Knowing Me, Knowing You

Tomorrow, I am going in to sign a contract to get the divorce process started. I don't think the internet is the place to go into details. I'll just say that I have a VERY good reason. Divorcing someone, especially someone that you are still in love with and they are still in love with you, is EXTREMELY difficult (much more than I even imagined). However, you can only give someone a million chances before it makes you insane.

I am not trying to make light of it, but since I am on an ABBA kick and I am TIRED of being emotional:
Knowing me, knowing you (ah-haa)
There is nothing we can do
Knowing me, knowing you (ah-haa)
We just have to face it, this time we're through
(this time we're through, this time we're through
This time we're through, we're really through)
Breaking up is never easy, I know but I have to go
(I have to go this time
I have to go, this time I know)
Knowing me, knowing you
It's the best I can do

Just Like Muriel Heslop

When I was in California, my mom decided that I needed to see one of her favorite movies of all times – Mama Mia. She bought the movie and of course I loved it. In fact, we watched it several times and she even bought me a copy. She said that the movie makes her feel happy and I would have to agree. I think it is a combination of the ABBA music, fun characters, beautiful ocean water, the Greek island, interesting story line, and amazing actors. I’ll add a clip for fun:



During our drive back, we listened to my sister’s ABBA Gold CD and my mom watched the movie again on the DVD player. When we came to Houston, we watched Muriel’s wedding because I have a copy and my sister hadn’t seen it before. There is a clip in there where Muriel explains why she had been obsessed with ABBA music and basically it was because it cheered her up. When Muriel’s life got better, she stopped listening because her life was “as good as an ABBA song.” For more fun, here is a clip from that movie:



My life has been quite tough (things I don’t want to go into on the internet), so I guess this is a sign that I need ABBA right now. I have watched Mama Mia a few times and have started listening to my old ABBA CD. I think this is better than therapy. Ok, at least it brings a smile to my face and it is cheaper than therapy.

The Swine That Flew

We’re home and I think I should have seen the torrential rains that followed us from Fort Stockton all the way home as a bad omen. We were slip sliding our way across Texas with a few very scary hydroplaning incidents and times where we could only see a few feet in front of our vehicle. The rain didn’t even clear up once we arrived. It rained enough for severe flooding and school closures.

Now that the rain has subsided, the big issue in Texas is swine flu. Quite honestly, I’d heard the reports throughout our road trip, but figured that it wouldn’t come to our area in the suburbs. WRONG!

Yesterday afternoon, I took the kids for a walk right about the time school was letting out. There is a junior high about a block from our house. We have to pass by it to get out of our neighborhood. As we were rounding the corner, I saw news helicopters flying over the school. I thought that there must have been a car accident. We kept walking, but I didn’t see anything except kids excitedly leaving the school. I overheard one kid talking on the phone saying that the school was being closed because of Swine flu.

When we came home, I turned on the news to see if it was true & it was. I couldn’t believe it. Lexi decided that she wanted to break the news to her dad. She said, “Dad, the school is being closed because the swine flew.” She even added arm motions for effects. It is always nice to have a little laugh.

Unfortunately, my kids seem to be coming down with something. I don’t think it is the flu. I am guessing that Lexi has an ear infection and Jordan is getting a cold. Never the less, I’ll be keeping them away from everyone for a while until their immune systems are back to normal.

Not Ready to Leave

Our time in California is quickly coming to an end, and honestly, I am not ready to leave. I know I have been here for about 6 weeks, but it feels more like two. Time certainly flies when you are mostly having fun. I would probably stay longer, but there are some pressing issues I need to attend to in Texas. Besides, I am not sure that a working vacation is considered "real life." Then again, who wants to deal with the reality of life?

One of my friends from Texas called about 2 weeks ago to see how we are doing. She jokingly asked me if I plan to stay indefinitely, because she knows that I am not exactly the kind of person that establishes roots. I had to laugh. I really like Texas, besides I just can't imagine how people can afford to live in San Diego.

After talking to her, I decided to do some simple price checking. First, every item in the grocery store seems to be at least $1 more than it is in Texas. Also, gas is about $0.40 a gallon more. Now for the big things, a tiny studio apartment is slightly more than we pay for our mortgage, property taxes, and home owners association fees put together. There is also a little church on the corner by my mom's house that has a child care program. I checked out their website and discovered that sending one child there 2 half days a week costs the same a month as sending my two kids to 3 days from 9am to 2:30pm. That was a big shocker. I didn't look into anything else, but I am guessing that things like car insurance and utilties are substantially more too.

So, HATS off to the Californians for finding a way to make it all work. I know there is no way to put a price on some of the benefits like the beach, moderate weather all year, and of course the ability to go to SeaWorld every day for one low price. I will miss it all.

**Should I even mention that the thought of adding California to the list of states I've lived in seems exciting? Yes, I am crazy.

Easter with my Mom

This Easter I learned a very important thing.... Easter should always be spent with mom. I was completely spoiled. It started off with a surprise Easter basket that Lexi found when she was looking for hers. I can't even remember the last time I got an Easter basket probably the last time I lived with her. It contained a Sees chocolate egg, a chocolate bunny, and bath products. Simply Heavenly! Besides the basket, we had lots of fun activities for the kids. Then, in the evening, we sat down for a wonderful Easter dinner that I didn't cook.

Hmmm... I could get use to this life. Soon, my mom will realize that spoiling me makes me never want to leave & then she'll wise up. :)

Good Friday

When your working in an office, every Friday is a good Friday. Now, that I work from home I tend to find myself working on the weekends. I guess the good thing about the weekends though is that my in-box for my work e-mails isn't as active with things I need to take care of. I also don't feel as guilty if I don't manage to make time for work.

Speaking of that, working from home really isn't as ideal as it sounds, at least when you have little kids. Ideally, I could get all the work done when they are napping or in the evening after I put them to bed. In reality, my workload is either insane or practically nothing. During the insane times, working while trying to keep them happy and life moving forward becomes extremely stressful. Imagine trying to write a meaningful blog post with your kids screaming in the background. Now, add a pay check to it, with people counting on you, and a deadline. Tough, right? My neighbor has told me to "just pop a no-doze and work through the night." That makes me laugh because I am not a college kid who can do that for a few days and then recover by sleeping for a full day. Life must go on. Kids require some sort of schedule even if it is only eating, sleeping, and playing. I must keep everything going.

I guess I sound like I am complaining, but I would not trade this to go back into the office. I just want to say that it is quite a bit more stressful and that I am looking forward to next fall when both kids are in the mother's day out program for three days a week.

I don't even know why I went off on this tangent that started with Good Friday. Mainly, I wanted to say that I am still in California. I've decided to stay here until the end of April. With my mom & sister's help, I have been able to work, entertain the kids, and actually get some much needed sleep. Perhaps, this will help me deal with real life when I go back to Texas. Anyway, today is good Friday and I just want to say.... HAPPY EASTER!

SeaWorld

I have always thought it would be kind of fun to visit all three SeaWorlds. I have been to SeaWorld Orlando many times throughout my life. I have even been to the one in San Antonio. After today, I can say that I have been to all three.

Dolphins

Flamingo

Shamu


Penguins

Walrus

Completely Different

Yesterday, my sister and I went to get our hair cut. We didn't have an appointment so we put our names on the list and came back. She was entertaining/feeding the kids in the car while I went in. When I was done, we switched places and the same guy cut her hair. The stylist was a bit shocked that we are sisters. He asked her how I got straight blonde hair while she has curly brown hair.

The funny thing is that we have very little in common. I look more like our mom’s side of the family and she looks like our dad’s side, but that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our differences. I think our biggest difference is our personalities. I am very much an oldest child. I am ambitious, driven, a bit bossy, and have high expectations in life. She is a typical baby of the family with her laid back personality and go with the flow attitude.

On top of that, there are 14 and a half years between us. That means a generational gap. She doesn’t remember what it was like before everyone had personal computers and cell phones. Plus, she dresses like a 21 year old, while I try to avoid being too trendy and tend to stick to classic styles.

We’ve been hanging out a lot this week and I often wonder what people think. Our age difference is enough that people wouldn’t suspect that we are friends. She is old enough to be the mother of my kids, but they look like me. Perhaps, they come to the conclusion that she is our nanny. Hmm… I wonder.

*By the way, the picture is 9 years old. I couldn’t find a more recent one with just the two of us.

Updated Photo (yes, I look MUCH older):

Happy St Patty's Day

We are in San Diego and are having a great time! I hope everyone else is enjoying St Patrick's Day as much as we are.

Spring BREAK

2009 is turning out to be one HELL of a year and I wish I meant that in a good way. Last week, I realized that I need a break. While looking at the calendar, I noticed that Lexi’s spring break is coming up. I figured that it was a good time to get out of here and take a breather.

This may sound strange, but I don’t remember ever going on a “spring break” before. I am guessing that when most people/college kids plan their spring breaks, their planning focuses on:

1. FUN
2. Proximity to water/the ocean
3. Price

My list is bit different. I had to choose a destination based on:

1. Taking my desk top computer, because getting out of work is not part of the much need break. Also, I don’t have a lap top. Buying a cheap one isn’t an option because of all the graphics software I need on it.
2. Help with the kids. I would like the kids to have fun during the times I have to get a little work done. It would also be nice not to have to do every little thing for them once in a while.
3. Price. I have cut back on a lot of expenses this year.

All things point to visiting my mom. Fortunately, for me, she lives in San Diego fairly close to the ocean so this trip covers both lists. As for help with the kids, besides my mom, my sister lives there and is only taking a couple of evening classes. She’ll get to help me entertain the kids during the day while my mom is at work. Other than the LONG drive, I am looking forward to Spring BREAK.