Ain't no body got time fo dat!

That line has been running through my head a lot lately.  I've had ONE day this month where I didn't have to leave the house for any length of time.  (drove the kids 2 miles to church in the evening which doesn't count).   We've been getting our Baby Gabey fix in at a good rate.   He comes here at least once a week, sometimes three.   He's such a sweetheart and loves to cuddle!

(using Liz's laptop, I'll try to upload pictures later from mine)

Yep, we have laptops in our house again.   I bought 2 hard drives and have been trying to get both mine and Liz's up to snuff.  We're running on Linux/Ubuntu so I've been having to learn things all over again.  It's been fun getting all geeky and finding work arounds.  It'd be even more fun if I had tons of time to waste on doing it.

Only a few more weeks before Liz and AJ will be coming home!   Having Liz 1000 miles away has been hard, especially this week.   She was hit by a car on the way home the other night (she was on a bike).  Luckily the car wasn't going very fast and the road she was thrown into didn't have any heavy traffic (light had just turned green).   She's doing ok but has had a few days of feeling like she was just hit by a car.  She's not sure how she did it but she crushed her wedding ring during the accident.   I'm sure the driver's insurance will cover fixing/replacing it but until then my mom is letting Liz use one of my grandmother's bands.  I think we have most things pinned down for the vow renewal/wedding celebration on the 21st.  Now to do the work and spend the money to get it done. 

Val is engaged!   Matt proposed and gave her a beautiful ring on Saturday.   Tom knew already because Matt asked him permission and showed him the ring.   Snot never said anything to me!   So now we have another wedding to plan and save up for.  We also have a baby shower to do.  I can't even start to think about it until Liz's ceremony is over.   I'm figuring we'll have it mid to late September, so there's time.   Val's best friend Janna and the girls are doing most of the planning so far.   I've gone on a few more shopping sprees for the little guy!  FUN! FUN! FUN!

For the first time in almost 7yrs Tom and I have our room to ourselves!   Carrie moved out  a few weeks ago.  Danielle and Sean jumped at the chance to move into her room.  They have a twin bed set up with Carrie's loft waiting for a railing to be installed (they both move a lot when sleeping, I don't trust them up there without it).  Today's plan is to get the toys out of the living room and into their room.   Then maybe we can actually move around in this place!  

Friday was our 30th wedding anniversary.    We didn't do anything for it.   Tom's been on call all week with a few late night call ins, so he slept it away.   We are going away in September to "celebrate".  We're sharing a 4bdrm beach house in Surfside, South Carolina.  We get one room, my parents get another, my dad's sister and a family friend are sharing one and my mom's sister along with her daughter and son in law are sharing the 4th one.   Obviously it's not a romantic getaway but I'm looking forward to getting away nonetheless.  I'm also trying to convince Tom to take advantage of some free room offers from a local casino this month.

I've been working at the baseball stadium for our church fundraiser.   Last night was one of our busiest times.   Thursday and Friday look to be just as busy as they'll have fireworks and a carnival running at the same time as the ball games.  (double header on the 4th)  It's nice to be able to help since $$ isn't always there to give. 

I've been trying to take better care of myself in all this busyness.   I was going to the rec center pool every weekday when school was in session.   I haven't had it work out (meaning I'm not getting up early enough!) since vacation started.  Last week I managed to go for a walk Wed, Thurs and Fri.  Where I've been walking has very few flat areas with big hills on both ends that are killers.  I realized on Fri I could walk a different way and it's fairly flat.  I like the challenge of the hills so not sure if I'll wimp out and go with the flat walk.  Although if I don't get my fanny out the door to walk...there is no decision to make and I've totally failed!

My yearly fight with the pool has started.  I haven't totally won yet but I'm getting close.   The problem is that the water level keeps dropping.  I'm pretty sure there is a slow leak somewhere.  I've been looking for it since late last summer and haven't found it yet.   It makes running the skimmer hard although I have managed to rig up the vacuum hose so don't have to give up circulating the water totally.  

OK...Danielle has decided she needs to snuggle with her momma and typing makes that not doable.   So I'm off.  Now that I can pound out a post a lot quicker I hope to be more active here.   Have a great 4th if I don't make it back by then. 

I love....

Unused snow days! Last day of school is a week earlier because of them. Last full day is the 14th, then half days on the 17th and 18th. It can't come soon enough



Furry little kittens. Our mama cat has decided that the livingroom is a much better then the shed. We have NO idea how she keeps getting in much less to be able to drag 4 babies in.

Growing baby bumps. Everytime Val walks by I can't help but smile at the little bulge that seems to get bigger every day. She has a sono scheduled today. They're still not sure whether they'll share the gender. I want to shop so I'm hoping she does.

A quirky little guy who keeps me on my toes, and his beautiful big sister.

He refused to pose for pictures this morning...



But I managed to sneak a few.




Danielle was fine with pictures being taken.





First world problems...especially when they make me slow down and look around. Yes, we were going at a snail's pace bit did you realize how beautiful the fields are?



And now the next morning.

The hardest working man in the world. Tom has been taking call almost every weekend so we don't have to go into debt for Liz's wedding.
This week is his scheduled oncall week. He ended up getting called into work at 9 last night and never came home. I just talked to him....he's exhausted and heading home to sleep. Looks like he might be in for more of the same tonight. My poor guy.

Btw...Val and Matt did decide to share their news. Val and I stopped at Walmart on the way home last night and bought lots of things with dinosaurs and cars on them!!!

Ok...I'm already late for the pool. See ya soon!

Day off!!!

