Lum Land

2008-01-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

We also own this one.

Sophie.
Our first-born is now four and a half and she is a piece of work. just like her mother some might say (someone does say).
Searching for the right words to describe her and her unique sophie ways…
Emotionally high strung and sensitive. Linguistically gifted. Wild and silly, yet cerebral. A mastermind of imagination. She's quite skilled at inventing extravagant stories that leave you wondering if she hasn’t gotten a hold of some potent LSD, or quite possibly she’s just schizophrenic with multiple personalities. with all her imaginary toads and whatnot..

She loves furry animals, anything pink, doing crafts, and things her way.
While she can be cute, loving, and downright adorable,
she also has the ability to drive me to the brink of complete insanity.
Literally, one day I told her I was going to take her out to the woods and leave her there if she didn’t stop screaming.
Because her screams can shatter windows.
And her barking is even worse. Barking, I said.
My daughter has been a dog for almost half of her life.
Back when she was three it was kind of cute that she pretended to be a dog.
She would crawl around on all fours and ask us to buy her and give her a name. We'd have to groom her and throw her a stick. She'd bark out answers to us (in English and Spanish) and want to go pee outside like a dog.
But now that the dog phase has carried on well past four, it is no longer cute.
Just. freaking. annoying.
Her shrill, piercing barks are like breaking glass over my head.
For the love of god why does my child have to scream and bark at a level far beyond the normal range allowed before you are rendered completely deaf.
Can’t she pretend to be a tree or something? Trees don’t bark. Trees don’t insist on pooping in the grass.
I just wonder if we can have her kenneled so we can take a vacation…

beginning again

2008-01-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

See this guy?

That’s our boy Holden.
After meeting Holden, one might describe him as a boy of high energy exploding and rebounding off all walls/tables/doors/people in the room at all hours of the day (and sometimes night).

He’s an imp who constantly seeks out trouble. If he’s not tearing into all forbidden items in the house, he’s perpetually practicing evil deeds on his sister and making her cry.
and all the while perfecting his sinister villain laugh. Ha ha ha ha ha

Don’t try and tell him differently. about anything. you will not win. he‘s two (almost three) and that’s how it goes.

Arising near dawn everyday, he has mastered the skills of secretly creeping from his room while we’re asleep. With flashlight in hand he heads downstairs scheming, plotting, arranging stools and chairs and whatnots, and then…
each day holds a new surprise as to what Holden has been into!

Some momentous discoveries-

all the Christmas presents holden unwrapped, before Christmas.
Tossing those aside he deemed unworthy (aka-all of sophie’s presents)
he gathered his favorites and lugged them upstairs. At 6am we awoke to holden dragging a giant truck around our room whispering, “please Mommy you open this?”

the candy fiesta holden hosted at 6am in Sophie’s room.
Shortly after Halloween, he retrieved the Halloween baskets high atop our mantle and a pair of scissors from the drawer. He ventured to Sophie’s room to wake her. then convinced her to cut open all the candies.
They were busted at 6:15 with their massive candy picnic- half devoured and half spread across the floor in colorful arrangements.

the masterpiece in our master bathroom.
Holden was quite proud of the world’s largest green-tea-bath-gel mosaic he’d created all across our bathtub, floors, and countertops. Overwhelmingly fragrant and sticky, at least the bathroom smelled fresh and pretty.

the list goes on and on.
and we are the proud owners of holden. full of creativity and boundless energy.

2007-10-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

It was a birthday trip to North Carolina to visit one of my dearest friends, Lauren.

the pictures are here.

It was cool and sunny, the trees were beginning to change, and the scenery was astoundingly beautiful.
We tooted around the the city of Asheville. One day we took a gorgeous drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Smoky Mountains. I met some rednecks and hippies and nice down-home people in between. We drank excellent beers from around the world.
The time with Lauren was nostalgic and I misses her.

2007-08-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

OH CANADA

you can see our pics here .

We flew to Toronto and headed east to the quaint little town of Port Hope, where Dwayne's mum lives.
Our adventures included trips to the beach, getting naked and wet (that would be Holden and Sophie), outdoor barbeques, browsing shops downtown, splashing in the Ganaraska River, and lots of playing in the garden. Dwayne and I even escaped for two nights out!

After that we headed to the city to visit Dwayne's dad, his three cute younger brothers and Lori included. We visited a petting zoo, a splash park, had nice dinners together- including a mandatory trip to Swiss Chalet for french fries... mmmmm, and played a lot with Comso in the backyard.
We stayed in a sweet suite at the top of the Double Tree with windows all around, a giant bathtub in the bedroom with mirrored walls, and a private room for the kids.
nice:)

The Lummins were manageable and completely spoiled by their grandparents, allowing us all to have a good time. I give this trip two thumbs up!

2007-06-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

still here.
you thought I'd gone away didn't you?

in my absence:

I've learned that crayon will come off leather chair, wooden cabinets, tv screens, and a sofa.

I've learned my children cannot be left alone for longer than 3 minutes without getting into mischief.
and now they plot together. I figure our house will be completely destroyed by 2009.

I had a root canal.
which was wonderful! I mean I actually got to recline in a chair for a couple of hours, singing in my head to the tunes on my ipod, without any screaming crying children running around wreaking havoc everywhere.
I just might break some of my other teeth so I can go back.

I've found 8 scorpions in our house over the last month or so. They were immediately annhilated.
Sophie is an excellent scorpion spotter. She spotted the world's smallest scorpion in Holden's room, looked like a speck of dirt, and no bigger than an ant.
The baby was suffocated in a jar so I could precisely measure it without fear of being stung. measured 5 mm.
shudder, shudder.

Along with scorpions, we clean up a lot of poop and pee in our house. Holden must remove his diaper whenever he deficates or urinates (i'm using my fifty cent words instead of shit and piss).
If he's in his own room he'll take off his diaper, then take all 100 wipes out of the wipey box to clean up, but he won't get nearly any of the poop wiped off. So then we have poop on the bed, on the floor, on the bookshelf, on the rocking chair, and other various places. I've got his closet doors tied up so at least he can't get to all the stuff in there.

I've gotten a little wiser though. I put the little potty in his room.
and after a few days, hooray! this morning he pooped in his little potty. then set it on top of his bed like a trophy
go Holden!

whilst I have many other lessons I'd like to share with you, my free time is up.

2007-04-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

Don't Laugh...

after hearing an ad on the radio today, I wrote down the number to participate in a free research study.
for this product.

the funnies over breakfast

2007-04-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

Our little conversation at the breakfast table this morning

I was lifting up my shirt to investigate the small cropping of reddish bumps that have made an appearance under my boobies.
Me: "Hm. wish these would go away."

Sophie, checking out my chest:
"Mommy! Your boobies are small! Tiny. They are so small! What happened?"

thanks.

Me: "But Sophie, were my boobies ever big?"

Soph: "Yes."

Me: "When?"

Soph: "When you were a mommy...even though you're still a mommy. They were big when you were a mommy. But now they're small. So small."

Besides her rambling explanation, I guess it doesn't take much more than a 3 yr old brain to figure out I've got small boobs.

2007-04-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

since holden turned two...

he awakes before dawn.
he’s given up his pacifier to sleep in a big boy bed. so now instead of the 15 minute routine of stories then lying down in the crib and sucking his way to dreamland, it’s an hour and many many tries to get him to sleep.
he’s sleeping 2 hours less at nap time and is nothing but crabby the rest of the day.
he can scream for close to an hour nonstop (with intermittent whining it can go on for much longer)
he tries to throw tantrums regularly and it can only be hilarious because it’s so damn ANNOYING!
he likes to cause mischief and does so round the clock. imagine a ping pong ball bouncing from one disaster to the next…
his favorite word is "shit" now that he knows it's bad.

We try to get out of the house everyday, but doing that can take well over an hour. everything has to be a fight. Getting the right color of sippy cup, getting him dressed and changed, eating, brushing his teeth, etc etc…every single freaking step is a fight.
he’s two and that’s just what it is.
I still love him even though I threaten to kill him everyday under my breath and I’m ready for a drink by 10am.

I’ve been so busy, swamped in correcting my children and their horrible behaviors right now, I just don’t get a chance to sit down.
No time to upload pictures and blog even though I’ve had a bijillion things running around in my mind that I’ve wanted to say and share. It’s one of my ways to decompress and I miss it.

I’ve been having a lot more anxiety lately. panic attacks that leave me on the floor. I’m thinking about calling the dr about medicine but I’m scared.
April is a busy mofo of a month and I’m running and running to keep up with the runaway train.

2007-03-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Weekend Words Challenge (sponsored by Odd Mix)
...the idea is to shoot a photo for the given words, IMAGE and CAPTURE.

my photos:

IMAGE

What images pop into your head?

CAPTURE

white flag. surrender. capture.

here's hoping for sunnier days this week!!

WELL DAMN, IT'S ABOUT TIME SHE UPDATED THE BLOG...

2007-03-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

I've been busy damnit.

Two weeks of company- first Dwayne's mum from Canada, then my folks from Saint Louis.

So recapping,
Holden turned two years old and had himself a nice birthday party complete with a train to ride on and a train cake to eat. and lots of presents with wheels. Holden's Heaven.
during that time I came down with a virus that put me down and out for 4 or 5 days. no beuno.
but then I did lose five pounds so I guess it wasn't all bad.
Shared virus with Dwayne after that, but not the kids thankfully.

My parents came after that and we began the house-hunting expedition.
Within three days they found one they loved and it will be there's in 2 weeks!
CAN I TELL YOU HOW FREAKIN EXCITED I AM!?!
they will be living just a short drive away from us by this summer.

If only I weren't so exhausted from the past week of activity I would have more for you to read.

Happy Weekend to You!

2007-03-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

Mark down another milestone in the Lum household...
yesterday was the first time ever Sophie wore a real ponytail.

Lately I've been working with her hair trying to tame the wild beasties.
She doesn't wear barettes, or rubberbands, or anything in her hair for very long. they all fall out and then she looks like the bride of frankenstein with her hairs sticking up and out in every direction.
Last week I started using "product" in her hair. Some Curly magic goo that works wonders. A little water, a little magic goo, and some finger scrunching. Then her curls take life and form perfect ringlets around her head!
so cute.

But back to yesterday..
I started to brush Sophie's mane together and just for fun decided to try and pull it up into a ponytail.
A real ponytail on top of her head with a whole handful of hair... and oh my, it worked! and then I started to tear up.
For my little curly-headed baby, is not and never will be a baby again.
She was born bald and stayed that way her first year of life. Even when her hair began to grow, it stayed the same length as it curled up. she's never even had a haircut.

But now she's a girl. A big girl who can wear real ponytails.

sniff

2007-03-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

Today I can finally cross off
LOCKING MY KEYS AND CHILD INSIDE THE CAR
from the list of things I've never done.

oh yes.

2007-02-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

little Lummin updates~

Holden
so close to two. and he never stops going.
He's already gotten the 2-year old charm. you know, like throwing screaming-at-the-top-of-his-lung tantrums that can last long past twenty minutes.
and are thrown over NOTHING
So help me god I've tried turning the radio up full blast and rolling down the windows to make him shut the f up so I can drive without feeling like a train wreck waiting to happen. I hate when he wails in the car so blasted loud. I've learned to deal, but still feel quite on edge and ready to get the hell home whenever he does.

The boy is hilarious though. Imitates his big sister and irritates her too.
He loves exploring and pretend play, and is still quite obsessed and fasicinated with trains and trucks.
we call him Mr. messy for a reason. he uses his food for paint and clay and various displays of art, treats for the dogs, projectiles and weapons, and decoration for his clothes.
It's physicaly impossible for him to stay clean for 2 minutes.

He weighs about as much as Sophie and still wants to be carried like baby when he's tired.
but I carry him up the 25 stairs. I love the snuggle time at the end of the day, when he cuddles up tight and rocks in my lap while we read. when he wants me to read story after story before bedtime.
I want to freeze frame those moments forever. remember the smell, the color, the feel, the warmth and closeness.

