Sometimes I like to do this to remind myself of how much I actually do in a day, even when it seems I get nothing accomplished!
Nurse C
Shower
Breakfast
Whiney preschooler and infant
Answer breastfeeding questions
Scan emails/boards
Start blog ;)
Make Home Depot list and discuss w/ dh
Fruit salad for LLL
Rescue baby from preschooler
Make snack for preschooler
Dress baby
Dress preschooler
Get myself ready to leave house
Attended LLL in EB and helped
Changed diapers x2
Helped w/ potty x3
Made lunch
Nursed baby x5
Ate lunch
Update calendar
Work on layout
Clean up and sooth bleeding baby
Work on banking basket
Make snack
Go to hardware store
pick up recycling trash
Pick up kids at school and drop off carpool student
collect and go through Mail
Go through backpacks
Oversee homework/piano practice
Afterschool snacks
finish Cleaning fridge and put back together
balance bank accounts x5
Fix and serve dinner
Feed the baby
Take a walk
Played two hands of Uno w/ M
Two baths (biggies)
Read some LLL stuff
Okay, that's it. I'm going to bed soon. Tuck the kiddos in, do my Bible study, crossword, read for LLL and catch some TV.
Is that enough for one day? Tomorrow is bring your child to work day. The kids are going to spend each a half day with each parent. DH - goodness I love him! He was concerned that the kids didn't appreciate that what I do around here is my job, i.e. work. They still don't get it, but I'll enjoy me some slave labor tomorrow :D
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
New Creation
Jeez it's hot today! Okay, so it's in the 70's. However, our a/c appears to be on the fritz and it's 81 in the house. Feels cooler outside. Think I'll take the kids out after dinner.
My new digi class began a couple weeks ago. It's called Digi in Deep and it's hosted/created by Jessica Sprague So, I'm currently on Day 4, which is the first Thursday. Today I received Day 13 email LOL! I'm so far behind. In my favor, Lesson 1 had 10 parts so it took me longer to finish. Also, each part was a bit complicated. We're really exploring some of the features of Photoshop and it's so cool.
On Day 4, the lessons are called "Cre8" and it involves making 8 pages with a common theme; a mini-album, if you will. The assignment was to make eight pages using a specific set of materials and each page was to contain a quote of some sort, instead of a photo. This project scared me but it's only 6x6 and I actually decided to do mine of meaningful Bible quotes like: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. So, I'm excited about that. I made the cover page and one inside page thus far. I'll post when I'm done with it. Hopefully, I'll get somewhat caught up before the end of class. It's a four week class.
They're also doing an organizational class for ACDSee which I hope to take but that will have to be later this summer or whenever they have it again. An additional task this go around is to do something inspirational and then either use the scrapbooking technique or create a layout about it or do it. I chose organizing my photos on the computer. We'll see if I get that done, as well LOL!
I mean, I can't even keep my blog up to date, even though I think of stuff all the time. Too bad there's not mental telepathy into your computer. I'd have blog entries every day haha!
Well, I don't know where the toolbar is right now for posting pictures. Will come back later.
My new digi class began a couple weeks ago. It's called Digi in Deep and it's hosted/created by Jessica Sprague So, I'm currently on Day 4, which is the first Thursday. Today I received Day 13 email LOL! I'm so far behind. In my favor, Lesson 1 had 10 parts so it took me longer to finish. Also, each part was a bit complicated. We're really exploring some of the features of Photoshop and it's so cool.
On Day 4, the lessons are called "Cre8" and it involves making 8 pages with a common theme; a mini-album, if you will. The assignment was to make eight pages using a specific set of materials and each page was to contain a quote of some sort, instead of a photo. This project scared me but it's only 6x6 and I actually decided to do mine of meaningful Bible quotes like: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. So, I'm excited about that. I made the cover page and one inside page thus far. I'll post when I'm done with it. Hopefully, I'll get somewhat caught up before the end of class. It's a four week class.
They're also doing an organizational class for ACDSee which I hope to take but that will have to be later this summer or whenever they have it again. An additional task this go around is to do something inspirational and then either use the scrapbooking technique or create a layout about it or do it. I chose organizing my photos on the computer. We'll see if I get that done, as well LOL!
I mean, I can't even keep my blog up to date, even though I think of stuff all the time. Too bad there's not mental telepathy into your computer. I'd have blog entries every day haha!
Well, I don't know where the toolbar is right now for posting pictures. Will come back later.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Pact
I love to read. I've been hoarding books from freecycle like I have all this time to read. Recently I picked up a Jodi Picoult book called The Pact - A Love Story. I was roped in right from the very beginning. I really liked the writing style and the story was easy to read and follow for the most part.
I'm used to reading fiction and novels that don't require much brain power to follow. A lot of times I'm reading before bed to relax so not always in tune to a complex story line or subject.
I found myself picking up this book more and more other times and bringing it with me in the car for reading while waiting in lines and such. I sped through it pretty quickly. It was easy to read but due to the subject matter, it was not an easy read. It really started to get under my skin in a thoughtful way and caused me to dig deep and think. I don't usually have this reaction to books.
It was sort of refreshing to spend some time thinking of a book as it relates to my personal self/family instead of just thinking wow that was a good book. This particular book centered around two teenagers and their families and dealt with teen suicide.
I've really started to think about the time when my children are teenagers and how we will all relate with one another and as a family. I didn't feel comfortable being open with my mother and as a result don't feel especially close to her these days. I want a much closer relationship with my own children and want them to know they can come to us anytime they need for whatever reason.
I don't want one of my children to go through an earth-shattering experience and not be able to find solace and comfort in my arms as they did as babies/small children. I want them to always know that their foundation is built at home and as such they can be open and find solutions here rather than outside or depending only on themselves. I don't ever want to say, "I had no idea" or "I never saw that coming."
With everything in the world today, it must be a real challenge staying connected to a teen. It's very scary to me to think about, especially with some of the personalities of my children. In my uneducated opinion, I would think it's a combination of parenting and the child themselves. I pray that as I go through each day with my children, that I'm building that close foundation stone by stone and not pushing them away by eroding something bit by bit. Perhaps it's not something you really know until later on.
I have always strived, at least mentally, to be that better mother to my children. I know it doesn't always come through but after reading this book, I really consider my actions/words before acting upon them more more than I did before reading this book. My thought is "Is this going to uplift them or undermine them?" When they are grown will they come back and say, "Remember that time ... that's what the root of it all."
I'm far from the perfect parent and some days, I just don't have it in me to consider every single action or word. Also, it's so easy to over-analyze everything and then be unable to do anything. But when it comes to some of the fundamental or big issues such as ethics, safety, love, etc. I try to really focus on what my response should be.
Last night Matthew asked me why God made him. My automatic, without thinking, response was I had no idea. But really I did have an idea after I thought for a minute. I told Matthew that God has a special work for him on this earth, some of which he began when he was an infant. Really it began upon conception. I don't know what the future brings for him or any of my other children, but they're pretty special in my book and I have the awesome privilege of guiding them through life. It's a heady responsibility but I can't imagine it any other way.
I'm used to reading fiction and novels that don't require much brain power to follow. A lot of times I'm reading before bed to relax so not always in tune to a complex story line or subject.
I found myself picking up this book more and more other times and bringing it with me in the car for reading while waiting in lines and such. I sped through it pretty quickly. It was easy to read but due to the subject matter, it was not an easy read. It really started to get under my skin in a thoughtful way and caused me to dig deep and think. I don't usually have this reaction to books.
It was sort of refreshing to spend some time thinking of a book as it relates to my personal self/family instead of just thinking wow that was a good book. This particular book centered around two teenagers and their families and dealt with teen suicide.
I've really started to think about the time when my children are teenagers and how we will all relate with one another and as a family. I didn't feel comfortable being open with my mother and as a result don't feel especially close to her these days. I want a much closer relationship with my own children and want them to know they can come to us anytime they need for whatever reason.
I don't want one of my children to go through an earth-shattering experience and not be able to find solace and comfort in my arms as they did as babies/small children. I want them to always know that their foundation is built at home and as such they can be open and find solutions here rather than outside or depending only on themselves. I don't ever want to say, "I had no idea" or "I never saw that coming."
With everything in the world today, it must be a real challenge staying connected to a teen. It's very scary to me to think about, especially with some of the personalities of my children. In my uneducated opinion, I would think it's a combination of parenting and the child themselves. I pray that as I go through each day with my children, that I'm building that close foundation stone by stone and not pushing them away by eroding something bit by bit. Perhaps it's not something you really know until later on.
I have always strived, at least mentally, to be that better mother to my children. I know it doesn't always come through but after reading this book, I really consider my actions/words before acting upon them more more than I did before reading this book. My thought is "Is this going to uplift them or undermine them?" When they are grown will they come back and say, "Remember that time ... that's what the root of it all."
I'm far from the perfect parent and some days, I just don't have it in me to consider every single action or word. Also, it's so easy to over-analyze everything and then be unable to do anything. But when it comes to some of the fundamental or big issues such as ethics, safety, love, etc. I try to really focus on what my response should be.
Last night Matthew asked me why God made him. My automatic, without thinking, response was I had no idea. But really I did have an idea after I thought for a minute. I told Matthew that God has a special work for him on this earth, some of which he began when he was an infant. Really it began upon conception. I don't know what the future brings for him or any of my other children, but they're pretty special in my book and I have the awesome privilege of guiding them through life. It's a heady responsibility but I can't imagine it any other way.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Snow Day!
Friday was a snow day. I had mixed feelings but it turned out to be a pretty descent day. No babysitting kids so I could get up at my leisure of sorts. The kids were up so I tried to grab a shower before dh left for the day.
Madison and I sat down and read a book together called Fish Out of Water. It was ala Dr. Suess style of sorts but didn't really rhyme. I would read a page and then she would read a page. She did very well. Then we did three or so pages of math and finished up a packet from two weeks ago. Now we can start on last week's packet.
Charlotte took descent naps. Around lunch time I decided we needed a feel trip to Chick-fil-A for lunch. We went through the drive-thru and came home so the kids could "picnic" in the living room. After that we picked up a bit and after that the timing got a big hazy.
We made homemade microwave popcorn thanks to this recipe at www.allrecipes.com I found this on Angry Chicken blog. Got some good stuff there. The kids really enjoyed making the popcorn and I presume it is that much healthier than the store-bought type.
Then I helped Matthew with his "I am God's Kid" poster. We can finish that tomorrow and then work on his other God's Kid projects and his book report which is due around the 27th. Which reminds me I forgot to get the poster board. Darn.
While the kids watched television, ate popcorn and drank hot cocoa, I finished the girls' sundresses. I'm pleased as punch with them and will post pictures with my sewing a sundress entry coming later.
We had sandwhiches for dinner and dh got home in time to take them to church. He took all four but the older two went for Adventure Club to make sandwhiches which the Pathfinders were taking out to distribute in the city this afternoon.
It was a nice lazy day and I really enjoyed spending some time with them one-on-one.
Madison and I sat down and read a book together called Fish Out of Water. It was ala Dr. Suess style of sorts but didn't really rhyme. I would read a page and then she would read a page. She did very well. Then we did three or so pages of math and finished up a packet from two weeks ago. Now we can start on last week's packet.
Charlotte took descent naps. Around lunch time I decided we needed a feel trip to Chick-fil-A for lunch. We went through the drive-thru and came home so the kids could "picnic" in the living room. After that we picked up a bit and after that the timing got a big hazy.
We made homemade microwave popcorn thanks to this recipe at www.allrecipes.com I found this on Angry Chicken blog. Got some good stuff there. The kids really enjoyed making the popcorn and I presume it is that much healthier than the store-bought type.
Then I helped Matthew with his "I am God's Kid" poster. We can finish that tomorrow and then work on his other God's Kid projects and his book report which is due around the 27th. Which reminds me I forgot to get the poster board. Darn.
While the kids watched television, ate popcorn and drank hot cocoa, I finished the girls' sundresses. I'm pleased as punch with them and will post pictures with my sewing a sundress entry coming later.
We had sandwhiches for dinner and dh got home in time to take them to church. He took all four but the older two went for Adventure Club to make sandwhiches which the Pathfinders were taking out to distribute in the city this afternoon.
It was a nice lazy day and I really enjoyed spending some time with them one-on-one.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Doctor, Doctor
Give me the news. I've got a bad case of ... visiting you!
One of the things they don't tell you is that the more children you have the more often you visit the doctor. Also, the older you get the more you visit the doctor.
I remember back in the day when I would visit the doctor once, maybe twice a year. Now we're at some sort of doctor at least once a month, or so it seems.
When I was pregnant with C, between the diabetes, AMA and general visits, I was going to the doctor one to two times a week at the end of my pregnancy. Good gravy, I never wanted to see a doctor again. Not to mention most of the appointments were down in the city and required me to pay for parking.
Now, it's just other stuff. So far this year:
January - one well child check up
February - one well baby check up, one physical
March - two well children check ups
April - one child's allergy
May - one well child check up, one child dermatology
That's almost $200 in co-pays right there. Too bad the medical threshold is a tad too high. We'd probably qualify. I think we qualify for 2007 though with the delivery and subsequent hospital stay.
So, if we all stay healthy, hopefully that'll be it for now. Aside from the fact that I need to get my hip check out, the skin spot as well as my hearing. Can't wait to get this all out of the way.
One of the things they don't tell you is that the more children you have the more often you visit the doctor. Also, the older you get the more you visit the doctor.
I remember back in the day when I would visit the doctor once, maybe twice a year. Now we're at some sort of doctor at least once a month, or so it seems.
When I was pregnant with C, between the diabetes, AMA and general visits, I was going to the doctor one to two times a week at the end of my pregnancy. Good gravy, I never wanted to see a doctor again. Not to mention most of the appointments were down in the city and required me to pay for parking.
Now, it's just other stuff. So far this year:
January - one well child check up
February - one well baby check up, one physical
March - two well children check ups
April - one child's allergy
May - one well child check up, one child dermatology
That's almost $200 in co-pays right there. Too bad the medical threshold is a tad too high. We'd probably qualify. I think we qualify for 2007 though with the delivery and subsequent hospital stay.
So, if we all stay healthy, hopefully that'll be it for now. Aside from the fact that I need to get my hip check out, the skin spot as well as my hearing. Can't wait to get this all out of the way.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Diary of a Sundress
I was walking through JoAnn's one evening after Karate class looking for some clear thread in order to sew patches on the honor sashes without needing to constantly change thread color. My friend J kindly told me about this rather clever invention.
On the way through the fabric section I saw something that stopped me in my tracks. Sundress material. And not just any material, but it already had the rouching and came in such cute patterns. Really, the only sewing that would need to be done is for a side seam, a bottom hem and some sort of shoulder strap.
BINGO!
The perfect project for this sewing novice. The store was getting ready to close and I wasn't in a frame of mood to actually shop for sewing projects so I vowed to come back. Frankly, I never thought I'd make it back because I do that a lot!
On a whim, I decided to return to JoAnn's while Madison was at a birthday party. It was excellent being out alone. I was somewhat overwhelmed in the pattern department so I skipped that but came home with the black and white polka dot fabric with red ladybugs and red 1/8" grosgrain ribbon for shoulder straps.
I washed my fabric and was ready to go. But my fabric wasn't. Either I didn't buy enough or it shrunk more than I expected but in any event, I no longer had enough for two dresses. So when I had a chance, back to JoAnn's I went for an additional piece. I was prepared this time. Brought it home and washed it right up. From there, I began working on Madison's dress.
I wasn't sure whether to sew the side seam or the hem first. I sort of thought perhaps it didn't matter as long as both got done but then I wondered if there was a proper order to ensure a nice outcome. After some research I found out to do the side seam first. After working with Madison's dress I began to think sewing was over-rated. I hate getting poked with pins. Ouch!
After some trial and error, I finished the side seam and hem. I worked with the 1/8" red gosgrain ribbon I had purchased for the straps at the recommendation of the counter lady. What a mistake. I had a really hard time working with that ribbon. It was difficult to tie and it didn't stay up on Madison's shoulders. I made the difficult decision to stop and get some different ribbon.
I returned to JoAnn's for a third time! After some careful searching, I found the perfect black ribbon with white polka dots and it was much broader. I was giddy with excitement! Back home. Fast forward a few days to snow day Friday which was really just some ice that melted by lunch time. I spent untold time taking out the red ribbons with my hand seam ripper and sewed on the new straps.
Voila! Instant sundress. So cute! Madison loved it and I must say the shoulder straps looked marvelous and fit so nicely. She wouldn't take the dress off LOL! I ran back to the kitchen to start Mia's. Hers went much faster and I was really pleased with the outcome. It's rather too long but I didn't want to reconstruct the entire thing. I figure she'll grow a bit before spring and perhaps she can wear it next year as well. I rolled the entire hem so I can let it out later.
So a lot of time, effort and a bit more $ than I intended to spend but the girls are happy and so am I. I do believe I'm going to go back and buy another amount of the blue fabric which has flowers and butterflies and make two more. I'm thinking of making a third for the baby but I haven't quite decided yet.
The Replacements
So, if my life were a mini-drama right now, it would be called the replacements. So many things are breaking down I don't know what's coming next.
First, the mouse stopped working. One night I stayed up late into the evening working on checking account stuff and it worked fine all night. Well, okay, so it didn't actually work fine. It had been sort of wonky for several days which I contributed to battery issues and replaced them. However, I did notice there was some battery leakage, but hey it still worked so it was all good, right?
Apparently, it wasn't. When dh tried to use the computer the next morning it was a no go unless you happen to know all the keyboard shortcuts. Which we don't.
So we hurried up and got a new mouse. Can't run a home without a functioning computer in my view!
I think that was a Sunday or so. Fast forward to Friday. At 5:30 am the alarm starts to sound. DH does his usual snooze thing. After a while I open my eyes as it looks rather bright and it's about 7a. DH usually has the kids out the door on the way to school about 8a so this was not good. I do believe they made it on time.
The big problem was that the power went out sometime after the alarm started sounding. It's like the coldest day of the year and we have absolutely NO power. BGE claimed it would be back around 10:30. So I trucked off to the LLL Breastfeeding cafe with the little girls. After spending 45 minutes trying to find it, I give up and head to the mall. I stopped at home quickly first to see if the lights were on. No and the BGE truck didn't appear to have any activity around it.
Long story short, the electricity came back around 2ish however, the computer monitor didn't come on. Oy! Again, computer problems. This time I had a typing job that was due so this was not good news at all. This was also the reason I couldn't find the breastfeeding cafe which was at a new location. I couldn't remember the name of it and I couldn't look it up on line or check my email LOL! That'll show me to wait until the last minute.
A lovely friend has loaned us her old monitor. We went from a nice, streamlined flat screen model to the old honking huge style. I have NO room on my desk to work which is *really* irritating but it's really nice having a monitor at all. We'll probably just end up replacing the computer soon. Perhaps when we get our surplus from the government. Sometimes it's a real benefit to have four children.
Next the following weekend the dishwasher wouldn't turn on. So we did an extensive search for a new dishwasher. Several days later we had one all picked out and then the oven went out. So I revamped my search for two new appliances.
Now this was very exciting because other than a new washer several years ago we have not had any new appliances. Who knew you could get so excited over appliances? It will be so nice to cook a meal properly without under or over cooking it. It will be just as nice to open the dishwasher and take out clean dishes rather than dirty ones.
Those should arrive next Wednesday.
The van's been in the shop as well. I was stuck without it for two days last week. That was a real joy. Hopefully that will be in good repair for a while. In the meantime, DH's interior driver-side door handle snapped off a couple weeks ago. You either have to climb over to the passenger side to get out or you can lower the window and open from the outside. However, this means you have to keep the car running. I find it a complete pain the rear and try to avoid using it at this time. I don't know how he stands it LOL!
So, now I just wait for another shoe to fall. Between stuff breaking down and all the doctor visits it's a wonder we're not in the poor house right now. Awfully close but still hanging by a string.
First, the mouse stopped working. One night I stayed up late into the evening working on checking account stuff and it worked fine all night. Well, okay, so it didn't actually work fine. It had been sort of wonky for several days which I contributed to battery issues and replaced them. However, I did notice there was some battery leakage, but hey it still worked so it was all good, right?
Apparently, it wasn't. When dh tried to use the computer the next morning it was a no go unless you happen to know all the keyboard shortcuts. Which we don't.
So we hurried up and got a new mouse. Can't run a home without a functioning computer in my view!
I think that was a Sunday or so. Fast forward to Friday. At 5:30 am the alarm starts to sound. DH does his usual snooze thing. After a while I open my eyes as it looks rather bright and it's about 7a. DH usually has the kids out the door on the way to school about 8a so this was not good. I do believe they made it on time.
The big problem was that the power went out sometime after the alarm started sounding. It's like the coldest day of the year and we have absolutely NO power. BGE claimed it would be back around 10:30. So I trucked off to the LLL Breastfeeding cafe with the little girls. After spending 45 minutes trying to find it, I give up and head to the mall. I stopped at home quickly first to see if the lights were on. No and the BGE truck didn't appear to have any activity around it.
Long story short, the electricity came back around 2ish however, the computer monitor didn't come on. Oy! Again, computer problems. This time I had a typing job that was due so this was not good news at all. This was also the reason I couldn't find the breastfeeding cafe which was at a new location. I couldn't remember the name of it and I couldn't look it up on line or check my email LOL! That'll show me to wait until the last minute.
A lovely friend has loaned us her old monitor. We went from a nice, streamlined flat screen model to the old honking huge style. I have NO room on my desk to work which is *really* irritating but it's really nice having a monitor at all. We'll probably just end up replacing the computer soon. Perhaps when we get our surplus from the government. Sometimes it's a real benefit to have four children.
Next the following weekend the dishwasher wouldn't turn on. So we did an extensive search for a new dishwasher. Several days later we had one all picked out and then the oven went out. So I revamped my search for two new appliances.
Now this was very exciting because other than a new washer several years ago we have not had any new appliances. Who knew you could get so excited over appliances? It will be so nice to cook a meal properly without under or over cooking it. It will be just as nice to open the dishwasher and take out clean dishes rather than dirty ones.
Those should arrive next Wednesday.
The van's been in the shop as well. I was stuck without it for two days last week. That was a real joy. Hopefully that will be in good repair for a while. In the meantime, DH's interior driver-side door handle snapped off a couple weeks ago. You either have to climb over to the passenger side to get out or you can lower the window and open from the outside. However, this means you have to keep the car running. I find it a complete pain the rear and try to avoid using it at this time. I don't know how he stands it LOL!
So, now I just wait for another shoe to fall. Between stuff breaking down and all the doctor visits it's a wonder we're not in the poor house right now. Awfully close but still hanging by a string.
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