Plumbing fiascos....

Well let's see today is Thursday right? I'm pretty sure I think that's what day it is. Who knows? Well we have not managed to get any drywall up yet or the surround around the tub, I think they are going to try to do that tonight.

Plumbing was some sort of an issue. Now Myles and David are not novices at this stuff by any means. But like all projects nothing goes as planned. The pipes would fit together for the tub, and had Myles in fits. Then the night before last David and Myles took turns soldering the pipes for the tube TWICE, removing and reinstalling...then removing and taking them out to the garage to do it so they wouldn't burn the house down. LOLOLOL Yeah when I went to check on them I asked how it was going and David was wrenching a pipe in, Myles had started to explain then all the sudden the pipe fell through the hole into the basement and ting ting ting...Myles just looked at me and said, "That's how our whole night has been." LOLOL

So needless to say I have a tub, that we have to clean debris out of from construction every night so we can use it in the morning. And a toilet. But still no walls. David did electrical last night, he got soooo frustrated because they were installing a vent but the hole that was cut wasn't big enough, so he just started hacking at the ceiling. LOLOL...I laugh, but it wasn't all that funny because he was WAYYY TOOO frustrated. He literally has had no luck with putting this bathroom back together. One piece at a time. Each project has become a fiasco in one way or another. Tonight is a little more electrical and I do believe they are starting on the drywall...at least for the ceiling. So they can throw their backs out before the weekend. I'm still clueless as to why the false wall behind the tub has not been studded out yet. Yeah the width of the bathroom is 5'8" which leaves a gracious 8" behind the tub, that we have to fill. I was thinking a really skinny shelf would work out beautifully...But what do I know? :0(

Ohhhh.the woes...
The kids have done fairly well with the whole matter. They really enjoy seeing uncle Myles here. And to see us all working together, I hope it instills teamwork, and ummm..good Work Ethics later. :0) *fingers are crossed* Although last night all the little complaints and arguments I had from them to do the requested chores that they were supposed to do, I did prewarn them would "Scare Uncle Myles into not having children so they can play with them." LOLOLOLOL

I really can't say I have done much, There's only enough for two in the bathroom with all the lights and materials sitting around. It's really cramped with three, but I do work when they aren't in the bathroom. Last night I started doing dishes and such, but I'm home today, trying to catch up on life, because well it's gotten ahead of us, and we're still stuck in the bathroom. LOL

An email to the teacher....

I wrote:
Currently this past weekend Grace was with her father. So if you find that she is distant or has attitude, please let me know, this is a hard transition the first day back for her to get back into the groove of things. His life is very unstructured, leaving hers...well you can imagine the same. Please let me know if she has difficulty.

Also, Currently she is reading Eragon for Oct. 3rd on her reading log, she is having a hard time getting into this book, and is not enjoying it, where Old Yeller was a very thrilling read for her. The reason I say this is due to the fact she went on a mini-strike and refused to read the rest of it, because Old Yeller had been shot. She wound up in hysterical tears, and once convinced to finish reading, she wound up in tears once more. :0) I explained to her that the author did a wonderful job if you feel you connect with the characters in one way or another, that is the reason the book is now a classic. LOL It was touching to see her do this. My reasoning behind this email is to ask if she can change her last book. Unfortunately I wrote it in ink when we agreed upon the book when she started school, but she found this to be tragic because she isn't getting into it. I do believe that she is fine with reading it, she is intimidated with the length of the book. Any suggestions here? Or can we change it?

Thanks so much!


Mrs. Harshbargers Reply.....

Mrs. Romack,

Yes! Grace can certainly find a new book. The second book does not even have to be a chapter book. Old Yeller was her Newbery Award chapter book, so she can read anything of her choice for the second book. I warned Grace that Old Yeller was a sad book, and I wondered how she would handle the traumatic ending! Your reference to author connection was great! Feel free to have Grace choose a new book.

As far as Grace's behavior today, she did not have a productive morning, and she basically sat at her desk for thirty minutes ignoring my prompts to get started on morning work. She ended up paying several fines, and by mid-morning was back to her more productive self. Thank you for the information because it helps me!

Sincerely,

Mrs. H.


