Lack of ethics

It seems more and more lately I'm encountering people with a serious lack of ethics. It's truly amazing to me what some people will do to save a buck. Two recent examples...

1) on a message board I read, a woman was talking about a digital food scale. She had bought a relatively expensive model and it had a problem so she sent it back to the manufacturer. During the two weeks that she was waiting for a new one to arrive, she went and bought a different one to use. Now that she has hers back from the manufacturer, she's going to take the one she's been using back.

2) Sitting at dance and a mom was filling out the order form for recital tickets. She had to go to two shows as she has two daughters dancing in separate shows. The studio offers a "free performer ticket" so that if your child is dancing in one half of a show they can come out and watch the second half without paying for a ticket (seats are reserved). This mom was asking her husband if she should just get a free performer ticket for each girl during the show they were not dancing in at all! She didn't want to pay the $5 for the girls to see their sister dance! I explained to her that was not the intent of the ticket, but she was having none of it. Does she not get that if you cheat the studio and they don't make enough money we'll all be paying higher tuition costs and higher recital prices?

I know these are relatively silly examples, but they seem to be to be indicative of our society as a whole these days. It really saddens me...

Okay, okay

So the only being on the computer twice a day is not working! Karin gave me three weeks! Ha! Anyway, We have been doing a lot of stuff and I'm feeling like my kids are getting what they need so if I take some time to myself they aren't missing me too much!
Yesterday we went to the movies, painted, played the mat game(as the princess calls it) about 10 times(and really Cranium games are the BEST! We own several and everyone loves to play them!), cleaned out the game closet so we could see what was still playable this summer, and did a few chores (but all together!) Today involved the library, washing the car in bathing suits, (the kids were in suits, not me!) cleaning the garage, and lunch out. The McDonald's by our house gives free meals to kids with all A's on their report card, so we ate really cheap today!lol! So we're playing and having fun and being together which is what I want and love. And as long as that's happening, I think I can steal a few minutes away now and then!

What I bet you've never done...

Had a piece of glass cut your stomach when you dropped and broke a dish...

Don't ask...

We're Back!

We had a lovely beautiful weekend. Lots of relaxation, cool temperatures and fun. Our summer officially begins today. The kiddos are still sleeping, but of course I'm up since the daycare kids come at 6:45. We have summer movies today and other stuff to do as well. One of my goals for the summer is to really immerse myself in just being with the kiddos. So, for me, that is going to mean far less time on the computer. I plan to check my mail in the morning before they are up and at night after they go to bed. So, if you need to reach me at any other point, you might have to :::gasp::: pick up the phone!

Happy Summer!

So long, farewell...

Tomorrow's a crazy busy day filled with two awards ceremonies, two class parties, and a 3 hour drive to relaxation! We'll be back Monday night. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Where we're going...

Where we're going...
Originally uploaded by mlm4.

This is where we're headed on Friday. To the beautiful white Mountains. High 82 degrees today. Lows 26 to 34 degrees. Brrr.... hope ya'll don't get too hot down here!

How Ridiculous!

The boy I care for during the day had Kindergarten "Graduation" today. Oh, for gosh sakes! I know this is a popular little ritual, but I so do not get it! as karin said this morning "What are they graduating from? Their first year of elementary school? They have 8 more to go!!!"
At our school, which is K-8, there is a really lovely wonderful 8th grade graduation ceremony and many events leading up to it. These kids have, at that point, been together for 9 years and are leaving to go to many different high schools. This seems cause for graduation. But, my understanding is, some schools call that 8th grade Promotion! So, the same set of schools that can have 5 and 6 year olds graduate from THE SAME SCHOOL THEY WILL BE AT NEXT YEAR, can't offer something more substantial to the kiddos who are moving on to a whole new world? Crazy!

Emotional

Today was the last day of school for the Teenager. He's officially halfway done with high school. He'll be 16 in three weeks. And I'm not liking it one bit. Well, I take that back. Watching him grow is fascinating. I mean, he's the first born, the guinea pig child. Here I get to see which parenting techniques have worked and those which need to be reevaluated. He's also my first born. Born to me when I was 21 years old. A child myself. He was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

He has two years of high school left. Two years of being a minor. We all know how fast two years goes by. It's really hard to watch this child I've cared for every day for almost 16 years, and even before that, get ready to fly on his own. It's nothing you can understand until you are really there. It's a milestone like no other and I can't even really fathom it because we're not quite there. No platitudes help. No "it's okay you've got three more". I cannot imagine the day when I don't see him or speak to him every day, but I know it's coming. Far too soon for me...

ARGH!

