Whoa, I can't believe I haven't blogged in about a month. What the....
Well, basically, the things you have missed:
One or the other of our girls has been home sick THE WHOLE DAMN TIME.
But never with the same thing, or at the same time.
What would the fun be in that?!
We are reaching hard to believe status over here. I'm waiting for social services to show up and accuse me of having Munchausen by proxy!
Oh, and Kid jammed her finger during gym the day after Thanksgiving break which required another trip to the doctor and round of X-rays and finger splint... on top of the flu- pneumonia- cold- sinus infection- cold roller coaster we've been on. Awesome times. I should just go to medical school... it will probably be cheaper in the long run!
So, I never did get around to putting up our Christmas decorations early like I had hoped to. I pretty much have had to spend my time driving whichever kid is healthy to and from school and the sick one rushed to sick appointments and chest X-rays.
I just got started bringing up our Christmas stuff. I don't know... this year is weird. I just can't get ahead on anything. And every time I think we're about to get a good normal week, one of the kids gets a fever (hacking cough/broken finger/etc) and all my plans are scrapped (again).
On top of that there is a lice outbreak at Baby's school and I'm the "lice mom" which means I go to school and braid all of the kid's hair in the morning. That takes... oh... forever. But it is a small(ish) price to pay if it keeps Baby from getting lice.
In other news, our vacation was a success. We went Up North to a ski resort. We definitely took a risk booking a ski vacation so early in the season (in fact I did not know this, but they had never been open that early for skiing)... and... it worked out. They had had some good snows the week leading up to Thanksgiving and there was at least a foot of snow. Unfortunately, Baby was pretty much on her death bed with a severe sinus infection and had to sit out of the fun for the first couple of days. On the plus side, we were upgraded from a two bedroom suite to an entire three bedroom cottage. It was AMAZING, and made our stay (and our homebound sickie) so much easier to manage and enjoy.
The girls and I all tried downhill skiing for the first time. Kid loved it, Baby over-loved it, and I... meh... not so much for me. Maybe you need to try it before adulthood? I just think sledding is more fun and takes less concentration. (plus there is always the fear of a butt fracture looming in my mind).
Upon our return, we discovered that our dishwasher had leaked and buckled our cherry floors. Not good. Mr F stopped the leak, the floors are still buckling... hoping they dry out and go back down?! Hopefully?!
That's about the whole of it, peeps. OH, except for some serious shit that has been going down at Kid's school. I spoke for about an hour to the school board (involving lesson examples!). They were enlightened ;) This will definitely be our last year, but I'm trying to get as many changes implemented as I can for the betterment of the kids who remain. I am definitely stirring the pot, but I've had many people (even the board members) tell me that they have pretty much needed someone who was willing to do it. There are some pretty big systemic problems. But as one school board member called me to say "There is no arguing with what you say.", so with that in mind, light is being shed where it needs to be. I know I've created a lot of interest in the other parents and the school board in seeking out how to improve the functioning of the school and the effectiveness of the classroom teachers. I feel good about that. I've also started making study guides for a few of Kid's classmates... and... they are getting As now, too. (Kid's rocking a 4.0) (Which all just helps my street cred at these meetings) (And, yes, I think I'll be homeschooling for middle school... since I've been homeschool all year anyway)
Happy Holidays!
Oh, and photo updates of our trip (and did I ever actually tell you about our spring break to Williamsburg last year?! It was fantastic despite Kid having the flu and my being a solo-parent... so that says something. Busch Gardens was very doable & easy to navigate & all of the Williamsburg area is so easy to get around. We really liked being able to do a historic area in the AM and then heading over to Busch Gardens for a couple hours around dinner time... best of both worlds! I whole heartily recommend it!! We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn and we were really happy with it... great breakfast buffet. I booked a package through Busch Gardens website that included everything.)
TTFN as they say.
And because this never stops making me laugh, here it is again:
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Things You've Missed While I've Been Gone
#1 I gave up coffee. I'm drinking tea instead.
#2 Kid, 3 weeks after a bad cold/flu which she came down with just 2 weeks after E. coli poisoning, has now been battling pneumonia for a week.
She's missed more school this year than all other years combined.
#3 The only upside is that I was able to rest along with her last week, and I finally feel 100% better from my E.coli infection.
#4 We are NOT going to WDW for Thanksgiving. I don't know. I was kind of dreading the drive & feeling cheap. Plus, with Kid missing so much school recently, I just didn't want to do something that would require so much work (on my part) and more missed days for her.
#5 We are going skiing for Thanksgiving. This is a ground breaking trip. I've never downhill skied and either have the girls. Mr F has never skied in the time I've known him. So... hopefully we don't all break our legs. We're heading Up North just for the long weekend to the resort we visited this summer. We're excited. And scared.
#6 I've been watching The Paradise on PBS. It's good peeps. You can catch all the episodes on PBS.org if you don't have TV service, like me.
#7 I also watched ALL of the Call the Midwives episodes on Netflix. I don't know why I didn't get into the first time I tried... I loved it. Surprisingly funny (at times)
#8 I am totally into flossing, now. I don't know why it took me nearly 40 years. I mean, how did I ever think my teeth were clean before?! Floss, people!
#9 Major organization projects have been underway. I did successfully clean off the kitchen counters. (even the dreaded home office peninsula which acts as a super powerful paper magnet)
Craft cabinet... I'm coming for you.
#10 I'm taking down our Halloween decorations (Kid's pneumonia kind slowed me down on that front)... and putting up Christmas. Deal with it. I'm going for it!!! Last year I waited too long.
That's about it.
Photos for your perusal:
The girls bowling:
Awesome form, Baby!
She can't even fit forward in the car seat (Ha!)
She looks amused, doesn't she?
Still reading like it's her job.
Pumpkin carving:
Baby's super AWESOME school picture:
Hmm... if you tilt your head you might see who she takes after:
(although I'll happily admit she is much prettier than I ever was!)
Speaking of which, I laughably started thinking I had reached the age which required more effort into my appearance & decided to start wearing makeup:
(This could also be a strong reflection on having more time on my hands)
Well, about a week into it, a mom from school stopped me and asked me what was wrong. She said I just looked so stressed & tired lately. ha! So, long story short: I'm not wearing makeup anymore.
(But also, yes, I'm older than when you last saw me)
Baby is still.... Baby.
And she still, inexplicably, loves doing yard work:
Kid turned 11 on Halloween:
She had our traditional family birthday breakfast (Trader Joe's Chocolate Croissants).
We're never going to quit you, chocolate croissants!
This year's Halloween costumes:
Kid was a Victorian ghost (which, just take my word for it, was better in person... she even had glow in the dark face paint... which considering our trick-or-treat hours was sadly never in full effect).
Baby graciously agreed to wear her million dollar dance recital get up while it still fit.
My mom and stepdad escorted them out in their collaborative costumes. Popi sporting the ultimate in men's ballerina attire, and my mom was (obviously) a ghostbuster.
Popi was pretty much famous by the end of the block.
Kid is kind of growing up and too cool to give me any input about things like cakes.
(Baby, by the way, is not... I completely disregarded the 7 page manual she drew up for how she thought I should decorate Kid's cake this year)
I just did a simple cake that wouldn't offend her sensibilities:
She didn't even notice I wrote anything on it. I'm not kidding.
All she wanted for her birthday was a set of high quality dominos:
Barnes & Noble in case you need some. They weren't very easy to find.
TTFN!
The cats have a lot of work to do, today:
Chippy (our resident chipmunk) is out there LOADING up on maple seeds.
I think it is going to be a harsh winter.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
The Week In Review
#1 So, let's see, my last week's meal plan worked out really well. I ended up being able to have leftover chili & potato soup to rotate into this week... so... always a huge bonus. It reminds me of how awesome it was when I was more on top of meal planning & freezer cooking and I wish I had a clone of myself so I could get back ahead of the game. If you are ever wondering, Hell YES, it is worth the time and effort if you have any to spare. If there was one thing I'd recommend to people who are trying to save money it would be to meal plan & freezer cook. Look into it. More to the point it is a huge time and sanity saver.
Speaking of food, I have settled on my universal school potluck dish
(it's vegan, gluten free, & doesn't have to be refrigerated!):
#2 I have very minimally decorated for Halloween this year, and I like it. Some years are for taking it easy. This might be one of them. Being sick to my stomach for 3 weeks might have had something to do with it.
#3 My kids introduced my uncle to "What Does the Fox Say?". And he liked it.
#6 We've been enjoying Michigan's peak foliage:
But not for long. It's been (literally) freezing in the morning these days. Snow is eminent they say!
And so we are already back to all of this:
Speaking of food, I have settled on my universal school potluck dish
(it's vegan, gluten free, & doesn't have to be refrigerated!):
(brown rice & black bean salad with a cilantro vinaigrette)
(I don't know why it has taken me so long to figure this out)
#2 I have very minimally decorated for Halloween this year, and I like it. Some years are for taking it easy. This might be one of them. Being sick to my stomach for 3 weeks might have had something to do with it.
#3 My kids introduced my uncle to "What Does the Fox Say?". And he liked it.
But apparently the Cougar did NOT like his 4th birthday party:
(Thank God for Jon!)
#4 Kid stayed home sick AGAIN. She was home for a couple of days last week. I love having her company (as maladjusted as she is... HA!):
And it made me miss our homeschool days.
Fortunately, I don't have to miss homeschooling too much... since... technically I still have to do it.
There is some major shit about to go down at the Lutheran school regarding how poor the teaching quality is this year. (which is saying something, I might add!) The 5th grade parents are in an uproar. (Did I mention the teacher taught the math assignment incorrectly... on parent visiting day?!) Kid's rocking a 4.0... but... again... I'm teaching her the curriculum at home. Which seems to be the consensus of all of the top performing students. The good news is, I can do it. And, I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it. Having said all that, this is absolutely her last year there. We are only staying this year because of the social situation she has. The only good news academically, is that the curriculum is great, so with a little elbow grease on my end, she'll be more than prepared to succeed in middle school.
#5 Speaking of Kid's social life, check out the guns on her boyfriend:
(Or the guns on the cross country coach in the background... who FYI would have been Kid's teacher if she had switched to Baby's school. I'm still a little shocked that didn't sway her.)
#6 We've been enjoying Michigan's peak foliage:
And so we are already back to all of this:
(don't worry I was stopped!)
#7 Last, but not least:
(Why can't our other cat be as awesome as Big Boy is?!)
Monday, October 14, 2013
Still Kickin' It... albeit a little more slowly & with less intensity
People, I don't even know what to tell you.... How does life go this fast?!
It is ridiculous.
If I think too much about that, I'll cry. So let's just move on...
About 2 weeks ago Kid & I ate some tainted raspberries and got E. coli. That is no fucking joke. Extreme stomach pain. Extreme. Like... I thought I was having a heart attack level of sudden onset extreme pain. Wash your produce, peeps!!! (FYI they were organic... still wash 'em)
So, that's what I've been up to since we last spoke.
Things were going better after about 10 days but I'm having pain again all of a sudden and so I'm trying to get into the doctor to make sure I don't have some kind of weird inflamed organ or something.
Which, knowing me... I probably do.
Why?!?!!
And I just got a note from Baby's school.
Lice.
Kill me.
But, not slowly through a weird inflamed organ.
**********************************************
Maybe we are going to Disney World over Thanksgiving. (maybe)
Driving.
Didn't I say I'd never do that again?
That it was Hell on wheels. (literally)
I'm scared. (hold me)
Well, airfare is just too much for all four of us.
I think we'll probably stay offsite at the Caribe Royale. (we LOVE that place, btw)
**********************************************
Baby is loving her new school.
(j/k... she wishes..)
*********************************************
This week I'm making Pork Chops w/ rice pilaf & sauteed apples, Chicken & Noodles, Potato & Leek Soup, Chili w/ cornbread, & Chicken Tortellini w/ bacon & peas (so far).
I try to make as many big kind of casserole-y/stew/pasta type meals as possible during the week so that I have leftovers to pack up for lunch. We typically have pesto pasta (w/spinach & peas & chicken) once a week for this purpose. Baby would eat that every single day for lunch. I try not to get any take-out or go out to eat Sunday - Thursday so that I have leftovers ready for lunch the next day (my kids pretty much shun sandwiches). I feel so much pressure around their lunches that we actually came home early from a weekend trip so I could make dinner... so we'd have lunch ready! We usually have pizza on Fridays and we're often on a road trip on Saturday.
*********************************************
I had a bad workout week last week (for obvious reasons plus chaperoning a field trip & supervising a PTL function all day). But I did still manage a couple. I was hoping I'd be back on track this week, but I'm going to sit it out until I figure out what's up with my stomach pain. Seems wise... although, I have to really fight my internal crazy. Which is probably a good thing. I still have to work hard on my extremely rigid perfectionist tendencies.
It is ridiculous.
If I think too much about that, I'll cry. So let's just move on...
About 2 weeks ago Kid & I ate some tainted raspberries and got E. coli. That is no fucking joke. Extreme stomach pain. Extreme. Like... I thought I was having a heart attack level of sudden onset extreme pain. Wash your produce, peeps!!! (FYI they were organic... still wash 'em)
So, that's what I've been up to since we last spoke.
Things were going better after about 10 days but I'm having pain again all of a sudden and so I'm trying to get into the doctor to make sure I don't have some kind of weird inflamed organ or something.
Which, knowing me... I probably do.
Why?!?!!
And I just got a note from Baby's school.
Lice.
Kill me.
But, not slowly through a weird inflamed organ.
**********************************************
Maybe we are going to Disney World over Thanksgiving. (maybe)
Driving.
Didn't I say I'd never do that again?
That it was Hell on wheels. (literally)
I'm scared. (hold me)
Well, airfare is just too much for all four of us.
I think we'll probably stay offsite at the Caribe Royale. (we LOVE that place, btw)
**********************************************
Baby is loving her new school.
(j/k... she wishes..)
*********************************************
This week I'm making Pork Chops w/ rice pilaf & sauteed apples, Chicken & Noodles, Potato & Leek Soup, Chili w/ cornbread, & Chicken Tortellini w/ bacon & peas (so far).
I try to make as many big kind of casserole-y/stew/pasta type meals as possible during the week so that I have leftovers to pack up for lunch. We typically have pesto pasta (w/spinach & peas & chicken) once a week for this purpose. Baby would eat that every single day for lunch. I try not to get any take-out or go out to eat Sunday - Thursday so that I have leftovers ready for lunch the next day (my kids pretty much shun sandwiches). I feel so much pressure around their lunches that we actually came home early from a weekend trip so I could make dinner... so we'd have lunch ready! We usually have pizza on Fridays and we're often on a road trip on Saturday.
*********************************************
I had a bad workout week last week (for obvious reasons plus chaperoning a field trip & supervising a PTL function all day). But I did still manage a couple. I was hoping I'd be back on track this week, but I'm going to sit it out until I figure out what's up with my stomach pain. Seems wise... although, I have to really fight my internal crazy. Which is probably a good thing. I still have to work hard on my extremely rigid perfectionist tendencies.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Life (you've missed so much...)
I don't think I ever did an August recap (or September). Sometimes when I'm driving down the road (which despite my original intentions I'm back at.... even more than last year!!!!), I think about blogging and when I might or what I might share and then I am back in the car going the other direction, or carefully packing raspberries in little lunch containers, or checking homework (slash foraging homework as necessary!... oh, please, you know you've been there), or trying to find goggles for swim lessons, or working out, or writing the world's longest run-on sentence... and it just didn't happen... AGAIN.
But today is the day. Kid and I are both home sick with some bizzaro stomach bug that only causes intense stomach pain for days on end. (throwing up would be a relief at this point, believe me) I did watch this entire BBC series though. I got it at the library. In case you are riveted by our viewing habits, Mr F and I are also watching Hell On Wheels on the nights when we can manage it between dishes and my trying to go to bed by 10:45 rule. I dig it. It's not quite as good as Justified (in terms of spectacular characters) but it's pretty good (and more Mormon friendly, fyi Katieo). And, when you don't have TV service you just can't be quite as picky about what you are going to watch. I'm also working out to Extreme Weight Loss ... where has this show been all my life?!?! It is fantastic. Plus, it's 90 minutes which is exactly how long I'm working out, so it is perfect for me. Plus, I love working out to weight loss shows for the obvious motivational reasons.
As for weight loss.... yeah... I'm not sure. I haven't weighed myself in awhile but I am definitely fitter and I think there is a lot of stuff up with my hormones and metabolism and I just am taking this one step at a time. Working out consistently is my #1 focus and I am doing that and reestablishing it as a habit and I don't want to worry about my weight loss or diet portion of this until I am several months into working out consistently. When I expect too much from myself is when I start to sabotage myself. I'm doing unusually well in the workout department and am not being crazy. I have at least one weekday when something comes up and I can't do it and I am just letting it go. This is ground breaking for me. The next step will be trying to figure out what my daily calorie burn really is so I can figure out what I would need to eat to lose weight. I have a feeling this is shockingly below what I am used to. And while I do not eat a ton, I think the perimenopause has killed my metabolism and I probably need to eat 1200 calories a day (maximum!!!) like on a DAILY FUCKING BASIS. And eating 1500-1700 (which is more normal for me & previously allowed me to LOSE weight) is not only not going to help me lose weight it is why I have been slowly gaining weight for three years. Even with the working out for 90 minutes, my fancy Up Jawbone bracelet only puts my daily burn at around 1500-1600. WITH THE FUCKING WORKING OUT. So, you know, that is kind of an aha moment for me in terms of why everything has been so hard. If I'm eating 1700 calories and I'm burning 1500 (with the goddamn exercise included) I'm not going to lose any weight. I'm going to still slowly gain. Which explains why everything I've tried to do (Paleo, 5:2, working out, etc, just hasn't had any real effect). Still. Right now I'm 100% focusing on making working out as close to a daily routine as possible. Forever. For the rest of my goddamn life. This is real. Maybe in November I'll start developing a real eating plan that averages out to 1200 calories/day. I hate to do it. But I think that is real, too. Forever. For the rest of my goddamn life.
Okay.
More updates SOON-ish. And, no, Kid did not switch schools. It's a long story. But it comes down to no kid (EVER) wanting to switch schools mid-year and leave a good social network to start over as a new kid... especially when they've already been to 3 elementary schools (not counting homeschooling) and they are only in 5th grade. And as a kid who also switched schools every one to two years between K and 8th grade I know EXACTLY how she feels and want her to feel she has some control over her own life. We have all agreed that this is the LAST year that she'll be attending the Lutheran school. It really is a great social setting for her (I don't think we could do better) but the academics are still an issue and we know middle school just takes it up 10 more insane notches and that is just not something we can live through. 6th grade (can you believe it?!!) will be an easier transition time since quite a few kids leave to start middle school elsewhere. It is also a good time to start at the charter school and allows her to start at the beginning of the year into a 6-7-8 mixed classroom setting (only 18 kids a class) and that will better suit her academic placement than coming in academically ahead in a 4-5 mixed classroom. The bonus is that she'll be able to get more comfortable with the charter school this year when we attend different school events for Baby and it won't be so unknown and weird for her next year. We are also going to work really hard to establish outside-of-school friendships with her Lutheran school friends so that we can hopefully keep them going after she leaves that school.
But today is the day. Kid and I are both home sick with some bizzaro stomach bug that only causes intense stomach pain for days on end. (throwing up would be a relief at this point, believe me) I did watch this entire BBC series though. I got it at the library. In case you are riveted by our viewing habits, Mr F and I are also watching Hell On Wheels on the nights when we can manage it between dishes and my trying to go to bed by 10:45 rule. I dig it. It's not quite as good as Justified (in terms of spectacular characters) but it's pretty good (and more Mormon friendly, fyi Katieo). And, when you don't have TV service you just can't be quite as picky about what you are going to watch. I'm also working out to Extreme Weight Loss ... where has this show been all my life?!?! It is fantastic. Plus, it's 90 minutes which is exactly how long I'm working out, so it is perfect for me. Plus, I love working out to weight loss shows for the obvious motivational reasons.
As for weight loss.... yeah... I'm not sure. I haven't weighed myself in awhile but I am definitely fitter and I think there is a lot of stuff up with my hormones and metabolism and I just am taking this one step at a time. Working out consistently is my #1 focus and I am doing that and reestablishing it as a habit and I don't want to worry about my weight loss or diet portion of this until I am several months into working out consistently. When I expect too much from myself is when I start to sabotage myself. I'm doing unusually well in the workout department and am not being crazy. I have at least one weekday when something comes up and I can't do it and I am just letting it go. This is ground breaking for me. The next step will be trying to figure out what my daily calorie burn really is so I can figure out what I would need to eat to lose weight. I have a feeling this is shockingly below what I am used to. And while I do not eat a ton, I think the perimenopause has killed my metabolism and I probably need to eat 1200 calories a day (maximum!!!) like on a DAILY FUCKING BASIS. And eating 1500-1700 (which is more normal for me & previously allowed me to LOSE weight) is not only not going to help me lose weight it is why I have been slowly gaining weight for three years. Even with the working out for 90 minutes, my fancy Up Jawbone bracelet only puts my daily burn at around 1500-1600. WITH THE FUCKING WORKING OUT. So, you know, that is kind of an aha moment for me in terms of why everything has been so hard. If I'm eating 1700 calories and I'm burning 1500 (with the goddamn exercise included) I'm not going to lose any weight. I'm going to still slowly gain. Which explains why everything I've tried to do (Paleo, 5:2, working out, etc, just hasn't had any real effect). Still. Right now I'm 100% focusing on making working out as close to a daily routine as possible. Forever. For the rest of my goddamn life. This is real. Maybe in November I'll start developing a real eating plan that averages out to 1200 calories/day. I hate to do it. But I think that is real, too. Forever. For the rest of my goddamn life.
Okay.
More updates SOON-ish. And, no, Kid did not switch schools. It's a long story. But it comes down to no kid (EVER) wanting to switch schools mid-year and leave a good social network to start over as a new kid... especially when they've already been to 3 elementary schools (not counting homeschooling) and they are only in 5th grade. And as a kid who also switched schools every one to two years between K and 8th grade I know EXACTLY how she feels and want her to feel she has some control over her own life. We have all agreed that this is the LAST year that she'll be attending the Lutheran school. It really is a great social setting for her (I don't think we could do better) but the academics are still an issue and we know middle school just takes it up 10 more insane notches and that is just not something we can live through. 6th grade (can you believe it?!!) will be an easier transition time since quite a few kids leave to start middle school elsewhere. It is also a good time to start at the charter school and allows her to start at the beginning of the year into a 6-7-8 mixed classroom setting (only 18 kids a class) and that will better suit her academic placement than coming in academically ahead in a 4-5 mixed classroom. The bonus is that she'll be able to get more comfortable with the charter school this year when we attend different school events for Baby and it won't be so unknown and weird for her next year. We are also going to work really hard to establish outside-of-school friendships with her Lutheran school friends so that we can hopefully keep them going after she leaves that school.
Monday, September 23, 2013
And
They are creating a spot for Kid.
She's visiting today.
(And having a nervous breakdown tonight)
I'm hoping we can convince her to give this a shot.
It is never too soon (or too late!) to learn that our instinct...
To stay in the relative safety of a known (even if we KNOW we don't like it)
Rather than risking that security on an unknown (even if we KNOW it will be better)
Often holds us back from true fulfillment and happiness.
So while, I don't negate how hard leaving friends and routine behind can be...
Nor how hard transitioning to a new routine and new friends will undoubtably be...
I hope I can raise my girls to take the risks in life.
To be optimistic about new horizons...
And not to walk away from opportunity when it comes knocking.
When you are given a choice, don't hand it back, or push it down, or ignore it...
Actively choose.
She's visiting today.
(And having a nervous breakdown tonight)
I'm hoping we can convince her to give this a shot.
It is never too soon (or too late!) to learn that our instinct...
To stay in the relative safety of a known (even if we KNOW we don't like it)
Rather than risking that security on an unknown (even if we KNOW it will be better)
Often holds us back from true fulfillment and happiness.
So while, I don't negate how hard leaving friends and routine behind can be...
Nor how hard transitioning to a new routine and new friends will undoubtably be...
I hope I can raise my girls to take the risks in life.
To be optimistic about new horizons...
And not to walk away from opportunity when it comes knocking.
When you are given a choice, don't hand it back, or push it down, or ignore it...
Actively choose.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Hey
I'm still here. Thought I'd be here more often, but alas it is not meant to be.
You just don't get more time to yourself as your kids get older. You just don't. So stop thinking it.
The new school is going GREAT. Baby is very happy that she made the switch. It is so much more developmentally appropriate. I really hope that Kid can get a spot for middle school next year.
The two schools 20 miles apart starting and ending at the same time thing? ... yeah... ROUGH. I'm making it work but it is definitely down to the minute and reasonably stressful for me. If I could get a carpool for Baby that would help tremendously.
I'm working out. I am successfully alternating the 90 min & 60 min workouts and letting the days that I can't do it go. This is a major step in my usual all or nothing routine.
I'm still following the 5:2 (reduced carb version), I'm only on like week 2ish and I haven't weighed so I don't know if it is working... except... that it is totally working... in that at least 2 days a week I am eating an ideal diet and it isn't making me crazy (at all). This might be the first thing I've ever done that I would consider a true lifestyle change and if I lose weight... bonus.... and if I just don't gain weight... awesome. That is success. Again, look at me not being totally all or nothing on the food front.
Am I evolving? Or just too tired to do anything consistently? Ha! Either way...
Because let's face it, I am EXHAUSTED... possible result of needing to get up even earlier and it being dark in the AM, etc, that tends to really mess with me. I think I went through this last year... I can't remember if it ever resolved itself. If not, it's a long way until summer. If you run into me at Meijer... please note that I haven't showered or had coffee, yet... I look better after noon. If it is after noon... that is as good as it gets. I blame the early menopause. And the lack of a full length mirror. And the fact that I grew my hair out... which looks like I decided to bushwhack through a bunch of burrs and then have a dog try and chew them out for me. That's what it's like, folks.... on a good day. It is all kinds of crazy. Which is why you will never see it down.
Also, I hate making lunches. pathologically. I consider it a form of torture that could successfully break war criminals. That's how much I hate it. Considering the one billion blogs devoted to lunches, I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. I've got a system that works, but between cooking/packing in the AM, cleaning out in the PM, and packing up what I can before bed... I feel like I am ALWAYS packing lunch. Gah!
And, yeah... all of the organizational projects I thought I'd just whip through now that they are both in school full time... are... exactly where they were 3 weeks ago (or 3 months ago... or in many cases 3 years ago). I am finding that I am strangely less productive. Again maybe the exhaustion. But, also, I am committed to making the working out a priority and I just need to focus on that right now. The stuff on the counter isn't going anywhere (literally).
You just don't get more time to yourself as your kids get older. You just don't. So stop thinking it.
The new school is going GREAT. Baby is very happy that she made the switch. It is so much more developmentally appropriate. I really hope that Kid can get a spot for middle school next year.
The two schools 20 miles apart starting and ending at the same time thing? ... yeah... ROUGH. I'm making it work but it is definitely down to the minute and reasonably stressful for me. If I could get a carpool for Baby that would help tremendously.
I'm working out. I am successfully alternating the 90 min & 60 min workouts and letting the days that I can't do it go. This is a major step in my usual all or nothing routine.
I'm still following the 5:2 (reduced carb version), I'm only on like week 2ish and I haven't weighed so I don't know if it is working... except... that it is totally working... in that at least 2 days a week I am eating an ideal diet and it isn't making me crazy (at all). This might be the first thing I've ever done that I would consider a true lifestyle change and if I lose weight... bonus.... and if I just don't gain weight... awesome. That is success. Again, look at me not being totally all or nothing on the food front.
Am I evolving? Or just too tired to do anything consistently? Ha! Either way...
Because let's face it, I am EXHAUSTED... possible result of needing to get up even earlier and it being dark in the AM, etc, that tends to really mess with me. I think I went through this last year... I can't remember if it ever resolved itself. If not, it's a long way until summer. If you run into me at Meijer... please note that I haven't showered or had coffee, yet... I look better after noon. If it is after noon... that is as good as it gets. I blame the early menopause. And the lack of a full length mirror. And the fact that I grew my hair out... which looks like I decided to bushwhack through a bunch of burrs and then have a dog try and chew them out for me. That's what it's like, folks.... on a good day. It is all kinds of crazy. Which is why you will never see it down.
Also, I hate making lunches. pathologically. I consider it a form of torture that could successfully break war criminals. That's how much I hate it. Considering the one billion blogs devoted to lunches, I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. I've got a system that works, but between cooking/packing in the AM, cleaning out in the PM, and packing up what I can before bed... I feel like I am ALWAYS packing lunch. Gah!
And, yeah... all of the organizational projects I thought I'd just whip through now that they are both in school full time... are... exactly where they were 3 weeks ago (or 3 months ago... or in many cases 3 years ago). I am finding that I am strangely less productive. Again maybe the exhaustion. But, also, I am committed to making the working out a priority and I just need to focus on that right now. The stuff on the counter isn't going anywhere (literally).
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Big Sudden Overwhelming Change Ahead
Baby is changing schools. Oy, it's overwhelming.
She got into the Charter school closer to our house and we think it is a better fit for her long term.
They called on Thursday and gave us 24 hours to decide.
They called on Thursday and gave us 24 hours to decide.
Kid had gotten a spot at the last minute last year and we turned it down, which we frequently regretted.
It might not be the perfect school but it is much more developmentally appropriate for early elementary than their current Lutheran school.
I was on the fence... it is a lot of change... and a logistical nightmare so we listened to what Baby thought about it all. And it turns out (she is pretty private) that she is afraid of her teacher.
Despite having to leave her friends behind, and crying for hours about it, she still wanted to switch.
She liked their school rhythm better.
And that is saying something. I didn't think she'd want to switch.
So, now I'll be driving all over town (which was one reason we turned it down last year).
Both schools get out at the exact same time... twenty miles apart.
I'll figure it out.
The saving 4K will kind of make that a more bearable hardship ;)
We also realize that we are never going to luck into two openings at once, we have to take one to get
the other in the next year, since sibs have preference.
I think that their middle school teaching staff is amazing and I'd love for Kid to switch for 6th.
Fingers crossed this all works out.
If not, the Lutherans will always take us back.
It might not be the perfect school but it is much more developmentally appropriate for early elementary than their current Lutheran school.
I was on the fence... it is a lot of change... and a logistical nightmare so we listened to what Baby thought about it all. And it turns out (she is pretty private) that she is afraid of her teacher.
Despite having to leave her friends behind, and crying for hours about it, she still wanted to switch.
She liked their school rhythm better.
And that is saying something. I didn't think she'd want to switch.
So, now I'll be driving all over town (which was one reason we turned it down last year).
Both schools get out at the exact same time... twenty miles apart.
I'll figure it out.
The saving 4K will kind of make that a more bearable hardship ;)
We also realize that we are never going to luck into two openings at once, we have to take one to get
the other in the next year, since sibs have preference.
I think that their middle school teaching staff is amazing and I'd love for Kid to switch for 6th.
Fingers crossed this all works out.
If not, the Lutherans will always take us back.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
The Week in Review
I probably have 1000 pictures I could share with this... does that make it better? I'm feeling kind of too lazy for uploading.
Here is what is going down:
#1 Baby officially likes 1st grade. Yesterday was her first memory test (and while it was touch and go on accuracy the night before she claims she nailed it). Spelling will start in another week or two as will daily reading and math homework. But most importantly she is happy. Last year had me questioning all of that, but it seems her sleepy depression and lack of interest was really all just part of being so very sick. She is 100% back to extreme high voltage energy (for better or worse). She appears to have a secret way to harness it while at school (though she reports to "slipping" and "tripping" in the hallway nearly everyday, while wearing sneakers, so I have my doubts).
#2 Baby is eating her lunches! Victory is mine! So far, she goes with a thermos of all fruit smoothie for "milk snack" (wherein she would have purchased a 50 cent chocolate milk every single day), I keep it cold by making smoothie ice cubes. In her lunch she has had either a hot thermos filled with pesto pasta w/chicken & peas & spinach (I am all about sneaking in chopped spinach when cooking with pesto!), a container filled with fruit & carrots & cherry tomatoes, and then some kind of dessert (cookies, brownie, choc covered prunes, etc). She pretty much eats it all. The other days she's had a roast beef sandwich with all the same sides. I know it doesn't sound like she is picky ... but believe me... this is pretty much the limit of what she'll eat and who knows when she'll decide to pull the plug on these things?! Kid, is a great eater, and she gets nearly identical lunches (minus carrots!) and a thermos of white milk (again, I make milk ice cubes!), so that I don't go crazy. I always have an extra granola bar in Baby's lunch and crackers in Kid's in case they finish everything and are still hungry. Putting everything together every morning, while cooking breakfast, and doing hair does make me kind of want to kill myself... but it's working. I like to fill up their fruit/veg containers the night before and have them in the fridge. All the other containers I need, I line up with their lunch bags on the counter. Having the organized pantry & lunch container bins has been AMAZING! It is still totally organized a couple months later (and with plenty of use!). Also, if I need to go grocery shopping I can take a picture of the pantry and I can actually see what we are out of... no list needed! Seriously.
#3 Mr F and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. We have been married long enough that we wrote nearly identical letters to each other. We also ate too much when we went out to eat. We also decided to move to a small remote port town (again). About 10 years ago (probably on our anniversary, actually) we went and nearly bought a house right across from the harbor... but there was another offer and we didn't want to counter... and we hadn't sold our house (or even had it on the market.... so). Well, we saw it and wanted to kill ourselves for having let that deal go. They have redone the harbor park and there is a nice swimming beach, a beautiful new park with play structure and the pier .... Gah! It was a crazy deal & the girls could have just gone across the street to play! Long story short we are SERIOUSLY considering this plan, or something like it, at some point (maybe soon?! or maybe not?) Who knows? We are always up for an adventure. Like buying a lot on the water and smacking up a claim shanty?! (for real, why not?) It is extremely remote. That can't be emphasized enough. But if Mario Batali can handle it, why can't I?! Right?! That's what I always say. Plus, the public school is small, like the one the girls go to now, and very highly rated. Plus, no more commuting (for me & the girls, anyway). Plus, Mario Batali makes like 30 pizzas a DAY for his friends in his wood burning stove. Okay? Why wouldn't we be friends?
#4 I have yet to have a real full week of school, so I'm still working out how my day goes. So far I am trying to alternate 90 min workouts with 60 min hill workouts. With that workout plan, I am OK with missing a workout because I had a morning appointment or had to help at school... I'm still averaging a lot of miles. I am also experimenting with an alternate to the traditional 5:2 Fast Diet plan which is going SO much better for me. Two days of the week I count carbs instead of calories, the other 5 days eat as I normally would. There have been studies done that show the same weight loss outcomes for both forms of 2 day a week fasting and I am NOT hungry at all on the 50 grams of carb (or less) fast day vs. the 500 calorie fast day (which was KILLING me). My family hasn't noticed at all when I'm doing it (and that is HUGE). The weight loss is not fast, but dealing with the perimenopause is pretty much the hardest thing to budge I have ever dealt with. This is no post baby weight loss... this is a whole 'nother bag of worms and it isn't pretty. I don't just want to lose weight that I gained, my body is quite literally converting itself to fat. It is proving very hard to get ahead of this. So heads up on that. Had I known I'd be going through this pre-40... um... yeah... I might have made the time to workout a bigger personal priority the last few years. All I can do is keep trying, and at least I feel better about myself for putting in the work and effort and knowing that I am not sabotaging. And again, eating 50 g carbs is not hard... I pretty much eat very paleo-like on those days (protein & veg) and because there is no calorie cap (like the traditional 5:2) I can eat if I am hungry and don't have to stress so much. I usually end up between 700-800 cal. I'm going to stick to this plan all month and then see what has happened scale wise. I might go up to 4:3 if I'm not making any head way. Honestly, if I can just stop converting to fat every month, I'll be happy. I'd like to lose 15 pounds, and if I'm being realistic, that is probably going to take me at least 6 months (versus the 2-3 months I could have done it in before). I'm trying very hard to live in reality about it, and not get frustrated and quit when I can only lose 1/2 lb a week (or nothing). The real deal is, right now, if I am not gaining weight, and am slowly but steadily losing weight (of any amount)... then that is success and that is just how slow and long this process is honestly going to take.
All this and it is only 8:45 AM... time to go workout and then eat an omelet (It's a fast day).
Here is what is going down:
#1 Baby officially likes 1st grade. Yesterday was her first memory test (and while it was touch and go on accuracy the night before she claims she nailed it). Spelling will start in another week or two as will daily reading and math homework. But most importantly she is happy. Last year had me questioning all of that, but it seems her sleepy depression and lack of interest was really all just part of being so very sick. She is 100% back to extreme high voltage energy (for better or worse). She appears to have a secret way to harness it while at school (though she reports to "slipping" and "tripping" in the hallway nearly everyday, while wearing sneakers, so I have my doubts).
#2 Baby is eating her lunches! Victory is mine! So far, she goes with a thermos of all fruit smoothie for "milk snack" (wherein she would have purchased a 50 cent chocolate milk every single day), I keep it cold by making smoothie ice cubes. In her lunch she has had either a hot thermos filled with pesto pasta w/chicken & peas & spinach (I am all about sneaking in chopped spinach when cooking with pesto!), a container filled with fruit & carrots & cherry tomatoes, and then some kind of dessert (cookies, brownie, choc covered prunes, etc). She pretty much eats it all. The other days she's had a roast beef sandwich with all the same sides. I know it doesn't sound like she is picky ... but believe me... this is pretty much the limit of what she'll eat and who knows when she'll decide to pull the plug on these things?! Kid, is a great eater, and she gets nearly identical lunches (minus carrots!) and a thermos of white milk (again, I make milk ice cubes!), so that I don't go crazy. I always have an extra granola bar in Baby's lunch and crackers in Kid's in case they finish everything and are still hungry. Putting everything together every morning, while cooking breakfast, and doing hair does make me kind of want to kill myself... but it's working. I like to fill up their fruit/veg containers the night before and have them in the fridge. All the other containers I need, I line up with their lunch bags on the counter. Having the organized pantry & lunch container bins has been AMAZING! It is still totally organized a couple months later (and with plenty of use!). Also, if I need to go grocery shopping I can take a picture of the pantry and I can actually see what we are out of... no list needed! Seriously.
#3 Mr F and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. We have been married long enough that we wrote nearly identical letters to each other. We also ate too much when we went out to eat. We also decided to move to a small remote port town (again). About 10 years ago (probably on our anniversary, actually) we went and nearly bought a house right across from the harbor... but there was another offer and we didn't want to counter... and we hadn't sold our house (or even had it on the market.... so). Well, we saw it and wanted to kill ourselves for having let that deal go. They have redone the harbor park and there is a nice swimming beach, a beautiful new park with play structure and the pier .... Gah! It was a crazy deal & the girls could have just gone across the street to play! Long story short we are SERIOUSLY considering this plan, or something like it, at some point (maybe soon?! or maybe not?) Who knows? We are always up for an adventure. Like buying a lot on the water and smacking up a claim shanty?! (for real, why not?) It is extremely remote. That can't be emphasized enough. But if Mario Batali can handle it, why can't I?! Right?! That's what I always say. Plus, the public school is small, like the one the girls go to now, and very highly rated. Plus, no more commuting (for me & the girls, anyway). Plus, Mario Batali makes like 30 pizzas a DAY for his friends in his wood burning stove. Okay? Why wouldn't we be friends?
#4 I have yet to have a real full week of school, so I'm still working out how my day goes. So far I am trying to alternate 90 min workouts with 60 min hill workouts. With that workout plan, I am OK with missing a workout because I had a morning appointment or had to help at school... I'm still averaging a lot of miles. I am also experimenting with an alternate to the traditional 5:2 Fast Diet plan which is going SO much better for me. Two days of the week I count carbs instead of calories, the other 5 days eat as I normally would. There have been studies done that show the same weight loss outcomes for both forms of 2 day a week fasting and I am NOT hungry at all on the 50 grams of carb (or less) fast day vs. the 500 calorie fast day (which was KILLING me). My family hasn't noticed at all when I'm doing it (and that is HUGE). The weight loss is not fast, but dealing with the perimenopause is pretty much the hardest thing to budge I have ever dealt with. This is no post baby weight loss... this is a whole 'nother bag of worms and it isn't pretty. I don't just want to lose weight that I gained, my body is quite literally converting itself to fat. It is proving very hard to get ahead of this. So heads up on that. Had I known I'd be going through this pre-40... um... yeah... I might have made the time to workout a bigger personal priority the last few years. All I can do is keep trying, and at least I feel better about myself for putting in the work and effort and knowing that I am not sabotaging. And again, eating 50 g carbs is not hard... I pretty much eat very paleo-like on those days (protein & veg) and because there is no calorie cap (like the traditional 5:2) I can eat if I am hungry and don't have to stress so much. I usually end up between 700-800 cal. I'm going to stick to this plan all month and then see what has happened scale wise. I might go up to 4:3 if I'm not making any head way. Honestly, if I can just stop converting to fat every month, I'll be happy. I'd like to lose 15 pounds, and if I'm being realistic, that is probably going to take me at least 6 months (versus the 2-3 months I could have done it in before). I'm trying very hard to live in reality about it, and not get frustrated and quit when I can only lose 1/2 lb a week (or nothing). The real deal is, right now, if I am not gaining weight, and am slowly but steadily losing weight (of any amount)... then that is success and that is just how slow and long this process is honestly going to take.
All this and it is only 8:45 AM... time to go workout and then eat an omelet (It's a fast day).
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Week One
Well, we have nearly made it through the first week.
At first I was disgruntled that they do this, start with 3&1/2 days of school only to have a 4 day weekend for Memorial day and then, of course, another 4 day week next week. It just feels like so much starting and stopping. But considering how EXHAUSTING adjusting to our new schedule is, I guess I'm relieved by the stopping for a few days. It also helps the girls (kids in general) have a less intense start to the year (and maybe this year is shaping up for intensity... again... but not as bad... hopefully).
Our girls' school starts early (8) and we have a commute, so getting up and out is hard (we're not early risers by nature and that cannot be emphasized enough!). I get up first and go to bed last (no news there) and am just worn out. Even with the new found time in the day (which surprisingly... or not surprisingly) doesn't seem to actually add up to 8 hours. I am working out again (yahoo) and am going hog wild. I have needed this, and now that I do have the time I am not squandering it. I'm hoping that this will finally be what I needed to get that part of my life back under control. I'm alternating 90 min walk one day with 60 minute hills the next during school days. I should work my way through every movie on Netflix in short order. With school being what it is, I want my workouts done M-F so I can spend time with the girls on the weekends.
Kid has had homework (70 minutes the first night) and there were tears and it was like last year all over again... and I just felt SO depressed. I mean they are so tired when they get home, it is hard for her to just sit back down and do more work. But last night was much better and she only had 30 minutes and that is more than doable. Baby will start homework next week... not sure how that will be... plus Kid will need to start practicing her flute for band. And memory work starts up next week. I don't know. There are things that are great about this school, but I will always be against this piling on of stuff to do at home. There is pretty quickly no downtime between school and bed and it just seems unnecessary for elementary school. We'll see. I loaded the car with clip boards and homework supplies... maybe they can get some of it done while we're driving home? Maybe she can practice the flute in the car?
Baby seems happy. Her teacher is very highly respected and appreciated by parents in the school, so I'm hopeful. Baby did come home and report her teacher could be "a bit yell-y", though. Then she went on to describe the teacher yelling at a boy for opening his desk and slamming it down. (hmm...) I asked her if she was worried about getting yelled at and she said, "No. I'm going to focus on being on my best not worst behavior." Good call. So far, her lunches have been working out, but she is starving when she gets in the car. I am perplexed about why the little kids have no snack time when I know 3rd grade does. (perplexed=pissed, of course) It is really hard to get her to eat a big breakfast in the morning because we are so rushed and she is NOT a fast eater even when she is 100% alert. I'm wishing we had a small RV to drive them to and from school in so she could eat on her way and they could do their homework & have snack on the way back. It's genius! I wish I could do that and not have it cost me $1,000,000 in gas.
Oh, our wedding anniversary is this weekend. Traditional gift = silk. What the? I have NO good ideas (not going tie route or undergarments... so don't even suggest it). I really like when we can find a good art piece for using the year's traditional element... those have been the best. Of course, there is nothing like waiting until 3 days before to start looking!
At first I was disgruntled that they do this, start with 3&1/2 days of school only to have a 4 day weekend for Memorial day and then, of course, another 4 day week next week. It just feels like so much starting and stopping. But considering how EXHAUSTING adjusting to our new schedule is, I guess I'm relieved by the stopping for a few days. It also helps the girls (kids in general) have a less intense start to the year (and maybe this year is shaping up for intensity... again... but not as bad... hopefully).
Our girls' school starts early (8) and we have a commute, so getting up and out is hard (we're not early risers by nature and that cannot be emphasized enough!). I get up first and go to bed last (no news there) and am just worn out. Even with the new found time in the day (which surprisingly... or not surprisingly) doesn't seem to actually add up to 8 hours. I am working out again (yahoo) and am going hog wild. I have needed this, and now that I do have the time I am not squandering it. I'm hoping that this will finally be what I needed to get that part of my life back under control. I'm alternating 90 min walk one day with 60 minute hills the next during school days. I should work my way through every movie on Netflix in short order. With school being what it is, I want my workouts done M-F so I can spend time with the girls on the weekends.
Kid has had homework (70 minutes the first night) and there were tears and it was like last year all over again... and I just felt SO depressed. I mean they are so tired when they get home, it is hard for her to just sit back down and do more work. But last night was much better and she only had 30 minutes and that is more than doable. Baby will start homework next week... not sure how that will be... plus Kid will need to start practicing her flute for band. And memory work starts up next week. I don't know. There are things that are great about this school, but I will always be against this piling on of stuff to do at home. There is pretty quickly no downtime between school and bed and it just seems unnecessary for elementary school. We'll see. I loaded the car with clip boards and homework supplies... maybe they can get some of it done while we're driving home? Maybe she can practice the flute in the car?
Baby seems happy. Her teacher is very highly respected and appreciated by parents in the school, so I'm hopeful. Baby did come home and report her teacher could be "a bit yell-y", though. Then she went on to describe the teacher yelling at a boy for opening his desk and slamming it down. (hmm...) I asked her if she was worried about getting yelled at and she said, "No. I'm going to focus on being on my best not worst behavior." Good call. So far, her lunches have been working out, but she is starving when she gets in the car. I am perplexed about why the little kids have no snack time when I know 3rd grade does. (perplexed=pissed, of course) It is really hard to get her to eat a big breakfast in the morning because we are so rushed and she is NOT a fast eater even when she is 100% alert. I'm wishing we had a small RV to drive them to and from school in so she could eat on her way and they could do their homework & have snack on the way back. It's genius! I wish I could do that and not have it cost me $1,000,000 in gas.
Oh, our wedding anniversary is this weekend. Traditional gift = silk. What the? I have NO good ideas (not going tie route or undergarments... so don't even suggest it). I really like when we can find a good art piece for using the year's traditional element... those have been the best. Of course, there is nothing like waiting until 3 days before to start looking!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Next Chapter
Yesterday both girls went off to their first day of school.
Kid is in 5th grade this year (that sounds especially old) and is an Amazon.
Baby is in 1st this year.
Their first day was a 1/2 day and so we were all eased in a bit. Especially since I stayed for morning chapel and was really only gone for an hour and a half.
(P.S. taking the PTL gig was the best decision I ever made... completely changed my social circumstance at the school)
But today is REAL. They both just drove off for their first full day of school and I may have cried a bit. And I may cry some more before the day is over.
8 hours is a long time to contemplate the advancement of my life... even for me
This is the longest Baby has been away from me, except a few rare sleepovers, and even with that most of that time was at night.
I have all of the usual mothering anxieties...
mostly just hoping she'll be able to open all of her lunch containers (and actually eat the food).
Last night, after dinner, she handed me her dirty plate with a few scattered peas and 2 lumps of spinach left behind from their pesto pasta beginnings. "So, you are all done with this?" I asked. "Yeah, just scrape it into my lunch for tomorrow. I'm going to be there for a full day and I know I'm going to be hungry." Baby replied. The absurdity of her actually wanting that for lunch mixed with her earnestness about it, made me laugh and laugh.
Yesterday, she came home with her classroom newsletter and we learned (to our horror) that she has memory and spelling this year. "What?!!! I can't even write in English!" Baby cried out.
She was in that moment teaching herself Chinese calligraphy from a picture book.
(and yes, Mr F and I have decided to start saving up for an arts high school)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Reformed
"I have ONE word for you!" Baby announces.
"HO.... LY.... CRAB!" She continues.
"It's a swear word religious people won't get mad at you for." She explains.
"HO.... LY.... CRAB!" She continues.
"It's a swear word religious people won't get mad at you for." She explains.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Yes, We Still Live On
Things That Happened In July
We went Up North for The Fourth of July:
We forced Mr F to express his latent heritage at The Cedar Polka Fest:
Kid sported this amazing unicorn towel turban:
Baby blew the minds of everyone on Face Book with this drawing:
Baby made me take a picture of this crazy pumpkin shaped grape:
Big Boy tried to get used to his new blog reader (he is unimpressed):
We met up with Kid's boyfriend and his family:
Kid let me cut 5.5" off of her glorious locks:
And loved it:
We went back Up North:
We found a bat on our bedroom ceiling at 2 AM:
(I also got bit by bedbugs... not pictured... you are welcome)
We played at this park on the beach in Traverse City
and couldn't think of one single reason not to move there:
My hysterical niece with her beloved Biscoff Spread:
And admittedly superior rotisserie s'more technique:
Kid decided she's playing the flute this year in the 5th grade band:
Baby broke-ish her arm (still waiting final x-rays tomorrow):
We went to visit my 100 year old Nana:
She schooled us in Hopscotch:
This one finally lost her crazy hillbilly tooth:
This dick took a shit INSIDE of our washing machine:
Kid accused Baby of being a hoarder:
(It takes one to know one)
And last, but certainly NOT least, a skunk sprayed the side of our house last night at 2 AM.
Our windows were open.
There is no way to adequately describe how horrific the smell of a direct skunk hit is.
It is not that weirdly sweet smell of a skunk at a distance.
Or those old school scratch & sniff stickers.
It is so strong it makes you nauseous.
Like unbelievably strong burnt garlic.
And there is seemingly no way to get the smell out of the house.
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