Saturday, February 2, 2013

Another Cloudy Day at the Pool

Time to run the filter through the pool.  Yep, it's venting time for the Head Lifeguard (that would be me).  I actuall think it's cabin fever, even though I get out of the cabin every day.  I just don't like winter anymore.  I used to love it, before kids, before my knees gave out, before...well, that's enough befores!
Moink has conveniently misplaced his winter jacket.  The one he just had to have.  The one he couldn't live without.  Oh, but no worries - he's found that Big Brother's letter jacket from high school fits like a glove, and has been wearing that.  Big Brother doesn't seem to mind, but I'm curious as to what has happened to the other winter jacket!
I shouldn't complain, but I'm going to.  I went food shopping on my way home from work yesterday.  No big deal, right?  Remember the monthly menu thing?  While I'm working on the next two weeks of the menu yesterday morning (I had a two hour delay - ymmy!), Hubby says, "I started on next month's menu."
What about this one?  He continues.  "I put down chicken soup and cabbage and ham."  (These things are in the freezer, and I was going to use them.)  I furiously start erasing.  He leaves for work.  I'm now up the proberbial creek without a paddle, because there are no other choices than to think of things to make, that require my time.
The crux of the matter is that I shop for the food, put the food away, cook the food, and then clean up from making the food.  I'm supposed to clean the floors and toilets.  I'm the chief chauffer.  I also work full-time out of the house.  I'm also an aspiring writer, and writing daily is what keeps me sane.  These people here at the pool don't realize how important that last fact is.  Sanity.
Hubby works full-time, too, and he's great at doing the laundry.  Except for the good clothes.  If you don't want things a wrinkled mess, you've got to do them yourself.  Even the kids have learned this.  So, I'm ready to go on strike again.  Or, fly to Aruba, with nothing but my bathing suit, a towel, and my laptop.
I lke the second choice much better! 
No winter coats to worry about there.
Room service away from the Stress pool.  That's what I'm talking about!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wintering at the Pool instead of Aruba

"To wear the coat, or not to wear the coat?  That is the question."  Personal tropical vacation vs. sub-zero temperatures outside. We're all hot-blooded here, except Hubby.  Neighbors used to laugh when they told me they could never tell what the temperature was outside by looking at how the children were dressed.  I've always been the conscientious mom - coats, hats, scarves, mittens and gloves- were always bought or made every winter.  We have a laundry basket at the bottom of the coat closet filled with personalized scarves and what-not.  Hangers are filled with winter coats and snow pants.
The preferred garb is a hoodie.  Sometimes a hat.  Never gloves, unless you're going skiing, sledding, or ice-skating.  I used to chase them to the door, calling out that jeans are a better choice over gym shorts because there is a wind chill of -12, all to no avail.
Now, it's my turn.  My skin is often ready to spontaneously combust, 24/7.  I longingly glance at turtlenecks and heavy sweaters, knowing if I put one on I will be miserable all day long.  Besides, I'm just running from the car to the building - and in the morning, that's fine.  In the afternoon, however, the car hasn't been in the nice, warm garage, but in the freezing cold, and it takes awhile before it's sufficiently heated and my hands aren't frozen to the steering wheel.  And, while I've been wearing the coat this week (we had two hour delays two mornings this week because of the cold), I'm ready for the long sweater.  Hubby, on the other hand, has been zipping up the jacket, wrapping the scarf around his neck, burrowing his hands in his big, warm gloves.   At night, he puts on fluffy wool socks and climbs underneath three blankets.  He insisted we put flannel sheets on the bed.  He's happy and comfy all night long.  I'm not. I often wake up feeling as if I've been to the gym!  Ah, well, this too shall pass.
And, I guess I'll wear the coat.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Brr! The Water's too Cold!

Ah, mid-January, and the water is freezing.  No, I'm not talking about the actual temperature of the water outside - don't be silly!  We can see that it's frozen over, but the ice is way too thin to skate on! I'm talking about the warmth of the holidays ending, leaving in its wake the cold, harsh reality that those days are falling away from us, fast.
I often look at Hubby and myself as the lifeguards.  After all, we're the ones who have to keep the pool clean and make sure that nobody "drowns".  While the high holidays were upon us, the pool kept regular hours, everyone played nicely, and it was downright sunny!  Once those days were past, however, it pretty much ended.  Both only children, Hubby and I often don't get the sibling rivalry thing.  Our children do.  They are masters.  I'm glad to say that things have calmed down and now we're in for the long winter haul.  We're glad to see some of our favorite shows come back for a new season (remember when shows played from September through around the end of March and that was a season?).  "Once Upon a Time" is a fave, and everyone was sitting around the T.V. watching, wondering how things were going to weave together.  "Grimm" is another fave, and we're still waiting on that one.  "Merlin" apparently started last week, but we missed the first one.  Do you see the theme here? 
Of course, there is always the rot-gut that the children watch - I'm not even going to mention shows like "Moonshiners" and "Amish Mafia".  Makes one glad that the Kindle is stocked with good reads.  Maybe I'll even catch up on Facebook and get in a game or two of  Angry Birds.  And, of course, if I can muster enough energy, I'll get some good writing time in.  There are query letters to write and send, revisions to be made...the list never ends, and provides some bit of sanity in the stress pool.
Oh Summer, where art thou?
How do you get through the cold winter?  Do you see it as "getting through", or do you love it?

