Hip2B

Has it really been that long...

2011-08-11T22:09:00.002-04:00

Sad that my last post is so accurate, still.
I still have the job
but I don't like it.
My husband is doing all the stuff I want to do...picking up kids, making sure they get to fun activities, starting dinner.
I commute 45 minutes to a gorgeous place with a mostly good staff and a woman who is gonna drive me crazy.
And here we are again starting a new school year and I am not there. I miss my school job so much and feel ...robbed? depressed?
But should be grateful, right?
That is depressing too.

all the news...

2011-02-27T22:16:00.002-05:00

To catch up
I have a job.
started Jan 12
adjusting...still to the schedule
and thank goodness that
usually
usually
my husband's flexible but insane
schedule
has allowed him to do
the kid pick-up
and start dinner
for almost 2 months now
I miss my old job which was fun and casual
I am now "the boss" in a new job
and have to act the part
got one employee that is gonna drive me crazy
yup, I know that already
and my boss is very statistics and rules oriented
and I'm gonna have to live up to that
Yikes.
But no gift horses here
I needed a job
we need me to have a job
and this is a good one
to have

New month, same story

2010-11-14T22:18:00.002-05:00

I am officially discouraged. Its mid-November and I am still jobless and becoming a bit hopeless. Need to check on my unemployment status because I think it vanishes in January and then I guess I start working fast-food or something. Sigh. I have been substitute teaching ( which I secretly love) but it doesn't pay much and it's not steady work. I work about 2 days a week and I do turn down some ...PE, agriculture, etc. I apply for job after job after job with rarely an answer. There is very little in my field here in the fields. That is the crappy part of being a pastor's wife (one of many). He has a little rural church that pays very little and is near very little. I think we can squeeze by the spring and hope for a teaching job in 2011/2012 ( I have 2 new licenses) but if nothing happens (and given the economy, state government and our location that is very possible) we're gonna have to look elsewhere. And the pastor market isn't good either!
Argh!
OK end on a good note...end on a good note....hmmmmmm
I've taken up running and the stress-reducing thing they talk about isn't just a lie that exercising-eating-right-type-skinny-people say. I would be in a much worse state without my new running hobby. Don't think I'm talking marathons here now. I am a late thirties over 200 lbs former asthmatic who has never ever been an athlete, runner, or frankly active person. After almost 9 weeks I run about 2 miles 3 days a week. The goal is a 5K where everyone wears Jingle Bells on their shoes as they run through Indy. Hubby wants to run a Half marathon before he turns 40. I'm gonna try to run in our local town's 5K next spring and not embarrass myself.
geez why are you still reading this its such a downer...

blogger

2010-09-09T23:24:00.002-04:00

always wants me to change my templtae, why is that. I'm just checking in today to say that nothing much has changed. Still job hunting, subbing
Flash lost his first tooth
Firecracker is herself. Needs a haircut but Daddy isn't for it.

its late

2010-08-15T23:19:00.002-04:00

but I'm typing...
a few more minutes before bed to say...
First Grade is going well for Flash, he loved PE and tomorrow he'll have Art.
Firecracker had a potty adventure today...no production but lots of play.
The town festival is over so we get Hubby back in the evenings...
no, no, of course we don't
he had a funeral today with the graveside an hour away
and meetings almost every night this week.
Soccer starts this Wednesday with a game on Saturday morning!
and my job hunt continues...and continues
Tomorrows challenges:
the gym, vaccuuming, and getting together things for a Goodwill run
...and laundry of course.
AND an application for a stretch job
and start and application for a grad certificate
Too much, right?

Status Quo

2010-08-08T22:07:00.002-04:00

I have applied to a zillion jobs and school starts in 3 days and I guess I'm not working in a school this year...except maybe as a sub. Everyone is cutting back on school librarians, public librarians and I may just have to find some other kind of employment.
It stinks...
thats the G rated version of that statement.
Other than the constant job hunting cloud that follows me a around... my summer has been good. I was home with the kids and we played on the slip n slide and went to the park and tried to keep Cosy from destroying everything in sight.
Cosy need a new code name...she is lovely but a pistol. I'm thinking about Firecracker .

Starting on Thursdayn they'll be back at school and daycare and I'll rediscover the floor in our house and complete some projects and search for a job, search for a job, search for a job.

Interview!

2010-06-15T21:39:00.002-04:00

Hooray!
I have an interview, with that same Library, next Monday...
Would be an interesting job, not my usual thing though.
Would require me to get a CDL so I can drive the Bookmobile!
Cool huh!?

Not sure I'm right for this
but best foot forward
and a foot in the door
and pretty cool if I do get it.

By the way, I'm typing on my new laptop... an early birthday present from my Dad.
Must send him a card tomorrow!

saga continues

2010-05-31T22:43:00.002-04:00

Reading over my last post is funny. Sorry its been so long.
Suit pants have been hemmed and not used. I've had no interviews at all.
I really thought I was perfect for a particular job and when I didn't hear anything from them for a few weeks I called and was told that they'd had interviews the previous week. I was so shocked I asked if they would double check that they'd recieved my application. They had. They just didn't interview me. Wow. A friend who used to work for them thinks they may have had an internal candidate. So I keep applying... and next week I can apply for unemployment because the school year is over.

Yup...the kids were finished last Friday and Teacher Day is tomorrow.
and tomorrow I have to hand in this lovely little computer.
On the brink of unemployment and I am seriously considering buying a netbook.
Yikes.

when we last saw our hero

2010-04-17T21:30:00.002-04:00

I just bought a suit!
a tan one (pants)with an aqua blouse...nothing fancy and rather cheap I think.
I only have had one suit and I bought that one about ten years ago...or more.
Doesn't fit, out of date, etc, etc.
I bought the NEW suit at Sears which looks like its going out of business.
Now I understand why my email is full of emails from clothing store.
They are hurting. On a whim I checked out the clearance area and found this suit.
Now I need them to call about and interview
OK after I get the pants hemmed.
I'm about 5'2''
Pants are apparently for someone 5'8''
But they can't have my suit...cuz' its mine!
I'm gonna wear the blouse to church tomorrow.

Spring Break

2010-03-28T19:42:00.003-04:00

It is the last night of spring break and its been quite a week I guess.
We didn't "go" anywhere, which is a pity, but Hubby had things for work and usually we'd just go visit family anyhow. I'd like for us to take a small vacation but this wasn't the week for it really. So we...
went to Chuckie Cheese
had two playdate afternoons
invented a new game
watched far too much TV
made chocolate eggs at church
went to the children's museum
saw the movie How to train Your Dragon

a nice week
the house is a pit
and we're all ready to go back to school

On Thursday an interesting job popped up...so I sent my application yesterday.
Here's the thing though,
My next job will almost definitely have terrible hours
You can't beat school hours for a family, especially a pastor's family.
So there will be a lot more daycare/babysitters around here if I get one of these jobs...
I am trying to look at it as if God is choosing
I'll put my best foot forward and if I get the job great,
but if I don't then maybe there's something else out there for me
...including unemployment and stay-at-home-momhood.
Yikes

and yes I am having a relatively good day

the Update post

2010-03-21T22:05:00.002-04:00

*I went to a very depressing meeting this week, for newer teachers who've been RIF'd.
It doesn't look like they'll be calling me back anytime soon (at least not in the time frame I'm hoping to remain in this state.) I discovered that I am higher up on the call-back list than I thought, which is something I guess.
The vote comes on April 14th and they're Riffing 150 teachers.
Wow.
*I HAVE applied for the 2 most appropriate jobs in the area. And I intend to have another application sent this week. All you can do is all you can do.
*Helped to pack up our friends yesterday. It was less sad than I thought for the kids and I was the only one that teared up.
* Its Spring Break here so we're doing some daytrips and fun things like going to the movies, Chuckie Cheese with a friend, the Children's Museum. Should be fun. Hubby's week looks like it will be punctuated with a funeral, sadly.
* Diet has been shot to...well somewhere. Enjoying too many sweets and making my own bread. Hopefully this week will be better exercise and food-wise. Just need to shake myself up a bit.

Friday5: Spring Cleaning

2010-03-05T21:02:00.002-05:00

I'm feelin' down ladies and gentlemen so here goes;

1. Is there a part of your spiritual life that is dry and dusty at the moment, something that could do with a good spring clean?
Yes...all of it. I am questioning the whole darn thing. Prayer is superficial, church is anemic.

2. Spiritual disciplines- life-giving/ terrifying: discuss
Slight...some minor devotion reading. Prayers with kids or during the school's "moment of silence" Thats it.

