Summer Break Week One

Whew!!  I got a bunch done this first week of summer.  Senior pictures for child #1, ortho consult and commitment ($1,000 less than anticipated--whoo! whoo!) as well as driving school for child #2, dentist for child #3, and a voluntary/required training for me.  The in-laws came to visit on Friday and left Sunday morning.  I looked at our side yard--which was embarrassingly overgrown.

Since the entire weekend was picture perfect weather, I talked the kids into helping me for thirty minutes.  Daddy even came out to help (on Father's Day!).  Below is the productive "after" the help.  So much better.

Heat and humidity have now entered the picture--so much for more productive days outdoors.

First Day of Summer Vacation!

Today is the first day of summer vacation.  It is a time to relax, sip drinks with umbrellas, prop up my perfectly manicured toes, eat bonbons, and read books.  Oh wait . . . that is only in the movies.  I did take the weekend off of some of the normal cooking and cleaning duties to pick up today.

Actually summer is my catch-up time, and a time to give my husband (who does not get time off) a break.  This summer I am so excited because I do not have to run child 1 & child 2 to sports practice.  Child 1 has her driver's liscence; Child 2 will be working on hers. Child 3 has "running club" two nights a week--but 1 & 2 are doing community service by helping.  I may even get out of driving to some of those!  I have a day-long training on Friday, but them I am taking a week or two off of anything school related.  It will be mindless reading and cleaning.

It takes me most of June to get the house back into order.  I gut every room, reorganize, donate, throw away, etc.  Then the family spends August to May trashing it again--ha! ha!

We need to find time to visit family six hours away.  Is that going to be one trip?  Two?  Do we drop the kid(s) off and come back?  I still need to figure this out.

Then there are the appointments:  senior pictures (WOW!), four dentists, four physicals, one gynie, and the beginning of child 2 and orthodontics.  This, of course, may require a pit stop to the oral surgeon to remove wisdom teeth.  Driving school and on-road appointments.  Babysitting commitments.  Tutoring.  OK--so much for the umbrella drinks.  Playdates?  What are those?

I do love the summer with my kids.  It is the time where they are the priority.  I get to reconnect with them during walks, rainy day movies, etc.  I know these days are numbered.

After reviewing summer plans, I think I need to nap . . . nap time IS the biggest perk of summer after all.  I would choose a nap over an umbrella drink any day!

One Good Thing About Snow

We are expecting Snowmagedeon #8,274 for the season today.  I am not a snow person--except that two-inch covering when you wake up Christmas morning and one day for a snow day at school.  We have had SEVEN snow days this year (in all fairness--one or two because of extreme cold and not snow).  I have finally found something wonderful about winter.

Yesterday at 3:00 in the afternoon, I was finishing up cleaning the house and getting ready to jump in the shower.  I was still wearing pajamas--soft yoga pants, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt.  Now, if a neighbor or salesperson stopped by, I could pull them off as regular "cleaning" clothes instead of "oooh--you are still in your pajamas in the middle of the afternoon" clothes.  See--there IS a perk to winter!

I Am A Genius!!!!

I just read an NPR article that stated one in four Americans believes the sun rotates around the earth (see HERE for link).  This statistic is based on a study done by the National Science Foundation.

I would like to add to the above caption that only one in four Americans believe this--Ha! Ha!  I LOVE to read things like this.  I feel like a genius!!!

2013 To-Do List Revamped

I created a list of 100 things to do in 2013, and I am proud to say I accomplished half of them.  I am rather impressed.  Like any year, there were those ups and downs and surprises and predictable events.  In the whole scheme of things, they shape us into the people we want to be.

I am not even going to try to do a 2014 list--I'll just bump over the items I didn't accomplish last year that would still be relevant.  In the whole scheme of things, the fact that I did not purchase new living room lamps or an immersion blender will not drastically alter my future.  But . . . they would still be nice to acquire . . .

I'll dedicate this year to paring down, organizing (who ever thought of making organization a goal for the year--ha! ha!), and simplifying.  This would include more frugal living (I've got an airconditioner unit to replace and child #2 braces--yikes!).  I would also like to continue to control my stress level.  All of these are interrelated.  Cheers!

Morning Peace And Quiet?

