Friday, November 28, 2008

Our Thanksgiving adventure (this is a long one)

I started the day off with a cup of coffee because I was extremely tired from having worked the night before. Yeah for Hubby making it!! We got the kids dressed and planned to go to my in-laws for Thanksgiving. I was a little sad because this was the first year in 16 years I wasn't making a turkey. My recipe was my grandmothers and she is no longer with us, so I was especially sad. After a cup of coffee or two, or maybe three, we all packed into our Nissan Pathfinder.

We started up the road and were listening to Christmas music (which actually is one of my pet peeves because I don't believe in listening to it until after Thanksgiving). We listened because the little people wanted to listen to it and yes, anything for a nice screamless hour and a half drive to the in-laws. We were about 20 minutes into the trip (my husband driving, of course) and the engine in the car just turned off out of nowhere - while we were on the expressway - in a construction zone. We were able to make it to the shoulder, that was as wide as half a car and had a guard rail. We started to shuffle all the kids out of the car once we realized that it wasn't going to start up again. Now, my husband had told our oldest to hold the little ones' hands and walk them down the other side of the rail so that they would be safe in case some idiot were to come along and broadside our truck.

This is where it gets scary...(keep in mind that our middle child is autistic). As I am fumbling through the car to get out our drinks, my husband is looking under the hood, and traffic is whizzing by...I hear my husband scream "KYLE STOP!!!" I look up to see Kyle bolting for the interstate and my oldest son run and scoop him up within an inch of Kyle's little life. Kyle was afraid to go toward the wooded area at the bottom of the hill, so opted to run into traffic. Now, as cars were passing, no one was slowing down even though we were hogging nearly half the lane because of the small shoulder and no one stopped. I about had a heart attack! How could I really lay into this child that didn't truly understand what he was doing? I explained to him what could have happened and that he scared me half to death. His response "Mommy, you don't look half dead." All I could do was hug the breath out of him - well, almost.

Once we were past that fiasco, I called our insurance to come tow the car back to the house because surely we had emergency roadside assistance since I am so anal about car insurance having worked for lawyers doing personal injury cases for so many years. Alas, the insurance company advised, that no, we did not have that coverage on this vehicle. Soooo, we ended up paying an arm and a leg to have the car towed back home. While waiting for the tow truck, I think I had a nervous breakdown, or maybe a panic attack, I'm not quite sure. All I know is that I kept crying and felt like I was going to pass out. Of course, I would walk away from the children after making them a seabear circle (those that watch Spongebob will know exactly what I'm talking about) and telling my husband to stay with them so I could break down. We finally made it home safe and sound.

Then, we unloaded the car with the carseats of course, and all piled squished into my husbands Mustang to try to make the trip again. Our oldest is quickly becoming a man size teenager that there was no way he was going to fit between two car seats in the back, so guess who got to sit there....yes, me! My tiny butt got to sit like a sardine in between two bulky car seats for an hour and a half to our destination and an hour and a half back. My butt did fit between them, but these car seats have these head rests so my shoulders wouldn't fit between them. I had to turn my upper torso sideways just to fit. No, it wasn't very comfortable needless to say.
Off we were again, this time, I was much less comfortable.

Kyle was very concerned that Thanksgiving was going to start without us. I told him that I didn't think they would start without us to try to put his little mind at ease. So, again with the Christmas carols singing on the radio, we drove. We arrived at my in-laws and guess what!?!?! The started eating WITHOUT us! Kyle was disappointed. I made the little ones their plates, got them all set up with drinks and all and I noticed our big boy didn't have a plate in front of him. I asked him where his food was and his response was a shrug of the shoulders. At this point, I'm starving because I hadn't eaten yet. I only had coffee running through my veins, but, me being the mother I am, offered to make him a plate and I wasn't surprised that he accepted. I made his plate. Then I began to make my plate and by this time, my husband was half way through with his. I thought, ok, one last check on the kids to make sure they didn't need anything before I filled myself with much needed sustinance. But no, it was not to be yet, the little people wanted seconds of certain things. So, as my food got even colder than it already was, I now had to serve my little people seconds.

