Good Enough

My brother just taught me how to post a REAL picture! I’m very excited about this. Me, in the middle…my 30th birthday, two of my three sisters. Luv ‘em.

This post is not for the eyes of my family, sorry my brother…believe me you do NOT want this visual, and you know to what lengths I can go.

So here it is, my sad tale of what it has come down to, (literally) after nursing three children.

My daughter was in my room while I was changing to go work out.  She stared with big eyes at me, wrinkled her nose, and spoke some gibberish. But what came out next was very clear…  

“Mommy, your like a monkey!” she said.

I realized immediately what body part(s) she referred to. I hope she’s not scarred for life. And yes I will be changing in the closet from now on.  

Little tip, when hosting a book club at your house, try not to over hear a comment like…

“It was alright, but I’d never recommend it.”

Try not to invite any English Majors, (no offense Kathryn) as they will use said book club as a forum to trash said book and humiliate poor uneducated hostess.

Do,however, serve them terrific food, so at least they can’t diss on that…and invite some normal housemom’s without a whole lot going on so at least they appreciate the fact that the aforementioned book got them thinking! 

So there is much I enjoy about this web-log thing, but there is much that is humbling as well. I have a hard time not comparing myself to the brilliant women and men in this world. I have a hard time thinking I’ve accomplished enough and I just can’t help but to compare. I know…it’s sad, it’s pathetic. But sometimes I wonder, am I truly where I want to be in life?

I don’t think it’s all bad, because I’m not the type of person to feel bad and not do anything about it. I have made some positive motions forward…and it will take time…I really want to go back to school. That’s my biggest regret. I’m not sure how to go about it and I’m scared.  I don’t know if my brain can handle the courses I don’t like. Biology, algebra, anything in the scientific or mathematical realm. Maybe I should try to take courses from Australia, there they go straight to what they enjoy, humanities, liberal arts, that’s more my style.

Where is all this blah blah going? Well I’m slightly embarassed to admit that I’ve been obsessed  with something that I feel many of my blogging buddies do not waste their time with. 

That’s right, I’m talking about American Idol folks! It really has me hooked this season.  In my defense, I really haven’t had the attention span for it in the past. I’ve enjoyed the opening auditions, but when it gets to the top 12 I loose interest.  Maybe it’s because I feel the same about it as politics. My vote doesn’t really count.  Also, everyone uses the same old songs, with the same old sound. I consider myself a music connoisseur, and many of these people must be BLIND to what is out there.

This season it’s been different. This season there has been a little somethin’ I like to call DIVERSITY. Musically, of course.  With contestants like Blake Lewis, Chris Sligh, Chris Richardson, and Gina Glocksen I’ve actually heard music from fantastic artists! This season my ears actually beheld songs from The Cure, 311, The Police, Keane, The Pretenders and Jamariquai…and even when I had to put up with the same old same old, some of these people put some great twists on the oldies! Of course they got knocked by the judges for some of these decisions, but in my living room I was clapping! Bravo! That’s what I say, don’t let them change you, these guys may not be able to belt it out like LaKisha, but I’m loving the new flavor.

What makes me furious is these supposed music professionals who call themselves judges don’t even know who some of these artists. They need to be studying more so they don’t look like fools.

Okay so I’m done with my rant.

And while I’m coming clean I also LOVE The Office, can’t get enough of it…I’m already thinking about the fact that someday it will go off the air, and nothing can replace it. Funniest sitcom I’ve ever seen!  But I’m not so embarassed about that. Maybe I’m trying to redeem myself?

The sun is out again in Seattle. Amazing and beautiful and perfect for picnicking in the park.  I needed my dose of Vitamin D, as well as the fact that every-time it is sunny Buster expects a park trip. In our little town the bus driver will actually drive by the park, and if she sees you, she’ll let your child of there. I love the personal treatment, I have to say. So today the park was PACKED because everyone and their mother (of course) heads to the one park in town when it’s sunny. I’m so hard core that I outlasted them all! What is it with me and my little battles that no one knows I’m fighting but myself.  But really, what were we going to do at home? If you’ve read this blog enough you know it wouldn’t be chores!  

Really though, one by one everyone left, and what used to be a packed playground became an empty playground. My kids became bored playing with eachother and eventually I decided it was time for us to go.

After a battle to get everyone to the car, threats of non-violent punishments, and much yelling, we did make it. But as I was buckling Bubba into his car seat Buster began yelling that there was a spider on my shirt…Not one to over react I finished buckling and in the mean time Buster was asking if I felt any itchiness in my shirt because the spider had just crawled down it.  This freaked me out a little. I had many different layers in my shirt that the spider could have gone, I couldn’t seem to find it. Buster suggested that I take my clothes off. Not really an option.

You know that feeling when you have a bug on you, that itchy feeling, every little prick of the skin and you think it’s there? That was me driving home. I admit to almost hitting a mailbox as I swerved over to the side of the road trying to find that spider. I’m wondering what passer-by’s were thinking as I groped myself.  

I never did find it.

