Every last day of the month, Fort Stewart conducts a test of the emergency warning system.
It starts with a honking noise that makes Piper scream in fear. (Seriously, when Grant wants to upset her, he starts saying "This is a test..." and making a siren noise.)
Then it goes to a big voice announcing "This is a test. This is a test of the Fort Stewart emergency warning system. This is only a test. This is only a test."
And then the air horn goes off for like 45 seconds.
And then the big voice comes back and says "This was a test. This was a test of the Fort Stewart emergency warning system. This was only a test. This has been a test. This has been a test. This has been a test. This concludes the test." (I'm not making ANY of that up. It goes exactly like that. So seriously redundant it makes me want to scream.)
My small children cling to me petrified. God help me and them if I've accidentally laid them down for a nap earlier than I should have because this will RIP THEM FROM THEIR SLEEP. AND IT GOES ON FOREVER.
So yesterday when the siren went off we all sat in Nashie's rocking chair. I snuggled him close and stroked Piper's hair and we sang a song until it was over.
And I couldn't help but think about the Momma's that are rocking their babies as air raid sirens go off in whatever land they're living in, praying until it's over. If there even are any sirens. Maybe the windows just start shaking up on impact and the moms just run full tilt toward their children. How do you help in this case? I don't even know. I couldn't help but think that THIS IS WHY Syrians are cramming themselves into tiny boats and feeling under cloak of darkness. I read a quote once that went something like "You don't put your babies on a boat in the middle of the night unless what you're leaving behind is scarier than being on a raft, in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the night." Oh but no way should they be allowed in the land of milk and honey. Ohhhhh no. No, no. *MAGNIFICENTLY OBNOXIOUS EYE ROLL*
So I sat with my kids and I snuggled them while they whimpered each time the siren blew, and I cried too. And I prayed for those momma's and their babies. The world is scary. I'm so grateful to be raising my kids in a safe place with plenty of food and water and safety and freedom.
We take so very much for granted.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Gilmore Girls
Okay, I finished the Netflix revival of Gilmore Girls.
I have lots of feelings about it. I was happy, I was sad. I was irritated. I was "WTFing" at my TV with all those musical numbers and the whole Wild thing. But by and large, I was pleased with the peek into their lives after 10 years (although, what exacty has happened over those 10 years none of us will EVER know because it seems like exactly ZERO living actually went on.) Was that a spoiler? Nah, I don't really think so. But if someone wants to discuss this with me, I'm happy to partake. I have feelings about it.
ANYWAY
When the original series started, I was Rory's age. Exactly her age and grade in school. As she progressed, I progressed. When she went to college, it got a little boring because... well... I was in college. And after awhile, the show fell off my radar. So after I finished the revival series last night I decided to start over from the beginning.
Holy crap, you guys. The year 2000 was SO NINETIES!! The hair, the clothes, the television resolution. I thought we were so progressive back then. 2000 brought us American Pie after all, right? PROGRESS. BUT seriously, watching that pilot episode last night, I thought to myself "I might as well be watching this in black and white."
And then the Earth crumbled.
I was looking at Lorelai.
And it hit me.
I'm HER age now.
THE MOMS AGE.
NOT THE KIDS AGE.
And then I died.
I have lots of feelings about it. I was happy, I was sad. I was irritated. I was "WTFing" at my TV with all those musical numbers and the whole Wild thing. But by and large, I was pleased with the peek into their lives after 10 years (although, what exacty has happened over those 10 years none of us will EVER know because it seems like exactly ZERO living actually went on.) Was that a spoiler? Nah, I don't really think so. But if someone wants to discuss this with me, I'm happy to partake. I have feelings about it.
ANYWAY
When the original series started, I was Rory's age. Exactly her age and grade in school. As she progressed, I progressed. When she went to college, it got a little boring because... well... I was in college. And after awhile, the show fell off my radar. So after I finished the revival series last night I decided to start over from the beginning.
Holy crap, you guys. The year 2000 was SO NINETIES!! The hair, the clothes, the television resolution. I thought we were so progressive back then. 2000 brought us American Pie after all, right? PROGRESS. BUT seriously, watching that pilot episode last night, I thought to myself "I might as well be watching this in black and white."
And then the Earth crumbled.
I was looking at Lorelai.
And it hit me.
I'm HER age now.
THE MOMS AGE.
NOT THE KIDS AGE.
And then I died.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Fun Old Fashioned Family Christmas.
So my dad was here for Thanksgiving, which I love. I always feel silly putting out a huge spread when it's just our nuclear family. I like a reason to pull out all the stops. Which I shouldn't need, but I'm too pragmatic. Also, since my dad is single, I like the opportunity to make him decent food because I'm pretty sure he just eats hot dogs and take out for dinner. I do admit that I think being with us makes him feel like he misses the Family Years but I think that's actually good for me. Anyway, he just left this morning and now I'm switching gears for Christmas.
Because a crowd is descending.
My mom had planned to come for awhile, since we were with Erik's family for Christmas last year. But then my in-laws decided they were ready to try flying again after my mother-in-law's stroke, and they're coming too! So now, we're going to have a bustling house full for Christmas and a few days after!
I have to admit, at first I was kind of worried, but now I am STUPID excited to have everyone. I LOVE a house full of people for the holidays and I'm so glad my kids are going to have THREE grandparents to watch their eyes light up on Christmas morning.
I am totally planning to be obnoxious about activities and games and recipes and just general Pinterest Mom junk. I am almost certainly going to blow 6-months worth of grocery budget, but I don't care. I can't think of a single holiday in which nearly all my grandparents were in one place. In fact, I know for certain it NEVER happened.
Reason number 25 (get it?) that my kids are so ridiculously lucky.
Because a crowd is descending.
My mom had planned to come for awhile, since we were with Erik's family for Christmas last year. But then my in-laws decided they were ready to try flying again after my mother-in-law's stroke, and they're coming too! So now, we're going to have a bustling house full for Christmas and a few days after!
I have to admit, at first I was kind of worried, but now I am STUPID excited to have everyone. I LOVE a house full of people for the holidays and I'm so glad my kids are going to have THREE grandparents to watch their eyes light up on Christmas morning.
I am totally planning to be obnoxious about activities and games and recipes and just general Pinterest Mom junk. I am almost certainly going to blow 6-months worth of grocery budget, but I don't care. I can't think of a single holiday in which nearly all my grandparents were in one place. In fact, I know for certain it NEVER happened.
Reason number 25 (get it?) that my kids are so ridiculously lucky.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Holiday Prep
Oh gosh, I can't believe it's nearly Thanksgiving again. I swore last year that I'd get my holiday act together over the summer so all the activities and recipes I wanted to make would be ready to utilize by the time the holidays rolled back around.
Didn't. Happen.
Are you surprised I didn't want to think about the holidays during a Georgia summer? It's hard to focus on Christmas when it's 144* outside.
But then, I didn't even think to buy a turkey until last weekend at Sams when Erik gave me a little nudge in that direction. I thought "Well, I'm here, might as well buy it." so I walked away with a 22lb turkey for SIX PEOPLE. We will be eating turkey until Christmas. When I make another turkey.
So today I sat down to make out our menu, because, I think we know I'm a procrastinator, and it occurred to me that all I make is what our mothers always made.
Pat's stuffing, cranberry jelly (okay, from a can, but I'd never even touched that goop until I met Erik)
Mom's relish plate (haha! She's not exactly known for her innovative cooking.. Sorry mom!) and pumpkin mousse pie (my dad's fave!)
Grandma's pink fluff and green bean casserole
Close Friend Carmen's Turkey (it doesn't need to be basted!!!)
Sheena's nothing.
So I set out to remedy that.
This year, I'll be making maple bacon deviled eggs, and Paula Deen's Pineapple Casserole (which I've had before and am more than happy to make a permanent staple at our table). I'm also glazing some carrots for the first time, but those are mostly for Nash to eat SOMETHING healthy because Erik HATES carrots, so I'm not counting on those sticking around. I just need to find something my kids annoyingly insist on having on every holiday table from here to infinity.
I'm so annoying about holidays. I try so hard to make everything really nice. If I put half that effort in throughout the rest of the year, I might be a better homemaker. Ha!
Didn't. Happen.
Are you surprised I didn't want to think about the holidays during a Georgia summer? It's hard to focus on Christmas when it's 144* outside.
But then, I didn't even think to buy a turkey until last weekend at Sams when Erik gave me a little nudge in that direction. I thought "Well, I'm here, might as well buy it." so I walked away with a 22lb turkey for SIX PEOPLE. We will be eating turkey until Christmas. When I make another turkey.
