Summer O'Fun Day 9 (weekends and holidays don't count)

We did nothing much today. The boys and I cleaned up all of the ashes and debris left over from the spent fireworks. Then I started putting the house back together. Then I was tired so I had a nap with Cars while Jax and Dex watched tv (what a great mom I am, eh?).

I finished reading my book - "Broken For You". I loved it so much. I cried and laughed and cried some more. I wish we had book club this week to talk about it (book club has been pushed out until the 27th and August's meeting is canceled). At least I have cleared the way to start "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" when it arrives next week!

Now we're cooking

I went to Sears today and bought a new range/oven and hood. I didn't think we needed a new hood but Stephen insisted that we get one if we were getting a new range. We've been having problems lately with our oven and the stove top burners no longer work on "LO". Plus Jax broke the lock to the self-cleaning oven when we moved in here 6 years ago so I have to use oven cleaner which has ruined the finish inside a little. And because the self-cleaning feature does not work I do not even clean it often enough anyway. The oven is original to the house (16 years).

Stephen said he wanted to get a new oven next month but Sears had a 4th of July Weekend sale that ends tomorrow. The stove was on sale plus I saved 10% by charging it to my Sears account. No payments or interest until July 2006 and free delivery. So of course we could not wait another month. I bought the Kenmore that was rated #1 in Consumer Reports May edition. Stephen will be happy to have a new range and maybe it will help me with my cooking too. ;)

Tomorrow is our barbeque. Looks like it is going to be a nice day afterall. Today is sunny but barely 70 degrees.

In honour of Canada Day (July 1) and Independance Day (July 4) falling on opposite sides of the same weekend, I thought I would share a few interesting Canadian/American facts between these two cousins:

• Canada is the largest source of imported crude oil in the U.S., bigger than Saudi Arabia or the yet untested reserves of Iraq.*


• Total U.S.-Canada trade is over $1 billion a day.**


• US is Canada's largest trading partner. Canada is US' largest trading partner.***


• None of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists entered the U.S. from Canada.*


• Canada-U.S. trade supports more than five million American jobs.*

* source: The Toronto Star (thestar.com)
** source: USDA (http://www.ers.usda.gov)
*** source: United North American (http://www.unitednorthamerica.org/home.htm)

Happy Canada Day!
Happy 4th of July!

Summer O'Fun Day 8

Yesterday the kids made life-sized self-portraits (or some semblance of them):


They had a good time doing it and they took a long time doing them which is good (sanity keeper for me). Gav and Kins were doing theirs too so it kept all 5 kids busy for about 30 minutes!

Today, Nanny brought over some cardboard for the kids to make a castle.

The castle is great because it folds up and can be stored until the next time they want to play with it. Nanny got the cardboard free from Costco (it apparently is between stacks of Kirkland-brand toilet paper and they let her have it for free. She takes it all the time for her M-Th kids.

I have a movie on for the kids right now. I think I will read my book so it is finished by the time Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince arrives in 10 days! Otherwise, I am sure I will not get my bookclub book read by the next meeting.

Summer O'Fun Day 7

Sunshine! We had sunshine! What a nice break. I watched Ash's kids for a few hours today. The kids played relatively nicely together then I took my kids to the library after Ash picked up her kids. Dex insisted on borrowing a Spanish-language Rugrats video. He said he knew Spanish because Dora speaks it sometimes and he knows what she is saying.

Found at Katie's blog:

Summer O'Fun Day 6

We had a picnic at the park with lots of friends today. Then the kids ran around the baseball field for a while, playing baseball (with wiffle bats), soccer and just being crazy. It was nice to have them in an enclosed area. Tomorrow we are going to the library and maybe we'll work on our American Flag. Also, Gav is due to come over in the afternoon to play.

Tonight, Ash, Glo and I went out for drinks. We walked to the local Mexican joint. My margaritas were yummy. Glo and Ash put back quite a few. No wonder they insisted on walking there! Glo has to get up for work in the morning too. Good luck to her. It was a lovely night to walk home. Why are the skies so friggin clear at night but overcast during the day!? Forecast for tomorrow? Morning clouds with sunbreaks later in the day and clearing in the evening.

Summer O'Fun Day 4 (I don't count weekends)

Jax went to C's for the day. C is his friend in class whom he always gets in trouble with for being silly. The teacher had to email me about 3 or 4 times throughout the year about Jax's behaviour. How embarrassing! Anyway, about two weeks before school ended the teacher told me she is going to have to recommend that Jax and C are placed in different classes next year. Even MORE embarrassing! Anyway, Jax spent a few hours there today and he had a good time. C is coming here next Thursday.

Dex was in a foul mood today and he did not want to do anything so we did nothing.

Tomorrow we are meeting some friends at a park. The rain is due to stop so hopefully the sun will shine.

Not much happened this weekend. Yard work, errands, etc. I found out last week that "The Bead Man" was closing today so I had to go and stock up on some silver wire. The cost of his beads were never a deal. My first shaker bracelet cost over $100 in supplies but the next one was closer to $60 because I bought my crystal beads from ebay. But, I did take the class there that taught me how to make bracelets so I am grateful for that. Now I only have Michael's and Joann's to chose from unless I make a trip to Shipwreck Beads in Olympia.

For Mother's Day, Jax gave me a coupon which stated he would take me to buy some jewelry. I thought today I could take him to The Bean Man and he could pick out a nice crystal bead that I could incorporate into a bracelet (so he would not have to spend more than $1.00). He picked out a pretty amber 6mm Swarovski Crystal bicone which costs $0.85. Great! Then he started looking around and saw some glass beads for $0.25 and thought he would get me one of those instead so he would not have to spend as much money. What a cheapo!

I had three people come up to me after church today to tell me I was brave to handle three boys by myself during Mass. How is that brave? You do what you have to do. They were all very well behaved anyway (they just played and coloured - I told Jax that starting in September he had to start paying attention because he will be going for his first communion next spring). Anyway, I don't mind taking all three with me because Stephen's guilt about not going with us (he is anti-church these days, thanks in part to Skeptic magazine, I'm sure) makes him vacuum the house and mop the kitchen floor while I am gone. ;)

I have spent 2 hours trying to figure out the cheapest and most convenient way to book our vacation. It is impossible. I feel like just calling American Express Travel and letting them do it. You cannot book minivans in Toronto through any airline website or via air+car with Travelocity or Expedia dot coooooooom (don't you just hate that jingle? It is stuck in my head for the night now).

We haven't told my mom or Stephen's parents that we are for sure coming yet. I guess we'll wait until we book it then let them know.

Remember that lovely Stellars Jays I was raving about a couple of weeks ago? Well the freaking things starts awk-awking at 5 in the morning each day and continues throughout the day! Last night nosy neighbour dropped by for a bit and while we say in the backyard one sat on the fence awk-awking at us the whole time and it drove us bananas! Plus they are pooping all over the Gladys Kravitz Perch and the new bbq! Where are the bloody neighbour's cats, that normally poop in my yard, when I need them?!

Summer O'Fun 2005 - Day 3
I have arranged for Jax to go to his friend's house on Monday to play. Now what will I do with Dex? I will have to see if I can get a friend of his over to play.

I spent my 4 hours of me time shopping at Costco. Well, 2 hours of it going to Costco, shopping and then home. I also went to Pacific Fabrics and bought some plain white fabric to make an American Flag to display at the 4th of July bbq.

Per Katie's request, here are some photos of the boys wearing their tie dye shirts. Only Cars's turned out really well. I used some Rit Dye on the others and it is not nearly as vibrant.


I also took the elastic bands off too early when rinsing the shirts. I'd like to try it again sometime now that I know what I am doing.

My SIL called and they are finally settling in the house in Minnesota. I had to laugh though because the phone company screwed up their name and the last 4 letters are showing up as BERG rather than BERT on the caller ID. Hehehe

Summer O'Fun 2005 - Day 2
Nothing much today. A trip to the library and we played outside most of the afternoon. All the while I had to listen to Jax lament that he had no one to play with and why can't his best buddies come over to play. *sigh*

Nanny will be here tomorrow morning so she can listen to Jax wish to play with his school buddies for 4 hours while I go to Costco and to the grocery store. Love this time to myself thing.

This'n'that

Summer O'Fun 2005 - Day 1
We tie-dyed shirts today. Actually, I did it. The kids were all keen on dyeing their shirts until they realized that they might actually get dye on them so we compromised and they picked the colours and I dyed (and tied) them. They are still dyeing but I need to rinse them out in a couple more hours. My hands are a lovely shade of dark blue and green.

Day 2 has nothing scheduled except maybe a trip to the library. Hopefully the sun will come out and warm things up too!

Cars has had a fever for days. Dex had one too (104.5! with a temporal scan thermometer which did register normal temps for the rest of us) but his broke finally. The doctor says it is just a virus going around. They both have bad coughs too. Anyway, I have been giving them Robitussin DM but I have to hold Cars down to give it to him. He hates it.

I am taking Katie's advice and I am not going to have a garage sale. At least not at this time. Maybe in September. That gives me all summer to sort through things.

Stephen and I have been watching Season 5 of "The Sopranos" on dvd this past week. Besides the violence, I love the show. We had ordered HBO to watch season 5 ON Demand but we missed it when it was on. We should probably cancel HBO until season 6 comes on next spring.

