Bye Bye Birdie

On Monday the librarian from my kids school asked me if I'd like to go to the production of "Bye Bye Birdie" that our high school was putting on. I had no idea what it was about, or how good it'd even be - but I'm always up for a night out.
Always.
So I gleefully agreed.
Of course.

We met up for supper first and giggled and talked and slurped our way through a really great meal.

It's the first time we've spent time with each other outside of the school, so I was a little apprehensive that it'd be awkward and weird.
Uncomfortable.
It wasn't like that at all, thank heaven.

We then headed over to the high school to watch the play.
Oh. My. Gosh.

It was awesome.

All these kids are just in high school, yet it was pulled off pretty much flawlessly.

I will definitely be going back to see their next production!

Flavored Water

Or for my lovely Canadian counterparts
"Flavoured Water".

I love the stuff. Love it.

For a while I was chugging Propel.
But then it started hurting when I was brushing my teeth.

I brush my teeth for up to five minutes at a time, as a "relaxor" ... that's a long time to put up with pain.

So I stopped drinking that.

And the pain went away.

However, that meant that I pretty much stopped drinking water too.

Not so much of a good idea.

Dude, I HATE the taste of water.

Or the non-taste as it may be.

But recently I decided to try out Glacéau "Vitamin Water".
Ooooh so good.

Especially for someone who loves vitamin C as much as I do.

Cause that's what their "Orange-Orange" flavor tastes like.

Love it.

Obviously Dillusional

I routinely go through areas of my house and do a "flush". Much like a colon cleanse, really ;)

I throw out dollar store toys the kids have either wrecked or do not play with anymore, filling garbage bags with clothes/toys that are still in working order but are not played with/fit that are taken to the Goodwill.
Sometimes have the kids help me with this.
Often I do not because my girl has the same problem with giving up things that her father does. (He still has flannel shirts he acquired while living in Portland 15 years ago - with the tags still attached. He has some mislead belief that he will want to wear them someday.
Forget the fact that he's gained 30 lbs since then ...)

I have no problem getting rid of most things that have not been used or worn within the last six months.

However, I just can't bring myself to go through my game cupboard and get rid of any of them. Want to know why this is strange? I am the only person in my house that actually likes playing board games. Yet, I have 30+ games I can't make myself part with. I think in the back of my mind I have a hope that someone will come around someday and be willing to play with me.
What, am I keeping them for the once or twice a year my mom comes to visit and I have someone to engage in a lively game of Scrabble/Cribbage/Tri-ominoes?
If I am ... I need a reality check.

Hockey

A few months ago I introduced the boy to hockey via the television, since then he has been adamant that he wants to get "hockey lessons". I have been a wee bit apprehensive about this idea.

#1 - Hockey is an expensive sport to get in to. It's not like you just have to buy them some cleats and shin guards.
#2 - He is NOT a "team player" type kid. So much so that he will deliberately pick games on the Wii that are only one player games when he KNOWS Ms. R wants to play with him.

In order to solidify his desire one way or the other I decided to take him to a Dallas Stars game.He was enthralled during the opening sequence.
Within 20 minutes though, he was saying to me, "I don't want to watch hockey guys, I want to PLAY a hockey guy."

I had to bribe him with the promise of a slurpee to stay so I could watch the remainder of the game (they were playing the Oilers, for heaven sake - I couldn't leave without knowing the outcome of good vs. evil).

He may have been bored simply watching the "hockey guys" but he's still sure he wants to play.

So soon enough I'll be signing him up for skating lessons.

One step at a time, right?

Hello, Michael

There are times that B-man reminds me so much of my brother it makes me smile.

Like his preference in books.

No fairy tales for this boy, oh no.Just the facts, ma'am. Just the facts.

Thank You, Baby

Thank you, baby for realizing I have been feeling a little under appreciated ... and have started offering to help around the house without encouragement.

Thank you, baby for realizing I was getting fed up with all the meals I have made without one, "That was good, thank you." And without prompting have started telling me how great my meals are and how much you love what I make.

Thank you, baby for realizing sometimes I just need to sit and be cuddled for a little while without talking. You're soft heart makes me proud.

Thank you, baby for being sensitive to the fact that I am tired of thinking of stuff for us to do and coming up with things on your own. Some of your ideas are a little off the wall ... but I love you for trying.
You're a gift from Heaven that I will always be thankful for.

I'm NOT Doing This for ME

One of the charities I have got involved with is a service called "The Clothes Connection". It's a service provided by my kids school district P.T.A. Essentially schools through out the district collect clothes through out the year, either through drives, private donations or kids lost and found (after they have given sufficient notice to the kids to come mull through it and see it any of it is theirs.) The clothes collected are all cleaned again and put up in a store type deal. There's everything there, heavy jackets, skirts, uniforms, shoes, belts, even new undies and socks. This service is provided to any family in the district who also qualify for the free/reduced meals. All they have to do is contact the school nurse or councilor, they verify the need and send us an email stating that these people are indeed in need.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing this. I enjoy receiving all the goods that are donated, sorting and hanging. Helping fill the orders. Interacting with the other ladies that are involved in this project.
However, one of the draw backs is ...
The people who come to get the clothes.
In variably these people act like they are doing ME a favor by letting me help them.
Or they push how much of whatever they are allowed to take.
Or act irritated that we don't have what ever size of such and such.
The "Thank You for Helping Me" to "Give Me What I Deserve" ratio is at best 1 to 10.
It's very disheartening.
I tell myself that these people are possibly just ... sensitive to the fact that they are having to accept charity.
That they are embarrassed because they are having to use this service.

But something inside me has a really hard time listening to that possibility in the face of how these people act and treat the volunteers providing this service.

It's not like I want them to be all crest fallen and subjugated.
All I'm asking for is a little gratitude.
A little respect for all the hard work we are putting into the service we are providing.

OverKill

As mentioned previously, my Mom invited me to go on a cruise with her this March as my Christmas/Birthday present.
I ain't no fool, I jumped at the chance.
Duuuude, it's a CRUISE
Though I am TOTALLY excited about the trip ... I'm willing to admit the idea of sea sickness has me a little on edge, because well ... I get motion sick when I am driving my car.
But I plan on doing it all.
Those wrist bands, ginger, those patches, not drinking caffeine (good bye, Pepsi)"Over kill" you may say.
I beg to differ my friend. I beg to differ.
I'd rather cover all the basis and feel no ill effects then go in "hoping" I'm okay.
Cause (as my mom would say) "dollars to donuts" I'd be laid low the entire trip if I didn't take the precautions.

Remember Me? ... a Post mostly about my mom.

When I start posting less than my sister in law I know I have become a blogging slacker.

And I have.

So I am .

Today, I will remedy that!

You may be asking, "What has happened in the MONTH, Krista?"

Let's see...

My MOM came to be with us for the holidays. As usually, she was not here for nearly enough time.
However, we've started formulating a (legal) plan to hopefully get her down here.
Permanently.
Surprisingly, Jerry (the one with whom she has butted heads with regularly in the last 10 years) has been the most helpful in coming up with strategies to get her here.
We'll have to see how it all turns out.
I am getting my hopes semi-up.

While she was here we started planning our CRUISE she so fabulously gave me for Christmas/my upcoming Birthday.
Totally Excited!
No "semi's" about it.

She came down the week before the kids were out of school and was able to help me volunteer in a number of capacities.
Some people were like, "Your mom comes for a visit and you bring here HERE?"
But really - my mom and I have fun pretty much anywhere so go.
So helping people out as we visited was just as good of a thing to do as anything else.

Ms. R absolutely LOVED having her come to the school for lunches and the "Holiday Party". B-Man wasn't too busted up about it himself.I took her out to my Cribbage club and she fell in love with the club and a little bit in lust with the organizer. Can't blame her, the people in the club are fun and the organizer's got charisma and charm to spare.

We went up to Grapevine to participate in some of their holiday activities. While it was WAY chillier than one would have expected for Texas, the kids still had a lot of fun.

We stinking well got SNOW. PILES of it. Weird.

Christmas was spent out at my in laws. Lots of food and games played. Relaxing.
Though the kids had a great time opening presents, it still felt like something was missing.
Other kids.
The joy of sharing some of what you got, getting territorial over others, laughing and playing with cousins.
I think next Christmas I just may give in and leave Texas for Christmas.
From what I hear there is a plan in the works for everyone to meet up in Utah at one of Jerry's brothers place. We have come to call it "the great and spacious building". Hopefully by next Christmas it will be more than a shell and able to accommodate the entire family. Cause my kids need kids.

Sadly, at this point, my mom has gone home (boohoo). So life has gone back to it's every day regular grind.

Last night Jerry and I cracked open our new electronic Monopoly game. While playing the actual game was fun ... not having physical money to exchange was a little bit of a let down. Jerry says it's just cause I'm a tactile person and I miss how the money felt in my hands. He's probably right. The electronic version is pretty cool, though. Less of a mess and all that.