Missing more and more teeth each day.

JT is losing a tooth a day. He took forever to lose the first one and now they fall out everyday or so. What a goof he is, but we love him missing teeth and all.

I need to look better when I back up.

I heard a pop when I backed out of the garage the other day. I was curious so I stopped and walked back into the garage and sure enough I had run over an item. My shelves are covered with cereal boxes and jars of peanut butter from the grocery promotional a few weeks ago. the kids are not careful when they pull a box down for breakfast. I've picked up several jars before, but I didn't check this time and POP!!! What a greasy mess. The driveway has a few dark tire marks I needed to clean also. Yuck!!! I need to check better and not always be in such a hurry. A few batches of puppy chow that will not happen with this jar.

Buffy and the stinky kisses

This cutie gave me a face full of kisses and I told her she stunk. I put her down and realized she was chasing the baby and licking his back. Yes, on further investigation the baby had poo up his back. No wonder she stunk. Poopie kisses, my favorite. Yummy!!! Happy Birthday to me. Parker would never do that(only because we have no baby in the house.)

Flooding 2010

Well we seem to have floods every few years around here lately. We helped sandbag in 2008, when the lower laying regions of town were underwater. This year I knew my back could not handle it so I didn't sandbag. Gunnar went to a friends who lives on a hill over looking a park and his backyard was underwater. They got a couple of canoes and off they went to explore the park they usually play in. Gunnar rowed to the band-shell, the Veterans pavilion, and tried to get over to the baseball park and row under the score board, but the water was thick with junk and gunk so they couldn't get over there. He didn't take his phone so i have no photos.

School was cancelled on Friday due to road conditions and flooding. I think if I lived near the river I would build large hills of sand to protect my property and then cover them in dirt and plant flowers. Most people have to sandbag every two years and still lose things in the high water. I like living on high ground, at least around here that is.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

For my birthday last year I wanted to go skydiving, but I ran out of nice weather. So this year I made an appointment. So October 9th at noon, Amanda and I are jumping. Another item to mark off the list. 41 and counting.

Apples

I was a preschool two days last week and it was a fun time, exhausting but enjoyable. We were discussing apples and fall. I asked them if they had been to an apple orchard and some of them nodded, some looked lost and others shook their head no. I talked about all the trees, caramel apples, falling leaves and apple crisp. One little girl looked at me like she was confused, she thought for a moment, then she smiled, giggled and called out. "Oh yeah, I've been to Applebees." I tried to explain it wasn't quite the same, but she was satisfied that she knew what I was talking about. She also enjoys their burgers and fries.

The Dump, The Dump, The Dump.

David took the day off to get some work done on the house and to take a trip to the dump. At first I didn't think we would have enough, but low and behold we filled the truck. Sad, but stuff that we have kept that doesn't work, or I'm going to fix(someday), it is gone. Now I have room on shelves in the garage to fill with more cereal when Hyvee runs the deal again in a few weeks.

Funny things I've learned about me lately

Great protein powder for those who can't have soy or dairy(whey).
I make a fruit/protein smoothie everyday to be sure I get my fruit in for the day. Blueberries, banana, and cherries and then a large spoonful of peanut butter and some V8 Fusion juice to mix it all together. Well after doing p90x for about a month, I realized I needed a stronger protein, so I bought the above egg protein since I can't have whey or soy. It took awhile, and even with having to rest my knee(not exercising) I lost weight. I still only do my arms, chest and back twice a week and then walk the other days. I plan on adding Kempo this week and see how that goes. I wasn't trying, but cutting out a huge amount of fat(contained in the peanut butter) the weight melted off. At the start of p90x in April, I weighted 131, at the doctor's last week I weighted 121. (that might not last long, I was sick a few weeks ago and couldn't eat.) I don't want to be skinny, I want to be healthy with nice muscle definition(getting the muscles out from under the fat is the problem). Cut out the fat and wow. Who Knew?
Cenny made brownie when I was sick and it was amazing, over 1/4 of them were left and had to be tossed. I thought that was strange(I din't eat any), I'm sure it isn't me who eats most of the brownies. I have 4 good size boys and Cenny who eats us all under the table at times. Well every good scientist does another test, so a week or so later Zeke made brownies. I didn't eat any and again I threw 1/4 away. I AM THE BROWNIE EATER. Who knew?

JT did break my nose

When JT was about 18 month old he came flying over the couch and plowed right into the side of my face. My nose bleed and swelled up and blacked both of my eyes. I went to the ER and the Dr. informed me it wasn't broken and that my septum was fine and not to worry about it. Well my nose had a funny curve in it and so I went back and he told me to push on it, to straightened it. I kind of lost my taste for doctors at that point.

Well I went to an ENT to get something for my stuffy nose. He took one look and asked when I broke my nose, I told him the story and he said, "No, it was broken." He then put a medicine in my nose and then a scope. I guess I have very narrow passages, especially where the curve is and a deviated septum. So surgery will straighten in out, but I'm not ready for that. I told him I would think about it. I'm not ready to have my nose broken again, and I couldn't until the summer anyway. Recovery time isn't going to happen when I need to work or see people. Black eyes will come with a broken nose and without re-breaking the nose(another option, I will have stints in my nose. Beautiful. Maybe I'll have to get used to a stuffy nose and a crooked nose(I have gotten used to the curve, I don't love it, but its there like it or not.)

Book 126 The School of Essential Ingredients

I enjoyed this book. A cooking class at a restaurant and each chapter is on a different character in the story. I loved Claire's chapter and it was amazing how it vocalized things I couldn't when I had small children at home. Her chapter is worth reading for you and your husband, especially if you still have young children at home. The stories revolve around a cooking class, but the tales start before that and tell you about the people, their lives and loves. A great book, I could have done without the hour long descriptions of food and tastes and smells, but the story is good. David's sister recommended this one and I truly enjoyed it. I read it slower then most books so I could really savor the experience.

Bacon panel at Hormel

I just finished another bacon panel and this one was fast. We only looked at the appearance and the texture of the bacon. Six samples in less then 30 minutes. It was like making 40 dollars an hour. If they could all be this easy. I felt a bit ill after the panels each day and I'm glad to be back to a bacon free lifestyle. Until next time I guess. I do miss the time to sit and read, they give us a five minute rest between samples and you would be amazed how much of a book I can read in that time.

School Board

The board appointed a former board member at this month meeting. Now we finally have a tie breaking member. I've been attending meetings(4 so far this year) and they need that seventh member. Last nights meeting was interesting, they decided to make the Packers our official mascot, I guess it has just been an idea for the last 50 years and now it is official. They decided the colors are scarlet and white and the A is the one worn on the letter man jackets. The Packer (meat packer)will be a little guy with an apron on with a big A on the front. He can be dressed like whatever sport uniform he is on and even can have a pony tail for girls sports. I guess it is good, Walmart had t-shirts calling us the Austin Razorbacks and I never had heard that one before. We were the Austin Scarlets with a big A before 1950, anyone read back then?

Does any one really listen?

I saw my PA(my hands have keratinitis) and then my chiropractor(once or twice a month since my accident on those stupid ski's) yesterday, I told them both I was a bit stressed and unable to figure out a way to get over it. They both told me that once my routine was set again(kids in school, etc.) things would get better. Okay, but what if they don't? I wasn't asking for Valium, even though sometimes I'd like some. I was asking for some stress management tips or classes. I guess I will take their advice and see how it goes, but if I don't feel more relaxed and stop holding my shoulders against my ears all night, I may need to look at other options. Stress is a killer guys, or didn't you get the memo?

Fundraising Season

All the different organizations are in full fundraising mode right now. I have two coupons books from different people which I'll never use. The music boosters book should be coming home any day and the kids at Banfield are selling things from a catalog. Cenny is quite the sales girl, she has sold over 20 items so far and hopes to sell more for the prizes. David hates the kids selling, but they are excited about the prizes. We've given cash in the past, but their are no prizes for that(even though they get 100% of that money) so the kids are not excited about just bringing cash. Gunnar and Qatar should start with candy bars anytime for the Choir trip. Pizza cards are my favorites and I actually use those, but no one has asked me this year so far.

