Sunday

ok...so the first....Cancelling church because of the snow.We got a foot over night, and was threatening more....and we got it.
ok...so no church...the teen people were a little upset, because they couldn't wear their outfits they were going to dance in....That's right. not that they were upset they couldn't dance.
So After a have a 5 min church service in my head....I decided to chill.
The two littles got time to play in the snow(no thanx to me....)
After talking with Vannell...if you want to call it that.
Actually, Allyn and I were glued to the Animal Planet.So much Vannell was like I didnt know Animal Planet was sooo interesting.
It was.....the show followed a bear being raised by humans then let loose in control part of the sanctuary.It was interesting.
Then I took the evening to catch up on my DVR...
Other than the nightly banging , running, fussing, hissing, laughing and back to fussing of the kids upstairs.....eh....my day was normal....
As normal you get around here.

So I figured out today that I AM an emti0nal eater...While I have not fallen off the wagon completely, I have eaten enough carbs and sugar this weekend....Buuut I still excersize.lol.
While I refuse to refuse myself, I will say that this weekend I have gone above and beyond a treat.I am thinkin it is either stress......which as much as I know the saying..."to blessed to be stressed"...this human being has been stressed.......or the monthly friend is coming. Why do "we" think we can't experience and ounce of emotion.Emotions God gave us.Or have a reaction to situations that are contrary to the mantra stated above...."tooo blessesd to be stressed"...Well I say..."I am still blessed, but this week I was stressed!"
Either way...I am back on track......tomorrow.

Took kiddos...well 2 sixths of them....(the joys of having a few older children...you don't have to take them all with you) out to mall today.Packed as ever.Why?Everyone has 70 and 60 percent off.....
Nothing new.nothing intersting.

Don't get me started on Borders.We passed a couple of eyes that had Eddie Haskell and Debbie gaspin.....really what's with the displays ....Gemini said some of the books need to be behind a curtain or something...judgin by the cover alone.....
Where is the standard.....?I always tell them I remember the Daisy Duke was explicit for tx....and Don't forget Married with Children....
Off to watch a movie or two....and some snacks....good timez..........

I researched and am seeing that deployments have this wonderful effect on 3yos around the country.I am wondering if its terrible 3's or if its the trauma....I know it is trauma,....but the terrible 3's have kicked in.I forgot....lol....shoot ....I was thinkin terrible 2's but most people know its the terrible 3's that getcha.
Well good night my friends those that know me personally and those lurkin in cyber space.

Jill , it is as if I am reading my own words when I am on your blog.......your nuts,.....we are nuts....how many days a week to you hear....."How do you do it?"

Well night night all...

T.G.I.F.I.A.C.U

Thank God It's Friday...I Am Caught Up.


So my day started early as usual.I was excited to see the reaction of the kids especially Vannell(See two posts down).Don't read this if you have not read that one.

Ok....soo I woke them up as I usually do.But THIS time I reminded Vannell about his mail that he had coming.I let them know it was on the couch.Vannell popped up eagerly, like he usually does.This could be a trap I thought, cause he is always ready to wake up...and get his get into stuff on...but to my delight, he woke up, and yes asked hs usual..."is Daddy done with Iraq"I reminded him ,"no.....but he sent your package and its on the couch"Well that sprung Shantelle up, and they went to the couch to see their packages.At first glance they looked at the contents as a teen looks when they open that package of pajamas on Christmas.ahhh haaa...yehh.....blanket....but then the examined the blanket, and the rest of the contents.This brought on ohhs and ahh...JACKPOT....it worked.And then the DVD...AND a card...a letter.It worked.We had a great morning prepping for school.I did have the issue of which socks he wanted to wear, but it was nowhere near the blow ups of old.I dropped them off.Blankets and Soldier bears in tow.We watched the DVD on the way to school.They skipped in the class....I think its gonna be a great day.