Grace's progress report came home also on Friday...
It was stressed that most children are improving greatly but since the curriculum is much harder not to stress about the bad grades. ;0) I know Grace has a hard time focusing which is most of why she has fault in some areas.

Reading she is at 90% A-
Writing she is at 81.1% B
Spelling she is at 96.8% A
Math she is at 90.9% A
Science/Health is at 70% C
Social Studies is at 75.7% C

There was a part of the Lesson of learning Lafayette's history, that she failed to do the work a few weeks into class (I would assume to test her limits)...and lied to me about it. This received her an F and directly impacted her writing, science/health, and social studies grades at this time. :0( That was discouraging to say the least, but we are doing much better.

We are now into day ummm...4 of the bathroom remodel...an hour into the work, My husband and Myles are feverishly working on the plumbing. Last night we got the trim around the window outside the house, this evening I was painting. Needless to say one of the kids decided to push the plastic bag into the tray of paint I was storing from sealing one side of the boards before they were hung, and I had paint all over my hands. Nothing like having paint goop to contend with. The worst part, when I came into get dinner out of the oven and get the kids fed...low and behold they had shut the water off. GARRRRR......... So shower cleaner and a towel have been my best friend. Because there has been two applications so far on the bare boards to get a good seal on them. :0P It never ends.....

Deconstruction....Reconstruction...

So as many have been anxiously awaiting my next blog....I have determined, I love doing this way too much. But it gives me reason and a place to vent, so it is all good.

The news is, as most of you know the bathroom remodel is underway...and under time constraints. It's Sunday evening and deconstruction is done, and Myles and my wonderful husband (who has been battling a headache for two days straight (figuratively and literally)) are now finally trying to install the tub, we have not started the vinyl installation or the drywall as of yet. But they want to be able to turn on the water to the toilet and tub tonight for the kids sake. Wish us luck. Because this is all too frustrating.

We managed to convince Denise to bring Kevin up and drop him off. It's the second ever trip she has made here to drop him off!!! Surprise Surprise. But we have valid reason for her travel, as does when squared drops Grace off tonight.

Grace managed to tick off Grandma Dianna and Grandpa Lee, and her father with her cell this weekend. I let him know she was going to have it, but he called to inform me that she is holding it over everyone's head again, that if they say or do the wrong thing she will be calling her mother. LOLOL..This makes me curious, what are they saying and doing that is SOOOO bad that she has to call me. And why are they making her upset? She should be enjoying her time there. Or is she up to her old antics of playing others against one another? Who knows. This is just something that I wish I could get a straight story out of one of them. But as it goes, I knew when the divorce happened, that he was messed up and so was his family and I knew it when I had her, that her life and me raising her wasn't going to be an easy one. I made my bed, I will lie in it, with my eyes closed, hoping that no one covers me with dirt in the process. LOLOLOL

I feel absolutely horrible about the party, I miserably failed when it came to my mother in law, in fact I've miserably failed a lot of people. Grandparents day came and went without special visits to the grandparents, the party to be held in honor of us, we had to cancel last night at the last minute because, well the bathroom remodel is not even halfway what we wanted to get done. I feel like a heel because Phillis went through all the trouble. I just don't know how I am going to manage to make it up to her. :0( I'm sorry Mom #2...I really am. David said we couldn't help it but I can't help but sulk, and the crow's have landed on my lip today because I've pouted so much. But I did get to take some of my anger and frustration out on myslef by doing demolition in the bathroom, so that was a nice change :0) A crowbar and a lot of plaster shattering, makes for a pleasant time and a lot of stinky sweat...

Yeah sweat...and there's no shower...no one wants to be within the vicinity of David, Myles, and I, the people at Menard's stayed at least a two foot distance from me when helping me this afternoon...probably of me emitting testosterone odors and sweatiness like Linus the little boy with the blanket and the dirt cloud that follows him...is that Linus, from charlie brown? I don't know but you get the picture. LOLOL

I had a great time yesterday with Nikki, I made my annual trip to Zionsville, I did manage to get a little something for Mom#2 that I hope she likes. :0) I felt bad that I scheduled it and then the mayhem started and I still went, but again David told me there was not much I could have done yesterday to begin with. :0( And if you ever get the chance to go to Zionsville, make sure that once the town closes down at five, that you have reservations at the Villagio...best italian I've eaten in oh FOREVER....puts papa vino's to shame!

