previously unaired posts PLUS an update

I thought these were interesting. They're mostly complete 'posts' that never made it onto the actual 'post' page, but were obviously valuable enough to me that I actually took the time to record and save it in Word, so here you go: The lost episodes of Arianne's life:

PREVIOUSLY UNAIRED BLOG MATERIAL

I feel like crap. Actually, I feel worse than that, but because I'm a such a role model here, I'm going to be the bigger person, and not say what I really feel.

Sinus headache up the wazoo. Can't move without cringing in pain. Ear ache off and on for the past week or so. Throat on fire.

I did get some decongestant today though, which was a process in itself, as I never buy medicine EVER (before you ask, not it's not a thing with pharmeceuticals, it's just that I hate to swallow things you can't chew first).

It makes me really gaggy.

Anyway, I got the decongestant, which is supposed to ramp you up but has just floored me some more... which, after a two hour nap while the boys watched SpongeBob, was not unwelcome. Man, I almost felt human again.

So, anyway, I'm medicated. And feeling crappy. The one productive thing I did today? I found out where the end of 38th is. Yep. Ran right into the end of 38th. The strange thing is, I could've sworn I was on 37th at the time.

I need my brain to catch up with my body sometime during my lifetime. I think we could all breath a little easier.

Tomorrow? School!!!! Wow, I am SOOOO ready. And not ready. But, yes, really really really really ready.

# # #

AND NOW: (as in, for reals, this just in)

4yr old is having bloody stool. There, I got the uncomfortable medical language out of the way first. On to what this exactly means for said 4yr old? No idea, except that all three guiaiac tests showed frank blood from his nether regions. I had a pretty strong suspicion when I could see said blood when I was doing the at-home smear tests, but now it's official.

The doctor man has instructed us on a high fiber diet for our boy, to try and rule out is maybe chronic constipation is causing the bleeding. I'm to do three more smear tests, at which point, if we still have stuff there that's not supposed to be there, our next move is to Childrens in Seattle.

It really can go without saying that I'd rather not get to that part where Childrens needs to be involved, but I'm gonna say it anyway:

I'd really really rather not get to that part where Children's needs to be involved.

All that being said, 4yr old was such a trooper. Like, beyond expectations trooper. The doctor man had to do a rectal exam as part of our follow up today. It can really go without saying that I'd rather have gone through raising my children without having to put any of my boys through that. But, I'll say it anyway.... I'd rather have gone through....

Anyway, he did get a sucker and sticker out of the whole deal, which doctor man recognized as ironic as he was the one to be pushing the 'high fiber' thing. Thing is, my boys? Eat through cardboard. You'd think it'd be enough, huh?

If anyone's looking for me, I'll be researching 'easy ways to get your kid to ingest fiber in such a way that it stops them bleeding out their rear'.

Pray with me everyone.

Okay, now for a piece of good news? Other than it's two days to Christmas, I have all my boys home with me and actually ventured out for a actual jog this morning? Well, ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your hats. Because, as of this morning, I now have a non-paying gig as an actual writer for a local parenting magazine!

Just believe me when I say this is a LOT more exciting than it sounds! I'm going to have an actual portfolio!

my kid is cute and so can you.

*Question: How many times must a 2year old bump his head before incurring brain damage?

It's quite sad actually, exactly how much of me my boys are internalizing. All before they know better.

Said 2 year old is currently being cheered up by Spongebob, who is currently learning the intricacy of facial expression. From an animated sponge and his starfish friend. No joke. He is, at this moment in time, mimicking goofy smiles alternated with the appropriate "insert here" Squidward disapproving frowning.

Very cute.

New theory: Kids get cuter the further down in sibling order you go. Not that my 7year old isn't adorable. Or wasn't as a 2 year old. But, blast it if I didn't notice in between the obsession of getting it all right the first time. Now? I've learned something: there is no right the first time. There's only the perusal of your best effort in the face of inconsistent and ever changing life situation. My best for Adam is so different than my best for Ben.

I'm okay with that.

Spent the morning perusing mommy blogs, and totally left with a feeling of mommy-envy. All these fantastic writers and people out there pursuing their passions. I think that's great. I had to tag a couple of the ones that were sincere in their dysfunction. I find that all so refreshing.

Now I'm wishing my life were somewhat more interesting, or more accurately, that I could write to make it sound more interesting. I mean, I'm enthralled, but who isn't with their own creation?

tis the season

So, it's once again been a while. I remember when I was updating this daily.

I'm a person of many words.

Anyway, on to actual stuff: Boys had last day of swimming lessons today. Yes, on the first day of December. It was an inside pool. My glasses fogged up every single time we walked in the facility. Very nice little change from the winter weather.

Love the holidays. Don't get me wrong, but there's something a little galling about this time of year. My house is a constant mess, and I feel like there's always something I'm forgetting that I won't remember til after New Years, and then I'll have to wait for the next holiday season. And it's wet and cold and everything freezes.

It's pretty from inside though. The sparkling snow, the christmas lights, the christmas cooking smells. the fun things with the boys. The early nights, cuddling with insane amounts of blankets.

Boys got to do their gingerbread house. Notice the singular here. Mike made the suggestion that maybe I could do one for every week of the holiday month so that it wouldn't be a big deal if any (all) of them feel an undeniable urge to dismantle my culinary baby. I told Mike he can make his own darn gingerbread.