Too Pooped to Pop or Think!

I am pooped today, my cousin's boys left yesterday afternoon. 

Last night, we had Pumpkin's piano recital.  She performed her two pieces very well.  :-D

And, since I am too pooped to think well, I stole this questionaire from Paul, at Aurora Walking Vacation  ,  and although he is a self proclaimed 'evil atheist', don't be alarmed folks, the 'evil' is a joke.  Paul is a great guy!

So, here are the questions and my answers!

 

1-What do you want people to say about you when you die?: I hope that I am remembered as being a good mom.

2-How long does it take you to get ready to go out?: If I am dressed, (unlike now, as I am in pj's) then I am ready!

3-If you were an animal what would you be?: Assuming you mean other than the animal I am, I would like to be a house cat.  Pampered, and having a nap named after me... Yup, that's the way to live....

4-What's your biggest fear?: My kids being hurt, which is I guess obvious.  Next to that, it would be that something would happen with my illness that would take me from my kids.

5-What’s your most prized possesion?: I guess my wedding rings.

6-What’s the funniest word you can think of?: I was going to say something witty for Paul's benefit but instead my daughter said to say 'constipated' and 'bubble'. Okay, there ya go.

7-Do you get along with your parents?: Yes, of course!

8-What do you look for in the opposite sex?: Strong hands, nice eyes, great sense of humor = my Hubby!

9-What was the most difficult thing you had to do?: I had a few things, but I think the hardest was walking out of the hospital OR leaving my knocked out child with the surgeon.  I had to do it three times, and it was awful each time, I left in tears.  (the kids all had ear tubes, and the boys also had adenoid removal)

10-If you were given one day to live what would you do? Spend it with my kids, hubby and parents, making happy memories!

11-If you could relive any day of your life either for good or to change it what would it be?: I wouldn't change a thing, because I believe everything is as it should be, so I would probably relive my wedding just for fun!

12-What's the worst feeling in the world?: Losing someone you love.  The best?: I will quote Paul - 'This is AOL, remember. PG rated journals. Sorry. Use your imagination.'

13-If you could meet anyone who ever existed who would it be?: My Grandma   why?: Just to spend more time with her, and ask her more family things that I would like to know for the kids.

14-What was the meanest thing you ever did as a little kid?: I was really sweet and naive as a kid, but I guess I would say that I probably made fun of someone that I shouldn't have.

15-What have you learned about love?: I have learned that love is something that grows and changes, lives and breathes, and it must be cared for and nurtured and worked or it will fail.

16-How have you changed in the past year?: I don't know, that is a tough one that would require much thought! 

 

Well, that is about all I have to give today!  lol  Hope you enjoyed it!

I will be back soon!

be well,
Dawn 

My Hubby's Problem

My husband has a problem.

You can read a previous entry of mine about this very same malady here:

The Homing Device

He loses things.  A lot. 

Not that there aren't places to put these things.  He just doesn't do it.

Today, for instance.

The alarm sounded at 6:45 am and I got up and woke my Hubby.

He left the bedroom and closed our bedroom door, so when the kids come down, it buffers some of the noise so I can sleep in while they watch some tv or play video games.

At 7:30 am, :::smash::: (because he cannot be quiet about it), Hubby opens the bedroom door, and starts to fumble about and then he asks,

'Have you seen my belt?'

I say, 'No.'

Mind you, he took said belt off his own body yesterday about 13 hours ago. 

He leaves.

At 7:20 am, :::smash::: Hubby enters again and begins to fumble about again.

Hubby asks,

'Uh, sorry, but did you see my wallet?' 

I say, 'No, but you went to Dunkin Donuts at about 1:30 pm yesterday, so you had it then.

He grunts, and then leaves. 

I guess he located said items because I finally fell back asleep until the kids started the ritual of 'letting me sleep' by waking me every 20 mintutes or so.

Now, I told you he has a problem.  It is baaaad, real baaaaad.  I need a 12 -Step Program for him, and I am not being funny.

Here is why.

Our dryer broke again for the second time since January.  It appears this time the belt that turns the drum snapped.  Of course, we had two loads wet before figuring it out, and hubby needed the polo shirts for work.  Too hot and humid for dress shirts in NYC this week.

Hubby gets the laundry loaded into our truck at 7:55 pm, after he showered all the kids for me. 

He pops his head into the family room where I have gathered the five kidlets to get them to settle in for the night...

'Where is my wallet?', he asks. 

I cannot even believe I am hearing this out of his mouth! 

After this morning, don't you think that when he took off his work clothes and put on casual shorts that he would have put in wallet and keys and change all together on one of the two 'man trays' that he has?

Oh no, not my husband!

He starts to look around, and I asked,

'Did you check your work pants?' 

He states it cannot be there because he knows he threw the wallet on our bed and/or possibly put it into his shorts.

Hubby then states that he is going to go the laundry mat to get the loads started.  He is gone for about ten minutes.

He returns and begins to fumble about the house like a fish out of water, until he comes to all of us in the family room in desperation.

He gives the exasperated look.  I get exasperated.  ARRRGHHH!

Now, five kids and myself join the darn search.  We tear apart the couches in two rooms, sift through all the dirty laundry, all the closets, upstairs and down, and look under beds and furniture everywhere.

I ask about the pants and he says again that the wallet is not in the pants.  I wonder how he can be so sure but he then asks, what was I wearing when I brought down the kids laundry basket and made the comment that I was all sweaty?

I tell him - 'Your pants.' 

He rolls his eyes and cries out, 'No. My shorts!'

Emphatically.

I now start to look for the pants.

I locate the pants.

I pull the dang, freaking, &%#^@& WALLET from the pants!!!!!

He then smartly listened to a barage of me calling him some choice, yet PG-13 names, and ran by all the kids hysterically laughing at his stupidity, and returned back to the laundromat.

I tell you, the man NEEDS HELP.

I am still incredulous that it could happen, TWICE in one day!!!

He is untrainable, incorrigible, and frustrating as all hell.

If you hear of any programs to help with this kind of problem, please forward the web site to me!!!

be well,
Dawn

 

 

A new Questionaire!

This is a new questionaire from Linda at Sangria Times

What curse word do you use the most?  sh**

Do you own an iPod?  An mp3 player, but it is shared

 

What time is your alarm clock set for?  6:45 am to wake my hubby only... it is summer!!  Yeeee haaaaa!!!

 

What color is your room? Sage green

 

Flip flops or sneakers?  Sneakers, my joints need the support, but I do have a pair of Merrill flip flops that I love!

 

Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?  Take the picture

 

What was the last movie you watched?  Underworld 2, with hubby

 

Do any of your friends have children?   Almost all of them do

 

Has anyone ever called you lazy?   Not that I know of!

 

Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?  yes

 

What CD is currently in your CD player?  The bose in the house has U2, Joshua Tree.

 

Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk? If I am drinking it then, chocolate milk, but I haven't done that since I was pregnant last, some ten years ago!

 

Has anyone told you a secret this week?  Yes

 

Have you ever given someone a hickey?  Many years ago, oh how young and stupid you can be...

 

Who was the last person to call you?  Hubby

 

Do you think people talk about you behind your back?  Oh yeah, I am the one who 'homeschools her eldest', lots of whispers about that....

 

Did you watch cartoons as a child?  yes, didn't everyone?

 

How many siblings do you have?  None biological.  One sister of the heart.

 

Are you shy around the opposite sex?  No

 

What movie do you know every line to?  Pretty close with Moonstruck

 

Do you own any band t-shirts?  I used to, but not anymore!

 

What is your favorite salad dressing?  Thousand Island or Ranch

 

Do you read for fun? Always, read 3 books in the last 5 days!

 

Do you cry a lot?  Define a lot!!

 

Who was the last person to text message you? My hubby at my daughter's dance recital rehearsal

 

Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?  we have both

 

Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoo?  No

 

What is the weather like? Still freaking raining!!!

 

Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos? It's about the personality for me... so probably, but in general I don't find it attractive.

 

Is sex before marriage wrong? Not to me, but to each his/her own,  I do think you need to be mature and in a committed relationship

 

When was the last time you slept on the floor? At my uncle Ed's townhouse in Fairfax, VA, when I was about 22 with Kathy!

 

How many hours of sleep do you need to function?  at least four, but then I will pay later

 

Are you in love or lust?  yes

 

Are your days full and fast-paced?  oh yes!

 

Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?  Sometimes

 

How old will you be turning on your next birthday?  41

 

Are you picky about spelling and grammar?  yes...for myself though, not others

 

Have youever been to Six Flags?  Yes, we have one about 45 minutes from here!

 

Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex?  Both

 

Do you like cottage cheese? Ewww... no

 

Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back?  Side and back

 

Have you ever bid for something on eBay? Oh yes!

 

Do you enjoy giving hugs?  Yes, and getting them too!

 

What song did you last sing out loud? This is funny, I was mocking to my kids a song that came on the radio, it was 'Welcome to the Jungle' by Guns and Roses

 

What is your favorite TV show?  Grey's anatomy, CSI, Criminal Minds, Bones, House... lol

 

Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with?  Dead, Jimmy Stewart, for Kathy!  And, alive, J.K. Rowling, to talk about Harry Potter and being a mom!

 

Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?  Probably last week at my daughter's dance recital...they were for her!

 

What one thing do you wish you had?  Better health, no RA etc.

 

Favorite lyrics?  The lyrics to my wedding song, 'Time in a Bottle' by Jim Croce  click  here 

 

There ya go... hope it didn't bore you all too much!

 

be well,
Dawn

Rain Rain GO AWAY!!!

Today, is day 3 of rain.  :-(

I am definitely ready for it to leave!

My IV medication visit in NYC went well.  Thank you for all the good wishes and prayers!  They worked!  My IV went in easily in my right arm and this month, no blood draws!  YAY!

Later that afternoon, we went to the town pool as a family, and a great time!  We joined the night before, and this is our first time joining in about 5 years.

This is the same pool that I lived at when I was a kid, all summer long.  I also swam the swim team there, too.  It is fun sharing the memories of my years there with the kids now, as they make new memories of their own.

On Thursday and Friday, I brought the kids there myself, and they were a great help bringing in the chair and towels and beach bag, and getting it out.

Friday night, the rain started, at about 8 pm; we had left the pool at 7 pm... it was good timing. 

Since then, the rain hasn't stopped for very long, and the skies have been gray and dark.  The whole weather system has wreaked havoc on my joints, but I am feeling pretty good since my medication on Wednesday. 

Today, my cousin and her hubby dropped off her two boys for me to watch until Wednesday afternoon!  We all had a nice family visit and dinner.  My dad made a fabulous homemade meat sauce and raviolis.  Magnifico!

My kids are so excited to have their cousins here for the next few days!  The eldest is the same age as Fuzzy and youngest is the same age as Pumpkin!  Hammer has a great time with them both, too.  It will really be a fun time for all!

Three days, five kids... hopefully, the rain stops!

As long as the weather permits, the plans are to do the town pool and the arts & crafts program in our park.  If I get desperate, I will do a movie, but fingers and toes are crossed for the rain to let up!  Movies are so expensive now!

Then, Wednesday my cousin is planning on coming as early in the day as she can to visit with me, which is always nice.  The kids can still spend time together and we will all do dinner together, too.

The kids settled down nice tonight, and everyone was sleeping by 10:30 pm!  Can't complain about that at all!

Libby got her stitches out Friday, and her leg has been prounounced officially healed!  Yay! 

That catches you all up to date with me!

I am still having a hard time getting around to all the journals I want to visit... be patient with me, dear j-landers!

be well,
Dawn

A Needle a Month, Keeps the Doctor Away... ha ha ha

Tomorrow is IV day in NYC!  Yippeee! 

Which explains why I am still awake... I get a little bit antsy, and especially after my little phlebitis-y thing last month...

Well, what will be will be.  I will make sure they go for the IV in my right arm, giving the left a rest.  That is all I can do, the rest is up to the sweet and capable RN's that care for me while I am there.

Remember how I said my sweet kidlets were 'letting' me sleep late?

Here is a run down of how that works, using this morning (uh, actually now, yesterday morning) as an example.

5:45 am     Alarm goes off and I go wake Hubby for work.

6:30 am     My mom leaves for work, and although she is very quiet, I have to pee, so I can't just roll over and go back to sleep.

8:30 am     Fuzzy comes in to tell me that he has slept late this morning, until just now!

10:00 am     Fuzzy and Pumpkin come in to wake me to confirm that I would, in fact, like to sleep late, possible until 11 am-ish.

10:20 am     Pumpkin returns to tell me her playdate has been confirmed for 12:30 pm, at her friends house.

