I'm a crafting fool!

This last week feels like it lasted a month.  But flew by.  If you know what I mean.

Last Sunday, we were in the middle of a heat wave.  All I did was sweat profusely for days on end.  Thankfully, my Pampered Chef host had central air conditioning when I went to her show on Sunday afternoon.  What a blessing--it's never any fun to melt in front of the guests.

Monday afternoon, all three of the kids got their teeth cleaned--NO cavities!  Woo Hoo!  We were supposed to go to the church softball game, but Steve got stuck on a job, and I figured it was a good chance to conserve some gasoline.  So we stayed home, and were glad we did, because it poured buckets here (but apparently only spit a bit at the ball field).

Tuesday morning I went walking with Sue & then we swapped kids.  I stopped at Joann's to pick up some embroidery floss for the girls.  I told them I would teach them how to make friendship bracelets.  They love making them.  I made myself an anklet:

I can remember making these when I was in grade school!  My sister is so jealous--I may have to make her one.  That was the first crafty thing I did this week. 

On Wednesday, we went to the Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesday--free movie with a book report!  The movie was "Happy Feet", which we hadn't seen before.  I have to say, I hated it.  Next week is Curious George, so we won't go.

After the movie, we headed down to my parents' house for a visit and dinner.  We beat my dad home by an hour!  So we hung out--I had brought my computer, and was getting expense reports done, and the girls worked on their bracelets, and I think Eli read a book.  Anyway, we had a nice visit, although Madeline wasn't feeling well and spiked a fever.  She was fine the next day, thank God! 

It rained Wednesday night.  Really poured.  I was so happy to miss most of it, although we had left a window open, and Steve came home to a soaked living room, TV and cat.  I'm glad I missed that, too.

Yesterday, it rained all day.  Strong winds, sudden downpours, but not the thunder and lightning that we had Wed. night.  Luckily, I didn't have to go anywhere until last night.  I had a Pampered Chef show at my friend Theresa's house.  She only lives about 15 minutes away, so that was great.

Today is also a stay at home day.  I've been working on some rag quilts for the girls.  I have all of the squares done; next week I'll start piecing them together.  Here's a picture of all of the squares laid out:

I'm really happy with how it's going to look.  I also figured out how to clean my sewing machine and oil it.  I'm so proud of myself!  And that was the 2nd crafty thing I did this week.  If you knew me IRL, you'd know that's quite a bit of craftiness for me in one week! :)

Well, my dad just called, he's stopping by for a visit, so I'm going to cut this short!

11:27 AM - Jul. 25, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Calling all podiatrists

Patience, who has been since birth possibly the dirtiest child alive, has pretty funky, gross feet.  There, I said it.  She was the toddler with really smelly feet, and now she's the 8 year old with massive calluses that seem almost pourous. 

Her feet are routinely filthy--two minutes after cleaning them, the bottoms will be black (absolutely no comments may be left suggesting that my floors are dirty!).

Today I soaked her little feet, clipped her nails and gave them a good scrubbing.  Here is a picture, because her feet may never be this clean again:

Now, I promise, I'm not trying to gross you out, but here are some pictures of the bottoms of her feet (see, you thought I was going to say a "before" shot, but even I'm not that mean).  Do these calluses look like something is possibly wrong?  Athlete's foot?  Some kind of fungus?  She doesn't complain of pain or itchiness.

I'm almost scared to take one of the pedicure scrubby things to the bottom of her feet, but that's what I'll try next.  This kid is going to owe me a lot of pedicures once she's older.

12:01 PM - Jul. 17, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Nature's bounty

Woo hoo!  Our first veggies from the garden!  Too bad that Steve didn't know that I hate string beans when he planted them (hey, in his defense, we've only been married 14 years).  The girls only like them raw, as we found out after we steamed them for lunch.  SIGH.

11:59 AM - Jul. 17, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Spring Lake

On Tuesday, we were able to go to Spring Lake in Burrillville, RI, with some friends.  The kids had a great time.  I only got a tiny sunburn (yay!). 

