The primary reason that I don't blog is that I don't really know what exactly to blog about. We are no longer fostering, aren't planning on adopting right now, gave up couponing...therefore I have nothing interesting to share. I guess I'll try really hard just to write about my boring life.
We have a leave date that is coming up faster than I can believe. The preparations are crazy hard. We've gone back and forth about towing our van, trading our van in for a mini van to tow, buying a really old cheap tow vehicle, and towing a trailer. At this point we would prefer to tow nothing, but in the process of doing our due diligence to prepare for towing we discovered that our motor home is at maximum weight BEFORE loading anything into it. We still have some leeway with combined vehicle weight (motor home plus whatever it's towing) so a trailer loaded with our things will lower the weight of the motor home. See? Getting ready is going to be the death of me!
By the way, I've tried to contact the manufacturer regarding the discrepancy with the weight, and three people told me that it was a great question and promised to transfer me to someone who could answer it, but the trail ended at a machine and thus far no one has returned my call.
Everyone wants to know where we are headed first. At this point, I have no idea. Weather is going to play a huge role in the decision, as will the date that we actually leave (we just dropped a commitment that may allow us to leave a week earlier than planned, IF we can be ready in time).
The vegan diet has been going amazingly well. My food cravings have completely disappeared, and Gary and I have both lost at least 10 pounds each. I had some issues with soy so I've had to take it out of my diet (can't give up my Bragg's though!) so figuring out what I'm going to eat and what I'm going to feed the kids is still a challenge, but there is really nothing that I'm missing.
Life is good!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Traveling and Diet
The primary reason that I don't blog is that I don't really know what exactly to blog about. We are no longer fostering, aren't planning on adopting right now, gave up couponing...therefore I have nothing interesting to share. I guess I'll try really hard just to write about my boring life.
We have a leave date that is coming up faster than I can believe. The preparations are crazy hard. We've gone back and forth about towing our van, trading our van in for a mini van to tow, buying a really old cheap tow vehicle, and towing a trailer. At this point we would prefer to tow nothing, but in the process of doing our due diligence to prepare for towing we discovered that our motor home is at maximum weight BEFORE loading anything into it. We still have some leeway with combined vehicle weight (motor home plus whatever it's towing) so a trailer loaded with our things will lower the weight of the motor home. See? Getting ready is going to be the death of me!
By the way, I've tried to contact the manufacturer regarding the discrepancy with the weight, and three people told me that it was a great question and promised to transfer me to someone who could answer it, but the trail ended at a machine and thus far no one has returned my call.
Everyone wants to know where we are headed first. At this point, I have no idea. Weather is going to play a huge role in the decision, as will the date that we actually leave (we just dropped a commitment that may allow us to leave a week earlier than planned, IF we can be ready in time).
The vegan diet has been going amazingly well. My food cravings have completely disappeared, and Gary and I have both lost at least 10 pounds each. I had some issues with soy so I've had to take it out of my diet (can't give up my Bragg's though!) so figuring out what I'm going to eat and what I'm going to feed the kids is still a challenge, but there is really nothing that I'm missing.
Life is good!
We have a leave date that is coming up faster than I can believe. The preparations are crazy hard. We've gone back and forth about towing our van, trading our van in for a mini van to tow, buying a really old cheap tow vehicle, and towing a trailer. At this point we would prefer to tow nothing, but in the process of doing our due diligence to prepare for towing we discovered that our motor home is at maximum weight BEFORE loading anything into it. We still have some leeway with combined vehicle weight (motor home plus whatever it's towing) so a trailer loaded with our things will lower the weight of the motor home. See? Getting ready is going to be the death of me!
By the way, I've tried to contact the manufacturer regarding the discrepancy with the weight, and three people told me that it was a great question and promised to transfer me to someone who could answer it, but the trail ended at a machine and thus far no one has returned my call.
