McDonald's Car Seat Inspector

Did you know that McDonald's now employs a car seat inspector? No? Me neither! Last Monday Jason and I (and the little girls, Kori was at my parents) decided to go to the store. We needed some necessities before my surgery in case we didn't get out for a few days. Afterward we hit McDonald's for some lunch to take home since it was that time and the girls needed to get down for a nap. Jason got some Chinese from the little place at the grocery store so the girls and I were on our own. There was a McDonald's right there and although it's not the healthiest, it was convenient and the key is moderation right?

Well it's about 95 degrees, not counting the humidity. We order, pull around and pay and I roll the window back up to keep my precious cool A/C air from escaping. Jason and I are talking amongst ourselves with the drive-thru guy taps on my window again. Now I should mention this is a 2-window set-up where you pay at window #1 and then proceed to window #2 to pick up your food. They were running a bit slow so we were waiting to move on to window #2. Well window #1 guy taps on my window. I roll it back down and he gives me this strange, apologetic, sheepish kind of look. He then proceeds with "I notice you have your kids in your car". Uh, yep that's right I inform him. Geesh, these McDonald's people ARE observant aren't they. He then proceeds to tell me that my girls would be MUCH safer in the middle row instead of in the back row, in case we are rear ended. Huh? Is he giving me safety advice? Does he even have kids of his own? I assure him that my children are properly restrained utilizing the LATCH system for car seat restraints, I am confident in the safety features of my vehicle, at which time I roll up my window and finally proceed to window #2 to get my food.

I was in shock a bit. I guess I should be thankful he cares enough about children across America to mention it, but that did little to make me feel better. I don't think working the drive-thru window at the local McDonald's makes you the authority on car seat safety, just because you can observe the kids in said car seats as they pass through for their Happy Meals. Shouldn't he be more concerned that I'm feeding my kids the crap they pass off as a healthy meal? That would make more sense to me huh?

In hindsight I should have just looked at him and smiled, saying NOTHING, as I rolled my window back up. Several degrees of my nice cool air escaped as I tried to assure him that my kids are safe.

We left to go to the bank today and Jason asked me if we needed to hit McDonald's for a car seat safety inspection. Funny guy I'm married to. I passed, I think we're okay.

Allow Me To...

Ramble. I feel so out of touch with everyone and everything. I am feeling somewhat better and if the congestion would leave it would make the pressure in my face and head go away, I would feel so much better.

The "walk in the park" surgery that I had, was everything but a walk in the park. It was very painful and I was not prepared for that. My dad had the same surgery last year and he bounced right back. Well he had the slightly abbreviated version of what I had. He only had a couple procedures done at once, I had five. Maybe I shouldn't have listened to him so much when he assured me that it was a piece of cake.

The first 24 hours was horrendous. The packing and shunts in my nose made life unbearable, to say the least. Thank goodness for Darvocet. Foreign objects should never be shoved into your nasal passages, it's just not normal. Once they were out, it was somewhat better in that I didn't have anything shoved up my nose. The congestion though. I mean, total and complete congestion. No breathing at all. Not fun.

I called the doctor today and his nurse said I could use some Afrin to relieve some of it, and while it hasn't helped a whole lot, a little is better than nothing. I go back to see the doctor on Thursday to see how things are going.

On to other things.

We learned on Saturday that the brother of a friend of ours passed away as the result of injuries received in an ATV accident. He was only 38 and leaves behind a wife and two small children. Very sad.

We also learned the brother of a former co-worker of both Jason and I had passed away after a brief, but brave battle with cancer. It was a very rare kind and was Stage 4 when it was discovered. He was only 32 years old and also leaves behind a wife and two small children.

So to the Meyer and Selock families, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I know the loss of a sibling and it is rough! Somedays it's hard to imagine putting one foot in front of the other, but you must, they would want you to.

Jason is gearing up for a "guys weekend at the lake" this weekend. He will leave on Friday morning and return on Sunday afternoon. Probably good for him to get away. He's done a good job in extra help this week with the girls since I've been feeling so cruddy. He also works hard so he deserves a break. I'm taking a weekend in October and going to Chicago so I will get mine too!

I think while he's one Becky, Mallory and my girls are going to drive to see my brother-in-law Jason's grandmother. She is a fabulous lady and was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. It's unlikely she'll make it back to KC anytime soon in good health, so we're going to visit her. She loves my girls and we thought it would be nice for her to see them again. She hasn't seen them in person since they were very young. So I think that's our plans, as long as I am feeling okay. It's a couple hour drive there so we'll go up, visit, have some lunch and head back. Not bad hopefully.

Well I suppose I've rambled on enough, I should go find something to do. Right after I find somemore Tylenol for this darn headache.

Like Crap!

That's how I feel. Crappy! Ugh! I was NOT prepared for how bad this was going to feel. My head feels like it is full on cement. I can't breathe out my nose at all. When I swallow I feel like I am drowning because I can't breathe since my nose is so stuffed up.

The packing and shunts came out yesterday. OH MY GOODNESS did that ever hurt! I seriously thought I was going to pass out. The girl before me (she was like 17) came out carrying her packing and shunts in two little plastic jars. She told me I should to. Uh no thanks. NO ONE wants to see that. Apparently she's taking her to show her biology teacher. Bet he's gonna love that! Anyhow getting them out was extremely painful but I did feel somewhat better once they were out. Having hard plastic pieces wedged up your nose is no walk in the park.

I apparently will be congested for a while until the swelling in my sinuses goes down. Oh goody!

My husband went back to work tonight so it's just the girls and I. I am trudging along but it's not easy. It's an effort for one foot in front of the other. He's off this weekend, so I think I can survive.

I'm off in search of more darvocet and my bed. I am tired and miserable. **Sigh**

Surgery Break

Due to sinus surger tomorrow (Yikes! I am nervous!) I will probably not post for a couple of days.

Know that while I am down I will be trying to remember anything import with which to entertain you upon my return.

I will save my post about the safety conscious McDonald's employee for my return. It's a doozy!

Unusual

Today is Friday, hooray! No work for Jason, no off-duty either, can it be? Whatever will we do?

Well Kori decided that she was going to my parents for some spoiling and a break from her sisters. My dad had a doctor's appointment so her and I headed to the library before she left so we could get her some more books. One more list to complete and she's fulfilled the maximum level in the summer reading program! She's like her mommy, she loves to read!

Jason dropped her off and ended up helping my dad with a couple things around the house. When he got back and the trio got up from their nap we headed to Walmart. I needed to get Kori's school supplies (already, can it be???) and Jason needed a few things as well.

Afterwards we decided we'd head to Longhorn for some dinner. The girls were well rested and in good moods so heck why not! There was a short wait but they kept themselves happy with their little containers of Goldfish crackers. We waited in the vestibule area because the inside was full and neither Jason or I felt like wrangling two year olds for 15-25 minutes to keep them from running into oncoming traffic in the parking lot. The vestibule it was. Jason could watch the baseball game on TV and the girls were happy as can be. They turned the heater that is used in the winter into seats and there they sat, happily munching their Goldfish. Oblivious to the fact that they were on display for everyone who entered and exited to see.

The comments started right away. The standard: Uh oh, triple trouble. Wow, you've got your hands full! TRIPLETS? (Said in a LOUD shrieking tone). WOW! Oh man!

We also had the dumb ones: Are they twins? (Uh no, that would be TWO not THREE). All girls? (Yes they are all wearing earrings and lavender shirts, not to mention the sandals with big flowers on them). Do you sleep? (No but it's because I have insomnia not triplets). Jason's favorite was the lady who walked by and said, "Oh my goodness you have TWINS???" He replied, "Nope, triplets, that's why there's three of them".

There was a lady that came out with her son. She quickly told us that little Sebastian was one. She then crouched next to the heater/seat the girls were occupying started talking to Sebastian about how he was looking at THREE girlfriends! "Not ONE, not TWO, but THREE!" She was loud and slightly strange. Alexis was a bit uneasy but she stuck it out, for now. She went on and on about how she could have used the girls as a distraction an hour ago. Apparently little S wasn't being so cooperative during dinner. She then said, "Look Sebastian, this is Sabrina (she taps Alexis on her head), Lilly (taps Kamryn) and Tabitha (taps Morgan) aren't they sweet!" Jason and I are now looking at each other as if to say, huh? Anyway, we clarify their real names and Alexis has had enough of S's mom invading her personal space. She bolts across the vestibule and hides behind my leg. I can't blame her, I was about to do the same to Jason and hide behind his leg. This woman was getting weirder by the minute. S had lost interest in the girls and was wandering in circles. Thankfully her friends/family came out and they were on their way. On her way out the door she hollers "Oh, by the way, GOOD LUCK!" Uh, ok. Thank you? Did she mean good luck with dinner? With the kids behaving? With the service? The weather? Aliens invading from Mars? Weird!

We're pretty used to it, so no big deal. Until out came an older lady and her husband. She commented to the girls that her grandson just LOVES Goldfish crackers. So do 2,335,081,993,720 other kids in America and probably worldwide but whatever. She then proceeds to say, "Triplets, OH MY GOD! Oh honey, I feel sorry for you!!!" My reply, "Please don't it's not necessary, my children are healthy and beautiful, and well behaved as you can see, we really don't need your pity". Jason stifled a giggle as I looked at him and rolled my eyes. Did that stop her? Nope, as she's leaving she says, "Well at least you don't have to have anymore since you have enough?" Enough what? Kids? Heck she doesn't know that I was missing one. Who is to say three kids is enough? I can have as many kids as I want (I don't want more but I hate people implying they know what is right for me and my family). I mean I have four kids, not 18 or however many that Duggar family are up to now.

I just get soooo frustrated sometimes when people open their mouths without thinking.

Anyway thankfully we were beckoned to our table via the vibrating light-up coaster/pager thing. The girls were awesome and ate so great! We got LOTS of compliments on how well behaved they were so it was fine. Even better I didn't have to cook!

Can't wait to see what Saturday brings!

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

If anyone were to associate a single word with my life, that one should NEVER be associated anywhere near it, ever. Rewarding yes! Satisfying, most of the time! Insane, you got it! Glamorous, not so much!

Tonight the girls and I were outside playing since the humidity wasn't 1,000% for a change.

The neighbor lady came down because her little girl wanted to see the "triple-lips", apparently that's what she calls them. Very funny! She also wanted to talk to me about school. Her little boy will start Kindergarten next month, and like me she is totally clueless about it all.

So we talked for a bit. Shared our experiences etc. I offered to take and pick up little "L" since they only live about 4 houses down from us if she didn't want him to ride the bus etc. Well we're chatting and they are about to head home and I mention we're heading in for baths.

About that time Kamryn, who had been clinging to my leg as if the neighbor lady was a masked murderer (she wasn't crying, just clinging and peeking at said neighbor) all of a sudden hands me something.

"Okay, good talking to you!" I say to the neighbor. I look down and Kamryn has handed me a bit of smooshy poop. Yep, you read that right, P-O-O-P! Is that why the neighbor scurried off, or was that my imagination? Wow! That's fantastic, I know have a bit of poo in my hand, not a huge amount, but in my eyes, ANY poo in your hand is NOT a good thing.

I am trying to quietly tell Kori that we have to get in side, NOW! She's trying to persuade me to look at one of the side walk chalk drawings Morgan did previously. She's swearing to me that Morgan wrote her name.

Kori: Mom, come look, I swear, she wrote it.
Me: (Whispering!) Not now Kori I have poop in my hand.
Kori: Huh? Come on mom, real quick, it'll only take a second!
Me: No Kori, poop is in my hand? (STILL trying to whisper)
Kori: Why are you whispering, I can't hear you?
Me: BECAUSE I HAVE POOP IN MY HANDS AND I DON'T NEED THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD TO KNOW THIS LITTLE NOT SO GREAT FACT!
Kori: Okay, don't freak out, I'm coming.

**Sigh** **Sigh** **Sigh**

Did I mention that Morgan decided after stepping into our garage that it would be a GREAT and opprotune time to remove her diaper. A diaper that was also full of poop. Thankfully it was contained and not everywhere, but I had to hurry and herd her inside without touching anyone with my yucky, poo-y hand.

Thanks neighbor lady for causing my kids colons to release all at one!

Thanks Kamryn for the little gift you gave me!

Thanks Morgan for waiting until we were in the garage before removing your poopie diaper.

I can only imagine what our neighbors see and what they must TRULY think of us.

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S! Yep, that's my life!

Coming Soon To A Network Near You!

CSI:Kansas City While playing outside this evening I thought this would be fun! The last thing I told Kori as she was doing mine, was don't make me look fatter than I already am. She assured me she wouldn't. She's not always so truthful. I could tell as she was tracing me that it wasn't going well since she was about 6-8 inches away from my acutal body. So now I look like a really large tree trunk, with a head. Anyhow enjoy! (P.S. - Don't mind the extra blue scribbles that Kamryn decorated my chalk outline with!)

Kori:


Alexis:


Morgan:


Kamryn:


Mommy: