being from the northwest, we've ALWAYS had a really big bushy fir tree for the holidays. the Saturday closest to DH's birthday, we'd all head off to the tree farm and chop down our very own tree.
Then, we moved here. Real trees are very expensive. Then with dd's asthma diagnosis I just don't feel comfortable having a known allergen in the house for a month, yk?
Anyhoo, last year SIL gave us their old tree since they had two. We had no idea what it looked like or anything.
Set it up last night and it's a 4 1/2 footer, that's more a Charlie Brown style than the big bushy trees we're used to.
The bright spot in this is it's totally NOT in the way LOL
We're trying to make the little tree a part of our holiday family and get in the spirit. I mean it's TOTALLY better than the 24 inch silver tree we had up last year LOL
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Friday, November 04, 2005
stress
is it justifiable to serve halloween candy to the kids for lunch and just have scrambled eggs and pancakes for dinner because i can't handle one more thing today?
Thursday, November 03, 2005
more on the school thing
anyway, the AP agreed with my assessment of teh situation, that all the incidents taken together, and knowing my child...were a problem.
The best news is they should be having a permanent teacher starting MONDAY! woohoo she's just waiting to get released out of her contract in another district.
She is also going to look into what happened with the posessive plural test to see if it was the whole class that bombed it or just alex. either way, they are going to have the reading coach go in and help either the whole class or just alex grasp the topic. Given that Alex is actually an EXCELLENT student, him scoring that low on a test is a big red flag.
I also let the AP know that we had dealt with Alex's behavior at home and he received appropriate punishment, so she knew I wasn't dumping this all on the school. I also told her that, honestly, if there was anyway to be in there teaching that class, I would have done it myself LOL I'm very glad the admin at this school is so open to parents. Of course, I don't know how much it has to do with us grilling the AP before we enrolled the kids about how things were handled at the school. She knows we are active and involved parents and since D is also a teacher, we won't be coming in with gripes at every turn...ya know, most of our complaints/concerns will be valid and have gone through the proper channels first.
The best news is they should be having a permanent teacher starting MONDAY! woohoo she's just waiting to get released out of her contract in another district.
She is also going to look into what happened with the posessive plural test to see if it was the whole class that bombed it or just alex. either way, they are going to have the reading coach go in and help either the whole class or just alex grasp the topic. Given that Alex is actually an EXCELLENT student, him scoring that low on a test is a big red flag.
I also let the AP know that we had dealt with Alex's behavior at home and he received appropriate punishment, so she knew I wasn't dumping this all on the school. I also told her that, honestly, if there was anyway to be in there teaching that class, I would have done it myself LOL I'm very glad the admin at this school is so open to parents. Of course, I don't know how much it has to do with us grilling the AP before we enrolled the kids about how things were handled at the school. She knows we are active and involved parents and since D is also a teacher, we won't be coming in with gripes at every turn...ya know, most of our complaints/concerns will be valid and have gone through the proper channels first.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
last straw
i'm soooo NOT looking forward to this.
I think I mentioned that Alex's teacher's husband took a job transfer to Atlanta and he's been without a teacher for the past 5 or 6 weeks. they've been having week-long subs. The school still is looking for a 6th grade teacher they've needed since school started, so the prospects are rather slim for getting a third grade teacher in there any time soon.
A couple weeks ago, I picked Alex up from school and he sheepishly showed me he had cut a very LARGE hole into his pants! I asked him why. Naturally he said he was bored.
I had to wonder what the heck the teacher was doing that she didn't notice alex intently cutting away at the thigh of his pants and why I wasn't called to bring him a new pair of pants since holes in the pants are a dress code violation.
Then, Alex tells me that one of the subs is taking their shoes away as punishment for doing things at the "wrong" time...like she only allows the kids to sharpen pencils once a day, before the bell rings...but that was put to a stop when they had a fire drill and their class was still in the building get shoes on.
Since the subbing started, Alex is frequently missing the gifted bus on thursdays AND on the days he has missed, the teacher is giving him HOMEWORK to make up the classwork he missed ... which is against the rules.
Last week, my child who's flippin GIFTED and despite being a bad speller has a knack for memorizing obscure grammer rules and other useless info, tells me he got a 32% on a language test. Obviously, if my really smart child didn't get it, what the heck did the rest of the class get???
This week, I pick Alex up yesterday and immediately notice a chunk of hair missing.
Today, he freaking SHAVED part of his eyebrows off with a pair of scissors.
At first, Dh thought I was making a mountain out of a molehill, but NOW he finally believes me that there's a significant problem. First, Alex can't handle or thrive in such a chaotic classroom environment. He needs structure. He's not getting it. SEcond, the subs aren't consistent enough in teaching academics to reteach something after the test. If they test Friday and the Friday sub grades, the Monday sub may or may not even look to see if something needs reteaching, yk? Third, WHAT THE HELL is going on in that classroom where a child can vandalize his clothing and CUT himself with scissors. I can understand the pants under the desk, but c'mon...he shaved his eyebrow.
So...after bringing this to the school's attention, I'm going to request Alex be moved to a classroom with a permanent teacher.
My friend is going in tomorrow and talking to them about teaching there, but she wants the 6th grade job. She really doesn't want to teach Alex's class as she also teaches his Sunday School class...and we live across the street from each other and she's like Alex's second mother. We're not entirely convinced this would be the best academic match up, iykwim. Meanwhile, Jill is trying to convince DH to dump his current district and try to snag the 6th grade job if she takes the 3rd grade. DH has a lot more reason to leave his current district than she does.
I hate going in there and having to be a b****h about things. Please send me strength in how to do this without backing down and giving it some more time.
I think I mentioned that Alex's teacher's husband took a job transfer to Atlanta and he's been without a teacher for the past 5 or 6 weeks. they've been having week-long subs. The school still is looking for a 6th grade teacher they've needed since school started, so the prospects are rather slim for getting a third grade teacher in there any time soon.
A couple weeks ago, I picked Alex up from school and he sheepishly showed me he had cut a very LARGE hole into his pants! I asked him why. Naturally he said he was bored.
I had to wonder what the heck the teacher was doing that she didn't notice alex intently cutting away at the thigh of his pants and why I wasn't called to bring him a new pair of pants since holes in the pants are a dress code violation.
Then, Alex tells me that one of the subs is taking their shoes away as punishment for doing things at the "wrong" time...like she only allows the kids to sharpen pencils once a day, before the bell rings...but that was put to a stop when they had a fire drill and their class was still in the building get shoes on.
Since the subbing started, Alex is frequently missing the gifted bus on thursdays AND on the days he has missed, the teacher is giving him HOMEWORK to make up the classwork he missed ... which is against the rules.
Last week, my child who's flippin GIFTED and despite being a bad speller has a knack for memorizing obscure grammer rules and other useless info, tells me he got a 32% on a language test. Obviously, if my really smart child didn't get it, what the heck did the rest of the class get???
This week, I pick Alex up yesterday and immediately notice a chunk of hair missing.
Today, he freaking SHAVED part of his eyebrows off with a pair of scissors.
At first, Dh thought I was making a mountain out of a molehill, but NOW he finally believes me that there's a significant problem. First, Alex can't handle or thrive in such a chaotic classroom environment. He needs structure. He's not getting it. SEcond, the subs aren't consistent enough in teaching academics to reteach something after the test. If they test Friday and the Friday sub grades, the Monday sub may or may not even look to see if something needs reteaching, yk? Third, WHAT THE HELL is going on in that classroom where a child can vandalize his clothing and CUT himself with scissors. I can understand the pants under the desk, but c'mon...he shaved his eyebrow.
So...after bringing this to the school's attention, I'm going to request Alex be moved to a classroom with a permanent teacher.
My friend is going in tomorrow and talking to them about teaching there, but she wants the 6th grade job. She really doesn't want to teach Alex's class as she also teaches his Sunday School class...and we live across the street from each other and she's like Alex's second mother. We're not entirely convinced this would be the best academic match up, iykwim. Meanwhile, Jill is trying to convince DH to dump his current district and try to snag the 6th grade job if she takes the 3rd grade. DH has a lot more reason to leave his current district than she does.
I hate going in there and having to be a b****h about things. Please send me strength in how to do this without backing down and giving it some more time.
Friday, October 21, 2005
am i invisible?
After an incident at the school today, I was left wondering if I really am invisible. See, my super powers...i can vanish and overhear you talking about me and you never will know I'm there!
Reality check...not for me, for the lunchlady who, for whatever reason, felt it necessary to badmouth me to her coworker when I was standing 3 feet away! And, being the mature person that I am, I restrained myself and left a note for the principal of the school to call me. Yup, I tattled.
First of all, whatever issues I have for the wicked lunchlady/evil crosswalk dictator are between the two of us. Yes, I realize that it isn't HER problem that I had four children under 4 and couldn't park a half block from the school, get out all the children, walk through the parking lot, cross the street all to get my kids from school. What I asked her was where I could go where I didn't have to get everyone out...if I had any options. All I got from her was "It's not my problem" UGH Forgive me for expecting the person telling me where I *COULDN'T* park could tell me some place where I COULD park! I have since found out I CAN park in the main parking lot despite the 3 foot pot hole and city sewer warning baricade. It would have been nice if the administration at the school would have notified the parents ahead of time that there would be changes in where parents could park for pickup.
Second, it was highly unprofessional and downright inappropriate for her to start blabbering to her coworker while I was standing RIGHT THERE about it. I heard her say "she's the one who said she had four kids in the car and i *told* her that it's not my problem" yadda yadda yadda
If she's going to say things like that in front of the parent she's TALKING about in a room cafeteria full of students and other parents, what else is she saying?
I understand that people gossip and talk about "those people" they encounter at work. I'm not upset about that. Heck, that's what I'm doing here :P What I'm upset about is the FORUM in which she did it...like IN FRONT OF ME, in front of students, in front of other parents.
Anyway, now I'm waitinf for the principal to call me back. If I don't hear from her on Monday, I'll be giving her another call.
Of course if crosswalk dictator flips me the bird or some other dirty look, I'll know the principal said something hahaha
Oh and if this makes ANY difference in this, this particular crossing guard is the ONLY ONE that doesn't wave or smile at the parents as they drive by. All the other ones do. She NEVER smiles. Always has a scowl on her face.
Reality check...not for me, for the lunchlady who, for whatever reason, felt it necessary to badmouth me to her coworker when I was standing 3 feet away! And, being the mature person that I am, I restrained myself and left a note for the principal of the school to call me. Yup, I tattled.
First of all, whatever issues I have for the wicked lunchlady/evil crosswalk dictator are between the two of us. Yes, I realize that it isn't HER problem that I had four children under 4 and couldn't park a half block from the school, get out all the children, walk through the parking lot, cross the street all to get my kids from school. What I asked her was where I could go where I didn't have to get everyone out...if I had any options. All I got from her was "It's not my problem" UGH Forgive me for expecting the person telling me where I *COULDN'T* park could tell me some place where I COULD park! I have since found out I CAN park in the main parking lot despite the 3 foot pot hole and city sewer warning baricade. It would have been nice if the administration at the school would have notified the parents ahead of time that there would be changes in where parents could park for pickup.
Second, it was highly unprofessional and downright inappropriate for her to start blabbering to her coworker while I was standing RIGHT THERE about it. I heard her say "she's the one who said she had four kids in the car and i *told* her that it's not my problem" yadda yadda yadda
If she's going to say things like that in front of the parent she's TALKING about in a room cafeteria full of students and other parents, what else is she saying?
I understand that people gossip and talk about "those people" they encounter at work. I'm not upset about that. Heck, that's what I'm doing here :P What I'm upset about is the FORUM in which she did it...like IN FRONT OF ME, in front of students, in front of other parents.
Anyway, now I'm waitinf for the principal to call me back. If I don't hear from her on Monday, I'll be giving her another call.
Of course if crosswalk dictator flips me the bird or some other dirty look, I'll know the principal said something hahaha
Oh and if this makes ANY difference in this, this particular crossing guard is the ONLY ONE that doesn't wave or smile at the parents as they drive by. All the other ones do. She NEVER smiles. Always has a scowl on her face.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Freecycle Rocks
I think those that are familiar with freecycle know what an awesome thing it is. For those that don't know what freecycle is, WHAT? ARe you living in a cave?
We've been able to get rid of so much stuff. It's great.
But tomorrow, I'm going to pick up a toddler sized bike for my 4 yo! I'm so excited. Now, just to figure out where to hide it until Christmas :P
And, yeah...I know some of you are going "ew used Christmas presents" but when you have four kids who are really hard on their toys, you realize that getting things "broken in" is really the best way to go. I don't want to invest a lot of my hard earned money in toys that accidently get left outside and ruined. THere's no emotional attachment to the toys (and my money). I have no qualms about letting the natural consequences happen. If I spend money on a toy, I get really weird about throwing it away, even if it breaks. It's weird, I know...but doing it this way, we really cut down on the clutter :D
We've been able to get rid of so much stuff. It's great.
But tomorrow, I'm going to pick up a toddler sized bike for my 4 yo! I'm so excited. Now, just to figure out where to hide it until Christmas :P
And, yeah...I know some of you are going "ew used Christmas presents" but when you have four kids who are really hard on their toys, you realize that getting things "broken in" is really the best way to go. I don't want to invest a lot of my hard earned money in toys that accidently get left outside and ruined. THere's no emotional attachment to the toys (and my money). I have no qualms about letting the natural consequences happen. If I spend money on a toy, I get really weird about throwing it away, even if it breaks. It's weird, I know...but doing it this way, we really cut down on the clutter :D
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
good news!
the derm wanted to see me asap. i went in this morning. he said there's a 95% chance its benign! woohoo but we'll get the biospy results next week.
he removed it and the needle for the local hurt worse than the procedure. I didn't realize I'd have to be grounded for them to do it ...that was a bit "shocking" hahaha
anyway, the site is starting to hurt a bit now, so i'll probably take a tylenol for the pain.
oh i also had him look at a couple other spots and he said while it's very unusual to have what i have in the particular shape it is, that it's nothing to worry about. I can't remember what it's called, but basically my stretch mark tore and teh capillaries or whatever healed super close to the skin and you can see it. i wish i could describe it better. it's weird.
he removed it and the needle for the local hurt worse than the procedure. I didn't realize I'd have to be grounded for them to do it ...that was a bit "shocking" hahaha
anyway, the site is starting to hurt a bit now, so i'll probably take a tylenol for the pain.
oh i also had him look at a couple other spots and he said while it's very unusual to have what i have in the particular shape it is, that it's nothing to worry about. I can't remember what it's called, but basically my stretch mark tore and teh capillaries or whatever healed super close to the skin and you can see it. i wish i could describe it better. it's weird.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
too freaked to sleep
Why do I do this to myself? Really? Why?
I know I've been ignoring the growth on my back. It didn't fit any of the warning signs to be worried about it. But tonight when we were swimming, DH finally noticed and commented about the growth. *sigh*
Now, I feel this wriggling in the back of my mind getting louder...the wriggling I've been TRYING, quite successfully until now, to ignore. The little voice in teh back of my mind says this is more than I think it is. I hate that voice because that voice is ALWAYS right.
Before I got pregnant with my first baby, that little voice said there would be complications and he'd be born early.
When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, the voice said 'you're going to have problems with the heart rate decellerating and will transfer to the hospital, prepare for it' and that's what happened.
Now I don't believe for one minute that any of that is self fulfilling prophesy. I mean, any woman can attest that you can't WILL a baby to come early just because you think it will. Nor can you control the baby's heart rate during the labor.
The wriggling voice has also brought me immediately to my knees in prayer for the safety of my husband. That time, at the very moment of my prayer, the truck he was driving was about to go off a steep embankment on a snowy mountain. For some reason, the truck skidded the other direction ... ya know UP HILL...and he was safe.
And deep in my heart, I feel that one reason I haven't been able to get pregnant is because God wants me to get this taken care of first. But, getting it taken care of is terrifying, too. I mean, you have to admit something is wrong! And, let's face it...even if it is *just* skin cancer...the word cancer is absolutely frightening. No one really wants to face it. Yeah, they can cut it out and it's no big deal, but that big bad ugly word is there...taunting you.
So, by putting this all on "paper" I'm hoping to write out my anxiety over this and be able to sleep. hopefully, I'll be able to post in a couple days that it is all just my overactive imagination and a bad google search.
I know I've been ignoring the growth on my back. It didn't fit any of the warning signs to be worried about it. But tonight when we were swimming, DH finally noticed and commented about the growth. *sigh*
Now, I feel this wriggling in the back of my mind getting louder...the wriggling I've been TRYING, quite successfully until now, to ignore. The little voice in teh back of my mind says this is more than I think it is. I hate that voice because that voice is ALWAYS right.
Before I got pregnant with my first baby, that little voice said there would be complications and he'd be born early.
When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, the voice said 'you're going to have problems with the heart rate decellerating and will transfer to the hospital, prepare for it' and that's what happened.
Now I don't believe for one minute that any of that is self fulfilling prophesy. I mean, any woman can attest that you can't WILL a baby to come early just because you think it will. Nor can you control the baby's heart rate during the labor.
The wriggling voice has also brought me immediately to my knees in prayer for the safety of my husband. That time, at the very moment of my prayer, the truck he was driving was about to go off a steep embankment on a snowy mountain. For some reason, the truck skidded the other direction ... ya know UP HILL...and he was safe.
And deep in my heart, I feel that one reason I haven't been able to get pregnant is because God wants me to get this taken care of first. But, getting it taken care of is terrifying, too. I mean, you have to admit something is wrong! And, let's face it...even if it is *just* skin cancer...the word cancer is absolutely frightening. No one really wants to face it. Yeah, they can cut it out and it's no big deal, but that big bad ugly word is there...taunting you.
So, by putting this all on "paper" I'm hoping to write out my anxiety over this and be able to sleep. hopefully, I'll be able to post in a couple days that it is all just my overactive imagination and a bad google search.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
the body shaping continues
I finally got up the courage to measure myself. I'd been putting it off. I was so horrified when I started with my measurements...afraid that i wasn't going to see results. Then the pants started getting loose, so I knew it was really happening.
Anway...drumroll please...
I've lost THREE inches off my waist
TWO inches off my hips!
Ok so my waist is the size my hips were before I had kids, but, and I have to keep reminding myself of this, I was a size zero before having kids. I was a Calista Flockheart with hips. I've always had hips. When DH and I met, he could almost wrap his hands entirely around my waist. My waist size was in the TEENS. Not exactly healthy.
ANyway, my goal now is to get my waist out of the 30s and into the 20s and the hips from the 40s into the 30s. Two more inches all around should do it.
oh and my abs...i have them. and my post baby tummy pooch...it's like HALF the size it used to be.
One of these days I'll get brave and post before and after pics
Anway...drumroll please...
I've lost THREE inches off my waist
TWO inches off my hips!
Ok so my waist is the size my hips were before I had kids, but, and I have to keep reminding myself of this, I was a size zero before having kids. I was a Calista Flockheart with hips. I've always had hips. When DH and I met, he could almost wrap his hands entirely around my waist. My waist size was in the TEENS. Not exactly healthy.
ANyway, my goal now is to get my waist out of the 30s and into the 20s and the hips from the 40s into the 30s. Two more inches all around should do it.
oh and my abs...i have them. and my post baby tummy pooch...it's like HALF the size it used to be.
One of these days I'll get brave and post before and after pics
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
not much happening
hahahaha
sorry. that was a joke. we have been so busy lately that i hardly have a chance to blog.
i promise i will come back to this later...when i have a chance for a sanity break and to organize my thoughts better.
sorry. that was a joke. we have been so busy lately that i hardly have a chance to blog.
i promise i will come back to this later...when i have a chance for a sanity break and to organize my thoughts better.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
a big milestone
My sweet little one, who turned 2 at the end of August, has been requesting to sleep in her big sister's room. So, we pulled out the pack n play (we havne't gotten a railing yet for the bottom bunk) and Kari's been sleeping ALL NIGHT in it.
I put her down for bed about 9 pm and she wakes happily around 630 or 7. She doesn't wake to nurse or anything. heck, even when she was cosleeping she hardly nursed at night.
still, i'm sad that she's jumped out of the family bed so soon.
yeah, i'm following HER lead, but dang it *I* am not ready yet.
I put her down for bed about 9 pm and she wakes happily around 630 or 7. She doesn't wake to nurse or anything. heck, even when she was cosleeping she hardly nursed at night.
still, i'm sad that she's jumped out of the family bed so soon.
yeah, i'm following HER lead, but dang it *I* am not ready yet.
Monday, October 03, 2005
things i refuse to do as a wife
I love my husband dearly, but there are some things I wife should never be asked to do for her husband. THankfully, the list is small. In fact, until tonight there was only one thing on the list.
First and foremost, a wife really shouldn't have to give her husband a suppository...for ANY reason. I love him but not THAT much ;)
Second, a wife shouldn't have to climb up in to the attic to get a dead animal out. That's one of the reasons I got married...I needed someone to kill things for me and then deal with the bodies.
Are there any others I haven't discovered yet after 11 years of marriage?
First and foremost, a wife really shouldn't have to give her husband a suppository...for ANY reason. I love him but not THAT much ;)
Second, a wife shouldn't have to climb up in to the attic to get a dead animal out. That's one of the reasons I got married...I needed someone to kill things for me and then deal with the bodies.
Are there any others I haven't discovered yet after 11 years of marriage?
Sunday, October 02, 2005
ups and downs
THe bad news: DH found two squirrels in our attic. We'll have to go to home depot on Monday and pick up traps. The good news: We have to return some things there so hopefully we'll break even.
The good news: I've lost almost 10 lbs since I started going to the gym more regularly. The bad news: I feel guilty about toasting marshmallows on my stove.
The good news: Dd's first sleep over last night went really well. The bad news: The girls stayed up pretty late, almost 1030 (hey my dd's bedtime is 7:30) and they woke up early...around 630. Dh let me sleep in, so I guess that's good news, too!
The good news: I've lost almost 10 lbs since I started going to the gym more regularly. The bad news: I feel guilty about toasting marshmallows on my stove.
The good news: Dd's first sleep over last night went really well. The bad news: The girls stayed up pretty late, almost 1030 (hey my dd's bedtime is 7:30) and they woke up early...around 630. Dh let me sleep in, so I guess that's good news, too!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
second chances
On the advice of a friend on a messageboard, I deciced to give pilates another chance. I found a different gym location with a different teacher. And, I'm happy to report it was a very different workout! I sweated! I stretched! I felt fantastic!
I'm really looking forward to her classes now.
The gym is starting up pilates in the evenings two days a week and three days a week during the day. During all of those times, they have child watch. I think I might also be able to squeeze in a water aerobics class during those times, as well.
I feel the best I've felt in years!
OK so I'm still moody as all get out, but physically I feel great!
I'm really looking forward to her classes now.
The gym is starting up pilates in the evenings two days a week and three days a week during the day. During all of those times, they have child watch. I think I might also be able to squeeze in a water aerobics class during those times, as well.
I feel the best I've felt in years!
OK so I'm still moody as all get out, but physically I feel great!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Work it, baby!
So my new year's resolution was to get in shape. I actually got a membership to the YMCA, figuring if I actually had to spend money on it, I'd use it. Surprise, surprise, but I AM using it!
It doesn't hurt that I can drop the kids off for two hours of absolute ME time. Selfish, I know ;)
I've been taking classes for about 4 months now.
Today, was my first day of pilates. I'm wholly unimpressed. I am not sure if it was just the teacher, but it wasn't enough of a workout for me. I want to be sweating and feeling my muscles ache. I want to feel like I'm actually doing something other than fancy stretching. Sure, it was difficult not to move my torso or hips or backs during certain poses, but it wasn't something that I could see getting any short term immediate gratification type results. At least with spinning, my tush hurts so bad that I know I got a good workout.
Also this morning I did water aerobics. Instead of being the warm up type workout for me, it ended up being a great workout! New teacher this time and she had us wear weights on our ankles. I can't believe what a difference it made! I'm absolutely sold on it!
So maybe I'll go back to doing spinning and water aerobics a couple days a week and change it out with some other good cardio stuff. The weights still scare me.
It doesn't hurt that I can drop the kids off for two hours of absolute ME time. Selfish, I know ;)
I've been taking classes for about 4 months now.
Today, was my first day of pilates. I'm wholly unimpressed. I am not sure if it was just the teacher, but it wasn't enough of a workout for me. I want to be sweating and feeling my muscles ache. I want to feel like I'm actually doing something other than fancy stretching. Sure, it was difficult not to move my torso or hips or backs during certain poses, but it wasn't something that I could see getting any short term immediate gratification type results. At least with spinning, my tush hurts so bad that I know I got a good workout.
Also this morning I did water aerobics. Instead of being the warm up type workout for me, it ended up being a great workout! New teacher this time and she had us wear weights on our ankles. I can't believe what a difference it made! I'm absolutely sold on it!
So maybe I'll go back to doing spinning and water aerobics a couple days a week and change it out with some other good cardio stuff. The weights still scare me.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Prayers
Like so many others across this country, my thoughts and prayers are with those who are in the path of Rita.
This weekend my husband was supposed to go to Slidell, La., to help with the cleanup effort. however, that trip has been postponed by a week or more. hopefully those families who were spared Katrina's wrath will also come unscathed from Rita. Those who have already lost everything cannot lose any more, sadly.
Part of me also wonders that maybe Katrina was some sort of blessing in disguise. How many people evacuating now would have chose to ride out Rita, had Katrina not hit, but because of Katrina being so fresh in memory are choosing to leave?
People have said "why would God have two horrible hurricanes so close together?" I am choosing to believe that if Katrina had not hit and a thousand (I'm not sure on the current death toll) people died, that when Rita hit, many many more would die. Then, maybe we wouldn't feel as if those who died as a result of Katrina didn't die in vain, but as a warning to others to be wary of these powerful storms.
Yes, my trying to find any glimmer of hope from horrible situations is rather annoying, but it is the best coping method I have.
This weekend my husband was supposed to go to Slidell, La., to help with the cleanup effort. however, that trip has been postponed by a week or more. hopefully those families who were spared Katrina's wrath will also come unscathed from Rita. Those who have already lost everything cannot lose any more, sadly.
Part of me also wonders that maybe Katrina was some sort of blessing in disguise. How many people evacuating now would have chose to ride out Rita, had Katrina not hit, but because of Katrina being so fresh in memory are choosing to leave?
People have said "why would God have two horrible hurricanes so close together?" I am choosing to believe that if Katrina had not hit and a thousand (I'm not sure on the current death toll) people died, that when Rita hit, many many more would die. Then, maybe we wouldn't feel as if those who died as a result of Katrina didn't die in vain, but as a warning to others to be wary of these powerful storms.
Yes, my trying to find any glimmer of hope from horrible situations is rather annoying, but it is the best coping method I have.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Two Peas Message Board
Shift Key and the Great Board war
I know, real mature of me to bring this to my blog, but since i already blogged about it I feel fairly justified. I know there are some really super people who aren't involved and have tried to be honest and helpful and I in no way shape or form blame you or find you in any way responsible...
But c'mon...If it were one person, that's an oversight. It's been many people and many emails and many many excuses.
The sad part is, all we (or at least I) want now is an admittance that there was a huge screw up and feelings were hurt. Accept the responsibility. It's not the fault of email, operating systems or anything else. You messed up and many really neat women had their feelings hurt. Of course, none of us would ever post at your website or probably even shop there if you ever went commercial.
And, because of the way this was handled, there will ALWAYS be a stigma attached. Your group will always been thought of as cliquish and exclusionary. Whenever the place is mentioned on another board, it's always going to create problems.
I just wish I felt better about getting this all off my chest. :(
But at least I'm not posting to the monster thread which I'm sure is helpful.
I know, real mature of me to bring this to my blog, but since i already blogged about it I feel fairly justified. I know there are some really super people who aren't involved and have tried to be honest and helpful and I in no way shape or form blame you or find you in any way responsible...
But c'mon...If it were one person, that's an oversight. It's been many people and many emails and many many excuses.
The sad part is, all we (or at least I) want now is an admittance that there was a huge screw up and feelings were hurt. Accept the responsibility. It's not the fault of email, operating systems or anything else. You messed up and many really neat women had their feelings hurt. Of course, none of us would ever post at your website or probably even shop there if you ever went commercial.
And, because of the way this was handled, there will ALWAYS be a stigma attached. Your group will always been thought of as cliquish and exclusionary. Whenever the place is mentioned on another board, it's always going to create problems.
I just wish I felt better about getting this all off my chest. :(
But at least I'm not posting to the monster thread which I'm sure is helpful.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
the last to know
I always feel like the last person to discover certain things...like Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals on food network.
I've set my DVR for the shows.
although I really can't stand her voice and how much she uses her hands to talk, the recipes are actually very easy and practical. I am hoping I can see past her hands to get some good dinner ideas.
And, it's also good bonding with my oldest daughter. She has always loved to watch cooking shows. Tonight, she begged me to make the meal we watched today. Thankfully, we had the majority of the ingredients at home...just had to run to the store for fresh herbs.
I've set my DVR for the shows.
although I really can't stand her voice and how much she uses her hands to talk, the recipes are actually very easy and practical. I am hoping I can see past her hands to get some good dinner ideas.
And, it's also good bonding with my oldest daughter. She has always loved to watch cooking shows. Tonight, she begged me to make the meal we watched today. Thankfully, we had the majority of the ingredients at home...just had to run to the store for fresh herbs.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
fall...NOT
one thing i don't think i will be able to get used to living in the south is the weather in the fall. September, in my mind, is a time when the weather cools down. It isn't too hot and it isn't too cool. It's just right...
well, not here!
it's 4 p.m. and currently a toasty 94 degrees!
Last year on Halloween, it was in the low 80s. It cools down to the mid60s come winter and will sometimes dip below that, but by March and April, it's back up into the low 80s.
THe seasons here should be renamed: Hot, Windy, Hotter, Oh I'm buring in the fires of Hell, Hurricane, Hot, Who knew humidity made the cold this biting...
well, not here!
it's 4 p.m. and currently a toasty 94 degrees!
Last year on Halloween, it was in the low 80s. It cools down to the mid60s come winter and will sometimes dip below that, but by March and April, it's back up into the low 80s.
THe seasons here should be renamed: Hot, Windy, Hotter, Oh I'm buring in the fires of Hell, Hurricane, Hot, Who knew humidity made the cold this biting...
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
learning curve
Nothing quite breaks your heart like hearing your almost seven year old sobbing about school. "Mommy, will I get to learn knew things in second grade?" she asked between tears.
As her big brother went off to kindergarten, Leelee was completely jealous. She kept telling people about how excited she was to go to kindergarten and learn. As the first day of kindie approached last year, she was so excited. Her teacher was "beautiful and so nice" just like kindergarten teachers are supposed to be.
Her excitement, however, began to wane as the year progressed. "Mommy, we're learning our letters still" she'd complain. Then, she'd complain they were learning their numbers, shapes and colors. The majority of things that were benchmarks here for kindergarden were prerequisites to enter kindie in our old state. Children there generally went to preschool, so letter, number, color and shape recognition were review and not the majority of the curriculum. I asked her teacher that year when the children would begin to bring home stories to read. She informed me that it's the exception and not the rule, that children here leave kindie reading. Again, quite different from our previous kindie experience.
I had taken the time to prepare my child based on guidelines for another district and, as a result, she had mastered all the benchmarks for kindergarten before she even started! Of course, the fact that she is nearly a full year older than most of her classmates thanks to a Sept. 1 cutoff, and that she was doing her brothers kindie homework with him while she was FOUR, hasn't help matters.
Still, she loved school for the social aspects and made friends. She was happy.
First grade, it was decided, would be the year she'd learn something new.
Yet here we are halfway through the first grading period and my child is in tears because she still isn't learning anything new. She already knows how to read. She writes stories for fun and loves to illustrate them. She admits the math is a bit new, but again, it's things she's watched her brother do for the past two years so it is very familiar and comes easily to her.
I've approached her teacher to get a feel for how she planned to handle students who were working above benchmarks. She said she'd give her extra work if Leelee started to get bored. Great, busy work is really going to help. *sigh* This is a child who is eager and thirsty to learn. She reads at home and enjoys it, but expects to LEARN in school...not be kept busy with worksheets and coloring projects.
The only good part of this, I suppose, is that she's not a behavior problem. That honor goes to our oldest ... who incidently was also bored in school. Turns out he is gifted and this year is starting in the gifted program.
As her big brother went off to kindergarten, Leelee was completely jealous. She kept telling people about how excited she was to go to kindergarten and learn. As the first day of kindie approached last year, she was so excited. Her teacher was "beautiful and so nice" just like kindergarten teachers are supposed to be.
Her excitement, however, began to wane as the year progressed. "Mommy, we're learning our letters still" she'd complain. Then, she'd complain they were learning their numbers, shapes and colors. The majority of things that were benchmarks here for kindergarden were prerequisites to enter kindie in our old state. Children there generally went to preschool, so letter, number, color and shape recognition were review and not the majority of the curriculum. I asked her teacher that year when the children would begin to bring home stories to read. She informed me that it's the exception and not the rule, that children here leave kindie reading. Again, quite different from our previous kindie experience.
I had taken the time to prepare my child based on guidelines for another district and, as a result, she had mastered all the benchmarks for kindergarten before she even started! Of course, the fact that she is nearly a full year older than most of her classmates thanks to a Sept. 1 cutoff, and that she was doing her brothers kindie homework with him while she was FOUR, hasn't help matters.
Still, she loved school for the social aspects and made friends. She was happy.
First grade, it was decided, would be the year she'd learn something new.
Yet here we are halfway through the first grading period and my child is in tears because she still isn't learning anything new. She already knows how to read. She writes stories for fun and loves to illustrate them. She admits the math is a bit new, but again, it's things she's watched her brother do for the past two years so it is very familiar and comes easily to her.
I've approached her teacher to get a feel for how she planned to handle students who were working above benchmarks. She said she'd give her extra work if Leelee started to get bored. Great, busy work is really going to help. *sigh* This is a child who is eager and thirsty to learn. She reads at home and enjoys it, but expects to LEARN in school...not be kept busy with worksheets and coloring projects.
The only good part of this, I suppose, is that she's not a behavior problem. That honor goes to our oldest ... who incidently was also bored in school. Turns out he is gifted and this year is starting in the gifted program.
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