Homework, Homework, Homework

It's a broken record: Tony NEVER brings home work and Marisa ALWAYS brings home work. Somehow, Danny and I end up at the table helping the poor girl. Danny covers Math and Biology, I help with American Studies and English.

As long as we are done by Dancing with the Stars, I'm good! Have a great night everyone...

iluvpie.com

Four pies for $1.70. Available at Big Lots. I luv Pie! Oh, whatever...it's been one of those days.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night!

And, I've spent my entire day with kids again! Tony met a bunch of his friends at the movies and Marisa and I went to see Eagle Eye. Turns out that Tony et al were at the same movie. Tony has a friend spending the night. I ordered pizza and the kids watched Disturbia (another Shia LaBeouf movie). Then, the boys headed downstairs to play on the Playstation. Marisa and I watched The Breakfast Club...one of my favorite movies of all time.

I plan on sleeping in late, then start job searching. Wish me luck!

Therapeutic Intervention

Well ladies, it's another Friday night at our house and I'm beat, physically and emotionally. Why I do this will take years of therapeuic intervention to unravel, but...

I chaperoned my son's middle school dance this afternoon. He was the DJ. I was in charge of guarding the back door. All was going well, I think. Tony was asked to dance by Christina. He said no. Then, he wanted to ask Sierra to dance, but chickened out. Two 7th grade boys snuck out the door, then decided to "flip off" other kids who were looking out the window. I caught them! They tried to re-enter the hall, but were stopped by our front door monitors! Due to their "gestures", they were not allowed in and their mommas were called. Lovely...

Marisa's homecoming was tonight. Dmitri did not ask her to go (Marisa's first choice). Then, she was planning on going with a couple of girlfriends. Well, that didn't work out. So, she ended up going to the mall with William. As I pulled into the garage from the middle school dance, Marisa was waiting for me to take her and William to mall (his mom is bringing them home). She took no money with her. Oh yea, she passed up on a babysitting job in order to hang out at the mall.

Where's Danny? CAMPING! Yep, camping. So, here I sit, looking through job announcements, listening to Tony laugh at Larry the Cable Guy, eating a bowl of noodles, texting my BFF Jayme for moral support, and sipping on a watered down Pepsi. Heavy, heavy sigh...

Johnsonville Signature Bites

I participated in a market research study for Johnsonville Signature Bites. They were really good. My kids loved them. The best part was that I was paid $100!!

Wasup?

I can't stand that "wasup" lingo, but, hey, when in Rome....translation....I have a high schooler that likes to be cool. We had a really busy weekend.

Friday...so long ago I forgot.

Saturday...Broomfield Days! This was our 10th year to attend. It's like a city fair. It's alot of fun, but I always get a migraine, probably from eating frito pies, turkey legs, funnel cakes, and cherry snowcones. Okay, I didn't have the funnel cake this year. I'm cutting back. WAIT....did I say this was our 10th year to attend? I can't believe we have been in Colorodo for 10 years now. Where has the time gone? Momma, I want to come home to Texas!

Sunday...filled with church activities: Luke 18, Mass, Lifeteen dinner, Confirmation parent meeting. And, let's not forget those COWBOYS!!!!!

Monday...well, it was Monday. Lots of homework. I started looking for a new job. I think I have decided to return to the social work field. And, let's not forget Dancing with the Stars! I don't know who I'm "going for" yet.

Today...I got a call for a job at a healthcare staffing company. I had a terrible, no good, horrible day at work. I had to run kids all over the place. Danny and Tony are at a city council meeting for Boy Scouts. Marisa and I are about to take off to eat Teriaki for dinner, then settle in to watch Dancing with the Stars and eat ice cream.

That's "wasup"...peace out!

Friday Night Lights On Thursday

We went to the Legacy High School football game last night. Usually, the games are on Fridays, but there was no school today. These games bring back lots of memories, but my high school was the Arlington Colts. The school colors were green and white.

But wait! Marisa's high school is the Legacy Lightning and the colors are navy and gold. What is it that I'm recalling? The band playing, the student body screaming, the autumn weather, the football players, boyfriends, my BFFs. Yep...it's the atmosphere, the comradery, the fellowship.

Legacy won! Good times...

I Heart Blogging

I received this very special award today from DeeBee @ Rain or Shine. I have been following her blog for some time and vise versa. And, she is a fellow Texan! I'm very grateful to her for this award. When you get a moment, go check out DeeBee's blog.

As a recipient of this award, there are rules to follow. I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only! Then I must pass it on to seven others!

The questions are as follows:
1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Where is your significant other? Eating
3. Your hair color? Blonde
4. Your mother? Better
5. Your father? Silly
6. Your favorite thing? Kids
7. Your dream last night? Alarming
8. Your dream/goal? Happiness
9. The room you're in? Kitchen
10. Your hobby? scapbooking
11. Your fear? Loneliness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Texas
13. Where were you last night? Colorado
14. What you're not? Fake
15. One of your wish-list items? thinner
16. Where you grew up? Texas
17. The last thing you did? McDonalds
18. What are you wearing? jeans
19. Your TV? on
20. Your pet? Lucy
21. Your computer? laptop
22. Your mood? worried
23. Missing someone? Jayme
24. Your car? Aztec
25. Something you're not wearing? socks
26. Favorite store? Kohls
27. Your summer? busy
28. Love someone? children
29. Your favorite color? Browns
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? movie

The seven bloggers that I'm nominating:
1. Aussie Coffee Shop
2. We are THAT Family
3. What is it NOW?
4. Oh My Stinkin Heck
5. Boo Mama
6. I'm thinking....
7. I'm still thinking...

Now, for you recipients of this award, here's the deal:
* Display your award.
* Link back to the person who gave you the award.
* Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
* Put links to those blogs on yours.
* Leave a message on the blogs of the people you've nominated.
* Enjoy your award!

My Baby Boy is Shaving!

Yesterday, Tony asked me to ask his dad to teach him how to shave. Tony has about 4 long hairs on his chin and a "waxable" mustache. This means that the hairs on his lip are getting fuller, but not spikey-er. A good waxing would remove those mustache hairs.
So, today Danny showed Tony how to apply shaving cream. Tony, not yet finesse with the cream, gave himself a "Santa" look. He will get better with experience. (They couldn't start until Marisa ran to get my camera to mark the event. I can't wait to scrapbook this!)

Next, Tony starts shaving! Danny told him not to shave above his nose, but once again, he will get better with practice. At this point, he will need to shave once a week or so.

One more close up. I'm in tears. I thought I was upset when Tony lost his first tooth. That pales in comparison to this event. Literally, I'm a basket case. I'm quitting my job tomorrow. And, did you notice the t-shirt Tony is wearing? It's my commemorative tee from the Jack Tar in Puerta Vallarta when Danny and I got married. I have heart burn, I'm going to bed.

I Don't Have Anything To Do....

...so, Marisa, can I organize your notebooks? WHAT! I keep telling Marisa that the key to staying up on top of things in high school is to keep organized. She doesn't believe me, but she told me to go ahead! I gathered the 3-hole punch, the stapler, and colored paper clips. We hung out in her room, listened to music, and ORGANIZED her notebooks. (What she doesn't realize is that tomorrow evening is parent/teacher conferences. Now, I can converse intelligently with the teachers and there shouldn't be any surprises. Ideally, that is...)

Despite the fact that she was laughing at me and looking at me out of the corner of her eye, we had a good time. When Tony realized what we were doing, he quietly got up from his computer and shut his bedroom door. I'm not offended, I'll catch up with him later...

Go Cowboys!

What better way to start the season than Da Boys playing the Buddy Ryan's Eagles! Oops! Buddy Ryan hasn't coached the Eagles since 1990. Man, I sure hold a grudge! This will be the last year Da Boys play at Texas Stadium. Danny is glued to the TV with the play-by-play going from the laptop. I'm sure my brother-in-law, Lu-Lu-Lucas, is glued to his TV also. GO COWBOYS!!!

Marisa has to journal the following question: Who should and who should not vote in America? Below is her outlined rough draft bullets.

Should: adults, mature, legal citizen, law-abiding citizen
Should Not: kids, immature, illegal immigrants, criminals

What do you think?

Different Directions

Not only is Marisa on team for Luke 18, this year she is giving a talk. Her talk is on the Beatitudes and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Her saint topic is St. Martin de Porres. Marisa is a girl who does not like to talk, to anyone, especially in a group! If Marisa had her way she would power point the talk remotely. In the end, she will do just fine. She has lots of support from her upper class teens. I think the toughest part is that Tony is a participant this year, so he will be in the audience.

As this is a teen event and I'm not on food detail and Danny is not chaperoning this year:

I will be scrapbooking, in the mountains, for my birthday, with my friends. Danny will be plugged into Everquest, all by himself, all weekend.

Surprise!

For my 45th birthday, I get to getaway to this place! It's called Traditions Mountain Lodge. I'm so excited to be able to take a retreat in the mountains and scrapbook with my friends. Now I'm not leaving my kids behind. IN FACT, Marisa is on the Luke 18 leadership team that weekend and Tony is a participant in Luke 18 this year. Danny will also be in his glories because he will be able to play Everquest all weekend with no interuptions! So, we are in a WIN, WIN, WIN! I can't hardly wait!

What Happened Today

Marisa was telling me about her day at school. Everyday we go though the same senario: what happened in Math? Biology? American Studies? Who did you have lunch with? How did Demitri flirt today? Admittedly, I only half listen sometimes. I'm biting my nails, just waiting for some horror story, trying to act cool. Well, today, I jumped the gun. Here goes our conversation:

Marisa: Guess what they were passing out at school today?
Me: What, condoms?
Marisa: (bursting out laughing) NO! Cookies with a purchased lunch.
Me: oh....
Marisa: You should blog this conversation! Those were good cookies, too.

