Kate's class has taken more field trips this year alone, than all of the other years combined! They've had conservation day at Vandalia lake, Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, movie theater in Hillsboro, and Carlyle Lake. Next week, they're going to the Lewis and Clark museum in Alton. On the 26th, they're going to the City Museum in St. Louis. Guess who's a chaperone... me! When I first found out that it was on a Wed. and Christopher would be off to watch Preston, I got excited and said that I'd go. But then I got to thinking. That's during my last week of just me and Preston. That really got to me. I really do not want to be away from him at all that week. Now, I'll be gone for an entire day. That, and with all of this swine flu business, I really don't want to be enclosed in a school bus for an hour there and back, plus wandering around a hands-on museum all day. There's not much I can do about that though, besides just be extra careful and take lots of hand gel! As for not being with Preston, I'll just have to make that last week even more special. Oh! He gets to go on his very first field trip tomorrow! They're walking downtown to a restaurant since they're learning about restaurants this week. He should have fun!
Today, I thought for a change, we'd go pick up something for lunch and have a picnic on the living room floor since it was rainy. But instead, Preston had an idea to have one on the front porch where it was dry. What a great idea! I got a blanket, he got a jug of water, and we sat outside and ate our burger/fries and taco salad. I really enjoyed it, and he did, too! Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can have a lot of fun-filled days outside, just us.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
20 more days....
Kate's teacher sent a note home today with all of May's activities and there are only 20 days of school left. I'm so NOT ready for that! It's not so much summer break, but that means I only have 4 more weeks of just me and Preston during the day. Four weeks... My baby, that I have spend EVERY single day with since 9/26/03. I LOVE the time we have just the 2 of us- doing what he wants to do, snuggling while watching Wubzy, talking. Our time is quickly dwindling and it makes me SAD. I"m choking back tears now. I do NOT want my baby to go to school. I do NOT want to leave him in someone else's care all day. He's MY baby. I really hate this. I don't remember being like this when Kate started kindergarten. Preston, though, unless some miracle occurs, is my last. I think that in 3 weeks, we won't be going up the steps to preschool, signing him in, washing his hands, and the BIG hug I get when I leave, running after his friends outside after school. SAD... I love his preschool. It is so family-centered and involved. Public school is the opposite. I can't pop in and observe him. I can't go in for all of their parties. I can't make special treats for his birthday. What I really, really want to do, is keep him home, but I can't do that. What I'd really like to do because I can't, is send him to a private school with a Christian background, much like his preschool is. I doubt I can convince Christopher on that one, though.
All I can do, is to cherish each and every day I have until the 29th, of just me and Preston. The last week of May, he's out of school (He graduates the 20th), so we'll be doing lots of extra-special things just the two of us.
All I can do, is to cherish each and every day I have until the 29th, of just me and Preston. The last week of May, he's out of school (He graduates the 20th), so we'll be doing lots of extra-special things just the two of us.
Ebay
Some of you know how much I love Ebay, so I thought it would be a good topic for tonight, to make up for the several days of no posts. Now that we've got our new PC, I can once again run auctions without it taking hours to upload a picture (not exaggerating...), so I've got quite a few running right now. LOVE it!!! What I also love are the great bargains! Last night I scored an Ann Taylor Loft (my fav) shirt for just $.99! I've gotten some pretty amazing deals over the past few years, and it's one of my favorite places to find stuff! And since I love garage sales so much (having them, that is), Ebay is my first stop when something needs sold. Old cell phones that go for over $40, Gymboree and Janie and Jack clothes, all would've gotten me just a few bucks if I'd sold them in my GS. And one time I sold a bunch of Seth's old MAD magazines and got over $150 for them! Of course, they were his mags and I was selling them for him, so I didn't technically get that money! But still, it was a great sale!
If you haven't gotten the Ebay bug yet, check it out! You never know what treasures you'll find!
If you haven't gotten the Ebay bug yet, check it out! You never know what treasures you'll find!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Have you ever seen a Liger?
What's that?
It's a liger. It's probably the coolest animal. It's a cross between a lion and a tiger, bred for it's skills in magic.
If you've ever seen Napoleon Dynamite, you probably recognized that scene in the movie! LOVE that movie! I took the kids today to a fundraiser that my sister's girl scout troop was hosting to raise money for their trip to Georgia in June. It was really neat, and the kids had a blast! They got to make animals, very similar to Build-A-Bear, and Preston really got into that! After the whole thing was over, they had a man come in with his animals. He brought a baby Grizzly bear cub, a monkey, squirrel, kinkajoo, hyena, and the star of the day, a liger! It really was cute, it really just looked like a tiger cub! Since then, that's pretty much been all the kids have talked about! Now, I can say that I have officially seen a liger! As for its skills in magic, I'll leave that one up to Napoleon!
It's a liger. It's probably the coolest animal. It's a cross between a lion and a tiger, bred for it's skills in magic.
If you've ever seen Napoleon Dynamite, you probably recognized that scene in the movie! LOVE that movie! I took the kids today to a fundraiser that my sister's girl scout troop was hosting to raise money for their trip to Georgia in June. It was really neat, and the kids had a blast! They got to make animals, very similar to Build-A-Bear, and Preston really got into that! After the whole thing was over, they had a man come in with his animals. He brought a baby Grizzly bear cub, a monkey, squirrel, kinkajoo, hyena, and the star of the day, a liger! It really was cute, it really just looked like a tiger cub! Since then, that's pretty much been all the kids have talked about! Now, I can say that I have officially seen a liger! As for its skills in magic, I'll leave that one up to Napoleon!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The phone call
It happened today... Kate got her first phone call from a boy...
