I believe
...in quiet.
And in the therapeutic effect a quiet, empty house has on me. I need bits of solitude to continue to function well.
...in the power of nature.
...in organization.
I want to be organized. I just struggle with getting there and on those rare occasions that I actually get there, I have trouble staying there. Just ask all the unused organizational tools found in the nooks and crannies of my house.
...in being prepared.
At least in theory! This is related to my organizational struggles. To be prepared requires advance planning and advance preparation. My procrastination doesn't help any. I know what to do. I just hardly ever actually do it. What is the solution? Is there a solution?
...in balance.
Now back to my office... I'm supposed to be doing my taxes today. Instead I am chipping away at the mess that is my procrastinated, unmotivated, unorganized house.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Cause and Effect
Cause: The kids are hungry.
Effect: They make their own breakfast. Which they frequently do, especially Ryan. I went downstairs this morning to see if anyone needed breakfast. Ryan had eaten his already. Raisin Bran with chocolate soymilk. Eeeewwww! I told him not to use chocolate milk on his cereal anymore. Bella had decided to make her own breakfast as well. It was her first time using the toaster oven. She had lined the tray with a paper towel so the bread wouldn't fall through the grate. Thankfully I found it before it warmed all the way up and started a fire. She now knows not to put any paper products into the toaster! Felisa was innocent throughout. This time, anyway.
*****
Cause: Ron is home, full of energy.
Effect: Our basement is being rearranged. LARGE piles of junk are being created at an alarming rate. Dusting and vaccuuming is being done which is good. Junk will eventually be cleared out, I hope. Ron will feel much better very soon. I, on the other hand, will take probably a month to recover and get everything cleared out, sorted, and put away. It is something that really needs to be done from time to time - I was surprised by how much trash and how many toys we found under the desk for example - when we stay in our house for several years. No moving means no big moving purges. We're about to bust at the seams here! Ron is braver than I - he just jumps in whole-heartedly. I'm more hesitant. I know it needs to be done and I want it to be done but I know it is going to make a BIG mess so I hesitate. I don't have time for big messes!
*****
Cause: There's a big mess in my basement!
Effect: My taxes will not be getting done today. And probably not this week. My deadline is Mar. 1 so it'll have to be done soon though. Wish me luck!
*****
Ah-choo! (It's a bit dusty in here today!)
Effect: They make their own breakfast. Which they frequently do, especially Ryan. I went downstairs this morning to see if anyone needed breakfast. Ryan had eaten his already. Raisin Bran with chocolate soymilk. Eeeewwww! I told him not to use chocolate milk on his cereal anymore. Bella had decided to make her own breakfast as well. It was her first time using the toaster oven. She had lined the tray with a paper towel so the bread wouldn't fall through the grate. Thankfully I found it before it warmed all the way up and started a fire. She now knows not to put any paper products into the toaster! Felisa was innocent throughout. This time, anyway.
*****
Cause: Ron is home, full of energy.
Effect: Our basement is being rearranged. LARGE piles of junk are being created at an alarming rate. Dusting and vaccuuming is being done which is good. Junk will eventually be cleared out, I hope. Ron will feel much better very soon. I, on the other hand, will take probably a month to recover and get everything cleared out, sorted, and put away. It is something that really needs to be done from time to time - I was surprised by how much trash and how many toys we found under the desk for example - when we stay in our house for several years. No moving means no big moving purges. We're about to bust at the seams here! Ron is braver than I - he just jumps in whole-heartedly. I'm more hesitant. I know it needs to be done and I want it to be done but I know it is going to make a BIG mess so I hesitate. I don't have time for big messes!
*****
Cause: There's a big mess in my basement!
Effect: My taxes will not be getting done today. And probably not this week. My deadline is Mar. 1 so it'll have to be done soon though. Wish me luck!
*****
Ah-choo! (It's a bit dusty in here today!)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Missing me?
So it has been brought to my attention by more than one person on more than one occasion that my blog has been neglected of late.
It's true.
I also neglected to put Felisa's birthday on the family calendar that I sent as Christmas gifts. Oops! Guess I was too busy making sure I got everyone else on who wanted to be added. I did have a birthday picture of her adorning the January page. So I at least gave a hint about her birthday. Better luck next year Felisa!
Things have been busy as usual. January was pretty much devoted to family time. After the cleaning frenzy to prepare for Ron's return, the two of us went to Camp Lejeune for a week. Then two days spent packing for our family trip to Disneyworld. In case anyone is wondering, a 10 day roadtrip to Disney requires just as much stuff as a month-long road trip across America. I didn't realize that but it turns out to pretty much be true.
The trip to Florida was fun. All until the last day when the starter on the van quit working. The guys over at the Disney Car Care Center took care of us. We spent the day buying DVC membership and shopping at Downtown Disney. We hit the road at about 5:30 p.m., just in time for rush hour traffic through Orlando. We had to cancel our stop in Rock Hill to see Lana. There was also a snow/ice storm headed for Virginia so we decided to just drive through the night. We arrived home just as the first snowflakes began to fall. Ron and Ryan slept all morning and then I had a nice afternoon nap. The girls apparently slept fine in the car because they just played all day. Wednesday was a snow day from school then Thursday was a 2-hour delay. Which brings us all the way to Jan. 29. See - told you there wasn't much going on in January but family time!
February has been busy so far as well. I spent 6 out of 10 days subbing at Parkwood. Felisa's class was my favorite. The one day I spent with the 2 1/2 year olds was good birth control. I have obviously forgotten how crazy-making a 2-year-old can be! The day spent with the young 4's was okay except for the three boys who just couldn't stop wrestling. Oh and the two pee-pee accidents. I enjoy the work but it takes a lot of energy and being in a different class each time is hard because you have to learn a new routine each day.
So now you all can stop complaining. There is clearly nothing interesting going on around here. And what little is happening has drained all my blogging energy!
It's true.
