Month: April 2008

  • Edit to Monday

    Considering that EVERYONE has told me to quit using my pencil and 4 column ledger sheets for Jesse's lawn business (because it creates huge headaches), I decided to be brave and add Quicken to my computer. 

    I bought it a few years ago and then our computer crashed.  I never really got to use it - just posted some customer's names and info.

    Today, I decided to take the plunge and move from paper ledger sheets to modern technology - Quicken.  I entered about a dozen customer's names.

    But wait, what is that little bottle in between the Quicken and the ledger pad ? ? ? ?

    Ahhhhhh!  Yes!!!!!!!!

    HEADACHE PILLLLLLLS!!!!!!!!!!!

    Because . . . I forgot! 

    I've never done accounting in my life, except for the class I took in college WAY BACK WHEN!!!!  And . . . being computer illiterate, this is all so very easy for me to set up (NOT!).

    I've lost the info for the dozen customers I entered this morning!  I'm sure it's in there somewhere, but I SURE can't find it. 

    I'm going to open that little green bottle, eat some lunch, and come back with a renewed determination!

    Yes, I'm doing laundry and I cleaned the bathroom.  We're having meatloaf for dinner, tonight - so that's easy.

    Now if I could just figure out data entry for accounting info . . .

    (someone please feel sorry for me!)

  • New Clothes & Fajitas

    I got a bunch done this week-end.  Jesse and I brought down (and sent back up) Rubbermaid bins of clothes from the attic.  I went through the girls' closets and pulled out the obvious corduroy and fleece things that wouldn't be needed until fall/winter of 2008.  I also pulled out the heavy cotton dresses decorated with snowflakes.  Even if they are a good weight for a cool spring day, snowflakes in April/May just doesn't seem American!

    I went through two big bins crammed with spring/summer dresses and decided who could wear what, what needed to be passed down to JanaLyn, and what needed to be donated to the church.  And, of course, what needed to be sent to the trash can.  I have bought many, many dresses used (almost all of them) and they go through Annamarie, then Rissy, and then Luci.  Amazingly, some make it down to JanaLyn!  Anyway, I washed all of the keepers (I think 6 loads) and did some of Jesse's things and the bathroom towels.  You think I'd be caught up today - WRONG!

    Yesterday, Jesse's friend came and fixed our master bath toilet.  A bolt had broken loose and the whole thing heaved to one side when you sat down.  At times it leaned so much that, when it was stabilized upright, the water in the tank continued to swell from side to side before calming itself.  It was a little unnerving in the middle of the night to sit and wonder if you'd be pitched up against the wall!  The girls' bathroom toilet had a loose bolt and he tightened it, too.

    We had leftovers for Saturday night's dinner.  Then, last night, Jesse cooked fajita meat outside on the charcoaler - marinated beef flank steak and bone-in chicken pieces.  It wasn't the best tasting we've bought (he tried a new Mexican market), but the fact I only had to heat up flour tortillas, chop a few sliced onions, and throw a bag of cheese and a carton of sour cream on the table was a meal deal for me!

    I had a nice phone conversation with a friend I have known since the late 80's.  She and I live in the same town, yet NEVER get together.  I like her so much and we rarely even call each other.  I think we talked for an hour yesterday afternoon.  She lost her cat last year.  He was about the same age as Jesse-boy and we shared our cat stories - which went back to something like 1990!  She has a child with some learning issues and we shared with (and supported) each other.

    I didn't sleep well last night.  Had a rough time falling asleep and then woke up earlier than early this morning.  I never really went back to sleep.  I think I dozed for 15 minutes.  My face feels puffy and my senses are dulled.  I may have to skip school for the day and spend the day (all of us) "hanging out" around here.

    The list for today:

    *  Laundry (at least SOME of it)
    *  Clean the master bathroom
    *  Think of something creative and simple for tonight's meal
    *  Keep my head from rolling off of my shoulders

    I guess that's the end of my boring list of accomplished chores and chores looming on the horizon!

