Way to go Purdue!!
Thanks for winning the Big 10 Tournament and making my husband a very happy man!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Wes-Man
Wes has joined the "I Can't See Poo Club" in our family. He failed a vision screening at school, much to my surprise. He had been doing well at school, so I would not have guessed anything was wrong with his vision. He is NOT a big fan of sitting down to read, but I think that is just because he has to make an effort at it. Now I believe his reading skills were a combination of not being able to see well and also not being very "into" reading. Hopefully we can improve the willingness part!
I took him to get his eyes checked earlier in the week and discovered that he is half blind, like the rest of us. His left eye is perfectly fine, but his right eye is 20/90 and farsighted. Poor kid...he can hardly read anything with that eye up close. We got his new glasses in Friday and he loves them.
Apparently enough of his friends at school wear glasses, so it's a cool thing. Thank God! I was dreading a battle with him over glasses. As I was informed in the car to the doctors office, "My girlfriend Isabella wears glasses!" Great, good to know!
I'm very thankful for the vision screening at school. The doctor didn't understand how he was doing well at school when he could only half see. I guess we were just lucky that he was doing as good as he was!
Here are some pictures of our cutie with his new glasses! Pardon his teeth...they are still a work in progress!
I took him to get his eyes checked earlier in the week and discovered that he is half blind, like the rest of us. His left eye is perfectly fine, but his right eye is 20/90 and farsighted. Poor kid...he can hardly read anything with that eye up close. We got his new glasses in Friday and he loves them.
Apparently enough of his friends at school wear glasses, so it's a cool thing. Thank God! I was dreading a battle with him over glasses. As I was informed in the car to the doctors office, "My girlfriend Isabella wears glasses!" Great, good to know!
I'm very thankful for the vision screening at school. The doctor didn't understand how he was doing well at school when he could only half see. I guess we were just lucky that he was doing as good as he was!
Here are some pictures of our cutie with his new glasses! Pardon his teeth...they are still a work in progress!
Rest In Peace...
We got word yesterday evening that Chris' Uncle, Bruce, passed away. He died unexpectedly of a heart condition. His wife was with him at the time, so I guess it was better she was there with him, but still sad. This comes as a shock to his whole family.
I was expecting the traditional Monroeville (conservative small town Indiana) services..ie. open casket, visitation, church services, burial and luncheon. But, the plot thickened this morning when we discovered services are up in the air as to what the family plans to do. He will be cremated (which is a shock for this family - not to me...but not the norm in Chris' family) and the memorial, visitation, service is up in the air. Glad I'm not part of that fallout!
Uncle Bruce was a great guy. He was kind hearted, quiet, always there for you when you needed help and had such patience with his nephews and his own grandchildren. He was always behind a camera taking pictures at every family function.
Rest in peace Uncle Bruce, you will be greatly missed.
I was expecting the traditional Monroeville (conservative small town Indiana) services..ie. open casket, visitation, church services, burial and luncheon. But, the plot thickened this morning when we discovered services are up in the air as to what the family plans to do. He will be cremated (which is a shock for this family - not to me...but not the norm in Chris' family) and the memorial, visitation, service is up in the air. Glad I'm not part of that fallout!
Uncle Bruce was a great guy. He was kind hearted, quiet, always there for you when you needed help and had such patience with his nephews and his own grandchildren. He was always behind a camera taking pictures at every family function.
Rest in peace Uncle Bruce, you will be greatly missed.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
About to get my travel on!
I'm headed to Florida early in the morning! Yeah! I'm actually going home to fly out of Flint, because it is cheaper! So, I'm off to Flint tonight and leave at the ass-crack of dawn in the morning.
I've been practically killing myself all week getting everything cleaned, organized and ready for Chris. He is perfectly capable of dealing with everything around here, but I just feel better leaving him with the laundry caught up, food in the refrigerator and a clean house. I know the boys are going to have fun during their "Boys Weekend"!!!
Oh, and speaking of practically killing myself...the elliptical machine arrived last night. The delivery guy told me the box weighed 240 pounds. Chris and I carried all the little pieces down to the basement and then attempted to carry a 200+ carcass of a machine down a large flight of stairs! It was great fun. I'd love to do it again today, but my back says otherwise! The machine isn't even working yet and already it is kicking my ass! I am looking forward to coming back and learning how to use it. Hopefully it won't give Chris too much of a fit putting it together.
Time to finish packing, get Connor ready to visit his Grandparents house and get my travel on!
Oh, and Wes has stayed dry 17 of the 18 nights!!! Go Potty Pager!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been practically killing myself all week getting everything cleaned, organized and ready for Chris. He is perfectly capable of dealing with everything around here, but I just feel better leaving him with the laundry caught up, food in the refrigerator and a clean house. I know the boys are going to have fun during their "Boys Weekend"!!!
Oh, and speaking of practically killing myself...the elliptical machine arrived last night. The delivery guy told me the box weighed 240 pounds. Chris and I carried all the little pieces down to the basement and then attempted to carry a 200+ carcass of a machine down a large flight of stairs! It was great fun. I'd love to do it again today, but my back says otherwise! The machine isn't even working yet and already it is kicking my ass! I am looking forward to coming back and learning how to use it. Hopefully it won't give Chris too much of a fit putting it together.
Time to finish packing, get Connor ready to visit his Grandparents house and get my travel on!
Oh, and Wes has stayed dry 17 of the 18 nights!!! Go Potty Pager!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Randomness
Today seems to be about random stuff.
I've lost four pounds in two weeks. I always work out and have been for about a year. But, I had to stop for two months around the holidays because my ankle was messed up. The holidays is the worst time of the year to not be working out, so my waistline paid the price. I'm back to daily workouts, stopped eating all the candy around here and try not to drink beer at night when I would normally want one while watching a game!! Agh...so everything that is good in the world I can't eat or drink! Gilad and I are tight again. He got upset when I disappeared for a while, but I'm back and I'm in his good graces again!
