Thought I may take a stab at this blogging thing again. Maybe it will help with this looming "Blah!" hanging over my head. You may say it is the storm 12+ inches and still coming down. Possibly, I used to love snow it meant fun, snowshoeing, skiing, sledding etc. Now I have an 18 month old. I haven't skied in almost 3 years. I even have a brand new ski outfit I purchased when I didn't know I was pregnant with her. Hopefully it won't go out of style before it is worn. Snowshoeing, hardly, that takes time and my sweet husband is never around(January is the worst month for a self-employed, divorce/bankruptcy attorney). I just feel plain old blah. I don't want to put the effort into projects for the preschooler and toddler to do so, T.V. it is.
Now to make matters worse I just received notice that my 20 year high school reunion is this summer. Really?! 20 years? Great, now I feel blah and old. I know, I know, this too shall pass. It the words of Annie "The sun'll come out tomorrow... " Or will it? This is winter in Utah.
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.
We are dabbling a bit in the art of potty training. Of course we aren't having great success, but we aren't pushing the issue at this point. The Menace is not quite aware when he needs to tinkle. Yet, he definitely know he when he needs to poop. He will be playing then suddenly says, "I need to hide. I gotta go to poo corner." Delmar and I decided we will beat him to the punch and put his potty in poo corner. He is not so sure about our idea. Nonetheless I did my best not to laugh. I found the situation all too funny.
Yes, I had to sit there and read books. He wouldn't have anything to do with it otherwise.
Now doesn't this tale make you think of the "sweet" Kenny Loggins song: "Pooh Corner". Every time the Menace announces his location the annoying song runs through my head.
My sister came to visit a few days ago. Let's call her "Trixy". While The Menace was showing Trixy some of his toys he paused, looked at her with a serious look, and the following conversation began:
Menace: Trixy you don't have a pee pee right?
Trixy: (trying to keep a straight face) No, your right. I'm a girl. I don't have a pee pee.
Menace: Well, you need to get one.
Trixy: Where do I get one?
Menace: (in a matter of fact tone) You get it from the pee pee box.
Trixy: Where do I find the pee pee box?
Menace: From the Pee Pee Store!
Trixy: Oh, well how would I put it on.
Menace: You just use scissors.
I sent them out to build a snowman.
Needless to say, I think I need to hide the scissors. 
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)
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
The Menace loves the song "Jingle Bells". When I say loves I mean loves. He always wants to sing it. Around the end of March I'd had my fill with "Jingle Bells". I told him he couldn't sing it until we had a lot of snow again and it was Christmas time. This morning he looks out the window and notices the 2 inches on the lawn (note: it is May 24th). He shouts out "SOWN". yes he puts the n in the wrong spot. Before I know it he is singing: "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All Way. Oh Good fun it is to ride in a horse sleigh, Hey!" What do you do? He followed my directions and waited until it was snowing again, he has no clue when Christmas time is. I am beginning to doubt if I do either.
To everyone who has noticed a deleted comment right before a comment from me on their blog. I am truly sorry. I should know better than to think that I can manage multiple blogs at once. I keep leaving myself signed in to a blog that is not The Winder. So I then must delete it and recreate it as Winder. Please forgive me in my idiotic state.
I seriously need to get back in shape. Yesterday I spent an hour teaching a teenage girl some track drills. No big deal, I have done these same drills for years. Well, tell that to my back. I went to pick The Menace up this morning and spent the next 15 min. on the floor freaking him out. I was hollering and moaning. I really wish I had a recording of the noises, they were fantastic couldn't recreate them if I tried. Thankfully Delmar was late leaving for work and was able to reduce the spasm. I felt like such a loser. Now that it isn't quite as sore I can reflect on the situation with a clear mind. I know I am an out of shape loser, but it was really funny.
Note: The lable on this post is TMI. Don't read if you don't want to know!
This is how I feel today. I am finally having my visit from Aunt Flow. It has been 60 days and I have known for 30 that I wasn't pregnant. Thus the story of my infertile life. You might say how lucky you are to go so long without a visit. Ummm NO! I bloat for weeks and retain all kinds of water. This go around all of my bowel movements have been a lovely shade of green (could be unrelated). I just want to lie around and moan. Can't happen, I have a two year old and 7 loads of laundry waiting. Off I go, just needed to vent.
I met Sparks yesterday!
Yes Rabid the exclamation point is necessary. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. Though I tried to play it cool, I was with Rabid and didn't want to look like a complete nerd (I am always a bit of a nerd). Just as luck would have it Rabid went to the restroom as Sparks entered the restaurant. I gasped, out loud. Then did a Winder fashioned double arm wave. I was sure she thought, "who is the goonberry waving at me?" The Winder of course. The three of us ate and chatted. Also in Winder fashion, I chatted the most and think I ate the most.
Sparks is adorable and even more petite than I had imagined. Between her and Rabid I felt like Stay Puff the Marshmallow Man. Well not that big, but they are both tiny. She is polite, witty, and a great listener. How can you not be when I am excited, you really have no choice.
The food was not too shabby either. I find that I am still craving the Butternut Squash Soup. Or maybe I am just craving the fantastic company. Either way I hope to have a meeting with that fabulous gal again.
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.
Thought I would update everyone on the Adoption Saga. It's been three months and I have almost finished the paperwork. This weekend Delmar and I get to spend Friday evening and all day Saturday at an adoption training. I know, I know you are all jealous.
Next we get to have our caseworker inspect our home and finances. Then we get to write a profile about ourselves and come up with an amazing photo to try and get a potential birth mother to notice us. Can't I just post "Pick Me! Pick Me!" Would be much easier.
I am related, our husbands are brothers so not blood related, to a fantastic lady. Oohh, Lady makes her sound old. She is definitely not old. For the sake of her privacy we shall call her "Missy, the Coal Miner's Daughter". Missy and I have recently developed a deep friendship. What is the big deal about a good relationship with a sister-in-law. Let me tell you. On paper we are the most unlikely friends imaginable. Here is why:
Missy is a former cheerleader--I have always disliked cheerleaders
Missy is a pageant queen--I am what you might call a jock
Missy has a beautiful voice--I was cut from the 5th/6th grade choir
Missy always has perfect hair--My hair is never perfect, it is usually clean
Missy loves Celine Dion--I absolutely don't
The list can go on and on.
When we married the brothers, two months apart, I was worried. I knew Delmar and Von loved doing stuff together and I "knew" Missy and I never could. So much for what I "knew". Missy is sweet, loving and totally fun to be with. She is the type of person who will go the extra mile when helping you. She is smart, funny and completely loyal. Missy is a great listener and I love our "therapy sessions". When the family drama hits (and it hits often) I would be lost without her. So the old adage is true, you can't judge a book by it's cover.
Love you Missy.
Rabid is still correct, you can judge a person by the books they read.
I have had it with the "Something for Nothing" type personality. Why is it that there are so many people who think that the world owes them? I swear I am surrounded by people who are "entitled" to every good thing possible. How about working for something. Or just plain working. Better yet when you are given a gift show some gratitude. If you are given something small don't expect that in return you deserve something bigger. Be grateful you got anything at all.
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.
Hey Mr. Mailman---Bring me my mail
Don't drive by my house--taking it somewhere else,
I have a mailbox right by the road
Sometimes my red flag is up--Oh Mailman!
Yes, this song is dedicated to pathetic mail delivery.
Our normal mail person is fantastic. She never mixes up my mail.
I don't know why, but at least once a week we have a substitute.
I often watch as the mail truck turns the corner and drives right past my house. I know we have large bushes in the breezeway, yet there is still a house there. It is really funny when they occasionally realize they missed the house and try to back up around the circle and fix it. Seriously though, is it that hard?
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.
Some people don't like some people. Just how it works.
I am the type of person that doesn't/can't hide how I feel. My face shows it all. I am trying to deal with annoying people better than I did in my youth. I am trying to handle difficult people without blowing my cool. In my younger years this was a problem. That being said, if I avoid you or won't engage in conversation with you leave me be. I don't want to talk to you. Don't try to say I'm being mean to you. Being mean would be saying all the things that cross my mind when you lie, make false accusations, act like an idiot, etc., etc., etc. Being mean would be doing to you the spiteful things you do others. No, I don't want to hang out with you. It is what it is. I am who I am. I am not perfect. I would rather be not perfect than phony.
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.!
