Meetings and more meetings

Gran took one kiddo today while the other is in daycare. Gotta get some work done but yet I just am not that motivated. Been checking out other blogs and that's fun and a mindless way to waste valuable time. Of course, I am becoming so much more knowledgable about random things in life and will be an expert on Jeapordy in a few years when these headlines come back as questions.

Just had a productive photo meeting. Gotta love technology. We have used gotomeetings a few times with various companies and it's just so cool. I don't understand how it works and frankly, I don't need to, but man is it cool. I even did a meeting when it was turned around so that the other side could see my computer screen. Freaky. I had to keep remembering to not click off the page and into my email as I zoned out. Happens a lot during meetings.

I'm getting ready to kick some butt in a meeting in about 5 minutes. Another company has greatly disappointed me and I am planning to talk directly to the president. I will be interesting to see if he takes responsibility for how his staff and company dropped the ball with our company. I'm big into customer service and he can defintitely win me back but he is going to have to make it right. They really screwed up and it has affected our company's sales. Let's see what he has to say. I have my ducks in a row and I'll be ready to go. I wonder if they will even call on time? It's a bit pathetic but you almost expect to be let down by other companies nowadays, don't you?

Another airline problem - again!

Well that last post obviously didn't work. That stinks. Will have to try that again soon 'cause it was so cool!

So my mother in law is here. For some that would be a bummer, but for me, LOVE it! She's just so easy going and really is so good with the kids. She'll do anything the kids want including playing make believe games for...forever! I swear the last time she was here, my older daughter had her playing fairy make believe for three hours non-stop. I can maybe last 30 minutes. She is the energizer bunny of grandmothers. And she'll wash dishes AND get up early with the kids AND buy dinner too.

She had some trouble getting in on the airlines with her flight being cancelled. She had to go to a different airport altogether. It made us have to change our plans to pick her up and drive an extra two hours to pick her up. Of course it wasn't a big deal...we would have driven further to get her, but it just goes to show how unreliable airlines are becomming. I think this is how the airlines are going. I think its going to get to the point when we expect the flights be cancelled and when everything is smooth it will be a minor miracle. It's so annoying. We spend hours planning and making arrangements for our trips and then WHAM...it never seems to go right. I'm afraid we're going to get to a point when we have to build a day onto either end of a trip for the airlines screwups. It will end up costing more...messing up vacations non stop. It's so frustrating.

This was my day today.

Just discovered this great new site. Here's a summary of my day:

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Want to make one of these. Check out wordle.net. So cool!

She WILL learn how to ride her bike

So tonight we FINALLY made some headway with teaching my daughter how ro rider a bike. She's been so negative and down about learning to ride and although she is almost 7, she keeps fighting it. I don't know how it has become such a big "IT" that she has to overcome. She seems like she finally was able to overcome her own self doubt to try it. One thing I did while she was trying and pedaling was to repeat over and over for her "I can do it". I chanted it over and over and over when she was on the bike. And it really worked. I saw her lips mouthing the words as she pedaled and the few times she fell. She was SO thrilled and proud of herself and I am just tickled that she is finally interested. I can't even tell you what agony we've gone through with her to even just try.

So tomorrow...we'll go back again. Unfortuantely we can't really practice in our yard because it's too sloped and our driveway is a bumpy mess. We have to go to a local school that has a great basketball court that is surrounded by flat grass. It was just what she needed. So tomorrow we will go back. Our goal is to have her riding by next weekend so we can take a family bike ride...finally!

Our hometown had a parade today for homecoming days. It was pretty fun. Nothing is like a small town parade. Even the Govenor was there and all sorts of politicians. There were some cute floats. The usual preschools marching, the cub scouts, and garden clubs. One of our favorites is the Shriners. They have these motorized little cars that go up and over (on tracks) a carrier vehicle while driving. They zip around and slow down to high five all the kids on the side of the street.

And of course, there was plenty of candy. No longer can they whip it like they did when I was a kid, they have to hand it to the child. Safety...I guess. Seems like they could gently scatter it on the street. So long are the days of diving for candy and being beemed of the head. The candy dispersers are about 25 feet behind their float because of long it takes. Anyhow, one thing I thought was pretty cool is they handed out ice cream sandwiches and ice pops. My kids were in their glory. Ate as much candy as they wanted, an ice cream and icepop. Got a few stickers and pencils too.

One thing that drives me nuts is parents that don't monitor their own kids. There was one little girl who was so greedy and keep snatching up all the candy. I know her Mom who was standing right next to me and she was totally oblivious. Shocking. There is nothing worse than wanting to put another parent in their place. All she had to do is say to her daughter that she had to share. This little kid is going to be a monster when she grows up if she continues like this. I can't just believe she stood there and watched her child just be a selfish brat. Grrrr...nothing is worse than a parent who won't do their job and parent.

Ok. Enough rantings for tonight.

I Love Money reality show- is this for real?

So I'm watching this show on VH1 called I Love Money. Holy crap. Are these people for real? Is this show for real? These people all have stupid nick-names like "23 pack, Boston, Chance, White Boy, paymaster,". It seems like they are competing for $250K.

They are having sex together, doing raunchy competitions, and the drama...oh my. Catfights, crying, cussing, and dramatic music strategically placed. This is the most pathetic group of people I have ever seen. I guess these are the type of people producers just live to find for these types of reality shows.

Now, I have to admit, I love reality TV. I watched Survivor for years, the Bachelor, Who Wants to Marry A Millionaire (remember that one?), Real World, Top Model, and more. But this show has to take the cake for the most gratituious, pointless show ever. They must have had the contestents sign a waiver that said they would do "anything" on TV to be filmed. How can someone get this desperate and lack all sembalance of self respect? Do they really think it will bring them love, money, and fame as the promos suggest?

God forbid if one of my kids ever did something like this. I would think I totally failed as a parent. I wonder if these parents are actually proud of their kids?

Today I saw Oscar the Grouch...'member him?

My kids needed a TV break today, so I turned on the tube and the only appropriate kids show was Sesame St. I knew it was still on but it had been a while since we had seen it. Not only did we see the classic characters (Grover, Oscar, and Big Bird) but some of the humans characters were the same as when I was a kid over 25 years ago. I think her name was Maria. She looked great and still had that creative sparkle I would think you need to be on Sesame St.

One thing I though was hilarious, is Oscar the Grouch now has a lady-friend. Yes...believe it. I think her name was the Grouchette. I swear that's what I heard while watching dishes. At any rate, I can't believe that Oscar has a girlfriend. In today's episode she imagined she was the Grouch Princess and her parents just accepted that she was always going to be a Grouch. As much as I love my kids unconditionally, if they were a Grouch all the time, I don't know if I'd be sane. But of course, it was a kids show and so it was all cutesy. The kids loved it. I have to admit, I did too.

So next time I'm in a bad mood, I think I'll be the Princess of Grouch. Why not?

To honor this occasion, I found this great video of Oscar singing his classic song:

Where is the sentiment from my daugher?

So the bear has not been found yet. We actually forgot to call the hotel (bad parents). She hasn't been asking either so I guess that's good. She's outside building a fairy house with her sister so this would be a perfect time to do it. Of course though dinner is a-cooking, and blogging is a-waiting...so I'll just put it off a little longer. I actually AM a great Mom, but I think she'll be ok if it's lost. Out of sight, out of mind. We used to have a "spare" one in case she lost it because this bear used to be her lifeline. She slept with it everynight, it comforted her when sick, she played endlessly with it. It kinda breaks my heart that she got over it so fast. I bet it will hit the fan when we have to admit that it IS actually lost, or the next time she is sick. I don't even know where the "spare" one is now...and she wouldn't be fooled anyhow. The spare has a chipped nose and is WAAAYYY to clean and nice looking to fool her. But maybe she would be ok with it. I feel awful...I think I'm having a harder time than she is with the fact that it might be lost.

I had my precious Coco bear for years. In fact, I even had my high school portraits taken with it. That is embarassing to admit now, but back then it seemed sweet and dear. I was a sentimental fool. Somehow my parents didn't think there was a problem with their 18 year old posing with a beat up teddy bear, but there you go. Must have been where I got my sentimental streak. So I ask you...what's wrong with my daughter that she doesn't seem to have it as well? Maybe that's an important life skill to have...to move on.

God knows I have needed that over the years. Wished I learned it at seven.

We lost her teddy bear, ok The Secret, work now!

So, back at home and just trying to get back inot the swing of things. I didn't think jet lag would bother me, but boy, am I whipped. I want to think I'm still pretty young, but flying from CA to the east coast really killed me. We slept in to 11 today which is hard to believe since I haven't done that since college. I feel like I could do it again tomorrow. Thankfully the kids went to bed earlier tonight.

The bad news from the trip is my daughter's favorite stuffed animal was lost. We have had that bear for 7 years and it's traveled all over the country with it. So somehow, we left it behind...somewhere. We've been calling the hotels we stayed in. But if you ask me, they could care less. I don't have much faith in a entry level hotel worker really taking the time to check the lost and found box for an old teddy bear. I try to have faith in my fellow man to do their job and to care about their fellow man...but I think the cleaning maid just tossed it. But I'm practicing the secret and thinking the last place I need to call tomorrow will say, YES! Thankfully my daughter has been pretty easy going about it. Of course we will have to see what happens if (shhushhh) God forbid it isn't found. It WILL be found. It WILL be found. It WILL be found.

So we are at my cousin's house in San Jose. Beautiful area, but I could never live here. WAAAYYY too crowded and too much noise, pollution. Livin' in the boonies definitely has some advantages.

But today we did stop by an Indian restaurant and had a delicous meal of Chicken tikka and naan bread. Oh, do I miss Indian and Pakistani food. When we lived in Virginia we got our share of it, but now, not so much. Again, a big downfall of living in nowheresville.

So we have one more day of our trip before heading east. I'm ready for my own bed and space from the kids. As much as I love them, I definitely need my break from them as well. Being together 24-7 over the last 3 1/2 weeks has been enough. I'm ready to send one back to daycare and the other to camp for a couple of weeks.

But I do love travelling with them and seeing new things....just give me a little time and space before we do it again!

Saw Peregrine falcons playing in Oregon

So we have just spent four days touring the Oregon coast. Amazing. Beautiful. Mysterious. Stunning. Inspiring. Breathtaking. Awe-inducing. Can't even think up enough words to describe how amazingly beautiful the coast is. We were fortunate to have great weather and could see for miles on the endless beaches. We saw pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, and sea lions hanging out on rocks. We also came across quite a display by three peregrine falcons at Cape Mears and learned a lot from two bird watchers who have committed to watching these soaring creatures. We saw three immature falcons actually in play mode, hitting each other and practicing how to dive. They were screaming and what an utterly wild sound they emitted. Loved it. Saw raw and wild.

I'm grateful my daughters were able to see this and hopefully someday will realize what a treasure this trip has been.

So....I lost my password to this blog since I wrote the last post and I couldn't remember my email account one either! That's when you know you have WAAAAYYYY too much going on.

Now we've been into the trip for a week or two and I haven't even been able to keep up with writing.

SO here's a quick rundown:

When we arrived at the airport to get on our plane, we were "involuntarily denied". That's the airlines way of saying they overbooked and even though we had confirmed seats...we still couldn't get on. The good news is that we did get four round trip tickets for a flight (which we will book on our return trip!) We were put on another airline and after THREE flights we arrived in Denver.

We FINALLY got to my friend's house 30 hours later than expected and we just had to make the best of it. Yes, we were pissed, but what can you do?

We had a few days in CO with friends (did I mention we missed a big get together party that night we sat on the airplane for 8 hours with friends we haven't seen in over 10 years???--not that makes me really peed off).

We then went to S Dakota where we visited Mt. Rushmore and even saw a mountain goat. I didn't remember the Black Hills being so beautiful. I would go back there any time for a visit. After a day or two there, we headed to Bozeman, MT. We hooked up with friends there and finally the kids had more kiddos to play with. We all went camping at Yellowstone and that was great. Fun times with old friends...you can't beat that.

We drove a long trip in the car (thank Goodness we were able to borrow a portable DVD player from friends in CO. After 8 hours or so...we made it to Spokane and then the next day we were in Seattle to stay with more friends. We were thrilled to meet their twins and have more friends for kids.

After two great days, a delicious salmon dinner, a trip to Woodland Zoo, and the Indigo Girls concert (gotta love hearing Kid Fears in person), we are now on our way down the Oregon coast.

That pretty much sums it up. Will try to fill in more details later.

