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May 31, 2007
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
This has been some kind of week for WonderGirl.
I didn't mention it here, but all four of my children were sick this week with The Mystery Fever. High temps that went up and down, and Czarina actually threw up a few times. Thankfully, we're on the tail end of it.
Which is good, because I. Am. Done.
Fried.
Whacked out.
I almost turned to the bottle, my friends. Yup. You heard it. I was going down fast, thinking how nice an amarretto sour would be by 8 a.m. But then the temps broke and the whining started to diminish, and there was an itsy bitsy light at the end of the tunnel. So I sucked it up, and pushed on, and finally everyone is nearly well and Friday is almost here. I narrowly escaped a lifetime of alcoholism, again! Go me!
But now it's confession time.
I will admit to the following, so that you may feel good about yourself.
1. I seriously wanted to tell some of my precious loves to "shut it". I didn't do it, mind you, but I stared dark temptation in the face.
2. I thanked God on more than one occasion this week for not blessing me with twins. (He has a divine perception of my coping abilities.)
3. My house may never be clean again.
4. And I kinda don't care.
5. I didn't run AT ALL this week, and
6. I ate chocolate for every other meal.
7. Many days, I wore my pajamas until lunchtime.
8. And we watched cartoons until my eyeballs bulged.
9. I used my disconnected headphones as earplugs at one point.
10. I didn't mind so much that they had no appetites because I didn't feel like cooking jack.
So there you have it.
Whew. I feel better.
Now, back to being a nice, sane mommy who doesn't drink whiskey for breakfast*.
**Mom, I joke.
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:54 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
5 Things I Like About Rosie O'Donnell
(Thank you, Ashley, for making this post possible. You're a dear.)
1. I like that Rosie isn't related to me. I don't have to buy her a Christmas present, or listen to her conspiracy theories over Thanksgiving dinner.
2. I like that Rosie isn't a blond, because we don't need that kind of P.R.
3. I like that Rosie got into it with the Donald, because it reminded me that I should stop watching so much t.v.
4. I like that Rosie uh.... Ashley, this was too cruel.
5. I like that Rosie quit the View, because now they can get Sandra Berndhart in there. Yes! (---please note the sarcasm.)
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:12 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
May 30, 2007
New Exclusives from the Seedy Underbelly of the Sippy Cup Vortex
Kicking off Reader Appreciation Week with Jeannette's submission.
***********
The baby had on what I referred to as the French Moo. It was a white longsleeved suit, with gray and black polka dots. He looked like the spurious offspring of a cow and a mime. Why the French ancestry, I couldn't say, but it seemed to fit. This was quite the occupation for such a little fellow, and I laughed every time he was outfitted as the French Moo.
The baby cooed from his mother's lap, breaking the universal law of mimes everywhere.
"Oh little one," I crooned in my unpracticed maternal voice, "Come to Auntie Zoe!" I held out my arms and was rewarded with an excited squeel. The baby bounced up and down on my knees, and I watched my sister through the corner of my eye. She was mumbling to herself as she sifted through the various baby paraphernalia piled around us.
"It was just here," she said distractedly, peering under the table.
"What?"
"The sippy cup. Dang it!"
I hid a smile. A year and a half ago, "dang it" wouldn't have made it into her colorful vocabulary. Who knew that my spikey-haired, punk rock older sister would grow up to be a respectable, responsible adult? I guess babies will do that to you.
"Is Mommy having a little breakdown?" I asked my tow-headed nephew, earning a gummy smile.
"Seriously, Zoe, help me. You have no idea how many of these we go through a day."
I spotted the blue and yellow cup where it had rolled under the stroller. "There," I pointed. The baby clapped and held out a chubby, star-shaped hand. I preened slightly in auntly pride.
"Here you go, you little monster," said my sister fondly, handing him the prize. "Try to hang on to it for more than two seconds this time."
I stared at her for a long minute, remembering. It wasn't all that long ago that I was the little monster in her life. "You're a great mom," I said.
She smiled, an unknown and secret smile. It looked good on her. Better than the spikey hair.
The baby giggled as I tweaked his nose, and the sound drifted down on us like snowflakes, light and soft. "Come on, little French Moo. Let Auntie Zoe introduce you to the seedy underbelly of the sippy cup vortex. I know just where to hide 'em." Big eyes looked up into mine.
"Then I'll teach you how to drive," I whispered conspiratorily.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:22 AM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
May 29, 2007
Audience Participation
Hullo, birdies! Enjoying your Tuesday? Lovely, short week we're having, huh?
I'm in a good mood today. Why, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. It's not the fourteen Diet Dr. Pepper's I've had this morning. Nope. It's because Reader Appreciation Week at Chez Sift has arrived. You didn't know? Oh yes. It's finally here.
Let me tell you how this goes down. The first time we did it, folks submitted a comment, which I used as the title of a blog post. That worked out great- it was challenging and fun. (Especially the kind hearted soul who left "Rare Asian Walrus Asphyxiates After Eating Trainer's Shoes". Nice.) So this year, we're going to build on that theme. Leave me a comment with a word or phrase that you'd like me to use. I'll write on it, and at then end of the week, we'll vote on which blog post you liked the most. Whoever submitted the title for that post shall be declared Winner and Ruler of the Visible Domain. Okay, maybe not the Ruler part. I don't have the authority to pronounce you Master of the Universe. But, Winner you shall be, and Prize you shall recieve. And not some chintzy hand written certificate. I'm gonna send you something awesome.
So, come on! Delurk, my delightful, deserving, dedicated, degenerates. (Um... sorry. Don't let my overly-caffeinated alliteration dissuade you. Ha.)
Seriously though... I do appreciate you guys. Writing wouldn't be much fun without readers. I love you all. You spin me right round, baby, right round.
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:25 AM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Rock Climbers
Yesterday, King Pen took Czarina and HeroBoy to Moss Rock Preserve. (The little ones and I stayed home because the Duke had a fever.) Before they left, I snapped a pic or two, and handed the camera off to King Pen so he could do the same while they were out. From all accounts, it was a very cool day trip. We'll have to try again to get out there all together.
Continue reading "Rock Climbers"
Posted by WonderGirl at 8:28 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 28, 2007
ING
Hanging:
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:44 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
May 26, 2007
Juice Fast Day 2
7 a.m. Awake with the kids, and nausea is gone, thank the heavens. I have tightness in my left shoulder which is causing a slight headache, but it's not bad. I think after I rehydrate, it will diminish some. Besides that, I feel good! Not hungry, which is nice. You would think that with every missed meal, the hunger would get worse and worse, but it doesn't. It actually starts to diminish after that first day. Anyway, I'm drinking some water, and in a little bit I'll hit the juice. My mouth feels funky. I've brushed and flossed and rinsed and it's still feeling gross, so I must be detoxing. At this point, people who used to smoke say they taste nicotine sometimes. Ew. Anyway, that's my state this morning. Looking forward to today- I think the worst is behind me (hopefully!).
11:15 a.m. Had to make a run to the grocery store for the next week, and that was brutal. Arrgghh!! There were free samples every where I looked, and the smell of fresh bread wafted from the bakery. Agony!! My shoulders are tight, dull headache, and I'm wiped out. Luckily, we planned on doing nothing today, so that suits my energy level. Gonna juice now, and rest some.
6:30 p.m. After much up and down discussion, we decide to break the fast. We had originally intended to go for three days, but hated the idea of being so zonked out on a Sunday. Sundays are hard enough to wrangle, with getting the kids to church and all. It would have been a pretty miserable day, and it seemed best to shorten our original goal. So, we had a light soup, and revelled in the deliciousness! We slept great last night, and woke up this morning recharged. I feel terrific! I'm really glad we did it, but glad also that it's over.
Okay, all for now. More later!
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:02 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
May 25, 2007
Juice Fast Day 1
6:30 a.m. Had about 10 oz. of strawberry/banana juice- actually quite filling. I am a little groggy without coffee, but managing okay. Slight tightness in my shoulders but no headache yet.
9:30 a.m. Neck ache is beginning to turn into a slight, thuddish headache, but not too bad. Little bit hungry, but I don't eat a big breakfast anyway, so not missing too much. Drinking some water.
1:30 p.m. Things are going well! I had more juice for lunch, and I've been sipping water all day. Headache is minimal, mostly just fighting some hunger pains and wondering what to do with myself! Teeth are tingly though, which is a bit weird.
6:30 p.m. Okay, I'm officially really hungry. The kids are eating dinner, and it was all I could do to resist licking my finger as I made their plates. Neck is tight, headache is inconvenient but not terrible. I am fighting a little crankiness. We went out for a hike with the kids to get some fresh air and pass the time, so that was good. Now we're gonna veg out with a movie.
8:00-10:30 p.m. I hit the lowest point here. I got wretchedly ill, couldn't keep anything down. Every time I got sick, my head felt like it was going to explode, literally. I haven't been that sick since an unfortunate encounter with a tequila bottle a few years back. It was ugly. I finally fell into bed and slept it off.
Posted by WonderGirl at 8:28 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 24, 2007
Juicing
Went to Whole Foods tonight to stock up on juice for my fasting weekend. Do you know how much I love that store? Do ya? I wanna marry it. White dress and all. Sorry, King Pen. We had a good run. But I can't resist the charms of Whole Foods any longer. Just send my things to the produce section, aisle 1.
No, I'm kidding. Whole Foods already has a girlfriend anyway. Some little open art market in Soho.
On with the story. I put Chipmunk in my new fabulous sling, and I blended right in with my fellow bohemian shoppers buying their organic bean sprouts and hemp toilet paper. I was coo-ool.
Here are the juices I got, all from Bolthouse Farms:
Green Goodness
Strawberry Banana
Berry Boost
Vedge
Passion Fruit
I also got some off-brand cranberry/rasberry juice, and white grape juice to supplement in case we need it. Did I mention King Pen is doing this with me? So I needed a lot. Do not ask how much I spent. I had to work out a finance plan with the cashier. Monthly installments. But can you put a price on health? Can you?
Don't answer that.
Anyway, we're stocked up on primo juice, and I'm ready to go. I'm eager, and yet, dreading the whole thing. I know how good it will feel to do it, but man oh man, the pain you go through at first. Guh. I'm already pining for that first missed cup of coffee in the morning. Water with lemon just doesn't pry my eyes open like that beautiful brown bean of joy. Wah. I'm gonna missa my cuppa.
Well, I suppose with that thought, I should turn in. I'll be up and at 'em tomorrow, and I'll blog as I fast so you can follow along. (Since you're all just hanging on my every word. You don't have anything else to do, right?)
G'night, moonpies. See you in the morning.
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:53 PM | TrackBack
I Heart Anthropomorphism
Hello, Thursday! You're right on time. Where's Friday? Oh, right behind you? I swear, Friday is the slow-poke of the pack. Come on, already! Get the lead out, Fman!
So. Lost last night. Who saw it? Did it rock, or what?? And now, we must endure an entire summer of wandering what the heck is going on. Again. Oh, Lost. The way you string me along is shameless.
Not much else going on today, just the regular stuff. I am not sure what our plans for Memorial Day weekend are. We thought about driving up to Chattanooga and going to the Aquarium, but then I looked up ticket prices and GOOD GRIEF! Life's too expensive! We are just not at that point where we can drop a hundred dollars for an afternoon stroll through a fish tank, thank you very much. One day, yes. But till then, we'll just look up pictures of fish on the internet. (Awww, how sad does that sound?) Seriously, though. I want to be able to do things like that when we have the money for it, it's not that I'm cheap. But sakes alive. Do I have to sell a kidney to take the fam on a little vacation? Right now, a hundred dollars might as well be a thousand. And since we are trying to get into a house, we've got to keep a careful watch on our money. So, no trips to see the fishies.
I have been thinking about using the four day weekend to do another fast. It's been a while since I did one, and I think I'm due. It's not an entirely pleasant experience though, and I do hate wasting precious vacation days on something so unfun. If I decide to do it, I'll blog it again like I did last time.
Well, I should get. Kids need dressing, dishes need rinsing, and babies need snuggling. Have a happy day, everybody! See ya on the morrow.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:25 AM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
May 23, 2007
Wodnes dæg
We watched Pan's Labyrinth last night, and wow! What an amazing movie! Every scene was enthralling, though occasionally horrific. It was in Spanish, so we had to read the English subtitles, but after a few minutes I didn't even notice. As a matter of fact, I think the soft, lilting accent made it even better, more "otherworldly". It was haunting and beautiful and so compelling that I didn't want to miss a moment of it. Definitely one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Check it out.
In other news, I made it back in one piece with all the chilluns. They are happy to be home, and I'm happy to have 'em. We'll be getting back into the swing of things today. I am basically through with teaching school, I just sort of burned out on it this last week or two. We'll keep up with it some throughout the summer, but we're basically done. Hoorah! Summer's here!
Speaking of which, the pool opens this weekend, and we're all geared up for it. Floaties, sunscreen, boogie boards, and goggles. We're ready to hit the water. All except, ya know, getting me back into a swimsuit. Bah. Why must swimsuit season be nipping at my heels so soon after having my fourth child? Come on! Gimme a minute, here!
I've been running a few times a week, working my way up to 2 miles. I am starting to see it in my calves and arms, but I'm still waiting on my stomach. Not there yet. I'm also watching what I eat, so that has to be helping, right? I am back to my prepregnancy weight, but I lack the tone I once had. I guess it took ten months to get into that condition, and it will take longer than two months to get out of it. Patience, patience. I should get a swimsuit that says "I just had a baby, so quit judging me" written across the butt. There's definitely room for it! Ha! I kill me.
Okay, I gots stuff ta do. You guys take it easy, and I'll blog ya later.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:22 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 22, 2007
Where in the World is WonderGirl?
I've been busy!
I recovered the rocking chair:
And made these curtains that you cannot see in this picture:
And enjoyed baby loveliness:
And sewed the sling, which King Pen will have to photograph me wearing later. In addition to that, I painted some picture frames black, touched up the wall paint, and organized the kids rooms and clothes. The only thing I didn't get to was steam cleaning the carpet. Oh well. We can live with the spots a little longer.
I'm finishing up a few more things around the house, then going to pick up the kids this afternoon. It's been great- and very productive, but I miss the kidlings and am ready for them to come home.
Okay, that's all- just thought I'd pop in and letcha know I hadn't fallen off the face of the earth or anything! I'll be back in a day or so.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:46 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 21, 2007
Busy as a Bee
Good morning, sunshines! How are we, today?
I am up and ready to get going. So far on this (mostly) childless weekend, I have sewn curtains, halfway recovered the rocking chair pads, reorganized the boy's room and their clothes, and picked up fabric for the new sling. Today, I will buy some paint to do touch-ups on our walls, sew a sling, finish the rocking chair, drop off some stuff at the goodwill, hit the library, go for a run, cook something yummy and adultish for dinner tonight, and catch the season finale of Heroes. It will be lovely.
I enjoy productive weekends, which is a new development that came along with having kids. Before then, my main goal for a weekend was sleeping as late as possible and uh... yeah, that was basically it. Now, those rare weekends sans the kiddos are glorious, blank days to accomplish stuff. I remember once upon a childless time, thinking that people who spent their weekends so busy were crazy. Relax, I'd think. Chill, baby. But now I get it. I soooo get it. I'm like a madwoman with a to-do list. Watch out. You could get splattered with paint.
Anyway.
At church yesterday, I recieved several comments like, "Oh, you look nice and fresh today!" While I appreciated the positive remark, it did make me wonder in just what condition I've been dragging myself around lately. Scary! But it's true, I did feel refreshed. We had a church picnic, and I got to sit with the ladies and chat AND make my own plate and eat the whole thing (no sharing!). This is quite the treat, trust me!
Well my little dumplings, I must go. I have lots on the agenda today, and I should get started. Hope you all have a wonderful, productive Monday!
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:08 AM | TrackBack
May 18, 2007
I Spy
I'm drinking out of my official C.I.A. coffee mug this morning. Sadly, that's about as close as I'll come to using my degree in criminal justice. Oh, you didn't know? Well, yes. You don't think I'd call myself a superhero without the credentials to back it up, do you?
I started out majoring in elementary education, but I was never really into it. Then, I had a bad break-up, so I changed my hair and my career goals. (Hey, we all deal with our issues differently.) So, I decided on the ever-useful field of criminal justice. Yeah. It was a tad... random. I wanted to work for the C.I.A. I wasn't thinking very far into the future, of a family and all that. I just wanted to kick some keister. Then I met King Pen, and suddenly my expertise seemed a bit irrelevant. Unless he was masterminding some criminal activity. And trust me, I checked him out. He was clean. No ties to the seedy underworld. No need for kicking keisters.
Now here I am, with this admittedly cool, but totally useless, degree. So I drinks mah coffee, daydream about when I used to take tae kwon do, and live vicariously through the likes of Buffy, Lara Croft, and Sydney Bristow.
Sometimes I wish I'd gone to culinary school. Or the Advanced Laundry Academy, or Carseat Technical Institute. Would come in handy these days! Since knowing how to kill a man with a paperclip and a rubberband hasn't turned out to be so useful. Yet.
Okay pumpkin heads, I have stuff to do. I am packing the kids suitcases today, which means a foray into Laundry Land. A scary place when you don't have the proper degree. I'll catch you later.
Hi-Yah!
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:03 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 17, 2007
Evolution of Language
I think we should all agree from now on to pronounce laboratory as "Luh-bore-uh-tory."
Come on. You know it's more fun.
Posted by WonderGirl at 2:35 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Madame Chatterly
Well, howdy do, everybody! How's it going this Thursday morning? Hard to believe it's Thursday already. Another week, come and gone. Wowza.
There's a guy here working on our sink today, and it's awkward. He's going to be here for a few hours, and I think we're gonna try to get out of here as soon as Chipmunk wakes from his nap. It's just weird to have a stranger in your house all day long. I feel like he's trying to read over my shoulder every time he walks by. Like he knows I'm blogging about him. Spooky.
Oh, okay, it's not really spooky. I'm just trying to create drama in my exceedingly undramatic day. Let me have my moment.
As an aside, why must my child come stand right beside me to toot? Seriously. Just a few feet over that a-way would be much better. Personal space, children. Personal space.
Speaking of the kids- they are going to my mom's house this weekend, did I mention that? Saturday. I. Am. Thrilled. I have about a two month threshold, and then I need a babysitter something fierce. If we lived near family, it would be different. I would have the occasional hour here or there to drop them off at Grandma's, and I'd be able to decompress more often. But that's a luxury I don't have (yet). So it accumulates until I am ready to FedEx my children to the nearest family member. Luckily, there are plenty of people willing to sign for them. Ha.
So this weekend, I plan to steam clean my carpet, touch up the paint in a few rooms, sew a new sling, frame some pictures, drink margaritas, curse, watch rated R movies, and walk around without a bra on. Whoohoo!! It's a no-kid zone for three whole days. Well, except for Chipmunk. But he's so little, he won't remember anything from the "Mom Gone Wild" weekend. Sweet.
Well that's all for now. I think I hear the baby crying, so that means we can get out of the handyman's way. I bet I come back and he's trying to check my email, though. I tell ya, the man is nosy. But he fixes a mean pipe.
Peace out.
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:10 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
May 15, 2007
On Girl Movies
I don't watch girl movies, as a general rule. Occasionally, if the opportunity presents itself, I will pile into the car with my sisters or aunts or girlfriends and we'll go catch a show that the guys wouldn't want to see. Maybe once or twice a year. It's more about a Girls Night Out, though. If they'd go get margaritas with me instead, I'd rather do that. Especially if they have chips and that good, white cheese dip.
But every now and then, I feel as if I am missing out on something, and I'll run out and rent two or three chick flicks. King Pen rolls his eyes, because it never works out the way I think it will.
Well, it hit me this weekend, and I rented "Catch and Release." I like Jennifer Garner- she's my girl. She had me at "Alias". And the back cover of the movie sounded a little like "Hope Floats", which is one girl movie I enjoyed - so I went for it. I got my Goobers, my Diet Dr. P, put on my comfy clothes, ignored the tortured sighs of my husband, and settled in on the couch for some good girly me time.
Well, I am reminded of just why I quit watching this stuff. It stunk. Like old, moldy leftover casserole in the fridge. I didn't want to admit it at first- King Pen was clearly wearing his "I told you so" look. I tried to hold out, but he was right. Again. Girl movies bite.
At least I had my goobers, though.
What's happened to me? Am I missing a chromosome or something? Why can't I enjoy a goopy movie? Or is it that they make them so poorly that nobody really likes them? Predictable plots, forgettable dialogue, underdeveloped characters. Or have I become one of those people that can't appreciate a movie unless something blows up in it? I hope that's not the case.
The next girly-type movie I am really looking forward to is The Time Traveller's Wife, in 2008. That was such a great book. If only they'd blown up a few more things, it would have been perfect. (Kidding.)
Anyway.
I guess I should get myself in gear. Stuff to do, stuff to do. Movies to watch, yada yada yada. Have a good Tuesday, everybody. Mo' blogging later.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:32 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
May 14, 2007
Two
Happy Birthday, Mr. Man. Mama loves you.
Posted by WonderGirl at 4:08 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Grwl
Ergards. I hate waking up to fussing and fighting from the Short Ones. I come up out of bed like the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk. FEE FI FO FUM, If you're smart, you better run! And they do.
I make a beeline for the coffee pot, and try not to dole out judgements until both eyes are completely opened.
Anyway...
Coffee's ready now- I'm going to get my fix. I'll be back on later.
By the way- Chipmunk has his 2 mo. check up and immunizations today. Wah.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:20 AM | TrackBack
May 12, 2007
Popping In Between Yawns
What a day! The Duke turns two tomorrow, so we had a little shindig for him this afternoon. I'm wiped.
Pictures tomorrow afternoon, after my Sunday nap.
Happy Mother's Day to all... and here's a little humor to celebrate the occasion. (Cause I didn't get you flowers. I'm sorry.)
You Know You're a Mother when...
You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they
are equal
You plot to get even with the kid who broke your child's toy and
made him cry
You can remove chewing gum from just about anything
You hide in the bathroom to be alone
Someone else's kid throws up at a party, and you can keep eating
You believe finger paints should be a controlled substance
You read "Once Upon A Potty" out loud in a crowded waiting room
You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it's the only one your child
eats
You tell your child that TOYS R US is a toy museum, not a store
You find yourself cutting all sandwiches into unusual shapes
You fast-forward the VCR through the scene where Bambi's mother gets
killed
Continue reading "Popping In Between Yawns"
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:42 PM | TrackBack
May 11, 2007
The Last Day, Part II
"Forget it, Jason," Megan said. "I am not letting you drive. You don't even have a license yet."
"I don't need a piece of paper from the man. I could drive blindfolded."
"Well, not in my car you're not," She adjusted the rearview mirror, and pulled out of the driveway. Jason's house was close enough to skateboard home, but he had talked Kyle's older sister into giving him a lift on her way to the mall. He and Kyle had been friends ever since Jason moved to Edgewood three years ago, and he'd had an embarassing crush on Megan from the moment he met her. Two years older than the boys, she was often delegated the duty of keeping an eye on the pair. She pretended she didn't notice Jason's stares and hopeful gestures.
Continue reading "The Last Day, Part II"
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
A Mother's Day
Time stands still for no man... or woman.
Every day, I see the signs, the long, little girl limbs of my daughter, the squaring shoulders of my sons. Time transforms them into the future right before my eyes. Some days it is sweet, and some days it stings. I miss who they were the day before, but I am proud of them today. The years begin to pile up around me, birthdays and Christmases holding more memories than will fit in my photo album. My life is full to bursting with these four people, the littlest details surrounding me like piles of golden coins. The way her hair curls, the way he runs, the freckles, the scars, the giggles, and the tears. They are my treasure, my life's accumulation.
It scares me that one day, I can't scoop them up in my lap. I can't hold that little hand to cross the street. I won't be able to lean down to kiss them goodnight and tuck them in, because they'll go to bed later than I do, and the dark doesn't scare them anymore. And one day, they'll be in another bed, in another house, in another life.
It's the natural course of things, I want those things for them. But as much as I prepare them for those days and watch proudly as they graduate from stage to stage, I mourn. Each step that brings them closer to what they will be, seems to take them farther from me.
Yes, yes I know... it is right and good, this growing up they are doing. But let me have today, let me have the tears, let me have the sadness. Because my best friends are changing, and in my heart I know that the suns that have risen around me will one day set. It is the way of things.
But not today. Today, they cast morning light, and evening is far away. Today I am the world to them, and they to me.
Today, every day is a Mother's Day.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:57 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 9, 2007
Jingle Torture
Tell me, please, that you are all being harrassed by that "Get Zwinky" commercial on tv, too.
It's not just me, is it?
Get it outta my head! Please, for the love of all that is good in this world, GET IT OUT!
(Nevermind the fact that I don't know what in blazes a Zwinky is. But dangit. I want one now.)
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:30 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
The Ties that Bind
This time last year, we were packing boxes and King Pen was finishing up finals. We were at the conclusion of five years in school, and getting ready to make the first move in his career. We weren't all that sad to be leaving Baton Rouge- King Pen's friends were all moving on, and I didn't have all that many to begin with. I knew I would miss Debby, but other than her, I didn't have many close relationships outside of family.
When we moved to Birmingham, I was ready for change, not only in scenery, but also in my social habits. I am so weird when it comes to meeting people. Once I get warmed up, I can be myself and I'm pretty outgoing, but it takes me forever to feel comfortable enough to do that. If I become friends with someone, it's usually because they pursue it more diligently than me. That's a sad admission. It means I've been too lazy or too busy or too unwilling to go outside my comfort-zone to make meaningful connections with people. That's a lonely way to live- and I think God wants more for us. I didn't want that trend to continue in my life. So coming here, I began to pray that God would make me better friend material, and that He would send a woman along that needed a friend as much as I did.
And instead, He sent dozens. Okay, maybe dozens is a bit of an exaggeration. But a lot. Driving home from a baby shower last night, I realized how fortunate I am. I spent a terrific evening with a roomful of women that I really like. They are warm and genuine, and fun! I think you are lucky if you find one or two people like that in your life, but I've stumbled upon a whole slew of them. I've never felt so comfortable with so many women in my life, aside from family. There are friends to be made here, lifelong, heart-true friends.
God answered my prayer, tenfold. The gift of friendship is enough to be thankful for, but I also had the joy of realizing that I have a God who cares. He cares, He provides, He listens.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:46 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
May 8, 2007
The Last Day
She had long legs, the kind that went on forever, and she knew it. Her foot tapped to the mellow sounds drifting from the radio, and he fell a little bit in love with her pinky toe. The tiny nail was painted cotton-candy pink, and Jason tried unsuccessfully not to stare.
It was the summer he turned sixteen, and he was floating on a raft in his best friend's pool. He came here during the part of the afternoon that was too hot for skateboarding. In Southern California, you either surfed or skated. He had tried surfing, but could never entirely overcome his fear of sharks, not that he'd admit that to anybody. Maybe if he hadn't seen Jaws the weekend before his first try up on the board, he'd be surfing right now instead of drooling after his best friend's older, and completely unattainable, sister Megan. Maybe if he hadn't been so busy trying to impress an uninterested girl with cannonball splashes, he would have been in the right place to stop what happened. The maybe's and what-if's of that day tormented him for years, and did nothing to undo the worst event of his life. He was a boy doing what boys do, making memories in a sunlit afternoon. He had no way of knowing that four miles a way, a darkness was circling like a shadowy shark in the depths, coming to steal his happiness.
It was the last day of light, the last day of youth, and he never saw it coming.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:04 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 6, 2007
Books & Bubbles & Bees
I made a quick trip to the library today, and I might have been overly ambitious in my selections. Somehow, I ended up with an armload of books that I couldn't bear to choose from, so I brought them all home. Craziness. I have about fifteen minutes a day to commit to reading- and that's assuming I don't drop the book in the tub. Oh come on- you know you are all out there reading your books in the bathtub, too. Don't get all high and mighty "I only take showers" on me, and "I'd never take a book in the bathroom, that's disgusting". You lie. And my friend- lies make the baby Jesus cry, so you better stop. There's no shame in the tub. No shame, I say! And if you stay in there, reading your James Patterson and Nora Roberts paperbacks till the bubbles are all gone and your fingers look like Granny's, well all the better. You and I understand each other. We are kindred spirits.
Anyway, I am pumped about the books I got. And I am pumped that I am pumped about it. Because it means that I am finally starting to WAKE UP. There's something about the pregnancy hormones that dulls my brain. It's like smoke on a beehive... I become slow and uninterested, less prone to rouse myself to anything creative. As the smoke begins to clear, I perk up. I want to write again, read again, participate in the world. Make metaphorical honey and... metaphorically sting people? I don't know. I could only make that analogy go so far.
But it's a good thing, this coming awake again.
However, that's all for tonight... no more waking or buzzing or bathing. I'm sleepy and off in search of cool sheets and dreams of bees. G'night, dears. See you in the a.m.
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:45 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 4, 2007
Aren't You Supposed to Be Working?
And because I'm totally slacking today (hey, it's Friday! ) here's another one to add to the mix.
This really cracked me up. (warning: little bit of language, so maybe not work appropriate. Unless you work at Cursing Incorporated, and then it should be okay.)
The editor of Collegehumor.com made this video at work. I just wanna know if they really have the pingpong table or if they brought it in special.
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:25 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Experiments in Children's Art
(HT to the Smocklady for this one!)
This is the coolest idea! Dave Devrie, an artist, has attempted to answer the question,"What would a child's drawing look like if it was painted realistically?" He's got a book and a website called Monster Engine. Check it out- it's fascinating!
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:44 AM | TrackBack
May 3, 2007
Part II
(Read Part I here)
I'm just having fun with this-- writing whatever comes to mind. It's full of pop culture references and slang and won't last the test of time or anything. It's strictly for entertainment purposes. So, um... all that to say, don't be mean.
***
Somebody was trying to set me up, and they were doing an excellent job so far. The first person the police suspect in a homicide is the spouse, and I had the misfortune to fit the bill for two murders in a week. It didn't help that I also had motive out the wazoo. Wife number one had been sucking me dry in alimony payments for five years, and I was cranky about it. And wife number two, well that pretty little number had drugged me and robbed me blind two days ago. You'd think she would have at least waited until the honeymoon was over, but no. I wasn't one of those lucky in love kind of guys. However, actually having them die in my presence was a new development. And here I had finally overcome my fear of commitment. Go figure.
Posted by WonderGirl at 8:02 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
One House Down
I'm reading a book right now called "American Bloomsbury" that has me totally fascinated. Did you know that Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Nathanial Hawthorne, and Margaret Fuller all lived in the same town, at the same time? They had relationships with each other, pooling their literary and political interests to become the founders of Transcedentalism. They rented houses and land from each other, had brief romantic interests in one another, used each other as inspiration for characters in novels... They learned, and lived, and wrote, together. They were a community unto themselves. I had no idea! I've always thought of these authors independently. It never occurred to me that they interracted with each other. I love the concept, though. I would love to live next door to someone who wanted to exchange literary critiques, to engage in conversation about writing techniques, and in a greater sense, how to interpret life as writers. Someone who inspired me, and found inspiration in me as well. What would such fertile ground produce? When it comes down to it, yes, you sit alone with a pen in your hand, but you write with the world at your shoulder. What could you write with genius one house down?
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:57 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
May 1, 2007
Je t'aime
HeroBoy: Hey Mom, guess how much I love you?
Me: How much?
HeroBoy: A hundred times!
Me: Aw, thanks sweetie!
HeroBoy: No, nevermind - not a hundred times. I love you sixty pounds!
Now that's love.
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:40 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack