It's a conspiracy I tell you!

So I thought I was in like flynn with the D3 endorsement on my drivers license. I passed the test and I am ready to drive. Well, slow down little lady, it seems that the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have a few more expectations. UGH! Now it seems that I can start driving S next week, or whenever he gets his paperwork together, but n the near future I will be required to take a 12 hour bus transportation class and an additional 3 hour transportation class with other drivers from my district. Are you kidding? NO! 15 hours of additional "training" for me to drive a mini-van with one totally "kewl" 16 year old on board. I was a bit miffed and showed my enthusiasm and disdain to anyone who might listen. I expressed to the princiPAL that I thought that if I was going to do all this bus training that I need bus driver pay. He did not disagree. I am sure that a bus driver makes more that my pittance. For all of the training required their job must be pretty darn special and I know that bus drivers deserve everything they get and then some. UGH!

I have no idea when the training will be offered but I will tell you that the school district will pay for my hours of attendance and my childcare bill if needed. I did not sign on for this. I could WALK if I didn't like the job so much. It really isn't a bad gig but the politics of driving is driving me MAD!

The boys are playing at a friend's house but I should probably go pick them up soon. I do not feel like cooking but since I haven't even turned on the stove since Sunday maybe I should. Fred is working wonky hours so there have been lower expectations. My boys are just pretty easy. Gotta love 'um.

I passed!

I took my driving test today, no written test required, and a regular visual exam thing. I passed the test, only lost 12 points for stopping past the actual stop sign. I think it was the sign placement's fault, not me! So I took a new pic, which is really too bad because I liked my old one, and headed back to school. I turned in my receipt to get reimbursed and went back to work with my special kids. It was a long day! There was bit of relief from the heat but the kids were snarky. That might be an Iowa word, I had never heard it before I got here. You can infer the meaning.

The boys are doing REALLY well at school. Will received two blue ribbons for scoring the highest on addition and subtraction facts this month. We have had some red, yellow and even white ribbons before from both boys, but never blue. And he got two! Yeah Will! Nic has to get 100 problems done in 5 mins, completely accurately. He passed addition and subtraction pretty easily last week and knocked out multiplication yesterday. He was the second in his class to get to this point. Pretty cool if you ask me. He had to take the division test for the first time today. He got 34/100 correct which I thought was not too shabby. I think he can get through the division in 10 days/attempts. I may challenge him to that and see what we get. We have some flashcards at home to practice.

Well with all the great things happening around here I think we should have Bailey's for dinner. Like anyone is going to fight me on this idea... I'll go do some laundry and call Fred closer to five to see if he has any special requests. Ta ta:}

Can I offer you a ride? Well, soon enough maybe! I am going to have to get my class D Chauffeur's license before next Tuesday. I don't think I'll be legal to drive this baby here but a school van on a designated route, YES! S got a job at the sheltered workshop and will start next week. It is M-F and I will use a school van to transport him. This requires some sort of endorsement that I currently do not have. I will head to the DMV tomorrow to find out the particulars. My biggest fear is having to take an actual drivers test. I never had to do that and have been driving for 20 years. Let's not start now! The written test will be stressful enough. Will told me to think of something girly like pretty ponies, or suggested that I relieve the stress by scrapbooking. Isn't he the sweetest?

I did get to go into work at 9:00 today which was a special treat that will hopefully become the norm. I still ran the boys in to school but had 45 mins. or so at home before I had to head in. I was able to clean out the pantry without nosey kids under foot and managed to remember everything for the b-day celebration at work. BIG oops was the heavy cake falling straight out of the Tupperware cake carrier as I walked down the hall at school. The key word in that last sentence was the fact that it did fall "straight" down so it was amazing OK. My Pyrex pan even survived the fall intact. I nearly curse very loudly at school but thankfully restrained myself once I saw that it was all OK.

The day was HOT but we all survived. Tomorrow will be not better I am sure.

My blood was boiling after school though. Nic arrived announcing that he had forgotten his assignment book. We ran by the Elem. school and then to the bus barn before heading home. I needed to find out about the license thing. We got the assignment book, got the details that I need to go to the DMV for the REAL details and headed home. Upon arriving home Nic realized that he needed his math book to complete a late assignment. I let him think about his options for taking care of it and he came up with the two obvious ones, return to school NOW or go early in the AM. Well, there were 9 problems that required the book. That was way too many to put off until tomorrow. We piled back in the car and went back to town. Well, lucky Nic, the homework he had was actually to re-do a sheet that he had misplaced. Well, while level headed mom had him re-check his desk he was able to come up with the lost paper. This greatly reduced the homework required! He will still have a SRS (student responsibility sheet) on file but at least did not have to re-do 26 problems. THANKS MOM!

Well, I just ate poptarts for my dinner, I should probably make something a little better than that for the boys. Fred is out for work, lucky dog. Here's hoping that tomorrow goes better than today. I will start my day at the DMV so lots of prayers will be needed.

Well, as we prepare for week two we can say the weekend was necessary. I ran to Ames and enjoyed some retail therapy. I arrived back at home to rally the troop to join me at 5:00 mass. after mass, which Will somehow slept through, I got the boys signed up for Religious Education for this year. Will is really not excited but since it is his first communion year and first reconciliation I'm sure he will come around. I hope he'll come around.

At mass they announced that Sacred Heart Parish, in our cluster, will be closing at the end of the month. Their church burned in June, a lightening strike started a fire that leveled the church in a few short hours. Very sad indeed. To add insult to injury, they will have to celebrate their final parish mass at another church, ours. We of course will welcome them but it will be hard indeed. We are the closest parish so we will likely absorb most of their membership. Hopefully the last mass will be a new beginning for many.

Sunday was a day of rest, till noon, on and off, and then business. I got laundry done, washed the dog, made a couple of card, baked a cake for my friend's birthday and lasagna for dinner. We opened the house up all day and it is pleasantly cool right now. The boys played and read and Fred went to work for a bit. Clothes are selected for tomorrow. Everyone is eating at school so there are no lunches to pack! Yeah!

Off to tuck in the boys then get my bag together for tomorrow. I have lots of stuff to haul in tomorrow and I am going in later than usual. I have arranged for another hour in the morning at home or with the boys. Not sure if it will last but we are trying it until S & K get job assignments. I'll enjoy it while I can!

One week down!

I say to week two, BRING IT! We have no homework tonight - the whole weekend really! That work! Everyone made it to and school on time and in one piece. Well, I was actually about 5 minutes late one day because I needed to be a mom for just 5 minutes more.

The boys are both doing well with their new teachers. Nic says Mr. Taylor is mean, but I clarified, he is mean to everyone, not just Nic. He is an equal opportunity meanie. Will got the important task of assisting the substitute on his third day so obviously she sees great leadership qualities in him. You think I am biased?

Well, we are all in the same room at the same time for the first time all week it seems. Fred has put in a bunch of hours this week at work so I need to be present in his company right now. Even if we are just watching Hannah Montana as a family.

Still getting by...

We have completed day three, maybe the hottest thus far, and are still hanging in. Day one I had homework, day two, Will had homework, day three, finally both boys had homework. It's all happening just as it should.

I am still struggling for lack of schedule for S & K but we have decided to attempt to build one for each and change as jobs become available. This is probably for the best. I am still not sure about cutting back in my hours but I think I may need to just do it and go back to full time as needed. I should talk to the principal about that soon.

Fred is putting in CRAZY hours this week but seems to be getting lots done too. He had to squeeze in two dental trips this week for cleaning and a filling but still managed to be home for a late dinner tonight and he mowed the grass last night. I am sure he is looking forward to a quiet weekend now that we can almost call hump day over. He may have to cut the grass again though for all the rain we are getting around here. It will be a wet day tomorrow if you believe the weatherman.

Well, I think I have picked up enough. I did one and 1/2 loads of laundry tonight and made dinner. We have nada tomorrow after school so I can wrap up the laundry and continue working with Will and Nic on thank you notes for b-day presents. We must get to those, we have started but the list is generously long. Thanks all!

Day one, it went quite well!

The boys were less than enthusiastic about getting up but I expected that of course. Thankfully clothes had been picked out last night so that saved time. The whole eating breakfast as soon as we wake up is gonna be tough too. Not for Will and me but for Nic, he was used to meandering to breakfast this summer. He wants to eat at school but I hate to think that there is nothing here to satisfy him. We'll work on that.

The boys both rode to school with me. I dropped them off and took a couple of photos that I will post at a later date. Then I headed to the jungle. S & K both arrived happy. Great start! S was a little unwilling to remove his headphones but eventually complied with my request. The biggest challenge of the day was the fact that we had no schedule for either kid. We are waiting on job assignments for the two of them and that takes time! In the meantime we muddle through and try are darnedest to stay a slight bit cool. It is a broiler in that school!

After school we had a small snafu in the pick-up plan but it all worked out. The boys had no homework, only me, I had to sign some stuff, rough life. They each read and wrote and played on the computer. We had a quiet dinner and as of this posting daddy is still at work. He should be picking up dinner for himself at Sonic soon, right after he gets white bread so I can make Will a sandwich in the morning. Such a team player, Fred is!

I am off to try to get a little further in Nineteen Minutes. I have made some progress today but it is due tomorrow. I hate to turn it in unfinished but it may come to that. I don't think I can renew it if someone else is on the waitlist. Guess I'd better call tomorrow and see if it is possible.

It's time...

Yes, tomorrow is the BIG day! We have had a very nice weekend and I am ready. Bring it I say! I have my menu planned for the week. Laundry is caught up. Not quite folded but clean, that is such a great start. I need to work on my thank you notes but they will get done.

We had a decent day yesterday, cleaning and prepping. I got to watch HSM2 and read a bit of 19 Minutes between vacuuming and cleaning the hardwood floors . Fred worked on some lights in the basement and helped keep the laundry moving. Thanks hon!

Today we got up and out to see the Nancy Drew movie at the $1.50 movies. Gotta love a bargain. It was a cute movie, much better than Surf's Up last week! I want to get a few songs from the soundtrack for sure.

OK, off to fold laundry, pick out clothes for tomorrow and get the boys in the shower. I want them to be as fresh as daisies tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is the day the big 36! Wow, can't believe I made it can you? I am pretty happy to be here and enjoying life most days. I have been showered with love and presents and have enjoyed them all. Mother-in-law and Mom sent cash to support my habit, scrapbooking that is, and I thank them. Fred bought me a new bag for school from Franklin Covey that is too cute and useful. I love it! I used in yesterday and the day before at our staff work days. Thanks hon!

My gal pals at school took me out to lunch and gave books, scrap stuff and flowers. Vicki also made a homemade Coke-a-Cola Cocoa cake that we estimate to be about 4000 calories/slice. Boy it was YUMMO and I did share, so enjoy the calories people! I know I did. Kirste sent a care package, Julie sang to me while on the treadmill, too bad I can't send her a slice of cake, and I have lots of cards on my mantle. I even had a number of e-cards in my in-box this morning. And my dad kinda sang to me. I feel the love, I feel the love.

To celebrate today the boys and I are going to Ames for some necessities like milk, poptarts and lunch at Panera. We also need to buy some items for school lunches. We all head in on Monday at 8:00 AM. Tonight I will be scrapping with my scrap club. I might take some cupcakes or better yet at Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake from Sam's. What a treat! The boys will be home watching the premiere of High School Musical 2. They promised to tape it for me though. I must watch it sometime this weekend, my guy S. at school will be talking about it I am sure so I must be prepared.

OK, off to start my day with all the hot water I want! Happy Friday everyone!

Last one today, I promise.

I told my mom I would post these pics since she was on the hone with me when I took them. It was so much more cool in person. I'll have to enjoy this while I can!

Type A, who knew.. I did!

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people aroundMotivated and focused, you are good at getting what you wantYou rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick backWhether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love!You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

http://www.blogthings.com/doyouhaveatypeapersonalityquiz/">Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Today is better...

I did get some sleep after I rambled on last night. I had some bad dreams but I did get up in time to get ready for work and make it there with a few minutes to spare. This school year is quite the unknown right now. We have no schedules for S & K and no job assignments. The knowns are my gal pals, and that makes it tolerable. The heat on the other hand was miserable.

Not sure what I need to be doing at home today. I have laundry to fold and I need to prep for my scrapbooking crop on Friday. We were talking about going to the fair but the forecast is spotty. The thought of the fair in the rain... not a good thought.

He made me feel like lousy parent...

The he in this sentence is the boys' pediatrician. Dr. J was on our list of to do's today. It was time for Will's well child check up. I knew that a certain subject would come up and I am not happy about the progress made in this area but I also feel like Will is a stubborn child. He has made great strides this summer in swimming and eating and other independence type things that I have resigned myself to the fact that if he still has issues with poop that this too will come in time. This poop discussion has been going on for a LONG time but it is far from over and I know this. Well, the doctor talked to me like I was two, he asked if we had gone over the "constipation handout" we had, last year. I can not tell you where my copy is but I do remember reading it. He gave me another one. I have read it again. You know what it says? It says that if your kid eats all things healthy and drinks all things healthy that he will have good colon health. NO SH*T Sherlock! Well, my kid loves chocolate milk, "You should be restricting all dairy!" My kid will eat apples, bananas, and green grapes, on a really good day. "He should eat peaches, pears, plums and not apples or bananas." UGH! SO I leave feeling like a crappy mom because crap is still an issue at my house! Do I need this? The answer is a definitive NO!

Fast forward to tonight... Fred and I are trying to catch up on our day, the phone rings, Will kindly answers it, it is my BFF Denise, back from Boy Scout Jamboree, haven't talked in three weeks! She engages in conversation with Will and it is all good until he starts going on and on about all the electronics that have stimulated his brain this summer. He doesn't mention the swimming pool, playing football or basketball, just goes on and on about the electronics. Well, BFF Denise has held firm to her limited electronic position and her boy doesn't even have a Game Boy at her house, only with his dad, or so I have heard. When they have free time they do puzzles, play boardgames, TALK, camp and have good clean fun. I am jealous of her parenting, she is pretty darn good at it. I don't need her hearing how bad I am at it. The best thing about BFF Denise is that she will not judge but at that moment it did not make me feel better. I broke down and was sad that the boys and I did not do more stimulating activities this summer. That we didn't ever make it to the Iowa Children's Museum, that we didn't read more books, that we didn't do flash cards and write make believe stories or even journal about what few things we did do over the summer. Now the summer is over.

Number three I feel like a crappy parent indicator. I am going to work tomorrow. Granted it is only 1/2 day, but it is work. If I didn't work I could take them to the museum, read to them, have more energy for play and stuff. Or so I think. Maybe if I didn't work I would be a recluse who knows no one and stays home watching soap operas and judge shows all day. I can not win this battle in my head. I give.

So as I lay in bed and try to get to sleep since I must get up at 6:30 tomorrow, my mind runs and spins, and I get dizzy with it all but not tired enough to fall asleep. I thought writing it all out might help. Guess I'll try to sleep again and let you know tomorrow... Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

What is better than a $2.00 movie?

The answer is a $1.50 movie! Yeah, I was thrilled when the gal said $6.00 for four of us to see a flick. The Surf's Up movie was OK and worth about the $1.50. Fred enjoyed the Live Free and Die Hard flick and probably would have paid more. So be it. We had a tasty dinner at Fazoli's then headed home for more cobbler.

Monday, our last summer Monday. I must be honest and tell you that I didn't shower until 2:00PM. It was wonderful. That will not happen again for a LONG time. Bummer. Now, I had this conversation with a friend today that I am ready to get back to school and get a schedule going again but reading and lounging till 2 is good too. To make up for the lost day we headed back over to Neveda to swim again. The boys did the water slides about 30 times,it seems. They should both sleep well tonight. I am trying to get them in bed at nine so we can get up and going tomorrow morning. I need them to get into the habits that we need during the school year. Habits like getting up and dressed and fed and not turning on anything electronic. We'll need these few days to prepare. Tomorrow is less complicated because we don't really have to leave the house until lunch time for Will's well child check-up. Wednesday and Thursday though I have to work and the boys have a sitter coming, their favorite sitter, Nick. It would be nice if they were fed and dressed before I leave for work, we'll see...

Guess who stopped by...

So I got an e-mail Friday AM from Jim and Marilyn as they were headed to Cheyenne. They were going to be in the area and wanted to stop by and see us Sat. night. They got here pretty late and we had to show them the house so we got to bed even later but we had not where to be this AM so it was all good. Marilyn charmed us with awesome pancakes for brunch. They were so yummy that even Will ate one! I slaved over the precooked bacon and the coffee, NOT! We took them on a tour of town and then brought them back for Marilyn to make us some peach cobbler. They could not stick around to enjoy it though. They had a reservation outside of Kansas City for tonight.

It was wonderful to see them and they get along so well with the kids. Marilyn has great stories from her days back in school. Not just studying to study, she is studying to be a CHEF! My kind of student. She will be awesome, even more than she already is, if that is possible. They were great guests and are welcome to find us whenever they are out roaming, who knows where we will be when they get to roaming again?

We are going to enjoy some cobbler then head to Ames to see a movie. The boys and I will see Surf's Up and Fred is going to see a daddy movie that we missed seeing a few months ago. Gotta love $2.00 movies!

And the party continues...

After the fun shopping and tasty dinner Will celebrated with a cookie cake with the family. Today I woke early to make a "real" cake for the PARTY! We gathered three of Will's buds from school last year and went to M-town to see Underdog. Thankfully, it was better than I expected and the boys all seemed to enjoy it. There was a lot of fart and underwear talk in the van as we headed home after the movie. We VERY quickly made homemade pizza, sang, whacked the basketball pinata and one kid actually wanted to eat cake. It was very hurried but really that was OK with me. Fred called just as I was getting ready to drive the last kid home. What timing he has!

The celebration is over. Time to switch gears to getting ready for school. Just 9 days left of summer for the boys. I only have until Wednesday when I head back to work.

We got a call today from Jim and Marilyn who are driving across country. They are going to stop over tomorrow night! I am so psyched to have company two weekends in a row! It is a good warm up for my dad's and maybe mom's visit over Labor day. I also chatted with Aunt Joan and Uncle Alan today. It was all good! I am exhausted right now so I am going to put the boys to bed and crash. It is gonna be HOT tomorrow and I have laundry to do so I will spend most of my day in the basement where it is cool. Maybe I'll get pictures of me being domestic tomorrow. Nic proved himself a good photog apprentice today at the party. He even figured out how to take video. I have had that digital a year and just haven't figure that out. Leave it to my techie kid to get it done!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Will woke up with gifts at the bottom of his, no make that MY, bed. How could I forget that he slept with me last night. Good stuff! Nic got him a Pokemon DVD boxed set. Fred and I bought him a hat from the Cubs game last week and a NBA street basketball. Not sure if that will help his 3 point shot in the driveway but we'll keep you posted.

After all available parties showered and dresses we headed to Ames to spend his birthday money. Mama had given him some cash and Granny and Grandpa sent him a Target gift card. We couldn't let that sit in the wallet too long you know. First we went to the bank then to Panera for lunch. Once we were fueled we zipped over to Target and found a PS2 game and a Yu Gi Oh pack that we had to take home. A quick stop at Sam's and we came home to break in the new game.

As I type this the steak is thawing and the oven is preheating for the french fries that will sit beside the yummy steak. Will picked the menu himself. He actually asked for pretzels to go with his steak. I guess that means more fries for me! YEAH!

What am I doing awake at this hour?

So, for the first time in a LONG time I am awake and alert and it is after midnight! I put the boys to bed around 9:30 and realized that I had laundry in the washer from earlier in the day. I decided to putz in my scraproom until it was dry so I could hang things up. Well, putzin turned in the actual scrappin and I have completed pages to prove it! Check this out...

Someday when the boys are playing virtual games behind sunglasses they will look back at gameboys like I look back at Atari. (not that we had one in our house) I thought I should document the "love" they have for these handhelds!

Thes photos are from our trip to Disney in 2005. Not sure why they are not in that album but it has been completed so I guess these were extras. I thought since the boys look so happy to be brothers at these moments that I could remind them and myself that brotherly love is something special. It has been a long summer with not wnough friends to play with and the boys are easy annoyed with each other. We have survived though and we are better people for it, right?

Well I have a few more pages but I am annoyed with blogger a bit so I will save them for a slow news day, I am sure there will be one soon. Like today I guess. Stay tuned!