I've been out of writing . . . again just because I haven't prioritized "writing" time as well as diligent bloggers do.  I've also been missing reading some of my favorites since Google dropped Google Reader, but anyway . . .

I was catching up on all the buzz of my family and friends on Facebook this morning.  One of my friends posted a beautiful picture of her tree and commented about the peace and beauty of the morning before everyone gets up.  I can relate to this feeling--often pre-dawn hours before the other 4 (the dog gets up with me) in the house are up and needing is a blessed time.

Then my husband comes down the stairs at an early hour for him on a Sunday.  "Do you hear that?  I think we have a cat in our house?"  After exploring, I think we have two cats that are courting just below our bedroom window.  Who knew cats could make such noises (more like a wild beast sound) and so loud?!?!?  I tried to pick up a little snowball to toss toward them to scare them away--the ground is now frozen after yesterday's rain/ice.  I walked outside and tried to yell at them.  I got about six yards away--they still did not move and continued making noises.  I saw Pet Cemetery when I was young--and I am certain the one cat (though it was too dark outside to confirm) was giving me that look with accompanying sound.  I went back inside.  Not wanting to spend time getting my rabies shots a week before Christmas, I ran inside and locked the door (the door locking was just in case Stephen King was in town!)!

So much for peace and harmony!  Tis the season!

Stupid Gifts Blog

I think someone ought to start a "Stupid Gifts" blog.  I have the first item that he or she may want to review.  I was standing in line to purchase a gift after work one day, and I scanned the "stocking stuffers" displayed.  Of course these items are always under $10 and meant as an add-on because after standing in line for ten minutes, you have convinced yourself that someone you know cannot live without this item.  I did not, however, fall into the marketing trap.  I was laughing at the desperateness of coming up with said items.

The winner of the stupidest item on the rack was the head scratcher.  As my joints no longer bend the way they used to, I get the back scratcher.  But a head scratcher?!?!?  It actually would require a more complicated body contortion than would be worth it.  Actually, the item itself for some reason really creeps me out; it reminds me of a spider trying to eat my head.  Who knows . . . maybe I should go back and purchase one to have wrapped under the tree for that hard-to-buy-for person.  Naw . . . a box of chocolates is much more practical!

Yahoo! Pour Me Another Cup of Coffee!

I really love my coffee.  I love holding a warm mug (yes--even in summer) and just sipping.  I am not a coffee connoisseur, though.  I have been known to warm the same cup of Tim Horton's coffee at school a few times, then finish it on the way home.  Coffee is best when it is hot and strong (I don't even need the caffeine).  I THINK I drink a lot of coffee--but I really don't.  I probably actually drink about 16 ounces a day.  I was relieved when I saw this article from NPR: How many cups of coffee per day is too many?

According to this article, a person can consume no more than four eight-ounce cups of coffee per day before significant health side-effects take place.  Wow--that's a lot of coffee!  Even better news--coffee consumption has little effect in people over 55 . . . well, that it quite some time away.

I know this does not mean that the amount I drink per day is healthy, but it doesn't make my habit seem quite so bad.  I'm off to pour a one-inch "warmer" into my mug.

What ever happened to the $25 oil change?

Last week, in preparation for a couple long drives, I took my van in for that simple oil change.  The FrenchFry mobile (as I term it for that permanent smell it gets with kids) has 70,000 miles on it.  I had not had the "good" oil change in a while--so I sprung for the $50 oil change.  Of course, this yielded discoveries that I walked out of the place after spending $175.  Yuck!  Nonetheless, I felt safe knowing it was checked over before my trips.

But . . . it just couldn't be that easy.  It was rainy on our trip to Indiana.  Every time we (my husband drove TO our destination; I drove HOME) pushed on the brakes, the entire van shimmied . . . a hole bunch.  This has been occurring for some time, but my husband pointed out that this amount of movement is not normal.  I agreed to take it to the dealership this time to get checked out.

Well . . . the $90 brake inspection yielded two repairs totaling $1,200!

Nearly $1500 later, my van should be ready for this weekends trip to grandmas.  I am so glad I got that $20 oil change!!!!!!

Where is Amsterdam?

