John and Pearl

John M. has a thing lately for picking up Pearl, our cat. Thank God Pearl is a nice, old, patient cat that puts up with lots of crap. She tolerates him, but runs away at the sight of him too. I swear, she's thinking 'I'm not sure where this boy child came from, but can you please stick a stamp on him and return to sender.'

Single Mom

That's what I feel like these days.

Mark has been working like crazy. I knew this. I expected it. I mean, he just started a new job less than a month ago that's in a galaxy far, far away. I knew what I was in store for, and I put on my 'positive attitude, it'll get better' cap.

Surprisingly, that cap has been doing its job. It hasn't been all that bad.

Mark used to travel A LOT when the girls were babies and when I tell you, I had a time with the 'single mother' thing, I'm not lying. Of course, back then I had 2 babies only 2 years apart that required all of my attention. Now, with the 11 and 9-year-olds and one small hurricane, it's so much different. Actually, so much easier.

I'm hoping that these 15-hour work days shorten in the very near future though, just because we miss having him around. And that, in the long run, this was a good decision. I have a feeling that it was, I just have to give it time.

By the way, that picture there is of the 5-day-old hurricane about 2 years ago. I didn't have new pictures, so I thought we'd review that one.


P.S. The Emma-sheep performed last night and guess who didn't take one picture? you guessed it. Add that to my bad-mother list. But there is a DVD to buy of the whole production! Yippee!

December-Eve, how did that happen?

Can you believe tomorrow is the 1st of December? That totally snuck up on me. Here's
a little of what's been going on.

The good news is, I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping. I'm completely
done with Santa shopping, woo-hoo!

Emma's birthday party is next weekend though. That'll be some work. We're going
to do a 'movie and the mall' party with about 20 kids. Yikes.

Mark's been at his new job for about 3 weeks now. There's been some ups and downs,
but I think he (and we) are adjusting slowly. He's been working mucho hours, as in he
leaves at 4:00 am and gets back at 7:00 pm, but we're hoping this doesn't last long. Please
hope with us.

Emma is a sheep in her Christmas play and a cuter sheep, I have never seen.

Anna starts basketball practice next week, and is super-happy about it after having missed
the soccer season, because her bad mother didn't sign her up.

John M. has discovered the joy of playing Pac-Man and goes around saying 'I wanna play my GAME, mama!' all the time.

That's all for now. I've been blog-o-boring lately, can you tell?
But I do love y'all. Promise.

Black Friday I Wanna Know

So, if I have something that I really want to get for my girl for Xmas cheap... and it's at Best Buy starting at 5:00a.m. Friday.
What time do you think I would have to be there to beat the other crazies to it?

Ideas?

Happy 11th Anna!

I (heart) Montages by OneTrueMedia

Emma Marie


Anna Adele


John M.

The last 10 days or so

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, or kept up with my bloggy friends. It's been a crazy last couple of weeks. I'm going to try and post some pictures here, if Blogger decides to cooperate.
We spent a nice Sunday in a small town right across the Mississippi River from us. We did a little eating and a little shopping and just enjoyed the nice South Louisiana weather.
















Last week, I got to go on Emma's field trip to the corn maze. I even rode on the bus, something I haven't done in quite a while! We had a great time, and completed the maze first. We won't mention the little bit of cheating we did to accomplish that.
















Then, last weekend was Anna's 11th Birthday Sleepover. It was challenging, let's just leave it at that. Some of the girls didn't go to sleep at all that night. They're killing me here.
















A hot man in a pink soccer coach shirt. ;^)














Now, I'll just leave you with 4 of my favorite eyes.

Times, they are a-changin'

I don't like change, have I mentioned that?

Changes are coming though. Mark starts a new job Monday. After being at the same
company for over 11 years. And the job is 90 miles away, one way.

He traded in his gas-guzzling Chevy Silverado for a Corolla. He's not thrilled about that.
But 39 miles/gallon is a lot better than 18.

Wish us luck. Hopefully this new chapter will be a good one.

Okay ... I take it back

Remember this post?

Well, little Miss Talkity-Talk is at a sleep-over tonight.
And you know what?

I miss the talking.

My other girl

Kelli and I were like 2 peas in a pod growing up. We always had a built-in playmate in the room next door. But that doesn't mean that we didn't long for an extra girl. Someone to hold the other side of the jump rope so one of us could jump in the middle, someone to be the 3rd Charlie's Angel. What good are Sabrina and Kelly without Jill, right? We had that in a cousin of mine who lived a few houses down from us. She was Jill, she held the rope, she got on our nerves often, but hey, she completed our 'Three Muskateers'.

This face to the left is Anna and Emma's third muskateer. She's my niece, Katie. Right between my two girls in age, she's in 4th grade, while Emma's in 3rd and Anna's in 5th. She has been their partner in crime ever since they were toddlers. They've had many sleepovers, choreographed countless dances, and fought and argued like only 'sisters' can. I can't help but be reminded of my sister and I growing up with my cousin whenever I look at them. It's great that Katie lives just a couple of houses down so the 'commute' from house to house is a common occurrence.

Kelli and I grew apart from our cousin when we got a little older. I hope that this isn't the case for these three. I look forward to many more sleepovers, all day swimming marathons, and having 3 girls on occasion, instead of 2, to keep me smiling.

The Butt Paste of Champions

Do any of you use this stuff? It's great! For diaper rash. Or anything else you so desire, I guess.

I have Boudreaux's on the mind because John M. made me almost pee myself laughing a couple of weeks ago, as I was changing his diaper. I noticed he had a little bit of a rash, so I told him "stay right there and Mom's gonna get you some cream". I walk back over to him and he says, "Boo-doh's, Mom?". I had no idea he could identify the butt paste.

I called everyone in the room to hear it and we grill him regular now on what I spread on his bottom. Anna especially loves to hear it.

Anna: John M., what does Mom put on your 'wee-wee'?

John M: Boo-doh's!!!

Anna: Boo-doh's what?

John M: Buh Pace!

I'm so proud.

From Billy Ray to Miley

Emma's latest purchase is a 'Hannah Montana' CD, you know from Disney? She is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus (remember? Achey Breakey Heart?) and her real name is Miley. My girl has been waiting for a Miley Cyrus CD to come out since the summer, so she pounced on it when it appeared at the Mart of Wal.

Here comes the strange part: I listen to it all the time. In my car, by myself. Sans kids. What the hell? The thing is, I love fun music. It doesn't have to be quality music, as long as it's fun and dance-able. In my own 'white-girl', geeky dance way, I enjoy it. To quote American Bandstanders, if 'it has a good beat and you can dance to it.' , I'm there.

And it doesn't hurt that when I don't have the girls with me, Hannah Montana keeps their energy with me. So, I'm learning every single song on that CD and I'll be singing them over and over for a while, at least until Christmas.

So, try not to knock those 'weirdos' listening to The Gogos, Debbie Gibson, New Kids OnThe Block, Tiffany, Midnight Star (and the list goes on . . ) because hey, I'm one of them.

Now, I'm off to rock to some Milli Vanilli.

Halloween 2006

One slightly hoochified pumpkin girl (Lillian Vernon costume that was rather short), one Queen of Hearts, and one petrified dalmatian pup.
He was terrified of my 12-year old nephew's costume (I kind of was too). That's him in the back, looking like a giant squid is engulfing his face.





I think John M. thought if he shoved his face in the side of the stroller, the monsters couldn't see him. Later . . .

"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.