HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!!!

I'd say she'll kick my ass for blogging about her birthday...but I'd like to see her TRY it from so far away! hahahahahahahahaha!!!!
Today is my sister's birthday. I will NOT divulge her age because seriously unless you are 18 or 21, that is just not cool. I will say that whatever her age, she's an awesome sister and I don't ever tell her how awesome she is. So... in honor of her birthday I feel that it's just as good of a time as any.
My sister. Man we've been through some serious stuff in our day. Very heavy, probably more in the first 10 years of our lives than many people ever deal with. If not for her, would I even be here today? It is pretty doubtful. She definitely knows a lot more about me than I do. I guess my brain has blocked a lot of things, and while I know many folks like to go get therapy and unlock that stuff...there's probably a damn good reason it stays hidden, so I'll just leave it alone. I remember enough. I don't need to know more, I remember a lot more and a lot further back than people might think I do. Unfortunately, my sister and I have a big of an age gap, so she remembers EVERYTHING of when I was born on. She has raised me most of my life, she's ALWAYS had my back. She always will. I swear I don't know if I can really ever do any wrong in her eyes. When I was a teenager I am sure I did plenty wrong in her eyes though - okay, I KNOW I did. She loved me anyway and when it came down to it, we've always been there for each other when we could.
We were separated for many years and could hardly talk on the phone or write a letter and even then it was often monitored or rehearsed. (Don't ask).
I can still remember the first time I saw her again after so long. She was pregnant with Heather and I walked off the plane onto the runway and she said she couldn't see me because she was expecting a little girl to emerge. Instead I was taller than her and had boobs even! ha
Of course, I was obviously somehow spoiled and obnoxious and talked like some valley girl on crack I'm sure. Regardless, she and Jay put up with it. They put up with a lot from me.
We've had to be one another's sister and mother always. I jokingly said I was the girls aunt and grandma so I had two roles to fulfill. Now there is Ben too, so I've got my hands full!
I've always loved her kids like my own and she loves mine the same.

She has always believed in me, even when I did not and everyone else said she was foolish for it. She's been there for me through everything, by my side, just as my shadow is there, ALWAYS there. Even when it is dark, I can't see it, but I KNOW it is there. Just like, even when I can't see her, I know she is with me. Even though I don't get to talk to her as often, surely won't be able to see her that often, I still think of her daily many times throughout each day.


She is always on my mind.
She is someone that has spent her life taking care of others. She will NEVER not be taking care of someone else. I've often wondered what on earth she will do when the time comes for Ben to move out, she says she'll have Grandchildren by then and devote her life to spoiling them. Go figure.
I don't think she knows how to NOT take care of people (cut the cords already!) --I'll really get reamed for that one---.
She stayed in school when many girls in her situation didn't. She graduated top of her class and so did her baby daddy and lifelong (nearly) mate Jay. They went off to college, but life is tough, especially when you have a little one, don't I know it now. They worked, they worked a lot of jobs and some really crappy jobs. They've done without, they've sacrificed many things that so many folks just can't, myself included. They've devoted their lives to their children. When the time was finally right, Jay went back to college and got his teaching degree, Steph worked and took care of everything while he went to school and worked as well. He graduated in May, she started in June and got HER teaching degree. Finally. After 15 years, she finally got what she'd sought so many years before. Never giving up on her dream of teaching, in other words, taking care of a LOT of kids all day. ha! I think she's nuts but she seems to like it.
She's never once given herself the credit she deserves, she has no idea how beautiful she is inside and out, she has no idea the impact she makes on people or how long SHE stays with them when they are gone.
She is freaking goofy as hell. She's dramatic and hyperactive and passionate and doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks. She'll love you to death but cross her and she'll despise you till you choke on a rock. Also, apparently, let her think you crossed her sister, and the same will hold true for you. ha!
I've always loved to sit back and just watch her be...her. She has done some of the craziest stuff in front of HUNDREDS of people, just to make them laugh and make sure the kids have a great time. I mean...really crazy! I need to find that video actually. haha
I love that about her though, she doesn't care what anyone thinks, she cares what will make people smile, make the kids get involved and help them to just do what they want without worrying about other's opinions.
I think that has been passed on to Heather and Allyson, b/c in their own ways neither of them care what people think, they do their thing and that is all. It is so funny to watch THEM too b/c Heather is SO much like Steph and Ally is SO much like me.
There's spazmo and chill. haha. Don't think I've ever been able to label it properly, but I think that works.
My sister is up jumping around and screaming because she is excited about something, me...I just say, "cool." It's the way we work. I used to feel bad worrying if she thought I didn't care when she was excited about something because I did not get worked up like her, but I'm pretty confident now she knows that is just my boring personality at work there. I am excited...on the inside in a very laid back way. hahahaaha

Anyway, STEPH.
I love you, you are amazing and I miss you so much. We will never be separated like we were before, no one can make us ever again. Right now there might be distance, but we can talk on the phone, email and visit and no one can ever stop us! Except maybe airport security, so have a drink before you board the plane okay? A xanax and a glass of wine, just in case! ;)
I don't know what I would've done without you all these years. We've most definitely had our differences, but we always had each others back too. That is what famly is supposed to do. You've been there for me when I needed you, left me alone when I needed you to and bothered me when I likely needed you to but did not want you to. haha
You love my kids so much, and they you. They DO talk about you all the time by the way... and do not call you Bob very often. Cody was just being a turdhead and doing that on purpose. He could hear it in your voice. haha
Thank you for always being there for me, thank you for all the sacrifices you've made for me, for all the love you've given me and for always loving me.
Right back atcha sis!

