Anyone else wanting to have a baby for the love of German engineering?

I love Brooke Shields. I'm not a lesbian or anything, but I love her. She's gorgeous. She's smart. And adding to her resume...she's got dry humor under her belt! These commercials for the Volkswagon Routan are cracking me up! And...since I believe we'll be in the market for a new family car in the next year, I'll take it one step forward and give Volkswagon a honest-to-goodness Momorable Mention! I'll always be happy to give a public thumbs up to clever advertising. Brooke is convincing in this role and as luck has it, a quick tour around the Volkswagon website has convinced me she's actually pushing a pretty cool product!

The difference between a woman on a business trip and a man...

When my husband goes on a business trip he packs, kisses us goodbye, leaves, does his business, eats good food, drinks good beer, sleeps well and returns home, ready for some R&R.

When I go on a business trip I spend weeks prior detailing the ins and outs of our family's days on lists, spreadsheets, narratives and post-its for my husband and mother to use as a guide while I'm gone. I pack for me. I make sure everyone else in the house has appropriate clothing clean for the week I'm away. I clean the house so that the crap these people need on a daily basis is easy to fine. I prepare meal plans. I grocery shop. I barely sleep the night before. Cry as I kiss everyone goodbye and get on the plane absolutely exhausted. When I return, I'm refreshed, having thought my way through everything in the world during the past week uninterrupted. I've gained perspective on how much I love my family and how being so busy all of the time keeps me from just enjoying that. I read two books, both of which (unplanned) dealt with the death of parents and a partner so I'm in a sudden state of true appreciation. I've reaffirmed my relationship with God as we did a lot of talking through a "maintenance" issue on one of the flights that ended with the nervously chatting pilot slamming us into the ground.

When I walk in the door, I'm energized despite being tired. I want to talk about my trip. I wake up the kids so I can kiss them and tell them I'm home. I roll around on the floor for five full minutes when my dog, bless her elderly heart. I kiss my husband confidently. "I missed you so much!" Within minutes, he's asleep on the couch.

Anyone speak martian? Because after this yearly trip, I truly feel like I'm from Venus.

I missed my family despite flirting with the doorman at the hotel. I ate at a restuarant that I know hubby loves and toasted him over jack and gingers. I wandered the levels at Barney's gasping at the price tags on the $2500 Versace "little black dress" and $1200 Manolo Blahnik rhinestone strappy sandal. I saw an amazing show called Beach Blanket Babylon, which was a Plan B after the night tour at Alcatraz was booked. Hubby would have HATED it. I, on the other hand, LOVED it!

I worked hard, thoroughly soaking in the office environment I never get to experience anymore. I argued with a taxi driver who yelled at my friend. I thanked God as He provided a shoe repair shop literally minutes after I broke the strap on my new leather laptop travel bag. I calmed my friend as she grew really nervous about an odd character disrespecting our personal space while waiting for a train. I felt horribly guilty about missing the opportunity to chat with my girlies due to the stupid timezone difference. I left really hoping I'll get to take this trip next year.

When I ask hubby what he does on his trips, he says "nothing". *insert eye roll here*

What *is* the deal with airlines these days?

I've had to wackiest experiences with airlines lately.

My parents booked a flight from Wilmington to Orlando on Allegiant Air a few months ago. Their ticket price seemed pretty reasonable until we went through the checkout process. There is a fee per bag starting at the first. I believe it was $15 for the bag if you purchased the right to check it at the time you bought your ticket and $25 if you do it at the airport. Then when you attempted to choose a seat, each of them had an additional price. Those closer to the front were more. Seriously, if your ticket price isn't paying for your seat, what exactly does it pay for. Sure there's the gas, but without a seat to sit in, what good is the gas?

So this week I've been on the west coast for work. On my first flight, the crew kept telling us how limited overhead cabin space was. Folks were getting a little nutty about shoving crap in. Ladies and gentleman, if it doesn't fit, pushing it in harder won't change that. What humored me, though, is that the two first class compartments I could see were completely empty. I advised the guy sitting next to me to just go ahead and put it in there. He sounded confident when he said, "they usually get a little testy about that." And indeed they did. That was just before they pulled the little mesh curtain. *insert eye roll here*

On my second flight I was placed in a row of seats that were obviously not part of the original design. Imagine that there is about 10 inches of clearance between the seat's cushion edge to the back of the seat in front of it. That's enough room to slide in, perhaps move a bit to place your belongings below your seat and that's about it. In my seat, there was about 6 inches and let me tell ya folks...there barely enough room for sliding and certainly not enough room for moving at all. Niiiiiiiiiiiiice.

I was supposed to sit with a friend who was pregnant. Oddly she and I ended up separated and I'm envious! She was on the end, two rows from the bathroom. I was forced to become very close with my seatmates for five and a half hours as I was by the window. Can anyone say blot clot in the leg?

