Writing

I make a conscious effort not to spend 24/7 on the computer. I still probably spend more time than I should. Every time I sit down I pick it up and check email and facebook, maybe a blog or two. But I rarely spend hours on it, so I think that makes my computer time acceptable! Plus, it's where I write. Sort of.

I keep my articles, in all their stages of incompleteness, on our network. I'm not sure exactly where that means they are, but someplace between the desktop and the laptop...my work is saved there! After I edit something I print it and it sits in the living room where I occasionally pick it up, read it and make changes. When Scott has to be at work overnight I spread all sorts of papers, books, and general writing stuff out in front of me on the bed and really throw myself into it for an hour or two.

Normally, though, I think my writing. When I'm in the car and the kids say something funny (which you know they do often) I make a mental note of it. When I'm cooking, baking, doing dishes, or folding clothes, I let my mind wander to my mental notes and play with the ideas a little. And when I'm in bed, waiting to fall asleep, trying to stay still so Scott can get a little rest before his alarm sings long before dawn, I really tackle my ideas, notes, edits...all in my head.

So, whether it's from lack of sleep, too many children's books, or simply my unique brand of cleverness, this is what I came up with last night: Scott hopes that I'll earn come bread (or is it dough?) from writing stories in my head while in bed. (I prob'ly should be sleeping, though.)

So? Can I make millions?

Helping Out

Our kids want to help. I know it won't always be that way, so I try to take advantage...but, how helpful are they really?

Jace tried to change Tyler's diaper the other day and did a great job getting the wet one off and wiping him. Then he practically picked his little brother up by the ankles, causing crying and twisting on Tyler's part, when attempting to put the clean diaper on.

Gracie likes to help fold clothes and has gotten decent with her shirts, just in time to start hanging them all. (We watch a little too much What Not To Wear and my fashionista likes to hang her shirts now!) Everything else pretty much ends up as a bunch of cloth in the baskets.

Tyler likes to throw his diapers in the garbage. Very helpful, except when he tosses his cups, his toys, anything else he happens to get his hands on!

And this morning, Tyler, who is still in a crib, burst into my room! None of our kids have ever crawled out of the crib, which doesn't mean Tyler won't, but I was stunned! Then I find out that Jace got him out! This is even scarier to me...I quickly think that one of these mornings I'm going to have to call 911 because both boys have gotten hurt! Thankfully, Gracie's bed is almost complete and Tyler will inherit her toddler bed.

Well...thankfully that there isn't as far to fall...but he will be able to burst into my room every morning. Rise and shine!

Grandma Has No Idea!

Just about every day when Scott gets home I fill him in on the newest crazy thing the kids have done or said. Lately, there's a lot of that...crazy kid things. We've been in the car a lot, driving to play dates, doctor's check ups, museums, grocery shopping...ample opportunities for lots of car conversation.


Today we wondered what it would be like to be two animals at the same time. Gracie got a Little Mermaid doll that started that topic. In case you're wondering, Jace would like to have the head of an alligator and the tail of a shark (they're faster). Scary! Gracie would like to be part horse and part fish. And I think I'd be awfully pretty as a polar bear with a peacock's feathers!

Other topics this week have included why we dream, what you call words that start with the same letter or sound (alliteration, in case you didn't know), and life after death. It was while I was filling Scott in on Jace's and Gracie's takes on death, heaven and their exploration of reincarnation that he remarked, "Oh, Grandma has no idea!"

See, Grandma Jane offered to drive from New York back to Georgia with me and the kids later this summer. It'll be a three day trip, including a stay at a hotel, a tour through a cavern, and a visit with some relatives, not to mention over 17 hours in a car! During those long hours we may revisit Jace's musing, "If heaven is magical and people come back to life, do you think God knows or does He just turn around and say, 'Hey! Where'd all the people go?' "

How You Know Where You Are

We've all heard "you know you're a redneck if..." from the very funny Jeff Foxworthy. And we've all gotten a forward or two beginning something like "you may have been a child of the 80's if..." or "you know you're from Western New York if..." Today I happened upon how you can tell where you are at the moment.

