Saturday, November 29, 2008

Mistaken Identity

The Monday before Thanksgiving, I was at the charter school my kids attend, picking up Pre-T 2 from the Spanish Club she joined. I was a minute early, so I was listening to the radio and playing Sudoku on my cell phone. All of a sudden, the phone rang and my daughter said, "I'm ready to be picked up, where are you?" I was a little bugged that she hadn't even looked for me before she called, and I answered rather bruskly, "I'm right HERE. Where are you?" She replied that she was on her way out of the school. I started the van up and waited. No daughter. I waited more. No daughter. Finally, about 10 minutes later, I was very bugged and turned off the van. I got out to look for her. I walked all around the outside of the school, but didn't see her. My phone rang again and it was the same number, so I answered and said, "What? Where the heck are you?" She replied, "I'm right in front of the school. Where are you?" I said, "STAY right where you are, I'm coming." I jogged back to the front of the school and NO DAUGHTER. I couldn't believe it! Where was she? After a minute, I heard her voice behind me, calling my name. I was mad! I said, "Where have you been? Can you not SEE the gigantic brown VAN sitting right there in the parking lot?" She looked very confused. I was undeterred. I asked, "Why did you keep calling me?" She shook her head, and said, "I didn't call you. I just got out of Spanish." We looked at each other a moment before it occurred to me that the daughter calling me was my 12 year old from the JUNIOR HIGH! She was done with play practice ( she made it into Suessical the Musical at the JH) Pre-T2 hit the same conclusion as I did and we both ran to the van! We raced over to the other school, where Pre-T 1 was very confusedly circling the school and searching for our big brown beast. I was laughing my head off! Once she was in, we explained what had happened and she laughed and laughed. I reminded the girls that a lot of brain has deteriorated over the years and that it would be a good idea to identify oneself when calling me!:)

Friday, November 28, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

We are in Metropolis with the Professor's familia. We had a great holiday yesterday and continue to enjoy leftovers and pie today. There is nothing like the pie party that the Professor's family has. A pie per person!! My mom-in-law bakes them all-- if you try to help it is futile, she is on a roll and can't be stopped.
The little gals have been playing like crazy with their cousins day and night. When I say day and night I mean it- there are five little girls sharing one room. Talk about a slumber party. . . . except the slumber part, of course, for any parents who might just be trying to sleep in a near by room. . . . .

Thursday, November 20, 2008

well, the Professor has been home this week but the bad news is that he's been home because his grandpa died. We have been trying to help his dad with stuff and begin the humongous task of going through grandpa's house.
I have learned very quickly that I will resist each and every packrat urge I have in the future. Seriously, everyone throw away your extra stuff! Don't keep anything. No old whatevers or thingamagigs you might use someday. I could make lists of the weird and strange items we have been discovering in Grandpa's basement.
So toss it I say, toss all of it, now, before it is too late and someone else finds out you kept it all!!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

A New Low

So, today, I'm sitting in a Sunday school class with a group of 6 year old girls. One of them leaned over and said, "here". So I held out my hand and she dropped something small into it, saying, "This came off my head." I looked at it and realized she had handed me what looked like some kind of scab or something. Gross! So I excused myself and found a trash can right away, then the restroom to wash my hands. How do kids think it's ok to hand over bodily whatevers? Meanwhile, she is happily listening to the story and going on with her life. I was thinking, someday, I'd like to sit through a church meeting without dealing with someone's bodily whatevers. With seven kids of my own and Caboose being only two, by the time I'm done with my own offspring, I'll probably have been sucked in to taking grandkids to church. And I'll be sitting there, on a bench, and the little g-baby will lean over and say, "here..."

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Try this fun quiz!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Do we sound a little whiny? :)

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I have been having computer trouble. Whenever I get on the blog page, the whole thing shuts down. The Professor says it's the mother board and he's keeping his eye out for a sale on a new computer. In the meantime, I check each day, to see if I can add something or not. I guess today is a lucky day. :)
Yesterday was an unlucky day. I forgot little Buttercup's snack day at preschool. Also her Show n Tell. I was out when the teacher called to see if I was maybe on my way with it, so I missed the whole thing. I feel like I have so much on my mind that pieces of me are dropping off as I drive down the street and I can't do anything about it. Trust me, it is a weird feeling.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Distracted

