Mom, take MY picture! Having an afternoon " movie and popcorn" date in the living room and taking a break from the heat. We are watching the movie "Bewitched" for the zillionith time. Good thing I love that movie.  

Camp Girl! With her duffle bag weighing more than her, here she is off to camp! I miss you little peeper girl! May you return with great stories, great songs, and plenty of bug bites.  

Blew Out a Flip Flop

You can see from my photos I have really been enjoying summer. It's my first summer in three years not taking classes and because I opted to get paid all year ( I work in a school), I am actually having the summer off and getting paid! Of course I love my job, love the kids, and really love this school system, having the summer off is just what I needed. My job is stressful, as I am a high school counselor, so I needed to get back to my fun self for a few months.
We have already done so much this summer: Camp, swimming daily, Enchanted Forest, road trips north, Delta Lake, a new slip and slide, our awesome 4th of July party with live music and fireworks, etc....And you know it's a good summer when you blow out a flip flop. Besides my flip flop that went down the sink hole ( see sink hole story), while frolicking at Enchanted Forest, I watched another pair of flops bite the dust. Oh, and I went down "Shadow" with my brave daughter ( that's the big green one you see from the road). I am renaming her "Thrill Seeker." A good time is being had by all. I just need to stock up on flip flops!

Line up for the slip n slide. Love the goggles?  

Sink Hole~ July 4, 2006 It actually looks worse in real life! While the girls were doing their slip and slide on teh fourth, Miranda says, casually, " There's a big hole over here mom." I take off running to see and as I am running to see this hole, I of course sink into the earth up to my knee into a new sink hole. All I could think of as I was going down was " Not now, not in these shoes." I had on new and very cute sequined butterfly flip flops. I sunk to my knee and left the above foot print in my lawn. Turns out the village removed a old well from my property before we bought the house last year and the dirt they packed in must have started to erode back to the leechfield. The village came to my house to see the sink hole and they filled in the hole with dirt. I was hoping they would dig it up, place in some heavy fill and much more dirt. I am really waiting for the lawn to sink again! I had all the neighborhood kids at the hole looking to see where Mrs. D sank into the lawn. I was cool for a day! Too bad my flip flops will never be the same.

What a Summer!!! 

Just Gorgous! Here's Ava in a dress Miranda wore 8 years ago.  

IRL

I can't believe I haven't updated my blog in over a month! I usually am a weekly poster, but I guess I have been enjoying my life IRL- in real life. School wound down, and I am offically off for the summer, short of a couple summer days I work and the time I need to spend getting a coupleof projects off the ground. I am working on my tan, and on some projects around my house as well. AND, baby Ava is a super model. I knew she was gorgous! Now, others will know it as well. I took the kids for portraits and the studio asked me to sign permission so they could use some of the baby's pictures for promotional use. I keep telling her she's a super model.

Enjoy your summer, IRL. Get out and enjoy! I know I am!!!!

Snow Day

I know what you're thinking, it's 60 degrees, the Lilacs are blooming, how can it be a snow day? Well, it is! We get back our unused snow day today as an extra vacation day. A bonus day. A unanticipated day to get things done! Woo Hoo! I am always wishing for extra time in my day and today, it's as if my fairy godmother granted my wish. Oh the things I will do today.

60 and Done!!

I finished up my last master's level class that I have to take. This completed my 60 credit hours, and did so with an overall 3.9. Smart, I know. I can continue to take classes to advance my pay level, but I don't have to take anymore. Ever. However, somewhere lurkingin the back of my mind is this really great research idea I have for an Ph. D. I am sure that amount of communication, pictures, images, etc.....children are exposed to since birth has something to do with the amount of kids that have ADHD, ADD, or just plain can't pay attention in school. Our teachers have to constantly keep things in motion in the classrooms to keep up with the inexistant attention spans. I have so many kids that have 504's for ADHD I have lost track of the number. I believe it's all related. I would love to do either a correlation or a longitudal study of this. But, I don't have to.

A Cure

Today I discovered an actual, yes actual cure for PMS. Eat one large, gooey Hemstrought's half moon cookie and drink one very large glass of milk. It was better than the half of bottle of asprin that really didn't do anything. I am cured! Praise Jesus......

She is a Comedian!

My little Anna, who is biologically not mine, has a sence of humor that is so much like mine. She is sarcastic, and quick with little zingers. Just the other day, we were walking to the post office. We passed a house and she said " Mom, who lives here?" I said " I am really not sure." She says " Maybe Allison." I say " Allison who?" " YOU KNOW mom, Allison in wonderland. " I am still chuckling.

Friday, we went out to dinner at Applebees. The girls love that place, I like the amboance and the obscure 80's music. The girls got balloons on the way out. I tell them to hold on tight to them. Anna says " Yeah or it will go up to God. He must have a lot of balloons." This is why her IQ is 115. She is one quick thinker. And funny as heck. I get her.

Pay it Forward

I have always lived my life like this, paying it forward, being nice and doing random good stuff. I guess thats why, in high school, I got the "Good Kid Award." My professors invited me back to St. Rose last week to help students still in grad school in their job search. They held a "Go for the Job Night." I was one of the lucky ones that got a job last year, but I like to think it was because I worked my butt off, and really had it in my heart to get a job working with kids everyday. So I hopped on the thruway and went. Sure, it wasn't easy taking time out of my schedule and leaving my kids for the night, but I am glad I did it. I was very upbeat for the students, even thought the job outlook is grim. I had a hand out with job search tips, and I worked the room, answering questions, giving advice, dishing out a little hope. In the end, I am glad I did it. There were certainly other counselors that helped me in my job search, and if I gave just one person a little piece of advice that helps them get hired, and in turn they help kids for years to come, that is really cool!

My Easter Chickies 

Happy Birthday Bunny Girl!  

Marthas Back!

Haven't had time much lately to be my usual Martha self. However, over break, I have had some time to tackle projects Martha style. First there was the family party for Miranda and the fabulous Bunny cake I made. Then, I harvested bulbs, chives, a bleeding heart bush, and flocks from my mom's house ( ok , she dug most of them up) and replanted them here. Martha would say the best way to garden! I "tagged saled" at Salvation Army and got a ton of really nice clothes for the girls, cleaned their closets and get them ready for warm weather. I also organized Peeps room. No easy task, as she is a pack rat!

Breath in. Do you sense the return of order and neatness?

I had a moment

As I was frantically trying to keep up with my " I work full time, am taking a class, have three kids" life, I had a moment today. I took the baby for her shots today ( oops, I was a couple months late. Bad mom), I went to get into the car and thought I had the wrong car. There were three car seats accross the back. Surely this was not my car. Three kids? Are you freaking kidding me? I have three kids??? WHAT AM I THINKING?

Had to stop on the way home and go shoe shopping to bring myself back.

Can I go to jail for this??

I stole this from Traci's blog. Wasn't that nice of me??

The Rules:1. I can only say YES or NO!2. I am NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone comments/messages me and asks!
Taken a picture naked? : yes ( ok, put the camera down my shirt and clicked it.)
Made out with a member of the same sex? : no
Danced in front of your mirror? : yes
Told a lie? : yes
Gotten in a car with people you just met?: no
Been in a fist fight? : no
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? : yes
Been arrested? : no
Slept in a bed with a member of the same sex? : yes
Seen someone die? : no
Kissed a picture? : yes
Slept in until 3? : yes
Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by? : yes
Played dress up? : yes
Fallen asleep at work? : yes
Had sex at work? : no
Felt an earthquake? : yes
Touched a snake? : no
Ran a red light? : yes
Been in a car accident? : yes
Pole danced? : yes
Been lost? : yes
Sang karaoke? : yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? : yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? : yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? : yes
Kissed in the rain? : yes
Sang in the shower? : yes
Got your tongue stuck to a pole? : Yes, well the freezer
Sat on a roof top? : yes
Played chicken? : no
Raised chickens? : yes
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? : yes
Been told you're hot by a complete stranger? : yes
Broken a bone? : no
Mooned/flashed someone? : yes
Forgotten someone's name? : yes
Slept naked? : yes
Blacked out from drinking? : yes
Played a prank on someone? : yes
Felt like killing someone? : yes
Made a parent cry? : yes
Cried over someone? : yes
Had sex more than 5 times in one day? : no
Had/Have a dog? : yes
Been in a band? : yes
Drank 25 sodas in a day? : no
Shot a gun? :yes

Life is a Cabaret

I went to my school last night to see our students in their yearly Cabaret. Let me first say that it was really good. I was impressed with the many numbers stage band did, as they accompanied the enitre thing. Costuming was good, and the dance moves were surprisingly alright. As I sat there and watched, however, I was transported back to my days in high school performing arts. I sat there realizing how much I miss music and theatre being a part of my life.
I came very close to being the play director this spring, as my school didn't have one. I have kicked around the idea of doing it next year and the idea both excites me, and scares me just a little. It's been a loooong time since I built a set, and outside of lighting for television ( college), I have not lit a stage for a play. I really think I could do it, and I know I would love to do it. Who knows, maybe next year will be my return to drama. The play is the thing!

