Chicks dig scars...

At least that's what Hubby tells Kyle... Since he's only 6 (Kyle, not the Hubby) I hope there's plenty of time before we have to check that theory.

If you don't know what happened, you can read it here. In the picture you will notice the stitches right along the bone, and under the chin, where the handlebar scraped. I still can't visualize how it happened, but he managed it. That's my boy!

Let's see, for those of you keeping score, we have had 4 hospital visits. 1 for a fractured wrist at about 11 months old. 2 for surgeries. And this one for stitches. He's been in the hospital as many times as I have... and I'm just a little older than him. Think this an omen of how crazy it will be with a boy?

Take me out to the ball game...

So, last night was yet another ball game... They lost. Doesn't really matter though, cause the kids never know. Ky always asks me on the way to the car, "Did we win, Mom?" They've only won one game.

While I'm not always excited to go sit on a field, in the still cool weather, and watch them play, once I'm there, I'm cheering just as loud as the other parents. We are good sport parents. We cheer for both teams. Well, they are only 7 & 8 year olds. I think my kid might be one of the youngest on the team at only 6... and a half.

It always amuses me to see the kids interact with each other. They cheer for each other, and give them the "That's ok, you'll do better next time" speech after a strike out, or a missed catch. It's fun to watch them when they warm up in the batter's circle. They pick out a bat. They take a couple practice swings. Then they start hitting dandelion heads. Or swatting at the bugs flying around. Or they just stand there. Last night, one of the boys was swinging the bat around over his head like he was a helicopter. Guess it's a good thing all the other kids were sitting on the bench, someone could have gotten knocked out during lift off.

They seem to take the fielding serious though. Unless they are out there longer than 5 minutes. After that, their attention spans are shot. They draw pictures in the dirt with their toes. Watch the clouds roll by. Just daydream in general.

Coach Mike gets a little excited about that. He tends to get excited about lots of stuff, and I have to admit, I was not happy that he was our coach when we started the season, but I see that his excitement is different than some of the other coach's criticism. He might seem a little gruff, but Kyle has learned more about baseball in the month he's been playing, than he did the entire season last year.

He loves the game. The coach and Kyle. They learn from each other. He tells them how to hit, how to throw, and how to catch. Kyle tries his best to do exactly like it's been explained, but sometimes the effort doesn't always pay off. He gets discouraged. The coach and Kyle. But they both know, there are other at bats, and other times to spend in the field.

Will he love the game and be good enough to go places playing? Who knows. Only time will tell, but in the mean time, I'll be out there cheering. For the base hits and for the strike outs. For the kids at bat and the ones drawing pictures in the dirt with their toes.

Go Kyle!

You know he's all boy when it requires a trip to the ER...

Went to mom's to pick up Kyle and Nikki... He was riding my nephew's bike, and I told him it was time to go, and to put it away. He headed around the corner, and was taking a long time. I hollered over to him, asking if he had put it away... not even 2 minutes later, I hear a scream and he comes around the corner with his hand on his chin. While putting the bike away, it flipped up or something, I'm not real sure about that part, and the handle bar (with out the little rubber hand grips on it) hit him on the chin. Laid open a gash about 1/2 in long on his chin. Cleaned him up, calmed him down, and off we went. He wanted Doug to go with us, and then said he wanted X to go too... so I called everyone, and X and wifeypoop met us there. (Ky was not happy that she came along. LOL!) We sat and waited for about 20 mins at the ER and then went back and they looked at him and said "Yep, he's gonna need a couple stitches."... When they called us back, I looked at Hubby, and he said, they aren't going to let everyone back there, and I think he needs you more than me, so I'll just wait here. StupidX says something similar to that to Wifeypoop, but does she care? Nope... he just marches her lard butt on back. The nurse told us that there could only be 2 adults with Kyle, so someone had to leave. She had the nerve to look at me, like I should offer to leave. Um, hello, I gave birth to him, I have no idea why you are even here, since Kyle didn't want you to come, and you don't need to act like you are all concerned... Please. So, finally wifeypoop leaves the exam room, and I'm trying to not say anything to StupidX for just once again confirming why he's the StupidX... ugh.

Well, they gave us the medicine to put on the cut to numb it, and we had to put it in the cut with a q-tip. Not a nice thing to have to do to your baby. At one point, I had to stop and tell StupidX to do it, cause I thought I was gonna pass out. The PA came in then and she gave him 3 stitches. He was such a trooper! He never cried, or winced or anything the whole time. Once we had gotten him cleaned up at home, he had stopped crying, and didn't make any sounds after that. He did a great job!

