Saturday, July 30, 2005

Fajita Madness

Whew! What a day. SugarDaddy let me sleep in until nearly 10:00. And I didn't let all that rest go to waste. Once I got breakfast in me, it was time for lunch for the boys. Then, naps. Just for them, not me. We were having friends for supper, so I headed to Kroger. (For ketchup. Friends taste best with lots of ketchup.)

$200 later, I got home, put the groceries away, and marinate meat and veggies for my world famous, kick ass fajitas. Then I got busy cleaning the kitchen while SD cleaned the downstairs. This house was a wreck. (He & I were very cross with each other. It seemed that we were having a pissing contest about I don't know what. Finally, we both came to our senses.) He picked up toys, vacuumed, and even scrubbed the toilet. I worked on getting the little jobs done in the kitchen that always seem to get put off. Our friends came over & while they were at the pool, I made guacamole, fruit salad, and baked chocolate chip cookies. (okay they were those break & bake cookies. I'm not
Super Mom!) I also cleared the crap off the dining room table, put flowers in vases, and decluttered the countertop that seems to have a clutter magnet in it. (You know you have one, too, admit it!) I got my suit on, but a phone call preemted my swimming today.

Our other friends got here with the limes & margarita mix. Mmmmmmm. They are so my favorite friends of the day. (sorry, Mel) Dinner was so awesome. My fajitas truly did kick ass. I love those. We had great conversation. Lots of laughs. Especially about our "gay" dogs. But that's another post entirely. The kids ate outside on the patio table and then played - nicely! - until waaaaaaaay past their bedtimes. I got everybody showered, into PJs and bed with minimal screaming. I am wiped out. But in a good way. Hope you are having a good weekend as well.



Spell check alert: The alternative Blogger spell check gave for "bedtimes" was "beatings." Yeah, they are pretty interchangable around here!

Friday, July 29, 2005

Public Service Announcement

I have spent all day trying to come up with something to blog about. I tell ya, I got nothin'. All the cool people are at BlogHer (except you & me, natch!). So, here is a funny email I received today. I wish I could take credit, but whoever wrote this is my hero!

This is a heads-up to those friends who haven't experienced it yet, and an explanation to those friends and family who have. Most of you have read the scare-mail about the person whose kidneys were stolen while he was passed out. Well, read on. While the kidney story was an urban legend, this one is not. It's happening every day.

My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago. It was just that quick. I went to sleep in my body and woke up with someone else's thighs. The new ones had the texture of cooked oatmeal. Who would have done such a cruel thing to legs that had been mine for years? Whose thighs were these and what happened to mine? I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs. Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans and Sheer Energy pantyhose.


Then, just when my guard was down, the thieves struck again. My butt was next. I knew it was the same gang because they took pains to match my new rear end (although badly attached at least three inches lower than my original) to the thighs they stuck me with earlier. Now, my rear complemented my legs, lump for lump. Frantic, I prayed that long skirts would stay in fashion.

It was two years ago when I realized my arms had been switched. One morning I was fixing my hair, and I watched horrified but fascinated as the flesh of my upper arms swung to and fro with the motion of the hairbrush. This was really getting scary. My body was being replaced one section at a time. How clever and fiendish. Age? Age had nothing to do with it. Age is supposed to creep up, unnoticed, something like maturity. NO, I was being attacked repeatedly and without warning. In despair, I gave up my T-shirts. What could they do to me next?

My poor neck disappeared more quickly than the Thanksgiving turkey it now resembled. That's why I decided to tell my story. I can't take on the medical profession by myself. Women of the world, wake up and smell the coffee. That really isn't plastic that those surgeons are using. You KNOW where they are getting those replacement parts, don't you? The next time you suspect someone has had a face "lifted," look again. Was it lifted from you? I think I finally found my thighs... and I hope that Cindy Crawford paid a really good price for them! This is not a hoax. This is happening to women in every town every night. WARN YOUR FRIENDS.

P.S. I must say that last year I thought someone had stolen my breasts. I was lying in bed and they were gone! As I jumped out of bed I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in my armpits as I slept. Now I keep them hidden in my waistband.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

WHAT Did You Say??

Mommy:(trying trying to get Bear to quit being goofy & settle down for naptime) Stop it! I am NOT amused.

Bear: laughs uncontrollably finally catches breath and says: Why you not a moose, Mommy?

Now, both of us are laughing...

Man, I love these kids!

Don't get me wrong...

I am so happy that the weather finally cooled down. We went from 97 degrees and HUMID on Tuesday (read:heat index of 110) to 68 degrees yesterday.

BUT now we have to go to swimming lessons in a few minutes and it's not even 70 yet. Brrrrrrrr.

Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose. I can always take some tea on my travel mug. Must wear my suit however, because because SugarBug insists on getting in while SugarBear is having his lesson. I'm paying SugarPlum a buck to "babysit" while we're there. Don't worry, I make it a policy to never leave an 8 year old totally in charge of a toddler. CPS generally insists upon this.

PS Just for the record, blogger spell check didn't know "because," or "babysit."

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Reptilian Disaster

My dear, sweet SugarBear,

Yes, I know that you swallowed your tiny plastic lizard. Yes, I know that it was your favorite. I am so sorry. No, I will not "get a toothpick to get it out." Whatever that means. No, I will not "put on some glubs and get it out of (your) poop." No, it is not making you sick, because it happened three days ago and you are fine. Yes, perhaps someday soon, we will go to "the lizard store at the mall (?)" and get you a new tiny lizard. Please, please, please find something else to talk about.

Your loving Mommy

Monday, July 25, 2005

Iona & D'Wanda

There are several strange people in my house. No, not the children from California. They still aren't here. No, these are all female, as far as I can tell. They are in great demand here in Candyland. My boys keep calling them, but I have never seen them. They all have the same last name and one of two first names. But, they have different middle names. I think perhaps they are from some sort of cult.

The first names are Iona and D'Wanda. (Yes, I'm afraid it's a white trash cult.) Their last name is Mommy. I think that the Ionas may be hiding out in the kitchen. Every time I go in there, the boys are calling, "Iona Banana Mommy" "Iona Cookie Mommy" "Iona Icepop Mommy." Occasionally I hear, "Iona GoOutside Mommy" "Iona WatchNoggin Mommy" Always the whole name. Odd.

The D'Wandas hang out upstairs, mainly. Near the bedrooms, best I can tell. The boys call them in an almost pleading voice, "D'Wanda Gonapnap Mommy" "D'Wanda Pickupmytoys Mommy." The middle names are very strange. Foreign perhaps?

If you have any ideas as to how to get these people out of my house, I would welcome them. I am ready to contact the authorities. Or perhaps an exorcist.

Sunday, July 24, 2005

WWJD?

I have a cousin who is probably my absolute favorite cousin. She was born my freshman year of college. She was my favorite girl until SugarPlum came along. Now, she is such a great, cool teenager that she gives me hope on those days when I need to wring SP's neck.

But, today I was reminded of when she was a very little girl, probably four or five years old. I had taken her to the movies and out for McDonald's. She had finished her fries & reached over to grab some of mine

Me: Hey! Those are my fries. Just because you ate all of yours doesn't mean you can steal mine.

Her: (all puppy eyes) Please, Buffi, can I have some of your fries??

Me: (all grown up - NOT) No Way

Her: Hmph! Jesus would let me have one of His fries!!

Friday, July 22, 2005

Jets!! (or the post where she tries to figure out the whole picture thing)


Last weekend was the big airshow. I mentioned that SD took SugarPlum on Friday to the educational thing. On Saturday, he took her and Bear. Then! On Sunday we all went to watch the Thunderbirds show that Scottie had given us tickets to. Sadly, we weren't able to get pictures of the kids with Scottie because the team needed to leave shortly after the show to get home to Vegas. Scottie has reached hero status in our home though. SugarBear has a toy plane that we got at the airshow & shows us all the things that Scottie did while flying.

"Scottie went upside down. Then he went upside up! And then he went around and around and then WHOOSH!" This narrative is heard throughout the day. "I going to be a Funderbord when I get big like Scottie!"

SugarBug on the other hand, didn't enjoy the show quite so much. If you ask him about he Thunderbirds, he will tell you, "Scawy aiwplanes!"


SugarPlum, of course was in awe of the entire thing and drank it all in. Don't be surprised if you hear about her being a Thunderbird in the future!

We all had such a good time (except for the scawy part). Hopefully we will catch them again next year. Wherever we may be!

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Best Present EVER

outside



SugarPlum spent hours making this card for me yesterday. She came downstairs several times to ask my favorite colors, etc. Then she had SugarBear sign his name to it all by himself, something he is generally reluctant to do. How clever is she?! This may be the best present I have ever received!


note: This is not how this post looked upon the preview.
^ this is the outside this is the inside of the front ^

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

The post where she rambles on & on and says something about her birthday, we think **updated**

I had to get up ungodly early today for a 7:30 Dr appt so that I could get a refill on my happy pills. I am NOT a morning person, so it was questionable as to whether I would make it on time. But, my "not be so bitchy pills" were at stake, so my beleaguered husband made sure that I would be there! SD woke me up at 6:30 and I was very good & got right up, got dressed and came downstairs for a cup of tea. I had on no make-up, because I couldn't open my eyes enough to get mascara on. I left a little before 7:00 because this is the first time I have driven out to base by myself. Pathetic, no?