More important than my four pounds is that Wes is staying dry! Boo-yah!!! Only the one wet morning so far. He has been getting up early to go potty with no accidents. Happy day, happy day!
Chris and Wes are off to Purdue today for the IU/Purdue basketball game. It should be a serious ass-kicking to IU, the kind my husband loves. Unfortunately, it is snowing today and I know the roads aren't great. I will worry about that!
Did I mention it is snowing, again. I'm really done with snow and winter. Connor and I are having a nice, quiet afternoon at home. Direct TV wasn't working a while ago. It better have it's act together soon before the game comes on.
I'm starting my countdown to Florida. Twelve days until sunshine and a relaxing five day visit with Mouse (my grandma).
I'm so excited about the break, but I am equally excited to meet her new boyfriend. She doesn't read this... I believe...so I can use my nick-name for him on here. I call him Sugar Daddy. He is a couple of years younger than her, can hear, plays golf, likes to dance, is social and is in good health. All the requirements I understand in a mate once you hit 70. All kidding aside, he has been wonderful to her. She gets to go and do things she wouldn't do alone, nor could afford. They have been on a five day cruise together and have another eleven day cruise coming up in March. It's just really nice to see her enjoying someones company and not have to be alone! Oh, and the Sugar Daddy part is nice too!
Ok, I guess that is all my random thoughts for this snowy, Saturday afternoon. My parents are coming to visit tomorrow. Hopefully, unless the roads are really bad. They have Valentine stuff for the boys and also wanted to see the scrapbook I did for my grandparents 60th anniversary party.
Their visit means more cleaning for me....but I digress. Enjoy your Saturday!
I've lost four pounds in two weeks. I always work out and have been for about a year. But, I had to stop for two months around the holidays because my ankle was messed up. The holidays is the worst time of the year to not be working out, so my waistline paid the price. I'm back to daily workouts, stopped eating all the candy around here and try not to drink beer at night when I would normally want one while watching a game!! Agh...so everything that is good in the world I can't eat or drink! Gilad and I are tight again. He got upset when I disappeared for a while, but I'm back and I'm in his good graces again!
More important than my four pounds is that Wes is staying dry! Boo-yah!!! Only the one wet morning so far. He has been getting up early to go potty with no accidents. Happy day, happy day!
Chris and Wes are off to Purdue today for the IU/Purdue basketball game. It should be a serious ass-kicking to IU, the kind my husband loves. Unfortunately, it is snowing today and I know the roads aren't great. I will worry about that!
Did I mention it is snowing, again. I'm really done with snow and winter. Connor and I are having a nice, quiet afternoon at home. Direct TV wasn't working a while ago. It better have it's act together soon before the game comes on.
I'm starting my countdown to Florida. Twelve days until sunshine and a relaxing five day visit with Mouse (my grandma).
I'm so excited about the break, but I am equally excited to meet her new boyfriend. She doesn't read this... I believe...so I can use my nick-name for him on here. I call him Sugar Daddy. He is a couple of years younger than her, can hear, plays golf, likes to dance, is social and is in good health. All the requirements I understand in a mate once you hit 70. All kidding aside, he has been wonderful to her. She gets to go and do things she wouldn't do alone, nor could afford. They have been on a five day cruise together and have another eleven day cruise coming up in March. It's just really nice to see her enjoying someones company and not have to be alone! Oh, and the Sugar Daddy part is nice too!
Ok, I guess that is all my random thoughts for this snowy, Saturday afternoon. My parents are coming to visit tomorrow. Hopefully, unless the roads are really bad. They have Valentine stuff for the boys and also wanted to see the scrapbook I did for my grandparents 60th anniversary party.
Their visit means more cleaning for me....but I digress. Enjoy your Saturday!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Potty Pager 4-1
4 dry nights to 1 wet night...that's our success rate so far for the "Potty Pager". I have been happily surprised at how well Wes is doing at stopping his bed wetting. The pager attaches to the outside of his underwear and will vibrate/alarm when it feels moisture. Due to the fact that Wes is such a sound sleeper, I knew we needed more than just an alarm system!
I'm convinced that the pager is working not as intended, but never-the-less, it's working. The theory is that the pager will go off when it senses moisture, interrupting the wetting. In our case it has only gone off once. Wes is so afraid of it going off that he will hold it (like he is supposed to) to prevent triggering it.
We have shown him what happens so he could feel it, but he seems to think he is going to get shocked! Chris may have jokingly fed Wes' theory a bit, but we have tried to convince him it will not hurt and will only vibrate! We now believe that his getting wet was mostly laziness. He was "using" his pull-up whenever he felt like it, even when he was awake. This was happening mostly prior to falling asleep and when waking up.
The only night he was wet happened at 7:00 in the morning and he just didn't make it out of bed in time. I could hear him coming to our room before he even opened the door. The vibrating, buzzing and crying was enough to wake the dead.
"Mama, get it off, get if off, get it off!!!"
You would have thought that someone was trying to kill him! Like I said, I don't believe that the pager is teaching him to wake up when he starts to go, (I think eventually it would) but has instead made him paranoid enough to hold it. Whatever works!
I know there is a joke there about scaring the piss out of him...but I'm just happy that the pee is staying in!!!!
If you want more information on the Potty Pager go to www.pottypager.com.
I'm convinced that the pager is working not as intended, but never-the-less, it's working. The theory is that the pager will go off when it senses moisture, interrupting the wetting. In our case it has only gone off once. Wes is so afraid of it going off that he will hold it (like he is supposed to) to prevent triggering it.
