So I haven't felt like blogging lately- a few days ago I forwarded a joke email to some friends and woke up the next morning to a reply to that wasn't what I expected (one awful thing about living overseas is I tend to get a lot of info by email that normally I wish I could hear live)
One of my friends for the last month and 1/2 has been going through a very rough time in her marriage and right now is separated. So the last 6 weeks she has been throwing childrens birthday parties, doing school dropoffs, driving to ballet, working part time and not sleeping or eating worried what the future holds for her family. I spoke to her yesterday and in spite of the mountain she is facing (right now it looks like Everest)- she is trying her damnest to still keep her childrens' lives as carefree and effortless as she can.
When I asked her how she was coping she simply answered "I have to- no other choice." I can think of some other choice she could have chosen - stay in bed, have family take care of her kids,complain excessively, call in sick to work/take a sabbatical- yet somehow she has found the strength to carry on despite this bleak period. Strength, Faith, and a general feeling that this will pass. I came away from our call inspired,(I tried my hardest to just listen (very hard for opinionated girl like myself that wants the very BEST for my friends and would gladly tai bo anyone getting in the way of that) and understanding the true meaning of being a Mom. I guess this whole motherhood thing isn't for the timid or weak- no days off from being a parent. So from a long way away - I am sending some healing POSITIVE prayers to a supermom that isn't going to quit in the face of adversity.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Man U
So Sat- we headed north for a 3 hour car journey to Manchester for the Man U soccer game. My dad has been a Man U fan since he was 9 so he made a mild request if we could get tix he would love it (sidenote my Dad NEVER asks for anything)- Well Chris somehow got us 4 seats close to center (sold out game) - I arranged for sitters for the all day event. ( we had 2 sitters -one happened to be an emergency room nurse yet I still wrote down hospital numbers/poison control and asked for update texts through out the day).
So we headed off bright and early- the sun is shining (British rarity), we are listening to music, and enjoying the drive , we stop and get some coffee after 2 hrs 15 min of the drive (important fact for later in the story). We get back on the Motorway at 1:15 pm and we hit a standstill of traffic- we laugh about- then 1/2 hours passes and we see 5 ambulances, 3 helicopters, 4 firetrucks pass on the shoulder of the road. Now everyone is turning off the cars and getting out to see what's going on. We wait another hour - no cars moving all directions of the motorway are closed. BBC online says the accident is very severe- reports say we will be here until 7pm ( kickoff is 5pm)- me and my water drinking habit send me into the woods to relive my college tailgate days when the port o john lines were long. Obviously concerned about the folks in the accident but we realize we will miss the game and we had planned such a fun day ( my poor dad is in his red Man U shirt- talking to other fans on the motorway).
I of course break first and start complaining - (I think I mentioned what if I didn't get that dumb cappuccino about a zillion times) Chris/ my parents remained positive until 4pm (yep that's 3 hours) and then we all started losing it. Have to hand it to the British- no one swore or complained excessively- some people took out books , others organized things in their trunks, some played cards, or stared at their blackberries. My dad and I decide to walk further down to see if we can see anything- we walk about 1/4 mile and we hear the news that the truck that had flipped over had been cleared ( no info on injuries) and the road will be open. It is 4:40- and we need to get to the game. So long story short- we made it in the stadium (with 77. 000 fans )- we were late but we brought them good luck when we arrived Man U was 0-2; by the end of the game the score was 5-2!!! Pictures were taken, beer was consumed, Man U scarves, hoodies, shirts, were purchased! Moral of the story- I thought we had planned the day perfectly- nothing went according to plan but it ended perfectly!
So we headed off bright and early- the sun is shining (British rarity), we are listening to music, and enjoying the drive , we stop and get some coffee after 2 hrs 15 min of the drive (important fact for later in the story). We get back on the Motorway at 1:15 pm and we hit a standstill of traffic- we laugh about- then 1/2 hours passes and we see 5 ambulances, 3 helicopters, 4 firetrucks pass on the shoulder of the road. Now everyone is turning off the cars and getting out to see what's going on. We wait another hour - no cars moving all directions of the motorway are closed. BBC online says the accident is very severe- reports say we will be here until 7pm ( kickoff is 5pm)- me and my water drinking habit send me into the woods to relive my college tailgate days when the port o john lines were long. Obviously concerned about the folks in the accident but we realize we will miss the game and we had planned such a fun day ( my poor dad is in his red Man U shirt- talking to other fans on the motorway).
