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January 16, 2009

Schizophrenic Post

So…I’m back…and I’m feeling a bit “schizophrenic” as you can probably tell from the post title. I’m not REALLY schizo. But after reading this post you may wonder.

There’s the good, the bad, the ugly, and the random.

First with the bad…as of 10:00 this morning Brad, Lesha, Trace & Trevin (BLT’s) are no longer living here. Whaaa!!! But the funny thing is, I’ve been dreading it for so long and felt deep sadness about it so many times that now it seems almost anti-climatic. Now, don’t get me wrong, when they pulled out of our driveway this morning to go close on their house I cried like a baby. But I didn’t feel lost like I thought I would. I still had a 2 yr old crying to go inside as it was waaay too cold for his liking, a 4 month old in my arms looking up at me as if to say “Mom, when are you going to feed me?”, and a husband at work thinking about me. It's not like they're moving to another continent or anything. They'll be 3 hrs. from us. But that's slightly different from the 8 minutes they are now (were). No more - "hey why don't you come over for pancakes", or "how about dominoes at our house tonight, we'll supply the pizza, you bring the drinks". Meetings are going to be strange without them…there will be an empty couch where they always sat. It used to be “our” couch to sit on until T&T were born. We moved somewhere else so they could sit there. Maybe we’ll move back. Then there won’t be “empty seats” to be such a visual reminder of who used to be there - and who, in our selfishness, we wish was still there. (Are you following me, or is this just a bunch of incoherent blabbering??)

Taken this morning as they were leaving…see those 2 little boys…they have a piece of my heart they’re taking with them.

Now the good…I got a sweet new “toy” for my birthday. My birthday isn’t until May – May 6th as a matter of fact – but good ‘ole Mom and Dad decided to get me the camera I’ve been wanting for years now. (YES, years) {If anyone out there feels so inclined to get me an early, REALLY early b-day gift, I do accept cash - just thought I'd let you know.} There were such awesome deals at X-mas time that it was kind of silly not to get it then. And if you’re going to have such a nice piece of “equipment” you might as well use it right??? Especially when there are babies growing right before our very eyes. I have a LOT to learn about photography and this camera but I’ve got a couple of awesome “test subjects” to practice on. These are THE test subjects of choice for me…



Now for the ugly…(get ready for this) our toilets. I know, I know, some of you are shaking your heads wondering where on earth this came from. (I warned you I’m feeling a bit schizo today.) Ours are 1979 blue, and 1979 brown. I’ve loathed them from the day we moved in (over a year ago now). I’ve decided I’m going to get a part time job soon. VERY soon. Yep, I’m going to take the plunge and get back into the workforce. Now, it won’t be anything to exciting, just a part time something in the evenings 3 or 4 days a week. I have no clue where or what, but Momma needs to get OUT of the house and back into the adult world periodically. So what does this have to do with toilets you ask..weeeeell the first thing I’m going to buy are 2 new “thrones” for our house. Aren’t you glad you’ve read this far?? ;)

Other random things:
How is it that 2 people can be SOOO much alike? Take David and Jacob. I know Jacob supposedly got half of his genes from David, and half from me, but I'm beginning to wonder if that's all just another conspiracy theory. I think he got everything from David, and nothing from me. To begin with, Jacob looks just like him. He’s got his Dad’s personality. Guess it’s a good thing I like his Dad or else I’d be in a world of hurt. ;) He even inherited his “allergy to penicillin” gene. OK, OK, OK, fine….but it doesn’t stop there. When riding in the car there is a particular radio station I like to listen to that plays old country music. I can’t tell you how many times Jacob has said to me “Mommy, noisy, turn it down”. And I don’t even have it up loud. Every now and then they’ll play songs I don’t care for – some songs get a little twangy even for me. The other day though, a bluegrass song came on and Jacob said “turn it up Mommy, I like it”. WHAT??? My 2 year old son likes bluegrass?? I’m NOT a bluegrass fan but guess who is…yep, David. I’m thinking we should have named him David III.

What is in the water? I’ve found out in the last week about 5 couples who are expecting this summer. Congratulations! (Were the months of October and November exceptionally cold or something??) ;)

I’ve been doing a bit of mystery shopping. I should clarify I guess…I’ve been eating a lot of Sonic lately and getting paid a little bit to give my opinion on the service I received. Yep, there really are legitimate companies out there who will pay you to eat somewhere and give them feedback. Now, I’m not getting rich or supplementing David’s income or anything, but it’s a few dollars in my “new toilet” envelope. If you’re interested in doing this too let me know and I’ll give you my “Independent Contractor” number (sounds important don’t ya think) and the telephone # to call and get started. The company is based out of California but they do mystery shopping nationwide. Have you tried the Sonic Frito Chili Cheese wrap yet? If you haven’t you should. Yep, it’s good. And it’s on the dollar menu. (NO, I’m not getting paid to put this little paragraph in.)

Why, oh why, do I feel like I have to write a book anytime I do a post or send an e-mail? Take my friends Angie, Jenn and Kim in FL – they probably think I’ve fallen off the face of the earth – or at least forgotten about them. I haven’t. I think about them probably every day, wonder how they’re doing, and think “you know, I really should at least say hi”, but I don’t. Why can’t I just sit down, shoot off an e-mail that says “hi, thinking about you” and feel good that I actually did it? Instead I think about it, let something else distract me, feel bad I didn’t do it, then feel guilty the next time I want to say hi because I didn’t do it before and it’s a vicious cycle. Urghhhh

Now I’m looking forward to our trip to FL – it’ll be great to get to see everyone there. Then we’re looking forward to a visit from our friends in LA…THIS lovely little family. Pretty soon it’ll be Brad and Lesha who?? (I kid, I kid)

If there’s anyone left reading this post all the way to the bottom…thank you. If not, it was good therapy for me to sit and write just a fraction of what’s rattling around in my head right now.