Last Monday I realized that I was running low on my thyroid meds and had no refills left. I just had my levels checked a couple of weeks ago and they were perfect so I didn't think it would be a problem to get more meds without seeing the Dr. I called the office last Monday and the person I spoke to said that she didn't think it would be a problem either. I never heard a word. Today I took my last pill. I called the pharmacy just to check and make sure my new prescription was there or there was a refill or something. Nope, nothing there. I called the Dr's office and have been unable to reach a human being, but as I left a voice mail for the nurse the recording said "as of September 2004, we will no longer be able to refill prescriptions without an office visit." WTF? Why did no one 1) tell me that when I called or 2) call me to tell me when they figured it out? I don't know what's going to happen now, but I do know I am out of my meds and we all know that I am much better when I am on them!

What a Memory!

Today I pulled out all the summer clothes that were in the garage to see what still fit the kiddos. The clothes were mostly for the Princess since I typically buy the clothes a bit too big and get a couple of years out of them. Plus, she's tiny. She's 4 1/2 and can still wear some 2T's, but mostly 3's and 4's. Anyway, I had washed all the clothes and was folding them to put them away and she was helping me. All the while she's exclaiming "oh, I remember that! I wore it to such and such event" We're not talking major stuff here. It was a day at the waterpark, someone's birthday party, a playdate and the like. It's amazing how she has memories tied to clothing that she hasn't even laid eyes on in a year!

Can't Imagine Where He Got That from...

FE got an award today from the playground aides at school...teehee...It was for being a Winning Conversationalist! I think that's just a nice way of saying he talks a lot!

Is it just me?

I'm really irritated with the selection of clothes, particularly t-shirts, available to my kiddos. I don't understand the necessity of putting down the opposite gender. Like this shirt. Is it because I have boys? I also wouldn't let my boys wear shirts that disparage girls. They have sisters and even if they didn't I would never allow them to be disrespectful to girls. I don't get the humor or message in these shirts, or I guess I should say they are not funny to me, just disrespectful...

Why I Love Mervyns!

This week in the mail I got a 30% off your entire transaction coupon from Mervyns. This meant everything in the store, even clearance stuff which was already 70% off. I didn't find a lot on clearance but I didn't buy anything not on sale. So my purchase came to $270 for everything listed:

4 long sleeve dress shirts for Mark
3 ties for Mark
1 pair dress pants for Mark
1 dress belt for Mark
2 really beautiful dressy skirts for me
2 gorgeous sundresses for the princess
1 t shirt for me
1 4th of July t-shirt for me
1 embellished t-shirt for me
1 nightgown for me
1 bobby jack shirt for SB
1 pair sideout denim shorts for SB
1 pair of really cute denim capris for SB
10 pairs of underwear for the princess
10 pairs of underwear for SB
1 hot wheels gift pack of 10 cars for a party FE is going to tomorrow
1 Christmas t-shirt for the princess ($1.00!!!)
1 skirt for the princess
1 white embroidered cardigan for the Princess
2 pink blouses for the princess
1 new dance leotard for the princess
2 new dance skirts for the Princess

I think I did pretty well!!!

Monday Confessions...

I have two confessions to make...

first of all...I gained a pound this week. Why? Well there was a lot of eating this weekend and after all it was Mother's Day! But also? I didn't exercise very much last week. I walked with Karin one day and I think I did a DVD one day. That is so not the way to lose weight! But, I'm back on the wagon today. Eating good food and I exercised to my favorite DVD. I'll get that pound back off soon, I'm sure.

Secondly, I've been drinking some diet coke. You may remember that I had given up my biggest vice. I've slipped. But just a little. I'm only drinking one a day (I used to drink at least 6 cans) and I'm drinking the kind sweetened with Splenda. So maybe it'll take me a little longer to die...

Okay, 'fess up! What have you done this week that you need to confess??? There must be something!

Surprise!

SB's class won a pizza party for a fundraiser for the Leukemia society. Today was the day and I had to go pick up the pizzas and deliver to the classroom in time for lunch as I am the room mom. Not such a big deal unless you consider the fact that I had a six year old, a four year old and a 15 month old to contend with, along with 8 large pizzas, plates, and a drink for my daughter as I had forgotten to pack one for her this morning. I was not happy about this, but we managed. Got the pizzas to the classroom. As I was walking out the door the teacher called to me to wait a minute. And then my daughter presented me with a lovely plant and a card signed by the whole class thanking me for being a wonderful room mom this year. It really made the whole ordeal worth it.

My weekend

This was a really lovely weekend. I love weekends that are not too scheduled. Those are few and far between with four kiddos!