I of course break first and start complaining - (I think I mentioned what if I didn't get that dumb cappuccino about a zillion times) Chris/ my parents remained positive until 4pm (yep that's 3 hours) and then we all started losing it. Have to hand it to the British- no one swore or complained excessively- some people took out books , others organized things in their trunks, some played cards, or stared at their blackberries. My dad and I decide to walk further down to see if we can see anything- we walk about 1/4 mile and we hear the news that the truck that had flipped over had been cleared ( no info on injuries) and the road will be open. It is 4:40- and we need to get to the game. So long story short- we made it in the stadium (with 77. 000 fans )- we were late but we brought them good luck when we arrived Man U was 0-2; by the end of the game the score was 5-2!!! Pictures were taken, beer was consumed, Man U scarves, hoodies, shirts, were purchased! Moral of the story- I thought we had planned the day perfectly- nothing went according to plan but it ended perfectly!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hit and Miss
So yesterday I took my mom for a day out in London- First stop was a formal "English tea" at Claridges. The hotel is beautiful very art deco- the tea was amazing (the tea menu has probably 29 different teas)- the service impeccable- the sandwiches great- the dessert average (seriously I do not like english trifle). We wandered around shopping afterwards- bought a few items at Molton Brown (shopping in London is very hard because 90% of the time you can buy the EXACT same item for less back home) I mean my mom had just purchased some Jo Malone (made in England) items back home and they are cheaper back in Michigan than London.
So next, we navigated the tube to head to the West end to see a show. A little back history on the show I picked- my mom has seen a lot of shows, I have seen a lot of shows, she likes musicals so the only one we both have not seen was "Spring Awakening". Now I didn't do my homework here- had no idea what the whole show was about besides the mini byline they tell you. I was watching 90210 (the new one) a few months ago and the show did a few numbers from Spring Awakening which I found very catchy (in a "Rent" kind of way).Now I should have known that show would have watered down the musical to a kool-aid version of its former self.
Well- as soon as we are seated with a program I sense trouble- some explicit material warning on the cover. Yes there was nudity, subject matter mainly consisted if SEX, teen suicide, and other taboo topics. On the flip side- I actually liked it (no- not because it shocked my mother- which it sort of did). The music is amazing- you have to have strong stomach that some of the songs are titled Your
Fuc$!@ ( but the stage set is amazing and the music is so catchy (I know I already used this word) Would suggest this be more a girlfriend show than a mommy and me show. I was kicking myself that I didn't go for Mary Poppins or Oliver. The good news is my mom is a trooper she went along with it and No she didn't buy the soundtrack for her own listening pleasure:)
So next, we navigated the tube to head to the West end to see a show. A little back history on the show I picked- my mom has seen a lot of shows, I have seen a lot of shows, she likes musicals so the only one we both have not seen was "Spring Awakening". Now I didn't do my homework here- had no idea what the whole show was about besides the mini byline they tell you. I was watching 90210 (the new one) a few months ago and the show did a few numbers from Spring Awakening which I found very catchy (in a "Rent" kind of way).Now I should have known that show would have watered down the musical to a kool-aid version of its former self.
Well- as soon as we are seated with a program I sense trouble- some explicit material warning on the cover. Yes there was nudity, subject matter mainly consisted if SEX, teen suicide, and other taboo topics. On the flip side- I actually liked it (no- not because it shocked my mother- which it sort of did). The music is amazing- you have to have strong stomach that some of the songs are titled Your
Fuc$!@ ( but the stage set is amazing and the music is so catchy (I know I already used this word) Would suggest this be more a girlfriend show than a mommy and me show. I was kicking myself that I didn't go for Mary Poppins or Oliver. The good news is my mom is a trooper she went along with it and No she didn't buy the soundtrack for her own listening pleasure:)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thank you Jesus for the dress
So even though today is Monday after a great 3 week vacation- it didn't start off so bad- CJ of course wanted to go to school and once Casey jane saw she didn't have to wear the blue jumpsuit and got to wear a dress- she was happy. After school drop off my parents too off to see London (they looked reliefed/happy to have a break from suburban toddler fun- my mom and dad did help the kids plant a veggie garden yesterday which both kids have overwatered already.) and I have sepnt the lst 1.5 hour at driving lessons for which I spent the majority time trying to parallel park. And No I never learned how to do it in Chicago because I always had nice roomates or strangers park my car for me:)
Friday, April 17, 2009
Mimi version 5.0
So a few girlfriends from TX are in Florida for a girls weekend. I went last year and it was so fun- booze, sun, late nights, no kids, no husbands, shopping, etc. The trip is loosely labeled "Moms Gone Wild" -we get tshirts as to make a complete spectacle of ourselves. While I couldn't make the 2009 trip- with that pesky Atlantic ocean in the way and hosting my parents:) Needless to say- my friends brought along a substitute for me.(please note she has hair that doesn't move and is very skinny). I am still laughing- my alter ego for the trip is Mimi version 5.0
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Plume
The blog has taken a back burner- between trying to finish our taxes and hosting my parents- time has not been on my side. As usual - for our visitors the weather has been "British"- constant rain and cloudy.(seriously as soon as someone lands in Heathrow- the clouds open up)
The kids have been so excited to see their grandparents. All in all they have been good sports- we headed to Stratford (birthplace of W. Shakespeare) today- 2 hour journey- pouring rain- hiking 3 miles to Anne Hathaway's house- (Casey gets the stroller and CJ has to walk). We saw the sights of the town and headed home. My mom also is noting the friendliness of the culture- I think she had a hello response rate of a dismal 10%. (props to her for keeping on trying). The kids souvenir from the day were these dorky feather plume pens. (CJ won't stop writing with it). I can just imagine CJ bring back the feather plume pen to school in TX and getting complete laughed at. Oh well- I am sure it will be broken in the next 24 hours
My mom has been pretty laid back - no rearranging my kitchen or commenting on lack of organization. She did leave the room when I insisted we watch gossip girl (which btw my dad loved)- but all in all it is SO nice having my parents here to see where I live and help out , and host! We shall see how the next 2 1/2 weeks go- 4 adults/2kids-med size house-small water heater (last person who showers is in trouble)-I may have to censor some of my blog comments due to the fact my parents actually read my blog:)
The kids have been so excited to see their grandparents. All in all they have been good sports- we headed to Stratford (birthplace of W. Shakespeare) today- 2 hour journey- pouring rain- hiking 3 miles to Anne Hathaway's house- (Casey gets the stroller and CJ has to walk). We saw the sights of the town and headed home. My mom also is noting the friendliness of the culture- I think she had a hello response rate of a dismal 10%. (props to her for keeping on trying). The kids souvenir from the day were these dorky feather plume pens. (CJ won't stop writing with it). I can just imagine CJ bring back the feather plume pen to school in TX and getting complete laughed at. Oh well- I am sure it will be broken in the next 24 hours
My mom has been pretty laid back - no rearranging my kitchen or commenting on lack of organization. She did leave the room when I insisted we watch gossip girl (which btw my dad loved)- but all in all it is SO nice having my parents here to see where I live and help out , and host! We shall see how the next 2 1/2 weeks go- 4 adults/2kids-med size house-small water heater (last person who showers is in trouble)-I may have to censor some of my blog comments due to the fact my parents actually read my blog:)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Sunshine & Sangria
Okay- just got back from our trip to the Canary Island of Lanzarote- awesome trip it started off rocky but sunshine and sangria can make anyone smile.
