Unhistoric Acts

prepare for cuteness extraordinaire

Yesterday I found Parker sorting his rather bountiful collection of Yu-Gi-Oh cards on the coffee table. Sometimes its Pokemon, sometimes baseball cards, and on the rare occasion Yu-Gi-Oh gets some play time. This morning, after arising at 6:45 (what?), and then waiting patiently for me to join him in the living room, Parker explained a "project" that he had circling in his head. You see, he wanted to take an old belt and attach some boxes to it that would hold his cards.

I was sleepy.

And Yu-Gi-Oh crafting is not really high on my priority list.

So, I said. "Well, we don't have any boxes that are the right size."

No problem. He had already secured a piece of cardboard. (These things happen when he's up and I'm sleeping).

But, maybe we should wait until we find the right size boxes. Maybe we should wait for Daddy. He's good at this sort of thing. Yes, we should definitely wait. How about some breakfast? Chess? Anything?

Nope. He was pretty much set on his Yu-Gi-Oh belt holder.

So, I did what any self-respecting mom would do...what any mom who wanted to avoid an ENTIRE DAY of yu-gi-oh project discussion would do...what any mom who wants to please her eight-year-old son would do.

I made the belt.

Okay...so it won't win any engineering prizes. And should he bend over...the cards will fall out. But he was quite pleased with the end result. And that's all that matters.

There are four holders in total. One is a little hard to reach, but he's making do.

whippin' up on the laundry

Boy I've been productive today. I only note this because such productivity is in direct opposition to the indolence of the past few weeks (maybe months). I'm about to see the bottom of the laundry pile. Such a view only happens about 7 times each year...but often occurs prior to a trip. This is the case today. But I'm really going hog wild with the laundry. I'm even washing things that have been sitting around for months (like that pile of three black sweaters that need to be washed on delicate and dried flat). Do you ever do that? Set aside items for special washes and then watch them for the next month or so? Not sure why I do that. Pure laziness is a suspect...

I also made cookies and delivered them...one for a birthday, one to thank a friend for teaching my church lesson this Sunday. Yes. As in this coming up Sunday. I thanked her before it even happened. I'm not sure what is going on with me either.

I took a good stab at machine quilting my quilt. The good news is I think I've figured it out. The bad news is I sewed two long rows BEFORE I figured it out. I stopped by Walmart to pick up a seam ripper. How I loathe ripping out seams.

I have chicken defrosting for Pioneer Woman's stir-fry. I'm having a Pioneer Woman cooking week. I think she is the perfect blend of foody flavors minus the fussiness. I Ioathe fussiness. But not as much as seam ripping.

What else?

Oh yeah. Jordan chipped the glass plate in the microwave a few days ago. And today...during an especially crucial moment of popcorn production, the entire plate broke in half. Ugh. That kind of stuff makes me crazy. So I marched myself directly from the popcorn debacle to the computer and ordered another glass plate. I have a fear of missing pieces or things not working, so I nipped that right in the bud...to the tune of $50. Yikes.

I bought 12 fuzzy posters in an attempt to entertain the children (Becca made me). There has been markering a-plenty. Who doesn't love a fuzzy poster?

I mailed off Jordan's drivers ed stuff. Bought some dresses for the girls online. Made some business calls for Sterling. Refereed 3.7 brawls and 5.2 fights amongst the offspring. Cut up one apple. Reheated last night's enchiladas. Did NOT make my bed (darn). Answered 717 phone calls. And played on the Internet longer than I should admit in public.

Now. Only 5,623 more items to scratch off the to-do list before we hit the airport on Thursday. It seems totally do-able.

sunday evening

It's already getting dark here. The light is strange and murky and hopefully there is some sort of storm brewing. It finally rained yesterday...I can't even remember the last time it rained. It poured for about 20 minutes and then rained some more for about 15 minutes. We all felt like running out and dancing around (as our worries about the crops were somewhat lessened). Seriously, even without crops...it's a dry desert around these parts right now. I did check the weather in Salt Lake for this week since that's where we are headed. You'll never believe that it is going to be hotter in Utah than in Houston. It seems especially apropos that the week we are gone Houston will have some small reprieve in the unrelenting heat. After all, and I've mentioned this before, Mother Nature is particularly mean TO ME. Yes, she singles me out.

Becca and I made Pioneer Woman's enchiladas for dinner tonight. Lots of steps, lots of dishes, but very, very tasty.
Most of the time I like to really clean the kitchen well before I embark on a complicate series of recipes. Today...not so much. Here you can see the enchiladas in the oven and Becca stirring up the guacamole. She decided to make the pico and guac all by herself. I told her, "Those are kind of hard because they require lots of fine dicing." She was not the least bit deterred. And the guac? Seriously good. She is one amazing 11-year old.

This poor dinosaur found himself pinned under the massive weight of bag of shredded cheddar. Our kitchen is a dangerous place. Strangely, I find scenes like this scattered about my house. Does this seem sanitary to you? I didn't think so.

The quilt top!! Remember a long time ago when I posted about my crafting? And I was just cutting some fabric strips? Well. They have metamorphosed into this fine quilt. I'm going to attempt to machine quilt this sucker myself. Pray for me.

Here's the back. Yes, I put a pieced strip on the back. So not like me. But that's what the directions said...so I followed along. Rule-follower Sarah won out over lazy-crafting Sarah. It was a struggle, but that Rule-follower...she's a tough one.

And yes, my dresser is still in the living room. I can't tell you how many people have told me to leave it there. And yes, I do like how it looks along the back of the room. But leaving it in the living room would thwart my plans for the uber-big tv in my bedroom. And ever since that hotel room in Fort Worth...the one with the 52" tv literally at the foot of the king-sized bed...I've been convinced that a giant tv in my bedroom would fill this gaping hole in my heart...the one that needs to recline fully while watching HGTV Design Star. Do you feel my pain?

the rhythm of summer

Because I have a hard time finding my groove during the less scheduled months of summer, I regularly find myself rethinking our daily activities. Should we just relax and recharge? Should we seize the day and accomplish all of those little tasks that we put off during the school year? Should we bake bread? Take nature walks? Watch unlimited Disney channel? Surf the Internet endlessly? These are the questions that plague me.

Mostly, I try to find some kind of balance between work and play...industry and downright lethargy. I want to allow time to reconnect. To visit. To sleep in while we can. But the other day I linked onto this hippie blog (and you know how I love the hippies). This particular blog writer explained that they have only one clock in their house. Not only do they have only one clock, they rarely use it...instead they run their day according to natural rhythms of eating and working and playing and resting.

Hmmm.

If I lived my life according to my natural rhythms my day might go something like this.

8:00 wake up
8:15-10:00 read in bed
10:00 eat two bowls of sugary cereal
10:15-12:00 read in bed
12:00-2:00 meet friend for lunch
2:00-3:00 nap
3:00-5:00 surf Internet
5:00-11:00 watch TLC

Dinner, of course, would be served while watching TLC. Such rhythms would leave little time for grocery shopping or laundry or spending time with the offspring. My rhythms are indolent. I think that must be genetic...let's just blame it on genetics...that generally seems to work.

Anyway, I keep thinking about rhythms...because I'm intrigued...and because a simpler, more natural way of living is so appealing to me. Perhaps it is not entirely practical in an urban suburb with four kids, graduate school, and a groovy husband, but I like it nonetheless. So I've been on the lookout for our rhythms...things we do everyday.

I really think one of those 'things' should be a family dinner.
Tonight we had a regular sit-down, family dinner. The sit-down, family dinner is a regular occurrence during the school year, but Parker brought it to my attention that we have NOT HAD DINNER AS A FAMILY IN WEEKS AND WEEKS. Really? What about Monday when we had like 15 people to dinner? What about Sunday when we had dinner at Big Momma's? But what he's really talking about is a 6-person, everyday dinner with just us. And he's missed it. You know you need to step up to the plate when your 8-year-old calls you to repentance over family dinners. Sorry dude. (Like my Orla Kiely bowl?)

Maybe one of our summer "things" is root beer. I RARELY keep soda in the house for the kids...what with me wanting to avoid infusing them with huge amounts of sugar and all. But Parker asked for root beer at the grocery store the other day and I was all, "What the heck. It's summer." See? Aren't I fun?

Sewing is definitely one of the rhythms of summer. Especially since the sewing machine is regularly banished September through May, with an occasional appearance in December. I do love to sew, but rarely have time for it during the school year. I'm hoping to get in some weekend sewing this year. I'm also hoping to win the lottery or the HGTV dream home. I'm all full of hope and shameless optimism. That's just who I am. (The grape soda? That was Debbie's doing.)

Can you attribute a rhythm to Sonic? I love hopping in my car, in the blazing heat, and running down to Sonic for a cold drink. Or...throwing the kids in the car late at night for impromptu shakes. Or...asking Sterling to go get all of us Sonic chillers and then deciding we don't like them...uck. Sonic is good summer fun to me.

As you can see...my rhythms need some degree of help. We need a bit more work. More sun. More family game nights. I'm going to start making a list.

tuesday

Lazy summer days here (finally). Too hot to be outside really, unless you are in the pool. Yesterday we took Becca for a very important, rite-of-passage trip to Target. Yes. Time to get the much-coveted locker supplies. Here, you get your first locker in sixth grade. Yes. A locker. And there is much talk about really NEEDING a top, red locker and not the dreaded bottom, gray locker. Becca has all of the appropriate and expected enthusiasm for the top, red locker and how to decorate it and how sparkly clean and organized she will keep it. I do love locker excitement. I got my first locker and 5th grade and I've never really gotten over it. 

I've also learned that it is wise to get the locker supplies before the big rush...at which time you will be left with two magnets and possibly a bent and damaged mirror.

I really wanted to take a picture of the locker stuff WITH the soon-to-be locker owner. But she was asleep. Late nights around here are really taking their toll.

Late nights include game night with the cousins. I have to say there was more eating and visiting than gaming, but we did get in a few rounds of speed scrabble. I'm getting better. I may be ready to rechallenge Sterling. For some reason he regularly beats me at speed scrabble. And that makes me grouchy.

Have I shown you my newest thrifted owl? I got her in Lampasas at a downtown antique store for two bucks. She's going to eventually make it to my study shelf, but right now I'm enjoying her sitting on the kitchen counter...keeping the Honeycombs company.

This is just because I do believe people should be in SOME of my pictures. Parker and I are the only ones moving around this morning. Becca snuck down for a minute. The big girls need a good long sleeping-in so they'll be nice. And me? A Diet Coke might help with my niceness...that and a weekend trip to San Francisco...less than a month to go!

coming out of my fog...and a project

As of yesterday I emerged from the barf-induced mind fog that took up most of my week. For days I was exhausted and sick to my stomach and could only think one step down the road...not a fun way to be. But by Thursday I could feel the fog lifting and I could remember what multi-tasking was, so I threw a load in the washer, flipped on some itunes, set my dvr, and considered rounding up our current Netflix selections. Now that's what I'm talking about.

For the first time this summer my kids have enough down-time to get good and bored. I keep turning off the tv, but after 45 minutes or so it magically comes back on...often when I feel powerless to keep up the good fight. In defense of such boredom (and nonstop tv watching) I started looking for a project. I pulled up several cool looking recipes on Joy the Baker...like these mini chocolate-dipped bananas or these cream cheese cinammon rolls. Parker quickly informed me that "boys do not bake." I was astounded at this reponse based on the number of Top Chef episodes he had watched lately. When I inquired about all of the boys on Top Chef or Iron Chef America he rethought his position. It went something like this: "Parker does not bake."

I was sad.

I wanted the mini chocolate-dipped bananas.

Since Parker unilaterally dismissed the entire baking/cooking world, I moved on to Becca. We chose an interesting modern-looking wall decoration piece for her new room. We stalled out on her room sometime before we all headed out of town, and I figured it was time to once again take up the gauntlet. I found this idea in a Better Homes and Gardens Project magazine. Super easy. This is a project that can be completed in an hour once you assemble all of the suuplies.

Those long strips...gutter covers. You can get them at Home Depot. The magazine said they cost a dollar a piece, but they were $2 each at my store. I guess gutter covers are more expensive in these parts. Becca painted some clothes pins in orange and green and white and glued magnets on the back...then you just clip away...photos, cards, small bits of interesting art.

Here's a close-up:
The pieces are curved, which makes them interesting. They are hung at the top with cup hooks. I tried to get silver ones...but no, they are gold. Where are all of the silver cup hooks?? WHERE??? I'm also ordering some cool, graphic vinyl circles to put behind Becca's bed, and I think one or two of the circles would look cool behind the corner of this project. My delimma right now? Find stronger magnets.

So, that's what we've been up to. Nothing earth shattering. My task for today? Finally get the armoir moved out so mid-century modern can move into my bedroom.

it's a down week

I had already planned in my mind that this would be a low-key week. Our out-of-town visitors are off visiting other family and we are in between trips...a perfect time to regroup, get the laundry under control, and hopefully get some reading done.

Of course, I had never planned on laying in bed for two days straight. Well, laying in bed, punctuated by trips to check on sick children and empty their vomit bowls. I thought we were through the worst of it by last night...only to have Jordan start throwing up just as the other two had stopped. I looked at Sterling, who was just in from work, and told him he would have to empty her bowl...I'd had enough of vomit. Turns out she is old enough to empty her own bowl. And, as luck would have it, Jordan had a seriously abbreviated version of the bug...only throwing up twice in comparison with Parker's multi-hour dry-heave fest.

I have reports of at least two cousins down with the same bug. Hopefully, those left unscathed will remain so. As for me, I've lost 6 pounds in the last 5 days. I'm not complaining...but I'm just not feeling myself. I'm operating on 1 cylinder, which boils down to only accomplishing the basics. No laundry...minimal dishes. Since no one is eating the dishes are more manageable than normal. Still, I'm anxious to get back to my old, full-pressure, all-cylinders-pumping self. I'd like a few family dinners, and some quilting, and heck, possibly even some of that reading I keep promising to get to.

