If you have a GPS, you've probably heard that word many a time. I have, because the first GPS I used couldn't find the road we needed when it was right in front of us and it "recalculated" a lot. And, because I often figure out where I'm going half way through the directions and take my own route. My GPS doesn't appreciate that.
Last week, that was my word for each day.
I woke up with a plan and several times had to recalculate because something(s) happened that forced me to change my plans.
Everything worked out, as it always does, most often better than planned. We have to keep a sense of humor about life or we find ourselves getting upset rather than just recalculating and realizing that there's more than one way to do things and still get done what needs doing.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Emphasis is Important
One of the phrases I use frequently, when thanking someone for doing something for me, is dear heart.
My tenacious one has picked up on the phrase and it is so cute to listen to her try to call someone a dear heart.
It usually is followed by smiles and chuckles because she puts the emphasis on the wrong word so it actually sounds like she is calling the person a deer heart.
She doesn't seem to hear the difference or maybe she just doesn't care. So even though we've pointed it out to her she is either unable or, more likely, unwilling to change it.
She knows the message she is trying to convey and is content. It may also be that she loves that little extra attention it brings her when she says it incorrectly.
My tenacious one has picked up on the phrase and it is so cute to listen to her try to call someone a dear heart.
It usually is followed by smiles and chuckles because she puts the emphasis on the wrong word so it actually sounds like she is calling the person a deer heart.
She doesn't seem to hear the difference or maybe she just doesn't care. So even though we've pointed it out to her she is either unable or, more likely, unwilling to change it.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Stressed Out
There is enough stress in the house lately to hold the walls up.
It is the end of the semester at the universities and three of the children are in the midst of final papers, projects, and exams.
The computers are on until late in the night and the printer is doing its best to keep up with the demands.
Added to the stress of his finals, number one son has, also, to prepare for ROTC field training. He gave me his list because he was too busy to go shopping. We spent well over $100 outfitting him to be away for a month.
As if that wasn't enough for him to handle, his car died yesterday.
Our nursing school daughter is taking not only finals but ATI exams for which she has to do self-study as the material is not specifically covered in class. (ATI are State nursing exams to prepare the student for the licensing exam.)
The other daughter has 2 lab finals today, one for Chemistry one in Biology. Yikes.
I'm not even in school, but, I'm telling you, I be glad when all this is done and everyone can relax again.
It is the end of the semester at the universities and three of the children are in the midst of final papers, projects, and exams.
The computers are on until late in the night and the printer is doing its best to keep up with the demands.
Added to the stress of his finals, number one son has, also, to prepare for ROTC field training. He gave me his list because he was too busy to go shopping. We spent well over $100 outfitting him to be away for a month.
As if that wasn't enough for him to handle, his car died yesterday.
Our nursing school daughter is taking not only finals but ATI exams for which she has to do self-study as the material is not specifically covered in class. (ATI are State nursing exams to prepare the student for the licensing exam.)
The other daughter has 2 lab finals today, one for Chemistry one in Biology. Yikes.
I'm not even in school, but, I'm telling you, I be glad when all this is done and everyone can relax again.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Thanks, Mom! Not!
I watched the neatest video the other day. It's making it way around the internet, you'll probably "stumble upon" it soon.
It is a video of parent robins and their four offspring. At the beginning of the video, there are four eggs in the nest. Soon the hatchlings are all free of their shells and ready to EAT!! The parents diligently dart around for worms to feed the babes.
As soon as one of them alights on the nest with worm in beak, the little one go nuts making a racket and opening their enormous mouths, vying for the feast. (Did you know they eat them whole? Gag.)
As the video continues the fuzz comes off, the feathers start to grow and the little ones are not so little any longer. They take up the whole nest and then some. Still the parents bring the worms.
Suddenly there is only one baby left in the nest. It's sitting on the edge of the nest checking out the surroundings.
SPOILER: Then he or she leaves one last mess in the nest and takes off. Momma bird comes home, worm in beak, to an empty nest. She drops the worm and looks about, even pecking here and there to see if one might be still hiding in there somewhere.
As she takes off into the sunset, or sunrise, I can just read her mind: "Sure leave me your mess and don't even say good-bye."
It is a video of parent robins and their four offspring. At the beginning of the video, there are four eggs in the nest. Soon the hatchlings are all free of their shells and ready to EAT!! The parents diligently dart around for worms to feed the babes.
As soon as one of them alights on the nest with worm in beak, the little one go nuts making a racket and opening their enormous mouths, vying for the feast. (Did you know they eat them whole? Gag.)
As the video continues the fuzz comes off, the feathers start to grow and the little ones are not so little any longer. They take up the whole nest and then some. Still the parents bring the worms.
Suddenly there is only one baby left in the nest. It's sitting on the edge of the nest checking out the surroundings.
SPOILER: Then he or she leaves one last mess in the nest and takes off. Momma bird comes home, worm in beak, to an empty nest. She drops the worm and looks about, even pecking here and there to see if one might be still hiding in there somewhere.
As she takes off into the sunset, or sunrise, I can just read her mind: "Sure leave me your mess and don't even say good-bye."
Musical Cars
Ah, Spring. Green grass, budding trees, gorgeous colors and, the garbage day shuffle.
The question: How do you fit 5-6 vehicles of various shapes and sizes into one typical length driveway?
The answer: It's not easy.
It would be easier if everyone's schedule stayed the same every week. We could draw a little diagram, label the spot that belongs to each car in order of the time the owner has to leave and hang it on the wall. Then we would just get used to it.
But when the ordinance goes into effect in April, the college schedule is what it is. Then wham, come May, everything changes.
I often find myself with at least one extra set of keys in hand going out to free someone who is parked in because one of their siblings was gone but came home and is now passed out for a midmorning nap. Or they are up, but not quite ready to leave for the day so, "mom, could you move my car, please?"
When they can't park in the driveway the evening before because someone, not mentioning any names, is taking up the center of the driveway in my usual spot, then I need some help. So I start waking kids up. They come out, barefoot, hair everywhere, barely able to see where they're going and move their cars away from a sure ticket. They quickly figure out who needs to be out first, second, third, etc so they don't have to get up again, and they start parking.
Ah, Spring. Someone start the music.
The question: How do you fit 5-6 vehicles of various shapes and sizes into one typical length driveway?
The answer: It's not easy.
It would be easier if everyone's schedule stayed the same every week. We could draw a little diagram, label the spot that belongs to each car in order of the time the owner has to leave and hang it on the wall. Then we would just get used to it.
But when the ordinance goes into effect in April, the college schedule is what it is. Then wham, come May, everything changes.
I often find myself with at least one extra set of keys in hand going out to free someone who is parked in because one of their siblings was gone but came home and is now passed out for a midmorning nap. Or they are up, but not quite ready to leave for the day so, "mom, could you move my car, please?"
When they can't park in the driveway the evening before because someone, not mentioning any names, is taking up the center of the driveway in my usual spot, then I need some help. So I start waking kids up. They come out, barefoot, hair everywhere, barely able to see where they're going and move their cars away from a sure ticket. They quickly figure out who needs to be out first, second, third, etc so they don't have to get up again, and they start parking.
Ah, Spring. Someone start the music.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tea Party
My tenacious one was determined to have a tea party; 6 weeks ago.
It finally happened; yesterday.
Because of a series of events the party kept getting put off and pushed back until finally she could stand the wait no more. She would have to be content with only one friend here, plus her big sister and her sister's friend.
Like many things that happen around here, not much went right.
Her friend's mom locked the keys in the car when they were in Plymouth so she was late.
No matter, the party must go on.
I purchased a paintable tea set and so the girls decided they would paint and then when the last guest came she could do hers then. The outside of the box said, "Paint, bake, use!" The inside the box instructions said, "paint, wait 24 hours, bake and use." URRGG.
Then they played musical chairs (not too fun with only 3 but they managed).
Finally, her friend got here. She painted, they made Froot Loop necklaces, played musical chairs again and then played outside. They had a blast.
It wasn't the way I wanted it to be, but kids don't really need it to be parent perfect for it to feel perfect to them.
It finally happened; yesterday.
Because of a series of events the party kept getting put off and pushed back until finally she could stand the wait no more. She would have to be content with only one friend here, plus her big sister and her sister's friend.
Like many things that happen around here, not much went right.
Her friend's mom locked the keys in the car when they were in Plymouth so she was late.
No matter, the party must go on.
I purchased a paintable tea set and so the girls decided they would paint and then when the last guest came she could do hers then. The outside of the box said, "Paint, bake, use!" The inside the box instructions said, "paint, wait 24 hours, bake and use." URRGG.
Then they played musical chairs (not too fun with only 3 but they managed).
Finally, her friend got here. She painted, they made Froot Loop necklaces, played musical chairs again and then played outside. They had a blast.
It wasn't the way I wanted it to be, but kids don't really need it to be parent perfect for it to feel perfect to them.
Wrap Up
Well we have a new pipe in our front yard and no water in the basement. Hurray!
The plumbers came nice and early and had a very nice hole dug by nine o'clock. They fitted the new pieces of plumbing together and spent a while running the cutting tool through it to make sure there were no pesky roots left.
Now we just have to wait for the dirt to settle back into the hole so the mound on our lawn will go away. The neighbor kids were willing to help with the process, as I saw bike tire tracks on it within the day.
It is wonderful to run the washer, the showers and the dishwasher without worrying. But, I'm not sure how long it will take me to stop peeking around the corner into the laundry room to see if there is water by the drain.
The plumbers came nice and early and had a very nice hole dug by nine o'clock. They fitted the new pieces of plumbing together and spent a while running the cutting tool through it to make sure there were no pesky roots left.
Now we just have to wait for the dirt to settle back into the hole so the mound on our lawn will go away. The neighbor kids were willing to help with the process, as I saw bike tire tracks on it within the day.
It is wonderful to run the washer, the showers and the dishwasher without worrying. But, I'm not sure how long it will take me to stop peeking around the corner into the laundry room to see if there is water by the drain.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Easter Egg Scramble
Last Saturday was the annual Easter egg scramble at the local elementary school. Since we homeschool I'm not alway up on the next thing happening around town.
Usually I remember the scramble when I see the smiling little ones walking home with their filled baskets.
Well, not this year. This year we participated. The neighbor kids filled in my tenacious one with the necessary information and she came running to ask permission to go.
For years, being the clutter hater that I am, we have condensed nine Easter baskets down to one family basket which meant I didn't have anything with which she could collect her hoard. Suddenly I spotted the empty ice cream bucket. How convenient. I washed it out, wrapped it in some yellow poster board that I had handy. Also available was a clear plastic bag with pastel decorations on it. I cut that up and wrapped it around the poster board. Viola! It was even kind of cute.
She stood with eager anticipation until the countdown and then she was off. All of the kids had the same idea (or suggestion from a loved one) and they ran to the far end of the field and started grabbing eggs. She had a blast. Her grin was from ear to ear when she came to show me here haul.
Then she got to sit by the Easter Bunny and get her picture taken.
She can hardly wait for next year.
Usually I remember the scramble when I see the smiling little ones walking home with their filled baskets.
Well, not this year. This year we participated. The neighbor kids filled in my tenacious one with the necessary information and she came running to ask permission to go.
For years, being the clutter hater that I am, we have condensed nine Easter baskets down to one family basket which meant I didn't have anything with which she could collect her hoard. Suddenly I spotted the empty ice cream bucket. How convenient. I washed it out, wrapped it in some yellow poster board that I had handy. Also available was a clear plastic bag with pastel decorations on it. I cut that up and wrapped it around the poster board. Viola! It was even kind of cute.
She stood with eager anticipation until the countdown and then she was off. All of the kids had the same idea (or suggestion from a loved one) and they ran to the far end of the field and started grabbing eggs. She had a blast. Her grin was from ear to ear when she came to show me here haul.
Then she got to sit by the Easter Bunny and get her picture taken.
She can hardly wait for next year.
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