I know what my daughter is going to be when she grows up.
She's going to be a world famous baseball pitcher...I just know it! Why? Because she throws everything and usually at meal times: her cup when she is done with a drink, a bowl of applesauce if she gets tired of eating it, her food that doesn't please her palate at the moment, oh and yes...her fork if she just wants to be plan old mischeavious! That's the one that we all have to duck for or well you know..."you'll get your eye poked out if your not careful!"
Even when I'm driving now if sister girl has a cup in her hands I get the twitches because I just know she is going to chunk it at my head, causing me to have a concussioin which will lead to a head on collision in my mini-van.
Believe you me I have tried every form of punishment there is and I'm not talking all P.C. here! But she just looks down real pitiful and starts muttering "Yes, sorry...sorry...." as I talk real stern to her about hurting people and no no no and blah blah blah (I'm sure that is what she is really hearing!)
Her favorite thing to do after looking all sweet and saying sorry is going over to the person she has impailed (who if it is a brother is usually crying) and kissing them all over until they laugh! How can you stay mad at a pig tale wearing 2 foot snuf-a-luf-agus eyelashed sister girl? Tell me that huh?
Oh...and her side job will be wine glass breaking. No, not breaking with the hands but rather breaking with the voice...the high pitched screaming voice that makes your ears ring at least 10 seconds after the last sound wave has left her vocal chords. But that is for another post!
Jul 24, 2010
Jul 20, 2010
It's good to come "home."
I have taken the kids home for a week..."home" means back to my childhood house...Curve, TN. If you are coming from the big city of Nashville you drive towards Memphis and once you get to the smaller city of Jackson you get off road for a good 15 minutes and then you get even more off road for another 20 mintues onto what I call "the tractor road" and drive through corn, cotton and soybean fields until you think you have just about driven into the middle of no where. Then you cross some railroad tracks and you know you have come "home". It's not too pretty in a lot of places. Many abandoned trailers, rotting houses, eroded farm equipment and one too many kids running around barefoot and in their diapers (wait a minute...that would be Elizabeth this whole week - ha ha ha). Yeah, there are different rules in the country then in suburban America. I love coming "home".
My parents still live in the house I grew up...the same house my mom's grandparents built over 100 years ago. I love the feeling that comes over me when I pull into the gravel driveway and walk into the shaded front yard covered in moss and flower gardens. We came Friday afternoon and here it is Tuesday; I just now blow dried my hair and put on mascarra and actually got Elizabeth dressed in clothes that were decent looking...all to go into "town". You don't see anyone out here unless some family member decides to stop by or the local candidate for some political office pulls up to ask for a vote. To say I let myself go for awhile is an understatement. I love coming "home".
The boys have canoed in the pond out back, swam in the pool countless hours, ridden their bikes all over the fields, played batmitton, built leggos on the front screened in porch, helped bake bread with my mom and carved some wood boats with my dad. Now I don't mean to make it look all constant country fun and entertainment. We have had our moments of boredom and thank God for the Wii and cable or I might pull my hair out but still I love coming "home".
Today we ventured out to the big town of Halls. It's about 5 minutes down the highway but growing up out here God forbid you had to go into town after you had already been there once that day you would hear about it! Of course knowing that I would run into at least one person I knew I had to wash, dry and actually fix my hair...put on a little make-up, and get out a clean shirt! We loaded up in the van and headed to the kids' great-grandmother's barber shop for a fresh cut! Of course she was around the corner at the local mission so we got to surprise her in the act of buying some great deal for someone else (that is what you do at the local mission - buy a great deal for someone else who you just know will need that pair of pants or sun dress for only $2.00). The kids all got to pick out a free piece of junk - oh, I mean a toy - and then we walked back to the shop. After an hour of washing, cutting and blow drying then eating bubble gum and chatting it up with Max and G.G. we decided to drive a street over to eat some lunch. This is when I was thinking "thank goodness I put on some mascara!"
Sure enough...first we ran into the old high school football coach and his wife. Had to talk about what everyone in the family was up to and show off the kids "are all those kids yours?" hee hee!
Then we ran into my old best friend's mother...the one who used to let us throw wild parties in her yard out in Forked Deer and not tell our parents! I loved her!!! Got a quick update on my old g-friend and showed off the kids. (I'm praying the whole time that my kids act like they have some upbringing b/c you know everyone is watching us!) Then I get to the table (where G.G. already has a bowl of white beans and cornbread) and try to order a drink. Then I have to talk to all of G.G.'s friends and let her show off her "great grands" while squeezing tooty's legs real good to make her sit down in the high chair and stop taking off her shoes! (act like you hadn't just been roaming all over the country side please sister girl!) Then I try to eat my BLT and fries real fast b/c I know tooty is gonna lose it in front of all these people. As I'm getting ready to leave I hear "I knew that was a Callender boy". And I go over to chat with my husband's old best friend's dad (who also rented us a house when we lived there for a few years). I find out later from Eli that this man (the same one just mentioned) yelled out to him, "hey boy, what's your name?" "Eli." "no, what's your last name?" "Callender." "Who's your daddy?" "Nate". "yeah, that's what I thought!" When I go to pay the bill the owner of the restaurant looks at my check (they only accept cash or check) and says "You married to Mark Callender?" "No sir, Nate." "Oh yeah...I hadn't seen Nate in years!" So then I have to chat it up with him. (don't ask me who he was!) When we left Eli asked me why I knew everyone in that place. I told him that when you grow up in a small town (Halls has one stop light) you know just about everyone or at least someone in their family! I love coming "home."
I wouldn't want to live back here again. We actually did that after Eli was born for about 3 years. It was real nostalgic but after awhile we decided it was best to move on where we had more opportunity for things (money would be the biggest thing!) It's really just plain sad how small towns like this one go to the waste side when the economy hits rock bottom. Most of the factories close down and there just isn't much to do here anymore then work in a bank, the schools, doctor's offices or farm. There are so many hard working people like Nate's grandmother who still open their barber shop (or mom and pop restaurant or boutique) and try to get by on what comes in each week. And for the most part people support them around here and look out for each other. But the town just isn't what I remember it to be as a child and that makes me sad. The people that I still know who live here are nice and loyal to their roots! Don't talk bad about their hometown now... that is not my intention at all! I love coming back home and visiting and showing the kids where their mom and dad ran around, went to school, learned to drive a stick shift, etc. I love running into my old friends' parents and having them truly care about saying hey and looking at my kids and asking how we are doing even if it is just for a minute! We all keep up with each other...we all know who's grandparents have died...we all have a history together in this small town.
Four more days until we return to the busy pace of suburbia! I'm going to teach my kids and myself that it is good to be bored sometimes. It is good to figure out what to play outside by yourselves when you aren't allowed to watch anymore t.v. It is good to wander in the fields and woods and look out for snakes and discover bugs and sweat a lot. It is good to be patient with grandparents who might be set in their quite ways and obey "their" rules no matter what they are b/c this is "their" house and we will respect that! It is good to talk to strangers who knew your mom and dad or your grandmother once upon a time and act like you care about knowing who they are even if you want to run away! It is good to wake up in the morning and go outside to swing in your pajamas before you rush to turn on the television! It is good to come home!
My parents still live in the house I grew up...the same house my mom's grandparents built over 100 years ago. I love the feeling that comes over me when I pull into the gravel driveway and walk into the shaded front yard covered in moss and flower gardens. We came Friday afternoon and here it is Tuesday; I just now blow dried my hair and put on mascarra and actually got Elizabeth dressed in clothes that were decent looking...all to go into "town". You don't see anyone out here unless some family member decides to stop by or the local candidate for some political office pulls up to ask for a vote. To say I let myself go for awhile is an understatement. I love coming "home".
The boys have canoed in the pond out back, swam in the pool countless hours, ridden their bikes all over the fields, played batmitton, built leggos on the front screened in porch, helped bake bread with my mom and carved some wood boats with my dad. Now I don't mean to make it look all constant country fun and entertainment. We have had our moments of boredom and thank God for the Wii and cable or I might pull my hair out but still I love coming "home".
Today we ventured out to the big town of Halls. It's about 5 minutes down the highway but growing up out here God forbid you had to go into town after you had already been there once that day you would hear about it! Of course knowing that I would run into at least one person I knew I had to wash, dry and actually fix my hair...put on a little make-up, and get out a clean shirt! We loaded up in the van and headed to the kids' great-grandmother's barber shop for a fresh cut! Of course she was around the corner at the local mission so we got to surprise her in the act of buying some great deal for someone else (that is what you do at the local mission - buy a great deal for someone else who you just know will need that pair of pants or sun dress for only $2.00). The kids all got to pick out a free piece of junk - oh, I mean a toy - and then we walked back to the shop. After an hour of washing, cutting and blow drying then eating bubble gum and chatting it up with Max and G.G. we decided to drive a street over to eat some lunch. This is when I was thinking "thank goodness I put on some mascara!"