That's right...an alligator in the road. I've seen deer in the road, bigger the further North you get. I've had to stop for cows. This is my first gator in the road! I know, I'm such a dork for stopping and taking a picture. But there was an alligator in the road!

So, if you ever find your self driving in circles, wondering where you are...check out the wildlife. Just don't get too close!

Writing Through Hugs

I wasn't sure what to call this installment, but Tyler helped me decide. It's getting close to nap time, which normally occurs in the boys room. For the time being, though, Jace and Gracie are playing so well in there that I don't want to disrupt them. It's possible that Tyler might nap in mama's bed today, but for that he needs to be asleep before I lay him down, otherwise who knows what he'll drag out of drawers! Anyway, whilst I'm writing and he's getting sleepy he has positioned himself chest to chest on my lap, thumb in mouth, other hand on my shoulder. He's humming a lullaby and will likely drift comfortably away to dream land.

In the meantime, let me tell you about his older siblings. Jace is completely into the "I'm better than you" bit that kids seem to relish in. It's certainly not my favorite, especially since Gracie doesn't take to being called a loser very well. But we're there. Today at lunch Jace was ready to declare that he was going to done first (which is the norm...he eats insane amount and quite quickly these days) when he looked over and noticed that Gracie was actually eating her leftover pizza and not just picking at her food like normal. It went something like:

"Mama, guess what? I'm gonna be done eati...wow! Mama, look Gracie's almost done. I'm gonna eat the slowest out of all of us."

Never a loser himself...he'll just change the rules. True to his word, he was done after everyone else. Clever.

What is PC anyway?

I'm the first to admit that I'm not hop on what the current trends are...in fashion, language, or many other areas of life. I don't know what's politically correct to say and I just always try not to be offensive, even though I know that's impossible...people are offended even by sweet lil me!

I started wondering about it today though. Gracie (who's 3 for another week) said someone was fat and Jace (a graduate of Kindergarten) told her that wasn't nice. He's right, but why? It's true?

Then, later Gracie and I were talking about Uncle Jason, my brother. She asked why he can't talk and I said he was handicapped...wondering if that was the right terminology to teach her. Turns out...it was definitely the humorous choice.

"How did Uncle Jason get capped?"

I know...funny isn't it?

But as soon as I stifled my giggle and repeated "handicapped" I wondered if it was OK to laugh at that unintended play on words. Is it?

All this PC crap has me way too touchy!

Really, I Understand.

I saw a mother today who hopefully feels less alone in this big crazy world after encountering me.

The kids and I had finished our fast food lunch and nap-inducing playground time. We were about to get into our vehicle to head home. The SUV next to us had doors open on both sides, one of which was blocking me from putting Tyler in. As first I was a bit annoyed. After all, Tyler's not light anymore and I didn't have just him...there was the diaper bag, my purse, my drink...I didn't really want to drop anything.

The annoyance instantly turned to sympathy when she came around the back of her car trying to manage a smile and holding tightly to the hand of a little girl, probably just starting to potty train. The little girl was obviously in need of a bathroom, highlighted by the fact that she was literally holding it...in the adorable way kids do. When they're other people's kids, that is.

The harried mom said, "I'm sorry. Someone had to make a pit stop. I'll be just a minute I have to get the other one out too."

"You're fine. Really. Take the time you need. My other two just got in on the other side. I understand."

I had all the strength I needed to not drop a thing and smile and talk to the little one while mom had her head in the car unstrapping the littler one. I hope as she walked across the parking lot she felt okay, less stressed, and hopeful. I do remember those days of having to unload one or two kids who can't unload themselves for a reason I'm not convinced is good enough. I know there were times that an understanding smile and nod left me feeling like there was a light at the end of my tunnel. I hope I passed a little of that on to her. Just a little.