Here's to...........

a great year

2007

I want to wish everyone the greatest year full of family, laughter, and peace!

fun, fun, fun

I have taken the past few days off from work and boy have we been having fun. From video games to board games, from Cosmic Ball to Nerf Tag dart games.........I have just been having the most wonderful time just playing with my kids. The downside is all the extra moving around and sitting on the floor makes me back/legs hurt bunches more.

We had to make a trip to the DPS office today. We needed to renew Jen's driving permit so she can finish up classes and finally get her drivers license. Jim also needed an official ID card so we did both at the same time. We need to open some kind of account for him for his paychecks but they insist on a state ID. Now that was a fun experience.........waiting in line for 45 minutes with two high energy little boys. Yea, exactly the way I just *love spending my time. NOT! I told them to bring along their new gameboys so at least they had something to occupy them.

We have been having a time and a half with that stinkin (and yes he STINKS!!!) billy goat. He busted out of the neighbors fence. I then made a trip to WalMart to purchase this long trolly set-up so he now has plenty of grazing room but cannot escape. He's lonely so I think we'll be needing to get him a nanny goat soon. At least they don't bust thru the fence to fight other goats over territory rights.

Christmas 2006

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!! May you all have peace in your hearts.

YOU???

Yesterday Jen and I took the two younger boys to do their gift shopping. We split Jen w/Jeff and Jared w/me. We then covered everything up in the carts and met to exchange the boys so they could find something for the person they were with before. So while walking around with Jeff I passed this box thing hanging full of carmex tubes. I picked one up thinking out loud to myself, "Oh, this would be great for the stockings...." Then I hear Jeff speak up behind me in a surprised voice, "YOU're the one that does the stockings?!?!" oops

a billy

Jen has been asking for one, searching the classified ads for one, wanting one........so today James went to pick up a year old pygmy billy goat for a Christmas gift. He's a sweetie, really cute.....

However, we had plans today to meet with the in-laws this afternoon for Christmas and anniversary so we set him up in a pen as soon as we got him here. He was not happy with that situation at all and I was concerned about leaving him but we had plans so had to go. It appears he did manage to escape shortly after we left and found his way down the street to some other goats. There he tore a hole thru the fence, fought with the billy that resides there, chased the dog, etc, etc. When we finally got back home 7 hours later to find him missing we searched around here a bit, but I figured it was best to check with the folks down the street whether they had seen him and got a resounding YES!!!

So, that is the billy goat saga. He is staying there at least until tomorrow when we'll try to find a better restraint system for him.

a tree-less christmas

We have stacks of plastic storage containers in the garage containing an artifical tree and all the lights and deco that goes along with it........it is still just sitting there as it has been since we put it away last year.

*I* personally can not lift and carry those boxes into the house. The dh is *always working so he is useless. The teen ds is always either at school, work, or wearing my nerves thin so he's useless. The teen dd is too busy with her heavy acedemics and trying to help me keep up with the other things around the house so I hate to ask her. And the two younger boys could maybe put together a funny-looking lopsided tree if anyone would ever carry the stuff into the house for them...............so we still remain treeless and it almost feels at this point that there is no point.

ouch! pain!

I got home yesterday to scheduled teacher conferences, MRI for Jen, and TKD classes.........way too much to do with a sore back. Walking is quite painful at this point in time.

Uh hum........well, have a full day planned for today as well.........work this am then I have to pick up kids and get everyone dressed for the parade. For later we have tickets to a bull-riding, rodeo thing and then to the county fair.

making my list to bring..........wheelchair, pain meds, something for anxiety and stress (hate crowds), pain meds.........

..........wishing I could be with my friend Terri for their special event tomorrow!

Sims

My kids have yet another addiction.........Sims games. They can spend hours upon hours with that game. I'm debating if I want to get the one with all the add-ons in one set-up............they love it but yet not decided if I want to feed their addiction. I finally had to force them to stop so I could send them off to bed and get some computer time for myself!

We are gearing up for a rather hectic week. I'll be gone Tue evening until about noon on Thursday so I have lots of arrangements to be made. Then when I am back home I'll be suffering alot of pain and soreness but still have to deal with parent-teacher conferences and then later getting Jen out to have an MRI done on her knee. Friday is the big parade at 2pm and I have 3 of the kids involved in that. I'm dreading trying to keep up with everything while being so sore.

contentment.........It is such and awsome feeling! Just taking a leisurely stroll down the trails of a nearby park. Watching the squirrels play. Enjoying the beautiful, perfect, autumn day. ahhhhhh

best weekend!

James won a contest at work and received a weekend at a casino resort hotel. We didn't waste any money gambling but boy was the swimming pool, lazy river, and hot tubs awsome!!! It was just a nice relaxing weekend.











Once we were back home we went to a nearby park to just relax and enjoy nature together with the kids. We couldn't walk too far or fast with Jen hobbling along on her crutches. We ended up spending quite a bit of time in one area.











I went off down a trail with Jared while James and the others sat and just talked. Then we sat around and laughed while Jim, always the entertainer, balanced Jen's crutches in his hands.











All in all I believe it was a great weekend full of family that we all needed.

new exciting times

We've had a good start to the school year. We are (happily!) settling into the fall season and best of all without any hurricanes this year! There was so much talk of it being another busy season that it turned out to be a great relief.