Finally I got to sit down and eat my dinner when one of my nephews came up to me (he has very bad speech delays, is very difficult to understand and according to his mother, refuses to use sign language) and wanted to eat off my plate. That I didn't have a real problem with, especially since he is this little thing that really needs to put some meat on his bones. He sat on my lap and helped me finish my plate.

Now, I have to explain a little about this sister-in-law. She is my husband's sister. She has 3 children. One beautiful little girl, one active older boy, and a son that she acquired through her husbands baby momma. She is not allowed to come to our home. I play nicely with her for the children's sake, but I do not like her at all. I do not agree with her parenting (i.e. doesn't bathe her children nearly as much as they need bathed, doesn't brush or have her children brush their teeth, gets these diagnosis' on her children to collect social security on them so she doesn't have to work, is the epitomy of trailer trash - no offense to those living in trailers, my mother lives in one with my step-father and my father lives in one with my step-mother - I speak of the stereotypical trailer trash that don't care about anything/anyone but themselves and are extremely dirty people who live off the government because of laziness).

Anyway, back to my story...after dinner, I was doing dishes and my wonderful (insert sarcasm) sister-in-law was just standing around, my nephew came up to me and wanted some more bites to eat. I told him it was all gone and used sign language with him as I spoke. My mother-in-law was so impressed with that, that she signed "very good, thank you" to me. Throughout the afternoon that we were there, I would speak and sign to him. All he wanted was to be around me.

By the time they left, as I was saying goodbye to them in their car, he started signing to me that he was hungry. I told (and signed to) him no, to wait until he got home. Now, as my sister-in-law had told me that he refused to sign, here he was signing with me after only about an hour visit. So, that frustrated me. I felt that she was too lazy to learn sign language and just didn't feel like doing it. By this time, I was angry because I felt these children (she has three and we think she has another on the way, but has not told us yet), deserved better than this. She did tell me that she has it set up if anything were to happen to her, that my husband would get the kids. As awful as it sounds, I secretly hoped that we would get the kids to be able to give them the care they needed and deserved. God forgive me for my thoughts. They left and we spend a few more hours spending time with family (I do adore my in-laws).

It was now time to squeeze back into the car. I knew that the little people would fall asleep on the way home and had prepared myself for that. Here I sat, one shoulder behind the right car seat, one shoulder in front of the left car seat, my left arm was being used as a head rest for our middle child and my right hand was holding up our youngests head up. I tried to lay my head down on the right car seat head rest, but it ended up being more like my head was at a ninety degree angle with my shoulders.

We made it home, put the kids in bed and after reflection of the day, I became thankful. These are the things I am thankful for:

Kyle did not get hit or killed by rushing traffic.
The car broke down while with my husband instead of on one of my many 3 1/2 hour trips to our youngest's doctor appointments.
We are pretty darn good parents.
My in-laws are proud of both my husband and me (this must be a rarity).
Our oldest reacted quickly and calmly under what was an extreme emergency situation.
Our oldest saved his brother's life.
Our children and what we can give them.
How well we take care of our children.
How much our children love and trust us.
Having the children that we do have.
How, now I get to drive my husband's mustang until my car gets fixed (which probably won't be until tax return time).
A job that gives me money in my pocket every night I work.
My husband is a good man and loves us very much.

I went to bed shortly after we got home because of the emotions that ran through me that day.

Boy, it sure didn't feel like a turkey day to me for the first time in I can't remember how long.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Picture Pages Sunday




This is my Dad (holding the bass...mmmmmm beer batter bass), my grandpa (standing to the right of my Dad), my younger brother to the far right and you guessed it...me at the far left. Ok, this was about 1982 when we lived in a podoke town and I obviously didn't give a shit about style. I'm guessing I just wanted to be warm ?. Don't ask what kind of face I'm making, I have no idea. I have so many fond memories of looking for nightcrawlers in the back yard, fishing, ice fishing, playing horseshoes, having the big spindles we used as tables for scaling the fish we caught and barbeques, swinging on the hammock and so much more. My grandpa and Dad made the best, by God, beer batter bass ever! Ahh the good old days...
Grandpa RIP, Dad - I love you.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

How dare you!!!

