November 30, 2008

Again with the overtime! Funny how when you're not looking for it, you have an abundance! I am picking up 11 hours of overtime this week. My Christmas shopping purse is not complaining! This past week's overtime was also helpful for getting me out of the house while Mitch's kids were here. I am usually okay for a weekend. 5 days is a bit much. It has been quite awhile since I've had to deal with whining and fighting over any and everything. And no, when Mitch and I have one more, I still won't have to deal with that because really, a baby and three teenagers won't have anything to fight about. Not to mention, Kayla will be in college in the fall and Hayley will be college the following fall. Zachie will be 15 in May...BOOOOO!!!! I so did not want him to ever grow up! Honestly, it isn't fun having the girls grow up either, but with Kayla, being the first, you are always pushing them to the next step. Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking, potty training, moving out of the crib, going to kindergarten, losing teeth, riding a bike, middle school, high school, driving and now college!!! It is so exciting! With Zach, I am happy to just savor every moment. I cried when he lost teeth. I am sure with this next one I will cry, too!

Today is my little brother's birthday. He was my first baby! Having Zach around is like living with my two brothers again. He looks and acts and talks a lot like they did. His feet look soooo much like my both of my brothers' feet! It is crazy. Both of my girls definitely have parts of my sister in them. One definitely has the attitude! The other one looked more like her than me, but now that she is growing up, she is starting to look a little more like me.

So at work, things are hectic as usual. Lots of sickness going around. Kind of glad I got my flu over and done with. I am now helping out the people that helped me out when I was sick. As much bickering and pettiness that goes around, I have to say, everyone really does pitch in and help out in times of trouble. AND this flu is TROUBLE. It is relentless and lasts more than the 24-48 hour variety. Really it is two days of complete miserableness, with a day or two on the beginning of just not feeling right and about 3 days on the end, dealing with weakness and that cough. Some of us have gotten bronchitis or pneumonia after this flu, some didn't have any further complication. It is just yucky! There is also severe ear complications with this sickness. Everyone has some kind of varying degree of earache/ear infection. One was extreme enough to cause severe vertigo. Mine just ached and my daughter's ears felt plugged up. There were also high fevers and extreme sweating as symptoms. I can say, in all my life, except of course with food poisoning, I've never been that sick.

In other news, I got my little tree decorated today. We're gonna buy our big Christmas tree tomorrow hopefully.

November 24, 2008

Blogger is running a bit slow today...hmmm!

Really I should be wrapping presents but I am enjoying my (now cold) coffee and relaxing for a bit. Hayley had her friend Alexis over last night. They were playing American Idol and DDR. They were funny to watch. I should have taken a video but I still need new batteries (digital rechargeable). Maybe I will pick some up today.

I have gotten a lot accomplished the last few days as far as Christmas shopping goes. I am ahead of the game compared to where I am usually! I have always waited until the last moment except for when the girls were little. Back then I used to drive myself crazy buying them every little girl toy and Disney movie available and spending my entire paycheck each week on presents leading up to Christmas Day. Thank GOD their dad paid all the bills then! :)

I am currently reading my book that I will be reviewing on my website very very soon! Loving it! Ties into the Twilight hype and my recent reading of The Historian. Lots of Christian-Vampire themes. I love stories that tie real historical events into a lovely fiction novel...or movie...all the Indiana Jones movies, The Da Vinci Code, the National Treasure movies, The Historian...and now this latest book...you get the drift!

I am so proud of myself! I got TWO pairs of Gap jeans on SALE for my growing son! It would have come to over $100 but thankfully he is at that awkward boy-man phase and those sizes tend to be found on clearance! He is a 26-28 waist with a 30 inseam. He can still get away with wearing size 18 in boys because he is so skinny and has no butt and his pants just naturally fall off his waist. It is much more difficult finding Mitch's size on any kind of clearance or sales rack, so I end up paying full price and often have to order the jeans online. Sometimes I will get lucky, though, and when I find his size, I buy all that is available!

Last night I made a new soup for me. My take on an Italian-wedding style soup with a Zuppa Toscana flair. It was SOOOO fast to cook this baby up! Perfect for a chilly New England supper. Get a smaller size stock pot. Dump in a large can of chicken broth. I add about another can of water because I like to spice it up with my own salt, pepper and herbs. I cut up some red new potatoes, threw them in the pot, got it boiling and gave the potatoes a slight head start. Added some already cooked meatballs and some mini-cheese raviolis (frozen works best) and chopped up some fresh baby spinach and threw that in. Simmered it for a bit to make the house smell yummy and served it with some fresh parmesan cheese and some oyster crackers. Mitch and the kids seemed to think it was pretty yummy. The fact that I had no leftovers is usually a good sign. I also made homemade chocolate chip muffins for a snack/dessert.

November 20, 2008 Still

So I haven't blogged for 10 whole days except for this morning. I'm sure you're all wondering what I've been up to. Wellllll, nothing really. Just work. I got a bit of overtime last week. This week, I am taking it easy. Got some more Christmas shopping done.

It was also Mitch's birthday on Sunday so we went to church in Maine. Yes, Maine! We drove there and back in one day. 10 hours. I got to see my Rachel but not my Debi! BOOOOO! She was at dinner in Winterport??? Hmmmm. That is what I get for not telling her I was coming to church. I did want to surprise her.

It was not a visit to Maine. We visited nobody. Not even my parents. Just up and back so I want ZERO slack from anyone asking why we didn't visit. I wanted to spend 2 hours at MY church. My home church. And just let the Lord do His thing. Mitch was amazing and generous at letting me think that that is what he really wanted to do for his birthday. I have a wonderful wonderful husband. I got him some nice gifts and we had a good little time together.

The good news about visiting my home church is realizing I'm not missing a whole bunch. It makes things easier for me at our new church. Our first time visiting this new one made me feel so sad and so homesick for my brothers and sisters in Christ. It just wasn't the same. But that is the thing. It isn't the same. It isn't supposed to be. So my lesson? God is everywhere I want Him to be.

Other news, Rachel and I still haven't got our prayers answered! We both want babies. How cute would it be if we were pregnant at the SAME time???

Mitch bought be a cute little tabletop Christmas tree for our counter in the kitchen. I wanted a silver tree with blue ornaments because when I was a kid, my mom had one and I so loved that tree!!! It is a little miniature version of it. We will of course still have a traditional fir tree in our living room as always.

I have already picked up quite a few things for the kids. It seems like a lot until you split it into threes. Lots of stocking stuffers too. I think we're going to wait until the week after Christmas to worry about Mitch's kids' presents because we don't have them this Christmas. We will probably do it the weekend after. Which is really good in a way because I get paid again. Plus there will no doubt be lots of clearance sales. I want this Christmas to be extra special for my kids because like I mentioned before, we're on the tail end of their growing up. I remember my last Christmas at home with my family. I was pregnant with Kayla. My parents were still married to each other. My grandfather was still alive. I wouldn't change a thing, though.

Right now I am trying to decide when I should begin wrapping. I don't have a lot of storage space in this house. At the same time, I don't want to be wrapping presents for two days straight either. And if I wrap too soon, I am likely to forget exactly what I bought and maybe buy it again. At least when the tree is finally up, I can put some of the wrapped presents underneath it. Pretty much all I have left to buy are the three big presents, and then their games, dvd's and odds and ends that go with their big present.

November 20, 2008

Feeling kind of blah today. Mitch and I bought a Caravan last night. We still have the Suburban and my car. We'll probably sell the Suburban because even though gas is like SUPER cheap right now, it won't always be. Or we might just save it for the times we need the power. Anyway, anybody that knows me knows my thoughts on the minivan. Not a fan. It is so not my style, but it really makes more sense for me for work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I end up having a lot of people in my car on those two days and driving the suburban on those two days this summer was getting pretty pricey. My place of employment does offer gas/mileage reimbursement, so that is a nice help...but still, it has like a 31 gallon tank...when gas is say $4/gallon that is a $124 fill-up my friends. And we are getting about 20 miles per gallon on h.w. which is GOOD considering the size but not good when you think about what you are paying for gas. I would fill up once a week only and use the other car more frequently.

All said though, I love driving the Burb. It is a big piece of machine and I love being in control over it.

Christmas List Update

I just got a brilliant idea for Hayley...I think I am going to purchase her a sewing machine. Cloth, beginner patterns, thead, accessories! I learned to sew in 9th grade and did not have an easy time with it. My mom bought me a sewing machine for Christmas when Zach was a baby and I never used it. She needed to borrow it when hers broke and she has since kept it since she borrowed it so much. She made my sister's wedding dresses, prom dress, brides maid dresses, and Halloween costumes with my machine. I read the reviews for the $99 Singer model. "Seams" good for a beginner. Mine was a Brother model and I don't think my mom has had a problem with it, but I think it was a pricier version.

I am playing with that idea and also thinking of getting the kids one of the mini-Acer laptops. The pink and white ones are adorable! Sorry Zach! They have my old iBook and fight over that and my new Macbook. Really the girls just check email, Myspace, load up pics off their digital cameras, and need it for word processing. At like $350 you can't beat it! However, they are out of stock online and they aren't sold in stores! I should have bought it two days ago when they were still in-stock! Then again, Mitch has had his two laptops crash because of viruses and I don't ever have to worry about that with my Macs, soooo not sure how much of a deal it will be if we run into trouble.

Christmas List

The kids are bigger which means more expensive stuff!!!

Zach wants a electric guitar with amp...you can get crazy expensive with that stuff but I found some great deals on top of the line equipment that is used. I would rather get him a top name brand piece that has been used professionally to learn on than some cheap student guitar. If he likes it and sticks with it, then we'll take it from there in the future.

He also wants a surfboard. We all do. Well, I want a paddle surfboard which is over $1000, and we are surrounded by the ocean and it seems ridiculous not to cater to that. Good used boards are as expensive as new ones, I've found. They just aren't out there. Surf shops around here are charging as much for used boards as the new epoxy ones. I work with several year-round surfers and one girl I am good friends with swears by her epoxy board. It is sold as indestructible. The wooden boards break I guess? And are more expensive. But the surfboard and paddle board business could be taken care of when I get my income taxes this spring. People here do surf year round but I would personally rather learn in the warmer weather and then if we love it, like I think we will, we'll invest in wet/dry suits, etc.

Kayla wants an iPod. She is the only one in the family without one. Why? Because she got $200 Uggs for her birthday instead! I already picked up a book and some scrapbooking stuff she wanted.

I ordered Zach some stuff from Old Navy and The Gap online.

I've bought Hayley only a few things and I can't even remember what they are. I'll have to look. She loves anything crafty. Pre-packed craft kits work better for her. The kits have everything she needs and she can stay organized that way. She also loves yarn for her knitting, but seriously, I want to buy her more stuff than just fancy yarn every Christmas...although some of that yarn can get darn right expensive!!!

They love gift cards but I leave those to extended family. Their grandparents and aunts and uncles give them cash and gift cards. The last couple of years, the girls got almost $500 a piece after it was all added up!

The girls love books as much as me and it is cool that they like used books like I do. I love new books too, but the used ones just have a familiar smell that I love and an energy about them that gets transferred from different readers. I don't know, there is just a history about them. Anyway, they get a ton of new books and quite a few used if they are titles they have been looking for. Plus, the one area where I am a pain about in this Reduce*Reuse*Recycle era we're living in, is paper waste. I have a hard time tolerating it. As much as I love books, the idea of electronic readers is miraculous. Think of all the trees and paper that will not be wasted!!! Think of all the storage spaces that will be saved! Of course, libraries are a wonderful, wonderful thing! I am so incredibly lucky to have had wonderful library experiences. Old Town, where I grew up, has a wonderful library, thanks to famed author Tabitha King, another former Old Town kid, who happens to be married to Stephen King! She has spent a ton of money keeping that library in tip-top shape! Thank you, Kings!!! They have also spent a lot of money on the Bangor library, where I spent many many days of my early adult years, with my young children in tow. One of the gems of Rhode Island is their library system. The state is small, but there are a lot of wonderful libraries and the beauty is one card lets you use all of them. You can even return a book at your local library, that came from another Rhode Island library. They also offer downloadable books and video. You just need to use your card. This is good for after library hours. Another cool thing is that the hours are long. In Maine, most libraries (except for Fogler at UMaine) close at the quaint hour of 5 or 6 and aren't open on the weekends. They might be open on a Saturday now, but I don't think so.

I still haven't received the book I am supposed to be reviewing. Maybe today!

I also need some rechargeable batteries. I have a few sets, two for my digital camera, and I gave some to the girls for theirs, but they are convinced their brother took them for his toys, anyway, I need a pair for my Flip video camera. I want to be all set for Christmas morning and our activities. We will hopefully be getting a tree shortly after Thanksgiving. The other Christmas stuff is going up right after Thanksgiving. Ohhhhh, guess what I just realized??? I will have the day after Thanksgiving off! The girls and I will have to go and experience the horror at Providence Place! As most of you know, I don't buy anything on this day, I just like to get up early and go watch the chaos, sip on some lattes and have some fun.

The cookies came out fantastic. Or so the kids say. They are kind of too sweet in my opinion. Very rich. The chocolate ones are anyway, and one definitely goes a long way. So maybe that is good. You can't eat too many at once!

I will be getting to Maine in a few weekends. Shannon wants a Christmas party and I need to see Allison and drop off all her stuff that she forgot here. And I want to do some Christmas shopping in Camden and Freeport like I have been doing the last few years. I remember one year, it must have been very close to Christmas Eve and Allison and I spent the day in Freeport and every store or shop we went to had cookies and hot chocolate and other Christmas-y snacks. We had a great time and had lunch at the Japanese restaurant in town.

I also remember another time and I was with Eric and Erin and we had chocolate martinis at this little martini bar/restaurant while shopping. Lynette and I once had frozen mudslides at lunch at Ruby Tuesdays in the Bangor Mall and then did our shopping. Some bad clothing choices were made on THAT day! On my part anyway. Okay this post is so far from my title of Christmas List!

I want a puppy! I've got my eye out.

November 9, 2008

The kids and I are watching Rudolph today and I am making a nice dinner. Also making Peanut Butter Brownie cookies and Peanut Butter Blossoms (the ones with the Hershey Kisses in the middle).

I think I have discovered the secret to having one of those enviable holiday seasons. You know the people that are perpetually happy and doing all the holiday stuff with a smile on their faces? That has never been me, but I've always wanted it to be me. Sooo, I am getting into the spirit earlier than usual, while it is still fun and getting some of my big holiday shopping items out of the way now, buying some when I see it, some online and I got a lot of stocking stuffers already bought! I am sure a lot of you are like, DUH! But I don't think it is as simple as just getting my shopping done by July. You may laugh, but I know people that do this!!!

I also bought some magazines with some good decorating and homemade gift ideas. I am going to let the kids go thru them and pick the things they want to make for friends and family and take them to the craft store and make some stuff.

I also am very particular about my tree and how it looks and how it is decorated. I still probably will be, but I vow to be less anal retentive about the whole thing.

In reality, this will probably be the last year I have the three kids together. Kayla graduates. I'm sure she'll be home for Christmas break but she has a LOT of family she will have to visit. And then Hayley graduates next year and pretty soon, the kids will be married and have kids of their own for the holidays. :(

Okay, that train of thought just has me feeling sad. Back to enjoying this Christmas season!!!

November 7, 2008

I love my husband! I love my kids! I love my Sierra! I love my Jesus!

Most of the leaves are off the trees now. It is 65 degrees today even though it looks like it should be snowing.

I am so excited about Christmas. I haven't really had this kind of excitement in a long time. I did when the kids were little, but then it got so complicated. Now I have a husband that stays up late at night with me and helps decorate the tree naked (him, not me!) He puts lights up outside. We have a tacky gigantic snow globe for the front yard! Movies on Christmas night.

I love Thanksgiving too I guess, but this year, I am getting into the Christmas spirit early. My radio station is playing holiday tunes. I can't put a tree up until after Thanksgiving but that isn't too far away!!! I have been decorating my Myspace page for the holidays and it has helped get me into the spirit sooner! I bought some eggnog! Yum!!!

A perfect Christmas would be a puppy waiting for me under the tree and of course a plus sign on a pee stick!

Hopefully today the new book for my review will be in.

Loving

I am loving my new schedule even though up until this point, it hasn't been any different than past weeks. I have tomorrow off though, which is different. Sunday, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays off. I used to have Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. This schedule will be perfect in the summer. 4 days at the beach. Love it!

Anyway, I hope the book that I am supposed to be reading and then reviewing is in today. I'd like to get started on that assignment.

This day is kind of boring for news and blogs. The drama and suspense of the last few days has been a bit addicting. No news is good news I suppose.

Mitch and I had a good day Monday of shopping. Tuesday and Wednesday were a bit crazy for me with work. Today is quiet. Mitch is at work and the kids are at school. Tomorrow will be quiet, too!

November 6, 2008

7 weeks exactly until Christmas! About 3 weeks until I get my tree. Still 55-70 degree days.

I have a shower to take, some errands to run and then kids to pick up.

November 3, 2008

MITCH IS HOME!

November 2, 2008

LOVE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!!! It was so nice to feel like I've slept in only to wake up and realize it is still 8 AM. I still have a day that has not been wasted. I feel rested. I woke up and it was light outside. I need to remember all this happy goodness when it is dark tonight by like 5 PM. Can't win them all I guess.

I got a cute message from Bailey last night. She loves and misses me and wants me to call her. She and Madison are certainly some of the people I miss the most in Maine. Her birthday is in December and she will be turning 7. I am having a hard time fathoming this.

I am drinking some gingerbread coffee this morning. Hopefully a little bit of blogging and a touch of caffeine will get my butt into the shower. I would love to do nothing today but I promised myself I'd get my nails done and over with and Zach wants a new game for the house. Not a video game. He wants those too of course, but those are waiting for Christmas. A new board game. We definitely need a new chess game, he wants Stratego and I want the new Monopoly with the credit cards. Banking was always the worst part of Monopoly for me...I am hoping this makes it a little more enjoyable and a little more fast paced.

Okay, I have wasted a half hour. Got to get in the shower.

Happy November

I am so looking forward to being able to sleep in tomorrow. And the next day. And I am going to certainly enjoy the extra hour of sleeping because of daylight savings.

Big day tomorrow. I'm going to get my nails done. I am being sarcastic. That is all I have planned.