It's Alive!

I am once again resurrecting this poor, neglected blog o' mine.  I thought about starting a new one, but I am a little partial to this old gal so I figured I would dust her off and take her for another ride.

I am still watching too much TV and enjoying the adventures of my ever-hilarious children (who are both now teens) and after reading some of the old entries, I realized I missed documenting some of their antics here.

But the main reason I came back is to chronicle a new journey to improve my health and lose some weight and conquer "estrogen dominance."    I was just recently diagnosed with this condition and it explains so much of what has been going on in my life the last 13 years or so.  The list of symptoms reads like a book based on my life.

I have already made some significant changes.  Even before the diagnosis, I had given up most dairy.  I just can't tolerate it anymore.  And it was a chore for me.  I am a chocolate milk girl.  I drank it every morning.  And then, within 20 minutes, I would face some of the worst...uh...let's just say intestinal distress.  It took me a couple of years to admit it was the milk and give it up completely, but let me tell you, I have felt soooo much better since I gave it up.  I don't eat yogurt or cottage cheese either.  I do have cheese sometimes but not nearly as much as I used to.

I also gave up my beloved Dr. Pepper.  And for those who know me, you know this was a big change for me.  I lurve my DP and it was a big decision.  I wanted to give up caffeine because it is a major player in the whole estrogen dominance arena, so I tried the caffeine-free stuff.  Then I decided to eliminate all of the processed and chemically altered things like HFCS so I gave that up.  I did find a soda called Dr. Better made by Virgil's which is reminiscent of Dr. Pepper and made with all-natural ingredients.  It is also caffeine-free and makes for a nice treat once in a while.  It's way too expensive (read: I am way too cheap) to make it a daily thing anyway.  I am, for the most part, a water-only drinker now.

I (mostly) gave up fast food.  I was eating that junk 3-5 times per week.  Now, I have it about once per week - usually when I have failed to plan and don't get away from here with my packed lunch.  On those occasions I try to make smarter choices from the fast food joints but there really isn't much that is smart about those places.

I started exercising again.  Mostly, I am just riding my recumbent bike.  It's a start, it gets my heart pumping and (best of all) it is in the living room, facing the TV, so I can watch Roseanne while I ride.  Plus I need to ride for my torn ACL (a story for another day) anyway.


I am making other changes which I will chronicle here as I go along.  I'd like to say my family is 100% on board with all of this, but The Pleaser has never met a veggie that he liked and Phone Guy (despite his good intentions) is not ever going to be a "health nut."  He wants to be supportive but he also wants to eat bacon cheeseburgers and chocolate ice cream for every meal. Danger Boy is receptive to a lot of things.  He really digs spaghetti squash primavera.   But he thought I was trying to kill him with cauliflower mashed "potatoes."  So it's a battle.

So that's it, in a nutshell.  I came back to blogging in hopes that it will help me be accountable on my journey and let me share a laugh or two...even if I am just talking to myself most of the time. And if someone else finds me in their quest for information on estrogen dominance, then maybe they will find some of the information I have found helpful in their own journey.

Curses, Foiled Again!

It seems like every time I make big plans to get things done, something gets in the way.  Do you ever feel that way?

I have been working very hard to declutter my house and, as part of that goal, keep my laundry done. To that end, I spent Sunday morning gathering and sorting all the dirty clothes.  I got the first load started and sat down to enjoy my recorded episode of Smallville.

A few minutes into the show, I heard what sounded like water splashing on the floor. I ran into the laundry room to find that the washer drain was overflowing onto the floor. I stopped the washer and ran to the backyard to find Phone Guy. As I passed the kitchen sink, I noticed that it was full of soapy water. Nice.

Phone Guy determined that there was a clog in the drain (duh!) somewhere passed the laundry room and proceeded to work on it, and (after only one trip to The Home Depot) got it unclogged.  Thank goodness I married a handy man!  I’m sure having the plumber out on Sunday wouldn’t have been cheap.

