I swear, I'm alive

I know, I know, I've been away FOREVER!  How did you ever manage to get by without me?  We're home after our annual trek North.   Here's a few of our stops:

We went here (hint:  Generals Grant & Lee met here)

                                     And we went here so Elizabeth & Felicity could have a homecoming!

                                              The Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.

    And here.  One of my favorite cities in the whole wide world.  Hint:  they speak French.

                                                          Aw, I just gave it away!

So, that's been the last three weeks in a nutshell.   I'll tell you more later.  I promise!

Blue

I've loved hydrangeas for as long as I can remember.  They're second only to peonies.  Which just so happens to be one of my favorite words to see in print or written:  peony.  

When we were looking at houses, I told people that I'd know the right house because it would have blue hydrangeas & a mimosa tree.  We found what I thought was the right house for us---4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths.  It had a formal living room, formal dining room, large L shaped family room, in a cul-de-sac, 2 stories & there was a large mimosa tree in the back yard.  And it was a great size yard.

Unfortunately, I was too busy looking at what was right with the house to see what was wrong.  The master bedroom & en suite bath were tiny.  Really tiny.  Our bedroom furniture wouldn't have fit.  Well, it would have but it would have been a tight fit.  And the master bath was the size of some apartment bathrooms I'd had.  There was no option of knocking out a wall to enlarge it as it backed up to the stairwell.

And the yard, well, it had holes in it.  They might have been made by the tenant's dog, or by a critter creating tunnels underground.  Or other things.  There were issues that our realtor pointed out to Hunter that I have since blocked because I was convinced that we were meant to have THAT house.

The more I raved about the house, the more Hunter would make faces & express his concerns.  Hindsight being 20/20, our realtor did us a favor.  We went on to bid on a different house & were outbid.  Two days later we looked at this house.  It was the first house out of 9 (I think, 9? Maybe 10.) that actually had him smiling.  "This house, I like!" he said as we walked up the driveway & into the garage.  There were negatives, of course, but he pointed out what minimal things they were, that the owner would pay to have them fixed & again, "this house, I like!"

But there was no mimosa tree & there was no hydrangea plant.

Or so we thought.  Our neighbor, Miss Jane, gave us a blue hydrangea as a housewarming/welcome to the 'hood gift.  Hunter's parents gave us a mimosa.  I was giddy when they both bloomed our first Spring here.

And I was positively bursting with joy when I realized that at the end of the hedge row in the backyard, there was a hydrangea.  And it was blue.  And it was magenta!  Two different color blooms on one plant.  Now, I'm not sure what kind of soil is going on in that part of the yard, but I'm glad it's wonky!

A week or so ago I was in the sun room when I noticed something blue & purple in the yard.  My hydrangea had bloomed.  Blue  & purple.  

I knew this was the right house for our family!  

An Open Letter To Insomnia

Dear Insomnia~


I feel we know one another well enough for me to speak frankly to you.  You suck & I am severing our relationship effective immediately.

I know this must come as a shock to you considering our history.  Yes, we flirted all those years that I was a night owl.  An "early" bedtime of 12:30 isn't early & it's much too late to go bed when you have to be up at 6, but we made it work, didn't we?  Oh! And the old weekend/going clubbing & getting to bed around 3 to be up at 6 back in my retail days---man, that was nuts!  Remember my "get me going for the day" breakfast on Saturdays?  Yep, McDonalds Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit, hashbrown & a large orange drink.  You'll excuse me for a moment while I contemplate the carbs in that one meal alone.

I also know that you had a hand in Sunshine's sleep issues her first couple months of life.  It's okay, admit it.  New moms are fun on 3 hours sleep.  Not fun for them, but for you.

Then something happened.  Your arch nemesis Mr. Ambien came onto the scene.  I was SLEEPING.  Granted some nights I was babbling incoherently to Hunter as Mr. Ambien did his work.  And there was that famous incident where I was on the phone w/ AM, crafting beaded earrings in anticipation of Hunter's homecoming.  It's okay to laugh.

You HAD to know something was up during Lent when I decided that rather than give something up for Lent, I would DO something instead.  And that something was get in bed by 10 each night.

Admit it, you didn't think I could do it, did you?  You thought I'd fail miserably.   But I did it.  And I continued to do so after school got out (for the most part).

And that little success of mine made you mad, didn't it??  And when I decided "hey, it's summer vacation---I don't need to be up at 6 so I'm not going to take anything to help me sleep.  I'm going to do this ON.MY.OWN" you became crazy mad.  So mad, in fact, that tonight (last night?) you decided to exact your revenge upon me .  "Oh, she'll be all wired from the season finale of Mad Men" you thought.  "She'll get in bed after 11, want to read a little, want to play backgammon on her Fire & that's when I'll show up"

Two can play at that game, sir.

So Insomnia, our destructive , no--single sided relationship ends.   I WILL get in bed at a reasonable hour on most nights.  I WILL beat you at your crazy little game that leaves me in dire need of caffeine.  (I'm not giving up caffeine here---let's not go crazy!)  I WILL get a decent night's sleep.  So HA!

Go find someone else to bug.

Signed,

Laurie

Two weeks into summer vacation

and we've settled in nicely.  There's much sleeping in, general laziness, swimming, thrift/antique store scouring, crafts and trip planning.

I've finally finished the training "program" for caregivers for the VA.  Yes, "program" in quotes.  It consisted of having a conversation with a VA rep on Hunter's condition and what level of care did he need.  There was a training "program" that could have been in person (thank you, Jesus that it wasn't) or online.  The online was bad enough.  The majority of it was common sense but there were a couple modules that did provide good info on support for caregivers.  Hunter had to submit a form saying that I have access to his medical records and yesterday we had a home visit from one of their reps.  Now we wait to find out which tier he falls into and what the monthly stipend will be.

We're also trying to plan our trip North.  We're hoping to bring Sunshine to Williamsburg as 2 of her American Girl dolls lived there (Felicity & Elizabeth) and are looking forward to Hunter's father's family reunion.  It'll be nice to see them again as we haven't been to one of their reunions since 2006.  We're also planning to bring Sunshine to Montreal.  Hunter has only been in the winter which makes sight seeing tricky as he may or may not had a wife in high heeled boots clinging to his arm for fear of wiping out on icy sidewalks.  Hopefully my mom will agree to watch our dogs overnight while we go.  If not, we'll make a day trip out of it. The American dollar is doing much better than it has been and is now worth more than the Canadian dollar.  Basically we'll get better rates on our hotel room & while shopping!

Today Sunshine & I are going to see Madagascar 3 this afternoon and then tonight I have a girls dinner with some friends.

Have a great weekend!

The Year In Pictures--2nd Grade

First Day of 2nd Grade---Butterflies in our tummies!

Sunshine & her friend S.

Friends at the Father/Daughter Dance 2/10/12

Field Day 3/30/12  Bring on the Tug o'War!

Drama Kids Production 5/19/12

Sunshine & Her Proud Daddy on Awards Day (Principal's List & Perfect Attendance)

Last Day of 2nd Grade!  


Hello, Summer Vacation!!!

Hello? Is this thing on?

We're in the home stretch---2nd grade is almost a memory.  How did this happen??  AR Celebration Week was rough, I'm not going to lie.  I've spent every day at school this month with the exception of 3.  Maybe 4.  As much as I love volunteering & being part of the school, this schedule is wearing me down.  As was evidenced last Wednesday.  It was Treasure Box day.  And make up testing day, which meant the TB couldn't be in the library as it usually is.

No big deal, I put it on a cart & jokingly referred to myself as a candy striper & off I went, class to class.  Well, not all classes are on the same schedule.  Some have PE, some are at Art or Music.  Some teachers like to go outside after lunch & not come back for 30 min.  Some had kids testing in different parts of the school.  And one  wanted 3 of her kids to get their TB goodies at 2 pm as I was trying to leave, purse on shoulder, PTA checkbook in tote bag in hand.  I was DONE.  I was going home.  But as I'm trying to give up feeling guilty about things I can't control, I found that I couldn't say no to these kids.  And I couldn't make them wait until the next day.  And I can't control that their teacher didn't call the library to find out if I could come down to her class.  And since her kids have emotional issues, they're not allowed to walk down the hall to the library on their own.

And while that's not my fault, I can't say no to these kids.

So, I wound up crying in the PTA closet.  But they don't need to see that.  They need a smiling face.  They need to be treated like the other kids.  So I got my proverbial crap together & brought out the box.  When I got home I lost it.   Completely.  Crying, couldn't talk, collapsed on my bed & took a 2 hour nap.  I was beyond exhausted.  I was so bone achingly tired.

Thank goodness I have Hunter by my side.  He took care of Sunshine & let me be alone in our dark, quiet bedroom to rest.

