WACKY Wednesday

Let me just share a little story of how my Wednesday went this week... I had a really crazy day at work seeing several students with makeup sessions, etc. I rushed to Harris Teeter, our local grocery, to shop with my coupons before I picked up the kids at daycare, headed home for dinner, baths, and then for me to head to Dinner Done with my friend and next-door neighbor, Andi.

So, I'm in the crackers aisle when I get a voicemail from Andi on my cell saying that she hears an alarm going off in our house. I'm puzzled, so I call her back and thought it couldn't possibly be my Roomba (even though I ran it that morning as I left for work) b/c its alarm isn't loud and goes off eventually to save its battery. I asked her to go in the house after giving her my garage code while I stay on the phone. I hear it and it doesn't sound familiar. She walks around to check it out, but it's hard for us to talk since it's so loud and her kids are with her. She tells me it appears to be coming from outside Libby's room. I immediately freeze because outside her door in the hallway is one of our carbon minoxide detectors. I tell her to get herself and her kids out of there right away!!!

Her husband, Thor, is a firefighter and works in Haz Mat, but is still at work a ways away. Andi says she'll call him to see what to do. After we talk again, I decide to call 911 even though I'm still in the snacks aisle! Meanwhile, I'm trying to call Darrell like crazy, but can't catch him at work or on his cell. I leave a ton of messages and it turns out he was trying to call me back, but I had weak reception in the store.

Now, at this moment, I am worried that something might be wrong at our house, but is it terrible that I actually became more concerned that I'd have to leave my full cart of carefully selected grocery items that were on sale or that I had a coupon for?? I figure the fire fighters will take care of the house situation better than I could! So, I shop for 2 more minutes and then rush to check out.

I look at my watch and after all of this, I need to pick up Libby and Drew in 5 minutes! Of course, all lines are full with slow employees. I say a little prayer and an enthusiastic young girl calls me over as she opens her lane. YES! She's nice, but talkative while I'm trying to call Darrell and Andi back and forth for updates. I turn into the person I can't stand in a store-- you know, the one who doesn't even acknowledge the cashier while she blabs on her cell phone at the check out, mostly holding up the line or just blabbing so loud that you can hear her entire life story.

So, I get Darrell on the phone finally and I tell him he needs to get home now b/c the fire department is on the way. I'll go get the kids. Finally, I check out and basically run with my cart to the van, praying the whole way.

I get to daycare just in time, but "Mita" (Brenda's mom) answers the door and she speaks only a little English. I speak only a little Spanish and am trying to tell her what's going on in a rush so that the kids will get moving. I think she understands, but who knows what I was telling her??!! Why didn't they teach us how to say carbon minoxide in high school Spanish???? Of course, the kids decide to move like slowpokes and whine. I explain to them why "Mama is in a hurry" and want to warn them that there may be firetrucks at our house so they won't be afraid. Well, they are now so excited! "Mama, we see firetruck? We ride it?" and so on.

We zip around the corner to the house, but I only see Darrell's car and no signs of fire trucks anywhere. Nothing! This is when I realize that I should have never even told them about the fire trucks because I got them excited for nothing! There are no alarms going off, and I open the door and call inside. Darrell, Andi, and her kids are there and they tell me that it wasn't the carbon monoxide detector after all. We have hard-wired smoke alarms throughout the house and once one goes out, the others go off on that circuit. So, all of the upstairs ones were going off. Andi told me the firefighters got here in record time and seemed to be ready for action. We figure they don't get too much excitement in our suburban neighborhood (the fire station is in our subdivision). I think the last big excitement was when someone dropped a mercury thermometer and they closed off 3 blocks of a street and had at least 5 firetrucks, an ambulance, and I counted-- 10 police cars!

Well, they checked it all out and told us that those alarms usually go out in 5 years, so since our house is now 10 years old, it was definitely time to change them. I was relieved to know that they go off like this when something is wrong because we would have never known. Darrell apologized, but they were really nice and told us that was part of their job. Bottom line is everyone is safe.

After a terrible dinner meal with the kids (because it was so late and they were crabby and hungry), I sat down for 5 minutes and ate a cereal bar for dinner before rushing out the door to make 18 meals (9 entrees split into 2). Needless to say, I was pooped when I got home and slept like a log last night.

Oh, and did I mention that I saved over $60 in coupons at Harris Teeter? See, I told you that it was worth staying to shop!

The Train Show

This weekend there is a huge train show at the Dulles Expo Center near our house, so we thought we'd go check it out. The kids were SO excited and it was nice using this outing as bribery for good behavior Friday and Saturday morning! Anyway, we went after naps at 4:00, which was a wise idea. We parked in the spot right next to the front door and most of the crowds were leaving. Let me just say, without being un PC, that there are some interesting men out there who are VERY serious about their trains! By about 5:00, it was almost empty inside and we only had to wait 10-15 minutes to ride the Thomas train. Libby decided she didn't want to ride once it was our turn, so Drew went alone. And of course she wanted to ride it once her window of opportunity was shut! But, we managed to distract her with a new pink Conductor's hat and tons of trains EVERYWHERE. It was pretty neat to see them all. Afterward, we headed over to Chick-Fil-A across the street and then to Dairy Queen for dessert. It was a really fun family day.

Mama's Hospital... at Libby and Drew's Service

Mama's Hospital has been opened again recently due to trauma with a few of Libby and Drew's friends. Tonight's patient was a Valentine "Be Mine" heart pillow that we got from the $1 section of Target. Wouldn't you know that $1 doesn't mean quality products? The day we got it home, the seam ripped and stuffing was being pulled in every direction. I finally got out the needle and thread tonight to "fix it" and smiles, hugs, and kisses have returned - unfortunately, not to me, but to the "hawt" pillow. Well, at least my sewing should get a little better with all of this practice!

Amazing Grace

We've been trying to eat as a family together more often now whenever possible. Before, I tended to pick up the kids, drive home, and get dinner for them ASAP before they turned into these awful dragons breathing fire all over me while they literally passed out from exhaustion and starvation since not eating in the last hour or so! Luckily, Darrell's work schedule has become much more reliable (thanks to the U.S. Government), so it's been working out that we can eat together. I just have to be really on my toes and have dinner on the table in a short amount of time. This is when I wish I were Rachael Ray- you know-- 30 minutes or less. Actually, I don't ever wish I were her because her voice just kills me, being a speech pathologist and all. Plus, I would never say "sammy" or "EVOO". I digress...

We've been trying to say grace every night and the only version that Darrell and I have ever used is the one we grew up with as Catholics (Bless us, oh Lord, for these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thou bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen.). A little wordy for our tastes now. I didn't want to say something too formal, but then not too informal that it wouldn't be taken seriously. So, where did I turn for inspiration? Well, Hallmark, of course! I was there shopping for Christmas gifts when I saw on the clearance table a big platter for Thanksgiving. It had the cutest prayer on it: "Thankful for the world so sweet, thankful for the food we eat, thankful for the birds that sing, thankful for everything." Well, we changed "thankful" to "Thank you, God". After about a week or so of doing this, I was so surprised that Libby and Drew were catching on and even remembering the words. It's so cute because Drew always replaces "everything" at the end to "everywhere". And Libby will often complain if we are too slow or repeat it or start over or anything during the middle. "No, Mama, NO MORE GRACE," she demands. So, it may not be the perfect grace, but for me, it's certainly Amazing Grace.

Frugal Fanny

I've been clipping coupons for a while now, but either don't need the item, let them expire, or forget them at home. Basically, I've only saved a little bit at the grocery store here and there. WELL, not today, sister! Harris Teeter is offering double coupons for those up to $1.98 in value this week. I clipped a bunch, plus checked the ad (never done before) for items on sale to stock up. I went today and bought some kitchen counter cleaner for 50 cents, 3 boxes of cereal for $1 each, slice cheese for $1 a pack. and and tons of other deals! You won't believe it, but I saved $93 just from coupons today. Yup, that's right- ninety-three dollars and seventy-four cents. I got an entire basket FULL for $130, which is really good for about 2 weeks of groceries. I used about 22 coupons and my favorite part was watching the pretty impatient man in line after me. The cashier said out loud, "Mrs, Tardiff, you saved $93.74 today," and suddenly his mouth fell open. I just replied to her, "Not too shabby." So, impatient man, I am sorry I made you wait a little longer, but to me, it was worth it! I'm so proud of myself that I just had to share. If you're in the neighborhood, you might want to check out this sale!

The Cutest Babies

I got an email today from Parenting magazine about a "Cutest Baby Contest" they are sponsoring that will be on the show "Live with Regis and Kelly". There is a grand prize of $125,000 toward college tuition and other things. I looked at the rules since Libby and Drew aren't really babies anymore, but the age limit is 48 months. I was so excited because I wanted to enter this photo of Libby. But then I read further and the photo has to be taken within the last month. Too bad this was taken in March of 2009. Regardless, she and Drew are both the cutest babies in my book!

