Of Cheerios and Conference Calls

I'm Moving

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Today will be my last post on blogger.com. I've moved over to Wordpress so check me out there at http://ofcheeriosandconferencecalls.wordpress.com/

Seven Years Ago

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Seven years ago tonight at 8:12 p.m. you were born. Seven years of laughter, joy, tears and mischief. My how you've grown, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I love you, my "baby" boy. I love you with all my heart and soul. I fell in love with you before you even graced me with your presence. No matter where life may lead you, know this - I will always and forever love you. Happy Birthday, Bug!

Catching Up

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:33:00 +0000

Has it really been this long since I've done a post? Where has the time gone? Oh well, what's done is done. I know of been busy that's for sure. Between the family, work, new job and, well, just life the days seem to be flying by. This is so evident to me every time I sit back and watch my kids. I'm amazed at how mature (most of the time) Bug is getting, and how quickly Buddha is growing. It's all happening before my eyes. Today I was reminded that a "little girl" I once knew is graduating high school in a few short months and turning 18. When the heck did that happen!
Well instead of lingering on the "where did the time go" mod of thought, I'm trying to focus on the wonder of it all. Watching my kids grow and mature. Taking on new tasks and challenges - sometimes failing (or falling as the case may be) and sometimes achieving. Watching the joy and amazement in their eyes, and sometimes drying the tears from disappointment. Hearing them laugh and giggle at each other and themselves, and, yes, even hearing them fight (at least initially) brings me joy.

This Is Why. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:44:00 +0000

This is why I call this blog "Of Cheerios and Conference Calls", a perfect example. I don't use my checkbooks much. Most bill paying and balancing I do on the internet, so I don't write out a lot of checks. Because of this my checkbook is usually in one of two places - my purse or my desk drawer. Well, this morning I was pretty frantic for about an hour. I couldn't find the house checkbook anywhere. Husband's business checkbook - check. My business checkbook - check. Line of credit checkbook - check. House checkbook - no check. I have no idea where it went. Double checked the car to see if it might have fallen out when I went to the bank last week. Not there. Tore the kitchen apart in case someone (um, Husband) took it out of my purse. Not there. Tore my desk apart in case I missed it in the first look. Not there. Went through Buddha's diaper bag - you never know. Not there. OMG - Husband is going to pitch a fit if I really lost it. Let me check one more place, my laptop bags. Not in the first one. Okay - don't panic, look in the second one. Oh, wait, what's in this outside pocket? The checkbook! Gee I wonder who put it in there. Oh, and look what else is in here - a handful of cheerios. I attempt to reprimand her for taking Mommy's checkbook. But come on, how much can you really reprimand a 17 month old especially when she keeps saying "Momma" over and over and making a kissy face to you.

Catching Up

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:40:00 +0000

I can't seem to catch a break this year. I'm glad one month is done with and out of the way. My computer crashed. The computer that has not only all my various work related items, our household / personal information, and my husband's business proposals and contracts - crashed. What's that saying from Forrest Gump? Stupid is as stupid does. Well, stupid me, listened to my poor, poor son beg to play a new virtual game he got with a diecast car. Here's the "stupid does" part. I downloaded it onto my computer. As I was clicking away with my mouse, I knew it was a bad, bad idea. Oh, boy, I didn't know just how bad! And what was the worst part was my virus protection didn't catch it. UGGHH! So it meant a week down and about $175 out of my pocket. But the good thing was I caught it in time before the virus was able to do any real damage to my files. Thank goodness. I know it could have been much, much worse But now I'm $175 in the hole - not too bad considering I upgraded memory and got new virus protection plus labor - and a week behind not only in my work but my husband has a bunch of proposals and contracts to get done too. Well, I could look at it this way - my fingers got a week's worth of rest so I should be all set to start typing away nice and fresh tomorrow morning.

Total and Utter Frustration

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:41:00 +0000

AAAAGGGGGHHHHHH! Okay so that makes me feel a little better. I am really sick and tired of dealing with people in general. People who don't do their job. People who say they want a job, but then when you offer them one, they have a reason for not wanting it anymore. People who complain that they don't like their job - hello but at least you have one! People who say they're going to do something and then don't. People who don't return phone calls. People who say they don't want drama in their lives, but then create mounds of it whenever they have the chance. People who yell at me for standing up and saying something is "wrong" when there really is something wrong. People who e-mail me in all capital letters. People who think they are above reproach. People who try to sell me something when I don't ask to be sold on something. People who won't leave me alone so I can work. People who think a WAH mom just sits on her ass all day, watching soaps and eating bon bons. People who believe that some of us have lives filled with rainbows and hearts just because we're not actively deployed. I'm so tired of having to justify my actions and standing up for myself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't there been people fighting and dying since the beginning of time, so that I could have the right to stand up and fight when I see a wrong being committed! Why the hell should I be made to feel guilty, ashamed for standing up for myself! To some of you this post will make total sense; for others you'll be scratching your head.

What a Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:47:00 +0000

*Warning - parts of this post are not for those with weak constitutions, aka it gets gross.*

This week started off innocently enough. Bug started back to school - not by choice - with a 90 minute delay on Monday morning. I woke up with a sinus cold, but I muddled my way through it even getting a training workout in at the gym. Tuesday morning, I woke up and the cold had made it's way down to my chest. Not so much fun for someone prone to asthma. Went through the day with minimal problems. Got the kids ready for bed. Everyone was bathed and giving hugs good night, when Budha's stomach contents exploded - all over Bug and the couch. Dad was of no help; "I think I'm going to be sick" was his exact comment. I sent him off to help Bug and have him re-shower. I cleaned up Budha's clothes, and then gave her to Dad for her re-bath. I then took to cleaning up the living room. The weird thing was what she threw up was the dinner she had from the previous night, nothing that she had eaten that evening or even from that day. So we got everyone cleaned up and in bed, and Budha's stomach exploded again. This time I had a towel handy. Dad came running with a trash can. Ok - do you really think I can get a 17 month old to stay still and puke over a trash can? Cleaned up that mess, not as big this time. Got her to cuddle with me - really not an issue for her as she was wiped out. But within a 1/2 hour she was puking again, except this time there was nothing left in her little belly except some bile. No fever. It's 10:00 at night. I opted to not take her to the emergency room. Partially because of the no fever, and I know there's been a bug going around, and partially because of the weather. The ice storm has started. With the way things are going we'd probably end up all going to the ER as the result of a car accident.
So I clean up everything again, and get her to go back to sleep. That lasts for about an hour. This is how the whole night goes. I stayed awake all night to watch her and "catch" any more puke - though there was nothing left in her stomach to puke.
Wednesday morning - no school due to ice storm. Everyone home. Budha acts as if nothing happened, though she is tired and doesn't feel like eating. She seems to be over it. By dinner I get her to eat some toast, crackers and water. Thursday - I still have the chest cold; 90 minute delay for school; I'm exhausted from no sleep the night before. Friday - I wake up in the middle of the night with stomach cramps and naseau. Stomach bug take 2 - my turn. I'm feeling so crappy that I don't even take Bug to school. Probably better - at least he's able to help me keep an eye on Budha since I spend much of the day in the bathroom. Saturday - I wake up with a killer headache and a little bit of a stomach ache but feeling much better - both the stomach and the chest cold. Husband - "I'm not feeling so well." Stomach bug take 3. . .

Kids Do the Darndest Things

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:37:00 +0000

This would make another interesting weekly topic. This evening during dinner, I thought we had a breakthrough with Budha's eating habits. She really eats nothing other than chicken nuggets and Gerber toddler meals. But tonight I gave her a plate with some cucumbers and macaroni. I saw her eat the cucs and then every time I glanced over at the plate the macaroni was disappearing little by little. I thought "Wonderful! We have progress!!!" Uh, well, not so fast. I went to pick up her cup which fell next to her in the high chair seat. Guess what else I found? You got it. All the macaroni she "ate". Well, at least she ate the cucumbers.

