TGIF

Finally. I have been waiting for this day since Monday! It's so hard to believe that today is the last day of November already. Where did the month go?

My plan today is to get my butt in gear and get the Xmas decorations out. I still have the Thanksgiving ones on my porch. Oops. We finished painting the living room and patching the windows. I remember when we bought this house thinking how exciting it is to own a new home (this one was built in 1999). We are the second owners. Having a newer home isn't at all that great. Our first house was built in the 1950's and it was solid and sturdy. This one they must have slapped together. We've already replaced the A/C two years ago, the pool has been resurfaced, one of the bathrooms needed a complete shower remodel, and the windows are leaking (we have no idea why). Steve spent all last week, chiseling out the damage and redoing them. The he recaulked outside and inside. So, if this doesn't work, we give up. We are slowly prioritizing what we have to redo. Next on the agenda is to paint the exterior and new some new tile. I have a tile entry that has these fine hairline cracks. A few weeks ago, I was sitting here at my computer and I could hear them cracking. At first I was considering replacing the carpet with hardwood, but who knows what will be under the carpet when we pull it up. I may have to stick with carpeting and just have them focus on correcting the problem of why the tiles are cracking. They are also cracking in my kitchen and master bathroom. You can even hear the hollow spots under the tile.

Two weeks from today, we head off to our annual Very Merry Christmas party at Walt Disney World. Woo Hoo. I so need to get out of Tampa for the day. I just need a break. Unfortunately, we are only going for the party. The schools changed their schedule so the kids this year go all the way up to December 21. Last year they got out December 15. There was some big deal about "Christmas" and "Holiday" breaks with some groups so the district just did away with them. So, we are only going up Friday night and coming home on Saturday. The kids start their exams on Monday.

I've been slowly getting my Christmas shopping started. It's not so fun now that the kids are older. I miss buying them toys and clothes. I don't even attempt to buy them clothes. So, I've picked up a few things and they will just get gift cards. Elizabeth loves Starbucks so she will get one of those, Greg loves Moe's (it's a Mexcian restaurant and he and his friend always go there), and Emily will get a gift card to the movie theatre down the street. They'll still get other things too. I do still get to buy toys for Mark. He loves Spongebob so I have gotton him a few Spongebob items.

Well, off to get my day started. One more kid to get out the door. Have a great Friday.

Yeah. They won! I have been a avid Dancing With the Stars fan since the very first season. I love that show!!! I was so happy that they won last night. I would have been happy with Mel B. winning too but I think Helio was the man! He was so fun to watch and evolve each week. My problem now is whatever will I watch on Monday and Tuesday nights? I am anxiously awaiting the next season and to see who will be strapping on their dancing shoes.

Can I have a "do over" Monday? You would think after long holiday weekend, I would be up and ready to go. I just want today to be over!!!!

First, woke up this morning to the smoke alarm "chirping". It's never done that before (it's ADT). Recently Emily set it off cooking a grilled cheese. It definately works. They (ADT) even called to make sure everything was okay. Steve thought maybe the battery needed check so he got up on the ladder before work to check. It's hard wired. So, I call ADT. Ray tells me there is nothing wrong with our system and that we must have an "independant" smoke detector in the house that is sending a signal to the smoke detector that is beeping. After I thought about it, t there is no way we have an "independant' smoke dectector. I called back and Cathy walked me through checking the system. She recommended that I get up on a ladder and blow it out with the hair dryer. Sometimes, dust can do that. I did it and reset the alarm. After 20 minutes of peace and quiet, it starts chirping at me again. I called back time #3. This time, I get the "it's not our alarm. Our alarms don't chirp. " Now I am mad. Don't tell me that the alarm is not beeping. I am standing right undereath it! So, I got to Lowes (I had to pick up some stuff anyway). I thought maybe I will just get a can of air and blast the heck out of the thing before I rip it out. The beeping is getting on my last nerve. They are out of air. So, I tell the guy what's wrong and he asks me if I checked the battery. I tell him it's hard wired. He says all smoke detectors have a battery back up. So, I buy some batteries and come home. Get up on the ladder and son of a gun, there is a battery compartment. It's flush with the system. You really had to be looking for it to see it. So, I change the battery, problem solved. LESSON LEARNED: Even though the smoke detector is hard wired, there is a battery in there. I understand that now but why in the world did the ADT people not know that??????? I wasn't some dumb customer who didn't know what she was talking about. Don't tell me that it wasn't making a noise when I was standing under it and it was! Geesh.......

Fast forward to picking Mark up from school. He gets in the car and tells me that he got a "red" in his folder. Red is bad! Green is good. Yellow okay. I asked him why he got red? In his folder is a note from the teacher. I didn't initial his folder from last Tuesday. I did sign and return all the papers but I forgot to initial the folder. He also didn't bring his libary book back. He was using the library book for a book-it report which isn't due until Friday. We weren't done with the book. He also had a note to bring in the report. It clearly says due November 30. He also had a check for talking (which would have only put him on yellow). But since I forgot to initial his folder and he didn't bring a book in that he is still using he got a red. Do I get mad at him? After I spoke to him about talking, I decided to just let the red mark go. I volunteer in the classroom tomorrow morning so I will set it straight with his teacher. So, I just want to crawl into bed and start another day.

Older kids will be rolling in soon. ugh. Who knows what problems/dilemnas they will bring home. It's always something.

Well, off to enjoy the last few minutes of peace and quiet. Hope you all had a better Monday than me.

Happy Day after Thanksgiving! I wanted to post yesterday, but it got totally chaotic. We had a great day. It was just us this year. After dinner was over, we all sat and played two games of Disney trivia. I love that game. Even Mark can answer questions.


Today, I'm locking myself in my scrapbook room and cleaning and organizing it. I've decided to go back to my simple way of doing things. I was just getting so overwhelmed by all the layouts in the magazines with all their embellishments and lack of pictures, that I went into a slump. So, I'm going through all my stuff and keeping/organizing/pitching stuff I just won't use. I've participated in swaps over the years and just have stuff I won't use. I still love my brads and primas. I've recently fallen in love with buttons. I take alot of pictures so I was just stressing myself out when I would see one photo per page and sooooooooooo much other stuff. So, I am hoping to get some pages completed. What's the best part of it all? ABC Family is showing sappy Christmas movies all day. So, today there will be no cooking, cleaning, laundry, or driving kids around. I even joked that I'm not even putting make up on. That's a scary thought in itself but I am taking the day off.

Have a great Friday.

Childhood Memories

Joe Nuxhall

1928-2007

Do you have a childhood memory that will forever be "etched" in your mind? When I was growing up, my dad would listen to the Reds game on the radio. We weren't allowed to watch a lot of TV so the radio was on a lot. I remember being outside while my dad worked in the yard or on his car and he would listen to the Joe Nuxall and Marty Brenneman call the game. There was something special about this duo and their voices were so unique. Even while living here in Florida, we would listen to them on the satellite radio. If we are lucky enough to get a Reds game on TV, we will turn down the sound and listen to Marty and Joe. Everytime we go home to Cincy, we try to go to a game. We look for the broadcast booth so we can catch up glimse of them. Sadly Joe lost his battle with cancer last night. Joe would always end a broadcast with his famous quote "This is the old left-hander, rounding third and heading for home," Rest in peace, Joe. Thanks for the great memories.

TGIF---Yeah. It's been a very long (yet somewhat fast) week! Baseball is officially over. WOO HOO is all I have to say about that. Even though the weather has finally cooled down and making the games "pleasant", I was done. You can only watch so many baseball games. We have 2 months off and then we start back up in February--assuming Greg makes the team again. So, now he can focus on his school work and conditioning.


My to do list is actually pretty simple today. The grocery store, BJ's (for the best pumpkin pies) and Pier One. Then I need to tackle Mt. Washmore again. Everytime I get all caught up I keep telling myself that if I just do a load a day I can keep up with it. But for some reason, that isn't working for me. I'm always on the run.


One month from today we will be heading over to Walt Disney World for our annual Christmas at Disney celebration. We love it there. This may be our last year all together since Elizabeth will be off to college next year. Hopefully, it won't. She loves Disney. So, maybe she will surprise us and make it work. There is nothing more spectacular than seeing Disney World all decked out for Christmas. I need to start working on my Christmas cards. Jolene George you have inspired me with all your Christmas cards. They are beautiful.


It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here! Where did the month of November go? It's just us this year. Usually my friend Patti comes down but it just didn't work out this year. Bummer. We'll miss you Patti, Krissy, Megan & Hayleigh. Maybe next year. I went ahead and bought a HUGE turkey this year. I decided I want leftovers this year. I'm going to try my luck with some kind of casserole or soup. Usually we have enough leftovers for another meal but I decided to try something new this year. So, if anyone has any leftover recipes they would like to share, please do. Put them on your blogs! Maybe we can get lots of good recipes. I don't know about anyone else, but I love reading blogs with recipes.