Hope you had a great day on your birthday, even if someone DID tell you happy birthday, I hope you were still able to make it through the rest of the day.

Why even bother forecasting?

I swear, if you ever once thought the forecast was ridiculous and changed constantly...just keep an eye on ours. I SWEAR it changes by the half HOUR! I planned things around the cooler temps and rain for this week. I did not invite a friend over b/c the kids would not be able to play outside.

What might I be looking at currently? Partly cloudy sky and a lot of sun and I have windows open because it was hot in here. Ugh.

It was supposed to be 55 and rainy, it somehow, went from that to 60 and sunny. Within a couple of hours! Grrrrr!!!!

You just can't plan things here. That is all I can think of. Oh well. I must get back to being more adaptable!

A few updates of a personal nature I suppose.

Saturday we bought Mike a car! YAY!!! I have my car back, am no longer imprisoned on the property etc... to add to the excitement of that, the boys can now start preschool! I'm very excited about that, they are going to love it! I really like that it is an open room plan and Kade and Cody will be in the same room. Cody will do much better being with older kids than kids his age only for sure. From what I've read on it, it seems they have a Montessori type philosophy, and do I ever love me some Montessori schools! That will most definitely be the way to go with Kade, Cody...I'm not sure yet. I mean, I can't imagine that teaching style NOT being good for anyone. I loved it when I was younger, albeit a short stint, I absolutely loved it and always wanted to go back. When has anyone heard me talk about school like that?

When we got Mike's car, we went to Cambridge to see it. What is Cambridge like? How was it? I have no idea beyond a road, a neighborhood and a grocery store parking lot. *sigh*

I am just not even going there. It would have been nice to hang out in a new place on a Saturday when we had nothing else to do. Explore somewhere we've never been with such great history and surely some neat things for the kids to do.

Nah, we left there and went back to the base to go to the holiday bizaare and tiny carnival being held there. I've never seen that part of the flight line I suppose...

At any rate, a few photos of the boys at the carnival. I have more, but as I may have mentioned before, this computer is getting terminal and converting any photos at all is a very very long process. Doing ANYTHING on here is a long process. The good news is that the boys will be at school soon and that will FINALLY open up some time for me to finish up the things I need to finish up from the states and also get caught up on photo sharing! :)

Hmmm...on that note, both kids are napping and I need a shower, to call 10 people and swap out the never ending laundry, yeah I'm STILL doing laundry.

Can you imagine since I began typing this a couple minutes ago, there is now a large gray cloud over my house? Let me guess, it is going to wait until the boys wake up from nap and then start pouring so I have to keep them in the house longer. I'm almost going to lay some money down on it.

my hero wears a john deere t-shirt

a picture is worth a thousand words... quite literally.

big puffy heart my loving devoted husband!

looking back, i think we should've had that in our vows.
"in the case of a dr. pepper shortage, i will search the world over until i can find it for you."

luckily they got the comissary restocked by the next day, so my hysteria subsided.

PHEW!

that was CLOSE!

yeah, i'll keep him. hehe

xoxo baby -- THANK YOU! :)

It is a Travesty!!!

