Today I ....

feel like I can breathe and relax. The 1000 lb gorilla got off my chest finally.

I don't do stress very well and that isn't good for someone with a condition that doesn't respond kindly to stress. I don't do well with reduce stress techniques either.

It's nice when the only thing on the to do list is to go get flu mist for the girls and go to soccer.

DH gets home tomorrow night and the next weekend I go on my scrapbook retreat. Nice break coming up. The cat seems to be recovering well. No retaliation that I can find yet. I wonder if he's waiting for DH to get home. He always retaliates on his stuff. It shouldn't be but it's quite funny!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Dilemma...

about what to do.

I'm big on the kids going to school when they are suppose to. For example, they went all the swine flu make up days even though half the school didn't and they didn't do to much. Anyway, we are going on a trip for Fall Break. This year they get Th, F, and M off instead of a whole week. If we have them miss T from school it would make flying back so much easier on me (one connection instead of 3 or 4). So what do you think? Take an unexcused absence or make it hard on me flying back?

Missing my grandmother...

even though she is still alive. You see my grandmother has Alzheimer's. She lives nearby in a nursing home. She no longer talks and can barely see, otherwise she is in great physical health. I miss my grandmother from my college years. I went to college about an hour and a half from my grandparents. I would go stay weekends or just go do laundry midweek. Gas was cheaper then the laundry mat then. They always expected me even if I didn't tell them I was coming. My PaPa (he died in 2001) would have something cooked (tomatoes and rice) or we'd call Grandmother at work and have her bring home a pizza. It was good times.

My grandmother collected salt and pepper shakers. She had hundreds. My dad was in the army and my folks got married when my mom was 17. So we started picking one up for her every where we went and it caught on to other family members as well. When her household was consolidated the shakers were distributed amongst family. Here is my share.



I should have taken them down and took a close up. You get the point though.

Every once in a while...

you find a good deal. I went to Batteries Plus today to get a battery in my watch 'cause nobody else would do it. Well they offer a deal for $13 where they replace the battery for the lifetime of the watch. So unless they go out of business or did something to break my watch that's a good deal. They don't do all brands but they did my Seiko. Now if they'll do Mickey...

Am I the last....

one to discover Ben & Jerry's Brownie Cheesecake ice cream? How come nobody let me in on the secret. This stuff is great. You just need a few bites to get your fix too.

The beach...

I love going to the beach. We went a few weeks ago with my folks, sister and BIL. It was fun. We stayed on the Bay in Destin and we weren't far from what the girls call the "big beach". Next year I want to go back to PCB where I grew up going.

YDD got a crick in her neck on the way there. That is why she is favoring it in the photo.

Why I bother...

I'm so behind I should probably just quit the blog.

Day of firsts...

for ODD.

Not only did ODD finish K yesterday. We let her have her first sleep over. It ended up being a slumber party with YDD too. They did pretty good. Asleep by 10, up at 6.

They started wanting to go jump on the trampoline at 6:20. I had mercy on the neighbors and said no. Hopefully someone will have mercy on me later. :)

They are out now at 7:25 after having 2 pancakes each and feeding the cat. Who surprisingly didn't like having his food bowl brought to him. :)

Bitter sweet...

Tomorrow is my baby's last day of Kindergarten. It seems like just yesterday I was dropping her off in the gym and leaving her and getting to the bus stop way to early anxiously waiting for her to get home.

Our school does nothing for them. No graduation ceremony, no certificate, no nothing to mark the occasion. We'll do something special when she gets home. We'll go to her favorite place for lunch and then go have some water fun. We might even go to dinner when daddy gets home from work. Just make a day of it.

I now have a first grader.

Another week...

of school to go. We were suppose to be out Friday but we missed days due to swine flu and now have to go till this Friday. It'll be interesting to see how many kids go this week and what they do.

We should be practicing swimming getting ready to go to swim lessons but no practice this year. The pool isn't even open yet. Our HOA has gone to pot and has made most of the committee volunteers quit. Thus, they are trying to do it all themselves. We haven't even gotten our new key yet.

Curfew...

now don't get me wrong I'm all for curfews. But Sheffield, AL just made one for 19 year olds and younger. My sister was married at 18. I went off to college at 17. I think 19 is a little old to be telling what time to be in. I think this one is missing the mark. We'll see if it gets revised or just thrown out.

Here is the news clip. "SHEFFIELD, AL (WAFF) - Teenagers in Sheffield are now going to have to be aware of what time it is. A curfew has now been set, and if you do not obey you could be paying a hefty price.

If you are 19-years-old or younger, you had better be off the streets of Sheffield at a certain time. If not, Sheffield Police can write you a citation.

"When I was that age I had a curfew," said Ian Sanford, Sheffield Mayor. "The city didn't impose it, my parents imposed it. It doesn't seem many are doing that."

Sheffield City Council members heard concerns from the police chief about too many juveniles hanging out at late hours, so a curfew ordinance was introduced and approved.

During the school year, anyone under 19 has to be in by 10 Sunday through Monday, and 11 on Friday and Saturday. Over the summer, the curfew will be 11 o'clock 7 days a week.

The curfew will not affect teenagers who have to go to work.

The new curfew has gotten mixed reaction from residents.

"If you are 18 or 19, you're old enough to serve the country," said Chris Mullins, a Sheffield resident. "I don't think you should have a curfew."

"It might be alright for teenagers out of school to be out at 11 o'clock," said Sheffield resident Martha Keck. "It's very tempting to get into trouble."

Another concern is if officers will be able to enforce the curfew.

"They are not going to devote most of their time trying to search down violators of this, but if they do find them they will be cited," said Sanford.

Parents are not off the hook either. If their child gets more than three citations, they will also be penalized.

Those who break the curfew could face up to a $500 fine. The curfew begins Tuesday."

I don't know whether...

to laugh or throw up.

I quite often buy Green Giant Fresh Steam veggies. I had a pack of the broccoli in the freezer that I decided to fix for dinner. Bruce drained them and put them in a bowl. As I'm dishing the broccoli onto the girl's plates, I look at the broccoli and it doesn't quite look right. Well actually one thing in the bowl didn't look right. There was a nice big caterpillar on top. I had DH confirm because after being frozen and microwaved I wanted confirmation.

I had to take broccoli off the girls plates because no way in the world were we going to eat it. YDD was saying but I want some and I'm trying not to tell them why they can't have it. I finally said just trust me. I had one fresh crown in the fridge that I washed and steamed quickly. I should have just done that in the first place but ODD will actually eat the stems in the other.

DH returned it to grocery where we got our money back, a grocery gc and the promise of contact from the big giant himself.

I still feel sick. I think I'm due for a lifetime supply of antacid or something till I quit thinking about this and gagging and feeling nauseous.

Beware of your packaged stuff!!!

Swine flu...

is here in Madison.

Schools were canceled Thursday and Friday. We just got word today that the elementary schools are now closed until May 14th. The HS and Middle schools will be decided on tomorrow. I don't get leaving them open while closing the others.

In my little world, I'm concerned about dance recital. Forget the money, the girls have worked so hard and this was to be YDD's first one. We'll see. A lot can change between now and then.

Sweet sounds...

of home.

I laid down for a little while and told ODD to get YDD to take her nap at 1:00 - fully expecting to hear fighting that would cause me to get out of the bed. Instead over the monitor I hear ODD reading YDD a story, turning her music on and covering her up with the right blanket and turning on the lamp because YDD was scared.

Oh so sweet!

Crazy busy...

day today.

YDD's Field Day is at preschool today. Since she doesn't usually go on Wednesday, I have to go with her. I don't mind - gives me picture taking time. I sure don't know what we should wear. It's going to be 72 today but it's starting out in mid40s. I suspect it won't warm up too quickly so jackets for us.

Then YDD has her regularly scheduled dance class. Then all of us to church supper and then both YDD and ODD have their choir recognition service at church and sing in it. I suspect YDD will pass out sometime today.

Have you tried Kellogg's Special K chocolate delight? Finally cereal that I can live with.

Speaking of breakfast, a brand new bottle of vanilla creamer fell out of the frig this am and busted. I hate ceramic tile. I vote to go back to linoleum. Stuff stood a chance of surviving. I've broken more things on this kitchen ceramic tile than I wish to recall.

Come on...

already. It's April 6th and almost Easter Sunday. It should NOT be sleeting on me on the way to the bus stop.

Last year I bought a sleeveless Easter dress. I didn't get to wear it because it was cold. I was planning on wearing it this year. Doesn't look like I'll get to wear it this Sunday either. You would think I would learn. Hopefully the girls white sweaters still fit so I don't have to make yet another last minute dash for white sweaters before Easter Sunday.

If you believe there is global warming, you ought to come visit. It's more likely to be another Ice Age.

We have to cover up all our trees and plants tonight in the hopes of keeping them alive through yet another late freeze. And this isn't stuff we planted, it's stuff that was already in the ground. We've learned not to plant anything till after tax day. But we can't stop stuff from budding and blooming. I do not want to lose another red maple. If this one dies, that's it.

Big Bugs...

We went to the Botanical Gardens today to check out the Big Bugs. We went with two of our close friends families. We got some cute shots. I got to eat at Clementines and have Southwestern chicken salad and Botanical Garden tea. Worth going just for the tea.

ODD is doing well. Slowly recovering from her surgery. She still has a hard time eating. Hopefully by Monday that will be back to normal so I don't have to worry about school lunch.

Merry Go Round....

Is how life seems to be right now. YDD now has strep and ODD is having surgery Wed. to remove her tonsils because she gets strep so much. I'm praying ODD doesn't come down with it between now and then and that neither DH or I do either. I really don't handle stress well.

Do you know...

the title of Bob Marley's "Every little thing/don't worry about a thing" song? (Without Googling ;O )

This is ODD's recital song and I didn't know the title. Neither did either of the other mom's or DH.

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou:"

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry!"
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" - I won't worry!
"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right" - I won't worry!
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, oh no!
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!

It snowed...

and quite a bit for Alabama.



YDD forgot all about being upset that ODD was sick and YDD couldn't go sing at church.



ODD finally decided to come out. I only let her stay out for a little while since she is sick. But it never snows here so I couldn't make her stay inside.



I love this picture.



Our "Alabama" snowman.

The more things change...

the more they stay the same.







Different cats and different Barbie rvs and about 30 years apart.

The first photo is my cat Socks that we got when I was six and mine and my sister's Barbie camper. He loved to get in it.

The second photo is our present cat Smokey and my ODDs Barbie hot tub party bus that she got for her birthday from my sister this year.

Crazy time...

at my house right now.

DH just left for a trip for over a week. He came home and told me last night. But he did warn me Monday night that it might happen that way.

We have pictures (school and dance) this week and next week. Do I have that much money? No! I'll probably buy school and take my own dance.

Dentist apts and dr apts abound. Then ODDs surgery is next. Hopefully things will calm down for her and us to recover after that.

I will probably miss YDD's music program at school. It's the day after ODD's surgery. I don't know if I could leave her so quick to let someone else watch her.

On the road...

We are on the road to recovery. I got strep for the first time ever last week while DH was on a trip. It never fails. If it didn't keep happening over and over it would be funny. One of us always gets sick when he's gone especially this time of year. No kidding!

Strep kicked my butt. I wanted to rip my throat and ear out. It would have felt better. I opted for the antibiotic shot instead of pills for 10 days. My butt still hurts and the bruise isn't gone yet. I know, TMI.

Then Sunday ODD gets up with a sore throat. Strep confirmed Monday at regular peds office after Urgent Care botched the test and told us it was sinuses. We exposed 1/2 the city through church and a birthday party. We are meeting with the ENT Monday to talk about removing her tonsils. I really want to do what is best for her but I'm not sure what that is.

I had YDD checked out at the same time. She's the one with sinus issues. At least if she gets strep she's covered with an antibiotic.

ODD turns 6 on Thursday. I can't believe it. Her party is Saturday so hopefully she'll be back to 100% then.

Time...

Where does the time go. Everyone says your children will be grown in the blink of an eye. I'm starting to get that. My ODD lost her first tooth today. I can't believe it. I remember when that tooth bit me. :)

Cool....

As my girls like to say.

On the way to take YDD to preschool today we had snow flurries, real fine snow. When I left preschool it was so neat the way the sun hit the snow it looked like glitter. It was very pretty.

Forgive and Forget...

I'm having a real hard time with this right now.

Can't win...

Sometimes I feel like I can't win no matter what I do. I've been trying to work my butt off (;O) exercising and of course my bad foot has to hurt. I went to a ankle specialist and he was no help - gave me orthotics which the dr here in town said wouldn't help (and he was right). What am I suppose to do?

Missing...

I always miss my hubby when he's gone.

It's not necessarily the reasons you are thinking. Yes, he takes the ODD to school, gives me a break whenever I need, helps with the girls when he gets home, gives them their bath and much more...

Sometimes it's the little things. I had to clean out the litter box, I had to take the trash and recycling to the road, I had all the blankets and got hot, there was nobody to ask about my day or tell me dinner was good, I had to turn up the heat when I got up instead of it already being warm and toasty, and more...

I miss my hubby and appreciate all he does everyday. I'm so glad he gets home tonight.

Breaks over...

Christmas break is over. School starts back today. I'm both happy and sad. I enjoyed having the girls home but would like a break too.

I'm off to take ODD to school, back home to get YDD ready and get her to preschool. Then I'm heading to the gym. I hope the classes don't kill me.