Cooties, the pool and Father's Day

I have cooties.  Will I die???  Nope.  Will I bitch???  Oh, yes!

Hubby is in the process of putting in a new above ground pool in the back yard.  We had a 12 X 30 pool 2 years ago and it was the best money ever spent!  It has been stored under the house since.  We couldn't put it up last year because of the former dog and the possibility that she would eat it.

While on vacation we ran into a 16 X 48 pool for only $150.  What a deal!  Includes the pump, ladder and cover!  So, Hubby has been getting the yard ready.

He is meticulous about leveling.  He built a thing that the Egyptians would be envious of.  This kind of thing makes me crazy!  I believe in doing it right...everything I do.  But, when it comes to things the hubby does....it can be driven into the ground.  But. in the end....it will be perfect!  PERFECT!

Oh.....it is going to be a great day when it is done.  The girls helped with the leveling yesterday...now we are waiting to get plastic down on the ground, then place the pool and fill it up!  Woo hoo!


When it is done...I will be happy that he did it just exactly the way he did.  It will be amazing!  But, I can't be involved...it makes me crazy!

When we first looked into buying an above ground pool...it was when I was pregnant with Nash.  I just wanted a little sompin' sompin' to get in and cool off.  He made a huge deal about it....I went insane.....and no pool.  I took it back after I gave birth to Nash swearing....NEVER AGAIN!

Well people....it's hot where we live.  I did the loading the kids into the car and going to the public pool.  It's more work than I want.  And honestly....I am no bathing beauty!

We all know that having a pool in the yard is far superior to having to load up the kids, haul them to the local pool and then hang out in your lovely swimsuit when you do NOT look like this :)

 I know....this is shocking that I do NOT look like this.  Most think I do  LOL

Father's Day.  Well, It did not start out great....I have cooties.  So, I slept.  But, the man took himself & Nash out to breakfast while I slept and then I gave him his present.....a new stereo with bluetooth for his truck....and the installation too  :)  I rock!

Hope you have a wonderful Day of the Dad.  I will soon be going back to bed.

Mommyhood...sometimes fun.......sometimes not

Yesterday....I took my lovely daughter to the pool the give a try at Water Polo.

Why water polo, you ask?

Why not.  I know nothing about it...neither does Sophie.  It's a sport that is in the water.  It's got a great group of kids that play it....and honestly, she can't fall and hurt her knee while playing it.

We are not a graceful people...Sophie and I.  We both can trip over air.  If you have met me....you know I am not a thin person by any means and Sophie is not fat....but, not skinny.  So, weight will always be her enemy.  So, we have talked about this...either she learn to eat petite or exercise.

This past October....she was wearing to wrong shoes to play PE.  And on the basketball court, moved wrong and dislocated her knee.  Our family has BAD KNEES!  Our knee caps sit on our legs wrong....so, they dislocate very easily.  And once they go out....they like it.  They do it again and again!

Her doctor told her to stay away from sports that cause the knee to pivot....like volleyball  :)  Yes, she played volleyball.  Dr Nygaard and her physical therapist both recommended water sports only.  The water will massage the knees while not hurting them.

So, we are now looking at high school.  Sophie needs to be in sports....yes, she doesn't like it but that doesn't matter.  Swimming won't be available until Spring...and Water Polo is now.

So, Water Polo it is.

They started practice while we were on vacation.  We arrived after 3 practices have gone by.  Sophie is freaking out...nervous...and trying to quit before it even begins.

I freak, feeling bad about her ambivalence...offer up TCA swimming....THIS WAS A VERY STUPID PATHETIC IDEA ON MY BEHALF.

I take her to the pool.  I tell her I will talk to the coach to see who everything works.  And wam bam....they have her in the water....doing moves.

Yes...Sophie is shooting me hate stares.  Sophie is mouthing words that I pretend not to understand.  I yell at her to quit hiding and to smile and have fun.  She shoots an invisible dart into my eye....hoping that I will temporarily die.

They start to get ready for a scrimmage and the coach is talking to my lovely daughter when I hear her say that......"oh, I am NOT going to play Water Polo....I will do only TCA swimming." 

Hello?  When did she get the right to make her own decisions?????  Nope...I didn't see the world end.  I didn't see them driving me into an insane asylum.....no....I am still the Mama.

I am overwhelmed, I am tired from vacation and just so over hearing bitching children.

