School is Cool

Last night, Hubby and I decided to talk to our kids about college, trying to figure out what they want to study, and if they wish to attend, and when. It’s an expense that must be measured and obviously one that cannot be taken lightly. The last thing I need is for a kid to major in Eighteenth Century Estonian Basketweaving.

Anyway, the talk turned to what they enjoy doing, and I was trying to make a point of them figuring out what things and activities have kept them interested for years. That way they will have a better understanding of what kind of education they would enjoy pursuing. As usual, some humor entered the conversation, courtesy of Hubby.

Hubby: What interested you when you were younger?

Eldest: What do you mean, Dad?

Hubby: Well, when I was your age, I wanted to be a Penthouse™ photographer.

Me: *SHOCK*

Eldest: Dad, why would want to take pictures of penthouses?

Me: (sighing in relief) I have never been so happy to hear you say something like that.

My relief was short-lived, since Hubby explained what he meant. But for a few seconds, I was revelling in the beautiful innocence. Like it or not, I have to let them grow up sometime. I just wish it were in a bubble 😉

In a Former Life I Was a Social Secretary

Honestly, have my children never heard of a calendar??

The last few weeks of school usually entail having field days, fun days, concerts, awards ceremonies, and the like. I try to keep them all in my iPhone calendar so that I have easy access. Of course, it would help if the kids told me about these upcoming events with at least a few days notice. Eldest told me about her awards ceremony on the day it was scheduled. Little One told me of her concert waaaaay ahead of schedule, but so far ahead that I had totally forgotten when it was. Last night, Son was performing in the last concert of the year. I had known for a couple of days, but Hubby was taken completely unawares. Today I found out Little One had a Fun Day scheduled at school. Tonight we are getting together with Hubby’s coworker and his wife. Tomorrow is Wine Night (designated driver, so there), and Sunday we have a friend coming to stay overnight.

I cannot tell y’all how many of these things I have owned in the past. I also cannot tell you how many went without being used. I try to stay organized, but by far the best solution for me is the calendar in my phone. Since I set it to remind me of things listed, I don’t have to consult it every single hour of every single day.

Now I just have to train the kidlets into telling me about their activities promptly 😉

Second Best

I’m not a very vain person. Sure, I know I have some rather nice qualities. Patience is a strongpoint, for example. But I am the type to be content with being second best. I am second best at many things: singing, playing Scrabble™, bartending. Many of us try to excel at one thing, and I admit to trying to be Numero Uno at certain things. But I realize that I can’t succeed at everything. Being second best is a good alternative for me. I don’t advocate being “good enough”, mind you. I just tend to appreciate that sometimes trying my hardest will not elevate me to the top.

I can be second best mom, after mine. I can be second best friend, second best writer (Ok, maybe seventh or eighth in that department!), second best Spanish tutor, second best cook. There is no shame in being second best, as long as I have tried for first.

The trick is to keep trying 🙂

Random Tidbits

Totally off the wall posting, but I’m rather busy today.

I want to learn to use Hubby’s Nikon F2 camera. And by “learn” I mean “master it so I can take it over.”

I have never understood the need for a tomato fork. The curved tines drive me nuts.

Combing a Sheltie takes patience.

The later you start dinner, the simpler the menu becomes.

Summer is a mixed blessing. No more Mom Taxi, but no more peace and quiet, either.

Paper shredding is very Zen.

And now, for something completely off the wall:

Those of you looking for doughnuts, I hope y’all aren’t disappointed. You have to admit, lemurs a la Matrix is way cooler than a glazed doughnut.

Maybe 😉

A Bit Nippy

As God is my witness, I am not making this up.

Yesterday, the window on my van was repaired. That required the presence of a “stranger” in my driveway. My neighbor’s dog, an awesome, well-trained Australian Shepherd, was consequently driven nuts by the fact that someone he doesn’t know was in such close proximity to the area he is tasked to guard. I could hear him barking even while I was inside my house. Anyway, my neighbor was also dogsitting for her parents’ Aussie, a much younger, active, less-trained puppy. This puppy has the gift of egging other dogs on about barking and chasing and doing the things dogs normally do, only at a few orders of magnitude. In other words, the puppy is usually the instigator.

Not the actual Aussie, but gorgeous nonetheless!

After the repairman left, I moved the van into the garage, and then proceeded to go move the Pathfinder to the driveway, since I had parked it on the street. My neighbor, blessed woman that she is, was out with both dogs letting them relieve themselves. Her dog wasn’t on a leash, because he is trained to stay on the lawn. Before I go any further, I must underline how much I like this dog. As I walked down my driveway, perilously close to my neighbor’s yard, the dog, still in protective mode, charges at me. As taught, I stand my ground, and as HE was taught, he charges again.

My neighbor is screaming at her dog while frantically holding on to the instigator puppy.

On the second charge, the dog finds something to nip at. Now, my arms were at my sides, and I was standing sideways to him by this time. The only thing he can detect, small as it is, is my *ahem* upper pectoral milk decanting device. As I said, he is well-trained, so he only nipped at it.

But holy cow that was more than enough!!!

In tears, I get in the Pathfinder and move it, while my neighbor is calming and reinforcing training on her dog. I get out to let her know I’m fine, and hilarity ensues.

Neighbor: ARE YOU OK????

Me: Yes, it hurt a bit but..

Neighbor: OMIGAWD!! Did (name redacted to protect the innocent) bite you???

Me: Just a nip, nothing serious, really. (I am trying to calm her down by now)

Neighbor: Where??

Me: Uh…. (pointing).

Neighbor: OMIGAWD!!! Did he break skin???

(Keep in mind if a dog does draw blood, it must be quarantined for 72 hours, and the person treated for it)

Me: Oh no… not at all. I’m fine.

Neighbor: Are you sure? Take a picture of it and send it to me.

Me: (Laughing) No offense, but that is something I would only do for Hubby!!

Luckily, I am married to a doctor who took it upon himself to *ahem* check it over to make sure it was ok. Yes, it’s a bit tender, but it will heal. Suffice it to say, the dog was very contrite, and did snuggle up to me to make up for it. He sure is an awesome dog, but apparently takes that whole “take a bite out of crime” thing to extremes 😉

Monday Missives

First of all, I should post about doughnuts more often. For some inexplicable reason, I got a huge spike in blog hits on yesterday’s post.

I had no idea people loved doughnuts so much. Maybe Homer Simpson is on to something.

Secondly, it’s Monday. Some of y’all are probably dragging today, thinking about the other four days y’all must live through before enjoying the weekend. Y’all are not seeing the bigger picture here! Monday is the day when you should be channelling your inner Conan and crushing your enemies, seeing them driven before you, and hearing the lamentation of their….significant others. Well, men can lament too, you know. And I don’t mean this in a literal sense, so don’t go out with a machete and start taking whacks at those who would make your life difficult. You just have to go out there and show Monday who is the boss of you.

I don’t care if y’all judge me here. Ahnold was sure eye candy, and he has a point.

Third and last, remember this simple missive: if all else fails, and you feel down and trodden, make a Voodoo List™. A Stab List™ is good, but that can be considered a death threat, or fifteen. You want to go with obscure and mystical here. That way if the management overlords find it, they will be the ones that end up looking like idiots for believing in Voodoo. You can just give them the pity look and say, “Really, you think I practice Voodoo? Well, do you??” Believe me, they won’t take that chance. I speak from experience here.

So, go take on Monday, like a boss!! 😉

It’s Not Rolling, But I Did Leap for Joy

It’s Sunday, and with Hubby home, that means the re-establishing of a family tradition. One that will make my hips whimper, but I don’t care.

SHIPLEY DO-NUTS!!!

Yes, that’s the proper way to spell it. While he was gone we seldom got the chance to get doughnuts for breakfast. It was something we did with him, so we fell out of the habit of going for doughnuts. But now, it is time to get back into the groove of things, and rejoice!!

It’s not a perfect circle, true. But it is a perfect combination of sugar and fats!! Ironically, I prefer Dunkin’ Donuts™ coffee to Shipley’s. But then again, I don’t go there for coffee. I go there for the sugary goodness that screams a symphony in my head as I partake of it.

And now, if y’all will excuse me? I have to go walk off the 20,000 calories I just ingested 😉

Reflections

I’m not very good at looking inward. I try to just go along and do what needs or has to be done because there is no other alternative. When I was giving birth to Eldest, I dilated so fast, I had to start pushing without the aid of an epidural. I had no choice in the matter! I see Life in pretty much the same way. One can reflect on alternatives that are available, but I usually fall back on Occam’s Razor™. The simplest solution is usually the best one.

Sometimes, it fails. That’s usually when I do have to take the time to reflect on the various possibilities available to me, either to grow, or to find happiness, or to deal with loss and pain. I am not one to ask myself if I’m happy. I assume I am since my family is doing well, and there are no major calamities wreaking havoc in our lives. Usually that is enough for me. But for the rest, I do take the time to analyze what has to be done. Sometimes going the simplest route is not an option.

I suppose the trick is in knowing when to cut to the heart of the problem, and when to carefully trim away the excess. I’m still learning, and trying to do what is best for everyone. It will be a long time before I can make decisions solely based on me. Being part of a family precludes that luxury. But in the end, it’s totally worth it 🙂

Fate is Fickle, and She Laughs A Lot

It never fails….

Yesterday started really well. I was cleaning, getting the house ready for a visit from The Nomstress and her family. SQUEEE!!! Anyway, I was in the groove, moving along, and getting stuff done, when there was a knock on the door. It was the Lawnmower Man™, but not to collect payment. Turns out while mowing the front lawn, the mower kicked up a small rock with enough force to take out a van window.

My first thought was, thank goodness no one was hurt. The next thought? “OMIGAWD!! WHAT DO I DO NOW???” But I calmed down, talked to him, and agreed on a payment plan, called my insurance, and arranged for replacing and clean up.

Unfortunately, I spent two hours in the hot Texas sun cleaning and picking glass out of the lawn, instead of getting their room ready in the cool comfort of my home. Several cuts and a nice red face later, I managed to finish my chores prior to their arrival, but only just. I want to think Fate is done playing with me, but I get the feeling she’s found a perfect target for her mirth 😉

Common Scents

I love candles. They are romantic, and give a very flattering light, and in the winter they help to warm up the home. I have them everywhere, on the kitchen table, the bar, around my bathtub, even in the fireplace. Love, love, LOVE them.

But I also have kids. And I have excitable dogs. And that means that sometimes candles are a hazard to my mental health. Nothing like having a son asking if he can burn his graded schoolwork in his room to make one think twice about lighting candles. I’m pretty sure he was joking, but knowing that he mastered the campfire merit badge before anyone else makes me a bit….cautious.

Anyway, as all parents know, kids are some of the most aromatic creatures on the planet, and that’s not a compliment. I keep their doors closed for two reasons: 1) the sight of their wreckage, and 2) the smell of their laundry. And if you own snakes, then it’s double as bad. At first I utilized candles, but then I was afraid of the hazard that comes with them being unattended. Then I got wax warmers, but they also required the use of tealights. And finding a pile of ash by one in Son’s room one day was enough to get me to look for an alternative.

Now, that’s smart! A warmer you plug in!! No flames, no fear!! And I love that you can change the scent from one day to the next without having to store a big candle somewhere. And on the plus side, it gives off a soft light, as well. I have already spilled the wax while moving furniture, and found that it is easier to wipe off than that of conventional candles. I do still keep candles around, but for high traffic areas, these warmers are safer and make better sense.

I just wish I had thought of them years ago 😉