Life's interruptions

I have a few minutes to catch up on my blog.  Let's see... I took Little Man to the doctor last week and found that he has a double ear infection.  Oh.... hang on.... the phone is ringing.

 

 

Ok, now I'm back.  As I was saying, Little Man has an ear infection.  He kept complaining about bugs in his ears.  Yeah, I have creative children.  Oops.... there goes the door.

 

 

I'm back.  Anyway, he's doing much better these days.  Now if only I can remember to give him his medicine twice a day!  I've also been getting things ready for this big consignment sale this week.  I just dropped a van-full of toys and clothes to the sale yesterday and the presale starts tomorrow.  Oh, crap.  I can't finish this now, I have to type up something for the PTA.  Back later.

 

 

Well, that's done.  As I was saying, I have things in this big sale.  Last fall, when I participated, I think I made about $250-$300 from it.  I can't remember exactly, because I use that same money for buying clothes and things for the kids during the year.  I'm hoping for a good sale this time around, too.   I've also been spending a lot of time researching materials for home schooling next year.  Monkey and I are both excited about it.  Right now, I'm focusing on Science and History.  You'd be amazed at how much information is out there.  Well, I'll have to catch up with this in a while because I have to get some laundry done.

 

 

I only have a minute because now I have to run to the store.  Man, having a blog to keep up is a bit time-consuming.  I just don't know how other people do it.  I follow writers that post daily.  Either I'm too busy or just not that creative.  Anyway, folks, I'll do my best to keep writing.  I hope you'll have patience with me.

 

Decisions...

I have a decision to make.  It's not an easy one but it's one that thousands of people face.

 

I have an old dog.  She's 14 and a half years old which is very old for her size and breed.  She has something going on with her hip and she doesn't bear much weight on her right hind leg.  X-rays would be too expensive and would only serve to confirm that she has a problem.  Even if it was "fixable" through surgery, I would not put her through that.  She's just too old.  

 

She's on medication for the pain now, and I do notice a difference.  She's more comfortable and a little more like herself, although she still has an obvious limp.  So while the medicine may be helping, it's not getting rid of the pain altogether. 

 

The problem I'm having with all this is that I would like to know what's actually going on inside her hip.  Is it cancer?  Is it arthritis?  Is there a bone spur?  What is it?  Knowing what it is isn't really going to solve the problem, as I said before.  It's just that I want to KNOW.  I want to know if it's cancer or arthritis.  But that would just be satisfying my own curiosity.  It wouldn't really help her.  My knowing what's causing the problem isn't going to fix the problem.

 

So we're in a holding pattern now, giving her medicine to help her stay comfortable and less painful.  She's still getting excited about eating, so I know she's feeling better, but at what point am I medicating her for me?  Where is the line that delineates my wishful thinking and her quality of life?  At what point will I KNOW that she's ready to go chase bunnies in the sky?

 

I'll be gone for the next week, visiting family (so I may not be here often) and she isn't coming with me and the kids.  She's hanging out here with Trey and the puppy - who still irritates the snot out of her - so I'm hoping she'll be able to maintain until I get back.  The last time I left town for a long trip without Trey, our very old cat died.  That's not setting a good precedent.

 

But still, having that decision hanging over my head.... It's no fun.

Top 10 mommy list

My blogger friend Tara gave me this idea of a top 10 list.  Her list was a top 10 of things she says all the time.  I think I'm gonna switch it to a Top 10 List of things I thought I would never say.  Enjoy (and how many of these things have you said, too?)

 

10.  Wait until  your daddy gets home.

 

9.  Yes, you do have to go outside and play.

 

8.  I'm gonna jerk a knot in you.

 

7.  You'll poke your eye out.

 

6.  Finish that cheeseburger if you want dessert.

 

5.  Because I said so, that's why.

 

4.  Sure, you can watch another movie.

 

3.  We'll see.

 

2.  How about we bake cookies for a snack?

 

1.  You kids are making me crazy!

 

And just to balance the tables, here is a top 10 list of things I always say, even if I have to force myself to whenever I'm having one of "those" days:

 

10. Good job!

 

9.  Please.

 

8.  Thank you.

 

7.  I'm very proud of you.

 

6.  Can I have a hug and/or kiss?

 

5.  You're my bestest boy/girl.

 

4.  Are you making good choices?

 

3.  Let's go show Daddy.

 

2.  Tell me a story.

 

1.  I love you.

 

 

What's on your top 10 list?

 

 

What do you like?