You know, sure the economy is in the garbage, there are people going hungry and you know, fuel is $17 a gallon. I have to whine though b/c this is truly a terrifying turn of events for me. Like, yes, sadly there is FEAR in the pit of my stomach. Mike had a lot of volunteering today and was pretty late getting home. As usual I texted him a grocery list to run by on his way. Just some weekend essentials. What is the one thing you might imagine is ALWAYS on the list no matter what? Dr. Pepper. Yes. Now, there have been shortages of it in the shopettes etc... but there is ALWAYS some at the commissary. Today however, the day I have feared...there was none! He called to tell me that he got the LAST 2L bottle and it was beaten and battered. I am BEYOND picky about my Dr. Pepper, yes I can even tell by one taste that it is bottled by a different bottler when we've been traveling. I have to have it in certain form. 2L bottle is not it I can promise you.
I think it must be some conspiracy. It has to be. All the other cokes are disgusting, Dr. Pepper is the ONLY good one, so they are stockpiling it and hiding it from ME. Be gone all you other DP drinkers that don't love it the way I do. The ones who are not life long loyal worshippers of this super sweet caffeinated heaven in a can. You can all live without it, I cannot. I mean...I COULD but why the hell WOULD I? I quit EVERYTHING else to lose weight but Dr. Pepper. I lost it too, my wonderful gut burning Dr. Pepper did not fail me, but hung on tight and went through it with me and only let its empty calories fall lightly on me.
Whatever will I do though? There's no time for anyone to ship me any and I dare say *I* would go without food (not the rest of the family) to pay top dollar for some. I will be up before the sun in the morning, preparing myself for a hunt, a battle...whatever may come to find myself some Dr. Pepper and should I find it, should anyone be around to witness, I will buy up all I can like I'm prepping for Y3K or something, I will knock down anyone that gets in my way in true linebacker fashion. Don't mess with me. If I do not find it. I will be foul and mean and short tempered - yeah more than usual haha - and I will probably just come home and cry in a corner. So...anyone know someone who works at the commissary? I need an insider, so if stock starts getting low, they can give me a heads up. Seriously. Think I'm joking? Try me. I'll keep em hooked up with some family portraits or SOMETHING. Until then...I shall savor every last little sip of the last 3 cans I have left.

Anyway, now that my drama is past.
I'll do a quick NORMAL post since the dr. pepper deprived psychosis has not yet taken hold.

There's not a lot going on here really. Just kind of hanging out, trying to work around the cooling temps and waiting impatiently for more leaves to turn red and gold. I'm just beside myself with anticipation of autumn in the forest. Mike is a turd and gets all girlie giddy when I mention it every single time I see a fall colored leaf on a tree to make fun of me. Hey shouldn't he be glad it is the simple things that excite me and not diamonds and gold? Well...I suppose I could use that, if all the camera equipment and electronics I drool over didn't cost just as much. At least we get more use of the things I covet than me just being shiny. Damn Canon for their new releases this past week! It is mean! I tell you, unless they intend on sending me free samples of everything, they just need to WAIT till I hit the lottery that I never play.
Anyway.
Back on track. This weekend is wild and busy for Mike, me and the boys, not so much as usual. We are car shopping, after we find dr. pepper, and hopefully will once again be a 2 car home. While we've made it just fine, there have been a few days that were tense to say the least. Being very rural and stuck at home with 2 kids 24/7 can really do things to a person. I don't think I've ever gone this long on one bottle of foundation or so long w/out fixing my hair. I"m a true stay at home mom rat lately and it is just so not ME that its honestly been the worst part, but seriously...what a waste to get made up to just take it off and no one that gives a crap seeing it anyway. Sure I'm less likely to scream out of horror each time I pass the one mirror in the house, but whatever. Avert eyes, don't waste. ha! Don't waste. Yeah...I said that.
Which reminds me... I am proud to announce I am becoming the recycling QUEEN, not that the UK doesn't help that a great deal and sort of force it on you. I've always wanted to do it and had decided before even getting here and knowing it was like this, that I wanted to start, man they make it easy and there are definitely a lot of areas in Texas at least that could take some lessons and research the way things work here. I love it. I feel so damn GREEN! Now if I could only have bought that prius I could be wearing a tiara with no make up around the house where no one would see it but the boys who'd get in a brawl over who got to play with it b/c it was somehow THEIRS and not mine at all.
Wow. I didn't get to hit the pub last weekend, can ya tell? What a great time to get one of the absolute WORST migraines ever!!!! Grrrr! Why am I cursed? Worst migraine, not worst headache. Get a spinal headache post spinal/epidural and then whine to me about any headache, until then zip it. ha! So, it hurt and I've still not had a single day off of wiping butts and tears and spilled milk. Oh well.
Hopefully, though, we can find a suitable run around work car for Mike so I can have mine back and then...oh the most exciting thing... THEN the boys can start PRESCHOOL!!!! It is just PT and just down the road, but I know Kade is beyond THRILLED to go and Cody, well he'd rather stay shoved up my butt, but he's going anyway. I really like the open plan though, it is a mix of ages so any kid in the age group, is all in the same room. That is best for Co I think b/c Mr. Mongous would squash a classroom full of the toughest 2 year olds in just one morning session. I'm pretty sure of it. So, him being with kids a little older like he's used to and well...the same SIZE and strength of him will be better for him I think. Not to mention, he just needs the socialization. Little turd. Granted, he's the one I'd worry about getting kicked out of PreK on the first day. We'll see.
Regardless, I'm looking forward to it b/c it will give THEM a break from me and vice versa and I could actually get some things ACCOMPLISHED (it's a new word I think) while they are gone. Then when they are here, I could actually spend TIME with them. Co won't go as often as Kade will, so we'll get to have a little one on one like he's never gotten. As anyone with more than one knows, when you aren't outnumbered, they act like angels. Go figure. It is not set in stone though, I may do the same for Kade and send Co and keep him one morning or something also. The only reason, to be totally honest, that Co will definitely not go as often is that Kade goes for free and I have to pay for Co, but it was the plan originally anyway. I didn't know he'd be able to go when we got here. I'm glad he can though, he'll enjoy it whether he realizes it or not. I think we will ALL get along better though if we ALL get a break from one another.
So cross your fingers that Mike finds the cheap ass car of his dreams this weekend and the boys can start right away and I can get some stuff DONE!!!!
At any rate, it is late and I have to be in top shape in the morning for some savage soda shopping, so I must get some rest.
I will, however, leave you with some photos of the boys playing. I still need to post an old one I didn't do yet... hey maybe if the boys are at preschool I can do that next week! ha
Without further ado...

