Slacker Mom

I've Finally Figured It Out

2012-01-08T13:10:00.003-05:00

Today at church my class had a lesson about how media can be used for good. We talked about all different types of media: facebook, youtube, email, twitter, blogging, tv, radio, and the list could go on and on. I shared some personal stories and they did, too. I told the girls that I blog but I have never shared with them my blog address and I have asked that my daughter does not share it either. For me, this is personal and something that I feel is very private - at least for this time in my life.

So we left church and my daughter and I were discussing the lesson on the way to the gas station - because the new car was almost out of gas - and how media seems to consume our lives whether for good or bad purposes. I thought about how my dear friend D down the street said she thinks we spend too much time on the computer (which I think she said she did, but I am applying it to myself as well) and that is something that really needs to change. So true! I walked into my house and my husband is in the "media room" which used to be called the living room but since it's where we all converge to use our technological devices, that's its new nickname. He was watching tv since he had driven himself to church and had gotten home well before us. We spoke briefly, daughter complained that it was beginning to rain (which means she couldn't practice outside) and I headed to the computer.

Checked my email.

Thought about checking in on Facebook.

Instead I came to my blog. I started reading down the updates on the right-hand side. I came across a post by April @ Bring the Rain called The Tyranny of Choice. Now I'm going to be honest, I don't always check to see what is going on in the bloggy world like I used to so I was behind in my reading. I am so glad that I made the choice to check today. Because this article spoke to me. It spoke to that person inside of me who doesn't really know what she is doing with her life right now. It spoke to my inability to make a decision lately that I am comfortable with and sticking to it. Quite simply: It spoke to me.

I am hoping that, if you should stumble upon my page, you'll take the time to really read it and not just skim over the context. Allow it to speak to you. Listen....and you might just find some answers along the way.

That Post Where You Ask Yourself "What do you want to do with your life?"

2012-01-06T14:27:00.007-05:00

What is it about the new year that makes us sit down and really think about our lives? Where we are today? Where we were yesterday? Where we would like to be tomorrow? I don't know about the rest of the world, but for me the month of January is a time when I think about these things and what I have to do to try to make something wonderful happen in the new year.

It's sort of a time to create that wish list - things I want to do or want to achieve or would even like to try - but may not ever get around to accomplishing them.

Take for instance - I would LOVE to learn how to decorate cakes. I am that person that you see in Michaels or Hobby Lobby who is stalking the items on the Wilton aisle. Daydreaming about the creations made out of fondant and icing. And to confess, at one time in my life I bought an absurd about of baking pans, all with the intention of baking and decorating cakes. I use them every so often (read: not much) and still dream about decorating cakes. I have decorator tips in my kitchen - along with a lot of cookie cutters - that never get used any more.

I have probably spent a fortune on scrapboooking supplies. Die-cuts. Punches. Albums. Stickers. Pins. All sorts of things. The last time I actually scrapbooked? Okay, so I made albums for my daughter and her three best friends last year and they were adorable and I had a great time doing them - but I was also glad when I finished and I stuck all of my supplies back into the closet. I have boxes of pictures. That I have not scrapbooked. I would hate to think of the fortune that is sitting in the closet - waiting.

I used to sew. Not clothing - just mostly pajama bottoms and things for the holidays. The last thing that was a major undertaking was my daughter's halloween costume in the fifth grade. Her costume was incredible. I made a poodle skirt when she was in the sixth grade, but I did the basic one cut design that was easy and didn't require any sewing on my part. I have a stack of fabric upstairs that I need to make myself make use of because no matter how hard I try, I cannot allow myself to get rid of it and it would make cute pajama bottoms and who doesn't wear those at some point?

Now that I have some spare time on my hands, I literally have been trying to think of something fun to do WITH MY HANDS. It is still a little bit too cold here to work outside in the yard and the flowers are all dead or dormant. I could clean up the islands. Trim back the trees. Clean up the deck and our screened in back porch. Clean out the garage, too.

I could paint a room in the house. I could think about design and how I'd like new curtains in the living room. I could pick out paint colors. Artwork. Change the bedrooms. Paint the laundry room.

The new year holds so many possibilities. I think the problem for me is that I have not had this type of free time on my hands in so long that it is a little unnerving. What should I do first? Where do I begin? How do I decide? Hopefully I will find my way soon.

A New Year

2012-01-03T15:07:00.003-05:00

We welcomed in the New Year in our usual fashion - the three family, all together in a big family hug. Not sure where that came from, but it's been a common practice more years than not. The cat, however, did not make it to that event...she was upstairs hiding under the bed while the neighbors shot off fireworks. Have I mentioned before that the cat is a scaredy cat?

I'm reveling in the fact that I don't have to go back to school this month. It's the first time in what feels like forever that I can say that. Right now I have no plans on pursuing anything else academically which would require my writing a check for tuition or ordering college textbooks. It feels a little strange to finally be able to say that I am finished. I feel like I should be out pounding the payment looking for a job but it's a little different with a teaching degree. That still seems so odd... I have a teaching degree! I am highly qualified to teach K-8 graders! Wow.

I am looking forward though to teaching and getting paid for it after my student teaching experience last semester. I have a mental 'list' of things I'd like to be able to do when I actually earn a pay check. Some of them are household related or things for the family. Some of them are those things that I'd love to do, but would never want to use the 'household' budget to pay for so they remain on my 'wish list' of sorts. Nothing drastic like kidnapping Hugh Jackman or Gerard Butler and holding them hostage.

I've been thinking about resolutions a lot. A friend mentioned she was considering not spending so much time on the computer. Why are we all so addicted to things like the computer, iPhones, iPads, iPods and the sort? Why do we, and I am including myself here, have such a hard time with shutting these devices off and just BEING? I can say this because I am the proud owner of an iPhone...and it is addictive! Hubs has a Blackberry - and it is equally addictive. So we are all either on the computers or some type of electronic device. It's insane! To break up the craziness we did actually manage to play a board game over Christmas vacation that did not require any electronics. By the end of the game, I swear everyone had the shakes! But I digress... I wish I could think of something to give up for the New Year that I wouldn't completely quit within just a few days! Maybe this will give me something to ponder as I am waiting to pick my daughter up from school today. Rather than playing on my iPhone.

What Not to Buy the Girl in Your Life....

2011-12-28T22:32:00.000-05:00

It all began with an iPhone...

March was when our son celebrated his 17th birthday, and we got him an iPhone. He just loved it. Who wouldn't?

I celebrated my birthday in July, and my wife made me very happy when she bought me an iPad:

Our daughter's birthday was in August so we got her an iPod Touch:

My wife celebrated her birthday in September so I got her an iRon:

It was around then that the fight started.

What my wife failed to recognize is that the iRon can be integrated into the home network with the iWash, iCook and iClean.

This, of course, activates the iNag reminder service.........

.....I should be out of the hospital next week!!

PS: iHurt!!!

Where does the time go?

2011-12-26T21:12:00.002-05:00

It's here - the post-Christmas feeling that I get every year that tells me all of the things that I wish I had done differently. Because this year, dear friends, I was NOT ready for Christmas. Sure, I managed to get the tree up. I bought and wrapped all the presents. Sent cards. But then ... there was so much that I did not accomplish. Why? Various reasons. Finishing up my classes. People that I love being sick. Bad weather. Being lazy. All sorts of reasons. So on Christmas Eve night, as we watched the movie we affectionately call "Ralphie" I sat and made a list of the things I wished I had done differently. Decorated more. Entertained. Baked cookies. Built gingerbread houses. Dug the wreaths out and hung them on the windows and doors. Put Rudolph on the mailbox. Gone to Starbucks for hot drinks and drove around with the family looking at everyone's decorations.

When I was a little girl, I remember my grandmother would say that time flew as you got older. Granted she was in her 60s when I came along, but how true a statement that was! Time flies! Before we know it, it'll be Easter and Christmas 2011 will be all but a distant memory.

As we prepare for the New Year, I sit here and wonder what changes will experience in the next 365+ days? I also sit and ask myself, Is this the year that I make the decision and stick to it that I'll get healthy? Lord, I hope so! Will this be the year that I am more prepared for the holidays? Will I stop worrying and start enjoying my life? Only time will tell. But as I move forward, I do feel like I'm turning a page in my life, going into a new direction. That feels good. I hope as I find time to reflect on 2012, I will find myself feeling proud of my accomplishments.

We Need a Little Christmas - Right This Very Minute!

2011-12-16T16:18:00.002-05:00

Greetings from the other side of the screen! I know I know... I don't call. I never write anymore either. But honestly, I have been busy. Swamped. Overwhelmed even. But no excuses, let's catch up....

So, today I officially graduated from college. How did I spend my day? At the Dr's office with the Hubs, who has been having chest pains. No pomp and circumstance for this girl. Instead I read waiting room magazines and frantically thought all those "what if?" questions. They scheduled some lab work and a stress test and sent us home after his EKG looked good - telling him to take an aspirin a day and for me to call 911 if anything happens. Great!

Yesterday I spent the day having The Bug's ankle x-rayed. For the second time since school started. First time - she fell at practice. This time she dropped her rifle on her foot ... at practice!... and may I add, she did not have any shoes on! So her foot is nice and purple, green and burgundy...and unbroken. Yeah! So it's elevation and relaxation for her for a few days at least.

Prior to that - I was in an automobile accident the week of Thanksgiving. My precious van was totaled and it was a terrifying experience and not at all my fault. Since then I am now the proud owner of a PT Cruiser... which is actually going to be The Bug's car. I didn't know what I wanted to get, but I had to buy something and she kept talking about these cars so I decided why not? Then I'll just turn around and get me something new when she starts driving.

My student teaching experience turned out to be 'something else'. A lot of things happened that normally don't happen, but let's just say I have no doubts about my ability to teach. Now I just need a job!

My parents adopted a pekingese who is the newest love of my life. My Dad named him Banjo...and he is gorgeous and moody like a toddler! He's about 11 months old now and Daddy and I are in awe of him even if the rest of the family thinks we are crazy. If I could figure out a away to get him and the cat to get along, he'd come and visit me!

The Bug loved football season and participating in the color guard at school so much that she's on the rifle line for winter guard. I am so glad that she's found her 'thing' in high school that makes her so happy!

That's about it for now. I promise to try to check in more...but until then, Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

I'm Still Alive

2011-10-14T22:05:00.001-04:00

Boy, life has been crazy around here since my last post! I celebrated by 18th wedding anniversary, my daughter turned 14, I am fully involved in student teaching full time, I have no spare time to myself. I'm missing the football game tonight because I am taking another certification test tomorrow, which also means that I'll have to miss our second competition, which is a bummer.

On a positive note, I realized tonight that I have only 31 days of student teaching left. That's not including holidays or weekends. Only 31 days! That blows my mind! Right now I'm teaching full-time - which includes math - my least favorite of all the subjects. I am excited and nervous about graduating in December. What if I can't find a job? What will I do with my 'free' time, which is basically nonexistent while in school? But wow! Then I won't constantly feel like I'm chasing after assignments and data.

So to update on the family. The daughter is loving life in high school. She's loving spending time with all of her friends and doing color guard as well. She's making amazing grades and doing really well in school. It seems so strange to think that in just 3 more years we could be sending her away to college. Where does the time go?

Hubs has a new job. He seems to really like it. That must mean that it's also less painful on his knees. I would have thought his surgery a few years ago would have taken away the problems that he's having. Not.

Me? I'm getting by on about 5 hours of sleep a night. Not nearly enough for someone like me who usually needs a solid doze of 8 hours to feel functional. I would love to have a sleep in day sometime soon!

So now that we've updated, I'm off to check on some favorite bloggers! Have a great day and hopefully it won't be so long between entries again.

And so it begins

2011-08-14T19:39:00.003-04:00

The Bug started back to school last week. Just like her mom...her biggest fear was finding someone to eat lunch with. She ended up running into a friend from color guard and sat with their group. I'm so glad this happened! She told me that there are only 3 freshmen in her fourth period (at which time lunch occurs) class. Every day that she comes home I ask her to 'rank' the day for me. Every day has been at least an 8 or 9. Pretty good in my opinion.

Today we went and had manis and pedis and to be honest, I looked over at her and thought to myself, "where did my little girl go?". She has grown up and changed so much since this time last year. Gone are the braces and glasses. Participating in color guard slimmed her figure. Being outdoors so much has lightened her hair. She beams all the time. Her laughter is infectious...

In addition to the return to school, today is our 18th wedding anniversary. I'm not really one who believes in doing anything "special" for your anniversary... instead I feel like you should celebrate that fact each and every day in some sort of way. So we went to church as a family and then for dinner we ate Pizza Hut. Because 18 years ago we walked out of our hotel suite and walked down the street to a Pizza Hut and had our first meal together as man and wife. LOL We were both craving pizza and figured it was a good idea at the time. Our daughter thinks it's a cute and quirky story... but mostly it shows that the bride and groom never really get to eat at their own reception!

My classes resume this week. I start full-time student teaching as well. I'm a little nervous about that...and not really sure why. 15 weeks seems like a long time to be inside someone else's classroom on a daily basis. We can already access the course information online - and let's just say - I'm going to be super busy between all of that work and attending The Bug's football games over the next few months!

When Life Give You A Bend In the Road

2011-07-18T15:08:00.003-04:00

We've all been there. A place in your life where you've been forced to make a decision that can, ultimately, change whatever coarse your life is on or change the outcome of your life completely. How do you decide which road to take? Oftentimes I stop and think what seems the best to choose now...will it really benefit me in the long run?

Roughly 9 years ago I left a job that I loved. A group of people that I really did consider to be my other family. My office, strangely enough, felt like my second home. I was comfortable there. Maybe too comfortable. There was a mutual affection and respect for the people that I worked with. When the decision was made to leave the company, although I really did want to come home and be a wife and mother, I was devastated. I can remember I would cry every morning while most of the staff in my section of the building went to their morning briefing. I had reached the point that I would take my makeup bag to work with me because I would have to go and fix my face. If anyone spoke to me about my decision to leave - it never failed, a silent tear would roll down my cheek. It may seem strange to whomever reads this, but I spent so much time with these people and doing my job and making sure everything was 'just so' that the idea of leaving them worried me. I did not worry about how they would function without me. I worried how I would function without them.

Who would I find to talk to in the preschool pick up line? I spent my days talking about budgets... car pool parents didn't want to sit and have a debate about the price of tuition or whether the local store had a monopoly on juice box sales. How would I channel that energy into being a wife and mother and not drive my family insane in the process? And heaven forbid...what about when CABIN FEVER struck. We lived in the middle of nowhere. My neighbor best friend had moved to North Carolina during my pregnancy. I thought I'd go insane!

But I'm off on a tangent. A few months ago I ran into one of my 'old friends' from work at the local Lowes. We both live here in town. His wife works at the college where I attend. And I had not seen him anywhere in at least four years. He said everyone still talks about me and how I could handle situations that came up at work like they were nothing. It made me feel good to know that they remember who I am and that they miss me. Is that selfish?

Today I decided to email my old boss, just to see how things are and to see if he was even still working at the company. Within minutes I got a reply that started out 'Wow, where have you been?". It has been nice today to take a few minutes here and there and catch up on our kids and our lives. And it's made me a little sad. What if I had never left after 9/11? What if I had chosen the other road along the path - where would my life be now? I would still have my beautiful daughter and my husband... but how different would my life had been?

I know...spending time on the 'what ifs' is never a good idea... but I think we all contemplate that 'bend in the road' at one point in our lives. Maybe it's because I'm about to (hopefully) begin a career as a teacher - a completely different path for me. Maybe it's just that I think my seasonal allergies are bringing on a cold. But you know what? It feels good to reconnect with these people from my past. It's sort of like sitting down and looking at an old box of pictures. At least that's how it feels for me today.

An Oldie But A Goodie....

2011-07-10T22:18:00.002-04:00

While looking for my post about my One Little Word for the year, I found this. Not as easy as you might think. Change the answers to suit you and pass it on.
It's really hard to only use one word answers.
1. Where is your cell phone? : bedroom
2. Your significant other?: resting
3. Your hair: different
4. Your mother?: significant
5. Your father?: musical
6. Your favorite thing?: reading
7. Your dream last night? dinosaurs
8. Your favorite drink? : water
9. Your dream/goal?: skinny
10. The room you're in? : living
11. Your hobby?: photography
12. Your fear?: cancer
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
14. Where were you last night?: home
15. What you're not? selfish
16. Muffins? : blueberry
17. One of your wish list items?: pool
18. Where you grew up? : Georgia
19. The last thing you did? : television
20. What are you wearing?: sandals
21. Your TV? : Mummy
22. Your pets? : Cinnie
23. Your computer? : eMachine
24. Your life? : surprising
25. Your mood? : happy
27. Your car? : garage
28. Something you're not wearing?: jewelry
29. Favorite store? : Target
30. Your summer? : relaxing
31. Like someone? completely
32. Your favorite color?: unknown
33. When is the last time you laughed?: tonight
34. Last time you cried?: yesterday
35. Who will resend this?: someone

Our Summer is Almost Over

2011-06-27T22:50:00.002-04:00

We've just returned from vacation. More exhausted than we were when we left. But it is good to get away from home...if only to remind you how comfortable your own bed is when you return!

With that being said, our summer is really almost over. The Bug has practice starting in a couple of weeks and that will continue until school gets back in session. So in the next couple of weeks we need to take care of eye appointments, dental appointments, back to school clothes shopping, hair cuts and an assortment of activities. I hate how time flies...

My niece has reserved the venue for their wedding and the date is going to be June 2, 2012. I am super excited for her and her fiance as they start planning their life together. I recently bought her a wedding planner so that she could keep up with all the details of the event. Way back when we were planning our wedding, I had this blue notebook that I 'created' that had every list and idea in it. I wish there had been a book like the one that I picked up for her. In other exciting news, she has asked The Bug to be a bridesmaid in the wedding.

I am considering buying a new camera. I love photography - I hate my camera. Any suggestions? My nephew bought his bride D and Nikon D60 for her wedding gift. She loves it. I love her photography. Just not sure what to do here. Not even sure where to begin. So I am looking for suggestions and reading up on what everyone else owns.

That being said, I just really wish summer would slow down!

Going to the Chapel...and They're Gonna Get Married!

2011-06-15T15:55:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, while walking on the beach at sunset, my soon to be nephew M asked my favorite niece K to marry him. She said yes. Now the fun begins! I am so excited for the two of them as they begin this venture together. Congrats! K & M....

I hate when this happens....

2011-06-11T16:37:00.005-04:00

As you may, or may not, know we are big recyclers around here. So much so that I really hate to throw something away when I know it should be recycled (cans, plastic water bottles, etc). So today I decided to go and drop off our recycling. There was a big blue tub in the back of my van. It had some 'stuff' in it from the back seat when I had to drive all of the girls to Chickfila one night. I didn't sort through it - I didn't think about it to be honest. Instead imagine my surprise when I dumped it's contents and saw a Joann's bag...and a brand new CD that I had bought The Bug. Imagine my panic, but at least I could grab a hold of them. As for anything else, I have no idea what else I might have pitched by mistake. I'll have to be a little bit more careful in my helping to 'green' the earth.

That aside, I have been decluttering our bedrooms. I made the decision to go through my closet and drawers and pulled out everything that either doesn't fit or I don't wear anymore. I have a huge bag of stuff to take from that and going through his stuff as well. I plan on going through The Bug's room with her this weekend and letting her decide what she wants to keep for high school and what she doesn't think will work and dropping those off earlier in the week. For some reason, our guest room has become a dumping ground for shoes and out of season clothes so I need to make myself go in there and start sorting through all of that as well.

One reason why my sorting through these rooms is important is that we have decided to switch things around upstairs. The Bug really wants to get away from her raspberry colored room and wants her room to be blue. That means I can see painting in my future. With that, I have decided to turn the guest room into a sort of 'teen den' for her and her friends to hang out. This means we'll be switching the purpose of the bonus room with the guest room and I'll be able to reclaim my crafting space once we are finished. Which means that my dining room can actually become a dining room once more.

So while I'm a little freaked out about my recycling adventure, I am glad to say that I don't think I lost anything else that I'll be missing anytime soon. At least I hope not. And lesson learned: GO THROUGH the stuff in the van. Or better yet, how about not leaving things in it in the first place?

A Summer Bucket List

2011-06-01T00:57:00.002-04:00

Can you have a bucket list for a season? I think so. I mean, why not? Who says that the bucket list has to be a 'before I die' event. Couldn't it be before the time lapses? I have been thinking about this tonight. What if we all sat down and made a list of all the things we'd like to accomplish and pursue this summer?

If I were to sit down and start a list, I feel confident it would eventually become completely overwhelming. With me there are no simple list. The most simple thing about my list might be the paper that it's written on ... or the computer font that I choose. Because I am, what I am sure is a medical term, an over thinker. That's right. Over thinker. Look it up... you might see my picture there. Because I can't simply say "I'm going to do "THIS"." Instead it would be an in depth portrayal of exactly what should happen in intricate detail. Which might prove to be the reason why I cannot seem to accomplish the things on my 'To Do' list lately.

But I do have some things I'd like to accomplish this summer. Like clean out all of the closets. Really clean them out and get rid of those things we haven't worn in 5 years. Or secretly get rid of my husband's cowboy boots although he'll need them this fall for the theatrical production the church is going to put on in the fall. I could get rid of the stroller that's just taking up space. I'd like to clean out all of my scrapbook and craft stuff and get a few sewing projects done. I'd like to paint The Bug's room and also move the guest room down the hall and turn that room into sort of a Teen Cave if you will where she and her friends could hang out and have fun. Clean out the shed in the back yard. Clean out the garage. Actually start using the screen in porch.

Yes, I think I will create myself a summer time bucket list. Because if I don't, who will? If not now, when? I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Journal Me This

2011-05-30T21:17:00.002-04:00

When I was a little girl, probably in the fourth grade, my parents gave me a Hello Kitty diary as part of my Christmas presents. I loved my diary and shared my inner most thoughts on those pages. My dreams and wishes and the deepest heartfelt desires that a 10 or 11 year old could have at that age.

In fact, I firmly believe that this is where I earned my love of writing. It was a no-holds barred type of journaling where I really did share exactly how I felt. Over the years I lost my diary.

So today I started thinking... I have decided that I'm going to join Weight Watchers online. I need some accountability to what it is that I am ...or am not... doing to my body. I did WW about a hundred years ago after I went back to work from my maternity leave with The Bug. In fact, if you can believe it, I was the corporate sponsor for a weekly Meeting At Work that took place at the airline! As I was thinking about this today, The Bug and I were driving back from my beloved Target and I told her that I got within less than 15 pounds of my goal weight... and quit.

So this time around I am going to journal about my adventure. I think that's an important step. I think it's important to take that picture at the beginning and at every milestone that I set myself. Back in the day, I would have Hubs take a picture of me with our polaroid camera at every 10 pound interval. I think that this will help me the most along the way.

What about you? Ever been through something where you decided to journal the steps along the way? Did it help? Do you think it is a good idea? Feedback welcomed. :)

Born This Way Shirts ...

2011-05-24T20:34:00.003-04:00

Why do I volunteer to do projects for my daughter and her friends that require way too much time and leave me with no time to really do what I want to do? See, yesterday they wanted to meet up at the craft store to purchase the materials to make a 'born this way' t-shirt. Because a few of them want to wear it in the chorus class talent show on Wednesday. My daughter does not want to wear hers. And she is in another class. So we are standing in Joann's when someone says something to the effect that we can just make them something to wear one time. In other words, waste our money and time creating something that they won't ever want to wear again. Which to me says "tacky". I guess that is when I spoke up and said I would work on the t-shirts for the girls. Each mom purchased their daughter's plain t-shirt and The Bug kept up with them. I bought a few supplies, called my friend Slacker Mom II to see if she had ever used the cricut to cut fabric for something like this...and decided we were heading to Hobby Lobby. Bought iron on letters there. Came home. Worried about it. What had I volunteered to do? Spent some time with my family. Came back downstairs after everyone went to bed and created a stencil to try my hand at painting what they wanted. Didn't like it. Got up and went to Michael's this morning. Bought some transfer paper. Came home and designed what I wanted on the computer. Had to borrow my mother's printer. Turned off all the phones. Printed out 8 sheets - each one has something different on the front. The backs are all the same.

All of the girls now have their shirts. Each shirt has "BORN THIS WAY" on the back and something that each of the girls identify with on the front. My daughter's says...well.... "GINGER" which kinda surprises me because I don't think of her as a red-head. She was when she was a little girl. But she has the coloring so okay. She embraces it though and LOVES it. One of her friends chose "FRECKLES". Another said "TV ADDICT"...which could really be a Youtube obsession if you asked me. The final girl said "BAD HAIR" which I LOVE because we always talk about hair together and how we wish ours would do something different.

I am hopeful that at some point in time I'll be able to snap a picture of them in their shirts. It will be slightly different than their tribute to the Beatles that they staged Friday night.

Goodbye 8th Grade

2011-05-18T12:44:00.013-04:00

8th Grade Girls Lock-In @ Church. These are the girls who tried to stay up all night with me. The others were fast asleep when we took this picture. All but one of these girls made it!

The drama club hosted a talent show. Some of the drama club members performed to Thriller/Heads Will Roll at the beginning of the show. It was pretty cool!

A and The Bug at the 8th grade awards reception this month. They both were recognized for maintaining an A average all year long. So far that's been 8 years of straight As for The Bug.

Right after the girls found out they made the high school color guard squad. Can you tell they're both excited?

No, we didn't go to Paris! We went downtown to the museum for the day. I just happen to like this picture.

How cute is this?

We had a head hunter (see her belt loop?), Cookie Monster's twin sister, Artemis and Amphitrite.

3 AM, as we call them, after the Christmas Concert.

'80s night

A Braggy Moment

2011-04-25T21:12:00.004-04:00

We interrupt this regularly scheduled program to share some breaking news with the world....

I PASSED THE GACE!

This means that I can (1) Student teach in the fall. (2) Graduate in December. (3) Be gainfully employed as a teacher.

AWESOME!

We return to your normal broadcasting now....

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

2011-04-24T14:52:00.000-04:00

Have you seen this ?

Have a wonderful day !

A New Beginning

2011-04-19T17:39:00.003-04:00

Today is my birthday. I don't know why, but the idea of getting older has never really bothered me. In fact, when I was younger I LOVED to point out if I was older (according to my best friend from 7th grade... I apparently did this every year!). Sure, I can see the progression of time. My hair is a little grayer around the edges. My hands don't look like those of a 20 year old...although being an obsessive hand washer does not help. Just this past year I realized that the doctors are right....the cartilage between your knees does deteriorate - I can tell this when I am scrubbing the garden tub and try to get back up! But it doesn't really bother me.

I like to think of birthdays as an opportunity to grow. I like to think about things about myself that I would like to change and decide what I need to do to set things in motion to try to make these changes a reality. This year, I think what my change will be is taking better care of myself. The past few years have been about furthering my education. Raising my child.Trying to be superwoman for a lot of different people in my world. So this year is about doing things for myself. Not anything drastic - just small things that matter to me. Taking time to enjoy the flowers in the yard (did that today) or time to read a book or watch a movie that I want to see. Taking the time to stop and get my eyebrows waxed or getting my nails done. Getting a coffee. Or, like today, going to Zaxby's and having a milkshake. The birthday cake milkshake to be exact. And you know what? It was GOOD!

So today, in honor of my birthday, do something special just for you! :)

10 Things That Make Me Happy

2011-04-05T14:15:00.002-04:00

Ever seen that movie "Ten Things I Hate About You" with Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles? I love that movie. The whole take on the Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare. Set with a modern teenage twist. I am going to Target to see if they have that movie. So that The Bug and I can watch it together and I can share with her something that I think is cute and funny ... and I also happen to like the music.

So while HATE is such a strong word... I have been thinking about things that make me happy. Here's a short list.

1. The Bug. Her laughter is infectious. Her artwork is amazing even though she will not share it with the world...to quote, "I have copyright issues." Not sure where that came from. Her jewelry is adorable and totally a way to make some pocket money without having to babysit. Her aunt and I are still trying to convince her of this!

2. My husband's hair. When he actually lets it grow out. Because he keeps it cut so short because of cowlicks on the top of his head. But his hair is this gorgeous black color and it is so soft and lovable all on his own. It is hard to believe that it was BLOND and longer when I met him.

3. Laughter. Especially when it involves the two people mentioned previously. Or when The Bug is hanging out with her friends. Genuine laughter - not that stuff that seems to forced. When that starts, I am done.

4. The Cat. She loves me. What is there not to love about her? Last night we had some unbelievable storms. She left her safe haven under the bed to come and hang out in the living room with me. Granted, she crawled under the couch. But she apparently feels safer when she's in the same room as me and that's a good thing in my book.

5. My parents. Both of them. Equally. For their advice when I need it. And their help. And their unconditional love and encouragement of me. What would I do without them?

6. Peanut Butter. I love peanut butter. If I were a poet I am sure I would write a sonnet all about peanut butter and how much I love it. Even though, at times, it has made me sick. It is my favorite food ingredient. I wonder what a peanut butter drink would taste like though? I might not like that as much.

7. Chick-fila. Seriously, if you live in a section of the world where there is no Chick-fila, I seriously feel sorry for you. I am a serious Chick-fila girl - we have it every Tuesday night for dinner. And Not only because it is buy one, get one free. I have loved Chick-fila from the first time I tried it - probably around the age of four. It never gets old.

8. Music. All kinds. Especially 80s music though. Nothing makes me happier than music. I am always singing something...just ask my family! I am so glad that my parents have such diverse musical tastes that I was exposed to all sorts of music as a child. I try to do the same with The Bug.

9. Books. I love to read. I want a Kindle. I think the perfect life would be where I could read books all day long. And never had to do housework. And Chick-fila delivered.

10. Winnie the Pooh. Seriously. So much so that I abandoned my family at Disney World and made a bee line to right where Pooh was standing.I have pictures! Last night, we were watching reruns of Who's Line is it Anyway (another favorite!) and Colin and Ryan were doing a skit where they do infomercials to sell albums. Colin said "We'll return to your movie, Crouching Tigger, Hidden Pooh".... and I nearly lost it! Hilarious!

Just a Cleanin.....

2011-04-04T17:43:00.002-04:00

My daughter is sick. Because adults let teenagers roam around Universal Studios during a monsoon with wet shoes and socks and clothes all day Thursday. Then threw them all on a chartered bus (wet) and then made them come home on the same bus on Friday (which I am sure was still wet). So today we went to the lovely doctor's office and got some meds. Because it is spring break...and who wants to be sick and in the bed? Ugh....

Since she is sick, I am stuck at home. Cleaning. Not fun. Oh and writing imaginary lesson plans on The Tell Tale Heart and watching a video on youtube of Vincent Price doing an awesome performance. I wonder...was it his life's goal to always play such creepy characters? Did anybody ever think he was too cute for all that scary stuff? But what would Thriller be without his voice over?

I am also spending time helping the cat stalk this bird that comes every day and taps on The Bug's bathroom window. It's like we have sonic hearing and wait for the tap-tap-tap each morning. It's a strange story actually - this bird (if bird's live that long) did the same thing last year. It looks like the same bird. Orange beak. Sort of looks like a female cardinal. She keeps us entertained for the most part. Okay, the cat more than me. I am just glad to be home this week. I only wish I could find the person who invented housework and give them a piece of my mind. Why can't someone create the self-cleaning house?

Remember This?

2011-03-31T14:07:00.001-04:00

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75^th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen."

A Pictorial

2011-03-25T09:58:00.005-04:00

Today I decided to share a pictorial of what I have been doing.... studying for this....and beginning to freak out a little bit because to be qualified to teach special education you have to know so many laws about education, not to mention so many strategies, accommodations and modifications...not to mention the different types of disabilities! I will be glad when tomorrow morning is over and done with ....

But in the meantime, I have had time to work a little bit on this. I have been wanting to do this for a while now. The Bug has three special friends that she's known for what seems like forever. I always take a picture of the girls together after their chorus concerts and this got me thinking...why not create them a scrapbook of memories from their middle school years. I've finished one album...it's nothing fancy but I love how it turned out. Now I have two more to complete...but here's a sneak peak....