I also neglected to put Felisa's birthday on the family calendar that I sent as Christmas gifts. Oops! Guess I was too busy making sure I got everyone else on who wanted to be added. I did have a birthday picture of her adorning the January page. So I at least gave a hint about her birthday. Better luck next year Felisa!
Things have been busy as usual. January was pretty much devoted to family time. After the cleaning frenzy to prepare for Ron's return, the two of us went to Camp Lejeune for a week. Then two days spent packing for our family trip to Disneyworld. In case anyone is wondering, a 10 day roadtrip to Disney requires just as much stuff as a month-long road trip across America. I didn't realize that but it turns out to pretty much be true.
The trip to Florida was fun. All until the last day when the starter on the van quit working. The guys over at the Disney Car Care Center took care of us. We spent the day buying DVC membership and shopping at Downtown Disney. We hit the road at about 5:30 p.m., just in time for rush hour traffic through Orlando. We had to cancel our stop in Rock Hill to see Lana. There was also a snow/ice storm headed for Virginia so we decided to just drive through the night. We arrived home just as the first snowflakes began to fall. Ron and Ryan slept all morning and then I had a nice afternoon nap. The girls apparently slept fine in the car because they just played all day. Wednesday was a snow day from school then Thursday was a 2-hour delay. Which brings us all the way to Jan. 29. See - told you there wasn't much going on in January but family time!
February has been busy so far as well. I spent 6 out of 10 days subbing at Parkwood. Felisa's class was my favorite. The one day I spent with the 2 1/2 year olds was good birth control. I have obviously forgotten how crazy-making a 2-year-old can be! The day spent with the young 4's was okay except for the three boys who just couldn't stop wrestling. Oh and the two pee-pee accidents. I enjoy the work but it takes a lot of energy and being in a different class each time is hard because you have to learn a new routine each day.
So now you all can stop complaining. There is clearly nothing interesting going on around here. And what little is happening has drained all my blogging energy!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
One Word
I don't usually do these but this one intrigued me and captured me in the moment. One word answers.
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? alongside
3. Your hair? ponytail
4. Your mother? asleep
5. Your father? far
6. Your favorite? quiet
7. Your dream last night? Darby
8. Your favorite drink? sweet
9. Your dream/goal? motivation
10. What room you are in? bedroom
11. Your hobby? Scrapbooking
12. Your fear? 911
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? west
14. Where were you last night? home
15. Something that you aren't? organized
16. Muffins? yes
17. Wish list item? alone
18. Where you grew up? military
19. Last thing you did? tikis
20. What are you wearing? brown
21. Your TV? Lost
22. Your pets? clean
23. Friends? awesome
24. Your life? good
25. Your mood? tired
26. Missing some one? No
27. Car? iced
28. Something you're not wearing? Socks
29. Your favorite store? ACMoore
30. Your favorite color? purple
33. When is the last time you laughed? Tonight
34. Last time you cried? recently
35. One place that I go to over and over? school
36. My favorite place to eat? steak
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? alongside
3. Your hair? ponytail
4. Your mother? asleep
5. Your father? far
6. Your favorite? quiet
7. Your dream last night? Darby
8. Your favorite drink? sweet
9. Your dream/goal? motivation
10. What room you are in? bedroom
11. Your hobby? Scrapbooking
12. Your fear? 911
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? west
14. Where were you last night? home
15. Something that you aren't? organized
16. Muffins? yes
17. Wish list item? alone
18. Where you grew up? military
19. Last thing you did? tikis
20. What are you wearing? brown
21. Your TV? Lost
22. Your pets? clean
23. Friends? awesome
24. Your life? good
25. Your mood? tired
26. Missing some one? No
27. Car? iced
28. Something you're not wearing? Socks
29. Your favorite store? ACMoore
30. Your favorite color? purple
33. When is the last time you laughed? Tonight
34. Last time you cried? recently
35. One place that I go to over and over? school
36. My favorite place to eat? steak
Thursday, January 15, 2009
On Saluting...
I’ve been surrounded by Marines this week. Well, not entirely. But certainly more than usual. Marines are very proper. They always render an appropriate greeting accompanied by a crisp salute. Textbook perfection. Every single one of them. When we drove in this morning, the gate guard’s salute prompted me to say, “That’s why I couldn’t hack it in the Navy. The saluting.”
Really? I resigned from the Navy because I didn’t like to salute? Not exactly. The saluting represents all the military customs and courtesies that I struggled with. I was always stressed out. Always on the alert when out and about such as walking from my car in the parking lot into a building, looking for someone I needed to salute or making sure I returned any salutes given to me. Requesting permission to come aboard or go ashore. Addressing everyone properly. Sir, ma’am, chief… To sit down to a meal in the wardroom, I was required to know who was the most senior person present at that moment and then ask permission to join the mess before sitting down. Same thing when it was time to leave the table.
No don’t get me wrong. I believe in these traditions, in the necessity of maintaining respect up and down the ranks. But I was always sure that I was going to screw it up, get in trouble. I like rules. I like it when people follow the rules. But I don’t like getting in trouble. Which was bound to happen anytime if I did it wrong. I don’t like living in constant fear of getting it wrong. Is it a lack of self-esteem in my abilities? Perhaps. Something else? Could be. I have noticed a similar sensation when serving the Eucharist during Mass. It’s important to be reverent and respectful. But to a lot of other people it is VERY IMPORTANT to do it JUST RIGHT. Or so I think. I guess I could be wrong. But in any case, that’s the way it seems to me. And so when I am serving, I am in constant fear that I’m going to screw up and get in trouble.
Yesterday Ron and I went to see the USS North Carolina battleship in Wilmington. It was a great tour. There was hardly anyone else there so for the most part, we had the place to ourselves. We did not have the kids with us either so we were able to take our time, walking around, and seeing it all. I definitely got my workout going up and down all those ladders. And miracle of miracles, I only banged my knee on the ladder once! That was one of many memories of my time onboard ship that I was able to relive yesterday. There were lots of things I didn’t like about the Navy and about being aboard ship. But there were also lots of things I did like. I liked the teamwork, camaraderie, and family. I loved being a Division Officer and taking care of my guys.
