Highly-Mobile Baby - 5 month-old Seeks Age-Inappropriate Toys

My clever daughter not only rolled to access the telephone -- but (roughly-SPEAKING) knew what to do with it!


Stalking Charlie &, more importantly, the MagnaDoodle (TM)

Jack's school band does Disneyland.

GMK and I each donated a twenty-dollar bill for his meals, etc.

And the same Crab Queen that will not give him a cell phone did give him a credit card with a note "Dear Disney Merchant" consenting to his use of said card. He was under Very Strict Orders to bum a cell phone from a friend if he lost the c-c and call me so I could immediately cancel it. That proved to be unnecessary and while I haven't yet received the full download (as he is currently at French horn lesson then Vision Therapy and then Majors Little League "skills assessment"*), my guess based on the souvenirs brought home is that he had a fine, fine time.

You can be sure that Charlie and Lola (heck, she has so many names, I'm now just giving her random girl names at whim) enjoyed the new headwear:



Charlie was out of his mind thrilled with "ears"! Poor soul, he hasn't been to Disneyland -- that whole 2-hours away -- yet! Maybe APC and I will do a Road Trip??


Ignoring the remnants of our latest adventure into rice cereal down her dress, Lola, too, seems enamored of the ears.




Naturally, the sorceror's apprentice hat befits Jack's current interest in all things orchestral.

Ordered to give LLGA rice cereal (i.e., Baby's First Feedings)

After 8+ days of tummy problems, advised to try a little solid food.





Too practical to wait for the holiday.




At least she likes the spoon. (How did something BLUE creep into our photo?!)

Photography by Jamie (where I'm featured) and just-LLGA photos by me.

Fun with the DYMO (TM) Label-maker

Everybody loves the DYMO. Charlie came up, brandishing (triumphantly) 3 labels "excavator", "bulldozer", and "excavator". At first, I thought I was witnessing True DYMO Genius. (Later, Jack came and rained on my "C-boy's a genius" parade with a confessional).


Only discovered this AFTER he'd been to school and back -- actually, his afternoon in-home behavioral tutor asked, "Does he have a band-aid (TM) on his leg?" and I said, "Let me see...did he get hurt?" Apparently, his brothers labeled HIM (A--------n). And, apparently, my morning-routine supervision was less than stellar.

Nice!

This just in. From Patty Liz/Betsy...

http://childtrader.com/

Patty Liz/Betsy writes, "I think this is terrible, but too funny not to share."
Notably, her potential exchangee hasn't reached the age of back-talk.

I'm just sorry someone filched my idea before I filled out that Trademark paperwork!

Jack's Exciting Morning

My version @ 9:37 a.m.:

The phone rings.
I answer.

The voice on the other end butchers my name.
I agree to be the variation on my real name in the interest of brevity and from sheer exhaustion at educating the population.

Now I quote,
"There's been a school bus accident with your son on board. They are waiting for police to come check everyone out so they are not at school yet."

Me: "WHOA! Stop! Please start over from the top and let's add in who you are and what school you are calling from since I have 3 sons on various bus routes this morning."

Caller: "Um, I'm from Standley. Your son would be John?"

Me: "Oh, Jack...he's okay then?" [Ed. note: Obviously, were Tim or Charlie stuck somewhere on the side of the road I'd have flown into Action.]

Caller: "It was just a fender-bender. Supposedly, no one is hurt."

Me: "Would it be possible -- when Jack does arrive at school -- for him to call and just check in with me?"

Caller: "Doesn't he have a cell phone?"

[Ed. rhetorical note: If he had a cell phone, wouldn't he have called and told me about the accident?!]

[Ed. rhetorical note #2: If he had a cell phone, couldn't I call him myownself and determine his condition and whereabouts?!]

Me: "No. He does not and therefore, I'm asking whether someone could pass a message to him."

Caller: "Okay."

==============================================

My version @ 12:06 p.m., still having heard NOTHING from Jack:

I call the school office.
"This is Jack's mom. He was on the school bus that had the 'fender-bender'. I'm wondering if he's reached school YET?"

Office: "Yes."

Heart-warming.