I actually got there quickly and without getting lost even once which , if you know me at all, is quite a feat. Normally, if there is a choice, I will always turn the wrong way. Just FYI, the Honda Odyssey has a crappy turn radius and u-turns are highly discouraged. I digress. I got checked in at the clinic which I found in spite of the "helpful" directions of the girl on the phone.

Me: I just got to this base, so can you tell me where this clinic is located?

Girl: Well, you know where the pharmacy used to be?

Me: No, you dingbat, remember 8 seconds ago when I told you that I just got here? (on the inside)

Me: (actual polite response) No, I can't say that I do....

Back to the actual story: I got checked in a few minutes early and do you know what happened? Contrary to Air Force hospital policy, I was actually seen ON TIME by my "provider." He wasn't actually a doctor, and he looked to be about 14 years old. I think he was volunteering there to get his Eagle Scout or something. The uniform with lieutenant bars was just a cover. Honestly though, he was thorough without being too tedious. I got my antidepressants AND he upped the dosage on my migraine medicine. So actually, Doogie is my hero today. "Happy Birthday SugarMommy, here are some better drugs." That's really all I wanted. Well, that and for someone to give me some kiddie valium so that my kids will calm the hell down when I need them to.

Then I got back home and SugarBug said, "Mommy, it's your Happy Dorstday??" Which made me smile, because he is the only one left with cute little mispronunciations. And then the other kids came in & I got birthday hugs and kisses. So, all in all, 35 hasn't started too badly. But, then again, it's early and so much can go wrong. My glass, half full? We'll see.




**update** Have you met my wonderful friend Sleeping Mommy?? Of course you have, because she sent most of you here! Thank you so much, Ammie! And thank you all for you lovely birthday greetings. Glass half full? Folks, it is overflowing!!

Monday, July 18, 2005

Go Google yourself!

I found this on another site, and once again cannot remember where. I am far to blonde for that. Anyway, go to Google and enter "(Your name) is." I was laughing at what I found. Note: all typos are Google's. I cut & pasted the quotes. You know it has taken all I have to allow those mistakes to remain!

Buffi is:

*Rocki is a Barred Rock, while Buffi is a Buff Orpington. They are getting quitetame and will come to eat on anything green I can offer them. ... (well, I do try to eat healthy)

*Buffi is also a Delta Airlines Flight Attendant.

*buffi is not a member of any public groups (with the exception of the Vegetarian Flight Attendants of America)

*Buffi is witty and well spoken and this interview may be the closest you can cometo reading a post from her. I think Buffi would do us all a favor by ...
(hee, hee that really is me!)

*Buffi is well on her way to becoming a champion.! (woo hoo!)

*Buffi is not happy (because Blogger keeps eating her damn posts!)

*Lol Buffi is posing for the camera again lol. (if you would put the damn thing down...)

*I'm beginning to think Buffi is right (What? You doubted me?)

*Okay and what'ssome in game comments supposed to prove, that Buffi is cheating? ... (Shhhhh! Don't tell SugarDaddy!)

*Buffi is the The Strumpet (Terribly judgmental, no?)

*... Úgy ahogy ott fent a kedves kormányunkban teszik. Ahogyan buffi is mondja,lehetne hasznosabb dolgokra költeni az ország pénzét. ... (Well, now you're just talkin' crazy)


And? Buffi is sleepy! So I'll be going to bed soon. That was a lot of fun. Try it if you haven't before. And that one that is really me? It was from Muzikdude. Blogger doesn't seem to want me to link it (I guess) so I will do it last.

So HERE (I think I fixed the link)

35

In two days I will be 35 years old. Never before has a birthday bothered me, but I just feel so old. I was so happy to turn 30 (yes, really) because nobody believes you when you say you are 29. Having a July birthday, I was always one of the youngest people in my class or group of friends. In high school all of my friends (Hi, Kristina!) were a year ahead of me, so I was definitely the youngest. My senior year was very sad & lonely. In college, I ran around with older friends as well (Hi, Elizabeth! No that's not an old jab, get over it). That was great because I had someone to buy booze while I was still underage. (SugarPlum, if you are reading this in 2015, that is completely unacceptable & you will SOOO be grounded for even thinking about it!) Anyway, I've always been the young one in the bunch. I was the one who got carded at R-rated movies when I was 23. I always got carded when we went out to clubs. I haven't been carded in years. Well, except by that sweet checker at the grocery store a few months ago. But I think he could tell I was having a bad day.

I am now among the older people in a group. I'm the wife who has the most experience in squadron, base stuff. That sucks. I am no longer in my early 30's. At best, I am in my mid-30's. I remember thinking how old that sounded when I was young. Thing is, I am very happy with my life right now. I love my husband. I have great kids. I am fairly content with things as they are. I can't think of much that I would change. (Other than perhaps winning the lottery. That would definitely cheer me up! )So what is my problem? Maybe we need to up my meds. Maybe I just need to get over it & stop whining. So, I will.

Overview...I'm old, whiny and need to get over it. Yep, that just about covers it.

Saturday, July 16, 2005

A Note to my Oldest Son (but really to any of you people to whom I allegedly gave birth)

Why, oh why, oh why must you continue to do what I have just, seconds before, told you to STOP DOING?! I know that you have no hearing deficiencies. When I so much as breathe the words candy or cookie or swimming pool, you come running as if your life hinged on it. So why must you to continue to tear up that piece of paper after I have asked you nicely and then demanded in my "mean mommy" voice that you cut that shit out?! Of course I would never say that out loud, just as I would never actually shake you until your eyeballs pop out of your disobedient little head. But, at moments like this I do fantasize about it. This selective hearing is getting on my nerves and causing me to call people like your Auntie Kristina and scream until she is deaf. All of Mommy's friends will be so happy if you will just fall into line and make me stop screeching.

Thank you for your kind consideration,

Your loving Mommy

Friday, July 15, 2005

Imaginary Updates

Well, the children from California will be here in three days, according to SugarBear. First they have to stop in "Yokahoma." (Can they stay at your house, Ammie?) Fortunately, Onko & Socko and some of the other pals are building them a house. So I don't have to worry about that.

In other news SugarBear & Co. are also building a house for
Mark & Jerry. They were putting the roof on today. These are the quietest, most polite construction workers I have ever encountered. It's almost like they are not even here. (hee, hee!)

And, since I seem to be link-happy today, here is the
sweetest daddy birth story I have read in a while.

Lazy Posting

I am so tired today. Even my hair is sleepy. Not my boys tho! They were up at 6:45!! SugarDaddy & SugarPlum have gone to some pre-airshow educational thing for kids. He's going to be talking about being a pilot. He is very good at talking about that. She gets to spend half the day with a bunch of kids learning about...flying stuff I guess. All I know is I don't have to listen to how bored she is this morning & how she never gets to so ANYTHING fun. So I approve of this outing wholeheartedly. Sometime between now & Monday, I will post pix of the Sugarbabies with our friend, Scotty, who is a Thunderbird! He is so sweet. When he came for dinner last night, he brought Thunderbird pins & pictures signed by the team. The kids were thrilled.

Anyway, found
this on FARK. Seriously nasty banana recipes, accompanied by some very disturbing pictures. I woke up enough to laugh out loud! Have fun! Bananas Gone Wild!!

Where will we put them all??

A while back I mentioned SugarBear's imaginary friends. Tonight, I was informed that it was moving day. I said, "Oh, no! I don't want to move again!"

He tells me that we aren't moving, all of the children from California are coming here. His friend Honk is driving them and the "moving guys" are bringing their toys.

They'd better come with a nanny, too, 'cause I've got my hands full as it is!



***update*** Well, evidently Honk backed out on them, because now the children from California are walking here. Damn that Honk. He's so flaky! (This news from SugarBear this morning.)

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Hand it over or I'll honk...

Feeling a little better, although the SugarBabies will tell you that I'm awfully grumpy. Thanks for all of your nice thoughts and words.

Found
this a minute ago. I have heard of stupid criminals, which this guy probably was, but he was lucky enough to find a stupid bank teller to help him out! The headline expresses my thoughts exactly, "That must have been one heck of a note!!" Think she still has a job??

Bank robber gets cash with message sent through drive-up tube system

Whining

Went to bed last night with a doozy of a headache. I have chronic migraines, but this was as bad as one has been in a while. I thought it was just a tired headache at first, so I just took some ibuprofen & went to bed. It soon became obvious, as all of the pain concentrated on the left side of my head that this was a migraine. I got up to find my medicine & in my stupor, it took forever. SD got worried as I lay there in the fetal position, whimpering. Then the nausea hit. I never got sick, but those dry heaves made my head hurt worse. Finally, I was able to fall asleep by singing the lyrics to "I Can Only Imagine" in my head. I couldn't even gather my mind to pray. That was the best I could do.

