I don't know if I'll actually get to post this...

seeing as I'm not actually sure I'll get to even create this post.

I sat down 30 seconds ago, armed with exactly what I was going to write. Chris is off for a haircut, my dad should be over to visit soon, and the other humans (as I will acknowledge them at this moment before they start turning into aliens with their out-of-this-world shrieking and screaming) were actually playing. I was going to nab 3 minutes. I figured I could probably get that long to sit here and create a post.

30 seconds into it, meaning I logged into Blogger and pushed the "New Post" button, and the peace ended. Screaming, hair pulling, tears, anguished and accusatory cries reverberated off the walls and bounced like a super ball off my ear drums. Chaos ensued and I am typing through it. This has turned from past tense to present as I type through the leg tugging (shook one off) and the whining (little elbow flick). "Don't get tears on the new floor!"

But, I'm still writing.... It's subsiding. The quiet is overwhelming. I have but one person to thank, and it's not someone I'm proud of. Please don't judge me by the company I keep.

Dora, thank you. You usually are not on at this time in my house, but for some reason we forgot about you what with all of the playing we were doing until the aliens reentered certain bodies. Thank you. Your voice must be an alien exorcism.

Anyways, Happy Halloween. I'm sure there will be costume posts to come, hopefully I don't need Dora's help again.

I'm Baaaaaack!

Loved being in the tree.
Hated being in the tree.
Probably running away from the tree.
Again, lovin' the tree.
I know! It's been forever! I'm sorry. Really, I am. It's just, I've...been...

not in the mood to blog.

Sorry. I promise I'll do better. I'm not in the mood to write though, so please just enjoy these photos. At least I've done something lately.

Pin Point Accuracy

I JUST GOT THE FLU SHOT.

I signed up.

I really didn't think I would even end up following through with it.

I have 6 students sick today.

I do not want to be sick.

I JUST GOT THE FLU SHOT.

The only other time I have had the flu shot is when I was pregnant.

I was reluctant.

I hesitated.

I filled out more paperwork than I did when we bought our house.

I signed my life away.

I sat down.

I was swabbed, the nurse grabbed my skin and....

she actually had to tell me she was finished.

My name is Adrienne. I JUST GOT A FLU SHOT. And I didn't feel a thing.

I wanted to hug her. I didn't.

It made my day.

A New Series...

Law and Order -- YDS.

I'm going to start researching good law schools. I have Greta's new career path -- lawyer. Either that, or hostage negotiater. Or, she would probably do very well as a torturer. A few minutes with her, and you'd get a clear confession out of the most purest soul.

Everything lately is met with a counter argument. If I say "eat 5 more bites of x on your plate", it's countered with, 'how about 4'. If I say, you may have two pieces of x, it's how about 3. She never goes overboard and asks for the impossible. It's just enough where I have to stop and decide if I really want to continue this debate, or just go with her choice since it's only a small increment up from what I originally said. In actuality, I'm thinking this is all a part of her grand scheme in life. Once again, I'm proud of the mental prowess it took to create such a masterful life plan. It's too bad this couldn't spill over into, say, locating the pair of shoes two fee away from her.

Last night I was reading her a story from the current favorite book: The Frog and Toad Treasury. A lovely collection of a great pair of critters that makes you realize exactly what the show the Odd Couple was created from. The stories itself are pretty good, and not too bad for reading multiple times. But the treasury is full of many many stories, and Greta could easily sit there and listen to each one being read in one sitting. Which I have never done and do not plan to do. Last night, at the last possible second before impending bedtime, Greta used a stalling tactic she has perfected and to which I usually readily give in to, mostly because bedtime is not usually one of our debates. So, I read the "one" story that I promised. And Greta opened the book again. "No, one story I said."

"I know Mommy, I want to read it to you."

"Hm, well, how are you going to do that."

"I just need you to tell me all of the words on the pages."

Please send help.

Not now Monday...I'm not ready yet.

There is no sarcasm in this post. There is no humor. (Perhaps you never thought there was in any of the other ones though, in case, this will be no different.) While reading this you may imagine the following:

a house filled with the aroma of a dinner enjoyed... the early evening where the sky is a dusky grey as the sun's rays are long below the horizon and the shade of night is appearing...the orange glow of a fire ending...snoring dogs, sleeping baby, and the hum of the dryer.

