Blunt Force Trauma to the Face

About a month ago, I went to see a dentist for the first time in years.  I had some work done a few years ago when a tooth split, but I haven't been receiving regular dental care for years.

After looking in my mouth for the first time, the doctor pulled back and looked me over then asked,

"Have you experienced blunt force trauma to your face?"

My first thought was that the last few years had been even HARDER on me that I knew.  But I have a mirror and my teeth don't look that bad.  I mean, if I showed up looking like this woman, I might have expected his question.

So I tell him, no.  I haven't suffered any blunt force trauma to the face or anywhere else.  He persists, "Have you been in an accident and hit your face?"  Uh, no.  I think I'd remember that.

He finally fills me in.  My front teeth, on top and bottom, are chipping off.  That's not something common in a woman of  my age.  As the good dentist says,

"This is something I might expect from an 80 year old woman ..."

Yep.  Those last few years were definitely much harder than I knew.

"but not someone of your age."

Then I get to explain to him how over fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with severe shortage of calcium in my bones.  To the point that I was already showing signs of osteoporosis then.  The Orthopedic Surgeon explained that a depletion like I had was most likely caused at the time of my conception.  Of coarse, he meant my mom wasn't getting enough calcium.  I was thinking it was unlikely she was drinking milk when I was conceived.

He still didn't look convinced.

The Green Pants

At some point yesterday, Linden began asking me to look for a pair of green pants for a Lego person he wanted to play with.  First, let me share with you the process his requests usually take.

9:35 am   "Mom, can you find me a pair of green pants for the

                  Green Lantern?"

9:36 am   "Why not?"

9:37 am   "Please?"

9:40 am   "Okay, here are your options.  You can help me find

                  some green pants and I'll leave you alone.  Or, I'm

                  going to stay right here."

9:41 am   "You're going to make me sad."

9:45 am   "If you don't find some green pants for me I'm not going

                  to love you."

Then, I might get 10-30 minutes of peace before the exact process starts again; give or take a few sentences.  I did get an hour break from the request/demand when we went to the park to play.  

Due to my contrary nature, each time he repeats the process it just makes me less inclined to help him out.  Besides, his room is a disaster and he owns probably five gallons of tiny little Lego parts that I'd have to look through. 

It also bears sharing that he had in his possession at the time several alternative colors of pants.  I tried, at one point, to convince him that the Green Lantern was doing laundry and black pants were a completely acceptable alternative...but no luck.

After I put Linden to bed, I spent two hours trying to add hinges to a very small building.  The main problem being that the opening is slanted and two different hinges are needed.  I made such a mess, that in the long run, I ended up having to take everything apart.  I re-puttied the holes, sanded it down, and repainted the affected area.  

First thing this morning and I was back at it.  For three hours I screwed in and out eight different little screws, four of which can't be reached with my drill.  I even ended up having to replace all eight screws at least twice with longer screws as they eventually lost their grip.  And as I become more and more frustrated, I have to listen to the following sound track:

9:35 am   "Mom, can you find me a pair of green pants for the
                  Green Lantern?"

9:36 am   "Why not?"

9:37 am   "You told me yesterday that you'd find me some today."

9:40 am   "Please?"

9:41 am   "I'm to little to find them by myself."

9.42 am   "Will's still sleeping and he's mean when I wake him up."

9:45 am   "You're going to make me sad."

And it repeats every 10-30 minutes.

At eleven thirty I was contemplating using my hammer to smash the small building into timber; thus removing the need to have functioning hinges when Linden started on round five of "I need some green pants."

"Fine!  I'll find you some damn green pants."

I spent an hour going through every toy box, bag of toys, pile of toys, and his giant tackle box that is filled with just Legos.  Every time I'd find any person piece I'd put it in a container just in case he decided he needed an orange hand, frown face, or blond wig next.  I found a pair of green pants about thirty minutes into my search, but I kept going.  The break from hinges was greatly appreciated.  When I went back to work on my little house, the door was hanging perfectly in less than fifteen minutes. 

Apparently, the secret was green pants.