Books 121,122, 123, 124 and 125

CUTE, But slow
More confused then before.
Her newest, it was okay. Still like Under Cover of Night Better.
The kids read this in Ellis, so I sat down and read it. It was interesting. Sameness, is not a good thing. Even without pain and sadness, it is bad. The I read a Brockmann, Kiss and Tell, a silly romance. But it was cute. I think I read another in there, but I can't remember so it wasn't that good I guess.

Football season and school

Gunnar cheering at the first home football game
Qatar and Gunnar at the game, they were suppose to play in the band on Friday, but the game was rained out so they played Saturday instead. The band did not play on Saturday. Homecoming is 1st of October and Gunnar and Qatar will be playing in the band and Gunnar will be singing with the Austinaires.

Why I stay home.

A few weeks ago someone asked me why did I choose to stay home with my kids instead of staying at work full-time. Well I have lots of reasons and a few days later someone asked me if I worked, knowing I had five kids. I said no and she laughed, "how could you". She has four and she would never get anything done, concerts watched, school visits, sick day supervision and loads of other things if she did work full-time. I agreed. Concerts, helping at school, sick kids, request calls, etc. Working full-time would make all those things difficult.

But, another reason, even with all the times I've been pukes on and pooped on and every other available body fluid on, I still am glad I had the opportunity to stay home. I didn't have to work and that was a blessing. I could have worked and believe me we could use the money, I still don't know how the kids are going to go to college and missions(I hope for miracles when it comes to that.) We drive two over ten year old cars, and we have crappy furniture. But, I got to be here when they took their first steps, when they brought home lice(yeah!!!), when they brought home the two week stomach flu, when they said "Mommy" the first time. When they get hurt they want me, and when Gunnar gets home late at night he talks to me. He really talks and that is rare for a teenager, but night time seems to loosen his tongue. I hope the rest of the kids are like that.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes I want to scream, "My name is not MOM!!" sometimes I actually do. Sometimes I hide in the garage to talk on the phone in peace. Sometimes I sit in the bathroom and read a book, just to get away from all the hands wanting to touch me and trying to get my attention. I go for a walk with the dog to escape the noise and even at times call David at work to talk to the kid who is causing the problems.

I can tell you one thing, they have grown really fast. When they were all home and I never got any sleep I thought that time would never go forward and I would never talk to adults again, but they grew up and now I talk to adults all the time.

I really like to sub and I love preparing taxes, so I feel I've got it made right now. I get to deal with other kids and realize mine are pretty darn good and I get to talk to adults and realize there are bigger problems out there then a few kids who yell and fight with each other. I also get a bit of money to save for vacations and things. Not much, but some.

Staying home was a choice, I was lucky enough to get to make.

More summer pictures.

The Fair
Relay for life
Swimming
Whitewater
Little House in the Prairie
Mini golf
National Eagle Center
Construction, or deconstruction
Larks Toy Store
Larks
Gunnar got his permit, YEAH!!!!!!
Games with the cousins
Cenny turned 10
Family Reunion fun
The play we loved
Civil War reenactment
Wisconsin Dells
Hiking Whitewater
The Fair
Cenny and her lack of wanting her photo taken
JT with his I hat school look
It went by so fast. Even with the temps higher then they have been in years, the summer flew by and I didn't get anywhere near done with everything I had planned to do. I won't miss the humidity, but the snow YUCK!!!!

1st day of school, again.

Gunnar is a senior, Qatar is a freshman, Zeke is in 6th grade at Ellis, Cenny is in 5th grade at Banfield with JT in 3rd. Wow I feel old. I have a senior this year and next year he will be going to college, WOW!!!!. Everyone was excited for the 1st day except JT, he kept saying, "What a waste of my time, 7 hours with no time to play with my friends." He is a truly brilliant child, he reminds me a lot of Gunnar.

Have a great year guys and remember to do well. School is about learning and not only about friends and what you are wearing.