Thursday, September 25, 2008

All moved..

Been awhile since I have posted...we moved this past weekend. GRRR! I am just feeling like I am getting my head above water! Isn't it amazing how it seems all craziness has to occur the same month!
1.) Moving
2.) Parent Teacher Conferences
3.) Multiplication in a Week seminar
4.) Daughter turns 13
5.) Mtg every morning and afternoon
It just never ends! And to boot...my kids are not behaving well. So I feel the the grouch of the year!
I hope to return to some type of normally after Oct 4th! Until then...I will be checking in and out!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Questions for you bloggers.....

Ok...need some help here. So I am going to post a few questions and see if you can help me out.

1.) How do you know if someone has read a blog of yours and left a comment? Do you have to look at all your articles every day and memorize how many comments you have on each to know if a new one was added?

2.) I hate my ugly page! It is one of the generic ones from Blogspot. So...where do I find a new one? Can you download a design from somewhere? I looked up one ad for someone who does custom pages. It was like $100 to redo. Is that a good price? Any ideas?

Thanks for input! :-)

Monday, September 15, 2008

I hate to complain...however...I am going to!

OK...well I shared with you all that hubby and joined a co ed softball team. We have really enjoyed ourselves. I usually just play on the women's league, so playing with the men has been a real treat! The mix of guys really changes the game!

HOWEVER...HOLY SMOKE! We went out for a game tonight. We recognize a lot of the other players from the women's league. Well, I happen to like the other team tonight and their coach from the women's league. Seem like decent people....because as you can imagine sometimes people get pissy and nasty over sports.

Well...it is common courtesy to try not to hit the ball up the middle to the pitcher. The pitcher can be seriously injured. Well...I laugh at this because I have NO clue where I am hitting the ball! I am just glad that I hit the stupid ball! ha ha! Well, at tonight's game one of our guys was trying to hit up and over second...didn't work out as planned and went straight at the pitcher...HARD. Well, thank goodness the pitcher caught the ball. It wasn't done on purpose and they got the out...good for them right?

Well...my hubby goes up to pitch the next inning. Their pitcher goes over to coach third base. He then yells at his batter...."Hit it up the middle". For those of you that don't know..the middle is the pitcher! He was telling them to HIT my hubby! So my hubby stops and looks at him and replies..."Hey now...let's play a fair game. Don't encourage your players to hit me!" So the guy yells back, "Your man hit it right at me!" Hubby replies, "It wasn't done on purpose...you are encouraging your players to hit me!" Then the guys says, "Hey it's a game...the ball goes where ever..." So hubby says, "OK..I will remember that." and the guy replies..."I got you big guy..no worries...I will take you out!" Holy crap!! So the umpire gets in the middle and says.."Now guys...let's play a good game. Knock this off. Understand? Play ball"

So the game goes on and this team WILL NOT STOP! Every time a player comes up to hit, they talk about hitting it up the middle. Let me just throw this in there...they were a bunch of thugs! Several had been arrested many times. There are several police officers on our team that recognized several of them. So this may have added flames to this fire.

I went to the ref and said, "I am so sorry about this! This is suppose to be a fun game." He responds.."It doesn't help when they have been drinking for many hours." So he was well aware that they were taunting and playing horribly.

So finally, they are kicking our butts..14 to 4. As I walk out on the field this putz starts talking smack to my hubby again. He says, "A real man plays outfield..not pitch! I got news for you, I will take your head off at next bat!" Now...I am usually a calm lady, and my hubby was holding his cool so well....however I lost it! I looked at the ump and said..."Good Lord, are they allowed to threaten my husband in the name of softball??"

So the ref says to the other team..."This is enough..one more word and this game is over!" And of course...being the pricks they were...they did! So the ref calls the game..looks at us and says, "Winners...Game over!" Holy smokes! They were screaming their heads off at us! They were wanting to fight!

So, our entire team packed up quickly and left. What in the world is up with people!?? Now..I know a few of these guys are sleese bags and obviously put their manly hood on the line in the name of softball....but I must ask...WHY? Come on people!!!!!!! It is a game!

I am gonna say it again...SOME PEOPLE SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
PS...It must have really gotten their goat to leave as LOSERS! hahahah!! :-)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Gossip....why do we enjoy it so much?


I live in a rather small town. And if you have ever heard anything about a small town....you know that gossip runs amok! I am not sure if it is just me growing up but it is really beginning to bug the heck out of me. And we women are the worst ones at it!

Why do we enjoy hearing ugly things about others? Is it really because it makes us feel better? I was getting my nails done last week and heard two women talking about a local woman here in town. She is a teacher with two small children. The rumor mill has it that her hubby has been cheating on her with a married woman in his office. The affair is now out in the open and I guess there have been some vandalism on someones part. The "other woman" has been granted a restraining order. What a mess right?

All I could think about was that woman's kids. And why are we talking about it? The conversation I overheard was not about building up this woman? Or helping their kids...or helping their marriage! It is really none of our business. I literally stopped right there and said a prayer for this woman.

I went to high school with this lady...and I really don't like her. She isn't the nicest woman...and I think my opinion is shared by others as well. But that didn't make me feel any less sorry for her. Or for her children. And to be honest...for her husband too. For all we know..he could be truly remorseful. And if he is doing his best to fix his family.....why would I want to do ANYTHING to hinder that process.

I am trying VERY hard to make sure the words that come from my mouth are for building others up....and not for tearing them down. Believe me...I have been a gossip...a good one! (Hey...when I do something I do it well! :-) But God has really laid it on my heart...this is not what He wants.....it is hurtful! It is not Christ like!

I have worked hard these past few months to watch my mouth and hold myself accountable. Gossip is hurtful...why is that such a hard characteristic for us to loose???

Friday, September 12, 2008

Friday Flashback


I always find it amazing just how far people can remember back in their lives so today I thought it would be interesting to flashback to our earliest memories. How far back can you go?
Well....my father was in the USAF so I was born in Germany. We were able to do lots of traveling while we lived there. One of the places we visited was Spain. So we decided to take in the "cultural activities". Well...you ask what that might be. Yeah.....we went to a LIVE BULL FIGHT! Yes...you read that right...a bull fight! Hello! Wow...this activity is so wrong on SOOOO many levels.
Did you know that the bull is put in a back pen. While he is there as he runs by the junior matadors they stab them with large spears with decorative fabric on the ends. So by the time the bull gets to the main ring he has at least a dozen stab wounds. Then the senior matador takes over in the main ring and finishes the bull off.
This was my first memory...sitting in an outdoor stadium in Madrid, Spain...watch a bull getting stabbed over and over again until his death! Nice huh!!!!
However...being the girl that I am...I do remember the gorgeous red crocheted shawl that I wore to this event! I looked cute at this horrific event! I have pics to prove it!

PS....I think was I almost 3 years old!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A blessing for your ears....


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A time for something new...

Well...here I am at 35 taking on new activities. And I must admit...it is kind of fun. I have been playing softball on a women's league for the past few years. I have really enjoyed it, even though I have found out that I am a slow runner! (Blog entry from before) :-( ha ha! But I am getting better at hitting and I have really enjoyed the pitching!

So the women's season ended a few weeks ago. I had a friend of mine hit me up to play on a co-ed team. Wow...that is a new one. She and her hubby wanted to start up a team and asked my hubby and I to join. So we have. We just had our first two games this week. We won both! It has really been a lot of fun. I have really enjoyed getting to play with hubby as well. We usually do our "own"thing...so this new turn has really been enjoyable.

It really is a whole new game with the guys involved. Man...they can throw those balls hard! Your hand gets that huge sting when the ball connects! And you don't wanna show that it hurt like the dickens because you don't wanna be perceived as a "sissy la la". And to boot..they hit the ball way the heck out there.

So, we shall see how the next two months go! Adventures abound!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Some people are just MEAN!


Ok..I wish I could come back from Back to School Night with a positive thing to say...but I can't! I am pissed! Let me start with you with day today.

My oldest daughter, K, had several doctor appointments today. So I had to drive 50 miles to the local city to get these tests done. I start on my way down and of course...there has to be road contruction! So I am booking it to get there on time! I did make it on time (are you impressed Chrissy?).

That appt lasted about 20 min and I was off and running to the second. I get to that appt and the lady tells me that I was late. I wasn't late...I was actually early! Like 20 min early! What the heck. She said that I was suppose to be there an hour before the appt time for prep. Well heck...NOBODY told me that! So then she acts like she is doing ME a favor to get us in. We had to sit for an extra hour, but they were so kind to see us. Grrrr!

K only has one kidney, the other was removed when she was eight months old. So this is a scan of her other kidney to make sure things are working properly. She is having some trouble. Being that K has had 18 surgeries, she is quite scared of the doctor. Getting on the gown and crawling up on the table sends her into tears. I finally get her all calmed down so they can conduct the test.

So test is complete and we go back to get dressed. K is happy to be done...clothes are back on...and KNOCK KNOCK on the door. They forgot to run one test and need us to come back. Ok...now I am thankful they caught it before I went home, but come on people! The clothes had to come back off...and the tears fly again! They had three medical technicians in watching this procedure. They were doing a lot of whispering. I don't wanna be paranoid, but it makes me feel uneasy....could something now be wrong with her one good kidney?

Now...we drive the 50 miles home and I am off an running to be ready for Back To School Night. I am not in the best of moods. Hubby is at work, I am trying to get myself dressed for work, and I look out the window and my two youngest children are jumping on the trampoline with the garden hose! So I run downstairs to make my unhappiness heard, when isee that my oldest has ripped her brand new outfit in half and is standing there in just her pants!

Are you screaming with me yet??? So, I get the kids dressed, myself dressed, and we are out the door. I took the kids to my parents since hubby was at work. I wait....and wait...and no parents. So I call their phone to find out they are 20 min away! Good gosh!!!!!! Now Iam only 15 min early to Back To School Night...and that doesn't make me happy! (Remember too...I wasn't at work because I was at the doctor all day!)

So..first session starts...I give my little speech..and all is well. So the parents begin to leave and this father comes up to me. He has written me two nasty notes already and I can sense by his body language that he is not happy. He starts to lay into me....for several reasons. But let me share his main complaint. On my weekly communication home to the parents I have a portion title "Discipline Log". He finds the word "discipline" to be quite negative and as an elementary school teacher, I should know better than to use such "negative" verbage!

OK>>>GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After the day I have had...WHO CARES! After I politely told him he needed to schedule a conference with me to discuss these matters later and not at Back to School Night...I looked...It says on my folder "Conduct Log"..SO THERE!

People sometimes SUCK!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

A to Z about me...

Attached or Single? Attached....at the hip sometimes!

Best Friend? That would be my Hubby.

Cake or Pie? well that all depends on the type of cake or pie! I love them both!

Day of Choice? I think I would have to pick Friday. It is a down day at school. And I know the weekend is next...and I get to sleep in the next morning!

Essential Item? Birth Control~Because God knows I don't need anymore babies!

Flavor of Ice cream? Not a big fan of ice cream. I know....sad huh! But if I had to pick one it would be Rocky Road.

Gummy Bears of Worms? Would have to go with the bears. The darn worms take forever to chew!

Hometown? In the mountains of California

Indulgences? I do get my nails done every other week. I love them...and I think they look professional. Do I need them...no...but I love them!

January or July? Would have to go with July. It snows here in January..and I have to work in it. And if it snows..the kids don't have recess...and I get ugly!

Kids? Three gorgeous girls!

Last Movie I saw in a theater? Sex in the City ....Love IT!

Middle Name? Same one my youngest daughter has....

Number of Siblings? One younger sister

Oranges or Apples? Love both! But if I had to pick...oranges

Phobia or Fear? My kids dying

Quote? The only one I quote often is by Chrissy's mother.."Smile sweetly, agree completely, then do as you please" Thanks MOM!

Reason to Smile? My kids. Waking up each day. Seeing a student "get it"

Season? I like Fall. I love to get the pumpkins out....and make the scare crows!

Tag five more: ??? Chrissy?

Unknown Fact About Me? I just asked my husband to answer this...and he said I am obsessive about zits! Come on now! It is true...but...why would I say that on here? I would say...I don't drink coffee! Yuck! Stinky breath!

Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? I love my MEAT!!!!

Worst Habit? again with the zits! Shesh! But I might have to agree this time! I hate looking at zits on peoples faces! Gross! If it is on hubby...I make them disappear!

X-rays or Ultrasounds? Love ultrasounds of those babies!

Your favorite Food? usually anything Mexican! Loving Italian these days! My hubby is a fabulous cook....so love his cooking too!

Zodiac? I am a Libra....balance is my life!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Tuesday's Tip Jar





Now...I have on my teacher hat here! But I started a year ago with giving each of my children one night a month to cook! This is something they all just love! We begin by getting out the famous "cook books". There are many "kid" cookbooks on the market. They get to pick the meal for the night. They must read the recipe, create a shopping list, and actually get their own grocery cart and find all the necessary items. I always help them in the kitchen as they get their meal ready to present to the family. This encorporates reading, writing, math, reasoning skills, social skills, etc.

You have no idea how long it has taken them to master the organization of the grocery store! We have also learned about fractions (measuring cups), how to double a recipe, etc. This is a great activity for the entire family. It has boosted their self esteem as they present their dinner for our family. They have become more open minded into trying new food. And....here is the best part..they now love The Food Network! They are always looking for new things to cook!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Making life a tad bit easier!



Now...I will never claim to be a "techie" kind of gal. The "techie" title belongs on my hubby's head in the form of a crown! I can however, hold my own, but don't go out looking for the newest technology out there. But, I thought I would give a shout out for my Blackberry Pearl. It has become quite the life saver for our family. My hubby and I both have one. His is black..and mine is pink of course! :-)


My favorite part of this phone you ask???? The calendar! I know, sounds silly, but it has helped us manage our lives! First of all, I have a date calendar. So I am able to add all my appointments. I can view the calendar by my day, the week, or the month.

My 2nd favorite part....I receive all my email on this phone. So when my secretary emails me an appointment, and I accept....it adds it to my phone calendar! It will even let me know if there is a conflict with another apt on my calendar. Ya gotta love that feature.

Third, when I add a date, I can then, through a simple button, send that appointment to my hubby's phone! It then puts all that apt information onto his calendar! OMG...you have NO idea how great this is! Now, understand, between cheer leading practice, gymnastics, Physical Therapy, Dr apts, Dentist apts, my own work meetings, IEPs, evaluations, football games, junior high dances...there is SO much to schedule. My hubby then knows what is going on daily. This is really helpful because we are always on the same page. He knows what is coming and all the places I have to be. He has often said, "Well, I see you have a nail apt tomorrow at four, and one daughter has cheer leading. I will pick her up and get her there." Do you just LOVE that! It has really helped to get us both actively involved in every ones crazy schedule.




OK...last thing on the calendar~then I will shut up. On the front page of the screen, it lists my next three events. So I always am aware of what my next three commitments are going to be. I can also set the phone to send me a reminder...15 min, 30 min, whatever works for you.




So...for those of you that have crazy lives, need to manage your schedules a little better, and get hubby involved in the "taxi" cab driving of our lives...think about a HERS and HIS Blackberry! There is my tech advice for the year! ha ha!