Well. Damn it all to hell. Pardon my french if it offends, but ARGH!!!! Have I ever mentioned just how computer cursed I am? Its sickening sometimes. So the stupid laptop FINALLY croaked. Not totally, but its more work to wake it up from its coma than it is worth so we are FINALLY calling the TOD and have set it off to the side waiting for a hard drive donor to pass on. ha! (that means for me to find one or clean off a spare).
So, wouldn't you know it that as soon as that happens, my beloved dell is croaking out too? Oh of COURSE when the very last priority on earth for me is a new computer, I'm going to be totally without?!?!?! Argh.
So there's an FYI for you, if there is no posting for awhile, you'll know that I am pulling my hair out not sleeping trying to fix crap yet again. It's hanging in okay but being completely and totally ridiculous in expectations and for that, I cannot open the little window to add photos without restarting for the 19th time today. It is too late at night for all that, so... perhaps tomorrow evening I can do it.
*sigh*
Of course.

On that note, I'm out peeps. Have a good one! Keep your good car mojo fingers crossed!

XOXOXOXO

More of the House

**Look below the "Too Tired" post to find the first grouping of house photos**

Now I'll try to finish up real fast. I'm almost out of nap time I'm sure! ha

Okay, to resume, we are now headed up to the 2nd floor. Look! I have PICTURES on my WALL! This is part I of the stair gallery, not done yet of course (hence the pile of pictures/frames in the office).

Well, I'm going to shorten this even more and cut the comments out too. LOL other than what is necessary. I'm REALLY running out of time! haha

CODY'S ROOM:

KADE'S ROOM:

He even has his own bathroom.

THE FAMILY BATHROOM:

This is one of the 3rd floor rooms. Either Mike's little man room/office or the guest room. The other one isn't quite this small, but not a lot larger and there is also a toilet/shower up here.

A look at our little 'hood out the front door. I think our house would be drop dead GORGEOUS on the outside with some GRASS instead of this rock yard thing they've got going on, oh well. Less to mow. As anal-retentive as I'm getting about the back lawn, it is likely a good thing. The back will look like a golf course when all is said and done!

So, that concludes your tour for today. Wanna see more? Get a plane ticket! hahaha

Obviously that is directed at family and close friends, so any total strangers...um, disregard that invitation! hahaha

Anyway, I know lotsa folks had asked for photos of it, so there you have it! We really love it, but DANG is it EVER a lot of work!!!

Alright, I'm getting a shower before these kids wake up and want me to feed them.

Enjoy!

Too tired to blog

I've promised a few folks that I would add photos of the house. I Went through and took pictures of most of the rooms to show everyone back home. I've tried for 2 days to get it on here and well, just can't seem to find the time. I wasted a lot trying to just put them in a slideshow to save scrolling for everyone, but of course, after I spent all that time, it didn't work in the end.
So, I am going to add them soon, but not tonight.
I am just too tired.
Way way too tired.

Soon. Soon.

Lots of photos and some shots of the boys as well!
They've been a real handful in good and bad ways this week, but with that I've just not really gotten much of a chance to be on the computer at all to do anything that I need to. Which is so much!
Tomorrow.
TOMORROW we're leaving our boys with a SITTER and going up to the pub for a couple of drinks and some gourmet food (as I hear it). I am ALL FOR IT. It is a short short walk around the corner, so we are ready. Also, to anyone who may well know it, this would be the very first time I can really recall that I've ever left our kids with a "sitter" and not close friend or family member. How bout that? I guess moving away from home does make you grow up just a little yeah? Just a tiny bit though, we won't get carried away.

Oh man. Yapping again.

I know there are also a couple of folks expecting an email. I've just about got it all together. I AM working on it! Kids willing, you will have it tomorrow!

Night all, have a good one, sleep well, snuggle in and hey! Enjoy the evening!
I'm cold, my heat is not enough, so I'm going to go snuggle my snoring human heater so I can get warm hopefully! Let's hope he doesn't run me off b/c of my cold feet!

XOXO!
A

P.S. I added a nifty music player over on the side, click on it and enjoy some killer tunes! Killer? Yes b/c I have the very BEST eclectic taste you'll ever see!

