Thursday, October 29, 2009

Still rushing by....

I'm not sure what it is lately, but I feel like I am on a carnival ride and can't get off.
Experimental Child got his SAT scores back. He did great, with the exception of math. It's always the math that gives him troubles.

15yo is on crutches. Day one of softball conditioning and we got a phone call to pick her up from the field. Since this is not the first, or even second, third, fourth or fifth time she's had this injury we weren't completely surprised. She is being seen by a sports medicine focused orthopedic. The diagnosis is she has a bruised meniscus (it tried to tear, but didn't) and something is up with her LCL. So we're starting physical therapy and will hopefully see some improvement- enough to get back into softball.

My 10yo has decided on taking orchestra over band or chorus. She will be playing the cello. I want to know when she will be able to play Pachelbel's Canon  or Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G major or something equally as moving.

The 7yo is now being homeschooled. Did I mention that already? I could not let him go through the year labeled and belittled. He's 7 for crying out loud- he can't possibly prove to an adult who should know better than to label and judge a kid "from day one" that he is a spectacular example of a child. So it's him and I for the year.

The littles- well, the 2yo took off her diaper tonight, put her shorts back on, and then pooped in them. I think we may venture into potty training now. The 3yo- God I love that age. Three is my absolute favorite age: big enough to want independence, yet small enough to still want mommy.

Another birthday- mine- has come and gone. I am officially closer to 40 than 30 now.

Hoopdad has no decisions on the pending job offer, although they have said they would throw in a sizable amount to cover moving expenses. But, it's the kids- the moving, changing schools, how that impacts them, how that impacts college applications and state residency for tuition determination, etc. The person Hoopdad has been talking to at the company is aware of our situation, but needs to know if we want to proceed further at this point or not (apparently, I thought we were waiting for the job offer in writing, but they were actually waiting for Hoopdad to send in the authorization to run the background check before making the offer). All of this is muddled by the fact that my parents really need some help. Dad isn't working, has some medical issues that have become bothersome enough that even he can't ignore them and push through it anymore.They could use some help with financial things since dad isn't working. Trying to make this decision is like trying to see to the bottom of a mud pit.

Halloween costumes have been procured- we have Batman, Hermione Granger, a clown and a giraffe.  I will be the coolest mom on the block I am sure since we are giving out glow in the dark bracelets for Trick or Treat (and lollipops- but those aren't so cool). Have I mentioned before how I dislike Halloween? For the past couple of years I have tried- in vain- to get my kids to forgo the tradition. I have offered to buy them each an obscene amount of candy in lieu of a costume and having to take them door to door (even though Hoopdad does that part). Economically speaking, it's a win-win. But no...they want to actually experience the joy of making me spend $$ on costumes which they will wear for 2-3 hours tops just to get far less candy than they would have if they took me up on the offer. In other words- they want to be kids.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Because I'm in the Mood...

All pictures are from Pixdaus.com.


























Rushing by...

"Put God first in your life and you will have more time."

I never have enough time. And I hate rushing. So it's something for me to think about.

Things are chaotic as usual.  The job offer will be coming-  we flip flop on what to do about that and I'm still praying. Experimental Child just returned from Homecoming Weekend in CT. I need to press him to start choosing colleges soon and start the applications. 15yo is down for the count with yet another knee injury - on day one of softball conditioning. We have an appointment with an orthopedic this afternoon, and will hopefully get some more options or answers soon. It seems cosmically unfair that this athletic kid who loves playing sports can't because as soon as she tries her bad knee fails on her. 7yo is doing well with homeschooling- that's a new adventure for us. I've discovered something very interesting about our 10yo. When she is ranting and yelling and very argumentative there is an instant off switch. I found it...finally! I have to wrap my two arms around her to reach it, but it's there. Life with the littles is moving at their speed. I'm not sure if they're running to keep up, or if they are lapping us. My baby girl had a birthday last weekend. I can not believe she is two already. Sigh- where does the time go?



 I was turned towards a new blog and have enjoyed reading the thoughts of a mom to ten kids.
She's also the author of  "Family Feasts for $75 a Week". Finally- someone who knows that while I would love to experiment and create all sorts of delectable dishes for my family, the reality of my budget forces us to more boring and cheap stables more often than it doesn't! You can enter the contest here to win 3 copies of the book- one for you and two to give.  But just remember me if you win. ;)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Wise Words







A Passport for Life
by Regina Brett, 90 years old
of The Palin Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio



  1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
  2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
  3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
  4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
  5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
  6. You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.
  7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
  8. It's It's ok to get angry with God. He can take it.
  9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
  10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
  11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
  12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
  13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
  14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
  15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
  16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
  17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
  18. Whatever doesn't kill you really, does make you stronger.
  19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.  But the second one is up to you and no one else.
  20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take NO for an answer.
  21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
  22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
  23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
  24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
  25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
  26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
  27. Always choose life.
  28. Forgive everyone everything.
  29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
  30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
  31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
  32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  33. Believe in miracles.
  34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
  35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now
  36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
  37. Your children get only one childhood.
  38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
  39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
  40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
  41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
  42. The best is yet to come.
  43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
  44. Yield.
  45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Free Disney Park Pass


I came across this on the web and had to share. Starting in January 2010, if you volunteer with one of the sponsoring organizations you get a free pass to a Disney theme park for a day. They are calling it Give a Day Get a Day. Check it out.