Compassion...it's what we all need.

Angie Smith over at Bring the Rain is currently on a Compassion trip for Bloggers to India.  Her posts each day are so touching, and so informative.  But her first post, Name, really hit home.  Please, go read her story as she shares it.  You can also read the other bloggers posts at CompassionBloggers. 

What happened to Spring?

We often joke in the Mid-Atlantic that we don't relly have Spring...but we normally have at least a few nice days between the bitter cold and Africa Hot weather.  Apparently Mother Nature is going through the change and is having major hot flashes.  It was in the 40's/50's for the highs through last Thursday, and then in the 90's this weekend.  That is almost double the temperature.  It has been insane, but it's supposed to be a short lived 4 day streak, with thunderstorms and lower temps (woo hoo 60's) coming Wed.  So far I've refrained from turning on the AC, and this morning it was downright pleasant for sleeping, but tonight it's back to the oven.  Thank goodness we have a nice, cool basement we can hide in.  Play area, tv, craft area and table for the laptop.  We even ate dinner down there (leftovers heated in the microwave, then water ice cups...not the healthiest, but it's too hot to cook.)

This is a busy week here (they all are, but this is worse than usual.)  Tomorrow, PB has her Maypole parent's dress rehearsal night and Monster has Martial Arts.  Thank goodness for family.  Wednesday I have to meet Monster's Title One Teacher for Reading (about stinking time) and Thursday?  I think we might actually be free.  But Friday night we have another Maypole practice, and a cookie/cake decorating class, then Saturday is the festival with parade (which I believe both children will be walking in...which mean I'm walking as well and Maypole, I'm going out for my birthday with friends and the kids are getting individual time with the mother and mother-in-law (divide and conquer is the theme here.) Sunday is my birthday, and PB has to play bells at early service for church.  Then lunch/dinner with the whole fam.  Whew, I need a nap just thinking about all of that.

Is school out yet?  I'm ready for summer break.

Road Trip to Washington, DC (Part 1)

We actually went to Washington, DC twice during my husbands two weeks leave. The first trip was literally the day after he came home. It was a bus trip arranged by the military 4H club to celebrate Month of the Military Child. It was Cherry Blossom Festival time, and we were dropped off just a block or so from the parade. Unfortunately, it took a little longer to get there than planned, and the parade was about to start, so the parade route was completely blocked by onlookers. We are nothing if not creative, and we quickly decided the steps of the FTC building would make a good vantage point.

See those people up on the high part? That's the rest of the family. It was so windy, and it was pretty high up, and the Monster refused to sit still, so the two of us climbed back down and went exploring on our own. DDS was able to take some nice shots of the parade, and maybe he'll upload them to Flickr at some point. But really, a parade is a parade, and unless I know people in it, I don't get excited. Monster apparently gets that from me, and we had a much better time searching for dandelions, climbing on statues, and just enjoying the day.

Finally, everyone was tired of the parade, and our group adventures began.

We wandered towards the Capital, since that was our next scheduled stop. We had to stop along the way and enjoy the Cherry Blossoms and some large rocks.

Then a visit to the Capital Building.

We gave Monster daddy's point and shoot camera to use while we were in DC and he took some nice photos. But my favorite was when he handed me the camera and asked me to take a picture of him.

After that, we had lunch in the Capital Cafeteria. Then we headed to the Air and Space Museum, since that was our bus pick up site. We explored a few of the rooms, did a few of the hands on activities,

then happily boarded the bus or home, exhausted.

It's spring, and I need a handyman

How do the days go by so fast but so slow at the same time.  I have so many things to write about, but by the time I've done the necessary chores, I'm so tired I just want to sleep.  And the words are backing up and I feel like if I don't get them out, I'm going to explode.  But then I sit down to write and I can't decide where to start, what to write about. 

I always feel a little spoiled when I talk about having a cleaning lady, especially in this economy.  But I seriously don't know how I would manage without her.  She comes every other week and scrubs my house.  This gives me the time I need to handle the other chores like laundry, dishes and such.  And coming home to that clean house is such a great feeling.  I will give up a lot to be able to afford her, but the truth is my husband's job is economy proof right now, and the extra money they get is there to help us adjust without them home. 

