Sunday Silly

We were sitting at the dinner table. Miraculously, everyone liked what I had prepared and we were happily eating our barbequed chicken. As is our dinner time ritual, we began going around the table talking about the high and low of our day. When The Hubs got to Z2, he commented on her outfit. She was looking particularly cute that evening, in all of her 8 year old girlishness. As of late, her dressing choices have been a bit of a point of contention.  We've hit that point in dressing where the child wears the same three shirts every single week and will ask you to wash them over and over (to which I refuse to comply, as she has more than enough clothing for two-three weeks). Of course, as she habitually wears the same clothing, it becomes worn and shapeless, much to The Hubs chagrin. For me, as long as its clean and she's covered and the colors are within the same vein, it's a battle I'd rather not pursue. I mean, why bring it on any earlier? She'll figure it out soon enough.


"Oh, mom," she said,"Could you please wash my XYZ shirt for my skit tomorrow?" Before I could reply, The Hubs cut in. "No. No she will not. I'm over that shirt, Z2. It was cute when you you were in 1st grade, but not so much in 3rd grade."


She looked at me and rolled her eyes. With complete calm and matter-of-factness, she turned to The Hubs and said," I can't even pretend to think that you would understand the complications of a third grade girl's closet."


I supressed my laughter (well, I tried, anyway). A bit taken aback, he asked her," And why is that, my dear?"


"Honestly, Dad. You wear polos. you work on computers all day. How could you possibly know?" She cut her eyes back at me with a Cheshire grin. 


Uhm, how old is she?


Yours, wondering what it's going to be like when she learns how to drive,


Melissa

Separate Birthday Parties?

I suppose I should count myself lucky. For 10 years we’ve been able to combine the boys’ birthday parties into one big one. You know, being twins and all, it just made sense. But this year, our luck ran out. They wanted two different parties this time. One wanted a winter tubing party at our local (fake) snow “mountain” while the other wanted a paint ball party when it gets warmer. And it’s not like we couldn’t invite one to the other’s party, right? So really, they’re each getting 2 parties. Hardly seems fair! (Really, I think they planned this out, but I’m keeping that opinion to myself!)

So here’s what we’re doing this year: we’re letting them each invite 2 friends to each party. Yes, they are both getting 2 parties, but they’re like mini parties! Oh, and goody bags? At 11 years old, I’m DONE with those! Actually, I was done with those last year. I figure I’m spending enough on the parties, they can give ME a goody bag!

Oh, and really? I’m pretty much done with parties, too! I have a feeling that they’re getting ready to outgrow them. I know I have!

Karen

Monday Madness: It takes a DEADLINE.

We were sitting on the couch, The Hubs and I. Resting from beginning his latest project, he asked,"When are you going to believe me when I say that I am going to do something?"


"What do you mean?" I replied, slightly confused. "You usually do... when you say you are going to..."
We had just finished taking out the wet bar and tearing down the wall that separated the living room and kitchen. He made me karate kick the dry wall down. I felt like Sif from Thor. 


However, when the project was started, he was not in such a good mood. He was frustrated that the bar had not been packed. Having been through this type of thing before, I simply got brought him some necessary items and then said,"I'm going to get out of your way, but I'll be in the dining room working on my class prep if you need anything." A wise wife knows when to go in the other room, keep herself occupied and pray. It came out later that he was angry with me for not being ready to work on the bar. Of course, I didn't know that he planned on working on it at that exact moment (reading minds is not one of Sif's Goddess attributes) and so he was angry with me that I had not done what he had asked me to do.

Or did he? I recall him asking,"Honey, can you pack up the bar?" a few days ago. "Well, yeah. I can get that done." I said. "Okay," he said and walked away.
There was no mention of when. No words such as,"I'd like to take the wetbar out on Sunday afternoon and I will need it to be packed up by then."


When he explained that to me as we were sitting on the couch, that that's what he had MEANT when he asked if I could... meaning to do it right away... I couldn't help but giggle. 


"Honey," I said, choosing my words cautiously,"Just because you asked if I could, doesn't really imply to me that you want me to do it right away. I need a deadline. I am inspired by DEADLINES. Just because I didn't do it right away does not mean I don't believe you. It just means I didn't know when you wanted it done because you didn't tell me."


Yet ANOTHER clear example of the gap in communication that exists between The X Chromosome People and The Sif. 


Yours, wondering if that gap might ever be bridged,


Melissa

Time WHATament???

Yeah, so Melissa called me out last week. I didn’t blog. Of course, neither did she, so I don’t feel so bad. (Actually, I feel worse because that means nobody blogged here, but we’ll just be moving on now.) At least she had a valid excuse – she had a nasty head cold. Me? Well, I just plain forgot!

I’m having a little problem with Time Management lately. Now that I’m back at work, albeit part-time, I’m finding it a little difficult to work everything in that I’m used to doing. You know, lunches with girlfriends, working out, watching Dr. Phil (Yes, I watch Dr. Phil, my one REAL afternoon vice. And no, I can’t watch it at night because my husband will make fun of me!), working on The Caregiver Organizer, shopping, and all that important stuff! Okay, well SOME of it’s important!

I guess that’s the problem. I’m not really prioritizing the way I should be. And though I KNOW that in my head, I’m just not there yet in my actions. You know what I mean? I think I’m so overwhelmed with my disorganization right now, that any time I try to dig out, I bury myself even deeper. It’s not a good feeling, believe me!

So I’m leaving tomorrow for 3 days of Weight Watchers training away from home. This will be awesome! Three entire days of nothing else to think about but learning how to be the best leader they have! And when I get home, I can look at everything else with a fresh outlook.

Hmmm, maybe I can even start with those taxes!

Karen

Monday Madness- The Times, They Are a Changin'!_

Monday, Monday, Monday.... today I considered calling in, just to rest from this cold, but that would have made me one in 7 million people who will call in the day after Superbowl (YAY Giants!). I figured it was probably not a good idea and that I should soldier through. I'm hoping to save a day off for something a little more fun, anyway.  :D


I'm hitting one of those transitional periods in life. When isn't one in transition, really? But these are more apparent, lately. I've finally registered my son for Middle School. I cried. I couldn't help it. It's not that I want him to stay little forever. Friends assure me that the teen years will take care of any feelings of "Please don't grow up and leave me!". But right now, it's hard to see that. 


On the other end, I was sitting in a meeting today and my cell phone buzzed. I looked down and saw it was my mother. I didn't hesitate. I answered it right away. Wait. When did THAT happen? I mean, when did I start looking down at the caller ID and wondering if everything was okay when I saw that it was her? And I'm beginning to fill in more lines in our book- The Caregiver Organizer for MY Aging Parents.    
Did it ever seem possible that our parents would age? I'm handling it about as well as I'm handling Middle School registration. I'm holding on for dear life and trying to soak up every single minute. I'm answering the phone. I'm making myself call more often. I'm making sure I'm home by the time the kids get home so I can have time with them and also taking them to see my parents more often.


Oh the circle of life. I know it's a reality. Today it just seems a little more prominent. So I'll enjoy every moment I can and teach my children to do the same.  


And now, time to go get the Lola-nator who's gotten into a cloth bookmark and is trying to eat it while being chased and yelled at by Z2. Yes, I'll even enjoy THIS moment.


Yours, soaking it all in,


Melissa

Saturday Sass

I know, I know... something happened and both Karen and I went a week without blogging. She's been busier than Christmas and I've had a nasty head cold. My lips swell and chap when the cold is severe. Suffice to say, my lips are bigger than Angelina Jolie's on collagen shots. I'm really hoping to be better come Monday. I promise we'll get back to normal next week!


Yours, blowing my nose again,


Melissa

Random Thoughts of Friday Fun

I have to say, it's Friday and I'm feeling random.  That's a dangerous place for me to be, because everything turns funny. I lack focus completely and laugh at everything. 


Like laughing at my husband who is on a sales call with a client and he says,"Let's look at the "Tonto Knife". "  Now, there actually is a style of knife called Tonto. But of course, I didn't know that. I burst our laughing because, in my mind, Tonto from The Lone Ranger pops into my head saying "How."


Hey- remember on Monday when I was loving that second cup of coffee? That night.... I dreamed I was a Ninja Spider Monkey. I. KNOW- Coolest. Dream. Ever. 


EVER!


Let me suffice to say, I was kicking butt and taking names in my dream complete with the spiffy tail of a spider monkey. No one could stop me!


And then this afternoon I tried to stand up from the sofa. I had my laptop and my toes got caught up in the chord and I had to catch my self from doing a face plant. He's been teasing me about it all afternoon.


I guess that's what I get for giggling at him at the wrong times. I'll let your imagination run with that one.


Yours, pledging to remain random for the rest of the day,


Melissa