The Last Day

Ah, the last day of NaBloPoMo! And really, I have nothing to say. But, I couldn't leave this space blank. It's been a long month, and I'm quasi looking forward to December. Only quasi as the stress of the holiday seasons, and the stress added in to my life by other people should prove to be interesting! On top of it all, we pack up and board a plane again (only one this time) a mere three weeks from today. As of now, our Christmas tree and decorations are up. Snow has fallen in the last few days (although it will be gone tomorrow). My house is a study in disaster, and I am tired. Ready for bed. Goodnight!

Going Forward Toward Winter

It snowed last night. More than the weather forecasters predicted, but not much. Maybe a couple of inches. The kids couldn't wait to bundle up in their snowsuits, mittens and boots and got out into the back yard! The snow is late this year, so it's a very welcomed sight in these parts. Our first, light snowfall this year didn't happen until November 14th, and was completely melted by noon. Last year it was in October 21st. The second snowfall was on November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving, and that was it.... it was no longer warm after that. Warm being anything above the mid 50's really. It's not as bad as it sounds. The air is so dry here that a sunny, 50 degree day requires a long-sleeved shirt, but sometimes not even a sweatshirt! Of course, then there are the cloudy or windy days, which require body armour! But I digress.....

I think we reached the it's-not-going-to-be-warm-for-a-while point last night. I was struck with that thought as the snow softly fell, and then again this afternoon as I folded a pair of capri sweats and a short sleeved shirt fresh from the dryer. Won't need those for another 6 months! I put away Caitlin's size 18-24 month and size 2 capri's in mid-October, since it was cold, and then had to drag them out again right after Halloween for the 75-80 degree days we had! Quite honestly, I didn't think we would need them again! Yesterday I boxed up a bunch of summer clothes that won't fit her again. It's nice to have a basement to store them in, but I'll need to find someone who likes hand-me-downs. Who wants to hold on to kid clothes forever?

I'm grateful for fall and winter. It's so nice to actually look forward to summer! I was really really waiting for it this year, as our cold spring seemed to drag on forever. No greenery. No flowers. In my longing I realized that I couldn't remember the last time I longed for summer. Of course, that first hot day hit, and I started wondering why I wished for them in the first place! California's mild winters that give way to hot summers don't make you long for summer. I always longed for winter and rain. Since winter here isn't as harsh as it elsewhere in the states you can have fun. A few cold weeks does make you understand why people pack up and move to warmer climates. In a few more months you'll hear me complaining about the cold!
We found out that the new play area in the mall just opened up yesterday. At least I'll have somewhere to go in the winter when the kids just need to run around. Yay!

Returning

The worst part about returning home from a trip? Trying to clean up and unpack your stuff (and the stuff of others). The best part? Being home. And, in this case, knowing that we don't start our regular schedule for a few more days. Yay! More time to take down our fall decor and put up our Christmas tree!

Thankful for Waffles

Traveling on Thanksgiving. What a strange concept! Thanksgiving dinner for us tonight? Waffles. Restaurants were closed, as were stores, and all our stuff was frozen. I am thankful to be home though, and to have had easy travels. I am looking forward to my bed tonight. And I am thankful for Waffles!

Things I am Thankful For

We are celebrating Thanksgiving today with my family, since tomorrow is a travel day for us. There are many things I am thankful for. I could go on and on in a big list, but I don't want to bore you! :-) I am thankful from God, from whom all blessing flow. I am thankful, year after year, for being able to live in a wonderful country (regardless of some horrible quirks), to practice my faith openly, and to have a loving family (both sides) that loves my family. Brian and I took a cruise through the Netherland Antilles and the Panama Canal for our honeymoon. We were struck by the living conditions of people in the countries we visited. I'll never forget trying to get a glimpse of the humble hovels that many people called home. Images of women sweeping dirt floors and doing their washing in tubs outside will always be with me, and again, I am grateful for that. When I get into my little complaining mood that my life is hard or that I don't have what so-and-so has, all I have to do is remember that I have been blessed in my circumstances and keep my mouth shut.

So I will celebrate the openness and freedom we have here. Remembering that it is not free. And won't forget how fortunate I have been in life. I hope you and yours can celebrate your life and freedoms, and thank God for the positives (and maybe some of the negatives!) in your life.



And, on my closing note, here is what Caitlin is thankful for:


And that's no lie. She does love those goldfish crackers!