  • Update to Today

    I thought I would post some pictures of JanaLyn's new hairstyle.  First, the pictures of what I did yesterday:

    She was in constant motion and I couldn't get a photo without her being blurred.

    We got her to stop long enough to get a profile.

    Today, I worked more on shaping it and cutting in some layers all the way around to make it "swing" when she moved.

    I think she is regretting her bold scissors cutting decision from yesterday, but she is making the best of it.  She asked Rissy if she liked her new hair cut, and Rissy (so honest, yet rude at the same time) said, "No!  You look like a BOY!"

    When I did the second job today (really just shaping and not taking off much length), JanaLyn asked if I was going to make it even shorter than I did yesterday!  I told her I didn't think ANYONE could make it much shorter!  Her mom DID cut the bangs a bit last night because the obvious short chunk in the middle of her forehead kept showing through the longer bangs I had cut.

    Here's my little Amish boy grandDAUGHTER!!!!!!!!  LOL

    Stephanie said she went through all of JanaLyn's clothes this morning looking for things that were the most feminine!  It bothers Stephanie a lot and I know Rob will be sick when he sees her long blond hair gone and a short bob in its place!

    I think she's still a cutie! 


  • Friday Whine

    I slept like a log last night and STILL feel tired this morning.  Maybe I'm just not awake, yet.

    I can't believe we went to Wal-Mart for groceries and forgot to pick up an online order of nightgowns for Annamarie!!!  Since we are taking Luci to her therapy appointment this afternoon, we'll be up that way and can stop at Wal-Mart for Annamarie's order; PLUS, she wants to buy a new game cartridge for her Leapster.  I suppose I'll be shaping JanaLyn's new hair cut, too.  Stephanie lives down the street from the doctor's office.

    We've been having a rough time with Luci for the past two weeks.  I thought we were going to have to leave the restaurant last night.  Then, when we got home, she threw another HUGE fit when she was told to get ready for bed.  From what I understand, there isn't a "pill" to help Oppositional Defiance Disorder, per se.  But, I have to wonder if an anti-anxiety drug might be appropriate.  The doctor has always prescribed anti-psychotic drugs or drugs for depression.  I've never understood why.  None of them have worked.  Whether she is on medication (and she has been on 5 heavy-duty meds at one time, in the past) or nothing, her horrible outbursts come in unpredictable waves.  The therapist said it's behavioral problems (not a brain dysfunction) and assured us we are doing all that's possible to teach her to manage herself.  Luci simply doesn't like to be told "no" or what to do (oppositional) and will do the very opposite of what she is asked to do, or not do (defiance).  I can tune out much of her crying, screaming, and yelling most of the time.  I send her to her bedroom to let her fight with herself.  After a while, though, it wears on me.  I have to hold my ground and be ABSOLUTELY consistent with every single thing I say or do.  If we give her an inch, she takes a mile.  Maybe that's why I feel so pooped today!  She's a big girl and almost 6yo.  Throwing herself on the floor and kicking and screaming makes it much harder to physically control than a 2yo with the same tantrum.  It's NEVER okay to throw a fit, she suffers the ramifications of her behavior each and every time.  Yet, she never grows weary of testing the fire.  So, I have to pray for strength to never grow weary of standing my own parental ground with behavioral rules.  Just writing about this makes me feel tired.  I bet this is most of my problem, today!  I feel very defeated lately when it comes to her.

    I feel sorta
    "meh!" - if that makes sense.  Don't want to go anywhere and feel achy from all the
    walking I did yesterday.  Climbing the stairs to Stephanie's apartment
    was hard on my knees, although coming back down was even harder!  I ran like
    a crazy person all day long because of the threat of impending severe storms.  We didn't even
    get a drop of rain!  The temps were mid-70's and I used the Suburban's a/c to cool off.  Then the wind shifted and it dropped to 58 degrees
    while we were inside Wal-Mart.  By the time we went to dinner, there
    was a blustery, cold north wind and temps were even lower (54, I
    think).  I'm ready for it to be a bit warmer.  I don't tolerate the
    humid and super hot temps we have through summer and fall, but somewhat warmer weather
    would be a welcomed change!  Jesse also worked like a work horse
    yesterday.  He did two days worth of mowing jobs in one day!  He was really
    sore last night and still stiff this morning.  I shouldn't complain when I think of the hard physical work he does each day.  Of course, I *AM* almost 12 years older . . . (LOL!!!)

