I've never, ever before in my 35 years made New Year's Resolutions. Ever. I don't know why I'm starting now, but I just feel the desire to make a list so that at the end of 2009 I have something to reflect on to see if I am where I need to be in life. Sounds silly, but I want concrete proof that I am fulfilling my purpose on this earth, that I have worth and am doing things that MATTER. I have always found that I am more likely to accomplish tasks that I write down somewhere, so this is my attempt at doing that. Here goes.
(1) I want to spend less on ME (US) and more on others. That means my (our) MONEY and my (our) TIME. I want to be relationally involved and focused on others.
(2) I want to watch less TV and read more. I want to fill my head with things that make me better, smarter, more aware of others. I watch too much television and as a result have a stack of very good books in my bedroom that have sat unread for far too long.
(3) I want to spend more time with my children, which will mean a sacrifice of time spent doing things I enjoy (not that I don't enjoy time with my kids....) I have to face reality: these children are only in my home for a short time. Eighteen years (give or take) doesn't seem like a short time, but already 10 years of Camryn's life have ticked away and I don't know where they went. It won't be long before she's licensed to drive and then she'll be mobile and less likely to want to spend time with her family. That's a mere 6 years away (actually, less than that... she turns 11 in March!) I have to stop and savor my children while I can, put my imprint on them, infuse them with my love and guidance and just spend more time being their Mom instead of their caretaker. I'm not a BAD parent by any stretch of the imagination, but I know I could be a more PRESENT parent.
(4) I have to take steps to make myself healthier. My husband has been following the advice he's read in the book Sugar Busters ever since he went to the hospital. He's lost 15-20 pounds in that short amount of time just from cutting out processed sugar, white bread, potatoes, rice and starchy veggies. He says his body doesn't even crave sugar anymore. I'm so impressed with his commitment. For me I know the change will have to happen gradually, but I'm prepared for it. I used to go to Jazzercise at least 3 times a week before Lillian was born. I want to start back to that, because it was something I truly enjoyed. Again, it will mean a sacrifice of other things I enjoy more, but it's a sacrifice that will benefit me in the long run.
And that's the list. Not very long, but I am not going to push my luck. I'm going to try changing those four things and see where I am in 366 days.
Happy New Year, y'all.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Friday Fill Ins 12/26
1. I must make sure my kids, husband, parents and sister know exactly how much I love them before I die. (Gee... that makes it sound like my demise is imminent, no? Hopefully not!)
2. You can't stop the Hoff (seriously... that's the first thing that came to mind. Second thing? The lyrics from "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the movie/musical "Hairspray".)
3. I wish I never had to buy plus-sized clothes again.
4. Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover has helped me change my life.
5. I know the song "Jack and Diane" (John Cougar Mellencamp) by heart.
6. If I weren't so afraid, I would have Lap Band surgery. That's a cop-out for me, though, because I *know* it's within my power to lose weight. I just have to make up my mind to do it. I've done it before, and I can do it again.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed (it's already 11:36 pm est). Tomorrow my plans include seeing my parents off and perhaps seeing Benjamin Button with my sister and Sunday, I want to just breathe. Breathe and maybe take a hot bath and watch the 2 Netflix movies I've had for over a month already.
2. You can't stop the Hoff (seriously... that's the first thing that came to mind. Second thing? The lyrics from "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the movie/musical "Hairspray".)
3. I wish I never had to buy plus-sized clothes again.
4. Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover has helped me change my life.
5. I know the song "Jack and Diane" (John Cougar Mellencamp) by heart.
6. If I weren't so afraid, I would have Lap Band surgery. That's a cop-out for me, though, because I *know* it's within my power to lose weight. I just have to make up my mind to do it. I've done it before, and I can do it again.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed (it's already 11:36 pm est). Tomorrow my plans include seeing my parents off and perhaps seeing Benjamin Button with my sister and Sunday, I want to just breathe. Breathe and maybe take a hot bath and watch the 2 Netflix movies I've had for over a month already.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy Tears
I just finished wrapping what Santa is bringing my children. My husband took the kids to the movies and lunch so I could have the afternoon to do my wrapping. Sweet, sweet man.
I sat down at the computer while my leftover pizza warmed in the toaster oven. I opened an e-mail from Samaritan's Purse, which is the organization that Franklin Graham (Billy's son) runs. We participate in their Operation Christmas Child program every year. The boxes have to be turned in before Thanksgiving, so shopping for those is the first Christmas-y thing we do every year. It sorta puts me in the holiday mood.
So anyway, I was clicking through the pictures on the Samaritan's Purse website (2008: The Year in Pictures). When this picture came up, I started crying.
It was one of those cries that you're not expecting, ya know? The joy on those kids' faces is so pure. Most of them probably never, ever received a gift in their lives, so that box full of toys and whatnot is a treasure trove. I've GOT to make even more shoe boxes next year!
Merry Christmas, y'all. I pray that the joy on your faces is like the joy in those kids' hearts, and I hope that the joy lasts throughout the year and doesn't fade at sunset tomorrow.
Merry, Merry Christmas and Happy, Happy, JOYFUL New Year!
I sat down at the computer while my leftover pizza warmed in the toaster oven. I opened an e-mail from Samaritan's Purse, which is the organization that Franklin Graham (Billy's son) runs. We participate in their Operation Christmas Child program every year. The boxes have to be turned in before Thanksgiving, so shopping for those is the first Christmas-y thing we do every year. It sorta puts me in the holiday mood.
So anyway, I was clicking through the pictures on the Samaritan's Purse website (2008: The Year in Pictures). When this picture came up, I started crying.
It was one of those cries that you're not expecting, ya know? The joy on those kids' faces is so pure. Most of them probably never, ever received a gift in their lives, so that box full of toys and whatnot is a treasure trove. I've GOT to make even more shoe boxes next year!
Merry Christmas, y'all. I pray that the joy on your faces is like the joy in those kids' hearts, and I hope that the joy lasts throughout the year and doesn't fade at sunset tomorrow.
Merry, Merry Christmas and Happy, Happy, JOYFUL New Year!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Nativity
Our nativity set has been wrapped up in tissue in a bag ever since I removed it from the box it was stored in almost a month ago. It's been sitting on the table in our foyer needing to be set out on the den table. I just haven't had a moment to think about it, and the table has been covered in magazines, toys needing to be put away, laundry baskets holding clothing in various stages of "foldedness". Today, the first day I felt I could again breathe, I unpacked the nativity.
The boys and Lillian saw me and asked what I was doing. As I answered, I was setting the scene like I always do. Shepherds and their sheep to the left of the baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary behind the baby, and the Wise Men with their camel to the right of Jesus, admiring the babe.
Aiden said I had it ALL WRONG and set about rearranging things, offering his explanations as he worked.
The baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the donkey they rode to Bethlehem go in the middle of the table.
The shepherds need to be placed far away from the baby, and the angel needs to be facing them telling them of the birth of the Christ child.
The Magi need to be on the opposite side of the table, because they're still on their way to find the baby.
And that is the nativity set-up according to Aiden.
He *HAS* been listening and learning and remembering in Bible class at school!
The boys and Lillian saw me and asked what I was doing. As I answered, I was setting the scene like I always do. Shepherds and their sheep to the left of the baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary behind the baby, and the Wise Men with their camel to the right of Jesus, admiring the babe.
Aiden said I had it ALL WRONG and set about rearranging things, offering his explanations as he worked.
The baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the donkey they rode to Bethlehem go in the middle of the table.
The shepherds need to be placed far away from the baby, and the angel needs to be facing them telling them of the birth of the Christ child.
The Magi need to be on the opposite side of the table, because they're still on their way to find the baby.
And that is the nativity set-up according to Aiden.
He *HAS* been listening and learning and remembering in Bible class at school!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tomorrow, Tomorrow...
Tomorrow is the last day of school before Christmas break. Hallelujah. Before we can start our 2 weeks of rest & relaxation, though, we have to get through tomorrow morning.
I am Camryn's room mom. Tomorrow at 8:15 I have to be in her classroom for her Christmas party. We're having breakfast; I just finished preparing an egg casserole. It's in the fridge and the oven is set to preheat at 6:45 am tomorrow. The bacon is ready to go, as is the fruit salad that I bought at the grocery store today (I love convenience!) The fruit salad in the fridge is the second one I picked up off the shelf, because the first one dumped in the floor when the lid came off as I was transferring it to the buggy. "Clean up in produce!!" I hate when that happens.
Around 9:50 am I'll get into the car and head to Quinn & Lillian's school. Hopefully I'll be there a little before 10:30, which is when Lillian's class play will start. After that I'll distribute gifts to teachers and take Quinn & Lillian back out to Camryn & Aiden's school where I'll distribute gifts to teachers and staff. Camryn and Aiden will be released at 12:15. I'll pick them up and head into town to have lunch with the hubby. After that, we'll all come back home. I will immediately put on PJs and the Christmas break will commence!
I.CANNOT.WAIT. Two weeks of sleeping late, staying in PJs as long as I want to, doing nothing but hanging with my kiddos. I'm sure that by Sunday, January 4th I'll be ready for everyone to be back in school, but for now, I'm gonna' just chill.
I am Camryn's room mom. Tomorrow at 8:15 I have to be in her classroom for her Christmas party. We're having breakfast; I just finished preparing an egg casserole. It's in the fridge and the oven is set to preheat at 6:45 am tomorrow. The bacon is ready to go, as is the fruit salad that I bought at the grocery store today (I love convenience!) The fruit salad in the fridge is the second one I picked up off the shelf, because the first one dumped in the floor when the lid came off as I was transferring it to the buggy. "Clean up in produce!!" I hate when that happens.
Around 9:50 am I'll get into the car and head to Quinn & Lillian's school. Hopefully I'll be there a little before 10:30, which is when Lillian's class play will start. After that I'll distribute gifts to teachers and take Quinn & Lillian back out to Camryn & Aiden's school where I'll distribute gifts to teachers and staff. Camryn and Aiden will be released at 12:15. I'll pick them up and head into town to have lunch with the hubby. After that, we'll all come back home. I will immediately put on PJs and the Christmas break will commence!
I.CANNOT.WAIT. Two weeks of sleeping late, staying in PJs as long as I want to, doing nothing but hanging with my kiddos. I'm sure that by Sunday, January 4th I'll be ready for everyone to be back in school, but for now, I'm gonna' just chill.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Daily Giggle
Usually on the drive home from dropping the kids off at school I'm mentally planning the rest of my day. Lillian sometimes chats with me, but it takes me a minute to realize what she's said to me because I'm making a to-do list in my head.
Today she said, "I don't know what she knows! Do you, Mommy?"
Took me a second to realize what she was talking about.
That song was playing on the radio and Lillian was paying attention to the lyrics.
Evidently Lillian does not know what the singer knows.
Crack me UP.
Today she said, "I don't know what she knows! Do you, Mommy?"
Took me a second to realize what she was talking about.
Said the shepard boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know
(Do You Know What I Know)
In your palace wall mighty king
Do you know what I know
(Do You Know What I Know)
A child, a child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
That song was playing on the radio and Lillian was paying attention to the lyrics.
Evidently Lillian does not know what the singer knows.
Crack me UP.
Monday, December 15, 2008
I wish I had more money
Not to spend on myself. I wish I had more money to help when I read things like this:
Salvation Army: 500 Kids To Go And We're Out Of Toys
We cut our kids back to 3 gifts each a few years ago, simply because we felt like they were getting way too much at Christmas. They didn't even play with everything they got. I feel like even 3 things is too much now, especially when there are kids out there who won't get ANYTHING.
We do what we can to help. We do the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and always adopt a couple of kids through church or the Salvation Army Angel Tree. I saw that Cabbage Patch dolls were on sale at Target for $12 each this week, so I bought 4 for the local police department's "Cops for Tots" program. Their donations are way down this year, too. I ended up cleaning out the gift closet and taking all them the toys I stash throughout the year when I find good deals. I know there will be more deals at Target this year, so I figured I could restock the closet in a couple of weeks anyway.
I don't know why some people have all they could ever desire and more and others barely make enough to eat. I don't know why I am so blessed, but I can only figure that it's because I'm supposed to turn around and bless others with what I have been given.
I just wish I had more.
I have promised myself that next year I'm going to buy less STUFF for us and use that money to pick up clearance items throughout the year. I'm cutting back on several budget categories and earmarking the extra money for charity. I'm going to buy toys, clothes, household items... whatever. I'm going to donate as much as I can throughout the year to organizations that need those things, and when Christmas rolls around next year I'm going to have a truckload of toys to give away. I'm so excited I can't stand it.
Next year I'll have more to give. That makes me smile.
Salvation Army: 500 Kids To Go And We're Out Of Toys
We cut our kids back to 3 gifts each a few years ago, simply because we felt like they were getting way too much at Christmas. They didn't even play with everything they got. I feel like even 3 things is too much now, especially when there are kids out there who won't get ANYTHING.
We do what we can to help. We do the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and always adopt a couple of kids through church or the Salvation Army Angel Tree. I saw that Cabbage Patch dolls were on sale at Target for $12 each this week, so I bought 4 for the local police department's "Cops for Tots" program. Their donations are way down this year, too. I ended up cleaning out the gift closet and taking all them the toys I stash throughout the year when I find good deals. I know there will be more deals at Target this year, so I figured I could restock the closet in a couple of weeks anyway.
I don't know why some people have all they could ever desire and more and others barely make enough to eat. I don't know why I am so blessed, but I can only figure that it's because I'm supposed to turn around and bless others with what I have been given.
I just wish I had more.
I have promised myself that next year I'm going to buy less STUFF for us and use that money to pick up clearance items throughout the year. I'm cutting back on several budget categories and earmarking the extra money for charity. I'm going to buy toys, clothes, household items... whatever. I'm going to donate as much as I can throughout the year to organizations that need those things, and when Christmas rolls around next year I'm going to have a truckload of toys to give away. I'm so excited I can't stand it.
Next year I'll have more to give. That makes me smile.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cat Saga: A New Chapter
Sophie joined our family on Thursday, December 11. She is 9 weeks-old.
Everyone seems to be adjusting well. There has been some hissing and pawing, but Beeson and Annabelle seem to be accepting of Sophie's presence in the house.
Oliver has found a friend at the vet's office, where he is residing until April can find him a new home. He hasn't given anyone at the vet's a single ounce of trouble. Camryn is relieved that Oliver is happy and seems content that we made the right decision.
And once again there is happiness in the land.
Everyone seems to be adjusting well. There has been some hissing and pawing, but Beeson and Annabelle seem to be accepting of Sophie's presence in the house.
Oliver has found a friend at the vet's office, where he is residing until April can find him a new home. He hasn't given anyone at the vet's a single ounce of trouble. Camryn is relieved that Oliver is happy and seems content that we made the right decision.
And once again there is happiness in the land.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
$128,050,000
Listed below are all of the college football bowls that will be taking place over the next few weeks, plus the payout offered for each bowl. It all adds up to $128,050,000.
That is a disgusting number. For football. It turns my stomach.
So many people in financial trouble. An auto industry about to go bankrupt. The average American being told to "dig a little deeper" for charities this year, yet there are millions being shelled out for college football teams to come play games.
Seriously. Where are our priorities?
EagleBank Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Navy vs. Wake Forest
New Mexico Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Colorado State vs. Fresno State
St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl
Payout: $1 million
South Florida vs. Memphis
Las Vegas Bowl
Payout: $1 million
BYU vs. Arizona
New Orleans Bowl
Payout: $325,000
Troy vs. Southern Mississippi
Poinsettia Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Boise State vs. TCU
Hawaii Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Hawaii vs. Notre Dame
Motor City Bowl
Payout: $750,000
TBA vs.Central Michigan
Meineke Bowl
Payout: $1 million
North Carolina vs. West Virginia
Champs Sports Bowl
Payout: $2.125 million
Florida State vs. Wisconsin
Emerald Bowl
Payout: ACC: $750,000; Pac-10: $850,000
California vs. Miami
Independence Bowl
Payout: $1.1 million
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
PapaJohns.com Bowl
Payout: $300,000
Rutgers vs. North Carolina State
Alamo Bowl
Payout: $2.25 million
Northwestern vs. Missouri
Humanitarian Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Nevada vs. Maryland
Holiday Bowl
Payout: $2.3 million
Oklahoma State vs. Oregon
Texas Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Rice vs. Western Michigan
Armed Forces Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Houston vs. Air Force
Sun Bowl
Payout: $1.9 million
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
Music City Bowl
Payout: $1.7 million
Vanderbilt vs. Boston College
Insight Bowl
Payout: $1.2 million
Kansas vs. Minnesota
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Payout: $3 million
LSU vs. Georgia Tech
Outback Bowl
Payout: $3.2 million
Iowa vs. South Carolina
Capital One Bowl
Payout: $4.25 million
Georgia vs. Michigan State
Gator Bowl
Payout: $2.5 million
Nebraska vs. Clemson
Rose Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Southern Cal vs. Penn State
Orange Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech
Cotton Bowl
Payout: $3 million
Texas Tech vs. Mississippi
Liberty Bowl
Payout: $1.8 million
Kentucky vs. East Carolina
Sugar Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Utah (12-0) vs. Alabama (12-1), 8 p.m. (FOX)
International Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Connecticut vs. Buffalo
Fiesta Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Texas vs. Ohio State
GMAC Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Tulsa vs. Ball State
BCS National Championship
Payout: $17 million
Florida vs. Oklahoma
That is a disgusting number. For football. It turns my stomach.