21 comments:

Wrena said...

Kristen - I hate goodbyes!! I detest goodbyes ~ but I bawl too and then the kids wonder whats wrong and I cant explain! My husband doesn't say goodbye, he says talk to ya later! He has tears with that so I can say there are some of us that would understand!
Glad to hear from ya!

Us 4 said...

Kristen you crack me up!!!! I feel like I have just had a lenghty conversation with you as you rambled on, without even being on the phone!! Can't wait to gab in person in just a few weeks!!;-) Have a great time in Florida and hug you beautiful babes for me!

The J's said...

WHOSH! Didn't that feel good to let it all out! And, you have a cool new blog look (WHERE did you find something new like this?) and You have an (awesome I'm assumingh) new camera, and CUTE new pictures!! So what kind of camera??

Kristen said...

@ Wrena - yep, goodbyes are not fun. No matter how often you know (think) you'll still see the people. It's the change that is so hard.

@ Shauna - you always knew I had the gift of gab didn't you. ;) Looking forward to seeing all of you. Our husbands will just sit and look at each other thinking "our wives are crazy" I'm sure...of course they'll probably be outside with each other being very quiet giving their ears a break. ;)

@ Maxine - yep, it did feel good to write that down. I could have gone on for quite some more, but I figured I better not. The background is a digital paper I downloaded from ScrapGirls. The camera is a Canon Digital Rebel XSi. It's really a "beginner professional" camera I guess you could say. But it does everything I want it to do and more. It's like going from a Chevrolet to a Cadillac as some people are driving Jaguars.

Mindy said...

the ppl that moved, are they good friends or family? about this time last year some of our best friends moved. they were already in a different state, but now they are in a different country!!! it's hard to let loved ones go. especially the kind you want to pop over for pancakes on the spur of the moment!

Kristen said...

@ Mindy - the people who moved are my Brother and his family. I kept Trace and Trevin for several months after they were born while my Sister-In-Law went back to work to finish out the school year. She was a teacher.

Country Family said...

I love it when bloggers that I know tell about EVERYTHING! It is great and it DOES feel like we have just had a long phone conversation!
Have fun with your new camera...did your parents get Brad one so he could keep you posted on the nephews?? :) It is hard to say goodbye.

Del, Kari, Kyle and Kolby said...

Oh, Kristen! HUGS!!! I've been thinking of you... guess I need to keep in better touch with you too! :) Amazing how the free time disappears with baby number two, isn't it?! Love you guys...

Aaron & Cassie said...

So sad that Brad & Lesha had to move. That's tough. I would love the number to your "independent contractor." I used to do mystery shopping and it was great, but I've since lost their information and hate searching online since you never know if a company is legimate or not!

The J's said...

I would like the number too. I've always been interested in the possibility of it, but like above comment, never knew for sure if it was legitimate!

Carin said...

I know what you mean about it being good therapy to write it all out, I should get better at it. I have had a couple hard days and have not blogged or looked at others.

I had to laugh at your paragraph of the toilets. You said you were going to take the plunge. Bwaa haa haa, too funny.

Yeah on the new camera! Have fun!

Anita B said...

Just saying hi- Loved the post! You remind me of my sister and myself. The toilet thing sounds like my sis- I guess you'd have to know her to really get it, but anyway. The email bit is exactly my email dilemna... life in the valley of procrastination

From TX to you said...

Crying with you too that they're gone. Wish we could've seen them more down here. Take comfort in the fact that some of us have siblings out of state, so you're still within driving distance!:) And with the Stockyards (not to mention the FW Zoo) so close, it will make for a fun trip! Such cute pictures of the kiddos!:)

Mimi/Susan said...

Hey, I'm back. And I've not been anywhere! What a silly question, "have you tried the Sonic Frito Chili Cheese Wrap". Maybe that's why the skirt I have just like the one Leisha is wearing in the good-bye picture doesn't look as "slenderizing" on me as it does on her. So send the #, for crying out loud. Have fun in Fl!!!

C & T Bishop Blog said...

Oh, Kristen!! Thinking of you!!! I wish we all could have our own little family commune, and we all could live together! Love the pictures of Jacob & Lia -- CUTE!!!

Lydia said...

Can't wait to see you guys this weekend! We're all so excited! :) See ya'll soon!

Ray, Karen and Family said...

I love your blog entries! You are very good at putting into words the way I often feel myself. I think you should write a book for your new "job". Seriously, though, I understand you need to get out of the house and into the workforce again. I've been at home for 8 years now and I'm very thankful for every moment (even the ones I am choosing to forget for sanity reasons), but I have begun contemplating my return to the adult world as well. It will be a few more years for me as daycare for 4 kids is quite pricey for someone who doesn't have a college education. I'm considering that education thing, though....4 years from now I could have a degree....and 4 kids in school all day. hmmmm.....
Have fun picking out toilets! :)

Renita said...

Yes, I made it all the way to the end and I love your honesty and humor!! Hugs to the kiddos!!

Aureanne said...

Hey Kristen! Haven't seen you much on facebook lately, so figured I should check your blog. WOW, that was a long blog, but I think I read it all!!! LOL. Wish I could blog, but I'd rather read 'em instead of write 'em. Anyway, I'm interested in your "independent contractor." TTYL! Hugs/smiles from my kiddies to yours!

Mommabelle said...

How are you doing?

Damion's mommy said...

Wow, Kristen! You sure can generate comments. Impressive! :-) I always enjoy reading your posts. And your blog look is awesome (the kids at the top make it especially cute).