..Lost without the avenger....

My little man..."the avenger" is with Grandma today. He's having withdrawals I suppose. We practically have not seen her much since the start of school. :0( He refused to go with me today, and wanted to stay with Grandma Phillis. But it's okay. I had lots to do. I was pricing out the bathroom remodel project we know have to do.

It seems funny how this all works out...the "buyers" never called us back. They were notified of the water leak in the bathroom, in fact David pointed it out. But low and behold the leak is worse, and we have to tear into it, no matter what this weekend. So I went to Lowe's, Menards, and Home Depot to get prices on things we need for the bathroom project. And now, ho hum..it's off to graph it out.

I'm bummed that once again it's a set back and we'll pull the sign down and not start looking until spring to try and move again, but what do you do? It's still cheaper to live where we are for the time being, and we enjoy it out here, although it's hard to get many to visit since we are so far away. Sad but true.

I'm stoked about the upcoming events though...This means once again, we get to do something cool to make the house look nicer. And in the process remodel some other areas and maybe finish my front porch / office area I spend so much time in. And the KITCHEN, yeah rock the kitchen idea! LOL

Friday we have Samantha's birthday party, and an old friend who may come up for a visit, who is not well, her heart is giving way at such a young age, but she is a fire fighter by trade, and I respect and love her enough, to say we need to see you, before she says goodbye to this world. It's been 5-6 yrs since I seen her last. Saturday, we are visiting with Nikki, and doing our annual trip to Zionsville which is awesome, and if you've ever been there, you'll know what I mean, and if you haven't..you should go sometime, it's shopping but its a quaint artist town like little Nashville. The upcoming event on Sunday is one to be expecting an invite if you live close to us. Sunday afternoon there will be an adult only pool party, held at Dennis Romack's house in honor of David and I, for the rest of Phillis's family to meet me. Hosted by Phillis herself. :0) I'm so proud to call her mom #2. :0)

In the midst of all this, we still have the upcoming wedding for Tera and Myles and I have to start making chocolates for that. :0) That is exciting and work out making the grooms cake...Where is the time? I don't know.

Grace is yet again ahead of her game, at least I think so. She's still as spunky as ever, and trying not to get fined too much at school, there are a few C's arriving home, but all of them are over her not reading directions and not double checking her work. ;0) Man, that was so much like me when I was her age. The difference is, in this class, she can't wake up from her daydream and expect to get it right, she has to focus and pay attention. This is a stepping stone for her, and Mrs. Harshbarger says she's progressing beautifully. :0) Me on the other hand, I was in a daydream starting at grade 3...and never stopped, in high school I was the same way, but everytime I "woke up" I couldn't figure it out by that point. LOLOL I hope she does not try and do the same.

Off I go to start the measurements on the bathroom, wish us luck!!!!

Emergency Bathroom Remodel.... ARRRGGGHHH

Well after all is said and done, we haven't heard from the "buyers" and if things can't get worse enough, David went in the basement while Grace was in the shower to find that we have another shower underneath it in the basement!!!!! ARRGGGHHH!!! So on top of all the plans this weekend, we are going to have to tear into the bathroom.

Hope momma Phillis is ready for us to rampage her house for showers for the next week. ARRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!! We can't win can we?

Head Colds...and what nots...

Well as it stands, the 3rd inspection came and went and no word from the "buyers" on our house. Garr...this aggrivates me.

The kids and I are ill, we have head colds or something, and David is yet to be effected by this epidemic at our house, so I guess that's a good thing. :0)

We did receive Grace's Star Reading Diagnostic Report...it is as follows:

This studen't Grade Equivalent score is 5.0. Her reading skills are therefore comparable to those of an average fifth grader after the start of the school year. Grace also achieved a national Percentile Rank of 94. This score is in the above-average range and means that Grace scored equal to or higher than 94% of students nationally. The PR Range indicates that, if this student has taken the STAR Reading test numerous times, most of her scores would likely have fallen between 85 and 97. It reflects the amoun of statistical variablility in a student's PR score.