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Coming up for Air

The holidays are nearly done, and it's time now to take a deep breath before plunging back to the depths.  Everyone was satisfied with what Santa brought, me included.  Hubby did a wonderful job shopping for the clan.  I received a camera which I fully intend to use as much as possible.  Soon I shall be posting pictures of such treasures as The Chair of Death and the snowman flag that magically brings snow to the region.  (It really doesn't, but I remember one particular winter when my dear friend and neighbor, Donna, called me on the phone and said "Take down the damn snowman - I've had enough!")
We have an old saying in the clan: "Who has more fun that us?"  Recently, Ms. Business came up with the answer: "The people watching us!"  I'm certain that's the case.
Today, Moink and I were standing in the express line at the grocery store.  I had forgotten several items yesterday when we did the medium shopping order.  (More about that some other time.  Yes, there are different sized shopping trips.  This was a medium.)  Moink was purchasing one bottle of Pepsi.  I leaned back to see how much the pop was. 
"It's $1.59, but you can just give me the dollar," I said.  The man behind us, who had been engaging us in friendly conversation moments before, stared at me disbelievingly.
"You aren't going to make him pay," the man said.
"He got money for Christmas - sure, he can afford it."
The gentleman was still disbelieving, and when Moink handed me a dollar, I put it in my wallet with the rest of the house money.  Yes, house money.  We budget a certain amount for two weeks at a time.  I bought pop yesterday, but because I don't allow the children to drink 20 ounces of pop at a time, he decided to buy his own.
"You actually took the dollar!" the man exclaimed.
The cashier, a young girl, said, "My mom would have done the same thing!"
"See," I replied, "It's in the mom manual."
Moink looked at me and said, "Do you want me to carry the bag?"
I replied, "Yes, that would be nice."
The man shook his head.   "You should make her carry the bag," he said.
Smiling, I said, "He's a scout, and a good kid.  He'll carry the bag for his mom."
Seriously, I've got the greatest kids - and it scares me that other adults think that was too harsh!
So, Happy New Year - and I hope it holds nothing but the best for all of you, health, wealth, and lots of laughter.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Swimming, swimming, in our swimming pool

Aah, a small break from the holiday rush.  I've tried to take a new approach to the holidays:  less is more.  I like a few simple decorations, but not so many that taking them down will require so much effort that they'll still be up in April!  Someone recently said they don't put up a tree anymore because then you'd have to take it down.  Well, I guess there's that.
I just finished doing my favorite bit of the season - the Christmas cards.  I love sending greetings to friends all over the country, and one in Canada.  People we see several times during the year don't get the traditional letter, but everyone else does (lucky people!), just to keep them up on what the kids are doing. Of course, we only put in the good things, like writing letters to Santa - who would ever write about how naughty one had been during the year?  Not that the children are naughty - of course, they're wonderful children.  With us as the parents, how could they not be?  They've told us themselves how we could never be described as helicopter parents, and that we guided them to be self-sufficient - except for Moink.  They understand that we're tired parents, and aren't as hard on the youngest as we were on the first four. The point is, our far away friends get to hear all about their exploits whether they want to or not!
So, to add a little humor (because humor is one way to alleviate stress), I'm including one of my favorites.  We're all familiar with the "All I needed to know about life I learned..." lists that encompass many different venues. This one is what is learned from a snowman, which came on a Christmas card several years ago.  My favorite is that the key to life is to be a jolly, happy soul, which is what I strive to do daily.  My next favorite is about the placement of the carrot.  You'll have to read it!
As Christmas approaches, I hope you're able to breathe a sigh every so often and regroup.  Remember, it's a joyous time in many ways, and you'll enjoy it much more if you keep it simple.

All I Need to Know about Life I Learned from a Snowman

*It's okay if you're a little bottom heavy
*Hold your ground, even when the heat is on.
*Wearing white is always appropriate
*Winter is the best of the four seasons.
*It takes a few extra rolls to make a good midsection.
*There's nothing better than a foul weather friend.
*The key to life is to be a jolly, happy soul.
*It's not the size of the carrot, but the placement that counts.
*We're all make up of mostly water.
*You know you've made it when they write a song about you.
*Accessorize!  Accessorize!  Accessorize!
*Avoid yellow snow.
*Don't get too much sun.
*Don't put someone else's corncob pipe in your mouth - you don't know where it's been.
*It's embarrassing when you can't look down and see your feet.
*It's fun to hang out in your front yard.
*Always put your best foot forward (I'm still wondering how this applies to snowpeople)
*There's no stopping you once you're on a roll.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A Leak in the Pool

Can you think of anything worse than a pool springing a leak?  Yet, there it is.  Sometimes just in the lining; sometimes in the wall, but whether the water slowly trickles or gushes, the surface level goes down and somebody is going to panic.
The Stress Pool is always suffering from leaks.  Sometimes there are several going on at once.  The holidays being upon us, grief often washes over us in tsunami-size waves as we remember Eggbert, who took his own life almost five years ago.  Morticia is finishing her first semester of college, and finals are upon her.  Want to talk stress?  Talk to the girl who isn't fond of school to begin with but knows that this is her ticket to the Big World.  Ms. Business is working on an essay to go to college - plus do all the silly projects expected of her at school.  Silly because the holidays are approaching and sometimes it's just too crazy to start something new, so they come up with projects.  This jolts Ms. Business's routine.  She was also subjected to a bullying incident, and that doesn't help matters, either.  Moink carries on as usual, bottling up any stress he might have.  And, Big Brother (the oldest) is hoping to find a job that pays well and where he doesn't have to drive to the ends of the earth on a daily basis.  See?  Several small leaks that when put together create a larger hole.  The water is practically gurgling.
Of course, there is no way to mend it all.  I listen, apply hugs when needed.  These things will all pass in time.  Bullies get theirs in the end; projects are finished and turned in; jobs are found.
Grief is probably the toughest.
Then, when you think all has been patched, you find by talking with others that their pools have much larger holes.  To my friends who trusted me enough today to speak of their woes, I thank you for your friendship and pray for your pools to be patched quickly.  I hope, by listening, I was able to provide a little comfort and understanding.
And, to the rest of you who experience those annoying leaks, may they be patched up so you can jump right back into the pool.
My leak?
Well, Hubby asked what I wanted for Christmas, and then told me what he wanted to give me.  That's another post altogether!
See you in the Pool.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Feeding time at the watering hole

Antoher story, as promised.
This one involves too much to do and the wonderful monthly menu.  The players are:
Hubby, Morticia (the oldest girl who wants to be a mortician), Ms. Business (she wants to go to college for marketing), and Moink, the youngest child in the household.  His name really isn't Moink, but when he was in pre-school he was learning to write his name and couldn't connect all the letters properly.  He proudly hung it on his bedroom door and his siblings called him Moink from there on in.
Ever have one of those lives where you find yourself spinning with everything that needs to be done, only to find you haven't moved an inch?  Yup, me too, and I had one such week only a couple months ago where everything hit the fan.  We missed doctor appointments and scout outings and I don't remember what else.
I do know that I was behind in everything, but dinner was on the table.
That following Monday morning I'm sitting on the kitchen stool taking my first sip of Monday morning coffee - and you know what I'm talking about -  when Hubby says, "You didn't take Moink to the scout meeting yesterday."
This was a meeting to earn a religious award through boy scouts.  It had been moved from another date.  I can still tell you what the other date was supposed to be, but not the new one.  "No, I didn't.  I forgot."
"You need to look at the calendar."
"Why can't you look at the calendar?"
"I know where I'm supposed to be on Sunday afternoons, and I didn't want to insult your intelligence."
Can't have that now, can we?
Throughout the day I thought about this and finally came to the realization that the reason I was missing things was because I was rushing home to make dinner.  The plan blossomed so innocently I was shocked to find it lurking there, waiting to be unleashed.  I went home and made dinner.
They were all there - a true anomaly.  I waited until they were in full chew.
"I missed a lot of things last week.  Morticia's doctor appointment, Moink's meeting."
"Yes," they agreed in unison, still chewing.
"I have a lot of activities through the week," I said.  They all nodded, chewing placidly amidst the unseen onslaught that was about to hit.
"I'm not giving up my activities.  I like the writer's group and singing in choir."
"Of course," they said.
"I realized the reason I missed those things last week was because I was in a rush to get home and make dinner."
The chewing slowed.
"If I hadn't had to do that, I wouldn't have forgotten those things."
Eyes were now on me.
"I'm not going to rush home from work anymore.  Most of the time Moink doesn't eat what I make - he makes something for himself.  Morticia isn't even here half the time, and if I have to eat peanut butter and jelly I'm okay with that."
The chewing had completely stopped and every face (except Moink's) had that "Oh crap, what did I just step in?" look.
I smiled at Hubby and Ms. Business.  "So, you two will have to coordinate on the nights I'm not able to get home to make dinner."
It's been two months and things are working out to my advantage. Moink continues to fend for himself, although he does check with me every morning to find out what's for dinner and if I'm cooking.  Morticia refers to it as 'the day mom quit and began shirking her responsibilities'.
I refer to it as the day three teens and a husband were nicely asked to help out a little more. He has stepped up to the plate nicely.  I still do all the shopping, although Hubby happy to help.  And sometimes dinner isn't ready before six o'clock and nobody complains.  I'm still chief concession chef here at the stress pool, butt that appears to be a job nobody wants.  That's okay, too.  Everyone seems to have come to an understanding.
Except the cat.  She doesn't understand why her bowls are empty. 
Ah well, not everyone can be happy all the time at the Stress Pool.