Time travelers

Yesterday KD took the kids to Old Sturbridge Village, while I paid my respects to the family who lost a brother and a father in tragic quick succession.

Spending time with people who you have known for almost your entire life provides a level of comfort that one does not experience with "newly" made friends. We know their stories and they know ours, good, bad and ugly. There is no need for explanation or for shame. We marveled in the similarities in our childhood and at the sadness. The loss of a father because he didn't take care of himself. The loss of a brother who was unable to find the peace that he so desperately desired.

There was much turmoil in our respective families and by the grace of God we are well, we are thriving, we are living. We are showing up for our lives and fully participating in the lives of our families, the ones we were born into and the ones we have created. We have a deep understanding of what many other families never have the courage to talk about; the dysfunction in the form of addiction. But our families celebrate the triumph that can only be won one day at a time. It was a wonderfully warm and comfortable gathering, punctuated by sadness.

When I returned home last night, the house was quiet. KD was up and reported to me the adventure had by all. Oldest loved dressing up in the clothes of the era, Middle loved playing with the "birdies" (the old fashion badminton birdies with real feathers) and Baby loved the kitchen. They helped pump water and gathered firewood for the kitchen "oven." They ran with the herd of sheep who headed to the village green to munch the verdant lawn for their lunch. They played with hoops and sticks, they saw chickens and smelled pigs. They saw all the shoes that had been made by the shoe maker and ogled the black smith. Baby sat on the wall of the water mill deep in thought before he was gathered up by KD to join the rest of the family. They dodged rain drops as they ran through the storm, taking shelter on the porch of the general store. They shreiked with laughter all the while getting soaking wet. This is the stuff that wonderful memories are made of.

We all traveled back in time yesterday and for that I am thankful.

Question

Do you ever doubt your level of coolness? Or are you absolute in your cool factor?

My whole life

I wanted a pool. I got one four years ago when we bought our house. We didn't even realize it was there when we saw the house in December, it was covered in snow and away from the house. It was surrounded with approximately 3 feet of asphalt on all four sides and was fenced, at that time, with chicken wire. The asphalt was filled with pot holes and cracks. It had a diving board and a slide. Our home owners insurance company instructed us to remove the slide and diving board within 7 days of closing. We closed on January 30th. King Daddy, ever the compliant one, removed the diving board and used a sawzall on the slide in freezing temperature 3 days after closing.


We worked hard on the house that winter and soon summer came. I was pregnant with Middle and was very much looking forward to floating in the pool. King Daddy worked a lot that summer and I was often home alone with Oldest. I was too nervous and too pregnant to take her in the pool by myself. We used it a few times that summer, especially KD, he would get home and hit the pool. It is so refreshing when it is unbearably hot.

No picture from summer 2004

The next summer (2005) KD and I installed a new fence, expanded the area around the pool and installed new decking in the form of man made pavers. We rented a jack hammer and our neighbor took all the asphalt away in his back hoe. He provided us with sand. It was great! The deck came out AWESOME! We had a real pool! I landscaped with tall grasses and hanging plants. We bought a table, with an umbrella and chairs.

The next summer (2006) we opened the pool again, by this time I had three children. KD was working more, I had stopped working. Again, I was too nervous to bring all three into the pool by myself. I was so pleased with our pool! The pavers and the plants looked so "professional." I reseeded the grass where we had bald patches.

The next year, last year (2007). It was hot! I was home full time, we had swim lessons at the house, every Friday for the whole summer. Oldest was doing great! Middle would not even put his feet in, so he sat out the lessons. Baby was not a student yet.

The weeds began to overtake the pavers(see below). Some of my grasses began to die and I had long since stopped putting up hanging plants. This was the summer of our first "emergency." Baby slipped and fell right in the pool. KD retrieved him before he could even begin to sputter. I was on the front porch and heard the big splash, that I later learned was KD. We have VERY strict rules about the pool and being inside the pool gate. It seems that is the only time they obey is when we are inside the pool gate.

