I'm enjoying the practicing...

13 collective years in daycare. 13 collective years of being closed 3.5 days out of those years. 1.5 days due to weather and 2 days due to flooding (in the center) -- Since I am actually going to work in a school soon that goes by the school calendar, I am practicing having Monday off. You see...I went through the calendar for the rest of the year and wrote into my 09 calendar all the days I will have off. I noticed some of them were Mondays. Now...all you teacher's out there, don't get your panties all in a bunch, I know you work hard...I'm not debating that, but here's the thing... Monday's off? Really? It's like heaven!

Stayed up late last night...got up early (If you call 7:00 early, for me that's sleeping in) this morning and kissed my kids before they went to school...had some breakfast, took a shower, did 3 loads of laundry, took down the tree, read all my blogs for the day, reviewed my school board packet, read two chapters, checked my email, watched 3 shows on TIVO, and now have to run to watch Y&R...it's only 11:00!!! Oh how I love Monday's off.

Although...I'm not really off. I have to be at my internship at 2:00 - but really for me...it's like a whole lot of time off, and I for one, can't get enough!

Happy Birthday Precious One...

First of all, let me just ask what happened to Saturday? Really, I am surely sitting here and cannot recall what we did yesterday, or rather didn't do. Oh yea....I felt yucky! I slept 12 hours, got up and went to Gill's for lunch, and then back to bed. Bleck! I did watch the Cardinals win last night and that was really terrific for my Mom and her hubby Larry. Speaking of mom...

she's needing some prayers...so please add her to your lists. You know she's suffered with the heart issues, and now the blocked carotid issues, and now not to be outdone...back to the heart issues. Sheeez! I will be really glad when her husband is home safe and sound on Tuesday because really, being 2000 miles away from your mom when she's having health issues, is really less than pleasant for me. Come to think of it, I bet it's not too pleasant for her either. Get better soon mama!

Back to the topic...It's the precious one's birthday today. 4:09p....13 years ago today...

Just pretend for me that the cutest baby picture of all time was inserted here, but sheez...look at the time! I'm just too lazy. Trust me...she was a super super cute baby...:)

I am now the official mom of 3 teenagers. When I was talking with Larry (my mom's hubby) the other day and sharing with him that I would soon have 3 teenagers...well, let's just say I was trying to think of a word to describe my life...to which he replied...well I can't remember the exact words, but it was along the lines of fabulous, wonderful, abundantly blessed. Yes...all of those things. There are many many many many times when I don't use those words to describe the crazy ruchus that is my life, but deep down, I wouldn't have it any other way!

We went to the cell store to get her a new phone for her birthday...one that would enable her to text more efficiently at the dinner table... and after waiting over an hour (there's a whole nother -is too a word!- post in that story)

...we finally were helped and on our way to dinner at the Lone Star.

Have you been to the lone star since it has been remodeled? I don't really like it as much. The bread is different, the cheesy fries are different and although I love the new decor, I don't think the food is as good. They also don't have prime rib anymore. Gee, I miss Michaels...only you local oldies will remember Michaels :)

We took the big girl's boyfriend with us today...they all got sloshed on kiddie cocktails! Really, when their glass was about 1/3 gone, the waitress brought them another...and another. It was a little bit crazy.

Ok, change topic...you still with me?...the new topic is blog stalkers. You know who you are...all you readers out there that don't ever comment. Here's the thing. Often times If feel like I'm sending my writing off into the blogospere, and where it goes nobody knows. But lately, so many local people I have talked to start their sentences with, "Oh yeah, I was reading your blog the other day and I saw dah dah dah..." And then sometimes I find my face gets red...and then I think...really? Was everything on their appropriate? Have I offended anyone? Probably...Maybe not...Who knows...but I do know, there are times on this blog when I sure let it rip, as much as I let it rip, which isn't much comparatively speaking...and of course, I always leave work out of it, clients out of it, and anything else that could get me in a whole lotta trouble...so it's probably pretty mundane for the most part. But I do appreciate everyone that reads. Sometimes blogging is hard to get your head around: that Catherine reads me in France, that my neighbor reads me, that my mother reads in Arizona...and that I have met so many blog buddies. This blog originally started to keep my relatives up to date of what's been going on. It is amazing what a big part of our life it has become.

The proof is in the pudding so they say, since here I sit at 11:20 pm blogging! I have the next two Monday's off (at least the AM) and so of course I get to stay up late like a kid on a no school night! I got through the first week of back to work... this week I get back to this... (just a few books for my 6 week class!) and then of course next week is my last week at Circles. So far I'm being really brave about the big change coming and just trusting God that He led me here and He knows what is best for me. As I've said before, change is super super hard for me...but it has become so much easier than it has ever been. I have stepped so far out of my comfort zone in the last two years, that maybe I won't go back there. Time will tell.

I almost got my tree put away today (did I just admit that my tree is still up?) Here's the thing...I was gone for 9 days so for me it is like January 2nd, which really isn't too late to have your tree up, right? First thing tomorrow, it will be the rest of the way down. Hooray. I gotta run and see if Sarah posted yet, and then off to bed...

Hope you all had a great weekend...stay tuned for the upcoming events of the week..

Until next time...

Personality Quiz

So...I was reading Candi's blog today and, I took the Grey's Anatomy Personality Quiz and it turns out I'm most like Cristina. Amazingly, I think it's right on...this is what it said...

Very few people have, or can understand, the sheer determination and drive that propels you, but you're just as fiercely protective of your friends as you are of your own hopes and dreams. If they're smart, your friends already know that. They also know that you're more vulnerable than you seem and are only glad to offer a shoulder to cry on.


Which Grey's Anatomy character are you?

Take the quiz here...

http://abc.go.com/primetime/greysanatomy/index?pn=quiz

Swimming...the new national debt

Yes my precious one is on the swim team. Paid the athletic fee. Paid the physical fee. Purchased the competition suit and cap. Purchased the practice suit. Looking into ordering the Swim team jacket today, and getting some fail proof goggles to protect the eyes. Really?!? Last night after the above said purchases were all completed I said to my self...."Self, this precious one's birthday is Sunday." I have to stop and pause here, because I don't even know what to say...should participating on the swim team be one's birthday present? Evidently, cuz it seems I just spent all the birthday money on swim team paraphernalia.

Ok, ok, don't get your panties in a bunch...the precious one will still be having the mother of all parties at Wisconsin Dells no less-- just not until February. Still, I must search for a gift for her for Sunday, with the remaining $4.37 I have left. Any ideas? :)

Swimming, High School, and work oh my...

I put in my 12 hours yesterday then rushed to my daughter's target meeting for swimming. The precious one begins practice on Thursday! I am so excited for her to be on the swim team, because well, first, she's a fish...she swims better than she walks on most days...and I think she'll really love it! I haven't figured out how to finagle my schedule to get to watch any of the meets, but I'm sure I'll figure out something. After the target meeting, we went to the walk in to get her sports physical done while I had a free moment, stopped at Walgreen's to pick up some much needed meds for her skin and finally made it home about 8:15.

I searched and searched for my corduroy pants I had washed before vacation, knowing I would relish in the fact that my work clothes were all ready to go when I got home. Now, if only I could find them. After much searching and questioning of the children as to where they could possibly be, I mean is there a hidden laundry basket somewhere with my neatly folded clothes in it? They were finally located...in.my.closet. Hmmph. Crisis averted. No need to do laundry...so I chose to go to bed...after a few minutes of R&R my sonshine bounds into my room saying, "Hey Mom! I got these papers you need to fill out by tomorrow so I can get these classes for high school." *sigh* another one in high school.

So we chose his classes and he chose not to have a resource hour, which I am not sure of, but we'll give it a go. He committed to going to after school homework club if he gets behind, because he really wants to take Art and Computer classes to work toward his chosen career of becoming a game designer. Let me check your temperature...is this my son? My sonshine? The one who I wasn't sure about? Would he actually choose a career and be motivated enough to pursue it and jump through all the hoops necessary to achieve it? Evidently! Maturity is a wonderful thing I'll tell ya. I have heard that Iowa State has a college program for students with Autism that I am very interested in checking into. I am certain he'll be successful, it may just not be through the most conventional route...since he definitely has his own will and determination.

After a long day at work...(have I mentioned that the re-entry after vacation is usually tough for me?), a target meeting, drive through dinner, drug store run, and 9th grade registration...I was certainly ready to call it a night!

It's official...kind of

I have taken the plunge, I have decided to go for it...yes you've heard right...I have decided to run for the Harlem School Board. I have ordered my packet and will keep you abreast of the latest developments. First and foremostly, I will need to gather a necessary number of signatures from registered voters within the Harlem District. If you can help me out let me know! If you're my friend or relative count on receiving a visit from me asking for your signature :) This project is one I've wanted to pursue for a long time, and since this is a year of monumental change for me...I decided why not? I grew up attending Harlem Schools and I have 3 children there now...I believe I am well vested in this district and perhaps even have something to offer! It's an exciting undertaking...

(not nearly as exciting as the fact that W only has 12 days left in office, but almost!)

Finally the Pictures...

Ok, Here's the deal...these pictures are in a crazy order and it'll probably take you until 2010 to view them all--my apologies for the technical difficulties...