Florida Or Bust....

 

We had hoped to go to Florida for February school vacation.  But those hopes were busted today like an over-inflated balloon.  **pop**   A big job came in at the end of last week where Mike works.  When Mike heard that the deadline for the job was the end of February, he got a sinking feeling.  Unfortunately his instincts were right.  Today his boss told him that there was no way he could go to Florida.  He was needed there to make sure the deadline was met. His boss will be away that week.  His boss did say he could go if he wanted to lose this account and look for a new job when he returned.  Soooooo.... it's final, we stay in Alaska.   

Oh, how I wanted to warm these bones for just a week, feel the sun on my face and see flowers in bloom.  Take the kids outside to play and just remember how my world was, before this blanket of white and arctic air invaded my space on the planet.  We wanted to visit my folks, my brother and his family, and spend a day with Mickey Mouse.  Mickey Mouse will have to wait 'til next year.  I guess the vacation denial wouldn't sting so much if I didn't know the reason why his boss won't be at work that week....

He's going to be in Florida with his kids, Ouch!  Think he'll get an autograph from Mickey for me?  ~I hope it rains.... 

Cabin Fever

Yes, cabin fever has set in.... Small bodies are beginning to bounce off of walls, no sugar needed, and I'm tired of watching kiddie shows.  Sammi actually shut off the TV yesterday and said "no more TV".  Oh, what to do?  The finger paints have turned liquidy, play dough has become too hard, and the Christmas toys are already beginning to feel old because of constant play.   I allowed them to pull all the pillows off the couch, then both babies jumped off the couch into the huge pile. They had a blast & it was hilarious to watch.  The past 3 weeks have been too cold to go outside.  The average highs have been in the teens.  But the temperature actually feels colder because of wind chill factors.  Today it is 18 degrees out and the sky is ominous.  The weatherman predicts a foot of snow to begin falling sometime tonight.  I'll be on the road today with the kids & won't return home until 9:30pm tonight.  Hoping that it holds off until then.... Hate being on the highway with the babies on board during a snowstorm.

It's sad when you look forward going to the Dr's for something to do.  Of course because it's still flu season National Flu Report  I didn't let them out of the stroller.  This bad mom wouldn't let them play with the toys or read the germy books either, lol.  Mikey had his 16 month check-up today.  Not surprisingly he's off the charts.  He is 32 lbs and 35" tall.  Dr, says he's perfect because he's proportionate.  But I already knew that : )~

Well, suppose I should go change the poopy diaper I smell, my eyes are beginning to tear up & check to see if I paid my gas bill last month.  Just received a phone call from the gas company and the computer said "please hold on for a very important message"....then I got disconnected.  I didn't hang-up, I swear, lol. 

Looking In The Mirror

Watching my little one play with the baby in the mirror, I began to wonder.  When did I realize that I wasn't perfect?  When did insecurities make me dissect myself, as I gazed in a mirror questioning if I'm pretty enough or skinny enough?  Often while growing up, the answers to those questions measured my self-worth.  As an adult I wait (and fear) that moment when I don't recognize the face in the mirror looking back at me....

Looking in the mirror, who does he see...
Who is that baby looking back at me?
Blue smiling eyes and a gap-toothed grin,
Taking no notice of his double chin.
Tousled hair and left-over lunch on his face,
His world is still a kind, non-judgemental place.
Dancing with his new friend, babbling in his ear.
Fogging up the mirror, but he doesn't care.
Reaching out to touch his pink chubby cheeks,
Covering his face, then giggling as he peeks.
Oh, the joys of loving one's own reflection,
Believing his image is one of perfection.
Not tainted by society on who he should be,
Looking in the mirror, who does he see...?

Written by Michelle/s0ngbird1962

"In My Daughter's Eyes"

click to listen to song....

AOL Music: Martina McBride: 'In My Daught...

In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero.
I am strong and wise,
And I know no fear.
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me.
I see who I want to be, in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light,
And the world is at peace.
This miracle God gave to me,
Gives me strength when I am weak.
I find reason to believe, in my daughter's eyes.

And when she wraps her hand around my finger,
Oh, it puts a smile in my heart.
Everything becomes a little clearer,
I realize what life is all about.
It's hanging on when your heart has had enough,
It's giving more when you feel like giving up.
I've seen the light, it's in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future.
A reflection of who I am,
And what will be.
And though she'll grow and some day leave,
Maybe raise a family.
When I'm gone I hope you'll see,
How happy she made me.
For I'll be there, in my daughter's eyes.... 

There's No Place Like Home....