Ahhhhhhhhhh....This time, that is not a scream or yell I am typing. It is the serenity of a breathy sigh, lamenting over the end to a perfect fall weekend at home. After an early family grocery shopping trip (I LOVE when we all go together, it makes actually makes it fun) on Saturday, then a crisp walk around town for a street fair, and even a relaxing nap the first part of the weekend was delightful. Sunday has proved to be just as marvelous because it was completely uneventful. We left the house for moments to take a morning walk in the coldest morning yet. It felt delightful to be cold, and then to come in to our cozy house. I finished taking out all of the girls' winter clothes and putting away most (not all, down here you have to leave out a few teaser articles of shorts/t-shirts) of the summer clothes. Every time I do this, its always a little heartbreaking. Not only are my babies growing up, but I just miss some of those clothes, pathetic I realize.

But now, it is just about time to go shower. Three of us are going to enjoy a small bowl of chocolate ice cream, and will be off to bed early to be ready to welcome another week. I can only hope that all of you have had even half as pleasant weekend as I have, if not more. And with that, I will leave you with the world's most popular emoticon that perfectly sums it all up.

:)

We Be Jammin'

I love my XM Radio. I love that it has 16 million channels, of which I listen to 4, but the options are so much better than my limited small town radio station channels which offer: classic rock, classic rock, alternative, a grainy classical station, classic rock, and that's it. I've heard enough of Ozzy's Crazy Train to last me 3 life times.

We listen to very few of what XM has to offer, although I've been known to listen to the traffic report in Detroit -- why? because I can -- to hear all of the familiar street names. (Same reports as ever, incidentally, it's like I was right there.) I know, I need to come back to reality. The nearest 4 lane freeway to me is an hour away. Anyhoo...usually my default station is Classical Pops. It just is. It's easy, it's good, it doesn't require thought, unless I want it to. When Chris is in the car, it's station number 54 (I believe those are the numbers) Jam On. I certainly don't mind that, and we listen to it so much, it's just like putting on your favorite pair of shoes. It just makes sense.

There is a great kids music station. Well, great at most points of the day. In the afternoon there is absolutely horrible deejay with a voice that would cut glass, and the humor of cat poo. Occasionally there might be humor in cat poo, but not usually. I try and steer clear of that station. BUT Greta does enjoy it, and is recognizing songs and finding her nitch. She likes the fast ones. Being an elementary educator, and seeing as much of my background -- and my favorite age of all -- is the littlest people, I really like this station too. So I certainly endulge her.

But I want to create an image for you. It's dark. Dark dark. Not even the morning light as begun to wake up the world. It's rainy, and it's the chilliest day in about 7 months. You are currently driving at the speed of nothing. Because you're stuck behind a school bus that is stopping every...3...houses. And waiting. Because God forbid the kids wait in the rain for the school bus. And this song comes on. And suddenly you find yourself not only annoyed by your terrible circumstances, but wide awake. And suddenly some more your shoulders start rockin', your torso starts twisting, and you find yourself boogying to the electrifying early morning beat to what you can only assume is so aptly named because America's favorite wheel-bound pet enjoys a good techno beat to------- The Hamster Dance. Oh, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, please please please go search and listen to this for 10 seconds. I guarantee it will improve the quality of this post 10 fold. I was trying to upload it here, but couldn't. PLEASE.

Edited content: Thank you so much for whomever found the exact music which began my morning. Please visit www.webhamster.com.

A Little Drama for your Thursday

A cold mist continued to cover the area today. Walking from the door to the car, you really wouldn't feel the light kiss of rain. Standing outside the door while hunched over the seat wrestling with seatbelt buckles and kids shifting objects from one hand to the other while you wrangle an 18 month old's arms to places she does not want them to go...you tend to feel more than a kiss of rain.

A school bus cut me off today. Or rather, because I follow the rules of the road and did not cut off the school bus, I gave it full opportunity to take advantage of me. Thus causing my vehicle and it's early morning passengers to crawl down the street and a speed not yet known to man as it picks up 4 students along the way. None of whom are waiting properly for the bus, which would be at the end of their driveway with a coat and an umbrella, all are still in the comforts of their home which just p-r-o-l-o-n-g-s the agony of this process even more. I want to honk. OOOOHHHH I so want to honk. The flashing lights against the dark of the sky make me feel like I'm going to have a seizure because these kids are sooooo sloooooooow.

It took me 7 minutes to get the girls to school today.

It usually takes me 3.

We go one mile.

I was angry.

I'm not sorry.

Maybe it was a line from a movie

So, today at work -- which is a school...where educated people teach...or so I thought....

I was arriving to a meeting and greeted the lady with whom I was meeting. "Hi, how are you?" It should be noted that this lady is a colleague. A teaching professional.

Wait, are you ready? Brace yourself.

Her reply : "I'm fair and middlin' I reckon."

How many times did you have to reread that for it to even attempt to make sense?

...

I waited for a punch line, after what took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to figure out what she said, when I realized there was not one. No gaffaw, giggle, smirk, or gaff. She was serious.

People, let me be the one to point out -- this is a small part of what is wrong with the world. It's not funny, or cute.

I remember the closest I ever came to being slapped across the face as a child was when I JOKINGLY used the word ain't in a sentence. I saw the devil, and it was scary. I never muttered that word again. Now of course there are plenty of people in all areas of the country that use ain't, including up north, so I realize this is not just limited to the south. HOWEVER, never did anyone I work with use that term, not to mention whatever phrase that was that was given to me today.

I don't watch a lot of movies, or maybe it's a line from a classic I haven't gotten around to reading yet. Either way...ugh.

Brrrrr

A flashback picture from this time last year....

We are so excited to be enjoying Michigan-like weather for the rest of the week! It may seem strange to some people, but we Yankees just haven't "warmed" up to this Southern weather. It's hard to believe we are going on our 7th year down here, it doesn't feel like it, it just doesn't feel like home....

But, tomorrow the high is only going to b e 53 degrees! A 20 degree difference from today and from the normal for this time of year. A warm up by Sunday, but we will enjoy pulling out some light sweaters and wearing some long pants -- or tights, I know Greta will be so excited for those!

And now, it's time to go bathe some little naked girls....

Reasons 4,376 - 4,381...,

...Why my husband is awesome.

1. He is installing another amazing floor, making our house

even more wonderful. I am so proud of him!

2. He did not make me delete this photo of sparklers on the 4th of July,

and if it was me I would've. But it's funny, because we have no idea what actually is going

on here, it was innocent fireworks and an innocent photo.

3. And after so many years, he indulges my silly photographic whims

without so much as a grimace. Love you! (pic. from Xmas 08)

4. He goes into nasty, horrible, disgusting places (the crawl space

under our house) when you couldn't pay me enough money to

do so. And he had to do it more than once. You are my hero!

5. He folds my underwear. Seriously. Never even would've thought of that myself,

but he does it. And you know what, there's nothing like putting on a pair of

folded underwear on a cool fall morning.

(pic from Summer 02 I believe....)

Face Forward

We started last week with some beautiful pictures. There is a series of these I snapped that I just love because Clara's eyes just pop.

Then this happened on Monday. This is a bite. A human bite. On her face. And actually, this was taken before it it took a turn for the worse. The next day it turned a lovely bruised-purple shade. I love daycare.

And then, with the bite almost gone, Greta deemed it necessary to draw on Clara. With a red pen. I knew it was too good to be true when they were playing in her room. Quietly. There are about 8 more of these x's on her arms and legs as well.

I don't have a picture of it, but Friday she came home with some more red marks on her face, because she ran into a chainlink fence at school while going down a small hill. It wasn't bad enough to photograph, but it's the principle of it all. So, don't ever ask if we go through spells where there are not a lot of pictures of Clara. Because, besides the fact that she does not like to get photographed, clearly there are many instances when she is a little too banged up to be in front of the camera.

From the Mouths of Babes....

