NKOTB!

I about had a heart attack when my sister emailed to say that the New Kids on the Block were going to be performing in Atlanta. Seriously? So I said Hell, yeah, I'll go! Then I went to the "official" NKOTB website to check it out. And she was right! Argh!!!! And they have a new single out! I would link to iTunes, but I don't know how. I have already purchased it, of course. I closed my eyes, and it was almost like being 13 again. Sigh. I did love some NKOTB. Sis and I had the sheets, the tees, the everything. We even had our own singing group with our friend Angela (she was my friend really) named Shades of Color. (Don't remember why that name, but whatever.) Our plan was to make it big and tour with the boys. They, of course, would fall in love with us, and we'd each marry the Beantown boy of our dreams. Sis was going to marry Joey. Angela was into Danny. But my favorite was, hands down!, Donnie. He had that whole bad boy thing going on. And I loved it.

So, will I be in Atlanta on Oct. 29? Yep. And I plan on downloading the whole new album as soon as it's released. Crazy? Probably. But how many of us get to relive our childhood fantasies like that? Just because I'm married with 2 kids. Donnie is STILL on my list. I can't wait to tour with them!

Reality Check

Wow! I just booked a flight into Baltimore for June 23. Why? Because I have to go to Baltimore for a week before my BIG 4 WEEKS IN ITALY! I found out over a month ago now, but it hasn't really seemed real. However, now that I have a plane ticket on my credit card, it is really real.

I still can't get my head around the fact that I'm spending almost 6 weeks of my summer vacation in Italia. It is crazy! I have been dreaming of this since I was in high school. Really. And now, in just over a month, the dream comes true. Who would have thought?

I'll be sure to chronicle every step of my journey so that my loving family can keep up with me. I wish, kind of, that I could take them with me. Well, Hubs anyway. We would have such a good time. Wishful thinking, though. At least he gets to go on one of the trips with me.

My Personality

You Are An INFP

The Idealist You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world. Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships. It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close. But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop. In love, you tend to have high (and often unrealistic) standards. You are very sensitive. You tend to have intense feelings. At work, you need to do something that expresses your personal values. You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist. How you see yourself: Unselfish, empathetic, and spiritual When other people don't get you, they see you as: Unrealistic, naive, and weak

What's Your Personality Type?

Late.

It is past my bedtime. I don't think I'll be sleeping any time soon. I've got a lot on my mind. I can't even really explain it. I don't know that I'm free to, since my mom reads this blog occasionally. I'm just tired and frustrated.

I hate teaching. Period. On some days, I don't even like the kids any more. They are so mean to each other. One girl, Madi, called some other girls in class "stupid" today. And they were her friends! A couple of other kids are so annoying, I could gladly take an axe to their heads, just to make them shut up. One is a 7th grader, so I have another year with him. The other is a 6th grader, and he says he's signed up for my class for next year. Which means 2 more years with him.

None of them think before they open their mouths. Ever. At least my 2 worst classes are in Washington this week. So I don't have to deal with them. They are all so whiny. At the slightest bit of work, they start to whine. I think they are smart. So why can't they understand that whining is not the way to go?

I'm tired of B-rex saying "NO!" everything. That is his favorite word these days. We've tried Bonnie's idea of just giving him choices for everything, thereby taking away 'no' as an answer, but even that doesn't always work. Tonight, he threw a fit because he didn't want to brush his teeth before bed. Then, when Hubs closed his door, B-rex decided that he DID indeed want to brush his teeth. Only, Daddy had already taken that choice off the table. So he just had to go straight to bed instead.

I feel like I just want to curl up in bed and sleep for a week. I have had it with people.

So Far, So Good

We are now 4 days into the new year, and things are going okay. There have not been any MAJOR issues yet. Just one, small, teensy-weensy problem. My car.

I went to go start the car before leaving for work yesterday because it was freakishly cold, like near freezing. Which for SC is very cold. (I know this is not a good idea. Evidently there have been a few break-ins when people have left their cars outside warming up. Although can you really call it a break-in when you leave the door unlocked?) I put the key in the ignition and turned. It made some strange whirring/grinding sound (if you call, I'll do it for you) and the inside lights came on. But it did not start. I tried again. Same thing. So I ran back into the house to get Hubs opinion. We decided that I should take his car. And I did.

So I get to school, 10 minutes after I was supposed to be there for morning duty in the gym. I served my time in the gym babysitting the sixth graders. Went back to my classroom. The phone rings. It's Hubs. "My keys to your car are in my car." So, since I had MY keys on my keychain, he had no keys. And the first bell would ring in just 10 minutes. Not enough time for me to get home and back. So Hubs stayed home with the kiddies yesterday. Cheese did not go back to school. B-rex did not start his new daycare. Oops. But really, who keeps a set of car keys in a car?! Even if it is a different car?

Of course, when Hubs tested the car when I arrived home after school, it worked fine. Damn thing.

And then AGAIN this morning, it wouldn't start. So I took Hubs' car again. Only this time, I left him my keys. But he called at 8:00 to let me know that HE couldn't get it to start either. And I have no jumper cables in my car. We have some, apparently, but they are guess where? In HIS CAR! Sigh. So a friend came by and took Cheese to preschool, since she works there. Thank God for Sharon. And Hubs called his buddy Fred to come help. Only Fred's wife had run over his jumper cables and smushed one end. So he had to go buy a new set. And us a set. THEN he jumped the car and all was well. This was around 8:45-ish. Hubs finally got to work a little after nine. Then had to leave early to go over to the Seminary to talk to them about his readmission for the fall.

Anyway, that's our drama. We're looking into getting a new car for me. Since mine doesn't want to get up early anymore. Hubs bought it a new battery and got its oil changed, but I don't think that will work in the long run. It is older than most of my students. We're looking at the dreaded mini-van. I've wanted one ever since I found out I was pregnant with Cheese. We've held off for a while, but I think it is just a matter of time. Oh, and money. I don't know HOW we would pay for that. We've never had a car payment before. I'm trying not to think about that though, even though it is the most important part. I suppose we'd find it somewhere. Like the kids' college fund. Such as it is.

Like I said, so far not so bad. If the broken car is the worst of it, it is going to be a GREAT year!

B-rex did start his new daycare today. Ms. Amy said that he had a great day! He just jumped right in like he'd been there forever! I am so glad that he is so adaptable. He didn't even notice when I came in to pick him up. He was like "hi mommy" and kept on playing. After a moment, he did run over to me, but obviously he was having a good time. I'm glad. I wish we'd never taken him out of that daycare to begin with. His home daycare was nice, but he just really needs to be with more kids his own age. I think this is going to be so good for him!

Happy New Year!

Oh wow. I have never been so glad to see a year end. Ever. In just 3 more hours and 6 minutes, the year 2007 will be over. It could not come fast enough.

I knew it was going to be a bad year only 4 days in. My best friend's husband was killed in a plane crash. That's the beginning. Since then, we've been through depression, ADHD, dropping out of school, being out of work for 4 months (again). That was just Hubs.

Cheese had 2 major surgeries (one unplanned and life-threatening), one trip to the ER, and a countless number of minor outpatient procedures.

B-rex had a slow year, he only started speech classes.

And me, I had to deal with all of that plus filling in for a missing Latin teacher at our school all fall.

In between all that, our family had some other upheavals. We left our church so that Hubs could pursue his dream. We moved, kind of, into a new house.

Hmm... I'm trying to think if there is anything else. I can't really remember if there was anything else. It has seemed like it was just one thing after another.

Through it all, and Hubs and I talked about this the other day, our faith has grown in ways that we can't really comprehend. I did 3 Bible studies this year, all written by Beth Moore. (If you haven't checked her out, you should!) Right now, I feel closer to God than ever. When you look at all we've been through, there were two choices we had.

One, blame God for everything. Be angry, because so much stuff was happening to us that we couldn't control. And after all, weren't we doing the Lord's work? How could He let this happen to us?

Two, turn to God. Love God. Give it all to Him and let Him figure it out. Know and trust that there is a plan and someday we'll know what this was all about. l

We chose number Two. I have no idea why we've had the year we had. At times, it has seemed like God was just sitting up there in his throne having a laugh at our expense. Really. But I know and trust that there was, and continues to be, some plan for us. We don't know what it is, but it's there.

I just hope His sense of humor changes for 2008. I don't know if I can handle another year like this one.

Happy New Year, y'all!

Check out my Slide Show!

Merry Christmas!

What an awesome day!

If you have not had a chance to hear some truly praise-full children's music, click here. My sister gave me the CD "The Kids Praise Album!" for Christmas. We used to sing along to all those songs when we were kids. I didn't even know they still made these. We used to listen to them all the time. And we had it on a cassette. Which was made from an album that skipped. So we're listening to it now and skipping all the parts that the original skipped. But all the words have come back. And it means so much to be able to pass all these memories and songs on to my own kids.

Thanks, Nikki!

We spent the day with family. Hubs' family came to Christmas Eve service with us, then spent the night at the parsonage with us. We got up a little after seven this morning and opened presents. Hubs and I cooked breakfast: bacon, eggs, and cinnamon rolls! The boys had such a great time! After that, we went to my mom's and had present time there. Cheese and B-rex were so cute! Cheese got his very own digital camera. Oh the excitement! B-rex got a kitchen set. Yes, a kitchen set. He loves to plays like he's cooking for the family! I'm glad he got that from his daddy. His love of cooking, that is.

All in all, it was a wonderful, awesome day. Thank you, Lord, for sending us your Son. And for giving us the gift of eternal life through Him. Thank you for our wonderful, loving family. And the gift of my precious boys. Happy birthday, Jesus!

An Elfin' Good Time

Take a moment and Elf Yourself. I did. It is funny! Be sure to pick a happy picture though. I didn't do a very good job with B-rex. He looks like a mad elf.

To see us elfed, just click here.

Holiday Open House 2007

I am posting a day early, because I know I can't do this at work tomorrow. And I have a few last minute gifts to go buy tomorrow night while Hubs is actually at home. And some more decorating to do. He gave me permission to go ALL OUT on Christmas decorations! I am so excited! I will be heading to my local Target to gather provisions. I am really excited! I may have to post again just so I can show the updated decor!

Anyway, I have had the pleasure this year of "decorating" two homes. The one we live in full-time and the one we live in on the weekends. Both need some work on the festive end, but they will do for now.

Our "Old" House, as Cheeseman calls it:

These Pooh Bears are ones I collected when I worked at the Disney Store in college. They are the first thing you see when you enter my home. Festive, no? Love my Santa too!
Our tree without and with children:
The mantle. You can't see the stocking hung with care, but they're there!
This is the lovely wreath that would hang on the front door if I could ever remember to buy a hanger-thing. A co-worker of mine made this. Isn't it beautiful?

Now, on to the "new" house:
Our tree, complete with candy canes that the children love.
Yes, the noel has moved houses. Doesn't it look lovely? My stepmom made this for us.

The couch in our new house. I like the $5 pillows from Dollar General.

The boys love to decorate a tree! They get that from me, of course.

That's it! The outsides are not done AT ALL! I'll be getting right on that.

Turkey gone, gone

Another happy holiday over and done. I cannot believe it is almost Christmas.

We went to the in-laws yesterday for food and fun. I actually contributed this year. Made a right lovely bread casserole thing. It was yummy! So moist and flavorful. I liked it. A Weight Watchers recipe no less! I think we will see that one again before next Thanksgiving.

The food was yummy. The turkey was moist this year. Cheese actually ate all his food! B-rex ate most of his. Well, all his turkey and gravy. No green beans or rice. Whatever. He barely eats most days anyway. Hubs took the boys for a walk along the creek that runs behind his parents house. He confided in me on the way home: It used to look much bigger. I just laughed. I'm sure the boys thought it was a big adventure, traipsing along in the "woods" behind the house. And they were spending quality time with their daddy. That's the most important part. They'll always remember that.

Now the Christmas fun begins. I've already ordered some movies as gifts for the boys. Power Rangers. Fun for them, not so much for Mom and Dad. Ordered some DVDs for my bro too. That reminds me, he suggested that I check their registry to see what was left. I don't know what to get his new wife. She can be difficult to buy for sometimes. I hope my dad and GiGi send their lists soon. I hope we get that bonus check soon too, so I can pay for all this stuff!

Hope all had a happy Thanksgiving!

Somewhat Big Goings On

Last weekend was FU's Homecoming. It also happened to be my 10th reunion year. How exciting! I was really feeling "old" due to this. I know that 32 is not really old, like that 70 is old, but it is still a number larger than I really feel at this point. Most of the time. Anyway, I was really looking forward to seeing some old friends, acquaintances. There was no one there. At the tailgate, we ran into some of Hubs' old fraternity brothers. That was nice, but I was only over there for a few minutes. Then we had to go back and meet up with his parents to get our football tickets. We totally missed the "official" class thingy that night, since we had agreed to eat dinner with his mom and dad, and we didn't have an extra $40 anyway.

Later Saturday night, we went into downtown Greenville, where the party was supposed to be happening. It was dead. Lame. A few of the "guys" were there, but there was nothing to do! The band was awful! Beach music! Which is fine if you are at the beach, but it was about 60 degrees outside, and we were in the foothills of the mountains. Not a good combo for beach music.

So, the evening was kind of a flop. We could have gone over to the Normington's, but honestly I was just tired. It was already after 10, which is a pretty hard and fast rule of bedtime around here. I was disappointed.

The boys had a good time at the ball game though. They stayed in our seats during most of the first half, so we actually got to watch the game. Then, at halftime, we went over to a little grassy hill at the side of the stands, and let the kids play. There are always a lot of little people playing touch football, or just hanging out over there. Furman, such a family destination.

Oh, and they won the football game. Furman, I mean. Beat Elon. Go Paladins!

In a fit of cuteness, both boys have now announced that they are going to play football at Furman when they get older. They are tickled to know that Gramma and Pop will be at all the games cheering and waving the flag. How cool! Guess we'd haveto go to more than one game a year!

This week at work has been pretty good for me. On Monday, I was awarded the Culture of Excellence award. I was nominated by the French teacher for all the work I've been doing to keep Latin alive at our school. Our principal even called me "an unsung hero" and said nice things about me for a couple of minutes while I blushed and wanted to sit down. In addition to a plaque, I also got a gift certificate to Olive Garden! Hubs and I are going out this Friday. Far be it from me to let a g.c. sit around. And Olive Garden is one of my favoritest places!

When I'm not so tired, I will update on the boys. Cheese has not had the best week at school.

My Halloween Pictures

Last night, we went trick-or-treating with Princess and her friend Erin. Princess was a mermaid. Not Ariel, just a regular, run of the mill mermaid. Erin was a Barbie princess, or something like that. Cheese decided to be the grey/silver Power Ranger. B-rex at first was Donatello the Ninja Turtle. Then he changed his mind and decided he was going to be Buzz Lightyear. (In between, he wanted to be a power ranger too, but we don't have a costume in his size.)

We went around in my sister's neighborhood. Hubs missed the festivities again. For the 3rd year in a row. Oh, well. He can see the pictures. And so can you:

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Halloween

Tomorrow is Halloween. The boys are looking forward to going to Princess' house and trick-or-treating. I had to explain how the whole day would go down. Because Cheese is all into details and asking "Is that after today?" about everything. "First we go to school. Then I pick you up, then we come home and get Bennett. Then we order the pizza. Then we go to pick up the pizza and take it to Princess' house. Then we eat the pizza. Then we change into your costumes. Then we go trick-or-treating with Princess. Then you can hand out candy at Princess' house for a little while. Then we are coming home and going to bed."

at least, that's the plan. I'm sure a thing or twenty will totally ruin that. Already we've hit a snag. The new Power Ranger costume that Cheese bought with his birthday money is messed up. We had a Fall Festival at our church on Sunday. The boys had nametags on with the type of "Christian character" their costume showed. And Cheese didn't take the sticker off when he took off his costume. And I didn't notice it when I threw it in the washer. So the sticker got washed. And, like a bad mommy, I dried it. Then I noticed the sticker residue. So I washed it again. And it is still there. I don't know what to do.

Cheese does have other costumes. Like the SpiderMan one from last year that still fits because he has not gained an OUNCE since then. Or the Ninja Turtle one that my mom got him. Or the Buzz Lightyear that we got from some friends. But I think his little heart is set on being the grey Power Ranger. Sigh. Maybe I should call my stepmom, knower of all things domestic.

Not much else going on. Hubs started a new job at BCBS this week. He's working customer service through a temp agency. Pay is good. Hours are steady. This week, he's also working every night at the bookstore. Oh, my. Can we say lack of sleep? And crabby? But at least he can come home for dinner in between!

Everyone says it's about time he picked up the slack. That this is just fair for what I've had to put in as far as work this past year. But I don't know. I liked working. I hated not seeing the kids for a couple of days at a time, but I liked what I was doing. Yes, it was stressful with the lack of money and such. But God will always provide, and did always provide.

I guess I'm trying to say that I'm sorry this is happening to him. The whole "burning the candle at both ends" thing. I've been there. I know it's not fun. I wish it didn't have to be this way. He'll miss the kids trick-or-treating again this year. I don't think he's been with us the past 2 or 3 years. Oh, well. Maybe next year.

Happy Halloween everyone!

And the beat goes on

I have been trying to get B-rex to bed for the last 50 minutes. This is now a nightly thing. He just does NOT want to go to sleep. I don't know what the deal is! Guess I should have said no Power Rangers tonight. But I though he'd be so tired, he would go right to sleep! So wrong!

Cheese is doing okay. his little butt is so red and raw. He's even bleeding a little in a couple of spots. We're putting the medicine on it, but there is only so much that will do. He's back in pull-ups, since he doesn't always know when the poop is coming. And then he doesn't tell anyone that he went. By the time we notice, or he decides to come clean, it's been sitting there for a while. And it's dried up half the time. And we have to scrub his little booty to get it all off. With wipes. Or with a wet washcloth. And it is just taking a toll on him. He screamed so this morning, it broke my heart. Poor kid.

Hubs is at work again tonight. I can't really complain, since the only time I get to write is when he's not here. Yesterday, he forgot about a really important church meeting he had with the District Superintendent. I don't know what that will mean in the long run. I'm sure nothing good. I mean, she's like his BOSS. His Earthly boss anyway. I do NOT want to be around this weekend for the fallout from that one. I wonder what they do to punish pastors?

Week 9 at work is done. Only 27 more to go. Not that I'm counting or anything. I've not had a voice the past 2 days. That's been fun. It wouldn't have been so bad, but my "voice amplification system", AKA a microphone and speakers, doesn't work. Hasn't worked all year, except for the 30 seconds the installer guy was testing it. Then it promptly broke. Sure could have used it to spare my voice a couple of times with some of those little darlings. They can be such a pain in the gluteus! I'd really like to take a couple of them out of class and just let them have it, but I know their mommies and daddies would take offense at that. Of course, if they would bother to parent the children, it wouldn't be a problem anyway. Too much leeway, that's the problem.

All day workshop tomorrow. I'm going to learn the basics of speaking Latin. After all these years!

Giving away Beth Moore!

Oh wow! I was over at BooMama, who linked me to another Pastor's Wife blog. Who just happens to be giving away a Bible Study from my very favorite-est study leader--- Beth Moore! So click here for more details. You have until Oct. 29.

Sick and Tired

Oh, yeah. B-rex came home from the in-laws last week with a cold. We medicated his little butt right up, the FDA be damned. But he still wanted to share, and share he has with his mommy. It hit Sunday afternoon with sniffles. Then Monday, all day, chills and stuffiness. Today, it was coughing and a monster headache. Three Tylenol later, here I am. At least it wasn't as bad as that migraine last spring that knocked me out!

The last couple weeks have been pretty eventful. Cheese had his colostomy reversed and was in the hospital for almost a week. He and I took a week to play hookey last week and recuperate. It was such fun! He is really a cool little guy for a 5-year-old. We went out to lunch a couple of times, and went to the grocery store, and kid-shopping. What great times! I hope he always remembers how much fun Mom is, even when he hates me as a teenager.

B-rex and I spent the week before together. Hubs had gone with Cheese to the hospital. So I went to work every day, then B-rex and I would hang out in the evenings. It was also pretty awesome! We got to read books, watch movies, just have some one-on-one time. Second children don't get as much of that, so I'm so thankful that I got to spend some time with him. Sweet! Then last week, he went to stay with the in-laws, so as not to try and play rough with his big brother. He came home on Wednesday, had his THIRD birthday on Thursday, then started speech on Friday. What a week!

Hubs went to MUSC with Cheese, then came home for a night, then went to Duke for Pastor's school. He came home on Wednesday, but went right back to work on Thursday. No vacation and spending quality time for us. Oh, well. He went back to his counselor today, who has declared that his counselling sessions are done. He's all better! Or, at least he is able to function well with his meds. He doesn't have to go back unless he has a relapse. He's been doing pretty well lately, though. I hope this is behind us for now. I guess the real test will be when he goes back to school next fall. But we'll cross that bridge later.

Hmm... I guess that's about it. Other than being sick, I'm doing fine. Tired, as always. I'm trying to get caught up with grading all the papers from last week. I love being home with my boys, but I hate all the paperwork I have to leave for my cherubs so they'll stay mostly out of trouble. Grades are due on Friday, and I have a TON of stuff left to do. Oh, well. I finished all I wanted to tonight, so that's good. I can concentrate on other stuff tomorrow.

the Farley family

Next to Beth Moore's LPM Blog, this blog is my favorite. Please pray for this sweet family.

Overwhlemed

I feel like I've been running around in circles for the past few days. School has been terrible. Home life has seemed nonexistent. I have been completely foul.

I'm not sure what is going on. I'm frustrated by school. I'm "teaching" this online Latin course, and it is taking up oodles of my time. Yes, I'm being compensated a bit ($100 per student), but I am not going to see that money till the end of the semester. And it occurred to me on the way home tonight that I'm really doing all this work, which is the work of a full-time teacher, for free right now. And even when I do get paid for it, it's a measly $100 per student. For an entire semester's worth of work. And yes, the online course is already made, but it is not up to par. I have to move stuff around, add my own notes and powerpoints, grade the online assignments, give extra assignments, come up with projects, and grade all of it. For a measly $100 per kid! I think I will be talking to our contact at the D.O. tomorrow. This is ridiculous!

And things at home are not great. We are still broke. I thought it would be better once Hubs got a job. But we still can't make ends meet. I'm going to have him begging for money again tomorrow, because we don't get paid till next week. And I still haven't paid the car insurance, or my student loans. And his student loans are overdue by a couple of months. And most of our bills are being paid late, which is messing up our credit even further. And I don't know what else to do! I can't see where the problem is!

And Cheese is getting ready to have surgery again. The colostomy reversal is set for Oct. 1. Which means Hubs won't be working at all that week. And I'll have to take off the next week when he's at Duke for continuing ed stuff. Cheese will not be ready yet to go back to school I think. We still have to talk to the school to see if Cheese will be able to stay in his preschool program, since one of the requirements is that he be fully potty trained. And once they reconnect everything "down there", he will not have full bowel control for a while. Possibly up to a year, or maybe not ever really.

Can you say stress?

And tomorrow morning, B-rex has an appointment for evaluation by the school district's speech therapy people. At least that's free.

I just feel like I'm in a free fall. I have no idea where the bottom is, but I don't want to know, because it's going to hurt when I hit. I don't know how much longer Hubs and I can make it like this, with all the money stuff. I know I'm supposed to give it all over to God, and He will provide. And I'm trying, really I am. But it's so hard. And it doesn't really help me sleep at night. My doc said she'd give me a prescription for that (sleeping), but I can't afford to fill it anyway. What are we going to do?

The good news is, I've lost 33 pounds through Weight Watchers now. Still some more to go, but this feels nice. On the down side, most of my clothes are not fitting anymore. I can't afford to buy new ones, so I'm trying to belt them up. Sometimes it works, sometimes it looks stupid. Oh, well.

What Animal Are You?

Thanks to Nikki for this. Are you freaking kidding me?

You Were a Porcupine

You have created your own path in life, and you encourage others to do the same. Even as life progresses, you always maintain a sense of wonder and innocence.

What Animal Were You In a Past Life?

Who thinks up this crap?

Well, I do agree with the following, it's my favorite kind:

You Are a Chocolate Cake

Fun, comforting, and friendly. You are a true classic, and while you're not super cutting edge, you're high quality. People love your company - and have even been known to get addicted to you.

What Kind of Cake Are You?