Saturday Mark got up and went to wait in line for swim registration. We got all the classes we wanted since our city has started checking your water bill to make sure you live in the city limits for priority registration! Hooray. All those in line without water bills had to wait several hours! He came home and we did a family cleaning job. Many hands make light work. How true! It took an hour to have the entire house sparkling clean! The teenager's girlfriend came over and my mom and brother came over for dinner as my brother had to work on Sunday and wouldn't be able to be with my mom. We had a wonderful dinner that Mark made and just hung out with my family.
FE was running a fever for some of the day and was sleeping on and off for most of the evening so he ended up on the couch in my room Saturday night. I like the kids in the same room with me if they are sick. He had no fever when he woke up on Sunday, but was sneezing all day like crazy! I think it's just allergies, but geesh!

Sunday morning I woke up to krispy Kreme donuts, flowers, a balloon, homemade cards and some presents. Very nice. We then watched the video tapes of the first moments in the hospital with each child and some footage of the teenager when he was around 18 months. It's a little difficult for me to reconcile the huge almost man sitting next to me with the adorable chubby faced toddler in the video. It really is amazing how fast the time goes.

We then went to lunch at Panda Express and to see a wonderful movie called Akeelah and the Bee. What a great movie! And my kids are so awesome. The movie is not animated or really funny or anything and all around us there were children being loud and obnoxious. But my kids? Sat quietly and watched the movie. They always have been really well behaved at the movies, which I guess is why we like to go so much!

Mark grilled again for dinner and we got my favorite dessert. My mom came over and watched the Survivor finale with us. It was really a nice weekend.

One thing I found interesting at the movie? Before the movie started, these two guys came in with their kids. They sat down and started talking about what their wives were off doing to celebrate Mother's Day while they took care of the kids. That made me sad. I understand needing a break every once in a while, but I want to spend Mother's Day with the reason I am a mother. I would feel lost on mother's day without my kiddos.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I'm having a lovely day with my family. Hope all the mommies out there enjoy your day as well!!

I Love Laundry and other randomness...

First of all? I lied. I hate doing laundry. I wish these people would stop changing their clothes all the time. I mean, really, do you need to wear clean clothes EVERY day? Come on!

The princess, in her ever present cuteness, was wondering aloud this morning what to do for her daddy for Father's Day. She was going over different ideas and finally said "I know JUST the thing!" I don't even know adults who speak like that. She's a throwback to a different time that girl!

I'm really pissy at several people right now but I'm trying to not let it color my day too much. Let's just say that the weekend is a good buffering zone for all three of the people I'm pissed at since I don't have to see any of them except on weekdays!

I love my husband. I was saying this morning that we needed to clean the house tomorrow morning, all of us together, (family fun!woohoo!) and he said isn't there something you could go do while I clean the house? He doesn't think I should have to clean on Mother's Day weekend! Oh my gosh! I said no, I would stay home and clean with them so we could get done faster, but wow. This was after he already said he would go pick up the Teenager from his friends house late tonight and then get up before the sun to go wait in line to register the kids for swim lessons. And actually? The teenager is taking after him. He too volunteered to go wait in line to register the other kids for swim. I've got some great guys around here!

Grrr....

Okay, I know I'm not as flexible as some people would like me to be, but to call me when you are already late to tell me you're going to be late on a day you're working at your house? Really pisses me off.

Woohoo!!

I have literally worked my butt off this week! I went back on my Weight Watchers plan last Monday and also exercised 5 days this week. And what did I lose for all my effort? 6 pounds and :::drumroll please::: 8 inches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, granted I also started my period on Monday, so some of that was water weight and bloating, BUT I also ate really well and exercised a lot so I'm taking credit for some of it as well!lol! I know I won't have weeks like this every week (I always lose more the first week) but it's a great start!!!

An All Day Marathon

What I did today, with the kiddos

1) Got up, ate breakfast, washed sheets, showered with the Princess, dressed, made kiddos breakfast
2) went to the bank
3) took the teenager to a friend's house
4) went to rehearsal at Karin's
5) went to Target for a gift for a party SB was going to
6) took the kiddos to lunch at subway
7) took SB to the party
8) took Mark some lunch (he's been working a ton, including an 18 hour day yesterday and today needed to do Generations stuff all day)
9) called scholastic books because today I got an invoice in the mail that had been ripped off of a box of books. No books, just the envelope!
10) went to petsmart for doggie and bird food
11) went to Cheescake Factory for a gift card for my MIL(we are celebrating Mother's day with her tomorrow)
12) stopped at the Christian book store for Mark because he needed something for the opening tomorrow
13) went to Costco (where I got stopped as I was walking out the door because the cashier had failed to ring up my bread. Waited for a manager who took the bread and my cash to ring it up. He came back with my change, but forgot the bread! Geesh!)
14) dropped off Costco stuff and book store stuff at home
15) went to the library
16) picked up SB from the birthday party
17) stopped by karin's to pick up some toys the Princess had left earlier and could not possibly live without
18) stopped by church to pick up some stuff Mark needed for tomorrow's slide show. It was not there. Someone had come and impersonated me and took my stuff!lol!
19) called Karin and asked her to call Rochelle to tell me how to get more stuff
20) drive to ML's house where her very surprised son finally located the things I needed
21) grocery shopping
22) unload groceries, make dinner, clean the kitchen, watch the Suns kick some booty, get the kids to bed!