Everyone wants to know where we are headed first. At this point, I have no idea. Weather is going to play a huge role in the decision, as will the date that we actually leave (we just dropped a commitment that may allow us to leave a week earlier than planned, IF we can be ready in time).
The vegan diet has been going amazingly well. My food cravings have completely disappeared, and Gary and I have both lost at least 10 pounds each. I had some issues with soy so I've had to take it out of my diet (can't give up my Bragg's though!) so figuring out what I'm going to eat and what I'm going to feed the kids is still a challenge, but there is really nothing that I'm missing.
Life is good!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Recipes
Gary and I have been eating vegan for the past few days. Things have been going surprisingly well. The new eating plan has been far simpler than I expected, and we have been greatly enjoying our new foods. Really!
I was typing out some recipes for a friend, and thought they were good enough to share. If you are happily consuming animal products and oil, then skip the first two.
Whole Wheat Vegan Zucchini Bread
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups shredded zucchini (we used more)
2/3 cup apple sauce
2 eggs (we used 2 Tbls flax meal mixed with 6 Tbls water)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
Mix together, pour into two greased bread pans, bake at 350* for 55 minutes
This makes a very dense, thick and moist bread.
Black Bean Burgers
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
2 slices whole grain bread
spices to taste (We used a grill seasoning)
Grind the bread in the food processor, take out the bread crumbs and put the beans in to process. Mix together with your spices. Make into patties and fry in a little oil. We served these with sauted onions. The texture is very soft, but the flavor was really good.
This is good on anything, especially a turkey sandwich!
Cranberry Relish
8 oz (2 cups) cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup horseradish
1 Tbls lemon juice
Chop the berries in the food processor, then mix in all ingredients. Chill for 24 hours. Yum.
I was typing out some recipes for a friend, and thought they were good enough to share. If you are happily consuming animal products and oil, then skip the first two.
Whole Wheat Vegan Zucchini Bread
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups shredded zucchini (we used more)
2/3 cup apple sauce
2 eggs (we used 2 Tbls flax meal mixed with 6 Tbls water)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
Mix together, pour into two greased bread pans, bake at 350* for 55 minutes
This makes a very dense, thick and moist bread.
Black Bean Burgers
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
2 slices whole grain bread
spices to taste (We used a grill seasoning)
Grind the bread in the food processor, take out the bread crumbs and put the beans in to process. Mix together with your spices. Make into patties and fry in a little oil. We served these with sauted onions. The texture is very soft, but the flavor was really good.
This is good on anything, especially a turkey sandwich!
Cranberry Relish
8 oz (2 cups) cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup horseradish
1 Tbls lemon juice
Chop the berries in the food processor, then mix in all ingredients. Chill for 24 hours. Yum.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Snap!
I feel like my house is a gigantic magnet and I am attached to it with a huge rubber band. Snap.
This summer was spent working ridiculously hard to be out. Then plans changed. Then they changed again. I'm right now in the middle of the one place I said I didn't want to be. Hmmm. Is that of my own doing? Did I create the one thing that I didn't want? I hate when I do that!
This summer was spent working ridiculously hard to be out. Then plans changed. Then they changed again. I'm right now in the middle of the one place I said I didn't want to be. Hmmm. Is that of my own doing? Did I create the one thing that I didn't want? I hate when I do that!
Monday, August 09, 2010
Summer Enrichment
Three of my kids have been attending the "summer enrichment program" which is a collaboration between the Parks and Rec Dept and the local Boy's and Girl's Club. Mostly they all love it. They can swim, play sports, all kinds of crazy summer camp type games, craft, and most importantly, socialize.
There have certainly been a few downs along with the mostly ups. It's been hard for my kids to adjust to group mentality. Running because it's time to run, sitting because it's time to sit, and not talking because it's quiet time. We have talked at length about how that is just the nature of the beast in getting large groups of children together.
There have been a lot of group punishments that my children have really objected to, and rightfully so. If they were not even present at the time the punishment was levied, it seems completely unfair that they are forced to participate. Even if they are present, it also seems unfair to punish an entire group due to a small percentage that refuses to comply.
Some of the counselors don't even seem to like children, and I have heard numerous complains from my children that this one in particular has been unfair with the group, and has on several occasion made extremely inappropriate remarks such as, "Ugh, I hate this group!" and "I can't stand you guys!" This has been addressed with the director both by me and by my children, and the response is just that this one counselor is a stickler for the rules and doesn't let any infraction slide. The director did admit that those remarks were not acceptable and agreed to speak with the offending adult, and offer her more breaks during the day. According to my kids, this stickler mentality/not letting any infraction slide doesn't seem to apply to the truly misbehaving children.
One of my kids decided today to stop attending as the negative is sucking all the positive. I feel horrible about that decision, but I totally understand. It's no fun to be punished when you are just trying to have a good time and are following all the rules set forth.
I was there this morning to drop off and observed another group without them knowing I was there. To be clear, I wasn't sneaking around, just doing a late drop and coming across the room from an angle that made me hard to see. This was a group of 5-7 years olds. They were standing at attention as a counselor lectured them. The little I heard included a threat of writing apology letters if she heard another word about misbehavior and "Child X, did you hear me!?!?"
I felt sick to my stomach. This isn't boot camp, it isn't even school. It's summer enrichment camp! And these are little kids! I thought this was supposed to be a fun experience. I honestly feel that if the adult involved were focused on having FUN with the kids, they would. However it seems that the people in charge don't seem to fond of children to begin with, and are more concerned with creating an environment of obedience, creating a negative experience for both adult and child.
My first reaction was to take my children and go home, but the two that are still there are there at their own choosing, I am not forcing anyone to stay. I did however have to speak to a counselor for one child who hasn't been feeling well and is afraid to spend the day because from past experience knows that sitting out when it's "time to run" is never allowed. Of course the adult assured me that would be fine.
Any idea how to handle this? I really want to make a stink and have some changes made, but I really believe this is just our American Culture: Children are bad, can't be trusted, and need to be reprimanded. I guess as long as they would rather go, I will send them, but I would love to hear some suggestions on how to make this better for everyone.
There have certainly been a few downs along with the mostly ups. It's been hard for my kids to adjust to group mentality. Running because it's time to run, sitting because it's time to sit, and not talking because it's quiet time. We have talked at length about how that is just the nature of the beast in getting large groups of children together.
There have been a lot of group punishments that my children have really objected to, and rightfully so. If they were not even present at the time the punishment was levied, it seems completely unfair that they are forced to participate. Even if they are present, it also seems unfair to punish an entire group due to a small percentage that refuses to comply.
Some of the counselors don't even seem to like children, and I have heard numerous complains from my children that this one in particular has been unfair with the group, and has on several occasion made extremely inappropriate remarks such as, "Ugh, I hate this group!" and "I can't stand you guys!" This has been addressed with the director both by me and by my children, and the response is just that this one counselor is a stickler for the rules and doesn't let any infraction slide. The director did admit that those remarks were not acceptable and agreed to speak with the offending adult, and offer her more breaks during the day. According to my kids, this stickler mentality/not letting any infraction slide doesn't seem to apply to the truly misbehaving children.
One of my kids decided today to stop attending as the negative is sucking all the positive. I feel horrible about that decision, but I totally understand. It's no fun to be punished when you are just trying to have a good time and are following all the rules set forth.
I was there this morning to drop off and observed another group without them knowing I was there. To be clear, I wasn't sneaking around, just doing a late drop and coming across the room from an angle that made me hard to see. This was a group of 5-7 years olds. They were standing at attention as a counselor lectured them. The little I heard included a threat of writing apology letters if she heard another word about misbehavior and "Child X, did you hear me!?!?"
