An Up and Down Weekend

Friday was the beginning of a long weekend for most Americans, including myself. I began mine by working from home and finishing up around 1pm. Oh, how I'm going to miss that - I'm back to everyday at the office next week. It makes me so sad. Then, I picked up the babe, ran some errands, came home and helped hubby get the basement ready for our guests (my coworker "C's" husband used to be a contractor). They were coming over to help hubby learn how to put in the trim...well, he was. She was along for the ride and our company. It turned out to be a nice evening. The pizza and beer were plentiful (although the beer was for her husband only...hubby and I don't touch the stuff) and we all had a really great time until...blakkkk. Enchantress see's her pizza and most of her margarita for the second time.

It was awful! I haven't been that nauseated since I was pregnant with my first child. The mouth was watering, the stomach was contracting and churning something awful. It was gruesome and continued through the night. The next day, it was coming out of the other end. Yeah, I know. Real nice, Enchantress. I didn't eat much and, consequently, that Sunday I looked rather good standing in the mirror in my skivies. Oh, what puking and dehydration will do to a body. Gratefully, I don't enjoy this pattern and could never be a true bulimic. My sides were so sore just from the couple times of vomiting from the night before. I can't imagine doing this on the regular.

By Sunday, I was feeling much better and could eat without feeling like it was my death sentence. We went to church, then home, then "happy" times with hubby, then a nap, then off to my mother's for BBQ. Well, it would have been BBQ if the weather had cooperated. Instead, she baked Cajun salmon and sirloin, boiled corn on the cob and simmered baked beans. It was all good. Then, we watched Anchorman, while my sister pouted upstairs. She makes me so crazy! You're a grown-ass woman, now. Get over yourself, would you?

Monday was filled with rest, relaxation and many, many Orange, Cranberry Vodka breezes. I did the babe's hair (sans extensions), gave the baby a bathe and we all turned in (and a little more "happy" time with hubby). And little Indy? Up at 5:00am. Oh, man...I am so digging this!

Running on Sleep!

Little Indy didn't wake up until 4:00 am this morning. Is it a fluke? Man, I hope not. After I woke up and realized nothing was wrong, the thrill set in. Woohoo! Come on baby, just sleep a couple hours longer and mama will kiss your cute little baby feet. (oh wait, I already do that).

I hate to sound like a broken record, but my hubby's schedule sucks! I mean, it really sucks! It sucks to the Nth degree of sucking! How can I put this...um..it sucks! (This too shall pass, this too shall pass, this too shall pass). I have to chant it like a monk, otherwise I may pull my hair out (oh wait, I already do that...been wearing the ponies and pieces again, since mom put in my perm).

It's getting serious (like not so long ago). When you can't remember the last time you got some, it's been too damn long. I mean, I really can't remember. Granted, TOM showed up in there somewhere and there's not much to be had when it's around but, seriously, it only lasts five days. What is up? You know, I don't mean to come across as some sex starved maniac but, I don't know what's happened to me in the last two years. It used to be that once or twice a week was fine for me. Even if a couple of weeks went by, I was still okay. These days, I'm damn near climbing the freakin' walls after 48 hours. Maybe it's true what they say about women peaking at forty. My libido is on the the uphill climb and I'm going with it, whether I want to or not. My hubby even commented on it a couple of weeks ago (of course, he wasn't complaining).

I found some "love" coupons he gave me, back on Valentine's day. I'm thinking of cashing in. One's for "An All-inclusive Sex Session" another is for "The Position of your Choice". Creativity abound! Some how I have a feeling I'd be put off. It's really quite sad. How many post pregnancy women are this eager to get laid by any means necessary? I personally don't know of one. Most women in my position don't want their husbands anywhere near them. Their husbands are viewed like the plague minus the possibilty of a cure. I could blame it on hormones (oh wait, I already do that).

It's too bad our little date this Saturday can't last the entire weekend. It would be nice to have hubby all to myself, but that's not gonna happen. In fact, I don't think we'll get another weekend to ourselves until Indy's at least two (potty-trained and self-contained - that's how my mother likes 'em). I guess I'm stuck for the time being. Man, don't I just hate feeling like I'm walking into a wall...turning and trying to walk a different direction then, wham! Another wall? WTF?! I guess there's nothing left to do but fantasize (oh wait, I already do that).

