Post NY

I am in high demand. Going away for a five days made that pretty clear. People need me around here. It's good. That's the way it is supposed to be. But it can be intense.

Being "just Sue" for my trip to New York was such a break. It's like deep subconscious stuff. Just taking care of myself (time to curl my hair!) is so foreign to me now, but so refreshing.

I am still recovering. On Wednesday I came down with a mild cold, which is mostly making me sneezy, headachy and tired. I'm sure I was run down from getting so little sleep. I need a weekend to sleep, sleep, sleep.

Will I get it? You can probably guess....

This weekend is the Big Ballet Extravaganza for the girls! A show each day! Rehearsal Friday night! Rehearsal Saturday morning! Me slaving away volunteering both days!

As an added bonus for my non-sleeping pleasure I get to work at church on Sunday - both services! Woo hoo! And Rosie (read: me) has to bake cupcakes for the ballet bake sale. And to top it all off, ARG has an academic awards ceremony to attend on Sunday.

I'll be at the show with Rosie. Hubby will be at the ceremony with MiniMe and ARG.

We'll be divided.

But not conquered.

Pass me that espresso.

NYC the Sequel

Are we gorgeous or what?

Thats me on the top left with assorted sisters and mothers in law at the fanciest french restaurant ever. It was our big dress up night.

New York was.....
it was.....
surreal. fun. exhausting. noisy. intimate. yummy.

It was like the ironman of shopping, eating and fun. We had to power-rest every evening for about 45 minutes to be ready for our Big Nights Out. And I'm telling you - every night was a Big Night Out.

There was the night dancing in a dive full of sailors (oops - we went to NYC during Fleet Week). Another night found me drinking the best darn margarita I've ever tasted. It has little wild strawberries that had been soaked in some italian liqueur. Mmmmm. Slumber parties in the hotel room with fashion shows, dancing and leg admiring. Eating tapas and sangria at a Spanish restaurant with an old friend of the family. Dancing at a Bollywood disco. (as the old friend said, "I figured with those two words together, Bollywood and disco, it couldn't be bad!")

As before, the days were filled mostly with shopping. I managed to find some pretty awesome things with out damaging my wallet too badly. But there were other highlights too.

We took a boat trip of the harbor out to the Statue of Liberty. It was so lovely to just sit on that boat with the wind in our hair and watch the New York skyline whiz by. When we got to the statue, the boat literally tilted to one side, the side with everyone on it taking pictures of Lady Liberty. I hung back, waiting for it to thin out. But when I stepped out to see her I burst into tears. I was totally unprepared for the emotions that gripped me. Reverence. Pride. Loyalty. Appreciation. Gratitude. To live in the greatest country in the world. A country made up of people from all over the world. A country that gets stronger and more vibrant thanks to it's diversity of people. I loved that boat ride.

I loved, loved, loved dancing in the Bollywood disco. It was in a basement, very dark and full of Indians. There were maybe ten white folks. But the coolest thing about it was the dancing. People were there for the beats and the dancing. No meat market. No picking up. Nothing like that. Just boogeying to killer Indian grooves. I love Indian grooves. And they had surreal Bollywood movies flashing on the walls. It was sweet. Our friend said, "You didn't know I was going to whisk you away to a foreign country did you?" It felt like a foreign country.

Getting kicked out of a sheik Japanese bar was curious. Well, we didn't really get kicked out because we were never seated or served. "No room" the hostess said, when there clearly was enough room. But apparently we weren't .... Asian enough. We were whities. It was a racist bar. Only Asians allowed. If only we had known, we would have sent the one Asian member of our group in alone to secure our table. But she was in the bathroom when it all went down. Ce la vie.

Eating the best street food in NYC was cool too. Lamb over rice with pita bread. Aaahhh.

There were lame moments too, but they're not my story to tell. I'll just say food poisoning is super-lame. Or as Orwell would put it doubleplusbad.

A trip like this changes you. My sisters in law and mother in law and I deepened our love and enjoyment of each other. We experienced new, funny, strange, interesting things together. We shared meals and we shared our stories. We got to know each other better than ever. That's worth more than anything. Sisters rule.

I may think of more to write about later. It's all pretty fresh tonight, so I wanted to get it down before my brain gets overloaded with kiddie,family,home things. As I kneeled in front of my freezer today cleaning up spilled homemade popsicle juice I thought, "Was I really in New York just yesterday?"

It almost seems like a dream.

I'm off

I don't know if I'll have time to post again before.....drum roll please....


N! Y! C!

Woo hoo! I made it! I made it! (I know, way to many exclamation points)

Things are hairy around here. MiniMe is sick with a gnarly cough. Rosie threw up in the Trader Joe's parking lot today. Nice. (strawberries and cream, if you were wondering). ARG is fine and I told him he'd be in big trouble if he gets sick too.

I am half packed. I am having a hard time focusing on home-life this last day and a half!

I'll post on the flip side!

I am a Toad

What did you call your parents when you were a kid?

We called ours "the Toads". I'm not sure where that catchy name came from, but it somehow described them to a tee. They were un-cool. They were strict. They didn't have a clue. They were toads.

Well, last night was my initiation into toad-hood. ARG has a friend who was competing in the "Battle of the High School Bands" at Half Moon Bay HS. He really wanted to go, so he and a fencing buddy went. Alone. No parental units supervising. They met up with a bunch of other fencers (some of their parents were there) and had a great time.

At the prearranged time I pulled up outside the high school gym to pick them up. As I sat, like a dork, in my car waiting for them to come out, I reflected on how life changes quickly. Seems like a few minutes ago I was the one going to concerts.

When ten minutes went by and still no boys, I got out and went searching. Boy did I feel parental. I mean, I was tired. I wanted to go home. I peeked into the gym only to see hundreds of screaming high school kids rocking out to a live band on stage. It was all dark. There was no way to find ARG. I stood in the back, helpless.

Called Hubby. Called the other boy's cell. Both kids had turned their phones off. Convenient. Hubby suggested texting. Duh. I don't even know how to text. I have never needed to do it. I am so lame.

A few minutes later they came out happy, wishing they could stay longer, but knowing it was time to go.

I think the hardest thing about being a toad is that it is humbling. I'm not center stage anymore. Not by a long stretch. It's all about the kid. I'm just the support team. The stage crew, as it were.

I just hope I can be a modestly cool toad. I don't need to be one of those super funny, popular parents. But it would be really nice if my kid's friends liked and respected me. Just a little.

Where's My Medal?

I made it though another of ARG's fencing tournaments today. I'm feeling pretty confident that I didn't make a fool of myself. I should get the medal.

ARG did great. Got 2nd place in Y14 (he's 12) with fencers from all over northern CA. He rocks. But his last three direct elimination bouts were nail biters! Even though I wasn't neurotically nervous, I still lose self-awareness during the fencing. When a point is scored, I often "come to" with my legs bent, arms and hands clenched, heart beating furiously. I also became aware that every time a point is scored against ARG, I let out loud groans. "Ach", "Oooh", "Uhhh". Seriously had to tell myself to SHUT UP several times today.

And even though I think fencing is the wierdest, least predictable sport on earth, I really love the fencers and their families. Everyone is so friendly and the sportsmanship is high. Fencers congratulate each other. Parents too. ARG and the gold winner are friends, and they hugged when the bout was over. Awwwww.

One freaky moment: in the quarter-finals, ARG bent his blade at a 45 degree angle on his opponents face mask. Phew. I'm glad those masks are strong.

More Lucy

We're really in the puppy trenches now.

Turns out our adorable, sweet and cuddly pup is playing host to a variety of guests.

Giardia.
Round Worms.
Parasites.
Heavy, heavy sigh.
Diarrhea, trips to the vet ($$$), prescription medicine, diarrhea, bloated tummy, diarrhea. Did I mention diarrhea? Sure makes potty training a challenge.

The good news for the day is that we have to build Lucy a pooping place filled with gravel so we can scoop up the poop each day (lest she reinfect by stepping in it). Yay! $$$!

Poor Lucy. For a sick dog she is pretty happy. But my the skin on my hands is about to peel off from washing so much. And every time she licks one of the kids I freak out.

Ya know? I did NOT sign up for this. (at least I didn't think I was signing up for it)

And let me just say here that I WAY overestimated the enthusiasm/ability/desire of Rosie to be Lucy's main caregiver. Somehow taking a reluctant pup to the potty in the rain just doesn't do it for her! Go figure.

Now don't get me wrong. I still love cuddling with her on my lap. And she is a very good dog.

But. Ew!

Sigh

Don't laugh at me. Don't mock me. Pity me.

Raising a puppy is HARD!

Yes, I knew it would be hard work before we got her. Less sleep, accidents...etc. I didn't have blinders on or anything. But man, am I tired. How I long for one puppy-free day.

Because aside from being cute and cuddly, puppies basically need constant training and pack-order lessons. And she is smart - knows sit and we're working on stay and leave-it. But she keeps trying to be dominant, and we have to constantly show her who is boss. I especially have to be watchful when MiniMe is handling her..."ooooh pick up her hind legs!"

The learning curve has been steep this week. I've read about 5 puppy training books. But, like people, puppies are individuals, and don't conform to every rule espoused for their training. For instance, one book claims that all you have to do is get your puppy to love her chew toys and you'll be set. Well, Lucy is not food motivated. She'll chew, sure. But only for a few minutes. Not incessantly for hours like "normal" dogs.

The part I like best about having her is when she lays all over us on the couch while we watch our family movie. It is very cuddly and sweet.

The part I dislike the most is potty training. Poop and peep on my floors are the worst. Especially because once dogs start doing it, they keep doing it. I'm busting my behind trying to train her to love going outside. But she is freaked by all the bleeping rain. Always wants to come back in. Sigh.

Good news though, she's getting her second round of shots tomorrow which means she can "socialize" with other dogs and go for walks now. Loooong walks. Walks that will wear her out (please God).

And we are signed up for a puppy obedience class starting Friday. Rosie will be doing it with her. That should be fun for both of them.

So I'm looking forward to good times. But hoping I have enough stamina to make it though her puppyhood.

The New Normal

The benefit of having to get up at 6am to take Lucy out and then play, play, play, is that at 7am I can crate her and have alone time on the computer. No kids up yet. We have pretty much commanded ARG to sleep in whenever possible, as he stays up way too late fencing most nights. And the girls are super tired from their cousin's birthday extravaganza (and swim meet for Rosie) yesterday. It has been a busy weekend.

My brain is a little too fuzzy to write much, but here are some cute pics of the lowest member of our pack: