Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Stadiums and tantrums

I know this is overdue, since I told you I'd take the picture on Monday, but I finally got the picture yesterday and am putting it on here today. This is the picture of the completed second arch on the stadium. You know, the one I didn't get to see them put in place? The one for which I didn't get to redeem myself on the TV? Sunday, Conrad told me there was a TV camera crew out at the gas station where they interviewed me last time and said they were just looking around, all lonely like, as if they were just waiting for someone to interview. Hmmmm, maybe I should just pitch a tent out there and wait for the next big milestone to take place. Well, dang it, now I just sound desperate. Note to self: GET OVER IT!
Today, my friend Jennifer called and asked if I could watch her daughter, Lora, while she went on the field trip with her third grader (whom Sadie has gone to school with since they were 4 years old!). I told her "of course"! Anna and Lora get along really well. Except for this little bit of time right here...
And frankly, this was all Anna being a two-year-old. She and Lora had been riding the two ride-on thingies (technical term, be careful using it!) and Anna had this one first then Lora wanted to ride it and so I suggested a trade and Anna was having NONE of it. What's missing out of this still picture is the screaming and crying that went on endlessly over this stinking toy. And, you can't really see Lora's face in this picture (if you either click or double click on it, it will enlarge and you can probably see) is that she looks embarrassed by Anna's lack of grace and self-control.

We had to go in after I snapped this picture. She didn't get a spanking for being such a little snit, but she did get one for bolting back out the door after we went in and getting back on the toy. Just a little smack on the leg and a firm reprimand for going outside without Mommy. Don't go and call CPS on me for that...there are way better things to call them for than that.

Jennifer called me before she picked up Lora and asked if I had gotten anything done today. I told her "surprisingly, yes". And she said something to the effect of "We mothers get all caught up in what we didn't get done in a day. What we really need to do is praise ourselves for what we do get done. Somedays that is just 'the kids are alive and well and for the most part happy'. Sometimes that's as good as it gets, and that is still a successful day". My friend Jennifer is SO smart.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Finally, a real "post" again!

We did the Griffin Buck Truck today. One of the perks of doing the truck run, is that I get to see my children and they get to see me in the halls of the school. I never know when I will be acosted from the back with a hug (and sometimes, it's not even my child who honors me with a hug).

This morning, Sadie came out of her classroom, while I was nearby, to use the restroom. I did not pay attention to what she was wearing this morning (that's what a good mother does, you know) and when I looked at her, I noticed something odd. See if you spot it.
She has on uniform shorts on under (and hanging out from under) her uniform jumper, giving the illusion of some odd sort. And just so you see what I mean....
The white is her white uniform shirt between the jumper and the shorts. Yes, I pulled my daughter's jumper up in the halls of ACA so I could take a picture. That's what a good mother does, you know. Yet another reason I love my Iphone.
Then, I saw Madeline's class going in for their class picture in the library. That's Mads on the front right.

And, to answer that question tickling the back of your brain, yes, Sadie took her class picture today, also, and I'm sure she was on the front row, too. Converse sneakers, uniform jumper and shorts and all.

Then, I had to take a picture of Mrs. Coffed and her grandbaby. It reminded me of all the times I took my children up to my Mom's school and everyone oohed and aahed over them.

And, may I just say I love my Anna? (And you'll be very happy I didn't snap a pic of this.) I was reading up on my friend Elaine's blog see it here and Anna says, "wipe, eww". Which in Annaspeak means, "I just went poo-poo and I need to be wiped". Of course, my first thought is "oh crap - literally- where did she do it"? But, she led me down the hall to where her potty is and sure enough there it was right smack in the potty! Oh the joy and elation I felt! Hip, hip, hooray for Anna!

So, enjoy the newest update. And go see Elaine's blog, she's giving something away - you'll have to go down a few posts to find where to enter for it, but hey, you may win it!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

It's Oscar, Oscar!

OK, first, I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. It's been a sicky, crazy time here.

Last weekend, the girls both came to me on Sunday and said their stomach was hurting, about an hour apart. I told both of them "I guess I'll just have to keep you home tomorrow". Sadie looked at me and said "we don't have school tomorrow". I said "I know, that's why you can stay home". Madeline just looked at me like I was crazy then said "I don't think we have school tomorrow". I said "I know, it's a joke". She said "real funny, Mom". I thought it was.

So, then the puking ensued. Then Conrad came down with something like it on Tuesday, stayed home on Wednesday and slept all day. Then Friday I ran out of gas (not literally, like in a car, but physically) and nearly fell asleep on the couch. I finally moved to the bed and didn't get out until last night.

