Iced tea, please....With Just Ice and Tea

Today on my trip to the public library to return some DVD's that were due, oh say about 3 1/2 weeks ago..I decided I'd take a stroll down main street to this fancy little tea shop a few doors down. I tell you, just walking into the joint makes you feel more like a lady. (I realize I just used the two words joint and lady in the same sentence.) There are wooden floors and little tea sets all over. The atmosphere is just darling (for lack of a better word). Honestly, if I had a daughter, this would be our special place to go.

Anyhow, the tea industry is no joke these days. Remember when you used to ask for iced tea, and it was a matter of deciding on the sweetened or unsweetened?

My experience today went something more like a scene straight out of Mr. Mom when Michael Keaton walks up to the deli counter to get some lunch meat. Just swap the lunch meat for tea.

Caffeinated, decaffeinated? Fruity or spicy? Dark or light? The list goes on, trust me. After finally deciding on a peach jasmine, The Tea Lady responded, "oh, the frozen tea?" at which point all I could do was just smile and say yes.

Now this part really tickled me...The Tea Lady then asked if I'd like it with bubbles. That just spiked my curious meter straight into the red/crimson zone and I very well may have imploded had I not said yes to the opportunity to try a frozen tea, with bubbles.

I found a couple of things out today.

1. I don't like bubbles in my tea.
2. I don't like "frozen" tea.

And by the way, the bubbles aren't bubbles. Google informed me that they are tapioca balls. It's a Taiwan thing apparently. Their presence did shed light as to why my straw had a diameter the size of a nickel, though.

"Oh, That. I Had A Situation."

On my way to school tonight, my husband called me on my cell phone to ask what in the heck happened in our bathroom.

You see today, when all three of my kids were sleeping, I thought it was the oportune time for me to take a bath. So I started to fill the tub and figured I'd go put a load in the laundry. After I put the laundry in, I decided that I would boil some carrots to go along with the dinner I made the family- they gotta have a vegetable, right? Then I thought, well I better tidy up a bit before Sebastian gets home because I don't like him walking into a dirty house.

During my clean-up session, I found a partially eaten apple.

And another apple.

I went to the fridge and found 3 more apples- none of which were completely eaten and they were all Sebi's doing. So (obviously) I had to arrange them on a platter to take a picture for the blog.

About this time, I wander to the back of the house (and I really don't think I would have had not the animals started showing up two-by-two at my doorstep). I am being a bit fascicious at this point...

I can hear water running. Hmmmm... That's funny.

Wait.
(I'm running now.)


The bathtub is overflowing. Nevermind that. There is a good 2 inches of water rising in my bathroom. Now I'm pretty sure that people would pay good money to see a little mexican frantically trying to remedy this situation. Though the thought did enter my mind to go and grab the camera, somehow *thankfully*, the need to salvage the carpet in my bedroom outweighed that thought process.

I did what I could. I reached into that tub overflowing with water and unplugged the drain. I grabbed every towel available to sop up water. I needed more ammunition. I grabbed comforters, blankets, I believe a onesie was used to get some water behind the toilet.....you really have no idea how bad this was. Once every cloth article was completely soaked, I dumped it back into the tub- it was the biggest container I had on hand at the moment.

Since the ground was pretty much drenched and then wiped dry, that bathroom floor looks like a million bucks now.

Oh, and how 'bout them apples?

This is about half way through my "sop-up" session. You can only imagine what Sebastian saw (and must have thought) when he pulled the shower curtain back.
That man has no idea what goes on around here when he's gone...

Believe Me- If I Had the Power, I Would Use It

I just realized yesterday when I was driving that my son Sebi thinks I'm pretty darn cool. Apparantly, I can do just about anything. Take for example the conversation we have at every (EVERY) stoplight.

Sebi: "What are we doing?"

me: "We're going to (whatever fun event I've got planned which I describe in detail).

Sebi: "Can we go?"

me: "No. Red is stop."

Sebi: "red stop"

me: "Green go."

and usually by this time, the light has changed from red to green. But yesterday, when he was especially impatient to get to the store he looked over at me and said, "Can you say green go?" It was then that I realized that the whole time that I was explaining the semantics of driving, he just thought it only took his mama to say green go and it was done.

Example #2, to which I failed to please:
I was on the computer (go figure) looking at some of our summer pictures.

"Mommy I want to see a picture of Sebi".

o.k.

"with Grandma"

o.k.

"On the couch"

uuhhhh...... (note to self: take picture of Sebi with his Grandma on the couch)

Enough Is Enough

Alright, so my husband has chosen the fulfilling career as a teacher. He has already reported for duty for the new school year and we are both thrilled.....except for the fact that he won't get a paycheck until the end of the month. We, being a family of 5, need that check -like a month ago. So my husband lovingly works at the restaurant to be able to bring home the bacon in our time of need. Granted, he is taking on more responsibility having to work both jobs and I recognize that sacrifice he has been forced to make for the sake of our family. Normally I'm fine having to silently (and by silently I mean whining to my girlfriends) know that I too in turn have to take on extra responsibilities when Sebastian isn't home. But tonight, when Sebi uttered the 6 words I dread most when my husband is gone, I swore that this was enough already.

"Mom, there's a bug over here."

Translation. Mom, come and get this bug out of my bathtub. This bug was a cockroach. I do not like cockroaches and that is the understatement of the century. I cry. I scream. I stand on beds and pant my way through their disposal... which is my husband's job. I don't throw many job titles his way. I'm pretty darn flexible as far as I'm concerned. Trash, I throw it out. Lawn needs to be mowed, no problem. "We need to take the door handle off because Sebi locked it shut again"- just bring me the screwdriver and a paperclip and I'm on it. But the bugs are SEBASTIAN'S JOB.

So I immediately ordered Sebi out of the tub ready to tell him the bath is over and walk away from this. Meanwhile, he is looking at me to actually solve this problem. So I head to the kitchen for a slotted spoon (thanks Megan for the birthday present 3 years ago) and a bowl, and I retrieve said roach and place in the bowl. I'm afraid I may have to burn them both now, and I am praying that when I finally muster up the energy to go and pick the bowl up, the roach is still in it.

Well, maybe not.

And Did I Mention That My Dog Sucks?

Apparently, my arch-enemy has revolted and is traveling freely in my home. *see previous post* I spotted him on the carpet and immediately turned every light on in the house, because the suckers only come out at night and this is just my way of reasoning that somehow he will disintegrate vampire style...

So as I am FREAKING out considering getting the bug spray, which would mean I have to walk (no run) past the blasted thing, my dog comes walking by and notices the roach. HA-HA, you fiend! You are toast! Yeah, right. Two sniffs and a sneeze and he went on with his business of curling up on my night robe and nodding off to sleep.

MY DOG.

My dog who I'm sure at some point or other has been secretly referred to by friends and family members as Satan incarnate. My dog, who snarls hair raised- and at times even bites at his OWN owners. My dog, who would protect me til his death at the wee hours of the night when I have fallen asleep on the couch and my loving husband tries to carry me to bed. My dog.

My sucky, sucky dog.....

I Just May Lose Those Last 5 Pounds...

We've been busy here in the Vega house, not so much by circumstance as by the sheer beauty of the idea of wasting away the whole morning or afternoon by just getting out of the house. It's quite a process and if my neighbors are any bit as nosy as myself, I'm sure they find delight in watching my 10 minute departure routine. I used to carry both car seats out to the car, and then the positive correlation of babies weight and age put a stop to that. I'll admit that I have been guilty of lugging one of the babies and Sebi to the car and then rushing back to get the other baby. Enter Oprah and her gruesome depictions of unattended children left in the car, yes for just 10-15 seconds, and so my routine was born.

I'd like to say that I get the babies and put them in a play pen as I sprint to the car to get the double-stroller, but usually Dora, Little Einsteins, or the Backyardigans watch them as I run out and grab it. Then I park it by the front door step (with the brakes on) because one time I forgot and went outside to find it half-way up the lawn..Once everything I think I'll need is crammed into the diaper bag and Sebi is dressed, I grab one of the babies and have Sebi come with me to put him in the stroller. Then, I get the other baby, load him up, and lock up the house. This is when we get to take our 1st daily stroll of about 8-10 feet from the doorstep to the car. (The second one happens when we get back home.) Now I park the stroller near my car and get it and the AC started because Texas is hot, no joke. Here is the tricky part that I'm sure (if there are any) nosy neighbors really get a kick out of. The driver-side passenger seat door is temperamental. It unlocks -but only if you have your hand under the door handle as the door is being unlocked. I don't know why, or how I figured out this trick to get it to open, but I have come to accept my situation. So my left hand unlocks the car while my right arm stretches to be in it's expected position as I open the door. Now I get to load all the kids in and I usually start with Sebi -since he is mobile and can easily get distracted by anything his eyes can follow. Then the babies get strapped in and I fold up the double stroller and fit it ever so snugly in my trunk. And we're off to whatever fun event I have planned- like H.E.B., Walmart, or Sam's.

In all this fun, I realized that mother's do indeed use muscles they never imagined they had. I was wearing some pretty flimsy flip-flops and attempted to release the brakes of the double stroller. Would you believe I ended up with symptoms which I can only correlate with those of a shin splint? So, I lost 2 days of jogging for being a mom.

I'll take it :)

***yes, Oprah made it to my blog***

My Washing Machine

The countdown till classes start again is just under two weeks and I have vowed that I will be "caught up" on my laundry by then. It's an attainable goal, but oh so challenging considering the fact that I HATE LAUNDRY. That, and oh yeah-my washing machine takes "breaks". You don't know the frustration to walk into the laundry area to see if you've missed the rinse cycle only to find a washing machine full of water and completely off. This phenomenon apparently does not happen to Sebastian. Why? Because "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus". No. It's the truth.


I, like many of my fair gender, find it second nature to gently close a door rather than let it slam as I exit the house. If the toilet seat needs to be down, I place (not drop) it down. Well, the same principle applies with the washing machine. I began to notice that when I found my machine full of water and off, I simply had to open the lid and then let it slam itself shut and WA-la! we're back in business.

So now, I manhandle my washing machine.

"Got My Guts, Got My Glory"

This one is going out to all my fellow runners out there. I'm taking the blog and giving it an inspirational twist, so everyone else- hang in there.

Why do we run? To some- it's meditative. Maybe it's for the high or the constant challenge of getting to the next stop sign, firehydrant, just 25 more steps....whatever our reasons, I think we do it because we love it. Well I have three words that are going to take your next jog to "a whole-notha-level" Rocky Theme Song

Today, Yanni's Nostalgia just didn't seem to fit my mood. Little was I to know that shortly after scrolling through my husband's playlist my life as a runner would change. Oh yes, one song can change the way you run. It was hot, but I was amidst the snow, training in the mountains. The sun was at my back when I left the house but after the first bar played, I was carrrying it on my right shoulder.

Did I have drones of followers alongside and behind me ala Forest Gump style? No. But I can guarantee that there were at least a couple of people driving by that said, "Damn. She really wants to run."

One thing is for sure. If Apollo Creed had jumped out from a bush, I would have kicked his ass. Go ahead and laugh as you frantically download "The Eye of the Tiger".....but you'll thank me. You'll thank me.

"Kitchen's Closed"

I have implemented a new rule in the Vega house tonight. It is called "Kitchen's closed." Period. Now a typical night in our house, the babies get down for bed by 8:30-8:45. That gives Sebi a little play time and one-on-one with me until his bed time- which lately has been anywhere between 9:45-10:00! Then, I get to go to the kitchen and clean up the rest of the pots and pans, wipe off the nasties from Sebi's booster seat, the two highchairs, sweep up whatever mess that made as well as the rest of the kitchen, clean the counters, table, and stove top and then finally get to call it a night. Don't get me wrong, there have been nights when I am just too tired, but that just means that I get to do all that 1st thing in the morning.... Now, I'm sure that I am more or less describing the typical evening of many moms out there, but you know what? I want more "me" time. So I decided tonight that after dinner the kitchen was closed. I put up the baby gate, announced that the kitchen was closed and assumed my "after-hours" duties while the kids had to stick it out in the living room. (I do plan well, because I also stuck a dos equis in the freezer to be nice and chilled once I got the troups down.)

I just left Sebi's room after his bedtime story and walked back and forth from kitchen to living room. It is sooooo nice to have the place tidy before everyone is in bed. Now I can go and relax in a C-L-E-A-N house, (because ya'll know that relaxing in a dirty house doesn't compare to relaxing in a clean one)! I'm off to turn on the idiot box and watch some mindless t.v. while I sip on my ice cold beer. I plan on putting my feet up and contemplating what other rules I can instate......

"En Fuego"

O.k., so maybe we were spoiled with the late onset of the summer heat, but geez! I walked outside and practically had to stop, drop, and roll. I'm glad that I got my gardening "project" completed before these sweldering temperatures dropped (raised) on us. I'm assuming it can only get hotter from this point on, so here is looking forward to you October.

Anyway, if any of you have seen the house lately, the weeds had gotten out of control. I didn't think to take a before picture, and I'm riding the fence whether that was a good/bad idea. Regardless, here are a few pictures of my hard work. There really is nothing to be grown at this time of the year, so my aim was just to get rid of and (hopefully) prevent those darn weeds from taking over again :)

It started as an after-hours project...

I was hoping that circle would have been bigger, but I'll take what I can get

I know it doesn't seem like much but trust me, if you had seen what it looked like before you'd be just as excited as I am with the whole thing!

That, and I think the neighbors appreciated the fact that our place is no longer an "eye-sore"

:)

I still need to complete the border, which I will be purchasing slowly. Once it is all complete I'll post the "final" picture.

***by the way, if you live in Round Rock you can get free mulch. Of course, I found this out after the fact. I don't think they would have given away that pretty red mulch though, so I guess I'm o.k. with buying it on my own.***

Writer's Blogck

I don't even know if that is a real term, but it is exactly what I am going through. I know I have promised posts........I just can't seem to muster the energy to put into it. Perhaps I have committed a blogger's faux-paux, considering my last post was well over a week ago. Anyone can do a google search and see that the "Emily Posts" of the blogging world will tell you that frequent, timely, & dependable posts will keep your readers coming back. I suppose if I lose my audience of 3 ( on occasion 4) the world would resume it's rotation on it's axis... the sun would rise and set...but I just ask that you few (and much appreciated) faithfuls do continue to check in from time to time as I try and get over the writing hump.

Weekly Sunday Posts for August '07

Sunday, August 4, 2007

o.k.ummm... oops. I COMPLETELY forgot about my weekly Sunday post. And tomorrow is Sunday, so I have miraculously made it a week without a post!Good week, though. Yeah, that's pretty much all I can say....errrr, remember. :)

Sunday August 26, 2007

Well folks, you best get up and check if pigs are flying because the weekly Sunday post is up. (Let's all overlook the fact that I just said to heck with it and skipped last week's altogether...) Now if you are extremely observant, you may notice that I am actually posting it a day early. I am posting the future. I have that ability in the blogging world, so deal with it. Why get so motivated now, you ask?? Well, the beginning of a new semester is just around the corner and I start every semester this way. On fire, ready to go, gonna read every night -look for the fizzle in about 3-4 weeks...I am trying to take this seriously. Believe me, achieving stellar mediocrity in a handful of talents is by no means my goals in life, so school's gotta get me somewhere. That being said, I hope that my time spent here blogging my life's experiences doesn't slowly dwindle down and become nonexistent. I have grown so fond of having an avenue to channel all my thoughts into something that I can look back on and cherish in my dotage...