer has been so good to us and I have it set up just like I like it and it has all my stuff on it just where I want it. But it is tired and full and probably needs a break. I get excited about change until it actually happens and then I resist.
I'm hungry, I'm going to go eat but before I get downstairs, I'll get sidetracked, get busy doing something else and then realize in about 4 hours that I still hadn't eaten.
I better go, it's almost 11:30 and I have to go to the bus station in an hour, aaaack!
As I was checking out my bank account this morning I noticed some weird charges from places I didn't recognize. It's so frustrating when I pay for something and then it comes up all weird on my bank statement. It makes me feel like I'm crazy when I can't recognize a place. If I pay for it at ISTA why does it have some weird thing on my bank statement.
Anyway, there also was a weird charge for some place I have never heard of and I have not spent exactly $19.95 anywhere. So I call the bank and they give me a 1-888 #. The customer service was CRAP. The girl was rude as soon as she picked up the phone. I don't understand that. I always call people sir or ma'am and thank them for their time (even though they are getting paid for that time). But this girl was just rude. I got that situation resolved and hung up.
I also had to call nascar.com to take care of a subscription issue. Their customer service was fabulous! They even gave me a couple free months on one of my subscriptions. So it was nice to have a great customer service experience.
Daniel might get a big spanking today. He is being a big brat and will be punished accordingly, no DS this weekend, boohoo Daniel too bad you can't be good.
Michael's teenage hormones are driving us all nuts. He's getting that "teen attitude". He may also lose some privileges and we will boohoo him too.
Neil is good so far, he shampoo'd the stairs, he likes things like that. He did accidentally dump all the dirty water on the bathroom floor but luckily it was the bathroom floor and not the carpet he just cleaned. The worst part about that was both of our skull pajama bottoms got wet.
Kevin had an organizational day in Iraq today. He was the cook, he always ends up the cook. The 1SG was busting on him because he always feels the need to sample his work. Those are unwritten rules ya know. The 1SG doesn't understand.
I'm watching Nascar practice and I have no idea who is who, so many cars are different this year with new numbers. Hmmm, I better do some research, gotta be in the know when it comes to the race!
I got my new computer that I was so excited about and now that it's here, I don't want to set it up. Our current computer has been so good to us and I have it set up just like I like it and it has all my stuff on it just where I want it. But it is tired and full and probably needs a break. I get excited about change until it actually happens and then I resist.
I'm hungry, I'm going to go eat but before I get downstairs, I'll get sidetracked, get busy doing something else and then realize in about 4 hours that I still hadn't eaten.
I better go, it's almost 11:30 and I have to go to the bus station in an hour, aaaack!
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Random Pics 2/5
My love, I miss you so much!♥
Michael organizing our groceries on the belt. He gets annoyed when people don't put things together so I just let him do it.
Michael getting ready to head out on his hike and camp out for Boy Scouts.
Daniel eating a Bic Mac, he said he's too big for kid's meals (he didn't even like the Big Mac, lol)
Neil and some of his friends making posters for their dance coming up at school.Michael is Textually Active!
Michael is ALWAYS on his phone these days. When Kevin left, I gave Michael his phone, it was to be used for emergencies only. At Christmas, his best friend "A" got a cell phone and so I gave him permission to let her have his number. I swear he spends more time on the phone than I do! Well she was texting him and so I was a nice mom and added texting to his plan. Well pretty soon another friend had his number and was texting him too. I gave him permission to let a few of his friends have his number and ever since then he has been a texting fool. The kicker...everyone in his address book is a girl!! One even sent him a message the other day wanting to know if he liked her like she liked him. Michael already knows he's not allowed to date until he's 40 (ok, 16) so he did tell her that they could be friends. Today she sent him a message saying the pain inside is unbearable. I really had to giggle at the dramatics of a 12 year old. Michael is pretty laid back about it all which is a good thing but seriously I'm not ready for the crushes and the "love-stricken" sob stories.
So far Michael has been pretty honest with me and I love that, I hope that it continues. Kids grow too darn fast.
Somewhere in the Middle
It's a time of transition here at Fort Hood. The hustle and bustle of military life. White buses coming and going. Tears of goodbye and tears of hello. Signs on the fences alongside the installation and the overpasses. News reports of the Welcome Home and news reports of the goodbyes. And somewhere in the midst of it all, there we are. Almost 8 months into the deployment. Finally over the halfway mark. Rumors are flying that our tour will be shortened to 12 months but that's all they are at this point...rumors. I've been around the Army long enough to not set my hopes up because when you do, they get brutally crushed. Kevin hasn't even made it home for his R&R leave. And this was our choice, so I'm not complaining. We wanted to take it as late as possible because it's just easier that way. The second goodbye is so much harsher then the first. So my choice was to prolong it. Really it makes sense to us even if it doesn't to anyone else. But now as time goes on and I see the reunions, I'm ready to see my husband again. I'm ready to be a family that lives together for more then a few months.
I'm also ready to quit hearing how much worse everyone else has it then we do. I hate that anyone has to say goodbye to their Soldiers. I hate that no matter how long your Soldier is home between deployments it's never long enough. Telling me that your husband wasn't home as long as mine, especially in front of my children doesn't diminish the pain we feel while he is gone. I try to be supportive of everyone in this journey called Army life. But right now, today, I'm just as tired as everyone else and I miss my love as much as the next and I think it sucks too. Please don't diminish the trial that we must endure to make yourselves feel better.
As I watch the buses roll both on post and off, my heart aches for every one of those Soldier's families. I know the pain they are feeling, we are living the life too.
12 months or 15 months, really it doesn't matter, one day is far too long to be apart from the one you love the most.
I'm also ready to quit hearing how much worse everyone else has it then we do. I hate that anyone has to say goodbye to their Soldiers. I hate that no matter how long your Soldier is home between deployments it's never long enough. Telling me that your husband wasn't home as long as mine, especially in front of my children doesn't diminish the pain we feel while he is gone. I try to be supportive of everyone in this journey called Army life. But right now, today, I'm just as tired as everyone else and I miss my love as much as the next and I think it sucks too. Please don't diminish the trial that we must endure to make yourselves feel better.
As I watch the buses roll both on post and off, my heart aches for every one of those Soldier's families. I know the pain they are feeling, we are living the life too.
12 months or 15 months, really it doesn't matter, one day is far too long to be apart from the one you love the most.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Changes in 2009
This year will be about change in our life. In many different ways. We hope to have a change in zip code by the end of the year, a new adventure as an Army family. There will be other smaller changes and as we embark on them we will share them accordingly.
While we go through these changes, we will reflect on the journey that has gotten us to this point, the experiences and the people and we will smile and feel blessed. I'm sure there will be the few that we might grimace about (both the experiences and the people) but in the end we will still smile and think about the journey and the soul searching all of the experiences required of us.
Nothing immense has happened, but changes will come and I am grateful for the Lord's hand in all of what has been and what will be.
While we go through these changes, we will reflect on the journey that has gotten us to this point, the experiences and the people and we will smile and feel blessed. I'm sure there will be the few that we might grimace about (both the experiences and the people) but in the end we will still smile and think about the journey and the soul searching all of the experiences required of us.
Nothing immense has happened, but changes will come and I am grateful for the Lord's hand in all of what has been and what will be.
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