Green Froggy Boots and a Bug Catcher

A few days every week I take the boys to the park to play where Franklin immediately belines to the little stream to find "bugs" or whatever he can. He invariably will get his shoes wet and proceeds to take them off and go barefoot (and yes, it isn't exactly summer yet!) Well after a couple of times doing this and coming home with wet shoes, sweet hubby suggested we buy Franklin a pair of boots to keep his feet dry. So off to Target to look for boots where Franklin choose the little green froggy pair and then choose a bug catcher so that he could bring his "catch" home with him since I absolutely refused to allow "free" bugs in my truck.

Franklin couldn't wait to wear these little boots. He put them on first thing when we got home from church (since it was late the night before when we bought them and he didn't get to wear them then). So he wore them the rest of the day on Sunday.

We had to make a run to the doctor's office for Franklin's allergy checkup and of course the froggy boots accompanied us!! He got a few stares but lots of compliments on those little froggy boots!!

A couple of days later, we were out running errands and decided to go to lunch with Mimi. Well, along came the bug catcher into the restaurant....Franklin was hoping to catch bugs (I was hoping he wouldn't find them in the restaurant!)

We finally made it to the park and Franklin was so excited to be able to put those new froggy boots in the water and catch his bugs. When we got to the park he made a mad dash to the little stream only to stand there in disbelief ......the stream was dried up!!

But he still had fun catching the bugs. He had a little help from the other kids and I think they all enjoyed the bug catcher. However, the bugs eventually "ran away" since I still don't like bugs of any kind in my truck......

For now the doctor is out.....wondering if Franklin will ever outgrow the obsession with creapy crawling things or will I just learn to chill when it comes to his new obsession!

Little Mr. Manners

When I was growing up there was a class that girls could attend to learn "proper manners." When girls turned about 10 to 12 they could enroll for these classes at the local JCPennys. I don't know if these are still offered anymore but I think the age of 10 might be a little late to learn manners!

It has been a very interesting road teaching my little boys manners. We started off with the "thank yous", "please", and moved from there to the "yes ma'am and no sirs." We are still working on the ma'am and sirs but they are coming along. In the last couple of months or so I have noticed that we needed to work on table manners. We started off with what we thought to be the obvious - asking to be excused from the table when finished. Sometimes they forget and have to return to the table to ask. But tonight when I saw my older son cram a half piece of garlic toast into his mouth I realized that we had some serious work to do with table manners. Now this seems like it would be rather easy, but for some reason my boys seem to think everything is a contest and/or funny! How funny is it that I can cram this much food in my mouth? I can beat you eating my peas! So tonight we explained to Cole that you need to take smaller bites and chew with your mouth closed, etc, etc, etc... Well it became a contest between the two boys since Franklin didn't want to be left out on the manners. In between the serious discussion of what is correct and not correct we have Franklin demonstrating to us the not correct with "isn't this funny, Dad?" Then it became a contest between the two of "he's not chewing with his mouth closed" or "I did it right but he still isn't." If nothing else, we do not have boring meals at our house!! There are other issues with manners that has shown me there is a HUGE difference between raising a girl and raising two boys....but that is another post!

So for now the doctor is out....checking to see if they have those "Mr. Manner Classes" for young boys because their mom is going nuts trying to do it on her own!

Mommy's Little Helper

When I was growing up there were definite distinctions between the "women's work" and the "man's work" within the household. This has never set well with me. I remember that my sisters and I always did the cleaning, laundry, and dishes as our chores and my brother did the garbage, mowing the lawn type things. Clearly the work load was not even!! I don't think my brother ever loaded the dishwasher. I don't even remember my dad loading the dishwasher until after he retired!!

I tried to teach my daughter that work was work and there are no distinctions; what has to be done can be done by either sex. When I remarried and gained a step-son, I also tried to impart this knowledge upon him. That was extremely difficult since his mom did everything for him and didn't ask much from him as far as chores. I remember asking the two teens to clean the kitchen after a meal when this 14 year old boy kindly informed me that cleaning the kitchen was "womens' work!" Wrong thing to say to me!!! Needless to say I won that battle and he helped his step-sister clean the kitchen on a nightly basis throughout the summer when he visited.

WHile my daughter was in jr/sr high school I went back to work. I love working outside the home. I worked a full time job and taught at UALR one to two evenings a week. Doing what I loved left very little time for housecleaning so I suggested to sweet hubby that we hire someone to come in and pick up my slack.....well, anyone who knows my sweet hubby knows that he doesn't like spending money unneccessarily!!! So instead of hiring someone he decided he could pick up the slack on my end, which was fine with me. He made sure the house was clean, laundry done, etc, etc...

