Toast on the Ceiling

It pays to follow directions

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 03:38:00 +0000

So, lets say you're going to make a cake and you never had made this kind of cake before. You've made a similar cake to it, but not this one. You've made so many pudding poke cakes you can do them in your sleep on Ambien, but not the jello poke cake. And somehow, it sounds like a good idea to make one for your mom's birthday. Cause she likes orange and vanilla together.

And let's say you fail to read the directions carefully and poke holes in the cake with a wooden spoon handle, not a fork as the directions called for before pouring in the jello, you get a tasty cake that looks rather post modern. And you have no cool whip in the house to hide the damage.

Just saying.

School update

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:02:00 +0000

Well, I know I haven't talked much about how Bri and Jimmy are doing in school of late. So let me update you.

First, Jimmy is doing really well. We got his progress report and except for still learning three prayers, he is doing great. Ok, he needs to be more social with the other kids, but beyond that little snafu, its going well. He knows his numbers, letters, how to read and is making progress on addition. He loves going to school every day.

Which brings me to Bri. Let's start with the positive. She is quite bright and doing well overall. She is getting good marks in many classes. She's getting an A in religion. She loves to read. However, she got a D in reading and science on her progress report. All because she rushes throught assignments and doesn't have patience to get them done nicely. So she lost using my old laptop for her own websurfing (don't worry, I've made it so she can't get too far on the web.)

She also lost getting a book from the book order.

Hopefully, report cards will be better.

A funny thing happened at the doctors

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:28:00 +0000

Ok, not hilarious but hey in my life I take the cake on odd diagnosis. For example, I have thorasic outlet syndrome. If you have no clue what that is, basically my collar bones presses on my nerves and makes my arm (or for real fun, arms) numb, but useable. Mostly. It can be painful. The solutions are stretching and surgery. I opted for stretching.
But anyhow. I have been having joint pain for a while. I know its freezing here, but this is worse than most years. I went and saw my general doctor, Dr. F for some help. If I haven't explained Dr F, let me now. Dr. F is a nice woman doctor. I found her by accident and referral from my ENT. She practices solo in an office with OB/GYNs and Midwifes. She is good at what she does but to the point. Not that she doesn't care, she's blunt. However she doesn;t yell and I appreciate that.
So, I went to see Dr. F for the joint pain that hurts. A lot. She ran a large group of tests and took a bunch of blood. Her first advice was a painkiller and stretching. So we did that for a month, with the first round of tests producing NOTHING. This is nothing new to me. My knee has hurt since I was 6 and the best diagnosis is some form of arthritis, but nothing official.
So I went back, explained I was still in pain and the meds made me really sleepy. She ran another bunch of tests and gave me a new drug to try. And would you believe what came back? I have a B and D vitamin deficiency. How did that happen? I have no clue
So now, I get to take extra vitamins every day and a new painkiller. Which seems to be helping some for the pain. Its not perfect but I'll take it for now.

Well at least its a food, I think

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:45:00 +0000

So, I think I may have mentioned before that Jimmy is a really picky eater. I think he eats maybe 15-20 things total. Getting him to try a new food is torture.
Tonight, the kids had swim lessons so I tried to think of something quick that everyone would eat most of. So I came up with Spam, au gratin potatoes and peas.
(Don't laugh at the Spam. It was a Christmas gift last year.)
So, we figured Bri would eat all of it no problem. And she did. However, Jimmy refused to even try any of it. You figure the kid eats cheese, potato chips, mashed potatoes, ham, salami and bacon, he'd eat this meal. Ha!
We had to try and convince him the Spam was ok. He refused to eat the potatoes or peas. We had to cut the "black spots" off the Spam. But he ate it. And then later had bread and sliced cheese.
So we can add one more food to his list. Just not grilled.

That was Christmas 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 01:31:00 +0000

Let's say the best part is its done. Over. Finished. I didn't lose my mind totally. Should make my therapist proud.
I still went to see the families, even thought didn't feel like it this year. But I did. And I survived. The kids had a blast.
So now, we're redoing Bri's room. We went to IKEA today after putting away a TON of laundry. Bri needed a new dresser and a bookshelf for her room. She is giving up the princess theme and wants a teen room. At 8 years old. Ugh. I'm not ready for puberty.