Well, time to get my Friday started. Before you know it, the kids will roll in and the "quiet" will be over. Happy Friday, everyone!

Interview Over

Well, Elizabeth's interview is a thing of the past! Cindi guessed the person after only two clues. In case you didn't read the comments, Elizabeth interviewed Jenna Bush. She woke up yesterday a bundle of nerves. She looked so "professional". She wore her black slacks, a new shirt (In my day, we called them blouses) and she swept her hair up. She wore her black heels. She looked so good! (I am biased though). First thing she did when she got home from school was loose the heels. She claimed her feet were killing her. The school campus is huge so she had to talk all over the place. She's a flip flop gal. She didn't take her camera. "Her photographer" from the newspaper got to go in with her and took all the pictures. He has promised us copies of all the pictures he took. Elizabeth said Jenna was super nice and made her so comfortable. She also met Jenna's friend who was the photographer for the book. Even she took pictures. Liz said she made such an impact on her with her work with UNICEF that somehow she wants to help. I'm so proud of her. I think this will be an experience that she will remember always.

It's finally Fall here in Florida. We are in the high 70's during the day and 50's at night. It's wonderful. My AC has been off for a week now. Yesterday, I treated myself (which I NEVER do) to a small shopping spree and got some warmer clothes. I got 2 pairs of jeans, 2 shirts and a new purse. I'm a purse junkie. I have more purses than I have jeans! Thank you Lisa. I blame her.

Thank goodness the weekend is finally here. Yeah. As of now, no baseball game tomorrow. That doesn't mean we won't get an email at 10 tonight but I sure am enjoying the fact that tomorrow is my "day off". Hopefully I can get Steve started on my "Honey Do" list. We still haven't finished painting. The living room and dining room need to be done. So, I told him that we won't be putting our Xmas tree up until it gets done. (It's been since January that we started this project). Since it's HIS family coming down for Xmas and not mine, maybe it will get done. He's been out of town the last couple of days so I am sure when I ask him to work on the list, he will say he has to go into the office since he's been away. That's what he usually does. He was raised that you call a repair man or handy man to fix everything. Well, we can't afford that. I was raised the opposite. My dad could fix anything. Repair men weren't allowed in our house. But, he tries when he can. How hard can it be though to hang vertical blinds? They've been sitting in the garage for almost a month and a half. The ones up over the sliding door have been broken for years! Yes I said years. So, hopefully, I will have nice working vertical blinds hung this weekend.

Today, I'm off to volunteer in Mark's classroom. Yippee. After doing it all this years I think I'm burned out on it. BUT, I did it for the other kids, and I will do it for him.

Cindi, I will get your goodie package out to you this weekend. I'm pretty sure I have your address. If not, I will email you to get it.

Time to get my day started. Have a wonderful Friday!

WOW. Cindi guessed it! How in the world did you figure that out after only 2 very vague clues? I'm so impressed.

Tomorrow morning, Elizabeth will be interviewing Jenna Bush (aka the President's daughter). It's not a political interview. She's interviewing her about the book she wrote.

Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope by Jenna Bush, Illustrated by Mia Baxter

How cool is that? She is coming tomorrow morning to the high school to talk to the kids about this book. Elizabeth scored the only interview. She read the book and she said it was awesome. She recommends that everyone read it. Politics aside, you have to admit that this is a great opportunity for my future journalist. She is just thrilled and has been working on her interview questions. We went shopping and she has her "interview" outfit all ready to go. I'm so proud of Liz and what a memory she will have as she enters the next phase of her life.

So, hopefully tomorrow I will have more to share--hopefully some pictures too.

Mystery Interview

CLUE #2 This person recently became engaged. Maybe "famous" is not the correct word to describer her but "important" is a better word (depends on who you ask).

I know the clues aren't very helpful, but if I give the ones I really want to, then people will guess her pretty quickly. So, on Thursday morning, after she has her interview, I will post the clues that will give it away.

Good guess, Cindi, but it's not Jessica Simpson. (EDITED--Jessica does have somthing in common with her though)

Happy guessing!

GUESS WHO GAME

I've given it some thought (and Cindi also suggested it), and I want to see if anyone can guess who Elizabeth will interview this coming Thursday morning. I will post one clue a day and I will send a small scrapbooking "goodie envelope" to the first person to guess correctly.

