Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Graduation
Graduation weekend is a big blur. I had to go into work for a few hours Friday morning, so I used the time to finish cleaning up my classroom. And I'm glad I did, because it looks like I'm moving rooms again in the fall. They gave me the choice to move to a room with windows, and even though it's such a pain to move everything, I think it will be worth it. I'm in an inside room right now, and I'd love windows. So at 10:00 I headed on up to Ogden for Northridge's graduation. Came home and got some things done and got ready for Courtney's graduation, and then it was back up to Ogden. I held it together and didn't cry, but I was super proud of her. Graduation didn't get over until 9:30, and then we headed over to Olive Garden for a quick dinner. As soon as we got home I threw on different clothes, stopped at the Maverick for a giant Diet Pepsi, and went over to the high school to chaperone Courtney's all-night party. Was there until 6:30 am. Went home and crashed. Got up at noon. Cleaned and shopped for a family party. Sean's family and my family came over and hung out with us. It was really nice to have them all there. For living so close together, it feels like we don't see everyone enough. It was really a nice weekend.
Memorial Day Weekend
Miss Lexi Lou had her 3rd birthday over the Memorial Day weekend. She is super sweet and cuddly, bossy and demanding, a little shadow to her older brother, loves dolls of all kinds and Legos and reading and puzzles and napping, and is very much loved.
After we visited graves in Bountiful and Ogden we went up to the cabin to do a little work.
Before:
After:
OK, so it still needs a lot of work, but that's not my department. I just mow, that's it.
After we visited graves in Bountiful and Ogden we went up to the cabin to do a little work.
Before:
After:
OK, so it still needs a lot of work, but that's not my department. I just mow, that's it.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
School's Out For Summer!
Well, another year gone. This year went by faster than any other. It was definitely full of ups and downs. On the whole I think it was good, but I'm ready for a break, for sure. The end of school is hard for me for two reasons, though.
First, I am a very sentimental and nostalgic person, and I have difficulty with endings and good byes. So the end of the school year can be bittersweet for me. I get sad about saying good bye to my seniors. But this year they split our senior English classes into 2 separate semesters, which gave me less time to get to know them, and I only had one class of seniors each semester, and my second semester seniors were not very lovable. So it really wasn't too hard to say good bye to them. Which is good, because I didn't need to be emotional. It was hard enough to have Courtney graduating. She's been my sidekick since I was not quite 20 years old, so the thought of her growing up and moving on is emotional.
Second, I'm really glad to be home. I've got projects to do and books to read and blogs to write and computer games to play. Also, I don't want to spend money. Therefore, I want to spend lots of time hanging out at home. My kids, on the other hand, get bored at home. Then they fight. I have a hard time balancing their need to get out and do something with my need to be at home, throw in my difficulty with creating structure for myself, and it makes me frustrated and depressed. But I'm still happy that it's summer.
Unfortunately, business has been booming at Sean's Fix-It Shoppe, a.k.a my garage. He got the transmission out, sent it off to a transmission shop, and got it put back in. Only cost $1600 instead of $2800 thanks to him doing part of the labor. Don't ever use Tanner Transmission, I'm telling you. They didn't put the transmission back together right, and I've got the pictures to prove it. It failed 13 months after they rebuilt it, and they won't stand behind it. Transmission Exchange in Salt Lake did a great job for us. I could write a book called What Not To Do... Also, What Was I Thinking? and fill it with my own personal experiences, and chapter 163 would be entitled "Before You Have Major Work Done On Your Car, Do Some Research." So besides the transmission, Sean's replaced two of the struts on the car and is waiting for transmission mounts to come in before he can replace those. Now he thinks the catalytic converter might be going out on the truck. I didn't want to actually drive any of my vehicles... just park them and pay money for parts. I think of my cars as being relatively new, but when I stop to add it up, the Mazda is the newest and it's 9 years old. Guess that's how it goes.
May goals: I accomplished 1 out of the 4 goals. Go me!
