September 30, 2009

Let Me Tell You a Story

It was past bedtime. I was already in my pajamas and had brushed my teeth. Sleeping Beauty was still doing homework because she "forgot" she had something earlier in the day. King was "helping" Sleeping Beauty with her homework (reading his book sitting next to her on the couch) and I was nursing a headache but trying to read a book while watching Food Network and slowly starving to death. (Did I ever tell you this latest medication makes me lean toward the dramatic? I didn't? Well, obviously it does. It's a good thing I get to go off of it this week. Otherwise I just may have moved into the pit of despair with the Dread Pirate Roberts. Anyway, moving on...)

I kept thinking I heard someone talking. Like someone on TV or a book on tape. I knew this couldn't be, as Cinderella and Snow White were safely tucked in bed, and King was vigilant on the homework watch. So I decided it was my head playing tricks on me. But then it was driving me crazy. So I got up to get mad at King for abandoning Sleeping Beauty and turning on talk radio investigate. When I walked out of my room, I could tell the sound was coming from the twins' room. Strange. I quietly crept to the bedside and uncovered the lump. It was Snow White, with the receiving end of our ancient baby monitor. She smiled sheepishly at me.

And I said, "What in the world is going on here?"

And she said, "Cinderella wanted to read me a story."

And the baby monitor said, "...and Lady was the happiest dog in the world until Jim Dear and Darling brought a baby home to live with them..."

So I walked down the hall to discover Cinderella under her bedspread with a flashlight, the Disney Favorites book, and the baby monitor. All I could do was silently confiscate the contraband. If I had spoken, I would have revealed my amusement at the brilliant show of sibling accord. What kind of kid chooses this way to finally show she can do something nice for her sister? I just never know what will happen next around this place.

September 29, 2009

Yum-O

So it's been over a week since I started my Gluten Free/Dairy Free diet. So far, my headaches feel the same. I like that I am eating more fruits and vegetables than normal. That's really good. I'll have to keep that up forever, right? My friend and visiting teacher brought me some new grains and information, which helps a lot. Only rice is a little boring. I don't like that I don't really get to have any good treats. Sure, I can adapt and make those cookies with bean or soy flour, but they just aren't the same gooey goodness, and frankly, I don't have the energy or drive to experiment with lots of recipes and flours at the moment. An Oreo shake just can't be replaced. Gratefully, a nice friend in my ward brought me some gluten-free treats this weekend. So nice! Why do I think I need treats to preserve my sanity? Maybe headaches aren't my biggest problem...

Yesterday, I hit the gluten-free section of our local grocery store. I figured there had to be something there that was easy and delicious. I was in luck. They had a brownie mix that was gluten and dairy free. I eagerly put it in my cart, and headed to the produce department. But, then I thought I had better check the instructions to make sure it didn't call for anything crazy. It didn't--just eggs and water. But it had some serving instructions that made me pause: "For easier serving, cut when warm with a serrated knife using a gentle sawing motion." What? What kind of brownies need to be cut with a sawing motion? What would they taste like? Bricks? I decided that six dollars for chocolaty concrete was a little steep after all. Instead, I am feeling better with gluten/dairy-free chocolate chips stored safely in my freezer. No sawing with serrated knifes needed. Just open and eat, ignoring the waxy texture. Delish!

September 25, 2009

For Sure

These things I know for sure:

1. I would have made a lousy POW. Seriously. Four days of mostly rice and I don't think I like it anymore. Can you imagine doing this for months? I'm a wimp.
2. Our house was built on land that magically grows dirty sock producing vines. Growing up through the slab, into the house. At least, that must be what is happening, because the socks in the living room and family room that keep appearing seem to belong to no one and nobody knows how they got there.

3. Boys' Basketball shorts are the most comfortable pants that ever were, and should be made in all colors to match all shirts. Even though they are loose, baggy, and sloppy, they make fabulous school clothes for girls that like to be comfortable and whose mothers are too tired in the morning to make them wear something a little more school appropriate. Just ask Snow White.

