Happy New Year

I'm sure 2012 will be the year of uncertainty.  Long story short, lots of big changes are on the way, some we know about and maybe some we don't.  My brain hurts thinking of all that we have to do these first two months, and all that will be happening after the move.

*I apologize in advance if I appear to have fallen off the face of the planet within the course of the next few months.  I'm here, really.  There are a bunch of things on my plate and I'm stressed, that's all.

I still can't believe 2011 is almost gone.  It's been a long AND short year... if that's possible.  It seems like forever ago that I was skiing in Tahoe with my brother and sister, yet it doesn't seem too long ago that we moved to CT.  I already know what to expect with 2012 as far as our schedule, for the most part... I just hope that this year I can get that feeling of being settled and rooted somewhere. 

I suppose I should make some resolutions... after all, isn't that what New Year's is partly about?  So here goes:

1. Get healthy.  I wouldn't say I'm unhealthy, but I would definitely like to reduce my body fat percentage, gain muscle (NOT easy for me), and work on my flexibility.

2. Revise my expectations.  I think the majority of my stress stems from unrealistic expectations of people.

3. Take up some hobbies that are more easily accomplished with having children around.  My kid-unfriendly hobbies, like practicing my flute or fussy baking (YOU, chocolate cream pie) or uninterrupted reading, will have to be done when they are in preschool or in bed.  But while they are awake, I can't solely be "mommy".  I need to have something for myself, but something that allows me to also tend to the boys.  Hm.

4. Bake a husband-approved chocolate cream pie.

5. Save, save, save.  Of course, that's an ongoing project, but since we will be living in the same spot for several years, I'd like to keep crazy couponing.

6. Put more focus on myself.  Hubby pointed out the other day that I get so wrapped up in the things I feel like I have to do that I forget about myself.  It's true- days will go by without so much as a shower.  Just like it's not good to neglect your childrens' needs, it also not good to neglect your own.  That's something that I really need to work on.

Happy 2012, everyone!

Break

Taking a break, guys.  Happy holidays and happy new year!  I'll see you all in 2012!

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #66

1. One of my New Year’s resolutions is  to get into shape.  I originally typed "lose weight", but honestly, I don't care if I'm size whatever, I just want to have good muscle tone and be healthy.  And by working out, I think the weight thing will take care of itself.
2. One thing I’d like to happen next year is solidify a schedule to attain answer #1, meaning find child care for the boys in whatever fashion (preschool, hourly care, sitter, etc) and start participating in activities I find enjoyable again.
3. One thing I’m looking forward to next year is the move.  No, I'm not happy Hubby is back on sea duty.  No, I'm not looking forward to being the new kid on the block again.  No, I'm not thrilled about making a second cross country move in under a year with two preschoolers.  However, I'm very excited to be living in one spot for three years.  I just want to be able to plan for the near future, like being able to plant flowers and enjoying them the following spring, or having some kind of annual tradition that we can actually keep, like going to the county fair.  I'm a big fan of traditions- I think they strengthen a family.
4. One change I’d like to see next year is the Kardashians not being all over every single media outlet.  Really, who cares about these people any more??
5. My plans for NYE include Hubby.  That's the only detail I care about!  But so far, I have no idea what we'll be doing.

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope you are all getting ready for the holidays!  Head on over to Wife of a Sailor to link up!

Couponing win!

This week, I managed to score:

1. A free box of Centrum ProNutrients at CVS, valued at $10.
2. A free box of Duraflame logs at CVS, valued at $27 (they had a BOGO sale).
3. A free box of One-A-Day Men's Pro Edge Multivitamins at CVS, valued at $10.
4. A free container of Eucerin lotion at Target.
5. Three almost-free packages of Reach floss at Target.
6. An almost-free tube of Carmex lip balm at Walgreens.

Not-so-good deals were Pepto Bismol and rechargeable batteries, but they were needed.  Overall, I think I saved just as much I spent, but it was work, since those batteries are flipping expensive (better for the environment, though).  The vitamins will come in really handy on deployment, if Hubby hasn't used them all by then!  And, of course with winter upon us, the Duraflames will most certainly be used up before we move (that's in 12 weeks, omg!!!!!).

How about everyone else?  Any good deals out there?

Santa's naughty list

Congrats AT&T, you've made my shit list just in time for Christmas!  Go eff yourselves!  :)

Want to do it all

I have a problem- WA is proving to be ridiculously entertaining for me, and I'm having a hard time narrowing down what to do.  I want to do everything! 

I know, it's a really stupid problem, and I'm thankful that's what I'm worrying about.  But there's so much that I want to do when we get there:

1. Community band.  I want to perform again.
2. Springboard diving lessons.  The prospect of leaping off the springboard, flipping through the air, and landing headfirst into really deep water is making me drool.
3. YMCA.  Not only do they have a military discount and free classes, they also have a child care on site.  And, it's not that expensive. 
4. Possibly find a dojo.  Again, the prospect of kicking and punching people is making me drool.
5. Ski. Duh.

Of course, most of this is dependent on finding a sitter, since most of these activities are offered at night.  The YMCA is probably going to be my best bet, since I can work out while the boys are being watched right in the same building.  But karate, diving, and music are things that I reeeeeeeally want to do!

I'm finding it hard to realize that I actually want to do stuff.  For Hubby, it's easy- I'm a SAHM.  If he wants to go do something, he knows I'll be here with the kids.  But I can't expect the same from him.  There's no one to watch the kids if he's deployed.  So I'm going to have to do some serious sitter searching after we get there. 

MFF #66

1. My favorite song of the season is You're A Mean One, Mr Grinch, because I love the Grinch movie (I, however, am not a grinch- I just think it's a fantastic song) .
2. Martha Stewart is someone who inspires me because she's friggin Martha.  She's neurotic and a perfectionist and makes you feel inferior and hopeful at the same time .
3. If I had $100,000 to give to a charity, I’d give it to the MDA... RIP, Michael.  As it is, I donate to them every year, but it would be so kickass to have $100K to give to them .
4. If I had a theme party, I’d make it a D-list celebrity party.... dress as your favorite has-been .
5. If I had one wish for my kids/future kids/some young person I care about, it would be just be happy.  I don't care what or who or where makes you happy, as long as you find it .

Random Thursday stuff

My boys... they are the most adorable.  I love them.

There's two inches of water in my basement.  There wasn't any water after Hubby fixed the gutters, but since the siding guys replaced effed them all to hell, everything down there is wet.  Hooray!

Couldn't figure out why I had been looking more and more ragged lately, until I realized that I hadn't plucked my eyebrows in over a month.  Really, nothing perks up your looks like groomed brows.

I cut snowflakes out of copy paper and taped them to the windows, using Martha Stewart's folding technique.  Everything that woman does is pretty amazing- they came out damn good.

Still searching for a fitting blog template... can't decide if I want to go girly, or simple, or my fave color red.  Hm.

I've been a couponing fiend.  At Walmart, I got two bottles of Excedrin Back & Body for free.  I think I might put one in my Dad's stocking this Christmas.  :) 

My NJ friend Maggie & her hubby just had their first baby this week!!  Can't wait to meet the little guy!

Getting my charity on and donating to a lot of causes this year.  I feel very fortunate to have what I have, and I also want to teach the boys that giving is just as fun as receiving... I know, it'll be a hard lesson for two preschoolers, but someday it'll sink in... I hope.

I'm going to see the Nutcracker Saturday night.  Can't wait- I haven't been to the ballet in years!

We found a house in WA.  Ironically, the Nav of the blue crew & his wife are living there, and will be PCSing out just around the same time we are PCSing in, so Hubby could report to the gold crew of the same boat.  Small world.  Now I just need to find a good preschool, although I think it'll be hard to live up to the one LB is currently enrolled in.

Really looking forward to this Christmas!  :)

Happy Random Thursday!

Pardon my laughter

LB's psych observed him at preschool today.  He started the day very grouchy and very "LB-like"... I was almost thankful that he had a difficult day, so his psych could see him at his worst.  And she did.  As the teacher put it, "She saw a lot today!"

I had to laugh.  What else can I do?

Temporary

I've revamped my blog after checking out Iron & Wine's new changes.  You inspire me, Taryn!  It won't stay this way, because I'm still searching for something more suitable, but for now, I'm hoping it inspires calm in me when I see it, because I sure need it!  :)

Wits End

God doesn't give you anything you can't handle.