So I got home, and realized that I needed to tend to some business that I had put off, forgotten or just did not have the emotional mustard to tend to.(emotional mustard????)
Anyway...I made a list, checked it twice.And went down,

Vannell had an eye appt today, and as suspected he needs glasses.Armed with his bear, he received the exam and the examiner with ease.Ahhhh this is going well.Then it started."I;m hungry".Well I told him, he doesn't eat lunch for at least another hour.Hold on...we will get you back to school....annnd he's off.....he went from I am hungry, to trying to fall out in the store, to I am hungry...to I want to go home and sleep in my bed.By then I was like...uh huh....yeh you going home, but um.,...imma pop you, feed you, then put you to bed...in that order.I had had enough.Now I am sensitive to the plight of a 3yo in distress.And judging by the kid's prescription he is probably frustrated because he can't see well.But heck.....you are gonna get it together.The fits, the whining ...I do not tolerate it...period.So after letting him know what his afternoon was going to be like...it switched to I want to go to school.This time he knew to calm his and my nerves...the whining....ahh...it gets old...so he did.Now we can talk.....I am taking you back to school.I will be back at regular time.You will not fall out when I drop you off....and if you are successful.....(enter parental bribing here....I don't do it often if at all....he caught in a weak moment)...I will bring smilees to school.
Well smilees are my "littles" addiction of choice.I have to have them in stock.Mostly I use them as Scooby snacks, and adda boy treats.(walmart brand fruit snacks)
Well he skipped in his class...and had a wonderful afternoon.
I will not go into how this evening has been.I will just say that as I am typing, I have been interrupted....the theme here,...several times.....for several reasons...and the culprit remains the same.He has a hold of himself right now.I just had him sitting his behind down until he was ready to talk...and not cry, or yell.Ignoring him the whole time, he settled himself, and figured heck...this does not work for her....and he collected himself as required...and now he is watching Cailou ...without event.
Why does Eddie Haskell bother me....he is soo funny.He just walked in to update me on dance practice at church..Uh huh...yep...ok....close the door I say.Well I am still typing the sentence, and he closes my door with him INSIDE my room.Talkin bout....ummmm yeahhh....................boy if you don't get out of here...lol...
Anyway this was a short week.A long week by deployment standards.I have dealt with more whiny children than I'd like to.I had to climb on my truck to reach the garage door opener thingy to reset, and reattach it...someone thinks its funny to pull the plug.appointments, dinner, laundry, snow...shoveling snow...and the most frustrating...I am stuck on level 14 in Diner Dash-Flo on vacation....on a cruise and she looses her luggage...now she has to work her way to more clothes......lol.
In the words of someone....Thank God It's Friday...................

I Wish Him Well

The Inauguration was unforgettable to say the least.I cried at some parts,laughed at others, cheered with pride, and was bored to death with some.The lack of support from some and the record breaking support of others. The hope of some matched the distrust of others.The uncomfortable salutes and the tireless waving.The parades, the crowds, more smiles, and waves.Saying So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, good bye...to Bush, and saying Ahhhllloooohaaaa, Hello, greetings to Obama.

What an emotionally charged day.

Ahh the photos....awesome...

The music...?!

The poetry?!

The swearing in.....and again....

Let's just say that it is a day we all will not forget.

The thing that is crazy is that so many people wish this administration to fail.I have heard the soundbites.I listen to left and right wing talk radio, and it is unmistakeably apparent many people want this administration to fail.

Why?The thing is as much as I got tired of Bush...president Bush....my husband's former commander and chief...I would never say I hope he fails.I may have thought something may fail , will fail, but the support was there.More so for America.

So if Obama's policies fail in what he intends them to do, and the country goes further into a depression...I am sorry...I think its a depression.....THE COUNTRY FAILS.

No man is an island here.

While I support the 5th amendment and am happy that people share how they feel publicly, because you know where they are coming from.I even support their right to say they hope he fails...but its sad.I wish they consider another stance on the matter.Fall in love with the man....not even asking for that.

I heard one guy said...give him a chance ...for what...then he went on to say that America didn't give Bush a chance....HA...laughable in my opinion

Any who...I will speak for me, myself and I.While I am proud of the historical nature and the many firsts of this election.I am interested in seeing what changes are going to take place in America.I am elated that he is Black...I am very impressed with his poise. I am truly impressed with the experience he is surrounding himself with.Do I agree with everything he says...nope.Do I agree with all his policies....nope.But I believe in giving him a chance...more than a change.Most of all I am willing to do my part in helping him move this country forward.So that being said,those that wish he fail....I pray for you.I cannot wish bad on him...doing that I wish bad for myself as an American....in my opinion.So many people homeless jobless, and desperate for change...I pray he brings it....not just him...but the law makers, the local government....America

It reminds me of a scripture....Touch not my anointed, and do my prophet no harm.

I am not interjecting Obama here at the prophet, or the anointed in a spiritual sense.But when you do a comparison...I look at it like this...Obama was appointed by the majority of America...and to think ill or harm him...your hurting yourself....IMHO

jus sayin

Operation _UPS_Unshipped Postal Service

I am sooo two days behind...this is yesterday's blog.

Ok...so I think I posted about Vannell's adjustment, and lack there of to his Dad being gone.Yesturday was the tip of the ice burg for me.....emotionally.
Let's see, it started off with his usual tantrum, fit, yelling and channelling of a 6 month old baby.
It usually begins when I wake him up, the FIRST thing out his mouth is where is my Daddy, or Is Daddy coming with us, and Is Daddy done in Iraq.Well that HAS to be one of the hardest things to deal with as a parent.Trying to hold it all in, I usually quietly explain, "no Vannell, Daddy isn't done working in Iraq."
I am sure in his little 3 year old mind....he is thinking, "hey, they said he is going to be gone for a long time...ok....its been a long time>"Ohh it just breaks my heart to no end...I feel helpless.
Usually after I say this the whine fest begins from I want my Daddy, to I don't want to go to school, to I want to go to school,BUT I want to eat at home......on and on.All this to the top of his lungs, tears flowing...and just as emotionally unstable as a person on a diet at a buffet.
So during this fit, I tapped into my profession....redirecting.... I got the brainy, not emotionally healthy for me, idea to have him leave a message on his Dad's yahoo.Ohhh why do I love punishment?....."Dadddy...arre you dun in Iwaq?...I misiiiissss you....calll me pleeeeaaassssssseee" he said in that raspy deep voice of his.Well you could have had me for a nickel.I did one of those silent ugly cries.The kind you hold in, because you don't want to alarm the chilren.While I was unsuccessfully holding the tears back, I was bawling.This is the hard part....it sucks.I never had to deal with this before in past separations.The children were either too young to be affected, or old enough to understand.
So after the call, and a fight over gloves, and line leaders(someone has to lead the line from the interior garage door to the truck on the other side of the door)
I am convinced at this point, anything that will cause an argument, a fit, or emotionally charged cry feels good to him....its a release...But what is more frustrating is the aggression.I am really trying to be understanding...but the aggression is getting old.
Well once I go to his class...I asked his teacher is she noticed anything different.As we have for at least 3 weeks.One said no...she is new.But the lead teacher said she did.Well, what she said to me next led to ANOTHER moment of tears for me.It is soo heartbreaking to know your child is basically traumatized and there is nothing you can do but help them cope.I was convinced I was going to get a call about his aggression, but I never did.So I asked, and she said he has regressed...which I see at home.He is the baby....his speech, and mannerisms.She says she speaks of his Daddy being a soldier all the time.It is always on his mind.And he doesn't play with his friends much.He will try and play and stop mid stride, and go and sit by himself.Well....that did it....I bawled....she was so understanding.She hugged me, and I told her I was off to find books to help him cope.
Armed with titles...I went to Borders..the only bookstore in Watertown has NO books for young children dealing with separation through military, and the trauma.I spent 2 hrs there.Nothing.I looked, the sales associateS looked...nothing.So now I am REALLY emo...I mean really.
Long story short, I got an idea.I decided that maybe it would be nice if Daddy "sent" him a box.I didn't have time for Vannell to actually send a box...I was/ am desperate.So I did what most Mommies do, I planned and executed .....operation UPS_Unmailed Postal Service.
See that is when you want to give your child the illusion that they have received mail.All for a greater cause.You will not see this company in the yellow pages.I own it.....lol.So what I did was went to the PX and bout soldier bears, a couple of toys, cards,movies, candy and a special nap time blanket with stuffed animals attached.
Earlier when they had spoken to their Dad, I typed as he spoke, tell them u sent them a box...will explain later..Ahhh .....parents are sooo sneaky.....its all good.I know i'll go a thousand miles for my kids to do and feel better.(I will be the first to say that my 35 year old mind cannot fully comprehend my husband being gone for 365days, so I cannot imagine a 3yo mind*tear*)
Obediently*wink*Vannell took his cue.Told me what to put in the cards, and the plan was in order.
We went to bed peacefully last night.Not much of a fight.After readin the Snuggle Puppy book and The Kissing Hand...they went to bed thinking about the package that was in the mailbox JUST FOR THEM.

I was able to get a little respite yesturday.There was a FRG meeting going on and I attended.I am not much for FRG, but the kids and I went.It was nice to have the older four tag along...and leave the younger to with Maam.So that being said, we were able to go to our meeting and shop for the UPS.After such an emotionally charged day, weeks for that matter, I welcomed the break...even if it was a meeting.(how desperate is THAT...lol.

Not much else going on....planning to just chill this weekend.I am feeling like I am getting close to needing my quarterly sabbatical to a far off place...just me myself and I.It sucks cuz my man ain't here, I love when he would sneak up, and I would let him in ...for a minute...or so....and send him on his marry little way.So this time, I guess it'll be just me myself....uninterrupted....ahhh the hours of sleep, rest.....non thinking....(I know that is not a word)
More snow predicted...so.....yeah....lol.

You know, as much as I am proud of my country, and especially proud of my husband.It's times like these that makes you question...is it worth it?What can be done?Do they have to go so often?So long?What about soldier X who has never been?
Then I think about the sacrifices we have made, that Vannell makes.I think abo0ut how he proudly serves, never complaing....well I will say...never doubting the mission...or for a lack of a better word...obediently serving.
I take this attitude as I support my husband....I serve him, my country and children.I will do this by being a support to him, keeping the home fires burning and the house in order.I think about how fast time has gone by so far.I think about the past seperations and how they look like mountains in the begining...and begin to demish as time goes by.I thinkl about how technology has advanced from the first speration to now.I think about it all....and I know...that God has never lead me where he couldn't support me.He always lets me know
"This too Shall Pass"

Presidential Bull

ok...so now that I have your attenti0on...lol.Where do I begin?
Do I talk about the pride of Americas right now, or the Red Bull experiment of WHS?To blog about the swimmer, or the daily protest for wanting Daddy home!
Well since I know most people are blogging about the President Obama Inauguration, I will start my blog as a rebel.....I will begin on my daily musings as a mother and wife.

So my day started early as usual.Last night,I decided that I was going to try and work out in the am.I know that there are many benefits to doing this.And on days I choose , I will go to te gym.Ahhh the gym, my new junk food.I love it.It's MY place.Me and my Ipod Touch...hand in hand....working out, the sauna, the peace and quiet...sort of.So yeah I worked out, loved it, and am gonna try it daily if not every other day.
So then it's time to get the littles up.Well as I am working out Vannell shoots down stairs.He didn't wake up until later.And when the did, he decided to have the war of the hats and mittens.Are you serious.Well first it started out as the War of the boots.Oh no...you will NOT wear snow boots all day....they are not meant to be worn as a means of fashion...I am sorry....for those that do...ok....but no....thanx.So after forcing socks on a screaming 3 year old.Screaming about which shoes he wanted to wear.Of course I could find the match....that would be too easy.On the way upstairs he went from...i don't want to wear those shoes, to I don't want to go to school...to...you guessed it...old faithfu;;....I...waaannnnt my Daaaaady.....over and over again.....ok.HEre we go....War on.....After the request for my white spoon...lol...I went into battle.Well then we had the battle of the gloves and hats.Kickin and screaming, he protested, until I popped him.Well he got it together...and we are off..well needless to say , by the time I got the DVD going in the car, and got to the edge of the driveway, he was calm.AFTER, he asked,"Is my Daddy coming?'...Ohh that just breaks my heart.As smart as he is, I understand he does not understand.He misses Dad so much.Later on today, I found a great book for tots about deployment...which remind me to go google it, while I remember....BRB...ok I was majorly unsuccessful.I found the book, but not in an online store.It was published in 2007...so IDK...I am gonna keep looking later.I found some other good books I am going to order though.

ok...so that was vannell.And needless to say Shantelle tried to follow suit with the hissy fits about her gloves and hat.She is a big girl though,it didnt last long.

ok...now to the Bull.Red Bull that is.
So Debbie Downer had been coming home, or came home asking me to go to Walmart for a case and a half of Red Bull for a project.What?First of all, the stuff is expensive.What do you need Red Bull for I asked.A project she says.So in my mind I am like....ok....I have no permission slip...sooooo this must be some explosion experiment, because I know this teacher is not requesting Red Bull for her to consume.So I told her I was not buying no Red Bull and that teacher is crazy.
In a nut shell....the teacher allowed the kids to come up with a lab.The lab was to see the effects of Red Bull on heart rates of boys vs girls.And they are to consume...wait...they were not going to consume the drinks...they were going to find 2 Other students to drink it.
HOWSTUPIDCANANDIRRESPONSIBLECANYOUBE????
SOmetimes I think some of these new school teachers are off the rocker.One fry short of a Happy Meal....really.Why and how did this make since to her.Well, needless to say, the principle,school nurse and the teacher got an email from me....It was from the Legend...lol.
As I was typing all I could here is ..uh ohhh she is at it...again.
Well considering I am actually tired, I guess i will hang my hat for now.I will post my Obama stuff tomorrow
Until then...........If anyone can help me look for this book:
Over There-by Dorinda Silver Williams....about deployment

Failure to Launch=Failure to get out of bed...well only for the essential things.Like food,potty break and making sure Shantelle and Vannell aren't driving people crazy.
I am armed with my laptop, a diet Pepsi, a can of fruit, water, and a can opener.I am set for at least five hours.....lol
So I woke up to my dang alarm on my Ipod-I usually remember to turn alarms off, on days I do not have to get up early.Well, after finding it, and shutting it off, I covered my head and went back to sleep.Or tried to...
Only in the back round was the t.v...turned on via the turn on feature the tv.Forgot to disable that as well.Shoot....lol.So anyway, News 10 now was announcing that today was the most depressing day of the year....???
Where do they get these stats from.Who thought of it, and who had the nerve to classify it as a day?Wow....the third Monday of January, it the most depressing day of the year...lol.
Well , I am sure it means something to someone in this world.Someone will get out of work as a result of it.Some child will be allowed to lounge all day and eat raisins or something.It's important for someone....lol.
Well I guess I could think of a few reasons to be depressed, but nawww i'll pass.As much as I would like to have an excuse or reason to sleep in, I don't need one.
The things I do daily, and the people I keep in line are enough.From making sure Eddie Haskell is on his best behavior...for real.Head Start,taxi driver,counselor, chef, lawyer,parole officer, judge...the roles are endless.Then in the end, I have to remain wifey to the man over seas.That takes much time and creativity.Oh and not to mention the daycare children Although I have downsized, I still have a hand full.Those two have the personalities of 8 children....four each...lol.
So when I get a three day, I take advantage to do what I want for me.I believe in taking care of me, if I don't .....who will.
So I will not lie and say I have been eating right....nope.I still worked out though.But I think I have eatin everything from sugary cereal to pb &j.....had a taste for it, and heck, i will not deprive myself.Just got to work harder in the gym....its all good.Tomorrow starts another day of eating healthy , but for now, I am gonna put a dent in it....lol.
It just so happen that it is still cold out....shockinmg.and it just so happen that I STILL don't like to go out in the cold, and I choose to stay in bed all day.I need to clean, have a little laundry, and I am sure Shantelle still has that lotion in her hair.(Thanks to her and her brother.....)
I took something out for dinner...that's a start.But for now, I am on here, playing Diner Dash, and talking with Vannell.Who is preparing for an inspection,so he is not much conversation right now.
So yeah, I have a condition right now called Failure to Launch.....(yes you can find that only in Melisster's Dictionary).
Wow...Mouse and her buddy must be giving them hell upstairs...lol.All I hear is Allyn calling their names....lol.I have never seen children under 4 not afraid to stand up literally to a teenager...teenagers.They have so much mouth its not funny.Then when she is done telling them off she says(quote from me)"See what you guys are teaching us?"....Now if you are that smart to know that...you are smart enough to know you are mouthin off.
Now I hear them outside my room, in the basement , attempting to hold the tv hostage.It usually works...lol.Singing the OnDemand tunes for Kid's on demand channell.That can only mean one thing.Cailou....yep....aaaaand the theme song is starting now.
Well at least they are quiet.Bad nes for anyone that was watching tv down here, I guess they'll go to their room or in the kitchen.
*that's what they do, the demand Kid's onDemand channell, and you sit there and watch episode after episode.You have to sit there because once the episode has ended, you have to restart a new one*
Well.....I don't intend to much else today.I would love to run to the Mecca, or head out to Watertown.But nawww, I'll pass for tomorrow.School again...Shantelle and Vannell are delighted to hear that.Radiant has swimming and gym.So yeah, I am sure tomorrow I will launch into the deep.Where no man is bold enough to go.Into my life........

The Legend of Melissa B

SO my mom sub's at the highschool where my children attend.
Sha came home one day, and was lol the comments, respect and admiration I get from the teachers and staff at the school.
I am Legend...lol.
Well for a little backround...
Let's just say that Eddie Haskell and Fabio got in trouble(see past post if you are lost)...and after warning him of the consequences_"If I cannot trust you, then I will go to school and stay in all your classes.
Well Eddie thought I was playing.He pulled one last stunt.It was a while ago, but it caught up with him.Not only that missing assignents here, and there.Not dressing out here and there.OK...you are playing with me.
You think I am toooo busy that I can't check up on you?
You think I am sooo emo about this deployment that I am clueless....
HA...!
So after the winter break, I politely, packed my Ipod Touch, a good vook, my cell phone, and went to school.
Heck, I don't send you to school to act up.
Well problem number one is that I blend in with the students.So much so, I almost got in trouble for my cell phone and ipod touch at lunch.
Anyway.....I went to all his classes.Period after period.(I don't care how in shape you are...that was taxing....)
I sat in on all of them.Teachers never asked a thing.Some had me up front, others in the back.Some handed me notes, dittos, and even the books that they were reading.
Kids wondered, but dared not ask....lol
As we changed classes, I told him....don't you leave me in this hallway...I know you tryin to lose me...rotflol.He smiled.
That kid has thick skin...I taught him that.Never let em' see you sweat, and don't sweat the small stuff.If it;s hard, live thre it.And that's what he did.
I went to lunch, PE everything.HE had to address his PE call in front of me.I was proud, he did it as a young man.faced his wrong,and took it.He later said he was not embarassed by me, but ....he prefers I stay at home....lol
I don't think he will be getting in trouble any time soon?!
So anyway, my mom goes on to tell me that the teachers wished there were other parents like me.All this said by those that have met and dealt with me, or just "heard" about me.This is not the first unorthadox thing I have done at the school in response to Eddie's coming of age ...lol.You should ask him about the time he missed...well skipped football practice.....by the time I got done with him...the coach was bowing to me...lol. One teacher said I should write a book...Effective Parenting....lol
We may not be the best parents, or the most effective.However, we vowed before God that we will do all that we can to train and raise them up in the way they should go....by ANY means necessary.We make no excuses , nor accept guilt for their foolishness..
I am a Legend at Watertown High School!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Vannell,
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.The more you do, the more you write, the more you call...the more I fall deeper and deeper in love.From the calls, the im's, the poems...oh the poems....the distance has no effect.
The way you do the things you do...has me speechless.(Which is very hard to believe I know....lol)
Baby I love you!
Until you come home for RR.........

Ok...I am beyond slacking at this point....lol.

Sad...but true.I have not posted here since before Christmas.

Maybe I need to make this my homepage....done.

Perhaps I will see it, and log on and blog more often.I actually enjoy it, but out of site is out of mind for me.

I was inspired after going to Jill's blog and yes Jill, people DO NOT care how full YOUR plate is, and what you have going on......

Soooooo what hasn't been going on....

Let's see Vannell is Still deployed(shocking....)

Well this week/end has been pretty chill for me.

Considering it has been what I have dubbed"butt crack cold" here in the North country.

Artic fronts, snow and more snow.

Well if you know me, you know what I did.Wen to Wally World, got whatever I didn't have.Went to my favorite Wing Spot, got me some ribs.Headed to Starbucks...got my tall carmel Frap wit extra carmel.(I know I don't need any of it, but hey...I work out enough...and I am not gonna starve myself.)

So anyway,after I left the Mecca(as Carrie calls it) I headed home, and have been here ever since.

It's Sunday, and I am staying home.Chillin' out.Waiting on Vannell to come online.Then we'll probably chat till he falls asleep, and I sacre him by sending a "buzz" haaaaaaa I love to do that.

Well so much has happened and gone on with the little people.