Parents have arrived

My parents our here..
I almost cried when they came through the door and then again when I read the birthday card my dad gave me about "heroes" and me being their's.
I so hope the boys are good
I hope my parents have a fun time and don't regret the long drive up here and want to head back sooner rather than later

not.good.combination

surly hormonal 10 year old+hormonal pms'ing mother= not good
Thankfully this is only in spurts at this time

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve

So here I sit typing on the computer on a Christmas Eve that is probably one of the most non-traditional ones I have ever had. This does not mean this is a bad thing, just for a very traditional Christmas "nazi" it is a little strange. Due to a "possible" blizzard, the in-laws did not make it so the usual cooking, cleaning, and preparing that we do went out the window. Today we went and did stocking stuffer shopping, bought some small cooking appliances, and worked out. The work out wreaked havoc on my body due to an embarrassing story. I hurt my neck/shoulder while over zealously playing WII boxing against Suree-after too many glasses of her homemade eggnog, and then lifted through the pain, which now has me stiff necked and sitting with a heating pad. I iam wavering between lots of mulled spiced wine or a muscle relaxer.
I am looking forward to the polar express later, we have been saving this xmas movie for tonight and then final Santa gifts WHICH both frys made a list TODAY and put it under the tree. Needless to say the last minute wishes will not be under the tree-thank goodness I gave the grandparents those great ideas:).
So here I sit blogging on Christmas Eve, hoping you all have a happy holiday, Carey-with her new house and uber sized family. Karen with Mel and his guest, and pajamas. Bobbi, who is waiting for the blizzard inside her colorful house with the shiny bright lights, and Chris who is back "home". Love and Joy to all of you!

from the mouths of children

This could be one for Carey's xmas letter. Big Fry and I are running errands, I tell him I am stopping at the wine store. With a roll of the eyes he says, "Great it takes you like a half an hour to pick the wine and about 5 minutes to drink it!" Hmm every seen yourself eat a chocolate bar there buddy!

cranberry crumb bars

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Crumb-Bars/Detail.aspx

Zing

Definition of "Zing": dynamism: the activeness of an energetic personality

This would describe youngest son since I put presents under the tree-"Zinging" would be more like it. He says he will die if he can't open anything soon! On the other side of the coin, big fry is very relaxed-think NOT being in school agrees with him.

crossing fingers

Today I am going to try to make a chocolate torte-wish me luck, my back up plan will be cranberry cream cheese bars.

Who knew...

Who knew being a "leader" (not that I call it that) of 50 some people could be so exciting, fun, energizing and at the same time exhausting. Without going into gritty details my new job entails so much more than strictly talking to naughty kids. I am telling you my friends, that is the SMALLEST part of my whole day. Since Thanksgiving we have had numerous staff lose a family member from a father, sister (on Thanksgiving day), a brother in law, a grandma-who actually had not really passed away. I have listened to other personal stories I will not betray the confidences of here. I sometimes wonder if my real job is not that of a counselor-good thing that was my second choice as my master's and still may be someday-when I am old and bored. I have learned to listen to and show patience to levels I didn't know I possessed. I have had to dig down deep to not be sarcastic, to take the high road in for the sake of professionalism, and keep my mouth shut. I have gotten even better at letting things roll off my back-a pretty good strength I already had-and really NOT worry about it later, no really!
I have learned to hug a person, really hug a person and say "I love" you (again not an easy thing for me) to a person outside my comfort zone because it is what they needed at the moment in their grief.
Oh and here and there I talk to naughty kids about what really amounts to the small stuff... and I just want to say to them, enjoy this time young people because at some point and time there is REALLY big stuff, when you need to learn to listen and hug and know it is not all about you. That we all swim together in this big bowl of soup...

Oh and thinking of soup reminds me I did not make enough soup for the staff holiday lunch I planned-now that I did worry about!

Tree-the final version

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I am a little sad, small fry didn't ask to do Rainbow lights until I had the tree almost done (the first time that is-another story). I told him we would put them out on the deck. A little Christmas cheer from me to you.

The tree is up

The tree is up and not without a few tears. The wise young boy at the boys club says as he is cutting the bottom, "Are you sure your tree stand is big enough". In my tree buzz I barely glance and say "Of course". I bring the tree home and actually eyeball the trunk, hmmm pretty big. I get the metal ring to test it. Nope not big enough. I tell hubby, who is pretty unsympathetic after all these years to my tree angst. I drive around to 4 places with the last one being the jackpot. We put the tree in and...well it doesn't touch the bottom-to many branches. Hubby is even more unsympathetic and says, "this is it, next year a fake tree". He goes to get a tape measure, I mean while get a brick, small piece of wood and try to lift it myself. By this time really in tears. We get the blasted thing in the stand, the one thing I looked forward to doing all day, and now I just want it to go away.
Not as terrible as Karen's day, and a tree is definitely not worth crying about-just the straw that broke the camel's back as it was the second day since the start of my new job I have actually come home "crabby". Hate coming home "crabby" and now hubby is hiding in the basement.

You have to listen

I don't usually jump on bandwagons, especially reality TV. But if you haven't heard Susan Boyle's story or heard her sing you NEED to go to you tube and hear her sing Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones. AMAZING

Direct Quote

"Wow that bath really helped, I should take one every night" from big Fry after he cheerily said good morning

wise words from Sark...

Sark is way out there I admit but she does have tidbits that hit the spot.
from How to Really Love a Child
"Be there...if they are crabby, put them in water. If they are unloveable, love yourself. Realize how important it is to be a child"

I read this while going to the bathroom in the boys bathroom BECAUSE my hormonal big fry is as I type taking a hot bubble bath with my stress relief/peppermint/eucalyptus body wash. Yep, putting him in water definitely worked AND gave me some time to remember it is important to be a child and sometimes hard.

Save me

Save me from the hormonal swings-Big Fry's not mine
Save me from being too disappointed with my xmas cards-the picture on them is not what sending the cards are about
Save me from being annoyed with my hormonal big fry who has a quiz tomorrow and left his study guide at school
Save me from snacking all night long because of my annoyance...because I have been VERY good
All right enough whining, maybe if I go have some real wine that will help

Sweater II

I hate going places after work, hate it. I went shopping after work today, not for anything necessary of course but a sweater. A sweater for small fry, who when I asked if he was wearing his favorite snowflake sweater for the the xmas program (unlike big fry, small fry LOVES sweaters), he says no I would like a new one. A Christmasy one, one that says "Merry Christmas" on it. Hmmmm I think I will start calling him Clark-you know Christmas Vacation Clark. So we head to the mall to the Children's place-full of bright sweaters. He immediately finds a red and white striped one-"Candy Canes" he says. He tries it on, hands it to me to purchase. He then walks by another table of sweaters- baby blue argyle pattern-and is fascinated. He tries it one declares it the ONE. I am loathe to buy it-baby blue?? My sons have not worn baby blue in I don't know how long-and only when it was a gift.

Secretly I can't wait to see him wear it since we have to save his baby blue tie (he picked out) for the piano recital

sweater story 1

One long story short...
I bought a sweater for small fry and the upcoming Christmas program-apparently I have no idea what size my son is and bought it way too large (I blame it on black Friday frenzy). Anyway big fry was missing his coat and needed to go outside, I told him to try it on. He must have been desparate because he did , this child has not worn a sweater or shirt with a collar since I was able to wrestle him into one. It looked great and I told him so, I jokingly told him it would be great for his last xmas program. He looks up at me over his glasses and says "Do you want me to? I will if you really want me to, I would do it if it means alot to you". My heart melted, I sooo wanted to say yes, but said, "Is it something 5th graders would wear?" knowing it wasn't having seen what kids wear to the program. He told me no, no one wears them, I say, "Well then it is up to you, wear what makes you comfortable as long as it is a little bit nice." He walked away smiling and I am sure more than a little thankful that I didn't take him up on the offer.
I don't need him to WEAR the sweater, it is enough to know that he WOULD

where did the christmas nazi go?

I believe it was last year I shared my family'a frustration with my obsessive Christmas tendencies and traditions. Well here it is Dec. 5 and I finally got the Halloween decor packed away. I do have all my shopping done-thanks to the internet and yes getting up on Black Friday AND having a small extended family.

I haven't thought about xmas cards yet-still waiting to get them and find my address book-which was my old planner the one that I have a sinking feeling I discarded when I got a new one.

I am postponing the xmas tree so I can have it up a little bit later after Christmas for when my parents come-that also gives me a nagging feeling that all the "good" trees will be gone.

Today was to be my decorating day, but we spent time pulling together the basement, we are making a big push to get it done by the end of the month and all the little errands involved take time, time, time. I can't wait to unveil once it is done!

I did enjoy a small bit of Christmas spirit last night and probably the best-younger son and I pullled out the xmas DVD's you know the ORIGINAL Christmas shows we used to watch only once a year when they showed on CBS. The ones you couldn't wait for, with Berger Meister Meister Berger and Rudolph. Cuddled up, ate popcorn, drank wine (rootbeer for small fry) just the two of us. Now that is the way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Social butterfly

Report cards are out and one of my younger son's comments is about his not-so-good choices with talking. So we have the following conversation:
Me: So where is it that you are having the problem with talking to much?
Q: I don't know
Me: Is it at centers or at your desk?
Q: No, circle
Me: ahhh isn't the circle time when Mrs. J is giving directions and you really should be listening
Q: Mom, I sit by my friends at circle, I can't help if they ALWAYS want to talk to me
Me: Well I think you need to work on not talking and more listening
Q: MOMMMM, I HAVE 2 ears (he points to them) I can listen to her with THIS one and my friend with the OTHER one

Ahhh, at this time I have to walk away because 1) I was trying not to laugh at his dead pan seriousness and 2) School is sometimes a little too easy and he really can listen to her AND a friend at the same time and understand BOTH of them

The feasting continues

Mmmmmmm as long as I am indulging in the vacation weekend (will pay for it later I am sure) I am going to enjoy it. Tonight we dragged out the fondue pot, wow who knew melted cheese, wine and bread could be so good-think it ranks right up there as my favorite winter food-while mango salsa is of course the choice for summer. Nothing better than a big pot of something for people to sit around and dip and talk, dip and talk. I should have you all over next time-hubby and I were left to eating it all by ourselves

Thankful Thursday and Fun Friday

We have had a very low key Thanksgiving-not having any family close by or to come visit makes for a very quiet celebration. We made a feast for four on Thursday-including all new recipes chosen from food network. My favorite the barefoot contessa's cranberry salad. The boys and I went for short rock climbing hike since the lake was a little frozen for fishing. I hope all of you are enjoying a fun, restful and thankful Thanksgiving break

New Christmas Vocabulary

Egg nar (egg nog)
Good King Witness (Good King Wenceslas)

wow....