That's what people tell me.  But I'm having a hard time believing it about LB because there are days when I simply want to walk away.

It was difficult to decide to post about this.  I don't want people to think I don't love my son- I do.  And I don't want to hear how horrible it is that I feel and think this way- I already beat myself up over it.  But this little person is wrecking havoc on my life, affecting my health and my sanity and my family.

LB has been sent home early every single day from preschool since the second day.  Sometimes, he'll stay a half hour out of the three hours.  Other days, he'll make it two and a half hours.  I've also been taking him to see a psychologist, which I initially thought was a little ridiculous, until she and the preschool director said exactly what I was thinking about him.

"I think LB is exhibiting some sensory processing disorder symptoms."

If you've never heard of it, click the link.   It describes LB perfectly.  And the most accurate symptom is his inconsistency in behavior, which makes it all that much harder to deal with him.  Are we going to have a good day or a shitty day?  Can I go run those errands, or will we be house-bound because of his insane anger and aggression?  Will the blue rocket ship cart be available at the commissary, or will we have an epic meltdown because we had to take the red one?  Or will he be perfectly fine with taking the red one?

I feel like I'm constantly walking on eggshells around this kid, never knowing what is going to make him blow up.  Everything is a battle- clothes, personal hygiene, what activities we're going to do that day, what he eats, how he interacts with people (a biggie for him), etc.  He's been this way ever since he was an infant and I'm feeling extremely burned out from it.  Imagine getting shit on for four years straight and you have no idea why.  There are some days when I wish I never had children in the first place, when I feel like I was definitely not cut out for this kind of parenting.

I don't necessarily wish that it was easier.  I know parenting is hard, whether you have a normal kid or one with needs.  I just wish I knew what to expect on a daily basis.  It's pretty easy to know what to expect with JC.  He'll have bad days and good days, but I generally know what to do with that.  In LB's case, nothing works for him.  I've tried all kinds of parenting strategies, discipline strategies, etc, and nothing is improving his behavior.  In fact, some of the strategies suggested to me have actually made his outbursts worse.  I can tell the preschool director is having a hard time with him, too.  I get the feeling that she thinks I'm not the kind of parent that I am- she gave some parenting advice in the beginning, but hasn't said much about that when she realized that even her professional approaches won't produce the proper behavior from LB.

We're going to start occupational therapy soon, if our PCM ever takes me seriously and gets back to me.  She hasn't called since October, so I finally just booked an appointment... if she won't take the time to call me, then I will waste her time with an unnecessary appointment.  Definitely disappointed in the steps the medical clinic is taking to help him, and ultimately our family, out. 

It sounds horrible, but I feel a lot of resentment toward LB.  I know I wasn't the perfect child, but I'm a good person.  I've tried to do lots of good things in life, and I feel very much cheated by having a child that wasn't as obedient as I was.  I don't feel like I deserve to have a hard parenthood and am very angry that I do.  I know, it's a selfish thing to think, but I just can't help myself.  I've even started to think that maybe he has Aspergers syndrome.  I just can't imagine why else he wouldn't be able to hold a meaningful conversation, or not care about making friends, or prefer to play alone, or is unable to name more than two people in his preschool class of 19 other kids.

When Hubby gets home, I'm usually so burned out from dealing with LB that I'm in a horrible mood.  That doesn't bode well for a good marriage, but fortunately he's very understanding.  And we do have some adult time after the kids are in bed, which is also a plus.

Now, this post isn't a plea for advice.  I've really tried everything (besides prescription medication, which Hubby and I are not pursuing): changing his diet, consistent bedtimes, consistent routines throughout the day, positive parenting, ignoring bad behavior, offering choices, etc.  I'm just posting to vent my feelings about the whole thing.

It's an understatement to say that parenting LB has been difficult.  He can be a very sweet, adorable little boy, and he's bright as hell, but there's something about him that makes me want to scream, "What is wrong with you??!!"  It's taken a toll on my body- I'm so infuriated by him just about every day that I'm reaching for crap to eat.  I lack any energy to go to the gym after being with him all day long.  And because he must destroy the house at every chance he gets, I don't get to shower often (really... I think last week, I showered once and that was because it was Thanksgiving and I knew I would be around people and didn't want to stink).

Thanks for reading, if you've made it all the way through.  I just had to get it out.

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #65

1. If I could be on any reality TV show, I’d want to be on  The Biggest Loser because I want to train with Jillian Michaels .
2. This past Thanksgiving was  not as painful as I thought it was going to be... but the chocolate cream pie DID turn out horribly .
3. I’m looking forward to December because it's one step closer to PCS... I just want to live in one spot for awhile .
4. One thing I’d like to accomplish this month is  surprise Hubby with something... he logged into my Amazon account and found the DVD of Top Gear that I ordered for him .
5. To me, winter is  snow and fires and hot chocolate .

Not in a great mood right now... maybe I'll post about it soon.

Never again.

I really didn't think it would be that bad.  After all, LB had been to the commissary.  JC had been to the commissary.  They have gone together, in one of those kid-friendly rocket ship carts.  But I think those days are over... no, I know those days are over.

Today was the most humiliating trip to the commissary I've ever experienced.  After getting the requisite rocket ship cart, we entered into the produce department.  Despite pointing out that there were two steering wheels, the boys immediately starting pushing each other and fighting.  I should have stopped right there.  I should have left the empty cart in the middle of the aisle.  I've done it before, it's no big deal.  But I pushed on, because we were low on milk and eggs and veggies and fruit, etc.

By the end of the produce aisle, after only chipping away at my list slightly, there was yelling and crying and general arguing going on.  I still pressed on, determined to get the olive oil and milk on my list.  By the end of the shopping, both boys were behaving so terribly that I had begun to lose my mind and was haphazardly throwing random stuff in my cart (Frozen ravioli?  Sure!  Two packages of Ziploc bags?  Sure!  Batteries?  Why the hell not!).

But my embarrassing nightmare didn't end there.  Since we had that stupid rocket ship cart, which only fits down handicapped aisles, we had to wait behind a line of no less than five people.  That was the tipping point.  There was hair pulling and biting and huge tears.  I tried my best to intervene, but ended up taking LB out of the cart after he bit JC's hand.  Then, LB threw one of the biggest, hyperventilating tantrums I've ever seen a kid throw. 

One cashier must have felt sorry for me (or was just plain sick of listening to the screeching... I, for one, was) and opened another check out lane just for me.  She said she had four children, but that's all I remember hearing.  I don't even remember the check out at all.  I was grasping LB's arm, lest he kick another cashier, or punch another bagger, or bang his head on the ground.  I remember handing over my credit card and tipping the bagger.  That's about it.

(May I remind you, my readers, that this child is nearly four years old and still throwing the most horrific temper tantrums known to man?)

On the way home, I was feeling the grips of sanity slip away, so I self-medicated with a Crunchwrap Supreme and a root beer (oh, how I wished it was a real beer).  Shut it, Jillian Michaels, it was tasty and I deserved it.  Once we arrived at home, both boys went immediately to their rooms and have been there all afternoon... I'm pretty sure they're both sleeping now.

I, however, have been in a foul mood ever since and feel the need to punch the world in the nuts.  So, I'm asking you, my readers, to please provide a horrific tale of your children / nephew / niece / dog / whatever so I can feel a little bit better knowing that my children aren't the only ones capable of making me curl up into the fetal position, wishing for the day to just be over already. 

More fail

My 3 year old just accused me of being Santa.  I told him that Mommy and Daddy will buy him a Christmas present, but Santa brings the other presents.

"But you're Santa, Mommy."

*sigh*  Parenting FAIL.

I did straighten things out ("Mommy doesn't have a red suit, right?  Mommy doesn't grow a beard, right?... Kid, don't answer that one... Mommy doesn't wear a Santa hat, right?"..... "Hmmmm.... yeah, okay!"), but it broke my mommy heart.

Gee, this holiday season is full of fail!

First, it started with Halloween, when JC wouldn't wear the hat for his pumpkin costume and wouldn't let me stuff it.  He ended up looking like a deflated jack-o-lantern, but whatever.

Then, for Thanksgiving, that stupid chocolate cream pie, which should be renamed chocolate cream soup... or perhaps should just never be mentioned again.

Now, my stocking stuffers (which I stupidly decided should be homemade) are not coming together nicely.  I can't go into detail, since some of my readers will be receiving them, but don't you worry, I will try again!

