Thursday, October 27, 2011

A Note Before Visits

So, let's see...what's happened?

How about I go with what's going to happen first?  Mitch's dad and stepmom arrive tomorrow for a visit.  They are staying until Monday.  The kids are of course excited.  I wish I could say I'm ready, but if you know me at all, you know I work best under pressure so I'm waiting until tomorrow to do anything.  As I do. 

My mom arrives on Tuesday.  That's right, the day after Mitch's dad leaves.  Talking about planning.  She's staying for almost a week.  The only plan we have is to take a ride on the Heber Valley Railroad over the weekend.  It should be fun. 

Back to the present time...

Today is Mitch's birthday.  We're actually putting it off until tomorrow so we can celebrate with his dad and Annette, who's birthday is actually tomorrow.  Good timing, if you ask me.  Which you are here reading this blog, so I'm going to take that as asking. 

A shout out to my stepmother Nancy, who is also celebrating a birthday today. 

We're all unpacked at the new house.  In fact, now we're at the stage of packing things back up and putting them in the basement.  Actually, that's just Jacob, who can't part with ANYTHING, yet doesn't have a 10,000 square foot room that will hold all of his treasures.  The boy needs to learn to LET GO already.  It's the complete opposite with Sara, who when she cleans her room, I have to look through her throw-away pile and say "Um, yeah, you're keeping this,"  Have I mentioned my kids are total opposites?  Because they are.  Totally.

Halloween is right around the corner and I've heard the weather is supposed to be good this year.  Sara, if you didn't see the picture on Facebook, is a scary doctor and Jacob is going to be a banana, if he and his friends decide to dress up.  I still need to get some more candy.  Can never have enough, you know.

I'd end with a promise to blog more, but you know I can't be trusted. 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hello Again!

So much for better blogging practices.  I just cannot be trusted.  Why you all continue to come here and read is beyond me.  But I thank you for coming back anyway.

I'm not working anymore, but I am babysitting a 3-year-old during the day.  His dad works with Mitch and it all just kind of came together shortly before I left my other job.  And let me tell you, when your kids are 10 and 12, you forget what having a 3-year-old around all day is like.  Busy, busy, busy.  But we're having fun so it's been good.

We're in our new house.  I can hardly believe we found one after all the looking and searching we did.  And actually, this house is in the same neighborhood as where we were renting.  But it's a great house and almost everything we wanted.  It's very close to several of Jacob's friends as well, so that's been great for getting him out of the house to hang out.  We're almost completely unpacked now and pretty well settled.  There are always things you're working on and improvements to be made of course.  My scrapbook room needs to be put together and I'm so looking forward to having a place to have my things set up and ready to go.  Then I won't have any more excuses not to get crafting!

Sara started playing the oboe with the Pony Band, a program run by the middle school band director to start elementary school kids in music earlier.  This is the same program that kept Jacob playing the trumpet when we moved here last year.  She's only been going for 2 weeks, Mondays and Wednesdays, but she's enjoying it.  Speaking of band, Jacob is contemplating a switch to the french horn.  The school has instruments you can rent for the year - for only $70! which is quite a bargain if you know anything about the cost of renting from a traditional music store - and he's trying one out right now.  The school has 2 new french horns on order and when those come in, he can decide if he wants to switch for good.  He wants to keep his trumpet and play both.  He's also volunteering with the Pony Band program to help teach new trumpet players. 

In other sad news, Elliot is no longer on Law & Order: SVU.  I know I speak for you and I both when I say how sad we are at this terrible turn of events.  But together, we'll get through this.  Thank you of course for your continued support.  :)

Monday, August 22, 2011

Back to School

Rest assured, dear reader, that I will soon have more blogging time available.  That's right - I'm leaving my job at the end of this month.  Sara's school transportation issues were too much to figure out and once the mortgage company said they were putting just Mitch's name on the loan, I took advantage and gave my notice.  Now I can relax a little about driving kids around and get back to my life of SVU Tuesdays and laundry. 

Let's see:  This weekend brought a visit from a high school friend, Chris.  He flew in for work for the weekend so Mitch and I drove to Salt Lake City and met him for dinner.  Dinner was meh, but the company was good.  I was a little nervous, I won't lie, but once we established that neither one of us remembers much about "the good old days", and we stuck to what we did remember, it was all good.  And what we did remember turned out to be his flight out and what I had for lunch on Saturday. 

(Important to note that if you see me and ask me if I remember something we did, I will most likely say yes and laugh along with you, but the truth is, I don't remember.  This applies to anything that happened before last week.)

Jacob started 7th grade today.  Middle school.  Wow.  He didn't seem like he was nervous, and today was just 7th graders.  He has tomorrow off and then starts for real on Wednesday.  So we'll see how he likes it.  We went to the open house last week and met all his first semester teachers and they all seem really nice.  Sara starts at her new school tomorrow.  We went on Friday to her open house and saw her classroom and she got to pick her spot - they have tables, not desks - and look around.  She's excited.  I have such high hopes for this year, I hope we're not disappointed.

Jacob's first football game is Saturday morning, 9 AM.  Yikes.  He has to be at the field at 7:45.  This one isn't too bad, since it's at the middle school here in town, but some of the other games are at other schools and I don't think I'll be as excited to be driving around at 7 AM on Saturday morning then.  Even if I'm not working.

Everything is on track with the house.  I think we're just waiting on the VA appraisal right now.  We're getting excited and remaining hopeful that everything will work out.

On a sadder note: Mitch's grandmother passed away earlier this month.  We were unable to make it to Pennsylvania for the funeral with everything else going on and it being so far away. 

I think that's all the news right now.  But with school starting, I'm sure there will be more to come! 

Firsts

First day of 7th grade for Jacob. First day of middle school.
First day of locker combinations. I remember when he had a cubby.
First day of changing rooms for every class. I remember when he only left the room for gym or art.
First day of choosing what he wants for lunch: pizza or salad or sandwich. I remember when there was only a snack before pick-up.
First day of school without recess. I remember when he had 2 recesses a day.
First day of no backpacks. I remember that the first backpack he had was practically bigger that he was.
First day of going to a different school than his sister. I remember how he walked her into school during those early days so she wouldn't get trampled in the hall.
First day of using pens instead of pencils. I remember when his supply list included crayons.
I remember all this and think that someday, today will be a day I look back on and say "Remember his first day of middle school?"

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Read a Book

I went to Jacob's football practice last night.  It's always discouraging to me that I sit there for a good while, watching my kid practice, only to see at the first water break that THAT wasn't my kid.  When half the kids are dressed in black football pants and plain black jerseys, it happens more often than you'd think. 

They've got him alternating between wide receiver and defense.  Wide receiver.  Yeah.  I guess this why it's just the 2nd practice.

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Read this book "Blood & Gasoline" by Elias Anderson, my cousin's husband.  So, my cousin-in-law?  Is that a real thing?  Whatever our relationship is, read it.  You can get it for your e-reader.  You will not be sorry.  I'm always happy when I think I know where a story is going and then it goes in a different direction.  Very affordable, btw. 

You know I wouldn't tell you to read it if it wasn't any good.  So just buy it.

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Our rental house doesn't have a coat closet or any linen closets.  It's more annoying than you might think.  And I know it's been a year already, and I should be over it, but seriously, I only get more irritated every time I have to put clean sheets and towels in our clothes closets.  Every house we've looked at to buy, the first thing I do is make a note of the linen closet.  Because I'm not falling for that crap again.

The house we looked at the other night has 2.  I'd buy it for that reason alone.

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Can you believe we've lived in Utah for a year now?  Crazy.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Friday Randomisms

Wow!  Where have I been?  I don't even know.

The kids came back so life is back to normal for us.  Jacob had football try-outs this past week, so next week, we'll be back in to swing of practices.  Being this is the first year he's played for this league, I don't know ANYTHING about ANYTHING, including even when the games are, so this should be interesting.  Sara went to a gymnastics class and really enjoyed it, as she always does, so I signed her up for that.  And before long, school will be starting (August 22 or 23, depending on which kid we're talking about) and all that that entails.  And don't forget Scouts.

I did buy a giant wall dry-erase calendar and hopefully that will keep us organized.

Shut up, stop laughing.  It could happen.

******************************

Still no luck finding a house.  I'm so frustrated with the entire process.  It seems like it's always like this for us and I don't know why.

Our biggest issue right now - right now - is getting Sara to and from school once she starts.  Because she's in the ALL (Advanced Learning Lab) program, she needs to go to a different school in town.  Which means, unless we live in that school's boundaries, we need to get her there.  And with me working now, that's harder than it might be otherwise.  I don't really know how this is going to turn out.  I'm trying not to stress about it, but that's just not my nature.  I like to have everything figured out and it's the not knowing that's killing me.  Mitch's schedule changes so often that it's nearly impossible for us to count on him being able to drive her.  Mitch says "Oh, it will all work out, it always does".  And then I want to scream. 

It might all work out indeed, but I may find myself with a lot of time on my hands during the school hours, if you know what I mean. 

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The fact that I want to see the movie "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" concerns me a little bit.  It's times like this that I'm glad I have a 12-year-old boy I can drag with me and it will look like I'm doing it for him.  But he tends to put too much salt on the popcorn.

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I'm hoping to update my book blog soon.  But if you're looking for recommendations, I suggest "The Passage" by Justin Cronin.  I just found it this is the first book of a planned trilogy.  I can't wait for the next one (and two)!

Also, I always suggest Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.  Right now, I'm reading Jennifer Weiner's "Then Came You".  It's a little different from her other books, and I just started it last night, but I'm really enjoying it. 

If you have any book recommendations, feel free to comment here or send me an e-mail.  I'm always looking for new things to read, in spite of the fact I have about 50 actual books at home I need to read and probably over 100 on my Kindle.  (Those free Kindle books on Amazon really keep me stocked up!)

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Take care and have a great weekend!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

Things my kids used to say that they've since outgrown :(

  1. Woggly - As in "Don't sit at that table at the restaurant, it's all woggly,"
  2. Plogged - As in "I have a cold and my nose is plogged up,"
  3. Flurry - As in "I can't see through these binoculars, everything's all flurry,"
  4. Cigrette - As in "Yuck, it stinks like cigrettes in here,"
  5. Uncle Dah-an - As said by Dan "I didn't realize my name was supposed to be 2 syllables until you had kids,"
  6. Realize - As in "Look, there's Aunt Lisa!  I realize her car!"
  7. Wetter - As in "To get your clothes clean, you put them in the wetter, then the dryer,"
  8. Broom - As in "I have to broom the grass off the driveway,"
  9. Jacoby - This was Sara.  She called us Mommy, Daddy and Jacoby.
  10. Yogret - For yogurt.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Random Sunday Night Thoughts

I love Sunday nights when you don't have to work on Mondays.  Except there's nothing on TV on Sunday nights.  So I'm rewatching the Wimbledon Men's final that I had DVR'd this morning.  The dog is barking occasionally at people shooting off fireworks, so there'd be no point in trying to watch something real anyway.

Speaking of the DVR, the recordings on mine are embarrassing.  Zombieland, The Addams Family, The Wizard of Oz, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Pulp Fiction.  And Wimbledon.  Like it was set up by a teenage boy hiding a Judy Garland obsession.  I feel like I should record something grown-up, just in case someone is keeping track.

Sara's hamster staged another break-out today so I had to deal with that.  It took me half an hour to catch the stupid thing and put her back in her cage.  The entire ordeal could have been considerably shortened if I wasn't so freaked out by having to pick up the hamster.  But those little hamster feet are yucky.  I did finally manage to pull out Sara's bed far enough to fit the ball back there and push her in.  And then dump her back in her cage.  If she escapes again, she's on her own.

I haven't left the house, except to walk the dog, since I got home from work on Friday. I have to go out tomorrow to get dog food. Weekends like this confirm for me that without Mitch and the kids, I am quite literally an internet grocery account and 15 cats away from being that lady.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Food Fight

This has been the longest week in the history of the world.  And it's only Wednesday, which rather proves my point.  The week before a long weekend is awful.

Mitch came home yesterday, after a few days in Indianapolis with the Guard.  He'll be home for a few days and then leaves on Friday for Michigan.  He'll be working in Battle Creek for a week or so and then going to Ohio to take the kids to his dad's and pick up a boat.  July is proving to be a traveling month for us - well, everyone but me of course.  I'll be here with Gracie.

Mitch has been playing a game called "Guess where I'm going to eat when I'm gone?" The answers include: Martini's, Qdoba, Taco Bob's, Jolly Roger, and Steak & Shake. All restaurants we don't have here in Utah. I hate this game because 1) he doesn't even LIKE most of those places and probably won't eat there and he's just telling me this to torture me; and 2) it's a mean mean game.


Summer has finally arrived here in Utah and brought that heat we've been complaining about not having.  That'll teach us.  It's been in the 90s here and looks to stay that way for a while.  It's somewhat overcast today and the wind is picking up, so we'll see if we get some rain like they predicted. 

Mitch and I had Five Guys Burgers and Fries last night for dinner, and I don't know if it's usually that good, or if it was just that I've been dieting for 2 days that made it that delicious.  Either way, yum. 

Clearly, I don't have much to say without the kids around.  I haven't heard from them at all yet, so I'm going to take it that things are going well.  Their next stop is Jenni's.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

A Blog Post to Promote Another Blog

I know!  I should just be happy you guys are reading MY blog, let alone telling you to read another one. 

But this is my friend Nancy, who's volunteering in the Joplin, Missouri tornado relief efforts.  (I don't know that that's what it's really called, but that's what I'm calling it.  My blog, my rules, people.)  She just got there over the weekend and today posted about her first day and put up some heart-wrenching photos. 

I think it's one thing to see the tv coverage and the newspaper photos and all that, but another thing all-together to see photos taken by someone you know who is actually there.

Ten on Tuesday

Ten States I Have Lived In/Been To

  1. Illinois
  2. Iowa
  3. Virginia
  4. Michigan
  5. Utah
  6. Ohio
  7. Pennsylvania
  8. New York
  9. South Dakota
  10. California
There are others, but the point is to list 10.

And actually, that's more than I would have thought.

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Final Countdown

It's T minus whatever until the kids leave.  They leave on Friday morning and fly to O'Hare and begin their month-long vacation with grandparents and friends.  They are super excited, though I worry about them flying by themselves, since they don't remember flying before.  But I paid for a chaperone and it's a direct flight, so barring bad weather, they will be fine. 

What will Mitch and I do for a month alone?  That's the part you should be scared about. Actually, it looks like he'll be spending a week in Michigan for work and then a few days at his dad's, picking up a boat.  So he'll probably be gone for the better part of 2 weeks during that time.  And it makes the pick-up and delivery of the kids to various places a little bit easier. 

I have to get the kids packed and ready to go.  I was going to send them with duffel bags and ship other stuff ahead, but now we're leaning toward packing them in the big suitcase we have and not messing with shipping and paying for extra bags.  (Mom, are you reading this?  This is the new plan.)  The suitcase should be more than enough and Jacob can get it off the luggage carousel with no problem.  And if he can't, then he has a lot of work to do before football starts at the end of July.  Two birds, one stone kind of thing there.

Sara had 7 teeth pulled Friday and came through great.  She had to have the Novocaine shots redone, because the first four didn't numb her.  But once the numbness wore off, she was back to her usual self.  No side effects thank goodness.  It's always a little nerve-wracking when she has any type of anesthesia or sedation at this point, given the issues she's had since September.

We also got a call that our debit card "may have been compromised" in light of the most recent Michael's Crafts debit card hacking or whatever that was.  So Friday I had to go to the credit union so we could be issued new cards.  Unfortunately, now I have to figure out what was coming out of our account automatically with the debit card and get that changed.  That's a hassle, but better than having my account wiped out, I suppose.  Not that that would take much, but still. 

We're still looking for a house.  Mitch has his mind set on building, but I'm still against it.  If we didn't have to live in a specific area for Sara's school, it would make things a bit easier, but that's where we have to be for at least the next 2 years.  So we'll figure it out.  Somehow.

Today starts Wimbledon.  Will Rafael Nadal be able to defend his title?  We will know in a fortnight!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Take My Breath Away

I hate when I don't post often, and then when I come here, I find that the last thing I did post was 10 on Tuesday.  So even though it is once again Tuesday, I'll skip it for now.  (But might do one later today.)

