Friday, June 8, 2007

Gut punch~

Wow. I got a letter from Social Security. You know, the kind where they list off your yearly earnings, the taxes paid and the amount of benefit you have stock piled away for "the Golden Years."

I look slike my years won't be so golden after all. Evidentally, in all of their wisdom, I have not "worked" enough- to qualify for benefits.

Wow. If raising 7 kids (and a husband... wink wink) ain't work...

Wow. I guess the moms that stay at home really DON'T count for much- THANKS Social Security... for pointing that out.

As if we didn't already feel that way to begin with.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Who am I??

Yesterday the cops showed up. 2 of them. At my house. In uniform. And official looking sunglasses- and even more official stern no smile looks on their faces. Bradges a blazing in the afternoon sun- all official like with papers in hand.

Them: knock knock... Ma'am (I'm not THAT old, am I?) We need to have a word with you.

Me: (swarmed by the kids) Umm, yes?!

The Kids: Ohhhhhh what did you do? Are you going in the car? Can they turn the sirens on?! They saw you run that red light! At least I HAD my seat belt on...

Me: What can I do for you? (While trying to descretely toss "the look" to the loud, swarming mass of children huddled around the door and windows)

Them: Is this (insert my address here)...

Me: Yes, (Gulp) what's the problem? (While trying to run down any and all possible infractions that may (or may not) have happened... hoping that they weren't here for the actions of one or more of my children. Throwing rocks came to mind for SOME reason...)

Them: (pause... shuffle papers...look at me, and back to the papers...) We are looking for Angela (whats her name... the lady that lived here 5 or so years ago.)

Me: BIG SIGH (of relief? :)

I told them that she used to live here, had not in 5 years... but we still got a lot of mail and phone calls for her. Poor fellas, they looked like I had let ALL the air out of their balloon... "Another dead end Earl~"

The Kids: So they AREN"T taking you away? And we don't get to hear the sirens??

Still trying to figure out which group was more disappointed... the Police, or the Monkees.

So, while still trying to figure out "who I am" I can mark Angela off the list. They came, they saw, they declared me Not To Be.

At least thats one down...

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Oh the things they do~

Let me first say this... SHE'S OK! But after all these photos of the local playground I have posted... I feel a little like I have promoted the fun and playful goodness a bit too far. I in no means meant to promote the Jungle Gym, the swings, the "turny-around and around until you feel like you are going to blow chunks on your brother" thing, the wiggly on a spring Motor Cycle (of DEATH... if you weigh more than 15 pounds!) I ESPECIALLY did not mean to promote, endorse, or in anyway highlight the Monkee Bars of Doom. Be warned, be warned. The things that can happen- defy belief!

Yes, once again. The Playground Strikes Back.

We have had our share of broken bones, skinned knees (and chins), rope burns, chain pinches, and over heated tushies in the plastic slides. We have experienced bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes. The treatment of which has ranged from Magic Healing Kisses, promises of ice cream- or severe beating of the offending sibling (if only in threat) band aids, Dr visits and the always pleasant trips to the ER.
Those are extremely fun when you have ALL of the children in tow. Yes, 7. In the waiting room. FOR HOURS.

It stinks when the poor, coordination free (where would they ever EVER get that trait from?!) monkees get banged banged up in the presence of a parent- but it SUX big time when they do it when they are off somewhere else. The details of the incident are ever changing, and most often very improbable in description. The playground is like Vegas... what happens on the 'ground, stays on the 'ground. "She fell" is about as good as it gets for an explanation.

Luckily (Small favors!) I didn't have to take the whole Monkee Bunch, the ER trip lasted only 2 and a half hours. There was no permanent damage, and the swelling will go down. Thank goodness it was a female monkee,... But be warned. Those bars are DEADLY!

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Old photos

A friend recently had a really REALLY good idea, and because of that- I dug out the boxes (and boxes and boxes!) of old photos. The kind on paper. That you had to wait on to get developed. The kind that start out on rolls. Which I still have a bunch of to go have developed. The ones where you shoot- and cross your fingers that you hope you got the snap that you wanted, and wouldn't be able to find out until it was to late to try again.

Any who- I got to sort through them all again, and I am still amazed. All these little monkees were tiny. Once. They were cute, and hairless and snuggled ALL THE TIME. How can they all grow up to be non-stop eating machines, in need of hair cuts and sneakers? What really seems strange, is that I can look back at those old photos and it feels like yesterday- When Kenny cut her hair. At school. On her own. When Billy had his first band concert, baseball game, and rocket launch. When the Twins each lost their first tooth. The same day.
When Tommy started to walk. When JJ popped his first eyebrow... JUST EXACTLY like Daddy O. When Clara turned into a little person, not just the blanket wrapped bottle hugger.

Looking at their tiny faces and comparing the "same ages." Its almost creepy how much they look alike- Clara and Joshy's baby shots have been confused with each other. So have Tommys and Joshy. If you look at the Blondies (Caden, Kayler and Kenny) they look like different sized triplets. Sometimes they have been confused for them- in person. Tommy has occasionally been thrown into the "are they triplets?" loop too- he IS as tall as the Two-fer.

Amazing. They all seem so different sometimes, but other times they are hard to tell apart. Especially when they try and "Trick" but even when they aren't trying. And it's not just the twins. I am SO glad I labeled their baby pictures, I just wish I had been a little better with the dates too. Or putting them in albums.

I am such the slacker there. Great intentions, not so great with the time to complete them all :) Really- You should see my lists!

It was a blast digging through the piles again, maybe I'll get around to setting them up right this time. Or maybe just developing the rest of the stockpile I have. Or maybe just recharging the battery of my digital.

Baby steps, it all starts with a single one~

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Field Day Friday,

The Twinners had their field day on Friday. It was Hot. Not the Paris "That's hot" hot, but the sticky, sweaty hot where you just want to find a nice dark hole to crawl into until you cool down enough to think. And it was June 1. JUST the 1st! Summers going to be a scorcher!
I posted photos of the little monkees on The Other Site.
In other news. Its hot. Have I mentioned the temperature lately? I am a wiener, I admit it. And I can almost guarantee that it's hotter in other places, and that I will whine more about it. THen I can start to complain about how it's too cold. lol.
I am still trying to come up with Fathers Day presents. I nothing seems to be the right thing so far. I'm sure it will come to me. Probably in August sometime.
Well, I guess I get back to my grumpiness... the fam has been with out if for a few minutes now, so I expect a "MOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!" any second :)