So, I play with string

I need a wife or maybe a cabana boy.

2012-01-26T10:42:00.000-05:00

Seriously. I know you're thinking "but Laurie, you're a SAHM---why do you need a wife? And furthermore, you don't have a cabana---why the cabana boy?!" Believe me, I've said the same thing.

Last month, Hunter had his ankle surgery to repair damage that was done over his military career. It's not good when the surgeon can't believe the size of a tendon. Or was it the ligament? Anyway. And the bone spur.

So, like most men (sorry guys, you know it's true!), he's not the best of patients. Add to the fact that he was a combat medic & has more than his fair share of medical knowledge, well yeah--not a good patient. To the point where he felt well enough to not wear his boot, not use his crutches, etc.

Two weeks ago, he was up before I brought Sunshine to school & was planning on running some errands. I'm still not sure if he tripped, stumbled, did whatever but there was a very strange, loud popping noise. I thought he hit his foot/ankle on the sideboard but no. It was this freakishly loud noise that came from inside his ankle. I know, it's still icky to me too.

He went back to the doctor & they decided to put a cast on him to provide stability & protection to his ankle. Which means crutches, and no driving.

Which brings us to today. I'm used to doing stuff around the house---cooking, cleaning, etc. I've done it as a temporary single mom thanks to numerous deployments/TDY/ etc. Hunter & I will both tell you that I have massive control issues & even allowing him to do certain chores after he'd come home from being gone. It's hard going from being the only one who can do things to having help. What's really hard right now is having the help only the help isn't very helpful. Which makes him feel really guilty. And that's not fair.

So, I need a wife. Or a cabana boy. I need someone who doesn't mind getting up 17 times to be the one to let the dogs out, run empty glasses into the kitches, get a snack, get another drink, let the dogs back in, unload the dishwasher, carry the laundry to the laundry room. Or this week's chore: steam clean the carpets. Seriously, I couldn't have done this prior to him having surgery? What was I thinking? Anyway, the hallway, Sunshine's room, & the dining room are done. I'm trying to figure out when will be the best time of day to do the living room--maybe before she goes to bed so we're not walking on it too much & it can dry overnight. I can't wait until we're able to put hardwood flooring in the dining & living rooms!

Book Fair is coming along nicely. This week I got our website done (easy peasy thanks to Scholastic), got the letter home written---along with a handy send back in volunteer form (again thanks to Scholastic), got the letter copied (600 copies, more or less) & got the letters home stapled to the flyer (thanks to my friend Kim). I need to get the sign up sheets for the teachers up late next week & have a workshop next week (complete with lunch--thanks to Scholastic). Sunshine is excited that there is a new Magic Tree House book coming out about Abraham Lincoln. I'm so glad she's enjoying this series---Hunter & I enjoy them too!

So, back to the crutches/cast thing. It's throwing a damper in our activities choices. I was hoping to go up to Callaway to the Butterfly Center this weekend but it's got a stairs & tends to get crowded. Not the best scenario for him. He goes back to the doctor on Tuesday so hopefully he'll be upgraded (downgraded?) to the boot & no crutches. Let's hope anyway!

Merry & Bright, Indeed!

2012-01-16T10:36:00.000-05:00

Merry & Bright Accessories Set

When we took Sunshine to the AG store in Atlanta last month she picked out the Merry & Bright holiday dress for her doll. While we agreed the Merry & Bright Accessories set was adorable--we're both suckers for snow globes, we agreed that I could make a nicer poncho for her doll.

Fast forward a couple weeks to yesterday when I went to Starbucks to knit in the morning. I CO Kirsten's Poncho Pattern & with LionBrand's Wool Ease in White/multi & went to town. I worked on it off & on throughout the day & finally finished while watching the Golden Globes.

Sunshine loves it & wants a matching one for herself which to me is the highest form of praise!

Saturday, just Saturday.

2012-01-14T22:11:00.000-05:00

Our first week back to school went well---getting up at 6/6:30 was difficult as we were used to getting up after 8 for 2 1/2 weeks but over all things were good. Tuesday was our first day back & the kick off for AR Celebration Week. I had 2 other moms helping me to blow up 137 balloons (at least I think that was the final tally) for the parade. Luckily the school has a helium tank otherwise I would have needed more than 2 volunteers! I may or may hot have forgotten to take the nozzle off the tank which could have been very.very.bad. Thankfully, it wasn't!

Hunter has class on Tuesday evenings this semester so Sunshine & I will have Girls Night once a week. This week she wanted to stay in & eat off our "fancy plates" in the dining room. Not sure what we'll be doing this coming week as the following night is a Spirit Night at Chick Fil-A for school & while I don't mind eating out two nights in a row, we're trying to be a little more frugal.

Wednesday I spent the entire day at school for Treasure Box Day. Every child gets a chance to come into the library & get a goody out of the box if they have taken at least 1 AR test during the semester. It's funny to see some of the things kids choose. Some are looking for really good things, others are happy with gum. We had some books & posters in addition to the usual Oriental Trading tchotchke stuff so the 5th graders who got to come first were very excited. We even had two teachers donate from their goody stash. Which reminds me, I need to write thank yous to them.

Thursday was my favorite day of AR Celebration Week---Hair & Face Paint Day. I admit to having zero artistic ability so face painting & I don't really get along, but I had two moms who are very artistically gifted who were able to really wow the kids with some of their designs. I choose to spend my time outside with the hair paint. Yes, the weather can be really hot or really cold. Yes, the aerosol fumes are killer at times. Yes, the kids were saying how cold the hair paint was. But holy cow, did we have fun. Sunshine's hair was pink w/ gold sparkles. Some kids chose 2 toned stripes, some chose full head of color. It's great to walk the halls & see all these kids w/ crazy colored hair.

Friday was my easy day. Which was good because we over slept (up at 7:15!) & then I conked back out for an hour after Sunshine went to school. On time, thankyouverymuch. I got to school around 11, made some copies for the PTA President, got those distributed & then grabbed lunch before the "Lunch & A Movie" day with the kids. We watched Jack & The Beans talk which was very cute. Our Supreme Bookatarian tries to find movies that 1) will meet the G rating guidelines for viewing in school w/out a permission slip & 2) the kids haven't seen a hundred times. I can honestly say this movie is definitely a must see.

We've had a nice Saturday today. Sunshine went to Starbuck's with Hunter for breakfast while I did some laundry. Then she & I went on a furniture mission for her AG doll. After reading various doll forums, I've learned that doll furniture/accessories can be had at various crafting stores. So, we headed to Hobby Lobby where we found a straw hat for her doll. It needs a little decorating with some ribbon before it'll be ready to wear. Sadly, no furniture. We then went to Joann's where some forum members have said they've found things. Nope. No such luck. Which is fine because I really don't like Joann's. Their store used to house our AC Moore. Which I loved. When I started knitting again in '04, I bought my needles & yarn there for the hat I made for Sunshine. I was seriously sad when they closed so Joann's could come in. We then went to Michael's where we found some unfinished wooden trunks which I told Sunshine would be very cute to hold her AG doll's earrings or other accessories. And that we could paint it or stain it. Nope. She wouldn't want that. Sadly, they didn't have any unfinished chairs or anything either. They did have a little wooden planter box with dividers that I've seen people have painted & used to replicate this. Granted, it wouldn't have the doll holder section in the back but that's fine. It's $10 vs. $85. What did my child do? Tries to barter with me. "Mommy, if you buy me this little bouquet, I'll let you buy the shelves." There are certain things that I will barter with her on, but not this. We left without the planter, but I'll buy it this week & fix it up for her birthday.

We had lunch at the always yummy Johnny's pizza, hit up our Goodwill store (again, people are finding AG stuff here) but apparently our store doesn't have that much good will. Get it? Hee!

While we were at lunch we talked about the need to hoe out some of Sunshine's toys. She's an only child who has a.lot. of toys. She's a kid---she's not at an age where getting clothes will excite her. She's also the only granddaughter on my side & Hunter's mom's only granddaughter as well. She's spoiled. There, I said it.

So we agreed that we'd pitch stuff that was broken (a Barbie bicycle comes to mind), missing parts or just not really usable anymore. Any toys that she wasn't playing with that much anymore could either go up into the attic for safe keeping. I'm really proud of her for agreeing to pitch stuff & stuff to go up into the attic. Her room & play area in the nook in the kitchen look much better.

Tonight has been all about football, specifically the Pats game. Obviously, being a New England girl, I'm a New England sports fan, except the Bruins. I'm a Montreal fan. Dad was too. So far the game's been great but I'm cautious. 35-7 is a nice lead but again---cautious!

One trend I wish would go away

2012-01-10T16:07:00.001-05:00

I've been on FB for a few years now. I've learned to watch what I say because you never know who's reading what you type. I've learned to watch what you post in pictures because there are pervs out there who prey on kids after looking at them on FB profiles. I'v learned that there are people who use FB as a mouthpiece to brag about their (seemingly) perfect lives, children, etc. I've learned that there are people who use FB as a mouthpiece to bemoan all that is wrong with their lives. I've also learned that there are people who use FB as their political/religious/cause du jour soapbox.

I'm a firm believer that your status is your business & if people don't like it, well, sorry but it's YOUR status.

I've blocked people whose statuses are continually annoying---excessive hatred of this political candidate or that candidate. People who do nothing but spew hatred toward others. People who cannot accept that while life may be hard, there ARE days that are good. That there IS a silver lining.

I recently had an extended family member inadvertently attack my religious beliefs. At least, I hope this status wasn't directed at me personally. Honestly, I don't think it was. They declared the Catholic church to be full of lies and implied that those who believed those "lies" were to apologize to Jesus & they would be forgiven.

I admit that I am not a practicing Catholic. In fact, I am a divorced Catholic remarried to a sort of Baptist. I'm torn about confronting this person because I won't want to make a big stink about something they posted on their own status page. But I really want to let them know that I find their words offensive. Personally offensive. If I were Jewish would it be okay to tell me that I was "wrong" (insert choice of vocabulary here) for not believing that Christ is the son of God? And should we choose to raise Sunshine in the Catholic faith, will I have to sit in judgement of this person's views? Will they tell Sunshine that SHE'S wrong in what she believes? I really hope not as I really would like to avoid confrontation with this person at all costs. And I really don't want them out of our lives for something so ridiculous as their inability (assumed inability) to control themselves when it comes to my faith.

With the election season upon us, I'm sure that I'll be ignoring more status updates. I just hope there are fewer attacks on what I've been taught to believe. It makes going to people's homes to visit very uncomfortable.

A week in pictures

2012-01-08T14:15:00.000-05:00

1 January---yarn, thank yous & a messy dining room table. 2 January---Christmas dishes clean & ready to be packed away. 3 January---an Iris blooms in our front yard despite 30 degree weather. 4 January---the 10th anniversary of our first date. We went to the very same restaurant. 5 January---Christmas decorations packed up & in the garage waiting to go up into the attic. 6 January---Proof you CAN fight city hall. Emails to the right people meant the path behind Sunshine's school has been repaired! 7 January---first FO of the year. A "Side by Side" dishcloth.

There's one more day of Christmas Break & then it's back to the grind. I don't know how my family is going to get used to waking up before 9am again! Especially me! In addition to going back to school on Tuesday, we have AR Celebration Week. I picked up 400 balloons the other day & now need help blowing them up on Tuesday for the kick off parade. Luckily I won't have to do all 400 but probably 100. There's a helium machine/device/whathaveyou at school but still, I'll need help tying them & holding them down in the work room.

Sunshine is at Monkey Joes with Hunter this afternoon & I'm contemplating a trip to the salon for a pedicure. Lord knows I need one but I'm feeling very lazy. I've also been spending time on various sites looking at ideas for Sunshine's bday in April. She indicated that she wants to go back to the AG store which I think would be a blast. Ideally Grandma would be coming with us. In the event that she can't come down here, I'm thinking about going up a couple weeks early to their Memories with Mom event & staying overnight. Several of the hotels do an AG package with snacks, treats & a little doll bed that you can take home. How cute would that be??

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T16:18:00.000-05:00

Thank you notes, 665 yds of alpaca to be wound together & one messy dining room table!

The first day of the year is cool---even if you have nothing major planned. The day is full of infinite possibility, regardless of what you're doing. I know my day has been so far.

We had our traditional late dinner last night--something we started the first year we were married. I have no desire to go out on New Year's Eve & pay elevated menu prices, elevated admissions, drunks on the road, baby sitter prices, etc. Ugh. No thank you! So every year we have snack around dinner time & start cooking around 9:30 or so. Last night we had some sausage puffs & then Hunter started our steak shortly before 10. So yummy. A champagne toast at midnight, me opening the door at midnight to usher 2011 out & then we were off to bed.

Today's been nothing short of wonderful. Nothing terribly exciting, but just a great day. I dropped Tinkerbell off at the groomer, ran to Target for a few things then off to meet Kristine to knit. I really didn't get any knitting done as I was mid-wind on the 665 yds of prime alpaca that I picked up at yarnhouse studios yesterday. I proceeded to unravel the poncho that I was working on for Sunshine to match her AG doll's. New year, new beginnings.

I got home in time for lunch & was disappointed to see that the Patriots game wasn't televised. So, I pulled up the app on my phone for updates, pulled up Sports Illustrated's page for more updates, was texting w/ JC (if I still lived in Boston, I'd be hanging w/ Julie all.the.time!) who was also giving me updates. Since I wasn't visually tied to the game I started organizing my knitting supplies. My official New Year's Resolution is to give up guilt---feeling guilty about saying no to things. While I was with Kristine today, I decided that my knitting goals would be to have no UFO's (hear that Cascade Fixation footies??? And that box stitch baby blanket??? Circa 2008. I'm looking at you!) this year. I'm going to finish the socks & have accepted that one of two things will happen to the blanket. Obviously. Well, 3 things could happen--1) leave it be. 2) Finish it or. . .3) frog it. I've decided that if I finish it, great. If I frog it (it's maybe 4". Maybe), that's fine too. The baby in question is now 3 years old. I don't know anyone else having a baby & unless I donate it (see how I play upon my own guilt? Donate it---that's the right thing to do!) there's really no need to finish it. We'll see what it's final fate will be.

So, I went room to room, putting away needles, going through my stash & prioritizing projects. First on the list is the Yahoo Monthly Dishcloth KAL. I've been doing these KALs off & on for almost 7 years. I enjoy them. It's a few rows a day & they're done twice a month. The upshot of dishcloths is they're quick & practical. And I almost never get bored with them. And, I have a huge rubbermaid container filled with cotton yarn. No I haven't counted how many balls. Do you think I really have the time to do that?!

Second is to finish my Cascade Fixation socks. They're anklets so it shouldn't take too long. And the pattern is easy so I can bring them with me to knitting on Mondays & still be able to talk w/out worrying about messing things up.

Next is my Columns of Leaves Scarf with the aforementioned 665 yds of alpaca.

After that we'll see what happens knitwise!

Happy New Year!!!

Drinking the Kool Aid

2011-12-29T11:02:00.000-05:00

I had a hard time coming up with a title for this entry. "A Rite of Passage", "A New Chapter", "Every Girl's Dream" all came to mind, but drinking the kool aid seemed appropriate as well.

Mecca for girls. . .and their crazed mothers.

Yesterday we trekked up to Atlanta to the AG store so Sunshine could spend the gift cards that she received for Christmas. Luckily, I had the forethought to ask whether she wanted to shop first or have lunch first. And even better, I booked reservations in the cafe as there was a 5 hour wait for walk ups.

AG is an amazing place for little girls. Dolls with every hair/eye color combination smile at you from every corner. Historical dolls have these wonderful displays & suck you in. Sunshine's decided that Santa will be bringing her Kit next Christmas. I guess she'll be telling GoGo about it??

There were little girls & their dolls EVERYWHERE. And their mothers. And their fathers looking like they'd rather be at the Starbucks outside in the mall. And their griping brothers who wanted to be anywhere but AG. We had a fair amount of gift cards to spend in the store but it seemed paltry in comparison to some of these people purchasing what looked like the equivalent of their mortgage payment.

We did some preshopping online & with the catalog so Sunshine knew how much she could buy. Unfortunately the skating outfit & ballet outfits were sold out so we're ordering them. It's amazing how quickly things add up in there! Sunshine went back & forth between the books, the historical dolls & the clothes. Luckily, her doll came with pierced ears & we agreed that the next time we go (see the kool aid? Next time we go) she can have her hair done. We finished our shopping in about 30 minutes & spent about 15 working our way through the check out line. I was actually impressed by how quickly it moved, all things considered.

We were about 15 minutes early for our reservation so I ran our bag out to the car while Sunshine waited inside with Hunter (who has taken to using a wheelchair in malls as it's easier than hobbling around on crutches).

New AG addicts at lunch

Our lunch was fun & luckily by the time we were finished eating, the store had almost cleared out. The volume in the restaurant had died down considerably as well. We had a 1pm reservation so I'm thinking the next time we go, we might want to do a later reservation or maybe do tea (as Hunter's aunt suggested later when we were visiting with her & her family. For the record, her daughter was an AG fan as well & is the proud owner of Samantha)

Sunshine, her Elizabeth doll, her mini-Felicity doll & monster ice cream sundae

While Sunshine has decided that Kit will be her next doll, she's also decided that a regular size Felicity would be nice. You know, for Elizabeth, since they're besties & all. You know how you can't go into Target for toilet paper w/out spending $150? They pump the same stuff into the air at AG. While we were at lunch, I found myself scouring Ebay looking for deals on Felicity. I had the sense to put my phone down while I ate & enjoyed the experience. I fully admit to searching when we got home after 9pm & may or may not have a couple auctions saved into my watch list.

Our final haul of the day? Two mini dolls (Felicity & Kit), 2 outfits, the Every Day Play earrings set, undies & 2 outfits to be ordered.

Sunshine wants to go back for her birthday & honestly, I think it would be great. I'm pretty sure that Kool Aid lasts a long time!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve. . .

Final Counting Down of the season. . .

Opening presents Christmas morning. . .

LOVE her!!!

And best of all, no more grief from Sunshine that Baby Jesus isn't out!

'Tis better to give than to receive

2011-12-24T16:46:00.000-05:00

There is nothing better than surprising someone on Christmas. Especially someone whose heart is bigger than the world. Someone who does so much for so many.

I don't want to name names or say too much but early this morning, a friend of mine posted about how she was going to have a meager Christmas due to the inability of others in her life to plan accordingly. Like I said---she does so much for those around her & is one of the sweetest people ever.

Knowing she wouldn't have a present tomorrow morning made me mad. And sad. It wasn't fair. So, I sent out a few messages on FB & told various mutual friends that I was planning on sending her something & they could get in on the something if they so desired.

They did. In the span of 2 hours we raised $200. People, I can buy you nice things w/ $200. So, a few clics of my touchpad later, e certificates were on their way to this darling girl. Her email to me was awesome. She said she was crying & we made her snot her mittens!

You know you've done something right when your gift recipient snots their mittens ;)

Sunshine is beside herself with anticipation of tomorrow morning. We usually let her open a gift on Christmas Eve & this year is no different. I have a special present in mind---it's a Cinderella snow globe that she picked out back in September. You know, when the stores set up their holiday displays.

So she starts negotiating gift opening times. "How's 7:30?" she asked. At this point it was 10am. I told her sure & went about my business. We went around visiting our neighbors & dropping off cranberry breads & pumpkin breads that we baked yesterday. Several of them had little gifts for Sunshine which was really sweet. We came home, had lunch & realized the Patriots game wasn't televised in Dixie. Which wasn't very nice. Hunter went to take a nap (he'd been out doing last minute shopping) & I was trying to get the game online. Sunshine came out early in the 2nd half & announced that she'd made a mistake & could we bump it up to 5:30. I said yes.

I'm sure she won't snot her mittens when she sees her presents, but will be thrilled with everything. We're having a low key Christmas which is fine, but the weather is killing me! It's 65 degrees! This is NOT Christmas weather, people!! I want snow! I want below freezing temps! I want to look out the window while we're opening gifts & see snow falling (like Christmas '08 at my parents house). We've decided that next year we're going to VT. Hopefully Sunshine will have the same Christmas break schedule (furlough days rolled into break rather than scattered throughout the year) & we won't feel we need to rush back. But I can definitely deal with a week (or more!) in my beautiful home state during the holidays. Sledding, snow, that chill in the air as you walk down the Church St. Marketplace. Yeah, I'm ready to be home for the holidays!

One tradition goes away

2011-12-22T23:10:00.000-05:00

Every Christmas we've taken Sunshine to see Santa. She was 8 months old the first time. It was ungodly hot that December & she's in short sleeves. Santa must have been stroking out in his suit. When she was 2 1/2, she was too afraid to see Santa so we took a picture of her standing on the side---watching him from afar. There are 6 pictures of her with him, in pretty red frames, gracing my mantel. It's something I've loved doing. Watching her little face light up when she caught sight of him & telling him what she wanted.

That ended this year. There will be no Santa picture with a 7 1/2 yr old Sunshine because today she told me she didn't want to go see him. Not just today, but this year & probably next too. Because, "Mommy, things are changing."

It didn't matter that Hunter talked to her &told her just how special those pictures are to me. It didn't matter that I told her how special they are. She didn't want to go.

We went to the National Infantry Museum to see The Polar Express at the IMAX theater, in 3d. I admit, I had a secret plan to go to the PX on the way home &wow! Santa's here---can't we grab a quick pic. Don't judge.

Since Hunter is still on crutches, he was offered use of a wheelchair & we were escorted to the elevator up to the rear of the theater. I have to say that it was the best view! Forget sitting in the middle of the theater---next year, we're in the last row!

Sunshine proclaimed that she still believes in Santa &; that she could hear the bell ring because she believes, but still refuses to go see the big guy.

It makes me so sad to accept that she really is becoming this big kid. I remember the Christmas that Santa brought her a sleigh bell & left it under my parents tree. She had opened all of her presents & there, way in the back was this box with her name on it. She opened the box & her eyes grew as big as saucers when she saw the bell. The joy I felt that morning is a feeling I will never forget.

I know that we only have a couple years left where she does believe, probably one. Maybe this will be the last year, I don't know.

Olive Oyl's a skank

2011-12-19T12:02:00.000-05:00

I know, it's the holidays & not nice to talk such smack about people, but let's call a spade a spade here people.

Last month we switched cable/phone/internet companies & went back to the provider we'd had for 10 years. We foolishly switched to another company when we bought our house as they were offering this crazy cheap deal. A year later the rates doubled, the level of customer service plummeted & we found ourselves without phone/cable/internet intermittently for over a year. It was nothing to have our phone out for 3-4 days & nothing other than an "oh we're so sorry" from this company.

So when we switched back to the company we love we discovered we now get the Boomerang channel. I was happy because Josie & the Pussycats and Penelope Pitstop are regularly shown. Sunshine was thrilled with those two but also that Popeye is on in the morning when she's eating breakfast. I admit, I'm a Popeye lover from way back. I credit him with my love of all forms of spinach. Even canned. Seriously, my mother will vouch for me.

It hit us the other day that Olive Oyl is a major skankasaurus. Sunshine commented that OO wasn't "very nice to Popeye" because she threw him over to hook up with Bluto. I'm guessing that if Bluto were on the Jersey Shore, he'd be known as a "gorilla juice head" & that both he & Popeye are on the juice. Have you looked at the size of Popeye's forearms? Those aren't natural.

But OO does this all the time. She's got this baby & we've never been told who Sweet Pea's father is. Maybe it's Popeye, maybe it's Bluto. Maybe it's another sailor from their ship. Who knows. But she'll be on a date or whatever with Popeye & ol' Bluto will show up w/ his big ol' chest, bad facial hair & swaggering ways & the next thing you know, Popeye's getting his butt beat, humiliated in front of skankapotamus OO & has to resort to his drug of choice----canned spinach. Granted, he always wins in the end, but the humiliation factor is unreal. How can his ego take this abuse day in and day out?

Hunter had his post op appointment today & it seems everything is going as hoped which is good. We go back in 10 more days & hopefully he'll be given the green light to drive again.

I'm on my way to school to be Room Mom & help the kids make glitterific ornaments. I'm sure Sunshine's going to choose pink. Luckily, I bought an extra package so we can make some in different colors for our family tree & for hers.

Happy Monday!!!

It's a conspiracy!

2011-12-18T14:03:00.000-05:00

As we know, I am in need of a 12 step program for china. In a bad way. I started my Spode Christmas Tree collection in 2002 when Hunter & I first got married. That year's purchase was a star shaped candy dish. That one little dish turned into a yearly purchasing tradition. Dishes followed, serving pieces, wine glasses, high ball glasses, candy dishes, ornaments, etc.

This year I purchased bowls as we use our Spode as our daily dishes starting the day after Thanksgiving & until New Year's Day (or the day after). I was thinking that maybe a few more salad plates & dinner plates would be nice to have.

But there's something rotten in Denmark, or at least Columbus as NO ONE has the dishes. Well, not entirely true. Dillards & Macy's do. But I'm looking at TJ Maxx & Marshall's as they tend to be a little cheaper. We have 2 TJ's & 1 Marshall's store. All 3 are sold out. HOW is this possible?? Suddenly everyone is buying Spode?? They better be buying for me!

I'm debating going to Macy's/Dillards after Christmas & seeing what they have but GAH! No Spode?!!!!

Piggy Backing

2011-12-15T18:43:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned in my last post, my New Year's Resolution is to give up feeling guilty about things that are out of my control or at the very least, to not feel guilty when I say no to things.

A very wise woman whom I'm fortunate enough to call a friend shared this list on FB earlier today.

Food for thought, no?

The Crazy Train Pulls Into The Station

2011-12-14T22:37:00.001-05:00

Do you mind if I vent about something? I mean, it's my blog & I can do what I want (said like a petulant 5 year old) but do you mind?

So, yesterday was the second day of the Secret Santa Shop (SSS). We knew things would be busy as we gave the teachers 1 hour slots this year. Yesterday was early release day so we lost 2 shopping hours. Two very precious shopping hours as we had a couple teachers doubling up during one slot.

Our PTA President works part time for big name insurance company headquartered here. Yesterday she had to go into their headquarters for a meeting & was planning on coming in to help as soon as the meeting let out. Our Fall Festival Chair person had to go to work as she'd missed the last 4 days because of a sick child. The SSS chair was at her part time job as well. So, it left me & another mom to run the show. We're hard core, we can do this.

Things went south when she was ringing on the register & I was wrapping gifts. And by going south, I mean she messed up & loudly proclaimed "SH*T!" In front of half a dozen kids. And while this is happening, her husband is texting/calling her. We switch jobs & she's on the phone while wrapping. I hear the following come out of her mouth: "I can't leave. Laurie would be all alone in here"

The next few minutes are a blur as there are dozens of children in the shop, her phone is ringing & next thing I know she says "I have to go & do something for him"

PTA volunteer say what?

Leave? Me? NOW? With no one to help me? This just isn't done!

But dear readers, it WAS done. Chick leaves me high & dry. And riding the crazy train at that.

At some point, one of the 4th grade teachers came in with her class & told me she'd help wrap. And as soon as some of her super reliable kids had shopped/paid/been wrapped they'd help me too.

I tell you, it took a village, or at the very least, a 4th grade class to make this SSS happen yesterday.

And, may I add that you know people feel really bad for you when teachers are suggesting you go home & have a drink when school lets out at 12:30. Teachers, plural. I may or may not have taken their advice---I'll leave you wondering on that ;)

Today was Hunter's ankle surgery---apparently things were quite messy in there. His ligament (or was it tendon?) was as thick as his doctor's finger & a bone spur had developed to mess things up even more. He twisted it over the summer while mowing the lawn & things just never got better. He went from a brace to a boot to a cane to an MRI to today's surgery.

He drove himself in at 5 am as we both agreed that waking Sunshine & having her ride in w/ us would be awful for her. So after I dropped her off at school, I started my trek to one of the civilian hospitals. After a quick diversion to the PO to pick up my Mom's Christmas presents for us.

We got home around 1:15 & he's spent most of the day in bed with his foot elevated. He's in a bit of pain & so far hydrocodone's not helping much. We'll see if things are better tomorrow or whether we need to get something else to help him feel better.

And, can I tell you about the cold therapy unit? It's a COOLER with electric cables plugged into it. Seriously. A cooler. You know the person who created this thing is rich from it. A cooler, people! *shakes head*

Tomorrow is my other day off from the SSS. I felt incredibly guilty about taking 2 days off. Never mind the fact that our VP is never around for anything, saw I was alone on Tuesday & left me to go back to her son's class, but told me to "call" if we needed help or anything. What did she think I needed when it was me & some 4th graders running the show? You'd be right if you said a xanax & a big ol' cocktail, but they frown on stuff like that in elementary schools. You'd also be right if you said "OH! Laurie, you needed someone to pitch in & help you!" And I'd give you a big ol' prize for that correct answer.

So, back to my guilt. It's awful. I didn't help out at Family Fit Night last Spring because Sunshine had a knot on her head from falling the day before & honestly, I didn't want to leave my house. I was beating myself up for days over that one. Then, the weekend before Fall Festival I skipped out of Beautification Day at school. I worked like a dog at the one before school started & was sick that afternoon. The best guilt trip I took was during Book Fair---you remember Book Fair--it's how I got started in this whole PTA Crazy Train trip. So back during Book Fair in September we also host a Grandparents Breakfast on that Friday. I'm already running & working a major fundraiser. I've done the planning, the scheduling, the copying, the set up, the working, & will be working the break down so I can have my margarita w/ our librarian. BUT, as I'm signing checks for the breakfast (I'm also the Treasurer, remember? Yes, I'm insane), I'm apologizing like a fiend because I can't help with the breakfast.

Seriously. Insane. I know it---it's okay, you can say it.

Yes, I have a hobby. I knit. At PTA functions sometimes. Book Fairs at least.

So, yesterday as I was fuming over being ditched for some errand to the Dollar Tree, I was writing my letter of resignation to the PTA. I was going to give up the Treasurer's position, tell them they could forget about me being either Secretary or Treasurer next year & that I'd do Book Fair & nothing more. I know, I'll never actually write that letter but the fantasy of doing it helped me through the situation.

When I was telling Hunter about my awful day & how I was ditched for the DOLLAR TREE!!!!, I told him how I felt guilty about being gone for 2 days. He just shakes his head & tells me that I really need to share my thoughts with people about certain situations. I'm not sure about that. I don't think that this woman needs to know what I think about her Dollar Tree mission. Not if I don't want my tires slashed. Or worse.

It hit me that my New Year's Resolution will be to give up feeling guilty. I will do the jobs I've volunteered for & that's it. Someone else can pick up the slack. Things won't fall apart if I don't have a hand in them. And I'm sure there are other moms & dads who want to be more involved. Aren't there??

So tomorrow I'm going to do some knitting, get my Christmas cards written out & addressed & possibly go for a hot stone massage pedicure if my patient is okay.

And I will NOT feel guilty about it!

The Crazy Train Has Left The Station

2011-12-12T07:21:00.000-05:00

and I'm in the first car!

My crazy week has officially begun. On Saturday, we spent 4 hours setting up the Secret Santa Shop for the kids & had a brief PTA Board meeting. Brief partly because our agenda wasn't terribly long, but also because it was after 3 & we'd all been there since 10:30. I was so tired the rest of the day!

Today is the first day of Secret Santa & in true "can't say no" Laurie fashion, I'm working from 8-2. It'll probably be more like 230 as we'll have some parents coming in to shop with their children. I also need to make copies for Sunshine's teacher & get them distributed to the kids myself as the letter contains a request for donations for her teacher's gift. I'm making a gift for her myself, but I've found that if you go in on a joint gift, sometimes you have better options. We'll see if the parents agree!

Tonight is my Knit Night where I'll work on Sunshine's teacher's scarf.

Tomorrow is Secret Santa until early release at 12:30 then we'll dash home, get Sunshine into her pretty dress, head over to get her hair trimmed & then to the mall to get our annual Santa picture. I was so excited to find red frames at World Market last weekend when I was there. Now all of our pictures will have the same frames! We also have to work on her Mary Musgrove presentation. Not having been raised in GA & semi ignorant of the founding/early days of GA, I wasn't aware of who she was until Sunshine came home talking about her, James Ogelthorpe & Tomochichi. BTW, hearing her say Tomochichi is the cutest thing ever.

Wednesday is Hunter's surgery day. Prayers, please. Not just for him, but for me as he'll be restricted to 2 - 3 weeks w/ no weight on it. Have I mentioned that we're going to the American Girl Store w/ Sunshine exactly 2 weeks post surgery? In a mall. Where walking is required? I may have to get him a scooter.

The upshot about Wednesday is I'll have time to get some knitting done while I'm in the waiting room. Hopefully I can finish that day. I'm anticipating staying home from SSS on Thursday as well & will have time to address my Christmas cards, upload games/music to Sunshine's ipod touch that Santa is bringing on Christmas & hopefully do some work on the PTA Treasury records (filing paperwork & such). It'll also give me a chance to get some cleaning done.

Friday is the last day of the SSS so we'll break down & put away anything that doesn't sell for next year, count some $$ & head to the bank.

And then I'll just have 2 days of school to worry about ---ornament day & brownie tree decorating day. But those should be fun & less chaotic than this week.

Happy Monday & feel free to board the Crazy Train with me. I'll make room on the first car for you!

Fire

2011-12-10T19:13:00.000-05:00

Hunter & I don't do big anniversary or Christmas gifts, usually. There have been years where I received a particularly nice piece of jewelry or the armoire that goes with our bedroom suite. But we try to keep smallish. Really, the Kindle Fire is smallish. As in 7" tablet small.

I'm an iphone/ipod type of girl by nature. I like things that don't have too big of a learning curve out of the box. I want it to work IMMEDIATELY. Like yesterday. Like a 4 year old wanting to tear into their cake & presents BEFORE the party starts type of immediately.

I've had a bit of a learning curve with my Kindle & have much frustration with the Vanity Fair app not accepting my sign in, despite 5 days worth of communication between VF's customer service & my email. But so far I am LOVING this device! Luckily, my favorite bookatarian has one & has been wonderful about sharing sites/freebies/etc. Today, I downloaded 4 free books as a result of her sharing this info!

I'm also bone tired. Today we set up for the Secret Santa Shop at school. Five of us showed up to get everything done & it took us about 3 hours. This is the calm before the storm. Every time slot is filled on the teachers' sign up sheets. And despite my working Monday, Tuesday & Friday from 8-2, I'm still feeling guilty that I won't be there on Wednesday & possibly Thursday as Hunter is having surgery on Wednesday. I think my New Year's Resolution for 2012 is to work on that whole feeling guilty because I can't be everywhere all the time.

I'm just over 50% finished knitting the scarf for Sunshine's teacher. I'm planning on working on it tonight & hopefully will have it finished by Thursday so I can block it in time to give to her on the 20th (last day of school before break). I also want to try to work on a scarf for Sunshine's Kindergarten teacher. Sunshine started at this school in January '10 so technically, I'm free & clear for not having a Christmas present for a teacher she didn't have at that time. But, my original plan was to give her a knitted gift at the end of the year, only it never happened. I have the ribbing to finish on my Mara shawl & could give that to her, but was thinking about using some yarn that was gifted to me by Kristine (everyone's favorite bookatarian). I could work something on larger needles & have that finished by the 20th as well if I am home with Hunter for the day of his surgery & the day after. Hmmm, something to try to do.

Shopping

2011-12-08T12:58:00.000-05:00

Not Christmas shopping, not shopping for myself or family. But shopping at the school district's clothing bank with two special needs children. One of whom lives in a foster home.

Our PTA brings children twice a year, or as needed to the Sara Spano Clothing Bank. I worked there last Spring & helped a little girl who touched my heart. This year, I've been promoted to driving/shopping with the children. I'm the contact person for the PTA so I'm automatically on the drive committee along with our PTA President. We took a special needs boy in the fall. He's a sweet boy & worked well with us as we told him he had to try on the clothes we were picking out &if he was good, we'd take him to McDonald's afterward. Over lunch, he told us about how he'd moved to GA from WI, the amount of snow he was used to & what his hobbies were. I'd see him in school periodically & he'd high five me. When I realized I hadn't seen him in a while, I asked his teacher. He's currently living in a battered woman's shelter with his mom.

Today, we went with M & M. She's 5 & he's 10. Both have special needs. One lives in foster care. Both have such sweet little eager faces that it just breaks my heart to think about their situations.

A busload from another school managed to get into the building ahead of us. Once one of the admins realized we had 2 special needs kids, she pulled me aside & got us signed in. Since there were 3 of us (PTA President, myself & the aide for our 5 year old) and only 2 kids, we were asked if we'd mind helping a child from another school. I helped a boy who was a total sweetie. We had fun filling his bag & I kept going back to find more clothes. It's not as cold here as it is in other parts of the country, but it's cold. I stopped counting after 8 shirts went into his bag. He gave me a hug & high five when he went back with his school.

We took our kids to McDonald's for lunch & things were fine until we were almost back to school. Our 5 yr old lost it. Took off her seat belt, tried to open the locked door, screaming, crying, etc. When we got back to school, her teacher put her in a keeping area where she told me the same thing happens daily at 11:30. Total & utter melt down. I've been home for a little over an hour & I can still hear the screaming in my head. Trust me, Sunshine's had some major screaming melt downs, but nothing like this. The desperation in that little voice---so sad.

As I was leaving school, I passed one of the 2nd grade teachers who was bringing her class back from the lunch room. We stopped to chat for a couple minutes & she asked what I had been up to this morning. I told her & she just shook her head. "Thank you for everything you do. You ladies may think that people don't notice or appreciate it, but they do. And you're making the difference for children who really need it." she said.

Thank you, Mrs. J. I needed to hear that today.

Nine

2011-12-04T10:11:00.001-05:00

As in 9 years ago, Hunter & I were married. If you've read my blog for a while, you know he had been home from 6 months in Kuwait for a week & that he would leave to go back a month later for the build up to OIF. The next time that I'd see him would be July '03.

I'm fascinated by numbers & find it interesting that both of our birthdays are on the 4th of the month, our anniversary is the 4th, our daughter was born in the 4th month of the 4th year. I also love the old wive's tales about things, such as when to marry:

"Married in days of December cheer, Love's star shines brighter from year to year."

"When December's snows fall fast, Marry, and true love will last."

Having chosen the month, next the day of the week must be decided upon, and here we find:

" Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, And Saturday no luck at all."

In 2002, December 4th was on a Wednesday. We were married at high noon.

Like all married couples, we've had our fair share of ups & down, trials & tribulations but we've always remembered our commitment to one another. Plus, we joke that when we got married we signed a 35 year contract & that we'd be up for negotiations when the 35 years were up.

I don't things will change after those negotiations except for Hunter having to fold more laundry & unload the dishwasher. Oh, and to stop using the sink as a staging area for the dishwasher!

It really was the bad panettone!

2011-12-03T23:32:00.000-05:00

When the ILS were here for Thanksgiving, much panettone was consumed. I had picked one up at the commissary only to discover that MIL brought two! After eating one that she brought & then starting on ours, she proclaimed that ours was better & what brand was it? When they left, they left us the other "bad" one.

So this evening I decided that a slice was in order as the Virginia Tech Hokies were losing (badly) to Clemson. As I was slicing my slice, I managed to slice my pinkie. Maybe it was the fates not appreciating my calling VT the "chokies", maybe it was my conscience sending subliminal messages about how I didn't really NEED that slice but ow!! Owie, ow, ow!

Holy cow, that cut bled. A lot. Luckily I live with a retired combat medic who can handle things like this. Because I'm not really good at pouring peroxide over my bleeding (profusely!) finger. At all. And I can't wrap my own pinkie when it's bleeding (profusely!). I'm still not convinced that I don't need stitches but let's just hope that I don't.

Today was a really great day too. I met up with super bookatarian & knitter, Kristine. We went to lunch (Jason's Deli---so yummy!), drove to Opelika to Yarnhouse Studio where we ran into Lacey then onto World Market where I found some awesome red frames for Sunshine's annual pic with Santa as well as some other goodies. I splurged & bought some Lantern Moon needles which I'd been lusting over for a while as well as some yarn for a Secret Santa giftee.

I scored a major score on Ebay---a discontinued American Girl doll that shares Sunshine's name. Super amazing mint condition (the seller emailed me to let me know she'd never been played with, only displayed!) & will be a Santa gift for Sunshine on Christmas morning. Santa doesn't wrap our gifts so we know what comes from Santa & what comes from family. I had already bought an AG gift card & wrote a letter from Santa letting Sunshine know she could choose her own doll but now she can use the card to buy clothes/goodies for her new doll. Did I mention what a great deal I got on her??

We put our trees up a week ago after Hunter's family left to go back to VA. Sunshine's tree is decorated with my Barbie ornaments, her Princess ornaments & other ornaments that we've made (glitter balls).

Ours has about 80% of our ornaments on it---I usually buy one ornament a year but went a little um, crazy at the end of last year & bought several Waterford glass ball ornaments on clearance. Then I bought a covered bridge one in Stowe, VT when we were home. And then 3 more when Tuesday Morning brought in some pretty German glass ones. I do want to add another string of lights as the two we have on it just aren't enough.

We have our stockings hung on the mantel & our mouse tail on her "counting down" mouse from PreK. I'll get those pics loaded as soon as my pinkie stops throbbing!

Loss

2011-11-30T22:08:00.000-05:00

I still read my hometown newspaper as part of my morning routine---take the dogs out, wake Sunshine, fix our breakfasts, pour my Diet Coke & sit down to check email/news.

This morning I was greeted by very sad news when checking the obituary section of hometown paper. My US History teacher from high school died. The news spread fast on Facebook where friends shared the link. My hometown's "You Know You're From . . ." page was flooded with posts about his passing. People shared stories of how he impacted their lives. He was a teacher & coach to many of them in high school. As adults, he was a friend, someone who frequented their businesses, a neighbor.

My father knew him growing up & they both shared a love of baseball. My father played varsity ball while Mr. B was in junior high & he looked up to my Daddy. When I was in high school they'd rib each other about the old days.

When I was in his class I was a good student---honor roll, gifted program, varsity athlete, activities queen. If I liked your class, you had my undivided attention. And I loved Mr. B's class. I wasn't terribly interested in History but in his class I was. My love of History, which I still have today, was born in that class. My interest in politics would come a year later when he taught our "Government" class.

Teachers, be they good, bad or mediocre, leave such an impression on their students. They inspire. They instruct. They change lives.

So tonight, as I sit here crying (as I have done off & on throughout the day), I'm grateful for a man who not only touched my life, but the lives of hundreds, probably thousands of kids from my hometown. There's a line in "It's A Wonderful Life" that goes Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

I'm grateful that Mr. B was in my life for a brief period of time.

Where is Baby Jesus?

2011-11-26T21:55:00.000-05:00

Every Christmas my Mom puts out her Creche (Nativity Set/Scene for you non-French Canadians). The big names are there: Mary, Joseph, 3 wise men, as well as the supporting cast---the angel, the shepherds, various stable animals, etc. But Baby Jesus is NEVER there.

Why you ask? Because he hasn't been born yet, silly.

This is a tradition I've followed as long as I've put out any sort of Creche/Nativity as an adult. Today, it irked the holy hand grenades out of Sunshine. "Mommy, where is Baby Jesus? Where did you hide him? WHERE IS HE??? WHY do you hide him???" So when I spoke with my mom this evening, I told her she needed to explain to Sunshine that SHE is the one who taught me that Baby Jesus doesn't arrive on the scene (so to speak) until Christmas morning. It's the first thing I do on Christmas morning, after I check the clock to see what time Sunshine's woken up.

So, what does my Mom do tonight? Does she tell Sunshine that Jesus' birthday is December 25th & that's when we put him in the Creche? No, the woman dimes out my father! "Oh Laurie, your father was the one who would argue that Jesus wasn't born yet & it wasn't right to put him out yet"

So, as you can see, Sunshine was allowed to put Baby Jesus into her Creche & into Hunter's. Mine? No way. Baby Jesus is hiding in a tea cup in the hutch until Christmas morning.

Just the way my Daddy would want it.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-25T14:41:00.000-05:00

Our first Thanksgiving hosted in our house and in our newly renovated dining room.

My compliments to my super wonderful husband who stuffed the bird.

Our table---the place mats & napkins are were Hunter's grandmothers, as was the china. It made for a very special table.

Hope you & yours had a safe & happy holiday. We're putting our tree up tomorrow & Sunshine just can't wait!

And if you go shopping this weekend---be kind to those poor souls working in the stores. They deserve nothing but kindness from you. While you were sleeping last night, they were at work because people HAVE to have that deeply discounted tv!

Dining Room Redux

2011-11-23T13:21:00.001-05:00

When we bought our house we knew that there were many "original" features---the original vinyl floor in the kitchen, the 1991 wallpaper in the kitchen, dining room (pictured above), Sunshine's bathroom & our bathroom. We took care of various rooms before the dining room as we used the breakfast nook for meals. The dining room was what Sunshine referred to as the "game room" If you look in the far right of this first pic, you can see the scary kitchen wallpaper. It was a pain to peel.

I knew that eventually I wanted to do something with it----I didn't like it as a game/play room & when Hunter's grandparent's hutch arrived & suddenly I felt that I really had to get the dining room finished. And since we're hosting Thanksgiving this year, why not get it done now.

The first thing we did was peel the wallpaper below the chair rail & above. Our original plan was to put in wainscoting below the chair rail. Hunter ripped out the chair rail & base boards so I could have at it while painting. Until I decided (after painting the kitchen AND dining rooms) that I didn't want to paint the wainscoting. But the chair rail & base boards were gone. UGH! He didn't bat an eye, returned the wainscoting & bought more chair rails & base boards. I finished painting on Thursday of last week & he installed them over the weekend. BTW, that table? SO heavy!!! I am not meant for furniture moving! Pardon the scruffy looking dog in the picture---she needs a bath & grooming desperately!