You Wanted Two Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:30:00 +0000

That's the Husband says everytime I start to complain, err, I mean, tell him about the kids' day. "You wanted two kids." Thanks, Hon.
As I was sitting here today - just a few moments ago - trying to get some data entry work accomplished, I could hear Budha screeching and crying at Bug, and then Bug yelling "stop pinching me". Turns out he was sitting in her rocking chair and wouldn't get out. After a few minutes, Bug finally got his own chair and sat in it. They hugged and kissed. Now all is right with the world. . . for at least five minutes . . . maybe . . . hopefully . . . please.

Starting the New Year Off Right

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:32:00 +0000

For those of you that don't know me that well, I try to be a regular blood donor. I've been donating for over 10 years. Now that pregnancies and nursing are behind me, I'm planning on becoming a regular - every 8 weeks - donor. I've even taken my 6 year old son with me once in a while so that he will see that it's not all that bad. His blood type is the universal donor so I would really like him to become a blood donor himself. This year I found something interesting over at http://manicmommy.blogspot.com/2008/01/manic-mommys-virtual-blog-for-blood.html. Check it out and if you haven't given blood in a while, or maybe this will be your first time - what better incentive can you have.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:01:00 +0000

Tuesday - News of the Weird

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:22:00 +0000

I think I'm going to start making Tuesday's News of the Weird days. This was in one of my baby/parent center types of e-mails/blogs that I receive weekly. Let me just say it's one of those things that makes you say "Huh?" http://blogs.parentcenter.babycenter.com/momformation/2008/12/18/happy-birthday-adolph-hitler/

Santa's List

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:24:00 +0000

A blogging/WAHM friend of mine, Nell, over at Casual Friday Everyday, posted a blog about one of her son's list to Santa. It got me thinking about my son's list to Santa. We both have the same concerns - we don't want our children disappointed Christmas morning. Bug's list to Santa this year included a quad - real, gas powered one - and a $300 RC truck kit. Even if this had been a good year financially, I don't think Santa still would have bought those items.
Every year it's the same thing - how to teach Bug that Christmas is not about the presents he gets, but rather what we can give to others and being together with family. This year I've had him actively participate with me in donating what we could to others. For instance, the grocery store does a "giving tree" for the local boys & girls club. I had him pick the child's name this year. And then there was a local family last weekend that had all their presents stolen out of their car. When Bug and I were discussing it, he said "Well, what are we going to give them?". I must admit I was trying to steer our conversation that way, but he got the idea. He thought that one was pretty cool because Mom got interviewed on the news, and Bug kept popping his head around the corner and got in a couple of shots.
This I'm sure of - Bug is definitely understanding the real meaning of Christmas. Sure - I know he'll be a bit disappointed Christmas morning, but it won't last long, and I'll remind him of the real meaning of Christmas.

New Look!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:49:00 +0000

What do you think of my new look? I stumbled across some free backgrounds for Blogger.

As for tagging 4 people - I'm sorry to say I don't know 4 people that consistently read my blog enough for me to tag. So I'm going to do what Tishia did, and just ask 4 people to take on the Fun Blog Picture Meme. Remember to link back to my blog so I can check out your pictures as well.

It's snowing (again!) here in Connecticut. Friday's storm gave us about 10"; today's storm is expected to give us another 6" - 9". It was snowing at 7:00 a.m. this morning when Bug woke us up. I've got to work on that - waking Mom and Dad up at 7:00 a.m. on a Sunday. It's 11:55 a.m. now and still snowing. Good thing I swung by the library and video store yesterday. I got some Christmas movies - like there aren't enough playing on TV anyway - and Momma Mia, which I didn't get out to see in the theater. And then I got some easy read books for myself - Debbie Macomber and Donna VanLierre; some sappy Christmas/holiday themed stories. I think today is going to be a doing laundry/wrapping presents/baking cookies/watching movies kind of day. Actually I think the next few days will be like that. . . time to go snow blow the driveway for the 1st time today. I think on Friday we did it 3 or 4 times.

Fun Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 03:21:00 +0000

Okay so here's the deal. One of my blogging friends did this on her site - Tishia - and so she asked 4 people to do the same. Since I'm pretty much game for anything - I said "pretty much"; I do have my limits - here goes.

These are the Rules:
Open the 4th picture folder on your computer.
Open the 4th picture and post it on your blog.
Explain the picture.
Tag 4 people to do the same!

Here’s My Picture that was the 4th one in the 4th album:

This is a picture of my Bug from March 2006; he was just around 4 years old. This was taken either during or right after a blizzard we had. He loved and still loves to paint, draw, create. So we pulled out the easel, which was Husband's when he was a kid, put on an old t-shirt, and Bug got to painting. I probably still have the painting somewhere in a big portfolio. I miss is cute little boy haircut; he has a cowlick that would always, always poke up. Where in for another storm tomorrow, maybe I'll pull the easle out for him in the morning?

Okay - now I have to tag 4 other people:

A Thought For Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:08:00 +0000

Where do you find your Christmas spirit?

I've heard so many people this year - from family, friends, and on-line friends - say they're just not in the Christmas spirit. So my thought for this Thursday is "Where do you find the Christmas spirit?"

Bug came home from school earlier this week and asked me, "Mom, does Baby Jesus get two presents on Christmas?" I guess I looked at him kind of funny. He said, "You know, two presents - one for His birthday, and one for Christmas." DUH. Ding, ding, ding, We have a winner!

I know for me when I don't feel like I'm in the Christmas spirit I turn off all the specials on TV, stop wrapping presents, and just sit and listen to some traditional Christmas music - Hark the Herald Angels, Away In A Manager, What Child is This, Silent Night. For me remembering that Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus, our Savior, helps me stay in / get back into the Christmas spirit. It's not about the presents under the tree, the decorations around the house, the cookies/pies/meals you've made, but the birth of one special Child.

Return of Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:30:00 +0000

I know it's been a while but check out this mug. . .

So Much Going On

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:17:00 +0000

I can't believe how quickly the last few weeks have flown by. Between the chaufering, cooking, cleaning, working, cuddling, kissing boo boos, applying ice packs, driving to Indiana, visiting with family, shopping, baking, working, exercising . . . I know I've left something out, the weeks seem to fly by.

We had a wonderful trip out to the mid-West to visit my family, and a quick jaunt to Las Vegas for a belated anniversary trip - 10 years!!!! The kiddos really enjoyed spending time alone with their Poppie and Grandma too. And they were awesome on the car rides - we drove straight through both going and coming.

But it seems like every year is the same. I really do start out with the best intentions - getting all the Christmas shopping, dinner planning, house decorating, family picture taking, cookie baking done so that I can actually enjoy the weeks leading up to the holiday and so I'm not in a frantic rush. But here I am again - mailed out packages to Iraq a few days late (I hope the good, old USPS can get them there in time); still shopping for gifts to send out to my family; still shopping for some presents for friends and family here. Oh, well, maybe next year!

I think a new tradition was born this year though - and I'm kind of feeling bitter sweet about it. I've been hustling and bustling so much that when we got the tree last week, and Hubby resolved the leaking tree stand issue - I got the lights on it, but then I let my 6 year old Bug decorate it. He did a decent job of it, and I resisted the urge to re-arrange every single ornament. Okay - I did move a few but the branches were so weighed down I was afraid the entire tree would tip over. Bug did a lovely job and I'm very proud of how mature he's gotten just over the last few months. He's really becoming a big helper. Maybe I can actually sit back, relax and really enjoy the season and remember what's important this holiday season.

And She's Off. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:39:00 +0000

That's it folks. Budha's off and walking!!! Today she actually chose to walk more than crawl so I know life as we know it is over. Actually, life as Bug knows it is over. As I was cooking dinner tonight I could hear "Mom, she's getting into my stuff!" "Mom, she's taking my homework!" "Mom, can you pleeeaaazzzeeee come get her!" "Mom, we need a fence around my stuff so SSHHHEEE can't get it!" Oh the joys of having an elementary school aged child and a toodler!

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:58:00 +0000

Finally!

My Heart Hurts

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:36:00 +0000

My heart is hurting tonight. For weeks I haven't been able to sleep. Hell, for years I haven't had a solid nights sleep, but it's been worse than ever lately. My brother is halfway around the world in a God-forsaken place. I don't sleep because I worry about him. And then I get an e-mail that insinuates that I don't care about him because I haven't sent him any care packages. What the *&^#! I'm hurt and pissed both at the same time. I want him to stay focused so he does his job and stays safe. But another part of me is royally pissed at him for equating how many packages or e-mails he gets with how much I love him. And then, knowing there's tension between the family and his girlfriend, I try to extend an olive branch. She asks for advice on how to get my parents to trust her and like her. So I take 4 days to think it over, and word everything the best way I can, only to have her forward my answer to my brother. So much for trust! So much for trying not to upset my brother! So not only am I worried about my brother's physical safety, but I'm worried now that our relationship will be destroyed, and for what. For someone that asked me to trust her but couldn't show me the same consideration. I feel so sick right now. It hurts so bad.

Do You Ever Feel . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:03:00 +0000

Like you don't belong. I'm in a funk these days and I just can't seem to get out of it. I don't know where I belong. I love being a mom - love watching my kids grow and mature, love watching them interact. I love being a wife - having someone to share moments with, someone to cuddle with, someone to make love to. I love being a WAHM - setting my own hours, finding the balance between work and family. I love volunteering at my son's school - letting him know that I'm there for him, watching him succeed, meeting other parents. But lately I don't know where I belong. When I'm with the kids, I feel like I should be working more. When I'm working, I feel like I should be cleaning/straightening up around the house. When I'm cleaning, I feel like I should be spending more time with my husband. And then there's me time. Whenever I have a free moment - usually a fleeting, free few minutes, I just want to be alone vegging out or reading a book or magazine. Even on those rare occassions that I try to do something special for me, it usually ends up a disaster. Take yesterday for example. I was supposed to get up, take the kids to school/daycare, go to the gym and then head out to hang with my BFF at one of the casinos for a while. The day started out ok enough. My husband took Budha to daycare; I took Bug to school and then went to the gym. Well between a check in with my trainer, taking care of errands at the bank and post office, I didn't get on the road until 11:00. Then I went the wrong direction on one of the highways and ended up going 30 miles out of my way. So by the time I met up with my girlfriend it was after 12:30 p.m. We had lunch together (which was nice) and then played some slots for about 45 minutes before we both had to leave to get all the kids from school.
When I picked Bug up from school, he was mad at me - not because he had to go to aftercare, but because I picked him up from aftercare too soon. And his mood and attitude just went downhill quickly from there. Budha was all upset with me, too, having had to go to daycare two days in a row. So quite frankly outside of having lunch with my BFF the day - a day for me - sucked!
So the bad/disappointing day coupled with my feeling like I don't belong anywhere has really got me in a funk. And I don't know how to shake it. Right now I just want to curl up in a ball and go to bed.

Overwhelmed

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:44:00 +0000

There's been so much going - between work and school, getting into new routines, various family issues - I sometimes feel like I don't get time to breath. My brother shipped off to Kuwait two weeks ago, and today e-mailed me that he's made it to his final destination in Iraq. I try not to worry about him but it's hard, very hard. The night he left he called me as he was waiting for the transport to take off. I could hear a commander or someone in the background yelling for everyone to take their seats and strap in so they could take off. All he said to me was "make them stop fighting." Who? What? "Make them stop fighting." I've been trying to come to terms with what he was asking me to do - make people that he cares for stop fighting. I've come to realize that I would rather have another c-section - without anethesia - than try to attempt that. Why? Why would he put me in the middle? Does he really trust me and value our relationship that much? I know I do; and after our conversation in July, I realize he does too. He knows I can remove myself - detach my feelings - and look at both sides with an objective eye. And that I would have no qualms about telling people where to go and how to get there, and drawing a map if they needed directions. I just hope for his sake that the people involved can at least be civil to each other. And I for my part will keep being objective and looking at everything from all perspectives for him, and in the end, when he's home safe and sound (God willing) I'll be able to shed some light on all these problems for him and really make the fighting stop.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:48:00 +0000

Momma's Sleeping Angels(?)

Mom Song

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:35:00 +0000

This video is hilarious! You've got to check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM