* * KC and the Sunshine Girls * *

Just a do-over kind of weekend

2012-01-08T07:06:00.004-07:00

Date night gone wrong- thinking YAY - we can stay home this snowy night and watch a movie - we started with Midnight in Paris. Quickly, I started thinking - "ugh, this seems just like a Woody Allen movie. . . Oh, even worse! It IS a Woody Allen movie!" (I used to like them - but kinda like Chevy Chase suddenly not being funny anymore - Woody is suddenly terribly dated.) So then we switch to Contagion - which was just a bit of a downer (good, but not in a date night way). And then I fell asleep on the couch only to awake when it was time to pick up the kids so I can go to bed for real.

This is after Kevin's Birthday on Friday when we decided because it was the first night of swim team we should skip going out for Mexican food; this year we are going to take swim team more seriously! Well, I missed the last minute email saying it was cancelled. By the time we got home it was too late to do anything but say "Happy Birthday!"

Thank goodness we have a backup plan for Sunday! - Granny is going to take us to the Melting Pot for Kevin's birthday. Only I screwed up and didn't make the reservations early enough so we either have to go at 3 - or 8.

Now none of these things are the end of the world. It is just that added to my ongoing problem with the new home-to-work computer connection that - you guessed it - decided not to work this weekend, pretty much all of my plans backfired of fizzled out.

If offered a DO OVER - I would take it.

Social Story for Autistic Children: "Standing in Line at School"

2011-11-08T04:12:00.000-07:00

Having a moment

2011-10-22T13:13:00.003-06:00

You know, a moment. When you really connect. Had one with mom on the phone this very morning. It had been awhile. Wonderful!

And last night with Caitlin - she had me laughing so hard I was crying. The topic was, well, one of the topics - engaging your brain before opening your mouth versus having your brain connected to your mouth (which is more blurting out what ever your thinking.) So, Caitlin's self described thought process - "Hi! You're fat. I like pie. Kittens are cute!" - which is pretty much how I thought but was afraid to ask - her teenage girl brain operates.

So, tonight we celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Nana has the girls. Kevin and I are going - somewhere nice. I'm hoping we'll have a moment!

The Summer of Self Sufficiency!

2011-07-01T10:13:00.005-06:00

Here's how simple my summer project is NOT!

example:

"put the breakfast dishes away, brush your teeth, get in the car". (portions of this statement were repeated 5 times this morning.) Drop the kids off, return to find one set of dishes left at the table. Stop yourself from just doing it, because it's the summer of self sufficiency! Next pass through the room - decide to rinse them and put them back because "gross". Call your husband at work to explain why he should not put the dishes away if he should come home while you're out. Stew over the fact that he will probably put the dishes away before you can drive home your point with DD1. Simple! Then watch her do it again at dinner.

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T09:45:00.002-06:00

Nana is about to come over, we are first headed to Tagawa to buy each other our mothers day presents. Then we will spend the day gardening and bar-b-queing. Oh, I hope it is as idillic as it sound!

And aside (I wanted to post this story on facebook, but it was too long).

An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me... it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

"This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied... "The one you feed."

No Insomnia = No blogging

2011-05-04T03:57:00.007-06:00

I figured out why I'm not much of a blogger anymore. My insomnia has been pretty much manageable, in check, since the ending of grad school. Sure I still wake up at 3a.m. like thyroid induced clockwork, but nowadays I just go right back to sleep. In fact, my last blog post was done during a windy night when I couldn't get back to sleep.

So, since I'm here, check-in report: all is well. Very busy at the almost 90 day old job, taking tomorrow off for Abigail's braces on the bottom which is an hour long procedure and I felt merited a mama daughter day.

I am headed up to the comfy couch with my blankie and glass of milk to read "Stolen Lives" - the Parkview Bookclub pick; can't get my hands on "Cutting for Stone" the Mother/daughter Bookclub pick; but did next months already on CD in the car (a great way to use travel time!) That was "the Big Burn" - making history interesting. I think I will do "1776" next - on CD. I started that one a year ago with dad in the hospital. Which brings me to the anniversary mopes of dads passing away. Miss you dad.

I was just looking for an interesting recent picture - and dishwashing, dishwasher, washing hands, etc. were my choices. I actually enjoy creating the First / Then visuals - I have my very own laminator for the classroom. The sad part - no time to do it! I've actually had to delegate this, my creative outlet to others. Don't worry though, I still get to color.

Good night - I have to go post Caitlin's joke on Facebook to help bury my political ones. Sometimes I just can't help myself. - What did 0 say to 8?

Nice belt!

stupid wind. . .

2011-03-31T04:10:00.005-06:00

The wind is fierce tonight! And for me, once the eyes are open, that leads to "I wonder if the fires are still going - I need to call Doug and Annie - nah, they're probably under 3 feet of snow - still, I should call - I should wake Abi up and make her read for an hour, that's what I SHOULD do - did I bring home the boardmaker CD? - I need to get those made - Should I get up? - don't be ridiculous, it's just a little wind, go back to sleep!... I need to make sure Caitlin brings a snack to school; CSAPs! - I should have... I could have ... there's no way I'm ever getting back to sleep - stupid insomnia - hey, maybe if i get stuff done now, I can go to archivers!" - If you can't beat it, go with it!

I skipped all the dad tangents - the photo is of a largely unfinished Grandpa, tell me your memories guide. I guess I thought we'd really jump in with that in his 90's.

Frugality after, Industry before

2011-01-30T09:17:00.003-07:00

Well, lessons learned from frugality are :
I need to keep working on it, and
many times, trying to be frugal costs you more money.

Industry! How perfect that I just got a job! "be always employed doing something useful"
. . . uh - hehehe - right.

So I'll have plenty to keep me focused on industry this week. I'll just try to keep my vegging in front of the t.v. or computer to a minimum. Work out instead, I'll need to let off some tension! Again, a good luck week to do industry.

FRUGALITY

2011-01-16T19:40:00.004-07:00

Resolve was ok, however - Frugality! Now there is a challenge. Also, the added levels to Franklin's idea of frugality isn't just to spend less. It's to spend "only to do good and waste nothing."

The book is funny, with excellent examples of how his attempts to save a few cents end up costing him a great deal more and being a headache. It's hard to know what to do, particularly for a second guesser like me. So let me sink my teeth in and report back!

week 3 - Resolve

2011-01-08T21:28:00.004-07:00

Resolve - I'm paraphrasing, but Doing whatever it is you set out to do without fail.

Well, this is a problem, isn't it.
This is why I'm here.
Right now, I'm doing fairly well with this because I'm without job and frankly, I have enough time on my hands to keep all my juggling balls in the air. And without fail, I take on too many, burn out, fatigue, ect. and start dropping them! Sometimes I do a good job for a long time, and sometimes I'm all over the place - it's a roller coaster. But doing it without fail? Is that even a realistic expectation?

So, like the rest of the virtues, I guess it's about continuing to try, and at least you will probably going to get alittle closer to the target out of practice. So, I'm resolving to make good use of my remaining time off, and resolving to find a job.

A Picture a day - until when?

2011-01-01T13:31:00.005-07:00

My cousin Kate writes " It must be strange not to have Uncle Bruce around - but he leaves a legacy of cheer and music and droll remarks for the holidays. Big hugs to you."

