It's the day after Christmas,
And all through the casa
It's an abominable mess
And I wonder, que pasa?
The presents unwrapped,
The stockings un-filled,
Much sugar was eaten
The kids are strong-willed.
The cats slumber lazily
After strewing the bows
One dropped a chicken bone
After being hit on the nose.
The house needs to be vacuumed,
There's crap everywhere,
But it's so hard to muster
The tiniest care.
The money is gone,
No more fun is in store
At least until payday
When we'll have a bit more.
By then, the vacation
And it's promise of fun
Will almost be over,
Carefree days will be done.
So, we sit in the house
With nothing to do,
Except nap and eat junk
Watch a movie or two.
This Christmas hangover
Is hurting my head
But I'm really quite tired
Of lying in bed.
The radio carols
Have all but now ceased
The big day is over,
Along with the feast.
Soon it will be time
To strip the house bare
Of the festive decor
There will be nothing there.
We wait all year long
For this season of light
And then it's just over
In the span of one night.
But wait! We still have New Year's,
and our great resolutions.
Anticipation of that,
Might be the solution.
To the sad melancholy
That follows Noel
Perhaps, we shall see,
Time, only, can tell.
But, yes! The next holiday
Is Valentine's day.
Another excuse to
decorate and play.
And while I'll miss Christmas,
Which, sadly, must part
Is it too early
To string up some hearts?
Showing posts with label Valentine's day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentine's day. Show all posts
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Still here..........
It's been ages since I blogged, and there are a myriad of reasons for it, but here's a little catch-up:
1. Harrison was supposed to perform in the junior high talent show this evening. He was going to sing and play the guitar. Instead we spent a couple of hours in the ER, because just before we needed to leave for the show, he developed a profuse nosebleed that stopped just long enough for us to get to the school, set up the video camera, tell everyone the dramatic story of his nosebleed, and then be informed by a random teenager that he was in the bathroom and needed us NOW. His nose had started bleeding again, and just stop reading this RIGHT NOW if you are squeamish at all, or don't like blood because I'm about to get very graphic. The sink was FULL of blood. We used up a whole roll of toilet paper sopping it up. Blood was coming out both nostrils in a stream. And huge clots that resembled leeches periodically slithered out his nose. I am not squeamish, but I think I gagged a little. And, being the mom, I had to clean up the mess and take him to the ER. So, where's my trophy? After a call to the nurse line at the hospital, we were advised to take him to the ER which we did, and it was a good thing we slipped in right before the rush because if we'd had to wait three hours for them to tape together two tongue depressors and make a pincher for his nose, I'd have been pissed. But that's exactly what they did. Super high-tech, yeah? They left it on his nose for a half hour, then he sat for another half hour to make sure it wasn't bleeding again. And then they booted us to the curb. Good times. Bonus: we got Dairy Queen on the way home!
2. That was my second trip to the ER in three weeks. Hannah spent an afternoon in the ER and then a week in the "IPU" at Children's Hospital for treatment for severe anxiety. I wrote a whole blog post about it and my computer froze up and it disappeared. I was on a roll and it was a damn good blog post if I do say so myself and I could never replicate it, but suffice it to say it was an emotionally-wrenching time, exhausting and time consuming, but overall it was a good experience and helpful. I'll write more about it in another blog post, when and if I can recreate the awesomeness of the one I lost.
3. Today at work, we had a fire alarm in the middle of calendar time, which put our already-on-the-edge kids in a frenzy and set off a day of craziness, which included screaming fits, crying (not me, the kids), and ended up with some blood. Not a great day for me, very stressful, and I spent a good deal of my time thinking about another line of work. On my way home, I spotted a group of kindergarten-aged children waiting for a bus. There were about ten of them, with one teacher, and they were holding hands and standing quietly in a semi-circle. And it struck me how that would never, could never, happen with my class. They just can't do the things other kids can. And as frustrating as that it sometimes, I have to remember that they just CAN'T and it's not always because they won't - they are just different. And my job is very, very hard and very, very exhausting.
4. We've recently instituted some technology rules in our house - everyone has to "turn in" their technology at 10 p.m. and no one sleeps with a cell phone in their room or an iPad, iPod or other gadget that is distracting to sleep. This, as you might imagine, went over like a lead balloon, but I dare say everyone is sleeping better and it's showing. Radical, eh? Yesterday I accidentally left my phone at home. I realized it just as I was exiting the neighborhood and could easily have turned around but I decided to just spend part of the day "off the grid" and see what happened. And it was kind of nice not to be bothered at work, or feel the need to check my email or Facebook at stoplights, or write a note to myself in my phone (I used a post-it note). I was really too busy to care.