Experiment

I purchased the new Jergins Natural Glow lotion. I have been intrigued that for 6 bucks you can moisturize your skin and look tan at the same time. As the original "whiter than white" girl, this seemed like a dream come true. I want to look tan, and I have gone tanning before to do so, but the whole cooking your skin part scares me. Not to leave out the fact that the more sun I get, the more freckles I get.
I am on my third day of this lotion and as the package says, I am starting to get that "sun kissed" look. I would actually say that I look a smidge darker. I look like I have been at the pool all day. The lotion has a nice, kind of tropical smell. If you have ever gone tanning and used the creams there, it smells like that, so I am tricking myself into believing that I have gone tanning. I am wearing a white jacket tomorrow and I just put it on to see how it looks. I do really look a little tan and the white off sets it nice.
So I will continue with my experiment. I am supposed to reach optimal color after using the product for 7 days. If it keeps going as planned, this is the last lotion I ever use. It was inexpensive, and as a bonus, it has a little shimmer in it. I like shimmer. Shimmer is fun, and very girly. Girly is good.

Poetry in Motion

Miranda wrote this Cinquin for her poetry unit. It's beautiful and graceful, just like her:

Snowflakes
falling beautiful
crystals
6 sided
none are the same
falling on your tongue


I can just see her sticking out her tongue to catch them.

Exercise Opportunist

In the book that I am reading Super Foods there is a section about exercise. It was an interesting read because it gave me the idea to be an exercise opportunist! In addition to trying to work exercise into your life, look for daily opportunities that arise naturally and exercise then. For instance, when we get home from school, my girls always want to go out to play, to take a walk, to go to the playground. I have been dropping everything to go outside and play with them. They like to get on their bikes, and I put the baby in the stroller and we all head out. When we do go to the playground, I like to zip around on the equipment as well.
My dog ligitimately also needs exercise. I have been getting into the habit of popping on my iPod, grabbing the dog and walking the bike path up to my school and walking around the school a few times. Daisy gets out, I get exercise.
I live pretty close to the school where I work. I would also like to make walking to and from work part of my day on nice days. Warm weather is about here, the walk is a brisk 10 min uphill, it would benefit me and the environment.
I even got my bike out, filled the tires with air and got it ready for Spring. When Miranda wants to go on a ride, I go to. We usually only take a short spin around the block, but I have been teaching her bike safety as we go. This again kind of fills double duty. I get exercise, she gets time with Mom. And she thinks it's so cool that I like to bike. We haven't seen any other mom's on bikes here.
In the end, I have decided instead of trying to get on my treadmill at 8pm everynight ( some nights I make it, some I am just too tired by 8) to find opportunities that arise each day that can be turned into exercise. It really makes sense. I can't possible say "I don't have time to play with my kids" I am looking forward to a Spring and Summer filled with opportunities to get out and get healthy. Ride on little girls, and wait for me!

Hooked on a Feeling

My quest for health has taken on a life of it's own. I had no idea it would be so easy. I am hooked on this feeling that I have right now. I feel satisfied. I have this feeling everyday and I think it's because I restructured my entire eating plan and now only eat food that has nutritional value. I have not had a slice of bread in a month, or potatoes, or pasta. I have also not had carb cravings in a month. I knew I had willpower, but even following weight watchers I was eating carbs and not learning how to deal with the cravings. I have replaced my old white starches with grains. I have Thomas Whole Grain English Muffins. 8 grams of fiber. I eat one at 6:30am, and an not hungry until my 11:30 salad. I have also added wheat germ to my life, in smoothies and on my whole grain cereal in the am. I even perfer soy milk now on my cereal.
I am mostly excited because I know I can keep going with this way of eating because it just makes sense to me and my body feels satisfied, healthy, and strong. Additionaly, the scale reads 10 pounds less now in a month. And did I mention that my hair, skin, and nails have never looked better? I wasn't planning on that.

You are my Sunshine 

Adventures in Biology

Friday we had an extreme sub shortage at my school. So extreme the principal came in and told the counselors we were the biology teacher for the day. We looked at each other and burst out laughing. I think there are reasons we are all counselors. We love working with kids, but had no intent of ever teaching a class, but what can you do? We were short staff, so time to rally!
I only wound up with 8th period, and didn't realize when I walked down to the room that it was AP Biology. Keep in mind the actual last time I set foot in a bio classroom was 10 grade. I was 15. I am 30something. That was actually 19 years ago. All I really remember was fiddling with Mr. Sos's computer and having network people have to come and fix it ( sorry) and the fetal pigs. Ours was fondly named stubby the pig and thank GOD for Steph. She had the cohonies to do the cut work. No way was I cutting into that pig.
Thankfully, the teacher left a quiz and lab work for the students to finish up on and the students I had were really good kids. Seniors taking the class because they wanted to. They were working with specimine jars identifying class, genomes, and genesis classifications. When one kid asked about a Genesis, I sais " Hey, I know this! It's a rock group and their front man was Phil Collins." Now it was their turn to laugh. I was amazed at the content they were studying and I had a lot of respect for them. I am a smart girl, I read a lot, and I know a lot about a lot of things, but the complexities that is Biology is foreign to me. And to the kid that opened the specimine jar with the frog in it to see how it smelled, well, whatever works for you. Keep that thing away from me.

Superlative!

So I have been adding so called "super foods" to my diet and I have to report back on this. I do actually feel super, although the intent was to be healthy not to achieve a feeling. I have been eating things like walnuts ( move over almonds, walnuts are now worthy), olives, oatmeal, cinnamon, and tomato juice daily. I have been taking a super B vitamin and Omega pill as part of my regimine, and drinking an ocean of water a day. I am moving into the 3 week zone, and there is no way I want to go back to the way I was eating. I no longer eat white bread, white potatoes, or pasta, and I have to say I thought I would be miserable, but it's not the case. My cravings for sugary, chocolately foods are gone. I find my appetite has pretty much gone south for the first time in my life. That's powerful stuff!
I have been out to dinner ( Zebbs of all places) and not tempted to deviate ( baked chicken, coleslaw, and onion soup), weathered a birthday and only had 1/2 of a small piece of cake as a 3 week reward for myself, and even had cookie dough in the house and didn't want to nosh on it. Amazing. I will continue onward with my quest for health. I know I have lost weight because pants that didn't fit after I had the baby now fit, but more importantly, I really do feel super.

Ch-Ch-ch-Changes

Visualization is a powerful tool. It's a technique I use when working with kids. If you want to make changes, if you want to things to be different, you need to be able to see it, to visualize it, if you are going to make it happen. If you can't see yourself changed, how can you even begin to think change is possible?
I myself want to make some changes this year. Last year, just about everything in my life changed and something I frequently did was to close my eyes, breath deep, palms up and visualize the change. I allowed myself to see the change in my head and to pretend I could feel the changes in my being. Deep, I know, but it worked. It was something that kept me focused on my goals and as I was interviewing for jobs, I imagined myself in those roles. So this year, I am using the same technique.
The changes I am visualizing this year are health and well being. I have struggled with my weight since I was in 8th grade. I have never been huge by any means, but the times I have been at my ideal weight I have not been able to stay there and it's not because I didn't follow a maintenance plan, it's because I never made PERMANENT changes to my eating. Lifestyle changes. I never visualized myself long term sticking to my plan and eating healthy long term.
In order to achieve my goal this year, and weightloss speaking it's only about 20-25 pounds that stands between me and my favorite weight. Nothing major, but this time, I would like to stay there, to eat healthfully long term not only for the number on the scale, but for the way I feel, for low blood pressure and low cholesterol. I have both of those things now, low blood pressure and cholesterol, but not really by anything I have done, so I would like to make changes that support this through my adult life.
Some thigs I have done to help me achieve this so far are again visualization. I can see long term health in my head, I can see myself at my favorite weight. A second thing I have done is more reading and research. I am a thinker. I like facts and I like reasons. I know I should eat fruits and veggies because they are healthy, but I needed more facts. I got a book called Super Foods that goes into detail about foods that really pack a healthy punch. I haven't gotten too far into the book, but now on a daily basis I eat a handful of walnuts, a cup of olives, and I found this greay blueberry tea at the health food store. Blueberries really pack an antioxident rich punch. Who knew? The tea I found, although not quite as good as the real deal, is almost as rich. Besides that it is delicious. I am eating salads once a day, and whole foods like chicken and tuna.
It's only been 2 weeks since I got really serious about this, and I can't say that it was too hard, because I have always been on the healthier side of life, kind of on the verge. In my two week quest, I have already dropped 6 pounds. Not the most important reason, but man does it feel good. And did I mention that I feel amazing???
So I am visualizing myself at the local beach this summer. I am not covered up with a beach cover up. I am running around with my girls, drinking water and eating fresh fruits as our beach snacks. I look good, I feel good. At the next site over is the family munching on chips and soda at the beach. They are overweight, the look tired, and sadly the children are large as well. I can visualize this because when we went to Glimmerglass last summer, quite a few families at the beach looked like this. I was appalled at the number of obese kids sitting on their beach towels eating chips. I vowed this would not be us. There were 2 French Canadian women at the beach. They looked awesome, in the mid 40's. I couldn't help but notice they were munching on grapes and had plenty of water to drink. Pass the water and pass the strawberries please. We want health, vitality, and strength. I can see it now!!!

That Was Awesome!

What a beautiful day yesterday was. After the snow fell, the sun came out for a while and the whole family went out to play. I keep hearing this song by U2 running through my head:
Beautiful Day The heart is a bloom, shoots up through stony ground
But there's no room, no space to rent in this town
You're out of luck and the reason that you had to care,
The traffic is stuck and you're not moving anywhere.
You thought you’d found a friend to take you out of this place
Someone you could lend a hand in return for grace
It's a beautiful day, the sky fallsAnd you feel like it's a beautiful day
It’s a beautiful dayDon’t let it get away
You’re on the road but you’ve got no destination
You’re in the mud, in the maze of her imagination
You love this town even if it doesn’t ring true
You’ve been all over and it’s been all over you
It's a beautiful dayDon’t let it get away
It's a beautiful dayDon’t let it get away
Touch me, take me to that other place
Teach me, I know I’m not a hopeless case
See the world in green and blue
See China right in front of you
See the canyons broken by cloud
See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out
See the bedouin fires at night
See the oil fields at first light
See the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood all the colours came out
It was a beautiful day
A beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Touch me, take me to that other place
Reach me, I know Iím not a hopeless case
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
You don’t need it now, you don’t need it nowBeautiful day

( courtesy of lyrics.com)

Thrill Seeker 

Signs of Spring

Yesterday I had the best day with my girls. It appears we are the only ones in the entire town that didn't go to Florida this year ( or Maui, or Hawaii, or Colorado, destinations of students I work with). The good side of this is that things are pretty quiet around here. LOL.....things are always quiet here......
So, our day started with a promised trip to the Disney Store, or The Mothership, as I like to call it. I owed my girls a treat. Miranda had a fabulous report card, and Anna had worked on her toileting hygiene (sp). We spent a good chunk of time there, and at Limited too, and lunched at Friendly's The mall was surprisingly quiet. I expected to find the rest of my town there. The first sign of Spring in the air were really cute hot pink toe thong sandels at Payless. And little beach bags, and flip flops. A girl could really get excited!
After we played with the new Disney toys for a while, my girls wanted to go out side and play. It was 3pm, but I noticed very warm out and still very light. Hmmmmm.......light out later in the day. Hurray! A Mary Tyler Moore jump in the air moment.
We hit the playground at Miranda's school like a pack of monkeys. From accross the empty field I saw it for the first time. A zip line. Miranda's new playground at school has a zip line. This was information I didn't possess. Before I could think, I hit the ground running. I figured I needed momentum to make the thing zip. Actually, it was lubed up a little too well. My feet left the ground and boy did I zip! Before I could abandon ship the thing came to an abrupt end at the end of the line and I was thrown off. Note to self, skip the running start next time. We played hard and before I noticed it must be after 4pm, but the sun was still pretty high and the air warm. Ava snoozed in the stroller and the girls kept on playing. The shadows in the sun on the playground reminded me that Spring was really around the corner. On the way home, the last beautiful reminder. Water rushing down the road in the ditch. Water rushing means water melting. What a joyous day. Now, if only my back didn't hurt so much from that zip line.

The More Things Change

One of my favorite novels of all time I read while I was in high school, A Seperate Peace, by John Knowles. From this work comes one of my favorite quotes of all time " The more things change, the more things stay the same." I remember in high school, my group of girlfriends and I used to ponder this. We were, how do I say this, a little dramatic and considered ourselves artsy. When some students were disecting fetal pigs ( ewwww...) WE were disecting song lyrics and poetry by Rimbaugh. We were very deep, according to ourselves.
I went with my family last night to dinner at the New Hartford Shopping Center and this quote came to mind to me. Here I am, now 34 years old and that old shopping center has changed so much. The anchor stores I used to know are long since faded away, but there, among new unfamiliar stores, were some of my favorite old haunts. Thankfully it was after hours and closed, but there I stopped dead in my tracks in front of Fannie Farmer. I can remember Christmas shopping long ago with my parents and stopping in to pick one perfect chocolate from behind the glass to enjoy as a treat. There was Karaz shoes, again probally a good thing it was closed, home of the big talking bird and really great shoes ( mental note, GREAT sandals in their front window. They look my size). There was Accents of Ireland, Herb Phillipsons, and even Tracy's Hallmark. I haven't been to that shopping center since about 10 years ago. I was glad that with all that has changed in my life, and in the world, that some things are exactly as I remembered. I am looking forward to Christmas shopping there this year with my girls, and stopping in to Fannie Farmer for a chocolate covered lemon cream. You can keep Godiva and Lindt, I perfer things Fannie's way.

Life in a Northern Town 

Embrace the Day!

What a beautiful day in central NY. It's actually been kind of gloomy with the warm temps and no snow. Call me crazy, but I like the snow. It snowed a little last night, beautiful, fluffy flakes. It was the kind of snow you looked up into and almost got dizzy. So today has dawned sunny, frosty, and bright.
Today brings a trip back to where we used to live to attend Mardi Gras at Miranda's old school. Just her and I will be making the drive, and I am looking forward to this. While I was on maternity leave, the baby and Anna and I spent a lot of time together. Miranda and I need a girls night out, just the two of us.
So embrace the day! Exercise, eat healthy, take care of yourself, and hold your loved ones close.

Two Cuties! Brian would kill me if he knew I posted his photo! :) Guess he should start reading my blog.......

