The Gravy

Hilarious to me that my mothers response to my last post was to coach me on the gravy. She knows me so well. The serious anxiety has set in about Thanksgiving. When it comes right down to it, I'm only worried about one thing...and she nailed it. We are expecting between 15 and 20 people and am I worried about where they will all sit? The turkey? Parking? No, nope, not at all. I am worried about the gravy.
The gravy is God people. Mind you as of yet I've never bombed the gravy. It has always turned out perfect. I am blessed to have the Goddess of Gravy as my mother...and she taught me well. And yet still...I worry. As I lay in bed last night, planning my Thursday chronology, I considered buying canned gravy as a backup plan. I quickly put that aside, canned gravy would be as much a sin to me as botched gravy. You see, nothing else has to be perfect, as long as the gravy is. The stuffing, the turkey, the mashed potatoes...all could be mediocre and if the gravy is perfect the meal will sing. I, quite literally, could put the gravy in a glass and drink it. The worst part of this whole worrisome debacle, is that the gravy is the climax of the Thanksgiving supper story. It is the very last thing I make, right before dinner is served...which leaves me worrying about it right up until the very moment of "the meal". In my obsessive mind, Thanksgiving dinner is the single most important meal of the year...so if the gravy is the saving grace of the most important meal of the year, then Thursday's gravy is the most important thing I will cook ALL YEAR! That's a LOT of pressure!!! And I am spending an insane amount of time thinking about how to do something that I KNOW how to do!! I am a hot gravy mess right now.

Catch Up...

What's up with us, you may wonder. Or you may not. You're about to find out regardless.
This year, I am hosting the Garrett family Thanksgiving for the first time. I'm extremely excited and anxious about it. Excited because Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite meal of the year, anxious because I have yet to get a firm headcount. The only drawback has been that I am unable to put up my Christmas trees in the kitchen and living room due to space considerations. I have put up the tree in the basement, out of pure desperation to have at least one tree up.
The biggest change in our house recently has been Sam. Sam has a girlfriend. No, y'all I don't mean a girlfriend. I mean a GIRLFRIEND. Like, he's completely smitten. And my head is spinning. He pauses his video games for her. I know, right? Unheard of. She's a super sweet girl, and while I approve, I just don't know what to think about this stranger she's brought out in my son. This new, strange young man who showers and shaves and brushes his teeth without being reminded. Who talks, not texts, TALKS on the phone for HOURS every evening. Who preferred her company to his brand new, released that very day, Assasins Creed 3. It's absolute insanity, and I'm torn daily between angst and pride. I'm so impressed not just with Sam but with Jon. I see the way Sam treats her (Lyndsey) and what I see is that my husband has set an EXCELLENT example of how a man should treat a woman. At the same time, where is my baby? Who is this 6'2" young man, who shaves daily and is ready to go get his drivers permit? And how can I be old enough that all this is possible?
Well, I guess I just have to get used to it...

My Lucky Day

Despite all indications to the contrary, Monday, July 9th was my lucky day. At 6pm, you could not have convinced me of that in 20,000 words or less. Let me paint the picture for you, which will paint me pathetic and extremely ill prepared but hey, that's ok. Around 5pm I learned that not only did they not have our van fixed and ready to go (they said they did, but somehow forgot to do what we originally made the appointment for) but they don't even know if they will have it fixed today. Major hurdle, since I have to drive Liam to West Virginia tomorrow. Ahh, the stress. So, I'm sitting at Sam's game at 6pm. I have no money for concessions. I have not eaten dinner. Somehow, eating dinner myself when I was feeding the kids slipped my mind, as did the fact that with no money, I would NOT be able to eat at the park. I have no money for concessions and thanks to the unmerciful heat and sun, I have drunk my entire 24oz water before the game even began. Somehow, we lucked into the baseline that faces the aforementioned unmerciful sun. And I have a headache. So, to recap, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I have no money, I'm staring into the sun and nursing a headache...and a friend overhears me telling Katie that if I had my phone purchase to do all over again, I would go the extra mile and get the iPhone. Which he promptly jumped on. An hour into the conversation, I discover that he has already tried to trade phones with several people. All turned him down. Why? Who the heck knows. I suspect the unfair, but very real Apple bias.