What a gorgeous day!

I promise, we feed Eli--check out his spine!  Sheesh.

Pretty Patience

Eli shows off his long locks. :)

My beautiful Maddie

11:46 AM - Jul. 17, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Heading back to the doctor's

Well, it seems that Patience's poison ivy (if that's what it really was...) has flared up again.  Her cheeks started getting all red & itchy today.  So we're headed back to the doctor's tomorrow morning.  I am not messing around with this!

Sheesh, this is her 3rd doctor's appointment in 3 weeks!  When it rains, it pours!

7:07 PM - Jul. 16, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Back to the grind

Ugh, I gained 4 lbs. in Chicago.  I'm getting back on track today!  I haven't eaten all that well (dang my incredible baking skills!), but not too badly, and I just rode the exercise bike for an hour.  Now to drown my cravings with H2O!

7:04 PM - Jul. 16, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Home from Chicago!

Well, I'm home!  Four whirlwind days in the Windy City, a flight home that was slightly delayed, and here I am.  I am exhausted!  Travelling absolutely kicks my butt!

Lots of laughs were had (I just adore being with my friend Carolyn!), the new PC products are cool (email me if you want a brochure!), and dining out & shopping were fabulous.

Here are a few pics:

The Chicago skyline

Navy Pier

With the two fantastic gals on my team, Joanne & Stephanie

With 3 of my fellow directors, Carolyn (possibly the funniest gal in the world!), Joanne, Marcia & myself

It was a wonderful trip, but I am glad to be home! 

5:00 PM - Jul. 14, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Can't sleep!

To re-cap--yesterday, Patience was diagnosed with swimmer's ear and a middle ear infection in her right ear.  The night before, she was up at 3am, and has been on pain meds every three hours since, because of the pain.  Yesterday, other than 1/2 hour of sleep between 5:15 and 7am, dozing in the doctor's office, and a one hour nap between 3pm-4pm, I was up from 3am until last night.  I was a zombie.

Until I caught my second wind at about 8pm.  AUGHH.  It was so difficult to fall asleep!  Patience is still needing meds (alternating Tylenol & Motrin) every 3 hours, and she got up at 11pm, and then 2:30am, and I am AWAKE.  My plane leaves for Chicago in 5 hours.

While I was trying to go to sleep last night, I decided to read my new Gooseberry Patch catalog.  Mmmm, mmmm!  Love their stuff.  Is it bad that I want about $250 worth of their goodies?  Are cookbooks tax deductible for me?  You can check out their 275 NEW products at www.gooseberrypatch.com .  Let me know if you need ideas for my next birthday, or Christmas, or whatever!

It's the almost dog-days of summer, when a girls' thoughts turn to....AUTUMN.  Let me tell you, that catalog has the cutest stuff, and all ready for fall baking and cooking and decorating.  I can smell the crisp fall air already.  *Live in the moment, Amanda....enjoy summer while you can!*  I know, I know.  I'll be dying for this heat come January.

Speaking of dying, the air conditioner in the girls' room is kaput.  At least, the horrible buzzing sound it was making at 2am, coupled with the large *SPARK* when I shut it off, is making me think that.  And it's going to be a HOT, HUMID day today (I almost said tomorrow, but honestly, dawn isn't too far away....).  I consoled Steve by telling him that I would be in industrial A/C for the next 4 days.  Hey, I'm all about the giving.

Did I mention that Steve tried to burn the house down yesterday?  When I was up in the wee hours with Patience, I lit a candle on the dining room table.  Steve sat down around 7:30am with the newspaper, and proceeded to hold it directly above the candle.  Eli started yelling, "Dad, Dad!!  Look out!", as the paper ignited.  Never a dull moment around here, I tell you.

Okay, It's all of 3:45am here--I think I'll go exercise and then try to collapse on the couch for a bit.  Try not to have too much fun while I'm away!  I'll check my email on Saturday night, so feel free to leave lots of comments!

3:33 AM - Jul. 9, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Off to Chicago!

 I'm leaving in the morning for another Pampered Chef National Conference in Chicago, IL!

If you think of it, could you say a prayer for Patience?  Not only does she hate it when I leave, she has swimmers ear AND a middle ear infection in her right ear.  Poor thing--she's just in so much pain.  And mommy will be gone for 4 days. :(

Have a great week!  I'll be home Saturday night!

7:41 PM - Jul. 8, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Happy Independence Day!

I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating the 4th of July!  We're headed to the church cookout--always a good time.  I visit with friends, and the kids stay in the pool for 8 hours straight. :)

8:42 AM - Jul. 4, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Clouds Hill Mansion

Who knew there was a historical mansion right here in Warwick?  Well, my friend Sue knew!  And she set up a great field trip!  We couldn't take pictures on the inside, but what a beautiful house!  Here are some pictures:

The girls on one of the antique fire trucks:

Eli on an antique pogo stick--he did a great job!

2:45 PM - Jul. 3, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

So, so itchy

Patience started itching the other day, and once the rash had spread to her feet, legs, arms, stomach and FACE (oh God, not the face!), I took her to the doctor's yesterday.

We were told that she has poison ivy, but that the rash on her arms is due to "sun-sensitivity". HUH?  This kid has never gotten a rash from being in the sun.  Mild sunburns once in a while, but not itchy rashes.

Anyway, she's on oral steroids for 10 days, with plenty of anti-itch cream and Benedryl as needed.  Poor thing.

2:40 PM - Jul. 3, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

"Pig" excitement

I was just thinking the other day that I wouldn't mind getting Patience a guinea pig.  Her best friend has two, and Patience has such fun at Katie's house when they play.

Yesterday, at the Bookworm movie (The BEE Movie--pretty cute), my best friend asked me, "Do you know anyone who wants a guinea pig?" I checked with Steve when he got home, and he said yes.  So last night, I drove to Cumberland to pick up the cutest little guinea pig there ever was.

Patience was so surprised this morning!  Here they are, Patience and...well, she doesn't have a name yet, but Patience is leaning toward "Princess".

2:30 PM - Jul. 3, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Overheard

FYI, I am gearing up for a big blogfest, to make up for my silence!  Stay tuned....

In the meantime, enjoy this, courtesy of Patience (age 8), who was making a sandwich:

"Eli, I don't want strawberry preservatives!"

LOL LOL LOL

1:37 PM - Jun. 30, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Violated

That's how I feel right now.  I just called to get the price of home heating oil. 

Company A is the company that our landlords have their service contract with.  We've only used them once for oil, because we really like the company we've gotten oil from for the last 10 years.

Company A is charging $4.25/gal if you buy 150 gallons or more.  I was so stunned that I didn't even think to ask how much it would cost if you couldn't afford 150 gallons.

Company B is the company that we've been using for 10 years.  150 gallons or more is $4.32/gal.  If you can only afford 100 gallons, it's $4.42/gallon.

I called Steve to see who we should go with.  We figured that since Company A has a contract with our landlords, even if we couldn't afford 150 gallons, the price per gallon would probably be cheaper than Company B.  So I called back.

Steve and I decided that since it is summer, and we're only using the oil for hot water (and we'll shut off the boiler at night to save even more), that we'd only get 50 gallons.  The price has to come down at some point this summer, right?  RIGHT?

Being the trusting soul that I am, I called Company A back, asked for 50 gallons (in that, I'm so sorry that's all we can afford way--SIGH).  They'll deliver it tomorrow. 

FOR $250.

Let's see if we can do the math, shall we?  Since we can only afford 50 gallons,

WE ARE BEING CHARGED $5.00/GALLON.

I feel sick.  But I have other bills to pay this week (this is the hell week as far as bills are concerned--all 3 credit cards, the cable bill, Steve's truck payment & the auto insurance are all due within 5 days of each other), so what choice do I have?  We're supposed to be using Company A, because of the service agreement.  I guess Company B would be charging more than $2.42/gal if you get under 100 gallons, but wouldn't it be less than $5.00/gallon?????

This is ridiculous.  An outrage.  Just horrific.  Steve keeps saying that the prices will go down, but what if they don't?  We just don't make enough money to pay these prices for oil and gas, well, and eat, too.  Something's got to give.

9:54 AM - Jun. 9, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Wow--mid-June already!

Well, practically.  We've been so busy, I need to use my calendar to blog--I can't remember everything we've done!

Last Monday was, of course, the church softball game.  Unfortunately, we got killed. :(  Oh well, tonight is a new night!

Tuesday morning we went walking with Sue & her kids and did our kid-swap.  The kids look forward to this so much!

I've got three new consultants on my Pampered Chef team, so I've been busy with training and helping with their first shows.  Wednesday was John's first show--he has such a nice family & group of friends.  We made Strawberry Amaretto Pastries--I had to stay away from those! LOL

Thursday was a super-fun day, because my friend, Linette, came over for a few games of Scrabble.  We used to live next door to Linette, and she and I would play all the time!  I know I'll sound like a snob here, but she's one of the few people I know that it's a challenge to play against, so that makes it even more fun.

I had a Pampered Chef show on Thursday night--not a huge turnout, but should end up being decent.  The kids got some "Dad-time", which is nice, considering all of the hours that Steve is working.

Friday was busy!  We went to the Carolina Trout Hatchery to go fishing with our homeschool group. 

The battery in my car has been acting up--if you leave the headlights on for just two minutes after you shut the car off, it drains the battery!  Well, we got to the hatchery, and I wasn't sure where to go, so we parked to wait for other homeschoolers to arrive.  After about 5 minutes, they showed up, and sure enough, we were in the wrong spot, so we needed to follow them down a road (not sure how long it was).  Everyone pulled away, and my car was DEAD.  I had left the headlights on by accident (I don't do this often!).  Nothing.  It wouldn't even try to turn over.  And Steve was at least 45 minutes away.

Luckily!  My parents live about 5 minutes from the hatchery, and my dad could come give me a jump.  A friend came by, and my kids piled in her car, so that they wouldn't be late.  I arrived just as the fishing started.

Those of you who know me, know that I'm not exactly an out-doorsy type.   Thankfully, there were volunteers to help the kids with worms and bait. :)  All of my kids caught fish--Patience got 3, Maddie got 2, and Eli got 1.  Not bad!

Here are some pictures:

It's hard to see Eli's fish in the photo, but it's there!

It rained on and off the entire time we were there--the kids got wet, but they had a great time!

When we were done fishing, Kevin (Sue's husband, who took the kids to the hatchery) and I took all 7 kids back to my parents' house for lunch (which we packed--don't worry, we didn't descend on them like locusts!).  We all used to attend the same church, and it was such a treat for my dad to be able to visit with Kevin!  Plus, we didn't have to eat in the rain or the car.

Friday night was the kind of pre-youth group that the kids have been going to.  It's at the same church as their Awana group, and is for 3rd-6th graders.  They do a devotion or Bible study and have game time.  The kids have a BLAST.  Steve is, of course, sleeping during this time, because of working 3rd shift on Friday and  Saturday nights, so I used the time to do some training with one of my new consultants. 

Saturday was another busy day, and a HOT one!  We've had a gorgeous spring here in RI, and not too many hot, hot days.  Saturday, though, was one.  The kids and I headed out early to run to the bank and library, which was having a book & bake sale.  We only had a few minutes to look around, because we were meeting Sue & her kids (I promise, I do actually hang around with people besides Sue!) at the (free) Animal Planet Expo at Goddard Park at 10am.  Well, we got to the library, and the sale didn't start until 10am.  I was soooo disappointed!  But we left, and arrived at the Expo about 20 minutes early.  No traffic, great parking spot, and we bumped into a family that I know. 

Sue showed up at 10, and off we went.  It really was a fun time, in spite of (or is that despite??) the heat and sun burn.  Here are some photos:

The alligator slide

This was like a bouncy-obstacle-race course

Patience & Amy as Meerkats!

The boys all climbed up to the top of this!  The criss-crosses were make of a rubber-like substance, very stretchy--I think it was supposed to be like a spider web.

Eli at the top!

The kids saw some cool animals, got to play games for prizes, and took a trip down that huge alligator slide.  By then we were all hot & tired, so we left.

Now, does God know what He's doing, or what?  When we left, it was bumper-to-bumper traffic, stretching several miles, and it was getting hotter by the minute.  If I had stayed to wait for the book sale, who knows what we would have gotten caught in!  Maddie went to Amy's house to go swimming (Patience was very upset, but you know, they can't do everything together & it's not fair to stick Sue with all of the kids just because she has a pool!), and Eli, Patience and I went back to the book sale.  We found a few books, and bought some goodies, and enjoyed the air conditioning in the library.

We got to see Steve for only an hour or so--he had to go to bed after working almost 24 hours straight, AND going to softball practice.  Maddie was dropped off around 5pm, and we just had a relaxing (albeit hot) evening at home.

Yesterday (Sunday) was just as hot.  I woke up at 6am, and went for a bike ride before it got too hot.  Steve and Eli went (after Steve got home from work) to help with the church set up.  Both Steve and I had a hard time staying awake in church--he has an excuse of course....maybe it was just the heat with me.

We made plans with our friends Sue & Tony (see, a different Sue! LOL) to come over for dinner around 4pm, and to let the kids run through the sprinklers. 

We had taken separate cars to church, so Steve and Eli headed home, and the girls and I went to the supermarket to pick up coldcuts for lunch, and some salad fixings for dinner.  As we got in the car, I had to reach (from outside the car) into Patience's side of the car.  My arm was between her open door and the car frame, and she closed the car door on my arm, just above my elbow.  Now obviously, I'm typing, so I'm going to be okay, but WHOOOEY! did that hurt!  I have a HUGE bruise just above the outside of my elbow.  It is soooo sore.  I iced it for over an  hour, then we headed to Sue & Tony's.

What a pleasure & blessing to be able to fellowship with another family!  We don't get to do it often enough!  I hang out with my friends, but Steve isn't around.  We got to the softball games, but the guys are playing while the ladies chat.  So to be able to visit with another family and just have a great time with another couple--I really cherish those times.  The kids always want play dates, but that doesn't always include the whole family, y'know?  Which is actually how we planned last night--Patience and Gracie wanted to get together, and I said to Sue, "Y'know, we really need a family day.  Can we all come over?" LOL.  Nothing like inviting ourselves!  But we had a wonderful time.  Dinner was delicious, the kids had a great time.  We all played Apples to Apples Jr., and then the grown-ups got to play Taboo (love that game!).  It was such a fun evening!

Today isn't a busy "go-places" day, but I have a lot to do.  I got up at 6am (after a very restless night's sleep--my arm kept getting bumped, and it was the first night sleeping in the air conditioning, so I kept getting cold, then hot with the blanket, then cold.....sigh) to do all of the dishes we didn't do yesterday (tell me I'm not the only one who leaves her kitchen a mess at night sometimes!!!), and to bake.  Tonight is softball, and I'm kind of the unofficial snack-bringer.  I made a huge double batch of homemade brownies.  They look fabulous, if I do say so myself!