Hello dear readers,

 

I was having a conversation on twitter with Writer Dad about music and it got me to wondering.  What's in your CD player?  What's on your iPod?  Who do you listen to?

 

I would LOVE to hear your suggestions and recommendations.  I like finding new music and I'm sure you can help me.  

 

 

Still Christmas shopping?

I got this idea over this past weekend that some of you may still be looking for that perfect gift for the mom/sister/friend in your life.  Maybe you're scrambling to find that extra-special custom gift that only she can use.  Well, allow me to scramble with you.  Let's crack those eggs and make an omelette.

 

I make Mommy Bracelets.  I actually hold a BFA in Metal Design but this is all I can do right now.  I've been making these bracelets mostly for friends and family for a few years now, but occasionally I get asked to make one for a gift.  

 

I've used children's names with their matching birthstones....

 

 

 

 

I've used nicknames like Grandma, Mawmaw and Nanny with all of their grandkids' birthstones...

 

 

 

 

And I've also made bracelets for little girls.  I have a picture of one I made for Monkey but the focus is all out of whack.  Speaking of bad pictures, please don't let the quality of my pictures sway your opinion on my bracelets.  I still haven't figured out how to take good shots of these things.

 

They are all made with sterling silver clasps and beads and the birthstone beads are Swarovski crystal.

 

If you are interested in one of these custom bracelets, please let me know in the comments section or by sending me a direct email and we can talk about what you have in mind.  Prices generally run as such:

 

Single strand:  $35

Double strand:  $50

Triple strand:  $65

 

I can keep adding strands if you like but at some point people may start comparing you to Mr. T, so if you have more than three children/grandchildren you want on a bracelet, think about ways to make it one or two strands.  If you need ideas or suggestions, I'm happy to help.

 

Shipping is a flat $5 and it'll be sent priority mail.  Oh, and since we only have about 22 days left, I can't take orders after December 10th so that I'll have time to get the beads, make the bracelet and get it back in the mail to you before Christmas.

 

Hungry for an omelette yet?

 

Oh, pickles!

Houston, we have a problem.

 

My coffee maker broke this morning.

 

Tragedy has struck.

 

How am I to get through the day?

 

I don't have a "coffee maker" envelope.

 

Oh, man.....

 

What about tomorrow?

 

 

just another day...

Another busy day is on tap.  Little Man has preschool from 9-2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so these are the days I try and schedule my volunteering at Monkey's school, go to the grocery store, breathe.  Well, naturally, being the overachiever that I am, I overbooked myself for today.

 

Let's see...  Here's a snapshot of my day:

8:45 leave house

 

8:46 return to house because I forgot something (I ALWAYS forget something)

 

8:55-9:00 drop off Little Man

 

9:05 head to Monkey's school to set up the Fall Festival signs out by the street and decorate them.  I'm hoping that those who offered to help will be there.  With help it should take maybe an hour

 

9:30-11:30 volunteer in Monkey's library (see the problem?  How am I supposed to be decorating and shelving books at the same time?)

 

11:45-1:45 eat lunch, run to the grocery store, take groceries home, finish decorating signs if no one shows up at 9 to help

 

1:55 pick up Little Man

 

2:05 go sit in the car line for Monkey and wait for school dismissal at 2:35.  I like this because it gives me a chance to catch up on reading.  I'm re-reading The Shack right now.  Phenomenal book. 

 

2:35 the children dismiss and the line starts to crawl forward.

 

2:45 head home

 

3:00 rush Monkey to do her chores, check my emails and Google reader

 

3:19 leave the house for Girl Scouts

 

3:20 return to house for whatever I forgot

 

3:30 drop Monkey off at Girl Scouts

 

3:40 Parent/Teacher conference with Monkey's teacher

 

4:00 go to chiropractor

 

4:10 - 5:00 go home to do my chores - dishes, laundry, pick up the house - that's such an odd phrase, isn't it?  I mean we don't actually pick up the house, do we?  We pick up things lying around the house, so why say...  oh - sorry, where was I? Oh crap!  I'm late!

 

5:10 pick up Monkey from Girl Scouts

 

5:30 dinner, probably meet my cousins at Chick-fil-A for Family Night since I didn't have time to cook anything at home. 

  

6:45 or so, leave to go home

 

7:00 start baths

 

7:30 bed time

 

7:45 crash out on the couch and watch mindless TV since I'm too frazzled to even think about my Disciple homework.

 

I have to remind myself sometimes that I volunteered for this gig.  I'm a stay-at-home-mom, remember?  Although there really isn't much staying at home...