Ego Boost

Going to a water park can be freeing. You know all those hang ups that we have about our bodies, especially when they are only covered by a few inches of fabric? This is what you'll learn:

1- You are by no means the fattest person on the planet, regardless of what you tell yourself in the mirror.
2- You are also not the whitest person. Less tan than others, maybe, but not the whitest.
3- Your swimsuit, while it may be last year's purchase, is not the ugliest, ill-fitting one in the joint.
4- You are not the laziest person there. That one person that you saw riding the slow-moving inner tube thingy? All day? That person is closer than you. At least you chased 2 boys walked around all day.
5- The cottage cheese on your thighs is nothing. Cute, even!
6- You are not the hottest mama there, either. Sigh.

Lest you think I'm being all Judgey McJudgerson, I'm not. I'm better at judging my own hang-ups than yours. It's just nice to know that I'm not alone in my hang-ups and flaws, ya know? What I do see is a much wider chunk of society than I usually do in my normal home/school/grocery store loop and that is freeing. What do you see when you go to the water park/beach/pool? I'm not the only one that gets an ego boost, am I?

I Lost the Memo...

... that informed me that it's the mom's job to do prepare everything vacation related. Including, but not limited to packing, shopping, laundry, and finding a neighbor kid to help with watering the garden. I am going to need this vacation after all of this prep.

What do you have to do to prepare for a vacation around your house? No really. I need to know so I can make sure I'm not forgetting anything! Help a sister out!

Water. That's the Secret.

You may recall that a couple months ago, (Has it only been 2? Holy cow it seems like 6,) that I bought season passes to Knott's for the kids and I. Our ridiculously cold spring and a less-than favorable schedule has only given us 2 days to go so far. That ended today.

I splurged, (a whole extra $15 per person!) to buy the passes that also get you into the adjoining water park called Soak City. It's finally warm enough to go, so off we went, arriving at the park about 11 this morning.

Honestly. We had such a great day! It was just the 3 of us, and with the water and the slides and the wave pool there was no room for bickering, fighting or punching. Can I get an Amen?

I'm really enjoying this summer, being able to hang out with my guys. It's nice that they're a little older and we can do these kinds of things without strollers or diapers or crying.

We rode the water slides dozens of times, almost drowned floated in the wave pool, ate perfectly acceptable cheeseburgers, and drank cherry colas. There was not one fight. Not one! And now, 4 hours after we got home, they are still playing nicely together. (The fact that they're still up is a totally other issue. Shut up.)

Now I just need to figure out a way to bank roll the gas and parking fee for every day of the week so the fighting will continue to cease and mama can keep the peace around here!

About Feet (Which is a totally lame title but, OW the pain!)

It's been a while since I've written something of substance around here. Sorry about that. I blame summer and the broken record of "He's punching me!", "He's calling me names!", and "Can we go swimming?" (It certainly has nothing to do with my lack of motivation, right? Ahem.) There are dozens of things that I need/want to write about but honestly? Let's talk about feet.

Yeah, I said feet.

In trying to find my motivation for just about anything, I recently started exercising again. (Please, let's not talk about the fact that I've been downright lazy since November. I'm the Queen of Excuses.) I figure, since #2 has football conditioning twice a week I may as well get the blood pumping too, right?

Since it's summer and the usual foot wardrobe around here is nothing, or flip-flops if you're gettin' fancy, I took him to the Giant-Sporting-Goods-Store-With-A-Man's-Name-That-I-Hate to grab some running/training shoes that actually fit and weren't so old that you could see his socks through the soles. (Ha. I kid. You could only see the insoles through the soles.)

Foot thing #1- I had to buy my 9yo a men's size 8 shoe. Yes, you read that right. The kid resembles a large puppy with those things, and me-thinks I have a long, long, LONG way to go before he stops. Do you know anyone else that wore a men's size this large at this age? And exactly how big did they end up being? I'm scared and need reassurance-send chocolate and wine. And perhaps tips on how to get your kid to "Sit down, I need to talk to you."

Foot thing #2- While wandering the shoe aisles trying to figure out what I was looking for WITHOUT HELP I decided to check in the women's aisle to see if there were any shoes that would work for me, you know, since I am starting to exercise again. See, my old walking/running shoe brand was Asics but the latest pair has been less than great on my heels and I can hardly wear them because my feet hurt so bad while wearing them and for days after so I really wanted a new brand. After trying on a few different shoes I settled on a pair of Saucony's. Which, in general I thought I liked. (Except for the fact that they were labled on sale and then weren't. Long story. Reason #856 why I hate that store.)

