I am Michelle D. Carter

I know you saw me. I watched you look in your mirror. But yet here you come.

With the increase of gas prices over the summer, there has been an increase in motorcycles on our highways. The SCOUT system constantly displayed the message “Be aware of motorcycles. Share the road.” Obviously, the consequences would not be favorable.

So, last Friday, I finish running errands with the kids and begin my journey home. I notice a moped about to enter the highway. Knowing mopeds don’t have great speed capabilities, I sped up to get ahead of him as I had no room to get over. He has plenty of entrance ramp left, yet here he comes… in my lane.

Are you kidding me? I am in a 4,500 pound mini-van and you are driving a bike with not much more than a little motor on it. And you are attempting to come into my lane. Do you have a death wish? You must!

Finally, you move back over. Thank goodness. That’s all I need… to have my kids watch you become little more than a speed bump in the road at the hands of their Mother.

While I do feel it is important for watch out for motorcycles (mopeds too!) on the road. They need to be aware as well. Know your limitations.

Due to illness (mine) and two interviews to prepare for, no blogging today. Come back tomorrow though!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Alex was full of questions and opinions yesterday.

Today is an early release day for school. This is the last year of half day Kindergarten for us, so the boys will come home at their normal time. However, it is an early release day, so the entire school gets out at the same time they do. For some kids, this can be overwhelming. So I wanted to explain this to the boys. It went something like this: Boys, do you know that tomorrow is an early release day? Do you know what that means? It means that Sissy will come home when you do tomorrow. All the kids in the school will come home when you do. And you’ll ride a different bus home. Instead of Ms. Margaret, Mr. Martin will bring you home. OK?

I got the yeah, we understand response. But a few minutes later Alex comes and sits next to me, “Mom, I don’t want to come home when Sissy does. That’s too many minutes.”

“Awe, sweetheart, you don’t stay at school longer; Sissy comes home early with you. You’ll come home the same time you normally do.”

He quickly runs to share this information with his brother. Andy totally got it. Before Alex could even finish, he yells, “I know, I know, I heard Mom already.”

Poor kid, he was just trying to ease his fears.

♥ ♥ ♥

Alex: “Mom, have you ever smelled a skunk before?”

Me: “Yes.”

Alex: “Really?”

Me: “Yes.”

Alex: “Was it disgusting?”

Me: “Yes.”

♥ ♥ ♥

Alex has a colorful language. It’s not uncommon to hear him say: hey, butt crack or you have fart breath. This drives me crazy. I send him to his room, he goes to bed early but he STILL says it.

Yesterday he says to his sister, “You’re a fish head.”

Alyssa’s throwing a fit and wanting him to stop. I’m just happy he hasn’t used a more colorful adjective.

However, it wasn’t long and he was back to his old ways.

“Mom, you’re a butt crack.”

“Alex, to your room.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

Will it ever stop???

I’m just about as bad as the stores. I want to start putting my Halloween décor out right after school starts. Tim always says, “No, it’s too early.”

Yesterday I decided was a good day to put it out. In the middle of sorting through the boxes with body parts, etc. strewn everywhere, I called Tim.

Tim: “Hello.”

Me: “Hello. What’s going on?”

Tim: “Working, and you?”

Me: “Putting out the Halloween decorations.”

Tim: “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

Me: “I had to. The boys are on both computers so I don’t stand a chance. I needed something to do.”

Tim: “Great, they’ve moved on from DS to PC.”

Oh my God! I feel like I am in a whirlwind and just have too much going on. What else is new?!!

Yesterday I had an interview for a District Marketing Manager with a good solid company. I think the interview went well but you can never be too sure. It sounds like a great position; however, there would be a significant amount of travel. While at first, being away from the kids would be a nice break, I think I would really miss them. I guess it’s just what you become accustomed to, but do I want my kids to get used to me not being around? The plus side would be that the income should be substantial. What a trade off?!

Also, yesterday, I was in the middle of taking a timed assessment for a potential position when I heard the dog try to force her way out the back door. There was no way I could get up and help her. It wasn’t long and I heard the sounds of a nice loose stool being released on the carpet. Of course, she missed the easy-to-clean hardwood floor by a couple of inches.

Today I had an interview as a Sales Rep for a company. It sounds like a fairly decent position. However, it is commission only. Arg! There’s that commission only thing again. It is in an industry that seems to be growing significantly. I’ll have to do more research and see.

Tomorrow I have another interview for a Retail Sales position. I wouldn’t have normally considered this job; however, it is at my favorite jewelry store. Tim and I purchased my engagement ring from them. Every piece of jewelry (besides costume) has come from this store. I sent my application off just to see what would happen, and they called me. It is a full-time position. They are closed Sunday and Wednesday. I would have to work the other days, including Saturday. Part of the reason I want to do sales is to have flexibility. I wouldn’t have it with this position. But I wonder if employees get discounts????

Of course, I need to be offered a position to really make a decision. Funny how that works!!

I’m still trying to apply for positions. I really haven’t had much chance with the interviews… which is a good thing.

I also want to try to start doing my stamp camps again. I’ve had several people ask and it is something I enjoy. However, with everything else going on… But, it would also give me the chance to get some more customers and help with that silly minimum order.

Thank God it rained this morning. Now I don’t have to go out and water my shrubs. Cross one thing off my list! Now, on to the rest of the list…

Several weeks ago Tim came home and told me that I should start one of those eBay stores like in the movie, 40 Year Old Virgin. Steve Carell’s girlfriend in the movie has an actual store where people can bring their items they wish to sell on eBay. I thought it was kind of silly, but now I’m thinking he is on to something.