So the day before our departure- I became super sick- throat hurt , head hurt, felt dizzy- could not run any errands pre trip (no new magazines, snacks for the plane, etc)- basically had the kids watching tv and snacking on cheese and crackers for their main meals. Got on the plane the next morning and I felt like my head was going to explode. Arrive at the resort- (which btw is beautiful)- long story short 24 hours later I am at a medical clinic with 101 fever, throat infection, double ear infection, and sinus infection. The dr injects me with a shot than writes a script for 5 other medications and tells me I need a shot every day for the next 3 days. (Note if it was my kids I would have paid stricter attention to the various pharmaceuticals given to me but I saw she had a degree on the wall and assume I couldn't be any worse off). Did I mention in other posts how over I am so over socialized medicine in England- it was so nice to leave a dr's office with a script (mind you this one was in spanish but beggars can't be choosers)
So for the next 24 hours I laid in bed and outside- Chris handled the kids at the pool and other locales. After the third shot I felt so much better- ( a little buzzed from the medication but much better)
CJ and Casey had a blast- they had a kids club at the resort which we used and they had so much fun with other British and Spanish kids. At the end of the week the kids did a little play of High School Musical and it was so cute- the boys were basketball players- the girls were cheerleaders. Our kids knew HSM songs the least but I suspect the soundtrack will be playing in our car from now on. It was so cute the spanish kids would sing the songs in spanish and english.
We did a few cool day trips to a volcano and got to ride camels (our poor camels had to carry all 4 of us up the hill) Every night at the hotel there was some sort of entertainment (singers, dancers, magicians). Without fail- CJ would volunteer- ( I will have to find a way to post the limbo photos of CJ) The food was great and after the 3 rd day I could try out some sangria and margaritas.
Chris and I got to read by the water (I finished 3 books to his one)- Felt bad that we couldn't find the final 4 games anywhere on the island but after the first half of the MSU /UNC game which we checked on his blackberry he seemed fine about missing it:( We met a couple from Ireland that we went out for dinner and drinks with.
I will post photos later of some hilights of the trip. back from vacation to laundry, taxes, grocery trips, and kids missing the beach (oh and myself as well)
So the day before our departure- I became super sick- throat hurt , head hurt, felt dizzy- could not run any errands pre trip (no new magazines, snacks for the plane, etc)- basically had the kids watching tv and snacking on cheese and crackers for their main meals. Got on the plane the next morning and I felt like my head was going to explode. Arrive at the resort- (which btw is beautiful)- long story short 24 hours later I am at a medical clinic with 101 fever, throat infection, double ear infection, and sinus infection. The dr injects me with a shot than writes a script for 5 other medications and tells me I need a shot every day for the next 3 days. (Note if it was my kids I would have paid stricter attention to the various pharmaceuticals given to me but I saw she had a degree on the wall and assume I couldn't be any worse off). Did I mention in other posts how over I am so over socialized medicine in England- it was so nice to leave a dr's office with a script (mind you this one was in spanish but beggars can't be choosers)
So for the next 24 hours I laid in bed and outside- Chris handled the kids at the pool and other locales. After the third shot I felt so much better- ( a little buzzed from the medication but much better)
CJ and Casey had a blast- they had a kids club at the resort which we used and they had so much fun with other British and Spanish kids. At the end of the week the kids did a little play of High School Musical and it was so cute- the boys were basketball players- the girls were cheerleaders. Our kids knew HSM songs the least but I suspect the soundtrack will be playing in our car from now on. It was so cute the spanish kids would sing the songs in spanish and english.
We did a few cool day trips to a volcano and got to ride camels (our poor camels had to carry all 4 of us up the hill) Every night at the hotel there was some sort of entertainment (singers, dancers, magicians). Without fail- CJ would volunteer- ( I will have to find a way to post the limbo photos of CJ) The food was great and after the 3 rd day I could try out some sangria and margaritas.
Chris and I got to read by the water (I finished 3 books to his one)- Felt bad that we couldn't find the final 4 games anywhere on the island but after the first half of the MSU /UNC game which we checked on his blackberry he seemed fine about missing it:( We met a couple from Ireland that we went out for dinner and drinks with.
I will post photos later of some hilights of the trip. back from vacation to laundry, taxes, grocery trips, and kids missing the beach (oh and myself as well)
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