Why I'm not blogging

Well, for one, Trouble is living up to his full potential of his name. Not only has he found new and interesting ways to do so, he also keeps me hoppin all the time to make sure he's not going to hurt himself or anyone else.

The other reason I don't blog is that all of my really close friends (other than Chancy) are on Facebook. Its much shorter and easier way of keeping people up to date than a blog. A blog feels more like a journal you want people to read. Eh...not that exciting to me. I like wall messages and eggs that hatch into snakes instead.

Lastly is time. Free time is at a near summer time low of late. (I use summer because there is no school). We've gotten rid of naps and theres so much to do when they are at school....I have games to plan, house to clean, errands to run, Books to read, levels to get in WoW ;) and it really seems as though everyone who wants to know whats going on with me either calls me or joined facebook...so, no real need for a blog. Only one out there probably still reading it is Bear. And I can call him whenever I like. (almost whenever...though he won't answer when in hibernation anyway)

So...just an FYI for anyone who cares to find me..I'm on facebook. Post a comment with an email if you want a link...otherwise, pick up the phone or even *gasp* send an email or IM. I'm not hard to find ;)

Four computers and one vacation later....

So yeah, I had a bit of a computer issue in my house. 3 of the computers we use went belly up. 2 are possibly fixable, but not with a lot of TLC and we fixed the last one and gave it to Trouble and Volume. So, for a while, I was out of a computer downstairs (which is where I USED to blog). Then...Teddy Bear gave me his wife's old computer and its a laptop...so I'm back. I'm sure I've lost all 4 of my faithful readers, but I can deal. I am going to post some pics from Vacation to Gaitlinburg, but I figured I would give an update first.

Actually, come to think of it, not much going on here. Maybe its a good thing I haven't blogged in a while *laughs*. We had a visit from the man I like to call Lazarus. not just because its one of his characters, but also because every time life knocks him down, he gets back up. It was nice to see him and spend some time with him. Hes one of my bestest friends. (I can say that without him going psycho because hes a guy!) Thats really all there is to note. The kids are doing great in school.

So without further ado...here is Vacation Pics:
The whole family at the creek


Trouble loved the balcony


So did Volume


I WISH they were actually dancing. more deciding who was going in and who was going out.


Trouble and his uncles!

Just the Uncles

The creek...the park was beautiful

Can you blame the kids for loving the balcony when this is the view?


And because, yes, we are geeks


So that was our vacation in a nutshell. Well, thats a big nut, but you know.

Mischief and Coffee

So Mischief and I went out for coffee last night. I had an absolute blast! We talked about old times, new...caught one another up on the readers digest version of the past 18 years. It was good times. Panara had to kick us out and we proceeded (on that oh so beautifully weathered night) to stand by our cars for another hour chatting. He's still the same guy I went to high school with, just more mature. We still meshed like we did then. Always cool to have a friend come back into your life and realize your still friends. It was good...very good.

In other news, Trouble and Volume have started school. Trouble is seeming to do very well in his class (though he hangs on his aide, I am told...which is cute) but Volume, as usual, is needing a bit of an adjustment period. They even had to calm him on the bus yesterday. Both boys are wiped without afternoon quiet time and went down early for Dad last night. Volume has even napped on the couch one day. Good to see they are playing hard. I bet in a few weeks, Volume will be set in routine. Just in time for us to screw it all up with vacation! LOL

Vacation? (you ask) Yes...Vacation. We're off to scenic Gatlinburg with Uncle Phone and Uncle Chill. They are from California and are flying in to do vacation with us. We are ecstatic. We miss them, they miss us and the boys. Should be a good time. Plus, its the first one we have gotten to take in almost 2 years. Good times....noodle salad! (to quote a fantastic movie. If anyone can tell me that movie, you warrant me sending you a song!)

Speaking of Warrant, he's doing well also, even if we aren't playing together as much this first week. I'm sure we'll catch up soon. Get our team to level 70 in no time! *coughyeahrightcough*

Well, I'm out. Cite is coming this morning and I should do something about the state of my floors...ewwwww

Current Song: Who Knew by Pink
Current mood: Chill

Hooray for...

1. School!!!! It starts in less than a week. They explained their reasoning for wanting to put them in afternoon school and I found it sound. They also agreed to a third year if need be. We start in afternoons on Monday. And that should give me more play time with Warrant! that works for me!

2. Meds! The meds are finally starting to work and I can see the brighter side of life. so they get a mention here too.

3. Facebook! For it brought Mischief back into my life. Who is Mischief, you ask? Why he is a guy I knew in early high school years who transfered schools suddenly. I never knew what happened to him, and now I do. We're getting along as famously as we did then!

4. Maven! Who spends way too much of her precious time on the phone with me. She is a terrific friend!

and last,
5. WoW! The Kara raids have been rawkin and we are all starting to jive together better. The alt nights (and afternoons with Warrant) are sweet as well. Its just an all around good social game! (with Phat Loots!)

So thats all from me...Horray for me...Horray for you...Horray for Winnie the Pooh!

Issues

Why is it that nothing can ever be easy? I'm trying to find an advocate now because they are saying that my boys DON'T Get the option for 3 years of preschool (which I have been told is NOT true) and they have to now move not only to afternoon school but to different teachers as well. Trouble will be crushed, his teacher is his world! And Volume will not like switching classes, he was finally getting used to his. I KNOW they will have transitions throughout life, but can't we make their first 2 years of school a little easier? *sigh*

So thats my rant. There is nothing that is ever easy. The Master and I have a call into the principal who is trying to get the teachers to set up a meeting between all of us. Lets hope I can get the advocate in time.

Glimpse

Reposting

Other people's stories is fun. This one always makes me smile:

'All he needed was a Rock.'

by Kori De-Ann

A bard once asked me the meaning of life. I stared at him a moment, gave my chin a rub and then walked over to a rock. “The meaning of life,” I said, “is no real mystery. This rock knows it,” I said. And then it was his turn to stare at me, confused.

“A rock is not real,” he argued. What a smart one he was. I laughed and sat down beside the rock and the bard puzzled even more. “What’s the difference,” I asked him, “between me and the rock?”

“You’re alive.” Ahh, his wicked intelligence again. “And the rock is not.”
“How do you define alive?” I questioned, giving him a smile.

“You can move.” He answered. I picked up the rock and threw it across the road. “So can the rock,” I answered.

“You can think.”

“How do you know the rock cannot think?”

“Because it’s not alive.”

“So what makes it dead?”

“It’s not dead either.”

“So the rocks not dead and it’s not alive?”

“Right.” he confirmed with a nod of his head. “Then what is it?” I asked him. “What is on this earth that is neither living nor dead?” He puzzled a moment and then shrugged. “It is matter,” he answered at last, “it takes up space and causes problems.”

“Rocks cause problems?” I then asked. “Rocks cause problems.” he agreed. “What kind of problems?”

“It hurts when you step on them,” he told me, “and they make bumps in the road.”
“But rocks are used in tools and things like that, too, right?”

