going shopping tonight

I've really missed my camera these last few weeks ... I seem to see a lot more pretty "stuff" when I don't have a camera, and of course, the kids have been full of picture worthy antics lately.

So ... tonights the night. We're going to go shopping and get the fancy camera. I really want the Nikon, but there are two people pushing Canon, and my only argument against the Canon/for the Nikon is, "Well, we have one at work and I really like it". That's not enough, I guess. In cases like this, some technical knowledge would be helpful.

Let's hope it's as good as they say it is ... I'm going to have it for a long time.

it's cold, so why not go out for ice cream

So this has been one of the coldest days in a long time ... but I can say that it is late October and I am still managing to grow tomatoes. I figure that my gardening luck will run out next week, but that's another post.

For tonight, the wind is definitely breezy, the windows are closed, the kids are in 'zippy go-jamas', and I'm sending The Husband out for ice cream.

I think he loves me.

I love him too.

Little Boy Blue aka Johnny Doe

This is not something I normally post ... but this really hits me.

Two years ago, a little boy was found, stuffed in a laundry bag, near some trees, about halfway in between where I work and where I live. He was estimated to be 3 - 4 years of age. The same age that MY SON was when this happened.

Nobody ever claimed him. Ever. They do not know his name. Why he died. How he died.

This little boy was laid to rest today, nameless, in a donated plot, in a cemetery in Wheaton, IL.

I cannot imagine the circumstances that would lead to a child being left, dead and alone, without a clue as to who or why.



He is not forgotten, today or any day. I pray for his spirit, and that during his years that were spent Earth side, that he knew joy, and love, and fun. I hope that he had a fantastic life, and that there was just one small moment, in his whole wonderful life, where something horrible happened, and somebody is too ashamed or afraid to come forward. I need to think that this boy was loved beyond belief up until the point of his death, and that even now, somebody is loving him and missing him, hoping and praying for him. This is what I need to think, because for me, the alternative is unimaginable.

still about me

It's interesting ... I think I may have ended a friendship last night. Unintentionally, but still ended a friendship.

I don't know how to feel about this. I guess that if she is willing to let seven or eight years of being friends go away because I called her on talking smack, maybe it wasn't a real friendship at all.

Although, I am sort of proud of myself for standing up and saying something, which is not something I normally do. I'm a fence walker, as she likes to say. I don't tend to pick a side and go with it, usually because I don't care. But, last night, from me, it came forth. Probably not the best timing, but I figured if it would save the four of us from a very unwanted bar fight, it needed to be said. I've made it twelve legal drinking years so far and managed to avoid a bar fight, and I'd like to keep it that way. Call me silly.

It's just a very weird feeling ... I would not at all take back what I said, because no matter what I said or how I said it, I would have been wrong in her eyes. It will be interesting to see how this turns out. I really hope I still have a friend when this is all done.

did it

I ordered the cd. It should be here this week.

Happy Early Birthday to me!

Wow she's funny

Okay, I'm sitting here totally exhausted, still not having finished anything off of THAT list over there ... plus, I got three new books from the library, so that is another new distraction for me.

Anyway, back to now. Totally exhausted, finished up some birthy stuff, answered a bunch of emails, deleted some more, when I checked in on a website, linked then linked some more. I found a link to Anita Renfroe.

I have not yet heard of her ... but here is a link to her video. If you are a mom, you MUST watch this. Not only is it set to the Willian Tell Overture, which I always love (awesome driving song, too) but she is right on.

Check this out.

I may buy this for myself for my birthday. Or just because the day ends in -y.

In fact, I may order it now. Because I'm the Mom.

things heard around our house lately

It's been another busy few weeks, and here are a few things that we've heard at our house:

Mommy, where's my penis? (This being said by the girl child)

Mommy, you're the best driver thruer ever. (This being said in response to picking up juice boxes and hash browns at McDs)

Are you going to die? (This being said by the boy child, pretty much out of nowhere)

When I die, I want them to bury me next to you. Make sure they draw my picture too. (Part of the previous conversation. The drawing is because the kids have seen my Mom's headstone (weeks ago) and we have pictures of her and my StepDad (still living) on there)

Mimi, where's your Dick? (This being asked of my MIL, who has been married to my FIL Dick for 37 years, who happened to leave through a different exit of the hospital)

Sister, you're the best draw-er ever (from the boy child to the girl child)

Hi my cute wife (from The Husband to Me)

It's like having mini stand up comics for kids some days ...

home

Well, my sister and my nephew are home. I took them back to the halfway point this past Saturday, and of course, I cried. It was so nice to have my sister around, and of course, Nephew #2 was so much fun. Of course my sister and I didn't get along the entire time, there were ups and downs and a couple of rough spots, but overall, it was so nice to have them here. I don't know when I'll see them again ... I'm hoping to see them once more before Christmas and the snow starts to fly around the lake.

So, we're now settling back into a house of four. The kids ask when they're coming back, and talk about how much fun he was. I'm glad that they can get together like this ... it's good for them. I know that I have some fantastic memories of my cousins and I playing (and fighting) together, making up our own adventures, living out the lives of superheroes and what not.

It's almost too quiet, and the ride back from the Michigan/Indiana border was definitely too quiet. No little feet behind my seat, no jabbery jibberish comments either. My sister talked the entire time she was here, so that was quiet too. I only had Q with me, so he filled some of the space. It was nice to have time for just the two of us. We stopped and had whatever it is you eat at 3 in the afternoon at a McDonalds, and I let him order a strawberry shake. We chatted on the way home, he pointed out the sights, made guesses about what people were doing, etc. We made it to church on time for the annual Beef Supper, so that was a nice way to end the night. I fell into bed that night exhausted, and that carried through to Sunday. And Sunday night. And the rain that chased two littles out of their beds and into mine. So The Bee and I slept on the floor in my room last night, and I have no idea when Q joined us ... he was there when I woke up at 6am.

Hoping for an early night tonight, having to work tomorrow. In addition to a Room Parent Meeting at school at 6:30, Q has to be at a party at 6. So The Husband will take them, and I'll go to the meeting. And so it goes. I wonder if this will be the start of the "passing in the night" that I hear about - Mom goes this way, Dad goes that, and we're all lucky if we recognize each other at the end of the week.

The month of October is pretty much full for us ... I'm hoping to catch a breath now and again.

And hoping to get a camera soon ... I'm missing mine!