5. I went out with girlfriends twice this week and it made me remember why I need to take those kinds of breaks. We all need someone to talk to. And while our lives take different directions over time, I'm grateful for those friends who are eager to catch up, even if a long time has passed. Also, a longtime friend of mine declined yet another invitation so I opened up the chance for her to put our friendship to bed and she did. Not just me, but two other friends - the four of us have been friends since our first born children were infants. And while I understood that she chose to focus on her new-found friends, I found it sad and a bit superficial that she didn't have time in her "busy" days to catch up with old friends. Which brought me back to an old thought - we are ALL busy, and we all have to decide how to budget our time, but I really treasure the friends who are not so wrapped up in themselves or their lives, no matter how challenging, that they still see the value of hanging with old friends, even if a long time passes between visits.
6. Research shows that working out before breakfast has many benefits, and also that lack of sleep can make you "fat" by increasing levels of cortisol in your body. I've been trying to work out, but I've also been staying up way too late, so some mornings I get out of bed and squeeze in 20 min of cardio before work, and some days I sleep till the last possible minute. I'm counting on it all balancing out, but I'm no fool. I caught a glimpse of myself in a dressing-room mirror today and I decided I resemble a cake pop - all round on top perched on a stick (no, my legs are hardly "sticks" but from the side I certainly have some proportional challenges). I mean, I like cake pops, so.....it's not all bad. But I'd rather resemble a slice of bacon - all curvy and hot. :)
7. I've been really frustrated by the cost of living lately, and the fact that we seem to run out of money between paychecks all the time, and that we live in this big metropolitan city with arts and entertainment galore and yet we can't afford it so it feel like being a kid in a candy shop with no access to the peanut butter cups. The treats are all around us, but we can't play. And it kind of pisses me off and puts me in a bad mood and makes me think how can I earn more money and could I work two jobs but then I remember I have these kids to take care of and they're kind of struggling right now, and so I need to be home as much as possible, so I can't work another job, so maybe we should just move somewhere more affordable, or somewhere where the entertainment is cheap, down-home and fun, and we could grow our own vegetables and churn our own butter and make handmade stuff and.....see how my thought process spirals? I just thought I'd treat you to it.
8. I LOVE Valentine's day, not because of the presents and chocolate but because I just love the color combo of pink, red and white. It's so cheery and fun! And I love hearts and want to plaster them everywhere. But as a holiday it kind of sucks because it's just too much pressure. Pressure if you're single and want to be dating, pressure if you're dating to get the perfect gift, pressure if you're the wife of a man who's really awesome at gift-giving but you suck at it.......or maybe that's just me. And then there are the kid gifts. Girls are so much easier - there are so many things you can give them for a Valentine's present - heart-shaped jewelry, clothing adorned with hearts......what do you get for boys? A candy bar with a heart wrapper? Yep. Boys get totally gypped on Valentine's Day. I think my kids will have to learn to love heart-shaped sugar cookies. Because I'm totally not buying into the whole commercial Valentine's day thing. Check back with me next week and see how I did. I'm such a sucker for cute.
9. I've recently been told that I set the tone for the household by my moods. And that when I'm stressed, the tension is in the air and everyone else gets tense. And that I try to control things too much. And I "freak out" when things don't go the way I want/expect them to. And while I acknowledge that most of that is probably true, I pointed out that I suffer from anxiety (as does everyone else in my family), I do the majority of the heavy lifting when it comes to parenting four teenagers, and I'm going through early menopause which, I'm sure, is playing havoc with my hormones. I take my anxiety meds every day like a good girl. So, everyone is just really lucky I don't rip off someone's head each and every day. And after the last two years I've had with my kids, I think every day that ends with all four kids alive and well is a good day. Parenting is not for the faint of heart. I remember thinking having a toddler who never slept was torture and I thought I'd die from lack of sleep. I'm laughing so hard now. Parents of kids under 13 take note: it gets SO MUCH HARDER! Your kids will turn into these really awesome beings who are talented and funny and with whom you really enjoy hanging out, but they will rip your heart to shreds in a millisecond. And don't you forget it.
10. I stayed up too late again. Story of my life.But no worries - because tomorrow I am going to rise early and work out. I will be on time to work. I will have a great day with cooperative kids who control themselves. I will come home and cook a delicious meal for my family. We will have a drama-free night and everyone will go to bed on time. I hope you enjoyed your bedtime story!