Of course, the clog-induced delay put a crimp in my plans to get all of the laundry done.  I still have 3 or 4 loads to do.  But I guess since I also had a sick kid all day yesterday, I’ll be home from work with him and free to spend time doing laundry today. Oh joy!

The Bright Spot of my Day

I am babysitting my neighbor’s kids.  They are extremely loud, terribly bossy, crazy wild, and absolutely precious 3 and 4 year olds.  My heart melts every time one of their tiny voices says, “Look at me Mama Debbie” or “See what I got Mama Debbie.”

After such a disappointing, depressing day, they are making me smile…a lot.

Prejudice – It’s Not Just for White People Anymore

Our school district has been realigned for next year.  The Pleaser’s two best friends live in different areas than we do and the three boys are districted to three different schools according to the new plan.  They were given the option to stay in their current school for next year and The Pleaser insisted on the transfer because he assumed his other friends would do the same.  This means we won’t have bus service and I’ll have to resume the Mom Taxi next year.  But I’m willing to do that for him so he can stay with his friends.  I’ve already filled out the paperwork and sent it in.

Today he told me one of the boys (his very best friend) has decided not to transfer because there are “too many Blacks and Mexicans” in the current school.  Now this boy is Mexican.  I mean, his parents were born in Mexico and immigrated here.  He and his siblings are the first generation of his family not born in Mexico. 

They seem like wonderful people.  They have 3 children who are all excellent students and, better yet, nice kids.  They are very involved with their kids and never miss a school event.  My son has spent the night at their house and gone with them to the movies.  He’s played video games at their house.  I can’t help but wonder how they would feel if I told my son that he couldn’t go to school there because there were too many Mexicans.  Would they be offended?  Would they allow their son to continue being friends with my son? 

Of course I would never do that.  We live in a very diverse neighborhood and my kids grew up in a very diverse elementary school and I believe that they are better, more tolerant individuals for it. They each have friends of many different races and religions and I am glad that they don’t see color as a barrier.

The Pleaser is completely devastated that he won’t be in the same school as his very best friend anymore…and I am devastated for him.

It’s the perfect end to an extraordinarily disappointing day.

Hitting Mom Homeruns This Weekend

My mom self-esteem is in the toilet this weekend as I have caused both of my children to cry without the intent to do so.

Friday: The Pleaser called me at 4:37 p.m. He told me he missed his bus and asked if I could come pick him up. He sounded upset and when I asked if he was OK, he said he was but I could tell he was holding back tears. A million terrible thoughts ran through my mind as to why he was so upset as I rushed to the campus to get him. When he got in the car, I asked him what was wrong and through a flood of tears he said, “I lost my jacket.” (Now for the record, this was a $10 or less sweatshirt that he got for Christmas. Not his $40 coat or something of sentimental value.)

OK, he is famous for losing things but I don’t beat him or anything when he does. It doesn’t make me really happy, and he knows that’s why he doesn’t have a cell phone yet. Obviously, though, I have made him feel so bad that he thinks it is tragic when he does misplace something. Guilt set in. The Pleaser left for the weekend his dad a few hours later. The guilt, however, stayed right here with me.

Saturday: My mom asked me if I had seen this story about the man on death row who popped out his eyeball and ate it.  I had not seen it but proceeded to read it and commit it to my vast amount of useless knowledge for later use in NTN Trivia.

Last night, Phone Guy, Danger Boy and I decided to go out for pizza before an exciting Saturday night visit to Super Target.  On the way, I happened to think about that story and asked Phone Guy if he had seen the article. Apparently, as we talked, Danger Boy listened (There’s a first time for everything). Now I’ve said before, that Danger Boy is ALL BOY. He is usually not squeamish (except for the whole cockroach incident) and he loves to get dirty, revels in bodily functions and is just, overall, a disgusting human being…as he should be.  He is a 10 year old boy for Pete’s sake.

Anyway, we arrived at the pizza joint, ordered and sat down. Danger Boy was very quiet while we waited for the food, which is unusual for him, but I didn’t think much about it.  When the pizza arrived, I pulled a slice for him and put it on his plate and he just sat there staring. I asked him what was wrong and he told me he lost his appetite. I said, “Why?” He burst into tears and told me it was because of the whole eyeball story. He was genuinely freaked out by the whole deal. I eventually calmed him down and he ate. We did our shopping and came home. 

It was late when we got back so I immediately told him to get ready for bed. I tucked him in and turned out his light and headed to my room to watch Neil Patrick Harris on SNL. No sooner had the show started when I heard a knock on my door. Danger Boy couldn’t sleep because he was freaked out and he BEGGED us to let him sleep with us. I told him no way, that he needed to go back to his own bed. I got him settled, turned on his radio as a distraction and headed back to bed.  He was up and down all night. I could hear him going to the bathroom, opening his door (presumably to check for no-eyed boogie man) and at 2:30 am he came back in my room begging again to sleep with me.  Once again, I took him back to bed. I don’t know how many more times he was up and down, but it was a long night for everyone.

He came in this morning at 8:30 am and was crying again. He told me he was hungry. I told him to get a snack. He said, “but I’m lonely” and proceeded to bawl. And because I feel guilty for ever bringing up the eyeball eater, I got up and consoled him and made him some breakfast. 

I’m not so sure the whole “eyeball ordeal” is over though.  I can tell something is still on his mind.  I may have another long night ahead of me. 

Mom’s Day Off

Sometimes I just need the day off.  After two weeks of Christmas vacation, my kids and I have had just a bit too much togetherness.

My parents wanted my kids to spend the night last night and given that we all needed a break, I jumped at the chance to spend a few hours in the grown-up world.  Since Phone Guy (aka Christmas Light Guy) decided he needed my help pulling down some lights, they ended up taking my kids about noon yesterday and they kept them until about 5pm today.

So after a few hours of pulling down lights, we came home and cleaned up and headed off to visit a friend of ours.  I spent the evening participating in adult conversations without having to excuse myself to break up a fight, console an injured child, or get somebody a snack.  We also went out for dinner and I never once had to correct anyone for belching or farting at the table, not eating their food or interrupting me while I was talking.  I know…amazing, right?  Especially since Phone Guy was with me.

We got up early this morning and went for breakfast, then headed out and spent the entire day shopping Christmas clearance sales.  We had so much fun and it was really enjoyable to shop without the kids complaining the whole time or asking if they can have every toy they see.

It was sheer heaven.

After we picked them up and got back to the house, Danger Boy climbed in my lap (he is 10 mind you) and snuggled with me for a while.

There was a little heaven in that too. 

Happy New Year

Yes, I am still alive, though you couldn’t really tell from this site, eh?

So I hope you had a nice start to the new year.  Exciting woman that I am, I spent my NYE with the usual Raspberry Ginger Ale, junk food and my family.  The boys and I played on our new Wii while Phone Guy napped.  He woke up about 11:30, just in time to ring in the new year with us and then go back to bed.  We are the quintessential party animals.

Speaking of the Wii, it is my new best friend.  I have enjoyed many hours of Wii Fit, Wii Sports and Guitar Hero Aerosmith over the last week or so.  I beat Guitar Hero on Easy, and I’m about halfway through on Medium now.  So I was feeling like Cheap Trick might call me any minute to join them on a reunion tour or something.  Well Guitar Hero gave me the smackdown yesterday when I tried out a duet with The Pleaser, him on Easy and me on Hard.  I was booed off the stage.

I realized I am NOT a Guitar Hero.  Yet.

We Survived the First Week of School! Yay!

I just cannot tell you how glad I am to be back on a schedule. The kids are in school. I'm back to working my 3 days of week. All is right in the world.

Danger Boy started fourth grade. He had a good week. He likes his teacher so far and he only missed one on his first spelling test (which is outstanding for him!). I am cautiously optimistic that we will have another good year.

The Pleaser started 7th grade. That means a new school for him. His first week was OK but he already has one teacher that he loves, one he cannot stand and a couple that he thinks he can just barely tolerate. He's also got an older kid in band with him who has been bullying him a little. I don't think the band director will put up with it for long though. The Pleaser isn't ready for me to say anything. He's afraid it will just make him more of a target. But I won't let it continue long. The band director is kind of a hard-ass so I think if I bring it to his attention, he will take care of it...and fast.

