More Than The Leaves Are Changing....

This has been a fabulous week with my family. I have enjoyed spending time with my nieces and nephew and spoiling them rotten, I have loved spending time with my sister and shopping on Black Friday with her (I would NEVER shop on Black Friday with anyone else), I have enjoyed my free time and spending time with SB at an extended dinner filled with beer and tears.

I am looking forward to getting back home, sleeping in my own bed and getting back into our routine. We have spent the last week opening presents, eating sugary cereal, laughing and loving on the kids. All of that was fun but I must say, I am somewhat ready for a change. I am ready for the change of seasons, I am ready for the change of weather and I am ready for a change of attitude. On this trip, I have realized that I have become a bitter and complainy type person. This is going to change. I am going to regain my half full attitude if it is the last thing I do. I have become so accustomed to the negativity that I don't know how to respond anymore to a positive. I have realized that friendships change, marriages change, and relationships change...and people need to change with you or they sometimes get left behind. While this makes me sad, it is what it is.

Aren't You Supposed To Relax On Vacation?

These are things I have been heard saying in the last 24 hours since my family has joined me here in this beautiful coastal town:

1. I am not speaking to you anymore.

2. You girls better stop ringing that doorbell.

3. Wait...how exactly did our daughter ride her bike off a cliff?

4. Do you really think it is a good idea to allow a 7 year old to drive a golf cart?

5. OH MY GOD...STOP RINGING THAT DAMN DOORBELL!!

6. Mom, do you really think that aliens or the CIA are tapping into your cell phone?

7. Wow, Mom, you really do think that aliens or the CIA are tapping into your cell phone...my bad...ya, I am sure they are too.

8. No, I am not kidding, I am not speaking to you right now.

9. How exactly did you forget to bring my hairdryer? The one thing I asked you to bring and you forgot it...how does that happen?

10. Daddy, mommy wants me to tell you again she is not speaking to you. Apparently, you don't seem to understand.

11. It isn't polite to burp in public...it really isn't.

12. Yes, I did actually need this new hoodie that I bought today.

13. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD....STOP RINGING THAT F#$*ing DOORBELL!!!

I was so excited for them to get here but, now I realize life was grand for those 48 hours that I was alone. I will hold on to those memories and cherish them forever...who knows when that will happen again.

PS...The doorbell is fascinating to my kids because it is connected to the outside gate and you have to buzz the visitor in. They spend countless hours ringing it and deciding if they want to buzz the other one in...such joy!!!

I Can't Believe I Am Saying This...

It has been 48 hours of no kids and no husband. I would like to say that I have spent the time doing all the things I desperately wish I had time to do but, with snotty nosed kids around I just don't have the time or energy to do. I find it difficult to get all dolled up and go out on the town these days and think I am considered dressed up if I am wearing shoes other than Converse tennis shoes and a hoodie. I would like to report to all of you that I have spent my time getting together over 2 hour lunches with my frinends SB and Slab, getting pedicures, and staying up late only to sleep in the next morning.

Unfortunately, I won't paint such a pretty picture since I have been spending my time watching crappy tv that super hot hubby would roll his eyes at when I watch it. I considered going out to the local tavern last night but, really...just thought it was too much work for a beer that I can drink from the fridge. I have spent my time eating frozen meals...and I am including ice cream as a meal. I did, in fact run this morning...but, as I was running down Main Street I ended up doing some shopping instead. So, running turned into walking turned into trying on hoodies. Oh geez, I have got to the point where I miss the kids smiles, I miss super hot hubby cooking for me, I miss the noise...I hope they get here soon.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Wait...do you hear that? I hear a child crying (screaming actually) and it isn't mine. That is bliss!!! I can look at that mom in pure disgust that she can't get her kid to stop throwing a fit. I can be THAT person right now. I am headed to the airport bar for some overpriced beer and mysterious business men.

I'm So EXCITED...and I just Can't Hide It!!!!

I am so excited...wanna know why? I am headed to beautiful Southern California for a few days to give thanks and spend the holidays with my family. Oh ya....did I mention that I am flying BY MYSELF and staying BY MYSELF in a small beach town for two nights? Did I mention that part...ya, that is where my excitement comes from. Don't get me wrong, family trips are great. Driving for long distances in the car with super hot hubby at the wheel going (at top speed) 62 miles per hour, stopping at some seedy, gross gas stations along the way since the kids can't hold it anymore, eating at the local AM/PM for lunch...sounds fun, right? Any of you who have shared a 747 with me and the kids have experienced the endless picking up of crayons, spilling of drinks, kicking the seat in front of us, constant apologies to everyone on the plane and the trying to get all three of us in the bathroom by the cockpit. Do you know that FAA regulations REQUIRE you to close the restroom door by the cockpit? Doesn't matter that there are two kids in there with me....one of which must stand on top of the toilet to flush while the other is sitting on the sink counter. It is REQUIRED!!!!

This time, I am flying...all alone, could care less about getting to the airport early enough but not too early...hell, I would go right now if I could. I am going to grab the latest People magazine and see if I can hold out until I get on the plane to open it. I am betting on "no" but, I will try. I am going to browse through the sky mall magazine and think about ordering a wine chiller or a new hammock for the back yard. I will order a drink on the plane...maybe...the possibilities are endless. At this point, the only thing that can ruin this flight is 1) Sitting in front of a child who endlessly kicks my seat (basically a kid just like mine) or 2) Sitting next to a person that really should have got two seats...I don't like it when someone spills over into my seat. I am thinking that even those things won't ruin my flight...I may just need a few drinks instead of one.

Facebook Faux Pas

I had the most unbelievable chat with my high school friend...shout out to SLAB and her big 80's hair. I am still stunned and in shock by what took place. We all know, that chatting via facebook is fun but can sometimes get out of hand. You begin typing so fast and you hit return and think "CRAP...did I just do that?"

SLAB was chatting on the good book with a friend from high school when her cousin began to hit her up with chatting. Poor, sweet SLAB engages in conversations of rapid fire from both of them. Her cousin busts out with "You know I have always had a crush on you." AND "Maybe I will come out to (insert SLAB'S state here) and we'll explore the 2nd cousin thing." OMG...WHAT???? Now, I just want to be clear...this is a second cousin from another state but, I am pretty sure that "cousin love" of any kind is considered weird in at least 48 out of the 50 states...am I wrong?

So, she did what any self respecting girl would do....(vomit a bit) she booked it out of there as fast as she could. Close chat and log off. A few days later, SLAB is on the good book and he is on as well. He hits her up pretty quick and wants to know "Did I cross a line?" Ummmm, Ya think? HELL YES YOU DID YOU FREAK!!!! In his defense, he did apologize...sweet, what a gentleman. What I can't understand is why not say "oh geez, I was so drunk (even if you weren't) did we chat last night on facebook?" I mean, come on!!! I wonder how the next family function will go.

Apology Letter

Dear Dad,

I am so sorry for eating your entire tub of chocolate chip cookie dough and not baking a single cookie. That is right dad...not a single baked cookie. You should never leave me alone with a giant tub of cookie dough. No good comes of that!!! Seriously...

From,

Your loving daughter

The Day After Halloween....

Always a good day around our house. The kids like to trade candy and they get along pretty well since we threaten to take all the candy away if they argue. This is never a good time for me to be alone in my own house. I shamelessly raid their candy bags and don't feel the least bit bad about it. I absolutely know that all of you do the same...fess up!!! I am feeling much better now since I have been eating my dad's cookie dough that he bought from us for a soccer fundraiser and we have been housing it in our freezer for the past month. About a week ago, I decided I could listen to the cookie dough calling me NO MORE!! I busted into that tub and I have been eating it like ice cream. So, now I have my kids candy AND my dad's cookie dough that I can eat like ice cream...SCORE!!! I only have so much self control...Give me a break here, people!