girlymama

totally silly, but i just love quizzes

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

I think this is probably pretty true....

sleep... how i miss thee....

So, I haven't really mentioned this yet here, but I think I have insomnia. I have always had a week here and there where I don't sleep very well. And with two small kids, sleep deprivation is pretty normal.  But the past few weeks - and esp this week have been truly rough.

Yesterday, I was awake until 3:30am and woke up at 7:30.  Now I love, love, love to sleep and could ideally use about 12 hours a night, so this is odd for me to wake after only 4 hours. I'm often waking up after 2 or 3 hours sleep to lay awake for a couple hours before falling back to sleep.

So I'm really really tired. I've tried all sorts of things recommended in articles with titles like "How to get a good nights sleep" - like not drinking caffeine after lunch and going to bed at the same time, blah blah blah. Its just not working!! And really, you can only have so much coffee, so I am not functioning very well. I actually drove right past my street the other day -- and didn't notice for about 1/2 a mile! Not good....  I'm not sure what to do...

we know what side she's on

What does G3 says to me as Husband and I are disagreeing over something?

"Don't talk to my daddy like that."

reason number 783746 not to go shopping with children

Clearly I have not learned my lesson. I believe this is my third or fourth blog entry about my shopping catastrophes adventures with my children. I am obviously so desperate that I will attempt taking children shopping with me. Alone. With G3 (three years, going on fifteen) and G1 (not yet two, but you'd never know it by the tantrums.)

Today we ventured to the mall. I needed to make a quick return and pick up the previously mentioned bra they were holding for me at Victoria's Secret. No big deal. I even went online and looked at a map of the mall to figure out how I could park as close as possible to the store I needed. I had snacks and drinks for kiddos. And this store was right next to the huge fountain that they love, so that was the bribery. Let Mommy shop while you eat your snack and we can go throw pennies in the fountain.

Now you may be thinking, "Simple. Good plan, old girl!" Those of you that are mothers are thinking, "Wow. There are so many things that could go wrong there. Can't wait to find out what did!"

So we get to the mall. No problem. Straight ahead is the store we need. Perfect. Girls spot the fountains and are very excited. Outside the store, I explain the plan to them. They say, "Okay, Mommy!" And happily accept snacks and sippy cups as I prepare to shop.

Find the bra. Right color, right size, gel inserts, perfect for bridesmaid dress. Almost looks like I actually have boobs. Excellent. Girls are getting antsy. So I get in line at the register. G3 is once again dancing in front of a mirror while G1 whines and tries to climb out of her stroller. As I sign for credit card, I hear people giggling in line behind me. They are giggling at  G3, who is performing what appears to be interpretive modern dance barefoot in front of a mirror, sundress up over her head. We're out of there.

Stop at the fountain to throw in all of my pennies. Girls are subtly hinting they want pizza for lunch ("Mommy, my tummy is really hungry for pizza.") I say, no, we have to get home after one more stop. G1 is desperately trying to get out of the stroller, so like a fool, I let her get down. They are running around, hiding under clothes racks and generally being a menace to society. I find what I needed - 50% off no less - and head over to the cashier.  After almost knocking over a display, I decide that's enough. Back in to the stroller. ("SCREAM!!!") Give them more food. Calms them down, but they are still acting crazy and I am getting increasingly desperate to get them out of there. I sign for the purchase, throw my purse and bag in the stroller and head out to the car. G3 is crying because she wanted to ride the elevator again. G1 is crying because she wants to run around the parking lot. Load them in the car, screaming. Throw my bags in the car. Throw stroller in the back. Get the heck out of there.

So after dinner, realizing we are out of milk and bread, I decide to head to the store. Look in my purse, because heaven forbid I leave without the cell, and realize....

my wallet's gone.

Hum. Didn't order anything online or anything, so I didn't take it out... It didn't fall out in the car... or in the stroller... humm... Its got to be here somewhere. (This is what I am saying out-loud, as Husband looks at me skeptically, since he knows that inside I am saying, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!")  Where did I have it last? I know! THE STORE! So I call the store and YUP! I was so distracted by my crazy kids that I left it sitting on the counter after making my purchase. So, after my heart started beating again, I drove to the store and picked it up, where a very helpful customer service lady told me I looked a lot thinner than my license picture. (I would certainly hope so, as it was taken 4 days after giving birth to G1!!!)

Thankfully, nothing was stolen - even the cash. But I really, really, really have learned my lesson this time. No more shopping with children. Ever.

politicial rantings -- not often, i promise

Well, a week or so ago, I wrote about an article I read in Newsweek that really ticked me off. So, I wrote a blog about it. This tipped off L.S., friend and future relative, to respond on her blog. This greatly offended several liberal ladies who have written long, passionate responses to L’s political blog. (tip to L – love ya, girl, but too much Ann Coulter is not a good thing!) Why is it that liberals and conservatives can no longer have a good, ol’ fashioned political debate? There is so much mud-slinging and name calling and personal attacks. It always seems like no one is really listening to anyone else. If I’m a conservative, I’m a gun-toting, closed-minded idiot who is mindlessly following another idiot. If I’m a liberal, I’m a godless, immoral anarchist babykiller. Where's the love, people? Why so personal? 

(sidebar: speaking of “personal” attacks, it boggles my mind how everything from 9/11 to Katrina to homelessness to the cost of bread the personal responsibilty of George W. I mean, really. I was a poli sci major with a minor in public service. (and dance, all of which I use daily. $100 grand put to good use, that was.) Anyway, every good – and bad – decision made in government is not up to him alone. There are hundreds of people behind the scenes – elected and not, along with loads of facts and figures that we, as laypeople, do not see. Its just not all him! He doesn’t have power to do things on a whim. Remember 5^th grade when we learned about “checks and balances?”)

Anyway, I have left the political arena because I found I did not have the patience or stomach for it. I used to want to be a politician and change the world. Really. Well, that and a ballerina. And a movie star.  But I just couldn't stand listening to people with huge egos not listen to each other and not accomplish anything. 

 I’m a registered Republican. *gasp* you say. Not you! Yup, Its true. Want to really be shocked? I used to be a Democrat. *faint*  I would consider myself a liberal Republican – certainly more conservative than liberal, but not a Coulter devotee by any means. (I couldn't get through more than two chapters of her book before thanking my lucky stars is was only from the library and I did not pay for it.)  I do tend to vote Republican – but I have made exceptions. I am “conservative” but I am also an environmentalist, hate the NRA, and support many social programs deemed “liberal.”  I think that both sides have good points – and both have points which I disagree with passionately. And points which utterly confuse me.

Take the Iraq War.  I have no idea what to think anymore. I keep going back and forth. I think I'm for it. (scandalous, I know!) But I have family members who were fighting over there and I asked their opinions. They are 100% convinced that this is a war worth fighting.  So, in my confusion, I've decided to lean towards that. They certainly have the first hand experience I seriously lack living here in surburbia.  Watch this movie. Whether you are for or against, it is excellent. It is a highly disturbing, but very, very educational documentary made by Iraqis. (We got it from Netflix.)

Anyway all this to say that I am once again frustrated by people ranting and raving and trying to enlighten people about what's "right" (hee hee - get it?)... and not accomplishing anything. Everyone is just yelling.  Listen people! You might be surprised to find that you actually agree.  

no, please, no!

Harry Potter might die in book 7?!? WHAT?!?! NO!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm never going to survive waiting for this book to come out.

highway robbery

So, I went to Victoria's Secret tonight. I needed a strapless, highly stuffed bra for under a bridesmaids dress. And wanted to browse the, uh, nighties *wink* for the future sister-in-law.

How is it that Victoria's Secret had the nerve to charge upwards of $80 for what is basically sheer fabric with a bow on it? Seriously! And most of it is incredibly trashy. Nothing lacy and sweet and white for a wedding night. Its all black and see-through with straps in strange places. I got some really cute stuff from there at my wedding shower -- when did VS get trashy?

