Frozen Peaches

Not sure how this is possible in Atlanta...but we are expecting snow on Sunday. March 1st.

Talk amongst yourselves. I am off to pop some more pills and make out with my heating pad.

Adding it Up

You all knew I threw out my back on Saturday. Yes, I was foolish enough to move the washing machine in an attempt to repair it. Which I was unsuccessful at.
Goodbye $177.95 to the repair professional.

I have been battling ithe back situation from Hell since then and have left the house all of 2 times, once to go to the Doctor and once to go to the grocery store/pharmacy/my office.

Doc says it's bad news bears. L4 and L5 are all wackadoo and it's spasming. Isn't that fun to read? She prescribed Darvocet, Flexiril (there are like 4 spellings, I checked) and Lidocaine patches. Goodbye $15 co-pay. Goodbye $35 in meds.

The Darvocet, while making me feel loverly back-wise, makes me nauseous to the point of ahem, vomiting. Except I can't bend over or kneel down.

So, there I was, standing over the commode vomiting.
When I started to cry because it's all so very frustrating.

And my contact fell out into the commode.

Flush. Goodbye $26 contact.

Birthday Ideas

So, the minis and I all have spring birthdays. (Tangentially, I am 33 and I still can't get past the "don't capitalize the seasons of the year rule. Seems wrong.) And when I say spring birthdays, I mean the 3 of us have birthday within 10 days! Yep, that's correct. Clemsongirl and both the minis are Aries. Explains a whole bunch, doesn't it!?

In any case, The Monogrammed Gift has some of the cutest gifts EVER and you know how I love to share a good find. I may or may not have been shopping for things that I'd love to have! I mean people can't just guess what you want...sometimes you have to tell them!

The bonus is that if you enter CLEMSONGIRL as your code, she'll give you a 10% discount!

I love these flower pots! I think I want a one for my front porch in between my 2 wrought iron chairs. It's almost time to start planting in containers here in Atlanta and this seems like something I simply can't live without! Plus, I'm pretty sure even if you don't have a green thumb, flowers or plants will look great in this pot anyway! I like the black with white, but she offers a whole mess of pot colors and monogram colors. Swooooon.

These pillowcases are too stinking cute. My minis are fabulous sleepers and they should be rewarded with these! She shows them as school names and colors, but I think they'd be just as darling with "Jack" and "Ryan" and the big initial, right? Hmmm...Ryan's bedding is red and navy, Jack's is khaki and green...I'm just saying!

You girlies know I am an avid reader and these acrylic bookmarks are too fun! Plus, I was thinking that since they are covered, they would be a great choice for marking a page in a cookbook. They wipe clean...sheesh, I am a genius this morning! Must be the narcotics I am ingesting for the back situation...which is marginal at best!

These water bottles have long been my favorite. (Not that I plan to fill mine with boring old WATER! hee hee) The have the embroidered insert (I dig the pink whale!) but the cool part is that the bottom unscrews and you can put your keys and your VS Cherry Bomb lip gloss in there! If you're a gym girl, it's perfect. Who wants to leave your keys in that nasty bowl on the reception desk? Bleh. If you're a beach girl (pick me!) You can stick a $20 and your lip gloss in there and call it a day! These inserts are cute with monograms, too. I'm thinking teacher gifts...OK, I lied. I am thinking I want one for myself!

I know this is a silly thing to say, but these towels totally look like my minis. Fair, fair skinned and big ole smiles! I love this one! I think with their names underneath, this is such a great birthday present. I get so tired of showing up at a party with another toy, this is something that will really get used after the bath. My boys also don't love using a HUGE beach towel, so this is a great alternative for them for the beach...where we are headed in just a few weeks! Hmmmm...

Now, if I was a really good friend, I'd post a photo of my absolute favorite thing on her entire site. But I am a selfish and mean,nastyClemsongirl and I am going to make you find it yourself. It is a monogrammed baseball hat! I may or may not INSIST that she makes me a light pink one IMMEDIATELY to get me through baseball season. And white... I wonder if she has white...

Don't forget to enter "CLEMSONGIRL" to get your discount!

Family Business

We've really tried not to let Coach's job overpower our entire family. The minis and I don't live and die by the wins and losses each season. Until the past 2 years, the children have been so young, they didn't really "get it" at all. We want them to enjoy baseball, not to see it as the thing that takes Daddy away.

Children of college coaches often either adore that sport and see it as a way to connect with their Dad, or they absolutely despise it. In either case, it's all too much and we're attempting to achieve some moderation.

This morning at breakfast, this was our conversation.

Me: "Boys, remember to tell Daddy good luck at his game today."
Jack: "What game?"
Ryan: "Yeah, what game? Is Daddy playing 'Sorry' with us?"
Me: "No. Daddy's baseball game. Daddy has a baseball game today."
Ryan: "Oh, OK. Uh, good luck Daddy."
Jack: "Daddy? Can you play Sorry with us when you get home?"

Operation: Not letting the children get over involved.
Mission: Accomplished.

This is Me

Seriously, this is me. My back is ALL. DONE.

Writer's Workshop

"Caden's mom has to take me home today because my

mom's back hurts from pulling out

the dryer and from washing the floor.

-Jack, age 5

I really could have skipped posting earlier and just waited for Jack to come home from school. He did this in Writer's Workshop in Kindergarten today. Sums it all up rather nicely. Oh, and Caden's mom? Yeah, she's just as cute in real life as Jack drew her in the picture.

Backwards

I've thrown out my back moving the washing machine in an attempt to fix a broken belt. Washer wasn't spinning, so I just knew in my overconfidence that I could correct it. Truly? How hard could it be? I've created 2 children, surely I can fix a silly little Kenmore washer.

Notsomuch.

Downloaded the You Tube video on Saturday morning with the instructions on repairing said belt. Because really, there's no more reliable place for appliance information than You Tube. You can also get directions on how to cook meth...but hey, I am an equal opportunity web surfer. Moved the washer out into the center of the laundry room, hands and knees scrubbed the floor behind it.

Clemsongirl's Back = out of commission.
Clemsongirl = incredibly uncomfortable, yet still needing to work and parent.

A professional (which I am clearly not!) is coming to repair it between 11-2. Prime napping hours when you are hopped up on...Advil and lying on a heating pad/ice compress rotation situation.

The worst part is that I was totally being a laundry overachiever. There weren't any dirty clothes, so I figured I'd wash some spare bedding, etc that we had been using for the minis' "Movie Nights". I think the quilt was just too much for the agitator.

I suppose it's better than the time I was at the outlets in Nashville with a newborn and a 2 year old and my back went out.

Noonish

It's not quite noon.

I am already thinking about bedtime. For both the minis and for me.

Is that jacked up or what?

Tweet Tweet

Check me out on www.twitter.com

I am "clemsonjenn"...

That's how I roll.

It Begins

Coach leaves Friday morning for the first of many road trips this baseball season.

I've got two 36 packs of Diet Coke at the ready. Which should get me throught this weekend at best.

I am going to need a stack of books and a list of movies to rent over the next 4 long, tedious, Coach-free months. Yes, you read that correctly. Baseball season is 56 games.

Leave me a comment with your reading/watching suggestions! Keep this in mind though, I don't do Sci Fi or shoot 'em up movies.

'Cause I am girly like that.

Don't Forget

Tomorrow is the deadline to enter Preppy Paper Girl's Lilly stationery giveaway!

Click here to enter and tell her Clemsongirl sent you!

Multiple Personalities

3 weeks ago I was Snow White.

Today I am Cinderella. Pre-ball Cinderella.

Cleaning and Scrubbing like a washer woman. It IS Wednesday afterall.

Cinderella, dressed in yella', went upstairs to...

run the vacuum.

Lilly Giveaway!

Preppy Paper Girl is having a giveaway! It's my favorite kind of giveaway, you choose the prize! She's giving away 3 generous gift certificates so you can choose the Lilly items you love best! Leave her a comment and tell her Clemsongirl sent you and you'll be entered twice!

Click here and tell her Clemsongirl sent you!

Photographic Evidence

Photographic evidence that I rocked it today. Seriously? I took the minis to ALL of the following places today. With smiles and sweetness, both of which I have been lacking lately.

Georgia Aquarium

World of Coca-Cola

IKEA (they LOVE this place!)

Atlantic Station

Sam Flax (art supply store they adore)

Marietta Diner

Dude. They love me so much today they made me necklaces and bracelets out of paper.

World of Coke. Yes, I let them try all 65 drinks. This is my 5 year old, Sir Burps-a-lot.

Ryan was notsomuchloving this one!

So damn cute. That tongue kills me every time!


Dunno what these are. Big artistic Coke bottles or some such things.

The skeleton of some whale or shark or something.

Check out Ryan with the GQ pose!

John Pemberton. My hero. Inventor of Coke and thusly...Dietwhateversonsale!

Aptly named Pemberton Place downtown Atlanta.

Below is the series of text messages I had with Coach during the day and evening. He was at work. The minis ADORE him and generally think that I suck. Today was my attempt to redeem myself and of course, rub it in to him. Here are the text messages. Please note, he is very, very funny via text. Now that he's got a full QWERTY keyboard...heehee

Coach: how's it going?

Me: fantastic their behavior is perfect!

Coach: well, that's good news

Me: I need you to bring home soda.

Coach: what you need is a kick in the pants, that's what you need

Me: that's helpful

Coach: well, i try

Me: bite me

Coach: simmer down

Me: btw...i am totally the favorite after today

Coach: for one day maybe

Me: ouch

I love my life. Really, I do. I'm going to keep repeating that until I believe it!

February 14th

Happy "I was alone with the children all damn day and night and they were really, really bad and they were acting so bad I made them take naps for the first time in 2 years and then they woke up and made a big, hairy mess in my house and I made them food which they barely ate and I didn't even get a shower plus we're out of dishwasher tabs which means I have to handwash a bunch of stuff and I ate old, leftover pizza for lunch and dinner plus they don't have school on Monday so that means another 2 days of this crap" Day!

Bleh.

Huh

I am busy being all PTA today, although it's going great...so far!

I had some extra time so I hit the drive through and then went to pump gas. After I pumped said gas, I couldn't find my food.

That's because I left the drive through without it.

Moron.

Twist and Shout

Today is the 3rd annual Sock Hop at Jack's school.

I am out the door to pick up balloons and such and decorate my fool head off. I am wearing a sports bra, because PTA is pretty much an athletic event.

See you this afternoon!

Bring your poodle skirt!

Shit Happens

OK, it's early and I can't find an actual video of this song worth a decent camera job, but...it's a new song that just got my attention. You'll love it, pinky swear.

It's Sugarland, called "It Happens".

Here's the you tube link with lyrics...also? My PC speakers are broken, so let me know if it works!

Sleepy

I have often referred to myself as the Sleep Nazi. It's an endearing term, much like calling someone a shoe whore. I have explained my children's sleep patterns 100s of times to people since they were babies. Trust me. Of this I know.

I am used to the questions and the criticism. I am correct though, and I thought I'd let you all know that. I am rarely giving out advice on the blog, unless it's about Magic Pants or lip gloss, however...

Got this comment on this morning's post:

To bed at 6:40? I just couldn't do that to my kids. What time do they get up?...4am?? I would just feel like I haven't seen them all day and then I'm shipping them off to bed. Where's the quality time? The teachers spend more time with your kids per day than you do. Not picking on you, just wondering. Maria in SC

Children the minis' ages are supposed to get 10-12 hours of sleep each day. Mine get up at 6:30am to leave for school at 7:00am. They shower and have a yummy breakfast before my husband drives them to school.

I pick my children up from school at 2pm, so I'm all set on the quality time. Keeping them up past 7 would be irresponsible on my part. My children are tired. Thus, that bedtime for our family.

My children don't melt down from being overtired and they don't struggle through the school day because they didn't get a good night's sleep. We don't make exceptions on weekends or special occasions. (Except that one time at the Magic Kingdom with Coach...and that ended very badly! ha ha ha) They don't "stay up late" as a reward. Ever.

If they are in school from 7-2, that's 7 hours at school. If I was trying to "be with them more than their teachers" then I would have to keep them awake until past 9pm. That's ridiculous for 5 and 7 year olds.

Sleep is a hugely important issue in my house. Children are better learners, can focus more and are able to better fight infection when they get proper amounts of sleep. I am certain that if you asked your Pediatrician, they would tell you that 10-12 hours for that age range is ideal.
Here's the reality. My children kick ass. They get up in the morning happy and rested and ready to take on a day at school. So it works for us to put them to bed around 7ish, or earlier if needed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that lack of sleep can contribute to anxiety and depression, night terrors, obesity, diabetes, and immune deficiencies. Clemsongirl says it makes my children crabby.

In either case? I am correct on this issue. Research, expert medical professionals, experience and common sense tells me so.

That's the beauty of parenthood. They are my damn children.

Downside

So I love Mondays. We've established that in the last 2 posts, yes?

Well, I'm not a fan of Tuesdays.

It's the day BEFORE cleaning day and the Casa de Chaos is looking a little rough around the edges.

It's not the beginning, middle or end of the week...it's just Tuesday. Bleh.

The children are exhausted on Tuesday mornings regardless of what time they went to bed on Monday night (last night? 6:40!)

It's "training day" at my office. Which means a voluntary training/ed class every Tuesday at 9:30am. If I don't want to attend said training, my office is still right across the hall from the training room, so I look rude not going.

So there you go.

Happy friggin' Tuesday.

Lucy?

Lucy? You've got some 'splaining to do.

I love Mondays, here's why.

It's a fresh start for the week. I haven't screwed anything up yet.
The children are back in school.
Coach is not terribly late coming home on Mondays, maybe 8ish
All of the laundry is done.
Clothes are set out for the next 5 days.
Grocery shopping is done.
The monogrammed minivan is clean from a Sunday spa treatment.

Did I mention that the children are back in school?

Monday

Am I the only person in the world that loves Mondays?

Magic

The birthday girl and me at her Princess Tea Party last Sunday.

You will ignore my crow's feet.

Photos courtesy of Little Slice of Life.
Seriously? If she can make a 33 year old

Snow White wanna be look this good...
imagine her talent level!

Fired Up

I am still a little fuzzy on the details, but here's what I know.

Came home from a very long day around 5:30pm. Opened the garage door and hustled the children in. Went directly upstairs and got on the computer.

A few minutes later I heard voices in my front yard. I looked out the window and several of my neighbors were standing outside my porch. "Clemsongirl, WHAT HAPPENED??" Huh? I am Facebooking, I have no freaking idea what they are talking about. That's because I am evidently blind.

Turns out that around 12 noon today, the eleven-ish year old boy next door who had "missed the bus" and was "just playing on the computer" saw smoke in his back yard. An enormous fire ensued and traveled the width of their back yard and around either side to our fence and the neighbors on the other side.

Another neighbor, who happens to be a (super HOT) firefighter, also saw the smoke and ran over. He, the postal carrier and another man attacked the fire with a broom, shovel and water hose until the Engine #11 arrived. Essentially, he saved my house and everything in it. Did I mention that he is HOT?! I think I better (im)properly thank him!

No one was hurt, and the damage appears to be minimal. Of course, I've filed an insurance claim already. The 3 yards now boast black, smoldered grass and we may need a new fence on one side. My assumption is that we also have a little neighbor boy who will be grounded for the majority of his life.

Coach came home and I filled him in. I said I couldn't imagine if we had lost our photos, etc.
Coach said he was mostly thinking about how "bummed" he would have been if he had lost all his clothes. "Took me like 3 years to work out this look. I would have had to wear this outfit to work for like, a week!"

Seriously? The man was sweating a bunch of UnderArmour clothes, 84,000 pairs of trainers, and a few pair of Ralph Lauren khakis.

How silly of me to be thinking of the children's school work, our scrapbooks, etc.

Thursday

Want to buy a house in Metro Atlanta? I'm your (Clemson)girl.

Bleh

I am sick.

Someone fix this. Immediately.

Neighborly

My neighbor from across the street, Ahmed, came over today to ask a favor.

Seems that he was in India for the last 4 weeks; he got married to his sweetheart! In any case, upon his return, one of his cars wouldn't start. He was wondering if I could pull the monogrammed minivan up next to his car and jump start his battery.

I said I'd be glad to, but there was one small problem. I had to pick Ryan up from school unexpectedly and didn't have a chance to stop and fill up my tank. I was on Empty, and really was concerned that I might run out of gas if I kept the minivan running while his battery charged. I told him that.

We both immediately burst out laughing. If there was anyone who would be able to solve the problem of me running out of gas, it would be my sweet neighbor, Ahmed.

Seeing that he OWNS the Chevron up the street and all.

Just Thinking

We're going to have to come up with a super cute outfit, which may require me to stop eating Pringles, to wear to the Springsteen concert in April.

I don't go all black tank rocker-chick though.

This is what I wore to his show in August...

The Ticket Master

Just bought 2 tickets to the Springsteen concert in April.

Have I mentioned lately that Coach is perhaps the biggest Springsteen fan. Like, ever?

Self-Loathing

Evidently I am a totally self-loathing masochist. With 4 brain cells.

I decided in all my glory, that I would take the minis to do the weekly grocery shopping on Superbowl Sunday. With resounding levels of PMS and at SuperWalmart. (Please click here for another WalMart situation involving a marriage proposal to yours truly.)

What the HELL was I thinking? I realized my folly just after Jack made way for the water fountain and I declared the public toilet a cleaner option. (I did not allow him to drink out of either, but thanks for asking!)

They were out of tomatoes, my bread and freaking CAULIFLOWER?! Dude. I only achieved 80% of my list. All million people there were barefoot and loud and had quite possibly never been in a grocery store before. No regard whatsoever for the "keep your damn buggy on the right hand side of the aisle" rule. People? This is not England. Don't drive your damn buggy on the left. Sheesh. I will move it and NO, I don't care if someone steals your pleather pocketbook you've left in the child seat. Maintain your shi-ot today people.

Also? I'm not a fan of you touching me, under the guise of "Oh, I just need to reach this one thing..." Wait your friggin turn.

At the checkout there were, um, 84,000 people in every lane except self-checkout.

Shut up. I know what you're thinking. Self checkout...bad plan...children...blah blah blah.

In any case...by the time I had unloaded my buggy and managed to get everything (almost) scanned, the damn mozzarella cheese wouldn't ring up.

"Dude." I gave the self checkout chaperone worker my most serious evil eye. "Dude, if you don't get this cheese to scan in 2.4 seconds, I can promise you a murder/suicide right here in the self checkout. I am talking full length Lifetime special. Mother of 2 goes absolutely ape shit in Cobb County SuperWalmart. Not. Kidding. I am WAITING!"

Lucky for him and those behind me in line, cheese was successfully added to my $109.46 order and I busted out of there without a backwards glance.

Of course, couldn't find the freaking monogrammed minivan in the parking lot. Ryan said, "Uh Mom? Did you forget that Walmart makes you all stabby?" and then he and Jack burst into peals of irritating laughter.

I pulled out of that parking spot and popped open a can of Pringles, which I may or may not have hoovered through a decent amount of before I even got to Barrett Parkway.

Now, I am getting ready to make an appearance as Snow White at a 4 year old's birthday party.

Because, really? What little girl doesn't want a bloated, crabby, PMSing Snow White who smells like Pringles at her Tea Party?