I guess I shouldn't dwell on the stuff that failed.  Our shopping is done, and except for a few deliveries, all the presents are wrapped.  I do have to get Hubby a gift, but thankfully I have some time to find what I'm looking for.  And, our tree is all put up and the house is (for the most part) decorated.

How is everyone else's holiday season shaping up??

Chocolate cream pie, why must you ruin my Thanksgiving??

Turkey Day went very well this year.  We had an enormous bird, and all the sides turned out great.  Even the turkey cupcakes were a hit with the kids.  But that stupid bane-of-my-existence chocolate cream pie totally flopped.

Like, literally.  It didn't even set enough to qualify as pudding.  The top had thicken a little, but when I cut into it, it oozed everywhere.  So disappointing!!  :(  It's Hubby's favorite dessert, and somehow every single damn year, I manage to mess it up.  I've tried countless recipes, all of which do not meet Husband Approval (and some, for very good reason... like this year's pie).  I still have not come to terms with my inability to make one.  I will.  I will make one.  And it will be delicious.

I think I've become a little bit neurotic and obsessive about it.  I told Hubby that I will be baking a pie every single day in December until it comes out right.  I am just that determined to not be defeated by something which should be so ridiculously simple.

Anyway, the sweet potatoes were my favorite!  Mashed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and agave.... sooooo yummy!  And thankfully, after having to scrap the first one from using the wrong kind of canned milk, the pumpkin pie turned out delicious, too.  Overall, I think the food was very good!

Hubby's mom, sister, and the kiddos came over, and the boys were really loving that!  LB had a little bit of a tough time sharing, but intervening seemed to help before things escalated.  I also came up with a bubble theory for him.  He hasn't quite grasped the concept of "personal space", so I told him to pretend that everyone is inside their own bubble.  That's their space, and you can enter their bubble when they ask you to.  I'm not sure if it's sunk in, but he really seemed to like the whole bubble analogy.

Last night, Hubby did the whole Black Friday thing, and he was good!  We're all done, except for small stocking stuffers, which won't be hard to find.  It's nice to get that knocked out early, since we'll be looking at a PCS after the holidays (going to ship our car, ugh.... it's the best choice, but the most expensive one).

Now, he's fast asleep after being up all night, and the kiddos and I will be getting the house all decorated for Christmas, yay!  :)  I'm very excited for this year- we got the boys a few things that they have been talking about for months.  Can't wait to see their faces when they unwrap them Christmas morning.  :)

I hope you all had good Thanksgivings!!!  Except you, GA, because I know that you were sick, therefore not having a good day (why must 2011 mess up all your fave holidays??).  But I hope the tryptophan helped you recover!

Apparently, I party harder than Stephen Baldwin.

So, my NYC weekend- it was eventful!  And very fun.  I began the trip by meeting my sister after she got out of work and having dinner with one of her coworkers, R-jaya.  We all talked and laugh and had a good time.  R-jaya is very fun to hang out with and has a really good head on his shoulders.  After dinner, T and I went to see Wicked, my Christmas present from Hubby!  It was fantastic... unbelievable.  The singing, the set, the costumes, everything was amazing!  And I loved the little references to the Wizard of Oz- very nice touch. 

Saturday, we met up with Y and her son for brunch, then let the little guy roam around Central Park for a bit.  He's a really cute baby, and eats so much!  I guess I'm just used to my little picky birds, but he seemed to love everything on the table.  T and I went shopping for a bit and I met her boyfriend, Elephant, for the first time.  After T's string of bad boys (and not bad in a good way, but really just assholes), I was so excited to see if he was a nice, normal guy, and he was.  I approve.  :)  For the rest of the afternoon, we went to a convention center that was featuring AKC show dogs.  You could interact and pet all the breeds!  So cute- I loved the German Shepherd.  And I visited the Akita booth just for GA.  :)

Saturday night was very interesting.  T and I met up with some of her friends and we went to eat at a tapas place.  Maybe I'm totally spoiled because I've had tapas in Spain, but they were not very authentic.  Same with the sangria... a little too... American.  Anyway, after dinner, we went to the Sullivan Room, which had some house music and a few people break dancing.  So fun!  I had my first vodka and Red Bull... um, actually I had, like, six.  They didn't hit me until it was too late, and I knew I was in for a rough night.  When we left, we got a slice of pizza.  I used the bathroom there, then totally puked.  Ugh, I know, gross.  My sister was right with me, thank god, because she prevented me from peeing on my pants (I don't know why I thought I could pee standing up).  The cab ride home was a blur to me, but I do remember puking again as soon as I opened the door.  Needless to say, I won't be having vodka & Red Bulls for awhile.

Sunday was a late morning.  T's boyfriend had stayed the night, so the three of us ate brunch, then took off for downtown.  On the way downtown, Elephant told us that while we were in the bathroom at the pizza place last night, Stephen Baldwin was waiting outside the bathroom door.  We were taking so long that he ordered a slice of pizza and left.  Stephen Baldwin... one of the most party-hardy guys of Hollywood, was waiting on me to finish puking.  So the joke for the rest of the day was that "you know you've hit rock bottom when your partying is interfering with Stephen Baldwin's." 

T had a surprise that afternoon- she took me to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and got us both hot stone manicures.  So relaxing.  They had these huge chairs that resembled chaise lounges... I think she and I laid there for an hour talking!  After that was done, we did a little West Elm shopping, then headed back for her place so I could head home. 

Overall, super fun weekend!  I checked a bunch of things off my bucket list- saw Wicked, partied like a rock star in NYC, strolled through Central Park, pet show dogs, got a super swanky spa treatment, and met my sister's friends (finally!).  I could have done without the vodka, but surprisingly I didn't feel that terrible the next day.  I'd post pictures, but wouldn't you believe that I forgot the camera in her apartment the entire weekend??  I think she took some cell pics, so if I get those, I'll post them. 

I hope you all had a good weekend!  :)

Happy Friday!!

I am about to embark on a super-fun weekend with my sister, yay!!  I'm sure I'll have plenty to say and show you all when I get back, so have a happy weekend!

What a half hour can do

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Much happier.  Side note, I need a trim.

What can you do in a half hour?

Jinxed myself

I recently wrote a post about how I wish I had our house back, that I was sick of the banging done by the siding guys.  That's all done with, and it looks beautiful, and it certainly is warmer in here, but I had to laugh at this.

We had a plumber come to take a look at the pipes in the basement.  Something about containing the asbestos.  The guy was down there maybe two minutes and said, "No friggin way, I'm not touching that stuff."  Our landlord hired an environmental clean-up team who stopped by today.  They said there was more work to be done than originally thought, and that we will probably have to leave the house for several days while they work.

So yes, I got my house back, only to be told that I can't live here.  Oh, the irony.

What if...

What If....

Stole this from Flip Flops and Combat Boots- check out her blog!

What if I were to get pregnant?

I would laugh hysterically.

What if I could have any job in the universe?

Hm, I'd pick one that lets me do something amazing while getting paid a ridiculous amount of money... probably Anthony Bourdain's job.

What if I had the day to myself?

I don't know what I would do- it's just never an option for me!  I'd probably do the kind of shopping that preschoolers can't, like Yankee Candle (have you ever taken two preschoolers to a Yankee Candle?  I'm surprised they didn't break everything in the store).  Maybe get a massage.  Definitely go do something I've never done before or go visit someplace like NYC.

What if I could get married all over again?

Well, I'd certainly keep the groom!  :)  But I don't think I'd change much... except the bridesmaid dresses.  I'd probably just give them the color and let them pick what they wanted to wear (per my approval, of course).

What if I could live anywhere in the US?

Wow, I get to actually decide where to live?  The government doesn't dictate it for me?  I can't imagine, haha.  Probably someplace on the east coast.  It really feels like home every time we're stationed here.

What if you could have any talent in the world?

I've always wondered what it would be like to be the strongest woman on the planet.  I'd totally kick some ass.

What if you met me in real life?

You'd find out how much of a geek I really am!

What if I went back to school?

It's a real possibility.  Probably accounting, although I have this idea of being an ultrasound technician. Can't decide... accounting would make me more money (I think), but lately I keep coming back to ultrasound technology.  Any thoughts??

What if money weren't an object?

I'd travel EVERYWHERE and Hubby would get out of the Navy and we'd just live our lives.

What if I could meet one celebrity?

Brad Pitt- I want to see if he's as handsome in real life, or if it's just good lighting and good photography.