I even missed them putting the final piece on the stadium arches. No TV vindication for me. I heard the helicopters about 5:30 or so and when Conrad came in I asked him about it but he didn't think it had happened, but I knew. Then today, I asked someone else (Sallie!) and she didn't think so either, but I knew. Sure enough we went by there today and it's there. I'll take a picture tomorrow, but I am SO disappointed that I didn't get interviewed on TV again, looking ravishing - as only I can - and redeem myself from the last time. Oh well. Some other milestone.

And, just in time for Oscar night, the writers unstrike. I don't know that that's a word but I used it, so there. I am so excited about Oscar night. And frankly, this year, it's not the movies, it's the red carpet. I didn't see many movies that weren't animated this year so the chance that I would have seen any of the winners in their role are slim.

As a side note, I thbink my "b" is sticking to my "hb" because I hbaven't corrected thbis line and as you can see, every time I type thbe letter "hb" thbe "b" shbowes up also. Crazy, frustrating.

ANYWHBO...I will be watching my red carpet while cleaning my room. Since being in bed for 2 days, lazing about doesn't thrill me so I'll clean while I take part in my fanatic night.

Anna is doing great in her potty training. She'll opt for a diaper every now and then but you can tell she doesn't like it and she goes potty anyway so really, what's the point?

OK, well, that's all the Wangler news that's fit to print so I'll go enjoy my Red Carpet shows now.

Hope all your favorites win!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

St. Valentine's Day Dance

First things first. We FINALLY made it to the Apple Store. (After a flat tire on the way.) We even went to the one we were originally going to go to (mainly just so we could say it didn't get the best of us). Many people told me about a closer one and I appreciate the help but the reason we picked that one was because we could take the train and bus, etc. (and I think we all remember how that turned out). Anyway, I took a "workshop" for my Iphone (for those of you who don't know, I got one for Christmas - woohoo!- it's by far the coolest phone ever!). I didn't learn too much new stuff but a few things. I would like to take an "advanced" course. I already knew most of the basics and even chimed in when I didn't think the "prof" got specific enough or gave enough cool info. Imagine that.

So, this is what the Apple Store looks like...
Pretty wild, huh? The store is the coolest place. I even touched one of the new MacAir notebook computers. Very thin, very impressive. I see why people like Apple products. When I got finished with my class, the bottom fell out of the sky and it poured on us all the way to the car and all the way home. Freezing (not literally) rain, soaked to the skin and loving the fact that we just had to walk to the car, not a bus stop and wait in that miserable weather.

Then it was time to get ready for the Knights of Columbus Valentine's dance at church. A fun, delicious, dancing filled night. When we arrived at the church, this double rainbow was in the sky.

The second rainbow is to the right of the lamp post, very faint. It was more visible to the naked eye, obviously, but it was beautiful.
It was Sammy (my friend Sally's son) 21st birthday and his girlfriend rented a stretch Hummer limo. Here it is, delivering them to the dance.
Here is my sweetheart and I enjoying a night out on the town. We rode in a stretch ummm...nothing.
And here is our table of ladies, there were two gentlemen there, Conrad and Bill (Bill bought us all the boas).

What a lovely evening that was had by all. Conrad even won something this year, popcorn and a double feature movie, "Grumpy Old Men" and "Grumpier Old Men". Appropriate? I'll let you be the judge.

Father Joe's Birthday

This post has been a week in the making. Sorry it's so late. I just now remembered to send the pictures from my phone to my computer. Ooops~!

Last Sunday, we celebrated Father Joe's 75th birthday at all masses in one way or another. At the end of the 10:00 mass, Jim Sundberg and Steve Buchelle (both former Texas Rangers) came in and led the congregation in singing "Happy Birthday". Then, they presented Fr. Joe with several Texas Rangers items, including, but not limited to, a bobble head doll and the most coveted...

Jim Sundberg and Steve Buchelle

#75 jersey with Scantlin on the back. He put it over his robe and wore it back up to the altar to finish Mass. What a spirited moment in our church! Thank you, Michele, for making that happen. I think he really enjoyed it.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I decided to make my heart this year out of the cinnamon imperials that I love so well (and no, I didn't give them up for lent). In the middle is one of the cupcakes I made for Anna's Valentine's day party that didn't end up at the school. The hardest part of taking this picture was not eating the candies around the cupcake.
As you can see, they didn't last long. Had I not just eaten one of the cupcakes, the cupcake would have had a bite out of it, too.