    Okey, dokey.  So much for all of my complaining.  Time to unload the dishwasher, make our bed, finishing putting away some of the dry goods I bought yesterday, and then there's that shower and getting dressed thing people do each day!

    No pictures today.  There would only be ones of a kitchen bar full of food cans and boxes or me in my bathrobe!



  • Long, Busy Day

    My, my!  It sure is late here.

    I had no time to type today, much less any time to post a "Thursday Thirteen."

    Maybe tomorrow, a day late?  Who knows?

    I was gone from morning to dinner time.  I arrived home very tired and unloaded all the groceries.  Jesse said, "Let's go out to eat."  And, my response was, "Sounds great!"  But . . . we had icky bad Mexican food . . . yuck!  I think we're tired of it and no Mexican food place would taste good right now.  I don't even want to fix my own recipes of Mexican flavored foods.  Our company from Tacoma (both sets) adore Mexican food and can't get "good" Mexican food in Tacoma.  We took them out for Mexican food a lot (January - April) so they could get their fill.  Bleah!  I KNOW I've had *my* fill!  LOL

    JanaLyn butchered her long blond hair today with a scissors while Stephanie was taking a shower.  Stephanie called me (furious) while I was at Annamarie's appointment in the waiting room.  I stopped by their apartment to give her an Amish-boy look!  Despite the Amish look, she still has a "Mickey Mouse Club" short (VERY short) piece of bangs in the front.  I combed her longer hair (from the crown) forward over the shortest part and tried to make it look like the bangs were layered.  It works until the wind blows and you see her micro-short chunk of hair!  This is the second time she's cut her hair and Stephanie isn't a happy camper tonight.

    Anyhow, I'm off to beddie-bye!  I'm VERY sleepy!

  • Spring Fling ReCap

    I can hear the ocean and its crashing waves outside of my house this morning.  Except . . . I live in Oklahoma!  What I really hear is gusty, blustery winds that are supposed to continue throughout the day.  Whew doggie it's windy!

    Luci ended up with Annamarie's stomach bug and was in bed yesterday, so not much was accomplished by me.  We DID get a lot of school done (the older girls) and worked hard on Social Studies, Science, Health, and World Geography.  I don't know exactly what they'll retain, but sometimes they amaze me!

    We had such a fun time last night with Stormy's fake birthday party!  It really WAS her third birthday, but my girl's got Spring Fling bags of goodies (see yesterday's post); and, all but Rissy, thought the packages really were for Stormy!  Yesterday afternoon, Rissy got on my blog to read and saw the pictures of clothes.  She asked about them and I used my dear friend  Shanda in a lie.  Poor Shanda, she has no idea!  I told Rissy the clothes were for Ms. Shanda's girls.  Ha!  Shanda only has ONE girl, AND, her daughter is lots bigger than mine!  Oh boy!  What was I thinking?  I won't lie about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy, but . . .

    Anyhoo, here are some pictures from "Stormy's Party" last evening.

    The birthday girl and "her" packages.

    Luci opening Stormy's package and Luci VERY pleased!  She said, "Oh look!  Stormy got socks like mine!"

    Rissy was happy too!  The second shirt was light pink with dark pink rosebuds - right up Rissy's ally.  Rissy said rather smugly, "Gee Stormy, this is really cute.  It looks like something I'd wear.  Maybe you'll let me wear it sometime."

    And Annamarie was very confused.  She quietly opened hers and we told her to hold the shirt up, which she dutifully did.  Then she asked very carefully and slowly, "Why did Stormy get bloomers like we wear?"  We had to TELL HER they were really gifts for her and her sisters!!!

    The next person that needed things explained was the birthday cat. . . .

    Hey!  Where's all my stuff?????

