Well summer is almost over and time for a real update for sure. Now let's see where did I leave off.
Michael had the ear infection last month and we did end up going to see the ENT. His tube was still in his ear, but just hanging there. It was in far enough though in the way of the hole closing back up. He took the tub out and wants to give his ear 6 months to see if it heals on his own, we are to come back then to check the progress. The hole now free of the tube, should close on its own.
We had planned to go camping again this labor day, but for the full weekend this time, not just getting our feet wet and doing a small 1 day thing. But as the weekend approached I was very nervous and wanted to get some more camping experience in first. After talking to my friend, she invited us to join them on their camping trip. I thought at first it was just her and her family (3 kids and husband), but after I agreed, I found out it was her entire family. Aunts, uncles, mom, dad, cousins, etc. So anyway we went west 3.5 hours to exit 62 to Lake Kachese to camp. We were there for 3 days and 2 nights and what a great time we had. There were so many generous, kind, helpful people, making it a relaxing time for me and a ball for Michael. With plenty of other kids around he had lots to do and had so much fun. They had cooked breakfast and diners and we took care of ourselves for lunch. After we got back, the next day I received a call from my friend’s cousin. He had asked for my number and we have been talking and seeing each other ever since. More on him to come.
Labor Day finally came and Michael and I trekked up to Farrgut in N. ID. National Park. It was supposed to rain so I was a little nervous about that. Although we ended up being so lucky. It was beautiful here Friday and Saturday and then the rain was going to hit Sunday AM. I had also wanted to see Richard that weekend and was real sad he couldn’t come join us, but he was on call and had to work, so we ended up going to Yakima (where he lives) to see him for the remaining of the weekend. Sunday and Monday. That was very fun. He didn't get called at all on Sunday so we went to the park. Took a nice long all (Michael rode his bike), played on the playground, skipped rocks, etc. FUN! It rained for a tad so we went back to his house, played games and watched tv. Monday we also went to another park and hung out. Very Very fun.
Michael started first Grade the day after Labor Day, On Sept. 8th. He is finally going all day to the same place. There are days when I will have to work that he will start at Grandma and Gary’s and then to Chester and then possibly to the daycare, but at least those 2 before and after stops are real real short. He is in Mrs. Elder's class and has some of the same kids from his Kindergarten in there with him. He hasn't said too much about school, except for the recess part, so I am hoping he is enjoying it. I was lucky that I didn't have to sub this week, so I was able to take him to and from school on Tue and Thur, and although Gary had to take him to school on Wed and Friday, I was able to pick him up.
Tonight we are going to a informational meeting at the school for boy scouts. I have tried Michael in a number of sports without success so thought maybe this is more up his alley and he will enjoy it better. Although he did love gymnastics, I had to pull him out for my own reasons. He just may not be athletic. His dad and I aren't, that's for sure. Boy scouts will be with other kids, team players, building things, hands on things, outings, etc. This may be real good. I will try to keep you posted on this.
As for my fall plans, I plan to sub teach this fall in the East Valley and Central Valley school districts. School has just started, so the subbing has not picked up yet, but I hope it will soon. I think I can and really NEED to work 4-5 days a week to make not only what I was last year as an aide, but MORE so I can work on paying off my debt. I plan to make some changes at Target too, not sure what that will look like yet, still talking to my boss.
Ok that’s enough for now.. More later (soon I hope!)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
update
lol tease! this is not an actual update, just a post saying, yes I know I need to update this. Been real busy lately with summer school (over now), camping, working fulltime at Target and meeting a new "friend". Will update when I can.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
ear infection
so Michael was saying his ear hurt on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. We had already planned to go to Silverwood on Wednesday so we continued and went. I had some OTC ear drops at home and thought I would just give him those and hoed it helped, if not we would head to the dr soon. Silverwood went fine but when we got home to do drops it hurt SO MUCH MORE after I put the drops in. Before it was just a bit and then he screamed, whined, cried and was in pain after the drops went in, I felt so bad, I was sure they wouldn't hurt (I even told him so, so sad). He laid with me, finally settled down and went to sleep. This happened again on Thursday, he said it didn't hurt that bad at all, but to be safe I added the drops again at night, then again A total break down, in so much pain. I felt bad, but I thought I had to get it feeling better. Well Friday he didn't say anything about it, said it was fine, etc. But I was still worried and I thought I should take him in before the weekend in case it got worse, we wouldn't have to go to urgent care, etc. I called and amazingly his primary dr had an opening. We went in Friday at 2:30. Yes indeed, sure enough he has a middle infection in his left ear. But knowing my son, no that can't be it. HE also ended up with a "perforation" (hole) there too. Sigh who knows how that happened. But we now have an appointment with the ENT on the 13th to see what to do about that. The dr said some heal on their own, some don't. For his e/i he has to take an oral medicine 2X a day for 10 days and drops 2X a day for 5.
If people asked if Michael was generally a healthy child, off the top of my head and first response would e yes. He rarely gets a cold, flue, sickness etc. But as for all the odd things, he gets them all. He has had hypospadias, laryngomalacia, he was tongue tied, had rotovirus, has had tubes, adenoids removed and now a hole in his ear. POOR GUY!!!
If people asked if Michael was generally a healthy child, off the top of my head and first response would e yes. He rarely gets a cold, flue, sickness etc. But as for all the odd things, he gets them all. He has had hypospadias, laryngomalacia, he was tongue tied, had rotovirus, has had tubes, adenoids removed and now a hole in his ear. POOR GUY!!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
VBS
Well this week at church is VBS week. We are doing something new and having a night one, but wanted to keep the regular day one too, so we are having BOTH. I work at Target in the AM and at summer school after that, so I can't so the morning one, but have been there for the evening. The morning one goes all 5 days M-F and a parents night Friday night. The night one goes T-Th and the same parents closing night on Friday. On Tuesday they had 120 kids in the morning one which is great and at night we had 9 I think. AWESOME! Well Michael is supposed to be brushing, but he seems to need some guidance tonight, got to run.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sick
Both Michael and I are fighting a cold right now. So hard when we have such a busy schedule right now. I guess that could be why we are sick, tired and run down. I am so glad it is just a cold and I know we will get through it. I just hope it doesn't hang around for weeks on end. I have been giving him medicine at night so he can sleep at least and I hope by the wekend we will be as good as new. Speaking of sleep I better hit the sack too. I have 2 weeks without a day off, and working at 4am all week (all 5 days) this week. So resting when I can will be good. I don't think I will be getting any extra projects done this week, I am glad I did so much over the past weekend.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Training Wheels
Well in May Michael finally made the move to get them off for good. I took them off when he was 5 and said that's it, they are not going back on and hoped he would learn to do without them if he wanted to ride. Well that didn't work, I couldn't stand the whining and him never wanting to ride since he couldn't do it and didn't want to try to do it without the training wheels. So to make it easy, I put them back on and just let him ride. He loves to ride his bike so very much, I just felt bad taking that from him. So then I said fine at 6 they are coming off for good, April 14th I planned to take them off and be done with them. Well life got busy and time got away from us as always and I never had time to do it. For a month he kept asking mom why haven't you taken them off yet?. I again was too afraid, I didn't want to mess with the whines, the holding on to him, the frustration of trying and trying. He kept asking, I kept saying another day. Well finally on May 24th he came to me and very sternly said he wanted them off, it was time to take them off. So I thought.. worth a shot. I pulled out the wrench and did it real quick. I was surprised, he was really ready. He took off as soon as I pushed him and got him going. HE rode and rode. and he never crashed in the street. He is one smart cookie and somehow figured out that if he rode up in the driveway and then into the grass it was a nice soft cushiony place to land and not get hurt, so he did that over and over all day long. He was not able to hold the bike, get on and learn to push off with one foot yet and get himself started so I did that for about a 1.5 months longer, but that was not a big deal, once he got going he could ride and ride and did so well not even crashing. Well now it is July, he can do so much more. He can slow down and stop and not crash, he can stop, rest with the bike and keep it standing up, not crashing over. He even took the bike a few times to bike day at his daycare. After he came home the first day from that he could start all by himself too. It is amazing what lil kids can teach each other and what they will try for each other, that parents can't do or they won't do for us. So now he starts by himself, stops, slows down, watches for traffic and he is learning tricks too. He practices wheelies, going real fast and putting his legs up on the middle bar, or both spread eagle out to his sides as he cruises down the street. He LOVES his bike. Here are a few shots from the day the training wheels came off for good.
4th of July
Well last year we did something new and we headed out to Aunt Diana's house (my sister's) to do some fireworks of your own. In Airway Heights they are still allowed. But this year trying to change things up and get a feel for all there is to do, give Michael plenty of experiences and try a bit of everything, we decided to head to Silverwood instead. I had to work for 8.5 hours that morning first, but we headed out as soon as I got off at 4:30. After stopping by to get a coffee and a steamer for him, then to Subway to get a foot long to split for dinner (both possible due to gift cards.. thanks friends!), we were on our way. We got to Silverwood at 5:30and ate real fast so we could get going. We headed to Boulder Beach first, the water park cause it closed at 7pm. I thought that would be plenty of time, since Michael has never been a big fan of the water activities. Well of course just to prove me wrong, he had a blast this time and the time just wasn't enough. If we had all day to spend there though.. I bet he would have hung out 45min tops.. go figure. Oh well, we did the wave pool most of the time I think and had a ball. For a guy who hates to get water in his face, hates to get splashed and hates to go under water.. you never would have known this time. We got so thrown around, toppled over, hit with such force, flung here and there and even flew off the raft.. but he still wanted more and more. I am glad he is liking the water more and more each time and now I know to plan for more time there. We stayed out there playing at the rides til the fireworks started at dusk. What a fun show, it was 20min long, ending at 10:10. After a 10min hike back to the car, we started the long trek back home of slow moving vehicles and lots of waiting. We finally got home just short of midnight, the drive took about 1.5 hours, instead of 1 hour like normal. I am just glad we made it safe. With all the tired and drunk drivers out there, it could have been real scary. I myself even kept dozing off no matter what I tried to do to stay awake and I was not even sure we would make it safely. God was on our side and I will NEVER EVER do that again, what a scary drive, not sure I would make it awake! Michael missed actually doing the fireworks ourselves, but in Spokane we don't have a lot of choices since those are banned. We did have a lil of our own fun the next day though shooting off some party poppers in the backyard. hee hee. Here are some pics from that.
new job in my future????
applying for a bunch of teaching jobs in the fall, please keep your fingers crossed and your prayers going to God. I so need this and have done my portion of hard trials and 2+ years of struggling, I could use a break here.. or maybe even a miracle. please pray!
Busy day
I had planned to do a few hours of yardwork after church today then tidy up the house a BIT. Well a few hours uh? how about 6. We moved rock, then mowed and trimmed. Fast bite to eat then I was going to go home and REST and BE DONE. Well I saw all the dirt left over in the driveway, so I will just spray that off real fast, then I thought I would run the sprinkler system and fix just ONE zone.. 4 zones later.. many adjustments made. That's all done. oh but THEN Michael wanted his bubble machine fixed, so we did that. Of course he was now playing so well with that, I decided to take a lil rake and de-thatch a small portion of the side yard and get it ready for new seed, to fill in the bare spots. Well it stared to thunder, so we went in to wash up I thought I might as well tackle the toilet now too. The cover had dyed the toilet red, so I bleached and scrubbed that all clean, then of course I had to actually clean the toilet. awe.. time to rest. NOPE then the tub really looked dirty and since I already had the bleach cleaner out, might as well clean that. DONE now? nope since I was already in the bathroom, I thought I would tackle the clogged sink too. Got my tools, took the trap all apart, washed it all out and put back together. Took a plunger to it and got it working again. YAY! Then of course I had to clean the counters and mirrors from all the splashing. I so want to relax now, but will be hard, I have dinners to divide up and freeze still. The laundry needs to be done, the dishes are calling my name, I really need to vacuum, sweep and mop too. BUT BUT BUT I am going to TRY and rest. More cleaning tomorrow. sigh!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
New budgeting plan.. again
ok, it is time to get this budget under control. I need to start paying back some debts and not keep going further and further in the wrong direction. So again I will be putting away the debt card, withdrawing cash and going with that only. I want to be on the one year plan.. one more year of this much debt, one more year of working 2 jobs like a crazy women, 1 more year... so I better get busy, shorten the spending and get things under control.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Comments
ok... it is time.. I need some comments on this blog. Can someone please just humor me and comment on something, anything, say something.. lol
anyone out there?
anyone out there?
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Alllergies :(
ok so in my whole 31 years of living. I have never ever had seasonal allergies, until NOW. I am dying here. This is no fun. Itchy throat, burning eyes, sneezing, runny nose.. ugh. I bought some Tylenol allergy stuff and that worked for the first week, but it seemed to stop working or something. So yesterday I went down and bought some Clariton but that didn't seem to help any. My nose still ran and then I felt all foggy and out of sorts.. ugh I am not sure what to do. My nose is so raw and I am consistently running out of Kleenex. Well I bought a 40 day pack of Clariton, I guess maybe if I take it daily, get it into my system, maybe.. just maybe it will take care of it all and dry my up soon. Let's all hope. Nobody is happy if mommy isn't happy.
Afraid..
..to post this, I hope I don't jinx myself. but here goes...
WOW this was a good week, I am not sure what has changed but looking back at it, it seemed to be a pretty good week. We seemed busier then usual, not sure what we did all week but I don't remember being home a lot. I don't remember yelling at Michael a bunch either and boy did the week go by so fast. My week schedule was changed due to Memorial day and I think I really really liked it. It was nice to play with new times and days and such and prepare for how I might like a switch-a-roo in the fall.
Not sure why I am sitting here typing this, I don't feel like I have a lot to gripe about this time, no long updating posts either. Guess I just wanted to post that life feels pretty good right now.
I am still so far in debt and no hope for getting out of that anytime soon. In fact I am having the sprinkler system fixed tomorrow and cha-ching.. yep more money.. sigh! I just keep chugging along and have this thought deep in my mind that it will only be one more year, just one more year.. I would love to have a normal life, 1 job, less stress, time with my kiddo, etc.. One can hope I guess.
This week I go see the orthodontist for the first time since I got my braces on. I go to them on Monday, so a bit nervous on how that will go and how much I will be in pain that week. I laugh at myself as I look at my teeth sometimes 5+ times a day, looking, staring, hoping to see how they are changed and any difference in them.
Michael also has a Kindergarten thing this Thursday, so I am only working half a day then too. It is a slide show and some songs they will sing or something, I need to get my video camera out and charged up and ready to go. So cute.. I love these lil performances.
I had a friend watch Michael Wednesday night after I was asked last minute to work and spent tons of time calling and stressing about HOW could take him and watch him. Working a night shift AFTER my school job felt very odd but ti was good to get those extra house. Do that day I worked 9am to 9pm with 20min in between with my son, taking him from one place (school) to the next (sitter). I just pray there is no damage being done with how little I see him sometimes (oh so I feel). But as I stressed over sitters, I ran across someone who I used to work with and who goes to my church who is jobless and available to watch him in the future.. woohoo! What an answer to prayer. I didn't want just any sitter, was nervous about finding someone for my hours and such and this will be great (at least til she in unavailable and gets a job).. She has done the early morning Target thing and sooo "gets it". This really just fell into my arms and was shocked how fast and easy it worked out. I hope to use her 2 Saturdays a month for now, any night shifts I can pick up too. Then see if she is still available for the fall for what I hope to be a big schedule change for me. She will watch him 2 Saturdays from now and just pray it goes well. If so, that was an easy search, one I was stressing over and would have continued to stress over all summer long not knowing who I would find, how I would like them, how the hours would work out, the money part, etc. This could be good.. so praying it is.
Well I am BEAT, so tired and not sure why I still sit here.. More later.
WOW this was a good week, I am not sure what has changed but looking back at it, it seemed to be a pretty good week. We seemed busier then usual, not sure what we did all week but I don't remember being home a lot. I don't remember yelling at Michael a bunch either and boy did the week go by so fast. My week schedule was changed due to Memorial day and I think I really really liked it. It was nice to play with new times and days and such and prepare for how I might like a switch-a-roo in the fall.
Not sure why I am sitting here typing this, I don't feel like I have a lot to gripe about this time, no long updating posts either. Guess I just wanted to post that life feels pretty good right now.
I am still so far in debt and no hope for getting out of that anytime soon. In fact I am having the sprinkler system fixed tomorrow and cha-ching.. yep more money.. sigh! I just keep chugging along and have this thought deep in my mind that it will only be one more year, just one more year.. I would love to have a normal life, 1 job, less stress, time with my kiddo, etc.. One can hope I guess.
This week I go see the orthodontist for the first time since I got my braces on. I go to them on Monday, so a bit nervous on how that will go and how much I will be in pain that week. I laugh at myself as I look at my teeth sometimes 5+ times a day, looking, staring, hoping to see how they are changed and any difference in them.
Michael also has a Kindergarten thing this Thursday, so I am only working half a day then too. It is a slide show and some songs they will sing or something, I need to get my video camera out and charged up and ready to go. So cute.. I love these lil performances.
I had a friend watch Michael Wednesday night after I was asked last minute to work and spent tons of time calling and stressing about HOW could take him and watch him. Working a night shift AFTER my school job felt very odd but ti was good to get those extra house. Do that day I worked 9am to 9pm with 20min in between with my son, taking him from one place (school) to the next (sitter). I just pray there is no damage being done with how little I see him sometimes (oh so I feel). But as I stressed over sitters, I ran across someone who I used to work with and who goes to my church who is jobless and available to watch him in the future.. woohoo! What an answer to prayer. I didn't want just any sitter, was nervous about finding someone for my hours and such and this will be great (at least til she in unavailable and gets a job).. She has done the early morning Target thing and sooo "gets it". This really just fell into my arms and was shocked how fast and easy it worked out. I hope to use her 2 Saturdays a month for now, any night shifts I can pick up too. Then see if she is still available for the fall for what I hope to be a big schedule change for me. She will watch him 2 Saturdays from now and just pray it goes well. If so, that was an easy search, one I was stressing over and would have continued to stress over all summer long not knowing who I would find, how I would like them, how the hours would work out, the money part, etc. This could be good.. so praying it is.
Well I am BEAT, so tired and not sure why I still sit here.. More later.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Ups and Downs..
Boy am I tired of those.. yeah I know life is full of them, but I am DONE with them I tell ya.
This past month has been very very hard. As always so much to post about, I need to do this more often and yes I think about it, but typing it out again and again, looking and thinking about all the crap in my life just makes me more stressed.
So let's go back to April. I can't remember too much of April, so it must have been a pretty good month. I think most of April was. May is when it all got busy and hard again. Things were a bit hectic trying to get Easter things done and Michael's 2 parties, house cleaned, things bought and just a bunch of things done. But I did it. We had so much fun. Michael had a family party which his dad and Grandpa and Grandma Oaks came to, along with my side of the family. Many people as always. Then he had his kid birthday, a Star Wars party. With a cake Grandma made, a pinata, games, goodie bags, and events planned. BUSY! I think he had 10 friends show up.. ack! So yep. he is now 6. I also got my braces on a week after his birthday. They hurt so much I can't even tell ya, for the first 2-3 weeks. The I have had about a good month and now I can really feel the pressure on them. I also think with all the stressors lately, I have been holding them in my mouth and jaw with grinding, popping, or gnawing away at my teeth/jaw. OUCH. I have always wanted braces to get straight Great looking teeth. My now I have TMJ that is putting some pains in my jaw that they thought now was the time to give this a try. If it does not work, I have to look into jaw surgery.. ugh
KC told us the week before Michael's party that he was moving to Tennessee. He had found a job and was going to be moving. Well when he got down there, the whole job thing was a scam and he ended up with nothing. He sold just about everything (entertainment centers, bad, car, drums, table, tools, all of it!!) he had and went down there with only 2 bags and nothing else. He took a few weeks off, job hunted a bit but didn't find a lot of places hiring. He ended up moving to Oklahoma for a job and now living in a house with 3 other people he found on Craigslist, but not making much $ at all.
Speaking of houses, mine is STILL NOT refinanced. ugh what a pain. We started this whole process in February and with so many people trying to get it done, it was taking forever. Now they say they can't do anything until the end of June at least since they need 1 solid year of income and I have not worked outside the home for a year yet until the end of June. They would have counted KC's child support he started to pay last May, but he missed 2 months, so then again not a solid year of payments. I need this done, saving $300 a month will help me a ton right now. Things are looking real bad again.Not sure HOW I will ever come out of this or WHEN.
As I said earlier the month of May was nuts. I have been away from home 2 of the weekends. One for a scrapbooking weekend, the other this past weekend for Women of Faith. I have had a lot of meetings, commitments and working late or different positions at school (subbing for teachers, lots and last minute) making things crazy. Michael has had to be dropped of at Grandma's more, picked up by Gary and or daycare more and the house is a pit. Making me stressed, and Michael act out I think. Not sure if it was me, his dad leaving, the crazy schedule, the lack of sleep or what. But he got into some bad bad trouble with Grandma the first weekend I was out of town and then still after I lectured him he got into big trouble at school the very next day. Resulting in everything being taken out of his room, severe punishment and a month of trying to crack down on him and set him straight again. He has been slowly earning things back for a few days at a time of good behavior. He finally got it all back just yesterday since this past week his behavior was exceptional and I was ready to have it all out of my office and my space back.. lol
I have decided to make some changes at both my jobs, but unsure if the changes will be for the better or not. They could be, I hope they will be, but it is all still a risk and not sure if it will really be for the good or not until I do it and that makes me nervous. The changes take place this fall, but need to find a sitter NOW for Michael that I can put into place, tryout, get used to and have ready for the fall.. OR even use now too as KC is gone and I have been working some Saturdays. Then at the school, I will be going to subbing certified (teacher) in the fall, it pays a bit more per hour, gives me more hours per day, but could be hurting me if I don't get 4-5 days a week to make up the money I get now. I will be going to Target on 1 full work day and Saturdays, making it only 2 early mornings for me and Michael and not 4. Allowing me more rest, more evenings to myself, more time to get things done and more rest for Michael. Just worried what the boss will say about the needed changes and again worried about the money subbing will bring in.
Money is bad, real bad again. We did pretty good in Jan-Mar. But April hit hard with his birthday, Easter, family birthdays, spring expenses and now the house is not done yet, need to make some repairs around here, etc and seem to be falling behind even more and never getting ahead.
Just about the only good thing that has happened this last month or two was that I was asked to teach Kindergarten summer school this year. Yes it is only for a month, but so so happy to be asked. It is M-Th, 8:30-12:30, so still getting me off about 3 hours earlier and giving me time to spend with Michael, go to the park, relax and play this summer. It goes for 4 weeks, from the end of June to the end of July. That means I have 1 week from the end of school before this starts, but during that time I still have tons of work to do. I have 20 hours at the school to put in, plus I have to be "boss" for that week at Target... always something I tell ya. This summer school job pays well., but since I am behind from April and May already and will not have the school job in Aug or much in Sept, I will not be able to put much towards debt, but hope it just covers these upcoming slow times. Ugh then there is Winter break, 2 weeks in Dec. where schools is closed... is subbing really the right way to go?!?!?
As I said I went to my scrap retreat Mother's day weekend and had a great relaxing time. I got about 11-13 pages done and boy did that feel good. I have not had a chance to scrap since we have been back, but I hope to change that this summer and get caught up again. Always so much to do. Having my office picked up some, gives me a chance to organize my closet in here and get all motivated to scrap in my newly cleaned area.. woohoo..
Then this past weekend I was at Women of Faith, omg that was so so very needed. I have had a month from Hell and last week it all came to a head with terrible stressors. It was a great break and I came back really ready to try again here at home. I cleaned for like 6 hours yesterday and was so patient with Michael, and it was good to see him so loving, willing to help, obedient, etc. It was a good day while it lasted.. lol I love life better when the house is clean, this usually happens more in the summer. I always try to get it all good and cleaned all in one day, get all tired out so I can relax and enjoy it. but no matter how much I clean in one day there is still so much to do and outsiders would ever be able to tell I even did a thing. I am not sure how much I can keep the house clean this summer, even though the sun gets me motivated, I have a busy schedule. I really want to take Michael fishing and camping and hang with him a bunch, but I still got hours to work at the school, Target, summer school, inside and outside housework to do (and outside needs a ton like it always does at the beginning of the season).. sigh. And maybe after all that, still clean and find time to read a book, sit and have me time, scrap, etc.. YEAH RIGHT!
