"Real" Derby Girls...Pee with their skates ON

Sugar can Fly

Work is going very well. I have things down pretty well and have even started working a bit form home.
This week was a busy one. But, on Wednesday I had an opportunity to do something really out of my comfort zone. I mean really out. I arrived at work and shortly after Bob (my boss) said, how about we take a break today and do something fun? How about we go flying? What? Flying? Are you serious? He was in fact very serious. We headed out the the Green Castle Flying Club. It was a two seat Cessna (ahem...puddle jumper.) Bob prepared the plane and we "boarded." This is where I became VERY nervous. But what is life if you don't live it, right? All I could think of the entire time we were approaching the runway was I have four children and a husband that need me, please let me land safely on the ground. Off we went...into the air...amazing. Everything looked so peaceful and serene from above. It really made me take my mind off everything else for a bit, which was really needed this week.
We flew for a little over an hour, just tooling around looking at different places, the mall, Chloe's school, even our house. Bob even tried to get me to fly the plane, I told him I was not qualified and that flying was not in my job description, and that I would leave the flying up to the pilot.
It was an amazing experience and I am so glad that I did it. Thanks, Bob!

Four Leaf Clobber

Mark the calendar! It's time to get down to Derby. The Old Capitol City Roller Girls season opener...

The Four Leaf Clobber
Saturday March 13th.
Marriott Hotel and Convention Center
doors open at 6:15 Bout time 7:00.

If you are interested in tickets, please let me know. Pre-bout are $10 or $12 at the door.

OCCRG will be taking on the Flying Squirrels of Appleton WI.
It will be a great night of derby action.

Scrimmage with Quad City Rollers

Wednesday was a fabulous practice. Our Derby Sisters, The Quad City Rollers came down to play us in a full on scrimmage. It is just three short weeks until our season opener on March 13th...We are ready for a great season.

Winter sucks (and so does my triplet stroller)

Winter really seems to be dragging it's feet this year. I have to admit, the Beauties and Sugar Mommy have a serious case of cabin fever. Worse than I have ever had it. It's even worse than when I was in the hospital for 9 1/2 weeks on bed rest with the triplets. Yes...it IS that bad. This winter has produced so much snow. It is so difficult to take the girls out when there is snow on the ground. I know you are thinking, why and maybe stop complaining and do it? Well...Have you ever tried pushing a triplet stroller in the snow? To say it is a pain is an understatement, way under. It is horrible to push without snow, so can you imagine? Then when we get where we are going, which is usually a mall, four huge coats (mine is always left in the van. As if I need a coat, I'm probably sweating bullets before we back out of the driveway.) four hats, eight mittens. Huge bag with three extra outfits. Just in case someone (or three) has an accident. My wallet, because we always have to have money for something. The under carriage of the stroller is horrible! You cannot fit an empty envelope under there. So I always end up trying to balance the coats on the "steering wheel" which sucks, because the damn stroller is so hard to maneuver without coats being invading my space. Next is the matter of trying to keep three almost three-year-olds IN said stroller. It's a miracle if they stay in it for five minutes. No, I'm serious. Sometimes, if I am having a brave day, I will let them "walk" which almost always leads to the three of them scattered...Mommy following fast paced trying to keep up with their "walking". Not to mention trying to be sure they are ALL in my sights at ALL times. Which as you can imagine...it a challenge I have mastered.
You may be wondering why we go to such a LARGE area to get out. I can explain that too. We tried the library twice, both times they were too "wild" to be in a "quiet" place. The second time, the other moms in the toddler story time group made wounding eyes at me the entire time we were there. Yes, the Beauties were having a great time. Standing, dancing, and dropping their snacks all over the carpets. We haven't been back to story time. (We have LOTS of books at home, right?) Oh and the other issue with the library...have you ever been over to our house and watched the triplets select the books they want to read? The entire collection from a nine box shelf on the floor in seconds. This happened in one aisle at the library, right after story time. The second reason why we have not been back.
We have "Tot Time" at a couple local rec centers, however, EVERY SINGLE TIME we go...we come down with some terrible cold, or stomach bug. So I tend to try to stay clear during winter months especially.
If anyone has any suggestions of fun things to do...I am all ears.
I am ready for spring. I am ready to be outside everyday. At the park, on a walk, even just in the back yard.
Spring? Are you on the way? I'm here, but my patience is fading...

Level of Difficulty

My first week back working (outside of home) is going great. I am learning stuff quickly and my office is almost finished. Yes, they constructed me an office. Cool huh? I went today to pick out some office essentials, you know, stapler, pens, filing cabinets, shredder. All the goods. I also did payroll. I know, exciting, right?
In the past week, I can also tell you...I don't care where you work, how many hours you put in, or what you do for employment...the level of difficulty is so must less than being a full-time Mommy. I am sure my husband is shaking his head right now. Keep shaking it Matty. Also maybe some of you full time working moms may disagree. But, for the last six years (next month) I have been officially a stay at home Mommy (which I LOVE) but, I have felt less anxious in the last week than I have in a very long time. Maybe it is the fresh air and new environment. Maybe it's because the spider webs are blown off of my brain.
I would not trade for the world working for my beauties. However, it is nice to be appreciated. I know the beauties will some day, but they are too little to realize just how hard Mommy works. They know Daddy works long hours almost everyday of the week. They see and acknowledge that he works very hard. And he does. They see Mommy doing laundry and cooking. Cleaning and folding. Shopping and disciplining. Paying bills, budgeting expenses, making appointments, taking beauties to appointments, moving the grass and raking leaves. Along with all the other things a Mommy does. Hugging, kissing, loving, teaching, bathing, comforting, playing, feeding, caring for her babies. Again...things that I LOVE, and I wouldn't change it. That being said...I think Mommy's deserve a pay check to put in the bank every week. You know to show us the validation in our very skilled line of work. True, we do get paid in hugs, kisses and I love you, Mommy's, which. I LOVE. But I should be rolling in greenbacks in my opinion.
I had a point, and the point was, anyone who thinks it is easy, laid back and no stress to "work" at home being a Mommy (or Daddy) needs to send their spouse back to work and see for yourself just how difficult it really can be. Taking care of all the responsibilities, not just spending time with the kids, but the entire list of daily things to be accomplished. Then maybe we can get the appreciation we so deserve. Maybe.

Yay Me

I am employed again!
I start on Monday. I am so excited to start.

Nerves mean you are alive

I once heard the saying that nerves (being nervous) means that you are alive.
If that is the case I am alive and kicking this morning.
I have a job interview this afternoon. The first job interview I have had since I was hired at the Sheriff's Department ten years ago. Yes, I said ten years ago. Where Matt and I met and fell in love. Ten years later, mortgage, vehicles, utility bills, grocery bills, cable, you know the normal married life kind of bills. Not to mention we have four daughters. Which means clothes, diapers, toys, pets, dance classes and odds and ends. As you can imagine, we have a lot of money tied up right now. I began my career as a stay at home mama when Chloe was born. Almost six years ago now. I had a jewelry business (Premier Designs) that was very successful. When I learned I was pregnant with triplets, of course we thought about what that would mean for me continuing to work, and the amount our monthly expenses would increase. We knew we would take it as it came. Just like every family does. I worked until I was put on bed rest in the hospital at 24 weeks for preterm labor, where I remained until the girls were born. Ironically that was three years ago this Friday. Time flies. We have had our struggles over the last three years. Cut back here and there where we could. The loving husband and father has been working as much overtime as he can get his hands on. Working a second job on his days off. Sparing sleep and personal time to support his family. He truly is my hero.
That being said, this living pay check to paycheck is getting pretty old. Oh and stressful on both of us. Which in turn affects our relationship.
It's time to take some action.
Back to the nerves...
I have a job interview today with an private ambulance company. The job would be handling their books, billing and office type things. Most of the work can be done from home, some things have to be done in office. So obviously it would be perfect for us.
Keep your fingers crossed.

Beauty Watchers

Something new for all you Beauty watchers...
I have created a new blog beautifulbeauties365. I will post one photo each day.
I hope to grow in my photography skills and knowledge.
Happy Beauty watching.

Be kind...Be Happy

The stores are crazy. The parking lots are full. The lines are long. In short...the holidays are here. So why are people so grumpy? I just do not understand.
The Beauties and I went to the mall yesterday afternoon. We needed to buy a few last minute things, a gift for Chloe's teacher and of course a gift for Daddy. Chloe was in great spirits, she was my helper, the star getter for the trip. The triplets...let's just say it is a good thing Santa coming to our house is not based upon their behavior in Target. Because if it were determined on that experience alone, he would not be visiting our house. Whining, wanting, crying, whining, standing in the stroller, oh and did I mention whining? People kept staring at me like I had a big green booger on my face. Seriously people...smile...they are only kids. I smiled as I walked through the aisles with my four sweet little crabby pants girls. We rushed around not finding anything we were on a mission for. We gathered our odds and ends and made our way to the checkout lanes. Why is it that is is the busiest time in stores and they still manage to have only four lanes open. Ten people in each lanes with carts OVERFLOWING. At this point the triplets were on their last leg. They were all climbing out of the stroller, whining and grabbing things off the shelves in line. The woman ahead of us smiled as we approached and insisted that we go before her. She shared how she has four grown children and remembers "those" days. I smiled and thanked her repeatedly. The simple things that strangers do mean the world. Too bad it happens once in a blue moon. Which is sad. I am always teaching the girls different ways to be kind, polite and thoughtful of others. Chloe has started to question why not everyone lives by those rules. She asks why people are not smiling, why they don't say thank you. How do you answer that? I just explain that not everyone is as caring as she is, and that no matter what, be a good person. Hold a door, put some change in the Salvation Army bucket, smile, maybe say a kind word to a stranger, say thank you...just small things that can make someones day a little better, and yours better too. Being kind makes you feel good.
Think about what the holidays really mean. Think about how wonderful life is. Be HAPPY.