So even now as I’m typing, my skin is itching, but I’m wondering…did Buster make it all up to get back at me for all those threats on the way back to the car?? And if so, since when did my child become so crafty?

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Only a dog lover would let her do this…” She says as she lets my dog lick the grease from her hands. “Who knows where this mouth has been.”

“Yes, who knows?” I ponder, staring blankely in the distance.

She promptly washes her hands with dish soap.

Definitely a true dog lover. 

Oops I did it again, no, I’m not referring to Britney Spears, I’m referring to my impulsivity (is that a word?)  For about a month back in November I joined the e-bay frenzy.  We were moving, to a rental, we’ve never had to rent. My pride got the better of me and I was thinking that if I had to rent, I would do it in style. I ended up playing e-bay for furniture. On the positive side, I purchased four kitchen chairs for $100 and free shipping. I should have stopped there! I should have counted my blessings, we really did need kitchen chairs we only had two and we’re a family of five. But perusing will get you everywhere and I began my search for other AMAZING deals.

I saw this armoire that looked gorgeous, the bid was starting at .99 cents.  I thought I hit the jackpot! Maybe no one else would bid and I would get an armour for $20.  Then the madness began, as I eagerly checked my e-mail everyday to see if I had won people  kept out bidding me. It mad me so angry! How dare they! This was my piece of furniture and no one was going to out bid me! I would WIN! Well, as you can imagine the bidding was raised fairly high, but in the end I “won” for a mere $100.  I didn’t realize that shipping costs were triple that. ARGH!

But it didn’t ship, and didn’t ship, and didn’t ship for 5 months. Maybe I was off the hook? I e-mailed and asked could I cancel it, to no avail. Once you win on e-bay if you don’t want your name slandered you must pay up and follow through.

The beastly thing came today. It smells like a nursing home, and is chipped and scratched. It’s awful. I don’t know what I ever saw in it! I’m so embarrassed for my hubby to arrive home and see it sitting in my living room, to big to fit into any of the corners I had planned for it.

I have been humbled.  I am blushing in my humiliation. My house is now infected by the smell of it, and it is blocking 40% of the light in my living room. It blocks almost a whole window.

What do you do with an ugly armoire, what do you do with a smelly armoire, what do you do with a cheap looking, although relatively expensive armoire before the hubby comes home and gives you the look?

To add to the insult to my injuries…my hubby is an amazing carpenter, you can check out his gallery of work at scandw.com, and he just made me a beautiful cabinet…the first cabinet he’s ever made for after seven years of marriage.  Why couldn’t I wait a little longer for a custom built job? That’s what you all are thinking!  This has put a damper on my spirits which were already as grey and dreary as the weather outside on this Seattle day.

Never again e-bay! You’ll never get the better of this girl!

Did I mention how utterly bored I am?  Well, I’m also bored, bored. bored. bored.

I don’t need a new excuse to be lazy.  Some of my friends view my personality as ”laid back.” But I know that’s just a nice term for the truth. I’m lazy, I realize it. I’ve always detested housework, I’ve never been the first to jump up and start clearing everyone’s dishes off the table.  I’m different than the average housewife. I don’t jump up after dinner to clear away the dishes. I know this is sounding redundant. I’ve written posts about the disdain I have for these monotonous daily chores. I have to best friends that wear me out just watching what they do and I wonder why I don’t have that energy. 

I told my mom one desperate day, “I either have enrgy for the kids, or the house, not both.” She replied “There has to be something wrong with you because I had plenty for all when I was your age.”

OH REALLY????  That makes me feel alot better! Love ya mom!

Well ladies and gents, there is something wrong with me, and the answer has come in the form of lab results from my doctor…

I HAVE ANEMIA!!!

Anemia (AmE) or anaemia (BrE), from the Greek (Ἀναιμία) meaning “without blood”, refers to a deficiency of red blood cells(RBCs) and/or hemoglobin. This results in a reduced ability of blood to transfer oxygen to the tissues, causing hypoxia; since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have a wide range of clinical consequences. Hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells) has to be present to ensure adequate oxygenation of all body tissues and organs.

The three main classes of anemia include excessive blood loss (acutely such as a hemorrhage or chronically through low-volume loss), excessive blood cell destruction (hemolysis) or deficient red blood cell production (ineffective hematopoiesis). In menstruating women, dietary iron deficiency is a common cause of deficient red blood cell production.

Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood. There are several kinds of anemia, produced by a variety of underlying causes. Anemia can be classified in a variety of ways, based on the morphology of RBCs, underlying etiologic mechanisms, and discernible clinical spectra, to mention a few.

Sorry, was that boring? I find it fascinating, even exciting. Because I have a blood disorder.

Can I use this now as an excuse for my laziness? Because let me tell ya, there have been many days recently where I physically cannot function, I’m so tired I take multiple naps throughout the day and still hit the bed at 10 at night with great fervor.  I have been thinking that maybe with my family’s disposition towards depression that that was what was wrong. But I was confused. I didn’t feel depressed, I felt tired. I felt embarrassed that I was so tired. I felt first trimester pregnancy tired and I knew I wasn’t pregnant. 