I suppose the bottom line is that I arrived safely and I shouldn't really complain. But it's hard when now I'm charged $2 for a beverage service, $7 for a boxed (and not-so-great) lunch, and no pretzels or peanuts whatsoever. Again people...five and a half hours!

I was charged $15 for a checked back and I'm sure to be charged for it again on the way home. I guess to make air travel economical in the future I will need to stand without taking anything along with me. That should be a fun trip!

*sigh*

Lindsey's Little Miracles

I know the chances are slim that anyone local is reading, but I have to write about an organization centered around a very little girl holding a very big event tomorrow. Lindsey's Little Miracles was founded by a friend of mine, Quaker Grubbs, whose daughter, Lindsey, was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer just after her first birthday. You can read their story on the site as my words could never do it justice. The gist is that Lindsey is considered NED (no evidence of disease) and if she maintains that status for the next few years, she's considered cured. If she does not, she will be considered terminal.

For the past two years, the Grubbs family has put together a huge fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation for local children. Even as I type it, I'm getting goosebumps.

I've known Grubbs family for a little over a year. My oldest daughter and Quaker's son were in the same preschool class. In one of our early conversations I actually said the words "you've lived through every parent's nightmare." to her when she talked about Lindsey's illness. In a later conversation, had over baby shower preparations for one of the teachers, I heard about how the diagnosis and treatment sent a ripple through the family.

I instinctively hold my breath when I think about the fears this family must face every day. Lindsey is a beautiful child in every way. She's bright. She's friendly. She's articulate. She's curious. She's snuggly. She lights up a room! I thought that long before I ever knew she was *thee* Lindsey of Lindsey's Little Miracles. When I did find out, I secretly cried.

I'm humbled by how the Grubbs family can channel the tears that must live somewhere below the surface into helping others. And darnit, they're productive at it!

I first send out my prayers to Miss Lindsey for her health. My next set go out to her family for their strength and peace. And last, I pray that the event tomorrow goes off without a hitch, including beautiful weather, and raises a ton of money for a very very worthy cause.

Sorry to keep referring back to their site, but if you'd like to attend the event or contribute, give it a click.

[photo courtesy of http://www.lindseyslittlemiracles.com/]

Why has the Supernanny never covered the "Java" technique?

For years and years, I have been decaffeinated. It started just after college when I was having horrible stomach issues. An ultrasound showed no issues and the doc's recommendation was to eliminate trigger foods one at a time to possibly identify the problem. It turns out, the offending food group was caffeine. Flash forward about 10 years, one year post-gallbladder-removal and I can enjoy a nice cup of coffee again without doubling over and weeping. Who knew I was such a delicate little flower and could detect an issue before it even shows up.

So last night my husband was out of town on business. Whenever he has these trips I always talk them up in my head. "I'm going to relax after the kids go to bed. Maybe I'll catch up on Lipstick Jungle and Project Runway. Maybe I'll pop in some Sex and the City DVDs. The possibilities are endless!" What actually ends up happening, invariably, is that I work well past my bedtime. Last night was no exception.

I typically like to hit the hay around 10:30 PM. We'll just say I saw AM on the clock before turning in this morning. And as luck would have it, five minutes after getting into bed I hear "Mommy...Mommmmy....MOMMMMMY!!" It turns out the little one wet her bed. :-( I take responsibility because I must have forgotten to ask her to use the potty before going to sleep. Poor kid. I'm kind of pleased I was still up, though, because I was better able to care for my little pee-pee princess with loads of compassion. She was lucky there was extra space in my bed. And believe me when I tell you she used every inch of her allotted amount and some of mine.

I don't recall actually sleeping last night. The alarm was set for 6:00 AM. I set two just in case one malfunctioned. I woke at 5:50 and decided to lay in bed until I heard beeping. What a glorious ten minutes of sleep that was.

Promptly after getting out of the shower, I indulged in a very large cup of freshly ground and pressed coffee. With its assistance, I was able to pack a lunch, get us three girls dressed and fed, and walk this whole crew to school. I was cheerful and efficient. And that's when it hit me. Coffee helps me be a better parent. Sure I'll pass out in a few hours once it's out of my system. Sure it gives me horrible breath for that "one last kiss" before school. And then there's the issue of stained teeth. But it's all good. For today anyway... Tomorrow is Saturday and I'm hopeful a few extra winks of sleep will alleviate the need for my new parenting crutch!

[photo courtesy of http://scienceblogs.com/retrospectacle/2007/08/science_vault_coffee_as_a_cure.php]

The joys of Facebook

Is it me or is Facebook the same as high school? I admit it, I'm late delving into the world of social networking. I created an account several months ago when one of my cousins dragged me in. There it sat, with no friends and no activity. I honestly forgot it had it. Then one day I get an email that someone else I knew "friended" me. Two weeks later another friend emailed about how fun it was, blah blah blah and off I dove into the sea of old friends, acquaintances, enemies and others.