What if I could shop at one store for the rest of my life?

White House Black Market... I kinda need the body first, but if I had a butt ton of money, that would be much easier to accomplish.  I hope this doesn't include groceries...

What if I could choose any pet?

I love dogs, but given our present situation of moving all the friggin time, I can't see it happening until Hubby gets out of the Navy.  So right now, no pets.  But eventually, definitely a dog.

What if I could go on a trip right now?
Europe.  ANYWHERE in Europe.  Especially Italy or London. 

What if I had to choose between a house cleaner and professional chef?

No question, house cleaner.  With these two boys who barely eat but make huge messes, that would be the best choice.

What if I had the option to get plastic surgery?

I'd get a nose job and a tummy tuck.  The tummy tuck is out of necessity, really.  But the nose job is totally vain, although something I'd been considering since high school.

Husband may be outta town, but my bed's not empty

Get your mind outta the gutter- it's not what you think!

The boys both have croup.  JC is only running a fever, but LB's voice is totally shot in addition to a fever, and his breathing sounds like he should be on a ventilator.  They've been like this since Tuesday, so I figured they'd get better soon.

Wrong.

Hubby went to NYC Friday morning to visit some friends this weekend.  When he's gone & the boys are in bed, I relish in watching brainless TV or fluff movies, sipping some tea or hot chocolate in peace, and enjoying the silence of the house.  I have zero guilt about being completely selfish with my time.  But last night was not what I was expecting.

I was getting into a Friends marathon on TV when I heard LB's barking cough.  Then, I heard his little, squeaking voice, "Mommy!  Help me!  I'm scared!"

I knew that my me-night was over, but didn't realize to what degree.  I turned off the TV, put my mug on the table, and went into his room.  I snuggled with him and rubbed his back.  When I tried to leave, he flipped out and clung to me, so I decided to stay in his bed until he fell asleep.  Two hours later, I carefully left his room, got into my pjs, and flopped into my bed. 

Sometime around midnight, I heard him coughing and crying again, but this time he was making his way to my room.  He climbed into bed with me and stayed there until 9:30am this morning.

It was really sweet.  This little boy who hates physical affection and never wants to be hugged or held actually wanted to snuggle with me.  And even though his preferred position for a few hours was laying across my neck, I loved it.  He took a potty break, and when I carried him back to bed, he clung to my chest and fell asleep right where he was. 

I thought about when I was little and sick with strep (which was all the friggin time).  I'd lay on my dad's chest like that, and it was the most comfortable place in the entire world.  It really made me happy that I could comfort him like my dad used to comfort me.

It was 9:37am when we all finally woke up / decided to get up.  A long night, but a very affectionate one.  We'll see how tonight goes when Hubby is back- I'm thinking three's gonna be a crowd!

Angry Bitch Mode, activated!!!

It takes a lot to get me angry.... hahaha, who am I kidding, it really doesn't take much.  But it does take a lot for me to yell at a complete stranger.  So when AT&T decided to play hardball with me over the phone this morning, I was fully prepared to morph into Angry Bitch mode.

Where's my mask and cape?

After about an hour of yelling and arguing and general unpleasantness, I finally spoke to Ann, who is the only one that didn't sound like she lived in Pakistan, and the only one who spoke like a human being, instead of spitting out prefabricated responses like some robot.  She listened to my argument as a whole, not just my current situation, and realized that I was wrongfully charged $149.  I really hope someone does something nice for her!

It's sad to think that "customer service" is neither for the customer, nor actual service.  It's really just a living machine, regurgitating policies in an attempt to assuage the people they are robbing.  But fortunately I have someone in my corner to fight for me....

ANGRY BITCH MODE TO THE RESCUE!!!!  FIGHT FOR JUSTICE!!!!

(I think I've been watching too much Power Rangers Samurai...)

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #64

1. Freedom is the ability to protest those that gave it to you.  Thank a soldier, don't spit on them.
2. Veterans are often not recognized in a way that reflects their sacrifice.
3. This country is full of successes and pitfalls... hopefully those pitfalls (*ahem* theeducationalsystem *ahem) can be remedied.
4. Veteran’s Day means taking a moment to thank all that have served in the US military.
5. A hero is "hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good of all humanity", courtesy of Wikipedia... that really sums it up.  By the way, Wikipedia felt the need to add this disclaimer: "Not to be confused with heroin."  Really, Wikipedia, really....

Happy Veteran's Day, everyone- please take the time to thank a serviceman.  And if you're married to one, head over to Wife of a Sailor to link up!

*Special thank you to: my Grandpa S, who served in the US Army in WWII and earned a purple heart; my Grandpa B, who served in the US Army as a medic; my Uncle J, who served with the US Army in Desert Storm; my Pepere-in-law, who served with the US Navy in WWII; my Uncle-in-law B, who served with the US Army in Viet Nam; my Uncles-in-law T, P, & C, who all served in the US Navy; and, of course, my most favorite serviceman, my hubby, who has served in the US Navy for 16 years!   Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything that you have done for me, my family, my friends, and my country!!

Gloomy

Today's not the best day.  Five years ago would have been our first child's birthday.  I still think about it, what went wrong and why.  I clearly remember everything about those days, from the two pink lines to the bottle of vicodin.  I still harbor anger toward Charleston Naval Hospital, and it's something I just can't let go.  And now, on every November 10th, I think about what would have been.

The most ridiculous mail ever

Envelope #1: Credit card offer with a particular bank.  Funny, because we already have that exact credit card with them.

Envelope #2: Another credit card offer for a Cincinnati Reds card, with the slogan of "Nobody's a bigger Reds fan than you!"... uh, we already bank with you, and we're Red Sox fans.

D'oh!

Can I have my house back now?

Granted, all this work was very much needed, but I'm getting sick of having people work on the house.

For the past week, we've had the siding replaced.  They also put up insulation (because there was none!), which meant LOTS of banging on our walls, from 7:30am to 5pm, every day.  Which meant, no nap for the little guy.  But, it did mean a much warmer house.

We also had someone clean and inspect our furnace, which wasn't bad, but he was dirty and the house kinda smelled like heating oil after he left.

Today, a plumber will be here, for who knows what.  Hubby set this appointment up.  And he'll be here at 5pm, just when the siding guys leave.

*sigh* I know old houses need work, but just once I'd like to have some quiet (with two preschoolers, ha, fat chance) and some privacy.  I had to wake up with Hubby just to get a shower in before the siding guys set up camp in our backyard... which is where the bathroom faces.  I can only imagine getting out of the shower and seeing several men outside the window.

Adventures in couponing

Walgreens

Glade Sense & Spray: $6.99 + $1 in-store coupon + $3 MC = $2.99
Zarbee's Children's Cold Drink: $8.99 + $1 in-store coupon + $1 MC = $6.99 (their website has it listed for $8.49, so I spent a tiny bit more than I anticipated)
Breathe Right strips, 10 ct: $6.29 + $2 in-store coupon + $2 MC = $2.29
Pediasure Sidekicks: $6.99 + $1 in-store coupon + $1 MC = $4.99

CVS (1st order)

Schick Quattro for Women: $8.99 + $2 MC = $6.99 + $4 Extra Bucks
Crest Pro Health Sensitive: $2.99 + $1 MC = $1.99 + $1 Extra Bucks

CVS (2nd order)

3 Trident Layers gum: 3/$3 + $1 MC = 3/$2, or $.66 each
Colgate for Kids: 2/$3 + $1 MC = 2/$2, or $1 each
Swiffer Dry Refills: $3.99 + $2 MC = $1.99
Swiffer Wet Refills: $3.99 + $2 MC = $1.99
PLUS, $5 in Extra Bucks from my previous order... this order came to just over $3, with a savings of $21.69!  By far the best deal today!

Family Dollar

Betty Crocker cookie mix: $2 + $1/2 MC = $1.50 each (I misread the advertisement... the smaller packages were $1 each, which would have made them $.50 each after the coupon, but the coupon only applied to the larger packages)
Dawn Dish Liquid: $.85 + $.20 MC = $.65
Huggies Snug Dry Diapers: $9.50 + $2 MC = $7.50

Shop Rite

Oral B Toothbrushes: $1.79 + $1/2 MC = $2.58/2, or $1.29 each
Gold Peak Iced Tea: $5/2 + $.75 MC x 2 + $.75 MC x 2 = $2/2, or $1 each
Betty Crocker Cake Mix & Frosting: I don't really remember how this transaction went, but I know that I pretty much got the frosting free when I bought both... which will be great for turkey cupcakes this Thanksgiving!