SugarDaddy was very sweet. He let me sleep as late as as he could before he had to go in. I feel hung-over this morning. I always feel that way after a migraine, whether I have slept or not. Today, though, it's like somebody beat the hell out of me. It sucks. My kids may watch TV all day, just to keep things calm & quiet. Of course it is rainy today, so they can't go outside. (Thanks, Dennis) So, if you feel like babysitting, come on by. I'll be the one staring blankly out the window.



Spell Check update: From this post, blogger spell check didn't know the words "migraine," "ibuprofen," & "AS." Maybe, maybe I could somewhat overlook the first two, but "as?" WTF?

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

What's in a name?

A friend of mine told me that she thought it was hysterical that my blog was called "SugarMommy" because, "When do your kids ever get sugar?!"

That's a fair point. I am that obnoxious "nutrition mommy" whose kids don't get juice except at breakfast, never drink kool-aid, or get cool stuff like those chewy fruit snacks or oreos. I have lightened up some since this friend & I lived in the same place. My kids do occasionally get cookies, and I actually let them eat a lot of their Halloween candy last year. But, as a rule, I try to avoid sugar as much as possible. My main hang-up right now is
high fructose corn syrup. That stuff is just bad news. But it is in everything. So I am finding myself shopping more & more in the organic section. Which aggravates me because I am so NOT an "earthy-crunchy" type of person. But when it comes to my kids nutrition, I am willing to compromise that part of my "Buffiness." I will admit to being a big hypocrite, because I can't live without my Diet Coke! My kids don't get soda, and they sure as heck better not touch mine!

My argument to my friend was that my kids are so sweet, they don't need sugar. She wouldn't let up though. Her suggestion for a new blog name?

Splenda Mommy

Well, Crap...

Is it really after 4:00 already? Every day, I tell myself that I am going to get this house into shape. Fold laundry, unpack boxes, etc. And yet, every day about 4:00, I find myself sitting here at my computer, reading just one more blog, checking my email just one more time....

You people need to stop being so funny and interesting. I have things to do!

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Is #%*& in the Spell Check?

My husband calls me the Grammar Nazi. I am pretty anal about grammar & spelling, pretty much always. One of my favorite books of all time is Eats, Shoots & Leaves. I spell check everything on the computer several times. Which leads me to ask...

What the heck is up with Blogger's spell check??? The following words have not been found in their spell check: main, blog, blogger, fishsticks, and (several others that I forgot to write down before I decided to post this).

Not only that, but it's suggestions for misspelled words crack me up. For example, its suggested alternative for fishsticks was "viscosities." HUH? And if you choose to correct a spelling yourself instead of using one of its inane suggestions, it yells at you and makes you sign a disclaimer releasing it from all responsibility for said word. (Okay, maybe it's not that extreme, but you do get quite a nasty message. )

Have you noticed any of this?

Whew, now that I've gotten that off my back, maybe I can get some sleep. We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog...

Thank You!

Christine, you are too much! Thank you for your post & letting me meet all these new blog friends. I have so many new blogs to read, I may not fold any laundry for weeks! SugarDaddy may be calling soon to have some words for you!

As for the rest of you, thank you so much for coming by. I hope I can continue what I have started!

It's tragic really...

...that my two year old son should have to wait 45 seconds - 45 seconds!! - for his fishsticks to come out of he microwave for lunch.

There oughta be a law...



just a small administrative note...it has come to my attention that I should probably disable Blogger comments so that people see to use haloscan's instead. Until Christine helps me to figure that out as well, if you want to leave a comment click on "sweet talk" instead of "comments" Sorry for the trouble. I'm just a little too blonde for my own good sometimes. Oh, and thanks for stopping by!

Potty Time - Round 3

Having just last week gotten SugarBear back into underwear full time, I was looking forward to a break in the "I go potty" game for a couple of months. (I just jinxed it with SugarBear, I know. So stop laughing at me. Now. Cut it out!)

Then yesterday, SugarBug tells me "Go potty."

"You need to go potty?"

"Uh-HUH!" (high pitched happy voice)

And, sure enough, he DID! And then three times this morning. Now, not that I'm complaining (except that maybe I am a little), but the whole potty training thing just wears me out. SugarBear took 2 years to potty train. Stubborn little cuss. Finally
Beth's potty jar plan did the trick. I love how proud SugarBug is when he goes. We sing a little song each time & he is so delighted with himself.

But seriously, folks, I just wanted a little break from this potty tedium. But, maybe this will be easier since he sticks to his brother like glue & wants to be just like him. And if in your experience, it hasn't been that way, kindly keep that little fact to yourself. I will live here in my dream world where my 2 year old gets potty trained in 5 days thankyouverymuch!