CLUE #1 It's a young "twenty something" female.

Good Luck..............

WOO HOO

Just a real quick entry. This is pretty mean of me to post and not give out all the details. BUT, I don't want to jinx it for Elizabeth. I will post all the details and hopefully a picture next Thursday night. BUT, I can tell you this. Elizabeth is one of the editors of her high school newspaper (there are 2). The newspaper is rated #1 in the state by SIPA. She is a senior and plans to take Journalism in college. She has already applied to the University of Florida. She has a few other applications that she is working on as well. Anyway, her high school has a "famous" person coming to speak next week. Elizabeth scored the interview! She is the only person to be granted an interview. Not even the local media gets to interview this person. The scrapbooking mom in me wants to be there with camera in had so bad but even I don't get to go. So, we are all still floating on cloud nine. We are going shopping this weekend for a new "interview" outfit.

So, I told you that this was mean of me. But, I don't want to blow this. You never know who's out there in cyber space. I promise to give out all the details one week from tonight. So stay tuned...............................

THIS AND THAT

It's been awhile since I've blogged. I've just been so busy with the kids and all the daily stuff that I have to do. I cannot remember for the life of me what I did with all my time before I had kids.

So, last week I turned 40 (gasp). It wasn't all that bad. I thought I would be more depressed about it but I wasn't. (I think I was just to busy hehe). We started off by going to breakfast with the kids on their way to school (McDonald's). My friend Sheri gave me some candles, hand lotition, a pumpkin soap dispenser and pumpkin scented hand soap. We didn't our "friends" there from a few weeks earlier when we went for Sheri's birthday. It's kind of a tradition now. I got the coolest gift in the mail from my friend, Lisa. Lisa moved back to S. Bend Indiana two years ago. She was my lunch, scrapping, stamping, just hanging around buddy. We did a lot together. Anyway, she sent me a box with 40 wrapped presents. It was so cool. I took a picture but it's still on my camera so I will post it later. What a creative gift. Lots of scrapping stuff, an altered composition notebook (my favorite), candles, magnets. It was so creative. She even sent me some candy from the 80's. Remember pop rocks? The candy cigarettes? Too fun. Remember how we were told that if we ate the pop rocks and drank coca cola our stomach's would explode? My friend, Kate, stopped by and gave me an awesome orange/pink scrap tote filled with scrapping goodies (orange & pink--my favorite colors). Then I spent the evening working at the concession stand at the Homecoming football game. IT WAS HOT. It was miserable. However, I did a good thing for the baseball team (they get the proceeds). It didn't help that Florida is in a heatwave. On a happy note, our team FINALLY won. They have won a game yet this year and they won in triple overtime! Yeah. Go Patriots. I came home and showered and just crashed. So, overall I had a great birthday. Oh yeah, I got a new dishwasher finally last week so Steve counted that as my birthday gift. He was off the hook.

We survived our last Homecoming. Elizabeth was beautiful. It's hard to believe that this was her last one. I don't know why the picture went to the top of the post. I don't know what I am doing wrong. She was stunning (well, I am biased). She had a blast.

Well, I guess I should get my day started. Kind of a boring blog entry. I have more to tell but I need to hit the shower and get my errands started. There is a HomeGoods store that just opened. I need to go check it out. I also need to tackle Mt. Washmore.

Have a great Thursday.

Happy Fall Y'all

It's so hard to believe that Fall is here. That means Thanksgiving and Christmas is right behind. I was in BJ's the other day and they had their Christmas tree displays up! It will be here before you know it.

Our house has been totally chaotic. Having three teenagers and one seven year old is just physically and mentally draining. Baseball season is in full swing--three nights of practice and Saturday games. Volleyball season is halfway over. Homecoming is two weeks away....the list goes on. We have a dress, we have our hair appointment set. Yesterday I realized I still have to order her boyfriend buttoneire (soory don't know how to spell it). Her dress is so pretty. It's more formal than she has ever worn and it's plum. I will definately post pictures when the big day arrives.

Yesterday was our 20th wedding anniversary. The years have just flown by.........I would love to say they were perfect but hey we aren't perfect and have had our many obstacles. We've live in 3 states, moved 4 times so to say they have been stress free would be a fib. But, I wouldn't change any of it. Here's to 20 more.