Sophie, Crazy Curls, now has a few more imaginary friends. Along with Eddie, we have Freddie and just recently Eddie's sister, Nettie.
oh. kay.
And she also pretends to be a dog.
Sounds typical for a 3 year old imagination.
But Sophie's imagination is wilder than the typical. she walks around on all fours throughout most of the day. barking.
She refuses so be called Sophie and you must call whatever dog-of-the-day name she's chosen. usually rotating names are used such as Cocoa, Lucky, Astro, or Lady.
Last week I awoke to Cocoa barking in her room until I let her out.
That day she also balked at peeing on the potty. because "dogs don't pee on potties, they pee outside."
Yes, and dogs can wear muzzles and stay in dog crates.

I just go with the flow.
For these are phases. And like all before, they slowly pass and new delightful and or sometimes awful ones emerge.

2007-02-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

my Weekend Word Challenge photos:

Balance

salt & pepper,
black & white,
yin & yang,
...balance.
something I strive for as a Libra, yet can never quite acheive. inevitably I tip the scales back and forth, continually see-sawing, yo-yoing, and aiming to find the closest thing to equilibrium I'll ever know.

anyway,
this guy is way off-balance!

Parallel

I know, a bit obvious and simple for parallel.
but these permeate nearly every room in our house, and that's just too much "parallel" to pass by.

and a few more new pics over on my Flickr site if you wanna see...

2007-01-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

This is the Weekend Word Challenge-
OddMix wants us to take pictures for the words START and AGAIN.

START-

My first pair of Lucky jeans.

after much traveling to and from the dressing rooms, searching for that perfect pair of jeans and striking out every time, I was feeling quite low. the jeans fit in all the wrong places and didn’t fit in the right ones. (you know what I mean ladies)
But then last Thursday (I'd like to remember this as the day I fell in love with a pair of jeans),
I stumbled past the Lucky store at the mall...
A beautiful place with overflowing amounts of jeans in every different size, length, color, fit, stitch shine and buckle, of your choice. (of course all come with a beautiful price tag as well)

I perused the walls of denim and grabbed a pair called SWEET DREAM. exactly what I had been looking for- dark wash, regular length, size 2/26, low rise jeans.
I grabbed a few other choices and headed to the changing rooms.
I tried on the first pair,
a SWEET DREAM indeed!
They rocked! as if they'd been specifically made to fit all "my humps"oh so perfectly,
and frankly they just made me feel HOT.
We were a perfect match, written in the stars, destined to find each other this one day.
and we've been together ever since that moment.
seriously, I yanked off the tags, paid, and walked out of there wearing my Sweet Dreams.
sweet dreams :) finding the perfect pair of jeans gives me a high that I hope remains as long as my jeans are Lucky.

AGAIN-

damn i hate shaving.

never-ending cycles.
just like laundry

2007-01-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

because we're a little weird...

(see slideshow)

We played yet another round of “Never Gonna Get It”
As in, never gonna get one really nice portrait of my two Lummins together.
But at least they’re a guaranteed laugh!

2007-01-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

Monday, something wicked and evil came and knocked me on my ass.
I woke up that morning and promptly barfed up my cheerios.
Feeling so icky I snuggled into bed and laid down for what was to become a twenty-hour nap. or something close to that...
Tuesday morning I awoke to Sophie's hushed but extremely excited words,
"Mommy, it's snowing!"
I HAD to get up for that!
I bundled up and headed outside to see the winter weather. Winter, I said.
A mix of icy drizzly, sleety, kind of stuff covered our lawn and deck.
Giant snowflakes fell from the sky between the pelting ice-rain. (I say ice-rain because frankly even after numerous explanations I STILL don't know the difference between sleet and freezing rain. I'll just call it ice-rain.)
Yeah, it was a beautiful sight.
I tapped Sophie on the side of her head and said "Stick this in your memory. We don't see this very often in Austin."
And of course I had to take some pics for that same reason.

(click on this picture to see the rest...)

So now it's Thursday and I'm alive again, but feel like I've lost a week somewhere in between all the ailments, illnesses, and iciness around here.

2007-01-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

Been gone again
it’s the same old song.
No time to sit down
and no time to blog.
My funny Lummin antics
and tales of woe,
will remain in my memory
instead of shared with ye.

But now,
I shall recap bits of my long hectic week.
After a good-friend goodbye (she’s moving cross country)
and one last Lauren hug,
I bid her farewell and wept all day long.
Holden is sick with an ear infection and more,
Sophie tripped and caught a big-fat busted lip.
Many hours in waiting rooms we’ve spent.
Aroused many early mornings before sunlight this week,
by crying or screaming child accompanied by his thundering feet.
The Lum husband is gone,
And I’m now feeling like whiny country song.

So that’s how it goes.
When the kids are well
I’ll send them back to school.
I’ll have some time for myself,
to get back to whatever-it-is I normally do.
And we’ll all return to the normal level of insanity around here.

the absentee blogger returns

2007-01-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

We spent our Christmas holidays at my parent’s house in Saint Louis, joined by my sister and her three young ones.

We were aiming for a picture of all the grandkids here... ha ha.

That was one week together with 10 people, 5 of them children, in an older home with creaky floors and small rooms, quite small in the bathroom when you have three other little companions joining you for makeup, toothbrushing, and potty times.
And while it was a noisy time, it was so nice to be with my family!

now we are back to a warmer climate, and a slightly quieter house...
a few more pictures from our trip are here.

2006-12-06T15:19:00.000-08:00

For the last month or so I’ve been trying to capture one picture. one picture…
of my two Lummins together for the annual Christmas cards.

NOPE, not gonna happen.

here's my favorite attempt thus far...

2006-11-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

I'm here.
But obviously, I haven't been.

It's been a blur of busy busy days.
Lots of work, some company, cooking, shopping, prepping, feasting, coffee drinking, wine tastings,
errand running, and many "sex and the city" nights. :)

I like the holiday season. but at the same time I despise it.
stress and more stress
the nagging pressure you feel everytime you walk into a store after halloween- decorated with christmas everythings everywhere, bombarding your mind with the songs, the flashy displays, and monster sales.
the lines and crowds at every corner you turn
the traveling about with two demanding young Lummins
getting my christmas cards out on time

what I cherish-
the smells,
the traditions,
being with family,
the food and drinks,
the young ones' faces on christmas morning :)

Happy Season Ya'll!

THE WEEKEND UPDATE AND WORD CHALLENGE

2006-11-11T19:27:00.000-08:00

UPDATES
After a near two week excursion to Europe, traveling throughout London, Paris, and Germany, the Lum Man of the House returned home to an overly excited family. The Little Lummins were completely ecstatic, each vying for their spot in Daddy's arms and fist fighting for his attention. I waited patiently and got my piece of Dwayne too.

while Dwayne was abroad I was wondering why, WHY didn't I find a way to join him...I could have kept myself busy taking photograph after phtotograph throughout the foreign streets, parading through boutiques , museums, and streetside cafes while he worked.
kicking myself! Next year I'm gonna get smarter and drop off the kids at my parents if I get the opportunity to go.

WEEKEND WORD CHALLENGE
created by OddMix this week's words are conform and rebel.

conform

The leaves conform to the rules of the season, Fall. falling from the trees and lining up against the wall.

but Fall is deceivious in these parts. Even though we are now way into November the temperatures neared 90 degrees this past week...

rebels

Rebellious to the season,
the butterflies and bees covering the flowers- they're everywhere!
Not the usual symbols for Fall.
But we do live in Austin, Texas, so anything goes...

and at least it's not snowing here!

p.s. I cannot switch to Beta Blogger people. it says I can't.
know any tricks??

2006-11-08T22:42:00.000-08:00

I'm walking up the stairs to go bed... Shit! was that a scorpion I just saw?
yep.
I run into the closet and grab the biggest stompin boot I can find.
Carefully stepping down the stairs I spy the evil beast and smash it to a pulp.
Or so I think. But the bastard slinks its body into the crevice of the stair and I can't reach it no matter how hard I smash.
I needed something to pry the sucker out. thinking thinking...SCISSORS! (I do belive the idea came from a TKW story)
My heart pounding and adrenaline pumping fast and furious I chop the mother fucker in half. chop chop. head still moving. chop.chop.chopchopchopchopchopchopchopchopchop...
Dead!
and in a million pieces on the floor.

2006-11-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

time out from blogging until the Lum man returns from his very long business trip...
no time to sit down.
...but come back and visit my Flickr page soon. I'll be updating with the photos from last weekend's baby shoot.

I'll be back soon.

AND ALL YOU BLOGGING BITCHES HAVE A DRINK FOR ME OVER BLOWOUT WEEKEND!!!!
:)

2006-10-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

Look at this doll!

I was taking her picture, and stealing her away to snuggle and hold, and taking in deep breaths on the top of her itty bitty head to soak up that "baby" smell that I wish I could bottle and keep forever. i looooove that smell! I would take a sniff everyday.
ahhhh...
Her mama looks at me and asks "you gonna have anymore kids?"
NO. but I'll eat yours up as much as I can!!
And when the little one cried, I recorded the sound in my head to play over and over again so I can remember that I definitely positively don't want any more babies.

-------------

You wanna new poll yet?
I got one. GO CHECK IT OUT -------->

*just changed the poll answers...go vote again if you did before!

The results from the last poll told me that by a landslide most of you feel when it comes to love, permanence is more important than intensity.
I'm not sure what I think about that. I'm thinking most of my readers are married? And old.
Just kidding! but do ya think if I polled a bunch of 18-25 yr olds they'd go for permanence? uh uh.

-------------

I've so far, finished off two and a half bags of chocolate candy that were supposed to be for the Halloween trick-or-treaters (yeah, the 2 kids that might show up). yes finished off two and a half bags so far. yummy yummy little chocolates. they're so small you can't just have one and then you start to see nothing wrong with eating 8 or 10 in one sitting.

So today I got smarter and bought another bag of candy that I know I won't eat.
ok, and then I got just one more bag of chocolates.
:)

2006-10-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

(Chris, don't read this)

I'm sad today and yesterday.
My sister called me in tears Tuesday afternoon (morning for her in Hawaii).
I prepared myself mentally. For I knew why she was in tears.
Someone had died.

My sister is a Marine's wife. She has three kids and lives out in the middle of the ocean. She is alone for the next 7 months while her husband fights in Iraq.
And she'd just learned that her neighbor and friend lost her husband. Her husband was in the same company as my sister's. and that news hit waaaay too close to home!
Her friend will now birth their second child in December as a widow.
It makes me sad, sad, sad, and sick, and so very mad.

It kills me that she lost her husband, that so many have lost their husbands, and sons, and fathers... for senseless and pointless reasons.
I do believe that the present state of Iraq, their government, and our presence there is COMPLETE MADNESS.
I do not care if you agree with me. Nor will I rant on and on about madness over there. or here. or everywhere...

No. But I will tell you it scares me sensleless to imagine this happening to my sister and her family.
How can she live with the constant ball of worry that her door may be the next knocked upon?
Does she plant that ball in the back of her brain and bury it over with the everyday routines and goings. with prayers. with love for a world full of baby bottoms and messy house...

PLEASE COME BACK SAFE AND ALIVE JOE!!!!

WEEKEND WORDS CHALLENGE

2006-10-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

HELLO- Mr. Sunshine returns and starts to dry up all the rain.

GOODBYE rainy day

see that blue sky peekin through?

after the Sunday showers.

-HELLO and GOODBYE are the given words for this Weekend's Word Challenge -by OddMix.

2006-10-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

I am a mother
And I am a wife
A daughter and sister
I am a friend
And I am me.

Me is someone who hides in these other roles much of the time, but needs to come out regularly for a breath of fresh air.
I like to take Me out. She’s usually a good fun time. She’s real. She’s good conversation and silliness too.

My Me:
Likes to cuss
Plays loud music
Smokes Marlboro UltraLights
Farts and then sniffs

This Mommy:
Loves to watch and guide her children as they discover and explore their world
Tries to make every outing an exciting adventure (even if it’s just a lame trip to the grocery store)
Is loving and giving
Is tired everyday

This Daughter/Sister:
Loves yakking on the phone
Keeps close
Shares funny and troubling stories about the kids
Thrives on their love and comfort

This Wife:
Is a hot lover
Sometimes nags and complains
Wants to be near her man

This Friend:
Talks sex, poop, and juicy gossip
Cries together
Listens to and shares the daily stresses and deepest troubles

These are not the only parts in my “role resume” but the most prominent on a daily going…
Together they form Me, but I also know that my Me is a separate entity that can sometimes collide with my other duties.
So I’m constantly aiming to achieve that golden balance where all my selves are evenly nurtured and played with. (I’m a Libra ya know…always trying balance those scales…)

I think it’s a shame when someone loses their Me. Whether driven down by being a constant mother/housekeeper, or when the powerhouse workaholics can’t detach from their jobs…
I’m just sayin- we must all take our ME out for spin every now and then!
(of course on the flip side we all know people that play a little too much with their Me and tend to forget about their other roles and responsibilities) …so don’t go overboard)

So I’m curious, is your Me just a configuration of your daily roles in life, or does your Me exist outside of your roles?

Do you let your Me out of the closet regularly for exercise?

2006-10-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

Just in case you were wondering...

~We had a nice rain yesterday

~Sophie now has her own imaginary friend, Eddie.
I always knew Sophie would be the type of child to have an imaginary friend. It scares some people. but I just have fun and go with it...
Eddie likes to jump on the sofa a lot. He tells Sophie what to do, which is actually another way of Sophie trying to get away with shit... (like when Eddie says she doesn't have to eat her vegetables or clean up her toys, etc)
After inquiring, I've learned that Eddie is actually a toad.

~All it takes to keep Holden entertained is 4 beans and 2 plastic containers.
And he'll play for a good fifteen minutes (that's LONG TIME in toddler-time!)

back and forth, back and forth pouring the beans from container to container.

I'm also making Holden wash dishes now since he's quite content to play at a sink full of soapy water and dirty dishes for 20 minutes. Seriously. He just pours and pours from dish to dish over and over. It's mess afterward, but who cares it's only water!
Both great activities while I cook dinner.

2006-10-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday!
My girl carrie came in from houston to help celebrate the weekend, as well as my Lauren and weinie dog Oscar. And of course my Lummins and Dwayne!
Friday night we had a fun little celebration at home. with balloons to chase around, birthday hats to wear, and cake to eat (two of them!). singing, silliness, presents, beer...just good times.
Some pictures from Friday here.

And than Saturday was the big party downtown at the Belmont!! SO FUN!
pics from that night are here.

I am a quite proud of the fact that for being THIRTY years old now, for drinking all night and going to bed at 4am, and then awakening at 7:30am with the Lummins- I did very well!
not even a hangover. just verrrrrrry tired and slow.

I think the secret is:
gorge your face at Whataburger at 2am and eat til you run out of money.
then take two advil with a glass of water before passing out.

thankfully I don't get to put this into practice very much...
but you only turn thirty once!

2006-10-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well today is the last day of my twenties!
I celebrated by getting my annual OBGYN exam. I know...such a treat for myself.
"please spread your legs so I can stick this cold, uncomfortably metal tool inside your ---"
Yes, fun. Even more fun was waiting an hour and half to actually see the doctor, which half of was spent shivering in a freezing cold exam room, covered only in goose bumps and the paper-thin gown they provided.

But my much better real birthday present...

new tattoo I've been wanting for months.

I wanted something to cover up that little sun I had done when I was 17- the WOOHOO! I'M ON SPRING BREAK IN PADRE LET'S ALL GET MATCHING TATTOOS thing.
I like this new one. It's colorful and swirly and will look even better as it heals!

Go on and have a drink with me for my 30th tomorrow!!

p.s. I do believe I was officially born at 10:29 am, so therefore you have my permission to crack open the beer and cocktails before noon!

2006-09-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Friday night was FUN with these bitches!

Nappy (right in the middle there) is havin a birthday soon and we helped her celebrate with cocktails, food, and one gay man dancing on stage in his underwear.
:) :) :) :) :)

Now, are you totally sick of seeing that same poll over there?
me too.
I put up a new one.
A question I've asked myself many times over, pondered and played out different scenarios for, and discussed with a variety of people...
In love, is INTENSITY or PERMANENCE more important?

Is it the heat and passion that drives a relationship, or a sweet rock-steady love?
Can you have both?
Will permanence lead to boredom? does passion lead to uphevel?
Do you prefer a short lived, but intensely hot relationship
over a long lasting and but less passionate partnership?

what works for you?

2006-09-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

ssssnakey, snakey come here...

I'd like a snake for a pet.
Sophie told me not to let this one in the house though. because he's not a dog.
but Dwayne says we can't have a snake for a pet anyway. awwwww!

No joke- I once lived in a house with rattlesnakes and other various wild animals

I believe this is the complete list of animals kept in this wild house at one time:
2 dogs- Hendrix and Nip
2 kittens- Mary and Daisy
1 flying squirrel- Sampson was the best!
2 boa constrictors -Rosy and Lugwig
1 Cayman crocodile- named Oscar because he was a grouch!
1 tiny snapping turtle named Elvis
2 western diamondbacks rattlers- Bonnie and Clyde
1 eastern diamondback, and 1 massasauga rattler
2 puff adders
2 Colorado River Toads, they secrete venomous ooze from their pores, also used as a psychedelic drug. I know nothing about that.
3 free roaming iguanas, big fat ones, and 1 small caged iguana(as it turns out they will kill and eat mice)
2 free roaming geckos -to keep the bugs out of the house
1 monitor
1 king snake for a day- she was captured, she laid her eggs, and then she vanished. We incubated the eggs until 4 hatched and we later let them go.

WHY? you ask
I was living in a house with 3 other wild boys that wanted animals that you weren't supposed to keep as pets. I was just along for the ride.
Who the hell keeps rattlesnakes as pets?
Crazy, ex-marines (RECON boys) that's who- one was my fiancee and his best friend, and another granola boy. The boys even built a glass topped coffee table/cage for the rattlers...that way you could watch the whole show when the mice were dropped in.

It was a whole house full of animals, cages, lights and cords, and lots of POOP!
It was quite an experience learning about so many animals and their ways of survival though.

like when a monitor eats a mouse and doesn't pass it within a week, you have to force feed it castor oil. ewwwww!
and a cayman will bite the head off a mouse and leave it's decapitated body floating in the water for days. freaky
geckos can bite really HARD. they have clamp stronger than man.
you cannot find a boa that's hidden inside a car if it doesn't want to be found. boas can hide inside a car for a week and come back completely unscathed. and it comes back all, "What? What are you guys lookin at?? Now feed me!"

2006-09-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Dwayne went and had himself a birthday on Saturday.
offshoot- Sophie has been calling her dad "Dwayne" all weekend. She's done it so many times now it's become an unconscious act.
('cept when she's cryin. then it's all "daaddddddy!!")

So we surprised him with a delicious cake from Lucy's and a few gifts in the afternoon. although it wasn't much of a surprise because somebody I know doesn't know how to keep a secret. sophie.
"I can't tell you about the cake we ordered from Lucy's Daddy. It's a secret." (this was back when he was still called Daddy)

Sorry I didn't put all the candles on this year Dwayne,
but I'm cheap and didn't want to spend the money on all those packages of candles. and there wasn't enough room on the cake. and last year the smoke alarm went off in the house after you blew out the candles.
But wait till I get ya next year when you "officially" turn old...

Holden shocked me when he actually chose to use a fork over his preferred 10 little built-in utensils to eat his cake.

There are times when I think I can't stand another minute of this crappy 'motherhood' job, when the repeated visions of running away into the forrest and hitchiking back in time to the days of fun partying, sleeping in late, and few responsibilities take over my mind...
but then one of the kids goes and does something so cute and tender that motherhood reclaims it's place of being worthy.
This past week Holden has made me stop bitching and struggling with the everday tasks of rearing two small needy children, and made me remember to step back and enjoy these times. Their sweet smell, the snuggles and tender little toes to nibble on. Their innocence and fresh eyes on the world...precious little beings. (not to say that they can't be total snots sometimes too)

So one day last week, Holden's language exploded and it won't stop gushing. Everyday I'm struck by 2 or 3 new words he proudly announces to the world! It's not even the fact that he can say the words, but more the pride in his voice and smile when he realizes he's using big words to communicate with us. It's quite touching. sadly these endearing moments only happen once. Once. And I'm just glad I'm here now to enjoy them.
Sweet times and all, every mommy needs a break. And I can appreciate these tender moments the most when I've gotten a break from the mom job.