Monday, July 11, 2005

Moving Mayhem

You may or may not know that my family recently moved. We are fortunate that the military pays for our moves & unless you choose to Do-It-Yourself (what the AF calls a 'ditty move"), they send movers to pack and ship everything to your next base. Only once in my married life have we had to move ourselves. That was when we decided to move out of base housing - affectionately called "the projects" - and buy a house off base. That was crazy. Boxes packed haphazardly, everything thrown in willy-nilly. It took forever to figure out where everything was. Not that the movers do it much better. After our last move, it took us nearly a year to find the lampshades. They were all packed with some random bathroom stuff. And after we finally got here, I found a whole box of shoes I hadn't seen since before we moved to England. It was like Christmas: "Oooooh! I remember these sandals. I love these. And that's what happened to those beige sling-backs..." SuperDaddy was laughing his butt off.

Anyhoo...today in the
paper, Sharon Short has an article that I could relate to. I laughed for a long time. If you have a move coming any time soon, maybe you should take her advice. Read it here. I'm going to unpack a few more boxes...

TA DA!

Well, what do you think? I think it looks amazing! Thank you thank you thank you to Jim (aka Genuine), Shylah and One by One Media for this beautiful, beautiful template. You did an amazing job. And so fast, too. Your generosity is just overwhelming. I would offer up my firstborn as a thank you, but I know that you probably wouldn't appreciate that so much! How about a million Hershey Kisses?! You can give them to Mrs. G!

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Goody, goody gumdrops!

Have you ever been thinking about something you'd like to have? Not something you really need, just something that would be cool to have. You aren't obsessed with this thing, just something you have been pondering. You look into getting this thing, but realize that there are just so many other things that must come before you have the time, the resources or the energy to even invest in acquiring this thing. So you go to bed and think about it, but sleep without any dreams of it.

Then, you wake up in the morning, and someone says "Here, would you let me give you this thing you have been wanting?" You know like a fairy god(parent) or something. Life is so cool sometimes. I just love my blog friends!

...more to come...

Sweet Nothings from the SugarBabies

We went to the pool today for a couple of hours. Everyone had fun "smimmin" as SugarBug says. The following lines were my favorite of the day...

#1 I noticed what I thought might be a rash on SugarBear's chest.


Me: SugarBear, come here. Are those red dots on your chest? Do you have a rash?

Bear: (pointing to nipple) No, Mommy. Those are just my milk things.

(I have been nursing for how long?)

#2 On the walk home, SugarPlum pointed a really neat looking blue butterfly.

"Mommy, nature is way better than TV. It's always on & you never know what you'll see!"

We must be doing something right around here.


Friday, July 08, 2005

Hur-evac Dennis

As Hurricane Dennis bears down on the Gulf Coast, I ask that you pray for all of the people who live there. In particular, keep the families of military aviators in your thoughts. Uncle Sam takes care of his jets. The families must suck it up and take cover. I don't mean to sound bitter, but I have lived through eight hurricanes in my life as a military spouse, six of those without a husband.

It is a little known fact that when a hurricane approaches, the Air Force (and other services, I am certain) evacuates the jets that may be in the storm's path to a base that is out of storm's range. I understand why. Those planes aren't cheap. Sometimes, though, the guys were a little too excited about the possibility of a hur-evac - #1 rule of a TDY (out of town trip): Never whistle while you pack! One particular memory is of a phone call from Ohio during Hurricane Fran in 1996. SugarDaddy-to-be tells his pregnant wife about the restaurant he had eaten at and how they were going to a baseball game. I was furious.

Him: "What do you want me to do? Sit on my ass in the hotel?"


Me: "Yes!!! Sit there and watch the damn Weather Channel & tell me what the hell is going on. I have no power, you know!"

After that he learned to just not tell me what they did. Far as I know it was a very, boring, lonely time for them. Yeah, that's it.

Anyway. There are shelters on base, but you can't take your pets. I never went to a shelter because we always lived far enough inland that I felt somewhat safe. I always prepared a "tornado closet" ( I grew up in West Texas. I am always prepared for a tornado!). After the first two hurricanes, I always filled everything I could up with water. We had a well, so when the power went out, so did my water. No brushing teeth, no rinsing dishes, no flushing the toilet! (that gets nasty quickly) I made sure to have plenty of food that I didn't have to cook. (However after one storm, a friend had everybody over, lit up the grill & cooked everything that was in the fridge & freezer since it was going to go bad anyway!) That all said, it was so scary as the storms made their way through. I was very blessed to never have any damage.

I can't imagine being stationed right on the beach and having those storms coming right at you. I hope that there is a way for those families to evacuate as well. The runway here is full of jets from the Gulf Coast. The aircrew all have lodging on base or at hotels. If you are in the path, you are welcome to come up here and stay at my house! Lots of room and sympathy. If not, at least know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I will be watching the Weather Channel for you!

Thursday, July 07, 2005

The Princess and the Kitty Cat

Shortly after we moved to England, SugarPlum (three years old at the time) became good friends with a little girl named Gaby. Fortunately for me, the day the Gaby & SugarPlum met, I met Gaby's mommy. The two girls became fast friends (as did their mommies!). As alike as they were, they also had distinct, yet complimentary differences.

Gaby was a princess. For most of her fourth year of life, she wore a crown. Her mommy was very cool about this. This little girl wore a crown to church, to the supermarket, to the doctor's office, every. where. she. went. Sometimes, she had to be coaxed out of her crown to go to bed. Occasionally she did wear it to bed. If she had been allowed, she would have also worn one of her many princess dresses. Her favorite movies were The Little Mermaid and Cinderella.

SugarPlum was not into the princess thing at all. She was more of an animal lover. Especially kittens and puppies. I was not as cool as Gaby's mommy & seldom let the kitty cat ears leave the house. Her favorite movies were Aristocats and Lady & the Tramp. The princess movies scared the crap out of her & we never watched them.

We often wondered what made them such good friends, then we realized that then neither of them had to "share" their roles. Their favorite game was "Princess & the Kitty Cat," which consisted of them dressing up in their respective costumes and then playing outside.

One day in the car, SugarPlum told us the when she grows up she wanted to be a "kitty cat vet." Not a vet who works exclusively on cats. (Silly!) A Kitty Cat who is a vet. Then we asked Gaby what she wanted to be when she grows up. Predictably, she told us she was going to be a Princess. I then asked her what she would be if she couldn't be a princess.

Without missing a beat, she replied, "Princess of another country!"

DUH!

No words to express...

I am so overwhelmed I don't know what to say. I watched the news for a few minutes this morning, but had to turn it off because I really don't want to have to explain to my kids about how evil this world can be.

We were in England four years ago when the attacks here happened. I had no idea that anything had occurred until that afternoon when a neighbor came by to ask if my father-in-law had made it home. (He left that morning after a visit & ended up spending several days in Halifax, Nova Scotia before the airlines started getting people home again.) I was stunned, because we really only watch children's programming during the day. I sent SugarPlum outside and turned on Sky News. I was horrified. I called my husband at the base & when I finally got through, he said that there was nothing he could tell me, to watch CNN. The base was locked down & he didn't know when he would be home.

It was such a scary time. Hubby finally made it home that night, but the base was shut down for over a week. That may not be a big deal here in the states, but overseas, that meant no commissary (grocery store), no gas, no doctors' visits, nothing. We could go to the British stores for what we needed, but in my big American van I was an obvious target & the base was discouraging any unnecessary travel. We didn't know if or when or where the next attack would be. Life was never the same again.

My heart aches for the British people. I feel so angry at the evil arrogance that drove these attacks. It is obvious that the G8 conference was the reason for the attacks. These world leaders are getting together to discuss ways to ease the suffering of the world's poor and less fortunate. What kind of logic goes into disrupting this? I guess that's the point, isn't it?

My prayers and love go out to all touched by these senseless acts. God is good. The Bible says "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord" Romans 8:28. It may be difficult to see that now, but I have the faith that we will see some amazing things result from this. One of my favorite stories so far is that when the double-decker bus exploded, it was directly in front of the British Medical Association building. Immediately, there were dozens of doctors on the scene to help the victims. Don't tell me God wasn't there.


Please keep your thoughts and prayers with the Brits as well as with all of the troops and their families who are stationed overseas, especially in England. I know that they are terrified. And, Lord, please bless us all, each and every one.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

The Long Awaited Premier...


Sweetest Family on the Internet Posted by Picasa

SugarPlum drew this picture shortly after SugarBug was born. We intended to use it on his baby announcement. Alas, being the third child, we never got around to sending baby announcements. We did mention his birth in our Christmas letter that year. Yeah, we're going to hell. Now, two years later, SugarPlum's picture can be seen by the world. (yes, still harboring the delusion that my blog is read by more than five people)

Big Night in Candyland (subtitled: How Sad is That?!)

Not much time to blog this afternoon. I am going out to dinner. With other adults! And no children! We may even consume adult beverages. Without having to explain why we won't share said beverages.

I have showered. I shaved my legs! I plan to leave the house with my hair fixed in something other than a ponytail. I may even wear (gasp!) make-up!

Now, I must clean my house quickly before the babysitter gets here & discovers that we we live like pigs. Wish me luck.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Deep Thoughts from the SugarBear

Today at naptime, SugarBear looks into my eyes and asks me, "Mommy? Why did God make me?"

