Downtown...

TC and I took the kiddos downtown for a fun doggy event. We live in a part of town that is considered the suburbs, and we don't get to downtown much because, well, frankly, we're not in our twenties and we have children. So needless to say, when we go down there it's a culture shock for us. We know going in what it's going to be like, but it's still a complete shocker when it turns out like we've forecasted.

So today, we hung out with the kiddos, participated in the doggy event and dropped in to a fun little coffee and chocolate shop. It's apparently only located in really chic places like Munich and Beverly Hills and Tokyo and then there's one in our town...random! So we stopped in, enjoyed a truffle each and a yummy, fall drink...cider for me and coffee for TC. Even a chocolate airplane for CCR. It was wonderful!

When we had loaded everyone back up in the car and were heading back to the house, we pulled out of the underground parking garage and onto the surface streets. We were in the right turn lane trying to turn when I told TC, I think it's clear. Before I could finish my sentence, the light turned green and approximately one million pedestrians race out of the blocks and into the street traveling in both directions. TC had started to make the turn but abruptly stopped realizing he would not make it because of the pedestrians. One of them, with his 5-6 year old daughter on his shoulders, turned to stare us down as if we had committed the cardinal sin or put his daughter in imminent danger. We calmly stared back at him knowing we hadn't done anything wrong and chuckled that if he was really worried about his daughter's safety, he probably would've/should've looked both ways before stepping off the curb to begin with.

This whole episode got me thinking...I think it's ironic that pedestrians have a sense of entitlement because they don't have a metal box to protect them in the case of a collision, but the last time I checked the sidewalks stopped and started at the roads. I mean, it's not like cars drive over sidewalks to get to the other side of the street. Pedestrians step out of the safety net called a sidewalk and walk in the street to get to the rest of the sidewalk...pedestrian beware...everybody frowns when cars drive on the sidewalk, yet it's eco-friendly for pedestrians to walk in the street...just sayin'...

It Takes a Village...

Today when I went to pick up the kiddos from daycare, they were both in great moods. Things didn't turn south until I asked CCR to put on his backpack to carry his things to the car. He did NOT want to wear his backpack. Now I am a pretty patient person, and I have found that I just need to wait him out and he'll comply. He really is a very good listener and tends to follow directions the first time. Only from time to time will he defy me...today was one of those days. So I waited, and waited, and waited. I prompted him with the excitement of going home and playing with his favorite toys, watching his favorite tv show and seeing his daddy. To no avail...so I waited, and I waited, and I waited. I watched as parents walked in to pick up theirs kids, and they walked out with their kids. After quite some time, a mom was walking out with her son. She was holding the door for me thinking CCR would get up and walk out with me. He didn't so she took things into her hands...she asked CCR how heavy his backpack was and if she could see it. He got up and started making his way to the door before he stopped dead in his tracks and continued pouting. She asked a few more questions so he continued walking toward the door. When he got to me, I reached out my hand to hold his and he fell to the floor. I explained to her that it wasn't her, it was me. Sometimes he just doesn't want to comply so anything I do is perceived as making him do something he doesn't want to do. So she offered for her son to hold his hand and walk with him to the car. CCR took his hand and walked, begrudgingly at first, with him outside. The mom took his other hand and they walked with him to my car. It was so very sweet. I was/am so appreciative of the mom's understanding and willingness to help out where I found myself helpless. It was a reminder to me that God puts people in our lives at the perfect moments. She was impressed with my patience and explained that she would've handled things a bit differently - if you catch my drift. But I think I would've had to resort to that if she hadn't come to my rescue. What a wonderful blessing, and what a wonderful memory I have of one mom reaching out and helping out in a time of desperation. I was humbled and am so thankful!

Dishes...

I hate them. What I hate the most is when you get the kitchen looking fantastic only to ruin it for the next meal. Doing the dishes can feel like such an accomplishment when the kitchen gets away from you, but the feeling is fleeting. Bummer...

Tonight was one of those nights. The kitchen was a disaster. We've been cooking at home so much more these days in an effort to save money and eat healthier. And while those two goals are being met, it does create a mess in the kitchen. So I must admit it got so bad that we actually ordered out for dinner so we didn't add to the problem. I must admit I am a dish washing hater.

Yet, here I sit feeling a bit smug that my kitchen is back in order. The counters aren't clear of all clutter, but sometimes I feel that putting the salt away is the same as making your bed when you get up in the morning: what's the point, it'll be back the way it was the next day.

Maybe I should start making our bed. It does look nicer when everything is in its place...but coming down to earth, I remind myself that I'm a woman in a two-income house, mother of two very young children, and the owner of three dogs...sheesh!

What was I thinking...I need a maid.

Finding Balance

Whew! That's all I can say. I really should just stop typing right now and leave it there. What I am flabbergasted by is that my last post was in March.

That is pitiful...

Last night was the midterm election, and frankly I'm exhausted. TC and I were both able to vote yesterday which is an accomplishment alone. We had to balance the taking and picking up of the kiddos in order for us both to have time to get to the polls. I should really make an effort to take advantage of early voting (the nearest poll is extremely close to my office), but I seem to always say to myself,"I'll go tomorrow", and before I know it, it's over and election day is upon me.

Well, election is gone, and not the recovering starts. Who knows what'll happen at this point. I just hope things get better than what they are now.

Honestly, my head is still spinning trying to wrap itself around my absence. It all comes down to finding the time to get it all done, right? And unfortunately, TC and the kiddos come first, and then the career a close second. With commuting 3 hours a day, 3-4 times per week, I'm pretty drained in the evenings, and they're relegated to feeding the kiddos, getting them bathed and to bed, eating and catching up with TC, who I haven't typically made contact with at all during the day. I do, however, get a "Good Morning Beautiful" email from TC every morning which lifts my spirits every time. He's been sending me those emails since we were dating so it's been nice to have that little boost each day. I call them because they start out just that way - each and every one of them. Aahhh...love! It's a wonderful thing.

It's lunch time, and I'm hungry, and I have a ton of work to do before I hop on a conference call and hit the road to pick up the kiddos before the child care facility starts charging me by the minute. And so it continues...