Nearly every day one of my children says something that is funny, shocking, awe-inspiring, or just plain . . . uh . . . well . . . dumb.  My middle child were talking about a book that she finished (which I recommended).  I was thrilled that she actually read something!  But then it came . . .

"I didn't know Amsterdam wasn't in the United States!"

Can you hear the crickets chirping in the shocked silence?!?!?

"Uh no, honey.  Have you ever heard of Anne Frank?  Tulips?  Windmills?  The Red Light District?  Anything?"  Our education dollars at its finest.

Sewing restart?

I don't think I've really touched my sewing machine in about two years.  Not sure why.  I'm not very good, never had a lesson, but I come from a family (grandmother, aunt, and mother--who made my wedding dress!) who have excellent sewing skills.  Well--I literally blew the dust off my machine to sew an ipad cover.

We were given ipads for the summer because our school will be implementing them for all eighth graders for the first time in the fall.  However, we did not get a cover/case . . . those will be coming in August.  I could not wait for one, nor was I going to shell out money for one, either.  Then I came across a pattern/tutorial on Pinterest.  I've never really followed a pattern, but my result cost me ZERO dollars (scrap fabric and batting I had sitting around).  I bet it took me less than an hour.  Had some difficulty in figuring it out, but it meets my needs.  I pulled the top center down to see the black-n-yellow polka dot lining.  Now . . . what to work on next?!?!

Pattern I tried to follow can be found HERE.

Reading Story #1

I would classify my husband as a non-reader.  In fact, he refers to the Chelsea Handler "trilogy" as the greatest work of literature in the 21st century.  Enough said.  He has been reading more for his academic program and for his job.  When he came home from work last night, he told me he has a book he'd like to recommend that he thinks I would like.  Really?!?  Some common reading interest!!!  I'm listening!

My husband would like me and my high school daughters David Allen's Getting Things Done.  (I think he was a speaker he arranged at work).  At this point I'm still happy and still listening.  He proceeds to tell me how this book will make me "more efficient."  Oooops!  Mistake #1.

Perhaps the look for murder in my eyes was his first clue (he actually caught on!) . . . let the backpeddaling begin!  Stammering, he proceeds, "I mean . . . uh . . . it is about making lists to free your mind . . . um . . . and . . . uh . . .  I know you have a lot going on  . . . uh . . ."

Glaring continues.

"Uh . . . I thought since you do so much, this will help you feel like you have more time to yourself."

Glaring eases.  He should have stopped there, but he's male.

"And . . . uh . . . if you and the girls are more productive, then there will be less for me to do?!?!?" At this point both my daughter and I kicked him out of the room.

Things to add to my list--make a dog house for my husband.

He Doesn't Ask For Much #2

It had been a typical crazy five day week back to school after two weeks off.  I had to take a vanload of girls to a visitation, and we were waiting for the daddy-of-the-house to get home to take my son to his basketball practice.

"Hey, mom?" he asked.  "Do you think maybe I could get a new pair of shoes sometime soon?"

"Sure," I replied.  "Maybe this weekend.  Are yours getting too tight?"

"No.  I noticed the one has a crack at the bottom."

I asked him to show me the shoes:

Once I recovered from the shame of not knowing his shoes were so worn, I told him we would go tonight to get new ones.  By the time my husband had gotten home and I relayed the information, my son had brought down piggy bank money to pay for his new shoes.  He truly is the sweetest.  Needless to say, he has new shoes AND still has all his piggy bank money.

To Do List for 2013

I don't do New Year's resolutions; I often to Lenten promises.  However, Running Green Girl (Running Green Girl Blog) gave me a better idea.  I did a smaller "to do" list in 2012.  In 2013, I hope to accomplish the following:

Attend 100 masses

Create on online photo album for 2013

Start online photo album for daughter 1 (high school years)

Start online photo album for daughter 2 (high school years)

Read 100 books (I read 80 in 2012)

Teach son to swim

Force . .  . I mean . . . encourage more strongly son to ride his bike

Paint my bedroom

Recaulk upstairs windows (if not replacing)

Attach new weather stripping to front door--10

Log 100 30+ min. exercise sessions

Renew professional membership

Complete level 2 catechesis certification

Go geocaching five times with my son

Run one road or trail race

Replace toilet seat in main floor bathroom

Replace toilet seat in bathroom in master bedroom

Plant a new perrenial

Finish daughter 1’s quilt

Finish daughter 2’s quilt--20

Send 100 thank you notes

Revise my resume

Get a full-time teaching job (or pick up a tutoring student to generate more income)

Volunteer 25 hours to church-specific tasks

Grow strawberries in the garden

Take the main library’s grant-writing class

Volunteer 25 hours for mommy/school (son) tasks

Volunteer 25 hours for mom/school (daughter) tasks

Complete (and eat) one batch of canned veggies

Work on my “for fun” blog--30

Work on my teaching blog

Spread a load of dirt around yard and near house

Mulch landscaping in spring

Complete (and eat) one batch of freezer jelly

Enter 100 personal journal entries

Get my annual female exam

Enter 100 prayer/religious journal entries

Find a general  practice physician

Work on writing with son and “his blog”

Print up new curriculum on individual (numbered) cards and laminate--40

Create a vocabulary journal for students in 7^th grade

Create a literature notebook for 7^th grade

Teach daughter 1 to drive and get license

Get my eyes checked and order much-needed bifocals

Teach daughter 2 to drive in late autumn/early winter

Continue to reduce the amount of waste in trash can

Compost even more

Participate in National Write a Novel month

Continue being diligent with making purchases when on sale

Drink more green tea vs. coffee--50

Utilize more paperless techniques with family

Utilize more paperless techniques with teaching

Be able to do 100 sit-ups

Be able to complete 100 push-ups in one day

Explore more herbal remedies for headaches and minor ailments

Plant more herbs this year

Purchase an indoor herb container

Set up a Google docs account for school

Set up a “teacher” Goodreads account for my students to view

Create artwork for master bedroom--60

Create artwork with Fiesta ornaments

Start setting money back for Christmas (like I did for husband’s computer—cash only)

Purchase new lamps for living room

Recaulk children’s bathtub/shower

Restock car’s first aid kit

Renew CPR/first aid certification

Eat and review a new fruit each month

Reorganize kitchen

Eat and review a new veggie each month

Discover and review a new main course recipe each month--70

Discover and review a new side dish recipe each month

Drink three water bottles (reusable, of course) each day

Get a manicure/pedicure with my girls to kick off summer

Begin to organize family photos

Organize household paperwork (including old checks, receipts, tax returns)

Create a family emergency binder

Download a “classic” song and a “new” song from itunes each month

Discover and review a new desert recipe each month

Purchase new cushions for outdoor chairs

Purchase a reading nook chair for my bedroom--80

 

Find a desk and refinish (if necessary) for son’s room

Purchase a food processor

Donate old television in our basement

Find a coffee table of sorts for front entry of house

Go to a garage sale

Purchase an immersion blender

Go antique shopping just for fun

Organize two service projects through school

Create an art or creative project each month (and be brave enough to post pic)

Send great-gma a monthly letter (vs. phone calls)--90

Organize online video resources on a teacher acct.

Purchase a microplane grater

Catch lightning bugs

Play in the sprinklers with the kids

Have a water balloon fight

Make homemade icecream for neighborhood kids

Try a new wine each month

Take a writing course, a writing workshop, or join a writing group (formal or informal)

Learn to make rosaries (for Rosary Club)

Pray one of the hours 100 days this year (thanks to the iphone app)--100

 

I better get started . . . well, on the wine part anyway.  Happy New Year!!!!

 

 

He Doesn't Ask For Much #1

When my son was just four days old, he was in a kindergarten classroom for his sister's Star-of-the-Week family day.  He was attending the YMCA basketball games at two weeks old.  And he continues to just tag along anywhere we need him to go with rarely a complaint.  He doesn't ask for much.

At Christmas, we cover about 1,000 miles in four or five days.  He has to wait to get home to play with many of his gifts--including two very cool "gross science" experiment kits.  I promised we would do them when he gets home.

After four nights away, we finally arrived home to a snowy home--having to shovel the drive to pull into it then proceeding to unpacking the van, laundry-palooza, etc.  Got things under control and fed everyone.  My husband had a dinner engagement with friends.  The girls went upstairs to catch up on computer/texting.  My son went to the basement (aka--"kid cave") to chill and watch televsion.  I poured myself a glass of wine, lit the fire, turned on a movie only appropriate for moms, and huddled under a new Christmas gift quilt.