So being on the ship, which smelled just like a ship and seeing things again like the ladders, the hatches, the mess decks, the berthing, the engine room… it was nice. I took lots of pictures of things that reminded me of “back then” since I doubt I took many pictures of it at the time. At the time it probably didn’t seem so significant. Now that time has passed, these things help bring back memories and all the little details that were part of my daily life for 3 years.
Maybe when we get home from all our travels, I’ll dig out the old pictures I’ve got from those days and get them scanned in. I’ve already been scanning in some pictures from the high school years. That’s a whole ‘nother trip down memory lane…
Really? I resigned from the Navy because I didn’t like to salute? Not exactly. The saluting represents all the military customs and courtesies that I struggled with. I was always stressed out. Always on the alert when out and about such as walking from my car in the parking lot into a building, looking for someone I needed to salute or making sure I returned any salutes given to me. Requesting permission to come aboard or go ashore. Addressing everyone properly. Sir, ma’am, chief… To sit down to a meal in the wardroom, I was required to know who was the most senior person present at that moment and then ask permission to join the mess before sitting down. Same thing when it was time to leave the table.
No don’t get me wrong. I believe in these traditions, in the necessity of maintaining respect up and down the ranks. But I was always sure that I was going to screw it up, get in trouble. I like rules. I like it when people follow the rules. But I don’t like getting in trouble. Which was bound to happen anytime if I did it wrong. I don’t like living in constant fear of getting it wrong. Is it a lack of self-esteem in my abilities? Perhaps. Something else? Could be. I have noticed a similar sensation when serving the Eucharist during Mass. It’s important to be reverent and respectful. But to a lot of other people it is VERY IMPORTANT to do it JUST RIGHT. Or so I think. I guess I could be wrong. But in any case, that’s the way it seems to me. And so when I am serving, I am in constant fear that I’m going to screw up and get in trouble.
Yesterday Ron and I went to see the USS North Carolina battleship in Wilmington. It was a great tour. There was hardly anyone else there so for the most part, we had the place to ourselves. We did not have the kids with us either so we were able to take our time, walking around, and seeing it all. I definitely got my workout going up and down all those ladders. And miracle of miracles, I only banged my knee on the ladder once! That was one of many memories of my time onboard ship that I was able to relive yesterday. There were lots of things I didn’t like about the Navy and about being aboard ship. But there were also lots of things I did like. I liked the teamwork, camaraderie, and family. I loved being a Division Officer and taking care of my guys.
So being on the ship, which smelled just like a ship and seeing things again like the ladders, the hatches, the mess decks, the berthing, the engine room… it was nice. I took lots of pictures of things that reminded me of “back then” since I doubt I took many pictures of it at the time. At the time it probably didn’t seem so significant. Now that time has passed, these things help bring back memories and all the little details that were part of my daily life for 3 years.
Maybe when we get home from all our travels, I’ll dig out the old pictures I’ve got from those days and get them scanned in. I’ve already been scanning in some pictures from the high school years. That’s a whole ‘nother trip down memory lane…
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Hindsight
Hindsight is a funny thing, no? I just re-read my last post written on Christmas Eve. And I laughed. Because about 10 minutes later, Felisa was sick. Vomited ALL OVER MY BED. So I spent the rest of the night, not sleeping, but rather taking care of the sickie and cleaning up a few messes. She was better by the day after Christmas and I'm still enjoying the break from school as I anticipated. 99% of my Christmas cards have been mailed - just a couple need to have addresses fixed. And I found the calendar I bought for Mom. You'll never guess where it was... wrapped and under the tree waiting for her!
It's 5 days and a wake-up left until Ron returns. Not sure how much will get done, but I'm giving it my best shot.
And I'm starting the year off right, laughing. More of a chuckle really but if I lose my sense of humor, all is lost.
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
It's 5 days and a wake-up left until Ron returns. Not sure how much will get done, but I'm giving it my best shot.
And I'm starting the year off right, laughing. More of a chuckle really but if I lose my sense of humor, all is lost.
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Well, here it is... only 28 minutes until Christmas...
I did (almost) everything that I wanted to do. I have a few more gifts to pack up for the neighbors. And I did not get all my Christmas cards out yet. After running out of stamps, that project got put on the back burner. So my apologies to the half of the people on my list whose cards will be late! Also, I cannot for the life of me find the calendar that we bought for my Mom just last Sunday. Drat!
Overall though, things have gone smoothly this December. I'm ready now to enjoy Christmas Day and then Winter Break.
Hope I can get the rest of everything done in the next 12 DAYS before Ron comes home...
Merry Christmas everyone!
I did (almost) everything that I wanted to do. I have a few more gifts to pack up for the neighbors. And I did not get all my Christmas cards out yet. After running out of stamps, that project got put on the back burner. So my apologies to the half of the people on my list whose cards will be late! Also, I cannot for the life of me find the calendar that we bought for my Mom just last Sunday. Drat!
Overall though, things have gone smoothly this December. I'm ready now to enjoy Christmas Day and then Winter Break.
Hope I can get the rest of everything done in the next 12 DAYS before Ron comes home...
Merry Christmas everyone!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Quote
Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.
-James Buckham
-James Buckham
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Hungover? Or just getting old?
Last night was the Cowboy Christmas Dinner Show. Ryan wanted a cowboy birthday and Lynne mentioned this great show she had seen with her family. After a little investigation and conversation, Ryan and I decided that we should do this activity as a family plus one special friend in lieu of a party at the house.
The show is about 70 miles away. Google Maps listed drive time as 1 hour 20 minutes (and in parentheses, up to 1 hour 50 minutes with traffic). I thought that was nice to see how Google took into account the fact that we live in a major metropolitan area. So, the gates open at 5:45 and there are activities up until dinner time at 7. The kids got out of school at 3:15. After gathering everyone in the lobby and dropping off the extras in our carpool, we got home around 3:30. Mom went back to her place to get a warmer coat and we had to wait for Melissa to get home from her babysitting job. Once everyone arrived and we loaded the car and got on the road, it was 3:58.
Now let's add a little more background info for our drive... It is Friday before Christmas. It is raining. And it's still a major metropolitan area. Google... I would've loved to have been there in only 1 hour 50 minutes. Unfortunately it was more like 2 1/2 hours. We pulled in to the parking lot of the show at 6:30. We saw the horses in passing as we rushed to the wagon ride. It was the last ride of the evening and they held it for us as they saw us coming. Two more families got on behind us and off we went. After the ride, the other activites had already shut down and they were asking people to be seated for dinner. So bathroom breaks for everyone and then the dinner and show began.
My first impression - I've seen real cowboys. And these guys ain't it! But we are living in a big city. On the East coast. And this is just a theater, not a ranch. The tricks they were doing were pretty impressive so I got over that hangup pretty quick.
The kids enjoyed the show. The adults enjoyed the show. And we left the parking lot at 10:00 p.m. Stopped for a bathroom break before we got back on the highway. And google, you were right. When there's no traffic, it is a 1 hour 20 minute drive! One small wrong turn (the highway split and I went left instead of right) only set us back a couple minutes. I delivered Owen home at 1130. All tired out and ready for his drive to Florida today!
So anyway, we didn't get settled in to bed until about midnight. And of course I didn't go to sleep right away. Had to do important things like check my email and waste time online. Which means I was up until about 1. I woke up at 7:40 this morning and panicked that we would be late for school, why hadn't I set my alarm?!? but then realized that it was Saturday. I was still tired but had to get up anyway to let Darby out. And ever since then I have been feeling completely hungover. Headache. Dizzy. Tired. There was no alcohol involved in our cowboy adventure though so I'm thinking that it must mean I'm just getting old. How depressing.
The show is about 70 miles away. Google Maps listed drive time as 1 hour 20 minutes (and in parentheses, up to 1 hour 50 minutes with traffic). I thought that was nice to see how Google took into account the fact that we live in a major metropolitan area. So, the gates open at 5:45 and there are activities up until dinner time at 7. The kids got out of school at 3:15. After gathering everyone in the lobby and dropping off the extras in our carpool, we got home around 3:30. Mom went back to her place to get a warmer coat and we had to wait for Melissa to get home from her babysitting job. Once everyone arrived and we loaded the car and got on the road, it was 3:58.
Now let's add a little more background info for our drive... It is Friday before Christmas. It is raining. And it's still a major metropolitan area. Google... I would've loved to have been there in only 1 hour 50 minutes. Unfortunately it was more like 2 1/2 hours. We pulled in to the parking lot of the show at 6:30. We saw the horses in passing as we rushed to the wagon ride. It was the last ride of the evening and they held it for us as they saw us coming. Two more families got on behind us and off we went. After the ride, the other activites had already shut down and they were asking people to be seated for dinner. So bathroom breaks for everyone and then the dinner and show began.
My first impression - I've seen real cowboys. And these guys ain't it! But we are living in a big city. On the East coast. And this is just a theater, not a ranch. The tricks they were doing were pretty impressive so I got over that hangup pretty quick.
The kids enjoyed the show. The adults enjoyed the show. And we left the parking lot at 10:00 p.m. Stopped for a bathroom break before we got back on the highway. And google, you were right. When there's no traffic, it is a 1 hour 20 minute drive! One small wrong turn (the highway split and I went left instead of right) only set us back a couple minutes. I delivered Owen home at 1130. All tired out and ready for his drive to Florida today!
So anyway, we didn't get settled in to bed until about midnight. And of course I didn't go to sleep right away. Had to do important things like check my email and waste time online. Which means I was up until about 1. I woke up at 7:40 this morning and panicked that we would be late for school, why hadn't I set my alarm?!? but then realized that it was Saturday. I was still tired but had to get up anyway to let Darby out. And ever since then I have been feeling completely hungover. Headache. Dizzy. Tired. There was no alcohol involved in our cowboy adventure though so I'm thinking that it must mean I'm just getting old. How depressing.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Making progress, one breath at a time
Well, as Ryan pointed out this morning (almost as soon as he woke up), only 8 days until Christmas. I think the kids see this countdown in a different way than I do. They are so excited and can't wait and the time just creeps by so slowly. I, on the other hand, am trying not to worry because oh my gosh there's only 8 days left to get everything done!!!
I still haven't found the notebook but I've made new lists and hopefully not left anyone off! I was at the post office with everyone else in the world this morning and all packages containing gifts for kids have been mailed. All you adults on the list - your packages might be late. I hope you understand. I also ended up ordering my stamps online after all. Too bad I didn't just do that to start with on Sunday when I ran out of stamps. They might have been here already. Instead, it will take 5-7 business days. So Christmas cards... are going to be late. Oh well. Too bad, so sad. Better luck next year!
Over all, I feel pretty in control of the situation. Which means on Tuesday afternoon I'll suddenly remember something huge that I forgot. And then I'll panic! But until then, we're all good.
Felisa is not sleepy tonight. Private Practice is on and someone on the show couldn't breathe. Which prompted Felisa to tell me that:
Breathing you really need to do.
Then she started talking about the fire and air experiment that they did in school. She talked and talked while I tried to type fast enough to get it all down. Here's my best effort:
The fire uses the air. put container on a candle. and a cup or a dish it traps the air and that's how much air the fire is getting. it goes off when all the air is gone. it borrows it and when we put the dish earlier again he lighted again and then put the dish fast and then it gives it back a little tiny dish and you can't see anything and you put a little dot. just put one. don't put dish there very long or it will get more air than us and it will get so much air. so small dish goes out faster and big dish goes slower.
So... don't forget to breathe everyone!
some tigers they live in teh jungle. there is air. they get some leaves. some tigers do this.