One hour of my life that I will never get back. Why did I think it would be revealing or interesting?

Happy Father's Day. We did not do much at all today. Stephen slept in and I skipped church. It was a nice day and the kids played outside much of the day. I did a little gardening and fell off the retaining wall while I was trying to climb out of the back garden onto a ladder. Doh! I have a lovely bruise/scrape on my upper thigh.

Stephen was happy with his Father's Day Gifts: a pair of shorts, a Mad Magazine subscription, renewal of his Skeptic Magazine subscription, two basil plants and some stuff the kids made for him at school (a paper weight and an emergency kit). Now he is making dinner for all of us. He decided to forgo the steaks and is having chicken wings. I am having a steak kabob.

I did not talk to my mom today. I usually call her on Father's day to let her know I am thinking about Dad. I'll call her tomorrow since that is the actual anniversary of his passing. I wonder if June 20th will ever fall on Father's Day again.

Terry called today and she wanted to know if I wanted to have a garage sale. Sure! But of course she wants to have it here because we get more traffic than she does. I will have to think about it. We'll have it in 3 weeks if I decide to go ahead with it. Although I am remembering my promise last year to never again have a garage sale in July! What to do, what to do...

Stephen took Jax and Dex to the local drugstore today because "Vicky the Lego Lady" was there giving out free little Lego kits and they had a display of the new Star Wars Lego. I specifically asked Stephen not to buy them Lego because 1) they were getting a free one and 2) we have too much of the damn stuff all over the house. What does he do? He lets them buy it with their own money. Duh - it wasn't a money issue. They both just had birthdays. They both have too much stuff. Plus Cars breaks up the Lego sets whenever he gets the chance and leaves trails of Lego blocks all over the house.

I am mommy watch me roar

Had a little run in with another mom at Dex's preschool today. Tonight was the end-of-year carnival and I volunteered to help set up. While putting out the baked goods and other goodies that were donated by parents for the cake walk, I noticed a lot of chocolate bars and chocolates that contain peanuts or nuts (this is a peanut-free/nut-free school). I told the mom who was in charge of the cake walk that some of the stuff should not be there. She got all snippy with me and as I pointed out things here and there she would snatch them off the shelves and roll her eyes at me. Then in a very sarcastic tone she said "All candy is labeled that way. I guess your children do not eat ANY candy". And I said "No, only candy that may contain or does contain peanuts is labeled that way". We were done so I walked out of the room and over to the preschool owner and told her that lots of the treats had peanuts or tree nuts in them and they need to let people know.

Then Snotty mom comes out and starts going on how the candy that *may* have nuts have been removed and another mom said "Actually, there are a lot of M&M's there and they are still on the shelf". I said that this school is supposed to be peanut and nut free and the notice sent home asking for goodies stated no nuts". Snotty mom interrupted me, stating that a responsible parent would not let their child pick something from that room then. Geez I was mad. I said "Please do not interrupt me" and I turned back to the owner and said that even if parents had their child choose something that they knew was safe, another child who might eat something with nuts or peanuts could make it dangerous for the allergic children. Snotty mom started rolling her eyes and sighing. Whatever, bitch.

To top it all off, I had to have this talk in front of my children. I kept my cool but I was assertive. No way I will let someone make me feel badly for protecting my child.

So the owner agreed to put up signs all over the room where the cake walk was to be held that the food may contain nuts and peanuts (while the stuff that definitely does was taken away).

And in the end we chose not to go into the room at all even though I knew the rice crispie treats and chocolate chip cookies I sent in where safe.

Stephen told me I should have asked her point blank if she were really saying that she was unwilling to protect the lives of children - then I should have called her an asshole.

I frigging hate that Jax has this peanut allergy. I hate that we have to watch out for a little protein, that is in so many foods, that could kill him. I hate we have to check and double check ingredients of food that we buy every week. Grocery shopping can take a long time because everything (and I mean everything) gets checked even if I had just bought the same thing the week before. I hate that I have read that peanuts are undeclared in medicine. I read just today that there might be peanut oils in baseball glove conditioner (this could explain Jax's hives after every frigging baseball game and practice).

Protect a Life. Be a PAL. Help find a cure.

Dex's last day of preschool today. I had to run out and get teachers' gifts this morning (got a late start though because I was sick through the night and so I had Stephen stay home until 9:30 so I could get some sleep). Anyway, I was so worried about getting the gifts that I completely forgot that Dex was special helper today and we were supposed to take in a snack. Not until we sat down to dinner did Dex say "I was special helper today and we forgot to take in the snack!" YIKES! What a way to end the year. Not only that but I was supposed to deliver some baked goods for the carnival tomorrow but since I slept in I did not have time to make the cookies I had planned. Good thing we are not going back there next year!

When Dex came home today he brought home a little binder filled with some work that he did throughout the year and some photos of him and some of his friends in class. It was a really nice thing for the teachers to do.

Our next door neighbours are hiring a landscaper to fix the drainage in their backyard. They have a bog like us but now I am worried that their yard will drain into ours making it soggier than it already is. Hmmm...

Stephen announced yesterday that we WERE going to Toronto this summer. I am still not so sure. heh

Migraines kicking my ass these past couple of days. Excedrin Migraine is my constant companion.

28 Seconds of Fame

On the theme of my 15 minutes of fame, yes, I was on Oprah a few years ago. They wanted me to fly to Chicago to be on the show but I had thyroid surgery scheduled. That I did not want to reschedule my surgery to be on the show seemed a little unbelievable to them (sorry Oprah but finding out if I had cancer was more important than meeting you in person).

Since I could not go to Chicago, they had me read my letter over the telephone and flashed pictures of me while the audio played. BTW, ever want to know why all of the letters on Oprah sound the same? It is because they re-write them!

Anyway, I was happy to be on the show for 28 seconds. I was finally able to upload the file. Click HERE. The file is large so it might take a moment to load.

5 Seconds of Fame

Yesterday I went out and enjoyed the sunshine. Dex, Cars and I walked to the park to meet Jax after school and I let the kids play for ages. We did not get home until 4:30 (I left the house at 2!).

While at the park, I was speaking to a friend who is a doula (we met because Stephen and her dh are on the same management team at MS). Anyway, we got on the subject of breastfeeding and she told me that one of the commentators, Ken Schram, on KOMO4 had made some stupid comments about breast-feeding in public and at the end of his commentary, the anchorwoman at the station called him an "Idiot" (click here to hear it or here to read his transcript. If you watch the video, wait until the very end to hear her comment.

Anyway, after bookclub last night, and two glasses of red wine, thank you very much, (for the record, I did not drive), I went out to view the video. I was so outraged that I decided to email Ken Schram and tell him just what I thought of him.

Here's my letter (not my finest moment):

You compared breastfeeding a baby with urinating in a cup in the mall? My God! You are a moron! Here's news for you - no one cares that *you* find it "impossible to switch from breasts as something sexual to breasts as take-out-food". Most women who breastfeed their children do it discretely. If you don't want to see it don't look! Didn't your mother teach you not to stare?

Pez
My City, WA

I really did not expect to hear from the jerk but I felt good writing it. Then I emailed the anchorwoman to let her know she was alright! :)

This afternoon, one of my bookclub friends emailed me that she had heard what had happened on KOMO4 so she had gone to the website to see what the fallout was and lo and behold - Ken Schram had compiled some comments from "thousands" of emails he had received and he had taken a sentence out of mine and used it in his latest commentary. Ken Schram Commentary: Modesty Is A Moot Point. Then the 5 o'clock news he read his commentary (and he pronounced my name wrong!). You can hear the audio by clicking on "Hear Audio Report" under his lovely mug.

So, that was my few minutes of fame today. Not even a full 15 minutes. :)

What's that I see??? The SUN! First time it has shone in what seems like weeks but really it is about 10 days. No rain in the forecast today either. Maybe it will finally warm up and I can stop wearing slippers and a sweater around the house.

I had such a migraine yesterday and of course Stephen was worked late. After dinner, the boys were wrestling after I told them to stop. I ended up shouting at them and sending them to bed at 7pm. I feel horrible for shouting and I did apologize to them as I put them to bed.

My hair is falling out again. I guess this is part of the regular cycle that started back after my two operations in one year. It makes me feel unattractive with this HUGE forehead. I cannot properly have bangs during times like this to even hide it. I hope it stops falling out soon and I wish I could shed hair evenly like normal people.

Oh and I feel off the roof yesterday and my face is covered in pimples. And I am still fat.

What a joy I am.

Happy 40th Birthday, Ramona!

June 8th. It is my very best friend's 40th Birthday. So in honour of this milestone, I would like to share a few photos with you.

Thirty-one years ago, we met in Grade 3 at our local public school. We became friends the next year (which was actually Grade 5 because we both skipped Grade 4). Here we are, 30 years ago, in Mr. L's class.

(Edited here because I said here we are 25 years ago but it is *gasp* 30 years ago! I cannot do math apparently!)

We were best friends all through school. The teenage years were not kind to us so I will not post any photos.

Ramona was the maid of honour at my wedding. Here we are in 1993. Ramona flew 6600 miles to be there for me (she was working in Saudi Arabia at the time).


Since the early 1990's, we have not lived in the same city, or even country yet we have maintained our great friendship across the miles. Ramona has visited me here in WA State and back in MN several times and of course I see her everytime I go "home".

Here we are in Las Vegas just a few short weeks ago. It was the first vacation we took together since 1991 (or was it 1992?).


Happy *40th* Birthday to Ramona. Cheers to the next 40!

For the birds

I don't know what it is about this year but there are birds everywhere this spring and it is exciting to see. I mean besides the damn crows that live around here and poke through everyone's garbage, we have some really cool birds. In my backyard I have seen Stellar's Jays, American Goldfinches, Robins and chickadees.

From my backyard I have seen a group of five bald eagles circling over the trees in the green belt across the street. One-quarter mile down the street, where I saw a coyote a couple of years ago, there are always some California quails strutting around the road. At the park last week I saw a Pileated Woodpecker (I thought it was called a red-headed woodpecker).

It has been so amazing seeing these beautiful birds so close to home.

Survivor DEX

Cross-posted at SAHP Forum.

Dex's party was today and he had a blast. The rain held off until the end of the party so we were able to have the party outside (yeah!). The kids started off making "immunity" necklaces then they tied their buffs either on their head, around their neck or around their arm.

Survivor Birthday boy and his cake which has a "Survivor - OurCityName" flag on it

Survivor Dex with his buff and Immunity Necklace

The first challenge was an obstacle course which consided of kicking a soccer ball into the net, climbing over a wagon, going across the monkey bars, up the rock ramp/wall, down the slide, in and out of tiki torches that were stuck in the ground, through a tunnel then touching the "Survivor - OurCityName" Flag.

The next challenge was to throw water balloon at signs with their names that were nailed to the retaining wall. The kids had the most fun with that and it is amazing how quickly you can go through 200 balloons! Next I told them the challenge was to pick up as many broken balloons as possible but Stephen got mad at me (heh) and told the kids to stop. Dex later said it was the worst challenge EVER!

Team Survivor

Next was cake and ice cream. Then presents and back outside for the pinata. The the kids just played in the yard for 30 minutes or so until it was time to go. Two of the kids were dropped off and two of them had their parents stay. Dex had a great time so it was a successful party.

A few dull days. Today, Jax had a baseball game (Dex has a "bye" this week). Tomorrow is Dex's b-day party and hopefully it will not rain. I bought these water balloon launchers for the kids and they have to hit their own name but if it is raining I am not sure what we will do.

I forgot to give the kids their allergy meds today and then in the late afternoon they were playing outside while Stephen cut the grass. Jax broke out in hives and Dex's cough returned. I hope that cough is gone tomorrow! He had it for 4 weeks and it had only just cleared up with antibiotics (sinus infection). :(

This coming week will mark 6 years since we moved to the Pacific Northwest. Let's see, we moved on Wednesday, June 9th. Spend Thursday and Friday (10th & 11th) looking at houses - 20 houses in 2 days. This is the last house we looked at on Friday at about 5pm. Then we went back to the real estate agent's office and put in an offer. Saturday and Sunday we waited word from the homeowners. They took the house off the market because of problems they were having with the sellers of the house they were buying. They said they would hold onto our offer. Monday the 14th, Stephen started his new job at the Evil Empire. Wednesday the 16th, my aunt called me and told me that my dad was hospitalized and I should think about coming home. I booked a flight for the 30th and she called me back and said to come right away. I called Air Canada back straight away and they were "kind" enough not to charge me for that flight and gave me the "compassion" fares of $1000 each for Jax and I to fly to Toronto on the 18th.

I arrived in T.O. on the 18th in the late afternoon and spent the next day and a half at the hospital. My dad got such a kick out of Jax who spent a lot of the time running in and out of the privacy curtain. Dad looked pretty ill but I remember thinking "Shit, I am going to have to go back to Seattle then come back again in a few weeks when it is really time for him to go". But, the next day I knew he knew it was time. He had such a final look on his face when he shook my cousin's hand as my cousin was leaving. I will never forget the knowing look on both of their faces.

Then on the 20th, Father's Day, my aunt came by my parents' place at 5am (Mom was spending all of her time at the hospital) to tell Wally and I (Wally was staying there too because it was too far to drive to his house) that we needed to get to the hospital. Mrs. Read came down from her house four doors up to watch Jax. Dad had died shortly before we arrived.

Wow, I still tear up thinking about my dad dying.

Dex had a great day yesterday and is really looking forward to his party this weekend.

Today is Leah Ann's *40th* birthday. I have only spoken to her once since Vegas (she wasn't home today). Just 7 more days until Ramona's 40th!

My mother is completely pissing me off these days. Grrr!

Happy Birthday, Baby!


Dex's First Moment
May 31, 2000


Dex
May 2005

The whole family went to see Madagascar today. Geez, the total with ticket prices and popcorn/drinks for everyone we paid $54! And Cars got in free! That was the first time I had been to the movies with the kids in over 3 years. The last time we all went 1) Cars was not born (nor was I yet pregnant!) and 2) We saw Ice Age but had to leave early because Jax was scared at the loud noises. Stephen has taken the kids to see a few movies in the last year but it was a long time before Jax would go because he doesn't like how loud they are. Even today he was holding his head and I asked him what was wrong and he said it was LOUD. :(

Anyway, the movie was cute but I could have waited for the DVD.

Stephen installed the air-conditioner just in time for the weather to cool 25 degrees! Brrrr! My feet have been cold all day.

I washed that grey right out of my hair, thanks to L'Oreal Couleur Experte 6.0. I missed a few strands at the temples...again. I was examining my hair very closely before I coloured it and the right side of my head is completely grey but the left side is more salt and pepper. Weird!

Today was hot and the kiddie pool did not have as big of a whole in it as I thought so I was able to fill it up for the kids to splash in for a while. Cars had a great time screaming "BAH! BAH!" (translation: "BATH! BATH!"). The water heated up very quickly and it sure did feel like a bath.

For this Memorial Day Weekend we have planned NOTHING. Well, not entirely true. I have insisted that we buy a new grill because once again I almost singed off my eyebrows trying to light the damn thing and the burgers I cooked yesterday were all ready at different times. So the grill is coming out of the Maybe-We'll-Go-To-Toronto trip fund.

Oh, and I do have some sewing to do this weekend and I have to iron on the "SURVIVOR - OURCITYNAME" transfers onto the buffs (more like bandanas) for Dex's party next weekend. I bought some tiki torches (99 cents after rebate at Ace. Oh and I was so glad I went to Ace because I found 3 PEZ dispensers that I did not have - Simba, Nala and Timon from "The Lion King". I had Pumba already - thanks to a friend in Australia! :)

Speaking of PEZ, JP called me the other day and he found the newest "Star Wars" PEZ for me and picked them up for me. Apparently there is this great store in Vancouver that always has the latest and greatest PEZ. He picked me up "The Incredibles" PEZ before they were available here (both the masked and unmasked <-not sold in the USA). Gotta love that brother of mine!

Oh, I just found out that there are Madagascar PEZ and I am still missing Mufasa from "The Lion King"!

And just when you think "Could she talk about PEZ anymore?"...the answer is yes! There are now "Star Wars" Giant PEZ which dispense packettes of PEZ candy rather than just individual pieces. They are so cool! I hope to buy one sometime - maybe the R2D2 or Darth Vader because they look the best.

And one last PEZ note...they are coming out with a PEZ MP3 player. You can go here to be put on the mailing list for when they become available.

No school for Jax tomorrow (4 day weekend) so we get to sleep in. Actually, I know the kids will be up at the crack of dawn but we don't have to rush around so that is almost like sleeping in, right?

Remember last month I wrote that to reduce stress, I have decided to buy things online and stop running around? Well, have been shopping! I bought myself these pants and this shirt:



except the shirt is in white - oh and a lot bigger. (I do so love the coupon code I got to use though - $25 off a $50 purchase!).

Then I ordered some sapphire sheets from The Company Store. Again, love those sale items with a coupon code!

Next, I ordered Dex's birthday present:

As if we don't have enough Imaginext and Pirate stuff around.

Finally, I ordered The Original Chocolate Factory:


I also had a shopping bagful of clothes for the kids at Gymboree but realized the insanity and closed my browser before I was tempted further.

Oh, the dryer buzzer just sounded. Off to take my new sheets upstairs to put on the bed.

Yesterday, I found out from an allergy forum I go to (WA-FEAST) that Safeway brand Dimetapp contains PEANUTS! (A mom had given it to her peanut-allergic dd who ended up with swollen eyes). So does the Safeway brand Tussin DM (Robitussin) (coconuts and nuts but the manufacturer was not able to verify what type of nuts until they hear back from a supplier). And Safeway brand Children's Ibuprofen (orange) DOES have nuts! This is ridiculous! I cannot believe that they can make these medications with a major food allergen and not list it on the label! And not only that, the new label law that goes into effect in January 2006 only covers food and NOT medicines!

So, I had to throw out the cough medicine I recntly bought for Dex's cough just in case we accidentally give it to Jax. And I will never buy orange or grape flavoured meds for them again.

Just when I think we have a handle on this allergy...

Dex's cough is getting a little better. He has developed a little throat clearing though and that is almost as loud and annoying as the cough. I hope it all clears up soon.

Jax finished his Movies By Kids class today. He won't actually get a copy of the movie for a week or so. I cannot wait to see how it turned out. He worked in a group of 4 other kids. He loved the class and wants to take it again next year.

Jax is going on a field trip tomorrow to a local slough. What is a slough, you ask? And just how do you pronounce slough? A slough is wetlands or swamp and here it is pronounced "slew" although I believe the correct pronunciation rhymes with "plough". The slough looks really interesting and I would love to go but once again, another field trip with no siblings allowed. I could of course just go there and walk around since it is just a public park but I won't. I think I will arrange a trip there this summer as part of our "Summer'o'Fun 2005".

I am still plugging along with the baby sweater. I am almost ready to start decreasing and shaping the shoulders. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

The weekend is here so things are looking up.

Today I met my friend Lori and her dh and oldest son at the Seattle Aquarium. She flew into town last night and were driving out this afternoon to a wedding in North Eastern WA. It was great to see her. We used to work together at IBM. She, DeniSe and I would have lunch together. We had all started there within a few months of each other and we all did basically the same job but for different managers before we all were moved to new jobs (no more secretaries, excuse me, "Information Specialists" for the managers!). Then we were all trained for IT positions and became computer whizzes. I left in Nov '93 to move to Minnesota. Lori left in Feb '94 when she got married and moved to the Mennonite country outside of Kitchener. DeniSe stuck it out the longest and left in Mar '95 when she moved to...Minnesota too! Hard to imagine we three career women are all SAHM's now.

Anyway, it was great seeing her. It has hard to believe it had been 7 years since I had last seen her - she looks so pretty and still so young!

Dex went back to the doctor today because his cough is getting worse. Doc says he has a sinus infection and he is not sure about what is going on with the cough. Could be the infection is draining slightly. So he is now on antibiotics. If it gets worse still we are to go back. If it is not cleared up in 10 days we are to go back. In any event, he needs to stay on Zyrtec for a while.

I played "Fenopoly" (Dex's pronunciation) today with Jax and Dex. Dex never buys any properties because he wants to have the most money. Jax buys everything and then cannot afford to pay rent or taxes. Then he threw doubles three times and you would think I was sending him to an actual jail the way he acted. They want to continue the game tomorrow. God grant me patience.

Book club tonight. We had a good discussion about "Life of Pi". I find it so interesting to hear other people's opinions about a book or how they understand it to mean something different. Some did not find it as humourous as it was billed (where I LOL'd in places others were only mildly amused). And no one could really decide if the better story is the true one or not.

Next month: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.

I did have a better day after my rotten day. Today was good too.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Today, Cars said "Thank you" for the first time without me prompting him. I handed him a toy he wanted and he said "Day Doo" and wandered off with it. This little boy continues to amaze me.

Jax told us a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to work for Microsoft in the xbox division when he grows up (after he has finished making movies like George Lucas). On the weekend we had to stop by the xbox building to pick something up. We walked in the building, picked up the item, spent a few minutes looking at all the games in the lobby. As we were walking out Jax stopped and took a wide look around and then with awe in his voice he said "This is where I am going to work when I grow up". It was such a magical moment for him. I loved it!

It was six years ago this past week that I became a stay-at-home mom. It was supposed to be temporary, just until we got settled after our upcoming move to WA. It wasn't until I was very pregnant with Dex one year later that we decided to make it permanent. Or at least until the kids were in school full-time. That's four years from now...

Forgot to mention that my re-pap earlier this month came back normal. ~whew~ I will have another one in December and if that one is normal I am back to an annual schedule.

If you are behind on your pap - schedule one now!

Knit One, Purl Two

I have picked up my knitting again. DeniSe is having a baby in October (please let it be a boy because I am knitting a little baby jacket in baby blue). This is how much I have knit so far.

Ok, so who can spot my mistake? I thought it was not that noticeable so I decided just to leave it. Now it is very glaring! Maybe I won't even finish this... Ok, but I am determined to finish it since I never did finish the baby blanket I started making for Adrienne who is now three. Anyway, if DeniSe has a girl, I will just girlie-up this sweather with some fancy ribbon ties or pretty buttons.

My next project is going to be this (but in a different colour). I am very excited about it! (so excited that I want to ditch the baby sweater!).

Dex has allergies. I knew it was just a matter of time before he had an official diagnosis. No food allergies (that we know of) thankfully but it seems he is probably allergic to grass. He has been coughing and sneezing like crazy so off to the ped we went and she said allergies so he too is now on Zyrtec too.

While I had Dex at the doctor I figured I would get Cars his 18 month shots that he was 3 months behind on (he had a bad cold when he went for his 18 month appt so we put off the shots). Dex watched intently while Cars had his three shots and by the end Dex was shaking. Then the nurse said to him "We'll see you at the end of the month for your 5 year appointment". Dex remembers all too well that Jax had shots at his 5 year appointment. He started tearing up and announced that he was never coming back to the doctor. I think I will let Stephen take him in for that appointment!

Dex has been such a pip lately. He shouts when he talks (I barely remember when he couldn't talk?!). In his not so soft voice, while we were walking up for communion, he demanded to know how old he had to be to get chips like the rest of us. When I just shook my head at him to shush he said "TELL ME! WHEN DO I GET CHIPS TOO?!"

At the grocery store:
Dex: MOM? IS IT AGAINST THE LAW TO BUY GROCERIES THAT ARE NOT ON SALE?
Me (shushing him): No, of course not.
Dex: WHY DO YOU ONLY BUY STUFF ON SALE THEN?

At baseball practice while the coach was playing Simon says with the kids and let Dex be Simon:
Dex: SIMON SAYS PRACTICE IS OVER
Coach: No it isn't Declan.
Dex: YOU SAID I COULD BE SIMON!

He reminds me so much of David from the book No, David! by David Shannon. LOL

I finished "Life of Pi" yesterday. I found it very interesting and I cannot wait until book club to discuss it (phooey that the meeting has been moved to next Thursday). I saw on www.imdb.com that there is to be a movie made of the book and the director is Alfonso Cuarón (he directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban") so I am sure it will be a good movie.

I went grocery shopping today - we needed so many staples. I had over $20 in coupons (both store and manufacturer). So much for not clipping coupons, eh? lol Most were from the Fred Meyer Sunday ad (loss leader stuff) and others were for free things like FREE PINT of BEN & JERRY's (it was on sale so that was $2.50) and FREE TRIDENT (on sale too - $0.79) and FREE CELESTIAL SEASONINGS TEA ($3.59).

Now I need to figure out a time to get to Costco to get veggies, meat and bottled water.

I rearranged the living room and family room yesterday. Rearranging the family room really opened it up more and I love how it feels. Now if I can only get a handle on the clutter.

My mother's day:

Today was one of the days that are so wonderful for being nothing special. Stephen took the kids out for breakfast this morning then to buy a mother's day present for me. Then Dex had a t-ball game early in the afternoon. Afterwards we stopped at the local bike shop to buy new helmets for Dex and Jax. Stephen just happened to notice this cool shoes on clearance that were just his size. Serendipity.

Then the boys and I spent the rest of the afternoon outside, playing hockey, golf, watching them ride bikes and scooter. Then Jax and Dex spent almost an hour running up and down the street making kites fly. DingDong girl came by too for an hour and I didn't even mind except when we were standing in front of her house and she told me to go home and get her some water because she was thirsty. I reminded her that we were right in front of her house so she could run right in but she decided she really did not need the water (I think she didn't want to risk being told it was time to come in). lol

After dinner I pulled weeds from the garden while the kids played on the climber. I even climbed up too so I could take a good look around from the Gladys Kravitz perch.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I am having a bacon and tomato sandwich for breakfast. I can't stop thinking about it. Mmmm...

Thanks to everyone for the advice about dealing with my copy cat friend. I know I need to say something so I am just going to wait until the right moment when I can bring it up easily. Geez, I hate confrontation!

Forty minutes after dropping Jax off at school today I received a call on my cell phone that he was in the office covered in hives again! I had just given him Zyrtec before school (because I forgot to give it to him Thursday night- Survivor was on!) so it seems it had not yet kicked in when he was exposed to whatever allergen (I am still thinking grass). It was a half-day of school so I told the secretary I would just come and pick him up (it was not 9am yet) and take him home.

When I arrived at the school (I had been shopping for CONDITIONER at Fred Meyer and had to leave without buying it), Jax's hives were mostly gone (Zyrtec kicked in) but I took him home anyway and dropped him off with Nanny so I could go back out and buy some damned CONDITIONER.

Anyway, I hope he doesn't break out tomorrow. I will give him Zyrtec again in the morning but I need to get back onto an evening dosing schedule because it makes him sleepy.

And speaking of sleepy, it is late here and I must get my beauty rest.

Add another copy cat...

She bought the same bathroom faucet that we just had installed in our masterbath. Unbelievable! When I saw it sitting in her house today I saw red. And I think I have realized what is bothering me so much about it. I do things, then she copies me, shows everyone and takes all of the credit, glory, kudos, etc. So this new faucet will be in the bathroom where everyone coming to her house can see it and admire it and she can revel in it all but meanwhile it was one that I had painstakingly picked out, found the best deal on etc. Not that I need the reassurance but it has happened with everything. Geez, I gotta say something to her! I hate confrontation.

Yesterday, Jax came home from baseball practice covered in hives. Huge big welts everywhere! Stephen shrugged it off and said it hadn't looked that bad so he had not brought him home earlier. His lips were not swollen and his tongue looked fine. I am certain it is just from grass (and not from peanuts) so I gave him Benadryl and sent him to shower then to bed.

He was hive-free this morning. I was going to give him some Zyrtec but since it makes him drowsy I decided to wait until tonight. I received a call from the school shortly after 1pm telling me that Jax was covered in hives and asking if I could come in and give him some Benadryl. I rushed over there and found him sitting all forlorn in the health office. I gave him the Benadryl and he said he wanted to go back to class so I walked him to his classroom. I told his teacher that he was fine and wanted to stay.

I know in the whole scheme of things, allergies are not that bad (he could have some serious illness). But kids do not like to be different. Jax was not concerned that he was covered in hives. It was the fact that another kid in his class noticed and made a big deal about it. Jax just calmly walked over to his teacher and said "I need to go to the office to get some Benadryl".

~~ MINI RANT HERE ~~ WTF do they not have anyone at the school to administer his meds? Aaargh! They have a bottle of Benadryl (plus his epi-pen) and two letters from the allergist explaining when and how much to dose. Grrr! /MINI RANT

And since I am on the topic of allergies, I found out at our last book club that one of the other mom's also has a peanut-allergic child. However, Peanut Mom has decided not to keep a peanut-free house because "My daughter needs to live in the real world". (Oh and that giving up peanut butter would be so hard on her). My eyes probably popped out of my head when she said that. I completely understand that yes, children do need to learn to live with and manage their allergy out in the "real world" but I feel it is important for me that my son feel safe in his own home. Anyway, I just shrugged Peanut Mom off as an allergy whack and I knew that we would never have playdates so what she chooses to do is her problem. I was not preachy but I was confident and firm with my position.

Another book club friend, T, called me up today and told me that Peanut Mom was considering not coming to book club anymore because of our differences and she thinks she offended me. WTF? T had missed book club so she could not really comment so I called another book club friend and asked her if I gave the impression that I was angry with Peanut Mom. My friend, who I know would be completely straight with me, told me no but she thought that Peanut Mom was a whack too for keeping peanut butter around (my friend also deals with food allergies in her family but not peanuts).

So I decided that I had better call up Peanut Mom.

Me: Hello Peanut Mom
Peanut Mom: Hello Pez
Me: Peanut Mom, T told me that you were considering not coming to bookclub anymore because you think you offended me.
PM: Yes, I thought what I said bothered you and I thought you became defensive.
Me: DID NOT! (kidding here I really said):
I don't know why you got that impression. I know you have one view on the issue and I have another. I don't think that means that we cannot be in the same book club.
PM: I just don't want my presence to make you uncomfortable at book club.
Me: We just have a different view about dealing with this food allergy. While I admit I do not agree with or understand your view (I inserted a small chuckle here to let her know that I was not a complete bitch), it is not something that should be an issue at our book club unless you don't respect my peanut-free household and bring peanuts to my home.
PM: I had another friend who had a peanut allergic child and our friendship was lost over our different views. (<--so this was the real issue)
Me: I am sorry that happened to you.
PM: Thank you. I just did not want to feel I could not state my opinions and make you uncomfortable.

So then the conversation basically ended there and I think things are ok with us. At least I don't have a problem with her as long as she doesn't mention peanuts and "real world" again! lol

Crowning Glory

I bought a new type of conditioner for my hair the other day because I ran out of my current favourite (L'Oreal Vive). I was shopping at Safeway so the selection was limited and since Vive was not on sale, I would not buy it. I finally decided on a bottle of Suave because 1) I am frugal and 2) the bottle claimed "SPECIAL HUMECTANT FORMULA replenishes vital moisture as well as Nexxus®". I gave it a try yesterday morning and I hated how it felt in my hair. I was thinking how dry it made my hair feel - gross! Then when I was combing my hair, it was so tangled. I was so mad that I had spend good money (but not much money!) on this shit. While I was drying my hair I composed an indignant letter to Suave in my head. What a crappy product! And I will *never* buy Nexxus brand either!

I made a mental note to myself to buy more conditioner when I went out later. There is where the problem lay...the mental note. I lost it. I should have pinned it to my shirt because this morning as I was stepping into the shower I realized I had no friggin conditioner except the Suave with "SPECIAL HUMECTANT FORMULA replenishes vital moisture as well as Nexxus®". Damn! I figured some was better than none and as I was just about to apply it to my head I noticed the tiny little word that I had apparently failed to notice when I bought it...SHAMPOO.

Ok, so apparently if you apply SHAMPOO to your hair as you would CONDITIONER it will not actually condition, detangle, moisturize, etc your hair. I know this. I am forty years old. I have it figured out. I of course did not figure that I would not actually READ the bottle (why the frig were the SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER bottles identical? Why didn't I just buy the brand I normally buy? Why did I go shopping with three children?

Now I am faced with the problem that yet again today, I have forgotten to go to the store to buy CONDITIONER. I might be able to squeeze in a quick trip on the way to my Crazy Doctor appointment this afternoon. All because I am too damn cheap (it is not frugality when you buy the wrong stuff and it ends up being SHITTY).

In an attempt to simplify my life I have done the following:

* Milk delivery - 1.5 gallons/week delivered every Tuesday morning. The milk is not organic (they farm does not grow its own feed so they cannot be labeled organic) but it is rBST-free and only 1.94/half gallon! About $0.50 cheaper than regular milk at the stores (and $1.50 cheaper than organic milk).

* I stopped clipping coupons. I would always forget them at home then curse myself when I was shopping and refuse to buy the item figuring I would come back later with the coupon. Except I would inevitably need the item before I could make it back to the store so I would have to rush out and buy it (again without the damn coupon!).

* Buying online - I haven't the time nor inclination to run about anymore to get the best buy. The price of gas and dragging one, two or three unwilling children is killing me. My latest purchases were a tea kettle at target.com (which went back to the store) and a 4-slice toaster (Stephen's request). I found a code with 10% off and combined with free shipping on the kettle, which could be (and was) returned to the store, it was much easier than rushing about IRL.

* I haven't done this yet but I am searching for THE perfect backpack purse and I will retire the diaper bag. This is because I was forever switching my wallet, phone, checkbook and coupons (HA! NO MORE!) back and forth from my purse to the diaper bag and back again. Inevitably, I would forget my phone (but mostly the coupons) so I have decided I will find a backpack purse with room for 2 diapers, some wipes and the epi-pens. The only issue will be keeping the diaper bag stocked for the times when Stephen takes the kids out. Maybe I need to buy another epi-pen holder (online of course!).

So there you have it. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. (or WHACK! as some good friends say - you know who you are).

I bought a pretty pair of sandals yesterday at Mervyn's One Day Sale.


(Ignore the talon-like toes and sloppy nail polish)

I thought they were so pretty and hey, they were only $7 (Half price flip-flops - One Day Only!).

The rocket party went well despite the fact that Stephen bought engines that were too powerful and the parachute strings burnt and the plastic parachutes melted. But Jax had a great time.

Stephen has been working crazy hours lately because the Evil Empire is previewing Longhorn this week. Stephen needs to be handy to listen to feed back on their work (making certain aspects of the product user-friendly.

I paid bills today (boo) but managed to pay off my birthday present, my Vegas trip and the friggin car repair (CHANGE YOUR OIL REGULARLY!) without touching our income tax return. Can't say that our savings is intact though (and thank God the bathroom came in under budget).

Shoot! Just realized that I forget to send DeniSe a b-day present. Off to browse Amazon.com.

When Stephen gets a bee in his bonnet about something he never gives up. Tomorrow is Jax's b-day party and we decided to buy the kids rockets and shoot them off in the park. We spent 30 minutes in the hobby store while Stephen checked every since rocket out before buying 5. When he got home he realized there were no parachutes, just a streamer that falls down. So he left over an hour ago to go back to the store. There were no parachute rockets (well there was 1 and we need more than that) so he returned what he had (for store credit- arrgh!) and he is on his way to Michael's to see if they have what he wants. Meanwhie, he was supposed to be home by now with dinner but he is 40 minutes away. No doubt he will call any moment to tell me they do not have what he wants and he'll be off looking in some other craft or hobby store.

Ah, there he is now...brb phone

*sigh*

He of course cannot find 5 of the same so I told him to buy a variety of them and it will just be "first come, first serve". I hope the kids don't fight about it. What am I saying?! Of course they will.

Off to bathe the kids while we wait for dinner...

This picture was taken at the airport as soon as I arrived in Las Vegas.
Ramona, Pez, Leah Ann

BTW, I noticed that Ramona has a virtually identical picture on her blog!

Last night at book club we talked about Benjamin's Gift. The question of what gift would you like to have came up. I said that my gift would be to gift compassion to people. I have been shocked lately at the lack of compassion from friends of mine and it makes me sad. Anyway, Laurie had said that her gift would be healing and then Jennifer said that she wished her gift was to know everything in the world. Interesting...

Today was a gorgeous day! It was 81 up here on the Plateau. Cars and I went to the park after we took Dex to school and we met up with a mom and her twins whom I met at August 2003 babies. Her boys are soooo cute. They are just 1 week older than Cars but seem older because they talk much more than he does. They were so funny too, playing in the dog water fountain (yes, such things do exist!).

Well off to bed because I cannot keep my eyes open!

