A long time...

Wow.  It's been a long time since I've written in this space.

Last weekend, Sammy, Evan, and I went to a family reunion for my Dad's side of the family.  We had a GREAT time!  I don't get to see my family nearly as often as I would like to, especially my cousins now that we all have families.  While I was there, I talked to one of my favorite people, my Aunt Joyce.  She reminded me to write some new posts here, so here I am!  (Hi Aunt Joyce!!)  It was nice to be reminded by family that people still check in here, and that this is still a good way to keep in touch.

So what's new?

We've had a wonderful summer.  So wonderful in fact it has prompted Jeff and I to consider whether it is time to make some changes in our work situation for our family.  I love my job.  I love teaching.  I have always, ALWAYS felt that I was called by God to be a teacher, and that He gave me certain gifts to help me accomplish a mission he had in mind for me in the classroom.  The hard part of teaching is that it absolutely is NOT a 9-5 job.  I spend hours after work and on the weekends creating learning materials, grading, lesson planning, etc.  This is easier said than done when you have three kids, and you are a wife.  Although I feel that teaching is a calling for me, I also feel that being a wife and a Mom is a God sent calling, one that takes the highest priority.

This summer, as I had time to relax, enjoy my kids, and actually get things done around my house, we came to some conclusions.  The first was that other people's kids always get my best.  That's tough for me to think about.  I want my best to go to my own children, especially when two of my kids are very high needs.  Secondly, I realized that I am never able to do anything really to the best of my ability, because I don't have time.  Being split in so many different directions is not allowing me to get anything done well.  I also discovered how much stress I am carrying around with me during the school year, and how much that is affecting my marriage and my kids.

Sooooo, we have been toying around with the idea of me staying home next year.  I have reservations about both sides of the decision, but I truly feel that we are being called to consider this as the next stage for our family.  If things can come together financially, we will see how it goes.  We are going to be thinking and praying hard about this during the school year.

Evan is getting ready to start his 8th grade year.  Junior high is never a super enjoyable time for anyone, but last year was especially hard for Evan.  As he works through the upper grades, his learning disabilities are really making things awful.  We made the decision that he needs to go to a public high school to receive the appropriate special education help.  It was a hard realization to come to.  I really wanted him to be able to have the private high school experience, but I know in my gut it isn't the right place for him.  Hopefully this year is a bit better.

Charlie is giving me a run for my money.  I love him to pieces, and he can have a heart of gold, but he is also very stubborn and willful.  He is still having massive temper tantrums, and we have been going to therapy for about a year.  I am not seeing any major improvements yet, but they always have good suggestions for us to try, and that gives me hope.  Luckily, he is an angel at school, and he is incredibly smart, so at least part of the parenting job with him is easy.

God bless Sammy.  He is a ray of sunshine in our family.  Always happy, always smiling, always giving hugs.  Hardly ever needs redirection or discipline.  I think God knew I had my hands full and needed a sweet pea.  He is starting Kindergarten in a few weeks, and that makes me sad.  They grow so fast.  As all mothers do, I long for time to slow waaaaaaaaaaaaaay down so I have longer to enjoy my babies and my family.

Jeff and I celebrated 7 years of marriage on July 22nd.  I am crazy in love with that guy.  We get better at marriage every year, and it gets to be more and more fun all the time.  It really surprised me when I got married how much work marriage is.  Work that is worth it, but hard as well.  My parents were so good at marriage they made it look easy.  Maybe someday Jeff and I will give that impression as well.  In the meantime, I am super blessed to have a husband who balances me, believes in me, puts up with me, and supports my dreams.  He was definitely worth the wait!

And me?  I am feeling better about myself than I have in a long time.  Last November, I went to my doctor, very frustrated with how I was getting nowhere with my health goals, despite healthy eating and exercise.  He did a lot of tests, and determined that my weight struggles were related to my issues with insulin resistance.  He put me on a low carb diet, and for the first time in my life, the weight began to melt away.  It was such a relief to begin to see the me I knew was in there in the mirror again.  Since then, I have lost a total of 45 pounds.  I have been feeling so much better physically, I have been able to go back to running in full force.  I've been able to get in a total of 12-15 miles a week, which for me as a busy Mom is GREAT.  My runs are great "me" time, where I can destress, think, and get healthy.  I love looking better and feeling better, but most of all I love feeling more confident about my overall health.  When my Dad died at only 58, my cardiologist told me I was in a very high risk group for also dying early of a heart attack.  I do NOT want to leave my family one minute earlier than I absolutely have to.  I can at least rest easier knowing that I am doing my best to improve my odds.  Thank goodness for my patient doctor who has been willing to do research and stick with me.

Now that it is August, I have been working my tootie off on my classroom.  I am trying to work up some excitement for the coming school year.  That usually comes more for me in October, once the students and I have settled in.  August is a rush to get everything done.  I always wish I could fast forward through the first few weeks.

I know I've said this before, but I am going to try and get back to this space on the web more regularly.  I always feel better when I do.  I am hoping to post some pictures this weekend.

My Kids Ate My Blog

I can't believe I haven't been here since January. 

I love my blog, but my life?  It likes me to stay SUPER busy.  You know the story...work, drive kids around to activities, doctor appointments, homework, drive kids around to more activities, try to keep the house clean.  So I won't bore you with the details.

Today I am home with a sick Sammy Bear.  He has a fever, aches, headache, and a deep wet cough.  My guess is the flu, so we are off to the doctor this morning.  With the boys' asthma, we don't mess around with lung issues/infections.

All of which has left me some time to write while my baby is snuggled up next to me, sweating his way through his fever.  We have some exciting things happening around here I would love to tell you about!

My brother is getting married in 6 short weeks, which has provided us with a flurry of wedding activity!  We've been busy making 600 mints, addressing invitations, picking out dresses, and getting fitted for tuxes.  Speaking of dresses, my bridesmaid dress came in yesterday.  When I tried it on, we discovered it was fine in the waist but would barely zip around my rib cage.  So, I will be getting a few ribs removed so that I can zip my dress and not pass out from lack of oxygen at the ceremony.

Just kidding.  But I do hope the seamstress can work miracles, or I will have to give up breathing for the day.

Charlie is getting geared up for Kindergarten round up on April 1st.  He is SO excited and SO nervous.  Every day he is full of questions like, "What if my teacher is mean?"  "What if I don't like it?"  "What if I don't know everything they teach me?"  I remember feeling the same way.  Poor baby.

I am counting down the days to summer.  I have vowed to NOT sign the kids up for anything other than once a week swim lessons.  We need some healing of hearts and minds around here, and I think some time to slow down and relax is just the thing.

We are in the depths of tax season, which means that my poor Jeff is working so hard.  I am so grateful he is such a good provider for our family.  I love that he has such a wonderful work ethic.  But I do worry about him this time of year.  I am praying he stays healthy, and that the stress doesn't adversely affect him.  And I miss him terribly.  I just can't get my fill of that guy.  Have I mentioned lately that I love my husband?

Me?  I've been getting by.  Every day includes a moment where I am hit by a wave of loneliness and sadness for my Dad.  I've learned to let it wash over me, and to pray pray pray.  I am trying to focus on strengthening my relationship with the Lord to get me through.  My church choir is one of the high points of my week.  The singing helps brighten my week and my soul.  I'm so glad I have music to turn to.  I've also put pictures and sayings about my Dad all over my house.  It helps me to see his face everyday, and to send him a message to heaven that I love him.

Thank goodness spring is on the way!  I am dreaming of birds tweeting, warm sunshine, and planting some flowers in my yard.  Only a few more weeks....

SNOW DAY!

Good morning!  It is the happiest of days in a teacher's life this morning!  We are having a SNOW DAY here at the Sole Woman.  It's been snowing since yesterday morning, and we have about 6 inches on the ground-and it is still going strong!  Here's a picture I took this morning with a new photo program I am playing around with on my iPhone (I love the old fashioned feel it gives photos):

I am sitting with my coffee, looking at the snow falling quietly outside the window.  My family is all tucked inside, warm and safe.  Jeff is working from home today, Evan is taking advantage of his day off by sleeping (he is SO 12!!), and Charlie and Sammy are snuggled up on the couch under blankets talking about what they will be doing outside later today. 

Bliss!

Since I have nowhere to go and nothing to do but enjoy my coffee, I thought I would give you an update of life around our house.    I forgot to mention that my darling husband bought me for Christmas the gift I have been dreaming of for the last 8 years....drumroll please....a KitchenAid mixer!!  (And she is a beautiful cherry red too!)  I guess I haven't talked about it a lot here, but I love to bake.  I love to do things homemade.  My go to stress reliever is bread baking, much to the delight of my husband.  I think he secretly loves it when I have a bad day, because he knows there is a loaf of fresh baked bread in his future.  Since I first moved into my own space, I have been using my mom's cast off mixer, which was a gift from her 1974 wedding.  About 6 months ago, he lost a leg, and I had to prop it up on a piece of wood so it wouldn't wobble while I mixed.  The thing drove me bananas.  If the recipe called for more than 3 cups of flour, the batter would climb up the beaters and try and get into the motor.  It was beyond frustrating to try and mix up dough for Christmas cookies.

I will admit that I screamed when I opened it on Christmas morning.  I love it.  Seriously.  I am not one to keep appliance on the kitchen counters, but I love my mixer so much, she has a place of honor on the counter.   (And besides, she's red!  So she coordinates with my kitchen!!)  I have been trying out lots of new recipes, and I have been playing around with made from scratch cakes.  Do any of you have any recipes for homemade cakes?  Or tips?  Mine haven't been the greatest.

This week I had to submit all of Charlie's documents and paperwork for Kindergarten registration.  It's really starting to hit home that he's going to school next year.  I know every mother feels like their kids grow up too fast, but it is UNBELIEVABLE to me how quickly his first 5 years have gone.  In fact, he is turning 5 on the 17th, and he is beyond excited.  I know he's ready for this new adventure, so I am trying to get my heart to accept this.

I am off to bake some bread!  (Not because I am stressed today :)  Just because it sounds nice!)  I hope you are warm and cozy on this January Monday.

Back to the Grind!

I went back to work today, after a lovely and much needed two weeks off.  I needed the sleep, I needed the down time, and I needed the family time.  It's been a long first semester, and I definitely needed the recharge.  Although I wasn't overly excited this morning about returning to work when the alarm went off at 5:30, the day was nice.  No students today, just a work day to get things done in our classrooms, and I feel ready again to tackle some school work. 

Having a routine is good for me and the kids.  I am feeling ready to get started on 2011, and make a fresh go of things.

Now I just have to convince the boys of this!  Charlie had a huge temper tantrum before we left about how much he hates school, how bored his there, and how he absolutely would NOT be getting his shoes on, thank you very much!  Ever since we got home this afternoon, Evan has alternated between moping and wailing about how much he shouldn't be required to go to school, he already knows everything he needs to know in life.  The stubborn/ dramatic gene?  It runs strongly in this family.

As for me, I am going to try and stay positive, stay relaxed, and remember my New Year's goal of realizing I am NOT super mom, and I don't have to be either.  I hope you have a great week!

Good Bye 2010

I have very mixed feelings about the departure of 2010.  It was far and above the WORST year of my life.  It did bring the arrival of my nephew Grant, but this was it's only redeeming quality.  August 2010 included my Dad's disastrous surgery.  The next 8 weeks held a miserable struggle for him as he worked to heal and recover.  (Although it was so hard to watch him be so uncomfortable and in pain, I will be forever thankful for this extra time I had to tell him how much I loved him.)  And of course, September brought his death, an event I don't know if I will ever really recover from.

For these reasons I am not sorry to see 2010 go.  2011 has to be better, right?

On the other hand, this is the last year that held my Dad's presence in my life in a physical way.  I am so scared to leave that behind and face a whole year without him.

I spent some time this morning looking back at my 2010 goals that I set back on January 1st.  They included home sanctuary, health, and relationships.  I am going to stick with these again this year, as I don't feel like I did a very good job at most of it.  Sanctuary is definitely the hardest for me.  This year brought a change in schedule for us, as all three boys became old enough to become involved in activities.  Although I limited the boys to one activity each, it still made our evenings after school crazy!  This has made for my most difficult year trying to balance work, family time, and household tasks.  It left me with precious little time for working to make our home a clean and relaxing space.  This is a whole post in itself, but I really feel sometimes that women got a raw deal from the feminist movement of the 60s.  Sure we can have better paying jobs, but this created an economic situation where most women need to have jobs to support their families.  Now we have full time jobs on top of all the responsibilities that women have always had....raising the kids and managing the household.  It's like having three or four full time jobs at once.  And I am standing here in front of you admitting I am not very good at handling and balancing all of that.

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now.  I am going to keep trying in 2011 to achieve balance, and find time to create sanctuary.

I learned a lot in the relationship area this year.  I learned you never know when you won't get to see someone again.  I told my Dad in his birthday card that our experience with his surgery taught me to never waste an opportunity to say I love you, to give a hug, or to appreciate.  I am going to work hard to never forget this, and carry this forward into 2011 and beyond.

Health also took on a new perspective as my siblings and I all realized the genetic woes that are stacked against us.  I found out I am in a dangerously  high risk group for heart attack with my high cholesterol problems and genetic history.  I got a treadmill, and changed my diet even further.  I finally, finally, finally lost 10 pounds.  I am hoping for more in the coming year.

I'm going to keep plugging away at these goals this year, and I'm going to forgive myself for not being perfect at achieving them last year.  I am working every day to remember it's okay to be human and not super woman. 

I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year's Eve tonight, and more importantly a wonderful 2011!  Thanks for spending some of your time (which I know is precious!) to be with me here at The Sole Woman.  You are part of what makes the adventure fun for me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Back to Reality

I can't wait to tell you all about our perfect weekend away in KC, and show you pictures, but unfortunately, I won't get it done as soon as I want to because I was so rudely thrown back into reality upon our return. We started off the day yesterday with a trip to the ENT, where we discovered that the tube in Evan's left ear (which has been there for over 9 years and just won't fall out) needs to be removed surgically because it has caused a tear in the ear drum, and because it is collecting what the doctor referred to as debris, it is causing a dangerous infection. So, on top of the three doctor appointments we already had scheduled for the week, we added a pre-surgery physical by his pediatrician, and surgery this Thursday morning. At least they could get us in quickly so I don't have to take time off of work.

It was a lot easier to do this with Evan back when he was 18 months old, as he was during his last surgery, when he had no concept of what was coming. Now, he wants to know the specifics of IV usage, and how anesthesia works, and if there will be any side effects, and he is a nervous wreck.

And did I mention that my MIL is coming to stay at my house only a few short hours after the surgery? Fab!

We also got school supply shopping out of the way yesterday. Is there anything worse? Mothers and children pushing each other out of the way in the aisles, crowds, long lists, and huge amounts of money to spend. Blah.

Anywho, I hope to get the pictures of our getaway downloaded soon, and maybe between trips to the doctor (we have 2 just today!!) I will get it posted here.

Fabulous Friday

The weekend is off to such an awesome start.

I am sitting on my front stoop, watching my children zoom by in the sunshine on scooters. My adorable husband is sitting next to me. It's so nice to have him home in the evening. Did I mention he's adorable?

I grabbed pizza on the way home from school for dinner, so now I don't have to cook. We ate on paper plates so I don't have to clean up.

I just get to enjoy. Adorable kids with full tummies, adorable husband, two days of freedom in front of me.

Three weeks until school is out, and tomorrow Jeff and I are going to our annual Table for Two marriage retreat at church.

Heaven!!

And a Good Weekend Was Had By All

We've had a splendid time around here the last couple of days. Friday was rather excruciating for me, as I had to help with a Book Bowl competition at school. The event itself was fun to help with, but days where I don't get to see my kids for more than the half hour it takes to get them dressed and to school are just plain awful for me. Sometimes I am tempted to go into their room and wake them up to play when I get home. It also meant I got a late start on my laundry, which is never a good idea around here.

We made up for it Saturday morning though when we went Boingz! for our cousin Bryce's 2nd birthday party. All three boys had a great time jumping in the bounce houses.

Saturday night was pure pleasure. Jeff and I had date night together, the first time we have been out in months. We went to see Bill Cosby perform live at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Omaha. I am such a big fan of Mr. Cosby that I seriously would have been happy if he had just came on stage and sat down and said nothing. Just to be able to say I was in the same room with him was enough for me.

He came out in sweat pants, a hoodie sweatshirt that said "Hello Friend" on the front, and blue crocs. Wouldn't that be great to be so comfy while you are on stage? The only thing on stage was a chair and a table, and he sat in the chair and talked to all of us as if we had always been friends. He told HIGHLARIOUS stories for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and I am not kidding you-my stomach hurt when it was all over. I have never ever laughed that hard for that long.

We went out to dinner at Red Lobster afterwards for Lobstah fest, and I totally indulged and had a lobster tail and garlic jumbo shrimp. TO DIE FOR. I have 2 extra inches on my hips to prove it.

My totally awesome father in-law came down to watch the kids, and they just are over the moon in love with him, so the boys had a good date night too. The only downside is that Papa John never comes empty handed, so he had loads of junkfood loot with him. This morning I opened my fridgerator door to see a bag of Peanut Butter M&Ms staring me in the face. THERE IS NOT A YUMMIER CANDY!!!! This will not help my diet. So far I have avoided them. I will be pushing them on the boys for desert tonight in self preservtion.

Bummer

We went to look at a house today. We have only found about 3 to put on our list, as there doesn't seem to be a lot out there that meets our qualifications. Which I guess means we're picky. Which also means I really, really, really want one of these three houses to work out.

This one didn't. It was so disgusting I can't even believe the agent had the guts to list it under their name.

There was mold growing on the walls in the basement, there was water damage everywhere, and they hadn't even bothered to vacuum. You see some amazing things about the way people live when you go through houses. Sometimes it isn't pretty.

I'm really disappointed, but I am still hopeful one of the other two will work out.

At the very least, the whole thing made me feel better about listing out house. It's very clean and well kept compared to a lot of the other stuff out there.

I really just want to know what is going to happen one way or the other. I hate living in limbo land.

I've Lost It

Tomorrow on our family calendar I wrote "Pick up old cans".

What the heck?! I have no idea what that means.

I've finally lost it.

Moving?

Jeff and I moved into our house three years ago. It seemed huge and cavernous when we arrived, but as it often goes, things are feeling a bit smaller now. Three boys and their toys take up a lot of space. It's not horrible, though, and if we didn't need to refinance anyway in April, I wouldn't even think about typing this next sentence.

We're thinking about moving.

It stresses me out to even think about it. Which may deter us in the end. I hate packing. I hate moving. I REALLY REALLY hate change. I form emotional attachments to houses and the memories their walls contain. Our house is the place I raised two of my babies, and spent long hours walking the floors with infants in the dead of night. It's the place my dad has painted and built a fence. When I think about leaving that, I want to vomit.

But, it is turning out that it might be the best financial move. We'd like to get over to Sarpy county for lower property taxes, and there are some great deals on houses right now. I think it would be very possible for us to end up with a lot more house for a lot less in the monthly payment.

Nothing is for sure, which is good for my emotional state. But I guess we'd better start looking and thinking.

Ending the Week on a High Note

Last night we celebrated Evan receiving two stickers in the reward system at eye therapy. We had a family movie night and we all snuggled up on the couch and watched Wall-E. It was the first time I saw the movie, and as an adult, I thought it was great, but it really didn't hold the attention of the toddlers. The story line was a bit above their heads, which was a disappointment for Disney/Pixar, but still a god movie, and a great family time.

We had great news at eye therapy this week, where the doctor checked in on his progress now that we are at the four week mark. She is really pleased with how well he is doing, and says he is above average in his progress. Today, during home therapy, he was able to cross his eyes for the first time ever. It took a Herculean effort, but I am SOOO excited to see progress already!!!

We got our van back from the "car hospital" (as Charlie calls it) on Friday afternoon, and BOY does it feel good to have things back to normal. The great thing was that it wasn't the fuel pump, only a disconnected air pump, which only cost $100. Awesome.

And to top it off, my husband suggested AND offered to help with an organizing/cleaning project today. We took every scrap of paper out of our filing cabinets, all the flotsom and jetsom that have built up over our marriage. We scrapped and shredded 4 bags of trash, and reorganized all of our financial records. I love, love, LOVE organizing things. And to have Jeff help? Even better.

Fun and Excitement!

Have you ever tried to help a 4th grader with double digit long division at the same time you are cooking dinner at the same time you have two whining toddlers hanging on your legs?

It is the most fun ever, let me tell you.

It is so much fun, I sure hope I don't get to do it again tonight!

Am I bald yet? Because I am pulling my hair out...

This was our night last night:

I had a meeting after school last night that went a little late. By the time we left school it was 4:30. Not good for our schedule, that's for sure! We rushed home, I got the toddlers settled with a video, and by 5:00 Evan and I started on eye therapy. It was already 5:40 by the time I was able to start cooking dinner. Which meant that the natives were getting restless. When Charlie and Sam get hungry, they have the intense urge to wrestle each other to the floor and bite each other. Perhaps they are envisioning eating their brother for dinner? I don't know, but it happens every time.

Meanwhile, Evan has now gotten a VERY late start on his regular homework, which GOD BLESS AMERICA! included ALGEBRA. Cue the scary music. I swear to you, I was in 7th grade before a teacher uttered this dreaded word in my presence. It is no joke when you hear a teacher say they are pushing down the curriculum to earlier and earlier grades in order to cram in all the info kids need to have before high school graduation. Needless to say, Evan was not able to do this assignment on his own, and now began begging for help. All the while I am trying to get dinner on the table.

We made it through dinner somehow, but afterwards I managed to dump an entire glass of sticky orange juice on the floor. At the same time Sammy took his own diaper off (which was full of poop) and tried to sit down on his potty chair and got poop everywhere. At the same time Evan was crying through his after supper chores because he had so much homework left to do.

I had to excuse myself for a time out in my bedroom. I worked on finding something to be thankful for while I was in there. IT. WAS. HARD. I tried hard not to cry. It didn't work.

Somehow we got through the rest of our night. The miracle, and not a small one either, was that I was able to still greet my husband with a smile and a hug when he got home, instead of wrathful anger because he was home late again. So at least we didn't top things off with a fight. Instead, Jeff noticed things seemed to be in a bit of disarray, and he cheerfully helped me to restore order. And then we all felt better.

I am REALLY hopeful though that tonight is better. Because tomorrow? My baby turns 3! I can't believe Charlie will be officially leaving toddlerdom behind (I am hoping he leaves the temper tantrums behind too!!) and is becoming a preschooler. But, we are going to welcome this new age in with a big party and a CELEBRATION tomorrow! Charlie and I can't wait!

I am SOOOOO over Walmart

Due to a horrific experience we had this morning. All three of the boys were in the car with me this morning as I drove through the Walmart parking lot, looking for a free space. This is gripe number one: THERE IS NEVER AN OPEN SPOT CLOSE TO THE DOOR AT WALMART BECAUSE IT IS PACKED AT ALL HOURS. EVEN 2:00 IN THE MORNING. I unwittingly drove into the middle of an argument two cars were having over a parking spot. I didn't want their spot. I was just cruising by. But a woman in one of the cars thought she owned the pavement, gave me the finger, and shouted the F word at me. Did I mention my kids were in the car? A second car started honking at us as we passed this mess. I don't even know why, really. When we finally parked a couple of rows down from the crazy people, a car full of teenage boys stopped right behind our van and started honking and yelling obscenities at us. Did I mention that my kids were in the car? I really and truly don't even know why they were upset. I just drove up and down the aisles, and parked.

Which brings me to gripe number two: THE WALMART PARKING LOT IS FULL OF RUDE, SCARY, GRUMPY PEOPLE. By this time, I was getting nervous. I was alone with my kids, with a loaded car of angry men behind me. I wanted to cry, but I didn't want the boys to get scared, and I could tell Evan was already nervous. Luckily for us, God was keeping us safe, and the car of crazy teenagers went on their way shortly. I looked at my kids, smiled, and said, "I think this is a good day to go to Target!"

In the past, I was willing to put up with the parking lot being crowded, the store being crowded (gripe number three: WALMART IS ALWAYS WALL TO WALL PEOPLE, BUT NONE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYEES WHO CAN HELP YOU FIND THE ONE THING ON YOUR LIST YOU CAN'T LOCATE.) etc, for the lower prices. But now that I don't feel safe there? I am all about Target. Where, by the way, the parking lot had lots of open spaces, there was a friendly employee to help me find the lamp shades, and no one tried to scare the crap out of my kids and I. Totally worth the extra pennies.

90210

I couldn't resist. I had to watch it last night. I even stayed home from the gym and exercised at home so that I could watch. I tried to resist but the pull of Brenda and Kelly was too much to resist.

The highpoints? Seeing Nat. The Peach Pit. Kelly and even Brenda.

The lowpoints? Brandon and Kelly have a kid? What?! What happened to the way the series left Kelly and Dylan together? Unfortunately, the rest of the show was also the lowpoint. I could have cared less about the rest of the new characters.

I think I will feel better about not coming back next week.

Old Friends

It seems that within the last couple of weeks there has been an explosion of people on Facebook that I knew and was friends with in elementary school and high school.

Most of them I lost contact with ages ago. I still think about many of them, especially when I am out and about near my parents house, and I drive past their parent's houses.

It's so neat to see how their lives have turned out, and see pictures of their kids.

Although it is a little strange, after years of not hearing from or about people, to know what is happening in their lives through status updates. A strange way to be back together.

What did people do before all this social networking?

Accomplished

Okay. So I know I said I would take a break today, but forgive me if I don't. I got so much done this weekend, I have to tell. And then you'll be proud of me too, right?

I think if we had three days every weekend, I could be Super Woman. Here's what I did over the last three days:

1. Got a lot of the fall clothing shopping done for the toddlers.
2. Canned a lot of spaghetti sauce.
3. Completely cleaned out the toy room, threw away two full bags, cleaned and packed up the baby toys. Organized the toy room, complete with toy labels on every container that I made myself by taking pictures of each type of toy that went in a container. Clean up the last two days has gone SO much better!
4. Took all three boys to the park.
5. Went to the gym twice.
6. Did 13 loads of laundry, including folding and putting away.
7. Changed all the sheets in the house.
8. Got Charlie ready to be Star of the Month.
9. Did a lot of homework.

Do you think if I campaigned for a four day school week anyone would listen?

I think we've started a family tradition...

The last couple of weeks the kids and I have stopped at the store on the way home from school on Friday. We were there for a variety of things, but on impulse both times I picked up some donuts for Saturday's breakfast.

This morning on the way to school, Charlie piped up from the backseat with "Mommy, go to the store day! Get chocolate donuts!" I was amazed that somehow in that toddler brain he knew it was Friday. I thought it was a good idea, but I pulled the bribery card. Today was school picture day, and Charlie is not famous for wanting to participate, so I bribed him with a chocolate donut trip after school.

Lo and behold-he allowed his picture to be taken!

Plus, I'm liking this donut Saturday thing. I think we may have to keep it up.

To Watch or Not to Watch

I vividly remember the first time that I watched an episode of Beverly Hills 90210. I was in 8th grade. It was the episode where Brenda volunteers for a teen crisis line. I have no idea how I got our family's one television to myself that night, but I made sure I got it every episode after that. I used many tactics I wasn't necessarily proud of, including throwing a temper tantrum at the age of 13 (as only teen age girls can do) and bossing my younger siblings around. It was totally and completely worth the trouble though. I faithfully watched that show from that night until the last episode, the wonderful wedding of Donna and David we had all waited a decade for.

My favorite was Dillon, that James Dean look alike. I desperately wanted to bear Luke Perry's children. I copied the hairstyles of Kelly and Claire, but especially Donna. I sobbed when Dillon cried after his wife was killed. I LOVED THIS SHOW.

Actually I still love it. I watched it on FX when they first started reairing episodes, and now I watch it daily on Soap Net. All of my boys cringe when they hear the theme music, but they know it is one show the queen bee insists on watching.

And now, on September 2nd, the CW will air a spin off show (called 90210) on September 2nd. It features two of the original cast, Brenda and Kelly. I am torn about whether or not to watch. It could NEVER live up to the original. It can't even come close. But I am curious. I just don't know. I'll probably watch it just to see Brenda and Kelly again. Now, if it was starring the original cast, I would be there in a heartbeat.