mumof4’s blog

Nosey in the bag

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:10:19 -0400

I saw this on someone else's blog a few weeks ago...and I can't remember whose it was for the life of me so I apologise it I am not giving you the recognition you deserve......

Some call it a 'pocket book', others a 'purse' but to me it is a handbag. Find yours, take a snap and then also do the contents........see what goes around with you from day to day........

handbag

Black leather... big enough for lots of junk but not so big it is cumbersome. No designer label at all. Just liked the style. It goes with pretty much anything. However today on this gorgeous day in the high 70s it seems a bit of a drab color but tomorrow we are due rain/snow ( I know.....) so it will be fine for then.

contents

This was everything inside. For me this ia actually quite good. But I have only been using this bag for a couple of weeks. But usually I dread to think what bits and bobs are in my bag...... no leaky yoghurts here though...no Siree....

Paper

As I am a complete nerd when it comes to anything paper...I got this snazzy notebook and pen last summer from Papyrus (a fav store) when we were in California. That I haven't lost the pen in 8 months is a miracle in itself. Also I got these little cards with all my details on as I was so sick of scribbling my number on scraps of paper for people. And this is a claims ticket for....erm...oh valet park last Friday I believe.

purse

Speaks for itself really. Wallet/purse and a Macy's receipt. Purse (Kate Spade) was a Xmas present last year and is holding out quite well. Credit cards ..not much money left despite having gotten $200 out just 5 days ago. And loose change - always have loose change kicking about - not sure why. A whole 58c worth. Fascinating

Make up etc

Sunglasses - a must out here as it is always sunny (almost always and yes even in the winter). Am always ALWAYS losing sunglasses so rarely spend more than 30 bucks a pair. Hence no designer labels. Hair band...for the days like today when I have a lazy mom ponytail. Earrings....no idea why these were in my handbag but glad I found them! Origins lipgloss and Prescriptives perfume. Tissues (clean).

Kids' stuff

Again this is really good for me. No diapers, no half eaten lollipops...Just some Pampers clean up wipes that smell pretty good and are great for cleaning up me and the kids (think faces) in the car. And part of a game that is long gone - it was an ice cream game and this is a scoop you press the button on and the ball spins around and you see vanilla, choc or strawberry. Rory loves this and often carries it about. I think he probably dropped it in a shop and I just put it in here for safekeeping.

Just realised my cell phone is not in here which means it is in the car - somewhere and yet again I will play the role of the ditzy blond and have to dial my cell phone number from the house, to locate it. Ah well.

Let me know if you're up for it and I'll visit and have a nosey at yours too!!!!

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Miss you

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:05:37 -0400

Hubby and I were sat in the reading room tonight - kids in bed. He was reading some dull investment book and bugging me a little with his squeaky highlighting pen. I was reading a few culture sections from The Sunday Times that we have sent over from UK. It is very hit and miss as to when the newspapers arrive - the news, is long out of date by the time it reaches us but the comments and the other sections remain interesting. We don't however get all the magazines. It is a bit of a luxury really - hubby really wanted to get it over here - when we lived in Atlanta we could always pick it up from the book store on the Monday so the news was still somewhat relevant. But now...sometimes the copies are 4 days late, sometimes almost 2 weeks. But there is something about reading a real newspaper as oppose to reading the articles on line.

So I read some of the interviews, I see the adverts for plays in London, concerts all over the UK. I read reviews of books, comments on tv shows - making a mental note of names that sound interesting - in case they are ever aired out here. Book reviews....tend to lead me to look for US availability on Amazon, then Amazon UK.....and why...I don't know. It's hardly as though I have empty bookshelves here!

I was trying to explain to hubby how I like to read that particular section. The British perspective...how it makes me miss it. He asked me if I missed home. I told him - I really don't have a home there - no place I want to go back to. This is our home but I still miss England in a way. I could go visit tomorrow if I really wanted to - and mainly I don't. I do fine over here. I am settled here. I am safe over here. I don't have to confront my demons whilst I am over here.

Hubby thinks I have a Postman Pat outlook on England. That it is not how I imagine. A little like all those quaint villages in Midsommer Murders...where yes, inevitably someone gets killed but the houses are all quaint, the gardens immaculate - no rowdy kids outside the local pub, never a grafetti decorated bus shelter in sight.....

He announced tonight that he doesn't want us to live there. Our kids aren't going to grow up there **....and this is nothing I don't know. But still sometimes, in my naive way, I still miss it a bit.

** Apparently if we are gonig to go back to Europe, France or Italy are way more likely to be on the cards....says he who couldn't ask for a loaf of bread in either of those languages! Ha!

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Blooming

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:17:55 -0400

The weekend saw us trying to save money by a bit of DIY in the garden. It was quite hard work - more for some of us (me) than others (hubby). Actually I was going to give him a lot more credit for his going to the store and purchasing the 20 odd bags of soil and 40 odd bags of mulch .....until he asked me:

"Do you think I should have tipped the guy who helped me load all these in the car?'

My admiration went downhill fast. At this end he helped by unloading the bags and sticking them roughly in the right spot. Whilst I cleared away the old mulch, pruned where necessary and weeded...Pine trees = pain to bloody clear up after and this is all after I have paid my gardener to 'clean up' (just wrote him a cheque plus he woke Rory up from his nap when he rang the bloody door bell!). Anyhow......it is tidy providing you just look to the South.......North, East and West still need to be attacked but my muscles deserved a break I decided. When I went to bed on Sunday night I was asleep by about 8.50pm - most unlike me - and felt like I had ridden a bike about 400 miles. Seriously. But I know... no pain no gain. When I woke up yesterday I expected my bum to be a uplifted as.....well a lot more pert. No real difference noticed as of yet. So I went to go and get my nails done professionally yesterday as they were in such a manic dirty state. I felt like Pete Dougherty (?) with his druggy hands ...well not quite that bad but, y'know.

Freshly mulched

I had never actually heard of mulch before I came to USA - not that I spent a lot of time in garden centres you understand as I was STILL YOUNG!!!!!!!!

blossom

There's only a few days when this tree looks really stunning and then it (crabapple?) just looks a bit blah. This is the week it seems. But the Iris flowers will soon bloom after that which is also beautiful. Well Fuck me, don't I sound like Percy bloody Thrower?

back of house

kitsch

I also have silly bits and bobs out here too.....these mushrooms which the kids told me were a waste of money....are new this week...

where as this bloody Jack Russell has followed us all the way from Atlanta!!

Jack

But at least it feels like Spring is here.....and there's only 22 days til my kids finish school for the year. Aaaaaarh.

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Mmmm - strange?

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:12:31 -0400

So bumped into a friend of mine this morning whilst dropping off kids at pre-school. I don't see her too often now as our kids are in different classes. She has a boy the same age as Mac (4). I mentioned before, maybe on my other blog, that she had once invited Mac over to play at their house and she then told me that my share of the babysitter she had to play with them would be $10. Anyhow.....

Today my friend was quite dressed up for her. Make up and matching jewelry.

Quite big jewelry

actually - gold, sort of unusual - not necessarily what you would wear if you were 30 something. I told her she looked very well put together and asked her if she was going anywhere fancy.....to which she replied,

'Oh no. I just picked up this jewelry

at an estate sale this weekend. One of my neighbours just died and they sold off her stuff and I picked up these pieces.'

Mmmmm. Nothing wrong with estate sales at all - love looknig round them. My best friend got a couple of pictures for her house from an estate sale we went to. But your dead neighbour's jewelry........? Yet again I think 'maybe it's just me?' ............?

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Ouch

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:44:05 -0400

Note to self.....no matter how comfy new shoes feel in the 30 seconds you wear them in the shoe shop, it is not wise to then wear them when prancing around the city for an hour......if there is any chance they may cause you pain....