Am I a Bad Wife and Mom?

Everyone keeps saying to me "Oh, you must have really missed your family while you were away!". And I did...but not so much. I really enjoyed my time away from them. In fact, I only called home because of peer pressure. Leah Ann called her family and spoke to her kids forever and to her dh too. Ramona called her SO too so I felt obligated to call home on Friday and Saturday. Sunday I stood my ground and did not call. I only called on Monday to ensure that Stephen would be at the airport to pick me up!

I was on vacation and it was a desperately needed one. They did not miss me that much either (well maybe Cars did because my head was not there for him to sleep on 1/2 the night). I feel like I should be questioning myself. Why did I not miss them? Would I miss them if I went away for a longer time? I honestly do not know...

What Happened in Vegas...

Wow, what a great time I had in Las Vegas!

From the moment I saw Leah Ann and Ramona at the airport it was wonderful! Just like old old old times.

- We laughed (watching Zumanity and talking about Lutheran Bible Camp 26 years ago).
- We cried (or at least I did - a few times and none of it was even alcohol induced).
- We fought (over sunscreen and an Oprah magazine).
- We played (slots, Black Jack, Roulette <-- I was too chicken to try that).
- We won (Ramona, 150 quarters is only $37.50, not $150).
- We lost (I never know when to walk away).
- We ate (Buffets every night for dinner).
- We drank (Leah Ann needs to drink more water and free drinks while gambling is cool).
- We slept (in bed the first night by 9pm but the next night we were up until 4am).
- We walked (my dogs are still barking).
- We splurged (do Oxygen Bars really do anything?!).
- We scrimped (scrouging around for quarters for Wheel-of-Fortune).
- We saved (dresses on sale!).

I had the time of my life. We decided we will go on vacation again together for our 50th birthdays. I can't wait!

Happy Birthday to my sweet 7 year old boy.

It was 7 years and 1 hour ago when they told me I needed a c-section. All those hours pushing to no avail. My "sunny side up" baby was stuck! I was so concerned because the midwife informed me that my baby's heart rate was not recovering after contractions so she had called in a doctor. Just get my baby out of me safely! I was wheeled to the OR. At 1:06pm (7 years and 25 minutes ago) I heard "It's a boy!" as Jax entered the world and my life has never been the same. Thank you, Jax. I love you.

Signed Sealed Delivered

We just finished e-filing our taxes. Even though we use Turbo Tax and It's Deductible it is still a PITA.

I coloured my hair tonight and made the highlihgts too chunky. I also used a new colour (L'Oreal Couleur Experte 6.0 Almond Rocha) but I am not sure I like it. We'll see how it looks tomorrow. I may be spending tomorrow evening fixing the stripes on my head.

I finally went to Walgreens and bought cologne for an online friend to send as payment for a sweater she knit for Jax. It has only taken me 4 months. Now I have to mail it. Nevermind driving phobia, I have post office phobia these days! Everytime I go now there are huge line-ups. I never ever go to the Bellevue or Redmond post offices because not only are the line-ups huge but the parking lots are tiny and it is very stressful waiting around for a spot to park, let alone getting in the line up and shuffling along until it is your turn. The Iss office has a huge parking lot but I think everyone does what I do and avoids the other cities and drives to Iss. Our city is due to have its own post office in 2007, I think. A friend of mine swears that it is worth the drive to F. City to go to their little town's post office because there is never a wait. But then I would have to drive to F. City...

Anyway, my very patient friend will have to wait a little longer. I promise I will visit the post office to mail it...soon.

My therapist told me today that she thought I had a driving phobia because I told her of the anxiety I have when I even ~think~ about driving into Seattle. Um, no. I have a fear of dying on a bridge that spans water (floats on it really) and had been cited as a terrorist target. Not sure why that bridge scares me so. The other bridge (I-90) isn't so terrifying but it is much less practical to take unless I am going to the train station or some other south Seattle locale. The zoo, the car dealership, the Seattle Center and Pike Place Market all require me to take the 520 floating bridge and I hate it.

It started today with me fretting that I had no plans for Spring Break. I thought briefly about taking the kids to the zoo but then I got all nervous and upset. They love the zoo but I hate taking that damned bridge. It doesn't help that the bridge is one of the oldest floating bridges in the world. Or that during really bad storms they close it down because it has been known to lose its moorings.

Anyway, after thinking about taking the kids to the zoo my mood became really foul. I cannot believe what a huge issue this is for me. After talking to my therapist I have a few tools under my belt to help me cope with it and I am going to ~try~ to take the kids to the zoo without freaking out. I can do it!

Another weekend gone.

I am not really sure what happens with time time but weekends flash by in the wink of an eye while the weekdays seem to drag on and on. This week will take an eternity because 1) It is spring break and I have planned nothing save for dentist appointments tomorrow at 9 A.M. and 2) I am going to Las Vegas on Friday morning.

Oh and Jax's birthday is on Thursday and I have nothing planned. We are going to have a small family celebration then celebrate with his friends on the 24th once everyone is back from Spring break.

My new CF card has become corrupted. I think now it must be the card reader that is doing it although it has not done it to Jax's cf card for his little camera. Anyway, I hope that there is at least a 30 day warranty on my new card!

I am still coughing a lot but most of the cold is gone. Now I just need my strength back. Cars still has a fever but Jax is back to school today. I feel like I could sleep a week.

Sickness update:
Dex - all better but a lingering cough
Pez - still stuffed up, body aches gone
Jax - fever, headache, body aches, lethargy
Granny - body aches, sore throat, stuffed up
Cars - fever, lethargy
Stephen - NOT SICK AT ALL (touch wood)

And the bathroom is done (well almost)! Pictures can be found here. Handyman will be back on Friday to fix the caulking around the tub and to install the thresholds to the bathroom and closet (he ruined the finish on them and had to redo them).

Mom leaves tomorrow. What a pathetic visit this was since we were all sick (and now it is her turn!).

Still sick. Sicker even. I don't think I have had a cold this bad for about 8 years! I had a worse one then but I was pregnant with Jax and could not take anything. Right now Advil Cold & Sinus is my constant companion.

Stephen and I spend hours at the Department of Homeland Security to get the stamp in our passport which states that we are legal permanent residents of the United States of America. The agent told me that my actual card will arrive (get this) in 8 months but if I do not have it in 12 months, I need to go back to the Department of Homeland Security Office and get another stamp in my passport to cover me until the card comes in. The agent was even a little embarrassed to tell me that it would take 8 months. He said "I hate telling everyone this part". Incredible that is takes that long.

My mom is now sick too and I feel so badly for her because she has to take a train back to Vancouver on Thursday then fly home on Friday. She is supposed to attend Fiona's 1st birthday party (her birthday was yesterday) this weekend but if she gets as sick as me there is no way. Wally will no doubt have a fit and I'll get the blame because Granny cannot make it to Fiona's party which they scheduled a week later than her actual birthday because Granny was visiting my kids. :
Jax is sick too and stayed home from school today and he missed baseball practice last night. Dex is supposed to go to practice in a few minutes but he is sleeping and I feel like shit so I think I won't take him.

So not only is Dex asleep but Jax has just now fallen asleep, Cars is asleep and my mom is napping too. The only ones awake are me and Handyman (touch wood but the bathroom will be done ...TODAY!).

Time for more Advil Cold & Sinus medication...

Still sick. Woe is me. I hab a code now though and the pain and achiness is gone from my joints.

I had to get my picture taken today for my green card and the photo is quite hideous. Not that my hair is very stylish to begin with but I had to tuck it behind my ears and off my forehead for the photo. Plus I am in *desperate* need of a dye job. And I have puffy cold eyes and a red, chapped nose. Oh, and I need to lose 1000 pounds but I would be happy losing 30.

Ugh - I am sick. It started yesterday. I have a fever, sore throat and it hurts when I cough. Dex is on day 6 of being sick so I guess I caught what he has although his fever finally broke by the 5th day so I was able to send him back to school. But he still gets tired quickly and he has had a nap every day since Monday. The cough I have is bone rattling and my throat is raw. I hope I am feeling better tomorrow and that no one else gets it.

Besides that, today was Opening Day for Little League. I was able to take short videos of Jax and Dex during their first at bats. (Love my new camera!). They are so cute!

Off to bed since we Spring Forward during the night!

Ok, here I am - 40 years old. Do I feel any different? Not really.

Stephen made me my favourite decadent cake (Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake) and we went to dinner last night after Jax's science fair. Stephen bought me a new digital camera and a 1GIG (!) cf card! The camera takes little snippets of video too so that is very exciting. He also had the kids plans some flower seeds in containers for me.

I had an online friend send me a box of birthday goodies too (Thanks Tabitha!), including a 40th Birthday tiara, an "Over the Hill" button and banner, some self-inflating balloons and some pez. :) Oh, there was also a little tea light holder with some wax melts (Monkeyfarts scent!). lol



Jax did well at his science fair. He has to explain to the judges what his project was about and what the results were. He was so proud. Actually all of the kids in the school who participated did well and I was happily surprised at the number of projects that were not mostly done by the parents.



I am one very lucky Pez.

Dare I jinx myself? Handyman is coming tomorrow to finish up the rest of the bathroom. A two week hiatus is just what was needed...or was it three weeks? Anyway, the tile is in for the countertop so we are off and running. With luck it will all be completed by the time I go on my trip.

Here I am, on the cusp of turning 40 years old and I have an acne breakout that makes me look like a teenager. Ugh! I hate this! I *still* get pimples. Pimples is actually a nicer word for the pustules that I get from time-to-time. Mostly they had been in check since I started using Proactiv in October. But the one that popped up yesterday is so big I am sure it will sprout eyes and a mouth and start talking to me any minute.

This is so unfair!

Happy Easter. We were up at the crack of dawn (as we are every morning really) and I trucked the kids off to 7:30am Mass. I forgot to bring a pucky (aka pacifier) fir Cars so I made the very wise decision to move us into the Crying room. He was so loud "DADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! DADAAAAAAAAAAAA!" he would scream over and over again every time he saw a man. (and yes, I do use a pucky as a noise stopper, not just a pacifier).

After Mass we scooted home for an egg hunt which took place in the living room because it is pouring rain. Last Easter was beautiful and I took some great pictures of the kids and a very nice family picture. No pictures this year. My CF card is corrupt and I tried to use the one from Jax's camera but it did not work. No film for my SLR so no Easter pics. I feel like the worst mom in the world!

Speaking of moms, mine is arriving in about 4 or 5 hours. I am both looking forward to her visit and wondering how long until she drives me crazy.

Off to help Stephen with preparations for a yummy turkey dinner.

The 2005 edition of getting to know your friends (copied from Heidi's blog).

1. What time did you get up this morning? Awake at 5:30am, out of bed at 7am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Collateral (last Fall)
4. What is your favorite TV show? Desperate Housewives
5. What did you have for breakfast? Cuppa tea and cottage cheese with fruit
6. What is your middle name? Marie
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Chinese
8. What foods do you dislike? brussel sprouts
9. What are your favorite Potato chips? Ketchup, Salt & Vinegar, Tortilla chips with salsa
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Still Not Getting Any by Simple Plan
11. What kind of car do your drive? Mazda MPV
12. Favorite sandwich? Grilled vegetable
13. What characteristics do you dislike? One-up-manship
14. Favorite item of clothing? Old Navy Yoga pants
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Greek Islands
16. What color is your bathroom? Kind of a spa-blue
17. Favorite brand of clothing? Not brand loyal
18. Where would you retire to? Canada
19. Favorite time of day? Morning
20. Where were you born? Ontario, Canada
21. Favorite sport to watch? Hockey
24. What fabric detergent do you use? Tide (big-ass box from Costco
25. Coke or Pepsi? Coke and only ever Coke
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? Neither
27. What is your shoe size? 8.5 or 9 depending on the shoe
28. Do you have pets? Only pet peeves
29. Any news you'd like to share with your family and friends? Vegas Baby!
30. What did you want to be when you were little? An actress or a teacher

Stephen is working late tonight so I let the kids stay up and watch "Survivor" with me. I think this season is the best one they have had in ages. The challenges are really interesting. Dex told me that he hoped James would be voted off because "He's so bossy!". I am glad James was voted off after that ignorant comment about Allah and God. What a redneck!

I think we are going to be staying at the Aladdin. I'll know for sure tomorrow. I planning a few little fun things for us. I am so looking forward to this trip!

Vegas, Baby!

I booked a flight to Las Vegas for next month. I am meeting Ramona and (a nice surprise!) Leah Ann there for the weekend. We will have a great time! We haven't booked a hotel yet but we are hoping to find one on the strip. I am a little concerned about Leah Ann because she 1) needs about 12 hours sleep every night and 2) admits she is addicted to gambling. When we were 21 she and I took a cruise vacation and the ~one~ night she stayed up past 9pm she spent all of her money in the casino. And some of my money too. At least she comes by it honestly, Gambling addiction seems to run in our family (Leah Ann is my cousin, BTW).

My mom's family love to gamble. When a casino opened up one hour east of Toronto, my aunt used to get up at 3am and drive there to gamble for a few hours before work. My mom's brother met his wife at a Black Jack table at that same casino. He also gets comped hotel and meals at a casino in Bahamas because he spends so much there. When my mom visited me once in Minnesota we drove to the casino and I could not drag her away from the slots! A guy asked her to watch his machine while he went for more coins ($1 slots) and she just *had* to play it while he was gone. She won $100 on her first coin and he came back and was so angry! He told her to take off her win (play another coin) so she did and she won another $30! Maybe that is why it is so addicting for her. My mom's other sisters have always been card players and I can remember many poker nights at our house or Auntie Ev's house.

And I am not immune to the gambling bug. For my 30th birthday Stephen took me to Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota. We decided we would each play with $40. Within 30 minutes my $40 was gone and Stephen gave me another $20. Another 30 minutes later I was at the ATM. Then I found the nickel slots so I was fine after that. It definitely is a compulsion. I also used to be addicted to scratch lottery tickets but being broke after we moved here cured me of that. Besides, the lottery tickets here stink. I still think that the Ontario Lottery Corp. has the best tickets.

Pez Quiz

How well do you know me? Take a PEZ Quiz
Then check out your score.

The leprechaun's got away but left some double bubble gum that the Easter Bunny was planning to use. Jax was so excited that the leprechaun's came. I wonder if, when the time comes, I will be dealing with a pre-teen who still believes in Santa Clause.

I fell down yesterday (long story that I detailed in Her Time. I hurt like hell today. My whole body aches and I have a massive bruise that wraps around the whole back of my calf. Advil has been my constant companion today. Stephen is working late of course so I cannot even go lie down until the kids go to bed.

Jax wanted to build a lepre chaun trap today. He woke up this morning with the idea and did not let it go! I gently told him that there were no such thing as lepre chauns. He chose not to hear me. After school he started talking about it again and was so wound up that I promised to help him make a trap after dinner.

Stephen asked me why I was encouraging him (he knew that I had spoken to Jax this morning). Then he turned to Jax and told him that l e p re chauns are just make-believe. Jax looked him in the eye and said "I want to believe in them". And that was that. So we made a trap for him and one for Dex and I had to scavenge around the house to find a little present to put inside for them to find in the morning.

Here's is Jax's trap. Just a simple shoe box held up with string with a penny taped to the floor (and green paper and tin foil to attract the lepre chaun). When the penny is picked up the string will let go and trap the lepre chaun.



Dex's is simple. A lid propped up with a tin foil covered popsicle stick with a string and a penny taped on the string. Picking the penny up will pull the stick out and the lid will drop and trap the lepre
chaun.



They were so excited about the traps. I hope they are not disappointed in the morning when there is no lepre chaun to be found.

Yowza!

Neighbour upped her price again and listed her house with a realtor.
The photos in the photo gallery do not do it justice. The home is really lovely. Also, the taxes will definitely go up because it is listed with the county as just under 2000sf (they do not know she dug out and finished the basement years ago but will definitely find out when the house is sold).

Jax's teacher sent me a note this morning telling me that she took Jax's chapter book that he has been writing in class and typed up the first few pages of it. She said she was amazed by it and wanted to share. If you are interested in reading it, click here. All typos are his spelling errors.

Last Sunday at church the communion hymn was "Roll Away The Stone" by Tom Conry. I was completely overwhelmed by that hymn and I tear up just thinking about it. The words are not so profound but sung in our church with the big cavernous echo was amazing.

Roll Away The Stone

They have been saying all our plans are empty.
They have been saying "Where is their God now?"
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.

They have been saying no one will remember.
They have been saying Power rules the world.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.

They have been saying no one hears the singing.
They have been saying all our strength is gone.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.

They have been saying "All of us are dying."
They have been saying "All of us are dead."
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.

Actually, there is something new. I have weaned Cars. It happened three nights ago. He fell asleep without nursing and did so again last night. Today he asked to be nursed (if you call slapping my breasts asking) and I said "No more nursing". He did not even try again tonight so it is over. I am a little sad but relieved that I was able to wean him before I turned 40. Funny, I remember before he was born I had a goal to nurse him for six months.

I had never enjoyed nursing Dex because he had latch issues that were never really resolved so I thought I was completely going to hate nursing Cars but he latched on like a pro from the very beginning.

Another milestone passed. Oh, and here I am a little weepy.

Nothing new.

Yesterday I did the most physical activity that I have done in ages. First, Dex, Cars and I walked Jax to school then we had to walk home up that friggin hill (2 mile walk round trip). The jogging stroller has a flat tire so I had to push Cars in his regular stroller which does not move as easily up a very steep incline. Anyway, we survived. Then I took Dex and his friend to soccer. It was the last day and apparently it was also a parent participation day. I don't know if they announce that last week (L. took the kids last week). So there I was, out on the indoor soccer field scrimmaging with other moms and 5 year old kids who are fast and vicious. Only the kids had shin guards on! I am glad I am not the mom who caught a soccer ball with her nose. Ouch!

Later in the afternoon I took Dex to his t-ball practice and Jax and I threw the ball back and forth while Cars napped in the stroller. Ok, I threw the ball to Jax, he missed it every time and ran after it. Then he would throw it in my direction but most of the time it went way right so I had to run for the ball too. Who knew I could even run still?

So last night after dinner, I was completely pooped - too pooped to even go to the store to get some bread and milk. Fortunately, Stephen went so my kids would have something for breakfast this morning. And it is a pleasant surprise this morning that I am not sore. And I even feel almost GOOD for having exercised. Maybe I should keep it up?

Bathroom is on hold for now...we cannot agree on tile for the counter top. Plus Handyman seems to have screwed up the power to the fan and lights. He is bringing an electrician with him on Monday. On his dime...


I had a little retail therapy today - 4 tops for $50 (Ross - Dress for Less!!!). I also bought a cute little pair of Buzz Lightyear sandals for Cars.

Ramona and I are thinking about our 40th birthday trip. Leah Ann has opted out of going. Boo to her! I should have expected it. I remember when we were 15 (was it 15?) we wrote letters to be opened 10 years later. We wrote where we thought we would be and what we would be doing with our lives. Leah Ann was the most organized of the three of us so she held onto the letters. One decade later, when the date came to open the letters, it turns out that Leah Ann had thrown the letters out just a couple of months before. Her reason? She had written that she would be married to Dave and have a couple of kids but at 25 she had just dumped Dave and moved in with Roman and she was too embarrassed to read the letters so she threw out hers, mine and Ramona's! Ok, so now it is 15 years later and she has once again flaked out on us.

Anyway, Ramona and I have been planning and we might do Vegas if she can get a free flight there with her airmiles. I am so excited about taking a trip! Without children!

Neighbour called with a price for her house. It is a fair price but out of our range. Stephen and I are going to crunch some numbers but I do think it is pointless. She is asking 50K more than she had first quoted me. I am a little disappointed but not crushed since this came up suddenly and it is not like we *have* to move. And not moving will give me more time to enjoy my new bathroom wall colour.

On a happoer note, our green card apps were finally approved (it only took 4 years - well, 3 years and 11 months). God Bless America.

Migraine has gone and stayed away (thank you, Imitrex).

My blahg has been so bipolar lately. I am sounding like a forum whack! Things must change.

Dex is now registered for kindergarten.

Swim nazi called today to tell me that there were openings for Dex for swimming on M/W mornings. I need to decide whether or not to enroll him. He has two 1.5 hour t-ball practices/week starting next Tuesday (as does Jax). I think maybe that will be enough activity (I cannot go back to driving all over town again).

Happy Stressday. Today will be a whirlwind of activity. But first I must tell you that Cars's fever broke and he slept through the night again (yeah for him!).

Besides all of the running around I have to do today, I will be registering Dex for kindergarten. Funny, I don't really feel as sad about it as I was about registering Jax. I am very excited for Dex to be going to kindergarten. He is excited about it too. I have decided against the multi-aged class I wanted to put him in (he would be in the same class room for k-2) for several reasons, but the biggest is that the cost to us for full-day k would be $2400. And if we are moving that money could be better spent elsewhere. Plus he would miss out on riding the school bus (only kindergarteners get a bus from our neighbourhood, and only 1 way!).

Right now I am concentrating on beating this migraine. I just popped an Imitrex and I hope the tightness in the chest does not come with it this time. Once I have weaned Cars I will try one of the other two triptan drugs that do not have that side effect.

I need to head to Costco shortly. Then home to feed Dex and Cars and get Dex off to school (I will not forget to pick him up). I also will be volunteering during kindergarten registration from 5-7pm then rush off to the Little League meetings (already in progress).

Oooh, the Imitrex is kicking in and I can feel the heaviness. I think I shall go lie down on the couch for a bit.

(and yes I edited the original post for anyone who may have read it).

Two more people added to the ignore list. One because her sig photo has the reflection of a flash in it and I swear it causes me migraines.

I have delegated some bathroom stuff to Stephen. He tried to pawn it back to me "Are you sure you want me to get it? I think you would be better at choosing the toilet and sinks." Ha! The thing is I am not better at choosing. I cannot choose. I can never choose. "It is not a big deal", he says "just pick a sink!" No way, I told him. You can do it."Ok, no problem" he says. He worked late tonight so he decided to stop by Home Depot and buy the sink and toilet on his way home. So far, he has called twice to ask my opinion about the sinks I cannot see. Seems I am not the only one who cannot decide.

The kids went back to school today. :) I was embarrassed dropping off Dex to his teacher since I had forgotten to pick him up from school the last day before the winter break. Yes, you read that right. I.forgot.my.son.at.school. Ash picked up Jax that day so my schedule was off. I was merrily cooking a meal for a friend whose father had passed away when I realized 20 minutes after I was supposed to pick Dex up that I had forgotten to do so! I was 30 minutes late getting him but the teacher and administrator were gracious about it. Today I arrived 10 minutes early and our car was first in line.

I ordered some tile for the bathroom counter top. And I bought a quart of paint (Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue) to try out on the walls. I like it and we are going for it. Next up: 2 sinks and a toilet. This bathroom might be done by the middle of next week (touch wood). Geez I will be glad when this renovation is over.

test

I finished reading "The Kite Runner" yesterday. I enjoyed reading it. It was hard to read at times (content - brutal crap that happened in Afghanistan) but it was a page-turner. I think our book club will have an interesting conversation next week.

Cars slept through the night last night! In his own bed! I hope it is a trend and now just a once in a lifetime occurrence.

I am back to stressing out about the bathroom. I have a feeling the whole thing will just clash. F*ck it!

No news on the new house front. It is seeming further and further away.

Kindergarten registration is this week. I was going to put Dex in a mixed age class (k-2) but have thought better of it. I think he needs the regular kindergarten experience (read: he is not prepared for kindergarten).

I am so glad that school starts back tomorrow. This week was so trying. This summer is going to be brutal unless I plan the hell out of it.

Stephen went to work yesterday but came home early and was in bed by 7pm. He is at work again today but is thinking of coming home early again.

Handyman has finished tiling the floor and started on the shower wall today. I think the tile I bought looks great. Still stuck on what we will do for a counter top.

We have had such gorgeous weather these past few days. It is supposed to last into next week. I think I even have a little sunburn on my face from being outside yesterday afternoon. Imagine sunburn in February!

Three times is the charm?

Stephen is still sick and still in bed. Now he has a screaming headache. I wonder if he his just dehydrated? I hope that is all it is.

First day of mid-winter break. We made a castle and a dungeon out of empty shoe, cereal and tea boxes. Then we walked over to Ash's and the kids rode their scooters around. One day down, four more to go.

Pressure

Looks like this new house thing might happen sooner rather than later. The lady in the other house called us at 9am yesterday morning to report that a house around the corner was listed for a certain price and that her house is in much better shape. However, her house has LP siding (Lousiana-Pacific siding that is like fake wood and if it fails it may cause moisture damage) which will bring the price down because we would have to replace the siding in the next 5 years or so. I've had two estimates for our house from realtors, one of whom I will probably hire because she lives in the neighbourhood and offered to help us for free with the purchase of the other house (if this all works out). Well, free in that she will not ask for commission from that house but will get it from ours.

Anyway, my head is spinning. I am not really stressed out but I am getting a little anxious about the whole thing.

And Stephen spent another day in bed. And tomorrow is mid-winter break so I have all of the kids. All day long. Everyday. All week long.

Nothing to see here

Nothing is new really.

I am down to nursing Cars once before bed and once during the night and never,ever after 4am. He is sleeping somewhat better. Why didn't I do this a year ago?

Bathroom is coming along. All floor tiles are cut and about 1/2 are down. Handyman had trouble cutting the tile and had to grind many of them so there is now a white film of dust all over my entire house. I don't feel like cleaning it up until I know for sure that he is done. He is taking Monday off and will be back on Tuesday to finish laying the floor tiles then start on the tub surround. I need to pick up my ordered accent tiles on Tuesday too. I hope they are as nice as I remember.

Stephen is sick and has been lying in bed since the moment he came in the door last night from work. To be fair, he did get vertical this morning while I went for a haircut.

Another peanut teasing for Jax at school today. The teacher handled it well, I think. It will be interesting to see how the teaser's parents handle it since the teacher notified them. The funny thing is that Jax did not tell the teacher about it initially. Someone else told on teaser. F*ck I hate this.

Jax is anti-sauce/condiment kid. He hates ketchup, dipping sauce, spaghetti sauce, gravy, mayo, mustard and even sweet and sour sauce for nuggets. Dex will eat ketchup once in a blue moon and he loves sweet and sour sauce. But that's about it. Cars loves dipping everything into anything. Ketchup is a favourite. Warning: Dirty Face Child.

Cars had his 18 month appointment today. He is still scrawny (only 22 pounds) but he grew 2" in the last 15 months. He is on antibiotics for yet another ear infection (well two infections - one in each ear). At least I know why he has a fever and why he has been miserable all weekend.

Stephen bought me a truck/coffee table for Valentine's day. Our very first coffee table EVER! We've been married for 11 years and we haven't had a coffee table since we moved out of our furnished apartment 9 years ago. (BTW, the actual colour of the wood is darker IRL).

I spoke to KILLJOY again today. I should not have answered the telephone.

And now I am off to bed before I eat more.

The house is gorgeous. Turn-key condition too. The seller said she wants to get it evaluated again before she sets a price. So no doubt it will be out of our price-range. LOL Oh well.

Off to bed because I have to substitute for one of Dex's Sunday School teachers tomorrow. Gotta be fresh to deal with a classroom of 4 and 5 year olds!

Look up KILLJOY in the dictionary and you will see my mom's name.