Meanie!!

I have come to the realization that I am one of the strict parents at my daughters school. I don't really care that I am one of the strict ones, but I always figured I really was pretty easy going. The signs were there I guess...

La would come home with a new bad habit de jour. I would correct it. I kept finding my self saying "I don't care what so and so does, in my house that is unacceptable." I would hear whispers and giggles between LaLa and KiKi along with shifty eyes. They know they are doing wrong and don't want to get caught.

I guess my biggest problem is with the language that comes out of her little mouth. This morning it was "What the heck?" Ok, yes, I know heck isn't TECHNICALLY a bad word, but it is a slippery slope and heck is only one small step from hell. There is no way I am going to let my six year old run around saying "What the heck!" or "What the hell!" It just isn't happening. Of course explaining this to her is excruciating. She questions everything, cause she's six and she can. Then finally I explode with, "You are allowed to say 'What in the world!' and that is final!" Then I wander away muttering "What the hell is wrong with children nowadays..." under my breath.

I Bet My Morning Was Crappier Than Yours

This morning I was awoken to the siren call of "Moooooom, pooooop!!!" Just the thing I want to hear at 7:30AM.

Apparently, when a dog gets into the leftover chicken curry it has the same affect as it does on people; massive craps. The rug in my laundry room- covered. Actually it looked like Lizabeast was spinning cause she made a perfect circle of poo.

So I spent my morning yelling at LaLa to get dressed while I was cleaning up Indian induced dog poo. See? I guarantee my morning was crappier.

Dear So and So...Exhausted

Dear Self,

Being in bed before midnight would be ideal. Being ASLEEP before 1:30AM would be amazing. Just sayin'.

Sleep Deprived, Kat

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Dear Road Works Bloke,

Thanks for letting me know about the work on the bridge outside my house and the impending jackhammer noise. It is nice that you remembered that I have children and would need to move them into my bed for the next two nights due to the noise outside their bedrooms.

Very appreciative, Kat

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Dear Self (again),

You truly are boring. There is only so much Antiques Roadshow, Heir Hunters, and Country House Rescue you can watch without being considered middle aged. Oh well. *Flips Antiques Roadshow back on*

HA!, Kat

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Dear Sandra Bullock,

Your performance in The Blind Side was brilliant and you definitely deserved the Oscar.

Blubbed the Whole Way Through, Kat

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Dear Readers,

Feel free to link up. I am now going to take a nap.

Love Ya, Kat

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Military Life Rambling

I hear and read about trivial complaints everyday. It has gotten to the point where I just keep my mouth shut. I could scream "Do you want to take my place?" Of course I don't, cause that isn't my style. I would rather stew. Then I think, "Geez o peet. Really, I am getting off easy. My husband is on an air base. He isn't doing foot patrols. He will be back in just a few months rather than doing a year rotation like a soldier in the Army and Marines." Then I feel guilty. Should I feel guilty though?

I am jealous. I am jealous that others get a "normal" life. My families life will never be "normal". We will always live like nomads roaming from base to base. My husband will always be gone for stretches at a time. We will always celebrate most holidays either alone or by traveling to see family or friends who live hours away by plane or car. I will miss weddings and funerals. My kids will get to know their grandparents by chatting to them on Skype and through all too short visits. I sometimes wish for a "normal" husband with a "normal" nine to five job. Then I realize that I wouldn't be me without this crazy and definitely not "normal" life.

A "Sugar Milk" Review

As you know, I am normally not a review type of girl. This time however, I am compelled to write a review for my friend, Ron Mattock's book "Sugar Milk", not because we are friends, but because the book was brilliant. I "met" Ron a couple of years ago when I stumbled upon his blog "Clark Kent's Lunchbox". I quickly came to adore him, his lovely wife, Ashley, and their (between them) five children. When I found out that Ron was finally going to publish a book, I was chomping at the bit to get my hands ahold of it.

Ron's book "Sugar Milk- what one dad drinks when he can't afford vodka" is a humorous look at his journey from corporate America, where he worked as an executive in "residential home building industry" to a stay at home dad to his two step daughters. The housing bubble burst and he found himself in a world of uncertainty and Care Bears (and I am sure the Care Bears were the terrifying bit). Many men have been felled by such overwhelming odds but he battled on with humor and grace (mostly humor).

There were tales of the chaotic dating world*, a corporation which used "The Secret" for their business model, and school orientation nights, but my favorite tale has to be the about Ron and his famous pancakes. With much embellishment, Ron, explains why each Saturday without fail, he will be up at the crack of dawn making pancakes for his darling step daughters. It isn't so much motivated by his ego and knowing that he makes the best pancakes west of the Mississippi River, but more for self preservation. See, Ron's step daughters, Allie and Avery, made him, to quote the Godfather, "an offer he couldn't refuse". Although, I am sure that was just an embellishment, right Ron? Right?

I really can't say enough about this book. I tore through it cover to cover devouring each word. It is funny, thought provoking, heart wrenching and heart felt. What more could I ask for in a memoir penned by one of my favorite bloggers.

Also, Coldplay, Ron? Seriously? I'm with Ashley on this one.

*OMGoodness, Ron, that chick was skeevy. Ick. Ick. Ick.

Dear So and So...Tea Fueled Ranting

Dear Child on Bus,

LaLa does not read "baby books". She is just starting out reading. I understand that you are a year ahead of her and see the books she reads as simple, but please keep your comments to yourself. Keep in mind that any criticism that you offer undos all the praise that her teachers and myself have bestowed upon her and makes her think less of her reading efforts. Plus you had her in tears. Do you really want to be that sort of child?

Mama Bear, Kat

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Dear Roadworks Guys,

Thanks for being done with my section of the road. Hopefully, now I can shower with reckless abandon.

Stark, Kat

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Dear Rent-A-Kitty,

You are a sweetheart, but if you don't stop with the clawing of my sofa we're gonna have words.

Just Thought You Should Be Aware, Kat

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Dear Emergency 4 Cups of Tea,

Thanks for helping cure my migraine.

Love, Kat

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Dear Kitchen,

What do I look like? The maid?

Obviously, Kat

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Dear Readers,

If you have a letter please link up!

Love you all, Kat

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Bits and Bobs

I have random in my head and it isn't Tuesday. Oh well, here we go.

The unfortunate naked incident and the fact that KiKi has been getting up at 5:30 in the morning has lead me to the realization that blackout curtains are a must. I don't do 5:30 in the morning, not even for my children.

I have yet another dental appointment this morning. I refuse to make any more appointments after this. If they can't fix the rest today then my teeth can just fall out. I really don't give a toss anymore.

I am enjoying the sun here in England, now we just need some warmth from it. A nice 65 degree day is in order.

Going in search of more art supplies today after my dental appointment. Also need pens for the house. My kids seem to have swiped every single last pen in the house.

I got a blog reader. It is the only way I am ever going to be able to keep up with all the blogs I like. If you are new around here, leave me a link to your blog so I can check it out.

Also, I am going to CyberMummy10 down in London in July. Excited does not even begin to cover the emotion. Finally I am going to meet the ladies behind the blogs and twitter profiles!!