Whoah!

Yes, I know, time is funny that way. Thought I'd suck you back in with a lovely story of this past Memorial Day weekend. The weekend actually begins last week as the the kids and I have been suffering a horrible cold for at least that long. Add in the weather pressure yo-yo changes and it was moment to moment to see if at least I was Dr. Jekyll or Mrs. Hyde. Lucky Husband!

After a whirl-wind Friday of school, Field Day, tumbling, lunch and ballet rehearsal we jump started Saturday with Sweet Pea's first ballet performance! She looked so tiny and like a big girl at the same time!

Sunday was a a day of rest, literally, or so I thought. I gathered an appetizer for a family get together only to have my dashboard lights go out, on and off, on the way, most of which was the highway. The car died at our destination. Poor Husband had to travel back and forth to home after installing a new battery. My cold was at a high once again and limited my enjoyment capabilities......Although it was slightly alleviated by the bacon wrapped, marinated scallops. Delish Bro-In-Law!

Thinking that I'd gotten over the worst of things on Monday, I was immediately corrected. The kids were awesome, but 99% of the time, they are. They waited patiently while Mommy mowed the lawn and Daddy and his buddy tried to install a new alternator......After 2.5 hours, the attempt had been made to replace it, but the car had to be put back together as the necessary tools were not on hand. Of course, Mommy had asked Daddy if he wanted to go on-line pre-attempt to see if it was too difficult at home, but "No". .......Great....Call it stroke luck, guidance of God, or what, but a car repair shop was open and could fix the dang thing before they closed. $550 later, although our planned rib dinner was ruined, we enjoyed Mickey D's (well the kids did) and steak and chili relleno tacos, and my vehicle was fixed. Ribs were put on hold until Wednesday. During this alternator fiasco, I decided to improve my beauty with a large welt from the lawn mower bag on my shin. Additionally, the "dog Poop" bag decided to run into the mower, right by our patio. Lovely. Luckily I was slightly smart enough to stop the mower - I had to the bag was wrapped around the blades and choked out the motor. So now, I had to clean out the bag, clean off the mower and still mow the remaining 90% of the lawn.......oh what a long, long day.

There's so much more to tell, but I won't blow it all at once......

Cyclic Angst for Change

Having lived in my home for the past ten years, I typically am overcome with a wave of needing, wanting, spastically having to move at least once a year. It appears t be cyclical. I love my house (mostly), my neighbors, the school, but I can't get away from the pull of my home town calling me to come home. The call was whispering even when I moved into my condo with my Husband in the mid 90's. Husband's affirmation last year, that yes, we should've originally moved their when we moved from the condo was a teeth gnasher that I have yet to come to terms with.

With Husband recuperating from surgery, and half a million things off of his plate, we fell into the discussion of 'the move'. I, apparently, have many, many things to do before we consider moving. My list includes cleaning out all the crap out of the garage. There's plenty of it. All baby stuff, old toys, children's clothes, just a ton of things. I had a sale last spring and made $200. Not bad, but oh so much more now. Go through the utility room and purge much like the garage. Oh, and also go through the cabinets and purge. Also on the list is painting the living room/dining room, upstairs hall and hall up the stairs. Oh, and the trim and doors too. Oy!

Husband wants to carpet the living room/dining room, stairs and upstairs hall. Good bye tax refund. Also on his list is re-doing both upstairs bathrooms. Ugh. But of course he has to recuperate first. I think I can do it though. Floors, vanities, sinks and paint. Can't be that hard can it?! Did you miss the "S" on my shirt?

With finally dropping the hope for returning to school for now, I feel like a child who's sadness with one thing has had her attention turned to something bright, shiny and pretty in the form a new home. Even if we never move, at least we get the benefit of enjoying newer stuff.

I'm Here, No Really I Am

Well, I actually had to read my last posting to see where I left off. Turns out, I had a long list to do. I still do, but perhaps the want to move is waning. ::shrug:: It will be what it will be, or was meant to be. I forgot about that. In the many months since I've written the sliding door has been replaced and the kitchen, dinette area and hall have been painted and somewhat redecorated.

Husband is home for the next 4-5 months, I'm thinking maybe even more, but we'll see. He had a torn rotator cuff repaired early last month. Four weeks to the day in fact. I have more responsibilities added to my daily 'to do' list. (This means the classes that I signed up for have been blown away and I can't catch up if I tried - I blame myself for that one). That includes being a chauffeur to and from physical therapy, garbage woman, mostly cooking, cutting up food (if I have a lapse and forget he can't cut with a knife), picking up dog doo (oh wait, I do that already) and being a personal cheerleader. Add that to chauffeuring Sweet Pea to school, ballet on Mondays, groceries, Handsome gets tumbling on Fridays, and some other un-fun parts of having a Husband that can almost do what he needs to...but needs just a bit of assistance from wife (bathing - which when one thinks about it it can be VERY naughty....let me help you are here by saying it's not). I am grateful I can leave the kids with him to grocery shopping and to head out with the girls.

Speaking of which, I'm ecstatic to be part of my girlfriend's Dream Team Bridal Party. She purchased her dress a few weeks ago and I get to go dress shopping with the girls in April. Will keep you posted as to the activities when they occur. ( I know, right......) This is important to me because this is a wedding I was not forced to be in, such as my Brothers'. It's not the same feeling when you have to, or are automatically included, because it's family. I feel so chosen! Ha!

I'm assuming you're going to ask what my next step is and I've already started the Couch Potato to 5K running plan and I believe I am on week 4. After a bout of stomach flu and Influenza A, I lost 10 pounds in January and reached my goal weight! ........ and then gained back 5..... I could not eat for about a month. I'm blaming the gym for that one, but I am still going as now I have this all important wedding to shine up for.

Oh, big first fore me, I just learned how to insert a link! Weee!

Long Time No Blog

I wish I could tell you that I'm having a wonderful time, but the strangest thing happened to me today. The world felt like it was standing on my shoulders and I couldn't hold it any longer and tears flew. I do not cry easily. At work I haven't been feeling myself, which was unfortunately reflected in missing obvious clues that I should have seen in my work. While most of the time I feel like I'm at the top of my game, today was not one of those days. I missed three things that I should have caught in a report. I'm so disappointed with myself.

To add to my drama, Sweet Pea has been having potty issues. Always feeling like she has to go, and there's a lot more details that I can't bore you with. I feel so bad for her and it's so frustrating to not know the answers. Yes, we've tried Maylox, fruit, prune juice, ugh.....Dr. appointment is set for this Friday. I can not have my girl going to the potty 20 times a day and going to Kindergarten.

Handsome is in full blown potty training! Both a "Yahoo!" and an "Oh No!" at the same time. He's growing so, so fast! He's also doing an awesome job! He's sweet and funny and so, so proud of himself that he's almost potty trained!

Husband and I, well, we're in the thick of parenting and home owning. I'd like to go back to the time when we did things with just each other, at least once in a while, and I will breach that subject soon. I just don't want to throw it at him when I know I'm recouping from a less than stellar day. Priorities......

In brighter news, we've started the residential upgrades for a potential future migration. It would be back to my home town. I would prefer to be there now, but patience is a virtue right? The list of items is huge and my list is quite different than Husbands. Recently, we, well mostly he, has painted the family room, him 3 walls and the ceiling, me, the fireplace wall. The family room also received new carpeting. Too much $$ was spent on the carpeting, but it does feel so nice and we're always in here, so we just as well have spent it where we spend most of our time. Husband replaced some trim on the garage door which was vandelized by bunnies and also replaced the side door. Excellent job! We both painted the front door (which needed 3 coats), and I painted the trim and the new door.

My want to get out of our town is so high, I'd leave in a heartbeat, but the reasoning kicks in thankfully and we'll stick to the plan. The plan includes painting the livingroom/dining room, perhaps new carpeting in the living/room dining room, stairway and hall, and updating the bathrooms upstairs. The "have to" list also includes replacing the sliding glass door and a set of windows in the family room. It's costly, but will be well worth it. I've been eyeing a nice place in my old home town, but it will never be for sale by the time we're ready to buy. I'm aiming for Feb., Husband is aiming for July....I think July is too, too far away. He's nuts.

I am feeling way better than this morning and after hearing the news on the radio, I do have much to be thankful for and need to realize that I'm sweating over the small stuff. Sweet Pea's quirk could be a phase. I'm human and I make mistakes and just need to pay attention some more. Must focus.

Anxiety filled times

Well, let's just say I am not the brightest crayon in the coloring box. That Miller Analogy test was killer. My brain certainly wasn't ready after being up with Handsome for half the night prior, but I did it. I can, and will likely take the test again. I am too embarrassed to give my score, so I'm not going to.

