Rats

Tonight is the first night back into the bedrooom, and needless to say I'm pretty jumpy. A couple nights ago not only did I hear them I also saw them, rats partying in my bedroom. Now, I know they are supposed to be sacred in India, but well, the fact is, I'm not in India, and I'm not so pleased to be sharing my space with them. I moved in with my son who is 10. He was not overly thrilled but adjusted for the two nights. Now, let's imagine a queen mattress, holding a 10 year old, a 2 1/2 year old, one adult and the dog. That's right 1 +1+1+1= no sleep. The last time I had any kind of interaction with a rat was when I was 19 years old and working for a grocery store. I needed to bale some bread (and before Mei writes in to say how much the refugees could have used the food, let me acknowledge right now that I totally agree with her). (Grocery stores just dump expiring food into the dumpster). I threw back the cover and some very large rodents jumped out. Now, let's reflect, I'm 19 and really, really blonde. I was told that my screams brought people running from the other side of the store. All I know is that the janitor came running and told me later that the problem was taken care of. Where is my janitor now that I need him. I am ahem, a few years older, and hopefully infinitely wiser, but I still have to admit, that sharing such a confined space with the rodent population is not something I am really into doing right now. I'm hoping that they are not coming to avenge their family. I've heard that payback is a bitch, but really, do you all have that long a memory.....Here's to cats and traps. I'm hoping they do their job....in a big way.

Super Power

Last week I filled out an ultimate survey. One of the questions was "if you had a superpower what would it be." I believe I answered something like knowing what was in the future. After thinking on it for a while, I need to change my answer. I want my superpower to be - making people happy. Without going into politics, the founding fathers created the Constitution with the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, so many people in the world are unhappy. If I could wave my magic want I would make people happy. Can you imagine what a great place this would be. The world would be so different. Happiness - sounds simple, and is something we all want to have, yet so few people I know (and yes, that includes me) are happy. Now I am not saying that we all wallow in unhappiness, but the stresses, pressures, and just everyday life gets in the way of allowing us the opportunity to just sit back and enjoy the happinesses in our life. So for any of you of who are unhappy, I just wish I could make things better for you and fix it. To those I know, know I am thinking about you and wishing you good thoughts. To others, please accept my wishes for a better for you. And if all else fails, find a good bartender...

One Decade Down

Hard to believe...my baby turned 10 today. A totally new chapter begins in our lives today. No longer a child, now in double digits. A pre-teen... Soon he will no longer have child issues. He'll have more complicated problems for me to solve. Those that aren't as easily solved by a kiss and an I love you. Although, knowing him, he'll always take them. Now agewise, I could technically have older children, but I don't. So having a ten year old makes me feel old. He's been a great child so far; I can only pray that it continues. So, as we move into the next decade of his life, one probably with the most changes, I say "strap on your seatbelts, it could be a bumpy ride." 10 years, junior high, he's growing up fast. Wish you could stop time and just keep them your "baby" forever. You want to shelter them and protect them from any hurts that of course come with growing up. All you can do is be there and guide them. Hope I do a good job.

Lightbulb Moment

Have you ever had one of those lightbulb moments? Today I had one. I was on the phone with my husband and he made a statement. Things finally clicked in my head as to where he was coming from. When you haven't been around someone for a few weeks it is difficult to comprehend things via short phone conversations. Especially when he and I are constantly surrounded by people. And, by the way, I hate that bluetooth stuff. Makes him sound like he's in a wind tunnel and I miss probably 50% of what he's saying. After he made his statement, which was in reality not big and momentus, just a passing comment, I finally got it. I had been wondering what he had been thinking and planning. He had not been brought up to speed on new developments and had been working on things from a different angle... Guess there is a parallel universe. We're travelling in the same direction only parallel to each other not with each other. Hopefully we can get back on the same planet and be able to be on the same track (even the same town would be good right now). Oh well, just one of those odd moments when you finally go "I got it". It may be that you don't agree, disagree or even understand it. You just got insight into another person's line of thought. Just getting that is enough for me...

Too Bad

Do you have any idea how much I would love to say "Too bad, you had your chance?" They are pushing the two year old, Sarah, away. She cannot go into their room unless she is very quiet. That's the quiet room. Now it's extending to other areas of the house. She cannot be two. She has to use her quiet voice all the time, even outside. Whenever they see a photo of David they get all excited, but not so with Sarah. She got so excited when her grandmother came home from work, even falling off the bed to go and see her. She was greeted with "you need to use your quiet voice". A little while later Sarah was going to be taken outside to ride her bike. It took longer to dress her than the time she spent on her bike. She was brought back in and I was told that she wouldn't play with her while she was in this mood. They then swapped her for the 10 year old. I would love to tell them as we are leaving to move across country, "too bad, you had your chance to get to know her." She is such a loving and sweet child and they are missing out. I don't think across country is far enough...

Line in the Sand

Where do you draw the line? My two kids and I are staying with my parents for a good part of the summer (or shorter I hope). My parents have now taken to overstepping their grandparent role and are assuming the parental role with my kids. They have decided to study for meetings with my son. Last week we hadn't prepared for a Tuesday night meeting. After we came back my son was asked about it. He looked confused when she asked if he had been prepared. She said she would take over the studying with him. I interjected and said I didn't have the material, remember we are just visiting. She basically ignored me and said we'll address it next week. Today she came in from playing outside with my daughter. She didn't like the way my two year old interacted with her and said she would no longer play with her. I think it took me longer to get her dressed than the whole time she played. Instead, while I am putting my daughter down for a nap they snag the son and decided to prepared for the meeting with him. That is so not your place. But how do you intervene when you are in their house? How and where do you draw the line in the sand? I was not given the material to go over the info for tonight. That's how they are using it to get around me. Driving me crazy... How do I put a stop to this?

Positive Side

On the plus side, I am now having some undivided attention with my daughter. Because I can't leave her at her grandparents she now comes everywhere with me. I heard her in trouble again because she was looking at stuff in the driveway and rearranging things. (They were having a garage sale). I gathered up my purse and bundled her into the car and off we went. Took her to the mall and we spent about 3 hours together. She was sweet and as good as can be. We ate pizza and I even got her an ice cream cone. So, her grandparents' loss is totally her gain (and mine too). We had so much fun together. Earlier I had let her ride her bike across the street to the park, so today we had lots of one-on-one time. And she totally thrives on it. My son would rather hang out here and be doted on. As he is older and quieter he is the doted on favorite. But with Sarah having her own attention, even if it is from her mom, she is coming into her own. Good for her, she deserves it.