I felt sick to my stomach. This isn't boot camp, it isn't even school. It's summer enrichment camp! And these are little kids! I thought this was supposed to be a fun experience. I honestly feel that if the adult involved were focused on having FUN with the kids, they would. However it seems that the people in charge don't seem to fond of children to begin with, and are more concerned with creating an environment of obedience, creating a negative experience for both adult and child.
My first reaction was to take my children and go home, but the two that are still there are there at their own choosing, I am not forcing anyone to stay. I did however have to speak to a counselor for one child who hasn't been feeling well and is afraid to spend the day because from past experience knows that sitting out when it's "time to run" is never allowed. Of course the adult assured me that would be fine.
Any idea how to handle this? I really want to make a stink and have some changes made, but I really believe this is just our American Culture: Children are bad, can't be trusted, and need to be reprimanded. I guess as long as they would rather go, I will send them, but I would love to hear some suggestions on how to make this better for everyone.
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Where am I?
My poor neglected blog. I have been wanting to write again, but I feel uncomfortable because my blog seems so scattered. Sigh. I'm going to try to just jump back into things, so if you have any questions, please ask.
Were are we right now? Still living in Maine, still in the house. We had the final, final, last lawn sale today. This time it really is the last one, because we were bought out! What a dream come true! Gary was just starting to put things out for free on the corner when a couple (regulars!) came and bought some things, then asked how much we wanted for everything. We threw out a price and they said they would think about it. They returned not much longer, bought a few more things, then gave us the difference to make the agreed upon amount and started loading up. Gary and I joked that we should have paid THEM to take everything as it really did relieve us of such a HUGE burden. So, no more lawn sales.
We took the house off the market with the goal of renting it. The timing seemed to be off for renting, and we just didn't feel good about it, so we decided for now to keep the house and re-evaluate in the spring. We literally don't have anything for winter, so we must be somewhere other than here.
This process has changed me in ways that I cannot yet articulate. When we began to rid ourselves of all worldly possessions my biggest fear was getting stuck in the middle of the process. I felt like I could stay where I was with all my stuff, or come out on the other side with none of my stuff, but I didn't want to get caught in the middle with some and not all of my stuff.
Originally we were pushing to be out of the house for the summer. It felt like I was killing myself getting things out of the house. Then everything all summer was on hold because of the lawn sale. If it was a nice weekend, we had to stay home and sell, and we couldn't make any plans. That was really hard and made me feel very out of control. The date was pushed up for leaving, but still the house was in chaos. All energy going to getting it ready to be rented or sold, getting things ready for the sale, and very little energy going toward daily maintenance because there was just no energy left over. At one point I complained that I was missing the baby days of my very last baby and I just wanted to slow down and enjoy.
So here I sit. In the middle with some and not all of my stuff. It isn't as bad as I had imagined it to be, but I still feel just out of sorts. I don't quite have my balance in this new (partially material-less) location and I just feel sort of off. The lawn sale was very overwhelming for me so I spent most of my time inside cleaning. It feels really good getting the house back into order a little bit. For a long time I was being brutal in my purging, and now I'm not really sure what my relationship to material goods is. Need it, want it? I'm figuring it all out.
Anyway, that's sort of where we are at. We hope to leave soon. Most of the major hurdles have been crossed. We have a few more project that need to be completed but they are scheduled. Right now we are hung up on a tow vehicle. There are few makes and models that can be flat towed, and so far NONE of them seem to be 8 passenger models. We aren't sure if we should keep our van and store it (probably not), trade it in (for what?), or sell it outright (not sure what we would drive around in). Everything is complicated. If you have any suggestions for a tow vehicle, PLEASE share them!
Thanks for reading!
Were are we right now? Still living in Maine, still in the house. We had the final, final, last lawn sale today. This time it really is the last one, because we were bought out! What a dream come true! Gary was just starting to put things out for free on the corner when a couple (regulars!) came and bought some things, then asked how much we wanted for everything. We threw out a price and they said they would think about it. They returned not much longer, bought a few more things, then gave us the difference to make the agreed upon amount and started loading up. Gary and I joked that we should have paid THEM to take everything as it really did relieve us of such a HUGE burden. So, no more lawn sales.
We took the house off the market with the goal of renting it. The timing seemed to be off for renting, and we just didn't feel good about it, so we decided for now to keep the house and re-evaluate in the spring. We literally don't have anything for winter, so we must be somewhere other than here.
This process has changed me in ways that I cannot yet articulate. When we began to rid ourselves of all worldly possessions my biggest fear was getting stuck in the middle of the process. I felt like I could stay where I was with all my stuff, or come out on the other side with none of my stuff, but I didn't want to get caught in the middle with some and not all of my stuff.
Originally we were pushing to be out of the house for the summer. It felt like I was killing myself getting things out of the house. Then everything all summer was on hold because of the lawn sale. If it was a nice weekend, we had to stay home and sell, and we couldn't make any plans. That was really hard and made me feel very out of control. The date was pushed up for leaving, but still the house was in chaos. All energy going to getting it ready to be rented or sold, getting things ready for the sale, and very little energy going toward daily maintenance because there was just no energy left over. At one point I complained that I was missing the baby days of my very last baby and I just wanted to slow down and enjoy.
So here I sit. In the middle with some and not all of my stuff. It isn't as bad as I had imagined it to be, but I still feel just out of sorts. I don't quite have my balance in this new (partially material-less) location and I just feel sort of off. The lawn sale was very overwhelming for me so I spent most of my time inside cleaning. It feels really good getting the house back into order a little bit. For a long time I was being brutal in my purging, and now I'm not really sure what my relationship to material goods is. Need it, want it? I'm figuring it all out.
Anyway, that's sort of where we are at. We hope to leave soon. Most of the major hurdles have been crossed. We have a few more project that need to be completed but they are scheduled. Right now we are hung up on a tow vehicle. There are few makes and models that can be flat towed, and so far NONE of them seem to be 8 passenger models. We aren't sure if we should keep our van and store it (probably not), trade it in (for what?), or sell it outright (not sure what we would drive around in). Everything is complicated. If you have any suggestions for a tow vehicle, PLEASE share them!
Thanks for reading!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Hotel
The background: I agreed to participate in a paid focus group, that will take place later this week at a local hotel (in a conference room!)
The scene: At a restaurant with my family. Gary is just returning from the bathroom as I am giving the kids a run down of our schedule for the week.
Still standing as he begins talking, he rather loudly asks, "Oh, you're going to the hotel this week? How long with that take, like 2 hours? And how much are you getting paid?"
We both burst into hysterical laughter. The kind of laughter that is so consuming that I can't even shush my daughter as she is yelling, "Why are you going to the hotel if you aren't even spending the night?!?!" Repeatedly.
Full of class are we!
The scene: At a restaurant with my family. Gary is just returning from the bathroom as I am giving the kids a run down of our schedule for the week.
Still standing as he begins talking, he rather loudly asks, "Oh, you're going to the hotel this week? How long with that take, like 2 hours? And how much are you getting paid?"
We both burst into hysterical laughter. The kind of laughter that is so consuming that I can't even shush my daughter as she is yelling, "Why are you going to the hotel if you aren't even spending the night?!?!" Repeatedly.
Full of class are we!
Saturday, July 03, 2010
2 truths and a lie
The kids started day camp last week. In an effort to get to know the kids, they played a game where you named three things about yourself, two true, one false. Noah picked the following three statements:
1.) I've been to Las Vegas
2.) I was born in Maine
3.) I plan to live in an RV
Keeping in mind that we live in a place where most of their friends have literally never been out of the state. His responses made me smile.
Here's my list:
1.) I've never been to high school
2.) I've been pregnant 8 times
3.) I maintain a very popular website under a pseudonym
Any guesses as to which is the false statement?
1.) I've been to Las Vegas
2.) I was born in Maine
3.) I plan to live in an RV
Keeping in mind that we live in a place where most of their friends have literally never been out of the state. His responses made me smile.
Here's my list:
1.) I've never been to high school
2.) I've been pregnant 8 times
3.) I maintain a very popular website under a pseudonym
Any guesses as to which is the false statement?
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
For Sale
Finally, the house is for sale. Its official. We've been in the "temporary house" for what, eight years now? We talk about moving on every year, and never have we listed the house for sale. We came close last year, finding out the day before signing that we were expecting again, which put a hold on things. Until now. We are ready. Ready to roll!
Anybody want to buy a house?
By the way, baby number 6 was born back in February...sorry for not letting you know!
Anybody want to buy a house?
By the way, baby number 6 was born back in February...sorry for not letting you know!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Monday, April 06, 2009
Bear Reviews the Free Store
In case you missed it elsewhere, below is a Bear's review of my beloved "Free Store".
Please, share the video with everyone you know. Hopefully they will take the Bear's advice, leaving more free stuff for the rest of us!
Please, share the video with everyone you know. Hopefully they will take the Bear's advice, leaving more free stuff for the rest of us!
Friday, April 03, 2009
and then they came for me
...
Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.
Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.
Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.
Als sie die Juden holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Jude.
Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.
Translation:
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me.
...
Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.
Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.
Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.
Als sie die Juden holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Jude.
Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.
Translation:
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me.
...
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
No More Jokes
...
A more appropriate title for that last post might have been little pink LIES. I am not pregnant, but it seemed a fitting joke because when you have a larger than average family and tell someone you have news, the FIRST thing they ask is, "Are you pregnant?"
Do you remember that baby that I asked you to pray for? Thankfully he was released from the hospital this week and is doing much better. However his mother DIED today. She is also the mother of a two year old and a four year old, as well as the nursling. I can't even comprehend the magnitude of this family's loss. It overwhelms me. The timing sucks, but I swear this happened; local readers can look it up in the online edition.
Please keep sending thoughts and prayers their way.
A more appropriate title for that last post might have been little pink LIES. I am not pregnant, but it seemed a fitting joke because when you have a larger than average family and tell someone you have news, the FIRST thing they ask is, "Are you pregnant?"
Do you remember that baby that I asked you to pray for? Thankfully he was released from the hospital this week and is doing much better. However his mother DIED today. She is also the mother of a two year old and a four year old, as well as the nursling. I can't even comprehend the magnitude of this family's loss. It overwhelms me. The timing sucks, but I swear this happened; local readers can look it up in the online edition.
Please keep sending thoughts and prayers their way.
Little Pink Lines
...
Not one, but two pink lines. Holy friggin cow!!!! I can barely breathe!!!
The past month of constant tiredness and ill feelings are beginning to make sense...low iron my butt! Now I understand why increasing my iron didn't decrease the fatigue!!!
Based on my calculations I'm guessing another early November date. Holy friggin cow!!!!! Did I say that already? 'Cause HOLY FRIGGIN COW!!!!!!
...
Not one, but two pink lines. Holy friggin cow!!!! I can barely breathe!!!
The past month of constant tiredness and ill feelings are beginning to make sense...low iron my butt! Now I understand why increasing my iron didn't decrease the fatigue!!!
Based on my calculations I'm guessing another early November date. Holy friggin cow!!!!! Did I say that already? 'Cause HOLY FRIGGIN COW!!!!!!
...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Update on Baby Micah
...
I don't have a lot of news but I did hear that the doctors were "cautiously optimistic". Baby Micah had gone a whole day without a seizure but still the doctors assured the family that he had a long hard road ahead of him.
I met with my friend today and gave her a huge basket filled with books, notebooks, pencils, snacks and personal care items to give to the Mom, and a bag filled with diapers, snacks, coloring books, and small toys for the grandparents who are caring for the family's other children. I was glad to be able to do something tangible to contribute.
Please continue to think of this poor family. I can not even imagine the trauma they are experiencing; 3 weeks postpartum, confined to the ICU with a seriously ill child, 2 more small children at home separated from their mother...it's going to be a long hard road for all of them.
...
I don't have a lot of news but I did hear that the doctors were "cautiously optimistic". Baby Micah had gone a whole day without a seizure but still the doctors assured the family that he had a long hard road ahead of him.
I met with my friend today and gave her a huge basket filled with books, notebooks, pencils, snacks and personal care items to give to the Mom, and a bag filled with diapers, snacks, coloring books, and small toys for the grandparents who are caring for the family's other children. I was glad to be able to do something tangible to contribute.
Please continue to think of this poor family. I can not even imagine the trauma they are experiencing; 3 weeks postpartum, confined to the ICU with a seriously ill child, 2 more small children at home separated from their mother...it's going to be a long hard road for all of them.
...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The House
So we went to a house auction today. It was the same house that we wanted three years ago but couldn't buy because the owner was an idiot and wouldn't budge on his price.
We didn't get the house.
Wanna know who the high bidder was? Will you believe me if I tell you that the high bidder was the former owner who let the house go into foreclosure to begin with?
Seriously. Don't pay your mortgage or taxes, have the property taken away from you, but don't fret...you too can buy it back at the public auction.
I asked him why the hell he didn't sell the house to us three years ago, we would have paid him MORE than he owed on the mortgage back then. He said, "well I guess we should have negotiated more." Yeah. Ya think?
There goes another experience with the upside down world of banking and real estate. I just don't get it.
We didn't get the house.
Wanna know who the high bidder was? Will you believe me if I tell you that the high bidder was the former owner who let the house go into foreclosure to begin with?
Seriously. Don't pay your mortgage or taxes, have the property taken away from you, but don't fret...you too can buy it back at the public auction.
I asked him why the hell he didn't sell the house to us three years ago, we would have paid him MORE than he owed on the mortgage back then. He said, "well I guess we should have negotiated more." Yeah. Ya think?
There goes another experience with the upside down world of banking and real estate. I just don't get it.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Thought/Prayer Request
...
I just received a phone call about a friend of a friend. It seems her three week old baby Micah fell and has sustained a pretty serious head injury.
If you are are so willing, please keep the family and Baby Micah in your thoughts and prayers.
I just received a phone call about a friend of a friend. It seems her three week old baby Micah fell and has sustained a pretty serious head injury.
If you are are so willing, please keep the family and Baby Micah in your thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Filet O Fish
K: Last night, at Barnes and Ovals...
Me: What did you say?
K: Last night, at Barnes and Ovals.
Me: Barnes and Noble.
K: Last night, and Barnes and Opal.
Me: Barnes and Noble.
K: Last night, and Barnes and Opals.
Me: NOBLE.
K: Barnes and Novals.
Me: Barnes. And. Noble.
K: Bards and Nopal.
Me: No. Filet o Fish.
Me: I'm having problems.
Me: What did you say?
K: Last night, at Barnes and Ovals.
Me: Barnes and Noble.
K: Last night, and Barnes and Opal.
Me: Barnes and Noble.
K: Last night, and Barnes and Opals.
Me: NOBLE.
K: Barnes and Novals.
Me: Barnes. And. Noble.
K: Bards and Nopal.
Me: No. Filet o Fish.
Me: I'm having problems.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Day one. Part Two.
...
Driving down the strip was exciting, even during the day, but nothing looked like we expected that it would. It wasn’t grand, or beautiful, but crammed and mis-mashed, and everything was under construction.
We arrived at the hotel, and after two times around the parking lot finally figured out where we could wait for Gary to go in and register us. The plan was to check in, get the room key, then head out for something to eat. We were all tired, hungry, jet lagged, and needles to say, grumpy. Gary went into the hotel and I swear it was a week before we saw him again. I was handing out fruit snacks and granola bars, but it just wasn’t cutting it.
Finally Gary made his way back outside. I had googled directions to several key places, one of them being "CiCi’s Pizza, pasta, salad, breadsticks, and dessert buffet, all for around 5 bucks". We got on the highway and drove for three days in heavy traffic.
The food wasn’t bad, and the salad was actually really yummy. They had one made with romaine, tomatoes, bacon and ranch. Mmmm.
At one point, the kids stepped out of line for a minute, then when the stepped back it looked like they stepped in front of some people. The kids couldn’t see this from their place, but I could. The people behind them made a comment and I pretended not to hear. Later it began to bother me that WE were the rude ones, so I went over to their table and began babbling about how we had just stepped off of a plane and hadn’t slept in two days and maybe even something about medication and please forgive us for our terrible manners. I’m sure she was impressed!
After eating things looked a little less bleak, and we went back to the hotel where we took a nap. I would have preferred to sleep thought the night, but the damn sun would not give up. We woke up after at least an hour of sleep and it was only 1. I began to think that we were in hell, and that the sun never set here.
Off to the thrift store to procure appliances. I was hoping to get a griddle, but they didn’t have any. We did get a coffee pot and a crock pot. Score! Then we headed out to find a grocery store. We bought an overpriced cooler, milk, sandwich fixings, some crock pot meal ingredients, and cream for our coffee of course. We spend about $70, which damn near killed me.
We went back to the hotel and I ran up to the in house McDonalds to get us all dinner. We walked around, explored the hotel, midway, and circus a little. We tried to get our Krispy Kreme fix, but the donuts were not made at that location, and when they said HOT, they meant, “reheated hours ago”. I was not impressed.
I just LOVE this picture of Katherine. These contortionists were absolutely amazing to watch and you can see that clearly on her face.
...
Driving down the strip was exciting, even during the day, but nothing looked like we expected that it would. It wasn’t grand, or beautiful, but crammed and mis-mashed, and everything was under construction.
We arrived at the hotel, and after two times around the parking lot finally figured out where we could wait for Gary to go in and register us. The plan was to check in, get the room key, then head out for something to eat. We were all tired, hungry, jet lagged, and needles to say, grumpy. Gary went into the hotel and I swear it was a week before we saw him again. I was handing out fruit snacks and granola bars, but it just wasn’t cutting it.
Finally Gary made his way back outside. I had googled directions to several key places, one of them being "CiCi’s Pizza, pasta, salad, breadsticks, and dessert buffet, all for around 5 bucks". We got on the highway and drove for three days in heavy traffic.
The food wasn’t bad, and the salad was actually really yummy. They had one made with romaine, tomatoes, bacon and ranch. Mmmm.
At one point, the kids stepped out of line for a minute, then when the stepped back it looked like they stepped in front of some people. The kids couldn’t see this from their place, but I could. The people behind them made a comment and I pretended not to hear. Later it began to bother me that WE were the rude ones, so I went over to their table and began babbling about how we had just stepped off of a plane and hadn’t slept in two days and maybe even something about medication and please forgive us for our terrible manners. I’m sure she was impressed!
After eating things looked a little less bleak, and we went back to the hotel where we took a nap. I would have preferred to sleep thought the night, but the damn sun would not give up. We woke up after at least an hour of sleep and it was only 1. I began to think that we were in hell, and that the sun never set here.
Off to the thrift store to procure appliances. I was hoping to get a griddle, but they didn’t have any. We did get a coffee pot and a crock pot. Score! Then we headed out to find a grocery store. We bought an overpriced cooler, milk, sandwich fixings, some crock pot meal ingredients, and cream for our coffee of course. We spend about $70, which damn near killed me.
We went back to the hotel and I ran up to the in house McDonalds to get us all dinner. We walked around, explored the hotel, midway, and circus a little. We tried to get our Krispy Kreme fix, but the donuts were not made at that location, and when they said HOT, they meant, “reheated hours ago”. I was not impressed.
I just LOVE this picture of Katherine. These contortionists were absolutely amazing to watch and you can see that clearly on her face.
...
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