If we are Facebook friends, which I'm sure we are because I think those are the only people who read this blog - and if we're not, WHY NOT? I need more Facebook friends! - you know that Jacob was at Scout camp last week.  It's a leadership training camp and while they didn't work on any merit badges, they do learn problem solving and teamwork skills.  We went on Saturday morning to pick him up and were planning to shoot out of there as soon as they were all done.  The kids and I were halfway to the truck when I realized Mitch wasn't with us.  I looked back and saw him talking to the Scoutmaster from Jacob's troop, who was also the guy in charge of this camp session.  So I went back to hurry Mitch along, since some of these guys (including Mitch) can talk and talk and talk and talk and....well, you get the idea.

Scoutmaster:  I was just telling your husband here that Jacob choked on a piece of sausage at breakfast yesterday and I had to perform the Heimlich on him to get it out.

Me:  Are you serious?

Scoutmaster:  Yes.  But I got to him in like 2 seconds.  He was pretty shook up, but by lunchtime, he seemed to be himself.  So if he doesn't say anything to you about it, you might want to ask him.

Me:  Yes, okay then, um...

So, do you want to guess who had to bring it up?  Right, me.  Because Jacob wouldn't mention if his hair was on fire, unless he was able to blame it on Sara.  He's okay, obviously.  Just another health experience for us here in Utah. 

And if you're keeping track, that leaves only me who hasn't had a medical issue here.

Yet.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

I'm stealing this from Maryann, but here are 10 things in my purse

  1. Perfect Pucker Valencia Lip Remedy
  2. Perfect Pucker Honey Almond Hand Lotion
  3. Ear buds
  4. A coupon for 50 cents off 4 Gerber Baby Foods (I don't know why - I should probably just throw that out.)
  5. A paper clip
  6. Wrigley's 5 gum - Solstice flavor
  7. Two nail files
  8. A Langeland pen - don't tell Marty!
  9. My "books to read" notebook
  10. My wallet - what's in there is another Ten on Tuesday post all together.
Happy Tuesday!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

(Not a) Graduation Day

Jacob had his "6th Grade Advancement" ceremony today.  The principal made it a point to announce at the beginning that it was not a "graduation" as that happens only once in public schools and that is after the completion of 12th grade.  And there is something after 8th grade, but I didn't pay attention to that.  I was still so astounded that it was necessary to make the "this is not a graduation" announcement.  I guess principalling, like parenting, is full of things you never thought you'd have to explain to people. 

Back to this morning:  We started off in his classroom, where his teacher, the lovely and wonderful Miss H, presented character awards.  Athletes, leadership, that sort of thing.  Jacob again astounded his parents by picking up a "Sense of Humor" award.  It always surprises Mitch and I when people say how funny Jacob is, because we always think Sara has the better sense of humor.  The lovely and wonderful Miss H then moved on to academic awards.  There were 2 awards:  one for those students who maintained a B+ average all year and those who maintained an A average all year.  Jacob got an A average award.  Overall, his class is an amazing group - there were 20 kids between the 2 categories, with 13 getting the A average award!  Then there were photos, chocolate covered strawberries, and thank you notes written by the kids for their parents. 

The parents headed down to the cafegymatorium, if you will, for the official 6th grade advancement ceremony.  All 3 classes were there.  Each class had a speaker and there was a leadership award from the Kiwanis Club.  (One of Jacob's best friends here picked that up.  Good job!)  Then they all turned toward the parents in the audience and sang Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me".  And wow.  They did a great job, especially when you consider these are 12-year-olds and half of them are boys.  It got a little quiet on the high notes, but it was impressive.  Then the traditional calling of names and presenting of certificates.  It took a little while to get through about 90 kids, but it went faster than I had expected.  Each child shook hands or hugged the principal, got their certificate and a hug from their teacher and then hugged or shook hands with the other 2 6th grade teachers.  After that, they stood again and faced the audience and the principal orchestrated the flipping of the tassels.  Then it was over.  He's still got 2 days of school left, but he's officially a 7th grader.



And yes, he wore his dress pants and a shirt and tie.  And surprise, surprise!  Guess what?  So did all his friends!  Hmmm, maybe Mom was right about that. 

Tomorrow is the 6th grade luncheon - just for students - and a field/water day.  And on Friday they only go for 2 hours and then they are done for the summer.  This year just flew by.  Next year, it's new schools and new adventures for both kids!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

Ten Things in My Car Right Now:

  1. Library books
  2. Bag chair
  3. Fleece blanket
  4. Coupon binder
  5. Sunscreen
  6. Camera
  7. Rolls of coins ($90 worth)
  8. Pack of pens
  9. File folders
  10. A baseball
Clearly, I need to clean out my car.
Happy Tuesday!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Back by Popular Demand: Fun Fact Friday!

Cheering ensues.  There is much weeping and holding up of lighters.

Okay, fine.  I long ago came to accept the fact that you guys generally don't care WHAT I say here, as long as I say something.  So here goes:

The first toilet ever seen on television was on "Leave It to Beaver."

In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak. 

Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.  

More than half of women in the United States will not leave their home without makeup on. 

Every second over 7,000 Coca-Cola products are consumed.  

Born in the USA from Bruce Springsteen was the first CD ever released in the United States. 

In 1899, President McKinley was assured by the director of the US Patent Office that "everything that can be invented has already been invented."

I saw a diet tip in a magazine earlier this week:  For a snack, have a half serving of Wheat Thins with some cheese.  A half serving of Wheat Thins is defined at 7-8 crackers.  I have never in my life been able to eat only 7-8 Wheat Thins.  I can put away half a box without blinking.  Maybe that's my problem.  :)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Addams Family

"I'm just like any modern woman trying to have it all. Loving husband, a family. It's just, I wish I had more time to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade." - Morticia Addams


Sometimes, Morticia Addams really speaks to me.  Doesn't it seem like that to you parents out there?
 
Okay, so maybe you're not looking for join the crusades of the dark forces.  In fact, knowing that majority of my readers personally, I'd wager that this runs completely contrary to what you do want to do.

But if you stop to think about it, what she's really saying is that there are so many other things she wants to do.  Morticia loves being a wife, a mother, the matriarch of her unique family.  But she knows there are things she had to give up to be that person.  Even with Lurch around, I'd guess that Morticia finds she spends too much of her day shuttling Wednesday and Pugsley (and later Pubert if you are a fan of the movies) to different activities and making sure everyone had everything they needed for all their various things.

Sometimes as a mom, as a wife, I find that I am lost in those roles.  That I have forgotten who I am outside of baseball practice and Girl Scouts and the mountains of laundry that never seem to shrink.  I ask myself why I'm the only one who knows where everyone is supposed to be everyday.  Why I'm the only one who remembers what Jacob has to do for school, when he can't be troubled to remember it himself.  Why I went to the trouble to get Sara out of softball so she could go to Girl Scouts, only to find she didn't bother to prepare for the meeting.  Why I'm the only one who knows where the washing machine is and how to work it.

From 8 AM Saturday morning to 8 AM today (Wednesday), I had driven 354 miles.  If I'm going to drive that far, I want to be somewhere warm and pleasant and alone, not sitting at a traffic light hoping we'll get to baseball practice on time so I can drop one kid off and then leave to rush somewhere else to pick up the other kid before she can be classified as "abandoned".

Everyday I think of things I'd like to do.  Just fun things, just for me.  Scrapbook, read, write, go to a movie that doesn't have something animated in it.  But everyday I get up and go to work and then I drive kids around and then I come home in time to prepare for the next day and then fall into bed and then I wake up and start it all over again.  And I know, I KNOW, they are only kids for a while.  I know that before long, they'll be driving themselves to all this stuff and then they'll be in college and I know that the theory is that I'll miss these days.  But my great fear is that once Jake and Sara move on, move OUT God willing, there will be something else to fill my time.  Something else that is tedious and mind-numbing.  That one day, I'll wake up and be 87 and find that I never had time to do something I wanted to do.  Anything I wanted to do.

I'm grumpy today stemming from an argument with Jacob yesterday.  He has 6th grade graduation next week and the flyer that came home said "Sunday best".  I told him we need to make sure his dress pants and shirt still fit and find a tie.  He told me he wasn't wearing that stuff.  It escalated from there.  Or went downhill from there, however you want to categorize it.  It's all so ridiculous because last year, he and his friends willingly wore dress shirts and ties to school and now I can't get him to put on a tie for a few hours for a graduation ceremony.  It was a little argument really that got blown out of proportion, but left me feeling unappreciated and bitter.

It's times like this that I want to run away from home.  To seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade.  To be someone other than "Mom" and "Hon".  Just for a day or two.