He took another moment and then gave a reluctant nod. “I suppose,” he said. “So rocks cause problems, but they’re also needed—right?” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t
say they’re needed. We only use rocks until we can think of a better option.”

“So rocks cause problems, and they’re needed until you can figure out what is better than a rock?” He nodded. “So what do you think life is?”

The bard walked off, confused. I guess he doesn’t know how smart he really is. He figured out life and all he needed was a rock.

Three and a Half Weeks of Summer Left

(this was Master holding Trouble and me with Volume at the autism children's museum night)

And can you see I'm glad? The kids are so ready to go back to school and I am so ready for that to happen. It has been a long and trying summer and my shout out today goes to Mr. Pink.

"Mr. Pink?" You say....Yes...Mr. Pink. He is my 14 year old nephew who I hired as a nanny this summer 2 days a week. Without Mr. Pink, I'm not sure I could of made it through the Volume Tummy Trials or the Trouble Destructo Phase. This summer has been blessed by them adoring having Mr. Pink here every Tuesday and Friday. He is a Godsend and I am thankful for him.

I'm also thankful for old friends finding their way back home. Its good to hear (or see) a friendly person's words. Nice to know I'm loved and supported, even if from afar. So thanks.

Also thanks to DramaQueen who is taking my children again for a weekend the weekend after this one. A much needed break for the Master who has been working non-stop, which also means I need one for then I have been working non-stop. We both are in need of some down time. And we haven't made any plans and this, I am happy about. I want some serious chill time!

Ok, back to the grind. Heard a crash and must investigate before I shower. I'll update of boy progress later...but they are each saying about 4 words, total (no, not together). So we're holding onto the shred of hope that they will one day speak.

Parent's Speak

I just got through reading "Right from the start" which is a book on ABA stuff for Autistic kids. At the end of every chapter, there is a section entitled "Parent's Speak". Some of them were the typical "rah-rah" type things, but this one, the first one at the end of the second to last chapter REALLY spoke to me:

I, too, hope to some day dance with either or both of my son's at their weddings. I, too, have had a hole ripped into my heart from this, from watching them struggle everyday. I, too, love them just the way they are, but hurt for them in the trials they have ahead. I, too, hope to one day know what is going on in their smart little minds.

That's my excerpt for today. Be glad you got one at all, and be glad someone Else's words were my inspiration. I have not found many of my own of late.

It's a love/hate kinda job

Motherhood, that is. I've decided to list out something I hate and then something I love about it. Let's see if it balances out, shall we?

HATE 1 I hate it that if no one else can/will do it, it falls back to me. If everyones too beat, too tired or too sick, its left to mom to suck it up and deal with it.

LOVE 1 I love that I am the one raising my kids and that I feel like whatever turns out, at least I was here for them when they were small. I think its so important

HATE 2 I hate always being interrupted all day and hardly getting a moments peace.

LOVE 2 I love the fact that I get paid in hugs and kisses and love and cuddles. Its the best currency ever.

HATE 3 I hate dirty diapers. Changing diapers and wiping noses and all that bodily fluid stuff. Oh, don't forget the partly chewed food spat into your hand.

LOVE 3 I love that I'm the first person they turn too all the time. That i'm their "favorite" if you will.

HATE 4 Ok, sometimes I hate being the first person they turn too, especially when I'm just trying to relax.

LOVE 4 I love not missing a moment of all the milestones they hit and all the accomplishments they achieve. I'm there for almost every one.

HATE 5 I hate it that I never get a sick day. Yeah, I get time when they are in school...but when I'm sick, I can never BE sick.

LOVE 5 I love that I'm the first person they see in the morning and the last they see at night. I love that I get them on and off the bus (and relish the school time break) and they just grin when they see me.

Ok, so its tied, for now. I do love my kids, I just sometimes wish that Mommy's got vacations from their jobs like the rest of the world!

Suddenly

Its the best word I can come up with to describe my life currently. Suddenly things happen, never gradual (at least not that I notice) and usually good or bad, yet unexpected. Like last night. The Master is packing for yet another trip out of town for the week and I go into the computer room to check my email. I sit in my chair and turn on my computer, leaning a little to the right to grab my pen and SUDDENLY *crack* I'm on the floor. The chair, that was getting a bit sad, has finally given up the ghost. Hopefully grandma DramaQueen and Grandpa Chef are coming today so I can purchase a new one.

SUDDENLY , I'm alone for the week and the only help I have is DramaQueen. SUDDENLY , The boys have started flying on the PECS system (its a great way to get chocolate and Doritos. I have to call CITE ladies today and find out if removing cards from the binder is a bad thing). SUDDENLY we are the only ones in the Fun with Food class. SUDDENLY we have a possible Nanny who may start Friday (every Friday 8 hours and one week night every other week for the summer). She will yet be named for I am not calling her tinsel mouth, despite the braces. If you can't find babysitters, pay them I guess. SUDDENLY Chancy (who I need to rename as well) and I are playing an online game together, 2 in fact since she plays WoW! SUDDENLY Other people seem to be falling from my life without much word. I'm sad, but accepting that. SUDDENLY Other people are popping back up to say they, at least, are still there. SUDDENLY my children love the backyard.

Little happenings. Maybe its because I'm depressed so I don't notice the lead up, but SUDDENLY seems to have a permanent spot in my life at the moment.

Current Mood: Don't ask
Current Song: SUDDENLY I see by Kate Tunstel

Depression

I have come to the unhappy realization that I am...depressed. I can't deny it anymore. I can't say "this is just one day I'm down" because it's every day. As soon as our insurance is switched, I will go see a doctor, but until then, every day seems a struggle. Every day, just to get out of bed, is work. To shower, to move and help my children when they ask for it...an almost overwhelming task. A normally "glass is half full" girl, finds her glass empty and I am at a loss.

Putting on a "happy" face for friends takes more energy than I can seem to find...so I'm putting it out there. If I'm down, sad, seem "off"....no, its not you. No, nothing is wrong with our friendship, everything, instead, is "off" in my life. Don't take it personal and no, nothing you can say can "cheer me up" so don't bother. I'm sure some random doctor I eventually find can help me. Anyone know any good ones? *sad laugh*

Summer Summer Summer

Looks like E is for Energy (now known as Little Guy) will be arriving this weekend to the Piglet household. I'm very excited for them. I'm also very excited to have another 4 year old around. Maybe my boys will play with him...maybe. ;)

It is summer here. We have our End of school picnic today and I'm sure it will be very sad. Once they realize no more school (probably sometime next week) they shall be heart broken. Trouble loves school more than anything and even Volume has been adoring it this year. Mommy will miss the time to herself I'm sure.

I'll hopefully be hiring a few of my nephews to come and help me this summer. babysitting and getting them out of the house. It may help save my sanity if I can keep them from fighting. ;) it's no small task! at 14 and 12, its a chore. Should be more help than hindrance though. Or I'll take them separately if they are.

We're planning a vacation for October or September. We plan on meeting The Master's brother CellPhone and his partner, Espresso, in Gatlinburg. Spend a week hanging out with them and taking turns taking care of the munchkins. Should be a nice vacation. We miss them! I hope it works out.

