Thinking on a Thursday.

I so am going to start writing here more.  It has been at least 6 weeks - I've missed my blog therapy.  

To bring you up on what I am doing, well the easy answer is sliding slowly into oblivion.  Between school, my children, my husband - baseball, no basketball, hockey, dead people (ancestry) and work my life is pretty much insane.  My school is busy and almost finish - well at least this part of it.  The kids & my husband are a constant so that really isn't out of the ordinary, except that my husband is working constantly on influencing their sense of humor in ways that can only be described as LOUD.  Baseball - can't I just say TEXAS RANGERS and leave it at that?  No basketball, ugh.....hockey, I feel weird that it is hockey season without flipping channels to watch basketball during the commercials.  Work - well work is work.  I've been there 16 years so it really isn't that bad, just different.  The company has reorganized a bit and with the death of one of the founders.....sigh.....its sad to go in sometimes.

I still get out and take pictures on a regular basis, but I find that I have less and less time to be creative.  I'm looking forward to a break in school so that I can concentrate on all I have gathered in my brain and do something with it.  Hopefully, I haven't worn my brain out or burned up too many brain cells stressing about stuff that won't matter tomorrow.

Cemeteries, Boxer Shorts & Not Cooking Dinner

I forced my two young children to brave the heat and go cemetery hunting today.  I love cemetery hunting, there is always a good picture in a cemetery - well, most of the time.  And as I have been working on my family tree cemeteries have become even more of an obsession as of late.  So, I chose a cemetery I hadn't been to in a long time and tried to hunt down some photos for find-a-grave.  Well, no go.  My boys and I trudged up and down the rows looking for two little graves in the oldest catholic cemetery in Dallas without luck.  I often comment that I'm hunting dead people in my family tree search.  When you do that for yourself and you know how frustrating locating something can be you want to be able to help people do the same in their search.  If trudging through a cemetery can help someone else....who am I to deny myself the pleasure of helping someone else in their search.  It's really kind of pleasing to do something nice for other people.  In fact I wish more people thought of other people on a daily basis.

Now I'm totally thinking of myself after showering (trust me after an hour in the Texas sun in a cemetery it was needed) and dealing with my oldest's heat rash.  Seriously - its a million degrees in Texas, even before lunch.  It feels like hiking on the planet Mercury.  I'm sitting here wondering how I can get away with remaining in my husband's boxer shorts and promotional Dallas Stars t-shirt until bedtime; without coming across as completely anti-social or a boring old hag who has nothing better to do.  Well, I might not have anything better to do, I'm sure I could come up with something, but the heat has reduced my will to do nothing but maybe hold up my Kindle until I'm forced to try and get out of slaving over a hot stove for dinner.

WHO REALLY WANTS A HOT MEAL IN 104 DEGREE WEATHER?

Seriously.  Can't we just have a salad or wine, cheese & fresh bread.  Maybe a frozen margarita & chips and salsa.  Any of that works for me.  Will someone call my husband....

Question of the day

Why is it so incredibly hard to get kids to help around the house?  I have pondered this question over and over and over, all while plotting the demise of the children who ignore my existence while it is clean up time.  They won't go outside to save their lives - but if they can get out of picking up a wet towel they will brave 105 degree Texas heat to avoid the task.

I'd like to blame it on that guy I married my wonderful husband.  Actually he is quite wonderful - unless he is disciplining the children - which is NEVER - or if he's playing video games - because no one must interrupt video games.  NO ONE.  Although, I have less respect for the guys he plays Battlefield with, as last night I discovered they were drinking wine.  I love wine, but any self respecting soldier in the middle of war should not be drinking white-wine spritzers.  Beer, Bourbon or Scotch - that's pretty much the only options for soldiers.

Sorry, I got distracted, back to the lazy children.  How do you make lazy children clean up?

There is no title for this...

I am a little nervous today. Its my last day of official work. (Although I am scheduled to cover some vacation in July) I've been there 2 weeks shy of 14 years. Heck I was there before I met my husband. Scary isn't it. I met him 2 weeks after I started this job. That's a long time. I'm excited to have the opportunity to have the entire summer with my kids. I'm scared that I won't budget well or that we won't do well without my paycheck coming in. Not that 15 hours a week brings in a ton of money, but I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to continue working and that the wonderful place I've worked for has been as accommodating and understanding as it has. They took me from full time to part time after the kids were born. Its going to be a bittersweet day for me and I hope I get through it without tears - although I seriously doubt it.

Today just going to be tough no matter which way I look at it.

Trail Blazing - Its not for sissies.

I hate snakes, I H-A-T-E them.  That might not be a very politically correct statement, but in my case, its a true statement.  True pretty much trumps anything "politically correct".  That being said, I'm going to tell you about my day beginning with the night before.  And no it does not involve THAT.  Get you head out of the gutter.

Yesterday, I picked up my kids from school and to make a long story short - my youngest's teacher seems to be picking on him.  Apparently she called him "slow".  Now this would piss off any normal parent, but me - I pretty much am so overprotective of H2 that my husband usually has to tell me to back off.  He's remarkable. He's wonderful, but starting from day one (and I mean conception) he's had a rough ride.  He was lacking amniotic fluid in the womb, he was born 5 weeks premature, he is legally blind without corrective lenses, he has fused teeth (don't ask) and a tendency to be a klutz.  He gets that last part from me.  

Anyway I am seething, mad, whatever you want to call it these days and just couldn't let it go, so I took myself to the gym - I mean I should make this work for me right?  So after cooking a really healthy dinner, I took myself to the gym to work off my anger.  Apparently it worked.  I came home, took a shower and after putting my little angels to bed, I crawled in bed to watch a previously recorded episode of House and didn't even make it through the first 30 minutes.  I didn't finish my wine either.  A major sin I know - I am still working on penance.  So after sleeping with the television on for about 4 hours I cut it off, rolled over and WOKE UP.  All I could do was argue with various members of the staff and little H2's school.  

Apparently in this giant mess, I failed to bring my phone in to the bedroom.  It doubles as my alarm clock so when it went off this morning I basically didn't hear it for a bit and then OH CRAP! that's the alarm, where is my phone, etc. etc. etc.  I hauled everyone out of bed and somehow we made it out and to the evil elementary school.  I parked and walked the kids up which confused them because I normally drop them at the curb.  I told them I had to drop off something and parked myself outside of the counselor's door.  We had a nice talk, I made the comment that the teacher was not following the guidelines that we had set for my visually impaired child and that she was calling him derogatory names that were prejudicial to his handicap.  Do you like that prejudicial to his handicap?  I was kind of proud of myself for that.  Anyway she promised to do something - I gave her a week.  The principal was gone today and I am promised a phone call by tomorrow.  We'll see how that goes. 

I then of course had to "de-stress" so I took my fancy camera and off I went to the arboretum.  Can't be made surrounded by gorgeous gardens and flowers.  It just doesn't work.  Then I ran over to the lake and went exploring in the fish hatchery again.  Did some trail blazing, Yippee!  The problem with that was that I walked into a nest of snakes.  Yes, I said that a nest of baby snakes.  I think I actually broke the record for the standing long jump, but as there was no one there to actually measure the jump I will never get the credit I deserve.  I mean I jumped about 1/2 a football field, or just a little less, but it was far.  REAL FAR. 

 You must check my photo blog, there will be some good stuff popping up for a while.  I enjoyed myself there too.  I came home only to eat and do a quick clean up and got a fabulous idea to take the kids back to the arboretum for an afternoon of frolicking, it was after all a balmy 70 degrees today.  I packed up a few snacks all three cameras and some shorts and T-shirts for them to change into.

We walked everywhere and they spent a good 30 minutes rolling down the soft green grass hill and laughing.  It was a wonderful afternoon.  One I'll have to repeat soon.  And my day was wonderful if you don't count anything before 9 AM.  

I am monumentally bored...

I don’t think in the history of the universe I have ever been so bored. I am currently in the office and we have a ton of stuff to accomplish, but are waiting on either printers or deliveries. I can’t stand to be doing nothing. I have absolutely no desire what-so-ever to do anything that might help me personally. Like search for recipes or books or find something educational to read. I have filed everything, re-organized everything I can find and well am about to scream out loud just to get a reaction out of somebody.

I’ve called my husband, who has absolutely no desire to talk on the phone. He’s not a phone talker, unless of course I am talking about sports, which even though I understand most sports – I could truly care less about stuff like La Cross or Soccer; I’m more of a Hockey, Basketball or Football kind of girl. I’ve been working weekends so long, that now that I’m not, I couldn’t tell you a football players name to save myself, unless they are/have been or might be dating some ridiculous celebrity that shows up on every trashy website on the planet. I can barely keep up with the TV shows I’ve recorded much less learn sports guys names, teams and stats. Now, the only exception is really hockey, because well there is a propensity for blood, it’s the kids’ favorite and well, its fast moving. I also have a texting/tweeting buddy during the game I get easily distracted and all the stops and starts in football tend to make me lose focus and our basketball team falls apart in the 4th period so why bother.

I totally want to change the direction of my life at the moment. I don’t really know how to approach this subject with the rest of my family. Parents, husband etc. I so want to be more creative. I’ve always had a very creative mind, but I’ve always been pushed to use my left brain, be a teacher….be an accountant. Job security, stability, etc. etc. I hate boring jobs like that. I like working Real Estate, because for the most part no two houses are alike and I work with a group of very diverse people with interesting personalities. So professionally I’m happy. Personally, I would like to find the time to write more, maybe dip the toes into writing some short stories. Have the time to research some options with my poetry. I’d love to take pictures all the time, but its hard to balance home, family and hobbies. Since I’m working more, I have less time to keep the house – of course part of the problem is years of pack-ratting stuff. I’m very much in purge mode, which I did in the kids room yesterday. I dumped a 30 gallon bag of trash and got almost all the stuffed animals out of the room. My kids would not allow me to get rid of them, but maybe I can get them to forget about them after a while and “POOF” they are gone. Ooooh, maybe a squirrel could get in the attic and tear them apart. SHHH! Don’t tell.

I’m hoping to work on cleaning out the attic and garage. Having a garage sale, getting some stuff on Craigslist or Ebay. I might even venture further, but need to talk to the hubby first.
I must go plan my organization of closets. Peace out.

Hey politicians, Want my vote? Then fix this...

I am yet again disappointed in our public school system.  Maybe I'm jumping the gun (I doubt it) but they don't seem to be eager to help my poor little Hunter.  We went back to the eye doctor today and Hunter's left eye has lost more vision and he is now a -8.0 in his left eye.  His right stayed steady at -6.75.  UGH.  The doctor says he might be dyslexic as well, but when I called the school counselor to talk to her as she suggested after this follow up, to only be pushed off yet again.  "We don't test until after 1st grade."  

OK, so my doctor says he needs to be tested as soon as possible, yet they say the won't test him for another 18 months.  Are you sure you are educators?  I mean have you heard of early intervention?  I have put my best people on the job.  A more passionate advocate I couldn't find.  She's not in my town, but has been an honorary member of our family for a long time.  She'll find out the questions I am lost on and point me in the right direction.  

I am also working on some other avenues and Unstable, I might have to borrow LMSKP, but I will hold off until I get my bearings on this.  We have a referral to Scottish Rite, I will get on that even if the school district decides to lower itself and test my kid.   

How frustrating is that?

I need 5 minutes peace.

I've been at my parents house with the children for three days now. It seems that whatever I tell the children not to do they do it faster, louder and with more annoying whine that ever. I think I'm going to go insane. I'm sure they are praying for Friday so they can wave good-bye from the front porch and then run inside and enjoy the quiet. I just double locked myself in the bathroom so I could enjoy 10 minutes of peace - I needed to wash my hair too, but it was mainly for the quiet. Seriously.

I'm still looking for a cup of coffee

Well, its been a heck of a day at my house.  The alarm - disgusting thing that it is went off at 6:45, I've been a zombie ever since.  I am never going to be lucid for the first day of school.  We had a eye doctor's appointment for both boys.  It was really disappointing for me.  I'm not sure if I've blogged about it before, but my little one is legally blind.  Do you have glasses?  Do you know your prescription?  Mine is -1.0  its about 20/80.  Hunter's is -7.5.  His vision in his left eye is worse than his right eye and since his last visit has gotten worse.  We have a new prescription and have to go back in 2 months.  Its not what I ever wished for my babies, but he never complains.  He misses that fast moving bird or squirrel in the tree, but never complains.

I never did get my coffee, so you can imagine how unresponsive I've been today.  I was incredibly embarrassed when my stomach growled in the doctors office like I haven't eaten in 10 days.  I wanted to bury my head in the sand!  UGH.  

I got home - and discovered that the electrician did not restore power to my garage.  Normally I wouldn't care, but I had, had being the operative word here, a deep freeze.  A deep freeze full of very expensive beef, fish & chicken.  Well, I guess I'm a little lighter on the protein for a while.  No sense in filling it up if 1) I don't have power or 2) I don't have a kitchen.  We had been grilling though.  That's a big four letter word out of my mouth. 

But the good news is they are making headway on the big renovation - feel free to check out the new pictures.  Its quiet a transformation so far and I will have more shots to put up tomorrow as they are finishing the cabinets today.  WOOT!!

Sick Child

On the way from picking up one child and getting the second from school today, little Hunter informs me he has a stomach ache.  This usually means I want a coke.

He whines the whole way home and I talk him into a warm bath to try to make him feel better.  I also brought him a little Dr. Pepper.  5 minutes out of the bath - he pukes.  YUCK!  At least he was in the bathroom.  I left him comfy on the sofa with his video game thingy and go outside to help the Husband clean out the garage - I look up and Hunter is at the backdoor.  Instead of going to the bathroom, he came looking for me when he needed to be sick.  All over the hall, the entry, and twice on the carpet in the den.

I hate throw-up.  HATE IT.  EEWWW!!  Nasty.  Etc. Etc.  I got him to eat charcoal toast (works every time I swear!) He is now asleep on the sofa.  Lets hope it holds. 

I have officially lost to my child.

I am a total wimp. Yes, that's right a wimp.  

My 6 year old has an expander that is new to his mouth.  He is whimpering that he can't eat anything, however he somehow managed to eat an Oreo yesterday, but refused to eat his dinner.  I AM NOT GOING TO LET HIM WIN! I AM NOT! Of course, my husband the big giant wimp, will let him get away with it, and because I am sweet on the big lug, I will turn a blind eye.

Maybe!

E is the poster child for picky eaters, but I am the bigger person (literally) and the parent, I must take control.  M U S T  t a k e  c o n t r o l ....................

I am Dijea, and I am an addict.

Addicted to Lego Star Wars the Complete Saga that is.  I was completely obsessed with the whole Lego Star Wars II on XBOX 360, we then got the Original Trilogy on Playstation.  It sucked.  So when Christmas came around my children, bless them, got me The Complete Saga on XBOX 360. I love it!!  I am 10% complete right now.  Just started today, I have 12 out of 160 gold bricks & I have found two red bricks inside the levels.  I have yet to play Challenge Mode or get a blue minikit, but I know its just a matter of time.  I just spent 3 1/2 hours playing this evening.  

I am almost worse than my husband.  NO, I could never be worse than him with video game obsessions.  Its just not possible.

Can you say whiney kids?

I've gone from one kid with a sinus infection and one kid with maybe a sinus infection, to one kid sicker than a dog and one kid doing fair. Ethan seemed to be OK until about noon today and he's popped a whopping 102 degree fever. Hunter is eating popcorn, drinking Gatorade and watching Finding Nemo. Ethan has only gotten up from his bed in the last 1/2 hour to lay on the couch.

OH, and Hunter's Thanksgiving Play was today, so that was an interesting deal. Both kids are on antibiotics, so I didn't infect anyone. I promise. I am feeling lost and a little discombobulated. I want to make poor little E feel better and I just can't do it. He's been so good and not complained, he just lays there looking pitiful. It just breaks a mother's heart.

Nip Tuck, The Early Years

Aren't my babies cute?

I don't usually post the same picture on both my blogs, but this one warms my heart, because I'm looking forward to all the cosmetic surgery I could get (for free) if this becomes reality. If you are nice to me, I might get you a discount.