We All Need a Little Purple

I'm over at Being Savvy: Washington DC today with a mini review on Adventure Theatre's Harold and the Purple Crayon. Make the time to check out this production.

Getting it Together

I have a good reason for being MIA for almost a week. No, I'm not pregnant! You know which ones of you ask that.

I've been 'away' trying to pull it all together. My fall down the stairs last week began the downward spiral until....today. Minus the BlogHer conference, of course, which just gave me more action items.

My husband returned Wednesday on time and alive. But as one might imagine, returning from Afghanistan brings along some major jet lag. When he's up at 3 a.m. so am I. But I think we're finally back on a regular schedule. Him back also means a little readjustment for everyone back to yet another schedule. Funny how I find my groove while he's gone and it takes just as long to readjust.

There was lots of laundry to be done and cleaning, as well as errands I couldn't do when he was away. So I think we're finally back into a groove. Just in time for him to leave again. Super.

The big thing I'm tackling these days is our food situation. Our grocery bill is out of control. This from a woman who doesn't even keep track. But almost-daily trips to Trader Joe's isn't going to help us save up for a house. So I'm starting the menu plan. Thanks to a neighbor and my workout buddy, I think I'm all set until my enthusiasm wanes from this fad. I am actually writing down a menu for the week. Shopping for those items and FINALLY after so long organizing my recipes. After four days . . . OK, I know it's not that long, I finally feel the pressure is off. If I can just keep it up and make investment on the weekend to set it all up I think that will help with the dinnertime chaos.

So now I'm trying to catch up on blog posts and some writing (ones that actually pay) and move on.

The other news is that I think I'm just about ready to admit that I want to go back to work. I began looking at job postings this week and even with the economy the way it is I feel I need to start putting myself out there. After several different situations with my kids where they asked me to play, but that really meant 'just sit here while we play,' I decided it might be time. So we'll see how that goes.

Race Against the Preschool Clock

I'm over at DC Metro Moms today talking about trying to get everything done in the three hours my kids are at school.

What I Learned from BlogHer DC

I'm totally ripping this off of Jodifur. But with some link love, hopefully she won't mind.

I spent all day yesterday at the BlogHer DC conference. I signed up for this conference for several reasons. 1) It was in town. 2) It was a networking opportunity 3) I was trying to promote Baby Bunching 4) I might learn something new. All accomplished so it was a success. Added bonus: 8-hour break from my kids.

But this one-day conference taught me a few things I didn't expect.

1. As someone who used to be tech savvy, it was reinforced that I am indeed technically challenged. In my 20s I never would have thought I would say that. New goal: get caught up!

2. I still don't get Twitter. But I'm trying. Come follow me as "babybuncher."

3. I really want an Iphone.

4. I want to blog for a living. It's a perfect mesh of my skills--journalist, PR/marketing, ranting about random things. Will someone pay me to do this, please?

5. DC Metro Moms are a fun bunch.

6. I have lost all ability to small talk. Several times I said things to people I know, and many I don't know, and I wish I could have stuck my foot in my mouth. I really must work on this. I am apologizing to Devra, Amiee, Diana, and Stacy for random stupid things I said.

7. I think I may be ready to go back to work, but only after I get back up on technology and learn to stop saying stupid things.

8. There are many amazing women out there blogging....about things other than their kids. Who knew??

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

I wasn't sure how to write up this day so I decided to divide it into three sections: The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.

The Good. Today is Saturday, traditionally one of the more difficult days when hubby is out of town. I had planned ahead and bought tickets to Harold and the Purple Crayon at Glen Echo's Adventure Theatre. It was fantastic. My kids absolutely loved it--as did I. The good part: the best my kids were today was during the 55-minute play. I guess I should be proud and excited that I had at least that break.

The Bad. I knew I was in trouble when before 8 a.m. Anna and I were already arguing--about cereal, yogurt, clothes, the weather. We were set to go to the play. I packed a picnic (see, I'm not a mean mommy, even if she says I am.) So we headed out for the day. I had to listen to fighting the whole way there. I put them in time out right before the play. And I had to chase Anna down as she sprinted out of the theater and headed down the hill.

The highlight was when Anna spotted an overweight man walking into the theater and calls out "Mommy, it's a fat man!" Twice. We had fights the whole way to the car and the whole way home. I was exhausted by the time we arrived home.

The Ugly. Just as I put everyone down for a nap, I fell down the stairs. It was bad. I cried. After peeling myself off the floor and thinking this was going to hurt tomorrow, I thought, "Dammit, how will I attempt the gym tomorrow?" Seriously, I was looking forward to my Sunday morning workout. ARGH! Then I looked in the mirror. It was bad. I was cut up and bruised--blue, purple, green. Bad! Too much Grey's Anatomy has me thinking about internal bleeding and whether I'll survive or not. See, there really is only room for one drama queen in this house and it's me! So after an ice pack, some Arnica cream, Advil and wishing for a drink, the kids were up. I showed them what happened--hoping for some sympathy which I did get from my son. He felt so bad and offered me a big hug. Anna? Do you know Anna's response? She looked at me and started crying, screaming in fact. When I asked what was wrong? She told me her arm was asleep and it hurt so bad. [Pause]

Do you know what she was doing? She was trying to outdo me. I'm not kidding because between tears and pants she opened an eye to make sure I was watching. And then sobbed some more and fell on the ground.

And now I'm off to bed with an extra dose of Advil.

Hubby Away, We Play

Once again, we're faced with Andrew being out of town. Only difference this time, he's in an unsafe place. So while the inconvenience of him being gone is still there, is safety is really my top priority. To help me not think about the situation, we have filled our schedule to the brim with activities. I can't believe he's already been gone for four days.

First off, I have to thank my friends who have come to the rescue and invited me just about everywhere this week. And, truth be told, I have taken most of them up on their generous offers of playdates, dinner and happy hour (with kids). Thank God for preschool which at least gives me some kind of break during the day to get things done. I don't know how I did it before without school. Oh yeah, I went crazy and hired babysitters. Funny how that works.

I am excited because Saturday we'll be going to see Harold and the Purple Crayon at the Adventure Theatre. My kids don't really know what a play is. They think we're going to the movies. Ha! I hope it's good. Then Monday I'm attending the local BlogHer conference here in town. Can I just say I am super excited about this? My parents agreed to come up and take my kids for a whole freakin' day while I network and smooze and pretend to be a real person again. [Squeal]

So while he's away in some remote part of the world with iffy running water, we're making the best of it here by playing with friends, watching extra movies and spending some fun time together.

Despite all of that....I can't wait for him to be home.

I Got Kisses Today

My daughter is a very touchy, lovey little girl--always wanting to be held and cuddled. It was nice after having my son who really never wanted to be held. I savor the moments where he wants to sit with me. This morning as he got out of the car for school, he unbuckled his seat belt and came up to give me, not just one, but a string of kisses. I feel so blessed followed by "I'll miss you at school today, mommy." My heart melted.