So today I sat down to make out our menu, because, I think we know I'm a procrastinator, and it occurred to me that all I make is what our mothers always made.
Pat's stuffing, cranberry jelly (okay, from a can, but I'd never even touched that goop until I met Erik)
Mom's relish plate (haha! She's not exactly known for her innovative cooking.. Sorry mom!) and pumpkin mousse pie (my dad's fave!)
Grandma's pink fluff and green bean casserole
Close Friend Carmen's Turkey (it doesn't need to be basted!!!)
Sheena's nothing.
So I set out to remedy that.
This year, I'll be making maple bacon deviled eggs, and Paula Deen's Pineapple Casserole (which I've had before and am more than happy to make a permanent staple at our table). I'm also glazing some carrots for the first time, but those are mostly for Nash to eat SOMETHING healthy because Erik HATES carrots, so I'm not counting on those sticking around. I just need to find something my kids annoyingly insist on having on every holiday table from here to infinity.
I'm so annoying about holidays. I try so hard to make everything really nice. If I put half that effort in throughout the rest of the year, I might be a better homemaker. Ha!
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Closing Thoughts
Well... That was unexpected.
1. The world isn't on fire. So that's good.
2. I guess I didn't really have a dog in the fight and that made things a little less exciting. But only a leeetle.
2.5. I really, REALLY miss working on campaigns. The feeling that fills the air at a watch party can't be beat. It's seriously like when I know a baby is about to come in to the world. Not mine, because that's NOT the same feeling. ;)
3. I still don't think I wasted my vote.
4. I still love America.
5.The end of DST is still KILLING ME!
5.5. My eyes are blurry. I feel hung over.
6. I'm going to have to think of actual things to blog about now besides fleeing political thoughts. Not sure if this will garner me more or fewer readers.
7. Lastly, I think we all know that I wouldn't vote for Hillary if I had some else's vote with which to do it. But I wept for her during her speech today. I wept for women. I wept for my daughter. I wept for your daughter. And their daughters. But we'll get there. In the meantime, ain't no one gonna grab my daughter by her p*ssy at any point in her life - homegirl is going to learn that she must never extinguish her power. Mothers, join me in teaching our girls that they breathe fire. We start TODAY.
1. The world isn't on fire. So that's good.
2. I guess I didn't really have a dog in the fight and that made things a little less exciting. But only a leeetle.
2.5. I really, REALLY miss working on campaigns. The feeling that fills the air at a watch party can't be beat. It's seriously like when I know a baby is about to come in to the world. Not mine, because that's NOT the same feeling. ;)
3. I still don't think I wasted my vote.
4. I still love America.
5.The end of DST is still KILLING ME!
5.5. My eyes are blurry. I feel hung over.
6. I'm going to have to think of actual things to blog about now besides fleeing political thoughts. Not sure if this will garner me more or fewer readers.
7. Lastly, I think we all know that I wouldn't vote for Hillary if I had some else's vote with which to do it. But I wept for her during her speech today. I wept for women. I wept for my daughter. I wept for your daughter. And their daughters. But we'll get there. In the meantime, ain't no one gonna grab my daughter by her p*ssy at any point in her life - homegirl is going to learn that she must never extinguish her power. Mothers, join me in teaching our girls that they breathe fire. We start TODAY.
"Swallow it down, like a jagged little pill..."
I heard a news anchor say something about how Trump might be the experimental drug for what is ailing America. You're sick and you're tired and you're willing to take anything that might help. It might kill you, but it might cure you. It's probably worth a try.
So here's what we're going to do.
We're going to stop joking about moving to Canada. That is ugly and un-American.
We're going to tell our kids that that's how these things go. And maybe we'll tell our daughters that this only means one of THEM will get to shatter that damn glass ceiling that Hillary bumped her head on yesterday.
We're going to tell our black friends, and our brown friends and our red friends and our yellow friends that THEIR LIVES MATTER TO US.
We're going to tell our immigrant friends that we're glad they're here and that we want them to stay with us and help us achieve all of our American dreams.
We're going to pick up and keep walking. This is AMERICA. PEOPLE DIE TO LIVE HERE. This is the process and it's the best process and thank God for it.
We're going to STOP TELLING PEOPLE THAT THIRD PARTY VOTES ARE WASTED OR DETREMENTAL TO SOMEONE ELSE'S PREFERRED CANDIDATE OR THAT THEY'LL WRECK THE SUPREME COURT, OR THE EC, OR WHATEVER THE CRAP PEOPLE WERE LAYING ALL OVER MY FEED YESTERDAY. It's MY VOTE DAMNIT AND I'LL SPEND IT HOW I WANT. I mean, does not every person who votes for the candidate who ultimately loses "waste" their vote? STOP THAT SHIT. Kthanks.
And we're going to unhide Sheena from our newsfeeds now because I think I've said all I have to say.
For today. ;)
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
I'm Thankful for Her
Alright, before all this kicks off (and by "all this" I mean wine in my jammies all by my lonesome because my husband is gone and my excessively nerdy college roommate lives 10 states away), I want to say something:
I wasn't anywhere close to voting for Hillary Clinton. I wouldn't go near her with someone else's ten foot pole. We don't have a single thing in common (lady bits aside, because unlike some might believe, that is NOT good enough reason to vote for someone!). As a Conservative. As a Christian. As a gun owner. As a military spouse. Our ideals just don't mesh well. Or, you know, at all...
But as a woman. As a woman who has been overlooked for simply committing the sin of BEING A WOMAN. As a mother. As the mother of a GIRL. I'm teary-eyed just thinking about what could happen tonight.
You know, kids aren't inherently racist or sexist or any other -ist. They see it. It's a learned behavior. Starting tomorrow, kids may never know a time that women weren't considered JUST AS GOOD AS MEN. SO SAYETH THE NATION.
And if that doesn't move you, I don't know what does.
Just as with Barack Obama (who you can also imagine I didn't vote for) before her, she's changing peoples hearts. Maybe not yours, and maybe not your own children's. But soon. And forevermore.
Politics completely aside, it's a good day for America.
Now please excuse me while I geek out over election returns.
I told you it's like Christmas, right? It is.
I even wore jeans instead of leggings and curled my hair today.
God bless, I love Election Day!
God bless, I love Election Day!
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| That Sticker Though... |
Monday, November 7, 2016
I Love An Election
Okay, so here's the thing. This is funny, but if you really think you're going to need a shower after voting tomorrow, I'm sorry for you. I will not need one. My head will be high, my heart full of hope, and my hands clean.
I'm sure you know by now that I will be casting my vote for Gary Johnson. You may not know that I love Democracy so much that I registered to vote in the early morning the day I turned 18, and on that day I registered as a Republican. You may also not know that when I was in college I started the local chapter of the College Republicans with a friend. Yes, I did. Because I loved the party, and I believed in the party, and I did everything I could to further that cause. But this is no longer the party of Reagan and I JUST CAN NOT ANYMORE. I'm telling you this because I think people think I'm not a Conservative. I am. I haven't changed. If anyone is NOT a Conservative, it's Donald Trump. My Southern Democrat father is more Conservative than Donald Trump. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig, my friends.
Yes, I recognize that we're probably going to have to muddle through 4 years of one of the two main party wieners, but I'll tell you what - it won't be through any vote of mine. You might say "Oh Sheena, you're wasting your vote!" and maybe to you I am. But in my heart, I'm doing so much more than casting a "protest vote," I am affecting change. We need to let the establishment know that we aren't going to accept these business as usual, crap-tastic options anymore. This is the best we can come up with? A bigot and a criminal?! No. Not in this great nation. I'm not buying it and neither should you. The two-party system is broken and if we don't fix it, we're going to implode.
As for you? I don't care who you vote for. Seriously, that's for you to decide. And that's why I love America. I love Democracy and the Democratic Process, and you just get on with yo' bad self, fellow voter. In fact, I'm going at 8 AM after school drop-off if you want a ride. But you better believe in that vote you're casting. Don't just cast it out of fear, or because someone filled you up on bull-shit about stacking the Supreme Court. And you better not get vomit in my car once you're done, either. ;)
"...the blood stirs, and the rush reminds us of the intoxicating joys of liberty, in a country of our own making, and of our fathers' and mother's making, in which we revere our freedom and labor for our goods.. hearing the drumbeat of excitement that reminds us that we were born free and urges us on in our determination to die freer yet, so help us God."
-William F. Buckley
Election Day is my very favorite day. It's better than my birthday, and almost better than Christmas. But I only say "almost" because there's only a 50% (or in this case 33%) chance I'm going to get what I asked for. ;)
Happy voting!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Monday, October 31, 2016
Things
When I buy phones, I buy cheap ones. Something always happens and I need a new one sooner than expected.
