Planning

My husband, ever the attorney. Not much for spontaneity these days and that's ok.

I glance over from my perch on the sofa and what do I see? He and the Menace are working on a sketch/plan of the snowman they plan to build tomorrow. Pretty stinking cute.

Trains

My little Menace loves trains. When I say loves trains I don't mean he just likes to play with "Choo-Choo's" as many toddlers might say. He knows many different types and styles of trains. He can name almost every Thomas and Friends train available. He really loves trains.

Today we decided we must do something as our trip to the Arches failed. Trip to the arches you say? I never told you about the trip? Well, that trip was just too much drama to even bother posting. Just imagine endless drama and we'll move on.

Anywho, we decide to travel north to a local train museum. We showed the Menace a few photos online and he was committed. Before leaving we decided to call Delmar's mother to join us. She grew up in a small train town and was raised by a train engineer step-grandfather. She showed up early for our departure time. This fact is important as to understand her excitement, she is not the arrive early type. This little adventure did not disappoint. Before we could even park the car the Menace had spotted the engines parked outside and was shouting for joy. We spent over 2 hours at the joint and the Menace still didn't want to leave. It was fantastic. Aside from the Menace and his joy it was nice to see the nostalgia in my mother-in-law's face. We don't spend a great deal of quality time together and this trip will be logged into our memories forever.

I believe things happen for a reason. I have no doubt our planned adventures failed in part to give us this "Traintastic" opportunity.
(Don't mock the made up word I hear it daily on a Menace train cartoon)

Witness

Oh, we have had quite the week.

I'll begin with nice news. We are finally approved and on the adoption list. Now we must wait for a birth mother to pick us. Some people say that is the worst part. For me it feels like it will be better than all the paperwork and waiting for the caseworker to get on the ball. I might change my tune after a bit. I don't think so. I have done all I can do for now and that is good for me.

Now for the interesting stuff. Delmar, The Menace and I decided to take a little 2 day jaunt to the mountainous town we live by. We loaded up and just needed to make one quick stop in the big city on the way for Delmar to drop off some legal paperwork to an opposing attorney. That quick stop turned into a nightmare. Literally.

True to his word Delmar dropped the papers off quickly and was back in the car in less than 5 minutes. As he re-entered the automobile we notice commotion just to the passenger side of our vehicle. Two guys look as if they are goofing around. But, they are not goofing. One has a knife and slashes the throat of the other. The slashed throat guy (who is a drunk street dweller) stands there screaming at the other who has run off. Blood is spraying from his mouth as he shouts while more blood is spurting from his neck with every heartbeat. Now blood doesn't usually bother me. This event however leaves me completely ready to vomit.

Delmar calls 911 and is giving details. The slashed throat guy still screaming punches another guy who tries to help and stop the bleeding. Punched guy nearly slams into my automobile. Police begin to arrive. Delmar exits the car to give 911 further details. I pull out of the parking stall to get The Menace away from the events (thankfully he fell asleep on the drive to the big city) and avoid getting trapped in by the arriving emergency vehicles.

Just wait it gets better. Delmar is detained by the authorities because as slashed throat guy is transported he is believed to be near death by paramedics. Delmar must now give a second report to homicide detectives as they believe it will now be a murder. I am stuck driving around town and trying to keep The Menace from screaming for over 2 hours. Delmar is not allowed to leave the watchful eye of the officers even to pick up his wallet from me so he might ride public transportation home as our vacation is beginning to look dismal. Some adventure huh?

We were finally able to retrieve Delmar from the authorities after 10 p.m. We made it to our vacation and into our hotel beds by 12:30 a.m. Our 2 day getaway was quickly dwindled to 1. We did our best to make the most of that one. I think that we now need/deserve another vacation??

Last we heard slashed throat guy was on the mend and will be back on the street in no time. Not sure though. Here is the news report in case you don't believe me.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=11381957

PANIC

We must have copies of our driver's license and Social Security card in order to get our FBI background check complete. All in order to complete our adoption paperwork. Wouldn't you know Delmar says:
"I don't think I have a SS card."
"What!" I say.
"Who doesn't have a SS card?"

We then proceed to comb through every possible location. No SS card. I begin to panic. Delmar starts to reminisce. He managed to locate a wallet containing all of his student I.D. cards, rec. center memberships, swimming pool season passes, and a ticket to every concert he has ever attended. He has all of the aforementioned items and no SS card.

Trying to contain myself I ask:
"Is there anywhere you might have it?
Anywhere?"
He then states, "My mom might have it filed somewhere". Great, Just Great. Now I know we are in a mess.
To my surprise within 5 min. of his phone call Delmar's mom calls back and has the card.

Miracles do happen everyday.

I DON'T BELIEVE IT

I almost fainted last night. Something I never thought could happen, happened. Delmar took out the trash. He took it out without me asking, hinting, nagging, begging, pleading, tantrum-ing etc. I don't know what caused this sudden initiative on his part. I really should have rewarded him somehow. He probably was trying to get "The Sex" and I was just too shell shocked to take action. Or maybe he felt really bad for me after this Vomitphobe caught puke with her bare hands just to save the recently cleaned carpet. Either way I shall make it up to him tonight.

It Happened

If you follow this blog you know that I am vomit-phobic. I fear vomit more than anything. When teaching I told my class,"If you feel sick do not come and tell me. I give you permission this once to run in the hall to the bathroom".

Now I have a child of my own who doesn't understand "run to the bathroom", he is still 1 for a few more days. Last night he wasn't sleeping, kept crying, and was very restless. I tried to soothe him nothing worked. Finally at about 4 a.m. he drifted to sleep. At 5:30 a.m. Delmar heard him coughing the he started to cry. I went to soothe him again and reached into the crib to tickle his back. I felt moisture, who knows why, I sniffed my hand. VOMIT! I nearly panicked and called for Delmar. The poor little guy puked every 20 min. for the next couple of hours. Every time it happened he would give us this "what is going on" look. He cried and cried. I felt bad. Not bad enough to cuddle him. I was getting nauseous myself. I made Delmar late for work so he could help with the mess. Not a good day.

Sorry G.G.

Background info: G.G. is what The Menace calls my mother.

Tonight we were saying our family prayer. The Menace decided he wanted to help. Delmar was helping him say things like: thank thee for home, bless Dadda to get job, and bless Momma to have a baby. The Menace then blurts out, "and bless G.G. have baby too". It was all I could do to hold in my cackle laugh. I don't know what miracles could come of this, being that G.G. has removed the inner baby workings and all. You never know. Watch out G.G.!

Rose Colored Glasses

Today I have decided to take a new outlook on life. I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself lately and things need to change. Here is a sample of the new views I am going to take:

Old - I am bummed that I am still live this tiny house. Due to Delmar being self-employed we will need 1 more good tax return to get a loan.
New - I have a house with a working heater/air conditioner and a non-leaking roof. I don't need to use a baby monitor to hear The Menace. I can clean the entire house in 2 hours. Small house but great yard.

Old - Delmar works long hours and often on Saturdays. I need to see him more.
New - I have a great husband. Delmar has work and an income. He comes home every night and misses us as much as we miss him. My husband is hardworking and doesn't sit around waiting for miracles to happen.

Old - The fertility meds and lack of exercise have made me chubby.
New - I must have it good if I have enough food to eat that I am getting chubby. I am lucky to have the funds to spend on expensive fertility drugs.

Old - The Menace is consuming. I can't get away to workout let alone have some time for me.
New - I have a beautiful, healthy, happy son. My son loves being with me and is learning so many new things. This might not be true if I were making sure I had enough "me" time.

Old - I need new clothes. Everything is wearing out and becoming out of date.
New - There is an entire wardrobe waiting for you to return to that pre-pregnancy weight. Most of the items are classic staples and won't look dated. Besides I am not internationally known for my trend setting fashion
Ok, so this view isn't that positive. Sometimes the truth is the truth and you just have to deal. As for the rest--I feel better already.

I'M LOSING IT!

Lately I have had some serious brain flatulence. Here is a small list of my flub-ups:

I purchased a super size pack of paper towels. I only buy the "Select-A-Size" variety. The other variety produces a lot of waste. I bought a super size pack of the normal type. duh

Old navy jeans are on sale. I need jeans. Most of my denim have holes in the crotch. I really need to mix up my jean look. I wear the only two pairs without holes everywhere. I purchased two pairs. I bought two almost identical pairs. duh

Delmar is out of shampoo. I used a coupon at Costco to buy an extra large container. I placed it in the shower for immediate use. I bought conditioner. duh, duh, duh

Delmar asked what is wrong with me. I couldn't figure it out. I determined I have lost my mind. Then it dawned on me. I take The Menace (yes I am changing his pseudonym again, long story) with me everywhere. I spend my time singing, pointing out letters/numbers, keeping him from climbing out of the cart, etc., etc., etc. When Delmar purchases anything he is alone and can take time to think. I would love to see what he comes home with if he had to shop with The Menace. Then again maybe I don't.

SKI BUM

I am married to a pathological Ski Bum. What is that? You say there is no such thing. Come to my house and you will see it is true. Delmar has spent his entire life skiing and/or finding a way to pay for skiing. He learned to ski at such a young age he doesn't remember learning to ski. His skiing has been considerably hampered by his recent attendance of law school and opening his own law firm. Has this squelched the desire to ski? Absolutely not. Despite the depth this inner need to ski burns within, Delmar is pretty good about spending time with the Maniac and myself.

I recently discovered that I would be required to attend two baby showers over the next three weeks. I told Delmar "Why don't you plan to go skiing on the days I have baby showers, and spend the other Saturday with us?" He thought this was a great plan. Then it hit. Snow. The mountains are starting to gather the white stuff. You can see the drool dripping from his chin as he watches the local weather report. It looks as if this will be a great weekend to ski. The only problem is this isn't a Saturday I have a baby shower to attend. I feel bad that I don't want him to go. He skis dramatically less than when we were first married. Yet, I want to spend time with him. (No I can't go with him--our skills are well, let's say drastically different. I must wait until he relieves some pent up adrenalin.) What is a girl to do?