In which I contemplate running away screaming…

I want to be SuperMom… I really do.

I try really hard to reach that goal. But today, I just want to run away screaming.  The past seven days have been pretty stressful on the kid front.  I know I signed up for this, and it’s my job – but I am almost to the point of running away screaming.  I am frustrated.  Frustrated at myself, at the kids and situations revolving around us.

We’re deep in the throws of potty training.  And I am so lost.  We’re working hard with LittleMiss – even to the point that I just flat out banned diapers for her anymore.  She gets a Pull-Up at night and if we’re going on a long car trip.  She’s learned the art of fibbing, so when asked “LittleMiss, did you just poop/pee your pants?”  She’ll lie straight to us.  We never tell her she’s bad for doing it, just say “Okay, well, let’s make sure we get it in the potty next time” and have her help us clean it up.   She’s also a stubborn little mule – if you tell her she has to go potty, she throws down her ass and plants her front feet down against your tugging.  She has learned how to lock herself rigid so you can’t put her on the potty if you wanted to.  I’ve tried making rules, giving rewards, leaving her be to get in on her own… NOTHING.  If I say “you need to go potty before we get in the car”  she will fight me and then pee in the car.  If when we get somewhere, I say “okay, before we get busy, let’s go potty” she says she doesn’t need to go and then will wait until the most inopportune moment (usually when I’m over stressed, or SpacePirate is being more than a handful).

You may have noticed the tab at the top called theBURN.  I am on a serious diet/exercise plan all under a doctors care.  I NEED to go to the gym to get this accomplished – for the sake of my health and my children.  We signed up for a super expensive gym that provides a childcare PARADISE for two full hours per kid.   In the past 3 weeks, I have been called back from my workout EACH.AND.EVERY.TIME to deal with “issues.”  First, SpacePirate having trouble sharing/throwing toys.  Then, LittleMiss biting a child (when asked why “Because she was a tasty treat, mom!”)  And the last four times: POTTY ISSUES.  I know I should just put her in a diaper, but damnit, the kid KNOWS how to go.  So far, she’s peed massive playground closing mommy has to clean it up messes.  She’s also pooped herself twice.   So now, I fear that I’m THAT mom at the gym.  You know the one, when they see me coming, they go “ah crap.  here they come again.  brace yourselves.” 

Today was no exception to the pattern as it continues.  Before we even get inside, LittleMiss takes a header outside because she was running even though I shouted that she was to walk.  Then SpacePirate takes off for “THE BUTTON!” to open the doors.  We get into the vestibule, tons of people filing in behind us.  Seriously, why can’t this all happen when nobody can see!?  Then they get in a fullout screaming/slapping fit over the inside button – causing such a scene that I grab them both and just head right back to the car to go home (add a LittleMiss puke session in the parking lot as a result of her temper tantrum).  I am determined to get this workout in, so we sit in the car for about 10 minutes until everyone has calmed down and they apologize to me and each other.

To make matters worse, when I check in at the front desk – the woman takes FOREVER checking us in, typing tons of stuff for some reason, but without saying anything is wrong.  I am sure she witnessed the aforementioned meltdown, so I don’t know if it was related to that or what, but as we walked away, she used her special collar microphone calling thing to buzz over to the Accounting desk and the lady she called searched me out and whispered back to her.  I have no idea what it’s all about, but I bet I have a flag on my account or something that says my kids are pains in the asses.  I know they are just 2 and 3, but still.   I know I’m going to be kicked out.   I’m going to give things a couple of days, and we’ll have more rules.  Diapers only, and now I have to schlep the 1,000lb stroller along with the diaper and gym bags. 

Add to this stress – the MommyMafia incident, a new med, and a business-trippin’ Xiris, and you’ve got the perfect mix for a MommaBear who wants to run away screaming! 

7 Coming Soon!

I haven’t really talked about this yet, but I have about 40 quilts self designed in my head right now… I even have the fabrics for them.  With the addition of the fancy Accuquilt GO! and a EQ6, I had grand plans to get them done. 

