Wow, there's a lot to catch up on. Most recently, I was attempting to assist a lost dog that I met at the playground. She was a darling boxer who followed me up the play structure and after drinking a sand pail full of water, lay happily between me and my girls near the slide. After many inquiries, I decided to put her in the back of my vehicle and take her to be scanned for a microchip in an attempt to locate her owner. She jumped right in, more readily than my own dog, and off we went.
Unfortunately, the stray did not have a chip and so I decided to return her to the park in hopes that she would find her way home or be picked up by her owner. As I backed up to leave the shelter, I heard a crunch and my heart dropped to my feet. Oh crap! I had backed into my friend's car, the friend who was kind enough to come along to help watch my kids so I could run into the shelter with this dog. My brain reeled and I could not believe what I had done. After apologizing profusely and freaking out, I told my friend that I would have my insurance fix our cars and she said not to worry about it, that her car was not a big deal. What??? She was serious and I kept telling her that I could just get it taken care of, but she meant it. At that moment, I felt like I had been given a get-out-of-jail card and was amazed at her graciousness. This is something I will always remember for the rest of my life. What an incredible gesture.
As my girls and I drove the dog back to the park, I was crying and feeling so stupid for getting myself into the whole situation. We returned the darling boxer and said goodbye and then I went home to fester over the whole thing for the rest of the day. Now I am completely paranoid about backing up my car and check everything 18 times before going. The good news is that the dog was returned to her owner the next day through an ad and her story had a happy ending.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Church Bingo
I really like going to church with my husband because we get to hear a great message and it's like free baby-sitting for an hour! Seriously, it is a nice little break except for one thing. The electronic signs on the wall that light up with numbers every so often. I'm referring to the parent notification system. When we drop our kids off at Sunday School before the service, they give us a number that we keep with us and if there's a problem, the number shows up on that digital sign I mentioned.
The first time I took them both, I was a nervous wreck and could barely focus on anything but that board. I started wondering which number was for which girl and what if I went to the wrong section and had to run to the other room to find my girls and console the one crying? Deep breaths and constant reminders that it would be ok helped a little as I tried to listen to my pastor's message. Numbers started to appear on the sign like a bingo game and I wondered if I would be next? That was a rough hour for me even though our numbers never did light up.
The next time we went it was so much better. Scott and I dropped the girls off quickly and without a lot of fuss and set off with our numbers in hand. I sat down next to him and reminded myself to enjoy this time. We had a great hour and I only periodically thought about the sign. It's like systematic desensitization for me. I guess the more you do it, the easier it gets. Same thing with kids club at the gym! Sometimes we just need that hour of personal time and have to learn to unplug from the constant management mode. Scott and I laugh now when the numbers light up and we both look at each other and say "bingo"!
The first time I took them both, I was a nervous wreck and could barely focus on anything but that board. I started wondering which number was for which girl and what if I went to the wrong section and had to run to the other room to find my girls and console the one crying? Deep breaths and constant reminders that it would be ok helped a little as I tried to listen to my pastor's message. Numbers started to appear on the sign like a bingo game and I wondered if I would be next? That was a rough hour for me even though our numbers never did light up.
The next time we went it was so much better. Scott and I dropped the girls off quickly and without a lot of fuss and set off with our numbers in hand. I sat down next to him and reminded myself to enjoy this time. We had a great hour and I only periodically thought about the sign. It's like systematic desensitization for me. I guess the more you do it, the easier it gets. Same thing with kids club at the gym! Sometimes we just need that hour of personal time and have to learn to unplug from the constant management mode. Scott and I laugh now when the numbers light up and we both look at each other and say "bingo"!
What is that smell in my car?
Yesterday we went shopping at Trader Joe's. Zoe lasted for about two minutes in the cart before protesting loudly in the food sample section and throwing her miniature pizza slice to the floor. I managed to pacify her briefly by holding her with my right arm on the hip and pushing London in the cart with my left hand and foot. Steering around corners was tricky. We checked out and just when I got Zoe buckled into the car, I realized I forgot to grind the coffee beans. Oh crap!
We all went back in and got the job done, then back to the car. London informed me she had to go potty so I buckled Zoe in a second time and then pulled out the portable potty and a plastic grocery bag to line it with. We set up shop in the bushes in front of my car and she began playing with bark while I urged her on and reminded her every two seconds that we had to hurry because the sherbet was melting in the car. I ran back and forth between re-assuring Zoe that she was fine and asking if London had pooped yet, to which she responded, "no, but it's coming". Five minutes went by and then we got our results. I closed up the bag, loaded my three year old in the car and then realized there was no trash can near us.
