Shhhhhh!

I don't think I've ever heard shhhhh, or be quiet, don't, or stop it as much in the past two weeks (only 2 weeks, seems so much longer) as I have in the last few years put together. It's interesting because my two year old doesn't seem to have the tantrums she used to (hopefully she's totally outgrowing them), but her loudness comes from excitement or arguing with her brother. Yet she is staying in a house that is to be "quiet". I hear them talking to her telling her she needs to be quiet or she'll be sent outside-not just the room, but the house. (Who says that to a toddler?) She can't upset their kitty. If Lilah gets upset she'll run outside. Now I know the pecking order over here, the kitty, the 10 year old, then the 2 year old. How do you tell a two year old she has to be quiet all the time? It's like telling her not to be 2. Driving me insane. I found a place to watch Junior's fight, and ended up having to take her with me. I had gone downstairs and was leaving, but heard that "be quiet" lecture again. Sure enough she was banished out of the room and the door locked behind her. She was standing in the hall all by herself. Her grandfather was on his computer totally oblivious to her. I listened to the interaction as the quiet lecture continued after the door was again opened. Within a few seconds she was banished outside again. Of course she's yelling and banging on the door. Her brother is safely inside, while she is locked, yes locked, out. I put an end to the whole thing by saying I'm just taking her with me. And it was so much better for her. "Grandma" Vicky even watched cartoons with her at her house. Sarah loved having the attention. Just let her be 2 and stop stifling her. If it's loud because she's screaming in anger or because of a tantrum that's one thing, but because she's enjoying life, give me a break.

Junior

Tomorrow (or today), Wednesday the 16th my nephew has his first televised fight. He was supposed to have his second match last Friday, but his opponent never showed up. Unfortunately, that cancelled the entire boxing line up. Apparently they needed 18 rounds. Junior fights 4 and with his opponent a no show they were only at 14, so all the matches of the night were scratched. I know nothing about boxing; this is what I'm told. Junior is supposed to be a rising star so another promoter snagged him for a fight for tomorrow. It's at Pechanga Casino in Temecula and happens to be aired on the FSN. No, he's not the main attraction. I am getting a crash course in boxing, so what I do know is the main fight is last, with a few lead-ins ahead. There are a total of 5 fights. Junior is in the Welterweight Division. I had to pick this up from the Pechanga site. He is the TBA since he was just added after his fight was cancelled. Unfortunately, my parents don't get FSN, so I am going to see if I can see it at a friend's house. My parents are very anti-boxing so I can't even tell them why I'm going to try to get out of the house. I am not a boxing fan, but I am a fan of my nephew. Of course the fights start at 5:30, but aren't aired until 8:00, so I'm sure I'll hear the results before. Junior is 1-0, his opponent is 3-0. If Junior doesn't do so well, at least I can be prepared. He has trained hard and once he found out this match is being televised has stepped it up. He doesn't want to look bad in front of such an audience. As a loyal aunt, I'm going to have to watch the fight. I do hope he does well, I'd hate to see him all bloodied up. So, hopefully I'll find a venue to watch my nephew, but no, I'm not bringing the kids. Blood, guts, and gore isn't something I want them to get a crash course in. Guess I'll have to say I'm out for a "spa" evening...

Jealous

Yes, I am jealous of my husband. Just booked his flight back home. He gets to leave this madness tomorrow. Help!!! Take me with you!!! Take me anywhere but here...

Rumors

Just to let anyone know, if you are going to talk about people and spread rumors can you at least get the facts straight. Or at least one of the facts right. It's interesting how people I haven't spoken to in years seem to know so much about me and my family's lives. Yet they are 100% wrong. Not one factual statement...Ever heard of the motto,"if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." I think these people just like to hear themselves talk.

Using Children

My son is a very naive, innocent and trusting 9 year old. Why do people see the need to pump him for information. I walk by the room and hear his grandmother asking all kinds of questions about us and our lives, my husband's family, our friends, etc. He is so trusting he just talks away. Then we hear about it later. Why do people do that. If you want to know something ask me. I'll probably tell you it's none of your business; hmm, guess that's why they ask an innocent 9 year old. Drives me crazy...Any thoughts on how to put a stop to it.

Adapting or Not

We have been staying with my parents for 4 days now. Rumor has it they have a cat named Lilah. I have yet to see her. It is because of Lilah that my pets are banished. I have two cats who are 13 years old, totally indoors, declawed and "people" oriented. They both take a nap with my daughter and follow her around the house. Now, my parents didn't want Lilah upset about the visiting kitties so my cats are banished to the patio room and back yard. Back yard!!! These cats haven't been outside a day in their life in the 13 years we've owned them. One cat is so lonely she tries to follow anyone around who happens to go outside. The other cat is hiding in a cabinet. This patio room is not very big. It is long, but narrow and is also used as a storage room. My husband and I had to get away and so spent the day together (with the kids, of course). Got home to the news that the one cat went next door and the two dogs had him trapped. The neighbor's dogs hate cats. Great, let's let two old, declawed cats loose. One of the next door dogs even came under the fence and got into my parents yard. Do I see trouble on the horizon...oh yeah! The sad thing is our dog can't do anything to protect the cats. Lady likes the cats and they get along great, hence the lack of fear in the cats around dogs. You see, our dog has been banished to the side yard. Not the garage, not the back yard...the narrow walkway of a side yard. All concrete and garbage cans. When she is not in the side yard she has to be in her crate in the upstairs bedroom. She can't be in the backyard because, according to my father, she could "pee" and burn his grass. She can't be in the house because their invisible cat, Lilah, is terrified of dogs. I feel so bad for these pets. You look into their eyes and all your see is confusion. They are used to being with us 24/7 and now are banished. Our two-year old is just as confused. She is having a hard time going to sleep without her kitties. I am hoping our "vacation" will be cut short. We can see trouble on the horizon and are worrying about how our son will take it if something happens to one or both of the cats. They are too old to have to worry about running for their lives. They should be able to live out the rest of their lives in comfort; they've earned it. What's ironic is the invisible cat used to be wild. She can take care of herself outside, mine can't. Or at least let the dog out to protect his sisters...

Priorities

Why is it that people place more emphasis on "things" rather than people. As I write this my two year old daughter is sleeping (after 2 hours of fighting it), but she is sweating profusely. Her hair is all wet, her face is damp...and she is just wearing a t-shirt. The reason is her grandparents refuse to turn on the air conditioning. They live the majority of their day in their master bedroom. In there, they have a heater, a/c, microwave, etc. So there is no need to heat and/or cool the rest of the house. We are dying here. Nope, the temperature has to stay at a certain level or they pay more in utilities. It's midnight and my son is still awake because he is hot too. You are also not allowed to use any electricity from noon to 6:00 pm. Yes, I was told that as I was waiting for clothes to come out of the dryer. They are on a special plan to reduce costs. Nothing can be run during those hours. Great!!! Yesterday, my husband set up the slip n' slide for the kids to play in the backyard. It was hot... Their grandfather was indignant because it could burn the grass. He didn't want it set up. My husband put it up not knowing it would become a major issue. They didn't play long, let's put it that way. We also brought a small pool, guess they won't be using that either. Grass is a thing. Let the kids be kids. What else are they going to do...stay in a hot house staring at the walls because they can't watch tv or play video games. It's too hot to play outside. Yeah, it starts to cool down in the evening, but hey, that's when you can turn stuff on again...except the air conditioning...