Morning Hustle or Hassle?

What a crazy morning!! I've been getting up late due to my nightly midnight appointment (Sex and the City on the CW & TBS--my guilty pleasure). I'm not always able to stay up but I did last night. It seemed like everything that could go wrong did. My youngest son had gym today and he has to wear his regulation gym uniform. Well due to being sick last week I was very backed up with my laundry. I had to end up washing the uniform last night and hang drying it. Well this morning when we woke up (a little late) the gym uniform was still very wet. This is not the first time this has happened. What I did was (absolutely crazy but when done carefully works!) Because I don't have a dryer I put the uniform very carefully in a warm oven. I check periodically until it is totally dry. It has worked in the past with very little problems (please don't ask my other son about the "very little problems"). Anyway, after making oatmeal, ironing, making lunch I had forgotten about the gym uniform. I was able to get the shirt out in time. Needless to say, the pants weren't so fortunate. The pants got a little burned. Not so bad though. My son kept asking me "Are my pants ready yet?" 'Yeah, fried, dyed and layed to the side' I thought. "Yes sweetie but they're just a little browned in a small area of the pants...okay honey?" I said in a very comforting tone. After the FAQ's (frequently asked questions) section of this fiasco, he accepted my honesty and proceeded to put on the pants once they were cool. It's probably about 8:09am by now and we have to be at school at 8:30am. As I finish up in the kitchen feeling accomplished and resourceful my son screams "My pants are cracked!". OMG, the small browned area of the pants was so dry it actually cracked!! What's a mom to do at 8:15am? I grabbed my clear masking tape and taped that joker up on the inside. After all, taping on the outside would be so tacky. My son looked at me and wanted my opinion in how his pants looked. "It'll do for now baby" I said. He was fine and problem averted. Then, how about a fight breaks out in the bathroom while my two boys are brushing their teeth. All I hear is screaming and crying. I had to scream my lungs out in order for them to stop. You would think the my youngest son wouldn't want to be involved in an altercation right about now with the cracked tapped pants and all, but he did. We were so behind schedule they couldn't eat breakfast at home. They had breakfast on the G.O. which is the acronym for "Get Out". We finally get out the door and I dropped them off. All I could do is exhale as my car clock read 8:28am. Phew! As I pull off I saw the school principal and he comes over to say hello. I noticed he kept looking up at my hair, as I proudly smile since he knows the kids weren't late. He asked if that was a new hair style. As I looked up in my rear view mirror all I saw was this nub of a pony tail. OMG, I forgot to attache my ponytail when we were running out!! I was mortified. I can't imagine what I looked like. As I began to pull off in shear embarrassment I heard a voice screaming "Mom!" I looked in my rear view mirror to see my oldest son running some kind of olympic sprint toward my car before I turned the corner. Turned out he forgot his project that was due today. Oh God, he begged me to go back home and get it. Of course I did because we can't have anything jeopardize Jrs. scholarship next year. After dropping off the project, all I could think was is this a morning hustle or a hassle? I'm so tired and it wasn't even 9:00am yet. I'm too old for this. I can't do this for another couple of years. When I wake up I don't want Hustle or Hassle. I just want to roll over and say "Hey Honey". Is that too much to ask for? Messing around with Ms. Carrie Bradshaw totally jacked me up today!

Fight!

This past Sunday my Pastor preached about fighting for what belongs to you or what is rightfully yours. I really identified with the message. So often in life I let things slide and not fight for it. It could be as simple as being told no at a store and not asking for a supervisor or receiving a denial in the mail and just letting it go. The message inspired me to stand up for myself no matter what it is. My pastor discussed standing up for your health, marriage, children etc. Seriously real life issues. It was obvious that the entire congregation felt like fighting in the spirit because the entire church just went up in a praise and we all began to fight in the spirit. It was really good.

After service I went to a discount store to pick up chips. These are special chips that they don't ordinarily carry. They are actually gourmet chips which retail for like $4.99 a bag in D'Agostino's and other specialty shops, but I had been getting them for $.99 a bag. I had been buying them there for a few weeks and absolutely love them. I noticed on the bag that it was past the expiration date but I didn't care because they are so good and healthy. I also noticed there was a sign that read 2 for $.99. Wow, I was so excited. I picked up two bags and the cashier said they are $.99 each. I proceeded to show her the sign. She let me know that was meant for another product. I told her it was past the expiration date. She still insisted they were $.99 each. She then pointed to the manager and I told him that the bags were past the expiration date. "How can you sell them for full price?" He mumbled something and then I said (kinda loud so everyone could hear) "The chips are past the expiration date!" "Okay, okay 2 for $.99", the supervisor said. Hip Hip Horray!!! Justice for all! You see my friends, my fight may have been small or insignificant to you, but a fight none the less. To the victor goes the outdated chips!!

Vessels of Life

Recently I had a minor invasive procedure done. Don't worry, I'm good & no I didn't have cosmetic surgery...although the thought did cross my mind since I was on a cold operating table...(and why not just bundle all my surgical needs and desires together I thought...that's another blog...ANYWAY)! As I was on, what they call "the procedure table" which is actually just a non-threatening way of saying the operating table), I heard the attending physican tell the nurse that my large overwhelming breast was in his way. Okay he didn't say large or overwhelming but he might as well had. He actually asked the nurse to move it. I wondered where on earth could she possibly move my breast? Now mind you, I'm half naked on the "procedure table" with several other nurses, physican assistants and med technicians standing over and around me. You could imagine the horror. I was totally mortified. Then I began to think that these precious DD's had been revered as vessels of life to my children. I had breastfed both of my boys for close to two years collectively. My DD's had fed my children exclusive breastmilk which made them healthier children as a result. I should know, I'm a breastfeeding advocate. For those of you who don't know, children who are breastfed are less likely to get ear infections, tooth decay, and diarrhea. Additionally, breastfed babies are less likely to have childhood diabetes. So where does this bigshot physican come off telling her to move my breast. My DD's are practically the equivalent to what Jesus did when he was on earth...he performed miracles. I performed miracles with my DD's too. If breastfeeding two african american boys to full satisfaction on two breasts ain't a miracle, I don't know what is. Well, the next thing I knew that chick was trying to tape my breast to one side of my body. All I could think was "Seriously? I fed my children exclusive breastmilk for almost two years and you want to shoove my life giving DD's to the side?" Anyway, her attempt at trying to dispose of my vessels of life were stopped when the physician said "Oh forget it...it's not really making a difference. Then he said "Sandy, are you okay?" Now here is my opportunity to give him a piece of my mind, half naked on the cold "procedure table" I thought. Well I decided to let him have it and said "I'm fine."

I thought as you get older you get the guts to speak your mind? Well, I guess being half naked on the cold "procedure table" in a room with several people looking over me may have had something to do with me not being totally forthcoming. Anyway, everything went fine.

Long division...the final frontier

Today my 9 year old son was having a long division crisis. "I don't understand it Mommy" he cried with big precious glassy tears in his huge brown eyes identical to mine. He didn't understand how he kept getting a remainder. I had to reassure him it was okay not to always understand as he looked up to me for wisdom. I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't always understand either. That's when I took the time to do some real life long division. Let's see: income divided by too many expenses equals nothing and no remainder. Doesn't seem complicated to me. Or how about real life dating division: 1 fabulous girl (that's me) divided by 3 guys who don't want to commit to anything but a low budget date equals me single. Again...not complicated. What I don't understand is that why can't there be a remainder in life? What about some remainder cash after expenses or what about a remainder guy who wants to be all about me for a change? My poor baby thought he didn't understand, but to tell you the truth I don't always understand. Sometimes all a girl needs is a remainder.

Happy Mothers Day!

Well Mothers Day is over, however is it ever really over? Here I am at 12:34am on Monday. My 9 year old son is passed out on the couch and I have to get him upstairs to his bed (yeah right), iron school uniforms (how about find school uniforms) and try and watch the 2nd Sex and the City on CW11. I reflected today on how blessed I am to see my children grow up. My mother died when I was eleven years old. I can't even imagine not being able to see my 12 year old son grow up and go to school etc. We are so blessed! Even though Mothers Day is over, every day is an opportunity to enjoy your children and life. So what the house is untidy and you decided to order take out (again). I'm quite sure my mom would have given anything to see me all grown up and see her grandchildren too. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff. Cherish and value every minute. To all the overworked overstressed moms out there...give yourself a break! Live life.

Totally Pathetic!

Well, it's official...I'm totally pathetic! Not only do I get stood up by men I just met, but now I'm getting stood up by my girlfriends too! Is this what going on 40 is all about? I had plans with a friend to hook up on Mothers Day Eve and was really looking forward to it. I called all her reach numbers, texted her, I would have sent a smoke signal if I could. No response. It's funny, I expect men to do this. You know, no call, no show...but now women/friends are standing me up too. What was so bad is that I really felt bad. I had no back up plan as I usually do. Anytime I make plans with a guy (especially a "new guy") I always have a plan B because a "new guy" can have flaky tendancies I don't know about. But I really didn't think I had to have a plan B for my girlfriends. Well, don't feel bad for me, I'm learning that sometimes you have to go solo. It's like when I taught my oldest son to ride his bike. I held on and supported the back of his bike for weeks with him until he felt comfortable. Then eventually he went solo. If I want to really enjoy life despite issues that are beyond my control, I'm going to have to go solo. The next time something like this happens I'm either gonna have a plan B in place or continue with the plans solo. Hey, I came in this world by myself...I think I can go to dinner by myself.

My girlfriend apologized profusely because she went out earlier and her outing ran over. She also left her phone at home. She eventually sent a text and straigtened everything out. I knew there must have been a good reason, but it was a good lesson for me.

Technically Un-inclined

I started this blog approximatetly 2 days before my birthday on April 16th. It took me over two weeks to get it up due to computer issues and just being technically un-inclined. I set up the blog account but I couldn't post for some reason. I wonder if this has anything to do with my age? I used to be so good with stuff like this. I told my sister if I don't get the blog up and running by this weekend I would have to start from scratch because by the time I get it going, I may be 40. So I finally got it and now I'm ready to take you on my journey to 40. Enjoy the ride.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well it's official, I have less than 365 days until I turn 40. My birthday was April 16th. Wow, you know this is a milestone age that I have been talking about for years and now I'm almost there. This years birthday was really nice for me. My girlfriend decided we must celebrate so she cooked up some food and we invited over a handfull of friends and had a nice time. What I loved about it was that it was all about me. There are rarely any times when it's about me and it felt really good. I put on a hot "I'm not forty yet" outfit and pranced around, socialized and laughed with my guest all night(including my new very young friend who came and looked absolutely gorgeous). It was just what I needed. Every girl needs to be celebrated. I totally recommend doing something and recognizing yourself for your birthday. It really made me feel soooooo special. It also made me realize that celebrating yourself is not self indulgent. Sometimes mothers, wifes, sisters, teachers, First Ladys, aunts etc. put out so much out for everyone else that matters to they forget about themselves. So to celebrate you can be very healthy for the inner man. I will also make it a point to celebrate others as well. I felt good way down on the inside, that I was smiling for days. It was so good, I decided to extend my birthday to April 30th. My kids wanted to know who approved that. I said "hey, I'm almost 40, I don't need no approval."