Sure enough...first we ran into the old high school football coach and his wife. Had to talk about what everyone in the family was up to and show off the kids "are all those kids yours?" hee hee!
Then we ran into my old best friend's mother...the one who used to let us throw wild parties in her yard out in Forked Deer and not tell our parents! I loved her!!! Got a quick update on my old g-friend and showed off the kids. (I'm praying the whole time that my kids act like they have some upbringing b/c you know everyone is watching us!) Then I get to the table (where G.G. already has a bowl of white beans and cornbread) and try to order a drink. Then I have to talk to all of G.G.'s friends and let her show off her "great grands" while squeezing tooty's legs real good to make her sit down in the high chair and stop taking off her shoes! (act like you hadn't just been roaming all over the country side please sister girl!) Then I try to eat my BLT and fries real fast b/c I know tooty is gonna lose it in front of all these people. As I'm getting ready to leave I hear "I knew that was a Callender boy". And I go over to chat with my husband's old best friend's dad (who also rented us a house when we lived there for a few years). I find out later from Eli that this man (the same one just mentioned) yelled out to him, "hey boy, what's your name?" "Eli." "no, what's your last name?" "Callender." "Who's your daddy?" "Nate". "yeah, that's what I thought!" When I go to pay the bill the owner of the restaurant looks at my check (they only accept cash or check) and says "You married to Mark Callender?" "No sir, Nate." "Oh yeah...I hadn't seen Nate in years!" So then I have to chat it up with him. (don't ask me who he was!) When we left Eli asked me why I knew everyone in that place. I told him that when you grow up in a small town (Halls has one stop light) you know just about everyone or at least someone in their family! I love coming "home."
I wouldn't want to live back here again. We actually did that after Eli was born for about 3 years. It was real nostalgic but after awhile we decided it was best to move on where we had more opportunity for things (money would be the biggest thing!) It's really just plain sad how small towns like this one go to the waste side when the economy hits rock bottom. Most of the factories close down and there just isn't much to do here anymore then work in a bank, the schools, doctor's offices or farm. There are so many hard working people like Nate's grandmother who still open their barber shop (or mom and pop restaurant or boutique) and try to get by on what comes in each week. And for the most part people support them around here and look out for each other. But the town just isn't what I remember it to be as a child and that makes me sad. The people that I still know who live here are nice and loyal to their roots! Don't talk bad about their hometown now... that is not my intention at all! I love coming back home and visiting and showing the kids where their mom and dad ran around, went to school, learned to drive a stick shift, etc. I love running into my old friends' parents and having them truly care about saying hey and looking at my kids and asking how we are doing even if it is just for a minute! We all keep up with each other...we all know who's grandparents have died...we all have a history together in this small town.
Four more days until we return to the busy pace of suburbia! I'm going to teach my kids and myself that it is good to be bored sometimes. It is good to figure out what to play outside by yourselves when you aren't allowed to watch anymore t.v. It is good to wander in the fields and woods and look out for snakes and discover bugs and sweat a lot. It is good to be patient with grandparents who might be set in their quite ways and obey "their" rules no matter what they are b/c this is "their" house and we will respect that! It is good to talk to strangers who knew your mom and dad or your grandmother once upon a time and act like you care about knowing who they are even if you want to run away! It is good to wake up in the morning and go outside to swing in your pajamas before you rush to turn on the television! It is good to come home!
Jul 10, 2010
Citizens Arrest!!
I'm sitting in Murfreesboro traffic on one of the busiest streets during Friday afternoon crazy time but really not worried a bit b/c you see I have no kids in my van. No, I was all alone...and headed to shop...for the next 3 hours! I left Elizabeth asleep with daddy at home and dropped the boys off at their last day of "writing camp" (yeah...that sounds fun doesn't it? But hey! It actually was and they learned a lot so quit laughing at me!)
