Home

Working from home is interesting. I accomplish the same at home as do in the office and I even get my laundry done. Only 2 more remote days for the summer and then school starts.

Erin is crafting and I'm working on Custom stuff for work. I want to craft. Glue, markers, mess.... I don't mind. She's making stick people. Eyes glued on each side of the sticks and doing a puppet show for me from behind my laptop. No lack of imagination here.

I really should go take a shower......

Fly by night....

One of my favorite things to do is fly home at night. The lights of the towns and cities throw such an interesting pattern. There was a thunderstorm east of us as well. It was so pretty.

I was fortunate enough to fly over the Erie county fair - it was about the coolest sight to see. Then in contrast, flying over the lake.... total blackness. There are the lights of the road that runs along the lake then nothing. I was waiting for something to come up and grab the plane.

Realization

I'm traveling this week. Its 90+ degrees here and humid which makes it worse. And I am alone. This means eating dinner either in my room and paying 3 times as much for dinner as I would if I went to the hotel restaurant. Or, I could go for a walk and eat by my self. Its a hard thing to do but I do it.

I'm not a fan of being in public for long periods of time. So imagine walking into a Japanese Hibachi restaurant and having to sit with total strangers. I love Hibachi. I hate eating there alone. I can't make small talk and I don't care about your grandkids. I just want my food.

So tonight, I went to an Italian place. I've been there before so I know the place (an advantage). The host looked at me strange when I said table for 1. Like its an inconvenience. Damn, I'm hungry! The server on the other hand read my signals that i wanted my food and that was it. It was a good meal, just lonely.

Now, I'm just working overtime to keep up and eating M&Ms. Sorry honey - I may watch a movie you wanted to see - Day watch, Grindhouse, The Host, Paprika & the Namesake. Its one of those nights. I can't even get on to my work programs so I give up.

can I come home?

Erin's foot

Erin's foot
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

Whenever Erin gets a hold of my camera, she takes some good yet strange pictures. This one happens to be of her foot. The sandals have seen better days.

Here are some other Images of Erin's world. I don't ask her what she was thinking when she took them, only that if she was careful with my camera.

She's actually pretty good when she is using my camera. Her camera has a really really low pixel so the pictures are super grainny. But she's proud of the pictures she takes.

Erin's Eye View of the Dining Room Table

Her Face - yes, she took this herself

Another Foot

Harley

Mom and Erin making Giant bubbles

Mom and Erin making Giant bubbles
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

We went to the 2007 Bubblefest at the Buffalo Museum of Science. It was fun, but a little crazy for me. Too many kids.

They had pools of bubble solution (yes, kiddie pools). Hula hoops, ropes. straws. what ever... bubbles bubbles everywhere.

The best part was the black light bubbles. They had a room set up with black lights, Rave/techno music and special bubbles. Erin was so digging it. Her first rave and Mom, Dad and Grandma were there to share... HA!

No answer for you.

I hate it when horoscopes strike a cord with me:

"Slow down so you can reflect on the recent flurry of activity and process your feelings about what has happened. You might not be quite as bubbly and interactive as normal, but you can still have fun with others. Remember, you are not responsible for coming up with all the answers to everyone else's questions"

I think I want the last line engraved on my tombstone.

I need a vacation from my vacation

After 5 days off, I need another 3 to sleep. Lets review -

Tuesday night - official start of Vacation: I cleaned the house.

Wednesday - the 4th of July - It rained. A lot... like Call Noah, we need an Ark. So I cleaned some more. Sam came over before the RUSH concert. There was an exchange of silly gifts (pictures coming). Best gift ever - GOLDEN SPLAT PIG (we miss you .. rest in peace). This silly pig lasted a few hours but was so fun! You throw it at a flat surface and it SLATS then reshapes. Hours of Fun. We had it on the ceiling... buhahhaha. The kid accidentally broke it. So much for hours of fun. The rain finally let up so we ended up going to the Cheektowaga Town park for the annual carnival and fireworks. Good show but because it rained all damn day, the show was delayed due to a late setup.

Thursday - more cleaning and waiting for Sam. Its been about 1 year since I saw Sam, longer for Tim and Erin. The evening consisted of: Pizza, booze, wings, booze, and X-BOX.... She's such a cheap date.. i love it. No fancy outing, just food and games. By the way, Wolverine totally is the best.

