Pink job, Blue job

I have PMS... I'm bitchy and hungry and I'll cry if you look at me the wrong way (ask Eric). But today I faced some irreparable embarrassment, and it had nothing to do with PMS.

I had to take Sam to the clinic because he has pink eye in both eyes. Kristen had it last week, but the over-the -counter drops worked on hers...Sam's were just not getting better, so I was FORCED to go to the walk-in clinic. We sat there for an hour and a half while the doctor saw 4 f**king patients before us....I'm not kidding! That doctor was NOT moving fast! He looked at Sam's eyes and, yup!! He has pink eye....so, of course, OUR appointment only lasted 2 minutes while he wrote the prescription. I bought the 'script and as we left Shopper's Drug Mart I decided to stop on the way home and get gas and a car wash. So, I get the gas and get in line for the car wash.

I'm not sure what was wrong with me (hormones), but I COULD NOT get my tire in the groove thingy so the van could be pulled through the wash. I kept backing up and one time I thought I was in the groove, but it turned out I was ON TOP of it. I put my code in and then backed up again, so by the time I got back up to the intercom, my code was invalid. Whoa now!! I'm not an idiot- but I was not going to get my tire in that groove thingy on my own. So now, 5 minutes has gone by, there's a line-up behind me of 6 cars, the people in the gas station are trying to talk me through it over the intercom....then I see the guy get out of his car to COACH ME ON GETTING MY TIRE INTO THE GROOVE THINGY. I was mortified. I was sweating. I was beyond embarrassment. But- I had a clean van when I finally came through the other side. Yeah..... I've decided that a clean van is not worth my dignity, though. Today I told (cried to) Eric that I've decided that going to the carwash is now a blue job, not a pink job. He agreed, but I'm pretty sure he'd say anything to shut me up today....damned hormones.....

Farm Living.

I miss the farm. I haven't been there since, oh, early November and I miss it terribly. It is so serene and organic.....but while my parents are in Florida, we don't go there. It's not the same when they're away anyhow, so I guess I am also missing my parents.

When I visualize the farm I see cows (of course!), tractors, Happy Hour on the front porch and gardens. When I think about the sounds of the farm? I hear cows bawling, crickets, tractors in the distance and Speedvision BLARING in the living room (my dad). Every time I look at my parents' dog, I think about them and the farm and how much I miss it all.

Today was a warm-ish day and we lost a lot of snow (Thank GOD!!!). It reminds me that spring is coming, my mom and dad are coming home soon, and we are going to get back to the farm again.

And tonight, a different kind of music........

I am writing this blog to the sound of both Kristen and Sam crying in their beds. It seems as though sibling rivalry is getting in the way of a peaceful bedtime routine, so tonight I refused to read them a story or let them brush their teeth. Kristen is freaking out because Sam "hit" her 20 minutes ago, and Sam is freaking out because he's not allowed to brush his teeth. (He's a very task-oriented person and it's killing him that he can't carry out all his evening tasks!) I have been struggling with this routine all week while Eric has been away and I was hoping that he would be home tonight to help me out but he's not.

You see, Eric called me from Heathrow to tell me he's leaving me and he's not coming home.

KIDDING!! He's not home yet because, are you ready? **Deep Breath**.........

His flight from Ireland left an hour and a half late so he arrived at Heathrow too late to make his connecting flight to Toronto so he had to wait a few hours to get a flight to Montreal and when he got there he found out they cancelled the flight from Montreal to Toronto because of a malfunction on the plane and the next flight into Toronto doesn't land until 9:30 tonight.

WHEW!!

I just can't wait to hug him. I'm sure he's gonna be exhausted.....So now I don't feel so sorry for myself for having to deal with the whole "Bedtime Routine"....he's still sitting on a plane and in the time it has taken me to write this blog, the crying upstairs has stopped. Aaaahhhhhh!!!!

Lyrics and Vocals by Brandon

Your eyes are the prettiest thing; Your face shines like an angel's wings; If I had a dollar for every smile you bring; I'd be rich

[chorus] Na na na na na na na na na (x3)

Your eyes shine like an angels wings; Your face is the prettiest thing; Everytime I'm with you; I wanna screamI love you

[Chorus]

Your Eyes are the prettiest thing; Your face shines like an angel's wings; If you don't think so, come and talk to me; Cause I love you....; The end of this song is near; Don't get me wrong, but your face And your eyes are the prettiest thing; And I love you.

