What I did/bought on Memorial Day....

What a day, what a day. After spending the morning lazing about, dh wanted to go "look" at trucks. We have a full size, long bed pick-up and he was considering trading for a smaller truck. With gas prices going sky high, and the fact that there really isn't a need for a 4x4 in Florida, he wanted to take a gander at what was out there. I rolled my eyes, and said I'd go with him. (Just what I want to do on Memorial Day....spend hours walking on hot blacktopped car lots, searching for something I wasn't going to be driving!)

Well, the first truck we looked at was really nice. A 2003 Ford Ranger Edge, super cab, low miles, all the goodies, loaded....we test drove it....and bought it. I tell ya, when we go shopping, we waste no time. We get it tomorrow....traded even-up. No payments....WooHoo! Not a bad deal....it's 4 years newer than what we have now. And it's smaller than our full size, which means easier handling for me. I was always worried driving our big truck, that I would ding it up in a parking lot. Of course, dh always had a reason not to let me drive it, so the chances of it getting scratched were very low....

After that we came home, got the girls and took them to Barnes and Nobles. We strolled leisurely through the aisles, looking for nothing in particular. We then headed over to my parent's house and visited for a bit. Now dh is walking through the house saying "Dayum....it's hot outside!" Well, no kidding. It's so hot out that our pool water feels like a bathtub. Not refreshing at all! Hopefully some of the rain that is in the forecast will actually fall, and water some of my sad looking plants.

As for this week, there are no real plans yet. Betsy is spending the night at my mom's tonight, and wee one will be tomorrow. At least I will get a reprieve from the continuous chorus of, "I'm-bored-there-is-nothing-to-do-why-can't-<insert friend's name here>-spend-the-night?" etc., etc.

And so, I will close this entry by thanking each and every hero in our military, past and present, living and passed on; who has unselfishly protected this great land of ours. God Bless our men and women fighting for our freedom!

A meaty subject....

I just finished dinner, and as I was sitting at the table, I was thinking about how each of us ate our steak. Betsy drowns hers in ketchup (ala Grammy), dh heavily salts his, then puts either Worcestershire sauce or A1 on it, and I just lightly salt it, so that you can actually taste what you are eating. (Wee one is still swimming, but she usually uses ketchup).

So, on this holiday weekend known for grilling, I pose this question....how do you eat your steak? What do you rub on it, dip it in, marinate it in....what kind of cut do you prefer....charcoal or propane ("Taste the meat not the heat"~Hank Hill)? I am curious to know....I believe we had NY strip this evening....it was on sale. My favorite, however, would be filet mignon.

So now, I will bake the cherry crisp to go over the vanilla ice cream and we will watch our movie. It has continued to rain and the temp has gone down 10 degrees. Hooray! There is rain in the forecast for the next seven days....right on time for June storms. Florida rainy season is so predictable....have a loveley Memorial day everyone!

BTW, the dog is at the humane society. They are cleaning him up and putting him up for adoption. His skin was caused by a bacteria that all dogs have, however, when their immune system is compromised, the bacteria take over. They have boxer rescue organizations here in Florida, which they will contact, as he did turn out to be pure bread.

 

Just another lazy Sunday....

Well, it's 6 pm and the grill is all fired up. I have done absolutely NOTHING today. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing. I got up this morning at 6 am to let the dog out, crawled back in bed, woke up at 8:45....too late for 9:30 church, went back to sleep and woke up at 11:30....too late for 11:00 church. I then ate some cereal, sat around, tried to get online only to freeze and reboot several times (forget my last entry....my hard drive needs reformating), sat around some more, hooked up my laptop and used dial up to talk to Cheezy, watched a movie, read a magazine, took a shower, did my hair, sat back down, complained a lot, and now it's time to make dinner. I feel like crap. I hate having days like this. To be honest, I'd rather be cleaning and rushing around all day, than have nothing to do. I guess I'm not one for relaxing. I feel useless and blah. Enough of that....

When I opened the screen door to let the dog out this morning, there were two huge raccoons eating the squirrel/bird food. I couldn't believe it! I ran and got my camera and took some horribly out of focus pics, which I will post another time (as I am too lazy to set it all up right now). It was kinda neat seeing them so close up. I woke up dh and wee one to see them. They thought it was pretty cool.

Right now wee one is at her friend's house swimming. She called over there around 12:30 to see if her little friend could play, but she couldn't until 4:00....so wee one sat for 3 1/2 hours in front of the tv, asking "What time is it?" every half hour. I was ready to scream when 4:00 rolled around. Betsy has spent the day between her room, the phone and the internet. John has worked for two days cleaning and reorganizing his garage. No thank you....the thermometer in there read 100 degrees. It sure looks good though....he did a great job.

Right now it is raining....the sun is out, and it's raining. Even when itrains around here, you can't get rid of the freaking sun! Sheesh!

Well, that's about it from sunny/rainy Florida today. Tonight will be spent watching "Dumb and Dumberer", sitting around some more, and probably dozing off....oh, the excitement never ends....

Oh Happy Day....

Why am I smiling? It's because after two days of internet torture, my AOL is up and running again. Whoopie!!!!  I am able to instant message, read message boards, and open my journal without freezing. I finally gave up on online help and actually called the broadband number. In a last ditch effort, the guy suggested downloading 9.0 SE.....and voila....my AOL is running like new. So....any of you having the same trouble, go to KW: upgrade and do the same!

Today was spent shopping all day. I am exhausted. I went to two grocery stores, the Oreck store and Wal-Mart. I got the last color tv/dvd player for the car that was in the ad that came out this morning. People were diving for them....but I snuck in and grabbed the remaining one, that had been put on the wrong shelf....GO ME! The kids are quite happy with it, as our trip to NC is only a few weeks away. Now they can travel and watch Joe Dirt at the same time...."It put's the Joe Dirt in the hole...." Man, I love that movie. David Spade is my kind of guy....

We also have a new addition to our backyard. It seems someone decided to get rid of their puppy, and he ended up on our doorstep. He is, I think, a purebread boxer....couldn't be more than 3 months old. He is so sweet....and covered with fleas and some sort of bacterial skin infection. We fed him and gave him water (it's 90+ degrees outside), and he is now asleep on the pool deck. He is the most loving and adorable thing....so tomorrow morning we are taking him to the pound. I'm going to leave my number so that if no one claims/adopts him, they will call me and I'll take him. He has taken quite a shine to wee one, and I think that is why he is on the deck. He watched her jump in the pool, and then kept watch as she swam. I think he thought she may have been in trouble!

Well, now that I have fixed my problem, I am going to go soak in the tub, and get ready for bed. Have a great weekend!

Shopping day....

Can you guess what I'm going to do today? Come on....guess! That's right, I'm going to grocery shop. I am getting ready to make my lists, check them twice, gonna find out who has the best price....lol. Sorry. I'm still a bit insane from my late night chatting. What? You didn't realize that a sahm could indulge in online chatting with dark and mysterious strangers? Oh, but you are mistaken. Here's just a sample of my hot and steamy chat: (*this is probably considered veiled vulgarity, but I've had my day in the sun!)

Him: Hello, how can I meet your needs tonight?

me: Well, it seems I am having trouble instant messaging.

Him: Well, let me check you out....oh yes, I see you are having trouble with your RAM.

me: ::giggle:: why, yes, I am.

Him: I see you are only equipped with 64, I would suggest 128. That's what I have.

me: ::GASP:: oh my! That sounds so big! I don't know if I could handle that....

Him: Well, I could give you some very gentle instruction on how to insert it....

me: Ummm, well, I'm rather new at this....

Him: Trust me, it may seem difficult in the beginning, but once you try it, you will realize just how easy it is. You might even enjoy it....

me: Okay, lets do it.....

Him: That's what I like to hear.....I'm going to give you a really big file....I'd like you to download it slowly....

It went on like this until the wee hours of the morning....sad to say, in the end, neither one of us were satisfied. Hey, wait a minute....GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER!  I was talking about my latest session with the aol tech. Sheesh!

Truth be told, my computer is working only slightly better, and I still can't instant message without freezing. Oh well. I'll work on it later, as I really need to get to the store. Have a lovely Friday everyone!

Movie day.....

They saw VanHelsing....said it was good, although couldn't give me the plot line....but they did come out before the credits were over. I asked where they sat, and they said up in the top row (aka makeout row), but were only alone for a few moments. It seems three of the other four couples who came in were teens too, and sat back there....lolol....so much for a romantic afternoon.

Testing....am I on????

I have emptied all folders, cleared my cache, run spyware/uninstaller/checkups, uninstalled, reinstalled....and I STILL froze when I came back on....and rebooted as well. *Sigh. I give up....for now. I'm going crazy with this. I could sit here all day, neglect cleaning, kids, showering, and try to figure this out. But, I won't. I need a break. Not only am I frustrated, but I'm itchy. Seems I stepped into a well colonized fire ant hill and my ankles are all bitten up. I'm scratching and scratching....

Today I am taking Betsy and boyfriend to the movies. I'm going to do some mall shopping with wee one while they "watch" a movie. I probably won't buy anything, but it will be fun to look. I guess. You know, it won't be fun to look. It will be depressing to know that all the money in my account is, well, accounted for this month. Dang. **Insert independently wealthy dream here**.

Maybe we will go to the book store instead. My girls have a habit of receiving book store gift certificates and then forgetting about them. The last time I gathered wee one's cards and checked their balances, she had over $50. I could go for a leisurely stroll around the bookstore this afternoon.

Okay, enough of me sitting here. I need to get wee one dressed and ready to go....later, gators.

 

Ooops....

Sorry to those who received an alert....when there was actually no entry! And thanks to GrodyGeek for pointing out that my telephone entry consisted of silence then a "hello?".

I was going to be lazy and put in a phone entry, when my mother called. I answered the call waiting beep, and forgot that I was on the other line with aol. So, when my call ended with my mom, I hung up....and the phone immediately rang. I didn't see a caller id, so I quietly listened, said hello and hung up. Afterward I remembered I had not disconnected with aol, but knew it wouldn't record since you have to push the # key. However, it apparently did record....my one word entry. Whoopie ding!

So, here I sit, after a lengthy "live technical help" session with aol. Not regarding the journal entry, but the fact that I have been disconnected from the service no less than 10 times today, can't retrieve my mail without freezing or being booted, and there is no way I can even instant message. It is so frustrating, especially when I am paying a small fortune each month for broadband. Of course, I complain yet am so addicted I would never get rid of aol....so they got me. *Sigh.

I have an e-mail waiting with, I'm sure, 10 pages of instructions on how to fix all of my problems....and me being the technical genius that I am, will probably screw it up so bad that I won't be able to get on for the next week.

So, I'm off to read and print and hopefully fix my mess. Fingers crossed I'll be posting tomorrow....and if not, you know you can count on a one-word phone entry, which, if I've screwed things up, will be a completely un-veiled vulgarity!

Man, I MUST be bored....

Sexy Mom Hairstyle - ... .. journals.aol.com/jbcoupe/TheSecretLifeofaStayatHomeMom/. Hair57.com - Hairstyle MetaSearch for "cute hair" Gathering Results for cute hair... ...
http://www.modern-woman.com/find-sexy+mom+hairstyle.html

Sometimes when I am very, very bored, I enjoy putting random things into my search bar, throwing caution to the wind, and hitting "Go". Tonight is such a night. I have many things I should be doing, however, I don't feel like doing them. So....I put my screen name in, just for the heck of it. What a surprise when this showed up....jbcoupe under the heading "Sexy Mom Hairstyle"?! Finally! Someone has recognized me for the stunningly chic woman that I am. My flippies have been honored....sahm's everywhere rejoice....one of our hairstyles has "made it"....

Then I actually looked at the site....apparently it's a search engine for hairstyles and if you put in "sexy+mom+hairstyle", my journal entry pops up with the words "sexy, mom and hairstyle" in bold. Apparently it found my story about getting my hair cut....not my adorable picture of perfectly highlighted curls....*sigh. I knew itwas too good to be true.

Not much going on around here this evening. Betsy is spending the night at a friend's house, wee one has her little friend over here for the night, and dh is slowly dozing off in front of the unbelieveably loud t.v.

Well, I'm off to search for some more interesting tidbits of internet information. Hmmmmm, I wonder what will come up if I put in "hot+sexy+mama"?! (I'm guessing Kara will pop up! ;o)

 

Another hot one....

It's 6:47 am and I'm up. I've been up for a half hour. What the heck is with that? I should be lounging in my bed, enjoying my sleep....but my body clock is still set on "school" time. *Sigh. So, I decided to write an entry. I am including pics that I took with my regular camera, as I have completely neglected it after purchasing my digital one. I just picked these pics up, after they sat at Wal-Mart for almost a month.

Things are going rather well around here. The girls spent the day organizing their rooms yesterday. It was wonderful! Betsy actually allowed Wee one into her room for the day, and they went through school papers, notes, bookbags....had a blast. Wee one then decided she wanted to organize her drawers, but I told her I had already done it. Still, she snuck the contents into Betsy's room and they went through them....and found a birthday card from Indiana grandma....with $60 in it! Dang....why didn't I find that? LOL....

Of course the day still had moments of aggrivation. I'll just list a few:

1. I timed it and it took exactly 9 minutes for someone to come into the family room and sit on my freshly fluffed pillow.

2. I hear an ominous crash in the kitchen, quickly followed by "IT'S NOT BROKEN!"

3. I walked past Betsy no less than 5 times, putting away laundry while she was online, and she never got the "hint".

4. We made it until 2:57 before Wee one asked, "Who can I play with?"

All in all, it's a pretty good start to the summer season. I have to do some sewing today, so I have told wee one she can ask her little friend over to swim. Betsy is at my mom's until this afternoon. My mom has some things to do, and needed someone to stay with my dad, so Bets spent the night. A built in grandpa watcher! He loves it when my girls come over to visit, so they should have a good time. When I took her over last night, my mom presented us with a bag of Jay's potato chips....yum! A friend who lives back home in Indiana sent them to us. You can't get them down here! Betsy says that Lays are a sorry imitation of Jays....I have to agree. It was nice having a "taste of home".