Friday - Its been a dozen or so years since I stepped foot in Fantasy Island. Its now my new favorite amusement park. Prices were fair and there is a ton to do for the kids. Not to mention a free water park (little but it serves it purpose). Erin and I went on the PIRATE. She loved it.. I have a new ride buddy when she gets taller. Arms were up, screaming her head off. Such a proud moment. We ended the night with a fish fry at Wayside. yummmmmmm

Saturday - a blur... what did we do? Oh yeah.. Erin was shuffled off to Grandmas for a few hours while Tim and I had a 'Date'... well, if you want to call it that. We went to the mall to exchange some shorts, I talked to Julie as Tim hunted for shorts and then off to see TRANSFORMERS. It was remarkably good.

Sunday - More good news.. my Brother is getting married to a wonderful woman. YEAHH!! after that, I blocked out the rest of the day. I know I was dreading Monday morning.


I need like 2 days of not having the Kid around to do what I need and actually sleep. I am so sick of Kid shows, I want to throw the TV out. When does school start?????????

7 days and counting...

to what? V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! Damn, i need it. 3 weekdays of NOT working. Sam will be in town that means Pizza and Beer (yeah!). There is something to be said about having your oldest and dearest friend in town to visit.

back to grind for another hour then I am out to see Lily and hear of her ass-kicking adventures of Iron Man. Thats my girl!

feels like fall

After the run of hot 90 degree weather, the 68 degree temp and wind makes it feel like fall. It even smells like it. good sleeping weather but bad for swimming.

Good Grief

so I'm a slacker and haven't posted. I've been dealing with some family "stuff" and well, I'm beat. Lets recap:
I'm 32 now. Old per the family standard. I was at the park with the kid and felt like I was still in HS just babysitting. I don't feel old enough. what is it supposed to feel like?

But thanks to all who came to the party - a good time was had by all. We have another shin-dig this weekend and 2 more next weekend. I hate June.

I'm still so in love with Kohls. I got 2 gift card and $56 later, I have a pair of capris and 4 shirts. They really do have some kick ass sales.

Other than that, I'm just waiting for Sam. COME HOME SOON!!!

Bar-goon shopper

I hate shopping with a 4 year old. Impulse buy every time. Since I stopped getting the paper, I don't get coupons or ads anymore. I've resorted to browsing online before we shop. Shoes for example. 4 year old = growth spurt. Somethings you need to try on and others you don't. Payless Shoes is pretty reliable for 'tappy' shoes (black mary-janes) and we've gone through some 8 pairs. Kohls also has been a life saver. They carry black jeans for kids.

Now, if I take said 4 year old shopping for clothes, we end up with a heck lot more than what we need. My hubby turned me on to online shopping coupons and if there is a bar-goon, I'm on it. Coupon Chief lists by store - perfect for me since I have little time to wander through specials of the day. I know where I need to and what I need.

For the frugal mom who hates buying full price anything, especally clothes the kids will grow out of in 3 months, they keep tabs on Old Navy, Kohls and Children's Place. I could have used this years ago.

Happy shopping!
***************

***************************

more booseze and birthdays

ice cream cake at 9;30 at night is not such a good idea but i don't care. its my birthday - well tomorrow is.. i just don't care.

Lily and kids came over tonite for dinner, pool, play and a fun. It was blast. the kids played and Lily and I celebrated my birthday. A bottle of wine and a almost a bottle of vodka. Mike came over to bring me ice cream cake. Yeah, 32 isn't so bad (too bad I've hit hit the back space way too many times and my kid is stilll awake at 10 pm.. )

i can;t feel my toes. heheehehhehhehehe

Happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me,.....

Booze and SkeeBall

after the crap week and day we had, Erin redeemed her 40 tokens to go to Chuck E Cheese. She has been good for the last 2 days.

Did you know they serve booze at Chuck E Cheese? Beer and wine.

Wine and SkeeBall.... you do the math. i can tolerate going there now that she's 4 and can wander around herself.

Thank you Chuck E Cheese for making it tolerable.

"I think an Owl ate the birdie"

Erin and I went outside to check the weather and the pool. There was dead looking bird in pool. I say dead looking because i saw it wasn't moving. Erin stared at it and poked it (such a kid) and yelled "MOM! IT'S NOT DEAD!".

What the hell do I do with a half dead bird. We've lost fish before and flushed them. This is a much bigger animal. And she said it was her friend.

So I found something to move the bird and when it moved its wings, you could see some wounds. Either another bird or a neighborhood cat got to it. It wouldn't let go. Poor thing. We moved it out to the shed and Erin was very calm.
"Mom, we can stay and make sure no cats come back and if they do, we can hide it again. " She felt sorry for the bird. I did too. I took an old bowl and we got some water. It was shivering probably due to shock. The poor thing won't last and Erin sighed. She said God likes birds so its ok.