I'm Still Here

No. I didn't drop off the planet, but I haven't posted very regularly on this blog for a bit (see the "other" site). My life has been a bit topsy turvy for the past couple of weeks. We begin with my mother-in-law's first stay at our home but first, a little history:

When hubby and I got together and eventually married, I had never before met his mother or stepfather. I didn't meet them until we were getting ready to move to Utah (summer of '98). We drove from Nashville to Missouri, where we stopped off for fourteen hours to see his family. It was the longest fourteen hours of my life!

Having always lived in major cities all my life, I was not prepared for the small town world that is my husband's childhood home. Oh my dear Lord! One grocery store, two gas stations, about a dozen churches, one large factory that everyone seems to work for, one hotel and two schools. I couldn't believe anyone would want to live there! His mother is a short lady, even shorter than me...very dark with eyes that seek out (just like his). She's had a hard life, but had an easy smile and seemed happy to see her oldest boy again. I didn't really get to know her in that short time frame, but I did get an opportunity to take in the area in which he grew up. It was no wonder to me why he left. Anyone who stayed after high school (with no plans for college or military life)was pretty much stuck.

Fast forward three years. Most of his family remaining at home drove out to visit for two days. Two days after over 1,000 miles. WTH? Still, I only got to know a bit more due to all the people; his four brothers, his niece, his stepfather and mother had all come. Getting to know anyone really didn't happen.

So, on this visit, his mother has been staying at his sister's house partially and our house. She's been bonding with the babe and Indy. I've lots of opportunities to talk with her and learn more about her. I even got some of the stories that hubby never discusses with me. It has been enlightening. She even said that she told her husband that she really likes me and that she's glad that we've seen fit to work things out and remain a couple. Surprisingly, she also said, "And I'm so glad both of your babies have the same daddy." Hmm. Definitely an indication of the living conditions where she comes from.

What's really been nice is how eager she is to spend time with our kids. It's not just that she hasn't had a lot of time with them, it's that she just genuinely loves children. I can't believe how many times, since she's been here, that I've been able to run here and there sans kids. It's been great! I always have to plan a month ahead for my mom to even think about watching my kids. Granted, she works and is very busy, but she's also quick to say, "My children are grown." She just isn't a typical grandma. I also have a feeling that when my uncle and his wife are here, they will be the same way as my mother-in-law. Damn, I wish they all lived here. Not that I want to ditch my kids, but it sure would be a nice alternative to dropping them off at the neighbors when we want a night out (once in a blue moon).

Other than the mother-in-law visit, I've been dealing with separation anxiety with hubby. When the bodybuilding show went bust (due to a very neglectful contractor who did not submit the tests of 20 or so contestants on time), he took several days off. It was wonderful! He was around and could help with the kids. I had adult conversation and someone to play with. Then, he went back to work and all communication seemed to stop (house cleaning, yard work, sleeping for work, preparation for work, the gym). I got a nice long phone message from him about spending time together and making sure we make time for each other, but I've heard this speech before. My availability is totally different than his and, truth be told, it is he not I that must make the sacrifices for time. I don't live at the gym. I don't run 100 errands a day nor do I need to in a week's time. He always knows where I am and where to find me, he just needs to give up the "extra stuff" and find me.

I'm trying to stay occupied, regardless. The babe and I each got a paint-by-numbers kit to do together. Hers is a scene of three dolphins jumping out of of wave. Mine is a Unicorn on cobblestones, which I hope looks nice enough to hang in Indy's room. We've had a good time together, painting. I've also soaked off the acrylics and have started to try and learn the guitar again (you just can't get the chords right if your nails are too long). Indy likes the sounds the guitar makes and the babe wants to learn to play, too. Maybe someday. For now, she's busy preparing for her dance recital and, that very weekend, will begin swim lessons again.

