I spent my day working in the yard w/ the kids.
Just in time for spring. Thanks Lindyloo.
Lots happening - will update when I get some free time.
and went to see the doctor.
I am hopefully on the the road to recovery.
With the help of antibiotics, sudafed, advil and cough syrup w/ codeine.
I'm also back on the sidelines!!!!! Baseball and softball seasons have begun.
More on that at another time.
...again. I have been fighting another cold for the past week and a half...maybe two. What is up with that? I am sooo tired of of all the coughing and the sore throats! I actually took today off to try and recover. Wednesdays I don't work. We'll see if I can conquer this.
Oh and of course the kids have all taken turns w/ one ailment or another. Too bad they don't share this well under ordinary circumstances!
On another more pleasant note,
I have purchased the tickets for our trip to the Azores! I am sooo excited.
I'm trying not to think about it...because when I do, I get nervous about the flight.
I also have to pay off those bills! That is my short-term goal.
Ahhh! I am home for the 2nd day in a row. Yesterday was very hectic. I chaperoned K's field trip to the zeiterion to see the orchestra. It was great.
I always hated the violin - but now have a new appreciation for them (when played well - they actually sound good)
Who woulda thunk it??
Anyway, today I am trying to catch up on chores and odds and ends that I've been putting off. Unfortunately it's already after 12 PM and this afternoon is busy w/ K's choir and girl scouts. So whatever I plan on doing- I better get done soon.
I won't be getting many days off because I need to save them for my summer vacation getaway! Woohoo!! I am soooo excited.
It will be my 1st plane trip.
I know that sounds crazy - no one ever believes me! But true.
I'm fighting back the urge to start buying and packing! (the trip is in August)
I'm still waiting to get the kids passports in. Hopefully they arrive soon. I must admit they guy at the post office had NO clue what he was doing. I have little faith that it went through without a hitch. I believe he mentioned to me that "I will make sure someone has a chance to review it to make sure everything has been entered correctly" I'm just glad I applied early. No telling what they did!
Enough wasted time. I have work to do. I wish I were outside enjoying this beautiful spring-like day! (at least it looks nice from inside)
It's not my birthday or any special occasion. I've always wanted a record player. So I went online and did a little research...a little bargain hunting..and ta-da!
I'm now the owner of a nice player. Now all I have to do is get me some records!
I have a few...most I bought at a second hand store. Several from my dad. One very intersting one from my sisters' old collection....None other than Corey Hart. Hooya! Can't say as I'm digging that particular record but it's fun to listen to it. I did find an old Bon Jovi dust jacket, but Alas! no record to be found.
It was a pricey but well worth it. Now...I have to get up and flip the record.
that was the big secret!
It was soooo nice to see her and Meme. She really threw us a curve ball. (She always liked all the attention.) Just joking!
After dropping them off at Logan, my little T was very emotional because "Meme is gone" he misses her very much.
I wish I was able to spend more time w/ them. I feel like I was working the whole time...and when I wasn't, I was scaring the little darling girl.
I'll have to post some pictures.
Now that she is home....and all has been revealed...I hope she'll forgive the last couple of messages on her machine. I was getting a bit annoyed by Saturday afternoon! Little did I know she was getting off a plane in the states.
...So my dear sister has a secret. Not by phone, nor letter, nor email will she divulge the dirt. So I have to resort to other methods...
I want to know what the big deal is???
Baby??
Wedding bells??
Big move???
Did she win the big UK lottery that I keep hearing about in my inbox. Should I NOT have deleted those??
I'm outa ideas? I'm starting to lose sleep.
Damn It! Howbout a hint!???
;)
is what K and I suffered with after standing outside a Hollywood Video store for 2 long hours w/ a bunch of girl scouts....on a frigid night! Again, I think I've gained 6 pounds since we started selling cookies a month ago.
I can't believe it's already February!
Today, T arrived home from school looking awful, his face flush, very sober....when I asked him what was wrong, he began to cry uncontrollably.
It appears his bestest friend in the whole world is leaving for military school tomorrow or later this week. He is crushed. He no longer wants to wear his "cool" clothes because he has no one else to be cool with.
Now, I don't know if this is for real or just a clever psycological game this kids' parents are pulling....but I guess we'll see.
And like any tender loving parent, I seized the opportunity to put a little fear in my own little boy.b
As for the other boy in the house, things are looking bleak! I'm at my wits end w/ little J...I have a teacher conference to attend next week. He is failing everything, can't seem to get it together. I am running out of ideas.
K is doing well. It's girl scout cookie time! So it's booth sales galore and more cookies in my house than I need. I'll admit I've eaten my fair share of caramel delights!
Boy have I missed Squide...I haven't been online in weeks....
...I know, I know, not very classy...but I laughed so hard that I wet myself!
Well, it came and went.
My how time flies!
I'm still waiting to hear from Lindyloo....did that package ever arrive??
Stupid post!
Anyway, I have only a few pictures from Christmas. I will eventually post some.
(yeah right)
Okay....Christmas is just around the corner, and I have only purchased a handful of gifts!!!
AAARRGH!!!! I can't believe that!
Now, I'm the first one to stand up and say...."I'm a procrastinator"
but not at Christmastime. I love Christmas, and I'm usually pretty good about gift buying. Card-sending, well that's another story.
I'm frazzeled today. I am working today, then I have a Christmas dinner tonight. Working Sunday night.....I feel the walls closing in on me right about now.
I think....gift cards for everyone.
....and it's another snow/sleet storm.
Can you believe this?!!?!
The storm on Thursday was horrible. 13+" And the commute from hell.
It took me 2 hours to drive home (normally a 25-30 minute drive)
Now todays storm is supposed to eventually turn to rain, but freeze overnight.
That means my drive to work in the AM is going to be white-knuckled.
.....nooooowwwww, none of this matters today because I have No work
(just visualize me doing a little ditty while singing, I don't have to go to work!)
I FINALLY decorated my tree! Woohoo! Now all I have to do is my Christmas shopping!
I was hoping to do it today....but the roads are terrible.
Sunday school was cancelled...I skipped church this morning too...and I have to go out to dinner tonight...our little Christmas party, downtown NB, but it may be called off on account of the weather...I hope so.
Well, I have to go referee a fight between the kids.....
Mariel is back and I FINALLY dropped a package at the post office...a rather large package...what a load off my back. I've been meaning to send it out for a month or so. It cost me a good penny and I'm not really sure what I packed in there, because it's been so long....but hopefully Lindyloo will photograph the contents for me.
Okay, I'm sitting on the couch this morning instead of speeding to work because T got a "bus slip" for acting up on the bus again and poking a hole in the bus seat with a toy jet. Yes I'm talking about the sweet little 7 year old.....so it's banishment from bus privileges. Yes, you heard right.
So my question is.....who is being punished here??
I have to lose pay because I'm not at work....and he still gets to go to school...in style, I might ad. Personally chauffeured.
Now, we are waiting for a bill from the bus company for a new seat cover.
I told him he was infor a nice punishment but I had to sit and think of one bad enough....any suggestions on what I can do to get it through to him.
His excuse is always the same. My brain was telling me to do it. I didn't want to, but it made me do it.
This was very cute in the beginning but now I'm wondering if he really does have a little guy in his head....
Last week, while at the grocery store, a clerk gave T a cookie. When I noticed that he had it wrapped in a napkin, behind his back...I had to ask...
...his reponse, "I'm hiding it from my brain, so I don't eat it all at once"
I think I'm in trouble! HELP!
Wow! It's almost Christmas!
I can't believe how time is flying. I finally read Squide's blog tonight....it's been about 2 weeks since I've had the time to read it,let alone respond or post anything of my own.
I still have 2 more weeks of training before I start my regular schedule.
My first day on the job will be Christmas Eve.....I know, that sucks, but I have to do it.
I am going to save money for a trip to Sao Miguel this summer. I also want to visit lindyloo, if she'll have me this spring or summer. Just me for a few days. While I'm there I'd like to meet up with Heidi in Denmark.
I'll be trying to save money...
I do have to get to bed because I have to have the kids at CCD tomorrow by 8AM, then mass where K sings in the choir....then drop them off and speeding to New Bedford for work.
I did FINALLY get a christmas tree a few days ago. It's still not decorated....but at least it's standing in the living room.
And yes, Lindyloo.....I still have your package! I'm sooooo BAD!
I am determined to get it to the post office this week. Promise.
The good news is that there is time for any last requests from Wal or Lindyloo....
:)
I thought I'd post a few that I failed to post...but said I would when I found my cable...
Here was Mariel after wishing her a safe and unforgetable journey through Europe.
(I told you I'd eventually post this photo!!)
Next is a photo of a photo...mom and dad in front of the muriel in Ribeira Quente this summer that they helped to build...financially...can you imagine mom slapping on tiles and grout??? ;-)
Next is the day they arrived back in the US. Check out T's silver chain! and Little J's Team Portugal shirt!
That is all for now!
Here are a few pictures from last night...
Don't let the innocent look fool you....
...now this is more like it
Here I am with the not-so-little-ones anymore
Here is vavo with the kids
I even snapped one with Uncle Matt
This photo I added just because I thought it was funny to see Vavo tying a bandana around T's head....not exactly how he would wear it...but funny!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Yahoo! I have today and tomorrow off.
Today will be hectic....visiting everyone.
Tomorrow will be more relaxed...as I eat all the kids candy.....kidding.
Well, I'm still at the RX and I start the other full time job next Monday. The next 7 weeks will be crazy because the traing schedule sucks! But it has to be done. I don't think the boss is happy that I will be unavailable for the next month and a half....but I have to do what I have to do.
I will still be working on Sat and Sun, unless he decides to fire me!
I'm still waiting to get an ear-full from him. I haven't worked with him in about a week and a half. Oh well. We will see what happens.
Today, I'm supposed to be catching up on things that I haven't been able to do since I started working....but have done none. Unless catching up on morning talk shows, blogging and wearing pj's until 10 AM counts!
Ah well, I need to pick up a few more things to add to the package that I'm finally sending the Squidge household. I already wrapped a Christmas gift and threw it in there. (don't worry, I'm aiming for a fedex drop off tomorrow)
I'm sure I'll torture Lindyloo a little. She never could resist a wrapped package!
