Mama Blog

I'm channeling Christy via email

Christy asked me to post for her since she doesn't have the login info. Here are some carefully selected excerpts from her email to me.

We've been busy (as always) down here. Cooking a ton of food. Visiting friends and family, you know, the usual.

We got out at a gas station somewhere in Florida and I went to close the van door. I somehow managed to slam my own thumb in the door.

I'm channeling Christy via email

Christy asked me to post for her since she doesn't have the login info. Here are some carefully selected excerpts from her email to me.

We've been busy (as always) down here. Cooking a ton of food. Visiting friends and family, you know, the usual.

We got out at a gas station somewhere in Florida and I went to close the van door. I somehow managed to slam my own thumb in the door.

And it starts

24 hours until we leave for our trip. I've got all the laundry clean (not folded, heh) minus what we used yesterday. I'll wash that last bit today. We're planning to leave by 8:30. We drop the cats off at 8:00. It will take a few minutes to get them squared away and then us off to the interstate. Fun fun!

I don't know if I'll update much while we're gone. I might from my mom's which is where we'll be until next Friday. Once we get to Florida, the updating will be infrequent at best. Lots to do and very little computer access. I know, I know, you all will just perish without my little bits of drivel.

Lizzy managed to take the side of her crib down yesterday during her nap. When I heard it, I went in to check on her and she was hanging half over the edge trying to figure out how to get out. So, we converted it to a toddler bed, for safety's sake. We also took the wheels off.

I don't know if I ever told you about her and those wheels. One day she figured out that if she stood up and jiggled hard enough, the bed moved. Now, we don't have carpet so that baby will slide all over the room if she tries hard enough. And she did, believe me. So, when I took the side off, I went ahead and removed the wheels. I wasn't certain they'd come off, but after I investigated I realized they just slip out if you pull hard enough.

Emily must be in a growth spurt or something. She's eating everything that isn't nailed down. She has been super clumsy lately. She fell on the stairs five separate times yesterday. She also managed to get a small owie on her wrist. This was the disaster of the century! She wailed and she moaned (I'm not sure, but there may have been gnashing of teeth, heh) and carried on for quite some time. We were headed out the door to get Katy when this happened. I had to basically demand she go outside and get in the van. She screamed and wailed so much I'm sure the neighbors thought I'd beaten her. Got her in the van and buckled. Not two minutes later, I hear snoring from the back seat. She slept until we got back home, around 40 minutes. She would've slept longer but I'm too short to get her gracefully out of the back seat when she's asleep.

Katy has been reading everything she can see. It cracks me up. "I LOVE to read Mama." I try very hard to encourage that in her. I am trying to figure out which books would be good to take on our trip. I've got the Little House books but while she likes them read to her, they are a bit "over her head" comprehension wise. I'll think of something. She is bringing her work with us for the class days she'll miss. Mrs. Barnes said that her main job while she's gone is to read, read, read, which suits Katy just fine.

I'm feeling more and more like myself every day. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel normal. To want to clean house and take care of my family the way they deserve. I delight in those things now. Makes my heart sing. I'm having to do some heavy weeding of my internet "connections" though. I have decided that if I walk away from something and it has only served to drive me crazy or make me irritated I need to walk away. Nothing personal to those people involved. I will miss some of you a great deal. There were parts that I enjoyed, but as a whole it didn't sit right with me.

Steven has been working late every day this week in an attempt to finish his work before the trip. There's a big inspection soon and his office had some things that needed work/revision/total makeovers. He's working his tushie off. I think he's going to enjoy some time off.

Overall things are going very well. Busy, as always, but I didn't want anyone to think I'd fallen off the face of the Earth.

And it starts

24 hours until we leave for our trip. I've got all the laundry clean (not folded, heh) minus what we used yesterday. I'll wash that last bit today. We're planning to leave by 8:30. We drop the cats off at 8:00. It will take a few minutes to get them squared away and then us off to the interstate. Fun fun!

I don't know if I'll update much while we're gone. I might from my mom's which is where we'll be until next Friday. Once we get to Florida, the updating will be infrequent at best. Lots to do and very little computer access. I know, I know, you all will just perish without my little bits of drivel.

Lizzy managed to take the side of her crib down yesterday during her nap. When I heard it, I went in to check on her and she was hanging half over the edge trying to figure out how to get out. So, we converted it to a toddler bed, for safety's sake. We also took the wheels off.

I don't know if I ever told you about her and those wheels. One day she figured out that if she stood up and jiggled hard enough, the bed moved. Now, we don't have carpet so that baby will slide all over the room if she tries hard enough. And she did, believe me. So, when I took the side off, I went ahead and removed the wheels. I wasn't certain they'd come off, but after I investigated I realized they just slip out if you pull hard enough.

Emily must be in a growth spurt or something. She's eating everything that isn't nailed down. She has been super clumsy lately. She fell on the stairs five separate times yesterday. She also managed to get a small owie on her wrist. This was the disaster of the century! She wailed and she moaned (I'm not sure, but there may have been gnashing of teeth, heh) and carried on for quite some time. We were headed out the door to get Katy when this happened. I had to basically demand she go outside and get in the van. She screamed and wailed so much I'm sure the neighbors thought I'd beaten her. Got her in the van and buckled. Not two minutes later, I hear snoring from the back seat. She slept until we got back home, around 40 minutes. She would've slept longer but I'm too short to get her gracefully out of the back seat when she's asleep.

Katy has been reading everything she can see. It cracks me up. "I LOVE to read Mama." I try very hard to encourage that in her. I am trying to figure out which books would be good to take on our trip. I've got the Little House books but while she likes them read to her, they are a bit "over her head" comprehension wise. I'll think of something. She is bringing her work with us for the class days she'll miss. Mrs. Barnes said that her main job while she's gone is to read, read, read, which suits Katy just fine.

I'm feeling more and more like myself every day. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel normal. To want to clean house and take care of my family the way they deserve. I delight in those things now. Makes my heart sing. I'm having to do some heavy weeding of my internet "connections" though. I have decided that if I walk away from something and it has only served to drive me crazy or make me irritated I need to walk away. Nothing personal to those people involved. I will miss some of you a great deal. There were parts that I enjoyed, but as a whole it didn't sit right with me.

Steven has been working late every day this week in an attempt to finish his work before the trip. There's a big inspection soon and his office had some things that needed work/revision/total makeovers. He's working his tushie off. I think he's going to enjoy some time off.

Overall things are going very well. Busy, as always, but I didn't want anyone to think I'd fallen off the face of the Earth.

And there was much rejoicing

Had my appointment today to try see inside this plugged up ear. They took all of 30 seconds to tell me it was impacted wax. Off to irrigate my ear.

Remember when Lizzy had to have hers irrigated? (read here) That's what happened today. Well, minus the screaming and having to be held down.

Got lots of goop out of my right ear. When it was opened up I realized the other side didn't sound as clear. As I sat there all dizzy and woozy, they prepared to do the left ear. Got some old goop out of there and voila!

There were flashing lights, chorus girls, a choir belting out the Hallelujah chorus....

Okay, maybe not.

Despite the freaky dizzy feeling, things are better. I haven't realized how loud things are!

And there was much rejoicing

Had my appointment today to try see inside this plugged up ear. They took all of 30 seconds to tell me it was impacted wax. Off to irrigate my ear.

Remember when Lizzy had to have hers irrigated? (read here) That's what happened today. Well, minus the screaming and having to be held down.

Got lots of goop out of my right ear. When it was opened up I realized the other side didn't sound as clear. As I sat there all dizzy and woozy, they prepared to do the left ear. Got some old goop out of there and voila!

There were flashing lights, chorus girls, a choir belting out the Hallelujah chorus....

Okay, maybe not.

Despite the freaky dizzy feeling, things are better. I haven't realized how loud things are!

My Dorkdom Revealed

I had to buy a geek watch last night. You know the ones I'm talking about. Big digital face, dings on the hour, has an alarm and lots of buttons to push.

Yeah, I had to get one. While they do make girly-er ones they don't make anything that looks "normal" to me.

You may be asking yourself why I had to buy one of these monstrous arm contraptions. I'll tell ya.

I have to remember to take my second med dose in the afternoon. I usually have to take it at a time when I'm very busy getting things cleaned and ready to go pick up Katy from school. Or, I might be busily sewing or whatever. I'd forget to take it until much, much later and that's not a good thing. So, my watch has an alarm that goes off at 2:30 to remind me.

I'm guessing you guys probably already knew of my dork status. Just one more bit of proof.

We've got four more days until we go on our trip. They'll be spent packing, cleaning, preparing. I need to finish Em's birthday dress. Well, actually I need to decide if I even like the pattern I picked out. It isn't what I thought it would be. Feh. I'd also like to finish her jammies so that I only have Katy's to finish when I get back. (Plus that secret something I'll have to hide.)

We're planning on taking a cooler on our trip with us. We'll pack it with sandwiches, juices, water, fruit and snacks. If the weather is nice, I'd like to stop around lunchtime and have a picnic lunch, let the girls run off some energy.

Just a list of some funnies said or witnessed around here lately:

-"What's taking Daddy so long? It is taking a long time, like he's upstairs going potty." (said by Katy while we waited for Steven to get off work at the comissary)

-"I think I'd like a real horse for my birthday. You can get me one Mama. I'll keep it in my room and feed it every day." (Emily this morning discussing her birthday with me in the van)

-Everytime Lizzy "toots" she laughs. Gee, I wonder who taught her that?

-"Five fat turkeys are weeee, we hid up in the treeeee. When the cook came around, we couldn't be found. And that's why we're here you seeeeeee." (Katy practicing for the Grandparent's Day program)

My Dorkdom Revealed

I had to buy a geek watch last night. You know the ones I'm talking about. Big digital face, dings on the hour, has an alarm and lots of buttons to push.

Yeah, I had to get one. While they do make girly-er ones they don't make anything that looks "normal" to me.

You may be asking yourself why I had to buy one of these monstrous arm contraptions. I'll tell ya.

I have to remember to take my second med dose in the afternoon. I usually have to take it at a time when I'm very busy getting things cleaned and ready to go pick up Katy from school. Or, I might be busily sewing or whatever. I'd forget to take it until much, much later and that's not a good thing. So, my watch has an alarm that goes off at 2:30 to remind me.

I'm guessing you guys probably already knew of my dork status. Just one more bit of proof.

We've got four more days until we go on our trip. They'll be spent packing, cleaning, preparing. I need to finish Em's birthday dress. Well, actually I need to decide if I even like the pattern I picked out. It isn't what I thought it would be. Feh. I'd also like to finish her jammies so that I only have Katy's to finish when I get back. (Plus that secret something I'll have to hide.)

We're planning on taking a cooler on our trip with us. We'll pack it with sandwiches, juices, water, fruit and snacks. If the weather is nice, I'd like to stop around lunchtime and have a picnic lunch, let the girls run off some energy.

Just a list of some funnies said or witnessed around here lately:

-"What's taking Daddy so long? It is taking a long time, like he's upstairs going potty." (said by Katy while we waited for Steven to get off work at the comissary)

-"I think I'd like a real horse for my birthday. You can get me one Mama. I'll keep it in my room and feed it every day." (Emily this morning discussing her birthday with me in the van)

-Everytime Lizzy "toots" she laughs. Gee, I wonder who taught her that?

-"Five fat turkeys are weeee, we hid up in the treeeee. When the cook came around, we couldn't be found. And that's why we're here you seeeeeee." (Katy practicing for the Grandparent's Day program)

Improvement

As I just mentioned to Dj, I think today is a good indicator of my improving mental health.

As I got Lizzy up from her nap, I struck me that when I'm "ok" I really do enjoy my kids. I want to play with them and hang out with them. I don't get all frustrated when they ask to help, I just let them help.

Another sign came a tad later.

I had asked Katy to go downstairs and bring up the box of trashbags. I had planned to lighten the toy-load around here and donate them. She goes down there, I hear a splat and she comes upstairs. She fell down in the laundry room because the floor was wet.

I'm thinking "Still wet? I mopped two hours ago." Then it hit me.

"Katy, is there a lot of water on the floor or just a little?"

"There's a LOT."

The toilet had overflowed. Again.

This is something like the fourth or fifth time this month. (Emily always uses too much paper)

And ya know what? I didn't yell. I didn't raise my voice. I didn't spank anyone out of anger.

I handled it all calmly.

Improvement

As I just mentioned to Dj, I think today is a good indicator of my improving mental health.

As I got Lizzy up from her nap, I struck me that when I'm "ok" I really do enjoy my kids. I want to play with them and hang out with them. I don't get all frustrated when they ask to help, I just let them help.

Another sign came a tad later.

I had asked Katy to go downstairs and bring up the box of trashbags. I had planned to lighten the toy-load around here and donate them. She goes down there, I hear a splat and she comes upstairs. She fell down in the laundry room because the floor was wet.

I'm thinking "Still wet? I mopped two hours ago." Then it hit me.

"Katy, is there a lot of water on the floor or just a little?"

"There's a LOT."

The toilet had overflowed. Again.

This is something like the fourth or fifth time this month. (Emily always uses too much paper)

And ya know what? I didn't yell. I didn't raise my voice. I didn't spank anyone out of anger.

I handled it all calmly.

Lizzy Antics

I have told you all how Lizzy is afraid of pretty much nothing. Well, there is that freaky looking magician in the beginning of Wiggles Magical Adventure. Because she isn't afraid, she thinks she can go and do what everyone else can.

Yesterday was no exception.

We bought those plastic doorknob covers when we realized she could open doors. I had put them on the doors downstairs, but hadn't taken any upstairs yet. We were all upstairs during the afternoon/evening. The gate was up on the stairs, the necessary doors were closed. I felt safe. Heh. Should have known righ then.

I was in the cat/sewing/workout room working on finishing her jammies. I can hear them playing so I continue on, peeking my head out every few minutes to "keep an eye" on her. Remember, I still can't hear out of that ear, so perceiving where a sound comes from is difficult at best (hence yesterday's entry). It's also difficult to figure out what some sounds even are. So, when I heard a very loud whooshing sound, I got confused. It wasn't a sound I could recognize. I jump over the gate, take two steps and then I see it.

Lizzy has opened the bathroom door. She climbed up on the toilet. She climbed up on the counter top where the sink is. She turned the water (cold thank heavens) on full blast. She picked up the cup and was throwing water about the room. When she saw me, she scooted down to one knee on the sink and one knee on the back of the toilet.

Needless to say (but I will anyway), I removed her from the room. Quickly cleaned up the mess and sent Katy downstairs to bring the doorknob covers up.
Put the covers on and they went back to play.

I go back to my sewing and less than five minutes later, I hear her whine and I turn my head to look out the door. She was perched halfway up the bunkbeds. She could go no further but couldn't quite figure out how to get down.

Today, we've had two episodes of falling from the dining room chairs as she tried to leap from one to another. Another episode of butting heads with Emily hard enough to leave a raised bruise under her eye almost instantly.

What ever will I do when she is old enough that I have to take the gate down from the stairs?

I forsee many a trip to the ER with her. Perhaps a broken bone or two? Let's just hope she doesn't follow in the footsteps of her Daddy. I don't think I can deal with ears ripped off and tongues bitten in half.

Well, I could, but I don't want to if I don't have to.

Lizzy Antics

I have told you all how Lizzy is afraid of pretty much nothing. Well, there is that freaky looking magician in the beginning of Wiggles Magical Adventure. Because she isn't afraid, she thinks she can go and do what everyone else can.

Yesterday was no exception.

We bought those plastic doorknob covers when we realized she could open doors. I had put them on the doors downstairs, but hadn't taken any upstairs yet. We were all upstairs during the afternoon/evening. The gate was up on the stairs, the necessary doors were closed. I felt safe. Heh. Should have known righ then.

I was in the cat/sewing/workout room working on finishing her jammies. I can hear them playing so I continue on, peeking my head out every few minutes to "keep an eye" on her. Remember, I still can't hear out of that ear, so perceiving where a sound comes from is difficult at best (hence yesterday's entry). It's also difficult to figure out what some sounds even are. So, when I heard a very loud whooshing sound, I got confused. It wasn't a sound I could recognize. I jump over the gate, take two steps and then I see it.

Lizzy has opened the bathroom door. She climbed up on the toilet. She climbed up on the counter top where the sink is. She turned the water (cold thank heavens) on full blast. She picked up the cup and was throwing water about the room. When she saw me, she scooted down to one knee on the sink and one knee on the back of the toilet.

Needless to say (but I will anyway), I removed her from the room. Quickly cleaned up the mess and sent Katy downstairs to bring the doorknob covers up.
Put the covers on and they went back to play.

I go back to my sewing and less than five minutes later, I hear her whine and I turn my head to look out the door. She was perched halfway up the bunkbeds. She could go no further but couldn't quite figure out how to get down.

Today, we've had two episodes of falling from the dining room chairs as she tried to leap from one to another. Another episode of butting heads with Emily hard enough to leave a raised bruise under her eye almost instantly.

What ever will I do when she is old enough that I have to take the gate down from the stairs?

I forsee many a trip to the ER with her. Perhaps a broken bone or two? Let's just hope she doesn't follow in the footsteps of her Daddy. I don't think I can deal with ears ripped off and tongues bitten in half.

Well, I could, but I don't want to if I don't have to.

The Longest Day

Today, Steven left for work at 5:30am. He will not be home again until 7:30pm. Thus making it feel like the longest day in recorded history.

At least Lizzy did finally take a nap today. I don't know if I could deal with that attitude again today. I should have napped, or sewn or folded clothes. But what did I do? Watched the last episode in Season 1 of Little House, ate lunch, fiddled around on the computer. Not productive, but hey, I'm still sick.

I've been gathering recipes to take to my mom's for Thanksgiving. We're going to have the turkey as a late lunch/early dinner with a big breakfast and snacky type foods for the waiting time. Should be fun! Our list of yumminess so far is:

-Turkey (of course)
-Rice and gravy (Steven's Grandma's recipe, or a reasonable facsimile there of)
-Cornbread dressing (Steven's mom's recipe or we'll buy some from Holt's)
-Sweet Potato Stuff (Again, his family's recipe. I think it's credited to MomFrances)
-Carrot Cake (My recipe)
-Squash Casserole (I think we're doing this?? From a recipe I found online or my mom's)
-Lemon Squares (Andrea's recipe)
-Shortbread cookies (online recipe)
-Sausage Cheese Balls (Betty Crocker recipe. Tried them last year, YUM!!)
-Fudge (Steven calls it mine, but it's recipe from the Domino Sugar box)
-Cowboy Ranch Round Ups (Dj's recipe)

Who knows what else we'll come up with. It'll be loads of fun though. Memaw, Ben and Wyatt will be there, plus the five of us, plus Mama and Gene. What a hoot!

Do you realize how much it costs to board animals for 10 days???? Sheesh!

Are you starting to think this entry is a bit rambly and disjointed? Heh. That's because it is.

It's the oddest feeling to hear a sound but not be able to easily determine the direction it's coming from. My phone just rang and I couldn't find it. Freaky.
MomFrances, I know you can relate. For the small portion of readers who aren't family (all 3.2 of you) I'll explain. MomFrances has nerve deafness in her right ear. It's something I had to learn to be concious of right away. Because I talk so softly most of the time (shush Steven) I have to make sure I'm talking in the correct ear. Anyhow, MomFrances always said it was difficult to tell where a sound came from. I never understood that. Until now.
Cell phone was ringing on the computer desk this morning. I was in the kitchen. I heard it, but couldn't find it. Walked by it (phone on the right side) and still couldn't pinpoint the sound. Only when I turned to go back to the kitchen (thinking I might have passed it) did I hear it, right next to me on the desk.

Speaking of you, MomFrances, we've joked for years about Steven calling me Mom before and how you and I have some similarities. This ear thing, yeah, it clinches it for him.

If you haven't looked lately, I've got pictures of the "Jammie Project" on the craft blog. (Link in the sidebar on the main page) So far I've been working on Lizzy's. They're looking mighty cute. I plan to have those finished and one other person's started before we leave for our trip. There are what, six weeks roughly until Christmas. We'll be gone for two of those. I've got this pair to finish, a pair for Katy and Em. I've also got a secret project in the works for, ahem, a certain someone who reads this blog. *cough*Steven*cough* But I can't tell you about it yet.

Feelin' crappy so you get pictures

Click any of the thumbnails to see the larger view.

"The tiny one does not see me as I slink by and take a photo of her unawares."

"Hey, stop that! I said no cameras! At least not until i've had my hair done MOM."

"I am on crack! Watch me dance around in circles until I fall down..."

"Yet again, the crack has affected my ability to retain my human form. Soon i will morph into psycho preschooler and i shall do so by first removing my cheeks."

"AHA! I have my ni-ni blanket! All is well with the world! I shall sing from the mountain tops like that Julie Andrews chick!"

"Foiled again! The Mommy-meister saves the day!"

Feelin' crappy so you get pictures

Click any of the thumbnails to see the larger view.

"The tiny one does not see me as I slink by and take a photo of her unawares."

"Hey, stop that! I said no cameras! At least not until i've had my hair done MOM."

"I am on crack! Watch me dance around in circles until I fall down..."

"Yet again, the crack has affected my ability to retain my human form. Soon i will morph into psycho preschooler and i shall do so by first removing my cheeks."

"AHA! I have my ni-ni blanket! All is well with the world! I shall sing from the mountain tops like that Julie Andrews chick!"

"Foiled again! The Mommy-meister saves the day!"

Feelin' crappy so you get pictures

Click any of the thumbnails to see the larger view.

"The tiny one does not see me as I slink by and take a photo of her unawares."

"Hey, stop that! I said no cameras! At least not until i've had my hair done MOM."

"I am on crack! Watch me dance around in circles until I fall down..."

"Yet again, the crack has affected my ability to retain my human form. Soon i will morph into psycho preschooler and i shall do so by first removing my cheeks."

"AHA! I have my ni-ni blanket! All is well with the world! I shall sing from the mountain tops like that Julie Andrews chick!"

"Foiled again! The Mommy-meister saves the day!"

Batton down the hatches!

Lizzy can open doors. The Destructo-Bot has been unleashed.

Lizzy is **this close to climbing the safety gates. Batton down the hatches boys, it's going to be a rough sea ahead.

She pitched her first really temper tantrum last night. Steven had taken Katy and Emily upstairs to run the bath water. Lizzy was downstairs with me. She was going to go up there, but not quite yet. She's screaming and crying and trying to swing her leg over the gate. I come over, pick her up, and set her down in the hallway so I can remove the gate. She takes this to mean she isn't going upstairs. She throws herself on the floor, wailing like a skinned cat, kickin her feet. Sigh.

Doesn't help that she's sick, I'm sick, Katy's starting to get sick.

*Gratuitous Subject Change*
I'm making the girls some new jammies for Christmas. We usually buy them but we had some flannel in the fabric cabinet and I got the idea to make them. With Christmas money in short supply, this will help a bit. We can continue the tradition of getting the new jammies on Christmas Eve and wearing them to bed (after a snack) without spending $15 on a pair of kids' pajamas.

Speaking of not spending, having the job of keeping up with our finances is interesting. Steven probably thinks I'm being rigid or strict, heh. Seriously though, if we plan to get out of this debt, we have to buckle down. Not tomorrow. Not after the holidays. There's always something to spend money on. But we're going to do everything we can not to have to spend it on a credit card.

We're pretty sure the Thanksgiving/Reunion trip is covered. Em's 4th birthday will be fun but small. Christmas this year will be spent at our home. With that long trip in November, we can't come up with money for a trip home and gifts for the girls. January is my birthday, though I don't need anything. Around February or March we need to have saved the money to get the dresses for Katy and Em to wear in Nancy's wedding (Steven's younger sister) as well as getting Steven to Athens for Nancy's college graduation. Throw in Lizzy and Grandpa Kenneth's birthday right in the middle just for fun.

None of these things are going to be overlooked. We'll just have to stick to our budget very closely, plan our trip to include a cooler of sandwiches and snacks rather than buying food in transit. We'll have to just "be okay" when Steven gets to work extra hours at the comissary over the holidays for the extra money.

Batton down the hatches!

Lizzy can open doors. The Destructo-Bot has been unleashed.

Lizzy is **this close to climbing the safety gates. Batton down the hatches boys, it's going to be a rough sea ahead.

She pitched her first really temper tantrum last night. Steven had taken Katy and Emily upstairs to run the bath water. Lizzy was downstairs with me. She was going to go up there, but not quite yet. She's screaming and crying and trying to swing her leg over the gate. I come over, pick her up, and set her down in the hallway so I can remove the gate. She takes this to mean she isn't going upstairs. She throws herself on the floor, wailing like a skinned cat, kickin her feet. Sigh.

Doesn't help that she's sick, I'm sick, Katy's starting to get sick.

*Gratuitous Subject Change*
I'm making the girls some new jammies for Christmas. We usually buy them but we had some flannel in the fabric cabinet and I got the idea to make them. With Christmas money in short supply, this will help a bit. We can continue the tradition of getting the new jammies on Christmas Eve and wearing them to bed (after a snack) without spending $15 on a pair of kids' pajamas.

Speaking of not spending, having the job of keeping up with our finances is interesting. Steven probably thinks I'm being rigid or strict, heh. Seriously though, if we plan to get out of this debt, we have to buckle down. Not tomorrow. Not after the holidays. There's always something to spend money on. But we're going to do everything we can not to have to spend it on a credit card.

We're pretty sure the Thanksgiving/Reunion trip is covered. Em's 4th birthday will be fun but small. Christmas this year will be spent at our home. With that long trip in November, we can't come up with money for a trip home and gifts for the girls. January is my birthday, though I don't need anything. Around February or March we need to have saved the money to get the dresses for Katy and Em to wear in Nancy's wedding (Steven's younger sister) as well as getting Steven to Athens for Nancy's college graduation. Throw in Lizzy and Grandpa Kenneth's birthday right in the middle just for fun.

None of these things are going to be overlooked. We'll just have to stick to our budget very closely, plan our trip to include a cooler of sandwiches and snacks rather than buying food in transit. We'll have to just "be okay" when Steven gets to work extra hours at the comissary over the holidays for the extra money.

Batton down the hatches!

Lizzy can open doors. The Destructo-Bot has been unleashed.

Lizzy is **this close to climbing the safety gates. Batton down the hatches boys, it's going to be a rough sea ahead.

She pitched her first really temper tantrum last night. Steven had taken Katy and Emily upstairs to run the bath water. Lizzy was downstairs with me. She was going to go up there, but not quite yet. She's screaming and crying and trying to swing her leg over the gate. I come over, pick her up, and set her down in the hallway so I can remove the gate. She takes this to mean she isn't going upstairs. She throws herself on the floor, wailing like a skinned cat, kickin her feet. Sigh.

Doesn't help that she's sick, I'm sick, Katy's starting to get sick.

*Gratuitous Subject Change*
I'm making the girls some new jammies for Christmas. We usually buy them but we had some flannel in the fabric cabinet and I got the idea to make them. With Christmas money in short supply, this will help a bit. We can continue the tradition of getting the new jammies on Christmas Eve and wearing them to bed (after a snack) without spending $15 on a pair of kids' pajamas.

Speaking of not spending, having the job of keeping up with our finances is interesting. Steven probably thinks I'm being rigid or strict, heh. Seriously though, if we plan to get out of this debt, we have to buckle down. Not tomorrow. Not after the holidays. There's always something to spend money on. But we're going to do everything we can not to have to spend it on a credit card.

We're pretty sure the Thanksgiving/Reunion trip is covered. Em's 4th birthday will be fun but small. Christmas this year will be spent at our home. With that long trip in November, we can't come up with money for a trip home and gifts for the girls. January is my birthday, though I don't need anything. Around February or March we need to have saved the money to get the dresses for Katy and Em to wear in Nancy's wedding (Steven's younger sister) as well as getting Steven to Athens for Nancy's college graduation. Throw in Lizzy and Grandpa Kenneth's birthday right in the middle just for fun.

None of these things are going to be overlooked. We'll just have to stick to our budget very closely, plan our trip to include a cooler of sandwiches and snacks rather than buying food in transit. We'll have to just "be okay" when Steven gets to work extra hours at the comissary over the holidays for the extra money.

The Same Thing Happens Every Night aka The Bill Cosby Chin Hair Episode with Party trailer

Part One
My grandmother had one tiny black hair that grew from her chin. I always stared at it as a kid. I was somehow fascinated that she never plucked it and that it didn't concern her at all. I am pretty sure she never shaved her legs (Mama, correct me on that if I'm wrong) so dealing with that one pesky chin hair probably wasn't high on her list of things to do. She helped my Granddaddy with the farm and kept house.

Why am I telling you this? Just wait, I promise I have a point. I will get there, eventually.

My mom and I have talked about how much alike we are in mannerisms and behavior yet we look a lot different. On one of her trips down to visit, she and I discovered we have small white moles (for lack of a better word) on our noses, in the exact same spots. We also discovered that we both have one of those pesky, lonesome chin hairs. Just like my Grandma.

One big difference though, we pluck ours. Chalk mine up to vanity or the desire not to have a full Mr. Edwards' beard. (top right of the photo)

Part Two
Ever seen Bill Cosby Himself? In particular the skit "The same thing happens every night"? I can't find a transcript of it online or even a paraphrase. Steven or MomFrances could probably quote it word for word.

If you've never seen it, basically what I'm referring to is his description of how to get his kids to take a bath. You have to give very specific directions and you have to say the same things every night, because for some reason the kids can't remember the process from one night to the next.

You can't say "take a bath." You have to say "go upstairs, take off your clothes, get into the shower, turn on the water, use soap. Rinse yourself off, dry yourself off, put on your pajamas and go to bed."

This is my life.

I joke that Katy can remember what she ate at a Christmas dinner three years ago. Yet, she can't remember to brush her teeth every morning. To put on her glasses. To take her socks and shoes downstairs. Eat breakfast. Take your supplements. Get dressed. Let me do your hair.

Katy and Emily both have to be reminded every. single. time we get in the van to buckle up, close the door.

I've taken to sitting in the van, waiting quietly with them both sitting in their seats or standing there looking at me with that blank stare. I wait and think eventually that little light bulb will click on in their heads. "Oh yes, Mama wants us to close the van door. Get into our seats and buckle up." Heh. Not happening.

"And these three children have the nerve to look surprised."

Part Three
We've had to resort to drastic measures with Katy. She has been telling lies. Usually nothing huge in importance. The skirt thing was another story.

Lying is a big deal. Size or importance of the subject matter are unimportant. Lying ranks quite high on the discipline scale. We've tried everything we can come up with to convince her to stop and she hasn't. Yesterday, we pulled out the big guns.

Her friend Kara from school is having a slumber party this weekend. All four girls from the class are invited. The girls have been excitedly talking about this for at least two weeks.

She's been told about how seriously we take this. She has to continue to tell the truth in order to get to go to the party. If there is any more telling of lies, she can't go. And she has to tell Kara.

I DO NOT like doing this. I wish something else would've worked, but it hasn't. We've been dealing with this with her for several months now. It's time for it to stop.

We hung up some signs as reminders for her. She's very into math so we made them look like math problems.

I really hope she makes it. Telling her she can't go, if she doesn't make it, is something I won't want to do. But I will, if I have to.

The Same Thing Happens Every Night aka The Bill Cosby Chin Hair Episode with Party trailer

Part One
My grandmother had one tiny black hair that grew from her chin. I always stared at it as a kid. I was somehow fascinated that she never plucked it and that it didn't concern her at all. I am pretty sure she never shaved her legs (Mama, correct me on that if I'm wrong) so dealing with that one pesky chin hair probably wasn't high on her list of things to do. She helped my Granddaddy with the farm and kept house.

Why am I telling you this? Just wait, I promise I have a point. I will get there, eventually.

My mom and I have talked about how much alike we are in mannerisms and behavior yet we look a lot different. On one of her trips down to visit, she and I discovered we have small white moles (for lack of a better word) on our noses, in the exact same spots. We also discovered that we both have one of those pesky, lonesome chin hairs. Just like my Grandma.

One big difference though, we pluck ours. Chalk mine up to vanity or the desire not to have a full Mr. Edwards' beard. (top right of the photo)

Part Two
Ever seen Bill Cosby Himself? In particular the skit "The same thing happens every night"? I can't find a transcript of it online or even a paraphrase. Steven or MomFrances could probably quote it word for word.

If you've never seen it, basically what I'm referring to is his description of how to get his kids to take a bath. You have to give very specific directions and you have to say the same things every night, because for some reason the kids can't remember the process from one night to the next.

You can't say "take a bath." You have to say "go upstairs, take off your clothes, get into the shower, turn on the water, use soap. Rinse yourself off, dry yourself off, put on your pajamas and go to bed."

This is my life.

I joke that Katy can remember what she ate at a Christmas dinner three years ago. Yet, she can't remember to brush her teeth every morning. To put on her glasses. To take her socks and shoes downstairs. Eat breakfast. Take your supplements. Get dressed. Let me do your hair.

Katy and Emily both have to be reminded every. single. time we get in the van to buckle up, close the door.

I've taken to sitting in the van, waiting quietly with them both sitting in their seats or standing there looking at me with that blank stare. I wait and think eventually that little light bulb will click on in their heads. "Oh yes, Mama wants us to close the van door. Get into our seats and buckle up." Heh. Not happening.

"And these three children have the nerve to look surprised."

Part Three
We've had to resort to drastic measures with Katy. She has been telling lies. Usually nothing huge in importance. The skirt thing was another story.

Lying is a big deal. Size or importance of the subject matter are unimportant. Lying ranks quite high on the discipline scale. We've tried everything we can come up with to convince her to stop and she hasn't. Yesterday, we pulled out the big guns.

Her friend Kara from school is having a slumber party this weekend. All four girls from the class are invited. The girls have been excitedly talking about this for at least two weeks.

She's been told about how seriously we take this. She has to continue to tell the truth in order to get to go to the party. If there is any more telling of lies, she can't go. And she has to tell Kara.

I DO NOT like doing this. I wish something else would've worked, but it hasn't. We've been dealing with this with her for several months now. It's time for it to stop.

We hung up some signs as reminders for her. She's very into math so we made them look like math problems.

I really hope she makes it. Telling her she can't go, if she doesn't make it, is something I won't want to do. But I will, if I have to.

The Same Thing Happens Every Night aka The Bill Cosby Chin Hair Episode with Party trailer

Part One
My grandmother had one tiny black hair that grew from her chin. I always stared at it as a kid. I was somehow fascinated that she never plucked it and that it didn't concern her at all. I am pretty sure she never shaved her legs (Mama, correct me on that if I'm wrong) so dealing with that one pesky chin hair probably wasn't high on her list of things to do. She helped my Granddaddy with the farm and kept house.

Why am I telling you this? Just wait, I promise I have a point. I will get there, eventually.

My mom and I have talked about how much alike we are in mannerisms and behavior yet we look a lot different. On one of her trips down to visit, she and I discovered we have small white moles (for lack of a better word) on our noses, in the exact same spots. We also discovered that we both have one of those pesky, lonesome chin hairs. Just like my Grandma.

One big difference though, we pluck ours. Chalk mine up to vanity or the desire not to have a full Mr. Edwards' beard. (top right of the photo)

Part Two
Ever seen Bill Cosby Himself? In particular the skit "The same thing happens every night"? I can't find a transcript of it online or even a paraphrase. Steven or MomFrances could probably quote it word for word.

If you've never seen it, basically what I'm referring to is his description of how to get his kids to take a bath. You have to give very specific directions and you have to say the same things every night, because for some reason the kids can't remember the process from one night to the next.

You can't say "take a bath." You have to say "go upstairs, take off your clothes, get into the shower, turn on the water, use soap. Rinse yourself off, dry yourself off, put on your pajamas and go to bed."

This is my life.

I joke that Katy can remember what she ate at a Christmas dinner three years ago. Yet, she can't remember to brush her teeth every morning. To put on her glasses. To take her socks and shoes downstairs. Eat breakfast. Take your supplements. Get dressed. Let me do your hair.

Katy and Emily both have to be reminded every. single. time we get in the van to buckle up, close the door.

I've taken to sitting in the van, waiting quietly with them both sitting in their seats or standing there looking at me with that blank stare. I wait and think eventually that little light bulb will click on in their heads. "Oh yes, Mama wants us to close the van door. Get into our seats and buckle up." Heh. Not happening.

"And these three children have the nerve to look surprised."