3. Share a practice that keeps you spiritually alive that you think others might benefit from...
Hmmmm. Nope, you'd better share with me. I got nuthin'

4.Alone or together, how do you pray best?
ALONE. Just need some impetus.

5.If your spiritual life were to burgeon and bloom into a spring flower what would it be and why?
I've been thinking about gladiolas recently (Flash and I are reading The Enormous Egg) so for no other reason,,,gladiolas.

RIF'd

2010-03-05T20:55:00.002-05:00

Yup.
Reduction in Force.
Laid off.
sigh

I am tired of looking for a job here.
There just aren't a lot of jobs in my field out here in the fields.
Know what I mean?

Discouraged at "following" Hubby.
and looking for jobs where he is.
Discouraged but resigned...we're not done here yet.

and to top it off, dear firends who live about 2 hours away
have a new call on the other side of the country.
Good for them...but sad for us.

Cra**y week.

Big Meeting

2010-02-09T21:16:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow they convene the big school board meeting
...and they'll probably decide about my job.
Most of the other librarians (media specialists) will be there.
Strength in numbers.
But I don't want to go,
and I have lots of good excuses.
I was never planning to go,
Hubby has a meeting and I am staying with the kids.
They may postpone because of weather,
but decisions can't be put off forever
and my particular presence is unimportant.
Seeing me cry or (hopefully) whisper "whew!" won't change anyone's mind.

So a bit of prayer would be nice
and...
would you go?

Friday5: the gloomies

2010-02-05T20:33:00.002-05:00

Its February, its cold and gloomy. Christmas is over and spring is at least 6 weeks away (per Groundhog report) So...what to do?
1. Exercise, what do you do if you can't face getting out into the cold and damp?
I have joined Curves. Its a women's only 30 minutes workout place and kinda fun.
But if I can't get out I might turn up the radio and dance!

2. Food; time to comfort eat, or time to prepare your body for the coming spring/summer?
Uh, hmmmm. I have a standing rule that we bake cookies on snowdays. Not healthy or anything but I tend to cook and enjoy my cooking during this time of the year. I am trying to be healthy, but the cookie tradition will be continued!

3. Brainpower; do you like me need to stave off depression, if so how do you do it?
Some computer time, a book or two, games with the kids, trying to tidy and cook. I get gloomy at times but am too busy and crazy to dwell at this point which is good, since this month is shaping up to be pretty depressing.

4. How about a story that lifts your spirits, is there a book or film that you return to to stave off the gloom?
I have several movies I watch over and over Ocean's 11, Top Hat, the Incredibles and Groundhogs Day are at the top of the list. The book is American Pie: A slice of Life along America's backroads. It's a true story about a woman's pie road-trip.

5. Looking forward, do you have a favourite spring flower/ is there something that says spring is here more than anything else?Bonus; post a poem/ piece of music that points to the coming spring......
When the Rob-rob-robin comes bob-bob-bobbin' along....?
The first Crocus?
T-ball practice?

Gaining perspective

2010-01-22T21:37:00.002-05:00

" I cried because I had no shoes..."

I haven't gotten as much done on the possible RIF as I'd like.
Haven't even written my congress people.
I've checked the state jobsite.
I called about a replacement license (can't find mine anywhere).
Registered for CPR/AED training refresher so I can keep up my substitute teacher license.
Little depressed about the whole thing.

"...And then I met a man who had no feet..."

Saw an acquaintence today...haven't seen her in a while.
Her husband left her and their two girls
and she's about to lose her house,
and she's on public assistance.
Has a good job at least...
yikes.

and I can't even watch the Haiti coverage.
Lord, Lord, Lord.

Planes Trains and Cars Friday5

2010-01-22T21:18:00.002-05:00

1. What was the mode of transit for your last trip?
Car or actually mini-van. I really like our mini-van. We call it Hank the Tank.

2) Have you ever traveled by train?
Sorta. I grew up near Philly so you could travel to DC and NYC very easily by train. Took the train to Boston once. Used to commute to grad school in Philly from the burbs regularly. Would LOVE to take a train vacation but I think the kids need to be a better age for it. Flash is almost right, Cosy is way too young and both of them need a lot of exercise these days.

3) Do you live in a place with public transit, and if so, do you use it?
NOPE. No public transportation out here in the cornfields. As mentioned above, I have used Public Transportation when it went where I needed to go.

4) What's the most unusual vehicle in which you've ever traveled?
Hmmm. Boat? My Dad has always had a boat. Still does. Named Ariel and he lives a half mile from her on the Chesapeake. I rode on a cable car when I visited San Fransisco too. Oh and I've never ridden a horse. Every few years I name that as my New Year's resolution...to ride a horse. Not this year though.

5) What's the next trip you're planning to take?
Next week we are FLYING to Georgia for my Brother in law's wedding. Hubby is officiating. I am not looking forward to the flying part. I don't mind flying at all, I mind airports, airlines and the overall hassle. I'd almost rather drive, but time will not allow it.

Friday5: IF

2010-01-16T21:09:00.002-05:00

1. If you were a color, what would you be? a nice sky blue I think or lavender

2. If you were a flower (or plant), what would you be? I am completely terrible with plants and if I was a plant I imagine Mother Nature would take her revenge for all the plants I've neglected...Probably better choose something wild...like wild raspberry bushes.

3. If you were an animal, what kind would you be? Hmmmm.

4. If you were a shoe, what type would you be? a Comfy pair of sandals. Show off those cute toes!

5. If you were a typeface, which font would you be? Comic Sans? Its what I use most.

Bonus: If you are in a bookstore or library take a look at My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. Published post-humously and illustrated by someone else, but very very good and fits perfectly.

RIF

2010-01-14T21:31:00.002-05:00

Reduction in Force.
Our state is cutting 300 mil in education
my school district's share is 4.5 mil
and among the proposals is cutting:
Specials: art, music, PE and Library
across the district...
The head of the media specialists thinks its dire...
she actually ended an email with "its been lovely working with all of you"

I cried.
I'd had a lovely evening yesterday and a nice morning with the kids and walked into school happy and within a half hour I was crying.
Its a job I know but I like this job.
and we are struggling here a bit.

Part of me thinks we should start looking elsewhere, but Hubby doesn't think we're done here yet. Sigh.

Important to say that this isn't written in stone and its possible that something else will happen...but I will start pulling together my paperwork over the weekend.

Dreamy Friday5

2010-01-08T15:27:00.003-05:00

I didn't have many answers for this Friday5...hmmmmm.

1. Do you tend to daydream?
No...not recently, when my mind wanders it tends to go towards my to do list.

2. Do you usually remember your night dreams? Do you find them symbolic and meaningful or just quirky?
I do not remember them, most of the time.

3. Have you ever had a life changing dream which you'll never forget?
No. I haven't.

4. Share a long term dream for one or more aspects of your life and work.
Long Term dream...
Huh,I think I am in-between here. I've thought about more schooling or career change. Writing a book... Location change down the road would be nice too. Mostly, I'd like to do what I do in a great location that isn't too far away from family. That's a dream.
I'm a little more grounded these days...wanting an hour to myself, a clean organized home and a date with my Hubby sometime soon.

5. Share a dream for 2010....How can we support you in prayer on both the short and long term dreams?
A safe happy and healthy family.

Bonus: a poem, song, artwork, etc. that deals with dreams in general or one of your dreams.

HeartlessGrouch

2010-01-06T21:30:00.002-05:00

What a grouch I am
How heartless and ungrateful
Hubby called and said he was visiting someone at the hospital in the late afternoon, wouldn't be able to pick up the kids and didn't know when he'd be home. Wouldn't tell me much but I gathered that the person may not leave the hospital.
And I am a terrible person.
because my next five minutes were
1. grumpy about another night of doing everything myself and probably ruined plans for the weekend.
2. self-loathing that I have that much grouch in me when someone's loved one is dying.

Flash's fashion sense

2010-01-03T20:26:00.002-05:00

We have a family wedding at the end of the month.
Hubby's mom found a tuxedo with tails for Flash at a thrift store.
She tried to play it up for him.
Grandma: "And guess what you'll get to wear to the wedding?"
Flash: "I thought I'd be wearing a big black robe like Daddy's."

Part of me wants to look for one!

First Friday5 ina long long while

2010-01-01T22:21:00.002-05:00

1. What will you gladly leave behind in 2009?
Um, I lost some weight in 2009. So 2009 can have it. Maybe 2010 can have more.

2. What is the biggest challenge of 2010 for you?
Being thankful for what I have...My big confession is always ingratitude and jealousy. I have a job, a home, wonderful husband, children, family and friends. I have more than plenty in so many ways.

3. Is there anything that you simply need to hand to God and say "all will be well, for you are with me"? Of course! I worry about a lot of things and have few to talk to about those worries. I'm going to find a counselor this year...that is a good resolution I think.

4. If you could only achieve one thing in 2010 what would it be?
Only one thing? One thing.... survive, enjoy, even ...triumph! I would love to look back one year from now and be astonished at all the wonderful things that have happened. Come on optimism!

5. Post a picture, poem or song that sums up your prayer for the year ahead....
In my head I'm toying with...that song "I get Down, God lifts me up, I get down..."
Praying for God to lift us up!

Open House

2010-01-01T22:09:00.002-05:00

I don't know why I worry, its always a great time!
I wasn't as well prepared as I'd like.
We cleaned and preprared almost everything this morning.
At some point you have to just bgive up and say "good enough!"
although theres a voice in my head that says "good enough is half done".
Nice folks from church, neighbors, friends and acquaintences.
It went longer than planned, in a good way
and some great good friends arrived early enough to help out! Yay them!
Flash had a ball, Cosy was charming, And Hubby and I held our own too.
Happy Happy New Year
and g'nite!

New Years Open House!

2009-12-30T22:38:00.002-05:00

Its coming up...the annual open house.
Friday
1300 hours...
Why oh why do I do this?
OK...
Honestly I like to do a little entertaining.
We used to hold a weekly potluck back in NJ,
but here...the pressure is different, the judgement is different.
I'll let you know

Post christmas post

2009-12-30T22:31:00.002-05:00

I need to stop reading some of my old friends on FB.
Cuz the jealousy is gettin me down.
We struggle, we're far from loved ones and we're following a call.
There are rewards to be sure...
But I'd sure like to be the one with hot and cold running free babysitting
while my husband and I spend the weekend away somewhere, by ourselves.

Just celebrated 13 years of marriage here
and I couldn't find a babysitter
and am still having trouble finding one for sometime this weekend...
So we went to the DQ with the kids. Fine but a little pitiful.
...the Pity Party continues

Christmas

2009-12-25T20:29:00.002-05:00

It is 8:30 and it feels like midnight!
I am not sure that I had a great day.
or a good day...
isn't Christmas usually like that?
Lovely presents.
Too little sleep.
Happy children,
way too many presents.
Not enough napping except for the baby.
In-laws traveled and arrived and presents and dinner and...
Hmmmmm.
Maybe tomorrow will be more relaxed.
Hopefully.

Christmas Eve!

2009-12-25T20:21:00.003-05:00

Christmas eve is strange now that we're a pastor's family.
No...thats not it...
Christmas eve is strange itself but now its more strange...
We said G'nite to Hubby at 5 and made up Spaghettios for the kids.
At home we made and arranged cookies for Santa, we sprinkled glitter for the reindeer, read Twas the Night before Christmas and I tucked them in for a "long winter's nap". Then straighten so Santa doesn't trip, welcome hubby home and then pool the presents, realize we have WAY too much for one kid and thankfully his birthday is in two months. Reorganize, renegotiate...and wrap!
Wow...
tomorrow begins early and ends late

Humbled

2009-12-23T22:02:00.002-05:00

It seems I have to take it all back.
I mean... I take it all back.
Today we were appreciated. I was appreciated.

Church members sent a meaningful and fun gift for our family:
a membership to the zoo!
AND
We received an anonymous gift card for our family...
AND
the local women's gym is giving a free year's membership to the pastor's wives in town!
REALLY.

Christmas!

2009-12-22T20:14:00.002-05:00

I love the 2 weeks off of a school job.
Love it.
But the pastor thing is tough.
...wish it was easier.

January is looking weird too.

Experiment day

2009-12-08T22:02:00.002-05:00

Today I got to try that Diet Coke and Mentos experiment.
About 12 kids who were "caught being good" got to see it as a treat.
You drop mentos into a 2 liter and it erupts!
I didn't use enough mentos but it still was very cool.
Went up about 3 or 4 feet

The school is really behind these little treats for kids who've behaved and it seems to be working across the board. The gym teacher let them ride scooters for 15 minutes one afternoon, the music teacher let them play drums, the secretary is going to let them copy things on the color copier apparently next week. Little things, mostly experiences rather than a thing.

Little treats. I need to think about other things I could do when my turn comes around again!

Sunday was OK

2009-12-07T20:58:00.003-05:00

This Sunday was a little better. Flash went with the kids to buy toys for the town Christmas Basket project. Cosy happily played kitchen in the nursery with a nice grandma. I sat in the back row...with Hubby. We had a guest preacher, doing a neutral pulpit. He was really good and it was nice to have hubby with me in the pew for a change. Its been a long while.

Hubby had things to do after church so Flash, Cosy and I went to the book store to "get presents". We ended up with the next Magic Tree house book, a Pokemon paperback and a calendar for Grammie.

Followed by pizza at home for the 4 of us. No decorating happened at all...maybe next week!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-30T21:54:00.002-05:00

We did the marathon Thanksgiving this year.
My mom said she was getting everyone together and she almost did.
So we went.
12 hours...each way...
uphill...
OK not uphill.
And we couldn't leave until Wed at 2.
And we needed to be back for Sunday worship.
So
basically
a really long drive
with a fantastic party in the middle.

but most importantly,
Flash saw his beloved Cousin
a 6th grader
and they were attached at the hip for 2 glorious days.

Crazy Cosy

2009-11-30T21:48:00.002-05:00

Last night Cosy
ate mascara
and dove into Flash's bath.
all in the span of 15 minutes.
She's fast and fearless these days.
She eats interesting things too, not just cosmetics...
they gave her pickle spears at church one day and she ate 3 of them.

Fantasy Football

2009-11-30T21:43:00.003-05:00

This fall I've been participating in an online Fantasy Football league.
I did it for several reasons.
1. Maybe I'll enjoy the games more if I have someone to cheer for.
2. Seemed like inexpensive fun.
And it is...I am really enjoying it most of the time.
And I like to talk about my team, as if they are my team...
Flash and I discussed uniform colors for my team one night.
Banana yellow.
And my stepdad suggested that I should make up t-shirts and send them to my "players"
as I said...just for fun.
Anyhow, my team is going very well and it seems like we'll make the playoffs.
Silly, but fun.

Chuch Slump

2009-11-22T20:17:00.002-05:00

I went back to church today.
In the past few months I've been home sick from church 3 times...mostly for Flash.
Its been a nice reprieve.
I am in a church slump, and I haven't even been there much.

The last few times I've been there I've been the nursery person for Cosy
because the volunteer hasn't shown up.

Hubby leaves for church earlier and we arrive just in time for worship.
It works for us in that our Church behavior isn't wasted on pre-church stuff.
So this morning I'm back
...in the Nursery.
If I'm in the nursery with Cosy, there isn't anyone to sit with Flash
and he's happier with me anyhow...until Children's church,

What is the point of getting them dressed and out of the house
if we're only gonna be in the nursery?

Today they did a nice craft in children's church, Cosy had a lovely nap in nursery and after worship we hung the greens and had a little lunch, so...OK... it was worthwhile.

But I'm tired of this church and its stick in the mud, seeker unfriendly, assimilate or go away attitude. If you make the pastor's wife feel so unwelcome...no wonder everyone wants to go to the fun church in town. I want to go there too.

Cosy walks!

2009-11-06T21:50:00.003-05:00

Yes Ladies and gentlemen, she walks!
Last weekend she was taking the two steps from the ottoman to the coffee table.

But she's gaining confidence and toddling boldly!
Tonight while I was reading to Flash,
Hubby called out that Cosy had just emerged from the bathroom walking
and holding a bottle of squeezy soap.
She almost made it to the middle of the living room with a big proud smile.

In contrast, I heard last night that my niece, a high school sophmore, tore her ACL in a Field Hockey game. Tonight I heard that her brother, a junior, tore his ACL in a soccer game. So Cosy is walking better than both of them.

Wonderful day

2009-11-06T21:22:00.002-05:00

Sometimes wonderful days don't start off so well.
A difference of opinion, a difference of expectations.
Everyone running at the last minute, grouch grouch.
It lasted a little too long this morning
but perhaps thats just because of how EARLY the morning starts some days.
But after a while...we went to town for errands and chatted the whole way there.
Drop some things off at Goodwill, shopped for kid clothes at the 2nd hand shop
( ute things too...my Flash will enjoy his new superhero shirts), grocery run.
Big grocery run.
Lots of groceries.
A lovely Mexican lunch at a very colorful place.
Cosy ate a LOT of refried beans... should be interesting later
and then we went to get Flash from school.
Played Outside in the crisp fall air,
indoor cookout
made cookies, read books and bed by 7:30. Woohoo!

And looking over the day...great day.
Sorry for the morning grouching...tomorrow will be better.

The flu

2009-10-27T12:16:00.002-04:00

Flash has been sidelined by the flu...maybe even H1N1. Basically a high fever and a cough n' sniffle with very little appetite. So we've had an uneventful weekend. Actually it was Fall Break so he's been sick Thursday night through til now. Luckily we didn't have any real plans. We're riding out the 24-hour-fever-free requirements of the school now. At least I hope we are.

I always figure I'll get a lot done at home when a child is sick...but the house ends up messier and messier anyhow. I'm throwing him in the tub in a little while and maybe I can tackle a pile. These piles are amazing! I rarely file anything so it stacks up, then theres mail and Flash's school papers and Things Hubby shouldn't have brought home from church. Notice I leave myself out of this huh? Well a lot of it is mine too I guess. Then there are laundry stacks too. I am behind and I don't know when I'll catch up!

But maybe the saying "a clean desk is a sign of a misspent life" is true.

Life in the corn

2009-10-26T23:21:00.003-04:00

He took this call 2 years ago. And on good days I'm glad.
Good things that have happened here:
Our little girl, Cosy. She's gorgeous and almost 1! Birthday on Thanksgiving.
A few friend-aquaintences, mostly because of Flash
A change of career-sorta for me from public librarian to school media specialist.
Flash, who is a big kindergartener now. And can read a few words!
our home, which is about right for us.

Hope you are well.

August

2009-08-08T21:33:00.002-04:00

Since I last blogged we've been to PA and back to visit my folks. Saw my Dad and sister and Flash got to hang out with his favorite cousin. He cried when he said goodbye to him, saying that he'd "Miss him the most". Sobbing really. Got to meet my sister's new boyfriend and he seems nice. Showed off the baby to sister, dad, stepmom, aunt and one of Mom's best friends. A quick trip is good for some reasons, less time for my mom and hubby to get on each other's nerves. Hard to dfrive that much though! I AM NEVER doing that kind of trip again. 14 hours on Monday, 14 hours on Friday and 4 hours on Wednesday! Lots of miles and lots and lots of patience on the part of my little brood.

School starts this coming week. I, as the school Librarian, am already "in", But the kids come to my school Thursday. Flash starts Kindergarten on Wednesday. I think he's a little nervous, because he's been chewing on his shirt. Gwen starts back to daycare on Tuesday and she's changed so much this summer. I wonder if she and her babysitter will recognize each other!
Its been a strange but wonderful summer.

The clubhouse

2009-07-15T22:45:00.003-04:00

One of the many many amazing things I was going to do this summer
was turn our unused shed into a "clubhouse".
For lots of reasons we only got around to painting it today!
We painted it white on the inside to try to brighten it up a bit...its sort of dark.
Hubby and a friend are talking about installing a window, for ventilation.
I have my hopes but I don't know if it'll happen before school begins.
So now we'll put in tables and chairs and ...
I don't know what else, that's up to Flash! I'll try to post a picture tomorrow.
For now, picture a garden shed, painted white inside,
with the doors held open by terra-cotta planters.

Home again home again

2009-07-12T22:39:00.002-04:00

jiggity
jig
Well, I'm home from the city. With bags of book samples and posters
Back in corn country in time for a night at the county fair!
Cows, sheep, rabbits and chickens vying for prizes.
The pigs arrive tomorrow morning between 5 and 7. So I am told.
Sewing, woodworking, corn, soybeans, other veggies,
cake decorating, legos, scrapbooking, electronics.
Its 4-H heaven.

And there are concerts, moon bounces and pony rides.
Tonight Hubby's group served BBQ brisket (YUM) at their booth.
and we have leftovers...

Chicago part2

2009-07-11T23:04:00.003-04:00

Well Hubby did bring them up and it went very very well.! Flash was very good in the Exhibit Hall. It helped that so much of it was kid focused. He may have even helped to perfect a computer program for kids. He also built a tower with some fun building toys, drew on a smartboard and received a balloon animal cat. Oh and books. They came around 11 and stayed until 2:30. I thought that maybe my momma's oy would be sad to go home and leave me at the conference, but no. He was happy to watch a DVD in the van and say See you tomorrow Mommy". I was also worried about Cosy but she was happy to see me, happy to ride in the stroller and smile at conference attendees and happy to be buckled in to go home. While we were together she was changed twice, sucked down a bottle and a half and napped. Its a big life.

Hotel next time..

Chicago

2009-07-11T07:17:00.003-04:00

My last post was almosta month ago and I think it said something about blogging more during the summer break...oh well. Too much of my limited computer time is now wasted on Facebook I guess. Theres a difference though and that difference is anonimity...although I have 3 revgal Facebook Friends. I need to get back in though, if only for my sanity.

So what have I been doing?
Having summer vacation with Flash and Cosy. We watch cartoons and play and go to the library and have playdates. We've been to the museum, the nice park in the college town nearby ( the one with the train!) had lots of picnics,swim lessons, VBS. I've painted the front door of the house a lovely shade of blue (needs a second coat). We spent a week and a half in GA with Hubby's family at the beach. Right now I'm in Chicago at the Librarian's conference. Just soaking up some city! I've walked and walked and enjoyed the anoninmity...see there it is again. Had some really good chinese food last night. Still trying to figure out a trip to the water park and home to see my folks in PA.

My sister and Dad have still not seen Cosy and she's 7 months old. Yeah, I'd rather them come out here but thats unlikely. Very frustrating being this far away. My sister is in school and she's a single mom and a massage therapist, so she has some good excuses. My Dad has been sick this year and I don't know how bad it is but he's not interested in travelling this far. Cirrohsis. So I shall move the mountain to Mohammed...somehow.

But I didn't even bring my day planner on this trip! So I can't work on it now. Hubby says he may bring the kids up here to the city today to see me and go to the exhibits. I'm not sure its a good idea. I think it will upset the kids since I'm not coming home until Sunday and the exhibits are a work thing. Flash isn't all that well behaved. So I'm trying to convince him that, if he comes up, we should go to the park or the museum. I WILL write tonight and say how it went.

And I have to post something about this hotel...grrr.

GA here we come!

2009-06-20T22:53:00.002-04:00

I have been working on packing all week and now its here and its not done!
We leave right after church and Hubby isworking on his sermon and NOT PACKING!
and we had a busy day after 2 weeks of busy busy for Hubby.
Two funerals,one of a beloved member/former choir director,
lots of pre-marital counseling and a sticky church thing.
Lots of meeting, nights, days off and it will be so good to get GONE!
Goals for vacation (ironic I know):
1. pedicure
2. movie night with Hubby
3. Perhaps movie with Flash...
4. beach beach pool beach
We'll be there with Hubby's family
and get to see his newly engaged brother so it should be a party!

Summertime Playlist

2009-06-06T22:09:00.002-04:00

I've been working in the back of my mind on a summertime playlist
...here's what I'm thinking of:
Summertime by Will Smith
That Summer Song by Kid Rock that came out this year
The Kenny Chesney song that talks about Yoohoo.
(I used to love Yoohoo...haven't had one in years.)
and...oh dear... what else?
If you have an idea let me know.

The playlist that gets the most "play" around here is kid's music.
Naturally.
It has the Transformers Pokemon and Spiderman theme songs
a great little song called
"It only takes one Night to Make a balloon your friend"
by a group called Lunch Money.
Flash loves this song and sings it often.
Also the Pink Pigie Polka Pancake Picnic
Hamster Dance, Cha Cha Slide, I like to Move it Move It.
and this song called "Gotta be me" by Agent 23 Skidoo.
They do a nice song about "Luck" too.
I am really enjoying my new-to-me iPod. Can you tell?

About Flash...

2009-06-01T22:58:00.002-04:00

I named him Flash for the blog several years ago
because of his speed and energy level
and frankly...it fits him very very well.
He loves to pretend
and has decided to be a superhero when he grows up
and he has chosen his superhero name!
And it isn't Flash...its Cheetah Man.
I'll continue to call him Flash here,
but he'd probably prefer Cheetah Man.

Coming to the end...

2009-06-01T22:41:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is my last day of school. Woohoo!
Ok honestly I have to go to a training on Thursday
but that's offsite so I don't think it counts.
Today I tidied the books,
moved a collection from one bank of shelves to another
and redid all the signs.
Kind of a big undertaking but nice to be able to do it in one fell swoop.

Had a nice stormy night with the kids while Hubby went to the VBS meeting.
Some coloring, reading and playing
with an intermission for fruit cocktail (a Flash favorite).

Our VBS is next week during the evenings and it will be uninspired.
I'll go and help and Flash will have fun but...
I am rebelling (with Hubby's blessing)
Flash's signed up for VBS at another church in town later in the summer!
They really "do it up" over there.
Ha!

Out of the mouths

2009-05-31T22:18:00.001-04:00

The children participants in our children's message are usually 4th graders with my Flash (5). Last Sunday it was just Flash and another 5 yr old.
But the person doing the lesson didn't adjust...and ended up asking these two
"What does "eternal" mean?"
Flash raised his hand and said that "it means sleeping during the day and waking up at night".
Nocturnal.

The lady doing the lesson said that no, it meant living forever...and went on from there.
But I could see my son's mind click off.
He gave the right answer and she doesn't know what she's talking about
...funny to watch.

Meanwhile Cosy is not fond of applesauce. She tastes it makes a face and then opens her mouth again as if the next bite may be good. Maybe she likes the novelty...but we're giving up on applesauce for a while. Hate to watch that little face wrinkle up.

almost a month later...

2009-05-25T21:40:00.002-04:00

When we last saw our hero...
I am hoping that the end of school will allow me to start paying more attention to the blog.
The kids are out on Wednesday and I'm in until the following Thursday. School is coming to an end here in corn country. Then begins a summer of kid chasing I guess.

My mom was here for a week ( a week in which she managed to miss BOTH church services...and hubby is miffed. She also tried to give him advice on how to attract people to the church...when she hasn't attended church for 30+ years. There's lots of tension there, not just because of church but...) She got a lot of things done around the house though. I wish I could get as much done in a week as she does. She's a great gardener too.

Reading the latest Percy Jackson novel. Cosy started eating cereal today and she liked the spoon more than the food! Flash has been very...moody. I don't know whats going on with him at all.

and I'm craving pie.

Monday monday

2009-05-04T21:23:00.002-04:00

Very tired. the weekend was very taxing on the family. 4 congregation members have died in the past week. Funerals, visitations, and community events and meetings plus church and poor pastor-hubby's birthday. He seems to be handling it all but I am fried. Just not enough sleep and things at the house are overly messy. My garage sale is this coming weekend and I don't think I'll have any help at all. We are swapping nights all over the place this week. He's out tonight, I'm out tomorrow night, then we're splitting Wednesday. Meeting for him Thursday and on and on.

I'm also trying to figure out who will take care of Flash and Cosy on June 4. Its my last day at school and they've scheduled an all-day training so I can't bring the baby. Daycare is over on the 3rd for both kids and Hubby has COM an hour away. We don't have family anywhere nearby and we hesitate to use church members for the most part. Can you imagine having an older church member stay at your house with your kids all day?? Too intrusive. I'd worry all day, and this after I spent the prior few days cleaning the house more than I would for my own father!

Still having problems with church as you can tell, I guess. Got all emotional last night about it. I am getting ready for my biyearly "worship-somewhere-else"...if I have the nerve to do it. Or maybe I'll wimp out and enjoy worship when we go on vacation in a month and a half.

Pictures: Cosy

2009-05-02T22:54:00.005-04:00

Oh too long!

2009-04-28T20:44:00.002-04:00

Its been too long, I know.
My life doesn't seem conducive to blogging at the moment.

Flash has been sick and so has Cosy.
I took a sick day last week to take care of them...Hubby had a funeral that day.
Cosy has gotten better but Flash's is lingering.
Last week at the grocery store he said he was too tired to walk anymore so I put him in the grocery cart, and he curled up in the cart and fell asleep. Really. He's 5! We had to tuck the groceries around him. Sounds heartless doesn't it?
Last night he turned off his cartoon and went back to his bedroom to get into Batman PJs
2 chapters of Ramona and off to sleep.
It was only 7.
So he's on the mend I think.

So, I've been sleeping when I can
and trying very hard to keep the house habitable.

So I'm off to read a bit...the latest Artemis Fowl...and then snoozeland for me

Friday5 on a Sunday

2009-04-19T22:06:00.002-04:00

So being in a domestic frame of mind I thought I'd ask;

1. What is the one appliance you simply couldn't be without?
Hmmm. Toaster come to mind but perhaps I'm thinking too narrowly.
Washer and Dryer oh yes.

2. What if anything would you happily give up?
Iron. I hate to iron. Is an iron an appliance?

3. What is the most strangest household appliance you own?
Pizelle maker is rather unusual but not truly odd, right?

4. What is the most luxurious household appliance you own?
Waffles are luxurious, don't you think? OK no but I have a nice waffle iron that hasn't seen any use in a long long time. My mom has one that makes Mickey Mouse shaped waffles

5. Tell us about your dream kitchen- the sky is the limit here....
Bigger, more open and ant free!

hmmmm

2009-04-19T21:51:00.002-04:00

Fell behind on my blogging again!
Here's what on my mind...
1. Hubby and Flash are ill this weekend.
2. The lady who took care of Cosy in nursery during church didn't know to attach the diaper with the sticky tabs and repacked the dirty one into the diaper bag...hmmm.
3. Flash's school play was fantastic and we have it on tape to show the grandparents when and if they come to visit.
4. I am REALLY going to try to get home for Thanksgiving even though its a pain to travel then.
5. I think my Dad is sicker than he's letting on.
6. There are 3 big boxes of brand new children's books sitting in my office waiting for me!
7. Hair color
8. Home repair and my garage sale.
9. Cosy has discovered her toes and she likes them. I am dressing her in feetless outfits so she can play with them.
10. Something chocolate would be lovely right now.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T20:47:00.002-04:00

What a fantastic day. I hope yours was too.

And the best part is that Lent is over and I have been watching Hubby doing Sudoku puzzles all afternoon. That counts as relaxation, right?!

However he neglected to take tomorrow off as I suggested.
I'm hoping he'll shirk or goof-off.
Is that weird or what?

How to not sell a jacket

2009-04-11T23:53:00.002-04:00

I now have a spring jacket.
Yay!
It was mis-sized...I am convinced of it.
Let's pretend that the jacket is marked as a 2x.
But really its a 1x or maybe smaller.
So who will buy this jacket?
A 2x lady will try it on, feel horrible and stalk away.
A smaller lady won't look at the jacket because its marked as a 2x.
but I bought it because it fit, just about...and on clearance...for $11.

Easter Party!

2009-04-10T22:26:00.002-04:00

The Friday5 was way too much for me. Made me glad that I didn't go to seminary!
No, really I loved seminary...I only tagged along though.

But I did go to a fantastic Preschool Easter Party today. We taste tested jelly beans and made a graph from the results. Green won...I was very surprised. I voted for red.

We did a little shopping today and got 2 dozen eggs....I really need to get busy on the Easter traditions and soon. Tomorrow is the town's egg hunt. I need to make egg casseroles for Sunday's church breakfast and hunting eggs for Flash. I'm wondering about the Easter bunny. Is he believable? And does it matter. I'm so ready to Easter to be over. No, take that back...Lent, I'm so ready for Lent to be over.

Flash is excited for the Egg Hunt. Cosy has a choice of dresses to wear, all hand-me-down. I am hoping for Some peace tomorrow morning and in the evening to get things done around here. And a nap on Sunday afternoon, if its possible.

The view from here.

2009-04-08T22:03:00.004-04:00

OK, I was a little put out by the change of weather.
Spring and then Winter again, complete with snow.
But I was not nearly as uncomfortable as the shorn sheep I pass on my way to work!

It is a beautiful drive to work. Sun breaking over the farmland.
Muddy creeks, wooded hills.
Cows, sheep, goats and a wandering basset hound.
Big sky.
When its mostly open field and flat...you really can see for miles and see that big big sky.
In the evenings we like to look for "sky scrapes" or contrails from planes in the distance.
Its beautiful country.
It really is.

Friday5???? On Friday???

2009-04-03T11:05:00.002-04:00

Holy week is upon us and that makes this week very busy for pastors and their families. Palm/Passion Sunday church, naturally. Then we'll be having a 6-church Easter Cantata on Sunday afternoon followed by a potluck dessert. I am singing in the choir! Hubby and the kids will be watching and listening I suppose. We have a Maundy thursday service and of course Easter is Coming. Just a busy busy week. I'm not sure that we actually slow down enough for Holy Week. It just seems like a rush to the finish...I mean Easter. Sad though, huh? I will try to put some holiness in my Holy week. And I'll start it here with the Friday 5.

1.What restores you physically? Pump up the volume and dance! Hubby fixed my Ipod and I need to just boogie down in the kitchen. i need one of those little speaker things so I can "share" the music" but thats for another time!

2. What strengthens you emotionally/ mentally? This takes more time I think. Its more deliberative. I tend to be optimistic most of the time...OK during the day. What I need is a party really. I guess I'll have to try to do something there.

3. What encourages you spiritually? I'm just not doing this at all. Used to have my bible study...I am too distracted at church. I have a few Christian Rock songs that I listen to and really "feel" and I occaisionally open my devotional. This has REALLY fallen off for me.

4. Share a favourite poem or piece of music from the coming week.
OK!
Brighter Day with Kirk Franklin. You can get it on itunes. Make sure to blast it and sing along.

5.There may be many services for you to attend/ lead over the next week, which one are you most looking forward to and why? If there aren't do you have a favourite day in Holy week if so which one is it?
Nope. I guess whatever day has the egg hunt!

Back to Work.

2009-03-30T23:01:00.001-04:00

And it was OK.
Here's a picture of Cosy at her baptism.

Today

2009-03-29T21:26:00.002-04:00

snow.
today.
really
Flash asked "Can it snow in spring?"
We pointed out the window and shrugged.

Cosy was especially sweet today too. Happy about everything, quiet and sweet.
She even enjoyed Choir, for a while, but she needed a change and that wasn't choir's fault!

In fantastic news my Alma mater is in the Final Four
and is playing the college I grew up near.
Like...climb the back fence and I could join the line at the dining Hall ...near.
The big game is next Friday!

anon

2009-03-28T22:08:00.003-04:00

I am having a hard time with church, folks.
I am thankful to have somewhere I can talk, uncensored.

There's too much "inside baseball" as Hubby would term it.
Not only do I know too much, I know things won't change.

I enjoyed church for a few years there.
I go, resentfully to church these days.
And I want to go somewhere else.

Sometimes this pastor's wife gig sucks.

At the library

2009-03-23T10:45:00.003-04:00

I'm at the library again. Flash is on another computer playing a scooby-doo game, Hubby is feeding the baby and Cosy is...um...eating. I am on the computer! Its amazing the things we use the computer for now isn't it? I had to dig out the phone book the other day!

Hubby has some hospital visits today so we're tagging along. Thank heavens for a DVD player in the van. We've picked up a scooby-doo movie to help us out today. Hospital is about 30 min. away in the big town where we do shopping. After the visits we are going bowling. I think Flash will enjoy it! Our spring break is a bit tame, but hopefully relaxing and maybe I'll get a few things done.

Things are going alright around here most days. I have threatened Hubby that I am not returning to church until he gets the guy who sings to stop telling a joke before he sings...during worship...between the scripture and the sermon...every week. Its just wrong in my opinion and I know there are others who agree with me. Its just that the guy is a passive-agressive bully. I know when Hubby tells him to stop, the next time he sings he will say "The pastor told me not to tell a joke so I guess I'll just sing". Grrr.

Its easy to make my threat by the way. First, its kind of an empty threat and Secondly, we don't have worship at our church next week anyhow. On the 5th Sundays we have joint worship with the Lutherans. They don't have a pastor at the moment, so Hubby's still on the hook for a sermon, but they'll do everything else. We also get together with them for VBS. This year its a safari theme and we'll learn the Lord's Prayer.

Well, gotta get on with the day! Looks like the natives are restless.

Saturday5: Hope!

2009-03-21T16:23:00.002-04:00

Share with us five signs of hope that you can see today or have experienced in the past.
1. Today we took my bike to the repair shop and bought one for Hubby. Together we've lost about 40 lbs. since new baby was born, and now we'll have bikes!
2. New baby continues to grow by leaps and bounds and Flash is 3 foot 8! Most nights I get to sleep.
3. Had no voice on Monday and Tuesday and struggled with it the rest of the week. I'll go to choir practice on Sunday and probably be able to do it!
4. My NCAA bracketts are holding up OK. More games tonight!
5. Hubby will have a new work computer in about a week so I'll probably be able to blog again. It has been really hard having NO COMPUTER at all. Surprisingly so, frankly.
6. Spring break is here! Weather has been fantastic and I am on the lookout for an inexpensive spring jacket. By the time I find what I want hopefully: a. It'll be hot enough not to need one, b. I'll be skinnier and c. It'll be time to look for a fall jacket.
7. I made my plans to go to the big ALA conference in Chicago this summer and I'm brining the family! Woohoo!
8. I talked with all of my family members this week. Everyone is doing well.
9. I'll have a new computer automation system at the library when I get back, and I am confident that it will be better and make life easier.
10. I am on my blog today and at the library with only the baby...doesn't that sound hopeful, just by itself!!!

oh where oh where...

2009-03-14T10:58:00.003-04:00

Last October or September our personal computer died.
This month Hubby's work laptop died and that pretty much toasts my computer usage.
I can use a computer at work...but not blog or facebook. Just a little covert email.
So, that's where I've been. There is no money for a new personal computer at this time and Hubby is hashing out with the church about a new laptop. With two kids and the church and the job I don't have a lot of time to use the public libraries computers like I am today. And frankly, I don't have a lot of time today.
I am resentful of all this, since these things are my recreation and my link to all things not-Indiana. Pastor's wife thing is grating right now. Very tired of our church and I know too much of the petty stuff for my own good. Would love to stay home or go somewhere else where no one knows me, but...can't.
Our local churches are having a Palm Sunday joint worship with a joint choir and I joined, but it is taking up some more of my time on the weekends and I've ended up really disliking it. I had hoped that we'd do some new music, unlike our usual traditional to the point of a boredom music but its same-old-same-old, and perhaps, some of it a bit more dirge-like. Can't bail though.
My school is throwing together a nice baby shower for another teacher who is having a baby in another month and I can't help but remember that nothing was done for me. Its just another acceptance thing.
In other news, happier news. Cosy Baby is great, growing big and happy. Sleeping like a dream most nights. Flash has broken out the sidewalk chalk again and made a new friend last week who is interested in Transformers. And Spring Break is coming soon. We aren't going anywhere really, but we'll head off to the museum to see the Lego exhibit and perhaps find time for a date night...its been ages and ages.
So, to sum up...grump grump, grump, complain and whine.

Choir

2009-03-01T22:35:00.002-05:00

I sang in a multichurch choir today.
I haven't sung in a choir since high school.
I can hold my own though.

It was weird being described several times as The pastor's wife though...
chafing a bit a church these past few weeks.
I'd like church to be...different.
Thats another long post on another day when I have time and energy.

We had a Games Night tonight at church to raise money to send some of our kids to camp.
Spaghetti and games. It was a nice evening.

Baptism

2009-02-26T22:34:00.003-05:00

Oops...don't have pictures of the baptism yet.
But she was baptized on Sunday and looked very nice.
Flash even said "Now she belongs to our church!"
We had a lovely brunch out afterwards
at a surprisingly nice place right here in our town!

Flash is 5

2009-02-26T22:08:00.004-05:00

And we had a costume party!
Now that he's 5 he can chew gum.
Tomorrow he'll have his 5 year-old doctor appointment and shots.
Afterwards we're going to get a Bionicle with his Birthday money.
Woohoo!

Where does the time go???

2009-02-17T21:59:00.001-05:00

I am having a hard time keeping up with the blog,
between work and home.
The baby is wonderful... a pretty good sleeper and just adorable.
Not yet 3 months.

Flash is turning 5 tomorrow!
He gets to chew gum starting tomorrow...house rule.
So I bought him a pack.
Sugarfree bubble gum flavor.
He's bringing ice cream sandwiches to school instead of cupcakes.
His choice.

We'll have his party on Saturday.
Invited a few kids from school and t-ball.
Its a costume party, since he's often in costume.
He'll be spiderman or a firefighter...he hasn't decided.

Grandma and Grandpa are coming for the weekend...
for Flash's birthday, and for the baby's baptism.
We're doing the baptism low key.
Hubby would like to be the Daddy, so a pastor friend of his is doing the service.
His parents and the congregation.
My folks will come for a visit in Spring...when the weather is better.
And its better that we don't have everyone descend on our little town at once.

So...birthdays baptisms and the requisite housecleaning
Oh and a sick dog.
and work of course.
Just busy and distracted.
But a good busy and a good distracted!

Where am I?

2009-01-30T10:44:00.002-05:00

Sorry about being so erratic here. New baby makes timing and typing difficult. But things are going well here, bunch of snow days finishing up my licensing paperwork today is my goal. So i'd better get off the computer and off to the library. Diaper change first though!

Briefly

2009-01-25T22:17:00.002-05:00

I went back to work last Tuesday and it went really well.
Hubby dropped the kids off at daycare
so all I had to do was get ready and go!
I'm nursing and formula feeding
and I'd started the schedule a week earlier,
so I am mostly comfortable and the baby is really fine.
She's is a very good baby and likes food in whatever form.

Nice to be back, everyone seemed happy to see me.
Hubby made me a little photo album to show around so I had pictures.
We had a computer software update while I was gone
so I needed to catch up and get the school rolling on it.

It was a shortened week so I didn't have to tough it out for long.
So, now we've had a weekend and tomorrow I start over again.
Except we have car trouble now and I'm going to have a strange day.
I think I'm dropping of the kids and driving to school and reversing in the afternoon.
Not sure how Hubby is working it out on his end...
but I hope he gets the car worked on.
This can't go on for too many days
Right?

Cabin Fever Friday 5

2009-01-23T21:03:00.002-05:00

5 ways to beat cabin fever...
1. Movies, saved up DVR shows, etc.
2. cooking...get out the cookbooks!
3. baths and all that girlie grooming stuff we never have an opportunity to do.
4. tinfoil superheroes...oh yeah!
5. Start your novel
6. redecorate or rearrange the furniture
7. Get your spring garage sale organized
8. Break out the old exercise tapes/DVD and boogie
9. Order your seed catalog and start planning your garden
10. uh...use your computer!

big sigh

2009-01-13T22:21:00.001-05:00

I go back to work in one week.

Monday

2009-01-12T14:59:00.002-05:00

The guys went off to work and school today
and the baby and I are trying to clean up carpet stains
with my new gizmo
and take down Christmas things.
Tonight Hubby has a meeting in a nearby town,
so we're tagging along for dinner and some shopping.
Also taking a LOT of things by goodwill.
Some baby things and Maternity wear!
Hooray!

Pancakes on a banner day

2009-01-09T11:23:00.002-05:00

The Friday Five is about pancakes and I would write more if I could but I'm in the library with a baby that may squawk at any moment. Suffice it to say that I love pancakes, use the boxed stuff, Aunt Jemima's syrup and mix usually in my big skillet on the stove. Hubby and Flash like margarine and cinnamon sugar, I like butter and syrup. My favorite breakfast places are The Red Cottage in Dennis Cape Cod MA, Breadmans in Chapel Hill NC and The Stone House in my cute little town.

But my smallish big news is Baby sleeping 11-6 and Flash being dry 2 nights in big boy unders.Could we be done with pull-ups? Stay tuned!

1 year

2009-01-08T18:21:00.003-05:00

Tonight is the 1 year anniversary of the floods in our area.
So tonight there is a dinner and remembrance service at our church.
Hubby is doing the service.
65 survivors and volunteers are expected.

Hard to believe its been a whole year.
We'd only been here two months when it happened.
Our church was an emergency shelter for a week.
Our clothes closet was open for a month,
rather than its usual once a month.
So many things were donated and distributed.
There were work volunteers sleeping in the middle school gym this summer.
And that's just what I know about it; Hubby is on the long range recovery committee.

Everyone watches the creeks and rivers more closely this winter.
I know I do.

Sleep

2009-01-03T20:51:00.002-05:00

Ah absence makes the heart grow fonder...
We had two bad nights in a row.
Hubby was up until 2 and then I had the rest of the night.
Grouchy snappy morning but we all pulled it together to do something for Flash.
We went to Build-It day at Home Depot
followed by lunch at a fast food place with an indoor playground.
Its a treat because the Home Depot ( and most other things) are a half hour away.
But necessary because that kid needs some exercise!
And some focus on him that is positive.
Its only January and we're beginning to feel the cabin fever a bit.

When we got home we all had naps!
Cosy Baby and I had a feeding time in between but everyone got at least an hour.
And guess what?
We all turned back into civilized people!
Really!

Tomorrow is a Church Day so we'll be up and out early tomorrow.
Hubby is preaching Epiphany...and we have a difference of opinion on how it should be discussed.
He'll probably mention how we don't know how many there were for sure...
Um...the song says three.
And I learned their names as a kid...and he doesn't agree with that either.
So, I go into church tomorrow thinking that the sermon will be...disappointing.
One of the preacher's wife pitfalls.

New Year Friday5

2009-01-02T13:16:00.003-05:00

Five things to remember/treasure from 2008:
New Baby
New Job in a slightly different field
Flash's summer of sidewalk chalk
Taking classes at the Children's Museum
Finding some almost-friends here in our town.

Five hopeful things for 2009:
New baby's first year
Flash will start Kindergarten in the Fall
Vacation this summer, we hope.
New glasses...sometime this month
Getting my permanent teaching license.

OK these are all personal...but I am hopeful for bigger things too.

Today

2008-12-30T02:43:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful time at the Indy Children's Museum today!
Now we need to prepare for our New Year's Open House/Party.
After a good night's sleep...ha!
Thats a joke of course.

Haiku

2008-12-28T18:54:00.002-05:00

One hungry baby
A hungry family too.
Milk for everyone.

Christmas!

2008-12-25T17:49:00.003-05:00

Flash is well, Hubby is sick.
Cosy baby and I are still well.

Flash has been the Hulk, various aliens, planet heroes, a pirate and a spy today.
Santa and relatives were amazingly generous.
Cosy was well-feted too ;rattles, clothes and such.
She celebrated with milk and naps...as usual

I made my famous coffee cake again...
(see last December for recipe and photos)
but I was really the only one eating it.
Flash is still on a self-imposed invalid diet and Hubby is off food.
So, Christmas dinner is postponed
(Christmas Eve was bake-at-home pizza)
Chicken nuggets and asparagus nibbles tonight.
Peppermint ice cream later.

Par for the year this year!
tomorrow Hubby has a funeral and Saturday, a wedding.
Sunday is also our 12th anniversary
We'll celebrate that...some other time I think.
but still, its there...12 years!

the sitch

2008-12-21T13:06:00.003-05:00

1 hungry baby plus

1 four year old with fever, vomiting and generally miserable plus

1 busy pastor husband during Christmas week

equals

even less sleep than usual and

a messy messy house and

incompletion of holiday tasks

But all you can do, is all you can do, right?

And its 4 below and blustery here!

But still doing OK...we're not real grouchy,

and the football games today seem good.

Naps are in progress for the pastor and the sickee.

Car Talk on the radio for me.

Now if only there were some chocolate in the house.

ooh. just found brownie mix in the back of the pantry.

Advent panic Friday5

2008-12-19T10:14:00.002-05:00

Let's make this easy, if we can:

tell us five things you need to accomplish before Christmas Eve.

1. Sleep

2. Feed baby

3. Set up the christmas tree again

...our stand broke and it keeps falling over.

Don't worry, its not plugged in anymore.

It only needs to make it until um, Epiphany?

4. Hang up the stockings

I can't find the hanger thingys.

5. Figure out presents for Hubby's family (which should have been mailed already)

6. A present for Hubby, he's impossible.

7. Flash is now off from school until Jan 7...so keeping him from hugging the baby too tight.

oh wait...only 5? Hmmmm.

I'm sure I missed some of the most important ones!

whew...

2008-12-14T19:06:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the e e cummings look but
i'm typing one handed today.

we went to church today
it was the children's nativity play and we couldn't miss that
but during the second hymn our music director collapsed
EMTs were called and church resumed in the fellowship hall

our baby was Jesus in the play
and flash was a donkey/angel/shepherd/king
7 kids in the play based on Tobias
like readers theater

today is bitter cold with wintery mix
2 hour delay of school
and Hubby has a funeral and graveside
and check on the music directorat the hospital

Found: Thumb

2008-12-12T09:36:00.000-05:00

Eye Friday5

2008-12-12T09:20:00.002-05:00

1.What color are your beautiful eyes?
Did you inherit them from or pass them on to anyone in your family?

Blue...or occasionally steel gray according to Hubby.
My mom has similar eyes, Flash is Hazel like my Grandmother and sister.
New baby is still undecided...she is not blue though.
The Pedeatrician said that she may be "on her way to brown".

2. What color eyes would you choose if you could change them?

No I'll keep em.

3. Do you wear glasses or contacts? What kind? Like 'em or hate 'em?

Glasses. I am looking forward to a new pair though.
Had these for two years and the "arms" are all stretched out.

4. Ever had, or contemplated, laser surgery? Happy with the results?

Thought about it. I'll wait though...maybe forever.

5. Do you like to look people in the eye, or are you more eye-shy?

Look people in the eye...not shy. No one would accuse me of being shy.

Bonus question: Share a poem, song, or prayer that relates to eyes and seeing.
The only thing that comes to mind is Eye of the Tiger...from Rocky!

On our own again

2008-12-10T16:32:00.000-05:00

parents are gone.
so we're on our own.
need to change ababy so more later.

Church Day

2008-12-06T21:03:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is Sunday...um you all know that.
I am not going. Home with the baby for three weeks, you know.
But when Hubby's parents were here they went with Flash and Hubby.
My folks are going to stay home with me... and the baby.
Huh.

Advent Longing Friday5

2008-12-05T20:56:00.002-05:00

What do you long for this advent?
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
What is your prayer today?
In the vein of simplicity I ask you to list five advent longings....

1. peace for all
2. cessation of all addictions for all
3. food, clothing, shelter for all
4. happiness and success for me and mine, and you and yours too.
5. a teleporter

yes...I said a teleporter...so everyone isn't so dang far away.

Older sibling blues

2008-12-03T22:58:00.002-05:00

I couldn't put him to bed tonight because I was feeding the baby
and he got in trouble with Dad.
When what he needed was a piece of toast and a drink of water.
Way too much energy for the house because its flippin cold and rainy and snowy so lots of stern words for him...sigh.
However,
preschool is great!
Lots of big brother presents
he likes to pet her hair and kiss her
fed her a bottle last night and has learned to play Go Fish.

Almost a week

2008-12-02T21:32:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow morning she'll be a week old.
Did I say the name yet? Hmmm.
OK, for 3 days this space will say...nothing now sorry.
She'll need a nickname for here of course and I don't want to call her...the baby.
Something to think about.
Flash's name is so...descriptive.

My inlaws are gone and my folks are here.
They have great ambition to clean and fix things around the house.
We're working through a list and several things have been accomplished,
several have been ruled out and I'm tired.

The baby has been eating up a storm
and I am recovering from the c-section
and have flat out overdone it . as usual.
My ankles are all swollen, thats a sign right there.
So tommorrow, resting and taking care of the baby
and being off my feet even if it bores by family no end
and makes them wonder what they're doing here.

Home again home again.

2008-11-30T02:59:00.003-05:00

We've been home almost 12 hours...
Um I should mention that its almost 3 am and we got home at 4 p.m.
So great to be home.
We tried to accomplish too much tonight, of course
and my in-laws are here and have been a fantastic help.
We got home with a newborn and a cranky hyper 4 year old.
To Thanksgiving dinner...they held it for me, isn't that nice?
But no, he can't stay in his seat...not tonight.
And since they're leaving tomorrow,
the inlaws did a little Christmas present opening with Flash.
Wow. At least they were mostly calm presents and we could read a new book before bed.

Did I mention how crazy he was this afternoon?
He'd been told he was "picking up Mommy at the hospital"
and ended up there for 5 hours too.
He'll be fine of course
but there were tears, running, yelling, a time out and some frayed grandparent moments.
But he also ate his dinner, put dishes in the sink, helped clear the table and changed himself into his own PJs.

Alright time for my medecine and bedtime.
Tomorrow is coming

Baby Arrives!!

2008-11-26T18:20:00.007-05:00

Guest blogging by Hubby . . .

Hip2B asked that I post a quick update for everyone.

The newest addition to our family arrived this morning at 8:10am.

Mom & baby are doing great!! They both are trying to get a few naps in, but other than that they are doing wonderfully.

Flash had fun this morning showing around a picture of his new baby sister at preschool and has had fun getting to see her since she is now a real baby.

Hip2B hopes to post some on her own in the next couple of days.

Thank you for all of the prayers and thoughts, they are greatly appreciated. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Peace - Hubby

Last Minute Day

2008-11-25T08:18:00.002-05:00

Pre-op tests
tidy and vaccuum before the inlaws arrive (optional)
Diaper pail (oops)
pack a bag for the hospital.

NAP.

Flash seems excited.
More so about being dry last night and thus earning a sticker, but still.
We drew a baby face on tomorrow's calendar square so he knows.
Today's has a plane picture because Grandma and Grandpa are coming tonight.
Thank goodness too. We have to be at the hospital at 5:30 and its a half hour away!

Gpa and Gma will help Flash in the morning
and take him to preschool for the Thanksgiving Party and play.
He'll be an Indian boy.
Then in the afternoon they can come meet the new baby.

If everything goes well.
I think it will,
but I also have seen things go not so well,
and terribly so...
I'll hedge a bit.
My perogative.

Week 38

2008-11-23T21:57:00.002-05:00

Well, we're at the beginning of a very strange and wonderful week, we hope.
Its my last day of work tomorrow, before maternity leave.
I have 4 classes and then a meeting.
We're reading a book about Thanksgiving called One is a Feast for a Mouse
and then drawing what we'd like on our Thanksgiving plate on, what else, a paper plate!

It has occurred to me that this Thanksgiving may have just a little less football than usual (yay) and I may just get to watch the parade!
Albeit from the hospital with a freshly born baby!

I got totally off track with my snack schedule today,
due to a fantastic nap (Thanks Hubby)
so I'm staying up a little late to fit in my carbs.
This gestational diabetes thing is wierd.
But I am catching up on my blog reading if nothing else, right?

Tom and Jerry

2008-11-23T07:24:00.002-05:00

A great Sunday morning ritual at our house seems to be Tom and Jerry.
Hubby needs to focus, we all need to get ready.
Hubby leaves for church before us...which works so much better than our old system.
But as Hubby and I get ready, and get breakfast started
Flash's laughter fills the house, because he's watching...
Tom and Jerry.

Friday5 Cooking Tools

2008-11-21T20:49:00.003-05:00

Please answer the following kitchen-related questions:
1) Do you have a food processor? Can you recommend it? Which is to say, do you actually use it?
I have a little red chopper and I use it whenever I chop onions and peppers
and have used it to puree things like soup and apple butter.
Also to pulverize crackers to make bread crumbs.
Probably I use it once a month or so.

2) And if so, do you use the fancy things on it? (Mine came with a mini-blender (used a lot and long ago broken) and these scary disks you used to julienne things (used once).)
I purposely got an easy one without all that stuff.
I used to use my blender for a lot of the stuff I use the chopper for.
Then the blender burned out.

3) Do you use a standing mixer? Or one of the hand-held varieties?(And isn't that color delightfully retro?)
No standing mixer.
I have a white hand-held mixer that seems to do the trick.
Don't use it that often.
A couple of years ago my mother burned her's out
while making mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving.
They smoked! It was very cool to all who witnessed it.

4) How about a blender? Do you have one? Use it much?
I burned it out.
I guess my family is hard on kitchen tools.
I am asking for a new one for Christmas though.
Mostly smoothies and milkshakes.

5) Finally, what old-fashioned, non-electric kitchen tool do you enjoy using the most?
Hmmm.
I have this cool circular thing that makes sandwiches into circles.
Flash likes that. Good for pastry also.
I have a whisk I like.
And our pizza cutter gets a lot of use.

Bonus: Is there a kitchen appliance or utensil you ONLY use at Thanksgiving
or some other holiday? If so, what is it?
I have a pizzelle iron that only comes out at this time of year.
Made some a week or so ago.
and the cookie cutters of course. No, thats wrong...we use them for playdough too.

I like to cook but don't really have time or energy.
My most used appliance is my crockpot
which will be in use tomorrow for some chili!

Another Day

2008-11-20T21:21:00.002-05:00

I only have one more day of work before this baby comes.
And I'm having a hard time doing much
and I'm emotional and tired and anxious.
So basically I'm 9 months pregnant...
And hungry
and impatient
and thinking that maybe next week is too early...
and dreading the hospital stay
and worried about Flash and rocking his fantastic world
and maternity leave
and advent
and
and
and
OK snack time and then bed.