I still haven't found the notebook but I've made new lists and hopefully not left anyone off! I was at the post office with everyone else in the world this morning and all packages containing gifts for kids have been mailed. All you adults on the list - your packages might be late. I hope you understand. I also ended up ordering my stamps online after all. Too bad I didn't just do that to start with on Sunday when I ran out of stamps. They might have been here already. Instead, it will take 5-7 business days. So Christmas cards... are going to be late. Oh well. Too bad, so sad. Better luck next year!
Over all, I feel pretty in control of the situation. Which means on Tuesday afternoon I'll suddenly remember something huge that I forgot. And then I'll panic! But until then, we're all good.
Felisa is not sleepy tonight. Private Practice is on and someone on the show couldn't breathe. Which prompted Felisa to tell me that:
Breathing you really need to do.
Then she started talking about the fire and air experiment that they did in school. She talked and talked while I tried to type fast enough to get it all down. Here's my best effort:
The fire uses the air. put container on a candle. and a cup or a dish it traps the air and that's how much air the fire is getting. it goes off when all the air is gone. it borrows it and when we put the dish earlier again he lighted again and then put the dish fast and then it gives it back a little tiny dish and you can't see anything and you put a little dot. just put one. don't put dish there very long or it will get more air than us and it will get so much air. so small dish goes out faster and big dish goes slower.
So... don't forget to breathe everyone!
some tigers they live in teh jungle. there is air. they get some leaves. some tigers do this.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Lost
You know you're reading Sheila's blog when... she's complaining about something she lost!
That's right, folks. I've lost something again. This time it's my Christmas notebook. You know, the one where I keep all my gift lists, hot chocolate mix recipes, Christmas Season To Do List, etc. The game plan. It's gone. Again.
Again, you say? Why yes, I did lose it last year too! I remember finding it at the very end of the season, buried at the bottom of the gift jars supply box. So I'm thinking that I would have put it away in a very safe place so that I wouldn't lose it again. (I looked in the gift jars supply box, in case you're wondering. It's not there.)
Or not. Because I CAN'T FIND IT!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
(pulling hair out, kicking and screaming in a tantrum on the floor)
Okay then. I guess Christmas really is cancelled. Ron gave me permission to just skip it (except for the tree and the kids' gifts of course!) this year and blame it all on him being gone. I just didn't think he would go so far as to hide my notebook so that I would be forced to go along with his plan.
(Okay, I know he didn't hide it. But it's easier to blame someone else for my problems than it is to accept responsibility for my endless disorganization and laziness and procrastination.)
That's right, folks. I've lost something again. This time it's my Christmas notebook. You know, the one where I keep all my gift lists, hot chocolate mix recipes, Christmas Season To Do List, etc. The game plan. It's gone. Again.
Again, you say? Why yes, I did lose it last year too! I remember finding it at the very end of the season, buried at the bottom of the gift jars supply box. So I'm thinking that I would have put it away in a very safe place so that I wouldn't lose it again. (I looked in the gift jars supply box, in case you're wondering. It's not there.)
Or not. Because I CAN'T FIND IT!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
(pulling hair out, kicking and screaming in a tantrum on the floor)
Okay then. I guess Christmas really is cancelled. Ron gave me permission to just skip it (except for the tree and the kids' gifts of course!) this year and blame it all on him being gone. I just didn't think he would go so far as to hide my notebook so that I would be forced to go along with his plan.
(Okay, I know he didn't hide it. But it's easier to blame someone else for my problems than it is to accept responsibility for my endless disorganization and laziness and procrastination.)
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Poem
The Thanksgiving Feast
by Ryan
At the beginning of the Thanksgiving feast,
We were called in from our race.
Then we went in and
We all said "Grace."
At the middle of the Thanksgiving feast,
My cousins pulled the wishbone.
Aunt Carol got all angry and said,
"Don't make me use this tone."
At the end of the Thanksgiving feast,
We watched all our friends leave
And our Uncle George,
He finally heaved!
Oh so hilarious!!! I found this in the school papers he brought home and thought it was too funny not to share! Bella drew some really cute Dress-Up Turkeys last week too. Those will definitely make it into the scrapbook.
In other funny news...
Last week as Ryan was getting into the shower he told me, "Parents are like lice." Really?!? Why is that? "Because they don't like dirty hair."
Okay then. Good answer. Even if you did just call me a louse!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
War is Ugly
The latest count: 4 dead, one MIA, and one prisoner released.
After one disappeared, I found this morning when I went to check - no trap. Which means that it got away again? But no, as I'm looking around under the sink, I hear a rustling in the back corner. Uh oh. Sounds like a live one. I pull everything out very carefully. I don't want the mouse to escape still stuck in the trap. It's bad enough that he is hurt. I fish him out with a ruler and a dustpan. Darby was nice enough to come in from the backyard, leaving the door ajar, just then so that I could escape hands-free. I took the poor guy out to the back near the shed. Once I put him down, he tried to run away but couldn't because he was still in the trap. I was able to release him without him biting me. He seemed fine except for a broken front paw. Once free he scampered off into the leaves.
I really hate this part of the mice wars. I don't like killing them but it is the best compromise I can come up with for the situation. I want my traps to kill immediately every time. I don't enjoy killing them but even worse is not killing them. Finding a wounded prisoner is not fun. Leaves a pit in my stomach.
Yes, it's true. War is ugly.
After one disappeared, I found this morning when I went to check - no trap. Which means that it got away again? But no, as I'm looking around under the sink, I hear a rustling in the back corner. Uh oh. Sounds like a live one. I pull everything out very carefully. I don't want the mouse to escape still stuck in the trap. It's bad enough that he is hurt. I fish him out with a ruler and a dustpan. Darby was nice enough to come in from the backyard, leaving the door ajar, just then so that I could escape hands-free. I took the poor guy out to the back near the shed. Once I put him down, he tried to run away but couldn't because he was still in the trap. I was able to release him without him biting me. He seemed fine except for a broken front paw. Once free he scampered off into the leaves.
I really hate this part of the mice wars. I don't like killing them but it is the best compromise I can come up with for the situation. I want my traps to kill immediately every time. I don't enjoy killing them but even worse is not killing them. Finding a wounded prisoner is not fun. Leaves a pit in my stomach.
Yes, it's true. War is ugly.
Monday, November 17, 2008
They're Baaaack!
Tis the season... The weather is getting colder and winter is just around the corner. Time for all good animals to take shelter. Apparently my latest visitors did not get the memo from last season's crew... don't live under Sheila's sink. She will kill you!!!
I found the evidence of the mice's return a week or so ago. My vaccuum cleaner was broken at the time so I just ignored it. (I like to ignore problems and hope they go away on their own!) I fixed the vaccuum a couple days ago so today when I took out the trash I decided it was as good a time as any to set up the mousetrap once more. Took only a couple hours to catch my first one.
It's sad really - they're kind of cute. And though I talk tough sometimes (my nickname was once Killer), I don't enjoy killing them. But they cannot live in my house. So out they go!
I found the evidence of the mice's return a week or so ago. My vaccuum cleaner was broken at the time so I just ignored it. (I like to ignore problems and hope they go away on their own!) I fixed the vaccuum a couple days ago so today when I took out the trash I decided it was as good a time as any to set up the mousetrap once more. Took only a couple hours to catch my first one.
It's sad really - they're kind of cute. And though I talk tough sometimes (my nickname was once Killer), I don't enjoy killing them. But they cannot live in my house. So out they go!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Nothing to Report
I feel bad that I haven't blogged anything lately. Apparently there are people out there who use it as a way to keep up with our family (Yea! That's partly what it's for!). So I feel bad. But - there is nothing to report.
Nothing new or exciting or interesting has happened. Each and every day is almost exactly like the one before it. I still didn't get anything done that I need to beyond shuttling kids and the minimal laundry, cooking, and dishes. At one point I had high hopes for what I could get done with my 6 months. Alas, I'm afraid my house is worse off now than it was in June. So, sorry Ron, but you'll be coming home to an absolute disaster area. Hopefully you won't mind. I'll try to work on it through the spring but I make no guarantees.
So here we sit, approximately 50 days from Ron's return. Just passing the time.
Nothing to report.
Nothing new or exciting or interesting has happened. Each and every day is almost exactly like the one before it. I still didn't get anything done that I need to beyond shuttling kids and the minimal laundry, cooking, and dishes. At one point I had high hopes for what I could get done with my 6 months. Alas, I'm afraid my house is worse off now than it was in June. So, sorry Ron, but you'll be coming home to an absolute disaster area. Hopefully you won't mind. I'll try to work on it through the spring but I make no guarantees.
So here we sit, approximately 50 days from Ron's return. Just passing the time.
Nothing to report.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Quote
"The intelligence of the creature known as a crowd, is the square root of the number of people in it.” ~Terry Pratchett
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Beating the Streets
Oh my aching feet! Ryan and I spent over 2 hours this afternoon peddling Cub Scout popcorn at Safeway with our den. Then we went out around the neighborhood for another almost 2 hours. I just added up his order sheet and he's at almost $500. This doesn't count online orders from family members or his share of the sales from the storefront booth. A few more people should be ordering locally (including me!) so I think he's going to do super awesome this year! He would love to win the Nintendo DS2 but I doubt we'll make it to $2300 in sales before November 10! He worked hard but steady and didn't get discouraged so that was good. I had forgotten how long and exhausting door to door sales can be. It has been many years since I sold Girl Scout cookies, after all.
And because all of this popcorn peddling didn't make me or my feet tired enough... After dinner I made 8 half-pints of caramel apple jam and a pint of applesauce. That's what happens when you leave Grandma F alone with a giant bag of apples and a knife! She prepped them so I had to finish them off. That's the second batch of apples from our apple-picking adventure. Last time I made apple crisp and a quart of applesauce. Another couple days and I'll do the last batch. Maybe some more apple crisp...
And because all of this popcorn peddling didn't make me or my feet tired enough... After dinner I made 8 half-pints of caramel apple jam and a pint of applesauce. That's what happens when you leave Grandma F alone with a giant bag of apples and a knife! She prepped them so I had to finish them off. That's the second batch of apples from our apple-picking adventure. Last time I made apple crisp and a quart of applesauce. Another couple days and I'll do the last batch. Maybe some more apple crisp...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Show Down at the Scout Corral
Ah, my poor neglected blog... nothing has been blog-worthy of late it seems.
This may not be either but my email connection is having issues at the moment and I haven't worked up the energy to hit the shower yet so I'll go ahead anyway.
Cub Scouts vs. Brownies
Ah the differences are many, as has been brought to my attention several times the last couple of weeks. Let's review...
*Cub Scouts- the program is spelled out with little variation. To earn X rank badge, you must earn X requirements. And make sure you are done by February or else.
*Brownies - a book with MANY pages. Within the many pages, many try-it badges covering a wide range of subjects. Choose whichever ones you want. Do as many or as few as you wish.
*Cub Scouts - one boy is set as the denner for a meeting and is in charge
*Brownies - have a kaper chart set up with each girl taking a turn completing each of the various jobs that need to be done in any given meeting - teamwork!
*Cub Scout camping - very loosey goosey affair. Cubs can't even go without their families. And the dens can't even go without the rest of the pack. So that means each camping event involves approximately 200 people and 50 tents and 50 cars. Oh and one port-a-potty. And yes, it ends up as gross as it sounds by the end of the weekend.
*Brownies - each troop may go camping whenever it wishes. And girls are not required to be accompanied by an adult. It is up to the leaders to decide what works best for the group. And they have things like safety circles around the fire and hand-washing stations. And the girls actually participate in the cooking as opposed to emerging from the woods in time to stuff their faces then run off again as soon as they are done.