    Ohhhhh!  I get it now!!!!  This is cool!  Thanks y'all!
    Happy, happy cat . . .

    All in all it was a fun day.  The expectancy and then the real surprise.   I don't think the girls were sad that the gifts were really for them instead of the cat!  AND, it will be warm enough today that they each can wear a new shirt with their denim shirt.  Happy children!  After opening gifts, we ate the last piece (boo! hoo!) of my chocolate fudge birthday cake. 

    We'll see how all the children feel today and I may (or may not) take that broken curio cabinet back to the furniture store.  We have errands to run tomorrow and Annamarie's therapy appointment.  I could easily run by the furniture store first.  Okay, I just made up my mind.  The curio cabinet goes back tomorrow!

    I'll do *FUN* things today, like: laundry, clean bathrooms, mop floors . . . OH!  I can hardly wait to get started!

     

  • A Fun Day Planned

    This entry will be a mixture of different subjects.  We have lots going on here and lots to share, today.

    First of all, I absolutely have to share pictures of the wooden block "castle" Annamarie (with a bit of help from Luci) built yesterday afternoon in their bedroom.  She has always built the most intricate structures.  Learning is so extremely difficult for her (learning ANY thing) and yet she has always constructed very elaborate things from blocks and her Legos.


    She put her doll house furniture inside the castle and the plastic princesses from her birthday cake.  There are stairs leading everywhere and turrets galore!  What is pictured is the "grand ballroom" minus only a chandelier!

    Next is a picture of some shelves and a group of pictures in my foyer.  I scratched my head when I looked at this wall this morning (as if for the first time)  wondering WHY?  I haven't a clue why I used a theme from Africa and India in my home.  I have no desire to go to either place and can't say I feel a "missionary call" to support people there.  They aren't places I'm even fascinated with, as far as learning more about the culture, etc.  So WHY India?  WHY Africa?  Maybe the colors were appealing and I bought things in a color group I liked (that's not usually like me) without considering the cultural tone.  Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with either culture, but I tend to lean toward turn-of-the-century and Deep South decor.  Yet, I find this collection very appealing, and it continues to the bottom shelves that the photo did not capture..

    Another piece of news.

    Today is a fun day because I've chosen it to be our "Spring Fling Day," which is what we do to replace the event (and fact we don't celebrate Easter) of baskets, bunnies, and egg hunts.  Normally the girls receive some spring/summer clothes and toys they can use outside.  This year it's all clothes with a small bag of pastel M & M's.

    This is the STASH they'll receive.  I know it's just necessary items of shirts, bloomers, and socks; but, they'll be thrilled.

    And this is how the gifts look wrapped in pretty spring colors.  I wrapped them in my bedroom behind closed doors and put them on the edge of the bathtub to take the picture. 

    Now, for the REALLY fun part of the day . . .

    Today is our cat's (Stormy) birthday.  She was born three years ago and we brought her home when she was about 4 months old (in August, I think) from the farm where we boarded our horse.  Everyone knows she shares a birthday with my Dad (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!!!!!) and the girls have been trying to decide what to do for the cat's birthday this year.  Since Jesse-boy died, I think they want to celebrate Stormy's birthday some how, since we used to have "chicken thigh night" on Jesse-boy's birthday.

    Being the BIG FAT LIAR I am, I brought out the 3 gift bags, put them on the fireplace hearth, and told the girls they were for Stormy's birthday!  They bought it . . .  hook, line, and sinker!  I told them we'd help Stormy open the gifts later tonight when Daddy comes home!  Imagine their surprise when they find out the gifts are really for them!

    And, so, FINALLY, here's the birthday cat in all of her three year old glory!

    Happy Birthday, Stormy Azariah!!!!!!!!!   (Azariah means "protected by God")

    EDIT:
    Oops, have to add a P.S. to another piece of news:  My first subscription to "Family Life" from Pathway Publishers arrived in yesterday's mail.  I haven't subscribed in years and am excited to start receiving this magazine again.

