GAT'sfamily

An excuse, and an update

2007-07-24T23:36:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know, but this time I have an excuse for not posting in like forever. We were gone for 3 weeks. We did our annual trip to the IL's, my folks, and then the boys and I tacked on a week (hubby had to return home to work) and drove down later with my parents. They were bringing us the family dining room set in a trailer behind their camper, and needed to get their car down here. I was horribly put out by my mother's suggestion that I drive it behind them. Alone. I think my mom knows just how much after her 14 hours of hearing Grandma, Grandma, Grandma continuously. Have I mentioned #2 is in a liking to hear his voice phase? I may have pictures soon....if I can find the camera. It's in lost land, like my swimsuit.

All in all it was a nice vacation. I got peace and quiet, and real chairs out of the deal. I'm morning the loss of my wonderful metal folding chairs that have served as part of our dining room set for the last 5 years, but I think I'm getting over it.

Yesterday we had our first homestudy appointment for the adoption, and it left me just a tad freaked out. Not so much in the mounds of paperwork, although that's a pain, but in the are we really insane thing. And yes we are. And yes we know we are. And hopefully our Social worker is a tad too :-) Tonight I made hubby sit down and we finished the first batch of paperwork, with the exception of the 4 paragrah essay on the requierd 4 hour video, for one of our agencies (yes there are 2), and I hope to get that mailed off next week. Tomarrow we send the paper that asks the government's permission, and hope it gets there before the 31st, when prices jump big time. Oh and part of that paper is us needing to decide who will travel, and after much talking.....it get's to be me. I'm a tad freaked out about it, I'll be honest, but hey then I'll get 3o hours of quiet travel! It's more the going alone, and what if I get sick, or miss my flight with a kid that is freaking out and doesn't know me thing, not to mention the heavy stuff like seeing the poverty up close (yes I change the chanel when the child sponsorship ads come on tv), and probably meeting our future child's extended birth family, without turning into a blubbering mess through the whole process.

That's all that's new here. I thought of changing my blog to a more "adoption" orientated one, and I still might, but I highly doubt I'd actually keep up on that one either, so if you're not interested in our current insanity...well you're out of luck.

Summer time

2007-06-22T10:33:00.000-04:00

Not much new, but I figured it was time for an update for all 3 of my loyal readers.

My homeschool experiment was kind of a flop. Don't get me wrong it went well when I did it. All 2 days of it, but we've just been too busy to keep it up. It's been warm and I'm still fighting turning on our A/C meaning we've had to do things like Museam trips , sprinkler parks, and playing in our friends awsome new "big" (3 feet) pool. Although I have the best of intention of starting another unit next week, as #1 is showing the lack of structure is getting to him. I just need to decide on the next subject. So far we've done insects and dinosaurs. The new one has to keep their mind from being overly preoccupied on leaving for vacation next Saturday.

We're making our circle trip to visit family in NE and MN again. However my parents are renting a Uhaul to pull some family heirloom funiture down to our house behind their camper, and are traveling home with me and the boys (Hubby gets to come home early for work). This means someone has to drive their car, and gee darn it my mom doesn't like to drive very far. Guess I'll get a nice QUIET drive home all by myself, and the boys get to ride in the motorhome with Grandma and Grandpa.

On the adoption front we told my family our intentions which left my mom speechless for the moment. If you've ever met my mom (or me for that matter) you know that alone was priceless! Hubby's family? Well mabey well tell them when we're on the plane picking up the kid(s). So far we've applied with the international agency, and found our homestudy agency. I will be setting our first appointment up for when we get home from vacation.

As I said, not too much new or exciting, but well that's life in KY for ya'll!

Hubby got yet another new toy

2007-05-24T01:49:00.001-04:00

Most of your guys are drooling over Harley's and Half ton pickups. Not my man, Nope he just got his dream car (sorry couldn't get the pic in the post)Only ours is a 2000 with rust on the hood.

Yup that's my man. Scooter's and Metro's. This will be the 3rd car in the "Geo/Chevy" line we've owned. The first was hubby's brand new '97 Geo Metro hatchback, and the second was the more kid friendly Texas friend (as in had A/C) hand me down '92 Geo Prizim we bought cheaply from my sister.

I found a hobby

2007-05-17T22:33:00.000-04:00

I'm homeschooling the boys....at least for the summer. I'm calling it my experiment. Why you ask? Well right now, in addition to keeping me busy, I'm concerned about #1 forgetting what he learned last year. Plus there are concepts he never really "got" that might be a problem if he doesn't pick it up quickly next year like counting past 29, and sight recognizing number's past 29 (...I know, I know most kids can by now, even #2 is starting to get this). Apparently it's hard to understand that 30 is not 13, and 52 is not 25. So my summer will be spent trying to come up with "units" or themed learning subjects that include counting, number recognition, spelling all colors and number's, and reading all his sight words he knows (he has about 30 in addition to the spelling words). Oh and it has to be doable with a 3 yr old who wants to have "school time" too, and I need to work on his fine motor skills. I'm hoping to have him reading more by the end of the summer too. He's really at a jump off point, and I want to push him off that cliff, mainly so he can read to #2 on vacation this year :-). My goals for #2 is to get him to write his name so it doesn't look like TiT instead of Tim, or better yet, Timothy. It will help if I can get him to hold a pencil properly I think.

In addition to that Hubby and I have been doing a lot of thinking/praying, and we really feel we are suppose to be pursuing adoption right now. Yes he's still going to school next year, and no we don't know how we will pay for it, but I have figured out how we can pay off his tuition yearly (thanks to Uncle Sam's savings account) and I plan to pick up hours this summer to try to pay off the car we need to still buy before fall, leaving us with only Adoption debt to pay for, which we feel if it's meant to be, like we feel it is, the money will come....and we have plenty of credit to our name if it doesn't work out like everyone says it does - lol. On that front if anyone knows me personally and would like to be a reference, and you don't think we're totally crazy after reading this, oh and aren't opposed to interracial adoption, we could still use a couple, and no I don't like to come right out and ask people for references, no matter what. It's too close to accepting compliments, not my strong point. However even if you don't volunteer, that doesn't mean I won't eventually ask ;-) We're planning on sending in our application as soon as we get the fee put together, so another 3 weeks or so.

Let's see what else is new here in KY (hey at least we aren't living in Rabbit Hash anymore!) Oh I think we are going to NYC this summer, well me and the kids with a co-worker of mine. She retired from the airlines and wants to take us, on standby tickets she gets....I'm not getting my hopes up, but it will be WAY cool if it works out. I've always wanted to at least see it, and my mom won't freak as badly as when I planned to go myself, given I'll have a bodyguard, even if she is an older lady, she's a native :-). Other then that it will be our 2 week round trip to NE and MN again, and then school will start up in Aug. I'm still trying to figure more trips out, but we'll have to see. We did make it down to Mammoth Caves for a weekend. If you're ever near Cave City, KY you so have to bring the kids to Dino world. Yes it's overpriced, but not as cheesy as I thought, and the kids are still talking about it 2 weeks later. They liked the cave tour too, but come on it truly can't live up to Dino world, for a 3 and 6 yr old.

Sorry it this is just another ramble, as it seems all I'm capable of lately.

This and That

2007-04-25T08:48:00.000-04:00

I admit it, I'm a horrible blogger. I'm not even doing my bi-weekly updates. I'll try to not make up for it now by rambling on and on.

First order of business.....ever since I had to switch to the "new" blogger when I sign in it says I have 13 comments to moderate...yet I don't "think" I have it set to moderate, and I can't figure out how to either change it or read them, so I'm not sure if they are new comments I haven't seen or not. Anyone???

I've been thinking too much again lately. I decided that I really need to get a hobby. But not a hobby that requires me to actually follow through on things post planning. See I start projects, and then they just sit and add to the clutter of the house. Hubby is going to be going back to school in the fall, and I need to find a way to occupy myself since I'll have to quit my 2 day a week job. When I get bored I come up with all sorts of crazy ideas (yes we are still going to adopt, just later) so to not drive everyone around me into the loony bin, with Hubby gone all the time and studying, or being with the kids when he's not I need something. I think I'll look into book clubs when (the saving grace for next year) #2 is at school 3 days a week. I've also thought of joining a gym again, but shhh Don't tell hubby!

I was going to join #1 in Taekwondo, after he turns 7 and gets moved up to the older kid/adult class, but since #2 will still be in the little kid class, and hubby may not be around Tues/Thurs nights, that might not work. Speaking of Taekwondo #1 is loving it, and doing pretty well. We had our first "testing" last night. Apparently they move up into the next pseudo belt when they're in the little class regardless of skill (it will still have a white stripe in it). #2 on the other hand. Well he wanders around, chews on the arm of his uniform, picks his nose, got kicked in the face by the instructor (It was an accident, and she felt horrible, but he didn't stay in his square...he did learn to stay in his square now!) you know, 3 year old stuff. The classes are not expensive for him, but we do have to pay a testing fee that is. Testing is every 8 weeks, and way to pricy for #2. I need to see if he can just skip testing days or something. Testing is not mandatory, but the question is how do I pull the wool over his eyes that he's not doing what the other's are.

I only have 2 more months of the Stepford mom's club board member position to wait out YAY! and then I'm free of that mind draining experience. Don't get me wrong, a few of the people are nice, but I'm just in a whole different place in my life then most of them. I'm more concerned about figuring out ways to cut energy expenses, and reusing things we come across, and educating myself about the cultures and conditions that exist in Africa, then the latest sale on clothes, how these size 2 women are "fat" or how the school district is redrawing lines. (My kids already go to the ghetto school, I think it's great).

*warning don't read if you don't want to feel guilty about good things* I will say that I'm remembering why I gave up having a huge social conscience long ago. It's hard. I've convinced myself I need to switch to fair trade coffee when my big can of Greek Nescafe is gone (SOOOOO GOOD, especially cold), rather then having my sister buy me another one this year. This means I'll have to go back to digging out the coffee pot and brewing it. Need to figure out how to make and iced drink with real coffee. And while I don't think I can totally give up chocolate, I am feeling I need to start limiting my consumption and checking out the 1 and only, very small local health food store for fair-trade chocolate, that's certified to not be produced with child slave labor. Times like this I REALLY miss Austin. As I said, I've been thinking too much.

That's a quick update on us. I'll try to not wait a whole month next time :-)

2007-03-29T12:30:00.000-04:00

E said I'd be the first to respond, so I guess I must!

Place an (X) by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones you haven't. This is for your entire life!

Smoked a cigarette. (X)
Drank so much you threw up.
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. (X)
Gone on a blind date. (X) Once, and only once, and I married him
Skipped school. (X)...11th grade biology once felt incredibly guilty, and KNEW I'd be caught
Seen someone die.
Been to Canada(X)
Been to Florida
Been to Mexico .
Been on a plane. (X)
Been lost. (X)...
Been on the opposite side of the country. (X)
Gone to Washington DC.
Swam in the ocean. (X )
Felt like dying. (X)
Cried yourself to sleep. (X)
Played cops and robbers. (X)
Recently colored with crayons. (X)
Sang karaoke.
Paid for a meal with only coins. (X)
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't. (X)
Made prank phone calls.
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose. (X)
Caught a snowflake on your tongue. (X)
Danced in the rain. (X)
Written a letter to Santa Claus. (X).
Been kissed under the mistletoe. (X)
Watched the sun rise with someone you care about. (X)...
Blown bubbles. (X)
Made a bonfire on the beach.
Crashed a party.
Gone roller-skating. (X)
Gone Ice-skating. (X)
Any Nicknames - Beth
What is your favorite drink- Some kind of fattening chocolatey coffee, I'm not picky
Body piercing? (X)...Ears
How much do you love your job? My PT job(retail)....take or leave it. My FT job (mom) Love, My other FT job (housewife) hate, I suck at it.
Birthplace: Fairbault, MN
Favorite vacation spot? Greece
Ever been to Africa ? No - Hope to in the next few years
Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes
Ever been on TV? no
Ever steal any traffic signs? No
Ever been in a car accident? Yes
Was it your fault? I plead the fifth
2 doors or 4? 5 on the van, 0 on the moped
Salad Dressing? Ranch
Favorite pie? Cherry
Favorite number? Don't have one
Favorite movie? Don't have one
Favorite holiday? Halloween
Favorite desert? Just one? Impossible to choose. I haven't met one yet I don't like
Favorite food? Pizza
Favorite day of the week? Sunday
Favorite brand of body soap? Irish Spring
Favorite TV show Ther's such a thing as TV other then PBS???
Toothpaste? Crest
Favorite smell? Lavender
What do you do to relax? Play online
How do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully having a couple more kids, mabey in school or working, either here or somewhere in MN, IA, or NE
What do you do when you are bored? Play online

The new toy, um I mean Vehical

2007-03-11T19:57:00.000-04:00

Yeah, It's a toy... even the lady at subway agreed with me. Here's a picture of it for anyone who'd like to drool. It's probably going to take me a bit to get up the courage to ride it myself, but if I ever find some spare money rolling around they had one a bit smaller that I loved, and think I could get use to really easy. However since we'll have to share I need to go get my "permit" from the DMV and go play with it in the school parking lot for a while instead.

A week of Battles

2007-03-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

The first major battle I'm fighting this week is BLOGGER!!! For whatever, and who knows what reason (certainly not me. I can't even figure out how to add links, or blogrolls to my pate) I cannot comment. I can post, but it is refusing to let me comment on anyone's blogs. So even though it is rare that I comment, I am still reading all my normal blogs even if you don't hear from me.

The second is the fireplace. We have a wonderful fireplace with a wonderful wood burning insert that can help us keep down our heating bills. Well at least I imagine it would if we could get a fire to burn without smoking out the entire house. (and yes the flume is open!) now I would blame the fireplace, but when I buy cheater logs ( you know the light the paper and forget it kind of fires) it does just fine....but with real wood, we've had one disaster after another. I finally figured out the biggest part of my problem is that I wanted to build sophisticated fires, when sadly all I have in firebuilding training is camp fires. I've tried and tried to use the rack, putting the kindling underneath and the larger pieces on top of it. Nothing. The kindling burns and the logs smoke. I've tried making a "bed" for the kindling to sit on ON the rack, and I end up with burnt pieces of wood that won't flame. Last night I realized the folly in these attempts. I've never been trained. Today I took the rack out and built a fire on the floor of the insert, and I got a fire! Yes there is smoke in the house, but it's not horrible, and it's a fairly warm day to have the doors open. Unlike my last attempt. And I only received one bleeding wound from stabbing my wrist with a piece of sharp wood.

The third battle (because you know they come in threes) is alluded to in the second. I'm apparently subconsciously out to kill myself. In addition to my puncture wound, I have 6 other scrapes or cuts on my hand (from battle number 2) I've burnt myself cooking twice, and last week I fell down the stairs with a basket full of laundry because SOMEBODY when asked to change laundry thought that ment "leave the dirty peed on blankets on the stairs for my wife to slip and fall on so I can collect the life insurance" Little did he know I was doing enough on that front myself this week.

In other news around our house. #1 got his second report card and is doing AWESOME if I might say so. Only real problems he got an AC (area of concern, I guess the P.C. of an F) are writing his last name, knowing Birthday (I asked and he knows how to spell the name, and his B-day) and tying his shoes. Um yeah there's a reason he wears velcro. I guess to me that's small compared to the fact they have the kids reading and spelling already. In Kindergarten.

Our car died. Well it's in the driveway and if we choose to spend over $1500 we can have it running again, but since it's worth less that that actually running we're feeling it's not the best idea. Hubby has his heart set on buying a moped for his work "vehical" and we've talked to someone selling year end models. We'll be going and looking at them this weekend. Hubby took the written test and got the endorsement on his license just in case. I've reasoned it out that if he only drives it 12 months it will pay itself off in gas, and here you can use it 6 months out of the year. And since hubby rarely buys anything for himself I want him to get it. We'll worry about a car for him next winter. I only need it 2 days a week this year (I've been bringing him to work) but next year will be 3 days a week I need to cart #2 to school, and that's a little much. Plus after I pay for our yearly circle trip to NE and MN, and a week to NY with a co-worker (we're staying with her sister) we'll have my entire check going to a car fund. Mabey I can buy it in 10 years!!!

#1 started Tae Kwon Do last week, and I'm not sure if he liked it or not. I do think it will be good for him as it's all about following directions, which he needs to work on. We'll see how this week goes.

And now I really need to stop procrastinating and figure out supper for tonight.

One more reason I love Hubby

2007-02-26T13:54:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I came across this Blog. It's written by an American who was volunteering in an Ethiopian orphanage run by an international adoption agency. I found it very interesting so I started reading at the beginning of the archives and read it all the way through. Now where most people who found it as fascinating as I did would probably go to the AAI website and possibly choose to send money in one of their subscription programs (which was my first step, and I even received a hand written thank you) most are not going to become obsessed out of the blue with the idea that we need to adopt 2 older children (No older then #1, I'm not ready to parent a preteen yet) from Ethiopia. This is where the I love Hubby part comes in. He the "rational" person in our marriage, and instead of telling me I'm insane, he said that if I really am feeling this strongly drawn to it mabey there is a reason.

Now I have NO idea how we will afford this, or when we will be able to do this (Hubby is suppose to be going back to school soon), but I have done a TON of research on it, short of contacting the agencies for information besides fees lists, and know it's something I want to do. I even read what is touted in online forums as "the must have book on the AIDS crisis, history, and politics of Ethiopia, and the reason for the huge numbers of orphans, and abandoned children." I've look at all the pros and tried to seek out all the cons, which are surprisingly few compared to adopting children from other area's or through CPS (which I have wanted to do for years, but we've decided that it's not something we can do while our children are still young).

So now I sit and wait, till we figure out what DH is going to do for school (he's waiting on the university to get back to him about transfers. If they never do, or don't transfer enough he'll be going the expensive online route.) and, try to find a spare $15,000-$25,000 laying around in our house and bank accounts, and go from there.

To Karate or not to Karate

2007-02-15T12:44:00.000-05:00

K, many of you know that up until the age of 4 #1 was an extreamly difficult and aggressive child. The last two years have been seriously easy in comparison. In many ways I think a large part of the problem was his language delays, and some other issues he's been able to work through, and grow out of to a great extent. He could still tend to be impulsive, has problems with peer relationships, but hasn't been aggresive.....at least till today.

Today we went to an indoor playland (on snowday #3 , last 2 days I get, today I have NO idea why it was canceled), despite the fact that every other mother in the school district was there, and it was crazy, and overwhelming, I was taking pride in the fact that my boys are at a point they could take it in stride, not get overstimulated, and were playing very nicely together. But when they disappeard for a while I went looking for them, and found another mom looking into a tunnel..oh oh. Yup there were my kids in a fight with 2 other kids. Apparently (#1's side of the story) The boy said the tunnel was his and his sister's so #1 hit him. When I asked what was going on the mom said some kicking....after pulling the boys out #1 had some red marks on his face, but the other boy's whole side of his face was red and he was crying. I of course made #1 march over to say he was sorry, and we then left. In the process #1 was not happy, and I ended up "fining" him $3 from his allowance - a new punishment we're trying. (he can earn it back with good behavior).

This leads to my question. Up till today I had pretty much decided to enroll #1 into an intro to Karate class tomorrow (Payday!). My hope was that it would help him gain self control, and diminish the appeal of revenge he seems to have if someone hurts his feelings. However now I'm wondering if it won't just make him more violent and bring out this aggresive side to him even more. We've deiced to hold off on team sports for the time being because they're expensive, time consuming, and honestly I just don't think it would hold his intrest. So if not Karate, anyone else have any ideas for building self confidence, and self control?

I think we're mabey getting well

2007-02-02T10:41:00.000-05:00

Everyone's been sick lately, and I think we might finally be getting over it. I kept #1 home the last 2 days because he seemed sick, untill after the bus passed our house. I think I'm getting played, and he's only in Kindergarten!!! So today he was going, no matter what...till they called a 2 hour snow delay, which means no morning kindergarten, so we're home again! It wouldn't be so bad, but our neighbors are sick as well so we can't let the kids play together.

I had a bunch of stuff I wanted to blog about, but it's gone. I've forgotten about it. I was going to take the kids to NY in a couple weeks, but that trip ended up canceled. A friend of mine's family lives in New Jersey, so we were going to drive out there with all the kids together, stay with her mom, and I was going to take my boys in on the train for the day while she was going to visit family. Oh well mabey some other time. I still think DH and I will take the boys somewhere. Just not sure where, and the only way I'll never get Dh to go to NY of his own free will. I've only wanted to go for the last 15 years, mabey I'll make sometime in the next 15 ;-) Now if I can just figure out somewhere 4-5 hours from Cincinnati to go cheaply, and without camping. It's a little cold out.

What's scarier?

2007-01-08T11:53:00.000-05:00

I wrote this like 3 weeks ago, and forgot to Publish it. Sorry, I am still alive ;-)

The fact that I'm making bread from scratch today, or the fact it appears to have turned out?

I've come to the conclusion that yep, I've really gone off the deep end. I mean I don't think I have, but after being told that quite a few times, and making my own bread, I guess it must be true. Oh well. I truly started down this road of trying to go more natural, and back to basics as a two part effort. One was to clear #1's diet of most red dyes and excess sugar, and the other was I found it is cheaper and moving every 2 years takes it's toll on a budget. Since I have been asked how I manage to keep our food budget down the easiest answer is that I buy very little convince/snack foods, lots of generics, and do things like have Monday be Soup Night (hence the homemade bread to go with the black bean soup I'm planning for dinner). I found out soup is actually easy and cheap to make as long as you go with in season veggies or things like beans and lentils.

What is surprising is that on the way down this road I remembered I use to be an environmentalist, the reason why I was and how I planed to save the world. Even stranger is the fact that I've noticed that this is the cumulation of the two parts of my personality I've always struggled to combine.

Resolutions and Challenges

2007-01-04T17:33:00.000-05:00

First I don't do New Year's resolutions. I know I won't stick with them. In fact I'm kind of a New Years scrooge when it comes to them. Now occasionally I will take the new year to overlook all my goals in life to see where I'm at with them, but usually only because someone asks in the form of a resolution post on a board. This takes it's form in other areas as well. Like I'm not resolving to start exersizing, but for a while I've been trying to figure out how to quit work and to start something as a family. Because of everyone else making their resolutions the Y is now offering no joiner's fee so we may join, not because it's a resolution, but because it's cheaper now then in 3 months. Although this is still undecided, I'll be crunching more numbers later and deciding how frugally I want to live in exchange for good health ;-)

Now on the Challenges front. I read this artical today. If your like me and never actually read the artical linked, it's about how a group of friends took the year of 2006 to not buy anything new with a few exceptions. I've actually been hearing about this movement for a while now both on frugal blogs and enviromental boards/blogs I read. Really I've challenged myself to reduce what I buy new a long time ago. I know not as dramatic, or newsworthy, but hey I'm not a cold turkey type of person. I will say I think we have also gotten some of the "rewards" the people in the artical do. I've also seen the Compact - Karma in action.

When I think back I honestly think I've probably bought less new each month then I could count on one hand. Now the last week I went a little nuts. I bought a shirt for DS that was on clearence cheaper then Goodwill, A box of 10 candles on clearence for $3.74, and some nice shelves to organize our basement, and today some makeup on sale for 50% off (I wonder if makeup and hair dye are part of their exceptions....yes growing out the gray thing fell apart). Still. I think I might just start keeping track of what I buy new (non food/toiletry items) and see how I stack up to those buying nothing. I guess I really had better quit my job!

So anyone else up to this challenge? If so I'll track my new from retail purchases online. Otherwise I can take a hint of lack of interest, and will do it in a notebook.

Vaccuming up a snowstorm

2006-12-26T13:13:00.000-05:00

We had a fun Christmas this year. Christmas eve we opened family gifts and went to church with the boys...that was "interesting" we always take #1, but #2 is ususally sent to the nursery, for good reason it turns out. After sitting in the parking lot for 15 minutes waiting out #2's tantrum we were able to coninue on to go drive around a little bit to see Christmas lights. Then we came home let the kids play with their new toys for bit, put reindeer food out on sidewalk, milk and cookies, and rootbeer (I don't know either) for Santa, and got the boys down at 11:00. Hubby and I of course had to stay up a bit later.

Christmas day we actually got to sleep in till 8:30. We got up, opened gifts, and just hung out in our Jammies till we had to get ready to go to a friends for dinner.

So the important things. The LOOT:
I got a new cutting pad for my "sewing station" in the toy room (Hey I'm TRYING to be organized) A new nightshirt with pictures of the boys on it that they (DH) made, and best of all a Standing mixer from my sister and her DH YAY!!! Dh got his wedding ring fixed finally, well and the mixer is half his ;-) . The kids got tons of stuff of course, one of the favorites is Hungry Hungry Hippo.

Oh and the title??? 3 things that came packaged in styrofome. Who says it's a brown Christmas. Not on my carpet. Today was cleanup day.

Why you do not let him get the kids ready for church

2006-12-24T16:46:00.000-05:00

Dh was being a sweetie today letting me sleep since I worked really late last night. He got up with the boys, and got them ready for church.

During the morning (after we left) I notice the following things....
#1 was wearing #2's pants. Sure they fit, if you roll the sewed up cuff down as much as you can.
#1's hair was sticking straight up in the back, it didn't get wetted down or brushed
#1 Also had old socks that have holes in the cuffs and fall down around his ankle.
#2 had mud on his pants from playing outside before hand.
DH had forgotten to shave, and he's not one of those men that just looks sexier with stubble.

Well at least I looked a little put together ;-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!

Some pictures

2006-12-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's been forever since I've posted pictures, although having a cable from the camera to the computer that's not smashed on the end would help. Last night we decided to take pictures to put into the cheapo frames I bought for the IL's gift bags. We were suppose to go see Santa, but #2 came home from school with a fever. Given he was happy as could be after nap, #1 was especially cooperative afer an earlier all out blowout, tantrum, and time out, but mainly because we need to get these shipped out we decided to chance it. We had a lot that I liked, but weren't gift worthy.

Yes They both need haircuts, but if I were that organized a woman I'd have actually had professional pictures taken.

On a completely different note, you ever have a day you send your child off to school, and just wait for the phone to ring to come get them? #1 was up coughing half the night Crabby as could be this morning, wouldn't cooperate with me trying to take his tempature ( I don't "think" he had one), and claiming he was going to turn tv on when he got home (he lost tv for today because of yesterday's tantrum). All before the bus came to claim him. I just don't know if the call will be from the nurses office or the principles office. Oh and no, I don't make a habit out of sending sick kids to school, but both my boys have had this cough for weeks. I think I might need to bring them in next week if it doesn't clear up, but with DH's wonderful company I honestly don't know if we have health ins till the first of the year....Not that it would cover the visit, but still. It'd be nice for it to go towards the $4,000 deductible.

Time for my bi-weekly post

2006-11-30T14:03:00.000-05:00

I just realize I seem to blog every week or two, usually two, sometimes longer. Who knows probably averages every 2 weeks. I'll try to be better, but with 2 duvet covers, and a ton of baked good teacher and extended family gifts to finish making by Christmas no promises.

Actually I've had things to blog about, but most of them are just various vents and rants, and no one wants to hear me whining ALL the time, however by reading this you'll be subjected to just a teeny portion of it, later.

We had a great Thanksgiving week, crazy, hectic, but fun. My parents were living in our driveway for a week, and then my sister and her husband called us Monday before saying they were coming and bring a 10yr old with. Sis and her DH have no kids (to clarify by choice they're both very carrer orientated, and very happy that way) but ended up "adopting" a family from BIL's church. Basically there's no real reason for the kids to be removed from their mother, but my sister and BIL have taken over the responisbility part of being a parent. Making sure they have clothes, go to school, learn to read, paying attention when they act out and getting to the bottom of it, you know the fun stuff ;-) Anyway I haven't met the kids before, and they thought the 10 yr old was old enough to come. He really is a great kid and was so excited over everything, especially going to a diffrent state. Hubby did a great job cooking (yeah right you thought I'd do turkey, they're all lucky I didn't make them eat Tofurkey) and overall we had nice time visiting.

I've also decided that this year will be a no stress holiday. Seriously I'm getting sick of the holiday's being a drag on everyone around me so I've decided to make a pointed effort to enjoy them. I sat down planned out gifts and made a very reasonable budget we can totally afford, I have things to make/bake for gifts, but I know when they have to be done by so I don't get suprised, and I'm thriving in work at the moment. Yes I know I'm one of those strange people that LOVES working retail during the holidays. It's busy, crazy, insane, and nuts, but time goes fast and occasionaly (more then normal) you can really feel like you may have made someone's day or helped them pick out the perfect gift. I am determined to continue this attidute this year.

We've also started a 4 gift rule with the boys to try to help them understand the complex ideologies we have of gift giving. Basically enjoy giving gifts you either made yourself or paid for, and pick them out with the person in mind and be grateful for whatever you get, no matter what it is. So they are getting 1) something they want (RC car and trainset) 2) something they need (previously mentioned duvet covers, one jungle animals, one denim and John Deere) 3) Something to wear (Dino slippers and ? still) 4) Something to spirtual/religious/to read (Christmas book and Veggie tails movie).

So what's the teeny vent I have? Stepfordsville MOM's club again. We committed to buying gifts for 32 children through a theraputic foster care service organiztion. Each gift is suppose to be a value of $20-30. With more then 40 people in our club we should have NO problem making this goal right? WRONG At the meeting yesterday we still had 16 gifts to buy. Only 1 person took on a kid at the meeting. I took another and a friend of mine not in the club said she'd do one. We still have 13 left. The organizer of this is going to have to call the organization and renig on our commitment and let them know they're on their own for 13 kids still.

Now I get that some people just don't have the $20 to spend. That for some it's not 1 less dinner out, or a couple trips to Starbucks missed. I totally get that as we were there a few weeks ago before Hubby got a bonus at work that paid off his medical bills. But for the women of stepford who can't seem to plan cheap or free activites, all drive top of the line mini-vans, freely spend $60+ on a haircut, and talk about very little but shopping, I don't really think it's that big of an issue to most of them. We're even having #1 buy a gift for one of the kids out of his money saved from his allowence to buy a less fortunate kid a Christmas gift. I think if a 6 year old can do it, they could. Ok, I'm done now.

Anyway that's really all going on around here. Sorry bout the spelling errors, no time to spell check, I need to go do homework and put #1 down for rest time so I can work on his duvet.

I should've known.....

2006-11-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

The wonderful world of Health Savings Accounts (HSA) plans for insurance is the work of Bushy boy and his friends. If you haven't heard of such a thing be glad. Be VERY GLAD. Basically we are now responsible for all medicines and all medical care out of pocket up to the amount of $4000. After we've already paid $4000 we have to pay 20% plus co-pays until a total of $8,000 then they'll so generously cover everything. The insurace company is saying that we get lower premiums for this plan. Gee thanks the whopping $13 a paycheck is really going to make up for it. We're still paying over $300 every two weeks for this crap.

We found out last night that (Thank GOD!) This doesn't include preventive medicine, well checks, cancer screenings, and immunization. So provided no one gets sick, no one gets hurt, no one needs to go to the Dr for brocitis (of course we'll now be waiting till it's pneumonia), and no one gets pregnant, we'll only have to pay out of pocket an extra $25/paycheck(or $650 a year). This in addition to what DH's company's kicking in ($1500 over the course of the year) will pay for DH's medicines and his quarterly Dr's appointments and blood tests, which we'd have to pay for. Assuming DH is able to change a few medicines to similar cheaper pills without adverse effects. His current medicines are over $300/ month and well that's 75% of our monthly food budget and that we really ain't gonna be able to do.

Can I just say I am so sick of how his company keep killing us with benefits? I SO cannot wait for him to get another job. I know easier said then done, but it just keeps getting worse, and part of me would love for him to leave them now, with really no one to step into his shoes. I know, I shouldn't feel that way, but still....... DH says he'll let them know his "fee" for hourly consulting if he goes, but I think their pride would keep them from calling him.

1)BUSTED 2) Christmas gift ettiqute?

2006-11-10T01:03:00.000-05:00

1) Who? No not hubby, #2. What was his offense you may ask? Pretending to not be potty trained! We tried to potty train #2 before he started preschool. It's required. We told him over and over he HAD to use the potty to go to school, but they do let them wear pullups. So we've just sent the kid in pull-ups and he's stayed dry, despite reverting back to diapers at home with mommy giving up.

This week it ALL CHANGED. Mommy and Daddy got sick of shelling out money for diapers, so we told Him they were just for bed time. No diapers during the day, even nap. For the first 2 days he wet CONSTANTLY. By day 3 he was being bribed enough by a sticker and has been completely dry (except morning diaper) the last 2 days.

When I picked him up from school I asked the teacher if he'd gone. I know he can hold it, but what I didn't know was he had the connection to go without being asked to go every hour. Apparently he has ALWAYS asked to use the potty at school, and many times will just go without telling anyone. I guess he's got that connection so I will not be buying ANY more diapers, unless we need more nighttime ones in a few months, when the jumbo bag I have runs out.

2) Who do you buy Christmas presents for outside of family members? Teachers? Aids? Etc? So far on my list I have #1's Teacher and class aid, #2 I have the Teacher, Aid, and Director. Am I missing anyone else? What about busdrivers? Do they get gifts, or is that weird? We've never done mailman or garbage man, but apparently your suppose to do this too, What? I don't have money to give away so anyone is getting baked goods and/or hand sanitizer basket things I'll make. Anyone know?

Simplicity, Priority, and mad ramblings of a woman who talks to herself

2006-10-30T09:32:00.000-05:00

Not just that I blog to myself...it's all the time lately. I'm thinking my thoughts through in "blog" format and I don't even blog that much!!!

I've been thinking our life is off course. I'm starting to think it all lays in simplifying our life, getting back to the basics. Also the need to prioritize what is important to us. I'm thinking this in all areas. If you'd been in my kitchen this week you'd think Martha lived here, well till you saw the wreck the rest of the house is in. I've made sombrosa's for supper a few days ago (a deep fried homemade hot pocket type thing) I've been making a "soup of the week" lately. Last week was butternut squash...made from actual squash, bought at the farmer's market, that needed baking, not a can. I've also baked Pumpkins for pumpkin muffin's, 2 batches of pumpkin seeds, Cookies, homemade flat bread, and I'm contemplating trying actual real bread tomorrow. OH and tomorrow’s supper you ask? Potato soup (they had lots of potato’s at the farmers market this week). Did I mention I don’t cook?

For my birthday last week we went camping and Hubby's gift to me was to let me go nuts in the Amish stores near by....What did I buy? A quilt? a cedar chest? Nope....15 lbs of oatmeal, 5 lbs of whole wheat flour, a few jars of nummy stuff, and a produce cookbook (yes ME a cookbook). And to top it off Hubby told me the last people who lived in our house left a canner in our Shed. It's scary how excited this has made me!

I don’t know what brought this on. It could be turning 30, The idea of another move, The environment going to hell while all the politicians have their freaking ads out complaining about stuff that won’t matter when the earth blows up in 35 years? Who knows? But I think a lot of it was by thinking of what’s important in life. What’s really a “need” what’s a “want”. Is the want worth not only my money, but also the hours it takes me or DH working to make the money, the cost to the environment of manufacturing or producing it, and giving up other things the money could be spent on.

I think lately I’ve met one too many people who are concerned about what they look like, what brand of purse, or jeans, or car they buy, how prestigious the salon they go to is, etc. I couldn’t figure out why all this “chatter” was grating on me so till I was reminded by meeting a single mom at the park the other day who all she wanted was to be able to afford to rent a house so her kids could play outside more. I also happened across a documentary at the same time about the foster care system, and a few days later one on Africa. It reminded me that while we can’t afford (and I really don’t want) designer anything, we still belong to the “have’s” not the “have not’s” Despite the mom from my group saying there are “bad” area’s of Florence. For the record, the “BAD” area’s are like where we lived in Austin off Manchacha and Slaughter. Our current neighborhood is only slightly better.

So where does this all lead? I’ve vowed to start living more simply. Making more food from scratch (it’s healthier, cheaper and I don’t need to worry about DS getting more red dye or sugar then he can handle), buying as much as I can from the farmers market, or next year, growing my own. To stop eating out so much. We’re working on no more then every two weeks now. To not worry about how we’ll buy the next tank of heating oil, to not buy anything we don’t need without considering my above questions. To do my Yoga tape 3-4 times a week since while I never seem to do it, I do feel much better afterward. And last but not least……. My experiment of growing my hair out to see if I can really be comfortable in my own natural and very gray color. I think the last one will end shortly. Hey I can’t break off all ties with the real world.

ahh moments and insanity

2006-10-13T09:04:00.000-04:00

Today is going to be an incohearent bullet type of post.

-First the Ahhh moment.....I was getting ready for work the other night and being asked a million and 10 questions by #1, Why do you wear a red shirt? Why do you have your nametag? What does your nametage say? Why do you brush your hair before work? on and on...then came Mommy, why do you have to go to work, to which I respond to make money to buy things, and so we can do fun things sometimes like go for ice cream like we did last night, to which he responded, I have money in my bank so you can use that to buy things so now you don't have to go to work. And to clarify I work 18 hours a week while hubby is home with them, they're not being neglected, although they seem to think they are.

- Who's bright idea is it to give our children a Friday AND Monday off school??? I'm going to go insane and it's only 9am Friday...I suppose I should get dressed and haul them somewhere fun.

- We would play out side but it's FRICKEN COLD OUT!! supposidly this is just a cold snap going through and it will warm up. I hope so since I'm halfway through caulking and painting the front window's and we're suppose to be headin out camping to check out the fall colors next weekend.

-I think we've missed the fall colors, I think they peaked either last weekend or this weekend, but of course I've had to work both Saturdays and Sunday's are our catch up days around the house with out of wich I'd be lost, especially since in addition to my 18 hours at the big red bullseye I'm actually been doing 2 days a week of daycare consistantly for the neighbors the last few weeks.

- The real reason we're heading the direction we're heading is I heard about an Amish Bulk Food store out that direction, and I'm thinking mabey I can stock up my pantry for winter with more less procesed foods, since I've been on a healthy non-processed food kick again, and I can't keep up with it. Hopefully it will be much cheaper then the local healfood stores, and more like a farmer's market. There's actually 2 that way and one has a playground, deli, and picnic tables (lunch anyone?)

- I think we'd better give #1 a heads up as to what to expect in the diffrent customs and dress. I'd hate to end up with some massivly embarressing comment coming out of his mouth. I do well enough on my own. Then I got thinking yeah, they're might be some very well behaved children, and parent's who's children are very well behaved and I'm bring my monster's in the mix.

-Mabey the Amish thing with the kids isn't such a hot idea? Oh well I'm going besides it's MY Birthday that Sat.

-I woke up the other morning and my glasses we're broken on the floor. The not me gost did it. Currently they're being held together with tape, but being on repair and bent into shapes they never we're ment to be. I have contacts to wear out, and we really didn't have the money right now so I ordered another pair off a website for $39 complete + shipping. I'm still waiting to see if it's a scam or not. Something about "if it's too good to be true" ringing in my ears. I realize they may not look great since you can't try them on, but right now I don't care. I wear my contacts out most of the time, just need glasses to break up early morning fights between children.

-Yesterday I took the day off. I dropped #2 off at school, and instead of coming home cleaning the bathroom, doing checkbook, and planning supper, I went to the library, then Panera for a coffee and Souffle. Then I brought #2 home, played waited for #1 to get off the bus, ate lunch put the BOTH down for "rest" time and I read some more.

-Dragontails is just about over so it's now time for me to go get dressed and make sure the tv goes OFF like I said it needs to when it's done. I'm feeling amitious, think I'll make oatmeal for the kids.

How much would you like to bet there's another move in our future?

2006-09-28T12:45:00.000-04:00

Why you ask? because I'm almost feeling settled and at peace with the concept of living here. (just to clarify I still don't love it, and can't see I ever will) That's a sure enough sign that it's time for us to move on. We can't have us living a normal non-caotic life after all. Here's all the signs that for me, mean a movie is in the near future. And yes I realize I have said I will not move again.

1) #1 has a good teacher and speech therapist, and is doing AWSOME in school. #2 is also loving school.

2) Dh still hasn't found a job, and is training his replacement. He said he's not totally on the ball, but it's only a matter of time before his boss offically decides the new "help for DH" is his own replacement.

3) Because of #2 Dh has mentioned looking at jobs in the Des Moines and Omaha area's. After all they are suppose to be growing areas with lots of computer geek jobs opening.

4) DH and I both actually found a church we both like, the kids like the classes they have and we haven't had a fight about it yet and we've been going there for 2 months.

And last but not least....

5) I met another mom, who seems normal, nice, and almost as desperate as I am for conversations, Her #2 is in #2's preschool class, and we went for coffee today during school....of course she's from Round Rock, which explaines the nice and normal part, and they just moved here a few weeks ago.

And if we move I will need someone to save me from myself, as the houses I've found in other area's I've fallen in LOVE with are once again fixer uppers like this one. Yes I realize the dishwasher is on the wrong side of the counter, but where Dh (and most normal people) see work, I see character. And no I'm not sure of what type of area it's in. It looks questionable, although not horrible from what I can tell, and I mean really we're talking Des Moines here, not New York, or Chicago, right? And no we haven't even gotten our current house fixed up yet. And if your curious I found some great old farm houses only 45 min outside of omaha on land for cheap too!

But teacher, my mom stole my homework

2006-09-18T16:40:00.000-04:00

Ok, I admit it I really did, I forgot to put the boy's folder in his bag for school today...oops. But while we're one the subject of homework, What is the deal with the amount of learning going on in Kindergarten now days??? #1 has been in school for 4 weeks. We got a note home saying he knows all his letters, counts to 39, recognizes numbers to at least 12, his months of they year, but we still need to work on the days of the week and his phone number (which he does fine with me at home if I let him write it).

He has brought home 5 "color" books he's suppose to know how to read, the words in (memorizing or sounding out the non "color" word), 2 "I Am" books he had to be able to read, his list of words he should know how to read by now is 11 words long (and not all 2-3 letter words) along with being able to spell the colors Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Orange. They are working on writing all the numbers up to 20 and all their letters.

I have to say I am falling way behind in my commitment on helping him review the stuff he's learning in school. I try to work with him a little every day, but man it's too much for me to stay focused on much less a 5 year old. Luckily he seems to be keeping up, even if his mother isn't able to tread water. Plus I need to get some clay to do some interactive letter projects my sister's suggested to get a jump start on reading. Even though he seems to be doing pretty he has specific words he's having trouble with, so I want to approch them in the method my nephews do to manage their Dyslexia. They also are the basic words like The, Am, etc (But he can spell Orange!)

Other then the amount of information flowing into my house, he seems to be thriving at school. He loves his "speech" classes, and his music classes. I occasionally hear about how the art teacher won't let him paint, and his teacher says no sometimes. So far no new "best" friends, but there is 1 or 2 in the running I think. But the best part of school???? Playing on the playground. And doing his "homework" on the chalkboard we bought for #2's B-day. He actually does much better writing on it, and it helps his memoriztions.

I'm never going to the dentist again

2006-09-13T16:01:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I went for fillings on the left side of my mouth, and came home to #2 splitting his head open at the neighbors. I hauled him into Urgent care to find out it wasn't bad enough for stiches.

Today I had the appointment for the right side of my mouth. I come home to return of the worst 3 day stomach ache I've ever had that I thought was gone (I'm heading to urgent care when DH gets home as stupid as I feel for going in for a stomach ache) .

Then DH lets me know shit is blowing up at work and he's suspended tomorrow for something that wasn't even his responsibility. That's the last time he'll answer a question for a co-worker. Basically his company is treating all the people from his pre-buy out company like shit. We belief they're trying to get them to quit, but in the process they're breaking like a million little laws.

DH is looking for another job and we're now thinking of looking into contract work because it's more available, but I also want to find a Lawyer, or someone to report their butts too. I"ve looked for some info online, but it's all discrimination issues, which actually might be an avenue for Dh to go since none of this crap was happening before his surgery....hmmmm

School part 2

2006-09-07T09:37:00.000-04:00

Ok, I promised pictures so here they are. I forgot the camera in the morning so this one is when I picked him up.

When I picked him up I tried to find out how school was, asked him a million questions and go the answer of yeah, every time. Even if it wasn't a yes no question. We walk in the door of the house and he sees the dog and says. " Hi Pooh Bear, I went to school and played with Mr. Keith, we read a raccoon story. I played with trucks, and two cars (holding up 2 fingers) . I colored. You can't go to school. You're too big, You can't play with Mr. Keith"

Well at least he'll tell the dog about his day :-)

For his birthday we just had Grandma and Grandpa over (they're still living at the campground near us till next week) for dinner and had pizza B-day cake etc.

Any one who may remember the cake from #1's third Birthday may think this cake looks a little familiar. While still not "bakery" quality I would like to point out that at least it didn't turn out like a baby shower cake this time!

And since I rarely put in pictures of myself and I tend to do a pretty good job of avoiding the camera I figure it's time to add one of few "family" pics that we've taken, even if it's not the greatest it's (sadly) one of the better ones we've taken.

Big day for #2

2006-09-05T10:15:00.000-04:00

Today is huge in the life of #2, and I of course forgot the camera. (BAD MOMMY) I promise I'll take pictures later and post some.

Not only is it his 3rd Birthday, he had his first day of school today. I will admit I had just the tinest problem leaving him, and I'm not a mom who usually has problems with these things, but instead of wanting a #3 like I thought I would, I'm throughly enjoying a little alone time today. He's been there for an hour and I've gotten his cake made, and a load of laundry on the line already.

Oh, and his teacher is a young guy, who's young enough to be impressed by my rice crispy treats cut into stars and made with sprinkles!!! Ha, finally a teacher who won't think I'm a total scatter brain, well at least for the moment. Plus a little eye candy when dropping #2 off every day doesn't hurt (Again I know, Bad mommy, he's very young and in addition to being a preschool teacher, he's the assistant youth pastor for the church).

I'll admit I was slightly unsure of him when we went to parent open house last week, but I had to check my concern and scold myself, I should have learned my lesson with #1. When I met his first teacher I wasnt' too sure about her, she had several tatoo's and very red hair, but she turned out to be the BEST possible teacher for #1. Also after leaving him alone with 8 kids so the mommies and daddies could go to our presentation for 45 minutes we walked back into the room to 8 3yr olds sitting at a table quietly eating their snack. As one dad put it, "what did you put in their apple juice"?

K, so this isn't spell checked, but I need to go take the cake out, get some decorations and pick him up...I promise pictures later.

This shows how demented I am

2006-08-31T00:35:00.000-04:00

I'm searching Yahoo tonight since I took a nap today and can't sleep now when I come across this headline .... "Dangerous John Marches up Mexican coast " Yup I was looking for an article about a bunch of prostitutes getting killed in Mexico....And yes I also live under a rock.

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I should update my earlier post. #1 doesn't really nap anymore, but we have "quiet time" in our rooms where mommy can have quiet time so she doesn't blow something up. #2 is thinking he doesn't need a nap anymore, but if I keep him in there long enough he will sleep usually.

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I need to get this off my chest. I've been reading article after article about the plane crash that happened in Lexington, and while we all want to know what happened why do they all have to be about blame? Can't they wait for the findings of the investigation? Although I haven't met her, I don't think, the Pilot's wife is in a neighboring MOM's club that has alot of shared activities with ours, and I know her name. She has two little girls, her oldest is #2's age. Really this has to be hard enough on her (and everyone involved) without the blame game. As much as I can tell it was a huge conglomeration of mistakes on many different peoples parts that could caused it, any one of those little things changed and it wouldn't have happened. That's the definition of a freak accident.

Hubby doesn't know why this is bothering me so much, and really I don't either. Usually when things like this happen I will think oh that's sad, and move on. I learned a long time ago to not let news events bring me down too far, but this is different. All I can think is it's in such close proximity and I just keep thinking about the wife. How horrible the accusations have to be to deal with, and how would I ever explain to my kids, especially #2 at his age, that daddy's not coming home.

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On a funny note Hubby is his typical overly nervous mess this week. He has an interview with a head hunter tomorrow and of course he's got a nasty cold. The other night we spent HOURS deciding on what he should wear, his "fat" suite or his "skinny" suite. He's between sizes and there isn't time to get them tailored. So I tell hubby what I think and he starts arguing with me so I say well what do YOU want to do, and he says well I guess we'll have to do what you say.

Then we spent forever trying to figure out the "reference" form the guy sent. It asked for at least 2 supervisors, 2 peers, and 2 mentors or technical guru's. I took that to mean to supervisors, 2 personal, and 2 co-workers/teachers. He was arguing the peers needed to be co-workers, well that's great, but my anti-social hubby doesn't have that many friends and people at work he can use as a reference. He had trouble coming up with 2 co-workers for the third category. Sad thing is all his personals are my friends, or hubby's of my friends ;-) Yeah I know he can claim some of them as his friends now too, but they started as mine! So those of you I've posed this question too, expect a call at some point, hopefully.

Is it bedtime yet?>......Seriously?????/

2006-08-30T13:26:00.000-04:00

I'm so tired already and it's only 1:20, We got up this morning, I got #1 off on the bus started laundry dropped #2 off at the neighbors and went into the dentist to have some fillings done. Actually it wasn't too bad, I remembered to eat before hand (which held me over till about noon) and they actually got me numb on the first try, which never happens.

I got home from the dentist at 11:30, and go pick up Tim. I open the door and my neighbor starts apologizing profusely. While she was in the bathroom (she's in her second trimester and there all the time now) she heard #2 scream. When she ran out she said he was covered in blood. Her 4yr old said he fell into the fire place. So she cleaned him up and put a bandaid on the cut on his nose just before I got there. I called the Dr's office because I didn't know what warranted stiches when it comes to cuts, but it had been bleeding for over half an hour when I called (not profusely, but a little and it didn't' show signs of stopping) and they told me to go to either the ER or urgent care to be sure. SO back to the neighbors to ask her to get #1 off the bus and off to urgent care we went. (mind you the entire left side of my face is numb and I can't really talk)

At Urgent care the med tech looks at it and says, hmm that's a borderline one, I wonder what the Dr will do. Dr looks at it and says, "hmm that's a borderline one, and I really don't think stiches will help since it's not all the way throughout the skin," but she did put on a steri-strip to keep it closed. I now know what warrants stiches, and I only had to pay $50 for that information!

By this time I'm STARVING but still cannot eat anything so on the way home I formulate a plan to grab #1 off the bus (which I beat by 3 minutes) and head to McD's. I can get a shake and the boys will get a kids meal without knowing mommy's having ice cream for lunch.

This is working quite well as I'm writing this after I figured out I had to hold the left side of my mouth shut with my hand to get enough suction to make the straw work.

Now I get to put the kids down for naps (YEAH), change laundry again, and figure out how much money we spent today that we don't have.

Ramblings from a MNO

2006-08-24T23:49:00.000-04:00

-Wow this is the first time I've been out past 11:30 on a MNO since blogger blowout

-Bummer most of it was listening to a bunch of skinny women (no offense to all skinny women) talk about how there butts look too big in this jean or that outfit, or what shoes they should wear with what kind of jeans...sorry, but I am SO not into this kind of stuff.

-Ok, mabey the stepford wives aren't quite as bad as I think they are there were a few good laughs and a glimmer of hope tonight, and one who's a formal Dallas-ite said they're better then them ;-) (Sorry Kami, but she did!)

- funnest part of the night was watching the look on the guys faces when they found out we were from a "mother's club" and none of us were avaliable or interested, and all of us had kids. 1 actually did seem like a really nice guy and one of the mom's took his number for her friend who's single.

-would a small group of women every really think taking a boat ride with some strange men at night is a good idea? I don't care how nice they seem.

-I like pina colada's, I really do, Never thought I would, but I really do!

- I don't like Corona, I tried it finally, but nope just tastes like beer to me, I could tolerate it and drank it, but still like Coor's light better. Oh and what are you suppose to do with the lime again? I shoved mine in my bottle and it seemed to help the taste.

As much as my first impressions of the bar was the song "Redneck Yacht Club" running through my head, I really liked it, and I'd definatly go back, but not with hubby, he doesn't like bars.

Totally not as much fun as I'm sure the A-town one last weekend was, but it definatly was the best one here so far, so I must say I am hopeful.

Oops, this might not be good

2006-08-20T23:22:00.000-04:00

Hubby's been looking for a job the last few weeks. Mainly because of a cumulating of issues that have been ongoing with this company ever since we moved. Friday Morning hubby is told to put documenting job procedures as his top priority, um ok, he's been doing this for a while since they are suppose to be hiring someone to take over part of his job. Friday afternoon his boss calls him in and tells him he knows he's looking. Apparently the boss was quite thrilled to find a resume on monster.com from someone with qualifications in the right kind of systems in this area till he saw who the resume was from. He asked Hubby if it was because of him, Hubby, while not denying he's a hard person to work for told him truthfully, but tactfully, that it had more to do with the owner's and how the company is run.

I'm still trying to figure out how you're suppose to look for a job now days without letting your employer know. The few nibbles he's had have been from people contacting him, not him sending his resume out.

I'm starting to wonder if this may not mean another move is in our near future. While there are some jobs here they are limited, he's looked at the job postings in other cities we are thinking of possibly someday wanting to move too and there seem to be a lot more openings. Actually one of the nibbles was for a contract job in Omaha, which is one of the area's we think would be possible.

See we've pretty much decided we want to make 1 (read ONE) more move in our lives. We really would like to be closer to family and in the mid-west somewhere in the area of a triangle from Mpls, to Des Moines to Omaha. We aren't lovin' KY and I do want to some day end up living out on a hobby farm somewhere (since inner city ain't gonna happen with hubby). But dudes I am SO not in the mood to move again right now.

#1 is starting Kindergarten tomorrow, #2 starts preschool in a couple weeks, no other place or state is going to let him be in the 3yr old class with a Sept 5th B-day. I still don't have a group of friends here, and one of my 2 friends is moving away, but I've gotten so busy I don't care, at least not right now, well (ok, maybe a teeny tiny bit when I heard about the MNO on Candy's blog). Plus Hubby and I have found a church we've been to twice now and so far we both like it...This in itself is monumental. The last one we agreed on is the one we got married in, and honestly I'd have taken anything halfway acceptable at that point, I was so tired of fighting over it. Plus our house has so much work needing done before we could rent it out, much less sell it. Basically I'm starting to settle in. Every other time I've felt this way we've upped and moved........And I thought life with hubby might get boring.

I'm sorry, I've been a bad blogger

2006-08-17T12:38:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't been updating this thing much, and there have been no pictures in forever, but that's because I have no batteries in my camera...a situation I keep meaning to rectify. Also I've been kind of moody lately, and I normally don't feel like posting or talking to anyone when I'm in a funk, except to vent, but last night I had a big cry over everything and nothing and now feel like myself again, at least for the moment.

So I know you're all dying to know the situation with my mom that I eluded to in the last post. Actually it's no big deal really. My BIL from Greece's dad has some health problems and my sister wanted to take the kids (3 ages 7,4,1) over to see papoose again in case he keeps deteriating, but BIL doesn't have enough vacation time and my sister didn't want to do it alone, gee wonder why, so my father volunteered to go with. This is great except my mom will not go oversees, and in their 45ish year marriage my mom has spent maybe 10 long weekends alone when my dad use to have conferences, and even then after I got out of school she tagged along and went with. .

She claims she can't fly overseas because of her health, but I think she uses that as an excuse to rationalize not going because really she doesn't like flying and is terrified of going over the ocean. She says it's because she has an artificial heart valve, and if it get's stuck and they're over the ocean she's dead since she's at least 4 hours from a coastline/ hospital plus you never know about that foreign medical care. Yeah it might make since if it wasn't coming from the woman who has traveled all over the U.S./Canada, and into Alaska in an RV. Umm there are a lot of areas (like all of Alaska and some of the deserts they've been trough) where medical care is more then 4 hours away. Not to mention my cousin who's an anesthesiologist tried to nicely tell her if it gets stuck she's pretty much dead no matter where she is.

But back to the story. My mom decided with dad gone for a month she didn't want to be home alone so she is staying at a state park 20 minutes from us in her RV. Her reasoning is she didn't want to stay at our house , even in the driveway, we'd kill each other, and she's probably right. So she had my dad drive her down and park her in the park, fly back to Mpls so he can accompany my sister and her kids to Greece via Chicago, and Germany. After he gets back he has 2 days at home and then he'll fly down here pick up my mom and they'll either stick around a while longer or go travel to some yet undetermined, but warmer location till Christmas.

Actually it's going pretty well. Last night she took #2 for a sleepover and tonight is #1's turn. I'm enjoying not breaking up fights all day long. And now I need to get going so I can pack #1's overnight bag, hit the store and head out to do the switch.

Now THAT'S a mom's club activity I can enjoy

2006-08-16T19:12:00.000-04:00

Today we had an "Airport tour" with the mom's club. It stipulated for children 5 and over so I pawned #2 off on Grandma (She's staying at a campground near us for a month but that's a post in it's own)and took #1 thinking he'd have a blast even though I didn't know what to expect.

Well well, we got to see the Airport Fire-station, and were we in luck. Today was the annual stations shift challenge day. Basically all the guys were having water fights and playing with their hoses!!!!! HOT DAMN, it was almost better then the calendars, I mean granted they were clothed, but it was live action. And did I mention they don't have any female fire-fighters at our airport (although she made sure to mention they are jobs open for women, but none have yet to pass the rigorous physical tests).

Needless to say we all enjoyed it and had a good, and educational time, oh yeah the kids liked it too. The highlight for #1 was getting to sit in an old cargo jet and watch a movie, and then pretend to fly the plane.

Such a moron

2006-08-15T19:49:00.000-04:00

No, not hubby ME.

Tonight was meet the teacher night at #1's school. Earlier today I was thinking of all the things I wanted to address to her like my concerns about making sure #1 doesn't fall behind academically because he's following the pattern of both of my nephews who are dyslexic, and I want to know if she seeks him getting behind on anything, letting her know I plan to start tutoring him in methods created for kids with dyslexia (although I think would be great for all kids) How he gets his feelings hurt by things most kids would blow off, like not going to school and being upset for a week last year over "Jack" not being his friend because he hit him. (I know ironic coming from the playgroup bully himself). How he can be oversensitive to loud noises and people singing (He HATES it although he loves music) I saw a guitar in the corner, hope it doesn't cause a problem.

So we get there Meet the teacher and she tells #1 to show #2 around his room because she wants to talk to us for a minute. She asks "does he have any allergies or do you have special concerns?" AND I BLANK, I'm thinking, what the F is he allergic to, I know it's something....hubby reminds me later Ammoxicillian, thankfully they don't give that at school, and he had asthma, but hasn't had problems with it in years. I do manage to get out I'm concerned about him following behind because dyslexia runs in our family...Sounding like an overly paranoid mother who is determined her son will be weather or not he is (and I'm not, I'm just trying to give him a head start, and learn how my sisters handle the behavior aspects of it that #1 definitely has).

No mention of language delays for the child enrolled in language therapy, no mention of anything else, just that. DUH

Oh well on the other hand, #1 can't wait to go back, although he was disappointed to find out he doesn't have his Pre-K teacher, but he did get to go say hi to her, and "Jack" is in a different class (but he did see him and his mom promised to call me for a playdate yet again, yeah right).

Countdown till school - - - - - - -
#1 - 6 DAYS

#2 - 21 DAYS

AND I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know I never liked this magazine,

2006-08-04T13:10:00.000-04:00

But now I think I need a subscription

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060804/od_afp/afplifestyleussocialbreastfeeding

I'm so sick of people having a fit over magazines that show a breast being used what it is FOR and yet no one yells about the covers with women wearing swimsuits that show more...

GIVE ME A BREAK if you don't like it, don't look!

To save money

2006-08-03T13:13:00.000-04:00

I went to the Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet

2 Loaves Light White bread - $1.79

2 Loaves Light Wheat Bread - $1.79

Normal cost at the grocery store approx $6. A savings of $2.50 Cool I think......BUT WAIT

Add in :
Box of Twinkies $1.99
Box of Choc. Chip muffins. $1.99
2 Individually wrapped Moon Pies $.80

I ended spending $2.30 MORE, and getting an extra 10 lbs on my hips out of the deal..

That was stupid.

BWAAAAAA, don't read if you don't want to hear me whine

2006-08-02T12:31:00.000-04:00

This is SO unfair, I've made 2 friends here so far, and the second one is moving TO PRAUGE. She's actually from there, and her and her DH were talking about why they are staying here (They moved here 6 months ago so he could see if he wanted to be by his family again). I guess her and her husband talked and they decided the only reason they have for staying after his contract with the company he's working for is up next month is finances are easier here then there, and that's not a good enough reason. Why can't they be materialistic like us Americans????? So unfair. Plus my kids will be heart broken the baby's moving.

I have got to stop watching "Miami Ink"

2006-08-01T23:49:00.000-04:00

I've come up with yet another idea on what I want to get someday (when I turn 45, or when I loose 70 lbs, whatever comes first), and also a new locations (since the first now has a C-section scar and streatchmarks close by). I want a weed patch, with 3 different flowers growing. I know I know, but here's my reasons.

1) My life is always by design chaos. I hate chaos, but have come to the conclusion I can't live without it. The minute my life settles down I'll do something to disrupt it, move, have a baby, whatever, I find something.

2) Any time I try to have a garden it ends up a weed patch....there are some really pretty weeds out there by the way, and I have trouble telling what's a weed, and what's a flower/vegetable.

3) I want different flowers that would signify hubby and my kid's personality in one grouping. I'm thinking #2 is a dandelion. He's sunny, happy, strong, constant, keeps on going, and with the exception of almost being 3, not prone to mood swings normally, but he can be slightly bitter at times. Plus he eats them ALL THE TIME. Hubby I think something simple, might look delicate but has a strong constitution. A flower that likes shade, in other words, something I can't kill not sure what wildflower would fit that. #1 I don't know. I'm thinking a rose, thorns and all. Something that is flashy, delicate, thorny, and hardy all rolled into one. As I say he is always very....Either very happy or very angry but very. He also is one of the most sensitive people, but he hides it very very well.

The places I'm now thinking are in a vine type setting around my ankle or at the top of my back, but low enough to cover with a shirt if my boys are embarresed by being flowers. Depending on what course my professional life takes between now and then.

Yeah I know Hubby just rolled his eyes, rolled over and fell asleep, which is why I'm sharing this with you over a glass of wine, or two.

I'm so PROUD of Hubby!

2006-07-28T12:04:00.000-04:00

Every once in an while we'll get an email from someone in Dh's family supporting their religious/political/ignorant ideals. Well yesterday's took the cake. I told hubby I was tempted to shoot of an email to SIL to the effect of please quit sending this ignorant, hate spreading smut to my house, but in the cause of family peace I did nothing, and just took a few deep breaths. Today hubby composed the following email and sent it back, reply all! Sometimes I just love that man.

Without posting the original (long email) it was entitled "Can a good Muslim be a good American". The text of it went on and on about how "logically" no they can't so we need to be suspicious of any Muslim living in our country. Plus there was an add on on the bottom entitled "Allah or Jesus" and it made the argument of how Islam leader's say all non-Muslims need to be killed, but how the pope wouldn't say such a thing. Um, how long ago was the Spanish Inquisition??????

Here's Hubby's reply. So much more thought out then mine would have been, and no parts that would need to be bleeped out on prime-time TV ;-)

It is amazing the ignorance people have to excusing hate. "Can a good Muslim be a good American"? I think the proper question would be "Can American's justify themselves as good Christians?"

America was founded on the basis of religious and personal freedom. Basing whether or not a person is a "good american" is irrelavent on their religous beliefs. Some of the most patriotic people of this country - who would give their lives for this land - are also members of the KKK. Are they "True blooded Christian American's"?

I know several muslims. They are kind, hardworking, loyal to this country - Americans. They would give you the shirt off their back to help ANYONE in need. They would also die for this country if it were called. Judging an entire group of people for a few radical's actions is assinine. If that were the case, American's should be judged as the most perverted, immoral, murderer's of the world. Basing this on the social and political "leaders" we have had: George Bush, Bill Clinton, David Koresh, Kenneth Lay, Jimmy Swaggart. Are all American's guilty for the sins of these?"

Call it what you wish....it's still the truth." It is amazing what 'truth' is. Is it what is actually there? Or what you want to believe is true. There is enough hatred in this world. Do we need to go looking for more? Not so long ago, it was the communists that all who were to despise. Now its the muslims. Who next? Those who disagree with the George Bush?

Christ COMMANDED "Love your neighbor as yourself". He didn't say "Love everyone except muslims, communists, and homosexuals". Just because I don't agree with their beliefs does not excuse the right to hate nor question a person's loyalty to this country.PGT

**notice the bit about homosexuals??? In case you don't know or forgot. SIL who sent this IS one!!! For the record, I don't have a problem with it, or think it's immoral, or a sin. DH does, but that's one of many places our belives differ. I just like the little passive aggressiveness of it. The "reap what you sow" mentality.

Random memories and thoughts from vacation

2006-07-26T14:04:00.000-04:00

Ok, there will be no order to this, or really a serial logic since I'm SO NOT ORGANIZED yet, so I'll just hit the high (and low) points of our 2500+ mile drive through IN,IL,Iowa,NE,SD,MN,WI, and back through IL, and IN again. Plus the visit with both sets of family.

---IL sucks. The speed limit when driving or towing any kind of a camper on the freeway is 55 mph. And it's a BIG state.

---Why do the kids always behave the worst when you need them to behave the best? They were really good for the most part except at DH's friend's parents house (although they love kids and were wonderful about it), DH's sister's house (She and her "roommate" don't have kids, never did, and I don't think even like them. Plus they have tons of breakables, and cats that also hate kids), and while we were meeting an online friend for a night of camping and her family grrrrr.

---Hubby insisted on WAY overpaying the dog sitter. I couldn't figure out why till he said that he use to get paid more then double what we did pay for FARM sitting...umm little bit of difference babes.

---I really like my online friend in person, and her hubby seemed nice. Wish I had more then just a couple hours to spend with her, or lived closer to her.

---My sister told me a big revelation her and her DH had about me and Hubby...We don't know what we want in life, and that's why we bounce around so much...Really??? I'd have NEVER guessed that one.

---Hubby and I *think* we are starting to figure it out a little bit. I *think* we want to settle down on a hobby farm somewhere between family's. Hubby's voting for SD, I'm thinking western or southern MN. No we have NO idea when or how this could happen. Unfortunately there aren't alot of jobs for computer geeks in the middle of nowhere (and to clarify we MUST be within 30 minutes of a town big enough to have a walmart, although I'd probably try to support the town's businesses.) I'd like to be 3 hours from my family...hubby wants a town 5 hours away, where there may just be a few computer geek jobs. I might be able to handle that.

---No I haven't lost my mind I've always wanted a hobby farm since I was a kid, just never thought of it as a possibility because I'm too outspoken for a small town, but if I can stand KY I can stand any small town.

---I might even consider moving near DH's family if his friend's parents wanted to leave us their place in their will or something...Yes the thought crossed my mind, no this would never happen since even though their son (Dh's friend) died last year they have other unofficial kids....Plus their step-grandson. And mainly they sold that half of their farm, but the people who currently own it "asked them" to live in it so it doesn't become a meth lab. Must be nice people to let them stay in their home rent free. My understanding is most farmers would burn it for the "crop land" which would be a huge shame. Anyway Hubby and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their house, and hubby took pictures of it so if we were to ever build or anything we could try to re-create it...With a few modern amenities...Like a new kitchen, a shower, more then one bathroom, and a foundation that's not crumbling. I might post a few if I can get them off hubby's computer.

---It's really sad visiting the parents of a friend who died. No one in their 30's should die before their parents and when their step-son they were a SAHD for a while too is 11, and at an age they need their dad. I only met him and the kid once, but she said the boy is taking it really hard. Hubby started bawling the minute he walked in the door, and even I almost did. The mother shouldn't be the one comforting people.

---BIL sprung on Hubby that he might have 3 more grown children, 1 for sure, but he's not sure if the twins are his. Both mom's (yes different mom's) were engaged to other people at the time they got pregnant. The twin's hubby died when the kids were little so she wanted to keep the possibility of them being BIL's hush hush so she'd get the SSI money....ok...I'm not touching that one with a 10 foot pole, but really I'm not surprised. I "think" I got that story right. I was just trying to think of a reply so I may have heard some of it wrong.

---MIL and other brother's wife are worried about above mentioned BIL's 4yr old. They kept saying autism, and I kept thinking they were over reacting. They're not. Hopefully it's nothing more then a more serious language problem then #1 has, but I think a high functioning autism is not out of the question given my qualifications that I have a friend who's son is Autistic (and yes her and I were laughing about my MIL wanting me to diagnose niece on this point). The parents keep saying there's no problem, just a little speech and social delays from being raised alone on the farm...She'll catch up in school...Um Yeah. I tried to stress to them in a non-threatening normal conversation how in my research on #1's issues I found Language delays can impede schooling if not delt with early enough. She starts pre-school this year. Hope the parents will listen to the school

---Life around my family is chaotic. I'm not use to the noise any more

---Now that we're home #1 is asking when can we go on vacation to see everyone again. #2 is throwing MAJOR Tantrums ( I understand you people who say 3's are hard now) and I have piles of laundry patiently waiting for me in the basement....yipee.

Not vacation but today at Aldi's (a very tiny grocery store with 1 clerk) I got to be the mother that can't control her children all the old people glare at. It started out great. Both kids wanted in the cart, wow, then #1 accidentally dropped a carton of eggs he was holding oops embarrassing, but it was an accident. At the checkout #2 had a MAJOR tantrum because I put the carrots in the bag instead of letting him do it, I didn't know he wanted to do it. I put him down to put the bags in the cart and he picked up the gallon of milk and threw it on the floor busting the side out of it. Needless to say the boys are drinking pwd. milk today, and I stopped for an Iced Mocha on the way home. I did apologize to the lady at the coffee place drive through for the screaming coming from the back seat, and gave her a big tip.

I also figured out that if you tie DS's door knob to the bathroom door knob it effectively works as a lock on his door while he's in time out and I'm drinking my coffee regaining my composure so I don't kill the child. Luckily I remembered my sister's locking me in the bathroom after my shower...of course they also swiped all the clothes and towels as well.

Oh and next week we get to start potty training so hopefully #2 can go to school this year. I'm SO looking forward to that ! NOT!

I'm waxed, dyed, plucked, and painted

2006-07-11T22:39:00.000-04:00

No it's not a hot date with Hubby. I'm off on vacation we leave early tomarrow morning for the exciting destination of the IL's in NEBRASKA>>>>>AHHHHHH....ok, it really isn't that bad. I'd just like to some day take a real vacation.

Anywho, from there we're headed to see my family in MN and then meet an online friend in WI for a night of camping. Yay. It will be nice to put a face to the name. Plus her #1 is #1's age.

So unless I find somewhere to get my fix. I'll be back in 2 weeks.

Climbing up on my soapbox

2006-07-07T10:54:00.000-04:00

I'd urge everyone to check out and join Stopglobalwarning.org It not only is drawing awareness to the very real problem of global warming, it also gives some very simple ideas on how everyone can make a diffrence, even with the small things they can do.

Ok, I'm getting down now.

Fighting over girls has already started

2006-07-05T09:43:00.000-04:00

Last night we went to fire works at our local government center. They have a nice display every year with a bunch of vendor tables, music, fire trucks, face painting etc. #1 ran into his girlfriend "L" from his park program, and asked her to come sit on our blanket (I know awww how cute) So #1 and his girl were sitting next to each other, and #2 kept trying to squish between them. I was relieved that when L ran back to her mommy #2 plopped RIGHT down next to #1, Whew he's jealous of #2 giving someone else attention and wasn't trying to steal his girl

#1 and L are so funny We see her and her mommy at our 1 hour a week sports class, but before class for some reason they like to chase each other, and play tag. He's obnoxious and she's shy in a flirty sort of way. I really do think it's his first crush...and yes he's only 5. He's also been saying he needs to find a girl to marry and seems quite adamant about it.

So yesterday. It was nice quiet day over all. My sister and her family left in the morning. We just had a lay around do nothing day. After the boys naps we went out to dinner at a new Indian restraunt. Really good, but slightly too fancy for the boys. Then we went to the city center for the 4th of July celebration, despite the occasional showers. Luckily it cleared up enough for fireworks or we would have had one VERY disappointed little boy.

Oh yeah, here's our tax dollars at work

2006-06-30T10:52:00.000-04:00

Forget about drugs, we need sting operations against the real culprits corrupting American society. Let's go after the Amish trying to make a living.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060628/ap_on_re_us/amish_raw_milk_2

Anyone else notice it's hazy as to if the law distinguishes giving or selling?

HELP PLEASE

2006-06-30T08:06:00.000-04:00

It's 8:00 in the morning and the boys are already in their rooms till I'm done with my diet coke for fighting with each other. I think I'll loose my mind today.

I'm free! I'm free! ..... and I feel drunk

2006-06-29T12:32:00.000-04:00

I've finally done it. For the first time in almost 6 years I have broken free from the scratches, and the glare, The fogg on humid days. Yes I finally got contacts again. Last time I wore contacts was when I was 6 months pregnant with #1. While I'm not ready to throw my glasses out yet. It does feel strange to actually be able to see, and my face feels so light :-)

Only drawback is I had forgotten how uncomfortable it is for you're eyes to adjust to something like this. In addition to feeling like there's something in my eye (duh there is) I'm having a few depth perception issues at the moment. It should go away in a day or so, I hope. And I'm thinking I may like a nap today, and I'll have to take them out for that. Forgot about that one little drawback to contacts. Oh well.

Oh oh, and I forgot. While everytime I'd buy glasses with my insurance I'd end up paying like at least $150 above and beyond what they cover, with contacts it will only be $119 and that's after my first 6th month suply runs out. Actually insurance would have covered an additional $10 if I'd gone ahead and gotten the years prescription now, but seems to me I remember hearing about a website you can get contacts on cheaper ;-)

Fun weekend

2006-06-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we went camping 4 hours away, and met up with JK and her girls, who were on vacation 8 hours from us. I'm not sure if I've convinced her to LOVE camping although she seemed to like it and I think her children will bug her to go more often. Actually her hubby needs to watch out as I see some persuading into a camper in their future.

We had a great time it was so nice to see her again, and I can't belief how big and grown up the girls are getting. Unfortunately I only took 3 pictures and was always leaving my camera in the car, but I will post them later. Of course the picture I got of JK is her taking a picture of the kids...Big surprise ;-) She on the other hand took a ton so you'll have to bug her about blogging them.

I'm a horrible horrible wife - The Surgery Saga

2006-06-16T23:39:00.000-04:00

Sorry it took me almost a week after the oblation to get around to blogging more about last weekend. Can I use the fact my parents are still here as an excuse?

So to start on Sunday we left the boys with #2 coming down with a fever. We debated me staying, but figured Grandma had 5 kids and could handle it. If not I was only 2 hours away. We did have a wonderful "date" day. I know it's sad when your hubby needs heart surgery for an excuse to have a date, but that's our life. It probably sounds awful, but as I told hubby if the worse case senario happened and he died I'd really regret having wasted the last day we had together, so for the most part I really just enjoyed our time together and didn't think about Monday.

We left the house around noon and had lunch at a not so kid friendly restraunt we wanted to try, drove to Lexington, found our hotel (after teasing hubby about not brining directions and getting lost), checked in, walked around downtown Lexington, had subway and saw "A prairie Home Companion" at the most awesome movie theater. It was one of those old pre-movie theater's that still had a stage, and all the original (or reproduction) decor. It was so pretty, almost didn't notice the movie LOL. Actually the movie was very good and anyone who's father made them listen to the radio show growing up, or who lived in Mpls/St. Paul will like it. Yes I fit both those categories, and yes if you go see it, I have eaten in the diner. After the movie we headed back to the hot-tub room Paul rented and enjoyed the rest of the night. In hindsight the amount of activity in the last part of our evening might not have helped his recovery efforts, but I'll let you're imaginations fill in the details on that :-) Needless to say we didn't get to sleep till after midnight.

The next morning we got up at 5am to head over to the hospital. Hubby did all the fun paperwork junk and when they took him in at 7:30 I had a coffee, donut and tried to doze in the waiting room. Honestly for the majority of the sugary time I was WAY too tired to think about much, much less worry about if he'd be ok. For some stupid reason I choose an mystery to read, I really should have had something mindless. Around 11:30 I was starting to worry since a) it was only suppose to be like a 2-3 hour procedure, and b) all the other "families" that got there when we did, relatives were done. I checked with the person at the desk and they called back. She said he was almost done and was doing fine. Ok great. I go walk around outside and tried to read. 12:30 still no word when my hospital supplied pager goes off, Me thinking he's done rushes back to the desk to find out "he's almost done and doing fine" Ummmmm isn't that what you said an hour ago????. I will say by 1 I was really starting to worry, but then they called me back saying he was in recovery and the Dr was ready to talk to me.

Turns out Hubby did have complications. He had 2 places misfiring instead of one, the freezing technology wasn't working so he had to switch to nuking it with microwaves, and at some point they had to change rooms because the machine in the room they were in didn't appear to be working right. It was new....Nice. In the end one of the things was completely taken care of for sure, and the Dr. Thinks the other one was, but he didn't get as complete a burn on it as he'd like and there is a slight chance the tissue will heal itself again and allow the electrical impulses to pass.

(THIS IS THE HORRIBLE WIFE PART)

After talking to the Dr they let me go back to recovery where they had just pulled the tubes out of his groin (hece the night before not "helping" recovery, and muscle soreness). Hubby who is very well known to tense up at everything was really having a rough time. They'd giving him a TON of medicine and he was fighting it tooth and nail, for some reason, and in alot of pain. After the nurses said he could go upstairs he asked to pee. He had to lay down flat on his back for 6 hours, and hence needed help. The nurse pointed to a urinal and told me I could help him and walked out. Um WHAT???? I don't know what the Hell to do with that thing, I mean when I was a hospital volunteer in high school I spilt water all over a patient and Hubby couldn't move for 6 hours. She looked at me like I lost my mind when I told her I didn't know what to do, while backing up as much as I could in the tiny cubicle, but she did then hold the bottle for hubby, and sure enough he almost over-flowed it, and I know he would have if I'd been holding it at that angle.

After our stay in recovery I accompanied a very uptight hubby up to his room. Let's just say Maternity wards have MUCH nicer accommodations. Especially the CHAIR. Hubby was tired, I was tired, and everything I said grated on his nerves so I put my head down on his bed and fell dozed off. This was actually a good thing because he calmed down enough to sleep. At this point I left, went back to the hotel, laid down for 20 minutes soaked in the hot tub, got supper and went back up.

When I got back he was awake and look a thousand times better, but that's when I met his nurse assistant, again over the pee question. He called her in to help him pee, and in she came, but she looked a me and said you can help him. To which I answered I don't want to help him, I don't know what to do. She said well sometimes men feel uncomfortable.....She obviously never had kids as she didn't understand my complete lack of sympathy in my answer of I've had how many people poking and prodding me in hospitals, he can have his NA hold a bottle under his thing. We almost ended up in a staring contest over who would do it. I "almost" said Hey chick this is "YOUR" job, not mine. I don't have a clue. Hubby did point out the next day it may have been that she's use to old geezer's on the heart floor not people close to her own age and that's why she was uncomfortable...Guess he had a point, but that's not what I was thinking at the moment. Besides it still is her job and hubby was so drugged he didn't care who was holding the thing. Actually I think he might have enjoyed it!

There's no much more to tell after that. They let him sit up and stand at 7:30, I went back to the hotel at 9, had another soak in the hot tub, finished my book (I had 10 pages left), and passed out by 11. Next morning hubby called and woke me at 9:45 saying they were ready to spring him. I tossed on clothes ran down to get my continental breakfast, packed up, picked up hubby, and we stopped for an early lunch at an Atlanta Bread Company. Hubby was moving very slowly so I had to help him walk in, and I did ask him to at least turn his chair inward if he was going to sit there looking like death warmed over, wearing a hospital bracelet, holding his crotch, instead of displaying the grabbing action to a table of middle - aged women across the aisle.

Hubby was sore and slept for a few days, but now seems to be back to fairly normal. My mom even tattled that he forgot and started to lift #1 a little today before remembering to put him down. So to me that means he's almost back to normal! And tomorrow we get another date in before the folks leave on Monday!

Oh and #2 did have a fever that spiked up to 103.6, plus the runs for grandma. I took him to the Dr on Wed to find it was a summer viruse and would go away in 4-5 days. Sure enough Thursday he was good and Friday just fine.

We're home

2006-06-13T22:04:00.000-04:00

We're back from Hubby's surgery. All went fine for the most part. He had a few minor complications so the whole thing took about 5 hours instead of 3, and he's a little more sore then "normal" but otherwise he's ok, and counting on the fact that everyone says he will feel much better then before after he recovers.

a) MIA for a bit, b)A slight failure c)mother's

2006-06-09T23:41:00.000-04:00

A)
Hubby is having his surgery on Monday. My folks are here to stay with the kids so I will probably be MIA for a while. Sunday Hubby and I are heading to the next city over to "pretend" we're having a date night. We'll need to have him at the hospital at 6:00 AM Monday. Hence the reason I didn't want to drive an hour and a half that morning thank you.

Since I don't "think" I posted the details, He is having a heart oblation. Basically he has an irregular heart beat so they are cutting a hole in the artery in his leg, feeding a camera and electrical wires into his heart, attempting to make it go out of wack so they can find the bad circuits, and then either freezing the bad circuits or nuking them with radio waves if the freezing doesn't work. Kind of sounds like one of his weird sci-fi flicks. Anyways it really isn't suppose to be a big deal, and he should be out on Tuesday. There is only a .01 percent of a chance of any major complication, 1 percent chance of a minor one, but all prayer's and good thoughts would be appreciated.

B)
I've had a huge garden failure. I have disgusting "garden greens" I wasn't as smart as TKW, and didn't think to post pictures for those more culinary inspired person's to help me identify and attempt to do something with them. I planted a package of seeds simply labeled as "Garden greens " See I assumed they were all different types of lettuce. I mean I did identify some Romaine and spinach growing. But when I tried to make a salad today it was NASTY like four of the kinds growing tasted like dirt, one was spicy, and one was almost soapy. I did think to take a leaf from each of the gross things and go pull them out the rest to free up more room for the "normal" plants. However this set's back my eating anything from my garden a few more weeks probably. Next year I buy 3 different packs of things I know what they are.

In addition to the lettuce disaster I have also succeeded in killing off my eggplant, artichokes, and I think rhubarb. The tomatoes are holding on to dear life by a thread, and I believe I will have to replace them with ones other people started. Oh yeah, and I forgot to plant the beans I found the package to late to start them. BUT ever the optimist my zucchini, and jack-o-lantern pumpkins, and radishes (yea I don't like them either, hubby does) look awesome and the cucumbers, while slow to start seem to actually be getting some height to them.

C)
Speaking of my mother, why does she always make me so damn emotional? I totally am ok with having had the miscarriage last Dec. It really doesn't bother me anymore. Yes I twinged when I ran into an acquaintance who is due 5 day's after I was suppose to be and she's ready to pop, but otherwise I'm fine...At least until my mother comes around. My neighbor's pregnant - the one I do daycare for, not due till next Jan. Cool I'll get to watch her baby without having another of my own right now. I don't want one right now (see topic A, and the last few posts) All my mother said to me is "are you ok with this, and the idea of doing daycare for her" and I start bawlin....Dang I hate crying ESPECIALLY in front of her, she always makes everything into such a big case, and really I am fine, but she won't believe me I am. It sucks

Well guess that's all from GAT's house for now, I have no idea how much I'll be on line or when I'll be online, but I'll post an update 'bout hubby when I can.

The more you do, the more there is

2006-06-06T16:09:00.000-04:00

Someone please tell me how my house turned into the complete disaster It is????? I knew it was bad but Geesh. We've been madly cleaning because we were suppose to have a BBQ tomarrow with the most active contact I made from my personal ad, her hubby and kids. Turns out her kid is sick, but we still need to clean because my parents are coming to stay with the kids next week while Hubby has his surgery in another town 70 miles away.

Seriously I knew I dropped the ball on cleaning alot while working, but It didn't look that bad on the surface, but the more I clean the more I find to do. Our room is especially disasterous. Can I never ever in my life have a clean bed room? For whatever reason it always seems to be the dump space. Yes the house is dirty, but the big thing is we've seemed to accumulate junk all over the place. I mean sure the floor needs mopping, and the toilet needed cleaning despite being done constantly (I live with 3 males) but the big thing is the plie spots in every room that take forever to go through. Except our room. There the whole room was/is a pile spot. So far we've gotten through #1 and #2's rooms, and the living room. Still need to do under the vanity in the bathroom, part of the toy room, part of our room, and the kitchen. Also one of these day's I should stop ignorning all the grime on the window's too.

I'M OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-06-02T14:55:00.000-04:00

Ok, so maybe not to some exotic location, but we're going camping for the first time this year YIPPEE. I'm especially excited because we only got to go out once last year. We use to go almost every month from March - June, and Sept - Nov in TX. We even went in Feb once.

Plus my whole week has seemed as busy as Tuesday was, but on one VERY good point I met someone from my Craigslist ad that seems very promising. I really like her and her kids, and we met once, had a playdate once, and her and her hubby/kids are coming over next week for a BBQ Yay.

Only other thing going on with me is my split personality is making itself known again. Yes I truly have always felt like there are 2 me's and I'm happiest when I can aknowlege both (no I don't have Multiple personality disorder or any other psychotic illness, I'm just weird) but lately I've been ignoring one of them.

See personality A is the one who wants to live on a hobby farm in an old farm house, and be a SAHM as a life career and garden, cook, can, have animals, become crafty, be almost self sufficient with things like solar power etc. But personality B wants to travel the world, get a tattoo, live in a cool old house, maybe even a row house in the middle of the city in a neighborhood that's at a turning point, where I can become an activist and work in grass root organizations to change the neighborhood and the lives of the people living there. I don't know, maybe even get arrested for protesting something!

Since meeting Hubby, getting married, and having kids, personality B has been shoved in the corner because it's not practical. Plus the only attraction hubby might have to personality B is that she'd probably be willing to dye her hair blue (Yeah he's weird too). I have in a sense become the housewife, way to trilled about the fact I could actually serve my family a salad with lettuce I grew the other day. But with a series of events personality B has decided she needs to make her way to the surface again somehow. I'm just trying to figure out how to make them co-habitate in me without fighting. Usually they just fight over things like how to decorate...which is why I never get around to it despite all my wonderful ideas ;-) but now I'm deciding B needs more acknowledgment. I'm just need to figure out how to do so without upsetting the life A has made.

And if you're thinking I've lost it, trust me I've had this analogy of myself since high school, and I live a fairly normal life, at least "A" does ;-) Also yes Hubby has always known this about me. Giving him hope someday I'll have blue hair.

One of them days

2006-05-30T13:31:00.000-04:00

I think I need to go back to bed, pull the cover's over my head, and stay there. Suprisingly, I'm actually in a fairly good mood, but my day so far.

7:30 Wake up to #2 royally upset about daddy not being at home.

7:35 #2 wakes a tired and crabby #1 while I ignore him for the whole 30 seconds it takes me to pee

8:25 listen to #2 cry for 15 minutes because he has decided, despite the fact he's perfectly capable of telling me what he needs I need to learn to read his mind. He wanted me to help him get the last of his yogurt out of the bottom of the cup. He finally told me at 8:40, but continued to cry for another few minutes.

8:50 make a Dr appointment for #1 to find out what the rash on his face is.

9:30-10:10 #1 has an all out melt down. Ends up sent to his room till we leave for the Dr after a long talk about how if he wants the privileges of being a big boy he has to start acting like one. ......Part of this is in my last post.

10:20 find and get shoes on both boys to go to the Dr.

10:45 Drive to the Dr's office thinking Hmm the van doesn't feel right, must be because the air is on.

11:10 See Dr. Find out #1 has a raging case of poison Ivy, get prescription for oral steroid since it's too close to his eye for a topical one.

11:25 pull over while leaving Dr's office because #1 informs me I forgot to buckle his seat belt. See front tire is flat, grab my phone to call DH since I don't even know where the spare is hidden in our van and find out my phone is dead.

11:30 arrive at the BK (with a play area) 6 blocks away from the Dr's office still with a flat. Go in order lunch and borrow the kid at the counters cell phone to call DH to come rescue me.

12:00 DH arrives to the rescue and we see him changing the tire

12:30 DH comes in to BK says the spare is low on air so he's taking the van home.

12:45 Drop off #1's prescription on the way home

1:03 call friend to let her know it's just poison ivy and not contagious according to the Dr. (I know I always thought it was too...he said it's an old wives tale, probably because the oil is easily spread, but once it's washed away, other kids can't get it) since she was wondering, especially since our kids always play together.

1:13 Call new friend (we had our first "date" last night, she answered my personal ad and seems really nice, and even fairly normal) and told her the playdate we planned for tomorrow is a go because the weird rash on my kids face I told her about is not contagious.

1:30 Put kids in bed for nap...yes even #1 today. Also realize I don't eat fast food anymore because it just makes me feel blah and oddly still hungry and full all at the same time. I'd forgotten this.

1:40 finally say screw the utility bills, and the environment, and the dependency of our country on foregin oil for energy sources and turn on the A/C

1:50 actually make my shoestring budget chat I try to make every Tuesday at 2. Today I can tell them how my budget for the next 2 weeks is busted after today.

Still left to do today.
Make supper, I have a new "experiment" planned of vegetarian shepherds pie.
Take #1 to his sports class tonight
Try to get a nap in sometime.

The first I hate you

2006-05-30T10:14:00.000-04:00

Or close enough. It's true words do hurt. I've been bit, hit, slapped, pinched, and scratched numerous times by #1 in the last 5 years, but today is the first time he tried to hurt my feelings by words. The exact phrase was more like, "I want you to go away and I want Ms. Jessica to live here." And as much as I know it was said out of anger and spite it still stung. Especially since I don't think he'd find Ms. Jessica any more fun then mommy. I suppose on the other hand this is a good thing, It means his language skills really are developing beyond the phrases they practice at school.

The new do

2006-05-20T21:06:00.000-04:00

ooops, I forgot to post this, wrote it over a week ago......

Just like E I needed a change. So I made a last minute appointment at the beauty college yesterday afternoon for today. I wasn't sure what I'd find today since the only man ever to make me want to grow my hair out, and actually be able to cut is so I could deal with it, had graduated. With Sam gone, and with the job options he had the last time I talked to him being on the other side of the city, I decided to take my chances and go to whoever had an opening. And today I met Adam, I almost feel like I'm cheating on Sam, but I think Adam is even steamier, if that's possible.

The minute I told Adam he could do whatever he liked to me (and he thought I just ment my hair Ha! Just kidding hubby! well for the most part) his eyes lit up. See that's the reason I like going to the beauty college. When I go anywhere else and tell them to do whatever they want, I need a change they don't believe me and will try to get me to cut it in stages, or just trim up what I already have. At the college they are still stary eyed enough to not be scared of screwing up. I will admit I got a little worried after he joked about giving me a punk look, and then went on to explain how when he's not given a specific style to do he will just start cutting without any plan and see how it comes out. But he assured me it always looks great, and hey after that head massage/hair wash who am I to complain. And he was right, I love the new due. Even if #1 didn't recognize me as I got out of the car, and the dog barked at me when I came in the door. Now I just hope I can succeed at styling it as well on my own.

Before: OK, I can't find a before picture of me. Well that's a lie, I did find one, it was very bad and I was in my PJ's. As hubby says I have a very bad adversion to camera's and it's true I do, but anywho my hair was shoulder length and straight with some slight layering going on towards the bottom, that is the reason it looked decent it was growing out in the first place.

After: Seriously this picture doesn't do it justice. It's much cuter in the mirror, and blogger won't upload the other picture of the back...which is all spikey.

I NEED MORE GRASS MAN!!!!

2006-05-18T10:53:00.000-04:00

NO not the kind you smoke, although I could probably use some of that too, might make my life not seem so pathetic, that my main excitement at the moment is I finally got almost enough cut grass to mulch my vegetable garden.

See we have a mulching mower with no bag. Despite the fact I've raked and raked and raked after every time hubby mowed the yard, I was not getting nearly enough mulch. So I even made a deal with the neighbor boy (after making sure his mother didn't need her cut grass) that I'd buy it off him for 50 cents a bag load, but he has yet to deliver. However thanks to the week of rain (which drove me and the boys nuts) the grass was supper long when we cut it in spurts between rain this week, so I got me enough mulch to go around my existing plants YIPEE!

I know it, you all want my life!

To clarify :
E - I totally agree with you Hubby should finish school first, but I've nagged him, and bugged him, encouraged him, and waited patiently for 4 years for him to enroll in a school again, and it hasn't happened. When we were in TX he did have tuition reimbursement, but no longer does. And I've gotten tired of waiting which is why if he doesn't very very soon, I will, and he'll just have to wait till I'm done.

Merrit - I'll have to rent the movie, I have never seen it. I know I live under a rock!

Ultimatum

2006-05-16T14:46:00.000-04:00

I'm usually not a huge fan of them, but I gave Hubby one this weekend, well kind of.

Background info is hubby dislikes his job, and has for oh I don't know, how long have I known him? 9 years? And any time I push for him to find something he'd actually LIKE doing I get the resistance of "it's not practical, we don't have the money, etc, etc, etc,".

So I told him that practicality aside he now has 3 choices.

1) Live with his current job for the next 5-6 years it would take for me to be able to get through school, get a master's and support us. Then he can become the parent that while maybe working PT is more responsible for home stuff and school stuff with the kids. (For us, I don't see it working well for both of us to have "career's" until our kids are out of the house.)

2)He can go back to school, switch major's and probably have the skills, and an actual bachelor's degree, needed for a job he would like in 2-3 years, at which time I will plan on at least finishing my bachelor's, but will still be the main "at home" parent.

or

3) Tell me he loves his job and I'm misconstruing the facts.

He flat out told me it wasn't #3, so it looks like one of us needs to do something, and if he doesn't enroll in school, and look into student loans and finacial aid for next winter, I will be. And once I start school he probably will be stuck till I finish.

See for me, I really don't care which of the paths he decide's he'd like to take. I have (I think) finally narrowed down what I want to be when I grow up to 3 main choices, and no matter what he decides I can make one of them fit.

My first option is a more traditional route. I would probably get a bachelor's in education with the intention of continuing on to a master's in special ed and speech pathology. Giving me the flexibility to stop after a bachelor's and teach, allowing me summer's off with the kids (also an option if I do speech pathology within the schools). The second thing I see myself enjoying and eventually being able to make a career out of is something to do with construction, and home building, flipping, etc. I haven't completely figured out what or how to get into this, but I plan on starting to learn more about it this summer, on a volunteer basis. And the third option you ask? To simply do what I've been doing the last 5 years, be a SAHM, try to continue to learn how to be a housewife (Yes I still suck at that part) , squeeze the budget till it hurts, and become crafty.

Actually it's nice to know I think I've finally narrowed it down. Does that mean I'm really an adult now? I may even make my final decision before my personally imposed deadline of 30, which is only 6 months away.

Mother's day

2006-05-15T09:06:00.000-04:00

We had a very nice, very quiet day. I woke up at 9:30 to donuts and coffee, stayed in my pj's till 11 ish, and then watched the boys ride their bikes in one of the few breaks from the rain. Hubby also planted my artichoke starter's in the garden. They are starting to look sickly inside so hopefully getting them in the ground will help...hopefully.

The boys and hubby made me this key holder for my gift.

Apparently they are all sick of being ready to go and having mommy have to search the entire house for her keys. Not that I'd be unorganized or anything ;-)

Then after lunch I had to head off to work. Luckily it was a fairly quiet day in my department anyways, and I was able to leave early because by that time I wasn't feeling well. Also nice that the nice manager was on so he let me come home after finishing up my area.

School Update

2006-05-11T12:38:00.000-04:00

IEP Meeting
We had #1's IEP (Individualized Education Plan for special ed students for those not in the know) meeting today to transition him to Kindergarten. Basically the teacher see's no developmental delays, including social, for him to continue to have a IEP in that area. She said I looked like I felt uncomfortable with that idea, and to some degree I am. I guess it comes down to the fact that I'm concerned about his fine motor skills and social skills I see at home. However if he's able to conduct himself on the level of the class in these area's then he probably doesn't need the IEP for school. He will still have an IEP for language, and be under the special ed umbrella, so that if problems arise next year we can be on top of it. Also to continue an IEP into Kindergarten for these area's he'd have to have a full evaluation, which I'm at a point I think would be a good idea, so while it would once again take 2 months to re-do an IEP in social and developmental area's next year, It would be with a better idea of exactly what his issues are. I'm not convinced they're gone, myself, just not apparent in the preschool setting.

The speech pathologist's evaluation however was right on with what I'm feeling. She gave me idea's on things to do with him this summer, and the more she talked the more I was able understand what I've been reading about language delays in a way that applies to #1. Also I asked her if she felt it could be an auditory disorder the way she was speaking, and she suggested waiting to see how he does next year and if he continues to have problem's she might suggest screening for one in 1st grade. I do know those tend to not be done as readily because they are expensive.

I don't think the counselor likes me however. At both meetings I get the feeling she thinks most of his issues are a direct result of our parenting, because he's good at school (hey if they are I'm the FIRST person who's open to new ideas on how to manage his behavior). When I brought up #1's 2 days this year he refused to go to school she had a strange look on her face and later commented on how we have to be very consistent, and let him know who's in charge. Um yeah lady, we are extremely consistent in our discipline strategies, and while I fully agree with letting him know who's in charge, when you take that stance with him it turns into a power struggle, which is why I have so many problem's parenting #1. See my natural response to #1 not going to school would have been to "make him" kicking and screaming, but really what good would that have done. By letting him stay home and find out how boring a day with mom really is he eventually told us what was bothering him in the first place (friend issues) and happily went the next day with a plan on how to resolve the friend issue. At least both the teacher said she saw his temper twice and now see's what I'm talking about, and the speech pathologist said her daughter was always the same way and still is at 21.

The Tea Party
After the IEP meeting I went and wandered through Hobby Lobby until it was time to go back to school for the Mother's day Tea Party DS's class was having. It was SO CUTE, I wish I'd have remembered to bring my camera. I always forget my camera for this stuff. The kids all sang a couple songs for us, and then we sat at the tables with our kids and drank tea, punch, and ate cookies and mini muffins. They made flower pots with flowers in it for us and also placemat with fill in the blank questions about their mom's. Plus I got coupons saying he will make his bed, get ready for bed when I ask without help, and give me a hug for no reason.

Here's what my placemat says...#1 filled in the bold words.

My mom is 2 feet tall. Her favorite color is purple and she likes to wear dresses. My mom is 47 years old and she weighs 40 pounds. Her favorite food is Ice Cream. When we are together we like to have fun and play special time. My mom is very special to me because she's great.

I suppose I can handle being 47 if I'm only 40lbs LOL

Oh and before they sang their songs, #1 interpreted the class to tell his teacher "sometimes I take showers with my daddy" Yup that's my boy!

I'm back, and it wasn't the bill we forgot to mail

2006-05-11T12:30:00.000-04:00

Well the internet seems to be cooperating once again, and despite we found the check for our last cable bill sitting on my desk a week after it was due (and coincidently 2 days before internet went down) That wasn't the reason we were out. Everyone with this company in this area was having issues.

However this little outage got me and Dh thinking. We are considering dropping high speed internet. I was much more productive on the day's I went sans internet. But at the thought of dropping it for good I start getting the shakes....What if I have to look up a recipe? What if I need information for #1's school? What if I want to download a picture? Or need to look up a phone book? I mean it took me 20 minutes to realize I could look up a recipe for pork chops (which I hadn't cooked before) in a cookbook on Monday instead of jumping online. Do I really want to wait for dialup for all this stuff?

However it is expensive to have high speed internet, and really is it worth me having to work a 7 hour day , or 2 meals out for the family every month? I just don't know and I think I'm getting the shakes again!

Stupid Internet

2006-05-08T17:50:00.000-04:00

Or lack of I should say. I'm not ignoring people, nor have I disappeared off the face of the earth, but I woke up today to no internet and have no idea when it will return. DH hasn't been able to get through to the company, but he did get a recording saying "upgrades are in progress". Yeah sure. I'm posting this from the library, since I was here anyways, but hopefully will be back on at home tomarrow.

34preschooler's, blind dates, and 2 week notice!

2006-05-04T19:59:00.000-04:00

This is all about yesterday, and I forgot to hit the publish button...opps

34 preschooler
A class field trip to Totter Otterville. Think the TRU off Be caves play area times 10 and Zilker park(mini train and all) in one enclosed indoor/outdoor venue. We had a blast, and I'm glad I was able to go, but despite plenty of teacher's, aids, a speech therapist, and 5-10 parents, I came home and took a nap accidentally while watching Cyberchase with #1

Blind Date
I had my first date with a responder from my Craigslist add. It's WEIRD. She's 10 years older then me which is no biggie for me (my sister's are all that age and I don't think they're old...yet) but she seemed to think it was slightly odd. But the really weird part is a) she owns a Merle Norman (a cosmetic store) I use to work at one, and they're not that common, and b) her last job was as a property manager in a senior, subsidized housing complex, My last "real" job was as an assistant manager in a subsidized housing complex. Weird. But we got along really well and have a second date to go garage sailing on Sat.

2 Week Notice
No I didn't quit, quit. Afterall we still have to be able to pay our heating bills next winter, but I gave my notice for a leave of absence for the summer. I'm just too busy to work, but that's another post for another time. And I am SO relieved, I was starting to get sick of working again.

And then reality hit

2006-05-03T11:12:00.000-04:00

And last week I was having serious thoughts of homeschooling....HA. I think I'd better plan to have a job that pays well enough to send #1 to a private school, or get him a private tutor if we have too many problems with the school system.

#1 had off school Monday and Tuesday this week. Monday wasn't horrible although both boys were touchy, tired, slightly crabby, and fighting. Yesterday, was interesting to say the least. I woke to hearing a fist fight going on. Came out of my room with my eyes half closed to find #1 laying on top of his trains to keep them from #2. #2 was pounding on his back, and #1 was trying to hit #2 back as well as he could from the fetal position he took to keep posestion of the trains.

They both went to their rooms while mommy had coffee.

In an attempt to have a "fun" day we went and got their hair cut (which my kids like for some odd reason, could be the sucker's they get afterward) and then to TRU to pick up a B-day gift for my nephew. I even broke down and bought both of them new balls for outside (and I never buy them stuff). The bickering continued ALL DAY LONG.

After supper Hubby suggested I go lay down for a bit since I was falling asleep at the table. As much as I didn't want to I agreed. I dozed for half an hour and was just starting to come too again when the doorbell rings (DH was out mowing with the kids). It's our neighbor holding #1's Underware and shorts. It appears the kids went over to play with his kids (he was out and said it was fine) and #1 decided to poop in his yard. WTF??????????????????? This is the kid that was almost in tears last year because we made him pee on a tree in the woods. All I figure is neighbor boy was talking about going potty outside (he pees outside ALL THE TIME) and #1 wasn't exactly clear on what kind of potty he goes outside.

So I half asleep and completely embarrassed, despite his saying it's no big deal head over with clean pants and undies. #1 is sitting naked from the waist down in the neighbor kids sandbox, and sure enough there is a pile of poop 3 feet from it. Now I was going to make #1 get a bag and clean it up but before I knew what he was doing neighbor dude picked it up with a toy shovel tossed it over the fence into the wooded area behind us and then *big ewwww moment*** Tossed the shovel back in with the toys!!! YUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then the dose of reality moves on to today. The boys were fighting again while we were waiting for the bus. Over what you might as??? PRETEND FOOD. No not the little plastic things, the air in #1's hand as he brought over "cookies" for me from his kitchen, and #1 "snatched the air/cookies" and took off running with it. I guess there weren't any more "cookies" in the kitchen.
I was SO glad to see that bus today!

ADD, IS disordered, language delays, dyslexia, sleep disorders, tactile disfuction, vestibular disfuctions, OT, PT, speech therapy.................

2006-04-25T15:07:00.000-04:00

MY HEAD HURTS!!!!!!!!!!

Before I start this post I will say I'm not out to offend anyone, if you're offended I apologize, I don't know much about this stuff, and extreamly confused, and not an expert. This is just my own conclusions I'm starting to come to, and I need to write it all down to sort it out in my mind. However I will very much accept any constructive critisim, and discussion.

A little background. #1 has always been an odd and fairly difficult child. I assumed it was mainly due to his personality, and his known language delays and would improve with school and working with a speech therapist. I also felt he may have some issues dyslexia in the future since his cousin's do, and he has many of the same personality traits as them.

So last week I had a DUH moment. I've been walking around saying I suspect my child will have learning disability's when it dawns on me, DUH he DOES. His language issues are classified as a learning disability which is why he's in the public school system for preschool, and already has an IEP. This realization set me in to mass reading mode, I've made several trips to the library and have read 4 or 5 books on various learning disabilities, oddly enough I still have to find one on Language. I realized that my saying I have to read up on learning disabilities someday, had come and gone. Unfortunately most of them have basically said get ready for the next 12 years of your life and you're child's life to be hell, and a constant battle. I'm now seriously preparing to homeschool if I find it necessary in the future. I refuse to accept this and force my child to learn to hate learning.

The confusion comes because everything has the same dang symptoms and overlaps, so you never really get a clear answer as to what something is. So here's what I think it all means.

ADD/ADHD. I read a book called the ADD solution by Frank Lawles. What I took from the book is a label that for the most part describes a list of behaviors, mainly an inability to focus attention when needed and easy distractability. Many times it has a root cause or causes other then a brain disfunction, such as parenting, sleep patterns, or emotional problems ( I know there were more in the book, just can't think what they were right now) . There are many ways of dealing with the symptoms other then medication, some of which I've had a small amount of experience with growing up with a "crunchy" aunt who rubbed off on my mom. Some of the ones I found most interesting include exercise, biofeedback(relaxation techniques that are medically measured), changes in parenting styles, behavior modification therapy, proper nutrition, and allergies. After reading 2 of the books there would have to be some MAJOR contradicting research to ever make me put my child on an ADHD medication. It seems to me they can cause more problems, including depression, then they solve. Not to mention most are either methanphetamines or a close cousin to methanphetamines, and they will usually stop working as the child becomes a teenager (anyone want to guess why Ex is such a problem in our country??????). I really don't think #1 is ADD, but think it's only time if we don't figure something else before a teacher wants to label him as this. We are working on some of the relaxation techniques in the book.

Sensory Integration Disorders. Basically anything is off kilter with you're kid and they'll fit into the symptoms of this, but may not have it. Like easily distracted (sounds like ADD to me), craving touch, not liking touch, craving some, but disliking others, being a daredevil, being a scared child etc, etc, etc. There are 3 basic area's and #1 shows a lot of the symptoms for 2 of them. Many he would have a year ago but has outgrown recently. The therapy for this is occupational Therapy, most of the things the book (The Out of synch Child) said to do with #1 are things he does already, and activities he has at school. This can be closely related to Language (not speech) disorders. It also says it's perfectly in line for a child to act one way at school or home and be the complete opposite the other place, and #1's teacher thinks he's a joy to have in class, and an angle so we know that's #1.

Speaking of Speech and Language problems. Speech is the way a child says words, Language is understanding (not hearing) correctly and replying correctly when communicating. We know #1 has a Language problem, but not speech. I don't know why, or how come. After reading a few generic L.D. books I came across Auditory Processing Disorder, Hm. Sounds like it could cause Language problems but the book didn't say this.....Coud he have that as a problem? If so there's been a lot of promise shown with various computer games.

Dyslexia. My oldest nephew is dyslexic, and has gone through a program come up with by a guy who was diagnosed as both Austistic and dyslexic as a child and thought himself how to learn. My nephew had huge success with it. His reading level jumped 2 grades, and his report cards have gone from C's, and D's with a few F's to B's and C's with a few A's. I read the book by this guy Davis a few years ago it's "The Gift of Dyslexia". He also has a preschool home kit I will get from my other sister who's son is showing early signs (they can't test till 2nd grade), or order it this summer. Basically what he says is that people with dyslexia have a "third eye" that is not in a fixed position and can move, go around corners, letters in the book etc. His method is learning how to make it stay put. He also talks about things like seeing an energy dial, which my nephew does, and he can dial it up or down depending on the situation. Before learning to move his dial it would make concentration hard (Sounds like add again) if it was up at school, or sports difficult if it was down while on the hockey rink. After reading the Sensory book, I see a lot of that stuff in my nephew, like not being able to eat food with different textures

So, I think I have a plan. I have #1's IEP meeting in a couple weeks. I need to go get a book on Language disabilities so I can have half a clue of what I'm talking about on the one issue I know he has. I will also need to re-read parts of the SI book and take notes on what I'm comparing #1 too. At the meeting I need to bring this up and ask for an O.T. evaluation to see if it's on the radar screen. I was told that if they won't do it I shouldn't sign the paper work. I will not mention or muddy the waters with ADD since I don't' think it's the problem and I don't want to put it in their heads, or the dyslexia since hopefully working with him this summer will prevent any future reading difficulties, which is the basic definition of dyslexia. And I need to ask them about his writing. They've sent home paper for him to practice on with a note which makes me think they don't think we do practice his name almost every day, and if he's not improving on that,

that may be an issue to address as well, or add to my thought of SI disorder.

Things I need to do, but not bring up at the meeting are work with #1 on relaxation techniques and make sure he's getting plenty of exercise. I already signed him up for sports this summer. I also need to talk to my sister and see if I will need to buy the kit and if so order it.

Who would you sleep with?

2006-04-24T23:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday hubby found out his co-worker's wife left him for his best friend. This got me thinking, and last night I fell asleep with thoughts of who would I sleep with if I were suddenly single, which led to a very strange dream about dating Orlando Bloom, but that's another story. However for clarification I dumped him because he wasn't a good enough boyfriend (nah I don't have any narcisitic tendicys ;-)).

I was telling hubby about my this and we started talking about who we would sleep with if the other one died....Real people we know not celebrities...And no I won't name names, Sorry.

After setting ground rules of if it was the right circumstances and the other person was suddenly single too, I came up with 2 people. One would be no more then a one night stand, and the other I could see as a relationship. This doesn't include Felipe, who I met on my trip down to Blog Blowout, and again at the b ar, but I'd never find him again, and he is more in the fantasy realm then the reality one. If it did, then my total would be 2 one night stands and 1 LTR.

Hubby who isn't much of a people person, and knows far fewer people then I do, came up with 4 total...2 one nighter's and 2 possible LTR's. MEN!!! I did approve of one of his LTR possibilities as a future step-mom for my kids if I ever die though ;-) The other, I would only approve if my boys were grown and raised and gone from the house.

I must say it was a very interesting, and very enlightening conversation to have.

Is it the aliens?

2006-04-20T09:18:00.000-04:00

Have they taken up residence in my 5 yr old again? Someone? Anyone with the answer?

You may remember a few months ago #1 decided he didn't want to go to school, and refused to get on the bus, so I took him not having a clue of what was going on, and he refused to go to his class, but then was upset about missing school. We came home had a nice long nap, a day of no tv, and cleaning. That seemed to be the end of it. Until today.

He took 2 steps out of the house, turned around and ran back in. WTF???? Even under threat of no tv, no computer/video games, and taking his favorite toy away, he wouldn't go, but was mad when the bus left him. I can't get a clear answer out of him to save my life as to "why" he won't go, and when I talk about him not being able to see his teacher/friends now he's upset. I don't get it.

So here we go again. He's in his room for at least an hour "napping". I confiscated all toys out of it, and later we will clean it. I get to figure out how to keep him busy today without tv, but not let him have too much fun. I do have to say I think his temper, lack of using his words, and language issues have been worse lately, but I for the most part, have put it off to spring fever.

I think I'm glad I work tonight, even though I had been dreading it.

Updates

2006-04-17T19:30:00.000-04:00

On the personal ad I have so far gotten 1 response, and she is suppose to call me when she knows when she can do something.

As far as the snake, I blew up the picture so here!

And just for good measure the other picture I took:

I know I'm loosing it, but my mind isn't gone so far yet that I'm halucinating snakes in my yard. And no I have no idea why they came out in black and white in blogger...they aren't in the file, but I'm not going to worry about that right now.

My personal ad

2006-04-14T14:25:00.000-04:00

After an eye opening mom's club Easter party, where I've decided I think most of them are snobs, I decided to follow TKW's lead (I used you're gypsie line too) and created a personal ad that I posted on Craiglist.

I don't sound too weird or hippieish in it do I?

Mommy looking for mommy (or non-mommy female) friends

YOU:
You don’t smoke around you’re kids, don’t yell across a mall at you’re kids that you will “beat your bottoms when we get home, and are no longer into the bar scene, but like an occasional margarita. You can leave your children for an occasional night out and not need to be home by bedtime. You are accepting of other people and their views/parenting styles, and not go ewww at the thought of someone nursing their baby’s past a year, much less 6 months. Or at least know enough to not say it. And you understand my urge to sell my children to the gypsies occasionally and understand I do really love them, and I’m kidding…. mostly.

ME
Happily married, mostly SAHM to 2 boys 5 and 2. Playmates for them are good, but I’m mostly looking for me friends. I live in a funky 40yr old house in Florence with horrible decorating, and love it. I’m trying to correct one room at a time. I cannot see myself ever living in a new development, but don’t care if you do, as I see the advantages. I tend to think of myself as a moderate in most politcal realms. Mostly libral with a few issues I’m feirously conservative on. I love to discuss most ideologies/theologies, but not all. After all I married a conservative, and am happy not talking politics as well, or I’d be divorced.

I like shopping, but being a cheapskate at heart prefers garage sales and thrift stores to malls. I like most music except classical, rap, heavy metal, and The Wiggles. I like camping, hiking, reading, hanging out in a coffee shop, game nights, eating at a restraunt when I can taking my time without cutting up anyone’s food.

Most of all we moved here almost 2 years ago and I need grown-ups to talk to! Couple friends would be good too, but hubby is a slightly shy self-admitted computer geek, and not into sports, cars, most “normal” guy things, but that’s what I love about him.

Let's hope this works...I'll let you all know, I know you're dying to hear updates in my oh so exciting social life.

I've been fired!!!!

2006-04-13T14:02:00.000-04:00

#1 looked at me today when he was upset with me and calmly said " Mommy, you're fired". To which I responded COOL! Watch you're brother, I'm off to get a pedicure. Too bad he didn't get the context of my relpy. Oh well And no we don't watch the apprentice, but I think someone in his class does.

The neighbors

2006-04-12T15:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, in my snake post I eluded to an issue with my neighbors. This may not be an issue anymore, since I or my kids may never go outside again, but I'm sure the first round of whining on a nice day will make me brave snakes.

Here's the deal. I kind of do daycare for my neighbors 3 days a week. I say kind of because I've never had them more then 2 days a week and maybe 10 times total since around Christmas when I started this. He works outside with a friend and they weren't working because of weather, or taxes, or who knows. Personally I don't care right now. Nice money when he does, free time when he doesn't. However I think his wife cares a little more, but not my problem.

The problem is that every time we're outside the kids want to play together. Normally I don't mind this, but there are times it's an issue. I let my boys out in the back yard alone. I constantly check on them, and tie the gate shut with a rope. The kids will come over to play then, and I'm not comfortable with them being out there without an adult. a) because I don't want #2 wandering off (#1 knows better) and b)They're little girl is only 1 and needs to be watched closer on our swingset. Usually the dad is out in his yard, but he doesn't keep as close an eye on his kids as I do mine, or his. Or I'll be out doing things and my kids will want to go to their yard. If their mom's there I feel like I'm dumping my kids on her, if the dad is, I still feel like I need to be keeping an eye on them, because of fights and their yard isn't totally fenced and opens to our driveway..

Their boy is really good when I have him, but can be a brat when his folks are around, as well as can my child. Because of this they seem to fight alot more then they ever have when I've been watching them, but I think I've solved this with telling my kids if they can't play nice they can't play with them, and telling them they'll have to go home if they can't play nice.

Also like last night, they were BBQing and my kids decided to go play...well the parent's said it's ok, but what were they going to say, you know? I had to run out so I told my Dh under no circumstances were they to stay over there after their company came.

Ok, so now that I wrote this out it really sounds like I'm just overreacting, and I probably am.

HOLY SNAKES!!!!

2006-04-12T13:01:00.000-04:00

Today as I was hanging laundry watching my kids play I was thinking, "yes I really could enjoy living in the country." In large part because of some issues I've had with a neighbor have made me realize I really like my privacy, and solitude (I'll post the neighbor thing later). But then came something that made me feel very diffrently.

I finished hanging laundry and went to tell my boys I was running inside, and would be back in minute when I saw it. It being THIS

After catching the scream that was on it's way in my throat, I calmly called #1 over to give him a real life lesson. I showed him the little "baby" snake and proceeded to explain why if we ever see one we need to stay away from it. If we scare it, it might bite us. Not to mention it scared the SHIT out of his mother.

My logic also set in that it is highly unlikely this is a poisonous kind, but to be on the safe side I grabbed #2, told #1 to stay in the swingset while I grabbed the camera. By this time he was in the dog run, but I don't know if any of his family is still slithering around our yard. I took some pictures, made sure he left our yard, and now I get to look up snakes and try to identify the type while my boys sleep today.

As a side note, I lived in TX for 2 years and the only snake I saw in my yard was dead and half eaten by my dog. Gross yes, scary no. WTF????

Dear door to door evangelist,

2006-04-06T15:07:00.000-04:00

I have a word of advice for you. When you walk up to a house that has toys outside, a half dug up rock garden, It's quite and you look in the window and see a woman dozing on the couch with toys scattered everywhere DO NOT RING THE DOOR BELL! She will not be very happy or receptive to your "saving" message if you wake her up, get the dog barking, and probably wake up her children from their nap, after she's been digging up a damn rock garden all morning and collapsed on the couch in front of tv and fell asleep.

In fact you're lucky, I was nice, I simply told you I have a church (Ok, not at the moment, but it sure as HELL will not be yours), and you just got the dog barking and probably woke up my children so I don't have time for this, before I slammed the door in your face.

If I'd been awake enough I'd have told you that not only have my IL's tried to "save" me in their religion. I have a few acquaintances from your church who have tried to "save" me, and my mother continually try's to "save" me by telling me I need to ignore the politics of her church, and just go. So far none of them have succeeded, what makes you think, you have a snowballs chance in hell, where I'm sure you're sure I'm going. Then I could have continued on my list of why you're particular religion would never be one I would choose for myself. Not to mention you're tactics have the adverse effect of you're actual goal on me. Maybe I'd listen to you if you picked up the shovel you walked by and got all the rocks out of the garden....Maybe, not likely, but maybe.

Thank you for your time.
One pissed off, tired, and sick housewife.

Ow, ow, and ow

2006-04-06T09:29:00.000-04:00

Can I say I regret my wanting "character" in a house over a "normal" house a million times a week? No I still love my house, just when I do things like try to fix it up I pay for it the next day. Or when I fall down my kookie 4 steps from the living room to the kitchen...Although I haven't done that for at least a month...Maybe I've learned, Hmmm?

Yesterday I took the peonies out of my front planter, and placed them around the back yard. Why you ask? (if you heard this last year, just skip it) . Even though the teenybopper at the nursery laughed at me, My father always told me peonies need ants to bloom. Last year we had a nasty ant invasion in our familyroom....Connected to the front planter. I also had plants that didn't bloom. It took me all summer to realize that those plants were peonies and my assault on the ants and non-blooming plants were probably connected. So this year the lovely peonies were picked up and moved to various areas well away from the house. I still need something to put out front. There are other purple flowers in the box that bloom in late spring, but it looks a little empty. I'm thinking some of those cheap flowers from the grocery store you have to plant every year. I was thinking lily's, but I want something that will be there all summer.

After finishing that project I set to working on fixing our rock garden. We have an area of rocks with some defunct sidewalk lighting in it. Unfortunately the lighting needs fixing and/or replacing, and the anti weed plastic sheeting no longer works. I don't want to spray them because my kids love playing with the rocks. Yesterday I shoveled out less then 1/4 of the rocks, It's going to be a long project.

Ohh, but while I'm on the gardening kick....My catnip seeds are starting to sprout. Hopefully that means the other herbs and veggies I started indoors will too!

The conclusion of "The Great Florence Mystery"

2006-04-04T08:22:00.000-04:00

After hours of digging and sweating, Toiling, and blood, and a few tears (Ok that's because I stabbed myself with a seam ripper working on some curtains), the great mystery was reveled. Part way into the dig it was discovered that the"wood" was actually metal and there was another piece of wood next to it, Could this be an old root cellar filled with all sorts of hideous, pickled vegetables?

So what was under the large piece of metal sheeting you ask?

NOTHING, well unless you count a few worm and or snake trails. Sorry hubby, maybe next time you'll find you're stashed money.

The Great Florence Mystery Part I

2006-04-01T13:30:00.000-05:00

It all started this morning when Hubby and I decided that it was time to put a dog run into our yard. Our wonderful 4 legged companion has decided that in addition to marking the entire yard as "his" territory, he needs to use the prime areas, near the swingset, under my clothesline, etc, as his own personal rest room.

As I am trying to put in the last post I keep hitting something hard about a foot down. Hmm doesn't sound like a tree root, or a rock. It almost has a hollow sound. Being the lazy ass I am, I called Hubby over to figure it out. After all, he has all those years of practice putting up fencing on the farm he grew up on.

A few minutes later hubby calls me over, what is it you ask? A wooden box, looks like it had been painted white. Hubby thinks we've hit our fortune in hidden money, or an old time capsule with valuable toys and comics. Me? I say it's either a) a cistern or well covering b) someone's pet's grave, or c) a body. Yes I have watched WAY to many crime shows ;-) Guess we'll have to wait for Hubby to completely unearth it to see.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of, "The Great Florence Mystery".

And we're the civilized species

2006-03-28T13:09:00.000-05:00

This game of wrestle started after #2 came at #1 in a running tackle, pushing him off our (new to us) Ottoman. Successfully ending that round of flash cards we were working on.

On that note. We got a free sofa last night. Yes I realize I'm almost 30. Yes I realize I have 2 children, and Yes I realize the only furniture Hubby and I ever bought new are mattresses, Our headboard/footboard, and a couch set we paid all of $400 for all 5 pieces for, that lasted as long as expected. Actually we still have it, it just isn't comfortable. So the other night at the MNO when one of the mommies was getting rid of her couch, and laughingly asked if anyone wanted it I said yes. I "claimed" it was for our toy room, but it ended up in the living room after hubby and I sat on it. It honestly wouldn't look to bad if our room had a slightly different decor, but oh well maybe some day.

I learned an important lesson today. You'd think that if your 2yr old ate a half a box of altoids his poop the next day wouldn't be too bad smelling. I'm here to tell you it will be one of the worst diapers of your life. Not to mention he'll just be exuding a horrible smell all day long. Kind of a Vicks gone bad thing.

Food Log Blog

2006-03-23T23:11:00.000-05:00

I started another blog, to keep myself honest :-) http://gatsmommysfood.blogspot.com/

Could it be????

2006-03-23T22:38:00.000-05:00

There actually are some fairly normal people in KY. I had a good time tonight, no one talked about marrying their cousin, or who's dating who's boyfriend, and to top it off THEY HAVE A BUNCO group. Almost makes me overlook the fact I was home by 10:07.

Here's the picture of my son...the future model. Notice the grung look of the popular ripped jeans look, created by house of #1; the "stylish" osh kosh sweat from the outlet mall, and the ever faded t-shirt underneath. And we can't forget the accessory every young man needs on a rainy day.

In answer to questions.

E - when I joined the mom's group in Austin I did knew Candy from email before I joined the Yahoo one, and met her for a playdate before I ever went to an event, but yes I was scared shitless of you guys at Chick-fil-a the first few times.

Candy - No I don't eat meat, and it's hard, especially since I still don't really like veggies. Hubby was diagnosed as diabetic recently and I'm doing his carb limits. While I'm sure this is WAY over what I should be taking in, it's been enough for me to loose weight on. I'm just watching how much of everything I eat and trying to avoid the really really high carb stuff I love so much, like pastries, and pies, and cookies. But I can still have decent amounts of other foods, like 3 pieces of pizza is our meal limit, and I'll have a salad with it, etc. For anyone really interested in the details, I'm allow myself 60carbs per meal, and two snacks of 30 each, which I save till evening because that's my big downfall. No not the best "diet" in the world, but the only one I've ever been able to stick to for any length of time and not feel totally deprived. Also a friend of JK's started a board (yes this is a shameless plug) that I'm trying to find inspiration on when I get off track, or for things I'm not currently doing much of, like exercise. http://www.busymommawellness.com/

Things not to say tonight

2006-03-23T16:03:00.000-05:00

Tonight is my first MNO with the new group I joined. I went to the meeting yesterday, and everyone seems nice enough, but it's always awkward going into a group where everyone knows everyone, and you know no one (say that fast 10 times ;-)). Given my ablilty to say the wrong thing in these situations because I cannot stand an awkward silence, and since I will not have a kid around as a distraction, I am in my mind making a list of things to not say so I don't come off as a total moron.

1) Currently my favorite tv show is Magnum PI reruns. Hey I ONLY get to watch tv for like 2 hours during the day and even if it is corny, you can't say those dimples aren't worth it. Yeah he's old now, but wasn't (as) old then.

2) My child thinks the "brown baby" on pbs between shows is funny (when he throws his food).

3)I checked out a real - non-novel book on learning disabilities from the library the other day, and I'm finding out I am no longer able to read more then 3 pages of a research book without getting a headache from all the information.

4)I'm desperate enough for a life that I willingly work part time in retail, and even though I'm getting sick of it, I still need that regular escape from my children. Or in the same line of thought...any bars around this Starbucks????

and worse yet that could happen.........

5) Sure! I'll be on next years board, doesn't matter that I don't' know if I like any of ya'll, you're looking for board members and asked so why the h*ll not.

Mom's Club's, school delays, and Chi tea

2006-03-22T08:09:00.000-05:00

We have a school delay today. I can't for the life of me figure out why, roads are clear and have been since last night. No snow, ice, or rain has fallen in the last 12 hours, and while still freaking cold out there It's sunny. Oh well.

After I do finally get #1 on the bus I'm off to my first Mom's type club meeting in KY. I joined another group that didn't have meetings and the people were, well, strange. So we'll see how this goes...Wish me luck. The first MNO is tomorrow and I plan to attend that as well. I hate going to these things when I don't know anyone. Truth is I really am a shy person, I just tend to hide it fairly well, and if I'm really nervous I can come across as obnoxious.

However I did finally ask the restraunt mommy for a playdate. We went there for supper last night, and it was slow so we got talking. Sounds like she really doesn't have many mommy friends either....Awesome opening for me, so I ever so slyly said we should do a playdate sometime, and left my phone number. They're hiring someone next week, so everyone cross you're fingers he works out because then she'll have more time to do things like playdates.

Now for my YUM of the day. I went out on a limb and bought some International foods Chi Tea Latte at the store the other day. This is SO good. I like it with just a little milk added for a creamier texture. Perfect for when you can find a few minutes in front of the computer for a little me time, makes me almost not here the screams coming from the other room.

Blogger still will not let me upload the picture...grrr, I'll keep trying.

Snow, Kids, fights, punishment, Diets, Money,.......

2006-03-21T13:41:00.000-05:00

Yup I'm ALL over the map today. First my stew turned out pretty good for all the inquiring minds that wanted to know, I brought it to work and though no one ate much, which I didn't expect I was able to pawn off the remainder on a poor collage student I work with. She said it'd go good with the pickles and ketchup she had in her fridge.

Last week we had thunderstorms all week. Today, the first week of spring....SNOW.. 2-3 inches of it. Here in Kentuckyland that means a snow day for #1, yippiee, can't you just hear my enthusiasms *Cough cough*. We played outside, went to the library, bank, and mall today. I've invented a new punishment for the constant fighting between the boys. They have to sit at each other in the hallway until they can both say I'm sorry and I love you and give hugs without tackling each other. Actually I didn't invent it, my mom use to use it.

I have a picture to share today Hubby took while at an airplane museum with #1 and my dad....My mom, #2, and I stayed home.

MY FUTURE MODEL

K, blogger won't add it at the moment I will later.

I've been on hubby's low carb diet with him. Not because I care about loosing weight right now, I really don't, but to be a nice supportive wife, and to keep track and not make him supper high carb meals. Yes it'd be nice, but it so is not enough motivation for me. Well I have been loosing and I lost even more last week which was cool since I was sure I gained. I'm now only 10lbs from my little goal, where I was when I got preg with #2...If you can call it a goal since I don't care too much if I make it, and still a LONG way from my ideal weight..

On a Money victory I got some awesome sales at the grocery store and am on my way to making budget this week. I've really been trying to stick to one, while I haven't run us into the ditch in a while, I'm really at a point of seeing some improvement in our overall finacial picture if I don't take us too far off budget this spring/summer. I also bought a new organizer/wallet so I can take my different envelopes or budget area's with me and keep them separate. I was super excited when I realized my envelopes would fit and that they had a separate pocket just for them...Yes it takes very little to amuse me sometimes.

Bwaahhhhhahahaha...Like a mad scientist

2006-03-17T13:54:00.000-05:00

I'm at it again, and this time springing it on unaware, unsuspecting people. I'm Cooking! And not even from a cookbook, it's my very own St. Patty's day inspired experiment.

It all started this morning when I realized that St. Patty's day is the perfect excuse to use up a 1/2 head of cabbage (which I really don't like) in the fridge. As I was coming up this enchanting concoction that can only be described as a vegetarian-clean-out-the-fridge stew, I realized I am suppose to bring something "green" to work tonight for a pot luck. As my Green soda bread is already in the oven, and who knows how that will turn out since the leprechauns ate my normal recipe and I couldn't find it on line again, I decide I will bring the now dubbed "green stew" to work tonight. Afterall it's a huge pot that no one here will eat, and it does have lots of green Vegas in it.

Beware ALL!!! BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However if I can find my nummy soda bread recipe in the next 20 minutes I'll make another loaf of that with food coloring instead. They better hope the leprechauns Luck is with them.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

You know it's one of those days............

2006-03-17T09:12:00.000-05:00

When before you're first cup of coffee you grab ground cumin to put on you're oatmeal instead of the ground cinnamon....Damn alphabetized spice racks ;-)

Learned life lesson..... a large amount of cinnamon and splenda will cover up most of the taste of the cumin that can't be scraped off.

I need a nap

2006-03-15T12:43:00.001-05:00

My parents left yesterday. The visit went all in all pretty well. Only problems were actually with hubby who has been moodier then a PMSing woman without chocolate lately. But even that didn't come to blows like it might have.

I have spent today trying to get caught up on my blogs, making a small dent in the mountain of laundry I have in my basement, and getting back to normal. I still have to figure out what's for supper the rest of the week, since I'm really trying to stick to our budget and there is no money left until Friday, Actually we're down by like $200, but that's another story. Luckily like everytime my mother leaves the kitchen is stocked.

#2 has decided he no longer needs a nap and hasn't taken one the last two day's. So he's been having tantrums all morning. Let's hope he's out of that phase since mommy wants one today. I'd manage, but I have to work tonight. I did have a coffee this morning, at the mall while getting a security tag removed from something I bought 2 weeks ago, but it's not helping. I think I need to give it up since it even though it doesn't agree with me or my budget I've been buying a ton of it lately. Maybe I just need some alcohol instead, I'm not even picky today, beer, whine, margarita's, whisky, whatever...Is 12:54pm too early to start drinking???It is pm after all.

I'm off to decide what's for dinner, change laundry, and then hopefully get myself a nap if #2 will every quit screaming, protesting, and JUST GO TO SLEEP!!!!!!!

The alien's are coming! The Alien's are coming!

2006-03-07T14:40:00.000-05:00

Ok, I've seen WAY too many of Hubby's sci-fi movies when I walk in on them after work.

Really it's just my parents. Yes they were just here 2 months ago on their way down south, and now passing through on their way north again for a few days.

Now normally I love when they come, I mean free babysitter and all, and if my mom is acting normal it might be a good visit again but I have a few concerns this time. She's has been going slightly senile lately I think, and I know I will not hear the end of how I abandoned my family to go to Austin to go out with my friends. I mean I could have used that trip if I had to go away, to go see family instead. Heck I'd hear about this even if she wasn't going senile, but she might have the sense to drop it.

Part of this comes from last time they were here she insisted we take some money to pay for Dh's recent medical bills. So I KNOW the thought in her brain when I went to Austin was I was spending "her" money...ok, A) I didn't ask for it. B) I tried numerous times not to take it and C) I still have most of that reserved in an account for medical, what has been spent has been spent on MEDICAL bills. My trip was paid for either by money I had put aside for heat (from My paycheck, not DH's) we didn't need this year or was charged on the credit cards so there! Ok now I can act like an adult when she confronts me about it this week, I hope ;-)

It never ceases to amaze me how my parents can make me feel like I'm 17 again.

A letter

2006-03-02T16:50:00.000-05:00

Dear Aunt Flo,

GO AWAY!!!!! I know you must come for you're monthly visit, and I appreciate you sticking around after the miscarriage for moral support, but really I'm fine now. It's been almost 9 weeks, and I don't need you any more. My mother is coming at some point this month to give me enough headaches over this subject herself. If you persist in refusing to evacuate I will have to go see the girly Dr., with a God complex, to find more drastic measures of eviction. I don't like him and I'd like to be able to end my relationship with him without having to see him again to tie up these loose ends.

You already got yourself a reprieve. I was suppose to go back to him if the nasty medicine did not work by Monday the 20th. Well it was you're luck that I spent that entire day coming home from a wonderful weekend to a house with sick kids, and given the day I spent in airplanes and airports, I myself was fighting something. You knew I was going to call again by last Monday so you started to pack you're bags and told me to call you a cab, and I believed you were really going. Granted I should have seen the signs that you were not actually planning on leaving, but conducting you're regular monthly visit this week. The bloating, the irritableness, the tiredness, but I didn't and I was fooled again.

Please consider this you're last warning. If you are not gone by Monday I will call the man with the "god complex" and I will find ways of getting rid of you. At this point I'd even consider removing you're guest room permanently and, banishing you for life. I mean we aren't even sure we want to use you're room again, and that would make our decision easy. Although I'm sure Dr. "God complex" won't like that idea, be aware I'm willing to seriously consider it.

sincerely,
ME

Preschool #2

2006-03-02T13:29:00.000-05:00

So I checked out the other preschool today and am completely torn. They both seem really really good, but are complete opposites of each other.

The one I went to yesterday (in addition to what I posted) is more of a standard "school" setting, big table for all kids to sit at, specific activities with a schedual etc, etc. School #2 seemed to be more Montesorri influenced. They do not have a big table and never enforce "group" activities. They will encourage the kids to sit and listen to the story etc, but not make them, and it's perfectly ok if they want to play something else instead. They also regularly evaluate the kids to make sure they are learning the lesson's and if they aren't will work with director and parents to make sure they do.

With #1 the freedom and chaos of school #2 would NEVER work... he needs and thrives on structure as he is a naturally unstructured kid. However for #2, it might be good for him to learn to not be so structured as he is a very consistent, clean, and almost anal child at 2. Also where #1 is easily overstimulated and would lash out, #2 retreats into himself and a quiet activity if over stimulated.

I really think it comes down to what style I like better for #2 since they both seemed clean, have low staff turnover, good teacher child interaction, good schedules/activities. Other then the feel of the school the main differences are:

School #1 he needs to be potty trained, it's $30 month cheaper (even more if we up him to 3 days a week next year), Shorter days of 2 1/2 hours, on T/TH, and a little closer, He will be one of the youngest students in a school year based age system

School #2 is bigger, on M/F, more expensive, although only by $30 this year it'd be by $60 more next year when we up him to 3 days, Comes with a free use of a work out room, Has all paid and mostly licensed teachers, and he will be in a class with kids within months of his age.

OH and my neighbor I do babysitting for is thinking of sending her boy to #1, but he'd be M/W/F with the older kids, which means I'll still have to pick him up days I have him on M/F which I don't really mind. It'd be nice if they both went to #2 on the same day's, but the 4yr old class there is full.

What's a mother to do ;-)

My Baby's leaving me

2006-03-01T23:57:00.000-05:00

Yeah ok, not till next year, but it's that time of year again. Time to find the right preschool. We went and looked at one today, he was thrilled and extremely upset that we had to leave. I will say I was impressed, it has awesome kid/teacher ratio's, looked very clean, although the new classrooms will be in the new addition they're putting on, and will have their own bathrooms. Plus I liked how the teacher, volunteers ( a sweet elderly couple) and director interacted with the kids. The only major drawback is he'd have to potty train by then, and that's an issue I'm not really into pushing, even though with him I'm sure it can be done.

I have one more to check out tomorrow, but I'm leaning towards the place I went today.

Old friends?

2006-02-27T13:07:00.000-05:00

In advance, sorry for the spelling errors, Spell check won't work, and honestly I don't care enough to proofread, not that I'd catch most of them if I did.

I have a friend from high school that I kept in touch with till probably 2 years ago. She was my best friend after high school, till probably when I got married. When I left MN for TX we had started to part ways (I think it's in large part due to her now husband, who I had no qualms letting her know I thought was fairly immature and that marriage wasn't going to solve their problems), and after I had made a few failed attempts to see her when I'd go home for a visit, I gave up. I think the final straw was when I missed her wedding. See I was going to try to make it by schedualing one of our vacations over it, but by doing so #1 would have missed his last week of MDO for the year, and I had an important MNO that week, I really really wanted to make. Yes it was the pedicure and Kalidescoops till wee hours of the morning one ;-). Also it was the last get together with that group and I belive it was fairly shortly before we moved. I did see her when we were up later and she seemed somewhat upset, or mabey just distant but didn't say anything about it.

Occasionally I'd get a few emails from her here and there, either a forwarded funny, or more rarely a hey how's life deal. Well lately I've been getting an awful lot of forwarded religious messages from her. This is really making me concerned. This is the person who never went to church untill she started looking for somewhere to have her wedding. And I'm wondering how the man who had no issue dropping $500/month at the bar is meshing with this obviously "new" interest in religion. (And no I'm not anti-religion, and would go to church if I could find one here I liked, I did in Austin, just concerned about the seemingly sudden change) Last I heard she was going to church (pre wedding and a little post) and he wasn't.

So I guess the question is what's up? You think she's mabey trying to reconnect? If so how come the forwarded emails? I mean I never forward emails so I haven't responded, but I'd definatly respond to another hey whats up one, but I haven't had one of those in a very long long time, and usually I do respond, but my response doesn't get a response.

I dunno, I'm confused.

I'm so proud, and then I squashed it

2006-02-25T15:57:00.000-05:00

One of the things I'd like to teach my boys is that we do not ALWAYS need to drive everywhere we go. Ok, Ok, in certain area's like where we lived in TX it was hard to implement since I didn't want to walk the 1 1/2 miles to get anywhere. However given the fact we now live 2 blocks from a Walgreen's + 2 gas stations, and 4 blocks from #1's school (to which he busses) BK, the bank a DQ and other gem's I've made a point of walking to these things with the boys rather then jumping in the car.

Yesterday, a perfectly nice day we were headed to the library. We get in the car, both kids buckled, triple count the 3 books and 2 movies we need to return. I turn the key and NOTHING. Appears the battery was dead. Hm nice. So I tell the boys we will not be going to the library. #1 looks at me and says..."It's ok that the van is broken mommy, we can walk to the library". I was so proud of him. Unfortunately I had to shoot down that idea, since the library is 1 1/2 miles away and no way would he make it both directions, and even though I would have walked it, and pushed #2 in the stroller, I so wasn't pushing the double stoller with a 5yr old in it the whole way.

Home Again, Home Again

2006-02-22T23:28:00.000-05:00

Well I got in Monday night after a FABULOUS weekend. And I lucked out enough to be able to change planes and score myself a $250 airline credit. See here's the thing, while I realized I still haven't learned how to be alone very well, I really enjoyed my time away. And while I will probably end up using that to go see my family, and I doubt Hubby will let me do another weekend anytime soon, I'm thinking another weekend away wouldn't be such a bad thing ;-) Even if I don't get to sit next to Felipe on the plane next time. If you weren't lucky enough to be part of my Felipe sighting, or heard the story, I'll have to fill you in later.

It's taken me this long to get around to posting that I'm back because most of you were there, and because I came home to a kid with Scarlet Fever, a tired out hubby, a mountain of laundry (for which we had no detergent) and I'm still trying to recover from Sat night!

I'll try to get more details up for those of you that had to miss it soon, but don't hold you're breath, I have yet to attempt to concur Mt Everest of laundry in my basement, or even unpack my suitcase, which I didn't get till last night (part of the whole changing plane thing).

What to wear, what to wear, what to wear

2006-02-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

This change in weather, while I'm STILL not complaining, has made me rethink what I'll be wearing Sat night. I now feel I need to have some sort of a jacket. My options, since I've run out of shopping time are: 2 wool jackets, both from the mid 90's (when I had things like a job, dates etc), but suprisingly back instyle. At least I think so, if not I'll end up as a FUG Thursday pic ;-) Or my everyday awesome blue vinyl jacket. The long wool coat is still to warm for Austin.

I tried my original shirt, a 3/4 sleeve shirt with beading, but it just ain't working with the jackets, too much bling. Actually none of the new clothes I bought will work with the jackets, so I'm ending up pulling out some of my older clothes for the night of the blowout, and probably even the flight down. I think I've figured it out, let's just hope I don't end up totally looking like 1995.

Oh, and the home visit with the teacher went well. #1 is doing good in school.

This will also probably be my last post untill after the blowout, unless I have another fashion disaster while packing tonight.

"The Home Visit"

2006-02-13T14:29:00.000-05:00

Now before you start flaming me from a social perspective, I think this is an awsome idea. Just not from the persepctive of having Ms. Perfect visit my house.

#1 is in public preschool. There are 2 ways to get into public preschool in our district. You either have to be considered low income, or the child must have some sort of a disability, or developmental delay. #1 got in because of his speech, unfortunatly I don't think I'll find anything to get #2 in for but I still might try....Hmm mabey if I teach him the wrong names of colors....Just Kidding, kind of.

Well anyway in our district, part of the preschool program is having the teacher and one of the 2 classroom aids do home visits twice a year. Offical explination is so the teacher's get a better idea of where the child is coming from. I think this is awsome, because not only can the alert CPS if they see a major red flag, it does give them an idea of what type of situation the kids are coming to them from, especially since they've all been flagged as "at risk" for one reason or another.

And today is our day. #1's teacher is one of these put together mommies I've talked about. I always thought it was just because I saw her in a profesional light, but then I saw her when I was working one day. She came in to pick up a few things while her daughter was in dance class. Yup she has a matching workout outfit on, full makeup and a ball cap. Yes she's one of thoese women that looks good in a ball cap. She also get's 20 3,4, and 5yr olds to sit silently through Polar Express, which is a long book. Yes she is an amazing teacher and has all the structure and routine #1 needs.

So not only have I spent the weekend cleaning like a mad women, and been burning candles all day, I'm now trying to figure out how to look like a put together mommy in a natural state. I don't want it to come across as I've primped for her visit, but I also don't want to look too frumpy.

Eeek. One hour to go, I need to go clean and primp....and figure out what things about #1 I want to discuss with her.

SPF: Lovin' it

2006-02-11T17:34:00.000-05:00

Y
Ok, this is my first SPF and I know I'm already getting my grade docked because I'm turning it in on Monday. This week's SPF is brought to us by Kami, who is filling in for Kristine.

What you love most about your home

For me it was a toss up. The amazing style it has and how "weird" it looks from the outside (in a goodway) and the funky floorplan. Or the view from my kitchen window of the city around us. Since I already have a photograph of the outside, and it's an icky cloudy day that doesn't do my view justice, I chose the floorplan and '60's style.

What you love least about your home

This has to be the previous people's decorating. Between the awful paneling in EVERY room, except our bedroom, which has awful wallpaper, and the blue/green carpet covering hardwood floors and frilly curtains.

This picture depicts the lovely carpet and one of the walls of paneling. (Ignore the child) I won't bore you with pictures of The dark faux wood in the family room, the medium colored faux wood in #2's room, the light wood in the kitchen, the faux rock in the basement, and the faux brick we just pulled out of #1's room.

What you love most about yourself.

This one I had to think about since physically I'm not loving much. I "like" some things about the way I look, but I ain't lovin anything. So how to come up with part of my personality I like that I can show a picture of was the hard part. So why a picture of #1's freshly painted green walls? I like that I am willing to take risks, and will try almost anything. I mean who in their right mind will let a 5yr old pick out the shade of green and blue paints for his room? (I did nix the pink and purple color scheme he wanted).

Talk about hypocritical

2006-02-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

Let me start this by saying I've wanted a tattoo since I was 17. Over 12 years people. Before hubby I always chickened out when I had the money, and after meeting hubby when I finally got brave enough to do it, I haven't because he always said he didn't like them.

So last night I was channel surfing, Hubby walked through the room when I was watching a minute of Miami Ink. We'll I was telling hubby there is a commercial with Kat saying that she doesn't think men will find her pretty, but only look at her because she's weird (Yes I'm paraphrasing). I told him I find this odd since I think she's very pretty, I mean I'd kill for her eyes. Well Hubby agreed, and I believe he at one point even said yeah she's really hot.

WTF????? Sure you find the totally tattooed chick on TV hot, and yet have told your wife you would find her less attractive if she got one tiny one?????? Almost tempts me to just go out and get it. Especially since in the last 10 years I've committed to a design I want (another reason I never got one. I couldn't find anything I knew I'd love forever.)

MEN!

Try this again. Who I am

2006-02-06T11:36:00.000-05:00

I shamelessly stole this quiz from PsycoSAHM's blog, and posted my thoughts on it before blogger ate it the other night. I highly doubt I will be as insightful into myself as I was the first time, but I'm going to try again.

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock.A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything.No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

This is so true. I totally thought that by this time in my life I'd have traveled Europe, speak at least one other language fluently, and be living somewhere exiting and exotic. I have done none of this.

Instead I find myself living in Florence, KY and have had 2 midlife crisis by age 29. Ok that's not true, I'm in the second one now. It dawned on me that the reason behind this is that I'm trying to make the Londoner fit into my life, not that easy to do when I'm a SAHM to 2 boys and any decisions I make have to take that and my hubby into consideration. Meaning I can't just up and move to a cool Urban loft with lots of eclectic antiques somewhere, preferably in another country.

I had come to a pretty good place of joining these two completely separate parts of me when I lived in Austin. (mid life crisis #1) I was in a fun and progressive city, found people to have intellectual conversations with beyond potty training, there was good music all around, and while I wasn't living a carefree life of travel at the time, I saw a pathway too it.

Then we moved to Florence, KY. A city I'd call anything but progressive, I've yet to find many other SAHM's who have interests other then their kids or scrapbooking (sorry no offense, it's just not me) and while I've taken up crafts and enjoy them, I'd rather be traveling or having an in depth discussion with someone most of the time.

So I guess the question I need to ask myself is...How can I find the Londoner part of me in Florence KY?

Sickies, Strange Happenings, and Good Friends

2006-02-06T11:22:00.000-05:00

My whole house has been sick for the last week. I've been very unproductive, but thought I personally had beat the worst of it as everyone was getting better. Then this morning hit :-( Woke up with a stuffy head, took too many pills, and almost threw up my "healthy" breakfast because of it.

So I head to the computer to check out everyone else's life. I'm IM's DH asking him if we have any stamps in the house so we can mail a bill that's due in 3 days (the answer is no) and getting ready to drag #2 out to buy stamps, get some money from the bank, and return overdue library books, when I hear a very strange noise coming from the fireplace (It doesn't work, so we don't use it), kind of like a flapping, I listen again and realize there's a bird in there....crap. Hubby says he'll come home for an early lunch and rescue the bird, take the bills, send them out, and drop off the over due library books. YAY

Luckily the bird was down by a little hatch door on the outside of the fireplace so Hubby was able to just open it and let the bird fly away. Hopefully it's ok, Hubby saw some blood on the door, it snowed yesterday, and our neighbor's cat is a notorious hunter. I'm kind of worried about it, even though I know I can't do anything. I mean it probably was in the chimney escaping from the recent snow storm, and the neighbors cat.

Shortly after this my friend calls me to see if I want some company, She was between being taxi driver for her kids and had an hour to waste, and yes I warned her I'm sick. She came bearing iced coffee drinks from Arby's!!! Yay, just what I needed to get moving for the day. Who knows maybe I'll even get some laundry or dishes done. Even make supper tonight possibly. Well maybe not. I don't want to push it ;-)

Urrrg..BLOGGER ATE MY POST!

2006-02-04T14:47:00.000-05:00

I just spent half an hour procrastionating bills comeing up with a very insightful, and self searching post and BLOGGER ATE IT!!!!!!!!!! Mabey I'll redo it later. If I have time.

Brag time

2006-02-03T12:25:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I posted any brag pictures so today I decided to get caught up.

This first one is just an awesome shot Hubby got of Glenn snuggeling with his Elmo. I really like how the sun and shadow's play off him, Yes I need to crop the window, and messy toy room out of it.

The paint is from when Glenn was helping me paint his walls. We did finish the first coat, and yes it is a very bright Green, but hey what other color should a 5yr old's jungle room be. We still have to do the second coat, spraypaint the bunk beds, paint the mural, the tree bookshelf, make curtain's, bedspreads, and a covering for the closet. My goal is to be done before he thinks a jungle room is too baby-ish.

And last, but not least is one to show I can at least have my boys looking like I'm a put together mommy, in matching outfits. We'll ignore the fact they have matching shirts because if they didn't it would be a jelousy issue with cookie monster, and that Glenn has holes in his jeans. They're play jeans, and all that's clean today ;-) And notice mommy isn't in the picture to ruin the image.

****P.S. We're also ignoring the fact that blogger uploaded the pics in the wrong order, but hey you're all pretty smart, and I think you can figure it out.

Help the fashion victim's!

2006-02-02T12:56:00.000-05:00

I need advice, I really do. The pending trip to Austin, and the rumors that it is in the 70's have me thinking about summer. I have two area's of concern when it comes to my summer wardrobe. One I'm a short's and T-shirt person, so how to I wear shorts still and make myself look put together. And if I am wearing shorts with a nicer top, what do I wear on my feet? I really can't do flip flops. I mean the piece of cloth between my toes hurts, I know there's something horribly wrong with me in this department.

At work last night I was eyeing pair A or possiblyPair B for everyday, with jean or kaki shorts, but are they too frumpy looking? I really fell in love with pair C, but I never dress up. But let's say I did, how do you dress up with open toed sandles? I mean it looks dorky to wear panty hose with them right? but if you're really dressing up don't you need them?

It's a good thing I have boys, because I'd be no help in guiding a girl through the life of fashion.

Update on Whishy washy, I mean the Dr.

2006-01-30T10:54:00.000-05:00

So after stitting through his not very good explanation of a D&C, and the chances of the alternative pharmaceutical options working, and making a joke he SO didn't get (along the lines of well if you do an D&C and puncture the uterus, and have to do a hysterectomy, I might not mind if we've decided we're done with kids) . I looked at him and said, you're the Dr, you're the one with all the training. What do YOU recommend, and what would you recommend if this was you're wife or sister. Dr. whishy washy actually gave me an opinion.

So in addition to the yes you probably have an infection or if you don't you're very prone to one admittal (Hm ya think sitting the last week suspecting one helped anything while I talked to his nurse) and a prescription for an anti-biotic that I may or may not need (and I was too tired to fight this one). I have a prescription for some wonder drug that gives you really bad ass cramps, told to take up to 800mg of Advil every 4 hours, and I can fully expect another TWO weeks of bleeding. I plan to start the cramping pills Thursday (so you can expect some bitching and whining then) after I'm done working for the week.

And yes once again I'm wondering why did I have to pay $20 and pull DH out of work to go sit and talk to the man fully clothed, I mean there was this great invention a while back called a TELEPHONE.

So that being said other then the annoyance of just a little more then half way through a 6week period when I can't use tampons (Let's all say it together YUK) I'm actually doing pretty good. Emotionally I've pretty much finished having my little episodes of complete nuroticness, and I've actually been sleeping again. Not to mention I lost 4 lbs from last time I went to the Dr. And almost 10 since I found out I was preganat.

Hubby on the other hand I'm starting to worry about. In typical hubby fashion he has for the most part stuffed any feelings he's had and is now having his breakdown, but is trying not to. So also in hubby fashion his stomach is bothering him, and he's tired all the time. This is not very conducive to a major project they got going on at work. I honestly think he's having a harder time with me still bleeding then I am.