I normally, on a day like today, would not have cooked dinner, but I'm really trying hard to eat healthier and lose weight, so I had to cook. Now? I am tired and ready for BED!!!

Driving in my car...

One of my least favorite things about being the mom of a teenager who is not driving is the chauffeur service it seems I am expected to provide. Because my children don't go to our neighborhood schools, I do more than my fair share of driving already. I'm in the car three hours a day on a normal day. That's a day with no extra-curricular stuff to drive to, no errands to run, etc. So, needless to say, I'm not a big fan of extra driving. But, I have this teenager who thinks he should :::gasp::: have a social life. And now, since gas is $3 a gallon,his friends who do drive are less willing to make the trek to pick him up. Which leaves me to either drive or listen to the whining!lol! Usually Mark does a lot of the driving but he's working until the wee hours of the morning so I'm on my own to make sure that I don't have a 15 year old social outcast. This doesn't sit well with either the teenager or myself. He has to come home hours earlier than he would if Mark were going to get him and I have to drive at night to the middle of the freaking desert where his friends live to pick him up. This is probably the one and only time I am wishing he was driving (and had a car other than mine!) already!

Rah Rah Rah! Sis Boom Bah!

SB has once again made the cheer squad for her school! 44 girls showed up for tryouts and only 20 girls made the team. SB's two best friends tried out as well, but only one of them made the squad so I'm sure it's not the best day for SB. I actually was sort of hoping she wouldn't make it because I really wanted her to play volleyball next year but she loves cheer!

Damn!

I heard from my doctor today about my lab work. My thyroid levels are perfect! Now, I like to be perfect as much as the next person, but I was sort of hoping the levels were still off a bit so I would have an excuse for not losing weight. Bah!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...

If you like 94 degrees at lunch time! It's hot today! The Princess and I went to the park this morning after we dropped the kids off since I am sans baby today(she's home sick). We were only there for half an hour before she asked to leave because it was hot. So we came home and laid on my bed with the fan blowing on us and read books! A good morning.

SB got an award at assembly this morning so that was fun to see. I didn't know she was getting one, I just decided to go watch the assembly and was pleasantly surprised!

This weekend was lots of fun! We had an event at school Friday night along with the bookfair. I worked the bookfair while Mark took the kids around to do stuff. I love the little community of our school. I love knowing almost everyone and all the kids and who they belong to. One more reason I love our school. The size makes it easy to get to know lots of people.

Saturday was the District Pinewood Derby which was very cool. FE didn't place, but he got some cool stuff including a shirt with the names of all the kids who qualified for the race. He thought it was pretty neat to have his name on the back of a t-shirt. He got to race his car 8 times as well, so he loved it. Mark and I went out Saturday night to dinner and a movie and some shopping. One more reason my husband is awesome? I was really struggling to find something to wear for Sunday. Nothing in my closet seemed right. So, not only did Mark tell me to go buy something new because he wanted me to feel great, he went with me. He helped me look and ultimately he was the one who ended up finding what I bought. I couldn't decide on colors either, so he told me to buy both and see how I felt the next day! I ended up wearing them both at some point yesterday, but I just love that he's so concerned because I am. He wants me to be happy and comfortable and is willing to help me feel that way!

Yesterday was our church festival. My mom and my FIL were there as well as all the kiddos and the teenager's girlfriend. The kids all got ride wristbands and the teenager and his girlfriend took them on the rides while Karin and I (and the rest of out little band) were performing. We did pretty well over all I think. a couple of little goofs, but nothing major and we got ANOTHER request for a CD. I can't tell you how many people in the last two years we've been doing Generations have asked us if or when we are going to make a CD. It's surely a great feeling! Mass last night was exhausting because we'd been singing already for a couple of hours and in the heat on top of it. It really was all I could do to stand there and sing. I did sleep well last night though!

This morning I was in line at 6:30 to get my blood drawn. I need to have my thyroid levels checked and see if the medication is doing it's job or if we need a different dosage. Luckily the lab where I go is speedy and I was back home by 7. Mark had the kids all ready and fed by the time I got back so my morning was easy! This afternoon is cheer tryouts for SB and dance for The Princess and Mark is working late so just the kids and I for dinner which I actually need to cook now so it can be warmed up later when we get home.

Hope everyone has a great day!