Cheater Cheater

What a wierd word: cheat. Have you ever really looked at it? It's one of those words you look up after you write it to make sure you spelled it right. I have had a couple kids on my case load caught cheating. What a difficult situation to be in, for everyone involved. In my school, it gets you a meeting with the principal to decide basically what becomes of you. In college, it's more cut and dry, they kick you out. In high school, it's more of a discipline and retraction of the grade. You also lose face. I mean, after a teacher has caught a "good" student cheating, all trust and credibility is out the window. Were all those "good grades" real? Or were they the product of cheating?
One of the students we caught was using her folder and opening it when the teacher was not looking. She claimed she was stressed out to get good grades and had 5 20 week tests all in the same day (that part of it was kind of wrong on the teachers part.). However, all the kids were in the same boat. They were all under pressure and the honest, rock solid kids did not waiver.
I felt bad for her. The principal had to phone home, and that was the part that got her the most. She was so embarassed for her parents to be getting the information that she cheated on a 20 week test. Then there was in-school. Again, this is they type of student that has never broken a school rule and now she will have to face her friends and explain why she is going to ISS. Hopefully, she learned a valuable lesson.
We know cheating goes on in school. The ante has been upped now that the internet is so user friendly. You can down load almost any paper you need written both for a fee and for free. With the use of cell phones and texting, one student can text another on the contents of a test if they have the subject two periods in a row. It has gotten much easier to cheat. Couple that with the amount of Regents, mid terms, finals, state tests, etc....and the need to cheat has also gone up.
With all that in mind, when I look at my own girls, there is really only a couple of things in life I expect of them. I want them to be kind to people. I want them to give their personal best, and I want them to be honest at all costs. I would rather they bring home a B they worked for than an A they plagerized or cheated for. When it's report card time, and my little daughter is asking "I wonder how many A's I got this time." I stop her. I tell her before we open it that I am proud of how hard she has worked in second grade and that I know her grades will reflect her hard work. I also tell her I will be proud of whatever grades are in there because I know she put time and effort into her work. Bottom line, that is golden. May my girls never feel the pressure to cheat. May I never dole out the expectation that A's are everything. An honest hard working person, true to themselves is everything.

Taking Stock

I like to take stock in my life from time to time. I think people forget to do this. They get caught up in their jobs, making money, and amassing "stuff" and forget to take stock in the important things. Take hapiness for instance. Are that many people really miserable? Do most people go through life just going through the motions? I ask this because I got a book club offer in the mail. It was a book club selling all kinds of self help books. To me, that is so hopeless. So many people think they need to change, and need so much help doing it that there is an entire book club dedicated to it. Just some of the offerings were "How to Find Happiness", "Karma Sutra" (which be the way is how to have better sex), "Eating right for Happiness", "Getting in touch with your inner spirit for Happiness", "Building a Better Family," and so on.
It just seems like a no-brainer to me. If you are unhappy, change! It's free and simple advice. Take a look at what is making you miserable and take the steps to change. Happiness does not come in a little pill, or a book, or magic gemstones, or crystals, or even in the foods you eat ( although I attribute some of my happiness to chocolate). Take stock and change. I have made a lot of changes in my life and I made them not necessairly because I was unhappy, but because I wanted to work towards my goals. I took stock and I wasn't completely where I wanted to be. I have this "life is short" philosophy that drives most things I do. I guess my point is, life is short, don't waste time reading about how to change in a book. Just go out and do it.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I am surely speaking of tax time. I love tax time. It's a time to take stock of the finances, and settle up with the government. Typically, due to our investments and us being pretty savy, we have a large refund. Last yeat it was over 10K. Really. I know, I know....it would be better to not have the refund, have the money back in the pay checks to invest it earning interest somewhere. However, our money came from us renting out our apartment and renovating it at the same time On the books, this equaled losing money. It really was, we totally renovated an apartment top to bottom. We also sold said renovated apartment and now are facing a capital gain this year. Two of them actually, we sold both properties. So I am not sure what tax time holds in store. We do get the adoption tax credit, and we get to add two children to the mix. I have 5K in college tuition from St. Rose, and there were renovations to the apartment before we sold it. PLUS, moving expenses ( totally legal to write off in a job related move) and because we itemize and had shitty insurance ( now we have mine, it is awesome baby), we have almost 5K in medical expenses. So, we either will come out even, or we may possible owe. Either way, I did the tax prep today and once the forms come in from year end earnings, I can send it onto our accountant to do the math. Even though I don't expect that big tax refund we have gotten used to, I am excited to get this last tax year behind us, settle up with the government and move fiscally forward.
2006 will bring a tax deduction for insulating the kitchen floor ( energy tax breaks for 2006-2007), tuition ( my last class for perm. certification), and child care deductions, in addition to the usual interest on the home loan and school loan. It's a start. Gone will be the rental write off and the medical write offs. My plan is really good now and there will hardly be any uncovered medical expenses. Nice to have that money back in our pockets!
Here's to a financially healthy 2006, may your mutual funds grow and your 401K's pop, and may we get closer to getting Bush out of office so better financial days loom on the horizon.

No Carrot Left Behind

This weekend was a blur of cleaning, vacuuming, and cooking! I had a bunch of odds and ends left over in the fridge, so couple that with my interest of taking care of our money, and I turned scraps into dinners! Also add to this the fact that my Magic Bullet has arrived. Can you believe it? I purchased something from an infomercial. Well.......actually, new in box half price from eBay. So, this is what I accomplished today:

• Threw the parm in the MB, now have fresh parm for pasta this week
• threw banannas and formula into MB, had lunch for Ava ( she loved it, kicked her little feet the entire time she was eating)
• Threw eggs, mayo, salt, celery salt and fresh ground balck pepper into it and made egg salad sandwiches for lunch, with left overs for the week
• Took the left over carrots from making stew last night and sliced them up for dinner on Thursday with the turkey.
• cooked up the left over bacon, crumbled it up and put it into a Quiche to sever tomorrow ( it's wrapped up tight in the fridge as we speak)
• made home made bread and used the left over potato buds in it to make Irish potato bread ( served it tonight with corned beef and kraut, and it rocked the house).
• made the corned beef in the crock pot with left overs for corned beef sandwiches later this week. ( will use the left over Russian dressing and make Rubens)
• used up the left over chocolate and butterscotch chips from Christmas baking and made 4 dozen cookies.

I now have no scraps of this and that left and entire dinners for later this week. How cool is that? And the house smelled so yummy.......

Hermiting

This weekend, I want nothing better than to be a hermit! The last 4 weekends, from Kayana's birthday, to Christmas, to New Years, to Anna's birthday, and holding Career Day at school in the mix, I have been one b-u-s-y girl. I need to play catch up this weekend and just hang around the house. The only things I have scheduled are taking Daisy to the groomer for an emergency bath ( the snow melted and she rolled in something that reeks!). I have a high tolerance for stinky smells, but she just smells nasty. I also am taking my car to Best Buy to have the remote car starter installed. Otherwise, I plan on seeing nobody, and I rather like it this way. I'd like to cook, clean, and I have a couple organizational projects on the horizon. Sounds great! Here's to a long productive weekend. A house filled with the smells of cleaners and home cooked meals. Perfect.......

Money Honey

Now that I am just working, and not working, going to grad school and doing internships, I have more time on my hands. In the past 3 years I have been way to busy to really keep track ofour money. Fortunately, Brian and I are careful with it, but I would like it working for me a little more this year. So, in the past week, I have taken the bull by the horns. I opened a life insurance account for the baby and Anna ( Miranda has one), I opened up a UPromise Credit card, both to transfer another credit card to it to enjoy 0% interest for the year and pay down a balance quicker, and to cash in on the college savings rewards ( think 3 girls bound for college someday). I am filing a past claim for the teaching assistant job in Schenectady for 9 months of credit into the teaching retirement system ( I almost completely forgot about this), and I just enrolled in this keep the change thing with my debit card where the bank rounds my purchases up and deposits the change into my savings account. Cool!

Other goals include investing into Brian's 401K ( available to him after March), and getting my own 401B going ( this in addition to my retirement system, Brian's IRA, and a whole life policy should make retirement everything we want it to be).

OH! And for the next 2 years, 2006 and 2007, you can get a tax credit on any energy efficent improvements you make on your home. We are puling up the kitchen floor to insulate under it and put in a new floor. This will qualify as our first tax credit of the year! Sweet.

Banner Year

2005 was a banner yea for me. For the first time in the history of me, I didn't want the year to end. I didn't want to count down at midnight and toast, I liked the year we had. Besides, we are leaving the year Ava was born in.

2005 looked like this for me:
January- started my elementary school counseling placement and my LAST semester of grad school

February- found out I was PREGNANT!

March-passed my counseling boards

April- Interviewed with HP and was asked back to a second interview

May- Second interview, job offer, Anna's adoption, put offer in on this house, budget passed here and I was offically a counselor!!! Had a job before I graduated, and finally, graduated from Grad school in May

June- put both houses on market, sold our house in 1 day, got my certification in the mail

July- A quite month! Packed and waited (not patientally) for our closing date

August-closed on one house we sold, and the house we bought, moved to HP, started my job

September- closed on our income property, started my first school year as a counselor, had Ava, Brian starts new job

October- Nice and quiet, home on maternity leave

November- returned to work after leave and settled into my job

December- First Holidays in our new old house. GREAT way to end 2005

So long 2005, you were a great year to my family. We have been so blessed this past year and I appreciate every moment of it. I can only hope to continue on with good health, and good luck in 2006. Happy New Year.

Last Night

Last night, as I was putting Anna to bed, I asked her to hug everyone and say Merry Christmas. On her way downstairs, she yelled up:
"Mom, does Christmas come every year?"
"Yes honey"
All through the house we then heard:
"WooHoo, Christmas comes every year!"

I'm still laughing. I love you little girls. Thank you for making all my hard work worth while. Merry Christmas babies, and another Happy New Year.

Also funny:
"MOM! Santa got a Barbie Car down the chimmney!"

The Kranks

Have you seen the movie "Christmas With the Kranks"? Jamie Lee Curtis is in it ( I LOVE her) with Tim Allen. Her and her husband decide, when faced with the fact that their daughter will be out of the country, to skip Christmas and spend the money on a cruise. Ya know, it sounds like a fabulous idea! From Thanksgiving to now I have done nothing but plan for Christmas. Order and shop for gifts, decorate, photos of the girls with santa, plan and make the Christmas dinner, clean the house top to bottom, remember to get co-worker gifts, bake 4 different types of cookies for cookie trays for the neighbors, donate to charities, enough! I think someday, when the magic of santa has passed, I am all about leaving the decorations in the attic, grabbing my bikini and going on a cruise for Christmas. Just call me Ms. Krank, I guess, but I would love Christmas in the lands where palm trees sway. Let's see, Ava will believe in Santa for maybe 8-9 years, so Bermuda 2013!

Twas 2 Nights Before Christmas 

My Grown Up Christmas List

Typically, around this time of year I begin making up my wish list. I want what I want every year, only it's never available at the Mall. After working with kids through the past couple of Christmas seasons, I wish parents wouldn't screw up their children. The number one thing I see is that kids just need parents to listen to them, to take a few minutes and sit down and listen to them. The number two thing I see is that I wish people that weren't going to stick a marriage out for more than 5 min. wouldn't have kids. I have so many kids that get jockeyed from house to house, that have parents pitted against one another. Kids with so many multiple "step" siblings you need footnotes just to figure out whi is related to who. Mom and Dad, once close enough to have kids, can't even have a civil conversation. Kids having to choose which parent's house to live in. Kids having no father in their lives. Single mom's working 3 jobs to make up for a deadbeat dad. Over half the kids I see have family problems. So this Christmas, I wish people would try a little harder to make their children's lives easier. By that, I don't mean throwing stuff at them, I mean spending time with them and putting them first. I have had nothing but kids in crisis this past week because of the approaching holiday. I'd like nothing better than not to have a line at my door, not because I don't want to work, but because I don't want to see kids in tears. As much as I'd like an ipod for Christmas, my wish is that parents could see what they do to their children and work to make it better.

What if Santa asks me if I've been bad.... 

All I want for Christmas...... 

In Case You Were Wondering...

Steel wool, in case you were wondering, is flammable. I hate to tell you, but I know this to be true. Just this morning, Brian was warming up the snow blower to clear the drive. It's old, in fact, it was left by a tenant when we owned property, so we don't expect much of it. It's lounder than most, so in an attempt to save his hearing, Brian put steel wool in the muffler. It did quiet the noise, except he had a small fire. I wasn't home at the time, but the girls tell me " Just flames, mama." So, Brian put the fire out, and like a Derby Car, if it still ran, it was fair game. Too bad the cable snapped on the next pass down the driveway.
I have been telling him all along, " We live in the North Country, you need a garden tractor with a blower." Guess what he just said we need? I won't even say it.......

Dashing Through the Snow~ The annual Christmas card shoot on Thanksgiving Day.  

Santa Baby~ 2 Months old, on her way to see Santa. She slept through the whole thing!  

Secret Admirers

One of my high school students has been writing "Secret Admirer" letters to another one of my students. As a counselor, I wouldn't normally have them, but he stalked another girl last year and this girl saved all the letters and brought them in. Anyways, of course I read them, what kind of counselor would I be if I wasn't nosey? I have to say, reading these corney little secret admirer letters brought me back to high school. Wasn't it nice to be an adolescent and be able to write these letters, fold them up, and shove them through a locker? To wait for the receiver to read them, and to go through the feelings of wondering if you had a chance. Of wondering if a relationship was possible, and mostly hoping they would know it was you who sent it and the thought alone would make you happy.
As an adult, I wish I could still do that. Send little noted filled with hope, filled with flattering comments, and filled with love to people. I would write one to my daughters teacher, one to the mail person, one to my sister. A little secret note that you could fill with emotion and love. I would say nice things, compliment them, and wait to see their reaction. I would not sign my name, rather, keep them guessing as to who wrote it, and I would find just the right place to leave the note.
Somehow, along the way of life we grow up and forget to do innocent silly little things like this. We think communication must also grow up and mature, and we forget how something as simple as a note could make someone's day. When I came back from my maternity leave, there was a card in my faculty mailbox. I tore it open with abandon. It welcomed me back, told me to take it easy on my first day, and it said everyone missed me. It was signed: The Happy Hollander. It was as good as that secret admirer note. I walk around school and try to figure out who the Happy Hollander is. I love that I don't know. Whom ever you are, Happy Hollander, thank you.

Duckie Love~ 6 Weeks Old 

Backyard
This is why I hired a landscaper this weekend. Sure, it looks and pretty and nice, but looks are deceiving. I went out on more than one occassion with the rake and my yard cart. I hauled away 5 or 6 carts of wet leaves and it didn't even look like I made a dent. My shoulder hurts and my optimism that I could rake the yard faded away. My yard is almost 1 acre in length. Bring on a good strong guy with a big lawn mower and bagger. I am willing to admit defeat. Am waving the white flag.

The Done List

The "To Do" list, don't you love it when it turns into the "Done List"? Here is what I did this weekend:
Major grocery haul at BJ's
Washed and cleaned Volvo, including armor-alling the seats. I love it when my ass slides on curves. It's a sign of a good clean car!
Put away and organized Halloween decorations, and yes, they must be organized when put away. It makes taking them out easier next year.
Unpacked all my professional clothes and organized. Even gave some away to Good Will.
Purchased more new white hangers so all the hangers in my closet are white. This had been bugging me, hangers in various different colors. That's just not right.
Unpacked and organized books
Organized office
Put away laundry
Cooked a nice Sunday dinner
Hired a landscaper to rake leaves, my favirote thing! Someone else to rake the leaves.

No wonder my head hurts this morning. I think I have a OCD hangover. Pass the coffee.

Cleansing my Aura

Ahh, it feel so much better. I am finally getting the rest of my things unpacked and getting the house organized the way I want it. Brian put up a shelving unit in the office today and I organized and unpacked my books. It looks a thousand times better. The boxes sitting around my house have been really bugging me. I love clean, and I love organized even better. It's not right, I know, to look forward to cleaning and organizing on a beautiful Saturday, but that is the way I like it.
I don't know when exactly I became OCD. My bedroom in high school looked like The Limited blew up and the pieces fell everywhere. There were clothes everywhere. Organization did not exist. I didn't even know how good it felt to clean closets. Somewhere along the way in college my OCD kicked in. When Brian and I got our first apartment I went into Martha mode. When I had Miranda, it intensified 100 percent. I think it's because life is easier to handle when everything has a place, when spices are alphabetized, when clothes are put into their seasonal boxes and stored away, when things unused are given away, when the leather seats in the car have been cleaned and conditioned.
Ayways, I am feeling more like my old self again. I am off to organize my professional clothes by collections and colors. What an exciting Saturday night! WooHoo!!!!! Grabbing a Smirnoff Ice on my way upstairs. Party in my closet.

Ava's First Play Date 

Going Back in Time

My father says I have stepped back 100 years in time. Funny, I don't have a time traveling machine and Michael J. Fox has not been spotted here? What he means, is that the village I moved to is old fashioned, and I love this.
When I began interviewing for my current job, I knew I wanted to move here for the schools and for the village. It was filled with our favorite thing, cool old houses. From the day I moved in, it was apparent my father was right. Neighbors came out to meet us and bring us food. They offered to help with anything, and proceeded to do so. They helped me understand the pool and it's various chemicals. They helped me find things like good doctors, dance classes, and even good pizza. When I had the baby, back they came with more food and offered more help.
Most people say with dread " Oh, but it's a small town." True, it's pretty small, not even a stop light. It makes the small town I grew up in look big. When we resealed the blacktop driveway, people at school noticed and talked about it. After living in the city, I like that people are aware and notice change, even if it was just blacktop. It seems we all watch eachother's houses. We notice when things aren't right. Who needs neighborhood watch here?
We had our first trick or treat night last night. The Fire Department actually came out, closed off streets and helped escort the throngs of kids that came out. It was so safe, and so much fun! I had about 300 kids come to my door. Most people came welcoming me to the neighborhood, and congratulating us on the baby. They were friendly, they were chatty. They are my neighbors, and I love this place!

The Boo Crew 2005~ My Witch and my Brat Doll.  

Glowing in the Wind

Pumpkin Art
Every year around this time, Brian starts to plan for his artistic pumpkin carving. Last year, he did a beautiful Owl pumpkin carving that took several days to complete. This year, I found the Cinderella patterns and as soon as the girls saw them, it was destiny. He began the process on Friday night and we were able to light them last night. This is the glowing view from my front steps. The girls are aleady talking about what he can carve up next year. Whatever they choose, I am SURE he wil be up to the task. He is already eyeballing the power tools and sharpening the chisel.

Bewitched 2004 

3:20PM

Waiting for the Bus
Miranda's bus brings her home at 3:30pm. This is the scene at my house as Baby and Daisy wait for her to come home. Isn't that sweet? They love her as much as she loves them. I think it is important for children to have pets. Pets teach us so much of the important things in life. They teach us to be gentle with things smaller than you. They teach responsibility, compassion, and they teach us to love, unconditionally.
Miranda and Anna have learned so much from this shaggy crew. Miranda does a great job of taking care of her cat. She cleans his litter box, and springs out of bed and makes sure he has food. She hugs and kisses him, and when I go grocery shopping, she lovingly picks out food he will like and treats. Anna will tell you SHE is Daisy's mom. That used to be me, but she feeds her and loves her as much as I do. Lately, Daisy has been MIA from 12:30-2:00. I went looking the other day. She lays on the floor next to Anna's bed as she naps. I guess they are taking an afternoon nap together.
I love these two critters like children. For the times they have been stepped on, carried around when they didn't want to be, lost fur, and been played with too hard, they have quickly forgiven the girls. That's what I am talking about. Loyalty and love. Bark when the bus is out front Daisy.

Four Walls

I heard this Randy Travis song on " Extreme Home Make Over" last night. The show brought me to tears, this song had me weeping:
My Grandpa farmed for a livin',Content to live the simpler kind of life.
My Grandma worked in the kitchen,Awfully proud to be that farmer's wife.
They used to say that they'd got everything that they need,Each mornin' they wake up:
Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.
With the highway twice as wide,And the farmland sub-divided.It's good to know that some things never change.
I'm still lovin' an I'm still livin',By those simple words of wisdom:
Life an' love come down to just four things.
My Grandpa, Lord knows, I miss him,An' the way that he and Grandma looked at life.
And each day, I count my blessings,To have that kind of love here by my side.
No matter what, we know we've got everything that we need,Each mornin' we wake up:
Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.Yeah, we've got everything that we need,Between the two of us:Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

Ava's Baby Toes
Perfect, right down to her cute little feet.

1960's Style

I have had my worse nightmare come true. 3 doors down from my house I have a new neighbor. He is a recently parolled Level 3 sexually violent offender. From his report, he raped 2 children, on more than one occasion, taking them by force. He did less than 2 years in prision and he's free. The apartment he lives in has children that live there.
From the moment I found out about him, I sprang into hippy mode. I wanted to protest, to hold signs, to enlist people to help, so I printed off his poster, duplicated it by the hundreds and went door to door in my neighborhood. I went up to every house in a 3 streete area to talk to people, hand out flyers, give an updated description of him, and to give out his landlords name and number so people could put some pressure on the people that brought this guy to my neighborhood. I ran out of flyers. I worked so hard, I had to come home to get water and rest. I hauled my 3rd trimester pregnant belly up countless steps. It felt so good to warn people. I felt that I had a duty to warn, and I am glad I did, people had no idea and there are quite a few kids on my block.
My friend Barb is a left over hippy, and I mean that in a good way. She is a little older and not afraid to demonstrate for things she believes in. Typically, she is passionate about making this a better city, saving cool old buildings ( like the birthplace of TV GE tore down. She tried so hard to save that beautiful historic building). She is often heading out with signs and her magaphone, and I really admire her. She goes to bat for what she believes in and has taught her daughter to do the same.
Miranda and Anna went with me on my one woman crusade to warn the neighbors. Miranda knew that this man hurt kids and that it was important we tell people. She was stuffing mailboxes ( illegal, I know), and showing people his photo just like I was. I wish more people did this, took care of eachother, bonded as neighbors, and banded together for common goals.
I am organizing a neighborhood meeting now, and the next step, since the landlords won't return our calls, is to head out to their house with some posters and embarass them in their fine little neighborhood. I just learned that if we stay peaceful, remain on the sidewalk, we can do this without getting arrested. Cool! More people should be left over hippys.

Peace out brother!

Storm Chasing and Mallo Cups

We had 3 pretty freak storms here last night, severe lightning and floods. The streets were all flooded, the thruway had to close the 2 local exits, 26, 27 due to the road being 4 feet under water and mud. I watched it all from my house, but wanted to explore more.
Brian came home from work at 7:30, so I jumped in my car and did what I haven't done since I lived in the country, I went to check out damage and look for the other storm rolling in. There were streets closed, city kids running in the rivers of water in the streets, and all was calm and peaceful. Except for DPW workers, there were not any cars on the road. I stopped at Stewarts for milk ( and the Mallo Cup called my name) and it was dead in there too. When I used to live on the farm, my dad would gather us up and we would go for rides looking at storm damage. I am not sure if that's messed up or not, but it was fun to get out after the storm and ride around in that old farm pick up ( the one without all the floor boards). I am not a person that goes to fires, to me, thats morbid, but I do like to see what mother nature has been up to.
FYI, if you do this, check to see how close the next round of storms is. As I was pulling up to my house, the sky opened up and poured. I had all I could do to run into my house. The pregnant version of a wet t-shirt contest isn't pretty, either.

Would you? Could you?

I have come to some decisions regarding where I shop. Being the wife of a retail manager for the past 11 years, I never thought I would say this, but I HATE big box stores. I hate what they do to their employees. Let's just say my current thought pattern is based on my husband's big box employer not recognizing that he has health complications and disregarding a doctors note he turned in. All the doctor wanted was for him to go down to 8 hour days for 6-8 weeks to see if his health improves ( Fibromyalgia). They ignored it and instead scheduled him for 9 days straight ( he's a manager, it's legal). He collapsed at work yesterday. Now he's getting a "we'll see what we can do" song and dance. He typically puts in close to 70 hours a week and busts his butt. He, in the course of his illness, has only called in sick 2 times in almost 4 years. Thats total days he's called in sick. 2 in 4 years.
So, in support of my husband ( and becuase I just read that John Walton, heir to Wal Mart, was worth 18 Billion dollars. Nobody needs 18 billion dollars), I have decided to support mom and pop shops. I am staying OUT of those big places even if it means I spend more. Luckily, the village I am moving to has this little shopping district a few miles away ( Barneveld) that has a little meat market, pet store, health food co-op, it even has a shoe store ( I just bought 2 all leather loafers there on extreme sale for 5.00/pair, and they are a good name brand and all leather. They will last a while). I haven't been to a big box store in 2 weeks now. It will be interesting to see if I can do it.

Unfortunately, I will need school clothes soon for Miranda. I am not sure what my approach to this will be? It may be mail order, from more upscale places, or outlet shopping ( I love outlets, they tend not to be big box stores). Either way, the buck stops here.

34

How did I ever think my 21st birthday couldn't be outdone? Granted, I had a pretty fun 21st birthday, it does not hold a candle to my 34. Being some 7 months pregnant, in the middle of packing, and sweltering in the heat, all I really wanted was to have dinner with my family. Brian took the girls to his mom's house, giving me the house to myself for about 5 full hours to start with. I did nothing more than clean, pack, and enjoy the quite. When they came back, they made dinner for me, helped me pack ( I know this sounds boring, but watching people other than me pack boxes was glorius), and had a cake and presents for me. I think the best part of my day, the part that makes it my best birthday yet was Miranda's card. It said " Mom, you are my best friend. I love you." Brian said she did it all on her own and didn't ask for help. How could I have wanted anything more? The perfect birthday.

It's funny how at 21, even 25 you think life doesn't get any better than this. The REAL truth is that life actually begins at 30 and just keeps getting better.

Swan Lake

I know I brag about my girls a lot....here she goes again! Miranda saw a commercial on PBS for Swan Lake on Great Performances. She insisted we watch it tonight. As she narrated the ballet to me and told me who was who and what was happening, I was in awe of her. She knows the plot and can interpret a ballet???????? I can't walk across the room without stumbling. Anyways, she tells me she wants to teach art ( she has said this more than once), but she would like to dance, too. "Oh, how can I do both??" ( mind you her senior year of high school in some 10 years away). The she says " I know! I can teach art during the day and run an after school program where I teach dance."

I am not about to tell her this sounds ambitious. With this spirited little girl, always on the go and always into creative things, she could pull this off. I believe in you little Peeper. I love your dreams. Let them take you places in life. Don't ever stop dreaming.

My Girls

More than anything, I want my girls to grow up being humane to all creatures great and small, and to realize that there are people in the world that need our help. I want them to see how much we have and how important it is to share our time, energy, and money with others. I think, I just think, I may be on track!
On Brian's birthday, we met him at work to take him out to dinner. There was a moth in his building fluttering around. Miranda caught it, and decided to free it. We had to actually take it outside and free it. Anna said " He'll be with his family." From someone that opens windows to let out bugs instead of killing them, this made me feel good.
Just this week, we got mail from the Ronald McDonald House in Albany. Miranda and I had previously volunteered there and she is forever trying to get us to go back. Unfortunately, with a move, new job, and baby on the way that is not really possible. Anyways, they included an envelope that you could send in a donation. On it it says that just a $10 dollar donation can provide dinner for the families staying at the house. Miranda brought it to me and said " So we can send them help." God bless that kid. She gets it. She gets that sick kids are one of the things that I have a hard time not thinking about. I was teary eyed the entire time we were at the Ronald McDonald House, counting my blessings, but feeling for the families staying there.
So, I will continue doing what I am doing. I am raising girls that will be able to go out into the world and be compassionate to others, even moths.

Our House

Well, the real estate sign is up, we are on the market baby! It's happy and sad all at once. Sad becuase we spent 4 years here, lovingly taking care of and updating this cool old house, but happy to be moving on to other adventures and opportunities for our family. Hopefully, it sells fast. I am having a hard time keeping it clean and packing at the same time.

Our rental property has only been on the market 8 weeks and we have 3 good offers! Woo Hoo! " Move out, don't mess around, move out, you bring me down, move out, move out, move out. "

Words to Live By

I got this in one of those mass emails ( that I normally hate) today, but I love the verse:

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles..
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day.


I made a copy of this and put in on my fridge as a reminder not to get too busy in my days to enjoy the really important stuff.

Burger King

I had to drop papers off in New Hartford for our Real Estate Agent yesterday, and my hungry little girls voted to eat at Burger King. Not really my idea of good food, but I was hungry, and we were over an hour away from home.
As I pulled in, I had a moment. It jogged my memory back more than 16 years to a first date that I had that ended up there. I don't know what made me think of it, but I don't think I had been there since that occassion. It was an after movie snack stop, I have no idea what I ate, but I think it involved a Michael J. Fox movie????
It's nice to see that some things have remained the same after all these years. Packy's Pub still has Cans and Clams, Props Inn is still a bar ( my parents once had a date there....), and even Sangertown Mall looks pretty much the same ( and it never did sink). I told the girls I used to shop there. They looked amazed and thought it was cool. I just felt old.

Central New York

It's funny, when I moved to the Capital Region, I think I vowed not to move back there. This was hip, the housing market was awesome, job outlook good and progression was everywhere. I wanted to part part of a bigger city, a city girl. Now I want nothing more than to move back home and to be a country girl again.
In just four years time, how did my mind change so? I'll blame it on pregnancy hormones. Who the heck knew I would be pregnant at 34? I wanted to be DONE having babies at 34 and settled in my career. I guess life really is what happens when you are busy making other plans. Maybe this miracle baby, who against all odds came to me, came at this time in my life to point me in the right direction?
So 6 months pregnant, recently graduated, and under contract with the Holland Patent School District I am ready to head home. I don't care that it's not tech valley, or that the value of homes is about half of what it is here. What I care about, what really gets me, is that I have been given the opportunity to work with children everyday. I have foud this wonderful village that looks like something out of "It's a Wonderful Life." I have the opportunity to go home, have a baby I never thought I would have, and work in a career where I will finally feel like I make a difference. I must have hit the mother load of good Karma!

Ava Joy

I had the big ultrasound today. Miranda and Brian watched closely as we saw all 4 chambers of baby's heart, all four limbs ( always a good thing), tiny feet and hands, the head, the face, and the labia. Yup. It wasn't the best shot in the world, but the u/s tech showed us what looked like two little buds of little girl parts forming. I was right. Again. It's an Ava baby. 3 girls. I am still a little shocked. Thst's 3 girls being teenagers, 3 girls dating, driving, and 3 weddings ( pray at least one elopes or we will never get our condo in Florida). 3 silly girls.
I broke down and bought the baby a few things today, and besides a diaper bag and baby book, this is all I have purchased. I guess I was in denial, but there is no denying it now. The baby was touching her face and even had the hiccups today. The head still looks a little alien, but she has taken on the shape of a baby! Welcome to my womb Baby Ava. May it be a cozy home for 20 more weeks.

I Sneeze When I Pee

It's true. I am almost 20 weeks PG and if I feel a sneeze coming on.......cross your legs! I have gained near 10 pounds so far, which is right on track. 10-13 for this time along is average. I am trying so hard not to gain too much weight.
Tomorrow is the big day. I am having my Level2, 3-D ultrasound. This is the one where you can get an idea of what the baby actually looks like, and if the baby is cooperating, find out if it's a boy or girl. I am really hoping for a boy. Aiden Russell. That would make Brian's year, possibly his life. He want's a son so bad. I am having feelings that it's a girl, Ava Joy, so let's hope I am 100% wrong. I was right, however, with Miradan.

Boy oh boy, I can't wait until tomorrow!!!!!

The Notebook

No, not a cool new laptop computer, I am speaking of the movie The Notebook, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks. I have read Sparks work, and am a fan of his romantic time shattering love stories. In fact, I usually end up in tears by the end of his stories. This movie was no different. We rented it last night, and my throat hurts from crying. What a great story. What a great love.
I have always been a romantic, almost a fatalist romantic, in that I believe things happen for a reason and fate brings people together. It is no different with my own real life love story. It was fate that I went to HCCC. I had thought I wanted to go to Cortland, but never applied becuase of other things happening in my life and with my family. I wanted to be closer to home, so I really didn't explore other options. Although Brian and I didn't have to overcome great hurdles to be together, like Noah and Ellie in The Notebook, it was from the start, a great romance. I had met a guy as romantic as me. One who loved me as intensly as I loved him. I met a man who was heading in the same direction as myself, with the same goals, the same hobbies, even the desire to have 3 children. If I hadn't gone to HCCC, I never would have met Brian.
I saw our lives 30 years in the future when I met Brian, and I was able to see happiness. I couldn't see my life anyother way. As we approach our 10 year Anniversary this June, I realize how lucky I am, to have met my great love. To still be in love with him, to still hold hands, embrace daily, to still be able to see our lives 30 years down the road and to still see happiness. The statistics were not with us, as 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Somehow, we have survived financial crunches, health issues, dissappointments, and have come out together. We still have unrealized dreams and goals to meet, but I know together, we will continue on our journey, hand in hand.

Just Sit on the Porch and Swing

Even my beloved B-52's were hip enough to know the virtues of the porch swing, as they sang about it in "Deadbeat Club". My grandparents had one on their front porch, as did my own parents. I am now the happy owner of one! It is being assembled, not by a Chinamen, but by my husband as we speak.
We had a yard swing we bought when Miranda was a baby. It survived 2 moves and almost 7 years before being shredded and used as insulation for the squirrels. It was canvas, and last fall the evil squirrels that overrun our city somehow figured my swing was stuffed with fiberfill and fiberfill would make lovely insulation for their nest. They shred it open and made off with the stuffing. We saw bits of my swing and the stuffing high in the tree next to my house. Even today, you can look up and see a fine canvas lined squirrel nest. Bastards. I loved that swing. It was big, deep, had a canapoy to keep the sun out, and my whole family could fit in in. Many summer days and evenings were spent contemplating life on that swing. Many great library books were read on it as Miranda played in the yard or swam in the pool.
So, as we were taking the swing apart this spring, my cousin suggested using the frame to hang a wooden porch swing on. Hello! Why didn't I think of that. The frame is perfect! I went to Lou's Bargain Outlet ( the home improvement store formally known as Grossman's, and BTW, who is Lou anyways?) I got one for 70.00, which was a gamble because it wasn't on display and I didn't know how well made it would be. Surprise, surprise! It's made of teakwood, wonderfully made, solid, and looks very nice. Imagine how cute it will look with little pillows and cushions in my back yard? I can't wait!
And somehow, Brian is assembling it without a cross word. He is so patient. He does have 2 little helpers. How could you go wrong? I am going to grab a lemonade and contemplate life again. All is right in the world.

Easy Come, Easy Go

I am using the tax refund money to pay up bills. What a sad thing to have to do with a large windfall of cash. I worked hard this year at tax time and found a lot of deductions for us. Unfortunately, my internships were unpaid this year, and I brought in 0 income. It took a toll on us as now I have to pay back the credit card bill, the taxes I had put off for two quaters, and a stack of medical bills. I love to save money, and would like nothing better than to save this tax refund. It is killing me to be writing out checks and watching it dwindle. Next year I vow to be in a better place, working full time, bills paid off, etc....so that some of the tax money can be saved money and some can just be fun money. We will have another baby to add as a dependent, and Anna, not only as a dependent, but we will get the adoption tax credit (10K).

So here's to watching this refund go on our responsibilities and here's to dreaming about next years. Easy come, easy go I guess.

Passing

I first heard this term in my multicultiral diversity class as St. Rose. The class was more than just about people from different cultures. It was about people that are different and the needs of these people as you work with them. Passing. It means people that try to pass as other things. Biracial people trying to pass as white. Gays trying to pass as straight. Transgenders trying to pass as the opposite sex, family women trying to pass as career women. I am now a trying to pass. I am trying to pass as a non-pregnant woman to get a job that I fairly deserve. It's hard work! Do I look pregnant today? Are my clothes covering up my little baby tummy? Did I remember to not mention the baby? Do I need a girdle to pull my stomach in more. I wish I didn't have to pass. I can't imagine having to do this on a daily basis just to get what is due in the world. For all the people that have to try to pass as other things, I feel some of your pain. And it sucks!

Don't You Want Me Baby?

I have put myself out there interviewing for counseling jobs. So far, 8 down, who knows how many to go until I get a job. The good thing is, 4 have gone really really well. I can't believe that Principals and Assistant Superintendents actually find me worthy of second interviews. I haven't offically been called yet, but I have been verbally told to get my applications in, that I was qualified, and that I made a great impression. I called one school to follow up and was told " great, the Principal was just in here looking for your folder." First of all, holy shit! I have a folder and secondly, someone was looking for it.

Yup, they want me. I at least feel like I have a shot at a counseling job, as good a shot as any.

Country Roads

There is this really old country song ( even I don't know who sings it) that goes " Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong." I have always liked that song. I remember it from my own childhood in the country. My sister had the album and we used to sing it. It's funny how things come full circle, isn't it?
I guess I have always been a country girl. I love wide open spaces, fresh air, clothes lines, wildflowers, and the frequent sighting of cows. The country girl came to the city 4 years ago, because it was something I wanted to experience. We bought a house in a historic distric and live 3 blocks from the city center. I found it neat being able to walk everywhere, having the option of taking public transportation ( and actually doing so a couple of drunken nights), and being able to order take-out from anywhere. It's an experience I wanted to have. I wanted to live in a neighborhood, and experience having multiple neighbors. I am glad we did it, but I have reached my full circle. It's time to move back to the country.
I am in the process of looking for a job, and have applied to 3 schools, and 2 agencies in the Capital Region. I have also applied to school positions in Central New York. We have been looking at rural property both here in the Capital Region, which I really do like, and in Central NY. We are at a crossroads in our life and are only sure that we want to sell our house and buy an old country home with some land. Since coming to this conclusion, and we both feel the same way, it is like life makes sence again. It had stopped making sence here, and all the things we moved to this house for have been satisfied. We moved here for Brian to open the Half Moon store. Check. I was able to quit working full time and go to grad school, something harder to accomplish if I had to drive an hour or more to school. Check. It is time to move on to a bigger house, after all, the baby needs his own room, and to wide open spaces. A place where Brian can relax more and ease some of his stress. Maybe he would feel better?
My niece recently asked me " Aunt Deena, ( thats what she calls me) why do you live so far away? Kayana, that is a good question!
So, Country roads, take me home to the place I belong. West Virginia, mountain Mama, take me home, country roads.

April Showers

I really dislike the month of April. My daughter was born in April, you think I would like it, but the month was tainted long ago. I dislike it for various reasons. First, all the rain. Rain daily tends to depress me. I can't let the girls play outside, can't yet do yard work, and the mud!! The mud drives me crazy. The dog really likes the mud and comes in muddy from head to toe. Being OCD, this drives me to drink. I like things neat and clean please.
I have also disliked April due to all the family deaths in April. My grandmother passed away in April, as did her mother. I have a grandfather that died in April, and a favorite great uncle, Uncle Allen, who passed away in April. I had my first miscarriage in April, as well. I find it odd that I would dislike an entire month, as I really do love Spring, but I like Spring May style. Warm weather, flowers and lilacs blooming, Memorial weekend and the official kick off of Summer. I wish I could hibernate the month away, but somebody has to clean up the mud!

Rain rain go away.......