Sometimes September gets the best of you

where has the time gone?  I've been swallowed up in a haze of work and soccer games and home repairs and and and....you get the picture.  I head in to October optimistically, we've scheduled tubes for my constantly ear infected boy.  I'm cruising in a new car after the Jetta died on me.  Things feel a little overwhelming at times, but im trying the best i can.  what else can you do?  Heading into autumn with a good outlook and hoping for the best.

How to have a small breakdown in 5 easy steps

Gah.  How do people do it?  I am at work and dealing with personal feelings and trying not to sob at my desk.  i tear up constantly and there is no end in sight.  Why must everything be hard?  can't SOMETHING be easy?  just one little thing maybe?  I hate everything today.

Charming, no?

for the love of Pete

another weekend come and gone and another round of sick kid.  My poor boy.  Got a fever Saturday and is riding out another round of this virus.  It just wont kick.  I'm so tired of him being sick.  You worry your self sick when they get fevers and you just get tired of sickness in general.  Im worried Im going to get sick, my husband is going to get sick.  Then my poor boy will get sick again.  Its been a long road of late.

Im just kind of tired of having to be strong.  I want a small period of not strong.  just calm and let someone else handle it.  There is no break and no one is going to swoop into rescue me.  Time to suck it up again, sorry for the short lapse into sorry-for-my-selfness.

In happier, less whiny notes, I have made the monumental mistake of agreeing to coach my son's preschool soccer team.  me and 12 4-5 year olds. I played in high school, but I was terrible.  My husband was very talented, but he works evenings so I am not looking for much help there. My sister-in-law graciously offered to help, she helped coach our nephew when he was that age, but her work schedule may not allow her to help all the time. So I hope to have many hilarious and not at all horrifying episodes to relate in the coming 10 weeks. Oh God,what have I signed up for???

what I'm reading...7.6.12

I'm trying to see what I read in a year and I lack the discipline to log into Goodreads or LibraryThing on a regular basis, so I'll note these things here.

Yesterday, I finished Stalking the Others by Jess Haines.  This is a really fun series.

Today, Im starting the Wolf Gift by Anne Rice.  I love love loved Anne Rice's vampire books, so I'll give this one a shake.

move already

its early afternoon and I am taking a brief break at work and banging out a quick post to get things off my mind.  I think of this as my to do list, without any of the organization.  Today is quickly spiraling into a rotten one.  Got my son up to take to my mom's this morning and he had a fever.  So I gave him some advil.  Which he promptly threw up while I was getting my lunch ready.  This caused me to wake up my 3d shift-y working husband to stay with him, which almost made me late to work.  I managed to get a dr appt for Jack, but its at the farthest office, since the closest is inexplicably closed.  Everyone is tense, frustrated, etc.  I can't send him to my mom or a sitter sick of course, but I am not exactly lousy with sick leave either.  If everyone could just stay healthy for 5 minutes maybe I could build some up, but it doesnt look good.

Still trying to get my house under control.  its not going well.  The garage sale really took a strange toll on our place.  I can't get it back to rights.  The biggest plus of that though is my treadmill has been unearthed!  I've started the couch to 5k program and have gone about 3 days.  I am looking strangely forward to it.  I dont know if it is just my personality type or everyone just reaches these points, but I am ready to work out.  Its not about losing weight exactly, though God knows I need to.  Im just ready to do it.  I was like this with smoking too.  Once it was time to quit, I did.

Update:  since I never got around to posting this, I can update by saying that my kid is still sick, and headed back to the doctor today.  Poor kid has had a fever all week.  He's desperate to go to school, which is nice, but not practical.  I HATE the parents who bring their kids sick, as mine inevitably gets whatever it is they have.  So, more to come on that front.  On a more positive note, I have completed day 4 of the Couch to 5K program.  progress.
more to come....

Power ranger

duck crossing

My drive-to-work impediment....bossy bunch.

Whirlwind weekend

At the ball game today...

Father's day

Another Father's Day has come to pass and a good time was had by most.  I ended up sick and laid up for most of the day, but my husband and son got to go to my in-laws and it looked like they had a wonderful time.  My husband is sweet and sends me pictures of all the shenanigans my son gets up to out at their farm.
I even managed to talk to my dad for a few minutes.  We aren't especially close and this seems to be the trend as we get older.  It used to bother me a lot when I was a kid, but I am too old to care much anymore.  I did manage a few gifts this year for my local dads, for my step dad, the man who has everything....
he has a deep and abiding love for baked strawberry pie, so thats what I made!  He seemed to like it pretty well and my mom said it was good so I was satisfied with my efforts.  Im never going to be remembered for my pie making, so any achievement in the pie field is worth noting. The recipe wasn't hard at all, I would recommend it for any novice.  Check it out at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-old-boys-strawberry-pie/





For my father-in-law, the man who has absolutely everything he might ever want in the history of ever, we picked up a book on Airedale terriers.  They have a new puppy and this went over well (thanks to my mother-in-law's suggestion). I note it here, because when I wrapped it, I ran out of ribbon.  This drives me nuts, as I have so much craft stuff, I should be able to summon a ribbon out of paint, glitter and determination.  So never one to be deterred for long, I improvised...

kind of cute, right?

another year taken care of.  My husband is enjoying his itunes gift card (he's so easy to shop for sometimes) and I'm resting on my laurels.  Hope you all had a wonderful day with your dads. 

Jackson's Preschool Graduation

He did so well!  we were so proud of him, and the "graduation" was adorable

5x7 Folded Card

Dad Collage Noir Father's Day Card

Turn your family into a holiday card this season.

View the entire collection of cards.

A Memorial day weekend project. Painting the stars on my sons ceiling. If anyone ever says to you, "let's paint the ceiling" you punch them in the face.

a struggle to which I'm accustomed

I have been a bit down in the dumps lately, negative attitude, etc.  It comes and goes, but I stumbled across a blog today on Pinterest ( I love you Pinterest) and its inspired me to think about what Im grateful for.  I like the idea of teaching my son to be appreciative.  I want him to understand gratitude and God knows, I can always learn more about it myself.  I would call myself incredibly blessed and I still get down about stuff that shouldn't bother me.  So, after reading the post on this blog,

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/03/how-to-help-raise-grateful-kids/

I want to share this with my kid and with anyone who stumbles across my small corner here.

surprised face

oh yeah, the pie

After raving, I suppose I could share what I'm talking about. from http://sixsistersstuff.com/

Key Lime Pie, Sour Cream and I may have been wrong about a few things

where does the time go?  sometimes it feels like a day takes a year and other times it feels like a week went by in an hour.  I suppose this all relates to wether you're doing something enjoyable or not.  But regardless, my time has not felt like my own of late.  I have been trying to stick to a schedule for cleaning up around the house and its been working out pretty well.  Schedules are more important to me than they used to be.  That said, I sure do enjoy deviating from them.  in all this time eating, I have managed to do some cooking.  I have made my first Key Lime Pie.  I have never had key lime pie.  I saw a pin on Pinterest and it looked so simple I had to do it.  5 measly ingredients.  And damn if it isnt delicious!  Im a convert.  I've been a picky eater my whole life.  I try stuff but like nothing.  So this was refreshing.  Though looking back, its pie.  How do you not like pie?  I also made a mistake and ate some sour cream on a potato.  The horrors!  I dont care for it in general, never liked it on anything.  But this was amazing!  I've been missing out for years.  Moral of the story: try, you'll like it.  Thanks Toodie. 

Mother's day

how do you solve a problem like Maria? er, Jackson?

I have an only child and my prior experience with children is limited at best.  So raising my own has been an adventure to say the least.  I have a great 4 year old boy, he's loving and sweet and the strongest willed person I've ever met.  That said, we are really struggling with his social skills.  He started preschool in January and this was his first real exposure to other kids.  He potty trained really late (right at 4 years old) and we couldn't start him in school until he was trained. So the minute he was trained, we put him in school and for the first 3 months he was really, really sick.  About 6 rounds of antibiotics, doctor every week.  it was really awful.  Since starting, he seems to struggle with normal social situations.  He shares ok, but he just has no concern for how others feel.  But thats not exactly right either.  He's empathetic, he cares when you are sad or crying.  He wants to help other kids, wether they want it or not.  He's just so exuberant.  He loves being around kids so much he just runs full tilt.  I think I worry that putting himself out there so much will result in his being hurt.  But maybe thats just my own middle school insecurities?  I cant fully describe his situation.  He will run over and knock a tower of blocks that a kid is building.  but if you point out that that was not nice, he'll run over to help rebuild and apologize.  This morning I heard some kids say "Shame on you Jackson" as I was walking up the stairs from dropping him off at preschool. I dont know what he did, but he ran over to them as soon as we got there and I have a feeling he broke someone's toy.  I try not to get too involved there, let them teach him social cues so I am not over parenting.  But he just doesn't care what others think, which in some ways is great.  But you have to care a little to be accepted/not ostracized.  its a struggle.  He's really stubborn too, he never wants to listen to instructions.  Jack's going to be one of those kids who has to learn everything for himself.  Maybe I worry too much, and he'll mature at his own pace. No maybes about it, he will obviously go at his own pace.  But is there anything I can do to help him?  I read up on this subject, I try to talk to him, provide good examples, we watch shows and read books about kids interacting well together.  Do other parents feel this way?  I read suggestions that I try to set up play dates with other kids at school, so he can have one on one time.  This is not really feasible to me.  If someone asked Jack over, I wouldn't let him go.  I dont know them.  Why would some parent let their child come with us, with me being a stranger? yeah, not going to happen.  He plays well with his cousin who's a year younger than Jack, but they dont get to see each other that often.  Maybe I am making mountains out of molehills.  But I am struggling with it today and the obvious answer of talk to his teachers is not a good option.  They act perpetually swamped and I feel like I am annoying them whenever I ask any questions.  If I didn't have evidence of Jack having learned a lot in his 4 months there I would move him.  But I will hold out hope that a few more months will improve his social skills and worry my self sick in the meantime.