I left the work world to finish my doctorate and took back the reins of housework (however, we really share this chore). Then I was blessed with two little ones and going back to the work world wasn't an option for me when I finished my degree. Now I am in charge of teaching these two little boys that there is no gender difference in work. We all must do our share. For the older child, Cole, this has been a hard concept to learn since he frequently sees his biological mom and she does not make him take care of himself (pick up toys, clothes, etc). But for my younger son, Franklin, cleaning is a joy to him. He loves to help "clean the house." He lets me know that he has picked up his toys or he has taken care of his laundry. Now that he is four, he wants to run the vaccuum and sweep the floor. He is going in the right direction and someday will make a great husband helper to a sweet girl.

For now the doctor is out....helping Franklin clean the house!

My Friend, My Sister.....You are Remembered

May 1, 2005

Our family was changed forever....how could this be? What?! What do you mean she is gone?! How can this be? She is so young, she has a family who needs her, who loves her, who can't go on without her... IT IS NOT OK AND IT WILL NEVER BE OK AGAIN....NOTHING WILL EVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.....LIFE IS SO UNFAIR....NOT HER, NOT OUR BABY SISTER....NOT TAYLOR'S MOTHER.....


Octbober 30, 1963, born two months premature was twins - a little boy and a little girl. The doctor says they may not live since they are only 4 and 3 lbs. One month in the hospital, then they come home - healthy at 5 lbs. Constant round the clock feedings to keep them healthy. Overprotectiveness to keep them healthy. Strong, healthy children as the years go by.

Our Robin is fierce, strong, and independent. A little fireball but still so sweet. She has plans for her future: college first, then marriage, then children. Broken hearts along the way because they didn't fit into her map of life. Finally, at 29 years of age she finds the love of her life, Michael, and together they bring the second love of their lives into this world... Taylor.

Something is wrong. You think this weight gain is caused by a tumor? You are looking in my lungs? Wait, what do you mean I might have bone cancer? Oh, I do have a tumor....you are going to operate on me....you mean it is at the base of my brain....the pituitary gland? Oh, it is very small and you don't know if you got it all. A year later....it's grown back?! You mean I have to do this surgery all over again? I don't know....it is so hard...you still don't think you got it all...what now? You can't go back in again...oh, it will kill me if you do....yes, I will watch myself....I will be careful. ANother surgery? The adrenal glands have to come out....this can't be happening again. If I must, I must. More MRI's, more tests, things seem to be ok....for now.

Ten years to be a mom is not enough especially if you are a mom to a special needs child. But what a mom she was. Such a special bond between child and mom....Taylor always knew when things were about to happen to Robin...Taylor would hover close by -not wanting to leave her side...Now Taylor looks to heaven to talk to his mom...My mom is in the clouds wih Jesus....My mom is in the hospital in heaven....she is sick and can't come home now... Taylor talks to his mom here on earth...Who are you talking to Taylor? Dad, mom is right over there, she said we will be ok, she loves us and she wants us to be good. We'll be good for you mom, we love you mom, don't leave me mom....

Three years ago today.....a loving husband lost his wife, an adorable autistic son lost his mother, parents lost a daughter, and siblings lost their sister....

For now the doctor is out....remembering and oh so greatful to have known and loved her...

Career? Kids? Both?

I have always worked somewhere. When I was 15 years old, I snuck out of my house and took the car without permission then drove down a couple of miles to the local skating rink. I was lookin' for a job! Got it! So proud of myself! I worked at that skating rink from the summer of my 15th year until my senior year in high school. From there I have gone on to many other jobs such as, taco bell counter person, waitress at the catfish place, sales person at the clothing dept (in Calif!), Microwave Salesperson/cooking demonstrator, Secretary, Visual Merchandising Person, all before I finished my bacheor's degree (at the ripe old age of 32!) Once I finished that degree I immediately went on to the Master's degree and at the same time began my career in research and teaching.

I immersed myself into my career. I loved what I was doing and I worked all the time! I could do this since my only child was close to finishing high school and moving on to college and she wasn't a troubled person - never giving me a moment's unrest. She made my life easy. When she went away to college, I began working on my doctorate while continuing to further my career in research - I could do this because I didn't have any kids at home and I had a very supportive hubby. Many times I would meet myself coming and going but I loved every minute of it. Then one day at my office I looked around and realized that I wasn't happy here. This is not where I want to be working - not with people who are negative about everything....so I left. I was still working on my doctorate and a lot of contract work and had more time to focus on that aspect of my life. Then a horrible tragedy occurred and I found myself blessed with a 3 year old and a new baby to take care of.

Career on hold!!! Kids became career!! Playgroups, therapy sessions, potty training, diaper changes, physical therapy, developmenal therapy, tears, hugs, kisses, tons of laundry, forgetfulness, messy house, loss of loved ones, more therapy, changes, more love, hugs, kisses, pre-school, 1st grade, homework, swimming lessons, and on and on and on.....

