Girly Mom

Where have I been?  Why haven’t I been writing?  Well, I’m here to answer all those burning questions I’ve received from friends and devoted readers (I love both of you).

I do this every year.  My kids go back to school and I think about all the free time I have and all the great things I’m going to accomplish.  I NEVER remember that life turns into Nascar and I’m trying to keep up on a moped.  I mean, once school starts, I’m bombarded with fundraisers and parties and tests and essays and ball practice and club meetings.  Just look at my unmanicured nails to see how crazy it is around here.  Ewwwww!

Between volunteering in all three of my kids’ classes, I’ve realized that I’ve possibly overextended myself.  A few weeks ago, we had Grandparents’ Day and you should have seen me.  I was running from room to room, making sure everything was perfect for all the grandparents.  I wasn’t in charge, just a helper, but running between three classes plus trying to see my kids perform in the program, was insane.

A week later, I hurt my back and lived in my bed for two weeks.  I told my husband I wouldn’t complain for a long time  about having to do laundry or dishes or any of the everyday stuff.  I was so anxious to get out of bed even if it was just to clean something.  Well, a long time is apparently about a week because my back is better and I’m already overwhelmed and fussing about all the laundry.

I’m trying to get a grip on our schedules and just go with it.  I guess what I’m saying is that I’m like a lot of other moms.  I have a lot to do, very little time to do it and I stress over getting it all done.

But in the words of Joy, “Oh it’s gonna be did!”

It’s hard to believe that my baby is four today.  I desperately want to go back, just for a moment, and hold that little newborn. She is such a smart, courageous, energetic, temperamental, silly, LOUD, witty, precocious, and completely unique little girl.  Hopefully we won’t mess that up.  My birthday wish for her is that she continues to be her own little person.

Happy Birthday, sweet baby!

I love Aquis Hair Turbans. I can’t get ready without them.  Everyday I wrap one around my hair then I’m off to make breakfast, get the kids ready for the day, put on my makeup, do the laundry, paint the house, refinish some furniture and teach French to small children.  Okay, my mornings aren’t quite like that.  I sometimes put laundry off until the afternoon.

This little towel absorbs the excess water in my hair which means it takes less time to dry.  And less time with the blow dryer means less damage to my hair.  That’s really important to a girl whose hair is, ahem, chemically enhanced.

Aquis also makes a small hair towel, but I prefer the turban because there’s a little button that secures it on my head and keeps it from falling off every time I lean over. These turbans are available at Amazon and several online stores as well as places like Bed, Bath and Beyond.  They’re well worth the price especially if your hair takes forever to dry.

If you have a product that you can’t live without, please share it with me.  I need an excuse to go shopping.

I found out the other day that Sarah McLachlan’s latest single, U Want Me 2, comes out tomorrow on iTunes.  Finally!  I’ve been dying for her to come out with something new.  You can listen to it here.  She has released so many “Best Of” and “Greatest Hits” albums, which I love, but I’m starved for something new.  Her last completely original album was ‘Afterglow’ in 2003 which is incredible.  She released a Christmas album titled ‘Wintersong’ in 2006 containing my most favorite version of Silent Night.  In April of this year, she released ‘Rarities, B Sides 2, and Other Stuff Volume 2′.  This album is filled with duets, soundtrack contributions, and live performances.

Her newest album, ‘Closer’, is due out October 7 and contains more greatest hits.  Luckily, she has included two new tracks.  Hooray!  She blames her absence from the music scene on the fact that she had her second daughter, Taja (her older daughter is India) and is engrossed in being a mom.  Whatever.  I guess that’s okay.  She’ll just need to make it up to me by touring soon.  I’ll be there fo sho!

Here’s a list of all the tracks on the new album.

I’ve been DOA; no that’s not it.  I’ve been MIA, yeah.  I’ve been MIA for a while.

I have three little sweethearts that have just started back to school.  For the past few weeks, I’ve been  preparing them for that big event.

I wore holes in my tires from repeated trips to Target, Walmart, and KMart.  I scoured the racks at umpteen different department stores looking for clothes, shoes, and accessories.  I made my kids try on 12 different sizes of uniforms for school.  And I even spent countless hours online searching for cute nap mats, sippy cups, tote bags and lunch boxes.

And don’t even get me started on the supply lists for these kids.  I trudged through rows and rows of school paraphernalia searching for exactly what was on each list.  Where were the large white glue sticks?  Every store had regular and jumbo and purple.  Nobody stocked large white ones.  When I finally found them, they were $2 a piece and I needed 12.  Twenty-four dollars for glue?  That’s just wrong!

Searching for notebooks was frustrating, too.  I hunted for pocket folders with brads, pocket folders without brads, and composition notebooks with wide-rule paper.  And on top of that, my kids wanted them to be Hannah Montana or Pokemon or Hello Kitty or pink or something other than what was available where we were.

Oh, and there are NO blue 10 gallon Sterilite tubs in the entire city, in case you wanted to know.  It was really special to find out at my son’s orientation that the tub color didn’t matter.  What?  Why, for the love of all that is good, did someone not fix that on the supply list?  People don’t realize the trouble they cause us slightly deranged, OCD moms.

Seriously, does anyone else do this?  Why do I obsess over getting exactly what’s written on the supply list?  I mean, I’m not a first time mom.  I should know better.  I should just throw some crayons and paper in a Walmart sack and send them on their way.  But there’s just something about the start of the school year that turns me into this fretful little woman who must do everything by the book.

Needless to say, my babies got to school with all their stuff.  We did miss my 8 year old’s orientation because I read the paper wrong.  I thought it was on the same night as my son’s.  That doesn’t bode well for my scheduling abilities this year, but I’m going to get them through this year with awesome grades if it kills me.

Did I mention that I’m home alone?  My youngest baby, who is about to turn 4 in a few weeks, started preschool.  I’m sad for myself, but excited for her.  It’s great that she’s so independent, but I sure miss her.  Her school is awesome and her teacher, Mrs. Ruthie, is the sweetest lady ever.

I’m planning on relaxing at home for a few days and then getting started on some projects around the house.  I’ve got pictures that need hanging, closets that need cleaning and I may even slap a photo or two in somebody’s scrapbook.  I’m also plannin’ to get my blog on.  I’m looking forward to more free time for writing and catching up on all the blogs I love to read.  Hooray freedom!

Look at me!  I’m focusing on the positve side of this rather than the fact that my baby has started school and they’re all getting old and about to move out and leaving me here all alone forever and ever.  See, I’m doing great!

I know that I’m probably the last person to see this clip.  I’m always last.  But I love it.  I saw this on Mommy Mishaps’ site and thought I would die.  I always think the manicurist is talking about me when I get my nails done.  I know she’s wondering how I could have a husband with my nasty short nails.  If you haven’t seen this, I hope you enjoy it.  If you have, well, just sit back and have another laugh.

I’m a good person.  I’m polite.  I’m friendly.  And I never steal.  OK,  that blog idea from Miss Prissy was sorta stolen, but she did say it was fine.  Aren’t we past that by now?

Getting back to my good qualities, I really am a decent person.  But sometimes, temptation is too great.  Something comes along and despite all my willpower, I completely cave.

That happened last week.

It  all began when my sister and brother-in-law came over.  I guess I’m partially to blame.  I never should have let them in the house.

The moment I got a good look, I wanted it!  As I stared, I began plotting and scheming.  How was I going to get this dog for myself?  I’m telling you, if you saw it, you would understand my obsessive thoughts.

My sister confessed that she felt the same.  See, it wasn’t even hers.  It belonged to a friend.  She was only keeping it for the week.  And it was turning even my sweet, quiet sister into a conniving woman.  We had to have it!

So, what horrible thing could destroy two good women?  What spawn of evil could make us consider stealing or kidnapping?  Well, here he is.  He’s a Maltepoo and his name is Rusty.

Unfortunately, his owner ripped him from our lives and I never got a chance to steal him.  How could she take her own dog from us?

Maybe there’s a chance we can still get him.  I’m going to work on a plan.  Bwahahaha.  See you soon little fella! ♥

I’m shameless.  I just swiped this post idea directly from Miss Prissy.  Seeing as how she is totally great, she agreed when I asked to borrow the idea for my blog.  Definitely read Miss Prissy’s post when you’re done here.  So, what am I loving right now?

I love…

-All the little things my husband does for me, like filling up my car, buying me magazines that he knows I like, & leaving a light on for me if he goes to bed first.

-When my husband plays with the kids.

-Hearing my 3 year old really laugh.  It’s contagious.

-Seeing my 10 year old son be a gentleman.  He’s so cute holding the door!

-Watching my 8 year old daughter ride horses.  She is in her own perfect little world.

-Chocolate frosting.  Need I say more?

-Going out with my mom and sister.  We ALWAYS have a fantabulous time no matter what we do.

-Sitting on the beach.

-Vacationing with my husband.

-Going out to eat.  I love not having to cook.

-Reading inside when it’s raining outside.

-Fried green tomatoes.

-Getting a neck and scalp massage when the shampoo girl washes my hair.  I’m falling asleep just thinking about it.

-A hot cup of hazelnut coffee.

-Family dinners.

-Playing cards with friends and family.  OK, winning card games against friends and family.

What do you love?

I have no eyelashes.  So when I find a miraculous mascara that gives me visible, dare I say long lashes, well, I’m ecstatic.  I am so happy, I just might stand at my front door and tell all the people that drive by to stop and look at them.  Or maybe not.  They might want to come in and my house is a total wreck.

Anyway, the mascara that gives me spectacular lashes is called Imju Fiberwig and I love it immensely.  Not only does it give me noticeable lashes, but it doesn’t smudge or run.  I wore it on our trip to Chattanooga at an amusement park and at the end of the long, hot day, there were no raccoon eyes on this girly girl.

If you ever see me in person you might ask yourself, “That girl is excited about THOSE lashes?”  Please remember that I have horrible, nonexistent puny little wanna-be lashes.  So of course I’m going to be happy when a product creates something from almost nothing.  My lashes would be almost invisible without it.

This mascara is a must for those of us who weren’t blessed with good lashes and those of us who aren’t coordinated enough to figure out false ones.

Day Three of our trip, we woke up early and got 11 people ready, checked out of the hotel, hurried through the drive-thru for breakfast and made it to church.  Then we drove back downtown for lunch.

Before heading home, we took the kids to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum for a train ride.  The tour included a ride through the Missionary Ridge Tunnel that was completed in 1858 and was constructed by hand using picks, shovels and black powder.  We also got to see how a train is turned around which was really cool.  We saw several old engines and  cars that dated back to  the Civil War.  It’s always nice to throw in a little learning on a trip.

The drive back home was not as relaxing.  We missed our exit and the two hour drive turned into a three hour test of our patience which we failed. At least my 3 year old slept a good part of the trip.  When we got home, we ate dinner at PF Chang’s.  That calmed us down a bit after the extra time trapped in the car.

It really was a fun weekend.  We did stuff for the kids the whole trip and I think that’s good.  Most trips, we don’t plan completely around the kids, but this one was for them.  And they loved it.  They kept thanking us for the trip.  Mission accomplished.

I think my kids often think of me as “unreasonable, don’t-understand-us-at-all, you’re-so-unfair” mom.  As of this post, I’m now “awesome, super-rockin’” mom.  I’m sure that title won’t last, but I’m basking in the moment.

If you can’t stand not knowing how incredible day one and day two of our vacation were, you’re in luck.  Just click the links and you can read all about it.