Jim floundered around for awhile after school started. He wanted to play football - that is until the coach called him a N----. He had his schedule changed to theater arts (which he loves and is just perfect for him) and is taking a second math class. He seems to be trying really hard with making good choices right now. He was frustrated, though, because he is such an athletic person and was not involved in any sports whatsoever---that is until he found a swimming team to join. He is really excited about that.

My mom sent me an email last week concerning an article she had found in a magazine at the doctor's office and we now have a new family hobby. It is perfect for kids and kids at heart. You can check it out at letterboxing.org. My boys think 'treasure hunting' is just the coolest thing!I think it would be fun to combine letterboxing with another pasttime we love - camping.

And another project I am working on is a circle journal with my loopie buddies that have been together for almost 9 years. It is pretty fun. I got the first one in the mail yesterday and will have it until the end of the month. It is fun to combine friends and scrapbooking.

fresh meat?

In TKD the brand new green belts are called 'fresh meat' which I think is just hilarious. Today will be their first day sparring........the day that Jared has been dreaming of since he first started TKD. These boys are super excited this morning.

Dear James is getting plenty muscle-aching exercise with all the football refereeing that he is doing. (He has already been tackled several times pimp) He has been working about 7 games each week and lord-a-mercy he is about to get kicked out of the house and start sleeping outside in the dog house if he keeps using that super-scented BenGay. That stuff STINKS!!!!!!!

one of the biggest joys of parenthood

.......is watching your children's joy and excitement.

Today is TKD award ceremonies meaning belt rank promotions!!!! We just got home from the boys ceremony. That was one excited group of kids! lol I just love it! My boys are now officially ranked green belts. Jeff was hugging his belt and just enjoying the moment of his accomplishment. He is just the cutest kid sometimes. (uh hum-and then those two commenced to wrestle and fight on the way home grrr)

Anyway, we are all just grabbing a bite to eat and then heading back for Jen's award ceremony. She is being promoted to yellow belt rank. :)

good testing day

TKD is so much fun! (Well, not so much fun sitting in those blasted bleachers for hours while in pain but that's another story)

Our day started early. Jen had to be there before 8:00 am. (sigh) On a Saturday morning........ She did great even under pressure. She had really bad butterflies before so she couldn't eat breakfast, either. She is pretty timid but we're gently working on that. But, she did do a great job. I'm so proud of her for getting out there, despite the pain and fear, and doing awsome.

After sitting hours for her 10 minute show (hey, we got to watch the black belts in action doing their testing, though!) we had to rush home for lunch and a quick rest before heading out for Jared and Jeff's big moment. They did super-d-duper as well. Afterward we had dinner with my folks at Fuddruckers and then came home to relax for the evening. phew!

Two things........James wasn't there/didn't test this time. One because he was out with the cracked ribs for the past 8 weeks and two because he was off refereeing two peewee football games. Jim is wanting to take classes now, too, so I may have all five testing on next cycle in 8 weeks. yikes!

One thing that strikes me is the difference in the size of the yellow belt group vs the other levels. This group that is moving thru the ranks is twice the size of the white belts group as well as the green and blue belts groups.

I will try to get some testing pics added in the next few days.

ready for testing round 2

It's that time again! TKD belt testing day! Tomorrow (sometime!) I will have to get their uniforms washed and pressed. Jen will be early in the morning Saturday and the boys will be afternoon. Testing is exciting.

It will bring about some good changes, though. The boys will move up to the next level class so will be going an hour later........that means it will be their jr class and then followed by the adult class instead of jr class, followed by an hour of driving back and forth before the adult class..........a big time and gas saver for me!

busy but boring

Nothing has been happening in my life lately that would be something to write home about anyway.........just same 'ol, same 'ol

James is busier than ever. Not only does he work 14+ hour days but he has his TKD classes, his referee meetings, but now he is working games several times a week.......yet another reason for me to be glad when football season is over!

Jim has been doing great for the most part. That is except for last Friday night. He had a friend stay over and we got a phone call at 3am from the police department.......Jim and his friend were picked up out riding bikes in the middle of town after curfew. And he thinks he'll be getting his drivers liscense anytime soon??????? I'm glad he is the only one I have that gives me this much trouble.

I visited a local used book store this week. My list of do-able activities is very short so I've been reading more. I picked up several books in a series by Joan Johnston that I've been enjoying. I have books to read while recuperating from my third steriod injection this Friday. Yippee! I love reading. I used to stay up all night reading when I was in high school. James is always complaining about me falling asleep reading at night with my lamp on....oops!

I haven't mentioned TKD in awhile.........we have testing next weekend, Sept 16th. Boy, has the time flown since last testing! Anyway, Jen will be doing white belt testing (she has all her stripes now) and Jared and Jeff will be doing their yellow belt testing. My problem........after Jared and Jeff get their green belts I have to somehow scrounge up $450 for sparring gear. eek! I have no idea yet what I am going to do. I'll have to figure something out. But as green belts they'll be sparring (fighting but not hard). They are *really looking forward to that! lol

sad :(

With a house full of boys I've seen plenty "Crocodile Hunter" shows and Steve Irwin, with his enthusiasm, seemed like such an invincible person. His lose forces me to face my own mortality. The world was made a better place by him. My prayers are with him and his family.

too good to be true

slammed with pain this morning and now sick from the pain meds.........will it ever end?

keeping fingers crossed!

