I had a FANTASTIC Mother's Day!
The Dude and The Boys let me sleep in.
When I did wake up, I had a fun time opening my ceramic creations from the boys, BVI French Toast, coffee and a lovely card from The Dude.
We packed the car and headed to the beach with My Folks, My Aunt, My Sister and My Nephews. It was windy, a bit cold, and SOOOOOooooooooo relaxing and delightful! I felt rejuvinated by the smells of sea air, the salt, the sand, the sun, the wind and the sounds. OMG, this is my FAVORITE way to spend time. Seriously. Favorite.
We came back to town and had dinner at The Dude's Mom's home, and that was relaxing too - I didn't have to cook or clean all day, The boys had a blast, and I was able to breathe and NOT WORK. I stayed off my work computer all weekend, and slept instead.
As a result, I feel WAY better today than I have in weeks, and my patience has been extended.
Pictures to come for Tableau Tuesday's return!!!!
Yeah me!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
I have this on my office wall:
Why Mothers Cry ....
"Why are you crying?" he asked his mom.
"Because I'm a mother," she told him.
"I don't understand," he said.
His mom just hugged him and said, "You never will!"
Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason.
"All mothers cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry.
So he finally put in a call to God and when God got on the phone the man said,
"God, why do mothers cry so easily."
God said, "You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special.
I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times come from their children.
"I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
"I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt
them very badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager's anxieties and fears.
"I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it's needed. It's their only weakness.
It's a tear for mankind."
Why Mothers Cry ....
"Why are you crying?" he asked his mom.
"Because I'm a mother," she told him.
"I don't understand," he said.
His mom just hugged him and said, "You never will!"
Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason.
"All mothers cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry.
So he finally put in a call to God and when God got on the phone the man said,
"God, why do mothers cry so easily."
God said, "You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special.
I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times come from their children.
"I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
"I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt
them very badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager's anxieties and fears.
"I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it's needed. It's their only weakness.
It's a tear for mankind."
Monday, May 3, 2010
Music Monday and Weekend Wrap Up
Let's get this party started:
And now for the week's wrap up, because too f*cking much happened this week for me to not post. I'm going backward as my mind will allow.
Sunday - Spent the day in my backyard wringing out and hanging laundry on the line until it was only damp, then it went to the dryer to finish. The Boys lazed about the house, and The Dude had a soccer game in which he was kicked in the head (not causing any physical damage, but pissing him off), and a run to the garbage dump for a kitchen remodel he is working.
Saturday - Early baseball game for The Youngest (at the field at 8:30), Black Belt testing for The Oldest (11:30 - 4:30), and a class for me (10-noon). I missed the first time The Youngest pitched, but one of the mom's got some pictures. My class went well and I got some positive feedback on my work. The Oldest did really well on all but the written portion of the test. That was not really his fault, as many of the questions were from the adult curriculum, and we were studying the children's curriculum. He has a retest (not sure if it is just written, or full test) in a week. He broke boards, did great on his forms, and sparred 3 people at the same time, along with doing 1,000 kicks for warm up. In the afternoon we got Augie back from the vet with meds, a cone of shame, and special food while he heals.
Decided that it would be more cost and time effective to drip dry the laundry on a line in back before placing in the dryer. Hung a couple of lines, and bought clothespins. Completed 2 loads of laundry this way before sundown, and figured out that wringing the water out before hanging makes things go more quickly. Also decided that pre electric women were burly for a reason.
Friday - Augie was not any better than yesterday, and The Dude took him to the vet while I was on back to back calls for work. Got a text that Augie had blocked intestines and they would be operating, AND it was going to cost the equivalent of a mortgage payment... Worked in The Boys' classroom, and hosted a Happy Hour Play Date with 4 other moms and their kids that lasted until 9:00. We decided we need a trip to see Rocky Horror Picture Show. Was very relaxed by the end and decided that I need more time like this! Also decided that I would NOT be working over the weekend, as my hacking cough was approaching bronchitis. The part for the washer came and The Dude and I worked on fixing the washer only to discover that what we thought was wrong, wasn't and the only fix needed was to place a spring back where it belonged. Now the washer doesn't leak, and we have a part that cost over $100 that we didn't need. Of course, the washer also doesn't effectively drain or run the spin cycle, but that is a problem for another day. Had to wash uniforms for tomorrow, and it took until 2am for them to dry, running repeated cycles on the dryer.
Thursday - Augie spent today throwing up what looked like foam pieces of a slipper he ate yesterday, and not eating or drinking. Was able to get him to hoild down an eyedropper of water every hour or so. Final day of Tae Kwon Do class before Black Belt Testing. I know The Oldest is ready, but I am nervous for him. Spent the day baking boards in between calls for work. Sap is still leaking out and dripping, and I'm not sure if the boards will be breakable by Saturday...
Wednesday - Augie ate one of my slippers. I don't think he actually swallowed any of it, as the amount of foam lying around seemed to match the missing volume from the slipper. Today The Boys were playing with Legos when The Oldest asked me to come look at what he'd built:
When I inquired as to what it was, he replied, "A wig shop." Seriously. All I could think of at that point is a sound bite on The Frank DeCaro Show, "To The Wig Shop!" When I find it, I'll add it! The Dude finally bought a board for The Oldest to use during Black Belt testing. I should have done it myself a month ago (when I first asked him to do so). It is a really crappy board, full of knots, warped and VERY green. Spent the evening baking the boards, pine smoke filling my kitchen and setting off my smoke alarms. The sap is still seeping out of the boards, and I'll have to spend tomorrow baking them even more. Had to put together a bunch of metrics and algorythms for work which took me past midnight.
And now for the week's wrap up, because too f*cking much happened this week for me to not post. I'm going backward as my mind will allow.
Saturday - Early baseball game for The Youngest (at the field at 8:30), Black Belt testing for The Oldest (11:30 - 4:30), and a class for me (10-noon). I missed the first time The Youngest pitched, but one of the mom's got some pictures. My class went well and I got some positive feedback on my work. The Oldest did really well on all but the written portion of the test. That was not really his fault, as many of the questions were from the adult curriculum, and we were studying the children's curriculum. He has a retest (not sure if it is just written, or full test) in a week. He broke boards, did great on his forms, and sparred 3 people at the same time, along with doing 1,000 kicks for warm up. In the afternoon we got Augie back from the vet with meds, a cone of shame, and special food while he heals.
Friday - Augie was not any better than yesterday, and The Dude took him to the vet while I was on back to back calls for work. Got a text that Augie had blocked intestines and they would be operating, AND it was going to cost the equivalent of a mortgage payment... Worked in The Boys' classroom, and hosted a Happy Hour Play Date with 4 other moms and their kids that lasted until 9:00. We decided we need a trip to see Rocky Horror Picture Show. Was very relaxed by the end and decided that I need more time like this! Also decided that I would NOT be working over the weekend, as my hacking cough was approaching bronchitis. The part for the washer came and The Dude and I worked on fixing the washer only to discover that what we thought was wrong, wasn't and the only fix needed was to place a spring back where it belonged. Now the washer doesn't leak, and we have a part that cost over $100 that we didn't need. Of course, the washer also doesn't effectively drain or run the spin cycle, but that is a problem for another day. Had to wash uniforms for tomorrow, and it took until 2am for them to dry, running repeated cycles on the dryer.
Thursday - Augie spent today throwing up what looked like foam pieces of a slipper he ate yesterday, and not eating or drinking. Was able to get him to hoild down an eyedropper of water every hour or so. Final day of Tae Kwon Do class before Black Belt Testing. I know The Oldest is ready, but I am nervous for him. Spent the day baking boards in between calls for work. Sap is still leaking out and dripping, and I'm not sure if the boards will be breakable by Saturday...
Wednesday - Augie ate one of my slippers. I don't think he actually swallowed any of it, as the amount of foam lying around seemed to match the missing volume from the slipper. Today The Boys were playing with Legos when The Oldest asked me to come look at what he'd built:
Monday, April 26, 2010
Music Monday
Yes, I am posting this 2 days in a row - that's how much I love this song! It may become my theme song.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday Evening Weekend Wrap Up
This weekend was a bit of a blur. Emotionally I was all over the map, had some weirdly disturbing dreams, and stayed up way too late. I however did NOT do any work for work. I needed time away from that part of my life.
Friday I worked in The Boys' classroom in the afternoon, and spent the evening doing laundry and dishes and getting ready for Saturday, so it was kind of mellow. I did drive The Dude to pick up his truck after it got a new fuel pump, which is what I had diagnosed was the issue all along (without even having driven it), but of course he had to replace the O2 sensor, and talk about replacing the computer. I didn't say "I told you so", but there is a hole in my tongue. The had a late soccer game and The Boys and I hung out.
Saturday morning at 8:00, I was supposed to be at The Boys' school again, helping to spread crushed gravel on the track. However, The Youngest had a baseball game, and had to be at the field at 8:30 with The Dude, and The Oldest and I were kind of slow moving, and didn't make it. I had my usual class where I had to leave by 9:30, The Oldest had a Tae Kwon Do review at 12:30, I worked the snack bar from 2:30-5:30, and we went to some friends' house for dinner. Dinner was relaxing, but I felt bad because I sent The Dude and The Boys while I was working and didn't get there until late. I also felt like I was running all day long. Finally back home and in bed about midnight.
Sunday I desperately wanted to sleep in. I was even all set to do that until my subconscious stepped in with a series of vivid and disturbing dreams that included sexual encounters, squids falling from the sky, tattoos, piercings, a flash flood, homeless people and drowning. After getting out of bed, The Dude had to leave for a soccer game. I made breakfast for The Boys and did dishes and finished the laundry. I decided to be outside, and wash my car. The Boys and I went out to do just that, and had just finished emptying the trash and taking out the floor mats when The Dude arrived from soccer to say he needed my car to show property as soon as he was out of the shower. So we put that on hold, I threw the mats in the wash, and went out back to work in the garden. I pulled some weeds, scooped the poop, and got to the volunteer berry bush that was starting to take over, but couldn't find my heavy gloves, so that went on hold too. I had a snack while listening to music in the yard and trying to figure out what to do next. Ended up pulling the mats out to discover I may have broken the washer with that load. Great. Fed The Boys lunch and by then The Dude was home. Was able to finish washing the car, and decided to also wash the dogs. Went to pick up new gloves, and also picked up 3 more tomato plants, a pepper plant, strawberry and basil plants, and onion seeds. I thought I had all my seeds from last year, but couldn't find them when I got home - I seem to recall (now) that they may have gotten into some water and rotted last year. I still have swiss chard coming up from last year as well as an artichoke plant that hasn't flowered either of the 2 years we've had it, but for fresh artichokes I'll wait as long as it takes. I pulled the thorny bush, planted all but the peppers, and hung the 2 tomato buckets that have been growing for about 3 weeks. An aside - I found many slugs under the buckets. I still need to get my squash and maybe some broccoli in. Maybe some melons too, but I've had horrible luck with those over the past few years. Went grocery shopping and made a roast for dinner. Read with The Boys and FINALLY got to sit down and catch up with some of my DVR from the last few weeks.
Friday I worked in The Boys' classroom in the afternoon, and spent the evening doing laundry and dishes and getting ready for Saturday, so it was kind of mellow. I did drive The Dude to pick up his truck after it got a new fuel pump, which is what I had diagnosed was the issue all along (without even having driven it), but of course he had to replace the O2 sensor, and talk about replacing the computer. I didn't say "I told you so", but there is a hole in my tongue. The had a late soccer game and The Boys and I hung out.
Saturday morning at 8:00, I was supposed to be at The Boys' school again, helping to spread crushed gravel on the track. However, The Youngest had a baseball game, and had to be at the field at 8:30 with The Dude, and The Oldest and I were kind of slow moving, and didn't make it. I had my usual class where I had to leave by 9:30, The Oldest had a Tae Kwon Do review at 12:30, I worked the snack bar from 2:30-5:30, and we went to some friends' house for dinner. Dinner was relaxing, but I felt bad because I sent The Dude and The Boys while I was working and didn't get there until late. I also felt like I was running all day long. Finally back home and in bed about midnight.
Sunday I desperately wanted to sleep in. I was even all set to do that until my subconscious stepped in with a series of vivid and disturbing dreams that included sexual encounters, squids falling from the sky, tattoos, piercings, a flash flood, homeless people and drowning. After getting out of bed, The Dude had to leave for a soccer game. I made breakfast for The Boys and did dishes and finished the laundry. I decided to be outside, and wash my car. The Boys and I went out to do just that, and had just finished emptying the trash and taking out the floor mats when The Dude arrived from soccer to say he needed my car to show property as soon as he was out of the shower. So we put that on hold, I threw the mats in the wash, and went out back to work in the garden. I pulled some weeds, scooped the poop, and got to the volunteer berry bush that was starting to take over, but couldn't find my heavy gloves, so that went on hold too. I had a snack while listening to music in the yard and trying to figure out what to do next. Ended up pulling the mats out to discover I may have broken the washer with that load. Great. Fed The Boys lunch and by then The Dude was home. Was able to finish washing the car, and decided to also wash the dogs. Went to pick up new gloves, and also picked up 3 more tomato plants, a pepper plant, strawberry and basil plants, and onion seeds. I thought I had all my seeds from last year, but couldn't find them when I got home - I seem to recall (now) that they may have gotten into some water and rotted last year. I still have swiss chard coming up from last year as well as an artichoke plant that hasn't flowered either of the 2 years we've had it, but for fresh artichokes I'll wait as long as it takes. I pulled the thorny bush, planted all but the peppers, and hung the 2 tomato buckets that have been growing for about 3 weeks. An aside - I found many slugs under the buckets. I still need to get my squash and maybe some broccoli in. Maybe some melons too, but I've had horrible luck with those over the past few years. Went grocery shopping and made a roast for dinner. Read with The Boys and FINALLY got to sit down and catch up with some of my DVR from the last few weeks.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wow, a week already?
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| From J9 and stuff |
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