=============================================

Jack's version @ 1:51 p.m.:

My portion of the dialogue appears in italics.
We were on Mission Bay Drive heading to the 5-North. Suddenly, we hear this big "bonk". Turned out to be a guy driving a blue car that now has a dent in the front. We happened to be rear-ended. We were parallel to In n' Out. No one was hurt but the guy's car was hurt and the guy didn't even say he was sorry to us.

How fast were you going?
5 miles per hour.

What time did this happen?
Before 8:30 a.m.

What time did you arrive at school?
9:40 a.m.

Did you call me?
No, the phone wasn't working in the office. I needed to get to English. And you know how I am -- I am NOT going to miss Band. Because if I'm late to Band, I might not get to go to Disneyland!!

momentary silence

Can I play Wii?

No!

But I was in a car accident!

Crystal Ball for LLGA?

GMK, c. 19--

Courtesy of GMK's baby book and GMK's ma (Great-Grandma Mary) and Aunt Awesome (who sent it).

Mystery Solved.

Rooster-hair skipped a generation. Or not. See 12/1/08.

Guest Blogger: Pa of Sand Crab, on the Occasion of the Son's Flame-Spray

Congratulations on your scorched butt. Your Grandfather Jim would be extremely proud of you. You may have heard this story before, but it bears/bares repeating.

During W W 2, your Grandpa Jim was a Medic, an Airborne Ranger, the Army's oldest PFC (because he had turned down an appointment to OCS) and the proud bearer of the nickname, Lootin' Willy. Your Mother has inherited some very nice jewelry from Von Poppen's home in Germany. He was attached to Patton's 3rd Army, Long Range Recon outfit and saw Georgie Patton on a regular basis.

One evening, he and another soldier got drunk and shaved a "V for Victory" in their hair in order to display their patriotism. The next morning, he and his fellow patriot were sporting their designer hairdos about 3rd Army Headquarters and had the pleasure of being seen by Ol' Blood and Guts, hisself (a little southern colloquialism for flavor), who took exception to their non-regulation haircut and promptly chewed them out royally while they were suffering from a good ol' fashioned GI hangover. Needless to say, they ended up with totally shaved heads, post haste.

Your Grandpa was quite proud of this great honor, after all, we are talking about world class braggin' rights.

For what it's worth, you're one up on your Grandpa, you got chewed out by a 4 star, he got yelled at by a mere 3 star.

Enjoy your fame.

God bless and Semper Fi,

Sgt. Dad

See Ben's post from 1/20/09 at www.baghdadsandcrab.bravejournal.com

Pity, Party of 1 ... Seating is now available.

So now I remember the real bummer part of this whole Navy/IA nonsense. Solitude is one thing, loneliness is a whole different deal. How can she be lonely, a reader could reasonably ponder, as she is never alone.

. . . . .

Ended up with the nurse at the Naval Hospital calling back and saying that Lucy "absolutely" needs to be seen today. Could I come at noon and just wait to be worked in? Or did I want a 1:35 p.m. appointment? (Where previously I had been told none existed). Opting for the latter, I took Tim in all his glory * and, against idealism, left J-crabs with Charlie & left the neighbors' numbers plastered to their collective, figurative foreheads.

First stop, since I am always early, was to fetch (trip number 4) the elusive M-tab Risperdal for the big sled dog. Not-smart pharmacy rep commented upon handing me that Big Brown Grocery Bag that I "should check more carefully in the future" which prompted me to look her dead in the eye and say, (and I quote), "You really shouldn't have said that out loud...to me...today." And proceeded to ream her that this was our FOURTH trip and who should have known to check -- me when they couldn't approve it but put in the computer that I'd picked it up (!); my IA spouse who was doing a pick-up having been out of the loop for 8 months (?); or maybe my mom who was retrieving a ton of meds (3 with previous pharmacy errors) (?!?). OR maybe the folks FILLING the Rx and taking a paycheck to do so. Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!

Next stop, a painfully long wait for Dr. Skin Issue. Lucy was 19 lbs. 15 oz. this time so clearly her issue is not costing her significant weight loss! Called the J-crabs and learned that Charlie had gone potty in the potty chair. Go, J-crabs. Didn't miss the irony of that factoid. While waiting, Lucy had another episode (through her cute red pants). Sadly, the Queen did not plan out the presto-change-o outfits so she went into peach floral bottoms with a red Aborigine-print top. When finally examined, Dr. R--h confirmed that she looks perfectly great except for that concern she's here about. Oh, and a yeasty diaper rash (think he must love when that's a dx). Confirmed that it was indeed blood. Took a culture and said it's gastroenteritis unless something impressive grows in the next 48 hours in the lab and advised that I need to be "very vigilant". Geez...I'm already too vigilant. Return for any more blood, any fever, or if she's "fussy".

Off to the pharmacy to deal with the blasted rash cream. Not in the system, but she was shrieking so I picked her up to discover a second episode involving the mismatched attire and the carseat cover (ugh) and returned to Peds to inquire about where-is-the-Rx and use their changing tables. Tim is now not just in glory but ramped up.

Washed up and returned again to the pharmacy and retrieved the med after about 10-minutes' wait but by now, Tim has gone south and I can barely stay inside my skin.

Drove home through tears. Once home, Jack gave me a hug at the CR-V door. Nothing like a little empathy from someone supposedly challenged to provide empathy to bring on the fountain.

Attacked TONS of laundry, changed three diapers in less than 7 minutes, and started tackling everything else that accompanies a regular weekend exercise in joy, fun, and delight. Jack came up to me and nodded in a solemn way but with a twinkle in his eye to say, "Mom, the way you came home...well, that wasn't GREAT." (This is a scene from 30 Rock, which he is obsessed with -- most inappropriately). But it did make me laugh.

And tomorrow the IHSS social worker comes to lay eyes upon Tim and Charlie. And the piles and piles of stuff sitting around the livingroom that I meant to get to today (or yesterday, when Darrin swung by for a surprise, several-hours-long visit). I already asked and was consoled that he (IHSS social worker dude) would not report us to CPS for not having replaced Tim's broken bed yet. Apparently, it's all about WHERE the mattress is residing. Mattress on the floor of a bedroom is fine. Mattress on the floor of a garage is NOT.

. . . . .

Anyway, lonely is having no other driver. Lonely is being the only SOB able to medicate the young people. Lonely is facing "Mo's choice": which kid's needs will be met with the limited resources available. Lonely is having to depend on non-family. Lonely is having to cancel yet another social mini-engagement planned for tomorrow. (Missed Hot chocolate, coffee, and now early lunch). I also learned that Lonely does not respond well to the word, "wallow".

Tomorrow will be another day. Hopefully, Lonely will check out by noon from the Castle.

* Today's version of Tim-in-all-his-glory was about 5,237 recitations of earning 2 (TwO) special treats (whatever) for mild behavior. Clearly, mild behavior is synonymous with Death-by-Question. Pair this up with random verbal outbursts in the middle of a waiting room populated by exactly 3 other patients (median age 72-hours) issued by a husky, puberty-voiced, hairy-legged chap wearing sweatpants, white socks and leather slide-on slippers. It was a LOOK. Oh, wait, lest I forget, today's unusual motor sequence was to cross his leg, run his fingers across the sole of his "shoe" (slipper), and then touch his lip. The sole that had trod across the hospital. Ew-factor was spiking!

waving the white flag - don't read if eating.

Tim is on day 5 of his illness. Grumpy.
Charlie is on day 4 of his fever.
The J-crabs are vascillating between helpful-when-nagged and downright sneaky (about video games).
LLGA had 5 dirty diapers on Friday, 9 yesterday and already this morning has had 2, with the second one featuring blood.

While admittedly high-strung, the reference book says this warrants an immediate call and visit.

Of course the appointment line for peds doesn't open until 8 so I waited and called at 8:03 a.m. All appointments gone for today. And the nurse has 24 hours to return my call. And there's no appointments available yet for tomorrow.

Oh, and our IHSS worker cancelled for today, making it two weekends in a row without her. No other scheduled help for Sunday.

why didn't I think of this?!

To whom it may concern;

I would like President Obama to appoint Cmdr. B. J. A-------n to a newly created position, Secretary of Awesomeness. This would allow said crab to do fun things and get away from places that get attacked because we all know that THAT is not awesome so would not be part of the job description.

V/R,
Patty Clandestine

Verdict: He's in!

I'm happy to report that Jack made "Honor Band" for San Diego Unified.
At least I think I'm happy.
Ask me when I'm driving to extra practices during Little League season.

Apparently, 4 tried out. Jack is 3rd chair. 1 didn't get in. (We believe that is "Crutches").

Touching moment tarnished when Jack asked, "Mom, can I have a 'victory soda'?"

Immediately after my negative reaction, Jack amended his request, "Mom, can I have some 'victory Wii'??"

Today's best moment

Setting: cluttered living room
Present: me, checking e-mail and Lucy, set down amidst her baby toys

Maybe 3 minutes elapse and I realize that Lucy has forsaken her collection of age-appropriate toys to roll/inchworm her way to Charlie's "crane"/"fishing pole" (shoe-lace connecting 2 mega-blocks). It is in her hand and then, blammo, the lace and about 7 knuckles are in her mouth.

It is the mixed look of wonderment, pride, and curiousity that I savored.

Well, for the 1.87 seconds before I snatched the LACE! the GERMS! out of her meaty clutches.


And now she has made it to my chair. Pretty impressive that she can make such progress with at least one hand in her mouth. Teething-in-progress, it appears.

Wait, she's been lured by the rolled-up AeroBed cord. Good grief.

MOTY, bullet point for my nomination

As previously noted, IHSS worker was sick, leaving us one respite worker (who is incapable/unwilling/inflexible about keeping an eye on more than one person w/ autism at a time). Sooooo, I dosed Charlie up on Tylenol and loaded him into the van together with LLGA, Jack, and Jack's French horn/music.

Away we went under the cloak of darkness. LLGA decided that she'd LOSE HER MIND the entire 24-minute drive. That was a real tension-releaser for Jack (not). She sounded absolutely terrified/hurting by the time I pulled up at the middle school site. Off-loaded Jack like we were an ambulance ... baby wailing, the van (remember, lacking 1/2 its hubcaps for that oh-so-special pathetic look) off-kilter in an illegal parking position, and me hissing at Jack "go...go...go!" I mean we looked BAD. The other kids were walking in neat lines with parental escorts and it was WAY too quiet for an A------n arrival.

But it gets better...Charlie decided that he was "sca-wed" in the very back bench seat and ended up in the front captain's chair, goofing around. (I think I saw him licking the window, but I declined to investigate as I was nursing the baby from the driver's seat, having relocated the Windstar to a legitimate parking stall). 45-minutes in the dark (because the Windstar's battery is suspect, I didn't feel we could run the map lights) with whining tykes was bad enough, but then Charlie announced, "Need to go to potty!" A quick survey of my environs indicated that the silently awaiting folks would notice if I tried to have him pee anywhere but in an authorized restroom. Plus, the grassy area was fenced off for construction project! My anti-MOTY response was to tell him, "You're in a pull-up and you've peed your pants a dozen times today already...we are not traipsing out to find a nasty toilet." To soften this initial response, I pointed out that there was a skid-steer (mini construction equipment) "Isn't that FUN?"

Jack returned with the news that he'd done fine and had, in fact, let a kid on crutches who arrived late for his audition go first. (WHILE I SUFFERED IN THE VAN). Jack's take was, "I think I looked like a nice guy." (IF YOU CANNOT LOOK LIKE A GOOD FRENCH HORN PLAYER). 3 horns tried out so we should find out if this was worth the agony either today or Monday at the latest.

En route home, know that I earned a trip through Krispy Kreme drive-thru!!! KK, it had been too long.

Exercise in Random Thinking.

I was challenged by a friend to list 25 personal facts, opinions, or thoughts today. I achieved Randomness (it's a forte of mine) but didn't go too deep because of course this is the Castle. Perhaps you may be interested in trying the same.


In no particular order:

1. I am enjoying catching up with so many folks [via Facebook...Uncle Mike, breathe] that I'd "lost" over the years, the miles, and the adventures.

2. I truly relish finding that despite #1, most folks haven't changed that much.

3. That internet ad for classmates.com (or whatever .com) where it shows cheesy 1980s-photos of 2 teenagers and then says, "They're married?! And they have FIVE kids?!" is causing me not a little stress that one of these days my horrible senior photo will flash (along with my hubby's likewise spectacular high school portrait) with the accompanying text.

4. A group of beach-folks in a mom & pop doughnut shop [yes, Kiki, it was Linda's Doughnuts] saw me with my brood and one of them exclaimed, "You look like Sarah Palin!" and my thoughts were a. my glasses do rock, b. I've been wearing my hair like this for at least a decade of child-rearing, and c. wish I were that tiny. By then, three other people chimed in "you do...you do". So I had to snatch my big-girl dozen and flee the premises.

5. It has been months since I slept more than 3 hours in a stretch. And I don't even mind that much. Which suggests a worrisome level of functional, chronic sleep deprivation.

6. I fear that people forget how many civil rights -- not to mention everyday freedoms -- that those who serve in our nation's Armed Forces sacrifice.

7. DELETED FOR PRIVACY REASONS BY APC.

8. If Starbucks discontinues the Salted Carmel Signature Hot Chocolate, then I'm going to be v. disappointed. There, I admit it, I have sunk so low as to fret about future access to my chocolate-in-a-collar drink.

9. If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have taken at least one Child Development course at Northwestern. Way more pertinent than "Sociology of Sex Roles", although that one did have the bonus of creating parental stress. The only "B" that warranted no parental inquiry and that may indeed have been cheerfully accepted by my dad.

10. I cringe when people say, "They'll be out of the house before you know it" because they've obviously missed the cold fact that not all of my people will be following the "typical" path to independent living.

11. One of the things I am proudest of is that my eldest (for whom so much is so challenging) enjoys Catholic Mass with an attitude far more befitting an old-fashioned revival tent. I'm glad he likes the ritual, the music, and the congregating.

12. I derive a great deal of joy from watching my 5-y-o draw and write. Only 3 years ago this month, he had brain surgery and that was just the worst.

13. Shopping for girls' clothing -- though I denied it for 14 years -- is exponentially more fun than shopping for boys' clothing.

14. The corollary is, however, that shopping for girls' toys is not as satisfying. There's just some things that don't need to be lavender.

15. No matter how many recipes I clip or foodie articles I read, I need to embrace the reality that the best thing you can say about my meal preparation skills is that I am incredibly careful about avoiding food-borne illness (fbi). Flavor, tenderness, originality, and presentation all pretty much require more attention and time than I am willing to devote.

16. I find non-fiction reads preferable to fiction. Can't decide whether fiction is too fictitious for me or whether non-fiction is just more reliable. Ergo, I'm a nightmare to have in a book club.

17. With a military family that specializes in 2-block moves (vice cross-country or trans-oceanic ones), I would like to register that always waving good-bye from my yard is pretty high on the suck-meter.

18. Without IKEA, my house would be largely devoid of furniture. Without Target, I would be a consumer deprived of a cheery venue of consumerism.

19. I would like to return to school for doctoral studies. Then I look around and think that I have a Ph.D. in many things (for instance, the philosophy of Laundry) and besides there's that irksome issue of finding references.

20. If you're feeling low, try zydeco.

21. The Sweet Potato Queens were not kidding about the necessity of having a Guy in one's life Who Can Fix Things.

22. If diaper-changing was an Olympic sport, I'd qualify. I'm that fast.

23. I can still beat my sons at h-o-r-s-e but fear my days doing so are numbered.

24. I feel very blessed that my family has been so supportive of us. My mother, aside from some annoying habits and tendency to critique my parenting, forfeited the frozen prairie (and her big daddy woo-woo) to stay with us and my sister has been out for extended visits 3 -- maybe 4 -- times in the last year.

25. One of these years I hope to fly to some far-away port call and meet Ben there. See #24. :-)

Day 2 of Post-LLGA Solo-ness

Two boys are sick.

Tim has a Peds appointment this AM for a likely sinus infection. Again. Low-grade fever, cough all night, and gross nose.
Charlie awakened at 5, flew into my room, and is 100.change.

Jack's Honor Band audition and my meeting are both looking Quite Unlikely for this evening.

The only silver lining of going to the Naval hospital is that I can *finally* (4! trips later) pick up Tim's uber-PITA med at the pharmacy. The cloudy lining is that I'll have three kids in tow.

Wednesday. Day 1 Solo Post-LLGA.

Laundry beat back. On load seven (7) now.

Sand Crab called so I heard the download from his impersonation of a space shuttle heat shield (i.e., weathering a "flame-spray").

Jack's math teacher called to get "parent's okay" for Jack to be demoted back into just "advanced prealgebra"; he was erroneously placed in Algebra 1 this fall and we agreed to give it a semester, but it's just not happening. The math teacher said it's not a case of Jack's effort or the teacher not liking him (because he seems to like him a lot and vice versa) but rather that Jack's young for 7th grade and that some concepts in this teacher's opinion take "maturity". Okay, then.

Finished a 197-doc case for my Midnight Basketball League job despite LLGA's fussy-pants day. She even got a bath -- and, hey, so did I.

Jamie home at lunch (stupid minimum day) and so I had a bazillion rounds of "no Wii" with him. Charlie emerged from in-home behavior services by 3:15 so did take a cul-de-sac stroll with LLGA and my sidekick, Charlie. Tim home early (4:05 p.m.)

And the stage was set:
Was preparing dinner (smoked beef sausage, mac n' cheese, croissant rolls, salad, and celery and milk).
And then all heck broke loose.
Tim had a 25-minute-long melt-down brought on by our (Jamie's) inability to locate a jar of peanut butter and subsequent cry-fest brought on by my frustration at Jamie being in my way while not finding PB. (Found the offending jar on the top "snack" shelf behind everything -- vice in the staples lower shelves where it would have been had my organizational preferences been executed).

And, now, it is clear that Tim is getting sick. Cold/cough symptoms galore.

Which led to my decision to move the humidifier from my room to his (we only have 2 so it's a game of musical humidity), and while trying to coax the mattress (on the floor since the departure of his broken bed) with my feet (like a Genius) spilled the humidifier reservoir contents on the mattress. Triple-drat! (only that's not exactly what I said).

Meanwhile, Jack apparently misunderstood the audition process for Honor Band, missed the deadline but now thinks that they don't have enough horns so is trying, like the rodent he is, to weasel a spot anyway. (He points out that his band director is the adjudicator for brass; his private lessons are with a Principal in San Diego; and his private lessons teacher is married to the Honor Band director...always working it and at least today, using his political awareness for good rather than drama).

Going to treat myself to a rented Arrested Development DVD and a triple-drat-load of milk chocolate lacey cookies and hope they all choose an early bedtime.

Truly, this is not the life I ordered. At all.

But I am promised by Patty Grace that since our new President is installed, no one will lose his/her job, the sun will always shine, and my children will never be sick again. God bless America!

Classy Crab-Act

Two Mondays ago, I was summoned (if I so desired) to a secret Murphy Canyon location because of my spouse's IA status (newbies, remember the glossary exists to serve you). With LLGA in tow, I taxied there before a Tim doctor appointment to fetch 3 bags of Starbucks coffee that had been donated by Starbucks' patrons for troops. It was a stealth affair like something out of "burn notice" or another clandestine-themed show with people milling about whilst piles of coffee sat there, awaiting pick-up. You had to know when/where to be there and folks dropping by to conduct other business probably thought there was a coffee-running (or worse) scheme with the Armed Services YMCA as a 'front'.

Anyhow, as I signed away my life on a clipboard (still slightly panting from the extra steps required in the short window I'd allotted for the errand to locate and traverse an accessible (for wheelchairs and strollers) ramp to the office, an employee of the ASYMCA informed me that "we're asking the IA service members to take a photo of themselves with the coffee and send us an e-mail". My mouth did, in fact, drop to the floor as the effort was promoted as "Thank you to the troops" and I was, in fact, financing the postage for its delivery. I'd only made the effort because Ben opined that his officemates would also appreciate the gesture. I mean, I personally can barely keep up on my correspondence for bona fide gifts and have to admit, I do not believe Miss Manners or Emily Post require written thanks for a "thank you". Let alone that the recipients are in a combat zone -- like the Crab, lacking a camera (his died) and many do not have easy-access to e-mail. Nevertheless, I dutifully tucked the neon directions on how to thank Starbucks (who btw, I understood had collected the coffee for which their PATRONS paid full-price) into the care package. And schlepped to the P.O. Reminder, O Reader, that because this is going to an APO/FPO address, I must declare customs and cannot use any mailing option other than Standing in the Long Line and Personally Interfacing with the Counter Agent.

So the labor of love came to fruition with CDR Crab's receipt. And the man, probably because his sum total of effort was the calories burned opening the parcel and victoriously holding it aloft for his officemates to view and communally rejoice, put that English major from a fancy institution to work:





Dear Sir or Madam:
I was very pleased to open a care package from home and find three bags of
Starbucks donated by some of our great citizens on the home front. My teammates
and I are enjoying some of the finer things in life due to their generosity.
Please extend our thanks to Starbucks and their contributors--it means a lot!

V/R, Combat Crab

No picture from the Crab was attached but the sentiment needs no visual aid.

Guest Blogger: J-crab, Sr. on His Day

Jack has just arrived home, breathless and grumpy:

"We had to watch the Inauguration and then discuss it in every class today. Well, I told them that I didn't think that Politics belonged in middle school. I mean, ALL the teachers were political today. I just said, 'Separation of Politics and School please.'"

GMK and I have tried to explain that this is civics and history and it is part of education.

Jack rebutted that they were required to quote from Mr. Obama's speech and make a positive comment about it. No negative comments allowed.

John Allbritton was for John McCain and the former is still coming to grips with November's vote on the latter.

Jamie walked into the room and pointed out that his class watched, too. No drama, no upset. Just matter-of-fact remark followed by a "Can I please play Wii?"

-------------------

Crablet consternation aside, my positive comment would definitely be that Mrs. Obama's dress/coat/gloves ensemble was elegant.

Portrait of a Navy wife -- seriously out-numbered!

There was so much grab-fanny'ing before & after this photo, it is incredible that there aren't flailing limbs and wicked, not-fit-for-Church-Directory thought bubbles...oh wait, that's in the poses we DIDN'T select. Of course, this portrait sorely lacks Daddy. And there's way too many people touching me all at once!!!

Poor Combat Crab.

I don't know whether to be proud or mortified of Sand Crab receiving a dressing-down from a 4-Star General. I do know without question that the General and I share at least two experiences now..."hollering" at the Crab as well as receiving the "face" in return.

Highly-Mobile Baby- Grandma Susan will be so proud!

Video of Charlie - the video part

Accompanying text to Video of Charlie

Disclaimer: If I only posted video/photos that showed a tidy living situation, there'd be a text-only blog. Please ignore the piles on and near the piano. Am just getting through a 3-day Queen-hostage situation!

Charlie was singing part of "Mail myself to you" while drawing pictures for the next Combat Crab Care Package. Sand Crab will be exceptionally thrilled to have a variety of
TELETUBBIES
drawings.

What was really heart-warming was him sing-saying "wrap string around me" and then folding them up into "paper planes".

But once the videocamera was rolling, he changed them into "newspapers" and becomes a "Paper Boy". Given that we've not taken a newspaper the entire time he's been alive, clearly he's learning something somewhere. Hooray!

Livin' the Dream of a 3-Day Weekend...

Yesterday was a Very Exciting Day for Tim (and Charlie). Frankly, it was pretty darn happy for me. As a "Special Treat" for Tim, I'd purchased a "fun-fetti" Valentine's cake and matching (always matching!) frosting, complete with sprinkles. Tim had a good day and, with GMK's assistance, a cake was made.



Charlie's so grinny you'd think he "helped"...nope, just a cake-vulture. And, no surprise, it's gone already.

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It's Sunday afternoon and we are a party of merely five in the Castle. Astonishingly mellow with Lucy napping, Charlie playing quietly, and Tim (post-special-treat) hanging out in his room watching a DVD. The J-crabs are at different scouting activities...Jack is at Mission Trails Regional Park with his Troop participating in a GPS/Geo-caching instruction while Jamie is at the Fleet Science Center with his Patrol working on his Scientist activity pin.

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Tomorrow looms ahead. No activities save some in-home services for Tim and Charlie. At least the weather is sunny so the J-crabs will be sent to the yard to dust off their baseball gloves in preparation for Little League try-outs next weekend. Jack is protesting my Brilliant Idea for him to remain in Minors a fourth year. He is league age 12 so it's legal as Minors are age 9-11; however, he told me I'd "ruin his reputation". My Brilliant Idea is for the J-crabs to play on the SAME team in order to minimize my commitment to another extracurricular (and my Saturday sun exposure).

Lucy - 1 of 3

Lucy - 2 of 3

Lucy - 3 of 3

LLGA Pix.

So much cuter than laundry!

And WAY heavier! (Officially, 19 lbs, 10.8 oz. as of this week).


Yes, there's plenty of Maloney in her. If we could only fly GGM (GMK's mom) out, I think we'd see plenty of Zugich as well :-)


Lucy's outfit for The Meeting. Distracting people with her cute-ness. I neglected to note in my previous post that I tucked the talisman against the Evil Eye (from Iraq) into my handbag as a secret shield.


Examining the pattern of her dress. It's important that a girl know how to coordinate and accessorize from an early age, although much of her accessorizing is, in actuality, un-accessorizing -- mostly pulling hats, bows, and socks OFF.


Lucy loves her blankies.

And more of the smiling lass, demonstrating her emerging "sit-alone" -- and topple-over -- skills:

Hear ye, hear ye~

It has not been well-publicized, but the Crab Queen has been "ner-fuss-ly" awaiting a Board meeting. It was last night.

At our previous meeting (2 months ago), 2 people I respect were besmirched and my own conduct was maligned. There I sat, muted by a combination of Robert's Rules of Order and my utter astoundment that educated, professional people would act in such a brazen dismissal of decorum, courtesy and good manners. My dad would chime in that "asses (well, you get the idea) come in every gender, denomination, etc." Yet after years of hearing that (as well as the punch line: "I don't care who you are, that's funny" though not applied to the same topics), one would think I'd be less surprised and yet, despite my strong cynical streak, apparently I believe everyone will play by the rules.

Anyway, after much agonizing I decided to address our group. Be it known that while the CQ blogs away, she tends to shy away from public speaking. So, given that I'd be juggling Lucy, still slightly numb from dental work that afternoon and a bit light-headed from lack of sustenance (see dental work), I typed up remarks.

And then, at about 7:30 p.m. I read them, sucking the oxygen from not one conference room, but our teleconference location in Imperial Valley. Everyone was looking at their toes after an overall "shame on you" for behaviors followed by a mini-monologue about my CV and reasons for being there. I was shaking like a leaf and my voice was quavering but I got through it.

The great news is that, much like when I played varsity HS basketball 2 decades ago, after I hit the deck/touched the ball/etc., the stage fright was over.

And then it was on like Donkey Kong.

The remainder of the meeting was one victory after another. People finally seemed to realize that my nemesis (actually plural nemesii??) was detracting from our purpose and that there was another (less whack-a-doodle) side to the story.

Shut down unilateral and unendorsed representation of our group.
Shut down a nomination from the floor that would have ruined the slate my committee had worked so hard to develop.
Shut down at least part of an effort to heap more fresh nastiness on our Director.

To my nemesises (?), "Suck it, monkeys!"
To the several good folks who supported my painful thinking and writing and revision process, I am so grateful for your counsel.

crab queen out.

Like a photo-booth, only floor-based: Jamie & Lucy

Like a photo-booth, only floor-based: Charlie & Lucy

Castle's moat may need fortification.

Received a notice on our door today warning that there's been recent theft in our housing area. Ho-hum, thought I, probably down in the other part of our 'hood.

But, no, as it turns out, the theft was DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET from the Castle. Broad daylight (8 to 10 a.m.). Initial rumor mill has it that probably teenagers seeking Wii units. Well, that notion repeated to GMK in the earshot of the J-crabs has a Castle Watch Brigade in high alert. Threaten our Wii, and we will take up arms (or at least run around like crabiots throwing locks and latches)!!

For those acquainted with my cul-de-sac, it was NOT Jenny ATS' house but rather the one with 2 BMW SUVs. I'm cautiously optimistic that the Windstar sans hubcaps and the delapidated, sad swing sans canopy and the general state of disrepair/chaos will convey that "There is nothing here of value" aura.

A Mom's Work Is Never Done...

This video says it all...even GMK beams with approval. It's becoming a weekly tradition...in fact, the first few bars of the William Tell Overture brought Jamie and Jack streaking down the hall hollering, "It's the Mom Song!"

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=47053757302&h=jK8md&u=FH-hN

Ta-Da! I did it (without power tools and without APC)

Instructions (which I actually consulted) and an Allen tool.
DONE!

Fru-fru crib sheets at last.
She's growing suspicious.

Addendum to "thank-you note" Memorialization

Jamie's has a baseball theme and Jack came up with Santa Darth!