Egad!

Monday morning already?? I am refusing to complain about this weekend. It rained all weekend and was generally gloomy, but I got a lot of things done. Laundry? Check. House clean? Check. Metallica tickets bought? Check!! I was extremely cheerful when the alarm clock went off at 7 am*. I got the kids dressed, waited for the hubby to get ready, got the kids fed, and started on our way to drop him off and get LaLa to preschool. So we get into the car and I go to adjust the rear view. It falls off. It flippin fell off guys! This is not how this day is supposed to start off. Now I have to make a trip to the auto supply store and then figure out how to reapply this thing**.

I did get some cute snapshots of KiKi this morning though. She isn't the most cooperative subject ever.


Mom do we really have to take pictures again?



I'll humor you, just one though.


Mom this concrete is kinda cold on my butt.


I am so done, Woman.


Let's go back inside.

* Those who know me know I am not a morning person. See post called 7:15.
** Because my husband is the most non-handy person on the planet.

Saturday Mega Mix

Edit: Also the winner of the "Caption Contest with No Prize" is Honeywine.


"Ohhhh...Mother! How dare you forget the gummy worms? The tea party is ruuuuined!"

The Evil Wal-Mart

No, I am not going to talk about the unfair wage practices and health care issues that Wally World has made famous. Frankly, eh, I don't really care about that. I hate Wal-Mart for other reasons. First of all let me say, it is the only large chain store in my small community. Shopping at other stores without a 45 min drive is impossible, so we are stuck with it. Now my problem is that I can't make it out of that place under $100.

Today I dropped LaLa off at preschool and headed off to Wally World for 2 items, wipes and a long sleeved dress for LaLa. Somehow I ended up with $138 dollars worth of stuff in my basket. I got 3 pairs of pants for KiKi, 3 pairs of jeans for LaLa, some cute graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts, a pair of pajamas for each of the girls, cherry coke zero, a pair of shoes for LaLa, and wipes (no good dresses were to be found). This happens to me every damn time I go in that place. Now, my kids did need pants so I can justify those. Shirts and PJs not so much.

I am putting a ban on myself from visiting Wal-Mart for at least 2 weeks. My pocketbook will thank me later. My shopping compulsion, well, it and I are going to have issues.

Sept. 11

Often you hear the question "Where were you on 9/11?" I remember my experience very vividly. I was in Russian Political Science class at the College of Charleston. My professor, Dr. Lu was in the middle of a lecture and a girl ran into the classroom and said "Turn on the T.V." then ran back out. Dr. Lu quickly went to the classroom T.V. and switched it on. It must have been NBC because I can hear Katie Couric's voice in my head describing the horrifying events that we were seeing on T.V. A couple of classmates got up and left the room. Most of us sat there with our mouth agape transfixed on the television set. The second plane hit the World Trade Center. I felt a tear go down the side of my face. Then my Professor said "This will be a turning point in history and politics. You may all go home or stay here and continue watching." I couldn't move. I continued to watch. The towers crumbled. People with looks of panic, fear, confusion. Reports of other planes hijacked. I finally decided it was time to go home. I walked a short distance to the parking garage in a state of shock. Once in the car I turned it onto talk radio. I continued to listen to the reports coming across the broadcast waves. There was a misreport about something at the State Department in Virgina. I drove home. Once home I sat in the living room glued to the T.V. again. My family members started to slowly trickle into the house. It stayed dead silent. Shock. It took us days to process.

Today I remember the moment our country lost not only 2,975 victims of the attack and their families, but also the loss of the feeling of security. I never felt afriad as American in my life before this moment. We were America, nobody could hurt us. That moment changed this country forever. It tought us that we could be hurt, we were not prepared, and that we were not as vigilant as we thought we were. In the years since it has happened I have also learned a few things about Americans. We are a generous people, we believe in this country, and we are all very greatful to be Americans despite our individual differences.

Name this Picture

I think this picture is dying for a caption. I would do a contest but alas I am not one of those lucky bloggers who can give away giftcards. But I think this picture needs a name none the less. Oh this was taken with my new Nikon D40. I love, love, love it.

Sol-U-Mel

This is my handy dandy cleaner. Sol-U-Mel. It will get anything off of anything. Seriously.


Pen marks on the wall. See the raised textured area. See that big scribble.



Gone.



The stuff is a little pricey, around $10 for a little bottle. However, it is non-toxic*, all natural, and actually works.

*My kids could swallow the whole bottle and not get sick. This is important when you have a tot running a muck.

Dear Toddler

KiKi,
Due to the lack of sleep, new sleeping arrangements need to be made. Mommy can no longer live on 4 hours of sleep. Although it is nice to have a cute little monkey such as yourself asleep next to me, there is a serious lack of space in my bed. I know I created this problem last month when I allowed you to come into my bedroom in the middle of the night when your dad was working night shift. Now that your dad is home at night, the fit in the bed is a bit snug. Daddy and I, while we love you to death, do no appreciate you digging you little feet into our spines all night. Mommy can not sleep on 4 square inches of bed despite what you may think. Here are the new rules.
1.) You will take a bath promptly at 8pm.
2.) You will be asleep by no later than 8:30pm.
3.) If you wake up in the middle of the night, you will go back to your big girl princess bed.
4.) No matter what you are not coming to sleep in Mommy's bed.

In return, for following the rules, you will receive:
1.) Less crabby mommy.
2.) Praise.
3.) A sense of accomplishment.

In closing I would like to say, I wish you would stay my little girl forever. However, little girls need to sleep in their own beds.

Sincerely,
Mommy

PS- If you ever break open a ball point pen and "paint" on my (government issued) hardwood floors again, time out will be the least of your worries. You are lucky mommy knows about a miracle cleaner that would get the stink off a skunk.