My Little Village

I've been obsessed with having my own little library since I found out about them.  In case you are one of the other twelve people in America that hasn't heard about the Little Free Library program, here's a quick description: 

People build, or buy, their own small library (most are less then 20x20 inches).  Then they register their library by purchasing a sign from the official site ... this is the only way to get a charter number.  You display the library outside of your home or business.  You are responsible for stocking it, upkeep, etc.  It's a way to bring people in an immediate area closer together.

As with all things, I didn't start with a simple library.  I spent weeks pouring over every online library I could find and compiling a Pinterest file of the library designs that most appealed to me.  Since I predominately want to supply books for children, as our neighborhood is filled with them, I wanted a fun and engaging design.  I never did find exactly what I wanted.  But, I did find a company that makes adorable fairy homes.  After that, nothing else appealed to me.

Once I had selected the design I wanted to use, I had to make plans that included enlarging and making my library water proof.  This is also about the time I decided it would be best to have two separate buildings, one for children and one for adults.  And, of coarse, they should each be two stories.  Why not?  They always say dream big or go home.  The problem is that I am home and it's been over run with small buildings in some process of completion for over three weeks.

Oh, and it's not just two small buildings.  When looking at those hundreds of photos of little libraries I feel in love with the idea of adding a small house that could hold dog treats ... we have a lot of dog walkers in our area.  Then I needed a separate place to hold comment cards.  So my little library, that could have been made from some simple plans available for free online and easily completed in a weekend had turned into a small village of four building; two of which are two story. And they are still not completed.

Having to make my own plans sort of sucked.  I think I would have been okay if the buildings had been perfectly square; but they are not.  So I drew up what I thought were decent plans then cut out everything accordingly.  As I assembled each house I ended up recutting about half of my pieces ... and some for even a third time.  As you can guess, I am not a carpenter.  I have a better understanding of the tools used then most women and I excel at figuring out how things go together ... but that still leaves a lot of room for error.  And I have been abusing the hell out of the room for three weeks.

I have felt more frustration in the last few weeks than is good for my health.  But little by little, I'm winning.  There is progress being made and I can still stand to look at my little building at the end of each night.  I haven't thought of piling them in the back yard and setting them on fire more than once...a day.  I was hoping to finish them last week, but when making the original timeline I forgot that Will would be home for two weeks for Spring Break.  I was also unaware that Steve would be working 6-7 days a week during the entire process; most nights until dark.

Will's out of school this week too, so my progress is still slow.  I'm past the point of estimating when I might have them completed, but I'll post photos of them when they are finally up.  In the mean time, here is my inspiration for the designs I choose. 

Now, I'm off to work on my village.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go!

Point of View

Postive POV (Point of View)

"Positive things happen to positive people." - Sarah Beeny

I had an amazing day today.  

1) My BFF picked Linden and I up and drove us to Joann's for their grand opening - and she bought me a large iced tea on the way.  I got a $10 gift card at Joann's for free and a 50%-off coupon.  I found a set of cookie sheets that ended up costing me nothing!

2) We stopped by a local store to check out evening wear, then had lunch together.

3) My BFF also watched Linden while I ran into HEB and grabbed items for dinner.

4) Linden and I got to go to Will's school for his Valentine's party.  He made an awesome sunday and played Bingo while we were there.

5) I enjoyed some sun and fresh air this afternoon after Will got out of school and this evening Steve cooked crab legs and sweet potatoes for me - and brought me home a bouquet of beautiful flowers.

It was a fabulous Valentine's!

  Negative POV

 “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity.” - Winston Churchill

I had the worse day ever!

1) I went out with my friend this morning to run errands.  I had to remove Linden's car seat and install it in her vehicle - and those seats are not made to move around.  While I was taking it out, Linden ran out in the road.  When we got to Joann's we had to wait in line, while I held the baby, then fight our way through a hundred shoppers.  I got some good deals but ended up spending more than I should have, then had to carry my purchases four lanes over to the car - with a baby in the other arm.

2) It was to early for the lunch we had planned so we stopped at a thrift store.  We ended up finding nothing and Linden was getting fussy.  We stopped for an early lunch at a cheap Mexican restaurant and Linden made the biggest mess EVER.  I also had to sit and look at chips and salsa I couldn't eat for over half an hour.

3) My friend watched Linden while I ran into the store to pick up some items.  Naturally, I got off without my list and forgot several things.  Linden napped the entire time, which was only 45 minutes - not his usual 2 hour nap.

4) We had to illegally park at Will's school because everyone was there for the parties.  We did make it on time, but the teacher asked us all to come 15 minutes early without letting us know we'd be sitting around waiting for the kids to come back from PE.  Linden was horrible - he ran up and down isles, cried, got into things and had several fits.

5) Linden was happy to see Will when he finally showed up, but only for about 10 minutes.  We got to watch Will fix and eat a large ice cream sunday - which Linden and I couldn't have.  Then we watched as the entire class played Valentine bingo - for a game or two anyway until Linden started clawing and pinching me.  (His way of letting me know he's done.)  So, even though I had planned on staying until the party was over and driving Will home, we had to leave early.  Which Will didn't like and complained about.

6) I took Linden home and put him down for a nap.  I texted a neighbor to grab Will from the bus and walk him home as Linden would still be asleep by then.  Only Linden didn't sleep, he cried for half an hour straight.  I finally got him up and walked up to meet the bus.  Then I kept him outside until Steve came home - which almost kept him happy.

7) While outside Linden had to be spanked twice for crawling outside the safe zone and heading into the front yard.  He also threw several fits and put on an old hat that was filled with water and debris.

8) For dinner, Steve boiled crab legs and corn on the cob in Louisianan spices.  Linden loves corn; so I took one out of the pot and ran it through cold water to rinse it off and cool it down.  I apparently didn't get all the spices off as Linden started screaming.  Then he rubbed his eyes and got spices in them.  It took me nearly 20 minutes to calm him down and get him to nap.  By which time my crab was cold and I had to microwave it as I peeled it, and Will was done eating and sitting in the living room.

9) I managed to finish eating and help Will with homework before Linden woke back up.  The next half hour found me dealing with a screaming baby as I bathed him, flushed his eyes, and administered medication.

10) By then, it was Will's bed time.  Linden stayed up a little later, thanks to his cat nap during dinner. By the time the boys were down, Steve was ready for bed.

Worse Valentine's to date!  (But I'm sure next years will be worse!)

 
My POV

I'm well aware of the things that can, do, and probably will go wrong with most given situations.  I don't think that makes me a pessimistic ... just experienced.

However, it should be noted that I enjoy the foundation of my life - my children, husband, friends, and where I live, and the quirks associated with each.  

I actually found my day a true representation of the spirit of Valentines - I spent it with those I love, in which ever mood or activity life found us.  And I am thankful for the opportunity to have done so.



 
      


 

Cheryl Will Do

Girly-Boy

Steve and Will were packing for their weekend away from home.  Will had been told where his boots where and asked to get them. He went to retrieve them and returned empty handed.  I sent him back to look again and he returned with one boot.

If I've told him once, I've told him a hundred times, "Where one shoe is, the other will be close by."  (Seriously, how difficult of a concept is this?)

Seeing as I had only averaged four hours of sleep a night for the past three weeks, I was not only unexcited about looking for something Will was capable of finding, my mind wasn't as sharp as it could have been.

In frustration, I struggled mentally to find something to threaten him with that would be so horrible he would immediately go in there and not come back until he had two boots in his hands.

"If I go in there and find the other boot, can I call you ...."

What?  I needed a really girly name.  Something so frou frou he would never want to be called that.  Think.  Think.  Girly name.  Without any notice the following comes out of my mouth:

"... Cheryl the rest of the night?"

Immediately I hear Steve choke then start laughing like a frigging hyena in the back ground.  And, truth be told, I'm more shocked than he is.  The only Cheryl either of us know is my ex-husbands wife, and she is not a girly girl at all.  She's a nice enough woman; has her own scars, prejudices, and problems -- as do the rest of us.  Definitely not a frou frou woman.

"What?" Will asked, in confusion.

"If I go in their and find your boot right where I told you to look, can I call you Cheryl the rest of the night?" I asked.

Then I taunted him in a sing-song voice

"Cheryl, it's time to brush your teeth."
"Cheryl, put on your pajamas."
"Cheryl, it's time to turn off the TV."
"Good night, Cheryl, I love you."

(And there goes that damn hyena again.)

Will found his other boot in seconds.