1. Harrison was supposed to perform in the junior high talent show this evening. He was going to sing and play the guitar. Instead we spent a couple of hours in the ER, because just before we needed to leave for the show, he developed a profuse nosebleed that stopped just long enough for us to get to the school, set up the video camera, tell everyone the dramatic story of his nosebleed, and then be informed by a random teenager that he was in the bathroom and needed us NOW. His nose had started bleeding again, and just stop reading this RIGHT NOW if you are squeamish at all, or don't like blood because I'm about to get very graphic. The sink was FULL of blood. We used up a whole roll of toilet paper sopping it up. Blood was coming out both nostrils in a stream. And huge clots that resembled leeches periodically slithered out his nose. I am not squeamish, but I think I gagged a little. And, being the mom, I had to clean up the mess and take him to the ER. So, where's my trophy? After a call to the nurse line at the hospital, we were advised to take him to the ER which we did, and it was a good thing we slipped in right before the rush because if we'd had to wait three hours for them to tape together two tongue depressors and make a pincher for his nose, I'd have been pissed. But that's exactly what they did. Super high-tech, yeah? They left it on his nose for a half hour, then he sat for another half hour to make sure it wasn't bleeding again. And then they booted us to the curb. Good times. Bonus: we got Dairy Queen on the way home!
2. That was my second trip to the ER in three weeks. Hannah spent an afternoon in the ER and then a week in the "IPU" at Children's Hospital for treatment for severe anxiety. I wrote a whole blog post about it and my computer froze up and it disappeared. I was on a roll and it was a damn good blog post if I do say so myself and I could never replicate it, but suffice it to say it was an emotionally-wrenching time, exhausting and time consuming, but overall it was a good experience and helpful. I'll write more about it in another blog post, when and if I can recreate the awesomeness of the one I lost.
3. Today at work, we had a fire alarm in the middle of calendar time, which put our already-on-the-edge kids in a frenzy and set off a day of craziness, which included screaming fits, crying (not me, the kids), and ended up with some blood. Not a great day for me, very stressful, and I spent a good deal of my time thinking about another line of work. On my way home, I spotted a group of kindergarten-aged children waiting for a bus. There were about ten of them, with one teacher, and they were holding hands and standing quietly in a semi-circle. And it struck me how that would never, could never, happen with my class. They just can't do the things other kids can. And as frustrating as that it sometimes, I have to remember that they just CAN'T and it's not always because they won't - they are just different. And my job is very, very hard and very, very exhausting.
4. We've recently instituted some technology rules in our house - everyone has to "turn in" their technology at 10 p.m. and no one sleeps with a cell phone in their room or an iPad, iPod or other gadget that is distracting to sleep. This, as you might imagine, went over like a lead balloon, but I dare say everyone is sleeping better and it's showing. Radical, eh? Yesterday I accidentally left my phone at home. I realized it just as I was exiting the neighborhood and could easily have turned around but I decided to just spend part of the day "off the grid" and see what happened. And it was kind of nice not to be bothered at work, or feel the need to check my email or Facebook at stoplights, or write a note to myself in my phone (I used a post-it note). I was really too busy to care.
5. I went out with girlfriends twice this week and it made me remember why I need to take those kinds of breaks. We all need someone to talk to. And while our lives take different directions over time, I'm grateful for those friends who are eager to catch up, even if a long time has passed. Also, a longtime friend of mine declined yet another invitation so I opened up the chance for her to put our friendship to bed and she did. Not just me, but two other friends - the four of us have been friends since our first born children were infants. And while I understood that she chose to focus on her new-found friends, I found it sad and a bit superficial that she didn't have time in her "busy" days to catch up with old friends. Which brought me back to an old thought - we are ALL busy, and we all have to decide how to budget our time, but I really treasure the friends who are not so wrapped up in themselves or their lives, no matter how challenging, that they still see the value of hanging with old friends, even if a long time passes between visits.
6. Research shows that working out before breakfast has many benefits, and also that lack of sleep can make you "fat" by increasing levels of cortisol in your body. I've been trying to work out, but I've also been staying up way too late, so some mornings I get out of bed and squeeze in 20 min of cardio before work, and some days I sleep till the last possible minute. I'm counting on it all balancing out, but I'm no fool. I caught a glimpse of myself in a dressing-room mirror today and I decided I resemble a cake pop - all round on top perched on a stick (no, my legs are hardly "sticks" but from the side I certainly have some proportional challenges). I mean, I like cake pops, so.....it's not all bad. But I'd rather resemble a slice of bacon - all curvy and hot. :)
7. I've been really frustrated by the cost of living lately, and the fact that we seem to run out of money between paychecks all the time, and that we live in this big metropolitan city with arts and entertainment galore and yet we can't afford it so it feel like being a kid in a candy shop with no access to the peanut butter cups. The treats are all around us, but we can't play. And it kind of pisses me off and puts me in a bad mood and makes me think how can I earn more money and could I work two jobs but then I remember I have these kids to take care of and they're kind of struggling right now, and so I need to be home as much as possible, so I can't work another job, so maybe we should just move somewhere more affordable, or somewhere where the entertainment is cheap, down-home and fun, and we could grow our own vegetables and churn our own butter and make handmade stuff and.....see how my thought process spirals? I just thought I'd treat you to it.
