opscomm

I was reading the... nevermind. Suffice it to say I get emails all the time from a network of spanish linguists. It's like a mass email system, the emails are sent to all the members. This is a fairly new thing to me and I don't even know most of the people that I receive these emails from but sometimes (rarely) it's interesting.

Anyway, someone was talking about getting together with another family and vacationing together. I don't really have anyone like that. I wish we had friends with kids similar ages that were about the same place in life as us. It's difficult because you also have to have about the same amount of disposible income and share the same interests.

how mad would i be?

Oh, I'd be VERY mad!

I just read Greek Tragedy today and the whole thing made me mad. If I was married to that guy, nevermind, I wouldn't be married to that guy. I don't care how much money he made, because really what else does he have going for himself? Nothing. He's not attractive, not kind, and he's a jerk. I'm fuming but feeling silly that I even care. That is not what I'd call a happy marriage. I guess that's what happens when you rush in to having kids and then get married when you're pregnant. Oh wait, I guess sometimes that can work out pretty well. ;^)

My father-in-law's coming up to visit for a few days, we just found out last night. He should be here this afternoon. He'll have fun with the boys, I'm sure. That reminds me, I need to make the bed.

Last night we went to Applebee's for dinner and I had cramps for about two hours afterward. (the gas variety) Man, my system isn't accustomed to eating that much fried food anymore. I really didn't feel well the rest of the evening.

I have a ton to do today and I don't think I'm going to accomplish much. I'd better get to work!

january madness

Yesterday we went to Schmitty's basketball game, he plays with the youth center on base. In the evening we went to his school's upper school basketball games. We watched most of the girls' game and half of the boys'. I think Schmitty was impressed with how the girls went after each other and how well the boys ran the ball down the court. It was fun and the midget behaved for about two hours.

Go Raiders!

jenny had a little lamb

It's supposed to get up to 24 degrees today, I'm pretty excited about that. It's been super cold. This weather has Yago talking about retiring to Florida, an idea I'm not crazy about.

We'll be picking up a lamb tomorrow (butchered, not a pet or anything). Finally something to put in our freezer downstairs. We have a few free range chickens but we've been looking forward to buying a more substantial amount of meat. Yago found some grass-fed lamb from a farm in South Dakota and they're making a delivery to Omaha this weekend. I'm anxious to see what I'll do with it. There's an Iraqi dish called Tepsi we like. Yago used to eat it (in Iraq) and brought home a recipe. I served it for my parents once and they liked it too. It takes hours to make by the time you fry all the eggplant and whatnot.

The midget's awake. We started putting him to bed at 7:30 which means he now wakes at 6:30, darn early.

Speaking of darn early, Yago's been working 6 am - 6 pm the last few days. I started out getting up and making him breakfast and packing his lunch, even sending him off with a Thermos full of coffee. Things quickly deteriorated. This morning I popped some waffles in the toaster for him and didn't realize we were out of syrup so he ate honey on them. Yuck. Then I nearly forgot to make him coffee to take in. Luckily, it was the last morning I'll have to do that for a while.

a cold drive

I need to work on my driving skills, I think. Schmitty keeps getting carsick on the way to school. I'm usually in a hurry and there are a bunch of rolling hills and stop lights. With the hills and my deceleration and acceleration, it's not a good combo. I try to keep him talking and distracted but it hasn't helped much. I wish he could ride in the front seat.

It's cold as can be, -13 this morning. It got up to -8 by the time I dropped Schmitty off. Eek.

The midget is offering to help me type so that's my cue to go...

wasted

Half my day so far has been wasted. I surfed the Internet forever looking for the bio father (BF) but I can't find him. I'll have to wait for the NE lawyer to contact the FL lawyer so the FL lawyer can sit on whatever he finds out for another two months. He told me in our last conversation he will call me. In other words, don't call him anymore. I'd be fine with that if we weren't exactly where we started five darn months ago. Back when I told him this would be a problem and he might have to subpeona the state of NE. I would pay whatever fee on a website if I was positive it'd be useful information. I don't want a list of 20 addresses without dates so that I don't know which one is current. I've been very preoccupied with this. Lawyers. What did I pay this guy $1500 to do?

I just heard on the radio that Andy Rooney is 90! Holy crap, I knew his birthday was coming up but I thought he was turning 80. When Ed Bradley died I was emotional, I can't imagine how I'll feel when Andy dies. You know, I always assume he's rich but he's so... cheap. Maybe five minutes on television once a week doesn't pay what I thought it did. Or maybe it's his generation, living through the Depression and all. He sure does love to save some money though!

This afternoon is parent teacher conferences, I have my list of questions typed out and ready to go. Unfortunately they got stepped on so there's a brown footprint on what is now a crinkled piece of paper. I can't use that. Since we don't have a printer I'll have to neatly write them on a clean piece of paper.

I'm so mad. (back to my opening paragraph) BF and I share custody. What if Schmitty just wanted visitation, which is perfectly within his rights. Why would the state not provide us contact information? It's such crap. The BF is supposed to provide health insurance, but isn't. What if there was an illness? Why the heck should I have to retain a lawyer in NE to subpeona his darn address and phone number?

apologizing in advance

I'm sorry Mickity but I hate lawyers.

Our lawyer is useless. In his defense, the state of Nebraska doesn't help. He got the paperwork together for the adoption, he's only been "working" on it since August, but realized he doesn't know where the bio father is. I've only been telling him that since, um, well, AUGUST. He finally looked in to getting the information from the state of Nebraska (that's where the support order is) and Child Services says they have to have a Nebraska-issued court order to release address information. It's such crap. The lawyer was bewildered that it wasn't a matter of public record. Whatever.

Yesterday was Schmitty's first basketball game, his team did very well. He even made a basket. There's a girl on his team that we knew from Laughlin, I didn't realize it until I saw her mom at the game. (She and Schmitty were only two so they don't remember each other.) It's a small AF.

Yago took the midget grocery shopping, he's a good husband. He told me not to run any errands while he was gone, I should just relax. He, on the other hand, hasn't relaxed all weekend.

We went to the nature center for story time yesterday. We turned out to be the only family there which was kind of awkward. Schmitty was busy with a display in a different area so the Naturalist read a story about a momma duck and her ducklings and a story about a family of owls. Ralph wouldn't hold still so essentially the naturlist read the stories to Yago and me. Like I said, awkward!

my day

Today my mission was the recycling center but I never made it, maybe they're open on Saturdays.

Instead, I took Schmitty to school. Then I took a shower and took Ralphie for his FIRST haircut, I haven't told Yago yet. I returned some audio books to the library. (They were for the drive to OKC.) And I went to the commissary to pick up some stuff to make homemade granola, it's currently baking.

Ralph sensed I was doing something I wanted to do and woke up from his nap, I gotta run.

first day

Today is Schmitty's first day at his fancy new school. He had his new Brownell Talbot shirt on, snazzy shoes, new sneakers tied to his backpack, and all. Ralph didn't behave one bit but Schmitty was calm and took it all in stride. His teacher said he could start French today, that was great news because it was his preference. I was afraid since the other kids have taken it since preschool that they wouldn't let Schmitty jump in with the rest of the class but it'll be fine. If he changes his mind he can switch to Spanish later.

We looked up his schedule yesterday, he was excited about having French, Science, and PE today. Speaking of that, we were looking up math and science camps for the summer. He wants to do the Amusement Park Robotics and the Earth Science camps. He tickles me sometimes.

love/hate shopping

Hey, shopping venues, take a little note from Victoria's Secret when it comes to dressing room mirrors.

I went shopping a couple of days ago to spend my Christmas and birthday money only to be horrified in the dressing rooms. Overhead flourescent lighting is a NO-NO when you're trying to get someone to spend money on your clothes. You want them to feel fabulous, not fat and wobbly when trying on merchandise. Let the customer get it home and wear it a few times before they feel like ten pounds of poo stuffed in a five pound sack. Really.

Also? After holiday sales stink... Unless of course you're a size 00, 0, 2, or XL. Those were the only sizes I found. I never was that size, ever. I went from a girls 14 to a brief acquaintance with 5 then straight to a 7. 00? Never have been and never will be.

Another thing. What on earth happened to pant legs since I last went shopping? I knew wide legs were coming back but everything I tried on felt like each of my legs had its own swinging skirt, I wasn't prepared for that. I'm so out of what's in fashion it's not funny.

I officially started a diet today, I want to lose 10 lbs in two months. I opened the diet with an omelet, perhaps not my best decision but I'll be good the remainder of the day. What else was I supposed to do with 32 eggs in the fridge? Really. Thirty two eggs.

the friend hunt

I feel like I haven't had a moment's rest in the last couple of weeks, it's been non-stop. It'll be nice to just sit and relax for a day. (Not today, but soon.)

I'm discovering that married couples making friends with other married couples is kind of difficult. It doesn't seem like it should be so complicated but it is. We had some people over for dinner last night and the kids got along great. (An added complication in befriending a couple, it helps if they have children about the same age as yours.) Yago works with the guy so they have a lot to talk about but the wife is a homeschooler which I initially found interesting until I realized that's about all she talks about.

I was thinking about someone I met at work recently, we used to work together years ago when we were both active duty. Her husband commissioned and is a major now, I thought maybe we could have them over but I really didn't like her husband fifteen years ago and I doubt I'd like him now. Really doubt. I found him to be an egotistical jerk and he could only have gotten worse.

Yago's home with our grumpy baby, I'll post more later.

Happy New Year. (late, of course)

get crackin'

We're on our way to OKC again. When Yago gets out of work (hopefully early) we'll head out. I'm supposed to be showered and mostly packed by now but I'm drinking coffee and catching up with my Internet instead. I'll go shower in a few minutes, promise.

I ate pumpkin pie for breakfast, someone has to. I always try to tell myself if it has fruit in it so it's like eating a danish. That's not so far off, is it? I gained all my weight back that I lost from the diet a couple of weeks ago. Yago insists we need a middle ground, a healthier overall diet. He's right but it's very difficult around the holidays. I made cookies and four pies last week. I know when we get to OKC his mom will have candy, cookies and pie. I'll feel obligated to eat them because Yago won't. I guess that's what the New Year's resolution is for.

I'm still working a couple of days a week, it's going pretty well. I'm considering trying to get a full time position for three months to pay Schmitty's tuition but I don't know if I could do it. I feel bad for Ralph in daycare, they're never good days for him. He's not happy. Plus, I don't feel like I spend any time with him on the days I work. It's a couple of hours, that's it. I hated that with Schmitty but I didn't have much of a choice then, I do now.

A guy at work told me a story that I can't get out of my head, I can't stand it. He told me he chipped his tooth when he was a kid doing something stupid. He clipped the corner of it with nail clippers! I hate tooth stories, they give me the willies!! This guys just plunges in to a nail clipper/tooth story without warning. It can't get it off my mind. Ick ick ick.

Time for the shower and my third cup of joe. Merry Christmas to everyone.

busy holidays

We're supposed to get freezing rain this afternoon so the commissary was packed full of people. Yuck.

I did my PFT yesterday and passed, two and a half points lower than last year but I passed. I would say the best part of working is being able to eat lunch with Yago. We bring leftovers for lunch and then meet in the cafeteria to eat them. Yesterday he met a couple of people I used to work with. He commented that everyone I knew was old. Most of them were my trainers when I was an airman.

I'm trying to transition Ralph to his bed for naps but he's not having it. I put him down an hour ago and I can hear him playing in his room. He never behaves! That reminds me... We went to the BX today and he was playing on the tricycles until he spotted the big pink Barbie Jeep. He got in there and loved it! I helped him in and out several times and let him play for a few minutes. When I told him it was time to go he threw a FIT!!! Very embarrassing.

He screamed and hollered while I tried to finish shopping, even in line at the register. Finally, an older couple behind me started talking to him and he got shy. (shy = quiet) Then another kid started a tantrum near the registers. Someone in another line yelled, "Shut up!" very loudly. I thought that was more obnoxious than the tantrums. Little kids are little kids, deal with it. The other mother finally left her cart and took her kid outside. I felt bad for her. When it's close to the holidays and you have a list of things you have to accomplish sometimes you just have to ride out the tantrum along with the embarrassment. It's one thing when a seven-year-old acts up and another thing when it's a toddler. You can't control a toddler, I don't care how fabulous you are.

meat & dairy please

It's Thursday which means just four more days of our cleanse. I'm REALLY looking forward to Monday. I think we're going to have dinner at Don & Millie's, which means greasy burgers and $.99 margaritas!

we're in, i mean he's in

Sammy got in to BT!! I was very excited but we haven't had a chance to tell him yet. He had a friend come over after school and spend the night, now he's out geocaching with his dad.