WOW oldest son spent the night at someone's house last night and came home looking like the walking dead...he took a nap but obviously THAT wasn't enough-combined with the hormonal mood swings (his not mine) I am thinking putting him straight to bed is best for all of us *sigh*

hmmmm which one

Help me out people which ones?

http://kevineilbeck.com/photocart

go to access gallery and then type in CD101809

came home to be a mom

I am home with a not so sick 5th grader. Well sick enough that he chose coming home instead of sticking it out in order to have a sleep over tonight. Not sick enough that he is wolfind down a subway footlong-well half-so he may actually be a little under the weather.

I chose to come home to, to come home and be a mom and here is how that happened. I was at a meeting this morning when hubby texted me that the 5th grader was sick and he could pick him up after his meeting was over. Right after that I get an email from the secretary asking if I got an email from the other secretary about "one of my boys". Being in principal mode I immediately emailed back "which boy", assuming she was talking about one of the usual suspects at school who could be causing trouble. I get one word back-my son's name. Gee I never thought she meant my OWN son and feeling a little ashamed realized then that I would stay home for the afternoon with a not-so-sick boy. My actual real boy who lives at my house, and is my biggest responsibility-the rest of those boys will have to wait-it is Friday after all:) Now if I can just make myself DO nothing on the gifted afternoon.

15 and counting

Today is our anniversary-wedding that is. 15 years ago I married the only guy who ever asked me for my phone number (seriously). Who met me when I swore off men completely and vowed to make it on my own (that was when I took care of all my own finances-seriously I did).
I married the man who lied like crazy when he said I didn't look that bad pregnant but yet called me butterball at Thanksgiving time.
I married the man who bought me flowers today after 3 or 4 years of boycotting them (he thinks them frivolous and a waste of money)
I married the man who now finishes my thoughts and I finish his-today the flowers came I joked with the flower guy and said "Gee I wonder who these are from", and then opened the card and it said "Your husband of course"
I married a man who supports me in every way in my busiest times, ugly times, dark times and everyday times (we know those are the ones that count)
I married a man who when I emailed him about my new career offer he emailed me back with this
"I am in awe of you"
What more can I say...

Cabi veto

My cabi stuff came today, trying it on was the make or break moment. I showed it to hubby who NEVER comments on anything I wear. He vetoed it... which is fine with me... I will trade those two items in for my anniversary shopping spree where I picked up a totally non necessary impractical "holiday" dress for the non-existant holiday events we go to. One of the few times living in a big city with fancy places would be a benefit. Hubby DID like that dress by the way.

picture dilemma

So how does one get a picture taken of them showing OFF their least favorite body part- the one that hasn't seen the sun for years and no one besides hubby has seen for even longer???

I did it!

Today I shot my very own pheasant, and then in my excitement totally forgot to "mark" it and it ran away....AND no pics of getting our limit due to lack of card in the camera-grrrrr

Impulse guilt

I am a terrible impulse shopper, especially when it comes to people's home parties. I always feel like I have to, and should buy something. I went to CABI liking the catalog but not the prices, didn't really LOVE anything on the hanger or on me...but tried something on, and it all being to big thought the 3rd outfit from the left was cute
http://cabionline.com/Fall2009/flash/catalogue.html

-so bought and now instantly regretting it. First of all they are skinny jeans, that actually felt good but know that this body shape has no business of wearing skinny jeans. I was lulled into temporary insanity. I am now experiencing sticker guilt, especially after splurging on a hunting rifle. I am torn between emailing her to cancel-very little face to face guilt there or waiting until they get here and saying it all doesn't fit. hmmmmmmm

The boys went target shooting with the new 22 and very nicely obliged me with pics.

My new career

My hubby berates me for searching for information on the internet-especially anything medical, after this weekend I proved that a little research is a good thing. Spike the bearded dragon has not appeared to be himself for few days-hiding, not eating and ummm not going to the bathroom. This occurred to me when I was in oldest's bedroom and didn't smell anything-I realized I hadn't for awhile. Like any good obsessive person I googled bearded dragon health, which is all very interesting by the way. I had a hunch that Spike was having a little problem with digestion and implemented some of the self help ideas. Needless to say our beardy is now happy and very active. Oldest son now understands the connection of feeding him greens DAILY and not grumbling when we ask about it-well hopefully. "A" declared me the new reptile veterinarian of the household.

When a good weekend comes together

A Saturday spent hunting, a Sunday gettting groceries and doing laundry within a reasonable amount of time, an actual homemade dinner-with others planned for the week. And even time to make marshmallow crispy bars....all that was missing was a nice long work out-the short one will have to do. But a good weekend

hunting for...

Which family can go pheasant hunting and catch more SNAKES than pheasant-hmmmm let's see big fry and small fry. I didnt' actually shoot anything this year but did attempt more than last year. I remembered to reload and take my time and actually aim at something. The weather was a little cool but a good time was had, can't wait to go again, think I will do some actually target practicing before the next outing.

Dusk

We know one of my favorite things is sunrise and sunset which would include dusk, last night's dusk time adventure left me breathless. I dropped everything (which I have been needing to do for more than a few days) to go into the "bug" field by our house for a little rock hunting expidition. Big Fry and I were looking for rocks for Spikes's cage. We grabbed a back pack and our bikes and headed out to the "no trespassing" dumping area where we have been that has tons of limestone rocks. I can't explain how it happened but I looked over at Big fry while we were riding through the field. He was standing on his too small bike with the sunset behind him in the distance, bent over his handle bars with his hair blowing and the biggest grin on his face. If I had a camera I would have loved to freeze that moment in time. Two ways describe my thoughts at that time: Pure childhood abandon is one way to describe it... and I was lucky enough to join him. On the other hand I can't describe in words the pure love I had at the exact moment...other than just love.

Annoyed to infinity and beyond....

The following are not good things...
My tweener is still displaying mood swings
No pheasant hunting this weekend (story below)
Trying to pack in a week's worth of errands and chores in 2 days
Actually packing them into one day, since I need to go into work tomorrow
Wanting so bad to get my fall decor up and seeing no time

Big annoyance... the hubby has been sick since Thursday. With what I have no clue-he doesn't look that sick. Due to sickness we are not pheasant hunting today, which I was really looking forward to as some needed "do nothing but fun stuff R&R". I can't explain it but when he is sick he lays around and does NOTHIING. I know I should allow him that I KNOW this but when I am running around like a chicken trying to get everything done and he is LAYING there I just want to pop his head off-oh like a chicken. I know it is my own fault when I am home sick I still DO things, a little laundry here, picking up there. I digress.

To top it off brotherly love-even like has left our house for an extended amount of time oh and the youngest's whining is about to do me in.


Whoooo I feel bad dumping that

On a good note my workout this morning -the first all week-felt awesome

speaking of mad family members

Karen posted about being mad at the hubby and not knowing why. I had a mad pre teen (I am chalking up the mood swing to exactly that) who vowed to not talk to me for a month (that lasted two minutes when he asked me to read for bed), cried because he lost the chance to go to the bookstore for a new book (chalking that one up to his lingering broncicitis-think dinosaur pronunciation-as his little brother calls it), cried and said he missed his nana. This was all only a few hours after I picked him up and he exclaimed "I only missed 2 on the science test!!" The one he studied for all last week. Like I said a tweener mood swing-I hope

If I could crochet...or knit....

Or whatever you call that sewing stuff:)

Just off...

Ever have one of those days where you are just "off" and scattered. I don't have many so they perplex me when I do. I went to the Y and every exercise I did was HARD, didn't even go on the bike I was so unmotivated and discouraged. I was hit and miss with the laundry, it is still laying in piles here and there. I have sporadically gotten two evaluations written and need to start working on the building plan. I meant to get my fall decorations down to decorate with today, but didn't get hubby sent out to the garage to get the boxes for me. I kind of wander around the house seeing things I should get done but nothing interests me enough to be motivating. Maybe it should have been one of those sit and do nothing days, I can't think of the last time I had one of those...
Oh and I am fighting the urge to NOT color my hair the day before we have family pics out in the hills tomorrow.

Thinking about it...

A few years ago I applied to be a participant in this calendar for colon cancer awareness. Got a little thank you but no thank you and never thought about it again. So this morning I receive an email asking me to submit and application for it again. Hmmmm I don't know if my saggy mommy belly is up to, but it intrigues me....The link is below, they are very legitimate

http://www.colonclub.com/colondar.html

On another note, it is snowing...good grief, we didn't even have fall. Big fry is sick, with bronchitis and miserable. Younger fry comes to me to show me something "itchy" on his ummmm private part-it looks odd but nothing serious-or at least the worrier in me is going to give it a day or to..., same small fry was also trying to make a fort and tried to use my wrought iron and glass candle holder-lets just say breaking glass and pottery were involved. Ugggg only one day and my 3 day vacation is over, I ask you what vacation was that?

Note to self...

Do not wear nice shoes to the pumpkin patch...

'The pumpkin patch was deserted (guess the below 30 degrees) kept everyone away, and VERY picked over. I vowed to go earlier this year and that still didn't help. Big Fry didn't care though-he ran among the muck and corn stalks finding just the right pumpkin-think of me trying to find just the right Christmas tree. His biggest goal was to "Find those small pumpkins you like mom that you decorate with I will get lots of those". So we searched and tramped through the field just the two of us on a very cold day to find just the right pumpkins (that were frozen and will probably get mushy) but it was all worth it.

facebook chat

As everyone knows I am not phone person, hate the phone, hate long conversations on the phone so I just.don't.do.them. I CAN though have a hilariously fun time using the chat function on facebook. I don't use it often, no one is ever on when I am, but tonight our tv blew a light bulb so no taped shows. I got on and surprise my bestest friend in the whole world was on. We chatted for almost an hour. Amazing the things you can say in writing when you know they are between two of you and will be deleted. Topics ranged from work (Thankfully only one or two lines), hot 80's movie kisses, ex boyfriends (we were rehashing the 80's), love handles (the husbands, not ours), and taking a road trip to Denver with Jon Bonjovi (Suree's pick until I mentioned he MAY have love handles). Being allowed to be sarcastic-which I can no longer do at work, being a grown up and all- always makes me feel better, it is my one secret vice of pleasure.

Laughing out loud and with someone who just "gets" you...is there anything better?

Tomorrow is Thursday

Ok, tomorrow is Thursday, I CAN'T believe it is Thursday already, that is one thing about this new gig the days go by that I can hardly believe it. It is INSANE. I haven't even put up my fall decorations yet or thought about Halloween, which the planner in my usually has it all done by now, or went to Spearfish canyon for fall pics the days are just blurring together!
Have to give kudos to big fry after some discouraging grades the first month he has been bringing home 3's (proficient) on papers-well ok the ones he remembers to bring home-I am sure there are countless ones in his desk. He actually brought home his science book and notes-the real notes and ones he copied on his OWN to study from. He is the only ONE who wrote his/her own notes. Crazy.
Wishing you all a good Thursday, a day to be.still. or have.it.all, to do everything or do nothing, reflect or pray

For Bobbi

Hubby actually made this recipe, and I am thinking he kind of combined the two, we actually just used whatever peppers we had. I know you are whiz in the kitchen Bobbi so it should go well.
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Sauces_Condiments/JalapenoJelly.htm

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jalapeno-Pepper-Jelly/Detail.aspx

On another cooking note I actually felt like Karen for a minute this weekend, made homemade "jar" spaghetti sauce from scratch with nothing bought and everything leftover in the garden-all the peppers and tomatoes-we used it to make lasagna-yummyyyyyy.

all in a days work

Arrive at school
Catch up on emails
Find teacher to cover classroom because there are no subs available
Find assistant to cover nurse's office because there are so many sick kids and nurse it out SICK
Find vomit cleaner on high shelf in custodians closet while standing on a bucket (in high heels)
Go clean up vomit mess because custodian is out SICK
End the day by turning in a spreadsheet for a budget of over 300,000 dollars
Come home make mashed potatoes


All in a days work...

Zapped

I would love to have something witty, funny, interesting or inspirational to say-or even to vent. But I honestly don't have the energy or brain power. This career change is perfect but at the same time emotional exhausting. Don't confuse that with me being stressed or worried, I can honestly leave my work AT work. Which completely surprises me considering I can worry myself sick about nonexistent things that haven't EVEN happened. Pretty crazy huh:) Anyway 5th grade son is making me proud. After three weeks of some very discouraging grades on spelling (don't get me started) he kicked it in gear last week and came home with an almost perfect paper-he is the type of kiddo that needs to have the branch hit him in the face once before he figures out to duck the next time. He figured it out-studying and sweat=success. He also opted to retake a social studies quiz over for a better grade. The teacher part of me fundamentally disagrees with numerous things his teacher does but this will be an excellent lesson as middle school comes up roaring around the corner.
With the chaos of everyday life my exercising has gone out the window, amazing how one or two less days a week can make a difference for me-these extra 3-4 pounds and 1 inch I have gained back for the first time in 2 years is driving me crazy. I have resorted to cutting calories, which for some reason never works for me grrrrr and always makes me crabby. Or maybe it is just the PMS
Gee well see there I did have something to write

Saying hello to Fall

The weekend was spent catching up on a gazillion errands that have to wait until Sat/Sun such as laundry, groceries, supplies and straightening the house. We did manage to squeeze in some fun and relaxation-ok maybe not relaxation...

The pics went in backwards:)

Picture 3-painting the fort (the newly remodeled version) I convinced small fry to paint it the same color of the house so it would be camoflauged with the house (he wanted rainbow-ummm don't think the neighbors would approve)

Picture 2-Homemade caramel apples, we were going for "gourmet"

Picture 1-Homemade pepper jelly-you know the kind-you spread it over a block of cream cheese and spread on crackers-can't wait to try it. We HAD to do something with all the peppers hubby planted.

My crazy week

Hubby has been gone and it hasn't been a super crazy week but enough that it starts to get annoying by Wed. On Monday the boys sleep with me and youngest coughs off and on all night, this means 2 things 1) We may be heading for a nasty cough and 2) I didn't get any sleep. Sure enough the wheezing begins the next day, I have to leave work early. I make an appt, the nebulizer treatments every 4 hours begins. I love getting up at 2:00 in the morning...

I have a meeting this morning and have visions of getting the boys to their ride early and stopping for a coffee-first I can't find anything I like to wear, my new hair cut is not styling the way I want it and at 7:10 youngest tells me he wants school lunch, the school one is "gross". Out the window goes the coffee and I do some furious texting to find out where the meeting actually is! I have also forgotten for the second day to reschedule the orthodontist appt that we had to cancel Tuesday morning because of early AM orchestra.

I plan to unwind with boot camp, pull up to the Y and realize I don't have my y card or driver's license to get in, decide to take very overdue movies back instead-check the case and one of the dvd's is NOT in the case. Uggggg

I come home exercise, help with instruments (half hearted attempts at best), homework, sign papers to go back to school, which were supposed to get sent this morning, get kids ready for bed and try to catch up on blogs and relax. By the time it is all said and done I have snapped their heads off for not quieting down when I NEED them to quiet down and I have about one hour to myself.

All this occurs mostly before and after my work day away from the house

Oh yeah, gotta send lunch money.....

The Fort

I didn't get a picture of it but the last two weekends the boys built a lean to fort against the house with old weathered wood and mud. Yes mud, like "survivorman" would use to make it waterproof. It was quite a sight. Due to mom "safety" regulations dad helped build a little bit more solid kind and it was quite the hit for the day. We had boys and girls alike come over, a girl from Big Fry's grade declared she was going to make it "homey". She was here for the first fort to, and no objection from him. This was the same girl, who last year who came to see his bearded dragon and as she was leaving told him, "don't you dare tell anyone at school that I was in your bedroom, either" with a pointer finger in his face for emphasis. Hmmmm funny what a difference a year makes. By the way the fort is right under our bedroom window so I can hear EVERYTHING that goes down in there:)

Life is not fair

My mom called today
My favorite aunt who has been a cancer survivor for 11 years and just had a clean scan in June went in with stomach ache and found out she has cancer in multiple places...
My heart is absolutely breaking....
Does anyone ever not have this nasty beast NOT come back? are all survivors like myself and hubby destined to have the other shoe drop sometime...

What I learned in school so far...

I have learned in this first month of school:
I love being a principal-meeting new kids, more kids, and having them say hi to me
I will NEVER remember all the names of the kids I am meeting or all their parents
I do not like 5th grade homework thus far-trying to have my spelling challenged child spell "disappointment" is more than I can handle
Hearing my same "discouraged" (his words) 5th grader play "Amazing Grace" on the violin-not great but recognizable makes me HAPPY
I have learned that constantly filling other people's "cups" with positive thoughts is joyful and more exhausting than I had imagined
I have learned to be flexible
I have learned that being accountable and wanting every child to get the best education they can and take it personal-is exactly that-personal, sometimes the thought is overwhelming
I have learned from just the few "issues" and "discipline" I have dealt with that in the scheme of things that my small fry and big fry are GOOD KIDS, with GOOD HEARTS

One of those days

It was raining, raining today, so I took advantage and cooked. Made fresh from the garden tomato soup, warm apple topping in the crockpot, and baked beans for the block party that was cancelled. We have plenty of food for the evening. I totally ignored housework and laundry but did make it to bootcamp and school. I played with the blog for awhile-I could look endlessly at all the backgrounds and finally had to just pick ONE. I also found out how to remove labels from wine bottles so I can make a cool framed collage for right above my pantry door out of cool wine lables. On the other side of the coin...,
It is one of those days though where the "doldrums" just kick in and you never know just why. Ok well I know why-since honesty with self is something I love. I LOVE my new job and it is going well-I am sure curve balls will be thrown my way. So with that starting well and not worrying as much about it, the other worries start to creep on their little feet. Worries about my health, as winter approaches, always gets me (Silly I know, but that Feb timeline always starts to lurk). Worries about younger son who has, I guess unoticed to me, stutters from talking so fast that someone mentioned it me and asked me when he will "grow out of it". This included my speech therapy friend who HAS noticed and didn't mention so she wouldn't alarm because in her words, "he just needs modeling and it isn't the bad kind of stuttering" other words totally fixable. I KNOW it is he just talks super fast and has super fast ideas, hmmm I think talking fast runs in the family somewhere I am sure...
Just one of those days where things are going SO well that the thinking something is going to go wrong start to creep in...AND they will creep out

7 Loves

I will have you know (Karen) that I don't love chain letters or being tagged, but I will do this one just because its you:)

1. Deep friendships-I am not a people person BUT I love deep, genuine, meaningful relationships. The kind where no matter how many years apart you can see and talk to those people and it feels like home. I love the unique stories, heartaches, joy and laughter that comes when there is a no-holds-barred give and take
2. Clay-I love the sticky, warm gooeyness of clay especially on the pottery wheel. There is nothing like taking a big block of warm brown mud and spinning it into something beautiful.
3. The lake, I love the lake, the warm soft sand and sun. I can just throw my towel down and lay there forever soaking up the sun, it makes my bones and muscles feel warm and relaxed and can make the worst day the best.
4. Children-I love children and not just my own...I love their giggles, smiles, amazing pearls of wisdom that comes from their mouths. There is nothing better than a word or gesture that takes one small moment on my part but I know makes that one child's whole day.
5. Sleeping children-I love sleeping with my children-and not just because they are quiet. I have always loved hearing their breathing, seeing their long black lashes agains their cheeks and their warm brown skin next to mine. I could lay there forever.
6. Honesty-I think this comes with the deep relationship love back at number 1. I value above many things honesty. Honesty from and with others-which some could say being brutally honest could be a fault of mine. But mostly honesty and trueness to myself, what I believe in and what I believe about myself
7. Sunrises and Sunsets-Each day I am given a gift-the rising and setting of the sun. I love these not only for the colors but the uniqueness each one brings-you will never see any two the same. For me the sunrise and sunset simply the beginning and ending of one more day we are given here to enjoy all the loves we have.

So I think because I am NOT a people person and because Karen has pretty much tagged any people I could tag to pass this on...I will just let you enjoy

greenhorn photographer:)

Greenhorn gardners

Wow, we came back from Aberdeen and new we would have to harvest but had no idea! We are "harvesting" early there are some sluggy things and guessing grasshoppers who are waging war on our tomatoes. Nothing like going to pick a tomatoe and it is already half eaten ewwwww.

Things I learned form gardening:

Tomatoes are squishy when you step on them with your barefeet

All kinds of insects flock to your yard and thrill your children

Less will be better when planting tomatoes

Eggplants are beautiful

Fried green tomatoes are just as good as the movie

Jalapeno plants have OODLES of jalapenos on them

I am not meant to be a farmer-that harvesting is back breaking work

I am not meant to be a canner THUS

I have loved passing out baskets full of tomatoes to neighbors and having neighbor kids come and pick them for themselves

Did I mention tomatoes are squishy when you step on them?

Photographing vegetables is much easier than kids riding on really fast bikes, wish I had more time to photograph them-hmmmmm maybe now would be a good time:) See ya!

Anyone up for a run?

Check out the link below, think some of you will recognize the name. Breaks my heart and admire her strength...
Anyone up for a run next weekend:)

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2009/09/07/news/top/doc4aa3e396826de992390114.txt

Not as Dusty Aberdeen

This was our second year going to the BMX state race in Aberdeen. It was a fun weekend and the weather was so much less dusty and windier than last year. We have gotten to know all the families and that made it more fun we could all cheer for all the kids. The boys did well, they both made it into the main races each day-a great accomplishment for the big Fry. He had many parents comment on how well his starts were and didn't just fall back from the pack like he usually does. Small fry was third in the state final and found a boy to give his "friendship" trophy to pass on. The little guy was in the race with him and hadn't made it to the main. Thank goodness small is very visual and remembered what the kid looked like. It is hard to find one out of 200 brighly colored jerseys and helmets, but he did. I got a cool toe ring out of the weekend, small fry won it in a game. I also woke up today with no voice from screeching and yelling-small fry told me I couldn't do that anymore it made him nervous as he came by, I tried I really tried.

Now I am procrastinating getting back into the groove and getting caught up, better get to it

Good Grief Charlie Brown

The boys were home alone today for the last day before school-they end up having to go to the Y for the day when one throws a remote at the other and they call dad to complain (Same hubby we are all walking on egg shells around because it has been one of the THOSE weeks for him)

I come homw from open house at 6:45 and younger son is complaining and crying of an earache and worried silly that he is going to miss the first day of school. Hubby takes him in, he has an ear infection

Older son goes to get a marker to add an "L" to the word "FUSH" on his "Flush the toilet" sign he made for his little brother, he ends up grabbing a PAINT marker I use for crafts. When he takes off the lid the WHOLE end comes off and out comes all the lovely BLACK permanent paint ON the hallway wood floor.

I am beyond speechless and scrubbing like Cinderella trying to make it look so not so bad before hubby wanders upstairs. Older son is beside himself with worry and guilt, we scrub and cry together and get almost all of it up.

When older son asks if he is grounded, I say no and accidents even big ones happen. He says but it ruined the house. I respond "No five years from now it won't matter and that's what houses are supposed to be for, lived in. "

Man not a good way for the night before the first day of school to start:)

Making the most of the last day...

Ahhh the official last day of the boy's summer vacation (well tomorrow they are home, but our last fun day). We made the most of it. Saturday in the twilight the boys painted for me something special to hang in my office. I had this cool collage idea-they had other ideas. Big A enjoyed the splattering affect-"Like that Vincent guy I learned about, the crazy artist" reference to Van Goh of of course. Little Fry preferred his painting to look "like something"-he did not like my collage idea at all. Sunday was spent at the Spearfish water park-it was perfect and hopefully after dinner a fire and smores. Goodbye to another summer...it will be missed.

The first official, official day

Today is the first official day of back to school (with staff)-Next Tuesday with students (have a litte more time there). I have a headache behind my eyes which I know is stress, and have things set up for the staff meeting -checked over numerous times. I am hoping I don't stand up there in front of these 50+ people and 1) lose my words, 2) sweat and 3) not seem like I know what I am doing, I am avoiding taking a shower, because of course I don't know what to WEAR!

Ok, so here is my madmen pic, how do I look?

I had mentioned I would share my "strengths/talent" finder we did for our back to school retreat. I love introspective activities and finding out what makes me-and others click. If I ever get tired of education, counseling could be my next career. Anyway here are my "talents" you can see if you agree... (the first word is the attribute with a small definition)

Input-You are inquisitive, you collect things-even information-words, facts, quotes. You keep acquiring and compiling and filing stuff away. It's interesting. It keeps your mind fresh. And perhaps one day some of it will prove valuable.

Belief-You have certain core values that are endearing. These core beliefs affect your behavior and provide you with direction. Your friends call you "dependable". "I know where you stand" they often say. Your belief makes you easy to trust. Your work must matter to you and be meaningful, and give you a chance to live out your values.

Learner-You love to learn. The process of learning entices you, not the end product. You thrive in dynamic work environments where short projects are completed and move on to something new. The outcome is less important than "getting there"

Relator-In simple terms you are pulled towards people you already know. You are comfortable with intimacy and encourage a deepening of friendships. For you a relationship only has value if it genuine. You want to understand your friends feelings, goals, fears, and dreams and want them to understand yours. The more you share with each other the more you risk together

Individualization-You are intrigued by the unique qualities of each person. You instinctively observe each person's style, motivation, how each thinks and how each builds relationships. Because you are such a keen observer of other people's strengths, you can draw out the best in each and build productive teams. You hear the one-of-a-kind stories in each person's life. This theme explains why you pick your friends the just right gift.

So there I am-my top five tallents in a nutshell. I had to laugh at the last one-individualization, out of 50 some adminstrators I was the only one who had this ONE. Must be the special education background coming through.

Finally posting...

I have been very neglectful of the blog since 1) My official work days started and 2) my mom got here. I have just too dang tired at night to devote much higher functioning energy to writing. Trust me friends I have been reading all of your posts faithfully. The boys and I enjoyed the last "official" day of my summer vacation at Angastora-it was a perfect summer day, I almost felt like summer was just beginning. My new career change is going well, somedays I feel behind and somedays not, I think this may be one of the best cures for me to move out of my comfort zone and know that I can't control things and going with the flow is a must. I also learned much about myself through a "strengths/talent finder" tool we completed. VERY interesting, I will share it sometime, see if you all agree. My mom is here after moving from South Dakota in October-a place she had lived for 50 some years of her life. I am dreading the good bye. I don't know how to connect with how she is feeling or what to say to make her feel better. I have felt terrible going to work everyday and leaving her here, she had bought her ticket before the big job change. Her and the oldest son are having an excellent time together-next week the big challenge is being with both boys. Anyway a few last pics from summer at the lake-I may try to eek out one more with mom. Overall another summer full of sun, love, and happiness. Thank you small fry, thank you big fry for helping me slow down, have fun and keep on swimming

Tiger Lily Tribute

THIS is the plant I have been waiting all summer long...

I planted these as a personal tribute to my grandma, Grandma Walker, who passed away a couple of years ago. She was really the only grandma I knew growing up and she was a great one. When I actually sit and think about it I learned SO many things from her and have treasured memories, here are a few...

Squirt pop-still sometimes gotta have one

Sandbox just for grandkids

The little glass dogs and cats figurines she had that were FRAGILE and she still let me get them all down and play with them

From scratch mac and cheese and the best cold velveeta cheese sandwhiches on white bread

The BEST baked beans and ham EVER, and I mean EVER

Trying to teach me to play the organ-I was as musically inept then as I am now

Crocheting

Dress up-I coveted her wigs and these really tall high heeled red boots

Turqoise, can't see turqoise without thinking of her

Playing 31 for pennies and finally

Tiger lillies-oodles of them all along her house, I would run my hands over them and the brown stuff would get all over me and I would take the seeds and peel them apart layer after layer.

Here is to you grandma

Did you know nail polish remover can.....

Remove gum from the legs of boys. I am talking to a friend who stopped by who the boys LET IN when I wasn't there yet. So much for them learning not to answer the door when we are not home.
Anway as we are talking older son comes out laughing and says "Look at my hairy legs, there is gum on them!" Youngest son then comes out sans pants AND underwear-his spiderman t-shirt barely covering his privates and says "Yeah and look at the gum on my legs!" and he lifts his shirt to show me, with good friend standing right beside me! I quickly escort her to the day, she is smothering a huge laugh and we march to the bathroom. The story is they are wrestling on my bed, gum drops out of someones mouth and ta-da you have gum on legs. Crazy! The nail polish remover worked like a charm with a little vigorous rubbing and pulling-which I secretly enjoyed:)

Camping, Finally!

I am a true camper and try to go 2 or 3 times a summer. We finally went this weekend, sad to say with my new work schedule it may be the one and only but we jam packed it as much as possible. The high points: cabin, friends, food, lake, seeing Carey for a brief 10 minutes (Hope you survived your second day!) spending time with the boys. Low points: one homesick child who went home for a night-missed his dad, mosquitoes that cut our hike short-we will going back at a later date it is a beautiful trail and unpacking-hate unpacking.

Extra low point-8 days until work starts officially for me:) I will be thankful for the great things we did this summer and relish in these last 8 days!!