Not 300 Pounds

Brandon decided to hang out in the bathroom with me while I was I was taking out my contacts yesterday. He got fascinated by my sister's analog scale, and stood on it. In a whiny voice, he asked "Why am I only 40 pounds, mom?" I was pretty amazed, since he was only 38 pounds at the pediatrician's visit last month. He wanted me to get on the scale, too. Since I was still taking out my contacts, I told him I'd get on in a few minutes. He looked down at the scale...

Brandon - Do you weigh three zero zero, Mom?
Me - I hope not!
Brandon (disappointed) - How about two eight zero?
Me - Nope, I don't weight two hundred and eighty pounds.
Brandon (sighing) - How about two four zero?
Me - No, honey.
Brandon - Two zero zero?
Me - no honey, I don't weight that either.
Brandon - Mom! What good is it if don't weigh over two zero zero?
Me (thinking out loud) - I'm really happy I don't weigh that much!
At that point Brandon sighed heavily and walked away from the scale.

I'm betting that he's the only one in the house who is offended that his mother doesn't weigh two hundred pounds. I'm not skinny by any means, but I haven't reached that point on the scale. And I, for one, am not disappointed!

"Oops"

I promise this is not me and Brandon. However, I'm sure I would have had the cackling laugh at the end if it was. The last 1o seconds made me laugh the hardest!

mom makes son have panic attack

The Kids at the Wedding

Elizabeth's wedding to Ryan was yesterday, and it was wonderful. She is marrying a great guy, and their wedding went off without a hitch (unless you count Caitlin during the picture session!). We are all a little drained from it. However, I've been asked to blog about this by a few friends, and to post some pictures. I'll get more up when I get home, but here are a few highlights:

Brandon
Brandon was the ring bearer. He's five, so I knew he could do it. And oh my gosh, he looked so darling in his little tux! His uncle Keith, my youngest brother, was also part of the wedding party, so he stood by Keith during the ceremony. When asked by Keith during the rehearsal what he thought of the whole thing, his response was "booorrringgg!" At least he kept that to himself during the ceremony! He walked up the aisle quite nicely, and took his place next to his uncle. After the ceremony, before Keith took the arm of the bridesmaid he was paired up with, he took Brandon's hand, and then the three of them walked out of the chapel together. Brandon had the option of coming and sitting with us, since he'd spent most of the rehearsal the night before crouched over. But when the time came, he stood proud, and only minimally played with the ring-bearer pillow.


Goofing off with uncle Keith prior to the ceremony

After the ceremony


Hi... my name's Brandon. What's yours?
Caitlin
Caitlin was another story! She's only two-and-a-half, and we were all aware of this. But this two-and-a-half-ness showed itself in oh so many ways! First there was the rolling on the pews. Then the running in the aisles. Brian and I had agreed on our Caitlin management divisions, so he went down and sat in the front row early on, while I stayed behind with the kids and the bridal party, until everyone walked down the aisle. We wanted him to be up front just in case the kids didn't think they could stand up on the platform during the ceremony. Although the kids were the last of the bridal party, except the bride, to walk down the aisle, I did manage to get to the front row just in time to see Elizabeth walk down the aisle with our Dad! Caitlin didn't manage to throw any flowers, but she did walk down the aisle and take her spot with the bridal party. The other flower girl, Noelle, is not quite two. She walked down the aisle with her cousins, and then went and sat with her mom. As soon as Caitlin saw this, she was unsure what to do, so she came and sat down with us. My mom thinks she might have stayed up there longer if she hadn't seen Noelle sit down. I'm doubtful that she would have lasted the whole ceremony, but she may have stayed longer. Either way, she did much better than I thought she would, and she managed to not make a single silly face (her new thing) during the ceremony.

She was not nearly as behaved during the pictures afterwards. Luckily the photographer had a lot of patience, and managed to get a few good shots before dismissing her. Caitlin decided to entertain the audience with her zombie faces, and some great views of her diapers! I found her antics annoying, but everyone else didn't seem to mind as much. I guess that comes from being the mother, and knowing that she can behave herself, and is chosing not to!

The kids together in the foyer

With aunt Elizabeth prior to the ceremony

Taking her spot with the bridesmaids

Overall, the kids did pretty well during the ceremony. They ran around like crazy during the reception, but weren't bothering anyone. Most of the reception was outside, anyway. Brandon was a little too fascinted by the cake, but other adults were nearby to keep watch over it. I'm very proud of my little ones, who don't understand weddings at all, but yet were able to do the small things that were hoped of them. It was sweet enough that my sister wanted them to be in the wedding.

Wedding

Doubtful

We're at my parent's home. The kids are in bed. After tonight's rehearsal, I'm doubtful that Caitlin, a flower girl, will be able to stand up with the bridesmaids at all. It looks necessary that I'll need to create my own arsenal of creative things to do to keep my active little girl quite during the ceremony! Brandon, however, seems like he'll be fine as the ring bearer. He gets to stand up near his uncle Keith. He should be able to stand up for the ceremony. I think I'll be ready with a lollipop for him once the wedding is complete.

Leaving

We're heading out to the airport. In our California clothes. Not wanting to lug jackets through the airport. Hoping to not have to face the soaring 29 degree temps at the airport for too long. Hoping we aren't dressed too warm for the 70 degrees we're expecting to see in central California. Excited about the wedding! Wish us luck!!! :-)

Allergic?

I'm allergic to band aids.

Seriously.

I got a mole removed last week during my dermatology appointment. There was nothing wrong with it except location. It was an inch or so under my armpit and highly determined what type of bra I could wear. The side of the bra had to cover it or miss it, and most rubbed up against it. TMI, I know, for those 3 male readers I have, but this is an issue I've dealt with daily for most of my life! I was completely unaware that you could just have moles removed because they were annoying. Why I thought this, in this age of plastic surgery and all sorts of other procedures, is still a mystery to me. So, last Tuesday it was it was removed. The instructions were to put a little un-petroleum jelly on it (since I'm working hard to keep petroleum based products off my skin, too) and keep it covered.

That was a lot easier said than done.

Between my skin, the band aids, and my bra, it's all been a mess. The bra hurts, so I've switched to some "shelf camis", which are camisoles with built-in bras. Great for the faint of chest. Not so great for me. Then there's the band aids themselves. I've tried several different brands, found one that works, but have developed a huge rash. In some instances the band aid or tape has actually eaten into me. It looks like I have road rash, or some other kind of scrape. The former mole is healing just fine, but the skin around it is bright red. It's actually quite painful, and has affected my sleep, since I'm a side sleeper. If I don't wear a band aid for the day, it gets better.

I seem to be accident prone, and wear band aids quite frequently. However, after some thought, I came to the conclusion that I mostly cut my fingers, and band aids don't stay on fingers for more than half the day. So I switch often, and thus the band aid glue or plastic doesn't seem to affect me much. That's another thing - is it the glue or the plastic? I can't wear a plastic shower cap for more than a few minutes, and have a mild latex allergy. Who knows? All I know is that I'm red and itchy, but it gets better when the band aid comes off.

Weird.

Let The Frenzy Begin

We leave for California on Thursday. We used more of our American frequent flier miles in a effort to not only cut costs for us, but to use them up. American Airlines was our airline of choice during our California days, but doesn't have many options out of DIA (Denver International Airport). It no longer does direct flights to either airports near our parent's houses, which made the choice to switch to United easy. But, we still have lots of miles on American. Being the frugal fools that we try to be, we have used up most of these miles, and bought a crap load of tickets this year (15 frequent flier tickets in all, between both AA and United).

Because we switched loyalty and credit cards to United a year and a half ago, we've lost status on American Airlines. Brian travels quite a bit, and the one good thing about that is that he racks up those frequent flier miles in a way we could never to do if he was always at home. He has premier status, and I have premier associate on United. He gets to board first, and we don't pay for a normal amount of baggage. We lost status on our Thursday flight, though, and are only checking one bag. For all 4 of us. Since airlines were finally able to pass their long-tried baggage charge (I've heard they are thrilled), we are only checking one bag and taking carry-ons for the rest. Should be fun. The weight restrictions confine us to using our medium sized suitcase, since packing the large suitcase with our clothes alone makes it over 50 pounds. Really, airlines. If you're going to charge us per bag, up the weight restrictions. You aren't winning any fans this year. And it's not like we're taking an inordinate amount of stuff! Good thing that the kids are getting past all that baby gear that we use to have to take on flights.

So, now I'm doing laundry. Even though I'm packing the least amount of stuff that I've ever packed to travel since having kids, I somehow feel compelled to do all the laundry. Must have it all clean to pick out those 5 things I'm taking. Plus the 5 things for the kids. Plus Brian's 5 things, which are bigger than my 5 things. My parents have the wondrous invention know as a washing machine, so we're set. I know we'll be fine with less, but the hassle of having to pick and choose so carefully is not what I need right now. My tickets were also free (although they come at the price of flying with only one airline for so long), which also makes the sorting and packing worth it. Sort of.