I'm distracted. My mind is wandering lately. I find myself staring into space while loading the washer. I put the milk in the pantry the other day and the Nestle quik in the fridge. I call people then can't remember who I called. I'm a mess. I have a lot on my mind. Money, holidays, friends. Those are my top three. The bottom three include Senior trying to make up credits for graduation, #6 learning how to communicate, and wondering if my Cub Scout is ADD. The money is tight lately, I've been going over and over the budget trying to make it work. The holidays are coming up and I've got 7 kids planning on Christmas and fun. I'm having trouble with my best friend. On the plus side, despite these concerns, I have the overwhelming feeling of something good on the horizon. I feel good things are coming. Is this naive? I don't think so, I like to believe that God knows my struggles and can help me through them. Sometimes money is tight, holidays come and go, and family is the most important thing. These are the things I believe. In the meantime, if you see a woman wandering aimlessly through the Walmart, point her in the direction of the Diet Pepsi.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Well, week 1 without the Professor is under my belt. I did ok. I repressed a lot of worried thoughts quite successfully. I only hid in my bed one afternoon. And I only flipped and yelled at one dear friend. (yes I know that's one too many. next week I will find a way to vent my stresses in a way that is safer for friends and loved ones, so those of you who read this, please don't be afraid to call.) I learned a few things. For example, the girls rarely eat the food I make for dinner, so I thought I could get away with no cooking. But for myself, I realize I still need to cook- I don't think I ate one vegetable this whole week. (Probably not good for pregnancy week #12!)
Anyway, the key today is stay busy. The Professor will be home tonight, hopefully in time for PIZZA MOVIE FRIDAY the funnest time of the week at our house.
We are going to meet with a realtor this weekend. That is also good because it gives me a little hope that this darn house will sell and there will be an end in sight. I guess the question is, with it already November, do people buy houses during the holidays?
I HOPE SOMEONE DOES!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Billowing Smoke!

I sent PreT-1 to brown hamburger to make chili for dinner. I said, "I already put the pot on the stove and turned it on, but I need you to run and start it for me." She went to the kitchen and I finished the phone call I was taking. She came to me a few minutes later and said, "The hamburger is done, what should I do next?" I told her to open the cans of tomato sauce and beans and told her to dump them in the pot with the meat. She looked confused and said, "really?" I asked what the problem was, and she said the pot wasn't big enough. That's wierd, I'm thinking, that pot is a VAT. How can it not be big enough. But I'm feeling suspicious, so I follow her into the kitchen. No real problem, she browned the meat in a small frying pan instead of the pot I had out. So, I took the pan of hamburger and dumped the contents into the big pot. BIG MISTAKE! I'd forgotten the pot was on. It was very hot and it's a very good pan, with a thick bottom which retains heat WELL. When the meat hit the pan, suddenly there was Billowing Smoke! Lots of it! Billowing! And SMOKY! I ran with the pot out the back door onto the deck and hollered at Pre-T-1 (who's mouth was hanging open) to grab the lid. She came to her senses and brought the lid which I clapped onto the pan. (Thank heaven none of the neighbors called the fire department...I mean the Smoke was Billowing!) I salvaged as much of the hamburger as I could, but the chili had a sort of burnt taste. Although TGH was the only one who really noticed. The kids gobbled it up so quickly, I doubt they realized it WAS chili, let alone burnt. There's also a small burnt spot on the deck...it's supposed to snow tomorrow, so we won't worry about that now. It really is an excellent chili recipe, although I doubt any of you would make it, given the negative press I have provided. Maybe later. Much, much later. After I get the burnt smell out of the curtains.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Day #1

Today was the Professor's first day at his new job. That means, of course, that he is hundreds of miles away from me. It was a good day, the weather was nice and I was actually very cheery. Also having him gone is a huge motivator for packing, so I got a lot more stuff boxed up. That way, even though no one has called about the house, I feel one more step closer to actually moving and living with my husband again.
I think the evenings, dinner and after, will be the worst part of the day without him. He called right after he got off work today and I was so glad. In my head I pictured myself starting to wilt like a little plant, but then he called and it was like I got a little water and sun to carry me through dinner without being mean to the kidlets. Sounds cheesy, but it is what I was really and truly thinking.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Church was great today. Just wonderful to be there. Everything seemed to be filled with the spirit. One teacher in particular did a great job. He started his class with a short 4 minute video. It depicts the Savior, healing and doing miracles. It doesn't have any words, just really beautiful music and it is very thought provoking. A wonderful portrayal of the Savior.
I mention this particular class, because it was my little one who, shall we say, spiced it up a little.
The nursery teacher appeared at the door of the classroom shortly after the video and the Professor nudged me to let me know she was looking for me. I picked up the diaper bag and tried to make a discreet and quiet exit so as not to interrupt the mood of the room. As I got to the door Bubbles peered around her nursery teacher, spotted me and yelled in her loudest two year old voice, "Mama, I poopy!"
Needless to say I made a hasty departure to the sound of much chuckling.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Seriously,

NANOWRIMO is super great. Can't go wrong. Just 1600 words a day and you can check 'write a novel' off of that list of things to do in your life that you made in 8th grade. :)

Guess What Today Is?

It's November 1st, true...365 days til we have to have Halloween, true....but, it's also....NANOWRIMO!! That's right! National Novel Writing Month! Be sure to check out their website and maybe take a chance and do it with us! Carrie and I had so much fun last year writing our 'novels'. And there was this super great sense of accomplishment at the end of the month. AND I got this handy-dandy notebook (laptop) out of the deal fromTGH! No down side here folks. So grab your computers and join us! It's fun and good for you. We'll be impressed with you and you'll be impressed with you and your kids will be impressed with you and your hub will be impressed with you and your friends will be impressed with you and your neighbors will be impressed with you and your spiritual advisor will be impressed with you and your doctor will be impressed with you and your personal trainer will be impressed with you and your beautician will be impressed with you and your masseuse will be impressed with you...