Happy Valentine's day! I hope yours is one full of love and romance (if you have a special "someone"). If you don't have a special "someone" in your life, treat yourself to some chocolate and some other treat you don't normally give yourself. You have my permission. You're welcome.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Father/Daughter dance

Last night, the ACA PTO put on a Father/Daughter dance. The response was so overwhelming, everyone wouldn't fit in our cafetorium. We ended up having, probably, 180 people there. That's an unofficial number but the R.S.V.P.s would indicate that many.

We ended up calling my friend Michelle Calvert at Celebrations (2220 W. Park Row in Arlington - in case you ever need a facility). Her place just happened to be unbooked so we rented the place. Thank you, Michelle!

We created, what I consider, a beautiful, sweet room, complete with balloons, confetti, cookies and punch. Here's what it looked like from where I was (I played DJ for the evening).
The punch (pink lemonade) flowed from a beautiful fountain provided by one of Conrad's cousins who just happened to e-mail me about a week ago asking if I could use one. I, at the time, couldn't fathom a reason until the dance popped into my head and I e-mailed her back and said "yes". Isn't it pretty? What you can't tell from the picture is that it also changes colors.

Conrad dancing with Sadie.
Madeline chose to ask her Uncle Paul (also her Godfather) to escort her. Here they are dancing.
And, here they are doing the "Chicken Dance".
The "admission fee" for the dance was a personal care item to be donated to the Arlington Women's Shelter. Here are the donations. ACA ROCKS! What generous people we have.

In other exciting news, Anna is trying out "big girl panties". It's going on 4 days now. She's got a long way to go but she's getting there. Oh the day when I am finished with diapers is actually in sight! Praise the Lord! Seriously.

Oh, and for the first time EVER, in 3 1/2 years at ACA, Sadie has finally made it to the "Wall of Honor". That's where kids who do well in academics, citizenship or specials (art, music, spanish) are honored. She finally made it in Citizenship. I'm so proud.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Take me out to the ballgame...

Hey Everyone,

I can get tickets for Opening Day, Tuesday, April 8. I just need to get a group of 20 together who want to go. The game starts at 1:05. Tickets will be $17 and I'll need to have money in hand by Monday (Feb.11) if you want to go. E-mail me at my new address (if you don't have it, call me - I don't want to put it on here - no tellin' who reads this blog!) and let me know.

Just thought I'd put that out there!

See you all at the ballgame!

Lisa

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Happy Mardis Gras!

Can you believe Ash Wednesday is tomorrow? Wow, what a quick Easter we will have this year.

Anna made this mask at school and these are her beads. The teachers wouldn't tell me what she did to get them....

Yesterday, was Kelsey's birthday. Sweet 16. This is her driving off with no parent in the car for the first time. What a milestone. Conrad reminded me she was 5 or 6 when we first moved in across the street (we lived there before we moved here). We have really watched her grow into a really neat teenager. God be with you on your new adventure (driving!) - and with your parents.

Today is a dark day for Madeline. She was supposed to get all her homework done by Sunday night so she could go see the Hannah Montana 3-D movie tonight. Well, it didn't all get done. One thing was not done and I think I even let her have until yesterday evening to do it. So, she doesn't get to go. It's killing me not to let her go, but she will not learn that I mean business if I let her go. Call me mean, call me cruel, call me whatever but I feel this is a HUGE moment for her (and me) so the rule stands. I can feel her heart breaking even as I write this. I think she's in there trying frantically to get it finished. Too bad for her.

Well, y'all have a happy Mardis Gras and don't go showin' nothing to get any beads!

Monday, February 04, 2008

My son Aaron

I was reminded, gently, that I didn't do a "my son Aaron" blog on Aaron's birthday which was February 1st. So if you'll indulge me....

My son Aaron is very creative. He is very into the theatre, is "the constable" in "Fiddler on the Roof" at his school right now. Was in "Two Men from Verona" and other shows at school. He's helped with lighting on various shows and is going to be the master electrician for "Fiddler".

He will graduate this June, a fact I am very proud of. It hasn't been easy. His counselor didn't get him in all his correct classes when he transferred so he's having to take some classes online in addition to his classes he takes at school. But, he will graduate, walk across the stage and get that diploma. I will be there!

He is very patient with his sisters. Anna is "his baby". He was there for her birth. Heard me yell out "God Bless America" when her head finally came out. (Don't know why that came out of my mouth, but it did.) He was the one who weighed her for the first time. He picked her up everytime she made a sound and was her guardian from then on.

His sisters love him. When he is coming home, they are excited from the time I tell them until he gets here and pretty much until he leaves. They love having him around.