He is very proud of his stitches. He made me wait until this morning to change the bandaid so he could show my nephew. He wants to keep the bandaid off so that he can show all his friends. I think we're gonna keep the bandaid on until it's time to take them out. 4-5 days... Then he will have yet another battle scar.

We survived...

There were no axe murders, no intruders into the back yard, and no one came sneaking back in cause it was cold.

We had some minor drama over girls not wanting to sleep next to other girls, and the like, but all in all, it went pretty well. And, *drum roll please* I think this was the first sleepover that the kids all slept past 7 am! Woo Hoo! Of course when I woke up at 8:25, I was panicked cause no one was up yet... you know how a mom's mind works... we seem to jump to the worst thoughts first. Glad I was wrong!

Anyway, just thought I would post that we all survived. Kids all went home safe, dog slept all night, I don't think I have too many new grey hairs... of course it's hard to tell that one.

The big Campout...

Yep. There is camping. In the back yard. This might not seem strange if it weren't for the fact that I live 1 house (yeah you read that right... 1 HOUSE) from the city line. We do not live in a little quiet neighborhood. Rude speaks of his White Trash Neighbors... well that's almost the entire next street over. There was a shooting 2 blocks away a few months back. There was a rape at the little park about 1/2 mile away. Why would any sane parent let her child, and 6 of her friends sleep outside in a neighborhood like this? They have the dog. She is a very protective dog. She will raise a ruckus at the slightest movement in the alley, neighbor's yards or our yard. She will not let anything happen to them. When asked if they wanted the dog to sleep with them, or me, they chose her. Hmm... should I be hurt? Nah... I feel better with her out there. She's never slept outside before. She's only slept outside of her crate a few nights.

Right now, the dog is picking her spot on the warmest sleeping bag, while the girls stand around the yard doing cheers. I'm sure we'll be the talk of the neighborhood for the big tent in the backyard. Oh well... every child should sleep outside in their yard. I did it when I was younger. I hope that they let their kids do it too...

Time to tell them they have to turn the music off... The neighbors might like it a bit quieter. I would too...

Saved by the really long meeting before my demo...

The meeting they had to do before the guy was to sit with me, went long, so he had to leave. Rats... my zit and I so wanted to show off our fancy-schmancy VOIP phone system.

Ugh... I feel like I'm 17 and getting ready for the big school dance...

Cause you know, that's when you get the big honking zit on your forehead... only that would be easy to handle, I could cover it with my hair. No. Mine has to be on my chin. Big red zit. UGH!

Normally I wouldn't care. I would wear it as a badge... see, I'm not old. I can still get zits! Today I care. We have a prospective client coming in. They are coming to check out our phone system, and some other stuff that we do. Guess who gets to do the demo on the phone? Yep. Me. So here I sit, big honking zit on my chin, and I have to try to be professional. UGH, ugh, ugh!

One shining moment? I'm having a killer hair day. Hmm... think I can hide my chin with my hair?

Not everyone shares the same political views...

But we all love music. I heard this on a local station, and laughed my butt off! Got strange looks from the other commuters headed home. But you gotta love Rob for playing it.

Sing along everyone.

Baseball, pets and wimpy spouses...

So, last night, I headed to the baseball field. The StupidX and wifeypoo were there, and I was meeting hubby there. I got there, just as the game was starting. Perfect timing. Now, I have to admit that I didn't want to go. I just was not in the mood for sitting at a field. I get there, and of course my kid is last batter. Now, I would be upset if this meant something, like they thought he was bad or something, but in little league, it means that he sat down last when the coach said "Come sit on the bench". So, we watch all the kids get up, and either watch all the perfect pitches sail by, or swing at stuff like they are playing tennis or golf. If you've ever seen little league you know what I mean... I don't think these kids are going to the world series. Anyway, finally the boy is at bat. He steps out of the box for way too many pitches. The coach takes over pitching (they don't walk the kids... we would never get out of an inning that way... ) Ky steps out, and the coach tells him to stay in the box. Relax. Swing at the one you think you can hit. Don't reach for it. He gets a hit! And like all hits, there are about 3 errors to go with it, and he gets on base. He went on to score his teams first run of the game. Woo Hoo! He was very excited about that... So was I. His team lost, 5-3, but they really tried. All in all, I'm glad I went. I won't get to go to his next game, I'll be with the girls for their dance pictures. I'm sure he'll be just as good in that one.