I did take the Basic Skills Test on Feb. 13th and they say it was about a four week turnaround to find out my results. That is a test I must pass. Then I have to take a content area test. I'm giving myself a break to see how I've did on the Basic Skills. The house is in disarray at the moment. Husband is deathly afraid the school will be cutting back on his hours which totals quite a bit of money per year. That smoking habit comes to mind to eliminate some of that cost, but just as I had gotten over being worried and having the attitude of we'll deal with it when we get there and he throws what if I don't' have a job, we need 6 months of savings in case one of us lose a job. Well, I didn't have the heart to tell him that would be about $24K (that's if we both lost our jobs at the same time mind you). We certainly do not have that available in savings. I even took into consideration the cost of COBRA insurance, and I even guessed at $1000 per month for the family. Just thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach. Like many others for sure.

I keep holding onto the thought if my grandparents and his grandparents made it through the Great Depression, then we do what we can to get through this! We've got some strong genes for sure!

The only good side is that we're a bit busier than normal at work, so I've got some extra cash, albeit a little, coming in. I had told Husband that he'd have to get a weekend job if they took his weekend building checks a day. Otherwise I would have to find a job somewhere, and he would have to provide the Daddy Daycare. He just thinks I need to get back on full time pay ASAP. He quickly forgets that the money I'd make on full time, would ALL be eaten by the cost of daycare......oh how quickly we forget.

Husband took Sweet Pea and Handsome out after a 'good packing snow' and made a perfect snowman. No joke, check out this perfection!

Husband gets a gold ribbon for that afternoon! After a long day at work (due to the snow), I had to get soem work done at the library. Husband woke up Handsome, got both kids dressed, and made this object of polar perfection in 60 minutes! Bravo! They all need their egos boosted, don't they! ::wink:: I definitely want to make sure he'll do that again! Although he did snap off some branches of my walking bush for the arms! Grrrrrr!

So we've begun the plans for Handsome's 3rd Birthday Party! OMG! 3! He's just growing so fast! He so into Spider Man. I guess he just thinks he looks totally cool, because prior to Christmas, we never even watched Spiderman (which is a little too old for him and scares Sweet Pea to watch,.....or was it Scooby Doo that scared her with the ghosts.....).

In that respect, he's such a boy! Diego, Spongebob (I know, we're a commercial for Nickelodeon and Disney), oh, and there is a new show that he loves, can't think of the name now, but the little boy is called Geo. Oh, Team Umizoomi. It's a cute show. I think the voice of the robot is the guy from Blues Clues, not Steve, the other one, Joe. Whatever makes 'em happy right?

We are in the abyss of winter with spring taunting us from afar.....not really, but it just feels like it. I can't wait to get outside and play! Winter boredom has definitely set in. I could be a good mom and check the net for things to do, but by the time I do that, then I have to go and buy crap to do a new project. Not interested.

Oh, I still have to find time to read for my two classes that I'm signed up for at BYU....anyone want to help out with that!??!

Busy Times

Yep, another busy post. why is it that when I need to procrastinate the least is when I settle in, hunker down and want to blog about it?!

I'm anxiously awaiting my scores for the Miller Analogies test I took a couple weeks ago. Either I relax, a bit, or I really have to move my a$$ and get my classes done. I have realized, of course only now that I'm old, that in order to retain information I've read, I have to have the room completely quiet. No kids talking, no background TV, nothing. Perhaps this 'study style' would've helped me in High School.....perhaps.....we'll see how well I do with these two courses. I have that Basic Skills test coming up, so I can always perform crappy on that and be two for two on my test-taking abilities!!

I'm think of new projects for my week off next month, only to realize, I have no money. I've got a lot of ways to spend money, but not enough money to spend. That's another complaint at a later date. I've been hit with another tax increase to boot this month, either I spread it out, or I pay it up now.....What are the politicians doing with my money anyways?!?!? I've had to take pay cuts and such, what's with that?! When will they?! I'm irritated by the whole thing. I think I've decided to be an independent voter. Vote for the best candidate. I will truly try to not be politically pulled in one direction, although it is quite hard not to.

Today, I had lunch with some co-workers and a woman who's husband is a lot like mine.....he's a co-worker who wasn't at lunch, but I so hope I'm not like her in another 5 years. It was comical, but she also seems to have quite a crabby husband at home. I kept thinking, OMG! This will be me in 5 years! It was a moment that was a good teaching tool. I really don't want that to be me and Husband.

However I also remembered I saw a show last week that depicted the first half of marriage as lying in bed(after the honeymoon phase of course) you look over and say "Good God, you're still here?!" The second half of the marriage you look over and say "Thank God you're still here".

Paid Time Off

This week I am taking off work, granted it's only 20 hours, but there's a big to-do list. Mostly it's in my head of what needs to be done and the first thing on the list was washing the basement closet because, well, a tiny bit of mold had grown in it from the result of the flooding of the basement incident that took place last year. Having washed it down with a bleach/water solution, I can tell it smells better. I think the water main in the closet was not helping the situation. A little too much moisture. All seems to be well now.

I have read a chapter of my sociology book and am on the second chapter of my history book. I finished the first assignment for sociology, although I have no idea if the professor even knows I'm a student. I keep signing in and it brings me to the first page all the time. I sign in at my folks and it brings me to where I left off.

I'm definitely learning a lot already. It's just if it sticks or not.

Handsome had his routine ultra-sound for his hydronephrosis yesterday. He was a champ! It was non-invasive, but he was just calm and relaxed and it went really well. I have to pick up the disk with the report and schedule an appointment with his pediatric urologist, so I hope to get that done today. He's diagnosed as mild to moderate, at the lower end of the spectrum I guess.

I also hope to set up a chiropractic appointment (I'm a firm believer) as I missed the one I was supposed to go to after Christmas and haven't rescheduled as of yet. I think that my stress definitely flows into my neck......the more stress I have, the more pain I get.

I'm writing this as both kids are down in the basement with me. Sometimes they say the funniest things I've ever heard. Handsome is just like Uncle Du, always trying to make you laugh. I'm finally breaking Sweet Pea out of the 'no teasing' phase. Ever so slowly, but she's coming along.

Saturday we had the unfortunate experience of replacing our furnace. Ugghhhh. The people were nice, it was replaced within 12 hours of making the call....it's just that the money that was spent we had better plans for. Husband wanted a driveway and I wanted a new sliding glass door. He told me that he was sorry I wasn't going to get a new door. I told him he's sorry he must be mistaken. I insist on looking outside and seeing my backyard instead of seeing the 'fog' between the glass created by a broken seal. I am adamant about getting that thing replaced. It's embarrassing and only adds the white trash look.

Have I mentioned that I need someone to come in and help me decorate this house?! I've got a million plans, worth a million dollars, on a nickel and dime budget. I'll have to send my woes to all the decorating shows to see if anyone will bite. So I will appease my decorating angst by painting the basement closet. One item will be off my list......

I love being off with the kids, yesterday was a holiday and today, Sweet Pea doesn't have school. Four days in a row of no school, this is heaven. Speaking of school, once again, I've been told I don't want to be a teacher, by a teacher. How is it that teachers turn so crabby?! I don't have sympathy for them at all. They've got it good. Having probably not worked elsewhere, they don't get that it's always (almost always) something at work places: management, co-workers, owners, customers. It's how you view it and what you do about it......

Miller's Analogies

It took me two days to tell Husband that he must've married me for my beauty! It certainly wasn't for money, nor was it for brains. This was confirmed via taking that Miller's Analogies test this past Sat. I'm am not out, boy boy am I down from taking that thing. I was smiling at the end of taking it, because it is what it is.......I hope to find out how bad I did in a couple weeks, they say in 4-6 weeks you'll receive your score, but the person providing the test said sometimes it's as early as 2-3. Great, I'll know I'm an idiot even sooner.

Some may think I'm being hard on myself, but really, you don't know me. When I took the ACT in High School and got a terrible score, my Mom said "You can take it again honey". So I did. I took it again, I got the EXACT SAME SCORE. I'm writing it off as being a horrible test taker, I will not accept that I'm just that stupid.

Yesterday I started my Sociology Class on line. The first page of Lesson 1 told me to read Chapter One of my text book. So, I did. I like what I read, I stink at retaining it.

I somehow have to shake off this negativity, otherwise I firmly believe you are what you preach........So, I'm smart, I'm beautiful and gosh darn it, people like me!

Estimated Start Date

What's that, have I started my classes since I've received my books? Is there an estimated start date. Well, that's tough. I could start the class on-line right now, but I think I'll be hindered by a 5 year old who probably doesn't need to rest any more, at least most of the time, but I guess I'm still hopeful or dreaming.

I've accomplished acquiring a 3-ring binder for my book, it looks fabulous, and purchased ink for my printer. I'm not trying to make excuses, it's cold in the basement today. Have I mentioned I hate the computer down here? I need it upstairs and I need it now. I'd love a lap top. That'd be so cool.

Tomorrow I take the Miller Analogies test that is required for acceptance into the MAT Program I'm applying for......I printed a study guide, which I reviewed a portion of a couple weeks ago and it seems to be a test that deals with comparisons of some sort. One of those, 'should be a no brainer' but I'll stink at it. So, I'm not so into jumping into starting my courses tonight until I take this thing tomorrow. So, that's where I'll be at 10am for an hour or so. All the previous 'bs' I just spewed is to inform you that my brain is preoccupied with taking this test. So I guess my official 'start' date is tomorrow. I promise, today won't be wasted. I'll review the study guide.

Did I mention that Husband finally asked how much this is going to cost. I told him around $15K (that includes free baby sitting from my folks). He was shocked. ::rolling eyes:: Guess he though it was going to be for free. He's soooooo, supportive.

Reading is not for dummies!

"My new school books are here! My new school books are here!" ::ridiculously jumping up and down as I type this:: That's my best impression of Steve Martin from "The Jerk". The books were delivered during the lull in a snow storm! UPS is awesome! I'm down with brown!

Sociology, by John Macionis
and
Firsthand America, by Burner, Bernhard & Kutler

The history book is a re-print, with no sell back value....::shrug:: what'ya'gonna'do? I Need a 3-ring binder......there's got to be one somewhere around here.

I arrived home early today because Husband was so sure the traffic would totally blow with the snow. It's snowed about 4 inches last night and into the morning. There's been a break in the snow and the sun even tried to break through. Sa-weeet! It's supposed to wrap around and hit us again over night.....we'll see about that. Who knows if they'll cancel pre-school. If they didn't today, they might not tomorrow. Husband also works at a school and he said they do everything in their power NOT to close the school because of the extra money it'll cost.....guess we'll see.

I remember several instances where they closed school when I was young. Once, I had to walk home more than 1/2 way (which seemed to take forever) because the school bus could not make it up the hill. We lived near the Des Plaines River and Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal. It's about the hilliest location in northeastern Illinois. Surrounded by flatland, the town was a quaint break in the mundane. It's the final destination in which I hope to plant my family for good. The sooner the better. I'm only one town, but worlds, away. I could've slapped Husband when he said we should've moved there instead of where we are now. That was my suggestion 9 years ago....... Back then, he was afraid we'd be too close to my folks. My folks help out so much and enjoy being with the kids, that looking back now, it was a no-brainer. His hind-sight is my "I told you so".....don't get me started.

I'm tempted to start reading, but I have a feeling Sweet Pea will be down here.....again....for the 5th time....I know she's 5, but she still needs a rest now and then.

Yep, I'm trying again.

So, the jogging thing worked really great, until the cold weather set in. I'm not happy about it, nor is the dog. I got to week 8 or 9 of 11 and definitely plan to start again, I'm looking at March 1st. Guess I'll have to figure out some other kind of working out regime until then, cause sitting on my butt is unacceptable. I'm still 9 pounds down, but have 5 to go. Sometimes it's 7, sometimes 5, it fluctuates. Being a girl is so......progesteronated....if I may create a word.

This past November I applied to a school to receive my Master of Arts in Teaching and to obtain a Secondary Education Teaching Certificate. It is a mouthful, isn't it?

My transcripts were reviewed and I am down two courses; History and Sociology. In order to buck up my historical chats with Husband, I decided to take History 221, which is US History from 1776 to present time. I figured I've lived the last, almost 40 years, so it'd be 'easy'. Well, nothing is ever easy, but I'm hopeful. I'm a horrible test taker. The second class Sociology I hope to learn a few things about myself and the world around me. I'm a pretty open individual, but I'm just wondering if that will count against me as I'll be taking these two courses at a heavily based Christian College. I could be wrong, we'll see what they think of this city, o'kay Chicago suburbanite, has to say.

I'm nervous about the whole process really, I've got a Miller Analogies test this Sat, a Basic Skills Test on Feb. 13th, and need to start my two on-line courses as soon as I receive the text books which should be arriving this Thurs. or Friday. The sooner the better. Although the worst part will be figuing out how to set up exams at local colleges. I'm throwing some pessimism into that, so again, I hope I'm wrong. Let me repeat, I'm a terrible test taker.....I get pretty bad stress headaches after taking tests, no matter the type of test.