(Clicking heels together with my eyes shut and saying...) "There's no place like home, there's no place like home...."  (peeking eyes open to look around, damn, I'm STILL in Alaska! )

Or so it seems....  I'm beginning to think that a twister snuck in during the night last Sunday; ripped up our little town by it's roots and plopped it down right in the middle of Alaska. I'm considering trading in my old house for an igloo.  It's got to be warmer than this drafty old house, I know it would be easier to clean.  Temperatures have been below freezing for a week now, down around 15 degrees. Three days ago the little mercury ball in our thermometer dipped below zero and it hasn't moved since.  Currently it's -7 below, but with wind gusts blowing around 30+mph, this brings the temps to a mind numbing -35 degrees below zero.  Warnings on tv say, "If you must go outside cover all exposed skin.  Exposed flesh will freeze in under 10 minutes."

It truly looks like a ghost town.  Few cars and no people are outside, none.  The few that have to run errands scurry quickly from car to building looking like something out of the "Mummy Returns" movie.  Hey, at least you don't have to worry about your hair and make-up.  I've been avoiding going to the grocery store, but sadly I must go out today.  Don't think a half gallon of milk and can of condensed chicken noodle soup will suffice. Hmmm, maybe if I add extra water to the soup? They've even cancelled school today because the gas in the school buses are congealing & it is just too dangerous to send the kids outside.   If you don't hear from me for awhile, don't worry, I'll be back after I thaw out in the Spring....

Warning!!!

Because THIS is what happens. ::::laughing here::::   Thursday my 16 yr old son was clowning around with a friend and stuck half of a rubber bouncing ball to his forehead.  Apparently that lil sucker created quite a suction because he couldn't pull it off.  After about a minute he got the ball to release, but to his horror it left a baseball sized purple hickey in the middle of his forehead.  ::::still laughing here::::  Oh, the reason for his horror?  

He had his semi-formal tonight!  And he has TWO dates for it. Never thought I'd be buying my son make-up, but Max Factor is a wonderful thing.  ::::can't stop laughing:::: I had to teach him how to blend the edges out so people couldn't tell.  The concealer didn't completely hide the hickey, but it definitely toned it down a bit.  And to think I used to fret about a little pimple showing up before a big night out....

See?  It can ALWAYS be worse.....      

Late night, early morning with the babies....

On My Way to My Stress Test

Today I finally made it to my long awaited stress test.  Journal Not Abandoned Part 2.  As it turned out the stress test was the non-stressful part.  It was the getting there that ended up stressing me BIG time.  As I was cruising along  Rte. 114 singing with the radio, I apparently got distracted (lol, damn those daydreams of being a broadway star!) and almost missed my turn.  Not only did I almost miss my turn, but narrowly missed hitting some poor soul sitting at the redlight where my turn was.  I was truly within a hair's breath of getting into a serious accident (and taking someone with me in the process.) Instincts are a wonderful thing.  I was able to swerve into the right hand lane with wheels screeching to avoid the accident.  Thankfully there were no cars in the right hand lane, because in my panic I did not check my mirror first before swerving.  With my heart  pounding, I made my turn and tried to calm down.  I didn't dare look at the other car,  I'm sure they weren't happy.    I finally made it to my appointment and not surprisingly my blood pressure was a bit elevated, lol.   The treadmill was programmed to simulate how my body would react if I climbed a steep hill for an extended period of time, it increased in difficulty every 2 minutes.  The tech said they only needed 5 minutes and a heartrate of 150 to get an effective test result.  Well, I lasted 7 minutes and gave them a heartrate of 170.  Hey, I'm no hero, get me off of here!  When the test ended, she asked how I felt.... I wonder if anyone ever says "great?"

New Year's Eve Adventure....

After work last night (I only worked 4 hours) I came home flung off my  nurses uniform and slipped on my comfy nightshirt.  I had forgotton I agreed to pick up the Chinese food. Mike called to place our order at 5pm and they told him it would be ready at 9pm. I went to slip on a pair of jeans and they wouldn't fit!!  I kept poking at the bulge that wouldn't allow the zipper to zip. Mike thought I was joking, wish I was...lol.  Being stubborn I decided that these jeans were going to fit NOW!  I finally laid down on the couch and sucked in my gut; success!  Oh the pain!!  I immediately had to unbutton them. I decided that I wouldn't get out of my nightshirt good cover for the unbuttoned jeans and besides no one would see it under my leather coat,right?  Wrong! I got to the restaurant and discovered they were running behind.  So I stood in this very long line with about 30 other people who were told to pick up their food at 9pm. I quickly began to feel hot, but I couldn't take off my coat, why did I wear my nightshirt?  And what was I thinking squishing my "ate too many goodies" body into these jeans?? And just when I didn't think I could be more uncomfortable, I stretched my foot and suddenly I had a charlie horse cramp in my toes. No bending over in these jeans! After standing there for 40 minutes my name was called....  " Number 940, Sour?"  Close enough, lol.  Paid for the food and headed home. As soon as I walked in the front door, I yanked off those tight jeans and then proceeded to help devour a poo-poo for 2, egg foo young & lo mein noodles. For dessert, yes, I had dessert, I had a piece of banana cream cake :::burp::: Went down nicely with champagne.  So,any guesses what my New Year's resolution is...?