I afraid to think it but I think I may have finally got some relief from the worst edge of the pain with this second injection. Only time will tell.

It's been a semi-quite weekend. Too much football in my honest opinion. The kids didn't do one thing I needed them to do........bathe the dog, clean the dog kennel........ugh, these kids are so frustrating some times.

Getting the younger boys to bed earlier on school nights is another frustration........don't want to go to bed (I'm not sleepy, mom!) and don't want to get up........what's a mom to do?

round 2

Nothing ever goes off without some sort of hitch, huh? Plans for where I was going to stay/who was bringing me for my second spinal injection were changed at the last minute. Last minute changes like that always upset my apple cart preeeeetty bad. It all turned out well in the end, though. I spent a couple of relaxing days with my in-laws.

The injection itself was so-so. I was really dizzy for several hours after and I was left with a little less soreness than last time. I'm hoping I can get some relief from this one. More PT on Monday....

And on to other news......
My mom brought Jen, Jared, and Jeff to TDK on Thur evening since I was gone. Jared did his yellow belt form and got his blue stripe! Yay for Jared! He's so proud. Jen should be getting her white belt form stripe soon. She already knows most of it from watching her brothers.

Life is in fast speed as usual. Monday is lined up with some must-do things....dr appt for Jim and other errands along with trying to put in as many work hours as possible because Monday is always one of my big $ days.

School is going well. Jim decided to get out of football after one of the coaches called him the "N" word...........Can you believe that garbage???? A grown man calling a kid a name like that in this day and age???? Anyway, he is in drama now and I believe that is going to be an excellent outlet for him! Entertaining is in his blood.

Jim has been pushing to go see the World Trade Center movie and so while the younger boys were at my mom's house this afternoon we went to see it. It is really good. It's from the rescuer's point of view so focuses more on the goodness of mankind instead of the evil of that day. I was hesitant...not sure I wanted to relive the horrer of that day but I'm glad I saw it.

Oh, Buddy has hanging on me since I got home today! He missed me........everybody say awwwwe...lol He keeps licking my leg. icky but sweet at the same time

James has the Texans game on Do I *have* to???

jealousy

James' boss has an 8 month old black lab that he was told by his landlord had to go *now so my ever big-hearted dh met the dog, fell in love, and the rest is history.....

I think Jim has fallen in love! He has already taken him running with is bike. It's just the sort of dog that suits his personality.

Now Buddy, otoh, is acting soooo jealous! First he keeps barking at Max like he's telling him, hey this was *my family first! But the really funny part is his ball.......He has been carrying his ball around in his mouth. He will not set it down anywhere that Max can get it. Even when he carried it into my room and I closed the door he *still covered it with his paw as if to say "It is mine and I am not sharing!" pimp

He has been feeling unsettled this week anyway. With the kids gone all day he has become my shadow. He follows me everywhere I go in the house........It's like having a toddler all over again!

PS Max drools........omg, so disgusting!!!

good news!

In preparation for the beginning of school I have scored a major accomplishment!!! You know that perpetual never-ending laundry pile that you just never seem to be able to find the bottom of? I have succeeded in conquering it for the past two weeks! It is quite an accomplishment when doing laundry for a houseful of 6 people. We're talking not only washed and dried but folded, on hangers and put away where it all belongs. Everyone now has their entire wardrobe to choose from rather than just the 'clean' portion. :)

The key....a load of laundry goes in the machine first thing every morning, no exceptions. If necessary another load is done in the afternoon. Everything, every stitch, must be put away that same day, no exceptions. They are not allowed to linger in a laundry basket on the floor in the garage where the kids are prone to leave them. And they certainly can never take up space on the love seat where the kids want to just toss and go. I do wonder how long it will last before that never-ending laundry pile returns...

Now, the teens they are mostly responsible for their own laundry. If I find them in the dryer I'll fold and put them away but if I won't go searching in their teen dens for dirty clothes. I'm still working on the two younger boys. I'll get them doing their own laundry......eventually......

the rules

boy conversation overheard while playing with cousin's doll house and barbie dolls

Jeff: I have a wife and a girlfriend

Jar: No, you can not have a girlfriend if you have a wife.

Jeff: Why not???????

Jar: It's against the rules!

Jeff: Against who's rules?

Jar: It's against the wife's rules!!!

routines and school

With just one day left before the start of a brand new school year I've been trying/attempting to get these boys into their early to bed routine but that has been a big laugh, or should I say cry? They spend an hour after showers inventing reasons why they 'must' get back up out of bed. Tonight instead of the 8:30 bedtime it was 9:30 before I finally got them settled. I know......patience, it will happen. I am dreading the 1st week tired crankiness that always happens but we'll settle in quickly enough.

It's so hard to realize that this is Jared's last year in elementary. He'll be changing classes/teachers during the day. wah! It's exciting to see them grow up but sad at the same time. He is excited about being one of the 'big guys' on campus. lol

We have everything ready. I love that feeling. (wait, I do need to take Jen for a pair of sandles) I'm wondering, though.........We have had a shortage of those red checking pencils here. We're talking you can not find them ANYWHERE!!! I've searched office depot, mannings, staples.......you name it I've searched there. What I'm wondering is......is this just in our area or has the red pencil companies decided there is just no need for them any longer and quite making them??? I think there are going to be some teachers doing without their red marking pencils this year. There is a manilla paper shortage as well..........what is up with that? Sorry kids, no drawing this year........

