Shopping Around

I'm still down. I haven't taken the computer to the doctor, but I have decided to buy a whole new system. I'm shopping around and haven't made a decision yet. I miss everyone and will hopefully make a purchase very soon.

Down

My computer is down. No idea what the problem is, but it will have to be handled by a professional. Hope to be back soon.

Weird Weather...

The weather is playing tricks on me. Today we had temperatures in the 60's and tomorrow is supposed to be 74. In January? Yikes! It's given me a mini case of spring fever. I really want to start doing some home improvement projects and some spring cleaning. The only thing holding me back right now is time. Isn't that funny? When you have all the time in the world there's no money and when money isn't the problem you can't seem to find the time. I guess I just need to get started on the cleaning aspect so that when I find time for the projects and the King is home to help me we're ready.

Tea's eye is healing but it has turned a shade of purple and almost looks worse. She keeps asking when it will go away. Soon I hope so people will stop staring. The girls loved the movie yesterday. It started at 1:15 and Boo was asleep on my lap by 1:20. It was perfect. I actually got to watch the whole thing. Today was back to normal which is never easy for any of us. It doesn't help that we all have colds. Luckily it's a short week. I already can't wait for the weekend....

Day Off

Today we are taking the day off. After a busy weekend I am relieved there is no school. Our plans include going to lunch and seeing a movie. We already slept in past 8 which was wonderful. The girls really needed the extra rest and so did I. Chiggie has basketball practice tonight, but other than that the day is ours. I plan to do very little around the house because there's always tomorrow!

Advice

I rarely pass out advice around here but this is just too great an opportunity. Marco Polo really isn't a good game to play in the house. Blind folds on little ones can apparently be dangerous. Especially when pieces of electrical tape are placed over each eye to prevent peeking. I knew they were playing by the way, but I had no idea there was any tape involved. One little trip and Tea wound up with a real shiner. It didn't look nearly this bad yesterday. Poor Tea.

Cruel

Today was picture day for basketball. Our game was at 9 'o clock and our pictures were at 8:15. We had to be at the school no later than 8am. It's not our neighborhood school so we had to leave the house by 7:45. On a SATURDAY. I had to wake the girls up. Of course today they would actually want to sleep in. Oh well there is no school on Monday and we'll make up for it then!

Chillin'

She goes until she quits thats for sure. I was sittting next to her right before taking this picture and had no idea she was even sleepy.

Holding Back

This is one of the posts where I could go on and on about things that are driving me nuts. Depressing things that are happening in what appears to be all areas of my life. But I'll spare you the details and myself the grief of starting off the week on a negative note. Instead I thought I'd share a completely random list of things that I really don't like.

• putting away folded laundry
• emptying the litter box
• picking up dog doo
• climbing in to a freezing cold bed after leaving the warmth of the fire
• sleepless nights
• warm milk
• chapped hands and lips
• snow after Christmas
• Icy roads
• Car Pool (when it's my turn to drive)
• vomit
• home improvement lists that never get started

Ah now I feel so much better. What kinds of things drive you crazy???

Saturday

I think we set a family record today. The girls and I got out of bed at 8:15 and were ready for the day and out the door by 9:00. 45 minutes. Each of us ate breakfast, took a shower/bath, and had our hair fixed. We overslept. I was sure the dog would wake me up but apparently he was enjoying the extra rest too. We made it to my sisters basketball game just a few minutes late. It was fun to watch.

Chiggie's game was at 11 at a different school so as soon as we finished my sisters we headed there. It was enjoyable to watch too. Their endless energy amazes me. Her team won and I was impressed with their teamwork. For such little kids they were good at passing the ball and taking turns shooting baskets.

Now we're home and I'm avoiding housework. I have a headache and don't feel much like doing anything. This is always a mistake because it'll catch up with me later. I'm bound and determined to make it to church tomorrow. Lately it's been one thing after another that has prevented us from going. The lull of the fire is compelling me to rest for a bit, so I guess I will oblige it!

Already?

I have been so confused as to what day it is. School randomly started back up on a Wednesday and that really threw me off I guess. So when I realized today was Friday it just felt weird. Usually I go grocery shopping in the morning, but I didn't get around to it until after school today. Of course it was snowing. The wet slushy kind that's no fun at all to be out in. We got through it though no worse for the wear.

Even though I wasn't really in much of a "fun" mood, I made pizza for dinner and we all watched some tv. Tomorrow is Chiggie's first basketball game and we're looking forward to it. They have practiced hard this week and it still amazes me that such young kids can make baskets without the hoops lowered at all. We actually haven't seen Chiggie much lately. When she's not at school or an activity she is really into playing with her new Hannah Montana house. It was definitely worth Santa's time and effort!

The End

We know that all good things must come to an end, and today marked the end of Christmas Vacation and the beginning of the second half of the school year. Why they started back on Wednesday is beyond me, but after a full 19 days off, it was a bit of a transition. We were all exhausted last night and everyone in the house was fast asleep by 10pm which helped tremendously this morning. It also worked well that it's Wednesday because it's my usual have lunch at the school day and that made Chiggie feel a lot better about going back.