June goals:
Lose 4 lbs
Go boating, camping, or cabin-ing at least once a week
Clean out junk closet
Have a garage sale
First, I am a very sentimental and nostalgic person, and I have difficulty with endings and good byes. So the end of the school year can be bittersweet for me. I get sad about saying good bye to my seniors. But this year they split our senior English classes into 2 separate semesters, which gave me less time to get to know them, and I only had one class of seniors each semester, and my second semester seniors were not very lovable. So it really wasn't too hard to say good bye to them. Which is good, because I didn't need to be emotional. It was hard enough to have Courtney graduating. She's been my sidekick since I was not quite 20 years old, so the thought of her growing up and moving on is emotional.
Second, I'm really glad to be home. I've got projects to do and books to read and blogs to write and computer games to play. Also, I don't want to spend money. Therefore, I want to spend lots of time hanging out at home. My kids, on the other hand, get bored at home. Then they fight. I have a hard time balancing their need to get out and do something with my need to be at home, throw in my difficulty with creating structure for myself, and it makes me frustrated and depressed. But I'm still happy that it's summer.
Unfortunately, business has been booming at Sean's Fix-It Shoppe, a.k.a my garage. He got the transmission out, sent it off to a transmission shop, and got it put back in. Only cost $1600 instead of $2800 thanks to him doing part of the labor. Don't ever use Tanner Transmission, I'm telling you. They didn't put the transmission back together right, and I've got the pictures to prove it. It failed 13 months after they rebuilt it, and they won't stand behind it. Transmission Exchange in Salt Lake did a great job for us. I could write a book called What Not To Do... Also, What Was I Thinking? and fill it with my own personal experiences, and chapter 163 would be entitled "Before You Have Major Work Done On Your Car, Do Some Research." So besides the transmission, Sean's replaced two of the struts on the car and is waiting for transmission mounts to come in before he can replace those. Now he thinks the catalytic converter might be going out on the truck. I didn't want to actually drive any of my vehicles... just park them and pay money for parts. I think of my cars as being relatively new, but when I stop to add it up, the Mazda is the newest and it's 9 years old. Guess that's how it goes.
May goals: I accomplished 1 out of the 4 goals. Go me!
June goals:
Lose 4 lbs
Go boating, camping, or cabin-ing at least once a week
Clean out junk closet
Have a garage sale
Monday, May 24, 2010
Miscellany
I hate car repairs. I love having a husband who can do car repairs. Do other people have as many car problems as we do? Man alive. I guess it's because we always drive older cars. And the universe hates us. We replaced the transmission in our Mazda last April. It seems to be dead again. Thanks Tanner Transmission! Thanks for nothing. They only warranty it for a year. It's been exactly a year and a month. So Sean is now going to drop the transmission on the Mazda himself to save us $800-$1200. I'm grateful he can, but for the uninitiated, transmissions are a pain in the butt. It's heavy, you need a special jack, it's messy, and it's just time consuming. On the bright side, I'm an expert at towing vehicles by now. If you ever need a tow, you just call me up. I'll hook ya up and pull ya home. I'm just glad it didn't decide to die when Sean was on the freeway today or when Courtney was driving it at 12:30 am Saturday night.
Brittney and I have watched Celebity Apprentice off and on this season, so we had to watch the finale on Sunday and root for Bret Michaels. I was worried about him the whole time he was on stage, though. He looks amazingly good for everything he's been through. I have concert tickets to see him in July, but I'll be amazed if he's well enough to tour. I sure hope so, though, because that will be a fun show.
Josh had his first t-ball game last Thursday. He was really scared at first. He was fine at practice, but he had this image in his head that an actual game would be really scary. But he pulled himself together and went out and had a great time. Now he can't wait to play again and keeps asking when his next game is. Thank goodness. He needs more outlets for all that energy.
The daycare had its annual carnival on Friday. They always do a CD of pictures of the kids at the end of the year and play it at the carnival. Several of the high schoolers and one of the teachers said, "Oh I can't watch this. I'm going to start crying." I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I just bawl every year. It's so hard to see them get older. I'm so very sentimental and nostalgic that I get teary about the silliest things, so I'm glad that some of the things that turn me all blubbery are normal.