School will be out June 2nd and I'm on a waiting list for a summer program for the babe. Gosh, I hope they call. Otherwise, I have no idea what I'm going to do. I don't want to spend nearly $600 dollars a month for a program here in Salt Lake. We just can't afford that. Indy is making half turns and has nearly made it to her stomach, with me watching. My mother-in-law said that she has made it to her tummy. It's been so special watching all of these milestones again. Indy is really coming into her own.

Teething and Lost Teeth

Thursday, I picked up my oldest from my sister-in-law's house and she was crying because eating her spaghetti was painful. Her uncle says, "She keeps saying her tooth is bothering her and it hurts to eat," to which I reply, (to her more than to him), "Why aren't you chewing in the back of your mouth like we talked about?"and through the tears and mumbling, I see her bottom tooth just aching to be pulled (she wouldn't let me all last week or the week before).

So, we get home and I explain to her that her tooth is ready to come out and that it won't hurt anymore, once it's out. She's adamant that I not do anything, so I tell her that I just want to look at it to see if it's okay and, like so many parents before me, I lied. Yank! A few tears later and a few, "Mommy don't!"'s, the tooth is free from it's gummy prison. I take a round cotton swab and peroxide to the now small hole and she looks at herself in our bathroom mirror. She smiles. Another milestone hit and we discuss the how tos of teeth under pillows and tooth fairies. It was special.

Meanwhile, the youngest has stayed pretty doped up on Baby Tylenol this weekend, due to teething (another, more painful milestone). She leaks clear liquid more than a bad faucet and she's extra needy and winy, poor thing. She's also suffering from a spring cold and when she coughs...well, it's just too bad babies don't know how to cough productively. I'm glad mostly warm weather is here so that she doesn't have to deal with this again anytime soon (well, I'm hopeful she won't).

Besides this, we had a really great weekend as a family. Hubby was off and spent a lot of time with us, but I'm still greedy for more. He goes back into work tomorrow night and I'm just dreading it (but glad he's here with me today). He's currently watching a Goosebumps DVD with our daughter...oh, the bonding. We went shopping this weekend, too and enter our name into a drawing for some electronic goodies. Guess who's name was pulled first? Enchantress wins! I am now the proud owner of a widescreen, portable Memorex DVD player. Woohoo! Road trips will never be the same.

The Schedule Thing, Again

Hubby's schedule...it either makes me sad or pisses me off. I can't find a happy medium with either negative emotion. I guess that's sort of an oxymoron; happy, negative? Well, it just sucks. The graveyard thing throws everything off...family time, intimacy time, chat time, intimacy time, playtime with the kids, and did I mention intimacy time? What a joke! No one should be expected to work during the hours you sleep. Can't the prisoners just book themselves in? Where's the automation for his job, I ask you?

We talk, and it's the roommate thing again. His weekend off is this weekend, and he's got all this weird overtime scheduled. I don't even know when we'll see each other. My oldest is having a carnival at her school on Friday, so I guess I'll pass the time away by taking my girls there. Saturday? No plans. I'll probably do her hair. It's looking like cats fought in it, right about now. Time to put the braids back in.

Speaking of braids, I think I'm done with mine for the warm months. It feels like I'm wearing a dang shawl on my shoulders and I've cut it as much as I can, without it looking strange. I also don't want to have to wash braids everyday with the way I'm working out, now (see my other blog). So, mid-May was when I was going to get them redone. Now, I think I'll just get my perm/relaxer back and wear my ponies and such again for a while. It should be really healthy and long, seeing that I haven't had any sort of chemical on it for a year. I'm anxious to see it in it's relaxed state.

Other than my hubby's sucky schedule, things have calmed down a lot with me. The agency here reviewing us gave us gold stars galore and are on flights home by now. I've finished a huge document I was working on for our IT guys (redesigning a system...something I've never done before, but am having fun doing) and tonight is my daughter's year-end assessment with her teacher. I hope that goes well. She's had trouble keeping her numbers facing the right direction. She can do it, if prompted to but on the initial, she makes her 2's, 5's, 4's and sometimes 3's backwards. We're steadily working on it. All in all, I really can't complain (but I'll probably keep whining about the mate's shift till it changes (hopefully) in August).

I Love the 80's!

Yeah, I think I'm about to come across totally lame here, but I truly do. I find myself missing leg warmers, John Hughes movies of teen angst, the Smurfs, the material girl before marriage and kids...really, that whole Reagan period (okay, not Reagan so much but, you know what I mean). I get so nostalgic sometimes...longing for that time when the worse thing you saw on television were day-glow socks. I especially miss the cartoons (probably because I was a child during the 80's, that along with my current toy fixation, was what I did). Over the weekend, I found a tape with about 6 episodes of Jem and the Holograms. Remember them? My cousin and I would come home from school and watch it and Kids Incorporated. Crazy! I'd forgotten how enamored we were with these girls and how their lives were so important. Truly, it was the first time a cartoon was so like a soap opera.

So, I'm watching a couple of these episodes thinking, "What the heck are they wearing?" and "Why doesn't anyone just have one color of hair?" The stories were still compelling (even to a thirty-year old plus mom) and I wondered, "What has happened to the cartoons of old?" So much of what's on now I don't let my daughter watch, simply because it's just straight up garbage. If there's some substance and she's learning something, fine. (She watches a whole lot of PBS Kids and when we had cable/dish, Noggin and the Disney Channel). Granted, Jem wasn't breaking down any political barriers, but the stories were well told, had intrigue, and produced a lesson. The same could be said for even softer cartoons like Strawberry Shortcake and the Care Bears or harder ones like G.I. Joe and the Transformers (I watched those, too.) My hubby is a big fan of the Thundercats and can often be heard saying (when he's feeling really full of himself); "Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats...ho!" (Yeah, pretty comical)

My daughter watched a bit with me and seemed to get the stories, okay. She was really entranced by the music. Oh, the two-minute videos...priceless! The singing isn't horrible, either. I might grab these up for her once Sony gets it together and does a rerelease. Right now, the Rhino versions are the only ones out (out-of-print) and you can pay upwards of $100 for one season. Geesh!

I've purchased Punky Brewster (both seasons) for her and she loves them. Plus, they're wholesome and cute and it's a great tribute to girls and their individuality. If we'd let her, she'd watch Punky all day. Well, I want her to gain something, not fry her brain.

There must be enough of us (80's lovers) yelling for this stuff because, just from scanning the web, there are cult followings everywhere! Remakes have happened, already, with Strawberry Shortcake and (recently) I saw pictures of a new, revamped Holly Hobby. They are both trendier looking (not so dowdy).

I love the music of the 80's, too. AND, I actually remember when MTV played music videos all day and the videos were artistic or at least, creative. Okay, I'm going to stop now because I'm starting to feel really old. (lol)

...just for the heck of it - Tag, your it!

Q: What’s your main ringtone on your phone?A: It was "Prototype" by Outkast but, I changed phones and now all I have are the goofy, preprogrammed songs and no way to download others with the carrier I have. It's called Tumbao, whatever that means.
Q: Whose bed did you sleep in last night?A: The marriage bed, of course (alas, no husband was there with me.)
Q. Most recent movie that you watched?A: Aeon Flux
Q: Name 3 things that you have on you at all times?A: my cell phone, KL or White Diamonds perfume, my skin (lol)
Q: What’s the color of your bedsheets?A: Leopard print, but we change them out about every two months.
Q: How much cash do you have on you right now?A: like, $2. I never have cash on me.
Q: What is your favorite part of the chicken?A: breasts and legs
Q: What’s your favorite town/city?A: Oceaside, CA and ATL
Q: I can’t wait to (till)…?A: Work is over. I'm so bored today! Won't have much to do, until my meeting
Q: When was the last time you saw your mom?A: At 6.30 pm last night
Q: When was the last time you saw your dad?A: Mother's Day, 2005
Q: When was the last time you talked to them?A: My mother? This morning around 8ish. My dad? Who knows.
Q: What did you have for dinner last night?A: Slow cooker, BBQ Stew...ummm.
Q: How long have you been at your current job?A: a little over five
Q: Look to your left. What’s there?A: Two empty cubies. They look so lonely.
Q: Who is the last person you spent over $50 on?A: My daughter (summer clothes)
Q: What’s the last piece of clothing you borrowed from someone?A: My hubby. I wanted to actually wear clothes to bed last night, so I wore his tank top - "Everybody Loves Dees Nuts" Love it!
Q: What website(s) do you visit the most during the day?A: Yahoo, google, comcast, "Reload", "Maintainsane", "Bruthacode","humanity critic",(my work site), Netscape, and probably a host more that I haven't named.
Q: Do you have an air freshener in your car?A: Well, the carpet cleaner has a nice sent, but no air freshner these days (have to be careful what "scents" are around the kids.
Q: Do you have plants in your room?A: Uh, no. I have cats and they try to eat everything. I do have a beauitful bunch of roses on my kitchen table that hubby got me (pink with red accents).
Q: Does anything hurt on your body right now?A: My damn feet. These heels are killing me! We usually dress borderline pajamas at my work, so this is a bit uncomfortable.
Q:What city was your last taxi cab ride in?A: Huh! I've never been in a cab, believe that?!
Q: Do you own a camera phone?A: Nah. If I wanna take pictures, I'll use a real camera.
Q: What’s your favorite drink?A: I'm digging Bahama Mamas and, just recently, Hurricanes. Umm...they make me happy.
Q: Recent time you were really upset?A: My oldest makes me wanna snatch her up most days. Is a five year old supposed to be that devious?
Q: Have you been in love with anyone?A: I have and I am. Some days he pisses me the hell off but, I still love him dearly.

First of the Month, First of the Week

What I'm wearing - a pin striped suit (top and skirt) with 3 inch sandals
What I'm listening too, right now - The theme to "Foxy Brown" by Willie Hutch (I'm totally feeling "foxy")
What I'm eating - South Beach breakfast wrap (Denver omelet)
What I'm drinking - A thirty-two ounce mug of carb options tea (no calorie water/flavored)
Idea on my mind - Focus on the prize...you're going to be fabulous again before you know it!

So, Thursday afternoon, I went to the nail salon and got the hands done. It was definitely worth the $30 (tip and gel seal included) to get my hands looking good again. Hubby loves it and when I got home, he'd purchased a new ring for my lovely hands. What a sweetheart! I think it's a citrine. It's probably 7 or 8 carats...huge, and gorgeous. I ordered a mystic topaz from eBay that should also be stunning. I love jewelry; fake or real, it doesn't really matter to me. As long as it's beautiful.

After I got home from the nail appointment, we washed cars and got them looking spring-ready. It's amazing the crap that accumulates under one's car seats during the winter. Some items were totally unidentifiable. Ewww! I think we took the weather for granted because my girls were not doing well on Friday. They both had the sniffles and my oldest was coughing and wheezing like crazy. I finally had her sit in my bathroom with the shower on it's hottest setting (for the steam). She was instructed to take a lot of deep breaths. Afterwards, I gave her some proventil and had her rest on the couch. That made a huge difference in how she was feeling. Indy seemed to get over it just as fast as she got it. Wow, the difference in my kids...even in their health.

Saturday, I went grocery shopping for the week. My motivation had returned some and I was gearing up for doing my menus again. That way, there's no way to eat unless you cook. Aside from that, there are only healthy snacks. When my mother-in-law comes to visit, I have a feeling she's going to say, "Ya'll don't have any food," simply because we don't have the things normal people eat like chips, candy, cookies, and pig's feet. (Oh, those probably aren't normal to everyone)

Sunday, I got up and preped our meal for the day - a slow cooked barbecue stew. We went to church, came home (it's amazing how a crockpot can make your house smell so good) and I made breakfast. After which, we all took a nap. It was so nice to get a little extra sleep in. Most times, I try to get things done that I can't get done when the kids are awake. This time, I slept and I was grateful. Once we woke up, I finished preparing the dinner and we sat down to eat. Wonderful! That's one I'll be doing again.

Today, we're in the midst of being "reviewed" by a national agency (hence the pin-stripe suit and heals). My department's meeting is later this afternoon at 3:00. I'll probably get nervous at around 2:50...just before showtime...typical for me.

I hope to get on the elliptical or treadmill tonight. Truly, I don't like working out in the evening, but until Indy is sleeping all the way through, I really don't have a choice. Patience is a virtue, right?