These scores indicate that Grace is probably learning to apply her readin gskills to different academic areas. Grace likely uses textbooks and other nonfiction resources to achieve her content area golals.

For optimal reading growth, Grace needs to:
*Maintain a min. of 60 minutes of sustained silent reading daily.
*Understand text structures for expository materials, especially textbooks.
*Develop study skills to tackel content materials systematically.
*Exhibit self-direction in reading assignments within a wide range of materials.

This student's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) for independent fiction is 3.7-5.1 reading level. This is the adjusted level that will provide appropriate growth.

On yet another note....

Grace just finished Old Yeller... she stopped and had a mini strike when yeller got shot, she was bawling, and all tore up about it, and said she could not finish the book. I did explain that it is a good book when you get wrapped up in it, and you feel all the emotions the characters do, and she finished the story last night. I am so proud. It was definitely a step in the right direction. Little does she know she has many more sad stories to read and contend with.

AS for us, if we haven't heard from the buyers by Wednesday David and I are pulling the sign and refinancing this place and starting the remodeling. It was by happenstance in the first place we left the sign up, let alone the neighbors that practically live next door stopping by to take a look at it. But I think in the long run we'd be better off. :0)

Unexpected visitors....revisiting...

Well as the day goes on I can't seem to make progress at least it doesn't seem that way. Talked to Jay today and a possible lender and they are working through the tape. The soon to be visitors will be coming by once again to view the property and crunch some numbers on possible contract sale on our house. I am so excited about that. I have to continue to work on this place and work on paperwork.

Kevin has not stopped eating all day long, every five minutes he is saying he's hungry, I do believe this is yet another growth spurt. Because although his diet is structured he is driving me nuts and wayyy tooo aggressive the past two days. A hormone burst for sure. :0p I hope he gets over it soon, I have to order his ring bearer suit soon for Tera and Myles wedding. :0( We can't have him shoot up two more inches overnight, but what can you do? LOL

As far as everything else stands, I feel as though I'm going crazy. I had another exposure to the allergen that caused the major problems last month, it happens to be home defense insect stuff...this time it wasn't near as bad as the first. So although I was dead and tired last night and really foggy, I wasn't near as foggy headed this morning, so the exposure was brief and not inhaled too much. But I am pretty sure we found the cause. :0)

Natasha had her baby last night or this morning....it's a girl we knew that...and for you that don't know, that's David's step daughter. She's 6lbs and 7 oz or something like that. And for an absolute fact, Denise got married on the 3rd, so she is now Mrs. Gold Digger ( Oh I mean Mrs. Nugent) LOLOL Oh who am I to judge? Bite my tongue...I'll use my filter. I promise. ;0)

This weekend is going to be hectic, but isn't it always for us. David has to work until noon, they will be here at ten to look at the house, then when he gets off work and gets here, we will go over numbers. Then David has to help Brian do some things with the Expedition, so there goes our Saturday. And Sunday, I hope for some rest and relaxation...but I doubt that will happen.

Wish me luck! LOL If you haven't put in orders for Grace's fundraiser, please do so. It ends on monday!!!! And if you have already, thanks! She'll be happy to know she didn't have to do any footwork. LOL

Mommy...do you remember me?

LOLOL...Kevin grabs my face, and squeezes my cheeks...and says..hellloooo mommy do you remember me? We were sitting at the table discussing the drama of the day.

So we work out some good contacts thanks to Myles and Jay Benner we found our home in question....http://lraor.fnismls.com/publink/default.asp?GUID=ffe6cb3d-6189-4f17-81a3-3e5c0c445197&Report=Yes. I say home in question because low and behold we have to wait on our buyers.

Their "investor" is coming for house review on Saturday at 10, they believe there may be some red tape on an FHA, we don't believe there will since this was originally a VA loan at one time. :0) Good stuffs maynard. But they asked if we were interested in a contract sale. *Fingers crossed* this all goes through.

In a few months in the midst of Tera and Myles wedding, we may be MOVING...ARRGGGHHHH
And things are going to be significantly up a creek without a paddle. Talk about crazy...this is nuts! But ha ha ha..>I wouldn't have it any other way! Progress is being made. :0)

As for all other life in general, Grace is still being Grace. She's been fined at school multiple times now for not focusing and paying attention. And she's now spent her first several weeks of paychecks in economy at the stupid store they have every tuesday, and she's complaining she has to pay for health insurance since she has a dentist appt and they have to pay a $5.00 fine for any day that they miss, or have to be gone for a few hrs..unless they pay for health insurance. LOLOLOL
Oh..the moral dilema! I explained to her how this wasn't so bad...and that mommy wishes she had insurance when she got sick and had to go to the ER it would have been cheaper, but she doesn't get it. LOL

All in all life is good.

Going to the Chapel....

And Denise R. Romack (David's Ex) will be getting married! Two sundays ago, her marriage license was in the paper. She will be Marrying Eric Nugent...the man she spent her whole life screwing all other men in her life over for. We do believe that she will get hers this time...but only time will tell.

So what does it mean that when we went to pick up Kevin this last Sunday, that she kept hiding that bling on her ring finger? Who knows...LOL Maybe she is embarrassed of herself for submitting into a relationship that is doomed from the get go....oh well, who are we to judge. ;0) At least we do not have to be embarrassed because she was carrying the Romack name, and now she won't be..... HOOORAYYY!!!!!

We processed more apples last night, and there is so much more, but we have to get on the road....I will blog from wherever I get to. Today is friend intervention day for me. :0) Many people to talk to. I should charge for psycotherapy I believe. This would gain me lots of dollars....LOLOLOL Just kidding. I love my friends, when they need me, I'm always here to help.

It's Naptime....

So I'm at Tera's house, and it's nap time for Kevin, we'll be leaving in an hour to head out and go to get grace, pick up some munchies! Yahoo! I'm stoked about that. It's been a long time that Tera and I had some "girlie time". Now going to South Bend a few weekends ago was wedding stuffs, and it seems that all of it revolves around that, but this is some time for us to enjoy just being stupid, like ourselves.

We are going to be doing a dance class tonight. To see if this ol' timer can learn that "booty roll" thing. LOLOLOL...It'll be funny to see all of my rolls roll. LOLOL But it sounds like great fun. I'm looking forward to it.

As for the phone call from the teacher, Grace put a guilt trip on her. Last week Grace's face started to peel because of the sun burn from labor day...instead of sucking it up and going in there like a pro..she walks in with her hair in her face. Yeah drawing attention to herself is not socially exceptable. As Mrs. Harshbarger (her teacher explained) it's normal for these things to happen and it is not normal for you to draw attention to it, it would not be a big deal if people asked, less mystery and curiousity. So then she convinced the teacher that she had called her NOT NORMAL...and so she had to call me.

I told Mrs. Harshbarger this is just Grace , and she said she has dealt with MANY eccentric children and they teach them social acceptance and what is socially acceptable behaviors throughout the year. So lets keep our fingers crossed! LOL The best part, I told her to grab a cup of coffee and visit Mrs. Walsh, the teacher from last year, she will have some stories to tell.

But all in all, Grace told her teacher I was on my deathbed a few weeks ago when I got sick, and took myself to the ER, so I had to clarify a few things there. Let's just pray she gets past this drama! LOLOL I love my crazy 8 yr old.

As for me, I'm going to plop on the couch and chill, I can't wait to leave already! I'm looking forward to tonight!

Oh..after thought. Yet no more comments from the "neighbors" wanting our house, but there was positive head shaking when they were leaving this last time. So one final inspection from the "investor" and we should be making contracts, hopefully we get that call!

Tera's Bridal Shower weekend....

Well it's complete. Tera's bridal shower was on Saturday, and it went off without much of a snafu. :0) I spent the past few months coordinating all this stuff in a notebook, writing things down and just going to town with ideas. The cake was the hardest. Actually Grace was the bright one for the idea...and David. And from there we had two bridal shower cakes! LOL I was very happy how it all turned out. The shower didn't have a theme per say...other than it was ALL ABOUT TERA...everything from the foods that she loves, italian, mexican, and the hick little mini pigs in a blanket she asked for. ha ha ha

We had meatballs, bruschetta which all raved about how wonderful it was, although I was worried because Mr. Myles was eating a bunch of the french bread before I put the bruschetta on them to toast in the oven with some mozerella. Then we had fruit salsa, with cinnamon chips, Taco Dip with different crackers and Tortilla Chips and Doritos...LOL If it wasn't for her wonderful Dad making a trip to Meijers to pick up last minute supplies, I wouldn't have had crackers or Doritos. LOL Then there was the mini pigs in a blanket with some melted cheese, that I was displeased solidified instead of staying liquid after it cooled down. :0( But maybe I'm just too picky. We had some sparkling punch for the kids. and homemade Sangria for the adults. It was a great time.