Well, damnit, she did it again...I'VE BEEN TAGGED!!! I can't believe you, why? why? WHY????? Here are the directions...

Post pictures of the room that you blog from. Do not clean it up, take a photo of how it is RIGHT NOW and tell us what is in that room. Note from poster - this really sucks!!!
















My home is usually much cleaner - I just haven't been home much to do the cleaning, what with blogging work and all. Anyway - hope you get a laugh CLAIRE!!!!

As an aside, I will be posting pictures of what my area usually looks like - that is, once I get the crap monster under control...

Oh, and I guess I am supposed to tag some people, so here's to ya!

Stefanie
Who me?
Angelina

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Picture Pages Sunday



My mother when she was in her early 20's. People say there is an uncanny resemblence between us...I don't see it.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Female Icon Quiz...This is what they say, although I don't fully agree with all of it!!!


Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Doris!

mm.doris_.jpg


You are a Doris -- "I must help others."


Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.




How to Get Along with Me

  • * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.

  • * Share fun times with me.

  • * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.

  • * Let me know that I am important and special to you.

  • * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.




In Intimate Relationships

  • * Reassure me that I am interesting to you.

  • * Reassure me often that you love me.

  • * Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.




What I Like About Being a Doris

  • * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends

  • * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better

  • * being generous, caring, and warm

  • * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings

  • * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor




What's Hard About Being a Doris

  • * not being able to say no

  • * having low self-esteem

  • * feeling drained from overdoing for others

  • * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish

  • * criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should

  • * being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them

  • * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings




Dorises as Children Often

  • * are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism

  • * try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding

  • * are outwardly compliant

  • * are popular or try to be popular with other children

  • * act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention

  • * are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)




Dorises as Parents

  • * are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)

  • * are often playful with their children

  • * wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"

  • * can become fiercely protective




Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz
at HelloQuizzy

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Imagination Movers video




Here is the vlog with my little people dancing to My Favorite Snack by Imagination Movers... Please leave a comment and tell me what you think!

P.S. Reminder for those that know me and those that don't - the blonde boy is high functioning autistic, hence the flailing arms, and the brown haired boy is medically needy and I about fell out my chair when he "broke it down." Also, the big boy is my teenager, which I was totally surprised that he participated even in the small way that he did - what a miracle.


Check out Single Mom Meltdown to enter the Imagination Movers Dancing Contest and make sure you check out The Posh Parent on Tuesday November 13th for an Interview with The Movers and a Live Mover Giveaway!!!

AAARRRGGGHHH I've been tagged...

Ok, I've been tagged by Claire at Single Mom Meltdown. Up until now, I had no idea what that meant. Then it was explained it to me. Damn, now I know and have to follow directions!!!!




Here are the 7 random/weird facts about me:

1. When I cut nails (kids, mine), I do it outside so the clippings don't linger around the house.
2. I pluck my own eyebrows, which I have to do outside as well (the lighting is God perfect).
3. I like to have control of the things I can control (obviously not my children or my husband...well...sometimes, he he) and I tell it like it is.
4. My pantry is stocked label out for cans, all are with their brothers and sisters (green beans with green beans, corn with corn, so forth and so on) and non-parishables all have the side out showing what extactly it is so there is no guessing.
5. I am able to easily read people (as in tell what kind of person they are) from the first time I meet them, and I'm usually right.
6. When I grow up I want to be like my Abuela.
7. I will be an attorney one day, or a radiologist or both!

Ok, that was also mind-straining...I have other tags that I may have to get to sometime, so, here are those I am going to tag...

