My Frame of Mind

Riddle-Me-This strikes again. This poem strikes a few chords in me. Thanks again, riddle.


Mending Wall

by Robert Frost

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
'Stay where you are until our backs are turned!'
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
Oh, just another kind of outdoor game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There where it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors.'
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That wants it down.' I could say 'Elves' to him,
But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather
He said it for himself. I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father's saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, 'Good fences make good neighbors.'

Top Ten Girl Rules

So one day, long ago, Chocolateer and I were talking about these unspeakable girl rules that are out there. We decided to document, though it is against the rules, said rules for the world to see. I found them last night and was thinking that I should share them with the world. I mean, I don't follow a single rule ON this list...which makes me question my own gender. So many of the women I know do though...so without further introduction:

Top Ten Girl Rules

1. Never openly ask for anything. That would be rude and selfish. Instead whine incessantly about your problems until someone volunteers to help you. (if they don't volunteer to help, be pouty and sullen and gossip about them behind their back for being insensitive)

2. Never tell a person if you are angry at him or her. That's WAY too confrontational. Instead tell everyone else that you are angry, because it's important to vent your feelings. Give the person you are angry with the cold shoulder. If they really care about you, they'll be concerned enough to figure out what's wrong.

3. Be totally derisive toward any activity or characteristic that is typically males, but me mortally offended if anyone makes the slightest potentially negative comment about women. These are enlightened times, after all.

4. Don't confuse issues with the facts of the matter. If you feel one way about something, its completely insensitive and inconsiderate of anyone to try and reason you back to reality.

5. You deserve to spend money on new shoes, clothes, make up, craft supplies, hairdos, manicures, purses and any other personal items. You need these things. Be shocked and argumentative when the man in your life buys a new power tool, fishing rod, or computer upgrade. These boys have to grow up and scale down their toys sometime.

6.When you go to someone to garner sympathy about a difficulty you are having, be hurt and offended if they dare suggest a possible solution to your problem. If they are male, cry and then refuse to tell him why you are crying. Do this in spite of the existence of rule number 1.

7. If a girlfriend or female acquaintance gets a new haircut, dress or is about to embark on a new undertaking in her life, smile and be very supportive. Lie if you must. After all, there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss your real thoughts on the matter behind her back.

8. Your a model of modern feminism, self-confidence and woman power. Anyone suggesting otherwise is obviously trying to pull you down. It is only because you are so fulfilled that you are secure enough to constantly ask "Does my hair look ok?" "Does this dress make me look fat?" "Do these shoes match my outfit?" "Well, what are you going to be wearing?"

9. You are a mature woman, able to discuss and resolve major life issues, run a business, and manage teams of people. Therefore, when dealing with men on a personal basis, remember, sex and tears are your main tools of trade and manipulation.

10. DENY every item on this list. VEHEMENTLY deny that you are, in fact, a girlie girl.

so, from now on...I'm not denying I'm a girlie girl. I'll let everyone judge that for themselves. I will, however, never follow a rule ON this list *grins*

Giving Thanks

Thats what thanksgiving is about...right? giving thanks for everything we have to be thankful for. So in honor of the awesome Chocolateer...here are the top ten reasons I am thankful this year:

10. I'm thankful that money worries are few and not adding to stress.

9. I'm thankful that we will be getting the level 1 waiver soon

8. I'm thankful that, overall, the kids physical health isn't all that bad.

7. I'm thankful I don't have the stomach bug and hope it stays away from my house.

6. I'm thankful that I have such a great game as WoW to play every night and that the people I play with are so damn fun.

5. I'm thankful that my stress isn't as bad as it could be.

4. I'm thankful that my children sleep at night.

3. I'm thankful for all the close friends I have and hope that they stay close...always.

2. I'm thankful for my husband and all his many great qualities.

and last, but not least...

1. I'm thankful for the many ways my children, despite the fact that they cannot speak, have still found to communicate just how much they love me.

Happy thanksgiving to all! (even you crazy Canadians who have it in October)

Long Lost Friends Found

For those of you who don't have it..I highly recommend joining Facebook . It is a fantastic site to find people. For those who don't want to be found, yeah...stay away from it. The Maven recruited me to her cult there over a year ago. I was skeptical and really didn't need another Mommaville (*shudder*) but I decided to try. And I'm thankful I did.

I found Mischief there. Recently Both Billy's-Sister and The Vampire found me. Just a few days ago, so did Sunshine-Girl. Mischief you all know. Billy's-Sister. We call her that because at one time I was hopelessly head over heals in lust with her older brother Billy. We dated for a time, and he was SUCH the "bad-boy". I got over him, but my friendship with his sister lasted. The Vampire...boy did I have the BIGGEST crush on him in high school. I got over that too, but I call him The Vampire because I always thought he would of made a great one. Should I ever get bitten and give up my immortal soul, I'm finding him to turn him as well. Guess he better watch out *grins*.

last, but certainly NOT least, is Sunshine-girl. Sunshine-girl and I were friends in the fourth grade. We were BEST friends in the fourth grade at Sands Montessori. Sunshine-girls family moved to Florida that summer. I was heart broken. At first, we wrote letters. That lasted until Sunshine-girl talked her parents into flying me down there for a week. My mom helped with half the cost and I got to go see my Best Friend! I was thrilled. We went to Disney world, bush gardens, the beach, the pool....it was great! Sure, I was homesick, but it was a fantastic time. I won't embarrass her by posting the pics I still have of that trip. OK...actually...I won't embarrass myself. She was gorgeous.

So I went home and I think we stayed in contact for a very short while after. Not long though. I think I always regretted that. She was a great friend.

I log into facebook the other day and who do I see adding me as a friend but Sunshine-Girl! I was thrilled. Nice to know we still have some things in common after...jeez...25 years! wow..thats a long time. So hats off to Sunshine-Girl and her wonderful husband and beautiful little girl. I wish her all the luck and look forward to seeing pictures of the new little on in April. Glad to have the sunshine back in my life again!

And, since I've started a trend with Music, here is a song that makes me think of "good times, noodle salad.." (quote from As Good As it Gets)

Me

So I heard this on the radio the other day and it SO fits me...so here you have it:

Normal

Ok, so as you can tell, I've been talking a lot to Riddle-Me-This...though I need to stop mentioning him for I fear I am just adding to his extreme Ego. His head will soon be way too big to fit through any normal door. Mischief, though, also attested to the fact that there is no real answer to this question:
WHAT IS NORMAL?

There is no "normal". So in honor of that...and how Wierd I am, I have a few things to share:

The first is a poem. It was written by a really good friend of mine from my Senior year in high school, Tom Ruthman. People said we looked like brother and sister, I could never see it. He was still, a very good friend. And not a half bad poet:

I Was Normal...By TR

The other night
I had a terrible dream
And when I awoke
I woke with a scream
On my lips
Cold sweat pours
Salt water stiinging
The open sores
Which are
My eyes
See terror
My reflection of
The night just past
Went by so fast
What I saw
So horrible
In my dream
I was normal

The second being an Avril Lavigne song. I'm not a huge fan of Avril, but this one SO fits my mood and topic. The video I WANTED to enbed is here, but the enbedding has been disabled...so you can go watch if you like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igVme-Ti8-k )



So there ya have it. Those are my deep thoughts stolen on a Friday morning. Go out there...live...breathe...smile....and be LESS than Normal. Normal is SO overrated!

Overwhelmed

"You can be overwhelmed...you can be underwhelmed...can you ever just be whelmed?"
-Chastity from 10 Things I Hate About You

For the past few weeks I have just been overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with kids, with life, with responsibility. They say, "When life gives you lemons, just say 'Fuck the lemons,' and bail." (surf instructor in Forgetting Sarah Marshall). Thats pretty much what I felt like doing. Fuck the lemons and get me outa here. None of this lemonaide crap. No pollyanna. Just get me out of here.

But as you can see, I'm still here. I didn't leave...I didn't take off...I'm still here. Things are a bit better now and I can see the lemonaide there on the counter. I still refuse to believe its actually there, but at least I can look at it every now and then.

Yes...my deep thoughts are about lemons and lemonaide. And yes, I'm starting to believe I must be crazy. But...as Riddle-Me-This says, "were all a little crazy". I guess i'm a more "little crazy" than others. Most of my friends would agree.

I'll leave you with my favorite song of the month:

All the OTHER little minions

Ok, since naming Riddle-Me-This, everyone else is asking for THEIR blog name too. Who knew I was ever so popular? Well, I'm not..just look at the comments and they will tell you that I am the ONLY one reading this Blog.

So theres Riddle-Me-This who you all know about from my other post. The there is the formerly known as Chancey who is now named Mercurial. Shes been around a while and I thought she needed a name change ;)

Then there is Pounce. Pounce lives in Wilmington and plays WoW with me. His OP Druid and I tank ZA. Pounce is named Pounce because that is what he emotes in game when he sees me.

Peaches. Peaches has a great story behind his name. However, I'm not sure Peaches would appreciate me sharing his wife's peaches story. So you'll just have to be curious or ask the Warlock himself in WoW *grins*

The there is Giggles. Giggles is another druid, yet a healer this time. Giggles has a fantastic accent and the most lovable laugh I've ever heard. I want to record this laugh and play it as my IM tone on my phone. It cracks me up every time I hear it.

Sleeps! Can't forget Sleeps!!! Sleeps is also a druid...and a shamen. Eitherway, hes sleeps to me! SO much fun and a fantastic voice. I WUV my sleeps!

Mischief. Who hates that I call him such, because he calls me Trouble. He was mentioned before http://impossible-mom.blogspot.com/2007/09/mischief-and-coffee.html in that post.

Last but not least is the Professor. There are actually two of these, but one will be known as English professor and the other as THE professor. English is great at writing and in fact wrote a guild only quest for us. Its fantastic. THE Professor is one of our raid leaders and his sense of humor never fails to amuse me. We get along fantastically.

So there you have it. Some of the people who stand out to me in that life I call a game. Hmm...strike that and possibly reverse it? *grins* Possibly.

Riddle-Me-This

Batman! No, actually its not all about the riddler, but I couldn't resist the cool art work ;). It's actually about a new friend and his great new blog name. Yes, I am calling him Riddle-Me-This. No, he's not a huge batman fan...that I know of. The name in itself has a bit of a story, hence the blog post.

Well, you don't expect me to tell a story without starting at the beginning hmm? If so, you should go elsewhere. If you want more long, drawn out stories, but still entertaining, hit up The Maven. *grins*

So "The Master" (yes that is what I call my husband. for those who don't know why, its not because of the reason you think. Its due to the fact that hes a good DM) moved to a different department at work. Now mind you, this was a little while back. for a bit, no comments. Then he started talking about this guy at work. "Riddle-Me-This" said this and "Riddle-Me-This" said that. Then Riddle-Me-This plays WoW and is going to move a character to our server. More WoW players is always a good thing.

No big. He comes on over to the server and hes fun and all. We talk, its cool. More we talk, the more we get along. I start to see what all the fuss is about. I meet the two for lunch one day and this is definitely a guy i can hang with.

Im's start...were chatting up a storm and I start to realize something... He is REALLY good at explaining things. I start asking him for explinations on stuff and he puts it in words that just match my brain! Its like...hes my own encylopedia, written for ME!

Ok, thats not all, we both love talking music too. And we joke and have fun. But he really is good at breaking things down for me. I like it. So thats why I'm calling him "Riddle-Me-This". It fits him. This is his shout out for being so cool. He also does a great podcast for anyone who who would care to listen. http://www.monstercloset.net/

So, Riddle...thanks for working with my husband and for every smile that you give me every day. Your a great guy!

Music for the Soul

They say that music is good for the soul. Whoever "they" are, I'm starting to think they are right. I decided I want to get back into playing my clarinet. I miss it. I used to adore picking it up everyday and it just kinda got lost in the shuffle of life. what I also used to adore was music theory class. We had some borders coupons and gift certificates. So, while The Master got Wolverine's start in life graphic novel (which I'm sure is very good), I got this.

I remember that small little theory class (it was theory 4 I think) and the 6 of us with our teacher who looked like a 6'2" Albert Einstein. I had SUCH a good time talking and writing and having brad play it all on the piano. It was just...awesome. I miss it, but I also don't remember much of the actual theory. So...hence the refresher book.

lets hope it does my soul some good. My smile could use a polish and a shine these days. So i think that next week, I will break out the ole clarinet and play me some stand by me theme music. Then curl up in a chair and figure out how to write music to all these words in my head. Not that I can sing ANY of it...mind you. I do have a few friends who can belt out some notes...maybe they can help me with that part. You carry the tune, I'll carry mine...in a bucket.

Coffee Talk

This...is my favorite coffee mug. It was given to me by a guy I call T-Shirt, because of reasons I cannot discuss on a blog. I adore this mug. I often get grumpy when I can't use it for my coffee. It makes me grin every time I see it.Makes me think of Chaz (my halfling D&D character) which is what T-Shirt intended. Makes me think of myself when I was just Impossible and not Impossible-mom. Which is a good thing. lately, I have needed many reminders that I'm not JUST "mom" but am also still Impossible alone too.

Being a stay at home mom is tough. You work long hours for no pay and for people that generally do their best to go against what you want them to do. If done right, its a pretty invisible job. Add in special needs and it becomes an ever-loving stress MACHINE. One often loses them self in the never ending streams of requests and tasks that need to be done. It also doesn't help me that most of my friends that I like to hang out with are guys. That most of those guys are where during the day? At work. Hell, most of the women are at work too.

I'm a social animal. i admit it. I also admit to having an unhealthy view of women. That would come from me having my heart cut out by several. Again, not things I wish to share on an open blog, but lets just say I seem to befriend the bottom 3% of them. Makes one leery to join play groups. Add into the fact that most women don't like me. Its either the fact that their husbands think I'm cool or they are threatened by my confidence. It can't be that I'm so beautiful...so its more than likely one of those two things.

So yes...Being social I spend some of my day on IM. Most of my day chasing children. The coffee cup serves as a reminder back to the days when I would play magic all afternoon. We would stay up till 4am playing D&D. Hit movies and breakfast out on the weekends. Sleep in till noon if I wished. Saturdays were for watching cartoons, not doing laundry. generally living life for yourself instead of others.

Now I wouldn't trade my kids or the husband....I sometimes wish i could rewind a bit and visit those days...if just for a while.

I'm not sure I could ever top that video or the writings of Jim Butcher, so its down hill from here on.

I just spent the last 5 days having Faerie and her family stay with me because their power was out. It taught me quite a lot. It taught me that I can survive in chaos, that my kids can as well. It taught me that I really love my sister. That I really love her children. That her eldest really needs to land flat on his face to figure out what life is about. That the next eldest girl friend is a big sweetheart. The one after that really CAN follow the rules and that her little girl really is in her own world, and its pretty there. Yeah, it had its trying moments, but all in all, more bearable than I thought possible. Glad to have my house back, but it was a good experience.

In other news, next Tuesday, we fill out the paperwork for the level one waiver. I know, those of you who aren't American and don't have a "special needs" child are now saying "What? do i say hooray?". Yes....cheer, toast and get excited. This waiver gives us a renewable 5k per year, PER KID for respite (thats baby sitting in fancy terms). A big part of it will be used in Summer camp next year, but some will also just be used to get us out of the house. Its renewable for 3 years and then I think you either go back on the list or get to redo the paperwork again. regardless, 3 years seems like heaven now. So that is exciting news.

Huggie Face (the second eldest) is coming on vacation with us the first week of November. He's never been to a resort...so I'm betting he will have a good time. Whats nice is Cuddle Bug (his girl friend) is going to Canada that same week so one won't be stuck home sobbing away for the other. I'm hoping it'll be a good trip overall. I need to take a few days at the end of next week and get all packed up. joy joy ;)

We are back in swimming lessons on Saturday. Going well there so far. Licker was a bit tired last week, but we are trying to nip that 5am wake up in the bud so lets hope hes better next week. Still, they love swimming so much. Will be nice to have indoor pool access on vacation. I ever remembered to request a room on the first floor so Licker wouldn't have to deal with stairs or an elevator. :) Yea me!

So thats basically it for now. Not as exciting as last blog, I know, but I was trying to look at the learning from the pain instead of complaining about the aches.

Get your Kleenex....(And added Jim Butcher on Pain)

But its beautiful



Also wanted to add this, since it fits the theme. I have been reading the Dresden files, By Jim Butcher. A passage in White Night that really hit home I read last night on pain. I have reproduced it here for you:

"We still hadn’t learned, though, that growing up is about getting hurt. And getting over it. You hurt. You recover. You move on. Odds are pretty good you’re just going to get hurt again. But each time you learn something.

Each point you come out of it a little stronger, and at some point you realize there are more flavors of pain than coffee. There’s the little, empty pain of leaving something behind—graduating, taking the next step forward, walking out on something familiar and safe into the unknown. There’s the big, whirling pain of life upending all of your plans and expectations. There’s the sharp little pains of failure, and the more obscure aches of successes that didn’t give you what you thought they would. There are the vicious, stabbing pains of hopes being torn up, The sweet little pains of finding others, giving them your love, and taking joy in their life as they grow and learn. There’s the steady pain of empathy that you shrug off so you can stand beside a wounded friend and help them bear their burdens.

And if your very, very lucky, there are very few blazing hot little pains you feel when you realize that you are standing in a moment of utter perfection, an instant of triumph, or happiness, or mirth which at the same time cannot possibly last—and yet will remain with you for life.

Everyone is down on pain, because they forget something important about it; Pain is for the living. Only the dead don’t feel it.

Pain is a part of life. Sometimes it’s a big part, and sometimes it isn’t, but either way, it’s a part of the big puzzle, the deep music, the great game. Pain does two things: it teaches you, it tells you your alive. The it passes away and leaves you changed. It leaves you wiser, sometimes. Sometimes it leaves you stronger. Either way, pain leaves its mark, and everything important that will ever happen to you in lifeis going to involve it in one degree or another. "

I think it puts things into perspective. It may be a little "glass is half empty" but its also "glass is half full"

Brought to you by

They Might Be Giants. They have here come the abc's which my children love and now have come out with here come the 1 2 3's. This has become the Master's new theme song (or so he wishes) and I adore it so.

If you ARE inclined, be sure to find 9 pirate girls too. That one is another fave.

So theres my thoughts for now. So deep they are ;)

Crazy days and nights in Purple Land!

So the list kind of went out the window with the week long power outage. Wow did that ever suck! I think the kids handled it better than we did. Thank the gods that Fairy had her power and we could go over there. saved a bit of the last of my sanity, I think. Damn hurricane Ike.

I'm attempting to list out projects and triage them now. fun fun. I'm also attempting to find a form of exercise I'm even remotely interested in. Also looking for easy but healthy recipes. Ok...so I like the purple sky in my world. Reality will smash down at some point, I know. but I can dream.

Speaking of dreams...had a very odd one about losing my left hand last night. All in all, very strange. Had to go to Canada to get the prosthetic one because those experimental Canadians had one that would hook up to my nerves and I could move it. Crazy canucks!

In other news, The Master and I are attending A Respite Speed Interviewing Event. Families and respite (thats fancy babysitting terms when you have special needs kids, folks) care providers get 8 min interviews and try find a match. Its 3 hours long and they say you should bring your kids. I kinda laughed at that and quickly called Drama Queen and asked her to watch the kids for a few hours. Lets hope we can find some prospects. having one 15 year old and a grandma we don't want to leave them with for very long as babysitters gets a bit tight.

other than that, not much is going on here. Oh, Licker (formerly Volume) is a little stinker and is talking some at school, but not at home. Though trouble talks some at home but not at school. So I guess they are trying for balance ;)

That sums up life around here. As we await the new patch and expansion and bury my head away from news and politics and pretend the sky is a nice shade of lavender :P

Exercise really does SUCK

So I started working out. I hate the first week. It always makes me just that muck more tired. I'm sore, tired, not wanting to get up and do it again another day, hating life and feeling lazy. But I steadily push on. I don't over strain myself because I still have to keep up with 2 munchkins who run me ragged. I'm like every bad American who just wants to skip to the good part of it NOW. Like the part of "I have so much energy, I can't even imagine NOT working out." that you hear all those skinny bitches talk about. Ok, I actually hear it from other people too, but it sounds much more satisfying saying it that way.

In other news, Trouble is tracing letters at school. I really want to go in to see how they are getting him to do this. Instead, I'll more than likely just try a myriad (do I get extra points for the use of the word myriad?) of ways at home to see if he wants to write.

Volume is loving school. Loves his teacher. Has fantastic days and she says he works hard. Our first field trip with both classes is September 29th to a play farm near their school. Lets hope it goes well.

So our neighborhood has these really stupid greenery laws. We got notices that our pine tree was over the side walk (which we fixed) and that there was paint flaking from our house. did they bother to even state "on the left side" oh no...that would be FAR too useful. So I proceeded to play phone tag with them. FINALLY got an inspector out here and hes NOT the inspector that did the citation. The new inspector can't find the spot where the paint appears to be flaking anywhere. He does mention that our house could use a good power washing (lemme pull THAT out of my back pocket) and the bushes need trimmed.

You know what I think? I think that this greenery law crap was started by some old bitty that hated the way her neighbor mowed his freakin lawn. You know, the one who dresses up her stone geese on her porch? I think it started there and got out of hand. I mean, jeez! You cite me for something your fellow inspector can't even find. I'm not going to spend the cash to power wash my home on your whim that "that might be it".

Piglets idea was to rip up all the bushes and what not and put in bad lawn ornaments. Flamingos and a whole flock of geese. While funny, not a valid option. I'm sure I'd be cited for having too many lawn ornaments or some such nonsense. She also said I should get a goat, (named ZA, WoW fans) and just let him trim the bushes by eating them. Also, while entertaining, not a valid option. Though this one DOES entertain me:

So...the master asked me to call the inspector who cited us today and play nice. Playing nice when angry is not something I do well. But, hes in a training class and can't call himself. I think hes hoping we'll just get let off with a "well if you took care of the tree" thing...He doesn't know my Karma by now? I'm sure she'll come and tell me to power wash the freakin house too *sigh*

I will channel my chi and do my best to sound like a toned down version of a stepford wife and call the inspector (who happens to be female, that doesn't help my case) and play nice. Lets hope its just the nicked spots at the bottom of the garage door.

Don't these people understand I'm too busy for this crap? ;)

Wish me luck!

Update on "the list"

So i figured I'd check in and let you guys know how I'm doing on the second week.
1. Exercise at least 15 min 3 times a week. This will start next week..the house is a mess!
2. Clean something at least 2 hours a week. CHECK cleaning the whole house this week
3. Start making healthier dinners since I have time before the kids get home. CHECK bought stuff at the store yesterday for this!
4. Work on something fun (gaming to WoW based) at least one day a week kinda Check...Scheduled Thursday as Wii Day and Friday as WoW day.
5. Take one full 3 hour afternoon to myself every week. Kinda check, see above.
6. Start making goal lists of things to work on teaching, and UNteaching the kids. prioritize these in order of how much they need to be done. Pick one for each kid. Talking to "The Master" about these...we are working on them, but haven't laid it all out yet.
7. Start working on Licker to sit for short periods and eat "real" food at the table. Meal times, not as important as Trouble doesn't follow them, but he at least eats "meals". Plan on starting this next week as well.
8. Be in good contact with their teachers to find more activities for the house. CHECK Daily notes and Emails!
9. spend more time trying to play with the kids. CHECK been setting aside some time each day and trying to really be available when they ask.

So all in all, not bad for the second week of school! *grins*

Amended to add a number ten:
10. Entertain Piglet. THIS is a work in progress and depends a bit on Chance and if she is running the fawn and richard game or if I am. If I end up doing it, Piglet has to run something for Dalatin or someone. Maybe Chaz *grins*

The School is back in town...

Well, you know what I'm trying to say there. Its back to days of yellow buses and nice crisp uniforms. See through back packs and art for my walls! Yes, they are in Kindergarten this year, from 115-415 every weekday, they are their new teachers responsibility. They are loving it so far.

Everyone survived Vegas and my house was still intact when I got home, so thats good. We had a blast and even won some money! Penny slots rawk! Was a good relaxing time before school started.

So...now that this yellow bus has come back into my life, I thought I needed a bit of a plan for the year. As much as I like to tote schedules, I don't do very well with ridged ones. So I set goals. My goals for this school year are as follows:

1. Exercise at least 15 min 3 times a week.

2. Clean something at least 2 hours a week.

3. Start making healthier dinners since I have time before the kids get home.

4. Work on something fun (gaming to WoW based) at least one day a week

5. Take one full 3 hour afternoon to myself every week.

6. Start making goal lists of things to work on teaching, and UNteaching the kids. prioritize these in order of how much they need to be done. Pick one for each kid.

7. Start working on Licker to sit for short periods and eat "real" food at the table. Meal times, not as important as Trouble doesn't follow them, but he at least eats "meals".

8. Be in good contact with their teachers to find more activities for the house.

9. spend more time trying to play with the kids.

All goals I think that can be accomplished this year. We'll see in a few months how well I'm doing. I'm not even sure I have a bubble to burst....but go ahead and try if you like!

Whatever Happens in Vegas....

I get to find out about! We are leaving today on our first vacation without the munchkins since they were born! The blessed Faerie is taking Drama Queen's place and watching over them with a few of her kids while we have 4 hour layovers in Atlanta and arrive at midnight something to hit the strip! We are there all of tuesday and Wednesday and then fly back out wednesday evening. Few days away are just what the doctor ordered right before starting the kids in school.

Unfortunatly, this may mean we cannot make it to Iowa this year. It might just be too much work for The Master to miss. I mean, I can't believe it, but he says they actually NEED him there. Yeah, like he does anything but surf the internet...sure.

Actually, he does, but I like to pretend his job is nothing but cake. Makes me feel more justified on those lazy days. Trouble is SO ready for school. I'm sure Licker will like it as well, but he's so laid back he likes ALMOST anything.

So...vegas bound...wish me lots of FUN!

Summer is nearing an end

Summer is close to it's sunset. At least around here it is. The munchkin's head back to school at the end of this month (or beginning of next if we go visit the 'rents). They are MORE than ready. Trouble has made ample use of his name this summer. Volume should be changed to Licker. His newest habit is licking his hands and wiping them all over his face :(. this is one I have NO idea how to break. Trouble just climbs....on everything. I'm sure that is payback or Karma for me being the same way as a child. Is it too much to hope that both of them are in a phase? Let me have my dream ;).

in 9 days it will be my dog's birthday. She will be 12 years old. here's to hoping she lives to 13. It will also be the day The Master and I are leaving for Vegas for 3 days! Yes, I'm very happy to say Faerie and her children will be here watching the munchkins. I have never been there, so i asked The master if we needed to pre-purchase tickets to anything. his reply was "I hadn't thought much past being away, without kids, for 3 days." all I know is that I won't be going and losing a ton of cash. I'm not much of a gambler. Oh, and the hotel has a pool. Swimming without children is a blissful thing!

We have the possibility of hitting Iowa to see http://www.oldthreshers.com/ Yes, it looks hick, and yes it is hick, but it is also a lot of fun. It'll depend on Master's work on if they let him off or not. We'll find out after vegas if we can swing it. It would delay munchkin school, but they would only miss two days. I know they will be thrilled to go back, but riding a steam powered train and a steam powered merry-go-round, getting to see a real old settlers village and an native American village in action is educational. Not to mention all the turkey legs, tacos in a bag, pancake breakfasts...you know, all that horrid food you get to eat at fairs? Its even better here! So if the fates align, we'll hit that this year, if not...there is always next year. Check it out...its pretty cool!

Swimming lessons went fantastic this summer. I have to call the Y to set some more up for fall. Trouble is swimming over 1/2 the width of the pool on his own and even blew some bubbles. Volume/licker does great with flippers on his feet. May have to get him some. otherwise he seems a bit less aware in the water, but still loves it. The neighborhood pool has been great too. In fact, we are probably going there today.

So all in all, been a good summer. Glad its ending and were back to 3 hours in school 5 days a week this year. Blessed alone time once more!