Sub Zero Temps.....Burrrrrrr.....

Blowing Snow/Windy
-2°
Windchill of Negative 30 Degrees (-30°)
Sever Winter Warning:
Keep all pets and children indoors

This is what I woke up to this morning....negative 2 degrees!!
With a windchill factor of 30 below 0!! Are you kidding me!?

Once it's negative temps do we really even need a number?!
It's just freaking COLD!!!

And I know we're in the windy city and all...but seriously!? What's with the wind!?
Last night, I could have sworn I heard a witch cackling "I'll get you my pretty..." as my house prepared to lift and spin into the air!!

It was that kind of wind...where even your house shudders!
I wondered if the basement might be safer...since we have a wall of windows in our bedroom!
As I laid in bed, I imagined all the glass shattering inward at us!
They didn't! (thank Goodness!) I guess they don't call them "Weather Shield" windows for noth'n!?

All I know, is this California Girl is a LONG way from home!!

My Dad, (who is still living in California) calls to tell me how cold it is.
I ask, "what's cold, Dad?"
his reply..."oh, about 40."

40 degrees....!?!? Are you serious!? "Dad! That's a park day for us!" I joke back, wishing I was kidding!!

Then he'll proceed to tell me all about the house prices there, and how we can NOW afford to live there! Too bad we can't afford to sell the house we're in now! :(

I'm homesick. Really homesick.

Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the holidays. Maybe it's the fact that I'm lucky if I get to see part of my family at least once a year. Maybe it's because my kids are growing up way too fast and our families are missing it....and they are missing their families!
Maybe I'm homesick for a time and a place that doesn't even exist anymore!?

Whatever the reason...I'm waiting and wondering if I will ever feel at home again...anywhere?!

They say "home will be where the heart is. Never were words so true.
My heart's far...far away...home is too. "

That's actually a quote from the song Home, from the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast. It was also, appropriately enough...one of my first assignment songs at AMDA upon arriving to New York.

Don't get me wrong. My heart and home are now with my husband...and my boys...but I guess it's still new enough for me that it doesn't have that same comfy, worn in feel...like your favorite, old pair of jeans.

Really, I'm still trying to find my role as "Mother" and "Wife" on a daily basis.
Learning as I go...creating our own traditions and memories.
I'm sure it will all be so much more precious to me in the future when I'm looking back on it! And I hate that! I wish I could feel that same depth of emotion now. For the life I'm living now!

Blogging has certainly helped me with that! Appreciating and enjoying my life in the present!
Reflecting and blogging forces me to sit, think and write what is on my mind or in my life!
It also allows me to view my life differently as it's happening. I notice I am viewing everything almost from an outside perspective rather than being wrapped up in it, obsessing over trivial things that really don't matter!
For instance, now...when Jack proceeds to dump the entire basket of clean laundry I just folded...while I'm folding it...where I once would have blown up in frustration...I can now smile, or even laugh and think...kids will be kids! He's only 1 year old, and it's what he's supposed to be doing...learning his environment and what happens when... and, it makes great material for a blog entry...or a great story for later! :)

SOooo, this blog is getting long! What started as a quick weather report has turned into a, well....whatever it is!? But now that my head is clear...I can go tackle the dishes!
(next to a space heater!) ;) of course!

Next Time

It has recently occurred to me that I may have married a 5 year old in a grown man's body!
I'm sure many women can relate to that intro. but to make matters worse, this one has the only child syndrome...bad!

He not only thinks he needs and wants every new toy the moment it's available... but pouts like a baby if he doesn't get it the moment he mentions he wants it!
It's exhausting!!
I SO resent having to be the bad cop all the time...
"NO, you can't have 'it'...because we can't afford 'it', that's why!"
It sucks!