Christmas break cannot come soon enough

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 03:07:00 +0000

So, Friday, Bri got in the car at pickup time and she started telling me the story that the whole class got in trouble that day. Preficed by the fact it wasn't her fault and she didn't do anything.

So, basically what happend was, some of the kids in her class began punching one of the girl's dolls that had been brought in to play Baby Jesus in the class play, "The Big Big Story"on Thursday. And Wednesday. And Friday. Maybe Monday too. They are doing a lot of performances around school for anyone that will sit still. Anyhow, the boys were punching the doll cause it hit one of the Laurens in the lip. When they were throwing it or swinging it around. Then Seth took a sausage stick out of his lunch and began beating baby Jesus with the sausage. Only Bri first told me that Seth was beating the doll with his sausage. I asked for clarification and yeah, ponder than sentence for a minute why I asked for clarification. So the boys were beating the baby Jesus with a sausage stick and their fists. What a great Friday, huh?

Then Gina, the owner of the doll and Bri's best friend, got mad. Really, really mad. As Bri described it, she made her really angry face that you really don't want to see. And then the teacher intervened. Not sure where the teacher or the aide was all this time. And then the teacher took the doll and took Gina to Sister Catherine's office and we may own a piece of a new Bitty Baby doll for Gina.

Sigh. And I pay for these kind of stories in the form of monthly tuition. Oh and this was the play that I got the great directions from the teacher that she needed an angel costume but dont buy anything. Yeah sure, I keep angel costumes on hand. She eneded up with two of my white t-shirts, one was a skirt; a shawl and a headband I glued glittery stars to. Two of the five angels wore their Communion dresses. Yeah, that wasn't gonna happen. Besides, I think she's had too many growth spurts to even wear it anymore.

So I'll be glad when we have two weeks free from doll beating stories and making costumes.

Updates from the land of Snowy Toast

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:56:00 +0000

Yup. Two snowfalls so far. Loads of fun. Really. Ugh.

Bri got the hard cast off and has a walking boot. She is also supposed to walk on her ankle without the boot from time to time. Hopefully the stiffness goes away soon.

Jimmy is doing fine. He missed getting a Happy Gram for good behavior last week but did this week so he's happy.

My house is not decorated yet and really not looking forward to Christmas. That's all I'm going to say about it.

Got a new cell phone and its quite an adjustment since I'm used to the iPhone. I'll write about it later.

That's it for now.

Painfully Quiet

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:45:00 +0000

I know I say this a lot. I know I have been very quiet of late.

There just isnt much I can say right now. I've been dealing with my life being broken down and now trying to pick up the pieces and put them back together, with pieces missing just for good measure. I can't really talk about it, I can't do anything about it, but I'm being punished for things I did not do. But somehow seem to now be my fault.

I know what some are thinking; you need to be the bigger person, extend the olive branch and move on already. But I can't anymore. I can't be fake and smiley and ignore the problems that have been created. I've done it too long and personally, I'm tired.

So as soon as I have some good stories about the kids, I'll let you know. Right now, I'm just too tired to think about things.

Ankle Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:16:00 +0000

Well, Bri was supposed to have a walking cast today.

It didn't happen. She destroyed her cast, so she needed to have it re-casted for another two weeks and then a brace.

Did I mention we had to hold the old cast together with duct tape? Bright pink duct tape. Cause she's been dragging her foot when she walks. Also along the bottom of my computer cabinet Which explains a lot.

Did I mention her new one is dark blue? They didn't have the White Sox's wrap. She's still bummed

Did I mention I'm trying to figure out how to jazz it up since she had friends sign the first one and family sign the second one. We kept neither. Googling what adhesive works best on fiberglass and scrapbook supplies.

Did I mention my scrap table has been moved back into the basement and set up this weekend. My gosh, I have WAY TOO MUCH PAPER! (pics later) I need to get cracking on the scrapbooks.

Did I mention I had 4 hours of sleep last night?

(the last two things do not go together.)

Not up to much

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:37:00 +0000

I know, not much to report.