So imagine my surprise when my phone was lasting SO long, I was constantly having to dump pictures and apps off of it to make room for more. It had lasted nearly 2 years - and seriously had the best camera I'd ever had on a phone. For $69. It made the constant struggle for storage somewhat tolerable. But then it stopped working quite right. Then it stopped working pretty much all together for a day (while waiting for a new nephew, no less!!), so I over-nighted a new one, and then Erik just looked at my old one and it turned back on. So I used it for awhile longer.
Then, to make a long story short, I accidentally activated my new one. No big deal, but I'd have to be careful because I didn't yet have a screen protector or case for it.
3 hours later the screen was cracked to smitherines. But it still works! So whatevs, I'm sure it'll be drowned in a cup of coffee soon enough.
ANNNNYYYYWWWAAYYYYYYYYY, here are some pictures from my most recent phone dump.
So imagine my surprise when my phone was lasting SO long, I was constantly having to dump pictures and apps off of it to make room for more. It had lasted nearly 2 years - and seriously had the best camera I'd ever had on a phone. For $69. It made the constant struggle for storage somewhat tolerable. But then it stopped working quite right. Then it stopped working pretty much all together for a day (while waiting for a new nephew, no less!!), so I over-nighted a new one, and then Erik just looked at my old one and it turned back on. So I used it for awhile longer.
Then, to make a long story short, I accidentally activated my new one. No big deal, but I'd have to be careful because I didn't yet have a screen protector or case for it.
3 hours later the screen was cracked to smitherines. But it still works! So whatevs, I'm sure it'll be drowned in a cup of coffee soon enough.
ANNNNYYYYWWWAAYYYYYYYYY, here are some pictures from my most recent phone dump.
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| We found a playtime on pots on Friday mornings. Nash is wayyy into it! |
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| Teething is hard work. He has seven total now! |
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| This sweet Georgia boy loves Georgia peaches! |
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| It wasn't Monday... |
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| It's good to be king. |
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| Maybe I should have called this a post about Nashlie. |
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| Oh look! Here are the other kids! Tropical Storm Hermine Tornado Warning at 3AM. Piper has since dumped the binky!! |
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| Checking the weather map. |
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| There we are! |
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| This sweetie rode his first carousel! |
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| Hot Mess Express! |
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| Dr. Pipes! |
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| 3 year old checkup! |
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| P LOVES picking flowers on our walk after dropping G at school. |
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| This guy can suck right out of the pouch. It's the best thing that ever happened to me, and he's obviously a genius. |
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| Last picture before turning one! |
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| Grant had a crappy day at school and I made him write this. |
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| Why nothing got done around here for awhile. |
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| No caption necessary. |
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| First temporary tattoo!! |
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| Ice cream treat! |
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| Blackberries and pickles for lunch. Could be worse I guess... |
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| Cute hair, bad attitude. |
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| Sweet baby loves to swing! |
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| Broth day! |
Sunday, October 30, 2016
A Hurricane of Friends
And so then, two days after Hurricane Matthew, another hurricane blew into town.
Several months ago we agreed to watch the children of our dearest friends while they went on a work-related trip. They have three kids, we have three kids. Their names are almost identical, as are their ages. We played HARD outside and ate CONSTANTLY. It was chaos, but it wasn't as bad as I had planned for it to be!
Luckily, because of the storm, Erik had a few extra days off to help tame the circus!!
Several months ago we agreed to watch the children of our dearest friends while they went on a work-related trip. They have three kids, we have three kids. Their names are almost identical, as are their ages. We played HARD outside and ate CONSTANTLY. It was chaos, but it wasn't as bad as I had planned for it to be!
Luckily, because of the storm, Erik had a few extra days off to help tame the circus!!
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| Night time adventures!! |
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| Does anyone else's kid find a stick at EVERY PARK you go to?? |
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| He's his father's child. |
Friday, October 28, 2016
Hurricane Matthew
I'm not sure if you heard, but a few weeks ago we had a little visitor named Hurricane Matthew.
After much deliberation (and consultation with my Cajun neighbors) we decided that we'd stay.
Here's what happened.
We were so fortunate in that we never lost power. Many parts of post did, and there are several homes that are not even livable anymore. We really, really lucked out with just a little lost sleep and some time spent in our tornado shelter (AKA: downstairs bathroom).
But here's the nitty gritty:
Erik has told me on more than one occasion that we are only about 3 days away from anarchy. I kind of thought that was ridiculous. Okay, I full on thought that was ridiculous. UNTIL Matthew.
The local paper had pictures of people in a line wrapped around the store waiting to get in to Walmart. But there was no power in the store so they were only letting a few people in at a time. NO POWER at WalMart. So what were they buying? Water? Batteries? Flash lights? All the things they should have bought before the hurricane, I'm guessing, because God knows they weren't buying anything cold, fresh or frozen.
Two days after the storm I ventured out to stock up for some house guests (more on that later) and this is what we found. No cold food. Because WalMart, the purveyor or generators, does not have a generator. And the other grocery stores in town were flooded.
After much deliberation (and consultation with my Cajun neighbors) we decided that we'd stay.
Here's what happened.
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| I went to the grocery store to stock up and came home with not one, not two, not even three, but FIVE bags of chips. That's more chips than I've bought in the last six months combined. |
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| On Friday as we were eating an early (hot!) dinner, we got a tornado warning. The kids sprang into action after having done this like 4 times before today. ;) |
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| Erik and Nash experienced their first CAT 2 hurricane together. :) |
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| The strong winds rolled in on Saturday night. We made sure to have the big kids asleep before the show started, and the slept right through it. Nash, on the other hand... Which I was honestly a-okay with. I was convinced his window would come crashing in. |
But here's the nitty gritty:
Erik has told me on more than one occasion that we are only about 3 days away from anarchy. I kind of thought that was ridiculous. Okay, I full on thought that was ridiculous. UNTIL Matthew.
The local paper had pictures of people in a line wrapped around the store waiting to get in to Walmart. But there was no power in the store so they were only letting a few people in at a time. NO POWER at WalMart. So what were they buying? Water? Batteries? Flash lights? All the things they should have bought before the hurricane, I'm guessing, because God knows they weren't buying anything cold, fresh or frozen.
Two days after the storm I ventured out to stock up for some house guests (more on that later) and this is what we found. No cold food. Because WalMart, the purveyor or generators, does not have a generator. And the other grocery stores in town were flooded.
There was nothing but canned soup.
We are most decidedly only a few days from anarchy.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Delicate Snowflakes
Grant plays two to three seasons of soccer a year, either on post or through the local Y. He loves it, and fortunately his growth has begun to level off so we have been able to reuse the same cleats and shin guards for several seasons thus making each season a relatively small investment.
I admit that sometimes I get SO sick of living at soccer fields (alone, because Erik usually works until about 6:30 these days), but I just remind myself that this is why I stay home. And Grant is truly a good player and I'd like to cultivate that. Because despite my Oklahoma upbringing, no child of mine will be playing football.
ANYWAY... I shared all that to provide a frame of reference: we have played on a lot of soccer teams. And the team we're on now is hands down the least cohesive team I've ever encountered. This is a team whose players bicker and push during practices. That argues over whose hand should be on top in the team huddle. It. Is. Ridiculous. The team just can't seem to gel.
So imagine my surprise when it was suggested that ON TOP OF THE MEDALS given by the organization at the end of the season, the "Team Mom" wanted all of us to pony up for trophies. To be awarded at the "team party." Say what? These kids can't even get along! Why the heck do they need TWO awards AND a party???!!! Is this a thing we're doing now? Because we're on like our 5th or 6th season of soccer and we haven't encountered this before.
This, by the way, is on top of the $5 fee to put your kids name on his shirt (which we didn't do because I'm weird about monogramming my kids things), and team pics and then a suggested $10 donation to the team gift for the coach. 12 kids at $5-$10 each. For some kind of plaque with the team pic and an inscription. You guys. I'm pretty sure the team mom just has a friend in the trophy shop. A Starbucks GC would totally be sufficient. But I digress.
Is everyone this excessive, and I'm just behind? I know I'm cheap, and I own that, but this isn't about money. Its about not teaching my kid that he deserves two freaking trophies simply for fulfilling his obligation to a team he signed up for. They are a team of good players but THEY DONT EVEN KEEP SCORE. So it's not even as though they're ... Oh, say... Award winning.