We have shown him what happens so he could feel it, but he seems to think he is going to get shocked! Chris may have jokingly fed Wes' theory a bit, but we have tried to convince him it will not hurt and will only vibrate! We now believe that his getting wet was mostly laziness. He was "using" his pull-up whenever he felt like it, even when he was awake. This was happening mostly prior to falling asleep and when waking up.
The only night he was wet happened at 7:00 in the morning and he just didn't make it out of bed in time. I could hear him coming to our room before he even opened the door. The vibrating, buzzing and crying was enough to wake the dead.
"Mama, get it off, get if off, get it off!!!"
You would have thought that someone was trying to kill him! Like I said, I don't believe that the pager is teaching him to wake up when he starts to go, (I think eventually it would) but has instead made him paranoid enough to hold it. Whatever works!
I know there is a joke there about scaring the piss out of him...but I'm just happy that the pee is staying in!!!!
If you want more information on the Potty Pager go to www.pottypager.com.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Nintendo Props
I like to give credit where credit is due.
Props to Nintendo for replacing the faulty charger to Wes' Nintendo DS. The charger stopped working a couple of weeks ago. His DS was a Christmas present and he had been very careful with the charger. So, I was surprised when it stopped charging.
I called Nintendo and they simply replaced the charger...with no charge, thank you very much. We got the new charger today and all is well in DS world.
It's nice to have a company take responsibility for their product and have very good customer service.
Good job, Nintendo. Maybe you can work with GM!
Props to Nintendo for replacing the faulty charger to Wes' Nintendo DS. The charger stopped working a couple of weeks ago. His DS was a Christmas present and he had been very careful with the charger. So, I was surprised when it stopped charging.
I called Nintendo and they simply replaced the charger...with no charge, thank you very much. We got the new charger today and all is well in DS world.
It's nice to have a company take responsibility for their product and have very good customer service.
Good job, Nintendo. Maybe you can work with GM!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Catching up
I'm a blog slacker. I seem to be endlessly busy in all aspects of life and neglect my blog. I know, shameful. So, I'm going to get caught up on a few events.
My dad's parents (my grandparents by default) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the assisted living community in which they live...or as the boys call it..."the hotel". All of my dads siblings were there, a few of the grandkids and only a couple of great-grandkids. Our boys fall into the great-grandkids category and they were very well behaved. I was proud of them. On my list of things I'd rather not do this little trip was at the top, so I appreciated how boring and icky it was to the boys. Shhh..don't tell anyone, but I thought it was excruciating. If it wasn't for a funny uncle and my supportive husband, it would have been agonizing. Let's just say I showed up and got big points from my dad. Oh, and Obama was there too.
Our anniversary was January 29th and was a great weekend. We met up with our Purdue football buddies (minus Amy and James -sniff-sniff) for lunch and a Purdue basketball game. It was a strange game against Michigan...but the end result was all that mattered...Purdue won! Chris and I continued our weekend together (minus the boys) by heading over to Indy for a night on the town. Our dinner at St. Elmo was amazing. They have the best steaks around, and their service and attention to detail is top notch. They had a very private table, with flowers for us, away from all the major dining rooms. Chris broke the "no gift" rule for the weekend and bought me a beautiful heart shaped pendant I had been drooling over from Kay's. If you look closely you can see it in the pictures. Our weekend together was the best.
Wes did a great job in his annual musical at school. This years first grade musical was called "Bugz." It was very cute and well put together. Every child was given a line to say and each child participated in at least two musical numbers. As usual, Wes went along with being on stage and saying his line, but did so with the least amount of acting enthusiasm as possible. He just isn't a stage performer. He inherited that trait naturally. Don't get me wrong, he was cute and smiling and participating...he just didn't go the extra mile like some of the kids who acted like they were in High School Musical part 10. Props again to the teachers for pulling for a nice, timely program!
We are going through the "Stop Bedwetting 101" course at our house. Wes has always, always been a bedwetter...every night. We have tried all suggested methods and nothing will keep him dry at night. In case it isn't showing through my blog writing...I'm really, really done with bedwetting at my house! I've suspected that there is a level of laziness involved here, but he is also the deepest sleeper I've ever met, so who knows?? When our ADT smoke alarms have malfunctioned in the middle of the night and awaken Chris and I to heart attacks, him and his brother just slept away. Scary!!! Upon taking Doc's advice I ordered the Potty Pager. I'll be posting more about this endeavour, but last night was a success. Wes is scared to death of the thing going off. It acts as a pager and also has a buzzer. (Chris has been teasing him that it shocks him) Let's just say the pager part is 30 times more powerful than a cell phone on vibrate. I think it will wake him...but we shall see. Again, more to come.
Oh, and not to short change Connor....here's a cute random picture of Connor.
I know there have been other events around here that I would have liked to blog about but just didn't have the time. Hopefully, I can keep up better now that I've tackled the big events.
More to come on "Stop Bedwetting 101."
My dad's parents (my grandparents by default) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the assisted living community in which they live...or as the boys call it..."the hotel". All of my dads siblings were there, a few of the grandkids and only a couple of great-grandkids. Our boys fall into the great-grandkids category and they were very well behaved. I was proud of them. On my list of things I'd rather not do this little trip was at the top, so I appreciated how boring and icky it was to the boys. Shhh..don't tell anyone, but I thought it was excruciating. If it wasn't for a funny uncle and my supportive husband, it would have been agonizing. Let's just say I showed up and got big points from my dad. Oh, and Obama was there too.
Our anniversary was January 29th and was a great weekend. We met up with our Purdue football buddies (minus Amy and James -sniff-sniff) for lunch and a Purdue basketball game. It was a strange game against Michigan...but the end result was all that mattered...Purdue won! Chris and I continued our weekend together (minus the boys) by heading over to Indy for a night on the town. Our dinner at St. Elmo was amazing. They have the best steaks around, and their service and attention to detail is top notch. They had a very private table, with flowers for us, away from all the major dining rooms. Chris broke the "no gift" rule for the weekend and bought me a beautiful heart shaped pendant I had been drooling over from Kay's. If you look closely you can see it in the pictures. Our weekend together was the best.
Wes did a great job in his annual musical at school. This years first grade musical was called "Bugz." It was very cute and well put together. Every child was given a line to say and each child participated in at least two musical numbers. As usual, Wes went along with being on stage and saying his line, but did so with the least amount of acting enthusiasm as possible. He just isn't a stage performer. He inherited that trait naturally. Don't get me wrong, he was cute and smiling and participating...he just didn't go the extra mile like some of the kids who acted like they were in High School Musical part 10. Props again to the teachers for pulling for a nice, timely program!
We are going through the "Stop Bedwetting 101" course at our house. Wes has always, always been a bedwetter...every night. We have tried all suggested methods and nothing will keep him dry at night. In case it isn't showing through my blog writing...I'm really, really done with bedwetting at my house! I've suspected that there is a level of laziness involved here, but he is also the deepest sleeper I've ever met, so who knows?? When our ADT smoke alarms have malfunctioned in the middle of the night and awaken Chris and I to heart attacks, him and his brother just slept away. Scary!!! Upon taking Doc's advice I ordered the Potty Pager. I'll be posting more about this endeavour, but last night was a success. Wes is scared to death of the thing going off. It acts as a pager and also has a buzzer. (Chris has been teasing him that it shocks him) Let's just say the pager part is 30 times more powerful than a cell phone on vibrate. I think it will wake him...but we shall see. Again, more to come.
Oh, and not to short change Connor....here's a cute random picture of Connor.
I know there have been other events around here that I would have liked to blog about but just didn't have the time. Hopefully, I can keep up better now that I've tackled the big events.
More to come on "Stop Bedwetting 101."
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary to my amazing, thoughtful, kind and loving husband. Nine years ago today I married my sweetheart. I loved him then and I love him even more today. I didn't know that was possible.
Today he is my best friend, my hostess cupcake cohort, my negotiator, my peacekeeper and the world's greatest dad! Thank you for your kindness, your patience, your love and your commitment to me and our family.
We are playing it low key today but we get to escape this weekend to Indy for some much deserved one on one time. I'm looking forward to a night out, great food and even better company.
Happy Anniversary!
Today he is my best friend, my hostess cupcake cohort, my negotiator, my peacekeeper and the world's greatest dad! Thank you for your kindness, your patience, your love and your commitment to me and our family.
We are playing it low key today but we get to escape this weekend to Indy for some much deserved one on one time. I'm looking forward to a night out, great food and even better company.
Happy Anniversary!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Stupid, stupid, stupid
No school today. Probably the -18 degree temperature at bus stop time had something to do with that.
If you listen carefully you will hear the sound of me screaming..."Nooooooo" at the top of my lungs. The boys didn't have school today and they don't have school on Monday. I have a four day weekend with them and they can not go outside to play and we can't go anywhere in this cold.
Wait for it...it gets better.
Wes lost his DS all week for calling me a jerk. Yeah, no one ever said that 7 year olds make great decisions. Not two hours into our day today this goes down.
I'm working out downstairs and Connor comes down to tell me that Wes won't play with him. I ask why..."Caus', Wes is playing his DS"
What???? I bolt up the stairs, which I'm sure Gilad would have approved of as part of the work out because I'm sure took the stairs faster then his near 60 year old ass could have.
And what do I find...Wes, sitting in his room playing his DS, which HAD been safely stowed on the TOP shelf of our closet. Besides the fact I'm stumped as to how he got the DS down, I sure wasn't speechless. Boy did I scream and yell at him. I've been asked nearly hourly all week when he can get his DS back and I'd already answered that question several times today, so there was no doubt he knew he was screwed at that point. Because getting caught playing it pretty much spelled death sentence.
As far as I am concerned he lost any chance of getting the DS this weekend, playing Wii with Connor and I this afternoon and maybe even lost his trip to Purdue with Dad on Sunday.
Why, Wes?? Why?? Why did you have to ruin everything with one stupid move??? Not to mention he could have broken his neck climbing our shelves in our closet standing on my exercise ball???
So, basically my peace for today is shot, my peaceful one child Sunday has been shot.... all because of that stupid DS. If the damn thing wasn't so insanely expensive it might have flown out a window. Oh, but wait...it's -14 degrees outside so I'm sure even the damn window is frozen shut.
Stupid weather. Stupid DS. Stupid exercise ball. Stupid Gilad!
If you listen carefully you will hear the sound of me screaming..."Nooooooo" at the top of my lungs. The boys didn't have school today and they don't have school on Monday. I have a four day weekend with them and they can not go outside to play and we can't go anywhere in this cold.
Wait for it...it gets better.
Wes lost his DS all week for calling me a jerk. Yeah, no one ever said that 7 year olds make great decisions. Not two hours into our day today this goes down.
I'm working out downstairs and Connor comes down to tell me that Wes won't play with him. I ask why..."Caus', Wes is playing his DS"
What???? I bolt up the stairs, which I'm sure Gilad would have approved of as part of the work out because I'm sure took the stairs faster then his near 60 year old ass could have.
And what do I find...Wes, sitting in his room playing his DS, which HAD been safely stowed on the TOP shelf of our closet. Besides the fact I'm stumped as to how he got the DS down, I sure wasn't speechless. Boy did I scream and yell at him. I've been asked nearly hourly all week when he can get his DS back and I'd already answered that question several times today, so there was no doubt he knew he was screwed at that point. Because getting caught playing it pretty much spelled death sentence.