Bri is getting her cast shortened tomorrow.

Jimmy is running around singing Bible songs

We survived Halloween.

We survived Jimmy's first field trip to the convent to trick or treat with the nuns. With the order of sisters at our school.

Haven't finished any of the books I've started. Found a container in our crawlspace growing a rainbow of mold yesterday. There was a crack in the bottom and its been growing mold since the flood a couple years ago.

Back when more to report.

I plan, God laughs

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:44:00 +0000

So we're going into another busy few weekends around here. Lantern Hike, Pumpkin Hunt, Halloween Parties, Trick or Treating.

Care to guess what happened Sunday afternoon?

Bri fell off a skateboard. Onto the concrete walk. We thought she just sprained it. We got her on the couch and gave her ice and ibuprophen. We waited a couple hours. Then we asked her to walk on it.

She couldn't.

Off to the ER she and I went. James and Jimmy stayed home cause Jimmy had a cold. I figured that they's x-ray it, it would be sprained and we would be on our way.

She broke a growth plate where the leg meets the ankle. So they temporarily set it and then told us to get her into an orthopedist in a few days. Oh and take some ibuprophen from pain.

We got home and after two hours of shaking from anxiety (long story from when Jimmy was an infant) I went to bed.

Next day, James went to the school and told them what happened. They have a plan since the school has no elevator. So, he was able to get her into the ortho that morning and they took off the splint and hard casted her leg. It was the best break she could of had, minus not breaking it at all. Two weeks in the over the knee cast and then they will cut it down for the last three weeks. Also, now we have Tylenol with Codeine cause she shouldn't have ibuprophen cause it can cause growth problems. Huh?

So, no Lantern Hike, no Pumpkin Hunt. We have to figure out about Halloween. James is getting her homework so we can get her caught up.

Also, today we take Jimmy back to the doctor. He's having at least one nosebleed a day so we need to figure out what is going on.

Remind me never to plan anything again in my life.

Help Wanted for this mom

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 01:10:00 +0000

Since I seem to spend very large amounts of time dealing with everyone else's stuff, I have no time for my things, like trying to get the crawspace cleaned out or write my complaint letter to the Secretary of State that my plates are considered "Personalized" EVEN THOUGHT THE STATE PICKED THEM FOR ME. I need some help. Badly.

I don't have time for my stuff with trying to remember where Bri's Brownie vest is, where James' Indian Princess notebook is, remembering to pay my bills, remembering to send EOB to other insurance, where Jimmy left his DS this time, remembering to ask James how to get a boiler system started for a co-worker, which go phone is the best to replace a dead phone and NOT extend the contract, reminding James the oil in the van needs to be changed NOW and trying to learn about the ever changing world of Health Care reform for my job.

So, here is what I'm looking for:

Must be able to remember when and where all my various doctors appts are. Printing me maps a bonus.
Must know about Fiestaware, Sims 3, Sesame Street, iPhones, and Bridezillas.
MUST be able to to brew a good cup of coffee. French press experience optional. Automatic and /or Keurig coffee maker experience A MUST.
Must be able to remember where I left my meds, glasses, wallet, notebook, laptop, brain.
Must be able to tolerate all kinds of music.
Must be old enough to buy beer. Good beer. Not that really cheap stuff in cans.
Must be able to drive, if needed.
Must be able to tolerate tattoos, piercings, sarcastic t-shirts and Chuck Taylors.
Must know random fiction references and British humor. Memorizing and quoting Douglas Adams and Monty Python a plus.
Must appreciate NPR and be able to tell me if there was a POEM or Ketchup sketch on Prairie Home Companion. Also, must remember to buy my tickets for the annual taping at Ravinia.
Must know how to text, Twitter, blog, Facebook. Also must know how to use a rotary phone (you never know.)

Send all resumes to....oh who am I kidding? Its still on me to get everything done. No one is going to help me out. Sigh.

That changes my opinion

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:39:00 +0000

I am offically protesting a big box store. If you know me you know which one I speak of. Why?

Their handling of a sick employee.