I washed the kitchen floor, and I need to go exercise!  It's already getting hot--going to be over 90 again today, so I think I'll use the exercise bike in the basement.  Then I have a bunch more housework, as my landlady is stopping by this afternoon.  Eli's finishing his English today, and Maddie is only a couple of days away from finishing her math.  Then the kids will bump down to 1 page of work/day (math for Eli, English for Maddie, both for Patience)--besides field trips and some fun stuff, this will be their schedule until I get all of their new curriculum, and we start back to school in August.  It will give them something to do in the mornings or if they get bored.

Okay, I'm off to exercise! (And to studiously avoid those brownies!)

7:58 AM - Jun. 9, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Our week

When I posted on Monday, I was having that crazy, busy, woke-up-at-4:30am-day.  And as exhausted as I was, it was kind of nice to have gotten up so early.  Things were accomplished.   We went to the church softball game--it's such a nice time of fellowship.  Here's a couple of pics of Steve:

And he's off....

Tuesday, I was up bright an early again.  It's amazing how much laundry one can get done before the kids are up. LOL  Sue came over with her kids around 10am, so that we could go walking.  As it gets warmer, the walking has to take place earlier!  We did our usual hour, and then a kid swap.  I had the boys this week (they're the older kids), so I was able to run to the grocery store while they played Bionicles.

Steve worked late on Tuesday, so the kids and I had a casual dinner.  Not that we're fancy on any other day of the week, but when Dad's not home, it's more like every man for himself! 

Wednesday I was up early again!  The kitchen floor got washed, laundry was hung out on the line...the day was off to a great start.

Maddie had a bit of a rough time with her math, though.  It wasn't pretty.  The fact is, Maddie, while being a fabulous kid, with an amazing number of wonderful qualities, is not a scholar.  Reading is not fun, although she's getting much better, and she just doesn't "think" mathematically like her brother and sister.  And, if I can say this without sounding like an insufferable git, I was REALLY good at school in general.  Schoolwork came very easily to me, and honestly?  It makes it harder for me to understand how in the world basic long division could be this much of an issue.

One of Maddie's problems seems to be recall.  When she was learning to read, it was the same way.  You'd sound out a word with her 5 times, and then she'd see the word, and have to sound it out again.  It's like her brain never said, "Hey, this word looks familiar!"

And that was what was happening with the long division.  Same process, 20 times.  And each time, it was a struggle for her to grasp what came next.  She was crying, I was getting upset--mostly frustration.  How do I help this kid?  She still doesn't know (KNOW know) her math facts, and I was thinking I was going to have to completely change her math curriculum, and put her back into basic addition!

Those of you who know Maddie, know that the one thing she doesn't like is CHANGE.  She cried when her sister got glasses, because she looked DIFFERENT.  Sigh.  So when I mentioned perhaps getting her a different curriculum, she lost it.  Ay yi yi.  More on this in a moment.

Wednesday night was a nice family night.  (I think? LOL LOL)

Thursday was Steve's day off.  He and I headed out for an hour long bike ride (I had already been up early, doing laundry and dishes).  Then we went to visit my mother-in-law in CT.  She needs a hip replacement, and is in a considerable amount of pain, so we didn't stay too long.  We don't get to see her very often, just due to crazy schedules.  She lives with Steve's brother and his daughter.  Their house is--and honestly, I'm not trying to be mean here--very dirty.  Stale smoke, lots of clutter, general messiness, gross bathroom.  It's kind of always been like that.  And it really grosses Steve out.  If we lived closer, I'd offer to come clean once in a while.  But we ended up stopping at a McDonald's on the way home, just to wash our hands and faces.  We got lunch, too.  We all changed our clothes once we were home, and they went straight into the laundry.  Sigh.

Once home, I put Steve to work.   Do you have hardwood floors?  Y'know how you need to put little felt pads on the bottom of the chair legs?  And they're always coming off?  Or getting dirty looking? (Cat hair is wonderful with those things.)  Well, ours needed to be replaced, and Steve had said that he would do it.  I reminded him, "You have to actually clean/wash off the bottoms of the chair legs, so that the sticky felt pads will adhere correctly."  Well, he didn't think the cloth (or whatever) was doing a good job, so this is how he cleaned them:

That's right, he SANDED the bottoms with a power tool. LOL

Then he went out to wash my car--what a treat:

Don't you love my sweet ride?

