Archives for March 2008

1. Thursdays are just the day from hell. I know I’ve said that Monday is. And I’m pretty sure I’ve said that Sunday is, but Thursdays always have an element of Yuck. Today’s yuck was that Stepson has been sick for the past week and apparently his mother has neglected to notify the school and the bus garage. This means that for several days, the bus driver attempted to pick him up. After a few days of no-call/no-show, they stop trying to pick a kid up… UNTIL they get a call from home. We did not know this. So, this morning, when the bus was fifteen minutes late, I called the bus garage. They had not heard from Stepson’s mother – this was the first they’d heard from anyone. I ended up having to drive him in to school after the elementary kids (The Princess, plus the other kids I watch) got on their bus. He was an hour late to school, and I was pretty pissed off.

2. I have been having a hell of a time finding my favorite gum lately (Orbit Cinnamint). Today, I saw it at Target and completely stocked up. I have WAY more gum than I need now. It makes me wonder… is it that popular? Or that un-popular?

3. Songs of the week: Still grooving on Jack Johnson’s “If I Had Eyes”.

4. Tickets to the Jack Johnson concert go on sale on Saturday. I am buying tickets – I am so so so loving his music – and though I don’t know anyone else who likes him, I’m gonna buy two tix and worry about finding a “date” later!

5. A coworker pronounced me the “Queen of Awesome”. He will also be making me an official “Queen of Awesome” logo. I’m having it put on a t-shirt. I think that’s about right.

6. Surprised to see the stripper dude get voted off American Idol last night. I was really hoping to see that stupid horse girl go after her overly countrified version of “Eight Days A Week”. Vomit. Not that he was any impressive thing the other night, but, ugh.

7. A new season of Top Chef started last night. I’m a horrible cook – but love to watch other people do it! Last night’s Quickfire was to make a new version of the Chicago deep dish pizza. Some people put some strange stuff on theirs… stuff I’d never in a million years dream of putting on pizza (Um, Marmite?!).

8. For some reason, Marmite reminds me of Nutella, which I’ve never tried, but sounds really yummy. I’ve seen a recipe for chocolate ravioli using Nutella, and Giada DeLaurentiis (or as Hubby calls her: “Gi-hotta”) is always making desserts with Nutella. Tell me, am I missing something by being a Nutella virgin?

9. Yesterday was finally warm enough to get my walk outside for the first time in MONTHS. My goodness, it felt so good to be out there. Today, not so much. Cold and grey. I hate Michigan.

10. I’m dragging Hubby to a movie this weekend – Is anything new coming out? If not, I’m totally making him go see “Juno” with me – that looks really funny.

Pumpkin will be starting daycare/preschool on Tuesday. She’ll be attending two days per week – full days – and while I’m still feeling a bit guilty about sending her to daycare when I’ll be home and perfectly capable of watching her, I know that this is going to be a good thing for both of us.

For starters, I’m a bit over my head with tax season. Hubby is working 60+ hours each week and everything is on me – on top of the household stuff I do, I am still working part time. I have a lot of balls in the air, and I’m not that great of a juggler. My goal is to spend the two days focusing primarly on getting most of my work hours in. That way, I’m able to be a more present mom on the days when the girls are here – I really hope that having more separation between work life and home life allows me to be happier with both.

I’m also hoping that daycare is able to get Pumpkin more interested in the whole potty training thing. She’s pretty underwhelmed with the whole process and while she wants to wear big girl underpants, it doesn’t bother her to pee in them. Or worse. I’m surprisingly patient when it comes to that, but honestly, I don’t want her in diapers forever either. I know she should be potty trained by now, or at least somewhat interested in the process… but she’s not. At all (except for the wearing of the undies – that part she loves).

I have now taken Pumpkin to the daycare twice, both times she was able to participate in Circle Time and loved it. Soon, she’ll learn all the songs and who all the kids are. I’m also glad she’ll have the opportunity to learn how to interact with other kids (aside from The Princess), and also to interact with adults other than family.

I can think of so many positives about this step, that I know it’s a good thing for all of us (with the exception of the hit on our wallet, which is decidedly a sucky aspect of this all). For now, the plan is to try this until the end of the school year. If all goes well, we’ll pick up again in the fall. Just knowing it doesn’t have to be permanent keeps me from getting too misty-eyed about it. In fact, I’m kind of looking forward to her gaining some independence, and me being able to find some independence again too.

Since it’s a smidge after 9 p.m. and Hubby is back at the office and my rugrats are tucked in and snoozing (I thought for sure with the time change that bedtime was going to be a struggle, but it always seems a bit smoother when Hubby is not here – I think it’s that they detect I can’t tolerate too much drama and they just do what needs to be done), I figured I would talk about somethings I’ve been reading lately…

In the April 2008 issue of Glamour is a section on the seven kinds of friends you need to have:

1. The Kooky Friend
2. The New Friend
3. The Friend You’ll Keep for Life
4. The Couple Friends
5. The 9-to-5 Friend
6. The Friends Who Show Up
7. The Friend Who’s Been There

Now, I don’t think I have all seven. I know I definitely have “The Friend You’ll Keep for Life”. I have “The 9-to-5 Friend” (though it’s more like the noon-to-eight friend given the time difference between Michigan and the west coast). I have a few friends who fall into the category of “The Friend Who’s Been There” (And props to this category, because these are the friends that are lifesavers with their knowledge when you are in need of some been-there-done-that advice). Beyond that though, I kind of think that some of these other categories are largely unfilled in my life. Example – The Couple Friends? I can’t think of any one couple that I consider friends – I mean, I suppose if I wanted to I could say so-and-so and so-and-so… but that would be a stretch – really, they aren’t people I consider “friends”.

I don’t know. Is it just me or is this kind of nuts? How many of the seven do you have? Do you find that you have people that fall into more than one category? I found it odd.

In other reading “news”, today at Barnes & Noble, I picked up this little book called “Mother to Daughter: Shared Wisdom from the Heart”. In it are little tidbits of “advice” and guidance for moms of daughters. The main driving force in me buying this book is that any time I tell someone I have daughters, I get horror stories about how they are going to hate me in eight to ten years. Faaaaaaantastic.

Obviously, I want to have a good relationship with my daughters. The idea of moms and daughters butting heads is a foreign one to me, namely because I didn’t go through that with my mom. Sure, there were times we clashed, there were times I didn’t like something she had done (such as the time I got grounded for getting home three minutes late when a friend’s mom was late picking us up! I mean – how was that MY fault?!), but I was never the kind of girl who would do the whole, “I hate you!” kind of hissy fit to my mom. I guess you’d just have to know her to know that that would not fly well. Then again, my mom and sis clashed terribly and I’m sure my sister yelled “I hate you!” to her many more times than she’ll remember.

Back to the book… Each page has a little bit of wisdom – some of it is practical, some of it is silly. For the most part, I’ve been reading them and smiling. Examples:

• Resolve not to do anything for her that she can do for herself. This will serve the two of you well.
• Watch that you don’t start using the word “we”, as in “we are in cheerleading” or “we are on the soccer team” or “we are in chorus”. It means “we” are going nuts.
• Explain to her that for awhile the mean girls will be popular. But the mean girl should never be her.
• Teach her how to climb a tree (and climb back down), to swing across the monkey bars, to throw a punch. Let her learn she’s strong.

I’ve still got more to read, but so far it’s a good reminder for some things – and it’s gotten me thinking on others that I hadn’t yet dared to think of.

Back to my reading… Have a good Sunday evening, everyone.

One of my least favorite feelings is the one that sometimes hits at 4:30 in the afternoon where I realize I have nothing planned to make for dinner, there’s nothing in the house, and I don’t feel like cooking what we do have. As a result, we had to make some changes in the way we did things to avoid the whole “I don’t want to cook, let’s order pizza” phenomenon (which, to be honest, still hits about once a month).

Every Friday (that would be today), I sit down with all my cookbooks and recipes I’ve pulled from magazines and try to prepare a menu for the next week. While I’m planning my menu, I’m creating a grocery list for Hubby (who grocery shops on Friday nights). Inevitably, I end up with a list of five to six meals — but lately, it seems like it’s been the same meals week after week and I’m so so so so bored.

And sick of cooking.

This week, as I sit down to prepare the menu, I’m trying to dig out some classics from the archives so as not to have “the same old thing” for one more week. To be honest, making meals for just myself and the girls is quite difficult to do, as Hubby has not been around to eat dinner with us in quite some time. Eventually, the girls will eat dinner, but they’re not appreciative. In the case of last night’s Tortilla Soup, hearing The Princess say, “Ewwwwwwwww!” and then spit it out, well, it’s enough to make me want to go on strike and let them live on cold cereal and cottage cheese until they can learn to cook for themselves. Kidding. Really. (And by the way, my soup was good).

This week, some possible additions to the menu are – Hungarian Meatball Stew, Spicy Bean and Cheese Burritos, Texas Chili, or Sloppy Cubanos (basically a sloppy joe but with ground pork and chorizo instead of beef, and a bit of a spicier sauce). Not sure which of these will make the cut, but I hope to inject at least a little variety into the coming week.

My question for you: How do you handle the menu planning in your house? Are you obsessive and plan like I do? Do you fly by the seat of your pants? What is your favorite dinner menu?

1. I had my allergy testing done this morning. Sheer misery. I’m allergic to dust, mold, cats, dogs and pollen. The doc strongly advised against ever having pets. My kids are gonna be heartbroken.

2. Saw “RENT” last night. I’ve seen it enough times that I tend to compare current and past cast members – last night’s Roger was the best I’d ever seen (he was the first winner of South African Idol, I believe – amazing voice), Collins was also pretty good (Anwar Robinson from American Idol). Last night’s Angel was the worst I’d ever seen – and the girl that played Maureen was only so-so.

3. I missed the finale of Project Runway, which I’m bumming about – but I read that Christian won and I’m totally okay with that.

4. I also missed American Idol last night, but I haven’t really heard anything about it either way, so I’m guessing I didn’t miss much.

5. If the weather doesn’t get warm soon, I’m going to go nuts.

6. I had a kick butt work out to Turbo Jam while Pumpkin slept today – sweated up a storm and then was able to shower off all the sweat and allergy stuff (not to mention all the stuff the nurse wrote on me with ball point pen!).

7. The roads were so horrible this morning. It was one of those days I realize I have an angel sitting on my shoulder – as I was driving, eight deer went charging across the road. I pressed on the brake and my car went sliding and wouldn’t stop. I didn’t slide into any other cars, and I just barely missed the last deer in line.

8. When stuff like that happens, I thank my college roommate, who I know is watching out for me. She died of Cystic Fibrosis several years ago, and it’s nice to know someone up there is keeping me safe.

9. I rented the movie “Waitress” this week. What an adorable movie. I love Kerri Russell – from way back in the Felicity days.

10. Have I mentioned lately that tax season really sucks? I wasn’t sure if I had or not, but thought I’d mention it anyway, just in case anyone had forgotten.

A MeMe that I’ve copied from Kelly…

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
A booster seat for The Princess (Pumpkin’s car seat is built-in, a cool feature of my mama-van) and lots of car-bage (aka Cheerios, cracker crumbs, Kleenex shreds, and the like).

2. When was the last time you threw up?
I don’t remember… Thank god. I hate puking.

3. What’s your favorite curse word?
Oooh. Hard to pick just one. I don’t usually swear outloud – I use it when I write, and I use it in my head. But the one that happens to “slip” most often is Sh*t. Sometimes I say it in German to make myself feel better about it.

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
My BFF, a friend via a message, and my kids (who I’ll lump together as one, because just as they’ve made me smile, they’ve also made me stifle some profanity, so…).

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Refereeing girl fights.

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Just getting home from Target.

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Pumpkin ought to be napping, so I’ll probably try to get some work done, hang with The Princess, and if I have time, take my shower (We’re going out tonight, and I’m not sure when I”ll have time to get ready!).

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Only for work. Juuuuuuuuuuust kidding. No, I’ve never been.

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Okay.

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Cookie Minster from Coldstone – mint ice cream with squashed up Oreos and fudge. Heaven in a bowl.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Skinny Gingerbread Latte

12. What are you wearing right now?
Jeans, long sleeve t, long sweater, and socks

13. What was the last thing you ate?
Handful of Oatmeal Squares cereal.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
On Saturday, I bought two new shirts and a pair of undies.

15. When was the last time you ran?
A few weeks ago. I’m working my way back up to it – from being sick, I stopped working out for a week or so – and I’m easing back in to getting my speed.

16. What’s the last sporting event you watched?
SuperBowl, probably.

17. I feel like something is missing here…

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
The mom of one of The Princess’s friends – coordinating a playdate.

19. Ever go camping?
My last memory of camping was this Delta in California and we went swimming in it, and then saw a dead pig floating around in the water. Freakin’ nasty. I’m not one for camping. Give me a nice luxe hotel with room service, please.

20. Do you have a tan?
Negative.

21. Did someone think I wouldn’t notice that 21, 22, and 23 are missing from this quiz?

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
Only at a restaurant.

25. What did your last IM say?
Probably “TTYL” – I haven’t IM’d in a few days, though.

26. Are you someones best friend?
I am – she’s stuck with me.

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
You are going to be SO jealous: I am spending three hours getting allergy testing done. Oh yeah – wish you were me, don’t you?

28. Where is your mom right now?
At work.

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
The paper shredder.

30. What color is your watch?
I haven’t worn a watch in over two years, but it’s silver.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
Heath Ledger.

32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
In a minute!

33. What is your birthstone?
Opal.

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
I hate fast food!

35.How many kids do you want?
Two. I’m so done.

36. Do you have a dog?
No, but everyone in the house wants one.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Some random person calling for Hubby.

38. Have you met anyone famous?
A few, actually. No one lately.

39. Any plans today?
Not a lot. Going out tonight to see “RENT”!

40. How many states have you lived in?
Three.

41. Ever go to college?
I did – received my Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1998.

42. Where are you right now?
In my office.

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Oh, to pick just one… My girls are both crying now (“Mom! She’s hitting me!”) and there’s some other assorted nonsense that I am not gonna go into.

44. Last song listened to?
Sadly, “Life’s What You Make It” by Hannah Montana

45. Seriously? Who wrote this quiz?! No 45 either?

46. Are you allergic to anything?
Lots and I’ll get the full breakdown of that tomorrow.

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
I love my Nikes.

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
Not really.

49. Does not exist. Nothing to see here.

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
Weirdly enough, yes, and I think it’s ridiculous.

51. What time is it?
10:56 a.m.

52. Do any of your friends have children?
Most of them do.

53. Do you eat healthy?
Usually, unless I have PMS, in which case all bets are off.

54. What do you usually do during the day?
Work, watch kids, work out, lose my sanity twelve times over.

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
Hate is a very harsh word but there are several people I can think of offhand that I really DO NOT like.

56. Do you use the word ‘hello’ daily?
Yes, ma’am.

57. 57 Is curiously lacking from this quiz…

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
32

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
I don’t think so?

60. How did you get one of your scars?
The Cocoa Incident of 2006 – dropped a very hot cup of cocoa on my leg and received 2nd degree partial thickness burns on my upper left thigh. It hurt worse than unmedicated childbirth (and that’s saying something!).

I know someone who did this – it’s totally random – it’s a new city Mom Chronicles, United States. Come visit, increase my population. I have no idea what it does, but I’m all for silly time wasters, so… rock on.

http://momchronicles.myminicity.com/

This afternoon, I had a voice mail from my primary doctor telling me that she had gotten my message about Dr. McCreepy and the whole prescription debacle and she wanted to apologize to me and that she would be talking to him. Additionally, she said, “Your health is the priority – we need to get those eyes healed, so call me if you’re not feeling any better.”

Fortunately, my eyes are feeling better. Whoo hoo.

This evening, at about 5:30, the phone rang again and the Caller ID reflected the Doctor’s Office number. I thought it would be my doctor again. Nope. It was McCreepy. Calling to apologize. I am actually quite stunned.

And in a way, I’m kind of pissed off, as one of the things he said was that if he had known that none of the local pharmacies had carried the ointment, he would have prescribed the drops rather than have me drive twenty minutes to another pharmacy. I’m pretty sure the pharmacist told the doctor’s office that when he called them, though.

He also said that if he had known there was such a significant difference in the copay of the meds, he would have prescribed the drops. That does not help me NOW.

Sounded like he was passing the buck to blame the nurse he actually described as “crusty” (sadly enough, this description was enough to tell me what nurse talked to the pharmacist, as there is one really bitchy nurse there who would probably be that nasty to the pharmacist). Should this ever happen again, he said to just call back and get a different nurse on the line.

Oy.

He apologized, and the phone call went on far longer than was comfortable (Apologize, then go away please). I suppose it doesn’t much matter, because I will never go see McCreepy again. If I have to wait a day to see a different doc, I will rather than subject myself to his Creepiness again.

But, the brightside is getting an apology. I didn’t think I’d get that.

At 8:02 this morning, I called the doctor’s office to complain about McCreepy. I talked to someone who likely is so far down on the food chain that she doesn’t matter. Though she said that she’d take it up with the office manager, I’m not holding my breath.

And I didn’t even complain about the creepy “You have nice eyes” or whatever it was comment. I’ve decided: I do have nice eyes – but I just didn’t want to make that kind of comment. Especially when there is so much else to complain about – such as the fact that the man chronically keeps you waiting twenty minutes past your appointment time and the fact that he has inept prescription writing skills.

(And this overpriced eye ointment makes my eyes itch like crazy – I have never heard of itchy eyeballs, and by god, do my eyeballs itch. It’s driving me absolutely crazy).

For your amusement, I’ll share with you a dream I had last night. I don’t always remember my dreams, but this one I do remember – probably because it was so asinine. I dreamt that I was one of the Top 20 on American Idol (And those of you who have heard me sing can just stop laughing, because if I wasn’t so old, it could totally happen… okay… only in someone’s dream world, whatev – You love me, you know it). In the dream, I was apparently sick on song selection day – it was a Monday, and apparently me and a few other contestants had a band concert at school (yes, this continues on the whole “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….?” aspect of my dream).

Instead of having us sing a song, for those of us who missed picking one, the judges randomly assigned us to do something else. I got picked to hum like a trumpet, and one of the other girls got selected to whistle. Her singing voice was way better than mine -but she couldn’t whistle. So she got voted off instead of me.

Freakin’ nuts, right?

There you go. Laugh it up. Happy Sunday.