Saturday, December 31, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
home...finally
There is nothing fun about being in a vehicle with a 7 month old and a four year old for hours on end. NOTHING!
The road time made it very difficult to appreciate the family time. We loved seeing everyone but the travelling was hard on everyone. Mason hates his car seat with a passion. Mom was in pain most of the trip (she started getting better on the way home yesterday), Derek's neck and arthritis were killing him, and Mercedes was just being a four year old.
We came back with much more than we left with so re-packing the truck was a joy. And there was the continual worry of forgetting important stuff, like medicines. I think we survived intact and we will NOT do that again!
We are very glad to have made it home safely and grateful to our families for letting us visit and see them over the holiday. It was lovely.
The road time made it very difficult to appreciate the family time. We loved seeing everyone but the travelling was hard on everyone. Mason hates his car seat with a passion. Mom was in pain most of the trip (she started getting better on the way home yesterday), Derek's neck and arthritis were killing him, and Mercedes was just being a four year old.
We came back with much more than we left with so re-packing the truck was a joy. And there was the continual worry of forgetting important stuff, like medicines. I think we survived intact and we will NOT do that again!
We are very glad to have made it home safely and grateful to our families for letting us visit and see them over the holiday. It was lovely.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
12/14
Whew! This week has been so busy and it's only Wednesday. Monday night we decided to open up all of the presents we were not bringing to Texas with us. The kids seemed happy with theirs, though Mason didn't seem to care too much as long as he got something to chew on. Mercedes just wanted to play with her toys and was frustrated when she had to go to bed. Alexis got a couple of things some of which she wasn't expecting. She seemed really pleased with the presents. Derek was happy with his, though Mercedes told him what he was getting. We all have a few more to open while in Texas, so it's not totally over.
Yesterday Derek gave Mom and I part of our Christmas presents. He bought us each a day at the spa package complete with facials, back massages, pedicures, and manicures. Ahhhhhhh! Yes, I loved it! The massage was the best part. How can you not love a massage? Mom says that we can get her a massage anytime. She really enjoyed it. It's somewhat healthy too. Too bad insurance doesn't cover it. Perhaps it could be considered preventive maintenance. It would so be worth it for stress relief. I really need to figure out how to include a monthly massage in my budget. It could happen.
The rest of the week is already booked as far as things that have to be done. Tonight is 'Lex's vocal concert. That is really neat. Tomorrow we HAVE to finish packing. Friday is Mercedes concert, my office luncheon, the martial arts test, and we are leaving for Texas. This trip is going to wear me out-literally. I am kind of hoping to get some rest while we are on the road since I don't have to get up and take anyone anywhere.
I have pared (sp?) down our schedule some more after the first of the year. Since Alexis has finished her lessons and Mercedes can't start the next set until she turns 5, he girls will not be in swimming lessons. Even when they do go back, Alexis will be going at the same time as Mercedes. That will definitely relieve some of the stress. I am still not sure whether we should keep Mercedes in gymnasitics. She seems indifferent to it most of the time, sometimes she's down right resistant. It's a nice thing to do, but I think it's a bit much, plus it would be nice to have the extra money. I will have to convince Derek though.
Everyone seems to be doing well, if a bit worn down. We go a hundred miles an hour and never seem to stop. I keep thinking we are getting better, but it always seems as if something new comes up. Sometime in the spring will be kids soccer, softball, and t-ball. I am not sure we will make it.
I have to really get into a workout schedule and stop messing around. Yes, I admit I have slacked off and gotten back into my bad habits. I will try to make a point of hitting the gym two to three days a week and getting up in the morning for crunches/situps and pushups. Plus I will try to use the lateral thigh trainer thingy I got myself more. I feel disgusting, though I guess I don't look SO bad. It's a personal thing though. Maybe if I could force myself to give up peanut M&Ms and Skittles it would be easier, but I can't. Really - I must have them - daily. I was considering taking karate, but I don't think they offer it during the day. I don't feel like I can take it at night with all of the other activities going on. Sigh - I would like to though. Mostly I like the forms. They are beautiful and graceful.