Today, I went to this store to look for something for a friend of mine. Jimmy and I were walking around the store looking at stuff and Jimmy had picked out some silly bands that we needed to go to pay for. I got them because he was good while I was looking around. That's when I saw the firefighters in front of the registers and a crowd of people gathered. What I could get was a cashier collapsed. They were working on him in the front.

Here is where I get mad. First, they did nothing about the crowd watching the paramedics work on the man. Someone should have been shooing the people away. Second, they should have moved the open registers down from where the incident had occured. People were checking out near where they were trying to work on the man and causing even more of a crowd.

So finally, they get the employee on a stretcher and take him out to the ambulance. Its never a good sign when a person is hanging on admistering CPR to the person on the stretcher. Then a couple of managers and a couple employees were standing at the front discussing what they needed to do and who has to go with to the hospital and about paperwork. Ugh. Have some respect for the poor guy. We had to switch lanes again because I guess our cashier witnessed what happened. But I could still hear them talking.

We left the store and the ambulance was still out front. Another not good sign. I really hope he will be ok.

Personally the whole thing was handled with such a lack of respect in my opinion that I am not going to go to that store for a while. If you can't have respect for the sick, I can't have respect for you.

This week is not going to be fun

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:20:00 +0000

This has not been my week.

Sunday:
The campout part was fine. The birthday party was fine. Let's not talk about the induction ceremony for James and Bri, please. The ceremony went ok, the events surrounding it were not.

Monday:
Monday was Monday, but I started a new novel. Writing one. I shelved the other one I was working on because I have gotten to a part where I don't know what to do with my characters.
James had a federation meeting so I had the kids.

Tuesday:
This is the day my week bagan falling apart. I got an e-mail from Bri's teacher that we needed to discuss her math grade. Now this e-mail was sent Friday to the family account and I didn't check it cause of EVERYTHING ELSE going on last weekend. So I replied back, great let me know when you want to talk about this.
Which was when I was waiting to pick Bri up after school. Basically, she's failing math. 6 A's, 1 C and an F. She doesn't follow directions and she's in a hurry to get her work done so she can read. She's messy in her work and sometimes you can't even read it. The teacher had a talk with her. We got a two hour screaming match with her at home when we went to discuss this. Basically now she has to show us her homework, we WILL make her correct it and she will get to go out with the neighbor kids, depending on her grades.
Went to the fire department open house. The kids got to climb out of a "buring" building and we got to see a burn demonstration. The kids got tons of goodies.
Then, we tried, yet again to find the stomach medicine that Jimmy takes cause he was complaining that his stomach hurt and he hasn't been eating much. Ugh. Its over the counter and no where to be found. The shelves are empty, it has NOT been recalled and I have an e-mail into the manufacturer. Otherwise, he has to go back on a $45 a month prescription.

Wednesday:
My checking account is overdrawn. Why? They took out our parish envelopes. My donations are going to cost me $35 in fees.
Getting nowhere at work trying to get my renewals done. Everything is a crisis that needs my attention.
Had a nation meeting. Did I mention I'm co-chief of Jimmy's Braves tribe? Well I am and it was my month to go. The other dads argued about floor hockey, which is three months away and I'm the only female chief in the nation. So I'm joining another tribe for hockey, if they ever figure out where it will be.
Then remembered that tomorrow is the roller skating party from school. So stopped at my bank to get out the money so they can rent skates and get snacks. Got home and then remembered the money for the kindergarten field trip is due tomorrow. So, got back into the car, headed back to my bank and got the money for that.

So, as of now I'm gettting ready to face Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays.

This weekend and housekeeping

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:15:00 +0000

This weekend is the Girl Scout campout for Bri, Jimmy's Braves Campout (that we are not going to), a trial Ju Jitsu class for Jimmy, a birthday party, work on Saturday for me, and an induction ceremony for Princesses.

If we survive, it'll be nice enough to fish. *

Isn't this how parenting goes? Its everything or nothing going on. Next weekend is more of the same. Then we may have a breather weekend. Maybe.

I have to work at least the next two, if not three, Saturdays. Thanks for work taking our systems offline as long as you did. At least I'll have company, too bad I won't be able to listen to NPR without my headphones. Maybe someone will bring baked goods. No bananas please.