You see, I have learned that there are two kinds of people in life. Those who use (and LOVE) Apple products and those who hate Apple products (mostly because they cannot learn how to use them). I will say, for me Apple products  were an acquired taste. And had I not received an iPad from my employers for Christmas a few years ago, I don't know that I ever would have converted. I had an uneducated bias against them, mostly due to their exclusivity. I have since learned that their exclusivity is a safeguard...a moat if you will, that protects me in my happy little Applecastle.

I, did NOT turn him down. I offered up all my phone's quirky behaviors, full disclosure, ya know. And then I told him, I absolutely would LOVE to trade him my Droid3 for his iPhone4. So, after the game, he and his wife and family came over and we called Verizon and got it all straightened out. And here I sit, the proud owner of a 4 month old iPhone, a happy Apple user. Sorry Bobby, I can't help it.

I <3 Apple.

Love you all!

Summer is...

The Ohio State Fair to me. Always has been, always will be. The Ohio State Fair has no competition in the summer and can only be rivaled on my excit-o-meter by Christmas the rest of the year. 

http://www.ohiostatefair.com/

So, naturally, everything reminds me of the fair lately. We are in countdown mode, opening day T minus 16 days. Especially in my neck of the woods. I see corn fields, I think Fair. I see cows, I think Fair. Today, I was browsing their website and discovered that Maggie, Liam, Jon and I get in for free if we show their report cards as proof they are exiting 4th grade students. Of course, this leads me to think, Hey, maybe we can afford to go twice then!! Opening day is $3 admissions. So, I figure we go then and do the freebee over the following weekend and it still costs less than if we paid full price for us all to go once! 

The sheep agree, that's not a baaaa-aaad deal! 

In the meantime, we have 3 kids baseball tournaments to get through. Not to mention, Liam is getting SERIOUSLY excited about his San Antonio trip with Grandma Debby and PaPa James. He spent  the better part of a conversation in the car yesterday mulling over what style of "real cowboy hat" he plans on getting in big bad Texas. 

I will do my level best in this busy season of our year to keep you all posted. For now, I can tell you that Sam will begin tournaments Monday or Tuesday and Maggie begins on Wednesday. Liam does not start tournaments until after his trip. 

I love you all! 

The Latest Health News...

Went to the Dr. this morning. The official weight loss right now, per the Dr's mac daddy scales is 25lbs. I am not able to quit taking my blood pressure meds yet, which was a big disappointment for me, but she wants me to keep doing what I'm doing and come back to see her in 3 months. She thinks at that point we can probably halve my dosage and eventually work me off of them altogether. Let's hope. 

We had a nice weekend. Ate out too much, but got all the yard work done. Well, actually Liam got all the yardwork done, but we supervised him. Ahem...

This week will be busy. Sam, of course, will have track practice everyday...everyday he doesn't actually have a meet. Liam has baseball practice tonight for 2 hours and Maggie has softball practice tomorrow night. 

In the hopes of continuing my weight loss journey to get off the blood pressure medication, I bought tofu today at Costco...if any of you have the slightest idea what in the hell I'm supposed to do with it, feel free to tell me! 

I love you all...

Out of Sorts

Things have been a bit wacky around here lately. I have not been able to settle into my normal schedule. It's making my cranky. (Poor Jon. Poor Liam. Poor Maggie. Not Sam so much. He lives entirely in his bedroom these days...hiding works in this case.) Consequently, I am looking forward to tomorrow. I have a normal schedule tomorrow. What's normally on the Friday schedule?, you ask?? Scrubbing toilets. Toilets and tubs and cleaning the kids rooms and emptying all the trash cans. Are you questioning my sanity? It's true, I am looking forward to it. On Fridays, I crank Pandora and dance around the house, scrubbing and dusting and sweeping as I go. I occasionally stop to play a Scrabble word...or let the dog out (or in). I often stop to answer Jon's texts. But mostly, I exist in my own little world.  And my world is clean. Until the kids get home...all told it usually lasts (from finish until they arrive) for about 1 glorious hour. Then, all my hard work is undone. In 3 minutes flat. 

