Day by Day

Although I am really enjoying this time writing, I think I better try to sleep....I do have a day job, which requires much patience at times.  I spent 45 minutes on the phone today with a crazy parent.  I would almost rather have the parents that yell for five minutes (you just hold the phone out from your ear and/or type emails on your computer as they raveand then they hang up on you) than the ones who think they really have a point and rationally (or irrationally) try to prove it in a 45 minute span.  I think in another life, I would like to be a medical assitant-not sure why...I have a lot of respect for nurses after last Spring in the hospital and after watching them care for Dad, but I don't think I could do everything they do.  I think when I have more time, I would also like to volunteer by holding babies in the hospital or wheeling around patients in the convalescent homes.  There is something about it that attracts me.  For now...I need to kee...

I am up to running 17 miles in a long run.  My intention a few months ago, was to train for a marathon.  Of course, leave it to me to not doing anything the way I am supposed to....I can't be "normal" in any sense of the word.  So, for the last three months I have run a huge amount in one day, then run little or not at all during the week, then increased my time every few weeks-any marathoner would think I was freakin crazy.  My longest run is 17 miles and it felt great. I guess I really should pick a marathon and start a true training program, but I kind of like doing it my way.  The other thing about this....wouldn't it make sense that when you are running this much, you would lose weight?  I'll never get this weight thing down, but I guess I should be happy that I have more muscles now....doesn't help with the pants buttons though!

So what is it about blogging/writing that I don't do it for weeks at a time and then I just can't stop??  Here I am, not able to sleep at 2:00 a.m. (blog time is wrong-not sure why), and I can't stop writing....sometimes I can't force myself to the computer to start writing....weird. What I would really like to do is put all of these entries (as I read back a year, I am amazed at some of them....I am so glad I will have this in years to come (I print it out) to see what my life was like at this time) into a book format.  I love when I read a book I can relate to....there must be so many people out there that could relate to some of the funny ins and outs of daily life with kids, on the job, in relationships. I wonder if someday, when I have time, I could write a piece that has my life in stages and how my views changed or didn't.  Maybe someday...

I have decided that it is time for Bob to go back to work.....not that he hasn't been trying for the last six months...he has sent out resumes and checked for jobs every week...even had a few interviews...he currently had a phone interview and there is going to be a follow up in-person interview, so we are keeping our fingers crossed and say some prayers....however, I have come to the conclusion that I know when Bob is ready for a job: 1.  He found a haircutting salon that gives free haircuts once a month to unemployed people....nice idea....but he comes home with less hair than he had when he used to go to the hairdressing training school for cheap haircuts....even he didn't like the way this one came out. 2.  He and Keera are finding all the discounted/free places to eat in the mornings together before Kindergarten....Denny's offered something last week; today it was IHOP with free pancake day......quite a fun adventure for Keera. 3.  About 20 boxes of baseball ca...

Connor is on a baking streak - holy cow, when that kid does something, he does it good!!!!!  He made a homemade chocolate bundt cake tonight that was to die for and it is almost toally gone in like six hours.  He is even cleaning up after himself in the kitchen (took a few times to get him to do it, but better than he cleans up his room).  Now I have to train him to put all the dirty dishes he uses in the dishwasher....it'll come....in the meantime, we are all going to gain 20 pounds and run out of money from going to the store to buy supplies for his lucious and tempting desserts!  (As much as I roll my eyes when he decides on a new hobby, I have to admit, it cracks me up how he does it with gusto....I don't think we have to worry about him being successful after college!)

We knew last spring that we had a problem in Keera's bedroom. Her ceiling slants because her bedroom is a long room that is the only part of the original cape, where they did not change the roof (small section).  Bob thought because we had a gutter put in, shortly after we moved in, that the water damage on the drywall was just catch up from not having a gutter there for years. Well, as the water stains continue to appear, we knew it was time to fix it (thank God Bob is so handy that way), and I feared there was more to it than we knew.  Bob cut out the drywall and took out the insulation (right above which is the plywood for the roof).  The plywood was in good shape, but the insulation was obviously water damaged....we weren't sure where that came from, but we found out today when it rained.  Bob had to take out more drywall from the ceiling and more insulation to find that there is definitely water coming in the roof-plywood is wet and dripping down into a bucket...

About a month ago a freshman boy did something silly to a freshmen girl.  Without names attached, he took her notebook out of her locker and hid it in a classroom they both had (their lockers were next to each other).  She was very upset that he did this and reported it to the other assistant principal (who sees sophomores).  He told me and I called the freshmen down to give him a saturday morning detention (policy) and talk to him about it.  He admitted to doing it and although I am not sure he understood how it affected her, he did realize he should not have done it.  When I told him about the consequence he crumbled into tears.  He is basically an immature 15 year old boy, who probably has a crush on this girl, and he pushes the limit at times.  He was begging me for anything but saturday morning detention, but I kept saying I have to follow the policy (as I was feeling awful about it-he was in tears!) Finally, amidst his begging, he said, "Well, wh...

In the dark, cold winter, it is hard to feel "up" about things, especially during February vacation when kids are bored and there isn't much to do; however, this week turned out as an "upper".  I won three small battles: 1.  I took Dad to the doctor and he found out he can start putting weight on his ankle-that is a battle won for Dad, Tracey and I.  The more independent he becomes the better for all of us.  I also talked him into going out for a haircut. He was going to have the kids give him one-oh boy.... 2.  Brendan got his permit. He has been in driving school for about 3 weeks now,  but he did not pass the permit test twice. We went on Friday and sat for 4.5 hours at DMV again, but this time he did it!  Again, the theme of getting some independence for one of my dependents is present.  Although it is hard to sit in the car while he learns to drive, eventually it will pay off because he will be more independent (most parents dread this-no...

When I found out the Olympics would be on, I thought to myself....I probably won't watch much-I was wrong.  We have watched together every night.  I don't know what it is that draws me to it....the fact that these are not typical sports I watch either in real life or on TV?  The fact that some of the stories behind these athletes are so sad or endearing that I have to watch them compete?  The fact that I never thought I was so patriotic, but do have pride in my country; therefore, I have pride in these national athletes?  Maybe a combo of all things combined.  I have probably watched more TV with the Olympics than I have in a month normally. 

Brendan decided to eat waffles at 10:00 pm last night.  Keera (who stays up as late as her older brothers and sister-and gets up earlier) decided she would have 3 waffles.  I told her one would be fine (knowing I would end up throwing at least one out or maybe even 2, if I cooked all 3.)  The arguing commenced.  She was determined to get 3 waffles; I was determiend to cook one.  Then, instead of throwing a huge tantrum (we've been moving away from those lately, headstrong, little one) she stomped her foot, began walking up the stairs...stopped halfway up and announced, "Well, if this family is going to hate me then leave a message at the beep....beeeeeep."  We all start laughing.  She retreated to my bed with the covers over her head.  I brought her the one waffle and thought she would be upset because we laughed at how cute she sounded....but found her with a smile on her face.  I told her that was a good way of handling it, instead of t...

I just read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah-in my book list - We read and learn so much about the holocaust in schools today, which is good, but what about all the other historical events in which many people suffered and died or survived and live with it....the seige on Leningrad, Russia....the many different things in Africa....Ireland and the famine.  When you read of some of these sufferings and compare it to your own life, there is no comparison.  We don't even understand what loss and hardship are.  I find it fascinating and very humbling to read of people's experiences and how they survived in life.

Hmmm valentines day.....what does it mean???  We love people all year long but this is the day we (spend money-okay that's a little negative) truly acknowledge it.  For the young children it might mean a small gift of candy or making a heart cake with pink frosting (Keera was soooo excited). For teenagers it means the first time of expressing the emotion to others....Brendan bought a stuffed animal and candy for his girlfriend who he dated the longest he has ever dated anyone (like 6 mos.) then broke up with....they remained friends and now they are back together.  I just have a funny feeling about this one...she is very nice and not needy or clingy.....Kelly has a beau for at least a month now (first one she has had). He is 19 and I am sure there will be a valentines present involved there.....young love is sweet and innocent. For newly married couples, I guess, it is a monumental love you day in addition to all the days during the year. For parents it ...

Bob told me I haven't blogged since Jan. 9th and that I should start to call it month by month, not day by day-I am ashamed.  There's been soooo much to blog about too.  Now it's been so long that I am just afraid to start, so better than nothing-here goes..... Keera - funny comment of the week....she said shut up and we don't allow that in the house (although as teenagers, the kids say it to each other.  I tell them not to, but if that is the worst they are saying in the house, I guess I should be happy.) Connor said, "ooohhhhhhh" and I said, "Keera-we don't say that."  Keera replies, "sorry, sorry, sorry", but "can I explain?"  She had me there-I started laughing and her explanation was that she meant to say something else. Connor signed up for high school courses last week.  Wow-like 3 honors courses and one AP course....I hope he can handle the anxiety of it.  I knew he was smart, but that kind of blew me away-what tea...