"I don't have time"

It's a phrase I use way too much. Not that I usually say it out loud, but it's something that I tell myself too often on a daily basis. I always wonder how others seem to have time for 'extras', whether it's doing things around their houses, volunteering their time to charities, or just doing something for themselves that they need. Maybe a 'date' with their husbands or making a craft because it's something they enjoy. I find myself constantly feeling like I'm trying to get 10 different things done at once and never being able to give 100% to any of them.

This feeling overwhelms me many times so I just tend to cut things out. Many times it's this blog, which I really want to keep up on a 'historian' level, thanks, Dani. Many times it's spending time with friends or doing something special for them because they really do mean so much to me. (Thanks for the b-day gifts, Chesney and Beki.) Mark and I very rarely go on dates anymore; I think we've been out, just the two of us, one time this year. I know that it's something we need and the fact that we don't do it often enough does damage our relationship. Marriage is hard enough in and of itself, but when you're constantly surrounded by children all-day every-day with no break, it wears you down. And cuts out any possibility of romance. At.All.

I'm going to try and work on these things. I'm going to tell myself that I do have time. If that means letting the dishes sit in the sink, or not watching 'The Duel' on Thursday nights, so be it.
I want to focus on the things that really matter. Wish me luck.

(I have a backlog of pictures that I hadn't downloaded, here's a couple)



Me blowing out my birthday candles. Look at those cheeks, WOW!












Anna and her best friend at the pumpkin-carving party this weekend. Doesn't my girl look pretty here?









Sidenote: Emma gave me a homemade 'coupon book' of treats to cash in on for the next couple of weeks. Most of them are for massages (maschs, in Emma-spell). There was one name I particularly enjoyed, the 'hot blow massage'. Don't ask.

37 reasons why being 'almost-37' isn't so bad

Well, okay maybe not 37 reasons. How about 3?

1.) 37 is a nice age to look back and see how far you've come, the things you've accomplished, and all the ways you've become wiser.

2.) 37 is pretty much mid-career for me. 15 years 'til I'm out of the workforce forever.

3.) 37 isn't dead yet.

The end. Whew, that took a lot out of me! I'm not getting any younger, you know.

I'm Hangin' Up Now

Do you ever hang up on people? Isn't that such a rude thing to do?

I do it all too often.

Take this morning, for instance. I was on the phone with a customer service rep from Visa. He was actually the original rep's supervisor. I had requested him because the first rep appeared to be not the sharpest Crayon in the box. He repeated that my problem was 'unfornuate' about 12 times in a 2 minute span.

The supervisor comes on and pretty much echos what Moron #1 had told me and apologizes for the 'unfortunate' situation. That word must be in the Visa training manual. "Use the word 'unfortunate' and the customer will feel that you sympathize with them." Not this customer. I was just pissed.

I was so frustrated after a while. There were long moments of silence on the other end of the phone after my comments to him, where he just said nothing and I was wondering if he went out for pizza or something. So I just hung up.

I used to feel guilty doing this, but not so much anymore. Like when I receive really bad 'customer service' or when salespeople call and won't take one 'no', but have to wait for you to turn them down 3 or more times.

Rude? Maybe, but so be it. Unfortunate, isn't it?

So, are you a hanger upper?

Bop

Had enough of Barney talk yet? I didn't think so.

See below. This is 'Little Bop'. Not 'Baby Bop', according to John M. I kind of agree that 'Little Bop' is more appealing as a name, for some reason.

But Bop's little, squeaky annoying voice makes me want to hurl. And when she starts singing about her 'blankey', I want to stuff the blankey in her dinomouth. I'm going to call her Barfy Bop.

Take a breath

I'm not kidding when I say my middle-8-year-old child has not shut up for more than 15 seconds at a time the entire day.

We went to Baton Rouge for some shopping and she talked the entire way there, the whole time shopping, the whole way eating, the whole way back and she continues to talk as I type this.

I've asked her repeatedly to be quiet but I think it's impossible. Anyone have this same problem? Anyone have a nice muzzle? Send it on over please.

Sam and Mike

It's hard to believe that I haven't posted about Sam and Mike before, because they play such a huge part in the lives of my kids. 'Mrs. Sam' has been my babysitter, nanny, daycare provider, since Anna was a wee tot back in 1995. She keeps children in her home. 'Mr. Mike' is her husband who has been there helping all along. He just retired a few months ago, so he's home more often now and they pretty much co-sit the kids.

Mike and Sam both have a 'way' with children. Do you know what I mean? A 'way' that many of us simply don't have. Sam has been able to get all 3 of my kids to do things that they would never do at home. Case in point; taking a nap at a regular time, on cue. Also, eating all kinds of non-kid-friendly vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, and okra. Mr. Mike has a garden across the street from their house where he grows amazing vegetables and is nice enough to share with us 'moms.'

Did I mention Sam is an incredible cook who makes the best eggplant lasagna and gumbo I've ever tasted? The kids she keeps actually request different meals on her 'menu' when they're off for the holidays.

I've found that Sam and Mike are akin to an extra set of grandparents for my kids. They've been there for them through every stage of their lives thusfar, and have never failed to give them just what they need. They are a permanent part of my 'thank-you' list in my prayers, because I do realize how incredibly blessed we all are to have found them.

(Here's a shot of Mr. Mike hanging up the clothes last week on Mrs. Sam's birthday, when he promised to take over all the chores.)

Get a life?

Ever had such a dull life that the high point of your weekend was taking pictures while wearing geeky 3D glasses in a movie theater on a Saturday night?


















Yeah, me neither.

This is not an advertisement for WhiteStrips

It only plays one on TV.

Take 1 . . . action! 9/16/06 - Renee's beige teeth.















Take 2 . . . 10/5/06 - After using Crest Whitestrips for 2 weeks. Renee's new and improved whiter teeth!














Tell me you can see a difference. I actually can.
I'd recommend these to anyone trying to get their teeth to not be ecru.

Party!

John M's 2nd birthday party was yesterday. We had it at a park in Baton Rouge and although it was pretty hot out, it was nice in the shade of the trees. We barbecued weenies and burgers, and just let the kids play. John M. loved it; playing outside is his #1 favorite pastime, as I've mentioned before. I don't think he even realized it was a party for him until we sang 'Happy Birthday', at which point he stated 'I need anotha ween', so we had to have an encore. For the most part, he just wanted to climb, swing, and slide. He did take a couple of whacks at the pinata but lost interest quickly.



I'm so thankful to all of my friends and family that came. My extended family is pretty small now and that makes me sad sometimes. The few that I do have make up for it though. So, thank you, Mom,Kelli and Hawk (and your gaggle of kids). And John's 'Mrs. Sam friends', Sam, Anna, Allie and Carson. My friends for life, Beki, Krystal, Alison, Melissa, Laurie, Tracy, and Vernon (burger-man) and all of their kids. I don't tell you enough, but you all make my life a happy place. I honestly could not make it without all of you. Thanks for being there for my boy . . . and me. I'll stop the mushiness now. I'm just feeling a little sentimental.

Days like yesterday remind me of how blessed I am. Happy Birthday, John M.