Hello! Wow, where has this month gone? Where has my determination to blog gone? It's just been crazy busy here. I'm actually not working today. The men are here to put my gas line in:) Yay! Halfway there after this! I also have a guy coming at 1 to give me an estimate on a double front gate and a single back gate and some panels that need replacing. At 330 I have to go hand out our NW travel league's soccer pictures to the team moms. Matthew has practice at 530. I have a French test tomorrow. Right now, I'm torn between finding the floor in Sarah's room or studying for my test. I need to track down my transcripts from NLU, LSU-E and LSU. For some reason they haven't sent them to my current university/college. I received a letter in the mail saying if they didn't get them soon, I'm out of luck:( As usual, if it's not one thing it's 50 others.

I though the plumbers were going to be here at 830 this morning. But they turned up at 730. Urgh. Talk about panic. I had clothes still out on the line. Some animal had gotten into the trash and strew it all over the patio. I was in my night shirt. Matthew was sitting here at the table in his underwear doing homework he SHOULD have done yesterday. Jamie had to be at school earlier than usual because he was 'on patrol' and Sarah wasn't even up yet! It was a madhouse. Oh and when I did throw clothes on and make it out back once I saw 2 men wandering around back there .... I found out they needed in our crawl space, WHICH JUST HAPPENS to be in our closet:( *sigh* While I'm in a mad dash around the house trying to get it together (kids to school, etc) A man from the town comes and knocks on the door asking me to move my car so they can get to the manhole where we park. DOES ANYBODY ELSE NEED ANYTHING!?!?!
Anywhoo.. So I get the kids to school, and race back here to throw everything out of my closet onto the bed because the way he made it sound, it needed to be done yesterday. So out come the boxes, the board games, the clothes, the boxes of shoes, the Halloween costumes, the suits and ties and dresses and a couple of lamps and a ceiling fan that at some point we need to put up and and and and... *collapse*. Then I rush outside to sweep up the trash that had been strewn by (most likely) our neighborhood opossum, grab my clothes off the line (unmentionables and such). I race back in, quickly clean the bathroom and run a vacuum down the hall. All within an hour because they were anxious to get into the crawl space. WELLLLL..... here it is almost 12pm and they have yet to set foot into the house. I really feel like I can't do anything while they are here because I need to be handy if for some reason they need me. We have this enormous trench in the yard now. I can't wash clothes because I can't hang them out while they are here. If I go to Sarah's room, then I might not hear them if they call me. I need to vacuum the family room but again, they may need me. So I should just sit here and study. That would be the sensible thing to do. I just ran Sarah some lunch up to the school. The one day that both of the boys (especially Jamie) will eat at school because it's pizza... SARAH decides she'll be picky today and want tomato soup. My kids are far to spoiled. Yes, I know, I did it. Nobody to blame but myself. I had to take Jamie's meds up there and his folder and assignment book up there anyway though. He left them at home in a rush to get out of the door with Paul so he could get to school early. I'm so proud of him this year:) He's on Student Council, the recorder group, patrol and is 'thinking' about choir:) He's never been this interested in what was going on in school:) HE'S HAPPY!:) Finally, he's happy:)

Ok, well the plumbing guys finally made it inside and now they are drilling holes in my wall. I didn't realize they'd put the gas thing INSIDE. That makes it even more exciting:) We better not decide to change where we want it to be:)

I'd better be off:) Yall have a great day and hope to be back here soon:)

Good morning:) Can yall believe it's mid-September!?!? Where has this year gone? Paul and I were actually discussing Christmas last night. How crazy is that? We went into a store this last weekend and were shocked to find Christmas items there right along with the Halloween and autumn things. It was Cracker Barrel! That's where it was. Yep, snowmen and witches side by side. They really rush things. I wish they'd just let one get over with before the next appears. There is a radio station that will begin playing Christmas music on November 1st. Christmas music 24/7 until New Years Day. I refuse to listen to any holiday music until the day after Thanksgiving (which this year is my *ahem*birthday*ahem*cry*sigh*). Probably will actually put one of our favorite Christmas CD's in as soon as we get in the car from Aunt Kathy's tbh:) Paul has his Cliff Richards one. I'm sorry, but I'm not real crazy about Sir Cliff. We both love Charlotte Church and I'm a huuuuuge fan of Il Divo and their Christmas cd:) Doh! Here I am talking about ppl rushing things and I'm just as bad rambling on and on and on about it....

I don't remember if I posted that I had won an auction on Ebay a couple of weeks ago. It was for pink depression glass desert plates. The description read:

7 PINK DEPRESSION PLATES

EACH PLATE MEASURES 7 1/2 ACROSS

PLATE DESIGN LINES RADIATE OUT

VINTAGE CONDITION

MAYBE ANCHOR HOCKING

Well, apparently "vintage condition" means horribly scratched. I'm so mad. I opened them up all excited and ... tbh, my aunt and I aren't even sure they are even real depression glass. They look really cheap. As for 'anchor hocking' hmmm... not. This seller had a 100% positive rating too. She never replied to my emails either. Needless to say, I left her a bad review. Not that that will do any good. I've had pretty good luck in the past on Ebay, not that I do it much at all. I do like looking for things every once in a blue moon though.

I'd better be off. I have clothes on the line from like day before yesterday. I've been on the go non-stop again. Yesterday I had to take Aunt Kathy into Chicago to have her knees looked at (she had them both replaced in July. I haven't seen her walking this great and without grimacing in pain in years!:)

Yall have a great day!!:)

Still here

Still here! Just crazy with school, substituting, soccer, ballet, kids, husband, etc etc etc..
Hope all is well with everyone. I'm about to run back out the door to French. Hope everyone has a great day;)
Here are some pictures I meant to post from this weekend:)

You can feel the rain coming this morning. It's very warm (not hot) outside and the wind is just really heavy. I'm hoping the storms that are on the radar diminish before they get here. Jamie has a hard time with bad weather. He just gets completely freaked out over them. I think it all comes from the tornado sirens and me having them here and putting them in the bathroom when he was young. Then, last year when we had the floods, that just exacerbated the fear even more. We had bad storms a few weeks ago here and our power went out and there was a micro burst. He was just inconsolable. Matthew and Sarah see it and start to panic. We just keep reassuring him and hopefully he'll grow out of it.

Boys it's been a hectic week. I'm so glad it's almost over. Tomorrow we are going clothes shopping for the kids and Sunday, Matthew has a game. It's here at home:) Yay!:) Jamie is off this week so double "yay!":) He still has practice today though. I'm really happy I'll be seeing Matthew's game this weekend. I missed his first travel game and from what everyone has told me, he did soooooo good. He and one other little boy carried the team. It sounds like, though, that the team couldn't find their groove. It was the first game of the season and they've been off all summer. They've played together as a team for 4 seasons plus some of them together for winter indoor soccer. Matthew has really become aggressive and it's surprised everyone:) He used to get out there and be in his own little "Matthew World". Now he's becoming one of the better ones on the team and that's saying something because we have a great little team. And they all get along really well. That always makes it nice:) I can't say enough about the parents of these kids either. We have all gotten to be really good friends and we sit and visit at practice. I know that I can count on them to do for me if I need. Even outside of soccer. So that's really nice:) Jamie's team is a little different. I do like the parents, but we (or *I*) don't seem to click with them like I do with Matthew's team. His coach is lovely. She really hangs in there with Jamie and I can ask her to go to games or bring home from practice if need be. They also have a really good team. They were not used to losing until they were put into the gold division. There were a lot of kids that play for area premier teams--kinda of a rude awakening but it's good to experience game losses:) Builds character!!:)

Well, I better get moving. The wind has just picked up and my recycling is sailing down the block so I guess I better go chase it all down. I see a few people outside doing the same:)
Yall have a great day:)

Wednesday morning rant...

Good morning:) I'm sitting here having my coffee and toast. I dropped the kids off at school and just finished up my French homework that is due in about an hour. There is something that has really been bothering me this year. Well, it started somewhere in last school year, but this school year it's blaring. Where are children's manners these days?? I would have never have rolled my eyes at a grown up or just ignore when spoken to by an adult. I was recess lady for lunch recess yesterday and the 5th and 6th graders are just flat out RUDE. They look at you like you're from another planet or that you are the stupidest person in the world and you have no right to speak to them. This morning, when I dropped my kids off, I spoke to a child (5th grade) that just looked at me and rolled his eyes!! I am so appalled. Seriously. I mean who do these kids think they are? If mine ever EVER do that to an adult (or anyone--I don't want my kids to be rude or disrespectful to anyone) I want to know! Oh my gosh. Had I ever done that when I was young, Momma and Daddy would have known immediately and when I got home, I'd be in some major trouble. People laugh at me up here when I correct the kids when they say "yeah" or "yes" to an adult. I always say "yes m'am" and they correct themselves. I realize I'm not in the south but it's not just about where we live, it's about showing a little respect to their elders. Paul's mum found it hard to get used to but she understands now... I think:) I still say it to my elders. I always will. A little respect goes a long way and people remember you when you have good manners. It makes me feel like I've done something right when people tell me that my children are so polite. It's worth all the corrections and the ribbing I get:)

Ok I'll get off my soap box but that just rubbed me the wrong way. Now, I must get going and get ready for school. Today is very busy. I have class at 9:30. When I'm done there, I have to come back here to be recess lady for lunch. I'll be done with that by 1pm. Then I have to rush over to Aunt Kathy's and vacuum her family room. Run back, get the kids at school for 2:35pm. Back home, get Sarah ready for ballet -- hair back in a tight little bun. Make a mad dash to her ballet class for 4pm. Should be home somewhere around 5:30pm. Supper, baths, kids in bed. I'm sure there will be several things to be done before I collapse in bed. It's going to be a loooooooooong day.

Hope yall have a good one:) Take care!!