The Bear is Back

There was much crying Friday afternoon/evening when Brandon realized he'd left his Pooh-Bear at school . Friday was pajama and stuffed animal day, so I sent the boy off to school in his PJ's. All was well until later on in the day when he couldn't find his pooh (bear). My insistence that it would all be okay, and that Pooh was probably waiting for him in his cubby at school went unheard. Luckily today Brandon was able to retrieve Pooh-Bear and bring him home. Now, of course, Pooh will go largely ignored. Being exactly where you are suppose to be doesn't bring much attention.

Thanksgiving Early

I had a couple of really good blog ideas, but I didn't write them down, and forgot about them. Dang! So, you're stuck with more little stories of my life.

We've lived here just over 18 months. Some months have been good, and some have not. Getting involved in a small group at our church wasn't really an option when we moved here. Caitlin was still a little young, and we weren't sure if we wanted to stay at our church, anyway. Although we really like the worship leader and the pastor, we just weren't connecting with anyone. Part of that is because we are some of the oldest parents for having kids the ages of ours. There were other reasons, but we just couldn't figure them out. People don't necessarily flock to us the way they flock to some other people, but we're not that scary. Or, maybe we are.

Back in September, we joined a Life Group (the name our church as chosen for a small group that meets outside of church during the week. No one has small groups anymore. They need a cooler name). Our group meets at another house just down the road. We have dinner, and then a sitter takes the kids (all 7 of them) downstairs to the basement for a couple of hours while we talk, discuss, shoot the breeze, etc. It's been nice. And it's been really nice getting to know some other people. We have taken turns watching each other's kids at different times and gotten together for dinner. Caitlin has a made a little friend in Mattie, who is a month older than her. Mattie also likes hanging with Caitlin, which has been evidenced in the fact she hides from her parents when they come to pick her up at my house, and how she runs to Caitlin in her class at church.

Last night we had an early Thanksgiving. Our generous hosts made a turkey meal, complete with stuffing. Others brought a broccoli salad, and mashed potatoes, and we brought mint brownies for dessert. Even though the sitter was sick, we didn't see much of the kids. They were just having so much fun playing with each other that they didn't need us. I shouldn't like that so much, but my kids are still very needy when they're with me. I know it's the age, but a few hours here and there with no clingy kids is always a good thing. It was very relaxing to just hang out and talk - a nice break from the complete busyness and craziness that was last week, and craziness that is coming up in a few days.

Random Blogginess

It's only the middle of November, and I'm running out of steam on NaBloPoMo. Here are a few highlights of today:

Brian came home last night after a week of being gone. Always a good thing.

I got to sleep in this morning. Woo hoo! I've been so tired and still fighting off a cold that has lingered on from last week. Again, always a good thing.

I think we have all the outfit stuff we need for Elizabeth's wedding. We got Caitlin some little white shoes and tights for her flower girl outfit. Brandon's all fitted for his tux, and I have dress. I think Brian's got what he needs, but don't know. He's a grown man and can do it for himself, so I'm not interfering.

Caitlin has reached her terrible almost threes. That's a whole other post. It's pushing me to a few limits I don't want to go to. Luckily it's not all the time. But yesterday was probably the worst day Caitlin has ever had, and it wasn't fun. Today is better, but I'm still recovering from yesterday's tantrums.

I sent my child off to school yesterday in his PJ's with his stuffed pooh-bear. His class had another pajama link party (they have chain that gets a link added to it when they do good things for others and show respect, and they get to do something fun when the chain reaches the ground). He left pooh-bear at school on accident, and is still sad about it.

Just a few more days and we're off to California again. Trip two of three. I'm not looking forward to the flight (Colorado to Texas, then off to California), but I'm happy to be attending my sisters wedding.

I wish they'd open up the play area for the kids at the mall soon. It's taking forever. Time at the mall has been greatly reduced. However, I really want it open soon since winter's approaching. And you don't go outside during winter here, so you have to find something else to do with your cooped-up kids! Mall, here we come!

I was sad when all the snow melted yesterday. I'm not ready for a full-on winter, but this warm weather seems wrong for November. Of course, I need to remember that last year it was really warm before getting cold on the 21st. And after that it never got warm again until spring.

I think that's about it from the P-4 household. How's life with you?

First Snowfall

Snow tomorrow would have been the latest snowfall in this area since they've been keeping records. Yesterday was 67 degrees and windy. This morning was 22 and snowing. Tomorrow should be back in the mid 60's. Weird. Still, it was nice to wake up to overcast skies and snow. I miss overcast. It's uncommon in Colorado.

Of course, it all melted right away when the sun broke through the clouds around 9:30. The kids were sooooo disappointed!

A Lazy Day is Coming!

Sometimes I think I'm not busy enough, and that I really need to get out there and try to do more. After all, I use to hold down a job and have an active social life. So much of that has changed over the years. It took a long time to get use to my new life as the mom of a baby. Then, when I got use to that, I started attending a few mom's groups. Then I actually started to make friends (not just acquaintances). Then came playdates, meetings, a regular schedule. Woo hoo! I was on a roll!

Then I moved. And it all changed.

We made a few friends last year, but most of them moved over the summer.

In an effort to reach out, I did join a couple of MOPS groups. One at my home church and another near my home. I wasn't sure it was working. I'm making a lot of acquaintances again, so I guess something's happening. We recently became involved in a small group on Sunday evenings, which has helped build community. I have called on those friends quite a bit in the last few months to help out, especially since Brian is gone so often.

Tonight, though? Tonight I'm excited that for the first time in days, nothing is expected of me in the morning! In all my reaching out, I have committed myself to 2 hugely busy weeks each month. My MOPS groups meet on Tuesday and Thursday, and I have my Bible Study every Wednesday. I have been busy every day this week, for a variety of reasons. I've stayed up late and woken up early. Kindergarten and doctor's appointments, lunches and errands. Even though it wasn't full of things I hated, being busy and single mom'ing it this week have made for a very tired girl!

But not this evening! It's my own evening. No work to do. No food to prepare. No questions to be answered. In short, nothing. I need to make sure my kiddos are taken care of, but that's it! I can read, watch TV, stare at the ceiling... whatever! And, I have nothing to do tomorrow except take Brandon to kindergarten and go to the store for a few groceries.

My sister's wedding is a week from this Saturday. We fly out to California next Thursday. Then comes Thanksgiving. It is looking to be the start of a very busy holiday season. I'll take a lazy day, thank you. I knew I'd like it. What's surprising to me is how much I'm liking it!

Startled by Myself

I went into the laundry room tonight to close the venetian blinds. I'd opened them during the day just a wee bit to let some much needed sunshine in today - but not too much since the laundry room is also a half bathroom. During the closing session, I accidentally twisted the blinds the wrong way and opened them instead of closing them. I was completely startled to see someone outside of my window! I jumped! Then I realized it was my own reflection.

The lack of sleep is getting to me.

Land Mime!

Perioral Dermatitis

Last spring I developed a strange rash on my face. It was small, just around my nose, and was easily covered with makeup. Still, I don't like things like that - things that develop where they shouldn't. Thinking it was just acne, I went out and bought some face wash with benzoyl peroxide. This never worked for me as a teenager, but worked miracles when I was pregnant with Brandon. Well, it didn't work. In fact, it made things worse. I went back to face washes and makeup that I knew wouldn't bother me. Still nothing. Then the rash got worse. It started to spread down to my chin, and I got some odd bumps and flakiness around my eyes. So last week, when my face was red, scaly and very itchy, I made an appointment. Tired of trying to cover it, I decided to treat it. Turns out I have perioral dermatitis. A very, very non-life-threatening, but oh-so-very embarrassing rash around the nose and mouth that affects mostly women my age. On the bright side, my case is mild. On the not-so-bright side, it can be chronic. There's no one cause for it, and it should clear up easily now that I've got a prescription cream for it. If it doesn't, I need to get on a 6 week round of antibiotics. While I have nothing against them, I think I'll try the topical cream first.

I've been advised to discontinue any heavy creams on my face, and to wash with soap-free cleansers. Soap-free cleansers are a way of life for me, but I had been using a heavy night cream, recommended by a friend to help with the ill effects of Colorado's ultra-dry weather. It was a trusted brand I'd tried a few years. While it was not the culprit, using the face cream caused the perioral dermatitis to get much worse. So long Arbonne Re-9 night cream. You didn't do me any favors! Oily skinned girls like me don't need heavy night creams or serums anyway! The more I try to do with my face, the worse it gets. Simple seems to the best way for me to go. So, back to natural and/or organic cleansers and moisturizers I go.