A true day off...no school, no one needs a ride to work, and no doctor's appointments. I think tonight is even free which doesn't happen often. I wish I could say that a lot was accomplished already but I can't. For the first time in a looong time I stayed in bed past 7...actually it was after 9! We needed a day like this though. Poor Danielle has had a fever all week and now has ulcers all over the inside of her mouth and tongue. She says they don't hurt and that she feels better. Most everyone else is dealing with a cold.

Yesterday was one of those days when I say to myself.....WHAT was I thinking...having all these kids? Sean, Danielle and I spent most of the day in the car running errands for everyone else. (Even Liz who lives out of state! LOL) We did have some special fun times too. We got the new blueberry pomegranate smoothies from McD's and the kids got an awesome holiday cookie from Wegman's. (It's always about the food) And any day we get to take care of Gabe for the evening is a good day. Add in watching Meg and it becomes a superdy duper day! She is getting so big! She's wearing undies all the time. Even though they still live here we don't see them tons. Allison's sister has been watching Meg during the day and their nights have been busy.



Sean is getting big too! He lost his first tooth on Monday.

And now it's gone from Friday to Tuesday without me knowing! Although the weather wasn't the best it was still nice. Saturday was grocery shopping and errand day. Tom and I went out to dinner with my parents, my sister and brother and their spouses. After we hung out until 1am or so. Sunday was more errands in the morning and then a cookout at church. It was awesome to sit and talk while we watched the kids play games and softball. What started as a....the kids want to visit, is it ok if I bring them over on Monday? conversation on Tuesday turned into a full blown cookout at my parents' house. Pat and Alex had to work so weren't there. And of course Liz and AJ were in another state. I was really missing them yesterday. I think part of the reason was that I didn't have my phone and couldn't text or call them.

I'm sitting here in the pitch dark so I don't see the disaster area around me. I have my work cut out for me. I just wish the water supply wasn't an issue....and my back...ok,my whole body but mostly my back right now....OUCH! I'm hoping I can make it to the pool after the kids get on the bus. I have a feeling that will be a major feat. Why can't school be done now!?!?! I know I say this every year but it's true. These last few weeks of school are a waste of time! Just give me my kids already!

Ok...enough rambling. It's 4am, I've been up for 2hrs and if I don't get back to sleep sometime before 6:30...it's gonna be a looong day. See ya!

Oh rats!

Seems I lost a post I wrote over two days this week. GRRRR! That's what I get for being impatient and closing an app before it says it's done.

The weather here has been BEAUTIFUL!!! The only problem is that I know it has to end and most likely will this weekend. Which happens to be our church soccer weekend when we want it nice out. I'd love to say I got a lot done around here but you so. Oh I did manage to put dents in things but they've been undone already. One of my goals is to get the pool hooked up so I can start that yearly battle. Wish I could dump the water I'm hauling out of the basement ( washer incident) into the pool to help it get filled faster. I don't think we want to turn the pool into a bubble spa right now though. I've had Gabe here quite a few days this last week. It's so nice to get cuddle time with him.




Grandpa gives the best airplane rides!




On Monday I took Danielle and Sean to play on the playground at church while Eileen and Olivia were at soccer practice.







I finally got my behind over to the pool this morning ( Tuesday)! My arms got a good work out. Allison had Tuesday off. After running some errands we ended up taking Meg over to the church playground to run off some steam.





It's now Thursday and I'm happy to say I made it to the pool again Wednesday! I couldn't today because Carrie had a doctor's appointment first thing today. It's bugging me that I didn't go.... that's a good thing. I am so out of shape! I couldn't do the crawl for their full length of the pool and back! Me, the fish. Someone who's swam for over a mile before. Makes me want to cry. Instead I'll just work on getting some of that old me back! As of now I've decided I still want to go to the rec center pool during the summer. Our pool here isn't long enough to get a decent amount of strokes in before having to turn around. We'll see if it's still my thoughts once summer vacation starts.

I need another day added to this week! I don't haven't enough hours in the day to get everything done. Laundry, so we'll have clothes to wear this weekend. Grocery shopping so we can eat and the kids won't starve while Tom and I are gone to South Carolina... if we go. Picking up and watching baby Gabe. Plus the regular stuff... making dinner and cleaning... oh and maybe sleeping. I won't even be here for Mother's Day. I'm working breakfast at church and then heading to the ball park to work. At least I'll be close to my parents' house and can stop to visit my mom. At least I have a mom to visit. I hate this time of year for Tom and his siblings. My lilacs are almost in full bloom. They remind me so much of my mother-in-law. That and all the garage sale signs. It's not the same going without her.

Don't really want to end on a somber note but I need to take Val to work and I don't want this to sit on my phone any longer. I'll end with a picture of Meg and Gabe. Because you can't help smile looking at them. :o)

Trying to put off cleaning

Well that's one reason to sit here and write. It was either that or start playing a video game. For some reason a game just doesn't interest me right now.... believe me, I tried. This house is swallowing me whole! I've puttered here and there but haven't put too much of a dent in any one area.

I SO wish we were leaving for South Carolina now instead of in 3 weeks. As much as I want to see Liz and AJ, I'm really looking forward to spending some alone time with Tom. Figuring AJ has school all day and Liz will most likely have to work some of the days leaves us alone.

Hmmm, I just went back and looked at my last post. Seems a lot of it was lost when I published it... sorry about that. I'm not even sure what else I was rambling about that night. Maybe its a good thing.lol

And now it's the next morning. I ended up doing something around here, though you can't really tell.

It was beautiful out last night. It makes it hard to get homework, dinner and bedtime done. I can't wait for summer vacation... its going to be a loooong 9 weeks. At least our mornings have been v going better. That is as long as everything goes according to Sean's routine. It amazes me how quickly these kids are growing up. Can Danielle really be almost 8 yrs old?



And my baby is on his way to being a 1st grader!



Nevermind the fact that Drew will turn 29 on Friday!!! How can he be that old when that's how old I am!!! LOL



Ok... enough off this. I have to go get Danielle and Sean up for school and be productive. See ya!

Well blow me away!

I can't believe the wind is still howling out there. We lost power this afternoon for a few hours because of it. Hopefully it stays on. I don't want to end up sitting in the dark. Although if it decided to go out when it was time to go to school... letting us use a snow day. Then I'm all for it! I know... I'm worse then the kids.

Why am I up? Because Pat called
me on his way home from work and woke me up after I'd been asleep for over an hour. So I essentially power napped. He was calling to tell me I wasn't going to watch Gabe tomorrow. Waaaaah! I needed to pick him up early and it didn't work out well for Alex, so her mom is taking him for the evening.... no fair! There are going to be a lot of bummed out kids in the morning when they hear the news. They've been waiting all week for him to come back.

Poor Liz, she's been dealing with a migraine and had been pretty quiet today. Hope she's better soon. She did manage too land a job yesterday. She was hired on the spot to work at Hardees. None of my kids really know what that is. I explained it as a hed my quiet time alone but I should be sleeping. I'm watching Meg in the morning, Carrie has a doctor appointment, and I need to get ready for a conference at church that's happening this weekend. Besides its getting harder to swipe accurately on this phone. Hope everyone's weekend is a good one.

3 Months?

Can it really be that long since I wrote here last? Sheesh! We're still without a computer here so this process can be slow going. Lots has happened here.

Val and Matt announced last month that she's pregnant and due at the end of October. Matt insisted it was twins until the sono proved him wrong.

AJ graduated from bootcamp March 22nd and headed to South Carolina for Nuke school. When he arrived they said he could get married. So on the 28th...Liz, AJ's mom and I headed down there with my van loaded with their stuff. The county clerk's office was closed due to it being Good Friday but they met them outside the office building to sign the license

application. They also met them outside city hall on Saturday to perform their ceremony.


They granted AJ special liberty so he could spend his wedding night with his bride instead of in the barracks. On Sunday we went to see the USS Yorktown. It was fun watching everyone watch/interact with AJ and his brother in their uniforms (he's in the army stationed at Fort Bragg. He surprised AJ and joined us for the weekend).




AJ was the Navy's again Sunday night. Monday was jumping through hoops and red tape day so Liz could be an official military wife. Amazingly everything happened according to the timeline and the kids had their house on Tuesday. We unpacked the van, went grocery shopping, had dinner and then hit the road for home. AJ's mom and I both arrived home wearing sandals... IN A SNOWSTORM! Made me want to turn right back around and move in with Liz!

Last week I started my new baby sitting gig. I get to snuggle and cudle with Mr Gabe on Fridays ( and various other days as needed) while Pat and Alex work.



Luke started a full time job this week. He's working construction with Matt. He's already worked a ton of hours (15 yesterday alone). Poor kid is sore and tired. Bye bye soft and smooth hands... hello man hands.

The kids have about 10 more weeks of school. Sean is doing better about going. Although he can be tempted to start balking as soon as the routine is messed with.


I know I say I'm going to be better about posting and then fall off the face of the earth for long stretches. But now I have to keep this updated for Liz and AJ's sake. So hopefully it truly happens this time.

Now to try and get control of this disaster area. But first a picture of Danielle just for Liz.

What to do?

Since Christmas vacation has ended this little guy had given me problems. He doesn't want to go to school or he's sick every morning. Two mornings I've had to physically put him on the bus stairs after he tried to back down the driveway when the bus arrived. I did manage to bribe him to go every day one week with ice cream money at the end of the week (first time buying ice cream). It's not working now.

So today I'm trying the mean mommy routine. You stay home from school.... you don't get off the couch. It's hard since I'd rather snuggle, color, do puzzles and play legos with him. But I can't keep doing this every morning.... it's exhausting. Right now I'm not too sure how this plan is working out. I know there were a few times today that he wasn't too happy. But was it enough? Because I don't really see me getting much harsher.

His teacher and I talked a bit yesterday. I warned her he may be attending in his pajamas a time or two. Although I really don't see more doing that either... but you never know with this kid. What makes it especially hard is that I could care less if he went! I love having him home. But as I tell him... it's his job to go and my job to make sure he goes.

His teacher mentioned that he seems to be quite tired most days since having the flu at the beginning of December. Hearing that brought flashbacks of Carrie and her cancer diagnosis...I can't even let my mind wander there but a physical exam might not be a terrible thing either.

Well the kids will be home soon and I have to decide when Sean can stop being "sick" and start enjoying the weekend.

Sometimes being the mom sucks!

Brrrrrrrrr!

It's really cold outside and a bit chilly in here. Our furnace is working but our thermostat isn't. That means we have to turn it on and off manually and can run it for only short cycles. Luckily our house is pretty well insulated and it hasn't been too bad in here with minimal effort... until this morning. Let's just say I'll be getting my exercise today and lucky me... my knees hate stairs with a passion lately.

Liz called me last night to let me know that AJ put me on the guest list for his swearing in ceremony and we had to be there by 9:30. Hmmm... getting there would be tight. It takes 45 minutes in good weather and the kids get on the bus at 8:40. I decided to let the little ones stay in their toasty beds instead of getting on the bus. (Luke is here to watch them.) Then I realized I wasn't getting out of the driveway without some major shoveling. Grrrr. Then I got a text from Allison... Meg was upstairs alone... Drew got snowed in at band practice last night. Good thing I didn't get out of the driveway after all.

So poor me stuck in the house with cute fun loving kids. We've already donned hats and gloves to fight snow monsters in the living room and made jewelry out of magnetic balls and rods. I think there was talk of playdough next. I'd love nothing better then to get out my yarn and crochet hooks. Or some felted sweaters and Liz's sewing machine to make some mittens.

Danielle is super excited because Liz is moving back home tonight. It'll be good for Liz to be mauled for a few days. :o) Before getting off here I'll share one of my favorite pictures of Liz and AJ, even if they don't think it's a good one. Both of them have lost weight since this was taken last summer. (AJ lost a significant amount).

Doing this the hard way

I've missed writing here. I'm constantly writing posts in my head but without a computer handy its hard to get them published. Both our computers are down. Thankfully after Christmas we became a house of smartphone and ipod users so its not as painful as it would have been last year. Just makes things a little slower going... I'm not the greatest on my phone's "keypad".

Things have also been pretty busy here too. Drew and Allison are still living here. Allison had a full time position at a credit union, Drew is working part time in retail. I'm taking care of Meghan when he's working.

I'm also still driving Val and Liz to work and picking up Carrie from school so I'm on the road a lot.

Pat and Alex had their baby boy on the 11th... Gabriel David...8lbs 14oz. Everyone thinks he looks like Sean.




Liz is saying goodbye AJ today. :o( He's getting sworn in and heading to boot camp for the Navy tomorrow morning. Tonight he stays overnight at a local hotel with all the other recruits from the area. We had a goodbye dinner for him on Sunday. Sean broke everyone's heart when he went last to say goodbye. He wrapped his arms and legs around him and held on tight. I still tear up thinking about it.

Sean's decided that he'd like to be done with school. Almost every morning he says he doesn't feel good or flat out refuses to go to school. I've managed to get him on the bus for the most part. I think he figured out I meant business when I dragged him across the road by his coat and physically put him on the bus stairs. ( Had to do it twice so far) Luckily he didn't see me crying my eyes out as I walked back into the house.

I tend to forget that I can utilize my phone as much as I can, especially when it comes too talking pictures. So I'm hoping I can change that mindset and post more here including adding more pictures. Right now though I need to get off here and finish some things before I have to pick up Carrie.

Aaaaand he's back!

Poor Tom!  He's back home already.   I was in the middle of reading the kids a bedtime story when he called and said he was almost home.   Seems the county decided to pull them after getting reports of workers getting food and urine thrown at them.   None of the workers that were there know what incident they are talking about.   They said most people were appreciative that they were there although there were a few bad apples.   I guess Tom's crew went to the NJ/Penn border and waited for the first crew to meet up with them.   It's all the information I have since I was asleep before he walked in the door and all we had time to say today was Good Morning, Try to have a good day and I love you.   I'm sure I'll hear more tonight when he gets home.  

Today is the rare occasion where I have the house totally to myself.   All the school kids are at school, Luke is housesitting for Pat and Alex who are due home tomorrow, Val is in Buffalo at a meeting for work and won't be back until this evening, and Drew, Allison and Meghan won't be moving back in from my parents' house until tomorrow.   So until noon when I have to go pick up Carrie from school....I am allllllll alone!   I am enjoying the silence at the moment.  It may start to drive me batty though soon.   What I really want to do is take a nap and get rid of this headache that's starting before it gets too big.  BUT this place is falling down around me and needs some TLC.   But first.....coffee!  

Can I just say......I am so glad that today is election day!   I am so sick of my phone ringing off the hook with  election related calls.   I was on the verge of burying the house phone in the backyard yesterday!  

A few of us have had some fun taking the Love Language Assessments .   It's the premise that people feel/show love in 5 different ways, some types are more fulfilling/stronger then others.  You take the assessment test of 20 or 30 questions and it lets you know which type you speak the best.  They are...
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch
I wasn't surprised by mine....Physical Touch was the run away leader with 11pts, then Quality Time (7) and Acts of Service (6).  Words of Affirmation got 4pts and Receiving Gifts got 2.     Although I think I show love differently. In my mind how I show love would be Physical Touch, Acts of Service and then gifts.  Eileen was also strong in Physical Touch while Olivia was strong in Gifts.   I thought Olivia's would be Acts of Service, although it was her second strongest one.   Then again this is the girl who used ALL my Christmas wrapping paper to make people presents every day when she was 4yo.   Not only that what I'm viewing as acts of service (cleaning and helping)  could be seen as a gift too.    Can you take a guess as to which one I'm pretty sure is Tom's least strongest language?   Yep, Touch.   I know it and have for a long time......he'd rather use his actions or words.   It took a long time for me to figure it out and a lot of hurt feelings.  Even now I have to remind myself that it's just not on his radar to hug me out of the blue and to really appreciate it when he does.   Or to go ask him for one when I need it!   For him I think Acts of Service would be his highest with Words being second.  (he hasn't done the assessment...just my opinion)   Maybe I'll see if he's interested in taking the quiz tonight.  

Well this isn't getting anything done.   My bathrooms are screaming at me and the kitchen is threatening to relocate to the livingroom if things don't improve in there.   What I really want to do is go in my room, find some yarn and start crocheting my soon to be born grandson's shower gift!!! Hmmm what can I get done in the 45mins before I have to leave? 

He's on his way

Tom got the call that he was leaving for NYC at 5 this morning just before I went out the door to work the dome yesterday.   It was SO hard to leave.  He had so much to do and I wasn't going to be there to help him.   I told him that I'd go shopping for food for him after I got home but he decided to go after dropping Val off at work.   He also found someone else to take his oncall for him since he didn't want to be going into work at 2am and having to be there again at 5.   He knows he'll be getting very little sleep this week and sleep is important to him.   Now that everything is all said and done I REALLY wish I'd just said forgetaboutit and stayed home like I wanted.   Tom was in bed by the time I got home.    Darn you late workers who left early and made it so we had to stay the whole time!!!!  I guess it's really my fault for thinking how things would/should go ahead of time and being disappointed that it didn't go as planned.   My new plan was to get up with Tom this morning but somehow he managed to get out of bed without waking me.    I didn't even get to say good-bye to him!  :o(    It's time like these that I wish he had texting abilities (county won't allow them to use it on their work phones).   I miss him already.  It's going to be a loooong week.