So anyway.. if you made it this far, that is just some of the happenings at the Oaks house since last time.
thanks for reading :)
This past month has been very very hard. As always so much to post about, I need to do this more often and yes I think about it, but typing it out again and again, looking and thinking about all the crap in my life just makes me more stressed.
So let's go back to April. I can't remember too much of April, so it must have been a pretty good month. I think most of April was. May is when it all got busy and hard again. Things were a bit hectic trying to get Easter things done and Michael's 2 parties, house cleaned, things bought and just a bunch of things done. But I did it. We had so much fun. Michael had a family party which his dad and Grandpa and Grandma Oaks came to, along with my side of the family. Many people as always. Then he had his kid birthday, a Star Wars party. With a cake Grandma made, a pinata, games, goodie bags, and events planned. BUSY! I think he had 10 friends show up.. ack! So yep. he is now 6. I also got my braces on a week after his birthday. They hurt so much I can't even tell ya, for the first 2-3 weeks. The I have had about a good month and now I can really feel the pressure on them. I also think with all the stressors lately, I have been holding them in my mouth and jaw with grinding, popping, or gnawing away at my teeth/jaw. OUCH. I have always wanted braces to get straight Great looking teeth. My now I have TMJ that is putting some pains in my jaw that they thought now was the time to give this a try. If it does not work, I have to look into jaw surgery.. ugh
KC told us the week before Michael's party that he was moving to Tennessee. He had found a job and was going to be moving. Well when he got down there, the whole job thing was a scam and he ended up with nothing. He sold just about everything (entertainment centers, bad, car, drums, table, tools, all of it!!) he had and went down there with only 2 bags and nothing else. He took a few weeks off, job hunted a bit but didn't find a lot of places hiring. He ended up moving to Oklahoma for a job and now living in a house with 3 other people he found on Craigslist, but not making much $ at all.
Speaking of houses, mine is STILL NOT refinanced. ugh what a pain. We started this whole process in February and with so many people trying to get it done, it was taking forever. Now they say they can't do anything until the end of June at least since they need 1 solid year of income and I have not worked outside the home for a year yet until the end of June. They would have counted KC's child support he started to pay last May, but he missed 2 months, so then again not a solid year of payments. I need this done, saving $300 a month will help me a ton right now. Things are looking real bad again.Not sure HOW I will ever come out of this or WHEN.
As I said earlier the month of May was nuts. I have been away from home 2 of the weekends. One for a scrapbooking weekend, the other this past weekend for Women of Faith. I have had a lot of meetings, commitments and working late or different positions at school (subbing for teachers, lots and last minute) making things crazy. Michael has had to be dropped of at Grandma's more, picked up by Gary and or daycare more and the house is a pit. Making me stressed, and Michael act out I think. Not sure if it was me, his dad leaving, the crazy schedule, the lack of sleep or what. But he got into some bad bad trouble with Grandma the first weekend I was out of town and then still after I lectured him he got into big trouble at school the very next day. Resulting in everything being taken out of his room, severe punishment and a month of trying to crack down on him and set him straight again. He has been slowly earning things back for a few days at a time of good behavior. He finally got it all back just yesterday since this past week his behavior was exceptional and I was ready to have it all out of my office and my space back.. lol
I have decided to make some changes at both my jobs, but unsure if the changes will be for the better or not. They could be, I hope they will be, but it is all still a risk and not sure if it will really be for the good or not until I do it and that makes me nervous. The changes take place this fall, but need to find a sitter NOW for Michael that I can put into place, tryout, get used to and have ready for the fall.. OR even use now too as KC is gone and I have been working some Saturdays. Then at the school, I will be going to subbing certified (teacher) in the fall, it pays a bit more per hour, gives me more hours per day, but could be hurting me if I don't get 4-5 days a week to make up the money I get now. I will be going to Target on 1 full work day and Saturdays, making it only 2 early mornings for me and Michael and not 4. Allowing me more rest, more evenings to myself, more time to get things done and more rest for Michael. Just worried what the boss will say about the needed changes and again worried about the money subbing will bring in.
Money is bad, real bad again. We did pretty good in Jan-Mar. But April hit hard with his birthday, Easter, family birthdays, spring expenses and now the house is not done yet, need to make some repairs around here, etc and seem to be falling behind even more and never getting ahead.
Just about the only good thing that has happened this last month or two was that I was asked to teach Kindergarten summer school this year. Yes it is only for a month, but so so happy to be asked. It is M-Th, 8:30-12:30, so still getting me off about 3 hours earlier and giving me time to spend with Michael, go to the park, relax and play this summer. It goes for 4 weeks, from the end of June to the end of July. That means I have 1 week from the end of school before this starts, but during that time I still have tons of work to do. I have 20 hours at the school to put in, plus I have to be "boss" for that week at Target... always something I tell ya. This summer school job pays well., but since I am behind from April and May already and will not have the school job in Aug or much in Sept, I will not be able to put much towards debt, but hope it just covers these upcoming slow times. Ugh then there is Winter break, 2 weeks in Dec. where schools is closed... is subbing really the right way to go?!?!?
As I said I went to my scrap retreat Mother's day weekend and had a great relaxing time. I got about 11-13 pages done and boy did that feel good. I have not had a chance to scrap since we have been back, but I hope to change that this summer and get caught up again. Always so much to do. Having my office picked up some, gives me a chance to organize my closet in here and get all motivated to scrap in my newly cleaned area.. woohoo..
Then this past weekend I was at Women of Faith, omg that was so so very needed. I have had a month from Hell and last week it all came to a head with terrible stressors. It was a great break and I came back really ready to try again here at home. I cleaned for like 6 hours yesterday and was so patient with Michael, and it was good to see him so loving, willing to help, obedient, etc. It was a good day while it lasted.. lol I love life better when the house is clean, this usually happens more in the summer. I always try to get it all good and cleaned all in one day, get all tired out so I can relax and enjoy it. but no matter how much I clean in one day there is still so much to do and outsiders would ever be able to tell I even did a thing. I am not sure how much I can keep the house clean this summer, even though the sun gets me motivated, I have a busy schedule. I really want to take Michael fishing and camping and hang with him a bunch, but I still got hours to work at the school, Target, summer school, inside and outside housework to do (and outside needs a ton like it always does at the beginning of the season).. sigh. And maybe after all that, still clean and find time to read a book, sit and have me time, scrap, etc.. YEAH RIGHT!
So anyway.. if you made it this far, that is just some of the happenings at the Oaks house since last time.
thanks for reading :)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Rough Week
Well it seems we go through 3 pretty good, easy, lovely weeks then comes the bad one. This is that bad one. I am not sure what happens, if he gets too tired and needs a week to catch up on sleep, if we get too busy and he gets run down, or what really it is. but I am tired of this ebb and flow and ready for this stage to end. Michael argues about everything this week and whines so much too. I wish I had more time to work with him and find a way through this, but it takes up so much time and I am not finding a way to curb the whines. I have taken away candy, toys, tv, done early bed, etc.. Just seems like it is bad for a bit and then gets better (thankfully). But how do I teach him to obey, listen, respect, etc? Parenting is so hard...
On a board I post on, there was a question posed today. A poll of how you enjoy motherhood. Here are the choices...
Yes! I wouldn't trade it for the world!
Yes, but I have good times and bad.
Not really, most days are not fun at all.
No! Can I run away and never come back?
other, please explain.
It was hard to see how many people typed 1 and 2 and right now I feel as if I am a number 3. I am sure this is a stage and hope things get better. Yes at one point it was a 1+, a 1 all the way.. Then it went to 2 and now it seems that we will never get out of this. Life has been hard with the divorce, the move, my jobs, $ stress and then adding a child that I am not sure how to discipline and raise in a Godly obedient fashion.. I feel at a loss at times. So anyway.. I chose a #2 and just really hope this phase passes and I can begin to enjoy it again. I need to find a way to stay in my bible reading daily, keep up on my chores and have that stress out of my hair so I can play with Michael more. I have been just living day to day and he has been tagging along, I will need to work into this and learn how to let things go, spend more quality time with him, learn to laugh and ply and enjoy this motherhood thing again.
ok whine over.. He is in a bath now and heading to bed real soon. I was going to watch a movie, but I think it is time for some bible reading and soft music to de-stress. One thing I am happy about is that I got so much of my chores done today and on the way to a "picked up" house again. I usually do my chores on Saturday, but I spent much of my weekend on the couch, bored, depressed, unmotivated, in and out of sleep and in a blah state.. ick!
I am excited about tomorrow, I am taking Michael and 3 of his fiends to Chuck E Cheese. Yes I am really good at taking him places and keeping him busy so I don't have to entertain him at home too.. lol. But again.. just a phase and something I am slowly working into. I got my chores done right when I got home today and then spent a good portion of time playing with him before dinner. We tried to watch Iron Man together tonight, but the whining just got too much and I really got bored of the movie. So bath time for him and down time for me.
ok.. got to run
On a board I post on, there was a question posed today. A poll of how you enjoy motherhood. Here are the choices...
Yes! I wouldn't trade it for the world!
Yes, but I have good times and bad.
Not really, most days are not fun at all.
No! Can I run away and never come back?
other, please explain.
It was hard to see how many people typed 1 and 2 and right now I feel as if I am a number 3. I am sure this is a stage and hope things get better. Yes at one point it was a 1+, a 1 all the way.. Then it went to 2 and now it seems that we will never get out of this. Life has been hard with the divorce, the move, my jobs, $ stress and then adding a child that I am not sure how to discipline and raise in a Godly obedient fashion.. I feel at a loss at times. So anyway.. I chose a #2 and just really hope this phase passes and I can begin to enjoy it again. I need to find a way to stay in my bible reading daily, keep up on my chores and have that stress out of my hair so I can play with Michael more. I have been just living day to day and he has been tagging along, I will need to work into this and learn how to let things go, spend more quality time with him, learn to laugh and ply and enjoy this motherhood thing again.
ok whine over.. He is in a bath now and heading to bed real soon. I was going to watch a movie, but I think it is time for some bible reading and soft music to de-stress. One thing I am happy about is that I got so much of my chores done today and on the way to a "picked up" house again. I usually do my chores on Saturday, but I spent much of my weekend on the couch, bored, depressed, unmotivated, in and out of sleep and in a blah state.. ick!
I am excited about tomorrow, I am taking Michael and 3 of his fiends to Chuck E Cheese. Yes I am really good at taking him places and keeping him busy so I don't have to entertain him at home too.. lol. But again.. just a phase and something I am slowly working into. I got my chores done right when I got home today and then spent a good portion of time playing with him before dinner. We tried to watch Iron Man together tonight, but the whining just got too much and I really got bored of the movie. So bath time for him and down time for me.
ok.. got to run
Friday, March 20, 2009
Terrible
I am terrible at keeping this thing updated, but I guess the little I do type is better then none at all. Things with work are all still the same. I am so excited for conferences this next week (half days with the kiddos only) then spring beak after that. I have been really wanting to get away for even the weekend after spring break just to hang out with Michael, do something fun, get away, etc. But every where I can think of that is away from here is too much for us :(. Even a trip to Seattle would cost $350-500+ and we just don't have that :(.
Things are going fine at school and the new daycare. He seems to like this place a bunch more then the last and I think I can trust the people there a ton more. I am happy that it is in a church and they have chapel there again like he did at Grace Harvest (ONE*).
Chester is going fine too. He is learning so much and getting so big. I can't believe all the things he talks about now and I have no clue (and scared to think of HOW.. sometimes he knows all this stuff. But he had a mid year progress check and he is doing great. Knows all his upper letter, lower letters, shapes, patterns, numbers and can count very high. He needs to work on the 'u" sound but that is the only ting out of the whole assessment :) YAY! His conference is Tuesday, I am anxious to see how the numbers pan out for that. He also had hi DIBELS testing a few months back and got grade lever or above average for all the areas on that too :) YIPPEE! He is so smart. We have been going to the library and having him read a bit more to me, from books from there or just a few words here and there that he knows from his own book shelves. That is fun too.
He is still BIG into UNO and games and getting more into toys again too. He still loves his crafts and makes a big mess almost nightly on all his creations.
His birthday part is coming up soon and he has decided to have a Star Wars (close wars) party. I sent the cake ideas off to Grandma and I just finished making his invites on the computer tonight.
Life with the house and all is getting a bit easier. I got my car paid off last month wheew, what a relief that was. We also started the re-fiance process (what a long drawn out chore) and we finally have our appraisal this upcoming Thursday.. yep the 26th my birthday :). Then in about 2-3 weeks it should all be done for good. just about 3% lower and then taking off the extra I have been paying, will save me about $300 a month. My lawyer is also all done now finally too. What a huge huge chunk of money to fight and get nothing, but I am glad I tried and now glad to have it all done. A big expense or small piddly things, it just adds up and up, but the last check went to them this week too. I got a pretty huge and nice tax refund, so that all went to mom and helped a bit there. It was great to be able to claim Michael and I get to claim him again next year too. After that KC and I will alternate years.
Couponing is going ok.. slow some weeks. Just no time to spend digging up deals or out shopping for them. So many slide by me.. but I try and I do get a few here and there and will get a stock pile sooner or later and am proud at the money I do save. I am planning on tossing a BUNCH of junk out this spring, cleaning out the garage, sorting through the house and streamlining our lives. With these changes I will have baskets in the garage systems for different stock pile items and will get them all organized. I really can't wait to do this part.
Well enough babbling for now.. Life is good :) It has been a long time, coming, but I feel (well today anyway), that I can say that... oh yeas karate I almost forgot. I guess I will fill you in on that next time.
Things are going fine at school and the new daycare. He seems to like this place a bunch more then the last and I think I can trust the people there a ton more. I am happy that it is in a church and they have chapel there again like he did at Grace Harvest (ONE*).
Chester is going fine too. He is learning so much and getting so big. I can't believe all the things he talks about now and I have no clue (and scared to think of HOW.. sometimes he knows all this stuff. But he had a mid year progress check and he is doing great. Knows all his upper letter, lower letters, shapes, patterns, numbers and can count very high. He needs to work on the 'u" sound but that is the only ting out of the whole assessment :) YAY! His conference is Tuesday, I am anxious to see how the numbers pan out for that. He also had hi DIBELS testing a few months back and got grade lever or above average for all the areas on that too :) YIPPEE! He is so smart. We have been going to the library and having him read a bit more to me, from books from there or just a few words here and there that he knows from his own book shelves. That is fun too.
He is still BIG into UNO and games and getting more into toys again too. He still loves his crafts and makes a big mess almost nightly on all his creations.
His birthday part is coming up soon and he has decided to have a Star Wars (close wars) party. I sent the cake ideas off to Grandma and I just finished making his invites on the computer tonight.
Life with the house and all is getting a bit easier. I got my car paid off last month wheew, what a relief that was. We also started the re-fiance process (what a long drawn out chore) and we finally have our appraisal this upcoming Thursday.. yep the 26th my birthday :). Then in about 2-3 weeks it should all be done for good. just about 3% lower and then taking off the extra I have been paying, will save me about $300 a month. My lawyer is also all done now finally too. What a huge huge chunk of money to fight and get nothing, but I am glad I tried and now glad to have it all done. A big expense or small piddly things, it just adds up and up, but the last check went to them this week too. I got a pretty huge and nice tax refund, so that all went to mom and helped a bit there. It was great to be able to claim Michael and I get to claim him again next year too. After that KC and I will alternate years.
Couponing is going ok.. slow some weeks. Just no time to spend digging up deals or out shopping for them. So many slide by me.. but I try and I do get a few here and there and will get a stock pile sooner or later and am proud at the money I do save. I am planning on tossing a BUNCH of junk out this spring, cleaning out the garage, sorting through the house and streamlining our lives. With these changes I will have baskets in the garage systems for different stock pile items and will get them all organized. I really can't wait to do this part.
Well enough babbling for now.. Life is good :) It has been a long time, coming, but I feel (well today anyway), that I can say that... oh yeas karate I almost forgot. I guess I will fill you in on that next time.
Monday, January 26, 2009
New Yeaars Resoultions
I know I know, everyone thinks of them, makes them up and no one follows them. But just for fun here are a few I really want to work on this year
1. lose my last 10-15 lbs
2. clean out and de-clutter the house
3. get my scrapbook caught up
4. work on more quality mommy and son time with Michael.
So many more things I want to do: read more, get out and enjoy LIFE more, hang out with friends more, but got to start somewhere. oh and GET A TEACHING JOB for sure! woohoo.
1. lose my last 10-15 lbs
2. clean out and de-clutter the house
3. get my scrapbook caught up
4. work on more quality mommy and son time with Michael.
So many more things I want to do: read more, get out and enjoy LIFE more, hang out with friends more, but got to start somewhere. oh and GET A TEACHING JOB for sure! woohoo.
Cleaning, couponing and more...
I have taken on a lot this year, but really hope to turn over anew leaf and a new lifestyle. I want a clean, clutter free home and also be successful in living at my newer, reduced, 1 person income. I eventually want to come to my house to relax and enjoy it not to be surrounded by junk and also be able to quit 1 job and work fewer hours like a normal person. I am missing some precious time with my son and by saving money and buying things more wisely, I KNOW I can do this. I have made a good start in the couponing world, but need to start working on menu planning and grocery shopping. I also need to keep it up to get my stock pile up on all the household "essentials". I am so very grateful for my friends and family who save their Sunday coupons for us to shop with each and every week. THANK YOU! God Bless!
So I am much better at doing some cleaning in the spring and summer months. Where it is warm, sunny and so beautiful outside. But I also have high hopes for enjoying my summer this year at the lake, beach, camping, parks and Silverwood. So I thought it was a great time to start ow. On another blog that I follow, she is going to post a program to follow to get your house in shape. It is actually being sold in a ebook for $7 for the complete expanded version, but since I am on a budget, I am just going to go with the condensed version for now. I think anything will help. I am so not good at keeping up with things.. like my blogs that I seem to never update or post too. Yes I know I still have program videos I want to post.. awe someday. Anyway, each week she will give us an assignment and I am really going to try to post it here and keep up with it. gosh even if I do a few of the steps, this house will have to look better each time. I relay can't do too much until I get some more room in the garage, I just want to toss everything, it is time to pare down for sure! Anyone care to join me on this challenge? Here we go!