Company's gone...

We had a very nice weekend despite the downpours yesterday morning. The drive here was reported as uneventful and they made it here in time to enjoy Bailey's pizza for dinner. The boys were terribly excited to have Megan here and were vying for her attention all night. Too bad for her that she was feeling under the weather.

Saturday started out a little damp, too bad we really needed the rain, but we did manage to get to Clemons for the rummage sale in their gymnasium. Carolyn bought some dishes and puzzles, Dave bought a jacket and a sweatshirt, and Megan bought a Coca Cola bottle and a book. We waded back to the car and headed home after a quick stop at the "quaint" grocery store in town. A lunch sandwich buffet seemed to satisfy the masses before we headed to the big city.

In an effort to make many generations happy we hit a mall that included a bowling alley. The boys headed down to bowl and the gals shopped till we dropped. It was tax free day on clothing and shoes for the mall was VERY busy. We managed.

After shopping we headed to Ames for dinner at Hickory Park. YUM! I am not sure how impressed the guests were but we love that place! The evening was quiet and the morning came too soon. In order to get back for evening chores the gang left very early. The boys got up to say goodbye and I took the only photos of the weekend and they didn't turn out :( They headed back east and we headed back to bed. The boys slept at least another hour so that made for a much more reasonable afternoon.

Fred has left for his business trip this week and we are once again on our own. We do it well enough. He'll be back on Thursday in time to grill steak for Will's b-day. Until then we will shop for pinata filler and register for school! YIKES! All doable!

swap pages!

This layout goes into the blank album that will be raffled off at the end of the year.




This is Lisa's






Lori's page!



This in my version of the swap page. I asked each of the gals what her favorite color was and personalized them that way.




This is one of the swap pages I made for this month's scrap club. This one is going to Jennifer! Hope she likes it!

Company's coming!

We are expecting our first guests of 2007 in just a few short hours! The guest room is ready and the boys' sheets are clean so their beds just need to be remade. We have a couple of hours at least so this should be pretty easy to accomplish. We are looking forward to a little fun with Carolyn, Dave, Megan and Mary Sue. They should be getting close to the Iowa state line soon. Then the countdown can begin.

The boys and I went to a couple of garage sales this AM. I picked up a green glass relish dish for 75 cents. I am going to offer it to my mother-in-law but if she isn't excited I'll hold on to it for future use. Will got a baseball bat for 50 cents and a baseball for a quarter. Nic got a bike helmet for a quarter. I also found this small wall shelf with multiple shelves, four I think, that is rather narrow. It will be great for displaying some of my wood mounted rubber stamps. I have a ton thanks to my old neighbor back in MI. I can select 20 of my favorites for display and maybe I';; use them more often if I get them out of the boxes. The shelf needs a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint but that should be simple enough. $2.00 well spent!

Go Cubs! ***edited***

Pete and his new "baby"!

What a great way to spend a summer night! The boys won FREE tickets to the Iowa Cubs game during the summer reading program at the local library. We traded in the free tickets and upgraded to reserved seats for a Mere $12. We settled in, bought some expensive ballpark food, and watched the Cubs for 6 innings. The boys seems to have different perspectives of "fun." I was actually impressed we lasted as long as we did. In the end the Cubs lost 6-1 against the Tuscon Sidewinders. The night was filled with flying t-shirts, hot dogs and entertainment from real four legged fidos. It was bring your dog to the game night. Lots of well trained dogs got to parade onto the field and off again and some even won gift certificates to a k-9 training school. Too bad we didn't bring Pete. Maybe next year. We made it home by 10 so that was reasonable considering we were 50 miles away.

We drove another 40 miles today down to Ankeny to do a little shopping. We had Kohl's cash to spend and I wasn't going to waste it! We each got two shirts at Kohl's then headed next door to the pet store and got a new"baby" for Pete that he seems really taken by. The boys enjoyed some frozen custard at Culver's then we swung into the local scrapbook store and I bought a couple of treats. I had a coupon for cardstock, surely you didn't expect me to let it go to waste?

I will definitely be posting the layouts for the swap. They are sweet if I can say so myself. Stay tuned!