Well, the dog is whining so I guess that means I need to get up and let him out. Good morning....

Monday.....again....

I'm sure as soon as wee one wakes up, it will begin...."I'm bored, what is there to do? I'm hungry, we don't have anything to eat in this house, I want Hannah/Lauren/Rachel/Christiana, to spend the night/go swimming/come over...." But right now, I'm enjoying peace and quiet on this first Monday of "summer vacation".

I am not sure why they call it "summer vacation", because this is the season in evey sahm's life where our jobs kick into full gear. No more leisurly lunches on the back porch....no more uninterrupted showers as we shampoo and condition....even our morning cup of coffee will be affected. No longer will we slowly savor every caffeine filled sip, but quickly gulp it down before the little monsters are yelling that, "She ate the last of the Fruity Sugar Bites! I wanted those! No, the Fruity Saccharine Nuggets are not the same!"

Summer for us is when the laundry doubles and sometimes triples in one 24 hour period. Towels we never even knew we had appear. Washers and dryers seem to run 24/7 with clothes that belong to our family, as well as the kids down the street. I will be running around asking my kids, "Are these your socks?" "Well, who's socks are they?" "They HAVE to belong to someone!", only to have the doorbell ring ten minutes later by the kid down the block looking for her socks.

I expect my grocery bill to expand as well. Mind numbing amounts of fruit bites, fruit by the foot, fruit roll ups....do you know how much cheaper it would be if they would just eat fruit?  I'll also be stocking up on popcicles and ice cream. Why is it they insist on the $5 box of 8 cartoon character pops, instead of the $3 24 pack of regular popcicles, that taste exactly the same? During the school year, there is no problem with this, however, as soon as summer hits, their tastes change and no frozen treat under $5 will be accepted.

My housework routine is going to be majorly altered, I can see this already. My kitchen looks like a bomb went off in it....and it's only the first day. Wee one decided to try out her shrinky-dinks and left it spread out over my countertops. She didn't like outfit choices #1-3 yesterday for church, and they are still covering her bedroom floor. My usually neat and tidy desk is covered with end of the year papers from school, a pile of artwork so big that if I hung it on my walls I'd have more holes than plaster, and what looks to be a dried up strawberry from last nights dessert. *Sigh.

I suppose I should look at the positive side of things. My girls will be home with me and we can spend some quality time together, going to the beach ("But there's a 24 hour Spongebob marathon on!"), checking out sites around town ("Awww, man. Not the art museum!"), or just a leisurely afternnon at the mall ("Now this is more like it! What do you mean we are just window shopping?!)

Of course, I just finish writing this and wee one comes in here, all sleepy looking, hair a rats nest....and she hugs me. She said she is glad that she's home....and she loves me. Now, if that's not worth the extra laundry, groceries, and general aggrivation....I don't know what is.

 

 

Hmmmmm....

It seems that some people are having problems leaving comments on my journal. If you have had a problem, e-mail me and let me know....I have posted my problem on the journal board in the hopes that someone will know how to solve it....or point me in the right direction. So just to let everyone know....I am not blocking or hexing anyone! LOL....

Well, today was the last day of school. Betsy came home with two of her friends and headed straight to her room for Pepsi and music....and wee one and her little friend headed straight for the pool. I am sad that the year is over. They are just growing up way too fast.

Betsy and Emily are at a high-school lock in at our church. The first part is a comedy night, with three nationally known Christian comics, and the second part is games and fun and, most importantly, food. I have to be there at 7 am to pick them up....so much for sleeping in! However, we did get another load of mulch for the backyard, so I would be up early anyway. Wee one has a birthday party to go to tomorrow afternoon, so we went and got a gift. I also took her to Sonic for a hot fudge sundae, since her sister was gone for the evening. I tell ya, they have the BEST sundaes!

So tonight, I think I will do a bit of surfing, then watch some Comedy Central....then go to bed. I'm bushed. Have a great Friday night everyone!

****Bonus Entry****

I stole these questions from Melissa's journal....and she "borrowed" them from someone else....and so on, and so on, and so on....

1. Your name spelled backwards.  Yrrehs....dear Lord I sound middle eastern!

2. Where were your parents born?  Unbelieveably, they were both born in hospitals....lol. Mom in East Chicago, IN and Dad in Olney, IL

3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Why, porn of course....just kidding....a spyware program.....to get rid of the bugs from the porn....lol 

4. What's your favorite restaurant?  Hmmmm, of all time? Would have to be Dick's in St. John, IN.... 

5. Last time you swam in a pool?  Saturday, with my hubby.... 

6. Have you ever been in a school play?  Yes....I was in a few in elementary, and a few in high school....ummmm, The Legend of Sneaky Fitch, Bye-Bye Birdie, and West Side Story.... 

7. How many kids do you want?  Right now I'm not sure how many I want....but I have two....

8. Type of music you dislike most? Korn, or any other screaming band that doesn't actually sing or make sense.... 

9. Are you registeredto vote?  Nope....

10. Do you have a car?  Mini-Van and Truck....

11. Have you ever ridden on a moped?  Yes, my gay friend in high school had one, and my sister did too....

12. Ever prank call anybody?  When I was young.... 

13. Ever get a parking ticket?  Nope....

14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?  Only an idiot would jump out of a perfectly running plane....and that's a big NO to the bungee jumping as well.... 

15. Furthest place you ever traveled?  Indiana to Florida....it wasso far, I didn't go back! LOL.... 

16. Do you have a garden?  No, but I have a yard in Florida which is harder to take care of than a garden....

17. What's the size of your bed?  Queen....

18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?  Well, the first verse anyway....

19. Bath or Shower, morning or night?  Shower in the morning, bubble bath at night....

20. Best movie you've seen in the past 4 months?  "The Guru"....I HIGHLY recommend it....it's adorable!

21. What's the next movie you want to see?  Shreck 2.... 

22. Chips or popcorn? Popcorn, air popped, no salt or butter.... 

23. Have you ever broken any hearts?  Unfortunately, no....

24. Premarital sex?  Ummmm, of course not! ::evil grin::

25. Are you a good cook?  Why yes, I am....

26. Orange or Apple juice?  Orange for sure, I mean day-um, I live in Florida! (original answer from Melissa!;o)

27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine?  My husband and children....I don't remember....lol

28. Favorite type of drink?  liquid....

29. Best thing in the world?  Peace in my heart from my Savior.... 

30. Have you ever broken a bone?  Yes, my elbow when I was 32. I tripped over the dog, had to have surgery and pins. The dog didn't care....

31. Have you ever won a trophy?  Well, in my dance class we were "given" trophies....

32. What is your favorite board game?  Scattergories....

33. What is your dream car?  One that is paid for.....

34. Ever order an article from an infomercial?  Do cd's count????

35. Coke or Pepsi?  Coke....it's the REAL thing....(sorry Sully ;o)

36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work?  I wear a maid uniform every day (wink, Lanny;o)

37. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy?  Benadryl and Motrin.... 

38. Who are you going to marry?  Mr. Right....

39. Who would you like to meet?  Anybody British....anyone....doesn't matter....just have an accent....I'll accept it....lol....Lawrence Llewyllen Bowen from Changing rooms or Susannah and Trinny with 2000 pounds for me!!!! 

40. Do you believe in love at first sight?  No, lust - yes....

What features do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?  Humor!

41. Where would you go for a romantic evening?  Ummm, well, I don't know. I think a dark, quiet, piano bar....

42.How many pairs of shoes do you own?  At least 20.... 

44.Last song stuck in your head?  Well, I just read Melissa's answer and now that dang song is stuck....My Band by Eminem....sheesh! 

45. Any pets?  My golden retriever, Sir Percy of Barneswood....

46. What's your all time favorite Saturday Night Live Character?  Well, I loved Mary Catherine, anything Will Ferrel does....the cheerleaders with Cheri Oteri and the Culp's who would sing at school assembly's....they rocked!

47. What is one thing you would like to learn to do?  Play the violin....

48. What do you do when you are bored?  Surf j-land.... 

49. What is one thing you would want someone to appreciate about you?  My honesty....

50. What is one thing you are grateful for today?  My anti-depressants....seriously, my home. Not just the structure, but what is under the roof....two beautiful loving children, my husband, and me....a family.... 

*New Entry Alert*

How's that for being lazy....no new entry for two days. I don't know what's wrong with me. I've been behind in my journal reading, lazy around the house, just plain bored. It has been a weird week around here anyway. Dh working afternoons has really put a crimp in my style. My mornings are not mine to do with what I please....and now Betsy has half days for the rest of the week, which means she is home at 11:45. Wee one has a normal school day today, but tomorrow is a half day and I have to watch my neighbor's little girl as well.....which means they will be swimming as soon as they hit the door. My time will no longer be my own until August 9th....perhaps I am sad about that.

I go through these phases where I feel fat (although that is proving not to be just a phase....), and restless and wish that I had something that I was really good at, outside of being a wife and mother. My husband is going back to school to finish up his degree, and I'm wondering if I might go back as well. There are so many things to choose from....it doesn't get easier as you get older. You would think I'd know what I want now that I've been a child, teen, adult....but I don't. *Sigh.

Enough of that drivel. On an up note, Betsy had decided that she likes the sun and actually wants to go to the beach. She bought a bathing suit yesterday, and is wanting to work on her tan....hallelujah. I was beginning to think the "I'm a teenager I'm so depressed I don't like the sun or happy things" stage was going to last forever! I certainly hope this stage lasts.

Snake update: I have not seen my snakey friend since the day I photographed him....thank Goodness. I've been afraid to walk in my grass since then! LOL....when I was a kid, we used to catch gardner snakes and play with them....however this bad boy I was NOT going to touch.

I do have my cardinal friends who eat in the back yard every day....and they are so much fun to watch. I have leared to recognize their "tweets", so I can hear them before I actually see them. I put out a feeder and they are here every day....as well as 3 squirrels who sit out there and nosh on the sunflower seeds. Yesterday I looked out and there were the birds, two squirrels, a cat (not mine) sitting under my swing and my gnome....I told hubby it looked like a freaking Disney movie!

Is it a sign of getting older when you start talking about the wildlife in your backyard? I used to make fun of my mom when she would regale me with stories of the birds at her feeder in her back yard....

Well, my train of thought has officially left the station....I should get wee one ready for school. She is eating her bagel with cream cheese right now....apparently there is no dance for that menu choice....

Have a great one!

Pictures!!!!

This morning my darling dh took me to St. Augustine for breakfast and a stroll around town. I played tourist and took some pictures. I posted other things too, as my ygp is finally up and running again!

Not much going on at the moment. I feel like I could take a nap right about now. I stayed up late last night finishing some sewing, and went to bed around 11:30. DH came home around midnight and I don't remember what time he got to bed. After our breakfast we ran to the grocery store for a few things....I don't know which is worse, taking my kids grocery shopping, or my husband. "OOooooh, I haven't had that in a while....wait, I want some of this!....why can't we get those?" Sheesh! Remind me not to take him anymore. I bought wee one some lemon italian ice and he makes a pouty face and says, "Who is that for? I don't like that...." Well, Mr. Hog, it is not for you....and because he was whiny, I did not get him a treat....lol. That'll teach him!

Well, it's time for me to get started on my ever-growing pile of ironing. Have a lovely afternoon everyone....

And so it has begun....

This morning I got up and took Betsy to the bus stop, then came home to dh still snoring in bed. I started my morning routine, and brought wee one into my room to watch  "Garfield and Friends", after which I asked her what she would like for breakfast. I went through the usual rundown of what we had, and of course she said no to everything. Then she began her chant, "Egg and cheese, egg and cheese, egg and cheese, egg and cheese....", while holding her arms up and pounding her fist to the beat.

 I told her it was too much to make on a school morning, I told her I didn't have time....then I caved and said okay. I couldn't help it....she was lying there, hair all messy, that cute little 'just woke up' look on her face....I was helpless. This is when dh says, "Jeez, that's an awful lot of work for a school day breakfast isn't it?" Translation: Can I have one too?

So, I go off to the kitchen and begin making her "egg and cheese" (sandwich, on toast), and dh comes out in his skivvys and says again, "I can't believe you are going to cook on a school morning." I ignore him and keep working. He says, "So that's what eggs look like....I haven't had them in a while." I turn to him and say, "You can't have any, unless you do the dance." For a moment he looks at me, then realizes what I mean. He rolls his eyes....and begins the chant, arms raised, looking like a total dweeb, "Egg and cheese, egg and cheese, egg and...." Needless to say, I fixed it for him. They are both quite satisfied with their breakfast....sitting and watching "Arthur" together.

Anyhoo, I am taking advantage of their morning bonding and spending a few moments here in j-land. Have a wonderful Monday everyone....

My vacation is over....

Only 4 1/2 days until my girls are on summer vacation. However, I am already done with my days of freedom, alone in my house. Why you ask? I forgot that this week my husband will be working the afternoon shift. When he said there was a possibility of this, I did not calculate the correct week of his being home during the day....and it wasn't until 4:30 on Friday afternoon that I realized....my summer has begun.

I had such plans for my last week of sanity. I was going to take in a movie one day, stroll quietly by myself through the mall, looking at things that I wanted to look at, perhaps even go to lunch at a quaint little restaurant and order quiche and raspberry iced tea. But, alas, there will be none of that for me.

Today was a very nice day, however. We took the boat out this morning and cruised around for about three hours. It must have been reptile day on the river, as we saw about 10 turtles sunning themselves....and one alligator. I couldn't believe it when I saw him. I pointed and yelled for the girls to look....Betsy said, "Cool!"
John said, "I've never seen one this close!"
Wee-one said, "DON'T STOP THE BOAT DAD, SPEED UP!!!!"
Apparently she had the same feelings I did....let's just look at it from afar....I did take a picture of him, but my ygp isn't working right now.

A while later we dropped anchor (well, we dropped two of them actually), and wee one and dh fished. They didn't catch anything....but had a fun time casting. We then head off for one more run under the bridge and back home. We are all sunburned....dh got it on his knees, Betsy on everything, wee one and I got it mostly on our arms. It was a gorgeous day, warm with sunny skies and no humidity. Our spring has been wonderful.

Anyway, that's about it for today. No other plans except to watch the Simpsonsat 8:00. Wee one is pestering me to play a game with her....so I am off to Pretty-pretty Princess land....or Trouble land....or perhaps Memory land....

I'm Baaaackkkkk.....

This graphic says it all....I've been having horrible computer trouble. I can't log on, and when I do I freeze, or I get an "error", or I get a journal half loaded and it stops....I have probably re-booted, no joke, 50 times in the last two days. Aaaarrrgggghhhh! It's been so frustrating. However, on a good note, my updates seem to be working again....as I have 12 of them sitting in my mail box.

Not much else is going on. I finished my second day of reading to the little darlings at school....which was quite comical. They have two days of the readings, with three readers each day. Apparently that is too much for elementary kids, because I lost them around page three of the second book. Even the fourth grade safety patrol escort I had said to me, "Boy, they were rude", as we came out of the second class. Too funny!

Let me explain, our school is not so rough and tough you need a safety escort. In our school, once you get into the fourth or fifth grade, depending on your grades and conduct, you can apply to become part of the "safety patrol". You get to work with the crossing guards, patrol the halls and tell your classmates, "Don't run!" or ask them "Do you have a hall pass????". However I think the real reason kids want to be on the patrol are the lovely, lime green flourescent sp belts you get to wear. Hey, that would seal the deal for me....

Anyway, each reader was assigned a safety patrol escort, to help you find the rooms. Which was good because I had no idea where any of them were. We have a pretty big open campus, so classes are spread all over. And I had one fourth grade class (unbelieveably my best behaved, and most excited class), and I've never been to the fourth and fifth grade building. I went out and got thank-you cards for my patrol girls....thank goodness the yearbooks came out yesterday, so I can look them up to find some last names!

It seems like I haven't been home all week. I've been driving all over the place....and my gas tank is almost empty. Better start filling out loan applications.....I'm gonna need it to fill 'er up. What is with these gas prices? I can't believe it. I refused to buy the $1.86 gas on Monday....and now it's $1.91. I'm going to have to really try to save gas this summer. Thank goodness for the pool. I can't believe how high the prices are getting....dh rode his motorcycle to work today, as the truck eats up the gas so quickly. He could fill up the bike for $5.00....which is a LOT cheaper.

Time to take Betsy to the bus stop.....have a lovely Friday everyone!

My throat is parched....

I should have taken a bottle of water with me when I was going class to class reading. I was thirsty! The kids were so cute, though. They enjoyed the stories, and lots of them were dressed as their favorite characters....although some, I suspect, were just dressed in Halloween costumes for the heck of it. I had to read for a special needs class, which was fun. The kids were so sweet....and at the end of my dramatical reading of "Marie Louise's Heyday", a little boy in the front looked up at me with huge brown eyes and said, "Can we go back to our desks now?" Out of the mouthes of babes....

I would say that 80% of the readers were in costume. There was a Sherlock Holmes, a pirate, a tooth fairy and a rennisance lady....and boy, did they have a spread for us. Coffee, juice, tea, fresh fruit, bagels, mini quiche, regualr quiche, donuts, pastries, and a huge sheetcake all decorated for the read-a-thon. I didn't have wee-one's class today, which means I will have it tomorrow. I stopped at the library on my way home and picked up some additional books, which I think the kids will enjoy. All in all it was fun.

I'm trying to think of things to say, that I didn't get to talk about this week....but I think I've covered most of it. Let's see....well, there really isn't anything that pops into my head right now. Talk about milking it to the end. I'll probably post again tonight....you know, to sqeeze out the final remaining seconds of my 15 minutes of fame. I'm sure the other journalists who were chosen this week will be much more classy about it....

Oh....I should mention that my mother has started a journal, which I am happy about. My father has PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and my mother is the sole caregiver (although I try to help her, she does 99.9% of the work). I thought if she started to journal, it would help with some of her feelings of lonliness, sadness, anger, guilt, etc. She's a wonderful woman and is hoping to find other people to talk to that might be caregivers to someone suffering from this rare, neurological disorder, or caregivers in general so they might be able to give one another support, and relief from the daily stress. If you, or someone you know fits this bill....please send them here. It would be so very nice if she had someone to talk to, other than me....I think she is getting sick of me! LOL....

Well, I am off to pick up wee-one at the bus stop....

And so it ends....my week of glory is fading....

Gotta love AOL by phone....for those too tired in the early morning to type....

Let me explain....

Hold on a minute....before I get any more comments on my previous entry let me clarify something.

If you want to spend $3000 on your kids for Christmas....be my guest. I wasn't saying it was wrong....but the woman on the Dr. Phil show had to refinance their home to pay off the credit card bills, and is still using them, putting themselves deeper into debt. Not only that, the husband's point of view was that he wanted the kids to go to good schools, and to be able to save for their college education. And at the end of the clip, she gave the little 2 year old the credit card and said, "What do we do with this?" and the little girl swiped it and said, "CHARGE IT!"

If you have the cash to pay for it....fine. But these people obviously didn't have the cash. I wasn't saying that it is wrong to spoil your children every once in a while....as long as you are able to provide your family with the necessities of every day living.

(I guess I should have explained the entire show! LOL)

 

How's that workin for ya?

Did anyone happen to catch Dr. Phil last night? There was a woman on who spent over $3000 on her two year old at Christmas. It took the kid three hours to open gifts. She said that she buys her child whatever she wants and rarely looks at price tags. She likes the way her daughter's eyes light up when she gets a gift. And she says her daughter knows her abc's and how to count to 30 because of the educational value of some of the toys....to which her husband replied, "I think we could have taught her how to count and say her abc's without toys to help us." (You GO dad!). Am I the only one here who thinks this is a bit, ummmm, NUTS? No matter how much I love my children, and I LOVE my children, I am not about to give into their every whim, or spend that much on Christmas.

We have an understanding in our house. Each of my kids gets three gifts for Christmas, and a stocking. My theory is that if three gifts were good enough for our Lord and Savior, then it should be good enough for them. I have never, ever had a problem with this. From the time they were small, they have never asked for more....as a matter of fact, last year wee one said to me, "Mom, Santa brought me four gifts....we are only supposed to have three!" (I tried sneaking a dvd in her stocking, but I guess it was too much like a real gift). Now, tell me that little girl isn't going to turn out expecting everything to be handed to her. The mother said she was too young to realize that and she will stop when she gets older.....lol. Yeah, great plan there.