All of the sudden I blinked and my child grew up.
Sophie is a little big girl now.

~~~~~~
and then we got to be grownups for the evening...

sort of.

Our dear friend Lauren and her weinie dog Oscar came over and played with the kids while Dwayne and I escaped the mayhem. We enjoyed a quaint and pleasing meal out to the Cosmic Cafe. funky, but a good place to eat.
And later that evening I gave Dwayne his *real* birthday present from me...

39 BIG FAT SPANKINGS!!!

2006-09-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Last week I had a quick run to the mall with a one track mind. FREE!
I had a FREE PANTY coupon from Victorias Secret (Free, no purchase necc, no tax, nothin). And some coupon for a FREE rejuvenating serum by a dermashmologist at Bath Body Works. FREE was what I was going for and nothing else.
no room in the budget for shoes or anything.

The thing with the mall is, I always park in front of Nordstroms. I rarely shop there though. I like their nice clean family bathroom and their flirty piano tunes, and the overall atmosphere. But I can't afford Nordstroms.

Oh but sometimes just sometimes they have a great sale!
With lots of cute summer shoes in your size.
wanna see?

there just wasn't a better way to shoot these than up in the air!

These were the Steve Madden's for half the price.

Sophie gave them a try too.

here are the Seychelles (crappy picture),
half price as well

~Oddly enough, this week in the mail I received another free panty coupon and one more that came addressed to Dwayne. Two more free panties.
hmmmmmmmmm...

2006-09-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

I am a lame blogger lately. I know.
I hate that I'm out of touch with my blogging amigos and the blogging world. But my time's eaten by other tasks and projects I've got going on right now.

So I did a photo shoot of Cara and her familia this weekend. so cute!
Whenever I download the pics after a photo shoot and start to browse through them there are immediately a few certain photos that pull at me.
This one took hold of my heart and wouldn't stop tugging.

So timeless and sweet.
Baby hands and feet (and their little tushies too) are some of the sweetest things in life!

2006-09-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

2,996 people died in the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
One of them was a man called Richie…

Richard M. Caggiano was a son and a brother. A friend to many.
His childhood pals recall the fun times they spent together playing ball in the streets many years ago. They say they can still hear Richie's voice echoing down those Brooklyn streets...

He was a grown man at 25 years old, but Richie was still a kid at heart.
Most remember him for his great sense of humor. He always wore a smile and set out to make others cheerful as well. His witty wisecracks and endless pranks made people laugh and remember him fondly. Richie was the guy always having a good time and sharing his joy with those around him. But Richie was a tender heart as well, a kind soul who was loved and adored by all those he knew.

Richie lived at home with his father, mother, and younger brother. Proud of his blue collar roots, he also worked hard to acheive his long time goal of working in the finicial sector of NY.
At the start of 2001 Richie landed his first big job. He and his family were so very excited about the beginning of his new career working for Cantor Fitzgerald as a stock options trader in the World Trade Center.

But Richie-
at 25 years old you suddenly became a victim of a cruel and inconceivable terrorist attack at the World Trade Center. A day forever etched, manically carved into our memories.
Sept 11, 2001.

Richie will not be forgotten by those he left behind in this world. His spirit will live on in their hearts and memories forever.
And Richie- I will remember you.
Our entire country will remember you...

Five years later as the new skin begins to cover over the wounds and scars of that day,
we will remember and honor the 2,996 individuals that lost their lives.

2006-09-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the priveledge of photographing TxMom and her little fam, and totally scaring the bees out of their little girl, Pooter. She cried and cried whenever I neared.
I was thinking oh no! for sure this isn't gonna work.
But after I put Nik away (he can be a little intimidating) and gave Pooter some of my Napoleon Dynamite lines, she warmed up a bit.

they're not Texas fans or anything...

You can see some of the other pics on my Flickr site.

2006-09-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled when I have the time to participate in the Weekend Word Challenge.
OddMix lends us the words for the week to photograph.

So this week I present,

DIVIDE

the excruciatingly slow divide.
The great divide between the ugly wallpaper and the bare wall beneath.
A scraper and hot steamy water are my tools of choice,
but the progress is painfully slow, stagnant at times.

UNITE

the beads

(and this was my alternate choice for DIVIDE after I captured my UNITE picture)

Happy Labor Day!

2006-08-31T19:38:00.000-07:00

NEW POLL!
yes, I'm talking sex again. Specifically I'd like to know-
How old were you when you first had sex?

Last poll results:
Would you watch a public execution on tv?
17 of you responded yes; and 34 no

I wonder if the results would differ if I asked about a specific person...
say george w? osama bin laden? jeffrey dahmer? brittney spears?
I voted no. part of me might want to watch just to see if the image in my head was the same as the reality? would it not be as bad or would it be much, much worse?? I wouldn't want to watch the life of a person disappear forever in front of my face.
At the same time- if a crime were commited against my loved ones and the guilty party were sentenced to death, when the opportunity arouse to wacth their execution I would most probably definitely want to watch. For closure more than revenge though.

Rambling on... my tidbit of useless information for you this evening:
I ate 6 oatmeal chocolate chip cookies today in a matter of 6 hours. I'm averaging a cookie per hour...calculating ahead, I should have the whole plate conquered by this time tomorrow evening!
I figure it's just like eating a really big bowl of oatmeal (albeit one loaded with butter, brown sugar and chocolate chips) but oatmeal is healthy!

2006-08-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, where did August go?

And today -mark it down in history- for the first time in nearly 4 months when I walked outside it felt COOL!
Cool meaning the temperature was BELOW 90 degrees.
ahhhh! we could actually walk down the driveway, take a stroll down the street without breaking into an immediate sweat and the overwhelming need to run back into the comforts of the air conditioning.

Our Canadian Oma (aka Dwayne's mum, Trudy) has been visiting us the last week and a half, gracing us all with her beautiful charismatic self! Her boundless energy and youth, and her genuine caring and interest leave an imprint in all those she encounters. And the lady knows how to have fun! She is a lovely person and we are so grateful for her and her abundant supply of love to us!

As for me, I CAN NOT wait til next week!! Kids start back to preschool.
That equals time. Time for me.
time to take a poop in peace. time to blog. time for photography. time for peace and quiet. time for solo Target shopping. time for cranking the volume on Eminem and singing "shake that ass for me!" and shouting all the curse words I want, if I want. time for appointments and errands. or time for nothing.
time. all mine.

2006-08-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

The ~~misery~~ project I've begun...

Ridding our bathroom walls of the horrid mid-90s dark ugly green with gold diamondy shapes and stripes. yuck!
no offense if you like that stuff. But I’ve been staring at the ugliness for the last two half years. And although the corners are peeling the wallpaper will simply not remove itself!

So this weekend I grabbed my scraper and commenced stripping!
I stripped and peeled close to an hour and after stepping back to look at my progress I'm figuring I’ll be lucky to have this bathroom done in a year.

Plans are to paint the walls and perhaps one day replace the ugly outdated
brass hardware and cracked tiles. ahhh, a girl can dream... When we moved into this house we had a few rooms that we had planned to redecorate. After attempting to strip and rewallpaper the first room (one teeny tiny powder room), stepping waaaay over budget, and generally making a mess of things, I came to the conclusion that redecorating involves a lot of time and money (and skill).
But soon I was knocked up *Holden* and that seemed to be the end of any remodeling plans. Because babies too take a lot of time and money.

Now- no more babies and I can get back to my plans of a new bathroom!

2006-08-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

OK,
So now I know that most of you masterbate a few times a week. That is, if you all played fairly and voted only once (why is it I keeping thinking Memphis Steve probably came and clicked more than a few times?)
But why not? It feels good. Nothin wrong with a little self-lovin.
What really puzzles me are the people who voted "I Don't."
Weirdos... or they're LYING!

Oh but instead of sex this week I'm asking about death.
More specifically,
If there was a public execution on tv would you watch?

You can vote over there on the right.

2006-08-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well I've got a quasi-photo studio going on at home here and have been imploring the Lummins to be my subjects for awhile.
They suck at sitting still.
All I need is for them to sit still long enough for me to compose a photo, lock in the tripod, and take a few shots on different settings.
Yeah, that's pretty much near impossible. They cannot sit still for 2 SECONDS! All they wanna do is jump on the bed and act silly.
I know, that sounds like more fun to you too...

So far, THIS is what I got.

p.s. I'll be back later with a new poll question.

2006-08-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

It's still blazing hot here and shall remain that way for quite some many months to come.
Nevertheless, OddMix has brought up the fact that the end of 'summer' vacation is drawing near. Summer Vacation? Very misleading if you ask me, if summer lasts from May to October 'round here then shouldn't summer vacation be that long??
I think the words for this Weekend's Word Challenge are REFRESH and RETURN. But I'm not sure I got the right words because I seem to be thouroughly scattered these days. The words could very well could be mope and frazzle, but that would have only left me taking self-portraits.

My RETURN picture was quite evident when someone finally returned home...

my one and only.

What REFRESHS me...

Nightfall.
The end of the day.
At last the temperature has fallen below 95.
Quiet. The children tucked in bed.
Perhaps a cocktail too.
Refreshing.

2006-08-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

I think this might have been my parents best trip yet.
It was a few hours on a plane compared to the usual two days of driving (and they both survived the flight without medication or alcohol). They seemed very relaxed and enjoyed four days of Lummin lovins!
And we've begun to plan they're big move to AUSTIN!!! Hooray Hooray!

But now we're down to 3.
We dropped my parents off at the airport this evening and it wouldn't be normal these days if my husband weren't traveling.
I do believe I'll take the advice of my friend and schedule a "business trip" for myself soon. like to Cancun, or Jamaica perhaps...

Tonight it's just me and the Lummins and a good bottle of wine.

2006-08-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest things I like about my new lens is that it lets me be a spy of sorts. hiding and watching. Catching the unsuspecting at play.
Feeling like I’m right in the middle of the scene, but yards away.

My biggest dilemma with the zoom lens is the weight. You’d THINK that carrying around, picking up and setting down, the two Lummins throughout the days would make me strong enough to hold a few pounds of lens. But it’s when I try to hold it perfectly steady for that NOW moment, I always seem to get the slightest shake.
argh!

2006-08-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well I'm here... the headache finally left yesterday and I'm alive again!
Dwayne is traveling again this week and I'm back to single-mom mode.
But I have something to look forward to. my parents are coming down for a visit this weekend!
Both of them are getting on a plane -they don't fly- and taking their first plane ride together, a practice trip of sorts before they take that eventual big trip out to Hawaii to visit my sister.

Random thought:
How long do you think the Lummins would last if I ran away?
I was just thinking today... I mean just for fun.
Would Sophie really kill her brother if left without supervision? or would she take over being Mom? would the dogs take rein and rule the house? or would they all go mad and attack each other??

I'm not going anywhere.
today.

But I do have a new poll question.
Seeing that I'm a desperate housewife and all I'm curious about your sexual habits this week...

How often do you masterbate?

Now go over and vote!!

2006-07-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'll fill you in on why I've not been here.
more sick kids, dwayne traveling, one root canal for me after cracking my tooth, and the past two days with a bitch of a migraine stopping me in my tracks. so I really haven't had a moment to catch my breath. But tonight my V friend is helping ease the pain and I'm able to function again.

I'll be back real soon with another intriguing poll question about poop or farts or the meaning of life or something.

2006-07-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

First let's talk poop, shall we?
From the poll results it seems most of you poop on a daily basis.
I'm too embarrassed (yes Carrie I can get embarrassed) to tell you how much I poop a day. But let's just say men aren't the only ones that poop a few times a day ladies.
Poop is fun and all to talk about, but I much prefer to laugh over farts.
Sophie and I amused ourselves for a good 15 minutes with the Whoopee cushion in the aisles of Walgreens waiting for Holden's medicine Monday.
I like the loud farts the best. The Lummin farts can always make me laugh! Mine are the next funniest- especially when I blow a rare, long and loud one! dwayne's are only funny sometimes, more often very stinky. hi honey:)

But I decided not to ask about farts this week.
The new poll questionis: How often do you pray?
don't forget to go vote!

Now if I were to recap our last week it would be pages long and I'd probably put even myself to sleep. So here's a very brief update-
Holden is better. He had a viral infection that caused his little lung airways to swell and become inflamed (bronchiolitis), making it hard for him to breathe. had the fever, clingy crabbies, sleepies...the whole bit for the entire week.
He's all better now and we're getting back to normalcy after a week of rotating sick kids, dwayne traveling, doctor appointments... and now and I actually have time for myself tonight. My goal is to make my rounds through blog world and catch up tonight. don't hate me if I don't leave comments- I think my hands might fall off soon.
I had to take off my anonymous comments option because last week all of the sudden I was attacked by over 30 SPAM hits in a day! spam sucks.

I had a photo shoot with The Queen of Napville Thursday and her baby, Dulce.
I'm still working on the pictures, but here is the first one and so far my favorite.

Aren't they beautiful?!

2006-07-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

Reasons I've been absent:

preparing for Sophie's birthday party- shopping, prepping food, cleaning, baking and decorating too many cupcakes
memorial service for Baby Reese (if I ever get time I do want to tell you about the beautiful service celebrating her life)
tending to the sickly Sophie the day before her birthday party and hoping/praying she'd get better by the next day
BIRTHDAY PARTY!! (she did get better)
shooting pictures for our local library
spending half a day at the ER- poor Holden was having difficulty breathing

I hope I can catch a few hours to myself this week (ha!) so I can share all the great stories and pictures...

2006-07-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

We all think we’re so smart eh?
On the last poll ranking your intelligence relative to the population at large,
most people ranked themselves a 7 or 8.
I wonder what kind of results I’d get if I asked you to rate your driving skills relative to the population at large...
We'd all be 10's! I mean, I know for a fact that I’m a much better driver than most. It's all the other jack asses on the road that don’t know how to drive.
You think so too. Am I right?

If you took the last poll seriously then think about this:
What KIND of intelligence were you thinking about when you rated yourself?
Your mathematical/ logistical side? or are you a linguistical genius? a musical mastermind?
no one asked about that!
Surely if you people are all so smart you’d know about the Multiple Intelligences, Mr. Howard Gardner theorizes.

So what are your strongest and weakest intelligences?

*********
To keep it light hearted and immature this week, I'm asking
How often do you poop?

You can vote over to the side! ------>

2006-07-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

I've sat down and tried writing a number of times the last few days.
I still haven't found the words I'm looking for. But I can't write about anything else until I write about this...
Our dear friends Sissy and Bud lost their precious baby girl this past weekend.
She was over five months old, a true fighter and a true miracle.
It’s too complicated for me to even begin to describe her condition. To be vague, she had a dysfunctional lymphatic system. But not a single other case exists like hers in this country.
I know it's been a painful past five months for sweet baby girl and her family. But I know they experienced joy and love together as well. And although it was much too short, she lived a life.
Here come the tears again...
Bud and Sissy will always have their sweet baby girl in the memories.

that's all I can say today

2006-07-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

A little early,
but this photo perfectly fills the word for this Weekend's Word Challenge,

FULFILL

Meet Toni-
our loving female mutt we've had for over five years.
She was a wild thing from the animal shelter we adopted after she'd been dumped on the side of the road with her litter of pups.
After bringing Toni home we discovered she a had a black tattoo on her belly. How strange, I thought. Somebody had a sick idea of covering their dog's hide with their artwork.
But her tattoo makes her seem tough. I mean she's a bitch with a tattoo, yo!
Come to find out, maybe a year or so later after running into another dog with the same tattoo, all the dogs spayed at the animal shelter get one. It's like the female sign with a slash through it.
oooooooookay. got it.

Toni, for whatever reason, has been avoiding the camera ever since I got my Nik. She runs and hides as soon as Nik comes out of his bag. But this weekend camera-shy Toni didn't run and hide.
What I can't quite comprehend is why- this past weekend I got my new big daddy lens (so sweeeet), new flash, tripod, and a variety of other miscellaneous neccesities- now I'm walking around carrying an even bigger hunk of a camera. but Toni wasn't afraid.
Weirdo.

But FULFILL it is.
Nik and I finally got her!

Cheaters

2006-07-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

After reviewing the poll results,

If you were having difficulty on an important test and could safely cheat by looking at someone else's paper, would you do so?
Yes= 18 people
Maybe= 9 people
No= 16 people

I have to say I'm not too surprised. I think the majority of us have probably cheated or considered cheating at some point in our lives.
But here's where I start stemming off...
If you replied yes- would it be ok for your child to do this?
Do you want to raise your children to think it's okay to cheat? Most parents would say no I'm sure.
As a first grade teacher, among other things I teach children that it is wrong to cheat. My rules were stated at the beginning of the year and I enforced them consistently. If ever I caught a student cheating I would pull he/she aside and talk to them about the incident. I would call their parents and let them know what had happened. Most of the time, their parents thanked me for the phone call because they didn't want their child to cheat on a test. Sometimes the child would get the chance to retake the test later.
I wasn't out to ridicule or admonish the child, but I as a teacher I felt I had a moral obligation. I couldn't condone cheating.

This is what astonishes me:
Apparently after talking with colleagues, some thought it was acceptable at times to let a student get away with cheating. I remember one particular instance I confided in a friend, also a parent, after catching a student cheating on his Friday test. She thought that I was wrong- I should not have called the student aside nor called his parents. She says, "you know he was probably really embarrassed anyway. It would only further lower his self-esteem..."
Friend thought it was completely ok to let the cheating student slide.
After all, we had cheated on high school tests together...

SO IS IT,
"Do as I say, not as I do????"

Please understand I'm not hear to call you cheaters out, I voted 'maybe' after all (and I no, I DON'T cheat on my sudoku), I'm not judging, I'm just sayin...
how do you teach children the right thing to do, if you yourself don't always do the right thing?

Now here's my new HAIRDO

And your new poll question for the week:
Relative to the population at large, how do you rate your intelligence?
On a scale of 1-10 (ten being the most intelligent).
GO VOTE!

2006-07-02T21:56:00.000-07:00

Now that my headache hit the road and I chopped off 3 1/2 inches of my hair, my head is lighter and more clear. I can think again. And that means I'm blogging tonight. Probably many of you are out at holiday celebrations, parties, shows, family affairs...not me. I am at home on my mac. and I like it here.
Our big plans of spending the long weekend on the lake were spoiled with rainy weather.
Ah well, that's ok because summer lasts clear through til October here so that means plenty of other weekends for boating.
My other big plan this weekend is to get to the camera store and leave with a bag of loot!
So far all of my money-making plans for the phototgraphy biz have gotten me $43. (thanks Chris)
Oh yeah- and if anyone would like a gently used very expensive breastpump, baby swing, or even a cute Lummin- I'm willing to sell.
Perhaps after enough begging, pleading, and *convincing* I'll get Dwayne to throw some extra change my way...
:)

Look at this-
Isn't she beautiful?

(I had the pleasure of photographing Delaine's two adorable children last week.)

2006-06-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

Phlegm has invaded my body. I've had a strong and steady headache since Saturday. I'd like to crawl into my bed and rest for the next month. But as my mother in law says,
"No rest for the wicked."

So I've been busy hopping around to this appointment and that. Taking care of business here and there so I can get my own business started.
All the while, taking care of the Lummins who do NOT understand the concepts of "headache" and "quiet." And that when they pound their spoons on the table it feels as if a 2 ft wide nail is being hammered into my head with a bowling ball!!

So as not to fill this entire post with my aching and moaning, I'll reveal some random tidbits about the Lums today.

Holden could probably eat an entire watermelon by himself if I let him.

Dwayne loves to shop. He won't admit this himself and will probably be in quite a tizzy after he reads this, but I speak the truth. He is a Mr. Fashionista these days and prides himself on finding basement bargains on designer threads.

Three year olds are HELL!!!!! (ok, she's not technically three yet, but darn close enough)
And just why didn't any of you experienced mothers tell me this when I was bitching about the terrible two's??

oh yeah,
where did June go???

2006-06-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

I've been a big blogging slacker lately. I've not been able to keep up with the reading and commenting on my regular route.
I'd like to say I've been doing something useful. Oh sure I've been running the kids around and errands, trying to get my photography business started, you know... but the real truth is I've been spending a large part of my spare time feeding my latest addiction.

Sudoku.

Now I had heard from many a folks that this was a fun but highly addictive game, and I intentionally stayed away refusing to even look at a Sudoku puzzle.
But last weekend I'd completed the crossword puzzle, the unscramble words, and all the other games. But there was this one box of numbers left staring and waiting for me on the page.
Sudoku was calling my name.
And I haven't been able to stop since. My mom (thanks Mom) got me a Sudoku puzzle book for Christmas, which I purposefully stashed away in the drawer.
But last Sunday I hunted that sucker down. Now the poor book looks as if it's been passed through the hands of an entire kindergarten classroom. Pages torn, crumpled, erased over and over many times, spilled on, chewed... It's because the book travels with me everywhere.

So now besides photgraphy, blogging, writing, doing crossword and sudoku puzzles, I don't have any other major addictions. ok, well smoking too.
But I know you have your addictions as well.

And now on a totally unrelated topic, I'm resuming the weekly polls around here.
this week's poll question:
If you were having difficulty on an important test and could safely cheat by looking at someone else's paper, would you do so?

Now go vote over there!

New Feet

2006-06-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

For the last few weeks I've been trying to get Holden to wear his tennis shoes outside so he'd start walking across the rocky driveway instead of dragging and scratching his little butt and legs around. But everytime I'd get the shoes on his feet he'd pitch a fit.
I figured it was time for a new pair so we ventured to the mall this past weekend to get him sized. No wonder he didn't want to wear his old shoes, they were a size and a half too small!

And now that he has new shoes to fit his chubby feet he won't stop walking.

All it took was a forty dollar pair of shoes to get him to stop scooting his butt around in the mud and across the driveway. huh. Shoulda done that a long time ago.

Sophie also came back with a new pair of Reefs.

What did I come back with?
A full bloated stomach from the beer and pizza.

Our Weekend

2006-06-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

Dwayne enjoyed his Father's Day, complete with a pancake breakfast and gifts.
Sophie spilled the beans on Friday when she told her daddy she wrapped his cd and underwear for him.
Nonetheless, Dwayne's favorite gift was the tie Sophie made.

This weekend's word challenge (courtesy of OddMix) had me shooting clear over 200 photos to come up with...

COMFORTS

While Daddy's lap is comfort for the Lummins,

So is a good suck on the paci.

DISCIPLINE

for Sophie is solitude.

2006-06-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had so many millions of thoughts swimming around in your head that when you sat down to write about them you couldn't find a thing to say?
I'll just have to skim the surface here...

First,
You've GOT to see this!!

Just like wordgirl said, what makes a sexy man... It's a man who loves his children.

I have to tell you I am so excited about these new photography gigs I've set up with some fellow bloggers!
So! excited!

And since it's the weekend I'll fill the rest of this post with numerous pictures of the cute Lummins.

Bonus Lummin:

Hendrix!

Selling Myself on the Internet

2006-06-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

After a bit of initial job searching, I'm finding that part time work I'd like will not pay enough to cover the costs of childcare.
I'm still looking and putting the word out, but my heart keeps telling me to be a photographer.
I love taking pictures. I've actually starting dreaming through the camera lens. Three mornings in a row I've awoken after a scene where I'm viewing the world in black and white through my camera, hearing the click click click of my finger pressing down on the shutter release as I pan across the scene, zooming in and out, trying to find that perfect picture.

Tomorrow night I'm taking an evening class on how to promote myself as a photographer- which explores different types of photography, portfolios, what to charge, where to send your work, etc.
I'm pysched!!!

Now here's where I sell myself to you-
I need more experience. I need customers.
I'm looking for people living in the Austin area who have something they'd like me to photograph. Your kids, a party, you with your significant other, your car, your boobs ...whatever.
I won't charge you a dime. But I will ask for your feedback in return.
And if you decide you'd like prints after viewing the spread of pictures, I will do that for cost. And I might possibly ask you if I can add pictures to my portfolio for my own advertising.

Know right off that I don't like typical cheesy "JC Penny Portrait" types of photos.
I'm into a more artsy fartsy look.
If you are interested or know someone who is, please email me (email is down on the right sidebar).

2006-06-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

MASCULINE and FEMININE were the words for this Weekend's Word Challenge.
(Go see OddMix for the details.)

Other than the obvious to photograph our genitals, I was trying to decide what I could shoot to show a clear distinction between the masculine and feminine.
I looked over and zoomed in on Dwayne's huge honking Big Daddy watch. And then glanced down at my small silver piece.
It was then I decided on our watches.

masculine

feminine

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

As for me,
I'm hanging in there and trying to sort it all out.
I'm a big train wreck right now, but I have reached a few conclusions so far.
I need to take care of myself so I can be a better mother to my children.
I need an outlet- whether it be a job, a hobby, taking a class, or exercising... I need to do something for me.
Everyone needs to take time to nurture themselves and that's not too much to ask for.

2006-06-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Dwayne and I were outside enjoying the evening, chatting away when we hear loud frantic screaming at the back door.
It was Sophie who was supposedly asleep upstairs, but is now downstairs and in hysterics because HER TEETH WEREN’T CLEAN ENOUGH! AND SHE NEEDED TO BRUSH THEM AGAIN!!!

WTF!?!?
She reeks of Dora bubblegum toothpaste and is literally foaming at the mouth as she’s obviously been trying to brush them with the entire tube!!
Ok Dwayne, I’ll let you go take care of that…

Two minutes later, Dwayne calls, “Jackie. Jackie.”
“Yes?”
“We need your help. Come up here.” And adds, “Don’t get mad…”
Thinking carefully I ask, “Should I bring my camera?”
“Yes.”

Expecting the worst, I creep up the stairs with Nik in hand and just before my battery died I was able to capture this photo...

The scene I arrived upon was Sophie’s own modern art makeup party...
A masterpiece of liquid makeup across the mirror, counters, rugs, floor, tissue box, picture frame, and all down her clothes.
My make-up drawers were completely rearranged to Sophie’s liking,
The big fluffy powder brush had been used as a paintbrush as well as her hands,
And all I could do was I laugh and laugh!

She was so proud of her work and that just made me laugh more.
She stood there running dental floss across her teeth, smiling and shouting "Mommy I painted for you!"

...But now I'm wondering if we need to install a lock on the outside of her door.

2006-06-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'M AN AUNT AGAIN!
My sis out in Hawaii just had her a third baby.

Here's the little boy with his Daddy.

I wish I was there.
Anybody wanna watch my kids while I take a trip to Hawaii??

2006-06-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

I think this is my favorite sky photo yet.

Thank you for all the kind and reassuring words...
I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who feels this way.
And that said,
I'll be scouring the want ads for jobs next week.

2006-06-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

I'm telling you right off this is gonna be a long, personal one. So if you came looking for boobs or cute pictures of my kids and husband, I'm sorry to disappoint...

I’ve got some serious issues rolling around in my head. and I’m writing them all down in attempts of sorting them out. And possibly attain some great advice/knowledge from you wiser folk.

The last few weeks have been really bad for me. Emotionally speaking. Taking care of the kids is really taking it’s toll on me. I feel my "self" is withering away, like I’m drowning. I feel lost and disoriented. Every morning for the last few weeks I’ve been thinking to myself “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Each day I dread the immediate turn of the Lummin dial to MAXIMUM in the morning. The screaming, whining, crying, and fighting. It grates on my nerves and I hear those same words coming out of my mouth “I don’t want to do this anymore. This is not for me."
I cannot even sit down for five freaking minutes to eat my breakfast!
I’ve become easy frustrated and impatient with the Lummins.
Sophie's been quite a challenge lately and I've totally wanted to hit her.
She's made me soooo angry I just wanted to slap her!
No, I didn't hit her and I won't. And if some of you are shocked and think I'm a horrible parent- you can suck it because you are not in my shoes right now!
This may just be a phase sure....but I think it's time for change.
I want to ENJOY my time with my kids. And right now I’m not.
They will go to their “summer school” morning preschool a few days a week for the next month.
And that's when I 'm going to look for something to do. Get a job perhaps?
Though, this is where the big dilemma comes in-
WHAT THE HELL WOULD I DO?

I'd like something part time, to get out of the house a bit and DO SOMETHING. A real job where you are recognized and get paid. It doesn't matter if it's a day or evening job, but if I have to get childcare then the job must pay enough to at least cover the costs.

I am a teacher by trade and degree. And I truly enjoy teaching.

(small sidenote story here)- Yesterday at the mailbox were two letters from previous students-two of my first graders, now fifth graders. Their letters were sweet and thanked me for teaching them various subjects or facts. One student wrote that I was still his "best and favorite teacher." I totally cried and missed those bright-eyed young students... somehow teaching and taking care of 20 first graders was easier than taking care of my own 2 kids!

But teaching elementary school children is tiring itself and I would bring so much of my work home. I put my all and everything into my work. Standing up and moving around all day, keeping up with a classroom of 6 and 7 year olds. I’d be exhausted and don’t think I’d have the energy to be a good parent to my own children the way I’d like to.

I certainly don’t want to teach older children. A part-time preschool teacher?
But then do I really want to just trade children- give mine to someone else so I can teach preschoolers part time? No.

What kind of job can you get that is part time, pays enough to cover childcare if needed, and is WORTH getting a job for???

