Cole's Basket Game 4

We will be working on dribbling, but I think this is a great shot. It's not a clear video but did you see The Look? Ahhh... good day.

Dr. Fish

Life is pretty low key here in Korea. There's not as many rules and regulations about each and everything you come across. This is good when you're tired of waiting at a red light... just go if the path is clear. This is bad when you are eating at a restaurant and wonder about their health code standards. There isn't a PETA chapter considering they eat dogs (bad thing in my book), but good when it comes to Dr. Fish.

Have you heard of Dr. Fish? It's a large fish tank at spas where you can stick your feet into and the fish EAT the dead skin off of you. These little aquatic vertebrates will nibble at your body while taking away your corns and callouses. (every time I say callouses I want to finish with "bluestar ointment the one that's guaranteed, ask for it!" I watched way too much tv when I was younger.)

Walking the streets of downtown today we stopped into Escape Nail Salon for some Dr. Fish. I wanted to take my family here when they visit, so we went to check it out. You know it didn't take long for my children to have their hands in the tank allowing the fish to eat their fingers. Brad was a little more timid than Cole. Cole had his shoes off and in the water 30 seconds later, Brad was more of the watcher. The kid didn't even flinch. He just stuck his feet in and was laughing away. It took a while longer for me to join in the fun. I shouldn't say fun...

I almost couldn't stand it because it starts off as a tickle. Then it turns into an irritating pain. Do you know when your foot falls asleep and when it start waking up you have the pins and needles feeling? That's exactly what these fish felt like!!! You know when it tingles and you have to walk on it but don't want to walk... Dr. Fish!
It was different but really cool. Cole loved it, by the way, are those the cutest little man feet you've ever seen? Ignore the pasty white mama legs, they will be Thailand tan in 11 days. Cole said he wants to go back tomorrow. Finally - I have a legitimate reason to go to the spa everyday! Whatever you say baby!!

Madder Than Before

Madder? More mad? How about I'm just angrier than before I went in to talk to his teacher. So much so I'm considering pulling him out. I miss Mrs. Ray and Children's House. Erin, please tell her I think of her daily and wish I could have packed her in my suitcase. Wendy, picture Mrs. Owen for kindergarten. The Cole that ran out of the van and bounced into class is gone. She constantly would ask "he's ALWAYS in a good mood! Is he ever unhappy?" That is no longer the case and it's hard. I know if I'm hating it, poor Cole is even more miserable.

I don't want to talk about it yet. I'm going to reflect on what he said and chew on it over the 3 day weekend. I feel a migraine coming on. Poor Keith has no idea what he's coming home to. I even have a Pampered Chef party I was going to go to and now I just don't feel like it. Not even buying the trifle bowl will perk me up... and I really want that dang bowl. Isn't it a "need" vs a want?

I agree. I know it's been a lot about Cole lately. Brad is alive and doing well. Today he told me that he wanted to say the word stupid. I told him that others might use that word, but he may not. Choose another word. He stomped his foot down and declared "I'm growing up and not growing little." I guess that's his way of telling me he's not a baby anymore.

Oh - today was basketball practice and I sat with a lady who has twin 3 year old girls. They (the little girls) played with my hair and twisted my earrings so very delicately. She adjusted my necklace and just wanted to be girlie. I loved every second of it. It was As Good As It Gets.

Ahhh... and GRRRRRR

Yesterday I showered, fixed my hair, put on makeup, and wore dressy clothes for no reason. All of that effort was As Good As It Gets.

Today I had a busy day and ended it with CanCan practice. On the way home Matchbox 20 came on the AFN (the ONLY radio station we get in English). It's the Armed Forces Network. I don't mean to sound so mean, but the military DJ's are HORRIBLE. Really bad. Painful to listen to bad. Anyway... since the boys weren't in the car with me, I was able to turn it up really loud and sing with my Rob Thomas. I adore Matchbox 20. Ya, he's a little fruity in his beliefs, but man I dig their music. Tonight I drove home with just me and the AFN. It was a nice quiet part of the day and it was As Good As It Gets. AND I bought a new pair of shoes, pants, and a shirt today. They fit. AHHHHHH

(ps - our CanCan is AWESOME. My kicks are getting higher and higher each practice. I bet in 9 more days I'll be fully back to my 18 year old self... Did I mention that we do the dance 4 times and have 4 different endings. The ending of dance #3 is taking a shot from the bartender. Yea, I'll be feeling 18...errr 21 by the 4th dance)

Tomorrow I get to go talk to Dr. Stapleford again about his bathroom policy. Cole had another accident at school. This is the second one this year and the kid has been potty trained since he was 2 1/2. He raised his hand and was told to wait till after instructions were given. It couldn't wait. He had to change clothes and his friends were laughing at him when he came out of the restroom. MY new rule is that if he can't get the teacher's attention, then he should get up right then and there and go to the bathroom. There's a bathroom IN the classroom. The poor kid freaked out saying that he would get in so much trouble. I told Cole that mommy's rules OVERRULE whatever Dr. Stapleford says and if he gets in trouble to say "please call my mommy right now." Yep, I'm pulling that card. Mama Bear is chargin' into the classroom tomorrow with furry in her eyes. It will be As Good As It Gets.

Little Colby Lee

Most children start to lose their teeth around 5 or 6. Not my kids. They were late getting them and I'm sure they'll be late losing them. (however, I do wish that extra tooth in Brad's grin will fall out sooner rather than later. Just sayin. He's the ONLY kid I know that can pull it off with his cuteness though) I think I was 7 when a dentist yanked my first teeth that were NOT ready to come out.

I'm pretty sure the tooth fairy won't be visiting us for a long long time. I've convinced myself of this and went about my life. I'm not even sure the boys know that one day they will be parting ways with their baby teeth. Keith makes the occasional comments of "too much sugar will make your teeth fall out" "you can't have taffy because your teeth will fall out" Nine times out of ten he's talking to me, but I'm sure the kids hear it.

For some reason the other day Cole became insistent that I brush his teeth for him. He's been doing a great job on his own for a while now. I'm always in the bathroom with Cole while bushing Brad's teeth, but I monitor what he's doing and he's completely capable. So for him to freak out about me doing this struck me as odd.

It wasn't until we went and had lunch with him that I put two and two together. A little girl he sits across from has lost all 4 of her front teeth. Cole leaned over and said "see, all her teeth fell out of her head and that's why I want you to brush my teeth." Oh, sweet Colby Lee. Now I have to explain that it's natural while somehow backing up the sugar-story. I love the literal side of kids.

Fast Learner

Cole frightens me with his intelligence. At the tender age of 6 he's been able to read and understand his parents. He knows our buttons to push and he remembers things near and dear to our hearts. In the words of a great songwriter... you've got to have an Ace in the hole. This is the conversation we had the other night:

Keith: Cole, you know that green car Daddy's driving right now? That's gonna be all yours when you turn 16.

Cole: (pretty confident) No it's not

Keith: (equally confident said with a smirk) Ha, YES it is

Cole: No it's not. I want a Jeep.

Keith: Done.

The Differences

The other day we did a quick trip to get some groceries. The commissary here has little carts for kids to push around. They have cute little flags that say "customer in training". What a cute idea, but not for my boys. The first time we tried this it became bumper carts for everyone in the building. It was a mad dash hitting people and knocking items off the shelves. Yes, we were totally "that" family.

Cole and Brad ask every visit if they can get their own carts. Several factors go into play: (1) How busy is the store, it must be almost dead (2) how long I think we'll be there, the quicker the better. They tend to get unruly after about 4 minutes (3) Is there anyone I know in there - I don't want to further enhance their belief that I only have 5 % control of the boys at any given time. I like to give the appearance I do.

It just so happened that this particular day that the stars aligned and YES, it is ok for Cole and Brad to get a little cart and help mommy out. This turned into a learning experience for ME. (oh, and Keith was there to help which was another factor in the YES answer.)

