I don’t really know what else to say honestly. The day started off fine. We went to the grocery store and came in a dollar under budget, which was great. It is always a good feeling when I hit the mark and walk out with everything we need for the week. Yay!
Snuggle Bug has hit that point where she is into everything so today I decided it’d be a good idea to get some cabinet latches, just so that she couldn’t open up the cabinets and get into my baking supplies and stuff she doesn’t need to be in. Seems like an easy enough task, right? Wrong. Very very wrong. I read the directions, laid out the contents of the box and got everything I was supposed to need for installation…a simple screwdriver. Ha. I sat down and marked out where the screws were supposed to go. They wouldn’t go in. Of course not. They are cheap piddly little screws that have no real point to them. I fought with those things for a while and even tried different screws I had but to no avail. The angle I was trying to screw them in at didn’t help I’m sure. In my madness I even tried superglue. Then I went to google to see if it had any answers. There I found numerous videos of people effortlessly installing their cabinet latches. Screw here, there, five minutes later a safe cabinet without breaking a sweat. Grrrr. Then the video of someone pre drilling the hole. Duh. I ran to the garage, got the drill, something I’ve used on more than one occasion and put on the drill bit and began drilling my pilot holes. First hole complete….yay! Second hole…snap. Yes folks the drill bit broke off. Are you kidding me?? So the drill bit has been removed, the holes filled and no evidence of my fight to child proof my home. Now I’ve got to find a way to use these latches or find a better brand….preferably one that isn’t parent proof.
Oh yeah and the cherry on top? I’m taking care of a car for the hubby’s friend who is deployed with him. I try to start the car once a week or so and move it up and down the driveway since I can’t really drive it too much because I don’t have a third car seat and we already have two cars. But I do try to take good care of it, start it, make sure everything is good to go and all that. I go out there today to do my car shuffling and…..click click click……the battery is dead. I started that car a week ago and it was fine and here we are a week later and it won’t start. My Toyota sat for almost 4 months and started up just fine when the next time I pulled I took it out for a drive. So I got online and looked up that car model and why it would be dead after a week of sitting. Turns out this particular car model likes to do this. I read through many stories of people whose car battery would die after sitting no more than a few days. Of course.
My mantra for the day to keep me sane….”its all good.” If I remind myself to be positive then I won’t lose my mind.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!!!!!
Happy 4th of July!!!
Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. This day is usually one of the high points of my year. The hubby and I spend a few weeks with his family on the west coast. We enjoy the beach, weather, friends and family and then spend the 4th out on the beach doing his fireworks show. It’s a lot of work but we always have so much fun. This is the first time since we’ve been married that I haven’t spend this day covered in sand and dirt, loading shells, wiring things all for a 20 minute light display in the sky, that generally the hubby doesn’t even see until someone shows him the video.
This year I could have tried to make it out there, just Snuggle Bug and I, but it just didn’t seem right. I wouldn’t be working on a show with the hubby; I wouldn’t have him around as we ran for late night Mexican food, walked down the beach after I nag him to go, getting some In N Out burgers, grabbing some sushi, wander around the fair and all the things that make this time of year very special for me. A lot of the trip revolves around food and blowing things up apparently, hehe.
So in that spirit here are a few July 4th memories from the years past….
Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. This day is usually one of the high points of my year. The hubby and I spend a few weeks with his family on the west coast. We enjoy the beach, weather, friends and family and then spend the 4th out on the beach doing his fireworks show. It’s a lot of work but we always have so much fun. This is the first time since we’ve been married that I haven’t spend this day covered in sand and dirt, loading shells, wiring things all for a 20 minute light display in the sky, that generally the hubby doesn’t even see until someone shows him the video.
This year I could have tried to make it out there, just Snuggle Bug and I, but it just didn’t seem right. I wouldn’t be working on a show with the hubby; I wouldn’t have him around as we ran for late night Mexican food, walked down the beach after I nag him to go, getting some In N Out burgers, grabbing some sushi, wander around the fair and all the things that make this time of year very special for me. A lot of the trip revolves around food and blowing things up apparently, hehe.
