Salt of the Earth

The weekend once again came and went. Saturday was full of football games. Graham had the earliest game so I had to set my alarm on a Saturday morning. Theres just something so wrong about that… It was SO foggy and misty at first and the little boys were just freezing out there. Once they got to running around they were fine. Graham did really well again. The last 5 minutes of the game is always rushed and a bit confusing and Graham got put in a position he’s never played before- Rush. He looked at me on the side line and I yelled “JUST GET THE FLAG”. And he did. 3 times. The first time he grabbed it and the plastic buckle came back and hit his hand. I saw that he was holding his hand and I went out on the field to see if he was ok. He said it hurt and I comforted him then told him to just brush it off and get more flags. And he did. 2 in a row. (go Grahamy, go Grahamy). I felt kind of badly about not being so sympathetic, but I was reminded on the side lines by the other dads that ‘these boys are playing football after all….” Anyway, he played well. And Thomas carried him part way to the car cause he felt badly for him. so sweet.

Thomas had a later game- which meant we had an hour and half to kill in between. So off to Subway to get a breakfast sandwich. Thomas games are at a higher intensity and I find that I am exhausted afterwards… Is that the first sign of becoming a ‘football’ mom? He was a little sluggish but played well. He got in quickly and almost got the QB’s flag. That led to the other team TRIPLE teaming Thomas for the rest of the game. He got by the double team but he was TOTALLY boxed in by the 3 huge boys blocking him. His coach and I were screaming at him on the sidelines ‘PUSH EM BACK”. Coach put in one of his fastest runners as a guard and cause all those guys were on Thomas, Terrance got through several times. Thomas was disappointed it wasn’t him getting the flags but we told him that 3 guys on him meant 2 guys on their team were left unguarded. I believe Thomas did get through and got 2 flags. (Go TJ, go TJ)

The boys and I went to the pumpkin patch with the cub scouts yesterday. It was a beautiful day and we had a blast. The boys picked out their pumpkins and played on the hay castle thingy. We watched pumpkins being catapulted into a field then we took a hay ride. Towards the end of the hay ride Graham saw a pumpkin that looked like a butt. He started laughing really hard and said “LOOK IT”S PUMPKIN BUTT”. All the kids around him were laughing. And so was I. It was pretty funny. So the boys insisted on taking a picture but it while they had their backs turned to me. My poor children have no hope. I have started a therapy fund for them because i fear they will be sitting on a shrinks couch one day telling them about what a strange little life they had. Oh well, no one can say we don’t have fun.

I’m down 2 more pounds. I’m also wearing the jeans I wanted to be in for my birthday. WHICH by the way, is 11 days away.

Off to school
T

Today my gym hosted a Harvest party for the kids today. Thomas was reluctant to go- but once we got there and he started playing games he had a great time. Graham dressed up in his costume minus the bleeding mask. They had a dance contest and the boys won by doing the twist. They served hot dogs (yeah real healthy), pop corn and lemonade. They had a haunted house that scared Graham the first time through - but then the second time through he said he was bored. They had a good time- and I’m glad.

I finally broke down and ordered my butt pillow. A year ago I cracked my tail bone and it took FOREVER to heal. By spring it was doing better then I had that little tumble over Labor Day weekend- that reinjured my tail bone AGAIN. So I’ve been alternating between pain medication and muscle relaxants and stretching my back. My doctor has been nagging me to get this specialized pillow to sit on during the day, in the car, etc… Since I’m a bad patient I never ordered it and just thought it would go away one day…. but it didn’t and I know the only way it will is if I get this pillow blah blah blah… so I ordered it. maybe by my birthday my butt bone will be better.

Mick has been working crazy hours this last week. He gets home and I’m sleeping. I leave in the morning and he’s sleeping. It’s crazy. For the most part I am used to it since it’s the nature of his business. But there are times when it’s really hard to be the single parent. Especially at night when I’m tired and ready for bed and Thomas is arguing with me and Graham is cranky and lunches need to be made and homework still needs to be done and both boys are talking to me at once. I love my boys so much and I love being with them. but sometimes I’m really ready for bed time.