************************
So we survived the Cub Scout Family Campout last night... were warm enough while we were sleeping but froze our tails off once we emerged this morning. We all got to go fishing yesterday afternoon. We didn't catch anything (not surprising!) but a great first time fishing for all of us (the kids and I). I even baited the hook with a worm! Did you know worms bleed when cut?! I didn't. Of course I never really thought about it before either. Ryan got to shoot at archery this morning and got one arrow into the yellow (near the center). He didn't get breakfast (was doing archery and then ran off into the woods with his friends and then it was too late) but we stopped at McD's on the way home.
And now the car is unloaded and we are all thawing out nicely. Next time we'll pack gloves and hats!
This may not be either but my email connection is having issues at the moment and I haven't worked up the energy to hit the shower yet so I'll go ahead anyway.
Cub Scouts vs. Brownies
Ah the differences are many, as has been brought to my attention several times the last couple of weeks. Let's review...
*Cub Scouts- the program is spelled out with little variation. To earn X rank badge, you must earn X requirements. And make sure you are done by February or else.
*Brownies - a book with MANY pages. Within the many pages, many try-it badges covering a wide range of subjects. Choose whichever ones you want. Do as many or as few as you wish.
*Cub Scouts - one boy is set as the denner for a meeting and is in charge
*Brownies - have a kaper chart set up with each girl taking a turn completing each of the various jobs that need to be done in any given meeting - teamwork!
*Cub Scout camping - very loosey goosey affair. Cubs can't even go without their families. And the dens can't even go without the rest of the pack. So that means each camping event involves approximately 200 people and 50 tents and 50 cars. Oh and one port-a-potty. And yes, it ends up as gross as it sounds by the end of the weekend.
*Brownies - each troop may go camping whenever it wishes. And girls are not required to be accompanied by an adult. It is up to the leaders to decide what works best for the group. And they have things like safety circles around the fire and hand-washing stations. And the girls actually participate in the cooking as opposed to emerging from the woods in time to stuff their faces then run off again as soon as they are done.
************************
So we survived the Cub Scout Family Campout last night... were warm enough while we were sleeping but froze our tails off once we emerged this morning. We all got to go fishing yesterday afternoon. We didn't catch anything (not surprising!) but a great first time fishing for all of us (the kids and I). I even baited the hook with a worm! Did you know worms bleed when cut?! I didn't. Of course I never really thought about it before either. Ryan got to shoot at archery this morning and got one arrow into the yellow (near the center). He didn't get breakfast (was doing archery and then ran off into the woods with his friends and then it was too late) but we stopped at McD's on the way home.
And now the car is unloaded and we are all thawing out nicely. Next time we'll pack gloves and hats!
Friday, October 03, 2008
How NOT to Fix a Toilet
In a few entertaining steps...
When we got back from Big Trip 3, we found that the toilet in the green bathroom, the new low-flow toilet that Ron and his dad installed over Christmas break, was leaking around the bottom. I consulted Ron long-distance in Afghanistan via pictures and Skype. Sounds like we just need a new wax ring. Okay, no problem. I'll call a plumber if I can't do it myself. And then I promptly warned all the kids not to use that toilet anymore because it was broken. Immediately after that, I got busy doing about a million other things that were much more important than fixing the toilet. After all, we have 3 others in the house. If it ends up not getting fixed before he gets back, no big deal.
Fast forward about a month and a half. I'm about to have a long-term houseguest and it's time to fix the problem. I was about to call the plumber when I thought to myself, why not look it up online first. Maybe it's not that hard and I can just do it myself.
So I googled it... and this is what I found. How to Replace a Toilet's Wax Ring. That doesn't sound too hard. I especially liked step 12 - To seal the ring, sit on toilet and rock in all directions. No problem! I emailed my buddy Shani to see if she felt up to the challenge. After all, step 8 warns that toilets are heavy and often require two people to lift them. She replies that her Friday morning is wide open and what better to do than fix the toilet. Look at us - two capable women taking charge and taking care of things.
Or not.
Let's see how it all went down, shall we?
1. Find the brand and model number of the toilet, if possible. This sometimes is stamped on the rim of the toilet near the tank or on the bottom side of the tank. If you can't find the information, proceed to step 3.
Yeah, I don't really need to do that. I'll just go to the store and buy a ring.
2. Take your information with you to a local hardware store or plumbing supply house to purchase a replacement wax ring.
See, here I am at the store, buying a ring. Regular ring or extra thick? Well it says that the extra thick ring compensates for pipes that are below floor level. Hmmm... Probably just the regular one will do for starters.
3. Turn off the water to the toilet at the water supply shutoff. This is usually found on the wall or floor near the toilet. If there is no localized shutoff, use the main water shutoff for the structure.
Piece of cake. Water is Off.
4. Flush the toilet a couple of times to drain most of the water.
Flush once then head down to the basement to gather the necessary wrenches and rags for the job. Once I get down there, I hear a loud dripping sound in the basement shower. Oh look - there is a 6 inch crack in the ceiling (below the toilet above) dripping lots of big drips of water. Crap! This is definitely a problem. At this point I realize that there is no way I am going to be able to fix the leaky toilet problem on my own. Not now that it is a leaky floor/ceiling problem also!
4a. This one isn't online... Shani and I decide that the plumber will have to lift the toilet off anyway to fix the ring and to see what else is wrong. So as long as we're here, we might as well lift it off and take a peek. Ha Ha Ha. Easier said than done. Rather than flushing again to drain yet more water through the floor/ceiling, we bail. First with plastic kids cups from restaurant (I think those two will go into the recycling bin next week!) and then with a turkey baster to get the last of it. Toilet bowls hold a lot more water than it looks like they are holding! Does anyone want to come over for turkey dinner on Thanksgiving?!?
5. Disconnect the water supply tube from the bottom of the toilet, using a large pair of adjustable pliers. (Have a bucket and towels ready as some water may drain from the tank.)