But, that's ok, I think I'll do it anyhow. 

I love you all! 

Waz Up!!!???!!!???

Wow! I just checked my blog and could NOT BELIEVE how long it's been since I posted. I think with the advent of Google+ I just let it go. So, here's "waz up" ...

We had a great visit to North Carolina for Easter weekend. It was wonderful to see family and especially sweet baby Alex. Sweet baby, Alex, who is loving and generous...generous with his cold. He gave it to his mama. He gave it to his Poppy. And he gave it to me. It was worth every little sniffle to see him though. He's positively yummy! 

While on vacation, I ate like I was on vacation. Whew, I enjoyed not thinking and analyzing my every bite,  BUT....I was really happy to get back to my fruits and veggies too. The "not dieting" did a real number on my salt intake. My ankles were swollen on the way home. One day of eating right and I managed to pee all that out. Things are back to normal, but out of pure self-defense I have NO INTENTION of weighing myself this week. ;)

Today, I'm taking a friend to some Dr's appointments in Columbus. The friend is Angie, or some of you may recall her as "The Cooley Daily News". She is the one who had a stroke last August and was responsible mostly for my new healthy eating habits, Easter weekend notwithstanding, of course. 

Liam has baseball practice tonight, Maggie's first practice is scheduled for next Tuesday. And it's cold...now. Now it's cold. It's been warm all winter...now, when we have to sit outside a couple times a week in the evening...now it's cold. Sigh. So cold in fact, that we had flurries yesterday...enough for Sam's track meet to be cancelled. Which was a blessing, because I was freezing, developing a cold and scheduled to work the concession stand. 

I will try real hard to do a better job keeping y'all posted. 

I love you all!!! 

An Angel Attachment

Had some running around to do today. The pneumonia is receding, but due to some unsightly stuff I am still coughing up occasionally, the doctor wanted me to tack 5 days onto my antibiotic regimen. They had the good stuff in the office so all I had to do is run in and pick it up. Thank God for doctors who care...

While I was down that way I planned to stop in and do our monthly Costco shopping. Which was an exhausting ordeal, and not really my best idea ever... when you're healthy and you have normal energy levels, you don't really give any thought to how much "work" is involved in buying bulk foods. By the time I pushed the 576lb cart thru the warehouse, loaded it all into the van, got it home and made a dozen trips between the van and the house...then put it all away, which included at least half a dozen trips to the basement pantry and freezer I fell onto the couch in a near coma. 

The entirety of this post thus far, was to tell you that while I was right in the area, I stopped into Hobby Lobby. I do dearly love Hobby Lobby. My goal was twofold...I wanted to check out their Valentine's Day decorations, and I wanted to see just how clearanced they have their Christmas decorations. Because, God knows, I NEED more Christmas decorations. (Rolling my eyes). It's an illness I think, because this year I actually decided to weed through the decorations I already have. Nearly 10 rubbermaid tubs full of garlands and santa's and I don't even know what all. Half of which I didn't pick out, some of which I display out of habit and NOT because I lovingly chose it...or even like it. Every year there are things I do not display...things I just never get out. 2012 is the year of the purge in the Garrett house...if I don't use it, it's GONE. So, I have been assessing each decoration as I pack it away...Do I love it? Is it tradition? Will my kids fight over it when I'm dead? And if I don't love it...it goes in a box for goodwill. So, despite the fact that the last damn thing I need is more Christmas decorations I went in and headed straight for the clearance. And was immediately drawn to the angels...80% off...lovely elaborate angels. Angels with white puffy gowns and boa feathers... our angel, is old. Old and broken. Her lights quit working a couple years ago and last year, in an effort to make do, I cut all the light cords off. She was holding two gold lights in her hands, and after I cut off the lights she held her hands out to us...imploring...as if to say...stop, take in the glory of this tree. Or, perhaps, Please help me. help me find my lights. She's kind of small, not really proportionate to our tree. And she has blue eyeshadow. But somehow, in Hobby Lobby, I just couldn't replace her. 

