4:20am - Alarm goes off.
Vicki - "I'll hit snooze, we can cuddle"
Me - "No, just turn it off, I'm up"
6:00am - I wake up again. Cuddling always puts me sleep.(TMI?)
6:20am - Ready to leave. I feel like I'm forgetting something....aww, screw it, I'm late.
7:30am - Phone call at work, it's Vicki. Reminds me what I forgot, I didn't re-set the alarm.
She slept in. The kids slept in. Not good. Well, coffee will help her get through it. Oops, forgot to make coffee. At least I prepped a bottle for the baby to make it easier if she needs it. Oh yeah, I used that bottle and left it dirty by the sink. So she's running late, so just give the kids some cereal for breakfast, that'll save time. Hang on, I finished the cereal, I hope we have more.
Well, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? This morning will be good for building character.
I wonder what color roses she'd like?
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Our Little Artist
Here's a drawing Kayla did last week. I was surprised at how well she did, that's a kickass crab!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
To My Adoring Fans
If you want to read a post for today, all 3 of you can go over to Vicki's site to read my guest-post.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Monday, December 18, 2006
You Can Stop Dialing Child Welfare
We do actually give our children coats when we go outside.
I'm referring of course to the picture on our Christmas card this year.
I'm referring of course to the picture on our Christmas card this year.
The five of us all look happy and healthy, but Megan and Kayla are noticeably 'sans veste'. So, here are a few quick facts that you need to know before you lose any sleep over the well being of our older children:
Fact #1.
Their nice, warm, winter jackets were about 3 feet away, just out of frame.
Fact #2.
They were only without their coats for the few seconds it took to snap the pic.
Fact #3.
Although we look happy and bright, this picture was the culmination of two hours of pose changes, venue changes, yelling, empty threats, and ultimately bribery. We got the shot, everyone looked good, and when we realized that the picture was going to be Exhibit #1 in the case for Child Welfare taking away our children, I refused to try to recreate that 'magic' with the jackets on, or everyone's jackets off, or whatever else it would've taken.
So, there you have it, the true meaning of Christmas. Hiding the truth about how tough life really is and how much extra, unnecessary stress this season adds, with a 4x6 glossy Christmas card your family almost killed each other to make.
Merry Christmas.
Bring on the eggnog.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
I'm Calling It
Borrowing this phrase from my beautiful wife, her and I were talking while we were out Christmas shopping last night and I thought of something that I'll bet you will see in the next 5 years, so, I'm calling it now. It will be the next big self-indulgence for the rich people out there.
The drug-induced coma.
Stay with me here. I'm not a doctor and my knowledge on this amounts to simply imagining what it must be like, but it makes sense. It will be like the most restful vacation you could ever get. Instead of going to Fiji or something, people will go to the clinic and be put into a coma for a week or two. Think about it. How rested would you be if you could sleep for a week, literally! I would sign up in a second! That would rock.
Yup, this is definitely going to be the next big thing.
And I definitely need to get more sleep.
The drug-induced coma.
Stay with me here. I'm not a doctor and my knowledge on this amounts to simply imagining what it must be like, but it makes sense. It will be like the most restful vacation you could ever get. Instead of going to Fiji or something, people will go to the clinic and be put into a coma for a week or two. Think about it. How rested would you be if you could sleep for a week, literally! I would sign up in a second! That would rock.
Yup, this is definitely going to be the next big thing.
And I definitely need to get more sleep.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Don't Get Your Hopes Up Kids
"It doesn't ever snow here."
Fast-Forward 20mins, it's snowing.
"Alright, so sometimes it will snow, but it doesn't stick, it just makes the roads wet, like rain."
"There is almost no chance you will ever get to make a snowman here, sorry kids."
Fast-Forward two hours, it's sticking.
Fast-Forward to the next day, today. We made a snowman.
Thanks to Mother Nature's ironic sense of humor, I'm now a complete liar.
Yup, that's about right.
P.S. I love the first two pictures. They look so different, yet they were taken at the same time, one with flash and one without. Photography is cool. I should learn about it sometime. And check out how deep in the snow the stroller is, you can even see the wheels.