Four years later I have two healthy boys, a successful daughter living on her on in a large city and a healthy life. With the prospect of both boys being in school this fall and a phone call from an old colleague I am finding myself drawn back into that old life again, you know the one where you are wanted to work outside the home. I went to a meeting a couple of days ago and found myself craving that life again, missing wearing the suit and heels, missing the meetings, the past pace, the deadlines, etc, but also realizing that I can't immerse myself back into it like before.....I must find the balance (if there is one). Compromise: I will work for you but I must have it on my terms - I only work in the office two days a week and they are half days, the other days I work at home where I can still schedule swimming, play groups, piano lessons, etc. Can we do this? Ok, then you have a new employee.

WOW, I'M BACK!!!!! I just hope I can survive! Can we really have it all? The career, the kids, the life with hubby? Or do we end up burning candles at both ends and accomplishing nothing at all? I guess I will find out soon enough....for now the doctor is out....wondering if I have enough diet Mt. Dew to help me through this new change in schedule where I will probably be burning the midnight oil so I can still swim with my kids....

Skiing is better than Marriage!!

While shopping for t-shirts today I found one that I really liked so I bought it for myself as my new workout shirt!!

Top 10 Reasons SKIING is Better than MARRIAGE:

1. New skis are cheaper than a diamond.

2. Skiing allows you to have multiple partners.

3. You can pick out new skis every year.

4. You can always have more than one set of skis.

5. Skis don't have an opinion about your family.

6. When you decide to stop skiing it costs you nothing.

7. The mountains are always faithful.

8. Skiing does not give you a to-do list.

9. Skis do not need flowers, chocolates or cards.

10. Anniversaries are not important to skis.

I love to ski. I go every year in the Spring. I usually go with my aunt (who is 70 years old and skis!). We have a ton of fun when we are on the slopes. Yesterday was our first day on the slopes and we had about 2 hours of sleet/snow mixture which is extremely painful to the face!! We are tough skiers since we just battled the weather and kept at. If finally just turned into snow which is a lot better for skiing. Today, we had beautiful weather, the sun was shining but it was extremely cold (especially for this time of year). Tomorrow, we will ski in the morning and see how the weather goes...they are expecting 2 foot of snow and 50 mile an hour winds...could be a bit touchy.

For now the doctor is out......hoping for good weather tomorrow so she can ski all day before coming home.

He Cleaned My House!

I just spent a week with my sweet daughter in New York City where she now lives. I had tons of fun with her throughout the week doing all the fun things there is to do in NY. Susie Q took me to some new restaurants and we went to the Cloister's museum which I had never visited before. I also had a chance to spend time with a couple of my friends who live up there as well. Sri and I went to Long Island one day and we discussed our research plans that we are working on. My friend Nita who lives in Connecticutt came down on Saturday and we spent the day together shopping on Canal Street. While I am doing all these fun and relaxing things in NY my sweet hubby is holding down the fort here at home.

Sweet hubby was left in charge of Franklin for the week (Cole spent the week with his grandmother who was visiting here from Austrailia). Sweet hubby and Franklin made their "manly" visit to that placed called Chucke Cheese (that mom does not venture into). They watched movies together at night and I think sweet hubby forgot that Franklin has a nightly schedule that includes bed at a regular time - not at 10:30 or 11:00 after the movie is over!! Oh, well, I guess it isn't everyday you get to break the rules so they need to take advantage while mom is out and about.

While I am gone on trips (business or pleasure) I have always come home to a clean house. Sweet hubby always makes sure that everything is back in order before my plane lands. This trip was no exception. In his exuberance to make our home comfy and clean I think he went a little overboard this time. Sweet hubby decided that the hardwood floors needed to shine for me when I walked in the door. What a sweet thing!! So sweet hubby looks in the cupboards to find the shiny floor stuff so that he can clean those drasted hardwood floors. Lo and behold, he comes across a bottle of Orange Glo for hardwood floors, etc......hey, this makes the dining room table sparkle so it probably will work on these floors!!!

Now I come home and my house is all sparkly and clean. I take my shoes off as I come in the door (this has always been a request of sweet hubby that I happily ablige). With socks on I am trekking across the carpet to go into the kitchen, which I must venture across that hardwood floor in the dining room in order to get there. Imagine my surprise as I hit that floor in my socks at a fast speed......acrobatics!!! Mind you I did not go completely down, but I came close. What the heck did you put on these floors?!!! Next morning, Cole is getting ready for school and decides to run into the kitchen (again, across the floors to get there) and boom, crash, splat.....down he comes.....he looks a little startled like what just happened here.....we all laugh and agree that Orange Glo is NOT for hardwood floors!!!

I am glad that I have a sweet hubby who tries to make my homecoming a pleasurable one without laundry to do, clutter to pick up, floors to vacuum or mop.....but maybe I need to label the cleaning supplies a little better.....for now the doctor is out....trying to stay afoot.