Then when time permits and I don't get caught up in the pollen clouds outside I am stalking around in my yard, enjoying all of the newness that's coming into existence with the temperature change. Mind the weeds, but aren't these gorgeous????

Not So Mellow Yellow

2011-03-23T19:15:00.002-04:00

Ugh...the world has been attacked by the Pollen Monster...and appears to be losing! Pollen - the one thing I hate the most - has descended upon us and the world, as we know it, has a hazy yellow tint out the window. I am afraid to walk outside - my black t-shirt might turn yellow!

Yesterday's pollen count was unreal - I think I heard 2200...or maybe 1200. Who knows? But today is much worse and when I logged on to weather.com to check the weather, it shows a CODE ORANGE - very high level for today. Tomorrow. Probably the rest of this month and well into next month.

Funny thing though - how come I don't remember anything about pollen when I was younger? My mother and I talked about this today - along with questioning why anybody would willingly have their windows open with this mess swirling around in the air!

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-14T09:12:00.003-04:00

It is strange to me how colleges now have spring break way before it's even spring! That being said, this week I am on spring break. Since I have a child in school (who isn't out for her spring break until next month!) and a husband...not to mention a highly demanding cat.... I am at home this week. Cleaning and studying for the GACE. I am working Friday - I need 2 days to remain in the substitute system with our local school system every semester - and aside from that, nothing special is going on.

I came up with my own 'cleaning lottery' last night because I've spent so much time lately studying or student teaching or just avoiding housework in general (at every cost) that I decided last night to list what needs to be done to each room. Then I decided to make it fair and write each room's name down on an index card (because I was procrastinating while watching Sister Wives) and this morning I put them in a basket and drew out today's lucky contestant....The Kitchen! That's right - the kitchen will get a luxurious overhauling today as I scrub the counters, mop the floor, clean out the pantry, finally put the curtains back up that I'd taken down to wash...when I can't remember though... and then I'll take some time in-between to study for the GACE. I'm going to work on the timer system. I also need to go to the recycling center this morning since most of my recycling happens to be stuff from the kitchen like the 4 billion empty cereal boxes I noticed in the pantry this morning!

So I am off to clean. If I don't return - send a search party to the pantry!

What I'd Be Doing...

2011-03-08T21:18:00.002-05:00

Ever think, 'What would I have done with my life?' if you'd chosen a different path? Such as:
What if I had gone away to college?
What if I had married my high school sweetheart? (ugh...thank God for unanswered prayers!)
What if I had chosen something completely different to do with my life?
What if I had gone out with Bobby that Friday night as planned? (I wouldn't have met Mr. Hubs)
What if I had never worked at Delta?
What if I had never left?
What if I had gone to Germany after my niece was born to help my sister out?
What if we had decided to have other kids?
What if we had decided not to live on the south side of the city and had instead moved to the north side, where my husband grew up?
What if we hadn't adopted our wondercat?
What if we had kept our dog, Darlin', and had not given her to my niece and nephew?

Life could be filled with a lot of 'what if' questions. With that in mind, I'll remind myself that we cannot worry about the past, that we need to enjoy "Today"...it's why it's called THE PRESENT. And that bloggy world, is my food for thought for today.

This is the Momster...feeling a little grateful for her own life...signing off...until the next time.

Savannah - Been There 'n Done That!

2011-02-27T20:05:00.002-05:00

We are home! We had a blast! Our feet hurt! The Bug's voice hurts! But oh what fun we had! The music was INCREDIBLE! My daughter's laugh is infectious! She has the sweetest group of musically inclined friends! I am glad that I looked the part of the tourist - and wore my New Balances all the time...because my feet don't hurt as much as the fashionista who is resting her toots on the couch as I type.

Around here, well things had less exclamation marks. The cat hid almost the entire time we were one. Hubs hurt his foot and basically sat parked on the couch. My parents informed me that if we ever move away, they are moving with us. Oh, and the cleaning fairy did not show up for duty while we were gone.

I took some funny pictures - actually a lot of walking pictures. As in the girls WALKING in front of me. We probably walked enough to have made our way back home...but it was fun and I'd do it again next year...and the next...and the next...and the next. I can honestly say that being a chaperone might have been as much fun as it was to actually be an All-Stater 26 years ago.

Spring is.... springing?

2011-02-19T08:25:00.002-05:00

I know, I know....the English teacher wannabe inside of me keeps saying that's not correct grammar on some level, but believe me when I tell you... spring is definitely in its way! I have noticed tons of little green 'sticks' poking their heads up through the covering on the raised islands in our front yard. Now if I had planned this post carefully I would have gone outside with my camera and taken a picture of the splendor of new growth in the yard ... but no. Not me. Maybe later. Maybe not. You never know around here.

I am curious to see if my hostas will come back this year. Because remember the wind storm that we had that knocked a tree over on our house? That was my lovely shade tree that is out front as well. I took care of the debris from the breakage, but we still need to cut back the rest of the tree. That is also where I planted those zillions of hostas that I took from my parents' yard a few years ago. So we'll see what happens. I may end up having to move them to another spot in the yard.

I have the next week off from student teaching and I really hope to get some things done around here before we head to the Bug's chorus event later in the week. I need to spend some time as well studying for the GACE which I'm taking at the end of March. I want to try to spend some time with my parents as well. It's going to be a busy week but I am so grateful for the break!

DÍA DE NIEVE

2011-02-10T08:53:00.002-05:00

We have snow again in the south. I think I woke up twice last night to go and peek out the window to see what all was going on. Our back yard looks like a gorgeous blanket of white. Even the huge heart that is cut out in the grass is gorgeous (a story for another day...). The front yard is pretty but the trees kept a lot of the snow from reaching the ground out there. The roads and sidewalks are fine. The local schools are in session...but I am taking a DÍA DE NIEVE (translation: snow day). Because I don't have to work today - the one benefit of getting all of my student teaching accomplished at the beginning of the week.

So what does one do on her personalized snow day? I have a laundry list of chores that is probably a mile long. Clean the kitchen. Bathrooms. Bedrooms. Dust. Vacuum. Mop. Grocery Store. Bank. Clean out my car - which looks like it has a family of homeless people living in it if the back seat and rear of the van are any indication. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll curl up in my snuggie and watch a good movie. If I don't get lured in to do some homework.

On a positive note - my Dad has started the treatments for his cancer and will only have to get his shots every six months. The doctor has guaranteed us that his numbers will come back down. My Mom had a heart cath on Tuesday and is doing well. This eliminated the thought that there could be any blockages around her heart. She will see the cardiologist in a few weeks and we think they'll start trying to treat her with some different medications. He told us that he hopes to have veins and arteries like Mom's when he is her age.

One more exciting thing before I finish. I think my niece will be getting engaged soon. There's a lot of wedding buzz going on between her and her boyfriend. She is determined though to finish nursing school before getting married and I admire and applaud her for sticking with that. She'll graduate May 2012. I'll keep you posted.

Queen of Procrastination

2011-02-04T11:19:00.003-05:00

What is it about knowing you have to do something...and you keep and keep putting it off? Today is all about cleaning the house. Partially because it really needs to be done. With a smig of the fact that The Bug has a friend coming over to hang out for a while tonight. And I really need to do some cleaning. Especially after I decided to pull EVERYTHING out of one of the downstairs closets last night and then the plans were made (and the stuff was all over the foyer!).

So today is going to be the speed round of cleaning. You know the one... You put everything AWAY (insert back into the closet) and close the doors to the rooms that you don't want anybody to see (like the guest room) and frantically vacuum and clean up the bathroom (because it's your daughter's...and she's a teenager...and you generally don't venture in there...and when you do, you hear this 'ugh, PRIVACY, please!').

On top of that, it is raining cats and dogs here. I would rather have the snow the other parts of the country are dealing with at this point. I am tired of the rain. I need to get some work done in the yard before everything here starts to bud. We have a huge pile of limbs to burn in the garden bed (remember when we lost two trees last year due to the wind?). My yard just looks messy to me right now and it is bothering me. I need to some weed pulling therapy.

Okay, time to get back to work. I wish there was a cleaning fairy that conveniently visits houses... on rainy days....so that I could scrapbook or read a good book...or take a nap!

Middle School

2011-02-03T09:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, if you had asked me a month ago if I thought I'd enjoy my student teaching in a middle school... I would have told you "NO" hands down. But guess what? Sometimes when we are given lemons, it's really because we're gonna be thirsty and need some lemonade. Because I am really enjoying my time with the students at the middle school. They are hilarious! They make me laugh! Their smiles can light up the room and their voices remind me why I am there - to make a difference and to share whatever knowledge I have with them to make their worlds a better place and their homework a little bit easier to complete.

Yesterday I taught my first lesson in our resource math class. I designed a PowerPoint game and we did a review for their math test that they're all taking today. It was fun. They were engaged. The time passed quickly and they retained what we did in class so that when they got to their regular math class, they knew exactly what we were doing and how to do it without my assistance. I felt like a proud Momma.

My advisor is coming later in the month to do an onsite observation. I have no idea what I'll teach or even where we will be in our math lesson plans. I'm not nervous about it though. I had to videotape yesterday's lesson and watch it last night to provide my critique of how things went. The lesson was incredible. My only complaint? I need to get back to my exercise routine. I am considering joining Weight Watchers Online. I hope to lose some weight before I graduate in December. That seems amazing sometimes - I'll be finished THIS December! Incredible!

Life is Hard

2011-01-28T14:16:00.002-05:00

I wish today's post was something funny or even trivial but it's not. My heart is just not in it.

Several years ago my Dad was diagnosed with a certain type of cancer. He had surgery where they did an implant and we thought, "Okay..that's that. What's the chance it'll return?" He regularly sees a slew of doctors...for his heart and this and several other things. And if you read here often, you know that I love few people more than I love my Momma and Daddy. They would do anything for me and I feel the same way about them. If I could give my left arm to save one of them, I would instead offer my entire torso. I would be nothing without the two of them and the unconditional love they have always surrounded me with growing up.

Daddy had a hard life growing up. Not poverty hard, although sometimes I have wondered because he grew up on a farm. A working farm. He would get up before sunrise to work and then go to school and come home and work until the sun went down. I always knew that he had never exaggerated about working so hard. It has taken a toll on his body. When I was in elementary school he had an accident where he fell and couldn't walk for what felt like months. Shortly after I got married, he suffered a massive heart attack and wasn't expected to survive. He's had two by-pass surgeries, he has a trifibulator, he's suffered a stroke, has an artificial valve in his heart... the list could possibly go on and on. When he was in his fifties, his doctor told him he had the body of a man more in his seventies (if I am remembering correctly). When you read things that make life on a ranch or farm seem romantic, the reality is that it's hard work and eventually takes its toll. Daddy turns 74 in a couple of months.

Right now - I am mad. Or maybe angry. I just don't understand why life has to be so hard as you get older. Why are there so many things that bring us sadness? I know my Daddy - this has got to be consuming his every thought right now. Momma said he doesn't want to talk. This on top of the heart problems that she's having right now - I just wonder sometimes how much are we really supposed to endure? I know that God never gives us more than we can handle... but right now, all of this is simply too much.

So now maybe I don't feel so mad. I am off to have a good cry and some prayer time and some chicken nuggets...in exactly that order.

No sense in complaining

2011-01-24T14:54:00.002-05:00

Today I had an epiphany of sorts. It hit me like a load of bricks as I drove back from the court house: There is no sense in complaining. Because who cares? I mean really, is complaining really going to make a situation different? The reason why I thought this was because as I drove home I started thinking about my day and school and started to call my friend when it hit me, would complaining about a situation make anything different?

If I complain about traffic, does it magically get better?
If I complain about taxes, do they lower themselves?
If I complain about how my shoes hurt my feet, does that magically make my shoes become softer?
If people complain about being ignored, does that make anything better?
If people complain about being unloved, does it make you love them more?
If people complain about being hungry, are they instantly full?
If you complain about your weight, does it magically change?

I'm sure you get my drift. And since I'm sure you're now wondering 'why was she at the court house?' I had to go and drop off a certified letter stating that I'm a full-time student taking 14 hours this semester so that I could be excused from jury duty. The funny thing - the form, that i had to sign and they notarized, had 2007 as the date on the back. 2007! That was like, I dunno, 4 years ago! Okay, so I do know because I counted it up (using my fingers...it's been a long day!). There are those tax dollars at work. But that's complaining, right?

Tomorrow we take our truck in for repairs. This means that tonight the truck has to be cleaned out from top to bottom. We've got to call to make sure everything's handled with the rental car that this person's insurance company is providing. Hopefully everything has been taken care of on their end and all we have to do is drop the truck off, get the rental and wait to pick the truck up again. I will be glad when that's all over and done. Not that I'm complaining... :)

She Made All-State...

2011-01-22T11:42:00.002-05:00

Got the 'official news' yesterday afternoon when I picked up The Bug that she made All-State Choir. She was excited. I am excited. I did this my seventh and eighth grade school years and had a great time. Way back when there were places called Junior High and dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Or so she likes to tell me...the latter part, that is! So this makes it official - we are not going to the Ski Week with our church and are instead going to play hooky from school (thanks to three snow/ice days right in the middle of the week) and instead are going to find something fun to do until we leave at the end of the week for the event. I feel better knowing we've made the decision and I don't feel at all guilty about letting go of the money that was spent to reserve her spot on the ski trip. I figure it went to the church and that's good enough for me. Next year we'll just know better what we are doing when the time comes up to sign up for any of these events.

She'll be singing in the treble (all girl) choir. They have the hardest music - everything is in another language except for one song. She's already been learning the melody but now she has to focus on the words and their pronunciations. Songs like Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Durme Durme, J'entends le moulin,Laudamus Te, Mangwani Mpulele, and the easiest to pronounce, Manx Lullaby. Can you guess which one is in English? However, it is old English.

So congrats to The Bug! I am so proud of you and your accomplishments!!!

What Inspires You To Do Better?

2011-01-20T18:51:00.002-05:00

I am taking a class that deals with languages and communication sciences. So far this evening I have watched two videos - one about an African parrot named Alex who is learning to talk. The other is Jane Goodall talking about what she does best - lecturing about chimpanzees. Listening to her talk it makes me wonder...what encouraged her to leave the civilization that we are so accustomed to and to travel into the jungle? What would I do if my daughter were determined to do something like this with her life? What if I had ever felt that way?

Right now she's talking about what we have done to hurt our planet. It really makes you think about the damage we have caused our planet, and ourselves, by our decisions to live the way that we do in our comfy homes and our lifestyles with all of our comforts. Don't get me wrong - I'm not willing to sell my house or my car and make a drastic change to my life. I recycle, almost religiously, because I figure doing this is a small step that can make a difference.

If you're curious - check out this one link with Jane Goodall. It's about 28 minutes long but very interesting.

I Think I'm Being Punished....

2011-01-19T17:34:00.002-05:00

Reported to duty today. At the other local middle school which is a whole other world of teenagers than the one The Bug presently attends. It's funny how, even in the same town, kids can be SO DIFFERENT. Especially in the way they dress. I don't think I've ever seen more colored jeans (pink, yellow, green) on kids than I did today. But I digress...

I think the placement's going to be fine. But this teacher...she teaches Math. MATH I say. A lot of math. Not reading. Or Language Arts. Science - no. And forget about Social Studies. Nix Reading. No Reading...ah that just makes me sad! Because I love reading. Reading is one of my most favorite subjects. Math...not so much. So how did I end up with my first degree in Accounting? Who knows. I think I thought that was the smart route to take at the time. Before Enron.

So I think I've worked out my schedule. Three days a week. Five hours a day. For something like 36 days. I have no idea what I will teach for my observation my videos. There is no telling how I'll be able to complete my reading class assignments - you know - since I don't have ANYTHING to do with teaching reading.

Maybe this is because of my displeasure with not having enough exposure to a math strategies class? Maybe I'm being punished in a round about way....

As a side note - our kiddos will be making up 3 of the 5 snow days - all during our winter break. Which is also the time of Ski Bible at church. And All-state Chorus. It keeps getting more complicated.