It didn't take me long to find the graduating class at my high school. Just recently my mom asked me, "Do you think you'll ever go to a reunion?" My answer, "it's not very likely."

In high school I definitely had a group of friends, but the ones I've wanted to keep in touch with are on my speed dial. The rest I haven't talked to in about 10...okay okay...15 years and I'm okay with that. I wish them well. If I ran into them I'd love to have coffee and catch up. But I'm not really inclined to search them out.

On Facebook I've got a list of some of those people sitting in front of me waiting for me to friend. There are some folks I requested friendship from immediately. Usually the message sent with the request went something like "Kimmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" or "OMG! Remember that time we fill-in-the-blank?!"

The second layer of people were folks I was friendly with but it took some time for me to request their friendship. Thankfully I haven't been denied yet, though there are still many out there. I went to school in a small town. Some of these people I met in kindergarten and graduated with. Yet in high school, we merged with a few other towns and I basically lost them.

Since I live about 600 miles from the area I grew up in, and have since 8 weeks after graduation, I don't tend to run into these people. I've certainly never socialized with them beyond the prom. It's actually amazing to me how many of them stuck around!

So here I sit. I'm nearly 34 years old. I'm accomplished. I'm confident. I'm pretty much okay with who and what I am. So why do I care who I'm friends with on Facebook? *insert eye roll here*

i'm bloated

I was sitting at my younger daughter's dance class tonight, half reading a magazine, half listening to the conversation between another mom and her mother, who was sitting on a wicker bench beside me. Passed me toddled two adorable cherubs with the sweetest cheeks imaginable. I squinted through the sheer curtain of the studio every now and then trying to catch a glimpse of Miss Ballerina doing her thang. It was then that I caught the horrifying reflection of a very bloated girl who sees herself to be quite a bit more svelte in her own mirror.

I'm fat. I'm not self-pitying. I'm not self-defaming. I'm stating fact. Sad sad fact. When I was in high school I was never skinny, but I was fit. I danced. I twirled batons. I ran. I was active, busy and while not the best eater, a better eater than I am now.

I've just come off a party weekend. There is still a box of chocolates on my counter and spinach dip in my fridge. I feel like if I didn't eat for the next 48 hours, I'd be fine...and I ate dinner 3 hours ago. I wonder where this is all leading me? 200 lbs? 250? What will be my limit? Both of my brothers have had gastric by-pass surgery and a second "revision" because they were able to outsmart a bodily alteration. Our family history of obesity is pretty obvious. So is the history for heart disease and diabetes.

I got on a kick the week before last, almost desperate to find a personal trainer. It came as a result of watching The Biggest Loser. Oh how I wish I could do some version of that show for the slightly-less-than-shockingly-obese. I need a Jillian or a Bob. Here I am two weeks later and I've already discontinued working out, riddled with finding time again.

This would be the time for me to write about how I've got a new plan all together and ready to roll out. Something comprehensive that included diet and exercise changes. Yet as I'm sitting here, I feel unoptimistic. I don't know how my time issues will work out. I can definitely work on eating better...the first step being ridding my house of leftover homemade mac and cheese and ribs.

I'm a rational girl who can think clearly and lucidly about almost any topic. Rarely do my emotions get the better of my decision-making processes. Yet I can't seem to "just do" this. We all have our issues, I guess. I"d like to resolve this one, though. I don't like the reflection of the gal staring back at me in the reflection on the glass. She looked like a girl who is lazy. Someone who doesn't play with her kids. She looked unhappy. I could cast a lot of judgements on her.

Happy Birthday to hubby!

I'm thankful to report that our first round of fillings went really well. There was so anxious crying the morning of, but overall, the complaints have been minimal. Today we made our way over to Build-A-Bear workshop for a little reward. I'd really like to get off this bribing system for dental visits, but since I've got another appointment to go, I'll hang in there and keep my trap shut!

Today is my hubby's birthday and he's spent it with his sister, brother-in-law, two nieces, mom, mother-in-law, father-in-law, two daughters, me and two friends from Australian. Once upon a time, he would have balked about all the extra obligation on "his"day. But this year, he seemed genuinely grateful to have everyone around celebrating with him.

We had muffins for an early breakfast and a big brunch. Most of the family left and he, very open hearted, spent the next several hours with our international friends, walking around Broadway at the Beach. When we parted (they'll be traveling on tomorrow) he sincerely thanked them for visiting.

Normally family visits stress me out. I procrastinate in cleaning. I over-think schedules and overwork menus. Everything has to be *just so*. In short, I drive myself nuts. When one thing derails any part of it, I, personally derail. This weekend I made decisions that were good for me, and ultimately ended up being good for others. I went with the proverbial flow. I enjoyed the company of our guests. As a result, everyone involved walked away feeling content and pleased.

It's hubby's birthday, but I believe we're both growing up!