My mom had a very sad day today. She was "asked to retire" from her job of 25 years, without any prior warning. It was a huge shock to her.
I was with my dad when we picked her up from work, because we were going to take the kids to the candy store, and have dinner together. When we got to the candy store, my mom was quiet, and not enjoying herself. She typically loves shopping for all their gourmet foods from around the world. When we got back in the car, she was completely silent, which is so unlike her. She finally blurted out, "I lost my job."
I know this is happening to many people in our country right now, but it really hits hard when it's one of your own. My mom loved her job. She started working there when I was a toddler. She is such a dedicated, hard worker, and had many friends at work. To just be told to retire (a nice way of laying her off), effective immediately, was too much for her to process.
The business she worked for was struggling, and they cut back on every employee's hours, and I guess because of her age, seniority, and the fact that she made the most money, made her the first to go. The owner made it seem like he was doing her a favor by forcing her into retirement. He obviously didn't realize how much she holds the business together, and how much she loved working there.
I know she's going to be okay. She is fine, financially, but this was a big blow to her ego and the end of something she loved doing. She is not the type of person who will be able to sit around, and even at 63, she is nowhere near ready to retire. She will grieve for her old job for a while, but I know she's going to find something else and throw herself into it just as she always has.
I just wish there was something I could do to take her pain away. I hate to see my mom hurting.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
16 years ago, today...
...my childhood wish came true, and this guy came into my life.
Every year, I try to go visit Cherokee on our anniversary. Several years, I have been unable to get there, this year being one of them. As usual, the guilt consumes me, and I'm going to feel guilty until I can get to the stable to give him a big hug, and feed him many treats.
I seriously can't believe it's been 16 years! When I got him, I was just entering my teenage years. We grew up together. I essentially went from a young girl who only wanted to be with her horse, to a married woman, to a mom of two. When I go visit him, I expect to see that energetic, impish, young horse, and instead I'm greeted by a much older and slower version of his old self.
On the day Cherokee and I met, I told him that he would be with me forever. He found his way into my heart 16 years ago, and there he stays. Love you, buddy!
***Taking a picture of yourself with your horse, while the horse is trying to munch on your expensive camera, is not an easy task!
Every year, I try to go visit Cherokee on our anniversary. Several years, I have been unable to get there, this year being one of them. As usual, the guilt consumes me, and I'm going to feel guilty until I can get to the stable to give him a big hug, and feed him many treats.
I seriously can't believe it's been 16 years! When I got him, I was just entering my teenage years. We grew up together. I essentially went from a young girl who only wanted to be with her horse, to a married woman, to a mom of two. When I go visit him, I expect to see that energetic, impish, young horse, and instead I'm greeted by a much older and slower version of his old self.
On the day Cherokee and I met, I told him that he would be with me forever. He found his way into my heart 16 years ago, and there he stays. Love you, buddy!
***Taking a picture of yourself with your horse, while the horse is trying to munch on your expensive camera, is not an easy task!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Up to my elbows in poop...
I was blessed with a baby boy who had great bowels. I never had to change a diarrhea diaper on him. He had one bout of diarrhea when he was 2, and it was after he was potty trained.
My little Princess, on the other hand, has had blow outs since the days she was born. I knew at that first diaper change, that life was going to be messy with her. Sure enough, that has proven to be true.
Last week, she came down with diarrhea, with no other symptoms. She was as happy as can be. Over a week later, she still has the runs. And she's not even acting sick!
I am SO OVER IT. Really, Lex, time to stop!
She has ruined many pairs of tights and pants and most of her onesies. After throwing away several things that couldn't be saved, despite the gallons of stain remover I used, I dug into the drawer of clothes that I never put on her. She will be wearing these clothes until she decides to stop pooping so much.
I can't take it any more. I will change her, and 5 minutes later, she will run over, smelling like poop. Can't a mom catch a break? Where's that "Dirty Job" guy when you need him?
My little Princess, on the other hand, has had blow outs since the days she was born. I knew at that first diaper change, that life was going to be messy with her. Sure enough, that has proven to be true.
Last week, she came down with diarrhea, with no other symptoms. She was as happy as can be. Over a week later, she still has the runs. And she's not even acting sick!
I am SO OVER IT. Really, Lex, time to stop!
She has ruined many pairs of tights and pants and most of her onesies. After throwing away several things that couldn't be saved, despite the gallons of stain remover I used, I dug into the drawer of clothes that I never put on her. She will be wearing these clothes until she decides to stop pooping so much.
I can't take it any more. I will change her, and 5 minutes later, she will run over, smelling like poop. Can't a mom catch a break? Where's that "Dirty Job" guy when you need him?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Today, we celebrated my dad's 69th birthday. He is approaching 70 way too quickly for my liking.