No joke--three minutes later, my son walks upstairs to ask, "Hey mom, if you are not too busy, could we please do a science experiment now?"  As if that wasn't sweet enough, he adds, "If you are too tired, we can wait until tomorrow."  It took mom super powers to smile, put my wants on hold, and swab bellybuttons, between the toes, ears, and nostrils.  He was thrilled.  And guess what--the wine, fire, and movie was just fine later.

Prayer for the Blessing of Children

This blessing comes from the older Roman Ritualor Collectio Rituum from 1954. It has been revised since then, but the former one can still be used.

Prayer:

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who made heaven and earth.

V. Our God is full of mercy. R. The Lord has care for little ones.

V. O Lord hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. The Lord be with you. R. And with your spirit.

PRAYER

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Who, begotten in eternity, yet didst will to he born in time; Who dost love the innocence of childhood, and didst lovingly embrace and bless the little children who were brought to Thee: anticipate the needs of this child (these children) with Thy tender blessings, and grant that no evil may corrupt his (her, their) mind, but that advancing in age, in wisdom, and in grace, he (she, they) may live so as to please Thee always. Thou Who dost live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

May the peace and the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son + and Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever.

R. Amen.

Coveted First Dip of Peanutbutter

OK--one of our standing family jokes/conflicts/competition is who gets to open the new jar of peanutbutter and be the FIRST to insert the knife.  Brand new peanut butter looks so perfect and smooth, compared to a jar that has been shared with us five savages.  Last two times, my younger daughter won the task, and she was nearly tackled both times in an effort to prevent her from making that first swipe.

This morning, I noticed she was scraping the bottom of the jar of peanutbutter, but managed to get enough for her school lunch.  I had just purchased a two-pack at Sam's.  When everyone left the house, I--in all my maturity--carefully opened the multi-pack, lifted the lid, and used a toothpick to write a message.

"Too Late" was written with a toothpick.

I then sealed the jar back up without ever removing it fully from the package.

I placed the package back in the pantry and will wait to hear the shrieks when it is discovered what I have done.

Not sure why these loaded sideways--they are the right way in my computer file--hum?

Mom of the Year

My Mom-of-the-Year nomination story.   My daughter is now ready to get her driver's permit (she could have gotten it in July, but was not ready).  We got up early (first day of T-giving break!) to be there when it opened.  I got all the necessary documents and more . . . just in case.  I had both of our social security cards, our tax returns, our insurance cards, our mortage papers, her school id, an envelope sent to her at our address, and her birth certificate.  Or so I thought it was her birth certificate.  After the 35 min. drive to the place and ten minutes standing in the wrong line, we finally were where we needed to be.

The lady looked at our birth certificate--you know, that piece of paper we needed to get her registered in TWO different school districts, that we needed for taxes (I believe) at some point, and that we needed for life insurance policies.  Well, who knew the little foot print thing with a seal is not a legal document?  We had three kids in three different states--and the last one they told us we needed to do some extra "stuff" that we found weird.  I thought our poor children had two fairly intelligent parents with SOME common sense--now I wonder!

Long story shorter--two wasted hours, tears of disappointment, and paperwork to get into the mail so we can try again when the REAL birth certificate comes in.  Aaaahhhhgggggg!  Even then, it is ANOTHER six months before we can get the real liscense!  I'm going to be a taxi driver to my children forever!!!!

Card Shower

I have a friend who was diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago.  Only close family and relatives are allowed to visit, but many of us so want to help.

We decided to throw her a card shower.  If you go to the following link ( http://www.hallmark.com/Events/LoadAddCardShowers ), the website does all of the hard work for you.  You can even post the invite on a facebook page.  We hope this fun little burst of love helps take away some of the isolation she is feeling. 

This cite would also be great for special birthdays, etc. 

Teacher Pic #2

I was trying to do some cross-curricular writing with students.  They worked on a paper describing a piece of art by Matisse. 

It is a little hard to read, but the student wrote the following:  "Henri made a good choice of making those how he did.  He had those nice, genital, brush strokes, . . ."  Wow!  I have heard of finger painting; however, Matisse (according to this student's paper) has moved this to a whole new level!