Anyway...I was headed to Hobby Lobby with dreams of paint and pots floating in my head when all of a sudden I watched a giant white truck's driver side door open (we were at a stop light and he was about 2 lanes over from me) and the driver, a real good ol' boy with an American flag bandanna wrapped around his head, ever so gently lay (not throw) but carefully lay his finished fast food lunch out onto the road. I was dumbfounded and began looking around at all the cars beside me to see if I was the only one catching littering in the act! But I wasn't. The car behind the truck even pulled into the lane beside him and I could tell the woman was yelling at the guy but through his good old boy tented windows I couldn't tell that he was paying a bit of attention to her so she drove off.
But me on the other hand...I got to thinking "what would Barney Fife do?" It was at this time that I noticed the Bubba truck was advertising on two giant magnetic posters on both the front and back of his truck his business "American Services" (yeah I thought it too...what service are you doing America buddy?) and the phone number. So quickly I called the number on my cell phone.
What was I going to say you wonder? Well, I didn't really know. I was hoping it would be an office and I could report his truck but no...a good ol' boy answered "hello???" (and I just knew)...Me: "are you driving a big white truck right now?" man: "yes". Me: "Well...I just saw you put your trash out onto the road. And do you know that is littering and it is against the law and you could be fined for that?" Man: "I'm sorry ma'm". Me: "Well, here you are advertising your company on your truck and you go and litter...how is that representing your company for everyone to see? And now I have your number! Shame on you!" And I hung up! Yes, I hung up b/c I was scared he would come to his senses and start cussing me...and I do hate to be cussed at by redneck men who litter and wear the American flag on their heads!
I was so proud and so scared after that I had to call my husband and tell him what I had done as if I had just made a citizens arrest! And you know what he asked me? "Did he see which car you were calling from?" I guess he was thinking of my safety and all. Of course then all afternoon I was terrified that he would start prank calling my phone since now he had my cell phone number in his. He actually did call when I was picking up the boys (I memorized the number just in case) and I answered it before I thought about it but he kept asking for "Teressa?" and I told him "YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER!" (I should have said "litter bug!" and then hung up on him again)
I'm ruthless huh? But I do take littering serious...so watch out the next time your kid finishes his McDonald's happy meal and you think about throwing it out your window, I might just be watching you...and who knows maybe next time I'll go tap on your window right in the middle of rush hour!
Anyway...I was headed to Hobby Lobby with dreams of paint and pots floating in my head when all of a sudden I watched a giant white truck's driver side door open (we were at a stop light and he was about 2 lanes over from me) and the driver, a real good ol' boy with an American flag bandanna wrapped around his head, ever so gently lay (not throw) but carefully lay his finished fast food lunch out onto the road. I was dumbfounded and began looking around at all the cars beside me to see if I was the only one catching littering in the act! But I wasn't. The car behind the truck even pulled into the lane beside him and I could tell the woman was yelling at the guy but through his good old boy tented windows I couldn't tell that he was paying a bit of attention to her so she drove off.
But me on the other hand...I got to thinking "what would Barney Fife do?" It was at this time that I noticed the Bubba truck was advertising on two giant magnetic posters on both the front and back of his truck his business "American Services" (yeah I thought it too...what service are you doing America buddy?) and the phone number. So quickly I called the number on my cell phone.
What was I going to say you wonder? Well, I didn't really know. I was hoping it would be an office and I could report his truck but no...a good ol' boy answered "hello???" (and I just knew)...Me: "are you driving a big white truck right now?" man: "yes". Me: "Well...I just saw you put your trash out onto the road. And do you know that is littering and it is against the law and you could be fined for that?" Man: "I'm sorry ma'm". Me: "Well, here you are advertising your company on your truck and you go and litter...how is that representing your company for everyone to see? And now I have your number! Shame on you!" And I hung up! Yes, I hung up b/c I was scared he would come to his senses and start cussing me...and I do hate to be cussed at by redneck men who litter and wear the American flag on their heads!
I was so proud and so scared after that I had to call my husband and tell him what I had done as if I had just made a citizens arrest! And you know what he asked me? "Did he see which car you were calling from?" I guess he was thinking of my safety and all. Of course then all afternoon I was terrified that he would start prank calling my phone since now he had my cell phone number in his. He actually did call when I was picking up the boys (I memorized the number just in case) and I answered it before I thought about it but he kept asking for "Teressa?" and I told him "YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER!" (I should have said "litter bug!" and then hung up on him again)
I'm ruthless huh? But I do take littering serious...so watch out the next time your kid finishes his McDonald's happy meal and you think about throwing it out your window, I might just be watching you...and who knows maybe next time I'll go tap on your window right in the middle of rush hour!
Jul 8, 2010
I'm now married to a younger man...
Lately, I've been waking up each morning to a new husband...well at least a husband with a new age. Oh yes, this is how the day begins..."Kids (or Sarah) guess how old I am today?" It started out as 34, then it went up to 44...the worst was 55 (that about put him in shock!)so he worked very diligently until he got his age all the way down to 22!
Don't call me a cougar just yet! That would be 22 in Wii fit age!
Now in case you've never been on a Wii fit challenge, it isn't based just on your athletic stamina. It really doesn't care if you can bike to work each morning or run 5 miles without coughing up a lung. It is all about the total body: mind, balance, flexibility, agility, etc. (and where you place your feet and hold yourself the allotted amount of time so it thinks you are doing the correct move...shhh!)
Nate and I are very competitive. Well he more than me but I do like a good challenge. And we are very health conscious. So getting a new Wii for our anniversary as opposed to going on an overnight rendezvous just seemed the sensible thing to do (or so I thought.) "Sure I'll use it every day". I said to my sweet husband who really wanted one. And then I was surprised with a new shiny Wii the day of our 12th anniversary! He was so proud! He had already picked out my Wii fit person and matched her hair to mine and made me just look so pretty and fit. Gave me the name "mommy" (b/c you know that is the title that all women want to go by for their entire adult life after they have birthed a child!) And then the competition began.
"Have you been on the Wii fit today yet?" "Have you checked your BMI today? Is it lower?" "What was your score for that new yoga move?" "Did you meet your goal this week?"
I really didn't care that much until...one day I managed to beat his score on quite a few of the yoga positions. That was all the fuel I needed. I just became a crazy person. Doing every game I could so I could beat his score. When it put my "mommy" name as 1st place I yelled to the other room..."Guess what boys, I just beat Daddy!" And it continued like that for an hour!(besides the fact that he was watching Elizabeth and keeping the boys out of the living room for me) I have to say though Nate was very proud of me. I guess he figured whatever it took to get the money out of the thing was worth his humility!
But as all things...I am very consistent with being inconsistent. So after just a few weeks of having this lovely workout guru in my living room beckoning me to come stand on the white board and get my balance more centered I honestly dread the thing. Nate even woke me up at 6:30 this morning before sister girl woke up...to do the Wii fit challenge. I actually didn't hit him but rolled out of bed and did it for a total of 15 mts. ("every few minutes counts" my sci-fi looking instructor told me...after she told me "I haven't seen you in awhile.")before Elizabeth started beckoning me to her room! It did make me feel better and hopefully I'll do it again tomorrow. Maybe I can talk him into watching sweet thing so I can beat his scores, I mean work out long enough to break a sweat.
And my Wii fit age you are wondering? That's right folks...25! This cougar has found her match!
Don't call me a cougar just yet! That would be 22 in Wii fit age!
Now in case you've never been on a Wii fit challenge, it isn't based just on your athletic stamina. It really doesn't care if you can bike to work each morning or run 5 miles without coughing up a lung. It is all about the total body: mind, balance, flexibility, agility, etc. (and where you place your feet and hold yourself the allotted amount of time so it thinks you are doing the correct move...shhh!)
Nate and I are very competitive. Well he more than me but I do like a good challenge. And we are very health conscious. So getting a new Wii for our anniversary as opposed to going on an overnight rendezvous just seemed the sensible thing to do (or so I thought.) "Sure I'll use it every day". I said to my sweet husband who really wanted one. And then I was surprised with a new shiny Wii the day of our 12th anniversary! He was so proud! He had already picked out my Wii fit person and matched her hair to mine and made me just look so pretty and fit. Gave me the name "mommy" (b/c you know that is the title that all women want to go by for their entire adult life after they have birthed a child!) And then the competition began.
"Have you been on the Wii fit today yet?" "Have you checked your BMI today? Is it lower?" "What was your score for that new yoga move?" "Did you meet your goal this week?"
I really didn't care that much until...one day I managed to beat his score on quite a few of the yoga positions. That was all the fuel I needed. I just became a crazy person. Doing every game I could so I could beat his score. When it put my "mommy" name as 1st place I yelled to the other room..."Guess what boys, I just beat Daddy!" And it continued like that for an hour!(besides the fact that he was watching Elizabeth and keeping the boys out of the living room for me) I have to say though Nate was very proud of me. I guess he figured whatever it took to get the money out of the thing was worth his humility!
But as all things...I am very consistent with being inconsistent. So after just a few weeks of having this lovely workout guru in my living room beckoning me to come stand on the white board and get my balance more centered I honestly dread the thing. Nate even woke me up at 6:30 this morning before sister girl woke up...to do the Wii fit challenge. I actually didn't hit him but rolled out of bed and did it for a total of 15 mts. ("every few minutes counts" my sci-fi looking instructor told me...after she told me "I haven't seen you in awhile.")before Elizabeth started beckoning me to her room! It did make me feel better and hopefully I'll do it again tomorrow. Maybe I can talk him into watching sweet thing so I can beat his scores, I mean work out long enough to break a sweat.
And my Wii fit age you are wondering? That's right folks...25! This cougar has found her match!
Jul 5, 2010
memories of the 4th
The feel of corn silk on your fingers...the smell of a baking homemade apple pie...pouring bags of ice on the ice cream maker while sweat pours down your face from the hot July sun...firing up the grill beside the neighbors and druling over the steaks soon to be devoured...the flies buzzing all over your unattended plates of food...sweet tea...laughter from children running around the yard with excitement that they got away without eating a single baked bean or bite of potato salad but already devoured two bowls of ice cream and three cookies...the booming of firecrackers and the whizzing of bottle rockets past your head...the smell of smoke bombs and the vivid blue and purple colors of clouds drifting down the street...these are the memories we made this 4th of July. I hope you enjoyed yours! Happy Independence Day America!!!
Jul 1, 2010
I just lost 200 friends...
Over the past two months I have lost about 200 friends. How in the world did I lose so many close companions you ask? I quit facebooking; that's how. I came to a point where it was actual work keeping up with so many other people's lives. Not even important stuff in their lives just the mundane facts of their days. My head was full of information regarding Susie Q's, that old college friend who I actually only talked to a few times, cat who just puked on her carpet. Or a man, who was once a boy in my 3rd grade class, who was driving in bumper to bumper traffic. Oh and let's not forget about everyone's political, religious, emotional, family and shop-a-holic opinions each day - 24 hours! I got a little consumed with too many non important facts about other people.
I admit I loved it for a time being. Well, a long time being. I was right there with them telling everyone how my middle child carried chicken bones in his pocket all day at school after eating fried chicken in the cafeteria. Or that I was cleaning up puke from the third person in my family who had the stomach bug! It was fun...but then it became work for me. I can see if you have more time on your hands to keep up with everyone all day then it would be tolerable. But I was becoming obsessed...I had to check it in the morning or in the afternoon, especially at night before I went to bed...just in case someone had something happen to them I needed to know about. Because you know when you have 200 friends they aren't going to take the time to call you; they are just going to post it on facebook.
People I knew, even some close friends who were facebook addicts as well, would say to me in 'real' conversations, "oh, you didn't know that? I posted it on facebook last week!" (I admit I did the same thing...often leading a conversation with someone for real by saying, "did you read when I.....already on facebook or do I need to tell you?") Now that is just annoying!
I agree that facebook has been awesome in reconnecting old friends who otherwise you would have no idea had four kids, just got married, or lived across the planet working for the peace corps! But then I had that many more people to keep up with. I enjoyed chatting it up with a friend I loved dearly my freshmen year of college and then she switched colleges and was never heard from again. But after a week or two of chatting it up then all I was left was keeping up with her daily activities, "just walked across the room" (that was actually a funny one that I had to reply..."and picked my nose.")
I'm sure when the kids get back in school and I'm bored out of my mind (wait...will that ever happen again...at least not in the next 4 years) I might start diligently following facebook again. But until then if you are a friend of mine do you mind terribly calling me (or texting) and telling me if you have a headache, just ate the best hamburger in town, or for Pete's sake just had your baby! Thanks!
I admit I loved it for a time being. Well, a long time being. I was right there with them telling everyone how my middle child carried chicken bones in his pocket all day at school after eating fried chicken in the cafeteria. Or that I was cleaning up puke from the third person in my family who had the stomach bug! It was fun...but then it became work for me. I can see if you have more time on your hands to keep up with everyone all day then it would be tolerable. But I was becoming obsessed...I had to check it in the morning or in the afternoon, especially at night before I went to bed...just in case someone had something happen to them I needed to know about. Because you know when you have 200 friends they aren't going to take the time to call you; they are just going to post it on facebook.