She has always been there, on the tree Jon and I share...and she has watched over our Christmas seasons faithfully. And when it came right down to it, I got all sentimental and couldn't replace her. So, she stays, with her blue eyeshadow. Because I love her... 

Pneumonia Sucks!

the energy right out of you. I am finally, really on the mend. Avelox is a wondrous drug. It could, possibly, make you poop your pants. BUT, it will kick out any infection in your bod post haste. Thank God!!

January approaches and we all know what that means…

January is get healthy month. We all know it’s supposed to be a new beginning and it is. But, never long term. I told Jon last night we need to go to the grocery to get all of our fruits and veggies and lean meats. Because January is coming and we have to pretend we are going to change. We can eat healthy for a month then go back to normal in February. Just being a realist here…

Lord Help Me…

What on God’s Green Earth have I gotten myself into now?? Yesterday, I agreed to head up the 4th-6th grade youth group at church. Which is a new group…traditionally youth group is for teenagers. At our church we have a LARGE crop of 10-12 year olds that are extremely interested in participating. In an effort to NOT turn away kids who want to go to church for a couple hours on Sunday night we are expanding. Accommodating. Experiencing growing pains even. It’s going to be a challenge. To say the least. Of course, more than half these kids used to attend childrens church with me every Sunday morning, years ago…which actually is how I know that burn out can happen quickly.

Last night was the Christmas party and the first time I attended a youth group. It made me proud. Sam is turning into a fine young man. Crazy, but true. He had one shining moment…when he yelled at them all to “SHUT UP” but other than that really, he was a leader. Impressive. And to be fair, he told them to listen several times before he turned ugly. He and Austin, at 14, are the 2 oldest…and they will be good influences for the younger set.

I look forward to watching it unfold and would appreciate any and all prayers for patience…

Love you all!

My Maggie Dilemma

The short form of the back story:

1. Maggie has been “friends” with Maura since first grade. In first grade, they were quite close.

2. Since first grade other girls have joined their “friendship”.

3. Last year, much to Maggie’s dismay, Maura started pulling away from Maggie somewhat and connecting more with the other 2 girls.

4. And this little tidbit should have been #1 ~ Maggie is a MAJOR people pleaser of the highest level. It is positively dismaying to me how eager to please and needy she is…it’s pathetic really. I try hard to understand…I know once upon a time I too was a people pleaser…but it was so long ago I can’t remember. I don’t know how she FEELS. I can’t relate to or respect her approach.

So, cut to this week. She asked me if Maura could spend the night. This Saturday we have Blake’s birthday party and this Sunday is Jon and I’s anniversary. So, I told her Maura COULD spend the night, NEXT weekend. She promptly went to school and asked Maura if she’d like to spend the night next weekend, to which Maura replied that she would and she had to ask her mom. The next day Maura told Maggie that yes, indeed, she could spend the night next weekend.

Then yesterday, she came to school and told Mags that she didn’t know if she could because she was going to ask her mom if Hannah and Darcy (the other two) could spend the night at her house. Which naturally broke Maggie’s heart and pissed me off BIG TIME!!
I have tried without success over the past year to convince Maggie that she should just cut those ties. Those 3 girls don’t do anything positive for Maggie or her self-esteem. Over and over they have shown themselves to be inconsiderate and thoughtless…Maggie just doesn’t rate with them…and she expends FAR too much energy trying to.
Sadly, Maggie and I spent most of yesterday evening at odds over this situation. Maggie is scheming, trying to figure out how she can convince Maura to choose her next Friday night. I am appalled that she doesn’t in 4th grade words tell her to go to hell. I have tried and tried to convince Maggie that she is a good friend and she in turn deserves good friends. I really am at a loss right now. I told her last night that I would prefer she have a different friend over, because Maura isn’t very nice. And still this morning she came out and told me what she plans to say to Maura today…which is basically a beggar pitch, please pick me. Then she asked me if she can convince Maura to choose her, and she does indeed spend the night, will I be nice to her. I quite honestly answered, “I won’t be mean, but I won’t be nice by my usual standard Mags. That’s the best I can do.”
Why? What do I do? Dammit, why won’t she listen to me? 38 years I’ve spent learning all these hard lessons and the people I love most refuse to let me help them learn from them. It’s cruel really. Meanwhile, my heart breaks for her. Any advice???

