Adventures in Juggling

My eyes are truly hurting tonight. Yes, perhaps it is the winds blowing the dust and pollen here but I am pretty certain the reflection of all the glitter, sequins…lots and lots of sequins and the gold my tiny dancer earned today is contributing.

Yes, I am going to gush over my amazing girl again! What of it? I can because I am the mommy.

Seriously, I can’t help but be proud of her. She is a tap dancing machine that keeps on grabbing more of those shiny, golden trophies. This is her first year competing so you have to let me have my proud mommy moment, okay? Her dance coach congratulated me saying, “Good job.”, after Jods collected her awards. I smiled and said that I really had nothing to do with this accomplishment. Her achievements are all hers and her coach’s…but then again I DID give birth to her. And I have been hauling her and all her rhinestone-y costumes all over Cali this year. And I have learned how to glue false eyelashes and rhinestones without glueing my daughter’s eyes shut…most of the time. Okay then. I humbly accept these kudos. But I must share these with my tiny dancer. She has worked so very hard this year dancing her little heart out while maintaining her grades (straight A’s) and other responsibilities.

Looks like I got my everyday best today. I guess I have to thank Fresno too…maybe just a little, tiny thank you.

Well, some of the gold in California is in the possession of my girl. Jodie took gold (again) and first place (again) in her tap solo division and she and partner, Sydney, took gold (again), first place (again) and scored the top duo/trio award of their age division.

As far as the hotel drama, of course I complained, demanded a new room with clean linens and received one night’s stay credited back to my account after I flashed my travel agent credentials and offered my card to the manager.

One more day of dancing/competing our little hearts out tomorrow then it will be on the road again after sunset. Yuck, that means we’ll get back to the Big Top around midnight if we are lucky. I sure hope the ice and snow on The Grapevine will have melted by then. It has been very cold and wet (yes, it does sometime rain in Southern California) most of the day here.

It’s very late but I have to share that my golden-haired child is a dancing star! She scored a few awards dancing her little heart out including a platinum award for tap solo in her age category and gold overall newbie in her age category.

And mom is getting better at glueing those false eyelashes and rhinestones on her…at least this time I didn’t glue her eyes shut.

I am pooped! Hey, kindergarten homework is HARD! I forgot how hard it can be especially when you are helping a stubbornly reluctant five year old who would rather do anything but that. Well, almost anything since he would still rather not poop in the potty. Still, two pages down of matching shapes and colors and trying to get past the letter “D” when writing his name and I am worn out.
Yes, son, “D” is for Daniel but “D” is not for done!
Well now that we are finally done I am nearly too pooped to blog…I said nearly.
I do have a couple of tags to answer to and I must say that timing is everything.
First I have my dear neighbor and friend, Jenn’s tag from A Pickle for Your Thoughts.
It’s a little Happiness in Ten Things. Here’s the thing, I must write ten things that make me happy.

1. my husband in spite of the fact that lately he drives me to distraction: He just popped a little sandwich cookie in my mouth while I was writing this. Yeah, he is sweet so I guess I will keep him around.

2. those five kids of mine: Of course today I have dealt with the usual heavy sighs, eye rolls, declarations of dislike and the constant sibling bickering but they are my darling circus clowns, mine all mine.

3. discharging a baby home from the hospital: They could have stayed one day too long or four months, it don’t matter; I love the moment I get to carry them oout past the hospital entrance.

4. sleep: Sleep makes me happy, very happy. There! I have confirmed for certain family members the fact that I love to sleep…all the time.

5. a pretty pedicure: That reminds me…

6. a good massage: I had one of those recently which was so amazing and awesome. Who knew I had THAT much range of motion in my neck! I must figure out a way to afford this on a regular basis.

7. a smooth, glass of cabernet…or maybe a zin…or a pinot…or a merlot

8. the sound of my family sleeping: There is something so peaceful and reassuring to hear the sounds of my circus slumbering.

9. soaking in my hot tub

10. Did I mention sleep?

Here’s another meme I found over at Mom Writes. The Middle Name Meme involves writing a post using each letter of your middle name to describe something relevant to your life. How hard could it be to describe me and my life with the middle name, Anne?

Pretty hard. Actually, it was a little challenging but I will give it a go.

Aware as in intuitive: I have a sense of what people are feeling which I guess is one of the things that makes me a pretty good nurse. No, I can not read minds. Just ask Bill, he’ll tell you. But I often have a pretty good sense of what one is feeling.

Needy: Oh yeah. I am the typical first born of a dyfunctional family. Yes, I am the caregiver, the “fixer” and I do it because I need to feel needed. I can’t believe how long it took me to realize this about myself.

No-nonsense: In the everyday things I am quite practical. I have to be. I couldn’t possibly juggle the way I do and get the laundry done…most of the time.

Emotional: Bill is laughing right now and saying, “You think?” Okay, I will confess, I am a teensy bit emotional at times…well, actually I am quite emotional. But that is one of the things that makes me special. At least Mr. Rogers and Barney told me that once.

And finally, here is something that makes me feel pretty gosh darn special.
Awesome Mom recently told me that she loves my blog! She is pretty amazing and (oh yeah) awesome so I am very honored and flattered by her compliment.
Thanks sister~friend, you made my day!
I promise to pass this love on. Just let me get a little sleep tonight.

Dear Carly from Ellipsis has graciously bestowed upon me the Nice Matters Award.
I must say that it made my day. Like Carly, I often wonder if what I am writing here really matters. I don’t solve all the world’s troubles nor do I have the answers to any theological conundrums. I just write about life as a mom raising five kids. It isn’t the most exciting thing in the world dealing with the care and feeding of a husband, a young adult child, two teenagers, a tween and an exceptional little boy whose needs are special. All that can’t be all that exciting can it?
I used to write all the time about my life as a nurse in the NICU. But I have shied away from that lately as I have seen privacy laws and the Healthcare industry corporate honchos shut down some awesome medical/nursing blogs. Because of that I have shied away from that part of my juggling act. I guess I am trying to find a voice that doesn’t break any laws or leave me worrying about whether or not I will have a job. In time, all in good time, I imagine.
What’s left is my life as it is. Definitely not too thrilling just my life. Receiving this award from Carly, I realize that it does pay to be nice and I graciously accept her award to me.

Apple, particularly the iPod, Tunes, Phone, iWhatever-else-they-can-come-up-with division.
Of course the Big Top is full of ‘Pod people as any regular reader of our adventures in juggling will attest to.
The other reason because in a weird, warped way, Steve Jobs sort of resembles Brain to me…perhaps I am too tired!

I am blogging for good all day.

Starbucks!
And why not?
In their own words:
The Company’s objective is to establish Starbucks as the most recognized and respected brand in the world.

Yes, we are their tool here under the Big Top. Bill and I are addicted. My sister works for them and my darling daughter #1 does too. They just might succeed in their quest to take over the world.
Watch out Disney!

I am blogging for good all day.

I love this cartoon primarily because of the closing lines at the end of each ‘toon.

Pinky: What are we going to do tonight (today, tomorrow) Brain? Brain: The same thing we do every night (day), Pinky… Try and take over the world!

I imagine that there are certain corporations whose CEOs are actually that insane despot, Brain. Their primary goal is to secretly take over the world. They seem innocent enough but before you know it, they have gained a foothold in their evil plan of world domination.
Muhahahahaha!

My first Pinky and the Brain award goes to Disney. Why would anyone be surprised?

I’m blogging for good all day.

Well the memes just keep on coming! Actually this is great because although I have lots to share, I just can’t seem to get motivated to write. I blame the heat.

My gal-pal JJ/Astaryth over at Adventures of an Eclectic Mind has awarded me with a Rocking Girl Blogger award.

Whoo-hoo!!!!

She said the nicest things about me, and Daniel because she is one of his many fans. She also listed some other rocking girl bloggers that I would have to agree totally rock. I am honored to be in their company.

According to the Rules of the Award, I’m to pass the Award on to 5 other “girls”, who’s blogs I read and enjoy. (Sorry to all you guys) And they, in turn, pass it on to 5 girls blogs that they enjoy.

JJ stated that in theory this would seem easy-peasy. It is, after all, only 5 blogs. But like she said, for every one I think of, five more come to mind. But it is five so here are five random rocking girl bloggers.

1. Anne- first of all I actually know this girl in real life. Anne is pretty busy these days with a gorgeous newborn baby girl but not that busy if she can tag me with a meme! Seriously, Anne lives an amazing life as a missionary in Thailand with her darling husband, Sean. She shares bits of that life but also has shared her struggles with infertility, loss, pregnancy and now, new motherhood. She is one of those bloggers who should have more traffic because this girl has much to say.

2. Anna- this lady is so much like me it scares me sometimes. But Anna is funnier and a better writer than I am. She also manages her tequila better than I do.

3. Mary Tsao- she writes, she dresses well, she is a Northern Cali girl, she is enjoying her new hot tub too.

4. Kim- another blogger and Northern Cali girl. Kim is an RN who blogs very well about her life as a nurse in the ER. She also looks really good in a nursing cap…way better than I ever would…if I would ever wear one.

5. Kate- this lady has recently stepped into the life that is a preemie mom. She is still is in the trenches of NICU-land with her little man Ben as well as living the loss of her other little man, Liam. Many have been following her journey there praying, smiling and crying all the way with her. Her blogging this as she lives it reminds me all too well what we lived through with Daniel and what I see everyday caring for these tiny babies in the NICU.

So go and check out these Rocking Girl Bloggers if you haven’t already. Say hello and tell them Laura sent you because they totally rock!

Yes! I am posting the infamous 2nd entry as the guest editor….the one where the editor is shocked and surprised by all the responses received….I am, yes I really am! J-Land is a huge, warm place! Hey, thanks everyone. It is fun so far. I have been warned by guest editors in the past so I am not too overwhelmed or surprised by the response….yet!
Oh by the way, Joe, Omar and I got to talking and, well….where is the Guest Editor’s crown and scepter? I need it.

So I had this already to be excited about all day when, at work this morning (pleasant surprise!) I was cancelled after four hours due to low patient census. It’s all good….less sick babies=more happy families and I can spend teachers’ inservice day at home with the kids….and the landscapers. The kids got to have some friends over to hang out and enjoy a great October day, mom got some more painting done…even though she should be studying for her pediatric advanced life support test (can you say procrastination? I knew you could!), the backyard now has GRASS and my desk has sold on EBAY….it’s a beautiful day! I hope you enjoy the pics of the transformation. Personally, I can’t wait to see my little man and his dog run and play out there. It will be a beautiful thing.
Bill and I spent part of this evening at the Tracy Wine Stroll….good food, great music and where we overheard our new catch-phrase, “Shouldn’t we be getting more wine?”. It sounds like a phrase that would work in a number of situations where the tension needs to be released or the subject needs to be changed. I am including a pic of the best named winery featured tonight….and the chardonnay wasn’t half bad either.
What else is there today….
Oh yes!
I almost forgot!
(image placeholder) I have been nominated! WOW again!!!! Thank you everyone!
BEST ENTRY OR SERIES OF ENTRIES:”baby got back” Adventures in juggling - nicurnmama
This a series of entries chronicling my own version of Dante’s Inferno into the Hell that is air travel. Fun Times those were!
Here are the entries if you are at all curious….Yes! This is a shameless plug and a chance to see Holly’s original hair color! I’m not sure what it is today just yet. We’ll see whn she gets home tonight. You just never know!
baby got back airline inferno airline inferno continued back from the abyss
I would recommend you check out all the nominees and definitely VOTE for your favorite VIVI Awards‘ nominees….maybe it’s the wine, but I think it is yet another way to really see what is out there in J-Land. This place rocks!
For now, i need to start looking at awards’ ceremony attire…….