And honestly, whatever your personal "hellish crusade" is, isn't that what we all want?

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Happy Birthday Jacob!

So, 12 years ago today, as I lay in Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, ten hours into what would turn out to be a 21-hour labor that ended in a c-section, I was sure that when it was all over, I would have a little baby girl in my arms.

Whoops.  I should have known then how this maternal instinct thing was going to play out.

But he finally arrived, and while everyone was surprised that he was a he, Jacob seemed to take it all in stride.  I've always said he's an old soul.  Right from the beginning, he's looked at us as if to say "I'll wait while you get this parenting thing figured out, but hurry up already,"  He's still waiting.

He got up and walked across the living room at 9 months.  I remember Mitch looking at me and saying "Well, this can't be good,"

He never spoke in baby talk.  The closest he got to that was when a fire truck would go by - and we had a lot of fire trucks in Milwood - he would drop everything and put a hand to his ear and say "Hear?"  Once Sara was born, he designated himself her translator.  He would tell me, "Lainey says we should go to Dairy Queen," or "Lainey says we should go to hot dog stand for lunch,"  Jacob was very intuned with the dining preferences of a 6-month-old baby.

He slept in cat naps for the first 2 years.  20 minutes here or there.  Just a quick recharge, then back to the world.  He didn't want to miss anything.  He still doesn't, but at least he sleeps through the night now.

Once he discovered baseball, there was no turning back.  If you're ever wondering who watches those old baseball games on ESPN Classic, it's Jake.  He lives and breathes baseball.  His favorite position is catcher.  I think it's the throwing off of the mask he likes.  I listen to his coach tell him in the dugout "Get the gear on" and I remember when he was little and used to call it "the armor".  He wanted to play for the Detroit Tigers, but now he's thinking the Yankees might be more financially beneficial. 

All he's wanted to do since he was 6 was drive a car. 

He didn't want to move to Utah, but now I think he's happy here.  He's made some good friends and enjoys school.  He's still playing the trumpet.  He's completed his 2nd class rank for Boy Scouts.  He's getting ready to go to middle school in the fall.  He got braces on Monday.  He's thinking he might go to the University of Utah instead of University of Michigan.  He might want to be a vet, if this baseball thing doesn't work out.

But to me, he's still that 7 pound, 10 ounce baby boy that was finally dragged into this world at 9:31 PM twelve years ago today.  The little boy who told me once "You're the best mom me and Sara ever had."  The kindergartener who brought me breakfast in bed once of french toast (toast with syrup) and hand-squeezed grape juice ("You have to squeeze a lot of grapes just to get a little juice, Mom"). 

Happy 12th Birthday, Jacob.  I love you. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Spring Again

It's raining here, with a side of occassional hail, which is always fun.  Jacob is supposed to have a ballgame tonight, though the forecast is not optimistic about that.  But he does have team pictures also scheduled for tonight, so even if the game is canceled, I suspect we'll be sent somewhere else to have pictures done.

Jacob got his braces yesterday, blue and orange for the Detroit Tigers.  He's pretty miserable today.  He says it hurts to chew, and when I left for work this morning, he was adding more milk to his oatmeal so he could drink it.  I gave him an aspirin to take to school in case he needed it, but now I'm thinking I probably shouldn't have done that.  Zero tolerance drug policies and all that. 

Sara is presenting the Ms. Fix-It badge at Girl Scouts tonight, along with some help from Dad.  She's very excited.  She loves this Girl Scout troop - the leaders are great and her friend Maddie is in the troop too.  I think we've been very lucky in having such great experiences with Girl Scouts.  She's been pitching at softball and is doing very well.  She gets flustered sometimes and tries to pitch fast instead of accurately, but she usually settles down pretty well. 

We're still house-hunting here, with little or no success.  Even our realtor said last night "I'm surprised by the condition of these houses in your price range" which I believe is code for "For this price, the houses shouldn't be such crap-holes".  It's getting frustrating and is just another added stress we don't need.  If we don't find a house in the neighborhoods we want, it means we have to drive Sara to her school, since her program is offered only at one school and they only bus the kids who would normally be bused.  There is a carpool request, but I don't usually trust those things and I hate relying on other people, especially if I don't know them well.

My job is going okay.  There are a lot of days - like every day - when I sit around with nothing to do and that gets draining.  There have been some other things that concern me, but unless I have another job, I'm not leaving this one.  I've got some resumes out there and we'll see what happens. 

Mitch is busy with work and the guard and of course, driving kids to the orthodontist and helping with baseball and Scouts.  This is always a crazy busy time of year for us, and I just keep looking at the calendar and waiting for it for be over!

The kids are flying back home at the end of June to do a month-long grandparent and friend visit.  We'll certainly miss them, but it gives them something to do and a chance to see everyone.  This will be the first time for them flying alone, which is a little scary for me, but they will be on a direct flight and have an escort and my mom can pick them right up at the gate.  I'm sure it will be just fine. 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

Ten Things I Know Are In My Refrigerator Right Now*
  1. Powerade
  2. Laughing Cow cheese
  3. Tortillas
  4. Beer
  5. Milk
  6. Carrots
  7. Leftover Shrimp & Mushroom Pasta
  8. Eggs
  9. Parmesan cheese
  10. Sour cream
I don't know what kind of dinner I can make with those ingredients, but I guess I can give it a shot.

* I get bonus points** for doing this from work and not even being able to look in the refrigerator.

** And extra bonus points for writing the lamest Ten on Tuesday ever. Ever. EVER.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Back Home Again

It's raining here today, but I'm not complaining since I know a lot of you are getting snow.  Snow?  On April 18?  If this is global warming, I'm not impressed.  Anyway, I keep looking at this rain because I know, just know, it's going to stop soon and unless it keeps going and cancels softball practice, it doesn't really do me any good at all. 

Mitch got home from Montreal just fine.  Except for a little blip between us at the airport regarding where one should wait when one is having someone pick one up at nearly midnight with two kids in the car.  One of us maintains one should wait in the clearly marked "pick-up area" and the other one contends one should wait just anywhere he one comes out of the airport and expects the driver to know where one is through some sort of mental telepathy.  And then, when one says to the other "Do you want to drive?" because the other always drives but the other says, "No, you can drive", the other should not, under any circumstances, criticize the route the driver chooses to take home because if the other does, the driver will fervently wish the other was still in Montreal and seriously consider pulling over and putting the other out of the car and driving away.

So, maybe he didn't get home just fine after all.  But he's home and we'll just leave it at that.

I updated my book blog Friday night, for the most part, so if you want to see what I've been reading, head over there.  There's a link on the right.  I still have two to add and hopefully will get those up soon. 

We went to Wal-Mart yesterday to get string for the trimmer and ended up getting Sara a bike.  Clearly, we are quite the impulse shoppers.  But she needed a new bike, without a doubt, since she's been riding Jacob's old one and it really was too small for her.  I don't have any pictures yet, because I'm like that, but I'll get some the next time she takes it out.  She's very excited because it has gears and she says with all the hills here, she needs a bike with gears.  And now that's one less thing that we have to say "Gosh, we really have to ________________". 

We're still house-hunting.  It's still not fun.  Our biggest hurdle right now seems to be finding a time that both Mitch and I can go look at houses.  With him working weekends and the kids starting baseball, our free time is somewhat limited.  The fact that where we need to live has been narrowed so considerably hasn't helped either.  Deep breaths.  I know it will all come together, but it's so annoying until it does.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Things on Thursday

Just some random things going through my head.  (And if this is random, you are asking, what are all those other blog posts supposed to be?)

- Since I've started this job, and Mitch has been gone, I've been in bed by 10 almost every night.  Most nights, if we get home in time, it's more like 9.  Which for the night-owl/insomniac that I am, is a pretty big deal. 

- I've been thinking more and more about having LASIK eye surgery.  But I think the cost and my general fear of anyone or anything screwing with my vision may inhibit me from actually doing anything about it.  (Extra points for fear of change!  Woo hoo!)

- The library opened here in town last week, but only the Children's and Young Adult section.  Sara and I went tonight and got our library cards - $1, a bargain for this neck of the woods, where a library card can cost up to $75 in nearby towns.  I checked out two books from the Young Adult section, seeing as I seem to be under the impression I am in that age range.  And I've already read all the Little House and Ramona books.

- I've been watching "The Chicago Code".  Has anyone else been watching this show?  I didn't WANT to watch it, because of Jennifer Beals, but there are other actors I like on it and there's nothing else I watch on Monday nights so somehow I got into it.  Since I didn't pay much attention at first, I've been glad they're showing reruns so I can figure out what I missed early on. 

- I'll stop now, since this is really going nowhere.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Day by Day

Well, we've very nearly reached the end of Mitch's Montreal trip.  Hard to believe he's been gone almost a month!  The kids and I have been so busy just trying to make it through each day that the time certainly has flown by.  But Mitch will be back Friday night - late late late - and then I plan on taking a well deserved break.  Or at least try to sleep in one day.

Jacob has started baseball practice.  He's on the Pirates.  I haven't had much opportunity to watch any of his practices, since it seems Sara always needs to be somewhere else at the same time, but he feels his team might be pretty good.  There are 18 teams in his league!  The league plays 3 games a night on 3 different fields every Tuesday and Thursday.  I don't know yet how they work it as far as innings played/time limit in order to get all those games in.  Some nights, his game won't even start until 8 PM.  I'm not wild about that, but hopefully, it won't run too late.  And on those late game nights, he'll have time to do his homework beforehand.

Sara starts softball practice next week.  She also plays Tuesday and Thursday nights, but at a completely different complex as Jake.  (Of course!)  I know her games go 6 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first.  And no new inning can start after 55 minutes.  She is a Chicago Cub.  (Sorry, Uncle Dan.)

It's hard to believe I've been at my new job for almost a month.  I really do like it.  There's a lot of variety and lots of stuff to learn.  But I feel really comfortable and am glad to be here.  The casual dress is awesome and I need to clean out my closet and pack up all those skirts and heels.  I will not be wearing those around this place, that's for sure!  And we get next Friday off for Good Friday, which is quite the novelty for me.  Especially since the kids have school and Mitch has to work.  Ahhh, the house to myself.  Well, with Gracie.  Hmmm, she might need to go to doggie day camp that day!

I've been reading a ton and haven't updated my book blog AT ALL.  But the book I'm recommending right now is "I'd Know You Anywhere" by Laura Lippman.  I seriously could not put it down.  It's a good thing I was reading it on my Kindle, or I for sure would have skipped ahead and read the ending.  That's one thing the Kindle has taken away from me anyway and that's probably good. 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Saturday Catch-Up

Ugh, I'm so bad about posting.  Sorry!  With Mitch being gone, starting a new job, and ball season starting, I'm lucky I find time to eat.  Oh, who are we kidding?  I ALWAYS find time to eat!

First off, the job is going really well.  I like it a lot and the people are great.  I feel like I'm getting a little more of a feel for it every day and am hoping to start taking on some other tasks to help the staff and to keep myself busy. 

Mitch has been gone for 2 weeks and as usual, the kids and I just go one day at a time.  Worry only about where we have to be today and worry about tomorrow when this stuff is done.  This is the last week of school before spring break, and while I'm not wild about them being home all day by themselves for an entire week, at least we don't have to worry about band and homework.  I feel bad that they won't be having much fun this spring break - they've spent previous years with their grandparents in Ohio and their grandparents in Kalamazoo - but as long as Jacob has his Xbox, I think he'll be fine.  I'm hoping some of Sara's friends are around so she can play with them during the day.

Jacob had baseball tryouts on Wednesday night.  He did really well, hitting all 5 pitches thrown to him, which he doesn't always do.  He had his first practice on Friday and another today and the team is the usual mix of kids you see on every team.  The fields aren't Milwood Fields, no raised pitcher's mounds, no grass infields, and the fields are 255' from home plate to the fence, so I'm thinking we won't see any out of the park homers this year!  And we all know the true test of a youth baseball program:  the quality of its concession stand.  Fingers crossed!  Jacob's coach wants him to pitch and catch, so we'll see how it goes.  I think everyone knows that I don't like him to pitch - it makes me too nervous to watch! 

Jacob's got his middle school math placement test on Monday afternoon.  It's to determine if he'll test out of Math 7 and then whether he'll go to Pre-Algebra or Algebra.   

Sara was accepted into the accelerated program for 5th grade.  It means she has to switch schools, but it will give her more of challenge than she had here this year (hopefully) and puts her on track to stay in the accelerated program in middle school.

Now that we know where she'll be going to school, we can start to look for a house for real.  I wanted to know where she was going before we spent too much time looking, because while she doesn't have to live in that school's boundaries to be in the program, she can only be bused if we do.  And with me working and Mitch's sometimes erratic schedule, we can't commit to driving and picking her up everyday.  And we don't have Jenni here to be our driver!  So when Mitch comes back, we'll be stepping up the house hunting.  Yuck!  I hate it personally, and Mitch loves it, so I let him do all the research and I just go with him and the realtor and say yep or nope. 

I think that's about it for now.  I know I am WAAAAAY behind on my book blog.  I'm hoping to get that caught up tomorrow.  I've read some good ones, so stay tuned over there.

Oh, and on Monday, April 4, my little brother Dan turns 39.  I think there's no longer a question of whether he is in his early, mid or late 30s now.  It's LATE LATE 30s, pal.  So head on over to his facebook or text him a happy birthday.  Tell him I sent you. :)

Monday, March 21, 2011

March Catch-Up

Again, it's been a while since I posted last - sorry!  We've been a bit busy, which is actually the norm for us, but sometimes, it catches up to me.

My mom was here last week, which was of course, great fun.  We went to the Hogle Zoo, the first time for all of us.  The kids were off school on Monday, so we went to see "Rango".  I do not understand what all the hype is about that movie, because I personally thought it was awful.  None of us liked it, actually. 

I started a new job on Wednesday.  It's a receptionist position, but it's a small office, so I'll be doing some other things too, once I get up to speed on the business.  And no, it's not a funeral home.  :)  It's full-time, and not too far from home, so I think it will be good.  I enjoyed my first three days - now we just wait and see how the rest go!

Mitch left today for a month in Montreal.  Perfect timing, right?  Oh well, such is life.  I actually hired someone to come two afternoons a week to take Jacob to band and to hang with Sara during that time.  We're already looking forward to Mitch returning.

Oh, and I have a new nephew!  My brother Dave and his wife Christine welcomed their third little sweetie on March 14.  Well, not so "little", Harrison was 8 lbs. 12 ounces!  I guess it's true - everything's bigger in Texas.  I've seen a few pictures and he's adorable of course.  Christine had quite a time with this pregnancy, bed rest and dislocated rib, so I'm sure she's glad that's all behind her. 

Sara has her follow-up with the neurologist tomorrow afternoon, so I'll let everyone know how that turns out.  This will give us the results of the MRI she had a few weeks ago.  She seems to be doing well, so I'm hoping the MRI will confirm that. 

Spring promises to be right around the corner, though everyone here tells me not to get too comfortable with that idea.  I suppose anywhere you live, the weather is unique.  I wonder how long I have to live here before I get used to this wind.

Mitch and I have been out looking at a few houses.  There are some nice ones out there.  But as usual, the trick is to get Mitch and I to agree on something!  Very nearly an unheard concept with us.  I know we'll find something eventually, and when he returns the search will step up a notch.

So that about covers it, I think.  I'm sure I'm forgetting a million little things, but those are the biggies. I'll be sure to update what the neuologist says about Sara tomorrow. 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Last Call

At the last minute, Jacob opted out of Drama Foundations as an elective and picked Popular Literature instead.  We'll see how that goes.

Tomorrow is my last day at school.  I think I'll really miss it.  Who knew that I'd actually like working at the school?  Not me.  If I'd had more hours, I would have stayed.  Really.  I know, you're all shocked.  Me, the mom who nearly needed sedation to be a lunch parent.  Me, the mom who dreaded with nervous tummy every single Girl Scout meeting I had assist at. 

I think the whistle gave me courage.  The people I work with are awesome too.  It's been a fun couple of months.

I'm keeping the whistle.  Just in case.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Friday Roundup

Jacob is home sick today.  He's been up since 6 AM with varying sicknesses, which I will spare you the details of.  I can't decide if I genuinely feel sick now or if it's just the power of suggestion.

I interviewed one sitter yesterday and have another to interview today.  I liked the girl from yesterday quite a bit.  The fact that her regular job is here in town is a huge plus.  And she has to drive for that job, so I know she has a good driving record.  And yes, I viewed her background check.

Big news around these parts is the suspension of Brandon Davies from the BYU basketball team for an honor code violation.  You have to admire a colllege, especially a sports program, that remembers that student athletes should be held to the same standards as non-athletes.

Jacob had middle school orientation yesterday.  Registration is next week.  He has to take a math test to see if he qualifies for Math 7 (standard 7th grade math), pre-Algebra, or Algebra.  He's chosen band, drama, intro to Chinese and shop as his electives.  The drama choice blows me away.  I wouldn't have guessed that in a hundred years.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Oh, Here I Am!

Okay okay.  Sorry for the departure.  I started a couple of posts, but couldn't get into the groove, so to speak, and they came out sounding like the ticker at the bottom of the screen on MSNBC.  Some days, I'm witty and well-spoken, so days I can fake witty and well-spoken, and some days, nothing comes together.

I've had too many of the "nothing comes together" days in a row, I'm afraid.

Then for a while, I had big news that I couldn't share yet, but now I can.  I got a new job.  I will start on March 16 as a receptionist/secretary.  I'm very very sorry to leave the school - I love the kids and the job itself overall - but I'm only working 14 hours a week there and the new job is full-time.  So, as much as I hated to quit the school, I really had to.  Apparently, ignoring the bills doesn't make them go away after all.  Who knew?  But I'm excited about this opportunity.

What I'm NOT so excited about is trying to figure out our new schedules and how to make everything work.  And to make it even more difficult, the Monday after I start my new job, Mitch leaves for Canada for a month.  So even though he works Thursday through Sunday, at the very beginning, he won't be here at all.  I'm trying to find someone to take Jacob to band two afternoons a week and make sure I can Sara to Girl Scouts on time and then today I get a letter from the middle school that the math placement test Jacob needs to take for next year is only offer on April 4 and 5 (Monday and Tuesday) at 3 PM.  Which I completely do not understand, since he's in school until 3:30.  I posted an ad on a sitter website I've seen on TV, and actually am interviewing someone tomorrow.  I hope this works out.  I'm sure it will cost me an arm and a leg, but I don't have a lot of options.  And it would only be until the end of May, since school lets out here the first week in June. 

We've met with a realtor to start looking for a house.  We're definitely staying here in this town, but we can't choose a neighborhood yet until we find out if Sara was accepted into the accelerated program.  The program is run out of one specific school and if she gets in, I want to live within those boundaries so she can take the bus or walk.  If she doesn't get in, it doesn't really matter where we live.  We're supposed to find out by the end of March about Sara.  There are a lot of houses for sale around here, like everywhere, and I think we can get a pretty good deal.  Now just to find something Mitch and I both like.  That's the trick.

We went to the Hank's Open at my dad's last month and had a GREAT TIME.  How wonderful it was to see everyone.  The kids had a fantastic time too.  They love to see everyone.  Sara would have snuck into Aunt Mart's suitcase if she'd had the chance.  I can't wait to do it again next year.

Sara has her follow-up MRI next Monday.  Then we wait 2 weeks to meet the neurologist and find out what the MRI shows.  Hoping for good results.

Okay, there are the basics.  Thanks for reading.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

10 Things You Will Never Hear Me Say:

  1. Wow!  They have horseback riding!  Can't wait!
  2. Let's have ham for dinner.
  3. Oh, I hope the Cowboys (or Lakers) win.
  4. It's dark and raining?  Let me drive!
  5. I'll have a glass of wine.
  6. I don't think I took full advantage of that open bar.
  7. No cheese on that please.
  8. I don't feel like watching that Law & Order marathon today.
  9. Let's get up early tomorrow.
  10. No problem, I'll just parallel park here and be right in.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

Today is Sara's 10th birthday.  Where does the time go?  Seems like just yesterday she was this size:



And now she's this size:



It's no secret that it's been quite a year for Sara.  Moving to Utah, ending up in the hospital, all the tests and doctor appointments.  But in spite of all this, she has bounced back extremely well.  She has quite a few good friends here, is doing amazing in school, and for the most part, has remained her happy, cheerful self.  She loves her hamster.  She's enjoying Girl Scouts.  She's looking forward to playing softball again in the spring. 

Sara has a great sense of humor and she likes everyone.  She didn't say anything other than "Mommy", "Daddy" and "Jacoby" until she was over 2.  And if you know her, you know she hasn't stopped talking since.  She loves her brother above everyone else - she sent him a school valentine last week, but none to any of her friends.  She's got a perfectionist streak and gets upset with herself if she misses even one word on her spelling test or one problem on her math homework.  Her favorite foods are green beans and cucumbers.  Her favorite color is blue. 

Today, she will hand out cupcakes to her class.  She decided not to have a party with her friends this year.  We'll go out for dinner later this week.  She's getting a new bed, if JCPenney ever calls to say it's in.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Day, The Week and The Weather

This week just flew by.  Here's what we've been up to:

Sara stayed home sick on Tuesday with a sore throat and a cough.  I was afraid it might develop into the strep throat that's going around, but luckily, a day home with Mitch cured her. 

Wednesday, I got a call about a job I applied for a few weeks ago.  It was a phone interview - right then even - and they said they'd call about an in-house interview.  I got that call today and will go there next Thursday morning.  We'll see where this goes.

Thursday night, Jacob and I went to a meeting at the middle school about the accelerated program he was accepted into for next year.  One of his good friends from his class was also accepted and he recognized one girl he knows from band, but otherwise, the other kids were all brand new to him.  There will be 32 7th graders in the program and it runs for both 7th and 8th grade.  It's an advanced history and English program.  There was some concern about this program interfering with band, but since the middle school has 4 music programs (Beginning Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Advanced Band), the teacher I talked to said he will be able to be in one of those.  We will have to talk to the band director and see where he wants Jacob and what will work with the scheduling.  But the principal said that the school recognizes that the kids in this program are often involved in other things and they try really hard to make it all work.  There is a separate test in the spring for math placement.

While we didn't get a terrible snowstorm like so many of you, it has been freezing freezing freezing here.  Today was the first day all week that the kids were allowed outside for recess.  And I was glad to outside today, let me tell you.  Keeping them cooped up all week about did me in.  You think it would be easier to have indoor recess, but it's really not. 

Jacob and Mitch left tonight for the monthly Scout campout.  I hope they don't freeze into Scout popsicles.

Left to our own devices tonight, Sara and I went to Fazoli's for dinner and then did some shopping at Michael's and Barnes & Noble.  Now we're home, watching Mrs. Doubtfire. 

How was your week?

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Confessions

I have a confession to make.  I never thought I'd say this, but: 

I love my Kindle more than I thought I would.

I knew I'd like it, but it never seemed to be something that would change the way I read.  I mean, I read a lot of books.  The Kalamazoo Public Library was heaven for me.  Oh, how I miss KPL!  Free books!  Lots and lots of free books!  Online holds and renewals!  Drive through return boxes!  New releases!  Hot picks! 

Wait, what was I saying?

Oh right, the Kindle.  Anyway, you can see my love affair with books and libraries is a sure and epic thing.  So I thought, well, the Kindle will be neat, and all the cool kids have one, and I could order my books from Amazon.  But I love looking at a book, flipping through the pages and even - yes, I admit it - sneaking ahead to read the ending.  But I don't really like paying for books and at the rate I read, it can be expensive.

Case in point:  Last year, I read  88 books.  (Please don't make me tell you how I know the exact number of books I read last year.)  But, let's pretend that I bought them all in paperback at $8 each.  That would have been  $704 in books alone last year.  And some of those were new releases and would have been in hardcover so therefore more expensive.

But with the Kindle, I can get free books, or cheap books.  For instance, these Amanda Hocking books I've been reading are no more than $3 each.  And there are lots of free ones.  There are specials, where you can find books for $5.  The book I'm reading right now, "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet", which has been on my list for a while, was one of those $5 books.  I have yet to pay more than $5 for a book (and I have to want it pretty bad to even pay $5).  And I have 58 books on my Kindle right now.  I think I have enough reading material to keep me busy for a while. 

The best part of the free or cheap books is that if I don't like them, then I'm not really out that much money.  But if I do like them, chances are the author has other books available that are also inexpensive. 

So yes, I do like my Kindle.  It's not as much of a financial drain as I was afraid it would be.  (Though if you wanted to send me Amazon gift cards, I wouldn't argue one bit.  I might even use it to buy a book that's over $5!  GASP!)  It is helping to curb my "skip ahead and read the ending" habit.  And since we STILL don't have a library here, it's filling a void for me. 