By and large, I'm all about making every day things special for kids- I make Benton lunches for God's sake!!- but two freaking trophies is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. And does anyone think this coach really wants a plaque from a hell-raising team that she coached for nine weeks? Is this Pinterests influence? Why must everything be SO EXCESSIVE??!! I signed up for a $30 season of soccer with gear we already had. I'm more than $75 deep at this point. If folks could just stop spending my money for me, that would be greaaaat.
I lovingly move The Elf every Christmas season, and we celebrate good grades (or even just Fridays) with ice cream, but it is my opinion that playing a team sport is it's own reward - SO many lessons are learned through team play- we needn't pad the experience with personalized outfits (by the way, no one actually puts their kids names on uniforms anymore - it was all nicknames.), parties, extra trophies and goodie bags after every game. Am I just being cheap/cranky/pragmatic? Lay it on me.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
For Our Next PCS
When prepping for a PCS, you have no choice but to be organized. I wish I had a picture of the calendars and notepads and general awesomeness that were involved in our last two moves (with children), because once you have kids, you have too much stuff to just wing it. ESPECIALLY OCONUS (because at some point, you don't have a car anymore), but even moving across the state is hard to prep for.
I was trolling Facebook the other day and came across this idea on an Army spouse page on preparing a PCS binder for your kids. So, disclaimer! This is NOT my idea, (I think we all know I'm not that creative or I'd blog about something more than my boring-ass every day life...), but I just thought this was amazing and wanted to share to help friends with upcoming PCS moves. :)
So, here we go.
You need a binder
You need a 3-hole punch
You need a printer
You need 2 zip-up pencil pouches
You'll need a moment to yourself to actually do something not directly move related, so start early!!
*Coloring pages for where you're moving to (http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/places/us-states-coloring-pages/), and perhaps for any major stops along the way.
*Number and letter activity sheets (if you don't have a laminator, I hear the plastic sheet protectors can be written on with dry erase markers, but I've never tried this because my kids are like 12 years too young for markers of any sort in my car)
*Mazes
*I-Spy or Hidden Picture pages
*Scavenger Hunt or Car Bingo games
*Drawing prompt pages ("I saw a truck I liked," "I think Texas will be like....," "I can't wait to visit Grandma, and..."
*Photos of the place you just left and where you're going (maybe all the places you're stopping on your road trip, too!)
*Pictures of child's favorite things at current duty station and then some fun things at the new one (IE: a great park, Chuck E. Cheese, zoo, etc. This way the child can remember what he/she loved, and look forward to trying it in other places.
*Photo sleeve of family members or friends they'll see along the way/who live at the new duty station
*A zip up pencil pouch for utensils
*Another zip up pouch for brochures, air tickets, cool rocks (oh, that's just Piper??) and other things kids "gather" along the way
*Calendar with the weeks/months you'll be traveling and when you're doing what (or even just a checklist on the way to x)
One of the ladies who posted the idea said her daughter used it several months after the PCS and that it helped her kind of connect where she came from to where she is and I just loved that idea. For months after we left PA, G would ask questions about his classmates and our house, etc. I can only imagine that gets tougher as kids get older.
Another suggestion is to not put everything in the binder at once. Maybe if you're road-tripping you could do it by state (more work for mom, I know...) but I personally have found that a steady stream of new entertainment trumps a big bag of new things to do all at once.
Apparently Pinterest has a similar offering called a travel binder or travel notebook, which I'll definitely be trying on our next road trip, and certainly there's a wealth of other binder-ready activities out there, but I just loved this military specific idea. I hope it earns me some extra quiet over our next move!
I was trolling Facebook the other day and came across this idea on an Army spouse page on preparing a PCS binder for your kids. So, disclaimer! This is NOT my idea, (I think we all know I'm not that creative or I'd blog about something more than my boring-ass every day life...), but I just thought this was amazing and wanted to share to help friends with upcoming PCS moves. :)
So, here we go.
You need a binder
You need a 3-hole punch
You need a printer
You need 2 zip-up pencil pouches
You'll need a moment to yourself to actually do something not directly move related, so start early!!
Find/Create:
*A map of your route (laminate?)*Coloring pages for where you're moving to (http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/places/us-states-coloring-pages/), and perhaps for any major stops along the way.
*Number and letter activity sheets (if you don't have a laminator, I hear the plastic sheet protectors can be written on with dry erase markers, but I've never tried this because my kids are like 12 years too young for markers of any sort in my car)
*Mazes
*I-Spy or Hidden Picture pages
*Scavenger Hunt or Car Bingo games
*Drawing prompt pages ("I saw a truck I liked," "I think Texas will be like....," "I can't wait to visit Grandma, and..."
*Photos of the place you just left and where you're going (maybe all the places you're stopping on your road trip, too!)
*Pictures of child's favorite things at current duty station and then some fun things at the new one (IE: a great park, Chuck E. Cheese, zoo, etc. This way the child can remember what he/she loved, and look forward to trying it in other places.
*Photo sleeve of family members or friends they'll see along the way/who live at the new duty station
*A zip up pencil pouch for utensils
*Another zip up pouch for brochures, air tickets, cool rocks (oh, that's just Piper??) and other things kids "gather" along the way
*Calendar with the weeks/months you'll be traveling and when you're doing what (or even just a checklist on the way to x)
One of the ladies who posted the idea said her daughter used it several months after the PCS and that it helped her kind of connect where she came from to where she is and I just loved that idea. For months after we left PA, G would ask questions about his classmates and our house, etc. I can only imagine that gets tougher as kids get older.
Another suggestion is to not put everything in the binder at once. Maybe if you're road-tripping you could do it by state (more work for mom, I know...) but I personally have found that a steady stream of new entertainment trumps a big bag of new things to do all at once.
Apparently Pinterest has a similar offering called a travel binder or travel notebook, which I'll definitely be trying on our next road trip, and certainly there's a wealth of other binder-ready activities out there, but I just loved this military specific idea. I hope it earns me some extra quiet over our next move!
Monday, October 3, 2016
Things I Wish I Had Learned Before Striking Out on My Own
I thought of naming this post "Things I Wish My Parents Would Have Taught Me", but maybe they did and I just didn't pick it up.
Anyway, without further ado:
When you double a recipe, you don't need to double the cooking time (luckily for me, I learned that one after only one take)
When you're sick, don't just put the Vicks Vapo-Rub on your chest, put it on the tip of your nose and the bottoms of your feet. Putting socks on afterwards helps even more. (Shout out to my friend Maria for teaching me that a couple of years ago!)
How to study. I'm still not sure I know.
How to mow. (Learned that one the hard way when Erik went to Iraq)
Taco Bell past 8PM isn't a good idea. Ever.
Always wash your quinoa, even if the package says it's pre-washed (learned that one the hard way too)
Ironing and shoveling snow. There must be specific methods. I do not know them.
Anyway, without further ado:
When you double a recipe, you don't need to double the cooking time (luckily for me, I learned that one after only one take)
When you're sick, don't just put the Vicks Vapo-Rub on your chest, put it on the tip of your nose and the bottoms of your feet. Putting socks on afterwards helps even more. (Shout out to my friend Maria for teaching me that a couple of years ago!)
How to study. I'm still not sure I know.
How to mow. (Learned that one the hard way when Erik went to Iraq)
Taco Bell past 8PM isn't a good idea. Ever.
Always wash your quinoa, even if the package says it's pre-washed (learned that one the hard way too)
Ironing and shoveling snow. There must be specific methods. I do not know them.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Stagnant
Sometimes I feel like something is missing. It's usually when the house is quiet and I'm left with my own thoughts.
I'd equate it to that feeling right after you have a baby, that nervous pit feeling that you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I guess that's my own little version of the baby blues.
Could that be what this is, too? I'm calling it stagnancy, but maybe it's more of the blues. Is stagnancy a word?
The blues that I don't quite fit in here, no matter how I try to bend.
The blues that the fact is, I'm not that good at bending.
The blues that my babies keep growing no matter how hard I try.
The blues that my husband, through NO fault of his own, is growing up ahead of me. Education does that for a person, I think. And so does having stayed home with children for the last five years. We're doing really great, blogland, in case you think this is some sort of cry for help. He is embracing religion in a way that I'm not ready for, and he reads at night when I'm topping off the baby or too damn tired to focus on words on pages. It's not a big thing, but I'm aware of it and it's just something from this season of life that I want to remember for later. I just don't feel like I'm in a place of self-improvement right now, and he is.
The blues that this just really isn't the life I imagined when I was growing up and that maybe, just maybe, I'm not super thrilled about it all the time.
It occurred to me though that now that Nash is bigger and easier I don't have any more excuses to hide behind.