OMG...the air travel was a disaster. We arrived at the airport promptly Sat. morning to find out our 7:30 (AM..yes) flight had been canceled. Not a big deal becasue it was some mechanical issue they said. So we were were put on a quick shuttle to NYC at La Guardia airport. Mind you we were supposed to fly into Chicago and not NYC but as long as we got to Denver who cares!

Sure...that's what I say now. What a nightmare to say the least. We boarded the plane to go to Denver and then 8 hours later we were able to get back off at La Guardia. We sat with all the other passengers for 8 (yes 8!) hours on an airplane on the runway. At first the airport closed down because of weather. Then we couldn't get off because there wasn't anyone to steer the airplane back to the gate. Then the flight attendents changed and we still had to wait. Then we sat even longer as we were number 53 for take off. Can you imagine that? Number 53. So we sat longer. And longer. Thank God we had plenty of snacks for the kids to eat. And a computer with a super long battery life so they could watch movies. The flight attendents were great and although we were frustrated...what could you do? They gave us drinks and kept us hoping that we could get to Denver, but then 8 hours later they brought us back to the gate and cancelled the flight. Thank God I had my husband called while we were sitting and got us confirmed on a flight for 10:35 to Denver the next morning.

So...then was the panic of what we would do overnight. There was no way I was going to stay overnight in the airport with my two kids. If it was just me and my husband, no big deal, but there was no way I was sacking out of the floor iwth the 4 and 7 year old. And since the airport was closed down we knew everyone would be looking for a hotel room. Thankfully we were able to call my girlfriend in CO and she found us a room at Comfort Inn. $180 later...and after an hour of waiting for our bags , we were able to sleep.

And that's only first part of the saga. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

Off on a roadtrip...are we crazy?

So we are going on a road trip. Yes. I think we are the only lemonheads that are actually going on a road trip this summer with gas prices as high as they are. AND with two kids 7 and under. But as someone said to me the other day, next year when gas prices are $5.50 a gallon, we will look like geniuses who went this year. Yeah..right. But...we planned it and have set aside the time and money to do it, so we are. And the fact that we are going with two small kiddos...what an adventure! Our 7 year old will definitely remember it and the other, well probably not at 4 but will pictures and the blog, well maybe she'll capture some memories.

On the way to the airport right now. Gotta love this Mobile Broadband for my computer. I can type while driving (or at least hubby is driving) and keep my blog updated.

Where are we going you ask...from Colorado to South Dakota to Wyoming to Montana to Idaho to Washington to Oregon to California. YIKES...that's A LOT of driving. We'll have to keep track of how many miles we drive and how much the total cost is. Part of me doesn't want to know and then part of me does want to know. Maybe I'll keep my running narrative of the trip on this blog. Great idea. I'll upload pictures and everything. Oh..I don't think I brought the cord to upload the pictures.

Now this is going to be fun!

Today went shopping with the kids

So today I had the kids. School is out already and that means less time to work. That is why it is 2am and I am still typing on this darn computer. Never enough time. Isn't that always the case with Mom's who work and also try to run a business at the same time?

Wll today I totally neglected the business until like 7pm and I've been working since then. Gotta clock those hours regardless of what's going on. I took the kids shopping today and let them go to Barnes & Noble to redeem some gift cards. Decided to let them get some DVD's. I'm not a huge proponent of allowing the kids to watch DVD's and I think it's odd when people have a video library, but today...we bought 4! We got 101 Dalmatians, Over the Hedge, Dora and the Mermaid, and one other I've forgotten. Overall the day shopping was nice. The kids were well behaved (mostly) and I actually bought myself two outfits which is unheard of!

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

Ahh...rain storm. I just love when there is a rain storm filled with huge bursts of lightening and deafening thunder. And thank God it has cooled it down. It was getting miserable and I just can't help but being cranky when it's hot. I think it was when I lived in Texas on the coast that made it so hot! There is nothing fun about waking up hot, staying inside all day in air conditioning and then going to bed hot. Miserable with a defintite capital "M".

So thank goodness it is raining. We can open the windows and breathe fresh air that doesn't clog our lungs. Couldn't help but hum that old Carpenter's Song, Rainy Days and Mondays. SO...I found this cheesy, cheesy video of the song. Gotta love the redhead flipping her hair. Hilarious. If you don't laugh over the absolute cheeziness of it, you just might be suffering from heat stroke.