The kids and I headed over to my parents house to have dinner with them, and to celebrate with my dad. Upon seeing their beloved Papa, my kids started jumping up and down, and screaming, "Hi Papa! Hi Papa!" Dylan proudly gave his birthday present to him, and helped him unwrap it. After dinner, we sang to him. Since he's on a diet, I got to bring the cake home (my flabdomen is thanking you, Mom), but he still got to blow out the pillar candle...with Dylan's assistance, of course.
Several times, I overheard my dad say that it was his best birthday ever. When it comes down to it, birthdays are all about being surrounded by people who love you. In my dad's case, we adore him.
Happy Birthday, dad! Here's to many more!
The kids and I headed over to my parents house to have dinner with them, and to celebrate with my dad. Upon seeing their beloved Papa, my kids started jumping up and down, and screaming, "Hi Papa! Hi Papa!" Dylan proudly gave his birthday present to him, and helped him unwrap it. After dinner, we sang to him. Since he's on a diet, I got to bring the cake home (my flabdomen is thanking you, Mom), but he still got to blow out the pillar candle...with Dylan's assistance, of course.
Several times, I overheard my dad say that it was his best birthday ever. When it comes down to it, birthdays are all about being surrounded by people who love you. In my dad's case, we adore him.
Happy Birthday, dad! Here's to many more!
Monday, January 5, 2009
An unexpected visitor
I don't get to see one of my best friend's very often anymore. We both lead busy lives, have conflicting schedules, and it's hard to coordinate a time to get together. I had a long day today, but was very excited to get her text, asking if she could stop by.
It's always wonderful to see her, and just talk about everything. We don't get to do that often enough. I haven't seen her since Dylan's birthday party in November, so we did our Christmas gift exchange. After the kids were busy with their books and floor puzzle that she and her hubby gave to them, we opened up our huge gift bag filled with yummy organic foods and homemade treats. Of course, we had to sample everything. ;)
We decided to watch some of the video footage of her wedding that I have yet to get transferred onto a DVD, even though the wedding was in May. We huddled over my tiny camcorder screen (why didn't I hook it up to our TV?) and relived her beautiful day, as my two monkeys jumped all over us.
It was a short, but oh so sweet visit with her. Hopefully, now that she's living closer to us, we'll be able to see her more.
Love you, Annie!!!
It's always wonderful to see her, and just talk about everything. We don't get to do that often enough. I haven't seen her since Dylan's birthday party in November, so we did our Christmas gift exchange. After the kids were busy with their books and floor puzzle that she and her hubby gave to them, we opened up our huge gift bag filled with yummy organic foods and homemade treats. Of course, we had to sample everything. ;)
We decided to watch some of the video footage of her wedding that I have yet to get transferred onto a DVD, even though the wedding was in May. We huddled over my tiny camcorder screen (why didn't I hook it up to our TV?) and relived her beautiful day, as my two monkeys jumped all over us.
It was a short, but oh so sweet visit with her. Hopefully, now that she's living closer to us, we'll be able to see her more.
Love you, Annie!!!
My first Not Me! Monday of 2009
Last year's Not Me! Monday's were so much fun, that I decided to keep doing them this year! Check out MckMama's blog for more Not Me! Monday!
So, I'm going to start off 2009 by telling you the things that haven't happened this week.
I did not attempt to put two 1-year-old's in the same room for a nap. If I did do that, of course it worked!
It wasn't me who bought her very first Christmas present...for next Christmas.
I have been on the treadmill every day since January 1st. Really. I have. If I haven't done it everyday, of course I did it just one day!
I did not stuff my baby into a big Christmas mug, to take pics like I did last year. She was not busting out of the mug because she has gotten so tall. My 4 year old did not decide that he wanted to sit in the mug as well. Nor did his tiny bum fit in the mug.
My husband did not eat an entire box of taquitos...bulk box of taquitos...by himself. In just 3 days!!! Oh, wait, I apologize. *I* had 1. Dylan had 1. The other 23 were NOT eaten by him.
My children did not sleep until at least 11, every morning this week. They are, without a doubt, completely back on schedule after all the holiday excitement!
My Christmas tree and decorations are not still up. I am not refusing to take them down, simply because that means that I no longer have an excuse as to why all the Christmas toys are still all over the house.
Lexie has not been singing, "Ba-ba Bells! Ba-ba Bells!" 24/7. I do not think it's the cutest thing EVER!
Speaking of Lexie, she is not awake in her crib, singing Ba-ba Bells right at this very moment. Why on Earth she woke up and decided to sing Jingle Bells is beyond me.
