Sisterhood Award

Martha at A Sense of Humor is Essential nominated me for the sisterhood award. She has become one of my biggest cheerleaders and I appreciate her so much.

So here are the rules:

Put the logo on your blog or post.
Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude and/or gratitude.
Be sure to link to your nominees in your post.
Let your nominees know they have received the award by leaving them a comment on their blog.
Be sure to link this post to the person who nominated you for the award.

Now, I'm sure some of the nominees will be repeats. And I'm adding my own rule. Just know that I really appreciate, enjoy your blog if you are nominated and will in no way be upset if you do not participate in paying it forward. Sometimes all of these awards can be overwhelming though sweet and affirming at the same time. So, that said in particular order I nominate:

Annie at Writer's, Witches and Words Oh My
Rose at What Rose Made Today
Laura at Purple Rose Musings
Lynette at Crazed Mind
Debby at Life's Funny Like That
Kathy at The Amortization of goodwill
Darcy at Welcome to My Rants

Friday

Cookies were delivered. Classes signed up for. Half of the grocery shopping done. Hubby took me to lunch. Supper made and youngest grounded. She thought it was OK to not do all of her homework and lie about it to the teacher. She also skipped out on her time with the teacher to make up the work. She also lied to hubby telling him all of her homework was done. So, we told her no electronic anything until the homework was complete and she could do a few extra chores around the house.

Bio called after supper. Youngest's voice went to that of a four year old as she cooed mama I miss you, Kim is mean to me. She makes me empty the trash and it's to heavy for me. For the record, I had emptied the trash and put the bag on the deck. When I asked her to bring it to the shed (about 10 feet away) oldest had already done it. I had her empty the compost bucket instead. And if she keeps lying and not doing her homework I will continue to be mean. My job is to be her parent not her friend.

Today I have a birthday party to attend after I finish grocery shopping. It is a potluck. I love to cook but, I'm at a loss as to what to make. I'm not sure if we are eating right away so I'm not sure I want to bring a hot dish. I could put something in a crock pot but they'd have to have an outlet. I think I'm just going to make a tortellini salad.

Youngest is sleeping at a friend's birthday party tonight. Oldest is having a friend sleep over and hubby is taking son out to buy new boots. Tomorrow mother and father-in-love come to dinner.

Cookies

The other day hubby responded to a car accident. It took the state police and the fire department (FD) to find the car over the bank. It went down into the woods about a hundred feet and there were hardly any signs where he went off the road. He was lucky he had his cell phone on and was able to call. The man in the accident should be fine. My friends at the TFD were on call and said hi. I asked hubby if he gave them a hug and a kiss from me. I got a big loud, NOOOO! It was there last night on. I said perfect, it will be there first day on my next day off and I can bring them cookies. So, last night I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and a batch of peanut butter cookies with white chocolate chips (Phil's favorite). For special occasions everyone is asked to bring gifts I'm asked to bake cookies. They say it's because I bake them with love. That and I can remember everyone's favorite treat and I cater to that. OK, so I spoil them.
It is also the last day for our paid driver at WFD. He was offered a job making a LOT more money. With four kids at home the extra cash would be great. And the hours are fantastic. I'll be seeing him around as he is my girlfriend's (at the farm)brother-in-law. Small world. So, I made peanut butter cookies (no chocolate) for him. So, hubby and I will be making the fire house rounds.
We also have to stop at the police department and pick up an application for son to join the explorers. And, he is in a much better mood so whatever it was has passed.
And stop by the high school for oldest's course selections. I asked and she'd like us to be there. At 16 I would have been annoyed the sent a letter to my parents and never would have wanted them to come but, hay I was a different kid. It wasn't until my second masters that I actually started taking fluff classes instead of stuff I needed to get into college or get the next degree.
Someone wondered what I would write about now that bio is far, far away. I have a lot on my mind. A lot less to vent though. I really should change the tag at the top of my blog. I'll just add that to the list - right after grocery shopping.

