You don't see that everyday...

Today we were driving past one of the local United States Postal Offices. And they happened to be receiving a delivery from UPS.

Remind me again why I love you?

Sometimes I need a little reminder why I love my Equal. Why was it I married him again? Usually it's when he's yelling at the kids for no apparent reason.

I came up with a list of little things.

1. He brings me home coffee on his way home from work without me asking (and not just any coffee but Caramel Latte's just the way I like them).

2. He surprises me with flowers. And not just any flowers, daisies because they are my favorite.

3. He gives me backrubs when he knows I've had a rough day.

4. He doesn't complain if the house is a mess when he comes home.

5. He does the dishes.

6. He watches the kids without complaining so I can go out.

7. He eats the rest of my food when I am done eating.

8. He doesn't complain if I buy something new.

After 6 1/2 years of marriage (and 11 years together) I can't imagine my life without him. He makes my world complete. He is the yang to my yin. He is everything I can imagine in a partner and father.

Pet Peeves

I have been trying to be optimistic lately, but there are just a few things that bother me.

1. People who do not use their turn signal. How hard is it to flick a switch to let someone know you are turning. And if the person in front of/behind you has their turn signal on, it doesn't mean you don't have to use yours, I don't know what you are thinking.

2. People who wait to the last minute to plan things, especially when they know months ahead of time. Get organized people!

3. People who pull semi off the road or park across 3 parking spaces because they are on their cell phones. I live in a state that recently (last year) adapted a hands free cell phone law. So now instead of driving, people just park wherever they want to use their phone. I have seen people block the entrances to stores/banks/side roads, park across 3 parking spaces, or half pull off the road to talk on their phone. Or just stop in front of you and not pull off the road. Is it that damn important you can't wait until you get home to be on your phone?

4. Parents (mostly fathers) who refer to watching their kids as "babysitting".
"Sorry, I have to go home and babysit, the wife is going out." They are your kids, your not babysitting, you are spending time with your family. Babysitting is something the 17 year old down the street does.

Geek-ness

The conversation came up the other day in a web forum that Meenie will be the only non-geek in my family. I posted that I didn't consider myself a geek. Later that night, I relayed the conversation to My Equal who promptly replied that there was no way I wasn't a geek.

His Case:

I like Star Wars.

I like video Games. Yup. Who doesn't?

I read alot.

I like history. We actually just took the kids on a tour of a historic fort. They loved it and we enjoyed it also.

I pay D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) although it has been awhile since our gaming group broke up when people moved.

I play DDM (Dungeons and Dragons Miniatures). Which is true but it is something I do with Matt and it gets me out of the house. It's sort of adult time. Only with a bunch of smelly guys. Not exactly romantic but it is a break from "Mommy, Mommy" all the time.

I organized a DDM game. Okay for the record here, I did it so he could play and enjoy himself.

I post on a web forum devoted to DDM. Guilty as charges.

The verdict?
I guess I am a full fledge member of the geek-squad.

Playground Moms

That time is upon us again...Summer, when all the playground moms flock to their favorite play place. You know their children's names, ages, schools. You know what milestones they've just reached. You know their names and what they do for a living. You share funny anecdotes about your children. You give each other advice in child rearing. But once the weather turns colder, you don't see their faces again. You wonder what they are doing and how their children are growing. If your lucky, you'll see them once again when the weather turns warm again, and share another summer of memories by the swings.

What's in a name?

Today was Einey and Meenie first day of swim lessons. I had no doubt that Einey would do fine. Meenie on the other hand is one of those children who is free-spirited, independent, and slightly aloof. The girls immediately introduced themselves to the 16-year-old swim instructor (not their regular instructor, but a substitute for the day) and started their lesson. Not 2 minutes into the lesson, I heard the instructor try to get Meenie's attention. Another child supplied him with Meenie's name. As I sat on the beach, I let out a chuckle and said, "yeah, he'll learn that name quickly". And by the end of the lesson, as he was going around giving the children hi-fives, he said great job Meenie without any hesitation.

Meenie is just a one of a kind child. She's sociable, compassionate, emotional, strong in body and mind, independent, stubborn, adventurous and free-spirited. She's always been a bit tough to deal with but is also the first to think of others. She is one who most learn her name right away (usually to get her attention as she wonders around in her own little world) and seldom forget. Other kids refer to all the kids (and our family in general) as "Meenie."

A friend told me, when Meenie was born, she's going be President one day, and I think she just may be right!

It takes time

As I look out over my yard, a yard covered in downed trees and knee deep wood chips, I have to remind myself, it takes time. In the time since the trees were knocked down, the change has been slow, but it shows.

Today was another day where best laid plans are just that, plans. My plan was to go out while Meenie and Moe were napping. That should have brought me a solid two hours to work. But as Einey and I carried the rakes down the hill, I knew it was a lost cause. The first sweep through the dead leaves, revealed a few earthworms, which Einey saw immediately. So as I raked, she played with her new friends. In the time we spent out there, I managed to get a small area on a hill cleared, some vines growing on a wall pruned and fieldstone moved to border what will one day be a beautiful flowering garden. And Matt even managed to help. He cut down the large forsythia bush that was just taking up space.

However, there was more items on our list to do. But as typical nature, they got derailed. Meenie woke up early and in turn, woke up Moe. After ushering them outside, they found the water rocket launcher. This in turn lost me all my man power as Matt eagerly helped them try out their new toy. As I listened to the laughter, I too, threw in the rakes.

And now, the list for tomorrow grows.

Who am I?

I am the SAHM of 3 daughters, Einey, Meenie and Moe. The three of them were born 33 months apart and thus my life is an ever changing whirlwind of activity. Things are never the same and time is always flowing at a faster pace than normal. But in it all, we stop to enjoy the little things in life. Never before have I admired tiny footprints in the sand, ants marching in a line or the way wind blows through the leaves on a warm spring day.