I won't go into all the loverly details but I feel like microwaved poo. I got about 2 hours sleep last night. And no I didn't get to the grocery store yesterday but at least I was with it enough to order a pizza instead of trying to make dinner from sour kraut and jelly. I have no clue as to what we will do tonight for dinner. I just know that I'm not up for anything- including consciousness.

Lung cookies anyone?

Cough, hack. I hate being- hack, hack, cough- sick. Gryffin and I spent most of today snuggling on the couch in jammies because neither one of us felt like doing much else. By tonight he was almost back to himself. Me? My throat feels like I had a chili pepper smoothie with a smoldering charcoal chaser and there are pebbles lodged in my lungs.
I was supposed to go shopping with my MIL tomorrow but when I called her and had to tell her who I was she understood that I wouldn't be up for a play day. Besides, we have no food. I don't mean we are low on milk and eggs, I mean unless you want a can of sour kraut and some jelly you are out of luck.

You know your husband loves you when he goes to Walgreen's at 10:30 to get you some Nyquil and misses the end of a football game. Even after a glass of wine in the bubble bath, my regular sleepy time meds and a good dose of Nyquil, I still didn't get much sleep. Hey, I guess its a good thing I already had a doctors appointment scheduled for today.

Tagged, I'm it

I usually don't do stuff like this but since Robin, www.poppymom.com tagged me and I plan on seeing her this afternoon I better respond. I'm supposed to share seven random things about myself and tag seven other people. I will do the first but I'll skip the second. Gratitude may be sent in monetary form.
1. My first record, yes- record, was a Barry Manilow. My taste in music has greatly approved but there is just something about singing, flashy, gay men that I will always find enjoyable.
2. I watch the Backyardigans even when Gryffin is in Day Out. They're cool.
3. I find Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs hot. Even when he's covered in disgusting goop and talking about poo.
4. I am really, really, really lazy. There aren't many things I would rather do than snuggle on the couch with a book, remote and blanket for the entire day.
5. I hate to clean. This goes along with #4. It used to be that I just wouldn't do it but then I would end up having to spend an entire weekend doing it. Now I'm just more efficient at it where I try and clean up as I go so I have more time to be lazy.
6. I used to practice a Christian based form of witch craft. Its not a weird as it sounds. It was a belief that nature could bring you closer to God. Prayers were written and then burned so the smoke would deliver them to heaven. Colors of candles and certain scents were used in combination to bring about certain results. Just so none of my family freak out, no- there wasn't any idols or devil stuff involved.
7. I hate cold pizza. I would rather chew on a shoe than eat leftover pizza from the fridge.

There, I did it. Now that you all know what a freak I am I hope you still like me.

Black Friday Was Grey

I can't believe I'm going to say this but shopping Friday wasn't bad at all. We did both Target and the mall and I've seen them just as busy on a Saturday afternoon. We have got almost all the Christmas shopping done. And its not even December yet. That is a new record for us.
The weather turn cold and wet. Along with our moods. My tummies been doing summer salts, I blame Taco Bell and Mike's back is sore from playing football Saturday. Ah well, such is life.
I'm thinking that since my son is obsessed with Super Hero's that I will attempt to make him his very own Super Hero cape for Christmas. I surfed and found several patterns and such on line but they all had strings around the neck. Yeah, that's smart. I'm thinking I'll just have to remember how to make a pattern. I learned in college but like a lot of my college experience I've blocked it out. I'm hoping to do a reversible one with Velcro tabs on the collar. Maybe a red side for Superman and a blue side for Batman or some imaginary super ego Gryffin comes up with. Anyone but Aqua Man. He's dumb.

One holiday down, one to go!

That was the most stress free, enjoyable Thanksgiving I can remember. I think my meds are working. Yeah! We went out to the MIL's where she had finally been true to her work and scaled back. Gryffin did what he does best, run amok and play. Luckily, the cousins were more than happy to chase after him. After we got home we settled in for Survivor. Gryffin snuggled up in my lap and promptly fell asleep. Its been a long time since he did that and I took full advantage of it. Snuggle buggin' is my favorite!
This morning we woke up to a light dusting of snow. Yup, snow! I love snow, its pretty to look at and fun to play in. And when there is snow that means that its not too cold to snow. Around these parts we get a lot of cold but its either not cold enough or too cold to snow. I'm hoping this year is reminiscent of 1982. The year we got several feet of snow. I remember being snowed in, school cancelled for several days and digging a tunnel from the front door to the, well a few feet in front of the front door. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and a rarity.
Being that today is Black Friday and Mike is off work, he said something about going to a sporting goods store to look for shoes. This really surprised me. Usually we barricade ourselves in and wait for the retailers to die of exhaustion. Oh well, it can't be THAT bad, can it?

Fall frolic.

The kids, Robin and Beqi included, played in the backyard. It was close to 70 degrees and we all took advantage of it. It was awesome.

Today its already at its highest at 60 and the rain is on the way, along with a big drop in temperature. I guess I'll just have to stay home and do some laundry. Mike will be heartbroken to have clean clothes.

I'm sitting here watching the leaves fall like snow in our backyard. I've just finished my first cup of coffee and Gryffin is still sleeping. So why could I just burst into tears at any moment? Argh.
Maybe its the fact that I have a friend who is having a rough time, its getting close to Christmas, I looked at the credit card bill or I haven't exercised in several days. Who knows.
What I do know is that the Mom Posse is coming here for playdate today and I am so looking forward to it. So is Gryffin. I told him last night that his friends were coming over to play and he repeated all their names. Beqi was mentioned several times. I think she is Gryffin's first crush. I asked him if he wanted them to come over and play and he said yes, but that he wasn't sharing Little Batman. Little Batman is a little action figure our lawn mower found in the back yard. His chin is dinked from where the blade dug him up. Ever since Gryffin has insisted on keeping him close. He sleeps, eats and even bathes with Gryffin. I think we will be putting him out of reach today for fear of a brawl if someone other than my son touches him.

Thanksgiving warm-up/ blow-up

Last night we attended a dinner at Robin's. Attendees included the Monday Mommy Posse along with their respective kids and husbands/boyfriends and a few of Robin's other friends.
The food was beyond awesome. I ate until I hurt, then I ate some more. Mia had made and awesome pumpkin pie and home made whipped cream that Gryffin proceeded to to inhale. Robin's cousin Wendy made a Jello Salad that definitely was not for those under the age of 21. 31 for that matter. It was dangerous good.
The night was not without dramatics. I missed the opportunity to be called as a witness to them but from what I understand that's a good thing. I cannot go into details except to say that I will never understand rude, inconsiderate and down-right mean people. Especially when they are a guest in someone else's home. Kudos to those who handled it like adults and a big sloppy raspberry to those who didn't. I shall find your car and place one of my son's stinkiest diapers in your air vents along with a loving note that reads, 'Now that your nose is dead keep it out of other peoples business'. Yes, I am that vindictive. When you hurt those I care about I go into mother bear mode. And since I lose at physical or verbal fights, I pull out the psychological warfare.
Anyway, the Mom Posse will need their weekly sanity check tomorrow and I plan on getting some comfort food for it. I think we will need it.

I love the smell of White Castle in the morning, not.

Ok, so before 9 am today I had bought a magnum of wine, a bag of chips, 3 donuts and a 30 pack of White Castle hamburgers. I think I've set a new trailer park record of the most hoosier morning purchases ever. Maybe not ever, I didn't buy a 40 of Colt 45 after all.
But hey, I am entertaining this afternoon and heading to a party later today. My actions are justified. At least in my own twisted little mind.

Lets see, today I have already dusted, vacuumed and done some laundry, fed, changed and put Gryffin down for his nap. How shall I celebrate? Have all my friends over to trash the joint of course! We were planning on going to the zoo today but its just a little too chilly to do that and my gosh, we can't go three days without hanging out so...
Even though I haven't had a shower and am still in sweats they are all coming over. Yeah, caught in sweats AGAIN. Now either I'm going to have to start getting up with Mike at 5:20 am or I'm going to have to invest in nicer sweats. I'm not one to feel comfortable going beyond my property line in them unless its to run an errand I don't have to leave the car for. I think this whole insecurity came about my freshman year of college when women weren't even allowed to wear sweats outside of their dorm or the gym. They even had separate gym hours for men and women so the guys couldn't lust after our sweaty, sweat clad, stinking bodies. This college was so uptight and conservative. I didn't fit in too well as you may imagine.
I was once told not to wear my Grateful Dead shirts anymore because they were satanic. Huh? What is so satanic about tie dye? Was it the skeleton that they were afraid of? Ooh, bones- scary. Anyway, I relented for fear of having to go back to hell and live with my egg-donor. Don't get me wrong, they still kicked me out. But only because I ran out of money. Just because they religious doesn't mean they are understanding or charitable. Go figure.

note to self:

Stomach full of coffee and nothing else
+
Slippery socks
+
Ring Around the Rosey
=
Nausea and a sore butt

TGIF!
Thanksgiving is next week, just a reminder for any of you who have had your head in the sand. This year its at my MIL's so my preparations are minimal. Of course, I won't know what she needs me to bring until Wednesday night. Thats how she rolls, late. I love her though. Any woman willing to host a bazillion people for Thanksgiving and working 12-16 hour shift the day before and after is amazing.
Tomorrow we are having Mike's old boss and his family over, along with his Dad if he can make it for the Ohio State/Michigan game. Oh yeah, and Chris too! Then after we kick them out we are heading to Robin's house to further stretch our tummies at a Thanksgiving warm-up dinner. Basically, its a Thanksgiving for the family we chose. There will be no turkey on the menu as none of us want to OD on tryptophan this week. I am taking White Castle stuffing because there is nothing better than a bunch of tipsy farters eating themselves into misery. Good thing none of us smoke, open flame would be bad.

When you're two you can get away with it, not when you're 35.

Today's To Do List:
Take Gryffin to Day Out
Develop a menu and grocery list for the week and for the football get-together on Saturday
Grocery shop
Call the old egg-donor and wish her a crappy- I mean happy- birthday
Clean and laundry

I think that's plenty. Oh, one more thing! I have to call my mother-in-law to find out what to make for her Thanksgiving dinner.

Yesterday Gryffin was so proud of the fact that he peed like Daddy, standing up, that when we went to the Post Office he demanded to stop and see Grandma at work to show her the new tattoo he got for it. Wouldn't have been a big deal except for the fact that I just planned on using the Post Office drive through so he was still in jammies and his Spiderman slippers. But he was so proud of himself that I just couldn't deny him bragging rights. So I trailer parked up and took my kid out in public in slippers and jammies. I called Dianne to make sure it was Ok with her and she said it was fine. Of course, she didn't tell me that she was in the middle of a meeting at the time. They ushered Gryffin and I back to the break room where I was only expecting Dianne but was greeted by a gaggle of nurses. With my kid in slippers and jammies. And me in clothes not much better than jammies. Grrr. Oh well, my kid got his grandma fix, was able to brag to whole room full of grandmas about peeing standing up, showed off his new tattoo and charmed them with his well, charm. But from now on he's getting dressed before we get in the car no matter what. Me too for that matter.

Any way you want it, thats the way you need it.

Tonight's conversation in the car on the way home from The Evil Empire's Bulky Twin, aka Sam's:
Mike: Gryffin is Mommy being silly?
Gryffin: Yeah
Me (car dancing to Journey's 'Any Way You Want It'): Gryffin do like it when Mommy's silly?
Gryffin: Yeah
Mike: Honey, I think your meds are working.
Me (still car dancing and now singing along with Journey's 'Any Way You Want It': You think so?

Personally, I think its just because before going in to Sam's we heard Van Halen's 'Hot for Teacher'. Yeah, my music taste is a little off but so am I.

Oh and did I mention I'm typing this from my couch, with my feet up on my new laptop. My husband is so awesome. I think I will keep him around.

Last night was fun. I think my brother and his family had a good time. Note to self: next time chop the veggies in the meatloaf so small they can't be seen. I wasn't offended, I just found it funny that the boys ate around them.
I don't know whats on the agenda for today. There are some event downtown and Mike is thinking about going to his old high schools football game. Who knows?

Two year old pie

Or rather, a two year old making pie.

Gryffin helped pour the apples in, mix the topping and put it on and put on the chunks of butter. He did everything but cut and peel the apples!

I'm going to make him my sous chef.

All he needs is a little apron and hat.

And to realize that licking the bowl is inappropriate until the pie is in the oven. We were a little short on apples because of this. But I'm sure it will taste just fine.

Tonight my brother, sister-in-law and their three children are coming over for dinner and a movie. Luckily I was able to get the vacuuming and some laundry done yesterday so the house is in good shape. Still have laundry to do, fold and put away. I have to prep the meatloaf and make some mashed potatoes, maybe an apple pie. Oh yeah and take a shower!
Last night we saw an incredible transformation in Gryffin. One minute he was cranky and lethargic, the next he was climbing like a monkey and laughing uncontrollably. The secret to this transformation? A poo the size of a baseball! He has been guzzling milk faster than a cow could make it and the cow got revenge. I guess its partly my fault because I've been giving it to him.
Speaking of Gryffin, he just came running in with his arms outstretched calling 'Mommy, Mommy!' and gave me a big hug. Now that's how everyday should start. And usually does. I am so lucky and blessed.

Guilt ridden laundry

Java no longer resides with us. Yesterday he was placed for adoption at the local humane society. Our hearts are broken over this but there was no choice. Java was becoming aggressive, trying to become alpha male now that Mojo is chronologically challenged. He was playing too rough with Mojo and had even taken a couple nips at Gryffin. He never bit Gryffin but that was only a matter of time since Java saw him as next in line for the throne.
Our friends Beqi and the Eddies were here when Java left. I'm glad they were. I've never been one for friends. Friendship was always a lot of work for me, either trying to change myself to what they wanted or trying to change them to what I wanted. For well over a decade I had given up entirely. Now my friends will come to my rescue and make me laugh when I need it most. Heck, Beqi didn't even run screaming when I was losing it yesterday. You know its friendship when someone will give you a hug even though you have a snotty nose and projectile tears.
Gryffin has been pretty emotional too. He slept late this morning which I really appreciated but when he did wake it was with a short lived smile. Not like him at all. He asked where Java was and I reminded him that Java ran away. We are not telling him the truth as 2 year olds process information very differently than adults and I don't want him thinking that if he bites or misbehaves he will incur the same fate. Lying isn't right, but sometimes necessary. When I took him to Day Out this morning it was a ball fest. Not in the round and bouncy sort of way but in the tear laden, red faced way. I explained to his teacher what happened and she said that it was Ok and that they would make sure Gryffin was comforted throughout the day. God bless them.
I have a bazillion loads of laundry to do today. Its $10 off day at the grocery but I couldn't come up with the required amount of minimum purchase that we needed. I may still go tonight, but most likely tomorrow when there won't be anyone there. Right now, I'm going to finish off the coffee, take some headache medicine and put some laundry in.

Playful Monday

Today I hosted playdate. You see, I was stuck here waiting for a plumber that I nicknamed (before meeting him) Harry Buttcrack. Harry said that he would be here somewhere between 11 am and 1pm. In plumber time thats from 11 to February. He showed up about 11:30 and did not fit the Harry Buttcrack moniker. In fact, some of the moms got a little smitten. He was not the sloppy, stained tank top kind of plumber. He was clean and professional and kept calling me ma'am, which kind of pissed me off cause I ain't that old but I knew it was out of politeness. An hour and $200 later my kitchen sink drains! Mike spent most of football Sunday working on it to no avail. Poor guy.
The kids had a blast, so did the mom's. I don't know what we would do without playdate Mondays. I don't dare imagine. But even after the kids are in school, the mom's are still going to have playdate.

I'm baaaa-aack!

Gee, I wish I could say that I've been on vacation to a beautiful, deserted island but...
On Halloween our computer decided to put on a costume. It was a disguised as a large black, broken box. Amazing how isolated not having it made me feel. But all of that is over now.
Its fixed, mostly.
Halloween was awesome. The kids had a great time and the adults did too, basically because we acted just like the kids.