Kate missed school today because she got sick during the night. Around 5:00, the phone rings and I see it's a cell number, but didn't know whose. I answer, and a girl is on the line asking for Kate. I didn't ask who it was because some of her friends have cell phones (at 10 years old???) and I figured it was one of them. She sounded a little awkward on the phone, so I asked her who called once she'd hung up. It was L... The boy who is bad news... Kate swears she didn't give him her number, and I believe her because we had a huge issue with this in 1st grade when she gave a girl her number and she called 50 times in one weekend. She knows to only give her number out to her best friends. I talked to her about it and asked her to tell him not to call anymore. One, she's only 10, and Christopher and I agree that it's too young for boys to be calling. Two, this boy's bad news. He talks about being a "gay egg" all the time, which prompted a conversation about what it meant to be gay. The other day, he told Kate he was on steroids. Nice... That, and he really bothers her at school. So yeah, this was an eye-opener! Hopefully, he doesn't call back.
Other than that, the day was pretty uneventful. Tomorrow is the big Fun Fair at Kate's school, so we'll all be going to that, which should be fun! I just hope we don't run into L at the fair! And if you could, please say a prayer for Christopher tomorrow. He goes to see his dr. and will have his labs drawn to see if his cancer has returned. After his last labs in Oct., his dr. said he wanted to start going back to checks every 6 months instead of every 12 like they had been, because his AFP levels are still elevated. They weren't any higher, but they just haven't gone down. It will be a long weekend until he can check online at work Monday for his results. Thanks! Have a fun weekend!
Kate missed school today because she got sick during the night. Around 5:00, the phone rings and I see it's a cell number, but didn't know whose. I answer, and a girl is on the line asking for Kate. I didn't ask who it was because some of her friends have cell phones (at 10 years old???) and I figured it was one of them. She sounded a little awkward on the phone, so I asked her who called once she'd hung up. It was L... The boy who is bad news... Kate swears she didn't give him her number, and I believe her because we had a huge issue with this in 1st grade when she gave a girl her number and she called 50 times in one weekend. She knows to only give her number out to her best friends. I talked to her about it and asked her to tell him not to call anymore. One, she's only 10, and Christopher and I agree that it's too young for boys to be calling. Two, this boy's bad news. He talks about being a "gay egg" all the time, which prompted a conversation about what it meant to be gay. The other day, he told Kate he was on steroids. Nice... That, and he really bothers her at school. So yeah, this was an eye-opener! Hopefully, he doesn't call back.
Other than that, the day was pretty uneventful. Tomorrow is the big Fun Fair at Kate's school, so we'll all be going to that, which should be fun! I just hope we don't run into L at the fair! And if you could, please say a prayer for Christopher tomorrow. He goes to see his dr. and will have his labs drawn to see if his cancer has returned. After his last labs in Oct., his dr. said he wanted to start going back to checks every 6 months instead of every 12 like they had been, because his AFP levels are still elevated. They weren't any higher, but they just haven't gone down. It will be a long weekend until he can check online at work Monday for his results. Thanks! Have a fun weekend!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day!
It's Earth Day today, and after all, since I am the Lean Green Momma, I figured that I just had to post! What's that? You sense the contradiction in my desire to protect our Earth and my very conservative values? Let me clarify that I do it only by choice, for my children's benefit. I'll be the first to tell you what a crock of shi*p* global warming is, and although alternative energy sources sound OK in theory, it's just not realistic at this point- we still need oil... American oil. Talk about a stimulus package! Drilling stateside for oil will do millions more than our socialist dictator's "genius" plan... OK, time to rope the Republican rampage, I'm off on a hot topic!
I didn't do anything special for Earth Day. Really, I didn't. I did go out and water where we sowed grass the other day in hopes that we'll start to see some growth, but that's the extent of my Earthly ways today. Sorry. Nothing exciting to write about- except for the photo shoot we did today, which I'll save for another post. But what I will do, is ask, "What do you do to help our environement?" Here's a rundown on us!
* Using re-usable shopping bags
* Using re-usable lunch boxes
* We recycle everything that can be recycled
* We re-use everything that can't be recycled
* Using CFL bulbs
* Switched to all Energy Start appliances when we moved
* Organic gardening
* Homemade eco-friendly cleaning products
That's just a quick list of what I can think of off the top of my head. Of course, just plain old conserving energy in any way goes a long way. Between our Energy Star appliances and CFL's, our electric bill is the exact same as it was at our old house- and this one is almost 3 times larger! We hardly have any trash, compared to our neighbors. I love taking our food scraps and burying them in our garden. It's something I'm passionate about, and something that I feel is important to teach the children because they will have to live with the consequences of ours, and previous generation's mistakes.
I didn't do anything special for Earth Day. Really, I didn't. I did go out and water where we sowed grass the other day in hopes that we'll start to see some growth, but that's the extent of my Earthly ways today. Sorry. Nothing exciting to write about- except for the photo shoot we did today, which I'll save for another post. But what I will do, is ask, "What do you do to help our environement?" Here's a rundown on us!
