Sunday, May 31, 2009

Grape Jelly On My Sheets

Les and I just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. Or was it 16? Can't remember now. Yes. I know that's pitiful. Usually for our anniversary we go out to eat and usually purchase something for the house that we need or want. Last year we purchased this fabulous cabinet from a model home sale. It's fabulous and we got a great deal on it. I've been wanting one so that we could store our TV in it. I hate having to look at the TV when we aren't watching and this completely solves that problem. PLus it looks like an antique and goes fabulously in my family room.

This year all I really wanted was a new pair of really nice sheets. You know the kind you sleep on at a fancy hotel? The kind of sheets that feel like a little bit of heaven? Or as my friend Jack would say, "the kind that feel like butter". My goal was a thread count of 500 or higher. Thankfully, Macy's was having a huge sale on sheets and I found a pair of 800 thread count sheets on clearance. I waited for a week to put them on my bed. Mostly because we were going to go out of town and I wanted my first night back at the house and in my bed to be the first time we ever slept on these new sheets.

About 3 hours before we left for the weekend I put the new sheets on the bed. I even washed all the blankets so that the entire bed would be completely clean and comfortable. And then it happened.

In order to keep Jackson occupied while I packed and cleaned the house I had him watch TV in my room. Unknown to me- he decided he was hungry and made himself a big peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich. I have no problem with the fact that he made himself a sandwich. In fact, that is rather big boyish of him. No. That is not the problem. The problem is that he decided to eat his sandwich in my room. On my bed. On my clean bed. With the covers pulled back. With no plate or paper towel. Just a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich picnic on my new 800 thread count sheets. That were white.

I first discovered the pb and j mess when I went in the kitchen. Of course, the jars were still open, the knife was on the table and the bread wasn't closed. UGH! I had just cleaned the kitchen. And then I had thought number two, who was the culprit that made the pbj sandwich, why didn't they clean up after themselves and where were they eating this sandwich if not at the kitchen table? Okay, that's more like 10 thoughts but you get the idea.

I cleaned up the mess and then went into my bedroom to finish packing. It took me all of 3 seconds to realize what was going on- my perfect sheets were now covered in grape jelly. Usually when things like this happen I just let them go. Accidents happen. It isn't really worth getting all upset over a mess. They are just things after all. For some reason though- I completely lost it. I think it was because I was so tired from getting ready to go on vacation that I just didn't have the strength to process what had just happened. Perhaps it was because for the first time in my life our sheets were higher than 350 count and I felt cheated or owed. Maybe I felt a little foolish for spending so much- even though they were on clearance for something that was a little too extravagant. Or perhaps, it all rushed at me at once that sometimes being a mom is hard work. Sometimes life is tough and not fair. Sometimes grape jelly gets on the things we value just to help us realize that it's material things just a facade of a promise of happiness.

800 count sheets are still sheets that have to be washed.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

My kids

All three of my kids are playing with playdough right now. Lauren and Emily are helping Jackson learn his ABC's. It's funny because he knows the sounds of the letters but not the names. The names of the letters are easier to learn. It's funny because he'll say, "BUH" instead of B.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Extreme Fatigue

It's been 6 weeks since my hysterectomy. I am so tired by 5:00 it's not even describable. It feels like I could go and STAY asleep. Usually a 10 minute nap when I feel like this gets me going again for the rest of the night. Doesn't even phase me now. Honestly, I am going crazy. I think my husband is beyond sympathetic. I'm beyond sympathetic. I need to get any energy level back. I have a 6 week check up in two days. I'm going to mention it to her. Hopefully she'll have an answer.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

If I were a space alien

Okay, so usually I stay away from if I were statements.... (except the statement, "if I won the lottery". We play that game a little too much.) but I couldn't resist this one. I'm watching Independence Day for the 5 millionth time and realized that the aliens in this movie just aren't that smart.

It's absolutely true that we know nothing of the other life forms this alien species destroyed and it could absolutely be true that our species is far superior than previous life forms. However, they have space travel technology, force fields and use telepathy to communicate. It seems that they are leaps and bounds ahead of where we are. I mean, with the telepathy, couldn't they have read Will Smith's mind and figured out his plan to download the virus? Honestly, you would think they would be able to figure out that humans were piloting the space craft that flew into their "mother ship".

If I were a space alien I would have done a little more research on the human race before I decided to attack them. If they would have they would discovered we are pretty resilient. We've overcome a ton in our short history. Just 50 years ago personal computers were unheard of- now, everyone has a personal computer on their phone. Between twitter and Facebook I pretty much know what friends and family are doing each second of the day. While we don't always get along we have a tendency to pull together when things get rough. It's called the Human Spirit. If I were a space alien I would just skip over Earth.

Taking a nap

My favorite thing to do lately. Even though I don't get to take one often I LOVE when it happens.

Friday, May 1, 2009

My daughter Lauren


Lauren is my first born. She's probably the most like me out of all my children. However, she doesn't have any of my negative qualities. She is very determined and a hard worker. She's spent about 7 hours now making and decorating a cake for the Expo today. While it's not perfect it's pretty close. It was her very first try at using Fondant. I would have given up about 6 hours ago and just decorated a cake with icing from the can and sprinkles. Of course, this has been her only responsibility this week so she could devote her time and energy to it- but still, she's 12.

I am so very proud of her. I wish you all could see her hard work ethic. The thing I love the most about this process for her is that she loved doing this. She wants to do another one soon. How great would this be for her to find something she was passionate at so young. Something she could perfect over the years. I keep telling her that she could work her way through school decorating cakes. Very proud of her. I'll take a picture and post when she is all finished.