A Fair Trade

Is summer vacation over yet? My kids are bored. Do they even see the big whole in the backyard filled with water? It's called a swimming pool. Do they even see the trampoline or swing set? Nope, not interested. They'd rather watch TV all day long!! What's the matter with kids these days? (OMG - my mother's voice just came out of my mouth!!) We used to stay out all day long, and even when it was dark out, we came inside to change into dark clothes to play flashlight tag. Of course, we also walked to school, barefoot, in the snow, uphill, both ways.

My 10 year old taught himself a new trade today! He can, with a mere paperclip, pick a lock. Now that's a trade you can take to the bank. As a matter of fact, if he did, he could pick the safe, and maybe we would have a few extra dollars laying around to do some really fun stuff! Hmmm... Anyhow, he was so proud of himself. Kinda brings a tear to my eye.

Speaking of extra money, I saw online that there is still an unclaimed powerball ticket, for over a quarter of a million dollars. What are they waiting for? The article went on to say that more money brings more headaches, and that the winners have such a hard time, yada, yada, yada. Listen, if more money gives you a headache, feel free to send it my way! I won't have any problems at all. Apparently whoever said money doesn't buy happiness, doesn't know where to shop. Or where I live.

So much to say, so little time...

So here I sit at just past 5am. I have been up for over an hour with a migraine. What can I do? I think I'll update my neglected blog! So much to say. Where to begin? First of all, I want to tell my son Happy Belated Birthday! I know that I told you when it was your actual birthday, but I didn't post it. So sorry dude. (May the fourth be with you!! *he he* I crack myself up!!) Aidan turned 10 on the 4th. He is so glad that summer is here. The last few weeks of school were hectic. He did take part in the 4th grade spelling bee and WON!! See him with his trophy! So proud of him!!



Next, naturally, is baseball. While the team didn't exactly have a winning season, they all had a great time. All but 1 child had never played B-Ball before. Most moved up from C-Ball this year. Anyhow, they tried him out in several positions. He's never played catcher before. I must admit, I didn't care for it. I kept thinking someone would hit him in the head with the bat!! Baseball is over, at least until fall.



At bat...




Joe and I also took a much needed mini vacation!! We went to Chattanooga, TN for a long weekend. Since we have 4 kids, we never go anywhere. It's not that our families aren't willing to watch our kids, they just aren't able to. They all live in another state! So, with our 15 year anniversary approaching, we roped my folks into coming up for the weekend to babysit. The kids LOVED not being with us! Grandparents are just so much more fun. Anyhow, Joe didn't tell me where we were staying, I had to try and figure it out. Each week I asked a "yes" or "no" question. Finally after several months, I made the comment to him that of all the places I hoped we weren't going, I hoped it was not Chattanooga. Little did I know. It's not that I don't like it there, but we'd been there several years ago when my MIL came to babysit our 3 (at the time I was pregnant) kids. I just figured we would go someplace else. So, now my husband is in therapy! He's vowed never to plan anything else for us. However, we had a great time and he picked out the most beautiful place! See....




Our room and sitting area...





I ran around the hotel taking pictures of other rooms, too! The entire place was just gorgeous! Each room was a different color.



And just look what they left in a bowl in the hallways! Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!! Naturally, I took a bunch home for the kids. Although I wish I knew that there were cameras in the hallway! They probably think I'm a huge pig and won't let me back!!



Anyhow, if you are looking for a nice romantic weekend away, Stone Fort Inn is definitely the place to go.

I think I'll stop here for tonight, or rather this morning! I promise to be back soon. Have a great day!!!

I saw this photo on someone's blog and just LOVE it!! This is a typical day in my world. Or at least it should be!!

I need a little pick-me-up

Much better. As you were.

enough already!!

Dear Body Fat,

Please consider this letter as your official eviction notice. I don't feel this living arrangement we have is working out. Please pack your bags and vacate the premises immediately. If you put up any kind of fight, drastic measures will be taken. I think the skinny lady next door has a vacancy!!

Thanks for the memories,
ME

So sore today!

And it's my own fault. I didn't go to the gym in over a week and I pushed myself yesterday. I took 2 classes, one of which is a spin class. So, my butt is sore! I only have just over 3 weeks to go until my husband and I go away for a few days, and while I don't plan on having a free-for-all at any buffet style restaurants, I want to lose what I can. Tomorrow I'm going back to use weights. Should be fun.

On another note, my 9 year old son is reading the Twilight series. My daughter read it and so did I, so I really didn't think it was much of a big deal. Well, he is reading the last book and has been asking me questions about sex!! I really did not want to be having this conversation with the boys. I had hoped that I would talk to the girls and Joe would talk to the boys, but it's not working out according to that plan. When I told him that you got pregnant by having sex, he quickly did the math and asked me about my own 4 pregnancies. Um, yeah I really wanted to have this conversation. You know, when I explained all this to Aislinn, she was MORTIFIED and wanted to forget we ever talked at all. Not Aidan. He wants to know How everything works and WHY in the world anyone would ever do such a thing in the first place!! Needless to say, he has taken an oath NEVER to have sex or fall in love at all. Gotta love little boys!! Have a nice night, I need a drink.

Happy Thursday!

Today has been a bad day. I'm still miserable from allergies. I don't think they have ever been this bad for me. I swear, I only have to walk outside, and everything in my head just closes up and I can't breathe! It's horrible. I have even been thinking of getting one of those things where you squirt warm water mixed with some saline up one side of your nose and everything drains out the other side. The thought alone gives me the creeps, but I'm desperate!! I've also decided not to diet or exercise today. Actually I haven't been to the gym in a week. (mainly because I haven't felt good) Then, when I had to run an errand today, I got the mail which had a letter to me and my husband, from the IRS. It was *NOT* good news. Apparently I made an error in my 2007 taxes and out of the goodness of their hearts, they decided to let me know that they are giving me a couple of weeks to give them back a chunk of their money. The same time all of Maeve's hospital, ambulance, oxygen, etc. bills are due. Someone shoot me. But not before I have some ice cream.