Eileen and Olivia did a pretty fine job of holding down the fort while I was gone.   They gave Sean and Danielle baths, cut Danielle's (and Olivia's) bangs, and were having tuna fish on crackers for dinner when I walked in the door.   Then I had to walk back out the door to pick up Val from work and Carrie from my BIL's house.   And wouldn't you know it but I went through a red light on the way home!   I don't know how  or why I did since I drive through there a bazillion times a day.    All I know is that I heard Val very calmly say...a red light and realized...oh yeah that's what I'm looking at.  I was already half way through the intersection when I slammed on my brakes.   Luckily it was when it was and there wasn't any trafffic around. And that the police were going in the opposite direction with their lights flashing a minute before that.   I was very glad to pull into the driveway, grab the kids and hop into bed!

Ahh it's getting light outside and I see a dusting of snow!  BRRRR!   I am not ready for this but I guess I'll have to be since there's a Nor'easter coming up the coast this week. (poor Tom and  NYC!)   I haven't heard what it's suppose to be bringing us yet so maybe we'll luck out.   Tom not so much though.  Last I knew he was going to be in the Coney Island/Brooklyn area.   I just looked on a map from Fri and they say those areas will be without power until the 11th!   I hope that's an overestimate and that this new storm doesn't undo what the repair crews have already done.  

Hmmm why does it take me so long to write here?    It's been over 3hrs since I started.  Just color me distracted.   The kids have now gone to school except Carrie who says she has a really bad headache......again.   At noon I'm taking Val to the thruway exit to meet some coworkers.  They are headed to Buffalo until tomorrow evening, so a little break from driving for me.  Of course I still have to go into the city since we're out of milk and I have to exchange Eileen's knee pads for volleyball.   We bought the more expensive ladies' version since they seemed thicker but they're too tight for her.   No one on the team wanted to trade her so back to the store they go.   And of course I don't have a receipt so we'll see how that goes.   I'll probably end up taking the less expensive ones for the price I paid for the original ones.  Oh well.

Guess I'm getting off here and getting something done.   I was thinking it would be nice if I could have our bedroom straightened up for Tom when he comes home from NYC.    Now if only I could figure out a way to make the work I've done in my head count....it would be done already three times over.    

Head Spinning

   

That's how things seem to be around here lately.   My calendar for November is filled to bursting with things being added on daily.   Carrie needs to be picked up daily from school, Eileen made the middle school volleyball team so there are practices to be picked up from after school and games to attend.   Val's still working with me driving and at times Liz grabs a ride with her when it works out.   I'm working concessions at the Syracuse University Dome for our church fundraiser a few times a week which makes all of the above even more mind boggling.   Carrie still isn't feeling 100% so has had a few extra doctor appts thrown in there.    My parents are due back from there trip today sometime so add in Drew, Allison and Meghan starting to move back in.  Hopefully Meghan adjusts quickly.   It'll be nice to have her here again, I've missed her.  

We made it through Sandy well although at first it seemed like we were in for a fun time.   The winds really started here about 1ish on Monday afternoon.   Tom and I had gone away for the night Sunday night to an area casino.  (room was comped)  Work called him a few times on Monday and finally asked him to come in at 11pm and run the overnight shift, so we cut our time out short so he could get home and take a nap.   We walked in the door just before 3.   I noticed we were out of drinking water so ran to the church conference center to fill up our jugs.  The lights went on and off quickly while I was there.  We unloaded the car of water and I started barking orders to the kids that had just gotten off the bus.  Less then 15mins later our power was out and not coming back.   GRRRR!   I wasn't ready!   Luckily it came back on some time between 6 and 6:30.     We worked like gangbusters to whip this place in shape and get everything ready.   Wouldn't you know it...the power stayed on for the remainder of the storm.   Fine by me but you know if we hadn't done a thing it would've been off for days!

Tom got really excited on Tuesday when it was announced that his shop was sending a crew down to NYC to help out.   Unfortunately they asked the person who was already on call if he wanted to go and he did.   I was on the verge of crying when I found out Tom wouldn't have the opportunity.  If only he could've gone down and seen the huge city sewers. He's such a geek!  lol   On Friday it was mentioned that they might switch out the crew this week so MAYBE Tom will get a chance to go...we're hoping at least.    Although it would be perfectly ok if the city didn't need them too, meaning things were greatly improved for the residents.

We had fun on Wednesday.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures since it was getting too dark outside and my phone doesn't have a flash (wish I'd thought of that when I bought the thing!  oh well, live and learn). One of the best costumes I saw was a store bought inflatable Stay Puft Marshmallow man.   The best of all belonged to my own kids....Drew, Allison and Meghan...the cast of Monsters, Inc.!   Allison made the costumes and she did an awesome job!  



Here's a better one of Meghan's Boo costume

There didn't seem to be as many houses with lights on in the village this year.  It made it hard to snitch candy from the kids since they could actually count how much they had. ;o)   Oh well, I shouldn't be eating it anyways.   And for the little kids the amount they got was just enough.   Sean told me today that he has 15 pieces of candy left.

With all this craziness going on I have my eye on the 18th.   Tom and I are going back out to the casino in then since I was comped a room in November also.   We really had a nice relaxing time last time.  It didn't hurt that we came out a bit ahead so that everything (hotel, lunch, dinner, and playing) only cost us $9 plus gas money, so about $25 total.    Hopefully we'll be just as lucky this time too.  