Also new for us this year...The Pleaser is riding the bus to school. I was really worried about it because I have heard horror stories, but the first week was uneventful so I remain cautiously optimistic about that as well. I'm still picking him up and he prefers it that way but the bus fits our morning schedule so I hope it continues to be an uneventful ride.

Now in 9 months or so, I'll be saying, "Isn't school out yet?" But for now, I'm going to revel in the scheduled life I am leading.

Irrational Fears

Danger Boy is your typical boy. He likes to get dirty, has to be constantly reminded about personal hygiene, doesn't really care for showers and he plays with bugs. Ladybugs, rolie polie's, beetles, butterflies - he has always seemed to like them all. Until today.

This hot, dry time of year always drives a few cockroaches into the house. I'm sure they are seeking water. I hate them as much as the next gal, but they don't scare me. Annoy me, YES! But they don't scare me.

So today, as Danger Boy was getting his gear ready for Karate, he starts screaming and runs down the hall because he saw a roach in his room. I was annoyed by his behavior and told him to get back in his room and get his gear so we could go. He absolutely refused, which made me even madder. So good mom that I am, I forced him down the hall and into his room and he proceeded to have the biggest near panic attack, crying episode I have ever seen. I thought I was going to have to call the psychiatric hospital to come get him. It was absolutely insane. And it was just ticking me off. I guess I should have felt compassion for him, and if it had been a spider or a hornet or a snake, I probably would have. Hell, I might have joined him. But as it was, a harmless (though disgusting) cockroach, it annoyed me to no end.

Phone Guy found the creature and disposed of it. I finally got him to calm down and get his gear and we headed to class. We no sooner than got started down the road when his headband brushed against his neck and he freaked out in the car....and I mean FREAKED OUT! I went on to Karate and he was fine there but as soon as we got home, I asked him to take a shower and he was walking on tiptoes through the house because he was afraid one would get on his feet. He didn't want to go in the bathroom because he was afraid there was one in there. He was completely looney toons about it. Even at bedtime he was still talking about them and looking nervously around the room at the walls and ceiling.

I guess I'm wrong to be annoyed and I should comfort him and coddle him but it just makes no sense to me. Do your kids have irrational fears like that? Did they come on suddenly? Am I a loser mom for being annoyed? (Wait, don't answer that last one...)

My Poor, Neglected Blog

Here I am again, after 3 months of neglecting my poor blog. It's starting to think I don't love it anymore, and that's completely not the case. So what's been happening for the last 3 months that caused my poor baby to feel so left out?

In neatly bulleted form, here we go...

• In May of every year, I am in charge of putting together (at the last minute of course) the yearbook for Danger Boy's school. It is the mother of all jobs. Don't get me wrong...I love doing it. It's just a very big undertaking for one person and unfortunately I am very bad about asking for help.
• May also brings the end of school. Something going on every day for weeks. Field trips, awards ceremonies, parties, etc. So there's that.
• By the way, I need to mention that Danger Boy won Most Improved Student for the ENTIRE YEAR and he also made 100% on his standardized state math test. Thankyouverymuch! He has come a long way baby!!
• And since I'm bragging, here's another bullet for The Pleaser. He was selected for the Honor Band at the Middle School he will be attending next year. They don't take many 7th graders so it's a big honor (guess that's why they call it Honor Band).
• I have great kids. (It just needed it's own bullet point I think)
• So after May, June came and summer vacation for the kids. That means they go to work with me every day. And when I say every day, I mean 5 days a week and several Saturdays. We are short-handed and I can sure use the money since Phone Guy's business has been so slow lately, so it's off to work I go. (Hi Ho, Hi Ho)
• June also brought Karate. Yes, the boys are learning some Kung Fu Fighting so they can kick the crap out of each other defend themselves and gain self-confidence. I think it will be good for Danger Boys motor skills and The Pleaser's self-esteem. And it won't hurt him to learn some Bruce Lee moves since he'll probably be riding the bus to school next year.
• I closed my ebay store and started my own website for my toy store. It was quite an undertaking. It took me about 3 days to type up all the listings and get them in the new store. And I have to spend quite a lot of time advertising things myself, since I don't have the advantage of ebay's marketing. Then again, I don't have the fees and BS to put up with either. If you care to take a gander at the new site, it's at www. pastimesandplaythings.com
  
• Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing. The Pleaser has started to eat. I mean, he always ate. Only peanut butter and chicken nuggets and maybe a piece of cheese pizza or a taco with no meat for 12 whole years, but he ate. It started with pepperoni pizza. Then he asked for meat on his taco. Two days ago he asked for a salami and cheese sandwich. Then he ate a bacon, egg and cheese toaster from Sonic. I guess I always knew he would start eating eventually, I just didn't think it would all happen in the same week.
  

So here we are more than halfway through July. I'm not going to promise I'll update more often because I don't like being a liar. I'll just say that I hope to stop in now and again and chat some more.

Proud Mom, meet Angry Mom

Danger Boy has not had a stellar educational run, as of yet. He has ADHD and some yet undefined learning disabilities that make school very difficult for him even though he is labeled as "gifted and talented."

In third grade, he has had an outstanding teacher (who I wish we could take with us for the rest of his school career). I seriously love this woman and would kidnap her and hold her hostage in my house if I had the room. Lucky for her we are so crowded and cluttered, eh?

So anyway, she told me I would be getting a note. Notes aren't usually good things for us so as soon as I picked up Danger Boy at school, I asked for the note and read it. It turns out it is awesome news! DB is getting an award at an assembly on Friday for the Most Improved Student!! I tell you, I was so proud I could have popped when I read that. But I remained calm. The letter said he wouldn't be informed of the honor until the ceremony, so I folded the letter back up, stuck it in the envelope and placed it back in his backpack.

That was my first mistake...

When we got home, my mom called. I talked to her for a very short time and, as I was telling her about the honor, remembered the note in his backpack. Now keep in mind that DB never opens his backpack until I remind him multiple times that he needs to do homework, so I wasn't really worried at all. I walked back to his room and what did I find laying in the floor? Bingo - the letter, laying open and obviously read in the floor.

Here comes my second mistake...

I proceeded to get angry and yell. I told him how that letter was meant for me and had my name on it and how you aren't supposed to read other people's mail and how he had ruined his surprise.

After calming down, I realized I had never told him how proud I was of his award. Instead of making lemonade with those lemons and celebrating the honor, I yelled at him and made him feel bad. I was having major mom guilt...and, you know, I was probably most mad because I wouldn't get to see his surprise. Selfish, I know.

So I called Danger Boy in and told him how proud I was and what an honor he was getting and really tried to make it better. I reminded him not to open notes intended for me ever again, but I tried to make my pride in his achievement overshadow all the rest. He started bawling. Yeah, that made me feel better.

If You're Finished with my Brain, I'd Kindly Like it Back

I know I am a mom and I am supposed to think for my kids, but I thought after 8 or 10 or 12 years they might start doing a little thinking for themselves. No dice.

Last Night The Pleaser had a Whiz Quiz tournament (yes, he is very smart) and I had given him one task when I dropped him at school: Find out what time we need to be there and where we need to go. Seems simple enough, doesn't it?

I picked him up from school and, as we drove away, asked him if he had that information. He said, "I have a schedule." I drive away so proud, thinking "My kid is so super-awesome." Boy was I wrong (well he is awesome, just not at that moment).

When we got home, I look at the schedule. It is a schedule, but only a schedule of the upcoming tournaments. It doesn't tell me if we meet at his school or go to the tourney school. It doesn't tell me what time he needs to be there, if I am supposed to take him or if he is riding a bus. I kinda need to know these things. I'm sure he was either told or given a handout at one point but that information never seems to get to me (like last year when I found out about the out-of-town Science Olympiad at 3pm the day before the 8am start of the competition). He said he thought the coach told them to be there at 4:45 so I made the executive mom decision that we would go to the tournament school and that turned out to be the right thing to do, thankfully.