The games were fun, and I made sure everyone walked away with a gift or two with momentos of Tera. I had made mini white chocolate high heels to stuff in miniature boxes of wedge heels and purses. The gifts were mini wooden elephants, glass calla lilly coasters, mini ariel keychains, and lockets, ice cream cone bubbles, and ice cream sundae candles, love note post it cubes, elephant blank cards, pens with high heels, lipstick bubble batch gel, high heel bubble bath gel, stickers with lipsticks, sports cars, and many other items.




The greatest part was the toilet paper bride, Grace's team won the "adult category" which was awesome, and if you want to see Tera's response...her blog is at this URL http://editortera.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-bridal-shower.html
Tony (Tera's father) and Darsha (her mother) were ever so greatful and a huge help in assisting the setup, along with David, to give me a helping hand where needed. I couldn't tell you how many times people told me I did a great job, but I can't count on both hands how much Darsha and Tony both told me they were so please their daughter has someone as a friend who loves her as much as they do and they were greatful at the thought I put into all of it.

It's my nature, just as it is David's, that if you are our friend, we love you and give you our 100% no matter what. That's who we are, and I wouldn't change it. I brought Tera to tears a few times. I was so happy with how the recipe scrapbook turned out, and my sister Emily put in the best ADVICE ever since she is a "new wife" herself! Tony, Darsha, David, Myles, Tera and I, got a really good laugh out of that one, but it was sooooo TRUE! If you cook something, and Myles says "it's okay" just hold your head high, and you can try again tomorrow! Or something like that. LOLOLOLOL Awesome stuff. Myles' family contributed a bunch, and so did Tera's Grandma Wegernowski (not sure if I got spelling right) LOL She almost doesn't have enough pages left to add some things that she wants to.

I feel like I could have done more, but all in all I was pleased with the outcome. There was one game that was "test your memory--What's in Tera's gift bag..." She went through it, and at the end of the party, we were supposed to have our quiz...um...well guess what, my memory was tested because I forgot!!!! But when I was upstairs chilling so that Tera could socialize with people getting ready to leave, I heard Great Grandma Zelma say "what about Tera's bag?" then I remembered. LOLOLOL...oh well. It was how I wanted it...to honor Tera, for one of the biggest changes in her life. She need not forget who she is or the things she likes, she just needs to remember to blossom with change. :0)

AS for this week, I'm looking forward to a short slow down! Just a few days anyway, Grace's school pictures are Tuesday. Monday evening, if I can find childcare arrangements I have a three hour "class" to attend with Tera. She doesn't know what it is yet, but boy oh boy will she be THRILLED to find out. ;0)

I'm signing off for now...but I have to fill you in on the Teacher phone call I received on Friday....I'll do that in the a.m....

Love you all!

Mania!!!!!!!!!

Okay, so yesterday was a blown out of proportion day. Grace's father decided after telling me he didn't want to fight about having her on the weeknights, threw a tissy about this weekend! I emailed him about the bridal shower about a month ago, and carbon copied it to his mother, to notify them of the invite and request grace be at Tera's Bridal Shower, and he went and bought tickets to the Indianapolis Zoo!!!! HELLO DUDE, ARE YOU THERE? IS YOUR MIND FUNCTIONING? (This is what I was thinking the whole time I was talking to him.)

Well he went manic and hung up on me twice, and on grace once, because I had her call him, because this isn't my fight, it's hers and her fathers. Then he laid one huge GUILT trip on her that made her cry. But I had explained to her BEFORE she talked to him it would happen this way, and that, it was no big deal. Then I called Tera and had her "talk down" the event to Grace (who didn't buy it for a minute cuz she's way too smart), but Grace said it made her feel a teeeny bit better. Then her dad called back and said I could pick her up on Saturday morning, and I'll have her the rest of the weekend I suppose.