Derek is not ready for school to start back up. He's stuck with a teacher that he does not want to take, and he doesn't feel that he has gotten any rest on this break. His arthritis has progressed again as well so that is making his life more difficult. He is very worried that he will be handicapped sometime in the next few years and that colors his thinking a lot. I can't really blame him though I tend to be less that understanding on occasion.
Derek and I have decided to start dating after the first of the year so we can have some one-on-one time. I think it will be nice, though I am not sure if the kids will "get" it. We will get Mom a babysitter so she doesn't have to deal with the kids either. She can't handle all of them for any length of time. Mercedes is particularly energetic and hard to manage. She's just a four year old. I think for our first date it will just be a movie and maybe a dinner (cheap). Our February date will be a no-brainer, Valentine's Day. I already told Derek we are going to go out to dinner at 5:00 pm though. A lot of the places do not make reservations, and I refuse to stand in line for 2 hours for s semi-decent meal. We feel like we need (and deserve) the time alone. Who knows, we might end up learning to ballroom dance or something : ) I just hope it's a relaxing time for us.
Yesterday Derek gave Mom and I part of our Christmas presents. He bought us each a day at the spa package complete with facials, back massages, pedicures, and manicures. Ahhhhhhh! Yes, I loved it! The massage was the best part. How can you not love a massage? Mom says that we can get her a massage anytime. She really enjoyed it. It's somewhat healthy too. Too bad insurance doesn't cover it. Perhaps it could be considered preventive maintenance. It would so be worth it for stress relief. I really need to figure out how to include a monthly massage in my budget. It could happen.
The rest of the week is already booked as far as things that have to be done. Tonight is 'Lex's vocal concert. That is really neat. Tomorrow we HAVE to finish packing. Friday is Mercedes concert, my office luncheon, the martial arts test, and we are leaving for Texas. This trip is going to wear me out-literally. I am kind of hoping to get some rest while we are on the road since I don't have to get up and take anyone anywhere.
I have pared (sp?) down our schedule some more after the first of the year. Since Alexis has finished her lessons and Mercedes can't start the next set until she turns 5, he girls will not be in swimming lessons. Even when they do go back, Alexis will be going at the same time as Mercedes. That will definitely relieve some of the stress. I am still not sure whether we should keep Mercedes in gymnasitics. She seems indifferent to it most of the time, sometimes she's down right resistant. It's a nice thing to do, but I think it's a bit much, plus it would be nice to have the extra money. I will have to convince Derek though.
Everyone seems to be doing well, if a bit worn down. We go a hundred miles an hour and never seem to stop. I keep thinking we are getting better, but it always seems as if something new comes up. Sometime in the spring will be kids soccer, softball, and t-ball. I am not sure we will make it.
I have to really get into a workout schedule and stop messing around. Yes, I admit I have slacked off and gotten back into my bad habits. I will try to make a point of hitting the gym two to three days a week and getting up in the morning for crunches/situps and pushups. Plus I will try to use the lateral thigh trainer thingy I got myself more. I feel disgusting, though I guess I don't look SO bad. It's a personal thing though. Maybe if I could force myself to give up peanut M&Ms and Skittles it would be easier, but I can't. Really - I must have them - daily. I was considering taking karate, but I don't think they offer it during the day. I don't feel like I can take it at night with all of the other activities going on. Sigh - I would like to though. Mostly I like the forms. They are beautiful and graceful.
Derek is not ready for school to start back up. He's stuck with a teacher that he does not want to take, and he doesn't feel that he has gotten any rest on this break. His arthritis has progressed again as well so that is making his life more difficult. He is very worried that he will be handicapped sometime in the next few years and that colors his thinking a lot. I can't really blame him though I tend to be less that understanding on occasion.
Derek and I have decided to start dating after the first of the year so we can have some one-on-one time. I think it will be nice, though I am not sure if the kids will "get" it. We will get Mom a babysitter so she doesn't have to deal with the kids either. She can't handle all of them for any length of time. Mercedes is particularly energetic and hard to manage. She's just a four year old. I think for our first date it will just be a movie and maybe a dinner (cheap). Our February date will be a no-brainer, Valentine's Day. I already told Derek we are going to go out to dinner at 5:00 pm though. A lot of the places do not make reservations, and I refuse to stand in line for 2 hours for s semi-decent meal. We feel like we need (and deserve) the time alone. Who knows, we might end up learning to ballroom dance or something : ) I just hope it's a relaxing time for us.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Whew
It's been another busy week. Both kids had doctor's appointments. Mason is still on antibiotics, and Mercedes has a cold. On Friday night Mercedes was sick - all night long. Saturday was not a good day for Derek and I.
