On the other side - February 27, 2007 -
Life through the wardrobe is every freakin’ thing it was cracked up to be.
The smile on his face says it all.
We had a day together today. Alone. Just he and I.
It was simply radical.
Love Thursday - February 23, 2007 -
Love is, a day at the beach with your friends.
The laundry can always wait, ya know.
But life, it just breezes by so fast.
So, make bad choices….
But only if they involve views like this
and this
Love you girls. The day was the best.
My mood….. - February 21, 2007 -
…..is directly related to how bright, cloudless and caribbean blue the sky is today.
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Running, listening to music, and feeling good. A rare self portrait for you all on this amazing, 80 degree day.
Stepping into our dream - February 20, 2007 -
At noon on the 23rd, my husband will come home from an 8-5, M-F job, and on Monday morning, will still be home. It is his last week of work, and as he closes that door behind him, another one has opened in front of him. A door leading to a good job, with great pay, and more importantly, more time….loads more time. Time to enjoy life. Time to travel. Time to kick a soccer ball in the grass with his sons.
Friday will be, for me, like walking through a wardrobe and coming out the back into a different land. A land in which our work week is reversed, and instead of being off for 2-3 days and working 5-6, Bill will be off for 6 and work for 3.
Someone said to me recently that it will be like semi-retirement, and they are right. We will have much more family interaction, as well as more couple fun. I am ready. I cannot tell you how much this will mean to me. I enjoy Bill, and I look forward to being with him and having more quality time to do the things we want to do together.
The reality of our dreams begins on Friday, and with it will come some changes. There are just some things that will not jive with our new life.
The one I will be addressing here is the computer. Who woulda thought?
I spend a considerable part of my day online. I come and go, so it is not like I am glued to it all day, but I am online alot. Really I am preaching to the choir because if you are reading my site, chances are you love the blogging community as much as I do and probably struggle with balancing what you do in real life to your desire to stay connected to your online friends.
My huband will be home for 6 days in a row. All day. He just does not understand my need to be online, and I honestly do not see him being pleased with a large segment of my day being spent online. He is not a controlling troll, but he would prefer to be with me instead of seeing me hunched over the computer, and who can argue with that! My husband loves me and wants to be with me, so I can’t complain, ya know?
I am not sure what I will be doing to this site in the coming weeks. I enjoy it, and it won’t end, but it will be changing to reflect our changing life style. I love to post photos, so I am sure I will continue with that. I love to write as well, so you will not be spared that either. I really love how Karen at Chookooloonks has changed her blog….a daily photo, a little bit about the photo. I might do something similiar, but maybe incorporating a bit more writing.
Maybe a name change?
It will certainly contain more travel related stuff.
Whatever, I won’t be online much anymore……save for the 3 days Bill is on at work and I can stay up all night reading books, watching movies, eating ice cream in bed and having marathon IM sessions with the People In the Computer.
Bottom line is, the lack of time will be reflected in my format. I hope that the change will be positive, whatevah it may be.
So, will you step through the wardrobe with me and come see what lies on the other side?
Squidward - February 16, 2007 -
In an effort to try my hand at homeschooling, this semester I started doing some supplimental science projects with my kids. I ordered a dissection kit and each week we are tackling one marine creature.
This week it was the squid.
My background is in marine biology, so I was jazzed when the big box came…..several weeks ago. Then illness set in in one form or another, and I put it off for a sunny day when everyone was well.
The kids nagged me. You have never, ever heard such nagging.
First, I had them read about Cephalopods here.
Finally, the afternoon before Valentines day, I dragged out the squid, and we went after it!
We followed the dissection guide, and the kids were facinated by everything. They learned first hand how the squid propels itself through the water, what a siphon is, where the beak is located, what a squid gill looks like and how to tell if it was a boy or a girl squid (based on whether it had papille on its 4th left arm-yes, arm….they only have 2 tentacles, but 8 arms).
Even Mia enjoyed it.
At the dinner table that night, I asked Quinn to tell dad how a squid swims through the water, and he was able to tell Bill, using words such as mantle, syphon and ventral, dorsal and what not.
You know what? I loved it. I loved teaching my kids. I loved showing them something new and exciting. I also loved how it made my mind work like a scientist again……it has not done that in years so was a bit rusty.
I think that not only will this benifit the kids, but I think it will be good for me as well.
We pick one animal a week, and learn about it online, then via dissection.
If you are interested, I found the stuff here. Be sure and order the dissection guides as well if you order any single item specimens…..and get a kit that contains the dissection tools such as this one.
You will also need some latex gloves or something similiar. Household kitchen gloves work fine.
Next week we begin the shark. Yes, I said shark. I have one in my downstairs laundry room. That and a clam, fish, frog, sea sponge, crawfish and a few other fun things!
Have fun!
Parting shot…..Bill, surfing somewhere in Mexico…I think La Ticla
Awesome good, the opposite of Awesome Dumb - February 15, 2007 -
Bill gave me a lovely Valentine card. It was very sweet and thoughtful. Sort of mushy and such.
It was how he signed it that made me LOL and have the strong urge to bottle him and sell him to those less fortunate.
Happy Valentines Day!
Thanks for being such
an Awesome Good wife
and mother!
Love, Billy
Obviously, we have a catch-phrase to suit every occasion.
I got that awesome disgusing stomach flu the kids had. I spent yesterday with some friends, feeling very nauseated. By the time I got home, I was suffering. I had a really nice evening planned, complete with ceviche and a heart shaped chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.
I got the cake baked, and the frosting made, and I hit the wall. The nausea was intense. Oh, did I mention that the plumbers were at the house installing a new dishwasher for me? They had to turn off the water. With the knowledge that I would be unable to flush the toilet, I sat in a chair willing myself not to barf. Please do not let me barf in front of the plummers, and then not be able to flush it.
Unfortunatley, it was a tough installation, so they were there for over 1 1/2 hours. Tick……….tock………tick……..tock. Agony, but I held out until they left.
Bill and the kids had to decorate the cake, and the ceviche was never prepared. They had Ramen noodles for dinner and watched a Netflix movie. Early in the evening, Cory climbed into bed with me, and hugged me because I was in tears. I was crying because I felt so bad, and just could not believe I was sick again. Frustration just overwhelmed me. I lay there plotting how we were just going to get the hell out of dodge in the trailer and spend 2 weeks on an isolated stretch of beach with no contact with any other people and all their contagious diseases.
Then Cory said to me “Don’t cry mom. We’ll celebrate Valentines day together when your stomach is better”, and he wrapped his arms around me and snuggled his face into my shoulder.
Love is, realizing that you never lost that baby you so fondly remember. He is still in there, and always will be whether he is 12 or 20. The same hands, the same smile, the same love for his mommy. All still there, just a bit bigger.
Happy belated Valetines Day to you all!
Bill and 2yo Cory in our first old farm house (built 1892)
Vintage Teeter Totter - February 15, 2007 -
Cody, one year of age.
His fingers, toes, those rolls of fat everywhere….and those giant cheeks! That child was scrumptious. Like a big, giant popover muffin. Smothered in strawberry jam. And butter.
I can still remember how he felt in my arms. Like a 20lb butterball. Like a piece of a puzzle. Perfect.
**We call him Teeter, because when he was a baby he loved to listen to a song over and over again, called “Teeter totter”.
Pig tails with bows - February 12, 2007 -
I put Pig tails in my daughters hair. Bows too. I thought that she looked adorable.
So, what did my daughter do? She cried. Alot.
And she said “Mom, I don’t want these curly things in my hair. They are awesome dumb”.
Add bows to the list of “things that must never touch my daughter or she will shriek until my ears bleed”.
I might start my own list. I will call it “Things That Mom Thinks Are Awesome Dumb”.
-Laundry
-Dirty dishes
-Vomit
-Cleaning toilets
-Folding laundry
-Chicken nuggets
-Cleaning floors
-Cats
-The flu
-PMS
-Tennis shoes that have roller skates on them, worn at a nice restaurant (not by my kids)
-Chin hairs
Vuarnets, dude - February 12, 2007 -
He looks so young and wonderful. I want to climb into that hammock with him and run my hands through his hair….or nibble his neck.
I promise I will get back to posting very soon, but my family broke or something. It is like Pharaoh still won’t freakin’ let His people go and the plague has descended upon us all!
Let’s see…Cory went back to school on Thursday. Quinn was home with vomit/diarrhea on Friday. Saturday night was the night from hell. Cory and Mia were taking turns barfing in the ONE TOILET we have all! night! long!!! Bill was working 24 hours at his new job. Sleep was a concept, not a reality that night. Sunday was diarrhea day for Quinn, and Cory slept from 9am to 5pm. Mia acted like nothing had happened, except she told everyone numerous times the story of how she threw up all over mommy’s bed.
Cory is so weak I am keeping him home today. Mia is fine now, but a bit cranky. I went to the Dollar store and bought plugins for the entire house, 2 cans of Lysol that I am spraying at the top and bottom of every hour on every square surface area in my house in a feeble attempt to keep Bill, Cody and I from getting it.
If we get one more illness in this house I might just have to go all postal and load my family into the trailer and take off for a couple of weeks to the beach and completely stay away from every other living human being just to get them all well.
So there.
Why I have gone through 2 cans of Lysol since Monday - February 8, 2007 -
My oldest had the flu all weekend…..then he missed 3 days of school because he was so ill.
Then the middle one got fever, sore throat. Aches.
Now I sit here with Quinn sleeping on the floor of the bathroom so he can make it to the toilet in time to barf. The school called and said he had thrown up in class and could I come get him. I jumped in the car and as I drove to get him I had the evil thought that I was grateful that he barfed his first barf in the trash can at school, so now his tummy is empty and all other barfs can be controlled, Sprite barfs. Can you freakin’ believe me? Don’t you want to be my friend?
Oh, and that sound of coughing coming from my bedroom? That would be my husband because the law of viral mutation states that it must go through every living being residing under the same roof, so it is Bill’s turn to get really sick.
When he is sick, he crawls into bed and does not come out until he feels good enough to go ride his bike 20 miles. He will be in bed for a long time with this virus.
The temptation to climb into bed to snuggle with him is great because it is chilly outside. He is running a fever and is like a giant bed warmer. I know from experience that this is only the beginning and that by tomorrow he will be barfing his guts out, so I am steering clear. Not to mention the whole male-sickness-world-stops-revolving thingie that happens. And I know that you know what I mean.
In all fairness, I will admit that this flu reduced me to a complete whining ball of agony, so the silence coming from the bedroom, save for the occasional raspy cough, is actually quite impressive.
Now for more vintage “and baby makes 6!”
Cory and I, Galveston Texas 1995
I think I had a smile glued permanently on my face because of that baby. The sun rose and set on him.
Kyle David Miller’s family on Channel 2 news Houston - February 7, 2007 -
Awesome. Amazing. Beautiful.
Go see for yourselves. Bring a tissue.
October 24th, 1994 - February 7, 2007 -
The day I learned that I really could lay down my life for another human being
Vintage ‘and baby makes 6!’ - February 5, 2007 -
Teenage Bill, surfing in Hawaii
And I wonder why my kids are so naturally thin.
Photos always work - February 5, 2007 -
I have another kiddo down with the flu and he is feeling pretty bad, so photos will work, right?
We really enjoyed our weekend away. It was a delayed b-day celebration for me, having been sick last week.
Kemah/Clear Lake was the destination. Having fun and looking at boats was the goal. We scored on both levels.
Top on the kids weekend was seeing the Wanderer….the boat used in the movie “Captain Ron”. It was a Sunday, so the dock was locked up tight, so we had to view it from afar. Next time I will try and see if we can board her and take a look around.