As for today, Parker is all a-buzz about getting some older Pokemon DS games so he can "migrate" -- whatever that means. And Becca is cashing in on a pedicure I promised last week while the big girls were gone. Game Stop and pedicures...that sounds about right. Food...that still sounds so wrong.

the 4th

We spent the Fourth in Lampasas...remember? the country home? This time we had lots of family and one giant sleepover. The kids, particularly Parker, were in heaven. He's at that blessed age where collecting rocks and playing with the water hose hold hours of entertainment.

Mom arranged some artful deco in the big mesquite tree just out the back door.

And Debbie brought up a pinata. Guess who broke it open? Madison...who'd have thought?

There was a kiddie pool for the three and under crowd...that was enjoyed immensely by the eight and under crowd. We also had a giant slip and slide and set off Diet Coke/Mentos geysers. I highly recommend the geysers...they're cheap entertainment at its best. We wrapped the evening up with real small-town Texas hamburgers at Storms. It was hot and buggy...but totally worth the calories.

Right now, most of us are in a calorie-negative zone. A stomach bug of epic proportions is ripping its way through our little family. Rebecca succumbed last night and Parker is...even as I type this...throwing up on the couch. He is remarkably quiet at throwing up. I stop by to check on him every so often and empty out his bowl. Other than that...not a peep.

I'm crossing my fingers we're through with this bug by tomorrow.

off the grid

I've been unexpectedly out of pocket for a few days. Monday Carrie, Debbie, and I drove our kids to EFY in San Antonio. It was all fun and games...you know, making the beds in the dorm rooms, exclaiming over the fun activities listed in the published agenda, reminiscing over our own dorm room days. Then Carrie, Debbie, and I left our little darlings and went to lunch, and shopping, and all manner of kid-free activities.

Fun and games, indeed.

Then, a text at 12:45 AM.

"I'm puking my guts out."

This was from Madison. The fainter.

I went into full-on Momma Bear mode. My baby was sick, and I couldn't get to her. I was a caged animal. And so, by 5 AM, when she was still dry heaving her little guts out...some 180 miles away...I threw caution to the wind, launched myself into my car, and headed out.

[insert superhero music here]

I know. Many of you are thinking HELICOPTER PARENT. I'm so not a helicopter parent. Vomit just brings out the tender mercies in me.

So, anyway, I rush into Madison's dorm room at around 8:30. She's sick. But not SO sick. She has no fever, she's stopped vomiting, and I deem her recoverable. I set in for the day...buy her a gatorade and crackers...and begin Mission Recovery immediately. She sleeps on and off for a while, catching up from her night spent on the bathroom floor. By noon, she perks up and is back to non-stop texting. But she's weak and shaky and has NO DESIRE WHATSOVER to put a morsel of food in her mouth EVER AGAIN. I hand her a cracker...she nibbles the tiniest corner...like a mouse. I roll my eyes.

At this point you may wonder why I didn't just bundle up my baby and take her home. Well, for one thing, she's taller than me...which makes bundling rather untidy. And for another, this particular camp, EFY, is something legends are made of (in our minds anyway). Maddie has looked forward to this for years...she's planned, and shopped, and thought about it all year. So to just give up, to throw in the towel, to say "no thanks," was too much of a disappointment. Yes, again with the tender mercies.

Back to the story---

By about 4...it is clear she's not recovered enough to go the dance scheduled for that evening. I'm loathe to drive back home just in case the night time vomiting reoccurs. (We all know how vomit likes the darkness). So, I make the executive decision to get a hotel room nearby, let her get a good night's sleep at the hotel, and then deposit her back at the camp by breakfast the next morning.

I make all of the arrangements and off we go. [Thank you iPhone.]

By the next morning, she is, in fact, better. The fact that she downs an entire omelet for breakfast is my sign that my work is done. I check her back in at the office, trudge all over campus looking for her group, find them, spend another 20 minutes looking for my car, and drive the three hours back to Houston.

I was home precisely 43 minutes when I get a text that her stomach isn't feeling so well. Two hours later, while in Walmart, I get a call from Jordan telling me that Madison is in her room. I call the nurse (cuz, see, I have her number in my phone) and discuss the situation with her. I think she is fine, so let's give her the evening and see how she does.

Meanwhile, we have tickets for Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs...a movie Parker has literally been counting down since December. I have an uneasy feeling, so I hold my phone through the movie...just in case. No vibrations. No texts nothing.

No news is good news. Right?

By 10:30 I've heard nothing. I would at least expect a goodnight text. I'm loathe to invite unhappy news, so I wait. I'm reading a good book, and every ten pages or so I look at the clock and wonder. Finally, at 11 I text both girls goodnight. About four minutes later a text comes through..."I feel fine. I'm having a great time. Don't worry about me. Love, Maddie."

Then I fall into a coma.

The end.