Part Three
We've had to resort to drastic measures with Katy. She has been telling lies. Usually nothing huge in importance. The skirt thing was another story.

Lying is a big deal. Size or importance of the subject matter are unimportant. Lying ranks quite high on the discipline scale. We've tried everything we can come up with to convince her to stop and she hasn't. Yesterday, we pulled out the big guns.

Her friend Kara from school is having a slumber party this weekend. All four girls from the class are invited. The girls have been excitedly talking about this for at least two weeks.

She's been told about how seriously we take this. She has to continue to tell the truth in order to get to go to the party. If there is any more telling of lies, she can't go. And she has to tell Kara.

I DO NOT like doing this. I wish something else would've worked, but it hasn't. We've been dealing with this with her for several months now. It's time for it to stop.

We hung up some signs as reminders for her. She's very into math so we made them look like math problems.

I really hope she makes it. Telling her she can't go, if she doesn't make it, is something I won't want to do. But I will, if I have to.

Hearing and the Mother Ship

I want my hearing back! This one ear thing is driving me nuts. I can't tell where sounds are coming from. When talking to someone in a crowded room, I can hear the background sounds more so than the person directly in front of me. Grumble grumble. I was hoping the sinus drainage I'm feeling down the back of my throat (hence that annoying tickle that makes me want to clear my throat every .002 seconds) would be a sign of impending drainage of whatever is all congested in there.

Pretty uneventful day planned. My dishes were washing, and dinner was defrosting by 9:00am. Heh. Where is the mother ship that swapped my brain with June Cleaver's??

Hearing and the Mother Ship

I want my hearing back! This one ear thing is driving me nuts. I can't tell where sounds are coming from. When talking to someone in a crowded room, I can hear the background sounds more so than the person directly in front of me. Grumble grumble. I was hoping the sinus drainage I'm feeling down the back of my throat (hence that annoying tickle that makes me want to clear my throat every .002 seconds) would be a sign of impending drainage of whatever is all congested in there.

Pretty uneventful day planned. My dishes were washing, and dinner was defrosting by 9:00am. Heh. Where is the mother ship that swapped my brain with June Cleaver's??

Hearing and the Mother Ship

I want my hearing back! This one ear thing is driving me nuts. I can't tell where sounds are coming from. When talking to someone in a crowded room, I can hear the background sounds more so than the person directly in front of me. Grumble grumble. I was hoping the sinus drainage I'm feeling down the back of my throat (hence that annoying tickle that makes me want to clear my throat every .002 seconds) would be a sign of impending drainage of whatever is all congested in there.

Pretty uneventful day planned. My dishes were washing, and dinner was defrosting by 9:00am. Heh. Where is the mother ship that swapped my brain with June Cleaver's??

Huh? What'd you say?

My right ear is STILL clogged. I've tried Debrox drops. Nothing. I've tried two days (so far) of Sudafed to see if it's congestion. Nothing yet. It's driving me crazy. MomFrances I know how you feel now.

Only 11 more days until we drive home. We're going a bit early to go to my cousin's wedding. Then we'll have dinner with my dad. We'll go over and visit with Becky and Craig. Thursday we'll have dinner at my mom's. Friday we drive to Daytona. Steven's family has started a new tradition of having family reunion the weekend after Thanksgiving. It'll be nice to see everybody we haven't seen in so long.

After church today I took Steven to work, then drove home. As I got out of the van I realized Lizzy had fallen asleep. So, I took her upstairs, fed the big girls and concocted a plan. I had Katy and Emily help me wash the van! (heh you were waiting for something else weren't ya?) I can't reach across the windshield and I sure couldn't reach the top but it looks good. Nice and clean and shiny.

Now I'm pooped. I'm very glad dinner is in the crockpot. All I have to do is go pick up Steven at 6:00, drive home, throw the sandwiches together and voila! Dinner.

I'm so easily amused.

Huh? What'd you say?

My right ear is STILL clogged. I've tried Debrox drops. Nothing. I've tried two days (so far) of Sudafed to see if it's congestion. Nothing yet. It's driving me crazy. MomFrances I know how you feel now.

Only 11 more days until we drive home. We're going a bit early to go to my cousin's wedding. Then we'll have dinner with my dad. We'll go over and visit with Becky and Craig. Thursday we'll have dinner at my mom's. Friday we drive to Daytona. Steven's family has started a new tradition of having family reunion the weekend after Thanksgiving. It'll be nice to see everybody we haven't seen in so long.

After church today I took Steven to work, then drove home. As I got out of the van I realized Lizzy had fallen asleep. So, I took her upstairs, fed the big girls and concocted a plan. I had Katy and Emily help me wash the van! (heh you were waiting for something else weren't ya?) I can't reach across the windshield and I sure couldn't reach the top but it looks good. Nice and clean and shiny.

Now I'm pooped. I'm very glad dinner is in the crockpot. All I have to do is go pick up Steven at 6:00, drive home, throw the sandwiches together and voila! Dinner.

I'm so easily amused.

Huh? What'd you say?

My right ear is STILL clogged. I've tried Debrox drops. Nothing. I've tried two days (so far) of Sudafed to see if it's congestion. Nothing yet. It's driving me crazy. MomFrances I know how you feel now.

Only 11 more days until we drive home. We're going a bit early to go to my cousin's wedding. Then we'll have dinner with my dad. We'll go over and visit with Becky and Craig. Thursday we'll have dinner at my mom's. Friday we drive to Daytona. Steven's family has started a new tradition of having family reunion the weekend after Thanksgiving. It'll be nice to see everybody we haven't seen in so long.

After church today I took Steven to work, then drove home. As I got out of the van I realized Lizzy had fallen asleep. So, I took her upstairs, fed the big girls and concocted a plan. I had Katy and Emily help me wash the van! (heh you were waiting for something else weren't ya?) I can't reach across the windshield and I sure couldn't reach the top but it looks good. Nice and clean and shiny.

Now I'm pooped. I'm very glad dinner is in the crockpot. All I have to do is go pick up Steven at 6:00, drive home, throw the sandwiches together and voila! Dinner.

I'm so easily amused.

Less crazy or crazier? You decide.

I think I'm feeling better. The biggest indicator for me was that I WANTED to get up clean the kitchen. I mean Clean the Kitchen. I wiped down counters, put away stuff, washed dishes, cleaned my stove, wiped down all the appliances. You never know how much brighter my kitchen looks until you wash down the front of the refrigerator. heh. Emily and Katy both helped. They wiped cabinets and then dusted some of the living room and cleaned the glass surfaces they could reach.

These are things I haven't wanted to do for months. I let things pile up and things go undone and did only the bare minimum. Next rooms to tackle are the computer area and our bedroom. Those two will take me more than one day. I need to go through our homeschool cabinet, see what we can sell, keep and trash.

Some of you will think I'm doing better, but the rest of you probably think I've gone battier than I was before.

Less crazy or crazier? You decide.

I think I'm feeling better. The biggest indicator for me was that I WANTED to get up clean the kitchen. I mean Clean the Kitchen. I wiped down counters, put away stuff, washed dishes, cleaned my stove, wiped down all the appliances. You never know how much brighter my kitchen looks until you wash down the front of the refrigerator. heh. Emily and Katy both helped. They wiped cabinets and then dusted some of the living room and cleaned the glass surfaces they could reach.

These are things I haven't wanted to do for months. I let things pile up and things go undone and did only the bare minimum. Next rooms to tackle are the computer area and our bedroom. Those two will take me more than one day. I need to go through our homeschool cabinet, see what we can sell, keep and trash.

Some of you will think I'm doing better, but the rest of you probably think I've gone battier than I was before.

Less crazy or crazier? You decide.

I think I'm feeling better. The biggest indicator for me was that I WANTED to get up clean the kitchen. I mean Clean the Kitchen. I wiped down counters, put away stuff, washed dishes, cleaned my stove, wiped down all the appliances. You never know how much brighter my kitchen looks until you wash down the front of the refrigerator. heh. Emily and Katy both helped. They wiped cabinets and then dusted some of the living room and cleaned the glass surfaces they could reach.

These are things I haven't wanted to do for months. I let things pile up and things go undone and did only the bare minimum. Next rooms to tackle are the computer area and our bedroom. Those two will take me more than one day. I need to go through our homeschool cabinet, see what we can sell, keep and trash.

Some of you will think I'm doing better, but the rest of you probably think I've gone battier than I was before.

Gray hairs are sproutin'

She's going to have me gray by 35, y'all. She had no help whatsoever in getting in there. Promise.

(click for larger)

Gray hairs are sproutin'

She's going to have me gray by 35, y'all. She had no help whatsoever in getting in there. Promise.

(click for larger)

Gray hairs are sproutin'

She's going to have me gray by 35, y'all. She had no help whatsoever in getting in there. Promise.

(click for larger)

In lieu of....

I can't come up with anything worth blogging about today. So, I give you Lizzy The Ham. She'd just gotten into a little trouble for smacking Emily, hence the tears.

Lizzy The Ham....is that anything like Lenny the Squid or Jimmy the Fish.

(click for larger)

In lieu of....

I can't come up with anything worth blogging about today. So, I give you Lizzy The Ham. She'd just gotten into a little trouble for smacking Emily, hence the tears.

Lizzy The Ham....is that anything like Lenny the Squid or Jimmy the Fish.

(click for larger)

In lieu of....

I can't come up with anything worth blogging about today. So, I give you Lizzy The Ham. She'd just gotten into a little trouble for smacking Emily, hence the tears.

Lizzy The Ham....is that anything like Lenny the Squid or Jimmy the Fish.

(click for larger)

Under the desk

Elizabeth's new fascination is crawling under the desk and pushing that pretty red button with the light. Ya know, the one that turns the computer on/off. She especially likes to do this when I'm in mid-post.

Emily's new obsession is mumbling. Incessantly. Then getting very upset when no one can decipher the code.

Katy's new obsession is reading. Particularly fun when we are out shopping and she begins to read the graffiti in the bathroom. "Mama, what does this spell, w-h-o-....."

My new thing is trying to get this darn right ear opened up. It's been closing off and on for probably a week now. It's driving me crazy. Normally a warm shower will open it up. Not this morning. Blech. Makes things extra difficult when Emily refuses to open her mouth for "the code."

Under the desk

Elizabeth's new fascination is crawling under the desk and pushing that pretty red button with the light. Ya know, the one that turns the computer on/off. She especially likes to do this when I'm in mid-post.

Emily's new obsession is mumbling. Incessantly. Then getting very upset when no one can decipher the code.

Katy's new obsession is reading. Particularly fun when we are out shopping and she begins to read the graffiti in the bathroom. "Mama, what does this spell, w-h-o-....."

My new thing is trying to get this darn right ear opened up. It's been closing off and on for probably a week now. It's driving me crazy. Normally a warm shower will open it up. Not this morning. Blech. Makes things extra difficult when Emily refuses to open her mouth for "the code."

Under the desk

Elizabeth's new fascination is crawling under the desk and pushing that pretty red button with the light. Ya know, the one that turns the computer on/off. She especially likes to do this when I'm in mid-post.

Emily's new obsession is mumbling. Incessantly. Then getting very upset when no one can decipher the code.

Katy's new obsession is reading. Particularly fun when we are out shopping and she begins to read the graffiti in the bathroom. "Mama, what does this spell, w-h-o-....."

My new thing is trying to get this darn right ear opened up. It's been closing off and on for probably a week now. It's driving me crazy. Normally a warm shower will open it up. Not this morning. Blech. Makes things extra difficult when Emily refuses to open her mouth for "the code."

Cleaning house, in more ways than one

We're cleaning our house as well as our financial house. Things have gotten hairy in that department. I know Steven CAN handle it, but he doesn't want/like to. So last night, I offered to start to take it over for him. Granted, for the first little while I will want him to double check things for me. I'm basically walking into his setup (accounts, Excel sheets, etc) and learning from there.

My main problem is we have three checking accounts. Two I'd be more comfortable with, but three throws me for a loop. We have one becuase it's a great bank, but it isn't local. The second we had in Montgomery, it was the local bank for us then. Our direct deposit for the van goes in there and goes straight out. We never see it. The extra money that is deposited (from before when our payment was higher) gets moved around to the other accounts to pay bills as needed. The third is a checking account locally here in MS so we have a place to cash checks, blah blah blah.

Why do we still have that account in AL you ask? We want to close it. We've been talking about doing it for at least six months. We have to go to Montgomery to close it out. Normally, that trip would be no problem. But with money as tight as it is, a trip home and to FL for the reunion this month a trip to Montgomery isn't feasible. December isn't much better.

I wonder if we can change that direct deposit to another account and leave just a few dollars in the AL account. We could then not worry about it until we got a chance to go over there.

Hmmmm......

Cleaning house, in more ways than one

We're cleaning our house as well as our financial house. Things have gotten hairy in that department. I know Steven CAN handle it, but he doesn't want/like to. So last night, I offered to start to take it over for him. Granted, for the first little while I will want him to double check things for me. I'm basically walking into his setup (accounts, Excel sheets, etc) and learning from there.

My main problem is we have three checking accounts. Two I'd be more comfortable with, but three throws me for a loop. We have one becuase it's a great bank, but it isn't local. The second we had in Montgomery, it was the local bank for us then. Our direct deposit for the van goes in there and goes straight out. We never see it. The extra money that is deposited (from before when our payment was higher) gets moved around to the other accounts to pay bills as needed. The third is a checking account locally here in MS so we have a place to cash checks, blah blah blah.

Why do we still have that account in AL you ask? We want to close it. We've been talking about doing it for at least six months. We have to go to Montgomery to close it out. Normally, that trip would be no problem. But with money as tight as it is, a trip home and to FL for the reunion this month a trip to Montgomery isn't feasible. December isn't much better.

I wonder if we can change that direct deposit to another account and leave just a few dollars in the AL account. We could then not worry about it until we got a chance to go over there.

Hmmmm......

Cleaning house, in more ways than one

We're cleaning our house as well as our financial house. Things have gotten hairy in that department. I know Steven CAN handle it, but he doesn't want/like to. So last night, I offered to start to take it over for him. Granted, for the first little while I will want him to double check things for me. I'm basically walking into his setup (accounts, Excel sheets, etc) and learning from there.

My main problem is we have three checking accounts. Two I'd be more comfortable with, but three throws me for a loop. We have one becuase it's a great bank, but it isn't local. The second we had in Montgomery, it was the local bank for us then. Our direct deposit for the van goes in there and goes straight out. We never see it. The extra money that is deposited (from before when our payment was higher) gets moved around to the other accounts to pay bills as needed. The third is a checking account locally here in MS so we have a place to cash checks, blah blah blah.

Why do we still have that account in AL you ask? We want to close it. We've been talking about doing it for at least six months. We have to go to Montgomery to close it out. Normally, that trip would be no problem. But with money as tight as it is, a trip home and to FL for the reunion this month a trip to Montgomery isn't feasible. December isn't much better.

I wonder if we can change that direct deposit to another account and leave just a few dollars in the AL account. We could then not worry about it until we got a chance to go over there.

Hmmmm......

Can you hear me now?

How many times, in one 30 minute span, can you say "brush your teeth, get dressed, get your shoes on" before your head spontaneously pops off your neck and floats away into oblivion?

Seriously, there must be a limit. I feel like Bill Cosby in Himself "Comehere, comehere, comehere, comehere."

Can you hear me now?

How many times, in one 30 minute span, can you say "brush your teeth, get dressed, get your shoes on" before your head spontaneously pops off your neck and floats away into oblivion?

Seriously, there must be a limit. I feel like Bill Cosby in Himself "Comehere, comehere, comehere, comehere."

Can you hear me now?

How many times, in one 30 minute span, can you say "brush your teeth, get dressed, get your shoes on" before your head spontaneously pops off your neck and floats away into oblivion?

Seriously, there must be a limit. I feel like Bill Cosby in Himself "Comehere, comehere, comehere, comehere."

The Goiles

Katy caught using her brain (click for larger view)

Emily had just gotten a massive kitty scratch, I promise she hasn't been hitting the bottle or anything
(click for larger)

Lizzy was being a Supah Stahhhhhh
(click for larger)

The Goiles

Katy caught using her brain (click for larger view)

Emily had just gotten a massive kitty scratch, I promise she hasn't been hitting the bottle or anything
(click for larger)

Lizzy was being a Supah Stahhhhhh
(click for larger)

The Goiles

Katy caught using her brain (click for larger view)

Emily had just gotten a massive kitty scratch, I promise she hasn't been hitting the bottle or anything
(click for larger)

Lizzy was being a Supah Stahhhhhh
(click for larger)

Riding in cars with Becky

Light bulb moments

God continually amazes me. Why is it He can forgive me so readily and yet I have the hardest time forgiving myself?

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

Amazing love, how can it be
that you my King would die for me.
Amazing love, I know it's true
and it's my joy to honor you.

Sometimes cutting out fabric and listening to music does a world of good.

Light bulb moments

God continually amazes me. Why is it He can forgive me so readily and yet I have the hardest time forgiving myself?

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

Amazing love, how can it be
that you my King would die for me.
Amazing love, I know it's true
and it's my joy to honor you.

Sometimes cutting out fabric and listening to music does a world of good.

Light bulb moments

God continually amazes me. Why is it He can forgive me so readily and yet I have the hardest time forgiving myself?

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

Amazing love, how can it be
that you my King would die for me.
Amazing love, I know it's true
and it's my joy to honor you.

Sometimes cutting out fabric and listening to music does a world of good.

Light bulb moments

God continually amazes me. Why is it He can forgive me so readily and yet I have the hardest time forgiving myself?

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

Amazing love, how can it be
that you my King would die for me.
Amazing love, I know it's true
and it's my joy to honor you.

Sometimes cutting out fabric and listening to music does a world of good.

Normal? What's THAT?

Yesterday, there were several long stretches where I felt a lot like the old me.

Where have I been all weekend you ask? Friday Steven was off work so we were busy all day. The Fearless Fun Fest was Friday night and Pam and Charles brought the lil' girls home. Saturday was Apples of Gold (last class), Steven at work, hair cut from a woman who hardly spoke English. Then Steven rushed home, ate, was off for NCOD (babysitting the Phase 1 students) until 2:30am. Sunday was church, lunch, grocery shopping, dinner and telling Pam and Charles goodbye.

Today I'm taking it somewhat easy. Trying to ease back into the daily routine of all the kids home again. It's tough, let me tell ya. Within a five minute span, Lizzy was trying to stand up on the arm of the couch, the kitten was on the stove, then Lizzy had completely unpacked a rubbermaid box of packed up clothes. Stress? Why yes, I have a little.

Right now, I can hear Lizzy beating the "naked mole rat" toy, Em's watching Clifford. Fat Charlotte is asleep on the deep freezer to my right and Lil' Fart Daisy is asleep on the paper in front of me.

Normal? What's THAT?

Yesterday, there were several long stretches where I felt a lot like the old me.

Where have I been all weekend you ask? Friday Steven was off work so we were busy all day. The Fearless Fun Fest was Friday night and Pam and Charles brought the lil' girls home. Saturday was Apples of Gold (last class), Steven at work, hair cut from a woman who hardly spoke English. Then Steven rushed home, ate, was off for NCOD (babysitting the Phase 1 students) until 2:30am. Sunday was church, lunch, grocery shopping, dinner and telling Pam and Charles goodbye.

Today I'm taking it somewhat easy. Trying to ease back into the daily routine of all the kids home again. It's tough, let me tell ya. Within a five minute span, Lizzy was trying to stand up on the arm of the couch, the kitten was on the stove, then Lizzy had completely unpacked a rubbermaid box of packed up clothes. Stress? Why yes, I have a little.

Right now, I can hear Lizzy beating the "naked mole rat" toy, Em's watching Clifford. Fat Charlotte is asleep on the deep freezer to my right and Lil' Fart Daisy is asleep on the paper in front of me.

Normal? What's THAT?

Yesterday, there were several long stretches where I felt a lot like the old me.

Where have I been all weekend you ask? Friday Steven was off work so we were busy all day. The Fearless Fun Fest was Friday night and Pam and Charles brought the lil' girls home. Saturday was Apples of Gold (last class), Steven at work, hair cut from a woman who hardly spoke English. Then Steven rushed home, ate, was off for NCOD (babysitting the Phase 1 students) until 2:30am. Sunday was church, lunch, grocery shopping, dinner and telling Pam and Charles goodbye.

Today I'm taking it somewhat easy. Trying to ease back into the daily routine of all the kids home again. It's tough, let me tell ya. Within a five minute span, Lizzy was trying to stand up on the arm of the couch, the kitten was on the stove, then Lizzy had completely unpacked a rubbermaid box of packed up clothes. Stress? Why yes, I have a little.

Right now, I can hear Lizzy beating the "naked mole rat" toy, Em's watching Clifford. Fat Charlotte is asleep on the deep freezer to my right and Lil' Fart Daisy is asleep on the paper in front of me.

Normal? What's THAT?

Yesterday, there were several long stretches where I felt a lot like the old me.

Where have I been all weekend you ask? Friday Steven was off work so we were busy all day. The Fearless Fun Fest was Friday night and Pam and Charles brought the lil' girls home. Saturday was Apples of Gold (last class), Steven at work, hair cut from a woman who hardly spoke English. Then Steven rushed home, ate, was off for NCOD (babysitting the Phase 1 students) until 2:30am. Sunday was church, lunch, grocery shopping, dinner and telling Pam and Charles goodbye.

Today I'm taking it somewhat easy. Trying to ease back into the daily routine of all the kids home again. It's tough, let me tell ya. Within a five minute span, Lizzy was trying to stand up on the arm of the couch, the kitten was on the stove, then Lizzy had completely unpacked a rubbermaid box of packed up clothes. Stress? Why yes, I have a little.

Right now, I can hear Lizzy beating the "naked mole rat" toy, Em's watching Clifford. Fat Charlotte is asleep on the deep freezer to my right and Lil' Fart Daisy is asleep on the paper in front of me.