People I knew, even some close friends who were facebook addicts as well, would say to me in 'real' conversations, "oh, you didn't know that? I posted it on facebook last week!" (I admit I did the same thing...often leading a conversation with someone for real by saying, "did you read when I.....already on facebook or do I need to tell you?") Now that is just annoying!
I agree that facebook has been awesome in reconnecting old friends who otherwise you would have no idea had four kids, just got married, or lived across the planet working for the peace corps! But then I had that many more people to keep up with. I enjoyed chatting it up with a friend I loved dearly my freshmen year of college and then she switched colleges and was never heard from again. But after a week or two of chatting it up then all I was left was keeping up with her daily activities, "just walked across the room" (that was actually a funny one that I had to reply..."and picked my nose.")
I'm sure when the kids get back in school and I'm bored out of my mind (wait...will that ever happen again...at least not in the next 4 years) I might start diligently following facebook again. But until then if you are a friend of mine do you mind terribly calling me (or texting) and telling me if you have a headache, just ate the best hamburger in town, or for Pete's sake just had your baby! Thanks!
Jun 30, 2010
"tis the season of toddlerhood"
Okay, I'm having one of those weeks. I'm thinking too much about everything and delving too deep into my brain which always makes me a little crazy. So maybe I'll just type it out...
I feel like the baby stork that was so kind in dropping off my little sister girl 20 months ago has snuck into my house and taken that cute little baby and replaced her with an even cuter but louder, bigger and oh my what a temper little toddler. I truly thought they didn't enter the terrible two's until they were...uhhh...TWO! But I was mistaken!
I say this all with a mother's heart full of love and adoration towards my precious little girl...you all know that right?
But oh my goodness she is running me raged this summer!!!!
Since the boys have had more free time during the week I have ventured into taking them all to more populated places by myself. The stuff I did even last summer just with a baby carrier and immobile child aboard has completely made me think twice about going ever again. Now I look like the crazy woman who is bent over (because you know mothers of toddlers don't ever stand up straight) chasing a 2 1/2 foot screaming banchi with pig tails across whatever open plain we maybe visiting: swimming pool, wooded trail, creek bed, store aisle, museum play area, open playground, our street!!! Have I mentioned that I'm a somewhat shy person until I know you? That means that having anywhere from 5 to 30 people at any given place staring at me shaking their head and saying, "oh my" as they watch me run down my little sweet heart before she 1. jumps into the deep end of the pool 2. takes some child's toy as they cling to it for dear life 3. refuse to sit any longer in the grocery cart 4. decides that kid's sippy cup looks tasty across the room 5. feels like running down our driveway at full speed with no worry of what car maybe driving past 6. decides to climb up the second floor of our tower of terror play set that Nate built the boys with it's death drop open floor plan! That is my life...
The only good thing is this...I did this with my second child, although it was 6 years ago (and you can forget a lot in 6 years let me tell you)! Everything she is putting me through...Ian already did it! And I'm 6 years more mature, 6 years wiser, 6 years more laid back! So how do I handle it now? Well, I don't cry, I don't scream at her, I don't hit her out of frustration...I simply grit my teeth, squeeze her tightly to my chest and tell her that she can not yell at mommy! I am stronger now too so I use my all powerful muscles to unclench her extremely powerful vice grip on whatever it is she has decided she needs at the moment and hold her bunking bronco legs that are kicking up a storm...then I tell her to tell me she is sorry, listen to her sweet little baby voice say sowwweeee and magically she looks at me like nothing has ever happened...until she finds another 'something' to get into.
And that is my life these days. I get frustrated because I look at my two boys and I think, "Sarah, you have already been through these "terrible two's with them and you survived and life was so easy! Now look at you silly girl...your doing it all over again while your friends watch and shake their heads at 'poor Sarah'." And then I feel terribly guilty for having those thoughts because of course I love Elizabeth so very much and she does bring such joy and laughter to me all day! I know that this is just the time of a child's life where it is nothing but hard work. I know that she is simply clay in my hands and I have to mold her into what I want her to become...I either let her scream at me and run wild while I shy away in embarrassment or I hunker down and discipline her and teach her what is acceptable and what is not and then watch as she finally learns (in about 2 more years). I accept that I do not have a shy or quite or very submissive child right now. This is how she is and how she will probably be for her whole life so my job is to take her character traits and make sure she gets the most positive life experience from them.
