Ray hates it when I bake

because the kitchen looks like this:

and the mess just really gets to him.

I don't really know why he complains, though. He eats whatever I make, and I always restore order when I'm done!

Last one for a year...hopefully

Today, Hannah had her last foot doctor appointment for a year as long as everything goes well. She went to weeks and weeks of physical therapy and visit after visit to the doctor and now wears $400 orthodics to cure her ailing foot.

So, today's POTD is Hannah sitting in the chair at the foot doctor's office hopefully for the last time this year.

Catching up...

Friday, we went to Hannah's volleyball game. Ray has been working with her on her serves, and it is always with high hopes we watch her serve...and usually miss. She keeps getting nervous and misses. It's so painful to watch, not because she misses, but because she is struggling. I just want to run down there on that court and walk her through this process, help her be successful. But I can't; I have to let her stand out there on her own, by herself, and figure out how to stand on her own two feet.


(Friday's POTD)

On Saturday, Ray's friend Bryan and his kids came over, had dinner, hung out, and played some Wii.


(Saturday's POTD taken by Emily--I have a crown on my head thanks to Emily)

Sunday, after going to Hannah's volleyball game, and before Emily's basketball game, we stopped at a little hole-in-the-wall diner type of restaraunt. It was a family cooking kind of place, and it was fun trying some place new.


(Sunday's POTD)

Yesterday, I walked into the dining room and found some art on the easel and thought it was cute...a springy looking picture on a wintry day...


(Monday's POTD--art by Hannah)

And today, tonight, just hanging out around the house, making a few simple crafts before American Idol...


(Today's POTD)

So, really, just a whole lot of everyday life going on around here.

I'm not fond of days like these

where it's gray, and rainy, and cold, and dreary. Nothing saps my energy more than having to go outside knowing my fingers and toes will be numb before long and I'll be shivering for hours afterward (I got home today at 3:10; it's now 5:43 and I'm just now warming up!) I hate not seeing the sunshine. Makes me want to curl up in all my blankets after taking a long, hot shower and sleep until morning!

Still moving along...

with both my picture taking and my organizational efforts. Today's POTD reflects both of these things.

What you are looking at are the trays my students use to turn in their work. What you see are empty trays. Those file folders you see there represent no work to be graded. Out of the 6 classes I have, 4 are completely up to date, one is almost there, and the other I need to do. This is remarkable for me. We had conferences tonight. I had 2 parents scheduled, only 1 of which showed up. That gave me 3 1/2 hours of work time. And boy did I use it.

These trays won't stay like this for long, but the mere fact that they are empty today, and that I used my time both yesterday and tonight productively, are HUGE milestones for me!

What I like

about teacher workdays:

empty classrooms and

"happy" teachers! (Not really sure how she learned to pick her nose with the toothpick...but somehow she did...)

Some POTD's

I don't know if I will post every picture I take for Project 365, but until I buy my kit (which probably won't be until the beginning of February now) I will post them so that I can keep track of which picture is which and what story goes with what.

Friday's POTD is of my soccer shoes. Fridays are ruled by our soccer games. We have been playing now for over 6 years, and, although I feel like my playing time is getting limited (mind wants to do one thing, body does another), I still rather enjoy playing. It keeps me feeling a little young...

Saturday's POTD is of me and my new friend from work--Holly--scrapbooking at her house. We created a scrapbook club. Right now it's just the two of us ;-), but we like to think it's a pretty fun club!

And yesterday's POTD is of IKEA. (I kinda have a feeling IKEA will make it in my POTD files more than once!) Sue and Mya and me and the girls went to IKEA so Sue chould check out some bookcases. This place is a mecca of affordable inspiration for me...

I took this first picture from the windshield...I like that it says IKEA, but...

I like this picture of the way it looks from the outside at night...

so I'm not sure which one I am going to use, but it will be one of these.

And today's POTD, as mentioned in the previous post, is of Hannah and Emily in IHOP.

So, can you believe it??? I'm now 19 days and counting!

Meet my new sidekick

Since I am sticking with Project 365, I thought it would be better to have a camera on hand at all times. I mean, I absolutely LOVE my "big guy," but it's just too cumbersome to carry around all the time; plus, I'm constantly worried about it getting stolen or broken. Ray gave me a $50 gift card for Christmas to Target, I did a little research, and picked this little guy!

After buying this camera, I took the girls to IHOP for breakfast (you know, enjoying our day off), and gave it a trial run.

It's so little and easy to use, the girls wanted to give it a try. Emily with the camera...

Hannah with the camera...

Then, when our food came, I took the camera back and they begged me to take pictures of their food...

