I'm sitting here on the couch listening to the boys talk in bed. Loudly. Brendan and Colin have always chatted for a bit after being tucked into bed. Now that Jake is sharing the room? We're lucky if they actually fall asleep under an hour.
Jake's also taken to coming out every minute for hugs. While I love the open arms, small grin tugging at his mouth, enough with the hugs already! I know the day will come when I'll miss the hugs. Tonight isn't the day.
All of this is coming after a day of sick kids. Colin spent most of the morning either communing with the toilet or holding a bucket in his hand. He crashed in our room for a few hours this afternoon. Jake woke up snotfilled and coughing. I kept reminding him my shirt isn't a kleenex.
We were also to have driven down to Atlanta. Dealing with vomiting wasn't something I wanted in the van on a 10 hour drive. If we'd gone down on Sunday as originally planned, the hoarking could have commenced at Mom's. Instead the HVAC delay kept the illness confined to our house.
On that note. Off to beat submission into the boys. Until the door is shut so the giggling starts all over.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
I'm going back to school. Maybe.
I've been thinking about finishing my AA for awhile now. We're in a position where this can be done. Northern Virginia Community College offers almost in-state tuition for members and dependents of the military, which is another plus for finalizing my AA at this point in time. And the no cost on our part thanks to the military offering grants for spouses to finish their degrees or certification training.
I finally mentioned this to Jason last night during a conversation about a former coworker who is here in D.C.. I'd joked about her giving me a job. He said I wouldn't like it because of all the complaining old biddies. I responded maybe I should finish my AA instead, which he is perfectly okay with my doing.
While I desperately want a job, I keep forgetting the realities of childcare. It's more expensive in this area and I don't think I'll have ready access to childcare on post unless I take a job on post. Jason's commute is all over the place still since George Mason hasn't started fall classes. I really don't want my kids in daycare at the ass crack of dawn until 6 or 7pm at night.
If I go back to school, hoping I'll only need a few classes to finish my AA, it'll be easier to find someone to watch Jake. Amy's already offered and there's a potential of an in-home childcare down the block from our house.
I've sent in my application for starting in the spring. This'll give me the chance in finalizing paperwork, getting the grant and seeing if the school will accept all my old credits. I have 61 under my belt if they accept them all. I'm hoping they do so I don't start from scratch.
I finally mentioned this to Jason last night during a conversation about a former coworker who is here in D.C.. I'd joked about her giving me a job. He said I wouldn't like it because of all the complaining old biddies. I responded maybe I should finish my AA instead, which he is perfectly okay with my doing.
While I desperately want a job, I keep forgetting the realities of childcare. It's more expensive in this area and I don't think I'll have ready access to childcare on post unless I take a job on post. Jason's commute is all over the place still since George Mason hasn't started fall classes. I really don't want my kids in daycare at the ass crack of dawn until 6 or 7pm at night.
If I go back to school, hoping I'll only need a few classes to finish my AA, it'll be easier to find someone to watch Jake. Amy's already offered and there's a potential of an in-home childcare down the block from our house.
I've sent in my application for starting in the spring. This'll give me the chance in finalizing paperwork, getting the grant and seeing if the school will accept all my old credits. I have 61 under my belt if they accept them all. I'm hoping they do so I don't start from scratch.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Rambling mess of ooginess
I had all these grand plans of cleaning today, straightening up the carport, doing some organizing in storage. All this has gotten tossed out the door thanks to whatever is going on within my intestines. I LOVE being tied down to the toilet. The boys love it even more since I'm refusing to go outside.
Yesterday we bought curtains for the living room and dining room. We could have used our old ones from Germany only it's time for something new. The old curtains are sitting in the armoir waiting for a new home. I still like them even though we have no use at the moment. Same could be said for the blue curtains we got at Pier1 for our bedroom.