He's patient with me. My house is NEVER all clean at the same time, rarely is any of it "company ready", but he doesn't say anything (much) even though his house in Kent, WA is spotless from what I can gather.

He has a vision for himself. He plans to go to Wright State in Ohio. A long way from here but, we'll manage. We have for years now. Then, he'll do something in the theatre, I'm sure. I hope it's in Texas but if it's not, as long as he's happy, I'm happy.

He's talented in the arts as well. I know theatre is considered art but, I mean he can draw. He has left beautiful drawings here. He and his cousins once got the wild hair to "tattoo" each other and his designs were phenomenal.

I love the fact that he knows what he wants to do and is trying his best to do it even with obstacles in his way.

He's pretty much an easy going kind of guy. When plans get changed, he rolls with the punches. Reading that, I'm reminded of a time when we were discussing the plan for the day and we reached our first destination and we were getting out of the car and Aaron was all "what? what are we doing here? what's going on?". So maybe he just doesn't hear the plan so that's why he's able to be so flexible.

When Aaron was born, we were living at Aunt Brownie's house because his daddy was on temprary duty with the Air Force in Alaska. Auntie B. was my birthing coach and I truly thought Aaron was going to be a girl. His name was going to be Hannah Joanna. I think with the explosion of Hannah Montana, I'm glad he was a boy. The name we had picked out for a boy was Garreth Paul. About 8 months into the pregnancy I decided I didn't like Garreth but didn't worry about it because I was so sure he was a girl. Well, there he popped out. When they told me it was a boy I said "what?" I thought I hadn't heard right. Now I had a dilemma on my hands. When Jon left, his baby's name was going to be Garreth Paul, now I don't like that name. So, when I called him I had to come clean about the name. He suggested Aaron and I went for it. Paul stayed, that name was for one of Jon's cousins in New York. So, Aaron Paul was named.

I got a terrible breast infection as soon as I got home and was sick as a dog for about 3 or 4 days. Jon was scheduled to come home I think a week or so after Aaron was born. A day or two before he was to get home, we were all sitting in the living room of Auntie B's house and she suggests a bath for Jon Michel and I still wasn't up to doing that so someone else did that. Then she suggested a shower for me and I thought "man, I must really stink". But, I took my shower and a little bit later, she opens the door and says "look what the cats drug in" and in walks Jon. A day or two early. My Mom had picked him up at the airport and brought him over. I was so glad I had showered.

Aaron's always been an easy going boy. Only once, I did think he had colic and thought I would throw him out the window. Oh, I also fell down the stairs with him. I always thought that was why he didn't like heights and roller coasters.

Roller coasters...man, that will spark some memories. We would go to Six Flags and he would want to ride, say, The Shock Wave. We'd get up there and he'd chicken out. Usually we'd force him on it and he'd be a wreck. But, as soon as he got off, he'd want to ride it again. It's been that way for EVERY ROLLER COASTER HE HAS EVER BEEN ON. I think he gets that from me. I am that way, too. Although now, I just get horrible butterflies before I ride it, but I would never tell my children I don't want to do it, lest I seem less than brave in their eyes.

We've had some fun times, Aaron and I (and the rest of the family). He's a real trooper, staying with his Nonnie one of the days while she was in the hospital in Colorado. Drew a beautiful picture of Pike's Peak during a rain storm while he was there.

I love Aaron for all his creativity, patience and vision. I mostly love him because he's just him.

Happy 17th birthday, Aaron! I love you!

Saturday, February 02, 2008

The Apple store trip

A trip that shows us if we have the "stuff" to do "The Amazing Race" is what this little outing could be called.

I decided that I would like to go to the Apple store (as in computers and Iphones, not fruit) so they could tell me why my Iphone doesn't send e-mails. I can get them all day long but I cannot send them for some reason. Besides, I've heard the Apple store is a really neat place to visit so why not? Now, there's not one in Arlington, not even south Arlington, a place I'd rather not go unless I absolutely have to. Just too trafficky down there. Anway, I digress...the closest Apple store is in Dallas.

We decided to make it an outing. We'd ride the train to Dallas then take a bus to within a block of the store. Conrad mapped it out, we bought our day passes at the train station and off we went.
The girls waiting at the train station.
Sadie, Anna and Conrad on the train. The girls were way enamored with the tables on the train. Of course, I brought snacks and juice pouches and they were gone by the time we got to Dallas.
There was a sculpture garden by the bus stop that the girls played in, getting all sandy, of course.
And, here are the big girls waiting for the bus.
That is the last "together" moments we had. We got on our bus (one that only runs every hour or so - important to remember for this little tale) and rode it to McKinney St.. We needed to go to McKinney and Knox. So Conrad tells us that when we see McKinney, we need to get off of the bus. Well, there's McKinney so off we go. Madeline had picked up a rock somewhere along the way and was delayed getting off the bus and I had a flashback to my childhood of almost not getting on the subway in NYC and my Aunt physically holding the doors to the subway open and yelling at me to get inside. I, too, was yelling at Madeline "get off the bus, get off the bus, forget the rock!". Panic set in and I nearly had a coronary waiting for that child to get off that bus. Finally, she left the rock and flew off the bus and off it went, turning down McKinney, showing us that we needed to stay on a little while longer.
It is at this point the adults had the meltdown. I told Conrad that the fun has left our little trip and he tells me that maybe I should have stayed home. Now, those of you who know me, know what I was thinking. For those of you who don't? Let's just say I was none-to-pleased with that little statement and off I went. Literally. I turned around and reamed him (to myself, where no one could hear me). "Tell me I should have stayed home? I am the one who needed to go to the Apple store. You're the one who said to get off the bus, not me! Tell me I should have stayed home, I'll show you stay home!" Those things and others were coming out of my mouth where neither he nor anyone else could hear.
He and the girls started north, as if he was going to be able to catch another bus or walk to the store. I went to the gas station that was on the corner where we got off the bus. I asked them how far Knox was and the first girl says "five blocks". The other girls says "five miles". "But", she says, "just wait a few minutes, a trailer will come by and pick you up". I ask her "a trailer?" She says "yes, it comes by every 15 min. and takes people up and down McKinney". I said "you mean a trolley?" "Oh yes," she says, "a trolley". Obviously, these people were not from Texas or even these United States. Anyway, I go back outside and call my beloved husband and he, of course, doesn't answer his phone. After all, we've now parted ways, not on the best of terms. I call him again and leave him the message that I don't know where he is, but I'm going to catch the trolly and ride to Knox St. He finally calls back and we make up. At this point, though, there's no finding each other until we get to the store.
So, along comes a trolley. It's going the wrong way, but the man is out and can hear me so I ask him if he's going to come back around and he tells me "yes, in 8 minutes" and I ask him if he's going to Knox St. and he says "yes, that's the end of the line". I tell him, "I will get on when you come back around". He gives me the thumbs up.
8 minutes later, I can see him coming down the street and I think "hmmm, I wonder if I should be by the trolley stop sign?", so I cross the street to be by the sign. Here he comes.....I wave, he waves, there he goes. He doesn't stop for me. Now, I have on a bright yellow shirt, it's not like he can't see me, or that I don't stand out in a crowd. Why did he just keep on going? I was NOT happy.
I start walking toward Knox. I call Conrad and warn him to be on the correct side of the street or the trolley won't stop. He manages to get on the trolley. He calls me and tells me the trolley does NOT indeed go to Knox. So, now they're walking toward Knox, too.
I walk and walk. He, I'm sure, walks and walks, too. Finally, I find a bus sign and it tells me in 13 min. another bus will be by and I can just ride it to Knox. Conrad calls while I'm looking at the sign and tells me we have to catch the 4:39 bus back to the train station. Well, I just happened to have looked at my phone and the time was 4:12. So, he tells me to catch the next bus going south (the opposite way I've been going) and we'll meet on the bus. Then, we decide "well, there are other buses and trains, let's go to the store". Then finally, it's just too much, he calls back and says, catch the next bus back to the train station, we'll be on it. So I run (and I do mean run) to the street to catch the bus and I see a sign but think it's a "no parking" sign and so I head south. Here comes the bus. No bus sign anywhere. I have made the decision to stand out in the street if I have to, but I'm getting on that bus. Madeline has already called me crying telling me "Mommy, I miss you". I wanted to sit down and cry when I heard her. I thought, what in the world were you thinking? I didn't come up with a good answer.
So, here comes the bus. I start waving and it stops right where the sign was that I thought was a "no parking sign". I start running toward it as fast as my pudgy little legs will take me. I see the driver holding up his hands as if to say "whoa, slow down there partner". I finally get there and he tells me "I would have waited for you, you didn't have to run". I started crying in relief. There were my babies and my sweet husband who all hugged me like I had just come home from a long journey. I felt like I had.
Here we are on the bus, Anna was asleep and Mads wasn't too far away. She hasn't let me out of her sight since.
We didn't make it to the Apple store. I don't know if we ever will. I'm sure I can find out what I'm doing wrong with my phone on apple.com. But, don't we have some great memories? What a day.

Now, I need a margarita!