Kate vs. Michelle

So, what is this about Jon and Kate (+ 8) having marital problems?  

When Brady plays basketball on Tuesday nights the kids and I like to watch shows about families with lots of kids.  For some reason they are fascinated by it.  So we end up watching TLC.  I do have to say that I'm not sure if Kate and I would get along.  I know many people love her no-nonsense OCD attitude but she kind of drives me nuts.  Like when she got so mad at her friend (coincidentally named Beth) for giving her kids gum while Beth was kindly watching the kids so they could do something individually with one of their older girls.  For real?  Get over it.  She also threw a caniption (I don't know how to spell it) when Jon used the nice matching hairbands for a stay home day or something.  Hey, I know, you have to be organized with so many kids, blah blah blah.  Also, it looks like they recently moved into some fancy big house.  That should have been the first sign of trouble--the fame is going to their heads...  

On the other hand, the Duggars (18 kids and counting) tend to drive me nuts as well.  The strange thing is that they are starting to grow on me.  Michelle Duggar (the mom) is so soft spoken.  She would never throw a fit about gum or hairbands.  They do have their strange ways like "modest" swimwear (hey I am all for covering up but...) and long permed hair (although in the newer episodes some of the daughters have started wearing straight hair I hope it isn't a bad sign), and the long denim/khaki skirts.  I did get annoyed when they were on the Today Show promoting a book they wrote and had it right on their laps even though the interview was supposed to be about something else.  Oh well.  They are growing on me.  

What would people say about me if our family had a show?  Interesting thought.  

So after the kids go to sleep on Tuesday nights sometimes I watch the Real Housewives of New York City.  Gag!  I want to look away but I can't.  What a juxtaposition with the Duggars and even Jon and Kate. 

Well, now you know what goes on in my head when I really should be going to sleep!

Up Too Late

Isn't ironic?  Remember that song?  It really should have been "Doesn't that just suck?"  Anyway, I'm addicted to the show Intervention.  Also, I'm agitated that my washing machine doesn't seem to be agitating correctly.  Now, isn't that ironic? 

Also my scanner isn't working but that just sucks, not ironic...

The picture has nothing to do with this post.  I just knew that Lysa and Meri would like a nice big bottom shot (and I don't mean Penn).  Plus, blogs are much more interesting when pictures are included.

Thanks for the Memories!

The funny thing about memories is that they always seem better than actually doing the thing you remember.  I spend a lot of time really trying to enjoy the moment but the moment is usually not the ultimate moment that I am planning on which leads to let-down.  I also spend a lot of time in the moment thinking "I need to enjoy this" because it is going to be a great memory. 

Case in point-Trip to Disneyland.  We had a really good time and I had withdrawals this whole week.  I missed it and wanted to go back!  However, when we were living the "moment" there was stress, frustration, instances of bribery and bad parenting trying to force our kids to have fun.   

Maybe this is a little too philosophical.  Back to the laundry....

Proof

Ok, so here is the link to the "special" photos.  Now, I hope all of you understand that I am attaching this link in good faith.  Please do not post to Facebook or try to blackmail me with these!  BTW-I hate those shorts!  How could I run in them?  Gross...

Woulda Coulda Shoulda

What I should be doing right now is sleeping, laundry, work, flexible spending reimbursement forms, or straightening up.  But I decided I needed to make a post to my blog even though I never know what to write about.  So, here are some random thoughts...

Quinton has a serious sleep walking problem which is why he usually sleeps in our bed.  It is scary as we have awoken (awaken?) to hear him running down the stairs for no reason.  He is always in a rush when sleep walking.  Tonight we tried putting him on our floor and sure enough he bolted out of bed and tried to rush downstairs.  A couple years ago I woke up to find him opening the front door.  Scary!  Brady and I are considering a gate or a cage for him. Probably not a cage.  

I went running outside on the trail on Saturday and it was awesome.  It made me realize that you really don't get the same experience on the treadmill (duh).  I thought I had been doing pretty well but that trail kicked my b$%*!  (I don't like to say butt).  The weather was beautiful and I was able to run alone which makes it easier to sing along to my ipod.  Some of my favorite running songs are Solitary Man (Neil), Upside Down (Diana Ross), Take a Chance (Abba) and Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tenille).  Yes, I probably need to venture into some newer tunes.  Any suggestions?

Another thought about running.  I know that I look retarded (literally, sorry not very PC) when I run.  I have proof.  At the NYC Marathon they take pictures of you at random spots on the course and then email them to you so you can buy them and share them with all of your friends because you are very proud of your accomplishment (run-on sentence-get it?).  Anyway, I saw those pictures and nearly died.  My mouth was slack and I had a not so bright look on my face in each one.   Needless to say I did not buy any of the pictures.  I wonder if I still have them on email?  I will look later.  

Depression

Beth, why so sad?  Are those tears?  

I am taking this way too seriously I know.  It all started out innocently enough.  I had heard good things about the books and in fact saw news stories about people camped out at bookstores at midnight just to buy the next installment.  Some would dress up and start reading the newest edition right there in the bookstore.  These people are a little strange I thought.  Now I am one of them. I don't have to wait for the next book to come out since I was a little late to jump on the band wagon,  but I am dreading the time when the last page is read.

Twilight?  No, it's Harry!

Our family started reading Harry Potter about a year and a half ago up at the lake.  We just finished the sixth book tonight.  The books have become a great family activity.  Brady reads out loud while the kids and I lay in bed listening (Sophia usually falls asleep) and then talking about our various theories.  It has been so much fun.  Our own little book club.

My depression is two-fold.  (If you have not read the books this is a spoiler alert.  If you have read all of them please don't tell me what happens in the seventh book--really, I might go postal!).  

Back to my depression.  I can't believe Dumbledore died.  I kept thinking no, this can't be happening.  Seriously, right now I am quite upset with J.K. Rowling.  Brady thinks he may not really be dead and I wouldn't be surprised but then again Serious was really dead and that was devastating as well.  Now you may notice that I may not spell everything correctly which is the magic of being read to, you don't actually see the words.  I am also upset because after the last book, that is it.  What are we going to do?  Lysa suggested the scriptures and I would like to think that is a viable option-maybe I should give them a chance but it will be very hard to compete.  Brady and Quinton are considering Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia but nothing will compare. 

Oh J.K. Rowling why not do one more?!  Its like crack for this 36 year-old mother of three, please!

What is the Procedure For....?

A few years ago I was on my way back from a work retreat in Vail.  I got a phone call from Brady asking me,  "what is the procedure for poop in the tub?".   I had him turn to page 32 of the manual (just kidding).  I was remembering this story on Sunday night when I was trying to get a few thing accomplished before Monday came so soon.  Penn loves baths so I had him playing in the tub while I was folding laundry at my bed.  I could see his little head from where I was and I was pretty excited to get the laundry folded and put away while keeping him entertained.  Well, I walked by the tub on my way to hang up some clothes in the closet and you can guess the rest.  Ugh.  While I was cleaning up the tub and gagging I was thinking "isn't there someone else who can do this?"  Being a Mom means sucking it up and doing the really gross jobs.  Kind of like the janitor in elementary school who had to clean up the vomit.  Although the janitors probably do have "procedures" and manuals...