The rest of the week (Hair/Face Paint Day & Dunk the Principal/movie day) went well.  I was better rested & had fun those days.  Our principal is such a good sport.  Not all principals would agree to be dunked by 100 kids & teachers.  I took advantage of the situation & let the teachers buy chances to dunk Mr. S.   We raised around $85 which was great.  It wasn't a lot, but it's something.

Sunshine's play was so cute.  I've seen some of their rehearsals & I'll admit, I didn't know if they'd get it together in time.   She (and the other kids) did such a good job---I may or may not have teared up a little at the beginning.  This is my baby on the stage, people!!

And so we find ourselves in the last week of school.  Yesterday I was able to avoid going to school & spent the morning shopping for bathing suits.  Our pool is open & I'm in need of suits as mine are a few years old.  With all the time we're there (4-7 days a week), I need several options.  And I'm convinced that men design these things.  And, I'm notoriously cheap when it comes to bathing suits.  Why am I paying $200 for a suit?  A handbag?  Of course.  A coat?  Sure.  A piece of lycra?  Come on now!

Today the outgoing president & I took a student to the school district's clothing bank & that was it.  Okay, we got ice for some coolers for the 5th grade's yearbook signing party & we handed out a couple year books.  That was really it.

Sunshine & I hit the pool after school with some friends & managed to get home in time for dinner.

Tomorrow is her awards ceremony--- I know she's getting at least one as we received a little invite letting us know.  We'll see how she fares--she's worked hard this year & it's nice to be recognized for that.

Then it's Thursday (5th grade graduation--I'm helping set up/decorate & serve refreshments) & then it's the last day of school.

This weekend?  Pool, general laziness & sweet, sweet summer vacation!

Five More Days

Just 5 more days until the craziness is over.  There are 10 days until school gets out but I am determined to enjoy the last week of school with minimal stress.

After BOGO Book Fair ended we turned around and went right into Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week.  I run 5 week long events each school year.  It's hard work but it's nothing like F/S AW.  Our chairperson started planning this 2 months in advance & was still pulling things out at the end.  It was utter insanity all.week.long.  And since I was one of the people who coerced, asked her to handle this event, I felt obliged to help out.  We have 70 teachers/staff people at our school.  On Friday afternoon we had a giveaway that had a gift for everyone as well as 6 grand prizes.  This was after we'd all been at school since 745 that morning for our 1st annual International Day.  I knew that sitting down at 1 while they kids were "visiting" Panama was a mistake.  I knew getting a diet coke to help me make it until 4 when the giveaway was over was a mistake but I was bone tired.

During the week, we served breakfast, snacks, & a catered lunch to those people who make our school run.  From the principal to the janitors & everyone in between.

My laryngitis is gone which is good but I'm still only about 90%.  This coming week is AR Celebration Week & already I'm stressing about things.  There is a helium shortage.  How this is possible, I don't know but there is.  So our balloon parade on Tuesday is being threatened.  I know I could go to a couple different businesses to have them blow up the balloons but then how would I transport 100+ balloons in my car?  We've been discussing buying a small helium tank from the store that I avoid at all costs & that shall remain nameless but Ugh, I really dread going in there!  The little voice inside my head says "but it's for the children".  The sacrifices we make for the kids!

Friday is going to be a fun day as we're starting off with our principal getting into a dunk tank with the kids from the winning chapter getting a chance to dunk him.  I've spoken with the other moms on the Exec. Board about opening it up to the teachers for a price.  $10 for one chance, $15 for 2 & $20 for 3.  All the money would go back to the PTA & be an easy little fundraiser.  I've spoken with some of the teachers & they seem excited by the idea.  Of course they do, it's the end of the year & they're frustrated.

Our Exec. Board for next year is going to be great---my friend K is going to be President.   Again, by coercion.  Really, we twisted her arm but good.  The outgoing VP wanted to be President badly but never showed it by her actions.  We couldn't count on her to be present for anything---including her own events.  By the middle of the year it had gone from frustrating to just a joke.  When she put in less than mediocre effort into our Field Day & Family Fit Night, it fell on other people to run the events.  FFN had less than 50 people turn out which never happens for us.  Our movie nights bring in 200 people so 50 is dismal.  So, we decided that K, who was basically standing in for her, would make a great President.  Our outgoing President will be VP, I'm staying on as Treasurer & we have a new mom as Secretary.  She fits in with us & is a lot of fun.

So, 5 days from now, things will be much more calm for me.

Wait, make that 6---Sunshine's play is on Saturday.  Things will calm down on Saturday afternoon.

Then I can rest!