The Momster

What Happened to Tradition?

2011-01-18T10:17:00.002-05:00

Do you ever stop and wonder why people stop following traditions? Whether they are holiday traditions or just simple family things that you do year after year... why do people stop?

Case in point: I used to have our Christmas cards ready and we would stop and mail them Thanksgiving night after we would leave my parents house. For weeks I would wait for the post office to get in that year's selection of Christmas stamps and then I'd happily settle down and find the perfect cards and write in them (or some years include a letter updating everyone on what was going on in our family). I think I stopped doing cards two or three years ago. Which is really sad. Because when I was younger, I would love to come in and go through the cards that my parents received from friends and family.

My mother still sends Christmas cards. In fact, they ran out of cards this year and I offered to go through my storage tub of cards (because I used to buy them in bulk!) and took her some so that she could keep up with returning cards to all of their friends who had sent them one after the initial mailing went out. As I was looking for the appropriate cards for them to send, I realized that my stash of cards was really old. I had some cards from when I left Delta - I distinctly remembered buying these blue cards with "All the Best" on the outside and "Always" on the inside that year. (I was very depressed about my decision to leave...so this has always stuck in my mind). I had cards that had Santa sitting at a computer, looking at a print out of the naughty and nice list. Let's face it - Santa's got to stay up with the latest technologies... I figured he'd probably have a smart phone or at the least an Ipod that would do that for me. There were funny cards. Cards for pictures. I'm telling you - I could open my own stationery store for the holiday season.

When I took in a huge amount of outgrown jeans and t-shirts that had been The Bug's, I decided to load the box full of cards into the back of the van as well. I hope that somewhere, someone will benefit from the cards. At the same time... it made me really sad. When we were first married, we'd decorate the archway from our family room to the kitchen with garland and the cards that we received that year. That was our tradition until we moved here and then we'd display our cards on the mantel with the stockings and garland.

I guess what I am wondering is when do we decide things are too much trouble and decide to give up the traditions that meant so much to us at one time?

Sunday

2011-01-16T21:30:00.002-05:00

Wake up and head out to church.
Had a great time with the girls in my class talking about loyalty and disloyalty and how it all plays in with being a Christian.
The Bug went home with a friend and their family.
Came home and Hubs and I went to the store and to Ruby Tuesdays for a less than eventful lunch. But time together is valuable to us both and we had a great time.
Picked The Bug up and came home to watch the beginning of "Space Cowboys".
Eyebrows done - even though it took forever at the salon.
The cat is napping at my feet.
My professor went off the deep end with this email about last semester - that still has me puzzled and wondering what on earth is going on. I think someone threw us all 'under the bus".
This may prove to be a more difficult semester than I had originally thought. See above for explanation.
The Farmer's Almanac is showing this is to be a colder winter with more snow and ice. They are usually right - afterall, they pegged the snow we had last week.
Tomorrow is a holiday - then life gets busy all over again.
Praying for God's guidance.
Heard tonight on tv and wrote this in my notebook, "Let it go and God will fight your battles."

Letting go now...
The Momster

Where Did The Week Go?

2011-01-15T19:22:00.002-05:00

Usually that's how I feel about the weekends around here. Wisk! Bam! Boom! ...it's like an action sequence from the old Batman shows... and they are gone! But this week we (unbelievably) had another week off of school due to the snow/ice that we received Sunday and Monday. Let me tell you - it has been YEARS since school was closed for a week here due to the weather. Every afternoon we'd sit and play the anticipation game.... will there be school or won't there be school? Now the anticipation involves when and/or if the students will be required to make up this time. I can remember losing spring breaks and even attending school on Saturday to make up for bad weather days when I was a young girl. Only time will tell.

My classes have resumed. The online ones at least. I have my placement for the next semester and will be working at a local middle school, although not the one that The Bug attends. I am waiting to hear from my assigned teacher to find out when she would like for me to report and to get an idea of what I'm in store for this semester. Then... finally....student teaching in the fall! My other classes shouldn't be too difficult this semester but just time consuming. If I can ever remember HOW to do school then I might actually be able to start getting my assignments out of the way. That's what I'm supposed to be doing right now...but instead... the computer called my name! Well that and the Buffalo Style Chicken Pizza that's just finishing up in the oven. Sometimes it's good to be home alone. :)

What I did on my snow day staycation...

2011-01-10T19:39:00.002-05:00

Count this as day one of at least a two day snow day staycation. What did we do? Well let's see...

Absolutely nothing. We didn't get snow - instead we've gotten a lot of ice. It looks pretty - until you decide to head outside and try to walk across the driveway. In fact, a funny story. Tonight I went to take something outside ...and managed to slide across the driveway. Thank goodness there was a vehicle there to stop me!

School has already been cancelled for tomorrow. I can envision another day of video games and movies. These snow days can keep it up if it means that I don't have to report to my new placement for the semester until next week. This snow would be ideal if my books had already arrived though so that I could work ahead on all of my work.

Will it Snow?

2011-01-09T15:32:00.003-05:00

We are expecting snow. That has been the forecast for the past few days - a big storm is moving in that should be here sometime tonight. They are forecasting snow and icy conditions until tomorrow afternoon. Cold temperatures (at least for those of us here in the south). We are expecting rain to start around 5, with it becoming icy and then snowing around 10 tonight. This should continue until Tuesday and I am sure you can imagine that all of the kids (and teachers) are hoping for snow. There's no telling the number of people who will be sleeping with their pajamas inside out tonight with the hopes that school will be canceled.

I tell you all that to share with you this. After church, Hubs and I went to Walmart to pick up some tortillas so that we could experiment with the quesadilla maker that The Bug got in the white elephant gift exchange at my parents' house on Christmas. We stopped to pick up some apples, marveled at all of the people in the place and the proceeded to the bread aisle. There was no bread to be found - anywhere. Because there were no 10" tortillas we walked over to the frozen foods section where they have the cheeses, etc...and discovered that there were NO EGGS. I don't even think there was any egg substitute on the shelf. We laughed a little to ourselves because we had already gotten our bread and milk on Friday... just in case.

As for me, I am hopeful for a snow day only because The Bug will have another day to recover from being sick. The downside is - we don't know what Hubs will do - right now he is working on the other side of town and they are expecting the worst of the weather all together.

Getting Things Done...

2011-01-07T11:36:00.004-05:00

One good thing that is accomplished when your child is sick: You clean. I've managed to clean out the kitchen (again). I am finally caught up on the laundry around the house as well. Today I am cleaning out the dining room and preparing to shampoo the carpet in there before she and I settle in to watch a movie.

Obviously she missed her audition this morning. I called the school yesterday and spoke to the choral director - she told me that we could request a make-up audition. All we needed to do is let her know before 9 this morning and to provide a doctor's excuse. I called her back last night and we eventually talked it through and decided a postponement was in order. So today she has spent most of the day in the bed, listening to music and snuggling under her warm blankets.

My word for the year is prepare and I've definitely been doing that. The house is coming together. I managed to sneak out this morning to Macy's to do some holiday returns that I had been avoiding and paid off my account as well. I am not only preparing myself at home, but financially as well. I found out last night that I have been assigned my placement next week at a local middle school. I need to contact the teacher and see when it would be a good time to meet and formalize my schedule. At least this will work out with my current routine with The Bug. Classes officially begin Monday. I'm taking the GACE in March. Things are about to get busy.

Cooties

2011-01-06T14:14:00.002-05:00

The cooties have arrived. In the 5'6" variety of a 13 year old girl. Who is at home today with her Momma after having visited the doctor's office this morning for some meds and some Chickfila and cuddle time while watching movies in her room under her comfy quilts. She has been instructed to rest at home for the next two days, so that means no school until Monday. Hopefully this will let her mend enough for her audition Saturday morning.

Funny thing when one has the cooties is trying to prevent everyone else (meaning the Momster) from catching the cooties as well. We came in and she took her medicine. I took my vitamins. And a claritin for good measure. The other funny thing is that I find myself CLEANING more when the cooties are involved. Laundry is getting done. The kitchen counters are all nice and clean. Things smell a little like pine....

Now where did I put my latest ....circle, circle, dot, dot, dot...it's okay I got my cooties shot :)

Dilemmas

2011-01-05T13:25:00.002-05:00

You know how you try to plan for things and get all your ducks in a row so that everything is taken care of early on and you don't have to worry about things? I love it when a plan comes together... but this is one case where the plan is not coming together well at all.

Back in October The Bug auditioned for All-State Choir. She was sick at the time, we did not have the scoring results and she didn't feel as though she had done a good job considering she was under a doctor's care and her voice just wasn't 100%. Well, fast forward a few weeks. Our church had its annual sign-up for a youth retreat that takes place the same week in February. The money was due at the time of sign up. And rather than waiting it out to find out about All-State, we went ahead and signed her up and paid the fees. Well... guess who got the highest score in the first audition? Even though she was sick ... and her Mom got her to the audition a measly 5 minutes before time to perform? (I thought I'd mention that now...but this nice director guy let her wait for the next group that went to do their thing.) My daughter.

So the dilemma is this. If she makes the second audition, which is this weekend, and by the way..she isn't feeling good AGAIN... we have to decide what to do because both events are the same week. That's right. The Youth trip is Tuesday through Friday. All-State is Thursday through Saturday. In two different states. About 360ish miles apart. There is a no refund option with the youth group at church so she either goes a few days or doesn't go at all. She really wants to go to All-State. I think both will allow her individual growth in both areas of her life that she loves...music and her Lord. But I am thinking... do I really want to drive 4+ hours to pick her up and turn around and drive to the other location? Is that practical? Won't I be completely worn out as well?

Why is it we often times find ourselves in dilemmas when we are trying to do something good rather than something bad?

Feeling Blah....

2011-01-04T13:02:00.002-05:00

You know, that feeling you have the first day when everybody goes back to school and work following the festivities of celebrating Christmas and New Year's? I am officially calling them 'the blahs' this year. Really, it might be better if I didn't like The Bug and Hubs as much as I do... at least the cat has been here to keep me company.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life though right? Time to get up and get something done. Instead I need to run to Lowe's (because I broke something in The Bug's bathroom about 30 minutes ago...and I want to have it fixed before everyone starts returning home) and to grocery store (to pick up those juicy fruits and yummy veggies that are going to help me succeed at obtaining my goals this year regarding health and wellness)!

Then it's going to be back home to clean up the kitchen and tidy up the rest of the house before the family gets home. So that I can hear all about their day since today I have the blahs and miss them. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll make myself go to the lake to walk before coming back home. Because I know in a week's time (when I am back in school myself) I will miss this quiet time where I sit and 'sigh'.....

Prepare

2011-01-03T11:08:00.003-05:00

Yes, that's it - my word to encompass all that I hope 2011 will be for me and my family. I plan on being prepared. I am preparing for great things. Prepare.

I am preparing to be healthier this year. No more accepting what the scales (and my clothes) have been telling me. When did it become acceptable to go out and buy bigger things? Instead, I am preparing to become more active and part of that includes pushing myself away from the table and getting up and getting active. One step at a time.

I am preparing for my new career. I am preparing to return for another fun-filled semester of collegiate learning.

I am preparing to be a better wife, mother, friend, daughter.

I am preparing my family budget for this year so that we can do more, enjoy doing things together and getting into better shape financially.

I want to get things in order here at home so that I am prepared when those last minute things come along that usually make me crazy don't seem to have the same effect on my life as they have had in the past.

Can You Choose a Simple Word?

2011-01-01T13:15:00.005-05:00

I have been giving some thought to the idea about choosing one word to embody what I want for this next year. One word? I'm a little OCD so just choosing one word...well it throws me into the place where I find myself constantly searching out new words. Like the ones that follow:

Faithful - Faithful to my family, my friends, my faith, my goals and commitments.

Prepared - Prepared for where this life is taking me. Student teaching in the fall. Graduating in December. Preparing for a new life and a new career - although I feel like my entire life has been one step after another to lead me to this goal.

Organized - Things in order; everything in its place. In a lot of ways, this comes into play with the idea of being prepared. Being organized enough so that changes at the last minute won't throw me for a loophole and that I can cope and accommodate.

Confident - Assured about where life is taking me. Comfortable in my own skin and taking ownership of the goals and objectives that I am setting for myself for the new year.

Dream - Allow myself to look into my soul and see what I really want out of life. To enjoy life. My family and friends. I had a quote put in The Bug's fifth grade year book about dreaming from Walt Disney. About always taking the time to dream.

Believe - In myself. My family. My friends. Faith. My mother always tells me that there was nothing that I have ever wanted that I have not been able to accomplish. Because I believe in myself.

Grow - Growth in mind, body and spirit. Well a reverse growth in my body. But changes. Good changes and good growth.

Persistence - Pushing myself to reach my goals, whatever they may be.

Individuality - Choosing to be ME all of the time rather than conforming to being the person that I think people want me to be. And enjoying living in my own skin.

So today while I clean the house and spend time with my family, I am going to reflect on these words and others that come to mind. Setting goals for the year. Keeping them realistic so that they are obtainable. Why do I like the idea of New Year's Resolutions? Because it makes me look at myself, on every level, and think of ways that I would like to change.

Happy New Year blogosphere and here's to a brand new me (and us)....

Dear Christmas

2010-12-29T16:30:00.004-05:00

Dear Christmas,
Why is it as we get older you come on quicker and are over with way too soon? What happened to that childlike wonder of feeling like the big day would never get here and the excitement that keeps you going throughout the holiday season? Where you find yourself checking the local stations to see when Charlie Brown is going to be on so that you can make sure not to miss it. Or the original Grinch and it's roast beast feast. That excitement that came along with the arrival of the Sears or JCPenney Christmas catalog and continued to build, with momentum, until the BIG DAY. I miss that feeling - of wonder and excitement. The urgency to load everyone into the van and drive around oohing and awing at all of the Christmas lights people use to decorate their houses. Going to a local tree lighting and drinking hot chocolate and humming carols. Baking sugar cookies in the shape of a gingerbread man only to turn it into a reindeer instead. Sending and receiving Christmas cards....when did people stop doing this?

The excitement in wrapping presents and adorning them with homemade bows... how many years has it been since I made a bow that did not consist of curling ribbon? Dressing up in my Christmas sweaters and enjoying the season. A season of shopping and ♫music♫ and entertaining and fun and laughter? Why is it as we grow older Christmas changes? We stand and marvel over the fact that Walmart, Target and Hobby Lobby bring out the decorations in time for Halloween and yet, with a blink of the eye, the holiday is finished and we are instead talking about taking down the tree and setting new year's resolutions? I wish there was a magical way to experience those feelings again.

So until next year, I will hope and wish that the feeling of excitement will return. I will prepare for the best holiday season ever - in hopes to feel that 'spirit' again and that I will remember the reason for the season and that it's also okay to enjoy the season with that childlike wonder...

Merry Christmas,
The Momster

In a Word

2010-12-29T11:05:00.002-05:00

There's a lot of buzz around the Internet about choosing a word for the new year. Alli Edwards has a post about it HERE and there's another post HERE at Just a Minute... It makes me think, should I participate? Should I sit down and really think about one word that I want to encompass my upcoming year?

This next year - well, I will graduate with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education (Grades K-12). My daughter will begin high school.But is there a way to sum up what I want the year to be in just one word? I've really got to think on this one. Why bother? Because we spend so much time looking for motivation - I will put Bible verses on the refrigerator. I have famous quotes sprinkled around the house to help me stay inspired. I tuck notes into my textbooks and my Bible. I send little encouraging notes in The Bug's lunch box when I know she needs some extra encouragement. So what if I were to decide to focus my energy in one word, what would it be?

I'm going to think on this for a few days. It can be my fodder while I work on cleaning out the house. I have twelve days until my classes start back. In that time, I am going through every nook and cranny and cleaning and vacuuming and dusting. Maybe my word should be clean. or sparkle. or organize. or prepared. That might be a better option for me.

What about you? If you had to sum it up in one word, what would it be?

It's Snowing!

2010-12-25T20:44:00.003-05:00

We are having a White Christmas afterall! We haven't had snow here on Christmas Day since 1882 or something like that. But as I type, the blow ups in my front yard are covered with snow. There are four deer grazing in my front yard, eating the berries from my trees. As crazy as it sounds, I was wondering where they bed down when it snows, so it's nice to see that their evening ritual is still in effect.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T01:05:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note at 1:06 am EST to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas! We spent the night at church, Outback Steakhouse and driving around looking at Christmas lights.

Time to get some sleep before the fun begins!

Regards and Best Wishes!
The Momster

Silent Night

2010-12-23T00:14:00.002-05:00

This should be a post about the holidays and how much fun we are having since school has gotten out. It's not been fun. Monday was fun - fantastic even. The Bug got her braces off and looks gorgeous! I made her an appointment to have her teeth cleaned for Tuesday afternoon. That did not go so well. She has to see an oral surgeon about a suspicious spot that showed up on her jaw in the panoramic x-ray. We have a friend who was able to make some calls and get her in to see one tomorrow morning. We are all nervous and dealing with it in our own way. In the midst of this, I have realized that I lost a day this week. I kept saying that today was Tuesday, until she reminded me that Glee was on last night and that today was, in fact, Wednesday. I am sure it's the shock.

We are praying that it's nothing and have given it to God. But it's so hard not to take it back and worry about my precious little baby who is worried herself right now. She hasn't told any of her friends what is going on. In fact, she's turned off her cell phone completely and has not checked her facebook except to update her picture to a braceless image of her laughing with her friends at the local Chickfila Monday afternoon.

I can do all things through Christ, who give me strength. Sometimes I wonder why some of us are tested more than others?

Wrapping Around the Christmas Tree

2010-12-16T20:14:00.002-05:00

So I've taken some liberty with the title of today's "Song" post because tonight I have finally broken down and started wrapping the gifts that will go under our tree. Mostly gifts that will belong to The Bug. She picked out this cute pink penguin paper one day when we were at Joann's so of course I bought it and now it's her paper this year. I would put them under the tree but the cat is napping there...peacefully.

Today was the last day of school for her for 2010. Where does the time go? Last night she asked me to make the candy bar snowmen that I've made in the past. She needed eight. Found out this afternoon she gave them to her teachers at school. She is working on a special project for her friends. They are each getting a scrapbook of the pictures we have of them all over the years. Of course she's got to get busy and finish these. Tomorrow night there's a party with a white elephant gift exchange... so we've got to go out and get a gift for that tomorrow, too.

Busy weekend ahead...decking the halls. Parties. Baking. If it's the most wonderful time of the year, why do I feel so much stress?

(S)he's Making a List...

2010-12-14T01:15:00.002-05:00

Part of my mind tells me if I make a list, and someone sees it, I have to accomplish the things on my list. Otherwise, I'll look bad. So I am up at 1:16 in the morning, freezing my toes off waiting for the dryer to go off so that I'll know Hubs coat is dry before I go to bed. Thinking about what I need to do here at home since school gets out for Christmas break after Thursday. There is too much to do and I am so far behind. One thing that I want to remember next year - put my trees up early - that means at least start decorating before I throw all of my effort into doing the trees at my parents' house. Six trees later, one seems to lose their enthusiasm for all things to be decorated.

I did manage to dig the rest of the tree decorations out today. Not only is the living room tree decorated, but there's garland on the mantel! So seeing how I made some progress today, I have decided to make a list of tomorrow's goals in hopes that I'll achieve them.

1. Wash the dishes - this should be an easy thing to do considering the dish washer washes the dishes for me. All I have to do is load and unload.
2. Rehang the kitchen curtains. They've been folded in the laundry room for over a week now. They really need to be up. My windows look naked without them.
3. Clean up the dining room. It looks like a personal shopper had a melt down in there. Too much stuff! Too much stuff! This also means that I'll have to wrap presents. (Killing two birds with one stone as they say.)
4. Purchase a new terra cotta pot. Because my husband bumped the one I had just painted to make my toy soldier's face..and it cracked. Let's just say... I am not happy about purchasing a new pot. But I said nothing and walked away.
5. Clean out my desk
6. Vacuum upstairs. I am saddened that I even need to write this on my list...

Okay, so in my mind, my list is much longer than this one. But I think this much is manageable. Anything above it - well that's just a bonus, right?

Christmas Don't Be Late....

2010-12-13T11:02:00.002-05:00

That's the title of the song by The Chipmunks. It was just playing on the On Demand Christmas channel that I have playing on the television right now. It's a funny choice for today, because I am behind in my Christmas preparations! Seriously behind! I am just putting the finishing touches on the living room tree this morning. I had to crawl around in the attic to find the rest of my decorations.... which was strange because they were not with the usual Christmas stuff. But mission accomplished and the tree is looking more festive with my collection of ornaments... and I discovered that I have too many ornaments. How can someone have TOO MANY ornaments? Must be left over from the tree at our first house. We had cathedral ceilings in our living room and a tree that went nearly to the top. Several years ago we decided to purchase the pre-lit tree that we still use today. It is smaller...and fits inside our house!

I am having trouble deciding what to get my parents for Christmas this year. I have thought about a few things but I am just not sure. It is driving me crazy! I am hoping if I take a few days just to think about it - and try not to shop for them - something will come to me. Any ideas and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated before I have no hair left on my head!

Why is it the people we love the most are usually the hardest to shop for?

Mele Kalikimaka

2010-12-09T20:56:00.002-05:00

We're having a heat wave...of sorts. Today was a warmer day with the sun shining that somehow found me outside working in the yard after I went to drop off our recyclables. I cleaned up some stuff that Hubs had left behind the garage as well as at the side yard when he cleaned out the bed of his truck last week. I unhooked the water hoses, which should have been done weeks ago. I cleaned up the leaves in the front yard. Took some stuff out to the shed. Painted the pots for my toy soldier. Hopefully I'll be able to put him together tomorrow and he'll keep guard over the front porch before the weekend is over.

Tonight we had the middle school chorus concert. The girls did a great job. The choirs are much smaller this year - which concerns me because I am a big supporter of the arts in school. We will have only two more concerts at the middle school... and then we'll have a high schooler on our hands.

Tomorrow I plan on working in the yard a little bit more before the rain gets here. If I were brave, I would get the ladder and hang some icicle lights, at least off the first floor... Or I'll just wait and see if Hubs can do it this weekend.

Angels We Have Heard On High

2010-12-08T00:13:00.002-05:00

My daughter is awesome! I mean, really... I know parents say that all the time. But if you could have seen her tonight in the play at school... you would be calling agents NOW. But instead, she's going to build a space station and find a cure for cancer and space station disease. Hollywood's loss is the rest of the world's gain.

All joking aside... it was an incredible night. First, the club's sponsor, who wrote the script, did an amazing job. The Bug did an awesome job of delivering her 197 lines. She improvised when others in the scenes could not remember their lines. She showed emotion. She was funny. And a little scary... I don't think people will ever MESS with her after seeing how she threw two parents, a couple of social workers, some students and an ungrateful art teacher out of HER school.

To be honest, I was worried going into tonight. That's a lot of lines to learn in a short amount of time. She was in every scene and had something to say. When I had gone over the script with her once or twice, she just basically 'recalled' her part. No emotion. But tonight...this little girl.... she was incredible! My sister made the comment that she seemed SO GROWN UP. Parents were coming up to her after the show telling her what a great job she did. We were just proud of her. Whenever she puts her mind to doing something, she gives it all she's got.

The next production is a musical. Before tonight I thought she might not be interested in having a part. Now I'm not so sure. She's already sang in front of large audiences with solos at school and at church.

Doodlebug, if you read this...you make me SO PROUD! Go Wildcat, go!

You're A Mean One...

2010-12-07T10:09:00.002-05:00

Principal Scrooge is tonight. If you were to ask The Bug if she is nervous...her answer would be yes. Not because she's afraid she won't remember the 197 lines that she has in the play. She's nervous what people will think as in her peers. So she told me this morning she'll be glad when this is over with even though she loves the sleep pajama pants she gets to wear through most of the play! We will buy our tickets at the door and I have two dozen gorgeous roses for the star of the show...even though she doesn't like it when I point that part out.... Go Doodlebug, go! Now I just need to find my camera to preserve the moment.

So the play is tonight. She gets fitted for her retainer tomorrow. Has to recite a poem in her English class as well. Chorus concert is Thursday. Then, perhaps if I'm lucky, our family life can return to something that resembles normality by the weekend. The cat and I miss her being home most evenings. I see a night of Christmas cookies, movies and hot chocolate in our very near future!

Steve

2010-12-06T14:20:00.003-05:00

Today we deviate from the Christmas carols titles to remember someone who was (and still is) so important to my life. Today would have been my brother Steve's 48th birthday. To me, he's always this little boy. Well, not little, but still that 13 year old boy who loved to follow Momma around the house and always went fishing and hunting with Daddy. I wonder so many times how different our lives would be if he were here with us now? I love you Bubba...

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

2010-12-05T22:19:00.002-05:00

Last night my daughter went to a spend the night party for one of her friend's 14th birthdays. The girls had fun...and only got 2 hours of sleep! Yeah... so that being said, guess who was in bed asleep at 8 o'clock tonight? She has a busy week ahead. Play dress rehearsal, the play, a chorus concert, a fitting for her retainer, poetry recital and an assembly where the choir will also be singing. All this week. Not to mention homework and studying for finals. I don't know how she does it! I have the greatest admiration for her determination to be the best that she can possibly be! Keep up the good work...but take a break, too!

I discovered today two things: 1....she has grown and most of her slacks no longer fit. So we had to buy a new pair for a scene in the play. 2. I have a final that is due Tuesday. I thought it was due Friday...nope! Guess who will be studying all day tomorrow?

Still haven't finished the tree. Or wrapped the first gift. Maybe tomorrow....

Put One Foot in Front of the Other...

2010-12-04T16:20:00.002-05:00

Today's title is paying homage to that song from Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I love that cartoon! Absolutely one of my favorites.

Tonight I will be home by myself for a while. Hubs is out and The Bug is going to a birthday party. What will I do? Well hopefully the title will give me some inspiration and I'll finally put up the Christmas tree! I had hoped to get it up this morning, but got side tracked with some errands we had to run. Then the weather isn't exactly cooperating either. I know this will sound crazy, but I want to take the tree piece by piece and blow it with the blower. Why? Because a few weeks ago I discovered a black widow spider in the garage. I killed it. Then I discovered that they like to hide out in closed storage containers. This includes Christmas tree boxes. I stored our tree this past year on the shelf in the garage. I will not do that again! I now have a bad case of spiderfobia. Simple explanation for a crazy situation I know...

I also hope to get some wrapping done tonight. I have presents hidden in way too many places and I need to get everything corralled together and under the tree. I'm thinking it's the perfect night to pull out the Christmas DVDs and watch White Christmas and a few of my other favorites while I get the house in shape for the holidays. I think my problem has been all of the trees I decorated at my parents a few weeks ago did me in. Next year I'll remember to at least put up our tree in the living room/family room first.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have pictures to share. That should help to motivate me to decorate!

Twelve Gifts of Christmas

2010-12-03T22:27:00.002-05:00

Ever heard that song? FUNNY! So it's the topic song for tonight. Google it if you have time.

So today I met with my advisor. I am on course to graduate a year from now. When I told Hubs he said it's always a year from now...which is true. But this time next year, I will be graduating with my Bachelor Degree of Science in Special Education. I will actually be qualified, by state standards, to educate students, heaven help us!

But after that, I stopped at a Bealls Outlet. Because of Fridays if you are under 49, you get 15% off. Know what I found? A case for my daughter's iPod that smells like jelly beans. A cute little bank for her room in pink, black and white. And... a thigh master! Remember those from the 80s when Suzanne Somers would sell them? Yes... I bought one! It is hidden in my van right now... I'm not sure I want the Hubs and the Bug to see it just yet.

After The Bug's drama rehearsal she and I headed out to dinner and some shopping. We found some great deals at Aeropostale, Belk and Kohls. I think that I can say I am finished shopping for everyone but my parents. I have NO CLUE what to get them this year!!! Why is it that our parents are the hardest people to buy for? At least I hope I don't have to go back to the mall anytime soon!

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

2010-12-02T18:27:00.003-05:00

My husband has been asking me for a Christmas List. My Mother asked me if I wanted a surprise this year...or if I wanted the money to buy my own gift. My daughter keeps asking me what I want for Christmas and if there are any hints she needs to give to Daddy about what I want. Problem is: I have no idea what I want this year for Christmas.

What I want... and what I need... are two separate things. I would love something frivolous like a Cricut but that is not practical. I'm all about the practical. I do not want clothes. I am trying to lose weight. While I have bought myself a few things recently, that does not mean that I want more to add to my wardrobe. I like boots. That's the one item I keep waffling on whether or not I want a new pair of boots. I would sort of like an iPad, but again, that's being frivolous. What I want is my family to happy and healthy and content. Easily said and hopefully easily delivered. I love Reece's cups...not a practical gift, but always fun to find in my stocking on Christmas morning!

I went to the mall today. The Bug needed some more Proactiv so away I went. While I was there, I decided to get my fill of mall shopping. I ate a snickers bar and had a coke zero from the Dollar Tree for lunch. How nutritious is that? I've like I'm on the Elf Diet! I did pick up a few things but not nearly what I had envisioned on the way home.

Speaking of diets... you need to check out theses Cupcakes in a Jarover at Today's Creative Blog. What a neat idea! A few years ago The Bug gave her teacher's Cake in a Coffee Mug. They were awesome and tasted great. We made up the cake mix and the icing mix and packaged them for the teachers with the directions. Much better than that microwave brownie that seems to be so popular by Betty Crocker!

Anyway, I think I should get back to work on my Christmas list.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

2010-12-01T15:31:00.002-05:00

No, we don't have snow here in the great south...but a girl can hope. Actually today's title fits 2 purposes... 1. It is a Christmas song and 2. My Dad said the weather guy said we could have SNOW for Christmas this year. This contradicts the report that I have heard that it will be a tropical 73 instead. I like Daddy's forecast much better than my own...so I am going with it!

Today was to be the day of accomplishments. I started out doing well. I had errands to run. Then Momma called and I found myself sidetracked at their house. I love spending time with the parents though so it was not a bad thing. The bad part is that I failed to get back out and accomplish everything that I needed to do. Now Hubs is on his way to the house. I have to pick The Bug up from drama club in 2 hours. Not much time to do all of the things I had hoped to accomplish. But as Scarlett says, "Tomorrow is another day" and surely as the sun rises, I will live to shop again! Okay, poetic license, but you get the drift?

The funny thing about raising a teenager is when you reach that point where they really don't know what they want for Christmas. Like the idea of making a list is unbearable. Clothes...that's usually a given. Electronics...another popular choice. It's just filling in all the gaps to come up with something that will wow their socks off come Christmas morning. That's the stage I am at in my shopping. When I was her age I think I got my first personal stereo. You know, one with a record player and BIG speakers and a CD deck and it would play the radio. I loved that thing and would sit and listen to my albums over and over again. We had a funny conversation the other night about albums because kids today really have no idea what they are unless they've seen them in their parents' stash of keepsakes. I was explaining how you'd buy an album or if you only wanted the song, you could get a 45 of the new release. I was explaining how records had an A side (the hit) and a B side (usually NOT the hit). This concept seemed foreign...like I was speaking French in a Japanese movie.

What about you? What was the big 'gotta have' when you were 13?

Today's Holiday Challenge

2010-11-29T10:50:00.003-05:00

Today's challenge (to myself) has nothing to do with the holidays in reality... Instead it has to do with cleaning out the kitchen. I started this mission on Saturday (did I already tell you this???) and today I am cleaning out the other side of the kitchen, aka the breakfast nook and my pantry. So far I have several things to drop off at the donation center. I am thinking about throwing my never been used toaster oven in for good measure, too. It takes up too much space!

So this morning, The Bug had to go back to school (much against her will!) and I came home to start tackling the shelves in my pantry. I have thrown away and thrown stuff into the recycling bin like you would not believe! I started in the pantry and then somehow ended back up in the frig. Anyway, just a holiday reminder...check the expiration dates on your bottles of salad dressing, boxes of cake mix, and those little pudding mix packages, too. I will not tell you the oldest item found...in case you ever decide to eat at my house...really...it was June of 2010... don't call child services on me!

I am about to load up the Momstermobile to go and drop off the kitchen stuff to the donation center. Then I'll probably come back home and load up the van for the recycling center as well. One thing that I know for sure...there will be no 'kitchen items' on my wish list this year!

Maybe I'll eventually get around to putting up the tree!

My New Favorite....

2010-11-29T00:15:00.001-05:00

Cleaning the Cupboard

2010-11-27T18:24:00.003-05:00

Late this afternoon I decided to venture into the kitchen to clean out the cabinets (aka cupboards). Imagine my surprise when I realized we had a folding griddle... because we had FORGOTTEN all about having it. How convenient that would have been on those mornings after spend the night parties...

In cleaning out the recesses of the cabinets, I realized I have A LOT of baking stuff. I counted four different kinds of bundt pans. Not to mention the miniature bundt pans. And a lot of those little 'one bite' baking pans. Wilton cake pans - I wonder if I thought at one time I'd bake a wedding cake I have so many of them! But never fear, we don't only eat sweets here. I rediscovered my bread maker. My steamer. Electric knife. Food processor. Hand held chopper. All of those things that I had forgotten that I had because they were 'way back' in the cabinets where I never bother to look.

This prompted more cleaning. I moved my coffee cups. I took out all of the water bottles, except for two to keep. I went through my utensils drawer. Decided to get rid of my rotisserie that has never really worked for me. I'm still 'thinking' about keeping my blender. When is the last time I used it? Or my mini chopper? Maybe I should do something so that if I don't use them in the next month, they're going to a better home? I've gotten rid of salad 'tossers'. Wooden spoons. Extra coffee mugs. Those little measuring cups that come with liquid medicines. All sorts of stuff is on its way out of our house and either to the recycling center or a better home in one way or another. Next is the cabinet where my casserole dishes live. I do use them regularly - even though I live in a house with people who do NOT like casseroles.

Tomorrow maybe I'll get to the other side of the kitchen and take care of the pantry. I need to wash the windows, not to mention the curtain valances that I have up in the room. Don't even ask about the ceiling fan or the blinds! I have copper molds along one wall (at the ceiling) that I am sure need to come down and get some TLC as well. I want to turn on the self-cleaning feature of the oven and clean behind the refrigerator, too. At this rate, I'll have a lovely and CLEAN kitchen... but when am I going to put up the Christmas tree?

Black Friday....

2010-11-26T14:35:00.002-05:00

We went to Walmart at midnight. I know...crazy! And the insane part is went to two...2....TWO Walmarts. Stood in line for about an hour...talked to some crazy funny people...and had a good time. Then we came home and Hubs had to get some shut eye for work...while I headed back out to Target, Belk, and a few other places. It was fun. I am tired. Driving home was not so much fun... and I came in, took some cold medicine and fell asleep for about 3 hours until the phone woke me up.

As much "fun" as it was, I think next year I'm going to sleep in, shop online and spend the day decorating my house. With all of the tree decorating I did at my parents, I still do not have a tree up here at home. Maybe Monday when everyone goes back to school and work...

Happy Holidays!

With Visions of Sugar Plums...

2010-11-23T02:21:00.003-05:00

The Bug's clay ornaments turned out to be GORGEOUS! So much that I have asked her to make me a charm bracelet with the gum drops that she designed in all sorts of colors and I hope she'll get busy on it in the next few days! I promise to upload some pictures, especially of her cocoa mug necklace that she made!

We have managed to get everything decorated at my parents house except for the front porch. Garland and icicle lights and we should finally be finished. I had hoped to have my decorations out by now but no such luck. That's okay... I have been enjoying my time off with The Bug. Today we went in search of the perfect bracelets and jump rings for her projects and five large clay pots for the nutcracker soldier that I am planning on creating for the front porch. I hope to get started on that one tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.

On Wednesday I am taking her and a friend to see the new movie "Tangled". It should be fun. We are going to see it in 3-D so I am excited about that part. The girls seem to be glad that they're going to get together and do something. We originally planned on having her spend the night but then I realized that Hubs would be home ... ah! a night off!... so we changed their plans slightly so that we could have some family time together.

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is this Thursday?!?! Where does the time go?

It's Just Like Candy...With No Calories!

2010-11-22T00:54:00.002-05:00

Tonight The Bug and I sat at the kitchen table and she created candy out of clay. I have a collection of clay from years ago when we went to Michael's every Saturday morning for their craft club. And a clay 'pasta' machine. So this year I really want to go all out with my gingerbread themed kitchen for Christmas. So I asked Miss Artsy to create me some 'candy' for a tree. She's made me kisses and hugs, gum drops, a candied apple, twizzlers, candy canes, and a few other things. I, on the other hand, have no success with the clay so I decided to cut out the ice skates that go on her tree while she worked. She also created a few 'pieces' for herself...including a cocoa mug and marshmallow charms that she saw in a book.

It's so nice to sit with her and chat while we create. She's so artistic - I wish I had 1/10th of her ability... she can just visualize things and get them done. She told me tonight that she would secretly love to grow up and go work at Carlos Bakery in Jersey with Buddy... she loves that show and would love to be one of the decorators who creates all of the interesting things that he puts on his cakes. She could do it, too! I hope her love for creating never ends...

So her masterpieces are baking in the oven as I type. She is upstairs in bed, as is Hubs. I am sitting here, watching the timer so that she can see the fruits of her labor in the morning. Hopefully I'll be able to convince her to make me a few more things. And I'd really like a sugar plum or gum drop charm bracelet...if she has time.

What about you? When's the last time you sat down and created something from the heart? Hopefully pictures to follow...

It's a Jungle Out There!

2010-11-20T00:00:00.002-05:00

I am taking a class on collaboration. One of our assignments was to complete this test and to see where we rank. I thought I'd post it in case anybody's interested...if you do take it, post a message and let me know what your results are and I'll share "page 2".

Until then... I'm still decorating!

PERSONALITY CHECKLIST
Read the following personality descriptions. Pick the ones you are most like. Circle each description that is a consistent character of you. Then total the circled answers for each personality. The larger numbers indicate basic personality traits.

Lion
1. Is daring and unafraid in new situations
2. Likes to be a leader. Often tells others how to do things.
3. Ready to take on any kind of challenge.
4. Is firm and serious about what is expected.
5. Makes decisions quickly.

Golden Retriever
1. Always loyal and faithful to friends.
2. Listens carefully to others.
3. Likes to help others. Feels sad when others are hurt.
4. Is a peacemaker. Doesn't like it when others argue.
5. Patient and willing to wait for something.

Otter
1. Talks a lot and tells wild stories.
2. Likes to do all kinds of fun things.
3. Enjoys being in groups. Likes to perform.
4. Full of energy and always eager to play.
" Always happy and sees the good part of everything.

Beaver
1. Is neat and tidy and notices little details.
2. Sticks with something until it's done. Doesn't like to quit in the middle of a game.
3. Asks lots of questions.
4. Likes things done the same way.
5. Tells things just the way they are.

Santa's Diet Clause

2010-11-19T17:03:00.002-05:00

Do you ever wonder if there are Weight Watchers at the North Pole? You know, those people who monitor Santa's weight...? (Drum roll please...) I thought that was a funny way to start today's post.

The tree fluffing is coming along well at my parents' house. All of the bedroom trees are up, fluffed and decorated. Hopefully by the time this posts, I will have the tree in the dining room lit and ready for the collection of ornaments that go in there and the tree up in the foyer. Then it's garland all around and wreaths on the door.

As I have worked in each room, I have cleaned for Momma since she's having some issues with her heart. It has been fun. But I am exhausted! I came home to cook dinner for Hubs before he heads off to work and then I have to pick The Bug up from drama club rehearsal and we are going to get dinner and head back to my parents' house to eat. And then I'll be fluffing trees and humming Christmas carols. Until I get back home and realize that the magical kitchen elves did NOT show up for duty again tonight. But never fear...tomorrow is another day.

Speaking of, I think tomorrow we're going to do some crafting. We don't get to spend too much time doing all of that lately and I miss it! It used to be that every Saturday morning we went to Michael's to get our craft on. Not so much any more. So tomorrow I am dragging out the gingerbread house kit, the felt for making skates and mittens and the clay along with the pasta machine (for the clay only....).

On another note... I hate taking back returns. I did that (FINALLY) at Kohl's today. It is sad when you realize the money that you 'loaned' the store because you didn't like something when you got it home but didn't want to return it. But that's a story for another day....

Toodles!

Fluffing the Trees

2010-11-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today I have a date. With decorating. I am going to my parents' house to fluff their trees. It used to be that I was summoned home to put the lights on the trees too, but thanks to my convincing Momma to buy prelit trees a few years ago, I go home to fluff and decorate instead. Tomorrow I am doing the four trees that she has upstairs. Should be a fun day. Oh wait... I think there are five.

I actually look forward to this every year. My parents have a beautiful tree in the foyer of their home that all of the guests see when they enter the house. The tree we used was HUGE but last year the lights gave me fits so we decided to buy another tree. It's skinnier... but just as tall. She also has a white tree in the formal dining room where she displays her glass ornaments and one in the breakfast nook of the kitchen that is covered in fruit and flowers.

Once the trees are decorated, we'll put the garland on the stair cases and hang the wreaths and place the garland on the front porch rails. I'll have to see when Hubs can go and hang their icicle lights. He's super busy... hope he can get it done! My parents like to entertain at Christmas so I am sure Momma is planning their party.

What about you? Do you go and help anybody do their decorating each year?

The Purge...then the splurge!

2010-11-18T10:05:00.004-05:00

Do you do that? Clean everything out in anticipation of the holidays? My Mom, aka Momma, cleans EVERYTHING...right down to the drawers in her house when the holidays are coming and she's expecting company.

Today I am focusing on cleaning out the guest room. I love(d) my guest room. In that room I have my grandmother's twin iron bed, which was always my favorite bed to sleep in when I was little and would go visit. I also have the rocking chair that I used when The Bug was a baby in that room. And my exercise machine...but let's not go there...because I haven't used it for two weeks (sssshhh!)

What I don't like about my guest room - it becomes the hiding place of everything we don't want to deal with around the house. Well that, and the curtains, but that's another story for another day. So today I started out cleaning off the bed and under the bed and now, just like my Momma, I am moving on to the drawers. I've found a ton of things to drop off for the charity we usually donate clothes to each year. I found The Bug's school pictures from last year. Sandals. Clothes that still have the price tags on them...those are going back!

What's the worst thing that's happened in that room? Well, I found a bottle of Murphy's Oil Mop n' Go or something like that. I thought I'd sit it on the little 'shelf' at the top of my stairs...Instead it slid on the banister like Ralphie after his visit with Santa and hit the wall. So I had to take a break to find enough old towels to try to dry up the mess that I had made. I'm hoping it doesn't stain the wall...otherwise I'll be painting before Hubs figures out what I've done.

It's Better Than Black Friday....

2010-11-17T16:57:00.002-05:00

I have been Christmas shopping the past few days. I need something to distract my mind since my student teaching has ended and I am procrastinating on finishing up my IEP writing for my fictional student "Tommy". I've found some incredible deals out there the past few days and I'd gladly mention them, except that a certain teenager reads my blog sometimes. She likes surprises. Which means she gets a wee bit upset if she figures out the surprise before the big day.

I did buy something for myself. A roasting pan at Macys! Isn't that exciting? I've spent a good part of the afternoon thinking about getting a GPS... probably a Garmin... but am not sure. It is not for myself although I do plan on getting to use it quite a bit. HE doesn't read my blog so I think that is safe to say. So if you have any opinions, please share.

The Bug has informed me that she wants to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. This is the first time that I can recall that she actually wants to go...without being bribed....!

Christmas Lights and Candy Canes

2010-11-12T15:44:00.003-05:00

I asked my husband this morning when he thought he'd have time to put the icicle lights up on the house. Because he never found the time to do this last year and the house looked so sad to me. Because in all of the years we've been married, we've always put up lights. He said maybe this weekend. Which is fine...but let's not turn them on just yet.

Then he mentioned that maybe we could get the Christmas tree out. Now what do you think about that? Putting the tree up NOW rather than the week of Thanksgiving vacation? I don't know why...but that just seems WRONG to me. So I told him no... we'd do that when The Bug and I are both at home for the break. That we had too much other stuff to do.

Which started him on this conversation about building this huge Christmas tree out of lights that we've seen in someone's yard before. It is beautiful ... but to be honest, he's not home enough lately to be able to accomplish something like that. And it means I'd have to buy a zillion lights. But if he's determined to do it, I am sure he'll find the time.

I am going to get out the clay and the pasta machine and ask The Bug to make me some 'candy' ornaments for a small tree I want to put up in my kitchen this year. I've always loved those ornaments at Cracker Barrel and I believe she could do them with no problem. I will post pictures if we get around to it.

I want to make this Christmas special here at home. Mostly because I have no idea what to get The Bug this year ... and because it's the last Christmas that I won't be 'working' or 'student teaching' and I want to enjoy every minute and make lots of memories.

Christmas Is Coming...Christmas Is Coming!

2010-11-10T17:24:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it? Don't you just feel like you just put away the decorations and the wreaths and the outdoor lights? Well let's hope nobody's still got their outdoor lights up... !

The stores are all bustling with Christmas merchandise. Christmas movies are stocked on the shelves. Christmas CDs have been coming out for about a month. Wrapping paper on aisle 12. I bought a three pack of Scotch tape yesterday...just for the fun of it!The "Sounds of the Season" channel on our cable system is playing the tunes that I adore and today.... the local radio station....played WHITE CHRISTMAS. I demanded NO TALKING while I sang along with Bing and Danny and Rosemary and the other voice that was not the woman from the movie. I bought Elf last weekend... even though we are still eating Halloween candy... and yes, I just took the big glowing pumpkin off the front porch yesterday... Christmas is going to be here before you know it!

Can you tell that I'm excited? Like a kid in the candy store....

What's Going On?

2010-11-06T19:24:00.002-04:00

Wow - busy week here. I have decided, after my last post, to get down to business and knock the rest of my classes out. So far I only have a few assignments and 2 finals to take...and I will be DONE! yeah ME!

With all of the school work going on, I also have some GOOD news! The Bug passed her 1st round of All-State Auditions. In fact, she received the highest score at her school. We are VERY proud of her! But then again,this girl can S*I*N*G!

She is also in the drama club this year. And just got the starring role in the Christmas play that they're putting on next month. Principal Scrooge. The drama club sponsor really encouraged her to audition for this role and while I think maybe she's nervous about memorizing all of her lines since she's the only person in each and every scene, she's also very excited!

She's testing for her purple belt in Goju so hopefully we'll still have time to go to classes with all of the dramatic rehearsals going on around here. I think it would look good on her college applications to have her black belt and her Senai is encouraging her to stay with it. He's offered to advance her into the adult class (remember she's only 13!) but she's not sure. It's later and lasts longer. So I told her to think about it and just let us know. I am fine with her staying where she's at...she'd just learn more in the next class.

And the big big big news? December 20...no more braces! I think that I was more excited about this tidbit of information than she was... I'm so excited to see her teeth when the braces come off! I told her we'd have to do something BIG to celebrate...like have ice cream! LOL She hasn't had ice cream in forever!

That's it for us.

Feel the Burn....Out

2010-10-28T13:43:00.002-04:00

Something is going on around here. We've had dreary, wet weather for the past few days. It's also been warmer than normal. Water plus warmth equals misery. Especially after Mother Nature tempted us to think that fall was just around the corner a few weeks ago when the temperatures where turning colder. Ha...the joke was on us!

Bowling has finally ended. I am happy to report I scored a 144 on one of my final games! It seems strange to have my Tuesdays and Thursdays to myself again. Needless to say, I passed the class. In a way I miss my little crew of bowlers. There were only 7 of us enrolled in the class with our instructor. On the positive side, I am finally regaining the ability to bend my ring finger and can actually grasp things with my left hand again.

My other classes are coming together. A few weeks left this semester - I think our classes actually end the first week of December. I will be so grateful when it ends. The past two semesters I have pushed myself too hard and taken too many classes. I have really started to feel the effects of all of the studying and work this past week. I'm also worried that I will start to experience burn out when it comes to teaching...and this has me concerned since I've gone to school for so long to teach and now I feel this way. Next semester I'm taking three classes so far - and one of those is my field experience so I'll be placed at another school for 15 hours a week for something like 16 weeks. Then in the fall I will student teach at a local school for at least 12 weeks. I'll take and hopefully pass the GACE and then I'll be eligible for my certification to teach Special Education in grades K-12. Then I'll go from being "Slacker Mom" to "Mrs. R"- that's what my students call me. My last name is NOT fun to pronounce and seldom if ever do they get it right.

I cannot believe that this weekend is Halloween! Where has the time gone? For the first time that I can remember I bought The Bug's Halloween costume rather than making it myself. She's going as a goddess... She wants to be Artemis, goddess of moonlight and hunting. Which reminds me... I still need to run out and pick up her accessories! Our church is having its annual Harvest celebration for the community. You would not believe all of the activities and food they'll have available for our neighbors and it's all free. What an awesome outreach program! The Bug and one of her friend's will be doing face painting for an hour and then working for an hour in the booth that our class is responsible for supervising that night. Then they'll have just enough time to enough all of the treats and games before it's time to leave.

The house has not been decorated. There is still a part of a tree blocking the sidewalk to the front door. Because Hubs is always at work. I think I'm going to ask him to park the landscape trailer in the front of the house tomorrow so that I can at least get all of the branches up. Maybe I'll find the Great Pumpkin that lights up and put him in the front yard at least. There will be no haunted cemetery to spook the kids. Maybe next year. I hope anyway....

Clinton Kelly

2010-10-07T13:05:00.002-04:00

I know, I know. I don't talk about celebrities here.... But what's your take on Clinton Kelly? You know, the guy from "What Not To Wear"? I think he's hilarious! So while I was over on the Macys.com website, I looked at a few of the "Clinton Kelly" videos where, ordinary women (including one who has lost 92 pounds) ask him fashion questions and he helps with their make overs. It's worth a looksee if you have time.

I have bowling tonight...wonder what he'd think of the bowling league shirts so many wear? My scores are pretty good considering I probably have a fracture to my ring finger. I've been borrowing my sister's bowling ball since they lived in Germany but Tuesday night I bowled half of the time with her 10 pound ball and then I went back to my 12 pound bowling alley ball. It's got that "ump" that I need to get those strikes and increase my scores. Speaking of... last Thursday I got a 104, 108 and 124. Tuesday, with my hand taped up because of my finger (again!) I got a 98 and a 116. Not bad considering I have to be able to bowl at least a 90 to pass the course.

After I leave the bowling alley I'm heading to the middle school for The Bug's chorus concert. She has a solo in Halo . Made famous by Beyonce...and even more popular thanks to Glee. I can't wait to hear her sing... she's got such a fantastic voice. She'll sing the first verse of the song by herself. Hopefully I'll be able to get a good video of her singing...and since her group doesn't sing until the end of the concert I should make it in enough time.

Where Does the Time Go?

2010-09-29T13:03:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is the last day of September. Where does the time go? A part of me feels like we were just celebrating the fourth of July. Now the stores are busy pulling out all of their Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween merchandise. I drove by a house today that has already decorated their front porch for Halloween. We're still running around in shorts and t-shirts and Hobby Lobby is probably playing Christmas music as I type.

I love this time of year though. Although I am sad to see all of the flowers die back and the grass begins to turn an unattractive shade of brownish-green, I still love fall. I like seeing the pumpkins in the grocery stores and the bales of hay along the roads. I enjoy walking up and down the costume aisle at the store and seeing what neat and different costumes and decorations are available this year. I find myself trying to avoid the candy aisle...those Reece's call me by name! My mind turns to thoughts of soups and stews for dinner and decorating the front lawn for Halloween and Christmas. Finally being able to turn off the air conditioner!

For Halloween this year, The Bug wants to be Artemis - Goddess of the moon and nature or something like that. She carries a small bow and arrow. And wears a really cute dress. So a few weeks ago Hobby Lobby had their patterns on sale for 99 cents. I bought the pattern for her costume. I need to buy the fabric. Find the little bow and arrow. Find the time to actually make the costume too. When I was a kid, our costumes came in a box...complete with a plastic mask. Remember those? I think the only store bought costume she's ever had was Winnie the Pooh when she was maybe 2 or 3. I should find the pictures!

Our church has a harvest festival for the community each year. We dress up. Last year, she went as a bubble bee. I was a deer. Hubs was a hunter. LOL That simply means it was so cold he wore his camouflage overalls and I wore a brown hoodie and reindeer ears that I have from Christmas. I should point out that we were greeters at the festival! It was cute. I don't know if we'll dress up this year or not. I've always wanted to go as Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty but the weather doesn't seem to cooperate.

Hot Spots

2010-09-11T19:35:00.002-04:00

Last night I found myself reading over at Fly Lady's website. I have known about her cleaning system for years but last night I had a link regarding the site in an email and clicked over and read some more. I read a little bit about "HOT SPOTS"....you know, those places in your house where "STUFF" seems to accumulate. In some houses, there are apparently a couple of hot spots. In mine...there are several.

First, the kitchen table. It's directly in your path if you come in through our garage or if you come in from the back porch. This is a place where The Bug seems to place anything related to school, we have a tendency to sit mail here. Or small shopping bags. Right now there are two hats hanging on the back of the chair nearest the door.

Next, the dining room table. This one is worse for me. It's where all of my school books, notebooks, notes,and projects accumulate. This is the place where things that need to be returned (library books, that skirt that looked so cute at the store and not so cute when we got it home...things like that) gather.

At the top of the stairs there is a short wall - just the right size for "things". Right now there's a small selection of t-shirts that need to be returned to my parents' house from inpromtu spend the nights that The Bug has had. The battery pack to the camcorder - which is ancient and should be replaced! - as well as a sheer curtain that needs to find its way back downstairs and on the living room window.

Lastly, my dresser has become another 'hot spot' in the house. Clothes that missed the call to be packed up at the end of the season. A collection of DVDs and VHS movies that need to be returned to the movie closet from the last time someone was sick and watched tv in bed between naps. A shoe box full of pictures that needs to be sorted through and scrapbooked...one day.

Hot Spots. So this week my goal is to work my way through the hot spots in the house to try to get everything back under control.

Last Day of Freedom

2010-09-10T15:03:00.002-04:00

I am trying to type this with a finger in a splint. Apparently I am a dangerous bowler. Apparently I have a sprained finger. Go ahead and laugh - it's been quite entertaining around here as well. Thank you bowling class! But I bowled a 97 with it last night - so that's okay with me.

Today is my last day before starting back in the classroom. Monday morning I'll report to a local school and meet the teacher that I'm with for the first time. I have no idea what her students are like - I only know that she has 15 of them. My plan is to complete my 12 hours with her on Mondays and Tuesdays. For nine weeks total. That's the week before Thanksgiving. Why am I not more excited?

I know... because with my last venture into the classroom, I was asked to file papers. Make copies. Oh and staple some papers...that was a fun one! I was in another classroom one day and the teacher asked me to be a scribe for one of her students (it was in his accommodations). The teacher that I worked with came in, asked that teacher what was going and told me to move. How do you like that? I did not like it much at all.

I am hopeful that this semester will be a better experience. I have to teach at least 3 lessons and record them to submit for a grade to my professor. So far my other four classes are going well and I am working ahead on them as much as possible.

I am supposed to bake some sort of treat that The Bug can take to one of the local fire stations tomorrow to thank those who bravely put their lives on the line for our safety. I am driving 6 of the girls from church to at least five stations and then we are all going to lunch. I still don't know what type of cookie or snack I am going to make at this point. Tomorrow night is Decades Night for the youth at church. She did the '90s this summer (I'll have to post her picture!) - I am not sure what she'll do this time. I hope it's something easy!

Winds of Change

2010-09-05T23:04:00.000-04:00

The seasons are changing....you can see it in the longer shadows during the day. There is a crispness in the air. It's like the Earth is coming in from a hot day of playing out in the sun and is ready for a nap. I love when the seasons change, especially from summer to fall...and then on to winter - my favorite season of the all!

I found myself out working in the yard one day this week - something that I haven't done in ages. I pulled some weeds. Sprayed some others. Cut the grass. Washed the lawn mower because it was coated in grass at one point. Enjoyed the day - even without my ipod handy. I thought about all of the work I had put into our yard last summer and how I had neglected it this time around. Once the deer consumed most of my hostas I gave up. I didn't keep the islands and raised beds weeded like I should. Some of the new shrubs have given up as well and need to be replanted. The worst was the bradford pear tree that decided to split in the middle of a storm and tried to eat the truck. Luckily the truck was okay but all of the lumber and debris was stacked off to the side yard and is still there today. It needs to be hauled out to the garden beds and burned this fall once the burn ban is lifted. I need to fertilize the flower beds and decide what to do with the mess around our back deck.

Fall makes me feel invigorated... I want to get outside and get things done. I look around at the inside and see the possibilities of things to accomplish as well. Maybe I'm a dreamer - a list maker who is constantly dreaming up things to do - until the list gets too busy or long and I get lost somewhere in the process. Because of that reason, I want to take it one room - one closet - one corner at a time and get things done the way that I want them to be done around here. Life is short - it's time to stop waiting for the tomorrows to all add up and it's time to start taking advantage of all of the todays that are in front of me.

The same thing goes for me. It's time to stop thinking "one day" and make that day TODAY. Okay, well tomorrow since it's 11:12 p.m. But it's time to stop waiting for a miracle to happen and instead to go out and make that miracle happen myself. No more thinking that I'll deal with it tomorrow. Because eventually all of those tomorrows are going to go away and all I will have are the wishful thoughts of how I wasted my yesterdays.

The winds of change are upon us. I can feel them blowing, lifting the hair from the back of my neck. Whispering to me "today".... "today".... "today"....

Learning As I Go

2010-08-28T18:06:00.002-04:00

The earlier post was an eye-opening epiphany for me. I think I needed to get down on paper where I am at THIS place in my life. I needed a place to put it all until I was able to go back and reflect. The past few days have been a few days of reflection for me.

You that expression about how, to eat an elephant, you have to tackle it one bite at a time. That's got to be my approach to life. The house: Well, it has to be handled one piece at a time. That means if it's one floor, one room, one closet or the tiniest corner, it's all about taking it one thing at a time. I have a tendency to get overwhelmed because I feel like I have to do everything and do it all at the same time. So yesterday, while The Bug was home sick from school, I tackled part of the kitchen. I did some deep cleaning but did not allow myself to feel like I failed when I didn't cover it from top to bottom. I'll finish up in there in a couple of days. Instead in the afternoon I did my dusting and vacuuming and fluffing in the living room.

I am working on getting a handle on my school work. Just like with the elephant, I decided to make a master list of all my classes and when my assignments are due and I am working my way through them. In whatever spare time I have, I need to read 10 middle school books. I've managed to take care of six of them this week. I want to get this part of my assignment over and done so that I can focus on other things....like reading something because I want to ... not because I have to for a grade. Bowling is turning out to be fun and believe it or not, this non-bowler is one of the better ones in my class. That means the rest of my class is really BAD or practicing on the Wii was a good idea. I vote for the Wii. It has allowed me to focus on the 4-step approach, which was driving me crazy the first time we bowled in class.

In all of this I have realized that I need to find some time for me. I spend most of my time worrying about working or going to school or being a good mom and wife. I have read before about people who lose themselves in the process of trying to please everyone else. Maybe that's what has happened to me. I spend too much time trying to please everyone else. So I need to make time to take care of myself because if I spread myself too thin there won't be any of me left for the people who are important in my life. I need to make time to get healthy, too. One step at a time. And a setback is not a failure. That's a hard idea to process because I think once I slip up and eat something I shouldn't, I feel like I have failed and fall back into my bad habits rather than realizing it was a bump in the road and that tomorrow is another day.

These past six months have held a lot of change for us. I am hopeful in the next six months things will have changed for me. One day at a time. One idea at a time....learning as I go. I'm going to have remind myself down this path that you should never postpone the joy of life.

Some Things I've Learned

2010-08-22T16:18:00.002-04:00

I have been doing some soul searching lately. Trying to figure some things out as I venture down the road called "Life". Here are some things that bother me about myself...

1. I hate cleaning. Or rather, this is something new. I would rather just not do it. No Nike slogan will work here (Just Do It) because I would rather not. And this is a horrible thing to admit. I used to like to clean. I loved doing laundry. Truth be known, I have never been fond of mopping though. But lately I have not been a very good keeper of the home. I don't know what's happened to me ... but I need to snap out of this and pronto!

2. I have a new hair cut...that I hate. Not strongly dislike. We are talking H A T E. It is too short. I can't do anything with it. It feels like a mess most of the time because I can't do anything with it!

3. I think I am in para menopause. You know, the state before the state of menopause? Because the hot flashes have started. I don't think it's just because I live in the south either. This might explain why I don't like my hair...because I can straighten it... and low and behold a hot flash comes on the scene and I am curly all over again! It's like Mother Nature with a wicked sense of humor!

4. The only person I can blame for my bad habits is me. How many times am I going to start a diet and exercise plan only to fail? I am so sick of this! What is WRONG with me that I cannot do this and get it over with...? Sort of like taking off a band aid... Why can't I just rip that sucker off and be done with it?

5. Attending a big university is NOT all that it's cracked up to be. To be honest, I am miserable academically right now. I feel like I am in this tiny little boat trying to make my way across the world's largest body of water...with two pencils to use as oars.

I think I also have a habit of spreading myself too thin (no weight pun intended...but oh! if it were that easy!). I have a tendency to take on things that I would be better off just not doing. Because when there is too much to do, I find myself not doing anything. Or rushing at the last minute to try to get everything done and really not feeling happy with myself.

Anybody else ever feel this way? Or am I the only little boat with two pencils as oars?

Hello Eighth Grade

2010-08-11T12:22:00.003-04:00

The school year has started. Eighth grade. Busy schedule of Math, Science, Social Studies, Gifted English - which I think I just figured out is a 20 minute class?, Spanish, Treble Chorus and Health & Fitness. Got that? Okay, now it's time for my comments....

Spanish. Should be fun. She's reminded me the past few days of the phrases I had forgotten. Like "What is your name?" or "How are you?" or even "What?". This will be an educational lesson not only for her - but for her Momma as well.

Social Studies - she loves this teacher so far. Yes, I know it's the 3rd day of school. But she also has her for home room. She seemed nice at meet the teacher.

Science - this is the year that science becomes fun again and we are both ready! Last year was WAY TOO MUCH copying notes and summarizing chapters. This time it's hands on...just the sort of class my daughter enjoys.

Math - could be challenging but with her I'm really not worried. You know how you hear students are either English/Artistic or Math/Science orientated? I think we are a cross between them both. I started having problems with math when I was in middle school and hated it. She thinks it's pretty cool.... no complaints here.

English - she likes this teacher - and the teacher talks FAST. So does my daughter.

Chorus - same teacher, all the same girls except for three who were promoted. This class is an audition only class and it's apparently becoming extinct. There are hardly any new recruits for the 6th grade class and there is no 7th grade treble chorus anymore. Hoping that she enjoys it a little more this year than last. All of her friends are in the other 8th grade class... we'll see.

Health & Fitness - She seems excited about this one. They talk about the health stuff the first few weeks and then go to the weight lifting room for the fitness part. No running the mile in 100 degrees weather. Let's just hope this isn't the beginning of her getting stuck in gym for the rest of the year. We spent so much time in PE last year that we didn't get to have any of the fun connection classes that were available.

She came in and told me that although her test scores were high enough to exclude her from reading class this year, she is still required to read the 25 books that are mandated. Good thing she likes to read but a bummer of sorts because reading is supposed to be for fun!