BEST. SUMMER. EVER!

The kids only have 6 days left…the first day of school is looming. School supplies have all been bought. Schedules have been received and double checked. And I, while ready, have been reminiscing. We have been blessed with an INCREDIBLE summer!

We kicked our summer off with a family trip to the beach…

We had a wonderful time, with family, extended family and friends. There was no drama. Just fun, sun, sand, surf and harmony…except for that one minor night…but hey, no hard feelings, right?

When we returned home, it was time for Vacation Bible School. I had not volunteered to help this year, but when I took the Maggie and Liam on Monday, Sam and I were drafted to help out. That too, was a great week.

After VBS, we rested for a few weeks, our only quiet weeks of the summer. Well, rested as much as is possible with 2 boys playing baseball. Liam kicked arse individually this year, but his team did not achieve anything wonderful. Which was a shame, they had a lot of talent. But not such a great coach, so the season amounted to not much. Sam, on the other hand, went ALL THE WAY!

They were the BEST Pony League team in two counties! It was stressful, exciting, exhilarating even!

Two days after Sam’s baseball season was over, we were on our way to spend a week in Buffalo with Jon. After 7 months, we finally had a free enough schedule to spend some time there with him and go to Niagara Falls.

Why on earth we had never gone before, I cannot say. Ignorance, plain and simple…I did not know what I was missing.

It was WOW!!! I was so impressed, in fact…

that we decided we were going back the next week. Then I called Dad and told him that given the fact that he and Anne were coming the following weekend anyway, it would really be to their benefit to come a couple days early and go with us. And what do you know? They did!

Then, we came back and met up the next day with the rest of the clan at The Ohio State Fair!

I’m sure I’ve missed a few things…but all in all, I think you can see that we were blessed with many memories, much family…could not have asked for a better summer.

Now, Jon has started a new contract at Chase, here in Columbus, the kids are headed back to school on Monday next and I am looking forward to some normalcy. Just for a little while.

I love you all!

SCORE!!!

Early last week, we received the kids achievement test results for the 2010-2011 school year.

My children are smartypants!

Sam scored advanced in reading and accelerated in math and science.

Maggie scored advanced in reading (a darn near perfect score) and math as well.

The big story is Liam though. Last year, he did not meet the state standards for the 3rd grade. In the 2009-2010 school year, Liam carried decent grades…but he had to REALLY struggle to get them. We all did, many, many nights of tears and study and frustration to accomplish passing grades. When I received the phone call from the school principal suggesting we hold him back to repeat the third grade I was actually relieved…worried about the social ramifications, but relieved nonetheless. When I received his test results last summer they reflected that struggle. He did not meet the state mandated standards for the 3rd grade.

Liam sailed through the 2010-2011 school year with ease…he was happy, well adjusted, carefree in regards to school for the first time in his life. So I ask you to just imagine my delight when I open his test results to find that he scored ADVANCED in reading and accelerated in math!!! Not proficient…he didn’t just meet the standards…he beat the heck out of them!!

I cannot thank the teachers and staff of Highland Elementary School enough! For the first time, I am looking forward with no reservations to a school year…confident in my children’s chances of success!

That, my friends, is a very nice feeling!

I love you all!

Big Doin's…

We got big doin’s goin’ on in the Garrett household these days. Last Sunday we wrapped up baseball, and promptly packed our bags and went with Jon to spend the week in Buffalo.

We had a great time, spending our days poolside while Jon was at work. Then going out to supper or to sight see when he was home in the evenings. Jon has lived in Buffalo for seven months now, and we FINALLY made it to Niagara Falls…it’s a full 15 minutes from his apartment in Tonawanda. Ridiculous, eh? What can I say, they all seemed like good reasons to put it off at the time…

It was absolutely gorgeous and I felt remiss that we had not dragged the kids there sooner.

We were able to ride the Maid of the Mist…

which was stunning.

And were also able to tour the Cave of the Winds…

which was exhilarating. Or wet…depending on your mood, I suppose.

We enjoyed all of it so much that we’ve decided to do it all again this week.

Tomorrow, my Dad and Anne are driving up from North Carolina and will be joining us on a short trip to Buffalo. We will see the falls and move my hubby back home! Then Friday, it’s time for the Ohio State Fair. Man, I love the fair, second only to Christmas…

But, in recap, because I haven’t posted in so long…

1. Jon got a job in Columbus!!!!! It is a 6-18 month contract and it’s at Chase…that's

2 strikes

and I ain’t lyin’. But, it’s at home, he will be home, we will have him home, EVERY NIGHT! So, we’ll take it and be pretty darn happy!

2. Sam’s baseball team took first place in their league. They had a 2 county Pony League Tournament 2 weeks ago and they won the whole dang thing! It was purty exciting, if I do say so myself.

And finally,

3. Last but MOST IMPORTANT!!!! My baby boy Liam Murphy turned 10 last week!!! How can this be happening?? 10 years old? Please, stop…I want to get off! My baby’s keep getting older…I want off this ride now!

Dang, he is a cutie!!! Just like his Daddy.

I love you all!

Odd Ball Boy

I recently told Liam that he really needs to start sleeping in his own bed.

He is almost 10 years old, after all.

I'm not really sure what the problem is with that boy. He just HATES sleeping alone. He would rather sleep on the floor with a sleeping bag in Sam's room than sleep in his bed alone in his own room. Liam has happily slept nearly everywhere in this house, EXCEPT his room. He has slept in Sam's room, and Maggie's room...while Jon is in Buffalo, he sleeps with me every night. When Jon is in town, he sleeps on the couch or loveseat in the living room.

Last week, I said, "Liam, you are almost 10 years old. It's time to buck up and sleep in your own bed."

To his credit, he didn't argue much. He willingly went to his own bed and said prayers and was asleep in mere minutes.

Then, when I woke the next morning...

 

...he was in Jet's bed on Jon and I's bedroom floor.

I give up.

I love you all...

An Accomplished School Year

The 2010-2011 school year was a good one for the Garrett children. Last week, on the last day of school, I attended Liam and Maggie’s awards assembly. I’ve attended the awards assembly in years past, and left with a sad heart. Sam is so smart, but such a lazy underachiever, that he never received any awards…and he really could not have cared less. Then, last year, Maggie was not eligible for the awards due to the grading system, but Liam was. He was eligible and if there were an award for effort he would have been a shoe-in. Unfortunately, there’s no award for giving an A+ effort and getting C’s and D’s. As I’m sure you all know, Liam repeated the 3rd grade this year. It was an agonizing choice and the source of my most “worried” summer ever. It turned out, thank you Jesus, to be the best thing ever for Liam. And THIS YEAR, he received awards!!

He received a medal and certificate for Merit Roll, all A’s and B’s ALL YEAR!! AND, he got a reading reward!

A HUGE thank you to his teachers, most especially Mrs. Thompson, for the school year he had. Watching him blossom and excel was wonderful. The difference in his confidence level alone has been such a joy to me.

Maggie too, received Merit Roll and reading rewards. Poor Maggie, she wanted the Honor Roll SO BADLY! But, one B in the first quarter stomped on her dreams.

She seems to have recovered…

This year, when I left the assembly, my heart was glad. It was a good year.

I still have my lazy underachiever…who ended up getting one C. The rest were A’s and B’s though, and he accidentally did REALLY well on some test and got a Presidential Academic Achievement Award, for being in the top 10% of test scores in the nation for both Math and English.

I am no longer working, I’m once again at home with my babies…so hopefully, I will do a better job keeping up with the blog now. And with cleaning my house. 8)

I love you all!