Going, Going Gone

When we were joking last week about boyfriend wanting to tatoo his penis - oldest didn't seem upset when I said they might not be together forever and he shouldn't tatoo her picture there (son's idea).
Yesterday he announced he was moving back to Phillie and that they should just remain friends. She acted fine. Hubby was a little confused - oldest was not upset. Son had been in a foul mood for two days now but, that is another story. On the way to our meeting oldest confided that she was OK because she had been thinking about dumping him. I care about him but, I don't really love him anymore. That's OK.
It went quicker than we thought without bio forcing the two upon each other. He's a nice kid but he has no direction or ambition. He said he's going to help his mother. Funny just Saturday his uncle told him to get a job or get out.

Did I mention that not only did oldest send me love, Saturday she made a point to save me a sip from her mocha frapaccino that hubby bought her on the way to DMV? And that the ring bio gave her has come off - it was turning black and so was her finger. Now all she wears is her cladagh ring (similar to the one I wear). And she hates me. LOL

lotion

My first batch of lotion is dwindling. I love the smell and the effect but it is a little - OK a lot runny. I cooled it too fast and the beeswax did not stay blended but ended up like little chunks mixed throughout. I had to push it through a strainer. I did save the little chunks and added them to the new batch. So, Saturday I tried again. I had the lanolin to add this time. I whisked the oils really well as they melted and before the cooled. I brought all the ingredients to room temperature slowly. Then I mixed again as I added the water mixture. And I have a beautiful butter cream looking patchouli lotion. Face your fears and you can do anything. OK, I admit I was afraid of making lotion. I had heard horror stories of how hard it was. NOT!

As a side note - when I do go for the occasional facial the girl tells me how wonderful my skin is. What do you use, she asks? I make my own soap, toner and lotion. Oh, she stutters you should be using.... Yeah, but you just said I have great skin. I know she gets paid extra to sell products and I applaud her effort.

Cleaning Frenzy

I don't know if it's spring or hormones that have me on a cleaning binge but it doesn't really matter. The closet in the spare bedroom is youngest's toy chest. She has magically reached that age where toys are no longer part of her world and small expensive techno gadgets are. The stuff was spilling everywhere and that drives me nuts. I like things in their place even if they are covered in a layer of dust.
So, Sunday afternoon youngest and I emptied the closet and sorted by recyclable, trash and give a way. It went from a bulging closet full of stuff to two small shelves with art supplies. We then went to her room and sorted clothes, moved furniture dusted and vacuumed everything. Monday morning hubby loaded the truck to capacity and went to the dump.
I asked the older kids who was next. They laughed. They think I'm joking. I suggested they set a timer and spend 15 minutes a day and they could be done by the week end. Or, they could wait for me. Youngest and I spent almost three hours and nothing went untouched.
Monday I vacuumed the play room and office. I dusted and did laundry. I pulled out all the magazines by my bed and started sorting.
I've been sleeping better and have energy. Watch out kids, hubby, world. You thought giving me caffeine was bed - try a good nights sleep a few days in a row. Youngest has been downstairs only once in the past week and I was able to tuck her back in. The stress level has gone down dramatically. Once bio left everyone thought I would be instantly stress free. I had to wait and see how the kids were. They are adjusting beautifully. And you know when you eat way too much garlic (like that is possible) and it seeps out of your pores? For the last two weeks I've felt the stress seep out of every pore. I wiped it a way, washed it a way, smudged and lit candles. I also scheduled a new appointment at the spa. Ah, life is good!!!!

The Day I Met my Hubby

August 24, 2002

The day would have been my sixth wedding anniversary to my wasband (was my husband for less than a year). It was safety day for the fire department. The fire department takes over the local camp ground, invites the public to attend and does numerous demonstrations. That day included a cold water rescue, extrication and life star landing. The tower truck was there letting fire personal climb the ladder to the bucket. I am afraid of heights, especially 100 foot ladders. I climbed anyway. I put someone ahead of me and someone behind and didn't mention my fears. I made it to the top heart pounding. I have pictures to prove it. One is looking back down the ladder to the tower operator - his head looks like a pin. This picture still hangs on my bathroom mirror to remind me to face my fears. I did not have to climb back down - they lowered the bucket.