She has a friend who is in all of her classes again this year. I am beginning to suspect that this friend's mother has something to do with this. It all goes back to something that happened in 6th grade between two of The Bug's friends. The mother called the school and now it is odd...they have every class together except for connections - because Bug is in one chorus and the friend is in another. I am not sure how I feel about all of this but I just keep my thoughts to myself. When she was in elementary school we found out that a student's mother always requested that her son be in class with The Bug because she was kind to him (he had some emotional behavioral issues) ... I know that the school's will usually permit these requests if the parents call and make the request. I'm just not sure how I feel about it involving my daughter.

Finally, we are spending our last few days of Tweenerhood around here. She'll turn 13 on Monday. Where does the time go?

One Week of Summer To Go...

2010-08-01T21:23:00.002-04:00

Summer is coming to a close here. A week from tonight we will be double-checking to make sure everything has been packed and that the first day's outfit is ready to go. The Bug will start here last year in middle school. We will go to a "meet the teacher" event on Thursday to find out what team she is on ... and hopefully find out that some of her friends are on the same team. In the meantime though we'll spend our days shopping for the perfect outfit and our evenings attending Youth Week - a youth department version of VBS - at our church. In between all of that, we've got to get hair cuts as well.

Her birthday is in two weeks time. She'll finally turn 13! I can remember I always looked forward to turning 13 - like it was a right of passage for me! She's really not said much about it. We are deciding what to do to celebrate and she's mentioned a few things that she'd like for her birthday. There are times when I look at her and wonder where did my little girl go?

From the Beach

2010-07-30T00:37:00.003-04:00

I am typing this sitting in my room in the fantastic condo we rented in Gulf Shores. It is gorgeous. Right on the beach with the view of the Mobile Bay from two of the bedrooms. So while we have been here we swam in the gorgeous pool and walked the beach collecting shells. Still a little unsure about swimming in the Gulf but we have had a lot of fun playing in the beach. Yesterday we drove to Florida to play around at the beach as well. We talked about getting on the ferry boat and going to Mississippi just for fun - so that we could say we visited 3 states ... but my Mom, who is here with the Bug and I, isn't fond of the idea of being in the van over a big body of water for that long of a period of time so we decided against it.

I have enjoyed this vacation. It has given me a chance to have some downtown so that I can clear my head. I finished all of my projects and actually got the grade for the hardest one just last night - 100/100. I am excited and psyched about that one because it consumed so much of my time. I have enjoyed my time with my Mom and the Bug. We have laughed and giggled and then laughed more. Eaten Doritos and lasagna. Talked. Talked. and then we talked some more! I think we all needed this time away to just relax. Sad that my Dad didn't make the trip. That Hubs had to work. But it has worked out wonderfully all the same.

School starts back for the Bug a week from Monday. I start back the following week. Time flies when you're having fun... So goodnight from the Gulf of Mexico.

Steel Magnolias

2010-07-25T17:21:00.003-04:00

The semester is coming to an end this week. I know I posted previously how I'd never take more than 13 hours. Guess what? I am going to have to take 18 hours this upcoming semester. I know - what am I thinking? Quick, I'll turn the other cheek to give you a better aim. But my advisor says that I may not have another chance to get these courses before I student teach in a year. I have two more 'normal' semesters. I'm taking off next summer and I'll student teach for 12 weeks in the fall. Then I will be done. I don't plan on going back immediately to get my masters. I think my family and I will both need to take a break from my being a student. Plus by then hopefully I'll be a teacher rather than the student. But I have learned A LOT this summer believe it or not. Mostly my own self-reading. And I've written a lot of papers. I'll be analyzing people for months to come!

The Bug has a friend who is moving away this week. She was new to the school this year, but the girls became friends and I was glad. She's the kind of girl who always makes the new kids feel welcome - that makes me very proud of her. It would be easy to wait and let them flounder about but not my Bug. She invites them to sit with her and her friends at lunch. She's just a good kid. A little mouthy sometimes but she has a heart of gold. Anyway, we have been trying to plan a get together so that the girls could all say goodbye....we as in the girls who live here moms....we changed our plans to go out of town because they're coming back into town tonight so that the girls could get together tomorrow before they move. I wanted to take them some place nice so that they could feel a little grown up and have dinner and converse. Because we haven't heard back, two of the other moms decided we could just go over to one of the other girls houses and they could swim. I am not happy. Because I wanted to do something special. I would never say anything to them about how it makes me feel - I wouldn't dare even mention this on facebook! - but I'm not pleased.

But being the southern gal that I am... I called them back and said oh that just sounds great....what can we bring...blah blah blah. Am I overreacting? My daughter was a little disappointed. We were thinking about even going to karaoke and having some fun. Now they'll swim and the adults will get to sit around and sweat. I know, I need to be a big girl about it, right? I could have been at the beach.... I could have spoken up... but there's something about the way my Momma raised me here. You are always polite. Have you ever seen Steel Magnolias? Something to Talk About? In all of those movies, about southern women, we just take what comes our way - in stride. So I'll smile and be polite and all that jazz ... but I don't have to pretend like I like it here on my blog do I?

I feel like I'm being petty. I called my Mom from Macys - standing in the middle of the juniors department - so that I could get it all off of my chest. Sweet Momma always makes me feel better. I don't know what I'd do without her.

And that has been my day - right in the middle of shopping for bras and bathing suits and writing papers. Aren't you glad you stopped by?

If I Ever

2010-07-12T22:32:00.001-04:00

If I ever
Decide to take
Thirteen Hours
Again...

Someone climb through
the computer screen
and
SLAP
me!

I'm just saying...

I've Been MIA

2010-07-02T00:39:00.002-04:00

I've gone missing again, but don't worry. I've found myself. Actually I have been pretty busy with school and being sick this past month but I am happy to report that I am on the mend.

I attended my final class on the psychology of prejudice today and took my final. I don't know when we'll find out our grades but I feel pretty good about my performance in there. I am glad that it's over and done though because to sit in a lecture hall for almost 4 hours a day for four days a week was a lot to deal with on top of being sick.

I'm actively looking for a job. Preferably a paraprofessional job with the local school system for this upcoming year. I can do that and still do all of my course work and field experience so while it's probably a long shot, I've been putting in for the parapro jobs as they become available. Plus it would give us great benefits for the year!

My daughter has gotten me hooked on Glee. Yes, we are a household of Gleeks. Today she decided to take her allowance for the month and by the DVD at Target so we watched several of the episodes tonight. I have also found that I enjoy Drop Dead Diva - which surprised me but it's cute. I usually end up watching it On Demand as I can never find time on Sunday nights and this way I can avoid the commercials. Saw Toy Story 3 recently. Warning: If you see it, take some tissues! We are going tomorrow with a friend to watch Eclipse. Not sure if I am excited about that one or not.

Hard to believe that school has been out for a month. Where does the time go? Before you know it, with the way time flies, my daughter will be graduating and heading off to college. I am not ready for that!

That's about it for now. Just wanted to do a general 'catching up' post.

Feel the burn...

2010-06-08T18:13:00.002-04:00

Feel the burn...as in the burnout. Classes have started and I am already overwhelmed. First day on campus was today and we find out there is another class that deals with the psychology of diversity that we need. So we start the frantic "what do we do?" (that is my friend K and I do - because 3 others knew about the class). I could not stay for it this afternoon - I had to take The Bug to the orthodontist and was almost running late. K stayed - and talked to the professor teaching the class. She said it should be relatively easy - but there are a few projects that have to be submitted and a few tests. We will meet 4 days a week from 1:15 till 4. That makes for a long afternoon - but we will be finished up at the end of the month. So now I am registered for the class (but not without having to jump through a bunch of hoops) and will be there tomorrow. Funny how I started out this semester thinking I only had class 6 days on campus isn't it? But this meets a diversity requirement and counts as an elective so hopefully I won't be required to go to school next summer. I am a little worried about the work load of this class in addition to my other 3 classes that are online. There is a part of me that is frustrated and just wants to quit going to school and go out and get a normal job and then there's this part of me that knows this is a good thing to do. I just wish that "keep going" voice was a little bit louder these days.

But who knows, maybe all of this 'busy' will help me focus on losing some weight. Because I won't have time to eat - much less anything else - for the next few weeks.

Aren't you glad you stopped by my pity party today?

I promise, more positive from here on out. I just need to get motivated to knock out all of the assignments that I can right now otherwise this is not going to be such a fun summer.

You Gotta Have Friends....

2010-05-30T13:41:00.003-04:00

This morning at church, the girls and I had an interesting conversation. Okay, admittedly, most days we have interesting conversations but today's class was really interesting. We are a few weeks behind in where we should be in our lessons, so today we tried to tie up the loose ends on the subject of what makes a good friend. The girls, my co-teacher and I have a tendency to get off subject in class and that happened again today, although the subject matter was very relevant.

How do you go about choosing a good friend? There are a lot of elements that are needed in building the perfect friendship. You want someone who is supportive, encouraging, someone who believes in you. They want you to stay out of trouble. They want you to be the best YOU that you can be. They like you - for you. Not for some personification that you PUT OUT THERE for the world to see. This is the friend who has your back at all times. You laughs when you laugh. Cries when you cry. Loves you unconditionally...and for a room of 12-14ish year old girls it is awesome to hear what they think and how they feel.

It made me start to think... would I encourage my daughter to be friends with someone that I thought was not "good"? Would I encourage her to be friends with someone who didn't have her best interests at heart if I liked that child's parent(s)? Would I want her to be friends with someone who made her feel disposable? How about someone who encouraged her to do 'wrong' over 'right'? And if it all started to go wrong, would I sit down and map out a plan to try to make everything right? Or would I just give in, give up and allow her to do whatever she wanted because it was her life and I was too busy in mine to want to try?

In our class, we have a great diversity of students. We have students who have been removed from their homes and are in family services homes. We have girls who have been adopted. Girls who, for one reason or another, only come to church with one parent while the other comes nowhere near the church. We have girls who struggle with self confidence, grades, boys, parents, peer pressure. friends. We hear stories about girls at school who are having sex with guys. There are students who are lying to their parents about EVERYTHING. Their parents have problems. They, themselves, worry about money, grades, weight, friends...everything. We talk about EVERYTHING. We jokingly call our class "The Vault"....because we talk freely and it stays within the vault unless it could be harmful to them or someone else.

The girls really make me think. What do you value in friendships? Do you find yourself trying to gauge your children in their quest for their friends? Do you try to stress to them the type of people who will make good friends or do you just sit back and let the chips fall wherever they may?

Feeling sorta blah...

2010-05-29T14:33:00.002-04:00

I haven't felt well the past two days. Some phantom pain in my left side that has me feeling miserable. It started Friday morning around 2 and continued until around 5 that morning. I felt groggy and miserable yesterday but the pain went away. And returned this morning sometime around Noon. I don't know what it is - but I am miserably unhappy at this point.

I promised The Bug that we were going off right before it started. I am hoping that it passes quickly so that we can head out the door soon. In the meantime, we are watching Flip This House on A&E. What I don't like about these reality shows? They give a poor representation of the state in which we live. Like our local "Real Housewives"...which I hate because I don't know any women like them. Now I love to watch the "New York" version of the show... but I seriously hope there aren't many Bethany Frankel's or Ramona's out in the real world. Or Alex. And I cannot for the life of my figure out Sonja... the newest "housewife"....that word is a joke with that show.

Okay, wish me luck - we are about to head out the door. I must be crazy....

Accentuate the Positive....

2010-05-28T14:53:00.002-04:00

Last night after having a conversation with my Mom about life in general, I realized one thing. I don't like to dwell on negative stuff. The bad things that happen in your life - or the people who do them to you. I would rather just go with the good and try to forget the bad things that come along.

We can't all be happy all of the time. Bad things happen to good people. Sometimes good things happen to bad people. We have to live and learn. Sometimes it's a life lesson that we need to be exposed to and other times I believe things happen to mold us and make us into the person that we are suppose to be.

In my life, plenty of 'bad things' have happened. My brother died. My grandparents were all sick before dying. My husband had a brain trauma just 2 months before we were suppose to be married. I lost a job that I loved after the attacks on 9/11. I've found out that people who I thought were my friends maybe were just a friend for a season or a reason and not for the long term. I had the baby blues. My parents have both had cancer. But through it all, I have tried to remain positive. Looking for the good in the bad. It's something that last night I learned should be commended because I have a tendency to be true to myself and those around me.

I hope it's a trait that I can pass along to my daughter. When things happen in her life that would be 'tragic' to a 12 year old going on 13 - I always ask her, is it going to matter 6 months from now? 6 years from now? when you're sixty? I try to show her that even though things don't always go our way, we have to evaluate the situation and move forward. Not being bogged down by whatever is negative. Look for the silver lining. Rainstorms don't mean something bad is coming - they're just helping to prepare the blessings that are going to follow.

I found this on a card in our room when I was cleaning the other night. I might have shared it before - but it's worth repeating. What you're willing to walk away from determines what God will bring to you. That's my deep thought for the day. I would much rather reap God's blessings that sit and stew in whatever it is that is or has made me miserable. What about you?

Thursday - 1 day to go....

2010-05-27T20:03:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is our last day of school. And I am glad. 7th grade, and being 12, has been a lot to deal with. Nothing tragic - just not the fun year that we are use to having around here. But academically things have been incredible. This summer we are looking for fun times to abound and to enjoy the next two months till it's time to trudge back to the school house.

My classes start back next week. Something that I'm not all that excited about...but at least we only meet for one class six days. Do I sound like a broken record? I'm taking three courses this summer - and will hopefully be finishing up in the fall of next year. That's a depressing thought but I will be so very glad when I am done! If you are thinking about going back to school - do it soon so that you won't find yourself wishing the time away until you are finished!

I have decided that Monday is a new beginning for me. I'm going to start riding my bike and walking again. So I figure I have two good days to figure out what the plan is and time to shop before implementing it on Monday morning. And it's a family-wide plan. If it's not healthy, we aren't having it. I feel the strong urge to make a change.

Oops...

2010-05-26T13:09:00.002-04:00

Looks like I missed a day in my goal to blog. Sorry about that.

I have spent the entire morning glued to the computer. Looking at Facebook. My email. Everything that is not essential to my needing to get up and get some housework done! But I have an excuse...the cat is beside me on her 'kitty condo' asleep and I would hate to wake her up! Actually her purring is making me sleepy as well.

And since 2 people have called and asked if they've woken me up... would it be such a bad thing to go and take a little cat nap?

Actually I have found an interesting website. Interesting to me because with all of the job changes going on around here, we were wondering how much we spend commuting to various places. This website calculates the commute for you. Some of the information startled me - like spending well over eleven hundred a week in gas and auto expenses - and this does not include parking! If you check it out, let me know what you think.
The Cost of Your Commute

A Little Less Talk...

2010-05-24T20:35:00.002-04:00

And a lot more action. That's what I need. I need to do less talking (and thinking) and just react. Because nothing has gotten done around here today. Well, I did go off with my dear friend and had a good time. Then I came home and voila! NOTHING

Tonight we had karate. It's funny - there are nights when my presence is welcomed in the Doju and other nights that I know I need to run to the store or go for a walk on the golf cart paths. Tonight was a 'go to the store' night. That's okay - we had a need to purchase band aids. LOL

My post about weight really has me thinking. That and my conversation with my friend today at lunch. What is the better option to try with dieting? Carb-free? Carb-eater? Calorie Counter? What? Because it is time to act - Last year when I lost some weight, I gave away all of my 'too biggies' so I really am not allowing myself to go out and purchase anything new. I have enough sizes ranging in my spare closet that I could open a boutique! Today the idea crossed my mind that I should organize them by size and as I lose weight, I could just go and shop in my own closet. Shamefully - some of the items still have price tags attached! So maybe I'll make that my project for later this week. It would be helpful because it would force me to really deal with the issue at hand.

I'm also considering getting my hair chopped off again. To know me is to know that I go from short to long to short to long. Right now I think my hair is too long. And my roots are really showing because I cannot decide what to do. A part of me wants to go back to some sort of bob... until one of the girls in my church class begged me not to get my hair cut and to not get "one of those horrible bobs!". Obviously she has never seen me with a bob! So I don't know what to do. So I go around with my hair pulled up with a clip most days because I just don't want to deal with it lately.

So that's the latest. Tonight's going to be an early night for me because I stayed up to watch LOST last night... and feel more confused about that show than ever!