Josh had another slightly scary allergic reaction last night. He's started having a new kind. Some things he's allergic to will cause an immediate reaction, but others won't. They'll just make him itch later. So those types of things I'll sometimes let him eat and just not really worry too much. But he's started having a delayed reaction brought on by exercise. Twenty minutes after eating he'll go downstairs and run around, and then all of a sudden he can't breathe and he's clawing at his skin. Back to the doctor, I guess.
Only a little bit of school left. I have mixed feelings, but that's a topic for another day. Time to go drown my car sorrows in ice cream.
Brittney and I have watched Celebity Apprentice off and on this season, so we had to watch the finale on Sunday and root for Bret Michaels. I was worried about him the whole time he was on stage, though. He looks amazingly good for everything he's been through. I have concert tickets to see him in July, but I'll be amazed if he's well enough to tour. I sure hope so, though, because that will be a fun show.
Josh had his first t-ball game last Thursday. He was really scared at first. He was fine at practice, but he had this image in his head that an actual game would be really scary. But he pulled himself together and went out and had a great time. Now he can't wait to play again and keeps asking when his next game is. Thank goodness. He needs more outlets for all that energy.
The daycare had its annual carnival on Friday. They always do a CD of pictures of the kids at the end of the year and play it at the carnival. Several of the high schoolers and one of the teachers said, "Oh I can't watch this. I'm going to start crying." I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I just bawl every year. It's so hard to see them get older. I'm so very sentimental and nostalgic that I get teary about the silliest things, so I'm glad that some of the things that turn me all blubbery are normal.
Josh had another slightly scary allergic reaction last night. He's started having a new kind. Some things he's allergic to will cause an immediate reaction, but others won't. They'll just make him itch later. So those types of things I'll sometimes let him eat and just not really worry too much. But he's started having a delayed reaction brought on by exercise. Twenty minutes after eating he'll go downstairs and run around, and then all of a sudden he can't breathe and he's clawing at his skin. Back to the doctor, I guess.
Only a little bit of school left. I have mixed feelings, but that's a topic for another day. Time to go drown my car sorrows in ice cream.
Senior Pics
If you don't want to read shameless bragging and overly sentimental drivel, skip this one.
Courtney is graduating in two weeks. I'm going to cry like a baby. Love this girl.
I'm pretty dang proud of this kid. Graduating with honors, Sterling Scholar, finished her CNA before her junior year...
I'm so glad I get to be her mom and her friend. She is easy-going, always up for anything, loves her siblings, and keeps me laughing all the time.
I'm really excited to see what's next for her.
Courtney is graduating in two weeks. I'm going to cry like a baby. Love this girl.
I'm pretty dang proud of this kid. Graduating with honors, Sterling Scholar, finished her CNA before her junior year...
I'm so glad I get to be her mom and her friend. She is easy-going, always up for anything, loves her siblings, and keeps me laughing all the time.
I'm really excited to see what's next for her.
For Heather
I heart this. The studio version is great too, but it's softer. This one has more passion, even though it's not entirely perfect.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Tru Confessions
I ate like 16 dozen cookies in the last 2 weeks. No, serious. Sugar. Chocoolate chip. Frosted sugar. Chocolate chip-pecan-oatmeal. Insane. I love cookies like Cookie Monster loves cookies.
I committed several crimes against fashion this week.
I spent my grocery money on concert tickets today.
I listen to Nickelback sometimes. And I like it. I'm thinking that may be the most shameful of my confessions.
Whew... enough confession for one day. Time for the latest.
Rasmussen Family Night this month was awesome. Mom planned swimming at the Bountiful Rec and awesome dinner after. The kids had a great time. Lexi and Josh couldn't get enough of the big slide.
The Democrat State Convention was pretty interesting. I really feel like I want to get involved in some things. There is a scary trend toward extreme partisanship, though, in both parties, both locally and nationally. It's really bothersome. The Democrats forced Matheson into a primary, mostly because of his vote on health care. I was unhappy about his health care vote as well, but he represents the party's values almost all of the time. He's done a lot of good for Utah. He was the only Utah legislator to fight against nuclear testing upwind of us at Yucca Mountain. He was the only Utah legislator to fight nuclear waste coming to Utah from other states and other countries. The only one to sign off on expanded health care for children. He's the only one working on the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. He's done a lot of good, but because of one vote he's in danger of being voted out. Same thing with Bob Bennett, except he is out. We're coming to a point where you will be voted out if you reach across the aisle and break party lines to compromise with the other guy, and that's a scary place to be. Anyway... It was a little weird having the Republicans and Democrats in the same building. Some guy who works for the Matheson campaign and I were walking through the Republican part of the building together. I had my Granato yard sign and my Corroon/Allen sign, and he was wearing a Matheson shirt, and we were a little worried we might get jumped. I saw the "Flush the Libs" signs and was worried I was in for a swirly. But we made it through safely, I'm happy to report.
Mother's Day was nice. The kids bought me flowers and presents. Brittney bought me Zombieland and Courtney bought me a spa certificate. Can't ask for better than that. We had dinner at Cami's and it was nice for everyone to get together. I went home early with a headache, but it was a good day nonetheless.
I've been having problems with headaches lately. Not sure what that's about. My doctor thought maybe a sinus infection, but antibiotics didn't do anything. I had to see a different doctor the next time, and he thinks maybe tension headaches. I'm skeptical. Guess we'll see. He's like... you need to make sure you're getting exercise, enough sleep, eating well. Ummm... yeah. Riiigghhhtttt. Like any of that will happen. I'm going back to my regular doctor. She's a mom with young kids... she gets my struggles LOL.
Josh started t-ball and that's pretty dang cute. He's so excited about it. Hopefully that will last all season. Games start this week.
So the most awkward day of my year is over with. I hate English Tea. It never fails that I always feel like an idiot afterward, and this year was no exception, from beginning of the day to end. We had English dept meetings that day, and I had to give a presentation on something that I'm really not confident about sothenIstartedtalkingreallyreallyfast just to get it over with and argh it was so yucky. Normally I have no problem speaking in front of people. It's the curse of English Tea day. Then there were other random goofy things that happened. And my 2nd period was naughty and pissed the sub off, so I have to crack a few heads over that one tomorrow. I topped the day off with a crazy conversation with someone at a meeting where I was just sitting there pretending to agree, but really wanted to say, "You are crazy." So glad that day is over for the year. The amount of awkward is enough to keep my self-esteem down for at least a few months.
Survivor finale tonight! Yay? Not sure. If Sandra wins, it will be made of yay. Parvati, she will at least deserve it. Jerri, I will sigh in frustration, but whatever. Colby, now that would be some sort of cosmic joke, since he hasn't even known that he was on Survivor and was supposed to be playing a game for weeks now. Dude was asleep during the last tribal council, not even kidding. Russell winning would be like the apocolypse. I hate that little troll.
Survivor sidenote: Seriously, are you watching the Ponderosa videos on CBS.com? If not, you MUST! I promise, it is worth your while. I've watched some of the Ponderosa clips off and on over the years, and it's always interesting to see what happens and where they go when they're voted off, and to see their interactions. But these are awesome! Coach is actually a cool guy! Who knew? He's great! And Courtney. If you are a Courtney hater (I'm not, but I love her even more now) you have to watch. She's so funny and snarky and fabulous. They formed a band called The Dragonz and they even made a music video. With JT on guitar. It's hee larious.
Brittney cut her bangs and trimmed her hair this week, and Courtney died hers a totally different color.
Stole Brittney's pics off facebook. Courtney has pics of hers on her phone, but it will be another 6 weeks and another hair color before she sends them to the computer. :P
I committed several crimes against fashion this week.
I spent my grocery money on concert tickets today.
I listen to Nickelback sometimes. And I like it. I'm thinking that may be the most shameful of my confessions.
Whew... enough confession for one day. Time for the latest.
Rasmussen Family Night this month was awesome. Mom planned swimming at the Bountiful Rec and awesome dinner after. The kids had a great time. Lexi and Josh couldn't get enough of the big slide.