I’ve gotten one quilt designed, cut out and pieced using a combination of the EQ6 and the GO!   I haven’t gotten more done because the EQ6 software was not designed at all for use on netbooks.  That means I can’t use the software as much as I’d really like because it only runs on our server/computer downstairs  in the basement.  We are still trying to figure out the space down there, and during the winter it was REALLY COLD!

There are tons of upgrades and changes coming to the new EQ7 software, but my favorite is the ability to use it on my precious ASUS eeePC.  I’d be able to design my quilt while sitting on the couch next to Xiris.  Oh the possibilities!

Grab my Button!

I finally got around to making a button for my blog.

<a href="http://www.fuzzysheepcrafts.com" target="_blank"><img alt="fuzzysheep crafts" src="http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1920/79933386.jpg" /></a>

all you have to do is copy the text in the above box and paste it wherever you want the button to show up! EASYPEASY!  Please feel free to share it, and if you put it up, please let me know! 

XOXOX,
CBear

The Mommy Mafia

I’ve discovered a new threat.  A threat that is taking over the suburbs.  Until today, I didn’t know it existed.   But it’s there, lurking behind designer strollers and powder blue mini-vans.  It’s ready to unleash it’s barbed tongue without a moments notice.  It’s The Mommy Mafia!   You’ll know them by the “elevator eyes” they give you and your children when you come into their self-proclaimed territory.  You’ll note the sneers they give your children for not wearing BabyGap and being pushed around in $400 imported strollers. 
I think I’ve even found the leader of this threat.  There she is to the left in salmon top with her socially inept child on her lap.  I should point out that I took this picture during StoryTime at the local library.   While the poor Children’s Librarian is trying very hard to keep 24+ squirrelly 2 to 4 year olds entertained – she is yapping away to the pajama-wearing schlub sitting next to her.  Seriously, she didn’t stop talking ONCE… never did she encourage her child to get up and participate in the activities.
Wonder what she’s talking about?  Well, you can see how far away from her I was, and I heard every word.  I was standing because I was trying to keep my SpacePirate quiet and contained, no small feat for his first time at a StoryTime.  Her conversation was about me – with a small break to make fun of the woman in front of them with the lowslung pants.
Just before going into the Story Theater, this woman took it upon herself to grab my daughter’s arm and pull her thumb from her mouth.  LittleMiss wasn’t sucking her thumb at the time, but rather trying to fix the hangnail on it.  In fact, she’s really good about not sucking her thumb when we’re out and about.  This woman had the audacity to lecture LittleMiss about how nasty it was to suck thumbs, that only dirty people sucked thumbs and that it will make her sick.  My daughter had a frantic look on her face, scanning the room for me and once she met my eyes, she tried to get away from this woman.  I was busy rounding up SpacePirate at the time, but I rushed over there and removed my daughter from the venomous spray this woman was spewing  and gave her THE LOOK.  You know, the HOW THE F@(K DARE YOU?  Her response was to LECTURE ME TOO!  Giving me the same line of crap.  I cut her off with a very audible, yet hissed through gritted teeth, “Shut the f@(k up!  How dare you put your hands on my child and lecture her!”  
Surely, not my finest choice of words, especially around other children – but given the situation, she’s lucky I did not lay MY hands on HER.  In my eyes, it was THAT inappropriate!  I’m one who usually avoids confrontation, but she is officially on my “if you ever screw with me or mine” again list…  I won’t hold back next time.  I did take LittleMiss to the side (admittedly, completely within earshot of this woman) and tell her that what happened was not okay, that the lady was being mean and that I feel it’s okay for her to suck her thumb if she wants.  I gave her a big hug, told her she was super brave and was a good girl.  LittleMiss announced loudly “I love you MommyBear.  That lady was mean to me and is yucky.”  
So for the whole StoryTime, I heard things like “I mean, really, she should control her kids” and “I know I’m not mother of the year, but I’m better” and “no business being a mother" and more that I’d rather just not repeat.  It was pure venomous crap.  Quiet frankly, I am convinced this woman leads a terribly depressing life, and just can’t be happy.  She’s probably got everything in her house padded and is still breastfeeding her 5 year old.  She’s obviously got problems and finds it easier to take them out on me because I’m the new girl in the neighborhood who lets her children walk rather than schlep a stroller in everywhere we go.  Sure, my kids aren’t angels.  Really, far from it most times, but I am doing my best with two toddlers at difficult ages.  Yet, I am happy and don’t find pleasure or need to attack other mother’s parenting.  To each their own.  Right?
Truth be told, this is the second time I have had a run-in with this woman who thinks she’s The All Knowing Mommy Mafia Godmother.  A few months back, she lectured me in the preschool parking lot for leaving SpacePirate in the car while I ran in to get LittleMiss out of her class.  He was asleep, he and I had the flu, and it was also blowing snow – so really it was the best option given my circumstances.  Again, the stream of venom that came out of her mouth was inappropriate and I had to put my daughter in the car so she wouldn’t be subjected to the vile things this woman was saying.  I ended up shutting her down by simply getting in my car and driving away with Ralph’s World blaring. 
The best part was as we were leaving the library.  The woman was right in front of us with her 4 year old daughter in her expensive stroller (seriously, the cars were a mere 50 feet from the door).  She pulled a paci out her pocket and shoved it in her kid’s mouth – LittleMiss said “Mommy, that yucky lady gave my friend a paci.  Paci’s are only for babies.”    My response was “you’re right sweetheart!”   Hehe.  Good kid.
She lives in the  same neighborhood we do, so I see her around.  I’m not fearing the Mommy Mafia anymore.  She can drag her poor kid around in her expensive stroller, hang with her pajama-clad Mom-tourage, drive her powder blue mini-van and sneer at me all she wants.  BRING IT ON!  I’m working hard to make other Mommy friends, and while it’s hard being a newbie around here, I know I am doing my best and I don’t need to subject myself to more of that crap.

Pixels Invade New York! RUN!!!!

I love all things retro, when it comes to the classic video games. I'm always searching them out. If you look, hidden throughout the videos are some retro logos.

Playing

It's a rainy, gloomy day here in the Second City.  So we're going to snuggle up, do projects and watch movies.  And I am going to play with my layout again - so if you're stopping by, things might be wonky for a bit.

Leave me a message if things are so screwy you can't stand it!  ;)

WIN A CAMERA!

Unexpected Bliss is raffling off this fabulous camera.  Go enter!  (or, you know, don’t! Or do, and enter for me!  hahah!)

She & Him

She & Him - In The Sun from Merge Records on Vimeo.

I *adore* this band.  Did you notice who that sweet dark haired girl was?  Yep, it’s Zooey Deschanel, one of my favoritest actresses.  Ever since she sang in ELF (another fave!!!) – I’ve always wondered if she had an album out.  At the time, she didn’t (well except for some super rare Japanese released Jazz album I could never find).  Eventually, she created “She&Him” – and it was AWESOME!  If you haven’t checked them out yet, please do.  The first album was GREAT!
They have a new album coming out, and I am really excited about this one. 
Hope you enjoy this little piece of sunshine while you are coming out of your Peep-Sugar induced coma.  I know I did!

ETA:  it's Deschanel.  Durh.   Better, Pam?

Peepshi Master!

We’re headed over to a friends’ house this weekend for Easter.  The hosting family are not very adventurous eaters, and the Easter menu consists of the usual midwest suspects (Ham, rolls, cheesy potato casserole thingy).  Xiris and I are not pork eaters – and in the past we’ve attended Easter dinner, taken a slice of ham offered and just eaten around it, as to not offend anyone.  This year, I told the hostess we’d bring a little protein to go along side the ham.  I sent her a text this morning telling her we’d be bringing chicken...  and SUSHI!   I am willing to bet she’s a bit mortified at the thought – but she replied with a polite “Oh, yum!  okay.”   I can almost  see the horrified look on her face now!  Heheheee. 

 

 

This will get them for sure!

*excuse the kinda silly pictures.  It was almost midnight!  Also, the only thing that could make these better would to have had green fruit strips.. Xiris and I searched everywhere for them.  We ended up having to settle for red and some tie-dyed.  Oh.. and today was my first ever taste of a Fruit-Roll-Up and my first time biting the head off a defenseless little peep.  Gotta say, it was a strange experience and I don’t think I’ll be doing it again.  I’ll stick to chocolate, thanks!  ;)