8. I LOVE Valentine's day, not because of the presents and chocolate but because I just love the color combo of pink, red and white. It's so cheery and fun! And I love hearts and want to plaster them everywhere. But as a holiday it kind of sucks because it's just too much pressure. Pressure if you're single and want to be dating, pressure if you're dating to get the perfect gift, pressure if you're the wife of a man who's really awesome at gift-giving but you suck at it.......or maybe that's just me. And then there are the kid gifts. Girls are so much easier - there are so many things you can give them for a Valentine's present - heart-shaped jewelry, clothing adorned with hearts......what do you get for boys? A candy bar with a heart wrapper? Yep. Boys get totally gypped on Valentine's Day. I think my kids will have to learn to love heart-shaped sugar cookies. Because I'm totally not buying into the whole commercial Valentine's day thing. Check back with me next week and see how I did. I'm such a sucker for cute.
9. I've recently been told that I set the tone for the household by my moods. And that when I'm stressed, the tension is in the air and everyone else gets tense. And that I try to control things too much. And I "freak out" when things don't go the way I want/expect them to. And while I acknowledge that most of that is probably true, I pointed out that I suffer from anxiety (as does everyone else in my family), I do the majority of the heavy lifting when it comes to parenting four teenagers, and I'm going through early menopause which, I'm sure, is playing havoc with my hormones. I take my anxiety meds every day like a good girl. So, everyone is just really lucky I don't rip off someone's head each and every day. And after the last two years I've had with my kids, I think every day that ends with all four kids alive and well is a good day. Parenting is not for the faint of heart. I remember thinking having a toddler who never slept was torture and I thought I'd die from lack of sleep. I'm laughing so hard now. Parents of kids under 13 take note: it gets SO MUCH HARDER! Your kids will turn into these really awesome beings who are talented and funny and with whom you really enjoy hanging out, but they will rip your heart to shreds in a millisecond. And don't you forget it.
10. I stayed up too late again. Story of my life.But no worries - because tomorrow I am going to rise early and work out. I will be on time to work. I will have a great day with cooperative kids who control themselves. I will come home and cook a delicious meal for my family. We will have a drama-free night and everyone will go to bed on time. I hope you enjoyed your bedtime story!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Valentine's Day and Mickey Mouse
So, yesterday was Valentine's day. I, I mean, the Valentine fairy, left heart-shaped M&M boxes and SweetHearts and cards for the offspring, and a box of Lindor truffles and a card for the manly man. He, in turn, followed my instructions to a "T" which went something along the lines of "I don't want any stupid, expensive flowers, or jewelry we can't afford, or chocolate - wait, chocolate is good. I want chocolate!" And then I went on to tell him I did NOT want any "stupid, cheesy card with a bunch of writing in it!" to which he replied "I don't get you cards like that" but I hold in my hand, right now, the birthday card he gave me that has a butterfly on the front and says "Some people make the world brighter just by being in it" on the front. I mean, that's nice and all, but I'd expect that from a co-worker or maybe one of my friends. I want something more meaningful from the better half, ya know? So, I instructed him to write me a letter or make me a card - I even left out craft materials in case he wanted to tap into his inner Martha Stewart (he didn't). So, here's what I got - a bag of Lindor truffles (dark chocolate - double yum!), a Lindt dark chocolate bar with almonds, and Lindor truffle "bites" which are basically mini versions of the aforementioned truffles. My card was a piece of red paper folded in half that said "I (drawn heart) you" and inside "Love, Jeff". He also noted on the side that it was "simple and sweet". I got a Tully's gift card and a pair of heart-shaped earrings (jewelry violation!!!) "wrapped" in a Tully's napkin! LOL! I LOVE THIS GUY!!!
Best of all, though, was surprising the kids with a trip to Disneyland. Now, mind you, this was not a Valentine's day gift (how would we ever top that?) but it was an occasion where we were all together so we surprised them with notes and little Mickey Mouse stuffed animals holding hearts (how appropriate). Enjoy the video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfbpv1TRcyI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfbpv1TRcyI
Monday, February 14, 2011
It's always something..........
I stole my title from my niece Sydney's blog, but it so describes our lives around here. Not a day goes by without some drama, large or small. Today started out by me being startled awake by my phone. Hayley was calling to tell me that she and Hannah had stopped by their dad's to get some clothes and their backpacks for school. But "in all the confusion" (huh?) she had forgotten to pick up her backpack so could I please call the school and excuse her from first period so she could drive back and get it? Not long after she walked in the door and I said "what are you doing here?" to which she replied, "I guess my backpack is actually here". Where it was in the first place. The house she left from this morning. Sigh.
Then, I got a text from Arlie saying she had forgotten her PE clothes and could I drop them by during lunch? What the....? Do these kids think I just sit around all day waiting to be beckoned for some menial service to them? I was getting ready for work at the time, but Jeff generously offered to drop the (still dirty) gym clothes off on his way to work (by bike, mind you). Problem solved.
Then I got a text from Colin. You're right, I don't have a child named Colin, but this child is one of the "drama kids" who frequents my house and he thought he might have left his wallet here on Saturday night after the dance. I texted him back that I'd look around for it, and headed to work.
Four hours later, I left work and went straight to Costco to purchase New York steaks, salmon and shrimp for a Valentine's day feast. On the way home, I got a call from my neighbor and got distracted from my mission to stop at Walgreen's. I ended up at home, scarfed down a reheated piece of veggie pizza, and set to work doing Disneyland vacation arrangements in order to get everything squared away so we could surprise the kids with the trip at dinner.
Colin texted me after school was out and asked if he could come by and search the house for his wallet. I let him. He came by again, later, with Brie, and they both looked, but no luck. This is the second wallet Colin has lost in as many months. He also has a chronic key loss problem, but he's not my child so I will not judge. (Love you, Colin!)
Arlie arrived home and chatted with me for a while, necessitating me hiding my computer screen and waiting for her to leave so I could continue my work on the super secret mission. Then, Harrison arrived home and told me that the whole class got Valentines from their parents today except him. WTF? I sent his Valentine in - put it in the teacher's box myself. I was fuming. Fired off an email and then decided I needed to go to Walgreen's anyway so headed up to the school. Solved the mystery when the teacher opened a box of file folders and discovered ALL of her mail (including several valentines for other students) in the box. Problem solved - Harrison got his Valentine AND his teacher gave us a whole container of red velvet cupcakes to take home. (Saved me making dessert!).
We headed to Walgreen's to pick up the one item I needed for the super secret project and went home. I was not home five minutes when I got a call from Hayley. She and Hannah had been in a car accident. I grabbed my purse and keys and was out the door again in a flash. Spent the next 45 minutes in the center turn lane on Bothell-Everett Highway talking to a police officer about the accident (luckily, not serious - rear-ender, but both girls now have neck pain!). Finally, finally got home again and locked my bedroom door so I could finish up the project.
Jeff arrived home and started dinner while I worked on the plan. Five cards, five notes and five Mickey Mouse stuffed animals ready for the big reveal. Set the table and dinner was served. Video cameras at the ready, we let the kids read their notes. Lots of screaming ensued. Video was uploaded to Facebook. Spent too much time on Facebook after uploading video. Ate too many sweets in celebration of Valentine's day. Finally took my computer to bed with me because I couldn't sit up any longer, but was having an IM conversation with my cousin and didn't want to cut it short. And here I am, staying up way too late again, blogging about my busy day.
Hm. Maybe I should just get more sleep?
Then, I got a text from Arlie saying she had forgotten her PE clothes and could I drop them by during lunch? What the....? Do these kids think I just sit around all day waiting to be beckoned for some menial service to them? I was getting ready for work at the time, but Jeff generously offered to drop the (still dirty) gym clothes off on his way to work (by bike, mind you). Problem solved.
Then I got a text from Colin. You're right, I don't have a child named Colin, but this child is one of the "drama kids" who frequents my house and he thought he might have left his wallet here on Saturday night after the dance. I texted him back that I'd look around for it, and headed to work.
Four hours later, I left work and went straight to Costco to purchase New York steaks, salmon and shrimp for a Valentine's day feast. On the way home, I got a call from my neighbor and got distracted from my mission to stop at Walgreen's. I ended up at home, scarfed down a reheated piece of veggie pizza, and set to work doing Disneyland vacation arrangements in order to get everything squared away so we could surprise the kids with the trip at dinner.
Colin texted me after school was out and asked if he could come by and search the house for his wallet. I let him. He came by again, later, with Brie, and they both looked, but no luck. This is the second wallet Colin has lost in as many months. He also has a chronic key loss problem, but he's not my child so I will not judge. (Love you, Colin!)
