Busy Bee

Ok, so I know I haven’t posted in awhile. But I have been a busy bee! What has kept me so occupied that I couldn’t jot down a line or two? Well, let’s see….
Schools out. Which means more dishes, more laundry, more mud, more mess.
Grandpa Porter is in a nursing home.
Work is still crazy busy.
The cat died – do not ask
What else? I know there’s something else. Hmmm….oh yeah! There’s this little project…..

My new house!!!

This picture is actually a couple weeks old.
Things are moving along wonderfully, and keeping us very busy. If i'm being honest it IS mostly Scott. But I'm a great saw dust sweeper!

Plumbing is going in, heat ducts are being installed, electric is being strung, the roof is being shingled... It is super dooper exciting!

I feel super blessed and humbled every single time I pull in that drive way and see the latest progress.

A couple Saturdays ago just as we started to leave after a long day it started to rain. I pulled out the drive way and started to drive away when I saw this...


It took my breath away. Isn't it beautiful when God reminds us of His promises? It's staggering to me.

~Char

I'll keep that in my pocket

Last night I went out to the land straight from work. Judy & Greg stopped by and got the kids on their way so I could just go on out. It took me exactly 30 minutes which is great b/c that means it won’t take any longer to get home than it does right now!
They had about ½ the interior walls done on the first floor; it was so exciting to pull in and see that. Before I left work I got on the internet and found about 6 Bible verses on dedicating a house. The kids and I and Judy wrote them on the wall studs and then we each wrote a prayer. I’m glad I thought of it because it was so fun and meaningful. Every now and then I come up with a good idea!
We stacked wood and cleaned up a bit then it was time to go home. It gets harder to leave every time!
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Have you ever stumbled across one of those moments where as a parent you say to yourself “hmmm, I need to keep this in my pocket for later”?
On the way home the boys rode with Scott so it was just me and Liv in the car. I was saying something and one of the words came out with a southern twang. Liv cracked up so I kept talking that way. Before long we were both hysterical. However everything changed when we got into town. Suddenly it was “mommy, quit! Somebody’s going to hear you!” Because you know the citizens of Hamilton have bionic, hear through the car, hearing. This new development just fueled my fire and I was on a role. Liv started shrinking down in the seat as far as she could.
So between laughs I told her that she needed to remember this for the next time she’s talking back or misbehaving. Watch out or I might just bust out into Ellie May in the middle of the Wal -mart’s and embarrass you!
“Livvie Paige getcha tail back over here ‘fore I jerk a knot in your back end!”
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On a totally different note……. I would just like to say that I am on my second week of “eating healthy” aka trying to lose the blubber that has taken over my mid section, thighs, and pretty much every surface of my body. Let the record show that if I weigh myself on Monday and have not lost anything …… it’s not going to be pretty people. Big girls like to eat and this has not been easy! So be on red alert people of America!

What is this world coming to?

What is this world coming to?
The economy is bad. Companies of all kind are doing cut backs, downsizing. Americans are working harder; spending more hours on the job for little pay. People are getting second and even third jobs just to make ends meet. OUR NATION IS STRESSED.
So here’s my question. Has the H.B. Reese Co. LOST it’s mind?

I had a stress filled morning and early afternoon. I need something. Chocolate. I need chocolate. I pull open my candy drawer-yes I have a candy drawer- nothing. I knew it was empty, but I prayed for a miracle. I guess I didn’t believe hard enough. Anyway, about a half hour later I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to get up from this desk and move around. I strolled by a co-worker’s desk and what to my wondering eyes does appear? A basket of candy! OH. MY. LIFESAVER.

There is a Reese cup sitting right on top. I hear it calling me… “Charmaine! Charmaine! Please eat me and be mellow!” I casually stroll over to the desk and retrieve the chocolate prize.
Ok, actually, I pretty much jumped/ slid “Duke’s of Hazard” style over the desk and attacked the basket full throttle.

I hurried back to my office to enjoy the reese cup in solitude. I open the wrapper, pull out the cup, what?!!! This Reece cup is HALF the size it should be. HELLO?!
Have the people at H.B. Reese Co. gone crazy? This is not the time to downsize our sugary confections. If there is one thing America was built on it is our right to drown our sorrows in food!
The average size of the American woman is 14 for pete’s sake! What are they thinking?

Give me chocolate or give me death!!!!!

The good 'ol Ohio valley....sneeze

Ohio! The heart of it all! What they really should have named it is Ohio! The heart of allergies!
I just sneezed for the 453rd time today, and it’s 9:33 a.m. “It’s gonna be a good day tater.”

Ohio summers are hot & humid, the spring is wet and dreary, and winter is bitterly cold, dark, and way too long. Fall is our only reprise. So….why do we live here again? Actually, I know why I live here. I was born here. Not that I haven’t thought about it! I guess I’m just too lazy or stupid to move? I digress.
So the flip side of that question is why would anybody in their right mind move here? I’ve met several transplanted Ohioans. The general census seems to be they did it for love. All I can say to that is……???
One person I’m aquainted with even moved here from Hawaii. Um, hello? Hawaii? Couldn’t you have made HIM move THERE? Would you really have to MAKE him? I mean beaches, ocean, breathtaking beauty, and perfect sunny weather year round or OHIO. Is that really a contest?
I know Ohio does have beauty. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that -SNEEZE- the pollen and mold have colored my opinion. – SNEEZE-

Things on the house are moving along. I spent last night in the ditch around the foundation spreading gravel and hay. Why? I don’t know. Something about drainage. All I know is Scott said it had to be done so I grabbed a shovel. That was good for the allergies!