I KNOW! No need to say it. I'm off to scrapbook and drink.

Prayers For Tony

Ya know, there's always something! I have to take Tony in for blood work to rule out a "possible rheumatoid factor". He had a doctor's appointment today. He has been complaining of joint pain, neck pain, and back pain. My first thought was he hurt himself at school or from sleeping in that dang hammock. The doctor ordered a thyroid test as well. I just don't know what to think. Please pray for my boy. He needs all the intercessions that we can muster.

Lunch Money

I'm $1 in the hole on my lunch account. Thrilling, huh?

Want To Hear Something Funny?

On Mondays, Moms bring back bedding for their child(ren) for rest time. Today, while putting the bedding on the cots, I shook a crib sheet to open it up and a thong flew out of it. Yep...the mom's thong flew out of it. The kids didn't know what it was, but my co-teacher and I cracked up. We decided to put it in the child's cubbie rather than in the confines of the child's backpack. Needless to say, Momma was mortified when she picked up her child today. Sorry...but we enjoyed the cheap laugh at someone else's expense.

Technology, My True Love

Marisa had to write an allusion. So, she equated technology to a true love; written in a love letter. Where does she get these ideas? (Duh...) To be honest, she was writing this 'tongue & cheek' because Danny and I have used some of these phrases when we are getting on to her for having that dang phone with her ALL the time. So, the stretch isn't too far out there:

"We’ve come along way, baby! I remember when you first entered my life. You were a gift. I had to learn your ways.

You are my lifeline to society. I can not go one day without you for fear of isolation. You are like a child at night for I must answer your call. I have to see you and touch you. I can not put you down. You go with me everywhere. You make my life simple and happy. Everything about you is at my fingertips. Your core remains the same, but as time goes by you become new and improved. You are so amazing. I look forward to being with you in ten years.

When I am with you I know I can go to the moon and beyond. With you I do not worry about sickness. You prolong my life.Where I once stood independent, I am now dependent upon you. I love you so much that I do not know how I ever lived without you."

Did you hear any parental mocking? (clear throat...)

Vote For Life!

I can't believe Obama would make a statement like this! We are all God's children (including Obama)! Wake up, America! Babies are not mistakes!!!! While babies are a huge responsibility, babies are never punishment. Life is precious....vote for LIFE this coming election! Vote for McCain!

Thank you, Marilena, for your inspirational post!

What Were You Doing When...

1. President Kennedy's Assassination - 22 November 1963

I was 6-weeks-old. My parents were driving to Palestine, Texas to visit my grandparents for the Thanksgiving holiday. They were driving a volkswagon bug driving down Highway 287. I have no recollection...

2. England's World Cup Semi Final v Germany - 4 July 1990
I was in Oahu, Hawaii. That's all I'll admit to!

3. Margaret Thatcher's resignation - 22 November 1990
I don't remember what I was doing, but I was wondering if the next PM would get along with Bush and the US.

4. Princess Diana's death - 31 August 1997
We had just moved into our new home and I was sicker than a dog! I needed to get sleep, but I stayed up for days watching TV about it. My heart was broken for her two boys. My kids were just babies.

5. Attack on the twin towers - 11 September 2001
I had just dropped off my kids at school and was heading over to the spa for a facial. I was getting ready to attend my 20th high school reunion. I felt jumpy during the entire facial and never relaxed. I felt guilty for taking advantage of luxury while this was happening. I haven't gone back to that spa since. I had to get on a plane 6 days later to attend the reunion.

6. The election of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to the papacy - 19 April 2005
We were at school and watched it. We watched for the "smoke". I was praying that the new Pope would fill JPII shoes.

Wordless Wednesday ~ "No. 1 Trumpeteer"

Hospice, No More

Well folks! Mom did it! She officially graduated from hospice today! Her level of care has been downgraded and she has been moved over to home health care!

THANK YOU ALL for your prayers and support! It's been a tough 3 months, but we have had lots of help, so thank you very much! Needless to say, we are tickled pink!

Purge Day

Every year we use Labor Day as a way to purge all the excess stuff around the house, in the corners, under the beds, behind the sofas, etc. Today was no different. Danny tackled the yard and the garage. The kids tackled their rooms. I took down everything else and the kids. Tony did the best, after all he sleeps in a hammack remember? Marisa, well, dear sweet Marisa, will have to continue purging next weekend and again for a month of Sundays. She is the poster child for "pack rat". Poor thing becomes totally immobilized with all the stuff in her room.

I also got a big tub to store the best of the toys, stuffed animals, and handmade memorabilia. Tony gave up more than Marisa. I have his army men, Kenectix sets, Bionicals, Build-A-Bear dog, wooden trucks from Mexico that he colored with markers, GI Joe foot locker, and books. Marisa said she is going to get back to me with stuff for storage. Tisk, tisk...