4. Twin ten-year-olds are much easier to handle than twin newborns. Except for the math homework thing.

5. It does not matter how many cable channels you have, there is nothing good on at three in the morning.

6. I still am not quite sure what "business attire" is. But I'm still sticking with the black skirt and white shirt thing. I suppose I will let you know if I am the only pseudo-nun there tonight.

7. The radio should not be allowed to play any Hannah Montana or Taylor Swift songs in the mornings because some people might just go a tiny bit crazy if they keep singing those songs all through the day while their kids are in school.

8. Well, I just don't really like odd numbers.

September 23, 2009

The Piano Plan

Yesterday, Cinderella and I met a new piano teacher. Cinderella has hit a "wall" in her piano progress, and we've been trying to decide what to do for a while. She begged to quit. I didn't want that option, and I really think she didn't either. Lately, she's been asking if she could just have a new teacher. So, I asked around and found a teacher to contact. The teacher had one hour available this week--the same hour that we usually have blocked out for piano lessons. So, we met her. And we loved her. I think she'll be perfect for Cinderella. She talked with Cinderella openly and honestly, and scored some major points when she declared one of Cinderella's least favorite songs she can play "boring". Cinderella can't wait to work on less boring songs with her. She thinks she's fun and smart and won't be "annoying like my last teacher." And, me? I'm just thrilled she's excited about practicing the piano again. Phew. I really think the solution is an answer to prayers. We couldn't ask for anything better.

And, after all that...Cinderella said this morning, "I just can't stand piano lessons. They are such a drag. I wish there was some other way to just learn it and be good. Do you think I can quit soon?"

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

September 21, 2009

Some Probably Incoherent Ramblings

This new medicine I am on is making me crazy. I will stay on it for seven more days, and then if my headaches are not better, I most definitely will not continue. If it works, well, maybe being crazy is better than feeling sick? Maybe.

In the meantime, I don't have much of an appetite, so I have decided this is the week to start eating only rice and then slowly introduce other things into my diet. Like a baby. It's been a while since I did anything with my diet for my headaches. Maybe I'll find that I feel fabulous when I don't eat bananas. (Did I ever tell you that in one day I had one person tell me they had headaches all the time until they stopped eating bananas and one person tell me they had headaches all the time until they started eating bananas daily? Each of them swore they had found the solution to my headache problems. Funny!)

In other news, this week, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White are doing puppet shows in their school classroom. They are both wanting to buy new clothes so that they can match their puppets. I told them that I would be happy to buy their puppets new paper clothes instead. Several outfits, actually. They didn't think I was clever at all.

We got a new CD with some great A Capella songs, but one of them is titled "Peanut Butter and Jelly". If one more person sings about their love for peanut butter I think King might sew some earplugs to his ears. He has banished the topic of sandwich ingredients from the home, and swears to hang the next person who plays or sings any song with a hint of love for food.

Cindrella continues to count down the days until she is a teenager. Fourteen more days, and then she's official. She wants an ice cream cake and a magnet board for her room. That, and money for her bank account since she'll be in college soon and might need a little in her savings account to get supplies for her dorm room. She's a planner, that girl. I don't mind too much, since somehow dating and driving have been skipped in her plan. Maybe having a teenager around won't be so bad after all.

Hope you have a fabulous week! It's likely that I will feel too lousy to update much this week. But, you never know....

September 18, 2009

What Matters Most

I had the privilege, last night, to attend the funeral of a wonderful family man. My good friend's father passed away after complications following a fall caused by his ALS. It has made me think about how grateful I am for my fabulous family and for my knowledge of the Savior and His plan for eternal families. I was raised by two wonderful parents who loved me, and more importantly, loved God. I love this video with the words of President Thomas S. Monson, focusing on the things that matter most. Some great things to think about...

September 17, 2009

Swimming in the Black Hole

Yesterday I signed Sleeping Beauty up for swimming lessons. We decided it was time to quit tap (sad, sad day) because SB had reached the point where she would have to compete with her team on Sundays--and we want our Sundays to be rest days with the family and days of worship, not days of make up, hairspray, glitter, and dancing. So, she's done tapping. And we wanted her to have something else she enjoyed. So swimming is the new thing. The goal is to join a local swim team soon and have lots of swimming laps for hours a week. Doesn't that sound great? Well, it sounds awful to me, but SB will love it.

Speaking of swimming, have you seen Cinderella's swimming suit? I spent a small fortune on a swimming suit for her that not only covered her torso, but also didn't ride up and pull down in the wrong places, and it is now MIA. No where to be found. She wore it one Saturday on a daddy/daughter swim date, came home and showered, and that was the last time we saw it. Crazy. It must be with my workout shorts (not that I've needed them) I bought months ago and have not seen since. Does every house have a black hole like mine? And, does it take teenagers? ;) (I'm kidding--I love my almost teenager more than anything. But, it might be easier (for all of us) if she were swallowed up by a black hole for a few years. I'm just sayin'...)

September 16, 2009

Happy National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week!

I feel like I am behind in so many ways. Last week was a rough week. Ever have one of those days where you feel like you are digging yourself out of a bottomless pit? Well, that was Friday for me, and luckily, I have friends that decided to help me dig out so my husband didn't have to. Just can't even tell you how great they are. So, anyway, lousy week, and then I worked on Monday (not my best idea ever, but I'll just blame it on the medication...or something.) Yesterday was a busy day, but today I have to stay home, so I am getting a lot done.

And why do I have to stay home, you ask? Well, our kitchen sink has decided to have a mind of it's own and likes to spit things back at us like a mini smelly volcano. The plumber is cleaning our pipes out as I type. Yet another day when I wish I lived near my incredibly smart and useful brothers who have awesome tools and fabulous skills.

So, I have been meaning to post about something you may or may not be interested in for some time. But, I'm behind, so I'm finally getting to it, three days late. This week is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Never heard of it? Yeah, me either. But I occasionally check in on the blog of Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries, a place for Christian support for the chronically ill, and I found out about it. To celebrate this week (because who doesn't want to celebrate chronic illness, right?) they are hosting a conference on blog talk radio with an interesting variety of topics. If you know someone who deals with a chronic illness, or know someone who has one (besides me, of course) you may want to listen, here. They even have cheesy elevator music, which is fantastic. But really, there is some good information.

And, now, if you'll excuse me, I finally have running water in my kitchen and it seems that headaches are not the only chronic thing going on around here. Shouldn't someone invent a way to avoid ever having dirty dishes?

September 11, 2009

Irksome

Yesterday morning I dumped the last of my favorite cereal in a bowl and grabbed the milk. As I poured the milk on my cereal, it came out in chunks and smelled divine. I have no idea how the milk got to be this way, but I have my suspicions.

The twins' teacher emailed me and let me know that each of them had a missing assignment in the last couple of days. Naturally, it was not their fault, and they had no idea how such a thing could happen. I assured them that now that they are required to write all assignments in their agendas, and bring all work home to be checked, that this won't happen again. They are so excited.

By the way, guess what their classroom jobs are? Homework Monitor, and Agenda Monitor. It seems someone up there has a very good sense of humor.

September 9, 2009

She's On The Ball

Snow White is a ball girl for the college volleyball team. She takes her job of running after balls and wiping off the sweat very seriously. She has a friend, M, that volunteers with her, and M's mom and I just thought the girls were so cute doing their job. The girls really liked mingling with the college mascot and giving all of the volleyball players high fives as they introduced them to the crowd. Fun stuff.

On Sunday, we Skyped with Grandma. (For those of you, like me, who are not technically minded, Skyping is an online telephone conference call with your computer camera. Sort of Back to the Future technology stuff. Pretty cool.) Snow White wanted to tell Grandma about being a ball girl. Only Grandma didn't really know what a ball girl was, so Snow White was having a hard time explaining it. She was assuming that Grandma knew most of what a ball girl does, and her explanations were sort of going over Grandma's head. King suggested she start at the beginning. He said, "Pretend Grandma is an alien, and she has no idea what volleyball ball girls do, and start explaining it to her that way."

Snow White waved her hand at Grandma on the computer screen, smiled, and very slowly said, "Greetings."

King and I about fell off the couch laughing.