We are just chatting away here down South. Our house is a bevy of language and words and sounds. Clara is (finally!) saying Mommy, Daddy is a longstanding favorite. Something that sounds like Dada is either Greta or doggy. Yesterday after I picked her up from school, I smelled something a bit...odiferous coming from her direction. And when I inquired as to the smell, she grinned and said "poopy" and did her sign for that. I'm sure it was a "you had to be there moment" as you are all probably not appreciating the cuteness that it was, so you'll have to trust me. It was pretty high on the cute scale. (Incidentally, Clara hasn't been doing a lot of sign language lately, but the other day was trying to get something Chris was eating, and I was trying to get her to say please -- 'peas' to her -- and she wasn't doing it. Until I realized she was feverishly doing the sign for it, which I haven't done with her in so long. Kids really are sponges, and retain things you don't even realize. It was neat.) This morning Clara was up early, and we were all in Greta's room getting her dressed. (Because goodness knows the Queen is unable to do any of it by herself.) As Greta was pulling up her underwear Clara was saying "mum mum" and patting her on the rear. (Bum bum for those you not well-versed in toddler-ease.) Again, PDC -- pretty darn cute.

It's that time of year, before the time changes, when the morning light is just different. The stillness of the morning coupled with the crispness of the air is a refreshing and relaxing way to start the day. Ususally we park in the garage, but because of the flooring work taking up the garage we are parked in the driveway, so it was extra crisp and cool at 7:05 as we were leaving the house. As we huddled together against the cool blast -- it was only 52 this morning, but we were in shorts and tees with jackets for later this afternoon -- Greta couldn't help but noticed the glowing moon shining just through the trees over the neighbor's house across the street from us. I have to admit, it was especially brilliant this morning as there was just a hint of dimness to the sky still before the sunn completely opened its shades for the day. Here was Greta's take on things this morning, I just can't stop thinking about how beautiful her thoughts were:

'Oh Mommy, look at the beautiful moon. It is so bright and twinkly this morning! Do you see it? I wish I was the moon. If I was the moon I would be so way up high in the sky and everyone would see me and you could look up at me and say "Oh look at that lovely moon up there. That Greta moon way up high." Such a pretty moon.'

I am saddened that we couldn't build upon that moment, the three of us standing there in the chill, snuggled up, looking at this bright brilliant moon, sharing Greta's story, dreams and wishes.

Clara and I took advantage of a beautiful afternoon while Greta was in dance class to play on the playground outside. She's getting around so well now, and not letting her size get in her way. I love the blues here....

Lookin' Good Girl!

Someday, I might feel bad and take this post down. Someday, she might look at these and make me take this post down. Or be really mad. But I can't help it. Clara has a personality the size of Alaska, and while she has some wacky hair moments, and can just be nutty, I had to try and capture some of that here. The pictures don't do her justice, but I think they're cute.

Fit to be Tied

Can someone please tell me (again) the secret to folding fitted sheets? I find it works best when, after disentangling myself from their straight-jacket-like web they have me entangled within, to look like I'm folding them, I actuality just end up rolling them into something resembling a cube with very rounded corners....

Velcro -- great! When you have a four year old who, while only after asking 50 million times, has yet to put on her sneakers to get out the door and go to school, and you really don't know what she's doing, because she went in her room, until you go in there and find her wearing bright red dress shoes which YES! go with her outfit but are not suitable, or allowed at school. And this we begin asking once again, please put on your sneakers while I finish getting things ready until FINALLY phew! Here I am, she announces and you look on her feet and ARGH! Your pirate self mutters when you see -- Crocs! C-R-O-C-S spells shoes mommy look! ARGH! By this time you are finally wishing you had a hook arm that you could really put to good use. And then you realize okay, and you go get the shoes, gently toss them to your 4 year old, resisting the desire to chuck them at her head, and you watch her say "oh, thank you Mommy" and put them on and you are just soooo thankful that, while velcro isn't necessary the cutest, you are so glad you didn't just have to tie those shoes.

Velcro -- the not so great version: when your one and a half year old learns she can take her shoes off by herself. Everyone hear that velcro sound in your head -- riiiiiiiiiip, rip rip rip rip riiiiiiiiippp.

And one random thought: considering Twitter. Any opinions?