We leave at the end of the session....I am disgusted, hurt....oh a million emotions.  And little miss lovely thinks she got her way!

I came home and yelled at Lance...yelled at Nash and cried.  I did lots of thinking.

And what I came up with was....I am the Mama.

She is a child.

She has to do what I say.

So, guess who will be on the Water Polo team!  Oh yes!  Sophie Eula McVey!

We had a long talk this morning.  She thought she was off the hook.  She thought that since she was sucking up to me, doing extra chores, being nice to Nash....she had won!   

Oh, the naivete!

I sat her down.  Explained the world to her.  Heard her side...about how her friends don't have to do this crap and her friends get to do whatever they want.  So, I told her she could go live with one of those parents!  Good luck with that!  Or she can follow my rules....and really.  How did she even think anything else was going to happen.  CRAZY!

We are using a new parenting technique on Nash (behavior modification of child & parent)......and its NOW being used on Sophie!  Yep...that pissed her off since I made her listen to it the other day because she is part of the Nash problem.

I got the "real nice Mom"  I take that as a compliment!

I love getting that I hate you from her.  Oh honey....I hate you too!

Oh, and my love.  Since I am yours and your friends chauffeur service and I don't get the behavior and compliance I am seeking.  You can find another parent to pick you up  :)  And give you money.  And buy you nice clothes. 

Nope you know that is NOT going to happen!

Oh...too bad.  Guess you have to comply!  And guess what....I am putting your level of compliance @ 77.5%  She will be required to try at an above average level.  WITH SMILES!

Mom 100  Kid still very low!

Honey......where have you been?  I have been around a long time!  I know every game!  I created some of them!  You are mine to rule as I see fit.

Oh, and Sophie....I am SOOOO not as dumb as I look.

This is what you can get.  Get with the program sweetie.  Life is short!

ok...Summer is here...where is the rest?

Technically....I have been on vacation for almost 11 days and I am more tired than when I started.

I have another week off from my big client next week....and the hubby will be back at work....that ALWAYS feels like a vacation!

But, since I got back...I SWEAR I have done 15 loads of laundry!

I don't recall ever doing THIS much laundry!

Is laundry really an animate object?  Does it breed like rabbits?  

I am thinking yes.....YES IT DOES!

Scary.  I am tired of folding everyones laundry and putting it away.

I am tired of the smell of packed sweaty laundry!

So, I think I have said enough.  You know how I feel and I am sure you too feel the same way.  Who wouldn't?

I have one more blog to write about laundry...then hopefully...I am be over it.

It will be called...sock pinning.

It's a very dirty....funny secret!  Until I have time to write it.....this is all you get.

Yucky, dirty, packed sweaty laundry.  Fluffing, folding....and putting away.

YUCK!

vacation is finally over and so is the funeral for Ginny

OK...its been 14 days that I have been prepping for graduation & vacation, then just vacation....on vacation....DRIVING....and then Ginny's funeral.

I am tired....bone tired!

Vacation was awesome!  I feel in love with Washington State....even some parts of Oregon....but, I want to live in Washington!  But, the one thing I didn't like....and Sophie thought I was weird for thinking it...but the days seemed longer.  It was still light at 10pm.  Odd.  And when I was up at 4am....it was light?????  Why???  If it has something to do with the time change....you know you can just keep it to yourself...don't mess with my head!

So, we had a great hotel just at the entrance of the Seattle/Bremerton Ferry.  It served a pretty nice breakfast, coffee was YUM-O, and they had the most fascinating fountains that Nash just loved!  Oh, and the beds....comfy!  It was a Hampton Inn just in case you are interested!  Million star rating!

Nash is obsessed with the fountains

love this one of Nash

Grandpa walking Chloe down the stairs

OMG!  These are the best fries in the world!  Fritz Belgian Fries with Red Pepper Parmesan sauce!  OMG!

beautiful Sophie

I just loved Washington.

we spent time at a Mall.  Uncle Nash & Chloe were buds!

this is where I want to live

Pike Place Market....amazing!

Nash and his obsessions!

I loved spending time with Liz & Chloe and seeing the sights.  I miss them

as we are getting ready to leave for Portland.

Then on to Portland to see Toria!