This morning I took my friend Sheri to breakfast before we dropped the kids off to school. Her two children went, her little cousin, Anna (4), myself and Emily. We only went to McDonalds because we had to watch the time. Anyway, we sat in the play area so little Anna could play. There were these 3 other people in there (I am guessing 20ish). Anyway, they were climbing and playing in the play toy. Um. It clearly states ages 3-12. So as we are sitting there, we heard the f bomb and other curse words. Sheri politely asked them if they could watch their language since there were kids around. NOPE. The one mouthed off to Sheri so she went and notified the manager. He came in (he looks about 18) and asked them to watch their language. He left. THey continued to "play" in the big toy to where little Anna couldn't go in. They kept calling us "snitches". We continued to have our breakfast while the kids played the computer games and air hockey. I told Sheri I've been called worse than a snitch. We ignored them and had a nice breakfast. As they were leaving, they put their trash away and then proceeded to call us "bitches"--sorry for the language. Again, we just shook our heads and ignored them. It's Sheri's birthday and I wasn't going to let a bunch of inmature kids ruin our morning out. As they were leaving through the doors, they flipped us off! Finally, the gentleman who is always there and such a nice guy came in and wished Sheri a Happy Birthday. We told him what they said and he commented that he remembers faces and the next time they come in he will "take care of them". He apologized and said he wished we would have come back and said something. So, that is how my day started.

Well, off to tackle Mt. Laundry and check Mark out of school early. Went for his 6 month cleaning and has a cavity which needs filled ASAP. So, I am not looking forward to that. He's a a trooper though. He's the only one of my kids that have had cavities so young. The girls were much older when they got their one and only cavity. I didn't have to "baby" them like I do Mark. He just gets himself so worked up and analyzes EVERYTHING.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Roughing It

We been "roughing" it lately. Okay, not really. But if you ask my kids, we are. You see our dishwasher broke. It's a cheap "builder quality" dishwasher that was installed when our house was built (we are not the original owners). When they slapped the new houses up, they put in the cheapest and generic quality of everything. So, our house was built in 1999 and so far, we have replaced the a/c, garage door opener, resurfaced the pool and now the dishwasher. We brought our own refridgerator with us so I know that should last awhile. Anyways, getting back on the topic, the dishwasher broke. I could have spent more money than it's worth to fix it. But, I thought no. I will wait until we could afford the one I really wanted--one that actually cleans the dishes! Each week, the kids alternate cleaning up the dishes. Call Children's Services. I am violating child labor laws here (my kids version). They have been having to wash and dry the dishes. Everynight, I hear the complaints. "When are you going to get the dishwasher fixed?". They are just mad at me because I have to literally stand over them while they do the dishes. I have to constantly remind them that you have to put water and soap in the sink to wash them. Enter my "darling" hubby. He had been out of town for a week. It was late the other night and Emily snuck off to bed without doing the dishes (I was too busy to have even noticed that I let that one slide). So he offers to do the dishes. He did the dishes! After climbing into bed and having our usual "how was your day" "what did you do" conversation, he asks "What's on the agenda for the weekend?" Well, lets see--the usual. Volleball game, baseball practice, yada yada yada.. "Why?" His response "I thought we could go and get a new dishwasher". What??? After only one night of doing dishes???? WOW. I am not going to argue that one but I reminded him that my plan was to wait until we could replace all the appliances at one time so I could get the color and styles that I really want. So, now I am in a dilemna. Do I get a black one like I want and now have 3 different color appliances, or stay with the off-white and just have 2 colors. The kitchen is scheduled for 2009 remodel. Just for record, I grew up not having a dishwasher. My parents still live in the same house and just "modernized" their kitchen minus a dishwasher. They say they don't need one. So, mom. I am not the one who caved in. You should be proud.

It's finally Friday! What a busy week. Before Steve left for work this morning, I told him that we have absolutely NOTHING going on tonight. Once upon a time, I remember how uncool it was to stay home on a Friday night. Now I live for it! We had conferences last night at the High School. They went well. Greg is starting to slack off a little so I told him this morning before he left for school that he would be spending the evening doing his Chemistry. If he wanted to go to baseball, he had to do his chemistry. I got the "It's not due until Wednesday" speech. Well, bubba, your chemistry teacher showed us what's due and even told us it would take several days to do it. BUSTED. His teacher's ratted him out. Does he think we were born yesterday? So, we have to be a little "harder" on him. His grades are good but the "C" could be an "A" if he just would turn in his homework!