you're doing it wrong

I'm feeing a little ranty this morning and here's why.  I have a great doctor.  He's nice, seems interested, doesn't keep you waiting for too long.  Or at least he used to.  I was diagnosed with Lupus a while back and then after many, many rhuematologist visits, they have determined that whatever the hell Im dealing with is not Lupus.  The reason any of this is pertinent is that the last 6 times I've tried to schedule an appt for myself, my husband or my kid, they havent been able to get us in.  they've changed models and are only seeing 2 patients an hour.  And my doctor apparently takes vacation every month.  And this is the last straw for me.  6 times?  they keep trying to pawn us off on an Urgent Care, which is a much higher cost to us out of pocket.  I am bummed, because I liked him and his office pretty well, but who wants a doctor they can never get into see?  I suppose I will end up heading to the old doctor who's waiting room is like a germ Chernobyl.  you wait 35 years to get in to the actual office, where you dont see an actual doctor, just an assistant, but by God, they see you within a few days of actually needing to be seen.

this makes me feel old and tired.

the end (of semester) is nigh

Spring semester is almost at a close and I can not wait.  The parking situation on this campus is terrible and when the kids vacate it becomes almost tolerable.  I wont know what to do without my parking angst.  

Im not having super coherent thoughts today, so I'm just going to spew a few things out that are on my mind right now:

have I really been out of college 10 years this year?

why does no one appreciate a pun anymore?

I have a sudden obsession with survivalism.  The most taxing thing I've ever gone through is waiting in line at the BMV.  where does this come from?

is a Jack of all trades a bad thing to be?  why not dabble?

why is it sometimes things go so easily and you sail along and other times its just one damn thing after another and it seems never ending (though it obviously ends and you have easy times)? Why isnt it spread out more?

enough for now as I am ready to scream after a few phone calls and this head shaped dent in my desk is getting deeper.

ready for the weekend!!!

Swedish fish for breakfast is ok, right?

Good morning!  Today is upon us and there's no turning back now.  I've been sort of dreading today because my husband has to travel for work and will be gone the next couple days.  It doesn't really effect me all that much since we dont see each other during the week but knowing he is far away and isn't coming home is always kind of hard.

I have a lot to do today and hope that I feel well enough to get a chunk of it done.  I have ingredients to make carmel candy or ice cream topping that will go bad if I dont get on my horse.  I need to compare insurance prices because Progressive is trying to assault me for a speeding ticket I got.  My renewal was like $85 higher and that was if I could pay all up front.  It goes WAY up if i do payments.  I need to vacuum downstairs tonight and would love to get the house in great shape so Josh would be surprised when he gets home from his trip.  Etc, etc.  I get these giant to do lists going then get upset with myself when I dont get things done.  Or I have a few days when my pain is kind of high and I dont get a thing done, save the bare minimum for my kid.  If i can get him fed and bathed and in bed, thats sometimes enough to call it a day for me.

Friday is getting-to-see-your-husband day!

Good morning!  Its Friday and I am so relieved! its felt like a long week, but at the same time not.  which makes total sense right? The husband is off work tonight, which means we'll get some much needed family time.  I love the nights when he's home.  It just feels so normal.  That, and I get to relax some, since Im not the only one home to take care of the boy.  I see a movie night in our future and perhaps some video games.  My 4 year old is quite the dancer and plays Nickelodeon Dance on the Kinnect quite a bit.  Its a lot of fun to watch.  If I ever get my YouTube links working, theres a funny video of his moves there.

I'm hoping to keep my nephew overnight on Saturday, I think Jack would really enjoy that.  He hasnt had a sleep over yet, if Aiden can  make it all night without getting too homesick, I'll try to make a fun night for them.  Maybe that glow stick bath tub swim and some happy meals.

well, Ive dallied around all day and not added to my post, so I suppose I'll wrap it up.  Have a great Friday night!

Spring is in the air and frankly, Glade has it all wrong.

Afternoon, no one at all.  Since this is my first post, there is no one to read it.  There's some comfort in that, as there is no one to disappoint.  But for those (any) of you who stumble across it later, hello! As a small introduction, I am new to blogging but am an avid reader of blogs.  And with my usual approach, I thought, I can do this.  Im a wife, mother of a 4 year old, 1 dog, 1 cat. Im a library technician at a lovely university.  Im crafty (I hear the Beastie Boys every time I say or write that), I like to read and play video games.  Im sure I'm lots of other things that are interesting or not, but that will come out with time.  I'm just looking for a place to share my thoughts, experiences, memories, etc and to have a small corner of my own.  So if you are here reading this, welcome to my corner.