And I know I ranted and raved before about the cats that roam out neighborhood. We still have the problem with the cats that don't belong in my yard. Unfortunatly, James hasn't run them over yet. I had enought and trimmed back all the front bushes to be greeted with that familar litter box smell. Great. So, I was talking to James about this issue one night when Bri informed me that her friends' parents are one of the guilty parties letting their cats roam the neighborhood. But one of the two cats uses a litter box in their garage so its ok the cat is in my yard. Um, no its not. The cat needs to be in the house.

Speaking of pets, the kids are asking for a dog. Again. We visted a humane shelter on Sunday. And the issue is that Jimmy is too young for the dogs they had. And I really don't want something else to clean up after around here. Also, I'm not liking the names the kids picked out. Jimmy wants Snowflake. Bri wants Chuck Norris. James hasn't made his opinion known. Go figure.

And speaking of the neighbors, today we had pizza for dinner cause James had a meeting and Bri came in the house, followed by one of her friends asking if Bri and Jimmy can eat outside. We said no, cause we had stuff to do tonight like getting ready for this campout. She asked if Bri and Jimmy could come back out and we said no, we had things to do and they did get to play for a rather long time today. So Bri went upstairs to wash her hands and the little girl followed her upstairs. Then Bri came back down, minus her friend. So we told Bri she needed to ask her friend to leave cause its dinner time. Bri's friend came down and made herself at home on our couch. James talked to her and walked her back home.

I'm glad the kids have friends on our block but these girls are always outside playing and looking for someone to play with. And the little one keeps making herself at home in my house. Which I'm not pleased about. She'll come in without Bri or Jimmy looking for a snack. And a lot of times I nap on the couch in the afternoon and James will not be home or around taking care of things so this makes me nervous. We've had enough accidents around here this year. And I don't know if my homeowners covers snack related mishaps for visitors.

*from Fairly Odd Parents. Ask your kids.

The peace and quiet of cornfields

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:56:00 +0000

It's been a long week in my life. Work is...ugh. We'll leave it at that.

So, what has been going on at Casa de Toast of late ?

Well, we started the homework rewards system. Based on a discussion with my therapist (that will be another post when I have the strength to tell it. Not yet.), we started a reward system to alleviate some of the battles I have been going through trying to get Bri to do her homework. The kids get a smelly sticker each day for completing their goals. Bri's is to do her homework WITHOUT COMPLAINING OR WHINING and to be finished with ALL HER HOMEWORK by 8 pm. Jimmy's is just to do his homework. We have had three good days this week. Today was not so much BECAUSE the kids DID NOT put their homework folder/docket in their bags the 20 or so times they were asked. So I don't think they are getting the sticker. But we told them if they did this 3 of 4 days per week they have homework (none on Fridays) for two weeks they would get a bigger prize. Probably take them for ice cream or something like that.

We have a house guest. Corduroy from school. Last Friday, Jimmy was given one of the two Corduroys to bring home for a week. We had to write a journal of what Corduroy did with us for the week. Tonight we made a poke cake for work, which was added to the journal. I brought up a lot of suggestions, but I don't think his kindergarten teachers would appreciate them, considering one of his teachers is a nun. And the aide for the other class is a nun. Anyhow. He goes back tomorrow and he probably was the quietest guest we have had in a while.

Speaking of not quiet, Bri and Jimmy have friended two girls who live down the street from us who are the same ages as Bri and Jimmy. Today, Bri and Jimmy took lollipops for them that had been found in the pantry as a thank you for all the silly bandz rings they kids have been given. I like these girls overall. Minus the running in and out of my house and their house. I've looked up to see the youngest one in my kitchen.
My complain is that they are always outside and looking for Bri and Jimmy to play with them (there aren't a lot of kids on this street). So there are times when James has taken our two kids to the Y and I get back from writing, shopping, an errand, that I see the youngest one at the end of my driveway, looking for Bri and Jimmy. At 8 pm. Or knocking on the door to see if the kids are here cause they are bored. Its gotten better now that everyone is back in school but still its a wee bit annoying. Plus today the youngest was running up and down the street in her socks.

You probably are wondering about the cornfields. One thing I do to calm down is take drives. I like to get out in the country and see the farms. I like to see wind turbines also, I think they are oddly facinating. A lot of times before or after (or some days both) writing, I like to hop on a major road and drive and see what's out there. Out where you can see the stars, speed limits seem like suggestions and moths commit suicide on the front of your car. Its peaceful and quiet and relaxing. I don't know why. But it helps sometimes.

Then I turn around and come back to reality. Whoo hoo.

The homework battle of 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:12:00 +0000

You know school has begun if you listen for the screams from my house.

From Brianna.

Ugh. I love the kid but I HATE homework time. Its not my fave. You can't talk to her. For example, today we were working on a couple sheets about rounding, one that was practice and one was homework. So she showed me the practice sheet first and she had made some errors. I told her and explained it to her again. I asked if she understood and she did. I gave her a few verbal problems to tell me the answers and she got them right.

So then, I told her that I wanted to see her homework sheet when she was done. She didn't read the directions clearly. So when she showed me her sheet, there were four problems that were incorrect. I tried to explain to her that she needed to correct them since she hadn't rounded correctly. You would of thought I shoved bamboo under her nails. She cried and erased so hard she almost ripped her paper.

I don't get it really. I wasn't yelling or screaming. I was calm. I don't understand it. She's not like this in school. She's a totally different kid in school, or so her teachers tell me. I think there's another Brianna in class and no one has told me.

So, beginning next week, the kids are getting a homework chart. They will get a smelly sitcker for each day homework is done without a fight and by 8 pm. No screaming, yelling or crying. If they do 3 out of 4 days a week for two weeks they will also get a bigger reward. What, we haven't decided but something not too big.

I'll let you know how this goes, cause if it goes badly I may not continue homework duty. I'll make James do it. Or pull out the hunting ear protectors.

Pushed one tiny finger poke to the edge

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:15:00 +0000

I love my kids. But they can sense when I'm not in a good mood. And push me towards the edge of snapping.

And the parent nights at school aren't helping me either.

This is the THIRD YEAR I have walked out of Bri's classroom, rather angry about something. At least the last two years James wasn't with me. And didn't get to witness my screaming tirade in the car about people contradictions in what the say. In the 20 minutes the teacher talked to the parents.

Last year it was handwriting. Come to think of it, so was the year before. We're still having problems with handwriting and spelling. Ugh.

Anyhow, this year was the; they want the kids to take responsibility and do their homework without a parent's help, but they want us to check their homework and sign their demerits.

WHICH WAY ARE WE GOING WITH THIS PEOPLE? REALLY? Can we pick how we're working this and go with it?

This is the kind of stuff that makes me really angry. REALLY, REALLY ANGRY. Even with meds.

Jimmy's parent night is tomorrow. Should be all kinds of levels of awesome.

So today, I'm still not in a good mood. Ever get angry just by the sound of someone's voice? That's the mood I'm in. So I decided to try and sit upstairs and watch TV when we got home from school. The kids were playing on the computer. Guess who is now sitting next to me in my room, watching SpongeBob and kicking me.

Yup, Bri and Jimmy. No point in moving, they just follow me.

So glad I get to go get the oil changed later. Maybe some piece and quiet.

Back to school 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:53:00 +0000

Today was first day of school for Bri and Jimmy. They were bouncing off the walls and we were woefully undercaffinated for the energy. She got gogurt on her shirt before we even left the house and Jimmy got in trouble for not listening in class. Other than all of that, it was a good first day. Minus hot in the school since the main building has no air.

And yes, we got kicked out of both classrooms with no tears. From them or me.

When Bri got home we got the docket. No, my kid hasn't grown up and gone to law school. Yet. This is a a docket:

Its a pendaflex, silly. This is for their homework. No more going through Jonas Brothers folders on a weekly basis. It came with its own set of demands, like everything around here:

Did we mention third grade is where they start giving detentions? So we said, after James and I cleaned out Jimmy's homework folder and took naps, ok we have a labeler, we can handle this.

Where exactly is the labeler? We have three of them. Two I have bought over the years and one that James has for work

After searching a work van and the crawlspace, we found one of the three, and it wasn't working. So after mowing the lawn, I went on the quest for a labeler. Found one for $20 and all the pockets are labeled and we have done our homework.

Now I'm going to put the labeler in a safe location, where the kids won't find it. I think the freezer should be a safe place.

This week in ToastWorld

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:29:00 +0000

Yup, another week done. Another med change. Let's review the highlights:

Craft project from last week of camp. Jimmy did crafts all week, Bri went on field trips all week. This one came with a warning from James that when I saw it on the table after getting home from a night of writing that it wasn't real. Jimmy made a shirt and I forgot what else, but he had a good week. Bri went to two water parks, bowling, roller skating and I forgot the rest. But they had a good summer and as soon as I vaccum all the sand out of the van, I'll let you know.

This is the second can of shaving cream I have shattered the top on. It was brand new. I could not save it. Ugh. Don't tell me I should have put the lid back on, those are kidnapped for bath toys. I took one of his until I got a replacement at walmart tonight.

I LOVE Baci chocolates. They are Italian dark chocolates with a hazelnut filling and a whole hazelnut in each one and they come with a quote about love in each on vellum with writing in blue ink. This is one of the happy things from childhood Christmases. It now comes in bar form. I found it wandering around Cost Plus and I was PSYCHED. Yeah, still needs work. Not as good as the candies themself. But they carry bacon chocolate so that's always a positive. And this cute guy. Don't know where I'd put him, but he's full of himself isn't he?

And that's pretty much been the week. Minus the mentioned med change, work and writing issues, its been pretty good. Good being a relative term. Monday we begin school for BOTH kids. WHOO HOO!

mom: the ultimate mythical creature

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:23:00 +0000

Thursday I went to an end of camp event for the kids. Usually James picks and drops off the kids and works out with a lot of the counselors and parents at the Y. I avoid the Y like the plague cause I gave up on losing weight a long time ago.

So I went and showed up for the activities. And really the shocked looks were priceless.

From my kids.

They were shocked I was there. But they got over it and ran off to the bounce house.

Then when we were standing around when the kids were off playing, Jimmy's counselor came up. James introduced me to her. She was shocked I was there. She reminded me that James drops the kids off and picks them up. That's the way it works for us. But then she told me that Jimmy is the best behaved in the Kindergarten camp and I asked if there was another Jimmy in the unit.

People James works out with came up to say hi. Half of the time he remembered to introduce me. Half the time he forgot. By that time it was time for me to leave and go to a doctors appointment and they were serving yogurt sundaes.

Good times. At least people can tell the tale his wife does exist.

Just more of the status quo

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:36:00 +0000

Its hard to write posts when not much changes. Every day seems kinda the same in an odd way.

Get up, go to work, come home, make dinner, try to clean, try to write, comprehend more things thrown at me that I need to wrap my brain around and process to the back, getting ready for back to school, cleaning out drawers, cleaning up the family room and eventually going to bed.

Not much changes really. Just the order of the events.

And I know it probably sounds bad the way its put, but really, that's how it goes. Not much changes. Can's stand it sometimes but can't do anything. Its how life goes.

Didn't go to BlogHer this year. It was in New York and after we added up all the costs, we couldn't afford it. So, here I sit, trying not to be jealous. Next year San Diego and I'm already seeing same problems with costs.

Getting the kids ready for back to school is probably the least fun part right now. Jimmy is going to a fully day kindergarten program that we don't have all the details for right now. We know the school is providing the supplies, but we don't know if he needs a backpack or what. We know he needs uniforms and we have to see what Bri had that could work for him, plus if they will be having the unform swap this year also. Bri needs skorts, but that involves a fun trip to the uniform company and hope they have some in stock. I have no luck with their online ordering system.

So hopefully, this will get more exciting soon. Stay tuned.

My week in review

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:48:00 +0000

This is what a bowl full of change from the dryer looks like. It broke again last weekend. We got it fixed Wens. The repair man pulled all this change out of the dryer. It was the high limit switch. Again. He also fixed the door switch so I no longer have to jiggle the handle to get the dryer to work.

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It rained. A lot on Friday night and Saturday morning making getting around a total disaster until Saturday afternoon.