* * * *

Fifteen minutes later, Steve is looking for the portable DVD player.  While standing over the dining room table, he asks me where I said it was.

"It's on the dining room table," I told him.

"I don't see it."

(Have I mentioned that Will comes by his inability to find things naturally?)

"If I come in there and find it on the table," I asked him with a grin,  "Can I call you Cheryl the rest of the night?"

Before the laughter died down, Steve managed to locate the DVD player.

"You know," I told him, "if we're going to keep using this we need to find another name instead of Cheryl."

"No," Steve responded, "Cheryl will do."

And I guess it will.

A Bump in the Road

The road.

I've been working really hard the last three weeks to improve my health.  Now that Will is back in school, I have been taking the opportunity to go walking each morning with Linden.  We walk two miles each school day - an amazing accomplishment when you consider I averaged a mile or two a week during the summer months.

I've also arranged to swap baby-time with a new friend so I have been able to add another workout to my weekly schedule.

While I can't techinally diet while nursing, I have cut out sweets, stopped eating late in the day, and tried to curb snacking as much as possible.

And it's working.  Slowly.  But it is working.

In three weeks I've lost five pounds and definately began to rebuild some lost muscel mass.

I still hate getting dressed in the morning, as nothing fits right and I'm so disappointented in the person I see in the mirror.  But in this case, it's definately better than the alternative ... not getting dressed.  

All and all, I'm okay with my progress, but realize it's a long slow road ahead of me.

The bump.

I've been sleep training Linden the last few days, and it's been hell.  I've spent more time listening to him crying in the last three days than I have in the ten months of his life.  I'm not getting any sleep and my nerves are shot.

Tuesdays and Thrusdays are always tough at my house as they are the days I take Will to tuttoring.  He gets off the buss at 3:00 and he's tired and really just wants to disappear into his room for about an hour and veg.  But we have to leave by 3:20 to make it to the tutor on time.  Once we drop him off, a little before 4:00, Linden and I have an hour to hang around the area until we pick him up.  We make it home about  5:30; usually with a screaming baby and a tired boy.  Then it's rush, rush, rush, through homework, meals, and baths so that everyone can be tucked into their rooms about 7:30.  It's just stressful.

Today, Steve came home early with a stomach bug.  Then, on the way home from tutoring, Will began to complain about not feeling well.  Just as I laid Linden down for the night, Will starts giving back everything he's eaten all day.  An hour later, everyone is in bed or asleep, except for me.  I'm attempting to locate a package USPS has manged to lose, answer emails, and print out files for orders tomorrow.

But that's not the bump ...  this is:

 

I don't even remember the trip to the kitchen to get it, but I looked down and there were nothing but crumbs on the wrapper that use to contain a frigging huge blueberry muffin.  Seriously, I ate an entire 4-servings size blueberry muffin at nine p.m. without even thinking about it.  There's my bump.

I'm seasoned enough to know there will be delays, set backs, road blocks, and bumps along the way to any goal.  But wouldn't it be nice to have a little warning beforehand?

Not a Housewife

I had an epiphany tonight: I'm not a housewife. I never married a house. I never even dated a house. And I sure as hell never made one any promises.

Women my age were born right as a woman's role within the family was changing. And many of us, although more modern in our thinking than the last generation, are still tied mentally to the older expectations.

I have always felt like a bad housewife. I don't enjoy cleaning or cooking - and seldom make either a priority. Even when I really try I just can't seem to get everything done.

Not succeeding at something, that others seem to take in stride, has always bothered me. I don't like failing at anything.

Tonight, I realized I haven't failed. I don't stay home to clean my house or prepare meals. I stay home to raise my children; to make sure their first years are spent with family. To give them the best start possible on developing into people with the values Steve and I (and not some babysitter) think are important. To give them a sense of security and a solid foundation from which they can grow into healthy and strong individuals.

I'm a stay-at-home mom.

I take care of their basic needs, introduce them to new places and things, encourage them to spread their wings, support their interests, offer guidance and discipline when needed, teach them how to handle the highs and lows, show them how to make sacrifices and love one another, and I'm always there when they need me.

(And yeah, that does involve some cooking, laundry, and house work . . . but not as much as you would think.)

And you know what? I'm good at it.