~~~
My dream job would be a free-lance photographer, a journalist, a storyteller, a Victoria’s Secret salesperson, or even a hired organizer…
If you have any of these positions available please email me promptly (down below on the right)
Fat chance right?
I've got to think more creatively here.

And I'm not getting into all the guilt I feel about this...
But these questions keep nagging at me:
How can I not be able to take care of my own two children?
How can so many mothers who have less than I, but with more children, handle it so well?
Why can I not suck it up and learn to control my emotions better?

Signed,
A totally confused mother of two

2006-06-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

They'll be no bitching.
No mention of how paci's absence has made us all more tired and on edge.
Nope, none of that because it was a really good weekend.

It started on Friday with an impromptu get-together with Dwayne.
I had scheduled a babysitter to give me a bit of time away, so I called my darling and asked if he could meet me for coffee. He said he'd love to, but couldn't because he had a meeting in ten minutes- oh well.
But then a short time later my phone rang and please oh please don't be the babysitter-
It was Dwayne and his meeting had just ended.
We met up and drove off in search of a quiet place to sit outside together...
After driving a winding road, we found a secluded park off to the side with paths leading into the woods and alongside the creek. The perfect place.
We walked the paths down by the creek and just enjoyed being able to sneak away in the middle of the day! Dwayne would not be happy with me if I told the rest of the story, and I suppose a real lady doesn't kiss and tell (hee hee) so... I'll end our Friday afternoon story here.

But oh! I think I spotted the TINIEST toad in the world at the park!
He was so small and cute I had to snap his picture. He was a tad shy though and wouldn't look at the camera for me.

I'm running low on time here as Holden will shortly awaken from his morning nap, so I'll highlight the remainder of our weekend:

Friday- night was a drunken blast with the girls, Lauren and TX Mom.
We acquired new tattoos, met TX Mom's husband and sister for more drinks and silliness on our parts, and then drunk dialed TKW (who was not as amused with our drunken antics).

Saturday- hung. over. Dinner with friends in the evening. Holden scored with the ladies and and convinced all three to take a bath with him. (granted one was his sister) He impressed them so with his jokes, and studliness that they all wanted to jump in the bed with him afterward.

Sunday- a gorgeous day on the lake. Cruised in the boat and enjoyed the abundant supply of Texas sunshine. The kids splashed on the beach and collected seashells. And get this, they both TOOK A NAP! At the same time. Long enough for us to have some peace and quiet baking in the sun and cooling off under the water.

The end.
Happy Monday!

2006-06-01T01:06:00.000-07:00

I'd like to tell you it's been good here.
But it's not been.

Yesterday was the day we said "bye-bye" to Sophie's beloved paci.

We counted down the days on the calendar and had a going away party! Had a few friends over and enjoyed the frosted, sprinkled cupcakes we made. After dinner we addressed an envelope to the hospital, placed paci inside, and mailed it off for a new baby to have. (ok not really, but that's what Sophie thinks. the envelope has been secretely stashed away)

Last night and today have been sheer hell on earth.
I have an overtired, paci-addicted child who needs some medication and therapy for her withdrawal symptoms.
And her mom too.

2006-05-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

One might ask why so often does miss Sophie have a band-aid on her face?

she is nearly three years old. she loves Dora. she thinks she's hurt and it makes her stop crying when she gets a boo boo.
wait til Holden catches on to this...

Speaking of Dora. The boy is infatuated with her.
He calls out for her, "D-D-Do-wah" all day long. I've even heard him on the monitor calling for her upon awakening.
He's yet to call Sophie by name, but can correctly name Dora, Boots, cousin Diego, and Backpack.
And we hardly ever watch Dora. But she's everywhere-
on the yogurt, clothes, books, dishes, toys, stickers, dvds...

Commercialism seeps it's way into the raw minds of our youth from the time they're born.

The State of Me

2006-05-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

I am a self-reflector and a self-searcher. I'm constantly searching for new parts of me. Hobbies, interests, skills ...that are buried within and waiting to be discovered.
One of my newest trades I've taken to is the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper.
The first day I tried I felt really stupid. I couldn't get more than 5-7 answers.
Progressively throughout the next week or so I learned the crossword lingo and redeemed my smartness... working my way to completing near half the puzzle. and then at last the day came- the day I completed the ENTIRE crossword puzzle!
It only took me all day, in between my motherly, wifely, and homely duties- but I did it!
Now I'm officially smart.
The proof:

Note my book over there too- I'm currently enjoying 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote. An incredible story so far! Quite revealing after watching "Capote"- an eye opener into uncovering the layers and background of the story.

My other new project is a photography assignment: SKIES
A self-assigned project I've begun after checking out some photography books from the library. I'm attempting to learn more about exposure- the how to's, when and where's.
This will be an on going project for me to work on improving my skills and learn more about capturing highlights and shadows in photos.

I'm only sharing this one for now, but you can check out my Flickr page if you'd like to see more.

Without turning this post into a novel, I still have more...
Happy Memorial Day!
It was our first weekend to take the boat out on the lake. We packed a picnic lunch, lubed up the Lummins with gobs of sunscreen, invited some friends, and headed to the lake early.
A pleasant day, but no pictures to share since I was fearful of harming my Nik out on the waters. (Remember there is good reason for this, which I need not explain to those who know me.)

None of that has to do with the real meaning of the holiday and to keep our minds on track, OddMix has given the Weekend Words Challenge a true Memorial Day meaning-
Duty and Remembrance.

Short of time and locations to shoot, I only have one photo:

To me, Band of Brothers is the ultimate symbol of remembering those who've served and fought for this country. An absolutely unforgettable story of brotherhood and war...

BAND OF BROTHERS tells the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army. Drawn from interviews with survivors of Easy Company, as well as soldiers, journals and letters, BAND OF BROTHERS chronicles the experiences of these young men who knew extraordinary bravery and extraordinary fear.

Really, a must see!

2006-05-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those days.
the one where I say fuck about 52 times.
Mostly under my breath or in my head, but every now and then something shitty slipped out of my mouth...
It started out with an early morning of screaming. Followed by a breakfast of screaming. Moving on to a full morning of screaming.
While scrambling around the kitchen to prepare breakfast, serve sippy cups the right color and right temperature with the right beverage at the speed of a nanosecond, when I haven't had a drop of coffee yet, and the dogs start barking and won't shut up-
I let a "goddamn motherfucker" in the voice of a grizzly bear slip out under my breath.
Dwayne shimmed his finger at me and told me to stop cussing so much.
Pissed me right the fuck off!
Sometimes, some moments are just worth a goddamn motherfucker.

And it was that kind of day.
You either had to laugh or go completely insane.
I did both.

Sophie's biggest tradgedy of the day was when Big Baby's pajamas were not fastened completely. My god! there was a quarter inch NOT VELCROED!!!
Hysterical screaming ensued for fifteen minutes. Complete with foot stomping and body thrashing.
How do you not laugh?!!?

It's been three days in a row Sophie has not taken a nap.
She turns evil around 3 o'clock.
The only good thing about a no-nap day is that it will be short day. She'll crash out by 7 o'clock.
But I am fearing the worst- that she might be trying to give up naps completely.
noooooooooooo!!!!!

I'm hoping tomorrow we'll be down to reasonable number of "fuck"s running through my head.

The day I met Walker

2006-05-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is Walker,

the 8 inch long walking stick!

And that is an exact number because I indeed did get out the ruler to be sure.
Eight inches was my guess, as I’m skilled in that length-guessing area (just ask Dwayne); and after Walker stuck around for hour upon hour, I decided to put my length-guessing skills to the test- I was right on the money!
After measuring, I studied Walker for quite some time. Fearful at first, for I didn’t know if walking sticks were dangerous and prone to attacking innocent bystanders…
But Walker just hung.
That’s all he did. A good four hours or more he stood.

And then he played peek-a-boo with us!

Mexican Boar

2006-05-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Mexican Boar
Originally uploaded by lucky lum.

What do you think,
should this be my new profile pic?

2006-05-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

I get giddy on the weekends.
I have a purpose.
I read the words and began to view every object as a potential subject.
I hunt and I shoot.
Trying to capture that just right photo to fill the role.

What am I talking about?
Mr. OddMix presents us photographers with a Weekend Words Challenge.
Two words. And it's our job to shoot pictures that represent those words.

Now that I have an official real photography assignment, I can believe that I'm an official real photographer. Even if it is just in my head...
Today is show and tell, so here are my samples of this week's challenge.

MISSING

(Toni thought it was delicious treat.
I'm wondering where the hell you find another one of those wood knobby things?)

MIRROR

happy monday!

2006-05-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

Now that I’m done gloating about my trip and the vacation withdrawal period has ended...
it’s time to inform the uninformed about the new tricks and trades of the Lummins.
Holden has finally, FINALLY taken his first steps!!!
The kid is over 14 months old now and has been perfectly content to scoot his little bum around on the floor to get to where he needs. He’s quite an efficient scooter and has seen no need to try to stand up and use those legs for mobility.
I swear the kid was going to be a butt-scooter til he was 5.
While Dwayne and I were in Mexico, I left explicit instructions for Oma and Aunt Cathy to teach Holden how to walk.
I give them a B+. They got pretty darn close!
When we returned Holden stood up proudly and showed off his new skills. He was able to take two wobbily, hesitant steps towards us!!
It’s in the making now…

The boy has also sprouted three new teeth to accompany the lonely four that have resided in his mouth for months now. Painful he'd tell you. Sprouting new teeth would make anyone a little cranky...
And while he can proficiently use a spoon to feed himself, he still prefers the old hands=utensils method. Especially when eating any non solids- yogurt, ice cream, applesauce especially. They become instant edible fingerpaint for him!

I have little news in the way of Sophie’s recent advancements, other than that she would like to rule the world.

2006-05-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

Not only was the trip to Mexico about fun and beer with good friends,
It was about relaxing and doing nothing. About reconnecting as a couple.

What better way to do that sans children,
Sitting down for conversations over leisurely five course gourmet dinners,
Enjoying the ocean breeze while sipping cocktails,
Swinging on our hammock with the gentle rhythm of the waves rocking in the background?
No responsibilities and no stress.

For our anniversary we celebrated with a candlelight dinner on the beach,

(Too much champagne, and the evening was topped off with my vomit in the toilet bowl!)

Besides the champagne mishaps,
Mexico was an absolutely wonderful time!

I keep thinking how I'd like to be on a permanent vacation.
I mean I could really get used to a life without having to cook, clean, do laundry, or take care of kids…
The hardest decision on vacation was choosing the right drink and deciding on how many deserts to order.

The picture show is here.

And check out TKW for more pics and stories.

BEACHES, BEERS, BIKINIS

2006-05-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Maxim will be knocking at our doors any second now...

Me and my girl TKW having fun pretending we were high paid models and Dwayne was the lucky photographer...

The day we spent 8 or so hours on the beach, sunning ourselves, drinking beer, playing in the sand, and getting silly...

check out my flickr for more...

2006-05-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

How can I even begin to describe the BEST VACATION EVER...
I keep searching for the right words but today my brain is out of commission.
My body feels as though I'm trying to walk through water. very very slow. I'm having to put forth great effort to accomplish even the smallest of tasks.
Coming back to reality sucks.
I swear when my body and mind catch up to Texas, I'll come back with grand stories and pictures to share of my best vacation ever.

2006-05-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

You can now refer to me as the Butterfly Whisperer.

Butterfly was alive, but barely.
I picked it up carefully and placed it in my hand. Butterfly was shaking and quivering involuntarily across my hand. I thought it was a goner.
Then after holding Butterfly, talking to it for 10 minutes, and of course taking dozens of pictures- I set it on the rail of the deck.
A half an hour or so later Butterfly was on the ground walking sluggishly. The same one.
I had healed Butterfly!!
And a short time later it was off and flying away.
Now tell me what other explanation could there be?

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

Results from the last poll:
The majority of you are perverts!
22 of you would sit and watch at the nude beach
17 people would stay and get naked
11 of you would leave

I'm not saying how I voted, but it might be that one in the middle.
And you'd have to mix a little booze in there like Sheri and Suzan pointed out!

So I've got a new poll question to ask:

Have a vote there and I'm off tomorrow on a 7 am flight!!
Hasta

2006-05-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

Take a look at these Sexy Ladies!

These vivacious women are my mother in law Trudy, and her sister Cathy.
Two peas in a pod I tell you.
They flew down here from the oppposite ends of Canada to watch the little Lummins while Dwayne and I fly to Hedonism.

And

Trudy, aka Oma, came with practically an entire suicase of loot for the Lummins!
16 shirts
6 pants, 1 skirt
3 one-piece outfits
2 gorgeous silk jackets from China
3 dresses
2 pair pajamas
2 bedding sets
5 pairs of socks
1 towel, 2 washclothes
and
a number of other gifts for each of us.

Not only is she a very giving woman, but
a loving grandma
an intelligent, thoughtful individual
genuine
friend, mom, sister
an independent
open minded
saucy lady!
I love her.
We love her.

and her sister is just as fabulous!

2006-05-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

Items to be packed for Mexico other than flip flops and sunscreen:
-bikinis
-pretty clothes to dress up for nice dinners
-high heels to fall down in after too many drinks
-wheelbarrow to roll me back to the room (or just drop me off at the beach)
-Advil to ward off any evil hangovers
-birth control pills

Here's a sample of what's packed in my head so far...

2006-05-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

ONE WEEK!!!
and I'll be on the beach!

TWO weeks in a row the Lummins have missed school because of illnesses.
Dammit.

THREE beers I've currently been enjoying: Stella Artois, Newcastle Brown Ale, and some Fat Tire.

FOUR more hours I have to sit and wait for the AC repairman...

PICTURES
the Lummins enjoying one of their favorite activities- Let's Bounce Up and Down on Daddy and See How Many Farts We Can Sqeeze Out of Him

JUST FOR THE RECORD

2006-05-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

Because somebody thinks that the blogging world now views him as a cad...
Today I'll shine the light on the multitude of reasons why I love Dwayne.

He's a catch! And I'm completely in love with him.
Sometimes I feel like this relationship is too good to be true.
(Ah, but thankfully Dwayne will always go and do something to assure me that nobody is perfect and no relationship is perfect.)

He's a wonderful father.
He places family first on his priority list. He'd rather spend his time with us and makes an effort to be around. A very hands-on dad.
He may not remember what size diapers to buy, but he frequently changes diapers.

Our relationship is built on friendship.
We were initially friends when we met and stayed friends for a long while before we became a couple. (ok, with a brief dating stint in between)

He's sexy.
He has skills.
He respects me.
He loves me.
He's tender and caring.
He calms me.
He listens to me. (or at least pretends to while I babble on incessantly)
He lets me sleep in on Saturdays.
He believes in me.
He likes to shop.
We have a good time together.
He tells me I'm his dream girl.
He's a smarty. and always has the meaning of big words I don't know.

We solve problems and make desicions together.
We're partners.

2006-04-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Alright, this is my last attempt of acheiving sexy...

(yes TKW, I took your advice about the B & W.)

Consider what I’m working with here-
just me, Nik, and my itsy bitsy teenie weenie polka dot bikini. (If you don’t know who Nik is, he’s my mysterious lover of the Nikon sort.) No fancy lighting, tripod, or studio. No fancy photoshopping or airbrushing. And I'm no buxom Victoria’s Secret swimsuit model.

Why am I doing this?
To prove that you CAN still feel sexy after two kids.
I know some of you are snarfling at me right now. shut up
I'm often asked how I stay in such good shape. HA! I’m not in good shape. I don’t exercise. I couldn’t run a mile even if there was the promise of free beer at the end. (ok maybe I could if it was GOOD beer)
My exercise and diet plan goes like this:
-chase after the Lummins all day, with little time to even sit down and eat.
-trudge up and down the two-three flights of stairs in our house round the clock. Usually carrying 25 pound baby or at least two loads of laundry.
-drink lots of coffee to keep going
-replace food in the evenings for beer .

I'm not sure this diet and exercise plan is going to work for me in the long run though.

2006-04-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

The good things are:

1) I got a surprise check for $125 today!!!!
Free money! Could it get any better than that?
The story is, my dear friend Mar came down to visit me oh, about NINE YEARS AGO!
I had paid for her return plane ticket and she said she'd pay me back.
Every year since, she'll bring it up that she didn't forget and she was still going to pay me back someday. That money had loooong been spent and I never cared if she paid me back anyway.
Nine years. And I get a check in the mail.
You kill me Mar. And I LOVE YOU!!!!

2) The Lummins are well again.

3) I saved $13 with coupons at Target today!!
I think I came in my panties. I had a Targasm.

The bad things are:

1) Everything in our fridge is now frozen. ??why??
Have to microwave milk before I can pour in cereal.
Cooked green beans do not freeze well.

2) My anxiety over the inevitable.
I am dreading finding the first scorpion of the season.
Bug Season has begun and I've already found numerous ants, spiders, and beetles. It know it's just a matter of time now. And after I find the first one I know they'll be more.
Have I mentioned before that I have serious scorpion anxiety?

A reminder to all:
MOTHER' S DAY IS MAY 14

here's a list hint of things I'd like this dwayne year.
Since your delivery didn't go so well last Mother's Day. I didn't even get a card. Or a caring treasure from the kids. No day off or pedicure at a spa.
I got taken to the mall, to the Apple Store more specifically and was told I could pick out an ipod.
Hold on, don't get me wrong here. I LOVE my ipod and was thrilled with the gift!
It was the lack of appreciation and sincerity for being a mother.

So this year, I'll tell you what I want.
I want you, all of you, to take the time to thank and appreciate your mothers. All the mothers.

And I'd also like some bath scrubby gloves, and a little thingy to go over the bathtub where I can put all my bath necessities (book, candle, glass of wine, soap, and hopefully new bath scrubby gloves).
I'd be most happy with anything from your heart, a well thought out expression of gratitude.

I shall share all the gory details

2006-04-26T14:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we awoke to the puke party that Holden had in his bed, the aftermath photo which I shared with you.
I officially diagnosed him with the Puke Virus.

Last night I was in a half sleep when I heard Dwayne bring Sophie into our bed.
He dosed her up with tylenol for her fever.
I remember hearing slurp, slurp, glug, glug, as Sophie finished off her entire sippy cup of water.
In my half awake state I remember thinking oh no she's gonna totally puke that up! but the words never made it out of my mouth.
A minute later I am fully awakened to the "BLEEEEEEEEEECK!!" sound of liquid barf
and the "OH SHIT! Get a towel QUICK!"
It was all over our bed.

So I've been captive to the house for the past few days with the kids and the puke virus.
I'm just waiting for my turn next. But I figure if I'm gonna get sick then it might as well be now, before my trip to paradise, mexico.

I wish I could get a day off though.
Today I just don't feel like being a mom.
Surely other mom's feel this same way at times...
And if they say they don't, I think they are LYING. they just don't want to fess up to what they view as guilty, selfish thoughts.
But come on, somedays I just don't want the responsibility of having to take care of anybody.
I would like to wake up and NOT have the dial on the children's volume and energy level cranked full blast!
I don't want to be a mom today.

A friend, a childless friend, recently asked me what motherhood was really like. was it everything I thought it would be?
Some days it is a brutal job. Painful. Overwhelming.
Sometimes motherhood robs you of the simplest human needs: sleep, showers, food, sex...
But you endure.
Nothing belongs solely to you anymore. Not your belongings, your body, your head, your time, or your heart... You share them all.
Motherhood is a lifelong journey I'm on. A path that I can only see a few feet in front of, but wish I could peak ahead around the corner just to make sure I'm not totally screwing this job up.
And if it weren't for my children I wouldn't be able to endure. They make it worthwhile.
It's the joy and inspiration they bring to each day.
Their innocence and beauty.
The wonderment and delight you take with each of their new discoveries.
The milestones you await and anticipate. Then clap and cheer like mad when they finally reach them!
It's devotion. And lots and lots of love. Love and adoration that can't be measured, rising to heights you didn't even think you were capable of reaching.
It's the new found desire to be a good person, a good citizen, a good parent; to do the right thing because you want to raise your children to do the same.

But still, I'd like the day off every once and awhile.

2006-04-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love most about our neighborhood is that when we step out for a stroll it’s always a beautiful nature walk.
We see vibrant wildflowers alongside the street. Acres of trees, shrubs, and flowers. The rolling hills and rocky canyons.
Hawks and buzzards circle overhead against the bright blue skies.
We stop and name the people and dogs that occupy the homes we pass. We collect flowers, rocks, berries, and rolie-polies.
We stop and chat with the occasional neighborhood walkers and pets.
We watch the roadrunners skitter across the street, sometimes with lunch clutched between its beak. We watch and wait for the deer. Sophie will call for them to come, but that’s never actually worked.
We'll cross the street and listen for the babble and gurgles of the creek.

I often take Nik along on our walks and snap snap snap my way through 50 photos or so.

These are my favorites from our walk three times ago...
The yellow flowers blooming from the cluster of cacti.

this one's my favorite

2006-04-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

THE CRIME SCENE...

Did Mommy finally snap and finish off the children?

Did Holden bite through his tongue and bleed out through the night?

Or was it the Holden Special: Strawberry Poop Explosion?

You know what it was?
It was the remanants of yesterday's birthday party.
The party where after all the little children left their food plates and juice boxes, Holden came around and cleaned up after them.
Cleaned up after every single one.
It was crackers, cheese, goldfish, juice, strawberries, cookies, melon, chips, more juice, cake, and a bit of grass and dirt...
He was the The Very Hungry Caterpillar who kept eating eating and eating.
And just like the caterpillar he must have had a stomachache at the end.

It's just more stuff to know...

2006-04-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

We wake up around 6:30 every morning.
It's a rare and refreshing day when we get to sleep in til 7.
I loathe getting up early.

**********
We leave for Mexico in 19 days!
On a vacation.
What's that?
We have done scores of family vacations. But I'm talking REAL vacation.
Where you can sit down and relax.
Have zero responsibilities.
Sleep in til sunset, or stay up til sunrise.
Do nothing. Sip margaritas on the beach. Get a massage.
Check tan lines every hour or so. Rub lotion across each other.
Drink beer. Read trashy celebrity magazines and giggle with my chica.

**********
I have too many pictures on my computer.
If there is such a thing.

**********
Dwayne and I have a date tomorrow night.
When he asked what we should do, I told him we could go get my FREE PANTY from Victoria's Secret. I got another coupon and nothing excites me more than a free pair of panties! That and sifting through the rows and rows of sexy lingerie I covet.
Now I'm not quite sure why, but Dwayne said yes right away.
I suspect he has plans of his own for something new at the mall.

**********
Holden's favorite tune is E-I-E-I-O. We sing it a good 12 times a day.
Every animal is a dog. He aims to make barking sounds but they come out as grunts.
He can also baaaa.
I think I might be raising the next Biscuit Brother here.

**********
I used to think that bribing your children with candy was a bad thing.
But Dum-Dums work miracles. They can turn your poor shoppers into accomodating little passengers.

2006-04-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

“Hey Baby, what’s your sign?” horoscope poll results:
Gemini and Aquarius win!!!
Capricorn loses!
Guess not a lotta of your parent’s were getting busy this time of year.

It’s time for a new poll.
Go check it out----->

My Victoria’s Secret bikini shoot

2006-04-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

I was on the hunt for another swimsuit. Of course I ended up scoring at Target.
I have learned that you must shop early to find a good suit. For if you go when bikini season has officially commenced, you will find all the cute ones in your size are gone. The remaining suits on the racks are a mismatch of tops 14 sizes too big or bottoms that are 3 sizes too small. (or at least is the case for my big butt and miniscule boobies)

I think that every woman should have at least two swimsuits for the season. Especially if you live here where the swimming season lasts for three quarters of the year.

My bikini requirements are quite simple.
Requirements for suit number 1:
Must be a cheap and cute. Bright colors preferably. No funky long hanging strings, belts, or beads- these will all get in the way of attaining my perfect dream tan. This suit is specifically for the weekly boat excursions on the lake. One I won’t cry over, for at the end of the season it’s inevitably trashed- faded, stretched, and covered with a mysterious brown tinge even though I wash it every weekend.
Bonus if it comes with a padded top and beer holder!

