Since the end of last year and the beginning of this new one, it feels like all I do is apologize for the time that has lapsed between posts. Once again, citizens of Blog Land, I must apologize...and hope that I can find the time to start posting regularly again. I won't bore you with the details of school life (which is boring, even to me), money problems, single-hood problems, ....blah, blah, blah...I will simply say that life in Wonderland is as cRaZy as ever.
This week, Little Sis was on winter break from school. Strike anyone else as odd? Winter break? In February? Weird. Anyway, it reminded me that as much as I love the little booger and hope for kids of my own one day, I am NOT ready for that just yet. Since her brother now goes to a different school, it was left completely to me to entertain her. From 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Oh heavenly Father.
By body was in shock from having to wake up at 6 a.m. Now, I know that this is normal for most people, but I'm a woman who doesn't go into work until around 2 p.m. Needless to say, going from working a 4 hour day to an 11 1/2 hour day is enough to leave even the most rested person reeling. I didn't get anything done around the house all week and I think the dog was beginning to think I had abandoned him. By the time I got home each night I didn't want to do anything but eat and go straight to bed. Which is what I did.
Now, I don't know if I was just slap happy from the long hours, but by Thursday afternoon, everything the kids were saying was hilarious. Little Sis randomly started crying at the doctor's office because it started to rain and she didn't want her favorite tree at the bus stop to get knocked over. Mind you, it wasn't storming...just raining. I had to bite my lip to keep the giggles inside. She had real tears in her eyes. Then her brother reminded her that it was just a tree...like any other tree in the whole world...."Besides" he said, "do you even KNOW that tree?" I was through. I was glad we were alone in the waiting room because an obnoxious snort flew from my nose and a peal of laughter straight from my gut ripped through my mouth. Little Sis just looked at me with an expression that said, "traitor". I couldn't help it! After all, this wasn't a tree in their yard...this was a random tree at a bus stop!
Later, when we were in the car on the way home, and I was sufficiently recovered from my giggle attack, Little Sis says randomly, "My butt is itchy". My jaw dropped and Big Bro says, "Eeeeewww!" and then bursts into giggles. Once again, I'm trying to hold the giggles in, because really...that's gross. I asked her why her butt was itchy and if she had had a shower the night before. She said no, but that she thought it was because of the huge poo poo that came out of it earlier. Big Bro and I were undone. I was laughing so hard I was crying, and once again Little Sis couldn't understand what was so very funny. Really, I guess it wasn't that funny. Then she said, "Well it was a really big poop". We laughed all the way home.
Oh Mercy.
"...Thus grew the tale of Wonderland: Thus slowly one by one, it's quaint events were hammered out- and now the tale is done...the dream child moving through a land of wonders wild and new, In friendly chat with bird
or beast-and half believe it true..." -Lewis Carroll
Showing posts with label Silly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Silly. Show all posts
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Thankful: Parenting Experience
Greetings and Salutations citizens of the blogosphere!
I know that in my last post I promised to write a post each day until Thanksgiving, counting down the days by reflecting on things that I'm thankful for. Well, it just hasn't happened. Life in all it's grandiose busy-ness has, as it's prone to do, gotten in the way. I've been meaning to write, it's just that I've been writing so many other things, that the blog, unfortunately is at the bottom of the to-do list.
For those of you who may be wondering, yes, I am still working on my NaNoWriMo novel. Just last night I passed the 20,000 word mark and I'm still about 8,000 words behind. Sigh. Oh well. I'll catch up. Eventually.
Anyway...what I'm thankful for...
Today I'm thankful for my job. Of course, I'm thankful for it because it allows me to pay my bills, etc, etc. But I'm mostly thankful for the experiences it's allowing me to have before I have kids of my own.
In today's society of sometimes extreme feminism, the role of a mother is often downplayed and in today's career minded society, being a stay at home mom is often looked down upon, especially by other women. I think that the thought process of a lot of women is, "Women can do and be anything they want to be now days."
Let me exlplain.
I do not consider myself to be a feminist or anything extreme. I have very high expectations for myself and career goals. However, if and when the time ever comes where I am afforded the wonderful privilege to be a mommy, and if my financial status allows, I will leave my job to stay at home with my kids. I have no idea what my future holds or the kind of job that my future spouse will hold, but hopefully it will be something that will be sufficient enough to allow me to stay at home.
But why Rachel you ask. Why?