Danger Boy was lacking brain function yesterday as well. When I picked him up, he very snottily said to me, "Mom, you need to send me a jacket every day. I didn't get to go to recess today because I didn't have one." I said, "What season is it?" He replied, "Winter." I said, "When you walked outside, did you not notice it was cold?" He said, "I did, but you didn't tell me to get my jacket." I guess it is against the law for him to wear a jacket unless I tell him to put it on?

I don't understand?? Have I done too much thinking for them in their lives. Have I not taught them to think for themselves? Do I chalk it up to the fact that they are just kids. Or is the bigger problem the fact that they are boys?

Wait, I think I know the answer. Phone Guy, don't forget to put on clean underwear.

Random Blogginess

Well I'm here all alone sitting in front of the pc and nobody is on to chat with so I'm going to just randomly ramble a bit.

I'm so happy that Matchbox Twenty has a new song.  Have you heard it?  Oh of course you have, it's on my MySpace page.  YAY!

Do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to do anything, yet you do nothing?  Does that even make any sense whatsoever?  Probably not but that's how I feel.

My grandpa is very sick and I don't think he's going to make it much longer.  I'm so sad about it, but also hope he doesn't have to suffer too much longer.  He's fought so hard for so long and he's so tired and weak.  He's been so good to me all my life.  It will be hard to say goodbye.  :(

My babies are back home with me!  OK, I know they aren't babies...but anyway they're back home.  We picked Danger Boy up over the weekend and on our way back from Sooner-land we got The Pleaser.  They were so glad to see each other after 2 weeks apart.  Then today they tried to beat the hell out of each other so everything was back to normal.  It's OK though.  I didn't know what to do with all the quiet around here.

Well now you know what it's like to be in my scrambled brain.  Ha!

Dreading This Week

Phone Guy goes back to work on Monday.  That, I am happy about.  Lord knows we can use the money but it will be an adjustment getting back on the schedule.
 
The Pleaser gets his braces on Tuesday.  There goes another $100 a month down the drain.

We're going to an Independence Day celebration on Tuesday at my Grandparents' assisted living facility.  I'm sure the kids will have fun, but Grandpa isn't doing very well so it will be a bittersweet visit.

Then on Wednesday, The Pleaser leaves to spend a month with his dad.  :(  I hate having to send him.  I miss him like crazy when he's gone.  I don't think my 4th of July will be very happy.

Wish me luck on making it through the week. 

I Can Tell It's Summer

Seems like every summer I have to become my mother (and if you know my mother, you know what I mean.).
 
For example:  Today, my kids are playing in the back yard.  My dogs are going nuts barking and one of the boys comes running in to tell me he needs to go see what is going on in the front.  Well it seems a couple of boys (one of whom I have already had to tell not to just walk in my house uninvited) were wanting my boys to come to the front yard.  He didn't like that the dogs were barking at him so he THREW HIS SHOE over my fence at my dog.

I went out back and could not find his shoe anywhere.  We searched and searched and then I had a thought...and I was right.  My dog had it chewing on it.  This gave me quite a delight.

So The Pleaser grabbed up the shoe and we went out to the front yard.  I told the boys 1) not to throw things over my fence, 2) not to throw things at my dog and 3) if they did throw anything else over my fence or at my dog, their mom or dad would have to come and get it because I was not giving it back to them.

So the boy sheepishly took the shoe from me and slid his foot into the dog-slobber-soaked footwear and went on his way.   And once again...I am the neighborhood bitch. Thank you....thank you very much. 

Just Say No

That's been hard for me...learning to say "no."

I am a control freak.  I really am.  I like to do things myself and see that they're done right.  I am afraid if I turn over any portion of my responsibilities, someone will screw up and make me look like a fool.  I am also a little nosy, so I like being "in the know".  I enjoy being involved in what's going on with my kids and my family.  I don't like being kept in the dark.