Well, I'm going to go get ready for the picnic. Tomorrow we have errands, Registration for "Fun With Food" and OT (YES! Back to OT). Busy busy busy!

Oh happy summer!

Spring has Sprung

and life is hectic. It's almost summer and summer means therapy around here. My little computer time has been devoted to Mickey mouse playhouse and to WoW, depending on the kids state of awakeness. Swimming lessons, Camp, Food class, Speech and OT...as well as CITE. Were busy busy busy.

On mothers day we discovered a fantastic thing! The put in a Starbucks with a drive through up the street from me! Its like a 8 min drive! The Master made me promise not to break the bank. I told him he had to worry more in the winter. *grins* I'm happy.

Shout out to Piglet (yes, you still have your name) for blogging all about me ;) and also for the count down to D-Day of the arrival of E is for Energy! Should be a fantastic and changing summer for your family. Good luck!

I won't be blogging as much as I was or as I should. Volume and Trouble are starting PECS and Volume's favorite thing to do when seeing mom on the computer is to request to play Elmo. *sigh*

Current mood: eh, so so
Current Song: American Music by the Violent Femmes

After reading my friends blogs...

my life seems calm in comparison. Things have been hectic and stressful, alright. But I don't have the whirlwind of activity that Kraft Dinner (aka Maven) and Piglet (aka Chocolateer) have going on at the moment. Not to say my life isn't busy, that it is. Trouble, especially, earned his nickname this weekend. In hindsight, The Master and I realized that since HE wasn't sick this weekend, we should of taken him out somewhere. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Volume spent the weekend with tummy trouble and is home from school today with it still. Master and I spent most of the weekend chasing them and playing WoW. Yes, were losers and like it that way. We've come to terms with the fact and accept it. In fact, embrace it.... So NYAH!

Got the kids signed up for Camp sunshine in June. They have their Fun with Food class as well. Hopefully, they can get back into therapy next week or the week after.

School ends at the end of May and thats when the real chaos begins. Kind focusing on trying to prepare for that. Knowing that Elfikins is going to school and Piglet is getting energy and Plant-Man has 3 kids of his own... I'm left with the realization that I have to rely on DramaQueen and DramaPrincess. This realization isn't a good one. So what I really have to rely on is myself. I'm gonna have to learn to get them out of the house on my own more. Its hard when they walk at different paces and like to go in different directions and are getting too big for their stroller. I see lots of grocery trips in our future. How sad is that?

So thats my life at the moment. Not very uplifting, but its mine and I think I'll keep it. Though you can come by for a trade when Trouble is at his finest. Just beware, I may take you up on it!

Mood: Eh.
Current Song: C is for Cookie by Cookie monster

Lazy mom's post Pictures

Here's Volume's School Shot's:

Heres Trouble's School shots:

Motivation

Or lack there of. I don't have much around here lately. The house is dirty, the kids run rampant and I park my ass on the couch and vegetate. I need to find my motivation again. I'm not sure where it went. If any of you see it, can you send it home?

thanks.

The boys have their "Autism Checkup" tomorrow. I'm hoping that helps my motivation issues. Also, it might help if the Master is offered a permanent position this week. I think getting them back in therapy is a good thing. CITE is coming back Wednesday, that should motivate me to clean, but its not. I'll prob just surface clean Tuesday. *sigh*

oh well, since I have no motivation, there is no news. So there is your update on my life....as boring as it may be.

It was the best of weeks, it was the worst of weeks

OK, or something like that. Should I start with the good or the bad? I thought you'd say that...

So Tuesday the water heater stopped working...Bad
They were able to get one to us Wednesday...Good
The Master went to the Hospital on Thursday morning with Kidney Stones...Bad
He passed the first one after that without a problem...Good
Volume has been fighting a ton with Trouble...Bad
CITE http://www.rhcorp.org/cms/content/index came out for the boys Wednesday....Good

So that was my good/bad week. And for better or worse, its over now! Its almost Saturday and that means a weekend with the fam. Also, we get to go see the lion king on "Broadway" this Sunday. So that's something to look forward too.

Just thought you all might like a bit of an update!

Current Mood: Eh
Current Song: Hook by Blues Traveler

Normal Kids

We hear this phrase all the time. "Normal Kids" Its like saying "Normal People" which is another phrase I hear and don't quite understand. What is a normal anything? Does it just mean that its the majority? So, in some circles, its NORMAL to be a criminal, because everyone else is.

Normalcy...I don't like it. I mean, why should I? Look at my life! It's been anything BUT normal. I prefer the term Typical. Then it sounds kind of derogatory. "Thats such Typical child behavior to be potty trained by now".

See? It works!

From now on, whenever you think normal, insert Typical and see if it still works. Thats my homework assignment for the 4 people who read this. Yes You...your one of them and you know it. Of course, now that I'm giving homework, this means no one will be reading my blog. *laughs at self* then I can reach the dream of being a lone in a crowd of people...even if its virtual.

Thats my deep thought for today. Not very deep, but then again, the munchkins are on spring break....so give me a bit of leeway.

Current Mood: Befuddled
Current Song: Joe Wise's Show me your Smile.

Oprah IS bad!

So there I was, on the couch. Ice cream in my lap, Cookies near by...neither of which had calories. The kids? I dunno...who cares *grins*? I take the remote and turn on Oprah. Its gonna be a great show about speech. So the first guest that comes on stage has a 1 year old. He had started to talk, but had lost speech. His mother was baffled when he started to bark.

Yes, I said bark. Have you not realized yet that this was a dream? I mean, cookies and ice cream have calories....sheesh!

Yes, he could bark. He routinely talked to the family dog and somehow, his mother understood him. needless to say, when the alarm went off this morning, the neighbors little yappy dog was barking up a storm and the little light bulb went off above my head. I mean, I never watch Oprah. Ok, I rarely watch it. Its all the Oprah talk from Maven, I tell you!

So spring came and went and now we have winter again. I'm not sure which I prefer. I have no more mud and my computer room is a comfortable temperature again....BUT I have to cover my kids and they can't play outside much. I think its a give and take.

Current mood: Befuddled
Current Song: We'll make great pets!

We're 4 Year's Old!!!!

"Four Years Old"

Hey

Why'd you wake me from my nap?

I'm not in the mood

To play your games

Or sit on your lap

You

Where's my Yankies drinking glass?

I want some juice

And I want it now

So you better move your ass

And feel bad for me

'Cuz I'm just getting over a cold

I'm four years old!

I'm four years old!

I'm four years old!

Somebody better tie my shoes!

Now

I run down the hall

I scream and I yell

And I cry 'cuz I fell

Bring the rubbing alcohol

Outside

I get mud on my shoe

I come back in the house

I get it on the rug

The cleaning's up to you

And I won't take a bath

Unless you make me Spaghetti-O's

I'm four years old!

I'm four years old!

I'm four years old!