I'm really glad I went in and got something to treat my lovely rash. I'm tired of having a bright red rash on my face. I can cover the redness with makeup for a short time, but that is time consuming, tiring, and makes the dermatitis itch. It's a constant reminder of how vain I can be when faced with imperfections. Proverbs 31:30 says that "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." We all know the truth in that scripture, and agree with it. Beauty is fleeting for everyone, and those who won't, or can't accept that fact face a tough road ahead of them. Ever seen those crazy looking women who've had too much plastic surgery? Or the man with the toupee or comb-over? They don't look normal! What about the people who over-exercise to look younger and thinner, or dress like someone 15 years younger? I'm all for looking good. I'm all for exercising and eating right. And, there is a lot of style out there to be found (you just have to really search for it sometimes). Still, it's embarrassing to have a red rash on my face, of all places! I'm learning a lesson, though, that my beauty is not found in my face. My appearance cannot be my only measure of beauty! I've known plenty of gorgeous people, and those with horrid personalities soon lose their beautiful state in my eyes. They become hard to look at in light of the way they treat others and behave. So, I know that beauty is fleeting, and in the eye on the beholder. I do know that, deep down inside. But I still want my normal face back! Hopefully I've learned enough of a lesson that I can go back to my rash-less self.

Cleaner Afterwards?

I had my bible study group over to the house tonight. We decided to have a girls night in, since girls night out wasn't working for some of us (me included). Since Brian is on a business trip, I am sorely lacking on childcare from anyone other than myself. It was a fun group. One of the other mothers brought two of her children along. It was quite the crazy household! Six women sitting in a group around a table eating different pastas, wine and desserts, and four children under the age of 6 running up and down the stairs. I think Brandon's found a friend in Kelton, who he gets to see at church and during my bible study on Wednesdays. Caitlin, at almost 3, was just a little too young to play with Haley, 4. But they still managed to get alone well enough for us adults to have some fun conversation.

After everyone left, I put the kids to bed and called my mom. I needed to talk to her about some stuff. After getting off the phone way to late, I went to clean up. You know, the stuff you always have to do after having people over. Lo and behold, to my surprise, there was almost nothing to clean up! I had to load some dishes into the dishwasher and hand wash our pasta dishes (they're handmade). But that was it! Even our extra fold-up chairs were back in the basement for storage. I didn't even see this happen. Where was I? I don't remember leaving the kitchen. At one point during dinner, the kids decided to transport all the train tracks from Brandon's room upstairs into the living room. Even that was miraculously cleaned up! It was amazing! I'm still not sure how it happened, but I'm asking on Wednesday. I have to know. I can't get my kids to even listen to me, much less clean up. And yet my house, full of 10 people, was almost as clean after the get together as before. How that was done, I'll never know. If I find out, I'll let you know.

Busy Weekend

I know, I know, I should be blogging about something interesting.... something profound. But, I don't feel like it. I am uninspired. I am tired.

Weekends are usually thought of as a time of rest or rejuvenation. But this was a busy weekend for me. Saturday I got my hair cut (that was nice and relaxing) and then took Brandon to a birthday party at Pump It Up. Hanging out with 25 5-year olds in a huge warehouse full of inflatable bouncy houses was more exhausting than it should have been. Brandon had fun, though. After that I still had my Apple Pie Social to go to. I was so tired, due to being sick all week, and really didn't want to go. But then again, the thought of making apple pies with the girlies sounded fun. So, off to north Boulder I went. And I'm glad I did. Except for the fact that I have an apple pie in my fridge and Brian's going out of town for the week. Guess I'll have to eat that one myself!

Today, between church and life group, I hit the mall to get a new dress for my sister's upcoming wedding. My career as a stay-at-home-mom does not include clothes that are appropriate for weddings. I've donated or given away a good chunk of my business clothes, as I don't need them anymore. So even though I am not lacking in clothing, I was lacking in something nice for this wedding. I've only gone to a handful of weddings since I quit working, so my options are few. I hit several stores before settling on Dillards. I found most dresses to be too casual, and the semi-formal options at Nordstrom were just too darn expensive! But, I did find several I liked at Dillards, and the process was far less painful than I had imagined. It was nice to do it kid-free, too. They usually start rough housing with each other when I'm half naked in the dressing room. I wore all the wrong undergarments and shoes to try on cute dresses. Being under the florescent lighting in knee-high stockings and a dress is about as unattractive as trying on bathing suits during winter while wearing black socks! I tried on many, and stuck with a classic, off the shoulder black dress with a flouncy skirt. I'd show you a picture, but I can't find it online. So you'll have to wait. I will get pictures, though. Brandon will be in his little tux, Caitlin in a cute dress, and Brian and I will be dressed nicely. We cannot, absolutely can not be pictureless when we all look good at the same time!