Arlie arrived home and chatted with me for a while, necessitating me hiding my computer screen and waiting for her to leave so I could continue my work on the super secret mission. Then, Harrison arrived home and told me that the whole class got Valentines from their parents today except him. WTF? I sent his Valentine in - put it in the teacher's box myself. I was fuming. Fired off an email and then decided I needed to go to Walgreen's anyway so headed up to the school. Solved the mystery when the teacher opened a box of file folders and discovered ALL of her mail (including several valentines for other students) in the box. Problem solved - Harrison got his Valentine AND his teacher gave us a whole container of red velvet cupcakes to take home. (Saved me making dessert!).
We headed to Walgreen's to pick up the one item I needed for the super secret project and went home. I was not home five minutes when I got a call from Hayley. She and Hannah had been in a car accident. I grabbed my purse and keys and was out the door again in a flash. Spent the next 45 minutes in the center turn lane on Bothell-Everett Highway talking to a police officer about the accident (luckily, not serious - rear-ender, but both girls now have neck pain!). Finally, finally got home again and locked my bedroom door so I could finish up the project.
Jeff arrived home and started dinner while I worked on the plan. Five cards, five notes and five Mickey Mouse stuffed animals ready for the big reveal. Set the table and dinner was served. Video cameras at the ready, we let the kids read their notes. Lots of screaming ensued. Video was uploaded to Facebook. Spent too much time on Facebook after uploading video. Ate too many sweets in celebration of Valentine's day. Finally took my computer to bed with me because I couldn't sit up any longer, but was having an IM conversation with my cousin and didn't want to cut it short. And here I am, staying up way too late again, blogging about my busy day.
Hm. Maybe I should just get more sleep?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
A Great Valentine's Day!
There was chocolate.....
.....and flowers......
.....and jewelry.......
.....a heart-shaped steak!
The chef and his amazing work!
Crab legs......(and shrimp too)..
A delicious dinner!
Followed by cookies for dessert!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentine's Day......it's about love!
Valentine's Day. Some say it's a created holiday, meant for retailers to rake in big bucks selling flowers, candy and jewelry to hapless young men wooing the girl of their dreams. But, historically, it's a long-debated holiday stemming from three possible St. Valentines who were all martyrs. Meaning they DIED for what they believed in. Now, I'm all for dying for the ones you love, but let's take a dramatic step back, shall we?
To me, Valentine's day is about love. And not just between lovers, but real, true love that relationships are made of. Love for children, parents, siblings, friends.......love for those who are unloved or unlovable. To be loved, we have to love. It's all about the give and take. Love is like water or food, everyone needs it, and those who don't receive it starve their souls. People who are not in a romantic relationship often hate Valentine's day or condemn those who are "in love". But everyone wants to be loved. Perhaps not everyone can have an intimate, romantic relationship with the love of their life, but everyone can love and be loved.
I remember working as a daycare provider many years ago. I was just a teenager and taking care of elementary school kids. Everyone loved the cute, sweet, clean kids. But the ones who had runny noses, unkempt hair, bad behavior - those kids got passed over when it came time to dole out hugs or pull into a lap for a quick cuddle. It made me sad, and I decided then and there that it was the people who are MOST "unlovable" who need love more than anything. It's not always easy to love someone who is unappealing or angry or cynical, but everyone needs love. And the more we give love, the more we receive love.
So, this Valentine's day, go ahead and be a sucker. Buy the cards, candy, jewelry, doo-dads that are pink and red and heart-shaped and scream of marketing. I love that stuff, it makes me smile. But it's love that makes us happy. It's love that feeds our souls. It's love that we need to give and receive. Go on, go love!
To me, Valentine's day is about love. And not just between lovers, but real, true love that relationships are made of. Love for children, parents, siblings, friends.......love for those who are unloved or unlovable. To be loved, we have to love. It's all about the give and take. Love is like water or food, everyone needs it, and those who don't receive it starve their souls. People who are not in a romantic relationship often hate Valentine's day or condemn those who are "in love". But everyone wants to be loved. Perhaps not everyone can have an intimate, romantic relationship with the love of their life, but everyone can love and be loved.
I remember working as a daycare provider many years ago. I was just a teenager and taking care of elementary school kids. Everyone loved the cute, sweet, clean kids. But the ones who had runny noses, unkempt hair, bad behavior - those kids got passed over when it came time to dole out hugs or pull into a lap for a quick cuddle. It made me sad, and I decided then and there that it was the people who are MOST "unlovable" who need love more than anything. It's not always easy to love someone who is unappealing or angry or cynical, but everyone needs love. And the more we give love, the more we receive love.