I have not been wearing the same pair of The-World's-Most-Comfortable-Pajamas to bed every night since Tuesday, even though I bought a second pair. That would just be gross.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The trouble with portraits
On a whim, I decided to get the kid's pictures taken today. I typically take them myself, since that was the point of buying a great camera. Individual portraits turn out great. Pictures of the kids together...not so much.
So, for my dad's birthday present, I took the kid's to a photo studio to get a picture of the two of them together. I figured the photographer would have better luck. I figured wrong. Just as it always is with me, Dylan and Lexie refuse to look at the camera at the same time. Or smile at the same time. Or sit at the same time. It was like wrangling monkeys. The poor photographer and I were scurrying all over the studio trying to get them to sit in the same spot, at the same time. If Dylan looked at the camera, Lexie looked away. If Lexie smiled at the camera, Dylan didn't. UGH! So, I ended up picking out a cute picture of the two of them hugging, but only with half-smiles on their faces. That will have to do.
Lesson learned. I'm going to stick to taking the pictures myself. Perhaps I need an assistant (or two...or three) when I take them?
So, for my dad's birthday present, I took the kid's to a photo studio to get a picture of the two of them together. I figured the photographer would have better luck. I figured wrong. Just as it always is with me, Dylan and Lexie refuse to look at the camera at the same time. Or smile at the same time. Or sit at the same time. It was like wrangling monkeys. The poor photographer and I were scurrying all over the studio trying to get them to sit in the same spot, at the same time. If Dylan looked at the camera, Lexie looked away. If Lexie smiled at the camera, Dylan didn't. UGH! So, I ended up picking out a cute picture of the two of them hugging, but only with half-smiles on their faces. That will have to do.
Lesson learned. I'm going to stick to taking the pictures myself. Perhaps I need an assistant (or two...or three) when I take them?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Busy, busy, busy
We have not had a free weekend since early summer. I swear, every single weekend since then has been completely booked. I figured we would get a break as soon as the holidays were over, but it's not shaping up that way. It seems like we just keep getting busier!
Today, we had to go to a friend's birthday party. It started at 2, which meant that we arrived a bit before 2:30. I can't seem to get myself and 2 kids ready and to where we are going on time! I am dreading the thought of what it's going to be like when we add another munchkin to the mix! We ended up having a great time. The kids played with their friends (well, Lexie clung to me for the first half hour, and then warmed up to everyone) and Jack is quite the adorable 2 year old!
Speaking of birthdays, happy birthday to my oldest sis! 44, huh? You'll always be 16 years older than me, baby! ;)
After the party, I convinced Grant to drive me around on my shopping errands to Kohls and Old Navy. I had some leftover Kohls cash to use by today, and we can't waste that! What to do with $5 left in Kohls cash? Buy Lexie her very first nightgown, off of the clearance rack, of course!
As soon as we got home, Lexie threw a full blown temper tantrum. Out of control, screaming, shaking, insanity! Dylan never had temper tantrums, so this is a new experience for me. What to do, other than stick her in her crib, and go on a cleaning frenzy? I drowned out her anger with the floor vac. After about a half hour, The Bean was back to normal. Shortly after, she discovered her new nightgown, handed it to me, and started undressing. What a fashion diva. Of course, no nightgown covered in princesses is complete without a princess hat.
We had some friends over, and had fun. Pickle and Bean got to stay up late to play with their buddy, Tyler. Skip the movie "Doomsday." Terribly awful. We shut it off about halfway through. It was as if they were going for the most bloody, gruesome movie ever...bring on the gore, forget the plot!!!
I decided to make tomorrow busy as well, by scheduling an appointment to get the kid's portraits taken. After a comment from my dad on how I never got professional pictures taken of both kids together, I decided that would be the perfect birthday gift for my difficult to buy for father. I am dreading it. Lexie Bean is notorious for not smiling or sitting for professional pictures. Hence, why I invested in an expensive camera, to do it myself. Yet, I can't seem to get a good portrait of the two of them together!
I am off to bed...I'm going to need all the energy I can muster at 1:00 tomorrow!
Today, we had to go to a friend's birthday party. It started at 2, which meant that we arrived a bit before 2:30. I can't seem to get myself and 2 kids ready and to where we are going on time! I am dreading the thought of what it's going to be like when we add another munchkin to the mix! We ended up having a great time. The kids played with their friends (well, Lexie clung to me for the first half hour, and then warmed up to everyone) and Jack is quite the adorable 2 year old!
Speaking of birthdays, happy birthday to my oldest sis! 44, huh? You'll always be 16 years older than me, baby! ;)
After the party, I convinced Grant to drive me around on my shopping errands to Kohls and Old Navy. I had some leftover Kohls cash to use by today, and we can't waste that! What to do with $5 left in Kohls cash? Buy Lexie her very first nightgown, off of the clearance rack, of course!