So many people in financial trouble. An auto industry about to go bankrupt. The average American being told to "dig a little deeper" for charities this year, yet there are millions being shelled out for college football teams to come play games.
Seriously. Where are our priorities?
EagleBank Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Navy vs. Wake Forest
New Mexico Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Colorado State vs. Fresno State
St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl
Payout: $1 million
South Florida vs. Memphis
Las Vegas Bowl
Payout: $1 million
BYU vs. Arizona
New Orleans Bowl
Payout: $325,000
Troy vs. Southern Mississippi
Poinsettia Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Boise State vs. TCU
Hawaii Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Hawaii vs. Notre Dame
Motor City Bowl
Payout: $750,000
TBA vs.Central Michigan
Meineke Bowl
Payout: $1 million
North Carolina vs. West Virginia
Champs Sports Bowl
Payout: $2.125 million
Florida State vs. Wisconsin
Emerald Bowl
Payout: ACC: $750,000; Pac-10: $850,000
California vs. Miami
Independence Bowl
Payout: $1.1 million
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
PapaJohns.com Bowl
Payout: $300,000
Rutgers vs. North Carolina State
Alamo Bowl
Payout: $2.25 million
Northwestern vs. Missouri
Humanitarian Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Nevada vs. Maryland
Holiday Bowl
Payout: $2.3 million
Oklahoma State vs. Oregon
Texas Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Rice vs. Western Michigan
Armed Forces Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Houston vs. Air Force
Sun Bowl
Payout: $1.9 million
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
Music City Bowl
Payout: $1.7 million
Vanderbilt vs. Boston College
Insight Bowl
Payout: $1.2 million
Kansas vs. Minnesota
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Payout: $3 million
LSU vs. Georgia Tech
Outback Bowl
Payout: $3.2 million
Iowa vs. South Carolina
Capital One Bowl
Payout: $4.25 million
Georgia vs. Michigan State
Gator Bowl
Payout: $2.5 million
Nebraska vs. Clemson
Rose Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Southern Cal vs. Penn State
Orange Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech
Cotton Bowl
Payout: $3 million
Texas Tech vs. Mississippi
Liberty Bowl
Payout: $1.8 million
Kentucky vs. East Carolina
Sugar Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Utah (12-0) vs. Alabama (12-1), 8 p.m. (FOX)
International Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Connecticut vs. Buffalo
Fiesta Bowl
Payout: $17 million
Texas vs. Ohio State
GMAC Bowl
Payout: $750,000
Tulsa vs. Ball State
BCS National Championship
Payout: $17 million
Florida vs. Oklahoma
Monday, December 08, 2008
Um, okay... retraining needed!
This was how the conversation went with Lillian in the car this morning:
L: Mommy, when is the next holiday when we get candy?
Me: Um, not sure, Lillo.
L: Oh! I know! It's EASTER! The Easter bunny will bring us candeeeeeee!
Me: Lillian, do you know why we celebrate Easter?
L: Because of the Easter bunny.
Me: Well, not exactly. Do you know who died on the cross and then was buried in a tomb and rose again on Easter?
L: The Easter Bunny!
Me: No. Who was born at Christmastime?
L: Santa Claus.
Me: No. What BABY was born at Christmas?
L: Baby JESUS!
Me: Right. And he grew up and died on the cross to save us from our sins, right? And he rose out of his tomb on the third day and that's why we celebrate Easter.
L: Oh. Will the Easter bunny still bring me candy?
Me: Sure.
L: Tell him I like jellybeans.
L: Mommy, when is the next holiday when we get candy?
Me: Um, not sure, Lillo.
L: Oh! I know! It's EASTER! The Easter bunny will bring us candeeeeeee!
Me: Lillian, do you know why we celebrate Easter?
L: Because of the Easter bunny.
Me: Well, not exactly. Do you know who died on the cross and then was buried in a tomb and rose again on Easter?
L: The Easter Bunny!
Me: No. Who was born at Christmastime?
L: Santa Claus.
Me: No. What BABY was born at Christmas?
L: Baby JESUS!
Me: Right. And he grew up and died on the cross to save us from our sins, right? And he rose out of his tomb on the third day and that's why we celebrate Easter.
L: Oh. Will the Easter bunny still bring me candy?
Me: Sure.
L: Tell him I like jellybeans.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
About Yesterday...
December 5, 2008: Not a day I want to repeat.
I shared in yesterday's blog about my desire to find Oliver a new home. Camryn has been fighting Oliver's departure ever since we told her that him staying with us was impossible. There has been much weeping and gnashing of teeth, as you can imagine. I think I was hoping something would magically click and all would be right with the cats and their relationships with one another, but alas, it did not. The last straw for me came yesterday.
I came home from dropping off Camryn and Aiden at school and went around checking everyone's rooms for laundry that needed to be done. I was also closing the bedroom doors behind me to prepare to let Oliver out (there seemed to be less likelihood of Beeson and Annabelle pooping and peeing in protest of Oliver if the bedroom doors were shut.)
In Lillian's room I was straightening her comforter when I found a big, dried cat pee spot. She's been sleeping under a dried up cat urine spot for who knows how long. I lost it. Quinn's comforter had suffered a similar fate earlier in the week and I'd had to wash it for the umpteenth time (it seemed to be a favorite target!)
I threw the comforter in the washing machine and starting crying hysterically. Stress reliever, I guess. I never let Oliver out of the bathroom. I was too mad at him, even though I knew it wasn't him that had actually done the peeing. I also knew at that moment that yesterday would be the last day with Oliver. I was determined to find him SOMEWHERE to be by the end of the day.
My husband finally got in touch with the vet tech that had promised to take Oliver if he ended up not working out for us. She told him to have Oliver at the office by 6 pm and she'd foster him and find him a new home (that's what she does). Hubby and I agreed that Camryn would need to say goodbye before he went, so I put him in the cat carrier and took him with me to pick up Quinn and Lillian, then I checked Camryn and Aiden out of school around 2:30.
Camryn knew something was up when I showed up before 3 pm. I didn't know how to tell her about what was about to transpire, so I just blurted it out on the way to the car. She, of course, starting sobbing. I let her hold Oliver on the drive from the school to the vet's office, and then we all sat in the car, crying, and said goodbye to Oliver.
I knew it would be a hard, hard thing to do, and I knew Camryn would be so very heartbroken, but what I didn't expect was Aiden's reaction. He was crying almost as hard as Camryn was, except he was doing it quietly in the back seat. I was so focused on how Camryn would take the news that I never envisioned how Aiden would take it. We were a sad, sad sight sitting in the van in the parking lot.
Finally Camryn summoned the courage to get out of the van. She and I walked Oliver into the office and waited to see April, Oliver's new foster mom. She told Camryn that she is very picky about the people she lets adopt her foster kitties, and that she would find Oliver the perfect new family. I know that soothed Camryn's heart a little, but it still hurt so badly to say goodbye. I was trying to be tough, but I was choking back sorrow, too. As we left the office, Camryn starting crying loudly. Man, it was a dagger to my heart. She hasn't cried like that since her Harry died last February, and I hope I never hear that kind of choking sob from her again (but I know I will, and it will most likely be a B-O-Y that makes it happen. I hate him already.)
Before we left yesterday April did mention that she has a few orange tabby foster kittens that are around 6-8 weeks old. She said she'd consider it a fair trade if we wanted to come back next week and take home one of the kittens. Camryn's eyes lit up like light bulbs. I'm hesitant, but April said a kitten will more likely to be accepted by Beeson and Annabelle. Oliver was just too old and had too dominant a "personality" to fit into our kitty family. She encouraged us to try again, and after discussing it with my husband it was decided that we will.
Yeah, I know.
I shared in yesterday's blog about my desire to find Oliver a new home. Camryn has been fighting Oliver's departure ever since we told her that him staying with us was impossible. There has been much weeping and gnashing of teeth, as you can imagine. I think I was hoping something would magically click and all would be right with the cats and their relationships with one another, but alas, it did not. The last straw for me came yesterday.
I came home from dropping off Camryn and Aiden at school and went around checking everyone's rooms for laundry that needed to be done. I was also closing the bedroom doors behind me to prepare to let Oliver out (there seemed to be less likelihood of Beeson and Annabelle pooping and peeing in protest of Oliver if the bedroom doors were shut.)
In Lillian's room I was straightening her comforter when I found a big, dried cat pee spot. She's been sleeping under a dried up cat urine spot for who knows how long. I lost it. Quinn's comforter had suffered a similar fate earlier in the week and I'd had to wash it for the umpteenth time (it seemed to be a favorite target!)
I threw the comforter in the washing machine and starting crying hysterically. Stress reliever, I guess. I never let Oliver out of the bathroom. I was too mad at him, even though I knew it wasn't him that had actually done the peeing. I also knew at that moment that yesterday would be the last day with Oliver. I was determined to find him SOMEWHERE to be by the end of the day.
My husband finally got in touch with the vet tech that had promised to take Oliver if he ended up not working out for us. She told him to have Oliver at the office by 6 pm and she'd foster him and find him a new home (that's what she does). Hubby and I agreed that Camryn would need to say goodbye before he went, so I put him in the cat carrier and took him with me to pick up Quinn and Lillian, then I checked Camryn and Aiden out of school around 2:30.
Camryn knew something was up when I showed up before 3 pm. I didn't know how to tell her about what was about to transpire, so I just blurted it out on the way to the car. She, of course, starting sobbing. I let her hold Oliver on the drive from the school to the vet's office, and then we all sat in the car, crying, and said goodbye to Oliver.
I knew it would be a hard, hard thing to do, and I knew Camryn would be so very heartbroken, but what I didn't expect was Aiden's reaction. He was crying almost as hard as Camryn was, except he was doing it quietly in the back seat. I was so focused on how Camryn would take the news that I never envisioned how Aiden would take it. We were a sad, sad sight sitting in the van in the parking lot.
Finally Camryn summoned the courage to get out of the van. She and I walked Oliver into the office and waited to see April, Oliver's new foster mom. She told Camryn that she is very picky about the people she lets adopt her foster kitties, and that she would find Oliver the perfect new family. I know that soothed Camryn's heart a little, but it still hurt so badly to say goodbye. I was trying to be tough, but I was choking back sorrow, too. As we left the office, Camryn starting crying loudly. Man, it was a dagger to my heart. She hasn't cried like that since her Harry died last February, and I hope I never hear that kind of choking sob from her again (but I know I will, and it will most likely be a B-O-Y that makes it happen. I hate him already.)
Before we left yesterday April did mention that she has a few orange tabby foster kittens that are around 6-8 weeks old. She said she'd consider it a fair trade if we wanted to come back next week and take home one of the kittens. Camryn's eyes lit up like light bulbs. I'm hesitant, but April said a kitten will more likely to be accepted by Beeson and Annabelle. Oliver was just too old and had too dominant a "personality" to fit into our kitty family. She encouraged us to try again, and after discussing it with my husband it was decided that we will.
Yeah, I know.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Friday Fill Ins 12/5
1. Snow is something we rarely see. It's okay, I guess. I could live without it. Actually, I love seeing it from inside a warm house, but I hate going out in it and having to wash an extra load of clothes because the kids get out and play in it.
2. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Aiden has a birthday party to go to tonight, then tomorrow Camryn has one to attend. Tomorrow night is church, and then Sunday we're all going shopping together to buy gifts for 2 boys we "adopted" for Christmas through church. Somewhere in there I have to find time to take Camryn to Holiday Fair, which is this awesome craft extravaganza across town. I always love going and seeing all the cool crafty ideas I can come home and copy!
3. Starbucks Signature Hazelnut Hot Chocolate is the best indulgent, expensive drink ever!
4. One of my favorite old tv shows is The Carol Burnett Show. I also LOVE M*A*S*H.
5. I'm done with this cat that the family adopted while I was out of town in October. He is not getting along well with our other two kitties. He is a SWEET, sweet cat and I wish we could keep him, but it just isn't working. I want him to find a good home. My husband called 4 rescue shelters; two are full and two never returned his call. He called the vet tech that told me she'd take him if no one else would. She hasn't called back. No one needs a cat right now and I cannot CANNOT take him back to the Humane Society. They would euthanize him immediately because he's been adopted twice (first owner returned him because her boyfriend is allergic to cats). I'm getting so very stressed over finding Oliver a home. I can feel the tightness in my neck and shoulders.
6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is the attitude people adopt during the holidays. Most of the time people are kinder "because it's Christmas". I wish it could be Christmas year-round.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having a meal out with the family (minus Aiden, who'll be at the aforementioned birthday party). Tomorrow my plans include (hopefully) taking the kids to see Madagascar 2 and Sunday, I want to get all the shopping for our adoptees done early so Camryn and I have time to go to Holiday Fair!
2. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Aiden has a birthday party to go to tonight, then tomorrow Camryn has one to attend. Tomorrow night is church, and then Sunday we're all going shopping together to buy gifts for 2 boys we "adopted" for Christmas through church. Somewhere in there I have to find time to take Camryn to Holiday Fair, which is this awesome craft extravaganza across town. I always love going and seeing all the cool crafty ideas I can come home and copy!
3. Starbucks Signature Hazelnut Hot Chocolate is the best indulgent, expensive drink ever!
4. One of my favorite old tv shows is The Carol Burnett Show. I also LOVE M*A*S*H.
5. I'm done with this cat that the family adopted while I was out of town in October. He is not getting along well with our other two kitties. He is a SWEET, sweet cat and I wish we could keep him, but it just isn't working. I want him to find a good home. My husband called 4 rescue shelters; two are full and two never returned his call. He called the vet tech that told me she'd take him if no one else would. She hasn't called back. No one needs a cat right now and I cannot CANNOT take him back to the Humane Society. They would euthanize him immediately because he's been adopted twice (first owner returned him because her boyfriend is allergic to cats). I'm getting so very stressed over finding Oliver a home. I can feel the tightness in my neck and shoulders.
6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is the attitude people adopt during the holidays. Most of the time people are kinder "because it's Christmas". I wish it could be Christmas year-round.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having a meal out with the family (minus Aiden, who'll be at the aforementioned birthday party). Tomorrow my plans include (hopefully) taking the kids to see Madagascar 2 and Sunday, I want to get all the shopping for our adoptees done early so Camryn and I have time to go to Holiday Fair!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
I Love Wednesdays!
It's been a rough couple of days around here. Aiden got sick on Sunday night and I got his bug on Monday, so I was down for about 24 hours. Upon returning from a meeting Monday night, my husband decided his shoulder pain could possibly be related to heart trouble, so he drove himself to the emergency room. I was too sick to take him, and although I tried to get him to call his brother to take him, he insisted on driving himself.
Anyhow, he spent the night in the hospital Monday night. He said he couldn't sleep for 2 reasons: (1) the compressor on the mini fridge in his hospital room kept cutting off and on all night and (2) the nurses kept coming to draw blood at all hours. He was offered a CPAP machine (which he regularly uses at home) but he declined it. I told him at least the hissing might've provided some white noise. Oh, well.
It turns out nothing was wrong with his heart, thank God. He was scheduled for a stress test at 11 am yesterday morning, but after having 3 sets of cardiac enzyme tests come back negative, the stress test was cancelled. He was relieved. He did have an elevated white blood cell count, but not abnormally high. He has a cold, so that could very well explain the high count.
After spending 3 hours filling out paperwork, hubby was discharged and went straight to Barnes & Noble to find a book called Sugar Busters. He's determined to get healthy so that he doesn't have a heart scare again. He's been exercising faithfully every night, but he wants to make his diet healthier. I don't blame him. We all need to do that around here.
So why do I love Wednesdays?
Well, this particular Wednesday I'm just happy to see sunshine outside my window. It's been grey and bleak the past few days, so it's nice to see the sun. That alone is a reason to love today. Wednesday has brought a return to our routine, which I crave. I had Aiden home on Monday and all the kids stayed home yesterday because I just didn't feel well enough to shuttle them to school and back (and I wanted them with me in case something happened to Stan). So today everyone is back at school and I'm feeling much better. I'm doing my regular chores, which I don't necessarily enjoy but they do bring me a sense of normalcy and satisfaction that I'm DOING something.
But there's one BIG reason I love Wednesdays...
I love Wednesdays the MOST because I get to spend time alone with this kid:
That's my Quinnie.
Stan picks Lillian up from school and takes her on a Daddy lunch date then drops her off at his mom's, so I get to pick up Quinn and spend about an hour with him before we go pick up Camryn and Aiden. We usually run an errand and pick up a treat. It doesn't matter what the treat is. Quinn's easy to please. It could be a doughnut from Dunkin or a cup of hot chocolate from Starbucks or a sundae from McDonald's. He just wants to spend the time alone with me, and I with him. We always have a good time, whether we're getting a car wash, going to Target or shopping for ornaments at Hallmark (today's fun outing!) I love my Wednesdays and my Quinnie dates!
Anyhow, he spent the night in the hospital Monday night. He said he couldn't sleep for 2 reasons: (1) the compressor on the mini fridge in his hospital room kept cutting off and on all night and (2) the nurses kept coming to draw blood at all hours. He was offered a CPAP machine (which he regularly uses at home) but he declined it. I told him at least the hissing might've provided some white noise. Oh, well.
It turns out nothing was wrong with his heart, thank God. He was scheduled for a stress test at 11 am yesterday morning, but after having 3 sets of cardiac enzyme tests come back negative, the stress test was cancelled. He was relieved. He did have an elevated white blood cell count, but not abnormally high. He has a cold, so that could very well explain the high count.
After spending 3 hours filling out paperwork, hubby was discharged and went straight to Barnes & Noble to find a book called Sugar Busters. He's determined to get healthy so that he doesn't have a heart scare again. He's been exercising faithfully every night, but he wants to make his diet healthier. I don't blame him. We all need to do that around here.
So why do I love Wednesdays?
Well, this particular Wednesday I'm just happy to see sunshine outside my window. It's been grey and bleak the past few days, so it's nice to see the sun. That alone is a reason to love today. Wednesday has brought a return to our routine, which I crave. I had Aiden home on Monday and all the kids stayed home yesterday because I just didn't feel well enough to shuttle them to school and back (and I wanted them with me in case something happened to Stan). So today everyone is back at school and I'm feeling much better. I'm doing my regular chores, which I don't necessarily enjoy but they do bring me a sense of normalcy and satisfaction that I'm DOING something.
But there's one BIG reason I love Wednesdays...
I love Wednesdays the MOST because I get to spend time alone with this kid:
That's my Quinnie.
Stan picks Lillian up from school and takes her on a Daddy lunch date then drops her off at his mom's, so I get to pick up Quinn and spend about an hour with him before we go pick up Camryn and Aiden. We usually run an errand and pick up a treat. It doesn't matter what the treat is. Quinn's easy to please. It could be a doughnut from Dunkin or a cup of hot chocolate from Starbucks or a sundae from McDonald's. He just wants to spend the time alone with me, and I with him. We always have a good time, whether we're getting a car wash, going to Target or shopping for ornaments at Hallmark (today's fun outing!) I love my Wednesdays and my Quinnie dates!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Overheard: 5 seconds of my life
From the den about 30 seconds ago:
Aiden: It's wrestling, not boxing!
(Grunts and groans)
Quinn: Stop it! You're no match for me!
Lillian: Aiden! Your wrestling name is Big Foot.
Aiden: NO! I'm the Stopper.
Just a little Living Room theater for you this evening. Enjoy.
Aiden: It's wrestling, not boxing!
(Grunts and groans)
Quinn: Stop it! You're no match for me!
Lillian: Aiden! Your wrestling name is Big Foot.
Aiden: NO! I'm the Stopper.
Just a little Living Room theater for you this evening. Enjoy.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Gratitude: Day 30
Today I'm grateful for a church that has Saturday night services. The church originally started holding services on Saturday nights because Sunday mornings were getting too full. For our family it's a blessing, because my husband works from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and that leaves us with no family day off. We felt like we had no day of rest, so when we found Grace Church we tried their Saturday night service and fell in LOVE. Besides the convenience of going on Saturdays, Grace is just unlike any other church I've ever experienced. My husband and I were both raised in Southern Baptist churches, so when we married we found a Southern Baptist church that met both of our needs. Recently, though, we've just felt like we needed a change. I'm not slamming the church we were in, because it's a great church. We just needed to move on to something new for many reasons.
Last year my son, Quinn, became best buds with a little boy named Carson. I got the chance to talk to Carson's mom at some of the parties throughout the year, and she's the one who told me about Grace Church. It sounded wonderful, but we didn't have the courage (for lack of a better word) to break from our old church until late summer. Man, Grace was like a breath of fresh air. We worshipped, we observed the Lord's Supper and we heard a wonderful message. There was none of the other stuff we were accustomed to: no choir solos, no personal solos, no "show". It was just worship and learning. It was church stripped down to what it's supposed to be. I was blown away.
We've started the process of joining Grace and I just keep finding something new to love about this church. Don't get me wrong: I'm not in love with the church. I'm in love with my savior, but the way Grace is structured has helped me rediscover a relationship with Jesus that I had let lapse. It's like finding a long lost friend and remembering everything you loved about them.
Here is the website for our new church. You can listen to some of the sermons, which I encourage you to do. They're not overly preachy, but carry awesome Biblical truths. I've learned so much and gleaned so much from the sermons I've heard in the past few months. Go listen. I hope the words you hear bring you encouragement as they have for me.
Last year my son, Quinn, became best buds with a little boy named Carson. I got the chance to talk to Carson's mom at some of the parties throughout the year, and she's the one who told me about Grace Church. It sounded wonderful, but we didn't have the courage (for lack of a better word) to break from our old church until late summer. Man, Grace was like a breath of fresh air. We worshipped, we observed the Lord's Supper and we heard a wonderful message. There was none of the other stuff we were accustomed to: no choir solos, no personal solos, no "show". It was just worship and learning. It was church stripped down to what it's supposed to be. I was blown away.
We've started the process of joining Grace and I just keep finding something new to love about this church. Don't get me wrong: I'm not in love with the church. I'm in love with my savior, but the way Grace is structured has helped me rediscover a relationship with Jesus that I had let lapse. It's like finding a long lost friend and remembering everything you loved about them.
Here is the website for our new church. You can listen to some of the sermons, which I encourage you to do. They're not overly preachy, but carry awesome Biblical truths. I've learned so much and gleaned so much from the sermons I've heard in the past few months. Go listen. I hope the words you hear bring you encouragement as they have for me.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Ebates Revisited
If you haven't yet signed up for Ebates, do it NOW. ; )
"Okay!" you say. "But what exactly IS Ebates?
Ebates is a FREE program that rewards you for shopping.
"Cool!" you say. How does this work?
With any purchase you make from online retailers through Ebates' site, you receive cash back. The amount you receive back depends on where you do your shopping. Different retailers have different amounts.
"But why sign up now?" you ask. I'm glad you did.
2 reasons:
Ebates has doubled their rebate incentive from $5 to $10 for first time sign ups until December 31! That means if you sign up now you'll get $10 automatically when you shop through them your first time!
I can hear you saying, "Well, it says that's good until December 31. Why do it now? I have a month!"
Friends, I realize I'm a little late in telling you this, but today, November 28th, the cash back amounts are doubled. That means if you would normally get 8% back, you get 16% TODAY ONLY!
Payments are sent out 4 times a year as long as you have at least $5.01 cash back in your account, otherwise it rolls over to the next payout. You can choose to receive a paper check or tell them your PayPal address and they'll send it to you that way. Easy peasy.
And that $10 cash back for sign up? You'll receive that as soon as you make at least a $10 purchase through Ebates by Dec. 31, 09.
I've been a member for a few years. I just checked my Ebates account and according to them I've received a total of $437.o0 back since 1999. That averages out to almost $50 a year just for clicking a link and shopping through Ebates. It's money I wouldn't have gotten back otherwise.
Convinced? Go sign up. Then find yourself something to buy for $10 and earn your first rebate! Checks will be sent again on February 15, 2009 (they come in February, May, August and November, always on the 15th of the month.)
Just today I went to Joann.com and bought some new Colorbox Cat's Eye Fluid Chalks. JoAnn.com has a free shipping code that's good on ANY order no matter the amount, so that would be somewhere you can shop and not pay shipping!
After you've spent your $10, recruit 2 friends, get them to sign up and shop and you will get $30. Not bad, eh?
"Okay!" you say. "But what exactly IS Ebates?
Ebates is a FREE program that rewards you for shopping.
"Cool!" you say. How does this work?
With any purchase you make from online retailers through Ebates' site, you receive cash back. The amount you receive back depends on where you do your shopping. Different retailers have different amounts.
"But why sign up now?" you ask. I'm glad you did.
2 reasons:
Ebates has doubled their rebate incentive from $5 to $10 for first time sign ups until December 31! That means if you sign up now you'll get $10 automatically when you shop through them your first time!
I can hear you saying, "Well, it says that's good until December 31. Why do it now? I have a month!"
Friends, I realize I'm a little late in telling you this, but today, November 28th, the cash back amounts are doubled. That means if you would normally get 8% back, you get 16% TODAY ONLY!
Payments are sent out 4 times a year as long as you have at least $5.01 cash back in your account, otherwise it rolls over to the next payout. You can choose to receive a paper check or tell them your PayPal address and they'll send it to you that way. Easy peasy.
And that $10 cash back for sign up? You'll receive that as soon as you make at least a $10 purchase through Ebates by Dec. 31, 09.
I've been a member for a few years. I just checked my Ebates account and according to them I've received a total of $437.o0 back since 1999. That averages out to almost $50 a year just for clicking a link and shopping through Ebates. It's money I wouldn't have gotten back otherwise.
Convinced? Go sign up. Then find yourself something to buy for $10 and earn your first rebate! Checks will be sent again on February 15, 2009 (they come in February, May, August and November, always on the 15th of the month.)
Just today I went to Joann.com and bought some new Colorbox Cat's Eye Fluid Chalks. JoAnn.com has a free shipping code that's good on ANY order no matter the amount, so that would be somewhere you can shop and not pay shipping!
After you've spent your $10, recruit 2 friends, get them to sign up and shop and you will get $30. Not bad, eh?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Gratitude: Day 26
I'm grateful for good customer service.
I shop (too) frequently at a great online scrapbooking store called Scrap Your Trip. They specialize in travel products (and have a large selection of Disney scrapbook supplies!), but they carry other things, too. I love them.
I got an order from them today. They always include a little handwritten message on my invoice. I think I've been ordering way too much lately, because here is what the invoice said:
Maybe one day when I'm down in Orlando I'll pop in and meet these fantastic people. I've tried to do that before, but have always been in a rush to leave. I'm going to try to make time to stop and say HI next time I'm in town, because I want them to know how much that personalized message means to me. It's probably a HUGE reason I give them my "continued business"!
I shop (too) frequently at a great online scrapbooking store called Scrap Your Trip. They specialize in travel products (and have a large selection of Disney scrapbook supplies!), but they carry other things, too. I love them.
I got an order from them today. They always include a little handwritten message on my invoice. I think I've been ordering way too much lately, because here is what the invoice said:
Maybe one day when I'm down in Orlando I'll pop in and meet these fantastic people. I've tried to do that before, but have always been in a rush to leave. I'm going to try to make time to stop and say HI next time I'm in town, because I want them to know how much that personalized message means to me. It's probably a HUGE reason I give them my "continued business"!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Gratitude: Day 25
Today I am thankful for lower gas prices. Can I get an Amen?
(That was the sign at the station where we filled up on the way home from dinner Sunday evening. It was $1.56 when I passed it today!)
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