So, this Valentine's day, go ahead and be a sucker. Buy the cards, candy, jewelry, doo-dads that are pink and red and heart-shaped and scream of marketing. I love that stuff, it makes me smile. But it's love that makes us happy. It's love that feeds our souls. It's love that we need to give and receive. Go on, go love!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Olympics, Cake and Other Stuff
Last night I went to a party celebrating the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, BC (I put all that so in the future I'll know which Olympics I was talking about - you know, in case I'm still posting on here when I'm 90). Anyway, it was really fun to watch the opening ceremonies - such cool ideas. People are incredibly creative. So sad, though, to hear about (and watch, ugh) the death of the Georgian luger. Now I hear the track is supposedly too fast and too dangerous. Why do we have to make things bigger and better all the time? At the cost of a human life? Not worth it. I can't imagine the pain his family is going through right now. So sad.
So, for the party I made cupcakes. Jeff got me this awesome rotating cupcake "tower" that makes ordinary cupcakes look like art and it's just the coolest thing. But, strangely, this tower holds 35 cupcakes. A box of cake mix makes 24 cupcakes. You do the math. Anyway, I, of course, was going to make both chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. While mixing the vanilla batter, I got distracted with Jeff and Arlie leaving the house and forgot to put the eggs in the batter! Oops. I baked them anyway, and they turned out looking like regular cupcakes. But, oh no! Those deceptive little things were completely stuck inside the wrappers. I hated to waste 18 perfectly good cupcakes so I peeled the cake bits from the wrappers and saved them in a bowl. For what? Oh well, let me tell you. For trifle. Because my kids love trifle. I mean, they love chocolate trifle, but I thought why not just layer up these crumbly cake bits with vanilla pudding and cool whip and maybe even tint the whole mess pink and call it good? Yeah. I have to buy vanilla pudding and cool whip of course. And I'm giving the whole pink mess to the kids at their dad's house. Because I'm cool like that. Anyway, the chocolate cupcakes turned out fine, thanks to the addition of EGGS, duh, and so I took those to the party, sans cool tower. They were arranged on a plate. Sigh.
So, cooking disasters aside, I've been feeling very un-valentine-y. Because I didn't even get out my decorations this year! How could I just skip Valentine's day? I want a do-over. I'm seriously thinking of getting the decor out today and calling it Valentine's week. Except my kids aren't even here to enjoy it. And I kind of decorate for the kids. Well, ok, for me too, but I always have big plans of making adorable heart-shaped sugar cookies and such and a special meal.........well, Jeff and I will have the traditional surf and turf dinner we've had the past few years, but it won't be the same as watching the kids devour crab legs like animals with butter dripping down their chins. I think I'll still make sugar cookies today and at least deliver them, along with a little Valentine surprise, to my kids later. I hate not having the kids on holidays. Even if it is just a created, Hallmark holiday designed to market to us poor fools who fall for all things pink and red and heart shaped.
The good news is, after my husband spends many hours working on his truck, we will do something fun together. We have a movie we (I) want to see, and tomorrow we'll have our steak and prawns. Tonight I really wanted to go see a local high school production of Beauty and the Beast, but Jeff procrastinated on getting tickets so that went out the window. Oh well, another exciting weekend in the Moore/Gordon household.....
But I am excited about our impending trip to San Francisco! Jeff got invited to do some workshops and career counseling/resume writing with the ACS again, and he's getting a trip to SF with hotel, airfare, and his food paid for, so we thought I might as well go along for the ride! My ticket was reasonable and the hotel is in the middle of a lot of shopping and things to do, so I'm going to have another FUN time in San Francisco by myself. I loved the last time we went, and it was only a weekend. This time we're going for five days and for the first time ever, we're leaving the kids with "babysitters". Arlie will stay with our awsesome neighbors Amy and Jason, and the Gordon kids will be with their dad over the weekend. Then, for the two school nights we'll be gone, our amazing friend Amy W. will come and watch them. This will be the first time we've ever left the kids while we've gone somewhere with anyone other than family. Hayley said I should just leave them alone and she can take care of everyone. But she's not even driving and I'm not ready for that. Maybe after she gets her license! Anyway, I'm so excited to take a nice trip with Jeff in a great city! I love SF!
Then, for spring break, we are planning a trip to AZ. We are going to drive and stop along the way in various locations. Still debating on bringing the camper or not. I have to plan that trip this next week while I have lots of time on my hands with the kids gone.
Anyway, off to make my house Valentine-y and get some stuff done. Like shower and get dressed. Since it's almost 1 in the afternoon!