I’ve been working out.  There are good days and bad, but on the whole I’ve been EXHAUSTED ALL THE TIME!

So I’m hoping this is the answer. I’m starting my regimen of iron which I will take faithfully, and in two months I will see my doctor again. And hopefully this time I can talk to him without becoming a blubbering idiot.

Although I would love to make  the type of this post bigger at the request of some readers, alas, I don’t know how, which goes to show my ineptitude when it comes to anything technological.

I just returned from vacation.

Are you jealous? You should be, I left the kids behind with grandma.

I have inferred that we recently moved from Southern Cali where I have lived peacefully for the past 8 years to rainy Seattle. My husband grew up down there, and that is where I hoped to remain, but we’re are here, and making the best of it. 

Hubby is a surfer, it’s part of who he is and why I love him. I’ve been obsessed with surf culture since I was about 12 years old. I subscribed to Surfer Magazine as a youngster and would pour over the pages with much enthusiasm, vowing that I would learn someday, and that only someone who knew how to would be a good enough man to marry.

It just so happens I met my husband in a surf shop, while buying some racks for my car. It wasn’t love at first sight, but he did give me a discount on those racks, and six months later we were dating, then seven months after that we were married.  

We want to keep that culture alive and decided after the horrible winter we had that we needed a surf adventure.

Hubby has been reading about where to go, and we found a spot on the Oregon coast that is said to have the best waves on the west coast…so for my very first guest blogger, my husband, risking his life, to tell you about the Oregon waves…

Rumor has it that Seaside Oregon is home to one of, if not the best left point break on America’s west coast. The challenge of the wave goes beyond the size, power, and rocks associated with the wave. Sightings of Great White sharks are common. In fact, someone was attacked by a Great White just last Christmas. 

The local surf crowd is also cause concern for a visiting surfer. To help a non-surfer understand this point you would have to understand what localism means. Localism= preventing visitors from surfing the break you grew up surfing. Localism is manifest in acts of vandalism on a visitors car, surrounding a visitor in the water and preventing them from catching waves, threatening a visitors life and even attempting to make good on those threats.

So why surf Seaside instead of going somewhere else? It is a beautiful town with plenty to keep a family busy, and plenty of world class surf to keep a surfer very happy. As for my experience, I had a fantastic time. Each person I met while surfing was polite and friendly. The surf was 6-10 foot at the point and even though it was stormy, the shape held up and provided an excellent surfing experience. There is a beach break for beginners and the point for surfers who are ready for a challenging juicy wave. Cleanline Surfshop and Seaside Surf Shop both provided me with quality rental gear and were run by quality individuals that gave me all the info I needed about the area to make it a memorable experience. All and all I can see why the locals want to keep this little gem for themselves.

Thanks honey…might I add that while the boys were surfing the wives went to a wonderful day spa called Day Spa on Broadway (www.dayspaonbroadway.net).  I think it’s the only spa in town, though if any others show up they’ll have some tough competition on their hands. It was hands down the best facial I’ve ever had, given by an Australian named Wendy Camden. She was gentle, yet excellent, and I left with a glow that stayed on my skin for days. 

We also went to the best restaurant I have ever eaten at, in a beautiful “one light town” to the north. Gearhart. The restaurant was Pacific Way Cafe, it’s a French Bistro in a quaint building off of Pacific Way, and it ruined me for any other eats on the rest of the trip. I recommend this to any one planning a Seaside adventure.

There is something for everyone in this little town, and even when it’s raining, as it often does in the North West, there is plenty to do. I had a great time, and I feel ready to take on whatever the little ones can literally throw at me!    

Although I am blissfully married I can’t help but be reminded of the crazy times I was out there in singles world.  Especially when I hear stories of poor eating manners. I guess it became one of my biggest pet peeves about eight years ago…seeing the number it hasn’t been very long, but with three kids out of the oven since then, it was an eternity ago.

His name was Mark, and that is his real name, I feel a little hesitant to use it. He was a crazy stalker type.

I’ll give you a little background…I was new to CA, he was in a band, and planning on making a living out of it. That was good enough for me, I just wanted to have fun and meet people in the industry. He was broke, ALL THE TIME! His band and their groupies headed to Denny’s for an after show dinner. He asked to borrow $5!!!!  I wouldn’t give him any money, so he stared at me eating, almost drooling over my ‘Grand Slam Platter.’  When I was finished, he asked to eat my scraps, what could I say? But OH THE HORRORS as he ate the leftovers off of my plate, shoveling them into his mouth as if his life depended  on it. Oh, it was so gross, my stomach churns just thinking about it.  He tried to kiss my as I was driving my mom’s minivan through the streets of L.A.  I was wearing bright red MAC lipstick. He got some on his face. I dropped him off and vowed never to see him again.

He stalked me for a few months, but in the end he understood…it wasn’t me, it WAS HIM!

Ugh, shudder, shiver…find a happy place, find a happy place…