Mommy reads to me at night

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

WellI can't have a job

And I can't go to school

If no grownups are around

I can't go near the pool

I'm not allowed to climb

My neighbor's apple tree

I'm not allowed to sit

Too close to the TV

I don't know how to drive

And I don't know how to spell

But if I hear my brother cursing

I do know how to tell

'Cuz he made me eat some bread

That was covered in mold

I'm four years old!

I'm four years old!

I'm four years old!

I just threw up on my grandmother

Thanks to Adam Sandler. They aren't quite like that, but you get the idea (those of you lucky enough NOT to have 4 year olds). Happy Birthday Volume and Trouble. They took cookies to school to share and have actually been behaving quite wonderful so far today. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the lunch of cookies and potato chips. And I KNOW they didn't understand when I told them we'd go get french fries later if they behave..right? I mean, they are autistic. They don't really see the world around them. Riiiiiiiight? *grins*

Other than that, its been the same. Volume is getting over his ear infection, we're all getting over a cold. I just couldn't let the blessed day go by without a blog. Back to my domestic life. Happy birthday Twin angels...ok, Twin cuties at least. ;)

No one reads this anyway

or at least that's how it seems. Maybe its because I'm not predictable in my posting like Steve. Or not nearly as entertaining as Maven. oh well. I still stand by the fact that my blog is for me and no one else. So who cares if anyone reads it or not, right?

We had our weekend, sans kids. It was wonderful and blissful and quiet. Filled with WoW and red meat and sleeping in and naughty times. It was fantastic. Even if my children didn't let my parent's sleep. My parents drove my nephew (who was helping) insane. And the bed bugs my mom thought she got rid of ate up my kids. All was good.

Volume, of course, decides to get sick tuesday afternoon and they had their check up Wednesday afternoon. Turns out his "cold and fever" is an ear infection. On the pink stuff and off school till Monday. Which, coincidentally, is their 4th birthday. No parties here, please. There is no point when the kids avoid the party that is for them and hate to open gifts. *sigh* maybe someday huh?

On a good note, CITE called me last night and they are due a home visit in about a month to help teach me to potty train and other things. Lets hope this helps the insanity that will be this summer. We also have a fun with food class were signed up to do. :)

That's about it for now. No music except kids music of late, so no song today either.

CrabBall Hamitizers

So it's our 10/13 year anniversary today. married 10 years and together 13. Nice that we made it easy on us and had it on the same day, huh? We only had to get married on a Wednesday to do it. But we are self sacrificing that way. *grins* We go by the TRADITIONAL wedding gifts, not the modern ones. http://www.weddingtips.com/annv.html The modern ones are so...useful. I mean, who wants a useful anniversary gift.

Lets see, the past 10 years of gifts I have got or gotten. First: paper. We wrote each other things. I gave him some poem and I got a top ten reasons why he loved me (my boobs being on there twice, of course). Second: Cotton. That year it was Disney wear all the way. Third: Leather. No, not what you think, we exchanged wallets and jackets. Fourth: Fruit/Flowers. We went to the melting pot and had fruit with desert and flowers on the table. Fifth: Wood. I love my dinning room table! Sixth: Candy/Iron. Who combines these? Its so odd! I think we did Chocolates. Seventh: Wool/Copper. I got a copper Dragon nightlight and wool roses (I collect weird roses). I got him wool lined slippers. Eighth: Bronze/Pottery. You know, I can't for the life of me remember what we did here. LOL. Ninth: Pottery/Willow. I got dishes and he got Sushi plates.

As for tenth, its Tin/Aluminum. We joked about getting one another a 12 pack. I'd tell you what I got him, but for some unknown reason, he reads my blog sometimes *grins* so you'll have to wait until after tonight. Next year is steel...any idea's folks? I'm thinking steel weapons! A guy can't have too many sharp objects....

As for my title? I guess I should get around to that, huh? My in-laws (or as I like to refer to them, my out-laws) finally made it here this weekend. My step-mother-in-law (yes, I also have a regular mother in law too...poor me) always brings various items from her fridge when she comes. I guess she's afraid they will go bad, or I won't have anything good to eat in my house. Or maybe the grocery stores near us will have all closed or something. I'm not sure.

But I digress....

This time, she brought her normal bread and lettuce (she doesn't seem to like my bread) and various fruits and some Amish eggs, of course. But the three meats she brought, which normally isn't this varied, were Ham, Meatballs and imitation Crab. The Master and I were discussing this on the way home from the play we went to see Saturday night. How could we combine these three items to make something we could eat. I mean, there are only 2 lunches and 3 dinners in a weekend. We almost always eat pizza for one dinner, so we only have 4 meals to get these 3 great meats into. Thats when we thought of the CrabBall Hamitizer.

Now before you run screaming, know that we didn't actually try this. SMIL wouldn't let us waste the crab. You take the meatball, smear the crab meat all over it and wrap it up in a slice of ham. To top it off, you stick one of those little toothpick swords in it. It has to be a sword, because were gaming geeks. His folks didn't find this idea as hysterical as we had. but it entertained us all the way home. I think we may go global with our new appetizer! What do you think? I thought so!

Current Mood: Silly
Current Song: Down Together - The Refreshments

Then you really might know what its like...

In today's Center-Centric society, the term "walk a mile in someones shoes" is lost on most people. No, it does not mean you steal my shoes and actually walk a mile in them. It means more that you should try and put yourself in that persons place by thinking about it and trying to understand more of where they are coming from. We all judge. We all make judgements of others. Face it, the human race is one judgemental beast. It doesn't mean we shouldn't try and see things from other peoples perspective.

Why? Because it may help you. Take for instance the person who cuts you off and then honks at you on the freeway. Maybe their wife is having a baby. Maybe they had a really bad day and feel the need to take it out on you. It doesn't mean it gives them a right to do that and that you shouldn't be mad. BUT...before you judge that woman who picks up her kid by the arm and pulls him to her grocery cart.....THINK. STOP....walk a mile in their shoes.

Being a parent of Autistic, non-verbal 4 year old boys I can safely say I am judged quite frequently in public. Yes, they are adorable...and yes they are loud. NO they don't listen and they have to use sippy cups and are still in diapers. As Steve Novak would say, "Don't you judge me...don't you dare judge me." ;) But its a human habit. You see them sit in their van while their kids play on the playground and think "what a horrid mom" but...that could be her ONLY break time. And she has hit her limit and needs to separate herself, even if only by a pane of glass.

My point to my ramble and why you got too blogs today is to take a step back, take a deep breath and try...try...try to fight human nature to be judgemental and INSTEAD, walk a mile in their shoes. That woman pulling two toddlers by the arms as they scream in the store and looking like shes going to lose it could be me...and then you'd say "oh, but they are autistic" because you "know" me. Take as much consideration when your friend doesn't call, or your mom forgets your birthday and know they may not mean it the way you think.

One thing I have found that is true and always true with age. The older we are, the less we know. Think on it a while and it'll come to you. I know it will.

Walk a mile in their shoes. Then you really might know what its like...