If I'm done having babies, now is the time to be the mom I want to be and the PERSON I want to be.
I can move on toward the person I ultimately want to be. Unencumbered by the hassles of having an infant. Yes, I have what seems like 100 very young children, but I don't want to be left holding a bundle of un-experienced plans when they leave home. Both for them and for myself.
Now is the time to finally come up with a cleaning schedule and be a little more organized and clean out that damn closet in the hall that barely shuts. You neighborhood girls know the one - the weird triangular one in the upstairs hallway. WHAT THE HECK?!
Now is the time to figure out who the hell I am in this phase of life.
But seriously, parents of mine, if you're reading this: I am NOT going back to work yet, so please stop asking. Dad.
I'd equate it to that feeling right after you have a baby, that nervous pit feeling that you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I guess that's my own little version of the baby blues.
Could that be what this is, too? I'm calling it stagnancy, but maybe it's more of the blues. Is stagnancy a word?
The blues that I don't quite fit in here, no matter how I try to bend.
The blues that the fact is, I'm not that good at bending.
The blues that my babies keep growing no matter how hard I try.
The blues that my husband, through NO fault of his own, is growing up ahead of me. Education does that for a person, I think. And so does having stayed home with children for the last five years. We're doing really great, blogland, in case you think this is some sort of cry for help. He is embracing religion in a way that I'm not ready for, and he reads at night when I'm topping off the baby or too damn tired to focus on words on pages. It's not a big thing, but I'm aware of it and it's just something from this season of life that I want to remember for later. I just don't feel like I'm in a place of self-improvement right now, and he is.
The blues that this just really isn't the life I imagined when I was growing up and that maybe, just maybe, I'm not super thrilled about it all the time.
It occurred to me though that now that Nash is bigger and easier I don't have any more excuses to hide behind.
If I'm done having babies, now is the time to be the mom I want to be and the PERSON I want to be.
I can move on toward the person I ultimately want to be. Unencumbered by the hassles of having an infant. Yes, I have what seems like 100 very young children, but I don't want to be left holding a bundle of un-experienced plans when they leave home. Both for them and for myself.
Now is the time to finally come up with a cleaning schedule and be a little more organized and clean out that damn closet in the hall that barely shuts. You neighborhood girls know the one - the weird triangular one in the upstairs hallway. WHAT THE HECK?!
Now is the time to figure out who the hell I am in this phase of life.
But seriously, parents of mine, if you're reading this: I am NOT going back to work yet, so please stop asking. Dad.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Remedying Baby Fever
A few nights ago, I was bemoaning my Baby Fever to Erik. Then that night and the next few Nash kept me up for HOURS with his teeth (he's getting his canines, I think) and God bless, maybe I really am done. I hate not sleeping. And things are getting SO easy. A friend of ours says this is the sign that we're done. He might not have used such delicate terms (HI DAVE!) but maybe he's on to something. Erik says he really does feel "complete." I do not, but I am also not that girl who just "knew" when she met her husband or found her wedding dress.
I am so ready to get rid of all the baby stuff cluttering my house and closets. I could do cartwheels in my closets if they weren't full of big tubs of neatly (HA!) organized baby clothes. I can NOT wrap my mind around having this extra space.
We went on a long weekend getaway several weeks ago, and since I was (am, still!) nursing, we didn't have to bring bottles or a million sippy cups to get through the day. Erik and I both commented on how much easier life is without the formula, the bottle washing basket, and the sterilizing bags, and the "find a gas station with organic milk because Sheena is nuts" situation we encounter EVERY TIME WE TRAVEL.
The thing with more than 3 kids is the cost. We love travelling, and that gets harder and harder with each kid. We're almost to the point we could all fit in the backseat of a regular car if necessary (whenever I'm willing to move G to a booster seat, that is...) and then we can get back to FLYING places and renting a car instead of being forced into driving simply by the economics of flying five people and then renting a big ass van.
Can you imagine the days of traveling without a car seat all together? This boggles my mind. Literally. I have not known this luxury as a parent.
But then I see a new little chunk in church or at the store and I think about all those exciting firsts again. Maybe the trick is to remind myself that there will always be exciting firsts, and they don't require a fresh little baby to experience.
So, for today at least, I'm not weepy-eyed about my last baby being my last baby. And that's something.
I am so ready to get rid of all the baby stuff cluttering my house and closets. I could do cartwheels in my closets if they weren't full of big tubs of neatly (HA!) organized baby clothes. I can NOT wrap my mind around having this extra space.
We went on a long weekend getaway several weeks ago, and since I was (am, still!) nursing, we didn't have to bring bottles or a million sippy cups to get through the day. Erik and I both commented on how much easier life is without the formula, the bottle washing basket, and the sterilizing bags, and the "find a gas station with organic milk because Sheena is nuts" situation we encounter EVERY TIME WE TRAVEL.
The thing with more than 3 kids is the cost. We love travelling, and that gets harder and harder with each kid. We're almost to the point we could all fit in the backseat of a regular car if necessary (whenever I'm willing to move G to a booster seat, that is...) and then we can get back to FLYING places and renting a car instead of being forced into driving simply by the economics of flying five people and then renting a big ass van.
Can you imagine the days of traveling without a car seat all together? This boggles my mind. Literally. I have not known this luxury as a parent.
But then I see a new little chunk in church or at the store and I think about all those exciting firsts again. Maybe the trick is to remind myself that there will always be exciting firsts, and they don't require a fresh little baby to experience.
So, for today at least, I'm not weepy-eyed about my last baby being my last baby. And that's something.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Life, Lately, Part 2 - With More News
This post is more for far away family or my own memory, but feel free to read on. Obviously our life is insanely fascinating.
The other day I had someone from housing here to look at the dishwasher. It's like it's not firing on all cylinders or something. He determined the previous tenants had used a lye-based solvent in there and pretty much ruined it (so don't do that, people!) and has ordered me a new dishwasher.
I sent Erik an update via text.
S: We're getting a new dishwasher! :)
E: Happy day!
E: When does she arrive?
Erik has done an inter-post (maybe that's what it's called) transfer and started working some SERIOUS hours. At the last unit he was gone a lot, but when he was home, he was HOME. Not so with this. We've pushed back dinner to 6P instead of 5:30 which means bedtime is now a little later. I am not ready for this!
Piper is dropping her nap, I think. I am also not ready for this!!
When I moved Nash out of my room in March-ish or April, I moved the big kids in together. Holy. Crap. We got them bunk beds, but P is still in her crib, so we call the bottom bunk Grammies bed for obvious reasons. And yes, she's three. She stays in there. So we're riding this wave allllllll the way to shore. They sit up there for at least an hour fussing at each other, throwing crap back and forth, saying naughty words (their favorite is "poopabutt" don't ask me why) and singing old Alabama songs. It's cute. Or it was for awhile. Grant tries to correct the grammar and the song just doesn't work.
I got myself an activity tracker so I didn't sit for long spells at a time. I walk somewhere between 8k and 10k steps a day without any added effort. And here's what - the stupid thing doesn't register steps taken while pushing a stroller (like to and from school) or pushing a grocery cart (and I feel like I live at the grocery store...). So I got a little contraption to attach it to my shoe instead of my wrist. This also gives me permission to stay in my work out clothes all day and not waste precious nap time on showering. Sorry, husband.
After Nashie's birthday "party" here at home, we were still full from lunch but needed to top the kids off before bed. Erik fished an MRE out of the back of the car and gave the kids a tutorial. It was hilarious. HOLY CRAP they're well thought out. And tastier than expected.
Grant is playing fall soccer. His team is the Ninja Turtles. When he found out their jersey's were going to be green, he suggested they call themselves the Pine Needles. Is that not the cutest thing you've ever heard? Love that guys mind!
We have made some neighborhood friends and many of us gather on one moms driveway several days a week to play outside after school. This has been amazing. The moms sit and chat and the kids cavort. It has lead to our kids playing outside upwards of two hours a day. For some reason, I feel like this makes me a super excellent mom. The only thing that's missing from the scenario is wine.
Piper is finally becoming trustworthy. I can leave her alone downstairs while I come up and shower or blog, or pay bills or whatever. This is a brand new thing. Even last month she would have taken the opportunity to steal a snack bar and stuff it in her face under the coffee table. She's really getting big.
I am getting a new nephew like ANY DAY and I AM BESIDE MYSELF WITH EXCITEMENT. It's harder to wait for a baby that isn't yours, I think. I am so excited to have a baby to love on without doing all the work, but I'm afraid that the first time I hold this new little bundle I'm going to realize how big Nash really is and have a nervous break down. Stay tuned for overly excited, ridiculous aunt bragging posts ANY DAY!
The other day I had someone from housing here to look at the dishwasher. It's like it's not firing on all cylinders or something. He determined the previous tenants had used a lye-based solvent in there and pretty much ruined it (so don't do that, people!) and has ordered me a new dishwasher.
I sent Erik an update via text.
S: We're getting a new dishwasher! :)
E: Happy day!
E: When does she arrive?
Erik has done an inter-post (maybe that's what it's called) transfer and started working some SERIOUS hours. At the last unit he was gone a lot, but when he was home, he was HOME. Not so with this. We've pushed back dinner to 6P instead of 5:30 which means bedtime is now a little later. I am not ready for this!
Piper is dropping her nap, I think. I am also not ready for this!!
When I moved Nash out of my room in March-ish or April, I moved the big kids in together. Holy. Crap. We got them bunk beds, but P is still in her crib, so we call the bottom bunk Grammies bed for obvious reasons. And yes, she's three. She stays in there. So we're riding this wave allllllll the way to shore. They sit up there for at least an hour fussing at each other, throwing crap back and forth, saying naughty words (their favorite is "poopabutt" don't ask me why) and singing old Alabama songs. It's cute. Or it was for awhile. Grant tries to correct the grammar and the song just doesn't work.
I got myself an activity tracker so I didn't sit for long spells at a time. I walk somewhere between 8k and 10k steps a day without any added effort. And here's what - the stupid thing doesn't register steps taken while pushing a stroller (like to and from school) or pushing a grocery cart (and I feel like I live at the grocery store...). So I got a little contraption to attach it to my shoe instead of my wrist. This also gives me permission to stay in my work out clothes all day and not waste precious nap time on showering. Sorry, husband.
After Nashie's birthday "party" here at home, we were still full from lunch but needed to top the kids off before bed. Erik fished an MRE out of the back of the car and gave the kids a tutorial. It was hilarious. HOLY CRAP they're well thought out. And tastier than expected.
Grant is playing fall soccer. His team is the Ninja Turtles. When he found out their jersey's were going to be green, he suggested they call themselves the Pine Needles. Is that not the cutest thing you've ever heard? Love that guys mind!
We have made some neighborhood friends and many of us gather on one moms driveway several days a week to play outside after school. This has been amazing. The moms sit and chat and the kids cavort. It has lead to our kids playing outside upwards of two hours a day. For some reason, I feel like this makes me a super excellent mom. The only thing that's missing from the scenario is wine.
Piper is finally becoming trustworthy. I can leave her alone downstairs while I come up and shower or blog, or pay bills or whatever. This is a brand new thing. Even last month she would have taken the opportunity to steal a snack bar and stuff it in her face under the coffee table. She's really getting big.
I am getting a new nephew like ANY DAY and I AM BESIDE MYSELF WITH EXCITEMENT. It's harder to wait for a baby that isn't yours, I think. I am so excited to have a baby to love on without doing all the work, but I'm afraid that the first time I hold this new little bundle I'm going to realize how big Nash really is and have a nervous break down. Stay tuned for overly excited, ridiculous aunt bragging posts ANY DAY!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Nerd Alert
You may not know this, but I had to forego my Oklahoma drivers license when we moved here, because I forgot to renew when I left and I had already done it once online, and was therefore required to do the next renewal in person. I guess they don't want me using that pic of a 24-year old new bride with cute hair and no dark circles all the way into middle age.
While at the DMV, they asked me if I wanted to switch my voter registration to Georgia as well.
This hit hard.
Despite living in 4 other states, I kept my Oklahoma registration because I was always very active in Oklahoma politics, kept up with Oklahoma issues and had friends I wanted to vote for, so for the last several years I've voted absentee when necessary, careful not to abandon my civic duty.
I reluctantly said "Okay," to this precious DMV lady who had just unknowingly created a huge crisis in my heart, because I haven't lived there in something like 47 years and it's time to embrace my current situation. Also, it is a SERIOUS PAIN IN THE ASS to vote absentee when your registration is still in your maiden name (because the day I turned 18, I marched my age of majority butt right down to the post office and filled out a registration card). So, there was that, too.
But then I never got my registration card and I had to call the election board to follow up and ask 10,000 questions about my polling place etc, etc, etc., and it was then that I found out that they do early voting here. I can go vote all day every week day starting on October 17, AND ON SATURDAY, October 29. You guys, my MIND IS BLOWN. Is this a thing and I missed it?
I understand the necessity. People have jobs and lives and one day of voting is really difficult or not possible for some. But I just can't handle this early voting situation. It's like robbery. NOTHING IS BETTER OR MORE AMERICAN THAN BEING IN A POLLING PLACE! Do we do a Christmas gift a day for the whole month of December? No. (We, in this case is my family, I know some of you more organized folks do this, I just can't get my act together). And we do not open an Easter egg a day before Easter Sunday in my house, or have birthday "months," or do an entire month of fireworks for 4th of July, and so too we shall not vote early.
I think the bottom line here is that I am the hugest of nerds.
As for me and my house, we will vote on Election Day. Is that sacrilegious? Sorry. But I think God gets me.
While at the DMV, they asked me if I wanted to switch my voter registration to Georgia as well.
This hit hard.
Despite living in 4 other states, I kept my Oklahoma registration because I was always very active in Oklahoma politics, kept up with Oklahoma issues and had friends I wanted to vote for, so for the last several years I've voted absentee when necessary, careful not to abandon my civic duty.
I reluctantly said "Okay," to this precious DMV lady who had just unknowingly created a huge crisis in my heart, because I haven't lived there in something like 47 years and it's time to embrace my current situation. Also, it is a SERIOUS PAIN IN THE ASS to vote absentee when your registration is still in your maiden name (because the day I turned 18, I marched my age of majority butt right down to the post office and filled out a registration card). So, there was that, too.
But then I never got my registration card and I had to call the election board to follow up and ask 10,000 questions about my polling place etc, etc, etc., and it was then that I found out that they do early voting here. I can go vote all day every week day starting on October 17, AND ON SATURDAY, October 29. You guys, my MIND IS BLOWN. Is this a thing and I missed it?
I understand the necessity. People have jobs and lives and one day of voting is really difficult or not possible for some. But I just can't handle this early voting situation. It's like robbery. NOTHING IS BETTER OR MORE AMERICAN THAN BEING IN A POLLING PLACE! Do we do a Christmas gift a day for the whole month of December? No. (We, in this case is my family, I know some of you more organized folks do this, I just can't get my act together). And we do not open an Easter egg a day before Easter Sunday in my house, or have birthday "months," or do an entire month of fireworks for 4th of July, and so too we shall not vote early.
I think the bottom line here is that I am the hugest of nerds.
As for me and my house, we will vote on Election Day. Is that sacrilegious? Sorry. But I think God gets me.
Debate Prep
I really love America.
I really love Democracy.
I (((seriously))) cried the first time I voted. It was absentee and my friend took a picture, which I know you're not supposed to do, but COME ON!
Election day is seriously my VERY FAVORITE DAY.
But this bullshit is really harshing my election year buzz. I don't countdown to debate days and I'm not devouring every article and book I can get my hands on. I'm being robbbed. We all are.
I really can't wrap my mind around Donald Trump being the President, and I think I've made that pretty clear to anyone who will listen (or reads my facebook page). Sidenote: political posts on Facebook are not a good way to make friends... But my dislike for Humpty Trumpty should NOT mislead folks into thinking I could possibly stomach another Clinton presidency.
I never understood what people meant about elections being the choice between the lesser of two evils, because I never saw my candidate as problematic. Republican or Democrat, I trusted the process. Everyone has their faults, candidates included, but God almighty, I never legitimately worried about the likelihood of nuclear war until this election. I do not trust this process anymore.
If I were an ISIS leader, I would have watched last nights debates and turned to my buddies and said "Oh, you guys, we might as well disband. America doesn't need *us* to bring about it's implosion, they've got it covered on their own." Because seriously, holy shit people.
I really love Democracy.
I (((seriously))) cried the first time I voted. It was absentee and my friend took a picture, which I know you're not supposed to do, but COME ON!
Election day is seriously my VERY FAVORITE DAY.
But this bullshit is really harshing my election year buzz. I don't countdown to debate days and I'm not devouring every article and book I can get my hands on. I'm being robbbed. We all are.
I really can't wrap my mind around Donald Trump being the President, and I think I've made that pretty clear to anyone who will listen (or reads my facebook page). Sidenote: political posts on Facebook are not a good way to make friends... But my dislike for Humpty Trumpty should NOT mislead folks into thinking I could possibly stomach another Clinton presidency.