1. Angelina
2. Stefanie
3. Country Diva
4. KatieZ
5. Kelly
6. Jay@halftime lessons
7. Angie

I chose these because I'm new to this. So, have fun and tag, you're it!
(I honestly don't know how many of these tags I will be doing, we'll see...)

Self love...

A new friend of mine, Kadi over at The Innsane suggested that we, as Moms, need to express some reasons why we love ourselves in order to promote some much needed positive self esteem. I agree! So all you bloggy people out there (doesn't necessarily have to be Moms), give a list of reasons why you rock!

Here are some of the reasons why I rock:

~I can go to bed at 4 am and still get up at 6 am to get the kids off on the bus.
~I have my teenager doing his own laundry.
~I am surviving the teenager hormone years.
~I try (operative word there) to do good because good comes from good.
~I have strong faith and trust in God.
~I like to learn something new everyday (like apples are served with pork because they help digestion...did you know that? If not, now you do!)
~I have birthed three beautiful boys - all naturally! And still at pre-birth weight (minus the breasts) without trying.
~I am a jill-of-all-trades, know a little bit about everything and a lot of nothing.
~I can change the oil in my car, a toilet out of the bathroom, tile a floor and a wall, crochet, sew and many other random and crafty things.
~I have very thick skin (no, not literally), I do not offend easily.
~I have an analytical mind and believe there is always three sides to every story, yours, mine and the truth.
~I am very good under pressure.
~I am a wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) kind of person.
~I am not ever two-faced, if I have an issue I will go directly to the ass horse.
~I am a multi-tasker at ALL times.


Well, it was hard enough to sit here and try to praise myself and my brain is now on self-love overload.

Why don't you give it a try! It will make you feel better even if, like me, smoke was coming out of ears brainstorming on things that you actually love about yourself.

If you are participating, please leave a comment here saying so, then visit Kadi's page, blog your list, follow her directions and you could win a fabulous prize!!

Well, what are you waiting for???? Get going!



Wombattheinnsane

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

World Bloggy Peace!!!

A Daily Dose of Toni



As my new friend Toni puts it, and I repost in full agreement:

Now come on all you blogging queens let's join together and let everyone know we won't stand for drama, we won't stand for blocking people from our sites, we won't stand for being immature, we won't stand for bashing other blogs...because we stand for BLOG PEACE!

We come here to have fun, to win stuff, to learn about others and thank God that someone else's child is not ours when we see him/her doing something naughty! It's a place to be yourself and share who you are with tons of people and brighten other peoples day.

Who's with me, who out there in bloggy land is tired of the blog bullies?
Who out there is tired of the mean girls in the blog world?
~And I will be the first to admit I was a mean girl to one blogger in the past and I am so very sorry for what I did~

Who wants to stand up and say
"We want blogging to be fun again",
"We want blogging to be about friendships?",
"We want to not have to look over our shoulder and wonder if we are going to be blogged about".

Let's stand together today and say to everyone out there in blog land "We Promote Blog Peace" and we want everyone to just get along.

Wordless Wednesday


Living in a house of boys....

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Picture pages Sunday...


This is from a little over 4 years ago. A little picture collage that my wonderful father made for me. The baby is my llittle Meryck before he was diagnosed with Prune Belly Syndrome.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Picture Pages Sunday...

Ok, so I've decided that I will try to make Sundays, my days to show old pictures of me and the kids. Hope you enjoy...


This is me and my little brother in about 1976. I think I was trying to squeeze his head off...and no that is not my real hair, it is a big "fro" wig!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Day after Halloween pictures

Here are our Halloween costumes:


The little people:

Me, I forgot my lipstick...


Sorry, no pictures of my teen... he dressed up as the dark sith and did a really good job with the makeup on his face, but since he was pissed that, as he put it, I "ruined his Halloween" by making him stay with us, (he has lost our trust and cannot do anything on his own until it is gained back), he wouldn't let me take a picture. His loss!! My husband was a Dolphin fan which is what he is every year. He's not into dressing up.
Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Tweet Tweet

    follow me on Twitter