That night everyone camped out except me. Ten minutes from home I was going to sleep in my own bed. Everyone one had dinner together and visited. This is when hubby arrived to visit a mutual friend of ours. I had met him a couple of times before when he was in uniform and thought he was a cocky SOB. LA said I should talk to him. Are you nuts? He has four kids! I went one way and he went another visiting people. I headed back to base camp to say good night. He was there looking damn hot in his jeans and cowboy hat. At 6'7" he is one hottie if I do say so myself. Then the cocky SOB started talking about his kids. Youngest was 4 at the time and he mentioned how her hair was so fine that he couldn't do anything with it. His mom had found some barrettes that actually stayed in her hair. He was so excited by this and I just melted. We ended up talking until 2 in the morning. I gave him a ride back to LA's house where he was spending the night.

The following week end LA had a picnic. Of course when I arrived the only other person she invited was hubby. LA's husband ate and left for work. About midnight LA went in and left us sitting by the bon fire. At one point I looked at my watch and said that if I went home and showered I could make it to work on time. And we've been together ever since.

Lazy Day

Hubby and I started the day at son's PPT meeting. It was his triennial testing year and they wanted to discuss his classes for next year. He will be in high school already. His testing was good he's average all the way down the list and even though his vocabulary is a grade below his comprehension is at grade level (this is not usually the case). Son hates, HATES, gym class. I asked about an alternative gym - a weight lifting program maybe instead of games. They have a student in a wheel chair that does that and he usually has a senior with him to spot. They thought son would be a great addition to the group and he could take over when the senior graduated. All of son's teachers recommended he go into general classes next year instead of special ed. After a long discussion we decided to do that with everything except English. Freshman English is a lot of writing and not son's strong point plus the books are assigned. And even though I'd love to read the Odyssey and such not so son. In the English class he will be in they will work on his writing and he has a say in the book selection. I know his English teacher and this will be her third year working with son. She has also agreed to be his case manager. Everyone seems to feel that if all goes well freshman year he will test out of the program for sophomore year just like oldest. Yahoo.

After that I relaxed on the couch, talked to a friend on the phone, read and made supper.

Today oldest is trying again to pass her learner's permit. And then her friend is coming over. Oldest needs new pants so I'm taking all the girls shopping. Hubby is home this week end and he is going to take son target practicing. And Hubby finally put a call out to the police explorer's program that son wants to join. Youngest is making dinner. I forget the official kid friendly name but, in essence she is making chili. I'll probably make some cornbread to go with it. Boyfriend comes over tomorrow. So, that will be the continuation of laundry day. The laundry room is across from oldest's bedroom. The door must remain open if they are in there and between son and laundry it's not very private.

Lemonade Stand

I was awarded the lemonade stand a while back by Martha at A Sense of Humor is Essential. If there are rules I missed them but, I thank her for thinking I make lemonade out of what life deals me. She has been a wonderful cheerleader for me the past few months and I am grateful.

I'd like to pass this award on to the following who may do with it as they choose:
Annie, Rose, Lynette,Kathy and Debby

My Day

Today I was supposed to go for my annual gyncological exam. The doctor called to reschedule. I had already taken the day off from work and decided to keep it that way. With all the stress and appointments the last few weeks I have done nothing around the house. So, this morning after making a pot of coffee - full octane - watch out I got to work. I only had one cup and managed to sit for a few sips before kicking into high gear. I removed everything from my kitchen counters and washed, sorted and eliminated before putting everything away. I started the self clean mode on the oven and remembered to put the fan on before the smoke detectors went off. I did three loads of laundry,filed paper work and dusted. And I got to use my valentine's present. On my Christmas wish list underneath a 1967 red corvette convertable (notice I said wish list) was a Dyson vacuume cleaner. Now, many women would be hurt or something to receive such an unromantic valentine gift but it is what I really wanted. And it's a pretty purple made especially for houses with pets. I've got butter softening on the counter for cookies and after I catch up on my blogs I will be doing the bills. The house is much cleaner, I feel accomplished and can enjoy the rest of the week end.