This pool was installed in the 1970s. It is old. Everything about it is old, including the pump and filter. The "dial" used to change the flow to the lines running in and out of the pool had broken off two summers ago, we were relegated to using pliers. By August of 2007 it was over, the pliers would no longer work. We let the pool turn a horrid green color and closed it up in September. Knowing we would have to spend about a $1,000 in the spring.

KD has repaired the pump and filter and befriended the shop keep at our local pool supply store. He began this odyssey two weeks ago. The weeds are again winning. More of my grasses have died. The filter sand was replaced but the pool remains cloudy. But today, this super hot and humid day, they swam. They swam and had fun. Middle asked KD if he could run and jump into the pool. KD said, "of course you can!" Never in one million years thinking he would do it. Middle got a running start and jumped into the pool. JUMPED INTO THE POOL! Just a month ago he would not even sit on the steps that the hotel pool and now he wants to jump into the pool? By the time I arrived home KD was wearing soaking wet clothes and Middle was huddled on the pool deck. There is no doubt that he will be spending his time on the side of the pool for the rest of the summer.

No picture of pool in 2008, yet.

I began this post wanting to share with you how much I dislike the pool and how funny that is as truly, my whole life I have wanted a pool. But as I write I realized how much fun it is for the kids. In all honestly it only gets better as they get older. We will have a great year with the pool, if only we can get the water cleared up!

p.s. to everyone who offered their advice and words of wisdom on my Mayday post, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Every word written has helped me and the kids are doing a little better as are we. Many, many thanks!

MAYDAY MAYDAY

Our ship is sinking. Seriously.

King Daddy and I do not know what to do. The kids are flippant, disrespectful, disobedient and generally out of control.

The night of the Dance Party Oldest came down stairs 1,500,000 times. She lamented that she doesn't like her bed, that it isn't fair that she has to share her room with her brothers and a whole host of other complaints. Middle was bouncing off the walls, he hit the Baby who then started to scream. We put them in bed at 8:30, they finally fell asleep at 10. Middle's cars sleeping bag was taken away followed by his dinosaur. Oldest was ushered back up stairs without the utterance of a word, finally I am applying what Jo Jo tells all the other exhausted, exasperated parents do. Baby's blanket was returned to him and that was that.

King Daddy returned down stairs and asked if I could be frank with him, "what could he do that he isn't already doing?" He went on to tell me that they DO NOT ACT like this when I am away. Specifically Oldest. I know I am a softy, but the manipulation is totally out of control.

I went out to dinner with a friend last night and went home before meeting her. I told Oldest that I would be going out to dinner with my friend. She immediately threw herself on top of me and started with "I don't like it when you are not with meeeeeeeeeeeee."

King Daddy appeared to be stressed so I inquired what was up. He relayed to me that he had picked the kids up and took them to the playground. They had to leave abruptly because Middle fell and out of anger or frustration began hitting Baby. Temper tantrums ensued. Three temper tantrums. Middle's behavior is beyond unacceptable and yet when we tell him that go into time out he says "NO." UM, WHAT? And then we have to forcibly place him in time out. The things that he is teaching Baby...it is mind boggling. Baby now hits, kicks and screams. It is fun. AND makes me so proud. NOT!

So I began to ask the kids how the playground was and why it was that King Daddy was frustrated. Oldest said, "I didn't do anything." Middle said, "I didn't do anything." I was able to coax out of the two of them the events and told them how disappointed I am in them and they will continue to lose privileges if they continue to behave this way. I got up and began saying good bye to everyone. Oldest immediately bee-lined it to the car, crying all the way. I had to pull her off the car. She sat on the grass crying and waving to me as I pulled out of the driveway.

It was a great night (not) and we are equally frustrated with our children. Is it time to call Super Nanny?

Dance Party

No wonder they had trouble settling down for bed! WHAT was I thinking?!