Tour de Payne

Well, since it costs billions of dollars for anyone to fly over here at the moment, even a year into the calendar. I have photos of the house to share. You must keep in mind that there is a lot more house than either of us has ever had, so not nearly enough furnishings. We did not hit the lotto before coming, so decorating and furnishing will just take time and I am NOT color blind. I am well aware that wine colored curtains don't really go with a mocha sofa and lime green chair, it's what we've got so we're rolling with it. The windows that ARE here, are ALL different sizes so this whole window covering bit will take a little while. Maybe not AS long as I'd expected though now that my wonderful mother in law shared a killer idea with me! I'm very excited about that!!!! I'll share later when I make it happen.

So... this is how the house is, starting out. Starting out with bare basics. I just KNOW that Kristy is going to be SO proud of the complete and total LACK of clutter. (It's also why there will be no photos of my office or bedroom). Shockingly though, there's not really even clutter in there, they just weren't ready yet. Our bed, gee big shocker here, can I say "I TOLD YOU SO?!" would not fit up the stairs, so we have mattress and box spring on the floor, our nightstands are too big to fit in the nook for the bed and we never thought in a million years that there would also be no cabinets for towels and other linens etc... so, it is very make shift in there. My office well, trying to go through the mounds of photos I have to put in the mounds of empty frames I've had sitting around for years is a little messy to say the least. Not so messy, until the boys run in here and somehow every single time manage to walk through the photos I've regrouped and neatly piled in separated stacks the last 18 times they did that. Yeah. So, less those two rooms, oh and the room that is serving as temporary storage until we can furnish the OTHER rooms with places to PUT things. So, here is the tour minus 3 rooms. haha.

I've over-explained I'm sure but well... I just did. Deal with it. ha

Shut up Aimee! ON WITH IT WOMAN! (as Mike would lovingly bellow).

Welcome...

Why looky here, I've got me a foyer, entryway, cloakroom - whatever you wish to call it.

To the right of the door, you will find the ground floor loo. hehe. Its tiny, meant for but one purpose and that is all you have room or will to do in there.

Now turning back to your left, you find the living room - or lounge as it is called here. Our nifty TV on our temporary TV stand. :) It works AND hides toys. Nifty huh?

A fireplace! Yay! Once Mary Poppins' pal the Chimney Sweep paid us a visit, I had to take it for a spin! Yep, it works! :)

LOTS of wonderful natural light in here!

A full 360 view for you.

Now, back into that entry room, you see the broom closet under the stairs, no Harry Potter under there, sorry. My office to the right and straight ahead...THE KITCHEN!

The coolest room in the house! I actually LIKE cooking in here! I do NOT like cleaning that damn stovetop or the stove at all though. Ugh. That is also not our dining set (or cabinet that you can't really see) it is a loaner courtesty of the AF until I can make up my damn mind what I want to get!

A few things have yet to find a "place" yet, so no, that is not normal storage up top.

This has to be the very best dishwasher in the world. I never knew it was possible for them to REALLY clean things, but it does. Oh man...does it EVER! Love it!!!!

Then, here's my freezer. Being an American and coming to this, albeit it might even be more of a culture shock being a TEXAN and trying to figure out how anyone does this, is simply beyond me. How do you not spend a small FORTUNE in constant runs to the grocery store??? Luckily, we got a spare for the garage, so we are making it now. hehe

And last but certainly not least. This, my friends, is our washing machine. Anyone in America that has less than 30 kids in their house that says they do NOTHING but laundry all day and night....I'm calling a big fat BS! *I* do laundry all day and night, I think I can do it in my sleep now. I've actually CRIED b/c I think I'm done, and then I find more. Or someone gets sick, or has an accident. CRIED! TEARS!!!! Where's the dryer you might ask? Oh...it is also a dryer. Crazy huh? Cool you think yeah? NO!!!! Its AWFUL! Now listen here, upon first moving in, it was taking a minimum of TWO HOURS to WASH one load that basically holds about 6 regular sized bath towels that I shoved in there with my feet putting ALL my weight into it. No I did not shove it out the back wall thank you. So now I've spent 2 hours washing, I still need to dry. Wanna know how long THAT was taking? At the very least, 3 hours. THREE hours! So, now to wash and sort of dry your clothes that still come out smelling musty and so wrinked a steam roller couldn't knock a single wrinkle out of them, I've spent FIVE freaking HOURS on one teeeeeny tiny load of laundry. Yeah. I said FIVE HOURS. FIVE. Once again... military to the rescue! I've got a spare dryer in my garage as well. hahaha. Thank goodness for that garage, its keeping me somewhat Americanized! ha! Now I've got a LOVELY dryer that REALLY makes my towels ultra soft and fluffy that dries and does not wrinkle in half an hour. ALSO, my lovely friend and neighbor actually read the book on the washer and that 60 is not the time, but the water temp in Celsius. Meaning I'd been washing ALL of our clothes in really hot water which is a huge huge no-no for me. All said and done, we're running on a fairly decent TIME for laundry, size is the main issue for now, we'll live though.

Now, all that said and done, I've gotten sidetracked so many times and tonight was NOT an insomnia night and its into the wee hours again and well, I was woken up way early this morning by this sweet soft voice whispering at my door, "Good Morning Mommy...I've got to pee pee."

So, the boy who's had a little trouble lately made it to the potty with no incident, comes to bed with me b/c it is so very early and gets all cuddled up with me and toasty warm. The very instant we are all comfy and close our eyes again, I hear this other sweet voice from the other room....

"MOMMY!!!! MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!!!!!! MY BINKY MOMMY! MOMMY!!!!! MY BINKY MOMMY MY BINKY! MY BINKY!!!!!"

Cody is up.

On went our busy day from there. :)

Oh well, while snoozing in and cuddling and being toasty in your very comfortable toasty bed is wonderful, I'll take it over not having it anyday. Binky screams or not, potty trips, or not, anyday. Any day. :)

Yesterday I thought I would end the day in a straight jacket and literally felt my hair turning more gray up there, and today...today I was suddenly blessed (perhaps rewarded for NOT running away yesterday) with sweet wonderful helpful loving angel boys.

Go figure.

I will never learn...

I'm the world's biggest jinx on myself. When was it that I was overcome with idiocy and typed out the words, actually put them in written form so I could not take them back - that I could sleep? That I was no longer suffering from my bouts of insomnia?
It is 3am and here I sit. Unable to sleep for the second night in a row.
*sigh*
Here we go again. This really blows. I was really enjoying getting good sleep. In bed anywhere between 9 and 11pm and up and at em at the butt crack of dawn and feeling just fine. Now I'll be all groggy and grumpy and frumpy. Yay, so much to look forward to. Not to mention my poor kids have to be with me all day long.
Hmmm...no wonder Cody likes to run out the gate so much. That may explain a lot. Ha, okay if he had not recently become the world's largest loudest leech lately, I might be hurt by him running off all the time, but no worries. If you can't find him I'm sure he's just literally under my foot, and I do mean literally, hanging onto my leg and standing on my foot as I try to do things, sitting on me, yelling at me to "come ERE! Mommy!", "Follow ME Mommy!", "MOMMY! Uh-stairs MOMMY!".
Hmmm. He sure is a bossy little turd.
Kade has been scoring some big points lately. We even began a reward system of sorts, but...not to ward off inappropriate behavior, but to reward the really good behavior he'd found all on his own. :)
Helping his baby brother, I've really enjoyed watching this and am getting pretty sneaky at listening and watching their "brother moments" with out me knowing. Surely if they knew that I was aware of what was going on, Kade would bite COdy and COdy would clock Kade upside the head with Thomas the Tank. So I must be on the down low that I know that they are actually nice and helpful.
Not really, he gets a LOT of praise for being nice and helping and sharing etc... it has been happening so much all of a sudden that I've even noticed Cody bypassing me and going to Kade to fix his train for him. Wasn't that a proud moment for me? Yes it was! Especially when Kade did not take the train from Cody and run away with it. Progress folks. It is called progress and what the hell am I DOING?!?!?!?!?!?! Surely jinxing myself yet again.
I should just say the boys are adjusting well and shut up.
I Think I will. I sure won't have the energy for anything else all day tomorrow. UGh.
I will try to go to sleep once again.
Once.
Again.
THis is just so annoying. Really. WHY???? WHy is it SO difficult for any one person to just lay their head down and SIMPLY fall fast asleep? I am often so envious of MIke's ability to do that. Granted, I'm glad that I can actually watch an entire movie without falling asleep most of the time and I can lay in bed and read, surf the net, watch tv etc... and not fall asleep just b/c I'm in bed. Where as, he can't really do that. So yeah I'm glad I don't do that, but when you lay in bed for 2 freakin hours next to someone that no sooner got their head on the pillow that they began snoring, well it's just not FAIR!!!!!
Well, I've gotten a lot of wishful shopping for the house done. Ha. Fat lot of good that is going to do me.
I could utilize this time to finish up some work I began. I shot a few sessions just before we left knowing I was not going to be able to actually proof them until we got here. I've finally gotten started on that, but if I start messing with that stuff very late at night anymore I will be up all night long. I REALLY don't want to do that. I might have to though, sometimes I have to reboot the system so to speak and pull an all nighter so that I can readjust. That used to work like magic, but the last few times I did it, oh like the entire MONTH before we left, it was not really working, and only allowing me to go insane amounts of time with no sleep. Insane, when I say insane, insane enough that I didn't really know it was possible to go so long on so little. I was impressed with myself though for being so functional. HOwever, I guess that is how I ended up in England with one pillow sham that was supposed to go to my sister in law, one shoe that was supposed to be shipped to Matty in Dallas, a clearwire tower that I meant to leave at my sister's so I could beg her to take it in for me (hehe, hi steph!) oh and I even have all of my brother in law's Matrix movies which I very specifically remember putting aside 10 different times so I would NOT forget to leave them at his house.
Right. Had it ALL together about then. For sure.
Oh I just can't bear to be "there" again though. What must one do to go to sleep? I guess if I am feeling a little too awake tomorrow, I'll just hand Mike a frying pan and tell him not to whack me too hard so I'll be sure to wake up when the boys do at least. I'm almost that desperate.
Okay. I said I was going to go try again didn't I?
I should do that. Not to mention...the longer I type, the more idiotic my, whatever you call this, will get.
I will save the world from me right now...and close and take myself to bed...