As soon as we got home, Lexie threw a full blown temper tantrum. Out of control, screaming, shaking, insanity! Dylan never had temper tantrums, so this is a new experience for me. What to do, other than stick her in her crib, and go on a cleaning frenzy? I drowned out her anger with the floor vac. After about a half hour, The Bean was back to normal. Shortly after, she discovered her new nightgown, handed it to me, and started undressing. What a fashion diva. Of course, no nightgown covered in princesses is complete without a princess hat.
We had some friends over, and had fun. Pickle and Bean got to stay up late to play with their buddy, Tyler. Skip the movie "Doomsday." Terribly awful. We shut it off about halfway through. It was as if they were going for the most bloody, gruesome movie ever...bring on the gore, forget the plot!!!
I decided to make tomorrow busy as well, by scheduling an appointment to get the kid's portraits taken. After a comment from my dad on how I never got professional pictures taken of both kids together, I decided that would be the perfect birthday gift for my difficult to buy for father. I am dreading it. Lexie Bean is notorious for not smiling or sitting for professional pictures. Hence, why I invested in an expensive camera, to do it myself. Yet, I can't seem to get a good portrait of the two of them together!
I am off to bed...I'm going to need all the energy I can muster at 1:00 tomorrow!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Our New Years
I'm going to be honest here. I do not like New Years Eve. I never have, and probably never will. I'm not a drinker, and every New Years, that seems to be the theme. Now that I have kids to spend it with, I find myself tearing up, and hugging them to me as tightly as possible when the ball drops. I just get a flood of emotion at that moment, even though my heart really isn't into the party.
This New Years Eve, we spent the night with my parents, several of my sisters and their husbands, some nieces and nephews, and some friends. We had a good time, and thanks to Lexie's late nap, and Dylan being wound up by his cousins, I got to hold my babies in my arms as the ball dropped. After that, we sent the kids off to bed, and sat around and talked until after 3 in the morning. It was the latest I've stayed up in ages! I felt very blessed to have spent the night with people I love so very much.
New Years Day was a lazy day for us. We finally got dressed and dragged ourselves out of the house for dinner with my inlaws. The food was delicious, and it was a nice and relaxed setting. I dropped my sick hubby off at home, and stopped in to visit my family at their dinner, and wish my niece a happy birthday (Happy Birthday, Michelle!!!). Once home, I attempted to get the kiddos back on schedule, by putting them to bed early, after a very non-routine week!
For some reason, I was inspired to clean out and organize the pantry and the freezer. At 11:30 at night! Hey, whatever works, right?
Here are a few pictures of our New Years Eve:
Dylan putting on his party hat
Lexie snuggling with Mama
The kids spent New Years Day playing in a laundry basket, at their Nannie's house. Definitely made for interesting first photos of 2009!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This New Years Eve, we spent the night with my parents, several of my sisters and their husbands, some nieces and nephews, and some friends. We had a good time, and thanks to Lexie's late nap, and Dylan being wound up by his cousins, I got to hold my babies in my arms as the ball dropped. After that, we sent the kids off to bed, and sat around and talked until after 3 in the morning. It was the latest I've stayed up in ages! I felt very blessed to have spent the night with people I love so very much.
New Years Day was a lazy day for us. We finally got dressed and dragged ourselves out of the house for dinner with my inlaws. The food was delicious, and it was a nice and relaxed setting. I dropped my sick hubby off at home, and stopped in to visit my family at their dinner, and wish my niece a happy birthday (Happy Birthday, Michelle!!!). Once home, I attempted to get the kiddos back on schedule, by putting them to bed early, after a very non-routine week!
For some reason, I was inspired to clean out and organize the pantry and the freezer. At 11:30 at night! Hey, whatever works, right?
Here are a few pictures of our New Years Eve:
Dylan putting on his party hat
Lexie snuggling with Mama
The kids spent New Years Day playing in a laundry basket, at their Nannie's house. Definitely made for interesting first photos of 2009!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
I hope everyone had a safe, happy, fun New Year's Eve! We certainly did, and I'm looking forward to another year, that is hopefully just as good, if not better, than the last.
We have some big things happening in 2009! Grant will be turning the big 3-0!!! My Princess will be turning 2, and Dylan will turn 5 (FIVE??? How is that even possible?). Dylan will start Pre-K in September! The most exciting thing is that we will be trying to conceive our third peanut in the fall!
Happy New Year to all of my family and friends!
We have some big things happening in 2009! Grant will be turning the big 3-0!!! My Princess will be turning 2, and Dylan will turn 5 (FIVE??? How is that even possible?). Dylan will start Pre-K in September! The most exciting thing is that we will be trying to conceive our third peanut in the fall!
Happy New Year to all of my family and friends!
