Month: July 2011

Test of Mommy Fortitude

kanniduba10 Comments

Burn Baby, Burn!

This creepy campfire shot from years ago seemed appropriate for this post…

So, Zan announced to me the other night that Dear Neighbor Man wants to go camping. Not just any old camping trip mind you. He wants to have a Daddy and Kids Adventure, complete with no Mommies…on an island…in the middle of a lake…reachable only by boat…with no bathroom facilities…and lions…and tigers…and bears, OH, MY! Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating with the lions, tigers and bears part, but the rest is all true.

This announcement sent my panic meter into overdrive. The Whatifs started flashing by my eyes like a high speed movie straight out of Lost’s Dharma Room 29. The Whatifs are too numerous to list but they include anything ranging from poison ivy to snake bite to loss of life and limb in a variety of horrific imagined scenarios.

But in my quest to be a rational Mommy who doesn’t allow fear to restrict her childrens’ experiences, I said, “I’m sure you and the girls would enjoy that,” which was immediately followed by, “Oh, we’re taking Mister too! He’ll have a blast!!!”.

Exit air from Mommies lungs. Gasp for breath. Breathe through the panic. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

My darling husband wants to take my four year old boy, MY BABY, on a camping trip in the middle of Nowhere! Don’t get me wrong…I love the fact that these men, both wonderful Fathers WANT to do this thing with their kids (six kids by the way…they are WAY outnumbered without us women…) But…but…but….*breathe*

He quickly follows up with, “Imagine, you and A. would have the whole weekend alone to do whatever you want!” Ooooooh….now he’s playing dirty. An enticing proposition, I won’t lie. Responsible Worry Wart Never-Wants-to-be-Parted-From-Her-Kids Mommy on one shoulder being bullied by Irresponsible Selfish Wants-to-Do-Anything-She-Damn-Well-Pleases Mommy on the other. SO not fair.

Tell me, why do they have to push the envelope? Why couldn’t they first take the kids on a little local adventure at the nice safe campground 15 minutes away so I could swoop in at a moments notice and see my babies between my massage and my afternoon matinee? A nice little spot that is Ambulance accessible? With bathrooms…and a First Aid station?

That sounds like a win-win to me, don’t you agree??

Therapy for the Soul…

kanniduba3 Comments

In just a matter of days, we will be returning to one of my favorite places to vacation—Ocean City, NJ.

Interestingly, I found our blog friend Scott Thomas by following Ocean City photos back to their source quite a few years ago, way back at “View 32.” 🙂

My family discovered Ocean City when I was about 15 years old, and we have all returned regularly ever since. This year we will return for the third summer in a row with my Mom and Dad, and my Sister, Brother-in-Law and their two girls. We share a house directly on the beach, and you couldn’t ask for a more relaxing setting to get away from it all. There is something very comforting about returning year after year to the same location to vacation. We already know the lay of the land, where to go for groceries and sundries, and of course we can look forward to all the favorite food joints we’ve come to love over the years: fried scallop takeout from Mike’s, ice cream sundaes from A’La Mode, salt water taffy and fudge from Shriver’s, and of course my very favorite thing from the Boardwalk, chocolate macaroons from George’s.

I cannot wait to live in a bathing suit for a week, and sit in the water with my feet buried in the sand. Not sure who is more excited this year, Zan and me, or the kids!

I leave you with a few shots from last year’s trip…nothing beats the sunrise over the ocean.

Hello Again World…How Are You?

kanniduba8 Comments

Well well well…it’s been awhile since we’ve chatted, hasn’t it?

Feel like I’ve been riding a broken roller coaster at the amusement park, only I’m not amused.  Up and down we go, stopping and starting along the way, sometimes at the top of a hill, sometimes stalling at the bottom, but on and on it goes, the ride that never ends.  *ha*

The back/sciatic nerve is old news…wish it didn’t even warrant a mention anymore.  Acupuncture has been helpful in the extreme, but everytime I start to ramp up my activity, it ramps up it’s activity in kind.  I am learning to adjust with each flare up, and each one lasts a shorter amount of time, but I won’t deny that each flare up sends me to an unhealthy mental place.  Been reading alot about the Soul/Mind/Body connection though, and working to keep my Mind in it’s rightful place, Soul in charge.

We’ve also been dealing for two (three?) weeks with an invasion of these horrible little teeny tiny critters called Springtails.  They have covered the exterior of my house, and began invading through the windowsills.  The first night I found them I FREAKED out!  Not knowing what they were, they gave me quite a scare, sending me into extreme Fight or Flight mode.  My Pest Man has moved up to third on my “Most Important Men in My Life” List, right below my Husband, and my Needle Man.  He is slowly getting them under control, as we eliminate any possible sources of them outside.  They may have come in a wood pile that was delivered a month ago…or we disturbed a nest of them under a flagstone slab when we put up the temporary pool and had to drain it almost immediately after filling because it was lopsided.  Who knows? But millions of teeny bugs trying to get into your house, no matter how “harmless” is unsettling in the extreme.  Borax and Clorox have become my number one cleaning team.  Sick of having all my windows closed though.  Ugh!  Thank goodness for AC.  Seriously, they make me want to move. ‘Nuff said.

I have had to miss my Niece’s graduation two weeks ago, and a Family Reunion today, but I have my eye on the prize…an Ocean City, NJ vacation in a few weeks.  Even if I have to be strapped to the roof on a mattress, I’m GOING!!!!  🙂

Let’s see if we can find some good news to share?  Having the kids home has been a pleasure.  Little Girl is thriving with all her activities, and Big Girl is enjoying the teenager’s version of vacation: sleeping in, chatting with friends, and having sleepovers and days at the amusement park.  Mister is adjusting to having to share Mommy and the TV, and is simply  “chillaxin'” as the teenagers say.

We’re having the Construction Guy back next week to get serious about the work that needs doing.  Thought long and hard about needs versus wants and must have him back to form a plan.  Sadly, my slate roof will likely be sacrificed, but if it means a healthier, more pest proof home, so be it.

Sorry, but that’s all I’ve got. LOL

Haven’t posted much because who wants to hear my woes?  I’ll be back when I’ve got something worth saying.  🙂