So how bad was it?

I couldn't tear my eyes away from weather.com for watching Ike! It seems as though most fared alright. It sounded as though Gov. Perry did a great job of getting those warnings out, getting people evacuated and just making sure things were covered. As we had a hard lesson learned from Katrina. Granted, I'm not THERE so I could be dead wrong, and it is just awful.
I'm hoping and praying that everyone is okay and that people were able to get out of there that wanted/needed to and all you crazies that stayed put are safe and sound and dry and will have power and water again very soon.
Bet you are HOT though! Hey its a nice balmy 60 degrees here today and I'm freezing my ass off actually, come on over and have a visit! ha!
Today I have come to the conclusion that I need some super duper ultra heavy duty arctic mukluk house shoes. Seriously. My feet are constantly cold and I'm about to be running around wearing leg warmers and 7 pair of socks and its not even winter yet. Worse yet, as much as I hate it, I've even got carpet everywhere but the kitchen and 60 bathrooms. The rest of me is just fine, just my feet. Stupid ice cube toes.
Nothing major going on here. Just wanted to holler at my peeps down South and hope that everyone made it through the little thunderstorm yesterday.
Much love!
XOXO

A moment of reflection, let's go back to a sad sad day...

It probably took me a few hours to realize today's date. That happens when you are confined you know. I hardly know what day of the week it is.
The instant I realized today's date, I felt sick. I instantly had that movie-like moment, you know where they pause.... and there is that blurry zip back to some moment in time and that day played through in fast forward. Such a nauseating memory.
The mass confusion, hysteria, fear, crying, numbness. You could hear it on the radio, see it on the tv, see it on the faces of people you passed in public. Numb. Shocked.
It was likely the most impactful day in society in my life. I do remember other big things, the crash of the Challenger, tsunami's and hurricanes and bridge collapses and major earthquakes. However, none of those were intentional.
I can remember exactly where I was. Exactly what I was doing and if it weren't just another mundane workday, I'd probably even remember what I was wearing. I never really believed the people who'd say, the exact thing they were doing when Kennedy was shot. Seriously? You were having fried eggs and ham with a coffee at jim's diner on 4th street? really?
Yes, really. Sadly, I can relate now and most definitely believe them.
I was driving to work, I was on loop 322 just about to exit on Oldham Lane to my office when the announcement was made on the radio. I was horrified knowing how many people would have been in that building. It had to be an accident. I thought maybe there was some massive issue with the plane and even imagined the pilots doing everything they could to keep from hitting this building, themselves, horrified at the lives ON the plane but also in the city that were about to be lost. How little my naive mind knew.
I went into my office and the people that were already there, were buzzing. Some standing with that numb look, some crying, some in a panic b/c they knew someone that was there. I went on back to my desk where my best bud and office mate was also sporting that look. Numb. Shocked, we're discussing it, still wondering what on earth was going on? Then my phone rang and it was my ex telling me a plane hit one of the twin towers. Yeah, duh kinda heard that already. "No, it was ANOTHER one."
I'm not believing, not absorbing. No, you're wrong dummy, it was just one, why on earth would TWO hit it? I remember pulling up CNN on my computer. Holy hell. It was another plane. Now the thought rolls through my still sluggish mind that there is some serious malfunction in air traffic control and planes are going to start crashing into everything everywhere. THen one crashes into a field in Pennsylvania, and another into the PEntagon.
People are crying all over the office. Work is at a standstill, they've pulled the TV out of the conference room into reception and people are all standing around with wet eyes, staring in disbelief. The news anchor is hardly able to keep it together either.
The sheer horror of what was going on. How many more were there? Where all were they targeting? What on earth were all of these passengers going through? How can we get these people out of the towers before they are all consumed by the fire?
It brings that sting to my eyes still now to go back through the things I so vividly remember this many but few years later.
We stayed at work, we had to finish that day. Everytime a plane flew over, T would nearly hit the ground she was so shaken. Seeing how severely it affected so many I knew was surreal. One friend, in a whirlwind trying to find her dear friend who worked at the pentagon. Trying some way to get a hold of someone and find if she was at work or not.
After work. I drove home alone. I sat there alone and watched the news, something I never did, and cried. Still not realizing the severity of it all, there was no way any of us could have.
It changed us all so severely to begin with, and forever there after. To this day, I think we all do some things differently, whatever they may be. However small it might be to you, things we may not even realize we do differently since then.
One thing I do recall, is the feeling of pride at how people came together. At the people that dropped everything without a second thought and rushed out to do something, anything. The people that drove all the way to New York to only be turned away when they wanted to help.
Regardless of how you feel about the wars and the politics and whatever in the world else that people tack onto the events surrounding this date, just don't forget.
Don't forget the people that were heroes. The brave people who died, who nearly did, or didn't care if they did if only they could keep someone else from it. Don't forget the people that were lost and don't forget the people that lost someone. Remember all of them. That, more than anything, is what people seem to lose focus on and make it about themselves and what ever they are fist pounding about that week.

All of that said, I do always ask on this day what was going on with you? When anyone and I speak about it. It is a good reminder to anyone of how it affected you in that raw moment.
So here, I ask the questions I've asked of some of my friends today. Feel free to comment with your answers if you want, and if not...that's okay too. Just think of it to yourself and hold that moment in honor of everyone that this so gravely affected.

Where were you?
How did you first hear?
What were you doing?
What was your first thought?
What was your day like after you found out?
How do you think it changed you if at all?

My heart goes out to all of those who lost someone that day. Where I come from...you are not forgotten.

I can sleep here

Most of you are still asleep. Granted, even by now if I were back home stuck in that awful rut still, I'd STILL be awake (FYI it is currently 2:30am in Texas).

Yuck.

I feel like CRAP when I don't get sleep. I'm not very friendly and caring either. So I've realized 1. in hindsight and 2. the couple of times I was unable to get much sleep since we have been here.

So, no wonder I always seemed so dull and lifeless and bitchy. I was EXHAUSTED! For quite awhile too mind you! Stay at home with babies, two of them that are darn nearly twins, but just far enough apart to make you never stop running, try to run business, keep house, cook, and either do or don't or only sometimes have the hubby there. Well, there wasn'tmuch time for actually getting my WORK done, so pretty much anything else was spotty at best and then I would stay up in a daze working till 3 or 4 am every night and then up with the boys by 7 or 8 at the latest. Do that for a couple of years and tell me what shape you are in!

Me? Total mess apparently and too damn tired to even realize it.

What have I learned since getting a little sleep? Especially since recently having a few nights where I had to stay up to the wee hours to get a couple of things done?

While I'm definitely still a scatter brain, not nearly as much of one. I could actually finish tasks that I began rather than having 100 half completed tasks and never getting anywhere. Large tasks these are not, but... hey it's progress you know. I must say, I was starting to be proud of myself. WOW! I AM capable of simple things like the general population after all! Sleep IS important!

Anyway. I will spare you all my idiocy and rambling. It's about time for another Mommy afternoon out, I can tell.

I came back on this morning to add more photos!

I never knew BK had these things anymore. I remember how much I LOVED playing with them when I was little! Apparently you have to ASK for them.

Cody wasn't quite so into the crown though...

Apparently the best way to get a clear shot of my kids is to strap them into a seat where they can't move or escape. Call me a shameless mom, but I really have some breathtaking kids!

Could anyone resist that? I came in to find Co with some plumbers crack and hit a dead run to get my camera before he moved.

Luckily he was too intent on his playing to even notice and stayed there for a long while. Seriously, mother of him or not, how GORGEOUS is this kid?????

That's my boy! :)

Just an attempt at some building shots. I will, hopefully, have the lens I covet so much very soon. That will certainly make many of these MUCH more interesting! :) Anyway, a small street in Bury St. Edmunds. Walking down this street, I was wishing my good friend Jayne could come visit, I know we would have a blast doing some exploring with cameras galore!

Mike having his very first bona fide British Fish and Chips. He said it was pretty good and Kade shared with him as well.

You just can't know how freakin HAPPY it makes me that my big boy will smile for me now!

We got a little too sleepy playing outside one day.

Isn't it great, that still at this age, me blowing bubble gum bubbles for him still gets this reaction? I'll blow them all day long for it!

His attempt at blowing a bubble. He tried and tried and tried until he blew his slimey gum out in my face! ha!

Everyone keeps asking for photos of the house. I guess I need to go take some more of the inside but have to do it with the little camera. This is our house from the back (so now Jay can see it really IS a 3 story! haha). Not a lot of windows in the homes here. The more windows you have, the more radiators you have, the more radiators you have the more really pricey oil you use etc...

Cody running back from chasing the peacocks. I really love our backyard. I adore this view so much too, but the fence will be going up soon and I will lose it. I would almost opt not to put it up right there, but I just know I'd end up regretting it later and it would be too late to do anything about it then. For now, I can enjoy it though.

And for the finale for this post... one of my new all time favorite Cody pics! I hate to inform him, but his butt crack picture is about to go up on the wall, in large.