I never understood what people meant about elections being the choice between the lesser of two evils, because I never saw my candidate as problematic. Republican or Democrat, I trusted the process. Everyone has their faults, candidates included, but God almighty, I never legitimately worried about the likelihood of nuclear war until this election. I do not trust this process anymore.
If I were an ISIS leader, I would have watched last nights debates and turned to my buddies and said "Oh, you guys, we might as well disband. America doesn't need *us* to bring about it's implosion, they've got it covered on their own." Because seriously, holy shit people.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Antecdote
Several weeks ago I was with some friends and we were discussing how heinous the previously mentioned 3 months on, 3 months off rotation was. I said I think that would be worse than them just going for a year and being done with it because you never have a chance to adjust, and are just living in a constant state of turmoil - kids especially. I was met with weird looks and my sweet, diplomatic neighbor saying "Oh, well, I guess I don't know any different..." and I felt like this salty woman I once met in a class meeting while Erik was in Career Course.
((Now, before I continue, please note that it appears that Erik and I are some of the oldest folks in the neighborhood - and if not the oldest, definitely some of the longest in the service, and most haggard by the system, LOL! - and that and most of the folks going through these rotations are doing so as first-timers. The Army has changed A LOT in 5 years, and they have been really lucky in being together thus far.)))
So I launch into a story about how when Erik was at Career Course, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff came to talk to the Soldiers and find out why the Army was bleeding Captains. I explained that the answer, by the way, was that it was 2007 or 2008 and the wars were in full swing and everyone was sick of spending 12 to 18 months at a time away from their families. So while Admiral Mullen was in with the Soldiers, his wife came to speak to the wives. There was this older woman - hell, she was probably my age now...- who went on this LONG diatribe about how much she hated R&R. It disrupted her flow, got her kids all upset and just generally ruined all their lives. "Couldn't we just ditch R&R all together and send the Soldiers home 2 weeks earlier? It would save tons of money, as well!" I thought "This woman obviously hates her husband, how could she possibly choose to be apart LONGER and call it EASIER!???!" Note to this lady: I get it now. I'm sorry I painted you with such broad strokes for the last ten years.
And I said to these women the other day, that I felt like that salty old wife now, telling them that their lives would be easier if their husbands just left for an entire year instead of a few months at a time.
And again I was met with some weird looks.
Finally someone says "YOUR HUSBAND WAS A CAPTAIN IN 2008????!!!!!!"
Might as well start planing my funeral. I'm 1,000.
((Now, before I continue, please note that it appears that Erik and I are some of the oldest folks in the neighborhood - and if not the oldest, definitely some of the longest in the service, and most haggard by the system, LOL! - and that and most of the folks going through these rotations are doing so as first-timers. The Army has changed A LOT in 5 years, and they have been really lucky in being together thus far.)))
So I launch into a story about how when Erik was at Career Course, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff came to talk to the Soldiers and find out why the Army was bleeding Captains. I explained that the answer, by the way, was that it was 2007 or 2008 and the wars were in full swing and everyone was sick of spending 12 to 18 months at a time away from their families. So while Admiral Mullen was in with the Soldiers, his wife came to speak to the wives. There was this older woman - hell, she was probably my age now...- who went on this LONG diatribe about how much she hated R&R. It disrupted her flow, got her kids all upset and just generally ruined all their lives. "Couldn't we just ditch R&R all together and send the Soldiers home 2 weeks earlier? It would save tons of money, as well!" I thought "This woman obviously hates her husband, how could she possibly choose to be apart LONGER and call it EASIER!???!" Note to this lady: I get it now. I'm sorry I painted you with such broad strokes for the last ten years.
And I said to these women the other day, that I felt like that salty old wife now, telling them that their lives would be easier if their husbands just left for an entire year instead of a few months at a time.
And again I was met with some weird looks.
Finally someone says "YOUR HUSBAND WAS A CAPTAIN IN 2008????!!!!!!"
Might as well start planing my funeral. I'm 1,000.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Verrrry Interesting
The other day we went to a neighborhood birthday party at which Erik was one of the only husbands in attendance.
Several of the husbands in the neighborhood are on missions that were supposed to run for 3 months on (in Germany, Africa, etc) and three months home. FOR TWO YEARS! Then the Army realized how AWFUL that was after two rotations and decided the last rotation would be for six months, but then it would be over.
Leaving SO MANY women, who had done their jobs as Army wives and planned accordingly, to give birth alone. DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON THIS! WE ARE NOT AT WAR AND THIS WAS NOT NECESSARY!
Anyway.
As we sat at this party yesterday, listening to the wives chatter about when their husbands will be home (it's coming up fast!) I looked at Erik who was paying attention (for probably the first time) to what it's like to be the one left behind. How excited they are, the photos, the search for the right outfits, the date nights were all covered. I'm not sure he had any idea that those of us at home obsessed this much, this far out, about the day they walk back into our homes for the first time in months. He answered a few questions about the reintegration process and then took Nash home because he was getting too hot.
Over dinner that night, he asked ME a few question and we talked about how hard it is when the whole post isn't gone, to have your husband away. I've had it both ways, and I have to say, it's somehow easier when everyone is miserable and not just you. I really feel for these women. When your husband is gone for an extended period, time kind of stops. But it also manages to keep marching on with a gaping, husband-sized hole in it. It's hard to pull that hole back together for your kids. Really hard.
I am so grateful that in just a few short weeks those holes can be filled in, just as they should be! And I'm grateful that Erik got a little peek from my side of the parade field.
Several of the husbands in the neighborhood are on missions that were supposed to run for 3 months on (in Germany, Africa, etc) and three months home. FOR TWO YEARS! Then the Army realized how AWFUL that was after two rotations and decided the last rotation would be for six months, but then it would be over.
Leaving SO MANY women, who had done their jobs as Army wives and planned accordingly, to give birth alone. DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON THIS! WE ARE NOT AT WAR AND THIS WAS NOT NECESSARY!
Anyway.
As we sat at this party yesterday, listening to the wives chatter about when their husbands will be home (it's coming up fast!) I looked at Erik who was paying attention (for probably the first time) to what it's like to be the one left behind. How excited they are, the photos, the search for the right outfits, the date nights were all covered. I'm not sure he had any idea that those of us at home obsessed this much, this far out, about the day they walk back into our homes for the first time in months. He answered a few questions about the reintegration process and then took Nash home because he was getting too hot.
Over dinner that night, he asked ME a few question and we talked about how hard it is when the whole post isn't gone, to have your husband away. I've had it both ways, and I have to say, it's somehow easier when everyone is miserable and not just you. I really feel for these women. When your husband is gone for an extended period, time kind of stops. But it also manages to keep marching on with a gaping, husband-sized hole in it. It's hard to pull that hole back together for your kids. Really hard.
I am so grateful that in just a few short weeks those holes can be filled in, just as they should be! And I'm grateful that Erik got a little peek from my side of the parade field.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Life, Lately.
Something like 7 years ago I was in kindergarten.
I rode the bus with my friends Nikki and Beth (and presumably others, but I can't remember who else) to a little one room school house out in the country that had a skunk family living under it. Our teachers, Mrs. Yoes and Mrs. French were sweet and patient and taught us how to make butter and to dance and to line up quietly while waiting to go to the playground.
About 12 weeks later, I graduated high school with many of the same kids I went to Kindergarten with at the one room school house with the skunk family under it.
Like five minutes after that, I gradated from college and got married and began traveling the world with a guy I really like, but don't see nearly enough.
It's funny that I'm out of college and married because I'm seriously only like 22 years old. Right?
Wrong.
I'm 32 and have a Kindergartner of my own. We are seriously the old people on our street of LT's and CPT's families.
And you guys, Kindergarten isn't a joke. There's no nap or show and tell. They are READING. WORDS! And Grant is starting to understand FRACTIONS. I swear, I was in like third grade for that.
And along with learning and understanding concepts sooner than I did, he's pushing for independence sooner than I think I did.
When walking to school, we can drop him in the breezeway of the school to find his own way to the class meeting spot, or I can walk him directly to the meeting spot. I generally prefer to drop him AT the meeting spot, so there's no question that he's where he needs to be. But his friend gets to walk from the breezeway. And watch Pokemon and stay up until 9 o'clock. So that's pretty much all I hear about.
I told him we'd revisit the drop of location in several months, but I'm pretty sure my answer is still going to be "You're only little for a short time, let me help you while I can." Every kid loves and understands that rationale, right?