James got the boys clothes out of layaway this evening. It was like Christmas with the boys going thru the box of clothes that they helped pick out in the first place. lol They seem to think a Superman shirt is mandatory school uniform or something. I have this sneaky suspicion that those will be the shirts of choice for the first day on Monday. What do you wanna bet?

Pretty please?????

Can we skip football season this year? For just one year can we, oh I don't know, maybe a top to bottom strike on all football games??? From Thur night JV games to Friday night lights to only able to find college ball on tv on Saturdays to several games on Sunday to Monday night football..........we are talking only 2 football free days a week for months on end.........ack! Living in a house full of testosterone during football season is enough to send any woman over the edge. Can you believe on our wedding night there was a Dallas Cowboy game on so after the reception we just *had to go do my in-laws house so he could watch the the game?!

Hmm, I wonder what it would be like if you could tivo life and just skip over the parts you want to avoid???

a PTD

p=physical
t=trying
d=day

I had to do the fasting bloodwork/dr visit this am so skipped the pain meds.......and that was just the beginning of my day. By the time I drove to the dr office my head and neck were just in wrenching pain so I decided a sick stomach might be better than the miserable pain and swallowed a pain pill. When that started making me sick I wasn't sure which was worse, the pain I continued to have or the now curl up and die sick stomach. Anyway, the dr visit took too long for me to do the PT before work so I came home and started working but the headache got so bad I ended up in bed for a few hours. Then it was PT and this and that and now here it is past 1 am and I'm just now slowing down for the night. phew! And now it is on to working all weekend cramming for the end of pay period so ttfn!

4 am

wide awake and unable to sleep.......don't you just love it!

Today will be an errands day for me, meaning not at home working. I go for bloodwork this morning. That always reminds me of an old friend, John. wah He was diabetic and would always say, "Well, I'm going to see the vampire today!" Anyway, then physical therapy and dealing with that nasty mess at the bank.......or maybe I should do the bank and then physical therapy.......

I was excited to get my boys home. Jeff is such the homebody that he was telling auntie Debra that he missed his mom and dad and wanted to go home after just one day there. Debra says they can come visit her any time because they are such well behaved and good mannered boys. (They even voluntarily made their own beds!!!) I needed to hear that with all the other chaos I'm having to deal with right now. It did give me a chance to spend some extra special one-on-one time with Jen. I really enjoyed that.

ack.......fasting+pain meds=sick stomach=must go lay down Need to squeeze in a little more sleep, anyway. :)

a welcome home

My two precious boys are coming home today! Yippee!!! I miss them quite alot when they are away but I'm glad they got their yearly summer week with auntie Debra. I'm sure they had a really fun time. Yesterday when I talked to her they were at the movie theater watching "The Barnyard".

more

I found out today that the injections mean more physical therapy....6 times per injection. I wasn't expecting that. It's just more scheduling worries.....work and school, therapy and TKD......where is the time for things like cooking and housework??? Sleep I can't avoid. The pain medications, muscle relaxer, and an assortment of other must-have medications have me walking/talking like a drunk gal every night. Waking every morning is an exercise of toothpicks and ice water. I have no idea how I'm going to manage to get these kids to school every morning. How did my life come to this?

OK, so I'm having a bad day.

I talked to the nurse today. I expected that the injection I had Friday would have improved my pain level by now. She says no, not to expect it with the first injection. Lovely. I seriously feel like my pain is just getting worse and worse. I'm sick of it. Completely and totally sick of it. I feel like a glass ball that is about to just shatter into a million pieces. I just don't want any more.

camping in the horrid heat

I managed to get a Friday appt for the injections so we left a day early for our weekend camping trip. The first night was good (after I downed my pain killers anyway!). We stayed at my in-law's home and enjoyed a nice visit. Friday am James drove me for the injections then we picked up the boys and set up camp. We put the tent under a tree and had an a/c to cool the tent (hey, told ya I can not live w/o my ac!!!). We actually got cold that night. But Saturday I woke up incredibly sore from the injections so I medicated up and found a cool place to sleep while the guys went swimming. They now are sporting red noses. But it just ended up being way too hot so we broke camp and spent the last night at my sil's house. The kids had tons of fun there riding the 4-wheeler and playing with cousin K. They wanted to keep my two younger boys so they are enjoying their last summer fling before school starts next week.............Yes, it's that time already. They'll be in school bright and early Monday morning and then I'll be back to the am/pm rush.

peas in a pod

Sitting in ER today I just had to laugh......laughter is the best medicine, though, right??? Anyway, James was sitting there going AHHH! every single time he coughs (bruised ribs) and I was sitting in another chair that was so uncomfortable I was afeared of falling out of the thing and complaining about my own pains...........yea, we are quite a sight to behold!!! An elderly middle-aged couple creaking and groaning every time we move! Well they gave him Vicodin for pain so now we *really are a sight to behold and listen too...........now we sound like a drunk elderly middle-aged couple creaking and groaning! Isn't it grand?????

TKD yellow belts

You could just feel the hum of
excitement today! These boys were ready by early afternoon to get dressed and go to the club. I was asked every 5 minutes, I think, if it was time to for them to get dressed in their uniforms. lol



Anyway, Jen and Grandma/Grandpa couldn't make it to the award ceremony so we brought the video camara and my digital. I'll put a few of them here.....

Next testing date is Sept 16th so they all have two months to learn their new patterns and one steps. Once they get all that down and get their green belts it will be buying gear at about $225 per person.........whoa!!! Boy, is *that going to be a bundle! But then they will be sparing and I *KNOW* they are going to just LOVE that!!!

There is also a tournament coming up on August 26th. That should be really fun if we decide to do that.

rain, pain, and gain

black, rainy days are so depressing!!!

saw a pain mgmt specialist today....now, not only will I be juggling work, kids, and home but I'll have to add trips to the Big City to the mix! It will be tough to find someone to take my place here while I am driven there and back in order to get injections in my neck....what a lovely thought. And on the pain front, my dear son stepped on a rusty nail at work so now I have him limping around, too.

As far as the gain....I stopped at Michael's today and picked up a bunch of t-shirts. They are on sale there 5/$10 so stocked up on a multitude of colors for some of us. I forgot to get the picture/storage boxes I wanted to get....dadblastit

white belt testing day

It was a busy day but, boy, was I a proud mama today watching my boys show off all they'd learned this summer. Grandma and Grandpa showed up along with my niece so I left my so comfortable (not) metal folding chair and sat in the much more (not) comfortable and crowded bleachers. It made me hurt pretty bad but I had a better view from there. I did bring my camara but.........the battery died after one picture! ACH! I'll have to get some good ones for award ceremony on Tue.

Anyway, I think they did well. Jeff popped out his form and one-steps. Jared made one mistake doing the form so they had everyone do it again and he popped it out the second try and did great with the one-steps. I didn't go to watch James' testing but he got frustrated and had a bit of a problem. I have to say, though, that it is the cutest thing to watch those little 5yos popping out those moves with such precision! Too, too cute!

So, after testing we went to Fuddruckers with Grandma and Grandpa for burgers then home where James and I both collapsed from exhaustion!

late preparations

It's 1 am and I just finished ironing/starching James' TKD uniform. His testing is scheduled for 8:30 am. The boys testing is at 2:30 so I plan to get theirs finished tomorrow.

We got school pre-registration packettes in the mail today for the two highschoolers. They have scheduled days to go pre-register, get locker assignments, books assigned, etc. Just one more sign that the summer vacation is almost over...

OK, gotta get some rest. It's going to be a fun but tiring day tomorrow. :)

good hollywood?

I came across this dvd rental website that I think I'm going to try out. They have supposedly cleaned up versions of your favorite movies.........sounds worth a try! The website address is http://hollygood.com.

summer grillin!

Throw some steaks on the grill, throw together some 'tater salad and bbq beans.......quick, yummy summer dinner - YEEHA!

Gee! This heat is about to chase me to the north pole! I don't know how much more of this my poor achin' body can take! Terri, are you *sure* you *really* want to move to Texas? I'm beggin for a big blast of a cold to blow in from the north!

And yet another late night for James.....I have no idea how he does it. As for me......."I am so loneleee, I am so loneleee, I have nobodeee to call my ownnnnn....."

end of a day

after a day of work, taxi-driving kids to work, cooking dinner and housework.....finally have the kids in bed and ah! Peace! Sweet, wonderful, peace! I love this part of the day..........then, oops! Turned the tv on and slammed with news - this trouble and that in the middle east. Who sees WWIII in the horizon?

My two boys are sooooo impressed with my cooking these days! pimp Tonight we had pork with some rice and snap beans followed by some yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. They still believe that I'm the best mommy in the world. (G) (That is until it was time for them to go to bed.) Ah, these boys!

The excitement is really building. Tomorrow is our last class before white belt testing!!! Saturday is testing day and then awards ceremony is next Tue. I'm itching to wash those belts so they'll be nice and sharp, no dirt, for testing day but noooo, not supposed to wash away that hard earned dirt so I'm doing my best to refrain myself! Jen is supposed to be starting classes in the next few weeks. I'm debating if I want to do TKD or join Curves. Can't quite make up my mind!?

Still waiting - waiting - waiting for James to fix my dryer! It's not drying clothes so my choices are hang them outside (when do I have the time?) or make a trip to the laundrymat every weekend (darn expensive when doing laundry for 6!!!) I need someone to chain him to that darn dryer until he replaces those thermostates!

darkness

One of those nasty little summer storms rolled thru last night although not too bad. There was, however, a gusty little wind that topped a pine tree KABAAM which fell over onto the high wires, dragging the wires down to the ground. We weren't even aware of it until a truck showed up and they shut off the power. The guy told me it would be a couple of hours before we had power again so we ate dinner out and expected it would be almost finished and back on when we got home...........WRONG! There was no one even working on it! ARGH Now, we've had practice living in the dark. Our post-Rita lives were uncomfortable to say the least. We have lanterns, flashlights, and candles aplenty. However, living without the comfort of cool air in this humid tropical climate without at least a fan is far from pleasant!!! It made for one miserable night. They finally showed up around 3ish and raised the wires off the ground. Today I am exhausted from lack of any restful sleep and in pain. I'm in love with my electricity and air conditioning. I can't live without them!!!

a sense of humor

I just have a this strong feeling that I am going to need one today! After a night of only restless sleep from the pain and now James' alarm going off every 6 minutes (that will continue for the next HOUR btw!) I am already annoyed and it's only 5am!

I just realized yesterday that the registration tags on my car expired last week. Big oops! I'll have to take care of that on my lunch break today.

Saturday after TKD class my boys didn't take off their uniforms right away after class like I *told them to do. Instead Jeff, while trying to pour himself a glass of GRAPE JUICE, no less, spilled the entire pitcher of juice all over his WHITE uniform. I decided to try that new SprayNWash duel action stuff so ran out and bought some from WalMart (my boys were thrilled to see me buy the stuff on tv and commenced to tell me all about how to use the stuff! pimp) so tried that on the grapejuice stains and what do you know? It all came out in the first wash! I was amazed!

School stuff.........that busy part of the summer that always gives me a thrill! lol I've already put clothes on layaway for the boys and placing orders for clothes for Jen. And I always hit the stores as soon they get the first school supply sales going. I've already stocked up on notebook paper for the year and gathered most of their required supplies. There are always those difficult-to-find items that I'll have to keep looking for. What I usually go back for are the pens and pencils we'll use throughout the year. I find it much easier to just fill our school storage cabinet in the beginning of the year with everything we'll need than to run to the store every time they need a pack of pens or box of crayons.

OK, need to get James' clothes out of the dryer....it only took him 45 minutes today to finally turn off the alarm clock and get up! Something is wrong with the dryer. It takes 2 hours to dry each load of clothes! What a pain! We think the problem is with the two thermostats that need to be changed again......just another honey-do for him.

OK, sleepy and will regret it if I don't get more sleep but will I get up in time for work if I go back to sleep? What do I do?

board breaking

James has been a little jealous of the boys getting all their stripes at TDK class this week but he got a special treat at class today..........breaking boards! It might be simple but a new, fun accomplishment for him.....too cool

flies

Just sitting here working, waiting on phone calls........James and boys are at TKD, Jen is away on her trip, Jim is at a friend's house.......so all is quite. You'd think it would be relaxing without the busy-ness of everyone being home but nooooooooo - I have a darn fly that is annoying the begeezees out of me!!!!!!!! round and round my head, tickling my arm, or setting on the front of my monitor. HOW did this thing get in here? Or more importantly HOW do I get it gone???? Quickly, before I lose my sense of humor........

I just talked to Jen on the phone. They didn't get there until the wee hours of this morning and are just getting started with their day at Fiesta, Texas. It's exciting to know she is off having fun. James has a *really hard time with letting the kids go off and do things on their own but I see these weekend trips as a weaning period to help us all adjust to when she is 18 next year and preparing to be on her own in a few years.........That will be tough for all of us, I know.

and they're ready!

Just a couple of weeks of polishing up on some things but they are *ready for testing! Yay for my boys!

wired!

It's 1 am and what am I doing? Awake and on the internet......Where is the sense in that? We have an early am trip to the dentist (an hour away in the rain - lovely!) and instead of sleeping like I *should be I'm too wired.

I just finished the final portion of my new certification testing....maybe that is why I sit here, awake, not sleeping, not resting, just awake with the heating pad on my lower back with James complaining about the keyboard clicking whilst he tries to sleep.........need to turn the fan up!

The holiday this week has really messed up my "schedule sense" for the week. We had no TaeKwonDo on Tuesday so I kept thinking Wednesday was Tuesday and planning to make class and then having to rethink it all. Hopefully class this evening will help me get my schedule sense back on track.

Life is rather boring around here, although I'd rather that than the alternative. Jen leaves Friday for a weekend trip. James leaves probably Sunday for a week in Florida. My work schedule is looking really light for next week. All my online loopies are busy with traveling, politics, and kids. Yea, they get to have all the fun.......(G) I think if my schedule stays as skimpy as it is now I'll plan some fun days with my boys. I *know they'll love that!

I gave Buddy a haircut yesterday. Most of the hair on his back half was matted so I started cutting that out before his bath. Well.......that left his top half (head and shoulders) shaggy and didn't look right so I cut *all of his hair.....James says he's the ugliest dog he's ever seen now! (which he is pretty ugly right now, btw!) I wonder how long it will take to grow out? Hey, at least it is probably much cooler for him in this heat!

I think I'd better attempt again to get some rest. I have to get up in oh....about six hours

rainy independence day

I'm enjoying some much deserved time off from work. ahhh

My boys
think cooking is fun. Here they are today trying to take over cooking lunch for the family. I have to wonder how eager they will be in a few years..........hmm?




I spent all day Saturday with my little sweetie shown here. He was lonely after his sister died from an illness so he spent the entire day either on the back of my computer chair (shown here) or on my tummy when I took a nap. Unfortunately, my heart is now heavy because he is no longer with is, either.



On a good note, I finally finished the testing for the new certification for the contract work I do. I have one last piece of the training then I can start scheduling for that project as soon as I get my log-in info. Hopefully it will prove to be less stressful than the last project I've been working.

We have family coming over for brisket, bbq beans, cole slaw, cornbread, cakes and other goodies, and no telling what else James or my mom have come up with........It will be enough to make the tummies happy, that much I do know!!! We may try to find a firework display later, depending on the weather.

Happy 4th of July!!!

a sad day

in memory

my sweetie here on the right side



I discovered her ill in the bottom of her cage this afternoon. We tried to help her but she died this evening.

I was never able to gain her trust like I did with her brother but she was still a sweetie. She was really shy and dependant on her brother. She followed him everywhere he went around the house when I gave them free time. We'll miss her greatly and I know my little fella sitting here on my shoulder is going to miss her even more than we will.

school of hard knocks

As a parent, you see the signs of heartbreak ahead. You dread what you can see in the future for your child. Then it happens. I have my hands full for now. sigh

blue stripe!

Last week my youngest asked if he could get a light saber if he got his blue stripe. "Sure" I said. Well, he wanted me to pay up today. He showed that he'd been practicing and nailed his white belt form! Yippee! I'm so proud of my boys. Next, on to that red stripe and then yellow belt testing in three weeks!

Jim got his first paycheck today and in normal immature 15 year old fashion, blew it all in one day. grrrr

nice time with my boys

James can't stand to have the boys in kitchen when he's cooking. I don't know why. It has always been a fun time spent with my kids.

We'd been running as usual and were all starving when we finally got home so my younger two just naturally followed me into the kitchen. They first off wanted to express their thoughts on what we should cook and we finally settled on a favorite of ours.......scrambled hamburger w/gravy, rice, veggies, bisquits.......just a simple, tasty meal. They pitched in right away wanting to chop the onions and pulling out the pans needed that were in the lower cabinets. They stayed involved from beginning to end and we just had alot of fun working together. The best part is with their own time invested they thought it was the best meal ever. For my part, I love making these great memories with my kids. I wouldn't give it up for the world.

what a day!

Beautiful outside. Sunshine with a spattering of clouds and warmer than my delicate skin prefers......but inside was a different story. I still prefer the idea of working at home but some days some of these people just wear me out! Getting chewed up and spit out for doing what I was trained to do and following procedures does sometimes make me want to throw up my hands and quit. There are a lot of angry people out there. On the other hand, most of the people I deal with are great. I get plenty of compliments, as well, from people that appreciate what I do. It really helps. Always be kind to those poor folks that answer 800 numbers.......you just might be talking to me!

Tomorrow looks to be another crazy one for me.......working, driving kids to and from work, waiting for a repairman for the stove and hoping he gets here before I have to leave for my doctor appointment tomorrow afternoon, then dinner and church. What happened to my lazy days of just playing with my babies all day???

Actually, I've been thinking alot lately about how different my life would be right now if I hadn't lost my two babies, esp. the last one....thinking about how my life would be affected by having a newborn right now. I'm torn. Some days I want to try again. I feel that emptiness. I want the joy and wonder of a brand new life. I love my kids and would love to have more. OTOH, my word, I am 40! What am I thinking?!?!?!

steppin' out for a moment...

It is HOT! I'm in PAIN! James is in a MOOD! I'm ready for a vacation from my life....is that allowed?

short circuit

I know better....or at least I should. I need to write down every appointment, otherwise I'll forget something. Yesterday was work, as usual, that I'd cut short for an important afternoon meeting. Later was TaeKwonDo with practicing beforehand to try to get the form down to get another stripe. The boys count the days between classes. On the way home from class I get the phone call........I forgot that we were supposed to skip TaeKwonDo and instead was supposed to bring my son to therapy. Blast it all! He needed it this week and now I'm out a freaking $40 fee for missing an appointment. I need use a permanant marker and write across my wall really large WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN, YOU DIMWIT!!!

I'm in the midst of a decision. I have a chance to take on another project with my job. It could be good. It's not *exactly what I wanted but another opportunity. It won't stop me from the opportunity that I really want but may delay it a bit. It is just with my hectic summer schedule (who am I kidding...my school schedule will be just as bed!) I don't know if I want to take on the training it will require over the next two weeks. What to do??? I'm sure I'll probably take on the challenge. I always do.

My biggest frustration of the day.......knowing I was working right up to when we had to leave for a doctor appointment and not be home again until past 7:00 I asked these teens to *please cook dinner for us before we had to leave. No such luck. What else is new?

I do have to say, though, that therapy left me feeling ready for a nap today!!! It didn't last long......I left there to make what is normaly a 15 minute trip but today was 45 minutes........what a pain! But the massage and therapy helped ease some of the pain for awhile. I think I might need to send James to a massage class.........hmm..........

Saturday morning weighin wk1

WooHoo!!! I beat him! I beat him!

I lost 5lbs and he lost 4lbs.

OK, now on to next week......without my bike :(

a day of relaxation

It has been quite awhile since I've had the leisure of not having to work or run off somewhere.......not that I didn't have plenty to do around here but I took a much needed ahhh day. I do have to go to therapy later but not much work in getting a massage. (G)

It has been a quite day unless you count the fit the teen threw over being grounded from the phone. He thought he could annoy me enough I'd let him do whatever he wanted. He quickly found out that would just get his grounding extended......and believe me, loosing phone priviledges is tuff for him. He thinks he'll just die if he has to go one day without talking to his girlfriend. Tough luck! He needs to learn to be more respectful.

I walked past the younger boys room earlier. They had made tents and all their beanbag chairs and pillows on the floor underneath and there they were with a light and looking thru one of their treasure hunt books....they *love those books. They said they "were relaxing". too cute

And Jen? Why she is in there napping, of course! For a kid that used to absolutely HATE sleeping (thought she'd miss something!) it is amazing how much she wants to sleep now. The worrisome part is it is showing up in her weight and she doesn't care to cooperate to do something about that.

I somehow got a stinkin' virus on my computer. It would spontaniously restart whenever it wanted. Then I found that my virus subs. had expired. argh Because I work at home and depend on the stability of my computer I had to take care of that today. After I finished that I loaded a printing program I had bought for the boys and they had fun making/printing a few things. They made a Father's Day card that is just too cute. I need to figure out what we are getting James for Father's Day. I'm clueless at this point.

my fighter trainee

I watch this little boy working hard to get his yellow belt and I just have to admire him. Despite the struggles and frustrations he has had all his life he still picks himself up and moves on the the next thing. The frustration at his limitations does make him quit often but with most things he is willing to come back and try again and again. Watching him this evening at TaeKwonDo class I was reminded of him coming to me just a month ago, disappointed with himself at what he felt where his failures. He asked me, "Mom, why am I not good at anything?" I had to struggle to come up with a good answer for him. So I was watching him this evening, watching how well he is doing after just 2 weeks of class. I'm excited to watch him do something that he is great at doing! I makes me want to do everything possible to make sure I have the money to keep him in it. It's good for him......healthy and esteem building.

little miss homebody

I half expected this to happen..........She has been working what, 2 weeks now? Jen is already talking about when she can quit. She wants some of her summer to be free to do nothing. She does need down time because she takes quite a heavy load of classes but I think having a summer job is a great experience as well. It's not like she works every day. She is working four days a week and some of those only 3 hour shifts. What is a mom to do?

crash and burn

I'm sad today. My $10 yard sale stat. bike broke yesterday. :(

other people's kids

People can be so frustrating sometimes! My son has a couple of friends, twin brothers. So I've told them and their mom that I work at home. I guess I am going to have to be explicit and tell them not to come here at all during the week. Here is what happened yesterday...

They both showed up here about 8:30. My son had already left for work and I was working my morning shift. Then they hang around here the entire day! Mind you, these boys are 15 and my youngest boys are 7 & 10. So then I have to deal with them wanting me to leave my young boys with them while I ran my daughter to work.......NO WAY......Or dealing with them wanting to hang out at my house while I have to go out for an appointment which makes me late. But the worst of what happened was their mom showing up at my son's workplace, risking his job, demanding to know where her boys were!

So, yes, I am annoyed. I am usually a pretty easy going person but I don't think it is too much to expect others to respect my time. I'm a busy person as most of us are.

a contest

Well, dh finally did it. He got me to agree to a contest. I've agreed to a $5 payout if he loses more weight than me during the next 4 weeks. Of course, he has a great advantage over me..........all HE has to do is starve himself and he drops inches in no time. I can't do that so I have alot of hard work ahead of me. He's doing TaeKwonDo with the 2 little boys. I had him pick up a stationary bike at a yard sale so I've had a great start with that. I ride at least 30 minutes everyday while I'm watching news. I tell you, though, one huge advantage of the stat. bike is being able to do it indoors!!! I'm a big weenie! lol I hate the heat. I can work up a good sweat and get my pulse up to a good rate all with my trusty fan going. hehe No, it helps me from getting so hot I have a darn asthma attack. Anyway, weigh-in is Sat. morning........watch for an update!

bored outta my mind

OK, so I go from racin' to being bored outta my mind at work.......never a happy medium there.

It's quite this am. The noisy teen is gone to work and the two young'uns are still sleeping. And of course, as soon as I start on this things start shakin'! And being hungry is not making my mood any better.

la la la.......I'm bored.........It's sunny and HOT. I need to set up the slipnslide tunnel for the young'uns for this afternoon. If they run and play in the water for a couple hours then get an hour of TaeKwonDo they should be a couple of tired little boys tonight! hehe I like to keep them busy and active.

a buddy!!!

introducing our newest family member........Buddy!

He is a 16 month old Lhaso Apso and just the greatest guy. We love him already. He's gentle but loves running and playing with the boys or just cuddling.

pain, pain, and more pain

I'm sick of seeing doctors, dealing with insurance companies, and the rat race I'm in at the moment. This week I'm working 40 hours while in pain all the while chauffering kids to work, dr visits, TaeKwonDo, etc, etc and I am exhausted! TaeKwonDo is proving to be great for these two youngun's. They are actually quite good at it. The summer jobs for the teens are going great. I'm glad. Jen needs something to get her out of the house - she is too much of a homebody and Jim needs something to use up some of his excess energy.........and boy does he have some!!! (Besides, I can use some relief from buying school clothes. hehe)

a long while...

Wow, so I forgot all about my poor blog waiting out there in cyberland. I've been too engulfed in things like..........oh, moving and Rita recovery. It's been a busy year but then when don't I have a busy year? huh?

Memorial Day has been quite for us this year for several reasons. One, it's kinda hard to have the outdoors grillen', water fun, watermelon eating holiday we usually have......the cats and dogs have been pouring out of the sky all day! boohoo But besides that fact, I was body slammed by an eighteen-wheela the other day so I'm feeling a mite sore! Pain killing and bed rest have pretty much been the order of the day for me. I was supposed to be working at a kids camp in two weeks but gonna have to cancel that. It was a nutty idea anyway........Can you imagine trying to keep a dorm full of 8-11 yo girls in line??? phew! No, I'm going to miss being there but it's what I have to do for now.

later, gator...........oh, yea...I need to post my gator wrestling pics!!! wowee!