So if all goes well, and I dont' know why I'm so skeptical, probably from living with Husband so long, I should start the program on April 5th. Then it's 10 weeks, two nights a week in the Spring, summer break, 10 weeks, two nights a week in the fall and six weeks of student teaching in the Winter of 2011. Of couse, lets ont forget there's some student teaching I'll be doing during both 10 week sessions.

My folks suggested this, that they are here for me if I wanted to try this. So, here I am. Excited and apprehensive at the same time.

Love of Jogging

So....today was week 4.5 of my jogging 'couch potato to 5k' training. I'm down .5 due to weird cold/illness. I tell you what, getting out and exercising on a regular basis really makes you notice if things are off. Three times this week I've got two 5-minute jogs, along with a couple 3-minute jogs in the 'training' schedule. I don't know how people can like jogging. Will it hit me? Will I hate it? I don't hate it at the moment, but ask me again next week, when there are 8 minutes of solid jogging. Are my feet supposed to hurt? They tingle when I'm done jogging. Right now as I type this. I mean, don't get me wrong, my thighs already feel firmer and my muffin top doesn't jiggle as much.....I know and see the benefits, but why isn't that really 'motivating' me?

Perhaps I'm sabotaging myself to keep the fat on and the minimal chest I have left. I plan on going to a 'bra - sizing' thing with a friend when she gets back from vacation. My Mom tells me it will be the best thing ever, I think it will depress me more than ever and bring me right-back to the small-chested girl I was in high school.....oh joy.

Transcripts came in from one of the colleges, not as bad as I had imagined.....now to receive the Junior College transcripts. Why rush right? I've decided to find out if I have to take any additional classes before I take any other 'teachers' tests. Why spend the money if I have to first take classes somewhere else first......right?

Busy weekend, lots of yard work, it was spectacular outside this weekend! My Father-in-Law and Father's birthday are this week. Two parties on Sunday, two wiped out kids today! YEAH! Sweet Pea's six year old cousin was disappointed in that she hasn't lost any teeth yet and here Sweet Pea has lost two! Had great visits with my family and the in-laws. I love my in-laws, they're easy and entertaining and I pretty much always have fun! So, good family, good fun!

I forgot to buy my Dad a birthday card at the grocery store today. The kids and I will be making one tonight.....does that count?

Busy Days

Big news in the household! Sweet Pea lost a tooth yesterday. Mommy was sadly weepy in the car and each time I think about how fast she's growing up! Second major news flash, she lost the second one too! Also yesterday. Wow, it really does go fast! Excuse the boogs, nobody's perfect.... ; )


Well, isn't it normal that just when I'm checking out schooling ideas I get some Phase II experience at work? Today I measured water depths in wells AND performed an asbestos survey. Sounds fascinating huh?
I'd much rather be here:
http://www.weheka.co.nz/
where my brother and sister-in-law are. They are viewing 3,000 year old whale-bone carvings, and are seeing Fox Glacier.......

Milestones

OMG!!! Well, my first big brag is that Sweet Pea lost her first tooth and isn't even 5 yet!!!! She went into to get her permanent molars sealed. She's got 3 in already, one more to go. The hygienist bumped the already extremely loose teeth and suggested I pull them tonight. They were so loose while I was buckling her up, I asked her if she wanted me to pull one out. I was shocked when she said yes! It came out so fast and a little blood with some gauze to catch it and it was done! I was weepy in the car and now writing this. O M G...... she's growing up so, so fast! Happy and sad at the same time! We're waiting for Daddy to get home for the surprise! Yes, I've already taken pictures but I don't have my downloading thingamajig.....I think for some reason, it's at work.....arrrghhhh! So I'll be posting pictures tomorrow....sometime.

I've got to work again tomorrow, I've got two projects to work on. This hasn't happened in a while so I'm a little motivated and happy!!

This morning I applied to a school for a Masters of Arts Degree to teach Secondary Schools (grades 6-12), or something like that. I ordered my transcripts to be sent to both the school and myself. After hearing and reading what is what was needed to obtain my teaching certificate, I have this quiver in my stomach that I won't even come close to what would be necessary and I'll have to take a ton of make up courses. Let's just say that I am NOT a good test taker. I attended EVERY college class sober, none hung over, none sick. I believed I missed one day of school, which was one class, the entire four years of college. It was always such a challenge for me, school that is. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Geography and Environmental Planning. If I ever wanted to improve my grades in school, I always took a math or art class. Geography intrigues me. I found it interesting, the locations, the cultures, the everything.....I loved social studies in school and subscribed to National Geographic. I had researched into this once before. A couple of years ago, maybe even three before Handsome was born. I didn't have much spousal support then and not too much now, but I think I owe it to myself to do a little research to see what it would take.