10:50 am     Fuzzy arrives, phone in hand, asking if his friend can come over for a playdate at 12:30 pm.

10:55 am     I tell Fuzzy to hop in the bed and talk to me for a minute as I get my wits about me to get up because I have a horrible headache. 

Fuzzy looks at me with a confused look and says, 'But, Mom, don't you want to keep sleeping for a while longer?'

Uh, sleep?  Yeah...but, I give up!  I don't know how much more of this 'sleep' I can take!!!!

Instead, I just smiled, and got up, and stumbled to the kitchen for my coffee. 

In case I haven't said it enough, thank the Lord for coffee, and for the GENIUS that first poured hot water over the crushed roasted beans!  THANK YOU!!!!

be well,
Dawn

A 43 Question Survey!!!

A cool survey... that both Linda of Sangria Times and Paul of

Aurora Walking Vacation posted and I stole from them!

43 of the MOST random questions...

1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
      
      Here, at my kitchen table, on the wireless laptop, reading journals that I have been very behind in reading.  (see the last 2 journal entries as to why...)

2. Who will be your next kiss?
     
     Probably one of the kids but maybe my hubby or the dog!

3. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

       Yes, the roses we bought my daughter last week for her graduation! 

4. When is the last time you went to the mall?

        I have been either shopping online or in free standing stores or mini malls.  It has been about 3 months since I have been in any real 'mall'.

5. Are you wearing socks right now?

        No, I am barefoot in my slippies.

6. When was the last time you went out of town?

        Define "out of town." Yes, I have trouble with this one also.  The answer could be either, last night, when I was shopping one town over at the bookstore, or it could be February, when we went to the Poconos skiing. 

7. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?

        No. 

8. What was the last thing you had to drink?

        Coffee. Ah, sweet, sweet addiction. Nectar of the gods... blessed lifeline... etc etc etc... you get the picture.

9. What are you wearing right now?

        I am wearing a pink t-shirt that I got on the cruise last year in St. Maarten's and denim capri pants.  Oh yeah, and slippers.

10. Have you been in a car wash?

        Yes, hasn't everyone???? 

11. Last fast food you ate?

         A homemade egg salad sandwich on wheat toast.

12. Where were you last week on Saturday?

        Other than out to dinner to On the Border, mexican restaurant, I was home. Of course, that is the Saturday that was 10 days ago... because that is how I read this.

13. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?

        No, just books. 

14. When was the last time you ran?

        I guess when we played Parents vs. Scouts kickball.  I hate running though.

15. What's the last sporting event you watched?

        Yankee game the other night.

16. What is your favorite class?

        Egyptian history.

17. Your dream vacation?

        Paris, to see the Louvre. 

18. Last 3 people's houses you were in?

        I guess I could say my parents, but technically, we are all in one house, their apartment is 2/3 of our upstairs.  Then, I guess my friend Theresa's and then my sister, Kathy's! 

19. How old are your parents?

        My dad is 66 and mom is 60!

21. Do you miss anyone?

        Yes, my grandma, my great aunt, who have passed.  I also have aunts and uncles who live out of state and cousins that I miss seeing regularly.  

22. Last play you saw?

        Aida on Broadway.

23. What are your plans for today?

        I guess what I am doing right now.  Letting my kids have a play date and catching up on journals!  

24. Who is the last person you commented on myspace?

        I don't go to Myspace. It's silly. To expand on Paul's comment, I think Myspace is dangerous because kids under 18 can use it and be abused through it.  It concerns me, greatly. 

25. Ever go to camp?

        Yes, with the Girl Scouts in 7th grade.  I don't plan on doing it anymore, my style of camping in going to Holiday Inn instead of Marriott. lol 

26. Were you an honor roll student in school?

        Oh yes, always, top honors.  Look for my Hubby's comment which will say 'Nerd'.  lol

27. What do you want to know about the future?

        That my kids will grow up into productive happy members of society and will live long and healthy lives.  Isn't that every mom's most ferverent hope?  It would be wonderful to 'know' it and not have to worry about it, but, alas, life isn't like that.

28. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne

        No, just a coconut body spray, does that count.

30. Where is your best friend located?

        Do people have "best friends" at 40?  Well, yes Paul!  I think so??  Mine lives an hour away, and I hate it.  She is my adopted sis, Kathy.

31. Do you have a tan?

        Yes, but no one would ever even guess it at all!  I am fair, that my tan can only be proved by showing a little of my even whiter tummy!! lol

32. How old do you want to be when you have kids?

        Oh Paul, don't be so snarky!  I wanted to do it before I hit thirty and I actually had my first at 26 and 9 months exactly.

33. Do you collect anything?

        Just lots and lots of books.  I also have various antiques, mostly art glass, and crystal, and some furniture.

34. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?

        Not since 1987, I got a speeding ticket.  Hubby and I were together when he was pulled over for speeding in 1996, but we were let off with a warning. 

35. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?

        Yes, you should never drink from a can, not only is it dirty but you can be cut badly.  Take my word for it, I saw many bad soda can cuts on kids and adults when I worked for plastic surgeons.

36. How do you like your drinks?

        Cold, and with a straw, unless it is hot coffee, then hot!

37. Do you like hot sauce? 

        Yes, but not super hot!

38. Last time you took a shower?

        Last night, but I haven't washed my hair since Sunday am. 

39. Who do you have a crush on?

        My hubby!!!  And, I always will. 

40. What is your mood?

        Mostly happy?

41. Are you someone's best friend?

        Yes!!!!

42.Are you rich?

        Monetarily, no, far from it.  But, I have my hubby, my kids, my parents, a house, a car... that about covers it.

43. What do you think of the person who took this survey before you?

        I think both Paul and Linda are great people and I enjoy reading their journals!

 

So, that's all folks for now!

 

be well,

Dawn

Real Life Smack Down

Whew!  It is done! 

And, thank the Lord for COFFEE!!!

The culmination of the Week from Hell was this weekend, with dance recital rehearsal and then show on Father's Day!

The rehearsal day was the usual, very long, very drawn out.  A lot of work goes into a show with about 300 kids and 45 acts. 

Pumpkin had three performances, and therefore 2 costume changes.  First was hip hop, followed by tap, then ballet.  The shows theme was broadway, but for hip hop the songs were just popular hits. 

I did the changes at the rehearsal, but on Sunday, my sister came up and did it with Pumpkin.  She did that last year to help out and it was really nice because it let's me really relax and enjoy the show, and the fruits of running her around all year to three dance classes.  Plus she gets time really bonding with Pumpkin.

It is hard for me wrestling those stocking on and off sweaty legs and doing it awkward positions with my rheumatoid arthritis.  Thanks Kathy - you are a lifesaver!!!!  And, Pumpkin loves that you do that 'just for her' wink wink, nudge nudge!!!

Pumpkins hip hop song was Hollaback Girl (the clean version) by Gwen Stefani.  The dance was great both days, but the day of the show it was phenomenal!  Pumpkin was actually center stage leading the group at times, it was very cool!

Tap was Pinball Wizard from Tommy!  They actually had the girls perform as if they were mad and annoyed and there were 3 girls mouthing the words, and Pumpkin was one of those!  She mouthed, 'How do you think he does it?' and it was great... it looked so over exaggerated with hand movements at home when practiced, but on stage.... perfect!!!  The tap steps were also much harder this year than last...you can see that the girls really have advanced!

Last but not least, was ballet with Pick a Pocket or Two from Oliver.  It was adorable, Pumpkin was one of Fagin's pick pockets as were all the older girls in her class, and they were teamed up with younger girls playing the orphans that they were trying to convert!  Adorable and well acted and well danced!

The show was about 3 hours long!  A long day! 

We went out afterward to a nice dinner for Father's Day!  My dad picked the restaurant and the choice was excellent!  I had the best Chicken Cordon Bleu I have ever had.  Mmmmmmm, I will be remembering it for a while! 

My Hubby and Dad were great sports about the day being mostly not theirs!  They both enjoyed seeing Pumpkin so much, I think it made up for it! 

Pumpkin was very sweet and at dinner she made everyone stop for a minute and listen to her and then she thanked Daddy and Grandpa for sharing their day with her.  Very sweet... she is a special little girl!!!

As for me, well, I have been smacked down!  lol  Not surprising, after the crazy ten days and having to cope with chronic disease and pain, true.

I am tired and sore but trying my best to keep up with the kids today!  They let me sleep until 11am... very generous of them!

I am so terribly behind on reading journals!  I am so sorry and I promise to try to catch up later this week!

be well,
Dawn