We (Mom, Derek, and I) went to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra this afternoon. Wow! They are powerful. I would happily go see them again. I definitely have to get some of their CDs. Their light show was pretty cool too, though it got a bit bright on occasion.
Work was a mess of meetings last week. This next week appears to be quieter. Tomorrow mightbe rough though. I have a morning meeting, but Alexis is sick, so I might have to take her to the doctor. We'll see how it goes. She said she was feeling better, but I am reserving jusdgement.
I am feeling fairly loopy, since I am still shot on sleep. I think I will be going to bed shortly so I can get up in the morning to go to work. I have been terrible about working out lately, but I am thinking that I might wait to really start back into a workout routine until the new year. Yes, I am putting it off, but the way things are right now, I don't have a lot of choice.
I am now an officially published author. I have an ISBN and everything. I love Thumper. I can even say snobby things like, "I need to call my publisher". Granted, it was a sympathy thing for her, or maybe the bribe of dark chocolate M&Ms was what did it. However, it makes me very happy. I have this illusion that someone someday might go into the Library of Congress and find my book. They would think it was so wonderful (stop laughing) that they would share it with the world and I would be declared the US Poet Laureate. I did say it was an illusion or perhaps a delusion, or maybe just a daydream. Anyways, I am published now.
O think I hate my bank. If it were not so much trouble to change my direct deposit, I would change to a local credit union where I would like the service better. "The Bank" has now screwed my account up again, becuase of their policies which do NOT benefit me as the customer at all. They double debitted me for a LARGE amount so now I have to wait until Monday to get it fixed. but in teh meantime I can not use my checkcard, so I am writing checks. But I am concerned they will keep my account screwed up so I will get bounced checks. Yes, they would do it and tell me it's my fault. Would I complain? Yes - long and loudly! Would it do any good? Probably not.
I am going to bed to cogitate on the perversity of the bank9ing system and the injustices of the universe.
We (Mom, Derek, and I) went to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra this afternoon. Wow! They are powerful. I would happily go see them again. I definitely have to get some of their CDs. Their light show was pretty cool too, though it got a bit bright on occasion.
Work was a mess of meetings last week. This next week appears to be quieter. Tomorrow mightbe rough though. I have a morning meeting, but Alexis is sick, so I might have to take her to the doctor. We'll see how it goes. She said she was feeling better, but I am reserving jusdgement.
I am feeling fairly loopy, since I am still shot on sleep. I think I will be going to bed shortly so I can get up in the morning to go to work. I have been terrible about working out lately, but I am thinking that I might wait to really start back into a workout routine until the new year. Yes, I am putting it off, but the way things are right now, I don't have a lot of choice.
I am now an officially published author. I have an ISBN and everything. I love Thumper. I can even say snobby things like, "I need to call my publisher". Granted, it was a sympathy thing for her, or maybe the bribe of dark chocolate M&Ms was what did it. However, it makes me very happy. I have this illusion that someone someday might go into the Library of Congress and find my book. They would think it was so wonderful (stop laughing) that they would share it with the world and I would be declared the US Poet Laureate. I did say it was an illusion or perhaps a delusion, or maybe just a daydream. Anyways, I am published now.
O think I hate my bank. If it were not so much trouble to change my direct deposit, I would change to a local credit union where I would like the service better. "The Bank" has now screwed my account up again, becuase of their policies which do NOT benefit me as the customer at all. They double debitted me for a LARGE amount so now I have to wait until Monday to get it fixed. but in teh meantime I can not use my checkcard, so I am writing checks. But I am concerned they will keep my account screwed up so I will get bounced checks. Yes, they would do it and tell me it's my fault. Would I complain? Yes - long and loudly! Would it do any good? Probably not.
I am going to bed to cogitate on the perversity of the bank9ing system and the injustices of the universe.
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