The Last Night

It's been a long month, but I survived.

And apparently so did you, since you're still here reading!

Earlier this evening I skimmed my posts for this month and all in all I'm pretty impressed with myself. I actually wrote more than I didn't, if that makes sense. I'm a better blogger for having done this exercise this year. You hope anyway. Heh.

I also noticed a few loose ends that I should tie up....

• For my last Just Curious I asked about political issues. My big one is still immigration/border control/healthcare. I live in a border state. Just sayin'.
• I mentioned that I had gotten a phone call that you would want to hear about. It was in reference to the massive cluster **** that surrounded my son's last football game. One of the defensive coaches called to talk to me, HD, and HB#2. He apologized for not being aware enough of what was going on with the game to realize what was going on. He said that he was wrong to not stand up for the kids, and after this season he would certainly never make that mistake again. This is one stand up guy. I was hugely impressed that he called and talked to all 3 of us. It was the right thing to do in a crappy situation and we were all thankful that he had called.
• Peter posted some positive news about Anissa yesterday. Keep fighting, Girl!

And in other news, I found the best nightgown at Target the other day! It's like one of those spaghetti-strap tanks (with a built in bra!) but it comes down below my knees. It is really cute, soft, and the best part? It was $4.98. Seriously. (Gillian O'Malley, size Large, if you're interested in getting me a gift. Preferably any color except pink, since that's what I bought.) Next time you're in Target go grab one for yourself. You'll love me next spring when you pull it out, assuming that you live somewhere cold and won't be wearing it this winter. Otherwise you'll love me now. It's that comfy.

Oh, and I finally won the BFL this week! After my awful finish last week I came back for the big win, choosing 13/16 games correctly. Yea me! Stay tuned for the winner's badge-as soon as Greis sends it, it will go up.

I guess that is enough random for tonight. Did you complete NaBloPoMo? If so, let me know in the comments. It's huge thing to complete. I'm tired.

I'll check in later this week, I promise, but I'm way behind on cleaning, decorating, and getting ready for a certain big boy's first sleep over.

Oh yeah, and there's that little thing of grocery shopping...

Saturday Shots, from Tuesday, on Sunday

I don't think I would have chosen to go to KISS for my kids first concert, but I'm certainly not complaining either. They haven't been around for 35 years because they put on a bad show, right?

And, what do 8 and 10 year old boys love more than fireworks and smoke and laser lights? (It was kinda funny when both Headless Dad and Headless Boy #1 jumped every time there was an explosion, though! It's not like they didn't know that it was coming.)

OK, I had to include this shot of Gene Simmons, drooling his characteristic blood during his solo. The boys thought it was hilarious, and guessed right away that it was fake blood in capsules. Sharp, those two.

The inclusion of a stage-wide screen was brilliant. Remember the days of watching ants on a stage? We were jipped, I tell ya.

All in all it was a great night. If any of you are thinking of taking your kids to this show I'd say go for it. Make sure that you prepare them for the explosions and the fake blood! It wasn't even as loud as I expected it to be. (The opening act, Buckcherry, was extra loud, and we didn't like them much. Coulda skipped them.) There were lots of kids there, many as young as about 3, and the KISS lyrics are tame.

Sing it with me,
"I,
Wanna Rock and Roll
All Niiiiight.
And Party Every Day!"

Double Digits

Ten years ago today you came into our lives. Nine and a half pounds of all knees and elbows.

Today you're still all knees and elbows and only tip the scales at 60 lbs., dripping wet.

You're quick to anger, just like your mom, and love to yell. I'm sorry that you learned that from me, but we'll continue to work on it, ok?



You are really smart. You just made the high honor roll for the first time and your dad and I are so proud. I love how curious you are, and how you invent things then draw up the plans for building it. Detailed, down to the screws.

I love how you play games of Pokemon, Bakkugan, or Yugioh, even if you never follow all of the rules. At least the rules are getting more consistent now and don't change in the middle of the game.