Right now, Mitch is saying "Void?  Are you suggesting you have a book void?  Look at the bookcase!  Look at the bag of books you bought at a library book sale!  My goodness woman, you HAVE BOOKS!"

To which I must reply, "Hush now, dear.  I'm reading my Kindle."

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Things on Thursday

-- Sorry for the absence of real posts here lately.  As you all know, life sometimes gets in the way of the stuff we really want to do.  Here's what's been going on:

-- Jacob is home today (again) with an ear infection.  He says it hurts again this morning.  Luckily yesterday, the ear ache didn't interfere with his ability to play Xbox.  Thank goodness.

-- We had conferences last night.  Everything is good, of course.  The school system here is different and my kids are about a year ahead, so it's been an easy transition.  Sara's teacher is giving her 5th grade math, which keeps her challenged, however, I do worry what she'll be doing in 5th grade.  She is going to test for an accelerated program for 5th grade, which would involve changing schools.  I'm hoping she gets accepted.

-- Jacob was accepted to the accelerated program for middle school.  His teacher told me last night there's another test he'll have to take in the spring to see what math class he'll be in. 

-- Mitch's beer making adventures are going fine, I guess.  I'm staying out of the whole thing actually.

-- My neighbors are moving out at what can only be described as an ALARMING RATE.  I'm trying not to take it personally, but if I see one more family doing the midnight move-out, I might need therapy.  On the upside, if anyone wants to move out here with me, I know a lot of rental houses that are available.

-- I listened to a man at Chuck-A-Rama (a buffet place) last night talking to his son.  They had quite the conversation about Muhammad Ali and boxing in general.  The problem was his son was about 5 years old and had no idea what his dad was talking about.  Now I bet, if he'd started a conversation about Spiderman and Transformers, that kid would have been all over that.

-- I've been working at the school since mid-November and I still don't know when I get paid.  It's once a month, I know that for sure.  I even asked one of the other playground ladies and she didn't know either.  So I just keep checking the bank account and one of these days, I'm going to be surprised by money.  Hopefully, it will be soon.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

For Catrina who suggested this a while back. 

My 10 Celebrity Crushes

  1. Christopher Meloni, aka Elliot Stabler from SVU.  I know, you're all like "Whaaaaat? That's surprising!"
  2. Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs.  To be clear, it's Mike's voice I like.  I could listen to him talk all day long.  Even if he was just reading the instructions on how to program my TV remote.  (Useful and sexy!  Wow!)
  3. Rob Lowe - because sometimes you don't outgrow that 13-year-old teenage girl crush.
  4. Ed Hochuli
  5. Magglio Ordonez
  6. Roger Federer
  7. Martin Sheen - another man with a great voice. 
  8. Ben Affleck
  9. Sendhil Ramamurthy
  10. Kirk Acevedo
So there you have it, Trina. 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Maryann's Monday Madness

You know what to expect.  Mostly, though I hope that sometimes my answers surprise you.

What's your favorite midnight snack? Pretzels

Do you eat junk food everyday? Have you seen me?  Clearly, I eat junk food every day.  Sometimes, twice a day..

What is the one, single food that you would never give up? Cheese.  I had to once for a few months and I thought I was going to die.

What's your favorite movie? Close Encounters of the Third Kind

What's your favorite food? Chimichangas

What do you think is the most useless class in high school? Health.  If you manage to get to high school and not understand how your body works and how babies are made, you are beyond hope.  They start that stuff in 5th grade, folks. 

What's your favorite day of the year? Thursday

Do you like soda or pop? Soda

Do you shampoo first in the shower or soap? Shampoo

Wet the toothbrush or brush dry with the toothpaste? Wet the toothbrush, apply the toothpaste and wet the toothbrush again.

Pen or pencil? Pen

Have you ever gambled at a casino? Oh, here we go.  No, I've never gambled at a casino.  Go ahead family, let's hear the disbelief. 

Have you thrown up in a car? Yes.  On about hour 1 of the drive from Cedar Rapids to Florida.  My brothers were not impressed.

Do you scream on roller coasters? No, I laugh.

What's your most missed memory? My memories.

When did you go to your first funeral?  18, I think.

Where did you go on your first airplane ride?  I don't remember, but I'd guess it to be Florida.  We flew there every year when I was little to visit my grandparents.

Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day? Nobody really, but I have long, ranting conversations with all of you in my head.

Last thing you bought? Milk.  Ugh, that's pathetic.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

30 Interesting Facts

The challenge is to write 30 interesting facts about yourself.  Well, I'll give you 30 facts, YOU can decide if they are interesting or not.  (But don't tell me if you decide on not.)

  1. My favorite color is purple (duh).
  2. I have two brothers and two (half)-sisters.  Now, those people are interesting.
  3. I love watching most sports on TV, but especially tennis and football.  And baseball.  And pool.  And gymnastics.  And basketball.  And the Olympics.  But not golf.  And never soccer.
  4. I have an irrational fear of horses.
  5. My favorite drink is Dr. Pepper.
  6. I'm a night-owl.
  7. I check Amazon.com's deal of the day every single day.  Seriously.  You never know what awesome thing you didn't know you needed is on sale.
  8. I have now erased 3 different "interesting facts" that I'm afraid make me look paranoid or completely mental.
  9. Make that 4.
  10. The thing that turns me off someone the most is intolerance.
  11. Since moving to Utah, I've developed this thing where I only park in a space that I can pull through.  I don't know why I developed this, but now I don't even think about it.
  12. I love strawberry milkshakes.  Unless there's banana.  And not from McDonald's, because they taste like coffee.  Which leads me to...
  13. I don't like coffee or tea.
  14. I could spend all day in Office Max, looking at notebooks and pens and cute paper clips and folders and calendars, and oh my goodness... 
  15. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
  16. I am left-handed.  But I don't feel crippled by it.
  17. I played the clarinet in high school.  I wasn't very good.
  18. I played volleyball in high school.  I wasn't very good at that either, but I could serve and being a left-handed server was a big thing for some reason.  So I played a few varsity games.
  19. Since we're talking about high school, for sophomore English class we had to write a paper about Romeo and Juliet.  I put it off till the last minute (of course) and turned in my paper with my introduction paragraph and then wrote something along the lines of "I couldn't finish this paper because I had a really hard time understanding this play".  I got a D.  Why I didn't get an F is beyond me.
  20. Those are all the high-school confessions you're getting out of me here.
  21. I've never skied and have no desire to do so.  I really have no business living in Utah.
  22. I have a Twitter account, but haven't tweeted since January 2.  It's too much pressure and I don't really see the point.
  23. I've lived in this time zone for almost 6 months, and STILL can't remember that the news comes on at 10 PM.
  24. I've never had a pedicure.
  25. I don't like ham.  Unless it's in an omelet.  Which is funny because I really don't care for eggs except in omelet form either. 
  26. I once had a co-worker tell me "Wow, you're a really good speller!"  Which is definitely a few steps down from being called pretty or funny.  I don't think it's even as good as being told you have a nice personality.
  27. I like to cross-stitch, but I don't do it often enough.  I made stockings for my kids and for my brother's kids.  I already have the pattern for their new baby, who is due in March.
  28. There are 19 blogs that I read nearly every day.  I only know 7 of these blog writers personally.  The rest I've been reading for so long that I feel like I know them.
  29. I hate buying socks.  When I need to buy new socks, I usually end up throwing out several packages before I find some I like.  The reasons I don't like them range from too tight to not soft enough to wrong height.
  30. I've been working on this list for almost two days.  I clearly like to make things more difficult than they need to be.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Maryann's Monday Madness

Yeah, I know it's Wednesday.  What can I say?  My friends are calendar challenged. :)

What song always makes you happy when you hear it?  Jose Cuervo

What was your favorite sitcom growing up?  Roseanne, Growing Pains

What favorite food puts you in a great mood?  Chimichangas! 

Who's the funniest person you know?   I only surround myself with funny people so it would be tough to pick the funniest.  And I've recently met a lot more funny people.

What was the best vacation you ever had?  Our trip to Disney in 2009

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?  Mitch

What is the first thing you notice in the opposite sex?  Facial hair

What's your middle name?  Elizabeth

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

I can't do a Ten on Tuesday today because we had yesterday off so today seems like Monday.  And I do Maryann's Monday Madness on Monday and she hasn't posted that yet this week.

