Boys

I think the entire male species is off kilter. Actually, I'm pretty such this is true. Boys cannot seem to remember one idea from point A to point B without distraction. Ugh! It is so frustrating!

I don't know how to impress upon my children how important education is. I never struggled during school (expect that damn algebra class in high school) so I just went along with the flow. D, struggles every day. I email and have conferences with his teachers and they all say the same thing - he is a joy to have in their class. Okay, great -- joy, how the hell can I convince him to pay attention, focus and if you don't understand, seek help. He's very social, talking, asking is not the problem, I don't know what is....but right now I feel like I have my hands tied and I don't like the way it feels.

and 2009 comes to an end

what an interesting year. Most everyone can say that the year brought ups and downs, good times and bad, but why bring the bad into 2010? It is a new start. Get rid of the baggage and move forward.

I've learned a lot this year about those who have in any way influenced my life; but as I've said before, you cannot change anyone. Each person is responsible for their own actions. The only thing you can change is YOUr reaction.

Goals for the year:

• Simplify
• Encourage
• Be a good friend
• Accept compromise
• Get married (had to sneak it in)
• Be a good mom
• Get healthy
• Try not to be judgmental
  
• and with the help of my love muffin, be the best that I can be!

That sounds like a commercial of some sort. Wonder if I"ll get paid?

Farewell 2009!

Fa La La La La

Whew - what a weekend. Friday night we celebrated by brother Lynn's 50th birthday with a surprise party at my sister, Gay's house. Although he was not surprised, I think he still had a good time. When you have a big family, a birthday is a good reason to get together!












Saturday was the much anticipated "doggie day", as Rylan called it. We volunteered at the Ellis County SPCA. I wasn't sure what to expect. When I called Friday to confirm, I was told we should come at 1:00 for "training". Okay - whatever. Well, we walked in, told them we were there to volunteer, handed our application and the fun began. 2 dogs at a time, we could take them outside to the fenced area, keep them separated - have fun. Dalton started with a sweet chocolate lab named Marilyn. She was a charmer. She wiggled her way out of the kennel as soon as the door was cracked and wiggled her way even further into our hearts. Dalton took her to fenced area 1, picked up a ball, threw it....and forgot to let go of her leash.....she dragged him through the grass, poop, everything. The other boys and I were laughing so hard we were almost crying!











I made sure we spent time with every doggie there, so as not to hurt anyone's feelings. This gal was preggers, and was a sweetheart

Then we went to the kitty room. After I lost both of my cats to old age, I swore I'd never again have a cat, but the kitties were oh so sweet.....Soft and cuddly and purring in your ear. :-)


After our doggie day, we went to the movies to see The Blind Side...finally everyone else saw it. The theater was still full, but wow - what a great movie. You walked out and just felt good!

Today my love muffin went out of town for work (again) and won't be back until Thursday. I miss him already.

I've got a busy week ahead....Friday is the big Christmas party at Ry's school (I'm room mom) and hopefully afterwards, we'll go over to mason's party at his school....Lot to prepare.

friday blubbering

that's about all this blog will be -- blubbering, about the fifty thousand thoughts swimming in my mind.

we had family pix taken, i bought the cd so i could order christmas cards, still haven't decided on a card design, still haven't ordered - may not make it out this year :-(

december 27th will mark the one year anniversary of the birth and death of my sweet little nephew logan. my heart aches knowing what my brother and sis-in-law must be feeling. you never expect these things to happen close to home and when it does, it shatters your heart.

my sis in law (shannon)'s mother was diagnosed last week with an aggressive type of cancer. she chose not to endure chemotherapy and the family is makign the most of the time they have left with her.

tomorrow (12/12) my 2nd oldest brother lynn turns 50! we're celebrating 50 years of LIFE with him. tonight. i still have to figure out what else I'm making for the party...baked potato dip and.... ?????

i agreed to be rylan's room mom. next friday (12/18) is their christmas party and i'm basically "in charge". i've had some feedback from a few mom's but pretty much winging it. i have 24 5/6 years olds to impress, i'm a little flustered. i have to plan the crafts and get everything to make them work -- maybe this weekend i'll have time to sit down and review my list.

i REALLY want to teach my kids to be selfless. i know its an age thing, but dalton is all about dalton. the world revolves around him, what he wants, where he wants to go, how he wants to do anything. it is very frustrating. as a parent, you learn (quickly) to put your kids before yourself. i know i was all about me earlier in life and its a lesson i learned and adapted to. i can't expect my 12 year old to understand, can i? well....my start is that tomorrow we begin our volunteer work for the spca of ellis county. i have a huge heart for animals and my kids do too, so i decided that would be something they would enjoy and help with - and learn about helping others and not being so self centered.

On a positive note, my eyelashes are ROCKIN' today!

i really want a nice, sit down lunch. i need sandie time. i hope she's free.

Bad Carbs, Bad Carbs

a few weeks ago I decided to change my eating habits. A light bulb just went off and it all made sense. A started following the Eat Clean Diet (although I don't use the "D" word). Last Thursday/Friday, I started feeling sick and comforted myself with crackers, mashed potatoes, 7 up -- carb-a-palooza. Then I realized I never really bounced back. I kept eating crap...quite frankly it's so conveient. Then I thought - thanksgiving is coming, I'll screw up then anyway, so instead of eating good and "cheating" on one day, I made it week long. Yesterday as I munched at my desk on Coca Cola and chocolate chip cookies, I started thinking -- I feel tired, bloated, blah and the common factor was that I went back to eating bad. Today I'm back on track. Yes, I know thanksgiving is tomrorow but it is one day, not a pass to eat bad for a month. I had fruit for breakfast and for lunch had grilled chicken with a salad. No Dr. Pepper today. Just tea. I do feel better. Fat + Carbs = Feel like crap. Not an equation I have time for.

Wordless Wednesday

--not because I have nothing on my mind or to discuss, quite the opposite. VERY busy lately. The Thanksgiving holidays are sneaking up on me, kids are busy with school, I'm trying to monitor their school work and help where I can, trying to stretch the dollar for christmas, bills, life in general.

Looking forward to a fun-filled weekend. Friday night is keeno with the girls. I really enjoy the girl time. Saturday love muffin and I are going to a party with fajitas and margaritas...talk about a good time. The rest of the weekend I need to fit in - searching for a range/oven for my rent house and coordinating a few contractors to give me bids for some work there.

busy-busy-busy

school projects

dalton just finished a project on sasquatch in which we had to do a shoe box with a "scene" and survival items. It was interesting. I think it looked good when we finished. Funny thing is that school projects really bring us together. Mason was coloring the tee pee, dalton gluing and I was cutting out trees.

mason's project (due next week) is to disguise a turkey. he wanted to go with elvis. it's funny.