The May day celebration at my daughter's school

Mom came this weekend to visit and that was really nice. She came for grandparents day at my daughter's school and she had a great time. Both of them did! I wasn't sure how much Mom would embrace my daughter's new Waldorf elementary school. As a former elementary school teacher, I didn't think she would but she's been really supportive. It was their big May day celebration and they had a large Maypole. I hadn't ever seen one before and the older elementary children did a great job! They expertly weaved the ribbons around the pole and then un-wrapped it as well. It was really wonderful to listen to the violins and chorus playing beautifully together while children danced together celebrating spring and life.

Sometimes I wonder if the Waldorf school IS the right place for my daughter, but after yesterday's celebration....I feel empowered that we made right decision.

I like to visit this Waldorf website for information when I am feeling unsure about our decision. I probably need to visit it on a regular basis and just fill my mind with more of the wonderful reasons that I support this school and want my family to as well. Now all I need to do is convince my Dad...

Kids need chores and responsibilities around the house

We need to clean and organize the house. It's aways a drag. The kids are still too young to really do anything much. They do help though. I believe children should do their part to contribute to a househould. My kids are being trained to pick up after themselves. I can't stand it always having to pick up after them and I should not have to. Kids need responsibilities too and picking up their toys after they play with them is not too much to expect.

I'm on the fence about paying an allowance. When I was a child, I did receive one. I remember sometimes I was highly motivated to work to save up for a purchase and other times I did my chores because I was forced to. My children aren't very motivated by money but regardless, they need to learn how to pick up and contribute to maintaining our home. Of course it needs to be age appropritate. My youngest can clear the table and put her books back on the shelf. My oldest can match socks in the laundry, pick up toys/stuff and distribute to the correct room, and certainly clean her own room. I'm trying to give her more responsibilites every year and before I know it, she'll be dusting, vaccuuming and scrubing the toilets. Little does she know what is coming!

So...off we go. We'll strip the beds, vaccum up the dirt, do loads and loads of laundry and general pickup. Once a week we have to do a purge...believe it or not we sitll have boxes from our move years ago to unpack. Before we move again, we need to get rid of stuff. But that's another post....

Holy crapola. I can't believe how long it's been since I've written. I really need to get on it. I need this outlet for ME and just to blab. I just need to set aside the time and just do it.

I'm a bit frustrated with myself that I have lost my new book for my bookclub. I really want to read it too. I bought it with another book and then put aside. Of course now I don't have it. GRRR...I hate when I misplace things. I need to find it and read it as quickly as I can. Usually I can read pretty quickly...but I do like to relax and read casually too.

So one of my closest friends just got out of the hospital with a double kidney infection. She still doesn't know how it originated but thank GOD she is ok. So scary for her and her family...so scary for me with her being so far away. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's been such a rock for me and connects me when I drift away from me. Gosh, I could never imagine my world without her! I hope she now heals quickly and we can go back to emailing. Can't wait to see her this summer!

So whenever you hear about a celebrity, like Heath Ledger, it's such a sad, disappointment. Although I wasn't a huge fan, it's just so disheartening to see a promising life cut short. And being a young father, just tragic. I can't believe someone so young with such talent and promise could recklessly cut his own life short. Who knows what really happened. But my heart goes out to his baby daughter, family and friends.

Death has been on my mind lately. We have a family friend who is currently dying of liver cancer and daily I get the reports of how she is doing. It's a awful thing to be waiting for a telephone call saying someone you care about has died. Then my daughter starts asking all sorts of questions about what happens with death, what is God, what really happens...etc. It's bringing it all to the surface and it's harder than ever. It sucks.

Life is good. I am off to a good start with my goals. I've been exercising on a regular basis and reading books. Right now I'm reading the My Sister's Keeper



which seems to be a favorite of everyone. Very controversial I guess. I can't say I would know what I would do if something awful every happened to one of my children, but I'd just about do anything to help them if one of them was in trouble.

On another note, to indulge my love of reading, I have registered to be part of Shelfari which has been so fun. You get to share books you've read and make recommendations to others. It's a great way to track books you've read and actually remember if you've read them or not. If you are like me, I sometimes pick up a book and I'll be a few chapters into it and realize "Duh...I've already read this!" At any rate, this is a great new forum of a type for book lovers. I'm a little addicted, I must say!