Ding Dong the Witch is Dead...

Sunday, October 26, 2008 by Bethany

Okay, I don't know any witches. But it' Pseudo-Halloween here. Yep, kidlings of all shapes and sizes are costumed up and knocking on my door tonight. Honestly, next weekend would make it feel more real, but what can I do. I'm not the Halloween Queen. I just hand out candy while The Husband takes the kids for the cold (and windy) walk. And I get interrupted every 5 seconds by a pound on the door or a door bell ring.

But here's the thing, since when:

- do children ring the doorbell 5 times in a row
- or ring with a 5-Mississippi second pause between the two. Do I not walk from my couch to the door fast enough?
- request a different kind of candy from my cauldron then what I givingly hand out?
- ask for different candy than what I have?
- or have 5 bags of candy and claim it is for sisters/brothers that are no where to be seen behind them?
- or ring my bell 20 minutes BEFORE (or AFTER) trick or treat time?

Really. I don't consider myself old fashioned--but never in my thirty-ish year life would I do any of the above. I mean, it's trick or treating. You have a bag full of candy that you never eat all of anyway. What does my measly candy make a difference if you don't like it? AND, damn, I never realized I was that slow on the candy brigade. Maybe next year I'll have to stop cheating on the candy eating a week ahead of time.

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4:55 PM | | 3 comments

It's October and that means Scary!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 by Bethany

It's become quite the topic around these parts--costume choices for Halloween. My son, now old enough to pick his suite of choice has deemed himself Darth Vader. Seeing as Santa prized him with a light saber last Christmas that can change from blue to red (and vice versa), all he needed was the black outfit, cape and mask. Which, we purchased this weekend. All fun, until I realized, that if we were an adventurous bunch, we could be a themed Halloween family this year for the first time EVER.

The Husband had vouched for Boba Fett, my daughter with curly hair in pig tails would be Princess Leah and me? Well I could be Chewbakka or some female character you can find--because holy hell, we'll all be happily "together" for once. (Previous years when The Kiddo was a whole 1 year of age, and The Cat in the Hat, I dressed as Thing 1. And Thing 2 didn't appear. My husband would have nothing to do with the red sweatsuit or blue hair. Damn him!) Anyway, it would be perfect if we had somewhere to go aside from the Trick Or Treating. Because well, one of us has to stay home and hand out hoards of candy of course, what could would being a themed family if one of us wasn't there?

Sure, sure we did get one Halloween invite. Problem is, it is over 2 hours from our house. And starts at 8pm. And when you have children under 4 at that time of night, as a mother, you are likely not to have a bit of fun. Especially when the family having the party are childless (no child toys, no rooms for them to sleep, and no idea what you put up with with a child in costume). So, so, so... well, it means nowhere to really, so why spend the mountain of cash on themed outfits?

As you can tell, I'm a bit peeved by the whole thing. Not because of the party so much as not getting a chance to throw on some costume and become someone else for a few hours (even if I was some tall thing that groans in fur). It's fun people! Really it is. And I haven't dressed up since my Glinda the Good Witch outfit for the party with my son (when he was 3)! It was so much fun. Even if I was the only mom who ventured into any outfit at all and had every little girl in the room following me around asking to hold my wand.

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9:02 PM | | 0 comments

Sometimes I'm a bad daughter

Tuesday, August 05, 2008 by Bethany

I forget birthdays, anniversaries, special holidays... and overall, I just get caught up in my life. If you get a card from me in a timely fashion for a special date. Consider yourself a lucky one. I'm not that put together most of the time. Ask my parents.

Last year alone I forgot my mom's birthday (which is the day after my wedding anniversary), my dad's birthday, their anniversary, my sister's day of birth and countless other odds and ends that didn't require me to RSVP an invite (and I probably missed a few of those). Sue me. I'm not that kind of person I guess. I mean--I call you right (most of the time)?

Today, it was an exception. It's my parent's wedding anniversary and I prepared. Last week I put an appointment in my calendar to call them. To send a card. And to do all the things a good daughter should. And guess what? I delivered.

Only there's one problem. The card didn't arrive yet (5 days and counting) and the phone call ended with a cheery voice mail.

So, Mom... Dad, if you're reading. I love you. Happy Anniversary. Boy I'm glad you decided to get married. Because now I'm here. And you're still together. Love you both.

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6:11 PM | | 0 comments

Once a Sap, Always a Sap

Sunday, June 15, 2008 by Bethany

I'm always good for a cry. Not one of those sobbing let downs that give you the icky squished face because you are so upset you can't handle yourself. No. I mean, the after-a-good-movie cry. Or the one after you give birth to a child and you just can't utter a word worth a grain a salt. Or say, you're so proud of your baby/sibling/spouse you just can't express it any other way. Those are the cries I am talking about. The good ones.

So, in my effort, to make Father's Day special for the The Husband, I bought him the Gift He Always Wanted. Well, this year. One we planned he's get for his birthday in July--but a few months early. Not so much a surprise I suppose, but a gift he loves nonetheless (and yes, the sacrilege, he's had the gift since Friday night. Hell, what good is a gift if you can't enjoy it ALL weekend long?).

Anyway, with this gift I had intended on writing him a letter. A sappy one. I admit, I wanted to invoke tears of the good variety. But not because I like to see a good man cry. Because, honestly, being caught up in the day to day of our lives, tends to make me forget all the little things that make me love the man. Sure, I say, "I Love You," each morning, and most nights (if I don't fall asleep with The Peanut). And all the times in between.

I wanted to share all the moments over the past year that have made him, My Man. My Husband. The Dude to which I owe a bit of who I am to each and every day. Without him, well... I wouldn't be the same me. Sound sappy enough? It is. Because marriages are like that. Even when you get ticked off for the seventh time in two days because he left his pants at the end of the bed again. I still love him, and can't imagine a day going by without him by my side. Which, brings me again to the letter I have yet to write.

I'm a writer. So, in my feeble mind, I figured this is one of the best gifts I could give him. A letter, written by me, for him, about us. All of us. The children, me, him, life... how I appreciate him and want to be his rock as much as he is for me. Sap, sap, and sap. But with the best laid grand plans--I failed. Friday was to be the day of writing. I had my afternoon blocked off from work to dedicate a little writing time to The Sap Letter. Only work got in the way. Then nap time. Then a couple nebulizer treatments for my son. Tears that we weren't signing up for T-Ball. And then a meltdown from the baby. Sound ridiculous that all can happen in two hours? Then maybe you aren't a parent of two young ones, because it is exactly what happened.

And I was left Friday afternoon at 8pm, when my husband walked in the door from work, with an overly priced purchased card from Target, and a handwritten note on the inside that was about 10 sentences long (give or take a few). It had just as much heart and soul poured into the words (in fact The Kiddo asked why it was taking me so long to write the card), but it wasn't The Letter.

So my plans tomorrow? To get that Letter written. Or drafted. Or at least bulleted out onto some form of a document so when I do find the time, I really can write it the way it was meant to be. And slip it in that secret pocket for my husband to read when he least expects it. And hopefully shed some of those happy tears. Because, to me, then he knows that we all do love him. But especially me. Even when I forget to tell him.

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11:14 AM | | 2 comments

Preschool Charmer

Thursday, February 14, 2008 by Bethany

Watch out ladies, here comes The Kiddo! He's been planning and drawing and coloring and stickering, and making sure his Valentine's are just right, just for you. And the other 12 boys in his class.

Nope, he doesn't discriminate when it comes to the perfect Valentine's Day card. Or apparently skipping over this holiday. Hallmark (or commercial) made, he doesn't care. He's all about showing his love. So, don't ruin it for him. I think it's cute. I've gotten 4 cards already this morning. And you bet your bottom, I'm saving every one for when he's 16 and wooing the girl next door.

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12:25 PM | | 0 comments

In a Holiday Present Pinch?

Monday, November 26, 2007 by Bethany

Well, Mary Castillo, the Mama Grande, is here to help! She's collected some Holiday Shopping Guides over at her fun blog, My Best Friend's Baby and her author blog. Three of them to be exact, because she's pretty good at "having our backs" since she's a mom like you and me. So be sure to check them out!

You'll find:
Seriously, I just purchased a great Wonder Woman onsie for The Peanut (can't start early enough with the Girl Power Empowerment March. And then there is the whole homemade treats for the holidays. Every dinner we've been invited to this year, I've made my Easy Yogurt Pie (comment or e-mail me for the recipe. Takes under 10 minutes to make!). And as far as gifts for new moms? Well, I'm a new mom (again). I'd take anything on that list (Husband? You taking notes?). So, check out the guides--she'll be updating them as she finds new great gift ideas!

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9:28 AM | | 0 comments

Blackened Friday

Friday, November 23, 2007 by Bethany

It's the day after Thanksgiving--the day where over half of all Americans freak out about the Christmas Holiday approaching (or whatever holiday they celebrate come mid-December)--and go shopping. It is also the day retail merchants hope to get all their numbers into the black and finally make money for the year. Did I partake in the madness (some stores opened at 4am. Right about the time I am nursing The Peanut.)? Hell no.

We're doing online shopping (and shipping) this year. It makes my life easier as well as happier. I don't have to run out to 300 stores looking for the perfect gift for my mom, dad, sister, aunts, uncles... friends. You get the idea. Now I just browse, click, pay, and ship. To their door with little more than a sweat. It makes for a great mood stabilizer this time of year. Especially with an infant in tow.

But was I in a car today waiting for the husband to brave a few Doorbuster sales? Yes. Yes I was. And I was more the delightfully happy to be drifting in and out of sleep people watching all the shopping madness as the children slept in the back seat. It made for a pleasant hour or so--at least until the baby woke to nurse. Once that was remedied I played a joyful game of I Spy with the kiddo and we counted how many people came out of the store until Dad arrived (we topped out and got bored at about 63).

As far as completing the holiday shopping? We are close. Close enough that I can consider myself ahead of the game for once. I just need to jump on a few more web sites tonight... and I can call myself done.

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6:18 PM | | 1 comments

Thanksgiving and Grocery Shopping Woes

Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Bethany

Can you believe it is Thanksgiving already? Or will be come Thursday. Thank goodness I'm not in charge of cooking The Feast. If I was, well, I'd be at the grocery store in a frenzy tomorrow. Oh, wait. I will be. Our refrigerator echos when you look upon its empty shelves.

I've been told I should plan a little more. You know, make a list of the groceries for the month and go at it one day out of each thirty. I'd make better eating choices, make better use of my time, blah, blah, blah. Have any of those people had children that need diapers? Or a husband who could drink a gallon of milk a day if I let him? Or for that matter, how does one keep milk and other perishables (like fruit and fresh vegetables) in good shape for that long?

I'm a once a week grocery shopper. Sometimes we can make it to a week and a half--but rarely. We just eat too much stuff. Or I just don't plan. Either way, I just have too much going on to worry that I didn't buy every damn thing needed in the house at that instant. And as far as planning lunches and dinners? Well, when I crave chicken, you better get out of my way, I'm making what I want. Not what I had planned!

Though seriously, I know a little planning might help. Especially with this baby around. It helps to just have some sort of a plan for when to start the oven preheating and what we might eat for the next three days. Because right now (tonight for instance) dinner was solved via text message with the husband.

me: Dinner: brats or hamburgers?
him: hamburgers sound better. Sides?
me: chips? :-)
him: got pasta or baked beans with that?
me: both. we'll be ready when you get here.

And that was that. But, really--brats or hamburgers? I feel like an idiot even admitting that those were the only choices. I don't have anything else available!

So, today, likely one of the busiest grocery store days of the year (well maybe it's tomorrow?!!? Well, I'm close enough.)--I'll be hitting the aisles. I have to stock up. I have a Seven-Layer Salad to contribute to the big meal, and my parents appetites to deal with for 3 days (yep, we have a visit in store). I can't delay the inevitable any longer. Or else I'll have to send my son outside to pick berries off our front yard bushes for breakfast. Poison aside, I don't think the rock-hard shriveled up beads of cardboard would do him any good. nutritionally.

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12:24 AM | | 1 comments

Happy New Year and All That Jazz

Monday, January 01, 2007 by Bethany

We danced, we laughed, we drank (champagne). We brought the New Year in with a bang. More details to follow. When I catch up on my sleep.

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5:26 PM | | 0 comments

Ringing in the New Year

Saturday, December 30, 2006 by Bethany

The forthcoming posts about the new year, resolutions, dreams, goals, regrets are all about the flood the Internet. And I'm either slightly ahead of the game or behind--but I figure why not join in the madness?