Mark had his big end of summer reading party at Huntington Learning Center last week. He broke the family curse of us never winning anything. He won the overall prize of either a $50 gift certificate to Circuit City or Learning Express (toy store). So, he chose the Learning Express. So tomorrow we are off to spend $50 in a toy store!!! He was so excited. "I'm a winner" he tells everyone. So cute.

4 more days until Dancing With the Stars. Woo Hoo. That is one of my favorite reality shows. I haven't missed an episode yet. I am addicted to that show.

Well, time to get my Friday started. Lots and lots of laundry today. Have a wonderful Friday.

Changes......................

I hope this doesn't turn out to be a "bummer" post but today was a "turning point" for me. As the kids get older and college is getting closer and closet the bills and expenses of having teens mount. I have been a SAHM since Greg was 1--he's now 15. I never really minded working before but having two young ones, it was time for me to stay at home. Then along came Emily, then came Mark. I have no regrets staying home--I have enjoyed every minute of it (okay, there were times I was ready to throw in the towel). So, today we met with our insurance agent to go over everything. Our car insurance has skyrocketed now that we have Elizabeth driving "full time" and a third car. Having sent Mark to Huntington Learning Center was "brutal". It is sooooooooooooo expensive. But, as parents we have to do things for our children. I have no regets sending him there. They have helped him so much and I have seen his confidence come back. He lost that. He kept telling me that he wasn't as smart as the other kids and that he was "stupid". That was heart wrenching to hear a six year old say that. He hated school. Didn't want to go. Now he is enjoying it again. I am happy for him. So, after crunching numbers, I have decided it's time for me to get back into the work force. I have been making calls and "net working". I may never find what I want. I am picky about hours. I can only work while my kids are in school. I cannot put Mark in after care. I would lose money if I did that. So, for my kiddos (above), I am willing to go to work to help pay for the "extras". Elizabeth has even told me that she wants to get a small part time job to help pay for her gas and get some "experience". We have never brought up her getting a job because school is most important. But, if she wants to start paying for stuff by herself, she will get no argument from me. My first job was when I was 16 and I worked at McDonald's. I ended up staying there for 3 very long years. Even Greg is saying that he would love to work at Publix (our grocery store). I told them that I would support them and help them in any way if they want to work as long as it doesn't interfere with school work. So wish me luck that I can find something that will work for me. I am actually getting excited at the idea of getting out of the house and "mingling" with other adults and bringing in a paycheck again.

Well, as I am typing this, a thunderstorm is rolling in. I better get off the computer as I am on router #3 since May--all thanks to our wonderful Florida storms and their lightening. Off to log off.......................................

Look out! Another driver in our family. Yesterday I took Greg to get his driver's permit. So, now I have not one, but two teenage drivers. He hasn't driven yet so he is itching to get behind the wheel. We finally broke down last weekend and purchased a third car. Ouch. Elizabeth was thrilled because this now means she can driver herself (and Greg) to school. I have to admit it is nice because it was taking me 1 hour and 15 minutes to pick them up at the high school (which is only 3 miles away). Traffic and pick up line was horrific. Keep in mind that I already had been sitting in the pick up line at the elementary school for 40 minutes. So, as much as a financial hit it is having 3 cars, it's wonderful and gives me the much needed time to do other things. Steve gets to drive the "new car" though. I am still stuck with my mini van (which is okay but he says I can drive his car one day a week). We got a 2006 red Toyota Camry. It's pretty neat. We are not car people. We drive cars until they don't go anymore. So, getting a new "used" car is a real thrill for me.

We are in our 2nd week of school now. It's so quiet in the house. I LOVE IT. I was so ready for the kids to go back to school. Everyone likes their teachers and classes. Poor Greg is stuck in a portable classroom right now with NO Air Conditioning. He says it's just downright miserable. Everyone is cranky. Plus, I am sure it stinks having 30 high school kids stuck in a little room. I grew up in a school with no AC so I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for him BUT I didn't go to school in Florida either.

Well, better get a move on tackling "Mt. Laundry". Before I know it, everyone will start rolling in and I won't be able to get anything done. I used to not mind doing the laundry but now I absolutely despise doing it. It never ends.......................................

Ramblings

I wish I could figure out how to put music in the background. I would put "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". Visualize that old Staples commercial (a classic IMO) where the dad is running through the store with his cart full of school supplies while the kids look on. Well that is how I am feeling right now. I went to my first Open House yesterday at the middle school and got Emily all situated. Today, I have to visit the Elementary school (Mark) and the High School (Liz and Greg). Unfortunately, they are at the same time and Steve is MIA (business trip). After the open houses, I have to rush to the airport and pick up Steve (he left his car for Liz to drive to help me out while he was gone). But, come Monday, this will be all behind me and I will be celebrating with a pedicure and lunch with a friend. It was an extremely long summer this year. Greg was the worst. He spent all of June and the first part of July playing baseball so when the season was over all I hear was "I'm bored. There's nothing to do". He got grounded this week for mouthing off to me so he is deliberately being annoying so that I will let him off the hook. NOPE. So, in 4 more days, he will be out of here and his schedule is so hard that he won't have time to say that (I called his counselor to make sure his schedule was correct. She commented that he will be busy). Last year they scheduled him for "weight lifting" as a course and when I called his counselor I pulled him out and put him in a history class.

My computer router got fried again over the weekend in a thunderstorm. Man, I thought the house got struck by lightening. That's two routers in two months. Luckily, they've replaced them for free. Looks like we will miss that Hurricane Dean that's out there. Unfortunately, it looks like it's heading for Texas or Mexico. The gulf temps are so high right now it's just not helping "fizzle" it out. It's been hot! Our pool temp right now is 89 degrees. It's like bath water. Even our cold tap water is coming out warm! I'm looking forward to the temperatures cooling down.

Well, that's about all that's been going on here. Hopefully, next week I can get started on a routine and have "me" time again. My goal is to do more scrapbooking. This is Elizabeth's last year of high school and I have lots to catch up on so I can finish her album. Next year, I will get to start one for Emily! YIKES. As one is graduating, another one is starting. I feel old.........................

Have a great Thursday!

Taking a trip down memory lane

Jennifer Stewart posted on her blog a fun You Tube video from a wedding reception. It got me all nostalgic looking back at my own wedding and reception. So, just for fun, let's reminisce. How long have you been married? What song did you dance to? What were your wedding colors? Anything memorable from your reception? I have been married for 19 years (20 on October 3). My wedding colors were mauve and grey. I wore an Ivory dress (I couldn't find one I liked in white) and Steve wore a gray tux. We danced to a song called "Nothing's Going to Change My Love For You" by one-hit wonder Glen Maderios. The wedding party danced to songs from Top Gun (who didn't love that movie). I am a more soft-rocker/country gal and Steve is Rock and Roll. We had a DJ and the music was all over the place. I remember everyone dancing to "Walk Like an Egyptian" and laying on the floor to "Shout" (from Animal House). One of my favorite memorable songs from when I was really little was by Donna Fargo called "I'm the Happiest Girl". So, I had the DJ play that song. Steve got teased and so much crap from his buddies. He asked me "what the "heck" is that song. I really think I embarassed him. However, he had fun playing the "air guitar" with his groomsmen. I have all this in pictures! And to everyone who said "it won't last" or "we were too young". Haha (I was 19 and he was 22). So, four kids and 20 years later, we are still going strong. We have our ups and downs but I look forward to the next 20+ years! What a trip down memory lane. Thanks for posting that video, Jennifer.

Tomorrow marks the 20 days until school starts countdown. I am so excited to have the kids going back to school. If they hadn't changed the school year calendar, they would have been going back next week! Thanks Florida. I really enjoyed going early (it's too hot to do anything anyway) and I liked getting out earlier than other states. They also took away our long Christmas break--oh wait. I should be PC and say "Winter Break". So instead of getting out mid December, we get out on December 22. Oh well. We are slowly getting all the much needed school supplies and clothes. Mark's is easy. He wears uniforms. I still have last years so he doesn't need much except new shoes, socks and underwear. Now the girls are going to break me. I am glad they are finally at an age where they have "slowed" down in their growth and can still wear last years clothes--except for Emily's who's feet just took off. She now wears the same size as Elizabeth. But, do you think they can share the fashionable shoes? NOPE. Ah, the joys of teenage girls. Greg is easy, basketball shorts and T's. I so wish he would wear the plaid shorts that all the boys are wearing. I love that look! I can occasionally get him to wear khaki shorts and a three button but not very often.

Well, it's raining again here in Florida. I love these gloomy days. I seem to get much needed housework done because I don't want to go anywhere in the rain. So, I'm tackling the cabinet on top of the fridge--you know, the one you need a ladder to get to. I also cleaned off the top of the fridge. I got to throw away a lot of junk. I love these kind of cleaning frenzies! I dug out my planner and almost have it organized for all my back to school stuff. These next three weeks aer going to fly by.