Which was TJ's first birthday party. It was a sea of black and body modifications, and those were the guests. And some of the family. The cake got screwed up at the bakery so I couldn't eat it. I don't think it was on purpose. TJ didn't know what to make of it all and enjoyed chewing on the gift wrap.
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I'm on a new med and so far I HATE it. I'm hoping to be taken off of it and I'm on the lowest dose. Its supposed to regulate my mood issues and help me sleep in larger chunks than I get now. I get four hours of sleep now straight, not three. Then I'm up. And fall back asleep right before I have to get up. So much for 6-8 hours a night.

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Book progress is not much. I'm still having a problem with a part that drives what happens after and makes it all make some sense. Writting a nervous breakdown happening in an IHOP is harder than you can imagine.

Bri went to auntie's house to see her cousins she doesn't get to see often since they live in Michigan. Jimmy has been going to camp and bouncing off the walls when he is at home. Nothing unusual.

And that's pretty much it.

Things that have nothing to do with the kids. Mostly

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:17:00 +0000

So, I know everyone acts surprised when a mom says she has interests other than her family. Yeah, people do it to me all the time. Nothing too new. How can I not be dedicated 24/7 to my family? Well I had interests before I had kids. I still do. And now they are older and can entertain themselves for a bit, I like to do something that doesn't involve SpongeBob or Barbies or Thomas.

Yes, I'm writing a book. Two right now actually. At the same time. On two quite different topics. Both fiction stories set in the Chicago Burbs. In modern day. I don't know why this surprises people. I've only talked to a couple people what the books are really, actually about and they don't seem surprised. Other people seem shocked that I would attempt to try to write a book. I do have interests besides my kids, sorry its such a shock to everyone.

I don't know if they will ever be published or even see the light of day, but it makes me happy to write these characters and their stories and tell them, good or bad. I like crafting something out of a thought that crossed my mind one day at work while listening to a Counting Crows song. It keeps me out of trees and its helping keep the coffee shops I write at in business. Not totally but hey, I can only drink so many lattes during a writing night.

So, for now, this mom needs to go and write her characters' lives. I'll be back with kid stories soon enough.

Such a mean mommy, as always

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer A.) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:59:00 +0000

So, since this was mortgage week for us, it means money is tight until next Friday. We don't do unnecessary shopping or any extras for the week. The meal plan is fixed and we can't deviate from it. The kids yesterday were bugging me for toys and ice cream while we were on a looking mission at a couple stores and no matter how many times we (James and I) said no, they kept asking.

Finally when we were at Target looking for a new bike for me (don't ask, I do have a bike, its just a long story) I told James I had an idea for the evening. Our town was having a local festival and I figured we could walk over, let the kids do a few rides and grab dessert like a cookie or ice cream. He thought it was good so we told the kids that if their behavior was good throught the rest of the shopping trip and dinner, they would get a surprise. If not, no surprise.

Of course this resulted in MANY questions what the surprise was, mostly from Brianna. Jimmy was excited, but didn't ask. I finally after 10 minutes of her questioning told her that if she brought it up one more time, we would not go. So she kept quiet while we ate dinner and relaxed for a while.

When we finally decided to go, we told Bri she had to pull her hair back and they needed to wear gym shoes. They both started with the, we know where we're going. I told them we were talking a family walk and that was the surprise. Oh boy, did Brianna complain. Which is nothing new around here. So we began the walk to the festival, not telling her that was where we were going.

We got to the tracks and turned to head to the festival. They both thought they had figured it out. We didn't say it was or wasn't surprise. Bri kept saying, I smell barbeque, I smell cotton candy. I said I thought it was a house fire. We saw young squirrels, butterflies and a dead robin.

We walked to where we needed to cross the commuter train tracks to get to the festival. They asked, can we go for a few minutes, please? James and I said ok. And they each rode three rides and had ice cream. It was hot and crowded and I remember why I'm not fond of large crowds of people. But I think the kids had fun and even thought I spent almost all my spending money for the week on the evening, I think it was overall good.

Althought we never have nice weather for this fest. It needs to be cooler. Or in the fall like it used to be.