Remember my post about art work? These bird prints hung in his grandparents house in VA. They're not really my style but they work well in the dining room. And they provide memories for Hunter.

This is our new/old maple dresser that we found at one of my favorite antique stores Gina's Junk here in Columbus. Gina owns her building/property so her prices are better than any shop I've ever been in. We have several pieces from her (a Thomasville writing desk, Bassett sideboard, a wicker chair, wicker table & a beautiful painted basket. Oh, and some vintage bud vases to replace mine that were accidentally broken when they met granite counter tops!). Gina's got a great eye, knows her stuff & like I said, the price is right! This piece needed very little work---a good cleaning & a quick fix on one of the drawer pulls. The painting above it was done by Hunter's great aunt. The lamp & candy dish are vintage.

We're ready for the ILs to invade later today & are doing some last minute tidying up. I've made my Memere's meat stuffing & am hoping to make MIL's cranberry relish tonight so there's less work for tomorrow.

Things that should be personal

2011-11-19T12:21:00.000-05:00

no, nothing like *that*. I'm talking about art. Art that you hang in your home & look at everyday.

Many years ago, when Hunter & I were engaged, I was tasked with redecorating our apartment. He was in Kuwait for 6 months & felt the apartment needed a woman's touch. My touch. I poured over magazines, HGTV, DIY, you name it. A friend told me to look in the Penney's catalog, find a page I liked & order everything down to the art on the walls.

Excuse me? The art on the walls? Some random pictures? Just thrown up there, because? Ugh, no.

I grew up in a home where the art that graced my parents walls had meaning. Whether it was the portrait of my sister that my aunt (a very talented artist) painted after my sister died or whether it was a sketch of my grandparents homestead that my brother did in a college art class. When you looked at it, it evoked a feeling. It brought back memories. It wasn't just *there*. It meant something.

Our living room is our "Paris" room. We have an oil painting that Hunter inherited from his grandmother when she died 4 years ago. I remember it being in her home & always commenting on what a beautiful piece it was. She'd smile & say that Hunter did too & that she wanted us to have it, eventually. When Hunter went to Paris years ago, he came home with a sketch of the backside of Notre Dame that graces our mantel. When we went in '08, we came home with two watercolors that represent 2 of our favorite places in Paris: Monmartre & the Left Bank. The Monmartre print has been framed but the price of custom framing has left our Left Bank print rolled up & stored away. I really need to find a Michael's coupon & get it done as the wall behind our sideboard is bare!

This past week we've (I've) painted the kitchen & dining room. This means new art--or updating the artwork we have. Over the summer, I bought a beautiful Katharine Montstream print of Burlington & Mount Mansfield as seen from the waterfront. It's hanging in our kitchen. Several years ago when I was home I discovered a watercolor of the Chateau Frontenac that I bought in Quebec City many, many years ago (1985!!) during a weekend visit in high school. I was able to find a frame to fit & had a matte cut. Now it's hanging in our kitchen as well. We have a beautiful P. Buckley Moss print that MIL/FIL bought us for Christmas 2 years ago that I'm embarrassed to admit isn't framed yet. What is it with me & custom framing? Again, Michael's coupon. Eventually the Moss print will hang in the kitchen.

Which leads us to the dining room. Our china cabinet takes up one wall in the room. We bought a beautiful low maple dresser to use as a buffet/sideboard but what would hang above it??? Don't even suggest random art from catalogs here! I was putting away some yarn in the guest room closet & remembered we have 4 bird prints that once hung in Hunter's grandparents house. Not anything I would buy, but they mean something to him. They bring back happy memories of time spent with his grandfather & grandmother at their home. Would he want to hang them in the dining room? The frames match the finish on the china cabinet as well as our table/chairs so it's really a no brainer.

Today is Hunter's day to replace the chair rail & baseboards. I could kick myself for the whole wainscoting thing, but eh. Live & learn.

Hope you have a great weekend!!

It's finally over!

2011-11-18T08:51:00.000-05:00

Three long days wearing paint splattered clothes, paint gunking up my fingernails, my hair pulled back & no makeup.

But the kitchen & dining room are finally finished! Say it with me---PHEW!

I had painted the kitchen when we bought our house after stripping the wallpaper off. Which was oddly cathartic. The wallpaper peeling, not the painting.

We (I) chose a pretty blue that brightened up the room with a darker blue to go under the chair rail in the breakfast nook. It looked great until we pulled up the floor & counters & put in hardwood & a darker granite counter. Both of which are dark brown (dark brown/black for the counter) & threw the blue off kilter. It just didn't look right but I couldn't decide on a color. Just like I STILL cannot commit to a back splash. More on that in another post.

I finally decided that going one shade lighter than the living room would allow the colors to flow without being all one tan room, one yellow, one red, etc. I decided to go two shades darker under the chair rail in the breakfast nook as we were taking the kitchen table out of there & putting it into the dining room. The nook will be a little home office area.

On Sunday I painted the entry area by the back door & decided the color looked really nice. On Tuesday I went full force with the painting---the drop cloth, edging tool, skinny brush for corners, the roller, wet cloth for smudges & the 80's station on the tv. I had planned on stopping around 1230 to get cleaned up but it was more like 130. Same with Wednesday. Yesterday I started at 830 & finished the dining room at 11. Last night I finished below the chair rail as I realized that putting in wainscoting was a great idea but more work than I really wanted to put in. Hunter would be putting in the wainscoting (as well as replacing the chair rail & baseboards). I'm done with painting---I don't want to wait for him to finish his end so I can finish mine. So we (I) decided to keep the same color throughout & it looks great. Very warm & cozy. Well, neutral warm. Now on to the furniture flipping & decorating!

Sunshine's school is having their Military Appreciation Day today so we are off to get ready to go. They're also catering lunch for the military families which is really nice. I hope it's something yummy!

Have a great weekend!!

Happy Knitterversary to me!

2011-11-13T18:15:00.000-05:00

Seven years ago I had a 7 month old baby, the weather was turning cool & there was a knitted baby hat pattern in a baby magazine that I'd stare at. Daily. I copied the pattern & meant to send it to my mom & MIL in hopes that one of them would make it for Sunshine.

I never mailed it to either one of them. It sat on our desk for what seemed like forever. I'd look at it every day as I'd check email & my Ivillage Expecting Club turned Baby Board. And I'd think that I was pretty sure I remembered how to cast on. And I remembered how to do the knit stitch. And I remembered that purling involved the yarn & needle going through the front of the stitch. I knew that I couldn't remember how to bind off but between the people at AC Moore & various internet sites, I'd figure it out.

So one day, my beautiful 7 month old baby & I trotted off to AC Moore (oh, how I miss you!! Curse you, Joanns! Curse. You!) where I bought 2 skeins of Baby Teri Yarn (one pink, one green) and the required size 6 & 8 needles.

As you can see, my stripes aren't even, the shaping on the top isn't right & seriously, it's the lamest pom pom ever. But for my first project in nearly 20 years, it was pretty darn good. So good in fact, that 2 friends requested I make hats for their babies. And they'd pay me.

As you can see, my hats got better. This one was one of Sunshine's favorites. She's pretty much always been a pink girl!

The frightening stage of fun fur scarves (carried with homespun or some other yarn) on large needles followed & was quickly left by the wayside, thankfully. I then ventured into baby ponchos. I mad LOTS of those. Sunshine & her little girl friends were well turned out that spring. I also made 12 for the baby girls at our Ivillage April '04 Expecting Club's meet up in '05.

Knitting kept me sane during 2 of Hunter's deployments, on road trips when he'd drive & is now my weekly "therapy" session when I go to Panera to knit with my knit group. My mother taught me how to knit & was taught by her mother. One day, Sunshine will pick up needles & continue the tradition.

Veterans Day 2011

2011-11-10T22:54:00.000-05:00

There's a comraderie that exists in the military. It exists between soldiers & it exists between wives. Think about it---you're in the middle of a combat mission. Things can happen so quickly & your life can change in the blink of an eye. The guy riding next you might be pulling you out of your vehicle &; to safety. Or you might be pulling him out. Or treating his wounds. Or worse. This experience creates a bond that lasts a lifetime. It's one that, unless you were there, you will never get. Sure you can read it about it, you can watch the Military channel & see what happened but you will NEVER really get it because you weren't there.

Last year on Veterans Day, HBO showed a documentary called War Torn. If you haven't seen it, I highly suggest you do. Especially if you know someone who suffers from PTSD. I spent the majority of the time watching it in tears. And not just *sniff sniff* how horrible tears. I'm talking streaming down my face, blubbering like an idiot, tears. After dealing with Hunter's PTSD for several years, it hit me that there were other people living with the same situations as we were. I wasn't alone anymore.

Earlier this week, I received the following message on Facebook:

Hello my name is William Fraas I read your comments about Wartorn just want to you thank you for reminding me that I and my family are not alone. And by the way I'm the one in the film and I know it's hard to live with someone with PTSD and you are very strong person and again thanks

Um, first of all, dood, YOU'RE in the film & you're thanking me? ME?? I'm sitting here, identifying with your wife & you're thanking me? Wow. Goes back to that comraderie. I replied & thanked him & his family for putting their life on film so that wives like me know they're not alone.

And then the hangover set in

2011-11-02T11:58:00.000-04:00

The Fall Festival hangover, that is.

I got home Friday night around 945 & the minute I sat down the fatigue kicked in. Every part of my body was tired and sore. I don't know how much running around I did over Thursday & Friday, but it was a lot. I wish I'd worn my pedometer to measure just how much. Saturday morning, my super sweet hubby let me sleep in until 10. Same with Sunday. I felt more human on Sunday than I did on Saturday & by Monday I was back to myself. We spent an hour & a half counting money from the FF & then I did our banking. I still need to sit down to add up our expenses vs. profits but we did very well. Parents were happy & so far, all reports have been positive, which is always nice. A lot of time & energy went into this event. And then some. We've already discussed ways to improve next year's festival but have until July/Aug. to actually implement them.

And then it was Halloween. Sunshine's school has been raising money for Alzheimer's research & had the kids bring in $3 to wear a costume to school on Friday. She was a ballerina princess as my inner control freak was concerned about her Cinderella dress getting torn on the playground. The BP costume allowed her to run around freely without me worrying. Which is always a good idea.

Halloween night we went Trick or Treating with friends of ours. These kids slay me. When I was little, we ToT'ed until our toes fell off. Until our fingers were crippled from ringing door bells. These kids? Four streets later they were done. The upshot was we were home before it was too dark & got Sunshine into bed about 20 min. past her regular bed time. And like any good parent, I examined all of her candy & pulled aside a baby ruth as my payment. Maybe 2 ;)

Today is boring ol' laundry & some cleaning. And treasurer duties. I have reimbursement forms to be signed by reimbursees (sure it's a word) & have written out checks to said reimbursees. I need to get up to school to make copies for our Movie Night With Dad invitation for next week but I think that'll happen tomorrow as it's already noon. I also need to run to Home Depot for paint for our kitchen & dining rooms. They'll be the same color which is one shade lighter than our living room. It'll be nice to finally have all the rooms painted that need painting!

Was that drive by posting?

2011-10-28T11:40:00.000-04:00

It was. I'm home on a "lunch break" from Fall Festival 2011. Eight weeks worth of work culminates in a 3 hour festival tonight. Yesterday I was working on the FF from 8 am until dinnertime. I left school around 330 to run to the bank & while I was standing there, realized just how tired I was. When I got home, it was time to put our class' basket together for the silent auction. Let me just say that I was channeling Martha Stewart circa 2000 with my glue gun skills.

Got to school today at 8, ran around non-stop. Again like the proverbial chicken sans tete. We've had some um, commitment issues with our VP & I may or may not have snapped at her while counting wrist band money. She shows up sporadically---basically when she HAS to, does a little work & then announces how tired she is after working for an hour & cuts out. I didn't really snap at her per se, but my OCD when it comes to our paperwork & money handling practices came out. And really, it's not my handling practices---it's what the state PTA requires of us. I apologized to her but still wanted to throttle her for being absent on many days when the FF Chair, PTA President & I were working our tails off to make tonight a success.

So now I'm sitting on the couch, waiting for my lunch to finish cooking. And I'm watching Beavis & Butthead. There. I said it. I'm a B & B fan. From way back. Back in '94, my answering machine was part of a tie in for their show. Yes, I realize your opinion of me has changed & I'm fine with that. I'm also reading a book on European royal history. It's from one extreme to another around here!

I'll head back up to school at 130 to put the finishing touches on my basket, drop it off in the gym & then get to work delegating set up stuff to our volunteers. Sadly, alcohol is frowned upon on school property but I'll have a nice glass of wine waiting for me when I get home at 9 tonight.

Let the weekend begin!

It's definitely Fall

2011-10-15T12:10:00.000-04:00

As we're doing all sorts of fall related things, PSL's, enjoying the cooler weather, report cards (Way to go, Sunshine!!) & visits to the pumpkin patch. Last weekend, it was such a beautiful Saturday that we decided to take a long drive out to the Ft. Valley, GA area & visit Lane Orchards.

We went through the corn maze & unlike this family didn't need to text our way out of the maze. Sunshine led the way & did a great job despite not wanting to go into the maze in the first place.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day. I just love the way Sunshine is looking at Hunter. She didn't want to leave the playground when it was time to go.

There's something totally awesome about a daddy who will get on the teeter totter w/ his child! We love our Daddy bunches!!

The upshot of driving out to Ft. Valley meant that I had 2 hours of uninterrupted knitting & managed to get my scarf finished. It wound up being over 70" long which is perfect for me. It blocked beautifully & I'm going to CO matching mittens this week. I'm working on my Mara shawl (circa 2010) & am almost ready to start on the ribbing portion. I still have no idea who this will be for. It had been for Sunshine's ParaPro from Kindergarten who has since retired. I know, egg on my face. Her Kindergarten teacher is still at school but I've got a project planned for her that is both quick & easy (the easy shawl pattern from Ravelry). Then, I need to make a decision about lining a bag that I've made as a Christmas gift. The ones I've seen aren't lined, which is fine, but I find a lined bag just looks better. I'm hoping one of the ladies from my knit group can help me out with it or else I'll wind up shipping it home to Mom. If I had a sewing machine I could do it myself but really, I don't sew enough to warrant investing in one. Then I start thinking about all the sewing that I *could* do but then it would cut into knitting time & such. And, I'm not hand sewing my lining! I learned my lesson with the cushion covers on one of my wicker chairs in the sun room! It was 9 years ago & I'm still practically crippled from it!

Speaking of Christmas (weren't we discussing Fall?), my shopping is coming along really well! The only people left to shop for are my nephews (itunes gift cards or something along those lines), Hunter & Sunshine. The ILS are done, BIL/SIL are nearly done, their son is done. My Mom is done. I came up with a great idea for my brothers---I'd found a picture of my Dad circa 1949 with his baseball team online in the UVM archives. None of us knew this picture existed so it was a very pleasant surprise to see my dad's 18 year old face staring at me via the 'net. I'm having it printed in 8x10 & framed for them. I can't mention Hunter's gifts as I know he ~~stalks ,~~ reads my blog. I do need to get going on a scarf for Sunshine's teacher, but I have 2 more months for it & can definitely get it done. (Please hold me to this when it's December and I'm in full blown panic mode with Christmas, Secret Santa Shop at school, class parties & the like, shopping, baking, etc). Speaking of baking---we'll do this again for our neighbors. It's a tradition that Sunshine & I look forward to doing together.

Well, it's about time for me to go get ready. We'd been up in the air as to what we were doing today. I'd toyed with the idea of going to Auburn as a yarn shop is closing. I just destashed a bunch of stuff at knit group but I really have a hard time turning down sale yarn. I managed to talk myself down (there's an Auburn home game today---hello! Crazy traffic!) & we've decided to go to a local pumpkin patch for a hay ride, some pumpkins & a short drive. Sunshine was mad that Hunter didn't bring her to Starbucks this morning, so she's been promised a Rocky Road cake pop this evening after dinner.

Have a great weekend & I hope you're enjoying this beautiful Fall weather, too!

Dish Rag Tag V--V is for Victory!

2011-10-07T14:34:00.000-04:00

The box arrived yesterday. Our team name is All Four One (we're team 4)---tradition is everyone signing the box. Here's the box minutes after coming in from the mail box.

My goodies from Amy in VA! Lip balm, chocolate, MORE chocolate, hot cocoa mix, pretty stitch markers & THE Dishcloth. So pretty!!!

Here's my cloth about 1/2 way into it. Fun pattern, easy to remember & I love the colorway of the yarn. I had hoped to get it finished & boxed back up before the post office closed, but sadly that didn't happen. It went out first thing this morning with goodies for Sara in AL. I'd tell you what the goodies are, but that would give away the surprise.

Has it really been a week?

2011-10-04T13:09:00.000-04:00

Goodness, time flies when you're having fun. And busy!

Fall Festival's coming along despite the fact that so many classes have parents who just don't want to do anything. They don't want to be involved, they don't want to help solicit donations, they don't want (or can't, which I understand) to donate themselves. Ugh. The upshot is our raffle is on fire! We've gone through our initial order of tickets, our 2nd order & are now on order #3. The tickets went out on the 16th of September---this is crazy! We're making some good money for the PTA which will help to pay for activities during the year. Woo Hoo!

Sunshine is finished with Speech Therapy. We had received a letter indicating that further therapy had been deemed unnecessary but we could appeal. We then received a call from the head of the therapy center & then from her speech therapist who both said we could appeal but appeals aren't always approved. I love her ST--she's a kind, patient woman & Sunshine adores her, which is always the litmus test for me. I asked her what her professional opinion was--she indicated that Sunshine has made such great progress in the 6 months she was there & that honestly, with the work we've done at home, she feels that we should take a few months off & see what's what come the new year. But her speech is really so much better that I think we're truly done.

Friday I was going from the time the sun came up until the sun went down--- brought Sunshine to school, talked to the neighboring teacher whose class is being paired with ours for the Silent Auction basket. Ran to the commissary, lunch w/ Hunter, Lowe's for picking out wainscoting for dining room, TJ Maxx for Spode Christmas Tree bowls (!!!!!!), picked up the 3rd order of raffle tickets, back to school to drop off tix, help count $$ & then run to the bank. The Fall Festival chair brought Sunshine to her house to play so Hunter & I could have date night. Went out for sushi w/ Hunter, back to FF Chair's house to pick up Sunshine, spent an hour or so visiting w/ her & then to Starbucks for a quick sweet treat. Phew.

We had a great weekend---the weather was perfect! Fall has arrived in the South!! Saturday we went to the Cotton Pickin' Fair & had so much fun. Sunshine & I went a couple years ago & enjoyed it so much. We were smart & hit the ATM on our way so we'd have spending money as well as lunch money! Are Square Readers really such a secret to vendors at these things? Anyway, beautiful fall day, my beautiful family & a good time had by all---can't beat it with a stick.

Sunday was spent knitting with friends in the morning, followed by football in the afternoon. And a home cooked meal on Sunday night! I usually order out if the Pats are playing or sometimes will do a "fix it yourself" dinner for Hunter & I on Sundays. But since the Pats game wasn't televised here & I really had no excuse not to cook the turkey tenderloins in the fridge, I made some turkey cordon bleu. So yummy!

Last night our knit group did a sale, swap, trade on our stash & knitting books/notions. It's common knowledge that I have a decent size stash. It's common knowledge that I'm a bit of a yarn snob on occasion. Well, not really a snob as I have plenty of Sugar & Cream in my stash (best for every day dishcloths!), so maybe more of an afficionado. I appreciate a good yarn. As do my fellow knitsters---Mama brought home her goal amount! Sweet!

Today I'm conducting an experiment---felting in a front loader. I've got my FO in there with 2 pairs of jeans, 2 towels & this is the 3rd time it's gone through. The first time was only for 35 minutes which I knew wouldn't be enough time, but I wanted to see what happened. The 2nd trip was 1 hour---not bad but I decided to chance it & go for a 3rd trip. I'm about 10 minutes away from finding out what the final verdict is! But the felting gods have smiled on me today & you CAN felt in a front loader!

PTA duties are looming so I am off. Have a great week--enjoy the beautiful weather!

You know what burns me?

2011-09-27T16:59:00.000-04:00

Well, a lot of things. But at this particular moment it's a group of people who are either in school & scamming money or have recently graduated & want their debt forgiven.

Because gosh, it's hard to pay back money that you so willingly took to use for your own advantage.

Without being too specific there was a post in a FB group where I'm member. The poster was talking about getting their grant money & how excited they were to be purchasing yarn with it. Not groceries for their family. Not paying their mortgage/rent. Not even buying diapers for their kids. But yarn.

Now, I'm certainly not going to begrudge anyone a skein of wooly deliciousness, but when you're receiving free money from the government for your education it's not really cool to be buying wooly goodness. Not when there are families struggling to put their children through college & not when there are families who are living frugally in order to set aside money for their children's education. Not when there are students working 20-40 hours a week in addition to going to school full time so they can pay for their education themselves. Yes, it's judgmental but hey, it's my blog. I can judge if I want to!

There was also an acquaintance (we were pregnant together & on a message board for women due in April '04) who posted that we should all sign a petition for the federal government to forgive student loan debt as it will help the economy.

Um, no. I'm very sorry but last time I checked you WILLINGLY took on that debt. You got your degree which was your goal. Maybe if you found a cure for cancer, then I could see forgiving your student loan debt, but until that happens, then no. Again, I'm sorry.

This person wasn't amused when I asked where does debt forgiveness end? My husband is a disabled veteran. We pay our car loan monthly. We pay our mortgage monthly. Sure it would be nice if that were forgiven, but I'm not holding my breath. Please, our government threatens not to pay us every few months because they can't get their business together. You think they're going to suddenly announce that all disabled vets have free housing? Trust me when I say that I'd be living in a beautiful lake front home on Lake Champlain (or Smith Mountain Lake if Hunter had any say) if that were to happen.

But if people who have actually done SOMETHING for their country aren't getting anything forgiven, why should student debt be forgiven? Have we really raised a generation who expects that everything in life is free & fair? Lord, help us!

Happy House-iversary!

2011-09-25T10:33:00.000-04:00

Two years ago we closed & moved into our house. I shudder to think of how many times we went back & forth between our old apt. & the house during moving weekend. We hired movers to take care of the big & heavy stuff (washer/dryer, kitchen table, living room, bedroom suite, etc) but did the rest ourselves. Sunshine's room was the first to be set up & I'm proud to say that all boxes were quickly unpacked & things put in their new homes.

When we moved in we had a to-do list a mile long. Here's what we wanted to do & what we have done:

Foyer:
replace light –done!