* Using re-usable shopping bags
* Using re-usable lunch boxes
* We recycle everything that can be recycled
* We re-use everything that can't be recycled
* Using CFL bulbs
* Switched to all Energy Start appliances when we moved
* Organic gardening
* Homemade eco-friendly cleaning products
That's just a quick list of what I can think of off the top of my head. Of course, just plain old conserving energy in any way goes a long way. Between our Energy Star appliances and CFL's, our electric bill is the exact same as it was at our old house- and this one is almost 3 times larger! We hardly have any trash, compared to our neighbors. I love taking our food scraps and burying them in our garden. It's something I'm passionate about, and something that I feel is important to teach the children because they will have to live with the consequences of ours, and previous generation's mistakes.
Monday, April 20, 2009
School days
How exhausting! I just finished helping Kate with 4 hours of homework. Yep, 4 hours, for a 4th grader. I find that a little extreme! Yes, she did take time out for dinner and a quick bath, but other than that, she sat at the table from 5-9. She was frustrated, I was frustrated... And it didn't help that she had honor chorus after school until 5:00. Tomorrow, she has Just Say No and Girl Scouts after school until 6, so homework will have to wait until then. I think tomorrow I'll let her use a "no homework pass."
A few weeks ago, Kate comes home from school with a magazine order booklet and says that if she sends in 7 addresses, she'd get a "really cool pair of glasses that are really a straw." Normally, I never send those things out because I think it's tacky, but I did because it also allowed her to get a free subscription to Time magazine for kids that they were using in class. I sent them out to family only- people I knew wouldn't care, and probably would buy them anyway. Well, I get the mail today and find 2 of them addressed to Christopher. I look at the name of who sent it, and they are from 2 different kids that we do NOT have any clue as to who they are! Obviously, this was the same parent who wrote out his name and address because the handwriting was the same. My only guess is that they just looked in the phone book and picked a name. How unbelievably tacky is that? I have a notion to call the school and inform them, not to get these students in trouble, but to bring it to the school's attention that this isn't the best tactic for fundraising. Seriously, who would do that? Ugh! I told Kate right there that I would NEVER send them out again, for any reason, no matter what "fantastic" prize she'd earn. And the straw glasses... what a rip-off!
A few weeks ago, Kate comes home from school with a magazine order booklet and says that if she sends in 7 addresses, she'd get a "really cool pair of glasses that are really a straw." Normally, I never send those things out because I think it's tacky, but I did because it also allowed her to get a free subscription to Time magazine for kids that they were using in class. I sent them out to family only- people I knew wouldn't care, and probably would buy them anyway. Well, I get the mail today and find 2 of them addressed to Christopher. I look at the name of who sent it, and they are from 2 different kids that we do NOT have any clue as to who they are! Obviously, this was the same parent who wrote out his name and address because the handwriting was the same. My only guess is that they just looked in the phone book and picked a name. How unbelievably tacky is that? I have a notion to call the school and inform them, not to get these students in trouble, but to bring it to the school's attention that this isn't the best tactic for fundraising. Seriously, who would do that? Ugh! I told Kate right there that I would NEVER send them out again, for any reason, no matter what "fantastic" prize she'd earn. And the straw glasses... what a rip-off!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
I survived
Friday night's sleepover went really well- no big incidents, no girly fights, just a good time had by all! I think the all-day field trip wore them out before they even got here, and then they went out back and ran wild, so by midnight, all was quiet. They did wake up at 7:00, which was too early for me! By afternoon, I made Kate go lie down because she was just too tired and grouchy to not get some rest!
The big excitement around here this weekend was going to see Oreo's kittens. Oreo is Nonni's sister at the in-law's house, and she just had a litter of 5 (2 died), 2 days ago. Kate is the queen of all cat lovers, so when Preston told us that she'd had them, we had to drop everything and go out to see them! All of them are black and white, just like every cat that comes along there! While there, we got a glimpse of the cabin choices for our big family vaca. to Gatlinburg, TN. SWEET! Gatlinburg wasn't my top choice, but it's growing on me, and really, I'm just happy to be getting away for a week!
Saturday night we broke down and finally bought a new PC. We both agree that this should've been done a long time ago! Even dial-up is pretty fast, now! I might not even have to call and schedule the high-speed hook-up! I can't figure out how to get the pics off of my camera, though, but as soon as I do, I"ll be uploading some here. That old laptop was so bad, that I wouldn't even delete the pics on my camera because I couldn't back them up on disc and I was afraid I'd lose them. I still have all of the Christmas pics still on the card!
The big excitement around here this weekend was going to see Oreo's kittens. Oreo is Nonni's sister at the in-law's house, and she just had a litter of 5 (2 died), 2 days ago. Kate is the queen of all cat lovers, so when Preston told us that she'd had them, we had to drop everything and go out to see them! All of them are black and white, just like every cat that comes along there! While there, we got a glimpse of the cabin choices for our big family vaca. to Gatlinburg, TN. SWEET! Gatlinburg wasn't my top choice, but it's growing on me, and really, I'm just happy to be getting away for a week!
Saturday night we broke down and finally bought a new PC. We both agree that this should've been done a long time ago! Even dial-up is pretty fast, now! I might not even have to call and schedule the high-speed hook-up! I can't figure out how to get the pics off of my camera, though, but as soon as I do, I"ll be uploading some here. That old laptop was so bad, that I wouldn't even delete the pics on my camera because I couldn't back them up on disc and I was afraid I'd lose them. I still have all of the Christmas pics still on the card!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Ready or not...
This time tomorrow, there will be 6 little girls running crazy in my house! I can tell you that Kate is VERY excited! I"m a little excited, too. It's nice to have a little (or a lot) or girliness overflowing once in a while. Preston is staying with Grammy and Pa-pa, and Christopher doesn't yet know what he's going to do, but he knows he doesn't want to be here! My sisters will be here as well, so that will be fun. We had a great time last year!
And once again, I've waited until the last minute to do everything. I did manage to go buy the donuts and cookies at Aldi today, but that's about it. I still don't have treat bags bought and ready! It will work out. Now, hopefully the party goes off without any issues...
And once again, I've waited until the last minute to do everything. I did manage to go buy the donuts and cookies at Aldi today, but that's about it. I still don't have treat bags bought and ready! It will work out. Now, hopefully the party goes off without any issues...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
TEA Party
Today, something amazing happened across America. The people stood up and let their voices be heard. Our government has gotten out of hand. It has strayed so far from the Constitution that it hardly resembles the government that was founded for us. Our government was founded on the basic conservative principles and ideologies that have sustained this great Nation for so many years. It was made to be democratic, in that we are able to influence government. That's why we elect congressmen- to represent us. But what we have now, is not a democratic government. What we have now, is a power-hungry government that wants to shut us out, to do what it wants. Making it worse is a socialist dictator for a "president" that wants to take even more power from us, and gve governement even more power. How wrong this is for our country. We're on a fast-track to disaster, and until government starts to be accountable and listens to us, we will continue to fail.
If you were able to attend a TEA party today and show your support for the American citizens, I thank you! We have to let Washington know that we've had enough. I strongly urge each of you to contact your congressmen and tell them exactly how you feel. It really will make a difference. We need to let them know that they will not be supported if they support plans that will further add to the disaster that our current nation is in. When the 2010 election comes up, we need to be prepared to not vote for any congressman that has supported SD Obama's bills. It's time for the government that was created by the people for the people, to really be, FOR the people.
If you were able to attend a TEA party today and show your support for the American citizens, I thank you! We have to let Washington know that we've had enough. I strongly urge each of you to contact your congressmen and tell them exactly how you feel. It really will make a difference. We need to let them know that they will not be supported if they support plans that will further add to the disaster that our current nation is in. When the 2010 election comes up, we need to be prepared to not vote for any congressman that has supported SD Obama's bills. It's time for the government that was created by the people for the people, to really be, FOR the people.
Let the good times roll...
I'm saying that with utmost sarcasm. Kate has been 10 for all of 2 days, and already, the girl troubles have begun. She's having her friends over Friday for a sleepover, and one girl that's friends with her best friend found out about the party, and is quite upset about not being invited. Kate was very mature in telling her that she was only able to invite a certain number of girls, and that maybe next time she could invite her over, but the girl still told her that she hates her. Ahhhh... Kate really isn't bothered with her comment because she knows she's just angry, but after another girl confronted her about the party, she told her best friend that if 5 girls found out about it and were upset, she would cancel the party altogether! And I have no doubt that she would! Man, she really needs to look into law school!
I remember all too well when my friends would do that to me. We'd not talk for a few days, and then it was like nothing ever happened. Girls can be so catty! I"m just glad that Kate is being so level-headed about the issue, and is standing her ground. I've been quite proud of her lately with the way she stands up for herself. She's a good kid!
And I apologize that I haven't posted a picture of the birthday girl- and I have a really cute one of her and the cake that Preston decorated just for her! Our crappy computer isn't letting me upload any pics from the camera. It shuts down every time. We really need to get a new one A.S.A.P. And some good news is that high speed internet has arrived in our area, so we're hoping to get hooked up really soon, which means pics! That is, if I can get them off the camera!
I remember all too well when my friends would do that to me. We'd not talk for a few days, and then it was like nothing ever happened. Girls can be so catty! I"m just glad that Kate is being so level-headed about the issue, and is standing her ground. I've been quite proud of her lately with the way she stands up for herself. She's a good kid!
And I apologize that I haven't posted a picture of the birthday girl- and I have a really cute one of her and the cake that Preston decorated just for her! Our crappy computer isn't letting me upload any pics from the camera. It shuts down every time. We really need to get a new one A.S.A.P. And some good news is that high speed internet has arrived in our area, so we're hoping to get hooked up really soon, which means pics! That is, if I can get them off the camera!
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Panty Hoe
I just have to share my shoe shopping experience that I had with Kate the other day! We were at the mall, in Payless, trying to find Easter sandals. I got her one of those little panty hose booties to wear while she tried them on. We couldn't find any that fit her well, so I told her to put her shoe on and we'd go across to Children's Place to see what they had. Then, I hear Kate:
K: Mom, what do I do with my panty hoe? Leave it on?
Me: Your what?
K: My panty hoe. It's not hose, because there's just one. So it's a panty hoe.
Me: Kate, it's still hose, even if there's just one. Just leave it on, we'll need it at Children's Place.
And this continued on at Children's Place, where luckily, we found shoes that worked because we had quite an audience with the panty hoe discussion (did I mention Kate it loud?). I should've know better, this coming from the child who, when she eats Kix cereal, refers to each individual piece as a kick, because it's only one, and therefore, cannot be plural!
K: Mom, what do I do with my panty hoe? Leave it on?
Me: Your what?
K: My panty hoe. It's not hose, because there's just one. So it's a panty hoe.
Me: Kate, it's still hose, even if there's just one. Just leave it on, we'll need it at Children's Place.
And this continued on at Children's Place, where luckily, we found shoes that worked because we had quite an audience with the panty hoe discussion (did I mention Kate it loud?). I should've know better, this coming from the child who, when she eats Kix cereal, refers to each individual piece as a kick, because it's only one, and therefore, cannot be plural!
10 years ago...
I was just telling Kate the story of what I was doing 10 years ago right now (as much as was kid-friendly, that is), and can hardly believe that it's been 10 years. Everything's still just as fresh as it was that day- which was just as cold and drizzly as it is today! Get ready for the sap!!!
I was admitted to the hospital after going in for a non-stress test because Kate wasn't moving. I was terrified! I get there, I'm still 5cm from the day before, but was contracting every 5 minutes- who knew! We call everyone and tell them to start driving. Christopher calls his mom and tells her, and she says, "Maybe she'll be born on my birthday!" Christopher paused, and had an "oh, poop" moment because he thought her birthday was the 15th, not the 13th! A little embarassing... The hours pass, contractions come on stronger, I progress quite well, yet I still feel nothing. Absolutely nothing. For some strange reason, that my dr. cannot explain, I feel absolutely no contrations until my water breaks (it's happened both times). Hey, I'm not complaining! I was 8 cm and felt just as comfortable as I feel right now! Around 11:00, my dr. decided I needed my water broken, probably so he wouldn't be up half the night, and then things started getting painful! Luckily, being so far along already, things went really quickly, and by 11:50, I was pushing. Dee was rooting for Kate to share her birthday, but Kate needed her own day, because she waited until 28 minutes after midnight to arrive. At that moment, I became a mom. I had my little girl, and she was perfect. She still is.
I have an annual tradition that I do the night before her birthday. I've done it ever since her first birthday, and I'll keep doing it. I write her a letter recapping the past year and all of the things she's done. I have a huge collection of letters that she'll get someday when she's older. Then I stay up until 12:28 a.m. to tell her happy birthday. She rarely hears me, but that's not the point. The past 10 years have gone by so quickly, and I know the next 10 will go by just as fast.
I was admitted to the hospital after going in for a non-stress test because Kate wasn't moving. I was terrified! I get there, I'm still 5cm from the day before, but was contracting every 5 minutes- who knew! We call everyone and tell them to start driving. Christopher calls his mom and tells her, and she says, "Maybe she'll be born on my birthday!" Christopher paused, and had an "oh, poop" moment because he thought her birthday was the 15th, not the 13th! A little embarassing... The hours pass, contractions come on stronger, I progress quite well, yet I still feel nothing. Absolutely nothing. For some strange reason, that my dr. cannot explain, I feel absolutely no contrations until my water breaks (it's happened both times). Hey, I'm not complaining! I was 8 cm and felt just as comfortable as I feel right now! Around 11:00, my dr. decided I needed my water broken, probably so he wouldn't be up half the night, and then things started getting painful! Luckily, being so far along already, things went really quickly, and by 11:50, I was pushing. Dee was rooting for Kate to share her birthday, but Kate needed her own day, because she waited until 28 minutes after midnight to arrive. At that moment, I became a mom. I had my little girl, and she was perfect. She still is.
I have an annual tradition that I do the night before her birthday. I've done it ever since her first birthday, and I'll keep doing it. I write her a letter recapping the past year and all of the things she's done. I have a huge collection of letters that she'll get someday when she's older. Then I stay up until 12:28 a.m. to tell her happy birthday. She rarely hears me, but that's not the point. The past 10 years have gone by so quickly, and I know the next 10 will go by just as fast.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
HAPPY EASTER!
I hope that everyone's Easter weekend was blessed! Ours was very busy and blessed! We went to Gradma Lou and Grandpa Ed's house Saturday, and had a great time! The kids absolutely love going to their house! Throw in an egg hunt and it's even better!
Today was jam-packed! The kids were up bright and early to see what the Easter bunny had left them, and to find his eggs. I think they liked finding the eggs more than the Easter baskets! We were out the door at 10:00 for church, then straight to Christopher's parents' house for lunch and a mega egg hunt and gifts (a.k.a. Christmas in April). Later on, we had to go to Granny and Pa's for dinner and yet another egg hunt. By the end of the day, we were all pooped, Preston was getting crabby, and we all just needed some quiet time, so we left at 5:30. I hated leaving early, but it was nice to go home, sit down and just relax! And you should see the whopping bag of candy... it must weigh a minimum of 10 pounds! No joke!
Tomorrow is the last day of spring break, and really, I'm a little sad because I really wanted to have a few days just to relax at home with the kids, but we were so busy, it just didn't happen. We have to pick up Kate's cupcakes tomorrow for her to take to school Tuesday on her birthday, so she's excited about that! Then we have to make the treat bags for school, which we'll fill partly with the candy they got today, and she won't be excited about that! Tomorrow is Dee's birthday, so we're going to their house for dinner, and will be discussing our vacation plans. Yes, I said vacation plans! I'm so excited! It's been 3 years since we had our big, huge, family trip to Florida (all 8 of us), so it will be great to go again!
Today was jam-packed! The kids were up bright and early to see what the Easter bunny had left them, and to find his eggs. I think they liked finding the eggs more than the Easter baskets! We were out the door at 10:00 for church, then straight to Christopher's parents' house for lunch and a mega egg hunt and gifts (a.k.a. Christmas in April). Later on, we had to go to Granny and Pa's for dinner and yet another egg hunt. By the end of the day, we were all pooped, Preston was getting crabby, and we all just needed some quiet time, so we left at 5:30. I hated leaving early, but it was nice to go home, sit down and just relax! And you should see the whopping bag of candy... it must weigh a minimum of 10 pounds! No joke!
Tomorrow is the last day of spring break, and really, I'm a little sad because I really wanted to have a few days just to relax at home with the kids, but we were so busy, it just didn't happen. We have to pick up Kate's cupcakes tomorrow for her to take to school Tuesday on her birthday, so she's excited about that! Then we have to make the treat bags for school, which we'll fill partly with the candy they got today, and she won't be excited about that! Tomorrow is Dee's birthday, so we're going to their house for dinner, and will be discussing our vacation plans. Yes, I said vacation plans! I'm so excited! It's been 3 years since we had our big, huge, family trip to Florida (all 8 of us), so it will be great to go again!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
What a day
To say that I am mentally and physically exhausted would be a vast understatement. We did our shopping trip today, and what a trip it was... We did get all of our necessaries taken care of, so that at least is a positive! And since I rarely do things for myself, I bought myself a few things, and even treated myself at Ann Taylor Loft. Shhhhh! With lots of coupons, exchanges, and sales, we purchased everything with cash and are still safely within budget! YEAH! Am I awesome, or what? But the day wasn't without it's trials. Poor Preston just wasn't himself. I can't tell you how many times he got in trouble, didn't listen, just plain acted out. Usually when we go shopping, he's an absolute ANGEL, no issues whatsoever. Not today... I'm afraid his ears are hurting him, and he's scared to tell us because he knows that another infection means new tubes, and he's terrified! Poor thing! When I ask him, he pauses, and won't answer until I ask several times, then he says no. I think we'll make a trip to "Grammy's work" in the morning to have her take a peek to see if we need to make an appointment or not. One of the perks of having a grandma that's a nurse!
Hopefully the rest of break goes better than today! We're going to color eggs tomorrow, and the kids want to count the change jar, so I"m hoping that will keep Preston entertained and not into trouble.
Hopefully the rest of break goes better than today! We're going to color eggs tomorrow, and the kids want to count the change jar, so I"m hoping that will keep Preston entertained and not into trouble.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Guess who has an ear infection?
Well, if you guessed Preston, you'd be WRONG! You thought you knew my son so well! Actually, it's me that has the ear infection, and I did go get some antibiotics for it today, so I should be good as new by Easter. As for my rash, it's not from the soap. I thought I had lucked out, but no such luck. There is some kind of tree or plant outside that I am severely allergic to. This happened last spring as soon as things started budding out. Each time I'd go outside, even from the door to the garage, the hives would get worse. Same thing this time. Despite washing everything, I woke up this morning with hives covering my face, my eyes were very swollen, and I had some monster hives on my arms and legs. Let me tell you, it's not a pretty sight! The dr. told me to just keep up with the Claritin and Benadryl, and if it's not looking any better by Friday or Monday, to call in and they'll order a Rx for a steroid to help out, since last year this was a 3-4 week battle. Since I have the infection, I can't take a steroid right now.
Spring break started today! If things keep up like this afternoon, with 2 fighting kids, I'm not sure I'll survive! Tomorrow, we're heading to Fairview to exchange all of Kate's birthday clothes that don't fit. Hopefully they behave!
Spring break started today! If things keep up like this afternoon, with 2 fighting kids, I'm not sure I'll survive! Tomorrow, we're heading to Fairview to exchange all of Kate's birthday clothes that don't fit. Hopefully they behave!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The moral of the story is...
Don't buy cheap laudry soap. That is, unless you really like waking up to find that every inch of your body from the neck down is swollen, itchy, and covered with a bright red rash! Needless to say, I went straight to Wal-Mart and bought new detergent.
And I can thank Christopher for putting the idea into my head. As we read the IGA ad a few weeks ago, he commented on how cheap Purex was, and asked how much I spent on Tide. Well, there's a pretty big price difference! So when I went to the store, Friday, I thought, "I might as well try it." Big mistake! Despite Benadryl and Claritin, I still have hives!
And I can thank Christopher for putting the idea into my head. As we read the IGA ad a few weeks ago, he commented on how cheap Purex was, and asked how much I spent on Tide. Well, there's a pretty big price difference! So when I went to the store, Friday, I thought, "I might as well try it." Big mistake! Despite Benadryl and Claritin, I still have hives!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Party... accomplished
What a relief to have it over! It was a great time, and I enjoyed every minute, but it was a lot of work! Seriously, the only times I sat down all day yesterday, were to eat and drive to town and back. To say that it was busy is a serious understatement. Remember the last time I had a chance to post and Kate had just been diagnosed with pneumonia and Preston had diarhea? That was just the beginning...
Preston was fine Friday, so I was breathing a huge sigh of relief. Kate stayed home again (it was only a half day anyway) thinking that the rest would do her good. So party day comes around and Preston complains that his throat is hurting and barely eats breakfast. Christopher was already outside doing stuff, so I didn't get a chance to have him take a peek at his throat until after lunch. "He's got white spots on his tonsils." GREAT... He calls his mom and she runs by and looks, and agrees, it looks like strep. I call the after hours number for his ped. and they send in an order for a quick strep at the hospital. Dee offered to run him to Effingham for us so that we could finish the prep, which was a blessing because there was NO way I had time. Long story short, the strep test was negative (so was the 24 hr), so no treatment.
The party went off without a hitch, despite Kate sounding like she was going to hack up a lung at any given moment. She really had a great time and loved all of her gifts, and really, as long as she had a blast, that's all that matters! But by the end of the day, she was feeling yucky, and was crying to go to bed at 8:30- something she NEVER does! She still sounds no better today, so I'm still debating wether or not she will even be going to school tomorrow.
And all of that rushing like mad party prep really took a toll on me and what was just a little minor cold yesterday, is a raging one today. My throat hurts like crazy, I'm cold, and achy. No temp, but I just feel rotten. But there's only 3 days of school this week before spring break starts, so I'll be able to sleep in for 5 whole days! Hello, rest!
Preston was fine Friday, so I was breathing a huge sigh of relief. Kate stayed home again (it was only a half day anyway) thinking that the rest would do her good. So party day comes around and Preston complains that his throat is hurting and barely eats breakfast. Christopher was already outside doing stuff, so I didn't get a chance to have him take a peek at his throat until after lunch. "He's got white spots on his tonsils." GREAT... He calls his mom and she runs by and looks, and agrees, it looks like strep. I call the after hours number for his ped. and they send in an order for a quick strep at the hospital. Dee offered to run him to Effingham for us so that we could finish the prep, which was a blessing because there was NO way I had time. Long story short, the strep test was negative (so was the 24 hr), so no treatment.
The party went off without a hitch, despite Kate sounding like she was going to hack up a lung at any given moment. She really had a great time and loved all of her gifts, and really, as long as she had a blast, that's all that matters! But by the end of the day, she was feeling yucky, and was crying to go to bed at 8:30- something she NEVER does! She still sounds no better today, so I'm still debating wether or not she will even be going to school tomorrow.
And all of that rushing like mad party prep really took a toll on me and what was just a little minor cold yesterday, is a raging one today. My throat hurts like crazy, I'm cold, and achy. No temp, but I just feel rotten. But there's only 3 days of school this week before spring break starts, so I'll be able to sleep in for 5 whole days! Hello, rest!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Bitter?
I figured that since I was already bitter, that I'd share more distaste for our "president." Notice the quotations. What I really should say, is our socialist dictator.
Flash back to late December, early January when we started the process to refinance our mortgage. We were holding out to get the best rate. At one point, the rate was 4.99%, but our loan officer didn't call us to let us know so that we could lock it in, but instead mailed us a letter to notify us, but by then the rate was back up to about 5.5%. So we wait. This week, we decided to just go ahead with 5.1%, figuring it was low enough, but found out yesterday when we got a call from a mortgage co. telling us that our application was in process, that the rate was at 4.8%. Amazing! So I call the bank to tell them once the approval went through, to go ahead and schedule the appraisal and title work. I ask him what our payments would be, and then he drops the bomb. Between January and now, since the big *(#*^*$ bailout, Freddie and Fannie are now tacking on about $3200 just in fees to our refi, and that's not counting closing costs. Christopher called them back and had a lengthy conversation with Jeff, and at this point, it doesn't even look like it will be worth it to refi at this point. Thanks Obama.....
You see, thanks to our socialist dictator, he's thrown money that our country DOES NOT HAVE to dishonest people that lied on their mortgage applications, and to those who are living beyond their means and unable to pay their mortgages. They get help. But what do the honest people who are financially resposible get? SCREWED! Yep! We get thousands of dollars in fees tacked on. Had we refinanced in January, there would have been none of those fees, just the closing costs. But because we waited for a good rate, and the bailout has passed, we get screwed!
Just one more reason to dislike our socialist dictator, which from here on out, will be referred to SD. And you can bet there will be MANY more posts on my dislike of him! So am I bitter? Yes, more than just a little bit.
Flash back to late December, early January when we started the process to refinance our mortgage. We were holding out to get the best rate. At one point, the rate was 4.99%, but our loan officer didn't call us to let us know so that we could lock it in, but instead mailed us a letter to notify us, but by then the rate was back up to about 5.5%. So we wait. This week, we decided to just go ahead with 5.1%, figuring it was low enough, but found out yesterday when we got a call from a mortgage co. telling us that our application was in process, that the rate was at 4.8%. Amazing! So I call the bank to tell them once the approval went through, to go ahead and schedule the appraisal and title work. I ask him what our payments would be, and then he drops the bomb. Between January and now, since the big *(#*^*$ bailout, Freddie and Fannie are now tacking on about $3200 just in fees to our refi, and that's not counting closing costs. Christopher called them back and had a lengthy conversation with Jeff, and at this point, it doesn't even look like it will be worth it to refi at this point. Thanks Obama.....
You see, thanks to our socialist dictator, he's thrown money that our country DOES NOT HAVE to dishonest people that lied on their mortgage applications, and to those who are living beyond their means and unable to pay their mortgages. They get help. But what do the honest people who are financially resposible get? SCREWED! Yep! We get thousands of dollars in fees tacked on. Had we refinanced in January, there would have been none of those fees, just the closing costs. But because we waited for a good rate, and the bailout has passed, we get screwed!
Just one more reason to dislike our socialist dictator, which from here on out, will be referred to SD. And you can bet there will be MANY more posts on my dislike of him! So am I bitter? Yes, more than just a little bit.
My outlet
Today, of all days, I need an outlet. Christopher came home in a nasty, grouchy, mood, and right now here's the last person I want to talk to.
Miss Kate has been sick since last Thursday with what started as just a cold. She wakes up today with a crusty eye and a temp. I make her an appt. and not only does she have an ear infection, but she also has pneumonia. Fun stuff... She's on antibiotics and breathing treatments, so hopefully she recoveres quickly- especially since her party is in 2 days! They said she could go to school tomorrow if she feels up to it, but I'm not sure I'll send her. It's only a half-day anyway. But I do need to go buy all of the party groceries in the morning, and taking her along will only slow me down. If she stays home, i have no choice but to take her along since the rest of the day involves going and borrowing chairs/tables, and baking/decorating 2 cakes. Sigh. Oh, and those monogramed cookies I was going to make... I just didn't have the energy or desire to do them. Too much other stuff to do.
Then there's Preston... He's got a cold, too, but no where near as bad as Kate. Maybe I should add a yet to the end of that sentence. We get home from the dr. today and I notice he feels a little warm. Yep, a temp of 100.3. Ugh. A little later, he comes down with diahrea. Double ugh! I'm praying like crazy that he doesn't get a pukey bug, and it's only a poopy bug (that's what I told him), and that he'll be much better tomorrow. If I have a pukey Preston tomorrow, I might as well cancel the party and reschedule because there's NO way I could ever buy the groceries, cook, bake, get everything done with a pukey child, and then there's no guarantee he'd be better on Saturday. So yes, I'm praying like a mad woman! I need to get this party out of the way! I can't hang onto the stress for 2 more weeks!
We finally have tv again. Thank you Directv! The technicians returned our service today with no explanation of why we completely lost everything last week. I'm just thankful to have it back. The first thing I did was watch the noon news and weather forecast! How sweet it was after a week of no tv! You can bet I"ll have the late news and Hannity on here in a bit! But the excitement in our day was that Nonni was so completly scared of the technicians, that he hid... way too well. We checked everywhere, and no Nonni. We were terrified they had let him out or that they had taken him. I called Directv to even ask them to ask the techs if they knew! I'm sure they thought I was NUTS!
DTV: Thank you for calling DTV, how can I help you?
Me: Hi. We had a service call today, and now we can't find our cat.
DTV: Your cat? You mean, like an animal?"
Me: Yes, I can't find our cat anywhere. I didn't know if maybe the technicians that came out had any idea what happened to him.
Yeah, they probably have that one recorded and will end up on the Tonight Show or some news channel somewhere. And of course, Christopher was ticked because I didn't stand directly with the techs the entire time they were here (hence not knowing if they let the cat out). I could see them, but didn't follow them the whole time. Geez, I have 2 kids to look after, give me a break! Then he was royally ticked because I told them that they could take the old reciever that we owned, opposed to leasing from them, because it was the one that blew up and had sparks and smoke pouring from it. What?!?!?! We had NO use for the thing and I didn't want it around. But of course, that's Christopher.
So yes, I need an outlet tonight.....
Miss Kate has been sick since last Thursday with what started as just a cold. She wakes up today with a crusty eye and a temp. I make her an appt. and not only does she have an ear infection, but she also has pneumonia. Fun stuff... She's on antibiotics and breathing treatments, so hopefully she recoveres quickly- especially since her party is in 2 days! They said she could go to school tomorrow if she feels up to it, but I'm not sure I'll send her. It's only a half-day anyway. But I do need to go buy all of the party groceries in the morning, and taking her along will only slow me down. If she stays home, i have no choice but to take her along since the rest of the day involves going and borrowing chairs/tables, and baking/decorating 2 cakes. Sigh. Oh, and those monogramed cookies I was going to make... I just didn't have the energy or desire to do them. Too much other stuff to do.
Then there's Preston... He's got a cold, too, but no where near as bad as Kate. Maybe I should add a yet to the end of that sentence. We get home from the dr. today and I notice he feels a little warm. Yep, a temp of 100.3. Ugh. A little later, he comes down with diahrea. Double ugh! I'm praying like crazy that he doesn't get a pukey bug, and it's only a poopy bug (that's what I told him), and that he'll be much better tomorrow. If I have a pukey Preston tomorrow, I might as well cancel the party and reschedule because there's NO way I could ever buy the groceries, cook, bake, get everything done with a pukey child, and then there's no guarantee he'd be better on Saturday. So yes, I'm praying like a mad woman! I need to get this party out of the way! I can't hang onto the stress for 2 more weeks!
We finally have tv again. Thank you Directv! The technicians returned our service today with no explanation of why we completely lost everything last week. I'm just thankful to have it back. The first thing I did was watch the noon news and weather forecast! How sweet it was after a week of no tv! You can bet I"ll have the late news and Hannity on here in a bit! But the excitement in our day was that Nonni was so completly scared of the technicians, that he hid... way too well. We checked everywhere, and no Nonni. We were terrified they had let him out or that they had taken him. I called Directv to even ask them to ask the techs if they knew! I'm sure they thought I was NUTS!
DTV: Thank you for calling DTV, how can I help you?
Me: Hi. We had a service call today, and now we can't find our cat.
DTV: Your cat? You mean, like an animal?"
Me: Yes, I can't find our cat anywhere. I didn't know if maybe the technicians that came out had any idea what happened to him.
Yeah, they probably have that one recorded and will end up on the Tonight Show or some news channel somewhere. And of course, Christopher was ticked because I didn't stand directly with the techs the entire time they were here (hence not knowing if they let the cat out). I could see them, but didn't follow them the whole time. Geez, I have 2 kids to look after, give me a break! Then he was royally ticked because I told them that they could take the old reciever that we owned, opposed to leasing from them, because it was the one that blew up and had sparks and smoke pouring from it. What?!?!?! We had NO use for the thing and I didn't want it around. But of course, that's Christopher.
So yes, I need an outlet tonight.....
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