I’ve lost 33 pounds so far. yeah!!! 4 pounds to go to meet my birthday goal. 15 days to do it. My shirts are getting big now and they just look frumpy on me. Perhaps I will venture out to the garage this weekend and go through my box of ’smaller’ clothes.

ok, i’m going to bed. I’m beat. Spent the day in the studio.
T

Part of this blog is on my myspace account but this one is much more detailed. I have a general idea of who reads this one and I never know who reads my myspace one.
This week I’ve had my bitch on several times. Somedays I wonder why I should bother taking it off. We are STILL having issues with Thomas’ teacher and the LACK of books in the class. Monday was the last straw to the point that even Mick is has had it with this crap. My solution to the problem was going to the school and using their copier and paper and xeroxing the entire book twice- one for Thomas and one for his best friend. I really didn’t care if someone questioned why I was there and what I was doing. My thought was ‘bring it on bitch cause I got my bitch on and right now it’s WAY bigger than yours so get the hell out of my way so i can copy this book”. No one questioned me. No one came near me. Mission accomplished. Mick ended up calling the principal and discussing it with her. She’s ‘getting back to him’. I am starting to hate public school more and more by the day.

SO I guess I never fully took off my bitch on Tuesday and Grahams coach and I went at it after practice. I know I’m protective. I know I defend my children no matter what. I remember when I was younger I swore that I would ALWAYS defend my children. I know our little Grahamy has a ……. ‘colorful’ temper and ‘creative’ ways of showing it…. I know he reacts when overly provoked but it takes a lot to set him off. And when he’s set off….. oh boy…….but once he cools down he’s just as sweet as ever. Like a little volcano, maybe….. I fear perhaps he got his dads ability to spell really well and his mom’s ‘colorful’ temper. Perhaps he wears his bitch like superman. Has it under his clothes and then when it’s needed he strips down to his tights and takes care of business. That must be it

Anyway- it’s mideterms so today was our painting critique. I had a total of 5 paintings- 2 which i REALLY liked. My teacher is just freakin awesome. She compared me to Paul Klee. It was sweet! She told me she wanted all 5 paintings to hang up in the library. I told her she could have 2- cause 2 i didn’t like. We compromised on 3. So I have to frame them over the weekend and get them ready to hang. Yeah, I’m feeling cocky today… that’s right, the bitch can paint some serious shit! (stole that from Anna).

I finished watching Season 3 of Nip/Tuck. That’s a good show. Kind of nasty assed when they show the surgeries. Damn- all that skin cutting and blood…. makes me a little queasy and then i feel car sick.

I have to finish up my first print tomorrow. I really like the way the background turned out- the ‘jellyroll’. Now i need to come up with the color of the tree. I’m really excited to start my second project for printmaking.

Have been coming up with different ideas to do in Graham’s class. I think it will be ok. Not too stressful…. maybe.

Time to pick up the boys
T

After today I know why I am not a coach. I am WAY to competitive. But I am aware of this.

SO today was game day again. Graham had an earlier game this week so he and Thomas games were at different times. (HOOORAY!!) Graham’s coach tightened up practiced and came up with a few more plans and it really showed and paid off today. Since practice I’ve been going over plays with Graham and getting him more used to the game. block first, then go for the flag… Today, he did just that. He grabbed 3 flags, got the ball from kick off AND ran towards his teams goal. I was so proud of him. He is becoming more sure of himself in the game- and it shows. He played all but the first 5 minutes of the game and even when he asked the coach to be taken out- the coach had him stay in. He was SO determined to get that flag today. He even chased an opponent all the way down the field trying to catch up and grab the flag. (go Grahamy, go Grahamy)

Thomas did very well too. In offense he plays ‘rush’. It’s the perfect position for Thomas cause he’s quick and can push past the other team members and snag the flag. He grabbed 3 flags today too. Two from the other teams QB- before the QB was able to even throw the ball. SWEEEEET!!!! At one point the other team had 2 guys on Thomas- and BOTH of the players were blocking him by pushing him. Thomas held his ground and if it would have only been 1, Thomas would have plowed him over. In defense Thomas is a guard and is always paired with the biggest player from the other team. This has proven to be a bit of a challenge for Thomas but he has done REALLY well. The kid Thomas was guarding today was a good 20 pounds heavier and a head taller than Thomas. The kid managed to get passed Thomas but not in time to get the ball. So Thomas slowed him down. (go Thomas, go Thomas)

As for me, i stand on the side lines screaming “GET THAT FLAG!” or “BLOCK HIM!” or “SLIDE PAST THEM”. I pace the field with the coaches because I just can’t sit down and watch the game. I think I screamed myself horse today. (go Tina, go Tina). Since Thomas game is a lot more aggressive and intense, I asked Thomas if my yelling on the sidelines is a distraction to him. He said NO. I think if he would have said YES i would have had to invest in some medical tape to tape my mouth shut. I am enjoying football season.

Got Halloween costumes this week. Thomas is going to be that Scream guy and Graham is going to be a bleeding devil. *shrug* I just don’t know about my youngest kid. He wanted the most scary and disgusting costumes-I was leaning towards something nice… like a ninja, or a Jedi or even one of the M & M guys. No such luck.

Off to finish my painting.
T

Time is just flying by. I can’t believe tomorrow is already Thursday. Lets see….. tomorrow I print in the studio all day- first time since last spring. So I am VERY excited.

Watched a movie called May- and it was good but strange. One of those indie films. I am LOVING the book I am currently reading. Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk. He’s an awesome writer.

I’ve lost 30 pounds and I have midterms next week. I got a new pink cell phone- just need some sparkles and I’ll be as happy as… i don’t know… what’s something that’s happy?

Ok, I’m rambling cause I’m preoccupied. I have to start a painting tonight and time is just ticking away.

T

So another weekend has come and gone. Boys had games on Saturday- Thomas had back to back games with about 10 minutes in between. Graham’s game and Thomas first game started at the same time on separate fields so I spent my time trying to watch both. Graham did really well as a guard. He had an aggressive boy to guard and he was a bit intimidated at first. Then the boy pushed him when the ball wasn’t in play and that pissed G off. So I told him to take his anger and ‘block’ the boy and not let him get by him. That worked and the little ginger boy didn’t get by him again. Thomas was a guard and rushed the QB. He too was up against a very big, aggressive boy that was fast and very athletic. This boy pushed back and kept getting pissed cause Thomas wouldn’t let him get by him. (i guess it helps when your parent is screaming ‘BLOCK HIM!!” on the side line). I was very proud of Thomas because he’s always been a bit timid when it comes to contact sports. Thomas didn’t have much ball action except when he got the football after kick off. He grabbed the ball and was in full stride to start running and he tripped on the foot of the kid behind him. When the ball changed possession the other coach put two players on Thomas cause he kept going in and snagging the flag from the QB. He’s a quick one that Thomas. I was proud of BOTH of them but glad when the games were finally done.

Mick moved Uncle Buddy in to his new house on Saturday. It’s such a cute little house. It’s perfect for him. Other than the color on the outside (old man green) he’s very happy with it.

My doctor has been trying different medications on me- which have not been working very well. I did not tolerate her latest one and spent a day in bed with a horrible migraine headache all day Sunday. It was one that light hurt my eyes and i felt car sick. I can honestly say that after having migraines I no longer fear hell. ha ha

time to make dinner

PS Fredrick is growing in leaps and bounds!
T

The weekend has come and gone again. The boys had their first football games on Saturday. Unfortunately, Thomas was sick so he opted out and stayed home with Mick. Graham’s coach has practice before the game to get the boys familiar with the terms and how to play. (out of 10 boys, only 3 have any experience). So here’s Graham all suited up, cleats on, Jersey on and tucked in, mouth guard in place, gloves on and flag belt thingy wrapped around his waist. Graham is in and starts as wide receiver. After about 10 minutes and several plays the other team has possition of the ball. The ball comes towards Graham and he intercepts it and somehow catches it- (more like it just landed in his hands) and looks up at me- (cause I am standing on the side line cheering his team on with the other parents. ) The coach and I start yelling- “RUN GRAHAM RUN!!!!” So his eyes get wide and as he sees a bunch of the opposite team members running towards him. He gives me one last glance, throws the ball straight up into the air turns around and runs the other way- straight towards the other teams goal. All the parents on the side line got a huge kick out of that. Grahams coach told him he did a great job running but that next time he needed to run WITH the ball and towards OUR goal. Graham just shrugged and said “OK.” It was so precious.

Since there are 10 players and only 7 can be on the field at all times the coach rotates with the different possesion of the ball. Graham is one of the players that stays in and has a possition regardless. He played all but 5 minutes and half time. He had a great time but he was tired afterwards. In the end the score was 3-2. Our boys did really well and had fun.

So I finally broke down today and bought some new bras. Yesterday at Graham’s game as I cheering I threw both of my arms up and both my boobs slipped out the bottom of my bra. The girl measured me and picked out a bra for me. I felt like i couldn’t breath in it cause it was so tight- but she assured me it was a perfect fit. I’m just not used to wearing bras that fit.

Caught up on some tv shows this weekend. LOST was one of them. WOW! An hour is NOT enough for that show. I watched two weeks worth of Desperate Wives and ER. And last but not least but certainlally the BEST…….(drum roll please)…. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. I am speechless. I had goose bumps several times throughout and at the end was screaming for more. Those cylons scare the shit out of me everytime i see them. Starbuck is the shit man. She puts on a good bitch. Right now I am watching Heroes. Man and some dude just jumped off a building and his flying brother just caught him. I almosted puked when that cheerleader girl stuck her hand down the garbage disposal while it was turned on. Why didn’t her little cheerleader outfit melt when she went into the burning building? I got too close to a candle one time and my sleeve shirveled up like an old banana peel.
Enough on my end.
I LOVE all the comments
T

I had a really good day at school today. I had a one on one conference with my painting teacher that went very well. She is so encouraging and her passion for art is contagious. She told me many good things. I told her I was going through a ‘block’ and explained why and she said she would help me become ‘unblocked’. She is awesome. THEN she had me TEACH the level two students Monotype. It was so awesome. I totally felt in my element. At first I was uncomfortable being in the ‘teacher’ role but as soon as I started doing my ‘thang’ it just felt natural. She thanked me over and over for doing it- and I told her SHE was the one who needed to be thanked for changing the curriculum and including monotype. It just feels so good to be doing art again. I have a passion for oil pastels. I love using them. It just feels right.

Open House tonight at the boys school. The boys and I went and they showed me the various things in their classrooms. Thomas teacher is convinced I’m a thug. i had to go in and talk to him last week about Thomas not having a required math book. The school didn’t order enough and a couple kids in Thomas class didn’t get one-including Thomas. Thomas wasn’t able to take homework home due to lack of a book. The teacher didn’t give me any satisfactory answers so i asked who the head of the department was and I put my bitch on and dealt with them. I hate putting on my bitch, but more and more I find that I have to if I want stuff to get done. I’ve tried the being nice thing and it just takes too long and no one listens. Thomas teacher made sure to point out to me tonight that Thomas is ’situated’ now with a math book. He always has that ’scared’ look on his face now when he talks to me. OH well. If a little fear guarantees my child will have a better education then I’m ok with that. Grahams teacher still wants me to teach art to his class. I don’t really want to commit to anything yet. It just seems overwhelming at this point. I told him maybe after Christmas, maybe…..

Yesterday TWO people asked me if I’d lost weight. I said “WHY YES I HAVE”. It was sweet. 26 is my total as of last Monday. I have a goal set for my birthday. WHICH by the way is 37 days away,

bedtime
T

My Mother-in-law left yesterday. It’s been pretty quiet around here without her. I haven’t put away her bedding yet. It’s one of those crazy things like if I put it away she’s really not here anymore. Silly I know.

Her last day here was Friday and I took her shopping. When we first got to the mall she saw a green sweater/jacket that she really liked at JC Pennys. She was convinced she could find it cheaper at Sears so we walked to the other end of the mall to look. Nothing remotely like it there so on the way back we went into a different store that I had a coupon for- she ended up finding one there and I got it for her for an early birthday present. We all went to dinner (including Uncle Buddy) at Road House Grill. Good food, good company.

The boys started Flag Football this past week. Practice was a lot of fun for both of them. The weather has been just perfect to be outside running around grabbing flags and passing footballs.

So my question for the day is- why are the boobs the first to go? With my recent weight loss I have discovered that my bras don’t fit right. So today i tried a few of my smaller bras on and they fit perfectly. Ive lost a cup size and 4 inches around the bust line. I’m cool with a C cup but i need to loose a few more inches around before I can fit into my cute Victoria Secret bras. TMI?

Today was one of those days that just kind of sucked so I’ll end here before i go into some big long emotional blog.
T