So if I were to be starting a picture a day thing with Ms Martha, that's probably what I would start with! How about A PICTURE A DAY UNTIL I GET A REAL JOB! It'll be fun, like a sit in protest, or other civil disobedience - YEAH! - Who's with me! (crickets)

check, check, check

2010-12-31T08:08:00.002-07:00

Chirstmas - check - (back in the box all but the outdoor lights)
Cardboard Santa - Check - recorded, measured for possible makeover/preservation project, and tucked away
Bills paid - check
Coffee flowing - check
Photo project - check - 2010 uploaded

I love organizing, being organized! I just don't usually have the time to do it!

ORDER - take 2

2010-12-30T04:14:00.003-07:00

OK - obviously, order is good and unless you are OCD you should probably have more of it. Ben struggled with it, I struggle with it, and desire it. BUT, as far as trying to acheive it, it seems to me balance is what it's about - having enough time to tend to all the things that are important to you. Yeah, needing to find a better way to maximize my efforts at order for the biggest bang for my buck. This will always be a work in progress sort of virtue. Happily, I will spend the bulk of my time in the next 4 cold winter days with the time to focus on order.

The little gremlins that threaten my productivity need to be beaten back anyway. I find myself in the familiar position of hurry up and wait regarding a job, and getting the rest of my life getting back to routine.

Is that a Christmas decoration I see? Your outta here! Back in the box!

I'm employing the use of a timer - always works well for me. 1 hour here, 1 hour there. Orders kinda like dieting for me - I feel like an expert (unfortunately). Reporting back at the end of the week, when the new virtue will be "Resolve". Perfect, as I will be trying to up the ante with work out schedules, and many many new and old commitments.

Order - week 3

2010-12-21T17:02:00.004-07:00

In ORDER to do this right (get it), I think I'll sit this week out. Merry Christmas! Temperance was a success, Silence was too - but I know the results were NOT typical ;)

OK, see your next week - go watch my smilebox Christmas greeting - sheesh.

SILENCE! - week 2

2010-12-21T16:49:00.002-07:00

SILENCE – ut oh – I don’t like the sound of this one. “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.” If I can pay attention to this one a full week, it will be a constant battle. As the author of Ben and Me says, the medical term for what I have is A BIG MOUTH. Having said that, this is something that I will definitely learn from and an exercise that if even a fraction of it sticks, will make me a better person! Monday – we’re on Vacation – up skiing with just the 4 of us (I caught a break!) My husband is not one for idle chatter. My cell phone and laptop have been tucked away as we have no internet, we’ve been playing card games, chess, etc. instead of turning on the t.v. – and today we skied all day. I even rode up alone a few times so I actually had 3-5 minute bouts of SILENCE! Wow – give myself a gold sticker! Except, I only did so well because of the odd situation I’m in; where I actually lacked the opportunity to gossip and prattle. By this evening, I’d forgotten all about it and the first opportunity I had (family discussion I STARTED about the late-teen couple at the hot tub), I was funny, I told them what I heard them saying, I made fun of them, and I encouraged my husband and children to carry on in the same way. We all had a good laugh, and I forgot all about it until this moment, when I look back at the day and say oops. Given the chance, I LOVE to gossip. It gave me a warm fuzzy feeling and let me connect with my family. I would share the amusing things I said here, but then I would have been guilty TWICE today! So I won’t. Not that it was horrible hateful stuff, but it definitely falls into this category.
No, take away the gold star sticker – I only lucked into this one! The moment temptation hits, I dive in! NEEDS WORK

Silence – Speak not but what may benefit others, avoid trifling conversation
M T W T F S S
Temperance
Silence * * * * * * *
Order
Resolution
Frugality
Industry
Sincerity
Justice
Moderation
Cleanliness
Tranquility * * *
Chastity
Humility

Temperance - week 1

2010-12-21T16:46:00.002-07:00

Temperance – with the bar obviously set so low, I was sure I would do well. In fact, I find I am all about temperance theses days, if nothing else. Don’t drink don’t smoke don’t gamble, don’t stay up late. . . The only trap I could fall into is binge eating. And the only time I do that is when I’m dieting, so I carefully avoided that activity this week (haha!) and I was fine. (By the looks of him, this is probably something Ben did as well.) 2 times I had the thought oh no, this is SO decadent it MUST be overindulgence (both times drinking hot chocolate). But no, this isn’t about not enjoying food/life, it’s about enjoying it in moderation without overindulgence. So, this temperance week was a great week for me to start on. My goal was to eat more vegetables and less cookies and the only time I almost faltered was when I was tempted to punish myself by limiting something for the soul reason of feeling like this virtue should be harder. Now the others that I’m sort of tracking as I go along are all over the place; so I happily go onto the next, thinking YAY! At least I have a handle on one thing.
Temperance - 12/10/10
Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation
M T W T F S S
Temperance * * * * *
Silence
Order *
Resolution
Frugality *
Industry
Sincerity *
Justice
Moderation * * *
Cleanliness * *
Tranquility *
Chastity *
Humility

2010-12-17T23:15:00.001-07:00

Free ecard made with Smilebox

Ben and Me - week 1 - TEMPERANCE

2010-12-07T07:28:00.002-07:00

I've been mulling this over for awhile now and have found a place to start. As a way of honoring and remembering my dad, I decided to occasionally try to be a better person. At the funeral and after, several people made comments that I've summed up as "he made me want to be a better person". And it's true. Dad didn't have a lofty, self important style and yet, he always strove to be do the best he could. In generational comparison, I think that's something I (and my peers) forget to do. Anyway, it's something I've been thinking about alot lately - and as I was looking up Ben Franklin to see what he considered virtues - I stumbled upon this book, "Ben and Me" where the author is doing exactly what I want to do. As Ben said about his self help course - I certainly haven't reached moral perfection, but I am definately a better person for having tried. (Something like that.)Anyhow, I'm loving this book and having company as I take them one at a time.

WEEK 1 - Temperance.
"Don't eat so much you can't move, and if you drink, don't throw up on yourself." - that's not Ben's version that's Cameron Gunn's verson. I'm thinking I've got this one. I love the low bar start. I can eat, I can drink - just try not to go nuts.

I made this for Nana to send out - first draft

2010-11-24T08:29:00.001-07:00

A free invite by Smilebox

YOU DO THE MATH

2010-10-28T06:21:00.004-06:00

Story Problem:

On Monday, Colleen promises to make 48 cookies for the class Halloween goodie bags. She makes 48 cookies that first day. By Tuesday, 1/2 of the cookies are gone. Thursday morning, there are only 13 cookies let. At this rate, how many cookies will Colleen have by Friday morning? (answer: -11)

Wait! There's a moral too

Geez, I better go make some more cookies!

Deja Vu

2010-09-28T06:40:00.002-06:00

Yep, if I'd had that book at 3:30 a.m., I probably would have read it. Picking it up today.

Kids back to school today, I'm over at moms - first time since we returned from vacation.

Just me and my Thyroid

2010-09-27T04:40:00.004-06:00

3:30 a.m. - I'm told this is a thyroid thing. I need to get the book "why am i still having thyroid symptoms when my lab tests are normal", because I grow weary of this insomnia. It used to be a productive thing with studying (my with honors is probably a direct result of it), but combined with job hunting - it's counter productive.

So much to do - and I'd rather do it wide awake!

The opiate of the people

2010-09-03T04:24:00.005-06:00

The opiate of the masses . . . maybe it used to be religion. If my own getting through on automatic pilot existence is any indication however, I think Television is now the numbing/albeit not too happy making - drug of choice.

I'm actually trying to induce a good cry lately, but mostly I'm getting numb.

Now I'm up with a wicked case of insomnia.

It is Labor Day weekend, and again I have the feeling that we are all letting the holidays go by with just a little fanfare. No parties, just having mom over for a bbq and going to the pool.

Maybe Ill get mom to come along for a visit to meet her nieces grand baby . . . what would that be in the second cousin twice removed category? Anyhow, Roberta is going through a similar bout of hanging in there.

The girls are swimming, Caitlin is doing karate, abi is doing speech and tutoring - we are kind of girl scouting, and I am about to start working out 2 hours a day to get myself out of the doldrums. Oh, fall break starts tomorrow - 3 weeks off, planning to see King tut, Pikes peak train, Royal Gorge? and Kansas City for the week.

So, why not try going back to be now? Excellent suggestion. Good night!

2010-07-10T08:52:00.000-06:00

OK, I'm trying to shrink this picture to put it in the header... and it's not cooperating!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

2010-06-20T06:53:00.003-06:00

So my chipper little facebook post said " happy fathers day", but I wanted to say: Happy Fathers day and I will probalby end up blubbering all day long. Sorry Kevin.

My mom is coming over today. Kevin is working and dad resently passed away. So obviously we will be making cookies and going shopping.

Observations While Camping

2010-06-15T02:58:00.007-06:00

Camping - Ridgway Colorado is a beauitful Colorado State Park. This is the view from walk in tent site 153, and those are the San Juan Mountains Back there.

Timing - Don't go camping the week after your fathers funeral if he was an avid hiker/skier/camper, unless you plan to spend the whole time on a private emotional roller coaster ride and you have an understanding spouse and family.

Tents - why again? Camper, Cabin's, condo's, YURTS! These are the words we need to embrace.

Childhood - It's alot more fun to be the kid camper than the adult camper.

Telluride - How sad that your beautiful little city has become an overpriced tourist trap.

Silverton - I hope you can stay a beautiful little city and escape your probable touristy fate.

Lilly - Lilly is a good little camper (dog). She just needs to lean alittle more to the neighborly not guard doggily side.

The Girls - need to get out of the subburbs more often!

Kevin - Is a great guy I don't appreciate enough. He is also in annoyingly good shape, and us 3 girls (4 counting Lilly) could stand to take it up a notch.

That's all for now - I'm doing my Research project: Facebook post about the fabulousness of the table of contents template. Going over to moms again tomorrow. It's good that it's summertime.

2010-05-31T08:15:00.000-06:00

2010-05-28T21:07:00.001-06:00

2010-05-17T22:08:00.002-06:00

title="Wordle: Hang in There"> src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/2049313/Hang_in_There"
alt="Wordle: Hang in There"
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"Are we there yet?"

2010-04-27T22:31:00.003-06:00

It's kinda hilarious reading that last post! I forgot how long I'd been feeling that way about my student teaching stint. Things are better now, and I'm busy crossing the i's and dotting the t's. . . (that's more special ed humor for you. O is for awesome - it's FUNNY! live it, know it, love it.)

It has now been 1 month and 2 days since dad has been in the hospital, turning my world on it's ear. Tonight I'm feeling I want to get a restraining order to prevent the doctors from speaking to my mother again, and my father - although he seems the more solid of the 2 at this very moment. Brother B just called reporting WBG2(dad) is as bright, engaging and lucid as ever. The nurses report he is still improving on the pneumonia, today he was already back on the wean mode trying to get him off the ventilator, and they where working on feeding him real food. So, .... again, we are continuing to be hopeful, despite the warnings of the doctors. Mom said he had a "what if" that she wasn't able to figure out, and I'm guessing dad is patiently awaiting my arrival tomorrow, so i can puzzle it out with him, and of course bring the "1776" book CD and CD player.

Mom locked herself out of the house today, ended up calling a locksmith and after 4 hours they got her, completely rattled, back inside. I'm going to spend as much of the weekend with her as possible.

Tomorrow is 80 degrees. I'm going to put the girls in aftercare, which should make their week, and not worry about it. Kevin will pick them up from there.

"Are we there yet" - is a favorite family line that dad spelled to me in response to my story about his GD Abi asking if 8 weeks was up the day after having her ears pierced.

That is my snapshot! and, watching Letterman, Damn - Courney Love looks GOOD! Robert Downey Jr. - See, people do get better!

So this student teacher thing, it's over soon right?

2010-03-19T17:20:00.002-06:00

I gotta tell you, it's not that there a problem or anything - I actually feel quite lucky. BUT, i just really feel I've been there, learned that - 4 times over.

I'ts OK. (talking to myself now) I have 2 days off with the girls this coming week making for a 4 days weekend, and then a week off for me while they are in school. SO excited for that!

SKI INDEX 10!! in Loveland Colorado

2010-03-19T17:18:00.000-06:00

That's all I have to say about that.

2010-01-26T17:38:00.001-07:00

VENT!!!!!

Good News, Bad News

2010-01-25T23:16:00.002-07:00

I got 4 maybe 5 MAJOR to do's done tonight, and a dozen little things out of the way!! I feel great. I am awesome!! I have SO MUCH MORE TO DO!!!!

I think I can safely say, that I will never go back to school again. Sure, maybe a certificate, or fun little refresher - but this? Never again. (And hopefully I won't need to and I know, never say never.)

One more, why not

2010-01-22T15:52:00.002-07:00

Robert Schlesinger - 10-questions-about-the-supreme-court-ruling-on-campaign-finance

History. It's there to keep us from doing stupid things over and over.

2010-01-22T15:46:00.003-07:00

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."

-- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864

I wish he hadn't said that

2010-01-17T22:01:00.004-07:00

-
Hello blog! You're looking well. Me? Not much, hanging in there, you know - busy busy busy. I see you've gone orange. Very flattering.

On to the post: Today the hub voiced to me his nagging feeling that we are being sold a bill of goods by the industry of your child doesn't fit in the box and we're gonna wring every bit of guilt money out of you we can get.

I was telling him how "they" say having a tutor is the best thing you can do to help your child academically. He replied that "they" are the very "they" we are paying an arm and a leg too. The extra tutor to catch Abi up in reading. The speech therapist who's teaching Abi the correct way to make and hear sounds and process the English language. The orthodontist who's fixing things he admits may not be fixed until adulthood (at a ridiculously high rate). He's poised and ready to do it to her again in another few years. The doctors who have her on medication for ADD.

His comments sort of struck a "oh god, what if he's right?" cord in me. He might very well be right. Earlier in the day Abigail had made a lovely intricate pattern out of the "battleship" game pegs and boats. It was actually quite striking and finished looking, which made me think, what if she's just a creative kid who doesn't much care for school - just doesn't do well in school? What if all this helpful high price tag pushing, shoving and worrying isn't what's helping her. Maybe it's just happening all in her own time, and would be happening (off-schedule) without the drugs, hours and hours of tutoring, head gear, guilt and worry because she's plain and simple different. Of course I will never know because even if it might only help a tiny bit, we are going to try anything and do anything we can. All that mommy guilt keeps us on the verge of the poor house.

So the reason for my continued feeling of being had is; I just came down from my rain or shine nightly reading session with Abigail. Sometimes it's sheer agony, but tonight I was going with the flow and enjoying the experience of Abi. She was imitating a teacher I'm sure, and there were 4 colors of dry erase markers, bakUgon toys involved, and a very intricate social story revolving around finding the rhyming words, and seeing the pictures, etc. As usual I was painfully aware of the fact that she's barely noticing the words. "How can you work of fluency and then comprehension if you don't attend to what your reading!!!!" Can you picture how helpful it would be if I would scream that at her - yikes. Anyhow, I realized that poor Abi is sold short almost constantly. She has alot going on in her world and for I'm sure dozens if not hundreds of reasons, can't be bothered with reading.

I know that I'd be doing her a disservice if I didn't teacher her how to become like everyone else, and I know she can and will eventually do it. I just wish that WE weren't so hung up on everyone fitting in the same box at the same time. I wish it wasn't so hard on anyone who's even a little bit different. (However, she seems to be doing just fine, it's my fragile psyche and checking account that are complaining.)

Christmas Day Slide Show

2009-12-28T08:42:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2009 Christmas card - (going green this year)

2009-12-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Am I done? I think I am actually done!

2009-12-08T10:47:00.002-07:00

Ah - the last plain old class for my masters of ed. is finished!!
(Student teaching and the research project to go).
At least, I did everything I needed to do for the final, and now the others have shown up to compile, add to, etc. I'm waiting to turn in my assessment of the group work and log of hours.
I suppose I should review it before they post it tonight - but this class was my least favorite, and I hardly care! Usually the group stuff doesn't bother me, but this one was a pain.

I just got the grade and feedback on the first half of the final - and we have essentially a B. The instructor got very technical, ripping it apart here and there. All I feel is annoyed. We've been doing this for 8 weeks, and she hasn't made a single comment on whether it's right or wrong, although everyone has been doing it slightly different. I'm just glad it's over, and I may have my first B as a graduate student. BLECK!

Need: what do I NEED this holiday season

2009-11-21T09:03:00.007-07:00

Well now. That is a question that will make you thankful from the second you read it. I am lucky enough to need hardly anything - however I do need to remember that more often! I am so lucky to have my 2 beautiful girls, my handsome handy hardworking husband (the only recent pictures I have of him are nostril shots the girls have taken) - and I can hope for inspiration for better time and money management - so I can enjoy them more.

School photos taken for 4th grader Caitlin and 2nd grader Abigail. 2009-10

The thrill is gone, and life goes on.

2009-10-05T05:24:00.003-06:00

I do believe I may have Facebooked myself out. It's 4-something a.m., does the world really need to know my insomnia woes? I think not.
Maybe I put too many teenagers on my friends list, maybe too many baseball fans. . . maybe. . .maybe. . . oh who knows. On the plus side - I'm blogging! Look at me.

I'm off to work in a little bit, I feel almost caught up and yet have this nagging worry going on. Not horrible, just constantly there.
Maybe, maybe I will feel this way until I am gainfully employed and it's just a long term sub sort of feeling.
Maybe my parents are getting older and I'm worried about changes coming in their lives and mine.
Maybe I should have titled this post "Maybe, maybe".
Finally, maybe dwelling on it isn't helping.

p.s. Maybe I'll go finish my sewing project. I'm making a liner for my Vintage Girl Scout bookbag/purse. And if I'm lucky, I just might get the dinning room table completely cleared today! WOW.

It's Monday - go forth and multiply - (a little math humor for myself this morning).

My New Webkinz Holder

2009-10-04T10:11:00.000-06:00

I went out to see my new trellis, excited that Kevin already put it up - and found the girls already had found an immediate use for it. "The Rack" to punish the webkinz.

It's been a great day!

2009-07-17T17:21:00.006-06:00

Politics.

You know, I may have to start watching the news again. Marion Barry. Ensign. Sanford. PALIN! It's a Repbulipaloosa.

A wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not know that a gaggle of white Republican men afraid of extinction are out to trip her up.
- Maureeen Dowd

Why do they call it Fun Friday by the way, when they take tests all morning long? Until they are so burnt out they are completely out of control at the prospect of having 2 days off. I guess Test Day doesn't roll off the tongue as well.

Another school year snuck up and bit me on the ass!

2009-07-07T21:37:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow is do-over day. We switched to A track and back to Timberline, our home school and today was the first day of 4th grade for Caitlin and 2nd grade for Abigail. As we walked to school this morning I realized I had not gotten them new outfits, or even bothered to snap a picture in front of the house. Now , I realize I've let alot of that stuff slide for the sake of going back to school but COME ON! That's reason number 1.

Reason number 2 for Do-Over day, is that my eldest decided that since I wasn't at the designated meeting spot at the exact second she hit it, that she and her sister should just walk home. (I had walked around the back to meet them at the door, and missed them by a few seconds.) So instead of a happy - cheerleading "how was your first day back girls" - I had to chew them out about listening and patients and give them a 20 minute WHAT IF lecture.

So - Do Over day. I have cute outfits, camera, bikes and bike locks and their solemn promise to wait for me at the bike racks so that I may give them my blessing to forever after walk themselves home. Please don't screw it up ladies!

And just because it still makes me giggle: a picture of the 4th of July. About when the dog caught fire. No, no, nothing happened, just a quite large ember fell on her long furry underside, and I was able to easily brush it away, with only that icky burnt hair smell left to let me know it had happened. I just want to remember the comedy of the situation. Kevin in the fire safety position, guarding the flame and pyrotechnics, the girls up front completely oblivious - and 10 things at once me has to have the dog on a leash as I take pictures and maneuver around the playing field. . . and Kevin, in a very bored monotone, "the dog's on fire".

Suburban family life just doesn't get any better than that.

An email letter from Auntie Jan

2009-07-05T07:42:00.004-06:00

From: Janet G Hansen [mailto:jgh1167@verizon.net] Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 12:14 Subject: July 2 2009

Bumps, thumps, bangs, and howls are still sounding outside; leftover Canadian fireworks (Canada Day was July first) and anticipatory US fireworks. The city does have a law limiting them, but, to put it mildly, enforcement is lacking. People with nervous dogs routinely give them tranquilizers. Ah, well, this too shall pass.

It’s a bit late to be planting, but I did so tonight anyway; one zucchini plant installed in the back yard, where a compost heap used to be; it seemed happy enough when I checked it earlier. It has two bitsy zucchini on it now; I’m hoping for many more. The pink, orange, and white begonias that I bought last week are in matching pots on both sides of the front door. The fuchsia has lots of leaves, so far not one flower; the cherry tomato in a hanging basket has dozens of little tomatoes, all a pleasant shade of green.

I’ll be going into Bellingham tomorrow; I’ll do some shopping, then head to Western Washington University first be instructed in what the Bellingham Festival of Music wants their volunteer ushers to do, then listen to Appalachian Spring and Beethoven’s Fifth.
Next Tuesday I’ll get to do the ushering, and hear Mozart and Schubert; Saturday is Brahms German Requiem, and July 11th is Dvorak’s cello concerto, with young superstar cellist Joshua Roman; I got a front-row seat for that.

And what are you all up to?

Mom/sister/aunt/cousin/friend Jan

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! - Good to hear from you Auntie Jan!

We had a good old fashion kid's bicycle parade in our park in the morning. Tie-Dyed some stuff for the Girl Scout troop in the afternoon. We ate a huge meal that Kevin cooked in the rain, played with fire a little bit, and had to make our campfire s’mores in the microwave because the coals were soggy. They were still tasty!

I’m up, I’ve gone for a walk with Lilly the Dog, and now I’m organizing my dining room back from office into dining room, so I can do some homework. It is a wonderfully cool and humid morning. We’ve had lots of them this year. (It makes me nostalgic for Seattle and Lancaster.)
Who’s next?

Colleen D
"If you're talking about time traveling bunnies, then yes." - Ben in LOST

Chicken Soup for My Soul

2009-07-04T19:20:00.005-06:00

Chicken soup for my soul turns out to be big messy projects! Ah - I'm never so happy as when I'm throwing everything else on hold for tie-dying. This is why I loved being a girl scout leader. But, guess what. It was WAY easier to do without 12 brownies.

Sleepy Friday Morning

2009-07-03T06:44:00.003-06:00

I feel like I'm living in Seattle or Lancaster again! A vampire population may crop up around here if it doesn't quit raining. I was watching Twilight and thinking as the characters were lounging in the grass, - nope - it could never happen, they'd be soaking wet. . .

Oh, but it's lovely and green. Of course this year I didn't plant a darn thing. (Hen's and chicks donation from a friend, and a hanging basket. I'm not kidding, that was it!)

Sleepy, loveliness aside, I think I might head out for a brisk walk.

PENGUINS SWIM MEET

2009-06-21T07:15:00.004-06:00

When you think you've seen it all - here comes DAD

2009-06-18T11:07:00.005-06:00

Kindergarten graduation today (not mine, but the kiddo I work with) - lots of crazy parents taking a bazillion pictures, and one fella made me do a double take.

He's got one of these gizmo's on his head, has another video camera in his hand, the digital camera is around his neck and a fanny pack with additional gear in it. It was funny, and I'm sure he'll still be doing it to the poor kid at every major event including prom night 10 years from now.

Then, I was going to blog about my parking lot incident. (Dove tailing nicely with the crazy dad-cam I thought.) Knowing full well that she's probably normally a perfectly nice gal, with a blog too, and she's probably ranting about me right now. So, instead I'm embracing my new "Let It Go!" philosophy.

There were Park Benches FLYING EVERYWHERE!

2009-06-16T06:29:00.003-06:00

REALLY! Well, that park benches thing was the most interesting thing I said, so that is what made the news. And sorry, I can't find it on channel 31, so my 5 seconds of fame is fading fast.

OK – so here’s my tornado story! Ready? Wait for it. . . . GO!

I was going to get a perm at JCpennies/Southlands at 2:00.
I saw the funnel cloud as I left the neighborhood, and thought it looked pretty far north and east, and so it would be fine (and Hey, isn’t that cool. )
As I kept driving up Smokey hill the funnel seemed to pull back up off the ground and again I thought oh good, it went away – (but still, isn’t that cool!)
Then as I got into Southlands, I saw either the same one, or a second funnel sort of pointing at me from up in the sky, ready to come down – and I thought that's silly, but it was hailing now, and I could see the hail swirling around sideways with a bunch of other debris – which I thought means that it is pretty near the ground – isn’t that cool!
So then I thought I’m not going to make it inside JCPennies during this hail storm, so I’d better park, and stay safe in the car and watch it pass by - Kinda cool, but I’m alittle scared now that I shouldn’t be this close.
So now, IT’S A TORNADO! I can see that.
I parked in one of the front spots at JCP’s and the hail is coming down like mad now, the tree next to the car is slapping around on the top of the car, and the tornado is passing me in the parking lot, and I can’t believe how close it is.
So now I’m actively NOT PANICING – and thinking the cars are on the ground, it’s safe in the car, it will be passed soon – (thinking, wow that’s cool, and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to die.)
Then as it came up to the building, the swirling part literally started to back up toward me, and came right over the top of the car. Now, I'm "gettin right with Jesus"! Thinking “If it’s my time, it’s my time. This might be it. “

The car rocked around and I felt like the minivan might get thrown to the side, and that the windshields would surely shatter, but they didn’t – and it started to be really cool again as I realized that the cars were staying on the ground. And then it went over/around the building. I waited a few minutes; noticed the park benches where thrown all around, and I hadn’t even seen that happening, and lots of the cars had window that were shattered; and went inside.
Before I know it, everyone was being sent outside because of a natural gas smell.
People were freaking out trying to get outside, and I was still wanting to be inside, so I waited under the overhang of the roof for awhile.
Then I hoped in my car, thought maybe I could get a perm at cost cutters, and so drove over there – were I met the channel 31 news lady and was interviewed!
CRAZY - and now seeing how much worse it was 100 yards away at Lowes, I’m quite thankful to be unharmed! (And I feel alittle stupid for parking in front of the tornado.) That’s my story!

It's another Saturday night, and I ain't got nobody...

2009-06-13T22:31:00.003-06:00

The cousins/in-laws are gone, girls are asleep, Kevin is still at work... and I should be sleeping, but I can't - feeling weird. So, I'll stay up until I hear the hub get home, (and then suddenly I'll be overcome with exhaustion and go right to sleep before he gets up the stairs, not fair.)

Busy week. Too much to tell. That's why you should blog frequently. (Note to self.)

Regis, school, catching up, almost done. Work/school - 5 more days, almost done. Yadda yadda.
Vacation! Coming, steamboat springs, so do your homework woman, so you can enjoy it.
Girls, healthy, happy, giggling more each day. When does that stop? When did it start?
Grandparents now have skype - it's fun. Everyone should have it!, Computer world is a GO!
I now have delicious! (Social Bookmarking). It's fun. Everyone should have it!

I'm trying to begin the serious keeping separate - private life and public servant life, and I am suddenly very annoyed at the opinion restricting I'm going to have to do. I never really thought about it as problematic before, but I've had the opportunity to be . . . mis-judged recently, and I am more aware than usual that I'd be better off not thinking everyone is my best friend - better zip it better lock it better put it in your pocket!

2 reasons I didn't teach in my pre-kids, pre-body snatched life: 1.) Rules, rules, rules - (I'm more of a creative, outside the box, march to your own beat type.) I still don't get why you can't talk in the hallway. and 2.) Them - they - They are out there, and I don't always see eye to eye with them.

And in the larger the pros/cons scheme of things, it's about the kids, and the incidentals have to be put up with.

As a wise old PARA once said, "He thinks he's one this one, and that's OK. Eventually, I will win."

Brownies Fly Up

2009-06-06T22:38:00.000-06:00

I feel alittle guilty about how happy I am that it's over!

Thank you Marcie, for being an excellent fearless leader, and the best part of this experience has been becoming friends with you and your family. Thank you Brownies, for being the fun, inspirational, little spirits that you are. Thank you to all the parents for making it easy. Thank you Judy and Kim, for braving taking them into Junior Girl Scouts!

Hurray Troop 349!

WARNING - negativity burst

2009-05-27T06:35:00.002-06:00

Hold on, it's wordless wednesday. Why not save my pissing and moaning for another time.

So do over.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

What a relaxing weekend

2009-05-25T20:04:00.004-06:00

By the way, that count down should read . . . 18 - but ssshhhh! Don't tell my kids.

So today the girls went to the pool, Caitlin got her Sticker of Freedom, her Official License to Tweendom, her blue daisy "I can go to the pool by myself" pass! I'm just thinking - leverage. I love it when they want stuff really bad. I can make them do all sorts of horrible things and tell them they can't even whine about it!

But honestly, Parkview may be ready for her to go to the pool by herself, but I don't think I am.

Today continued;
And, she won 3rd place in the floaty race (she got 3 nerd ropes for that!) They played wizard 101, rode their bikes, cleaned rooms, had the grandparents over, played the piano, played wii, pulled some weeds with mom, raced the old folks to the corner on their bikes, . . . lets just say it was a good day if you were a kid. Heck, sleep over, swimming, dinner group, playdate, barbecue, turned down sleepover (Cat knows when to say when better than I do), swimming, bike riding, etc.
Good weekend if your a kid.
Actually, it was pretty good from the parent angle too.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

"We ain't brothers, we ain't partners, and we aint' friends"

2009-05-23T08:17:00.002-06:00

So I got a little "you are not my colleague, you are a PARA" -type slapdown 2 times from this woman! Fortunately for me someone witnessed it, and confirmed for me - we all think she's Bi-polar, and so and so is throwing a Margaretta party at the end of the year celebrating her leaving. And then I worked in the room down the hall with another veteran lady, and by the end of the day I was able to remember that it doesn't have to be negative. It can be positive.

But, the larger lesson here I think is that I'm going to continue to have to work with all sorts of adimantly sure of themselves poopoo-heads, and I'd better hang on for the ride.

"We ain't brothers, we ain't partners, and we aint' friends!" - Reggie, 48hours

Bee Project

2009-05-19T18:56:00.002-06:00

"Mom, remember, it's MY project, so you have to back off." - Abi D.

And Dodi - you're right! I didn't realize what a serious drought the blog business is experiencing!

They'll be back, surely they'll be back.

Kindergarten Observation

2009-05-19T07:16:00.002-06:00

So the last 4 WOW's of the year (wonder of the week) are:
slow boy #1, activeboy #1, activeboy#2, and special boy #1.
Mrs. Shnackenberg reincarnated? (She was my kindergarten teacher and apparently recommended almost all of the boys have psychiatric evaluations, not to mention several other horror stories should you ask the right person.)

WW

2009-05-13T13:35:00.001-06:00

There ought to be a law

2009-05-12T22:25:00.003-06:00

There ought to be a law! Say you are Dairy Queen, and you sell ice cream. You only have 2 flavors. Chocolate and vanilla. If the chocolate machine is down, there should be some kind of customer alert system that would prevent moms who have promised their child with her brand new mouth full of metal fresh from the orthodontists office, an ice cream cone. Because that mom has probably 3 or 4 appointments to keep on any given Tuesday afternoon, and only has the one shot at getting the ice cream cone without making someone late to something. It's not like you can get dutch chocolate, or rocky road, or chocolate chocolate chip instead at dairy queen. Oh no. So I'd missed my chance to get home for the usual semi-nutritious snack, and we were stuck with syrupy coke, still owing them an ice cream cone. Thanks alot Dairy Queen.

A little while later, as we're off to Piano, Abi tells me - I think I'll stay here, I have alot of stuff to get done. (She's 7.) Before you slap me with the permanent bad mom sticker, let me just say that they both take there personal responsibility very seriously, and they have both proven themselves to be very trustworthy and conscientious - and I'm 3 minutes away, gone for 6 total. Still later, Abi has done her homework and is busily in the kitchen cleaning the kitchen and putting the dishes away. I comment, boy you must really want that ice cream cone for desert (same ice cream cone as promised earlier by the way) . Nope, I'm doing it for the money! (A new allowance scheme I'm trying.)

Oh - and thank you Dodi for the count down widget - I stole it. In Colleen time, that clock would read - 25. (That's the number of actual school days, weekends and holidays don't count, PLUS, it makes for a much smaller number.)

Dog Loving Dobson Girls

2009-04-10T21:39:00.001-06:00

I just found this on the camera.
Looks like my favorite "self-portrait" technique.
I'm not sure who's holding the camera - Lilly doesn't have thumbs,
but otherwise she's the most likely. TZ, do you recognize anyones nose?

Poor Neglected Blog

2009-04-02T20:12:00.002-06:00

I'm tired. I just thought I should check in and say hi. Maybe re-organize the blog while I'm here. . . Maybe some nice polka dots. . .

Welcome Spring!

2009-03-20T13:45:00.000-06:00

Actually I took this picture a few weeks ago (?) or was it last week. Well, it's been in the 70's so long that we've been to the park, walking the dog, flying the kite, and best of all RIDING the bikes! Most of February and March. They're starting to look like circus bears again. Time for new bikes all around.

NOW - I get to go pack up the car for the Rendezvous camping trip! It will be fun. . . It will be fun. . . . It will be fun. . . . It will be fun?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-18T23:03:00.002-06:00

I got nuthin' to say - truely a Wordless Wednesday

I'm all about the videos lately. . .

2009-03-11T17:36:00.003-06:00

This man couldn't read or write as a child, says his teachers made him "feel small" - (No! I'm not talking about Charlie.)

Needle Sized Art
Very incredible story! Not only is this mans art cool but he got a ton of cash for it!

Funny that my word cloud has giant "STILL, WEEK, JUST" in it

2009-03-11T06:52:00.004-06:00

You may have noticed the lack of a count down going on! I'm trying something new, and it actually helps the kids stay focused if I don't whip them up into my "I can't wait until schools out" fervor.

Note to self, "maybe I should be treated for ADD, and they would just automatically stop reacting to my ADDness, and no longer have ADD . . . "

check out wordle to make your own word clouds

Every Once and a While I Wonder . . .

2009-03-04T22:48:00.004-07:00

As I was raking the leaves in some old acquaintance's facebook garden the other day - it struck me as odd. Then I saw this and was reassured, I am not the only one.

Suffering from Insufferable Perkiness?

2009-02-28T23:05:00.002-07:00

I don't believe I've ever been this glad it's Friday!

2009-02-27T16:29:00.003-07:00

Don't know why, I just AM!

Super duper glad it's Friday.

I still have GS cookies to deliver, still have a booth sale, and a birthday party sleep over with no real plan of what to do, still have to study for the PLACE exam next week, still behind in all 3 classes. . . maybe it's just the possibility of finally getting a few of these off of my TO DO list.

Maybe it's because today I only had a $15 co-pay with our new insurance! (Probably wasn't the news of curvy spine-itis to add to my TO WORRY ABOUT ABOUT ABI list)

In any event, TGIF!

Update on my propensity to spew things out of my nose:

The alert is still on, I must stay away from church services and avoid funerals at all costs. Although nothing was expelled across the classroom, this last Tuesday I got every one started with giggling fits. 6 grown women, paying alot of money, giving up the hours of 6-10 - just needing a laugh. The instructor was kind and tolerant, but I'm sure she thought of making 2 of us sit out in the hall until we could pull it together. (I never managed.)

So Martha, it wasn't so much about what was funny. It's just that I had a week long case of the giggles. Much preferable to the eye twitch I had the week before.

OK, I'm off to enjoy my weekend, whether it's enjoyable or not!

That was oh no - what if it's an Alien - and this is shut up and let me go

2009-02-18T12:57:00.004-07:00

Actually, we never did get the Shut Up & Let Me Go part recorded. Oh well, I heart my new laptop! And frequently manage to arm wrestle it away from the girls.

"Shut Up and Let Me Go" - sure to be a classic

2009-02-17T23:31:00.003-07:00

Kinda funny that yesterday while registering my new laptop, I put that it's primary purpose was education. . .

The girls giving icarly a run for the money.

Super Saturday of Cookie Season

2009-02-07T22:49:00.004-07:00

Yep. Girl Scout cookies will be dominating my life for the next month. I'm so not into it this year, so I'm done talking about that!

I have a new favorite movie - The Fall (alittle Princess Bride, alittle Little Miss Sunshine, and alittle The Cell if you can imagine.)

I went shopping today and this darling little girl was with her mother shoe shopping (just what I was doing with my darling little girls) and the mom was getting exacerbated with her daughter who just couldn't seem to find the perfect pair. The final (funny) straw was a pair of shiny black flats with a gathered leather look at the toes (too cute). Mom thought they were just what they were looking for, but the daughter just wouldn't commit. Mom pressed her daughter, "why - don't you think they're pretty?" Daughter, who was walking around on the tile floor all this time says "they just don't sound pretty." Now I don't know how long they had been there before we got there . . . well, I had a good laugh with Mom, and went on to find several pairs of pretty sounding shoes for my kids.

Good night!

"You Probably Know All About Me"

2009-02-06T00:41:00.006-07:00

Boy, facebook is really putting a dent in my blogging schedule! However, I need to record this Caitlinism for later snickering.

Today Gracie's father came over to pick her up, (she's a friend of Abi's) and we were figuring out that their son is in Caitlin's grade and they know each other.

So Caitlin pipes up with:

" You probably know all about me. He probably talks about me all the time, because I like to chase him. . . ALOT."

And Mr. Grace thought that was almost as funny as I did, and still managed to say well, yes, in fact he had heard quite a bit about her; further fueling her belief that the world revolves around her.

If you can't beat them

2009-01-27T02:04:00.003-07:00

As SIS pointed out in her comment - time is relentlessly passing by at it's usual fast and furious pace! (High school she says - I don't even want to hear it!) I want to stomp my feet, or dig in my heels and refuse to go along. BUT, instead I'm going to take the path of least resistance and in honor of tracking back on and going back to school tomorrow. . . I say let the spring break count down begin! Now if you don't have this memorized by now you apparently aren't a B - tracker. 9 weeks, 5 days a week, take away Presidents day, and I think that's a 2 dayer and I can't think of any others . . . . =. . . . 43 days until spring break! I can do that!

Join me again tomorrow for science. "An object in motion tends to stay in motion." Only my research will be titled " An object without her shoes on tends to stay an object without her shoes on." I'm REALLY looking forward to that tomorrow morning which also promises to be icey cold but no real snow. Bummer. night night.

House

2009-01-24T10:18:00.004-07:00

I was saving Edmund for Dodi's SMA Friday, but I always manage to miss them, so for those of you who didn't watch every episode of the various Black Adders - this is the esteemed Dr. House as Edmund. As I remember, Black Adder was HILARIOUS... but you know how when went back to your old elementary school everything was tiny? I think it may be that kind of hilarious.

"Thanks Honey"

2009-01-24T07:36:00.002-07:00

So last night my hub came home and proclaimed "Wow, my wonderful wife must have fixed 3 meals in this kitchen today, and yet the only thing out of place is this one hot cocoa mug. She's amazing".

OK, that's not what he said.
It was something along the lines of why nobody can ever clean the chocolate out of their glass.

And yet, my response was, "thanks honey".
Now I'm patting myself on the back for having a good attitude, because the hub just gave me that blank - have you been watching Dr. Phil and Oprah all day - guy look.

3 days until back to school. It has been a great break, and I truly hate to go back this time. But I have tons to get done and I suppose alittle readin' writtin' and 'rithmatic wouldn't hurt them either. The grape vines tells me that the new witch is a good witch, and so I will enter a whole new world at work when I go back.

My Auntie Ann died. She was 85 years old.

2009-01-19T19:45:00.006-07:00

And the sweetest person I've ever met. We miss you Auntie.

GILLIS, ANNA SARA
Anna Sara Gillis, of Denver, died January 14, 2009 at her home in Denver. She was 85. Anna (Ann) was born on June 3, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Frank
Cozza and Ella "Helen" Cozza. On May 11, 1946, Anna married Robert M. Gillis in Chicago. She was a homemaker, who was most dutifully devoted to her husband and four children. Surviving are her husband, Robert; a son, Robert B. Gillis, of Denver; three daughters, Karen Taylor (Rob), of Niwot, Leslie Clark (Gary), of Longmont, and Debbie Weitzel (Mike), of Ft. Collins; two brothers, John Cozza, of Chicago, Illinois, and Charles Cozza, of Denver; 7 granddaughters and three great-grandsons.
A visitation will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, from noon to 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 19, 2009. Services will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m., with Reverends Joe Woodson and Mark Vickstrom officiating. Interment at Littleton Cemetery. Contributions are welcomed to: the Charles Cozza Fund (for brainrehabilitation), 2695 Northpark Drive, #101, Lafayette, CO, 80026.

No Count Down NO NO NO!!!

2009-01-14T21:13:00.002-07:00

I do not like the tone this new year is already taking! Whizzing by so fast, Regis has already started, I haven't even gotten out the to do stuff that I generally don't finish, but at least take a stab at... and work/kid school will be starting less than 2 weeks from now. It's not right.

So, I'm officially refusing to start the count down. So there.

Winter Park in a nutshell

2009-01-12T15:05:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T11:33:00.000-07:00

2008 in a nutshell

2008-12-27T08:49:00.004-07:00

2008. It was a good year!
Kind of a stay at home and get things done year, but a good year non the less.
We are looking forward to going skiing for a week at Winter Park with Kevin's Sister and family next week, and the girls are enjoying a nice long winter break. I didn't get any of those family projects done, the calendar, the cookbook, the collection of all photos and slides. . . but I still have my sanity.

Colleen - (that's me) is going to Regis University to get a masters degree in Special Education and my teaching license. If all goes well I will be student teaching in the fall. And that has set the tone for the rest of our lives going on 2 years now. I do my yoga in the basement. I work as a PARA at Rolling Hills elementary. I still co-lead the 2 girl scout troops, although not as well as I would like - but I'm excited for camping trips coming in the spring that will take us to a whole new level. No time for book club, bunko, coffee talks - but I'll be back! Bruce and Roberta Gillis (my mom and dad) are doing fine, and we get to see them often.

Kevin - (that's my hub) has a brand new baby at work. It's a G4, gulfstream jet. The pilots are fighting over who gets trained on it, and so far it looks like Kevin gets to go to school and will be the lead mechanic for it. We girls are actually going to go in today to have a peek. He has a picture of it in his wallet (well, on his phone, it's that exciting). Otherwise he has been a trooper picking up the considerable slack cause by my going to school. Thanks honey!

Caitlin - Caity is in 3rd grade, she's 9, wants to be Hannah Montana, has braces and glasses, is the tallest (girl) in her class and reminds me alot of Mary Katherine Gallagher from Saturday Night Live. She is a Brownie Girl Scout, swims with the Parkview Penguins swim team in the summer, plays soccer with the Tigers in the fall, and will soon be skiing in the winter and spring! She's doing great with piano lessons, and is quite the little artist. AND - she can't wait to "help" me set up the chocolate fondue fountain that we won in the Gillis family gathering grab bag. Yeah, it's Friday morning. Let's do that for breakfast!

Abigail - Abi is in 1st grade, she's 6, she has about 90 webkinz (little stuffed animals with an accompanying online life) and knows them all by name and wants to take all of them everywhere she goes, and loves Starwars (they both do, go figure). Both girls go to Rolling Hills where I work and it has been fun being able to see them in the halls (they are so lucky I want to do elementary school and not high school). She prefers being a crumb (little sister who gets to tag along with the Brownies) to being an actual Daisy - but she's hanging in there with the Daisies for now, she plays soccer with the Super Shooting Stars, and will finally be old enough to be on the swim team this summer. She too is an excellent little artist, has braces and glasses, and a learning disability that we are all learning from. Abi says I love Christmas!

Lilith - (that's the dog) Lilly is a border collie mix, and I can hear the girls yelling at her upstairs even as I type. She's eaten at least one of their cookies and is a sneaky, evil genius! But she's equally as cute and lovable so we keep her. There is a rumor being spread around that Santa has agreed to bring as a puppy next Christmas, because you know all evil geniuses need minions, or at least a henchman. That's what Santa told me any way.

Happy Holidays everyone!
Thank you for all your generosity, friendship and good company - live or digital, we will take it! Best wishes for a fabulous 2009!

Monday morning, not doing much of anything

2008-12-22T10:12:00.003-07:00

Well, a crazy week and weekend are over, and winter break has officially begun!! Starting it off right with coffee and a big jug of that nasty creamer stuff I love so much (it's made of THOSE ingredients that have a half/life they're so bad for me). It should last most of the break.
I'm making a list, checking it twice . . . and the girls got all excited when I told them I might leave them home alone (and since I need to Christmas shop this is WONDERFUL news). But, then you have to wonder, why are they all excited? Planning to hunt around maybe? Who knows - don't care - gotta get it done!
Kitcat was fluey last night, but seems completely recovered now. No sign of it making the rounds through the house so I am off to Costco, Costplus, SportsAuthority, Bestbuy, Target, Justice(40% off everything coupon!) and Samanthas Cats and Dogs! (Lilly has NOT been good, so we have to get her something because she's on Santa's naughty list.)
I, on the other hand have been extra good this year - because I want an Ipod, and Santa just might be in the mood to get herself one. Cheerio !

By the way, TZ hostessed a fabulously successful ornament exchange party last night. It was super fun and I had 2 full plates it was so good. ( and 6 huge olives stuffed with garlic cloves!) way to go Tracey! Thanks!

5 WEEKS OF WINTER BREAK

2008-12-20T18:23:00.003-07:00

WODERFUL WORDLESS WENDESDAY

2008-12-17T07:17:00.002-07:00

hahahaha

2008-12-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

Caitlin gets in the spirit!

Not everyone can apprieciate the beaty of the beast

2008-12-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

But Abi obviously can. These are just a few of the 29 pictures - Digital is a wonderful thing. But where did my picture of the grinch go?

Christmas is in the air

2008-12-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

Oh, the girls just lover everything about Christmas.
It's a very creative time of year. (Don't worry, I rescued her.)
I'm tired. I have a ton of assignments due on Saturday, so this may be my last decent nights sleep for awhile. Night night!

Wassup!!!!

2008-12-01T03:58:00.001-07:00

15 more days!!

That's wassup!

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

2008-11-28T11:53:00.003-07:00

WOW!!

Nana's blogging!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T10:33:00.004-07:00

"We thank you lord, for this our food, for life and health and mercy good. May manna to our souls be given, the bread of life sent down from heaven" - Gillis family prayer, probably a Midwestern Presbyterian thing.

Today I am thankful for:
- My squirrelie girls who make my life meaningful, and everything more fun.
- My hard working, patient, helpful husband who just made me a ham egg and cheese bagel for breakfast.
- My family and any chance we get to spend time with them.
- Kevin's family and their eagerness to come visit us.
- All my supportive friends and family.
- For the good old USA.

Hot showers, computers, television, indoor plumbing, automobiles, and even Lilly (the dog).

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Oh he's not really sick. . ."

2008-11-25T13:14:00.004-07:00

Today was Grandparents Day at school. They also called it Special Persons Day.
Could call it "bring someone important in your life who has a check book to the bookfair" Day.
Really, it's nice to see the effort at inclusion of all different types of families that makes kids feel less weird for not being from the Cleaver Family. In this class there are a couple of sad stories reguarding why dad wasn't there for donuts with dad this morning; why Grandma and Grandpa aren't coming.

But on the lighter side. . . I don't know why this litte girls Grandparents weren't coming, but she was expecting mom and brother. I overheard someone tell her "Your mom can't come because your brother is sick." So I sat near her and a few other loners so they would have an adult to chat with and share cookies.
Some share more than others. She was mad at her brother because now mom couldn't come. chat chat chat. Well, no see, he's not really sick. Really, chat chat chat. oh he's not really sick, he has a problem with his pee pee. OK. Yeah, there's something wrong with his pee pee again. There's always some thing wrong with it. Let's have another cookie sweetie!

Imagine what I might have learned if I'd had her full attention for longer than 2 minutes.

2008-11-20T06:26:00.005-07:00

This was funny. Made me laugh and cry instead of cry and cry which is a nice change today. (Abi's parent teacher conference makes my top 10 worst moments list.)
It's alittle long, but get's hilarious at the end when Ellen calls her back.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead! The mean old witch, the wicked witch. And all of Emerald City is Rejoicing

2008-11-14T13:40:00.003-07:00

Now, here is an example. Some day, I will need to keep my personal blog / proffessional blog very seperate,

(or perhaps learn to keep my mouth shut? Nah.)

BUT - not yet

Today I feel the need to document my amazement at the number of people who had a smile on their face, a little bounce in their step, who expressed a feeling of relief. The volly of celebratory phone calls that burst forth, the offering to throw a goodbye party without inviting her, the high fives that where discreetly given. . . I was not alone in finding my co-worker less than charming. She really was that bad.

Hamster? What Hamster?

2008-11-10T15:34:00.002-07:00

I feel like Carl Rove. Recreating my reality. Spinning it.
Shhhh - the hamster is gone, and unbelievably the girls haven't noticed yet.
I had moved him into the basement because of grandma's being horrified by the many health risks involved with harboring an exotic pest; and they have pretty much forgotten about him (hence his death by "natural causes" - don't ask).

It's a pleasant Monday afternoon. We had to go see about braces for Abi, she will have an expander in 2 weeks, and I will get to be Ratchet Woman. Ab is excited because we get to crank it 28 times, and Caitlin only got to do 21. AND - Abi gets to be in the big book! That's right. Her mouth is so impressively messed up, that she has had 3 before pictures of her face, and 6 before pictures of her teeth taken. WOW! Caitlin didn't. She's just Bunnicula. hehehe. Meaning she has the 2 big old front teeth, then 2 gapping holes, and then a crazy set of fangs! Oh shush! It's good to be able to laugh about it.

Never say never? Even if one is prone to exageration?

2008-11-07T12:52:00.002-07:00

NEVER - talk politics in the copy room and expect to come out of it feeling good.

NEVER - open your 401k statement and think "how bad could it be?"

NEVER - wait until the last minute to get your obscure lesson plan done.

NEVER - pick "youtube" as your final assignment, because you, my friend are easily distracted, and will NEVER finish your "research".

Now that's alot of leaves

2008-11-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

The up side of global warming

2008-11-01T05:55:00.001-06:00

The upside to Global Warming:
The It Girls look would not have been visable underneath snowpaint, snowboots and ski parka. They went without jackets last night! They also were tickled pink with the glitter hairspray that you can't even see. (I was tickled pink too, being afraid it might go on thick as spraypaint.)
And our long lost playgroup buddies showed up for some impromptu hot chocolate and pumpkin pie. (They have 2 hamsters now! Cheekie and Cutie. They stayed home though.)

Look Ma, I'm twittering!

2008-10-24T06:49:00.003-06:00

Does anyone else twitter? ME LIKEY.