We did end up finding a boat we both agreed on, after viewing what felt like 1 million, and now are in the midst of trying to decide if we can afford it. It is a gorgeous, immaculate, sleek boat that will serve my needs for relaxation and Bill’s need for speed. The pictures do not do it justice. The inside is just gorgeous. Bill and I stood in the gallley and he said “It is so sleek and……. sexy”. I jumped him right then and there. It is German built, with gorgeous, solid teak wood filling the cabin, and so well built it is almost anal. Every detail is stunning, from the teak wood floors to the fact that there is a cabin fore and aft. I cannot wait to take her out and feel how she does in the wind. The deck is so clean….easy to climb around on with very little to get in your way. I told Bill it reminded me of a corian countertop….smooth and sleek.
From the sexy sailboat, we hit the boardwalk in Kemah and ate an overpriced dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack. Here is Quinn enjoying his $3.50 Icee.
My wonderful, Texas sized margarita was a whopping $7.50
The food was great though, and the company was the best
Sunday we looked at the boat again, and then took the kids back to the boardwalk to play games and check out some of the sights. They got to love on stingrays
Come face to face with large, friendly fish
And play on a playground overlooking the channel
The set is up at Flickr if you would like to see more.
Now I am off to tend to my ill child. Have a great day!
The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea - February 2, 2007 -
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
This weekend will mark the first official weekend that Bill and I actively begin the quest for the perfect sailboat. This is also where the problem begins.
See, my idea of what a sailboat should be and his are very, very different.
Here is my vision.
And here is his.
You will notice 2 big differences here. My vision has lots of pictures of the inside of the boat, and his shows mostly the outside.
Mine is an old boat that has lots of wood and comfort. His is a white hulled, racing boat, sleek and fast.
My boat has lots of room inside for 4 kids and 2 adults.
His has lots of room on deck for plenty of deck hands to trim sails and maximize the wind.
My boat has lots of room for an almost 3yo to run around safely below deck.
His has lots of deck area for an almost 3yo to fall overboard.
Mine could serve as a little vacation house.
His could hold lots of new sails that will be purchased to make the fast boat go faster.
So, you see the dilema. He wants a boat to sail on and go fast and I want a boat to CRUISE on and relax.
I want a boat that is too expensive.
He wants a boat that we can afford.
This is one of the compromises. As are this and this.
This is just a looky, looky trip. I am not anxious to rush into a boat anytime soon. Plus, I know that the perfect boat is out there. It just takes time to find it. And part of the fun is the lookin’, ya know?
In the meantime, I will try and talk him into this one. All we would have to do is sail it home form Mazatlan! How hard would that be? And we could see the Panama canal! Easy day, right?
Photos to come.
In the meantime, have you ever pondered this part of the poem:
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
‘O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!’
Dude, you try keeping a straight face reading this to your small child. It is impossible. And I have a cat named Pussy ta boot!
In Texas, Tea party birthdays must always have beer too - February 1, 2007 -
Mrs. Viera I am sure has never seen a Tea Party birthday quite like this.
We have a woderful place here that is an antique shop, art shop and a bar all rolled into one. The owner has it set up with wonderful little tables everywhere, and intimate little groupings of furniture. You can grab a foreign or domestic beer, and walk around gazing at the art and antiques for sale, or plop down at the bar, or sit with your friends in one of the little seating areas.
Or, have your daughters 4th birthday there!
At 7pm.
On the busiest night of the week.
During happy hour!
Girls, we have one upped you on multitasking during happy hour.
Ciinderella, meet Bud light
Mia, enjoying a spot of tea, and her friends birthday party
Opening presents
Mia getting some dress-up makeup
The intimate setting
My friend Leah is a fantastic cook, and of course, birthday cake is soooo dull….so her daughter requested Tiramisu
Which she shared with the other bar patrons on Princess plates
And since we were having some wine along with the party, we made sure we had an emergency back up in case we had to rush one of the kids to the hospital…….it was easy, since we were in a bar during happy hour
Chris, here is photographic evidence that your people exist. Note the red, red wine glass.
Mia the next day, trying to recover from too much rootbeer
Ms. Viera……….it is called fun. Embrace it. Live it. And be sure to have a sense of humor when you read this.
