Funny Things Happen When You're Too Tired to Open Your Eyes

Every morning at 6:15 a.m. I hear a loud "hmmm mmmm" (throat clearing) and blearily look up to see my oldest, Zach in my doorway, trying to wake me up to take him to school. Sometimes I try to get up earlier so I'm up and moving before this happens. But lately, I have been dead to the world when it occurs. Last Thursday, I was even more exhausted than usual and dreaming the MOST bizarre dream (that will have to be a separate post!) Zach "hmm mmm"ed at me and I wearily rolled over the side of the bed and made a grab at the closest thing I could find on the floor to wear, my nightgown. I usually don't drive in my nightgown, I mean really, how embarrassing would that be to have the car break down or a cop pull me over and there I am in my short, yellow, embroidered-around-the-neck jammies? But it is only 5 minutes to the High School and it was 6:15 a.m. for heaven's sakes! And I was right, nobody saw me, even when I realized it was garbage day and I ran out to put the garbage cans in. Oh wait, I think a teenage boy down the street was getting into his car, but I'm pretty sure he didn't care (it's not like my bare legs are stopping traffic these days!)

After I took Zach, Hannah was up and ready by 7:15 a.m. and it was time to drive her and another neighborhood boy to school. I really should have changed out of my nightgown at this point, but I actually ended up almost falling asleep on the couch between taking Zach and taking Hannah, so I groggily heaved my body off the couch and got in the car to take Hannah.

After we picked up Nathan, Hannah and I were talking about sewing a pocket into a skirt (a random conversation) and I reached down to show her the seam of my nightgown to illustrate where the pocket would go. As I looked down to grab it, I noticed that the tag was hanging out on the side, because I had it on INSIDE OUT! I showed Hannah and we busted out laughing. Nathan didn't say anything and we didn't explain because we were laughing too hard! So nice to know that I'd been galavanting around all morning in an inside out, frumpy yellow embroidered mumu. What a great way to start the day! I guess that's happens when you're too tired to look at what you're putting on.

As a side note: Later it dawned on me that I had to have a pretty great daughter for her to just laugh with me over my silliness. I could totally picture some of the surly teenage girls I know saying, "Mother! I can't believe you went out like that! Drop me off at the corner so I can pretend I don't know you." I think I'm pretty lucky that she doesn't consider me an embarrassment! Still, I'm going to watch what I wear during the morning carpool from now on -- if I can keep my eyes open!

Mystery Solved

(Sorry Laundry Queen, you already heard this one)

I was commenting on my friend's blog when I remembered a strange situation from my childhood. My sister Becky used to sneak sour cream by the giant spoonful out the fridge when she was a kid. She loved it! Santa even brought her tubs of sour cream in her Christmas stocking. I would try to come eat some and she would say it was her medicine and mine was butter. So I would eat the butter and she'd eat the sour cream. Is it any wonder that I have to fight an inner-battle with the butter fiend in me every time I'm tempted to spread butter on a sandwich underneath the peanut butter? No wonder my cholesterol is so high. It's my sister's fault!

"And now for the rest of the story..."

Deborah asked me about my camera, so here's the scoop. Five years ago Ren bought me an Olympus Camedia C-5050, one of the first generation digital SLR cameras out there. I've used it a million or more times since then and I really didn't mean to be abusive, but I seem to have dropped it a few times. The first time the control knob on the top broke off, but I discovered it was in auto shoot mode, so I've still been able to use it. The second time, part of the battery compartment door broke off, but it mostly kept the batteries in, so again I forged ahead (that was a few months ago). But this time, the battery door totally broke and the casing of the camera broke and no matter what I do, it just won't take a shot (or maybe it will, but 5 seconds after I press the button, turn the camera around all over and finally give up, then it takes.) So it's basically toast. I feel a little guilty that maybe I secretly wanted a new one so bad I was mean to this one, but if my sub-conscious really was taking over, I had no knowledge of that fact. Really.


The camera I want is the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSI (at least that's what my husband says.) I knew I wanted a Canon Digital Rebel, he figured out the one with the most mega pixels, etc. and won't let me get anything less, which means I can't get anything. Costco has this camera with an extra lens for just under $1000. Does anybody out there have any opinions about cameras, because maybe I could get something else cheaper that would still be high quality and allow me to do portraits and landscape enlargements at high quality. I'm open for suggestions...

Slumpin'

Oh my gosh, I am in such a blogging slump! Ever since Ren started his night teaching schedule, it's all I can do to get the kids in bed and then I crash! (and I never seem to have a moment to spare during the day, I wonder why that is?) But now my blog is so sad and lonely. Since I'm not posting, no one is commenting, so I get bummed and I don't post then nobody comments...it's a vicious cycle!

My other problem (and it's a BIG one as far as I'm concerned) is that I dropped my camera one too many times (it has survived two other major crashes) and it died a sad and painful death. It teased me for a day or two, taking pictures randomly then shutting down, but now it's given up the ghost (or the memory card?) How can I blog without pictures to inspire me? I can only be witty without pics for so long and then my brain turns off! In fact, I meant to blog about our amazing Labor Day trip to San Diego (we rented a beach house on Mission Beach and surprised the kids), but I dropped the camera while I was packing and didnt' get any good pictures. Oh the pain of that disaster!!!!!! The camera I want is around $1000 and I certainly don't have that kind of money sitting around -- but I can't bring myself to buy a lesser camera because I'll be frustrated! Whiney, whiney, whine!

Sorry, maybe it would have been better if I'd left the blog abandoned, but un-whiney. So, until I get my mojo back or take up a caffeine habit, this blog may suffer for a while. I'll try to do better, but I'd better not make any promises.

The Invisible Woman

This is an amazing video for all the mothers out there who occasionally wonder, "Now why am I doing this again?"

If you live in Gilbert, don't miss out!

I just wanted to pass along news of a wonderful opportunity. Heather Madder is a friend from church who is an inspiring speaker, author and teacher. She is holding an event soon that sounds like an amazing opportunity for those of us who are striving to make our families better. Every time I hear Heather speak, I come away from the experience thoughtful and motivated to make changes for the better in my life. I'm sure this event will be no different. Here is the info as she sent it to me:

Dear Friends,

For quite some time, I have been deeply interested in working to assist families in being secure, positive, peaceful, and healthy. This is why I am so excited about presenting "Families in Motion" with Dr. Neil Weiner, whose work has been transforming parents and children for over 30 years. Well-known in his field, he has a flourishing practice, has co-authored an industry standard book (as well four others), and is regularly invited to present at conferences, hospitals, and on television.

Together, we'll be sharing information that will assist your family to thrive and parents are invited to bring situation-specific questions to gain expert support and advice. Pleae join me on September 24th as we launch this three-part educational series designed to uplift and empower you and your children!
"Families in Motion"
Fall Series with Dr. Neil Weiner
Sept 24; October 22; Nov. 12th

September 24th:
Powerful Parenting through Authentic Leadership

*Learn how to to genuinely lead instead of control.
*Motivate your kids to be an active contributor at home.
*Learn how to really communicate with each child.
*Gain creative, problem solving solutions for all ages.
*Create a home of wholeness, unity, & cooperation.

Advance Price $15.00 per evening / $40.00 series
(at the Door Price $20 per evening)

For location, times, & details on full series visit
www.HeatherMadder.com!

Six Unremarkable Things

I was tagged by Janeannchovey to list six unremarkable things about me. Why does that seem hard to me? Well, here's what I came up with.

1. I adore anything (pretty much) with peanut butter as a main ingredient.
2. I love cute pajamas (and getting new ones).
3. I wish I could REALLY sing (like solo-worthy, not just church choir.)
4. I play the piano. (There, that one is extremely unremarkable.)
5. I wear size 7 1/2 shoes.
6. I have freckles on my...arms!

Terms & conditions:

Link the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular things about you.
Tag 6 other bloggers by linking them.

So now I tag Hannah, Cathy, Jenny J., Deborah, Heather W., and Erin B.