Let the Fun Begin

    Today was the official last day of work before summer holiday begins. This year has really flown by and for that I am grateful.  This has been one of those circus years at work.  IEP's are done, my room is packed and ready for the move to a different school, and I've been called for jury duty for the first time ever in my life.  I'm not looking forward to the last item on the list but I will dutifully carry out my civic duty and hope that my name is not on the list again for a very long time.  I don't know whether to say that I'm looking forward to the break or dreading all of the many things that my children are going to want to do over the break.  
     I know that there are those out there who would swear that they would love to be a teacher because we get soooo many days off.  Truly I think they would be best advised to walk in my shoes.  
    The classroom is all packed up.  I'm going to miss my old school but hope the new "old" school we are moving to will be just as wonderful.  I've fought for a washer and dryer and hot water and hope and pray that both will be there when we go back in July to unpack.  I don't think we could survive without either since we are constantly changing diapers and washing soiled clothing.  Some things are out of your control and there truly is no need to stress over them at this point in the game.


    It was really funny leaving the building on the last day of school this year.  Closing the door on one chapter and waiting for what the next chapter will hold.  My trusty assistant and I could not resist the temptation to sing, "Happy Trails," as we left for the final time.  My other assistant thought we had gone totally bonkers but it felt good to bid our old building a fond farewell.  Now, to come up with a new song for a new beginning in August.  

Sick Day (not for me)

      And here I thought the pollen was not going to affect the people in my house but foiled again!  Princess calls around 10 and because the farm (where Hub works) is being inspected to become FDA rated it falls on me to leave work for the day.  I should not be complaining but economically it would have been a waste for me to pick her up, drop her off, and then go back to work.  Imitrex, zyrtec, and a nap is just what the doctor ordered.  In the mean time, I have cleaned the counter and made room for the new toaster oven, doctored the slow cooker cowboy beans, mixed up the ranch potato salad, and here I sit blogging as if there weren't another million or so things calling my name.  I left work and swore that I would work on paperwork but I don't see that happening.....although I will definitely complain later when I'm typing the words observation and task analysis data 15 gajillion times.  On the bright side, I get a little peace and quiet (NOT something that happens as a rule in our house).

      The Hub is celebrating his 38th birthday this weekend but won't be home to celebrate with us....(A soap box moment is coming on, BEWARE)  I should be okay with this yearly tradition of his.  You see, he and his childhood friend have birthdays only days apart and they have always celebrated their birthdays together.  Each year they pick something to do on their birthday weekends and this year they are going to a beer convention in Raleigh, NC.  I'm not jealous of the fact that I am missing a beer convention because I detest the taste of beer and really don't see the point in drinking what is essentially bread in a bottle.  My hips can't stand anymore carbs and if I'm going to indulge it's going to be the real thing.  I like bread real bread!  So to sum it up, my husband is going away to play while I wrangle the kids and trot them from here to yon....Whoop Whoop!

Oh how time flies....You don't even realize it!

I was just reading an old blog that I no longer use and ran across pictures of the kids from four years ago.  In such a little time my children have blossomed.  It seems so odd that they have changed not only in their looks but also in their personalities.  We've been through our fair share of trials, tribulation, and celebrations but to look back four years and imagine myself back then is truly awe inspiring.  I never really thought that the ride of life would truly be like a roller coaster with ups and downs and squeals of happiness and screams of frustration.  All that considered here we are and they are growing so quickly.  I have a hard time looking toward the future to imagine where they will be four years from now.  I want to magically wave a wand and make time stand still but I know that is not possibly and simply an unjust wish for my children.  There is so much out there in that great big world for them to see and experience.  I can only hope that they never forget that there truly is, "No place like home."  "Home is where your story begins and where you run to when the big bad world gets you down."

I Will Forever be an Aldi's Shopper

Weekly Menu for April 19

Monday:  Roast, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Tuesday:  BBQ Wings, Ranch Potato Salad, Crockpot Cowboy Beans

Wednesday:  Tacos and Quesadillas

Thursday:  Sloppy Joes with Steak Fries

Friday:  Little Caesar's Pizza 2 Meat Trios $8 and 1 Pepperoni $5

I made my weekly jaunt to the grocery store.  If I haven't already mentioned, I try to stay under $125.00 per week on groceries including what the children take for lunch and fix themselves for breakfast in the mornings before school.  I can't stay within this budget at the "regular" grocery store or even Wal-Mart.  I neither have the time nor the patience to clip coupons so Aldi is my next best option.  Thus far we have faired well even with the economy such that it is.  Below is the list of items that I purchased today and the prices.  My bill for 62 items came to exactly $111.84!  

Big Ticket Items:

 ground beef 5lbs.    9.58   

 Chicken wings 5lbs.-7.99  

  muti-pack chips-3.99  

  he Tandil laundry detergent-6.99

Lunch and Breakfast Things:

Bread-  .79          Shredded Wheat Cereal-  1.89  English Muffins- .99            Cinnamon Raisin Bagels-1.39

Milk-  2.69            Eggs-.99                                  Pre-Cooked Bacon 1.99(2)      Apple Juice(2)-1.19

Cherry Juice-1.79  German Coffee- 3.99             Trail Mix-1.99                           Granola Bars(2)- 1.69

Twinkies- 1.99        Fudge Brownies(2)-.99        Trail Mix Bars-1.89                   Oatmeal Pie-.99

24 count bottled water-2.79                                chocolate syrup-1.24

Cleaning and Paper Products:   

Dishwasher Liquid-2.49         

3 pack paper towels-1.89

50 count paper plates-1.99

Dinner Items:

  Frozen Green Beans (2)-1.49    

  Refried Beans-.69

  Cream of Celery Soup-.59

  Butter Beans- .69

  Kidney Beans- .59

  Cream Mushroom Soup(3)-.59

   Baked Beans(2)-.59

   Gravy Mix-.35

   Onion Soup Mix-.79

   32oz. Ketchup-1.19

    Ranch Dressing-1.19

    BBQ Sauce (2)-1.69

    Steak Fries-1.69

    45oz. Butter-1.79

    Sharp Cheddar (3)  1.79

    Shredded Co-Jack Cheese- 2.29

    Shredded Cheddar-2.99

    Taco Shells- .99

    Taco Mix-.35

    Flour Tortillas-.99

    Bacon Bits-1.49

    Sloppy Joe Mix- .99

    Hamburger Buns-.85

    White Onions (3 count)-1.49

     Baking Potatoes 3 lb bag (2)- .99

The fact that my children don't mind eating things that don't have a trendy label and they don't snub their noses at so-called off brand items is a wonderful thing.  I have childhood memories of when my mum and step-dad were just getting started in their marriage and careers.  Back then off brand was called generic and they always came in these gawd awful yellow packages.  I was mortified (odd because now I understand and it's all about saving money) when we pulled up to the register.....The food wasn't that great either!  Maybe it was those gawd awful yellow packages that made those things taste so bad.  My kids don't mind and when they have friends over (which is pretty often for one of them) it's not a big deal.  I have tried to convince several of my friends that Aldi's is the way to go but only one friend's sister has opted to try it.  Oh well, their loss is truly my savings!  I'm planning on giving my crockpot a good work out this week too!  Cowboy beans and a roast, just what will help me out through a busy week.

    

  

Spring in all of its Glory!

The basil I started from seed is actually looking good!  Honestly I usually kill any kind of plant that I try to raise so I'm rather pleased with this.

In a few short months we will have apples.  I thought the pink buds were just too hard to pass by.  Funny when the wind blew it was like a mini snow storm.

No birds but this bumblebee was exhibiting pollenation at its finest.

The is a better shade of yellow than all of the pollen that we have been seeing lately.

Such a DANDY Lion!

II am truly hoping that the pups didn't kill a poor baby bird.  I'm hoping this is just some of the down that the baby birds shed on this glorious Spring day.

Take note of the yellow ring around the tip of Sam's nose...I think he seriously thinks that he was a bumblebee in his other life.  He sniff sniff sniffs everything while he is wandering in the backyard.

Shot Received and Groceries Purchased all before 9:30

          My trip back to the doctor was uneventful, thankfully!  I didn't dare to ask to have my blood pressure taken again because frankly, I don't want to know how elevated it was this morning.  After a lot of consideration and a salad for dinner I am convinced that I can be healthier....I'm not talking drastic change but just enough to make a difference.  Now getting Hub on board to help me cut down my stress levels!   Haha I'm thinking that will be a totally wasted effort but it's worth a shot!  My hip is killing me right now and I had a really good nurse.
           Crap I hate getting older!  What can you do?!?!?!?

Getting Older Really (and I do mean REALLY) Sucks!

      

As a female visiting the OB/GYN is not my favorite place to visit but I dutifully go because I've fought a bought of dysplasia when I was but 16 years old.  Today was one of those days...visiting the "Cooter" doctor Princess so lovingly puts it.  She's been going since she was 13, so I know that she is feeling sympathy when she jokes about going to see that doctor.  For some reason I thought I would just breeze through the visit and be on my way.  Oh how wrong I was!  Turning 36 was not a big deal last month....until today!  Apparently my blood pressure over the last few years had starting an increasing trend....

      My paternal grandfather died of a heart attack in his 60's so this is really no joking matter.  The doctor (she really is a great doctor) says that the main factor she is considering is the Pill causing it but I'm not so convinced with this thought.  I think stress is a major factor for my increasing blood pressure....I tried to discuss this with my Hub but got more positive reaction from my mother despite the fact that she was kicking my butt to make sure that I get on top of the situation.  Hub starts going through my diet....I don't make fried food ever and I certainly don't make a habit of going out and eating greasy fried foods!  I eat vegetables every single day...I admit my downfall is bread and that is going to be an extremely hard habit to break.  I've started buying whole wheat pasta because I want my family to be healthy.  I don't get as much exercise as I should but with all of the activities that I run around doing I suppose..Oh shit!  I guess that is an aspect of my life that may need to change has to change.

      What drives me absolutely insane is that my Hub...no he isn't a small man nor is he a oversized man, can eat loads of salt with every meal and eats junk food daily but yet still continues to have good cholesterol numbers and good blood pressure.  Did I mention that beer is his water?  The man never drinks water!!!!  I don't even buy soda because I know that I will drink it and that it is bad for me.  Oh I know that I regularly go off of my Topomax just so I can drink a soda every now and again.  AAAAARRRGGGHHH!  (My youngest thinks I'm a nut because I really did just scream)
      With all of that ranting and raving being put out there to the blog gods...I feel no better just irritated a bit more than when I started this entry!  Getting older stinks...REALLY!  Ten years ago I was probably saying something similar but I was talking about the number and not the physical stuff!