After school yesterday I helped the PTO President and VP decorate a board for Christmas. I was chatting with both the women and said I needed to talk to the office staff real quick and I'd be right back. When I returned the VP told the President that Schmitty was changing schools next year. The President looked surprised and asked me if we were moving already. The VP said, "No, they're just changing schools." As if I were an infidel or something. Mind you, the President was talking to ME and the VP answered. I was shocked that anybody knew, much less was blabbing. The VP is the same woman that announced at my first PTO meeting that I bought Susan's house.

When Yago came home I recounted the story. He said he couldn't wait until Schmitty changed schools and people could talk about how we didn't belong because we weren't good enough. "Why?!" I asked. He said he'd rather deal with that than people talking like we thought we were too good for the school. I must say, I agree.

We started the cleanse last Sunday night when we got home from OKC and have stuck to it pretty well except for the birthday beer Yago received as a gift. I've lost seven pounds by cutting out meats, sugars and gluten. It's crazy. I don't know if I can make it another week though.

I'm going to shower and clean while all the boys are out. Have a good weekend.

report

Oh my goodness, so much to report. It seems like forever since I've updated.

We went to OKC for Thanksgiving, it was awesome. Lots of good food and the family is always happy to see the boys. Yago and Schmitty did a lot of GeoCaching and even took Big Daddy with them. We've been picking on Yago because it looks like he got a GeoRash. Maybe poison ivy or something...

I worked Tues and Wed, the people all seem okay but the job seems a little overwhelming at this point. My boss is looking to me to be the technical expert on architecture since I'm the only bonafied comm officer. Um, BCOT didn't really make me an expert in anything. I feel stress about his expectations. Also? I feel stress about my PT test in less than two weeks. Oh well. I won't do great but it'll be over. I'll be working a couple days a week until March, then I'll do my annual tour.

That means Ralph had two days in daycare. Yago dropped him off Tues and when I picked him up he was standing in the middle of the room crying his eyes out. He ran over to me as soon as he saw me, that always makes a momma feel good. The caretaker said he had a rough day and he didn't eat lunch Tues or Wed. I guess he prefers my cooking! We hope it'll get better for him.

Schmitty had his test and interview today at Brownell-Talbot. We should know something... TOMORROW! I think he'll get in without a problem. He was excited about going this morning. The admissions director walked me out and said, "He's so mature, he'll fit right in here." The school times are different and I keep looking at the clock in a panic because I'm afraid I'll forget to pick him up!

boogie man

I have my own boogie man, I named him Ralph. He's got a runny nose that won't quit. The tip of his nose is raw from being wiped, poor little guy.

We're going to OKC this afternoon and last time I got in trouble for not being ready on time but having an updated blog. Since I'm making a blog entry today I have to be sure to be ready on time.

This year is flying by. It's strange because it seems like forever since we've been in Germany. Home is home now.

I'm on to the boogie man, he poops himself every time I get on blogger! Shoot.

frozen buns

I walked Schmitty to school today and froze my buns off. It was about 28 degrees outside, I thought it'd be fine once we got moving. I did work up a bit of a sweat but my face and legs are frozen! Poor midget, he was glued to the stroller.

The diet program is back. We lost it in one of our computer crashes so Yago got the 15 day trial and we'll probably buy it again. I lost a pound yesterday so that's good.

We're heading down to Okalahoma tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I dread the drive with the baby because after a couple of hours he just hollers. I wish you could let kids out of their carseats these days but you can't. I think he'd do better if he could just MOVE. Pinned in a five point harness for eight hours isn't fun for anyone.

It looks like Schmitty will take his test and interview at B-T a week from Thursday. I know he has mixed feelings about changing schools.

Well someone messed their pants and needs to be changed.

mrs garrett

This afternoon we're touring Brownell Talbot. I'm excited, I'm not really sure why. It's not like I get to go to the school! I'm trying to come up with intelligent questions for the admissions director. Yago asked what I was wearing to the meeting, it seems like we should dress up to make a good impression. I want to look good without looking like I'm trying too hard.

I can't wait to see if it's what I expect. The school has a Headmaster which conjures up imagines of Eastland from The Facts of Life.

privacy please

Well, Friday Yago and I are going to look at a private school for Schmitty. It's more expensive than in state college tuition. I'm just so displeased with the attention he gets at his current school and the test scores of other nearby schools.

If we wind up paying thousands of dollars a year for this school I'm going to blame Mickity for sending me the link before we moved. ;^)