I put the bag of poop in my car and rolled all the windows down to offset the smell. London kept asking to roll the windows up and I kept telling her we couldn't because of the poop bag. Ick. It smelled all the way home and then we dumped it in our garbage can outside. I feel sorry for our trash collectors!
We all went back in and got the job done, then back to the car. London informed me she had to go potty so I buckled Zoe in a second time and then pulled out the portable potty and a plastic grocery bag to line it with. We set up shop in the bushes in front of my car and she began playing with bark while I urged her on and reminded her every two seconds that we had to hurry because the sherbet was melting in the car. I ran back and forth between re-assuring Zoe that she was fine and asking if London had pooped yet, to which she responded, "no, but it's coming". Five minutes went by and then we got our results. I closed up the bag, loaded my three year old in the car and then realized there was no trash can near us.
I put the bag of poop in my car and rolled all the windows down to offset the smell. London kept asking to roll the windows up and I kept telling her we couldn't because of the poop bag. Ick. It smelled all the way home and then we dumped it in our garbage can outside. I feel sorry for our trash collectors!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
A Moment to Daydream...
What would my alter ego be if I had one? This thought entered my mind the other day while I was picking up cottage cheese and goldfish off my kitchen floor. Would I be wild and daring or just another variance of who I am now? Black leather superhero outfits and an English manor to call home, complete with a butler that is oddly similar to Michael Caine? Hmm...I know I'm biting off Batman-the one with Christian Bale, or even Lara Croft. They are exciting and I especially love that they are incredible at martial arts. Don't get me wrong, I'd still be married to my darling husband and be mom to our girls. This is my imagination, I can do what I want here and the logistics don't apply!
There are other options that would be good too. A professional ballroom dancer with an emphasis on the latin dances. I say this because I am terrible at that sort of thing. When I say terrible, I mean completely and utterly bad to the point where it is just embarassing. I know my friend Lisy will laugh and nod her head in agreement when she reads this! I am laughing with her. The next choice is to run a ranch and raise our family among the open land and the specific smell of horses that makes me breathe deeply. I could ride every day and my husband would help put the girls on their horses as we all go out together. Riding is so peaceful and clears the mind much like surfing. Everything else fades away and it restores the soul.
Scott has mentioned living in Europe and having a flower shop, which I could totally go for. We'd live near the coast and eat fresh fish all the time and traipse up and down the cobblestone streets. Our home would have french doors that open out to a view of the coastline and gauzy white curtains that blow from the sea breeze. We would have bicycles with baskets that are parked together in the courtyard next to a fountain.
I am perfectly happy to stay in our little home that we have created in California. I was reminded during the fires a few years ago that it didn't matter where we were as long as we were together. It's just fun to imagine what else we could do if we ever wanted to live somewhere else. Do other people think about this too? It would be interesting to hear responses on this one.
There are other options that would be good too. A professional ballroom dancer with an emphasis on the latin dances. I say this because I am terrible at that sort of thing. When I say terrible, I mean completely and utterly bad to the point where it is just embarassing. I know my friend Lisy will laugh and nod her head in agreement when she reads this! I am laughing with her. The next choice is to run a ranch and raise our family among the open land and the specific smell of horses that makes me breathe deeply. I could ride every day and my husband would help put the girls on their horses as we all go out together. Riding is so peaceful and clears the mind much like surfing. Everything else fades away and it restores the soul.
Scott has mentioned living in Europe and having a flower shop, which I could totally go for. We'd live near the coast and eat fresh fish all the time and traipse up and down the cobblestone streets. Our home would have french doors that open out to a view of the coastline and gauzy white curtains that blow from the sea breeze. We would have bicycles with baskets that are parked together in the courtyard next to a fountain.
I am perfectly happy to stay in our little home that we have created in California. I was reminded during the fires a few years ago that it didn't matter where we were as long as we were together. It's just fun to imagine what else we could do if we ever wanted to live somewhere else. Do other people think about this too? It would be interesting to hear responses on this one.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Day In The Life...
Wow, this has been an interesting day. It began with London having two accidents in the house and leaving puddles in various spots, then she came into the kitchen and announced that she had pooped ON her potty. This was during a playdate with one of our friends and her two children. I ran off to investigate and sure enough, the evidence was there. Grrr...
We went through the yo-yo of naptime and today was a miss. London finally fell asleep and two minutes later, I kid you not, Zoe woke up. No nap for mama. We endured a near meltdown from London when she woke up because she desperately needed a purple popsicle before she could fathom leaving the house to go play at the park. I narrowly won by telling her she could have it AT the park. One point for me.
At the park, London gleefully ate her popsicle and then lost half of it in the sand. A few minutes later, I was walking with Zoe in my arms when I skidded on the sandy ground and went flying forward. We narrowly missed the concrete park bench and I thought I was going to stick my landing, but alas, I tumbled forward and went down on knees and elbows, all the while holding Zoe up in the air as high as I could get her to prevent her from making contact with the ground. I was successful and only incurred some pride-wounding scrapes. Phewww! By this point, I knew it was an odd day.
I changed London before we left and put her in the car without a pull-up under direct orders "not to pee in the car seat". She quickly defied this command and told me so. Sure enough, she was right. I stripped off the wet dress she had on and put her back into her car seat in her birthday suit. We sent off a picture of this to one of my best friends with a caption and then called for back-up to who else but my trusty mother-in-law. She agreed to help us out and we went there for baths and car seat laundering. Grampa was our hero for taking it all apart and putting it back together.
On the way home, I listened to London talking to her toy dinosaurs. She explained that they had to eat their dinner before they could have dessert. That was sweet but it got even better. I felt such a sense of joy when I heard her telling them not to be scared of monsters and to pray to God to take care of them. This is what she does every night before bed. "Dear God, thank you for today. Please watch over my family and please make the monsters all gone if we get scared of them. I love you Jesus, Amen". Enough said.
We went through the yo-yo of naptime and today was a miss. London finally fell asleep and two minutes later, I kid you not, Zoe woke up. No nap for mama. We endured a near meltdown from London when she woke up because she desperately needed a purple popsicle before she could fathom leaving the house to go play at the park. I narrowly won by telling her she could have it AT the park. One point for me.
At the park, London gleefully ate her popsicle and then lost half of it in the sand. A few minutes later, I was walking with Zoe in my arms when I skidded on the sandy ground and went flying forward. We narrowly missed the concrete park bench and I thought I was going to stick my landing, but alas, I tumbled forward and went down on knees and elbows, all the while holding Zoe up in the air as high as I could get her to prevent her from making contact with the ground. I was successful and only incurred some pride-wounding scrapes. Phewww! By this point, I knew it was an odd day.
I changed London before we left and put her in the car without a pull-up under direct orders "not to pee in the car seat". She quickly defied this command and told me so. Sure enough, she was right. I stripped off the wet dress she had on and put her back into her car seat in her birthday suit. We sent off a picture of this to one of my best friends with a caption and then called for back-up to who else but my trusty mother-in-law. She agreed to help us out and we went there for baths and car seat laundering. Grampa was our hero for taking it all apart and putting it back together.
On the way home, I listened to London talking to her toy dinosaurs. She explained that they had to eat their dinner before they could have dessert. That was sweet but it got even better. I felt such a sense of joy when I heard her telling them not to be scared of monsters and to pray to God to take care of them. This is what she does every night before bed. "Dear God, thank you for today. Please watch over my family and please make the monsters all gone if we get scared of them. I love you Jesus, Amen". Enough said.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Note to Self...
I've had a scrap of paper sitting on the bottom crevice of my bathroom mirror for nearly a week now and it's pestering me every time I see it. This tiny slip has two different ideas that I wrote down so I wouldn't forget them during random moments of inspiration. I think I was brushing my teeth when the second one hit, thus an inopportune time to sit down and work on my blog. Now I'm able to sit down and type and my brain feels like a twelve-week old labrador puppy running through a field. I can't focus. Sigh.
It all started with the infamous movie, "Julie and Julia" that made me want to run to the store and buy the items for that beef bourgignon that I saw in the movie. Man, I could smell it just sitting on my couch! I did actually cook chicken cacciatore last week from Giada's recipe and it rocked. The only way that I could accomplish this task was to pay my neighbor's teenage daughter to come play with my kids so I could have my kitchen to myself for an hour. It was so worth it! There's something therapeutic about cooking when it's done with care and detail. I actually enjoyed it.
While I was breading my chicken in flour, I pictured an exasperated Julia Child in her kitchen with an infant crawling at her feet and a two year old running around and asking to be picked up so she could see what was happening on the stove. I could hear her high pitched voice calling out, " I cannot cook under these conditions!" It didn't seem feasible to accomplish the culinary masterpieces that she made in this scenario. I laughed and then added my white wine to the pan. Ahh, the smell of the chicken cacciatore was intoxicating. I was so excited, I was cooking real food and it was working. No short-cut recipes or frozen mixes, just the real deal from scratch. Who knows when this will happen again but it was fun and my family liked it too.
It all started with the infamous movie, "Julie and Julia" that made me want to run to the store and buy the items for that beef bourgignon that I saw in the movie. Man, I could smell it just sitting on my couch! I did actually cook chicken cacciatore last week from Giada's recipe and it rocked. The only way that I could accomplish this task was to pay my neighbor's teenage daughter to come play with my kids so I could have my kitchen to myself for an hour. It was so worth it! There's something therapeutic about cooking when it's done with care and detail. I actually enjoyed it.
While I was breading my chicken in flour, I pictured an exasperated Julia Child in her kitchen with an infant crawling at her feet and a two year old running around and asking to be picked up so she could see what was happening on the stove. I could hear her high pitched voice calling out, " I cannot cook under these conditions!" It didn't seem feasible to accomplish the culinary masterpieces that she made in this scenario. I laughed and then added my white wine to the pan. Ahh, the smell of the chicken cacciatore was intoxicating. I was so excited, I was cooking real food and it was working. No short-cut recipes or frozen mixes, just the real deal from scratch. Who knows when this will happen again but it was fun and my family liked it too.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
All That Glitters Is Not Gold...
It had been a long, tiring day and I was at wit's end from ricocheting back and forth between the girls and tending to their needs. We needed dinner and the in-laws were coming over to help put up the Christmas tree. Don't get me wrong-I love my husband's parents and am so fortunate to have an excellent relationship with them. This last strand of sanity I was clinging to was due to just needing a break for a few minutes to be alone and drive in the car for something as simple as some take-out spaghetti and meatballs and listen to some really loud music.
Scott agreed to watch the girls while I went on the food run and I jumped in his car and drove off into the night while cranking up the volume on my "Howl" cd. Ahhh...that was more like it. Now here's the part that gets me. Colored lights in store windows and the cold night air reminded me that Christmas was around the corner. For so many years that feeling used to make me sad and a bit lonely. I wanted the big family and a warm home with lots of people who wanted me there but I grew up with a single dad who was working six days a week so he could pay the bills. At the time, I didn't realize that I was more fortunate than many kids, I just felt the sting of all that was missing.
Once I got married, it changed a bit, but the feeling still haunted me. Once we had our first child, it improved significantly and I began to enjoy Christmas through her eyes. It wasn't until this year that I finally had a breakthrough. Let me get back to my wild pasta outing to properly explain. As I drove back with the smell of hot italian food in my car, I felt like I was missing out on the family gathering at my house. It became clear that being with my husband, our children, and our relatives was the best place I could be at that moment and a break wasn't really a break after all. Now don't get me wrong-I'm not saying I don't need breaks. It's just that at that moment, I realized that I needed to be with my family. When I walked through the door and saw everyone and melted into the scenario, I felt at home and a sense of relief and comfort washed over me.
One of my favorite books had a line in it that said "All that is gold does not glitter and all that glitters is not gold". This was a line by Strider in the Lord of the Rings. That outing seemed precious when I planned it but lost it's luster in reality. It's the bittersweet double-edge sword of going anywhere without your kids that most mom's can readily ascertain. Coming home is so sweet.
Scott agreed to watch the girls while I went on the food run and I jumped in his car and drove off into the night while cranking up the volume on my "Howl" cd. Ahhh...that was more like it. Now here's the part that gets me. Colored lights in store windows and the cold night air reminded me that Christmas was around the corner. For so many years that feeling used to make me sad and a bit lonely. I wanted the big family and a warm home with lots of people who wanted me there but I grew up with a single dad who was working six days a week so he could pay the bills. At the time, I didn't realize that I was more fortunate than many kids, I just felt the sting of all that was missing.
Once I got married, it changed a bit, but the feeling still haunted me. Once we had our first child, it improved significantly and I began to enjoy Christmas through her eyes. It wasn't until this year that I finally had a breakthrough. Let me get back to my wild pasta outing to properly explain. As I drove back with the smell of hot italian food in my car, I felt like I was missing out on the family gathering at my house. It became clear that being with my husband, our children, and our relatives was the best place I could be at that moment and a break wasn't really a break after all. Now don't get me wrong-I'm not saying I don't need breaks. It's just that at that moment, I realized that I needed to be with my family. When I walked through the door and saw everyone and melted into the scenario, I felt at home and a sense of relief and comfort washed over me.
One of my favorite books had a line in it that said "All that is gold does not glitter and all that glitters is not gold". This was a line by Strider in the Lord of the Rings. That outing seemed precious when I planned it but lost it's luster in reality. It's the bittersweet double-edge sword of going anywhere without your kids that most mom's can readily ascertain. Coming home is so sweet.
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