Parenting is such a complicated thing. We want to give our kids everything because we love them....yet if we do that, we will create children who don't want to work for anything. I don't want my girls to graduate from college and then say, "Okay world, here I am.....where's my paycheck?" Betsy and I had a tough time last week. I had to talk to her and set some things straight. One of the hardest things I had to say to her was that I have to be her parent first, and her friend second. I love goofing off with her, and I'll admit, I probably let her get away with things that I shouldn't. (the occasional cuss word, a randy joke, slacking on a chore or two) But, recently I've realized that I wasn't doing her any favors by treating her as an adult or friend. I need to be the parent for her, and for myself. Although she probably doesn't realize it, I am showing her more love this way, than by letting things slide. I suppose it's the proverbial "you'll understand when you are older" theory. However, she will....and she will be a better person for it. I just hope this woman wakes up before it's too late.

Okay, enough of that. What is on the docket for today....hmmmm, well, Betsy reminded me that her prescription is ready at Walgreens, I just put the last roll of tp in the bathroom which means I need to re-stock, I have pictures at Wal-Mart that haven't been picked up since buying my digital camera.....you see a pattern here? I guess I will be running errands today. It figures, I'm low on gas, have to spend money and payday is next Friday....sheesh. I also have to finish some sewing, two more loads of laundry and pick dd up at 4:30 from poetry club. Of course, in 8 1/2 days I'm going to be wishing for this kind of day....I should probably pick up some ear plugs while I'm out, since my ears will soon be bombarded with the "I'm bored, there's nothing to do, why don't we have anything good to eat, it's too hot out, I don't want to go to the beach again, how many days till school starts" song.

One more Monday to go....

My kids have only two weeks of school left before summer vacation....where did the year go? Which of course means that I won't have to make a lunch every day for wee one. However, every year the same thing happens....two weeks before the year ends, I start running out of things for her lunches. I am down to my last 3 plastic spoons for her pudding/jello/fruit cups, my baggies are almost gone, I thought I had just enough juice boxes to make it, the salami package only has 5 slices left and two of them are hard....you see what I mean? I hate to go out and restock everything this late in the game. This happenes every year. You would think I'd learn by now.

This week wee one's school is having a special reading program. Parents volunteer in two hour shifts to come in and read to their child's class and any other classes that need readers. I get to read on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm looking forward to it. I love volunteering at school. The kids are so cute and they love it when you recognize them....makes them feel special. Of course, I am talking about elementary school here....God forbid if I ever waved across the courtyard to my dd in high school!
"Why no, I have no idea who that crazy woman is waving at me."

Anyway, I went to the public library and picked out two really cute books to read to the kids. I also get to peruse the assortment of books the librarian will have available to the readers.

Today is "I'm sorry we ran over your lawn so we are sending someone to fix it" day. The sod company will be out sometime this morning to repair our front lawn. We really need new grass out there....I told hubby he should do a few donuts in the yard....maybe they would fix it all. But being the honest folk that we are, we didn't do that.

Wee-one has finished her breakfast of chicken noodle soup, andis now waiting for me to attempt to brush the tangled mess that is her hair....good Monday morning everyone!

 

Mother's day at our house....

And so ends another Mother's day here in sunny Florida. It was a gorgeous day....sunny and in the low 80's with a nice breeze. And to top it all off....no humidity!!!! 

My day started with my little scavenger hunt, coordinated by my wee one. I was then presented with my gifts, which included a homemade book of poems from her, along with a bobbing turtle for the yard, and a sponge painted pot with Hershey's Kisses inside. Betsy got me a bear that smells so wonderful. He is dipped in something....I'm not sure what, and you set it out kind of like an air freshener. You can use a hairdryer on it if it looses it's scent. I've never seen anything like it before. After the gifts, dh and wee one went to McDonalds for breakfast, and we ate together. Afterward, I was asked what I wanted to do. I only took a moment to decide. We spent a family day at home, working on the lawn together. I know, not too exciting....but it was just what we needed.

Betsy and wee one filled in the brickwork together, and I am not kidding, laughed and sang the entire time. I was amazed. They had the 80's station blaring, and sang along with all the songs....by heart! Then, dh and I ran to Lowe's for some flowers and plants, and came home and planted. My parents came over, just as we were finishing, so dh grilled some steaks, and I threw together the potatoes, corn and peach cobbler. We ate, exchanged gifts....I got a Yankee Raspberry Sorbet candle....and visited for a while. They just left, dh is on the phone with the mil, and I am sitting here, relaxing.

I have to say, this was one of the very best Mother's day I've had. The only reason I am able to celebrate today as a mother, is because of my husband and children. This is why I chose to spend my day working with them. I didn't need a fancy dinner out, an expensive shopping spree, or a day to myself. I needed and wanted a day with those who make this day special to me.

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful, and enjoyable Mother's day with their families....

The Queen of Procrastination....

Yes, it is the day before Mother's day and I have yet to shop for my dear mother. Lately, she has been reading this, so I won't go into what I am getting her....only that I am going to have to fight some wicked Saturday crowds/traffic to make my purchase. (Yes mother, you are worth it).  I know, I know....it's my fault for waiting.

My mother, however, has her shopping done. She buys me a present every year, even though I am not her mother. Not only does she buy something for me, but she gets something for the girls to give me. She has done this since my oldest was a baby. Needless to say, my husband adores her. Not just because she buys gifts that are technically his responsibility, but because they get along so well. Many times she has slipped and said, "My son and daughter-in-law...."  They have this wonderful relationship....much like mother and son. Since the day she met him and said, "Uh-oh, we are in trouble....I can tell that he's 'the one'....", they have been buddies. He is the only one that is allowed to call her "ma", as she never did like that moniker. He signs all his cards to her, "from your favorite son-in-law", even though mom has two others. Whenever we have a home improvement project that involves removing walls, or moving exceptionally large pieces of furniture, she is called over....for some reason he doesn't curse like a sailor when she is here. I think because they are too busy laughing and thinking about the task at hand.

I, as a wife and daughter, have been blessed to watch the relationship between my husband and mother grow and blossom into true caring and love. It's a gift that I am thankful for, every day of the year.

Friday is date night....

It's Friday night once again....date night. A night to get all dressed up, done up, and go out. Of course, for me Friday night means something a little different. Here's a quiz for you....lets see who can get the highest score:

1. After a day of cleaning (yes, that included toilets), laundry (physical contact with pre and post washed underwear), and sewing, dh comes home with:
a. roses
b. diamonds
c. an attitude

2. Sitting at the dinner table, he regales me with tales of:
a. his undying love for me
b. where he would like to take me for a night of romance
c. how he had to sit in traffic for a half hour, only to have to make a u-turn because someone had an accident probably because no one knows how to drive and/or use turn signals in this state.

3. My weekend plans will include which of the following:
a. a night of dinner and dancing
b. a night at the beach, walking hand in hand along the moonlit shore
c. a night of listening to the What-A-Burgers we had for dinner repeat themselves loudly in the general vicinity of my husband.

If my hunch is correct, I think those who have been married over 7.5 years will have the highest scores.

As for the weekend, I don't know what the plans are. Dh votes for boating, the oldest wants to sit in her room and brood, wee one wants a friend over, and I want....well....I'm not sure. I don't usually think about what I want. Well, I think about it, but I don't usually get it....although I think dh is getting me what I really want for Mother's day.

 Mmmmmhmmmm, tickets to see my favorite band in the world. Bet you didn't know sahm's liked "that kind of music" did ya? Well Lisa is a Bon Jovi nut, Kara has her Zep....and I have my Van Halen. Yes, we moms know how to rock.

 

Unorganized....

Today I feel totally unorganized. I know, I know, the queen of organization? Can it be true? Yes....from my purse to my fridge I feel like I need to do a major overhaul. My pantry was bothering me this morning as I made wee one's lunch, my car was mocking me as I haven't vacuumed it in a week, and the fact that my favorite comb is missing has really gotten me upset. It's my pink comb that I use to do wee one's braids, my eyebrows, and occasionally to reach that pesky itch in the middle of my back. Yet, here I sit, at my desk ignoring my work. *Sigh.

Yesterday a neighbor had sod delivered. It seems everyone in the neighborhood is taking on home improvement projects lately, which is a good thing. It's nice to see the neighborhood looking good....however it seems the sod company needs to start making sure that their drivers can actually drive the semi's they send them out in. Dh called me while I was at physical therapy with the oldest to let me know that while attempting to turn around in the cul-de-sac, the "sod guy" pulled into our front yard to complete the turn. He left behind some lovely ruts, pushed up soil and ruined grass. *Sigh. Dh followed him to the neighbors house and pointed out the errors of his ways. A call to the company was made, and they will be out this morning to fix the damage. Apparently this happens a lot. He told us to run the sprinkler system to make sure it wasn't crushed (it worked). I told dh he should have said to the driver, "Leave two pallets of sod on the driveway and no calls will be made...."

Anyhoo, that's it for now. I am going to start cleaning and organizing....I tell ya, the fun never ends around here.

*To all who have commented on my journal, I thank you. I am having a great time being featured on "the list". And to those who have asked, the graphics are from Animation Factory. If you click on one, it willre-direct you to their site.

**I just thought of something. Since my journal is "out there" (no comments, Cheezy!), out-there in the public eye so to speak, I thought I'd mention that I am originally from Indiana, and graduated from Lake Central High School, class of 87. Would love to hear from any old pals!

Perils of Parallel Parking....

My lunch date with the hubby was so nice. The weather was sunny and warm, around 75 degrees. We sat outside at a trendy lunch place in the ritzy little town of San Marco. Now, dh and I are neither trendy nor ritzy, so it made for some very interesting people watching.

San Marco is a cute little town made up of a main street, with the old storefronts, brick streets, etc. I would say that 90% of the people that live there are doctors or lawyers, and all of the cars that park along the way are of the Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes make. (I, however, parked my Dodge Caravan on a side street....)

As we were enjoying our $7 salads, we noticed a woman trying to parallel park just across the street from us. She was driving a new Murano, and trying to maneuver it between a brand spankin new Hummer and a mid sized sedan. She would back-up, turn the wheel, pull forward....back-up, turn the wheel, pull forward. Being a former truck driver, I heard my dh mumble, "Cut the wheels lady, you aren't driving a Freightliner!" Chuckling, we watched her try time and time again to get into the spot. Soon, she had made her way near the curb, and decided to back up further. Inch by agonizing inch she slllooooowwwwlllyyy went. I sat, fork poised in mid air thinking, surely she will look in her mirror and stop....come on lady, that's far enough, for Pete's sake STOP. And she did. Of course by this time her bumper had made contact with the Hummer, which was at this point rocking to and fro....

Then, she pulls a bit forward, gets out of the car, and is on her way to lunch without even a glance at her bumper or the Hummer. Amazing. I was not surprised, however, when she walked past our table, got halfway down the street and turned around, realizing she had missed the door to the restaurant. Sheesh! I know money doesn't buy happiness....apparently it doesn't buy common sense either.

 

I have a date....

My husband called me as I was walking out the door to take wee one to the bus stop. He wants me to meet him for lunch. My first thought was, "Great. I have my day all planned, now I have to stop and get cleaned up and go alllll the way out there for lunch."

Then I talked to a gal from the bus stop who is having a bit of marital trouble. She doesn't get any intamacy from her husband, he is adhd as well as their three boys. Her life is so messed up. She goes to counseling and tells me she has two choices; stick with him and be miserable but have happy kids, or leave and try to make it on her own with three adhd kids. She has a husband, but not a partner. She needs to feel loved and appreciated and cared for, but gets none of that. She is in constant turmoil, her life is like a snowglobe that is always being shaken.

I called my dh and told him I'd love to go to lunch with him.

Good morning....

I thought chocolate chip pancakes sounded good this morning. Not for the kids (bad mommy!), but for me. I made myself clean up the house first, mop the kitchen, etc., probably to ease that little bit of nagging guilt in the back of my head....since I had not sent my children off to school with a homemade breakfast. Okay, technically wee-one had a homemade breakfast, since she wanted warmed-up lasagna from last night. Her two favorite breakfast foods are chicken noodle soup or ramen noodles. Ick.

Anyhoo, I finished my guilt cleaning and made my pancakes....and ate roughly a third of them. I just wasn't hungry. So why did I make them? I think I just like the comfort of cooking and smelling them, and the memories they envoke. I do that with coffee. I will brew a pot, have a half a cup, and just enjoy the smell that lingers in the air. It reminds me of breakfasts as a child, going on vacation and sitting in restaurants, cold winter mornings watching the snow fall outside my window. I think this might be a key to weight loss. I have recently begun enjoying the task of cooking, the smells, the memories, and then actually saying to myself that I don't really want to eat it. And you know what? It has been working. I wonder what Dr. Phil would say about my new discovery? How's it working for me? Just fine.

I am going to work on my sewing today. I need to get a few orders out so that I can have some fun money. I saw a commercial for SeaWorld in Orlando, and they are running vacation specials. I would love to go there and see the marine life, and I'm sure the girls would too. I remember going to the one in Ohio as a kid. You could actually pet the dolphins. They had them in these little tanks and kids would just run up and touch them. Of course, that was before it was considered politically incorrect to boil a lobster, so I am sure things have changed. Still, I think it would be a fun thing to do....especially since the polar ice caps are going to melt and drown us down here in Fl. Better get that boat ready!

Monday morning....

There is something about a rainy morning at the bus stop that makes me feel good. I suppose it's the coziness of sitting in the car, surrounded by the raindrops on the windshield while my wee-one chatters away. She is so funny. She was practicing her signature on the back of a battery package (they are perfecting cursive writing at school), and noticed the "Made in America" stamp on the back. She said to me, "You know mom, if I were the person who stamped these packages, I'd do them really fast." Then she told me that she would love to have the job where you put the prizes in the cereal boxes. She showed me how she would put them in quickly, to keep the line moving....oh, and if they need someone to lick the boxes shut (I assume she meant the tops of the boxes that are glued shut), she could do it, although a dog would be much quicker. I absolutely love the way that kids minds work. So innocent and honest. I wish I could look at things through her eyes....to be excited that one day you could possibly hold the exciting job of factory line worker!

She is turning in her solar system report today. It turned out wonderfully. She told me she wanted to decorate the title page herself, and not use an image found online because it was more fun to "draw it myself and use my imagination." So, she sat here at my desk, drawing planets and comets and asteroids while I typed the report. A bit later on that evening, she told me how much fun it was to learn with me instead of her teacher. She said she understood things better when I taught her, and over the summer could we have "school" every day so that she can be ready for 4th grade. Okay....someone pass me the Kleenex....how sweet is that????

On the other front, oldest is having issues with her boyfriend. Not serious ones, just typical teen things. I don't want to go into it, as I think some of her friends read this and I don't want to say anything I shouldn't. Yes, Bets, I respect your privacy! Talk about a shift in gears, going from 3rd grade issues to 9th grade issues. I wonder if Bets wants me to set up school for her with me this summer as well? Somehow, I doubt it!

Anyhoo, it's after 8 and the house isn't cleaning itself. I've got tons of fun ahead of me....and the phone is ringing....which means Mom is up. Have a great one....

Tired of cleaning....

Have you seen the episode of the Simpsons, where no one will take out the garbage? The rule in their house is the person who throws the last piece of trash in at the top of the can, has to take it out. They end up stapling banana peels to the side....well, that is what is happening at my house. I have gone into the kitchen twice in the last three days, and the can is overflowing....yet no one but me seems to notice. What is up with that? How hard is it to tie the handles (none of those time consuming twisty ties in this house), pull it out, take it outside, and put a new bag in? Oh, wait....there were more than two steps involved. That must be it.

Now, I know I have gone on the laundry tyrade before....but I am still finding light clothes in the dark basket, and darks in the light. How many times do I have to ask them to LOOK at the color of the sock/underwear/shirt and place it into the corresponding basket?!  Why oh why is this such a hard concept to grasp? Perhaps if I began putting their tooth brushes into the toilet brush holder? "Hey, they are both holders of brushes....what's the difference?" 

Wee one and I have finished her solar system report....thank the good Lord. It turned out beautifully, and if she doesn't get an A, I'm going to be mighty angry. I typed it for her, since her "hunt and peck" method would have lasted well into the early morning hours....but she did the actual report and drawings herself.

This week is "teacher appreciation week" at school. I suppose I should look in her bookbag immediately after she gets home on Friday, as this afternoon I found the letter that listed what she needed to bring each day of the week. Tomorrow is a flower (which they will all put together for a boquet), then a piece of fruit for a fruit basket (she got a coconut), a snack such as trail mix (not sure what that is for), a book to donate to her classroomlibrary, and a homemade card. I just got back from Publix with flowers, fruit and snacks. I tell ya!  I reminded wee-one that she only has three Mondays left of school....God help me.

I can't believe summer is coming so quickly! What am I going to do with these kids? Actually, I shouldn't say kids, as Bets is going to be 16 in July. Hopefully she will be gainfully employed for the summer. She is going to apply at grocery stores, ice cream shops (crossing fingers for that one), and various other establishments. I'm going to have to give in and let her get her permit as well. *Sigh. There goes what's left of my nerves.

Well, dh and wee one are going for a dip in the pool, and I just heard thunder.....

Rainy day project....

Well, we started at 9:30 am and finished after 2:00. The photos show only part of what we did....the other side of the lawn was done after....and we ran out of sod. *Sigh. I guess that means more in the weeks to come. But I am so thrilled at how it turned out! We haven't had grass in the backyard for over a year now. It has rained and rained and rained ever since we finished, which has been nice....our water bill won't be so high! We were going to water the lawn, but God did it for us. There is rain in the forecast for the next 7 days, so that will give the grass a chance to grow.

Wee-one went to her pool party, which ended up being a pool-patio-pool-house party since it rained on and off the entire time. After we picked her up we headed out for the Super Wal-Mart in Orange Park. Let me tell you, crossing the St. John's river over the huge Buckman Bridge was quite intimidating in the pouring rain. You could barely see the car lights in front of you. And there was some sort of sail boat thing going on....probably 30+ sailboats getting completely drenched. We made it home in time to take the oldest to her boyfriends house for his birthday party. I have been in the car for 2 hours straight~!

Well, I am sore and tired from my day of lifting, planting and chauffering about, so I will say goodnight. Have a good one!

*I have no idea what happened to picture #2....apparently all the rain shrank it! ;o)

Memories in May....

Gretchen from Living in Savannah, reminded me that today is May Day. I have wonderful memories of this day, and the people who made it special for us.

I had never really thought anything of "May Day", until we met Pete and Carol Plimpton. They were an older couple from the church we attended as kids. The were the kind of people that you wanted for grandparents. He was tall, white hair, kind eyes....could have been Santa's thinner, younger brother. He always had a smile and a hug for you. She was slight with short silver hair.....and I do mean silver, like the crayon! I was always intrigued by her hair. She wore it almost slicked back, but it suited her personality. Smart as a whip and so worldly.  The word I would use to describe her would be sassy. They lived in a gorgeous ranch home on a wooded lot at the end of their neighborhood. They had a basket that was hung on their door with candy for the neighborhood kids. There was a sign about taking one piece and leaving the rest for the others that hung above it.

I remember the first May Day that they knew us, they brought my sisters and I homemade May Day baskets. They were made of colored construction paper that was folded into a cone. At the top and bottom, they cut out fringe and glued it on. Inside was popcorn and jelly bellies....I remember this because I had never had jelly beans that tasted so good (I didn't know what jelly bellies were). Sometimes a coloring book would accompany the basket, or a balloon. I just remember what an impact that made on us as kids. These sweet people would take the time to make these gifts, and bring them to us. It was quite a lesson in giving, one that I will not forget.

As time went on, our family adopted them as surrogate grandparents. We even invited them to be in our "family portrait" for our church directory. Time went on and they had to move from their home, and enter an assisted living place. They thoroughly enjoyed it, and took full advantage of the services. They would write letters to let us know what was going on (as they were a few hours away), telling us how they enjoyed helping the "older folks" with crafting and such. They were in there 80's by now. I remember going to visit them and how proud they were, showing us around their new home. Carol gave me 5 "Far Side" books, which I still have, because she remembered that I liked that comic. Not long after, Pete succomed to cancer and Carol was left on her own. She lived there for a while, and then began traveling. She would go between her kids homes in the lower 48 states, to her daughter in Alaska. She was still traveling alone in her 90's, back and forth. She kept in touch, writing letters and sending "warm fuzzies", her words for hugs. When she passed away, she left behind a legacy of caring and giving and proof that age is only a number. She loved life, embraced it and lived it every day. My life was blessed a thousandfold, knowing these people.

So, in memory of my wonderful Pete and Carol, I wish you all a very happy May Day!