But I really need to find someone to help with the manly chores.  We have a distinct shortage of men in our family, and the few we do have aren't the handiest.  Today I fought with the lawnmower and weedeater, until I just decided I wasn't meant to mow.  Luckily my SIL mowed the front yard yesterday, and the neighbor has offered to mow for me when he mows his yard, so that will be one less thing for me to worry about.  I really don't mind mowing, but finding the time is hard.  And weedeating sucks.  This need is hitting home this weekend in my mind, and I dreamed this morning that someone hired a man for me while my husband is deployed.  I was so excited to have the "honey do" list getting whittled down, it was ridiculous.  (this is even funnier, since I rarely remember dreaming.  I've actually been told by a doctor that I probably don't dream, as I fall into deep sleep quickly most nights.  Sleep truly is my drug of choice...lol)

I'm hoping to get a few more things accomplished this weekend, and I'm hoping to find the time and desire to write.  I have lots of adventures to share.  In the meantime, I hear the laundry calling my name, and the dishwasher is joining in at the chorus.  Unfortunately for them, my bed's music is much more alluring, and harder to deny.

Feels like starting over...but not.

So this is the first day of the last six months.  And it seems a lot like the days a month or so ago.  But now the 6 months looms ahead. 

I started running through the activities of the week in my mind the other night, and before I knew it, I was at the start of next school year.  We have several busy months coming up, and the time will pass quickly, I know.

But today was rainy, and chilly, and Monday, and the day after I dropped him off at the airport.  Not a good day.

So dinner was potato soup and salad...it was easy and we had the ingredients on hand.

And now I wish the dishes would load themselves.  I need to get off my butt and do it myself so I can go to bed.

Thank goodness someone else cooks for us tomorrow night.

And with that, I will load my dishes, and trudge up to my bed alone.  That's one of the suckiest parts.

Vacation...of a sorts

My hubby was home for his two weeks of mid-tour leave, and left today to begin his journey back to Iraq.  We packed those two weeks with a lot of fun, and I have a lot to write about over the next few days.  We went to Washington, DC twice and met the Vice President once.  We went to New York and saw Wicked on Broadway.  We rode the motorcyle and finished projects in Monster's room.  We snuggled and laughed and talked and held hands.  It was almost like he hadn't been gone.

But tonight, I'm just trying to focus on getting through, and starting the second half of this deployment.  Of course we know we can handle it...we've been handling it for the past six months just fine.  But the next few weeks is going to be tough for us all.  We have to relocate that groove, and not focus on how much longer we have to get through.

So come back over the next few days and hear about the excitement!

7 days - in pictures

I'm participating in the 7 days run again this spring...and it's been fun!  Here's my shots so far.

Day 1

I was running all day Sat. and had originally planned a shot with my son in the mirror during martial arts.  But I didn't sit in the right spot, and I was running late, and I forgot.  So this is me kicked back that night.

Day 2

My hubby sent me flowers a couple of weeks ago, and these are the ones that were still alive, with a few daffodils added in.  The theme this day was Yellow.

Day 3

My son did such a great job Saturday that I promised him a new uniform.  Here I am hemming it by 5 inches so he can where it the next day.

Day 4

I was working very hard trying to get our paperwork organized and some general straightening done.

Day 5

Today's theme was fool.  I ran into the wall and dropped my ice.  Seems like a clumsy fool to me.

Day  6

And this is today's.  I'm sick, and I was contemplating a mikshake.  Too much work, so I had ice cream in a bowl instead.

Tomorrow's special shot will be a picture with my hubby...who will be home for his two week R/R.  YAYAYAYAYAYAAY!

sewing like a maniac

So, the plan for this evening was to come home, have some dinner, and do a little straightening.

Instead I spent it working on PB's Maypole costume.  Since they informed us tonight that we had to have costumes done by Friday morning for yearbook pics.  Good thing I was prepared and had it all cut out.  But it's going to be so cute...and she will look darling in it!

HEEEE YAAAA!

My baby boy participated in belt testing for Martial Arts today.  It was his first testing, and he made me so stinkin proud.  Monster loves Martial Arts, and he seems to have a natural affinity for it.  I'm glad he was able to find an activity that suits him.  I was frustrated that he is so much more advanced already than the belt he could test for, but since patience is a big part of this, I guess it's good to wait.  And wait he will have to do....he doesn't get his belt until class next week.

GiST I dunno what number

and I'm too lazy to go look...

1. That last week is over...it seriously kicked my butt,
2. That spring is coming. Flowers are blooming. Hurray.
3. Today is my mommy's bday.
4. Today is PB's half birthday.
5. The sun is shining.