Fast-Forward 20mins, it's snowing.
"Alright, so sometimes it will snow, but it doesn't stick, it just makes the roads wet, like rain."
"There is almost no chance you will ever get to make a snowman here, sorry kids."
Fast-Forward two hours, it's sticking.
Fast-Forward to the next day, today. We made a snowman.
Thanks to Mother Nature's ironic sense of humor, I'm now a complete liar.
Yup, that's about right.
P.S. I love the first two pictures. They look so different, yet they were taken at the same time, one with flash and one without. Photography is cool. I should learn about it sometime. And check out how deep in the snow the stroller is, you can even see the wheels.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Saving Money All Over The Place
Ok so, my wife rocks. Seriously, in so many ways. But tonight she rocked it again in one of my favorite ways. No. Not that. Get your mind out of the gutter. She went shopping.
And how can that be great for me you ask? I'll tell you. Half the time she goes shopping, she makes us money.
First, a little background. Vicki loves to shop. Loves to shop. LOVES IT. Ok, you get the picture. And most of the time that kind of obsession would be very detremental to our pocketbook(does anyone still have a 'pocketbook'), but once again I say, I am a lucky man. And this may be the only time I can make this statement safely. . .
My wife is cheap.
Totally cheap. So cheap it actually frustrates me sometimes. We'll be out shopping and the trip will take 3 times as long because she finds what she wants but refuses to buy it because it's not on sale and she wants to check around at other places. Seriously, she'll go to six different stores just to get it cheaper. Don't get me wrong, I'm always happy when she finds it cheaper, but I don't enjoy shopping, so the price I put on my time during shopping is a lot higher than her time price. Thats how much she loves shopping. She can easily go out for a couple hours, buy nothing at all, and come home happy as a pig in shit. I do not understand. When I have to shop for something I go to the store, find the item, bring it to the cashier and pay for it. I don't even look at the price most of the time. If I need it and I came all the way to store for it I obviously know approximately how much it is and what do I care about the details, that would just make it take longer. Get in, get what you came for, get out. That's my way.
So anyway, where was I on all this? Oh yeah, she rocks. As much as I don't understand her in this area, I get to reap all the benefits. I can quite safely send her out for a 'shopping spree' on the weekend and tell her, "Spend whatever you want, have fun, it's your day!" and she'll come home four hours later feeling guilty over the $65 she spent on 3 pairs of pants, 4 tops, a pair of shoes, a couple things for the kids, and lunch.
No word of a lie, a couple weeks ago she went to Old Navy for almost an hour and came out with 5 or 6 solid items for a grand total of $32. She told me to go in and look at a couple nice things they had for me, so I did. I spent 10 mins and bought two shirts for $50. I was stoked at the great deal I got, and she was aghast at how I overspent! She kills me.
Ok, to recap, my wife loves to shop and she's the absolute best and finding deals because she's so cheap. I love her to death. And finally we get to the part where she makes us money shopping.
Even after she's gotten great deals on things, she can always improve her record with her other great talent, keeping receipts forever. And that's what she did tonight. She went out shopping, didn't buy anything new, but found that two previous purchases she made had now gone on sale and proceeded to go through whatever effort necessary to get back the difference.
So, on two items, she came back from shopping $25 richer than when she went out.
Like I said, she rocks, and I am a lucky man.
Did I also mention that she's a total hottie? She is.
And how can that be great for me you ask? I'll tell you. Half the time she goes shopping, she makes us money.
First, a little background. Vicki loves to shop. Loves to shop. LOVES IT. Ok, you get the picture. And most of the time that kind of obsession would be very detremental to our pocketbook(does anyone still have a 'pocketbook'), but once again I say, I am a lucky man. And this may be the only time I can make this statement safely. . .
My wife is cheap.
Totally cheap. So cheap it actually frustrates me sometimes. We'll be out shopping and the trip will take 3 times as long because she finds what she wants but refuses to buy it because it's not on sale and she wants to check around at other places. Seriously, she'll go to six different stores just to get it cheaper. Don't get me wrong, I'm always happy when she finds it cheaper, but I don't enjoy shopping, so the price I put on my time during shopping is a lot higher than her time price. Thats how much she loves shopping. She can easily go out for a couple hours, buy nothing at all, and come home happy as a pig in shit. I do not understand. When I have to shop for something I go to the store, find the item, bring it to the cashier and pay for it. I don't even look at the price most of the time. If I need it and I came all the way to store for it I obviously know approximately how much it is and what do I care about the details, that would just make it take longer. Get in, get what you came for, get out. That's my way.
So anyway, where was I on all this? Oh yeah, she rocks. As much as I don't understand her in this area, I get to reap all the benefits. I can quite safely send her out for a 'shopping spree' on the weekend and tell her, "Spend whatever you want, have fun, it's your day!" and she'll come home four hours later feeling guilty over the $65 she spent on 3 pairs of pants, 4 tops, a pair of shoes, a couple things for the kids, and lunch.
No word of a lie, a couple weeks ago she went to Old Navy for almost an hour and came out with 5 or 6 solid items for a grand total of $32. She told me to go in and look at a couple nice things they had for me, so I did. I spent 10 mins and bought two shirts for $50. I was stoked at the great deal I got, and she was aghast at how I overspent! She kills me.
Ok, to recap, my wife loves to shop and she's the absolute best and finding deals because she's so cheap. I love her to death. And finally we get to the part where she makes us money shopping.
Even after she's gotten great deals on things, she can always improve her record with her other great talent, keeping receipts forever. And that's what she did tonight. She went out shopping, didn't buy anything new, but found that two previous purchases she made had now gone on sale and proceeded to go through whatever effort necessary to get back the difference.
So, on two items, she came back from shopping $25 richer than when she went out.
Like I said, she rocks, and I am a lucky man.
Did I also mention that she's a total hottie? She is.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Apparently I'm Broken
My neck. Ow. I'm seriously considering that it might be partially broken. See, that's the benefit of knowing the bare minimum about things. I don't know if my neck can actually be partially broken so I have the ability to believe that it can and thereby put a solid, dramatic label on my pain.
I have a broken neck. Cool.
It's been hurting since the weekend when I twisted it wrong in the shower and no matter how I twist it, snap it, or crack it, it won't go away. It was much better today and I thought I was on the road to good times, but 20 mins ago I sat down wrong in my chair or looked up too quick or something, and now it's worse than ever.
Being broken sucks.
Maybe a chocolate bar will help. I'll try that.
I have a broken neck. Cool.
It's been hurting since the weekend when I twisted it wrong in the shower and no matter how I twist it, snap it, or crack it, it won't go away. It was much better today and I thought I was on the road to good times, but 20 mins ago I sat down wrong in my chair or looked up too quick or something, and now it's worse than ever.
Being broken sucks.
Maybe a chocolate bar will help. I'll try that.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Meh*
*used with permission.Copyright 2002 Jeremy Freeman.
'Meh' is how I'm feeling lately. I have negligable energy or drive to do anything and my attitude is basically, 'Whatever'.
This is not good. I don't know if it's the weather or the season or what. Even typing the entry is hard, cause what's the point.
So, I've been self-medicating with junk food and not only has that made me feel worse but it is also adding to my muffin top.
My list of things-to-do is getting longer and more urgent by the day. I can't even wrap my head around all that is on the list.
Meh.
Needless to say, I am not a lot of fun to be around lately. My girls have already realized that "Maybe later" is Daddy's way of being too lazy and they've started to call me on it. That hurts. When you're 6 year-old calls you on the fact that your just putting her off with empty words, and she's right. That hurts.
Meh.
From what I hear though, eating healthy, exercising and getting proper sleep could help. Maybe I'll try one or two of those things.
Til then, Your Welcome for this wonderful, absolutely free, burst of sunshine in your day.
Meh.
'Meh' is how I'm feeling lately. I have negligable energy or drive to do anything and my attitude is basically, 'Whatever'.
This is not good. I don't know if it's the weather or the season or what. Even typing the entry is hard, cause what's the point.
So, I've been self-medicating with junk food and not only has that made me feel worse but it is also adding to my muffin top.
My list of things-to-do is getting longer and more urgent by the day. I can't even wrap my head around all that is on the list.
Meh.
Needless to say, I am not a lot of fun to be around lately. My girls have already realized that "Maybe later" is Daddy's way of being too lazy and they've started to call me on it. That hurts. When you're 6 year-old calls you on the fact that your just putting her off with empty words, and she's right. That hurts.
Meh.
From what I hear though, eating healthy, exercising and getting proper sleep could help. Maybe I'll try one or two of those things.
Til then, Your Welcome for this wonderful, absolutely free, burst of sunshine in your day.
Meh.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Happy Birthday Kayla!
Today, my little sweet pea turns 4. It's so hard to believe. You can see a couple great pictures of her over on Vicki's site.
So, Happy Birthday sweetheart, we love you very much.
You are funny. You are silly. You never fail to surprise and amaze me.
You love to color. You love to sing and dance. You love to have things your way.
You are energetic. You are strong-willed. You have the biggest heart in the world.
You are beautiful and you are amazing Kayla, and we are so proud to be your Mom and Dad.
We love you.
Happy Birthday!
So, Happy Birthday sweetheart, we love you very much.
You are funny. You are silly. You never fail to surprise and amaze me.
You love to color. You love to sing and dance. You love to have things your way.
You are energetic. You are strong-willed. You have the biggest heart in the world.
You are beautiful and you are amazing Kayla, and we are so proud to be your Mom and Dad.
We love you.
Happy Birthday!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Pop Quiz
What caused this?
Run in with a Rottweiler?
Tussle with a barb-wire fence?
Nope.
Kayla. With her mouth. Her mouth. Over the course of an afternoon.
Umm, WTF? I do not even know where to begin to deal with this.
So, please, commence with the advice.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Call Me, Beep Me, If You Want To Reach Me!
Here's my girls in their costumes. They looked pretty great!
Megan as Kim Possible
Megan as Kim Possible
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
The Day After
November 1st has a lot attached to it. Halloween is over, there's multiple piles of candy and chocolate in various places around the house. Those are good things. Especially when the kids are still young enough to share their candy without them knowing. But you know what else November 1st means? Christmas is coming.
Yup, after Halloween there's nothing in the way between now and December 25. No buffer, no protection. The stores will decorate, if they haven't already, the commercials will start up, and plans will be set in motion for just how to spend the upcoming festive season. Ugh.
Sure, in the states they've got Thanksgiving still before Christmas, but really, those two holidays are both so big and so close together, they're almost the same thing.
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. Watching the kids get so excited, putting up the tree, snuggling up with the wife and glass of eggnog while we listen to Christmas music by the fireplace. The problem is, that accounts for about 2% of the actual holiday experience. The rest is shopping for everyone and their dog, overspending on stuff no one really needs, travelling hundreds of miles to see family and then wishing you'd just stayed home.
Christmas is coming. Someone get me a rum 'n eggnog. Hold the eggnog.
Yup, after Halloween there's nothing in the way between now and December 25. No buffer, no protection. The stores will decorate, if they haven't already, the commercials will start up, and plans will be set in motion for just how to spend the upcoming festive season. Ugh.
Sure, in the states they've got Thanksgiving still before Christmas, but really, those two holidays are both so big and so close together, they're almost the same thing.
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. Watching the kids get so excited, putting up the tree, snuggling up with the wife and glass of eggnog while we listen to Christmas music by the fireplace. The problem is, that accounts for about 2% of the actual holiday experience. The rest is shopping for everyone and their dog, overspending on stuff no one really needs, travelling hundreds of miles to see family and then wishing you'd just stayed home.
Christmas is coming. Someone get me a rum 'n eggnog. Hold the eggnog.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween!
V dressed her up this morning for me before I left for work. More pics later of all the kids.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Ode to V
Three things:
Yes, I'm going to continue to refer to her as V. Too bad, it's my blog.
I suck at poetry and I don't even know what an Ode is.
If you don't like PDAs, then you might want to skip this one.
Yes, I'm going to continue to refer to her as V. Too bad, it's my blog.
I suck at poetry and I don't even know what an Ode is.
If you don't like PDAs, then you might want to skip this one.
V is beautiful.
A beautiful person.
Stunning.
Naturally beautiful.
She glows.
She lights up the room.
She lights up my life.
She takes my breath away.
She makes me a better person.
My heart feels like it may burst.
I am blessed.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Gone Going Gone
Funny story from this weekend.
Saturday morning is going ahead like usual. We're all bouncing around the house trying to get the day started and trying to get the girls ready for Hip-Hop class. Generally speaking, before 9am we don't really pay as close attention to the kids as most times because we're busy with morning prep and we tend to let them play and stay out of our hair. Ok, I'd better qualify that last remark, I don't really pay close attention in the morning, V always seems to be aware of everything around her.
Anyway, so I'm taking care of things and letting the wife relax with the baby when Megan comes up to me with a smile and says, "Did you notice anything missing?". Not a good question. But what choice do I have, I'll play along.
"No, I didn't notice anything, why? And why do you have your jacket on?" She can barely keep in her giggles at this point and my curiousity is growing as she leads me to the front door.
"It's moving day! I'm moving." she proclaims, as she shows me the following.
That's all the stuff she's decided to bring with her, and she's going to wrap it all up in her blanket to carry it. Then she tells me, "There's a note on the fridge that explains everything."
For those of you not fluent in 6-year-old, let me translate:
"I am moving away, my new phone number is 60999 0110. Your daughter Megan"
I am laughing my ass off at this point and I'm wondering what country she's headed to with a phone number like that. By the time I got back to the front door she was already on her way out.
I grabbed the camera as quick as I could and shot the following video:
Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos
Then I threw some shoes on and booked it out the door to catch her. By the time I got around the corner she had turned around with a huge smile on her face and told me,
"I changed my mind, I've decided to stay with you guys. Can you help me carry my stuff?"
Man, you just never know what the day will bring.
Saturday morning is going ahead like usual. We're all bouncing around the house trying to get the day started and trying to get the girls ready for Hip-Hop class. Generally speaking, before 9am we don't really pay as close attention to the kids as most times because we're busy with morning prep and we tend to let them play and stay out of our hair. Ok, I'd better qualify that last remark, I don't really pay close attention in the morning, V always seems to be aware of everything around her.
Anyway, so I'm taking care of things and letting the wife relax with the baby when Megan comes up to me with a smile and says, "Did you notice anything missing?". Not a good question. But what choice do I have, I'll play along.
"No, I didn't notice anything, why? And why do you have your jacket on?" She can barely keep in her giggles at this point and my curiousity is growing as she leads me to the front door.
"It's moving day! I'm moving." she proclaims, as she shows me the following.
That's all the stuff she's decided to bring with her, and she's going to wrap it all up in her blanket to carry it. Then she tells me, "There's a note on the fridge that explains everything."
For those of you not fluent in 6-year-old, let me translate:
"I am moving away, my new phone number is 60999 0110. Your daughter Megan"
I am laughing my ass off at this point and I'm wondering what country she's headed to with a phone number like that. By the time I got back to the front door she was already on her way out.
I grabbed the camera as quick as I could and shot the following video:
Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos
Then I threw some shoes on and booked it out the door to catch her. By the time I got around the corner she had turned around with a huge smile on her face and told me,
"I changed my mind, I've decided to stay with you guys. Can you help me carry my stuff?"
Man, you just never know what the day will bring.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Seriously
I really don't like to gush too much about my kids, because I know how annoying it can be and how biased I am. And I know that I do gush about my girls a lot anyway, but V just sent me this picture at work and all I could think is "Seriously! She is ridiculously cute! She's amazing!". So, I'm posting the picture and I'm gushing about her. No one reads this stuff anyway.