In the last year I have navigated meltdowns, built 4000 piece lego buildings, gone on too many zoo trips to count, played basketball, gone to doctor's appointments and allergy shots twice a week, broke up sibling fights, read parenting books, gone to swim practices and swim competitions, gone to gymnastics, bandaged scraped knees, dried tears, and soothed hurt feelings, attended class parties, gone to soccer games, school performances, and taught skills like tying shoe laces. I can tell when they've had a rough day at school and when they're just plain tuckered out. I've been told "I hate you", I've been hit, pinched, kicked, and scratched. I've had toy blocks thrown at me. I've also been told, "I love you Rachel", and been smothered with kisses and hugs.
I have experienced so many things with these kids and their parents have missed so much. If I was a parent, I'd be devastated to pass off these experiences to someone else. The sad thing is, though, that I don't think they realize what they're missing. These people are millionaires and they work all the time to maintain that lifestyle. Besides the time when they're getting the kids ready for school in the mornings, they probably spend a total of about 3 hours with their kids before they put them to bed for the night. 3 hours in a 24 hour day. Unspeakably sad.
Now I know that it is a privilege to be able to stay at home with your kids and it's a privilege that many women would love to have but simply cannot afford/ I am in no way knocking the moms who have to work. I'm just saying that I realize how much working moms miss and in the future, if I can avoid that, hopefully I will.
So, today, I'm thankful for my job, stressful and thankless as it may seem at times. It's afforded me a viewpoint that I may have otherwise never had the opportunity to have.
I know that in my last post I promised to write a post each day until Thanksgiving, counting down the days by reflecting on things that I'm thankful for. Well, it just hasn't happened. Life in all it's grandiose busy-ness has, as it's prone to do, gotten in the way. I've been meaning to write, it's just that I've been writing so many other things, that the blog, unfortunately is at the bottom of the to-do list.
For those of you who may be wondering, yes, I am still working on my NaNoWriMo novel. Just last night I passed the 20,000 word mark and I'm still about 8,000 words behind. Sigh. Oh well. I'll catch up. Eventually.
Anyway...what I'm thankful for...
Today I'm thankful for my job. Of course, I'm thankful for it because it allows me to pay my bills, etc, etc. But I'm mostly thankful for the experiences it's allowing me to have before I have kids of my own.
In today's society of sometimes extreme feminism, the role of a mother is often downplayed and in today's career minded society, being a stay at home mom is often looked down upon, especially by other women. I think that the thought process of a lot of women is, "Women can do and be anything they want to be now days."
" Why would anyone want to be a stay at home mom?"
Let me exlplain.
I do not consider myself to be a feminist or anything extreme. I have very high expectations for myself and career goals. However, if and when the time ever comes where I am afforded the wonderful privilege to be a mommy, and if my financial status allows, I will leave my job to stay at home with my kids. I have no idea what my future holds or the kind of job that my future spouse will hold, but hopefully it will be something that will be sufficient enough to allow me to stay at home.
But why Rachel you ask. Why?
In the last year I have navigated meltdowns, built 4000 piece lego buildings, gone on too many zoo trips to count, played basketball, gone to doctor's appointments and allergy shots twice a week, broke up sibling fights, read parenting books, gone to swim practices and swim competitions, gone to gymnastics, bandaged scraped knees, dried tears, and soothed hurt feelings, attended class parties, gone to soccer games, school performances, and taught skills like tying shoe laces. I can tell when they've had a rough day at school and when they're just plain tuckered out. I've been told "I hate you", I've been hit, pinched, kicked, and scratched. I've had toy blocks thrown at me. I've also been told, "I love you Rachel", and been smothered with kisses and hugs.
I have been a part time parent.
I have experienced so many things with these kids and their parents have missed so much. If I was a parent, I'd be devastated to pass off these experiences to someone else. The sad thing is, though, that I don't think they realize what they're missing. These people are millionaires and they work all the time to maintain that lifestyle. Besides the time when they're getting the kids ready for school in the mornings, they probably spend a total of about 3 hours with their kids before they put them to bed for the night. 3 hours in a 24 hour day. Unspeakably sad.
Now I know that it is a privilege to be able to stay at home with your kids and it's a privilege that many women would love to have but simply cannot afford/ I am in no way knocking the moms who have to work. I'm just saying that I realize how much working moms miss and in the future, if I can avoid that, hopefully I will.
So, today, I'm thankful for my job, stressful and thankless as it may seem at times. It's afforded me a viewpoint that I may have otherwise never had the opportunity to have.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thankful: My Only Man of the Hour
It's hard to believe that exactly a week from today will be Thanksgiving Day. When November 1st came, the end of the month seemed so far a way, and yet here we are, almost at the end.