Here's my opinion on this shopping trip- Walgreen's is kinda sketchy, trying to advertise prices that aren't really true unless you have the coupons.  I'm not impressed.  CVS totally stole my heart and I am now a loyal CVS customer.  Their Extra Bucks program is amazing!  I have mixed feelings about Family Dollar.  I think if I read the ads more carefully, I won't be disappointed.  And Shop Rite's double coupon policy is just fantastic.  I left all my other coupons home, so I wouldn't be tempted to coupon on the fly (which always ends up costing me more money). 

What kind of deals have you gotten this week?

Happy Frickin' Friday

To Do:

 Wake up early to look somewhat presentable since the siding guys are here at 7:30am, banging away at the house.
Do laundry.
Go to the bank as soon as it opens.  Withdraw money with plenty of change.
Mail letter to my sister-in-law and buy large envelope for housing application (which has yet to be signed... Hubby, I'm talking to you!).
Pick up deals at Family Dollar, Walgreens, CVS, Shop Rite, and Stop & Shop.
Get home in time for the oil company to clean & inspect the furnace, between noon and 3 (gotta love broad windows of ETAs... not).  Pay them a ridiculous amount of money from the cash withdrawn.
While oil company works, pack duffle bags for the weekend with laundry that is hopefully done by then.

Busy day.  Sooooo, maybe I should get off Blogger and start it!

It lives

No matter how sick it gets, my dad brings it back to life.  It's been nearly thirty years now- way past its prime.  I keep convincing my dad that it's time to let it go and just allow it to die peacefully.  But he's attached and continues to do whatever he can to keep it going. 

My mom isn't too happy about it.  She's ready to move on, and to be honest, it's been a thorn in her side for several years now.  I don't blame her- it's loud and smelly and always needs a lot of attention.  But it just won't die... a true testament to its kind.

I was ready when my dad told me "It's time".  When we went to their house, I expect to see a lifeless shell of what had been.  Instead, my dad held on to it, and during that weekend had given it some TLC, and found and fixed the real problem.  Just this past Saturday, he said it was doing just fine and it was completely healthy.  I was worried it would drop dead at a very inopportune time, but it didn't.  The thing just won't die.

Long live The Van.

Teletubbies on a moped

Happy Halloween!

NEX deals!

I just got back from a pretty wonderful shopping trip at the NEX!  Here is what I bought and what I paid for it:

Scope Mouthwash: $3.59 + $.75 NEX coupon + $1.50 manufacturer's coupon = $1.34 per bottle!  (They were advertised as $1 off, which was to be taken off at the register... the girl who checked me out must have been about 13 and clueless, so I wasn't going to argue with her, plus I was holding everyone up... but that would have been $.34 a bottle!)

Gillette Body Wash: $3.29 + $1 NEX coupon + $2 manufacturer's coupon = $.29 each!

Schick Quattro Razor for Men: $6.99 + $1 NEX coupon + $5 manufacturer's coupon = $.99!

Schick Quattro Razor for Women: $7.49 (why is the women's more expensive??) + $1 NEX coupon + $5 manufacturer's coupon = $1.49!

Bic Disposable Razors for Women 10 pack: $2.99 + $1 NEX coupon + $1 manufacturer's coupon = $.99!

Gillette Clinical Deodorant for Men: $7.69 + $2 NEX coupon + $2 manufacturer's coupon = $3.69 each!  (Not as great of a bargain, but that's more than half off, so I consider it a win)

Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons: $6.89 + $1 NEX coupon + $4/2 coupon = $7.78 for 2 boxes (not my best deal, but it was almost BOGO)

Excedrin 24 Geltabs: $2.99 + $.50 NEX coupon + $.75 manufacturer's coupon = $1.74  (again, not the best deal, but we needed Excedrin, and I hardly ever find coupons for it)

Overall, I spent $35.02 on $84.02 worth of stuff!  Since we probably won't use all this, I'm planning on putting together a donation box for this Christmas... or maybe send it through AnySailor.  I'm sure someone out there needs four boxes of tampons!  :)  Happy shopping!!

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #63

1. The best part of October was  experiencing all the New England fall stuff I'd been missing out on, like pumpkin coffees at Dunks, and foliage, and crisp air, and visiting farms and apple orchards, etc .
2. The worst part of October was  I don't know... I don't have any bad memories of it... although I'm sure my blog would say different .
3. For Halloween, I’ll be the Devil's Wife .
4. I hope that in November  we spend more time planning our weekends than arguing over who said what .
5. Wifey has posted MilSpouse Secret Santa. I  will  be participating.
   
   Happy Friday, everyone!  I hope you all have a great weekend.  Since I'll be away from my computer tomorrow, I thought I'd take this opportunity to say:
   
   Happy 16th Navy Anniversary, Hubby!!!!! 

How I Have Felt In Every English Class I've Ever Taken

*Photo courtesy of Pophangover.... If you've never been there, go.

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #62

1. I want to win the lottery and buy my parents their retirement home.  I really could not have better parents .
2. I have a wonderful husband and two adorable little boys . 
3. I wish rules were followed more .
   
4. I hope my boys turn out to be successful and happy .
5. I wonder what our next duty station has in store for us .
   
   Happy Friday, everyone!  Man, these questions were rather broad and hard to answer, but I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else came up with!

Really?!

Six o-to-the-effing-clock, boys?? 

I guess we're going to have that kind of day....

My wake-up routine

10:00pm: Decide to fall asleep.  End up laying in bed for an hour, wide awake, with thoughts floating in my head.

Sometime around 2am: Get woken up by husband, for various reasons, including getting kneed or smacked.  Wake him up or push him back to his side, then try to fall asleep.

Sometime around 4am: Wake up freezing cold because Hubby has rolled himself up in the bed linens like a burrito, leaving me laying on a bare mattress.  End up getting a mini shoulder workout, trying to pull the covers back to my side.  Make mental note to purchase more flannel pjs.  Go back to sleep.

5:30am: Get woken up by Hubby's alarm clock, which doesn't wake him up.  Kick him until he gets outta bed.  Sigh when he hits the snooze and crawls back in bed for five more minutes.  Try to fall back asleep as he schleps through the house while getting ready for work.

6:30am: Get pleasantly woken up by Hubby when he kisses me goodbye.  Still wake up if he doesn't kiss me goodbye and instead slams the door.  Try to fall back asleep.

7:00am: Finally fall back asleep.

7:01am: Get woken up by both boys, climbing on top of me, demanding orange juice and Cheerios, pushing each other, and eventually screaming and crying.

7:02am: Kick the boys out of my room and tell them to go play with toys in the living room until I get up.

7:30am: Give up after laying in bed for 28 minutes, listening to two little boys try to kill each other / burn the house down, when I really wanted to be sleeping.  Silently cheer when I realize there's a hot pot of coffee ready for me, courtesy of Mr. Coffee's delay mode.

8:00am: Look forward to bed time.

Hey Murphy, it's just a weekend, not a deployment.

Isn't it Murphy's Law that once the husband leaves on deployment, things around the house go haywire and tend to break down?

Hubby is gone for the weekend, but apparently Murphy didn't get that memo and thinks he's deployed.  Why?  Because:

1. My toilet won't flush (and I reeeeeeally have to go).
2. The DVD-RW in my laptop is kaput.
3. The kids are acting like they've eaten straight-up sugar all morning.
4. My car keeps beeping at me to change the damn oil already (okay, that one I can fix on my own... but Hubby did promise to change it for me).

I know it's a nice day out, but I seriously feel like some beef stew and a hot toddy, then vegging on the couche watching football.  Luckily, my slow cooker is going with the stew, but I might run down the street for some whiskey for that hot toddy.  Anyone want to join me? 

Murphy, you're not invited.

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #61

1. A word that always makes me laugh is penis.  I know, I'm a twelve year old.
2. If you looked in my refrigerator right now, the oldest thin you’d find would be our condiments??  We only moved in three months ago, so I don't think there's anything too old there.. 
3. If I were written about in the newspaper today, on the front page, the headline would say “Stay At Home Mom Finally Snaps and Ships Her Three Year Old to Military School... In A Related Story, Three Year Old Becomes Youngest Student in Military School History.”
4. The last movie I saw was Clueless.  It was on TV last night.  Oh, you mean in the theaters?  Killer Elite.  It was okay, but staring at Jason Statham for two hours makes any movie better.
5. The best thing that happened to me in the last few weeks was seeing GA- I *heart* her!!.