I don't really do the whole January 1st resolution thing. Mostly because I hate the frigid coldness of this part of the year and don't particularly find it inspiring creatively or personally (catch me mid to late summer, and well, I am brimming with new ideas). So, I avoid the lack-luster, half-felt promises this time of year and tend to think backward. I look back at the previous year and collect my thoughts of thankfulness, what I have accomplished, and then take stock for warmer weather (get the headlights cleaned for when I do make my new year goals).

So to not wax too poetic on all the year end greatness (or new year beginnings) let me just say, here's all that I have done in 2006, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (in no particular order):

The Good
  • Health, prosperity... all that mumbo jumbo.
  • Finally, finally became comfortable with myself as a mom. Parenting style intact and solidifying. Kid growing into a young kid in front of my eyes. And well, just learning that I can parent half-way decently (if not down right fantastic at times). This even surprises me.
  • Committed myself to my fiction writing. Continued to shop around my novel to agents (can anyone say query, query, query?)
  • Found a lovely agent.
  • Confidence to rework my novel a few times more.
  • Sent my novel to submission. Real. Live. Editors. Looked. At. My. Book. Oh my. Anxious doesn't even describe it.
  • Moved to a new city/state just because. Not because of a move. Or a bigger house. Or... well for any reason but because we wanted to. Family lives much (much closer). Cost of living isn't atrocious. And, well, just wanted to move.
  • Found some time for myself. It's been damn hard to carve out that time, but it is damn worth it.
  • Switched to another job. A more creative one. One that has me doing new things I hadn't done in the 11 years prior of my career. Well, except for the meetings. We always have those.
  • I have a social life. One with nights out with friends. Ones where I can take the afternoon and head out for coffee without the kiddo tied to my leg.
  • My new house. Really. I am at my breakfast bar right now, writing. Sipping coffee. Giving myself a pat on the back. Overall, I'm one lucky gal.
  • Disney World. What a nice break from reality. Everyone should try it for a few days.
  • Confidence. The High School Years. The ones I cowered in the corner blushing something fierce because I had something to say. Or the time when I just couldn't voice my opinion about the latest gossip. Those days are gone. I've learned to stand up for myself all around my life and take a bit of control. I mean, who are we living for if it isn't ourselves? (Sorry, that one got a bit too deep).
  • Blogging. Complete entries all of last year. I waste as much time as the rest of you, don't I?
  • Appreciating Hubby and Kid. Honestly, we've had some financial and personal stresses this year. And you know what? Well, they are THERE for me. And that can erase almost any badness beyond this bullet on the 2006 list.
The Bad
  • Owning two homes right now. No one said that when I make a decision I am patient about it. Two mortgages are proof of that.
  • Likelihood of having to take my house off the market til Spring. Honestly, can the house market be that bad.
  • I'm driving a good 40 minutes each way to work (when before it was a whole 7 minutes door to door). Hey but the new digs? Definitely worth it.
  • Kid's in day care almost full time. Or was. Now I am working with him a few days a week. One might think this is a blessing (the work at home thing)--and when he is sickly, it is. When he isn't, some days I wonder what the hell I got myself into. I wouldn't necessarily call this bad, but it isn't ideal.
  • Weeks of house improvements, cleaning, and painting. Oh and moving itself. I hate the pack, move, and unpack routine. It kills me for months afterward.
  • I'm gonna lose time off from work. Apparently I didn't let myself take enough vacation. And I suppose that in and of itself is a bad thing, ain't it?
  • Kiddo's hospital visit (a first and hopefully last). Though thank God it wasn't life threatening.
  • Too few trips North to see my parents, family, and friends. I've been too pre-occupied or otherwise obligated to take the drive to see everyone.
The Ugly
  • The miscarriage. I really can't say anything more about this. I'll end up in a pile of mush. I mean losing a baby at 13 weeks is bad enough. But losing the baby 2 days AFTER you told your boss, co-workers, friends, and some extended family. Nightmare no matter what way you dice it.
  • That damn weight gain again. It got worse after the miscarriage (didn't lose a pound of what I'd gained). It means I must exercise and I hate exercise. All of it. So unless some miracle way to stay aerobic is invented--one in which I enjoy the act of movement, I may have to give-in to my curves.
That's the 2006 recap. Or at least what was memorable--in more ways than one. The Good does out-weigh The Bad and The Ugly, so I know I'll be in for an even more memorable 2007. Or maybe that is just the optimist in me.

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6:05 PM | | 0 comments