I told him that she WANTS to be there, that this isn't MY THING, and he accused me of threatening him by text message that I was going to withhold visitation. One thing straight here, I said I reserve the right of PROTECTING my daughter. And this whole mess started over him pushing her down and holding her on the floor and having some manic attack because she didn't move the clothes right or she didn't do something right. It was only once, but it scared her enough and upset her enough that she feels the need to come home and say something and say she doesn't want to see him anymore. The man can twists things around so that they don't sound like what really happened, then he tried to convince me yesterday it didn't happen, after he admitted to it the wednesday before when I called him to let him know she didn't want to see him.

Ho humm....never a boring moment, but the guy is a jerk, and everytime something like this happens it worries more and more that Grace will turn out like this when she's older. But she gets to go to the Bridal Shower and that's important.

Big News: David will be in the wedding as one of the groomsmen also! He's a new "addition" to the clan. LOL If they hadn't started planning this two years ago, before David joined our "clan" he'd a been a part of it then, but Myles asked him yesterday to be a part of it now. :0) David is happy to do it, he asked what he should do, and Myles said, "Just make sure I don't run for any doors." So David has decided to wear a security sign on the back of his tux to reinforce the position. LOLOLOL Just kidding, but it's a great thought!

We got a phone call today from the people that came by and looked at our house, we are now going to pass an inspection of HIS parents coming to look at it. His father apparently does all their electrical work, then once that is decided, the INVESTER FATHER...hers will come to look at it. LOL What's there to look at? You can't buy land this cheap out here for what we're asking for the whole kit and kaboodle. LOL...give it up people. We want your $$$$ and a house in town!!!!!

But in the midst of this, the visit will be at twelve thirty tomorrow afternoon! While I'm in the midst of doing the catering for an event!!!! OH PLUEEEZZEEEE grant me the serenity I need to make it through the day! Friday night I will deserve a margarita and some fajitas or something.

I've been working really hard on eating properly this past week, and it's paying off in huge amounts, not only am I feeling a million times over better, I am awake from the time I get up until time I lay down, and seems to be a miraculous recovery...stay tuned though, the gym starts up on Monday. LOLOL

Where did I come from?

That was definitely a question that came out of Kevin's mouth yesterday, and it put me on the spot. I fumbled and told him a mommy's belly quietly and he kind of left it at that. David said next time, tell him home hospital. LOLOLOL

So I've been working feverishly to prepare for Tera's Bridal Shower on Saturday. It's been one heck of a week. I've been wrapped up in many different things, and I'm doing it all in stages.
So today was completion of the "cake" and tomorrow is food prep for the rest of it for Saturday.
Then Saturday, after a few things are heated, we'll be ready to parteeaaa'....LOL And celebrate Tera getting hitched. It will be fun.

It seems like not a lot of work, once you put together and have it, but I've been planning this for over two months, with a two week STALL of sickness in the middle of it. Although I was half out of it, I still seemed to get little things here and there done.

Kevin decided today he wouldn't take a nap and it's 2:10, so we are leaving the house to head in, we are supposed to leave until 2:40, but that's okay, we can sit, well I can sit, while he snores. He'll pass out in the car! LOLOL.....

You have to say the magic word...

Well as it goes the holiday has came and went. Exciting stuff to come.
I'm anxiously at home preparing for the upcoming bridal shower this weekend.
It's an exciting time, my BFF is getting married, FINALLY! To make up for all the crap I've put her through I get to do the most wonderful thing for her, have her bridal shower, which I am stoked about. Not at my house but at hers. None the less, it's all the more exciting. :0)

So as most holidays go, it was a great one. The kids got to bicker and argue and fight ALOT. And mom as usual was unprepared when Aunt T came to pick us up. I had everyone packed up but me! ho hum...then David was like, you packed a lot of stuff, yours would have fit in my suitcase. LOLOL But as most mothers do, you always pack extra "Just IN Case". You just have to, you have no choice.

