Read my lips!

So homeschooling has been a challenge the last couple days. I have laryngitis. My kids have selective hearing. They've figured out that when I whistle or snap my fingers I'm not calling for the dog. But it really is difficult to squelch the bickering without a voice. I did manage to say a few words, but it really resembled the sound a duck call makes when blown full force. Not pretty. I probably should be on voice rest for a couple more days. We'll see how that goes. I need to go find a big stick. sigh

Everything is {yawn} awesome!

So last night DH and I took the kids to the late showing of the Lego Movie in 3D. DH thought I was a little crazy. But the dog had an appointment at 3 in the afternoon yesterday which made it impossible to go to the 4 pm showing. And we could have gone to see it minus the 3D at 7 pm, but that is our dinner time. I try to not mess with that as much as possible for Little Boy's sake.

DH is on vacation this week and next, so I figured it wouldn't be the end of the world. And it wasn't. I was hoping the little people would sleep in a little longer than they did...

We like the movie. DH and I were glad to see it wasn't just an adventure movie with cute special effects. We talked to the kids on the way home about the message of the movie: everyone is someone special, we're all created to fulfill a purpose, and when we all work together we can accomplish great things.

I liked that I heard DH laugh out loud a couple times. :) There were many pop culture references that went over the kids' heads.

And then there's the cute *annoying* theme song: "Everything is awesome." lol

I thought the Batman character was a hoot. DH and I both liked the ghost.

Little Boy loved the whole thing, of course. And Baby was glad when it was done. (sigh)

The only down side? It wasn't cheap. :/ But it was fun. :)

Valentine's Day

My sweet husband bought me a tanzanite necklace to match earrings he bought me for my birthday last year. :)  And a bag of peanut M&Ms hidden in a box from Amazon for books or videos. lol


I also got a beautiful flower arrangement. :) The only thing sad about the whole day was that he had to go to work tonight - which would explain why I'm still awake.


I started watching Emma - the movie based on the Jane Austen book. I got a phone call and paused the movie. I checked Little Boy's sugar and finished the movie. I really do need to get to bed.


It was a very nice day. 

I bought a bottle of wine tonight.

I sometimes have a difficult time distinguishing between my generous nature and the Holy Spirit prompting me to help people. But tonight, I felt like it was the Holy Spirit.

I was in line at Walmart and there was a young mom ahead of me. She had a little girl riding in the basket and a little boy in the cart seat. His little eyes lit up as the dad came around the end of the aisle to join them. They only had a few things in their cart. He patted his son on the head, and made his way to the front of the cart to pay. There was a 2 liter of soda on the end of the conveyor belt thingie. I asked if it was theirs. He said yes, but he was putting it aside. And he came and got it and handed it to the clerk. She finished ringing up their things, and I heard him say, "Put back the bottle of wine." He handed it to her in the bag.

Back story. I read a blog by a single mom of six. She posted a story that made me smile. (Go read it.) So when I heard him say that, I didn't even hesitate. I told the clerk that I wanted to buy it for them. He tried to object; he opened his wallet and showed me that he still had a couple dollars in there. I told him it was a Valentine's Day pay-it-forward thing, and that I was buying it and that since I don't drink it wouldn't do me any good. He had an odd expression on his face at that point, and the clerk was asking me for ID. The wife was teary and he kept thanking me. I told them I hoped they had a nice Valentine's Day and they returned the greeting as they left.

So was it the Holy Spirit? I don't know. But I bought a $4 bottle of wine tonight. I sure hope they enjoy it. :)

Weather changes are painful

Man, when the barometer goes up and down it kills me. I went out to eat with a friend while Baby was in dance class. When I stood up, she kind of laughed because I stood up like an elderly person. It took me a couple minutes to even stand up completely straight. (When I explained my pain, she quit laughing.) But she completely gets the barometer thing. Her daughter is autistic; her moods swing radically when the barometer changes. And she personally has allergy issues.


So I wonder exactly what it is about the changes that affects us.

Cool Beans!

So I got the confirmation today for the condo we're renting while in Orlando. The listing was for a 2 Bed/2 Bath condo. I don't know if that's the standard listing and then you get what's available? The condo we're getting is actually 3 Bed/3 Bath! We would have done just fine with the 2 Bed, but the kids are excited to have their own rooms. :) And while we'll probably drive to the pool, it looks like a really nice one. :)

Friday was Little Boy's five year Diaversary. It really is hard to believe it's been five years. In one way, it's been a really long five years. But on the other hand, the time really has flown by. We went out to eat; he picked Denny's. He really likes their breakfasts, so I wasn't surprised. The breakfast he picked was 114 carbs! But I wanted him to have what he wanted. I don't know if he picked up a bug there or if he caught what his grandma has. But yesterday and last night were rough for him.

He woke up Saturday morning with a wet bed. :( Poor kid. We knew he must not be feeling well. And then he called DH because he had thrown up. DH got it all cleaned up.

I had been planning to take both kids to see Frozen. He needed rest, and Baby needed to get out of the house, so I took her to the movie. While we were gone, Little Boy ate a waffle for breakfast. When he drank a whole glass of water, he got sick again. So we tried all day to control his fever and get him to drink little bits of flat soda. I talked him into getting into the tub later in the day. While he was in the bathroom I grabbed a ketone strip and checked his pee. It almost instantly turned the darkest color on the chart and he freaked out a little.

I ended up calling the endo and he told me how to treat Little Boy. By this morning the fever was gone, his sugar numbers were good and there were no ketones. DH did much of the work. <3 br=""> So today we're all laying low; Baby informed us today that she has a show on at 3 pm. LOL She wants to watch the Puppy Bowl. Little Boy decided it was a good time to take a bath. ;)

I think I might try to take a little nap. 

I think it's done

So yesterday I got my gold crown - on my tooth! I think it's done. I was supposed to go back today if it was bothering me at all. I called and told the receptionist I think it's ok. Darn tooth. It's been bothering me for well over a year now, and it's done.


I am down to the wire on reserving a room/house/condo for our Disney trip. I've searched and searched for the best deal. Seeing that we'll spend 2 days not in the parks, I wanted to find a condo or townhouse where we could be more comfy. I need to make a decision quickly. The options are not going to be available for long.


Pepper is loving her "frog". I found treats that I can cram in there and basically she can't get them out. This keeps her occupied most of the day. Maybe that's mean on my part, but it lets us get school work done without worrying whose shoes, coat or toys she's destroying. She throws it around the living room - chasing it - and we love the entertainment. :)  Poor Chicken.


I've reserved her kennel for our trip. She'll have a private "room", get walked 6 times a day and someone will read her a bedtime story. LOL  Spoiled?  Actually, part of my justification is that perhaps we'll avoid her learning any "tricks" from the other dogs.


I ordered a few things from the Disney store online for the kids for the trip. I think I'll give them the gifts for Valentine's Day. :) We need to start a count-down calendar. <3 p="">

There are so many church functions quickly approaching and I need to get on the ball with them before our next business meeting!

MORE SNOW!

My kids are totally lamenting being homeschooled right now. Local schools have been closed more than open the last couple weeks between the snow and extreme cold temperatures. I'm sure they'll be upset tomorrow when I have their schoolwork laid out.

I'm supposed to go to the dentist tomorrow morning, but I don't know if I'll make it. It's the last step of getting a permanent crown on the molar that I had a root canal done. Bleh. I'll be so glad when it's done. It's been a long time coming, and as much as I like our dentist, I hate going.

Church was busy today. When DH has to work day shift, it gets crazy. But I got up early enough to get things done. I made bread pudding in the crockpot today for the "pre-Sunday school snack". Meh. I didn't think it was that great. But people ate it and said it was good. I think they just liked it b/c it was warm.

I got the breakfast stuff set up and then posted stuff on the bulletin board and then taught the adult SS class. I led the singing since DH wasn't there, and taught children's church. And then drove home - uphill - on slippery roads. I was really afraid I wouldn't make it.

Can I just say that it's always a challenge for me to teach the adult SS class with my MIL sitting front and center. She participates in the discussion, but also tends to monopolize the conversation. And when she disagrees with me it's awkward. But it's once a month, so I'm not going to let it bug me.

I started watching The Blacklist this week. I think some of the killing is gratuitous, but I like the story line.

I guess I need to fix supper. 

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

I think I've posted this recipe before, and I know I've shared it with specific people. But this is a super yummy recipe, and it couldn't be any easier.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

2 pounds individually quick-frozen chicken breast tenderloin fillets
1 1.4-oz. package fajita seasonings
2 1/2 cups (1/2 package) frozen pepper stir fry
Juice of 1 lime (approximately 1 1/2 T.)
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
12 fajita-sized flour tortillas
1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese
Fat-free sour cream, for garnish
Shredded lettuce, for garnish
Diced tomato, for garnish

Place frozen chicken tenderloins in crock pot. Sprinkle fajita seasonings over top. Add pepper stir-fry, lime juice and chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Spoon some of the chicken mixture onto a tortilla, sprinkle with cheese and garnish as desired with sour cream, shredded lettuce and diced tomato.

Makes 6 servings.

SNOW!

It's snowing here! We're in the 8-12 inch range on the map. I don't think we'll get quite that much, but Baby and I won't be going to get our hair done today.


After running around yesterday, I'm fine with that.

Procrastination

I am a procrastinator. I leave many things until the last minute. There are some things that I don't. But I'm forever washing my hair 15 minutes before I'm supposed to leave. I can wash, dry and style my hair AND put on my makeup AND throw on my clothes in those last 15 minutes. But it's annoying to me, my kids and probably my husband who never complains, bless his heart.

We were supposed to have our homeschool review a couple weeks ago on the coldest day of the season. Everything here was closed and people were being advised to stay home. So I did. And the review is today. You'd think I'd have everything ready to go, but I don't. So I made the appointment for the latest one she had left. 4:15. So here's me - in my head - calculating 45 minutes to get there, 15 minutes to get ready, half an hour at church to make my copies.... I'm trying to figure out how much time I have to get things done. Argh!

So I'm off to get my kids busy on today's work while I finish up putting the review stuff together so I'm not literally leaving it to the VERY last minute.

I'm so proud of myself.  (sarcasm)

Last week was the monthly business meeting. We decided to turn the nursery into a welcome center/other room. So I took the kids down on Saturday and I purged and packed the toys and had the kids lug them to a storage area. DH came down and carried a table upstairs. I went to Walmart and the Dollar store and here's what the old nursery looks like now.  This was after church. The coffee was gone, the water for tea - gone, the sausage/egg/cheese muffin things - gone. There were a few donut holes and cranberry muffins left.

The counting committee has another table set up against another wall. We have several elderly people who help count the offerings who can't go up and down the stairs very well. So it's very convenient now for them to use this room at the back of the sanctuary.

Last Friday the kids were in a piano recital. Baby had a couple little bobbles but did fine. Little Boy was nervous as all get out but did great!  They picked their own clothes out, and looked a little underdressed compared to some of the kids, but they were comfortable. And I don't care, for the most part. And they matched without knowing it. lol

Gotta go. Stuff to do. Before it gets late.

Reality

I know better. I know better than to think my mother would reply much less email me copies of the pictures I asked for. I know better than to hope that somewhere in her black, self-centered, spiteful heart she could do something kind for me. So why do I even bother? I don't know. I feel defeated and sad and stupid. And it bugs me that I keep checking my email to see if maybe she sent them. It would take her five minutes to scan the pictures and hit send.


Our refrigerator is not working correctly. DH vacuumed a PILE of dog hair from underneath it. He thinks one of the fans is not running. I'm hoping he can figure it out and fix it.


I'm exhausted. Staying up too late and getting up late... It's taking its toll. Pain is my constant companion anymore. Psoriatic arthritis stinks. I had a tiny psoriasis flare on my elbow. I really can't complain. Most people have huge patches; I usually don't have any. So that tiny spot the size of a dime isn't really enough to even mention. But it was an ugly, itchy reminder that I do indeed have an autoimmune disease that will surface at will.


I'm continuing to do my shake diet. I've had a couple people tell me that they can tell I'm losing. I guess that's a good sign. I want to get some water pills and try taking one once or maybe twice a week.


My kids are taking turns fussing about school. and piano. and clearing the table. and picking up after the dog. and about each other. It's draining.


So the lady didn't call yesterday about Sunday school and VBS; she got stuck in a meeting. She's supposed to call me today. Little Boy is going with his grandparents to get his hair cut this morning. The kids have piano at 3. Baby leaves for dance at 5:45. The business meeting at church starts at 6:30. And somewhere between schooling and refereeing I get to clean out the fridge and freezer.


Thankfully we have a fridge/freezer downstairs. It's not as packed full, but it's not empty, either. :(


Maybe I'll be busy enough to not worry so much about the email I didn't get.

Busy Busy

First off, my husband found my calendar planner! WooHoo! He found it where I had looked at least a few times; I had even moved everything that was in that area! Thanking God! So my brain has been restored!

Yesterday I emailed my mother. Shouldn't be a big deal, but I was all nerves as I hit "send". I've asked once before for her to email me a copy of a couple of very old family photos with no response. Now that I'm compiling this family tree file, I really want her to send them. I sent her a picture of the kids at Christmas since I didn't get cards out at Christmas. I sent her a pdf file about my great great grandfather and his son almost getting blown up in a mining accident. And I sent her a document with the basic information I've collected about that part of the family. And I asked again if she'd email me the pictures.

I doubt I'll ever see them. I want to cry.

But I've got to get my act together. I have a meeting today at the mill with the public relations lady and the lady responsible for retirees. Our church wants to give a picnic to the retirees. The mill used to do this, but has not for a few years now due to budget cutbacks. I want to try to get as much information about what they have done in the past and see if this is even feasible. Exciting!

And then this afternoon I have a phone appointment with a lady from our state SBC who is going to give us curriculum for VBS.

Somewhere in there I need to do a lot of other things - like school!

Gotta run!

Brain Damage

I really need some prayer. I have misplaced my pocket planner. I was using it to copy information onto wall calendars. I have both wall calendars, but I can't find the one I carry in my purse. It has names and contact information for all our doctors, hair people, etc. I have GOT to find it. I'm very frustrated right now. It's HERE somewhere. And I HAVE to find it.

Sucked Back In

AAaaarrrgghh! I've been sucked back into Ancestry.com.  I've started compiling my research in an extensive way. Starting as far back as I could on the Robbs' side of the family, I've started listing every relative I've located. I'm working through my direct line and then expanding from there. I have a 30 page Word document so far. It includes pictures of people, documents, headstones, newspaper clippings, information from censuses and city directories and any other information I've come across.

I was feeling pretty good about how much I've done in just a couple days when I realized there are several other "lines" in my tree! Yikes. This is going to take some time.

But for now, I am Robbs descendent 3.7.4.3.1.3.2.

Dentist Day

I had a root canal done in September. It was traumatic. Going to the dentist is always traumatic for me. I'm such a baby. But I was in so much pain I HAD to go. The actual root canal wasn't bad. It was quick and painless until the numbing wore off. Then I felt like I had been punched for several days. Today the dentist took off the temporary crown and made an impression for the crown. And put one of those little metal caps on it. blech

But it's almost done, and I'm home. And my face is almost defrosted.

Headache Day

I woke up with a terrible sinus headache. I'm hoping it'll go away eventually today.

Last night I started crocheting a hat. It isn't going well. I don't know if it's because the yarn is so dark I can't see what I'm doing? Or if I'm just terrible at following directions? Or just terrible. I'm going to try again later with a lighter color and see.

Last night I also put plastic on Baby's windows. Her room is always colder in winter since it's over the garage and has windows on two sides. I had to get it done while the kids were next door; I'm not telling her it's done. I'm afraid she'll poke holes in it if she knows it's there. I'll try to get to Joel's one of these days.

Today is busy with piano and ballet. Joel will have to go with me to Allison's lesson. He's not happy. But it can't be helped.

DH is working another double today. sigh  I sure miss him when he's gone all day. Thankfully it's warmed up a little. It's 9 degrees with no wind right now.

Gotta go take the dog out and feed the kids. Baby is still in bed. I'll have to wake her up. She's usually up by now; hoping she's not getting sick. 

Too Calm?

The fact that I wrote yesterday's post without mention of something HUGE in our lives is a bit amusing to me. Yesterday my husband was called into an executive meeting on his day off. He found out that the mill where he works is being bought by another company. From past experience, this isn't a bad thing. Maybe because it's already happened twice in the last 10 years I'm not freaked out.

One great plus is that if this sale goes through, the current CEO will be out. This man is an anchor. And not in a good way. He was also the head of the schoolboard where I taught. His wife is a sweet lady, but his sons were all jerks. I'm hoping they've grown up, but I doubt it.

I personally have issue with a man who thinks it's acceptable to take a multi-million dollar bonus while the company is going through bankruptcy. This same man approved the decision to do away with picnics for the employees and Thanksgiving and Christmas bonuses. I mean, REAL bonuses. Not the $10 Christmas bonus that has taxes taken out of it. But then we heard that the favorite mill had a steak dinner for it's employees.  Yeah. I strongly dislike that man.

My husband said that he personally would have rejected the bonus, but if he HAD taken it, he would have turned around and spent it on the workers. I love him so much.

ANYway. We're trudging forward.

I called off my homeschool appointment. I have another couple weeks. What a huge help. Trying to get the kids' work rounded up and copied and my planner in order *proocraaaastinator* (in a sing-song voice). I'm hoping the stress will just keep rolling off me. ha

My kids are not thrilled that they have a piano recital coming up the end of next week. Or that Mom and Dad keep pestering them to practice. And I have to admit, I'll be happy to hear them working on new songs. But I am so proud of them. And a bit jealous. I wanted piano lessons so badly when I was a kid. We never had the money. I know I could take lessons now, but I just don't think I'd have the patience/attention to do it. :/

It's cold outside. I've taken the dog out twice now. I'm thinking an inside pee pad isn't such a bad idea.  haha

Reclaimed Space

Last summer I had a "yard sale", but because of weather it ended up in my garage. And because I didn't sell everything that first weekend, I had a repeat sale. And then it was hard to get it packed up. I was hoping to sell some of the stuff later. And with nice weather, it wasn't crucial to get the car back in the garage.

And then there was today. No, we're not as bad as up north. But -26 is cold enough. DH told me that he definitely could never move north. I can't say I'm disappointed! As much as I love my family and friends, I don't want to live in the frozen tundra, either. So when the kids went next door to G&Gs house after supper, DH and I cleaned up the "good" side of the garage. The OTHER side??? YIKES. It will take a long time to clean THAT heap of junk. But we did it.

We were almost done, and DH was really cold. I walked over and put my hand on his cheek. My hand was quite warm. He was flabbergasted. "REALLY???" lol I told him I did NOT want to feel the temperature of HIS hands. He's cold all the time anyway.

So he got his vehicle in the garage. I'm so glad he won't have to go outside in the morning to start it. I'm supposed to have my home school review tomorrow. I don't think I'll be going. There's going to be a make-up date, and I will have more time to finish getting stuff together. And I'm not going to feel guilty about it. It seems like Christmas came quickly, and the New Year and now this. Wednesday the kids have piano and Baby starts back to ballet. And Thursday I get to go to the dentist for a crown on the tooth that I had the root canal done in September. I just think I have enough things to worry about, and I'm just going to call and say I'm not going to make it. They've closed schools and other businesses here, so it's not like I'm being all that silly. :P

The barometer is changing. I can feel it in my bones. (And I saw it on our home weather station.) Hoping I can get a good night's sleep. I'm so glad the garage is "done" for now. :)

Church

People. Drive. Me. Nuts.