As is my habit, starting today I will begin a countdown of the things I'm most grateful for, from the mundane to the hugely important. Given my current computer situation, the next seven days of posts may be a little less detailed than normal, but hey, a little is better than nothing at all, right?
Right.
So today, I am thnakful for my man of the hour. Actually my man of any hour. The guy who, my sister informed me today, started looking for me 5 minutes at a time out of the blinds in our living room when it got to be past the time I normally come home.
My cuddle buddy, pillow, wordless comedian, daily alarm clock, perfect listener, unrepentant kisser, and the best friend any single gal could have...ladies and gentlemen of blog land...today I am thankful for my doggie companion Mr. Oliver!
To him I dedicate this blusey ballad sung by Ms. Norah Jones, who is also a fellow dog lover.
Listen to the lyrics...hysterically cute and SO perfect!
As is my habit, starting today I will begin a countdown of the things I'm most grateful for, from the mundane to the hugely important. Given my current computer situation, the next seven days of posts may be a little less detailed than normal, but hey, a little is better than nothing at all, right?
Right.
So today, I am thnakful for my man of the hour. Actually my man of any hour. The guy who, my sister informed me today, started looking for me 5 minutes at a time out of the blinds in our living room when it got to be past the time I normally come home.
My cuddle buddy, pillow, wordless comedian, daily alarm clock, perfect listener, unrepentant kisser, and the best friend any single gal could have...ladies and gentlemen of blog land...today I am thankful for my doggie companion Mr. Oliver!
To him I dedicate this blusey ballad sung by Ms. Norah Jones, who is also a fellow dog lover.
Listen to the lyrics...hysterically cute and SO perfect!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Scary Stories, Giggles, and ZZzzss
Do you remember those times when you were younger and all your family was at someone's house for a get together and by the end of the night, you and all your cousins ended up in someone's bedroom all smooshed onto one bed...giggling, pushing each other off, and trying to scare each other?
As a kid, I experienced many times like those and...miracle of miracles...I got to experience that again this past weekend. As I mentioned before, my sister and I left on Thursday night for a little getaway to my mom and step-dad's house. My 10 year old twin step-sisters were there, along with my older step-sister's two little daughters.
On Saturday night, we had a movie marathon and once we got to the third movie, I decided I was all movied out and laid down on the bed in my mom's room. The lights were out and I didn't think anyone had seen me go in, but after about 5 minutes, my sister wandered in...said she didn't want to watch the movie either, and crawled into the bed as well. It was only about a matter of 15 minutes before the twins and the nieces came in...effectively ending the silence. Ha.
I was laying horizontally on the very end of the bed...my sister was toward the top...and the kids were everywhere in between. LoL. The lights were still out and it wasn't long before Jess started trying to scare the twins by telling stories of a "red-eyed" girl who lived in the closet and in the wall. Haha. This of course sent everyone scurrying under the covers...and the fight for the blankets commenced. I was nearly pushed off the bed about twice and got my head squashed too many times to count. Haha. When that was over the twins starting talking about somebody from school whom they called..."chump butt". My sister and I nearly fell off the bed again...this time from cracking up. Go ahead Blog Land...say "Chump...Butt" out loud. Now try not to giggle...pretty impossible, eh? Ha. We continued to giggle until someone came up with the idea to have a contest to see who could pretend to be asleep the longest. Yup. You know what happened....next thing I know my step-dad is coming in the door flipping on the lights and yelling "wake up!". Hahaha. Isn't it funny how that happens....everyone's laughing and talking and then all of a sudden bam! Everyone's knocked out. LoL.
Anyway. That was just one part of a very fun weekend. We went to the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday...where I pet a SHARK!!! We went to this amazingly fun water park called Splash Island on Saturday...it has a lazy river!!! And on Sunday my step-dad grilled!!! In between all these fun activities the kids kept us in stitches pretty much the whole time. They are crazy fun.
In short, it was a ridiculously fun weekend and just what the doctor ordered.
As a kid, I experienced many times like those and...miracle of miracles...I got to experience that again this past weekend. As I mentioned before, my sister and I left on Thursday night for a little getaway to my mom and step-dad's house. My 10 year old twin step-sisters were there, along with my older step-sister's two little daughters.
On Saturday night, we had a movie marathon and once we got to the third movie, I decided I was all movied out and laid down on the bed in my mom's room. The lights were out and I didn't think anyone had seen me go in, but after about 5 minutes, my sister wandered in...said she didn't want to watch the movie either, and crawled into the bed as well. It was only about a matter of 15 minutes before the twins and the nieces came in...effectively ending the silence. Ha.