As far as I am concerned he lost any chance of getting the DS this weekend, playing Wii with Connor and I this afternoon and maybe even lost his trip to Purdue with Dad on Sunday.
Why, Wes?? Why?? Why did you have to ruin everything with one stupid move??? Not to mention he could have broken his neck climbing our shelves in our closet standing on my exercise ball???
So, basically my peace for today is shot, my peaceful one child Sunday has been shot.... all because of that stupid DS. If the damn thing wasn't so insanely expensive it might have flown out a window. Oh, but wait...it's -14 degrees outside so I'm sure even the damn window is frozen shut.
Stupid weather. Stupid DS. Stupid exercise ball. Stupid Gilad!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
It's cold...
...it's really, really cold. And, I'm tired of winter.
Folks, I grew up in Michigan and I know what cold winters are all about. But this is nasty cold. It's past noon and it is still only -4 degrees outside. That is just crazy ass cold. We have had daily snow all week with it starting to pile up outside.
Good thing we had our furnace fixed last week. I thought 57 degrees in the house was bad, hate to think of what it would be now. Sorry, I digress.
We had a school delay this morning, but it really didn't make much difference. We got a lot of snow yesterday, so I wasn't sure if the delay was for the snow or the cold. I guess I will know tomorrow morning. The predicted temperature at bus stop time is -5.
So far the highlight of my morning was running the snow blower to clear our sidewalks, again. When it is -4 with wind chills somewhere around -25 and the snow coming out of the snow blower hits you in the face, that sucks! Even after a hot shower my cheeks feel like I went 10 rounds with a 2 x 4.
I'm pretty much the snow removal team of our household. Chris leaves in the dark and comes home in the dark and that makes clearing the driveway difficult. I've also been afraid that his Honda wouldn't make it up the steep drive with snow on it. So I've cleaned...and cleaned...and cleaned some more.
It's worth good brownie points. Our anniversary is coming up so I'm expecting good rewards!
Folks, I grew up in Michigan and I know what cold winters are all about. But this is nasty cold. It's past noon and it is still only -4 degrees outside. That is just crazy ass cold. We have had daily snow all week with it starting to pile up outside.
Good thing we had our furnace fixed last week. I thought 57 degrees in the house was bad, hate to think of what it would be now. Sorry, I digress.
We had a school delay this morning, but it really didn't make much difference. We got a lot of snow yesterday, so I wasn't sure if the delay was for the snow or the cold. I guess I will know tomorrow morning. The predicted temperature at bus stop time is -5.
So far the highlight of my morning was running the snow blower to clear our sidewalks, again. When it is -4 with wind chills somewhere around -25 and the snow coming out of the snow blower hits you in the face, that sucks! Even after a hot shower my cheeks feel like I went 10 rounds with a 2 x 4.
I'm pretty much the snow removal team of our household. Chris leaves in the dark and comes home in the dark and that makes clearing the driveway difficult. I've also been afraid that his Honda wouldn't make it up the steep drive with snow on it. So I've cleaned...and cleaned...and cleaned some more.
It's worth good brownie points. Our anniversary is coming up so I'm expecting good rewards!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Catching up and Happy New Year!
Really? It's 2009? Really?
The holidays just flew by and dragged me along for the ride. I'm just now starting to catch my breath and put my feet on the ground. We had a very busy, traveling holiday. Our time in Flint was spent with a snow storm there. We were fortunate to make it back home between rounds with only rain to drive in.
We spent Christmas Day at our house with just us and the boys. It was an interesting day. For some reason while we were gone the thermostat for our furnace became confused and had a problem. The highest temp we got in the house on Christmas day was about 58. A bit cold for momma. The boys didn't notice because they were way to happy unwrapping presents and getting to play the new Wii. I think Mario Cart is their most favorite game, ever!!!
The day after Christmas we headed over to my in-laws for the day. When we left the house at 10:15 it was 32 degrees and raining. The roads turned to a sheet of ice right in front of us. They were the nastiest roads I have ever had the privilege of driving on. If it had been any other event other than Christmas that we were headed to we could have went back home. As it was we had to turn the car around twice to find roads free of spun out cars. A good time, not! It warmed up during the day and we got to drive home in fog. A great way to start and end the day. I'll not say more than that about the rest of the time so that I appear nice.
Other fun events over the holiday break included playing Guitar Hero, a trip to Purdue for a men's basketball game, playing Guitar Hero, a New Year's Eve Komet's hockey game with the boys, playing Guitar Hero and Uncle Stu spending the night playing Wii and you guessed it... Guitar Hero.
There are other great stories involving missed Christmas dinners, the shooting of a car-struck deer in my parents yard, Connor trying to flip off Grandma, Wes calling Connor a "piece of penis" during Christmas at the In-laws, and so on and so forth. I'm not sure, but I might be suffering from post-traumatic-stress disorder.
I'll say no more and show you the pictures instead. Yes, those are the bad haircuts I'm responsible for.
The holidays just flew by and dragged me along for the ride. I'm just now starting to catch my breath and put my feet on the ground. We had a very busy, traveling holiday. Our time in Flint was spent with a snow storm there. We were fortunate to make it back home between rounds with only rain to drive in.
We spent Christmas Day at our house with just us and the boys. It was an interesting day. For some reason while we were gone the thermostat for our furnace became confused and had a problem. The highest temp we got in the house on Christmas day was about 58. A bit cold for momma. The boys didn't notice because they were way to happy unwrapping presents and getting to play the new Wii. I think Mario Cart is their most favorite game, ever!!!
