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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Things....

Things right now are upside down, backwards and forwards. I need to get my bearings once again. I need to settle into normal. I need a break for a bit. I need to not worry about my blog for a bit. I am going to take a week off. This includes Dear So and So...there won't be one this week. If you need to find me email me or send me a facebook message.

Don't worry about me. Things personally are fine. I just need a minute to breath and not think. There are only so many hours in a day.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Dear So and So...Red Nose Day

It's Friday! It is also Red Nose Day in the UK. For those of you not in the know, Red Nose Day is the day that the UK bands together to support Comic Relief a charity that works both in the UK and in Africa. Happy Red Nose Day! Please be generous.

Dear Chris Moyles (presenter on Radio 1),

I cannot believe that you and Comedy Dave have been on the radio for well over 50 hours. I am truly impressed. You have already raised over £1.8 for Comic Relief. That is astounding! Well done!!!

A Person With New Found Respect, Kat
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Dear LaLa,

You look adorable in your new glasses. However, you must wear them with the arms of the glasses going underneath your hair and around your ears. When you put them over your hair, it smashes your hair to your head and you kinda look like a dork...and I am saying that as a loving mother. I know you are seven, this is new, and you don't know any better.

Just Don't Want You To Get Made Fun Of, Mom



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Dear Corrupt Libyan Regime,

Game Over.

Kat
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Dear Readers,

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. If you have letters to add, please link up!

Love, Kat
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Thursday, March 17, 2011

I've Decided to Be Selfish...

and guess what? I don't feel a bit guilty about it. I finally decided that I am worth the extra time. My health is worth the extra time. My well being is worth the extra money. My self image is worth the effort. I am a mother, a wife, a friend, a multi-tasking expert. I put everybody's priorities ahead of mine. I took care of other people but I didn't take care of myself.

I didn't take care of myself and I started to suffer for it. My weight became out of control. I hurt my ankle and I couldn't heal it because I didn't go to the doctor. I don't have time for the doctor. My weight on that ankle was making the healing process take longer. I felt tired all the time- not tired I shouldn't have stayed up late tired, but tired I just don't want to get out of bed because that is entirely too much effort tired. I felt blah. I don't like blah. If you have ever met me or read my blog, you know that blah is not my thing at all.

I finally had enough of it 2 months ago. I finally decided that I am worth my time and my effort and I decided to be selfish. My first step in being selfish was a joined WeightWatchers- 12lbs off so far. My next step was spending time on things that made me happy. I have carved out more time for me to spend time with my friends. I have more coffee mornings and lunches with friends in the last month that I can recall ever doing. I am taking time to read more books (which I didn't think was even possible considering that I read more than most people I know). I spend time with my husband just being goofy. I am taking walks with the girls in the afternoons and spending time outdoors, even when it is a bit cold, because I love the outdoors. I am being selfish and I don't care.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Gallery- Trees




This is one of the grandfather oaks at the wildlife preserve near my house. I love looking at these trees. They are truly impressive. How long have they been there? What have they seen? How many children have climbed their branches?

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Fleeting Moments

What does a mother feel when she realizes that her children are maturing right before her eyes? Is it a sense of pride? I just know that in the last couple of days I have witnessed my girls growing right before my eyes and it feels wonderful.

On Sunday, LaLa came down with a rash from head to toe. Normally this would be cause in her mind to send her into fits of crying. She would rage against being sick and turn her inner frustration into outward frustration causing everyone around her to be as miserable as she feels. This time it was different. She took it in stride. She sat in the waiting room of the emergency room patiently, even though she was so itchy she could barely stand to be in her own skin. She didn't complain much. She kept her self preoccupied by reading books and coloring in order to avoid being consumed by the uncomfortableness of the situation. I was proud. I was so incredibly proud of her.

Then today, KiKi relayed a story about how LaLa's best friend had asked where LaLa was because obviously she wasn't in school. Apparently, KiKi has grown up to the point where she can relay a story clearly enough to her peers that they know exactly what she is talking about. It was so clear that LaLa's mate's mother sent me a message via facebook to check to see how she was getting on. I was impressed. We parents know that getting a story straight out of a four year old sometimes can be like pulling crocodile teeth. I am proud of her.

Sometimes I think that I get so caught up in everyday activities that I miss little moments like these to be proud of. Sometimes I don't take the time to see my little ones growing up before my eyes. I have always had people tell me with wistfulness in their eyes recalling their own children growing up "It goes by so quickly" and guess what? It does. I really does go by so quickly.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Dear So and So....bespectacled

It's Friday!!! That means I get to rant and rave about the weeks events and you can join in! You know you want to! In the words of the mortal Diddy, lets go!

Dear LaLa,

I am so glad that you are excited that you need glasses. Your eyes may be a little wonky, but your attitude about the impending bespectacled face that you are going to have is spot on. Your excitement while picking out your new frames was contagious and I can't wait until we can pick your new glasses up from the optician.

Love,
Mom
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Dear Water Guys Working in Village Up the Road,

When are you going to be done with your work? I am not sure what you are exactly doing, but the fact that you have closed off one lane into town is really rather inconvenient during the school run. Good thing I never run late *giggle snort giggle*

Waiting Semi Patiently and Sometimes Running Late,
Kat
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Dear House Elves,

Do I once again have to fire you? The house is a wreck. Did you lot have a party while I have been out and about?

Wondering How The House Can Wreck Itself While You Aren't Home,
Kat
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Dear Sam Kitty,

I guess we can now add rabbit killer to your assassin resume, eh?

Gives Up Dreams of Pretending to Be Snow White,
Kat
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Dear Readers,

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Please join in if you have your own letters!

Love, Kat
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

If You Need Something Done, Ask a Busy Person To Do It...

...just not this busy person.

For the last few weeks my feet have barely hit the ground because I have been so incredibly busy. I find this especially amusing because I don't have an actual paying job. I have kids, a husband, friends, appointments, important shopping, not so important shopping (come on girls, we all know there is a difference), laundry...oh dear Lord the laundry....

Here are some of the funnier moments of the past couple days since I don't have the time to write a proper post.

1) My friend spotted a pigeon with only one toe on one of it's feet and said "Oh my! That pigeon only has one toe on it's foot". To which I naturally replied "I bet it claims disability".

2) LaLa and KiKi were fighting (wait for it) and KiKi yelled "Mom, LaLa is coffeeing me!!" I think she mean copying.

3) Sam Kitty and Lizabeast ran outside together at the same time. The cat ran under the dog, tripping her, the dog fell on the cat, the cat bolted out from underneath her and into the dark driveway. After Lizabeast was done with her "business" she was wandering around and went near the gate that leads to the driveway, Sam Kitty came back and exacted his revenge by pouncing on her out of the darkness and then ran back into hiding. Meanwhile I am standing on the porch trying not to wee myself with laughter.

4) I lost 3.5 more pounds bringing the grand total up to 11 pounds lost so far. That wasn't so much funny as I SQUEEEE moment.

5) My dad suggested that I should buy another iPad and use that as leverage against LaLa. That wasn't so much funny giggle funny, as it was not a shot in hell funny.

6) KiKi told LaLa "If you can't play nice, then we can't play at all" She's 4, ya'll. I cracked up.

7) When I made LaLa go to bed at 7pm last night (thanks for the advise MAW), she yelled from her room "I don't LIKE this punishment!!" (kinda the point kiddo)

8) KiKi asked her sister, "La what does ka-ah-ka spell?" *eyes wide* Mind you, she was just spitting out random letters in phonics. Phonics is trying to give me gray hair!

So if you need to find me, I am busy. If I am not busy with life, I am busy laughing at life.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Round and Round We Go

If you spin yourself around long enough an fast enough eventually you will get dizzy and possibly sick. Right now I am dizzy from parenting; on the verge of being sick. I feel like I keep fighting the same battles over and over again. Sometimes there is a great success in the household (like when KiKi started wiping her own bottom- nearly thew a ticker tape parade for that one) only to be followed by an "Oh my goodness are you kidding me" string of events.

Lately, bedtime has been a theatrical event at my house. LaLa has never been a great sleeper even at the best of times. She has always been the one to wander out of bed, make requests, stall...stall... stall. KiKi on the other hand if sufficiently worn out goes to sleep very quickly. Lately, LaLa's sleeping habits have been rubbing off on KiKi and bedtimes have gone from barely acceptable to a not so funny comedy of errors.

My evenings have gone from a couple of reminders that it is bedtime to evenings starting with reminders and escalating to shouting. I really hate shouting. I used to know exactly what to do to ensure a quick bedtime. The Wii was a wonderful bargaining chip. Right now revoking privileges doesn't work. The Wii has lost it's bargaining sway. I am struggling to find the girl's new "currency". So until I find my new bargaining chip, I guess we shall continue to go round and round. I just need to make sure I keep my head clear enough that I don't get sick.

Silent Sunday



Silent Sunday

Friday, March 4, 2011

Dear So and So...A Very Late Edition

Dear Everyone!

Sorry DSS (Dear So and So...not Department of Social Services) is up late today. I had a really busy morning today. I took the kids to school, met Liz in Ely for coffee (and a scone with jam and clotted cream)(I have a feeling WeightWatchers is not going to be happy with me on Tuesday), then came home and weeded my garden for the first times since.....September....yeah it took a bit of work. Don't worry though, I haven't forgotten you!

Love, Kat
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Dear Almonry in Ely,

Oh how I love your scones. Oh how my waistline hates them. They are so lovely though!

Mmmmm, Kat
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Dear LaLa,

My iPad, not yours. I don't care if your strawberries have wilted on your Smurfs game, I have important things to do on my iPad, like Twittering and Facebooking. Sorry, you'll just have to wait until I am finished.

Love, Mom
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Dear Michelle and Karin,

I had such a great time with you on Wednesday! Lunch was divine, the conversation flowed, the drive to back to Ely was exhilarating (probably not for a good reason)(maybe one shouldn't drive 60 mph down bumpy farm roads in order to make it to the train station on time)(not that I would ever do that *cough*). I can't wait until we can meet up again!

Love, Kat
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Dear LaLa (again),

Throwing ones self down on the floor in a full fledged temper tantrum because their favorite shirt is in the wash is not acceptable. It is especially frowned upon when Daddy is trying to sleep so he can go to work that night. When I tell you to go to your room until you are calmed down, it isn't for my good, it's for your own good. Make sure you close the door too. Daddy can be a real grump when he is woken up a few hours before he actually needs to wake up.

Love, Mom
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Dear Sam Kitty,

This thing you do at 4am where you scratch my open bedroom door causing it to bump against the wall has got to stop. I know you are doing it because you want to be let outside, but really, you should probably stay inside until morning. I know, I know, I have encouraged this behavior by letting you out when you do this (actually one night chasing you about the house as you thought it was a game, catching you and then tossing you outside), but really can you please stop?

Sleep Deprived Enough Already, Kat
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Dear Readers,

Have a lovely weekend. Please link up if you have letters! Sorry this was put up so late today.

Love, Kat
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