I can't make this stuff up: vomit, printer derailment, broken fridge, etc.

I feel like a bad blog friend, and I'm sorry. The hectic pace of life right now is killing me. Understatement. I promise I'll get over to read your posts soon. I'm trying to stay afloat, but this week I made Rocky Road fudge bars, Peppermint ice cream cake, and I have the batter in the fridge for Chocolate Crinkle cookies. Plus I finished the ornaments I make for the tots. The older girls and I found gifts for two god children tonight (Wednesday). The rest will be gift cards. Progress. 

Tuesday night I stayed up too late to draft this post. I'd gotten my allergy shots, so I was groggy as all hell. Plus I can't sleep more than 6 hours currently - hey, 6 hours isn't all bad, but still. I'll take more sleep,  please. I wanted to go to bed. Then I realized that it was Tuesday, not Wednesday - and I was drafting a post a day early. Dummy. 

The latest: 

Saturday night, I was in my study begging my desktop to cooperate and print my envelopes. I struggle setting up mail merges. What can I say, I'm human and mail merges are angry little functions of a software that hates me for some wrong that I cannot account for. While I was in the study, a loud KABOOM happened. Everything from the study closet was falling to the floor. Guess what? The shelves ripped from the wall on one side and everything DID fall to the floor. 

Coach was good enough to move the boxes of photos and things up to our pit room. I'm hosting like 40 people for Christmas and who has time to rebuild shelves and figure stuff out? The weird thing is, this closet hasn't been recently loaded with more stuff. It's been bearing an incredibly weighty load for some time now, apparently. It just gave up. There's a metaphor in there somewhere, but I'm too exhausted to elaborate. 

Our room is pure chaos. I have bins of clothes (some from Curly, some from Aunt Leprechaun and other friends who were good enough to share hand-me-downs when the girls moved in) waiting for when the girls grow into them and I've run out of room in the basement storage room. 

Enter photo and memory storage from the study closet to the mix, and our room literally looks like we're moving, or we should consider moving. Remember, Ed uses our room as his work from home space, because no babies nap there currently. I mention this in case you'd like to add a card table butted up against my dresser in order to plug his computer into my big screen TV while he's working as part of the visual. 

Sunday evening, Coach's stomach started to hurt. He and Rae when down with a stomach bug. 

When vomit city hit, Coach opted to sleep on the floor of our room, so as not to contaminate me. Now there are blankets and sleeping bags tossed between the card table and the bins and boxes - well, it's an inviting space. Trust me. 

While Coach was writing in pain in bed after dinner awaiting the inevitable, we've all been there and it is the worst - right?, I printed off my envelopes. We'd planned to decorate the tree, but with Rae and Coach unavailable, we postponed. 

Kay was a little lost. She is a button pusher. I'll leave it at that. I was trying to organize the many photos I had printed to make the ornaments for the tots while I was camped out on the study floor feeding stacks of envelopes into the printer. 

Me:  WHY ARE WE STILL ON THE END OF THE ALPHABET? 

I paused the printing, and investigated. For some reason, that will forever frustrate me, my printer printed the same 100 addresses twice - skipping the last 150 addresses on my list. It was in the process of reprinting THE SAME addresses the 3rd time when I, a clever distracted girl, realized it. I've done mail merges many times. This was a new development. 

I had a box of extra envelopes in the study closet from a few years ago when my former ass-hole printer ate most of my envelopes. This would be the closet that recently crumbled in a jumbled mess. Can you believe that the box of extra envelopes was on a top shelf, clearly marked, unmoved by the tiny closet-quake? I printed my envelopes and went to bed crazy ass late. And when Kay arrived to argue with me about God knows what, my older kids summoned her to the family room. They knew there was a storm-a-brewing. 

I'm not crazy about the stockings. They're a bit
cheap, but they're fine. The girls were tickled
to come from from school and see that we had
new stockings that included their names. 

On Tuesday, I hung the stockings, but didn't have enough stocking holders even though I found my Target order and I purchased 2 sets of four last year. I only used 6 last year, so where were the other 2 hiding? They weren't in the bin. Did I throw them away? That seemed unlikely. 

Dec. 19th, Curly's 16th birthday - we finally decorated our tree. Most of the kids were present. 

I'm trying to forget the amount of time wasted spent trying to order another set of holders at Target. Out of stock. How far would I travel to pick some up? I didn't feel like spending $50 just to get free shipping. This was a debacle I didn't need. 

Guess what I found buried in the box of ornaments? The missing 2 stocking holders. 

Santa's workshop.

Today: I'm still frazzled. Feeling behind. But we have new stockings hung on our 8 stocking holders, the tot ornaments are wrapped and ready to distribute, and a few of the 8 (?) desserts are in my freezer for Christmas. Most importantly the puke issue didn't wipe out the entire fam. 

Oh - but wait, our set of fridge drawers in the snack bar between the family room and kitchen died. They beep incessantly unless we turn off the circuit breaker, so the family room is in hello darkness, my old friend mode. I'm hosting close to 40 people on Dec. 25th. Will the unit be repaired by then? Doubtful. Very doubtful. 

Oh, and Mini found a misspelling in my annual Christmas poem, so if you got one- please ignore it. I'm super bummed, but these things happen when you race the clock and your college kid who likes to read these things is too busy with finals to look it over before it's sent to the printer. *sigh  - the large font here? to demonstrate that I do know the difference between its and it's. 

Also, I'm tardy in thanking Engie for the lovely package filled with so many little treats. Fuzzy socks, cute notebook, great pens, hand lotions - she covered all the bases. It was so much fun to be a part of the exchange. Thanks to San for organizing and to Engie for the thoughtful gifts. 

Hard to see what these are - but they are
the tot ornaments before the
twine is attached. Mini photo collages. Most
 kids get 2, but the kids who started in
 November get 1 as I don't have as many
 photos of them. Besides, prove yourself
 worthy of two ornaments, please. 

So long as there is no more puking, I can manage anything, or so I'm telling myself that. Remember last year? I got covid 9 days before Christmas and I still hosted 36 people and made 8 million desserts. I've got this, people. 

I may have wept a bit trying to order a few online gifts yesterday morning, before I lost an appliance. I wish I had a more definite gift buying list  - one that I can stick to, and then feel done when all was bought. I don't feel done now and I doubt I'll feel done before the 25th. It'll all be fine, of course. 

I'd like to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas or whatever it is that you celebrate. I'm ever so grateful for you, my blog friends. You make me laugh, and you offer me such kindness and support. I so enjoy getting a glimpse into your world. I'm so grateful that you've chosen to connect with me. May your 2024 be filled with tons of comments, good health, and fulfilled dreams. 

Yours, 

Ernie (you might have to remind me to come back and update some of these posts when I take my blog off the privacy setting)

not sure what I'm shopping for, doc appointments x3, and wires crossed

Lad shared this photo with me of his 2
dogs to stick in the margin
of my poem. It is pretty darn cute. 

I'm a deal finder. A shopper. Need clothes? I've got 'ya. The trouble is - my bio kids do not need any freaking clothes, except Ed. He's a wardrobe extending warrior. He points out how he's had the same clothes for YEAR. New pants for him are on my radar. Mini needed business clothes for interviews. She picked some stuff out over Thanksgiving, so she knows what her gifts are. The bottom line is, I'm at a loss for what to get them. Without requests, I'm not feeling creative or overly focused on what to buy. 

I admit, I'm shopping for Kay and Rae - mostly stuff that they need, like metal water bottles, drawstring bags, overnight duffel bags, dress clothes, dress shoes, etc. I've ordered a game and a graphic novel and I bought a few of those coloring books - the nice ones with intricate designs that can soak up HOURS of time. The piles aren't equal (which is fine). I bought Curly a few tops today and I'm grumpy about it, because I feel like I'm in panic mode. Well, I AM in panic mode. I haven't bought a gift for any of our 9 god children. Deep breaths, deep breaths. 

We've talked about taking Curly, Reg, and the two newbies to Florida for spring break and putting plane tickets in their stockings. Kay and Rae have never been on a plane. But since I'm in panic mode, now there are other things under the tree which I was hoping to avoid by gifting flights, and I don't want to set ourselves up for EVERY YEAR IS A BIG CHRISTMAS WITH TRAVEL VOUCHERS, etc. for the little girls. Besides, who has time to shop for flights right now? 

Santa's workshop, aka Von Maur. I brought in
whatever packages I've purchased over the last
 week or two and had them wrapped on my
day off on Friday while I shopped for more
things. I love this complimentary service. 

I'm usually more organized than this, but November was lost to the basketball drama and the social worker interference. 

Last week I attended 3 doctor appointments. Monday:  epilepsy specialist. The man was amazing. I have a list of things to do:  bloodwork, neuro psych eval, get a copy of his MRI to send downtown, etc. Some of it will have to wait till after Christmas, see:  panic mode. 

I saw the GI for my SIBO follow up on Wednesday (more on that later) and my GP on Friday for an annual physical. 3 doc appointments this close to Christmas falls under:  it sounded like a good idea at the time. 

On Friday, I called Coach after I got my blood work done at my doc appointment. I  asked if he could grab the MRI CD from the local hospital for the epilepsy doc. I explained that he had to wait 10 minutes while they loaded it on the CD. I tried, but was unable to order in advance. They don't roll that way. He was happy to take that off my list, and he'd planned to leave work early. I was then free to head to Von Maur and get stuff wrapped, bought, etc. 

Oh, and after I left Von Maur, I realized I should've asked them to wrap one in birthday wrap. Curly's 16th is on Tuesday. Hello, exam week. All she wants for Christmas is to ace her exams. 

At home, I was confused when Coach handed me a flimsy envelope. Where was the CD? 

He'd texted me while I was shopping:  "MRI report?" 

Me:  YEP.

 Well, now he was like - "But you said YES, to the MRI report."

As in MRI report vs EEG test, not as in MRI report vs MRI CD. He hadn't grasped that this doc needs to look at the CD, not a paper report - even though I'd explained it. I felt like I was treading water. He plans to go back and do it and he didn't understand why I was upset, but I was like BECAUSE YOU COULD DO ANOTHER ERRAND FOR ME, IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO REPEAT THIS ONE. 

I sent my poem to the printer on Friday morning. Progress. This is the latest I've ever sent out my cards since the year Curly arrived on Dec. 19th. Her birth announcement/Christmas cards were delivered in mailboxes on Dec. 24th. 

the nerve of nit picking the babysitter

 The babysitting update:  Two new families started around November 1st. Reg didn't make the team on November 7th. I took my SIBO test Nov. 10th and had been without my antacid pills for 2 weeks. I was a hot mess.

The mom, Maggie (her kid is Brian, the tot who cried for 4.5 hours on his first day) and I really hit it off when we met. I'm  hopeful these little bumps will work themselves out. 

Maggie told me that 4.5 year old girl, Norie, doesn't like my basement. 

Me:  OK, SHE CAN PLAY IN THE FAMILY ROOM. 

*my mind:  WELL, EVENTUALLY SHE HAS TO PLAY DOWN THERE BECAUSE IT'S PART OF THE DAYCARE SPACE AND I SHARED THAT WHEN WE MET. *my basement is geared towards the 3-5 yr olds. They love it down there. It's comfortable and carpeted. 

Norie only comes on Thursdays. Brian is M,W, Th.

My gang combined with Becky's
gang at our fav forest preserve
last week when it was in the 50's.
In December!

I have 7 kids on Tuesday and that's been my busy day since mid August. Guess what? I now LOVE Tuesdays. No Brian or Norie. A relaxing day. 

At nap time the next Thursday, Norie and Caleb asked if they could play in the basement. They'd been in the family room for most of nap time. Norie assured me she wanted to go down there. 

That evening Maggie texted:  NORIE REALLY DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY DOWN THERE. SHE SAYS IT'S SCARY AND THEY PLAY DOWN THERE ALONE???

What? I texted her that Norie asked to go down there. Alone? Well, she was with Caleb and YES, THAT'S HOW IT WORKS. I'm not sitting in the basement watching them play, the same way I didn't sit in the basement and watch my own kids play. Also, it's nap time. I can find her a quiet nook, sit her on a sleeping bag with a pile of books or puzzles, and she can stay there till naps are done. There are options and I'm in charge of those options. 

This girl is a master manipulator. 

One day mid-basketball nightmare, Maggie texted:  DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR A CHAT? 

My gut was in instant knots. I wanted dreaded her latest gripe.

(she'd already pointed out that Brian hadn't eaten the apple she sent and she noticed that I hadn't cut it up. Um, everyone sends their kids' food the way they want me to serve it - so if he eats it cut , then cut it. He ate the entire thing uncut once. I've had toddlers eat fruit uncut before.)

(Our chat) Maggie:  Brian was starving when we got home. He was sobbing. So hungry. He eats a ton. He's not really eating much at your house. Here, he can go into the pantry and get food.

What? He's not gonna have access to my pantry. She told me her old sitter prepared the kids' food,. Old sitter'd ask them if they wanted mac and cheese or pb&j, etc. 

Well, Brian doesn't talk yet, so asking for meal suggestions would be interesting. Families bring their kids' food here. Comparing what I do to your former situation isn't helping. 

Bottom line:  I wanted to scream into the phone: 

IF YOUR KID IS HUNGRY, SEND MORE FOOD. 

Toddlers don't always eat what's offered. They change their minds. This woman is lovely, I promise, but she is exhausting me. 

A few weeks prior, a woman reached out to me on the FB babysitting page to see if I had space for her baby. I told her I had no openings, but to keep in touch regarding next year. I have a few kids going to kindergarten in the fall. 

I now have a waiting list. First time ever. I wanna say to Maggie:  Nit-pick  me? ME? I've been at this for 9 years. I have families that are crazy about me. I don't need any additional aggravation in my life. 

The Monday before Thanksgiving, I noticed that Maggie's husband hadn't paid me, which he does through Zelle.

I texted him:  Let me know if I missed something, but I don't see a payment from you for last week. Thanks.

Husband:  Just got out of town. Working on sending it. 

Huh? No apology? Might I suggest the standard and acceptable:  "Sorry it slipped my mind. I'll send it right now." It really doesn't matter that you just arrived out of town. I watched your kid/s Mon, Wed, and Thursday. You're 4 days late. He didn't send the payment till the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Come on. 

Do I look forward to retirement? Yep. Is retirement happening anytime soon? I've always said I'd try to make it to 10 years. Well, I'm gonna be working past that goal. 

the funny story, interviews, and what to expect when you're new to our family

This was confusing:  (this is the funny story I eluded to the other day) I was interviewed by a radio station at 6:30 am one morning two weeks ago. When I walked downstairs, Coach was in the kitchen.

Coach:  SO LAD CALLED. HE WAS INTERVIEWED THIS MORNING. HE SAID IT WENT WELL.

I froze. What now? He was interviewed? 

Coach saw the look on my face and was like WHAT? IT WASN'T A JOB INTERVIEW, JUST A CONVERSATION WITH A GUY WHO SOMEONE CONNECTED HIM WITH.

A wave of relief washed over me. I sort of had media on the brain after being on two radio shows and interviewed on two news stations so I thought Lad had been interviewed by the media. Sweet heavens, no. That cannot happen. 

*I'll come back and delete these links later, but since my blog is on private I'm sharing the links with you, my regular and wonderful readers. In the WGN live interview, I watch myself and holler:  

GO TAKE A NAP GIRLFRIEND. YOU LOOK TIRED. 

Anyway, Lad has things to say about the basketball situation. He's ready and willing to defend his brother. He's had some ideas about how to handle 'things,' shall we say. I explained my fear to Coach and he agreed after chuckling at my confusion. That would've been a disaster.

When Ed came home from his early morning workout, I repeated the 'Lad had an interview' phrase and Ed's face was instant panic. I was like same, Ed. Same. Then I explained that it wasn't an interview with the media and Ed was equally relieved. 

*****

A winter wonderland:  

Coach and I took Kay and Rae downtown to the KringleMarket and we had a lovely time on Saturday evening. It was chilly, but not as chilly as it could've been. The girls rode the Ferris wheel and drank hot chocolate and we bought them handmade ornaments. We sat inside a restaurant and ate an appetizer and I described the history of the Christmas poem. 

On the way home as we looked at the lights in the city, I told them the story of when Coach proposed. Rae asked me to tell her the story of my dress. Where did I find it and who was with me? It was a special evening. I felt like they were digging in, grabbing hold of our family history, and wanting to know the background of all things Shenanigan. Maybe wishing they'd been around to be part of past poems. 

Remember the movies I make for each kid when they graduate from high school? I've wanted to share those with the girls because they are so much fun, but I also fear that they'll feel left out. They aren't in those family movies, obviously. They weren't here for those family adventures. Will they worry what their high school movie will include? 

Then they asked about what Christmas would be like. It hadn't dawned on us that they weren't sure what to expect. Is there a big breakfast? We are hosting, but who will be coming? How dressed up do people get? How early will the other kids wake up (um, later than when they were little)? Do we eat before or after gift opening? Who brings gifts to the party? 

On Coach's side his sister asked what she could get them for our Dec. 23rd celebration, even though we only buy for godchildren. The girls don't have godparents yet. I was touched that she asked. I suggested that she get them each an ornament, because our bio kids have a million ornaments, but Kay and Rae have none. I don't know that anyone on my side will think to do something similar. My parents are buying the girls gifts. 

bummer mood, Christmas stocking dilemma, and who wants a card and poem?

(this early part has been taken down as it pertained to the issue we dealt with in December and our lawyer advised us not to post anything about it, sorry.)

****************

I'll soon share the babysitting drama that occurred at the same.exact.time as everything else. But, I have a Christmas conundrum for you and a funny-ha-ha story (I lied. I bumped the funny story to the next post. Sorry, but look at it this way - now you have that to look forward to and I forgot that I wanted to talk about my annual poem).

Christmas stockings:  When the kids were little, I bought Christmas stockings that I loved. I even bought an extra one just in case there were any more babies and then I ended up needing it. 

Sadly, something leaked into the storage room in the basement about 10 years ago and it ruined a Christmas bin. We had to toss the stockings. I bought new ones that I was not nearly as crazy about at Target. They're fine, just not my favorite.

Target 'meh' stockings. Bright colors,
adorned with jingle bells. If I find 2
 more like these, then I would be
 resigned to keep this version. 

Now, we need two additional stockings for Kay and Rae. What to do? I deal with a lot of disorder, but I do prefer our stockings to match. 

If I have to buy all new stockings in order to have them match (pretty sure that's the route I'm gonna have to take), where can I get stockings that are possibly similar to the OG stockings, which I think I found at Marshalls and I believe the tag said something along the lines of Amish this-or-that? I'm not interested in breaking the bank here. 

*updating to say that I think I might go with these. They're from Personalization Mall.  

By the way, thanks for your emails and for reaching out and for still reading. Much appreciated.

Please send me an email to (my real last name)clan7@yahoo.com if you are interested in receiving my Christmas card and poem. You can read about my poem tradition here. I'm trying to churn it out, but I'm having a hard time remembering anything funny or unusual that we did this year - so if you have any suggestions for any antics you think I should include, please remind me in the comments.