We tried finding a desk yesterday at Bare Woods in Chantilly. Instead we're most likely coming away with a buffet for the kitchen. Hopefully it can be made in the recycled barn wood to our specifications. We're keeping our fingers crossed the woman understood what we were asking. We'll find out soon enough. Storage has been an issue in our kitchen thanks to the small, 1950's design. Funny how kitchens got small in the mid-century when they were big at the beginning.
We need to figure out a storage solution for downstairs. Ikea has something which could help with this and a desk for the boys computer. We still need a desk upstairs but downstairs is more pressing. I think we'll end up getting the cubby shelving with desk attachment in the end. I've been wanting something similar for the toys. Mix use of space for books, baskets for storage, etc.. This would solve all of those problems and fit nicely in the nook by the wood burning stove.
At least I'm getting laundry done inbetween all the bathroom trips. The kitchen floor was mopped, counters wiped down and the bathroom partially cleaned. The rest of the house can shove it until tomorrow.
Yesterday we bought curtains for the living room and dining room. We could have used our old ones from Germany only it's time for something new. The old curtains are sitting in the armoir waiting for a new home. I still like them even though we have no use at the moment. Same could be said for the blue curtains we got at Pier1 for our bedroom.
We tried finding a desk yesterday at Bare Woods in Chantilly. Instead we're most likely coming away with a buffet for the kitchen. Hopefully it can be made in the recycled barn wood to our specifications. We're keeping our fingers crossed the woman understood what we were asking. We'll find out soon enough. Storage has been an issue in our kitchen thanks to the small, 1950's design. Funny how kitchens got small in the mid-century when they were big at the beginning.
We need to figure out a storage solution for downstairs. Ikea has something which could help with this and a desk for the boys computer. We still need a desk upstairs but downstairs is more pressing. I think we'll end up getting the cubby shelving with desk attachment in the end. I've been wanting something similar for the toys. Mix use of space for books, baskets for storage, etc.. This would solve all of those problems and fit nicely in the nook by the wood burning stove.
At least I'm getting laundry done inbetween all the bathroom trips. The kitchen floor was mopped, counters wiped down and the bathroom partially cleaned. The rest of the house can shove it until tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
You know you're a homeowner when
you actually clean all the fucking time. Seriously. I'm being honest here about the cleaning.
It's not like we lived in a sty before buying our own house. I always made sure everything was clean underneath the clutter. Dishes got done on a regular basis. Wasn't always daily. Toys were picked up when necessary. This has gotten better now we make the boys do the task while threatening their lives. Laundry is still a hangup since it never ends.
We've had hardwoods before so it's nothing new for us in the house. Easier to clean, whether from a swiffer, broom or vacuum cleaner. Must be kept clean thanks to all the sand the boys bring home from the various playgrounds we visit.
Clutter is going down except in our room and the office. I blame both on Jason. Every time I get our bedroom under control I open more boxes of his shit which ends up in our room until a place is found. Boxes still inhabit the office. Most of them have been opened, poked through a bit, then promptly set aside. More crap I don't know where it goes. All the crap, though, is confined behind walls with a door.
The walls are getting pictures hung. Not many since the house is too small for everthing to be on the walls. I'm liking the simplification this move has made. I'm liking less on the walls. Our house would feel crowded with everything up. With clutter in every corner or on every surface. A few days ago I removed all boxes from the living areas. I don't mind if things aren't totally unpacked. I minded them staying unpacked next to the sofa for all to witness.
The floors have been mopped twice already. I've scrubbed the bathroom down and then some. One day I'll get the tub clean. The kitchen smells of lemon from today's cleaning. The floor is missing various spills which accumulated in the last few days. All of this I do inbetween the screams, the wails, the fighting, the hugs, the demands.
I have a house which is trying to stay clean. I have a house which I happily clean even while I'm cursing while doing so. I've never been much of a clean freak. I never will but I don't necessarily mind cleaning our 1950's brick house because it's actually ours. Not the military's. Not a rental complex. Not mom's or even Aramco's. Holy fuck.
This is what happens when you become a homeowner. That stupid pride in ownership crap. Gah.
It's not like we lived in a sty before buying our own house. I always made sure everything was clean underneath the clutter. Dishes got done on a regular basis. Wasn't always daily. Toys were picked up when necessary. This has gotten better now we make the boys do the task while threatening their lives. Laundry is still a hangup since it never ends.
We've had hardwoods before so it's nothing new for us in the house. Easier to clean, whether from a swiffer, broom or vacuum cleaner. Must be kept clean thanks to all the sand the boys bring home from the various playgrounds we visit.
Clutter is going down except in our room and the office. I blame both on Jason. Every time I get our bedroom under control I open more boxes of his shit which ends up in our room until a place is found. Boxes still inhabit the office. Most of them have been opened, poked through a bit, then promptly set aside. More crap I don't know where it goes. All the crap, though, is confined behind walls with a door.
The walls are getting pictures hung. Not many since the house is too small for everthing to be on the walls. I'm liking the simplification this move has made. I'm liking less on the walls. Our house would feel crowded with everything up. With clutter in every corner or on every surface. A few days ago I removed all boxes from the living areas. I don't mind if things aren't totally unpacked. I minded them staying unpacked next to the sofa for all to witness.
The floors have been mopped twice already. I've scrubbed the bathroom down and then some. One day I'll get the tub clean. The kitchen smells of lemon from today's cleaning. The floor is missing various spills which accumulated in the last few days. All of this I do inbetween the screams, the wails, the fighting, the hugs, the demands.
I have a house which is trying to stay clean. I have a house which I happily clean even while I'm cursing while doing so. I've never been much of a clean freak. I never will but I don't necessarily mind cleaning our 1950's brick house because it's actually ours. Not the military's. Not a rental complex. Not mom's or even Aramco's. Holy fuck.
This is what happens when you become a homeowner. That stupid pride in ownership crap. Gah.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
And the shots didn't work.
I started seeing the local pain management doctor while living in Leavenworth. He got into pain management by way of dental school. There was a lack of anesthesiologists when he graduated so he joined the racks of dosing happy medicine.
I was dubious the first time I saw him. How can a dentist help my back when orthopedic and neuro surgeons haven't done anything? We talked about my history, the MRI I had the year before and he happily said he can help me starting that day.
Over the next few months I saw him every few weeks for cortisone injections in two discs. At first I was excited thinking this might actually work. I could wrap my head around getting these shots if the end result was minimal swelling of the discs. Little did I know the last shot would screw things up for me internally.
I haven't had a proper bowel movement since May. I was regular. Twice a day in the morning regular. Now I must take fiber supplements. It's now July and things haven't changed.
My back? Moving showed me things haven't changed one bit. All those shots for naught. Once we get settled I'll find a doctor or physical therapist who can help me again. I'm tired of the ongoing issues I'm having. I'm tired of being told time will make things better. It's been over 8 yrs. Time isn't making things better. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find someone who can truly help me and I'll have one day, or week, or month, without any pain.
I was dubious the first time I saw him. How can a dentist help my back when orthopedic and neuro surgeons haven't done anything? We talked about my history, the MRI I had the year before and he happily said he can help me starting that day.
Over the next few months I saw him every few weeks for cortisone injections in two discs. At first I was excited thinking this might actually work. I could wrap my head around getting these shots if the end result was minimal swelling of the discs. Little did I know the last shot would screw things up for me internally.
I haven't had a proper bowel movement since May. I was regular. Twice a day in the morning regular. Now I must take fiber supplements. It's now July and things haven't changed.
My back? Moving showed me things haven't changed one bit. All those shots for naught. Once we get settled I'll find a doctor or physical therapist who can help me again. I'm tired of the ongoing issues I'm having. I'm tired of being told time will make things better. It's been over 8 yrs. Time isn't making things better. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find someone who can truly help me and I'll have one day, or week, or month, without any pain.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Homeownership is awesome!