The Democrat State Convention was pretty interesting. I really feel like I want to get involved in some things. There is a scary trend toward extreme partisanship, though, in both parties, both locally and nationally. It's really bothersome. The Democrats forced Matheson into a primary, mostly because of his vote on health care. I was unhappy about his health care vote as well, but he represents the party's values almost all of the time. He's done a lot of good for Utah. He was the only Utah legislator to fight against nuclear testing upwind of us at Yucca Mountain. He was the only Utah legislator to fight nuclear waste coming to Utah from other states and other countries. The only one to sign off on expanded health care for children. He's the only one working on the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. He's done a lot of good, but because of one vote he's in danger of being voted out. Same thing with Bob Bennett, except he is out. We're coming to a point where you will be voted out if you reach across the aisle and break party lines to compromise with the other guy, and that's a scary place to be. Anyway... It was a little weird having the Republicans and Democrats in the same building. Some guy who works for the Matheson campaign and I were walking through the Republican part of the building together. I had my Granato yard sign and my Corroon/Allen sign, and he was wearing a Matheson shirt, and we were a little worried we might get jumped. I saw the "Flush the Libs" signs and was worried I was in for a swirly. But we made it through safely, I'm happy to report.
Mother's Day was nice. The kids bought me flowers and presents. Brittney bought me Zombieland and Courtney bought me a spa certificate. Can't ask for better than that. We had dinner at Cami's and it was nice for everyone to get together. I went home early with a headache, but it was a good day nonetheless.
I've been having problems with headaches lately. Not sure what that's about. My doctor thought maybe a sinus infection, but antibiotics didn't do anything. I had to see a different doctor the next time, and he thinks maybe tension headaches. I'm skeptical. Guess we'll see. He's like... you need to make sure you're getting exercise, enough sleep, eating well. Ummm... yeah. Riiigghhhtttt. Like any of that will happen. I'm going back to my regular doctor. She's a mom with young kids... she gets my struggles LOL.
Josh started t-ball and that's pretty dang cute. He's so excited about it. Hopefully that will last all season. Games start this week.
So the most awkward day of my year is over with. I hate English Tea. It never fails that I always feel like an idiot afterward, and this year was no exception, from beginning of the day to end. We had English dept meetings that day, and I had to give a presentation on something that I'm really not confident about sothenIstartedtalkingreallyreallyfast just to get it over with and argh it was so yucky. Normally I have no problem speaking in front of people. It's the curse of English Tea day. Then there were other random goofy things that happened. And my 2nd period was naughty and pissed the sub off, so I have to crack a few heads over that one tomorrow. I topped the day off with a crazy conversation with someone at a meeting where I was just sitting there pretending to agree, but really wanted to say, "You are crazy." So glad that day is over for the year. The amount of awkward is enough to keep my self-esteem down for at least a few months.
Survivor finale tonight! Yay? Not sure. If Sandra wins, it will be made of yay. Parvati, she will at least deserve it. Jerri, I will sigh in frustration, but whatever. Colby, now that would be some sort of cosmic joke, since he hasn't even known that he was on Survivor and was supposed to be playing a game for weeks now. Dude was asleep during the last tribal council, not even kidding. Russell winning would be like the apocolypse. I hate that little troll.
Survivor sidenote: Seriously, are you watching the Ponderosa videos on CBS.com? If not, you MUST! I promise, it is worth your while. I've watched some of the Ponderosa clips off and on over the years, and it's always interesting to see what happens and where they go when they're voted off, and to see their interactions. But these are awesome! Coach is actually a cool guy! Who knew? He's great! And Courtney. If you are a Courtney hater (I'm not, but I love her even more now) you have to watch. She's so funny and snarky and fabulous. They formed a band called The Dragonz and they even made a music video. With JT on guitar. It's hee larious.
Brittney cut her bangs and trimmed her hair this week, and Courtney died hers a totally different color.
Stole Brittney's pics off facebook. Courtney has pics of hers on her phone, but it will be another 6 weeks and another hair color before she sends them to the computer. :P
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)