The day after Christmas we headed over to my in-laws for the day. When we left the house at 10:15 it was 32 degrees and raining. The roads turned to a sheet of ice right in front of us. They were the nastiest roads I have ever had the privilege of driving on. If it had been any other event other than Christmas that we were headed to we could have went back home. As it was we had to turn the car around twice to find roads free of spun out cars. A good time, not! It warmed up during the day and we got to drive home in fog. A great way to start and end the day. I'll not say more than that about the rest of the time so that I appear nice.
Other fun events over the holiday break included playing Guitar Hero, a trip to Purdue for a men's basketball game, playing Guitar Hero, a New Year's Eve Komet's hockey game with the boys, playing Guitar Hero and Uncle Stu spending the night playing Wii and you guessed it... Guitar Hero.
There are other great stories involving missed Christmas dinners, the shooting of a car-struck deer in my parents yard, Connor trying to flip off Grandma, Wes calling Connor a "piece of penis" during Christmas at the In-laws, and so on and so forth. I'm not sure, but I might be suffering from post-traumatic-stress disorder.
I'll say no more and show you the pictures instead. Yes, those are the bad haircuts I'm responsible for.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Holidays and Bad Haircuts
We are headed to Flint tomorrow to celebrate Christmas. We will hang out there until Christmas Eve and then return home. Santa only seems to know how to find us when we are at our home. Thank you, Santa!
I'm apologizing now for the horrendous haircuts on my boys. They desperately needed haircuts this week before we leave tomorrow. Unfortunately our dear friend, John, who always cuts the boys hair has been without power thanks to the ice storm. So, what choice did I have but to whip out the clippers and cut all their hair off?
Connor looks fine...it's short on him but his hair is always shorter than Wes. Wes on the other hand definitely got the worst "do" of the two. He never fusses for John but he went nuts when I tried to cut his hair. He cried! What? Yes, he cried and if he knew enough to know what a bad buzz cut looked like when he looked in the mirror, he would continue to cry.
My mother is going to kill me when she sees them. I don't blame her....but it will be all I hear about for the next four days. Damn ice storm! I'm going to attempt to go back over Wes later tonight with the clippers and see if I can make it better. I'm sure that will work!!! NOT!!!
I'm apologizing now for the horrendous haircuts on my boys. They desperately needed haircuts this week before we leave tomorrow. Unfortunately our dear friend, John, who always cuts the boys hair has been without power thanks to the ice storm. So, what choice did I have but to whip out the clippers and cut all their hair off?
Connor looks fine...it's short on him but his hair is always shorter than Wes. Wes on the other hand definitely got the worst "do" of the two. He never fusses for John but he went nuts when I tried to cut his hair. He cried! What? Yes, he cried and if he knew enough to know what a bad buzz cut looked like when he looked in the mirror, he would continue to cry.
My mother is going to kill me when she sees them. I don't blame her....but it will be all I hear about for the next four days. Damn ice storm! I'm going to attempt to go back over Wes later tonight with the clippers and see if I can make it better. I'm sure that will work!!! NOT!!!
Ice Storm
Like most of the country, we seem to be getting our fair share of shitty weather. I would certainly classify a half inch to an inch of ice as bad weather. It sucked here on Friday. We were so, so very lucky to not lose power. Most everyone around us has been out for over 24 hours. We were only out shortly, but I was reminded how much our boys depend on electricity...and how quickly the house seemed to get cold!!
I took a few pictures. This is my attempt at cool photography. After looking at them on here it appears I failed. I am sad that our very nice birch tree took a bad hit. All three major parts of it are on the ground and one of those three have split. With temperatures staying well below freezing I'm not too hopeful that the rest of the tree will make it.
Wes' Birthday
Wes celebrated his 7th birthday last week. With the chaos of the holidays and dealing with bad weather, I haven't goten around to posting some pictures. I got to go into his class that day and I was glad I did. It was fun to watch him wig out on sugar with his classmates. Good times.
Star Wars is all our boys seem to want to play with right now. I have a feeling this will be a very Star Wars Christmas.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Holiday Mail for Heroes
Holiday Mail for Heroes is a great program sponsored by the American Red Cross. They have a goal to deliver one million holiday cards to American Service Members, Veterans and their families in the US and around the world.
The deadline to participate in this program is Wednesday, December 10. All cards must be postmarked on the 10th or they will be returned to the sender.
I'm excited to be able to go into Wes' classroom this week to provide the supplies for him and his classmates to make cards. This is a neat way for our kids to appreciate being home for the holidays and thanking our service men and women for their sacrifices!
In case you are interested:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
(This replaces the program of sending cards directly to service men and woman at Walter Reed Hospital. Walter Reed will not accept cards addressed to recovering soldiers.)
The deadline to participate in this program is Wednesday, December 10. All cards must be postmarked on the 10th or they will be returned to the sender.
I'm excited to be able to go into Wes' classroom this week to provide the supplies for him and his classmates to make cards. This is a neat way for our kids to appreciate being home for the holidays and thanking our service men and women for their sacrifices!
In case you are interested:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
(This replaces the program of sending cards directly to service men and woman at Walter Reed Hospital. Walter Reed will not accept cards addressed to recovering soldiers.)
Big relief
I met with Dr. Hicks this morning at Fort Wayne Orthopedics to get my bad ankle checked out. I have been having problems with it for the past month or so. It has been 10 years since I had it fused with surgery. I manged to get all my old records/x-rays from home (thanks to my aunt) and took them with me as a comparison.
Thankfully everything looked the same and none of the screws had moved. I was so concerned that something would need fixed. A new pair of orthotics was suggested as well as the walking boot I am currently wearing. It's way better than a cast and it was suggested that I use it when my ankle flairs up...as it has been.
I'd forgotten how much fun it is driving with my left foot. But, just like riding a bike, I got the hang of it again. I'm glad there wasn't anyone in the car with me while I was getting the hang of it! And for the record...it is not illegal to drive with your left foot. I've checked!
Now my mother can stop NAG, NAG, NAGGING me about my stupid ankle. I swear if she asks me one more time how it is doing I'm going to scream! I hope she goes back to worrying about GM and my Grandma and leaves me alone.
On to more important things...only 18 days till Christmas. OMG!!!
I'm happy to boast that all my shopping and wrapping is done. The house has been decorated for a while too. It's nice to have stuff done and just be able to enjoy the holidays. I intend to do some baking soon. I've gotten a bunch of old recipes from my mom that she used to make and that I loved. Looking forward to that!
My birthday is tomorrow and Wes' is Friday. Chris suggested we move my birthday to June when there is less stuff going on. Not sure we are going to get an evening out to ourselves. Sniff, sniff. My parents are coming back this weekend to spend Saturday night. It just seems like there is always something going on. Hence why I am so happy to have my shopping/wrapping done!
Thankfully everything looked the same and none of the screws had moved. I was so concerned that something would need fixed. A new pair of orthotics was suggested as well as the walking boot I am currently wearing. It's way better than a cast and it was suggested that I use it when my ankle flairs up...as it has been.
I'd forgotten how much fun it is driving with my left foot. But, just like riding a bike, I got the hang of it again. I'm glad there wasn't anyone in the car with me while I was getting the hang of it! And for the record...it is not illegal to drive with your left foot. I've checked!
Now my mother can stop NAG, NAG, NAGGING me about my stupid ankle. I swear if she asks me one more time how it is doing I'm going to scream! I hope she goes back to worrying about GM and my Grandma and leaves me alone.
On to more important things...only 18 days till Christmas. OMG!!!
I'm happy to boast that all my shopping and wrapping is done. The house has been decorated for a while too. It's nice to have stuff done and just be able to enjoy the holidays. I intend to do some baking soon. I've gotten a bunch of old recipes from my mom that she used to make and that I loved. Looking forward to that!
My birthday is tomorrow and Wes' is Friday. Chris suggested we move my birthday to June when there is less stuff going on. Not sure we are going to get an evening out to ourselves. Sniff, sniff. My parents are coming back this weekend to spend Saturday night. It just seems like there is always something going on. Hence why I am so happy to have my shopping/wrapping done!
Friday, December 05, 2008
I'm torn...
...between my family who are desperate for a GM buyout and my personal opinion that there shouldn't be buyouts!
I grew up in Flint, Michigan. We lived in Flint township, not the city of Flint, but our mailing address still said Flint. Without any siblings in my life I had the good life. I wasn't overly spoiled, but I always had what I needed and my family "played" Up North in Michigan with boats, cottages and now horses. The Flint I grew up in was a GM town, but is now just a ghost town. On my last trip home I was appalled at what is happening there. Nearly everywhere you look homes have been for sale for years and more are just abandoned. There are absolutely no jobs to be had anywhere and staggering poverty.
My parents and my grandparents are dependent on GM.
My grandparents live month to month on their $800 GM pension check. They have struggled with money their entire lives. They are not the kind of people who ever treated themselves to luxury or squander a penny. Actually, they are the cheapest people I have ever met. And now their assisted living apartment rent, which pays for the heat, electricity and food is dependent upon GM. They will have nothing if they loose their pension. They are completely dependent on GM.
My parents are dependent on GM. Dad works in the Flint Metal Fab plant and has been there since the day after he graduated from high school. He has been offered every buyout that has come to his plant, knowing full well his plant is terminal. It only has another two or three years left before it is slated to close, if not sooner. He could retire but they can't afford for him to retire. Namely because of their horses.
Now I feel sorry for my grandparents because they scrapped along in their lives just to get what they have. I do not feel sorry for my parents. The writing has been on the wall for years that this meltdown was coming. They have chosen to ignore every warning and continue on the path they have chose. They could have sold horses. Dad could have taken classes and found a "new" occupation. He could have looked for a new job. They could have left Flint...but instead they have chose to stay. And now they have no options.
My mom has the lawn and garden family business that she runs with my uncle. It has also been failing for years. When you live in a town failed by GM your business will fail too. I know my parents haven't given up and left town because the Lawn Shop, but because of their decisions now they are trapped.
If GM folds, as it will without a bailout, my parents are done for. I agree that bankruptcy for a car manufacturer will not work. We are getting close to needing to replace a GM lease and I won't purchase a GM car without knowing I will have a company and warranty to back up my car in five years.
So, I'm torn. I most certainly do not want my grandparents left with no place to live or my parents left with nothing. But I can not agree to government buyouts. I didn't agree with the financial institution bailout and I don't agree with this one. I believe in survival of the fittest and in evolution. I believe that if a company can't figure out over the course of a decade how to pull itself together or evolve, then they don't deserve to be in business. They failed. They have become extinct. My parents believe that GM has made those changes and it is the failure of the lending institutions that has brought this on. Maybe that is true and I'm being too harsh.
If Chris and I failed in our finances no one would give us money hand over fist. I don't believe it is the taxpayers responsibility to bail out a company that plain and simple failed. And I believe that even if the government actually gives them the money, that GM still will not make it. GM will just struggle on for a couple of more years and continue to fail. I even agree with Bush when I read this quote..."he is concerned about providing taxpayer money to companies "that may not survive." Ok, me agreeing with Bush? Come on people, what are we coming to in Washington?
If GM were a horse I would call the vet and have it put out of its misery. I realize how a failed GM will devastate my family as well as this entire country. I get it probably more than most people because I grew up in Flint. But there has to be a better way then giving them our hard earned tax money.
Giving them what they want is only prolonging the inevitable. And, then who is next? Who else wants to go and beg to our government for free money? Steel companies, airlines, states like California? Heck, maybe I should drive to DC in my GM car and get in line?
I wish I had the answers and I realize what a tough job our politicians have on this one. I literally feel torn in half about this. After another blow up on the phone with my mom today I also realize that I can no longer talk to her about it.
I guess I will just watch and see what happens, because that is all I, or any of us can do.
I grew up in Flint, Michigan. We lived in Flint township, not the city of Flint, but our mailing address still said Flint. Without any siblings in my life I had the good life. I wasn't overly spoiled, but I always had what I needed and my family "played" Up North in Michigan with boats, cottages and now horses. The Flint I grew up in was a GM town, but is now just a ghost town. On my last trip home I was appalled at what is happening there. Nearly everywhere you look homes have been for sale for years and more are just abandoned. There are absolutely no jobs to be had anywhere and staggering poverty.
My parents and my grandparents are dependent on GM.
My grandparents live month to month on their $800 GM pension check. They have struggled with money their entire lives. They are not the kind of people who ever treated themselves to luxury or squander a penny. Actually, they are the cheapest people I have ever met. And now their assisted living apartment rent, which pays for the heat, electricity and food is dependent upon GM. They will have nothing if they loose their pension. They are completely dependent on GM.
My parents are dependent on GM. Dad works in the Flint Metal Fab plant and has been there since the day after he graduated from high school. He has been offered every buyout that has come to his plant, knowing full well his plant is terminal. It only has another two or three years left before it is slated to close, if not sooner. He could retire but they can't afford for him to retire. Namely because of their horses.
Now I feel sorry for my grandparents because they scrapped along in their lives just to get what they have. I do not feel sorry for my parents. The writing has been on the wall for years that this meltdown was coming. They have chosen to ignore every warning and continue on the path they have chose. They could have sold horses. Dad could have taken classes and found a "new" occupation. He could have looked for a new job. They could have left Flint...but instead they have chose to stay. And now they have no options.
My mom has the lawn and garden family business that she runs with my uncle. It has also been failing for years. When you live in a town failed by GM your business will fail too. I know my parents haven't given up and left town because the Lawn Shop, but because of their decisions now they are trapped.
If GM folds, as it will without a bailout, my parents are done for. I agree that bankruptcy for a car manufacturer will not work. We are getting close to needing to replace a GM lease and I won't purchase a GM car without knowing I will have a company and warranty to back up my car in five years.
So, I'm torn. I most certainly do not want my grandparents left with no place to live or my parents left with nothing. But I can not agree to government buyouts. I didn't agree with the financial institution bailout and I don't agree with this one. I believe in survival of the fittest and in evolution. I believe that if a company can't figure out over the course of a decade how to pull itself together or evolve, then they don't deserve to be in business. They failed. They have become extinct. My parents believe that GM has made those changes and it is the failure of the lending institutions that has brought this on. Maybe that is true and I'm being too harsh.
If Chris and I failed in our finances no one would give us money hand over fist. I don't believe it is the taxpayers responsibility to bail out a company that plain and simple failed. And I believe that even if the government actually gives them the money, that GM still will not make it. GM will just struggle on for a couple of more years and continue to fail. I even agree with Bush when I read this quote..."he is concerned about providing taxpayer money to companies "that may not survive." Ok, me agreeing with Bush? Come on people, what are we coming to in Washington?
If GM were a horse I would call the vet and have it put out of its misery. I realize how a failed GM will devastate my family as well as this entire country. I get it probably more than most people because I grew up in Flint. But there has to be a better way then giving them our hard earned tax money.
Giving them what they want is only prolonging the inevitable. And, then who is next? Who else wants to go and beg to our government for free money? Steel companies, airlines, states like California? Heck, maybe I should drive to DC in my GM car and get in line?
I wish I had the answers and I realize what a tough job our politicians have on this one. I literally feel torn in half about this. After another blow up on the phone with my mom today I also realize that I can no longer talk to her about it.
I guess I will just watch and see what happens, because that is all I, or any of us can do.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Random Update
I couldn't think of a better title! I've been a slacker on here lately, but we have been so busy as a family. The weekends have been full and will continue to be so all throughout the upcoming holidays! So, here are a few recap pictures of what has been going on with us!
Wes was so stoked to get to "meet" Icy at the local hospital's Halloween Party. Icy is the Komets mascot.
"Enjoying the straw maze, I am"
Yes, that is a really, really big pumpkin!
Grandpa, the boys and their favorite barn kitty!
Trick or treating on Halloween night.
Wes was so stoked to get to "meet" Icy at the local hospital's Halloween Party. Icy is the Komets mascot.
"Enjoying the straw maze, I am"
Yes, that is a really, really big pumpkin!
Grandpa, the boys and their favorite barn kitty!
Trick or treating on Halloween night.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
I Voted!
Did you???
There is still time...get out and vote, especially if you live in Indiana. I'm hearing today that it could all come down to us??? Now that is a scary thought. Good thing my vote cancelled out my husbands vote.
I was lucky to be able to go vote at 1:00 today. I didn't stand in line at all. According to the friendly ladies where I voted, it was the only time of the day there were no lines. Most everyone else I talked to around here stood in very, very long lines.
I'm smart and lucky. Now if my guy wins, I'll be even luckier.
There is still time...get out and vote, especially if you live in Indiana. I'm hearing today that it could all come down to us??? Now that is a scary thought. Good thing my vote cancelled out my husbands vote.
I was lucky to be able to go vote at 1:00 today. I didn't stand in line at all. According to the friendly ladies where I voted, it was the only time of the day there were no lines. Most everyone else I talked to around here stood in very, very long lines.
I'm smart and lucky. Now if my guy wins, I'll be even luckier.
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