Simply Stacy

The Things You Learn From Mothering Boys

Apparently that going over a hill loose your stomach feeling also makes your tallywacker feel funny. Who knew?!?

Ant Skeered!

The drawback to working night shift alone is that when something funny happens there is no one to tell.  So I will share with you. 

I walked into the breakroom for a midnight snack and glass of water.  I noticed a spray bottle of a yellowish liquid.  Being that there are spray bottles of bleach all over the lab one would assume that's what it was.  When I passed back by it I noticed the hand labeling on the bottle.  It said "Bleach + ant killer" which seemed a little odd to me but hey, we have been having a problem with ants in the breakroom.  I leaned in to take a better look at the liquid when I noticed two ants crawling up the side of the bottle. 

Guess the "ant killer" isn't quite as potent as it should be. 

From the comfort of my own couch...

I have a great story to tell but it will have to wait.  Right now things are sensored for me because even though it would have been funny a year ago, it would be considered evidence now.  Everything I say can and will be held against me in a court of law.  So, I will file it away for later! 

We are doing well.  I have had the boys this week and we have been swimming almost every day, including a trip to Blue Bayou waterpark.  We have season tickets so I see us going a lot this year.  As a matter of fact they want to go back tomorrow.  Why not.  I don't have to work while I have them so its like having a vacation with them every other week.  Should be a great summer. 

BTW, yes I am posting from home.  I actually broke down and got internet service at the house. It has been great.  I forgot how much I enjoyed it.  I have it at work but it is sensored.  And I was on dial up at home earlier.  It is great to feel connected again.  Maybe I will post more often. Only time will tell.

The Fun House in the Sticks

Yes, I know believe it.  I posted on my blog.  I have been really busy lately setting up the new house and getting adjusted to the change in work schedule.  So here is a long overdue update.

I am still at the VA and still on nights.  However, I am now working 6pm til 6am seven days on and seven days off.  It has been an adjustment but it is going to work out quite well I think.  The main adjustment for me is that I have been used to having off every weekend.  But I would trade that for a vacation every other week any day.  Also an added benefit is when I have the boys I don't have to worry about childcare, I am off with them the whole time.  Because it would be really hard to find someone willing to baby sit overnight! ; )

And as for the new house.  I really like it.  It is a rental and it has its quirks.  Like the fact that it is an old home that is off the ground, therefore it has certain slants and bows in the floor.  I put a piece of furniture against one wall and it was right next to the base board at the bottom but the top was at least three inches from the wall.  I like to think of it as my own little fun house. 

The boys have their own rooms, small rooms but their own rooms.  They were a little apprehensive that first night sleeping by themselves don't tell him I said it but Britt is had a harder time adjusting to it than his little brother.  I figured Charlie would be the first one up and in my bed but it has been Britt who has made that trek more often.  

It has hard wood floors, a great front porch and huge side deck.  It is in the middle of no where and you can't hear Sanderson Farms chicken plant (like at our old house), but it is close enough to the railroad that you can hear the train horn but not close enough for it to shake the house.  I have never been woken up by the train, but then again, I don't wake up for much.

There has been one little problem...well acutally more than one.   Many little problems.  Many little moving problems, that have hairless tails are aren't cute.  Sorry Mickey.  But that's a story for another day.  Trust me its well worth the wait.

Here's the deal...

I don't even know if I still have anyone still checking in with me...well, that's not really true because I do have a site meter where I can check and see who is checking in or not.  Anyway, for the ones who have kept me on their blog rotation, first, thanks. 

Second, it's finally time to explain why the absence lately.  There's no good way to say it so I will just spit it out.  Pat and I are getting a divorce.  I could not say anything earlier because we had not told the boys yet.  But now we have and I have now moved out. I am in a cute little house still out in the same area.   We are still working on the details of custody etc. and I will not be discussing any of that here.  I also will not be discussing any of the reasons for the divorce.  I will ask for your prayers for all four of us as we go through this tough time. 

So if the posts are few and far between or seem really surface you now know why.  I am not giving up on the blogging thing.  So keep checking in. 

Facebook...

seems like everyone is on Facebook or MySpace these days.  I know that I have spent my fair share of time checking status updates especially since I got my blackberry.  I don't really understand or feel the need to send someone a drink or invite them to take a quiz.  I am sure they serve their purpose for some in the entertainment category.  I just don't get into that part of Facebook.  (So don't get offended if I don't decorate your Christmas Tree or Paint Easter Eggs or find Waldo for you.  You're still my friend.)

There are two observations I can make about Facebook.  One is that you are totally addicted if you update your status more than six times a day and you are talking in third person in real life.  I can be very addicting.  Especially when you have some really witty friends.  I enjoy connecting on my time, like mini blogging actually.

The second observation is that Facebook is the 21st century's passive aggressive communicator.  You can get on Facebook and cunningly take a stab at someone who pissed you off and never have to admit to their face that it was he/she you were talking about.  So actually it is the coward's passive aggressive communicator.  I just hope with all of the drama that takes place on there, there are just a many people using it to build others up instead of tearing them down.

After all, like Mama said...

If you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all.

I'm just sayin'

I get on kicks of eating things.  I find something I like and I eat it until it just doesn't seem all that appetizing anymore.  Right now, I am on a peanut butter M&M kick.  They are like Reece's Pieces only better.  I know, hard to believe but true.  The only place I have found them is in the vending machine at the VA.  So, I found myself wondering up there AGAIN tonight.  And while I was there I looked around at the other machines. 

How hungry do you have to be to eat something from a vending machine that is called a Big Az Burger?  I would assume from my earlier days, ahem, in my first go 'round of college, that one would have to have partaken in some major liquid consumption before this would even sound edible.  And even then it would be questionable.  So why, oh why would it be in a vending machine in a hospital?  Maybe so that one would be close to emergency responders while taking such a chance with their life?

To Whom It May Concern

Dear Reece Candy Company:

I would like to take the time to thank you for being real.  Not only do you make the finest of peanut butter cups, but you understand that they are sold in the real world.  Let me just say that I think the powers that be should not make you include Nutrition Facts on something as wonderful as your candy.  And since they do, they should allow you to claim the percentage of daily value of satisfaction and happiness these confections can provide.  However, even while you must state the sometimes unkind side of your candies, you laugh in the face of the other companies who pretend that their candies are almost healthy by dividing the serving size into a quantity that would leave a mouse hungry.  You on the other hand realize that if I bought a King Size package, my intent was to eat all four of those cups, by listing the serving size as 1 package.  You truly understand the fine line there because listing it as 4 cups would be taking it too far.   Maybe other companies should pay attention because by naming your serving size as such just encourages us to eat all four.  It says right here, it is a serving.  Hence, leaving us to buy another whole package next time we want one of those little cups of happiness.  Marketing genius!  You are pioneers of the confectioners world.

Thank you

Stacy 

Britt's equivelant to the Little Red Haired Girl

Well, it was bound to happen eventually.  The day that every mother dreads in some shape form or fashion.  When your little boys show signs of becoming big boys.  Britt is only eight but it has started, ever so subtly. 

He has been talking more and more about this little girl in his class. And if you know me you know that it didn't go without some questions and picking on him about his "girlfriend."  Which promptly makes him turn ten shades of red and say something like "she's not my girlfriend" or "Moooommmm!" 

Apparently, this little girl chases him at recess almost everyday.  I asked what she does when she catches him.  Thinking please don't say kiss, please don't say kiss.  He shrugged and said she kicks me.  Ah, the sure sign of second grade love. 

During the Valentine's Day preparations this year, I took the opportunity to work her name into the conversation frequently.  He would either blow it off or react as mentioned above.  Usually, I followed it up with a comment about how it was okay to like girls and that one day he will be wishing that girls were chasing him.

Some of our little light hearted talks must have sunk in because the Friday that he came home with his Valentine's cards from school there were only two that he showed me.  One was  a really cool one from one of his best friends, and the other...you guessed it...from the little chasing, kicking girl in his class.  He didn't even comment on it when he handed it to me.  Just gave it to me with a shy little smile. 

I looked at it to see if there was something special written on it, perhaps a little heart dotting the i in his name.  Nope.  Just your run of the mill Valentine's card.  So, I decided to leave it alone.  No joking with him about her that day.  I just smiled and said that I liked it.  He took it back, looked at it dreamily and said I do too. Hmmm, not a typical Britt reaction at all.  Could it be?  Does he really like this little girl? 

Of course my mind sped ahead to the years of worrying about what he is doing and whom he is doing it with once he gets his license and some freedom.  I looked at him in a whole different light. For a few frightening minutes he has hair on his chin, a deep voice and was so not blushing at the mention of a girls name. 

Then I told myself: Stop!  He is eight.  Do not go there!  Cross that bridge when it comes.  For now just be happy that he is still being kicked when he is caught!

Still alive

I am still taking a break from blogging, obviously.  I would like to thank everyone for the sweet emails of concern.  I am okay.  Just have a lot going on.  I will explain it all when the time is right.  And right now it not that time. 

However,  I would like to remind the Sassy Scrappers that we are meeting this Friday 02.20.09 at 6:30.  Don't worry if you are behind, come on anyway.  I still have the kits that you have missed and will be glad to help you catch up.