Until last night.

Can someone tell me why my feet hurt SO BAD?  I did not work out hard... maybe walked a total of 2 1/2 miles, ran for maybe a 1/4 mile of that since it was only my 3rd time back to exercise in 6 months. Honestly, I can hardly walk today because my right heel hurts so so so so so bad. Did I buy the wrong shoes? Should I quit trying to walk/run and figure out a way to exercise without being on my feet like that? Am I just doing it wrong? The thing that sucks is that I ADORE walking (with a little running thrown in,) and it is my go-to exercise. I've even been thinking about trying a 5K but with this kind of pain there is no.way. Or, am I just under-estimating the power of 6 months off and should I power through the pain for a little longer until my body is used to exercise again? Or is there a brand of running shoe that will be like running on clouds and I've somehow missed it?

Honestly people, I need some help here. And if you're my brother and willing to give me one of those foot massages like you did in high school, I'll totally take you up on it.

Obnoxious Commercials #2

I can't decide which of the following is worse. Vote in the comments!






Both make me want to pull my ears off my head and have razor blades for a snack.

Obnoxious Commercials #1

If I was currently in diaper-buying mode I would AVOID these just because of this stupid commercial. It had been pulled for a while and now it's back. It's offensive and ridiculous.

(Kinda) Wordless Wednesday

Since I'm still talking about Las Vegas I thought I would show you the desert. I know, but notice the green? Most years by this time of June it's all already brown. Something else that you can't see is how red the mountains are. It was beautiful, the two colors together.

And yes, I was driving. Whatever.

Overdue

I'm finally finishing Pick Your Post Week.  Yes, like I said, long overdue.

Option 2: Headless Mom goes to Vegas!

My annual bowling trip was the first weekend in June. I had to miss it last year for the first time ever so I really wanted to make it this year. A few months ago when I started thinking about it I realized that Headless Dad would not be able to go with me because of baseball playoffs. Headless Girl was going to be getting ready to leave for Africa so she wouldn't be able to watch the boys or go with me. I asked my mom if she would be able to go but my brother was graduating with his Master's degree that weekend, and they were planning on going to the ceremony.

Enter panic. I really wanted to go but didn't necessarily want to go alone. I sent an email to my friend Kelly from HS with "Long Shot" in the subject line. I honestly didn't expect for her to be able to go but luckily she was.

I had to rent a car, and Kelly's flight got in early so I left reeeely early and arrived at the Vegas airport around 10 am. We headed straight to the strip to do some sightseeing and shopping!

We met a friend of hers for lunch and more shopping, and made it to our hotel around 4 for a much needed rest. (Getting up at 5 is not my thing. Really.) It was so fun to be able to relax, have some wine, and reconnect with an old friend, with no kids pulling on our attention or having to be anywhere.

We were able to sleep in before I made my way to the bowling center. (Which sucked by the way. I bowled terribly, thanks for not asking.) After that debacle, we decided to go shopping again, and walked the entire length of the strip, looking, chatting, and occasionally buying. (Sidenote: shopping is one way to actually save money in Vegas. I only bought a few things for the kids, and being out shopping meant that I wasn't feeding the machines in a casino. Win for me! Kelly isn't really a gambler so that helped.) We stopped for dinner at Il Fornaio in New York, New York; one of my all-time favorite restaurants, and had a great meal. (Mmmm, pasta.) After dinner we walked and shopped some more, (More!), and finally got in a cab back to our hotel to fall into bed.

Kelly's flight home left pretty early so we were up and out well before we wanted to be but it was a small price to pay for being able to hang out with her. It was honestly one of the best weekends for me in a long time. Maybe my DSSMD weekend?! I came home slightly tired, but refreshed and relaxed.

Thanks, Kelly, for a fantastic girl's weekend. Even if I can't turn photos.

Anti-Climactic

Last week while starting the Pick Your Post week series, I sure did think that this would be a continuing saga. Hmmmm... not so much. Option 1: Headless Boy #2's possibly broken foot.

Doesn't it always happen? When Mama leaves town something BIG happens? Well, that's how it was last weekend when I was in Las Vegas.

I had done all of the 'planning' for the events that were on the calendar: birthday party-gift bought, dinner party with friends-drink cooler prepared, baseball game-uniforms clean and ready. The rest of the time Headless Dad was on his own to figure out food and entertainment for the crew, which meant that they went over to BIL & SIL's house! They have a new pool and the kids were looking forward to testing it out, BIL was cooking, and HG and her boy friend were going to be there, too. Sounds fun, no?

While swimming, my #2 somehow kicked the edge of the pool and hurt his foot. It apparently hurt really bad that night but everyone thought that he would feel better in the morning. It didn't. As I was leaving Las Vegas HD called me to say that his foot was, in fact, not better, and that he was going to take him to Urgent Care. I actually got home before they did.

Urgent care diagnosis: Possible bone chip, follow up with your Primary on Monday for a referral to a specialist.

Greaaaaat.

So Monday I followed up and the office said that they would talk to the doctor and call me back. Then I had to call them back. And they said it was fine. Huh???

HD, who was in with the Urgent Care doctor wouldn't take that answer without follow up, so on Tuesday we went in to see the primary. She explained the different readings of xrays to my husband, examined #2, and sent us on our way with instructions to slowly get back to normal activity. Including football conditioning twice a week.

So see? Totally anticlimactic.

No, I'm not 13.

If you're male, you may just move along. There is nothing for you to see here today... No offense. Seriously. Bye.

Most of you voted for Duh! You'd think I was 13 again in my Pick Your Story vote. Here ya go!

I think I got my period for the first time when I was around 12 or 13. It was kind of a non-event, really. If I remember correctly I was at a friend's house for a sleepover and started, used something of hers, and that was that. So, by that math, I've had a period for about 30 years now.

You'd think I'd be used to it? You'd think I would know what to do, right?

Ha! You'd be wrong.

When I was leaving for my trip last weekend I grabbed a small travel bag of 'feminine products' to throw in my bag 'just in case'. I didn't think I'd need them, but better safe than sorry, right? (This would be foreshadowing, right here.)

Kelly, one of my oldest and best friends, met me in Las Vegas for my bowling weekend. I picked her up at the airport and we headed for the strip to do some shopping. Later, we met a friend of hers for lunch and were walking around, shopping, chatting, and generally having fun. We ducked in to White House/Black Market to see what we could find. (Kelly and I are planning our 25th class reunion together and really need something cute to wear because of course, we have to look smashing!) As I was taking off my sundress to try something on, I gasped in horror. Yes, I had started my period.

And left all of my 'stuff' in the car, back at a hotel on the strip, about 5 miles away.

Helllllll-oooooo!

Honestly. Who does that? (Well, obviously I do. Not the point.) It's not like I'm new to this whole "being a woman" thing. I mean, yes, I have had issues with my periods for a few years now, and am firmly in the 'perimenupausal' category, (hot flashes and all! Aren't you glad you asked?), but really? How does one, at almost 43 years of age, 'forget' that one's period is coming? Or not know at.all.?

OK, well, in my defense, my periods have been highly irregular for the last few years. And with Headless Girl moving home a month ago, well, we all know how mixing hormones goes. And, when hormones mix, periods get horrendous.

So you know what's coming next, right? By the middle of the night I had awful cramps and was bleeding like a stuck pig. You're welcome. (Yet another side effect of the 'change'. Fun, I know. You young girls take note!) I actually had to change my underwear 3 times because of, um, problems. I haven't done that since... um, well, since I was 13 maybe? Sheesh. I even had to go buy more 'stuff' because I didn't end up having enough with me.

So yeah. Not 13. When will this be over? Soon, please!

PS- You'll be happy to know that I passed along the raging-hormone-luv to my good friend. Friends share everything, right? (Sorry, Kelly. I swear I would have kept them to myself if I could have.)

*****

Have you gotten your Shabby Apple discount code yet?

A Side Note

Another baseball season came to an end tonight.
(Click to read the rest of the story.)

It's "Pick Your Story" Week

I have so much to update everyone on so we're going to play a game. What story would you like to hear first?

Option 1: Headless Boy #2's possibly broken foot. (This may require a sequel since it's not over yet.)
Option 2: Headless Mom went to Vegas!
Option 3: Duh! You'd think I was 13 again. (This one is just for the ladies.)
Option 4: Smorgasbord (There is an option 4 but I can't remember what it is right now.) 

To vote, just comment with your choice of options! I'll count votes when I sit down to write. Vote early, vote often. Tell all your friends!

Vegas Baby!

I'm outta here.....

Dress-y, Dress-y

I have a confession to make: I don't do much shopping online. There are a variety of reasons but mostly because I'm very picky about how clothing fits, so rather than having to jump through a bunch of hoops to return something I usually just drive around to try things on....

Read the rest over at Headless Family Reviews. There's a discount code, too!