I had the 3-year-old with me who kept asking me, "Mama, what is that for?" very loudly and is a really funny tone of voice. You should have heard her in the dressing room, as I'm trying on bras (and a few little numbers I found on the clearance rack. After all, it is our anniversary this Saturday.) Imagine hearing this loudly in a VS dressing room: "Mama! That's so pretty! Daddy would really like that!"  Kiddo - you have no idea!

complusive shopping

I was literally walking through the GAP on my way to another store and I saw this. I just couldn't resist. It was right in front of the door and my size was the first one. I got the white. It was even cheaper than on the website. It was an act of God. Really.

sorry, but i just need to complain for a bit here

What a day. Have you ever had "one of those days?" Of course you have, if you're human. As Husband put it this afternoon, "I should have just stayed in bed and waited for tomorrow." Yup - I hear you.

We kind-of started off on the wrong foot, since we were up very late last night with the water drama, our pitifully small life savings flashing before our eyes. Then we had to be up early, so Husband could drive the in-laws to the airport at 6:30am. The girls slept in a bit - until 7:30 - but woke up grumpy. ("I want pancakes. No, Mama!! Don't cut them up!! WAHHHH!!!! My life is over!!!") And I was watching the girl I babysit a few times a week and her big brother all day. And it was raining. And the basement had just flooded. And I was tired. And it was raining. Did I mention that already? Sorry. 

Anyway, the day was fight, fight, fight, scream, yell, SCREAM, cry, cry, whine, whine, scream, fight, fight, fight, (continue forever). Babysitting ended in a epic battle that ended with G3 getting bitch slapped by the girl I was watching. And, amazingly enough, I wasn't that upset by it. I had been with my daughter all day. She probably asked for it. They were put in time-out, talked to, blah blah blah. G3 has a small cut over her eye from it. But she held her own. Tough kid. But that was just how the whole day shaped up.

Then this afternoon.... the mail came. With our car insurance bill, our property tax bill and a rather spectacular credit card bill. We are no longer just spending money - we are hemorrhaging money. Code Red.

Husband had rough day as well, highlighted by running to Home Depot during his lunch hour to buy a ladder so he could clean out the gutters and hopefully stop the monsoon in our basement. When he got out to the car, he realized that - no matter how he put that engineering degree to work - he could not get that ladder inside his car. So he had to go return it. Then we met him there after work with the minivan. And he is super jet-lagged from Germany. He's out on our roof right now. Poor baby.

On the good side, we have had no new water inside today. And Husband called me to say that 5 minutes behind him on the highway, there was a huge accident that shut the highway down and killed 3 people. So thanks be to God for sparing him from that!

Anyway, we are pooped. Exhausted. Enough complaining. I will go get my screaming and fighting children out of the bathtub and out them to bed, since G3 just dumped an entire bottle of bubbles on the floor. Then I am going to run away to Barbados. Or soak in the tub with a large glass of Merlot. Whatever is cheaper, due to the aforementioned hemorrhaging.

house for sale! cheap!

Well this homeownership stuff has been an absolute blast, but we've had enough. Its been... what... about 7 months now? We're done.

I walked into the laundry room/mud room at 5:30 and there was at least a half inch of water on the floor. I had just finished laundry around 4:45 - thats why I came into the room, to check if the dryer was done and I stepped into a puddle. The floor was bone dry when I was in there earlier. (What utterly and completely boggles my mind is that Husband had just walked through the flood -- and didn't notice!! MEN!!) 
Anyway, many towels and hours later, we are pretty dry, but rain is in the forecast for the next 4 days. Meanwhile, words like "regrating," "french drains," and "thousands of dollars" are floating through my head.  I guess we'll have to focus on soccer and teach the girls to say, "scholarship."

So, back to the beginning, we have had enough of this homeownership crap and will be selling our house and moving in to a nice, rented apartment. Then when something goes wrong we can just dial a number and have someone else take care of it. That sounds really, really nice.....