We are happy to introduce

Lilly
Cassius


We adopted them last week from a woman who has had them since they were kittens. They are nine years old and have been in and outdoor cats. And they are FAT! We have begun our weight reduction program. Cash likes to be in the barn and Lil likes our room.
There will never be another Pumpkin, but our love for these fatties grows every day!

Oldest is in heaven! They came with collars...she must accessorise! They are a bit skiddish of the marauding affection givers, but once they have settled in I think the kitties will be so happy to have snuggles from the kids.

Departure

I am leaving on another business trip. All the way to Allentown, PA. I am leaving tonight and coming back tomorrow night. We will be going to Nonnie and Papa's for the day to see Uncle P and Auntie M who are here from CA with their three kids. Oldest is out of her mind to see K. K is 8 and all 5 year olds love 8 year olds. It is in their D.N.A.

According to Oldest, when I am away she is 1/2 sister, 1/2 mother. Hilarious!

Here are my boys working on Middle's bike. Note the similarity in their shirts?

Safety first! Laugh out loud he is so funny!!!

Slightly Awkward

Um, yeah this advertisement prompted a lot of questions from Oldest. It was in my Parent's magazine. I brushed it off and said that it was a funny bed. But on the next page came this...

I was stumped...so I closed the magazine and moved on...I mean she is ONLY five. Not the time to tell her all about her period!!

Yikes!

You have GOT to be kidding me!

The latest in the ridiculous t.v. obsession...

Rob & Big

If you haven't seen this show and you consider yourself full of humor, you will appreciate it. It is absolutely pure entertainment, no pretense, just entertainment.

Down right hilarious!

Are we nerds?

Last night I gave the boys a bath. Oldest declared that she would like a bath on her own, so being a complete pushover, I obliged. While I bathed the boys she found her flash cards in the bathroom and asked if we could do them while she was in the tub. Not wanting to squash her love of words and her early attempts at reading I said a booming "GREAT idea!"

I sent her on an errand to procure the boys towels from the laundry room and continued the bath. Baby was the first to finish his tub and I bellowed for King Daddy to come and get him. Middle played for a little while longer, enjoying his solitude in the water.

We drained the water and put fresh water in for Oldest. We did her hair first and then started right in on the flash cards. She did great and was so very eager to do them, when the words were: on, off, no, etc. However, when we got to words like orange, seven, eight she began to lament. Although she sounded them out and was a trooper all the while, I kept thinking this will end soon. And end it did. Our last word was down.

It has always been my philosophy to encourage learning wherever we are. So it seemed like a fun thing for her to do and I was in the bathroom anyway!

Look out kindergarten, here she comes!!!

Is that MOM?

While looking at pictures of an old family friend who passed away earlier this month, I stumbled upon this...

The woman in the groovy patterned top is my mother! How do I know? Because today, in 2008, I look exactly like she did in this picture, sans the red hair. In fact both of my sisters and I look exactly like she did then. I think she was 39 or so when this was taken, roughly 1978. It is an unbelievable treasure for us!

Our friend who passed away is wearing the sporty plaid pants!

The Green Machine is BACK

In all the land they chanted, "Beat LA." T-shirts were made. It had been a long time since the championship days, that were dotted by Larry Bird. But in the end, they did it!!!

Middle, of course, has the fever...

Under the weather

The proud "graduate" of pre K is home sick today. She is sacked out on the couch with her purple blankie. Poor little girl feels awful!

The end of school

Precious!

Have a nice summer! See you next year!

Her performance was darling. They class sang 4 songs and Oldest requested our participation in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Visiting

Pumpkin was my first cat. We had dogs growing up and as it goes, dog people are dog people and cat people are cat people. I went to a shelter yesterday morning, just to say hello and pet some cats. I'd be lying if I said we were not going to get another cat. I'd also be lying if I hadn't already prayed that another one would come to us, just as Pumpkin had. I'd also be lying if I said we will have an indoor cat. I am torn on that one. I know you must think I am crazy based on Pumpkin's cause of death, but sigh...he loved being with us outside and loved to hunt and loved to gallop...sigh.

I have crossed the cat line and Pumpkin is to blame.

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

Oldest had her school show on Friday and King Daddy and I were both in attendance! It was spectacular! The class sang 4 songs. Oldest said, "Please join us for the pledge." It was so friggin' cute.

Nonnie, Papa and Nana came out on Friday night and King Daddy and I went to the movies. It was the perfect distraction we had been looking for, we saw the new Indiana Jones movie. It was pure entertainment. Some parts were laugh out loud funny out of the ridiculous! All in all it did what it was supposed to do, entertain and distract.

Auntie came over yesterday and took the kids on an adventure! Then she and I took Oldest and Middle to the drive in movie to see Kung Fu Panda! It was fun! Middle loved "camping in the car" and promptly fell asleep after the first 5 minutes or so. Oldest, however, stayed awake for the duration. Looking forward to Walle later in the month.

Now it is time to get our game on and get ready for the week. Laundry, bills, food, planning, etc. Although I am really looking forward to going back to work tomorrow, they have been a royal pain in the butt today! Love them though I do.

Happy Father's Day King Daddy. Truly the man of my dreams and the best father any child could ask for.

Just one more thing

We had all come inside. I was on the couch with a tummy ache. I saw a flash of a person through the porch window. Someone was on the porch but the door bell did not ring. I yelled to King Daddy that there was someone on the porch. By the time I got to the door, I heard "orange cat" and watched as King Daddy and this stranger moved off the porch in search of a wounded cat.

He said he slammed his brakes on, but he knew he hit his hind quarters. He saw him run onto the porch and then off into the yard. He helped us look all around the yard for him. He cried as he left and said how sorry he was. He asked if he could stop by on his way home to check in, we said of course. He returned prior to kitty's death.

King Daddy gave him the most recent update and they talked. They talked about how he had moved back here to care for his elderly parents after being away 20 years. They talked about animals and about his change in careers. He apologized again and said if there was anything he could do to please contact him. He asked that we call him to let him know how kitty was doing and left his number.

I called him yesterday morning and left a brief non-descript message. I didn't hear back from him, so last night I called again. I told him that Pumpkin didn't make it and I shared with him the story of the staff bringing in their cats to donate blood, he agreed it was a moving heartfelt gesture. He told me that he had to put his cat of 18 years down just two months ago. I told him to take care and that if he ever saw us outside in the yard to please stop and say hello. He said he would. He commented how nice of a family we were and again apologized for the whole thing. There was a pregnant pause, an awkward silence and then he said, "I just wanted to let you know that I, ah, um, I tracked down the vet and made a payment on the bill. I couldn't take care of the whole bill, I am not a well off man, but I know money doesn't grow on trees and well, you guys are so nice and I just wanted to help."

I was, I am, absolutely overwhelmed. Pumpkin is gone and my heart aches, but the beauty in these gestures extended to us dulls the pain. Such beauty in a tragic end to the cat that moved into our barn and ultimately our hearts.

There is more to the story

The hospital closed at 9 p.m.

The goal of the doctor was to get him stable enough to transport him to a hospital that had 24 hour doctor coverage. Pumpkin was ever so close to rounding the bend. I was on the phone with King Daddy when the hospital closed, I heard the click of the lock. Minutes later I witnessed an older gentleman coming into the hospital with a pet carrier. My assumption was that they must care for the staff's animals, after hours, as a professional courtesy.

While I waited for the next update from the doctor the staff and I talked about kitty and what a wonderful cat he is and what a fighter he is. I shared the story of how he came to be our kitty. At about 9:15 or so, there appeared a man, waving at me to open the door. I told the staff and they opened the door. He walked through the door looked right at me and said, "Are you the mother?"

I was confused and scanned his face for any sign of recognition. Maybe he was here when I brought kitty in. Not seeing anything familiar I looked around at the staff. One of the technicians, Laren, stepped forward and said, "We called one of our coworkers, who lives close by, and asked if she could bring her cat down to donate blood to Pumpkin." The tears began to flow and a hardy embrace was shared. I later learned that the receptionist who was there with me had called her dad and asked him to bring in her Nash. Nash was the donor as he was the first to arrive. In the end the grand gesture did not save him, but the intent is a true testament to the innate goodness in people.

If you can believe that there is more goodness from this tragedy, then tune in tomorrow...

p.s. Oldest asked me what color eyeshadow I was wearing yesterday. I spent most of yesterday bawling my eyes out. Puffy and red don't accurately describe the slits, formerly known as my eyes.

Sadness

June 11, 2008. Pumpkin died unexpectedly. He was the beloved (albeit involuntarily) pet of Oldest, Middle, Baby, Queen Mommy and King Daddy. He will be missed by all of us.

When I got home from my trip, last night the family wasn't home yet, I sat on the steps and waited. Kitty emerged sleepily from under the hydrangea stretching as he made his way to me. We sat and purred for a good while before the chaos ensued, for that I am glad.

Pumpkin's Garden, we buried him right there under the hydrangea.

Edited to add: Our cat, Pumpkin, you know the crazy kitty who plops down in the middle of the chaos, who lies on his back with his feet up in the air, hunts ferociously, gallops across all the land and who worships his mother, was hit by a car last night.

The man who hit him felt terribly and stopped and helped us find him. When we found him, it didn't look good. His pupils were like saucers and his breathing was labored. The gentleman had told us that he hit his hind quarters and that was evidenced by kitty pulling himself from the garden in which he hid. I gently picked him up and he meowed a meow I was unfamiliar with, I laid him on the grass. We put him gently in the carrier, I told Oldest that he may die and that it would be ok if he did. Oldest said goodbye to him in the car and me and kitty hit the road for the hospital.

He had a broken pelvis but the trauma was just too much for a cat who adopted my heart. I kept King Daddy abreast via a blow by blow and it was an emotional rollercoaster. One minute he had arrested and the next he was conscious and responsive, then just vitals, no response for awhile. The staff brought their cats in to donate blood for a transfusion. In the end he would have never come back to us so we decided that when he arrested the last time, to let him go. We were keeping him from doing so and that didn't seem right. He couldn't be saved, but they sure did try and the staff at the hospital were so professional and kind.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Here we are! It was so very awesome to meet Mrs. CPA here in her very home town! She took me to a saucy little place called Loca Luna, a true non tourist feel! It was even more wonderful to hear her sweet accent and heed her advice about what to have for dinner for that real southern experience. We started with fried green tomatoes and then we had dinner. I had pot roast with buttermilk mashed potatoes with cream gravy, YUM! I am glad I went with it! She had Salmon, not the meat and three we had talked all about. Then we finished with chocolate yumminess!

We talked all about our families and our jobs. We talked about who we read and who she has met. We talked about google reader, something that I will need to sign up for, wait is it google reader? I can't remember, but we talked all about the technical stuff, none of which I utilize. I have a rotary phone for goodness sake!

All of my colleagues had plans to return home after the meeting and when I told them my plans they wondered. They wondered if I would be safe meeting someone with whom I had only read. But they don't know, how wonderful this thing called blogging is. And without question it truly is wonderful!

Thank you Mrs. CPA! I had a great time here in Little Rock thanks to you!!! I'll be on the look out for a conference for you to attend in Boston, after the baby is born, that is.

Hmphf

I miss them.

We have a WINNER!

Mrs. CPA YOU are correct! Through the wonderful world of blogging I have admired Mrs. CPA and faithfully read all about her and tonight we are having dinner! I love this blogging thing!

You will be reading about our dinner tomorrow!!

Ok, so yes, I am in Little Rock. I flew in yesterday...

Little Rock is a difficult place to get to. No, I am not kidding. First off there are NO direct flights from Boston, none, nada, zip. Fine. I can deal with changing planes. I can deal with walking 1/2 mle to get to my plant. But, um, I have to go downstairs to go OUTSIDE to then climb UPSTAIRS to get on the plane. Now I am not altogether afraid of flying, however, I did not sign up for Rubber Band Airlines.