  • My Child Is Beginning to Talk to Herself

    I'm at my desk and this is what I heard from our kitchen table during a homeschooling lesson this afternoon (while learning about bar graphs):

    "Oh no!  No!  No!  No!  Marissa Claire!  What in the world?  Ohhhhh, Ma-ris-sa Claire.  What in the world are you doing, dear child?"

    Yikes!  I think Rissy has picked up my habit of talking to (and chastising) myself!!!!!

  • The Birthday "Feastival"

    Today will be spent getting my life back to normal!!!  I mean that schedule-wise and eating-wise!!!

    This has been a "feastival" week-end, for sure!  There was the all-you-can eat cafeteria on Saturday night and the homemade (huge) lamb chop dinner last night.  Then, I have to mention, there is all of the cake servings in between!  Jesse's friend brought a bakery, vanilla cake to me on Saturday and, of course, I had the chocolate fudge cake I made for myself!  We've been eating the vanilla cake for breakfast (bad mother that I am) and only ate the chocolate cake last night after the lamb chop dinner.  Still, despite how full we were after the lamb chops, there is a huge section of chocolate cake missing!

    Here are some pictures of the "feastival" that went on at our house this week-end.

    The rolls from Emily

    The chocolate homemade cake and the bakery vanilla cake

    The consumed cake
     


    And last, but not least, my stomach after eating like a pig all week-end

    Okay!  Maybe it's not as bad as "that" and my picture description is a gross exaggeration; but, I can honestly say that I sure feel that stuffed!

    The plan for today is to return Rissy's damaged curio cabinet and get the kitchen mess cleaned up.  Jesse put the dishes in the dishwasher last night, but there are still those always existent larger pieces that don't fit in the dishwasher. 

    I also want to wash Annamarie's sheets (she's the one who had the stomach bug) so Luci can start sleeping in that bed with her.  She's been in her old bed in the new guest room for a few days and a consistent routine works best for her to remain calm.  I don't want her to get used to sleeping in her twin bed.

    That doesn't sound like much to do, but with a belly like mine . . .

    LOL!!

  • Birthday Dinner a Day Late

    There was a slight change of plans yesterday.  Jesse called to say he had forgotten to tell me he wanted to take us out to dinner for my birthday.  He asked me to put the lamb chops in the refrigerator and cook then for Sunday's dinner.  That was fine with me.  I haven't mentioned it, but, for the past few days I've been having some severe headaches.  Not quite as bad as last winter, but close enough to make me feel puny.  After baking a cake and decorating the table, eating out sounded VERY appealing.

    Stephanie, Rob, and JanaLyn stoppd by to give me a small gift.  Stephanie is without a job right now and she's having car trouble.  We ended up ALL going out to eat.  I picked (don't laugh) Furr's Cafeteria.  It's not the most elegant place, nor is it fancy (much to Jesse's confusion and a little dismay); but they have lots of fruits and salads and . . . they usually have LIVER (something I rarely get unless I go to a cafeteria).  There was a new Furr's restaurant waaaay south of us that has a "serve yourself" lay-out, instead of the traditional cafeteria line.  That's where we went (very crowded) and I got my liver dinner!  I think in 7th grade I requested liver and lima beans for my birthday meal, so liver isn't all that unusual for me to crave!  Everyone got what they wanted to eat and all agreed that it had been a good choice of restaurants.  We came home and were too full to even think about eating any cake.

    Tonight will be my lamb chop birthday dinner and fudge cake with peach sherbet dessert.  I've decided to make twice baked potatoes (they are baking in the oven as I type).  I plan to fix two vegetables (unknown at this time) and serve Emily's dinner rolls.  I put the rolls in the refrigerator Friday evening to keep them fresh!

    Here is a picture of the table and a close up of the floral arrangement I made for the table.

    Here is that yummy fudge cake I've managed to refrain from eating!  I can be soooo good, sometimes!

    And finally, here are my birthday cards

    . . . with a clear definition of some of my many roles, wife, mother, daughter, and grandmother.

    I hope you enjoyed sharing my birthday with me!  Thanks for stopping by!