The kids were being silly--here's some pictures I took:

On Thursday night, I had a director's meeting in CT.  Lots of fun and good food (Supreme Banana Split Cake--Oh my).

Yesterday I was up at 5:45--let me tell you, this getting up early is catching up with me.  I was TIRED last night.  Of course, if I went to be earlier, that might help.

I went out for a bike ride before Steve left for work.  On the way home, I saw a big snapping turtle.  It had dug a hole, and was sitting in it.  I immediately called Steve on my cell phone (he had seen the turtle before, and told us about it), and told him to get the kids and their bikes.  I was very close to our home, so it wasn't a long ride.  What a fun way to start our school day!  Which went well--Maddie sat down and zipped through her math like nobody's business.  Who is this girl?  And if she's my daughter, who was sitting here crying about math on Wednesday?????

 Note that Eli is still in his cammo pajama pants, and Patience is wearing one of Steve's t-shirts--she hadn't gotten dressed yet, either!

This weekend is Steve first full weekend working at Wal-Mart.  He worked all day yesterday at Roto Rooter, came home and slept for a few hours, worked all night last night at Wally World, came home and slept for 2 hours (thank goodness he didn't get a call right away), is now at a job for RR, will sleep once his shift is over at 4:30, and work all night tonight at WM.  Then we teach Sunday School in the morning.  He is a hard-working man.

I was up at 6:15 (I slept in this morning! LOL), and made Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip muffins--YUM.  Of course, I had to exercise, because those babies are 7 Weight Watchers points EACH.  I made the boys breakfast, then once the girls were up, I helped them make over-easy eggs.  Maddie wants to be able to make them herself.

Today is the last day of May, so I have several Pampered Chef catalog shows to close up.  I'll go out with the kids later to pick up some payments.

In other news, I finished reading the new Miss Julia novel by Ann B. Ross.  I've also been working on my cross-stitch this week.  It only takes me a few years to finish a cross-stitch.    Oh, and Go Celtics!  I don't really follow basketball, but it's always fun when the home team makes it into the finals!

I'm trying something new for dinner.  We love shepherd's pie, and we love BBQ meatloaf.  So I'm going to make the sauce for the BBQ meatloaf, and let the hamburger for the shepherd's pie simmer in the sauce, and then make the shepherd's pie with it.  YUM.  Steve is skeptical, but I know he will love it.

11:36 AM - May. 31, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Weekend Update

Unfortunately, I'm not as funny as the people on Saturday Night Live, but here's my own "Weekend Update". :)

Friday night was pretty low key, at least that I can remember.  Sheesh!  It was only 2 days ago!  I'm drawing a complete blank.

Anyway, Steve worked at Toys R Us on Saturday morning, 4-8am.  He came home for breakfast, and then headed to softball practice.  While he was home, I ran to the bank, post office and CVS--no great deals, Steve needed something.

He left just before I got home.  I had a woman coming over to sign up with The Pampered Chef, and the kids let her into the house before I got home.  I don't know if I'm more upset at the kids for not obeying the rule to not open the door if they're home alone (I guess Steve had left the door open a bit...), or the lady for not waiting in her car when she realized that I wasn't there.  She's never even met my kids before.

She was very impressed with how nice & well-behaved my kids are, but still.

We finished up our business in about an hour.  The kids were getting in their Saturday morning fix of Spiderman cartoons.  Steve came home around 1pm, and I had to leave shortly after for another sign-on!  Woo hoo!  Business is good.

A quick trip to Wal-Mart, and I was back home.  Steve was asleep when I came home, because he started his other part-time job at Wal-Mart on Saturday night, 10pm-7am.  It was a long, lonely evening with him sleeping.  I made his "lunch", and off he went.

Sunday morning, I headed out for a bike ride just before Steve got home.  I ended up doing about 10 miles in one hour!  Not bad!

Steve left with Eli to go help with church set-up (we meet at a school, so set up has to happen every week!), while the girls and I got ready.  Steve didn't end up staying at church--he was just too tired.

Here he is, lying on the couch with the cat that he professes to hate.  Riiiight.......

Sunday afternoon ended up being busy!  We went to Wal-Mart to finish getting plants for our vegetable garden.  We still need a few more things, so we headed to a local nursery where Steve bought me a lilac bush!  I'm so excited--lilacs are my FAVORITE!

I can't wait to see if it blooms next spring!

The girls and Steve did the planting.  I am not a gardener--not only do I kill plants without meaning to, but I hate getting dirt on my hands.  :)

Here's a picture of Steve and Maddie hard at work--they wouldn't look at me, so Patience jumped in for a smile.  Isn't she a riot?

More gardening pictures:

While they were planting, Eli and I played cribbage.  Now, lest you think we're complete slackers (hold on, I'm checking to see if the shoe fits....), I've been wanting to teach Eli (well, all of the kids) how to play cribbage for a while.  My parents taught my sister and I when we were my kids' ages, and it's been a fun family past-time for years.  My mom actually plays in a cribbage league.

So, on Saturday, Eli played his first game of cribbage, and I skunked him.  Yesterday, we played again, and it was much closer.  This morning--he beat me.  Very good, grasshopper!

By the time the planting was done, it was almost 7pm, and I just was not in the mood to cook.  We got Domino's.  And were all in bed by 9:30.   

Of course, since it's a holiday today, and I could have slept in, I woke up completely at 4:30am.  There was no point in going back to sleep, so up I got.  Actually, I like getting up early, it's just that in order to wake up before Eli and actually get some time to myself, well, I have to get up at 4:30am. 

I did all of the dishes from yesterday, did 3 loads of laundry, cleaned the dining room, took out the recycleables, changed the garbage, and THEN Eli woke up. :)

He helped me make a batch of cookies, and we played cribbage while they baked.  He helped me hang the towels out on the clothes line.  It was really nice to get to spend some time with him!

Steve finally got up around ten past seven (LAZY-BONES! LOL), and decided that he was going for a bike ride.  I decided to go with him, because I made cookies, and I like to be proactive in working off calories.

TEN MILES.  My legs are killing me.  I'm beat, done for the day!  Not really.  Steve is working today, so he's off to a job in Providence.  I made the kids eggs (well, okay, I let Steve have some, too), had my own breakfast (Kashi Go Lean! Crunch cereal with some Fiber One cereal and 1% milk--FIBER IS YOUR FRIEND), did the breakfast dishes, scooped the kitty litter, and as soon as I'm done blogging, I'm going to clean the bathtub and take a shower (badly needed!!!).  Then I need to take the towels in, hang out Steve's uniforms, and put away about 4 loads of laundry, while I clean my bedroom.

Did I mention that I've been up since 4:30am? 

This afternoon, I'd like to work on my cross-stitch or the rag quilt I'm making.  That is, if I'm not taking a nap.

Softball is tonight, so we'll head out right after dinner to cheer Steve on. 

And that is your weekend update.  HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

9:45 AM - May. 26, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

What a way to start the day!

I had mentioned before that Steve and I got bicycles on Mother's Day.  Well, we are loving them!

I've been going out with the kids riding at least 3-4 times/week--we can do almost an hour of riding. 

This morning, just before Steve got home (last night was his first overnight at Wal-Mart), I headed out for a ride.  It is a glorious spring morning here in RI--sun shining, birds chirping, squirrels that can't decide which way to run across the bike path.

I get, of course,  a much better workout without the kids.  I did 10 miles this morning--not bad at all for someone who only started riding a bike 2 weeks ago! :)

8:46 AM - May. 25, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

This morning

8:17 AM - May. 21, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment