My First World Problems

It's been such a long time since I have checked in here. I'm not exactly sure how to explain my missing self. Turtle and I have been, for lack of a better term, renovating our basement, among other life things one usually gets caught up in. I don't like the term "renovating" because to me that seems like we are ripping out everything and starting over which is SO not the case. Also, when I say "we" that means "we" are doing it. We did have to hire out the flooring because the area was large and probably not the best idea for beginners who don't really have the time to do it. (No. 1 just explained the keystroke noises are "annoying." How does she even know that word and what it means?) Just to re-cap we had two separate minor floods in the basement over the past 10 months and the basement was insanely ugly to begin with. Don't you love those forced home projects?

School has been out a little over a week which means I have entered potty training bootcamp with the twins, also known as hell. They are honestly not doing too badly with it besides the fact Turtle traumatized Hadley by having to clean her dirty diaper (which is what the bootcamp book "instructs" you to do) so she didn't poop for FOUR days. It was very pitiful and I had resolved to give her a diaper if that's what it took for her to poop but she eventually cried and went on the baby potty. We have broken barriers equivalent to taking down the Berlin Wall. It's just tough because I still feel that I cannot venture out for very long periods of time. Our yard seems to be breeding ground for poison ivy/oak this year and we are working on killing it but it's difficult to keep the kids out of it. Short of bringing one of my baby potties directly into the playground area because it seems frowned upon to leave a 2 year old and a 4 year old unattended while you take one to the bathroom, I'm not sure what to do. Getting one potty training child to the bathroom in time is a feat in itself, much less trying to corral the other two who do not have to go, to come with you. This also results in you having to tell the Comcast repair technician to wait on your porch for five minutes while you run around like a mad woman trying to locate clothes for your children.

I can definitively tell you we have poison ivy in the yard because I have contracted it. I can't tell you how, when or why but I have it. Now, I do not seem to get clusters of bumps that are very indicative of the rash. I thought I had some bug bits on my neck, but then they seemed to be spreading. I had to drag potty training toddlers to Urgent Care one morning where I was told I had a food allergy. I'm terribly freaked out and started to do a Whole 30 because I had no idea what was giving me a reaction. I had a dermatologist appointment the next day to remove some stitches in my back and decided to beg politely for a second opinion, where the news was delivered to me I do indeed have poison ivy. I paid a $50 urgent care co-pay for a quack doctor who cannot tell me I have poison ivy folks. Then I might have recalled being rubbed with a "tree star" that Harper found but I'm still not sure how I got the poison ivy. The stitches were from a mole removal that was biopsied and came back with abnormal cells that were not cancerous so they wanted to take out the margins. All clear now even though it's not healing well.

I will try to be back, though I'm sure the only one who has missed my presence is the Married Gal. I've had some technical frustrations from a very busted up iPad that doesn't blog well and a slow and old computer. Turtle has advised me to just use the Google Chrome and not go through Safari. This is just downright irritating to me as a woman though because Safari SHOULD work, am I right? I don't care if the Chrome works. I have an iMac. It should WORKKKKKKK!!!!

xoxo
If you need me I'll be managing what is sort of a Blue Lagoon meets indoor plumbing, my island rash and my lack of being able to use modern medicine to heal a cut in my back. Party on Wayne.

Things Your Husbands Think You're Crazy About

birthday parties

It's that time of year again where you become obsessed with Pinterest. Then you quickly bring yourself down to the reality of throwing a kids party that does not include a party planner and a million dollars. You remind yourself that the "Pancakes and Pajamas" invites have already gone out when your three year old says, "Right, Mommy......my "My Little Pony" birthday party." Ummm....no. We can invite the ponies. Maybe. I've had an epic fail on locating My Little Pony pajamas. Ordered Doc McStuffins. Husbands are all: "How many people are coming? When did you want me to build the dollhouse? Why are we building a dollhouse, can't you just buy those things? 

family pictures

The questions on these are endless. "Why does everyone need new clothes? How much are the pictures? We have to drive WHERE to take these pictures? What day are these pictures again? 

They don't realize how lucky you were to get a cancellation spot with a photographer that only charges $150 and not $450 ( I know they work hard but is that really a necessary amount?) because people usually "book these a year in advanced." The Christmas card is the culmination of my year. It takes two weeks of narrowing cards down to 30 prime choices, layouts, colors and fonts. Then mocking up no less than 10 designs and pestering Single Gal about which one looks the best. Then your husband sees the charge for the 75 cards, return labels and your email request that he go wait at the post office to pick up Holiday stamps. To which he will always respond with, "Why can't we just use regular stamps?" 

the fall birthday party circus 

These are the parties you have to attend which could be anywhere from one party per weekend to coordinating three parties, your half marathon race number pick up in Athens, helping Baby Sis register and actually running the half marathon. Everyone has a fall birthday......not sure what to tell him. 

XOXO

The Housewife

Birthday Wants: Housewife Edition 2013

If I had my pick of getting some awesome gifts for my birthday this year this list would be it. Some of these are probably old hat to you but new to me. Y'all know the Single Gal has a shopping problem but I do not purchase too much for myself. Right now it's really that I have a formula and diaper problem....but I obviously wouldn't trade my sweeties for anything. I have enough. All I need is some Single Gal time, a mani/pedi, champagne in a pretty glass, and some chicken pie from my Mother-in-Law. It's my only request on my birthday that she make me this because she says it's labor intensive. Trust, it's like the most awesome chicken pot pie without the veggies (not that I have anything against veggies) that you will ever eat.

Cotton Snaps

I really want some of these CottonSnaps for my RayBans. They are constantly falling off if I need to put them on my head while at the pool or park with the girls. Some pink seersucker or classic gingham would be right up my alley....although I'd love to be more patriotic with the American Flag version.

I really need some stylish and comfortable flats to run around in when I'm not in my uniform workout gear since I chase kids, feed kids and diaper the little people all.day.long. I've been coveting these since Spring but with the big move it went to the back burner. 

via Kendra Scott blog

I won't image every Kendra item I'd love this year but I will link to some. Bracelet.These earrings, this necklace.  I just love her stuff. Bangles. Ring. I'll stop now because I could do this all day. Obviously I'd love to be dripping in it like these gals. 

#1 and I have been practicing the Birthday Song and I've been explaining Mom's birthday is Friday. She got a gift from Turtle's grandmother on Sunday and she thinks it's her birthday. Love her. 

Bring it on 30! 

XOXO

The Housewife