Hopeful Beginnings

Yesterday was a day of new beginnings. Sam and Krissy went to their new babysitter's for the first time. Sam spent the day outside with 2 other little boys his age, playing Candyland and Snakes and Ladders....Kristen was so thrilled that she didn't have to take the bus- the sitter lives right across the street from the school. They both cried when I told them that they aren't going there again until next week! I am so relieved that it went smoothly because it's damn scary leaving your kids with someone you really don't know that well. But they seem to like her and I believe kids are very intuitive, so I'm happy if they're happy.

Brandon and Emma started a new semester at school. Brandon is taking Phys. Ed, Science, French and Math. Yesterday, when I got home, he was sitting at the table doing homework. Unannounced and Unprovoked. Today, he was happy to tell me-"You know that homework I did last night? I got 8/10 on it, so I'm doing pretty good so far." I was quick to point out that it IS only the 2nd day and he said,

"I want to do well. I'm getting back on the right track."

I shit you not. Just like that, he's decided that he wants to do better. I personally think this has something to do with a girl. He took her to the movies last night and it was pretty cute....they met at Cadets and she goes to a different school, but he really seems interested. We all know that every man needs a good woman to calm him down. Or as Eric said, "God, I hope this is his Gwenny!" Girl or no girl, I'm just happy that he's on a good path. For now.

Emma is taking English, World Religion, Travel and Tourism and Philosophy. On the first day, her World Religion teacher announced, "......if you don't believe in God you have no morals..." Emma didn't like that very much and she took him to task. By the time she got home she was in a tizzy! I'm proud of her for standing up to him. Or maybe she's just scared because we're not a religious family and she thinks we're all doomed. Whatever the reason, I'm happy that she stood up to him for saying such a stupid thing. Philosophy sounds like such a waste of time....she says things like, "when I'm not around you, are you still there?" and "Conscience.....what IS it?" I say to stop thinking about shit so much and get on with life!! I can't believe that these courses are preparing her for post-secondary education....I guess it doesn't matter, does it? As long as Emma's happy. For now.

I like new beginnings. It reminds me that I'm not stagnating in the same routine. It also forces me out of my comfort zone so I am open to trying new things. I hope my kids feel the same because change is good.

A new chapter begins!

Well, I wasn't going to write on my blog tonight because I am EXHAUSTED. But I am so excited about a new chapter starting in my life, that I just can't contain myself!! I had my first day of school today. I haven't slept for 2 nights because I have been so nervous and excited....now I'm just excited and feeling an urge to get back to nursing that I haven't felt for years!! To be quite honest, I don't think that I'm a nurse that actually enjoys bedside care. Wiping bums, dealing with families and pushing a medication cart just isn't my thing so I was nervous that I wouldn't really enjoy working in the OR either. But today, when I saw all those cool tools I just knew that I was exactly where I should be. I mean, let's face it- my father and my brother are both mechanics so I think I have a bit of the "mechanical thinking" gene as well and that's gotta be the reason I loved to see all those shiny, metal intruments.

Don't get me wrong here- going back to school is going to be a challenge for me. Anyone with 4 kids probably wouldn't disagree, but lucky for me! I LOVE a challenge! And even luckier for me, my husband has a pool of patience the size of the Atlantic. He truly just wants me to do what makes me happy.....unconditional love, I'd say....

I'm sure that I'll be bitching about the workload in no time, but for tonight I am blissfully happy. Exhausted, for sure, but happy nonetheless.

Love Letters.

I've always known that I married the perfect man. He's funny, he's smart (and full of useless information), he's beautiful inside and out....he is very sensitive to my needs and he's totally committed to our marriage and our family. My man works HARD to give us the wonderful lives we have and my love, respect and admiration for him is endless. After 9 years together, I really didn't think he could surprise me.....until the LOVE LETTER.

Yesterday, Eric left for Ireland. I was skating with the kids at a party and he came to watch them for a few minutes before he had to catch his flight. We waved to each other, blew kisses, and I watched him walk away. I was sad, but I'm getting used to this now. Last night, as I sat alone (the kids were asleep) I thought about how much I missed him. I really did look forward to a night alone but once I was (finally!) alone I only felt like something was missing. So, I went to bed.

As I reached out to fix my pillow, I felt a piece of paper. I chuckled and thought one of the kids left me a "treat". So I turned the light back on and felt my heart jump when I read what was in my hand. On the outside it said, "Open me xxoo" in red ink with a heart. So I did....and I was so overcome that I just began bawling! It was the sweetest most perfect gesture a man could ever make....... a love letter. I'm not going to reveal the contents of the letter (SOME things have to be kept private!) but suffice it to say that my husband reached a new level of "perfect" last night. And I ask you.......after 9 years together, what else could a girl wish for?