Initial upright attempts show me that I'm going to have to get down and dirty to do this job. So I'm on my back, lying under the toilet tank, big wrench in hand, attempting to disconnect the water supply tube. The tube has been sealed by some sort of silicone and it ain't budging no matter what we do. I take that back - it moved enough to let some ugly black water drain down. Thankfully the empty bowl we had in place caught most of the water. Only a couple drops got on my face and hair. I bust out the utility knife to try to break the seal so I can unscrew it. Doesn't help. At this point Shani and I give up completely. This just ain't happening. Time to call the real plumbers in.
5a. Call a plumber! (This step isn't online either!)
To celebrate our failure, we pick up Corey and Felisa from school and head to Artie's for lunch. I tell Shani I'm a little nervous about going back there in daylight hours (we usually go for a late dinner or drinks and always after dark!) after what happened two weeks ago. Lunch at Artie's and then Felisa ends up with a broken elbow at soccer practice. I had joked that it was my punishment for having such a nice lunch! And now today we have decided that it really is an Artie's Daylight Curse because as we were eating, my phone rang. It was the school nurse. Ryan had a stomachache and needed to come home. So we hurried through the rest of our lunch and picked him up on the way back home. When we got back, Ron was online so he got to hear all about it - all the latest disasters to befall us while he is away.
So now I'm just waiting to hear back from Alexis (who owns a plumbing company) on who she recommends to fix my toilet.
Maybe next time step one will be "Call the plumber!"
When we got back from Big Trip 3, we found that the toilet in the green bathroom, the new low-flow toilet that Ron and his dad installed over Christmas break, was leaking around the bottom. I consulted Ron long-distance in Afghanistan via pictures and Skype. Sounds like we just need a new wax ring. Okay, no problem. I'll call a plumber if I can't do it myself. And then I promptly warned all the kids not to use that toilet anymore because it was broken. Immediately after that, I got busy doing about a million other things that were much more important than fixing the toilet. After all, we have 3 others in the house. If it ends up not getting fixed before he gets back, no big deal.
Fast forward about a month and a half. I'm about to have a long-term houseguest and it's time to fix the problem. I was about to call the plumber when I thought to myself, why not look it up online first. Maybe it's not that hard and I can just do it myself.
So I googled it... and this is what I found. How to Replace a Toilet's Wax Ring. That doesn't sound too hard. I especially liked step 12 - To seal the ring, sit on toilet and rock in all directions. No problem! I emailed my buddy Shani to see if she felt up to the challenge. After all, step 8 warns that toilets are heavy and often require two people to lift them. She replies that her Friday morning is wide open and what better to do than fix the toilet. Look at us - two capable women taking charge and taking care of things.
Or not.
Let's see how it all went down, shall we?
1. Find the brand and model number of the toilet, if possible. This sometimes is stamped on the rim of the toilet near the tank or on the bottom side of the tank. If you can't find the information, proceed to step 3.
Yeah, I don't really need to do that. I'll just go to the store and buy a ring.
2. Take your information with you to a local hardware store or plumbing supply house to purchase a replacement wax ring.
See, here I am at the store, buying a ring. Regular ring or extra thick? Well it says that the extra thick ring compensates for pipes that are below floor level. Hmmm... Probably just the regular one will do for starters.
3. Turn off the water to the toilet at the water supply shutoff. This is usually found on the wall or floor near the toilet. If there is no localized shutoff, use the main water shutoff for the structure.
Piece of cake. Water is Off.
4. Flush the toilet a couple of times to drain most of the water.
Flush once then head down to the basement to gather the necessary wrenches and rags for the job. Once I get down there, I hear a loud dripping sound in the basement shower. Oh look - there is a 6 inch crack in the ceiling (below the toilet above) dripping lots of big drips of water. Crap! This is definitely a problem. At this point I realize that there is no way I am going to be able to fix the leaky toilet problem on my own. Not now that it is a leaky floor/ceiling problem also!
4a. This one isn't online... Shani and I decide that the plumber will have to lift the toilet off anyway to fix the ring and to see what else is wrong. So as long as we're here, we might as well lift it off and take a peek. Ha Ha Ha. Easier said than done. Rather than flushing again to drain yet more water through the floor/ceiling, we bail. First with plastic kids cups from restaurant (I think those two will go into the recycling bin next week!) and then with a turkey baster to get the last of it. Toilet bowls hold a lot more water than it looks like they are holding! Does anyone want to come over for turkey dinner on Thanksgiving?!?
5. Disconnect the water supply tube from the bottom of the toilet, using a large pair of adjustable pliers. (Have a bucket and towels ready as some water may drain from the tank.)
Initial upright attempts show me that I'm going to have to get down and dirty to do this job. So I'm on my back, lying under the toilet tank, big wrench in hand, attempting to disconnect the water supply tube. The tube has been sealed by some sort of silicone and it ain't budging no matter what we do. I take that back - it moved enough to let some ugly black water drain down. Thankfully the empty bowl we had in place caught most of the water. Only a couple drops got on my face and hair. I bust out the utility knife to try to break the seal so I can unscrew it. Doesn't help. At this point Shani and I give up completely. This just ain't happening. Time to call the real plumbers in.
5a. Call a plumber! (This step isn't online either!)
To celebrate our failure, we pick up Corey and Felisa from school and head to Artie's for lunch. I tell Shani I'm a little nervous about going back there in daylight hours (we usually go for a late dinner or drinks and always after dark!) after what happened two weeks ago. Lunch at Artie's and then Felisa ends up with a broken elbow at soccer practice. I had joked that it was my punishment for having such a nice lunch! And now today we have decided that it really is an Artie's Daylight Curse because as we were eating, my phone rang. It was the school nurse. Ryan had a stomachache and needed to come home. So we hurried through the rest of our lunch and picked him up on the way back home. When we got back, Ron was online so he got to hear all about it - all the latest disasters to befall us while he is away.
So now I'm just waiting to hear back from Alexis (who owns a plumbing company) on who she recommends to fix my toilet.
Maybe next time step one will be "Call the plumber!"
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