This next one is today's POTD...Hannah and Emily chilling on a day off at IHOP...

Not bad for a little guy who only cost $80...and did I mention it takes video????

Glad it's over

This week has felt like torture. Not sure why it felt like the bottom fell out, but it did, from disarray at work, to getting my grades in, to keeping up with the house, to giving the girls some attention.

Today, I was absolutely wiped out. So, I took a nap. A much needed, well deserved, break.


(Today's POTD)



Not only did I get to take a nap, but I came home to a spotless kitchen, laundry done, and dinner on the stove. Ray never ceases to amaze me (both good and bad!). He also took them to karate so I didn't have to leave the house all night and helped them with their homework.


Since I didn't get to post my POTD for Tuesday or Wednesday, here they are:

American Idol started on Tuesday. For some reason, Ray and I are drawn to these dumb reality shows. We have even been watching bits and pieces of The Bachelor (more his doing than mine!). I guess I like how the show draws us together as a family--we laugh and giggle and make fun of the people together (mainly speaking of American Idol). It also gives me something to look forward to on these nights. Otherwise, I don't watch t.v.





On Wednesday, the tooth fairy made a visit to Hannah's bedroom.





She still gets excited in the morning when she pulls up her pillow and finds a dollar in the tooth's spot (can you believe how much the tooth fairy pays now?!!). In fact, the tooth fairy will be making ANOTHER visit to Hannah's room tonight as she lost yet one more tooth today!


It's funny how despite the 3 snow days I had last week, I am much relieved that a four day break is coming this weekend (Sat, Sun, off Monday, and no students on Tues). I'm hoping to get in lots of scrapbooking, sewing, relaxing, and time with the girls.

11 days and counting

I know it doesn't sound like much, but I have taken a picture a day now for 11 days straight. Last year, as I said before, I only lasted like 3 days, if that. It doesn't hurt, of course, that Holly, my new friend from work, is doing this project too!


(POTD for today)

"I don't want to grow up!"

That's what Emily said tonight. This isn't the first time she has said this. Tonight, I was blow-drying her hair before she went to bed. "People have been saying stuff to me."

"Like what?" I asked.

"Like, 'You'll have to say good-bye to your mom.'"

"What do you mean?"

"Like when I grow up. I'll have to say good-bye. I don't want to say good-bye," and she started crying. "I don't want to grow-up. I love you," and she started crying harder.

"Emily, I keep telling you that one day you are going to want to move away. You don't have to say good-bye; you can just say, 'I'll see you tomorrow.'"

Still crying she wails, "I don't want to say that either! Did you say good-bye to your mom?"

"Emily, I didn't say good-bye; I was just ready. I wanted to move out because I had met your daddy and I wanted to be with him." At this point, I thought about Mom, and how I called her from the bedroom of my unfurnished appartment on the day I got my key. I was so excited, and Mom cried.

"But Emily, if you never move out, you'll never get married--"

"I don't want to get married!"

"--you'll never have kids--"

"I don't want to have kids! I don't ever want to move away from this house!"

At this point, I realized this tactic wasn't going to work so I said, "Emily, I'm not going to kick you out. You can stay as long as you want. If you never want to move out, you don't have to. This is your home."

At this point, I was tucking her into bed, and Ray came into the room. He started talking to her, and I walked out to kiss Hannah goodnight. It makes me sad that she feels that way. She should be looking forward to growing up and becoming independent. It's me who should want her to stay little and never move out. She's such a sensitive little girl. So sensitive that it breaks my heart to see her sad.

Sunday morning

Since I'm all about getting organized and establishing routines, here's one I'm going to try really hard to stick to:



(today's POTD)

Grading papers and making lesson plans on Sunday morning.

I've got a new system devised (won't bore you with the details) for staying on top of my grading, but it's ludicrous to think that I can get all my grading done each and every night, regardless of my new system. So, I think Sunday mornings are going to find me drinking my coffee at our kitchen table (I like the light coming in through the windows), listening to some music, and finishing up any grading that needs to be done. I did it this morning, and it was actually enjoyable. The kids were downstairs playing (mornings are usually their most well-behaved time of day) and Ray was at the gym. It will be tempting to forgo this new routine--the internet will be calling my name--but if I want to be organized--and I really do--then it's something I will need to force myself to do.

Empty baskets are a good sign!

(today's POTD)

See these baskets...just one week ago they were full--more than full, actually. They were overflowing and then some with laundry that needed to be done. That sat there for months. At Christmas, I faked it. I threw all of it into my closet and simply shut the door. At New Year's, I didn't even bother to hide it; I just closed my bedroom door.

But no hiding now. It's complete. As I type this the very last load of laundry is tumbling over and over in the dryer. Soon, it will be folded and put away, and one major step in my quest for an organized life will be complete--just one week later.

Now, to tackle the piles of papers that need grading...

Bittersweet

I was just reading Jo Ann's blog where she wrote about how excited she is to be having a baby and how fun holidays will be (well, and everyday life as well). It made me happy and sad. I am so happy for her to be having her first child. Babies are just amazing. But, I am sad that I cannot have any more, and that when my babies were babies, it was a very sad time in my life (dad's cancer). Emily was only 1 when Dad passed. Their first years were such hard times for me that I feel like I didn't get to have as much fun or enjoy them the way I would have liked. I can't say I didn't have any fun, I did. I enjoyed them and those times as much as I could. I don't look back with regret...I did what I could do...but man, would things have been different if Dad hadn't gotten sick when he did. Or, if he hadn't gotten sick at all. (that would be nice!) Watching all these new babies come into the world is very bittersweet for me. I am so happy for the new parents, but sad for myself at the same time.

Sometimes, I just wish I could adopt.

Oh well. I can't change what has happened. I can only focus on what I have now. I LOVE my girls more than anything in this world, and I am so thankful (even on rotten days) that I have them. It's just bittersweet to watch them grow knowing one day, I will have to let go, and I will have no more babies here at home.

Hannah the Weatherman

was right once again. We found ourselves off for yet another snow day today (that makes 2 for them, 3 for me).

Today also marked her volleyball debut.

(today's POTD)

She told me this morning that she was nervous; she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to get the ball over the net. Well, she managed to score 3 points today (I think that was out of 5 serves) and even attempted to return the ball once. Not a bad showing for her first time out.

And Ray didn't fair too badly playing the role as line judge (we are scheduled to volunteer every so often--something that doesn't make me altogether happy)

It's almost tear-jerking to watch her out there...I can so see myself in her...her insecurities, her shyness, her gangliness...I just want her to feel good about herself, to be sure of herself, but I guess she has to figure that out for herself just like I did (although, I think I'm still trying to figure it out!).

It was fun watching her play tonight; it is fun watching her grow up, becoming a part of something (she's #29).

She makes me proud every day.

Snow Day #2

Yippee for us! We were off for a snowday! (Click on this picture to see how sweet Hannah looks!)


(today's POTD)

I guess "Hannah the Weatherman" is a pretty good predictor of the weather...Now...can she predict just one more day???

They played out there for a couple of hours...

Gotta love a good snow day!

Documenting a ritual

Any time we think there is a chance for a snow day or a delay, Hannah, Emily, and I drink hot chocolate as our snow-dance ritual.



I'm not really sure why or how it works, but it does. Monday night, Hannah insisted that we drink the hot chocolate. I told her it wasn't really worth it since there was no chance we would be off, but I gave in and drank it anyway. The girls ended up with a delay and I had the day off. (She now calls herself "Hannah the Weatherman")

Right as we started to drink our hot chocolate tonight, the phone rang...I'm on a 2 hr delay for tomorrow...


Here's hoping we find ourselves home tomorrow, warm and snuggly in our house! (Sorry to those of you who will still have to drive!)




(today's POTD even though I'm not fond of their smiles!)

Another action step

Since I had my first (unexpected) snow day today, I took the opportunity to work some more on my organization.

The girls were only on a 2 hour delay today so I ran the morning routine. What a mess! They couldn't find pants, or shirts, or sweatshirts. It was horrible, and I couldn't understand why Ray let it be that way. So, after putting them on the bus, I marched right up to their rooms.

I knew they were messy, but it wasn't until I started digging in that I realized how messy they were. Recently, Ray has been having them put away their own clothes. The problem with that is that he just lays their clothes, unfolded, in big heaps on Hannah's bed. They then have to sort their clothes out, supposedly fold them, and put them away.

Here's Emily's definition of putting her clothes away (the first picture is today's POTD):

This last picture is stuff I pulled from her closet.

Hannah's room wasn't much better (but I didn't think to take a before picture of her room). Three hours later and 3 loads of laundry later I had this:

So much better!!!! (They even have clean, organized closets)

I really wanted to be grading papers. With more snow expected on Wednesday night into Thursday, I wanted to have most of my grading done so I can enjoy that day with the girls. But, a messy environment and daily routines that don't run smoothly sap my energy, so cleaning it was.

I will get some grading done here soon, but it feels like a little bit of weight lifted off my shoulders to have their rooms clean and organized. Now, to figure out how to help them keep them that way! ;-)