Sunshine's room:
paint --done
replace light w/ ceiling fan --done

Sunshine's bath:
remove wallpaper –done!
paint –done!

remove stuff in bathtub

replace light

Guest room:

touch up paint --done--actually repainted the room & hallway
replace light w/ ceiling fan --done

Hallway
paint --done

Living room:
paint --done

Dining Room:

remove wallpaper below chair rail, replace with wainscoting
paint

*The dining room is my project for this month---well, the painting. I'm going to have Hunter install the wainscoting. Or maybe I'll just paint under the chair rail.

Kitchen:

remove wallpaper --Done
paint --Done
finish shelves in cabinets --no need, just needed a good cleaning
new harware on cabinets
replace both lights --Done
replace counter –done!

our room:

paint --Done
drapes

master bathroom:

remove wallpaper
paint –done!
replace lights over sink –done!!

sunroom:

tile floor --we're now thinking about putting all-weather carpeting in there

as it would easier.

Yard:

pull weeds –done!
prune rosebush & maple in front of dining room window --done!
remove elephant ears in back yard---done!

So, happy house-iversary little house---we love you so & are so happy to call you our home!!

Randomnessy goodness (what? it's a word)

2011-09-24T13:46:00.000-04:00

We were planning on going to the Peanut Festival in Plains, GA today but the putterings around the house have overtaken us & after 2 loads of laundry, some cleaning, unloading the dishwasher, playing Barbies & reorganizing a dollhouse, we're finishing lunch & watching some SEC football.

It's Pumpkin Spice Latte season which is really the best season of the year---the weather starts to cool down (by cool I mean 90) & it's football season. I'm not a huge college football fan but will watch if nothing else is on. And we all know how much I love my Patriots. The habit of ordering pizza on the day of a 4pm game while Hunter was deployed (lazy mom, much?!) is still alive & well. So much that I've renamed the order on Papa John's site as "Game Day" because really, let's call a spade a spade.

PTA's still sucking up so much of my time---most of which I don't mind. Book Fair went well, we're in the midst of selling raffle tickets for Fall Festival & I'm starting to get a little nervous about our class' basket for FF. No one has gotten back to me. Parents that is. I'm going to do a little leg work this week & drop off some donation letters to locally owned restaurants in hopes of getting some donations from them. I was so spoiled last year by my co-room mom who did everything for the basket. Next year I'm hoping that I'll have another mom who'll step up & help me out.

My knitting mojo is back!!! I know I'm tempting fate by admitting this, but it's true. Granted I've done a mess o' dishcloths but still, knitting is knitting! I also made the neatest scarf--the Edelweiss Neckwarmer. I altered the pattern by CO 220 stitches & wound up using 1 1/2 skeins of Noro ~~Colored Crack,~~ I mean, Silk Garden. I love this yarn---little twigs & all. The scarf wound up being around 50" long which is just a little too short for my tastes. Even with blocking. But it is gorgeous--Hello! Silk Garden! Duh! I'm looking forward to wearing it this winter! I'm thinking I need to try to find another skein so I can make some mittens or mitts to match. According to Ravelry, I have one more full skein but didn't see it when I was looking at my wool stash.

Speaking of stash, I'm looking to destash some of my yarn. I just have way too much & have some that I know I'm just not going to use. I'm offering it up to my knitting group before listing on Ravelry and/or Ebay. My only complaint w/ R & E is that I'm going to have to either charge shipping or cover it which really stinks.

I'm also making some great headway on Christmas shopping! So far I have some things for Sunshine, the ILS are done, Mom is done & Hunter's nephew is done. And I've done Mom's shopping for Sunshine as yesterday I drove to Opelika, AL to their Target as they had the Our Generation Wooden Doll Trunk (armoire) & the jeep. Our store had both last week but are sold out now. When I went online to order them I discovered that shipping for the 2 items was $25. What happened to Target's free shipping on over 500k items?? I guess it's on the items that don't weigh more than 15 lbs. Grrrrr.

Speaking of the ILS, we're hosting Thanksgiving this year!! Which means that I have to have all their pressies by then so they can bring them home with them. We've already started planning sleeping arrangements, what china we'll use (My name is Laurie & I am a china-holic.)--we have our china, Hunter's grandparents china (which is really for Sunshine but she won't mind us using it) & Christmas china. Yeah, I really need a 12 step program for this stuff. But anyway, sleeping, china, menus & a to do list of what needs to be done before they arrive. We've been wanting to start using our dining room as an actual dining room rather than using the breakfast nook in the kitchen. Which means I need to get off my butt & get the wallpaper below the chair rail removed, prep the walls & get painting. We want to put in a wood floor but that might wait until spring. Then will come the fun part of moving around furniture---including the realllly heavy kitchen table, the china cabinet & the Pottery Barn Kids style dollhouse/bookcase that Hunter made for Sunshine. I think there might be room for everything, including the dollhouse for now. It's such a great piece & Sunshine loves to play with it so it needs to stay. If only she didn't have that Barbie Dream House in her room. Hmmm, why do I do this to myself?

I have a PTA Board meeting tomorrow so maybe I do need to get my family moving this afternoon & out of the house. Hmmm, too late to go to Plains. Maybe we'll head up to Callaway or bring the dogs to the Botanical Garden as it's only 80 out. Cool enough to enjoy a walk without stroking out due to the heat.

Have a great weekend!! Get out & do something!!

Slowly backing away from the crazy

2011-09-19T21:56:00.000-04:00

how is it the crazy finds us? This year, I've made a concerted effort to remove the drama mamas, toppers & the crazy from my life this year. And it's really nice not having it around me.

But today it found me via a friend & fellow PTA mom. Why do you ask? Were we mean girls? Nope. Were we clique-ish? Hardly.

It started when PTA mom told another mom that their basket for our upcoming Fall Festival's silent auction needed a different theme as there were already 2 baskets with that same theme. Okay, pain in the neck if you've never done a basket (some of these babies go for over $500), but really, not a big deal.

Unless you're drinking the crazy kool aid.

Then you get your panties in a bunch and start sending nasty grams.

Which is where I get dragged into the mix. Only my name isn't Laurie. She thinks I'm "Kristin". Because they're so easy to confuse for one another, right?

Pardon the sarcasm, but really. I can understand Laura, Lauren, Laurel, but Kristin?

Apparently kool aid drinking mom is upset because Kristin (let's play along, shall we?) didn't email her to remind her of the shifts she volunteered to work for Book Fair.

Reread that. I'll wait. Yes, you read it right the first time. Let me add that I don't email anyone to remind them of their shifts. Neither did the previous Chair. Why? Because we're dealing with adults who are parents, who schedule things for their families & generally have not one, but several calendars to remind them of goings on in their homes.

But, darn that Kristin!

So I took the high road & emailed this mom to apologize for not emailing her after working an 8 hour shift at Book Fair, doing Treasurer duties,scheduling volunteers for the school district's clothing bank (it was our school's turn), taking care of any of my own room mom issues, supervising my daughter's homework, taking care of my home & husband. And well, managing to take care of myself as well. Oh, and I knitted a little.

What kills me about this woman's emails wasn't that she was angry that she never received an email. But that she claims we are discriminating against her. Discriminating. As in singling her out. You want to play the victim, fine. Play the victim. But check your vocabulary.

And my name ISN'T Kristin. It's Laurie. Mrs. C, if you're crazy. (Sorry, Janet Jackson---it had to be done!)

Success!

2011-09-13T21:26:00.000-04:00

After much planning, stressing, emailing, phone calling, more stressing, executing & much fretting, we pulled off our Family Night at Book Fair! The Coca Cola Space Science Center came out & set up a dome in the school's gym for Stories Under The Stars.

At 5 'til 6 we were a little worried as we usually have a line of people at 5:45pm but tonight there was no line. But, as they say in Fields of Dreams: "If you build it, they will come"

Folks, we built it, we laid it out on the table & they came!

Much awesomeness followed, both in the gym & in the library. We had a great night & raised some good money for our school.

We have 3 more days, including a 7 am opening on Friday for Grandparents Breakfast but luckily, that's not my responsibility. All I need to do is show up & sell some books. Then, at 3 pm, it's margarita time!

No stress involved with that!

Happy Saturday

2011-09-10T23:34:00.000-04:00

After a short but hectic week, my darling girl and her wonderful daddy let me sleep in today. I won't tell you what time I finally got out of bed, but suffice to say it was the latest I've slept in years.

Book Fair's off to a GREAT start! I'm coming home exhausted and sore from standing in one spot ringing for so long. But we're bringing in money for our school & that's what counts. Five more days and then we're done until January when we start the busy work for the Feb. mini-fair, which is good as Fall Festival is 6 weeks from now. I need to get to work on my donation letters and emails home to the other parents in hopes of them helping out w/ donations an other FF stuff.

So, I was a lazy bum most of the day---slept in, knitted, played Monopoly on my phone (the cheap properties w/ hotels on them will bankrupt your opponents and it's always a good idea to have at least 3 railroads) and went out for a decaf @ Starbuck's w/ the fam. in the evening. I finished the ballband cloth in the picture and CO the round cloth while we were at Starbuck's. I finished it a couple hours later & am thinking I need to make a few more with this pattern. I found some illusion cloth patterns on Ravelry & am going to make some for my mom as she mentioned she needs more dishcloths when we were home in July.

A friend posted this as her FB status earlier: The toughest part about tomorrow and FB? Refusing to "repost" and thereby being declared unAmerican. Refusing to make a stupid flag with letters from a keyboard and being deemed a terrorist. I like FB less and less every day.

I won't be reposting anything on FB or here tomorrow. I'll remember where I was & what I experienced that day. The fear, the profound sadness & the anxiety. But I won't be watching any of the coverage. My prayers go out to those who lost loved ones, those who were first responders & those who didn't survive. It ends there.

Downsizing

2011-09-08T20:52:00.000-04:00

What is it about carrying a big purse that I find so difficult to give up? As I was packing up my entire life for 7 days of Book Fair, I realized that it would be so much easier just to carry a little wristlet with my license, credit card, a little cash & maybe a lip gloss rather than my bag which contains my wallet, makeup bag (inhaler, lip balm, 3 lip glosses, 2 lipsticks, tissues, wet wipes, tylenol), extra pens, etc. I've done it on long road trips & it works wonderfully. Why can't I do it in my daily life? The shopping gods tempted me over the weekend when I saw a cute Kate Spade one on sale. I prided myself on saying "no, I don't need that" & walking away. Now I'm thinking "if only I'd bought it, I could SO use it now rather than schlepping this monster sized bag" As I mention this to Hunter, he begins to shake his head. No, no, no, you don't need it. You don't need it. While I'm extoling the virtues of the KS wristlet & practicality of it, I remember---I have a little bitty Coach bag circa '99 that doubles as a wristlet! See why I need him around?

Day 1 of Book Fair went off well---I remembered to get cash for the register (and really, here's where the benefits of being PTA Treasurer come into play---I can always dash to the spirit store for change), got the posters hung up (Note to self: Write up posters when you're doing all the copying for Book Fair that way they can be taped up after set up.) & had the best group of volunteers. It's been said repeatedly, but our PTA rocks. We have so many new parents this year who are so happy to get involved. Two of the moms today volunteered to do more shifts next week!

And despite wearing comfy sandals, I forgot just how sore I am after standing in one spot for too long. I try not to sit too much which is probably a mistake. I had some time to decompress while Sunshine was at Speech & got some knitting done. And tonight is my secret addiction of the Jersey Shore. I know, I know. But I love those dysfunctional, drunk little oompa loompa kids. And I'm secretly afraid of Snooki. She may be pint sized, but there's a whole mess o'crazy in that one!

Have a great weekend--looks like this one will be Hurricane & Tropical Storm free for everyone!

We do more before 9 am. . .

2011-09-06T12:24:00.000-04:00

Remember the old Army commercials? Where they bragged about doing more before 9 am than most people did all day? I swear, that was me before 11 am today. Here's the breakdown:

745: Arrived at school. Walked Sunshine to her classroom, chatted w/ her teacher for a couple minutes, got to the library, chatted w/ super fabulous Kristine & Mrs. B (equally fabulous because she's from Montreal). Brought teacher wish lists & sign up sheets/schedules to the teachers lounge. Distributed & hung the former & the latter. Stopped by the guidance counselor's office to discuss Book Fair volunteers coming from one of our Partners in Education. Went back to the library, chatted a bit more & declared myself "off" for the rest of the day. Yeah, right.

8:25: As I'm leaving school I remember it's the 6th & the 6th is Pumpkin Spice Latte Day at Starbucks!! I LIVE for this day every year! The best part? I went up another star level & had a free drink coupon! BONUS!

8:35: Arrive home & start watching last night's DVR'd Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It's my free time & I'll do what I want. I start checking email & FB---schedule volunteers for Book Fair & Sara Spano clothing bank. Multiple emails are exchanged between myself, the PTA President & Room Mom Coordinator. I make 3 phone calls---one to get my hair cut (tomorrow-check!), one to get Tinkerbell into the groomer (today--check!) & one for Sunshine to be seen for the wart on her foot that we've been treating at home w/ little success (2 weeks from now--check but boo on time we have to wait). More emails are exchanged. I finish watching the RHOBH. And finish my PSL. So.yum.

10:23: Drop off Tinky, run next door to Target for new denim jacket for Sunshine as well as a Sharpie 10 pack for my Book Fair notebook (aka "THE Notebook") & Treasurer stuff. I make a mad dash to the end of the shopping center to Michael's for a fur jacket for Sunshine's doll. It's a Christmas gift so I get extra points for that.

11:15: Arrive home, add one more Book Fair volunteer, tell Hunter I'd love to have lunch with him, bring in the trash can & mail.

And now, at 12:23 I am off to lunch with my handsome hubby.

It's true---with a Diet Coke (630 am) & a Pumpkin Spice Latte, I can get anything done!

Happy Birthday to me & more

2011-09-04T12:40:00.000-04:00

Today I turn 44. 44 on the 4th. 4 is a big number in our family. My birthday & Hunter's birthday are both on the 4th. Our anniversary is on the 4th, Sunshine was born in the 4th month of the 4th year. Even our sweet puppy Libby was born on a multiple of 4 (2/16/03). We got Tinkerbell in the 4th month. So yeah, I'm a big 4 fan!

I started calling my birthday "The Week of Laurie" many years ago when celebrations lasted over the course of a few days. Now it's sort of a week & half. My mom usually starts if off as her card arrives before August is even over. It's from her that I get my sense of urgency when it comes to being on time for things.

I've had a great Week of Laurie so far--cards, calls with early wishes, texts, FB posts. Thank you all for remembering me! We're hoping to get to the Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens this evening but the rain that's coming down now may mean we can't. Sniff.

They say that with age comes wisdom & I've certainly found that to be true. Mistakes I made in my 20's & 30's, I'd never dream of doing now. I've also discovered what I'm willing to put up with in my life. And who I want around me & my little family. We have wonderful friends here who are caring & who provide tremendous support. And for them, I am grateful. There are days when it stinks to live so far away from family, but they help us.

Off to get Sunshine to do a "stop raining" dance so we're able to enjoy our picnic supper tonight under the balloons!

Tough Decisions

2011-09-02T07:14:00.000-04:00

I apologize in advance for the cryptic post but this is something I just have to get off my chest.

Yesterday I found myself in a position that I never thought I'd be in and that I never wanted to be in. One of those "it sucks to be a grown up" type deals.

I made one decision which resulted in the need for another one. And it wasn't easy. And many tears were shed. And last night when I was talking with a friend about it, told her that on one hand I knew I had made the right decision, but on the other, I was still second guessing myself. Like any decision, there are ramifications. This one has YOOGE ramifications and I hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the hiney.

A long talk with this friend as well as my mom convinced me that I HAD made the right call & while it was a hard thing to do, it was the right thing to do. But that nagging feeling remained. Even at bedtime.

Friends have offered to pray for my family in regards to this decision & expressed their support, which made me feel better. A little bit. Knowing I have such a support system with them means the world to me.

So, as I sit here this morning I feel slightly better about doing what I've been told is the "right thing". But that nagging feeling is still there. I'm hoping a diet coke and the errands that must get done this morning help drive it away.

Showing some love

2011-08-31T09:11:00.000-04:00

Sunshine's showing her Vermont love & support today with her UVM t shirt.

Seven Days is a weekly newspaper in the Burlington, VT area (my friend Diane has been on staff for years) that is a must-read for people in Chittenden County. They have a great list of how you can help the people of Vermont.

I admit, I've been consumed by looking at imagines & videos of the devastation. Roads I've traveled are gone. Historic bridges have been swept away. People are cut off, towns have been cut in half. Vermonters are strong people---you've got to be in order to survive a Vermont winter. A blizzard that would cripple other states isn't cause for concern for these people. Hardy stock aside, the flooding & devastation aren't something they're used to. Moving 100+ inches of snow in a season? Not a problem.

The town of Pittsfield is about an hour & a half away from where I grew up. It's a very small town--less than 500 people. Are they sitting around feeling sorry for themselves? Hardly! They had a barbeque. How awesome is that? My friend Amanda (herself a hardy stock New England girl!) commented to me earlier in the week about Yankee ingenuity. I think Pittsfield (and the rest of the state) truly embody this.

So while my heart is sad for my home state, deep down I'm proud of them. Hang in there, VT!

Prayers for my beautiful Vermont

2011-08-29T07:29:00.001-04:00

Unless you've been living under a rock you know that Hurricane, now Tropical Storm Irene has been pounding the East Coast. I'm sure you've heard about Gov. Chris Christie's now famous line of "Get the hell off the beach. You're done, it's 4:30, you've maximized your tan."

Which would is possibly the greatest line. Ever. Wouldn't you love to say that to people in real life? I may have to adopt this as a new catch phrase.

The devastation in Vermont is horrible. Fortunately my family in NW VT is okay. Mom had lots of heavy rain & wind but that was it. My brother & nephews (about 15 mi from the Canadian border) had rain, wind & have lost power. Last night my 14 yr old nephew texted me to let me know that no power meant no water for them as they have a well. He was coming to grips with the idea of having to brush his teeth with a bottle.of.water. The horror, the horror. Oh, to be 14 again & think that is the height of indignities during a natural disaster.

Southern Vermont has been hit so very hard. I spent part of last night looking at videos & pictures that people were posting on FB. My heart was breaking for my beloved home state. What didn't make the news was that this past spring the state suffered from flooding. You saw Tennessee & other states along the banks of the Mississippi, but not Johnson, VT where a grocery store had 2-3 feet of standing water. Not Colchester, VT (where we used to swim as children) where lake front homes were ruined. Not St. Albans, VT where the lake waters took weeks to recede. And not my 'hood of Burlington where the water left everything on the waterfront under 3 feet of water. It's only VT. It's a small state---unless it involves Ben & Jerry's or a snowboarder during the Olympics, no one pays attention.

But I do. And those of us who love Vermont & are so fortunate to call her home do. Please keep my beautiful home state in your prayers as the job of clean up & recovery begins.

The calm before the storm

2011-08-28T11:14:00.000-04:00

No, I don't mean Irene. I mean Book Fair. All the prep work that can be done has been done---letter& flyer home to parents, copies of class schedule done, teacher wishlist copied. All that's left is to get more volunteers, put the wishlist forms in the teacher's boxes, decorate & set up. None of which can be done this week.

So this week will be my week off from volunteering for the most part. I have a PTA Executive Board meeting today & a Room Parent meeting on Tuesday. Hopefully that's it for the week.

My knitting mojo's coming back. Shhhh, don't say anything or else I fear it'll go away. I managed to finish the scarf for Sunshine's teacher, 2 dishcloths & have another on the needles. I know, right?! Dish Rag Tag V has started & the boxes should be on their way very soon. I'm excited! It's always so much fun.

We're enjoying a lazy Sunday morning today---cinnamon buns for breakfast with homemade cinnamon cream cheese icing & now Tangled on tv. I have everything prepped for today's meeting as I was smart enough to do it on Friday after working at the Spirit Store at school & then tying up the loose ends for the AR kick off. I need to run to the Convention Center to pick up the few things that didn't sell at the consignment sale---I did very well this year. I think only 8 items out of 40 didn't sell, which is great. Normally I let Just4Kidz donate what doesn't sell, but this time around I'll pick up my things & add them to the Sara Spano donations at school. I put up the sign & bins a week ago Thursday & they're overflowing! So awesome that we have such generous parents!! I'll need to run by the clothing bank this week or early next with our donation.

Off to watch a little Tangled with Sunshine before I need to get ready.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend & that Irene's not being too mean to you!

Parents--1 Kids--0

2011-08-21T11:16:00.001-04:00

We scored a big one for the Parental Team yesterday. And I'm still giggling over it.

A bit of back story: Last year our next door neighbor died. He was a nice man & we enjoyed having him & his wife as our neighbors.

Slowly Miss Aida started going downhill & it became clear that she couldn't handle living in the house by herself. A couple months ago she moved into a retirement home & has a nice one bedroom apartment. Yesterday we were invited to go to a house warming luncheon at the facility.

A little more back story---Sunshine is a picky eater. Has been since she turned 3. Before then, she would eat anything. But when Hunter deployed a month before she turned 3, the tables turned. Combine the fact that Daddy was gone with the whole emergence of free will that comes with the 3's & we found ourselves with a picky eater. And a stubborn one at that.

Going to functions with her can be tricky as we don't know what will be available for children. Yesterday we found ourselves being served chicken fried steak. I don't even eat chicken fried steak. I mean, I did yesterday, but it's not high on my list of favorites.

Sunshine had some crackers & some jello while we were eating our salad course. Then the entree came out. I was already planning what I'd fix for her once we got home in my mind when she was pointing to my plate. "Would you like to try a bite?" I asked. "Yes, please" she said. Yes, my daughter says please, thank you, you're welcome & excuse me. That's one thing I drilled into her head when she was in the Terrible 3's. People will tolerate a child that's polite far more than they will a child who's wild. At least in my experience.

So as I'm cutting a bite of the chicken fried steak for her, she asks if the gravy is ranch dressing.

This is one time I should have lied & said yes, but I told her that it was gravy. No points awarded to either team for this one.

She takes a bite & decides that chicken fried steak is yummy & can she have her own.

Now, I'd be remiss if I didn't admit that I never told her it was chicken fried steak. She heard the servers say "CHICKEN blah blah blah" & ran with it. Who was I to correct her?

So we asked for a plate without gravy, but could she please have a side of ranch?

She ate every bite except for 2.

I couldn't stop giggling the whole meal. And I'm still giggling when I think about it.

And I'm still patting myself on the back saying "Well played, mommy, well played!"

When Monday works

2011-08-15T15:16:00.000-04:00

Isn't it awesome when Monday isn't this day that everyone is dreading? Personally, I like Mondays. I was born on a Monday. Hunter came home from Kuwait in '02 on a Monday. And technically from Iraq in '03 on a Monday although, if I recall correctly, it was after midnight when they were released to us. But I digress. . .

I like Mondays because I get my house back. I love having Hunter & Sunshine home on the weekends so we can do things together or just be lazy together. But come Monday morning I want MY time. My time to watch DVR'd shows that no one but me would watch, my time to clean, my time to get work done.

Today was one of those days where everything came together. I got Sunshine off to school, walked the dogs, convinced Hunter to call his podiatrist to see if he could switch his 3pm appointment to earlier in the day (which he did) & then to try to get in to see his regular doc on post. I managed to get 2 loads of laundry done & ran to Target.

When I got home I checked my email & discovered that the people from the Coca Cola Space Science Center had replied to my inquiry about a school visit during our book fair next month. Every book fair we do some sort of family night/event. By doing so we get Scholastic "dollars" which help offset the amount we owe to Scholastic for buying books. This year's theme is To The Book Fair And Beyond! How could we not try to get the CCSSC involved?! They will be coming out & setting up a dome so that families can listen to stories "under the stars" How cool is that?!! The best part is that because we are part of our school district (as opposed to another county), it's free. FREE! The PTA Treasurer in me is beyond giddy over this! We generally do well sales wise during Family Night events & I'm hoping this one is no different! Of course, this does put the pressure on for our Spring '12 Book Fair Family Night.

I also signed up for Dish Rag Tag V today. This will be my 4th DRT & I am so excited! Last year's team finished in the top 5 which is a big accomplishment. The DRT is a lot of fun--you're assigned to a team, the dish rag box travels the country & is pretty beat up by the time it gets to me. Our mail comes before noon most days so I've been able to knit the pattern in a couple hours, get my goodies boxed up & be at the PO to mail it out in the same day. Yes, there are other people out there who are as competitive as I am!

Speaking of knitting--tonight is Knit Night @ Panera. I'm almost finished with my scarf for Sunshine's teacher from last year but am thinking that I'll CO for the little Bunny Blanket Buddy (LionBrand has the pattern). It's a quick knit so hopefully I can get it done tonight & then back to my scarf & dishcloths for the staff @ Panera. They're a thank you for hosting us each week.

Tomorrow is back to the volunteer grind---making 500 some odd copies of the Book Fair letter, copies of the teacher's classroom request form & the teacher's classroom sign up sheets for Book Fair. The Ricoh copier & I have a very close relationship.

Happy Monday---I hope yours was as good as mine!

Blah blah blah, ramblings, blah blah blah

2011-08-13T22:01:00.001-04:00

The first week of school went well--for both Sunshine & for me. She's enjoying her new teacher & friends and I'm slowly learning my new responsibilities in the PTA. And how to budget my time in regard to those responsibilities. Next week we're kicking off the new school year & AR reading challenge, which should be very cool. Our principal has agreed to let our top readers have a chance to dunk him in a dunking booth! I can't wait to see & hear the reactions when he tells everyone this!

Hunter starts classes next week so I'll have two in school again (ha ha). And the house will be mine again during the day! No rolling of eyes during the morning watching of DVR'd shows! The downside is if I go grocery shopping during the week I won't have a helper to help me unload the car. Note to self--grocery shop on weekends, only. This semester is a heavy course load for him--Anatomy & Physiology, Epidemiology, working with the aged, etc. I know I've said it before, but I am really proud of him for going back to school, especially with his major & classes. I joke that I spent 4 years reading & writing papers in college as I had a double teaching major of English & History---both subjects that interest me to this day. A & P? Noooo thank you! Rock on, sweetie!! You CAN do it!

I hate to jinx us, but I think our weather is starting to change. The evenings have been a little cooler & our backyard is tolerable around dinnertime. I know, shhhh, they'll hear you, but it's true! Maybe this will inspire me to get out there & do some weeding in the hedge line. I'm really NOT a green thumb & do not enjoy yard work of any sort. Well, I do enjoy watering. It ends there. We've decided we'd like to put a patio in the back yard so we can have a little table & chairs & enjoy the yard more than we do. Granted it's miserable out there in the summer months, but we definitely do like to be out there when the weather is tolerable. And if we do put in a patio (maybe with a little path from the door) I'd be more inclined to weed & such. I do have some cute little gloves. . .

2nd Grade

2011-08-08T21:31:00.000-04:00

I knew when Sunshine started Kindergarten that it was the beginning of Big-Kidhood. Please, I knew when she started preschool at 2 1/2 that while there is a magical quality about the first day of school, that I'd forever be reduced to an anxious mess on each first day. So, Big-Kidhood + First Day of School = crazed mommy!

I love pictures of the two of them walking! I have one from Christmas '08 & it is one of my all time favorites!

Sunshine in the 2nd grade hallway. She had some first day jitters. I'm sure I don't know where that comes from!

Sunshine with some friends from 1st grade. There are 5 of them from her 1st grade class in this particular class. And she made a new friend today, which is always good. Then again, Sunshine always makes new friends on the first day!

Tomorrow I'm back to volunteering---the Spirit Shop in the morning before school, PTA Treasurer duties & then spending some time with the wonderful Kristine in the library. Hard to believe but our Book Fair starts one month from tomorrow. No rest for the wicked, as they say. Or PTA volunteers!

Oh, I am such a bad wife!

2011-08-05T21:58:00.020-04:00

I didn't blog on Hunter's birthday! Bad Laurie!

Since his birthday fell on Verification Day for school & I was working from 8-1 at the PTA booth, I arranged for Sunshine to take him out to breakfast. She was so cute--she had the money in her wallet & told Hunter that she'd pay for breakfast, but he had to drive! So they went out for "scrambledy eggs" & then came up to school so she could meet her teacher. But, more on that in another post.

I'm really proud of Hunter---the past few years haven't been easy for him but he carries on & is such an awesome husband & daddy. He's going back to school & is doing really well. Remember when you went to college at 18? Imagine doing it all over again at 42. It really drove the point home when my brother (a VP at a big East Coast university) commented on how HE was impressed with Hunter's endeavor & how he was proud of him.

I'm all about extending birthday celebrations. I say it's the "Week of Laurie" for my birthday as cards start arriving a couple days prior (my mother is NEVER late with cards/gifts. I usually take after her. Usually.) so Hunter's & Sunshine's birthdays are no different in our house. We went out for dinner the night before his b-day, he woke up on Thursday to Sunshine singing a special Happy Birthday song that she came up with as she was singing, breakfast with Sunshine & then dinner out again last night. We're going for a sweet treat tomorrow night so it will be the Long Weekend of Hunter.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie! I love you, am so very proud of you & cannot imagine my life without you. Nor do I want to.

Even if Jon Hamm & George Clooney were to start texting or calling me.

Seriously.

Dear Barack Obama,

2011-07-31T14:43:00.000-04:00

CC: Harry Reid, John Boehner, members of Congress

I suppose this doesn't make sense to you as you get paid no matter what. Congress automatically gets pay raises & really, there's never been a President of the United States who has refused his pay during his time in office. Members of the military (and other federal employees) don't have that luxury. They do a lot of work for very little pay. The military especially. When was the last time any of you spent 12 months in a combat zone for less than 60k? Yes, I understand many of you are retired military & I thank you for your service. But you're not living on that retirement salary now, are you?

Some military families (like mine) are.
And we rely on that salary for our mortgage, car payment, groceries, general cost of living. I'm not including fun stuff like vacations---we save for those & avoid using credit cards at all costs. But my husband's retirement & SSDI pay? Everything to us.

As the wife of a combat veteran, I've known my fair share of anguish & angst. I know what it's like to wake up fearing what the day might bring based on where he was. But, I have NEVER woken up consistently with the fear of where our money is going to come from like I have in the past 12 months. What gives? I believe that my husband served with honor & fulfilled HIS obligations to serve. Swore to support & defend the Constitution, obey the orders of the President, etc. And while you didn't return him in the exact same condition as when he left us, I'm okay with that. Sort of. I don't really blame you.

But.

I do blame you for the worrying & fretting that's going on in my house. I blame you for not getting your heads out of your you-know-whats & working together. I blame you for making our country look like a bunch of willy nilly spendthrifts. And I'm going to blame you come election day. Forgive & forget isn't an option when it comes to my (and my family's) standard of living. And when it comes to me worrying. Because I can do that all on my own, thankyouverymuch.

So get your acts together, get money to the people who so deserve it & don't forget, Nov. 2012 is just around the corner.

The Universe

2011-07-27T11:43:00.003-04:00

Have you heard of Notes from The Universe ? They send me a lovely email every day. Some of them aren't relevant, but some days (most) they really hit home. Today's message was:

It's not that you worry, laurie, but that you care. A lot.

And knowing this difference can make such a difference, because then you can also remember that caring is my specialty, that every life unfolds in the palm of my hand, and that not one second of eternity is ever revealed that I haven't carefully prepared.

Silly,
The Universe

I do worry about things. A lot. I'm convinced there was something in my epidural but really, the worrying goes back further than that. Maybe there was something in that first Communion host from when I made my First Communion. Maybe it's being raised Catholic. Who knows. And it's not that I don't pray. I do. I know people who are all "it's in God's hands" and I agree, it is. But that still doesn't take away from the worrying. Or caring. A lot.

Today's worry was e to school on time to help with the packets that will be handed out on Verification Day. Would we have enough volunteers? How long will it take? Needless worry.

My alarm went off & I turned it off rather than hit snooze. Needless to say, I overslept & woke up when I heard Hunter running the water in our bathroom while he was brushing his teeth. I looked at the clock & went into full crazy mommy mode. "Sunshine, you need to get up & eat so we can get to school" I ate standing up, poured some Diet Coke (with a DC I can accomplish ANYTHING) into my Red Sox cup, threw on some clothes & a ball cap & we were out the door.

Turns out there were 5 of us putting packets together & we were done in just over an hour. Not too bad. Why did I worry again?

My new worry is Saturday's Beautification Day. Will enough people show up? Is it going to rain? How long is it going to take? Do these people know how much I loathe yard work??

Totally irrational, right? It's not that I worry, it's just that I care. A lot.

I'm printing out today's message from The Universe & keeping it in my wallet & PTA note book. Maybe on the visor in my car, too.

And bathroom mirror.

And. . .

The big wind down

2011-07-24T23:38:00.000-04:00

of summer vacation, that is.

School lets out early in Georgia (3rd week of May) & starts early as well (first full week of August). As parents, we've discussed why don't they go back in September but that would mean getting out in June. Which is incredibly hot. And really, September is still hot. It's hot in August. And hot in April. Truth be told, it's hot here more than 6 months of the year. Have I mentioned how much I love Fall & Winter? And how I feel cheated every year when our "fall" lasts a week? We're the family who pray for snow in the winter.

So, we're gearing up for the new school year. Just a few more things & Sunshine's school supply list will be complete. I bought her new backpack & lunch box back in June when PB Kids was running a sale on them. They are way too cute. We've gone through her closet to see what still fits & what we need to buy for the beginning of school. When we were driving to VT, we stopped at the Bass outlet & picked up a cute pair of school shoes as well as gold (GOLD!!!!) boat shoes for when it turns a little cooler & she's able to wear jeans & a sweater without having heat stroke. Did I mention they're GOLD? And did I mention that I got a pair in my size? GOLD BOAT SHOES, PEOPLE! For when it turns a little cooler & I can wear jeans & a sweater without having heat stroke. Oh, won't those shoes be too cute at PTA meetings??!!

Speaking of PTA, we've had our first meeting & have some new parents who are very excited to get involved, which is great. I won't have a Co-Chair this year, which is fine. My old Co's husband was offered a job in the Orlando area (jealous!!! But only for the proximity to Disney & the Gulf Coast/Anna Maria Island) so off they went. I'm also jealous of their gorgeous new home!

Our PTA's FB group is totally up & running as well. Lots of interest & hopefully it continues throughout the year. I know people who think FB is the devil & nothing good can come from it, but I think it'a medium that can be used for good. And not just Farmville type good. We're able to get information to parents quickly & hopefully get even more people involved with our school. Our PTA is great--very active & lots of volunteers, but no matter how many people you have who are willing to help, it never seems like it's enough.

Speaking of volunteers, I've got to email our Partners in Education to see if I can get some of them to volunteer at our first Book Fair in September. Again, it's never enough no matter how many people you have. Especially on the day we set up! And I need to contact the Coca Cola Space Science Center downtown to see what we can do with them as the Book Fair this fall has a space theme. Yes, I'll take pictures if things go well!

So, as summer winds down, we're enjoying the pool, sleeping in & are planning an Atlanta trip for some back to school shopping & a trip to the zoo. As long as it isn't too hot. Maybe we'll go in November.

Have a wonderful week & hopefully things aren't melting in your part of the country!

Home, Sweet Home

2011-07-15T17:40:00.000-04:00

Just some of the highlights of our vacation. . .

The idea of crossing the Mason Dixon Line fills me with joy knowing I'm "home" up North. I have this bizarre love/hate thing for the state of Pennsylvania. Once we're across the MDLine I'm excited because we're up North, officially. The farms that dot the landscape & the mountains make me giddy & remind me of home, but as we continue on I-81 I find myself cursing the state for being so.incredibly.long. Or so it seems. Especially in the winter.

*sigh* Main Street in Burlington. You can see the lake & Adirondack Mountains from here. And the sunsets? Amazing. And yes, that is Nectar's on the right hand side. Best fries with gravy, ever!

Sunshine is a huge fan of street performers, so Church Street is a never ending source of entertainment for her. This guy was incredible, weird mask thing aside.

The Church Street Marketplace. Love. it.

Sunshine all decked out for the 4th of July, waiting for the clouds to pass & the sun to go down so the fireworks would start. This was the 2nd time we were able to watch them from the Melosira. It's a great location but the walk up the hill to our car was UGH!

Sunshine on her first ski lift ride---she loved it! She also loved the Alpine Slide. I was nervous as the first trip down (we had 3) as she went down in the run ahead of mine. The whole way down I was panicking. I was convinced I'd see that my poor sweet girl had fallen off the slide & got hurt on the track. Nope, she flew down that thing & had a blast on subsequent runs.

Stowe, VT. 'Nuf said.

When I was a little girl & would see these little waterfalls coming down the rock formations on the side of the road, I was convinced that fairies lived behind them. They do, right?

Sunshine with her "big boy" cousins, T & C. She had so much fun with them, especially C. And we are so very proud of T, who as a junior in high school has been offered a scholarship to Clarkson University. Yes, as a junior! After talking to my older brother (his uncle), he's decided to wait & see what offers come to him as a senior, because as Uncle Michael said "if this is what they're offering you as a junior, imagine what they'll offer as a senior." Both boys are pretty incredible guys all around.

My cousin & her daughter planned a trip from central NY state just to see Sunshine & I. Don't you hate when everyone in the picture leans & you're the only one sitting upright & look 18 feet tall??

Today's been a wonderful first day home. We all slept in until 9 which was great. Hunter took Sunshine out to lunch & to Monkey Joes to play so I could have some quiet time & get some things done around the house. All I've really done is laundry, clean out the drawers in the bathroom & watch reruns of 90210. I guess that counts as quiet time, right?

Vacation's all I ever wanted

2011-07-13T22:45:00.000-04:00

Remember the Go-Go's song? The video? Back when summer vacation was lazy? We're having a wonderful vacation thus far.

Sunshine & I left for VT two weeks ago & while we've had a wonderful time visiting everyone, we're ready to be home with Hunter & sleeping in our own beds.

Happy Wednesday & I'll update soon! xox

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T12:22:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Vermont! Sunshine & I arrived late Thursday night. We were in Hagerstown, MD doing a little shopping & were headed to Gettysburg when she decided she didn't want to go to Gettysburg & could we just drive to Memere's now? We made excellent time despite construction on I-81, ridiculous traffic further up I-81 (seriously, I have no idea why we were doing 40 mph other than some people are insane) and slow moving traffic on route 149 in NY state. We're having a great time visiting with Memere &enjoyed the Burlington fireworks display last night on board the Melosira.

Hope you & yours have a safe & happy 4th of July!

Anxiety

2011-06-28T14:14:00.000-04:00

Why is it that I let myself get SO worked up before a trip? Like to the point where I'm physically a mess. Upset stomach, anxious, the whole thing. It's not like I haven't done this tripe before. Ugh. I need to learn to relax, work from my lists & call it good.

Sunshine & I are heading to VT this week to see my Mom, family & friends. Hunter has classes & will be staying home with the dogs. So, today has been packing day. This is where I get a little nutty. There's the toiletry bag--luckily I've got travel sizes of pretty much everything I use so I don't have to pack too much there. But I do need to count out my meds for the time we'll be gone, as well as some extra "just in case". And I also bring OTC meds for Sunshine again, "just in case". And makeup, brushes, etc. Next I have the bag we'll bring into the hotel (we're stopping in VA to see MIL/FIL on the way back) that'll have nighties, clothes for the next day, etc. This leads to the bag for the rest of the trip. Or bags, plural. And of course, Sunshine's toy bag, our pillows & the portable dvd player, dvd case & my laptop. Oh, and the camera plus the battery charger. And my iphone charger. And anything else I may have forgotten.

We're hoping to make it to the MD/PA border our first night. I'm toying with the idea of staying over 2 nights so we can go to Gettysburg. Sunshine has some knowledge of Abraham Lincoln so that might be a cool place to visit. I'd really like to go up thru the Eastern part of VA so we could visit the Battle of the Wilderness fields which is where my great-great grandfather & his FIL were captured prior to their being held at Andersonville.

Hmmmm, I may have to look into changing our travel route.

After I'm done packing.

Mortified

2011-06-21T14:07:00.000-04:00

Say it with me---mor-TI-fied!

That was me last night when I got home from knitting. Sunshine was still dressed & announced that our neighbor's granddaughter, MM was visiting & they were going to play when she (MM) was done eating.

Hunter went on to say that when he & Sunshine got home from Jason's Deli, he took Smitty & Tinkerbell out only to have them run over to Miss K's house where they discovered MM was here & could Sunshine play with her?

The mortification came when they came to our house to play.

Let me explain---I've had a summer cold that came on late last week. Saturday, I spent the entire day on the couch watching Mad Men on demand while Hunter & Sunshine were out enjoying the afternoon together. I slept in the guest room because my cough was bothering me, I reeked of Vick's Vapor Rub, was mildly feverish & don't like to be around people when I'm ill. Then, yesterday morning, Sunshine had the sniffles/sneezies & such and played in her room for part of the afternoon by dumping out baskets of dolls/accessories/clothes/such. We didn't make her bed because well, it's summer vacation. We can be lazy, right?

Apparently not!

Mortified.

So this morning we put clean sheets on the bed in the guest room, vacuumed the guest room, hallway, Sunshine's room, living room, and the sun room. Sunshine's bed is made. The toys in her room are put away. I need to clean the toys off the coffee table but, eh.

Slowly my feeling of being mortified is going away. I think bringing these silly girls to the pool will help.

Happy 1st day of Summer!!

I have a little secret

2011-06-17T13:49:00.000-04:00

I'm kind of dreading Father's Day. Shhhhh.

It's not that I don't want to celebrate what a great daddy Hunter is. I really do. Because he is such a great daddy. And husband.

It's just that I really miss my own daddy & keep remembering his last Father's Day. And how I realized just how far his dementia had progressed. And how I cried during that phone call. And the pain that followed a month later when he died.

That pain that never really goes away & shows itself on days like Father's Day, birthdays, & other holidays.

Sorry to be such a downer. I wasn't really aware of how I was feeling until Sunshine & I were shopping for FD cards. I was mentally making my list "One for Hunter from Sunshine, one from me, one for FIL from Sunshine, one from us, one for Daddy. . . oh, yeah scratch that." The other day I was talking to a friend whose father died after a long battle with cancer & she confessed how hard this weekend was. Yet another friend who was widowed last summer is facing the first FD for her & her almost 12 year old daughter without their husband/father.

If your father is still alive, take joy in that. Never take his physical/mental health for granted. If you're on the outs, find a way to put those differences aside. There will come a day when you won't have your father & it'll be then that you realize just how much you miss him.

Lazy Summer Days

2011-06-12T12:56:00.000-04:00

Are they not the best? We're entering our 4th week of Summer Vacation & it's been so nice. We tend to spend most of our days at the pool enjoying the cool water, friends for Sunshine to play with & relaxation for mommy. Sleeping in past 7 is always nice and enjoying the week Hunter had off from school before summer session begins.

We've been wanting to go back up to the ATL zoo (sorry, Zoo Atlanta), but it's just too darn hot. There are lots of shaded areas but meandering around the zoo in 97 degree weather doesn't appeal to me. Maybe we'll head up in the late fall when it's much cooler.

We're trying to finalize plans for our VT trip--where will we stay on the way up & such. We had discussed visiting Hunter's aunt in Richmond for a couple days but need to iron that out with her. I'd also like a day or so with my brother & SIL in Delaware if that's possible. We're hoping to stop in VA to see the ILS but with MIL working it limits the time we can spend with her. *sigh* We'll get it figured out.

There's also been knitting going on. KNITTING! My scarf for her para pro from 1st grade is more than 1/2 way done. I've never taken this long on a scarf & while it's embarrassing, it's okay. It'll be done before next winter when she needs it. I'm thinking that today I'll start the potato chip scarf for her teacher as that should be a quick knit.

Today is the start of World Wide Knit In Public Week & we'll be at Barnes & Noble this afternoon, our regular knit night tomorrow @ Panera & then I forget the rest of the activities. There aren't many planned during the work week so maybe I'll offer to host something at Starbucks or somewhere else mid-week. Sunshine has VBS starting tomorrow so my mornings will be free. Which reminds me that I need to bring a check tomorrow morning to pay for her t shirt & cd of songs.

Hope you're having a great summer/summer vacation. I'm with Phineas & Ferb that there's a whole lot of stuff to do during summer vacation--and Sunshine & I are going to try to do it all! Well, except for that giving a monkey a shower bit. That doesn't seem like much fun!

How do you

2011-06-02T12:12:00.001-04:00

handle other people's children & their bad behavior? Specifically the children of friends. Like when you're sharing a house on vacation.

As you know, Sunshine & I went to Disney with a friend & her children last week. The first day we were there, the drama started. Screaming, whining, not wanting to participate (ie, go on rides) & general stinky behavior that wound up in a spanking in the bathroom around the corner from Cinderella's castle. Along with the threat that daddy would come pick her up (6 1/2 hrs away!) if it didn't stop.

Now, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that this child is almost 8 & suffers from ADHD, depression & sensory issues. As well as issues from her parents' divorce.

But, issues aside, the expectation for good behavior isn't there. While the mom is a friend of mine, she's often preoccupied. This trip she was busy texting her sister, mother, & potential new boyfriend.

Hunter & I have high standards for Sunshine's behavior----I'll be the first to admit that we're strict with her. Maybe it's how we were both raised. Maybe it's that we were older (mid-late 30's) when she was born & used to our house being a certain way. Maybe it's that we never wanted to be the "cool" parents or friends to Sunshine. Child rearing is serious business & we both feel that if children are given a standard, they will rise to that standard. Most of the time.

Sunshine is far from perfect, but she's a pretty good kid. Always has been. There have been days (weeks? months? Hello, terrible 3's--I'm looking at you!) where she's tried our patience but overall, we're fortunate to have such a sweet girl. And one who is serious issue free. Believe me, I think God for that daily.

So, back to friend's daughter. She's almost 8. She ought to know that she's expected to use utensils when she eats, right? I'm sure she does, but at 2 of our meals together she wasn't. And mom was too busy texting to notice. Which irks me to no end. I think most parents are guilty of over-texting, playing on their phones, computers, whatever at some point but please, pay attention to your child. And if you're not, don't get upset when other people do & comment to the child or to you.

Friend & I are on the outs as a result of our differences in how we expect our children to behave. I was told to "lighten up, it's Disney World!". Yes, it may be Disney World, but that doesn't mean that your child can go hog wild & annoy the bejeebus out of everyone else at the parks. Or worse, risk getting hurt because you can't, or wont, control them.

After many texts, phone calls & conversations with Hunter, Sunshine & I came home a day early. I couldn't handle it anymore & Sunshine couldn't either. She missed her Daddy & rather than drive to Cocoa Beach for a dip in the ocean, wanted to drive home to swim with Daddy at the pool on Sunday. And Monday. Hunter & I agreed that we need to focus on our friendships with people whose child rearing practices are similar to ours. For our sanity & for Sunshine's benefit.

So, dear readers, I'm asking you this---what do you do in instances like this? Do you chime in or do you bite your tongue?

What a magical week!

2011-05-28T17:40:00.001-04:00

We're home & will be happy to sleep in our own beds, get hugs from Daddy whenever we want them & play with the dogs. Sunshine has said she wants to go back to Epcot for her "half birthday" in Oct. Probably not going to happen, but now I'm wondering if we could work a short trip for her real birthday in April. . .

Magic Kingdom, Indeed

2011-05-25T00:39:00.002-04:00

The best part of my day? This.

So long, farewell. . .

2011-05-22T22:40:00.001-04:00

The car is packed & ready to go in the morning! We'll be dining at Cinderella's Table in the castle on Tuesday! See you later this week!!!

Summer Vacation, Day 1

2011-05-21T12:48:00.000-04:00

Today is the first day of Summer vacation. Sunshine slept until 845 & crawled into bed with me to watch some cartoons & snuggle with the dogs. Hunter had gone to the mechanic to have my oil changed & tires rotated for our drive on Monday.

After breakfast, we decided to take the dogs for a walk around the lake behind our subdivision. We can access it through a gate down in the cul-de-sac which is much nicer than going out onto the main road. Especially when you have a small child & 2 dogs with you.

The walk was very nice, albeit very hot. Even at 1030 in the morning. It's going to be a scorcher today--somewhere in the mid-90s. I think a trip to the pool is in order, as soon as I get some laundry done so I can pack Sunshine's bag.

There are always Canada Geese on the lake & several flew overhead as we were walking. These two aren't super friendly & got into the water when we got too close.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

First and Last

2011-05-20T22:59:00.001-04:00

Today was the last day of school. While I'm excited because well, it's summer vacation! Sleeping in, going to the pool, no time constraints. I was also sad as it's hitting me Sunshine's a big kid now. First grade is over & it's on to 2nd grade. now. First grade is over & it's on to 2nd grade. Here she is on the 1st day of school, August 9th, 2010.

And today, on her way to a fun filled day of coloring, playing, a cook out in the courtyard followed by a stellar report card (Way to go, Bugaboo!!!!) & our first trip to the pool with a classmate & his family.

We're all wiped out from so much sun & such a busy week (month). This weekend is laundry & packing for Disney. More on that later. . .have a great weekend!

The day we were crafty

2011-05-19T19:28:00.001-04:00

Today was the only day I had "off" from school. I had a hair appointment & that was it! I was able to pick up some shrimp tempura roll & spicy tuna roll for lunch (yum) & enjoyed the laziness.

Around 1:45 I realized that today was my last day picking up Sunshine on the path. Which meant it was the last day we'd see Miss Linda, the crossing guard. And I hadn't bought anything for her. Um, yikes! I had time to run to Barnes & Noble for a gift card, but eh. What did I have that wouldn't take long? Then I remembered these dresser trays.

I found the directions in a Good Housekeeping magazine back in March when Sunshine started speech therapy (she's a tongue thruster, still). Since I had no paper on me, I took a picture of the frame & directions & bought the supplies. TJ Maxx had some pretty frames on sale that didn't require painting or any other sort of decorating. Hobby Lobby had some pretty fabric that would work well with the frames as well as the beads for the little feet. And I already have a glue gun. We were in business!

How cute are these little feet?

Miss Linda was so pleased with hers which just made my day. She's a wonderful lady & has been a cross guard for 35 years. She knows every child by name, knows their mom/dad & being a Columbus native, knows the most amazing stories of the school, city, etc, back in the day. I love listening to her & am grateful that she's looking out for Sunshine.

Tomorrow is the last day of school--so bittersweet. Sunshine has had SUCH a wonderful year---she's learned so much, come into her own personality wise amongst the other kids (not putting up w/ drama mamas, learning who her friends are, learning how to treat her friends & how to be treated by them) & just so many positive changes. I'm excited for 2nd grade!

After summer vacation, of course!

I'm about to burst!

2011-05-18T15:56:00.001-04:00

Today was Awards Day at Sunshine's school. I knew she was the top girl reader in her class (and in the top 15% of readers in her grade level) so that award was no surprise to me. She's had awesome grades all year so I knew some sort of honor was coming her way---she was awarded the Principal's List Award as well as Superior Achievement in All Academic Areas. And the Good Citizenship Award!

Yes, I got a little weepy. She got a little weepy leaving the ceremony! I told her how incredibly proud I was at least half a dozen times. Who am I kidding, it was way more than a dozen! Way to go, Sunshine! Daddy & I are SO very proud of you & all your hard work this year!!

What day is it?

2011-05-14T19:27:00.000-04:00

I know I sound like a broken record & really, everyone has this going on with the end of the school year but holy cow, am I busy. And tired. I feel like I've been going non-stop since BOGO Book Fair last month.

And I really have. BOGO ran for a week and then we launched into Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week. And last week was AR Celebration Week. And next week is the last week of school. On Thursday I didn't go to school except to drop off & pick up Sunshine. And I refused to.

AR Celebration Week went SO well! We had Treasure Chest day on Tuesday which is really just a day for the kids to come to the library & get a little treat from the Treasure Chest. Nothing major, just little trinkets, gum & suckers. I have to admit, I HATE giving candy to kids. Trick or Treating being the exception. I'm the mom who doesn't give candy in birthday party goody bags. Never have, never will. I'm not an anti-sugar freak, but I just feel that there are SO many candy-centered holidays & events in our society that really, we don't need to give candy for every achievement.

But man, the gum & suckers went fast. As did the tattoos. I'm fine with promoting fake tattoos amongst the elementary set. Because you can make the mistake of getting that lady bug tat on your left butt cheek when you're 19 & have it lasered off a lot easier than you can replace those teeth you rotted out sucking down pixie sticks for 8 years of grammar school.

I know, the logic makes no sense to me either. It's sad when I can't rationalize something.

Anyway, AR Celebration Week. . .

Treasure Chest was followed by Hair/ Face Paint Day on Wednesday. A HUGE hit. Always. Just YOOOOGE. Kids earn points by reading books & taking short tests on them during the school year. 25 points will earn you 1 color of either face or hair paint. 40 points will get you 2 colors. This time I had a couple parent volunteers so one of them (an artist) did face painting with the aide in the library while another mom helped me for a while outside doing hair paint. My hands wind up looking like a rainbow of colors within 30 minutes of starting.

After Hair/Face Paint I had to hurry up & get balloons inflated for the Balloon Parade---a new event for us. Everyone who met their AR goals for all 4 marking periods got to participate. I have to admit, I did NOT want to lead this parade. Media Specialist Superior, Kristine, wasn't there as she had a district wide training class scheduled so it meant that yes, I would have to lead this parade. Down the 5th grade hall, past the office, down the 3rd & 4th grade halls to the Kindergarten area, back up the 3rd & 4th grade halls to the 2nd grade hall & then over to the 1st grade wing. Have I mentioned I don't want to do this? We got all the participants into the library, got them as quiet as possible (no major feat here. Several 5th graders were thisclose to death. Not by me, but the teachers!), and lined up by grade level so the Kindergarten kids would be up front with me. Then I remembered Pippa Middleton walking the flower girls into Westminster during the Royal Wedding. If you have a cute little girl on your hand the cuteness transfers magically to you & wallah! You're cute too! I found the cutest little Kindergarten girls, asked her if she'd hold my hand & help me & wallah! I was cute!

We left the library & discovered the 5th graders who weren't participating were sitting in their hallway waiting for us. And they were clapping! For us! For me & my cute little partner.

Suddenly it was Thanksgiving Day & we were in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade & I was Santa coming in at the end. You know, when kids everywhere lose their ever lovin' minds because IT'S SANTA CLAUS!!!!

I may or may not have dragged this poor little cute girl through the hallways as we high fived the kids in the hall. She didn't cry so I'm not really sure.

I had SO much fun. I don't care if Kristine is out of school for every AR Parade. I'm leading those suckers from now on. With or without a cute little Kindergartener!

Thursday was the movie day & my co-chair came to help clean up which was awesome. Friday I ran errands (including a 15 minute visit to school to drop off bubbles for next week) & had a yummy shrimp tempura sushi lunch.

So next week is the last week of school. So sad & so crazy busy. Thursday is the only day I won't be there & that's because I need a day to get my hair & nails done before going to Disney next Monday.

Today we had a PTA party for the volunteers who have helped this school year. It was really nice to not have to bring anything & just relax & have fun. Sunshine had a blast swimming & only came out of the pool for lunch & ice cream. She'll sleep well tonight for sure!

And I will too. Tomorrow starts a crazy week! Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T13:49:00.000-04:00

Two important ladies in my life---my wonderful mommy who taught me so many life lessons, who loved me unconditionally & who taught me what love it. And my darling girl who also teaches me so many lessons---that dandelions ARE beautiful flowers, that peanut butter on a spoon is really yummy & that crazy giggles on a daily basis are good for your health.

Hope you all have a Happy Mother's Day!

A mixed bag for Friday

2011-05-06T10:05:00.000-04:00

So many things are going on this weekend----Mother's Day. Military Spouse Appreciation Day, George Clooney's birthday. Where to start?!

Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week went well. I helped on Wednesday with breakfast & yesterday at lunch. We were able to have it catered by Outback----the oohs & ahhs were too funny! It was much appreciated and so much nicer than a box lunch. I also managed to get copies of the AR Celebration Week menu copied & distributed to the teachers. And I picked up close to 40 cans of hair paint for next week. Those kids love their hair paint! Sunshine has earned enough points & is excited to have her hair painted---pictures to come next week!

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Military spouses are a unique breed. They signed their name on the dotted line to serve their government when they signed their marriage license. They don't wear uniforms yet their duties are great. At any given time they are left to raise their children, keep their home, maintain a sense of normalcy, support their spouse ----all the while they are worried half to death about their spouse's safety. To a military spouse, a week apart is nothing. As my good friend &; superior Army Wife Jami says "a week apart is 'take the trash out when you leave & what do you want to do for dinner on Friday?'" A 30 day TDY doesn't make a military spouse flinch. Six months apart? Been there, done that. A year's deployment? Oh, is your year home done already? They pray for their spouse's safety. They live for those 2 am phone calls that last 10 minutes & end because of a poor connection. A card or letter in the mail makes their heart race. Even many years later when they pull it out of a dresser drawer & reread it. Over & over again. They are my heroes & I am proud to be one of them.

Sunday is Mother's Day---don't forget to call your mother! And thank her. Thank her for the nights she sat by your bedside when you were sick. For the times she kissed your boo-boos. For the times she held you when you were scared, hurt, sad or just because. Mothers, like military spouses, are a special breed. Not everyone is able to give so selflessly for years at a time. Mothers do. They forgo meals, sleep, new clothes, time to themselves for the good of their children. When Hunter & I got married, I didn't think there could be more love in my heart than there was. That changed when Sunshine was born. The love a mother feels for her child is so incredible. Even when they're driving you crazy---that love is there.

And so, George Clooney turns 50 today. *sigh* Clooney goodness. Has 50 ever looked so good??? I'll leave you with this image as you ponder the question.

I know you're not reading anymore & possibly drooling on your keyboard so I'll just say this---Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Happy Mother's Day (Call your mother!) & Happy Birthday, George! My offer for dinner still stands!

The final 15

2011-05-02T19:03:00.000-04:00

We're down to the final 15 days of this school year. Fifteen days, people!!! Insanity!! Much craziness is going down. Book Fair was closed today. PHEW! We did really well & while I was beating myself up for not beating the old Chair's numbers, I realized that she had one more day of business than I did. The ever fabulous Kristine took a few moments during breakdown/pack up to have a teaching moment & show me, box-wise, just how much we sold. This was after she chastised me for not texting her a picture of my new sandals on Saturday. Isn't she mean?!!!! (I kid, I kid! If it weren't for the ever-fabulous Kristine being our Media Specialist, I wouldn't be the Chair!)

This week is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week---I have two days where I'll be at school helping to well, appreciate our teachers & staff. And a PTA meeting tomorrow night where we'll be voting for the 2011-2012 PTA slate of officers. I'm being nominated for Treasurer which will increase my workload next school year a good bit. I'm excited to pitch in & really get involved in planning a great school year for our kids. I'm also a little nervous as well, it's a good bit more work! A good good bit! I realize I could have said no, but as we all remember, I have a hard time saying that when it comes to giving my time.

The following week is AR Celebration Week. A couple months ago we had a meeting & decided to streamline the activities so the event isn't so drawn out, but is still just as much fun & as much to choose from. I need to check our supplies for the hair & face painting this week in case I need grab more.

And then we're in the final week (sniff sniff) of school. While I'm looking forward to summer, I really am sad to see our crazy wonderful fantastic year come to an end. I'm proud of the work Sunshine has done this year. She's the top girl reader in her class, is a hard worker, has fantastic grades (remind me to tell you about our distict's standards based grading system) & has matured a bit. Just a little. She's still silly as can be, but I'm so proud to say she isn't a drama mama at school & doesn't put up with the drama mamas. At 7, that's pretty great.

And then, three days after school gets out, we're Disney bound!!!

Saturday, I missed ya!

2011-04-30T12:09:00.000-04:00

In some ways the past week has flown by, but in others it took forever for the weekend to arrive! Easter Sunday found us at the lake (river, whatever) house of a friend's parents. We spent last Easter with them as well & any day at their lake (river, whatever) house is so nice. We spent our day sunning ourselves on the dock, having a delicious dinner (my mashed cauliflower, aka "warm yummy" was well received!), good company, kids swimming in the lake (river, whatever), and a boat ride. Not too shabby.

Monday was the start of the BOGO Book Fair. I think the only day that we weren't steadily busy was Thursday. And it was still busy & we did really well. I have to admit, I was driven to beat the previous Co-Chair's numbers from last year. I know, what? Me? Competitive? Who knew?!

Yesterday the fair ended & as is tradition, we went out for margaritas afterward. And shoe shopping. Sadly no shoes were purchased, but our cocktails & the conversation were wonderful!

Did you watch the Royal Wedding? You know I did! I had the service streaming on my phone at 6 am while I was putting on my makeup and then watched on TV w/ Sunshine as we ate our breakfast. I decided to make The Kiss my photo of the day for my 365 project. Thanks to our wonderful Media Specialist I was able to borrow the school's camera (the battery in mine was dying!) & got the pic.

Today is our lazy day. I'm thinking that I could get some laundry done & maybe clean our bathrooms. I don't dare go to the commissary as it's payday weekend & going after 11 am is suicide. Hopefully I'll get there tomorrow morning by 10.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Coming up for air

2011-04-27T17:54:00.002-04:00

You know you're tired when you wear your slippers to Family Night at the Book Fair! I have to admit that these comfy looking slippers aren't mine, they belong to uber cool Media Specialist & bad knittin' mama jamma, Kristine.

Today was the third day of Book Fair----we are doing SO well!! It's a BOGO fair so the fact that we're pulling in the numbers that we are is amazing! We've had great volunteers and hopefully they will return to help us in the fall when our next Book Fair rolls around.

All this busy-ness has me wiped out. It's not so bad being on my feet all day, but on my feet in one spot (ringing the register) wears me out! Monday I conked out on the love seat for about an hour. And I snored! Yesterday I caught about 10 minutes of sleep while Sunshine was at her speech appointment. Today I've managed to stay awake, but I think I'm headed to bed early.

Two more days & then we close up the fair & grab some celebratory cocktails. Next week we'll officially close it out on the Book Fair website & be done until fall. Well, sort of. AR Celebration Week is in 2 weeks. It's looking like it will be a lot of fun for the kids & we'll have a tradition in the school of what AR Celebration Week will be.

Happy Hump Day to you & I'll see you when I come back up for air at the end of the week!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T20:22:00.002-04:00

I usually associate sunrise scenes with Easter, but today this view from my lounge chair was too beautiful to not share! What a glorious day!

Hope your holiday was happy!

Dogs on Thursday

2011-04-21T09:57:00.006-04:00

Normally I'm not a "DOT" blogger, but today I feel the need to give equal time to Smitty & Tinkerbell.

As you well know, we have very little impulse control when it comes to adopting dogs in the spring. Smitty came to live with us in March '10 & Tinkerbell just barely a week ago. It's not to say that other dogs haven't touched our hearts, it's just that these two really struck a nerve with us.

In the year he's been with us, we've seen big changes in Smitty. He's SUCH a good dog. He listens & follows commands, as much as any Schnauzer/Scottie mix will. His "stay" is the best of any dog I've had or seen. He's all about Sunshine & will stay in bed with her until we call him to our room at night or go to get him. He's such a lovable boy & has brought so much joy to our family.

Tinkerbell is doing well adjusting to a new way of life with us. She's a runner & suffers from Corprophagia (google it, I won't gross you out with the definition).

We discovered these things after we got home on Saturday. The running part is being remedied by keeping her on a leash in the front yard & not allowing her off it during a walk until we're in the driveway & she's been told to "sit". The Corprophagia. Sigh. It's not her own, it's cat(s) who are allowed out at night or possibly strays as the people in our neighborhood who own cats don't let them out. I've covered a specific area with cayenne pepper & have cleaned it up. I'm hoping that cleaning the area combined with supplements & a better food than she ate in her old home will help. Yes, I realize that I'm most likely delusional about this behavior being corrected, but stranger things have happened.

And as you can see, Sunshine is in seventh heaven with her sweet doggies!

Everything old is new again

2011-04-20T13:38:00.005-04:00

I've always loved antique stores---be they up scale or flea market level, there is something about the history of a piece that's always fascinated me.

I've collected a lot of things over the years: Carnival Glass, Whiting & Davis bags, mosaic jewelry, personal salt & pepper shakers, etc. Trust me, there's been a lot of collections. Sadly, during my apartment days I didn't have the room (or the money) to buy larger pieces. Ah, who am I kidding---if I hadn't spent the money on my other collections, I could have afforded vintage/antique furniture. At least 3 of my Whiting & Davis bags were over $150 each. Scratch the "woe is me, I couldn't afford vintage furniture" whine.

Almost 2 years ago I discovered Gina's here in town. It was love at first visit. Gina owns her building so her prices are ridiculously low. These are some of my treasures from her shop.

The green wicker chair became a white chair to go along with my 2 wicker chairs & table (who came to me from the camp my family shared with my uncle & his family when I was a little girl)

This trunk was purchased yesterday for Sunshine's room, which is furnished with a white wicke

r headboard & dresser/mirror. In case you haven't guessed, I LOVE white wicker.

This is the Basset sideboard that I found at Gina's last Christmas. Hunter refinished it over the summer & look at now! It's beautiful. Emails from Basset told us it was part of the Marquise Group which was made between Oct. '66 & April '70. The original finish was known as Cavalo Cherry. Ours is similar.

We also have a Thomasville writing desk from Gina's but I am having the hardest time finding the picture & am just too lazy to pull out the external hard drive to find it!

Book Fair is next week---Friday is set up & then we are up and running! If I haven't resurfaced by next Thursday, send some 5 hour energy drink!

The week that was

2011-04-16T23:38:00.004-04:00

I have to say, getting back on our school routine was really rough on Monday! Both Sunshine & I weren't happy to be getting up at 630 again! But we're back on track. Letters home to parents for the Book Fair were copied, stapled to the flyer & have gone home. Next week I need to give the teachers their Wish List forms & hang the sign up schedule sheets in the teachers lounge. Friday is set up & then we're in full gear for 5 days.

Sunshine woke up yesterday with a tummy bug that kept her home from school. You know your child is sick when they crawl into your bed, take a 2 1/2 hour nap in the morning & then a 1 hr nap in the afternoon. The nice thing about Hunter's schedule is he's done for the day around noon on Fridays so I was able to get my errands done. Sadly, Friday was to be Sunshine's "school birthday" so I had made 2 dozen cupcakes to be decorated at school.

Luckily she was so much better today & was able to run to Target to use a gift card fr

om Hunter's aunt to buy more Squinkies. In case you were wondering, the Gumball Surprize! Playhouse was the item purchased as the Cupcake Surprize! Bake Shop was sold out.

Then we ran next door to PetSmart to pick up Smitty who was being groomed. The funniest thing happens to us in the spring when we go to PetSmart on an adoption weekend. Today, this little girl came home with us. She's a 2 1/2 year old Maltese/Shih Tzu mix & is an absolute love. She's found her food & water bowls, has already snuggled Sunshine in her bed (she's there now!) & so far (knock wood!) is getting along with Smitty. We'll be going to the vet hopefully on Monday & I'm hoping she gets a clean bill of health. Isn't she so cute?!!!!

Last Day of Spring Break

2011-04-10T11:48:00.002-04:00

What a great week we've had---we spent some lazy time at home, we went to Atlanta twice (once to the Fernbank Museum & the other to Zoo Atlanta) & of course, Sunshine had her birthday!

We love the zoo & try to get there at least once a year. This year we realized that an annual pass would be the smart way to go so there will be lots more trips for us between now & April 2012!

We were able to see the baby panda--Po as well as the baby giraffe, Glenda. Sunshine had a great time & decided that this trip's souvenir would be a giraffe.

We ran by Aunt Holly & Uncle Mark's to say hello as well as to pick up a birthday present & Christmas present that was accidentally left behind at the holidays. A quick trip to Perimeter Mall (LOVE) for dinner & some shopping followed. We saw cousin Megan & then were on our way home.

Today is our last day of Spring Break---Sunshine is playing with her dolls, Hunter is panning for gold in the drive way (I need to dedicate a blog post to this new hobby) & I'm enjoying the laziness. Grocery shopping can wait until tomorrow. Laundry may get done today, we'll see.

This week starts prep work for our BOGO book fair at the end of the month---the letter home to parents has been written but needs to be printed, copied & sorted by classroom. Then the fun of stapling to the flyer so teachers can distribute to their students. A week of quiet & then the set up (which doesn't intimidate me now that I've done it!), the thrill of the fair & then pack it up until Sept when our big fair starts.

I can't believe that after BOGO there will be 3 weeks left of school. I don't want this school year to end! Sunshine has had SUCH a wonderful experience in 1st grade. We love her teacher & really are very sad at the idea of leaving her. I know Sunshine will have a great 2nd grade teacher (we're really blessed at our school----nearly every teacher is exceptional in his or her own way), but Mrs. P has been INCREDIBLE. I will miss seeing her.

Enjoy your Sunday and for those of you going back to school tomorrow---may your 1st day back go smoothly!

Seven

2011-04-06T13:22:00.003-04:00

Seven is a big number in almost all cultures. There were seven sages in ancient Greece, seven in China. Seven wonders of the ancient world. There are seven notes in music scales. Creation took seven days, seven pillars of the House of Wisdom, seven deadly sins, seven Corporal Acts of Mercy. There are seven Sacraments in Catholicism. And of course, "lucky #7"

Seven is lucky to us today because seven years ago, Sunshine was born. Seventeen hours after we got to the hospital. She made her entrance into the world at 9:07 pm, although Hunter says they called it wrong---it was really 9:06. Regardless, she was finally here with us & we were finally able to hold her!

Today she slept in until almost 9am & we went out to breakfast at Starbucks (her choice). We've played with bubbles, googled toys on the internet (she did that!), looked at pictures from he day she was born (I got a little teary eyed) and are going to dinner tonight to celebrate the excitement that is turning seven. It's hard to say good bye to little kid-hood & know that your baby is growing up. I find myself looking at pictures of birthdays past & remember all the changes that each birthday brought. The skills learned, the challenges & adventures each year began. And while I'm so thankful that Hunter is home with us, I'm sad that he missed her 1st birthday, 3rd & 4th birthdays. Particularly her 1st. Gah! No sadness today---focus on the joy of our darling girl being seven! Happy Birthday, beautiful Sunshine! Mommy & Daddy love you more than you will ever know. We are so truly blessed to have you in our lives & are so thankful you are ours! xox

Spring Break!

2011-04-05T11:17:00.002-04:00

We're on Spring Break this week so yesterday Sunshine & I went to Atlanta to the Fernbank Museum to see their Mythic Creatures exhibit.

After our museum visit, we wen to visit Hunter's aunt & had dinner with her & his uncle. Uncle Mark is one of Sunshine's favorites. There were lots hugs, squeals of "UNCLEEEE MARKKKKKK!" and she insisted on being his helper while he grilled our supper. And he was treated to a special concert as she banged out tunes on their piano.

And since tomorrow is a very special day in our house, the last picture is me, 7 years ago with almost 11 lbs of baby. Amazingly enough, I only gained about 35 (37 maybe?) lbs and had no swelling anywhere other than my ginormous belly.

Today we're doing some crafts, painting & playing. Unlike 7 years ago when we went to lunch at Atlanta Bread Co & walked a good 5 miles as I was being induced the next day. Luckily my labor started on it's own around 4 am, but that's a blog for tomorrow!

With all due respect to TS Eliot

2011-04-01T23:00:00.003-04:00

We love April in this house. It brings flowers & warm weather (it's not unheard of for us to be swimming in April here). It brings Spring Break, Easter (sometimes) & our Sunshine.

Field Day was today & went off with nary a hitch! After a 2 1/2 hour planning meeting a couple weeks ago, I'd hope we'd ironed out all the glitches that held us back last year.

Sunshine's class did really well as a team---they cheered for one another, tried their best & never gave up. They won several events which was great.

Spring Break is next week & we've got a few day trips planned as well as some local things. And Sunshine's birthday. I can't believe that 7 years ago we were waiting for my induction date (ironically scheduled for my due date) & were so so very anxious to meet her.

Have a great weekend & don't believe everything you hear about April! It's really a great month!

Welcome, Spring!

2011-03-26T20:13:00.003-04:00

Just a some of the things we've seen this week. Queen Elizabeth Roses in the back yard. Hell's Fire iris in the front flower bed. It now has 4 blooms which is incredible considering last spring, this plant was no more than 4" tall. And lastly, the gekko in our large QE rosebush in the flowerbed in front of the dining room window.

We have 3 more iris that have blooms---one is white & the other two look like a deep purple. I'm anxious to see what other ones decide to bloom this year!

Pass the bleach, please!

2011-03-25T09:37:00.002-04:00

So we've had a busy week---who hasn't? Sunday was the PTA's Exec. Board meeting where we took the rough ideas the Field Day Chair had & organized Field Day. It looks like last year's problems have been ironed out & we'll be starting new traditions for FD that will be fun for everyone.

Monday I had a Media Technology Meeting with the ever-wonderful Kristine in the library. Again---we hashed out a few ideas for AR Celebration Week that will 1) start new traditions for the students that will be fun & 2) be easy for us to pull off without too much frustation. Which is really important. Happy volunteers=well run event=happy students.

Tuesday I dropped off my clothes for the Just4Kidz sale. I'm happy to say that as of this morning (with 2 more days left), I've sold 30 out of 39 items!! Speech for Sunshine in the afternoon & then home.

Wednesday is when the week took a turn. And not a good turn! I had come in from walking Smitty & was having breakfast when the nurse called to let me know Sunshine had gotten sick in the classroom & could I please pick her up. When I got into the nurse's office, I saw Sunshine's teacher who informed me that not only did Sunshine get sick, she managed to involve another child whose clothes suffered more than his pride. Luckily, he didn't get sick. Wednesday was school picture day for class pics & spring individual pics. Sunshine keeps her class pics in a frame next to her bed---they go all the way back to her 2 yr old preschool class. Her teacher suggested getting her home, cleaned up, rested & when it was their turn she'd call me & I could sneak her into the gym for the pic. Which is what we did. Until we'd been at school for over an hour. They'd called to let her teacher know they'd be going in 15 min but somehow 15 minutes to the photographers means almost 90 minutes in photography time.

As we were lining the kids up from tallest to shortest to go into the gym, Sunshine got sick again. *sigh* Poor little peanut. Again, there was a victim---one of her friends who was running around the classroom shouting "SOMEONE HELP ME! IT'S ON MY SHIRT!" while I was getting Sunshine to the sink & her teacher was trying to corral the other kids. If we'd had a video camera going, it would have been hysterical.

The remainder of Wednesday was spent in our bed, watching movies & relaxing. By dinnertime, she'd spiked a fever of 102.7 that took a while to come down.

Thursday we went to the doctor's as I wasn't convinced that the nausea & a couple other things (poor performance on a spelling test the day after she hit her head) were caused by happenstance & not the blow to her head. I knew deep down they were unrelated to the head injury, but that nagging Mommy guilt is brutal. Have you noticed that I'm wracked by guilt at times? Man, Catholic school did a number on me! I feel guilty if I don't hold the door for someone.

In true Sunshine fashion, she giggled & played with the doctor. He eased my nagging Mommy guilt & agreed the spelling test bomb was caused by her probably just not feeling 100% even though it was totally out of character & the nausea was probably caused by the virus that's going around school. Which I knew, but I wanted to hear from someone else. And by "someone else" I mean someone with M.D. after their name. Who probably thinks I'm insane with my giggling child.

Which brings us to today. Sunshine is still sick & this nasty little bug has claimed numerous nightgowns, sheets & towels. I've done 2 1/2 loads of laundry since 7am & have 1 more to go before I'm done. Sunshine is camped out on the couch watching tv & playing with various stuffedies. I'm hoping the weekend is good to us & she's totally on the mend for Monday.

And that you have a great weekend!! Enjoy!

Ado Annie was right

2011-03-20T11:09:00.007-04:00

I'm just a girl who can't say no. Not exactly like her, but I have a terrible time saying no people. You need someone to volunteer at a school event? Sure, I'll do it. You need someone to take over a PTA Chair position? Me! You need someone to watch your children? Absolutely!! Need help in the classroom every day for 2 weeks? What time do you need me? We need to organize meals for a soldier/spouse for 2-3 weeks? I'll send an email out right away! What's that? Your grandson will be visiting w/ his mother & you need an extra car seat? Yes, I have one--let me bring it to you! Need someone to call other Army wives to get info to them? Give me my list! Huh? One of the other callers flaked & you need someone to take on her 6 wives? I'll add them to mine!

I'm exhausted writing this. And I'm guilty of doing all of the above & then some. I don't know if it's my "must make sure everyone is happy ALL THE TIME" nature or whether it's some bizarre desire to control things. Probably both, but at the end of the day, I'm like Ado Annie --- I can't say no to people asking me to do things.

I was a FRG volunteer for almost all of Hunter's deployments & would rationalize my involvement as a way to stay informed, myself. During the last deployment, I enjoyed the other women who were actively involved so what better way to stay in contact with them? VOLUNTEER! The "highlight" of my inability to say no was to "lend" our extra car seat to a woman whose daughter was indeed visiting with the grandson & they needed a car seat. Did anyone have an extra one they could use. OF COURSE I DO! Because car seats are so inexpensive that really, why wouldn't you be lending them to everyone??! Especially another Army wife, right? The two weeks that she needed the seat quickly passed & my car seat was never returned. I called her, I went by her house, I emailed her. Nothing. I realize that it's all on her for basically stealing my car seat, but still. I willingly lent it to her. No, I gave it to her.

Fast forward to this year. I volunteer to be Co-Room Mom. Which honestly is so awesome. I really like the other Room Mom. We work well together & I think our class has had a great year thus far based on our efforts. And we absolutely ADORE Sunshine's teacher. I don't regret any of the time I've spent in her classroom & if I thought it would work, I'd totally start a petition to have her move up to 2nd grade only so Sunshine could be with her for another year. Seriously. But Room Moms have other obligations than just bringing snacks, planning parties, chaperoning field trips, helping in the class. There are various family nights at school where other parents don't step up to help out. So you have the same people manning the booths, games, rides, etc. And as a result, aren't able to enjoy the evening with their own family. Bitter? Yes. Because I'm just a girl who can't say no.

This past Friday was one of those nights. The Chair of the event wasn't able to get the number of volunteers that she needed through a local high school so we were calling on Room Moms & PTA volunteers to pitch in. Fine, I signed up for a half hour shift, figuring Hunter could bring Sunshine to school as my shift was ending so we could enjoy the rest of the evening as a family.

You know what they say about the best laid plans, right? On Thursday, as she was coming down the path, Sunshine decided to skip down the hill & fell. She hit her head on the metal hand rail & withing 30 seconds had a forehead that rivaled Frankenstein's. Honestly. I have witnesses & they will say the same thing. She was lucid as we sped to the ER & had an appetite so I wasn't 100% freaking out, only 99%. Which is impressive for me as I only know "over reaction" when it comes to Sunshine & ER visits! She was seen quickly & again was lucid, had no balance/motor skills issues so the doctor released us with the ever popular "keep an eye" advice. She went to school on Friday & was fine, Cro-Magnon forehead aside.

By Friday night I was still mentally spent & begged out of our family night at school citing Sunshine's injury.

Sweet sassy-molassy, the GUILT! Not from the PTA. But from ME! From within! From that place inside that makes you cringe as you hear your mother use your full name 35 years ago. Now, two days later, I've barely recovered.

Back to my fellow Room Mom. The really nice one. She works part time & two weeks ago her regular sitter (she has a child in Sunshine's class & a younger one) went to the ER complaining of stomach pain. Without sharing her business on the Internet, let's just say she wound up with emergency surgery & 2-3 weeks of recovery time. So she is unable to care for Room Mom's child. Could I do it?

Say it with me--"OF COURSE I CAN!"

Don't get me wrong--I like children. I have a child who is the center of my universe (or just left of center if Hunter is reading this!). I love the time I've spent in her classroom & doing my AR Chair stuff (Book Fair, AR Celebration Week & such). But one on one child care? Not my forte. But OMG, a friend needs help. I'm in a position to help so why not?

Plus, I'll admit, I'm making a little cash which will go toward my Disney spending $$ fund. Hey, I need a new Mickey Mouse cap as Smitty chewed mine.

Smitty---another instance where I couldn't say no. But that was a previous blog.

So, I'm watching RM's little girl (who is so cute & so spunky & so funny with the sweetest little giggle) for 2-3 weeks, 3 days a week.

I have to admit, I will NOT watch her during Spring Break. Sunshine's birthday falls during that week & I fully plan on sleeping in, doing fun things & fully enjoying our vacation together. I swear I will!

Really.

And today? PTA Board meeting (yes, we had one 2 weeks ago) for our field day event. I'm praying that my reply of "sorry, I'm the Room Mom. I'm going to drag the cooler around & help contain the kids" will allow me to enjoy the day with Sunshine & her class!

Best Hump Day Afternoon, Ever!

2011-03-17T17:29:00.002-04:00

Hunter's always been fascinated by RC planes & has owned a couple since we've been together. One met a brutal death on a field on post. When our new furniture arrived he gave a little demo to the movers with his little helicopter (which Sunshine loves, but Smitty hates).

So, yesterday when he asked Sunshine if she wanted to go out to post to watch him fly his plane, I chimed in that I wanted to go too!

What a wonderful afternoon---we drove to an old air strip past Uchee Creek, but near Fryar Field. As we were getting out of the car, we noticed a large plane overhead. Then we noticed the airborne students jumping out. Good thing I brought the DSLR camera rather than my little point & shoot! Sunshine was amazed by the jumpers but was soon focusing her attention on Daddy's plane.

I fully admit, I have NO interest in RC planes or the like, but it was really fun to watch Hunter make his plane fly, do little tricks & land. Sadly, toward the end the battery died & she crashed. A new propeller is on the "to do" list & more battery power is needed, but wow, such a fun afternoon!!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-03-16T14:09:00.001-04:00

Yes, I realize it's two months early, but my ring from Gold 'n Gems came today! I was so excited, I opened the package at the end of the drive way while I was talking to our next door neighbor.

I LOVE my ring! If you'll remember, Sunshine & I found this stone (corundum), didn't think it was anything valuable & threw it over the edge of the sluice. Read here if you need to remember the story.

At any rate, my ring came today & it's more beautiful than I could have imagined. The color is lovely & actually a deeper raspberry than the photo shows. It's a cabochon cut stone with an asterism. JewelInfo4u describes an asterism as: a phenomenon by which a star shaped light effect has been shown across the surface of the gem through the reflection or transmission of light.

I'm still chuckling over the fact that I didn't want to "grubbin" for stones, but I'm so glad we did. It was a great time & I'm so happy with how my ring turned out. Now I'm off to look at their catalog to see what settings they have for earrings. Sunshine & I found an awful lot of amethysts!

Imagination

2011-03-15T17:38:00.003-04:00

Remember Gilda Radner & the early years of SNL? I was around 10 when my parents in some sort of lapse of awareness of what SNL was, would let me stay up on occasion to watch SNL if my oldest brother (10 years older than me) was home. I remember seeing so many now-classic sketches. Gilda always made me laugh. Especially the Judy Miller show.

Now I look at this clip & laugh because there are so many times that the modern day Judy Miller Show plays out in my home under it's new name of The Sunshine Show. Seriously. The imagination on this kid is insane. Insane in an entirely good way. The things she comes up with are absolutely amazing. Today we had a full on re-enactment of Cinderella in the drive way while I sat & knitted. And giggled as I watched. It was proceeded by the Leprechaun Show, complete with a green sand pail on her head as a hat. And Irish dancing.

A few weeks ago I was talking with her teacher & we both agreed the imagination & sense of humor were off the charts. I confessed that she makes us laugh at least once a day, usually more with her antics or comments.

Her knock-knock jokes are getting a little stale however---perhaps she needs a new joke writer.

There's very few things in life

2011-03-12T21:12:00.000-05:00

that feel better than sleeping in on a Saturday morning? Especially when you're a parent. And your spouse has been sleeping in (10 am average!) all week due to being on Spring Break. I'm proud to admit, I rolled out of bed at 9:49 am this morning! It was heavenly!

Sunshine & I went to a matinee of Mars Needs Moms this afternoon. Her choice. At some point she decided she didn't want to see Gnomeo & Juliet but MNM was a must see. Total mixed bag! The message was very positive, but there were some scenes where she sat on my lap with both her & my hands over her eyes. Several scenes brought tears to her eyes (and mine) but the ending left her happy & dancing in her seat. We saw some previews that we promised we'd see next month & oh so many annoying commercials. I don't need (or want) to see Diet Coke or Sprite commercials in the movie theaters. I want my movie trivia & my previews. That's it.

Tonight we "Spring Ahead" & set the clocks ahead one hour. I'm secretly admitting that I'm afraid of doing this. Obviously I've done it many times before, but I almost always suffer from sleep issues in the days & sometimes weeks that follow. Ambien helps but ugh, I hate relying on it to get to sleep. Fortunately, it doesn't bother Sunshine. Both of us don't need to be sleep deprived!

Next week is busy as I'm helping out a friend whose regular sitter is recovering from a ruptured appendix. Sunshine & her son (the friend) sit next to one another in class & I'll be watching his little sister who is 4. And spunky. We're going to have fun going to story time & playing. I'm sure she's going to love Smitty & Sunshine's dolls. Which reminds me, I need to let Sunshine know to put away anything she doesn't want A. getting into.

We also have our Family Fun Night at school next weekend. I managed to open my big mouth at last week's PTA Exec. Board meeting to let the FFN chair know how she could go about getting volunteers from local high schools to help out. Of course, this resulted in ME making calls/sending emails to recruit said volunteers. I'm a little concerned as I haven't heard from any yet. Is it wrong of me to not want to run the event in our class (as co-room mom) because no one else will volunteer? I spent an hour at Fall Festival running the train ride (along with the other co-room mom, 1 parent volunteer & our teacher who all did an hour each) & didn't enjoy FF w/ Sunshine & Hunter as a result. If more parents volunteered we could have shorter shifts & everyone could enjoy their evenings with their family. I'm sure somewhere another PTA volunteer is saying the same thing.

Off to bed in hopes of getting a good night's rest & not tossing & turning like I have in years past!

Spring is on it's way!

Seeing joy in a child's eyes

2011-03-10T15:08:00.004-05:00

If you have a child, know a child, have ever seen a child, chances are you've seen joy in a child's eyes. Think about birthdays, Christmas, a "just because" surprise, the morning after the Tooth Fairy has come for the very first time.

You never forget that look on their darling little faces & the light in their eyes.

I was able to bring that look to a little girl's face today. A little girl who wasn't mine.

I spent my morning here with several other volunteers. It was slow when we arrived so I started going through the winter coats to make sure the right sizes were in the right sections. I then moved onto dresses when some of the children started coming in. One of them was a little girl I'll call "Sarah" Sarah is a 7 year old 2nd grader with a sweet smile and such a fun little personality. She was "shopping" with her school librarian as well as one of her sisters and one of her brothers. There are 5 children in her family.

We started off with dresses and Sarah's eyes grew big as saucers as we picked out some that would fit her. The suggested list of clothing items is: 5 tops, 1-2 dresses, 3 pairs of jeans/pants, 1 warm coat, 1 light weight, 1 pair of new shoes, 1 pair of used, undies/socks.

I'm admitting to you that I jam packed Sarah's bag with everything and anything that fit her and that brought a smile to her face.

We spent an hour and a half together and honestly, it was so much fun. She has such a kind heart and I found myself wanting to bring her home and spoil her. Like Sunshine, Cinderella is her favorite princess and she loves to read. I imagined them playing Barbies in Sunshine's room, giggling away and playing with Cinderella dolls. When she told me her 16 year old cousin was pregnant with a baby boy, it was everything I could do to keep my mouth shut and tell her that SHE herself needed to finish school, get an education, a job and live part of her life before she even consider bringing another child into the world. But that's not what you do when you're volunteering there.

Sarah gave me the biggest hug when she left to go back to school. I cried when I left. I kept thinking of an incident with Sunshine last week that left me upset with her and the differences between her & Sarah.

Gymboree had a sale on tops and since Sunshine has outgrown most of her spring/summer clothes from last year, she needed more. I spent close to $80 on tops & shorts as well as matching socks and hair accessories. When I picked up Sunshine from school she declared that she didn't like it. Blue is the new pink in our house, but apparently she has enough blue and wanted something else. So, off we went to Gymboree to exchange what I had purchased.

When we got there, she announced she wanted some dresses. No, I'm sorry, we're here for play clothes. But, DRESSES!!! I held my ground and when I realized she wasn't going to work with me, I returned everything and we left the store.

Today, while I was shopping with Sarah, I kept thinking how this darling girl was SO thankful for the things she was getting. There was no complaining. There was no fussing. I know I shouldn't have, but I found myself comparing her to Sunshine and the Gymboree incident.

She asked me if we had any Disney Princess shirts and sadly there weren't any. I keep thinking about whether it would be improper of me to buy one and drop it off anonymously at her school. Because every little girl deserves a Princess shirt. Especially Sarah.

I volunteer a lot with Sunshine's class and with the school. Back when Hunter was deployed, I did a lot of volunteering with our FRG. The last time I cried after a volunteer activity was in Sept. 07 when we brought meals to 2 of Hunter's friends who had been badly injured in an IED attack. Part of it was out of gratitude that it wasn't my husband, but also because these men were truly heroes. Their lives would be changed forever by their injuries. I am still teary about Sarah. She truly touched my heart with her spirit and the joy in her face for such basic items. Items that we take for granted.

Dealing with Addiction

2011-03-09T07:34:00.002-05:00

Specifically my addiction to Charlie Sheen & the train wreck that his life has become.

I was smitten with him when I saw Ferris Bueller oh so many years ago. Loved him in Platoon (okay, I just really liked Platoon). Just loved him, but I admit, I did NOT watch "Two and a half men" I just don't do sitcoms.

Lately I've found myself watching his webcasts. I have no idea why. Maybe it's morbid curiosity. I just can't NOT watch. The rants, the rambling, the over all nuttiness suck me in each time.

I know it's tragic, but I can't help it. It's clearly not educating me nor am I gaining anything by watching, yet I do.

I can't imagine the pain his family is experiencing as a result of his behavior. His children (with the exception of one) aren't old enough to know what's going on, but they're old enough to miss daddy. And in the age of the internet, this stuff won't be going away so they'll be able to find it when they're old enough to access the 'net.

Today is Ash Wednesday & while I'm no longer a practicing Catholic, I'm trying to figure out what to give up for Lent. I'll admit, Charlie Sheen was on the list. I'm leaning toward fast food. I don't eat a real lot of it, but I really shouldn't be eating it, period. Sonic's strawberry shakes bring a smile to my face, but certainly do nothing for my hips. And let's be real---it's March in Georgia, next month can be warm enough for pool weather. We try to eat healthy at home & I try to limit what treats come into our house as I do all the grocery shopping, but I've been known to grab a quick lunch on the run or on a road trip. It's pretty hard to eat a salad while driving. Just sayin'.

So I have a couple hours to figure out what's going away for Lent. Right now I'm leaning toward fast food. Charlie Sheen may not be informative or educational, but he's not bad for my health (or figure) the way a strawberry shake or cheeseburger is.

Duh, Winning!

Things I love, things I hate

2011-03-08T08:35:00.003-05:00

Like this picture---love the way our pear tree looks when it's in full bloom. When those blossoms fall on the ground? Ugh.

I'm a lip balm addict. You will find tins of Smith's Rosebud or Strawberry Lip Salves in my purse, makeup bag, bathroom, nightstand, and in a drawer in the end table in the living room. I'm pretty sure there are more stashed away somewhere. I had to stop keeping them in my car as they'd get melty when the car got hot. And if they were upside or weren't level, they'd reform in a weird shape.

I love Aveda hair products (we've talked about this in another blog post). I go back and forth with other brands but will always come back to Aveda. There's something about that smell that always hooks me.

I'm also a Philosophy girl. This after years of working for Lauder (and several of their subsidiaries) and Lancome. My routine is very simple & honestly, at 43--my skin looks great. I know part of it is genetics, part of it is taking care of my skin since I was a teen & part of it is freakishly obsessive daily sunscreen use. I love their kits---face wash, eye cream, serum & moisturizer for the price of another brand's moisturizer? No brainer there!

I love Chico's. I've been a customer for 20 years & while I don't love all their clothes, will nearly always find things that fit & look good. I wore their Travelers Collection during my pregnancy with Sunshine. I may mix in some Target t's & shorts but Chico's---love!

I'm a purse snob. I love my Lancel bag from Paris. Love my 10 year old Prada bag bought on clearance in Montreal. Love my Kate Spade. And I'm one of "those" people whose bag & wallet HAVE TO match. My friends mock me for it but it's just my thing. And I blame my old Coach days for this. When you shop the Coach outlets they make it too easy for you to have everything all matchy-matchy.

I hate flip flops. I can't wear them. I can't wear any sort of sandal that has something between my toes. It bothers me to no end. It' makes my friend Jami cry when I admit this, so Jami---skip this part.

I hate when you buy a mascara only to find the wiper doesn't take off all excess mascara so you have to do so with a tissue. I find this with a lot of cheaper brands. Which are the ones I buy. After not paying for mascara for years (courtesy of my product gratis during my makeup artist years), I refuse to pay $25 or more for a product that I'll toss after 2 months. I'd rather put that money into something else, so I go cheap. And really---why IS department store mascara $25 dollars?? When I started working for Lancome in '93, a tube of Definicils was $15. It's $25 now. Lauder's More Than Mascara has gone from $14 or so to $21. Yes, inflation, blah blah blah. But really? Total racket. And I admit, I was part of that racket for many years.

There are also products that claim to be "as good as" a more expensive counterpart. The Sonia Kashuk hair brush is supposed to be "as good as" the Mason Pearson brush. So not true. Money wasted on my part right there!

It irks the holy hand grenades out of me when people try to top you. You know who the toppers are. You say something like "holy cow, I was so sick this weekend!" They come up with "OMG, I was at the ER near DEATH!" Or "I'm so busy this week with x, y, z---I'm really tired!" They're busy with q, r, s, t, u, v AND your x, y, z". What is up with that? I'm all about someone sharing their frustrations or whatever & someone else commiserating with them, but the toppers? Gotta go. Like the drama mamas, I don't need them in my life.

Right now I'm really down on the government---Congress specifically. There are so many people whose lives will be impacted financially if there is a shut down. My family will be impacted. We've heard that Social Security payments will continue but haven't heard anything about VA/Army retirement pay. Or CRSC payments. People who work in the private sector go to work, do their jobs (or not) & get paid. Yes, there are lay offs, cut backs, etc. But as long as the company is bringing in money, they'll get paid. Government employees, our military & veterans are at the mercy of the government.

And speaking of government employees, get those WI senators back to work. I think it's great they're taking a stand for what they believe, but your constituents elected you for a reason. If THEY feel you should be off hiding in Illinois, then great--party on. Otherwise, get back to work & do the job you were elected to do. ****PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS IS MY OPINION. IF YOU DON'T SHARE MY OPINION, THAT'S FINE. I RESPECT YOUR OPINION, PLEASE RESPECT MINE. I DON'T MEAN TO START A POLITICAL DEBATE, NOR WILL I ENGAGE IN ONE ON THIS BLOG. Thank you ;)

It's a beautiful day here---one of those that I love---sunny skies, trees blooming (remember to take that zyrtec!) and in the low 60's for a high. Sweater weather!!!!!

Enjoy your day wherever you are!

Happy Adoption Day, Dear Smitty

2011-03-07T19:27:00.002-05:00

Happy Adoption Day to you! Here's Sunshine giving Smitty his present tonight.

One year ago I went to Michaels to buy ribbon for Sunshine's hair as it had finally grown out enough from the Horrible Haircut of '09 to pull back into a small pony with some ribbon. Since it was a Sunday, I wandered over to PetSmart as it's their adoption day.

There were so many cute little dogs---despite having a decent size fenced-in yard, we're still small dog people. Love my brothers' labs (one brother has a chocolate, the other has a black as well as a yellow lab), but 85 lbs of dog sharing my bed vs. 15 lbs of dog? I choose 15!

So, tons of sweet little doggies---so many ear scratches, coos of "what a good girl/boy" & general "ooooh I so want to bring you home!" followed. I found myself in the back of the store when a shelter was unloading their dogs. That's when I saw Smitty. He was scruffy & immediately marked his little crate when they took him out of their crate. He had big brown eyes & when I saw his little Schnauzer face I was in love. I started texting Hunter who told me to "just say no" and to walk away.

But, I didn't. I was walking Smitty in the store & to my amazement he walked nicely on the leash. He listened to commands. The story from the shelter was sketchy. I was told he was surrendered by a family whose little girl was abusive to him. I was also told he was surrendered due to financial issues. For whatever reason, someone gave him up & I was going to bring him home with me.

Persistence paid off & next thing I knew Hunter was bringing Sunshine down to the store so they could see him. The shelter said his name was Smut. Seriously. Who in their right mind names a dog "Smut"??? The name had to go, but I wanted a name that was close so he wouldn't be too terribly confused, thus Smitty was born.

I'll admit, buyers remorse kicked in pretty quickly when I realized that Libby wasn't impressed with our new family member. At all. There would be moments when she'd let him get close to her & they'd snuggle together, but they were few and far between. I felt guilty that she wasn't happy w/ her new buddy.

After we lost her in July, I found myself wishing it had been him who had gotten sick. Before you think I'm a horrible person who had no right to adopt him, bear with me. I'd had Libby for 7 1/2 years & since she was 8 weeks old. She was truly my baby. Smitty was a sweet boy I'd adopted on a whim, who was never accepted by my sweet girl & a dog I'd had for 4 months.

Roughly a month after she was gone, I found myself with 25 lbs of Schnauzer mix on my lap one afternoon when it hit me---I love this dog. I didn't rescue him----HE rescued ME. Friends commented on the timing of his adoption. Whatever your belief system is, fate had intervened on that day. He came into our lives for a reason & I am eternally grateful to God, the fates, the universe, who/whatever. He's my sweet handsome boy. He's a smart dog & it soon became clear that whoever owned him had given him some sort of training. It's said that shelter/rescue adoptions usually take around 6 months to settle into their new homes. Smitty wasn't any different. By fall we noticed he was responding to our voice commands/hand signals. Even in a group of dogs that are misbehaving, he will listen & follow our commands.

He's a very affectionate dog & loves everyone he meets. His little tail will start wagging & won't stop. He gets on Sunshine's bed when we're reading stories at night & will stay with her (oh, how those two love one another!!) until we go to bed & call him into our room. He's a bed hog. He snores & he does this cute thing where he will roll onto his back, roll around & make growly noises as he stretches. He's definitely a "talker" & loves watching the Patriots play football. Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis is his favorite. He's also been compared to Don Draper as he's such a handsome boy!

Happy Adoption Day, Smitty. We'd be so lost without you!

Much newness with some oldness

2011-03-05T18:52:00.005-05:00

There's a great deal of popularity today with "junkin", thrift stores, and "picking",. If you can think of other terms, feel free to throw them in here. I've been hitting antique stores, thrift stores, auctions, for over 20 years. Wait, did I just date myself? Anyway. The concept isn't new to me.
We've been wanting to make over our living room ever since we moved into this house a year and a half ago. I loved the paint color we chose for the living room but once our furniture was in here, I realized (with horror) that our sofa was basically a lighter version of the walls. Gold, gold, beige, beige. Ugh. How could I do this? I've wanted a chocolate brown leather couch for years. Ask anyone who knows me well---they were sick of hearing about it.

Last month we decided to go couch/love seat shopping after receiving a catalog from the PX (the military's department store). We'd just received our tax refund & figured it was a good time to buy. In the catalog was a beautiful chocolate brown sofa & love seat in leather. The only problem is you buy them sight unseen if they don't have floor models at the furniture annex of the PX. Of course, ours doesn't have the higher end merchandise. How would I know if it was comfy? How would I know if I could stretch out on the couch & have a little power nap in the afternoon? Would I like the feel of this leather? I'm nothing if not neurotic!

After visiting several furniture stores we stumbled into one closest to our house (of course) & found 2 that we liked---a chocolate brown leather sectional (we were getting rid of a sectional) & it's cousins--the couch/love seat. We settled on the couch/love seat combo & waited for today for them to arrive.

While we were waiting, the quest for the perfect end & coffee table began. Did we want round? Rectangular? Glass top? Wrought iron base? Say it with me----neurotic!

Last weekend we went to a multi-dealer antique/thrift shop in Alabama. We quickly found one coffee table & an end table we liked. Older, but well made & in good shape (but not the end table). We settled on the coffee table. Got it home, cleaned it & it's gorgeous.

This week started the quest for the end table. By Thursday I had gone to 5 antique/thrift stores with no luck. By chance, I stopped into one that I had visited before, but never purchased there. Immediately I found a beautiful Duncan Phyfe drum table. I was smitten. The price was fair but it wasn't super stable---slightly wobbly. Maybe something needed to be stabilized underneath? Hmmmmm. Surely my mumful handy husband could fix it ---right? I kept working my way through the store until I found the table above. Queen Anne style (LOVE!), pretty detail on top & in amazingly great condition. Nothing would need to be done to it other than a good cleaning. It came home with me! Today we went back for the Occupied Japan candy dish that you see in the table pic as well as in the other. It looks perfect on the table & the colors work really well with our living room.

Hunter has Spring Break this week which means sleeping in (for him anyway!), lunch dates for us & honey-do lists for him. We're going to move around some furniture in the living room & (our late '60's Bassett sideboard I found at Gina's last Christmas, our secretary from Hunter's grandparents) and see if that works. Because who doesn't enjoy moving around heavy furniture? Especially on Spring Break!

Tomorrow is our PTA Exec. Board meeting at Panera (yum!). Hunter & Sunshine have some time together planned which will be nice for them. If only it weren't an icky rainy weekend!

Hope you're enjoying yours!!!

That was a loooong weekend

2011-03-01T18:31:00.001-05:00

On Friday night our internet went out. Then our phone followed. Calls to our cable/internet/phone company revealed that indeed, there was a "problem in your area". When things still weren't fixed 8 hours later, another call was made. Oh so sorry, we'll get someone out withing 24-48 hours.

Don't they know that I have a farm & city to run? Status messages to giggle over? Email that needs my immediate attention?!

Apparently they do know but just do not care.

It would be Tuesday before our phone & "interwebs" were up and running.

Tuesday I went to a local hotel with lots of other collectors because these guys were in town. I gathered up my Whiting & Davis mesh bag collection (well, 6 of my bags) as well as the Italian mosaic jewelry that I used to collect. I got to the hotel, signed in with the roadshow & sat with the other collectors who were hoping for the chance to make the "OMG, grandma's tea pot is worth WHAT????!!!!" happy face. I was number 31 & when I sat down, they were on number 16. A lot of people had coins as the ads specified, they were looking for gold/silver. Several collectors were very knowledgeable about their collections. We started to notice that there were very few "OMG grandma's tea pot is worth WHAT???!!!" happy faces coming out of the evaluation room. In fact, some people were coming out with very sour expressions. Some told us that we shouldn't waste our time waiting to be seen. Hmmmm. One of the more talkative gentlemen with coins was called several numbers before me. When he came out, he told another gentleman to leave as he was offered face value for his silver coins. Not market value on the silver, but face value. Hmmmm

Finally I was called in & met with one of their "evaluators". I realize that it's very difficult to have an expert in everything travel the country, but surely they could have people with maybe coin expertise, one with jewelry, books, etc. My guy looked at my collection as I explained the different types of mesh used & how it indicate the age of the piece. What styles I had (cathedral frame with sapphire cabochon, picadilly, an el-sah, dresden mesh, sunset mesh) & which were the more rare pieces. He'd type something on his laptop & when all was said & done, I was offered a price that would have paid for 2 of my bags. I realize that they're not going to offer top dollar, but come on. First they offer face value on coins that are worth much more, then they offer me an amount that is more than half of what my bags are worth? Um, no thank you. If you see them coming to your town & you're thinking about having grandma's tea pot appraised---don't have it done by them. Find a reputable antique dealer, do research on your own, do something but avoid these guys.

And lastly, Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss! It's also Read Across America Day. I went in to school this morning to read to Sunshine's class. We read Green Eggs & Ham, The Gingerbread Girl (one of Sunshine's favorites) & While The World Was Sleeping. It was a very fun way to take part in such an important day.

Reading was very big deal in my family. Still is. Some of my earliest memories of going out with my mom involve going to the local library. I remember they had a collection of Peter Rabbit & Babar books that were made for very little hands. I'd spend forever sitting in the children's section looking at the pictures before I was able to read the words. If you ask my mother, she will very proudly tell you that I had my own library card when I was 2. Ironically, my very first job would be at that library as a page/librarian's assistant. I was the only 13 year old who knew the Dewey decimal system by heart.

We began reading to Sunshine when she was a baby---probably 2-3 months old. I knew she wouldn't understand the word, but the pictures would eventually prove to be entertaining to her. When she was 3, she had Green Eggs & Ham, Good Night, Moon & Make Way for Dinosaurs memorized. I loved listening to her "read" these books with me when we were snuggling in her bed. It was really amazing when she learned to read, would sound out words & was really reading on her own. I'm glad we're raising a reader.

The quote for RAA Day is obviously a Dr. Seuss quote that I love: "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

I hope that today you're wacky & wild when you read to a child---they'll love it & you'll find you will too!!

Mumful

2011-02-23T21:12:00.002-05:00

When Sunshine was younger she would say "mumful" instead of "wonderful". It's an expression we've kept in our family's vernacular partly out of nostalgia & partly because it's uniquely ours.

I blog about Hunter when it's Father's Day, his birthday & Veterans Day. He is mumful. He is truly mumful.

But there are days when he drives me stark raving mad. It's partly him & it's partly PTSD/TBI issues. All couples have days like that & it's completely normal.

But really, I'm not at my best when you've driven me stark raving mad. No one is. But I'm especially nutty.

Hey, at least I admit it!

Today was one of those days. I won't go into detail, but suffice to say it was a bunch of little things & that whole possible March 4th government shut down that had him in a tizzy. He shuts down when he's in a tizzy which bugs my need for family interaction at dinnertime. I told him to go outside, have a cigarette & try to relax. I got Sunshine to bed & that's when all hell broke loose.

By "all hell" I mean our toilet. A bolt broke because well, 20 year old bolts on toilets do these things.

But do they really need to happen at 8pm? When we're tired & cranky? Murphy says, "yes!"

Hunter runs out to Lowe's to get a replacement bolt & starts his after hours plumbing work. We have water on half of the floor in the bathroom, there are towels all around the base of the toilet, I'm standing on them while holding up the tank so Hunter can replace the bolt.

How do men have these innate skills? Because I know I'd be spazzing out while looking up plumbers in the yellow pages.

Not my mumful husband. He fixes it & helped me heft the 700 lb laundry basket (10 drenched towels & 2 bath mats) into the laundry room.

I'm lucky to have such a mumful guy. I try to tell him how mumful he is but I don't know if I do it enough, despite daily efforts to do so. So Sweetie----you are SO mumful & I love you bunches!!!!

Don't judge & stuff

2011-02-21T10:01:00.004-05:00

We went to North Georgia over the weekend for a couple days---something Hunter & I have been wanting to do. I'll admit, I just want to go to the North Georgia Premium Outlets whereas he's wanted to go panning for gold & to visit Helen, GA. Sunshine just wanted to stay in a hotel!

So off we we went. Friday afternoon was spent shopping. Many good deals were had & we did our part to stimulate the economy. Thank us later.

Saturday morning we woke up & headed to Gold n Gem in Cleveland, GA for some panning & grubbin'. North Georgia is very rural, but very pretty---the mountains remind both of us of home. Hunter settled into a routine panning though his 2 gallon bucket (he would find $300 worth of gold within 4 hours). Sunshine & I stated with a 1 gallon bucket & found lots of sodalite, adventurine, amethysts, & various quartz. We then moved onto a 2 1/2 gallon bucket & founds emeralds, more amethysts, obsidian & this rock. Which we dumped out. One of the men who works there walked by & examined our dumped out rocks on the ground. He picked this one up & handed it to me. It's a corundum. Sapphire AND ruby. It's about the the size of a jumbo chicken egg & is currently on it's way to being made into a 5 ct ruby ring for me. (Happy Mother's Day!)

Sunshine and I were using the gem chart behind us at the sluice yet didn't recognize this stone for what it was. I'm grateful for my stone savior who stopped to examine what we'd dumped out. Subsequent bucket dumps were examined more closely!

I have finally recovered from Book Fair & feel confident in saying that I'm mentally ready for the BOGO fair that is held in April. I know what needs to be done 2 weeks out, I know what goes on during the fair & how to close it out. Amazing what a little (very little!) experience will do for someone! And best of all, we have THE NOTEBOOK to help us!

My 365 project is coming along. Some days are easier than others---it depends on what inspires me. Or doesn't inspire me! Several people have suggested that I have it printed out at the end of the year as a reminder of the project. I just might do that.

Today we're enjoying a quiet President's Day at home---laundry from the weekend, helping Hunter with the back yard, organizing the massive amounts of Barbies in Sunshine's room. I'm toying with the idea of going to knit tonight, but also want to be in bed early tonight so maybe that'll wait until next week.

TGIS

2011-02-12T19:45:00.003-05:00

Thank God it's Saturday!

And I survived Book Fair! And, may I say---we blew it out of the water?!!! This was our first ever mini-fair so our goal wasn't outrageous. Realistic, I'd say. The first day, we had done about 75% of our goal. Friday, we managed to beat Thursday's figures and that was just from 8-3. We did a good bit more in the two hours we were open during the Father-Daughter dance! We still have Monday so I'm sure our mini-fair's ending totals will be amazing!

And to think, I was nervous!

I was exhausted & spent part of this afternoon enjoying a two hour nap! I managed to take naps Thursday & Friday as well after coming home from school! Next week we have to break down the fair in order to send everything back to Scholastic on Weds. and then do the financial paperwork. THE NOTEBOOK is safe at in the school library in case you were wondering.

After our naps today, we went furniture shopping & picked out a beautiful chocolate brown leather sofa & love seat. They'll be delivered the first week of March----YAY!! Now to find a new coffee table!

iphone-y goodness

2011-02-07T20:41:00.002-05:00

I'll admit, I was one of the lemmings who were up at 3am on Thursday to order their iphones. I was giddy as I selected our 2 phones, paid & received confirmation of the order. It took me an hour to fall back to sleep.

The next day, LeslieJ sent me a message on Facebook saying she'd received an email saying her phone was being shipped. The NEXT DAY! Insanity! I finally received the same email & the crazy really began. Where was the phone, would they really be here Monday by 3? What case am I getting???

Sure enough, today our phones arrived around 11:40 am & the fun began. I have to say, it was very easy to set up on itunes. Almost makes you wonder why it would take the Verizon people so long to sync phones back in the day.

Apps have been downloaded, contacts updated & ringtones downloaded. So much fun!

This week is Book Fair at school & I'm back to being a little panicky as I'm fighting a cold. I think I'll be okay as long as I have plenty of water while I'm there as well as cough drops. And commit to going to bed at a decent hour. I know several of you are laughing over that one. It does happen on occasion, I swear!

Have a great week---I'm off to play with my phone some more!!!

Friiiiday

2011-02-04T10:10:00.003-05:00

Isn't Friday such a happy day? It doesn't matter what you've got going on, it's FRIDAY! And at the end of the day, you're done 'til Monday. You have two days to sleep in, hang out in comfy clothes & if you choose, do nothing!

I'm feeling better about Book Fair. I'm still a little spazzy about the actual fair itself but it'll be what it'll be & that I can't control. But the preparatory work is done (writing & copying letters home to parents, stapling to the flyer, distributing to all home room teachers, invitations & classroom wishlists for all teachers & a sign up sheet for teachers to come to the fair with their classes). Really, the most time consuming work is done. Next week is set up, the fair itself & then the weekend. We're extending the fair 'til Monday the 14th since pick up won't be until the 16th. Let's hope the extra day helps us!

I think part of my stress level about the whole thing is the notebook (now known as THE NOTEBOOK) is missing. The old co-chair (the one I replaced) gave it to our mutual friend who had been her co-chair. It contained all book fair info, as well as AR celebration week info. Co-chair that I replaced is incredibly thorough. Incredibly. thorough. When we went to FL back in April for our girls' weekend, she wrote up a shopping list prior to the trip so everyone knew what they were responsible to bring. So, during AR Celebration Week in December, the other co-chair left it at school. She thinks. It was a really busy week for everyone, regardless of what they were doing. Final week of school before Christmas break---utter chaos. Plus, she works (she was Sunshine's PreK teacher---Sunshine still gets giddy when she sees her), has children, a husband & a house to run. And that's just a normal week. So, THE NOTEBOOK is lost. No blame, just ugh!

Yesterday we got together & wrote out the letter to send home. Spent quality time with the copier & stapler. Today I finished the 4th & 5th grade classes & got them distributed. Phew. Got the teacher's invites into their boxes. Phew, phew!

Luckily my need for organization & copious notes means that I am starting a new notebook, complete with copies of letters, wishlists, a time list of when to start doing prep work, contact list of volunteers. My type A/obsessive/compulsive is coming out & I'll spare you that! Suffice to say, by the time the book fair is being sent back to Scholastic we'll have a new THE NOTEBOOK that will NOT leave my greedy little hands. Until I hand it over to a new co-chair somewhere down the line.

After that, they're on their own!

Have a great weekend!!