So, that was my weekend. It was productive, but not relaxing. The next few days are suppose to bring rain and snow, as warm, nice days are going to become a thing of the past in the very near future. I'm glad I got a lot of things done in advance. I think I'm going to hit the Halloween candy before heading off to bed. Or maybe some apple pie.....

mmmm...........

apple pie..................

Apple Pie

My day? I learned how to make a yummy apple pie today. I was a little disturbed about the lard, although it did make a flaky crust. Might have to rethink the whole crust thing, though. Still, it was a nice way to end a very busy day.

Photo Friday

We went out last night and then went to get Brandon fitted for his tux. This coming weekend has a lot going on, and that was the one thing that didn't fit in well over the weekend. We went out to Mimi's Cafe before hitting Men's Wearhouse. The kids started to act up, so I let Brandon take a few pictures with my camera to calm the chaos. Below are the things that Brandon thought were important enough to capture on digital..........





And lastly, a shot of Brandon by Caitlin. She's got a ways to go on those photojournalism skills.

Getting Fitted

Isn't he cute getting fitted for his tux? Brandon is the ring-bearer in my sister's wedding, which is just a mere 2 weeks and 1 day away!




Why is he cooperating and looking happy? Because he gets to stand on the table. And, as he told me, he "never gets to do that at home." Good. The rules are sticking!

Who's Picture is it, Anyway?

Been on Facebook lately? Connected with any old friends? I have! It's been amusing. I've gotten in touch with quite a few people from high school. We moved to a small Sierra Nevada town when I was a freshman, and I moved right after graduation to attend college (and to escape small town life). My parents moved to the Montery Bay the next year. As a result, I've only been back to the mountains one time since 1989, and have lost touch with most of those friends. The upside of Facebook - we're getting back in touch. The downside - people keep posting pictures of their parents on their site! Not really, but when you haven't seen someone for 20 years, it's surprising how old they've gotten! Even those little freshman who were just entering high school when I was a senior - they're as old, if not older, than my husband! It's really amazing how that age gap narrows the older we get.So now I'm wondering if they thought I put my mom's picture up on my Facebook site?

Sick and Tired

Is it bad that I put Caitlin down for an early nap because I wanted to take a nap? Brian's out of town for the evening, I have a Love and Logic class tonight, and on top of it all, I've caught a cold. Cold medicines don't seem to be helping, and I can't shake the cough.

I'm so tired of being sick and tired. I have a bad immune system. I've had it for 20 years, but I've yet to get use to it. It all started after getting really sick in May of 1988, and not really getting well. If I try to explain what it's like to those few who ask, they glaze out after a while. It's been called many things over the years, the latest one being chronic fatigue. The strange pains. The hard time breathing. The constant headaches. Feeling so tired that you can't get off the couch, in the middle of the afternoon. Sometimes my body just shuts down involuntarily. Exercise makes the fatigue worse, and it doesn't get better over time. I never wake up feeling refreshed. What is that like? Seriously? I go to bed tired and wake up feeling slightly less tired. I never feel refreshed.

I try hard to come off as normal. I try to keep my complaining to a minimum, because I feel so much worse than I let on. I've been labeled as angry, depressed, and manic. Doctors go through a litany of tests, but can never come up with anything. The treatment vary - I have migraines, I need to exercise, or I need to be on different drugs. Most of the time I just want to give up.

I thought I had it down. It was okay before pregnancy and kids. I managed to hold down a job! And have a social life. I had issues when Brandon was little, but it got better. Then Caitlin was born. After a bout with PPD, I hoped for the better. The move and being a SAHM with two little kids drained me, and has kept me drained. Again, I try to get involved. To make friends. To just be normal. But I'm not sure I can. I just wish there was a way out of this fatigue and pain. A way to move on. I cannot imagine what life is like for everyone else. A day without pain. A day without fatigue. To wake up feeling like you're ready to start the day. But I'd like to experience it. Really, I would.

Finally! Time to Vote!

The amount of political papers and political trash I have just tossed into the recycle bin is enormous. Finally, today, we all get to vote. We'll have an outcome, and all the mail I never asked for and ads that I don't wish to see will come to an end. Yeah!

I managed to get me and the kids out the door by 10:00. No small feat since I am sick, went to bed at 9:00 last night, and didn't feel like getting up this morning. The kids wanted a lazy morning, so getting them dressed was a hassle. Thanks to the promise of snacks, and the actuality of Skittles at the voting precinct, all went well. My assumption about voting here (from friends, news, and other media) is that the lines have been long. We've been able to vote early for weeks now, which is not sometime I remember being an option in California. I guess it was suppose to cut down on long lines. The closest early-voting precinct was 10 miles away, so I didn't make it there. I was all set to brave the lines today. The news was reporting waits of up to an hour in Denver, so I even charged up the portable DVD player for the kids. And snacks. And even put Brandon's school backpack in the car just in case...... And...........there was no line. At least no line of any note. I did figure out why the lines can be so long here, though. Everything is manual! Manual in a way that is slower than the manual California process, back in the day. You have to color in your square of choice with a black pen, making sure it's completely filled in. Kind of like a scantron, but the square is bigger. It was the smallest amount of line items, and took the longest time to fill out! I was a little stressed about the kids running around and bugging other voters, but they were good.

So, now I'm home again. Brandon's at school and Caitlin is watching an Elmo DVD (one she discovered in my bag, and wondered why I had it with me). It's almost nap time for her, and I may join her. I have MOPS work to do today, but it might have to wait until the next round of cold medicine. I don't think I have the capacity to deal with it right now!

Battling Pre-Election Sludge

I'm excited to vote. Really. I'm not excited by the horrid lines that seem to be commonplace in Colorado (at least according to the news and friends), but I'm excited to get out there tomorrow and vote! I'm also excited that after tomorrow, no one should send me anymore of the political paperwork. We are drowning in the stuff. If we had a wood-burning fireplace, we'd have it made! Instead, it's off to the recycling bin we go. The TV adds, the online adds, the people walking down my neighborhood either knocking on doors or hanging stuff on my doorknobs. All of it should be stopping soon! This is the sign outside my door:

People mock me for it. Everyone has to comment on it. Why is it so blunt? What's the point? The point is this: as a stay-at-home-mom, I'm home more than most people. But I don't want to discuss viewpoints, religion, saving the waterways, politics, or anything else for that matter, with someone I don't know. The issues are valid, but catching me during my half-hour of "me time" during the day doesn't win you any points! I'm in no mood to discuss something I might be unfamiliar with. And everyone thinks they are an exception! The Jehovah's Witnesses thought that "No Soliciting" was just for door-to-door salesmen. The environmentalists (of which there are thousands in Colorado) thought my "No Soliciting" sign was just for political people, etc. So it includes everyone. The door-to-door political affiliated have actually been reading the sign. I may get stuff hung on my doorknob, but no one rings the doorbell. Thats' nice. And, while I'm getting out to vote tomorrow, I'm leaving the sign up. I am so glad the political trash will all stop! After tomorrow, no one will care about getting my vote, just that I voted.

Leaf Sliding

Add this to your list of fun things to do in Colorado in fall:

I'll be glad when the leaves are done falling. Our floors look terrible all covered with bits and pieces of dead leaves!

NaBloPoMo? Oh No!!

Blog every day in the month of November? I've done it before, but this year is different. This is the year my sister is getting married, and the year we are traveling back out to California to be in that wedding on the 22nd. In the interest of finances (ours), we used our American Airline miles to get our tickets. There are no direct flights on AA from here to there, so we always have to connect. Usually we connect at LAX, but we couldn't get that this time, so we are connecting in Dallas. This doubles our flight time. We'll see if I can blog that day! Then there's the day before, the rehearsal dinner , the wedding day! Then there is the whole computer thing. It's a challenge to get to the computer in a house full of people. Brian will have his laptop, but without my parent's router password, we might be out of luck getting on the internet while at their house. I'm got enough to worry about on the flight, so I'm not bringing our laptop. Silly me, I know. But still...no.

So, we'll see. I'm sure I'll be able to blog daily while at home, in my element, for most of the month. But 30 days? This might just be the year I have to be vague and say.........maybe.