Brain Drain

I am now going to uncork my brain and blog out all the thoughts which have been festering swimming around in my head for the past many days.

• The Non-Fall Fall season is now here in SE Texas, which so far as I can tell just means The Weather retains the right to be a little more volatile.  Not always cooler or less humid or less sunny, though it remains Mother Nature’s prerogative to bless us with those things (and she has, a little).  But there’s more of a mixed bag in each week’s weather report.  The skies are more dramatic on more days, and the roll of thunder isn’t uncommon anymore.  Here are some pictures from some kind of “front” that moved through last week:

• Despite the urge to still call him “baby,” my 1yo is truly in Toddler Territory.  He is now tall enough to run around the kitchen, open not just the cupboards, but also the DRAWERS, reach his chubby little hand over the edge of the drawer and sweep it back and forth until his eager fingers find something he can pluck out with a cry of victory.  And of course whatever he grabs is usually sharp or heavy or otherwise Very Dangerous.  He has decided to only take one nap per day, which sometimes leaves me trying to entertain him (or keep him safe) for hours and hours and hours on end.  We are both totally fried by bedtime at 7pm.  He has also succeeded in crossing off at least one task on his Things That Mommy Didn’t Think I’d Even Try Yet list, and drew on the wall of our den with a pencil.  Seriously!  He’s 1 year old!  What made him think to do that!  Oh, and he did it all secretively, hunched under the table, where he probably thought I’d never catch him.  It makes me tired just thinking about the next year.

the evidence

the perpetrator

• We have extended our rental lease here by another 12 months.  (::dramatic pause while everyone wonders what Stacey really thinks about the certainty of being here for 12 more months….::)
• To follow up on the “fabric softener for a week” story from a previous post, I would just like to explain how on earth it was that I didn’t notice I was using the softener instead of detergent.  First of all, the bottles DO look an awful lot alike!  I mean, back me up, people!  Also, who has time to stand there and see if the water makes bubbles with what you just poured in the washer?  That’s how my husband finally discovered my mistake – he was putting in a load of laundry and didn’t see any bubbles.  That speaks volumes about our approach to housekeeping, and maybe even life.  He takes the time to Stop and Watch the Bubbles.  Someone put that on a pillow for me, okay?  And then maybe I’ll remember to buy detergent next time and not softener!
• MY MOTHER IS COMING!  MY MOTHER IS COMING!  After not one, not two, but THREE recent “business” trips that have actually been more about schmoozing and getting pampered, my husband was feeling especially guilty about everything I’m left with while he’s gone.  He has enough miles for a free plane ticket, as well as a hotel room, and he offered to send me anywhere for my own little getaway. Here’s my conundrom:  I want to go alone, meaning WITHOUT baby.  If I go to Oregon to see friends or California to see family, I will be skewered for not bringing the baby!  My husband had a great solution:  fly my mom to come visit us in Houston, she can see all the grandkids *including* baby Eli, and then send Mom and I away for a couple of days while she is here.  Perfect!!!!  I am sooooo excited, and early November could not come soon enough.
• and finally…..
• Daughters M12 and A10 auditioned yesterday to be Munchkins in the high school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.  I’ve now heard the song “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” WAY more times than is necessary for one lifetime.  We hear tomorrow if they will be cast.  I keep thinking that at least it wasn’t a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  In terms of shows with small freaky people, the Oompah Loompahs are waaaaaay freakier (and have much stranger songs) than the Munchkins.

Well, that’s it for now, even though I feel a few more posts coming on.  I will have mercy and post them separately, though.  If you’ve managed to read this far, bravo (and thanks)!

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig:

1. Overcoming Summertime Boredom and "Brain Drain" {Spotlight}
2. My Son Gave His Brain to Science…Literally!
3. This is Your Brain on Walmart

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