I Should Have Known (A Poem)

I should have known my future as I settled in for the night;

the kids getting ready for bed without putting up a fight.

I should have known what was to happen since I was ready to relax;

this quiet that had surrounded me was surely going to pass.

I should have know when that first little hand roused me out of my slumber;

it was all going to start at midnight and do me in quite a number.

At the stroke of midnight, Michael approached with tears welled up in his eyes;

telling me he somehow had peed all over his toilet, walls and thighs.

Please quit crying, change your clothes and let mom go back to bed;

I will set my alarm for early in the morning in order to clean the head.

A short time later at the strike of two my youngest took his turn;

cryingly standing at the foot of the bed stating his cheek had started to burn.

I tried to bribe him with a soft place to sleep and rest beside dear old me;

he continued to cry, holding his cheek and went to the bathroom to pee.

The crying went on until well past four as his cheek he continued to hold;

as I contemplated how me getting sleep at this point would surely be considered gold.

Up at six the alarm clock blared as the night turned into day;

surely you jest, I just got comfortable and am ready to hit the hay.

A Friday Fill In Of My Own (Kind Of)

I get greatly discouraged when the Friday Fill In person doesn't have her weekly post up. Unfortunately, I am not quite creative enough to do one on my own.

This week started out fairly uneventful but turned into a stomach virus/food poisoning tirade involving yours truly. I felt like death on a stick yesterday which included all the usual fun and exciting things associated with the previously mentioned affliction. (I will spare you the details, your welcome). Yesterday was officially the second day I have called in sick at a job since I started working on July 9, 1997. I think my record is pretty good....

Anywho, the boys are beside themselves with Christmas day less than 24 hours away. Now, culminate that with the possibility of over 3 inches of snow...well...you get the picture. If it does snow tonight and we get more than a dusting, this will be the 10th measurable snowfall on Christmas day since weather record keeping began in Nashville in 1884. Pretty cool, huh. At least anyone who reads my blog today will leave with new knowledge.

We probably won't be going to my dad's in Franklin tomorrow due to the impending weather. I like visiting my dad but it is very difficult to pull the kids away from their stuff to drive an hour and a half! This will offer me an appropriate excuse, I suppose.

Tonight will involve our usual tradition of pigging out on finger foods and watching one of the best Christmas movies ever made....drum roll please....Christmas Vacation, of course.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday.

Merry Christmas

Only Eight More Days

Well, we survived the seven inches of snow we had the pleasure of receiving Sunday night. The kids played in it all day but had to come in several times to warm up seeing as the temperature was 15 degrees....brrrrr! This is the only time of the year when I am not too happy about my job. Doing home health means going to peoples homes in the snow and cold. I ended up moving most of my people and seeing as therapy is not a life or death matter, they all understood the postponement. The rest of the week was just odd. I know that sounds like a strange descriptor but even my 10 year old agreed. With school being out for snow, the kids staying up later than usual even though Marshall still went to preschool (late because I couldn't get him awake!), having to change several things around at work, Mom staying with us in the middle of the week (this really messed me up because my brain kept telling me it was Friday, that is the day she usually stays the night), and just generally feeling off. That is the perfect description of how I have felt this week, OFF!
Only 8 more days until Christmas and I have finally finished my shopping. Well, I do have a few small gifts to buy for my assistants but other than that....done. For this I am thankful.
Everyone have a safe and fabulous weekend.

1. What in the world was I thinking getting Marshall a skateboard for Christmas.

2. Whenever I go to Franklin to see my family I always leave well fed. (probably a couple of pounds heavier, too)

3. Go GET WELL!

4. I have got to get my Christmas cards sent out, such a slacker.

5. I keep hoping that miraculously, things will turn out the way they are supposed to.

6. Believe it or not George isn't at home, please leave a message at the beep.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to eating at Blue Coast Burrito and taking the family to the movies, tomorrow my plans include heading to Franklin and celebrating Christmas with my mom's side of the family, and Sunday, I want to enjoy the fabulous present my mom gets me every year....taking the kids for a few days so I can actual orate an entire sentence without interruption. Just when I thought it would never happen in my own home ever again!! Kid free 4 days and 3 nights...heaven.

I Like Torturing Myself

As the alignment of planets would have it, the night I was to host bunko was the day before my company Christmas party. Guess what, both were going to be hosted at my house. Ahhhhh, the strange comfort of self-induced stress. The seductive siren song only to fall upon the ears of a party maven. I just couldn't resist their sweet melody! Alright, I am being a doofus...but...I have survived bunko night yesterday, had a fabulous time and scored a sweet gift. Tonight, the company party. It will be fun and I will survive and a bottle of wine will be imbibed! This is only for medicinal purposes, of course.

On a different note, mom is doing great. The doctor was able to place more fluid into her expanders and without any additional issues foreseen, her final implant surgery should be the second week of January and all of this will be behind her. She is already walking an hour a day and/or getting on the elliptical for 45 minutes and the doctor just cleared her to lift weights. Lord help us all. I don't think she has a back down button!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. Christmas is in 15 days.....prepare!!

1. I wish all my wishes could be real.

2. ...that's what I'm thinking.

3. Please bring on the presents, smiles and laughs at Christmas. I need it.

4. To watch my children grow up and have their own agenda and interests is so amazing.

5. One of my fondest hopes is to find a place in my life where I am truly happy.

6. People have actually gone out of their way for me at times and I just wanted to say thank you.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my company Christmas party, tomorrow my plans include cleaning up my house (I am sure) and taking the kids to see Santa**see below**and Sunday, I want to try to relax and not do a lot...I really don't know what that is like!

**Marshall has been talking to a picture of Santa on one of our Christmas cards. He is begging cardboard Santa to bring him a skateboard. Poor thing, this is his expectation of the jolly guy, a printed cartoon type character. So Sad

AHHHHH, Friday!!!

Wow, could my life slip away any faster. Friday again....REALLY? No complaints, per se, just hard to believe another week of my life is gone. Anywho, the week at a glance:

• Mom's recovery is on the upswing (finally). She has rid herself of all infection and will hopefully be ready for more saline in her expanders. New boobs, here we come!! woo hoo
• Michael had his first concert last night as a saxophonist. Did fabulous without a hint of nervousness however, when the advanced band was playing, there was a small fire and the entire program had to be evacuated. I guess this will be a concert he will never forget. On a side note, my child is totally at ease being on stage in front of people. I know most of you are thinking 'I know where he gets that from'.....but I interject....yes, I was in the performing arts for years BUT I was worthless during the final seconds of said performance. Once I was on stage, it was all business...dancing, singing, acting, etc. Prior, could almost vomit!! He is not like that and I am so glad.
• I have officially and literally wrapped up my Christmas shopping. I have a few gifts that I am debating on buying for some special peeps in my life :) but I may have to break down and get them. They mean that much to me regardless of the cost!!
• Marshall is still Marshall. Into everything and running 90 to nothing 24 hours a day. I cannot believe he will start kindergarten in 7 months. God, please help that teacher!

1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is...please...I am the center of attention. As if this part being my favorite is a surprise to anyone.

2. I want to look back sans regret in regards to the passage of time. No should a, would a, could a.

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was the most awesome pair of Mary Jane snow slippers that are soft, cuddly and grace the presence of my feet every night.

4. Mousetrap is a child's game, however, I bought it for my kids and cannot wait to play it.

5. The reason is there is just an effect on me that I cannot even come close to explaining.

6. I am a big fan snow and cold only if I can be snuggled up inside next to a fire or in a hot tub.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to trying out Blue Coast Burrito and beginning the 1000 light stringing of the tree, tomorrow my plans include 9 a.m. fun run with Michael, followed my a laser tag birthday party for a friend of Michael's, hopefully some telephone time to catch up with peeps, followed by a cross country banquet at 6...kill me now and Sunday, I want to take the kids to Sunday School, finish (for the love of God) putting up the Christmas decorations, making the menus for two big parties I will be hosting at my home next week and watching my kids participate in the Hanging of the Greens at church on Sunday night.

MY WEEKEND IS FULL!!!!