Here are some other ones I just love, too. Notice how most are when they were my little babies? ;)

Potty Time!

Drew has now made pee-pee on the potty 3 times now! Twice in his little potty and once in the big potty with the seat ring. Both he and Libby haven't been sleeping well lately, so they have been extra grouchy during "the witching hour". Last night was awful, so I took Drew up to bathe by himself. He told me he wanted to sit on the potty and after a few seconds, he looked up with a surprised look and told me his pee-pee was coming out. Sure enough, there it was! I was cheering and clapping for him and he was so proud of himself. So much so that he decided to continue being a big boy by picking up the cup of pee to pour it into the big potty. Before I could catch him, he flung it all over the toilet and floor!!! So, a bit messy, but a big achievement nonetheless.

Libby has been trying and trying and trying, but no luck yet. She is so cute b/c she looks down at her body and says, "Come out, pee pee!" Awww. I keep telling her she's such a big girl and that she will do it soon hoping that she won't give up.

They love to read their magazines of toys and sometimes Drew even picks up the Sports Illustrated, which is hilarious!

Happy Times and Sad Times

Today is Pops' (my dad) birthday. Happy Birthday to you! I tried to catch up with him today, but I guess being 65 means you're with the movers and shakers in town. I guess that means he gets Medicare now, too. My gosh- where has time gone? I'm sure he'd be thrilled I'm talking about him like this on my blog!

On a very sad note, one of my co-workers, Eva, who happens to me the most incredible, sweet, and precious people I know, lost 2 of her 3 daughters in a terrible car accident on Dec. 28th. Both girls were in their 20's and were visiting for the holidays. Elizabeth was a successful model and Victoria was about to start a new job after graduating from college. I went to the memorial service today and there must have been 1000 people there. It was so crowded at the funeral home. There were people everywhere expressing their sympathy. Although this was so sad, I think the nice thing was to see just how many people were there to support them in this time of need. I can only continue to keep their family in my prayers.

Best. Present. EVER.

And I mean it... that's the title given to my beautiful friend (and most likely life companion) who has already brought me such joy by eliminating at least 1 household chore. She (and I call her "she" intentionally since she is such a hard worker, no matter what) literally picks up whatever is left behind after meals, snacks, art projects, Christmas tree removal, decoration packing, and furniture rearranging. I am the boss of her as I tell her when to work, even when I'm not home or sleeping, or can make her work instantly. I can tell her what room to work in, what rooms she is not allowed to enter, and even to complete 1 room before traveling to another.

I'm talking about the magnificent and fabulous Roomba 560 by iRobot. Yes, I really AM that lazy, Dad (since he asked me that on the phone the other day making me ponder if he ever in fact has swept or vacuumed after children multiple times daily). In fact, don't tell anybody, but I sent the kids to daycare 1 day last week and stayed in bed until 10:00 AM while Roomba worked hard on the entire 1st floor. And it looked beautiful! Anything that can do that for me is certain to be my companion for life (or at least until it breaks, forcing me to buy a replacement). But, there's something even better that I have my eye on for next Christmas... that's the Scooba. Yes, girls, that's right-- a machine that actually mops and scrubs your floors!

Happy 2010!

Can you believe it is actually the year 2010 now? I can't. And no one was even worried that we turned into a new decade and that our ATM's would break down along with every computer and we'd have to seek refuge in an underground shelter with tons of water and can goods! Can you believe that ACTUALLY happened and that it was 10 years ago now? Where has time gone?

We had an uneventful New Year's Eve night just watching the shows. I actually got a chance to catch up on my former co-worker and friend, Kirsten's blog. I wrote to her and told her that either she is that great of a writer (and she is), or I really am that lame to be reading it at 11:45 PM on New Year's Eve! But D did kiss me at midnight, sans hair brushing or makeup in my comfy PJ's. He's a keeper.

This is supposed to be an interesting year, according to the film industry in the 1980's. Remember this movie? I do hardly (I was still young), but would love to watch it again to see how much they got right (or mostly wrong)!

I thought it was so interesting that some of the hosts on the New Year's Eve TV shows were polling people to see if they will call it "two thousand and ten" or "twenty-ten". I think the former. Then again, they called 1910 "nineteen ten" and not "one thousand nine hundred and ten", right? Hmm... something to ponder, but not right now since Drew is having a tantrum and throwing the top tray to his high chair b/c he can't get it to snap on. Until later, I remain... a true mother to multiple 2-year-olds!