I love that you love your brother and sister fiercely, most of the time. You and #2 play so well together when you want to. The happy sounds make my mommy's heart swell. I'm really glad that you get along so well even though you two are drastically different. (In the interest of 'fair and balanced' though, when you two fight? I want to rip your eyes out.)

You have decided this year that baseball is your game. You have a great head for it. You 'get it' unlike a lot of kids your age. You are currently taking private lessons because you want to get better before next season. You have recognized that it takes practice to get better, and that the best players play more. Your coach complimented you last week on your improvement, and your eyes sparkled. Hard work pays off, and you're seeing it for the first time I think.

You have a kind, gentle, and loving heart. You are the first kid to be compassionate for someone that is hurt or crying. Your whole life you've been this way. Other adults notice and comment on how caring you are. That is not taught but born into the fiber of your being. It is a quality that may get you hurt in your life, but it will also bring you much joy. I don't want you to let it go, but I do want you to develop a few (small) callouses to protect your sweet heart. I hate to see you hurting from the small, everyday hurts of this world.

You have to be flexible this year for your day. We are spending the evening celebrating Grandma's* 80th birthday, and you're ok with that. We'll have your favorite dinner with your aunt and uncle tomorrow, and your first sleep over party next weekend. I guess that just means that we'll celebrate lots of times.

You're worth celebrating, my son. Happy 10th Birthday!

Love,
Your


*Grandma is my cousin's wife's mother. That family is awesome, personified. I'm sure he'll get a Happy Birthday or two there, too.

Click for Clutter: Christmas is Coming! Edition

I'm returning to my Click for Clutter posts, (a spin on Cluttercast by Darryle.) I've got so much stuff that I KNOW you want as a gift for someone, or as a treat for yourself!

One of the things I loved as a girl was dolls. Not just any dolls-they had to be collectible, unique. I always wanted a daughter to share that love with me, so in 1997 when we got married I tried to introduce Headless Girl to dolls.

Uh, she was not impressed, to say the least.



Today's offering is a Madame Alexander doll, "Spain", from 1997. She has never been removed from the box and has all of her original packaging. If you would like to have her or know someone that would give her a happy home please leave me a comment. Comments will stay open for one week and then I will choose a winner and ship her to you-Just in time for Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

May your day be bountiful!

(click image for source)

May your turkeys be fat but not fattening, your vegetables be fresh, and your pies be homemade. May your families be healthy and your friends abundant. My God richly bless you today and all the days of your life.

BFL-Thanksgiving Edition

I'm thankful for football. I'm thankful that Greis won last week (since I didn't). I'm thankful for the new hope and promise that a new week brings, that I might *someday* win the coveted badge.

Ahem. On to this weeks picks:

My picks:

Thurs:
Green Bay @ Detroit
Oakland @ Dallas
NY Giants @ Denver

Sunday:
Tampa @ Atlanta
Miami @ Buffalo
Cleveland @ Cincinnati
Seattle @ St. Louis
Carolina @ NY Jets
Washington @ Philadelphia
Indianapolis @ Houston
Kansas City @ San Diego
Jacksonville @ San Fransisco
Chicago @ Minnesota
Arizona @ Tennessee
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

Monday:
New England @ New Orleans, score-58


Carlos' picks:

Thurs:
Green Bay @ Detroit
Oakland @ Dallas
NY Giants @ Denver

Sunday:
Tampa @ Atlanta
Miami @ Buffalo
Cleveland @ Cincinnati
Seattle @ St. Louis
Carolina @ NY Jets
Washington @ Philadelphia
Indianapolis @ Houston
Kansas City @ San Diego
Jacksonville @ San Fransisco
Chicago @ Minnesota
Arizona @ Tennessee
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

Monday:
New England @ New Orleans, score-62

On a personal note, Carlos' dad is in the hospital. Would you join me in sending up a few prayers for healing for his dad, and strength for Carlos? Thanks.

Head on over to Greis' house to join us, or follow our spreadsheet.

Rock Out, Part 2

In an amazingy excellent twist of fate we will be treating the boys to their first concert EVER tonight.