When we got in the house she said, "I think an Owl ate the birdie". I explained to her that some bigger birds and animals will eat the smaller ones. Like we eat chicken and cows.. wild animals have to eat too. She said "yeah mom, i know. it will be ok. Lets just leave the water and some bread". I hope that bird dies knowing one little girl considered it her friend.

More blow ups

Where do we go from here? More issues, more violence, more tears. After seeing what goes on before lunch (a freaking movie) and at nap time (no option at all about not napping), I have issues with this place.

My mommy sense is tingling.

But the kid? what do I do?

Bird's nest

I'm sitting here trying to work today - home... again because the Kid had another melt down. There is a bird making its nest on top of my light by the front door.

I'm watching it fly past the window getting more sticks, leaves and grass. Back and forth.

Birds lead a simple life. Eat, avoid cats and bigger birds, mate, eat more, poop on my car and stay out of the rain.

My life is not simple and I wish it were. There is a sort of desperation in a mother's eyes when her child can not behave due to the need for instant gratification. This is something I deal with on a daily basis and its wearing me down.

She's a good kid when she's with older people. Kids her age don't do it for her most of the time. She also just wants to play. I don't blame her. But how do you get a 4 year old to understand that there is a time and place for everything. Work, school, play.... I yelled (mistake #1). I ignored the bad behavior (mistake # 2). I talked calmly (sort of working) but I still feel like a bad parent. Like I've damaged her. Did I do this? I should have known when she slapped me in the face at birth.

All I want is for a good day. Go to school, no fighting, a good report, when I say "no" there is no plea bargaining, no bed time fights, just lights out. How do I do that?

Summer Fun Already

Its June 2 and 90 degrees. 90 FREAKING DEGREES! Um.. what the hell? I remember it being cold on my birthday. With all the trials these last 2 weeks, we made it though 3 days without MAJOR explosions.

Yesterday was Erin's last day at her current daycare. She had a great day and we needed to celebrate. Did you ever celebrate by buying a pool?

This lovely frog pool (note: not my kids) cost $14.95 at Target. I looked at Amazon and it listed at $50! I seriously lucked out.

Pool got set up yesterday and Erin blessed it with squeals of joy.

Today, after a wonderful picnic in the park and visit to Gramma's in 90 degree heat to get the Air Conditioner, Erin again dove in and squealed like a little girl (yes, she is a little girl so how can make her stop?). Her goal was to get me wet as well.

To her surprise, I came out of the house in my suit and JUMPED in the pool. Damn, that was cold but felt fantastic in the heat.

I love that pool. All I needed was a Mommy frosty cold drink and I'd be set. Bring it on Summer. Bring it on.

Erin's reaction to me yelling at the Sabres

All in a days work

Its Saturday so that means housework and the Honey-Do list. On the list today:

Cut the Lawn - Completed by the 2 of us.
Clean the new Tank and get George some new stuff - DONE! In a girlie Pirate motif. He's much happier now. The tank is nearly double the size and there is a real filter.


In the picture below - he looks pissed.




The last order of the day is to fix the sink. Its leaked since God know when. Hubby got a new faucet last weekend. We've tried to replace the washers and well that didn't work so well.

We have just a pin hole leak in one of the connections but that will be done another day.

I think its time to go out.

Giving up or giving in

Yet another fun filled day of me trying to get my kid to stay in the classroom. We have this thing... I set my phone to go off in 4 minutes. Erin takes the phone, says "Countdown complete", hands me the phone, we kiss goodbye and I'm supposed to leave. Its all very cute when it works.

9 times out of 10 that doesn't happen. She runs to the door and tries to escape. I was Ryan Miller this morning playing goalie in front of the door. She clings to me and won't let me leave. Hitting and kicking..... You get the picture? She's 4 and hates it when I leave. Its not like daycare is a new thing. She's been going since she was 2 months old. And, she kicks me out when I take her to the Grandparent's house. Some days at daycare are fine. Most are not.

It's driving me crazy because I'm late every day. I'm at my wits end. This morning we agreed that I could leave. She went back on her word. Yesterday I was able to leave early only because another parent was there and she knew I was upset with her. I don't want to fall into that pattern of guilt-tripping her (silly Catholicism). I read that the age of reason is 7. I can not wait 3 more years. I need her to understand the outcome of being late. Wait till the fall little girl. Mom isn't allowed in the school in the morning.

I need a cup of coffee.