It has been a busy day too. After dropping Chiggie off we had to go pick Napolean up from the Vet. He was feeling well enough to come home (he was neutered) and we were happy to see him. We got him home and situated and then went to have lunch. There's less than an hour left now before I have to go back and pick Chiggie up. Then we'll have a quick snack and get homework done before leaving for basketball practice. After practice both older girls have youth group tonight. Somewhere in there we have to fit dinner. At least every night isn't this busy. I don't think I could keep up that pace for very long!

Surgery

Napolean is having surgery today. It's minor, but it will still be weird to have him gone all day and overnight. We'll miss him for sure. I think someone else might miss him too......

Relieved

Today ended my " 3 days stuck in the house with no access to the outside world" streak. I got up early and called the service center. They couldn't get me in until 1 which really freaked me out. They were extremely nice though and once they had the car they worked on it right away. My step-dad really helped me out by coming and getting the car and dropping it off for me just so that I wouldn't have to load all the girls up and go through all of that.

I didn't officially get to drive it until 8pm. I had to borrow one of my Moms' cars to take Chiggie to a doctors appointment and then basketball practice. The girls were all really excited to have the car back. They've been really good sports about the whole thing. I took them out to eat to celebrate. Unfortunately the problem was not covered under our extended warranty. It was an electrical problem and apparently none of those are covered. Stupid small print. It cost more than I hoped it would but I'm just glad to have a vehicle again.

Winter

It has begun. That period of time after Christmas and before spring. It's early enough that I'm not quite going crazy, but I'm sure I will be after 4 more months. Chiggie kept busy reading.Midge and Tea played with some of their new play dough. Boo just walked around looking cute!

Lazy

It has been snowing since yesterday around 5pm. As a result I am feeling extremely lazy. We have not left the house in well over 48 hours and I'd be lying if I said we weren't feeling cooped up. I need to go out and measure, but if I had to guess I'd say the snow is up to around 8". Not having a working vehicle isn't a huge deal today as I don't usually drive in the snow when I don't have to.

It's amazing the effect that the weather has on me. I love days like today. It's cold and seasonal. There's a fire going. At the same time I have no motivation to get anything other than lounging with a blanket and possibly consuming mass amounts of hot chocolate. Maybe through a movie or two in there. I guess I should just enjoy it while it lasts. School starts back up on Wednesday and that will bring with it a long to do list I'm sure.

Midge Preparing for the Reindeer

I know Christmas is over, but I just had to share this. Midge was probably the most excited about Santa's impending arrival. To her it wasn't even really about what he might bring, just the fact that he and his reindeer would be coming to our house.

Sorry the lighting is terrible, I can't seem to make it any brighter. The voice is cute though!

Stranded

I'm still without a vehicle. By the time I found someone to give me a ride home from the service center they were almost closed and they're not open on the weekends. My Mom has offered one of her vehicles but I plan to just stay put for now. It's anxiety invoking waiting. I don't know if whatever is wrong will be covered under our warranty. On top of that I have several things that I have to do on Monday and I have no idea how long it will take to fix. Today I'm hoping to use the extra time around the house to get some things done. We'll see I'm not feeling very productive.

The weather here is eerily warm but on the other side of the mountain, where the King is, they're getting pounded with snow. They couldn't even make it in to work today. So we sit hundreds of miles apart doing nothing. That is extremely frustrating. Especially considering the fact that my job never ends. I'm praying this isn't setting the tone for '09!

Change of Plans

I was so proud of myself this morning. Last night was a late one. I didn't even fall asleep until well after 2 am. Boo is teething and miserable and I was having trouble sleeping with the King gone anyway. Midge and Boo were up by 8 am. I wasn't thrilled, but I muddled through my exhaustion and got everyone ready for the day. I cleaned up the house and then loaded the girls into the car to go grocery shopping. Tired or not it has to be done.

I made it about half way when the car started jerking and acting like we were out of gas. I had just filled up so I knew it wasn't that. Seconds later the 'check engine' light came on and the car jerked to a stop. Right on the highway. Luckily it started right back up and I headed toward home, FAST. Walking with 4 kids in the freezing cold, two of whom would demand to be carried didn't sound much like my idea of fun.

We made it home, I ordered pizza for the girls who were by their own account starving, and I'm trying to get a hold of someone to help me. I'm not even positive the car will make it to the service department and I have to have a ride home. Again, sitting in the lobby for hours with 4 young kids just doesn't sound like much of a party to me. This is the second time this has happened in less than a year. Very frustrating. It is even more frustrating that it didn't happen while the King was home. As much as that would've been a bummer, at least he could have helped me and we would have had an extra vehicle. Whatever is wrong I hope it can be easily and inexpensively fixed. Soon.

2009

Wow what a year 2008 was. A lot of changes took place for my family. Most of them I am convinced were for the better, but still tough. It was a good year for the most part. The girls grew a lot. We had so much fun last night playing games and watching t.v. with them. They're morphing from babies to kids so fast. Here's a few of my favorite pics from the end of the year.

Tea was so proud of her fort she built with Daddy.
Boo and I ice skating.

Boo taking a quick break. Being pushed around on the ice by your mom is a lot of work you know.

Chiggie stops to pose.

Midge jammin' out on Guitar Hero.

The girls love their new kitchen set.