Finally, I would like to say that I am having “one of those days” for the following reasons:
#1 I am wearing a skirt w/ a slit in the front –mistake- it’s bugging me
#2 this slip WILL end up in the trash before the days over
#3 My hair is pulled back in a circa 1989 ponytail b/c there is NOTHING else to do w/ it, and if it gets in my face again I may snap
#4 I have sneezed 455 times today. Thank you Ohio valley, I love you. And so does Merk Medco.
#5 this bra may just drive me to the edge today. If my chi chi’s were smaller I might just let it rip
#6 my legs are blinding white. I think I might be legally obligated to hand out sunglasses to anyone that comes near me
#7 if I hear that STUPID song “poker face” by lady Ga Ga –whatever that means- again my radio is going in the trash

Thank you for listening. Amen.

Rainy day? No Way!

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
If you don’t, I don’t care
I just got some AWESOME news!!!

It may be raining outside but I’m walkin’ on sunshine!

Scott called and said that he picked up the building permit, and the bank called and said everything is done! We have a green light to start digging! OH. MY. GOODNESS. The dream is real people. Scott called the excavator and he said he would break ground Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Somebody pinch me! I think Scott and I have dreamed and planned, and dreamed and planned and been disappointed, and dreamed and planned this house for so long that neither one of us we’re willing to believe it was really finally happening.

It makes me want to throw myself down and pray and cry and sing praises to God for what He’s done for us. God has done so much for us! This has been a long journey, but when 2009 rolled around it was immediately evident that His hand was in this.
We are so blessed. Let me say that again…we are soooo blessed. We have found so many good deals. So many doors have been opened. So many things have fallen into place. That is such a big deal. Scott’s talents are allowing us to build this house for literally half what someone else would. This house is going to be exactly what we want. I can’t think of one thing we are compromising on. Scott and I will be 37 and 35 years old; the kids will be 12, 10, and 7 years old when this house is done. It will be a place our kids can grow and bring their families home to someday.

We are so blessed. Thank you God for the many things you have done for my family. Thank you for the big picture. Thank you for sunshine in the middle of a rainy day!

My favorite things

I am not a worry wart. Sure, I have concerns about money etc. –And that’s a BIG etcetera but overall I don’t worry much. I have strong faith, and God hasn’t let me down yet!!!
In the middle of this exciting time in my life where it seems like Scott and I are finally going to fulfill our dream of building our own house, I have started to worry.
I work in health care. Yesterday I was told that if the proposed Ohio budget passes in June my pay will be cut by 10% and I will start paying more for my insurance.
What?!!!!!!! That is not good. – Those are the 4 most understated words I have ever written.
SO. In light of the fact that I’m a bit stressed right now, but do not want to talk about it,
I have decided to write about some of my favorite things…..

♪ These are a few of my favorite things ♫ In no particular order:

Laughing
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Frisch’s diet VANILLA Coke
McDonald’s Diet Coke
My Honda Pilot
Forrest Gump – the movie “you ain’t got no legs Lt. Dan”
Snuggling in the covers with my rug rats
snapping a really good picture
Smiling “why are you smiling? I love to smile. Smiling’s my favorite” -Elf
Sleeping past 5:30 a.m.
My anniversary ring
A good hair cut and color
Lazy Sunday afternoons
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer “hi, my name is Charmaine and I love the Twilight books”
Beautiful blue skies
Sunshine!
Autumn
The smell of rain –even better is the smell of dirt or concrete right after it rains in spring
The smell of bleach
Laying in bed talking and watching TV with Scott at the end of the day
Chocolate fountains –hello? Best invention ever!
Clean sheets
When Harry met Sally – the movie
Dirty Dancing- the movie
Seinfeld re-runs
Lunch with my girlfriends
Date night
Watching my kids laugh and play
Johnson’s baby lotion
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picolt
Board games
Coloring
Chi tea lattes
Grater’s black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream -mmmmm
Dreaming about building our house with Scott
Finding a really good bargain
my sister-in-law Jodi’s homemade chocolate chip cookies
antique handmade quilts
fettuccini alfredo from the Olive Garden
bear hugs from my rug rats
pink gel ink pens
a new book
organization!
Tide with bleach detergent
April fresh Downy fabric softener
a day off of work with pay!
Cracker Barrel biscuits

I could go on and on, but I better quit now.

Confession Time

Approximately a year ago a friend of mine started a blog. It was for her business. She sent me the link, and I began checking in often and enjoyed reading it and viewing the pictures. One day it occurred to me that since I enjoy writing, actually it is my preferred emotional outlet, that maybe I should start a blog. I did, and have thoroughly enjoyed every post. At first I thought maybe I’d tell all my friends and family about the blog. Maybe they would get a chuckle or enjoy the glimpse into the craziness, and dementia that makes me. But after a few posts I still hadn’t got up the nerve to tell anyone except the friend that introduced me to this blogosphere, and one other person. So, I decided to keep it that way. It’s much more enjoyable for me to post my thoughts and feelings anonymously. Maybe one day when I’m gone my kids will find out I had a blog; they’ll rush to the computer, log on, and read about my day to day life. Perhaps they’ll gain a new understanding of the person their mother was. Until then I enjoy simply writing my thoughts and feelings.
My blog is nothing fancy. When I started I did nothing more than choose a template, some colors, and a font, and start typing away. It is not meant to inspire or communicate; it is just an outlet for me. A few months in I started checking out other blogs. WOW. There are A LOT of people blogging. I found blogs like mine, blogs for businesses, blogs to keep families connected, blogs for everything! Some are so creative! Some people really put their heart and souls into not just the content, but the design and overall feel of the pages.
I have said ALL that to lead into this…..I have a confession. My name is Charmaine, and I am totally, completely, addicted to blogging. There I said it. I admitted it, and admitting it is the first step. I have found 3 blogs, no 4 blogs, well maybe 5 or 6 blogs that I follow faithfully. I can’t wait to check on them everyday because unlike me, they are updated almost daily. It’s a strange relationship I have with these fellow bloggers. We don’t know each other, and since I’ve never even commented on one of them, they don’t even know I exist! Regardless of that fact I feel a connection. We are all 30 something women. We are all mothers. The blogs are like little windows into our lives. We post about things like burnt pancakes, laundry detergent, horseback riding, field trips, church, husbands, friends, kids, sickness, weather, world news, recipes, and favorite fingernail polish. The blogs are about everything and absolutely nothing and I am totally addicted to them.
One blog in particular I am borderline obsessed with. It is written by a woman that lives in Oklahoma on a ranch and her husband is a real live cowboy. She has kids, she cooks, she takes pictures….and I want to move there and become her new BFF. Ha! The funniest thing about that sentence is that I’m only half joking. :)

So…there you have it. My name is Charmaine and I am a blog addict. I have confessed, and I feel cleansed. There is freedom in admission!
Now I have to run, there are blogs to be checked, and obsessions to feed!!!!

Approved!

It looks like things are clear for take off! We got the call back from the bank saying we were approved for our construction loan. The dream may actually become a reality!
I’m so excited! Seriously, there is almost no way to describe what my heart is feeling. Joy, blessedness, and hope….all of it mixed with a healthly dose of caution.
I have waited years and years for this. Correction...WE have waited.

When the kids were babies & toddlers we started hoping and planning. The plan was to sell the house, move into Scott’s uncle’s rental house –a 1900’s farm house- and live there for a year or two tops while we used the sale profits to purchase land and build our dream home. So with that plan, in October 2004 we sold the house we had lived in for 10 years almost to the day. By December we moved into the house we now live in. We had $15,000 in the bank and high hopes. Two months later, on February 10, 2005 an ordinary Thursday, we found out Alivia’s diagnosis. Our lives changed, plans were put on hold and we quickly found new priorities. Our dream was put on a back shelf. Needless to say by the end of 2005 our bank account was empty.

We were able to purchase our land 3 years ago, and have been saving and planning and saving and planning and praying and praying and praying and then praying some more ever since. 2009 seems to be our year! Things have literally fallen into place. God has made a path for us, and what a path it is! We are learning about tax breaks, and all kinds of things that will help us out. God has kept us for all these years, and now he is helping us build a house that is more than Scott and I imagined or hoped for.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again – God truly does hold ALL of us in the palm of His hand.

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On a totally different note:

Yesterday I read a book called The Glass Castle. It is a memoir of a MSNBC reporter named Jeannette Walls. If you like to read, go get this book. It was so interesting. It’s not big, it’s one of those I call a 1 nighter. Meaning you can read it in one night or so. And I did. I read a few pages Saturday night, then finished it Sunday. It was very interesting. I said oh my goodness! No way! More than a few times out loud.

Foothold

Eph. 4:27 ...and do not give the devil a foothold.

Guard yourself. This is my message today. The devil is the great deceiver, the MASTER. Even those of us that think we are living our lives according to God's word can find ourselves moving in a direction we never dreamed. We must put on the full armor of God each and every day so that we are guarded against Satan's ways.
I got some unexpected and shocking news this weekend. I've been trying to understand or make some sort of sense out of it, and then at church last night I got my answer. Our Bible study was in Ephesians 4. As soon as the teacher talked about verse 27 where it says not to give Satan a foothold it hit me. God was giving me the answer to my question of how.
All it takes is a foothold. Just a foot in the door so to speak. So we have to be emersed in God's word in order to disern Satan's attack approaching. He's sneeky. Straight from the mouth of my friend that shocked me...."I would never have spent this much time alone with a man other than my husband." Exactly. Satan knew what wouldn't work and went in from another direction. Now he's in there and all that's important is happiness. "i'm more happy than ever, and i'm sick of hiding. I just want to be open and be me."
We can't say " I know what the Bible says about this, but it also says this, and this. And I'm happier than ever. So how can that be wrong?"
Sin is sin. We can't pick and choose from the Bible. I am definately far far from a perfect christian. I don't mean to sound self righteous. I know that we have all fallen and come short of the glory of God. The difference is this..... sinning is a human vice. As christians we strive not to sin. When we choose to purposely and knowingly sin by walking in a path that we know is directly against what God says, then we are taking ourselves away from Him.
There is no gray area there. God says something and if we choose to turn away from it we can no longer call ourselves Christian. Period. Because Christian literaly means Christ like.
I love my friend. So much. I want happiness for everyone I love. I think that is why I am so affected by this.
My prayer is that God helps me to show my love and most importantly His love in my actions. And that through that I can be a witness to His way.

Thank you God for your grace. Thank you for holding me in your hand. Thank you for loving me no matter what my sin. Thank you changing my life. Thank you for word to guide me. Thank you for blessing me. Thank you for peace. Thank you for security.
Help me to remember your word, and your way in every aspect of my life every day.

PMS killed the radio star

I have absolutely no idea what I feel like writing about today. But I feel like writing something.
There are lots of little things and big things bouncing around my head. I could probably benefit from talking about some of the big things but I just don’t feel like it.
That is how I deal with things……suppress, pray, work it out in my own head then move on.

It’s probably not good, but none the less…..