Bio finally called yesterday to talk to all of the kids. The phone went back and forth with my three at home and with bio and our oldest son in Arizona. All together it was about 30 minutes. The kids seemed OK afterwards. I read later that youngest had a meltdown at school because she misses bio. She was in a one on one with the teacher and not in the middle of her class mates which was good. The phone call might actually do her some good. Her missing bio doesn't concern me so much - this is the girl that writes about missing the dog that passed before she was born. Of course she probably knew the dog better than anyone.

Broken TV's and love

The world as my son knows it nearly crashed yesterday. The big TV in the playroom would not turn on. How old is it? I don't know I answered - not old. I have never bought a TV. My father upgrades frequently and alternates giving the cast offs to me and my brother. Until hubby moved in I didn't have cable. Heck, I got two stations on a good day what more does a person need. I have to admit that now that we have cable I would missing the cooking shows but that is about it. Hubby came to the rescue and fixed the TV today - it was only a $2.99 fuse.

Bio has called twice since leaving and only talked to oldest. The conversations have not lasted more than 10 minutes. The two youngest don't even know she called. What kind of mother doesn't call her children? I can't even fathom how her mind works (or doesn't). And in the end the less contact the better the kids seem to be. Everyone is relaxing and opening up more. Dinner conversations are actually happening. Today's discussion revolved around boyfriend wanting to tattoo his penis. The other day he wanted to pierce his tongue. I got an idea how about getting a job, your license, a car, an education or clothes that fit? Hey, but that's just me. Son said the tattoo should be of oldest. I said if they broke up it would ruin his future sex life. I could see someone saying I don't want her in me. The kids thought that was hysterical. It skimmed over youngest's head. Any way I won't go into any more detail but it was quite frank. Son of course thinks he's nuts.

I'm on facebook - mainly because my daughter is on facebook and I want to look out for her. You can send people all kinds of appointments - hugs, drinks, angels, hearts, flowers etc. Yesterday oldest sent me love. That meant so much.

Too silly not to

I was tagged with this on facebook and have since seen it on several friend's blogs. It makes me laugh so I had to throw my hat in the ring as well.


2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names)
Marie Louis

3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Carl Paul

4. STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Eloki

5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Purple Cat

6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Ann Winsted

7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)
The Yellow Espresso Martini

8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Kita

9.STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)
Coconut Cornmeal Crispie

10. PORN NAME: (1st pet's name, street you grew up on)
Colt Little Brook

11. YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of last name plus izzle)
Eloizzle

14.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Delilah

15. STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)
Opium Truffle

Love Celebration

For Imbolc I was gifted a candle to burn a women's temple. We anointed our candles with rosemary for remembrance and with water from a well in Ireland. We were to fill them with two intentions - one personal and one global. As I started out envisioning my personal message it was really a global one - peace (on every level). But, I didn't burn the candle on Imbolc....

When I met hubby he had been going through his divorce for almost two years. Bio just would not sign the papers. She gave birth to four children to insure that she would have a house and money and never have to work again. The courts shattered her dreams. Finally a lawyer had to be appointed for the children and hubby, bio and the lawyers had to meet in Middletown (not a good thing). It was sign that day or go to trial. At the last minute bio finally signed. I had given hubby several rocks to hold in his pocket for some good energy. One was obsidian for protection from bio's bad juju. He held them between his clenched fingers.

I have used that stone numerous times since to protect myself from her. I would keep the stone in my bra close to my heart. Well, at one point the bra came off, the stone went flying and I have never found it. Occasionally I would borrow one from youngest.

