Moving things around...

 

 

 

 

In an effort to jolt me out of my uncharacteristic fall malaise I felt a change was necessary.  Pictured above is the school room/office as it was.  As you may remember, we made a big change earlier this year by moving the playroom out of this room and into the basement - thus moving the school stuff out of the living room and into this space.  I spent all summer culling books so that it would eventually ALL fit.  Every last schoolbook and manipulative.  I took this picture just over a month ago.   I was so pleased - and secretly proud of myself for shedding so much unnecessary stuff.  And then it hit.

 

Uugh.

 

Maybe I worked too hard?

 

I no longer had any initiative to do anything...

 

Several half-hearted schoolweeks later a change had to take place.  Maybe it's my body just knows that the seasons are changing and SAD is coming early??  So, even though the above room had been in place for a few months, I changed it back.  It was not nearly as much of an undertaking as it was to get it in there - that is the blessing of a lot less 'stuff'.  I even took the time to go through the file drawers and re alphabetize everything that got UNalphabetized during the last shuffle.  And, since I was going through the files, I even opened them to see what I could pitch, shred or finally place in the firebox - an effort that we have talked about since the day we combined households.  This task yielded some rather interesting things...

 

First.  (my husband is going to kill me)  In the TRAFFIC TICKETS folder where I keep my treasured parking violations that I have received from the Denver PD, there also happened to be a SUBSTANTIAL pile of old speeding tickets of Dean's - courtesy of the Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado State Patrol, as well as the cities of Longmont, Loveland (CO), and Moore, Norman and The Village (OKC). 

 

 

TWENTY TICKETS

 

 

I did not know this about my husband.  I knew he had a (ahem) speeding problem, but I didn't know it was to the tune of this many tickets.  Luckily for me he is a packrat that never throws away a piece of paper - or I would have never found out.  To his defense, they were not ALL speeding tickets.  A couple were warnings.  :)  And let it be known now.... my husband will never, NEVER be allowed to purchase a sports car. Again.

 

Second.  I came across the application for a marriage license that my former husband and I filled out on March 16th, 2004.  It was exactly a year to the day before I went out on my first date with my now-husband, Dean.  Weird. 

 

Third.  When placing all of the passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses/certificates and divorce decrees in the firebox (I find it kinda funny that we each have a previous set of these), I placed Dean's and my marriage certificate on top of my old one.  Dean asked, "Do they have to touch??"  So I bundled the old one with the divorce decree that goes with it and buried it at the bottom of the box, where it belongs.

 

Fourth.  My old dog, Yuki, passed away six years ago.  Yet I still had every single vet bill, rabies vaccine certificate and license information.  I'm not sure why I held on to them, but I was definitely ready to part with them.  I kept her certificate of completion for her dog obedience course - because it is just absolutely laughable.  For all who knew this loveable, yet very naughty husky, you will get the irony.

 

Fifth.  I went through all of my teaching evaluations.  That was a mistake.  I spent a couple of hours trying to rid myself of a very foul mood after that.  My evaluations were very good - and one of them was even stellar.  That one, in particular, came just three weeks before my jackass of a Principal informed me that he would not renew my teaching certificate.  I again, felt the overwhelming urge to blow the whistle on the CSAP cheats that *still* teach at his school.  And then I got over it.

 

Sixth.  I spent a good deal of time thinking about why we hang on to the stuff that we do.  I think that, for the most part, we hang on to it to remember a different time in our lives.  But if the time period wasn't a particulary pleasant one, why do we keep the stuff?  I have do not need a reminder in order to not repeat an unpleasant experience.  I think that sometimes we do it just to torture ourselves.  If we rake ourselves over the coals enough times, than we have done adequate penance for whatever transgressions we made.  But what if you didn't do anything wrong?  I do not want to keep my former teaching contracts, evaluations, student teaching paperwork, or the paperwork from the 18 different workshops I attended.  I don't ever plan to teach again... but I can't bring myself to get rid of it yet.  It's like I haven't done *enough* time yet.  I just keep saying "What if I need this again??".  WHY would I ever need to PROVE that I took a course on Empowering Writers by Barbara Miraconda to anyone?  The homeschool police? (that don't exist).

 

 

I forgot what I was even trying to say in this post...  Moving things around?  I guess I was gearing towards perspective.  My perspective is off.  Life has become an endless stream of activity times to remember and childhood mayhem to suppress.  I am trying to shake things up to gain my perspective back.  Unfortunately, sifting through a three foot long stretch of file folders didn't do much for me but harden my resolve to not ever return to public education, let my husband drive, or hang on to frequent-flyer miles that were racked up over a decade ago. 

 

 

I think my next effort will be geared towards getting outside and enjoying the fall weather.  I have a feeling that the schoolwork will be at a minimum again...

 

 



 



What to do when you don't feel like doing anything...

 

This?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not this..

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe this??

 

 

 

 

Or this??

 

 

 

 

 

As long as I don't have to clean something up...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little boy.... even on the days I don't feel like doing anything....

you keep me very, very busy.

 

 

 



Up, up and....away

 

 

It was one year ago today that my beautiful grandma Bobbie passed away.  It has been a rough year for all of the family, as we come to grips with a new way of coming together.  It has been most difficult for my three aunties, who were her constant companions.  They chose to mark today's milestone by taking in the annual Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque - something that they (and my grandma) had always wanted to do.  I couldn't think of a more uplifting (pardon the very bad *and unintentional* pun, but really, the word just fits) way to spend what would otherwise be a very somber occasion.  I hope that they have found some solace and peace during their stay there.

 

You don't realize the depth of a loss until it has had time to sink in.  Even though we have had a few happy family gatherings during this past year, there is still something missing.  An elephant hovers in the room... we are all missing her gentle spirit. 

 

 

 



The fall blahs..

Fall is my favorite season... I love when our ash tree reaches this lovely reddish orange color.  I love love love the colors, the smells and the activities of fall.

Except...

This year I have such a case of the blahs.  I look at the calendar and think Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas... uugh.  I don't have the energy for this!  Now don't tell anyone - but I haven't even written a thing down on our October calendar (gasp!) except for an appointment for all of the kids to get their flu shots (that happened yesterday).  So, if you are expecting me to show up for something and I don't get there - now you know why.  I think it is my passive-aggressive way of handling a busy schedule.  If it is not on the wall calendar, in my mind - it. doesn't. exist.

Last year I made up a long list of our favorite activities to do in the fall, and the budget that goes with it.  I haven't even looked at it (except to just now so that I could post the link - and it just made me tired, looking at it), and to hell with the budget - we are down to trying to figure out how many nights a week we can get away with Mac n' Cheese.

I think that I am just severely tired.  I need more sleep and I should strongly consider hiring a personal secretary, chauffeur, chef and  - what the hell - let's throw in a nanny there as well.  (Damn, that still means I have to teach.  Wait?  Isn't that what I am *really* supposed to be blogging about most of the time?)*

*blows dust off of the textbooks...

So homeschooling is really what I am supposed to be doing... not complaining about how I don't really feel like dumping a few pumpkins on the porch and purchasing sixteen thousand bags of candy.

This Saturday sucked... can I have a do-over?

 

 

Since Dean and Jordan were going to be away this weekend for the scout Fall Camporee, he thought it would be the perfect time to throw me to the dogs and request that I venture to the Apple Store on Saturday to get my iPad replaced.

 

(If you don't know what I am talking about, get with the program and back up a post or two.  I am not always going to reward the lazy readers with convenient links, you know... )

 

 

Perfect.  One mom.  Three little kids.  Boulder.  On a Saturday.  At a technology store.

 

 

My Saturday started at 8:02, as I bolted upright in bed thinking that we were late for karate.  We weren't.  Karate starts at 8:45.  It's a 20 minute drive.  Plenty of time!  We were 10 minutes late.  Because we had to fly out of the house in a panic, I forgot everything I needed for the day.  Extra clothes.  Breakfast.  Water.  Paperwork for the Apple Store.  Diapers.  Y'know... all the important things.

 

So Owen did his class, Rylan did her class, then we flew several blocks over to get Owen to his gymnastics class.  I had approximately 54 minutes to go back home, retrieve everything I forgot, make a promised stop at the Donut shop and get back in time to pick up Owen.  Got the stuff, forgot the water, donut shop had a long line.  We arrived in Loveland and I picked the quickest route to his gym.  I needed to merge into the right lane to make a turn, and I had a mile to do so.  There was a spot three car-lengths long between the car slightly ahead of me and the one slightly behind me.  I turned on my blinker.  No one budged.  I was within a quarter of a mile at this point so I pushed the issue and merged.  I didn't cut anybody off, or make any sudden moves, and I was even polite and gave the asshole behind me a courtesy wave.  He returned the gesture with the middle finger.

 

Y'know?  Shit like that just ruins my day.  I hate people who do that.  Especially people of the ilk that think that they retain ownership of the bufferzone of asphalt that surrounds them.  Invade their preconceived space and they get bent out of shape.  These are also the same people that fly off the handle if you refuse their out-of-date coupons or insist on getting the lunch special price at 9pm and think that every salesperson is out to swindle them.

 

Mr. Middle Finger tailed me for the next two miles.  His lovely wife tossed her hair and looked indignant.  I went five miles under the speed limit.  I was still on time to pick up Owen.

 

We left the gym and I went to the one-and-only donut shop in Loveland, the Donut Haus.  They were all out.  The entire case was empty, except for three delicious-looking apricot pinwheels that I knew my kids would not got for.  The very kind lady behind the counter said that some donuts had come out just a bit ago, and she would be happy to frost them.  I left with five cake donuts with chocolate frosting and sprinkles, and four bottles of juice.  Those were the most awesome donuts I have every had.  They were velvety soft and dense and just plain wonderful... It also helped my mood that on the way out of the parking lot, two other cars were pulling out and I had to wait for each of them in turn.  Each elderly driver left with a smile and a courtesy wave.  That's how it's done people!

 

Boulder.  I drove the back way, on the west side of Longmont, through Hygiene.  It's prettier and less traffic.  Unless you count bicyclists.  All 98 of them that I counted in a 7 mile stretch along CR75 from Hwy 66 to the Diagonal Hwy.  That's okay - I didn't mind, actually.  I thought that they would be fun to count.  I didn't think there would be THAT many.

 

The good news is is that the drive was without incident.  The bad news is is that Dean sent me into Boulder on a SATURDAY.  Not just any Saturday, but A GAME DAY Saturday for the CU Buffs.  The outdoor mall where the Apple store is located is just a few blocks north of campus.  Parking was going to be a nightmare.  Especially since I did not have a stroller in hand. 

 

I slowly cruised by the Apple store.  There were at least 100 people in there.  People who probably had appointments.  Of which I did not.  Shit.  So I lucked out on an unbelievably-close parking spot, pulled out my phone and called the store.  I told the computer clerk that I wanted an appointment.  Great.  My appointment would be in one hour, fifty minutes. 

 

So we headed off to a McDonald's.  I asked the drive-thru clerk where a nice playground/park was and she gave me directions towards a park that was just two blocks away.  We drove there and luckily there was parking.  There were already tailgaters setting up their Weber grills and taking up precious parking spaces for the playground area.  Assholes.  Next to the playground there was a fenced-in public pool and there were dogs swimming in the lap lanes.  The kids thought that was hilarious.  Our City pool does that too - they call it the Pooch Plunge and they hold it on the last weekend the pool is open for the year.

 

We set up our blanket (I set up our blanket, the kids were already playing), and I sat down to enjoy (?) my 1,025 calorie lunch.  Twenty seconds later Rylan appears and shares that she has to go to the bathroom.  A lady near us tells us that there is a port-a-potty on the far side of the park (near the pool), and she'll watch our stuff.  Nice lady.  She had kids with her too.  I like moms like that - they know what it's like...

 

We get back to the blanket, eat some more and I watch Owen climbing a rocket and Colin playing on some tube/slide thing.  Two girls come over to our blanket and checkout the Happy Meal boxes (which are advertising the characters for Hotel Transylvania) and are chatting with Rylan about the actresses that voiced different characters.  I look up to check on Owen and Colin.  Owen hasn't moved, and Colin is.... ?....?....?

 

I have never lost a kid before.  Never.  Sure, they've rounded the grocery aisle too soon, or darted into the stacks in the Library, but I have never lost a kid.  Colin was nowhere to be found.  The playground was situated next to the pool, and there was a joint parking lot in the front, bounded by a busy four-lane street.  Behind us was grassy hills and fields, and opposite of the parking lot was a tree-lined alleyway that led to another busy street.  Then the ice cream truck showed up.  Rylan was distracted by the music, and it also got Owen's attention so he climbed out of the contained-space of the rocket.  I had no choice but to send Rylan in one direction around the pool, and I would go in the other, and Owen was to STAY PUT (or so help me!).  I rounded the back side of the pool along the alley, and there were several picnickers and tailgaters.  No one had seen a 2 year old wander by.  I rounded the next side of the pool  Great!  Homeless people!  Peeing in bushes no less!  I tossed off some unpleasantries over my shoulder and rounded the front of the pool.  No Rylan. No Colin.  But look!  There is Owen, talking to the ice cream lady!  She hadn't seen Rylan.  I rounded the corner (with Owen in tow) and was back on the playground.  A guy that was sitting near us when I sounded the alarm was flagging me down from the other side of the play area and pointed toward the alleyway.  There was Rylan, a Parks employee and.. Colin!  sigh.

 

That was the longest 6, 7? minutes of my life.  Colin will be the one that will test every last nerve I have.  We finished our lunch at it was time to head back to the store for my appointment.  Owen now had a suspicious brown stain on his behind.  There was also a suspicious smell.  This is where I lost my almost-nonexistent coping skills.  I made him get in the car anyway.  Poopy pants and all.  I had an appointment, damn it - and his poopy pants problem was not going to make me late!  (This boy has been potty-trained since January, yet we have had several 'incidents' lately - all while being out and about).

 

This time I found a crappy parking spot.  Out in the far reaches of a parking lot behind the mall.  I had 9 minutes to get to my appointment.  I stripped Owen down and did the best clean-up job I could, using up most of my supply of wipes.  Luckily there was an extra pair of shorts to be had, but no underwear.  We went to the store.  I worked my way through the Apple-loving hoards and was matched up with an employee about five minutes later.  I told him what I was there for (Dean had struck a deal with a manager to get a replacement iPad WITH AppleCare+ for the $299 price tag (saving $100 and now we would have coverage if there were to be another dropping incident, of which no doubt there will be...).  He agreed and the exchange process began.  So did another suspicious smell - coming from another rear end.  This time it belonged to Colin.  And I did not bring in the diaper backpack because I know they do not offer a public bathroom in this store. 

 

So I stood apart from Colin and hoped that he wouldn't attract too much attention... and then Owen pipes up - 'I gotta go potty!'. 

 

Why?  Why me?  Why, when I am without the other parent or older child, does everything have to go wrong?  A very nice employee says that they do have a bathroom that elderly and desperate children *can* use, so I take Colin along as well so that he doesn't go missing again.  I leave Rylan with the demo-iPads.  We are ushered through a bank vault-like door and escorted to the bathroom.  We are accompanied by the employee the entire time.

 

We return to the sales floor and we wait, and we wait and we wait.  I'm not sure what the guy is doing with my old iPad - I was assuming that he was transferring data from one device to the other, since my dear husband TOLD me that is what they would do.  In the meantime, Colin is now running figure-eights around the demo tables, crawling on the floor, screeching... and stinking up a storm.  In one respect it is down-right embarrassing.  In another, you are certain that an out-of-control kid is your fastest ticket out of the there... So.  I let it continue.  Also because there is no hope of containing him anyway.

 

The sales guy comes out and shows me the new iPad and then double-checks with me that I have, in fact, backed up my iPad to the computer.  I have no idea.  I know that I, personally, have not.  I was still busy trying to configure it and get actual stuff ON IT.  So, the only other option is to try to save it 'to the cloud'.  I've never done that.  I don't even understand that.  But, hey! We have to do it because the 'exchange' has been made and the only way I can leave the store is with the new iPad, leaving the old one behind.

 

So, we go with the iCloud option.  It takes 22 minutes.  I have a stinky, obnoxious child running circles around me, and I am busy frantically snapping photos with my iPhone of my notes and sticky notes so that if I lose them, I can rewrite them.

 

Finally, after 1 hour and 2 minutes of insane noise, commotion and utter confusion, we can leave.  I didn't lose anybody, and I had a brand new iPad with a perfect screen.  We get out of the store and Owen runs in one direction, Colin runs in the other, and Rylan lags behind.  It is that way the whole way to the car.  I'm herding cats.  We are nearing a frozen yogurt place when Owen belts out that he needs to go potty again.  Several outdoor tables full of people snicker.  We go in and use the bathroom.  Colin drops his binkie on the bathroom floor multiple times, runs his hands over EVERY porcelain surface to be found and so on.  I've decided I need to pack a can of Lysol with me.

 

Because we've used their bathroom, and the kids are loudly requesting ice cream, I agree to buy ONE bowl and split it.  The store is called Spooners.  It is all self-serve.  You chose your frozen yogurt and then you have a choice of about 40 different toppings.  The toppings are in containers like they have at the grocery store - you turn the dial and stuff comes flooding out.  Owen is messing with dials over here, Colin is doing the same over there, and stuff is spilling all over the floor. 

 

 

I've lost it by that point.  I yank them away from the toppings repeatedly, plopping them down hard at our table - only to turn around and they are at it again.  I manage to get a simple bowl of frozen yogurt and M&Ms and pay - even after several customers cut in front of me.  The entire bowl is gone within three minutes - which is good.  The yogurt tasted terrible, though.  Yuck.  My mom calls.  I relate my terrible day and as I am doing so, Colin and Owen are at it again.  This time they are jumping up and down on some leather couches that are in a separate seating area.  I yank each of them off.  Hard.  Like dislocate-your-shoulder hard.  I am sure there are some disapproving stares from other customers that were snickering at the boys' antics.  I don't care.  Choke on your f'n granola, Boulderites.  I've had enough.

 

Even though it is illegal, I put my headphones in for the drive home - some soft classical music.  I cannot take Toy Story for the 127th time.  We have a nice, uneventful drive home.  I drop off our girl scout fall sales order form at the leader's house in Loveland, and I feel relief that we don't have to worry about sales anymore.  Rylan did a very good job and is pleased with meeting her goal.

 

We get home, I tell the kids that I love them dearly but I don't want to see or hear them for at least a couple hours.  I set to work setting up the iPad all over again.  The whole back-it-up-to-the-cloud thing?  Didn't work.  Evidently my husband *did* back it up to the computer, so my notes and photos were intact.  None of my apps were on the computer.  They were found under the purchased section, so I could easily do that part - but it was like starting over.  The Gardens of Time game that I have playing like a fiend for the past few weeks is completely gone.  (My husband is cheering right now, I'm sure).  To put this in perspective - all you Farmville addicts?  Imagine your entire farm being deleted.  Your neighbors, your bonuses., your levels... gone. 

 

I want my Saturday back.  I want to do it over again. 

 

I would stay home.

 

Do some laundry.... go for a walk.

 

 

I would also of had the time to actually call my dad and wish him a Happy 70th Birthday.

 

And then call my FIL and wish him a Happy Birthday as well.

 

 

 

So. It is now Sunday.  I guess I will just make the best of it.  There is a fall festival event happening at Walker Ranch today - it's been on our calendar for two months now.  It's just north of Boulder. 

 

 

 

We won't be going.

 

I'm going to wash the whites instead.

 

It's safer.

 



Weekly Wrap-up - The one that went on forever...

 

Yes... this was the week that dragged on...and on...and on...

 

Monday was the only good day of the week... work got done, nothing broke and I didn't die of a heart attack.

 

Tuesday was non-stop go and go.  Jordan had a counseling appointment in the middle of the day - due to a scheduling brainfart on my part - appointments are supposed to only be during the last week of the month if at all possible.  The good news is that this was the last appointment - we have finally graduated to an 'as-needed basis' in regards to counseling.  Yeah!  Later in the day I went to my GP and she combed through my info, ran an EKG and did a couple of chest xrays in order to figure out what is going on with my ongoing chest pains.  No nasty tumors lurking in my chest, my heart performed admirably and I'm not going to drop dead any time soon.  Unless of course you factor in stress.  So that leaves only one other test to perform - which is to hook up a portable heart monitor for a couple of weeks.  My heart racing incidents have dropped off significantly, and the chest pains have also lessened in intensity and duration.  I hate it when I don't know what is wrong.  The only thing she can attribute the discomfort to is a muscle pull deep down in the tissue.  I can't agree with that - I can't believe that a muscle pull would begin to hurt when I not engaging my muscles at the time - ie. sitting or lying down.  I am still secretly worrying that it is a lung tumor that didn't show up on the xray.  Silly... I know.  The day ended with a board meeting for our homeschool group.  A good meeting  - attended by most of the board and one other member.  I am confused.  I see all of these parents joining our group for the simple reason of looking for support and social interaction, yet hardly a one will show up at a board/support meeting or a Park Day.  We are now 165 member families strong, with several pending, and the lack of attendance just confounds me.

 

Wednesday just sucked.  We were off to a good start and then we went to Park Day.  Only one other dad was there.  Jordan brought his gigantic Lego bin and the kids played and so on.  Owen got bored and asked to play a game on my 3 week old iPad.  He sat on the blanket and played for a long, long time.  We were packing up to go, and Owen stood up, and stepped on the blanket/soft grass and onto a paved pathway, *just* as I was saying do not get up and walk with the iPad... and he dropped it.  Face down.  

 

 

This is the corner that took the brunt of the blow.  It flexed and cracked two other corners as well.  I didn't know whether to cry, scream or throw up.  (And if you are secretly happy that the iPad that I keep going on and on about was damaged - piss off).

Owen was lucky that we were in a public place, and I managed to keep my composure.  However, it did not help that the other dad that was there said in a very know-it-all-told-you-so voice "Should of had an Otterbox on it!  We have one - we put it on there immediately.  Is that the newest iPad?  Do you have Apple Care coverage?"  Uh... I don't know?  My husband bought it...

We went on with our afternoon - dance lessons and karate, and then sped down to Boulder to go to the very swanky Apple store to see what could be done.  As we drove along the diagonal highway that leads into Boulder we suddenly heard a peculiar click-click sound, and pulled off as soon as it was safe.  There was a huge bolt sticking out of one of the rear tires.  Nice.  We were close, so we drove on to the outdoor mall in the center of town where the Apple store was.  Dean changed the tire and I went into the Apple store.  Nice place.  Nice people (at first).  I felt stupid carrying in my battered and broken iPad.  And then I felt an intense amount of dislike for the fresh-faced twenty-something who exuded an extreme level of techie snootiness.  He had no sympathy.  No Apple care?  Sorry.  (And you can tell he was privately thinking "What an idiot!")  He informed me that they would be happy to trade it out for a new one.

For $299.

Shit.

There are asshats out there who would say "How can you be upset about getting a brand new iPad for only $299?"  Because I can say that we already forked over twice that only three weeks ago (!) for a brand new iPad.  And I can be pissed because I have had iPad envy for two years now, and this was the first 'toy' that was just for me.  ME.

The good news is that the cracks do not go over the screen except for one little crack in a corner.  The iPad is functioning normally, and Owen's hide is still intact.

The bad news is that we still have a nasty underlying issue in our house - destructive kids.  Owen may not of intentionally dropped it, but he did not obey the rules that I had set with use of the iPad: you don't walk around with it, you don't hold something else WHILE you are holding the iPad (Owen had a toy in his hand - which is why he bobbled it in the first place), you only use it while sitting at a table or on a couch or a bed, in a carpeted area.  He walked off of the blanket just when I reminded him not to.  We have kids that don't listen.  Kids that do not understand the inherent value of an object.  We are the toy graveyard.  Toys that come into this household are being sent to their doom.  That goes for clothing too.

**And I know that Rylan's violin teacher is reading this - and I can personally assure you that the violin you have entrusted us with is probably THE most guarded and protected item in this entire household.**

Thursday morning dawned bright and early because I had to visit Discount Tire to get the tire taken care of.  Two new tires and $227 later (at least we had coverage on the tires??) we were all set to go on a daisy field trip to Hearts and Horses - a therapeutic riding establishment that relies heavily on volunteer support. 

 

 



We had a great time.  I was preoccupied by constantly texting back and forth with my husband about the next step to take with Apple.  When we got back home later that afternoon I spent a couple of hours combing the Internet looking for solutions.  It looks like Apple dumped their "Oops!" policy of replacing a broken screen for free when the iPad 3 hit the market.  Damn.  So the next-best option was getting an Otterbox.  The cover would conceal most of the cracks, and protect it from flexing some more (which would mean even more cracks).  In the meantime, my husband will have to convince me that he can replace the screen himself.  So later that evening the kids and I went out and purchased an Otterbox case at Best Buy.  $99 bucks well spent.

Front.  The skid pads are nice.  This cover snaps on and off  (you lift at the corners) and then it becomes the resting tray.  It has a built-in stand so that you can prop up the iPad at different angles.

Back.  It has an opening for the camera lense, the all-important Apple logo and speaker.

Sitting in the tray.  My only complaint is that you have to press really hard on the 'home' button.

The other element to Thursday was receiving the sales packets for the fall Girl Scout fundraising campaign that runs through the end of September.  Nuts, candy and magazine sales are in the offering.  My family has been most generous and we have garnered quite a few sales in just two days so far.  What isn't so fun is that Jordan is in the midst of his boy scout popcorn fall sales campaign as well.  Jordan and Rylan have been going out most every afternoon this past week drumming up sales for him.  Since Jordan helped Rylan with cookies sales last year, it's her turn to assist him.  Fun times around here...

Friday was a better day - sort of felt like a day to catch up on everything that had been put-off for the week.  Schoolwork was minimal - so I don't think we are going to be taking off next week like was planned... we have too much catching up to do.

That seems like an endless mantra around here....


(And I only mentioned the word 'iPad' 13 times!!)

Twinges in the hinges...

 

 

Lots of stuff has been happening in the wellness department during the last year..

 

Some joys:

 

About a month ago I got each of the kids on their bicycle and we went for a walk.  Now this may not sound significant, but it was a HUGE deal.  First: This was the first walk in over six years where I didn't have to push a stroller.  Second: Each child now has a way to be independent - great for self-esteem and exercise.  Owen moved up to Jordan's first bicycle (with training wheels) and Colin started using Owen's first bike - a strider bike (no pedals).  We have been out virtually every day since.  Colin is now able to coast along and stop himself and Owen constantly races Rylan to be the leader.

 

This is great for me because this is the first regular exercise I have had since I did a prenatal water aerobics class when pregnant with Rylan.  It is also the first regular exercise for the dog as well.  Well, sure I could have been walking before, but I have been plagued with tremendous arch/heel pain for the past two years.  I got my first pair of orthotics last December.  It took almost three months to adjust to them, but it has made a huge difference.  I even found a solution for the summer sandal by purchasing a pair of Mephisto leather sandals for the summer.  I have worn them constantly since June, and have no heel pain to report!  But it is time to get back into my sneakers on a full-time basis.  I stay on my feet longer and move around more when I have them on - it's a psychological thing...

 

I had the 'big 6' this summer: dentist, eye exam, mammogram, pelvic exam, annual physical and skin survey.  It is great to report that all is good.  I transitioned to a different type of soft lense to lessen the effects of my astigmatism, no cavities, mammogram and pelvic results were normal, my blood panel came back normal - my cholesterol level is 99, and no suspicious spots to remove.  All good news after a couple of rough years.

 

Some concerns:

My heart.  At this time last year I started having some chest pains and a racing pulse.  During the night, when I had been lying down for several minutes - not really thinking about anything or worrying about something, the racing would begin.  It almost felt like a panic attack.  I could feel a squeezing pressure on the right side of my chest.  I didn't know what to think - was this a heart attack?  It was time for my physical anyway, so I mentioned my concerns to my doctor and she had me hooked up to an EKG.  The results were not good.  She looked at the readout, and looked at me and then back at the readout.  "Are you feeling okay?"  umm.. yeah?  "Because this readout indicates that you are having a heart attack....hmmmm"  Even though the results were bad, there were no other indicators.  Blood test results came back normal, and well... I didn't keel over and die.  So...I guess we just left it alone.  We didn't follow up and the racing and pain went away after several days.

In December and January it started up again - in a big way.  My stress level was at an all-time high, and every emotional event would trigger an attack, as well as in the middle of the night when I was at rest.  Then it went away.  And now, as of three weeks ago, it is back again - with a vengeance.  So, I am going to make an appointment with the cardiologist this week to get it checked out.  At this point, it could be the heart, or it could be a digestive/acid reflux issue.  I wouldn't say that I am overly stressed about any one particular thing, but there is, of course, always some stress.  Homeschooling, budget, household needs, parenting... nothing bad, but I do suppose it all adds up.

I hope I get some answers.  I am reluctant to do any exercise other than walking - I'm afraid that if I raise my heart rate too high that something bad will happen.  But that also means that I will continue to have to amble around with the thirty excess pounds that I have gained over the past seven years and three pregnancies.

My moral.  It's still not where it should be.  I've doubled my Zoloft dosage to 50mg, but I am not sure it's enough yet.  It's all kind of connected: the stress, the weight, the pain and discomfort and the lackluster energy.  All I want is to feel good, keep up with my kids and to live a long life.