Today my brother is going on a hiking/rafting adventure on the Nile River in New Zealand. I find it ironic that one Brother is currently on a National Geographic trip to New Zealand and his twin Brother thought it was awesome to go on an Alaskan cruise including a helicopter trip to a glacier. I heard all about what I had learned in school, but no one wanted to hear about it then......ironic isn't it? Guess I'll just have to dream about trips like that........for now.....

New Zealand

Remind me to tell you about lucky people and New Zealand. Long story short, my Brother and Sister in Law won a National Geographic Trip to New Zealand. This is where they are today the Abel Tasman National Park!

(Photo taken by Steffen Hillebrand, near Totaranui, Abel Tasman National Park, NZ)

Information Night

Tonight I'm heading to a local college to see what it will take to be a teacher. I'd like to teach High School, would love art, but will settle for earth science. I've had enough goings on with work, and this afternoon again I've been told there's a 'big board meeting'. My brain hurts with all the meetings that have occurred already. The aftermath of these meetings, usually 1-2 months later, there are lay-offs. My luck they'll let me go and I'll have begun my schooling. There's a program that I can attend that'll take 18 months (or so) and $20K.....got that in my back pocket.....right! I'm a big believer in signs so perhaps this IS the best time to do this. The very least I can do is get my transcripts and go over them with a counselor.

I wasn't that fantastic of a student. My grades kind of blew in college and if I needed to pick up my grades, I took an Art class or a Math class. Studying for tests and stress wipes me out mentally and I usually end up with stress headaches after tests and long days. I'm having one right now, but I'm not sure why THAT is....

So here's a picture of the kids from Halloween.




The picture was taken BEFORE Handsome took a header into the neighbor's driveway. He slipped on his trick-or-treat bag and face-planted in the driveway. Nothing makes you feel crappier than hearing that echo of a thud when your child's head hits something so hard. He didn't even get to say trick-or-treat. My poor sweet boy! Sweet Pea and I traveled the neighborhood, but I was anxious the entire time just wanting to get home. Thankfully, the weather was cold and it went fast. His badge of courage is road rash next to his mouth and a little on his lip. I have no idea how he missed falling on his nose, chin, and not hurting himself more than he did.

I'm Done with My Break

Yes, I know dear sweet blog that I've avoided you for too long!
Perhaps my funk is over. Perhaps I'm on a new mission. Perhaps I'm super jealous of my brother and sister-in-law who are on a trip to New Zealand through National GEographic that they won last year! Today they are adventuring in a Winery! Man, oh man. A lot is going on in others lives, but not so much my own. Guess I have to creat drama. Although I can't complain as I love, love, love being at home with the kids!

I'm going to start researching going back to school for teaching.....High School. Who wants to try and talk me out of it? Stand in line, right behind Husband.....
The only other news I've got going on is that I'm on week 4 of "from couch potato to 5k". I have no races that I'm signed up for as of yet, but I'd love to be down to pre-pregnancy BEFORE Sweet Pea turns 5! That means about 6 more weeks! Whoah!

So my decision today has been to make the call to see what would be involved for me to get my teaching certificate..... If i do this, I had researched it would take $20K and a year and a half of night school.......here we go...

Susie Homemaker?

Nope, not Susie Homemaker, nor Martha Stewart nor Betty Crocker could create this kind of crap. I have to make mini-cupcakes for Sweet Pea's Tea Party for her Preschool......My first attempt at the mini cupcakes included under cooking just enough for the muffins to be cooked, but NOT to come out of the tin. My second attempt even got more creative as I went in the direction of new and unusual. I had tried to make cupcake filled mini ice cream cones. The result was what looked like a melted ice-cream cone, which I thought was pretty funny, but not to send to preschool with my Mom and daughter tomorrow.

It's been pouring all day the house was a wreck and now it's a semi-wreck. I still have to cook dinner, work for work (because I've become sort of a slacker - it happens when there isn't any work) AND attempt to cook mini-muffins again.......I've got nothing but time on my hands.

I'd love to post more, but I've avoided work far too long!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, for the past two weeks I've been healing and so has Handsome. My recovery from vericose vein surgery went relatively smoothly. I'm still bruised and I think two areas of stitching were rather deep and will probably scar, but what can you do? I feel as if I have aged, only because who, before they are 40, gets vericose veins removed in their leg?!?!?!? The awesome news is that even though there's been some wicked weather, hot, cool, cold, raininy, snowy, my leg has never felt better! Weee! I was shocked when insurance said yes, I was just preparing for a long battle after they said 'no' to the surgery, but they didn't! I and the ladies in the Dr.s office were shocked. Hooray for Husband's Insurance coverage!

Handsome's surgery is another delicate matter, literally. Regarding that surgery I will only say, I'm so glad we did it now that he's so young and not do it when he's older.......The recovery is very difficult in such a sensitive area, but he's such a sweet little boy, most of the day you'd never know he had surgery a week ago!
You know, they say kids heal faster, but I can't imagine how long it would take to heal if he were older! He shivers at every diaper change.....my poor sweet strong little man! I'm still nervous about everything healing appropriately and avoiding infection, they say the percentage of the area becoming infected is remote....but as a Momma, you still worry! By the way, I wouldn't recommend having ANY parents remove the 'bandage' as it comes off after surgery, it was heart-wrenching......the nurses prepared us well and said to just keep going and get it over with.....we did it, or Husband did it.....

I'm guessing he'll be able to handle a drive down to St. Louis for Easter. I'm looking orward to happy posts!

An aroma from a certain diaper is calling, I bid you farewell for today!

Don't Ask Don't Tell

Just forget about the weight thing for now.....it just seems like I have no time for exercise and with a 'procedure' coming up later this month, I have no desire. I am trying to eat right and I've given up candy for the Lenten season.....It's everywhere at work, many of my favorites.....it's my downfall to my diet......Jolly Rancher's, little Snicker snack thingys, and I even eyed some Twizzlers at my Brother In Law's this past Sunday. It's everywhere and they are all against me!

In the realm of good news, we got our taxes done. The bad part being Husband wants to shove it all in savings where I'd love to pay off some credit card debt. Not that it's bad mind you, but I'm at the highest I've ever been. I did talk him into contributing to the kid's savings. They deserve it!

I've banished myself to a torture budget, which I unknowingly kicked to the curb last week and went $57 OVER budget. I only get $93 this week to make up for last week's insane purchase frenzy. That probably sounds like a lot, but with diapers, dog food, etc. last week was a crazy spending fiasco. Husband insists he'll be paying for the food for Handsome's birthday party....we'll see.

Husband is on my poop list. We, when I say we, I mean HE, had a company come out two weeks ago to measure our basement windows for covers so that skunks will no longer spray in our window wells. I received what I thought was a quote for the covers, $710 for 3 window covers with metal grates. Husband went out to look at the windows as I had pleaded with him to check out the local hardware store as they were $80 each , but were only the plastic part.......he comes back inside and asks if my father installed covers. I say no. Apparently I didn't read a quote, I read an INVOICE!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Holy $hit! We just spent $400 more than we should have!!??!!? We never authorized the work, but conveniently, they are EXACTLY what Husband wanted......... I so would've rather paid off more of my credit card bill!!!!!! I'm not letting Husband off too easily as I told him to give them a call and tell them we NEVER authorized the work......::Note to self, NEVER LET HUSBAND SET ANYTHING UP IN THE FUTURE!!!!::

In the children department, if someone would tell me what I can do to make my child eat normal food, it would be much appreciated. Handsome is still on a refusal to eat anything that will make me gag diet(perhaps I should try this), which includes any solid food that involves chewing. Pasta is alright, hot dogs are alright, yogurt, ice cream, puffs, my choices are limited. I think it's time to break out the blender and start pureeing some chicken so at least he'll eat it......

Sweet Pea has had an attitude lately. I can't seem to find the right method to counteract it. I can't get her in time out to save the life of me and I've threatened spankings. I won't spank her as now that seems to be the easy way out. How do you reason with a four year old? I'm not giving up......I know 50% is my fault.......Not that she's terrible mind you, I get compliments on how wonderful she is......just not in the safety of her own home where she can be herself! ::wink:: Oh, she's also a crappy eater. I could give both of my children ice cream and cake for dinner and they would both still eat horribly.