It's not small ticket stuff here!
He wants a new car and an I phone...instead, he settled for a Mac Notebook and a Playstation 3...my total bill upon check out at Best Buy tonight was over $2300.--
Are you serious!!??
The only reason I gave in was for the 18 months of interest free financing they offered us...that and the fact that I just didn't have the energy to fight!!
I had already been fighting for my life against 3 children all day!!
He had me at a weak moment...and he knew it!
Even a 5 year old, I mean 33 year old knows how to manipulate his Mother...I mean Wife! :)

Hubby: "But now we can watch Blu Ray Movies in our bedroom honey!! And you can surf the net on the laptop while I play video games!!"

me: "Hmmm, sounds SO romantic! Where do I sign!?" :)

Reason number 2 million and 86 why Next Time around, I WILL come back as a man!!
Right up there next to not having to do the laundry or dishes, carry and birth the children, (I know, some of you women enjoy that...I'm not one of them)
AND never again having to bleed for more than 3 days with out dying!!!

I mean really...could you imagine, ladies....walking into a store of your choice and spending thousands of dollars when you've got young children to support...with out even a blink of an eyelash...!? Simply because, you want it!! Whatever IT is at the moment!?
I mean, maybe if money were no option...and you had a ton of it to toss around...but otherwise!? HELLS NO!!!
That's your answer, right!?
ME TOO!?!?

I don't get it.

I have a feeling I never will... unless I grew a penis, perhaps!?

In the meantime...I'd settle for growing "a set" so that the next time my Dear Husband decides he has to have "IT" I can 'sack up' and mean "HELLS NO!" ...when I say it!!!

"Pity Party or no Pitty Party...HELLS NO Old Man!"

.... Next time....

To Botox, or Not To Botox?

My oldest has already mastered the lovely game of "Copy Cat!"
You remember, the game...I'm going to repeat every single thing that comes out of your mouth, and possibly every move you make as well...until you go crazy!?

Anyhow, he's really good at it!
So good in fact, that he has made me aware of something I'm really NOT happy about!

I frown.

That's right, I'm a frown-er. Just like my mother!
I probably frown when I'm happy!?
I can remember, as a child...asking my mother why she was so mad at me...when she would reply that she wasn't mad, I would ask 'then why are you frowning?'

Besides the obvious wrinkles it causes, I'm more concerned with the fact that I'm sending out signals that I'm somehow mad or unhappy, which really isn't the case! (Well, maybe sometimes...but not with out justification!)
I mean really, I don't want my kids thinking I'm unhappy or mad all the time!
In particular, I don't want them to feel like I'm mad or unhappy with them!!!

SO, as much as I HATE needles, I'm seriously considering numbing those muscles!
Shoot'n up with some Botox! I'm a little freaked out about it...but I think if I only did between the eyes, I could still show emotion elsewhere on my face, right!?

I spent an hour in the wrinkle cream aisle last night!
Holy bajesus! You can spend a minimum of $20 up to $100 or more, for a 1-2 ounce jar of some sort of junk that may or may not help!? I have no idea!?

I left with nothing.
I figure I'll ask around...maybe read reviews before buying a bunch of crap I may or may not even use!?

SO, anyone have any good suggestions for wrinkles?!

I'm turning 30 next year, I guess it's time to start thinking about it!?
I feel like I'm 29 going on 50! Grey hairs, wrinkles, aches and pains!!
Good Grief!!

I'm not sure if it's having kids that has aged me to such extremes or just thinking I was physically invincible as a child?! Either way, I'm paying for it now!!

Pirate Parts!

My three year old thinks it's the funniest thing on earth these days to run around pants-ing people! While pulling at the back of my waist line, he laughs his head off saying one of two things:
"I see your butt!" or "wiggle your butt!"

I have no idea what his fascination is with peoples rear ends...but it's really starting to get annoying!

Today, I asked him... while he was pants-ing me....
"What has Mommy told you about respecting people's private parts?!"
this, and I quote...was his response:

"ARGH, I a pirate...I'm gonna get your Pirate Parts!!"

Are you serious!?
Has he really been thinking that all this time...I've been lecturing him on not pirating peoples pirate parts!?
It really is an eye opener to what is and what is not getting through! I think I may need a new approach!?! HA! :)