DANGER: SPRING BREAK AHEAD

This morning was the first official day of Spring Break.  The kids and I have a plan pulled together where Bunny will complete her book report project Monday through Wednesday and Bug will leave her alone long enough to do it.  As a reward, we'll take ourselves down to a friend's house who has access to a pool (and wifi so I can work) for Thursday and Friday.  This was the plan. However, several unplanned things have come up and again, I can't stress this enough, we're only on the FIRST DAY of Spring Break.

The first unplanned event was a 4.7 (downgraded to 4.4) earthquake that rocked us awake at 6:25 this morning.  I was NOT amused.

The second unplanned event... well, let me give you a little background. Bunny adores her older sister GG.  ADORES.  She watches her put on make-up every chance she gets.  Watches her do her hair and pick out outfits.  Bunny loves every bit of it. So, this afternoon Bunny decided she wanted to put on eyeliner just like big sister GG.  She didn't talk to me about it first.  Clearly, at 8 years old, she doesn't have eyeliner.  So what's the next logical step in Bunny's head?  Marker.

Yes.. you read that right. Marker.

It's only the FIRST DAY of Spring Break.

Someone save me.

Seriously... Thoughts?

Q&A:How Well Do you Know Me? Bug - Age 6, Bunny Age 8

A very good friend of mine has been asking her kids the same questions every few years for awhile now, and I loved it SOOOOO much, I thought I would shamelessly steal her idea (question for question even!). It is really interesting to see how the answers have changed as her kids have gotten a little older.  So I'll probably do this again, even if just for my own amusement, in another year or two.

But today, for your amusement, read below a Q&A session with The Tweedles about how well they know me. And honestly, they're not too far off on most of these. Enjoy!

1. What is something I always say to you?
Bunny: I love you.
Bug: I love you.

2. What makes me happy?
Bunny: When I don't mess around when I'm doing my chores.
Bug: Playing outside with us.

3. What makes me sad?
Bunny: When I yell at you and say mean things about you.
Bug: Maybe when we don't win the lottery.

4. How do I make you laugh?
Bunny: Tickles
Bug: Funny Faces

5. What was I like as a child?
Bunny: Good.
Bug: Friendly

6. How old am I?
Bunny: 39?
Bug: Yeah, this is hard - 25?

7. How tall am I?
Bunny: Really tall - like 5 or 6 feet tall.
Bug: Okay that's more harder - 25"

8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Bunny: Read books and play.
Bug: Read- that one's not even hard.

9. What do I do when you're not around?
Bunny: Read and work.
Bug: work

10. If I becomes famous, what will it be for?
Bunny: For making a book.
Bug: Dollars!

11. What am I really good at?
Bunny: Reading! That was easy!
Bug: Reading.

12. What am I not very good at?
Bunny: Hmm.. Basketball.
Bug: Hmm.. let's see here - running.

13. What do I do for my job?
Bunny:  Architect?
Bug: Work so you can get money.

14. What is my favorite food?
Bunny: Kit Kats
Bug: Deer meat.

15. What makes you proud of me?
Bunny: When you say I love you.
Bug: When you get $100 from your work.

16. If I was a cartoon character, who would I be?
Bunny: Wendy from Peter Pan
Bug: Cinderella

17. What do you and I like to do together?
Bunny: Snuggle, read, play.
Bug: Can you give me a hint? Hmm - Snuggle!

18. How are we the same?
Bunny: We both have blue eyes and we both like painting our nails and we both have blond hair.
Bug: We both get goosebumps.

19. How are we different?
Bunny: You're taller than me and get to do bigger things.
Bug: You jog and I run.

20. How do you know I love you?
Bunny: Because normally you just say it and hug me and do nice things.
Bug: Because you give me kisses.

21. Where is my favorite place to go?
Bunny: Ooooh.. the Farm!
Bug: Easy - The Farm!

Seriously.. Thoughts?

Another Day At The Beach

Hat? Check.
Shorts? Check.
Field trip t-shirt? Check.
Sun block? Curious George Pink - because pink is cool mom - Flip flops? Packed lunch with store bought ham sandwich because they're way better than homemade?  Check. Check. Check.

It's just another day at the beach for this kid.

Read Across America - Dr. Seuss

The Tweedles are celebrating Read Across America this week and in celebration, they're dressing up today as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters.  Okay, let me back that up.  I remembered that little tidbit of information at 7:30 this morning (45 minutes before they have to actually BE at school while they were both still in their jammies, unfed, and unwashed).  As a multiple time WME (Worst Mom Ever) award winner, it was a mad dash this morning to make sure my kids had something.. ANYTHING... to show up in school with.  Thank GOODNESS for the internet!

I found these:

Printed them up, cut them out and taped (yes, you read that right, don't judge me, I had 45 minutes!) them to their red shirts.

I don't think it came out too badly.  What do you think?

Seriously.. Thoughts?

Jack Daniels

In the summer of 1994, I was walking past an empty cage in a pet store when I somehow managed to catch my sleeve on it.  When I turned to untangle myself, I found myself the victim of a pouncing from a small ball of fluff who apparently had been ghosting around the cage.  It was love at first sight and since I had apparently been chosen, my mom and I both agreed I had to take this cute little guy home.

As soon as I got him settled I noticed what appeared to be a problem.  He cried every time he used the litter.  He came with a certificate to see a vet so the next day I took him down to find out what was wrong with my new little guy.  I was surprised to find the vet had seen him already the week before.  Apparently he was purchased and returned to the pet store because of this same issue.  The vet assured me, as she had assured them, that he was healthy.  He just wanted everyone to know he was taking care of his business and he'd either grow out of it, or not.  So I took him back home and he's been with me ever since. (He did eventually grow out of the need to let everyone know he was taking care of his business).

My little man eventually grew into a big game hunter bringing me mice, lizards, frogs and birds - even a parrot once after we moved down to So Cal. He managed to survive countless cat brawls, mixing it up with a coyote - he almost died that time, and as many of you know last year after shattering his front leg, an amputation.  And he did it all on his terms, while still ruling our house and being like most cats, part arrogant and part love.

Now, I believe everything happens for a reason.  That this little kitten and I were meant to be.  He's been with me for the last 18 years.  And while he was MY pet and I took care of him, fed him, and kept him safe, I was HIS person and I can guarantee after divorcing, moving, remarrying, step-parenting, crazy bosses and a few kids, he saved me more than I ever saved him.

In the last few weeks he stopped eating completely and was having more and more trouble getting around our small house.  After a lot of conversations, tears and soul searching I realized I couldn't make him better, but I could help him sleep, so I did.

So if there is a God and heaven and justice in the world, then my sweet old guy is sitting on my sister's lap about now and they'll keeping each other company for a while.

1994-2013

No Pressure

So, today is the first day of The Hubs new job and I must say, he looks GOOD.  Is there any man that doesn't look amazing in a good suit?

He wasn't too thrilled about me taking this first day photo,

but I won him over with my charm. :)

I know he'll be amazing today and knock their socks off reassuring them they've hired the right man for the job.  He'll have to, because I think we have plans for his first 6 or 7 paychecks already!  Good luck baby!  No pressure!

Seriously.. Thoughts?

Just Call Me Charlie Brown

You need to watch this.  Go ahead.. it's only 3 minutes long.. and then we'll talk.

Here's a few things I know.
 
I know that if money were no object, The Hubs would SCUBA dive every day for the rest of his life and be a very happy man.

I know that because money is important, he continued on with his degree in Computer Information Systems instead of Physical Anthropology (specifically human evolution) which he found once he started college, fell in love with, but left behind because he ultimately needed a degree that would provide a job which could support our family.

I know we teach our children from a very young age that they can be anything they want when they grow up.  But as they grow up, we teach them to trade dreams for stability.

I know that society and the media teaches us to keep up.  Keep up with the neighbors, keep up with the latest tech, keep up with the fast paced world around us no matter what the cost.  We are told we need this latest thing to make our lives "easier" but are forced to work a little harder and a little longer in order to afford it.

I know we place so much of our personal value on our financial and professional success and not by the level of happiness in our lives or how content we are with who we are.

I can see why some people run, (not walk) from the rat race screaming about the joys of a simpler and slower lifestyle. Of course, that doesn't mean a slower/simpler lifestyle is a better one.  I'm sure there are plenty of people in rural or low income areas that would laugh at the mere idea of their lives being "better".  I think it's just a matter of trading one set of problems for another, but I can see how if you're doing something you love, even if you're not making tons of money, you might be fundamentally happier than if you're working in a high stress job you hate.

I also know, that there are many mornings when I look at myself in the mirror and wonder if this is all there is.  Is this all my life is going to be?  It's not that I'm so horribly unhappy with it all, but I guess, I just thought there would be .. more.  More time with my family.  More highs, less lows.  More days of laughter and less stress.  Oh that's a big one.  I'd love a life with about half the stress I have now.  I know that part of this is because we're in a place of transition, and have been for the last few years while The Hubs wraps up his degree.  I day dream happily of dual incomes even though it does mean less time with him selfishly because it means less stress and work for me.

I also know if money were no object, I don't have one single thing I am passionate enough about to want to do.  Don't get me wrong, there are a ton of things I like to do.  I like to write.  I like to take photos.  A long time ago in what feels like another life, I liked to paint.   But I don't consider any of these things a passion.  I feel so wishy washy.  So very Charlie Brown, but there it is.   And if you measured my life in terms of happiness or contentedness, you'd only get "good", and I really want it to be "great".   I don't know how to get there.  I see no clear path, no step by step instructions, and honestly without even a goal more concise than "I want it to be great" I don't see myself getting there any time soon.

What about you guys?  If money was no object, what would you be?

Seriously.. Thoughts?