Assignment #1 (to be finished, if possible, by Saturday evening, January 30, 2009)
A) Read pages 1-16 in Spring Cleaning for Normal People.
B) Quickly go through your entire home with a garbage can and toss out any and all trash you find. Remember, this is supposed to be something you do quickly; don't start pulling out all the furniture and taking everything out of your cupboards--we'll get to all that later!
**If your home is rather cluttered and this project seems overwhelming, start in little steps. For instance, set the timer for 15 minutes and stay in one room until you can no longer see any visible trash. Then move to the next room. Once the timer is up, stop for the day and repeat this exercise again each day until you have removed all visible trash from every room in your home.
C) Take three boxes labeled "give", "sell", and "maybe" and begin in one corner of your home and gradually move out until you have briefly scanned every room in your home. As you do this, scan each item you see and briefly question yourself: "Is this useful to me and/or our family? Is this beautiful to me and/or our family?"If the answer is "no" to both of those questions, it's likely time to find another home for this item. Choose one of the boxes to put it in and free yourself from unneeded, unloved, or unused items in your home!
**If your home is rather cluttered and this project seems overwhelming, don't try to do this all at once--take it slowly. For instance, set the timer for 15-30 minutes each day and tackle one small area at a time. I know that I said this was supposed to be finished by the end of this week, but it's really completely okay if this takes you three months to do. Keep plodding along a little bit each day until you've gone through your entire home. And then reap the rewards of a much-less-cluttered home and life!Have fun de-cluttering! I'll be back later with a post on my progress.
So I am much better at doing some cleaning in the spring and summer months. Where it is warm, sunny and so beautiful outside. But I also have high hopes for enjoying my summer this year at the lake, beach, camping, parks and Silverwood. So I thought it was a great time to start ow. On another blog that I follow, she is going to post a program to follow to get your house in shape. It is actually being sold in a ebook for $7 for the complete expanded version, but since I am on a budget, I am just going to go with the condensed version for now. I think anything will help. I am so not good at keeping up with things.. like my blogs that I seem to never update or post too. Yes I know I still have program videos I want to post.. awe someday. Anyway, each week she will give us an assignment and I am really going to try to post it here and keep up with it. gosh even if I do a few of the steps, this house will have to look better each time. I relay can't do too much until I get some more room in the garage, I just want to toss everything, it is time to pare down for sure! Anyone care to join me on this challenge? Here we go!
Assignment #1 (to be finished, if possible, by Saturday evening, January 30, 2009)
A) Read pages 1-16 in Spring Cleaning for Normal People.
B) Quickly go through your entire home with a garbage can and toss out any and all trash you find. Remember, this is supposed to be something you do quickly; don't start pulling out all the furniture and taking everything out of your cupboards--we'll get to all that later!
**If your home is rather cluttered and this project seems overwhelming, start in little steps. For instance, set the timer for 15 minutes and stay in one room until you can no longer see any visible trash. Then move to the next room. Once the timer is up, stop for the day and repeat this exercise again each day until you have removed all visible trash from every room in your home.
C) Take three boxes labeled "give", "sell", and "maybe" and begin in one corner of your home and gradually move out until you have briefly scanned every room in your home. As you do this, scan each item you see and briefly question yourself: "Is this useful to me and/or our family? Is this beautiful to me and/or our family?"If the answer is "no" to both of those questions, it's likely time to find another home for this item. Choose one of the boxes to put it in and free yourself from unneeded, unloved, or unused items in your home!
**If your home is rather cluttered and this project seems overwhelming, don't try to do this all at once--take it slowly. For instance, set the timer for 15-30 minutes each day and tackle one small area at a time. I know that I said this was supposed to be finished by the end of this week, but it's really completely okay if this takes you three months to do. Keep plodding along a little bit each day until you've gone through your entire home. And then reap the rewards of a much-less-cluttered home and life!Have fun de-cluttering! I'll be back later with a post on my progress.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
2009
A whole new year. Not much has changed, still working a ton and hardly ever home. But I feel this year will be MY year. We are going to re-finance the house and pay off the car and I hope to get ahead soon soon soon. We are still fervently praying for a teaching job this fall too so I can quit Target and work normal hours for a change. We had 2 weeks off for Christmas break, plus 4 more snow days added onto that. It was good to be back, the kids were even ready to come back and did so well adjusting to school again. I am not sure if Michael's daycare will still have their Christmas performance or when it will be, I need to check on that. I just called them Friday and complained about the 2 times I picked Michael up recently and no adult was even around,that has got to stop!
I joined facebook last night and am so addicted. WOW there are so many people I know there and hope to catch up with many of them in chats and posts, but I really would love to get together with some of them irl and hang out too.
Karate is back up and running again, Michael adjusted to going back real well. He is having a hard time going 2 times a week every week, but we already paid and made the 12 month commitment, so I hope we can see this thing through.
Bible study and Joyful choir are on a break for now I am not sure which one if any of them we will join back up again or not.
Christmas went ok, I was not into it this year and it was hard for me, harder then last year by a lot.
I really need to get pics posted soon, but I have been reading books again and trying to get back into scrapbooking also in the very very very short free time I have, so finding time for pics and blogging is like non-existent. but I will try :)
I joined facebook last night and am so addicted. WOW there are so many people I know there and hope to catch up with many of them in chats and posts, but I really would love to get together with some of them irl and hang out too.
Karate is back up and running again, Michael adjusted to going back real well. He is having a hard time going 2 times a week every week, but we already paid and made the 12 month commitment, so I hope we can see this thing through.
Bible study and Joyful choir are on a break for now I am not sure which one if any of them we will join back up again or not.
Christmas went ok, I was not into it this year and it was hard for me, harder then last year by a lot.
I really need to get pics posted soon, but I have been reading books again and trying to get back into scrapbooking also in the very very very short free time I have, so finding time for pics and blogging is like non-existent. but I will try :)
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