But I have recently discovered how liberating it is to actually say "NO" once in a while.  I just resigned after 6 years on the PTA board.  I literally breathed a sigh of relief once I did it.  I'll miss the job.  I'll miss working with a few of the people.  I won't miss the politics and the backstabbing and the pettiness.  I won't miss chasing down people for deadlines.  I won't miss the long drawn-out board meetings that get off-topic and go on forever.  I look forward to a year when I can enjoy my kids and the activities at school without any pressure.  How many more years do I really have to enjoy them anyway?  Not many I am afraid.  :(
So here's to learning to say "NO"!

1 Year and 10 Months Ago, I Lost My Brand New Cell Phone

But Today I got my new cell phone!  I got my new cell phone!  Join Mario, Luigi and me for a happy dance! 

Oh...and thanks to my friend, Jennifer, for lending me her old one.  It sucks now but it saved me for the last 2 years! 

Unbelievable

I am the room mom for Danger Boy's class.  Our Valentine party is today, and thanks to the Texas "no sweets in school" policy we have to eat healthy.  I assigned items to be brought -veggies, dip, pretzels, cheese, etc.  Most of the parents came through but the parent who was supposed to send carrots didn't send them at all and the parent who was supposed to send celery sent the whole stalk in not chopped up.  The teacher rolled her eyes and handed it to me and said, "the mom didn't feel like chopping this up."  OK, whatever.  I brought it home with me.

On the way home I stopped at Wal-mart and picked up carrots and the fruit I had planned to bring as my contribution.  Got home and started preparing things.  Got all my grapes and strawberries taken care of and put in the fridge.  I take the celery out and start to unwrap it and O-M-G it is MOLDY!  It has grey fuzz growing all over the top.  I cannot believe a parent dug into the back of their fridge and took out this disgusting specimen and sent it to school.

I would be mortified if something I sent was that disgusting!!

Edit:  I just got back from the party. I felt so bad for that poor little boy. The whole time we were having snacks he kept saying, "I'm gonna have some of my celery (which was actually MY celery)." "Did you eat some of the celery I brought?" Then when we were finished I was sending things home with the students who brought them and he said, "I want to take my celery home." The teacher said, "Well that celery belonged to Mrs. Fxxx. We are going to send yours home with you." So I didn't write a note saying "excuse me you sent moldy celery", I just gave it to him. I didn't want to make a big deal of it since he was so proud.

Tired of Being Confined to My House

Last week we had ice or snow almost every day.  The kids were out of school and there was no way I was driving around with all the idiots on the ice.  I got out twice last week - both times to go into the office.
The weekend came and I went grocery shopping.  That's it.  Sunday night, The Pleaser came home from his dads with a raging fever.  He's been running fever and hacking his head off ever since.  The doctor thought it was bronchitis and gave him an antibiotic but it's day 5 of 5 on the Zithromax and he is still running fever.  So I'm guessing this is some sort of evil virus or the flu.  He has missed 5 days of school already and I know he won't be going back tomorrow.

I've been stuck in this house with him all week after being stuck here all week because of ice last week.  I feel terrible for him and wish I could make him feel better but I would like to get out and see the sunshine every once in a while too.  I've been out to drop Danger Boy off and pick him up each day and I went to CVS for more drugs today and hit The Pleaser's school to pick up some of his schoolwork but I don't think that counts.

I miss Target.  Heck, I even miss work!

Now I Am Getting Suspicious

On top of all the nice things Phone Guy did on Tuesday, he took the boys Christmas shopping last night.  I don't know what is wrong with him?!?!

Usually I end up buying myself some things and making him wrap them so the boys will have something to give me for Christmas.  Yesterday he asked if I had a list of things I wanted so I RAN to my computer and printed out my Amazon.com wishlist for him.  I wasn't going to let that moment pass me by.  Then he rounded up the kids and went out.

Now I would love it if he could actually listen to me and have an original thought about what I might want, but I'll take what I can get.

Now I just have to figure out why he is sucking up....hmmmmmm