The Reward

Sam has been working hard in track...practicing after school every day. And he seems to be doing well so far. This week they have a "relay" meet. Which apparently means something, but is totally beyond me. What I DO know is that this meet is at home. This meet lasts 2 days. 2 of the 3 events Sam is participating in take place on day 2. And most importantly, I can not afford 2 days of concession begging from Maggie and Liam. So we stayed home today and will go watch tomorrow. Consequently, Sam texted me when it was over to come pick him up. Being the awesome Mom that I am, I didn't hear my phone alert. So, I didn't go pick him up. Well, not until he called 10 minutes later and said, "Are you coming to get me?"

When I picked him up, I eagerly asked as he put on his seatbelt, "Well??? How did you do?" Smiling in my most supportiver manner.
He replied, "I got two phone numbers, Austin got 5. But, he was just asking anybody, and I'm PICKY."

That my friends is what track is really all about.

I love you all.

Whoops!

I took Jet to the vet Monday. He and Marley both were due for shots. They both checked out well, except for one little thing. Last week, when we got home from North Carolina, he was a bit overexcited. In his usual over excited fashion, he ran around like an absolute maniac. When he ran back bleeding from his paw, I assumed he had ripped his toenail. Turns out he somehow managed to BREAK his toe! Have you ever even heard of such a thing? 

"I'm injured...don't you feel sorry for me??"

The vet said there's nothing we can do about it...just let it heal. So, he's limping around on 3 legs like a doofus. And, of course, getting lots of sympthy from mama. I love you all!

The Compromise

Maggie was a bit of a surprise, if you know what I mean. She was life lesson #12734, You CAN get pregnant when you’re nursing.
She is the only girl, which means she has an unimaginable amount of clothes. And shoes…good Lord, so many shoes. But, she’s always gotten hand-me-down furniture. She totally lucked into a lovely daybed, from her Grandma…but has been, since birth, using her brother Liam’s cast off dresser. His very SMALL cast off dresser. (Life lesson # 17682, an unimaginable amount of clothes do not fit in a very small cast off dresser. )
So, I promised her at the beginning of March, we would buy her a new dresser in April.  And she rubbed her little hands together and giggled maniacally and plotted and picked out this…

And the arguments began. I said, no, absolutely not. That dresser will NOT work. And she cried and moaned and ripped her clothes from her chest. Well, ok, that’s a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.
For a full month, we bickered and fought and I held firm. I was not going to allow her to pick out a dresser that she would hate in 5 years…because Jon and I are NOT going to buy her another new dresser in 5 years.
I was having nothing but that she was getting a solid white dresser. She hated me. HATED ME!!!
But, as we wandered through the dressers at American Freight I had a “Mommy Moment” . That is right, a stroke of GENIUS!! For just a moment, I turned into my mother… and I made a promise to Mags.
If she would agree to the solid white dresser, we would go to Wal-Mart and let her pick out wall stickers to use to “decorate” the dresser. Stickers that would PEEL RIGHT OFF when she got tired of them. And the girl was happy.
This is what she ended up with…

…the compromise.
I love you all!

My Girl

 Ahh, my girl. Things are changing so quickly with her these days. In addition to the all drama, all the time…she’s turning into a giggly socialite. She has taken to receiving phone calls in the evening. She takes the cordless phone and disappears into her bedroom. Occasionally, she will come out to get a drink or something from her locker…talking and giggling all the while. It’s so funny to me. I can vividly remember doing the same thing…in the 3rd grade, no less. The 3rd grade must be the magical year of the phone call. It was a bit different, I confess. There was no such thing as “cordless phones” when I was her age. So, I had to lurk in the kitchen.

She has started begging me for a cell phone. That is NOT going to happen. I worry she has enough privacy to get herself in trouble with the cordless. I may have disliked having to be in the thick of the family when I had my pre-pubescent gab and giggle fests…but it certainly served as a form of accountability. By God, if she’s gabbing and giggling about boys I want to know it. Now that I’m thinking this whole thing thru, I think I may need to go buy a corded phone for the kitchen, just for her use. What do you think??

 

I love you all!