Oh rats!  I forgot I wanted to get Alex's baby shower invitation done and mailed this weekend!!!   We're  having it December 1st at my sister's house.  Guess I'll need to stop at the store before I pick up Val from work tomorrow night.  Now to go figure out how she's getting TO work since I'll already be at the dome when she has to be there.    

See ya!

We're home

Carrie was discharged from the hospital at 6:30.   Her test showed that things aren't perfect and could be contributing to the kidney infections.   They aren't bad enough to do anything drastic like surgery to fix it though.   So for now we leave it like it is and hope we can get to the point that she doesn't get any more infections...thinking this is all still related to the kidney stone and stent even though they are gone.    I just hope he's right because we can't be doing this every month or so.   And most of all it's not good for her kidney!

We were out the door in no time BUT we couldn't leave...my car wouldn't start!   On Monday I'd taken a shower before leaving the house and my hair was down.  So before going into the urologist's office I pulled down my visor so I could pull up my hair.  I left the visor opened with the vanity light on!  For three days!   Luckily my parents' house isn't too far from the hospital so I called Drew to come give me a jump.   We were also lucky in that didn't insist Carrie stay in the hospital until she could get in the car and that it was a really beautiful night out.   Carrie and I stood on the top of the parking garage and people watched...pretending multiple times that we were dropping things on them or making up stories about their lives.   It was one way for me to get a chance to get a kiss from Meghan.   I bought them dinner at a local place on the university for helping me out.   On the way home Carrie and I stopped to fill her prescriptions and then ran through McDs for some fries to share and a drink.   When Carrie noticed one of our school buses in the parking lot we decided to go inside.   It was the girl's field hockey team coming home from a game, so Carrie got to say hi to a few friends.

It is nice to be home.   I'm due to head out the door in 20 minutes and take Val to work.   I'm tempted to not come right home and go grocery shopping  and just let Sean and Danielle sleep in and take the day off.  We REALLY need groceries.   I could be home by 9 or 10 and then spend the day with them.   Besides Sean has gotten another cold and was coughing most of the night.   I think he might even have a bit of a fever but I'm afraid to touch him to find out because then he'd probably be up for the day!  

Well, I took Val to work and decided to go to Wegman's quick and let the kids stay home.   I ran through the store and filled my cart but then GRRRRRRRR!    I realized I'd left my cell at home and inside the case was my bank card and my license, so I wrote a check.   It came up denied!!!   I have had their shoppers club card since they were first offered 20+ yrs ago.   The reason I was denied...no check cashing privileges are attributed to my card.  HUH!?!?   It seems when they sent me my replacement card it didn't include all my privileges....I had to add them back on again.   Problem is...you need a LICENSE to add these privileges to your card!   When I explained that I was writing a check because my bank card and license were home and that I've had the account forever, that only the card was new because my old one couldn't be read anymore it fell on deaf ears.   I was given the option of using a credit/debit card (helllloooo it's at home!), them holding the cart of groceries while I went to the bank and cashed the check (no branches in the area and besides....i need my license to do that!) or to run home and get my license and proceed with the process (which would take over an hour and if I did that I wouldn't need to write a check since I could also grab my bank card!).    I ended up walking out of there without any groceries having just wasted a hour of my time and feeling a bit frustrated and like they thought I was trying to scam them.  Then on the way home I realized I was also without my coupons that I "used"!...including a buy one get one free shampoo coupon that I'd rather use at BJ's.   I'd only used it there because we desperately needed shampoo and conditioner and they didn't have any of the cheap VO5 stuff on the shelf.   So double GRRR!  

And on that note I have to leave, Val just called.   She's sick and needs me to come pick her up at work.  Never a dull moment.      

Quick update

The urologist came in this afternoon.    Seems the cat scan didn't show any new stones so we're dealing with another kidney infection.  So we continue IV antibiotics.  We have to figure out why this keeps happening. Tomorrow they are scheduling her for a test to see if her urine is backing up into her kidneys.  As long as the test comes out ok, she stays fever free and her bloodwork supports that she's improving we should be heading home tomorrow.

Earlier tonight she started complaining of more pain in different areas.  I couldn't help but get nervous because that is how her yeast infection started last time.  Hopefully it's nothing and the rest of the night is booooring.

This is exhausting

Carrie and I are again enjoying a fun filled vacation at the children's hospital.  She came home from Liz's on Sunday with a fever and pain in her right side.  We had a 9am post-op appt with the urologist so we sweated things out at home for the night.  Carrie slooowly walked into the office bringing along her fever of 102.   We were immediately sent to radiology to get an ultrsound.

Originally Carrie also had an appt at 10:20 at the KNOT clinic (for long term cancer survivors).  So we stopped in there already an hour late...explained things and dropped off some papers.  Then we headed back to the urologist's.   We walked in, they looked at the ultrasound and then announced they were admitting her.   Something was uttered about more stones, swollen kidney, possible blockage and cat scan but nothing definitive.

We sat in an exam room for 2+ hours waiting for her room to be ready. It wasn't too bad, Carrie napped and I spent most of the time calling and texting people trying to fix things....one needed rides to and from work, another needed shot records for their job in the morning and another had to be given instructions for the next day.  Boy, was I glad I got up in the middle of the night to throw in the 3 loads of laundry, get a few outfits for Sean and Danielle put aside and pack myself a bag...just incase.  I just wish I hadn't put off grocery shopping Sunday night.

So here we are.  Carrie had her cat scan about 10pm, is now fever free and is getting pain meds and antibiotics.  I have yet to talk to the doctor since we left their office.  It's a little frustrating.  I know they've been really busy but what is going on!?!?  I'm pretty sure she has stones because the sono tech slipped and asked something about them.  When she realized I didn't have knowledge of them she tried to cover herself.  Which sucks since it's purely a legal cover your butt thing (and I'm not blaming the tech...it's society's fault).

As far as I know things are going ok at home.  Luke managed to send Danielle to school with her library book and Sean with his snack.  Oh crap!!!  I JUST realized that today was Danielle's day to bring in a snack for the whole class!!!!  Ugh!!!!  And here I was thinking everything was covered.  Hopefully her teacher has a back up plan.  I know she'll understand, it just makes me sad to think of those kids with grumbly tummies if there's no back up.

Speaking of grumbly tummies, Carrie is up from her nap and it's time for lunch so gonna end this.  I'll try to keep things updated here.

Field Trip

I chaperoned my first field trip today.  It was a trip to the apple orchard with Danielle's class.   I was given 3 kids to take care of, Danielle, a little guy I know from church, Timmy and N.  Mrs G whispered....do NOT take your eyes off of N for a second.   Oh great!  Within a minute of introducing myself to N her mother showed up to go with her so it was only Danielle and Timmy for me.   Easy Peasy.

Those kids...OMGoodness I just wanted to take them all home in my pocket!   Although on the way home I decided I didn't want to be a bus driver when I grew up.   The responsibility would weigh pretty heavily over me and those kids can get a bit crazy after being cooped up all day.  We had a lot of fun  and ate some yummy apples.  Timmy was a sweetheart as always and Danielle didn't want me to go home without her.   We were back before lunch and they had work to do so I promised I'd pick her and  Sean up at the end of the day.   So everything was good after that.

WHY do I have to make things so difficult for myself?   Tomorrow is a Dome day.  Oh well so much for not letting posts sit.   I wrote this on the 4th!    Not only did I do Dome day but have also done 2 more.  The One World Concert with the Dalai Lama was Tuesday and tonight was Orange Madness which is a pep rally for the men's and women's basketball teams.    

For some reason I've had very little sleep the last few days.

Tuesday...One World concert until 1am, got into bed after 3am
Wednesday...Up at 6:30am, into bed with the little ones at 8pm
Thursday...Up at 4am, into bed shortly before the following 4am
Friday...Up at 6:30am (Sean made sure of that), running errands all day, home at 2:15pm and into bed for half an hour nap, night at the dome and now here I sit (1:15am)

WHY!?!?!     I should be sleeping like a rock, yet I'm sitting here probably babbling unintelligibly while watching mythbusters on netflix with Jake.


I am sooo glad that there is nothing going on tomorrow and Val doesn't have to work.   I'm hoping both Danielle and Sean sleep in although I don't think Sean is capable.  I so wanted to keep them home with me today but then I remembered that I had running around to do.   Sean being up and attem before the sun helped decided to send them.   Plus it seems like they've missed a good bit of school.  They keep coming down with little illnesses.  Danielle had a fever all day and well into the night last Saturday.   They have sore throats and headaches.   I  finally took Jake into the dr's Wednesday since he was coughing constantly.   At the last second I decided to bring Carrie in  for a throat culture.   Then I ran home....grabbed Olivia, Danielle and Sean...headed back to the dr's and  had their throats swabbed too.  Yesterday the call came in, they all have the some germ that they COULD fight themselves but the dr is willing to treat.   Since it seems it's been ongoing for a while I decided to treat them all, except for Danielle....she's negative.   The dr wants to see Sean in 3 to 6wks to recheck his lungs and ears.   I'm ok with that because I wanted Sean's ears retested since he failed the hearing/tympanogram during his kindergarten checkup.  

Last weekend I had all these plans to get things done but manage to not get one single thing done.  Not this weekend, I just want to chill and have fun hanging out together.    Now were to do I hire a mom so I really can spend the day doing nothing?    I guess I should attempt to get into bed if I don't want to have to fight my eyelids all day tomorrow.   They're finally getting a bit heavy now.   NIGHT

 

Oh come on!

I went to bed with Sean and Danielle last night and now I'm up and it's only 2am!   It's going to be a looong day today whether  it's a busy one or not.   I guess I should've known my idea to sleep in and get 10 or 12 hours of sleep was a pipe dream.   My body (or is it my brain because it was going a mile a minute while I'm laying in bed tossing and turning) must hate me.  I don't know why I keep thinking it would be nice to sleep past 7am.   I know if I did then I'd feel like I'd wasted my morning (not that I don't anyways)....BUT it would be nice to do on occasion!

I've decided that pants are like socks and shoes...they give me the heebie-jeebies.  I haven't worn a pair of real pants in quite some time.   I've had sweat pants and currently own one pair which I am wearing at the moment.   But I haven't had pants and especially jeans since Val was a baby.   A friend of my mom's gave me a bag of clothes that didn't fit her anymore and there were a pair of nice black stretch denim jeans in it.  I figured it would be more practical to work around here and at the dome wearing jeans then a skirt, so I decided to give them a try.   They fit ok, I didn't need to suck in to button them (or lay down on the bed and wrestle the button into the button hole like I use to when I was a teen).  I didn't like the bumps and bulges that were very obvious with them on but that's reality.  I decided to wear them with a tunic that ended midthigh and concealed some of that reality and felt it didn't look bad after all.   So out the door I went to pick up Val and run through Wegman's for some milk and such.   OH MY GOODNESS!   By the time I was midway through the store my thighs were irritated beyond belief.  I couldn't wait to get home, rip them off and get my skirt back on.   I don't know if it was that my thighs were too big for the size or if it was because it was stretch denim and made to be snug or if it's just me being a freak.   I had a good giggle as I was changing, remembering my paternal grandmother.   She always wore skirts.  Her kids would buy her pant suits and such for Christmas and birthdays, trying to get her to "get more modern and practical".   She'd put them on but never keep them on long, complaining that they felt funny and were uncomfortable.  

This weekend is our church's fall conference.  Yesterday morning Luke, Jake and I worked the breakfast shift at the grill.  Olivia had spent the night at Della's so that left Eileen home with Danielle and Sean.   Tom dropped them off before the first morning meeting.  When Danielle walked into the kitchen I had a...your mother must be having a baby, on vacation, obviously not home moment.    Eileen couldn't find a brush so decided the next best thing would be to straighten Danielle's hair and finger comb it into some clips and a ponytail.   Now I admit I really really don't care for the straightened hair look on Danielle anyways.   But this....   Sorry Eileen I know you were trying.  The girl needed a brush and needed it bad!   I'm not sure what happened by the time I was finished in the kitchen but eventually her hair ended up down and looking a little better.   I had to take a picture and send it to Liz.

Then I had to send her one of Sean

I always forget that I have a camera on me at all times.   I was hoping I'd take more pictures with the excuse of forgetting my camera taken out of the equation but it hasn't happened.  I really have to try to remember more.  

Hmmm, just realized it was after 5 (got distracted) and I was feeling I could go for a nap.  That I had an hour until it was time to start getting the kids ready for school.  Then I remembered...it's Sunday!  I could sleep in. LOL  Guess I'll try to lay down for a while.   See ya!

Wasting time

I seem to be pretty good at wasting time lately.  Actually not lately, I've always been good at it.   It's now just obvious because all my excuses are gone for the day.    It's beautiful out....I was going to go for a walk...but I haven't.   It's the day before payday...I was going to plan out my shopping list....but I haven't.   My kitchen is less then sparkling...but here I sit.   My bathrooms need some TLC...later.   I did manage to get some laundry in...woohooo! Go me!  I really have no idea why I'm doing this.   I'd blame it on depression but depressed over what!?!?   I WANT to get back to crocheting, but I'm not sure where my hooks are.   I WANT to get my (actually Liz's) sewing machine out, but it's still in a pillowcase on the kitchen floor.   Can someone send over a case of dynamite PLEASE!  

This weekend is going to be a busy one.   We have our fall conference at church so most of the kids and I will be gone.   Tom is on call so not much help in the driving department, luckily Val has Saturday off.   Matt's  (Val's boyfriend) grandmother passed away yesterday so there will probably be a wake we'll have to attend.  Liz, AJ and their roommate found out on Monday that they have to be out of their apartment by Sunday and asked for help moving/cleaning.  You wouldn't think it was a surprise since their lease runs out at the end of Sept. BUT  They were in the middle of negotiating a 5 month extension since AJ's original start to basic training was set for April.    Then his contract came with the date pushed up to the end of January.  Luckily they hadn't signed anything because their landlady said NO to a 2 month extension instead....5 months or they're done.   So they are done and moving into AJ's parents' house.   That means Liz won't have a way to get to Chipolte's and can't give them 2wks notice.   She's trying to get back into the nursing home in the small city where she worked before moving out.   She also has a possibility of watching a baby for a decent amount a week.   We're both hoping the girl is still looking for a babysitter!   The money is so decent that I said I'd do it if she wasn't going to. 

The kids have been so much fun lately.   Sean has been obsessed with duplos.   Two nights ago he went to bed with a pet tiger he built.   He's always bringing me a burger or birthday cake to eat.   This morning he was building what I thought were little buildings.   Turned out they were drinks.  He managed to fill my desk with them while I was sitting here.  It killed me to MAKE them stop playing this morning bso they could get ready for school.   UGH!   I so wish they didn't have to.   But Sean balked at getting on the bus yesterday morning and I don't want to feed into that.  I could see him trying to stay home every morning if I did.

 After getting the kids on the bus I saw the composition of this and had to take a picture.

  I'm not sure why I like this picture so much.   I guess it is me...on the computer with the modem roaring and kids intermingled.   Carrie's med supplies and pill box.  The stack of school papers and coupon books, with tape to fix things.   The only 2 things missing are for the aluminum cup on the right to be replaced with my coffee cup and to have my car keys laying between the papers and the tape dispenser.   

Well the kids will start coming home in an hour.   I have to get something done including dinner since we have to go to the elementary school's open house tonight.   Adios!  

Another week

Time is flying and I need to adjust.  It seems like I'm wasting a lot of time during the day.  At first I cut myself some slack but this is ridiculous!  All my plans to get things done with all my free time...still undone.  Then I realize the next two weekends are taken with a soccer tournament and fall conference.

Carrie is feeling like poop these days. She's only gone to school on Tuesday and I had to pick her up midday.  She slept most of yesterday and today she was still in bed when I pulled into the driveway at 12:45 (time we were suppose to be leaving for her doctor's appt) .  We were only 20 minutes late. Luckily they were running late too. The goal is to get her off some meds and see if she improves.  Wait until her antibiotic is out of her system and do a urine culture.  They also want to add the  nephrology clinic to her list of drs and want her seen asap. 

Right now I'm sitting on the floor of Liz's apartment waiting for her fiance AJ to get out of work.  They are coming home with us for a visit and then are headed to AJ's parents' house for the night.  In the morning they are headed on a roadtrip for their one year anniversary.  AJ found out he leaves for basic training the 3rd week of January.

My phone keeps ringing while I'm writing this.  Jake has lots of questions about making carrot cake.  I fell asleep last night and didn't get it done so it's his job now.  We're making it for Allison...it's her birthday today!!!!  I made her sloppy joes and pasta salad for dinner.   I'm starving!

I was so tempted to keep Danielle and Sean home today...they are soooo tired.  Sean has been falling asleep on the bus everyday.   I knew I wouldn't be home today or I might have.  It's going to be so hard to send them tomorrow.

Well we're heading out the door now.