The Dubya Family Vacation -- 2008

So, we are heading to Disney on Sunday

We've been to Disney before.... many times before..... but this is our first trip with my in-laws.

Now, in the spirit of fairness..... I hit the in-law lottery. I have arguably the best in-laws anyone could ever hope for. They are interested and involved, but not over bearing or intrusive. They are generous beyond reason and they made me feel welcome into their family long before they knew they might get stuck with me. They are easy-going and they simply adore our kids -- I couldn't have selected better grandparents for the 'lil dubyas.

All that being said.... we are still going on vacation with the in-laws for the very first time -- and along with that comes a certain amount of stress.

We go on trips with my family all the time -- so, I know what to expect. I participate in the planning (aunt P and I usually divide up the responsibilities) and I know that if things don't go like clock-work, well -- chances are we'll all get a good giggle out of it and the story will become part of the fabric of our trip's memories.

This trip is different.

For this trip, I did virtually ALL of the planning --

I selected the dates, booked the flights, the hotel.... and although I really enjoy all of the planning that goes into a group trip -- I tend to take on an unreasonable amount of responsibility for everyone's enjoyment. If there's even one snag, snafu or hiccup.... I'll feel like it's my fault and I ruined their trip. If I select a restaurant and the food or service is crap, if I select a hotel and the rooms aren't nice, if I book an airline and the luggage gets lost.....

I know it's absurd..... but, I'm a first-born and a daughter.... this is what daughters do....

Overheard at the Dubyas

Mr Big Dubya: You peed in the toilet!

Mrs Big Dubya: Standing up like a big boy -- you peed in the toilet -- we are so proud of you.... good job 'lil man

'Lil Dubya: I peed in the bath...

Mrs Big Dubya: Yeah buddy, we're choosing not to focus on that part

So, we are now part of minivan nation...

So, after receiving the call that no wife/mother (particularly one who is seven months pregnant and already has high blood pressure) wants to receive last Monday morning -- it became painfully clear that the Dubyas were in the market for a new car.


We knew that this would happen eventually, with our family growing to three children under the age of three.... three carseats will soon become a fact of life for us and the average sedan/compact SUV just doesn't support that much child safety hardware (why is that I wonder?) -- but I thought we had more time. I thought we could wait at least another six months (after I wrapped up maternity leave) before we'd be faced with trading in hubby's car for something a little roomier..... but that was not in the cards.


So, we went and we did what I had always considered the unthinkable..... we bought a mini-van.


Yes it's true, this isn't your father's mini-van...... it's got all the bells and whistles and the 'lil Dubya keeps referring to it as the fancy car with the magic doors - and let's not forget the moooovies, but it's still a mini-van.....

I used to be cool..... I swear I did

In desperate search of....

A few years ago, the Big Dubya and I were watching TV when soda nearly came streaming out of my nose at the site of a commercial for this stuff.

I wondered what the hell kind of people need a a special fluorescent light to conduct urine reconnaissance missions and then require a chemical solution to deal with the age old problem of removing whatever urine is uncovered. Other than the odd friend with an aging pet, I really didn't think random urine was a serious issue. That was...... until I became the mother of a toddler in the throws of potty training.

The 'lil man loves, loves, loves his new big boy underpants. He puts them on and dances around singing "under-pants, under-pants" -- he even has his almost 16-month old sister running to the bathroom door and screeching to go "pee-pee" -- once on the hopper she holds out her hand and demands "paper" and proceeds to wipe away the non-existent pee -- it was really very cute the first couple of times -- now? well... you know how novelty works.

Anyway, from time to time the 'lil man has an accident. C'mon -- it's only natural -- kids have accidents -- BUT..... sometimes I see the wet pants, but really don't know where offense occurred..... and he won't tell me -- so I end up down on all fours feeling around for a puddle. Isn't motherhood glamorous?

Urine be Gone doesn't seem so silly anymore.

Fired? For that?

Once again, I'm diving into an area that I generally avoid in this space (yes, because I'm afraid of all you guys not liking me anymore).... politics.

Not sure if you saw it, but Samantha Power was fired asked to resign over flack generated when she called Hillary Clinton a "monster"

Is it me? or is this freakin' insanity?

Look, I don't care for any of the presidential candidates -- and it was a stupid, immature thing to say, BUT to fire someone? An unpaid volunteer..... for a little name calling? Uhm -- get a grip people.

I mean seriously.... if you want to be president -- your going to need a thicker skin -- and hey Barack, how 'bout a little loyalty? This woman's been working for your campaign for FREE for 14 months and instead of asking her to issue an apology and move on -- you fire her?

This is not a slam at the dems..... McCain's been no better -- disassociating himself from anybody who's been less than kind.

Good grief -- are we really getting that politically correct? I call the 'lil Dubya a monster all the time -- I hope my job is safe.

I want a job where attendance isn't mandatory

Yeah, I think my next job is going to be US senator.

I know, I'm being snarky -- but seriously folks why do the citizens of the United States accept this? I don't typically write about politics (probably because I'm afraid you'll throw rocks at me), but if I'm going to be equally critical of democrats and republicans..... it should be okay, right?

We've got three senators running for president -- yet, none of the three of them have given up their job as senator. This normally wouldn't bother me -- I mean, I've interviewed for jobs without giving up my current job...... but my interview lasted a day -- maybe two. These three yahoos have been criss-crossing the country for months on end and as a result, are not showing up for their job as senator. There are three states not being represented by their elected official.

During 2008 alone (January 22nd through today), the 110th Congress has voted on 36 issues...... want to guess how many Senators Obama, Clinton and McCain have actually showed up for?

Senator McCain has managed to show up for 13 votes (that's 33%..... would your boss be pleased with that attendance rate?)

Senator Obama he's even worse at 11 votes (30.5% for your number junkies)

Senator Clinton? yeah, she doesn't even try.... 3 votes (8.33%)

Why don't the people of Arizona, Illinois & New York deserve to have senators who actually represent them?

I will concede that the majority of these issues are probably not critical to national security or what-have-you -- but this is their job. This is what my tax dollars are paying them a salary of $162,500 for -- shouldn't we demand that they at least show up?

Okay, I'm done

Vote for Mrs Big Dubya -- US senator to the blogsphere

Thank Gawd it was on Triple Clearance...

You may remember a month or so ago..... our stupendous New England Patriots played a little football game in Arizona and through some lapses in judgement did not exactly come out on top..... yes, after winning 18 straight, they actually lost #19.

Many of us have tried to put it out of our minds....... some of us have been less successful than others.

Well, shortly before game time -- it came to my attention that my dear husband had made a friendly wager with an internet buddy. He agreed to dress our children in Giants gear and post their photo on his blog if the Giants were to win -- the buddy agreed to do the same to his child if the Patriots were to win.

Initially I was aggravated, because the Big Dubya knows how I feel about posting photos of the children on the web..... I'm probably being unreasonable, but I just worry about perverted whack-jobs looking at photos of my children. He validly raised the point that he's got the kids in his banner already...... I ended up conceding simply because the Patriots couldn't actually lose this game, but then they did......

Being the good guy that he is, Metro agreed to a wager substitution and said that he'd accept a photo of the Big Dubya wearing the Giants gear as payment. I told hubby that it was up to him -- I could have spoke up, but I didn't..... so it's my own damn fault. Anyway, I was asked to pop out at lunch and get a Giants shirt so that the photo could be taken and posted.

Thank God it was on clearance -- I felt unfaithful just holding it in my hand. The woman at the counter said "This is a great sale, you should get two" -- I smiled and said "I don't even want to buy this one"

Keep an eye on hubby's site...... I'm guessing the photo will be up in the next day or so.