Owie

Whining.... I promised Rachel we could have a party tonight since we don't go treat or treating. I didn't know until this morning, I needed to decorate the house for a party though. I put ribbons on a small bunch of mini candy bars to hang up as decorations, only now I can't hang it up. UGH! I tried to stand on a stool, but I can't put weight on either knee to get up on it, I tried the coffee table thinking it was lower and maybe I could get up on it, nope, so I get the small step stool, only I'm too short to reach the ceiling! I reached up without thinking with my left arm, and man that really hurt, I still can't quite lift my hand over my head. I could get the ladder from the laundry room, but I can't get to it right now, I have 2 coolers set up for SOR, Saturday, and a large box of Christmas presents I've already bought. I don't think I can manage to get to it with all my aches and pains and all this stuff in the way.I'll have to have Joseph hang them up when he gets home, but I so wanted to surprise Rachel, who will get home first :(

Making me nuts

So maybe, I'm nuts already, but I can't stand it, I let Joseph slide the first quarter with not turning in all assignments, and he still managed to pass all his classes, but now he's out of control again. We talked about it before he left for camp Friday, and I asked him some questions I wanted him to think about. He did, and we talked again this afternoon, but I am just frustraed, that he has no motivation to do his assignments, or finsh them. He sees his counsler on Thursday, but right now I'm so thinking what a waste this past years worth of cousling has been.

Friday night/ Saturday fun

Joesph went on a scout outing yesterday, Sarah had a friend spend the night, Rachel and I went to my friend's house, for her spa, and then we stayed talking to her till after 11. Sarah called me at 11, to tell me it's 11, and were am I. I'll be reminding her, when I have to check on her when she's late when she's out with her friends in a few years from now. The girls played all morning, we went out for lunch, then we went to a movie this afternoon, We saw Flicka, Rachel liked it because of the hourses, but I don't know she really got the story, I loved it and even cried at the end, which I rarely do at the movies. Rachel was too funny during the previews, she kept telling me after all the previews that she did not want to see that, which was good, because I wouldn't have let her see any of those anyway, but after The Nativty preveiw she says, she wants to see that, I asked her who the baby was to be born, she didn't know, but knew it was a good movie.

Help I've fallen...

and had a hard time getting back up. Yesterday afternoon, I was at Bellair golf course, picking up a donation, and on the way back to the car, my left foot caused me to fall, because the blacktop and sidewalk are not the same height. I thought at first I broke my wrist, but it got better, but my left arm is in alot of pain. I messed up my knee pretty good, so Rachel and I know have matching owies on our right knee, tore my pants where I fell at the knee, and brpke the skin on my right hand, it don't feel good, but the worse by far thing is my shoulder, it hurts using the arm. :(

more randomness

I forgot 2 things last night. First off I am mad at the school nurse. Rachel came home yesterday pretty banged up from a fall, and she didn't even call me, not that I could do anything, but I like to be warned when my daughter comes home from school with 3 large bandages. Her right knee doesn't look so good to me, I'll be keeping a close eye on it for infection. The 2nd thing is I'm thinking if I chop off my left foot, I could get rid of the pain it causes me. I have a blister on my heel, another one on my second toe, and either/and I sprained my ankle some how mysteriously yesterday, or just wearing my sneakers yesrerday is causing the side of my foot to hurt, I can not walk without pain. I am not going to the foot doctor to have her tell me nothings wrong, when I know there is. pain is pain, wether it shows up on the x-ray or not.

Random stuff

This morning I took Sarah to the orthodontist this morning, she's ready for phase one of her treatment, she had spacers put in today, by the time she got home from school one had already came out, ugh, I think I should put my car on autp pilot to that office. Next week, I have to take her to get an xray of her skull, then something else happens, then the following week she get the expander, and she may then also have to get 4 braces put on her 4 front teeth so they don't move out of control. I spent the rest of the day getting ready for bible study tonight, Pat has been working a lot so I said I would prepare for the discussion, and of course clean the house. It went pretty well, but I'm glad it's over, it was easier when Pat wasn't there, I just didn't want to mess up in front of him.

Sarah

Today the kids who sold 35 items or more in the Fall fundraiser got to go on a limo ride and ice cream at McDonald's. We took 2 limos and seperated the big kids and little kids. I rode in both limos switching at McDonald's, so I could be with both girls.

Enjoying some ice cream!

Scout committee meeting was canceled

One less thing to do today. If I would have know 5 minutes earlier I wouldn't have just called my book club and said I wouldn't make it tonight. I didn't know when we were meeting I missed the last one too, I read the book, a few months ago, so I could have talked about the book even. I felt stupid to call and say I know I just said I'd not be there, and now I will be. It's better for me to be home with the kids on a school night fighting with them to get to bed, then to leave them on there own anyway. (yes, Pat is at work again, and he'll be at work tomorrow when I'll have to take and pick up a girl scout and boy scout at 2 different schools)

Testing

To see if I figured out how to do a link in my post

Favorite place to eat! ??????

Relaxing Weekend

Friday night's spa party was fun, my girls and my friend's girls loved it. But they had a hard time sitting still through all the product talks part of presenation. I don't blame them on that, but the consultant was getting frustrated, by the distractions, I thought they were fine. I think the company needs to add stuff for girls, girls like to pampered too. Joseph went and tried to sell popcorn on Saturday, the girls and I went and did some errands. I surprised Pat at Fry's, by meetings him there when he got off work at 4:30, we went out for dinner and to a movie. It's been a long time since we've gone out. This morning, I just couldn't get motivated to take the kids to church myself, (Pat had to work at 11), we needed to go to the first service, since Sarah had to be at rehearsal at 1. The girls and I went to Wal-Mart, and picked up some headsets for school that I ordered. Today was my friend's anniversary, I offered to take care of her girls so her and her hubby could go out. We made homemade pizza and chocolate cookies, then they had a good time giving each other makeovers and doing nails. I did laundry, they had way more fun. Tomorrow will be back to craziness, Sarah has a student council meeting after school, Rachel has dance from 3:45 to 5:15, I'll have to leave to get Sarah from her meeting, in the middle of that, she has dance from 5:15 to 7 PM, Then I have to take all the kids to the scout committee meeting, that I'll be late for because it starts at 7. Pat will be at work. Who knows when Sarah will have time for dinner or homework tomorrow. I guess she'll be up late.

Busy week

Lots of volunteer hours this week ar school. Monday the Fall fundraiser stuff came in, so I was at school 1/2 of the day. Tuesday I was there all day, fundraiser stuff in the morning and book fair in the afternoon. Book fair again Wed. 11-3, (and we had a PTO board meeting for 5-8:30) yesterday book fair from 10:30-6, I did come home for a little bit, then went back. The PTO served dinner to the teachers, so I stayed and helped put the leftovers away. This morning I went and helped Rachel's teacher, then helped sell candy after school. Needless to say was I was very tired. I took a nice long nap. Which is good since in a little bit a few women are coming over for this spa party I said I'd have for a friend. I think that other than Joseph having to sell more popcorn tomorrow there is nothing else to do, and Sunday just one service at church and Sarah's Snow Queen rehearsal.

Is it time for bed yet?

I am so tired, it's been a long weekend. I got a lot Christmas shopping done, because mervyn's was have a big sale, plus the extra 20% discount. The girls and I went yesterday, I picked up 2 pairs of jeans for Joseph, when he got home last night he tried them on, they did not fit. I got the same size his current jeans are that are a little big, but these were way too small. Then Pat asked if I used up all my 20% savings, because he wanted new pants for work, and I had told he we were going shopping on Saturday, ugh. He wasn't in as much trouble since we had to go back to exchange Joseph's jeans today anyway. While there today Rachel had to go to the bathroom, so after I got back with her Joseph had picked put 2 t-shirts he liked, and since he rarely gets new clothes that he picks out himself, I got them for him, on sale and with the discount they were only 8 bucks each, yea! So speaking of Joseph, he made it through the Order of the Arrow ordeal, even slept in the rain part of the night on Friday night, they had mercy on the boys and let them move under the ramanda at midnight. The next day they worked the boys hard doing service projects, while they fed them next to nothing (part of the ordeal). He said he had a great time, who would ever guess that? The boys were fed a good dinner and then had their closing ceramony. He got home about 8:30 last night. I think he really likes me, (sometimes anyway) because he bought me a mug for my collection (order of the arrow), that was very nice of him to see it, think of me, and then buy it too. This morning the kids and I were at church for both services (Pat had to work at 11, he didn't want to go to church at 9 fearing he wouldn't make it to work in time), anyway the kids stayed in the nursery to help me, Joseph always does, but I let the girls stay too. I'm glad I did, while I only had 6 toddlers, most were high maintence, and I was the only adult. The girls were great with the little ones, Rachel figured out that this one little boy should get his way, being the baby in our family she usually gets her way, so I guess thats how she knew, but when she told Sarah you gotta let him have it, or he's going to scream, really cracked me up.

On a roll

I've gotten stuff done the last few days, I was so worried on Monday I was going to be sluggish all week. Yesterday was long though. District luncheon, McDonald's (McTeacher night), and bible study (it was here too, so I had to make sure the house looked good before going to McDonald's) McTeacher night was fun, I took pictures and sold cookies, and came home smelling like I worked at McDonald's (you know that lovely greasy smell?) This morning I've managed to go to the grocery store, it has been weeks since I've done my big shopping trip, put everything away myself and started dinner that needs to simmer all day. After I finally get some pictures downloaded to costco I need to go to Starbucks and get a gift basket they are giving to school and then pick up the pictures, write thank you notes to the teachers who came to McDonald's last night, it should be after school by then, Sarah has dance, and my 3 shows I watch are on TV tonight. Very full day!

No energy

I've been so dead on my feet today. Well, that is when I've been on them, which hasn't been much. I haven't done anything except take the girls to their dance classes. I didn't even feel up to cooking dinner, so we had sandwiches.I have lots to do the next 2 days, I hope I've stored up enough energy to get everything done.

3 day weekend, YEA!

I am so tired today, I am so glad there's a 3 day weekend ahead. I slept terribly last night, first I couldn't sleep, then the thunderstorm woke me up. I had that high adrenaline rush all day, but now feel like I could crash. I was at school for 4 hours this morning, PTO stuff and helping Rachel's teacher. Then I walked around Costco and Target, (I couldn't find what I was looking for). Came home for an hour, then went back to school for another 1.5 hours. I sure wished I wouldn't have scheduled driving school (for my ticket) for tomorrow. I have to be there at 7:30, I hope it's not a long day, and I get to bed early tonight.

Much more calm day in the neighborhood

The fire department was at the burned house until late last night, boarding up the windows, doors and garage. Pat went over and ask the neighbor if he needed somewhere to stay and to come have dinner with us, the red cross was taking care of him with a place to stay and he was so upset, he wasn't even hungry. Pat didn't get the details of the fire, he could tell how upset he was, he did mention that since he paid off the house he has not carried home owners insurance. Pretty sad. And noe me- I went to the foot doctor last week and she gave me the last cortisone shot I can have, it hurt way more than the last two. While my foot was numb (hours) I must have stepped on something without knowing it, my heel is hurting worse than before. Pat thought he could feel something under the skin. I poked around with tweezers last night, and no I can't put weight on it. Ugh, enough with the foot pain.

another view

O

outside in front of the fired up house

Models, silly girls.

garage of house across the street

The fire has been contanied

Scary

I'm so glad Pat is back home. They got home before the ETA yesterday. Pat was glad to see me, and was all over me, and what did I do, before all the kids were in bed, I fell asleep :( I still am not feeling all that great, I didn't have anything to do this morning, so I went back to bed after taking the girls to school too, hoping to suprise Pat when he got up. The suprise was on us both, the house across the street is on fire! There's a fire truck in our driveway, helicopters flying overhead. Pat said he heard the firemen knocking on our door, I heard nothing. (I rarely hear anything in my room) There is smoke every where outside, and I can smell it inside, I think it would be safer for me to stay inside, but it is scary.

Now I'm getting a cold...and our day

I feel yucky, stuffy head, achy body, headache, dry eyes, runny nose, sore throat. UGH! I was too tired to get out of bed this morning, I was supposed to be at church at 9 for a meeting, I didn't make it, turned off the alarm, thought for sure I'd wake up to go to the service at 11, Rachel came in my room a little after 11, looking for me. She and Sarah had just gotten up. I'm thinking it was good we all stayed in bed this morning. Joseph of course beening a teenager got up after 12. We started some laundry, then we drove around for a couple of hours, while Joseph dropped off a few donation letters for his scout troop. I knew it would be a bad day, and not be able to catch the right people, but since scout-o-rama is 4 weeks away, I thought it would be best to send him out as soon as possible. Next Saturday I have to take care of my ticket and he'll be needing to start selling popcorn for scouts too. Sarah and I went to Costco, the girls went to a neighbor's house for an hour, and I took a nap.Now it's bed time YEAH!

I'm home

I made it, through the retreat. The time seemed to fly by, and I was able to connect with a few women. I did have a few stress moments though- I called home when I got to Prescott, Thursday afternoon and Rachel is crying, not little sobs, but really upset about something, she can't even tell me why. So I feel all this guilt that I should be there to fix whatever the problem is. Then Friday morning, I call Pat just before 9 and he doesn't answer the phone, so I try again at 10:30 and he still doesn't answer, and I get confused thinking he's being picked up at 11 to go to the Grand Canyon. So, I panic and call my BIL to ask Pat to listen to my messages before he leaves. Pat does call me back before he leaves, but I couldn't talk to him. I called after school on Friday and Rachel was to excited to be making something with her cousin Jessi to even talk to me :( Pat called me at 6:40 when they got to the hotel, but I missed that call too. I hated that I didn't get to talk to him at all, yesterday. This morning my phone rang at 6 AM, talk about jumping out of bed, it wasn't a big deal, (Sarah's girl scout outing question), but still 6AM! Pat and I did manage to talk to one another this morning. Yeah! I came home to a quite but messy house. Rachel was at a birthday party and my sister took Joseph and Sarah out for lunch. I don't think the kids missed me that much, since they hardly wanted to tell me about their past few days, and just started a movie. :(

Let's see...

Tomorrow afternoon, I am headed up to Prescott for a woman's retreat. I'll be home late Saturday afternoon. Pat is going to hike the Grand Canyon on Friday and won't be home on Monday night. Friday night is the girls' school bingo night (of which I've helped plan, but going to miss). Saturday morning Sarah is going on a Girl Scout outing. Rachel has a birthday party at 1 PM Saturday afternoon. Thank goodness, there's nothing Saturday night yet. Sunday I have a meeting, so the kids and I will be at both morning services. I'm glad Joseph's Scout troop didn't plan something!

Sad..disappointed

I'm feeling way low in the self esteem department right now. Saturday night, I was supposed to host a spa/dinner for a friend, but no one came, 4 gals did at least let me know they had other plans. The friend called just before it was to start and I told her not to bother coming. The girls and I had a quite evening watching old Charlie's Angels on TV. (Pat was at work and Joseph fishing). Tonight was supposed to be scrapbooking with ladies from church, one said she would be here, and 2 said they would be late. But guess what? No one showed up. This makes me feel like no one likes me, and a little nervous about going on a woman's retreat this weekend, will I have fun? Will I be alone all the time? I just wanta cry, thinking forward, but I know if I don't go, relationships with other women won't grow or develop.

My Helper!

My hubby is on vacation this week, it was so lovely to have him home after school today to help me. Sarah had her first student counsel meeting today after school. Rachel had dance, Sarah would have needed picking up during Rachel's classes, then I would have had to get Sarah dinner and to her dance class, which is right after Rachel's classes. I usually have to leave at the end of Rachel's jazz class to pick Sarah up at home, (because I've left her home to get her homework done and have dinner), but today would have been crazy with the meeting added in. Pat got Sarah from the meeting for me made sure she ate and took her to dance and he's picking her up too! It is a nice break. Sarah will have meeting once a month on Mondays, so I'll have to juggle all this myself for the next 8 months...fun.fun.fun.

PTO Fundraiser/Donations

OK, I said I'd do anything but the fundraiser, when I became the VP this year. But you know what? I kinda like doing the fundraiser, checking the orders and making the deposits, it feels like a real job. The last 2 school days I've done it all myself and it went pretty well, and the mornings have flown by. Now asking for donations is much harder and not nearly as much fun. Sunrise is a poor school, like the 2nd poorest in the district. Which kinda makes me crazy for many reasons, one of which is way back 6-7 years ago when I was doing child care, the free or reduced lunch was a much lower percent, I know this because I didn't qualify for a higher reimbursement for the food program I was on for my child care business, but now forward 6-7 years why are the school's families so poor? Kinda makes me a little nervous. I need some great contacts for donations, anyone have any suggestions?

My Foot

A few weeks ago I fell in the parking lot of Michael's, and scrapped the inside of the heel of my left foot. This is the same foot I had to have cortisone shots in the same area, due to inflammation. Well, since that fall my heel has been hurting once again, some days better than others, then I was even thinking it was healing. Well, the last 2 days I have had horrible pain, and it's very difficult to walk. And my thigh hurts from trying to walk so it doesn't hurt, I'm using different muscles I guess. I'll be calling the foot doctor on Monday and I hope she can get me right in.

Fall

I love Fall. I miss the change of colors in October back east, but not quite enough to move back east, because I don't want the Winters or humid Summers and of course my hubby and children are here! Fall in Phoenix means the temp. is below 100 during the day. The leaves change color about December, some are pretty, but mostly they're just dying leaves. I'll just look at the pretty pictures of leaves and imagine it's Fall, like was in my memories of growing up in Pennsylvania. The weather has been very nice the last few days, even a few days before the first day of Fall (which translates, I've been outside during the day and not been sweating) I hope it's not a trick of Mother Nature and it's here to stay!

Vent

I'm usually very on top of appointments. For me and the kids. I messed up with the orthodontist with Joseph. We just got a letter in the mail saying missed appointments will be charged a no show fee of either $25 or $30, I don't remember I totally thought that wouldn't be me, I'm usually so on top of things like this. I was watching Rachel's dance class yesterday and thought I should check my calendar because it seems like it's been awhile since Joseph went to the orthodontist. Well, I was right his appointment was for the 6th. Oh brother, I call the office and leave a message, the girl calls me this morning and says they won't charge us for this missed appointment. But what I don't get is they never do reminder calls. I asked about this, and she tells me it is the office policy not to call for appointments that are close to the last one. 6-7 weeks, is really not that close if you ask me. The doctor is going to get an earful when I take Joseph in on Oct. 2nd. It hardly seems fair that you would charge for a missed appointment if you had not confirmed it.

I am a criminal

This afternoon, I was headed to the post office to mail back this ugly Star Wars t-shirt, I had waiting for months to get only to be way disappointed in, and now to make the whole thing even worse- I drove 21 miles an hour through a school zone and got a ticket. That t-shirt was one expensive shirt. It's going to be $120 to go to traffic school, or I can pay the fine of $127. This just seems so crazy to me, there are way worse criminals out there driving than me, it's not like I didn't at lease slow down for the school, just not quite slow enough. I am so mad at myself.

Looking forward looking back

This is going to be a busy week, but really have any lately not been busy? Tomorrow I need to clean the house and do laundry and make a dessert to take to Joseph's scouting thing tomorrow night. Then of course there's the scouting thing. Wednesday, I'll probably be at school all day working on the fundraiser orders. Then the PTO board is coming over for dinner, a meeting and working still on the orders. Thursday and Friday I'll probably be at school most of those days too. Friday Joseph leaves for a fishing weekend with his scout troop. Saturday night I'm hosting dinner/spa thing for a friend who is trying to get starting in the spa business. Looking back, this past weekend was full, my niece's birthday party on Friday night, Sarah having to be at school before 7 am on Saturday for a girl scout outing. Taking Joseph to sell scout o rama tickets for 2 hours, then I came home and napped and relaxed the rest of the day. Sunday I had to be at church at 8:45 for the nursery, Sarah and I left and got some lunch, then I took her to aution for the Snow Queen. Came him, Pat went to work, Rachel's friend called and asked if she could come over, took Rachel, went to Michael's and got gas, picked Rachel up and we watched The Wild (can you say Lion King, Madagascar and Finding Nemo rolled into one!) The kids thought it was cute. I had a hard time getting everyone to bed last night. This morning was hard getting them all ready for school too. I was at school all morning helping with the hearing screenings. Rachel and Sarah had dance this afternoon, Rachel did not finish her homework before her classes started, so after dinner we were still doing homework. I really like the homework done before dinner, it just didn't happen today.

Ablation-pain

It finally happened! No complications after the surgery, plenty before hand, but not me, the hospital. Well, me a little because I have really bad veins, and it took 2 sticks to get blood drawn and 2 sticks to get the IV started. After all these pokes it almost didn't happen, we only had my heart doctor's verbal OK, and nothing in writing so the annisolgist didn't want to go ahead with it. They called his office and he wasn't there. I asked them call him at his other office, because he wasn't in the office where I see him, some how the nurse got his cell phone number and called him, he was playing golf! He OK'd the surgery and all went well from there, unless you count that they didn't give me my prescriptions and Pat had to go back in the hospital for them. I slept off and on all afternoon, Sarah made me some toast, what a sweet girl, she keep checking on my to make sure I was OK. The pain in horrible, it is easing up a little, but maybe it's the pain medicine finally working.

90%

I finally heard what the insurance will pay for my ablation on Thursday. 90% Yeah! Our co-pay at the hospital has been met for the year too.

Too Much

I think Sarah is involved with way to much this year. She joined chorus, got elected to student counsel, taking 3 dance classes, and autioning for The Snow Queen on Sunday. Last week, a girl in her class, called and asked her to join Girl Scouts. They talked on the phone for a long, long time. Sarah who has a hard time making and keeping friends, this call was the longest ever she's been on the phone. So, tonight I let Sarah go to a scout meeting to try it, but I'm just not crazy about letting her contiue. Doesn't it seem like she already has too much on her plate? She's only 9. Since Pat works all kinds of weird hours, I would have to add this to my already busy schedule. What do you think?

Yo-Yo

My emotions have been like a yo-yo the last two days. I don't know what the deal is, but today I can't seem to stop crying. It's getting on my nerves, because I don't even know why I'm crying. But here's the clues. Yesterday I was just angry at everything and everyone. Pat worked all day yesterday then went to a football game with his Dad, I was asleep when he got home. Pat has worked 6 days this week, we haven't spent anytime together. Hopefully my last period has been going on and on for 9 days now. Today I took the kids to church myself, because Pat was running late getting ready then decided not to go. We come home from church and Pat had bought KFC to surprise us, but I really don't like KFC, but the kids were happy they didn't have to eat my leftovers. Pat leaves for work at 3, I barely tell him good bye, I feel guilty, so I go to Fry's to apologize, but of course even though he's supposed to be training as a asst. front end manager and not supposed to be on a register he is, so I don't really get to talk to him. He works till 12 AM, so I probably won't later either, I hope I'm asleep. Now I have to deal with getting the kids ready for bed and a new week of school myself.

opps :(

Bad Mother of the year awarded to me today, why you may ask? Well, I woke up at 8:30 when pat's alarm went off. Joseph thank goodness, is great with getting up and leaving for the bus on time. But the girls were still sleeping. I thought Pat messed up his alarm. He's been working at 8:00 and his alarm has been going off at 6:30 every morning. When it went off this morning, I whine to make him turn it off, didn't you remember you don't work until 11 today? That when he said it's 8:30! What! The girls scrabbled to get ready, and Sarah even ate a bowl of cereal, Rachel grabbed a cheese stick and we were out the door and at school by 8:45, so they were only 15 minutes late, but still, in all the years that someone has been in school, this is the first time, I had to sign the kids in late :( I was supposed to be doing a presentation in the AM Kindergarten class first thing this morning too, so I was a little late for that too, luckily the timing worked anyway.

This and That

So, yesterday Joseph was going to try out for boys volleyball. I took him to the doctor for the sports physical and filled out all the paperwork. Yesterday was the girls' school's first PTO meeting, of which I needed to get ready for since I'm the vice president. I asked Joseph to take the activity bus home or call my cell phone. They kids are not allowed to use the front office phone at his school, but really there has to be a phone he could have used. He decides to not try out because I won't be able to sit in the parking lot for who knows how long so he has a ride, this seems very stupid to me, whatever, I was glad he wanted to try out, but I was really worried about him making the team and me being spread too thin with all the other after school stuff, driving the kids here and there, I didn't know how I could always put in pratices and games, that I would want to go to, but then what would leave my 6 year old at dance by herself? I think not. Joseph also scratched his eye yesterday by leaving a torn contact in his eye, so he was only seeing out of the left, so he might not have made the team anyway, but I feel bad anyway. The PTO meeting went really well last night, we had 24 parents, 5 teachers and the principle. That's a huge amount of participation for our school, so we were pretty happy about it. We accoplished a lot and finished within the hour, like we wanted to, short and to the point, unlike meetings in the past. Today I was able to go to the district luncheon and got lots of info to take back to school, some I don't understand, some I already knew, some was interesting and of course some was boring. After the luncheon I headed back to school for the fall fundraiser kick off. Then I did some banking for school and shopping for the PTO. I like the shopping part. Now my headache that I was getting at the luncheon which was getting better, is now bad enough to take something for it. I usually wait until they are really bad, now it is, UGH!

Whew

Busy weekend. I never get it, that some weekends are packed with things and others are boring. Friday night we went to celebrate my 8 year old nephew's birthday. Saturday the girls played with friends all day, then we went to a family from church's house where the Mom and youngest daughter went on a 5 week dance trip to China. We ate some pretty strange real Chinese food, some of it was good, some of it was just to odd to try. I probably wouldn't do well in China. It was fun hearing about their trip and looking through pictures and watching the DVDs. Saturday night I couldn't sleep, I laid awake most of the night, we didn't go to church on Sunday, I was too tired to get up, and I knew I'd sleep through most of the service anyway. Pat could have taken the kids, but because I didn't get up he went back to bed too. Sunday afternoon we celebrated my sister's birthday, my 21 year old nieces and my 18 year old nephew's. Joseph and Rachel spent the night at my sister's. Sarah liked being an only child for a little while. I took her to see Material Girls at the movies on Monday, then we did a little shopping, and went out to lunch. I was tired when we got home, I didn't feel up to doing anything, I holed myself in my room and read all afternoon and evening.

Doctor News

I got the results back from my doctor and the 24 urine test came back normal. Part of my is relieved, because there's no way I want to go through that surgery again, but the other part just wanted to know what's wrong with me, so I can stop this consent sweating thing. The office is sending me a list of endroconolgists and he/she will do the follow up to this problem, so it's back to waiting again :( My GYN office called and scheduled my ablation, she still needed to finish up with the insurance to see how much they will cover, but in the mean time, we have it scheduled for September 14th, that day should have been my baby brother's 35 birthday, so it will be good to be drugged that day.

Don't mess with me...

When I am sick. OK, so I'm sick a lot, but when I've thrown up and my throat is burning and my chest hurts, then don't mess with me. I mistakenly had Joseph scheduled at the eye doctor for the same time as Rachel's dance class. I dropped him off, then took her, wait until she goes in, thinking I'll be right back, but no. There is a Mom there with her 5 children (oldest was 8 and the youngest 2 1/2) They've been there for awhile and are getting really bored and are driving me crazy. There are all new girls in the office and they don't know how to use the computer very well. It took forever to get out of the office and the doctor only saw Joseph for 5 minutes. I stop and get Subway for dinner, so Sarah can eat before her dance classes. I bring Rachel home, and Joseph ate my sub. He wanted a pastrami, I got the rest of us, what the Monday deal sub was. I do not like pastrami and I don't think it would do well with my heart burn and tummy. I finally lost it, enough that Pat went and got me a new sub.

Joseph's New Pet

Pat took him over to my friend's house this afternoon, and got his new pet. It's pretty small still, I did go look at it once, but I won't be hanging out in Joseph's room much, even though it's in a tank with a lid, it's just kinda creepy. Joseph is so excited with it though, so hopefully he'll take good care of his corn snake named Arizona Indiana Jones. YUCK!

I am such a klutz

I've fallen again and again and yet again. I tripped on one of the teacher's big feet when I was serving lunch before school started. He saw me Friday morning and asked me how I was, ( I didn't get hurt on that fall). Friday afternoon, a kid was swinging his back back, and swung it right at me causing me to fall. I'm pretty sure my big toe is broken, it hurts really bad, it swollen and very bruised. Today, I'm walking across the parking lot at Micheal's, I trip on my shoes, bam right on my right knee, it tore right though a new pair of capri's I had on, and broke the skin on my knee. This has got to stop.

It seems like Christmas

Ok, maybe that's a bit of a strech, but not much if you see all the gifts I wrapped this afternoon. Which include all these birthdays- my FIL, 2 nephews, my sister, 2 nieces and my MIL, oh, and a gift for Rachel's friend, who's party is tomorrow. I had all the kids gifts already, but I had to go shopping today, because I knew Khols and Mervens were have huge sales. I saved a lot of money, yeah me.

A Blessing

I have not signed up for my church's women's retreat yet. I have been waiting until Pat gets paid and it will be a strech this week, closer than any other week, but I am planning on signing up this Sunday. One of the ladies in charge of the retreat asked me help with something. I thought it was funny that she would ask me, even before I signed up. When I told her why I haven't signed up yet, she said if I pay the $50, deposit, the rest will be covered! I cried and thanked God when I got off the phone.

New Rule

Right after school, almost the minute we walk in the door, one or both neighbor girls are knocking on the door. We have a rule that homework gets done right after school, with them coming over, it just doesn't work, so I finally got smart and said they could only come in if they brought their homework to do, otherwise they would have to come back. Well, today they brought their homework, it was way easier keeping my kids on track, it was a little complicated for me with three different spelling lists to practice, but we got it all done, and it way more peaceful when they all had something to do. I had a hard time helping the 2nd grader with a worksheet she had, she had to come up with long vowels words, with the vowels beside one another. "U" was way hard, we had to get the dictionary out to help us find a word.

Frustrations

Why is it some morning, go so smoothly with the kids getting off to school and other days, I just want to crawel back in bed and cover up my head! I should have known that this morning was going to be a rough start when I woke up with just having dreamt that I was fighting with the girls on what to wear to school. (even though I put out their clothes the night before you think I wouldn't have a problem) Rachel woke up on the wrong side of the bed, she was VERY difficuly this morning. (she had a good night's sleep) I was so thankful to drop the girls off at school on time (I had my doubts). Then I get home and remember that in all the war with Rachel, I forgot to have Sarah take her medicine, UGH! I called the GYN yesterday, because it had been a week since my ultrasound and I haven't heard anything. He finally calls me back late yesterday afternoon. Then he calls me back with another question, but I didn't hear my cell phone ring , when I had Joseph at the eye doctor's, so I called this morning and am waiting once again to hear from him, and left a message with the information he wanted, so now he needs to wait until my heart doctor calls him back UGH! I have been sweating like crazy, even moree than normal, so I had my regular doctor order a blood and 24 hour urine test, I did the collection of urine yesterday, and had the blood drawn today, as I was sitting in the lab, my BIL walled in, to have blood drawn too, so it wasn't that bad of a wait (30 minutes) since I had someone to talk to. I have really bad veins, she couldn't find one in either arm, so she tries my hand, and she finally finds one but it's iffy. She calls someone else in to look, she doesn't find anything better, I hate it when they use my hand to draw blood, it hurts, so bad. I haven't felt like doing much today, I feel bored, even though there's plenty of cleaning and orgainzing I could do, but I just don't feel like it. I did force myself into cleaning the bathrooms, mopping and vacuuming, and I making a cake for our bible study group tonight, I have a 5 books to read, I just don't even feel like reading, I'm just feeling blah!

Contacts

After an hour and fifteen minutes, Joseph was able to put in contacts, take them out and put them in again. The doctor just ordered a trial pair to see if he likes them and if he can see well with them. I'll have to take him back on Monday for a follow up. I was sitting in the waiting room waiting and reading, so very glad the girls went to a neighbor's house, while I took him. The waiting area is tiny and very boring, we all would have been miserable. I hope it doesn't take him long to put them in tomorrow.

Found!

Sarah has found her glasses! In her room, I didn't understand the details, I had fallen asleep on the love seat reading, waiting for the girls to clean their room (so I wasn't that coherent). I hope she still knows where they are on Monday when she goes back to school.

Making Me Angry

So, before school started Joseph decided he wanted a backpack for school, even though he didn't use one much last year, so I wasn't planning on getting him a new one. He told me the zipper is broken from last year's. He begs, I give in, and take him shopping he picks it out himself. On the first day of school, we find out that the kids will not have lockers this year at Desert Sky, so it was good he got a backpack. Well, most of the week he has not taken it. Today he asks me to get him another pack. The one he picked out is one shouldered and now that he won't have a locker and have to carry the thing around he wants a normal one. He's going to have to beg Pat now, I'm done with this whole backpack thing. The calves of my legs are crampy and hurt, (charlie horse) so I'm not in the best of moods anyway.

Open House

Last night was the girls' open house. I was able to talk to Sarah's teacher about her needing to go to use the bathroom, every 2 hours, and that she can't find her glasses, (he moved her closer to the board). I'm just not ready to give up on finding them yet, that's why I haven't ordered new ones yet. I know she had them last weekend, I have no idea where she put them. Rachel's teacher is a sweety, I've loved her for a long time. The PTO had a table and I worked for a while at the table, we had a raffle and gave kids otter pops, for turning in their raffle ticket. (we drew the winners this morning during morning announcements.) We sold our new Sunrise T-shirts and did very well. I made a nice deposit today of the money we made. Joseph's open house isn't until Set. 14th, it would be good to put faces the his teachers names.

What to do?

Now that the kids are at school all day and I'm home alone, I'm thinking I should do some of the weekend chores all week long and not do anything on Saturdays. But should I really do this? Should I leave stuff for the kids to do on Saturdays? I'm kinda torn, if I do everything, is that really the way to go? I hate cleaning, and laundry and I am really not that good at it, because I don't enjoy it. then I think back to why I don't like to clean, and maybe because I had to clean growing up, and it felt like I wasted my whole day on Saturday helping my Mom. But she would "rest" in between jobs and it took all day. I like to do it all and get it over with already.

This morning....

was far from the relaxing morning of yesterday. Both girls did not want to get up, they were too tired. Then Joseph ate all the poptarts, so they were mad. Then there were no socks in their drawer. Why I have no idea, other than they put them in the wrong drawer and now can't find them. We bought lots of socks before started and should not be out on the second day! I did laundry this afternoon, and didn't wash one pair of socks, (and Sarah wore a pair yesterday, so where did those go?) all the socks have to be somewhere? I bought an extra package of socks for emergencies, but I was really hoping I wouldn't have to use them on the second day of school! I had my ultrasound done this morning, hopefully I'll hear tomorrow from the doctor. Since I had an appointment at 1 for my blood check, which is in the building next door, I didn't want to drive all the way home, so I had lunch, and then went to Dollar Tree to kill time. It's really hard not to spend a lot of money at dollar stores, because you figure it's only a dollar! I forced myself to stop at 28 things, but could have easily gotten 28 more, because it's only a dollar!

Opps! (updated)

Maybe the morning didn't go as well as I thought. I was just sitting here, scrapbooking the first day pictures and I thought, Sarah does not have on her glasses, I wonder if she took them? Maybe she did, I didn't see them up on the cabinet or in the bathroom, but of course that doesn't mean much! The glasses have been around all Summer, but now that she needs them for school, do you think we could find them? NO! OF COURSE NOT!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!

They're Off!

I had my doubts last night when none of them would go to sleep. It was like 10:30, before I think they were all asleep. Joseph got up on his own (with his alarm clock) Sarah woke up before 7. Rachel I had to wake at 7:30. We had a relaxing morning getting ready for school, which really translates no fighting. I drove the girls to school, but couldn't get a parking spot anywhere :( I had to just drop them off :( I went home for 15 minutes and then went back to school to greet the kindergarten parents from the PTO, no problem with parking then.

Dance shoes, UGH

Dance starts tomorrow afternoon. I had the girls try on their dance shoes today instead of waiting until we're at dance tomorrow and nothing fits. Rachel's ballet shoes are a size 1 and tight. I had her try on Sarah's size one's that she wore last year and there to big :( She wanted to go shopping and get another pair of shoes, but what size to get? A size 1?, That doesn't even make sense. She'll have to wear the tight ones for awhile without socks. Rachel's tap shoes were a size 13 and she couldn't get them on, I dug out Sarah's old pair of size 1's and they fit well. Then she tries on Sarah's old pair of size 1 jazz shoes and they're a big, but fit OK with socks. Why is there such a difference in shoe brands in the same size? UGH!

Crack up

Tonight my friend Trisha came over to scrapbook, I was really to tired for this, but I wasn't thinking very clearly, when I planned it. Pat took our kids and Trisha's 7 year old daughter to see Barnyard. Trisha and I are hard at work with no kids running around and she says something about the TV show Numbers is on tonight, so I say Pat's really kinda into that show. She's telling me about it, and I'm thinking that does not sound like what he has disribed about the show, then it dawns on me that he doesn't watch Numbers he watched 24! Trisha says, well, yes 24 is a number, we laughed so hard! I was close :) proof of how tired I am.

Yea!

The teachers/staff lunch at the girls' school was today (I've been helping plan it). it went really well, and all the teachers except the 2 PE coaches loved the gift cards to teaching tools. I guess last year PTO president had already stocked them with ribbons and things. Bummer. Rachel's teacher is happy to have Rachel in her classroom. Which is the same room that Sarah had in first grade but a different teacher. Now we can get ready for the first day of school. I'll be busy most of the day at school on Monday, setting up the PTO phone and desk, and kindergarten orientation.

Indoor mini golf

Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

The winner!
A fun afternoon. Rachel and Sarah were a little cranky, because they were having a difficult time. Sarah really got mad when Rachel got better then her.
We stopped and got an early dinner on the way home too.
So for me it's been a great day!
No cooking or cleaning, Yea!

Teachers

This morning at school, I overheard that you can check to see who your kids teachers are online with power schools. I was able to look to see who Sarah will have for 4th grade (the teacher she wanted, she'll be happy). I don't have Rachel's users name or password, since I never picked it up from the office last year, so I'll have to see if I can talk them out of it, I figured at the time what's the point looking at Rachel's grades online, since the don't really use the same grading system as the upper grades, and I saw her teacher every week, and knew how she was doing, now I really wished I would have gotten it anyway :( Joseph got his schuedule yesterday and he was happy to see that he got a different math teacher from last year. (he had 3 last year, 2 were 8th grade teachers)

Frustrations

Friday afternoon, I took a nap in the afternoon and woke up feeling so sick. Joseph had made himself 2 hamburgers and the smell, was horrid. I totally though I was going to throw up. I felt gross for hours. This morning at church at the leadership meeting, my right eye felt irritated, and I couldn't see out of it, why? There was a big slash through my contact. I took it out and then had to keep it closed so I could see out the left eye, which then of course gave me a headache. We got home and I went to bed, to sleep off the headache, I guess I was tired, because I slept for 2 and a half hours, the headache is gone, even though I wasted most of the day.

School lunches

I hate packing lunches, I hate worse having the kids buy the school lunches and then only eat a little of it. I've read so many articles with some great ideas for lunches, but really, I need stuff I know the girls will eat. I was counting done the last few weeks of school last year, by how many lunches I would need to pack, it was so frustrating, I couldn't wait until the last day of school. I went to Costco tonight and came home with some stuff I hope I can get them to eat, fruit cups, yogurt, pudding, teddy grahams. Joseph was easy when it came to packing his lunch, I could pack the same thing all school year he didn't care, (but I used to pack apples in his lunch when he was in 1st and 2nd grade, & he used to throw those out, I found that out by having lunch with him one day, I was so mad at him, for wasting the food, he could have told me he never eats it and I'd stop packing one it took me a long time to figure it out) I think I'm going to be challenged by the girls, aahhhhh!

Ablation

I met with Dr. Kyman today, he did an exam and scheduled an ultrasound, not until the 15th :( Then will schedule the procedure. I'm praying the insurance company will pay. I am so done with this messed up cycle stuff.

opps~

It's been bugging me lately that doctor offices are doing a poor job of confirming appointments as of late. I have been confirming myself, but this morning just decided to go to my mamagram appointment. Only you know what? It's on Thursday. I know when I scheduled it and the appointment with another GYN about having the ablation done, they couldn't do the same day, so the girl wrote my appointments down, but then scheduled them for the same day. Either she told me and I didn't get it, because I was talking to the nurse about something else or didn't tell me, I'm not going to be mad, but what a waste of time this morning, I should have called. UGH. I woke up with a stiff neck too, and driving was really painful. Double UGH.

So Exhausted!

A fun birthday, I left the house at 1 and didn't come back until right before my party. I sent over to Sheer Paradise for a few spa treatments. I had a facial, massage, and pedicure. It was a fun way to spend a few relaxing hours on my birthday. My Mother-in-law made some BBQ shredded chicken, there were snacks galore, and my sister-in-law brought me the cake I wanted, chocolate with chocolate filling and cream cheese frosting, yummy. After cake and opening my many wonderful gifts, we played games. I love playing games with big groups. The party didn't end till really late, like midnightish, I was so tired, but it took a long time to fall asleep, it was so tough getting up this morning at 7:30 for church. It was even tougher staying awake at church during the message! LOL The kids let me lay down this afternoon for several hours, I feel much better now, hopefully now I'll be able to sleep tonight.

Things about me on my 40th birthday!

Lots of things about me on my 40th birthday! I tried to do 40, but went a little bit over~ * My big sister had prayed for a baby sister, when she was in 2nd grade. * I was a preemie weighing in at at 4 Lbs. * I had to stay in the hospital for weeks after my birth. * My brother broke my leg getting me out of my crib when I was 9 months old. * I had an open heart catherization in January 1968. * I grew up in Clearfield, PA. * When I was 3, my older brother prayed for a baby brother. * My baby brother was born in September 1970. * My parents said no more prayers for babies. * I remember going to work with my Dad when the baby was born. * The next day I went to my Mom's friend's house instead. * I went to half day kindergarten in the afternoon for half the school year, then morning. * I started taking dance classes when I was 5, oh how I loved to dance. * In first grade I had to get glasses. I had to bring a note home to my parents that I failed the eye test in school, I cried all the way home, I hated that I had failed something. * I had a another catherization done when I was 11, I was in the hospital for a week. * I had to walk to school 1st through 8th grade. * I started taking baton lessons at about at 8. * I was a majorette in 8th through 12th grade. * My Dad died of heart and lung failure when I was 15. * I thought it was cool to get to finally ride a bus in high school, until I got my license then it was way cooler to drive everyday. * McDonald's was my first job. * Graduated high school in 1984 * Moved to Arizona after graduation. * Worked at McDonald's then Jack in the Box * Moved out of my Mother's house and got an apartment on my own when I was 22. * My baby brother died May 30th 1990 * Started to attend this weird church Hosanna Christian Fellowship in September 1990 * Met my future husband November 2000, I didn't have great first thoughts about him, too tall, all arms and legs, and I hated that he worked at Smitty's since that were my brother had worked. * Became very good friends with him anyway. * My sister and Frank another close friend gave me a surprise 25th birthday party, with all my friend's from the weird church LOL, the church wasn't so weird after all! * October 2001, I was having some money problems, Pat lent me some money. * November 9, 1991 Pat first kissed me outside of Frank's house.. * Pat asked me to marry him on January 9, 1992. * We were married on June 20, 1992 at Hosanna Christian Fellowship. * We honeymooned in Sedona. * Our first child, Joseph was born on March 25, 1993. * I stopped working at Jack in the Box when our son was 1, I had several jobs in a few months but then ended up at Drug Emporium for almost a year, before being laid off. * I was out of work for 6 weeks, before I started to work at Macy's customer service. * Then I transferred to accounts payable, and worked a specialty department for setting up computerized invoices. * I found out I was pregnant with our second baby in June 1996. * I left Macy's to start a child care business at home in June 1996 * Sarah was born January 30, 1997. * I had surgery in July 1998, to remove a lemon sized tumor near my adrenal glands. After the surgery pain felt worse than any contraction ever did. * My 32nd birthday was not much fun. * After trying for 2 years to get pregnant again following Sarah's birth, we went to a fertility doctor. He gave me Clomid to try. * I got pregnant! * November 1999, I became the children's director at Hosanna Community Church. * Rachel was born by C-section on February 5, 2000. I nearly died after her birth, it was pretty scary. * My Mom had a stoke in March 2000, followed by a heart attack in July 2000. * She had by-pass surgery in July 2000, she never recovered, she died on August 28. 2000. * Rachel's first year of life seemed to go by with out me noticing it much, oh how I wish I could get that time back. * April 2001, I found out that my heart aneurysm needed to be repaired, it was large now. I freaked out, and felt like a time bomb, because if I didn't have the surgery soon enough, it could have killed me instantly. * July 2001, Pat. My sister and I flew to Houston for my surgery. My in-laws met us there. * After the surgery I was in the hospital for 9 days. Pat and I left the hospital and went directly to the airport, it was a very hard trip home. * The recovery took months, at first I couldn't even sleep in my bed, and slept sleeping in my in-laws borrowed recliner. * My 35th birthday was not much fun. * January 2002, Hosanna closed it doors. * April 2002 we started attending Desert Breeze Community Church. * Spring of 2003 Pat and I started leading a life group. * Every birthday since my 35th we've gone away on vacation, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Universal Studios, Disneyland. * This year I want a party at home. * I'm leaving for the day and will be doing some things I've never done, pampering myself, (facial, pedicure, massage) and letting Pat and the kids get the house ready for the party.

I hate car stuff! (update)

My car did not start this morning as I was leaving to take the girls to VBS, UGH!!!!!!! Pat was home, so I took his car, then dropped off a Fed Ex package, went to the foot doctor and post office. He has to work at 11, so he doesn't have time to look at the battery now, so I'll be staying home the rest of the day, UGH!!!!! Pat put some kind of gel on the battery and the car works again, Thank goodness! I hate being carless.

What a weekend~

Sarah and I had a ate lunch/early dinner at Wildflower Bread Co. Then the afternoon's rain adventure, (see previous) Sarah and I came home to watch, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Pat took the other two to see Superman Returns. Pat and I watched In Her Shoes. Saturday, was so hot, I didn't want to leave the house, but had to drop off and pick up Joseph at a scout's house. I grilled some baby back ribs for dinner, I should have gotten more they were a big hit. After showers we all sat down and watched Cheaper by the Dozen 2, then we played Guesstures, man is that a hard game. Sarah and I lost to Pat and Joseph. Pat was off on Sunday, the first one in awhile, and we only had to go to 1 church service! After lunch and resting a little, Pat and I went to see The Devil Wears Prada, when we went out to the car afterwards, the car battery was dead. I called the kids, at home to look up the number for AAA, I had my cell phone, but not my wallet. I went back inside the theater, while Pat waiting for AAA to come. The battery was really, really dead, but they did get it started, Pat came to get me, and we went to Checker's the battery was under warranty until 8-15, so oh yeah, it didn't cost anything. Tried playing Guestures again, we had a tie game, and it wan't 0-0, it was 6-6, but it's still a hard game.

she's having soo much fun!

she's having soo much fun!
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

JOY!

cannon ball

cannon ball
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

We've been going to Paradise Valley pool this week, the girls LOVE the diving boards!

It Rained!

Not a big deal to most of the world, but when you live in the desert, it's a big deal. It even rained longer than 5 seconds! Sarah and I were at target and we could hear the thunder outside in the store, and the lights even flickered (I prayed the power would not go out, God heard me). It was funny watching people just staring out the glass doors, like it was the first snow fall or something! Oh, how I remember doing that growing up in PA. It might be raining still up north a little bit (like 3 miles, the sky is still dark in that direction), but the closer we got to home, it was getting less and less, then just stopped. It didn't look like we got much rain in our neighborhood, it was fun while it lasted though. LOL

owwww

Something is wrong with my shower, I started the water then got ready to take a shower, when I stepped inside, the water temp. was boiling hot, I scream but of course none of the kids come to check on me, luckily I got the blasted thing off. I turn the handle thing all the way to the farthest cold place, and turn the water back on, that did not help at all! So, I scream again (why I have know idea, since no one is going to check on me anyway, but it makes me feel better). I manage to get the water off again and go take a shower in the hall bathroom, which works just fine. What's the stupid deal?

Misc.

Last night Joseph came home from scouts to tell me that he was elected by his troop to be the senior patrol leader. He's pretty excited, it's the highest office for a boy in the troop. He said they held elections at camp, but Matt the scout leader didn't tell the boys until last night. I'm hoping it will be a good thing for him, and hopefully he'll take the responsibility seriously. Rachel is so hard on herself, today at VBS she got so mad at herself because she wasn't doing the hand motions excaitally right. Yesterday she was so mad, because she was having a hard time with the book she was reading. She did read already today and she did great, and she feels good, about being done already, so we can go to the pool.

Today's doctor

I saw my GYN today, since my cycles have been messed up for the last 7 months, it's time to due something. Funny thing is that he suggested endometrial ablation, I had tried to get this done right before this craziness started with my cycle. He doesn't do the surgery, (he said he's too old) so I have an appointment with one of his partners in 2 weeks. I am hoping the insurance will now pay for it. The doctor also gave me some birth control pills to try to get my cycles normalized. It would so help my hormonal self to know when I'll be getting a period and not surprises. He also ordered a mamorgram for me, since when I tried to schedule that for today, the office wouldn't schedule it, since I had my annual pap smear at my regular doctor's office. Of course that's on a different day than I see the other doctor too. UGH

It's hot, and other random thoughts

The temperature thing on a building on Pinnacle Peak at 1 PM said 116, that's mighty hot. I felt yucky hot all morning. The AC in the hall way where the toddlers play at church was so stuffy hot, I sat mostly in front of the fan the whole time I was serving this morning, did the lesson, snack and craft from there too, let Pat and Joseph to run after the kiddies. There was only 5, so it was a really calm morning. For some reason, the enter key doesn't work on this blog, so I have no way to go to the next thought :( My heel is better, the cortisone really seemed to have worked, yea! I felt yucky on Friday, it felt like I had heart burn, we didn't do anything, I did leave around 6, by myself and went to my friend Trica's and scrapbooked for a few hours, I didn't feel much like eating, I had gotten a salad a McDonald's on the way and we split it (I gave her all the stuff I don't like), the peas and red peppers and gave her some of the good stuff too, the chicken and oranges. Yesterday morning Joseph had a scout thing to go to, that was suppose to be 2 hours, but I guess it was really about 2 minutes, he went with his asst. scout master and I was going to pick him up, he tried calling me, but Pat was downloading something on the internet and Joseph couldn't get through. The A.S.M. brought him home, opps. I did laundry and went to the grocery store. I didn't have many groceries to get, but wanted to start school supply shopping, with stuff that was on sale, and I had coupons for. I saved over 50% on my total bill. Last night the kids and I went to my cousin Joe's house, my cousin Mike had brought over the slides from Hawaii, of my cousin Bill's memorial service. They were neat, half of his ashes were spinkled in the ocean, a bunch of people paddled out with their surf boards, had a huge circle of prayer, Mike sprinkled the ashes, everyone left leihs out in the ocean and they surfed back to the beach. The other half of his ashes were laid in a military cementary. Now, today I haven't done anything more exciting than taken a nap, since we've been home from church, it's too hot!

monkey 2

monkey 2
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

My Monkey girls!
Rock climbing was today church kids activity. Sarah had no trouble at all, with any of the walls. Rachel was a little nervous at first, but then was a pro!

monkey 1

monkey 1
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

Dangers of teaching children things

1. They then think they know everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2. They can read what you type on your blog/diary. (translation don't write anything about them you don't want them to read) 3. They know when it's really time for bed. (translation can't put them to bed early).

Doctor and Doctor

Fun, fun, fun. NOT! Had an echo done this morning, (I hate trying to lay in a way that the tech can get a good angle of my heart, but leaves me feeling all twisted) followed by a visit with the doctor, who said everything looks about the same as last year (cardiomyopthy and heart valve). I have been having a few episodes of shortness of breath and light headedness, he says that's due to the heat and to be careful, oh brother! I made it in time to see the foot doctor, who did x-rays, and could tell by the x-ray how badly my heel is inflamed. She suggested to try cortisone shots to see if that helps. So, she gave me my first shot and I'll go back in two weeks to either get another, or tell her it didn't work. I'm supposed to not walk much on it today. Maybe after a nap, (Pat's alarm went off at 5:30, but he wasn't in bed, so I had to go find him, of course that woke me right up) I'll start reading my new book.

So, tired!

I am so tired now, I did pretty well, all day being alert and a good hostess, but now I want to crash. I stayed up till 1 AM last night reading, I love to read but sometimes I really hate it. I am so terrible and that if something is good, I can't put it down until I've read it all. Luckily the book last night only had 244 pages! Today was an all day scrapbook day. 4 ladies came, no one for the whole time, everyone stayed for a few hours. I didn't do much scrapbooking for myself, helped someone who was getting started, which was way more fun.

Ouch-update

I can't seem to put my left foot down on my heel, yet today. It really started last night when I went to bed. I was fine last night walking from the parking lot to the football field for the fireworks, and back to the car again, which I was totally surprised by. But I guess I'm now paying for it. I need to wear these shoe inserts, but I have to wear closed heel shoes to do that. (I'm really just hoping this helps, years ago when Joseph was a baby I had the same problem, and a foot doctor modeled my feet and made the inserts) It is just too hot to put on socks and sneakers. I just haven't gone to a foot doctor yet, I'm afraid she's going to tell me I have to wear ugly shoes. But now today I'm reconsidering. So, I call the doctor I saw a few moths ago about another issue I was having with my foot, (she was really nice and the office is close by, so I won't change) so anyway it takes me this long to get up enough nerve to call and the office was closed today. UGH! Now I have to get my nerve up again tomorrow to call. The heel is still not feeling so good, it's so not fun limping around.

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun day, Pat had to work, but the kids and I slept in really late. Then we just hung out all day, until Pat got home from work. Then I grilled some hot dogs while Pat got everything else ready, we met, my FIL, and BIL and family at GCC. They kids had a great time running around. Check out some pictures on flickr of our day.

Scout Camp

Joseph left yesterday morning to back up to his camp. He was to go on Thursday afternoon, but his ride had car trouble. He was crying Thursday night when he went to bed, he was so upset that he had gotten hurt, and was missing camp. I offered to take him back, but he didn't want me to, he was just upset and not thinking clearly. Friday morning his asst. Scout master called and was going up to camp later in the morning (she had to work all week and couldn't stay at camp for the week). He says NO. I'm like "what?" I tried talking to him about it, but wasn't getting anywhere with him. So I left him alone to think about it and went and prayed for him. 10 minutes later I hear him on the phone saying he's going. The boys got back an hour ago and he was glad he went! He did say his knee was hurting a lot, probably from walking standing on it too much. I'm happy he went.

The Knee

I just got back from the doctor with Joseph. His knee is better it is still sore and a little swollen, but with the knee brace he can walk on it without as much pain as it was. The doctor told him he could go back up to camp, and come back in a week to have it rechecked. I am totally nervous about letting him go back, but I have to trust him, he knows what camp is like, and doesn't see it as a problem. Another Mom is going this afternoon after she gets off work and she'll take him. So really he'll only have tonight, all day tomorrow, and then Saturday morning. Please pray for him that he doesn't get hurt again, and for me not to worry to much.

Body parts are back

I'm not missing any body parts tonight (this morning) as all my children are back under my roof. Why are they all back? Well, Joseph had an accident at camp, the camp doctor called me tonight at 6 PM . He fell and hit his knee good, and the doctor at camp thought it should be x-rayed tonight. Luckily one of the Mom's that was up at camp for a few days was coming home tonight, so she brought Joseph with her. Off to the ER we went, we signed in at 10:05, but didn't get called back until 12:30. (there was an emergency) They did x-rays and it looks like nothing is broken, but we'll have to follow up with his doctor in a few days. They put a brace on his lag, so he won't bend it, and he couldn't put pressure on his leg so he has cruches too. I feel so badly for him, he loves camp, if he has a miracle healing he can go back up in a few days, but really don't think that will happen.

Missing limbs

I know it's just the beginning of being home when your kids are sleeping elsewhere, and even though Pat and I have gone away without them, it still feels mighty strange, when there not all sleeping under our roof. Joseph's at camp, Sarah spent the night with a friend on Saturday night, and Rachel is spending 2 days with my sister. (who is alone this week too, and doesn't like to be alone at night) It feels like I'm missing an arm and leg

Off he went again!

I dropped Joseph off this morning at the school his scout troupe meets at, for another fun week for him at camp. I pull into the parking lot and he says, "bye Mommy". I'm like thinking maybe you should take all your stuff out of the car before you shove me on my way. I guess he was excited to go to camp. My brother-in-law Will drove up some of the boys' stuff in his truck, he called my sister at 11ish, so I know they made it there OK.

I'm so tired~

I had been taken this allergy medince for awhile, it worked great, but I was so tired all the time. I switched to taking it at night, (the doctor's suggestion) I was hoping that would help, it didn't. So I decided to really test if it was the med. or something else before I call the doctor's office again. So I stopped taking it on Sunday, it took a few days, but then started feeling less tired. But last night I had to take it, my nose had been dripping all day, and my throat felt all closed up. Today I am tired again, how come it took a few days to leave my system, but one dose knocked me out again? I'll be calling the doctor on Monday. UGH!

Us now (really 7 months ago)

Us now (really 7 months ago)
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

From just the 2 of us, to the 5 of us! :)

Our Wedding

Our Wedding
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

They way we were....

14 years ago...

Pat and I were married. Like all married couples we have our share of ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade our life together for anything. When I first met Pat in November 1990, I was hurting from my brother's death, and all I saw in him was this guy who appeared to be all all arms and legs, and I couldn't stand it that he worked at Smitty's (my brother had worked at Smitty's when he died, but not the same one). I thought I'd never get to know him. Well we did, and over the next few months we started to get to know each other very well, and became good friends. A year later, we were on a group hay ride, when I touched his leg (I don't remember this, but he does) and he said he knew for sure then we belonged together. Earlier in the same week, he had the same thought while he was showering before coming to my apartment to loan me some money. He only told me this stuff after we were married. On the night of the hay ride November 9th he first kissed me. A month later on December 9th he first told me he loved me, and then a month later on January 9th he asked me to marry him. Since he has a terrible memory it was important to him to use the same date to remember this stuff. He was hoping we could have been married on the 9th of June, but that date didn't work out. LOL ! Our life together has been blessed with our three children. I love you Heman! Happy Anniversary! Love, Muffin

Relaxing

Today has been pretty relaxing. Pat had to go back to work after being on vacation last week, but the rest of us slept in really late and then had pajama day all day! I was planning on taking the kids to the pool, but after spending 2 hours on the phone this afternoon talking to someone I haven't spoken with in almost 3 months, I was spent. I started a new schedule with the kids this week. They can not do watch TV, use the computer, or play station from 12 PM till dinner. After dinner tonight Sarah played games on the computer and Rachel and Joseph watched The Incredibles. It was a good first day with playing with each other and me and not sitting in front of something. If they do well during the week, they can have the weekend to do veg in front of the TV, computer, play station.

Dance

I can't believe the recitals for this year are in the past already. It seems like the dance year just began. I was thinking about this in reflection of the school year, that I didn't think would ever end with Joseph and his struggle with doing homework. But then I guess for Sarah and Rachel the school year went fast. Anyway, the girls did wonderfully and looked beautiful on stage. And my nieces who also danced this weekend, did great, the youngest (4) so adorable, and the older (11), very graceful and good. We'll be having some lifestyle changes next year to pay for more classes, Sarah will take 3 classes, and hopefully Rachel 2. It's so hard for me not to let them do what they like, and Sarah has to already give up gymnastics that she really loves, to take 3 dance classes. Pat and I agreed on no longer going out to eat on Sundays after church and not spending any money with out checking with one another.

The Date!

Well, T. Cooks is nice, but I don't really think it should be one of the most romantic restaurants. We were there early (5;45), so the lighting was bright, but before we left it was getting really crowed and we wouldn't have been able to talk much later. The food was OK, but really only OK for the prices. We started with a lobster soup with caviar, I had never had caviar before, while I liked it, I didn't think much of the soup at all, it was warm and too strong of a fennel taste. Pat didn't like it at all. Then we had a plate of 2 inch steaks and 3 shrimp, which was OK, the steaks were on top of a smear of garlic potatoes, and the shrimp on this weird apple radish stuff. We didn't have dessert because we were going to go the the movies afterward. We decided to go to the drive in so we could see 2 films for the price of one. We saw The Breakup (we both didn't think it was really all that funny), and Failure to Launch (which was way funnier). We got home really really late, but it was a fun night, and the kids didn't hurt each other while we were gone.

weekend ahead~

Today I started out my weekend by doing a bunch of errands and taking Sarah to the doctor, now I need to go and try to make myself beautiful, since pat and I are going out for our anniversary tonight. We're going to go to dinner at T. Cooks, I hope it good, because it's way expensive. Tomorrow night and Sunday night the girls have their dance recitals, they are very excited. Sunday we need to attend both church services in the morning, we were suppose to serve pancakes too, but we just can't do it all. I think Monday I'll be sleeping ALL day! LOL

He's BACK----

We picked Joseph up today from scout camp. I asked Pat to take the day off, I really didn't want to have to drive again. We were supposed to be there at 9 for the closing ceremony, I didn't set me alarm, since pat's always wakes me. At 7, I woke up startled, Pat was still asleep, he said he set the alarm for 5, I don't know what happened. We didn't leave until 8, and didn't get to Geronimo until 10;30, so we missed the ceremony. He said he had a good time. I haven't gotten much details from him yet, he rode up front ( he suffers from motion sickness), he slept most of the way home. He's been vegging in front of the TV since he put away his gear and taking a shower. He was in a good mood, so I'm pretty sure he had a good week.

bed furniture

Rachel just asked me when could she get new bed furniture. I replied "not for a long time, why?" well she says it's on sale now! LOL She totally cracked me up, I had to try to explain that even if it's on sale now, it's not something we can buy right now. I hope she got it.

Full day!

The girls we're too excited to sleep in this morning. They were giggling in their room at 7, an hour earlier than I wanted to get up. This morning they swam at Pastor Scott's house with a bunch of DB kids, then we all headed to Pump it Up, for playtime and pizza. The kids were starving by 1 PM when they got lunch, so were the Moms but the kids ate all the pizza. 4 of us Moms stopped by Chik a fita for lunch, and the kids got more play time, and a balloon and ice cream. We got home in time to do hair and make up for their first dress rehearsal for their recital. We left the studio after 6, came home and since Pat had gotten off early today at 5:30, brought home dinner for himself and not the rest of us, I decided why do I have to cook then, so while Sarah changed I got us dinner at McDonald's. Pat went and laid down after dinner, (he had to get up this morning at 5, so I guess he was tired) well anyway he laid down, so I'm totally thinking well, I'm not sweeping or washing the table or anything, I'm tired too!

waiting list

Headed out this morning at 5:30 AM. Didn't run into any traffic, stopped for a bathroom break, pulled into the camp at 8:05. Then we hit a little snag that Joseph is not on the list for camp this week. The guy in charge goes up to headquarters to see what's going on. Joseph's scoutmaster was told that Joseph and the other boy from the troupe (who's suppose to go next week) to this leadership camp are on the waiting list! I'm so mad! They decide to let Joseph stay, since we drove all the way up (I'm so glad, it's a long drive and the last 6 miles are a dirt bumpy rode). They were hiking the boys back to the campsite 6 at a time. Joseph wanted us to stay until he goes back, which is fine, we wait, but he made me sad when he goes to the gate when he's turn but he doesn't tell me good bye. Micah and I hit the road (dirt) at 8:56, stopped in Payson to use a bathroom, and made it home by 11:15. What a long drive, but really the 6 hours would have been perfect if there wasn't that little snag!

Off to bed~

Well soon any way, I'm tired already. Joseph starts his leadership scout camp tomorrow, he has to be there at 8:30 in the morning, which wouldn't be bad if it was close by, but it's a 2 and half hours away. I made him put as much stuff as he can in the car already, I do not want to have to think through a checklist with him in the morning, just get in the car and drive. How I wished I liked coffee! I should have better luck getting to the camp, my brother-in-law wrote the directions down for me and my nephew Micah volunteered to go with me. So between the directions, Joseph and Micah who have been there many times, I should get there OK!