Since I don’t really feel like talking about anything important I guess I’ll just post something that actually happened about a week ago……
I listen to this certain radio station pretty much all day long. It’s called MAXX FM. The station makes its own commercials and announcements etc., and recently they added a female announcer with the most annoying radio voice I’ve ever heard. Because I listen to this station so much I hear those commercials over and over ALL day. Did I mention the girl’s voice is annoying? Well… I was “riding the crimson wave” so to speak and therefore I was a little touchy. I admit that. Freely. I could feel it coming. Then I heard the commercial with that voice one more time…..........SNAP!
Below are the actual emails between myself and the radio station manager:

Maxx, I love the music. The variety and rotation is fabulous!

However, I am having a problem with some of your advertisements. I do not know
who the young woman voicing a large part of your commercials is, but she is in
serious need of further voice training. Her voice is not fit for radio. It is muddled, flat, lifeless, and generally displeasing. She reminds me of a child fooling around with a tape recorder. She is the voice of Brenda for the Maysville Auto Sales ad. Frankly I can think of no reason why she is even allowed to record the commercials to be played for your station except maybe a family relation of some sort.
This is the bottom line....I love your station, but the commercials this woman has recorded are driving me away. I stopped listening a few days ago, and just tuned back in. I heard the same commercial and had to turn it again. This is not just myself but other max listeners have voiced the same opinion. I miss this station.
For the love of God, Please do something about this woman. She is horrible.

Thank you
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009 2:14 PM
To: Charmaine Watson
Subject: RE: Feedback

We want to thank you for taking the time to respond with your comments.
I will pass this along to our programming department. I also want to let you know that our advertisers who PAY for their commercials also request talent to read them... Just as if your company purchased advertisement for their commercials, you would also have the right to choose who voices your commercials... At this current time, the advertiser is happy with their spot for which they paid for..
I will put the request in to update the spot.. WE thank you
again for your comments and for taking the time to listen to MAX FM....

KEEP LISTENING AND ALSO DON'T' FORGET TO REGISTER TO WIN 1
YEARS WORTH OF FREE TANNING FROM TAN ONE IN HAMILTON.

Thank You,
Heather C. Frye
97.7 & 99.5 MAX FM
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Heather,
I understand advertisment is paid for, and therefore the advertiser would
approve or disapprove of the finished product. Obviously, these ads have been
approved since they are airing. Thank you for actually reading and responding
to my message. You never know if these things are actually being seen by
someone. I will check back in with Max periodically.
Thank you
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THEN a week and a half later I got this email from her…….

Charmaine,

I just wanted to let you know we DID change the copy... :) lol
Thank You,
Heather C. Frye
97.7 & 99.5 MAX FM
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One small victory for all of us who loose our minds once a month and simply can't be tolerant anymore. :)

~Char

My fun weekend

So this was a fun weekend!

It actually started Thursday night. Riley started throwing up in the pre –dawn hours. He finally settled down and fell asleep about 4:45 am. Even though I was tired, I was wide awake. So I went on to work only to have Scott call me around 9:00 and say Riley had started the other end! So I left work a half a day.
Saturday everyone was fine to start. Brian’s crew stopped by, and Ethan wanted to stay. Liv went home with them. We went out to eat, and headed to Lowe’s to check out the reduced tables for stuff for the house. We ended up w/ the light fixtures for the kid’s bathrooms, and the exterior garage lights!
That night all you know what broke loose! Tanner started coughing & barking like a dog because his asthma was so bad. Riley still didn’t feel well, and started coughing also. Scott started to get sick and retreated downstairs to the couch. In the middle of all this fun, Ethan was sleep walking! Poor thing. At least that gave me a chuckle in the middle of my puked on, pooped on, coughed in my face, sleep deprived state. In the morning Scott started with the vomiting, and passed out from it. I called Brian and told him what was going on and he better come get Ethan. After they left I took the boys to Urgent Care and left Scott to fend for himself because he refused to come. WHATEVER.
Of course, I had to see an old friend at urgent care. It wasn’t too bad though because since her daughter was also sick she wasn’t looking so pretty either.
Riley’s got a respitory infection, -which is doctor speak for a chest cold. Tanner has bronchitis, which at this point I can feel myself getting also. NICE.
I dropped them off, ran to get the antibiotics, and came home to start disinfecting and doing laundry. Good times people, good times.
That night grandma and grandpa brought Alivia home only to tell me she probably has an uti. OF COURSE SHE DOES.
Monday was my scheduled day off this week – good thing. So I put the boys on the bus since they were much better after a couple doses of medication, and me and Liv headed to Children’s hospital – our home away from home- to see about the presumed uti.
She was feeling pretty perky on our way back so we stopped by the thrift store – yeah!
We could only stay a minute though before she got tired.
Back home Scott’s bug had simmered down a bit, but headed south. Our water bill will probably be huge next month thanks to all the toilet flushing!
Can I just say that men KILL me? They are such wimps when they’re sick! I mean I KNOW you’re sick, but for the love of Pete you aren’t dying. This too shall pass.
Give me a break. ~this is me rolling my eyes~.
I spent the rest of the afternoon disinfecting everything with bleach, pine-sol, and Lysol. The hospital called to say Liv’s meds were called in so I ran back out to pick them up. It wasn’t until I got out of my car that I realized I had changed to sweat pants when I came home earlier. I had not, however, changed my shirt. So I was wearing sweats and a nice shirt. PLUS I reeked of pine and bleach. FABULOUS. I’m sure my old high school boyfriend will be in the store.
I came home and the sterile smell just about knocked me down. The boys came home, and Riley has a slight fever. I fixed supper, we ate, including Scott for the first time, and then I sat on the couch and snuggled with Riley. My poor little peanut.
I put everybody to bed, and informed Scott that come h-e-l-l or high water I was going to work today! I must get out of here!
So here I am. I can’t breathe b/c my chest is so congested, but at least I’m not throwing up. Bonus!!!

A day in the life

Last night was the boys teacher conferences. Always a fun night. -that's called sarcasm-
Riley's teacher said the usual....he's on target level....maybe needs a little help w/ subtraction, but nothing to worry about..... He loves to draw....he's a bit of a class clown - no big suprise there!
It was a little funny to sit and listen to her describe him. It's always strange to hear how other people describe how your kids act when you're not around. Tanner's teacher said pretty much what I expected. He's still way below with his reading. I agree that he still needs lots of help. I disagree with their tests that say he's only at a kindergarden level. He's better than that. He just doesn't like school. Even they can see that. They said he loves to talk about music, and playing the guitar or working with his dad, but shuts down when they go back to school work. The teacher said she's seen alot of kids with that attitude of disinterest, but has met her match with Tanner. OF COURSE. He's soooo much like Scott it's ridiculous. She said it was like he's depressed at school.....I had to set her straight on the use of that word. 'Nuff said. :)
Scott and I have to get it through his head how important it is he does this. They were talking about retaining him, and that is the LAST thing I want for him. I think it would devistate him.
So I left with that wonderful feeling in the pit of my stomach like I'm somehow a failure as a mother because my kid's not the best one in his class. Not because I THINK THAT, but that's how these stupid conferences make you feel.
Anyway......
Riley wasn't feeling good when I put him to bed. Around 1:30- 2ish he came and got in my bed saying his belly was really hurting. Poor baby, it was just like when he was a baby. Crying, tossing and turning, grabbing his stomach, and jerking like he got punched in the stomach. I felt so completely helpless. I HATE THAT. It's been along time since this happened. I sat there in the dark trying to comfort him feeling horrible that he MUST have somehow ate something he shouldn't. I have no idea what. Mommys are supposed to keep this from happening. ugh! All I could do was try to rub his tummy. He didn't want me to do that so I started patting his leg....to which he said "mommy quit beating me". :)
Finally, around 4:00 he threw up. He felt better and was able to go to sleep. I went ahead and came in to work at 6:00 - nice dark circles under my eyes. - sigh- such is a mommy's life.

I would also like to say that this Ohio weather is driving me nuts! 2 days ago it was 50 degrees. Today it is 20. The weekend weather report is calling for 1-2" of snow. Are you kidding me?! It's almost the end of February, and I am sooooooo ready for spring. That stupid groundhog is dead to me!!!

Teacher conferences

The kids have parent/teacher conferences tomorrow night. I got a letter in their backpacks asking parents to sign up to bring a covered dish or beverage to feed the teachers throughout the night.
I have absolutely nothing against teachers.
---HOWEVER---
They work 9 months of the year. They are off almost every day the kids are off – which definitely gives them a lot more days off during those 9 months than the rest of us working stiffs. They work 8 hours a day 5 days a week.
Conferences are twice a year. Am I to believe that this part of their job is really such a hardship that I should feel sorry for them? And provide free food for them? Why? Because it’s so hard to remember to bring yourself something to eat for dinner? Isn’t school over at 3 something? Conferences start around 5:00 so…..you can’t go grab a bite to eat, get your papers together, and be ready for the conferences in 2 hours?
Come on!
I should also say that I realize this may be all the schools idea with the teachers simply going along for the ride. So if you are a teacher reading this….don’t get your panties in a wad!
It still bugs me though. Maybe Tanner's teacher will be hungry...so maybe I shouldn't eat either....then we'll both be edgy and we can rumble.....
All right, that’s all I have to say about that.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

What's been going on? hmmm...let's see...
Scott and I went out for Valentine’s Day a little early. The weekend before to be exact. I feel the need to clarify the preceding sentence because it sounds so casual. Like we always go out for this holiday, or any other reason for that matter. So here’s the clarification: we don’t. As a matter of fact I can’t even remember the last time we went out just the two of us. I can’t even remember the last time (prior to this) we were in the same room alone…..other than being asleep at night, but unconsciousness doesn’t count. Anyway, we splurged on a hotel room for the night and went out to eat. It was nice. Just the two of us. When we got in the car to leave the restaurant I had a split second panic attack before I remembered we weren’t missing the children, they were just not with US. The funniest thing is where we ended up….Lowe’s. Ha! We just wanted to look around by ourselves. :)
THIS past weekend -actual Valentine's weekend- we went to dinner with a group from church. Again, let me clarify. When I say group I mean Scott and I and our children, and about 30 senior citizens. Seriously. The age gap was at least 30 years. Don't get me wrong, I love seniors. They can be fun to be around, etc. It's just that it always seems to turn out this way. Me and Scott and a bunch of buckeye cards. Eating at 4:30 in the afternoon. We ate dinner, talked and then they made us play the Not-so- newlywed game....clever huh? Good times people. Good times.
I can hold a conversation with just about anybody, and being raised an "only child" who spent 95% of my time with my parents and their friends, I am comfortable around older people. Scott however, is more than comfortable. They are his peeps. I have often said he has an "old soul". He can hang with 'em. I have no idea what this means for his future. or mine. What will this mean when WE are senior citizens? Will he fall into a parallel universe? Only time will tell.