September 7, 2009

Just Call Me Lame

Okay. I have some really good reasons for my lame mistake. For starters, I was tired. And, I had a headache. Actually, I'm not really sure that I did, but since I don't remember not having one, which would be something to remember, I probably did. Also, I was talking on the phone to my sister. And the TV was on. And I had to go to the bathroom so I was in a hurry. So, really, I had no business being on facebook in the first place.

But I was. And I invited someone to be my friend, which sounds really great and friendship-y, except I don't even know her. But I thought I did. And I was distracted. And when I saw her name on a comment of one of my friends, I thought, "Yay! Jane Smith (not her real name) finally joined facebook, I'm going to add her as a friend." So I did. Then I went to the bathroom, and got on with my day.

Later, when the kids were in bed and the house was quiet, and I wasn't on the phone, I decided to check out Jane's profile. And that's when I realized that if this were really my Jane Smith friend, she would have joined facebook as Jane Smith Jones because she's married now. And then when I actually took time to look at her profile, I realize that this Jane Smith is married to my Jane Smith Jones's brother. And I've never met her. And she has no idea who I am. And I gave her a hard time about finally joining facebook and she probably has been on facebook since before I even knew about it. And I am totally lame.

So I sent her a new message. "Uh, hi Jane. Sorry about that message before. You don't know me and I don't know you, but I thought you were your sister-in-law, and I know you look nothing like her and I know your family picture has less kids than hers would and I know that she would never be married to her brother so just ignore that message and sorry I asked you to be my friend. Um, tell your husband hello from me. He'll know me as his little sister's friend, who apparently is still as dumb and naive as the thirteen year old I used to be when he knew me. I'm sure you are nice and all but we really don't need to be friends. Sorry. Sorry I said you were a slow poke. I'm sure you are super speedy and totally technical and nothing like Jane Smith Jones who still isn't on facebook. But, really, can we blame her? I mean some lame-o that doesn't know her could send her rude messages or something and that would be annoying. Yep. Sorry."

She never sent me a message back. She is sure that I am a psycho facebook stalker, probably. Clearly, I am not old enough to operate something as suave as this worldwide networking site. I really should just stick with things I know. Like email. And boring blogs with no fancy flowers or patterns running down the sides. And talking on the phone. A land line, no less. Of course. Did you expect anything more? Didn't think so.

September 3, 2009

Reminiscent Rambling

One of my friends in my ward is having twins. She's due in a month, so really she could have them any day. We're having a shower for her tonight, and it's got me thinking back on life when our little twins arrived. It seems like just yesterday, yet, it seems that so much has happened since they were born. Weird how time does that.When Cinderella turned two, I was around 20 weeks pregnant. I was starting to feel like I might make it through the days without feeling too pregnant sick. I had a little bit of energy and spent more of my day out of bed than in it, which was quite an improvement over how I'd felt the sixteen weeks prior to that point. We had a little party for Cinder, and she was miserable. She got medicine for a dual ear infection the next day.

From that day in early October, until mid-January, poor Cinderella had an ear infection almost non-stop. She would be on an antibiotic for ten days, and by the twelfth day be running a fever and start all over again. It was awful. And, compacting the problem was the fact that in late October I was put on bedrest. So, we spent much of our little time we had together (our friends took turns taking Cinderella during the days while King was working on his PhD) taking medicine and visiting the pediatrician. I know there were at least two times that my contractions were bad enough that it scared me into sending Cinderella to the pediatrician with my friends. Poor little thing.

In mid-January, I was done. I didn't want more antibiotics or more fevers, and no more trips to the pediatrician; I wanted the problem fixed. So, we had tubes put in her ears. It was a sad day to watch her go into surgery, but one of the best decisions we ever made. She was so much happier afterward! And she hasn't had an ear infection since.

Two weeks later, the twins were born, and then my mind is a little foggy as to how well everyone was feeling. I think Cinderella was just so thrilled to stay home every day and have me get out of bed and play with her that she didn't really seem to mind all of the hours that I sat on the couch or floor and nursed her baby sisters. She even begged to help feed "the babes" a bottle occasionally. And, it was adorable.That was the beginning of Cinderella's love affair with babies. She loves them. She once spent the entire four days we were with my sister and her kids holding my littlest nephew every moment she could. I think the only time anyone else had him was when my sister had to feed him. Cinderella hugged him and rocked him and shushed him and changed him. She was in heaven. (2006) Cinderella cannot wait for these new little babies to arrive in our ward. She has told me that she plans to spend one afternoon and evening a week over at our friend's house so that she can help with the twins and their big (only still little--18 month old) sister any way she can. We're hoping that our friends are wanting a helper because I'm pretty sure there is no way I can stop her from going. She even wants me to figure out if a bus could drop her off there instead of at home right after school. (There isn't. I just checked. She'll be bugged.)

Funny how much she's grown up in the past years, but that all she really wants to do is play with "the babes" like she did ten years ago. Maybe this time I will be much less sleep deprived so I can remember helping a little bit, too--if they'll let me. There is nothing cuter than two little babies to cuddle and love. What fun!

September 2, 2009

Grrrrrr

Girls are mean. Not certain girls. All girls. Yes, sadly, even mine, I'm afraid. I don't understand why girls can't just slug their friends if they aren't getting along. Instead they have to think of a way to be mean. Mean enough to hurt and then mean enough to make it fester for a while.

For instance...this morning Sleeping Beauty and Snow White were telling me about Ann (name is changed to protect the not-so-innocent) who used to be SB's "maybe 2nd or 3rd best friend way back in 3rd grade" (yes, that was just over a year ago, but who's counting?) now tells SW and SB all the time that they go to the "stupid school" now instead of the "cool school". Nice. Except really, if you are going to get technical, they now got to the "gifted and talented school" which isn't really the same as stupid, but in fifth grade language I guess they are pretty much the same thing. Oh, and Ann also thinks that SW's new glasses are boyish and that SB wears pink too much.

Now, I have always thought that Ann was a little bit of a stinker, but this is ridiculous. I must be part boy and part mama bear because what I'd really like to do is slug Ann. But, instead, I said, "What would Jesus do? Maybe she's having a hard time at home or at school. Try to be kind to Ann. Turn the other cheek. Find something nice to say about her or her school, and for goodness sake, just sit somewhere else on the bus!"

Then, there's Suzy (again, not her real name), who is a friend of the girls' that I happen to really like. Only lately, she's been telling Snow White that if she were auctioned off she would "only earn, like, maybe half a penny" and Sleeping Beauty would get "around a million dollars if we auctioned her" because SW isn't really worth that much. Nice thing to say to a friend, huh? But this is even better, "I'd try to explain to you why you wouldn't get that much money, but you wouldn't understand, cuz you're not smart enough." Snow White doesn't know why all of the sudden Suzy has decided to say these things, or at least claims to not understand. Since I know girls, it's probable that something could have been said by SW to warrant such treatment, but it's also just as probable that something did not. They're girls. Ugh.

So, I told SW to think about what has happened with Suzy the last coulple of weeks and see if there is anything she said or did that could have been taken wrong, or maybe Suzy has other things going on that are stressing her out and making her take it out on her friends. And then I said, "talk to Suzy and tell her how you feel and that you'd like her to stop saying those hurtful things. See if you can work it out." Although, what I really wanted to say was, "Just punch her in the face if she says things like that." Again with the mama bear thing. Sigh.

I can't remember how old kids are when this kind of stuff gets old. I hope soon. I cringe to think of other moms wanting to clobber my daughters because they said something mean like this. Yes, mine have been taught to never talk like this, and always be kind, but so have these other girls, I'm sure. I do trust my girls to be good, to rise above such things, but honestly, they're also just girls, too. Pre-teen girls with hormones raging and emotions out of control. I hope they are nice. I'm sure they are...most of the time. But, considering that last night SW told Cinderella that her glasses don't make her look smarter, they make her look "like and idiot", I can't be too sure.

I really don't think I'm cut out to be the mom of three teenage daughters. I think it's time for hibernation. A ten year one. Anyone care to join me?
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