Hahahahahahahaha. Let me wipe the tears away from my eyes. We've officially been in our house for a week. Chaos still abounds. There's talk of projects down the road, what should go on craigslist, moving boys around, boxes still unopened. Cursing abounds on an hourly basis while Jason walks in the door with a new saw. Our bedroom is in pieces while he attempts his handyman status at installing a ceiling fan. I'll let you know if any hospital visits are in our future.
I've had fun running around this morning looking for new beds. Jason's plan in putting all three boys in one room has gone out the door. This was not my idea, putting the boys in one room, since I knew it wouldn't be long before they were separated. Only we now must shuffle around closets and what should have been in the office, elsewhere. Originally Jason was taking over the office closet. Now I will be since Jake will be in said room. His new gear must stay away from the hands of little boys.
He came home with all sorts of goodies, including a saber and tap shoes. We knew he'd be traveling before accepting the S4 position. We didn't know how involved he'd be parades, etc.. His new Blues are slightly different from the set we already have. He's even been given a garment bag for protection. The more he comes home with crap the more we realize how involved he'll be with the Old Guard. Apparently it's not just the enlisted who are part of the functions for the Old Guard.
I've had fun running around this morning looking for new beds. Jason's plan in putting all three boys in one room has gone out the door. This was not my idea, putting the boys in one room, since I knew it wouldn't be long before they were separated. Only we now must shuffle around closets and what should have been in the office, elsewhere. Originally Jason was taking over the office closet. Now I will be since Jake will be in said room. His new gear must stay away from the hands of little boys.
He came home with all sorts of goodies, including a saber and tap shoes. We knew he'd be traveling before accepting the S4 position. We didn't know how involved he'd be parades, etc.. His new Blues are slightly different from the set we already have. He's even been given a garment bag for protection. The more he comes home with crap the more we realize how involved he'll be with the Old Guard. Apparently it's not just the enlisted who are part of the functions for the Old Guard.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Everything is blurry-eyed this morning.
I've slept horribly the past few days. Jason's taken up snoring/making odd noises in all positions he sleeps in. I try my damnedest in zening myself into sleep but it works for me. Instead, I end up tossing and turning while cursing Jason in his blissful sleep.
Last night he fell asleep within 5 minutes of turning on the t.v.. Me? While exhausted couldn't fall asleep. Around quarter of 2 I stumbled out to the couch for a feeble attempt at sleep. I woke up with noises coming from downstairs, meaning Brendan had woken up. As I crawled back into bed, Jason said he'd take the boys on a trip ending in a Dunkin Donuts run. Not a problem I mumbled, burrowing more into the bed covers. I thought, quite ignorantly, Jake would stay asleep for a bit longer.
Hearing footsteps in the living room, I heard the first pounding on the door by Jake. Everyone left. I was laying in bed with my fingers crossed my sleep deprived mind tricked me. No. The pounding started again. 6:48 am I was officially up for the day. I don't have the energy for this right now especially with a cross-country move quickly coming upon us.
I will be buying ear plugs before the trip starts. The thought of sleeping in a hotel room with multiple snoring voices makes me cringe. I'm not going to survive.
Last night he fell asleep within 5 minutes of turning on the t.v.. Me? While exhausted couldn't fall asleep. Around quarter of 2 I stumbled out to the couch for a feeble attempt at sleep. I woke up with noises coming from downstairs, meaning Brendan had woken up. As I crawled back into bed, Jason said he'd take the boys on a trip ending in a Dunkin Donuts run. Not a problem I mumbled, burrowing more into the bed covers. I thought, quite ignorantly, Jake would stay asleep for a bit longer.
Hearing footsteps in the living room, I heard the first pounding on the door by Jake. Everyone left. I was laying in bed with my fingers crossed my sleep deprived mind tricked me. No. The pounding started again. 6:48 am I was officially up for the day. I don't have the energy for this right now especially with a cross-country move quickly coming upon us.
I will be buying ear plugs before the trip starts. The thought of sleeping in a hotel room with multiple snoring voices makes me cringe. I'm not going to survive.
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