So....I like to laugh. Love it actually. Laughter's good for the soul. I'm easily amused so it works out nicely. I must admit one way I get some laughs is by scaring my kids. Well, little Riley got ME good last night. I emptied the garbage, and asked him to put a new bag in the can while I put the garbage outside. When I came back in the lights we out, and I walked over to open the fridge. The fridge light lit up the kitchen and I saw him....he was standing IN the garbage can. He yelled BOO! and I screamed!
It was fantastic!!!!! We cracked up and I grabbed him for a big hug. Aw, my little peanut is growing up....it's a proud moment for this twisted mama. sniff sniff
Speaking of growing up- I ran over to my sister's yesterday. It's been maybe a month since I've physically laid eyes on her and my nephew. I walked in and almost didn't recognize my nephew! I mean MY GOODNESS! WHAT is that child eating???? He's sooo tall, and he has a mustache!!! His voice is changing big time. Like Peter Brady in that one episode? you know the one..."it's time to change, time to rearrange...." he's been big for a few years....so much that I nicknamed him Gigantor. (pronounced Ji- gan- tor ) Get it? It's like saying gigantic? Like he's a big giant robot? Named Gigantor? you know, cause he's BIG? Aren't I clever? :)
I digress.......so this was a real shock. wow. -sigh- they grow up so fast.

Speaking of growing up fast....Liv came home Friday and tells me -oh so causually- that a boy at school asked her to the dance that night. Excuse me? You are 11. In the 6th grade. Really, it was pretty cute. I asked her what she told him....."That I wasn't going."
I guess that took care of that. ........................and so it begins.........

The White Death

They don’t call it the white death for no reason.
I’m talking about snow. It’s so pretty ,and peaceful looking. But that’s all a disguise. It turns people into raving lunatics! And Ohio apparently, has no idea how to handle it.
It started last week. We got close to a foot, and school was closed all week. Ok, fine. Dandy. We all got a good case of cabin fever, but over the weekend things warmed up to close to 40 and it wasn’t so hard to get around. Roads were clear.
Then it started again yesterday…….

I left work around 4:30.
It’s not too bad. I mean it’s not good, but people are moving.
Wait a minute. What’s the deal? Ok, we’re stopping….ok we’re creeping.
45 minutes later I was only a few feet ahead. I’m really aggravated!!!! Why is it just the direction I am going? The other way seems fine.
I turn around and go back towards work.
Ok, this is good. We’re crawling along….good….good…
I’m half way home now!
What’s that!??? A train!!!???? Are you kidding me? Don’t you know it’s snowing? Go back to the station!!! Wait. Wait. Ok, it’s gone, now I’m moving again. Good. Good.
I see the intersection up ahead. It’s congested. Is it moving?
I can’t see for all this white fluff swirling around
It’s slow because nobody knows how to MERGE! Come on people!
Allrighty, I’ll go straight. Straight is good. There goes the bridge, but I’ll just go up here and cross the bridge downtown to get home. I’m trucking along.
Turn the curve
Ah! STOP! Where did all these people come from?
I’m at a complete stop.
I have now been in the car for an hour. I have only moved a few feet.
As an added bonus my feet and bottom of my pants are soaking wet. I didn’t know it was supposed to snow today so I wore my brown slip on shoes—FYI...not good for scraping snow from around your car
We are bumper to bumper. Side by side. There is a scrappy little piss ant of a boy in a old beat up Tracker next to me that keeps coming close to hitting me.
Don't mess with me boy! I WILL beat you down!
I am fuming!!!!!
A snow plow comes down an alley. Hmmmm
Me & a truck whip over to that alley…..turn onto the street…stop! Ok, I’m a bit further ahead though!
Wait
Wait
Wait
One at a time
Wait, wait, wait, wait,
Is that my sister I see up ahead?! That's her I know it is!
My suffering is eased just a bit to know I'm not alone in this madness!
BUT - she's AHEAD of me --grrrrr
I’m finally up to the intersection waiting to turn onto the main road, and the bridge.
I have now crossed over from mad & irritated to slap happy
I look over and see a church sign that says…. “ snowflakes are kisses from heaven”
No they aren’t! what moron decided to put that sign up? I’m sure it was a man!
I’m on the bridge now!!!!!
My friend calls me to check progress….. “hello, thank you for calling crazy town. How may I direct your call?”
I AM ACROSS THE BRIDGE! FINALLY!
“Over the river and across the bridge, almost to home I go!”
I pull onto my road…oh I’m in the home stretch!
My house! I can see my house!
I walk in the door, and the kids run to give me hugs
“I’m home my children! I have traveled from afar, and now I am home.”
What’s that smell? Supper! Scott has cooked!!!! God bless his pea pickin’ heart!
Ahhhhh… I’m home.
I have fought the white death, and won.
:)

~Char

Are the stars against me?????

If I believed in astrology or such then today I would truly wonder if my stars are in a bad sign. It is 7:00 and already the day is disastrous!

Late last night, too late for me to run to the store, Alivia tells me she needs gym shoes. She apparently can’t use hers because they are “skater” type gym shoes which are not acceptable for the P.E. class she starts today. So I said I would get up early this morning and run to Meijer to grab her some.
I wake up at regular time, 5:10 am, at which time I realize I forgot to set the clock a little early to be able to go to Meijer. I run to the shower. Can’t find a new razor so I hack up my legs with the dull one. I wouldn’t have bothered, but there comes a point when your legs start looking so bear-like that you have no choice sisters. I mean what if I had a car accident? I blow out my hair, etcetera etcetera and go to get dressed. I forgot to lay something out last night! It’s dark, I can’t see; don’t want to wake anyone up so I throw on the first thing I find. Black pants, blue shirt. Snazzy.
I run downstairs, throw on the first shoes I see, my brown slides, and run out to start the car. I start to pack the boys lunch for the field trip they’re going on today. No brown paper bags. Ok, no problem. I’ll get them at Meijer.
Jump in the car, head to Meijer. Have you ever noticed just how BIG Meijer is? Lord have mercy, by the time I grabbed some yogurt at the BACK of the store, the bags, ran to the shoe section, and back to the front, I was huffin’ it.
Start scanning my items, get to the shoes, and the machine tells me I need assistance. I wait. The girl wants to tell me why it beeped. I don’t care! Just fix it! I have to go!
I run out to the car. Check the time; doing good.
Ouch! I tripped on a rock, no a boulder! What’s a boulder doing in Meijer parking lot?! Wait a minute? Are my shoes brown? I’ll change them when I get home.
Run in the house; put Alivia's shoes on the table. I don’t have time to actually pack the lunches.
I leave Scott a note. Whisper up the stairs to Alivia that her shoes are on the table and leave.
Ok, I’m doing good. Just going to be about 5 minutes late.
Wait!!!!! I forgot to change my shoes! Crap!
U turn.
Run in the house change shoes, run out. Liv asks me what is going on. Yell it at her as I back out of the driveway for the 3rd time
Down the road I’m crossing through an intersection and I hear an ambulance. Where is it? I look in the rear. Nope. To the side…ahh! There it is! Coming at me in the intersection! It’s doing that chirp chirp thing at ME! That would be my luck to get hit by an ambulance for pete’s sake.
Ok, I make it to work 15 minutes late. Not too bad.
My co-worker asks me why I'm late. As I start telling her I put my purse up on the counter which knocked the entire Sams’s Club size can of coffee on the floor.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!!!
Alright. I’m hiding in my office now. Hopefully the ceiling won’t cave in!!!!!!!!!

Random musings, and historical events

Hi, my name is Charmaine, and I live in a box.

4 days a week I get up at 5a.m. Well, it’s more like 5:15a.m. but 15 minutes doesn’t make that much difference pre dawn –trust me. I leave for work at 6a.m ish, in order to get to work by 6:30. I get off work at 4:30p.m. For the 10 hours in between…. I live in a box.

Mine is fancier than others I’ve seen and others I’ve lived in before. It has actual walls and a door, and a window!!!!! I realize that this fact alone should make me happy, and fellow box dwellers envious. And it does, it doooes. But the fact still remains that I do spend a LOT of time in a box staring at a screen and sitting in a chair. I know I’m not alone. Millions of other people do the saaaaame thing everyday. But THIS blog is all about ME. J
Anywho, back to the box…. I have decorated it with (besides the useful and ugly work related documents) lots and lots of pictures. Photos of my kids, photos of nieces and nephews, colorful masterpieces from my kiddos, and hand made school art projects. It’s all set off with the best florescent “gallery” lighting around.

There is a kinship between my fellow box dwellers and myself. We understand each other. We check on each other when we’re running late. We sympathize when the box walls start pressing in and we NEED to leave the box, and take an afternoon stroll through the “neighborhood.” We accept that sometimes the phone has to be put on
D-N-D; computers are in fact living creatures with a mind of their own, snazzy colored pens are not under any circumstances to leave the desk they live on, and we know that when all else fails chocolate WILL tame the giant beast.

Sometimes it’s boring, sometimes???? Well, anyway at least I’m not alone.

Well, it’s time for me to go home now. Which I’m told is that other place I go to when I leave the box. See you tomorrow, same time, same place. J

~Char
I actually wrote the above right before I left last night, but didn’t have time to post it. I think I needed some sleeeeep.
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Today I have lots of random thoughts bumping around in my head. I was re- reading the story about the New York plane that emergency landed in the Hudson river last week. Can you IMAGINE????? That is like something straight out of a movie!!!! All the reports are calling it a miracle, of course I believe that God obviously had His hand on that plane. Also, I had a thought that I’ve not heard in news reports….. isn’t it amazing with all the technology that we have in 2009, with that plane being a finely tuned technical marvel, that despite ALL that….all it took to bring it down was a couple little birds? It’s a reminder to us that no matter what we do, God is ALWAYS going to be bigger.

Next thought.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting old really sucks doesn’t it? Some things are cool, but other things…..
For example I decided it is time to start taking better care of my skin. I went to wally world AKA Wal-mart, and did research. (I’m too poor to go to a department store)
After looking at every bottle on the shelf I decided that Oil of Olay had some good products. So I settled on a day cream, night cream, eye cream, and some of their “touch of foundation” products to replace my current foundation. I placed my 4 – count them 4 bottles of youthfulness in my cart and proceeded to the checkout. She rang it up and stated the tally. GASP! What????? Did I accidentally put a laptop computer in my cart? Surely some dvds must have slipped in there! No, that’s all there is. DOUBLE GASP! Holy Hannah! Fighting off gravity is expensive. My heart started beating faster; I broke out in a sweat. What’s happening? Am I having a hot flash? Am I peri- menopausal too?!
I swiped my check card before I could change my mind. I got home and washed my face then studied it in the mirror. All right, I need it. I’m worth this right? Stay tuned…….

Next thought-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi. Um…my name is Charmaine….clap, clap, clap…..and I don’t really need to be here….but…sigh….I guess…I’m addicted to diet Coke.
I didn’t mean to become an addict! It just happened. You know, because everybody else was doing it. It didn’t seem to bother them. It looked fun. It started out innocently enough. I ordered it for dinner when I went out. Then I would grab a can for lunch. Before long it crept into my mornings. Now I can’t live without it. I don’t want to. I NEED to. It cannot be good for me.
But it’s soooo good –insert whiney voice- And have you had it from McDonald’s??? yummy! It’s so good I wrote an Ode to McDonald’s diet coke. But the Mac daddy of all diet Coke suppliers is hands down Frisch’s. Order it with a splash of vanilla in it… OMG….it’s the BOMB DIGGITY!
-sigh-
so anyway, like I said…my name is Charmaine and I’m addicted to diet Coke.