So in that spirit here are a few July 4th memories from the years past….
Be safe and enjoy the 4th!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Motivation
Finally, some motivation! For over a week now I have been dragging to do anything. Running errands, cleaning the house, laundry, homework….it has all required massive amounts of energy that I just have not wanted to give. It is very unlike me because I am usually the queen of clean. But I have felt myself getting overwhelmed watching everything pile up in front of me that rather than fixing it I’ve just been trying to ignore it. Yeah, that didn’t work.
Anyone who knows me knows that when there are dishes sitting in the sink and laundry piled up in the laundry room and bedroom I’m having a bad week. But today I woke up, gave myself a good kick in the butt and started trying to get some stuff done around here. I’ve managed to get all the bathrooms cleaned, kitchen clean, dinner is in the crockpot, working on making a dent in the laundry and I’m actually seeing some progress which is enough to motivate me to keep going. Snuggle Bug must notice the difference in me too because she has been in a wonderful mood today, which I cannot say for the past few days.
Hubby FINALLY got his father’s day package yesterday and talk about late! But at least it made it there.
Here is a little peek of what he got…..
I also added some snacks and things that I know he enjoys. I sent his 4th of July package earlier this week and I know that will be late too but it is a very important package. The 4th of July is his absolute favorite holiday. He waits all year for that day and runs around like a kid on Christmas. Why is this? Because the 4th of July is the day he gets to indulge his inner pyro. He learned from his father and has been doing fireworks professionally whenever he gets the chance, which with his job is very rarely, usually once a year. So we both look forward to our trip to California in July to spend time with his family and for him to have some fun. I’ll post a picture of that box as soon as he gets it, so in a few weeks I guess.
Well, there is my update and I need to get off my bum and get back to my chores!
Anyone who knows me knows that when there are dishes sitting in the sink and laundry piled up in the laundry room and bedroom I’m having a bad week. But today I woke up, gave myself a good kick in the butt and started trying to get some stuff done around here. I’ve managed to get all the bathrooms cleaned, kitchen clean, dinner is in the crockpot, working on making a dent in the laundry and I’m actually seeing some progress which is enough to motivate me to keep going. Snuggle Bug must notice the difference in me too because she has been in a wonderful mood today, which I cannot say for the past few days.
Hubby FINALLY got his father’s day package yesterday and talk about late! But at least it made it there.
Here is a little peek of what he got…..
I also added some snacks and things that I know he enjoys. I sent his 4th of July package earlier this week and I know that will be late too but it is a very important package. The 4th of July is his absolute favorite holiday. He waits all year for that day and runs around like a kid on Christmas. Why is this? Because the 4th of July is the day he gets to indulge his inner pyro. He learned from his father and has been doing fireworks professionally whenever he gets the chance, which with his job is very rarely, usually once a year. So we both look forward to our trip to California in July to spend time with his family and for him to have some fun. I’ll post a picture of that box as soon as he gets it, so in a few weeks I guess.
Well, there is my update and I need to get off my bum and get back to my chores!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Motherhood
Motherhood is a challenge. I think any mom who just read those words laughed a bit. She probably reflected back to the time when her baby threw up on her, her toddler pulled their diaper off and left her with a nasty surprise after naptime, her child drew on the walls and all those other wonderful moments that make mothers around the world look at their children and ask the same question “Are you sure you’re mine?”
I have learned so much in the last 16 months with my daughter. One of those realizations has been that some mothers can be very insecure, myself included. I want to be the best mother I can possibly be to Snuggle Bug because I feel that she deserves the best I can give to her. That being said, I’m a far cry from the best mother on the planet for a few reasons.
One, I let her watch TV. Yes, I’ve read the studies; yes I know it’s not the best thing in the world for her and, no, she doesn’t sit in front of the TV all day. But sometimes 30 minutes watching Elmo’s World or Sesame Street makes her happy and gives me a chance to make lunch or dinner.
Two, she knows the word tattoo. I have a decent sized tattoo on my arm that she loved to look at when it was new. She kept crawling over, pointing to it and then looking up at me with this inquisitive face. So one day I pointed and said “tattoo” and she pointed and repeated, well to the best of her toddler ability that is.
Three, we don’t eat at the dinner table. It is not uncommon for me to pull her highchair into the living room and for us to eat dinner and watch Jeopardy together. It’s our favorite evening show. Growing up the only time I ever sat at the dinner table was during holidays. Once I was out of a highchair I vividly remember the Strawberry Shortcake TV tray that I sat at during dinner time with my family as we ate dinner in the living room and watched family shows together. Then again, this was back in the day when they actually had shows on in the evening that the entire family could watch together (Alf anyone?). The hubby’s family also wasn’t one to sit at the table and enjoy family meals. Despite the lack of family bonding around the dinner table we both have strong bonds with our families and did spend time with them. Neither of us turned out to be delinquents and are both functional members of society.
I have no doubt there are more but this is what comes to mind at the moment.
For a while I’ve felt bad about these things. Not because I personally think they’re wrong but because of the comparisons I’ve made to other mothers. I’ll never fully understand why mothers are always fighting each other trying to prove that they have the better parenting skill. It’s not like anyone is going to give us a medal if the house is immaculate 24/7 and your baby is walking, potty training and reading Tolstoy by 10 months old. That is something I’ve had to remind myself daily because it’s easy to fall into the mommy guilt trap.
I was chatting with a friend yesterday who has a child close to Snuggle Bug’s age. She asked what I was up to and I told her I was sitting with Snuggle Bug while she finished up dinner. Her response was interesting, “Oh well we eat dinner together at the dining table. No TV, no computer, no phone or anything.” Now I don’t think she was trying to sound high and mighty but never the less her response made me feel like she was trying to prove something. I’ve been blessed with a passive child who has decided that things like walking and teething are better left till later. This means, at 16 months, she only has 4 teeth and still isn’t walking. She cruises like a maniac and crawls and just a few months ago began crawling with her belly off the ground. So I’ve encountered many comments about this. “Why can’t she walk?” or “It’s sad she can’t play with other children her own age….” I had a friend send me a picture of her child and another child their age running at the park and the note said “it’s sad she can’t come run with them but maybe soon.” Yeah, it pissed me off because I want my child to have everything other children her age have.
I thought a lot last night about what makes a good mother. I’ve decided, to me, a good mother is a woman who loves her child(ren) unconditionally and deeply and does everything in her power to give them the best she can. I’m not a perfect person and I’m not a perfect mother but I love my Snuggle Bug with all my heart and will do anything in my power to make her life and happy and positive one. Oh motherhood, who knew it would be like this?
Oh Strawberry Shortcake...the memories....
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."-- Agatha Christie
I have learned so much in the last 16 months with my daughter. One of those realizations has been that some mothers can be very insecure, myself included. I want to be the best mother I can possibly be to Snuggle Bug because I feel that she deserves the best I can give to her. That being said, I’m a far cry from the best mother on the planet for a few reasons.
One, I let her watch TV. Yes, I’ve read the studies; yes I know it’s not the best thing in the world for her and, no, she doesn’t sit in front of the TV all day. But sometimes 30 minutes watching Elmo’s World or Sesame Street makes her happy and gives me a chance to make lunch or dinner.
Two, she knows the word tattoo. I have a decent sized tattoo on my arm that she loved to look at when it was new. She kept crawling over, pointing to it and then looking up at me with this inquisitive face. So one day I pointed and said “tattoo” and she pointed and repeated, well to the best of her toddler ability that is.
Three, we don’t eat at the dinner table. It is not uncommon for me to pull her highchair into the living room and for us to eat dinner and watch Jeopardy together. It’s our favorite evening show. Growing up the only time I ever sat at the dinner table was during holidays. Once I was out of a highchair I vividly remember the Strawberry Shortcake TV tray that I sat at during dinner time with my family as we ate dinner in the living room and watched family shows together. Then again, this was back in the day when they actually had shows on in the evening that the entire family could watch together (Alf anyone?). The hubby’s family also wasn’t one to sit at the table and enjoy family meals. Despite the lack of family bonding around the dinner table we both have strong bonds with our families and did spend time with them. Neither of us turned out to be delinquents and are both functional members of society.
I have no doubt there are more but this is what comes to mind at the moment.
For a while I’ve felt bad about these things. Not because I personally think they’re wrong but because of the comparisons I’ve made to other mothers. I’ll never fully understand why mothers are always fighting each other trying to prove that they have the better parenting skill. It’s not like anyone is going to give us a medal if the house is immaculate 24/7 and your baby is walking, potty training and reading Tolstoy by 10 months old. That is something I’ve had to remind myself daily because it’s easy to fall into the mommy guilt trap.
I was chatting with a friend yesterday who has a child close to Snuggle Bug’s age. She asked what I was up to and I told her I was sitting with Snuggle Bug while she finished up dinner. Her response was interesting, “Oh well we eat dinner together at the dining table. No TV, no computer, no phone or anything.” Now I don’t think she was trying to sound high and mighty but never the less her response made me feel like she was trying to prove something. I’ve been blessed with a passive child who has decided that things like walking and teething are better left till later. This means, at 16 months, she only has 4 teeth and still isn’t walking. She cruises like a maniac and crawls and just a few months ago began crawling with her belly off the ground. So I’ve encountered many comments about this. “Why can’t she walk?” or “It’s sad she can’t play with other children her own age….” I had a friend send me a picture of her child and another child their age running at the park and the note said “it’s sad she can’t come run with them but maybe soon.” Yeah, it pissed me off because I want my child to have everything other children her age have.
I thought a lot last night about what makes a good mother. I’ve decided, to me, a good mother is a woman who loves her child(ren) unconditionally and deeply and does everything in her power to give them the best she can. I’m not a perfect person and I’m not a perfect mother but I love my Snuggle Bug with all my heart and will do anything in my power to make her life and happy and positive one. Oh motherhood, who knew it would be like this?
Oh Strawberry Shortcake...the memories....
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."-- Agatha Christie
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Its not the heat....its the humidity!
Summer is upon us!
Oh my is it hot! We have an “Excessive Heat Warning” today because we’re about to break the 100 degree mark. Yesterday I met a friend for dinner (50 cent taco night, yay!) and it was so humid that just walking from the car to the restaurant door caused us to both break a slight sweat. You'd think after two years in Georgia i'd be a bit more climatized to it all. Honestly I shouldn't complain too much though. It is currently 102 degrees in my hometown and 112 degrees where the hubby is located. Poor guy, I honestly don’t know how he stands it. Thankfully we don’t have a terribly long time until he is back home with us.
I started my class yesterday for the Summer quarter at school, I’m taking Fine Arts appreciation. I know I know, sounds like a gimmie course and usually anything with the word “appreciation” is. But I need a fine arts credit and since I’m doing my work online this is the easiest way of going about it. I’m less than six classes away from finishing the coursework for my Associates degree and I’m so ready to move on to my Bachelors. It feels like I’ve been working on this forever. I started it before I got married then with moving a few times, having a baby, working and just life in general its been a stop and start process. But seeing light at the end of the tunnel makes me happy.
Well, I should be off now so I can get Snuggle Bugs dinner on the stove and get my Jambalaya simmering!
Oh my is it hot! We have an “Excessive Heat Warning” today because we’re about to break the 100 degree mark. Yesterday I met a friend for dinner (50 cent taco night, yay!) and it was so humid that just walking from the car to the restaurant door caused us to both break a slight sweat. You'd think after two years in Georgia i'd be a bit more climatized to it all. Honestly I shouldn't complain too much though. It is currently 102 degrees in my hometown and 112 degrees where the hubby is located. Poor guy, I honestly don’t know how he stands it. Thankfully we don’t have a terribly long time until he is back home with us.
I started my class yesterday for the Summer quarter at school, I’m taking Fine Arts appreciation. I know I know, sounds like a gimmie course and usually anything with the word “appreciation” is. But I need a fine arts credit and since I’m doing my work online this is the easiest way of going about it. I’m less than six classes away from finishing the coursework for my Associates degree and I’m so ready to move on to my Bachelors. It feels like I’ve been working on this forever. I started it before I got married then with moving a few times, having a baby, working and just life in general its been a stop and start process. But seeing light at the end of the tunnel makes me happy.
Well, I should be off now so I can get Snuggle Bugs dinner on the stove and get my Jambalaya simmering!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful daddies out there!!
I'm happy to say i've been blessed with a man who is the best father to Snuggle Bug I could ever imagine. They share a special bond that warms my heart whenever I see them together.
They have so much fun together!
and he takes very good care of his little pumpkin!
We love you babe! Happy Father's Day!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Good Surprise!
Sometimes when you’re having a bad day its amazing how something can unexpectedly turn it all around.
I've been feeling a bit down the past couple of days, not sure why. We're coming to the end of the deployment but I’ve still got a few more months to go so I’m just going through a rough patch. Snuggle Bug has been in a growth spurt and teething which has made for some grumpy moments and since we're hitting the toddler stage she is into everything. It can be very tiring.
We went to the grocery store and she through a huge fit on the way out. Serves me right for going so late in the morning but I got caught up with stuff I was trying to do before we went. I went over budget which always bothers me because I'm picky about that sort of thing. I swear it seems like each trip gets more and more expensive for some reason. Snuggle Bug screamed on the drive home, despite my efforts to pass her toys and snacks, which made for a lovely 20 minutes. Once we got home she ate her lunch while I put away the groceries and then once she went down for a nap I decided to rest for a bit myself. The sad part is even after that nap I’m still tired.
But here is the good part….
After we got up from our naps, had snack time and played I got a knock at the door where a surprised was waiting for me.
These!
Aren't they pretty???
He has no idea how much these flowers made my day.
For Mother's Day he sent me a gift certificate for a massage. Here it is middle of June and I still haven't had a chance to go cash it in. Maybe soon.
I gave the delivery woman a strange look because I didn't think she was at the right house. I looked and thought "It's not my birthday" lol. But they were indeed for me! Now I've got to find a good place for them so whenever I look over at them I can have that reminder of how much someone truly loves me. I've really got myself a good man!
I've been feeling a bit down the past couple of days, not sure why. We're coming to the end of the deployment but I’ve still got a few more months to go so I’m just going through a rough patch. Snuggle Bug has been in a growth spurt and teething which has made for some grumpy moments and since we're hitting the toddler stage she is into everything. It can be very tiring.
We went to the grocery store and she through a huge fit on the way out. Serves me right for going so late in the morning but I got caught up with stuff I was trying to do before we went. I went over budget which always bothers me because I'm picky about that sort of thing. I swear it seems like each trip gets more and more expensive for some reason. Snuggle Bug screamed on the drive home, despite my efforts to pass her toys and snacks, which made for a lovely 20 minutes. Once we got home she ate her lunch while I put away the groceries and then once she went down for a nap I decided to rest for a bit myself. The sad part is even after that nap I’m still tired.
But here is the good part….
After we got up from our naps, had snack time and played I got a knock at the door where a surprised was waiting for me.
These!
Aren't they pretty???
He has no idea how much these flowers made my day.
For Mother's Day he sent me a gift certificate for a massage. Here it is middle of June and I still haven't had a chance to go cash it in. Maybe soon.
I gave the delivery woman a strange look because I didn't think she was at the right house. I looked and thought "It's not my birthday" lol. But they were indeed for me! Now I've got to find a good place for them so whenever I look over at them I can have that reminder of how much someone truly loves me. I've really got myself a good man!
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