I was laying horizontally on the very end of the bed...my sister was toward the top...and the kids were everywhere in between. LoL. The lights were still out and it wasn't long before Jess started trying to scare the twins by telling stories of a "red-eyed" girl who lived in the closet and in the wall. Haha. This of course sent everyone scurrying under the covers...and the fight for the blankets commenced. I was nearly pushed off the bed about twice and got my head squashed too many times to count. Haha. When that was over the twins starting talking about somebody from school whom they called..."chump butt". My sister and I nearly fell off the bed again...this time from cracking up. Go ahead Blog Land...say "Chump...Butt" out loud. Now try not to giggle...pretty impossible, eh? Ha. We continued to giggle until someone came up with the idea to have a contest to see who could pretend to be asleep the longest. Yup. You know what happened....next thing I know my step-dad is coming in the door flipping on the lights and yelling "wake up!". Hahaha. Isn't it funny how that happens....everyone's laughing and talking and then all of a sudden bam! Everyone's knocked out. LoL.
Anyway. That was just one part of a very fun weekend. We went to the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday...where I pet a SHARK!!! We went to this amazingly fun water park called Splash Island on Saturday...it has a lazy river!!! And on Sunday my step-dad grilled!!! In between all these fun activities the kids kept us in stitches pretty much the whole time. They are crazy fun.
In short, it was a ridiculously fun weekend and just what the doctor ordered.
 |
| WE FOUND NEMO!! |
 |
| SO CLOSE...! |
 |
| THE TWIN'S CREATIVITY... THOSE ARE GLOVE PEOPLE...WITH DIAPERS...AND SMILES... AND PONTY TAILS.... AND THEY'RE HOLDING HANDS...BAHAHA |
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A Ride on the Wild Side
It has been an especially trying week. I've been getting up an hour earlier to work out...my body is still trying to figure out what's going on, and Little Sis has been throwing temper tantrums, sometimes 2 or 3, everyday. Thankfully, today is my Thursday and after tomorrow I'm heading out of town for a mini vacation.
My daily "home from work routine" always involves throwing on some sweatpants and big comfy shirt, cuddling up in the bed or on the couch with my faithful computer in hand and checking the news, blog stuff, and emails. And of course...Pinterest. Ha.
My home page is set to CNN (yes...I know...I'm a news buff nerd) and what usually greets me is the same depressing twaddle everyday. However, as I scrolled down the page a news bite caught my eye...it read, "Woman's Scooter Flips on Escalator". I figured this had to be some kind of joke. But nonetheless I clicked on the video...
Let's just say that after this week...I needed that laugh.
Oh hush, blog land!
I know, I know...it could've been dangerous...blah..blah...I know...! And I am truly glad that the lady is all right. But...erm...that is one of the funniest...and one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. Especially considering there was an elevator she could have used.
So before you self-righteously shake your heads at my seemingly callous response...watch the video for yourselves...
My daily "home from work routine" always involves throwing on some sweatpants and big comfy shirt, cuddling up in the bed or on the couch with my faithful computer in hand and checking the news, blog stuff, and emails. And of course...Pinterest. Ha.
My home page is set to CNN (yes...I know...I'm a news buff nerd) and what usually greets me is the same depressing twaddle everyday. However, as I scrolled down the page a news bite caught my eye...it read, "Woman's Scooter Flips on Escalator". I figured this had to be some kind of joke. But nonetheless I clicked on the video...
Let's just say that after this week...I needed that laugh.
Oh hush, blog land!
I know, I know...it could've been dangerous...blah..blah...I know...! And I am truly glad that the lady is all right. But...erm...that is one of the funniest...and one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. Especially considering there was an elevator she could have used.
So before you self-righteously shake your heads at my seemingly callous response...watch the video for yourselves...
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Nothing is as Eternal As...
You know you're getting old when....you get excited about finding a way to get the dishwasher to clean the dishes without leaving a soap and hard water film on them.
I have found a solution...I'm excited...I must be getting old. Ha.
First of all, let me say that I despise our dishwasher. About once every 2 weeks water from the sink backs up into the bottom of it, creating a stinky smell, as well as, greatly inconveniencing us by making us run a rinse cycle before the actual wash cycle so that the water will drain out first. When the apartment maintenance man came to repair it, he told us it was the way that the sink and dishwasher had been put together and basically there was nothing they could do about it.
I just stared at him.
We've learned to live with the water back up problem.
However, there is nothing more frustrating than unloading dishes that are supposed to be clean, only to find that the glasses are cloudy and the silver spotted. Over the last few months this problem has become increasingly worse.