It was Fleet Week....the look in Toria's eyes

Toria dying from the HOT Mango Habanero wings

First night we went to downtown Portland and had dinner....and look at cute boys.  Very fun.

shopping at WalMart to decorate Toria's room

Wow...look at those cool new tires!

And yes...Mom does a great job on her room!

little Toria, the big sis and big Sophie, the little sis

I had a great time with Toria....I adore her!

So, we came home and then Sophie and I headed to Santa Maria for Ginny's funeral.

It was sad for me.  It was sad to watch my daughter have to be in this situation.  It was a Deja Vu thing for me....same place I buried my husband.  I cried.

I had a long talk with Mike about the final part of her life.  It was sad but it was her.

I miss her.

the headstone...

after lunch....Maureen, Ginny's best friend, Vera, a very good friend, Mike her son and Sophie.

how do we get so much laundry??

OK...its Sunday.  School is officially out and we are about to embark on a vacation.....but first....

LAUNDRY!

I hate the word.  I hate the job.  I hate that I fold everyone's clothing and nicely place it on their bed....well, except for Nash.  I do put his in his drawers.  But.......

As soon as he opens his drawers....he throws everything around...and its a mess.

And my lovely....now heading to high school daughter....takes the clothing that I have folded....and throws it either on the floor, in her closet on the floor, under her bed on the floor.

My hubby.......is a stacker.  He makes stacks of laundry on the dresser.  I fold it....he stacks it.  Then one day....he puts it away...after refolding it.

My hubby also is a hoarder of dirty clothing because apparently...there has to be a certain level of dirtiness before it can officially go into the laundry basket.  So, it is worn and strategically placed on things in our bedroom until it is deemed dirty enough to be washed.

My daughter.....lovely that she is....wears something only for minutes then it is deemed dirty.  Or even the thought of wearing something...could cause it to land into the dirty clothes pile.

My son....only wants to wear things that are already in the dirty clothes pile.  And his clothes...are pretty disgusting once they make it into that pile.  He is 5....'nuff said  :)

Laundry........I am still waiting for the Jetson life.  I want Rosie the robot to come and put my clothes in a machine and they pop out folded and put away...by NOT me  :)

ok....2 more loads are in the drier...and waiting to be folded.

post graduation exhaustion

Well.....for those that know...I was NOT looking forward to my daughter graduating from 8th grade....she did it.

So, I added her high school sticker on the back on my car.....to show that I will go along with her decision.

I feel like I have been running for weeks to get here.  And yesterday......moved slowly....and fast all at the same time.

The graduation was lovely....altho I blubbered thru the entire thing.  Then took family to Applebee's for dinner.  then went home, cleaned up...freshened makeup and off to the school graduation dance....where I was chaperone.

The party was great for the kids.....but....at almost 50.  It was not for me.  The fog machine was a killer for my sinuses, the music was hecka loud and it was WAY past my bedtime!  But, I am glad I was there to see my daughter have a wonderful time  :)

I have the "day after body rejecting me pain", a swollen face from the tears & fog machine and ringing in my ears from the loud music.

Now, you know I will do this again....its who I am.  but man....am I tired!

a list of what is on my mind

"Hi, my name is Nash.  When I grow up I want to be a policeman"

1. today is June 1st
2. tomorrow is not  LOL
3. I do think I am funny
4. Nash had his kindergarten graduation today
5. of sorts
6. he is not graduating
7. he is repeating.
8. most of the boys in his class are already over 6
9. Nash won't be 6 until September
10. I knew going into kindergarten that he might repeat
11. it wasn't a surprise
12. he doesn't want to go to 1st grade anyway
13. I am so tired
14. this is one hell of a week
15. lots to end this week
16. and something to begin
17. but, I am not going to talk about that
18. and you....you know what that is
19. don't pretend you don't know
20. you do
21. I was out the door and 7:40am this morning and didn't get back from the day until 6:30
22. several clients
23. children to shuffle
24. Starbucks to contribute to
25. roads to drive
26. people to see
27. mmmmm....pizza @ Round Table!
28. it was way yummy!
29. then I ran into someone I have not seen in many, many moons!
30. my nephew, Todd Holley
31. wow....he was a crazy kid....and a crazy man now!
32. he had the nicest things to say.....
33. he was always adorable!
34. had to put a blanket back on our bed
35. its frikkin' cold!
36. and did you remember me saying it was June 1st!
37. I am tired...tomorrow I am off....and plan to relax!