Have a great Tuesday!

I'm back!

In cyber space that is. Last Monday we had a terrible thunderstorm roll through (one of the many joys of living in Florida). I thought the house got struck by lightening but apparently it was pretty close. It zapped my router to the computer. We finally got a new router put in on Friday morning. The nice guy didn't even charge us for a new one. We just had a new one installed back in May when we went to FIOS on the TV. When he plugged it in, he put it into an outlet and not the surge protector that the computer is plugged into. So we are totally lucky it didn't zap the computer or any other appliance. We have so many thunderstorms lately that I am beginning to be afraid of them. We have had enough rain that we have had to drain some of the water out of the pool twice in the past two weeks. I am not complaining about the rain though, I know so many areas need the rain. I remember living in Utah where it was so dry and we would watch the mountains burn. I just wish we could just "share" some of it :)

27 days and counting until school starts. A part of me is sad but a part of me is so happy. I will miss sleeping in until 7 (that's my sleeping in). However, I won't miss the TVs being on, the kids bored because they can't do anything because of all the thunderstorms.

I have really been organizing and sorting through all my scrapbook items. I am donating a lot of stuff that I just don't use to a fellow blogger Stefanie Hamilton. Stefanie was diagnosed with cancer last year and part of her "giving back" is to teach fellow cancer patients to scrapbook journals. The program she is teaching through is called LifeSpring. I have never met Stefanie and I can't even remember how I came across her blog. Having lost my mom to cancer when I was four, I am a huge supporter of any cancer program. Unfortunately, there were no programs back then. I do believe that if they knew about cancer back then, then maybe my mom would be here. Sadly, I don't remember her. How I would have loved to read a journal she kept. So, this is my way of giving back. I have a nice box started to send to her.

As I am updating my blog, Steve and Elizabeth are up at the University of Florida taking a tour. I can't believe how the time has flown (I know I say that alot). Tomorrow she gets her senior portraits taken.

Well, better wrap this up. I have a mountain of laundry to tackle. Steve is on vacation this week so I am hoping to get some stuff done around the house. We are planning on going to the beach at some point-hopefully Friday. I can't believe it's almost August and we haven't been to the beach. That's how busy our summer has been. We only live less than an hour away (mostly traffic).

Have a great Monday!

This and That

It's been awile since I have blogged. Not much to blog about. Life is kind of chaotic now. Having not one, two but three teenagers is physically and mentally draining. I'm tired!

Mark finally lost his first tooth. He turned seven in June and was so bummed that he didn't get his name on the "lost tooth" chart in the classroom. So, we made a big deal out of it. He was officially diagnosed with CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder). Not a big deal. He's extremely smart but moves at a much slower pace and needs to "be kept on track". He is easily distracted. Now we can get the IEP and he can get some help from the school--which they wouldn't do because we didn't have the IEP. The audiologist doesn't test them for CAPD until they are at least 7. So, one week after his seventh birthday, we got the testing done. Hopefully, 2nd grade will be much smoother than first. Next week he goes in for his allergy testing. Keeping our fingers crossed that he outgrows the egg allergy. Doubt he will ever outgrow the peanuts and tree nuts!

Greg finally finished baseball. I love baseball, but I can only take so much. Living in Florida, there are 3 seasons--Fall, Spring and Legion. At least we have a couple weeks off before he starts conditioning for Fall ball. He's working on getting his driver's permit. Not quite sure I am ready for that!

Emily is having a lazy summer. Not much going on with her. Her BFF is moving away and she is extremely bummed. The good news is that it's only across town and not out of state.

Elizabeth is continuing taking her online summer course-Economics. Yuck. She is also working on her college application to the University of Florida. I can't believe that she will be going away to college next year. We just got her appointment card in the mail and she gets her Senior pictures taken next week. It just makes me so very sad that she has grown up so fast. It seems like just yesterday she was my baby. Now she's driving a car!

Well, it's Saturday which means cleaning and laundry. The good news is that the kids are home and they are going to help me. Yeah. I told them that the TV was to stay off until the family room was dusted, swept, and cushions vacuumed. It looks like it might rain--which I hope it does. Then maybe we can have a lazy rainy day. Steve is golfing over in Orlando so who knows what time he will be home. It's kind of quiet today............