Needing a little Grace

Today was a difficult day. I work for the State Government. Our newly elected Governor gave his first budget presentation today. Rumors have been flying for several weeks that state employees were going to be furloughed, that we are going to have to pay more for our benefits, that we might have layoffs. This afternoon was the announcement that we are all going to take an 8% cut in our pay and pay more for our benefits. The expected net decrease in our pay is 10%. This means that our payscales are being reversed by 7 years. We will be making today what we made in 2002. And yes, I realize that we are still employed. But this may not be the end. If revenues continue to tank, they will cut more. Not layoffs, more paycuts.

This will hurt my lifestyle, but ultimately I think we'll be okay. There will definitely be less activities going on, but we'll still have our house, our food, and so on. But I worry about those that are alreay so close to the edge. We have employees that work for the state that make $17000 a year. Can you imagine living on that? That is roughly my mortgage payment for one year. A $1700 cut in their pay means $130 less in their paycheck every month. That's the gas they need to get to and from these jobs. That could be groceries on their table. At some point, working becomes pointless...why struggle so hard to work when you can go on welfare and live better?

I am angry...not simply because we are experiencing this cut in pay, but because I don't see our elected officials taking the necessary steps to handle this crisis. There are other alternatives that would allow the pay cut to be reduced, including reducing salaries for our legislators. Our legislators are part time legislators, meaning that they are only in session for 6 months out of the year, and then work other jobs the rest of the year. They make $42000 a year as a legislator. That's $3200 a month if you spread it out over the whole year (26 pays) ...but they only work for 6 months. That means they earn $7000 a month. That's $160 a day if they work 10 days every two weeks. An 8% pay cut for them means they still make $6300 a month. And seriously, one legislative committee met for 50 minutes the other day to debate whether walkie-talkies should be held to the same standards as cell phones when people are driving, and who should be exempt from such legislation. That means we paid each of these members $20 to sit and debate this topic. And guess what the consensus was? We have to do more investigating.

I chose to go work for the state and be a public servant knowing that the pay sucked. But the benefits and job security made it worthwhile. State workers are up there with lawyers as far as people disparaging the jobs we do. As in every organization, there are those employees that do not live up to the standards. However, the majority of state workers are dedicated, hard working employees. And we are about to be callously stepped on by those that were elected to protect us.

There are so many things happening in our country today that I don't agree with...it makes me sad and nervous for our future, and the future we are leaving for our children.

Thankful that it's (almost) completed

It's been a busy year here at Casa Lang.  I decided that I was going to spend more time in the real world and less in the virtual world, and I was going to get some projects done around the house.  And hoo boy, have I been going strong on that!

In January, I painted my powder room.  It's a lovely shade of green that makes me think "Ahhhh Spring" every time I walk in there.  I'm going to begin utilizing my husbands skill of hiding in the bathroom just to be soothed.  PB and I agreed that this green would be perfect for the bottom portion of her bedroom wall, so late in February we cleaned out her bedroom and went to work.  She also has the wood border that needed to be painted and stamped, so we took care of that as well.  Thank goodness for snow days...it took 4 days to paint, stamp, and clean/reorganize this room.  I was really tired of her room by the time we completed it.

You can see more pics in my Flickr Feed.

This past weekend, I tackled Monster's room.  It was time for him toget the big boy room, and it about killed me.  There was a Nascar wallpaper border at the top and the walls were gray.  That border took me 5 hours to remove...it was literally shredding as it peeled off.  Then the trim out took forever.  I finally finished it Monday night, and I love the colors and the new bookshelf and bench (and bedding) but I'm glad it's done for now.

Ignore the messiness....I took this right after he crawled out of bed today.  There's still more to go to finish his room.  Daddy is painting one (small) wall with camo, and the closet and main doors have to be painted.  We need to create the e center/desk on one wall.  And posters/pictures have to be found and hung.  But so far, I like it.  And he loves the colors on the wall.

So that's where I've been.  I'm tired, and this is a busy week.  But the smile and contented sigh he gave the first night he slept in there made it worthwhile.  Meanwhile, I'm done painting until at least May.  DDS is coming home in a couple of weeks for his mid tour 2 week leave, and I have some tidying to do before he gets home.

And a new Etsy store to start stocking...more on that to come!

Loads of Love, now brighter!

BlogHerAds  is participating in a disaster relief program that raises money through t-shirt sales. They've asked all of us to spread the word!

From the Tide Loads of Hope website:

Tide Loads of Hope helps in the aftermath of a natural disaster by providing clean clothes and a sense of comfort to families in need. Partnering with Feeding America, we travel to disaster affected neighborhoods with the Tide Loads of Hope truck or vans, our free mobile laundry service.

Tide Loads of Hope truck:
32 high-effiency washers and dryers stationed on the truck
Can do 300 wash and dry cycles a day -equal to one year’s worth of laundry for a single family
Will wash about 9,000 loads of laundry over a four-week period
Leveraged during massive disasters where electricity is unavailable in the region

Tide Loads of Hope vans:
In partnership with a local laundromat, the Tide Loads of Hope vans provide free laundry service at the same load rate as the trucks
Leveraged during disasters where neighboring communities still have a source of electricity

To date, Tide Loads of Hope has washed more than 35,000 loads of laundry for over 20,000 families. Most importantly, the Tide Loads of Hope program means we’re equipped to take action whenever and wherever there is a need in our country.

Tide Loads of Hope Vintage Tees:
Tide Loads of Hope can also be supported through the purchase of a Tide Vintage Tee. All profits go to support families affected by disaster. Please use this link to purchase the shirt!

Where it all started

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the need for clean clothing became critical, and Tide found a way to help. So in November 2005, the Tide Loads of Hope truck headed to Camp Hope in the Metairie, LA area and cleaned over 10,000 loads of laundry. The spirit of this first venture informs and inspires everything Tide Loads of Hope program does.

If you’re interested in participating in the Tide Loads of Hope program by purchasing a Tide Vintage Tee, you can follow this link.

So basically, you can buy a cool graphic tee and help at the same time.  What are you still doing here?  GO check it out!

Growing up, even at 35

I am shy. Sometimes painfully so. But I've worked very hard over the last 5 years to change that. And one of the epiphanies I had that helped me with that process was that people really don't think about me as much as I think they do. This was a hard lesson to learn. Not because I'm conceited, or because I think I'm so great...quite the opposite. I am geeky. A little socially awkward. But whate I've learned is that I was socially awkward because I worried about what other people thought too much. I'm not saying I'm 100% cured of this, but I can usually see myself heading down that path, and cut myself off at the pass.

The fact that I'm not totally over this tendancy was brought home to me yesterday. I was having a conversation at work, and I commented on something to the co-worker. Then last night, I started obsessing about how stupid the comment was, how she probably was laughing behind my back at how stupid I sounded. And then I literally kicked my own ass for being so stupid. Because really, who cares? If their laughing at me, fine...I'm glad I could provide them some entertainment.

I always thought it was sort of cliched about learning to like yourself more as you aged. But in my case, it's true. There are still things I don't like, but work very hard to recognize these things, and then take steps to fix them.

I've had a rough week. A person on a committee with me has been very mean to me several times in the last 6 months, and I've felt powerless to make it stop. But today, I received confirmation that I wasn't crazy, and that other people saw it as well. I will gladly admit that I let this negativity get to me, and allowed myself to say a few things that shouldn't have been said. I'm a big girl, and I will admit when I'm wrong. But being a big girl also means that you should be able to approach people in a civilized, calm manner when you have an issue with something they do. Unfortunately, the other party apparently didn't receive that memo (or as my SIL says, they didn't put on the big girl pants that day...lol). And I reacted. And I resented for days. But, today, I realized that I have supporters, and they are willing (and able) to help me resolve this situation.

So now, I'm off to bed, and I'm hopeful that the next committee meeting will be productive and drama free. I'm suggesting some radical changes, but I have strong, valid reasons for the changes, and I hope that is seen.

And I will remind myself to leave the baggage there, and to not think about the mean people any more than they think about me. Life is too short, and I'm enjoying living it.

GiST 21/365

1. Warm weather again (but seriously, 75 today and snow tomorrow night. Someone needs to give Mother Nature some hormone therapy or something.)

2. Finding the support network you needed just in time.

3. Being asked if you are interviewing for a new job. (Apparently wearing a dress, which I try to do at least once a week, and having a meeting with someone not from your organization in a conference room in your building means you are interviewing. Wow, that would take some sort of something...interviewing at your current employers office for another job? Hhhhmmm...not so much!)

4. Watching my children chasing each other with tongs while unloading the dishwasher. (PB was singing a song from one of those Christmas specials "Put one tong in front of the other.)

5. Getting the DVD you ordered in less than 2 days, instead of the 5-10 they quoted you.

GiST 20/365

1. Warm Weather...too bad it's not going to stay all week.

2. Martial Arts for Monster...exercise and enjoyment for him.

3. Checking out exercise videos before you buy them.

4. Getting ready to paint the Monster's room this weekend.

5. Having a day off Friday and Monday!

Ouch!

I've been reading quite a bit about Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Workout DVD.  I admit I was intrigued.  I've tried several other work out videos, but never rally found what I was looking for in a program.  Then someone mentioned that it was available on Comcast onDemand. So Saturday, I gave it a try.

OMG.  I hurt.  Muscles I forgot I had.  But I made it through.  Then Sunday I moved TV's up and down two flights of stairs.  No Shred on Sunday.

I tried a few other videos that were available today, and I'm glad I didn't spend any money on them.  But I went back to Jillian, and shredded some more.  I can't believe I'm hooked, but I feel a difference already.  I don't get this feeling from the elliptical or treadmill.  And I can do this in my own living room after I put the kids to bed.

Maybe I'll actually suceed in the weight loss plan this time.  I took leftovers for lunch today, and paced my eating throughout the day.  I already have lunch prepared for tomorrow and the next day.  I'm going to shred at least 4 days a week...I would prefer 5, but I'm being realistic. 

Guess what? I finally figured how to post to my blog from my touch! Isn't it nice of the realtor next door to my mom's dr to provide us wireless access? That's a big deal in my Podunk town... LOL

So, we are drowning in snow. Well not drowning yet... That will come this weekend when the warmer weather and rain come to melt the metric but load of snow ( and yes, I understand that one foot isn't that much. But my husbands deployed, remember? And we don't normally get much snow any way.) I shoveled my drive this morning, after I was sure the snow was done falling. Why is the person that never shovels snow the one that always chooses the snow shovel? Even when he's stateside, I end up shoveling because he gets called out. Is anyone else overwhelmingly ready for spring, or us it just me?

We "updated" on's room this weekend.
More about that coming up, when I can upload the pics. Back to my games:)

Lots of little things, all rolled up in one

I have a few things I want to share, but don't feel like making them all up into various blog posts, so here we go. 

1.  There's one of those search your name on google with a word things going around.  You put "unfortunately (your name)" in the search.  I usually don't get interesting hits, but this one cracks me up.
"Unfortunately, mamalangs diabolical plan isn’t enough to save her ass from getting killed." (of course, this has my real name, but you get the idea.  Cracks me up.  I wish I could come up with a diabolical plan. (GiST 1...finding funny things out that I didn't know about myself.)

2. Yesterday, when we were leaving the youth center, one of my sons classmates was having a complete meltdown in front of the building.  It involved much yelling, screaming, and eventually her mother throwing her her shoulder and carrying her to car.  I looked over at PB and said "Oh look, she's having one of your meltdowns!"  She chuckled, and then said, "hey, I haven't had one of those in a while.  I'm getting better!"  I should hope so.  You're 10.  I remember those days.  Sometimes I wish I could still just pick her up and carry her off.  (GiST 2...PB finally maturing enough to know when to admit her faults and chuckle over them.)

3. Tonight we went out to eat.  After I put the kids to bed, I wanted to pay a couple of bills (well, I didn't want to, but you know...) and realized I couldn't find my debit card.  A quick call to the restaurant confirmed I left it there.  Thank Goodness. Every Wed I seem to forget something somewhere.  Perhaps I should just stop leaving the house on Wed. (GiST 3...I can get it back tomorrow, and could still pay the bill)

4. This website...Portraits of an Economy, started by Rebecca of Girls Gone Child, will make you cry, chuckle and say uh huh.  (GiST 4... I still have a job, and my husbands job is one of the most secure in the country right now.  We are still okay.  We bought a house with a normal 30 year mortgage, and the houses in our subidivision my take a long time to sell, but they are holding their value...and we don't plan on selling for at least 10-15 years anyway, so we'll be fine by then.)

5. Today my inner biotch came out.  I wasn't mad or cranky or sad, just bitchy.  I could not make my inner monologue come back on.  I know you really wanted to go to the conference in San Diego.  But you have a job, so stop your complaining.  You really want to go?  Pay your own way. (GiST 5...the people that work for me laughed at me a bunch today, making me laugh at myself.  It kept the actually out loud bitchiness to a minimum.)

I'm sure there's more, but this is it for now.  Peace out.
3.

Giveaway alert!

Kerri over at lovely little handmades is hosting her first giveaway.  She's giving away a japanese charm pack...they are SOOOOO cute.  I can just imagine the projects I could  create...it could be hard to choose!  I've enjoyed stalking her work on Flickr through the Sew, Mama, Sew group, and her blog is just as tasty.  You should go visit.