It was a pleasant weekend, Tera and I dropped the kids off with Emily, Josh, and Brian, then we went to the dress fitting, only to excitedly report, the DRESS zipped UP!!!! Then for Tera to ask to have them let it out 1/2" on both sides, so she can eat on the delicious food, we are going to force down her throat at every weekend event, for the next 38 days until the wedding. LOLOLOL But it zipped, and I'm so proud of her!

Me on the other hand, I am yet bummed about my weight. I've kept myself down to at least 148 for a few years and got down to 132 last year, so this year...yeah well..I'm not happy about it. I mean 158 is just too much in my book, although I'm down to 152, I just want it to go away again. Without the gym this makes it twice as hard. Ho hum...I am sad about this.

We took the children to the beach where they enjoyed it tremendously. Emily took her camera, but until she posts the pics, I can't steal them from her, so it may be awhile...but I'll get them to everyone. Uncle Josh has found a new buddy...I've NEVER in my wildest dreams figure that Kevin and him would hit it off so well, but that little man was screaming and laughing in delight as soon as Uncle Josh showed him Demolition Derby on his computer. OMGosh! What a thrill.
Little did mommy do to pack any toys for the boy other than what was in the truck from the travel trips and his preschool stuff. :0( So yeah Bad Mommy for being over packed and too underprepared. But the kids had fun none the less.

Sunburns yes, we all got some sun. Mine was stupid me not sharing the love on both sides, so my bottom half on the backside was a little to overdone, my thighs look like christmas hams right now. David of course..tanned all over except for his ankles and his white feet. Man wears socks all the time, otherwise he looks like he walked away from the bahamas after a week. Garrr...I'm jealous. LOLOL Kevin...same thing. It's just sick, I think the only pink place was his cheeks and his ears. Blah..>Grace...fried of course. And well Josh...Same thing. Poor guy, looks like an atomic fireball. And Emily, she was a tad, but like mine, it faded and goldened. :0) We spent 5 hours at the beach and got there early to get a good spot. And lots of COLLLDDDD water in the beginning. LOL

Emily even lucked out by getting Josh in, I don't know how LUCKY you would call it. She dropped her ring, got her foot on it, and Josh dove for the $$$$. LOL...yeah, he mentioned it was a way dirty trick to get him wet. But none the less, it got me a good laugh. Tee heee hee.

We survived the trip back, with the exception of the children bickering, grace putting body parts on Kevin's seat and Kevin putting body parts right back on her. GRRRRR.....this disrupted in a flip flop slapping Grace, Emily taking it away from Kevin, Grace arguing with David, and Mom who was pleasantly napping in the back a wake up call to giving Grace a smack on the back of the head for arguing. Just a nudge. To let her know I was still back there listening. *rolling my eyes* It never stops.

We made it home that night to have a few margaritas and brave the hot tub. With sun burns it didn't sound like such a great idea, but all in all, we found that it took the heat out of most of our sun burns. Stung for the first few seconds, but after that, presto chango...no more burn, it actually felt cool. Hot tubs + Sunburn= Pleasantly recovering. :0) The first night we tried to do margaritas and that didn't hit me very well. Made my stomach burn. So I gave up. Second night wasn't so bad.

Believe it or not I think I am pretty close to recovered, the day at the beach wore me out, and the trip home yesterday evening I could have done without. LOLOLOL But all in all I'm doing a thousand times better.

The trip home....Grace hasn't figured out that no matter how much you eat, no matter how much you complain and we've known what you've eaten and when, that restaurants sometimes just don't pop up out of nowhere. LOL So we made her wait until she was absolutely quiet with the exception of a few moans until we got to Monticello and went to Arni's. 15 minutes before this her and Kevin and begun the arguing and fighting again, which resulted in, her telling him he had to say pretty please for something, then when she THOUGHT we would be stopping somewhere trying to get him to put on his flip flops. Smart little devil he is, turns it around and tells her to say pretty please, and her stubborn behind wouldn't say it which resulted in him throwing one flip flop, that was MIA somewhere in the car. Which finally got her to say, Pretty Please....but then he said , "No you have to say pretty please wif cherry on top." LOLOLOLOL One day she will get that everything she teaches him is coming back to bite her in the rear.

For now I have to go... I have tons to do..and it's halfway through my exciting day already.
I'll have much more to blog about later. Hope the weekend was loads of fun for everyone else too! Lots of Love to you!