The day we went to the lawyer to file for a restraining order I reached for my rose quartz instead. Love, I wanted to surround everything in love. The new moon was in aquarious and the judge not only agreed with us but went even further and put a stop to visitations.

The day we went to court I once again reached for the rose quartz. Full moon in leo this time. I have leo ascending and my astrology teacher said this was a good sign and indeed it was. She also looked at my chart and said I was very stable. I made her repeat that for witnesses.

Yesterday was valentine's day. We cleaned the house in the morning. I went grocery shopping. I had a little extra money in the budget as hubby's t day's were paid. I picked up fillet mignon for dinner (hubby requested beef). I made a hashbrown casserole, roasted asparagus and chocolate lava cakes for dessert. It was a romantic dinner for seven. Oldest's boyfriend was there and youngest had a friend sleep over. I bought everyone an organic, fair trade dark chocolate candy bar as a present. Dinner was great and then we watched Madagascar 2 that hubby had picked up this week. All seven of us watched the movie - even son who thought that wasn't cool. Though he did laugh a lot.

And to end where I began. Yesterday it finally felt right to burn my Imbolc candle. I started it in the afternoon and let it burn completely out - long past my bedtime. Hubby smiled and said that the day was more than a valentine's celebration - but a celebration that the kids will remain home and safe for a long time to come.

May all my dear readers have love in their life to celebrate today and every day. Blessed be!

Anniversaries

Today marks my second anniversary of blogging. I started on my space but I didn't like that very much. I like blogspot much better. It is easier to use and post pictures. It also seems more adult.

My friend Rose is also celebrating her Etsy anniversary. Check out her blog What Rose Made Today and you could win one of her awesome creations. She is so talented!

Really Gone

Mother-in-love says it's the stubborn German in her but she had to see bio leave. She once again sat at the airport. At least this time we knew when the flight was. She watched her go through the checkpoint and then waited to make sure she did not come back out. Thew relief is overwhelming. The deprogramming begins.

I'm really, really busy at work to the point I nearly had a melt down yesterday. Or maybe it was just the stress. I felt like I was on caffeine which we all know is NOT a good thing. My boss hired a new staff accountant to start March 1. The new person is supposed to take some of my bosses work so she can go back to managing the department again. My boss has also decided that with my new account and our taking on more duties with an old client that I might just have too much on my plate for three days worth of work. Well, yes! So, yesterday she decided that some of those duties would be the new girls and I could dump a whole pile of work back on my bosses desk. A pile - an entire file cabinet. Whew! Now, I can concentrate on my clients. I'm also working 4 days this week. That will make up for the two days I'm working next week. Oh, I should probably tell my boss that.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

It was off to court this morning. Bio arrived. After court roll call hubby, the lawyer and bio had to meet with social services. I was not allowed to go. Hubby kept his mouth shut and let bio look like an ass. She has no lawyer. She thought she could take care of all custody issues today. Social services had to stop her and explain repeatedly that all today is about is the restraining order. She flys out to Arizona tomorrow. The restraining order remains in place. She will get a visit tonight to say good bye, she may call and write to the kids.

She started spouting off that she had copies of oldest's diary and she says bad things about hubby. Oh, please. Do you want to see copies of my diary from that age where I complained about my parents? Give me a break. Within a 15 minute time span she managed to make social services think she was a quack and our lawyer realize just what a wacko she is. To change visitation at all she will need to file a motion in CT.

Kids should be in rare form tonight after several hours of hubby bashing. But then she'll be gone tomorrow. Oh, and tomorrow is her birthday. Happy birthday to the rest of us - she's going.

And today, the kids are home and they are safe!

Home and Safe

I don't blog a lot on work days. And then there is nothing much to blog about - which is a good thing. Monday is court and I have a really good feeling deep in my gut. Monday is also the full moon.

Without seeing bio the kids have been more talkative, more pleasant, more like kids. It is a joy to watch them blossom in such a short period of time.

Oldest is off at driver's ed. I will pick her up and then go pick up boyfriend. He will spend the evening and hubby will take him home in the cruiser on his way to work. Son has been asking to do a ride along for ages. Hubby finally asked his Sargent and he said it would be OK. So, son will be hubby tonight on patrol.

Son is also making dinner tonight. I put it on the calender and he looked up the recipe all on his own. We are having shrimp chowder (in a tomato based broth). I'm making a banana cake for dessert. Son lives by the calender and the rules. He thrives on routine. He will do well in the military. That would not be my choice of careers but it's his dream.

Youngest is bumming - none of her friends can come over. Her ears are healing nicely. Forgive me if I've already blogged about this. Bio had given youngest earrings (really ugly ones at that). I didn't say anything because I didn't want to knock her mom (well, not to her face). Youngest is not a girly girl and does not change her earrings or really take care of them. She should never of had her ears pierced but, bio did that to both girls as infants. Anyway, youngest came down after being put to bed about two weeks ago and said her ears hurt. I thought ear infection. She said no, where the earrings are. I looked at her ears. These were not child backings like I use with youngest but regular backings. The backings were pushed on so tight that the backings were inside the hole. Needless to say the hole is much smaller than the backing. I had to put tweezers in the hole and pull the backings off. I kept apologising to keep from crying. Youngest handled it really well. Afterwards I cleaned up the blood and all. She has no urge to put earrings back in and I wouldn't let her until they are completely healed any way. If she does want new earrings they will be good quality child earrings.

And today, everyone is home and safe!

She never left

She put our oldest son on the plane and she stayed behind.

The kids are settling in nicely to her being gone. It's amazing what one week of a steady routine can do. They're talking more and much more pleasant. Hope we are able to keep it that way.

I'm swamped at work. I'm going on a field trip with the fifth grade on Friday.

I bought a new scale. The old one worked most of the time. It's a digital reading and I think my 6' 7" husband confused it so I bought a new digital scale. I have them side by side. I'm 5 lbs. heavier on the new scale. Now, I don't want to throw out the old one. And how do I know which one is right? And does it really matter? My jeans zip and I feel good.

Rosemary Butter Cookies

The cookies I made are Granny Annie's recipe. The kids enjoyed them. And son was the one to guess rosemary as the special ingredient. His friend, the cook was over and he couldn't think of it. That's because you don't think of it for dessert I said. Rosemary is also great with chocolate. Check out the link for the recipe.

Gone, we hope

Yesterday was the day bio was supposed to fly away from here and land smack dab back in Arizona. She has not tried to call the kids at all. Hubby and I took them to the movies in the afternoon to distract them. Youngest and I saw Hotel for Dogs which was much better than I anticipated. Hubby took oldest and son to see Taken. I made an appetizer dinner in celebration of Superbowl. I was the only one really interested in watching it. The others took off to other parts of the house. All except youngest who stayed and watched the game until it was time for her to go to bed.
Youngest was down within an hour to crawl in. She is fine until bed time and then she can't sleep. Son and oldest are a little antsy. I can't blame them. At this point they do not know if bio is here or there. I just can't fathom how this women thinks or treats her kids.
This morning I talked to sons teacher/advisor in preparation for our upcoming PPT meeting and discussion on his entry to high school. We're both on the same page so that is good. PPT - pupil, parent teacher (I think) - any way it is a meeting you must attend twice a year if your child is in special education. And this one will be a big meeting as it is his triennial (they test them in depth every three years). We also discussed why he is failing gym. Gym is a required class. He hates gym - thinks all the games are "gay" so he doesn't bring his sneakers so he doesn't have to play. He gets an F for participation and the cycle continues. I played sports in school and I hated gym but, hello its required and a really easy fluff grade to boost your GPA. Ugh! Small ugh! Just pass the damn course.