So, for the party I made cupcakes. Jeff got me this awesome rotating cupcake "tower" that makes ordinary cupcakes look like art and it's just the coolest thing. But, strangely, this tower holds 35 cupcakes. A box of cake mix makes 24 cupcakes. You do the math. Anyway, I, of course, was going to make both chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. While mixing the vanilla batter, I got distracted with Jeff and Arlie leaving the house and forgot to put the eggs in the batter! Oops. I baked them anyway, and they turned out looking like regular cupcakes. But, oh no! Those deceptive little things were completely stuck inside the wrappers. I hated to waste 18 perfectly good cupcakes so I peeled the cake bits from the wrappers and saved them in a bowl. For what? Oh well, let me tell you. For trifle. Because my kids love trifle. I mean, they love chocolate trifle, but I thought why not just layer up these crumbly cake bits with vanilla pudding and cool whip and maybe even tint the whole mess pink and call it good? Yeah. I have to buy vanilla pudding and cool whip of course. And I'm giving the whole pink mess to the kids at their dad's house. Because I'm cool like that. Anyway, the chocolate cupcakes turned out fine, thanks to the addition of EGGS, duh, and so I took those to the party, sans cool tower. They were arranged on a plate. Sigh.
So, cooking disasters aside, I've been feeling very un-valentine-y. Because I didn't even get out my decorations this year! How could I just skip Valentine's day? I want a do-over. I'm seriously thinking of getting the decor out today and calling it Valentine's week. Except my kids aren't even here to enjoy it. And I kind of decorate for the kids. Well, ok, for me too, but I always have big plans of making adorable heart-shaped sugar cookies and such and a special meal.........well, Jeff and I will have the traditional surf and turf dinner we've had the past few years, but it won't be the same as watching the kids devour crab legs like animals with butter dripping down their chins. I think I'll still make sugar cookies today and at least deliver them, along with a little Valentine surprise, to my kids later. I hate not having the kids on holidays. Even if it is just a created, Hallmark holiday designed to market to us poor fools who fall for all things pink and red and heart shaped.
The good news is, after my husband spends many hours working on his truck, we will do something fun together. We have a movie we (I) want to see, and tomorrow we'll have our steak and prawns. Tonight I really wanted to go see a local high school production of Beauty and the Beast, but Jeff procrastinated on getting tickets so that went out the window. Oh well, another exciting weekend in the Moore/Gordon household.....
But I am excited about our impending trip to San Francisco! Jeff got invited to do some workshops and career counseling/resume writing with the ACS again, and he's getting a trip to SF with hotel, airfare, and his food paid for, so we thought I might as well go along for the ride! My ticket was reasonable and the hotel is in the middle of a lot of shopping and things to do, so I'm going to have another FUN time in San Francisco by myself. I loved the last time we went, and it was only a weekend. This time we're going for five days and for the first time ever, we're leaving the kids with "babysitters". Arlie will stay with our awsesome neighbors Amy and Jason, and the Gordon kids will be with their dad over the weekend. Then, for the two school nights we'll be gone, our amazing friend Amy W. will come and watch them. This will be the first time we've ever left the kids while we've gone somewhere with anyone other than family. Hayley said I should just leave them alone and she can take care of everyone. But she's not even driving and I'm not ready for that. Maybe after she gets her license! Anyway, I'm so excited to take a nice trip with Jeff in a great city! I love SF!
Then, for spring break, we are planning a trip to AZ. We are going to drive and stop along the way in various locations. Still debating on bringing the camper or not. I have to plan that trip this next week while I have lots of time on my hands with the kids gone.
Anyway, off to make my house Valentine-y and get some stuff done. Like shower and get dressed. Since it's almost 1 in the afternoon!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Valentine's Day Memories
Anyone who knows me knows how I love to decorate for the holidays - any holiday, not just Christmas or Halloween, but also Valentine's day, Fourth of July, etc. When my kids were little, I also enjoyed decorating THEM in little outfits just perfect for the day, with matching hair bows and/or shoes! (I'd still do it if they'd let me!) Of course, most of my pictures of the kids when they were young are pre-digital so I just learned how to scan my old photos! Whoopee, a new way to waste time! Another thing about me that people might know is that I absolutely LOVE taking photos and I have more photos of my family than any person should ever have! Of course, I have big plans to make elaborate scrapbooks of these photos "someday" but so far my efforts have yielded a few unfinished albums. But my pictures are truly one of my most precious possessions and definitely the one thing I'd want to save in a fire (after my family, of course!). So, here are a few Valentine's day photos from 2002, randomly plucked from the highly organized system (a shoe box with a post-it note that says "2002" on it! HA!). Enjoy! I miss my little babies......they grow up way too fast.
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