Damn you, bandwagon.

I fell off the bandwagon BIG TIME this past month.  I don't know what happened- maybe it was all the running around that we do every weekend and all the stress that comes with that.  This past weekend, I felt so much more relaxed and motivated, staying in CT.  I worked out a few times and decided to weigh myself at the gym on Sunday.

I weighed 161 lbs.  OUCH.

I went for a run on Monday.  I'm pretty sure that two people laughed at me as I ran by.  It was pretty humiliating, but it definitely renewed my desire to trim down.  (And my desire to take up karate again, so I can kick those jackass' butts.)

I feel like I'm completely lost in this body.  I was skinny in high school, and even though I put on a few pounds in college, I was still really thin.  I never had a weight problem (even though I thought I did), until I had kids.  Now, I don't recognize this body.  I don't know how to dress it, how to flatter it, how to hide it.

I've decided that I don't particularly care for this new physique.  I don't want to relearn how to dress myself.  So I'm back to my weigh loss quest.  I probably need to lose twenty pounds- 140 is a decent weight for someone who's 5'8". 

On a related note, I discovered a playground close to preschool that had a gravel running track circling around it.  I'm thinking about dropping LB off at his preschool, then taking JC to the playground while I literally run circles around him.

What's worse than constant poop? Constant poop and projectile vomiting.

Yes, this post contains lots of poop and puke.  If you don't wanna hear it, tough- you can just stop reading here.  I'll still love ya.

LB woke up Thursday morning at 6:30am and came into my room.  I thought he was being a PITA (pain in the ass) when he bugged me to take him to the bathroom.  I mean, he's been potty trained for awhile and he can go by himself.  When I told him to go, he just stood there, holding his butt and whimpering.  I dragged myself outta bed and brought him to the potty, only to be met with the most disgusting, foul poop ever.

I had hoped that it was a one-time, he-just-ate-something-yucky thing, so I got us all ready for his preschool field trip.  We went to a farm and had a hayride and ate apples and brought a pumpkin home.  So fun.  Except, in the 1.5 hours we were there, we took four bathroom breaks.  And even though he's skeeved by outhouses (rightfully so), he still used it, and it was bad.  He finally asked to go home (totally surprised me- he loves farms), so we did.

Friday morning, I woke to the same scenario.  Poop, poop, poop.  I gave him some Pedialyte and called off our weekend plans of a birthday party and seeing the grandparents.  Good call, because after dinner of toast and fruit (no milk), the kid puked all over his bed.  Awesomeness.  Then he puked on the floor and on the toilet.  It was a fun night last night, Hubby and I scrubbing pink puke off every surface and doing tons of laundry.  Sexy, right?

Today has been the same.  More puke, more poop.  He only wants juice and hasn't eaten anything substantial for three days now.  He had some animal crackers, and last night's toast, but nothing else.  He gets so scared and upset by puking, even though I explain that his body is sick and puking happens to everyone sometimes.  Which means, I've been picking him up, puke and all, so my clothes are also puke-y. 

My laundry machine has been in constant motion today.

I hope this virus or whatever is making him sick gets out of his system soon.  It really has not been a fun time for anyone!  (Although, I am secretly loving how this sickness is making my anti-affection son want to be hugged and held all the time.)

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #60 1/2

Wife of a Sailor is not hosting MFF this week because she's having surgery (yikes!).  I seriously look forward to these... don't know why.  Maybe because I hardly ever get a chance to post anything meaningful, and these fill-ins help my readers get to know me without going into a lengthy and boring story about some meaningless happening, ha.

So, I decided to make up my own MFF, which of course will be tailored to what I want to talk about.  Here goes:

1. Right now I'm feeling frustrated because I don't have many opportunities to work out, and when I get to the gym, I can't get my mind off my anger and on to my workout.
2. I currently have a love/hate relationship with my kitchen- I love to cook, but hate to clean it.
3. If it were possible, I think a national driver's license and license plate would help military families tremendously.
4. One of my dirty little secrets is: my kids probably watch more TV than they should.
5. Say something nice for Wife of a Sailor as she recovers from surgery: I hope you have a speedy recovery!!
@>----  @>----  @>----      <-- Virtual bouquet of flowers

Feel free to steal my MFF, but leave me a comment first, and Happy Friday everyone!

Starting to get really confused when I wake up on Mondays

Yet again, I woke up this morning, totally confused as to why I was lying in my own bed.  In my early morning haze, I forgot that I wasn't at my parents' house.  Totally strange.

For the... oh... millionth weekend, we stayed up in NH.  And after every weekend, the first morning I wake up in my own house is very confusing- I totally forget where I am!

Saturday was a chill day.  Hubby and I took the boys for haircuts and walked around the mall.  Oh, excuse me, I slept in the truck with JC while Hubby and LB walked around the mall.  If that kid's gonna sleep, so am I!

Breakfast at Grandma & Grandpa's always includes something delicious, like waffles with Nutella:

(Don't ask me why it's sideways- I've tried this about twenty times, and even though it's right-side-up saved on my file, it always flips around.  Stupid Mondays.)

On Sunday, Hubby went dirtbiking with my dad and brother.  They were gone all day, so my mom, my brother's girlfriend (we'll call her Nurse C), and I took the boys to the Christmas Tree Shop.  I got a bunch of cute fall stuff, although LB just wanted to check out the "spooky decowations":

(Omg, seriously, Blogger??  Again?? But doesn't he look adorable in that witch's hat?)

It was a fun weekend.  The boys adore Grandma & Grandpa, and when I asked LB what a friend was, he said "Nurse C!"  I suppose I'll take the small side effect of temporary amnesia in exchange for weekends like that.  :)

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #60

1. I always feel like I’m 23 years old, but in reality, I’m uh.... NOT .
2. I wish my family understood better when I tell them ... this is a hard one.  I usually say exactly what I mean. 
3. If you saw me when I play the flute, you’d think I was a total girly-girl, but if you saw me when I had my motorcycle, or when I do maintenance on my car, you’d think I was a tomboy through-and-through.
4. I feel like I’m in a totally different universe when I'm performing.
5. In honor of this being MFF #60… 60 months ago  (exactly 5 years ago, so September 30, 2006) I lived in NH with my parents  and my life was totally different because Hubby was living in Groton alone (it was a three month school, and you milspousers know what that means- wife gets completely left behind!  Instead of leaving me in the dirty south by myself, we agreed that I'd live with my parents and see each other on the weekends).

Mom of the Year

Our house has no milk, bread, juice, baby wipes, or cereal.

Oops.

Scary Saxophone Guy

There are stereotypes out there about musicians, and I don't mean the general ones.  The uppity bitches play the flute (that'd be me, ha!), the quiet ones play the clarinet, the obnoxious & chauvinistic a@@holes play the trumpet, and the creepy Euro-sleaze guys play the sax.

Ugh.  I've been around musicians long enough to confirm these stereotypes, especially the creepy sax one.  And my apologies to any sax player who isn't criminally creeptastic- of course, stereotypes don't cover everyone.  Just the majority.

Anyway, my point.... As soon as I saw this guy at my first symphonic band rehearsal in college, he just screamed out "epitome of sleazy sax", and I nicknamed him Scary Saxophone Guy.  He was about twice my age.  He wasn't a student, or a TA, or a professor.  Just some guy there ogling the college chicks.

Back in those days, I had some mad ogling potential.  I was a trim size 6, with long blondish hair and long legs, and I seldom left my apartment wearing sweats.  I took pride in the way I looked, and I knew my legs and a$$  looked killer in some heels.  If a guy was checking me out, I'd feel flattered... but this guy didn't make me feel flattered at all.  He made me feel like I needed a shower.

He'd stare at me all rehearsal.  He had a psychotic, possessed smile on his face the entire time he'd talk to me.  He asked me lots of questions about Hubby (we were dating at the time), and once wrote me a love letter, saying that I was "ravishing" and he couldn't take his eyes off me.  I wish I still had that letter... I think I burned it.

Hubby knew all about Scary Saxophone Guy.  So did my conductor.  I think people thought it was pathetic and hilarious.  I felt like he was undressing me with his eyes, so I was very uncomfortable... although I did see the hilarity.  The guy was in his mid-40s, trolling the college campus for young chicks to hit on.  PATHETIC.

