Bubbles and Chalk Galore

Today we had a park outing with my C2C Mom's group and it was so much fun for all of us. I brought chalk and bubbles as that was the theme, and so did a few other mom's, plus I threw in a bunch of balls and trucks because let's face it you can never have enough of those.

The kids colored and created art on the cement areas. When they tired of that they moved on to bubbles - them attempting to blow them, me attempting to blow them and quite a few of the other mom's succeeding in blowing them much to the kids delights.


The smallest of the kiddo's enjoyed rolling balls, and chasing after them and all of the kids enjoyed playing in the sand with the various vehicles I'd thrown in my bag of tricks.


Once they tired of that we paused to partake in various and sundry snacks and juices and then moved on to trying out the big kid swings - which surprisingly Joey did really well at, and the slide. Joe's finally getting over his fear of them after having his leg incident a few months bag and it's really a joy to see him have at it with no fear in his eyes or his heart. The kids had so much fun on the slide that we kept getting log jammed at the top.


We only lasted a couple of hours but we filled it with the most fun we could find and all had a really nice morning before the heat got to warm to be tolerable.

I'm so happy to have found this mom's group. It's added so much to my life, and the life of our family.

Joey's Fussy with a capital F

Man but are we having a hard time getting Joey back on schedule. I thought at first it was just having folks over, caffeing, getting to bed late last Saturday but now I'm beginning to wonder. He is so fussy, and willful. I know that's a part of the terrible two's and all, but hey we aren't there yet.

He has a total of 12 teeth and I'm wondering if he's not about to cut some new ones and that's what all this fussiness is really about. I guess only time will tell.

Until then, God give me strength.

Up Before the Sun

We'll Joey got a little off schedule last night, first having sips of every one's drinks from soda pop to Chai Tea Latte's and then going swimming with Daddy and Aunt Kelli when he should have been going to bed. When we finally did put him to bed he went out like a light. Except that light began to shine again brightly around 1:45 AM. Yep you heard me right. We tried taking him in to bed with us and then decided we didn't want to set that precedent so we tucked him up in his own bed, with a bottle and a sleepytime video. He stayed in their nice and quiet so we thought he'd went back to sleep, or I guess I should say I thought he'd went back to sleep since Larry had managed to get back to sleep after we put Joey back down and was sleeping like a log, and sounding like a bear who had crawled inside it to hibernate.

Anyway as soon as Joe finished his bottle he was up and at em. I tried giving him a warm milk bottle, settling him down on the couch watching cartoons quietly but all to no avail. We just got back from taking a walk around the 3 courts across the way from us, and jumping in all the water puddles. Although he's rubbing his eyes he is wound up and I imagine he'll be up to see the sun rise.

I feel sorry for the cat and dog as he's doing his best to get them to engage in play and all they want to do is curl up and go to sleep. He's having fun though giving it his best shot.

I definitely will only let him have milk or water from now on in the late afternoon and evening. I can't handle him being so full of energy at such an early hour. I was awake anyway, but only because my pain level is so high this morning. I'd much prefer to be curled up on the couch under a soft blanket.

On the positive side it is kind of nice to have him all to myself and to hear his laughter ring out across the house.

Callie, Callie, Callie

Callie is the 9-year old cat that I adopted from Crystal's boss Michelle. She's very unique in her look, a perfectly halved face one side pitch black and the other orange, while her body is mottled like a typical calico cat would be. She's also unique in that she loves, loves, loves me, likes mom well enough, even will come when Joey calls her so long as he's sitting on his bottom and not all spastic in his pursuit of her, but she wants nothing, nada, zip to do with my wonderful husband Larry. I don't get it. He wants to be buddies with her and in fact as a result of the cold shoulder she's throwing not only his way but towards our other cat Sunset as well, it has made Larry and Sunset bond even stronger. Now sunset jumps up on the bed when Larry goes to sleep demanding her allotment of loving from him, and she'll follow him into the bathroom, talking the whole time at him while he's trying to take care of business.

Both Callie and Sunset do the same thing to me, but they choose to do it from opposite sides of the bed. They can be so funny. I thought Callie would be the Alpha in this dynamic because she's older, has always lived with other cats, and Sunset let her believe it for the first few days, but when Callie started to push to far into was Sunset considers her personal space all hell breaks loose. And they don't care what time it's taking place 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning, makes no difference to them they go after one another, caterwauling the whole way, disturbing us as well as all the dogs within hearing distance. Knocking about one another, and whatever gets in their way - telephones, jewelry boxes, etc. I think you get the picture. I'm hoping that soon they'll remember that they're supposed to be ladies, and ladies don't brawl each and every night. I guess only time will tell. But I must say they add quite a bit of levity to my day and always it seems just when I seem to need it most. So Kudo's to our pets, our unsung hero's most of the time for all that they do with and for us. I love you Bubba, Sunset, and Callie, plus all the ones that are now in spirit form and that I feel are still watching over me, I love you too.

Short Ribs, Baked Beans, Salad - what more could you ask for

Oh yeah I know, some Dirty Blonde Bombshell beer brewed by my creative and talented husband Larry, and a taste or two of his Kiss of Blackberry meed - YUMMY.

We were joined for dinner by Chuck and Kelli, and Grammy and Pop Pop. Everyone contributed something from salad, to bread, to chocolate cake that is worth dying for, at least in my opinion. It was all very delicious and everyone went home with very full tummy's and leftovers to boot. We even sent some food love home to Uncle Brian who couldn't come tonight because none of us wanted to take a chance of passing this lousy cold/flu thing we've had for the past week on to him, especially right before he's about to have another round of treatment.

As for Erik, Mary, and Elsa... well they missed out. The food was awesome, the company stupendous, and all in all it was a very laid back dinner with nothing but relaxation to follow. Not bad for an impromptu gathering.

When the last guest left my kitchen looked fairly decent with only a scattering of glasses left to be washed, the rest had magically disappeared as a result of the Good Fairy Kelli (yeah Kelli, I for one really appreciate all your efforts, and again your salad rocked - what can I say I'm biased cause I love you but also because you know how to throw one together that tastes delish and makes you want more.)

Anyway thank you one and all for journeying out our way and breaking bread with us. It was just what our souls needed. We love you.

Go Fly a Kite

Joey had his first experience flying a kite this past Tuesday. My Cradles to Crayons playgroup had a get together at the park and kites were the theme. There ended up being 7 of us mom's and about a dozen kids ages 6 months to 4 years. They had a blast trying to get and keep their kites up.

The little guys that weren't quite up to running speed yet played with Joey's truck and his big ball, so they managed to have some fun to. We only lasted about 30 minutes flying kites and then headed over to the playground and water feature. It was a pretty warm day so I for one was grateful for the water feature so that I could cool off some.


Unfortunately for all the fun we had, Joe and I managed to pick up a bug somewhere and bring it home to daddy, so now all three of us have been pretty sick for the last couple of days. No fun at all. Thankfully mom has managed to stay clear of it, though I don't know how she's managed it.



As for the kites, we will definitely be doing it again in the future. It's a pretty cheap day since you can get a 2-pack of kites for the kids, with string at the Dollar Tree store. When Joe and I left the park after two hours, I left his kite with one of the other boys, Matty, to play with. His mom reported afterwards that he had as much fun as Joey flying it.

The Ugly Truth

Well let me tell you, it was UGLY... no seriously my sister Crystal and I had a girls day out this past Monday and had an awesome breakfast at this little joint by their house called the Lodge. Then we meandered on over to Century 16 and bought our tickets for The Ugly Truth. It was alright, had some great funny moments, some sexy moments, but they were all predictable. I could have written the script for it, while under the influence of my pain med's (lol). It would definitely be worth renting with a few girlfriends so long as you had a couple bottles of wine thrown in the mix.

But set the movie aside and I had a really great time hanging out with my sister. Gave us a chance to get caught up on the serious stuff as well as the stupid stuff. These are the kinds of things I'm supposed to be doing when Joey's at day care, but usually I'm either trying to build my energy back up, doing doctor's appointments for someone in the house, or running errands that don't seem to fit in any where else. Joey has been going to daycare for several months now and this is the first day that I totally took just for my own enjoyment. I'm gonna work hard to make sure that happens again, so stay tuned.

Pop Pop isn't feeling so hot these days

My poor father in love has a case of kidney stones and they just will not ease up. He was in ER Saturday night, and basically they just shot him full of morphine and sent him home with some additional pain med's while "they" wait it out. Who is this they, I mean the only one doubled over in pain is my FIL. Get real.

We thought he was doing a little better since he was out and about today, but that obviously did him in and took him back over the pain threshold because once again he's in the ER trying to get a better assessment and plan in place. I don't know why they just don't zap the little sucker and break it up some then they'd be able to pass through more easily, although still with pain. At least with my plan it would be over within 24 hours and not dragged out for endless days.

Anyway I hope Pop Pop gets a miraculous cure and is pain free in the very near future because we all love him in this household and don't want to see him suffer. Take care Pop Pop.

A Day with Grammi, Pop Pop and Elsa

Joey spent an afternoon hanging out at Grammie and Pop Pops a couple weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to writing about it. Better late than never huh?!

Anyway... They took both grand kids that day so that they could play together and boy did they. They got to play on the back deck with the toys, plus they set up the kiddie pool so that they could cool off in the heat of the afternoon. Going by the photo's it looks like they were having a good ol' time.

Grammie bought them the cutest Adirondack chair set and the kids loved it. They had their snack there, relaxed in their chairs after playing, and even watched Elmo in it after they moved it inside. I guess you could say it was a big hit. I think it's darling. I wanted to go right out and buy one for my backyard but mom got the last one in the store. Figures... when it gets close to end of a season you can never find anything you've seen when you're out and about at other folks houses. Why is it that stores think summer's over mid-July, and Fall officially begins in August (the hottest month in the year and all you can find are long sleeved items - crazy).


Anyway between Grammie and Pop Pop the kids had a fun and interesting day, both indoors and out, and I for one am very appreciative of the time spent with Joey and the wonderful opportunities those kind of days always present - like reading on the couch with Pop Pop and playing in the pool with Grammie.

My WAH Hubby

WAH? What the heck is WAH you're probably asking. Well it's a Work At Home hubby. Larry is test piloting their out of office system for Delta Dental right now and working from home today and tomorrow. They've had a few other folks try it, but not too successfully because they weren't the kind of techno geek that Larry is. So they're having him give it a go to see if 1) the system itself works okay - sound, technical jargon, etc. and 2) if it would be simple to implement with their staff somewhere down the road. Who knows how long that road will be but in this economy I imagine every company is looking to determine where they can cut overhead costs. What better way than moving personnel into their homes to perform their jobs and not have to heat/cool/maintain commercial space.

It was okay, especially since Joey was at day care and I pretty much spent the day in bed. Though I did get caught out on the video monitor once or twice. Thank God I had pajama bottoms on and not just a t-shirt which is my usual sleeping apparel. Plus the few times mom and I ventured out into the common areas we kinda felt like we had to tip-toe around so as not to be heard by his callers. If this were to become a more permanent work routine we'd probably have to set up an office space in our bedroom or the master closet or something.

No worries though, we'd manage somehow and it was kind of nice having Larry around on his breaks. It reminded me of when we were dating and he'd come over to our apartment for lunches. Plus we realized that if this was implemented it would cut down on our overhead costs too - gas, time, vending machine snacks (lol). Oh well no use making plans for something that hasn't happened yet. I guess only time will tell.

Big Boy Bed Pt. 2

We'll Joey is settling in to being a "big" boy. I took a trick from Miss JoAnna and put a video on when we put him to bed and now he stays in it and usually falls asleep within a few minutes. When she puts the boys down for their naps during the day she always puts a cartoon movie in so that the bigger boys can watch while they rest and the little ones sleep. I know that's cheating, but hey my parenting philosophy is "if it works, go with it".

So now we're all settling in to sleep nicely again. Or at least the boys and mom are. Me... I'm still up and down almost every night thanks to my fibro, but that's a whole different drama.

Big Boy Bed Time

Gosh it's been a long night and it's only midnight. We decided to donate Joey's crib to UCP tonight and as the pickup for donations is scheduled tomorrow, Larry took it down and we reassembled it outside. Me waffling the whole time. Larry saying no this is the perfect time and it's going to charity. He knows that will get me. (As it turns out one of our neighbors God-daughter is about to be a single mom, due in Oct, with absolutely nothing so we ended up loading up his truck with the crib, stroller, and playpen - still a good cause).


So we made a big production out of it, had Joey help Daddy take it out of his room and he seemed excited to get in his big boy bed until we mentioned that it was actually time to go night night. I won't go into all the details, but let's just say our son can be very dramatic when he chooses. He pulled my heart strings, Daddy's heart strings, even Grandma's heartstrings by busting out of his room and crawling in to her bed, with tears in his eyes. Larry and I took turns trying to calm him and finally had to put a baby gate across the door and let it ride out. Several hours later he was in bed, blanket over his head, sleeping fitfully.


When I checked in on him at 10:30 I found him sleeping on the floor next to the bed with his blanket and Miss Piggy. I picked him up, changed his diaper, and tucked him back in to bed. He slept through it all.


I'm not sure if this change in routine is harder on me or Joey. I feel like I'm losing my baby. Larry of course thinks its awesome, natural progression, ya da, ya da, ya da. Sometimes I think he has no heart when it comes to these matters. He just can't wait for the day when Joey can play ball with him and ride motorcycles and I'll I can think about is how much longer will he want to hang by my side, cuddle, share his snack with me and Bubba.

Parenting is turning out to be the most joyful thing in my life, but also the hardest thing in my life. I love him so much, more than I ever thought it possible to love anything.

Auntie Crystal's Adventures

Well my lovely sister called the other night to see if she could have Joey on Sunday. I said yes before she'd fully formed her question (lol). She was going to have Gracie as well and they had all been invited to a picnic her girlfriend group was having.

Larry met her half way and transferred our car seat into their car and then they were off and he headed home. This was a little after 10:00 AM. So at 2:00 PM I call, just to check in, I'm not paranoid or anything, just want to make sure every one's still enjoying themselves. She informs me that there on their way to our house. Oh. Ohhhh. Problems?, I ask. Mix up about locations, a lot of in and out of the cars, too hot outside, both kids heading for meltdown. She just thought it would be easier if they headed home, maybe swim.

So they get back to my house and Grace looks so cute with her little face painted. Both kids are a little flat but once they sit in the air conditioned house for a few moments they begin to gain some momentum once again.

Larry cons Jeff into helping him finish clearing up the garage so I tell Crystal they might as well go swimming. She agrees and her and Gracie get in their suits and Mom too. I have put Joey down for a cat nap as he's begun the tantrum phase of his day. Perhaps in 30 minutes he'll be in a better mood and can join them in the pool.


I, still feeling lousy, prefer to stay within the air conditioned abode. Once I hear Joe begin to mellow out I go in and ask if he'd like to swim. YES!!! I get him ready and take him outside and put him in the pool beside Grandma. Crystal and Gracie are no longer in the pool because Grace has been overtaken by nausea, poor thing. We couldn't even get her to keep water down. That ended the swimming for her. Crystal got her cleaned up, I got extra shirts for her ride home just in case and a bowl, and off they went up the hill to Gracie's other Grandmother's house.

Joey stayed in the pool kicking it with Grandma and then Daddy joined in the fun.

Can't say it was a fun day. Larry and I got quite a bit of organizing done but not much else. I just didn't have any energy. Joey seemed to enjoy his outing with his Auntie and Uncle and Cousin. I wish the day had ended on a happier note for Grace. Luckily by next day the reports were that she had recovered well and was over the Nausea and even had a little energy. Yeah.

And the beat goes on

By beat, I mean the constant pressure in my tender points that reminds me of when you slip with the hammer and hit your thumb instead of the nail. It seems like it's never ending, thump, thump, thump and with each pulse more pain radiates out... out from my elbows, out from my knees, and that's on top of the constant aches and sharp pains that I deal with on a daily basis in my shoulders and hips. It's just crazy. And with that craziness comes even less sleep, perpetuating the cycle because as we all know when you don't get enough rest your blood doesn't have enough time to oxygenate, therefore your cells aren't performing at their peak, and you have nothing in reserves just to be able to do your daily "norms".

I guess I'm just going on and on, because this flare up seems to be doing the same thing, and I've about given up on it ever coming to an end. The end of this particular flare up, the end of this stupid condition as a whole, just the end.

The thing that is upsetting me most about this particular flare up is I'm taking it out on those I love the most - my hubby Larry. He still loves me even when I'm snarking at him for nothing in particular, at least nothing that he specifically has been involved with. I'm snapping at mom for asking me simple questions because I'm just so frigging tired that I don't want to be bothered, and yet life has to go on - right? And my baby Joey. I feel the worst about him because I can't play with him as much as he'd like, or go adventuring around the block. I feel like a prisoner in my own home and as a result I've made a prisoner of him as well.

Sometimes life sucks... this is definitely one of those times.

Blues

I got the 2:00 AM blues, the toss, the turn, the flip, the flop blues. Can't sleep, too tired to read kinda blues. I'm glad my house is full of people sleeping, and I'm mad my house is full of people sleeping kinda blues.

I got the no sleep, ever it seems like, bluuuuues!

Fibromyalgia Bender

Boy have I ever been on a bender this past week, a pain bender that is. I've hardly been able to move at all. Find myself counting the minutes until Larry gets home to give me some relief from caring for Joey and that's on top of having him in day care 3-days a week to help me out on a regular basis in managing my pain.

I have to say I'm at my wits end with this. It's becoming the worst I've ever experienced and I thought I'd seen the worst it had to offer a few years ago when I put myself in hospital to get it and me dealt with.

Thanks god for my family - helping out where they can, whether it's taking Joey into daycare or picking him up from there, offering to have him for part of the weekend, my mom entertaining him until I can get enough energy built up to take care of his basic needs. It's over whelming and makes me feel like crap that I can't provide everything Joey needs when he needs it. I'm his go to person. I should be able to help him achieve whatever it is that he wants to achieve whether it's getting more juice, coloring, reading books, or going for a walk around the block. BUT NOOOO, that's not to be because I just frankly don't have the energy, at least not today, or even this week, to help him out with every need on his list. It hurts my heart to see him cry because I'm not up to going for a walk. A simple walk just around our two cul-de-sacs that boarder us on each side.

Thank god for Joey's smiles, and mom's ability to make me laugh, and Larry's willingness to help out, provided I write out for him specifically what I need done. I wish men could learn to speak and hear the same language as us ladies. It would simplify my life I tell ya. Ah well beggars can't be choosers, and there isn't one in my family who isn't a keeper in my book, so I guess I just have to work whatever system gets them working so that I don't have to feel like such a lousy wife, mother, sister... you get the idea and can probably fill in the blank for yourself.

Calgon take me away, please take me away to a land of sleep and awesome maid service. Now that's a dream.

Family and Friends

I've been down this week with one of the worst flare-ups I've had since actually being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia several years ago. My body hurts from the tips of my fingers all the way down to my ankles. No joke, everything inbetween hurts at some level. Bending my arms sends pain radiating out from my left elbow, however keeping it straight just makes the pain pulse harder with no end in sight. It's just friggin ridiculous. Even my fingers have been affected this go round. I can hardly bend them without feeling as though they might break under the pressure. I have no strength whatsover in them and am having a difficult time removing the lids of my medications, joe's juice, the milk, etc. I think you can get the picture.

So during this I'm getting more and more down. Trying to keep a handle on my depressions, but it's not easy when you're unable to meet your basic needs. And then enter my family and friends.

Crystal stepped in Monday to take mom to the Neurosurgeon appt that we'de had scheduled for a few weeks. Pop came rolling over at 8:00 to drive Joey in to Daycare. Some of my friends through my mom's groups have sent uplifting messages of hope and silly stories to take my mind off the pain. One even offered to take Joey on the days he's usually home with me T/TH so I could have a break. Even offered to drive out and pick him up, no small feat since we live about 25 miles out from just about everything. It was just an outpouring of kindness and it really made my heart feel better, if not my body. It's great to finally have begun to build friendships in this area both with family as well as new women in my life.

My mom has been awsome at keeping Joey entertained when I'm just too weak to do it. From coloring with him and trying to teach him to write "Joe", to playing cars and trains with him at the dining room table. And of course letting him help her on her gardening projects in the back yard. They really do have a special bond, and I for one am thankful for it. I had a special bond with my grandma growing up, and the lessons she taught me have stayed with me all this time. I'm hoping Joe will feel exactly the same years from now.

And let me not forget the hubby. Larry has been so understanding of it all this week. Letting me rest when I need to. Bringing me tea, both hot and cold. Holding me when it gets to overwhelming and I just want to be by myself and cry. And this is after he's already put in a long day at work. He's amazing with Joey, and mom, and me. I'm one very lucky girl to have someone like him choose to love me, flaws and all.

Mead Mania has struck the Monson's AGAIN

Larry is just finishing up his blackberry mead which he has named, Jester's Blackberry Kiss. He did it all by himself and even created the graphics that will adorn his bottles that he'll be taking to beer camp in September. Just thought all you folks who imbibe would appreciate a peak at all his hard work.

Family is so much fun

Today we invited my sister Crystal and Larry's brother Chuck and his wife Kelli over for a Sunday supper at 1:00. It was such a nice time - we ate, then they swam. Gracie came with Crystal so Joey had a buddy to play with. It wasn't too terribly hot outside so it was actually pleasant just sitting around the pool chatting with everyone. Sometimes it's nice to just have a couple of folks over instead of the whole gang because then it becomes a more intimate visit and I can really catch up with them on all that's been happening in their lives.

Larry was really happy too because 1) he got good food to eat and 2) he finally had someone besides Joey to play with in the pool. I like to get in once in a while but only if the pool is 85 or so, and even then I'm not one to rough house around like he likes to play. So today was a little slice of heaven for him.

I think mom really enjoyed having them all over too. Kelli and Chuck have become some of her favorite people and we haven't seen them in quite some time, so it was a really nice visit.

I love having such awesome folks in my family. I truly am blessed.

My Hubby is a Rock Star

We've been having TV woes the past few months. We bought a huge, old 50+ inch flat screen TV from one of Larry's co-workers who was upgrading to a newer model and after just a few months it went kaput. My in-laws being the sweet, generous folks that they are lent us their 42 inch flat screen out of their bedroom to use until we could afford to buy one of our own. It worked really great, although it generates a tremendous amount of heat and every once in a while would just shut off for no real reason.

Well wouldn't you know it when we were going through our hospital stay with Joey and Crystal was hanging out at our place to keep mom company, it went off for good. Larry being the techno nerd got online when he got home, researched it and determined that it was probably the power board. So he found the most inexpensive one he could find, $150 and ordered it. You'd have thought he was going to die of TV deprivation, having to suffer with a 13 inch screen, while we waited for the part to arrive.

Finally after about a week it got here and as soon as it hit our doorstep, Larry was disassembling the TV and trying to breathe life back into it. Although he'd never done this type of operation before, my hubby is a rock star because within a half hour he had it hooked back up and as good as new.

For all the teasing I do about him being a geek, it sure comes in handy some times. I love you baby.