Where Did I Put Those Winter Sweaters?

We've had record breaking heat here in Texas this summer, with something like 65 days of over 100 degree weather. But never fear. I checked the weather report for the coming week, and a cold front is moving in. See for yourself:



WHAT a relief. FINALLY some cooler temps. Time to dig out the scarves and mittens. I would love to have seen the guy creating this graphic, laughing his ASS off all the while.

The Man is not around for dinner, and that's my cue to take the girls somewhere ridiculous for dinner, like IHOP. So we set out in the van, wearing sunglasses, headed west, and as we curve around to the north, we see massive, ominous, black clouds, lightning, and thick rain coming down in the exact location of the restaurant. THIS is what's meant by 20%. It will rain somewhere in your area, and there's a 20% chance it will be on your house. Or not.

Needless to say, I chose NOT to head into storm central, and instead drove to the nearby Taco Cabana. You know, because if you can't have pancakes, then bean and cheese nachos will do in a pinch.

Wordless Wednesday: These Girls

Fashion Tuesday: First Day of School

You remember, right? What it was like on that first day back? How the outfit you chose would set the tone for THE WHOLE YEAR. Your clothes would say EVERYTHING that needed to be said about you and if you got it wrong... well, best not to do that.

Now, of course, we realize that we were INSANE. But it doesn't keep you from agonizing over what outfit your child will pick for the first day. And add to that angst a child who REFUSES to match anything, abhorring the CONCEPT of matchy-matchy clothes, and you have me. Yesterday. Alas, all the worry was for naught.
Please note the maniacal, take-the-picture-already-so-we-can-go expressions

The girls went back-to-school clothes shopping last week and bought three outfits each, all of them coordinated. I know you can't see Loodle's skirt well, but it TOTALLY matched, along the same vein as Boodle's pink getup. I was in heaven. And by the way, since when are kids satisfied with three outfits? Am I so jaded that I expect my kids to froth at the mouth if I don't replace their entire wardrobe? Perhaps I should breathe a sigh of relief and give my kids a little more credit.

School went well, by the way. No one was sent to the principal, and I didn't embarrass myself any further with the 4th grade teacher. Yet.

Happy Anniversary to Us

Twenty years ago this summer, I fell in love with you while we camped at your family's property on the lake. Apparently, manly mountain men who chop wood were what did it for me then.


I gotta admit they still do. Love you.

Thursdays Are Awesome

You know what's great about Thursdays? I now get to go over to Meg's blog and talk about Top Chef, my crack favorite show! If you are as crazy-obsessed to the point of concern love this show as much as I, head over to her site on Thursdays (well, you should go EVERY day because she's cool) to check out the postmortem.

Thursday's are also awesome because The Man stays at work and plays Dungeons and Dragons with his work friends. (Yes, he's allowed to play this as an adult because he already found a woman who will not leave him when she finds out he's a GIANT DORK) Anyway, it's awesome because I can watch trashy TV in peace on Thursdays. Project Runway and America's Next Top Model are not acceptable viewing with men around.

The OTHER awesome thing about Thursdays, well THIS Thursday anyway, is we got to go to our new school and meet the girls' teachers. Our neighborhood just finished the new elementary school, and it's nicer than the COLLEGE I went to. It's a "pod" layout, so instead of hallways, the classes are set up around a circular open area. Each classroom has large windows that look out into that open area, as well as a wall of windows looking outside. It's BRIGHT in there. And did I mention OPEN?

This is the second year in a row we're breaking in a baby teacher. Last year, it was Loodle who had a new teacher for Kindergarten. It went... fine. The only drawback was her inexperience with balancing the needs of the few against the needs of the whole class. Loodle was far ahead in certain areas, and it was difficult to get her challenging work in those areas as opposed to the beginner stuff that everyone was doing. But whatever. It's KINDERGARTEN.

Now, Boodle has a new teacher for her 4th grade year. I already started things off on the right foot by exclaiming "wow, Boodle's as tall as you are!". That seemed to go over well, as the teacher kicked me in the shin and then shoved Boodle's desk into the corner near the bathroom. Not really, but what the hell is wrong with me? Ms. Educator is like 12 years old and IS the same height as my daughter, but I LEAD with that comment? I SO rule at first impressions. Seriously though. How she's going to have a commanding presence among a bunch of 9 and 10 year olds is beyond me. But what FUN it'll be to watch!