So see, it's not my fault. 

Saturday, January 15, 2011

I Live for the Weekend

Saturday.  Now that Mitch is working weekends, the kids and I are pretty casual on the weekends.  Today, for instance, went something like this:

8:00 AM - We're all awake.  Sara and Jacob are reading books in Sara's room.  I let the dog out and catch up on what's new on the Internet since I went to bed 9 hours ago.

9:00 AM - Kids playing video games.  I'm trying to figure out whether or not to go to the end of the driveway to get the paper in my pajamas and slippers.  I don't want my slippers to get wet, you know.

9:30 AM - My mom calls.  Kids announce they want to go to Target to spend the $9 million in gift cards they got for Christmas.  I tell them no Target until their chores are done and retire to my room to talk to my mom while they clean.

10:00 AM - I shower.  Kids are still doing chores.

10:45 AM - My dad calls.  Not since my birthday have both my parents called me on the same day.  Weird.

11:10 AM - We leave for Target, via the Asian Buffet (yes, that's its name) for lunch.

12:30 PM - Return home with new video games.

1:30 PM - I take the dog for a walk.

2:00 PM - Dana calls during the walk.  I'm sure she's impressed by my level of out-of-shapness as evidenced by the heavy breathing caused by trying to walk and talk at the same time.  Or she was flattered.  She's at least kind enough not to mention it.

2:30 PM - I setttle in to watch football and update my calendar.  Sign Sara up for school testing and order her some birthday gifts.  I laugh hysterically at the Steelers misfortune.  Because I hate them.

4:30 PM - Mitch is going to call any minute to say he's on his way home.

You know, when you spell it all out like that, it LOOKS like we were busy.  At least the house is clean.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Church of the Poison Mind

There are things I don't talk about.  There are A LOT of things I don't talk about.  But mostly what I don't talk about is religion, politics, and sexuality. 

Why?

Because those are issues that are sure to cause debate, no matter where and when the subject comes up.  I have my opinions, I have my beliefs, I have my choices, and I don't see the need to explain myself to anyone else.  I'm also huge believer in letting others live their own lives as long as they are not causing harm to themselves or others.

We don't agree on political candidates?  If I like you, I really don't care.

You're gay?  I'm married so no one should be hitting on me anyway.  And please don't hit on my husband.  It just confuses him.

Religion?  I go to church.  I know what I believe.  I'm glad you have your beliefs.  But please don't belittle the beliefs of others because they aren't the same as yours.

You'd think since we've moved to Utah that this would be referring to the people here.  But it's actually not.  Maybe because I don't really know that many people here yet.  But in my experience of living in many different places, I've found that there are places where people tout their religion and use it to exclude others.  They use it to hold themselves over others.  They use their religion to say "I'm sure you're a decent enough person BUT you don't go to my church so you're not good enough for me."  They take every opportunity to say "You don't believe what I believe so you're clearly wrong."  They take situations and conversations that are not at all about religion to point out how devout they are.  I myself would rather see religion in action, as opposed to hearing it in words.

I'm glad you have your religion.  I'm glad it helps you.  Because if you need to use your religious beliefs to prove to yourself that you're better than other people, well, then you need all the help you can get. 


The highest result of education is tolerance.  - Helen Keller

Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one.  - Thomas Jefferson 

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

A list on imdb.com lists the top 250 movies rated by their users.  Here are 10 of them that I've never seen.

  1. The Godfather
  2. Pulp Fiction
  3. Schindler's List
  4. Fight Club
  5. The Matrix
  6. Taxi Driver
  7. WALL-E
  8. The Shining
  9. The Pianist
  10. Aliens
That's not to say that I've seen the others on the list.  These are just 10 that it seems like I should have seen at this point in my life.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Maryann's Monday Madness

You know the deal by now.

How big is your bed?  Queen

What music are you listening to right now? No music, except the background music on "Hoarders"

What are the last 4 digits in your cell phone number?  7937 - and you wouldn't believe me if I told you how long it took me to remember that.

What was the last thing you ate?  A bowl of bran flakes with bananas.  Needless to say, the dinner I actually made was yucky and we threw it out and ate cereal.

Who was the last person you hugged?  Jacob.  It was a sneak attack hug where I got him while he was playing video games, but it still counts, right? 

How is the weather right now?  Cold and 9 degrees.  9 degrees.  9 DEGREES. 

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Illinois Friends

Check out this post from my friend Maryann's blog  Illinois Silly Laws.  Most of guys break enough laws that you know about, I wouldn't want you to break any of these unintentionally.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Friday on My Mind

Sorry for the absence, folks.  I can't believe it's Friday already!  I thought this week would drag, especially after having 2 weeks off, but actually, it's seemed to just fly by. 

It was good to get everyone back to school, including me.  Sara stayed home on Wednesday with a bit of a cold and a sore throat, but she slept most of the morning and went back to school on Thursday.  It's been inside recess all week due to the snow on the playground being covered in an inch of ice, so while I feel sorry for the kids, I'm very happy to be warm while I walk around patrolling classrooms.  The kids are in their classrooms by themselves so I basically just roam the halls, poke my head in rooms and tell kids to stop running, stop throwing things, don't yell, get out of the coatroom.  It's to the point where Jake ran into the kitchen last night and I automatically said "Don't run please" in my school voice.  Scary.

Mitch started his weekend shift this week.  He will be working Thursday through Sunday, 10 hours a day.  Of course, he had to go in on Monday to do something and then Tuesday night they called and asked if he could come in on Wednesday, so it hasn't been real yet.  Or real great for him, since he'll only have one day off this week and next Monday and Tuesday he needs to go to the Guard and make up the weekend he's missing.  But it keeps him out of trouble, right? 

I signed the kids up for baseball and softball this morning.  I had to watch a 20 minutes video on "setting a good example" and take a quiz afterwards in order to get a secret number that I needed to register them.  I hope this is a good system.  Milwood Little League was so well run, I don't want to be disappointed.  They don't have a Little League here, and I did an Internet search on "youth baseball in Utah County" and the one I'd been looking at was the first hit.  They have a nice complex with about 7 or 8 fields, so I'm guessing it's a serious thing.  We'll see.

Sara and I are going to the University of Utah Gymnastics meet tonight.  We're very excited.  I'll probably leave way too early, as I often do, especially being Friday night.  But we'll find some place for dinner before and I'm not 100% sure where the building is so it should be good.  I'm sure I've driven past it on the way to the Children's Hospital there, since we drive right through the campus. 

Okay, I'm off to work now.  I'm hoping that the overcast look that has erased the mountains out my window is due to poor air quality as opposed to snow.  The kids have to stay in for poor air quality days, too.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Maryann's Monday Madness

You know the drill by now.  Thanks Maryann for recovering from your sickness long enough to do this!

Have you ever gone cow-tipping?
No.  I'm not a big fan of hooved farm animals.

What's your worst pet peeve?
People who make stupid sounds just to make noise.  Jacob does this and it drives me crazy.

What's your favorite horror movie?
Ummm...I can't even think of one.  I don't like horror movies.  The last one I saw was Saw and I only saw 20 minutes of that.  That was more than enough.

Do you do dance crazy when no one is looking?
I may occassionally dance, but I don't think it qualifies as crazy.  Okay, maybe it does.

Do you like to sing in the shower?
No, I talk to myself.  Of course, I talk to myself everywhere so I suppose it's not that special.

Whats your favorite colour?
Purple.

Do you like baths or showers?
Bubble baths.

Do you blow dry your hair? or just let it dry on its own, or towel dry?
I let it air dry for about 20 minutes or so and then blow dry it the rest of the way.

At the beach would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water?
I'd rather be at the hotel pool. in a nice sunny spot, not too far from the bar.

Do you think people should eat the fish they catch, or just let them go?
I like to eat them, and if you're not going to do that, you should just let them go. 

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Blog Promo

My friend Catrina has started a blog - she even named it after me!  I'm pretending it's because she loves me so much, not because she's trying to blame me for something I talked her into once again.  After 25 years, you'd think she'd realize that I rarely know what I'm doing, but I always love for my friends to follow along with me.

So check out her blog - she only has one post so far - but maybe if she gets enough peer pressure, she'll post more!  (She's a sucker for peer pressure.  See above paragraph.)

Her blog is here:  http://nancyknowsbest.blogspot.com/

See the name?  That's because she loves me so much!  Or something...