Who's sleepy?

I picked Jack up from school today and I was immediately informed that it was "Jumpits" day.

You know the event. A jumpy place with 4000 smelly kids and 2000 parents standing around chit chatting. The school will get $1 for every kid that shows up. I would rather send the school $20 rather than go to this "special night".

Jack started begging immediately.
"Please, you never take me."
"I'm the only one in my class that isn't going to be there."
"We never do anything fun."
By this time, he is in tears.

I am trying not to laugh at the insanity in the back seat and explain that Mommy is very tired. His response to this-"Do you think that I'm NOT tired after being at school all day!"
That would be why we aren't going... Just sayin'.

7 1/2 months towards 12 steps

I don't do change.
I like my life. Its easy and smooth sailing (most of the time.)
2009 has brought CHANGE. I did mean to capitalize the entire word, its that big. I need a 12 step program to get myself through all its going to take.

These are the basic rules I am going to need to follow-
*admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion; I have no problem admitting that I don't do change, I am working on the contentment phase-CHECK
*recognizing a greater power that can give strength; God has always been in my life and He isn't going anywhere now-CHECK
examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member); I am going to need a sponsor, I am going to sign up the Lawyer's Wife. She always has good advice and mint tea-CHECK
making amends for these errors; this is going to take work,
learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior; I have years to work on this one
helping others that suffer from the same addictions or compulsions. Give me a few years and I will be your sponsor

So are you wondering what is changing?
First, One of my favorite product lines is being pulled from the Southeast. This is very rare,usually they will switch to a different distributor, not drop an entire region of the country!
I now have to experiment with new product lines, find new favorites and then convince my clients that they love this new line more than the old one. HUGE!

Second, my assistant of 4 years has decided that the new commute she has is too far.(She recently moved way out into the country) I knew it would happen sooner or later with an hour commute, but damn this week? I have had to place ads, sort applications, interviews applicants, and now train a new assistant. Thank heavens the new girl wants to do everything perfectly, so that the transition is easier for me. Bless her heart! I won't miss the old ones family drama. You would die if I shared half of her crap. She has 6 kids+ their spouses+ 10 grandchildren= a lot of phone calls and drama. BTW, she is only 43. Yeah, drama.

Last but not least. In March, I had a procedure attempted (read this) to not have any more babies. One of my tubes is blocked and the other is very narrowed. God had other plans for me.
I got an elliptical machine for Christmas. I thought that my waist should have been getting smaller from working out, but it started to spread and my chest started to ache. It had to be the arm workout.
I even had a period this month, it was short, but still there.
My tubes don't work.
All the signs were there, but it had to be ectopic. My doctor convinced me that there was no way.
I took a test and like lightning it said POSITIVE!
I laughed, Paint boy laughed. We knew it was a miracle, but probably ectopic.
I went to the doctor on Monday morning. No exam room, straight to the ultrasound room.
Let me tell you when your doctor's response is, "OH My!" you know you are in trouble. The nurse said,"Oh my goodness, how old are your boys?" That would be 12 and 6.

Well people, Hairgirl is knocked up!
10 weeks pregnant. Not a little pregnant, almost through her first trimester.
We saw the little legs and arms wiggling, the little heart beating. A true miracle.
A BIG CHANGE!
Now all of you start praying for a girl.

Did you think I had died

in Tennessee?

Not quite.
I was told that we were going to Gatlinburg, try Pigeon Forge.
Even more painful.
The cabin was knotty pine. On all surfaces. Floors, ceilings, walls, furniture.
I was in a coffin. By Sunday morning, the the knots were forming evil faces. Not kidding.

When we go on vacation, the only rule, is that we don't eat at any restaurant that we have at home. Well the "family" doesn't do the unfamiliar. We ate at Red Lobster, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Cracker Barrel. I was told to "just deal and go along with what they wanted." Seriously, we waited 45 minutes to eat at Red Lobster and rather than wait for a table for all of us to eat together, I ate at a table for 4 with Paintboy and the boys. If I would have known the seating arrangements I would have left and went somewhere else.
While standing and waiting for our table, SIL said,"I love this town! Its so white. I mean there isn't even any white trash." Priceless statement, as that you instantly become white trash by crossing the county line. As far as the eye could see, people excited about racing go carts, shopping in outlets, eating pancakes and attending dinner shows by "has been" country music stars. This statement was made by a woman that gives here children coffee in their sippycups. I don't mean cream with a splash of coffee: real coffee, splash of cream 2 splenda, just like I take mine. Her youngest walks around in the morning with his coffee and a sour expression. I think he needed a cigarette, he looks like a Winston Man. I am in Hell.

MIL ordered PizzaHut for dinner- 2 large. Did I mention that there are 8 adults and 4000 children? Paint boy ran through Taco Bell for SIL kids(at her insistence) and picked up an extra dozen tacos. I seriously ate the crust off my kids pizza for dinner.

The list goes on and on, but at one point I was asked if I was "too good" to be there. The honest answer-YES!
As we left town, PB said that we should find the cabin for next year.
After about an hour, he said that maybe we could find a place somewhere else.
Another hour and he is still contemplating where.
By the time we get home he says that next year we are going back to exchanging gifts and to forget the entire trip thing.
He also promised to never take me back there again!

3rd ring of Hell

"I'm goin' straight to Hell, just like my momma saaaid. I'm goin' straight to hell."
If you went to college in the South you know that song like the back of your hand. Thank you Drivin' and Cryin' for many a sing along in the bars. Seriously people, I think they may still be playing the college bar scene!

I am headed today to Hell.
Yes, that's right. Gatlinburg, TN.
I know that some of you love the quaint little village.
Love the outlet shopping.
Love the "dinner shows".
Love the go carts and the putt-putt.

I do not share the love.
I am going to a large cabin with my husband's family.
12 IL's and NO alcohol.
Hell.
Its all I'm sayin', pure Hell.


ETA- I am still sitting here blogging at 11 am. I haven't packed the first thing and the SUV will roll out of the driveway at 12:30. A little passive aggressive this morning???