Fashion Tuesday/Wordless Wednesday: I... Don't Know.

Worse Than Drunk Blogging

What's worse? PMS blogging. That is indeed what I was doing two nights ago. (I confirmed this after crying through the preview for Where the Wild Things Are. CRYING.)

After a good night's sleep, waking up and asking God's forgiveness for choosing sleep over corporal worship, taking the girls to a movie instead of cleaning my house, SLEEPING during said movie, and eating copious quantities of frozen yogurt, I feel infinitely better. I've got energy, renewed purpose, less stress and the worrying has retreated to that little corner of my brain that worries no matter WHAT'S going on around me.

Might also have something do to with a certain someone's return last night. I'm just sayin'.

I feel good. Buh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh. I knew that I would now.

Stay tuned for ACTUAL photographs from my ACTUAL vacation that didn't ACTUALLY completely suck. Now I'm off to inspect the girls' bedrooms. Lord, give me strength.

I'm Just... Tired.

I'm tired. Tired on many levels. I'm tired because I'm on California time at night, where my body doesn't get tired until 2am Texas time. I'm tired further because I had to wake up at 8am Texas time and spend FIVE AND A HALF HOURS at the stupid indoor play extravaganza place because I foolishly RSVPd us for TWO birthday parties there. BACK TO BACK. They did not possess enough caffeine to make their establishment bearable. I'm supposed to be at church tomorrow at 9:30am, because I REALLY need to go, to be filled, to reconnect with my friends. And all I can think is how if I wear my earplugs, the kids can watch TV until noon while I sleep.

I'm tired of parenting. I'm sorry, but there, I said it. I've been largely responsible for our kids for over a month. Don't get me wrong, this was my choice absolutely. I LOVE taking these trips back to California with the girls each summer. We have an AMAZING time. But the past three weeks have been... well, you know. What with the medical crisis, caring for 4 kids, stomach flu, dog bite, ding in my van, and the credit card fraud, I'm worn down. I'm tired of being the only one worrying about and planning everything for them.

I thought for sure that once I got back, I'd heave this huge sigh of relief and get on with the living. But I haven't yet. I was a giant Debbie Downer at the parties today, I was short with the girls, and tonight, I'm just... I don't know. I know i'ts compounded by the fact that The Man is out of town this weekend on a trip he had planned since last year. Usually I'd come home and abdicate parenting responsibilities for a few days. No such luck this time.

Boodle is also on California time, and she's had a TERRIBLE time falling asleep the last two nights. Both nights, crying that she'll never sleep, telling me she's SORRY that she can't sleep, like I'm angry with her for it. She finally drifts off after midnight. I snuck in to check on her tonight and found her sound asleep, sucking her thumb. We've been working so hard to break this habit, but all I could do was shrug and think "well at least she's sleeping".

I'm worried about school starting in 8 days and the girls and I having to get up early all week to get back on schedule. I'm worried about getting my house put back together now that I've dumped all my stuff in the front rooms, and having returned to the mess I left when we departed. I'm worried that Boodle is complaining that she can't see very well far away. I'm worried about what it means that Loodle had to stop EVERY 45 MINUTES to pee on our trip back. Seriously, every 45 minutes on a three day drive. I'm worried about my mother in law, who's holding her own, but still in the hospital. I'm worried about hitting "Publish Post" because good LORD is she STILL going on about her woe is me???

I'm worried worried worried. And missing my husband. And missing my friends and family in California of course. And most probably PMS-ing. And in serious need of some queso and a massage and a nap.

Home

Sweet Home.


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OMG, Dude, Check It Out

Alternate title: What the hell ELSE is there to get excited about on I-10 between Phoenix and El Paso????



Are you frightened to know that we've only had this van going on 7 years? 100K miles, yo. I told The Man that after all the drama from this vacation, if one more living thing goes wrong with this van on the drive home, I'm abandoning it and BUYING A NEW CAR.

You Know What This Trip REALLY Needed?

Credit card fraud. It really did. And thank you random person who somehow swiped my card information and fashioned a new card for yourself. After reviewing your purchases, I appreciate your plight.

You obviously needed to feed your family. It warms the heart to know the first purchases were $500 in groceries at Smart & Final.