Did you ever notice how cats want nothing to do with you until they want something from you? Our cat was very aloof... for a long time. Like a year... then, all of a sudden, she became lovey. I don't mean rub against your leg lovey, I mean she follows you and wants to lay in your lap and steal your body heat lovey. Well, at night, she sleeps in the bed with us. Usually on top of hubby if he's on his back, or behind the crook of my knees. Well, we keep their food downstairs so the dog doesn't steal it. Well, Saturday morning, the cat starts in about 6 am... running in and out of the bedroom, jumping and sliding on the bed and the floor... walking up and down, getting in my face... just being annoying. When I finally dragged my lazy butt out of bed, I realized that her highness only had crumbs in the bottom of the food container. Pest.

Oh, guess where my hubby is today. Go on, I know you can guess. Home. He was a little stuffy and his eyes were a little itchy so he took a benadryl and stayed home today. I told him he was a wimp. That I have beed dealing with that for 2 months now! He told me to call an allergist. Right... So, while he's at home, sleeping off his benadryl, I'm here working through mine.

I sure hope he feels better soon... nothing worse than a whiny grown up.

Let's play a game...

It's called "What would you do".

So, Let's get started...

#1. Let's say your StupidX, quits his job cause there is a possibility that he may be laid off. Then he gets this blood clot in his leg and whatever... Should you feel sorry for him because he was supposed to start a new job and can't and he doesn't have any money and is writing you personal checks for the child support, and according to his mom, "Money sure is tight over there."?

#2. How long would you wait to spring on him that you got a bill from the Dr's office when your eldest had what you thought was strep throat to tell him that his portion, that he thinks he doesn't have to pay, is $58.76?

#3. Would you tell him now that the baseball tournament for your son's little league will most likely be on Father's day weekend, and that he MUST be there?

#4. What would you do if he told you that he wouldn't be there for the tournament?

#5. If the things that he does, (like not put a patron ad in the program for the dance recital for the girls, not even get them the card, and little stuffed animal that you have gotten them for the last 5 years) hurts your extremely sensitive and emotional 13 yo, daughter, would try to make excuses for him to cover up his stupidity, to ease the pain, or would you let him be the jerk he is without trying to make her feel better?

Ok...

Now it's your turn... You get to tell me what you would do... Cause, quite frankly, I really want to know.

Hey, pay attention...

There's a little button over there. Says The Breast Cancer Site on it. Click it. When you click it, you can then click again to fund a mammogram for someone. Do it. I'm sure you know a woman. If you do, I'm sure that she has breasts. If she does, she's at risk. Early detection is one step. If can give to a research foundation, DO IT. If you know someone walking in a walk, sponsor them.

If you know someone suffering from this horrid beast, pray for them. Even if you don't know someone, pray anyway. Pray that those that are fighting, remain strong and win. Those have fought and won, stay strong and keep winning, those that haven't had to fight, stay strong and healthy, and lastly, but defininately not least, for those that have fought and lost, that they are now at peace, and know that they are missed.

Kim, for your battle, I pray everyday that you remain strong and win. I will always be one of your pink bubble ladies, even once this battle is won. I love you.

Mother's Day...

Yeah, I'm a Mom. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm a good enough mom... Before you all say that I am, I'm pretty sure I am... but you know, stuff happens and I wonder if I'm really doing a good job.

When I was growing up, I only had a few friends, but the ones I had were my best friends... I mean I knew lots of people, and I considered them friends, but I only had 4 friends all thru highschool, that were my best friends... We did stupid teen aged stuff together, we got into trouble, got each other out of trouble and swore we would always be friends. Wanna know where they are now? I have no idea. I run into one occasionally, and we swear we're gonna get together, but it never happens. Anyway, through all this, my mom was always there. She knew when I was in trouble, and when I needed help. I would come home from dates, and she would be waiting up, and we would sit and talk. We would laugh about what a loser he was, or she would encourage me when I thought that he was wonderful. Yeah, we had our moments, don't all mother/daughters? I remember when I was about 20, and was dating this guy that was way (as in about 15 years older) she told me that she didn't think it was a good idea, but she never really nagged about it. When we broke up, cause he was just way too old and didn't want me to have a life of my own, she was there for me to cry on. She never once told me that she told me so. We have laughed together, and cried together. The thought of her being gone one day, scares the hell out of me. I don't want to do this whole mom thing with out her. I go to her for advice, I ask her opinions, I seek her support. She lets me know, that when I was 13, I wasn't the best kid in the world either... and at 16, I was just as rebellious.

I know that she has made some mistakes, but I think all in all, we turned out ok. Some of us better than others, but hey, 3 out of 4 isn't bad... And he doesn't blame her, he blames my dad... So... I try to not make the same mistakes but sometimes it's hard. I know from being 16, that the more I tell my daughter that she is not allowed to date the 19 yo guy, the more she will want him. I also know that lying to me about who she is meeting at the mall, so that she can meet him, is unacceptable... she knows that now, too, since we drove into the lot, while discussing her being there early, and I realized who she was meeting, and we turned around and brought her home. I know that nagging will not accomplish anything. I know these things, because I was on the other end of that situation... Do I hate my mom for it? Not anymore. Is it helping me be a better mom? I hope so.

Last night, we all went out to dinner, Mom was with us. She had fun. It was like old times, after the girl's dance recital, we came home, the girls changed, and we went to dinner. We laughed, and joked, and had fun. On the way home, we were talking about something... don't even remember what, and I mentioned how much I love my mom. She knows this... I just don't say it often. I have several friends who have lost their mom, my mom has lost her mom. I can't imagine life with out her. She has always been my one constant friend. My best friend.

Mom, I love you. Thank you for teaching me how to be a mom. I couldn't ask for a better teacher.

Glub... glub... glub...

That's the sound of me being in over my head.

That's the sound of me drowning in my inability to say "No".

That's the sound of me being sucked in to something I know I shouldn't be.

Here's how it goes... Tuesday, I had to go to pick up the pizza kits that the boy sold (all to us, cause I'm a lame sales person.) While there, Ms. PTA prez (to 3 schools no less)/Scout leader queen/Community service goddess approaches me... "So, I hear your going to be the Wolf co-leader next year. That's really great!" Huh?! I know I'm on allergy meds, but I'm not a volunteerer... am I?! So we chat about it... and I find out she's only fishing for a co-leader... Cause I think the leader wants to get out. Before I can rip my tongue out, I hear myself saying, "Lemme think about it... When would you need to know?" STOP! What the heck am I thinking?! Crud. Well, I'll just tell her that I don't think I can do it. I'll have to come up with some really good reasons for when she tries to talk me into it.

So, then last night, I'm at dance rehearsal... and I'm talking to dance program chairlady, and she mentions that she really wishes that she had someone to handle the fundraisers for next year... I mention that I really wish that they wouldn't sell the home interior candles, cause they are a bad seller... and somehow, I'm offering to do the fundraiser stuff. ACK! Why do I talk to these people? I should just stay away.

I do have to admit, out of the 2, I would much rather do the fundraisers... they have to be done by January. They only do 3 fundraisers. It would be more intensive from Sept to Jan but then I'm done for the year.

Am I the only one that can't say no? Actually these are minor compared to the other stuff I've inadvertantly volunteered for. Like being a girl scout co-leader for several years. Or signing up for the lawn mowing committee at church...

When will I learn? ... sigh...

Ok... I've stalled long enough...

A-Age: 41
B-Bed size: queen
C-Chore you hate: all of them... where's that stupid maid?!
D-Dessert you love: Oh, I couldn't choose just one... I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings... (ssshhhh, don't tell the others, I like Tiramisu best...)
E-Essential start your day item: snuggle with the boy.
F-Favorite actor(s): Johnny Depp...
G-Gold or Silver: silver
H-Height: Umm... I think I'm 5'8"...
I-Instrument played: I played the french horn in the 7th grade.
J-Job title: Administrative Assistant
K-Keeping track of your day: It's hopeless...
L-Living arrangements: In my house, with hubby, 3 kids, 1 dogs, 2 hermit crabs, 2 cats.
M-Mom's name: Helen
N-Not liking right now: my ex... and the girls dance classes (although I'll love them on Saturday at the recital.)
O-Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None... *knocking wood*
Q-Quote you like: can't think of one right now.
R-Right or left handed: right
S-Siblings: 3 brothers, 1 older, 2 younger.
T-Time you woke up today: 5:35 a.m., When the eldest woke me to get the giant waterbug out of the tub. ICK!
U-Unique habit: I have a weird M&M eating habit also... well anything that is multicolored... m&ms, skittles, jelly beans...
V-Vegetable you hate: Cabbage... unless it's saurkraut on a reuben, or stuffed.
W-Worst habit: biting my lip... There could be others and I don't notice them...
X-X-rays you've had: ultrasounds when pg, right ankle.
Y-Yummy food you can make: hubby said I did a good job at the Pork Chops Italiano, and I make a killer pbj.
Z-Zodiac sign: Taurus... Gee... you'd never know...

I don't know who to tag... Ok.. all the mommies like me that ignored Heather, no more ignoring... LOL!...

Another year older...

So... you know you're old when...

Your spouse wants to take you on an easy hike... an "easy" 10 mile hike that really ends up being 12 miles and it takes you 4 days to recover enough to walk right.

Your "baby" keeps asking when she can take driver's ed, since she's already 16... sheesh, she's never gonna drive at this rate. (Precisely! That's my plan... )

You go out to dinner with your spouse, and when you get home at 9:45, you're ready for bed.

Someone jokes and asks what anniversary of your 20th birthday this is, and you realize, that the anniversaries outnumber that one.

Your kid's friends ask how old you are, and when you tell them, they get this look, like they are looking at a rare museum piece. Ha! I wish I was that well preserved.

Happy Birthday to me! Celebrating the 21st anniversary of my 20th birthday... ;)

Man o man... life is insane!

Let's see, where did we leave off in our continuing saga I call life? Oh yeah... the field trip. From there, things got bad.

Kyle was supposed to have his opening day last Saturday, but StupidX came through in his normal fashion to ruin his day. He was soooo excited for opening day... had talked about it non-stop for about 2 weeks. I call StupidX to give him the details, and he states that Kyle will not be there. What?! What jerk would keep his kid from doing the thing he has talked about, been planning and practicing for? Yep. That jerk. There were several back and forths.... and I have to say, there is no real satisfaction in hanging up on someone with a cordless phone. I want the "SLAM" you get when you use a corded phone. That said, Friday night on the phone, were 2 very upset and angry children. They had to go to a bday party for some kid they see 2 times a year tops. I had to do my best mommy lie to get Kyle calmed down, by telling him that he would have a great time at the party, and that he would be at baseball on Tuesday, and that he would be fine. Meantime, my heart is breaking that he has to do this. There are reasons he's my StupidX, and he proves it everyday.

Jump to Sunday... I get a call from Nikki, they (her and some friends H & A) want to go to the mall... can I take them. Um, dad made it very clear that it was his weekend, make him do it. Then she tells me that he's going to the dr cause his leg hurts, and my first thought was "What a baby... sheesh. Just his wifeypoop had ortho-surgery on her knee on Thursday, he has to have something wrong with his." That was the last I heard, so I figured he actually acted like a parent, and took her to the mall. About 2 pm, I get a call from him saying that he has to go to the hospital, and could I go get Kyle. Sure, whatever. Later, wifeypoop calls me. He has a blood clot in his leg. I have to admit, I felt a little guilty about wishing he would get hit by a bus. But not for long.

Last night he called to ask if we could switch weekends so that the kids would be here for the dance recital, since they don't like the way that wifeypoop fixes their hair. I agreed, and it worked out well, since I was going to ask him, this way he'll feel like it was all him. Whatever, dork.

On to other exciting news. Kyle was at baseball on Tuesday, was up at bat and just kinda bunted the ball... I thought it was because he didn't get good contact. Wrong. He got great contact. With his right middle finger. It swelled up, got all purple and nasty. No, I did not take him to the dr. I figured if it was broken, it's a finger, they aren't gonna do anything but buddy tape it, maybe a splint, but he could move it, it didn't feel broken, and there was no odd bumps or weird angles to his finger. He said it really, really hurt the next morning, but we just let it go... by the time he came home, he was using it, and the swelling had gone down some. Not completely, but some. He complained again this morning, but not like he was yesterday. I guess it's getting better.

Kay wants to know what's wrong with dating a 19 yo guy... Um, cause you aren't 19?! He's the friend of her friend C's brother. She really likes him. She's able to stand by what she believes. Why won't I let them go out? There are so many reasons... He's 19, she's 16. I would rather she not date at all. There are different expections of a relationship when you are 19 as opposed to 16. I don't want her to be distracted by this guy, and end up letting her grades slip. She says it won't happen. I'm not giving it the chance. Am I being an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy? I mean, am I wrong for putting my foot down? She claims that if she were in the position that he said "have sex with me, or I'll break up with you" that she can walk away. I've been 16. Everything is way too intense. She will NOT walk away... at least that's my feeling. Besides, he's 19, she's 16. Why is he going after her anyway?

I really, really, really hate allergies and all the various meds that go with it. I think I need to lay my head down on my wrist rest, and sleep. just for a few minutes. You'll wake me, right?