So, I took to the internet to see if I could find a solution. Apparently this whole dishwasher issue is a pretty common one...even for those who have very high end and expensive machines. After much reading, I decided to try vinegar and Finish soap tabs. Many sites recommend using vinegar as a rinse agent instead of jet dry, but to get the process started, I loaded all of our glass cups and bowls, as well as the stoneware. I filled both soap dispensers with vinegar instead of detergent. Supposedly the vinegar is supposed to cut through the soap and hard water build up. After the cycle was complete, I ran the dishwasher again, but this time used a Finish tab. My research led me to the conclusion that it is best to turn the heated dry option off since this only results in any soap residue being practically baked onto the dishes.
The difference was AMAZING!
Seriously, I'm quite happy about it, haha! There is nothing more irritating for a Leo with Virgo tendencies to have a dirty kitchen and to pull dirty dishes out of the cabinet when they're supposed to be clean.
Hooray for a dishwasher that works!
Sometimes, it really is the simple things in life that make all the difference in the world!
“People can say what they like about the eternal verities, love and truth and so on, but nothing's as eternal as the dishes”
-Margaret Mahy
I have found a solution...I'm excited...I must be getting old. Ha.
First of all, let me say that I despise our dishwasher. About once every 2 weeks water from the sink backs up into the bottom of it, creating a stinky smell, as well as, greatly inconveniencing us by making us run a rinse cycle before the actual wash cycle so that the water will drain out first. When the apartment maintenance man came to repair it, he told us it was the way that the sink and dishwasher had been put together and basically there was nothing they could do about it.
I just stared at him.
We've learned to live with the water back up problem.
However, there is nothing more frustrating than unloading dishes that are supposed to be clean, only to find that the glasses are cloudy and the silver spotted. Over the last few months this problem has become increasingly worse.
So, I took to the internet to see if I could find a solution. Apparently this whole dishwasher issue is a pretty common one...even for those who have very high end and expensive machines. After much reading, I decided to try vinegar and Finish soap tabs. Many sites recommend using vinegar as a rinse agent instead of jet dry, but to get the process started, I loaded all of our glass cups and bowls, as well as the stoneware. I filled both soap dispensers with vinegar instead of detergent. Supposedly the vinegar is supposed to cut through the soap and hard water build up. After the cycle was complete, I ran the dishwasher again, but this time used a Finish tab. My research led me to the conclusion that it is best to turn the heated dry option off since this only results in any soap residue being practically baked onto the dishes.
The difference was AMAZING!
Seriously, I'm quite happy about it, haha! There is nothing more irritating for a Leo with Virgo tendencies to have a dirty kitchen and to pull dirty dishes out of the cabinet when they're supposed to be clean.
Hooray for a dishwasher that works!
Sometimes, it really is the simple things in life that make all the difference in the world!
“People can say what they like about the eternal verities, love and truth and so on, but nothing's as eternal as the dishes”
-Margaret Mahy
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Book Me a Room In Capacitated
I was at work on Saturday, putting in some extra hours, when I ran across a hilarious little article in a Reader's Digest magazine. It's a very clever play on words...I love it and I hope you enjoy it too!
I have been in many places but I have never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go there alone---you have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. You have to be driven there, and I've made several trips, thanks to family, friends, and work. I'd like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not much into physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too often. I'm often in Formidable, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I get older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and the old heart pumping. And sometimes I think I am in Vincible, but life shows me I'm not. I have been in Deepdoodoo frequently. And the more adventures I have, the easier it is to end up there.
Reader's Digest
June 2012 Issue.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Boom Shakalaka
Is this weather kickin' anyone else's booty?
80 degrees in March...iNsANiTy!
The fact that about 2 weeks ago we had terrible tornadoes, followed by 3 1/2 inches of snow, followed by weather that climbed rapidly to the 70's and 80's, compounded by the fact that we are in the Ohio Valley...well...no wonder we're all sick.
As I lay in bed, fighting off the sinus headache and allergy induced sore throat and stuffy nose, I found this little video really cheers me up....Teehee....
80 degrees in March...iNsANiTy!
The fact that about 2 weeks ago we had terrible tornadoes, followed by 3 1/2 inches of snow, followed by weather that climbed rapidly to the 70's and 80's, compounded by the fact that we are in the Ohio Valley...well...no wonder we're all sick.
As I lay in bed, fighting off the sinus headache and allergy induced sore throat and stuffy nose, I found this little video really cheers me up....Teehee....
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