Ouchy feet

So I will jsut have to wear different shoes this afternoon as I have been shamed into getting a new phone for my bedside table !!!!!!!!!????

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Another shite Saturday so far

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:35:17 -0400

A shite Saturday so far.

I knew today wasn't going to be great but this is really taking the biscuit. The plan was that I was going to tidy up the garden with the kids. Hubby was going to help get soil and mulch from Home Depot - much to his disgust. You see has has just 'been away' for 10 days and is tired and jet lagged. Yeah 'cos he was away ON HOLIDAY as far as I am concerned. Anyhow, when he started asking if it wouldn't be cheaper to get said soil / mulch delivered I knew it was more as he couldn't be arsed to go to Home Depot rather than him worrying about the money.....Also we had to take Bee to riding and pick her up an hour later...and then later take her over to her friend's house for a playdate. Hardly stuff that would take the whole day but things on the agenda.

So I started in the garden.

It was cold - windy - even though it was supposed to be 60s today. Never mind. Hubby was going to take Bee to riding in my car and then go on to Home Depot and get the first load of mulch.

Then we got a call from him to say one of the tires on my car had gone...he had pulled on the grass and was waiting for AAA to come and get him but in the mean time I had to go and collect Bee to get her on to riding. Except he was in my car with the car seats and I was here with the 3 boys. So had to find all the 'spare' car seats we had -easier said than done - admittedly just for Mac and Rory and we drove over there and I then got Bee and dropped her off.
We came home and passed hubby who was still there with my car and the AAA truck......

He called to say he would collect Bee after riding and drop her off before going to the tire store. OK...so he drops Bee off and goes to tire store. They need to order a new tire. $325 for one....should be here Monday. The spare tire is actually quite sturdy so we should be fine in the meantime.

Then hubby goes to get into his car- the one that got the new windshield put in on Friday.....and he sees that they have broken his wipers in putting in the new glass. So he thinks he will go and take it down to the Audi garage to see if he can get them to fix it...except this is when the blizzard starts....and he has no working wipers. This is also when I have put Rory down for his nap and finally have trime to properly go and start on the garden too.

Strangely enough.....don't fancy gardening in the snow too much. I know, call me a wimp and all but...

Can it just go a little better for the rest of the day...please?

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Flag

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:41:08 -0400

I was in bed this morning when Mac came through...

Mac: Why is there a flag in here?

flag skirt

Me: What flag? (sneeking a peak)

Mac: This one here

Me: (trying to focus) That's a skirt

Mac: No it is a flag

Me: No it looks like a flag but it is a skirt.

Mac: Why does it have this button then?

Me: Because it's a skirt.

Mac: But if you wear it then people might call you 'flag girl' or 'flag mom.'

Me: Well that's ok (but thinking)

Aaaarh

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Knickers (+ update in my defense)

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:24:33 -0400

I got dressed today around 7.15am.

I got changed at about 8.30am and then again at about 9.15am - not in a very decisive mood today.

I also changed my knickers 3 times...and my bra twice to be color coordinated.

Can I just add here- in case this is why you lot think it wasn't normal.....at 7.15 I was getting dressed to simply drive the kids to school - by 8.30 it was more to go into pre-school and drop off Mac (so out of the skirt and into capris - cos I had decided it was too cold for a skirt once I had been out....) and then by 9.15 I knew I was going out (kid free) for a snazzy lunch (dress) which needed a more discreet bra of a different color......hence matching undies. And the undies at 7.15.....put them on then realised I couldn't find matching bra.....so changed into knickers ( thus 2nd pair) which had matching bra.

7.15 - knickers no matching bra to be found (blue) 7.16 matching bra and knickers (pink)....... 9.15 matching bra and knickers (black). So I really don't think I am abnormal. Ha!

This came up during the lunch time conversation with hubby and he put it on my list of 'You are so totally not normal' to which I replied, "I am perfectly normal, you could just never understand what it is all about." We both seem to utter those phrases on a regular basis.

It's normal isn't it? Underwear changes like that?

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How to fight over Vicks Vapor rub.

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:03:02 -0400

Last night hubby came home early from work. Tired, jet lag, yada yada yada. WThe kids and I had a frantic day of running here there and everywhere. I gave in and bought the kids McDonalds on the way home (I know, I know) so we came back and got them all sorted out with that.

~~Buggerlugs~~ Mac had fallen asleep in the car after his swim class - no real surprise there., He was tired as he'd gotten up so very very early - so excited about his trip to the dentist. It went well. Teeth are fine. He wandered off to the dentist's chair without any hesitation at all - he looked so grown up. Still chattered away through the teeth cleaning. You know how awkward it is when you are in the dentist's chair and they ask you a question and you know there's no point in answering as they won't be able to understand you, well Mac hasn't let that affect him at all - just talked his way through the exam. Afterwards I was stood making the next appointments for the end of OCTOBER (!) and he was fixated on the tv screen. They must have just put in the DVD for Bee Movie which we ourselves watched ~~continuously~~ a fair bit in Mexico. The sound was down but Mac, all 4 years old was word perfect, yelling 'Coming Soon, Kung Fu Panda, starring JACK BLACK!' and then "This summer, Madagascar 2!' I was so embarrassed. The receptionists were cracking up at him but I felt like I had a big sign around my neck saying 'I force my kids to watch tv 24/7'

Anyway. Last night, came home, children fed....husband grouchy. Very. Need 5 minutes peace so go outside to water front garden. He is 'watching them' from behind the Sunday Times that had arrived. Hear loads of screams from the house. Then I take kids with me to the back garden and start watering there too. Rory is 'helping me' water when all of a sudden there is a very nasty 'MUM OF FOUR!' shout from hubby (he uses my full name when he is cross). Apparently I had not noticed the smaller hose attached to the faucet had split a little and the bikes were getting sprayed. With water. Not acid or anything. But I was just terrible not having noticed these it seems. Did I not know how much they had cost just to rust them up.? Stopped watering. Bit tongue (thought TOSSPOT).

Get kids bathed and in bed. Except I know Mac will not sleep for a while as he had an afternoon nap (always causes problems). This too was my fault as I hadn't pulled over and beaten him with a stick (joke) to keep him awake. Anyhow - they were all in their rooms and Paddy was in our bed reading - but hubby was grouchy (at 8.30!) and wanted to sleep. I suggested he sleep in Paddy's bed even though Mac was still awake (they share a room and Mac is the issue for people being able to sleep in the other bed). This suggestion didn't go down well. Could hear Mac's footsteps upstairs in his room. Hubby went upstairs to tell him he should get to sleep.

"MUM OF FOUR' he yelled 'you'd better come and see this.' Uh!

So I go upstairs. There are books all over the floor. There is an overwhelming smell of Vicks (no one has colds at the moment)....There is a bathroom attached to Mac & Paddy's room. Each of the bedrooms has a bathroom attached - thats the way the house was built. There is no 'family/house bathroom per se. Mac had then got a roll of Sellotape/Scotch tape and taped it all from the door to the sink. This was becasue he needed to practise his limbo moves. Understandable. Then he had taken the tub of Vicks Vapor Rub out of my bathroom, used half of it as hair gel, and smeared the rest of it on the mirror, and on the CDs he'd taken from Paddy' desk. Yes. Indeed.

So I was cross with him oo but not surprised. He hadn't really wrecked anything. He was just mischievous. Yes I agreed he was naughty, but I didn't think it was worth going ballistic over.

Hubby Why did you give him this Vicks?

Me Of course I didn't give him it, he just took it

Hiubby The child is out of control.

Me: He is 4. He is mischievous.

Hubby; You will only listen to me when he does himself an injury

Me: How's he going to do that with Vicks?

Hubby: He could slip on it - it's all over

Me : He could slip on margarine in the kitchen too. Should we ban that as well?

Hubby: I think you should lock this bathroom door so they can't get in

Me: And when he needs the loo in the middle of the night?

Hubby: He can go downstairs to the bathroom

Me: Oh yeah. half asleep down the stairs. Yeah right.

Hubby - It's not like I am saying he has to pee in a bucket.

Me thinking YOU WANKER! GO TO BED. (About Hubby)

So, Mac went to bed. Hubby calmed down after I walked away thinking lots of bad thoughts. Hubby went to bed.

This morning. Mac slept late. Had to wake him at 7.20 to get him up to get the others to school.

As he woke up, all dishevelled, still sleepy, he croaked to Paddy: 'Daddy said I have to do wees in a bucket.,"

Mmmmmmm.

Amazing what they take in. Had to explain to his pre-school teacher why he smelt of Vicks.

Met hubby for lunch and relayed the bucket/wee comment to make him feel utterly guilty. Hubby was, incidentally a real brat as a child so I am told. Far from perfect. So the irony is just... so.. uh.

Will be a long weekend if he starts this crap again. Am planning on being in the garden an awful lot to work/get a tan/burn some calories/avoid any more rows. Wish me luck.

PS Incidentally, I quite like the smell of Vicks.

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Blue

nobody@vox.com(mumof4) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:07:06 -0400

So hubby arrived back last night. I knew when he was setting off from Belfast even as he 'accidentally' sat on/pushed a button on his Blackberry thus causing him to phone our home number here in USA at 2.36AM my time. Saw it was his phone on the caller ID, then saw the time and began to fear the worst - plane hijacked or whatever and then hearing all the muffled (through his trousers) commotion worked out what had happened. I spoke to him as he changed planes at Heathrow, gave him a guilt trip about waking me up so ~~forced him~~ made the suggestion a 'Hello' and a UK 'Marie Claire' may make it up a tad. He also threw in a Mini Cadbury's egg which lasted about 2 minutes after he got back.

Apparently on leaving his parents in Belfast, his dad (yes the sensitive Father in Law from previous posts) said, "Well it worked out well in the end but, the way you got to see all the relatives at once!" To which mother in law (think Hyacinth Bucket with an Irish accent) whacked his arm and replied, "Ah, we'll just get someone to die every time he's over then should we?". Typical warped sense of humour there.

It was slightly freaky when hubby got back - he was telling me about the wake and all and I was trying to be sympathetic, caring, etc (it really is all very sad when all is said and done). He was telling me how long they had been at the house etc and I was asking ~~dumb~~ non-Catholic questions about what they rest the coffin on, which room they used etc.....now bear in mind it is only about 24 hrs after the said wake and hubby is here with me in America...and I notice his hands have a really creepy, blue/grey tinge to them. I am trying to think what this could be from...but it just looks the sort of blue that you see lips going on dead people (on tv at least). So I am thinking the worst but trying to work it out rather than say something and offend him (see I am a little sensitive).

So he is tired, he has been gone 10 days....so we go to bed. And then I see his legs are all this blue colour too. It is soeriously creepy.

Turns out, he had on some new jeans - an indigo blue sort of washed jeans and he hadn't washed them before he wore them...so flying all day etc all the dye had come out on his legs and hands. I was laughing so hard, I don't think he was too impressed! I am surprised he made it through customs!!!

He couldn't sleep....time difference/jet lag/ need to catch up on football matches? So he went into the basement to watch tv down there. Then apparently he fell asleep on the sofa there in about 5 minutes (probably whilst I was still reading the UK papers he had brought from the flight) and only woke up at 3am with a stiff neck...then he made it back to bed.

Oh and he didn't win himself ANY brownie points saying 'Oh, so I see you never got my car fixed!' as he walked in through the door after so long away. Yeah babe, missed you too.

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