We always start with fruit. Cole can eat himself some fruit. I wish I had a garden for that kid. I would save $ big bucks $ every month if we grew our own produce. He starts the cart-filling with his request for apples and bananas. Simultaneously Brad is across the other sections screaming loudly "We don't got no KIWI, Daddy". We around the lunch meat section where the boys start fit #1 for lunchables. Good Gravy, I hate me some lunchables. Their favorite is the little pizzas you make on a pita with nasty cold sauce and old pepperoni - then the cheese... because it doesn't melt it becomes confetti on the table, chair, and floor. What a bargain for 89 cents. I cave and they each get the small pizza pack.

Brad takes off and heads directly for the honey. I don't know why, but he thinks syrup is honey and he has a need for it all the time. I have to convince him that we have 2 jars of honey at home. He turns the corner to see the Cheese Nips display. His eyes turn big and he starts grabbing several boxes for his cart. As I'm taking those out, Cole is yelling for cashews. He is telling me his love of this nut although I don't ever recall him eating them before.

We round the corner to the baking aisle. Brad sees the marshmallows and Houston we have a problem. We have marshmallows, I'm not buying more. They see the jello and before I know it there's a 4 pack in each of their carts. At this point I let them have it. I've said no about 7 times in the past 2 minutes. Next aisle snacks. Cole picks up his cashews and Brad picks up fruit snacks, another box of Cheese Nips, peanut butter crackers, and frosted animal cookies. We head to the cereal... out of all the choices of sugary crap my sweet Cole desperately wants plain Cheerios. He even tells me it's only two and three nine dollars ($2.39). Brad picks frosted flakes only because Cookie Crunch is too high for him to reach.

This continues during my race to gather dinner ingredients. The differences between sweet tooth Brad and healthy Cole are obvious. I'm positive that it's because Cole never had any of that crap when he was a baby. Brad did because I wasn't as strict. Keith joked when they are teenagers this is what it will be like filling a cart each. I did not find it funny because I know it's more reality than a joke. We made it almost all the way through the store before the bumper cart crashing began... I say it was a successful trip!

It's Like A Heat Wave

Do you know what I woke up to this morning? The sound of rain. Do you know what that means? It wasn't cold enough to be snowing or sleeting! RAIN! It rained all day and melted away the dirty snow that's been built up for weeks. Finally. I think it might have even reached 40* and people were walking around in T-shirts, my son included. It was glorious. 40* and I was almost tempted to open all the windows in the apartment. It felt great. It's suppose to freeze tonight and snow by Friday, but for those few foggy, drizzling, rainy hours were a blessing.

Today was a lazy day. We're getting over an illness. Poor Brad had an upset stomach the other night. I woke up to vomica. Vomica from 3:30 to 8:00am. This is unfamiliar territory for us. So much so, after round 3, Keith had to ask "what is going on?" Knocking on wood, but the boys are rarely sick. Poor Brad was totally pathetic all day. I know his future wife will already curse me. He was the biggest mama's boy and I might have relished in it for a while. Back to normal 12 hours later.

Yea... that about sums up all the fun the past 48 hours. I'm trying to kick my husband off his computer to watch American Idol. I was about to wrap up this post, but now I feel as if I have so much more to say. FIRST of all, I miss Paula. Yes, she's goofy and sometimes seems medicated. Yes, she's too nice at times, but it's the perfect balance. I can't stand Kara. It's a fact. She's talented, but she's not adding anything to the show. She repeats herself over and over while constantly looking to Simon for approval. She totally ripped into that guy at the Boston auditions for no reason and what makes it even more pathetic was that she was really worked up about it. Seriously? I thought he could sing - bad attitude, but could sing. Now onto Simon. I think this might be my last season to watch. It's not even a show without him. He's absolutely brilliant and isn't even that bad to look at - man boobs and all. When he leaves, I'll leave. I feel bad for Ryan and Randy... enjoying their paychecks and having fun along the way only to have the rug pulled out from under them. What can you do?

One last thing, today was Heather's birthday and we also had dance practice. We ended our evening with cupcakes and mimosas. Not bad. Not bad at all. Today it was As Good As It Gets.

Downhill Slope

Since we're on the backside of this remote it's only fitting that I start planning my first week of activities when we arrive back in the states. We booked our family vacation in February, my family is coming out in March, we're all going to China in April, and if all goes according to plan*, we will be home in May. See... our time left here is but a blink. That's what I tell myself when I've been stuck inside this apartment for 5 days straight.

(* this plan is all in my head so I'm sure the Air Force will throw in some kind of wrench. Also, I think I heard God snicker at the mentioning on "MY" anything)

So after I get off the near 16 hour solo plane ride with my children, I will meet our family at the airport for pick up! This will be so exciting. I have it in MY head that flying back will be a breeze because it's a red eye... we'll all wake up happy and adjusted to a full day we gain back with the time change. All of our luggage will arrive safely - minus a car seat, because I'm going to move Cole up to a booster. (Yes, he's six and I'm overprotective. I know) Anyway, we'll get all our luggage and go straight home. This is the moment I can not wait for.... seeing my dogs and cat! I literally tear up thinking about it. Please understand that I have missed family and friends. I have also been able to talk and write to family and friends though not as often as I would like. It doesn't mean I place animals above human beings, nor does it mean that I love ya'll any less. But these are my fur babies that think I have abandoned them, assuming we are dead and probably will not like me for a long time. It's the guilt talking. I think I will collapse on the floor and stay there with their yappy, hacking, licking, knob shaking hineys for approximately 7 days. I will pet them and hold them. I will cuddle with them and let that loud cat kneed her paws in my belly. We should probably move onto things I would like to do the SECOND week I'm home.

Reading this back sounds a bit coo-koo.....THAT lady has problems. Moving on.

I will hunt down all our family and friends to give them long overdue hugs! I want to catch up on life and meet my new nephew Malachi and self-proclaimed niece Olivia. I'm going to cry when I see how much they've all grown - Trent, Christian, Paris, Nicky, Madeleine, Dinah, Kaitlyn, Allie, Bella, Kincaid, Maddie, Jacob, Abby, Hannah, and Kayleb! I will have to bribe them with candy to remember my name again.

Then we shall let the eating begin. This is the dilemma: where to go first? Keith says "Easy. Texas Roadhouse." Ohh... I could eat 10lbs of their yeast rolls alone. I am also going to need some Tex-Mex pronto! Maybe El Chico - fast and dirty. Don't think I haven't forgotten about you Chick-fil-a! The third or fourth stop should be renewing my gym membership. I will need it for the Papa John's/Bahama Buck/Rockfish damage to follow. I've been warned by several here to stay away from Wal-Mart for the first two weeks. It's just too much culture shock to take in at once! HA, I can totally see how that can happen.

Oh... home, where there's carpet and Mike Victor. There's television and cell phones. Gas Stations and grocery stores. Slurpees and Sno-cones... and COLDWATER CREEK. There's also family and friends that make it just that.... HOME.

See you in 4 months or so!

Do A Little Dance

My Merlin's only trick is to "do a little dance". For some reason he spins in circles when you sing that to him. He's funny. I miss that little fox. Why are all our pets so goofy? Don't answer that.

Today Cole had another basketball game. The ball hog was in full force! He cracks me up. Cole is so aggressive. The kid will do almost anything to make sure he gets his hands on the ball. So far this sport has been much more entertaining to watch. AND it's super fast: four 6 minute quarters. We get to watch the game within Brad's temperamental limits as well. Perfect all the way around.

This morning our main man scored again! He had about 8 shots on goal. I'm probably confusing sports lingo. What I mean is he shot and hit the rim several times. He scored and after The Look, he puffed up his chest a bit and then it happened. He started to do a little dance. He did this little hand jive and I couldn't love him more. The Look AND a Dance. Today is was as Good As It Gets.

YIPPIE!!

We've talked about it, but then again we talk about alot of things. We hoped it would work out, but then again sometimes it doesn't. We take baby steps by requesting leave, but then stop the planning right then and there till last minute.....

We're going to Thailand!!

I am now officially excited! It's been a trip in the works for a while now but we could never commit to reservations. Researching the pros/cons, looking at 179 different hotel websites, google earthing the entire country to see locations, reading, talking to friends..... and then we did nothing.

Let me tell you a little something it's taken me almost 17 years to learn about my husband. He will sit on a idea for YEARS before making sure it's the best one, best time, and absolutely the best price. I have never seen a person read ebay listings so intently he actually remembers if the buyer is relisting an item or using a different posting name. He knew every online store's price by memory of cameras, lenses, and warranty information. Keith will shop in a mall all day long buying nothing so he can go home and compare prices and reviews before making a purchase. There isn't too much impulse buying with him. He knows what he wants, and he hardly ever settles for less than the best. It's a quality I've loved about him and his determination to get it. The best deal his YEARS of researching has gotten him..... ME! I kinda tease. Eight years before we got married, I'm just sayin. The writing was on the wall.

BUT today he made reservations! We have the tickets, hotels, and an itinerary made. I can't tell what has me so giddy (A) This is our first flying-family vacation! (B) The beaches are gorgeous (C) My skin will once again be able to absorb vitamin D!!! (D) Thai food is much better than Korean food (E) we'll temporarily be out of solitary apartment confinement (did you know it was 5 degrees this morning, not including the wind chill when I walked Cole down in the pitch dark to the bus stop?)

Speaking of, NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! I am so excited because it means no bus stop drop off before the sun rises. If you ask Cole why he has a four day weekend, he will tell you because it's "Marther Luther King's Birthday". Marther.... I love it.

Tonight Brad was pretty grumpy so I sent him to his room where he fell asleep before his 3 minute time out was finished. It was close to bed time so I left him there. Cole and I picked up and decided to watch a movie together. He cuddled with me on the couch and he spread his blanket over my legs. He talked through the whole movie about what he thought was funny and for about 59 minutes of the 110 minute movie, he had his little arm propped way up around my neck. It was As Good As It Gets.

As Good As It Gets

After writing yesterday's post about Cole's sweet face, I sat and thought about how precious this time and life really is. After so many New Year's Resolutions have already fell by the wayside (btw, Erin I haven't even started 8 minutes abs so can you fail something you never started?), I think this is one that should be easy to do. I'm going to start a better Gratitude Journal right here on this web-based baby journal. A journal within a journal - GENIUS! MUHAHAHAHAH Seriously, motherhood has eaten away my brain cells.

Let's return to the deepness of my post, to me... that picture in that moment in time was As Good As It Gets. So, when I experience moments that are As Good As It Gets I'm going to share them right here.

Before Keith went to work today and before Cole got home from school, it was us with Brad. We were able to tickle him and smother him with kisses together. The baby-belly giggle was in full swing. I'm not sure how many more times Brad will have that kind of jolly deep laugh. It was As Good As It Gets.

The Look

My little Colby Lee, in my honest, accurate and unbiased opinion, is a naturally gifted athlete. By the way, Colby Lee is a nickname Keith started calling him shortly after he was born. We called our dog Mickey, Mickey Lee. Of course it would transcend to our first born human child. Please don't hate us forever Cole.

Back to my topic and cold hard fact: my son loves sports. This age is so great because it's all so fun for him. There's no pressure, worries of commitments to HOURS of practice, no winning or losing. He enjoys the opportunity to run around with his friends. I think he even likes his cheering section.

Do you want to know my most favorite part about watching him play? After he scores or does something great, he immediately looks up and finds me. Then the greatest thing happens, he smiles. A smile that takes away all the frustrations and worries over motherhood and life. A smile that says all is right in the world. It's a second of pure happiness and he wants to share it with me! Oh, it melts my heart. It also insures that I will be at every game come rain or shine, just to see that face. I know my days are numbered. For one day right around the corner, he'll be looking up to see if some cute little girl is noticing his efforts. He'll want to know if she caught that awesome shot. In my head, I know that's a good thing. Little boys break away from their families to start ones of their own. It's how it's suppose to work. Somebody just tell my heart, because this will forever be mine:




This is what he did immediately following his first goal/points/shot ever in a game. Please God, freeze time right...... there! Mental note: Always sit directly behind the girlfriend! That way this smile will somewhat always point in my direction.