Goodbye Summer

Yesterday officially marked the end of summer for us here in the US. We didn't have anything planned but a friend of mine called and mentioned Michigan -- so I was like, MICHIGAN! We haven't been there all summer, why not go... so we did;) We jumped in the car and drove up to New Buffalo and had lunch at the Stray Dog. It was really good. Jamie was soooo hungry. He seemed really miserable. When his pizza arrived he perked right up and said it was worth the wait:) Bless his heart. Jamie is my more serious child.


He thinks everything out. He's a complete opposite than my Matthew. Matthew is more like me I think. Kinda carefree. A fly by the seat of his pants kid:)


He finds fun in just about anything:) I also believe he may be half labrador. This child loves the water more than anyone I know. It's very hard to get him out once he's in. Jamie loves swimming but hates to be cold. When we go to the beach, Jamie is more a beach comber. He loves looking for rocks, shells, anything shiny or abandoned:)

Then there is Sarah. Oh boy... We've got our time cut out for us that's for sure. She's very girly but not afraid to get dirty:



She's very independent. Much different than the boys. She is 5 going on 21. I am amazed at the difference in boys and girls. Even though I have 2 brothers, I never knew how big the difference was. She has her daddy so wrapped around her little finger (in a nice little bow:). But I wouldn't have it any other way:)

We had a really nice day out. After we ate lunch, we headed up to St Joseph and walked around, had ice cream then went back to Warren Dunes and let the kids play until the sun began to set.



They were worn out:) We came home, sprayed them down with the hose outside before we brought them in:) They showered, I made cheeseburgers and french fries for supper and everyone collapsed in their beds:) It was a very nice way to end the summer:)

Rise and Shine!:)

Good morning:) Well, I've been up almost an hour (since a little after 6am*grumble*) but I've gotten a bit accomplished. A couple loads of clothes washed and on my 'Solar Dryer'. Solar dryer?? It's a washing line people! That made me laugh when I saw it online as a "Solar Dryer":) Anywhoooo.. I went and bought one yesterday morning to use while I'm finding someone to come look at my dryer. It's really cool out this morning and the birds are chirping and singing. I love to hear the Morning Dove. I got up, put my coffee on and turned on my laptop at the table. I'm listening to Daisy Cottage's music. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" just played and now we are onto Floyd Cramer:) Momma would love this:) I often listen to Sophie Honeysuckle's blogger as well. I love the music. It's easy morning music where you can just puruse blogs and have your coffee and toast. Very nice job on the music:) Moooon Riiiiiverrrrrr.....

Sarah, Jamie and I went garage sale shopping yesterday morning. Paul took Matthew to the mountain bike trails and Jamie wanted to play with a friend that I'm not really thrilled with him playing with. So, I told him "Lets go look for garage sales" and that's like telling him he's won the lottery:) That child (he's 10) loves a garage sale better than any adult I know. Needless to say he was much happier. They brought home all sorts of junk. Yes, junk. I think Sarah came home with plastic chicken nuggets and some sort of wooden hearts on a ribbon, a sleeping bag and assorted other odds and ends that a lady let her have. Jamie scored a few freebies as well but he also learned that a bargain isn't always the bargain you think it is. He was most upset that he spent 50 cents on something for his daddy only to find out the back was all nasty and falling apart when he took it out of the box. I felt so bad for him. He was devastated. I mean 50 cents is like 10 dollars to him. So I reimbursed him and he felt much better but now he knows the 'dark side' of bargain shopping (not to mention I have to go vaccum my car out now. The stuff is all over my backseat-yuck!) I came home with a gorgeous creamy white damask tablecloth. It's hard to find tablecloths for my table because it's wider than a standard table. So I found this and grabbed it. Then I found a silver tray and I'm going to copy from "My Romantic Home". Clink on the 'silver tray' link and you'll see. Mine is round though with beading around the edges. I thought it was such a cute idea though. I hope my turns out even an nth as good as her's did:)

Sarah woke up about 30 minutes ago and I'm already looking for the off switch to her mouth. This child does not stop talking from the time she gets up til she clothes her eyes at night. Even then, she talks in her sleep. She really does. She's doing really well in all day kindergarten. She has not, however, come home with 5 stamps on her behavior strip. There always seems to be that one day (usually Wednesdays) that has "Would not stop talking" or "Non-stop motor mouth". Just Wednesdays. Thankfully her teacher has known her since she was born almost and so she knew what she was getting into with her:) That always makes it nice. I would love to have an older house with character, but in order to do that, we have to move out of our town and school district and I just can't see us taking the kids away. Even if it's only to the next town (our towns all run into each other here. You never know when you're in the next one). So we are pretty much here. The houses are newer in our school district but they really don't have a lot of character and the rooms are so small! We would love to have a 4 bedroom house but I'm not sure that even exists over here, much less a 5 bedroom. 5 would be wonderful everyone would have their own room plus a spare for company. That would be ideal. But again, I'm not sure that exists.

Well the natives are all waking up and getting restless. So my day really starts. We may take them to see "Mr Bean's Holiday":) They've been looking forward to that--so have Paul and I tbh:) Have a lovely day!