We recently sold our old phones on eBay. Now, we’ve listed our old Halloween costumes. I’m addicted to watching it. I like to see how many people are watching the item, how many bids we have and the price that some things are going for. I am constantly refreshing the data, literally. During the writing of this post, I’ll bet I checked it three times. It’s exciting to me!

And so, on that note, I’m off to eBay.

This past weekend was definitely my weekend!

SCORE, Tim brought home roses for our anniversary. They are so beautiful! Normally I don’t care about that but it had been a long time since I had gotten flowers and I was hoping I’d get some.

It was our neighborhood garage sale this past weekend as well. One of my neighbors was participating and asked if we wanted to bring anything down. We had been hanging on to Alyssa’s old 20″ bike that she only rode one year. I took it down hoping someone would take it off our hands at a reasonable price. We had gone out to lunch on Saturday and when we returned, SCORE the bike sold!

We had listed our old phones on eBay. The auction ended and SCORE both sold at decent prices.

Tim made his usual trip to the hardware store. While there he had to go to the restroom taking him right past the windows. We are in the process of siding our house and replacing windows. Two weeks ago he tore out the basement windows only to find worms and slugs living in the rotten wood. Don’t even get me started on that. Anyway, sitting there were two custom windows that were returned. Normally, they would cost $275 each. Tim picked them up for $50 each. SCORE! They were a little smaller than the previous windows but a little framing and they were in. They look great!! Double SCORE!

Alex SCOREd one goal in his soccer game.

Andy SCOREd two goals in his soccer game.

Jake and Claire hosted our kids to a sleepover. It was the first time I can think of that Tim and I were home without kids. SCORE! No fighting, no yelling, just quiet.

SCORE, I got a massage from Tim!

Tim and I sipped on chocolate martinis sitting on the back porch without interruptions. SCORE!

I cleaned the house on Friday and it’s still pretty clean this morning. SCORE!!

I should have bought a lottery ticket…

Tim, sometimes you can be such an ass! Like the other night when I found the hole in the front yard and went down like the Titanic. My foot was bruised and swollen. My shoulder stiff and my elbow sore. What do I hear from you – laughter. You are upset because you didn’t get to see it. However, I must admit by the end of the night I was milking it and we were both laughing about it.

Karma is a wonderful thing because the day after I fell, I get this email from Tim: My snickering at your fall has already started to haunt me. I just went downstairs to get a Diet Coke and core aerated the roof of my mouth with a straw. I had the straw in my mouth and was holding it with my teeth so I could pull the wrapper off. I got the wrapper off, forgot that I had the straw in my mouth and reach up to scratch my nose or something. I’ve forgotten why I reached up, but forcefully jammed the straw in. I even believe it brought a tear to my eyes. It even bled for a while. I hope this is the end of the bad karma I brought upon myself for laughing at your roll in the front yard.

Tomorrow is our 11^th wedding anniversary. And though there are times you get on my nerves (I know I don’t ever get on your nerves), I love you!! You are my rock, my best friend, the person I trust more than anything. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. Happy anniversary, Tim, I love you!!

Today’s post is inspired by Michelle. I could have written this post myself. The premise of the post is she sometimes feels guilty for sending her kids to school because she gets some time for herself. You know, to do all the exciting things of cleaning house, doing laundry and, of course, eat bon bons (NOT!).

When we sit down at the dinner table, we’ll ask the kids what was their favorite part of the day. A couple weeks ago, Alyssa asked me what my favorite part of the day was. I tried to restrain myself, but it just came flying out, “When I put all of you on the bus!”

I love my kids, but those few hours, 3 ½ hours to be exact, go by way to fast. I always try to get too much done and am usually unsuccessful at accomplishing all that I need to.

So, on that note, I have tons of errands I need to run today and I’m already down an hour. Have a great day and I’ll see you tomorrow.

As I posted yesterday’s blog, I began to think about my daughter. I realized that I really hadn’t blogged that much about her. I began to wonder why. Was it because the boys are just naturally ornerier and therefore make more humorous blogs? Was it because she was older and you begin to expect more from your older children, or perhaps a combination of the two?

Once the boys were born, she immediately took the back seat. My focus wasn’t on just one new baby it was two. New babies demand a lot of your time. We followed the advice of the experts and tried to make her feel included. We’d have her get the diapers for us, help feed them, etc.

Now that the boys are older and more self-sufficient, I notice I still rely on Alyssa to be my helper. When they have to go to the restroom while we are out, Alyssa always volunteers to take them. As they head to the restroom I wonder if I should follow.

The boys will get on my last nerve and Alyssa will tell them, “Boys, I don’t think Mom is in any mood to hear that.”

And so I begin to think, have I pushed her to be a responsible person or have I robbed her of being young and carefree. I know there has to be a happy medium but have I pushed it too far?

I have noticed that I do expect more of her. And when she does what she is supposed to do, I often don’t tell her how great she’s doing. I expect her to be better. I expect her to do what she is supposed to do. I expect more and more from her.

Realizing this, last night I sat down with her and told her how proud of her I am. She is doing great in school. Her handwriting is beautiful (she used to try to race through and it was hard to read). That I’m proud she is reading better. I’m pleased that she comes home and gets right on her homework without me having to harass her about it. Her response, “Sometimes I start it on the bus ride home.”

And so, Alyssa, I am very proud of you!!!! I will try to work on that happy medium. You are growing up to be a fine young lady. I love you very much!