After my graduation in '03, I didn't see him again, until this past weekend.  He saw me, he recognized me, then didn't say a word.  Of course, I don't look as fab as I did a decade ago, but I was very relieved.  And also very amused that apparently he is still trolling for chicks at a college campus ten years later.

Wow, you really CAN shit glitter...

I have no words.

Reliving the past two decades in one weekend

This past weekend felt odd.  Just, odd.

Friday night, I swung by my old high school.  I had heard there was a home football game and the band was actually marching.  I'm not one to turn down an opportunity to see a marching band, so I went.  Unfortunately, the band had left due to rain, but I felt bad just leaving, so I sat in the stands for a few minutes, watching the football team lose horribly. 

It was very strange.  I had sat in those stands, freezing my a$$ off in a polyester band uniform for four years.  It was a very surreal, innocent feeling.  I realized just how easy high school was!  My only worries were schoolwork and who I was going to see at the games and what my plans were that weekend.

Saturday, I did a few errands, then went up to see GA.  It was so good to see her!  We had a lengthy conversation and an equally lengthy night, but it was needed.  Yes, I'm going to gloss over this night, but there was definitely a moment where two of my worlds collided.  Small world, indeed!

Sunday, I cleaned up my parents' house, then headed up to my old college to see my flute professor perform in a faculty recital.  I ran into some girls from my studio and some former professors, who surprisingly recognized me.  Oh, and I saw Scary Saxophone Guy.  There's a background to that story, which I'll save for another post.

I sat in the same recital hall I'd sat in for four years.  The same one I performed my senior recital in.  The same recital hall I had juries in.  It was also a very surreal moment, but actually very enjoyable.  For once, I was not being graded sitting in that hall!  I merely had to enjoy the concert, and OMG I did.  I still am in awe over my professor and her technique and tone and just flawless performance.

So, I saw my bestie from middle school, my old high school, and my old college all in one weekend.  It was almost like flipping through a scrapbook of my entire NH education.  Very odd to me.

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #59

1. My favorite thing that happened this week was baking an apple pie.
2. Find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have an annoying penny in your pocket that you can't use.  Really, who uses pennies any more?.
3. Autumn is officially here and my favorite part of the season is EVERYTHING- apples, pumpkins, squash, hay bales, corn, Halloween, pies, slow cookers, changing leaves, crisp air, etc.
4. One of the things I’d like to do before winter arrives is clean the exterior of our windows.  Do you have to take the screens down for the winter??  Hubby and I are divided on this.
5. I would be willing to participate in MilSpouse Secret Santa. (sorry folks, just trying to get an idea here on how many would participate)

Slow Cooker Apple Cider

Ingredients:

6 large apples, quartered (no need to core or peel them)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tbsp ground allspice
Water

How To:

Throw the apples, sugar, and spices in the slow cooker.  Fill the pot with water until it is about an inch or two from the top.  Cover and cook on high for 6 hours.  Strain out the solids, and if you really want to, strain the remaining liquid through a cheesecloth.

The Verdict:

I loved it and Hubby loved it, although it wasn't as thick or cloudy as the store-bought stuff (it was definitely not clear, though... just how I like it!).  It tasted like traditional cider, but with the texture of apple juice.  VERY tasty, though!  And a good way to use up some apples after an overzealous apple picking weekend.

Getting weary

I think our busy weekends are catching up with me.  I skipped my workout this morning, which sucks, since I only work out Tues and Thurs during the week.  I'm lethargic and bored, yet running around and busy at the same time.  Does that make sense? 

Today, I am digging into the HUGE pile of apples we brought home from apple picking this weekend.  So far, I've made an apple pie and I'm in the process of making homemade apple cider... don't know how that will turn out, since I've never done it, but I'll keep you posted.  I still have a ton left, but I also want to make applesauce, which I can use for cinnamon Christmas ornaments.  And, if there's any left and the pie is all gone, I can make some apple crisp, which is so yummy.

I sometimes feel like I'm in my own personal Groundhog Day.  I don't feel like I'm moving forward, or moving backward, just stagnant, like I'm living the same day over and over and over.  I think this solo weekend I have coming up will help.  I'll be on my own from Friday night to Sunday night, and when I return, a few awesome Navy people from our past will be here with Hubby. 

Oh, and preschool- it's going pretty well.  LB is LB... for those of you who know him, you know what he's like!  :)  He's made one friend who he talks about and she talks about him.  It's really great because her mom is cool, too.  I'm planning on showing up Thursday with my number, in case they want to do a playdate sometime (gotta keep the kiddos busy in the winter when there's not much to do).

Btw, do any moms out there feel like they're dating all over again when making friends with other moms?

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #58

1. Right now, our weather is hot and a little humid, but what I’d really like is crisp, cool air.
2. I like to let my hair down and ... well, I never let my hair down.  It's always in a ponytail or bun.  I have two boys, after all. 
3. Mommy Rambles made a post about heroes… my hero is  I don't know any more, because ..... 
4. It’s a weird combination, but I swear  mango chutney  and dijon mustard  are a perfect pair!
5. Some may see the glass half empty and others may see it half full, but I  will trade it in for a beer... or wine... or anything alcoholic at this point.
   
   I am still in a funk.  Some things are going well, and some things... *sigh*  I can't type it.  I'm just hoping for the best.

First day of preschool... success?

Today was LB's first day of school, ever.  We've never even done the gymnastics / library story time / Gymboree stuff.  Really, after his first few library story time visits, I vowed never to do that again, but he has got to get out there and make some friends.

Apparently, it went okay.  He had a lot of fun and brought home a drawing and some markers.  But he refused to leave the playground when I came to pick him up and the teachers said he was "testing".  I'm assuming the rules!  He didn't hit any of the kids (thank god), but he tried to take a swing at the teachers.  Yes, plural.

It makes some sense.  He hates being told what to do.  He wants to run the show and take command of everything going on around him.  In short, he's a control freak.  And authority figures don't mix with control freaks.

I'm a little disturbed to hear that he wanted to sleep over at preschool and not come home.  Is home so bad that he never wants to come back?  Are we being too hard on him?  Does he hate us?  I tried asking him kid-friendly questions and reassured him that no matter what, Mommy & Daddy love him, but he was too distracted for it to sink in.

I suppose I should be thankful that I don't have to peel him off my leg, kicking and screaming, so he can go to preschool.  But the opposite is almost just as bad. 

Testing their limits

It's been a trying time in our household.  My own mother said she feels bad for me.  The boys have been difficult, testing each and every limit we've set.

I know it's all part of growing up, but sometimes I just want them to wake up and suddenly be six or seven, with reasoning skills (to some degree) and a sense of right and wrong.  I'm doing all I can to be patient and consistent, but it's getting very stressful.

I took LB to his preschool for an open house on Friday.  He's the only one who made three kids cry.  He's also the only one who flipped out on the teacher and tried to smack her.  I was on the verge of tears, but the other parents reassured me that they've all been there, and the teacher has seen everything.  I partially smiled because they don't know my kids.  Everyone says they've seen it all, then are shocked when they have to deal with LB and JC.  Opinionated, independent, and strong-willed don't even begin to describe their personalities.

It's a little disappointing.  When LB was an infant, everyone remarked out well-behaved he was.  Now that he's the active little guy he is, I feel like I am a parenting failure sometimes.  Having two kids who are aggressive and defiant just reinforces my feelings.

Bear with me.  I'm in a funk.  I don't like the nasty mom that I've become lately, and I'm sure the kids and Hubby don't, either.  It's tough when they are constantly (and I really mean constantly) doing something they know is wrong.  I can't let them walk all over me, but I also can't be yelling all the time, because it's driving all of us crazy.

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #57

1. My plans for Labor Day included the speedbowl, but what really happened was we took the boys to Dinosaur Land, then the speedbowl... those lucky kids.
   
2. Call me crazy, but sometimes I just need to shred stuff.  It helps me feel organized.
   
3. One of the funniest things I’ve seen lately is Expectations vs Reality.  You should see it, it's a hoot.
   
4. It’s strange, but chick flicks, like The Notebook and A Walk To Remember, drive me crazy while chick flicks on prozac, like Legally Blonde and Bring It On, are perfectly fine with me!
   
5. One, two, buckle my shoe… three, four churn the butter.... it doesn't rhyme, but I must be a pilgrim to be wearing effing buckles on my shoes. 
   
   (I am just realizing now that I actually do have small buckles on some of my shoes.  I was just imagining those big-ass silver buckles that the pilgrims wore... you know, the kind you had to make out of aluminum foil for the school's Thanksgiving Day play and scotch tape to your LA Gear high-tops, and you wondered why on earth someone would wear something so fugly on their shoes?... No, you have no idea what I'm talking about?  I envy you.)
   
   Happy Friday, everyone!  Head on over to Wife of a Sailor to play along, then leave me some thoughts about the link I included!

Unofficial end of summer

Happy Labor Day everyone!  I hope you all are enjoying the weekend with some BBQs, drinks, sun, and of course, relaxation.  In honor of the unofficial end of summer, I'd like to recap this year with my Top Ten Summer 2011 Most Favorite Moments:

10. Seeing Mount Rushmore on July 4th.  Could it get more patriotic than that?  ...Maybe if I was wearing american flag pants serving apple pie in Washington, DC.

9. Camping in Pillsbury State Park.  Despite the bruises, I had a great time.  And there's nothing like a big campfire, surrounded by high school friends you haven't seen in years, and more importantly, that you enjoy seeing again.

8. Hurricane Irene.  Yes, it was a favorite, because ultimately we were unscathed and had a great weekend.

7. Going to Squam Lake with the boys and my family.  Every time we go up there with my parents, the boys have such a good time!  LB loves going fast in Grandpa's boat, and they both love swimming and eating sandwiches on the beach.

6. Seeing friends in upstate NY, and finally meeting their boys.  Our kids had a blast with their kids, and they're such cool people to hang out with.  It's too bad we don't live closer!

5. Meeting up with GA in Manch.  Doesn't happen often enough!!!!  But I had a friggin blast.  :)

4. Watching the boys become brothers.  There is still plenty of refereeing on my part, but the rare moments when they share and hug each other and hold hands... it's just too cute.

3. Going on an actual date with Hubby and knowing the boys are safe with relatives.  It's nice to not have to pay $100 just to see a movie!

2. Signing LB up for preschool.  As much as I want to be the mother who cries and doesn't want her baby to grow up, I'm honestly looking forward to him taking the next big step into school.  He's ready and it will benefit all of us.  I can't wait to take pictures of him with his new Toy Story backpack!

1. Moving across the country.  Definitely my most favorite part of the summer.  It was tough, don't get me wrong!  But the payoff has been great.  We live in a great house, we can see our families & friends way more often, and we can spend several months in New England, instead of dreaming about it.

How was your summer??

The biggest lie ever told: "I'm all done buying motorcycle stuff, honey... I swear."

Hubby is out right now, trading in his street bike for another street bike.

I'm not too thrilled about this.  The bike he has is paid off, and now we'll be adding another (albeit, very small) bill to the pile.  This was supposed to be the bike to end all bikes.  Also, I feel like I'm being very stupid and naive- he's said before that he's all done buying motorcycle shit, and here we are, buying more shit.

I feel like when I'm spending money, it's on immediate needs.  Bills, groceries, preschool, clothes for the kids, etc.  I feel like when he's spending money, it's about half on immediate needs (caulk, oil for the vehicles, leaf sucker {for lack of better word}, etc), but there are several large purchases on stuff we don't need, like this.

I guess I'm just pissy because of a certain situation that has me all fired up.  We'll see how this new motorcycle thing pans out...

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #56

1. My plans for this weekend include taking the boys to the speedbowl for motorcycle stunts and a demolition derby show, but what I’d really like to do is spend a whole day away from dirty diapers, endless requests for video games, and being a short order cook.
2. I consider the Labor Day holiday kind of pointless, but a nice little break before the fall starts.
3. My favorite meal for cookouts is hot dogs, but my sister wouldn’t agree.
4. So far, my favorite part of summer has been after this move was over with.
5. When it comes to deployments, my philosophy is break it up into chunks, and take each chunk one day at a time.

*sigh* Consumerism, you've got me.

Well, after my long thought-out internal discussion with myself about how I was not going to get cable, and surely we don't need it, we've decided to sign up.

I know, I can practically hear AT&T screaming for joy.

Truthfully, we decided that after being absent from New England for nearly a decade, it would be a travesty to not get NESN.  So that's really the reason we're getting cable.  But honestly?  I'm sure we will watch just as much crap as we did before!  (And, to be even more honest, I really wanted to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Super Bowl... and Miss America.... and the new Ab Fab episodes.  Is anyone else as friggin excited as I am to have Eddy and Patsy back in our lives????)

I did manage to get $40 off the package, which is valid for the first six months.  But guess what- we will be moving again in six months anyway, so I guess AT&T won't be getting too much of our money!

Hurricane Irene Weekend

Hubby and I decided to flee to NH from the storm and came back this morning.  Overall, our house was spared any major damage.

Our weekend was fantastic, really.  Brownies were made....

....although, the power went out five minutes into baking them.  Did you know that you can grill brownies??

The boys read books with Grandma...

...while Hubby and I had some intense games of Boggle.  I am still the master and kicked his butt. *Hubby just pointed out that I took a picture of the game where he found the word "tit".  Oops.  But he is a sailor, after all.

And, we celebrated my dad's bday while my brother and his gf were there with a delicious blueberry pie.  Power outages won't stop parties for us!

I hope you all survived the hurricane with just as much fun as we did!

Adios, CT

After some deliberation, Hubby and I decided to abandon CT and go on up to NH for the weekend.  We are one block from the river, and only a few blocks from the Sound, so the likelihood that we will have flooding is very real.  We also have tall trees surrounding the house, and our neighbor's tree in their backyard (only feet from our cars) dropped a massive branch during a small storm.

We're bringing essentials- clothes, wallets, cell phones, diapers & wipes, and possibly the lockbox.  I am fully prepared to lose all of our household goods, and although it will suck, I'd rather lose them instead of losing one of us.

So off to NH!  It will not be a social visit.  I will not be traveling to see other people.  It is merely to get out of that biatch Irene's way (she's a pushy old hag, isn't she??).

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #55

1. The first thing I think of when I get up in the morning is shit, I didn't preset the coffee maker.
2. Lately, I’ve been craving coffee because my thyroid must be more jacked up than I thought.
3. Whenever anyone says the word coffee, it reminds me of my childhood because my mom used to sip coffee while we watched Sesame Street.
4. The happiest word I know is  coffee, but chocolate is a close second.
5. My spouse may hate it, but I absolutely love coffee.
   
   So, the theme of the week is coffee, haha!  I probably had some better answers, but I'm doing this in the morning, therefore my mind and my hands are wrapped around my cup of joe.  Go see Wife of a Sailor to join the fun.
   
   Happy Friday, everyone!

Best FB status update I've seen in awhile

"U.S.G.S. seismologists have confirmed that the quake felt in Washington, D.C. yesterday was caused by the Founding Fathers rolling over in their graves."

Leave it to my friend Bob to come up with something like that!

I live in Connecticut, right??

We had another weekend which was longer than the actual week, but let me tell you, I loved it.  We went up to NH to visit my parents and had so much fun!  Hubby camped out in the backyard with LB, then he and my dad went dirtbiking while my mom and I took the boys to Toys R Us and picked up a cheap-o sprinkler for the kids to run in.  On Saturday, we spent a day at the lake on the boat.  JC is way more willing to swim on his belly than LB is, but they both had such a great time.  My dad worked a hare scramble Sunday (more dirtbiking stuff) while Hubby took the boys to see his dad and my mom and I had brunch with some friends of hers.  We also stopped at the mall and I finally bought some clothes for myself (it so helps having someone talk me into actually buying something... I'm the queen of window shopping).  We decided that since Hubby had Monday off, we'd stay through then so he could help my dad clear out the cabin they just bought so it could be demolished.  My mom and I took the boys to the local playground for about three hours, then I bought a birthday present for my dad (his big day is tomorrow, so I'll post about it!).

Hubby and I were talking on the way home about how comfortable and easy it is to be around my parents.  We spent a lot of time up there, but it was very enjoyable.  I'm so thankful that he gets along with my parents so well- I can't imagine what it would be like if there was any animosity between them.

We're back in CT now... for the time being.  Our house here is just kind of like an oversized storage unit and a place to rest between weekends, but that's fine with me.  I LOVE being able to visit people, and I know that things will wind down a little after classes start.  So I'm milking this for all it's worth!  :)