And the three charges at the Gap for Over $400? New school clothes for your kids won't just buy themselves.

Thank goodness you got my card in time to spend $70 at the animal hospital, where presumably you saved your sick kitten, or finally got your dog fixed. I can't stand to see animals suffer.

Lastly, I applaud your ability to appreciate the good fortune you've received. And what better way to celebrate that than $200 spent at a liquor store? Just let me know where the party is, and I'm there! Just don't be surprised if I bring a few friends. Don't worry, they think it's a costume party. Ha ha! Don't mind the handcuffs and stun guns!!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

And they're always glad you came.

I spent the last three days in my hometown, and got to see two of my best friends each day I was here. These two ladies have known me since 5th grade. They see the good and bad in me, and love me just the same. I can go months not seeing or talking with them, and when we're together, we fall back into conversation like no time has passed.

The last member of the Fearsome Foursome was there for lunch on Saturday (thanks for lunch Tiff!), and we got to talking about our 20th high school reunion that had occurred the previous weekend. None of us attended, and we started laughing, realizing that the real reunion was happening right then. That the people from high school that we REALLY wanted to spend time with were right there in the car. Together again. Always.

I would show you pictures of these two awesome ladies, but they somehow manage to prevent me from taking ANY photos when we're together. I don't know how they do it. If it happens again, I'm going to be forced to scan in our senior portraits in and post those. That'll show 'em.

Because My Brain Is Small, And I DO Love Nachos

Enjoy this quiz, and I'm sorry about the 2 minutes of your life you'll never get back. I've got nothing else for you, as I'm in my hometown, busy enjoying my mom and old friends. Life is sweet. Now bring on the chips and melted cheese!

You Are Nachos

You are outgoing and generous. You love to share you life with other people. You are carefree and light-hearted. You try to always make the best of things. While you enjoy being with other people, you also value your alone time. You like to reflect, think, and pick things apart. You like to study everything carefully.

What Mexican Food Are You?

Food for the Soul

While this one has filled my heart, this lady:


has filled my soul. Thank you my friend for stealing me away for movies, ice cream (shhhh, don't tell her husband), root touch ups (shhh, don't tell anyone I have gray hair) and for the heart-to-hearts that remind me why I love you dearly.

PS - She's SO gonna kill me for this photo

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You're SO In My Wolf Pack

There are just some nights you cannot adequately describe to anyone. If only I could narrate what occurred between the top-down drive at sunset in a red Porsche Boxster to the tune of Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back" and the near-midnight drive home in a red Porsche Boxster to the tune of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train". I think I peed myself a little somewhere around the time when roofies Mike & Ike's cascaded from her purse. I KNOW my cheeks and gut will be sore tomorrow from attempting to locate third gear all the laughter.

And my heart has been filled once again.

Thanks DB.

Love,
BD

PS - she's gonna KILL me for that photo

What a Difference Three Hours Make

This week, the four kids are in Vacation Bible School at our old church from 3pm-6pm. I cannot tell you how much this has helped ALL of us in our committed goal of not killing each other for a while. I'm pretty sure the kids were ready to ship me back to Texas, postage paid, until they finally got some time away from the crazy lady with the random freakouts.

It's a fine day indeed when you manage to make all four children cry simultaneously. Tiffany's husband laughed at me as I recounted my morning, wherein I led a group of 4 sobbing children in to Walgreen's. He was no longer laughing 10 minutes later as he walked out of the kids' bedroom, leaving all four children once again in tears. Good times.

My sister-in-law Tiffany is hoping to be back at the end of the week, so there's light at the end of the tunnel regarding my never ending trip to California. I'm hoping to be back in Texas by the 14th, but who knows. The future is still uncertain for my mother-in-law. Connie is still in the ICU but is no longer intubated, thank goodness. She has good and bad days, showing glimmers of her old self, but for the most part is still deep in recovery mode. Continued prayers are always welcome.

Starting tomorrow, it's happy! happy! joy! joy! here on All Things BD. Lighten up already, will ya? I have approximately 437,000 photos to share of actual fun stuff we're getting to do while we're on this adventure. Plus, I'll update on what happened when the dog did indeed bite and the bee did indeed sting. Yes, we were feeling sad.

Oh heck, why wait until tomorrow. Here's a sample photo.

For those about to drown rock, we salute you.

___