It's just a lot of stinking work right now...and I've been spoiled by the boys' ages...and I'm older...and I get jealous of my friends who can finally sit back on the park bench or the swimming pool chairs and watch their kids play while they talk and I think to myself I was there for years and now I have to smile as I run by them and chase my toddler! But I know that I will back sunbathing in oh, let's say two years and I know that I probably won't even remember all this running around in say four years and that's just how it works...but until then I just have to breath a heavy sigh and say tis the season...now excuse me while I keep Elizabeth from tackling that child over his cookie!
I feel like the baby stork that was so kind in dropping off my little sister girl 20 months ago has snuck into my house and taken that cute little baby and replaced her with an even cuter but louder, bigger and oh my what a temper little toddler. I truly thought they didn't enter the terrible two's until they were...uhhh...TWO! But I was mistaken!
I say this all with a mother's heart full of love and adoration towards my precious little girl...you all know that right?
But oh my goodness she is running me raged this summer!!!!
Since the boys have had more free time during the week I have ventured into taking them all to more populated places by myself. The stuff I did even last summer just with a baby carrier and immobile child aboard has completely made me think twice about going ever again. Now I look like the crazy woman who is bent over (because you know mothers of toddlers don't ever stand up straight) chasing a 2 1/2 foot screaming banchi with pig tails across whatever open plain we maybe visiting: swimming pool, wooded trail, creek bed, store aisle, museum play area, open playground, our street!!! Have I mentioned that I'm a somewhat shy person until I know you? That means that having anywhere from 5 to 30 people at any given place staring at me shaking their head and saying, "oh my" as they watch me run down my little sweet heart before she 1. jumps into the deep end of the pool 2. takes some child's toy as they cling to it for dear life 3. refuse to sit any longer in the grocery cart 4. decides that kid's sippy cup looks tasty across the room 5. feels like running down our driveway at full speed with no worry of what car maybe driving past 6. decides to climb up the second floor of our tower of terror play set that Nate built the boys with it's death drop open floor plan! That is my life...
The only good thing is this...I did this with my second child, although it was 6 years ago (and you can forget a lot in 6 years let me tell you)! Everything she is putting me through...Ian already did it! And I'm 6 years more mature, 6 years wiser, 6 years more laid back! So how do I handle it now? Well, I don't cry, I don't scream at her, I don't hit her out of frustration...I simply grit my teeth, squeeze her tightly to my chest and tell her that she can not yell at mommy! I am stronger now too so I use my all powerful muscles to unclench her extremely powerful vice grip on whatever it is she has decided she needs at the moment and hold her bunking bronco legs that are kicking up a storm...then I tell her to tell me she is sorry, listen to her sweet little baby voice say sowwweeee and magically she looks at me like nothing has ever happened...until she finds another 'something' to get into.
And that is my life these days. I get frustrated because I look at my two boys and I think, "Sarah, you have already been through these "terrible two's with them and you survived and life was so easy! Now look at you silly girl...your doing it all over again while your friends watch and shake their heads at 'poor Sarah'." And then I feel terribly guilty for having those thoughts because of course I love Elizabeth so very much and she does bring such joy and laughter to me all day! I know that this is just the time of a child's life where it is nothing but hard work. I know that she is simply clay in my hands and I have to mold her into what I want her to become...I either let her scream at me and run wild while I shy away in embarrassment or I hunker down and discipline her and teach her what is acceptable and what is not and then watch as she finally learns (in about 2 more years). I accept that I do not have a shy or quite or very submissive child right now. This is how she is and how she will probably be for her whole life so my job is to take her character traits and make sure she gets the most positive life experience from them.
It's just a lot of stinking work right now...and I've been spoiled by the boys' ages...and I'm older...and I get jealous of my friends who can finally sit back on the park bench or the swimming pool chairs and watch their kids play while they talk and I think to myself I was there for years and now I have to smile as I run by them and chase my toddler! But I know that I will back sunbathing in oh, let's say two years and I know that I probably won't even remember all this running around in say four years and that's just how it works...but until then I just have to breath a heavy sigh and say tis the season...now excuse me while I keep Elizabeth from tackling that child over his cookie!
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