Current mood: Deep
Current Song: Everlast "What its like"

My relationship with Spring....and MOOSE!

So I have a love/hate relationship with spring. This relationship did not begin at an early age. in my younger years, I could care less about spring except for the fact that summer came after that and with summer came summer vacation. Spring was just another season for Easter and St. Patricks day to fall into. My love of spring began around the same time as my hate. I was diagnosed with Diabetes and my circulation got horrid. so spring meant it was getting warmer. We also got a dog. Kia is her name (and she came with the name) and shes part black lab, part golden retriever. Think of a smaller black Golden. She is the main reason I HATE spring. She loves to run and play with the other dogs along the fence line. Which is all well and good when the ground is summer baked or winter frozen or covered in fall leaves. In the spring, it turns into MUD DOG. Mud Dog then tracks it through my entire house! I spend my days wiping paws and floors and everything I can think of that she touches with those muddy paws. It drives me INSANE (though its not a long trip). So take your spring, I'll take any of the other 3 months EASY.

Moose. I promised a story from my childhood and here it is. My sister, Faerie, is 4.5 years older than me. She loved to torture me any opportunity she could get. I love to get back at her when I could as well. I was heading to a friends house for a few days. Her name was Stefanie (spelled with the F) and she had 2 older brothers. One of whom I had a huge crush on and later ended up dating. *sigh* he was dreamy. but I digress....

We all know how I adore the Violent Femmes. Well, Justin (yes, of WoJo) had recently given me Hallowed Ground tape (yes, this was before CD's...I'm old). I grabbed it to take it with me to Stefanies house to impress her brother with my cool music taste. (like it really worked...no it was the boobs that impressed him) Faerie decides that SHE wants the tape and starts to chase me around the house for it. We lived in a 2 bedroom apartment at the time and she got near the little kitchen and grabbed a steak knife and starts going after me.

Yes....a steak knife. Scary huh? Stef sure thought so, her with 2 older brothers.

So she's running after me with a steak knife and I hit the hallway. Bathroom or my moms room are my only choices. Its that or the crazy bitch with the steak knife. ALL this over a Violent Femmes tape that isn't even hers! I chose poorly and picked my mom's room, forgetting that her door doesn't lock. I press myself (smaller than her at the time, now I'm 3 inches taller) against the door and try to hold her out of the room.

She gets one arm in the crack of the door. At this time, she abandons the knife and starts trying to grab anything on the dresser that she can hit me with. She gets a hold of a bottle of Mouse. You know, the stuff you put in your hair? She starts thwapping me in the head with it, repeatedly. I wait a sec and let go of the door, she falls into the room and I bound over her and out the front door, Stefanie right behind me. I had forgotten my overnight bag. Good thing Stef's brother had some extra clothes *grins*.

So I end up at Stefs for a week to let my sister calm down. WITH the Violent Femmes tape (hooray for me) and a HUGE knot on my forehead. Everyone would ask me what happened and I would say "I got hit by a moose".

ok, it seems funny to me. You don't have to laugh, its fine. As far as my sister is concerned I'm not even a part of my family. They found me in the trash on their way to church.

Its a wonder I turned out as cool as I did!

Current Mood: Content and Calm
Current Music: Hallowed Ground Album by the Volient Femmes (yes, I still have the tape)

Friday Monday

There's a little bit of water at the very bottom of the well. Playing buffy last night helped it rise a little higher, as well as getting to play a half ogre and a wyrmling copper dragon on Wednesday at the same time *grins*. The little things that make a difference in my life. Tired kids being cuddly kids last night also helped. Volume wanting to play kissyface most of the day ALWAYS helps. It doesn't replace the need of water in the well, just helps keep it from being empty.

Nothing is new, things are the same as they ever were ("same as it ever was" for those 80's fans) and so I'm not even sure WHY I'm blogging. I think so that my last negative blog isn't the last thing everyone sees. Or the first if you read in reverse.

I have a summer program/camp fair tomorrow at a local mall. Going to see if I can find some summer thing for the boys that doesn't involve massive amounts of money on our part. Although, we did find out that ARC pays for camp. Now I have to call and find out if there are particular camps or we can choose. Lets hope I can reach someone today. :)

I was going to go into an amusing antidote from my childhood today, but then all chaos broke loose here and I don't have the time ;)

The Well's Run DRY

I think The Master and I have hit Empty. The gas tank is on E. The well has run dry. The reservoir and the main tank are EMPTY. We spent the weekend taking care of Volume, who has a cold, is getting his 4 year molars and has been constipated the last 4 days (yes, we have a 2pm appointment today). He's been a joy. Trouble, who has been less troublesome in comparison, is still his busy, active self. We sort of looked at one another last night and we knew we had hit bottom. At least for that day.

No matter what the day was like before, I seem to get a little back after a good nights sleep. I seem to be running on fumes today, but at least its better than nothing. I'm not one to whine or complain, but 2 ASD almost-4 year olds are a handful normally. Our overflowing wealth of babysitters (note the sarcasm) seems to have run pretty dry of late. It just seems we don't get much of a rest...together. We're both the type to take now and then breaks apart, but together rarely happens these days. Or it's an "after the kids go to bed" outing or a "2 hour dinner while the 14 year old watches them". I know its more than some parents get, but I think our need is greater. But I whine enough. We'll get what we get. No more no less.

On an up note, our "social activity" of World of Warcraft (WoW), we made 40 last night, which means we got to get mounts. Riding is a TON faster than walking. We were all excited. A few guild mates who were level 70 and bored ran us though an instance so we made mad cash, ton of XP and got a few quests rapped up. It was a fantastic WoW night, and I think we needed that.

Well, I'm off to get Volume ready for the doc and Trouble off the bus....somewhere in there can I clean my house too? *laughs and shakes her head at herself*

Mood: *sigh*
Song: Country Death Song by the Violent Femmes

For everyone else

Volume Geeks and Trouble sleeps ;). These are prehaircut, but I thought that you might enjoy seeing how much our children are like us. I adore the chair trouble is in and that is SO Master pose for Volume ;)

Maven Asked...

For photos of the boys new haircut, so here ya go, my canadian chikka. Volume, then Trouble.

Eating at the table none the less ;)

One of THOSE days

Everyone has em. Those days where you just wanna crawl into a hole and tell the world to go away? One of those days where your kids cannot do anything right, your husbands every word grates on your nerve and your best friend calls at the wrong time? One of those days where your headache starts from the moment you get up and you get stuck in traffic AND they are out of your favorite coffee? Today, thankfully, is NOT one of THOSE days.

Today is a day just like any other, but like any other day, its filled with small aspects of THOSE days. I was just thinking "what is it that makes a horrid day?". I think its when you stack those little annoyances back to back and pack them into a nice 12 hour period. You too can be crapped on by your spouse, pestered by your children, receive a crying phone call from your mother AND get ganked by horde in WoW all in ONE WHOLE DAY!!! Sign up now and we're offering a free back-stabbing friend for the first month.

Seriously...My days, I'm sure like your own, are just nice times spaced between some not so nice times. It's an everyday. Nothing totally horrid happened, nothing spectacular either. Its the time between the moments that makes us long for the "moments". We go on breathing, living and growing. Most importantly, we move forward. For backwards gets you hitting hard objects. Take this from someone who knows.

Current Mood : Deep ;)
Current Song: James Blunt - Tears and Rain

Welcome to Holland

I found this story going through my ASD stuff and thought it really explains things well, so I thought I would post it.

Welcome to Holland By Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to help people who have not shared this unique experience, to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.

It's like this.

When your going to have a baby, its like planning a fabulous vacation - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make wonderful plans. The coliseum. Michelangelo's David. The Gondolas in Venice. You may even learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says "Welcome to Holland." "Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy!"

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would have never met. It's just a different place. Its slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around. And you begin to notice that Holland has windmills. And Holland has Tulips. Holland even has Rembrandt's.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy. And they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there.

And for the rest of your life, you will say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain will never, ever go away. Because the loss of that dream is a very, very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Firsts

So Trouble got invited to his first birthday party. The invitation came in the mail addressed to him. The Master and I were so excited and when we opened it, there was no name, date or time. Just a Run, Jump-N-Play invite. I sent a letter to school and in a few days they pegged down which kid was having a party. I called his mom and found out the date and time. Its today at one. We were so excited that he got his first party invite, even though she probably just invited everyone in his class, it was still pretty cool.

The day is here, we skipped swimming because were all still on the mend from colds and didn't want him too tired AND its snowing...which means he may miss his first birthday party. The roads look ugly and its like 40 min away. *sigh* So I'm a tad bummed. Although *I* will not miss the dance of the mothers. Yes, this is what I call it, and in circles where children have disabilities or dysfunctions, its a bit tamer, but still a dance, none-the-less.

It starts simple enough with the exchange of your names, pointing out your kids, telling ages and sometimes dysfunctions. Then the dance begins. The compare your kid to my kid OR the lets figure out if I can tolerate her presence for a play date. All these I fail miserably at. While I am liked and even (dare I say) loved in my social circles, to most women, I can come off has harsh and abrasive. I'm a tad honest and overly blunt and so at these things I either follow my kid around or revert to the junior high school shy. YES I was shy then, believe it or not. So networking is NOT my strong suit, no matter how much I'd love to have another house to take them too in the summer. SO I don't have to call Piglet and say "Can you pick up all of Sweetling's little toys and help me chase them around your house? they need out." or call my mother and deal with her for a few hours. I really need to look into summer programs. *sighs*

So...we may or may not have a first birthday party and I may or may not have the dance of the mothers anxiety. Honestly, I'm not sure which to hope for. I figure I'll leave it up to the beings more powerful than myself to decide. God and Mother Nature.

Current mood: Torn
Current Song: Power of Two by the Indigo Girls

Winter Cuteness

So, I'm sure most of you have seen this, but if you haven't...this is what we refer to around here as "an 11 on the cuteness-o-meter" or "he currently has his cuteness cranked up to 11"



So...Thats Volume. I have to get one of trouble, but hes not nearly as active as that. Can anyone see why I'm tired? That and two snow days in a row does NOT help. Thank god for online RP's which save my sanity. And for the Maven and her endless hours of talking to me on the phone. Wait...Actually it hasn't been endless. In fact, they end rather fast of late. I'm starting to think she either has a life, or a new baby *grins*. I'm still waiting for pictures of the cute shirt I sent!

Current Mood: Tired...of snow and snot
Current Song: PJ Rooster by Outkast

Weekends

So I spent a busy weekend with a bad cold, which was the only downside to my weekend. Well, that and Saturday gaming got canceled, but even that wasn't SO bad. We had a lovely Tomeweaver wedding on Saturday for 2 13 year olds. Highly entertaining ;). Saturday AM swimming didn't go as wonderful as we would of liked, but we met one of the therapists and found out they can join that class when they are 5, so good to know. Sunday morning brunch was a blast. The Master learned, in part, why I married him from spending time with Justin and realizing he's partly why I'm warped in all the right ways. Justin's wife was a delight, which was not a shock at all. My shout out will be to them for a fantastic Sunday morning! We have to do it again, at whoever's house.

Sunday evening my parents came over and watched the boys and we geeked out all evening. We got to level 31 and are still chugging away at WoW. It may be less time than we think before we have to get Burning Crusade. Yes, Yes I know..I'm sad. The Maven (aka Kraft dinner) didn't show last night. I guess Spawnling was a terror or her weekend trip took it out of her. I'll have to bug her after my errands today.

One thing I find wonderful about getting together with friends you made in the 7th grade and what not is seeing how each of you turned out and if your compatible as friends now. Justin and I were friends from like 7th grade to 9th and then again for a few years after high school. It has always seemed to me that we kinda fall into place with each other like feet into favorite slippers. I'd be curious to know if he feels this too. Justin isn't always the easiest to read, but always entertaining. Its just nice when the bond formed at such a young age lasts. I have a similar bond with Golden Jedi, but he is more the older brother I never wanted that turned cool when he grew up. Its still nice to know some of my friendships last, just never ones with women. *wink*

OK, off to the Monday grind. The in laws are in this weekend...lets hope that goes well. Also, Trouble has his first Birthday Party! and, valentines party at school...so many firsts this year.

Current mood: Calm
Current Song: Add it up - Violent Femmes

Tag and Out of the Closet?

No, its not what you think, but in light of Maven and Kate's baby Olympics, I thought I would bring up the fact that I bet NONE of you has an almost 4 year old who decided to come out of the closet *grins*. So Trouble and Volume were having their daily hour-in-our-room-to-wreck-it time and I went in and Volume came running out. Trouble was NO where to be seen. I start freaking thinking he got out somehow and shut his brother back in the room when I see his little head peak around the door and he comes climbing out of the closet. It just struck me as entertaining.

Ok, I got Tagged and I'm not one to shirk responsibility *cough* so:

A=Available? No, happily Attached

B=Best Friend? The Master...I gave up on female best friends, they just cause too much trouble.

C= Cake or pie? Hmm...I love both. I can't choose...though I love coconut creme pie mmmmm

D= Drink of choice? I mainly drink water, but if were talking while out? White Russian

E= Essential item you use everyday - Computer. I'd be lost without it

F=Favorite color - Blue, any shade of BLUE

G= gummie bears or worms- Bears. NO ONE should eat worms unless no one loves them

H= Hometown -Cincinnati

I = Indulgences - Gaming of all types... I adore it all

J= January or February - I agree with Piglet, this one SUCKS. I hate both, but I guess Feb, because NORMALLY its started to warm up.

K=Kids and Names - Twin Terrors and Double Delight names of Trouble and Volume. Both 4 in less than 2 months. o.0

L= Life is incomplete without... My husband, my children, music, fantasy, laughter, friends.

M= Marriage date - March 19, 1997

N=Number of siblings- One...Faerie who has 4 monsters of her own. I have two half sisters that I haven't seen since I was 9 so they don't count! I'd love to see the Master answer this one *laughs* one of 11, from like 5 different marriages. Its not a family tree, its a family BUSH. I keep the siblings straight, but go out further and I'm sunk!

O= Oranges or apples - both have their uses. I like apple juice more and eating actual oranges.

P= Phobias or Fears -Heights. I hate em. Even playing WoW, my heart jumps falling off of things.

Q= Favorite Quote - There's so many, but lately I adore "Oh if life were made of moments, even now and then a bad one, but if life were made of moments then you'd never know you'd had one." --Into the Woods

R= Reason to smile -My husband, my kids, my friends

S= Season - Autumn. Not only is it my birthday, there are leaves and HALLOWEEN!!!!

T= Tag 3 or 4 people - Most everyone has been tagged :( Steve! Steve hasn't. I'll tag Steve! and Andrew and Em...they are tagged as well.

U= Unknown fact about me - When I was little, I wanted to grow up to be Popeye. I swore that this was possible, and my mother, DramaQueen, bless her...let me believe it. I used to Run around the house pretending to be Popeye. My sister, Faerie, used to try and shoot me down, but I had faith. One day, as smart as she is and being 4.5 years older, she pointed out that I hated Spinach. I tried for a few days to like it and there was crushed the Popeye fantasy. *sighs* I went on to want to be Evil Knievel. *grins*

V= Vegetable you don’t like - Spinach ;)

W= Worst habit - Anal level of organization, can also be my best habit.

X= X-rays - I've only had one, my ankle. I slipped in my in laws back yard and broke it. Only broken bone I've ever had. Sweetling called my cast my "blue boot". I think she was 2 or 3...very cute. her and Piglet would come over and entertain my hobbled self.

Y= Your favorite food -Lasagna hands down. I'm so Garfield.

Z= Zodiac Sign Libra of course. I'm little miss "balance"

There...wow, 26 questions makes for a long blog.

About the new pic, I'm the cute blonde. The other, thats Faeire. Can you tell, even then, she was a drama-Queen!

Current Mood: Sick (darn colds)
Current Song: Only You (thanks Chance...NOT)

Rubber Gloves?

To the righ is Volume's latest school art. This past week they were learning about doctors and dentists. Its still scary to have a almost 4 year old come home with a rubber glove from school. o.O but I had to share the horror!

I will also share some pictures of them with you. I have been lax at doing that, I know. But Impossible Mom isn't just a catchy title, its a way of life. I said to Master the other day, "I feel like I'm always juggling 20 things at once." He replied "thats because you are." So just call me the Jester.

ok, from left to right, Trouble, The Master (reading 10 little dinosaurs..thier favorite book!) and last, but never least, Volume. I adore this shot..red eyes and all. They sure do love their books. So there ya have it. My adoreable family. No, I'm not in that shot. Yes, it was on purpose. Maybe once I ever take a good picture, I'll put one up of me *grins*.

Thats my tuesday post, folks. I'm off to the foot doc. Have a great day!

Russian Roulette with a Drunken Bar Owner

Now before you freak out, NO there was no gun involved. The gun, in fact, was the drunken bar owner. Now, I can explain.

Smurf and hmm...lets call him UnGeek and I went out to see Wojo live. THEY were fantastic, as always. Even better live than on CD (which I now own all of *hops*). They put on a great show! A few songs into the first set, two older, Blondie women started dancing on the "dance floor". Now, this is a small Kentucky bar and the dance floor was about a 5ft by 10ft strip of wood DIRECTLY in front of the band. I no longer tease Justin about singing with his eyes closed. The dance, shall we say in the words of UnGeek was "the embodiment of white trash". Those might not of been his EXACT words, but it was loud. If this wasn't entertaining enough for everyone involved, they started trying to get the crowd to come up and dance with their drunken selves.

The first set ended and the two friends of mine in the band made their way to our table. We reminisced of our 8th grade bus antics and who we still knew from the old days. The topic of the drunken-dancing women came up and Justin mentioned that it was the owner of the bar and her sister. We were a tad shocked, but got from him which one was the owner. Her sister left soon after this revelation and the band started playing once more. The owner was now moving through the crowd to find SOMEONE to dance with. The trick, UnGeek thought, was to avoid eye contact. So having autistic kids came in handy after all. I managed to only get asked once. Poor UnGeek almost got pulled out of his chair until I explained that he had injured his knee. She left us be. One poor guy almost had his arm pulled off as she tried to get him to dance with her. It was all highly entertaining. A nice circus side show...with fantastic music.

On other notes, Volume has been earning his name of late. Tantrums abound when this child doesn't feel totally well. Throw yourself around the room and scream your head off tantrums. The Master and I tend to leave the room and just let him work it out. Unless we hear him hurt himself, of course. Trouble has started to fight with his brother as well. Pushing him back when hes doing something HE wants to do or hogging the TV. we have been trying to let them sort this out for themselves and reminding ourselves that its a GOOD sign. We're hopping that he doesn't start doing this to kids at school.

Current Mood: Content
Current Song: Borderlands by WoJo

6:20 is TOO EARLY

That's what time my children have been getting up the past few days. Yesterday, I slept instead of going to the grocery store in the morning once I got them off to school. I think its a time that should only be seen by highschoolers, not preschoolers. but my kids like the morning...I used to. Oh well, I guess my life is starting a bit earlier now.

I've been feeling a lack of ambition lately. I'm not sure if this has to do with the fact that we've gotten a lot of projects done lately or the fact that some of them aren't working. I sold my first year of playboys on ebay only to find out you can't sell playboys on ebay. Other people list them on Ebay but every time I try I get an email telling me that you can't sell explicit erotic material on ebay. so I have no idea what were going to do with that many playboys....anyone want them?

I also have 3 boxes of comics upstairs I need to go through and get them listed and photographed. I have a NWN project for Tomeweaver (www.tomeweaver.net) and a house I have to build for my nephews there. I have several games that I adore lately and would rather do those than ANY of the above. I also have two very needy little boys who seem to be catching every preschool bug known to man. All in all, leads to a lack of ambition. Then I turn around and complain I'm bored. Its not that I don't have things to do, but like that little kid who also complains they are bored, I have nothing FUN to do at that time.

Ah well, I try to stay optimistic, but it fails me sometimes. So theres where I'm at. Up too early, changing too many diapers and not playing enough games.

The Tumbling Bird Slayer

Yes, it has been a busy few days. Oh where to start? *laughs* Dramaqueen's cleaning lady did a great job on my house. It looks and smells fantastic (well, till someone had a dirty diaper). It's nice to have a clean house again. The bad thing was, while they were cleaning, they had cords up and down the stairs and in my haste to get to a child, I slipped on one of them on the stairs. I don't think I made a totally successful tumble check, for I had to grab the metal railing with my hand to avoid going down more than half the stairs. I have a nice bruise on my hand to show for it. My body also feels like I've been mauled by a rather large bear. Which, in fact is what I dreamt about last night. It also had nothing to do with the fact that I killed and skinned like 20 of them on World of Warcraft. *shakes head adamantly*

As far as the bird goes, no...I'm not talking WoW speak again. I went downstairs at about 8am to stick the boys laundry in. As I opened the laundry room door, I was met with a fast flying object and almost freaked. It flew AWAY from me, thankfully, but it still needed NOT to be in my basement. We have some vent thingy that we need to cover with mesh. We've had mice get in this way too. Notice it's still not covered with mesh. Mainly because Master has a busy week at work. We'll get to it this weekend.

So, we get the kids off to school and head downstairs armed with laundry baskets to catch the speedy bird. Its harder than it looks. Esp when there are all kinds of places for it to fly and land in in the celing. Pipes are good for that. So we finally start throwing the baskets at it, and that isn't working either. Master finally smacks it with his, stunning it to the floor...or so we thought. Apparently, it killed it. We got it out of the house and stuck it in the neighbors bushes. That'll teach them to let poison ivy grow on our fence! *grin*

So I killed an innnocent creature and am paying for it with mass amounts of pain from my fall. Cest la vie...life does go on.

Current Mood: OUCH!
Current Song: Ob-la-di Ob-la-da by the Beatles

Volume is a FLIRT!

So, we started taking swimming lessons last week. Its on Saturdays from 9-10 about 30 min away. Its worth it, because they both LOVE the water. So far, its been play-around-in-the-water-time more than anything else. Our second trip in, we had a new instructor, Heather. She came over to talk to us and I was holding Volume in my arms (my turn for the spaz in the pool). She was talking and he just turned and jumped into her arms! He was giggling and playing with her hair and she could see we were pretty shocked. We mentioned the autism before that, and she said she taught the therapeutic class right after this one and she would check on if they were old enough for it or not. Through out the lesson, he did this 2 more times, jumping into her arms. I think our Volume has his first "crush" on his teacher *grins*.

In other news, we have been on an organizational trip lately. We have the comics done, a few closets, went through the kids toys, and have made several trips to goodwill. All in all, if we had to move right now, we would still have a ton of stuff, but less of it. *laughs* It's been nice for making the house look better.

We are all well, finally, and DramaQueen decided to do me a favor and purchased a house cleaning for me. Hence why I can blog today instead of spending this free time cleaning. They come tomorrow morning and I could NOT be happier. I've been on clutter patrol today to make sure they can do the GOOD cleaning and not spend most of their time picking up stuff. It'll be nice to have that deep down clean in Jan without having to do it.

So thats the main news here. Kinda boring. For January, not half bad.

Current Mood: Happy
Current Song: Peaches - &#@( the pain away

BLAME CANADA!!!

Ok, blame them for making some really cool people. My shout out today is for a handful of them, but so far, most I've met are pretty ok. *grins*

In Alphabetical order, so no one gets upset ;)

Maven (her real name fits here). My sister in geekdom, my partner in crime, my phone buddy that I can sit on the phone with and have us both dealing with our kids for 40 min! We may have started from the humble beginnings of the MUD, but we've come OH SO FAR!

Andrew. My favorite Canadian mechanic. You came from geeky orgins, though you deny it now. We met on a MUD and then at Maven's Wedding and then re-met about 8-9 years later and figured out we have more in common now. You can always make me smile. *hugs*

Em. We met through Maven and Drew and while were not always close, I've found that when we seem to need each other the most, we pull through. Its not something I find in most people I know. So thanks for being there when I needed you. I hope I've done the same.

JobThingy. Met through Maven as well, and are partners in freakdom, tallness and special needs kids. We may not talk much, but your in my thoughts. If we lived closer together, I think we'd hang a lot more.

Geekster (again, real name fits better here). I think I actually met you first on the MUD, in those olden days *grins*. When we once called you Nergel and you were the god of chaos. I miss those days, but glad that I got friends like you from them. Your steadfast, true and HOT. *winks*

Zac-Attack aka Lawless! MUD buddy again, you can always make me smile as well. I'm glad, unlike Drew, you have not lost your Geek roots. We should WoW it out together sometime *winks*

So there, Canadians...hollering for a shout out. You know you are loved. Your kids are loved and I wish that you'd move Canada further south so I might actually want to live there *giggles*

Current Mood: Silly
Current Song: Blame Canada (Southpark The Movie Soundtrack)

Snow flakes and Green things

So its snowing here. After raining for 5 solid days, NOW it's snow. I'm not complaining, at all. It stops the dog from tracking the oh-so-spring-like mud all over my house. So we have snow flakes and Volume's nose is leaking green and has been for a week. SO off to the doc we go. Trouble has it as well, but his nose is clear to the occasional yellow. This will be oh so fun, since I am sick as well. The Master, who can take drugs, is meeting us there to help reign in the twin terrors. I cannot take drugs because decongestants KNOCK ME OUT. in fact, I get laughed at for taking day quill at bedtime rather than NyQuil to avoid sleeping for 13 hours AND having a NyQuil hang over. I'm not meant for the hard stuff, people.

Shout out to Elfiekins (smurf) and Chance for getting us started on our WoW (world of warcraft) addiction. Thanks ever so much ;) . And to Elf for getting Piglet and I hooked up with Vaxia (http://www.vaxia.org/) characters. Now my life is complete!

Shout out to Maven (Kraft Dinner) because she thinks she deserves one. For what? I'm not sure. For having 3 holy terrors of her own? For dealing with my inane ramblings on the phone? For being in Canada? I dunno...but quit whining, there's your shout out :P

Current mood: SICK *coughs*
Current song: PJ Rooster by Outkast

Things that go bump...at school?

Monday, at the grocery store and I was loading things into the van. I checked my cell, because for some reason, I can't get calls in Meijer. I can MAKE them, but they never seem to come to me. low and behold, a missed call. It was school, so I called and checked in on the boys. They broke out in bumps and they were calling the school nurse and could I come get them. Sure, of course, I'll be right there. (stop at Aldis for 5 and get the last things I needed...THEN right there).

Nurse is baffled "Doesn't look like pox or an allergic reaction" she says, oh so helpfully. "But I'd take them home anyway and watch it." I did, they faded and came back and then we were hit with a fever. So I called and made an appt for Tuesday. Since they MIGHT be chickenpox, our Pediatrician takes us through the back door and right into a room. They come in and look em over and no, they aren't pox (they DID have the vaccination for them). She says "Its a virus, I hesitate to say hand foot and mouth disease, because its NOT that, but like that." Of course, as you all know, not much to do for a virus. They aren't contagious if they don't have a fever for 24 hours. So home again today. No fever yesterday, but they slept in till 830 and volume is STILL out and its almost 9. So I'm figuring they need their rest and won't nap for me, so this is best.

Thats been my life. I was supposed to start taking pics of the playboys to sell, measure some swords, bag some comics, and clean the house this week...that all went out the window for Einstein and books and computer books...mommy! so tomorrow, I may get something done, I may prop my feet up, drink a coffee and read my book. I dunno yet. We'll see what kinda mood I'm in.

Current Mood: Fried
Current Song: If your happpy and you know it