12 rows, 4 seats across. They checked my bag at the bottom of the stairs. Fine. The flight attendant said, "Welcome aboard the Delta Connector," long pause, "ah, I have to check my notes. I have been off for three weeks." Oh there's a confidence booster! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Were you aware that if I had wanted to go to the Headquarters of Wal-Mart, also in Arkansas, you can fly direct. Who knew?

Guess

I am leaving for a business trip in a few hours. Here are some clues. Anyone care to guess??

Bike Parade

AGAIN!

The hawk was there again today! It is so amazing to see one so close! I took pictures with my phone and will try to post them, but they are terrible quality!

Total Rookie

Last night we went to purchase streamers for the bike parade tomorrow. While we were there Oldest spotted "cold packs", Princess cold packs, Cars cold packs, Nemo cold packs. It reminded me of my first few days of motherhood.

Oldest was born in March, she was the first and I read all the books, took the classes and welcomed advice of any kind. I knew the minute she was born that I was made for mothering. Before I had my system figured out, I did "the every three hour wake up the baby so you can feed it," thing. My first full day at home the visiting nurse came to check me and the baby. She asked how we were doing at nursing, etc. Asked if we had any trouble with anything. I really didn't have much to ask, but I told her that Oldest was having trouble waking up so I had put a cold pack on her back.

crickets.

She began to blink. "Ah, well you really don't want to do that as you could lower her core temperature and that isn't good for the baby. Why don't you try this...". And she went on to recommend some other method of gently waking Oldest.

The sheer ridiculousness of this made me laugh out loud when we passed the cold packs and reminded me that we all have to start somewhere!

Hero

Not a worm hero, but a REAL hero, minus a cape!



On the way home last night, King Daddy took the kids the "secret way" route home. They were looking for the chimney that stands alone demonstrating the devastation of a fire. While looking up as they went along, King Daddy saw smoke. Then more smoke. Then a lot of smoke. A tree was on fire. There was an electrical wire rubbing against a tree. His cell phone was at home so he stopped at the next driveway, no one was home. He went to the next house and ran to the back door. The homeowners came out, he told them about the tree and that they should call 911.

Because I am a self admitted Nosy Boots, I went that way home. I ended up behind a National Grid bucket truck. The police were on site and stopped me. I couldn't believe the electrical fire smell in the air! After telling the police man my tale of how my family were the first to notice the fire, I turned around and left. I am sure he was like, "Whatever lady, beat it!!"



It was an EXCITING time for the kids! "I saw a tree on PHIRE!"

Tuesday

Today is Tuesday. Only Tuesday. Work has completely sucked the past few days, primarily in the afternoon. The proverbial shit hits the fan at approximately 4:15 killing my day. So it is with crankiness that I make a lame attempt at posting.

Blah.

Wildlife

On Friday morning we saw this moth on the door frame of our beloved babysitter's house. It was breathtaking and freaky at the same time. I had never seen anything like it. We did research and found it to be a Luna Moth. Today, for show and tell, Oldest is bringing a crayon rendition of the curious creature, with all the particulars on its life cycle. It was quite a sight.

This morning on the way we saw this sitting on a fence post. We sat in the car and watched it. It was unbelievable.

The highlight, of course, was when it spread it's wings and POOPED! Giggles ensued and the moment of awe was gone.

Smells like something is burnin'

That would be the back of my legs. While planting the hydrangeas in front of the fence in the blazing hot sun, I charred the back of my legs! I am brilliant, just brilliant. I slathered my face, neck, shoulders, arms, but paid NO attention to my legs...

OUCH!

Chinese for dinner though, that is sure to lift this Queen's spirits, if only for a moment. I have a feelin' I'll be sleeping with wet towels on my legs, ugh! WHAT was I thinking????!!!