A Little Ahead of Myself

Ok, Survivor starts NEXT month. February 11th. If you need me to talk about Russell till then I could. I might even start a count down blinkie on the side of my web page, but we all know that I haven't the slightest idea on how to do that or if blinkie is even the correct terminology.

Since this blog is about the children anyway I suppose I could give a little update. They are perfectly content drowning in legos. You could sit or stand at any given point in my house and I'm willing to bet $1 that there will be a lego within sight. Legos are not the small block cubes of our yesteryear. They have gotten so small you can't pick them up with your fingers. It's better to lick your finger and press on top of the fraction size toy. I'm not kidding, tiny. I bought a large plastic bin to hold their collection and the most dreaded noise during my day is the dumping of THOUSANDS of little pieces all over the floor. Keith and I literally use a broom and dustpan to clean them up. Not to mention they are expensive. I tease Keith about his camera lens collection, but if I'm honest, the lego collection isn't too far behind in total amount spent. Ugg... it turns my stomach. You know how our economy crashed? ... young parents went from expensive Thomas the Trains right into Legos... kaboom. Can't pay the mortgage. Like my Aunt Be always says. Mr. Lego is a mother-hater.

Cole and Brad can spend ALL day with legos. In fact, it's the main thing they play with. If I locked up all the other toys in the house, at times I hardly think they would notice. Legos, Legos, Legos. They build "bases", for what I have no idea, but they are creative and play well together. It only slightly bothers me that they are bought in sets to make a specific pirate boat/Star Wars Ship/helicopter. We make it once and it never again will be seen in that intended purpose. They'll take it apart and use it for more "bases". I've tried to keep the instructions to no avail. Cole and Brad throw them out the first chance they get. Typical men. I've tried keeping each set separated, but it's worse than preschoolers with playdough... mixed together before you even have a chance to turn around.

It's bedtime. I'm off to sweep up legos and put my kids down. I might even try to get through Let Me Hold You Longer (the world's most heartbreaking parenting book. I'll Love You Forever doesn't hold a candle to this tear jerker, but that's another post for another time)

New Look and Topic of Interest

This is proof of how behind the times I am... I needed Keith's help to copy and paste from "The Cutest Blog on the Block" I must say thanks honey for helping me out, but I'm pretty sure that it might be a while before he willingly wants to listen to me complain that something isn't centered right or isn't pretty enough. So, I hope we all like it for now.

I also have a very important matter to discuss. It's always been a small part of my life until recently. Someone has sparked my interest in a way I could talk about for HOURS! His name is Russell and he's a reality tv contestant on Survivor. If you didn't get to watch last season, I can't emphasize how awesome this man is at playing the game. Mid-season I made Keith go back and watch all the previous episodes so he would know why his wife wouldn't stop talking about a dude named Russell. Keith also became entertained by him. I think all future friendships will start with the question "Do you love Russell from Survivor?" We can go from there.

Now you can't imagine my pure elation when it was announced that he will be returning for Survivors 20th Anniversary Season : Heros vs Villains. Jeff Probst even agrees Russell is hands down the greatest player ever in the history of the game. The plus is that the other has-beens coming back have NO IDEA of this guy's abilities. I am ready for tv greatness.

So set your dvr's, order it on itunes, or rush home for every show. I can't wait to discuss each week!! * I promise, no children are hurt or SEVERELY neglected during my tv watching addiction. (As long as we define hurt as blood drawn)

*only as long as Russell stays in the game. I'll pretty much stop watching once he leaves...... unless James is still on ;-) Holla!

Like vs. Love

This morning Cole randomly said "Cameron must be 7 years old now." Cameron Cool was his first little girlfriend back in Mountain Home. Naturally, I found out about this AFTER she moved away. Note to self - be a bit more invasive in his personal life for the teen years. He'll thank me for it later, I'm sure.

After all this time he still thinks of cute little Cameron. We talked a bit more and went about our morning. We had a birthday party to attend so I asked Cole to make the birthday girl a card. My exact instructions were like this:

"Cole, will you make a card for Audrey? We're going to her party after your game. She's a girl so make it girlie. Make sure it says Happy Birthday! Love, Cole"

Cole says:

"Love?... I don't love her. I don't even know her"

This is the result of my request:

You can see it's very girlish. Perfect for the princess party. No biggie... he worked on it and that's what he wanted to do.


The best was the inside:



I laughed so hard I almost kept the card myself. Happy something. I don't love you, but like will do, Cole. More literally I like the "happy like Cole" reading. That kid. I love him

Oh Yes I CanCan Can!!

I am so far out of shape it's not even funny. Or as the boys would say, "I'm out of shape like you read about!" This is the largest I've ever been without being pregnant. I'm also 33, unflexable, and have two huge attachments that scream DO NOT JUMP AND BOUNCE AROUND..... so what did I do?

I signed up to dance. Not just in a class behind closed doors. I signed up to preform in front of the whole chain of command. The OSC here had done a Wild West night for the past 30 years. Heather is in charge of the CanCan performance and I said "sure". I'm experienced, right??

HA! Today we did a little mini session to change up the routine and guess what I found out : I'm old. There might have been a real fear that I was going to break my ankle. There might have been a real fear that I would involuntarily pee my pants (thanks Cole and Brad). There might have been a real fear that people would see my muffin top jiggle more than the boobs bouncing. I'm afraid this will not be a pretty sight. To make matters even better.. we do this dance 4 times during the evening with lots of drinking in between. Disaster's in the air!

Happy New Year, What's My Talent

I guess my chattiness comes in waves. It appears I have had nothing to say the past month. Although my kids would beg to differ, I'm just kind of BLAH. Let me just say that Korea isn't as much fun when it's that cold outside. I guess I don't remember cold like this from Idaho. Or maybe the fact that Mountain Home had so much more stuff to do... figure that one out!

We have a case of the winter blues. I shouldn't complain after the near perfect and LONG fall, but I will. It's what I do. It's cold, and we're stuck inside a tiny apartment. We check the mail on base and that about wraps up our day. Life is boring and pretty groundhog day-ish. I hear it gets better come March. I'm counting down the days.

So today my husband and I touched on a subject he loves to bring up. Work. This is what you get when you marry a busy body. He's constantly thinking and scheming .... new business ideas, more school, buying, selling..... more, more, more. Me? I think about what color of toenail polish would make my feet prettier. Naturally in his constant state of planning he would like my future work plans once the kids are both in school. Umm, I dunno. He's talked about this for about 6 years and 3 months. Over and over.. I would say "please, just let me think about potty training" "please just let me worry about laundry, packing, moving, ect..." But the time has come for me to formulate something.

Listen. I left a job I loved. I left a job I would go back to in a heartbeat if it weren't for HIS job. If we settle back down into a place, I'm calling SWA as fast as my little fingers can dial. Which is pretty fast because of all the expert gaming I can do on the itouch.

See, there's been ladies here with talents who have side jobs. Christa did/does photography. She was so busy here in Korea. I'm not kidding... 2 shoots a day several days a week. She was good! Heather teaches gymnastics 2 days a week at the youth center. They are bringing home something, but they also have the talent to do that. This is where our conversation leads: What is my talent? Umm, I dunno. I can read a mean load of blogs. I could converse fully in Reality tv forums. I'm almost all expert in Build-A-Lot. I can make so-so crappy food. I can't even teach my 3 year old his colors. What's a girl to do? I'm talentless. I think I am just mediocre at several things. Not just one that I could pursue for an income. Some days I can't even manage this house and the boys who mess it up.

Keith says to go back to school. Interesting. And expensive. This is my plan and what I think I would really like. Substitute teaching. I would be in the schools with the boys. I would know their teachers and friends. I could see them and understand what is going on with their days. Class field trip? No problem, I don't hire in that day. It's something and still staying involved in the boys lives. That's all I want to be anyway. Their mom.

OR... I just have another baby and put this idea on the back burner for a few more years. I'm positive I'll have a talent by then ;-) In the mean time, I don't think this shade of blue is working out on my toes.