Requirements for suit number 2:
Sexy. This suit is reserved for special occasions, like my most eagerly anticipated trip to Mexico (a honeymoon of sorts because we are leaving the Lummins behind!) Must be in current style, fit well, and one I feel sexy in. Because as I’ve said before, sexy is a state of mind.

Having already filled both my swimsuit requirements and feeling brave I decided I was going to take pictures to share with you.
I tried on suit number one and looked in the mirror. Not bad.
So I asked Dwayne to take some shots. I told him where to put the camera and what to focus on. But when I went to view them I was deeply disappointed. They kept coming out all wrong. Raw, unattractive, and not what I had imagined. I had these visions of “beach sexy” in my head, but the photo proof was seriously lacking!
After Dwayne’s numerous attempts I gave up and caved to the notion that I had visions of Victoria’s Secret swimsuit models in my head with only myself, the antithesis, to work with.

Sorry guys, no pictures.
Maybe I’ll aim for the shots in Mexico where I’ll at least be tan and too drunk to care!

2006-04-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

My Mom flew in Wednesday evening for an Easter weekend visit.
I love being with my mom.
My heart soars when we're near and today was a hard fall down after she left.

It was a much too short visit filled with
laughter and love, pictures and play,
candy and coffee, adventure and comfort.

It's funny because at 17 I wanted to get as far away from home and flee the state of Mizery (Missouri); ran to Texas and never looked back. But now I would be ecstatic to live so near them.
I think, I think, I think, and I hope hope hope I have my parents convinced they're going to move down here!! We even went and drove around looking at different neighborhoods.
This gets me so excited!!
But first my mom will have to retire, which could happen as soon as next year....
maybe she just needs a bit more persuading folks

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

Easter Bunny brought the Lummins some FINGERPAINT!

First thing Holden did was eat it.

Sophie was hard at work creating her masterpeice.

Done!

2006-04-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

TUNA PORN

-quoting Sophie.

And has become my new favorite phrase.

What the hell is Tuna Porn you ask?
It’s a catch phrase from Sophie’s collection of rambling, rhyming nonsense words and songs.
While toying with the word unicorn out came “tuna porn.”
Complete nonsense. And hilarious!!

When I’m in a grumpy mood or pumped up because the jackass driving in front of me cuts me off, I yell “Tuna Porn!”
Totally cracks me up and makes my sourness disappear.

Try it.

Biscuit Brothers vs. Wiggles

2006-04-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

We went to an exciting birthday party this past weekend. The whole Lum Fam attended. It was at Central Market where you can sit outside on the patio and enjoy the food. They have a huge playscape and lots of green fields for the kids to enjoy. I am embarrassed to say as an Austinite I had never taken the kids there before.
So anyway, there was this quirky country band The Biscuit Brothers playing.
Boy these two guys (who claim to be brothers, but I’m not so sure I completely believe that) sure can rock out on the banjo and gee-tar! They could kick the Wiggles asses!
I do not like the Wiggles. Not in a house. Not with a mouse. I do not like them here or there. I do not like them anywhere.
Their catchy catchy songs get stuck in my head. After an entire evening of my brain and mouth stuck on “toot toot, chugga chugga big red car,” I want to kick my own ass.
And none of the Wiggles are cute. They are so gay (and NOT in the homosexual way). Jumping around and wiggling their fingers like idiots.
Drive me absolutely insane!!
I know the kids love them and all… and I’ll tolerate them for the sake of the Lummins. But I cannot enjoy.

Now the Biscuit Brothers are cool.
Good entertainment. Family fun. Real musicians.
And one of them is kinda cute. Even if he’s wearing overalls.

After the party, we headed into Central Market to do the grocery shopping.
But with two cranky, didn’t-take-a-nap Lummins I thought I’d be committed before we reached the end of the boggled Central Market maze.
Solution: Dum Dums
Sophie snagged a couple after the piñata was busted open. They were the perfect remedy.
Kept the kids busy and happy. Until Holden dropped his. And then dropped it again. And then dropped Sophie’s too. When we reached the checkout and the Dum Dums were gone, it was meltdown time.
Shiiiiiiiiiit!
TWO screaming Lummins. Three people ahead of us, and every single one of them paid with a check.
Who the hell still pays with checks? And not just one random elderly person who refuses to join the 21st century, but THREE of them!

And all asked for paper bags of course, which you know are great for the environment and all… but take way longer to load.
Especially if you’re a 60 year old lady bagging.
It seemed like we stood there for eternity. Every head was turned in our direction due to the intensity and loudness the Lummins inherited from me!

So you know I have about 150 pictures from the weekend to sift through and upload. I’ll give you one now.
Ok, two.

These are my favorites. The first one because of my own photo obsessed reasons-
the dude came out sharply in focus and illuminated (in my 12 or so other shots of him, he was always dark), the colors are vivid, and I just like it.
Even though you can’t see his face, I like the emotion and action in the shot.
And I’m proud of myself. Because even though I want to be a really good photgrapher, I’m so far from it. I took so many shots with Nik, but many were dark, out of focus, or otherwise uninspiring.

And this one because it’s so sweet...

It’s the moment.
Daddy helping Holden practice his new standing capabilities.

Transformation

2006-04-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

It goes without saying that kids are constantly growing and changing.
Over the last few weeks, each of the Lummin’s have undergone a transformation that has noticeably changed their personalities.

Holden’s transformation has not been the source of celebration.
He’s become a bit of a sour apple.
Whereas he used to be the happy-go-lucky boy who would smile and reach out to everyone, he now clings and hides his face when strangers approach. While he did amuse us with his silly antics, he now frustrates and irritates us, me.
Before: he’d amaze us with his talent of shoveling food into his mouth faster than we could give it to him. Now: he begins screaming SCREAMING and demanding the food before we’ve barely set foot into the kitchen. Pitching a wild fit while I hastily make his food, and then thanks me by throwing it all on the floor! And wildly flailing his arms and screeching some more!
He used to amuse us with his silly antics.
He now throws drop-down, drama-queen temper tantrums! If you do not give him the exact thing he wants at the exact time (and I am forever trying to figure out what that exact thing is), he revolts. Hollering and carrying on as if we’d cut off his pinky finger, working up a sweat, using his entire 25 pound brute strength to overpower me. (God what am I going to do when he turns 15?)
The simple tasks of changing his diaper, getting dressed or undressed, cutting fingernails, or strapping him into the carseat have become strenuous workouts. It’s a matter of holding him down and tolerating the screaming while trying to maintain my composure.

I call him a sour apple because he makes my mouth pucker and swallow down the curse words I want to shout at him. He makes my brain pucker from all the mental energy I use for ignoring and tolerating the many many tantrums.

Sophie’s transformation has been much more delightful.
If I had to narrow it down and find exact words for what she’s become, I’d say she has become a child, a real human being who thinks for herself.
I know that sounds weird. But that’s what it is.

She’s now capable of her own thoughts and decisions. You can talk and reason with her. She will take an idea, swirl it around in her brain and ponder until she can articulate exactly what she means.
She’s no longer the toddler that just says and repeats words. You cannot get away with trying to trick or cajole her into something.
She constantly asks why. CONSTANTLY. She wants to know the reason behind everything. And while I find her need for learning about the world amazing, it does become tedious and annoying having to explain the reason for every single thing I do.
She has morphed into an independent little girl.
She chooses what she wants to wear and what music she wants to listen to. She amazes me with her original songs and nonsense words.
And boy can she manipulate. Excuses, excuses for everything…stalling tactics…creative ways to get what she wants without directly asking…

Other random tidbits:

Holden can stand up by himself and will walk around holding on to furniture. We are anxiuosly awaiting the day he takes his first steps. But for now, he prefers to do the speedy butt-scoot to get around.

Sophie now sleeps in a big girl bed. Being so independent, she adores that she can now get out of bed all by herself and dance around the room instead of taking a nap.

You can click on the photos or my Flickr badge to view many other Lummin photos on my Flickr page.

New poll up over to your right! Go vote.

Picture Overhaul

2006-04-05T22:36:00.000-07:00

Organization is my middle name.
Went through the picture baskets Sunday and got them all squared away in photo boxes.
I so love looking through old pictures...I find the pictures of happy times, hard times, past loves, deceased, family & friends, party pictures, self portraits, wedding, kids...I get so consumed in the different directions they pull my heart.
I also came across many pictures worth of great blogging material! (more to come on the found mullet picture)
I think I might write a blook. Yes, a blook (that's a blog book).

So the first picture share is one that makes me laugh.

I look at this and remember a time of young love. Partying. A fresh new way of life living with Dwayne for the past few months or so. And this was one of the most fun nights of my life! The night before one of my dearest friend's wedding. We *celebrated* at my place after the bars had closed.
I already changed into my comfy shorts by that time. And we are both so obviously sober.
I remember dancing and singing with friends for hours. Laughing infinitely and singing along to Phish's repetitive "laughing laughing fall apart, laughing laughing fall apart, laughing laughing fall apart, laughing laughing fall apart..."
...getting faster and faster until you laugh and fall apart!
And that was when I met a woman who could play the spoons. She had skills.
It was spoon playing and swinging each other round to Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniels Band).
Good times, good times...

BONUS:
Can you spot me and the mullet?

Third grade.

2006-04-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

For the last few weekends we’ve been doing a major Spring Cleaning of the yard.
We have a big yard.
Lots of weeding, pruning, edging, trimming, hauling, …yet due to my ~~ocd~~ organizational nature, I like EVERYTHING neat and tidy. ~~Perfection~~ Organization takes time and everyday I spend long hours working outside. But I still keep finding more and more work that needs to be done.
I like it though. I get a great sense of accomplishment as I look back and see how much nicer it looks. It feels good to work hard and dig my hands through the dirt. With gloves on.

So everyone knows to really rid yourself of a weed you must pull it out by the roots.
I spied a nice thorny weed in one of the garden beds and decided to attack it this afternoon while the kids went down for their nap. I figured I could easily pull this baby out. I started to dig. And pull. Dig. Pull. No luck.
I dug some more. And more. And tried pulling. This mother was not budging. Soon sweat was pouring off my forehead and I came to realize that this weed was the spawn of the Devil. Clearly the roots must shoot all the way down to hell! And it seemed there was no way I was going to reach the bottom to pull it out. Due to my perseverance and earthly duty to rid the world of the thorny Devil Weed, I didn’t give up.
What started out as a simple task of removing a thorny weed from our garden, ended up being a complete 40 minute workout. Who needs cardio when you have a Devil Weed to kill? I began to take it personally that it kept resisting. It made me work harder and after an extended period of battling and cursing, I finally, FINALLY won!
I shouted “I WON MOTHER F*CKER!!!”

Seriously.

Please take a look:

That's not a tree limb. It's only part of the root to hell.

And here's just a fragment of mammoth Devil Weed's core.

Lum Secrets 2

2006-04-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Holden’s secret- I like to eat dirt and rocks just to get my Mom’s attention! I laugh when she says “Ack! Spit it out!”

Jackie’s secret- The longer I’m married to the Canadian, the more I start saying “Spit it oot!”

2006-03-31T10:10:00.000-08:00

Clarifications on my last post...
1.Twenty dollars is my top price for an entire outfit. I hardly ever even pay that much, maybe for a special occasion or such.
I like to shop the clearance racks, the thrift shops, or with grandparent's pocket books!

2. Leave me alone with my little pooch! You people may think I look great in my clothes, but you've not seen me naked!! (or at least not recently)

3. Now have a happy Friday!
This week has been a bitch and I can't wait for the weekend.
Dwayne's been out of town all week leaving me and the Lummins to fend for ourselves.
Preschool was cancelled Tuesday due to power outage from big storm. Dammit, I was totally counting on having that time for myself! And then Holden got sick, has a sinus infection. So instead of getting my morning off again, we had to run around to doctor's offices and pharmacies yesterday.
I require a break after 24 hours, 5 days of being on call!

If you walked out of your house one morning and saw a bird with a broken wing huddled in some nearby buses, what would you do?
	Walk back inside and forget about it
	Walk back inside to go get yer gun and come back to put the bird out of it's misery
	Get the bird and try nursing it back to health
	Go call the vet to ask what you could do to save the bird

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