Honestly, dropping him at the breezeway would save me time and about 400 steps in the morning. But he's only small for a short time, I want to help him while I can.
I rode the bus with my friends Nikki and Beth (and presumably others, but I can't remember who else) to a little one room school house out in the country that had a skunk family living under it. Our teachers, Mrs. Yoes and Mrs. French were sweet and patient and taught us how to make butter and to dance and to line up quietly while waiting to go to the playground.
About 12 weeks later, I graduated high school with many of the same kids I went to Kindergarten with at the one room school house with the skunk family under it.
Like five minutes after that, I gradated from college and got married and began traveling the world with a guy I really like, but don't see nearly enough.
It's funny that I'm out of college and married because I'm seriously only like 22 years old. Right?
Wrong.
I'm 32 and have a Kindergartner of my own. We are seriously the old people on our street of LT's and CPT's families.
And you guys, Kindergarten isn't a joke. There's no nap or show and tell. They are READING. WORDS! And Grant is starting to understand FRACTIONS. I swear, I was in like third grade for that.
And along with learning and understanding concepts sooner than I did, he's pushing for independence sooner than I think I did.
When walking to school, we can drop him in the breezeway of the school to find his own way to the class meeting spot, or I can walk him directly to the meeting spot. I generally prefer to drop him AT the meeting spot, so there's no question that he's where he needs to be. But his friend gets to walk from the breezeway. And watch Pokemon and stay up until 9 o'clock. So that's pretty much all I hear about.
I told him we'd revisit the drop of location in several months, but I'm pretty sure my answer is still going to be "You're only little for a short time, let me help you while I can." Every kid loves and understands that rationale, right?
Honestly, dropping him at the breezeway would save me time and about 400 steps in the morning. But he's only small for a short time, I want to help him while I can.
Friday, September 16, 2016
Last Time Mom
I sit here before you tearful and heartbroken.
My baby-est baby, my sweetest, my easiest baby, my LAST baby turns one in just a few short days. I'll never have a new baby, ever again. I'll never again have that feeling of empowerment that comes with pushing out a baby and literally giving someone a life. I'll never snuggle a brand new baby on the couch and be called a baby hog by my family. I'll never teach a new little one how to clap or play cars. I'll never nourish another little tummy with milk from my own body.
I know growing up is their job and I am so very, very grateful that I have been blessed with three healthy, precious people to raise into adulthood. I love watching my kids learning new things and having new experiences and I do my very best to make sure they don't miss out on ANYTHING, but this last baby.. I've held him back a little bit. Because I can't quite figure out how to let him go.
He's a Mama's Boy. The other two were Erik's. This one - he's mine. Everyone knows it.
He isn't sleep trained.
He still nurses up to 6 times a day.
He still wants to be held and carried all the time, and I'm perfectly fine with it.
I chew his food for him.
Okay, that's a lie. But I have no issue admitting that I plan to cut his meat until he's forty.
And you can ask around - I was a hard-ass with the other two.
So much discussion went in to starting our family. We discussed, we saved, we planned and dreamed before we dared open the door to parenthood. I spent so much time pouring over articles in preparation for my first baby. All the information you could possibly need, from birth plans and the other logistics of having a baby to emotionally preparing your pets can be found online. Everyone knows how hard it is to become a mother and all the mommy bloggers in all the land want to talk you down from the ledge that you inevitably end up on at some point (usually around 4AM) thanks to an evil combination of exhaustion, hunger, leaky boobs and the 6-week period that is the parting gift provided by the gremlin that just evicted your womb. (And you are NOT alone, it IS SO HARD TO HAVE AN INFANT!!!)
But no one has written about how to close that big door to creating new life, lock it, and walk away without tears flooding your eyes.
No one has written about how to know when you have had enough kids.
No one has written a how to on packing up the sweet smelling tiny baby gowns that most easily accommodate hundreds of overnight changes while managing not to daydream about the next sweet little person that will share your name.
No one can tell you how to stop the drive to create more of the people that you like and love more than anyone else in the world.
Because it can't be done.
Write about it? I can barely entertain the thought of it.
They say you are never ready for kids. That if you wait for the "right time" you'll never have any at all, and you just have to hold your breath and jump in. As it turns out, though, there's no "right time" to stop. If you wait for the "right time" you'll just end up with 100 babies that all eventually turn 2 and all hell breaks lose and you're left crumpled in the kitchen floor crying softly among mounds of dirty dishes that are calling your name now that all your kids (and your husband...) are finally asleep. Don't ask how I know.
We (kind of...) know our door is shut.
But I just can't manage to walk away without a broken heart.
My baby-est baby, my sweetest, my easiest baby, my LAST baby turns one in just a few short days. I'll never have a new baby, ever again. I'll never again have that feeling of empowerment that comes with pushing out a baby and literally giving someone a life. I'll never snuggle a brand new baby on the couch and be called a baby hog by my family. I'll never teach a new little one how to clap or play cars. I'll never nourish another little tummy with milk from my own body.
I know growing up is their job and I am so very, very grateful that I have been blessed with three healthy, precious people to raise into adulthood. I love watching my kids learning new things and having new experiences and I do my very best to make sure they don't miss out on ANYTHING, but this last baby.. I've held him back a little bit. Because I can't quite figure out how to let him go.
He's a Mama's Boy. The other two were Erik's. This one - he's mine. Everyone knows it.
He isn't sleep trained.
He still nurses up to 6 times a day.
He still wants to be held and carried all the time, and I'm perfectly fine with it.
I chew his food for him.
Okay, that's a lie. But I have no issue admitting that I plan to cut his meat until he's forty.
And you can ask around - I was a hard-ass with the other two.
So much discussion went in to starting our family. We discussed, we saved, we planned and dreamed before we dared open the door to parenthood. I spent so much time pouring over articles in preparation for my first baby. All the information you could possibly need, from birth plans and the other logistics of having a baby to emotionally preparing your pets can be found online. Everyone knows how hard it is to become a mother and all the mommy bloggers in all the land want to talk you down from the ledge that you inevitably end up on at some point (usually around 4AM) thanks to an evil combination of exhaustion, hunger, leaky boobs and the 6-week period that is the parting gift provided by the gremlin that just evicted your womb. (And you are NOT alone, it IS SO HARD TO HAVE AN INFANT!!!)
But no one has written about how to close that big door to creating new life, lock it, and walk away without tears flooding your eyes.
No one has written about how to know when you have had enough kids.
No one has written a how to on packing up the sweet smelling tiny baby gowns that most easily accommodate hundreds of overnight changes while managing not to daydream about the next sweet little person that will share your name.
No one can tell you how to stop the drive to create more of the people that you like and love more than anyone else in the world.
Because it can't be done.
Write about it? I can barely entertain the thought of it.
They say you are never ready for kids. That if you wait for the "right time" you'll never have any at all, and you just have to hold your breath and jump in. As it turns out, though, there's no "right time" to stop. If you wait for the "right time" you'll just end up with 100 babies that all eventually turn 2 and all hell breaks lose and you're left crumpled in the kitchen floor crying softly among mounds of dirty dishes that are calling your name now that all your kids (and your husband...) are finally asleep. Don't ask how I know.
We (kind of...) know our door is shut.
But I just can't manage to walk away without a broken heart.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
The Things We Carry*
This is the Dog River in Northfield, Vermont.
This a rock from the Dog River in Northfield, Vermont.
Now listen, I don't know all the details because I didn't know Erik in college, but here's what I've gleaned:
At some point during their 4 years in college, cadets select a rock and run with it through this river obstacle course and after they've run themselves ragged chucking this rock all through creation they keep it forever and ever and ever into perpetuity to piss off their wives and collect dust and occasionally disguise a key on the front porch.
This rock has lived in New York, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and now Georgia. Inside, outside, wherever I've seen fit to let it live. Because it's a rock. That we've moved 5 times.
Because college.
Because the Corps of Cadets.
Because Love.
*Betcha thought from that title that this was going to be a lot more interesting. ;)
 |
| Photo cred: Google |
This a rock from the Dog River in Northfield, Vermont.
 |
| Photo cred: My cell phone |
At some point during their 4 years in college, cadets select a rock and run with it through this river obstacle course and after they've run themselves ragged chucking this rock all through creation they keep it forever and ever and ever into perpetuity to piss off their wives and collect dust and occasionally disguise a key on the front porch.
This rock has lived in New York, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and now Georgia. Inside, outside, wherever I've seen fit to let it live. Because it's a rock. That we've moved 5 times.
Because college.
Because the Corps of Cadets.
Because Love.
*Betcha thought from that title that this was going to be a lot more interesting. ;)
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