Final thought-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can’t end this post without addressing the historical event that is happening today. Of course, I’m referring to the inauguration of our nation’s 44th president. Barack Obama.
I refer to it as historical not just because he is our first bi-racial leader, but because there will never be another 44th.
I did not vote for Obama. I just didn’t believe him. But our nation has spoke and now we must embrace him as our leader. That, people, is the beauty of democracy. I am teaching my kids to embrace this. They know we didn’t vote for Obama, but I have told them that we must respect his office. Respect the collective voice of the nation. We will now support our nation as it changes and grows. And it’s something they’ll be able to tell their kids about someday. They are alive during the service of the first minority leader of our country. We are experiencing this in a way no one else behind us will be able to. I remember events in my lifetime. I vividly remember when the Berlin wall fell. And of course there is nothing more vivid than my memory of 9/11/01. That is one day I remember with burning clarity.
I just heard on the wall to wall media coverage that the white house’s foundation was built on the backs of slave laborers. I heard a reporter ask a woman why she had come, and her answer was that she a part of the march on Washington in the 60’s so for her this is like coming full circle. Amazing. It truly is amazing –this country of ours. I get a little misty eyed whenever I hear the anthem played.
I love and am proud to be an American. Home of the free, land of the brave. There is no other country like ours. We are a mighty nation because our for fathers put God in charge. May we never forget that.
God bless America on this day.

You know that book titled Men are from Mars Women are from Venus?
Well, I’ve never read it, but I have to say that is the best description of gender I’ve ever heard.
I consider myself a fairly intelligent person – not college educated- but still I can balance my own checkbook if you know what I mean. HOWEVER, I am still at a loss for communicating with, and understanding my husband. We have been married for 15 years, and been through A LOT. Now in our middle 30’s we’ve mellowed quite a bit. There are some things that we still argue about, you know – sex, money, housework. Those things I understand. But every now and then he still throws me curve balls that I just do not get. It is as if, as the book says, he is speaking Martian, and I Venetian.
Case in point…….
Last night Scott went to his buddy’s where the two of them give music lessons. He gets home around 10:00 and the only reason I’m still up is because American Idol was on and I couldn’t make myself turn it off. So he comes up stairs, and crawls into bed. GASP! He was as cold as a freakin’ popsicle!!!!!! I mean we are talking polar ice cap cold. And what does he do? Puts those frozen Eskimo hands on me!
Get off me!
Warm me up
Seriously, get off, you are freezing!
Come on, just let me get warm
Okkkk, put your hands between YOUR legs, or under your butt or something and warm them up some first!

At this point he throws the covers off, gives me the big sigh, and walks out of the bedroom to watch TV. What? Just like that? All because I wouldn’t let you put your frozen tundra hands on me?
Am I wrong here? Does being a wife really mean that I have to allow frozen hands?
I mean, really.
So I –sigh- go downstairs –sigh- ask what is wrong? Apparently I had slipped into my native tongue of Venetian at this point. And he was obviously speaking Martian because after 15 minutes we still didn’t understand each other, or what had happened. I ended up going back up to bed scratching my head. –sigh-
Maybe I should go buy that book. Even after all this time I still don’t understand a single word of Martian!!!!!!!

The Dark Ages

Well, it’s here.
The Dark Ages

Also known as, January through March. I personally find these months the most depressing of the year. It’s dark when I go to work; it’s dark when I go home. There are no major holidays until Easter – which may actually fall in March sometimes, but that’s neither here nor there. The point is there ain’t much goin’ on.
I mean, there IS stuff going on. But nothing exciting to look forward to. It’s like we’re all just surviving the dark the cold the wind… oh the wind! Until spring arrives… spring…ahhhh

Sorry if I’m depressing you. Actually, I’m not really depressed so much as bored.
I’m bored with cold weather, with coat and hat piercing wind, with slush, and mud. I’m bored with spending 10 hours a day sitting at the same desk looking at the same computer with the same work staring back at me.
I’m bored with darkness. Bring on the sun! You know what that is. It’s that big bright orange thing that’s usually up in the sky!
To combat the darkness I’ve decided to try and read the Bible through in chronological order this year. Actually, if truth be told I stole the idea from a blogger I follow. :)
Anyway, it’s a good idea. Something I’ve never done. I’m only about 5 days in and I’ve already read things I hadn’t before. Interesting…… I’ll keep you posted.
So in a way, I guess I’ll bring my OWN light to the darkness by beefing up my bulb. :)

~Char

Happy New Year

Well the holidays are over. Thank goodness. Don't get me wrong I love to celebrate Jesus's birth and teach my children such. I love the opportunities to spread His love. However, this year was stressful, and I was ready for it to be O-V-E-R.
The kids had a good Christmas. They all seemed to really like and appreciate everything they got. Tanner got a bass guitar. My house sounds like the band room at school now. :)

We are a very blessed family to be sure. I keep reminding myself of that because lately it's been difficult to see that light at the end of the tunnel. The house we are living in is actually falling down around us. Sinks don't work, lights are failing, the windows are literally about to fall out of the wall. But IT'S OK. I am blessed. I WILL NOT COMPLAIN. We WILL reach our goal and build our own house. when????

I have decided to read the Bible in chronilogical order this year. I got a list and started the night before last. It should be interesting. And I know there are books I've never read before so this should be good.

Well, there's probably alot more I could write, but I'm just too tired. so that's all for now.

Ta-Ta, Char