Last night as I was writing my list of concerts that I'd been to, Headless Dad and I were talking about taking the boys to a concert since they'd never been. We kicked around a few ideas and just abandoned the topic.

As luck would have it, when HD got to work today a friend of his at another company offered him 4 tickets to the KISS show at the Honda center tonight. Club seats....uh, that would be a BOX. With wait staff.

Hell yes, we're going!

Rock on, indeed.

\m/-_-\m/

Rock Out

Over a month ago Joset did this on her blog and I marked it because I wanted to do it.

Concerts I've attended: (in no particular order, except maybe the first few...)

Jackson 5
Bay City Rollers
Jimmy Buffet (I think I've seen him about 8 times. Maybe more.)
Air Supply
Huey Lewis and the News
The Thompson Twins
The Go-Go's (Seen twice.)
The Violent Femmes
Hootie and the Blowfish (Seen 3 times.)
Tim McGraw
The Smiths
The B52's
Vince Gill
Elvis Costello
Til Tuesday
Depeche Mode
Billy Idol
Michael Jackson (In his mid-80's arena concerts. I made the cover of the Denver Post at that one.)
New Order
The Cure
OMD
Reba McEntyre
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
REO Speedwagon
Berlin
Howard Jones
Cravin' Melon
Elton John
Billy Joel
Dixie Chicks
The Osmands
Amnesty International with U2

I know that there are more. Can you help jog my memory in the comments? Also, tag yourself if you want. I'd love to see your live music life!

For HD on our 12th Anniversary

Saturday Shots, from Tuesday

....from the etnies event.

OK, Universe

....I give.

First, Maddie.

Then, Shannon's cancer came back.

Michele's son is in an awful situation.

This week, Anissa.

And today, Liz's brother has cancer, too.

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. ⁶If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Cor 1:3-7 Bible Gateway, NIV)

God, comfort these families tonight, comfort those around them to give them great strength in the days ahead. May your mercies be great, Father. I ask in the name of Jesus that you bring supernatural healing to the sick bodies and hurting hearts represented by the names above. Touch the doctors involved, that they may have knowledge beyond understanding to touch and heal. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Universe, I give these things to my God, who is all powerful. He is Mighty to Save. I believe that He is the one that can bring healing.

Will you pray with me?

etnies

I wrote about my great day at the etnies and Sole Technology headquarters over at my Review and Giveaway blog. Go check it out-there are discount codes and gift with purchase for Southern California locals!

And don't forget to enter the Smelly Washer giveaway-it closes on Friday night.

Got bread? Oroweat wants to give you some.

They also want to give you free groceries.

And? This totally counts for NaBloPoMo, because I wrote a lot over there.

BFL

Man, did I suck last week. However, our very own Carlos picked 10 winners and ran away with the badge this week! Go Carlos!

My picks:

Miami @ Carolina
Washington @ Dallas
Cleveland @ Detroit
San Fransisco @ Green Bay
Pittsburgh @ Kansas City
Atlanta @ NY Giants
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
Buffalo @ Jacksonville
Indianapolis @ Baltimore
Seattle @ Minnesota
Arizona @ St Louis
NY Jets @ New England
Cincinnati @ Oakland
San Diego @ Denver
Philadelphia @ Chicago

Monday: Tennessee @ Houston score-38

Carlos' picks:


Miami @ Carolina
Washington @ Dallas
Cleveland @ Detroit
San Fransisco @ Green Bay
Pittsburgh @ Kansas City
Atlanta @ NY Giants
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
Buffalo @ Jacksonville
Indianapolis @ Baltimore
Seattle @ Minnesota
Arizona @ St Louis
NY Jets @ New England
Cincinnati @ Oakland
San Diego @ Denver
Philadelphia @ Chicago

Monday: Tennessee @ Houston score-38

Go on over to Greis' place to join up, and follow us on our spreadsheet!

Good luck, everyone!

What A Day

I had high hopes of getting a lot of writing done tonight. I went to a great event that you will really will dig hearing about, we got a phone call that you'll love hearing about.

Then I opened my computer to news of Anissa being in the hospital, and what ever I wanted to write just left.

I'm praying, friend. I'm praying.

Love you lots.

Don't Go Shopping...

• ... at the end of a log day when you forgot to put on make up.
• ... the night before you start your period.
• ... in your running shoes.
• ... before you check your email.
• ... the night before a PR event.

Just a public service announcement from me to you.

You're welcome.

What Is Wrong With People?

My heart is weeping tonight for my sweet #2. It has been a rough weekend.

On Saturday, his football team had their first playoff game. Long story, but this is what it boiled down to. His coach wanted to win so badly that HB and 7 other kids didn't get in the game AT ALL.

Let that sink in for a moment. Or no, I'll help you comprehend. One overly egotistical 37 year old man made 8, 7 and 8 year old kids sit on the side line of their very first football playoff ever. Who does that? All the while, one of the kids who played every down on defense had the stomach flu and during offensive possessions he sat next to the trash can.

The afternoon was not good or pretty, and I won't write about the rest, but it didn't end well.

And they lost.

Crushing 8 kids. Was it worth it?

So today, I took the boys to church. I figured we needed a little (a lot) of Jesus to get over that day. Jesus is good. The boys left with a smile. I'm glad, becuase I didn't see it again all day.

Today was the day of Headless Boy #2's birthday party. One that we had to cancel last month because he had been sick. So after church off I went to get the cake, ice cream, and other party necessities. Came home, lunched the kids, and got ready for the party.

{Aside. The kid plans brilliant parties. This year he wanted to have a light saber battle in our yard. My contribution was light sabers for each kid. Seriously. Let the kids run for a few hours and give them a five dollar toy for their trouble. Load them up with sugar and send them home. That's all he wanted to to: play with his friends.}

Start time: 1:30
First guest arrival 1:40 (the neighbor kid)



Yep. That was it. No one else showed.

Not even kidding. Even the 3 other kids that DID RSVP, DIDN'T SHOW.

(Not even talking about the 4 that didn't RSVP. yet.)

Who does that?

If something comes up and your plans change, CALL.
If you don't really want to come DON'T SAY YES.
If you (or your kid) gets an invitation to a party that asks for an RSVP then DO IT. SIMPLE PHONE CALL. (Yes, in this day and age I hate to make phone calls, too, but seriously? CALL)

If the ones that couldn't make it had let me know, I would have been able to schedule something for my son that wouldn't have left him feeling like he didn't have any friends. I could have called some other friends to be here instead. I could have done something. Instead, I got to hear this:

"This is the worst party ever, mom."

Words I never wanted to hear.

To every single adult involved in the crushing of my child this weekend:

SUCK IT.

I hope your kid loses his game, doesn't get invited to the next party, gets left out at recess. You need to see how it made my kid feel.

Sincerely, HM

Actually, we did smile because we made the best of a bad situation. I took funny pictures of the boys. HD played 2 on 2 football with them. We ate chocolate cake and had sodas at 3 in the afternoon. Sometimes sugar makes things all better.

Or not. He was still moping about it at bed time. I'm just sick about this, and that is putting it mildly.

(Do you know how much restraint it took to leave the choice four-letter words out of this post? I should get a medal. Just sayin'.)

Happy Birthday, Carmen!

One of my best blog pals is turning 40 today. Go leave her a comment-hopefully she'll get at least 40. (She's only got 25 so far: GO!)

I love you, friend. There's no one I'd rather get a tattoo with!

The Great Interview Experiment 2009

Have you signed up yet? Neil of Citizen of the Month is at it again with The Great Interview Experiment 2009. He matches up bloggers and they interview one another. It is the single coolest way to expand your circle of pals in the blogosphere. There is still time for you to sign up if you're interested, so head on over. Also, you can find all of the interviews linked here-with more going up daily.

I first found Neil when he did this the first time and found my friend Mary P. Jones from A Room Of Mama's Own. (You can read the interview I did with her here.) I have come to love Mary so much, but without the Interview project I might never have found her at all.

This time around I am interviewing Erica from Freefringes.com. She is a mom from Houston that has been blogging for a long time. Read what she has to say below!

1) You mention that you have blogged for a long time, but yet the
archives on Freefringes.com only go back to April. What was your 'old'
blog about and has the change worked for you? How long have you been
blogging?

I lost my old blogs to the ether under mysterious, yet ultimately acceptable circumstances. I started on Blogger at http://fringehead.blogspot.com/ which was a writer's blog. I then moved to sarcasticfringe.com, the blog that introduced me to Q. We migrated most of that blog to a shared blog at 650miles.com, which is now gone forever. I've been blogging since April 2006. (Note: the second two websites do not work. They're gone, remember?)

2) Are you working right now or being a SAHM? What is your profession?
If you're staying home, are you planning on going back to work? What
is your preference: work or stay at home?

I was laid off from my job as a schmancy fancy something-or-other in July. I am a professional perfect-job seeker who plans to return to work once she finds the right gig or before she is evicted from her residence, whichever comes first. My preference is to sail around the world on a 300-foot yacht with full dining and housekeeping staff.

3) If money weren't an issue what would be your ideal city/town to live in? Why?

I love San Francisco. The weather and the cultural environment are attractive to me. It's never really an issue of money; I'd be reluctant to move my children away from their grandparents and cousins here in the Houston area.

4) Will you talk more about Q and why is it "complicated and
perennially long-distance" ? Is he your husband or something else?

Q is the love of my life and my husband. Our marriage is complicated, but our relationship grows simpler every day. I break stuff, he fixes it. He tells jokes, I laugh. We argue over whether the baby is white or black and over whose awesome hair he ended up with.

5) I noticed in one of your posts that we are the same age (born in
1968.) What is different about having a baby now versus when your
oldest was born? Do you plan on raising him any differently than the
older 2? Why or why not?

I don't need as much help with Ehren as I did with Jordan and Jon Alex. The other difference is neither one of the boys is special needs like Jordan, so I haven't spent their entire lives exchanging Christmahanukwanzaakah gifts with the staff of physical medicine and neurology facilities. Jordan can also have up to 10 public school instructors, therapists and tutors at one time. Teacher Day is a bitch. For the boys, two Starbucks gift cards will just about do it.

Erica-Thanks so much for participating in the Great Interview Experiment with me! I've loved getting to know you, and your kids are beautiful!!!

So now you're wondering who interviewed me, right? Ginny from Praying to Darwin has my interview up. She is very funny so go check out my interview and her blog. You might just find out something new about me!

BFL-with Thursday games!

My picks:

Chicago @ San Fransisco
New Orleans @ St Louis
Tampa @ Miami
Detroit @ Minnesota
Jacksonville @ NY Jets
Buffalo @ Tennessee
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
Denver @ Washington
Atlanta @ Carolina
Kansas City @ Oakland
Seattle @ Arizona
Dallas @ Green Bay
Philadelphia @ San Diego
New England @ Indianapolis

Monday: Baltimore @ Cleveland, score- 42

Carlos' picks:

Chicago @ San Fransisco
New Orleans @ St. Louis
Tampa @ Miami
Detroit @ Minnesota
Jacksonville @ NY Jets
Buffalo @ Tennessee
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
Denver @ Washington
Atlanta @ Carolina
Kansas City @ Oakland
Seattle @ Arizona
Dallas @ Green Bay
Philadelphia @ San Diego
New England @ Indianapolis

Monday: Baltimore @ Cleveland, score- 42

Head on over to Greis' house to join up, or follow our spreadsheet!

Veteran's Day

A mid-week holiday,
An extra hour (OK, hour and a half) of sleep,
Fresh coffee,
Going to the park-
7 kids, and one sweet, wonderful girl friend,
Heart-felt chat,
A house full of yummy smells coming from
Dinner in the slow cooker,
Time to finish left over chores,
blog posts, and to
Sit,
With quiet,
Punctuated with sounds of boys, and
Baseball, and
Football, and
Fall
All outside my back door,
Windows open,
Fresh breeze,
Lazy autumn day,
Thankful for the freedom so many have given.