Uhhhhhhhh, well, (if I had the answer to this I might be rich).......

**Mommy reaches back into her Southern Baptist upbringing**

"To bring glory to Him, buddy. When people look at you, they say to themselves, 'Look at that beautiful, perfect SugarBear that God made. What an awesome God we have!' And, I think that God made you for me & Daddy to love."

He accepted this and then told me that "God and Jesus made me, Mommy. Yeah, God made my skin and Jesus made my bones." (bet you didn't know that!)

Whew! How do you handle questions like that?

Please don't deform my horoscope

Genuine mentioned today that it had to be cool to be the guy who blew up the comet on the 4th of July. Evidently, one Russian astrologer disagreed. This just cracks me up. However, if she succeeds, I believe I may rethink my position. Don't screw with the universe, man.

It's like I've been sayin'...

Found this while blog surfing & now I can't remember where to properly give credit. So, if I found this on your site, thank you & I'm sorry I can't tell the world about you. You know, because the whole world reads my blog!

'The

Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now. Of course, SugarPlum will put me in my place soon!

Sunday, July 03, 2005

For those who keep us safe...

I am a big sap. Especially when it comes to patriotic things. I cry whenever I hear the Star Spangled Banner. Or any of the services songs (The Air Force Song, Anchors Aweigh, etc). Whenever they show those clips on the news of troops returning home from Iraq, Afghanistan, etc, I really lose it. Christine mentioned the ads for that new show about those homecomings. I know that I won't be watching it. There's not enough kleenex in the world to get me through that!

I haven't always been such a mush. Only for the last 13 years or so. I married a military man. We never lived in the same town until we got married. While we dated, we lived about three and a half hours apart. We saw each other most weekends. I hated Sundays. I would cry & carry on ridiculously. If the me now saw the me then, I would be so annoyed. After pilot training he was sent even farther away. I thought I would die. That was nothing. Even after we were married he wasn't away for more than two or three weeks at a time, and then he was still in the US.

When SugarPlum was five months old, SugarDaddy was deployed to southwest Asia, in support of Operation something or other. I have never been so scared or sad or frantic in my life. He was to be gone for 90 days or so. We were allowed two fifteen minute phone calls per week. The lines were pretty unreliable, so we always started those calls with "I love you," in case we were disconnected. That was such a trying time. In the time that he was gone, SugarPlum started eating solid food, learned to sit up, crawl, pull-up, cruise along the furniture and how to say several words. She was nine months old when he returned.

But oh, when he returned, it was one of the most wonderful days of my life. All of the families waited in a hangar on base and watched for the jets to arrive. The air was electric with our excitement and anticipation. As the jets pulled up, we got to run out & meet our husbands, daddies,etc. It was just like something out of a movie. I jumped into his arms and he hugged both his girls like there was no tomorrow. The time while he was away was so tense & scary. That moment held as many tears as his departure did, but they were tears of joy and relief and release.

There were many, many other deployments & reunions. The departures never get any easier. The homecomings are always sweet. Perhaps I will share another soon.

The point of this post is to thank all of those who are deployed right now and to thank their families as well. I can't fathom the long separations they are enduring. You have my prayers and admiration. You all are true patriots. You make America proud. Happy Independence Day!!

Anybody Home??

Evidently, that nice little thunderstorm Thursday night was a more devious than I thought. We awoke Friday morning to no phone line. Not the whole neighborhood, mind you, just our house. SBC says that they should have it fixed by 8:00 Sunday evening. No phone=no DSL=one cranky SugarMommy!!! I have been fussing about this all weekend. SugarDaddy finally sent me to Panera Bread to use their free wi-fi so that I can get my fix in. I have missed you, internet! Let's not go three days without speaking again, okay?!

I only have a few more minutes before the SugarBabies are home from the pool & I'm back on duty. I married a good man, I tell you! Hopefully SBC will be true to their word & I can get back online after everyone is in bed tonight & post again. I have so much to share. Well, off to fix our holiday burgers & such. We have a neighborhood pool celebration tomorrow, so we are doing our own little hoo-hah tonight. Until we blog again!

PS Why doesn't blogger's spell check have the word blog in it? Is that ironic? or just goofy??

***update***WooHoo! SBC did indeed get my DSL up by 8:00. If I wasn't already married, I would kiss Steve, the SBC guy! He actually called to tell me that the phone line was back & then that he DSL was. I even have his phone number, you know, in case there are any problems. *wink, wink* I'm still a little peeved at SBC, I was w/o service for 3 days. Once my elation dies down, my rightoeus indignation will once again take over.