Oh man, I love that little girl.Thursday, October 26, 2006
Muffin Top
One thing I've always respected about my wife is her honesty. (side note: should I start referring to Vicki as V? It seems to be the cool thing to do, and if I'm anything, it's cool)
V always has amazing tact and the ability to be honest while still giving full respect to the feelings of others. One exception there, me.
I guess it's one of the perks, one of the many perks, of being married to me, that she has someone that she can be honest with without having to worry about tact and feelings and all that sissy stuff. So, this is what I got last night when I removed my shirt before getting into bed:
"Oh my goodness, have you seen yourself? Seriously, look in the mirror, look at how you look with that belt!"
I crouch down to get a view of what's she's talking about (yes, crouch down, because our bedroom mirror is still leaning against the wall because I have yet to take the 10 mins to hang it, and then find out that I've hung it way too high. Don't ask). And to her credit it's pretty darn obvious what she's talking about.
My usual breathtaking physique has a new addition. The Muffin Top. Gracefully spilling over the sides of my jeans, my waist is showing the effects of my heart-healthy diet.
V continues to comment as I get into bed and try to sleep as fast as I can:
"Seriously, you need to do something about that, I worry about you. That is not healthy."
Again, she's right, but where's the tact and gentle delivery for me?
Ah, who am I kidding? With my nutritional history, she is being gentle.
V always has amazing tact and the ability to be honest while still giving full respect to the feelings of others. One exception there, me.
I guess it's one of the perks, one of the many perks, of being married to me, that she has someone that she can be honest with without having to worry about tact and feelings and all that sissy stuff. So, this is what I got last night when I removed my shirt before getting into bed:
"Oh my goodness, have you seen yourself? Seriously, look in the mirror, look at how you look with that belt!"
I crouch down to get a view of what's she's talking about (yes, crouch down, because our bedroom mirror is still leaning against the wall because I have yet to take the 10 mins to hang it, and then find out that I've hung it way too high. Don't ask). And to her credit it's pretty darn obvious what she's talking about.
My usual breathtaking physique has a new addition. The Muffin Top. Gracefully spilling over the sides of my jeans, my waist is showing the effects of my heart-healthy diet.
V continues to comment as I get into bed and try to sleep as fast as I can:
"Seriously, you need to do something about that, I worry about you. That is not healthy."
Again, she's right, but where's the tact and gentle delivery for me?
Ah, who am I kidding? With my nutritional history, she is being gentle.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The Dream is Over
I've had my last Krispy Kreme.
Today is the day I start on the path to healthier living. This will probably be a long path, and let's be real, you know I'm going to be walking on this path, very slowly. But you have to start somewhere and I'm starting with Krispy Kreme.
So, I decided to go out with a bang. I walked in this morning on my way to work and ordered 6 original glazed, all for me. Here's where it got interesting. My regular girl was working and I told her that this would be my last visit so I was going to go big and have 6 today. She had different ideas. As she handed me my free sample, hot right from the machine, she told me I was getting a full dozen today, in honor of it being my last visit and all. She said she'd put them into two small boxes of six each so I could eat six now and enjoy six later. This time it was me that had different ideas.
So, I'm sitting here at my desk enjoying my coffee, and the first 3 people that get to the kitchen here this morning will have a nice little treat for them, courtesy of me and my Krispy Kreme girl. I'm all about the charity.
Today is the day I start on the path to healthier living. This will probably be a long path, and let's be real, you know I'm going to be walking on this path, very slowly. But you have to start somewhere and I'm starting with Krispy Kreme.
So, I decided to go out with a bang. I walked in this morning on my way to work and ordered 6 original glazed, all for me. Here's where it got interesting. My regular girl was working and I told her that this would be my last visit so I was going to go big and have 6 today. She had different ideas. As she handed me my free sample, hot right from the machine, she told me I was getting a full dozen today, in honor of it being my last visit and all. She said she'd put them into two small boxes of six each so I could eat six now and enjoy six later. This time it was me that had different ideas.
So, I'm sitting here at my desk enjoying my coffee, and the first 3 people that get to the kitchen here this morning will have a nice little treat for them, courtesy of me and my Krispy Kreme girl. I'm all about the charity.
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